Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ To Love Again ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.

Author's Notes: This is a short (two chapter) romance ficcie that takes place shortly after the Kyoto Arc. I got the idea from a scene in Episode 64, "Prince Yahiko's Born? Debut on High Society". K/K are coming back from the theater. Kaoru chides Kenshin for not paying attention during the play or something like that.

SUMMARY: Kenshin and Kaoru finally gets to spend some quality time together. They decide to go into town to enjoy a little entertainment. Kenshin hopes to use this occasion to ask Kaoru to marry him. Unfortunately, something happens that causes him to confront his past. Will he allow his past to keep him from having a happy future with Kaoru? (k/k pairing) To Love Again, Romance Fanfiction by Gypsy-chan Enjoy! ^_^ (Created 7/2004, posted 7/2005)

"Are you ready Kaoru-dono?"

Sounds of rustling fabric and small feet padding across the hard wooden floor filtered through the thin rice papered shoji.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting Kenshin," she answered swiftly, "I'll be out in a minute."

"Alright Kaoru-dono."

A small smile graced Kenshin's lips as he stood outside Kaoru's room. The woman he loved was on the other side of the shoji preparing herself for an evening out with him. Kenshin walked softly down the hallway to his own room. Upon entering, he went over to the window and carefully removed his sakabatou from the ties of his hakama. He slowly sat in a kneeling position with his arms neatly tucked inside the sleeves of his magenta gi. Kenshin's trusty sakabatou rested against his shoulder in the same manner as when he carried a katana during his younger days as Hitokiri Battousai.

As the rurouni sat patiently awaiting Kaoru's presence, his mind drifted back to the events of that morning. Kenshin and Kaoru was in the marketplace buying fresh fish, vegetables and tofu. After purchasing the food items, they passed by a quaint little kimono shop. Kaoru stopped mid-stride turning her head back to look at the kimonos. Kenshin smiled as he watched the raven-haired girl staring wide-eyed at all the colorful kimonos prominently displayed in the window. He knew she wanted to go inside the kimono shop, but she seemed hesitant. Kenshin offered to go in with her but Kaoru shook her head and smiled politely, telling him she only brought enough money to buy food for their dinner. The red-haired swordsman reached inside the sleeves of his gi, pulled out his money pouch and handed it to her. He told Kaoru to use the money to buy a new kimono. She refused at first saying that she could buy a kimono another time. Kenshin, however, insisted she take the money. He felt the price of a new kimono was the least he could do for the courageous young girl who opened her home and her heart to a stranger. His lips curled in anticipation as he sat imagining how Kaoru would look in her new kimono. At that moment, loud heavy footsteps began to echo down the hallway toward Kenshin's room. The ruroni knew exactly who those footsteps belonged to.

"Geez Kenshin," Yahiko grumbled upon entering the room, "You're still here? I don't understand what's taking that ugly girl so long. She's kept you waiting for over two hours!"

Kenshin smiled knowingly at his young protégé. The inexperienced youth had a lot to learn about women and patience.

"Sessha doesn't mind waiting on Kaoru-dono, that he does not."

"Well if I were you, I would just leave her," he stated matter-of-factly after flopping down beside the red-headed swordsman. "Then she'll remember not to keep you waiting so long the next time you take her out."

"You better not let Tsubame here you say that," replied a tall spiky haired young man who suddenly appeared leaning against the frame of Kenshin's shoji. "She won't give you any more hand outs."

Yahiko blushed furiously at the intruder of his conversation. "Shut up you big dumb roosterhead! Nobody was talking to you!"

The lanky young man strolled over to Kenshin, ignoring the flustered junior samurai. "Oi Kenshin, you and jou-chan going out?"

"Yes, we're going to the theater to see a play. Would you like to come with us Sanosuke?"

"Naah," he said waving it off with his hands, "those plays are always too long and boring. I've already promised my buddies I'd have a few drinks with them before we go gambling." He pulled out a fishbone and stuck it in his mouth. "What about the brat, is he going too?"

Yahiko scowled at him. "Hey! Who are you calling brat, you big chickenhead!"

