Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Wanderer ❯ New Lives ( Chapter 1 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Falconess 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Samurai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.11.2003 | Updated On: 08.05.2004 | Pages: 1 | Words: 1.9K | Visits: 661 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Samurai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.11.2003 | Updated On: 08.05.2004 | Pages: 1 | Words: 1.9K | Visits: 661 | Status: Work In Progress
"I am a wanderer.. I might have to leave some day" Those were the words that haunted Kaoru in her dreams every night. Never before had she felt like this, as if with the sudden departure of a certain rurouni, she would crumble. In the past, she had been so strong willed and dependent. There was no one to protect her, and she didn't need anyone to. She could live being single forever, and running the dojo.
However, on that fateful day; years ago, the night she met her rurouni... all that changed. Every night, she was disturbed by the dreams of being left alone in the dark. Her light, that fire burning out, deserting her in a world of loneliness and despair. Even now, when she was no longer Kamiya Kaoru, but Himura Kaoru, she feared that her husband would leave her.
Of course, she had a good reason to fear being left. After all, her husband had left so many times, to, as he called it, redeem himself. Yet, he would always return to her, to ease her fear and pain. She didn't know why she always let him go. Especially not when it caused her so much pain. And because he caused that hurt, it made her so angry. Yet she could never stay mad at him forever, well, not until Kenji came along. Kenji was the biggest joy that came to her, a proof of her and Kenshin's love. She was sure that her husband would cease his wanderings now that he had a family. However, that was not to be. And with each journey he took, it made her even angrier. The silent cries of her son seeking a father echoed in her ears.
Even now, she could hear the silent wails of her 5-year-old son as he missed his father. Her head turned in her pillow, and tired blue eyes flicked across the area where her husband would be if he weren't out wandering. He had left a year ago, and still hadn't returned. A soft sigh escaped from her lips, knowing that he would probably not return for a full month. This meant that he would miss his son's 6th birthday. Snuggling tighter under her blankets, she turned so that she was facing the empty spot in her bed. Silent tears slipping from her eyes. She loved her husband, yet at times, she doubted he felt the same. Why else would he wander so often? Leaving behind his wife and child. Her thoughts wandered to her son, she needed to stop thinking about Kenshin. Otherwise, she'd slip into another depression. She couldn't let that happen, she had to be strong, for Kenji. Thinking about her son, she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
It was another sleepless night for Kenji. No matter which way he tossed and turned, the sand man just wasn't with him that night. As a child, he was very mature. Overwhelming stress and anxiety already eating away at that childlike wall that separated people from toddler to teens. He was worried about his mother. He could see it in her eyes everyday, that strength and determination not to cry. Sometimes, he just wished he could give her a hug and tell her that adult can cry to. He was most worried about his daddy. The promise his father had made, that he'd be back in time for his birthday rang in his head. His father always made empty promises. There was always someone out there that needed saving, preventing him from coming home.
It was obvious that Kenji wasn't getting any sleep that night, and so, he stumbled out of bed, wiping at his eyes. A small hand clutched the end of his blanket tightly. Heading toward the door, he picked up the lantern that sat next to it. There was always a lantern in his room, he had a large fear of the dark. That childlike imagination kicking him, telling him that there was a monster that would get him if the lights were out. Sliding the door open, he took small and wobbly steps down the wooden hall. A soft padding was heard with each step he took, his heel striking the ground. His destination was clear, kaasan's room. However, in the middle of the hall, a few yard away from his goal, he tripped. He lay sprawled on the ground, the tears finally coming. It was just not his week.
The lantern lay forgotten a few feet away, the tiny flame eating, flickering. It caught onto the paper wall that held it captive. Soon, the entire lantern had caught, and it ate away at the wooden floor. Kenji was so upset that he didn't even notice until it was to late. The wooden floor had caught on fire. Finally noticing the bright light, and sudden heat, Kenji looked up with teary eyes. They widened in shock and fright. For a while, he was speechless, captivated by the beautiful flames. "K-k-kaasan." He squeaked out. Finally, as he reached to touch one of the flames, a searing pain flashed up his arm. He stumbled back and screamed, "KAASAN!!!!"
