InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kiyou Nitsuite Amedare: Ten, Tentou, ken Touhou ❯ Niban Bundan ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"Though I only followed my Otou-san by hand without the aid of my own extension, I could still recognize some of the things he had meant. Once he spoke to me as a child when the mark of a true swordsman reveals itself... It is the day he sheaths his sword for the final time, for he is at peace."

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Samurai / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.09.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 1.8K | Visits: 781 | Status: Work In Progress

A/n: Hehe, as far as if I've seen `Memoirs of a Geisha' or not, I have, and it's an absolutely brilliant movie. In fact, I'm reading the book right now. This fic in a way is based off of that, but is also based off a series of dreams I had when I was younger (before the book was even out, I think… or at least, before I knew of its existence) … I can't exactly tell you what those dreams were, because that would be giving away part of the plot… but well, read on and you'll find out ^_^.

Niban Bundan

~~~*~~~

One, a lonely heart, cries out in the midst of shadows.

“Reach me, reach me” she cries, yet no one hears.

“Seek me, seek me” she cries, yet no one seers.

A hallow plane, vast and alone consumes the lonely mind.

Brushes away the tiniest fears in hope that one day

Courage can be found to pursue darkness

Into light.

~~~*~~~

I remember opening my eyes and wondering if I had reached nirvana. Two figures stood before me, closed in shadow in a place I could not see. Once again, I lost myself to darkness and found myself dreaming of my Okaa-san and Otou-san.

While my Otou-san practiced with his katana on the river bank, shirtless in the midday sun my Okaa-san drew my attention to the kanji before me. She was trying to teach me to read and write, and currently I was practicing my calligraphy. But even so, my eyes always drew to my Otou-san, whose movements were as flawless as my Okaa-san's graceful hand. After a while, my Okaa-san just released a patient sigh accompanied by a soft smile, and permitted me to go to him. In my mind, I did not think he noticed me, for so far drawn in to his form was he that the world was lost around him. I fell in step behind him, following his motion. I recalled myself admiring his fluidity, the controlled flow of his actions. He had taught me that it was not so much the point of having a weapon, so much as it was an extension of your own person. Your katana became a part of you and your body, that the nature of the weapon is lost to the conscious mind. No longer is it a separate being from you, for once you are bonded your katana has its own soul for it is shared with yours.

Though I only followed my Otou-san by hand without the aid of my own extension, I could still recognize some of the things he had meant. Once he spoke to me as a child when the mark of a true swordsman reveals itself... It is the day he sheaths his sword for the final time, for he is at peace.

I had never found that measure of peace, even to this day, as I looked back on that dance that I followed in the high grass of the river bank.

As my Otou-san finished his form, he inhaled deeply and I mimicked him. He stabbed his sword in to the Earth and lifted his arms up to Kami-sama in thanks for the strength he had been given, and the life he had been granted. Then he got on his knees, he knelt on the Earth with his forehead to the ground in thanks for the things he had been given, such as food and water, stability and foundation. As he rose, he turned and looked down upon me to acknowledge he knew I was there. I remember the awe I felt, and bowed to show I felt humbled by his superiority. After quite a few moments, when I was sure he must have been gone, I lifted myself high to look around me.

But there my Otou-san stood, watching me with quiet intensity. More often than not, he would simply gaze at me to remind me he knew of my existence and grant me no further thing than a kind word or two. Though for the seven years of my life he was present, not once did he tell me he loved me, yet I knew in some way he did. It was not his way to express himself orally… actions spoke louder than words, whether it was just by a look or a motion of the hand. This is one thing my Otou-san instilled in me fully.

I lowered my eyes for him, feeling rather inadequate under his scrutinizing gaze. I resisted the urge to fidget, for Okaa-san had taught me that it was improper to do so. After a moment of silence, I finally gave in to the urge to speak. “Chichiue, forgive me if I have in some way displeased you.”

From the corner of my eye, I could barely see him kneeling before me. Two fingers firmly grasped my chin, tilting my head upward to him. I felt my eyes widen, for contact with him was rare and always unexpected, especially concerning his initiation in the matter. And the words he spoke next to me were yet the biggest surprise, even if I did not understand them at the time.

“Kagome… despite all that has happened, I still regard you as my own, and not once have you displeased me, aijou.”

Why I dreamt of that day, I can never be sure… for though my Otou-san was barely in my life he was one of the most prominent figures in my life. He taught me the strength of the river while my Okaa-san taught me the soothing, graceful nature.

That day was as tangible to me that moment that I could have felt my father's fingers on my chin again, smelling his musky sweat from the exercise he had done. Or I could have seen the ink before me, watching my hand draw the delicate curves of kanji in Haiku. I resented that they were not nearly as beautiful as my mother, though she had often complimented me. She encouraged that with time, I too would have beautiful writing, and it would be unique in its own path.

When darkness clouded me again, the memory would fall from my hands like sand, for I clutched it too tightly and it drifted away. I would not have the same dream that filled me so with warmth and love and acceptance again for many, many years to come. But for that moment, a future lay a head of me I believe at times not even Kami-sama wished upon me.

Glossary:

Chichiue-Honorable father

Aijou-Beloved daughter

Otou-san-Father

Okaa-san-Mother