"Honestly, can't you two ever stop fighting," Kaoru remarked as she suddenly appeared outside of Kenshin's shoji.

The two bickering youths came to an abrupt halt once the young kendo instructor entered the room. All eyes were now fixed upon the beautiful raven-haired girl standing before them. Kaoru was dressed in a magenta colored furisode with white yamabuki blossoms embroidered on the back and along the hemline. Her obi was white with traces of pink sakura petals. Kaoru's hair was not in its usual pony tail. It was swept high upon her head forming an elegant chignon. Several pearl combs were used to keep her long silky tresses in the tightly wrapped bun. Wisps of bangs and long tendrils of hair framed her delicate face perfectly.

Sano glanced over to the red-haired swordsman and smiled inwardly. Kenshin was clearly entranced by the beautiful young girl who suddenly graced his presence. Her transformation from sweaty tomboy to sensual young woman was far more than he had ever expected. Kaoru blushed furiously upon catching the object of her affection staring at her. She quickly averted her eyes toward the floor. Sano shook his head at the hopeless couple.

"Oi Kenshin, don't just sit there gawking, tell jou-chan how nice she looks."

The red-headed swordsman was suddenly pulled out of his trance upon hearing his name being called. He turned into Sano's direction, arching his brow and blinking twice at his best friend.

"Oro?"

Kaoru stared over to Kenshin in disappointment. She was hoping for once to hear him compliment her on the way she looked in her new kimono. Instead, he seemed to revert to his usual rurouni manner, masking his feelings with a simple "oro".   Sano noticed how disheartened Kaoru was over the matter. He glared at his clueless friend and began muttering curses under his breath as he stomped into his direction.

"Kenshin you baka," he raised his foot and put it on top of Kenshin's fiery red mane. "Why are you always so clueless!" He pushed Kenshin's head down to the floor with his foot causing the swirly-eyed rurouni to let out a small yelp. Kaoru gasped as she watched Kenshin lying helplessly under Sano's big foot. She quickly rushed to his side.

"Get off him you big dumb jerk!" The fiery kendo instructor punched the ex-fighter for higher so hard that he went flying across the room. She quickly lifted Kenshin's head off the floor.

"Are you alright," she asked as she cradled Kenshin's face between her hands. He smiled while gazing into deep pools of sapphire. Always worried, always concerned over his well being he thought. The words he tried suppressing earlier finally seemed to bubble forth.

"You look lovely in your new kimono Kaoru-dono, that you do. This one humbly apologize for not saying so earlier, that he does."

Kaoru's cheeks glowed. "Thank you Kenshin," she smiled brightly. "You look very nice too." This time it was the rurouni's turn to blush. Yahiko looked between the two and rolled his eyes.

"Eww....," He stuck his finger inside his mouth, pretending to gag, "I think I'm going to be sick!"

"Let's go punk," Sano orderd after marching over to Yahiko and lifting him off the floor by the gi. "You're always getting in the way." He tossed the junior samurai over his broad shoulders. Yahiko began to kick about and shout from under Sano's vice-like grip.

"Hey! Put me down you big chickehead!!"

"Sano, where are you...."

"Don't worry little buddy," he replied cutting Kenshin off mid-sentence. "I'm going to drop the brat off at the Akabeko. I'm sure Miss Tae could find something to keep him busy for a while."

"Thank you Sanosuke," Kenshin sighed, dipping his head in appreciation. "Sessha prepared dinner if you'd like to have some later." He then turned his attention back to Kaoru. "Shall we be going Kaoru-dono?"

Kaoru nodded in response. By the time they reached the front gate, Sano and Yahiko were already in the kitchen fighting over the meal Kenshin had prepared for them. As the sounds of their fighting grew louder, the feisty kendo instructor frowned and turned back toward the kitchen ready to intervene. The ex-hitokiri quickly grasped the sleeve of her kimono and shook his head. She gave him a puzzling look.

"Don't worry Kaoru-dono," he reassured while gently placing his hand in the small of her back to escort her out the dojo gate. "Sanosuke and Yahiko-chan will be alright, that they will."

