Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Wanderer ❯ Dreams of the Dead ( Chapter 4 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Falconess 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Samurai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.05.2004 | Updated On: 01.26.2006 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.6K | Visits: 437 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Samurai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.05.2004 | Updated On: 01.26.2006 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.6K | Visits: 437 | Status: Work In Progress
It was rather new for him, seeing his sensei in such a frail state. Never before had he been so frightened for her life. In the times of old, there had always been someone there to save her; Kenshin. Yet now, watching her struggling breaths, pale almost translucent skin, he watched as the icy cold hand of sickness grasped her very life in its hands. Megumi, that's who they needed, or rather...prayed would have a cure, though, he doubted it. Yet, even so, hope was within him, because that was all they could have for reassurance. Day by day, the villagers watched on, holding their breathes. Yahiko always did his best to save the helpless. Pair him up against a bandit, any swordsman, and he would easily be the savior. However, staring at the promising eyes of the unseen, any ill, he could do nothing against it. He'd watched as his own mother withered away at what at first seemed a mere cold. Now, a similar situation was at his hand. And in his mother's place, was Kaoru... the girl who he had been proud to call his sensei. Even sister or mother at times.
The world about him seemed to be spinning, still upon his hands and knee's on the hard grained, yet finely polished wooden floor. His eyes scanned the face of the lady that slept before him, tucked snuggly beneath a warm blanket and futon. Black orbs broke free from that lovely face that held him so captivated, to glance at her son. Kenji... now days, he seemed so much like his father, yet, different. The physical aspects were obviously obtained from his father, other then the eyes. Orbs of deep blue, almost to the point of black. It reminded him of Kaoru's eyes; the color of the clear and starless sky. However, in personality terms, Kenji was in no way like his father. A fiery spirit, with the determination to match any swordsman, despite his small size; it was more like Yahiko, years ago. Their orbs met, each filled with sorrow and remorse. It was hard to believe, but there was nothing either of them could do, but hope for the best and fetch a better doctor. Within his mind, Yahiko berated himself for being so stupid and not having found them earlier. "How long has she been like this...?"
He couldn't face him, no...not with the tears in his eyes. The locked gazes broke, as Kenji diverted his gaze to the window, seemingly fascinated by the rustling of the trees outside, the perfect mirage of peace and tranquility. So different from the warring emotions that clashed within his very soul and heart. Fists clenched, his nails digging into the palms of his hand, threatening to pierce through skin and flesh. "She collapsed yesterday...we knew she was ill as she's had several fainting spells lately, but...we didn't think it was this bad. She started coughing up blood before she passed out...and she's never been out for this long." His voice was wavering, almost to the point of cracking. He had to be strong, he berated himself. Weakness was something that he could not endure, and tears were a sign of it. Teeth clenched, grinding together as he spoke, fury and confusion tore at him, though he expressed little of it. "The medicine man here has done all he can...but even he doesn't know what is wrong. But...he's old, and hardly fit to treat anyone anymore. Mother had been the doctor here since we arrived, working under his guidance, and what knowledge Megumi taught her...Megumi doesn't even know a cure.."
There was silence for a bit, then finally, Yahiko, after thinking about what Kenji said, "You've been in contact with Megumi..?" If this was so, it truly infuriated him. To think that Megumi after all this time, years of searching, had known where they were. It hurt to see Kaoru like this. Infuriated him really, a small flame of betrayal burning within his heart. Why had she left? It wasn't like her to desert the life of a sword teacher. True, the dojo never seemed to have a lot of students. But, to leave house and home...to depart with her former life in the rubble of ash and flames? From the looks of it, this new dojo was much more popular. The plaques on the training wall were evidence to that. It eased his mind that she had put a plaque for him there, right beside her name... The first student.
"No...I had sent some one from the village to her, and gave explicit instructions to not tell her who sent him. He had merely claimed it was a problem with his family, and in a sense.. it wasn't really far from the truth. He described the illness to her, and she said there was no real cure."
Yahiko knew that Kenji would object to what he had to say next. But, he thought it was for the best, despite Kenji's feelings toward the matter. He stood up, suddenly turning to a pillar of strength, a tall and proud man. He had to be strong for the next few days, the last thing Kenji, or Kaoru needed was a coward. He was Yahiko Myojin. "You...are going back to Tokyo to fetch Megumi, Sano, and your father."
