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 4
Shingai
“Hmm…very
interesting…” Kenshin sat patiently waiting for the physician to complete his
examination, wishing fervently that he’d gone to see Genzai-sensei after all as
Yahiko had asked him to. “Well…” He
focused on the doctor again and waited for him to complete his sentence. “You can get dressed now, Himura-san.” Slowly Kenshin did so, carefully slipping
his arms into his new dark blue gi that Kaoru had made for him on the
anniversary of their marriage just the year before. As he tucked the trailing ends into his hakama he glanced over at
the doctor expectantly only to find him scowling out the window with a distant
expression in his narrowed eyes.
“Himura-san…how long have you been experiencing these symptoms?”
“Ano…a
few years now.” He answered hesitantly,
disturbed by the doctor’s strange behaviour.
“Hmm…I
see.” Reaching for a journal, the
doctor wrote for a while, and then looked up again with an inscrutable
expression on his stern features. “I
will need to do a few more tests to be certain, however, I can give you a
preliminary prognosis if you like.”
Kenshin
straightened his shoulders and met the physician’s penetrating stare
directly. “What’s wrong with me?” Despite his inner trepidation, his voice was
strong, indicating his ability to deal with whatever diagnosis the doctor could
possibly give him.
“All
right, Himura-san, I’ll be honest with you.”
The doctor set his journal aside and Kenshin peeked at it from the
corner of his eye, biting back a startled ‘oro’ when he got a good look at the
page. “I’ve been studying some of the
western medical practices being introduced to Japan since our borders were
opened, paying particular attention to one that deals strictly with the
mind. You, Himura-san, are a
hypochondriac. Meaning, there’s nothing
wrong with you. You think there
is and therefore you experience symptoms.
Go home, Himura-san, and stop wasting my time.” The doctor gestured towards the door.
Kenshin
resisted the urge to growl at the doctor as he stepped out the door and ignored
his younger companions questioning expression.
He cast Yahiko a quelling look before leaving the clinic, earning a
puzzled look from the young man. “Not
now, Yahiko. Not now.” He muttered to him as he stalked down the
street towards Genzai-sensei’s clinic.
“But
Kenshin…what…”
“I
said not now, Yahiko. I don’t want to discuss
it, that I do not.”
Yahiko
gave him an odd look that clearly stated that the young man was becoming
increasingly worried about his friend and mentor. “All right, Kenshin…if that’s the way you want it.”
With
a long-suffering sigh Kenshin stopped in the street and turned to his young
friend. “I’m sorry, Yahiko, that I
am. I shouldn’t have snapped at you
like that, that I should have not.”
With another sigh Kenshin turned and began walking slowly, gesturing for
Yahiko to follow. “I didn’t like what
that doctor said, that I did not.”
“How
bad is it then?” Though he tried to
hide his worry, it showed in the slight waver in his voice.
“That’s
just it, Yahiko.” Kenshin stopped again
and turned to glare back the way they came.
“He said there is nothing wrong with me. He said that I think there’s something wrong and then I
expect it to be so.”
“B-but…”
Yahiko spluttered for a moment. “But
that’s stupid! People don’t make
themselves sick just by thinking about it!
Is he really a doctor?”
Kenshin
shrugged. “And on top of it, he called
me names.” He shook his head with a
sigh. “I think I’ll just go see
Genzai-sensei, that I will.”
“He
called you names? And he’s still
standing?” Yahiko sounded impressed…or
horrified…it was difficult to tell considering the conflicting emotions
flitting across his expression. “You
have better self-control than I’d ever have, Kenshin, and that’s a fact.”
Shaking
his head with a low chuckle, Kenshin continued walking. “It came close, that it did.” Suddenly he stopped and tilted his head to
the side in thoughtful consideration.
“Hmm…”
“Kenshin? What is it?” Yahiko reached up to grasp his shinai, moving into an alert
stance.
Violet
eyes widening in recognition, Kenshin smiled with heartfelt welcome as a
familiar figure stepped into view from a side street carrying a small,
lightweight traveling bag. Increasing
his pace, Kenshin closed the distance quickly with Yahiko close behind. “Megumi-dono? What a pleasant surprise, that it is.”
“Megumi?”
Yahiko peered over Kenshin’s shoulder
with a welcoming grin, much to the older man’s chagrin and the lady doctor’s
amusement.
“Ken-san! Yahiko-kun!” Megumi hurried across the street and stopped beside her friend’s
with a breathless laugh. “I was just
going on to the doujou. This is
perfect. Now we can walk together.”
Suddenly
Yahiko poked Kenshin hard in the ribs.
“Hey, Kenshin, ask Megumi.”
Kenshin
glared while Megumi cast the two of them a questioning look. “Ask me what, Ken-san?”
“Ano…”
Kenshin smiled nervously.
“Megumi-dono…I was wondering if you would give me a medical examination,
that I was.”
Megumi’s
smile faded. “O-of course,
Ken-san. When we reach the…”
“Ano…could
we do it somewhere other than at the doujou, Megumi-dono? I would rather not worry Kaoru with this
needlessly, that I would not.”
“I
see.” She turned to the younger man,
expression serious and professional.
“Yahiko-kun…could we use your apartment?”
“Yeah,
sure. No problem.”
***
Definitions:
Mamorigami: Guardian (Deity)
Shingai: wholly unexpected; regrettable; unthinkable