Kaoru sighed defeatedly. "I suppose you're right. However, if I come back and find food thrown all over my kitchen, they're both going to pay!"

Kenshin chuckled inwardly as he pictured the feisty young kendo teacher chasing after Sano and Yahiko with her bokken.

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As the couple walked along the path heading for town, Kaoru slipped her hand inside her bag and took out a small newspaper clipping featuring the play they were going to see. Her eyes skimmed through the article until it reached a section she was familar with. Kaoru happily talked to Kenshin about the various acts and characters scheduled to perform. She mentioned how the play they were going to see was written by Monzaemon Chikamatsu, who was often called the "Shakespeare of Japan". Kenshin nodded his head every once in a while to show that he was listening. However, in truth, his attention was fixed on something else. He seemed to be fascinated by the way the sleeves of Kaoru's furisode swayed back and forth as she walked along side him. He found himself blushing furiously as improper thoughts flooded into his mind. The rurouni quickly chided himself for thinking such inappropriate things about someone so virtuous. He knew the feisty young kendo teacher was totally clueless as to proper Japanese etiquette for women. If a single young woman swayed the sleeves of her kimono in front of a man it was considered a form of flirtation. Kaoru obviously didn't know how she was affecting the rurouni. She paused mid-stride after noticing that Kenshin had stopped walking and was now standing several feet behind her.

"Kenshin," she asked turning back to face him, "is anything wrong?"

"S-sessha is fine Kaoru-dono, that he is." Kenshin kicked himself mentally after seeing the concerned expression on her face. He felt bad for making her worry over him. As Kaoru grew near, a gentle breeze caused her sleeves to sway ever so softly. Kenshin turned crimson in color when he saw her sleeves swaying again. He quickly averted his eyes from hers hoping she wouldn't notice the blush that crept upon his face.

"Are you sure you are alright," she asked as she approached him. Before he could respond, Kaoru had taken the back of her hand and pressed it to his forehead. "Hmmmm.... You seem a little flushed. If you're not feeling well, we can always go back home. I really don't mind Kenshin."

"Pl--please do not worry over sessha Kaoru-dono," he stammered trying to keep himself under restraint. The softness of her touch and the sweet aroma of her perfume nearly pushed him over the edge. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her into his arms and kiss her soft succulent lips. But he knew such actions would most likely frighten the poor girl. He politely stepped back and dipped his head in response.

"Thank you for your concern Kaoru-dono. Sessha is fine now. We must hurry if we want good seats, that we should," he finished with a quaint rurouni smile.

Kaoru's hand fell to her side. She cocked her head slightly, still unsure of the rurouni's peculiar behavior.

"Kenshin... Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes Kaoru-dono," he answered, noticing how she seemed to be scrutinizing every word coming from his mouth. "Sessha is well. Please do not continue to worry yourself over this one." Kenshin quietly pivoted on his heels, leaving Kaoru standing in deep thought.

"Hmmm... I wonder what is bothering Kenshin? He seemed alright earlier, but now he's acting strange. Maybe I should..."

Kaoru paused in mid-thought after realizing Kenshin was no longer standing by her side.

"Kenshin?"

"We must hurry Kaoru-dono," Kenshin answered from a distance, "the play will be starting shortly."

Kaoru nodded in response while picking up her pace in order to catch up with Kenshin.  In the back of her mind, however, she made a mental note to question Kenshin over his strange behavior once they returned home.


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Twenty minutes later, Kenshin and Kaoru had arrived at the Kabuki theater in town. Kaoru's lips curved upward at the response she received while passing by various couples. Her choice in colors, magenta kimono and white obi, complimented Kenshin's favorite magenta gi and white hakama. It gave onlookers the impression that they too were a couple. As Kaoru turned her head to look for seats, the rurouni stood quietly observing those around him.