Kenji paused for a minute, eyes burning aflame with the passions of hatred. It wasn't that he objected to fetching the former two, but his father? However, looking at Yahiko, there was no way he was going to voice his objections. Though he longed to stay here by his mother's side. A selfish wish, he supposed. Yahiko hadn't seen Kaoru in years, while he himself had her all to himself for so long. It was only right that Yahiko might get to spend some time with her alone; after all, he was like Kaoru's eldest son. It was for his brother's sake alone that he agreed to go back to his birthplace, and fetch the people that he'd run from, so long ago.
--------------------------
Darkness seemed to seep from every direction, blood as rich and thick as wine spewed from fountains all about. Trees a plenty, as if a massive sukura garden, yet...every plant was dead. Withered and termite infested. Now the color of ghostly white, rather then the rich vibrant spectra of colors when they were once alive. Stone columns were set here and there, with what seemed like no particular design. Torches were placed into its holders on those columns, faintly illuminating all that around. Engravings of some sort, intricate designs that perhaps only the creator could translate, were embedded into the columns.
She had awoken in the middle of this all, bound and chained to a slab of stone directly in the center. The stone was vertical, and she was chained in such a way, that one would position another for a crucifixion. Her feet were a half foot above the ground, being supported up by the shackles around the wrists. And she donned nothing but a pure white dress with gold embroidering upon it, lacking sleeves. It flowed gracefully down her body, hugging the curves upon her torso nicely, and falling down loosely to her ankles, a small one ft. train cascading down to the cold marble tile below. A golden circlet was placed around her temples, and her hair undone to cascade down in soft silk curtain, ending mid back. Gloves covered the flesh of her forearm and hands, pure white as the dress. Deep blue orbs gazed about her in terror and confusion, imagining the creatures of the night watching, leering eyes piercing through the fabric of the dress, to room their gaze freely over her body. No, she corrected herself, not imagine... knew. She could feel those orbs of the unforeseen watching her, waiting, concealed by the shadows. For what, she did not know.
Having awoken a day ago to this nightmare, she'd not slept since. Who knows what the demons of this realm would do to her, once her eyes were closed? Kaoru could do nothing but stay, having learned long ago that struggling just depleted her energy; the chains were much too strong. It was cold, despite the torches all around, as if the icy cold hands of the dead were grasping at her, begging her to join them. She could do nothing but wait, wallowing in tears and fear of what was to come. She tried crying out once or twice, begging and pleading for salvation, yet all she had for a reply...blood red orbs gazing at her from the shadows. A looming figure concealed within a cloak of darkness. She did not try to raise her voice again. That figure, the look upon his eyes, promised pain and eternal suffering, if she dared speak, and wake him from his slumber. 'Why am I in this hell?' was the thought that plagued her mind, over and over again. It was obvious to her that this was a dream, but the surroundings, the cold and sorrow was so vivid. She'd tried to wake herself up, to no avail, her body in the physical plane to weak because of her sickness. Perhaps this was what it is like to be in a coma? Forever lost in your dreams and nightmares?
It seemed that around the stone that confined her was a stone gazebo, the roof, pitch black and spiraling, the jagged point toward the never ending starless sky. And again, more columns supported it. She felt as if on display, for the world to see. Truly, with the dress she wore, her hair down, she was perfect image of a goddess. In this realm, her age had reverted back to when she was young, around the age of when she met Enishi. She had been staring at the marble floor, for this "garden" had several walkways of tile made of marble, and the gazebo floor seemed to be made of it as well; when she head footsteps. Distant, but obviously approaching. Attempting to pierce through the shadows, she searched frantically for the source of noise, praying it was a savior. Her hope was to be dwindled though.
Out from the shadows stepped a man, ominous and foreboding. His eyes seemed to be a raging storm. Swirling clouds; a tempest within the orbs. A few locks of raven hair fell before his face, his bangs grown out, while all else cut. (Similar to Saitoh's hair, except this character is actually longer, and it's layered) Shrouded around him...a black cloak, the clasp the skull of a raven. His shirt was not evident, as strapped about his chest was dark armor, seeming made of iron, but, embedded into the armor itself, the ribs of a human, and in place of the sternum, 3 skulls, that of a raven, a hawk, and a falcon. A black helm graced his head, spiraling horns jetting from either side of the head ornament. Navy pants adorned him, the fabric loose and wavering with each step he took. He was not a massive being, yet possessed the intimidation of a Goliath, which struck fear into timid hearts, and even go so far as to make a behemoth of a monster shuffle upon his feet unnerved. A fog of mystery and despair seemed to hover about him in a thick mist, tendrils reaching towards all that it can, to bring it into his domain. He stepped in front of Kaoru, shadows from the flames about the area, dancing off the ground, circling about him. Pale almost translucent skin grasped her chin in his palm, forcing the terrified girl to face him in the eye.
