Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Yakusoku ❯ Chapter 1

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Author's Note: Watsuki-sensei owns Rurouni Kenshin and Linkin Park owns "Faint." I wish I could take the credit for making these wonderful works of art, but I can't.

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-I am-

I am a murderer. Simply stated. No longer am I merely a warrior for the Isshin Shishi*. Now, I'm officially a coldblooded murderer, one who would kill his own wife.

-A little bit of loneliness-

I suppose it's fitting that it was my wife that I murdered. Had I murdered somebody I barely know, I would not face the punishment I deserve. To be left alone, missing the woman I love... This is what I deserve.

-A little bit of disregard-

For so long, I mindlessly killed. I took myself as a warrior, nobly killing the enemies of a good cause. Yet now I did not kill my enemy. I killed my love. I cared nothing for the lives I took, blindly assuming that I'd never take a life when it wasn't necessary.

-A handful of complaints-

This guilt, this loneliness. They are so unbearable, but are they even enough punishment?

-But I can’t help the fact-
-That everyone can see these scars-

My face is marred, yet it is infinitely cleaner than my soul. What is this? Guilt, loneliness, and a scar... Is that all the punishment I get for murder? I put a deathly wound in Tomoe's stomach, and all I get is a stupid little slash across my cheek!

-I am-
-What I want you to want-
-What I want you to feel-

Tomoe! Why can't our roles be reversed? Why can't I have slashed you in the cheek, then have your knife fly up and strike me in the stomach?** Why do you have to lose your life, while I'm the one who gets to continue on?

-But it’s like no matter what I do-

If only I had watched for you! If only my eyes followed my heart, and focused on you!

-I can’t convince you-
-To just believe this is real-

And then here I go, the lowest of criminals, murderer of my own dear wife, perpetrator of a preventable act, walking around with naught but a little scar to show it.

-So I-

I'll show them. I'll prove to everyone what I did.

-Let go-

Seppuku.***

-Watching you-

Tomoe. I'll be with you. The only way to repent for my sin.

-Turn your back like you always do-

No. We must not be together. I do not deserve to be with you.

-Face away and pretend that I’m not-

I'll stick to life. I'll pretend I never so much as considered rejoining you.

-But I’ll be here ‘cause you’re all that I got-

I'll stick to this life I don't deserve, if only to deny myself your love. I'll repent for my sin by enduring every lonely that comes.

-I can’t feel-
-The way I did before-

I'll never kill again. I'll never betray another love again.

-Don’t turn your back on me-

Tomoe, wait for me in Heaven. One day, I'll join it.

-I won’t be ignored-

I'll make it. Yakusoku.****

-Time won’t heal-
-This damage anymore-

I'll never forget this promise. I'll never forget our love. And no matter how much I do to repent, my heart will tear me apart from missing you. Time will never heal the hole in my heart that I carved as surely, as deeply, as painfully, as when my sword carved into you.

-Don’t turn your back on me-
-I won’t be ignored-

Tomoe. I WILL join you in Heaven some day. I don't care if it's impossible for a cold murderer. I'll stay so true to my word that I'll do the impossible.

-I am-
-A little bit insecure-

Hah. What a fool I am, though. Thinking that I can do the impossible.

-A little unconfident-

I couldn't stop myself from killing you. How can I stop myself from killing anyone else?

-‘Cause you don’t understand-
-I do what I can-
-But sometimes I don’t make sense-

But just because I can't do it doesn't mean I can't try. And even though I know I'll fail, it doesn't mean I can't partially make up for my crime.

-I am-

Yakusoku.

-What you never want to say-

There may never be a Kenshin worth being with you.

-But I’ve never had a doubt-

But what does it matter? I made you a promise, and I'll stick to it.

-It’s like no matter what I do-

What does it matter that I'll fail? I made you a promise, and I'll stick to it.

-I can’t convice you-

What does it matter that I'll never see you again? I made you a promise, and I'll stick to it.

-For once just to hear me out-

No. Matter. What. I'll stick to the promise.

-So I-
-Let go-
-Watching you-
-Turn your back like you always do-
-Face away and pretend that I’m not-
-But I’ll be here ‘cause you’re all that I got-

-I can’t feel-
-The way I did before-
-Don’t turn your back on me-
-I won’t be ignored-
-Time won’t heal
-This damage anymore-
-Don’t turn your back on me-
-I won’t be ignored-

Seppuku would be so easy. (To think! Getting impaled by my own blade, easy!)

-No-

But I made you a promise.

-Hear me out now-

And I'll stick to it.

-You’re going to listen to me-

I'll stick to it!

-Like it or not-

I made you a promise!

-Right now-
-Hear me out now-

And I'll stick to it!

-You’re going to listen to me-
-Like it or not-

~Finished.

*The Isshin Shishi is the group that Kenshin fought for. They supported the Meiji Revolution.
**I know, in the OVAs Tomoe physically makes the mark on Kenshin's cheek, but in the manga, her knife flew out of her hand and hit him on the cheek.
***Ritual suicides performed by samurai who have betrayed their masters.
****Yakosoku is Japanese for a promise.