Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Standing Tall ❯ A Visit Overdue ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Rurouni Kenshin
Standing Tall
Chapter 8 - A Visit Overdue
A/N: You know, as I was watching that episode where Kenshin visits Tomoe's grave...I began to wonder...What was he thinking? And why did he seem a bit happier after the visit? Hmm...well, C-Chan's going to show you what she thinks! OMG! It's a blank part of the storyline WITHIN a blank part of the storyline! Who wudda guessed? ^^ Arrigatou, Ja ne, and Review, onegai!

Disclaimer: Refer to previous chapters.

As Kenshin approached the graveyard, his hand tightened around the bucket's handle. It had been ten years since he had even stepped foot in Kyoto, and his heart ached with memories of battles fought and lives lost. But when he entered the small graveyard, he felt his chest tighten. Old wounds surfaced and bled freely, and Kenshin had to fight with himself not to turn around.

The small gravestone laid near the back of the cemetery, between much larger stones. On first glance anyone else would have looked over the small grave, but Kenshin knew exactly where it was. As he stood in front of it, he pulled the bandage covering his cross-scar away from his cheek and clasped it in his hand. "Even after ten years...nothing has changed about this place..." A solemn smile found his face and he knelt down before the grave, placing the bucket and bandage down and pressing his hands together.

He couldn't quite place when the rain began to fall, but as the soft rain fell on him, Kenshin felt his tears slip. For ten years...he couldn't bring himself to visit her grave. Tomoe, the woman who had shown him love for the first time...she laid here now because of his sword. Tomoe...it's been a while since I visited you last...I hope you can forgive me. He thought, closing his eyes tightly to stop the tears.

Ten years...but the blood still stains my hands. No matter how hard I try, how hard I scrub my hands, I still see it, lingering, taunting...But I haven't killed. Just like I promised, I haven't killed since the Bakumatsu.

Kenshin could feel Hiko's presence behind him, but didn't acknowledge him. It will take my entire life to atone for what I've done, especially what I've done to you. You're voice and face are forever engraved into my heart...and for your death I will atone even after my own end.

Kenshin opened his eyes again and allowed the tears to fall, mixing with the rain that was gliding down his face. He took a shaky breath, then closed his eyes again, his hands pressing together a bit harder. So many people still fear me...and at times it hurts. Knowing that I will never be able to live peacefully, my bloody past always finding a way to catch up with me...it hurts more than anyone could imagine. Even now I still strike fear into people when they learn who I was...accept for her...

She accepts me, Tomoe. Despite what I've done, all the blood on my hands, she accepts me. Without knowing my name she invited me into her home without question. She's managed to bring happiness into my life...something that I haven't felt in so long, nor deserve. But even so, she still found a place in my heart.

I know she loves me...I can feel it. But I'm not sure if I can return it. I'm too tainted, and she's so innocent. I can never forget my love for you, either. You saved me from the hitokiri, if it wasn't for you I may have ended up dead long ago. And now, it seems Kaoru is trying to protect me from it again.

I hope your soul is at peace, Tomoe. I can never and will never forget my love for you, as long as I live. Perhaps one day I can bring Kaoru here...so you can see what I mean. She's such a kind-hearted girl...

Hiko finally decided to break the silence. "Visiting her grave for the first time in ten years?"

Kenshin didn't answer. Slowly he brought a hand to his scarred cheek, covering the mix of rain and tears as he finally rested violet orbs on Tomoe's gravestone. "It looks like you found flowers to bring to her grave." Hiko continued, smiling a bit.

Silence claimed the master and apprentice, until Kenshin's hand dropped and he leaned back slightly. "After the Meiji Era, I wandered through most of Japan." The rurouni began, his tone soft.

"Shikashi, this was the one place where many knew me. I had avoided coming here...thinking that if I did, three'd be unwanted fighting."

The rurouni continued after a small pause.

"Is that the only reason?" Hiko asked.

Kenshin paused again, realizing the rain had stopped. He took in a shuddering breath and continued. "Kyoto...reminds me of the one who rests here...the one who I killed with my own hands. That was especially why I wanted to avoid coming here."

A small smile found it's way to his lips. "But..." Let's go back to Tokyo, together.

The ex-hitokiri stood up and shook the water from his hair, looking over his shoulder at Hiko, the small smile growing just slightly bigger. "I finally decided to bring flowers to this grave."

Hiko paused for a moment, then tossed the umbrella he had to Kenshin, who caught it clumsily. Slowly he sauntered away, his cape billowing behind him. "Then hurry up and go back to Tokyo. If you have another unwanted fight, I won't help you out next time!"

Kenshin watched his master's figure disappear, then turned to acknowledge Tomoe's grave one more time. "I will come again."

A/N: Was it a bit too much? At first I was going to make this first person, but after two sentences I couldn't stand how it looked. Also, I don't know much about Tomoe, except the basics, and what I've read in fanfiction. The dialogue in this is taken from the episode itself, thanks to the wonders of subtitles. Please, if anything seems wrong, tell me? I really wanted this chapter to be good. The next one will take place after they arrive back in Tokyo, and that will end the story. *Sniffles* Waii! I don't want it to end!

Eko - Idiot, all stories are meant to end.

What?! I thought I locked you in a room somewhere...FAR away might I add...

Eko - You thought you did, but you were wrong. Just finish up with you're stupid author note.

Ergh...just watch. That threat I made when we were doing my profile? It's happening....just you watch.

Eko - Eep. o.o;

Anyway, minna-san, I have a small request. Could someone e-mail me a link or an explanation of what happened after Enishi? Since I'm starting to get a hang of this whole waff thing, I wanna write more! ^^ And for that, I need to know details that the fanfiction I've been reading don't go into much. It would be very helpful! Anyway, I'll go now since my author note is growing longer than the chapter itself! *Blink* Why didn't anyone tell me I write these so long? Anyway, Ja for now!