His hands were cold, like that of the dead, and she was sure that shards of ice themselves ran through his veins. The orbs she gazed into seemed to draw her. A memorizing pendulum that seemed to fascinate the victim, lulled into a trance to do his bidding. Upon seeing him, his figure didn't seem to be terrifying, but there was an aura about him, a promise of death and despair. A sword hung by his side, not a katana, but a rapier. It surprised her, as she'd never seen a weapon, other then the ones in Japan. "Who...are you? What are you doing to me, let me go at once!" She struggled now, though in vain. Perhaps it was an act of desperation, anything to get away from those cold gray eyes. Eye's cold as winter snowy night that froze her very body in fear.
Ignoring her questions, he merely continued to gaze at her, allowing orbs to rove her body. A thin smile graced his lips, apparently he agreed with what he saw. "My son needs a wife...you'll do nicely" He couldn't help but laugh though, upon hearing her mutter to herself, that this was all a dream. His laughter was harsh, grating and he enjoyed watching her wince beneath his gaze. "Yes, my girl... this is a dream, but in a sense reality. This dream...is a spirit realm, my realm. And the path between dreams and reality is clear; the mind works in wondrous ways. Here, is as real as the earth...merely, a different plain. And your soul here is linked to that in your own realm. Let me give you an example." From beneath the folds of his cloak, he withdrew a dagger, and plunged the cold steel into her shoulder.
Kaoru couldn't help but cry out, why was this happening to her? The pain spread through her body, pricking her orbs with tears. Teeth gritted, and her fist clenched-nails digging into her own flesh. It was painful, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of scream in agony. But, glaring at him, in despise and hate, she could tell he enjoyed her pain, could see it upon her own face. The only difference between the way she was now, and the way she was in the "awoken" state, is that here, she seemed to have regressed to a younger stage in life, when she was 18, and she was so much stronger. His smile sickened her, and she was at a loss for what to do, especially about what she heard next.
"You here...are still alive. But... you're body in the other realm...is dead. It was much too weak to survive long. However, don't worry... you wouldn't have survived much longer there anyways. You should be grateful that I brought your soul here. Of course... you'll never be allowed to return. But, your life has at least been spared. Perhaps not your memories though. His hand was still wrapped around the dagger that pierced her body. The hilt and his hand began to glow with a dark aura, tendrils of mists enveloping them. It shrouded around him, seeping down his arm, through his hands... down the steel, and into her very being.
Suddenly, the world seemed cold. And the pain in her shoulder multiplied ten fold. A fit of coughing erupted from her, and once again, she found herself coughing blood. Daggers of ice seemed to be running through her, and she cried out in agony. Squirming and struggling against the chains that bound her. Tears trailed down her cheek, and she cried in despair, and the sole words she muttered before the mists circulated through her veins, and consumed her very being... "Kenshin... Kenji... I'm sorry"
TBC.
Falconess
The world about him seemed to be spinning, still upon his hands and knee's on the hard grained, yet finely polished wooden floor. His eyes scanned the face of the lady that slept before him, tucked snuggly beneath a warm blanket and futon. Black orbs broke free from that lovely face that held him so captivated, to glance at her son. Kenji... now days, he seemed so much like his father, yet, different. The physical aspects were obviously obtained from his father, other then the eyes. Orbs of deep blue, almost to the point of black. It reminded him of Kaoru's eyes; the color of the clear and starless sky. However, in personality terms, Kenji was in no way like his father. A fiery spirit, with the determination to match any swordsman, despite his small size; it was more like Yahiko, years ago. Their orbs met, each filled with sorrow and remorse. It was hard to believe, but there was nothing either of them could do, but hope for the best and fetch a better doctor. Within his mind, Yahiko berated himself for being so stupid and not having found them earlier. "How long has she been like this...?"
He couldn't face him, no...not with the tears in his eyes. The locked gazes broke, as Kenji diverted his gaze to the window, seemingly fascinated by the rustling of the trees outside, the perfect mirage of peace and tranquility. So different from the warring emotions that clashed within his very soul and heart. Fists clenched, his nails digging into the palms of his hand, threatening to pierce through skin and flesh. "She collapsed yesterday...we knew she was ill as she's had several fainting spells lately, but...we didn't think it was this bad. She started coughing up blood before she passed out...and she's never been out for this long." His voice was wavering, almost to the point of cracking. He had to be strong, he berated himself. Weakness was something that he could not endure, and tears were a sign of it. Teeth clenched, grinding together as he spoke, fury and confusion tore at him, though he expressed little of it. "The medicine man here has done all he can...but even he doesn't know what is wrong. But...he's old, and hardly fit to treat anyone anymore. Mother had been the doctor here since we arrived, working under his guidance, and what knowledge Megumi taught her...Megumi doesn't even know a cure.."
