From: Rurichan and Harichan A long long time ago (in a galaxy far away, no wait completely wrong show) I wrote the first few chapters of For the Sake of Hope, the first few chapters are the same as before just parts were shuffled around a bit. So I won't be hurt if you skip this. ^_^ I considered crossing over Hiko's wife, Sakura but that wouldn't work, the two stories are different in tone. One note that isn't related to FSH, Jade one there is one line that I *loved* in Kokoro 8c which was thought by Saitou and it was like Sake and Sakura, it hit me and I had to write something that had something to do with that line ^^;; the line went as follows: "she is made for him as Tokio is for me." That line seemed like the essence of Saitou's secret life in as few words as possible. Now on to the disclaimer... Kenshin isn't mine, this writting is more like sincere respect for Watsuki and his work. ^^; Hari: Enough babbling Ruri. Ruri: Hai hai. For the Sake of Hope Chapter 1 in 3 parts Everyone can master a grief but he that has it-- Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare September 17th, 1884 Tokyo, Himura residence, 3 am "Kenshin... Kenshin... Kenshin..." Kenshin woke up to see his wife looking down at him. It was in the middle of the night and he was very sleepy. "Kao-" "Shhhh." she whispered and placed a finger on his mouth to silence him. He could hear a tiny wail. Their daughter Nozomi was hungry again. Their daughter. Kenshin was still in awe that two days before Kaoru had given him the greatest gift ever. "She's crying." she said as she slipped out of bed and went to Nozomi. He could hear Kaoru's soft voice talking to Nozomi and Nozomi's cries slowly stopped. Moments later a sleeping Nozomi was cradled between Kenshin and Kaoru. "Ne, Kenshin." Kenshin knew that Kaoru was gathering her courage to ask him something when she used that phrase. "Hai?" he asked. "Promise me that whatever happens, Nozomi comes first." "What brought about this all of a sudden?" he asked. Kaoru rose so she could look at Kenshin, her eyes were pleading with him. "Please Kenshin, whatever happens Nozomi comes first. She just started her life, nothing should take her chance away." Kenshin remembered what Megumi (and later Sano) had told him about Kaoru's emotions after the pregnancy. "Hai." he said and kissed her goodnight. "We'll talk about this in the morning." "But-" Kaoru said her voice pleading with him. "Yes, Nozomi comes first." he said. Part 1: Nozomi Nozomi peered around the corner of the house and saw her father sitting on a rock watching the laundry try to fly away. She silently crept towards him just as Misao had taught her. As soon as she was with in reach she clasped her hands on his eyes and said, “Guess who?” “Maaa maaa,” he chuckled, “It can only be my only daughter Nozomi-chan.” Nozomi laughed and hugged her father hard. “Yes, your one and only daughter oto-chan!” “Oro!” he exclaimed which made her laugh more. “Have fun at the Shirobeko?” Nozomi nodded and let go of her father, “Look! Sae-san insisted that I bring this home.” she held out a wrapped box. Kenshin took the wrapped package that smelled faintly of teriyaki. “I’ll go make rice.” he said heading for the kitchen, which was his domain. Nozomi had proven herself to be a terrible cook. He stopped and turned, “By the way how did you learn how to walk so quietly?” “From Misao.” Nozomi said with a proud smile. Kenshin watched his daughter smile at him. Kaoru’s smile. Nozomi had Kaoru’s silky long black hair and her fiery spirit. His heart ached for his wife. He smiled and said, “I should have known.” he slipped into the kitchen. He heard her run to her room and started to make rice. Nozomi watched as her father went into the kitchen and as soon as she heard kitchen sounds she ran to her room and shut the door behind her. She knelt down on the wooden floor and stuck her finger in the hole of a floor board and lifted the board. Underneath was a narrow box which she took out and opened. In the box was a bokken, a white gi, and a pair of black hakama. She smiled and touched the bokken. She glanced at the calendar on her wall and counted the days. Three more days until her birthday. She was going to surprise her oto-chan. He worked so hard for her, so instead of him giving her something for her birthday, Nozomi decided to give him something instead. She knew her father was a samurai a long time ago, but he never mentioned it to her. In fact the last time she saw his katana was when she was little. She shook her head, it didn’t matter. She had been practicing for over a year and in secret. She smiled when she remembered how she pleaded with Okina to teach her. At first he protested and even told her that he wasn’t even good at kendo. Every time she asked he refused, until Misao talked to Okina and Okina finally relented. She sighed, Misao had become her big sister. Since the day that she and her father arrived in Kyoto over ten years ago, Misao had been there for her. She was the one that Nozomi ran to to talk about things she couldn’t talk to her father about, or even bear to. Misao was very understanding when Nozomi had crept to the back door of the Aoiya. She listened to Nozomi’s situation and said, “Nozomi-chan come to me anytime if you want to talk about things that a father can’t talk about.” In reality, Misao understood Nozomi, since she had lost her parents when she was little and was raised by the Oniwabanshuu and Aoshi. She understood what it was like to not have a mother. Sometimes Nozomi would come to Misao in tears, she would tell her how all her friends had mothers and she didn’t. Misao would kiss her forehead and tell her, “Be thankful of