Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Sway of Smoke ❯ The Gift ( Chapter 1 )

Title: The Sway of Smoke

Author: Hoshiko

Chapter 1: Gift

I want you all to know this. I write this fic during Trig and type it up when I get home. If I suddenly make obsure triangle references or talk about the value of theta, that is why.

***

"So, Shinomori Aoshi's in Kyoto is he?" Shishio asked, obviously very amused.

"Hai, Shishio-san," Soujirou responded, "He arrived yesterday and we've been watching him ever since."

"We?" the hitokiri questioned.

"Well, I have," Soujirou corrected. "But if you want me to bring the Jupon Gatana to accompany me I will. He couldn't place why but for some reaosn he was internally pleading for an answer of 'no.'

"Yes, take them with you, If we keep sending you alone then he'll catch on to my intentions."

Though inwardly disappointed, Soujirou smiled his compliance and went to carry out his orders.

'Shinomori...Aoshi...' He remembered the first time he said his name, watching him from afar as he hid amongst the tree's branches.

"Shinomori...Aoshi..."

***

I sat in my room, listening to the silence that had been my only company for hours now. I told Shishio I preferred it that way, knowing full-well he needed me too much not to oblige.

Shishio's fortress in Mt. Hiei was nothing I hadn't expected. Everything was elaborately decorated, the henchman were blindly faithful and the Jupon Gatana looked like a gang of side-show freaks, complete with a she-man, human fly and the world's dumbest mass of wasted flesh. But that one boy, the one named Soujirou, was so different than the other.

*"Then I'll leave you to whatever it was you were doing."*

That one little pause had been playing in my mind for days now. That smile, that figure fading into the wind; it haunted my thoughts every time I closed my eyes, mingling with replayed images of my fallen allies. It was like a never-ceasing cycle of confusing torture. Sacrifice. Pause. Pain. Smile. Blood. Wind. Death. Sadness.

My eyes snapped open suddenly at the sound of an unexpected knock at my door.

"Shinomori-san?" the voice I'd come to recognizes as Soujirou's called, sounding just as sweet and falsely-upbeat as always. "May I come in?"

I hadn't not anticipated his reintroduction into my life, but he had. When he approached me on that Kyoto road I found myself strangely pleased. This meant I had more time to unravel the puzzle behind that smile.

"Shinomori-san?" he called again when I did not answer him. I got to my feet, leaving my coat on the small wooden chair in my room as I went to open the door. When I looked down at him he did it again. Another pause.

Again it was short and barely noticable but it was still there, this time between when he opened his mouth to speak and when the words finally left him. "Ah, you startled me. May I come in?"

I didn't answer. Instead I stepped aside, opening the door just enough for him to step through.

"What is it you want?" I asked, closing the door behind him.

"Shishio-san sent me," he answered, his voice sounding, for the first time, geninely pleased.

"What for? I told him I would come to him when I made my desicion."

His smiled brightened at this. "I'm not a messanger this time, I'm a persuation gift."

I raised an eyebrow. "Gift?"

"Hai! Shishio-san sent me as his way of showing his appreciation for finally considering joining us."

I was still lost. "How so?"

He walked over to my coat and ran his fingers across it. "You know about Yumi-san, correct?"

"Shishio's woman who's constantly draped over him?"

"Hai. Shishio-san sends her sometimes. Sometimes it's a business deal for weapons or a new recruit for our team. Either way, one of us gets sent and so for the time being, I'm yours."

What was this man thinking? I already found him to be twisted enough, so what headway was he expecting from pulling a stunt like this?

"Tell him I'm neither interested nor thankful," I finally replied, walking over to the door and opening it.

Soujirou remined in my room, stroking my coat as if I hadn't spoken. His bangs covered his eyes and his mouth showed no expression.

"You may go," I dismissed. It shocked me when he placed that smile back on his face.

"I have orders to stay here, so leaving is out of the question."

Deciding on a new course of action I closed the door, determined not to let any attempt to sway my judgement suceed in the least. I'd teach Shishio who was was truly in charge here. "Fine, stay. While you here you might as well give me some information."

As if I were a spoiled child he raised a finger and waved it at me. "No, no Shinomori-san. You won't get information like that from me. You know the deal."

"I wasn't speaking of the Battousai."

"I don't think you understand why I'm here," Soujirou went to explain, finally moving away from my jacket. He walked over the my futon and sat on his heels in front of me. In a way he reminded me of a trained dog, begging for attention from his master. "It's not a trick; there are no strings attached."

I stared down at him as he looked up at me, not completely trusting his professions thus far. Intrigued by the mere unexpectedness of the entire situation I knelt down in front of him, reaching out to touch his cheek. The moment my hand made contact he seemingly shut down, giving himself over to me completely. For the first time he was truly blank, as if ready to block out everything he thought I was about to do to him.

'What happened to you, Soujirou?'

As much as this had started out as an experiment, I found myself unable to stop as I reached for his chin, tilting his head up to face me. I stared into unfocused, lack-luster blue orbs, attempting to find something, anything that would give me some clue as to how this boy ticked. Even as I brought my lips toward his he made no effort to move or resist me. However, when I finally brushed my lips gently against his he gasped in shock and pulled back.

"W-what are you doing?"

It seemed we were both confused.

"I was going to kiss you." He still looked confused. "Are you saying Shishio sent you to have sex with me but I'm not allowed to kiss you?"

"Kiss?" he quetioned, bringing his fingers to his lips.

I felt a pin prick of pain over my chest at his question. The boy had been used his whole life but never loved, never even kissed. "Soujirou, how long has Shishio been putting you through this?" I still couldn't control my actions as I found myself running my fingers though his hair. It was so soft, just like the skin on his cheek.

"S-since I was 13," he stuttered. I think my ministrations unnerved him. He'd probably never been caressed like this before. "So about 5 years now. Nowadays, it's either Kamatari-san or Usui-san." Suddenly he pulled away, grabbing my wrist in his small hands. "I- let me show you."

He pushed on my shoulders, gesturing for me to lay back on the futon. I should have stopped him. There was no way any of this could end well. Little did I know that just this on little slip would change everything.

Beta-Reader's Corner: Well! Were you as surprised as me, Faithful Reader?! Hoshiko dear didn't tell me squat plot wise. She usually gives me hints, so that bit there came up and smacked me upside the head! Guess something's startin' though...::sighs:: okay, I admit it...I like the dirty parts. ^_^ I'm a major romance reader, so I'm used to good ...umm..."action". She better do a good job. Off to snuggle my Aoshi pictures. See ya next chapter!

Gamma-Reader Kylie-chan's Column of Dementia: Ah, and so we've finally arrived at the threshold, my favorite part. >twitchy fake smile< If there is anything I can do for you, "Faithful Reader", never hesitate to ask! .......this better be worth my time.......

Delta-Reader's job, Delivery of Food: Umm...hi. *turns a corner looking for 22 Silver street*. Well...umm...I don't know what to say about this. I can say that it is well writen, and I still have no problem with it even though it's getting a little...inky. Even though I might read the occasional romance book I don't read the inky parts. *pokes at reciept while walking up to the door. Fixes hat.* The story line is flowing along well, it's easy to follow even if someone hadn't seen Rurouni Kenshin. The plot is interesting, and not just like most Yoai fics were it's "meet-talk-screw-fall in love-end". This has actual conflicts! I have to give this Chapter an 8, on a scale of 1-10. *winks giving lady her food. Take money and walks back to the car*. It would have been 10 but I got grossed out at the end. Good job! *leaves*