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 11
Tsurai
Kenshin shivered and wrapped his arms around himself as he gazed up at the clear night sky, losing himself in the tiny pinpricks of light dotting the vast expanse. His eyes moved slowly back to the fire before him and he found himself mesmerized by the dancing of the flames as they licked at the wood, consuming it, turning it to grey ash as tendrils of smoke rose up into the sky to meet with the stars again. He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly, reaching up to rub absently at the sharp stabbing ache forming yet again in his chest, radiating outwards into his neck and shoulders, moving to engulf his back and abdomen. Slowing his breathing to relieve the pressure he bent forward slowly, his hair falling over his shoulder as he clutched at his ribs, trying desperately to ride with the pain, to not give in to it. He gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut as he felt the chills wracking his slender form. He was thankful that he’d been sitting when this attack came on. If he’d been lying down it would have been much worse. Slowly the excruciating pain subsided and he opened his eyes to gaze into the fire again, breathing shallowly, trying to catch his breath again. He sighed softly and brushed his hair out of his eyes with trembling fingers, swiping his forearm across his forehead. The attacks were getting worse.
He leaned back against the rough bark of
the tree behind him and tilted his face upwards to watch the play of firelight
on the leaves fluttering above him in the gentle breeze. He knew his time was running out. His condition was worsening rapidly. His lips curved up into a sad smile as he
thought of the circumstances that had brought him to this. “Kaoru…” He whispered his beloved’s name
reverently and closed his eyes, picturing her features…her beautiful blue
eyes…her smile. It was worth it. He had no regrets. A soft sound to his right caught his attention and he opened his
eyes slowly as he turned his head towards the direction the noise had
originated. He frowned and slowly sat
straighter as he opened his senses, casting out his ki in search of the unknown
presence lurking in the shadows just out of sight. Eyes widening he jerked upright.
“You…” He whispered, breath uneven, the ache in his chest growing once
again to sharp pains. He clutched at
his chest and bent forward with a low moan, trying to still his agitated
breathing again to ease the pain.
Battousai… The terrifyingly
familiar disembodied voice echoed through the silent forest. You don’t look so well…
Drawing in a gasping breath Kenshin
raised his head and glared in the general direction from which he’d sensed the
being’s presence. “You…” He paused as a
spell of dry hacking coughs wracked his body.
You are dieing, Himura
Battousai. And there is nothing that
these pathetic mortals can do to reverse it.
Do you regret our pact?
Unable to form a verbal response as he fought to catch his breath again, Kenshin shook his head emphatically, afraid that this creature would take his silence as confirmation of its assumption and take back the miracle from that night an eternity ago…the night he’d been given a second chance with his Kaoru. “No…” He managed to get out before the fit of coughing overcame him again.
So stubborn… Kenshin thought he
heard the entity sigh. I could ease
your suffering…
Raising his head slowly, breath coming
in harsh panting gasps, Kenshin shook his head. “No…this…it is…”
Your atonement? There was sadness in the voice addressing
the former hitokiri. Don’t be a
fool, Himura Kenshin. Nothing you could
ever do during this mortal life could ever sufficiently atone for the crimes
you committed during the revolution as Hitokiri Battousai. Judgment comes after death…didn’t you know? The momentary lapse into pity was gone,
replaced by cruel mockery. You will
be meeting it soon enough…
Kenshin closed his eyes and slowly
leaned back again, exhausted. “Go
away…” He whispered softly, features drawn and haggard. Suddenly he stiffened as he felt movement
and a touch against his face. He jerked
upwards about to open his eyes when he froze at the creature’s harsh laughter. Again he felt the feather light touch
caressing his face, brushing his hair aside.
Slowly he opened his eyes to see… “Oro?” Nothing. Not even his
campfire. Stygian darkness prevailed,
stamping out all light, even the memory of it.
He trembled and closed his eyes again.
But I can save you…I can stop the
judgment…if you so desire it…
The man once known as Hitokiri Battousai
shook his head slowly. “I-I can’t…” He
began only to stop in shock when he felt the invisible fingers trace down to
his chest, the path feeling oddly cool…and painless…in the wake of the gentle
touch. “Wh-what are you doing?” He whispered shakily.
Easing your torment… A soft sigh
stirred the wanderer’s hair. Despite
what you may think, I don’t enjoy watching you suffer…
“Who are you?” Kenshin felt himself relaxing, for the first time in years the
aching in his body easing to bearable levels.
I told you at our last meeting that
my name is not important. But if you
insist…I am called Shinigami… The voice paused as the man jerked back, eyes
wide, expression almost frightened. That’s
right… A low chuckle echoed off the trees surrounding them. You made a pact with a demon, Battousai…
Does this frighten you?
Kenshin managed a weak smile as he shook his head slowly. “Frighten? No…” He swallowed and tilted his head back, closing his eyes as he felt the rough bark behind him and the soft air touches before him. “Terrified…” He whispered softly before opening his eyes again. He started and blinked, eyes widening when he met an amused amber gaze staring at him. “Kuso…” He breathed the expletive softly.
You are amusing. I like you.
I will help you again…but the cost… The voice trailed off as the
gaze shifted away, disappearing. The
cost may be too much for you to bear…
“Cost?”
He frowned uncertainly and laughed shortly. “What could be worse than this?”
He gestured bitterly towards his body and then sighed. “Never mind.” He bowed his head and let out a shuddering sigh. “I asked for it…in exchange for Kaoru…so she
may live…” For the first time since that fateful night Kenshin felt regret for
his decision. He shook his head sharply
and raised his gaze again. “But I did
the right thing…didn’t I?”
Did you? Only you can answer that… The gentle touch returned and Kenshin
found his eyes drifting closed again, his breath coming easier, not nearly as
painful as before. Sleep, itoshigo…
The shadowed figure wavered for a moment between transparency and solidity,
long fingers trailing over the wanders drawn and careworn features with
infinite tenderness.
Kenshin stirred, his eyes opening
slowly. “Oro?” He whispered, feeling oddly lethargic now
that the constant pain was diminished.
Had the creature called him…beloved dear child? He shook his head slowly, lips curving
upwards into a tired smile. He must
have misheard. His eyes drifted closed
again of their own volition as sleep slowly overtook his exhausted body and he
slipped into deep and peaceful slumber.
Slowly the entity identified as
Shinigami lowered the former hitokiri to the ground and covered him with his
blanket. Sleep, Kenshin, while you
can…we will speak again…when you’re not nearly so exhausted. The soft voice whispered on the breeze and
gentle fingers brushed against the dark red strands of the rurouni’s hair. My itoshigo…I have waited for so
long…just a little longer… Shinigami slowly pulled away, transparent form
dissipating into mist and nothingness. Just
a short time more to wait and we will be together again… The last whispered
words echoed through the gently swaying leaves overhead, the flames of the
small fire dancing wildly as Himura Kenshin slept on, blissfully unaware of the
possessiveness of Shinigami.
***
Definitions:
Mamorigami: Guardian (Deity)
Tsurai: painful (excruciating); tormenting