Resting-Place (RuroKen, Sano/Megumi, #8 & #17)
Title: Resting-Place
Author: keishiko
Pairing: Sagara Sanosuke x Takani Megumi
Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin
Themes: #8 (chrysanthemums) & #17 (falling leaves)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and neither make any profit nor intend to do so from this work of fiction.
Resting-Place
by Mirune Keishiko
She had no fond memories of the men that lay buried in the shadow-dappled ground before her, their plain gravestones strewn with fallen bamboo leaves. On the way, Megumi had steeled herself against any unpleasant emotions that might come over her; but now her fingers tightened on the handle of the bucket of flowers until the knuckles turned white.
Once, she had been about to disrobe for a bath at the Kanryuu estate when she stopped, feeling invisible eyes burning into her. Then Beshimi’s trailing cackle had come echoing from seemingly nowhere, mocking even as it faded, making her shudder.
Hannya had been a cold, indifferent presence, almost as cold and indifferent as his Okashira himself. Shikijou’s appreciative looks she had especially detested. And even now, many years since that dark day, she still vividly remembered the fear that had frozen her when Sanosuke--brash, arrogant, heedless, ferociously protective Sanosuke--had charged headlong into Hyottoko’s torrent of flame that had killed so many others before.
“I knew we shouldn’t have come,” grumbled Sano as he moved to stand beside her--protective as ever. Even as she shook her head, Megumi welcomed the warm solid weight of his hand splayed gently on her lower back, supporting her, reassuring her.
After another moment, she willed her feet to move, her hands to unclench. Wordlessly Sanosuke helped her clear the leaves and other debris from the graves. She bent to lay the flowers on each one, white chrysanthemums in full and flawless bloom. Then she knelt, folding her hands in silent prayer.
In the end, we were only following our destinies. And even you helped bring me to the home I’ve found at last.
Standing, she leaned gratefully into the comforting circle of Sanosuke’s arm.
Rest peacefully in the next life.
She didn’t even notice the tear creeping down her cheek until Sano wiped it away, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
The autumn breeze rose faintly in their wake as they walked back the way they had come. Sano tucked her more snugly against his side when she shivered in her light kimono. Tiny falling leaves skittered down her back and along her arm, light and playful as a caress, speckling her long hair, whirling past along the stony footpath, making her smile.
Author: keishiko
Pairing: Sagara Sanosuke x Takani Megumi
Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin
Themes: #8 (chrysanthemums) & #17 (falling leaves)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and neither make any profit nor intend to do so from this work of fiction.
Resting-Place
by Mirune Keishiko
She had no fond memories of the men that lay buried in the shadow-dappled ground before her, their plain gravestones strewn with fallen bamboo leaves. On the way, Megumi had steeled herself against any unpleasant emotions that might come over her; but now her fingers tightened on the handle of the bucket of flowers until the knuckles turned white.
Once, she had been about to disrobe for a bath at the Kanryuu estate when she stopped, feeling invisible eyes burning into her. Then Beshimi’s trailing cackle had come echoing from seemingly nowhere, mocking even as it faded, making her shudder.
Hannya had been a cold, indifferent presence, almost as cold and indifferent as his Okashira himself. Shikijou’s appreciative looks she had especially detested. And even now, many years since that dark day, she still vividly remembered the fear that had frozen her when Sanosuke--brash, arrogant, heedless, ferociously protective Sanosuke--had charged headlong into Hyottoko’s torrent of flame that had killed so many others before.
“I knew we shouldn’t have come,” grumbled Sano as he moved to stand beside her--protective as ever. Even as she shook her head, Megumi welcomed the warm solid weight of his hand splayed gently on her lower back, supporting her, reassuring her.
After another moment, she willed her feet to move, her hands to unclench. Wordlessly Sanosuke helped her clear the leaves and other debris from the graves. She bent to lay the flowers on each one, white chrysanthemums in full and flawless bloom. Then she knelt, folding her hands in silent prayer.
In the end, we were only following our destinies. And even you helped bring me to the home I’ve found at last.
Standing, she leaned gratefully into the comforting circle of Sanosuke’s arm.
Rest peacefully in the next life.
She didn’t even notice the tear creeping down her cheek until Sano wiped it away, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
The autumn breeze rose faintly in their wake as they walked back the way they had come. Sano tucked her more snugly against his side when she shivered in her light kimono. Tiny falling leaves skittered down her back and along her arm, light and playful as a caress, speckling her long hair, whirling past along the stony footpath, making her smile.