Kaoru was startled awake from her slumber by the smell of smoke, and distinguished cry of her son. Scrambling out of bed, she noted that smoke was coming under her door. Fear gripped her heart. Motherly worry and protection urged her to open the door. Flinging it open, she stumbled into the smoky halls. She stared into the flames and past to where her son was. The fire had caught onto the walls, and was steadily heading her way, and forcing her son to move further back. She could see the terrified expression on his face, and she knew that she had to save him. Setting aside any danger to herself, she charged into the smoke and flames, jumping over the searing ground. She reached her son, and scooped him up into a loving embrace, a few scorch marks on her arms and legs. The only big wound was where a large piece of wood from the ceiling had fallen down on her shoulder, and seared her cheek and shoulder.
Kenji clung to his mother in terror. He had never felt so scared in his entire short life. He didn't think that something so beautiful, could be so deadly. It rather reminded him of his mother. He watched as his kaasan looked around for a way of escape. The ceiling had already caught fire, and rapidly spread.
Kaoru found that there was only one way out, and that was a window. She ran into Kenji's room, feeling her way on the walls that had wet to catch fire. The black choking smoke blinded her vision. Wrapping her son in the blanket, he held as she moved, preventing him from inhaling too much deadly smoke. Her lungs felt tight, and she felt as if she were drowning in a cloud. Her lips parted in a cough, it was so hard to breathe, her body trembling. Yet, she pushed on, and made it to her son's room. Closing the door, hopefully biding more time, a free hand worked with the latch of the shutters. It wouldn't open.
The fire had caught up to the door, and quickly caught it on fire, the paper material on the frame feeding it nicely. More smoke poured into the room, and again Kaoru was thrust into a cough. Her eyes watering. Finally, as it was almost impossible to see, the latch came undone, and she pushed the shutters open, climbing out.
She stood in the stone yard, where she and Yahiko had often practiced and watched in misery as her home caught fire. Setting her son down, she rushed to the well, and attempted to douse the flames with small buckets of water. However, one woman cannot stop that large of a fire. Each time a small section was drowned, it caught back up again seconds later. Finally, admitting defeat, as the flames got larger, she hurried back to her son, snatched him up, and scurried out of the gates.
Kenji in the elders arms, cried, as they watched their home and life burn to ashes. The fire didn't subside until the morning, when the villagers finally decided to wake up and lend a hand. Kenji looked up at his mother's face. He finally dried his tears, as he realized that his mother hadn't cried at all. Again, he could tell that she wanted to. His mother was so prideful, and strong. A fire would not defeat her. His tiny voice pierced through her thoughts.
Kaoru watched emotionless, as her life and home fell. She never imagined that she'd lose everything in a single night. Well, maybe not everything. Her gaze wandered to her son, the only thing that was worth protecting now. His fiery red hair reminded her of the husband that had yet to return. His question reached her ears and startled her out of her brooding.
"Kaasan. what will we do now?"
She had to think about that question for a bit. She wasn't quite sure where to go. Yahiko had left a few months ago, traveling on his own to spread that fame of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Sano and Megumi had moved a year ago when they had married. Her husband was gone. Where was she to go? For a while, she thought about going to Megumi, or Misao, however, she didn't want to trouble them. Maybe this was a sign. It was time to start a new life, one where both she and her son could be happy. Her thoughts wandered to her rurouni. She wasn't sure what to think of him anymore. Her emotions were a mixture of hatred and love. "I think.how about we move where nice and quiet? What do you think.should we wait for your father?" She decided to leave the decision to her son.
It didn't take long for Kenji to think of the answer. In his eyes, the whole fire was his father's fault in the first place. If he hadn't left, then Kenji wouldn't have been so restless, and dropped the lantern. His head bowed a bit, he still felt extremely guilty about starting the fire. "Gomen. the fire was my fault.. demo.." his teary eyes stared into his mothers "I don't ever want to see Himura-san again.. I hate him!"