There was silence for a bit, then finally, Yahiko, after thinking about what Kenji said, "You've been in contact with Megumi..?" If this was so, it truly infuriated him. To think that Megumi after all this time, years of searching, had known where they were. It hurt to see Kaoru like this. Infuriated him really, a small flame of betrayal burning within his heart. Why had she left? It wasn't like her to desert the life of a sword teacher. True, the dojo never seemed to have a lot of students. But, to leave house and home...to depart with her former life in the rubble of ash and flames? From the looks of it, this new dojo was much more popular. The plaques on the training wall were evidence to that. It eased his mind that she had put a plaque for him there, right beside her name... The first student.
"No...I had sent some one from the village to her, and gave explicit instructions to not tell her who sent him. He had merely claimed it was a problem with his family, and in a sense.. it wasn't really far from the truth. He described the illness to her, and she said there was no real cure."
Yahiko knew that Kenji would object to what he had to say next. But, he thought it was for the best, despite Kenji's feelings toward the matter. He stood up, suddenly turning to a pillar of strength, a tall and proud man. He had to be strong for the next few days, the last thing Kenji, or Kaoru needed was a coward. He was Yahiko Myojin. "You...are going back to Tokyo to fetch Megumi, Sano, and your father."
Kenji paused for a minute, eyes burning aflame with the passions of hatred. It wasn't that he objected to fetching the former two, but his father? However, looking at Yahiko, there was no way he was going to voice his objections. Though he longed to stay here by his mother's side. A selfish wish, he supposed. Yahiko hadn't seen Kaoru in years, while he himself had her all to himself for so long. It was only right that Yahiko might get to spend some time with her alone; after all, he was like Kaoru's eldest son. It was for his brother's sake alone that he agreed to go back to his birthplace, and fetch the people that he'd run from, so long ago.
--------------------------
Darkness seemed to seep from every direction, blood as rich and thick as wine spewed from fountains all about. Trees a plenty, as if a massive sukura garden, yet...every plant was dead. Withered and termite infested. Now the color of ghostly white, rather then the rich vibrant spectra of colors when they were once alive. Stone columns were set here and there, with what seemed like no particular design. Torches were placed into its holders on those columns, faintly illuminating all that around. Engravings of some sort, intricate designs that perhaps only the creator could translate, were embedded into the columns.
She had awoken in the middle of this all, bound and chained to a slab of stone directly in the center. The stone was vertical, and she was chained in such a way, that one would position another for a crucifixion. Her feet were a half foot above the ground, being supported up by the shackles around the wrists. And she donned nothing but a pure white dress with gold embroidering upon it, lacking sleeves. It flowed gracefully down her body, hugging the curves upon her torso nicely, and falling down loosely to her ankles, a small one ft. train cascading down to the cold marble tile below. A golden circlet was placed around her temples, and her hair undone to cascade down in soft silk curtain, ending mid back. Gloves covered the flesh of her forearm and hands, pure white as the dress. Deep blue orbs gazed about her in terror and confusion, imagining the creatures of the night watching, leering eyes piercing through the fabric of the dress, to room their gaze freely over her body. No, she corrected herself, not imagine... knew. She could feel those orbs of the unforeseen watching her, waiting, concealed by the shadows. For what, she did not know.
Having awoken a day ago to this nightmare, she'd not slept since. Who knows what the demons of this realm would do to her, once her eyes were closed? Kaoru could do nothing but stay, having learned long ago that struggling just depleted her energy; the chains were much too strong. It was cold, despite the torches all around, as if the icy cold hands of the dead were grasping at her, begging her to join them. She could do nothing but wait, wallowing in tears and fear of what was to come. She tried crying out once or twice, begging and pleading for salvation, yet all she had for a reply...blood red orbs gazing at her from the shadows. A looming figure concealed within a cloak of darkness. She did not try to raise her voice again. That figure, the look upon his eyes, promised pain and eternal suffering, if she dared speak, and wake him from his slumber. 'Why am I in this hell?' was the thought that plagued her mind, over and over again. It was obvious to her that this was a dream, but the surroundings, the cold and sorrow was so vivid. She'd tried to wake herself up, to no avail, her body in the physical plane to weak because of her sickness. Perhaps this was what it is like to be in a coma? Forever lost in your dreams and nightmares?