"I see behind your masks. The look of contempt is etched on all of your wary faces. The sight of someone like me associating with someone as blameless as she must be the talk of town. Yet, in her own innocence, she stands loyally by my side oblivious to your unwarranted stares. When you look at her, she smiles proudly back at you as if to say that I was someone of great honor. I know this unworthy one does not deserve such high honors. However, if she accepts this one for the man that I am, then who are all of you to condemn us."

"There's two seats over there," Kaoru said tugging at Kenshin's gi, bringing him out of his inner musings. "We better hurry and get them. It's pretty crowded today."

"Hai, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin replied with a quick dip of his head.

While they were seated, Kaoru excitedly turned to Kenshin and began whispering how she couldn't wait for the play to start. She mention how being at the play reminded her of the times when her grandfather brought her as a young girl. As Kaoru leaned closer, Kenshin sighed contentedly as the sweet aroma of her perfume penetrated his nostrils. Suddenly, the sound of the shime daiko drum began to play. The audience quieted down knowing that the sound of the drum signalled the beginning of the performance. The first actor was revealed once the black and green colored curtains were drawn. As he stepped forward the Mawari-butai, revolving stage, produced more actors.

Kaoru's eyes lit up as she watched the actors clad in their brillant colors moving about the stage. Kenshin however, sat passively next to her. His mind had wandered a thousand miles away. He began reflecting on a conversation he had with his master, Seijurou Hiko, shortly after his battle with Makoto Shishio. Kenshin was standing in front of Tomoe's grave when Hiko approached him. The two men conversed briefly before Kenshin followed his master back to his hut.

"It's been a while since you've visited her grave," Hiko said as he poured sake into a flat sake cup and handed it to his former student.

"Yes," Kenshin sighed tiredly after accepting the cup from his master, "I know. I should have come sooner."

"You should have," Hiko repeated as he raised the sake cup to his lips.

The two men sat quietly, each lost in his own thoughts. Several droplets of rain began to fall against the door to Hiko's hut. Kenshin turned his gaze out the window.

"It's beginning to rain," he uttered while staring blankly out the window. "I should be heading back to the Aoiya."

"Yes go," came Hiko's curt reply. "I don't want those friends of yours coming here breaking down my door again."

Kenshin glared at his master as he rose to his feet. Hiko smirked inwardly upon seeing his baka deshi's response. He truly enjoyed intimidating him. As Kenshin neared the door, Hiko threw a small pouch at him, hitting the back of his head.

"Shishou," he hollered while rubbing the back of his head.

Hiko shook his head and frowned at his former apprentice. "You were suppose to catch it baka."

Kenshin grumbled as he bent down to pick up the small pouch Hiko had tossed at him.

"Don't just stand there holding the pouch, open it!"

Kenshin let out an exaperated sigh as he complied with his master's demands. After pouring the content of the pouch into the palm of his hand, Kenshin stared up at his master wondering why he had given him such a thing.

"Shishou.... I don't understand?"

Hiko rolled his eyes at the clueless swordsman. "You truly are a baka. Sit," he commanded, "and I will explain."

A large scowl grew on Kenshin's face as he reluctantly knelt before his master. Hiko poured himself another cup of sake as he began his explanation.

"The ring you hold in your hand once belonged to my wife."

Kenshin jerked his head up. "Wife!?" Kenshin stared wide-eyed at the sparkling piece of jewlery in his hand and then back at his master. "You were married?!?

"Baka, do you think you were the only one who married young?" He popped Kenshin on the head.

"Shishou!" Kenshin sat pouting and rubbing his swore head.

"Pay attention," he ordered, "Or I'll start telling stories about how you use to wet the futon."

Kenshin glowered at his insensitive master for resurrecting such an embarrassing part of his past.

"Now that I have your undivided attention, I'll continue with my story." Hiko smirked at his errant student's response as he went on to relate his personal experience.

"It was an arranged marriage. I was 15 and my wife was 14. Her name was Hiroyuki Hisayo. She was a pretty young girl who grew into a beautiful young woman. We were very much in love..." (Kenshin still can't imagine his master being married. Hiko kicks him while conitnuing to relate the story.)

