Subject: [kffdisc] Itsumo (Always): Prologue and Part 1 Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 00:10:08 -0600 From: Mark Eymer Reply-To: kffdisc@onelist.com Organization: N/A To: kffdisc@onelist.com From: Mark Eymer Rurouni Kenshin (C) Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shuiesha and Sony Music Entertainment. Presenting… An original Rurouni Kenshin Fanfiction Written by Mark Eymer (saotome@micron.net) Rurouni Kenshin: Itsumo (Always) Prologue: Whispers of the Past A lone, cloaked figure slowly walked along a country path, headed for Tokyo proper. A dark hood blocked his eyes from the glaring sunlight which threatened to bake the surrounding area in its intensity. The wind whispered along slowly, rustling what few leaves remained on the parched tree branches, also blowing the cloak out behind the figure, revealing the hilt of an ornate katana. Reaching into a pack concealed beneath his cloak, the figure brought out a piece of paper, stopping to scan over the kanji. Chuckling to himself, the figure looked skyward, letting the cloak slide off his head to reveal dark, brunette hair which framed his long, well defined facial features. His blue eyes flashed in the sunlight before he continued on his journey, walking past a rather ordinary looking man. The solemn passerby shuddered as a he heard a name spoken into the noonday sky, although it was so faint it might just have been the wind. “Hitokiri Battousai.” Turning around to regard the cloaked figure as he made his way down the path, the passerby shook his head, convincing himself that it must be the heat getting to him. The Battousai had disappeared at the end of the Tokugawa dynasty. Certainly no man was fool enough to look for that killer… right? Offering a quick prayer to the heavens, the man quickly made his way home, wanting nothing to do with anything connected to the Bakumatsu no Douran. The cloaked figure continued to walk down the path, at the same steady pace, in the direction of Tokyo, and the Kamiya Dojo. Part 1: Sakura Blossoms The soft sound of sandals scraping continuously across the ground melted into the afternoon, as Kenshin returned from the market with a bowl of tofu for the night’s dinner. Passing over the planks of a bridge, he noted the change in sound, from the scrape of the soft dirt to the reverberating echo of his sandals impacting wood. Walking at a sedate pace, Kenshin looked to the sky, a smile spreading across his face as the sunlight bathed him in warmth. He took a moment to stop, savoring the feel of the wind at his back, the sunlight on his face, and the fresh, clean smell the air carried. Life had finally calmed around the Kamiya Dojo, allowing Kenshin and his friends a moment’s peace from the almost constant bombardment of adventure they usually endured. It was all he could ever have asked for. Peace. He began walking again in silence, listening to the sounds of midday Tokyo. The voices of merchants rang out over the songs of birds, calling to any customer they could as they passed by numerous shops on their way to whatever destinations they were headed for. Kenshin smiled as a small boy ran in front of him, holding a small pinwheel in his hands. The boy giggled with delight as his toy spun in the breeze, eliciting a heartfelt chuckle from the rurouni. As he passed the final corner of his journey around the outer wall of the Kamiya Dojo, Kenshin was almost knocked over by Tsubame, who seemed to be in quite the rush. Lunging quickly, Kenshin managed to catch the tofu before it hit the ground. Sighing in relief he rose to look at the girl. “Oro… Why are you in such a rush, Tsubame-dono?” Startled, Tsubame quickly apologized, “I’m so sorry, Himura-san. I didn’t see you there. I’m late, and Tae-san expected me back at the Akabeko a while ago. The dinner rush will be starting soon.” Bowing, she turned to depart but was stopped by Kenshin’s soft voice. “Did you and Yahiko have fun?” Smiling at her encouragingly, Kenshin found his smile widening as a faint blush crept over Tsubame’s cheeks. He couldn’t help but smile whenever he thought of the young pair. ‘Young couple,’ he reminded himself. Yahiko had grown up quite a bit, lately. His attitude had changed for the better and apparently, his friendship with Tsubame had begun to blossom into something more. For Kenshin, this was a small amount of redemption for his sins during the Bakumatsu no Douran. He was happy that the two he had come to consider family were finally realizing their feelings for each other, and in an era he hoped would be filled with peace and happiness. A new era, the one he had helped to create. He received a stuttered response. “Uh, h-hai, Himura-san. We did.” Tsubame looked to the side, trying to hide the redness of her cheeks. Kenshin gave a small laugh. “Well, I’ll let you get back to Tae-dono. I’m sure she wouldn’t be too happy if I kept you any longer than I already have. Goodbye, Tsubame-dono.” “H-hai. Goodbye, Himura-san.” Tsubame bowed again and then turned, running off down the street. Kenshin smiled at her back as she rounded a corner, disappearing from sight. Turning back to the Dojo, Kenshin headed inside, tofu in hand. * * * Sanosuke Sagara grumbled as he walked down another Tokyo street. He had been in a bad mood since he had lost money while gambling today, and he was itching for a fight. His bandaged hand clenched and unclenched at his side, a testament to his anxiety. As he rounded a corner he spotted a masked man holding a merchant at bay, the tip of the man’s sword pointed at the merchant’s throat. Smiling grimly, he cracked his knuckles and approached. He caught the tail end of what the thief was saying, “…give me your money. I won’t kill you if you do.” Tapping the thief on the shoulder, Sanosuke grinned as the man whipped around, a shocked “What the…?” coming from his mouth. Whipping his hand out, Sano caught the man’s gi in his grasp and lifted him into the air. “I don’t think you’re going to be killing anyone, asshole.” “W-who the hell are you?” The man struggled, succeeding only in twisting about in Sanosuke’s iron grip. “I’m Sanosuke Sagara, better known as Zanza to street trash like you.” Sano could see the thief’s eyes widen at the use of his former title from his gangster days. “Z-Zanza?…” “That’s right.” Noticing the sweat beading on the man’s brow, Sanosuke prepared to put the man out. Down and out. Little did he suspect the thief to panic like he did. A sharp pain suddenly shot through Sano’s stomach, starting at his left side. Dropping the man he gripped his abdomen, wincing at the blood he found on his hand. Looking to the man’s sword, he found a matching color. A gleam in his eyes, Sanosuke straightened, clenching his fist until his knuckles turned white. “You’ll pay for that…” The threat was left hanging in the air. Turning to run, the thief made it halfway down the street before Sanosuke caught up with him. It wasn’t soon after that the thief’s unconscious body fell to the ground with a heavy thump, a large bruise on his now unmasked face. Sanosuke winced again as the pain flooded through him with his movements. Grumbling, he decided it was about high time to pay Megumi a visit and have her look at his wound. Nodding at the shopkeeper, Sanosuke continued on his way, heading for Dr. Genzai’s office, waving off an offer of payment for his help. * * * To be continued… Author’s Notes: I’m trying to pick up where the TV episodes of Rurouni Kenshin left off, going into some more character development and some new romance developments. I hope you enjoy this, I’ll add on as I can. I don’t quite know where this is headed, only being a rough sketch in my mind, at the moment, but we’ll see. I’m hoping to bring in a new nemesis or two, maybe not for Kenshin, either, but an old “acquaintance” of Sanosuke’s or something. Like I said, we’ll see. Again, I hope you enjoyed this and please send comments and criticism to saotome@micron.net, I love to receive it. Peace and thanks for reading, Mark Eymer ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Did you know that we add over 1,000 new e-mail communities every day? http://www.ONElist.com Explore a new hobby, discover a new friend, laugh at a new joke!