your father Nozomi-chan, I know him well. He loves you for the world, and realize that he is being both a mother and a father to you.” Nozomi blinked away her tears and looked down at the bokken, yes she was very thankful and she was going to show her father how thankful she was. Part 2: Kenshin “Kaoru, look at our daughter. Everyday she reminds me of you.” he whispered, his voice mixed with sorrow and pride. “Talking to yourself again?” a voice asked from the kitchen door. Kenshin turned and saw a old woman leaning on a cane. “Yes, as always Sakura-dono. Please, enter.” he said as he pulled out a pot of tea and a cup. “I was on my way home and I decided to stop by.” she said as she sat on a stool. “Ever since I came here with Nozomi, you come at my back door with the same line.” Kenshin said as he poured tea for Sakura and gave it to her. Sakura smiled, “I should stop saying it then.” Kenshin chuckled. “How is Nozomi-chan?” Sakura asked. “Energetic as always.” Kenshin said. “Lately she’s been out of the house.” Sakura nodded, “Ahhh she found something to do with that energy.” Kenshin nodded, “Yes, I wonder what though.” “Time will tell.” Sakura said as she took a sip of tea. “Speaking of time, its almost Nozomi’s sixteenth birthday. Do you know what you’re going to do on that day?” “Okina-dono told us to come to the Aoiya on Nozomi’s birthday.” Kenshin said as he resumed cutting vegetables for pickles. “Most likely its a party. When doesn’t Okina party?” Sakura said amused. “I also decided to give Nozomi a kimono.” Kenshin said, “I don’t know what to give her anymore. This year she hasn’t given me a hint. Usually she does. This year she’s been silent about her birthday.” Sakura smiled at Kenshin, “You are a natural father Kenshin. I’m sure whatever you give her, she’ll love.” “I am also considering taking her to Tokyo.” “Tokyo? Where you originally lived?” Kenshin stopped his cutting, “Yes, where I used to live. Nozomi should see Megumi and Sano.” From behind Kenshin’s back Sakura gave him a look as if visiting wasn’t the only reason. “How long has it been since you were in Tokyo?” she asked. “A little over ten years.” he said. “You do realize what will happen when you go to Tokyo.” Sakura said. “I’m half hoping she won’t find out.” Kenshin said, “What will she think of her father when she does?” “Is that what kept you from telling her?” she asked. Kenshin sighed, “Yes.” “I smell teriyaki!” a voice called. “Oh! Hello Sakura-san!” Nozomi said as she rushed in. Kenshin smiled at his daughter, “Set the table for three Nozomi-chan.” “Haiiii!” she called as she ran out of the kitchen. “I can’t stay, I’d be imposing.” Sakura said as she started to rise. “You always say that and you always end up staying.” Kenshin said. Sakura laughed, “I suppose I should stop saying that as well. Very well I’ll stay for dinner.” Nozomi danced as she set the table. She couldn’t wait for her birthday. ‘Settle down,’ her mind told her, ‘you waited this long you can wait longer.’ “What’s with the dancing?” Kenshin asked as he entered with dinner. “I’m just happy.” Nozomi said as she sat down at her place. “Because its your birthday soon?” Sakura asked as she settled down to the right of her. “Ahhh, I am not as young as I used to be.” she said as she slowly sat down. Nozomi nodded. “Yes.” “Do you know what you want?” Sakura asked as she accepted the bowl that Kenshin offered. Sakura shook her head, “I don’t know.” Kenshin looked at his daughter, “You always seem to know.” “Not this year.” she said. She stuffed rice into her mouth to prevent any more birthday talk. “Okina-dono invited us to the Aoiya for your birthday.” Kenshin said. “A party no doubt.” Nozomi said which made Sakura chuckle. “Okina is old but he can party like a young man.” Sakura said. “Kenshin you make wonderful pickles.” “Its a simple recipie I assure you Sakura-dono.” Kenshin said. “I’d probably mess it up.” Nozomi put her bowl down and turned to her father, “Oto-chan?” “Hai Nozomi-chan?” “When is your birthday?” “If you’re fishing for my age I won’t tell.” Kenshin said. “Mou!” Nozomi said frustrated, “You always give me that answer!” “Why do you need to know?” Nozomi shrugged. “I just want to know, Misao and Okina say that you’re old. Aoshi is just silent about that.” Sakura placed a hand on Nozomi’s hand, “People our age don’t want to be reminded of our years Nozomi-chan.” Nozomi looked down at her rice, “Hai.” she looked up again, “How old was oka-san?” Kenshin paused, his back was turned to her, “Twenty-seven I believe.” he said. Nozomi sighed, “She must have been pretty.” Kenshin smiled, “She was.” he said. Sakura caught the sadness in his voice. “Finished!” Nozomi said and rose from the table, “Thank you for dinner oto-chan!” “Oro. Finished so quickly?” he asked. Nozomi nodded, “I need to go somewhere.” “Be back soon.” “But oto-chan!” “You know how I don’t like it that you’re out alone.” Nozomi sighed and smiled, “Hai, you worry too much oto-chan.” she said and left the room. Kenshin looked at the place that Nozomi had left and said, “I do don’t I?” Chapter 2 to come ^_^ -------------- Rurichan- yay! For the Sake of Hope is finally getting the attention it deserves. I also finished moving my Fanfic pages (again!?) it can now be found at http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/Haruchan/rkff/rkffmain.htm which also includes Ruri's wacky notes for FSH, like the ages of the Kenshin-gumi during 1900. Oro! --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- ONElist announces "FRIENDS & FAMILY!" http://www.onelist.com See homepage for details, including our weekly drawing! ------------------------------------------------------------------------