".... on our fifth wedding anniversary, we went into town to celebrate. After a fine dinner we stopped by a local merchant's stand. I told my dear wife to choose whatever she wanted. She scanned through all the items on the merchant's table and stopped when she saw the ring. The merchant told us it was imported from Holland, then he proceed to tell me how much it cost. I really didn't have that much money at the time but I wasn't going to let that stop me from buying what my beloved wife wanted. I asked her to wait for me as I went to speak with the merchant privately. As the merchant and I were making payment arrangements, my wife had wandered several stalls down. She was admiring the ribbons on the table of another merchant. At that moment, several masked bandits began robbing the merchants. They slashed at anyone who stood in their way. My poor wife tried to run but was cut down like a dog by one of the bandits. When I reached her side she was barely breathing. A doctor nearby began treating her wounds. She died several days later. I swore on the day my wife died, that I would avenge the innocent from the murderous dogs who preyed on them. For three years I traveled through poor sections of town, killing off bandits and those who preyed upon the weak. After a while, I found myself become tired of the killings. I...

As Hiko continued his story, Kenshin began to reflect upon the fateful incident that brought Hiko into his life as a young boy.

"Who are you," asks one of the bandits.

"No point in introducing myself to the dead," replies Hiko after having killed the other bandits.

Young Shinta watches as Hiko's sword slashes the last of the bandits. The bad man slumps to the ground and dies.

"Fate brought us here," Hiko says. "I've avenged their deaths. Nothing can ever bring back the dead. Be thankful you survived boy..."

The 13th Master of Hiten Mitsurugi cleans his sword from the blood of the slain. The young boy watches as his savior fades away.

Hiko recalls his own thoughts at the time he met the young red haired boy he renamed Kenshin.

"The smell of blood is in the air. It's an insult to be killed like dogs or sold as a concubine. This is regrettably common for now and ever. Perhaps, this is how it will remain."*

When I found you, I felt there was a small chance of hope for peace," Hiko said bringing Kenshin out of his inner musings. "But then you ran off and made a complete fool of yourself."

Kenshin casts his head towards the ground.

"We cannot reclaim the past," Hiko says as he sips more sake, "However, we're in a peaceful era now and it's time for you to move on Kenshin. That is why I want you to have the ring. Give it to the girl who came all the way from Tokyo to see you."

Kenshin quickly protests. "But Shishou, sessha can't accept..."

"I have no need for it," Hiko said in reply. "It's time you start living your life instead of going around feeling sorry for youself."

Knowing how stubborn his master could be, Kenshin decided to accept his gift. He humbly prostrated himself before his master. "Arigatou Shishou." When he raised his head, a several tears trickled down his face. "Sessha will never forget your kindness."

Hiko rolled his eyes at his errant student. "I hate when you start getting mushy. Leave baka, before I kick you off my mountain."

Kaoru suddenly nudged the red haired swordsman sitting next to her.

"Kenshin.... Kenshin!"

He blinked twice, trying to focus his attention back to his surroundings.

"Hai Kaoru-dono?"

Kaoru narrowed her eyes at him. "Kenshin no baka," she scolded in an undertone, "Stop daydreaming and pay attention! You're missing the best part of the play."

"Hai Kaoru-dono." He quickly sat tall in his seat and cast his eyes upon the stage.

Several actors appeared on stage wearing clothing similar to the style worn by members of the Shinsengumi during the Bakamatsu. They began fighting another group dressed in the style of the Choushuu faction. Suddenly the stage grew quiet as a young man wearing a blue gi and white hakama appeared. He wore his hair high in a pony tail and had a single slash on his left cheek. Kenshin's body grew numb as he watched the young man on stage pretend to slice through his victims. One by one, they fell by the young man's side with only one stroke. A father and son sitting in front of Kaoru began whispering amongst themselves.

"Father, who is the man on stage suppose to be," asked a ten year old boy.

"He is playing the part of Hitokiri Battousai, the 'man of legends'," the father answered. "Battousai-san was truly a man to be feared during the days of the Revolution."

"Hitokiri Battousai," the boy repeated quietly as he fixed his gaze back on stage. After watching a few more moves of the one portraying Battousai, the young boy became more curious. He questioned his father again.