Kaoru smiled weakly down at her son. Well, the decision was made. Himura Kaoru was dead, along with her son, Himura Kenji. From this day forward, Kamiya Kaoru would make reappearance. "Alright.. from now on..you'll be Kamiya Kenji. Let's go find a home." With that, she turned her back from the ashes of her past home and made her way out of Tokyo, never to look back. She didn't know where she would go, but she knew that the future wouldn't have a certain rurouni in the picture. Well.. that's what she thought.
TBC!!
However, on that fateful day; years ago, the night she met her rurouni... all that changed. Every night, she was disturbed by the dreams of being left alone in the dark. Her light, that fire burning out, deserting her in a world of loneliness and despair. Even now, when she was no longer Kamiya Kaoru, but Himura Kaoru, she feared that her husband would leave her.
Of course, she had a good reason to fear being left. After all, her husband had left so many times, to, as he called it, redeem himself. Yet, he would always return to her, to ease her fear and pain. She didn't know why she always let him go. Especially not when it caused her so much pain. And because he caused that hurt, it made her so angry. Yet she could never stay mad at him forever, well, not until Kenji came along. Kenji was the biggest joy that came to her, a proof of her and Kenshin's love. She was sure that her husband would cease his wanderings now that he had a family. However, that was not to be. And with each journey he took, it made her even angrier. The silent cries of her son seeking a father echoed in her ears.
Even now, she could hear the silent wails of her 5-year-old son as he missed his father. Her head turned in her pillow, and tired blue eyes flicked across the area where her husband would be if he weren't out wandering. He had left a year ago, and still hadn't returned. A soft sigh escaped from her lips, knowing that he would probably not return for a full month. This meant that he would miss his son's 6th birthday. Snuggling tighter under her blankets, she turned so that she was facing the empty spot in her bed. Silent tears slipping from her eyes. She loved her husband, yet at times, she doubted he felt the same. Why else would he wander so often? Leaving behind his wife and child. Her thoughts wandered to her son, she needed to stop thinking about Kenshin. Otherwise, she'd slip into another depression. She couldn't let that happen, she had to be strong, for Kenji. Thinking about her son, she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
It was another sleepless night for Kenji. No matter which way he tossed and turned, the sand man just wasn't with him that night. As a child, he was very mature. Overwhelming stress and anxiety already eating away at that childlike wall that separated people from toddler to teens. He was worried about his mother. He could see it in her eyes everyday, that strength and determination not to cry. Sometimes, he just wished he could give her a hug and tell her that adult can cry to. He was most worried about his daddy. The promise his father had made, that he'd be back in time for his birthday rang in his head. His father always made empty promises. There was always someone out there that needed saving, preventing him from coming home.
It was obvious that Kenji wasn't getting any sleep that night, and so, he stumbled out of bed, wiping at his eyes. A small hand clutched the end of his blanket tightly. Heading toward the door, he picked up the lantern that sat next to it. There was always a lantern in his room, he had a large fear of the dark. That childlike imagination kicking him, telling him that there was a monster that would get him if the lights were out. Sliding the door open, he took small and wobbly steps down the wooden hall. A soft padding was heard with each step he took, his heel striking the ground. His destination was clear, kaasan's room. However, in the middle of the hall, a few yard away from his goal, he tripped. He lay sprawled on the ground, the tears finally coming. It was just not his week.
The lantern lay forgotten a few feet away, the tiny flame eating, flickering. It caught onto the paper wall that held it captive. Soon, the entire lantern had caught, and it ate away at the wooden floor. Kenji was so upset that he didn't even notice until it was to late. The wooden floor had caught on fire. Finally noticing the bright light, and sudden heat, Kenji looked up with teary eyes. They widened in shock and fright. For a while, he was speechless, captivated by the beautiful flames. "K-k-kaasan." He squeaked out. Finally, as he reached to touch one of the flames, a searing pain flashed up his arm. He stumbled back and screamed, "KAASAN!!!!"
