A Moment (Rurouni Kenshin, Kenshin/Kaoru, G)
Title: A Moment
Author:: ladyofshadow
Rating:: G
Warnings:: None
Word count:: 425
Prompt:: Body-painting or inkbrushing on someone's skin - a gentle claiming
Summary:: A moment of peace between Kenshin and Kaoru.
The ink, made from soot burned pine wood, was dark blue, almost black. Kenshin had spent the time grounding the ink, contemplating its nuances as he focused on the task. A merchant at market had a fine array of ink sticks and Kenshin’s eyes had lit up at the find. He was even luckier to find a selection of rare Akama ink stones as well.
Kaoru knelt beside him, resting her hands on her thighs. She was soothed by his presence and was used to his quiet eccentricities. Last month he had constructed a small rock garden and had spent hours making patterns in the sand. The month before that he had taken to flower arranging and crafting different flavored rice balls.
Taking a teapot at his side, Kenshin carefully poured water into the mixture. Continuing with the ink stick, he made circular movements, ensuring that everything came together evenly. Lifting a drop of ink with the stick he tested the fluidity on the rim of a white saucer, nodding at the smooth flow.
Kaoru took the ink stick, wiped it with cloth before she wrapped it in paper, and placed it in a wooden box. She watched as Kenshin took his brush and made some experimental strokes on paper.
“Beautiful,” Kaoru whispered as Kenshin’s calligraphy filled the page.
Kenshin turned to her, a glint in his eyes. “I will show you beauty.” He gently moved back the sleeve of her yukata and trailed his fingers along her arm when she stiffened.
“It is not permanent,” Kenshin said. “It can wash away, just as we will from this earth one day.”
Kaoru nodded, tensing at the feel of the brush on her skin. The slow strokes tickled and she did her best not to smile. Closing her eyes, she willed her body to be calm and focused on each stroke.
“Strength flows from my hand into the brush and through the ink,” Kenshin said. “The essence of the image is captured onto your skin.” He took her hand and continued with his work.
After some time passed, Kaoru opened her eyes and stared, open mouthed at the ornate scene on her arm. Koi twined around a waterfall that ran down her wrist, trailing out by her fingers. When Kenshin placed the brush down, she held her arm to the sun and turned it side to side, letting the ink gleam.
Kenshin took her other hand and kissed it. “Beautiful,” he whispered.
He would have to grind more ink for the rest of his new canvas…
Author:: ladyofshadow
Rating:: G
Warnings:: None
Word count:: 425
Prompt:: Body-painting or inkbrushing on someone's skin - a gentle claiming
Summary:: A moment of peace between Kenshin and Kaoru.
The ink, made from soot burned pine wood, was dark blue, almost black. Kenshin had spent the time grounding the ink, contemplating its nuances as he focused on the task. A merchant at market had a fine array of ink sticks and Kenshin’s eyes had lit up at the find. He was even luckier to find a selection of rare Akama ink stones as well.
Kaoru knelt beside him, resting her hands on her thighs. She was soothed by his presence and was used to his quiet eccentricities. Last month he had constructed a small rock garden and had spent hours making patterns in the sand. The month before that he had taken to flower arranging and crafting different flavored rice balls.
Taking a teapot at his side, Kenshin carefully poured water into the mixture. Continuing with the ink stick, he made circular movements, ensuring that everything came together evenly. Lifting a drop of ink with the stick he tested the fluidity on the rim of a white saucer, nodding at the smooth flow.
Kaoru took the ink stick, wiped it with cloth before she wrapped it in paper, and placed it in a wooden box. She watched as Kenshin took his brush and made some experimental strokes on paper.
“Beautiful,” Kaoru whispered as Kenshin’s calligraphy filled the page.
Kenshin turned to her, a glint in his eyes. “I will show you beauty.” He gently moved back the sleeve of her yukata and trailed his fingers along her arm when she stiffened.
“It is not permanent,” Kenshin said. “It can wash away, just as we will from this earth one day.”
Kaoru nodded, tensing at the feel of the brush on her skin. The slow strokes tickled and she did her best not to smile. Closing her eyes, she willed her body to be calm and focused on each stroke.
“Strength flows from my hand into the brush and through the ink,” Kenshin said. “The essence of the image is captured onto your skin.” He took her hand and continued with his work.
After some time passed, Kaoru opened her eyes and stared, open mouthed at the ornate scene on her arm. Koi twined around a waterfall that ran down her wrist, trailing out by her fingers. When Kenshin placed the brush down, she held her arm to the sun and turned it side to side, letting the ink gleam.
Kenshin took her other hand and kissed it. “Beautiful,” he whispered.
He would have to grind more ink for the rest of his new canvas…