"Father, if Battousai-san fought in the revolution, would that not make him a hero?"

"No son," the boy's father answered sadly. "Hitokiri Battousai was not a hero. He lurked in the shadows like a wild beast waiting to kill his prey. Many innocent men, women and children died by his hand. He was nothing more than a cold-hearted murderer who enjoyed spilling the blood of men."

The boy stared wide eyed at the man on stage and mumbled, "He enjoyed spilling the blood of men."

The young boy's mother glanced over to her son. She put her finger to her mouth signalling him to quiet down and watch the play. The boy quickly dipped his head in apology to his mother before focusing his attention back on stage. After hearing the father's conversation with his son, Kenshin touched the patch on his left cheek covering the cross-shaped scar. He lowered his head and sighed inwardly.

"Udo Jin-eh was right. My true nature is only that of the Hitokiri."

The words Jin-eh spoke to him before his death came back to mind.
'A Hitokiri is a Hitokiri until death, after all. No one else can change this.
I'll watch you from the abyss of hell to see how long you can wander as a vagabond."

"No matter how hard I try, I will never be nothing more than a murderer."

Kaoru could sense Kenshin's troubled ki. She became heated by the negative things the man told his son about Kenshin. If only she had her bokken, she would have pounded some sense into that man. Kenshin was a hero. It was he who brought forth the peaceful era that they were all enjoying. However, at that moment, there was something more important on her mind. That was her red-haired rurouni.

"Kenshin?"

He looked away, his eyes melancholy. Kaoru felt pained to her heart as she watched him.

"Kenshin... Are you alright?"

The rurouni suddenly turned to her and smiled. "Sessha is fine Kaoru-dono, that he is."

Kaoru frowned at his weak response before reprimanding him. "You don't have to pretend with me Kenshin."

The weary swordsman heaved a long sigh. He knew no matter how hard he tried, he could never fool the young raven-haired girl. She was the only person who could see through his facade.

"Please don't worry about about this unworthy one Kaoru-dono. You should enjoy the play, that you should."

Kaoru face softened at his unselfish response. "How can I enjoy myself when I know you're hurting inside. Let's go home."

Before he could object, Kaoru stood and began making her way through the aisle. Kenshin followed in tow, feeling guilty for ruining their evening out. The walk home was long and silent. By the time they entered the dojo gates, Kenshin was already on the steps leading into the house.

"Kenshin," she intoned lightly, "You seem distracted on the way home. Is there something you wish to talk about?"

The red-haired swordsman turned and smiled sadly in response before walking away from her. Tears streamed down the broken hearted girl's face after watching the man she loved revert back to his former ways.

"Why must you always close your heart to me whenever you are faced with your past?"

TO BE CONTINUED.....

GLOSSARY AND NOTES:

Hanamichi, or flower-walk ramp:   This is a passageway connecting the left side of the stage with the back of the hall through the spectators' seats at about head level of the audience. It provides a way for the actors' entrances and exits.

Mawari-butai, or revolving stage:   First invented in Japan nearly 300 years ago (used in 1758), this device was later introduced abroad. It makes rapid changes of scene possible without interrupting the sequence of the plot.

Kurogo, (man in black):   They handle properties on the stage while the curtain is open and serve also as prompters. They are not characters in the play and the audience is supposed to disregard them.

*Hiko's thoughts, excerpts from Tsuioken Hen Arc: Act 1 "A Man Who Kills".

Author's Notes:   Hi Minna! Haven't put a new ficcie in this zone in a long time. Hope you are enjoying it.^_^ Anyhoo, I want to make a quick comment on the Kabuki play I wrote in this chapter. It was written just for fun and not real facts. I did a little research on Kabuki plays. I found that there are two different styles, Historical drama (jidai-mono) and Domestic drama (sewa-mono). The historical dramas tried to avoid being too political for fear of being reprimanded by the government. The Domestic dramas dealt with commoners and everyday type drama. Okay, that's it for the history lesson. Next and final chapter will be posted soon!^_^