Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin &
Samurai X Original Japanese Version © N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual
Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me)
were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for
publication or sale.
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by Chiruken
Chapter 6
Ryouken
Give
up the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu… Kenshin’s minded traveled the well-worn path
of contemplation as he methodically scrubbed at Kenji’s grass-stained
hakama. Give up swordsmanship…
His eyes narrowed on a particularly stubborn spot. Set aside the sakabatou… He scrubbed a little more
vigorously. Swordsmanship had been his
life for over twenty years. Could he
give it up just like that? Could he
turn his back on his master’s teachings so easily? Could he give up his chosen path for atonement? His gaze moved across the short distance to
the engawa where Kaoru sat with an indulgent smile, eyes focused on the
activity in the yard before her. His
eyes slid to what had her so fascinated.
A smile curved his lips upwards as he watched his son train with Yahiko,
his movements graceful and sure-footed.
Kenji was a natural when it came to swordsmanship. Kenshin’s smile faded and he turned back to
his laundry. He feared for his
son. With a seemingly God-given talent
for swordsmanship like he was displaying, his future was certain to contain
many hardships and inevitable heartache.
He wished he could protect Kenji from the pitfalls that would be a part
of his life.
With
a soft sigh Kenshin set the now clean hakama to the side and reached for
Kaoru’s sleeping yukata. He paused,
inhaling the scent of her perfume with a gentle smile. Looking up again, he met Megumi’s concerned
gaze and offered her a reassuring smile.
For his family, he’d do anything.
Even if he couldn’t use his sakabatou to protect them, he’d find another
way. And he’d find another way to seek
atonement for the sins of his thoughtless actions during the revolution. “There has to be a way…there just has to
be…” He murmured under his breath as he stared into the rapidly cooling water
before him. Suddenly he stood and wiped
his hands on his hakama, pulling the tasuki from his sleeves and allowing them
to fall into place. He turned towards
the practice hall and strode away purposefully, ignoring the questioning looks
sent his way. He paused before entering
and turned to the young man standing beside Megumi and watching him
intently. “Yahiko.”
“Yes,
Kenshin?” He stood straighter and
regarded his mentor with calm directness.
“Get
your shinai.” Kenshin then disappeared
into the hall only to reappear moments later carrying his sakabatou. He stepped into the middle of the yard and
waited calmly for Yahiko to join him, Kaoru and Megumi watching him curiously.
“Kenshin…”
Kaoru began only to stop when she saw the determined set to his jaw. Biting her lip in concern she lifted Kenji
into her arms and stepped off the engawa.
“Kaoru…”
Kenshin turned slowly to face his wife with a smile as Yahiko stepped in front
of him with a frown of uncertainty.
“Will you give us the signal to begin, please?”
“S-sure,
Kenshin…but…”
“Thank
you.” Without waiting for her to finish
or offering an explanation he turned back to face the young man with a serious
expression. “Yahiko.”
“Y-yes,
Kenshin?” Yahiko couldn’t hide his
nervousness. Kenshin, in his mind, was
acting very strangely.
“Myoujin
Yahiko, I challenge you. Prepare yourself.” Kenshin slid into the familiar stance for
battoujutsu and waited. For a moment
the young man just stared at him and then slowly he drew his shinai and assumed
a stance of readiness, features tightening with fierce determination. Silently Kenshin gave his approval and
waited for Kaoru to give the signal.
He didn’t
have long to wait. She raised her arm
and let it fall. Motion blurred as the
two swordsman sprang forward, each using his own technique…Kenshin, the Hiten
Mitsurugu Ryuu, and Yahiko, the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. It was over in an instant.
Yahiko was thrown back from the force of the blow he received from
Kenshin’s sakabatou and lay sprawled on the ground gasping for breath,
clutching his shinai tightly. Kenshin
stood a short distance away, head bowed, sakabatou sheathed once again, and
slowly reached up to touch his fingers to his shoulder where Yahiko had managed
to land a single blow.
Drawing in a
deep breath Kenshin turned and approached the young man he had regarded as a
son, comrade in arms, and friend.
“Yahiko.” He held out his hand
and when Yahiko took it he pulled him to his feet. “Your skills have improved greatly, Yahiko, that they have. You have done well.” He smiled brightly and held out the sheathed
sakabatou. “You are a man now, that you
are. I leave it to you now.” When Yahiko just stared at him with wide
eyes his smile softened and he placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “Take it…I want you to have it.”
“Kenshin…”
Yahiko stared at the man he both respected and loved as the only father he
could actually remember and bowed deeply.
“Thank you.”
Kaoru blinked
back tears and forced a cheerful smile to her lips. “This calls for a celebration, ne? How about we all go to the Akabeko to celebrate Yahiko’s genpuku,
hmm?”
“That sounds
like an excellent idea, Kaoru-chan.”
Megumi stepped forward and gave Kenshin a knowing smile.
***
Definitions:
Mamorigami: Guardian (Deity)
Ryouken: (1) idea; thought; intention; design;
inclination; decision; (2) motive; (3) discretion; (4)
forgiveness; toleration