It seemed that around the stone that confined her was a stone gazebo, the roof, pitch black and spiraling, the jagged point toward the never ending starless sky. And again, more columns supported it. She felt as if on display, for the world to see. Truly, with the dress she wore, her hair down, she was perfect image of a goddess. In this realm, her age had reverted back to when she was young, around the age of when she met Enishi. She had been staring at the marble floor, for this "garden" had several walkways of tile made of marble, and the gazebo floor seemed to be made of it as well; when she head footsteps. Distant, but obviously approaching. Attempting to pierce through the shadows, she searched frantically for the source of noise, praying it was a savior. Her hope was to be dwindled though.
Out from the shadows stepped a man, ominous and foreboding. His eyes seemed to be a raging storm. Swirling clouds; a tempest within the orbs. A few locks of raven hair fell before his face, his bangs grown out, while all else cut. (Similar to Saitoh's hair, except this character is actually longer, and it's layered) Shrouded around him...a black cloak, the clasp the skull of a raven. His shirt was not evident, as strapped about his chest was dark armor, seeming made of iron, but, embedded into the armor itself, the ribs of a human, and in place of the sternum, 3 skulls, that of a raven, a hawk, and a falcon. A black helm graced his head, spiraling horns jetting from either side of the head ornament. Navy pants adorned him, the fabric loose and wavering with each step he took. He was not a massive being, yet possessed the intimidation of a Goliath, which struck fear into timid hearts, and even go so far as to make a behemoth of a monster shuffle upon his feet unnerved. A fog of mystery and despair seemed to hover about him in a thick mist, tendrils reaching towards all that it can, to bring it into his domain. He stepped in front of Kaoru, shadows from the flames about the area, dancing off the ground, circling about him. Pale almost translucent skin grasped her chin in his palm, forcing the terrified girl to face him in the eye.
His hands were cold, like that of the dead, and she was sure that shards of ice themselves ran through his veins. The orbs she gazed into seemed to draw her. A memorizing pendulum that seemed to fascinate the victim, lulled into a trance to do his bidding. Upon seeing him, his figure didn't seem to be terrifying, but there was an aura about him, a promise of death and despair. A sword hung by his side, not a katana, but a rapier. It surprised her, as she'd never seen a weapon, other then the ones in Japan. "Who...are you? What are you doing to me, let me go at once!" She struggled now, though in vain. Perhaps it was an act of desperation, anything to get away from those cold gray eyes. Eye's cold as winter snowy night that froze her very body in fear.
Ignoring her questions, he merely continued to gaze at her, allowing orbs to rove her body. A thin smile graced his lips, apparently he agreed with what he saw. "My son needs a wife...you'll do nicely" He couldn't help but laugh though, upon hearing her mutter to herself, that this was all a dream. His laughter was harsh, grating and he enjoyed watching her wince beneath his gaze. "Yes, my girl... this is a dream, but in a sense reality. This dream...is a spirit realm, my realm. And the path between dreams and reality is clear; the mind works in wondrous ways. Here, is as real as the earth...merely, a different plain. And your soul here is linked to that in your own realm. Let me give you an example." From beneath the folds of his cloak, he withdrew a dagger, and plunged the cold steel into her shoulder.
Kaoru couldn't help but cry out, why was this happening to her? The pain spread through her body, pricking her orbs with tears. Teeth gritted, and her fist clenched-nails digging into her own flesh. It was painful, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of scream in agony. But, glaring at him, in despise and hate, she could tell he enjoyed her pain, could see it upon her own face. The only difference between the way she was now, and the way she was in the "awoken" state, is that here, she seemed to have regressed to a younger stage in life, when she was 18, and she was so much stronger. His smile sickened her, and she was at a loss for what to do, especially about what she heard next.
"You here...are still alive. But... you're body in the other realm...is dead. It was much too weak to survive long. However, don't worry... you wouldn't have survived much longer there anyways. You should be grateful that I brought your soul here. Of course... you'll never be allowed to return. But, your life has at least been spared. Perhaps not your memories though. His hand was still wrapped around the dagger that pierced her body. The hilt and his hand began to glow with a dark aura, tendrils of mists enveloping them. It shrouded around him, seeping down his arm, through his hands... down the steel, and into her very being.
Suddenly, the world seemed cold. And the pain in her shoulder multiplied ten fold. A fit of coughing erupted from her, and once again, she found herself coughing blood. Daggers of ice seemed to be running through her, and she cried out in agony. Squirming and struggling against the chains that bound her. Tears trailed down her cheek, and she cried in despair, and the sole words she muttered before the mists circulated through her veins, and consumed her very being... "Kenshin... Kenji... I'm sorry"
TBC.
Falconess