Kaoru was startled awake from her slumber by the smell of smoke, and distinguished cry of her son. Scrambling out of bed, she noted that smoke was coming under her door. Fear gripped her heart. Motherly worry and protection urged her to open the door. Flinging it open, she stumbled into the smoky halls. She stared into the flames and past to where her son was. The fire had caught onto the walls, and was steadily heading her way, and forcing her son to move further back. She could see the terrified expression on his face, and she knew that she had to save him. Setting aside any danger to herself, she charged into the smoke and flames, jumping over the searing ground. She reached her son, and scooped him up into a loving embrace, a few scorch marks on her arms and legs. The only big wound was where a large piece of wood from the ceiling had fallen down on her shoulder, and seared her cheek and shoulder.
Kenji clung to his mother in terror. He had never felt so scared in his entire short life. He didn't think that something so beautiful, could be so deadly. It rather reminded him of his mother. He watched as his kaasan looked around for a way of escape. The ceiling had already caught fire, and rapidly spread.
Kaoru found that there was only one way out, and that was a window. She ran into Kenji's room, feeling her way on the walls that had wet to catch fire. The black choking smoke blinded her vision. Wrapping her son in the blanket, he held as she moved, preventing him from inhaling too much deadly smoke. Her lungs felt tight, and she felt as if she were drowning in a cloud. Her lips parted in a cough, it was so hard to breathe, her body trembling. Yet, she pushed on, and made it to her son's room. Closing the door, hopefully biding more time, a free hand worked with the latch of the shutters. It wouldn't open.
The fire had caught up to the door, and quickly caught it on fire, the paper material on the frame feeding it nicely. More smoke poured into the room, and again Kaoru was thrust into a cough. Her eyes watering. Finally, as it was almost impossible to see, the latch came undone, and she pushed the shutters open, climbing out.
She stood in the stone yard, where she and Yahiko had often practiced and watched in misery as her home caught fire. Setting her son down, she rushed to the well, and attempted to douse the flames with small buckets of water. However, one woman cannot stop that large of a fire. Each time a small section was drowned, it caught back up again seconds later. Finally, admitting defeat, as the flames got larger, she hurried back to her son, snatched him up, and scurried out of the gates.
Kenji in the elders arms, cried, as they watched their home and life burn to ashes. The fire didn't subside until the morning, when the villagers finally decided to wake up and lend a hand. Kenji looked up at his mother's face. He finally dried his tears, as he realized that his mother hadn't cried at all. Again, he could tell that she wanted to. His mother was so prideful, and strong. A fire would not defeat her. His tiny voice pierced through her thoughts.
Kaoru watched emotionless, as her life and home fell. She never imagined that she'd lose everything in a single night. Well, maybe not everything. Her gaze wandered to her son, the only thing that was worth protecting now. His fiery red hair reminded her of the husband that had yet to return. His question reached her ears and startled her out of her brooding.
"Kaasan. what will we do now?"
She had to think about that question for a bit. She wasn't quite sure where to go. Yahiko had left a few months ago, traveling on his own to spread that fame of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Sano and Megumi had moved a year ago when they had married. Her husband was gone. Where was she to go? For a while, she thought about going to Megumi, or Misao, however, she didn't want to trouble them. Maybe this was a sign. It was time to start a new life, one where both she and her son could be happy. Her thoughts wandered to her rurouni. She wasn't sure what to think of him anymore. Her emotions were a mixture of hatred and love. "I think.how about we move where nice and quiet? What do you think.should we wait for your father?" She decided to leave the decision to her son.
It didn't take long for Kenji to think of the answer. In his eyes, the whole fire was his father's fault in the first place. If he hadn't left, then Kenji wouldn't have been so restless, and dropped the lantern. His head bowed a bit, he still felt extremely guilty about starting the fire. "Gomen. the fire was my fault.. demo.." his teary eyes stared into his mothers "I don't ever want to see Himura-san again.. I hate him!"
Kaoru smiled weakly down at her son. Well, the decision was made. Himura Kaoru was dead, along with her son, Himura Kenji. From this day forward, Kamiya Kaoru would make reappearance. "Alright.. from now on..you'll be Kamiya Kenji. Let's go find a home." With that, she turned her back from the ashes of her past home and made her way out of Tokyo, never to look back. She didn't know where she would go, but she knew that the future wouldn't have a certain rurouni in the picture. Well.. that's what she thought.
TBC!!