Rurouni Kenshin fic: Truce, 8/?
Title: Truce
Chapter: 8/? - The Night Lights of Kyoto
Rating: PG
Summary: Somehow, he couldn’t help but notice the young woman who dared walk the streets of Kyoto alone after dark and wielded only a bokken. It was only a matter of time before their paths crossed.
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: I wish.
Notes: End of the first arc. There are two more to come after this. :)
More notes: I’m starting a new job next week and will also be moving to a new apartment soon. I’ll try to post the next chapter in 3-4 weeks as usual, but it may be delayed a bit. Fair warning. I am NOT abandoning Truce though!
Beta: the always-amazing Broomclosetkink. Many thanks to her for her help and encouragements! :D
The Night Lights of Kyoto
Would you like to come with me to the festival tonight?
Kenshin trails a few feet behind Kaoru, delighted by her childlike excitement. The shops are open late tonight and she all but hops from one stall to the other. Lights, music, fans, toys, food, trinkets, fireworks… the exuberance is such a stark contrast from the usual cold and dark of his nights, it almost scares him away. War does not have a place here, he thinks, but Kaoru’s bright eyes have lured him in, and there is no way he’ll spoil this for her.
She stops in front of a shop selling ornamental fish. The animals have been placed in several big tanks and children push and pull to try and catch the ones they like best. “Catch the fish, and it is yours”, the seller calls.
“I like those”, Kaoru tells him when he catches up with her. She is pointing at small red and white fish with long fins busy trying to escape overly enthusiastic children. Kenshin has to admit that there is a certain grace to their movements. If anything, they look more annoyed than frightened…
“They are beautiful”, he replies with a smile. “You should get a couple for your house.”
“Maybe one day… They’d look nice in the garden’s pond but I’d have to get it back in shape first. And… well, you know my cooking? I’m just as bad at gardening. So… yes, maybe one day!”
Kaoru’s laughter takes them to the next stall - paintings and woodblocks, then hairpins, toys for children, more fish, food stands… They find a quieter side street to enjoy a quick snack - “yakitori, because that is a tradition for me”, Kaoru explains - before making their way back to the main street to see the procession.
Despite his best efforts, Kenshin can’t help but feel on edge in such a big crowd - was that man staring? And that other one? He steps close to Kaoru, close enough that the back of his hand brushes against her sleeve. His other hand rests on the hilt of his sword, deceptively relaxed.
They have grown close, since that night, close enough that Kaoru senses his discomfort and does not hesitate to take his hand and squeeze it lightly. “It’s all right”, her smile says, “I’m being careful too”.
The procession is as beautiful and colourful as they could have hoped, even if the height of the festival is still several days away. Amid comments and laughter, Kaoru never lets go of Kenshin’s hand. Though it is not safe, the dense crowd gives them relative protection, and Kenshin feels no need to move.
-~-~-~-
They are sitting inside an izakaya, seeking quiet more than alcohol, when a man bursts in, spots Kenshin, and all but runs to them.
Kaoru has never seen him. He is quite unremarkable, in fact, with his dark hair, dark eyes, and slightly slumped shoulders, but something about him makes her think he is rather the kind of man who hugs walls and makes an art of being forgotten.
And somehow, she doesn’t like him. She sees Kenshin frown and senses his ki turn sharp, guarded but infinitely attentive, like a predator who knows the hunt is coming, but not how hard it will be. Oh no, she doesn’t like him.
“Iizuka-san,” Kenshin acknowledges his presence.
The man glances at Kaoru questioningly, but quickly turns back to Kenshin. There are more pressing matters at hand. “Ah, sorry to interrupt, Himura, but there has been a… complication.” At this Iizuka puts his hands on the table and leans towards Kenshin, his voice dropping to a whisper Kaoru has to strain to hear.
“The Shinsengumi attacked the Ikedaya tonight during the meeting…”
“Katsura-san…?” Kenshin interrupts, dread flashing in his eyes. Kaoru can only follow the exchange and try to understand what they are not saying.
“Alive, a small miracle. But Yoshida-san and Miyabe-sama… There is a spy in our midst for sure…”
A wave of suffocating rage crashes through the izakaya, strong enough that all the other customers turn to them, frozen in fear. Murderous intent clear, Kenshin jumps to his feet, ready to run to his comrades…
“Wait!” Kaoru and Iizuka’s cries resound in unison. The messenger grabs Kenshin’s arm firmly for emphasis.
“It’s too late for them, but you’re needed at the inn. Now.”
Kenshin swallows his rage, sublimates it into cold focus and efficiency. He nods tersely, once, then turns to Kaoru. The man standing in front of her is no longer her friend, but Himura Battousai, the Ishin Shishi’s secret, finest weapon. His eyes shine in unforgiving gold, hard and lethal as the steel of his swords.
“Please go back to the dojo. I’ll join you there.” She has never heard his voice so cold.
“Will you be okay?” She has to ask, she has to, because she is still herself. And she could swear that specks of lavender slip into his eyes when he answers. “Yes. I’ll see you later.”
And with that, he disappears into the night, Iizuka close behind him.
-~-~-~-
Kenshin does not come that night, nor the next, nor the next. Kaoru hears news of an army marching on Kyoto and sees the city burn, joins the hundreds of people trying to contain the flames, and still no Kenshin.
The Bakufu loudly proclaims that the rebels have been crushed. She tries to stay calm, reminds herself that if they had killed Battousai the news would have been made very public, but a few more days go by, people flee the capital, and still no Kenshin.
She believes him to be a man of his word, so she ties her hair back with the ribbon he gave her and diligently practices her kata, and keeps her mind occupied as she waits.
-~-~-~-
"You're leaving?"
He is finally here. In one piece, although Kaoru does not miss the way he favours his right leg. He is here, in one piece. There is a small travelling bag thrown over his shoulder.
"Yes. We're going to lay low for a while. The Ishin Shishi keep several safe places out of Kyoto and one has been prepared for me in Otsu. You should leave too." Ah, so there is the real purpose of his visit. Kaoru crosses her arms under her chest, her chin high and defiant.
"I can take care of myself, remember? This is my home, I'm staying."
"They burnt half of Kyoto to the ground, Kaoru!" There is more fear than anger in Kenshin’s voice.
"And where would you have me go? I'm safer here where I know what's going on!"
Except she is not, she has no idea of what she would be up against, what he has seen in Kyoto’s dark alleys. The Bakufu forces will be purging the city and if someone has even mentioned her connection to him… He will not risk her more than he already has, and his mind frantically races to find the one argument that will convince her…
"I won't budge, Kenshin. I've done nothing wrong; I won't run." Amber is seeping into Kenshin's eyes and she knows his patience is thinning. But he is the fourth person to tell her to run and hide today and she is tired of people telling her how to live her life. She is not weak, and it hurts more than a little that Kenshin would just conveniently forget this fact. And where would she go?
"Come with me." He is not sure where the words come from. They escape him in a whisper, yet heavy enough to cut Kaoru’s train of thought short.
"… What?" This, she did not expect.
"Come with me", he repeats.
"To Otsu, with you?"
"Yes. That way, none of us has to be alone."
Eyes wide, she wonders if he realizes what he is saying at all. Still she takes the time to give the idea some consideration. She thinks about her empty dojo, about the tendrils of fear that hum across the city, about how her friends have all already left and how she would be well and truly alone. Her own feelings aside, Kenshin is offering companionship, to face the uncertain months ahead. She would not be running away, she would just… go, make the best of the situation, when nothing but pride holds her back. It is ridiculous, but the more she thinks about it, the more sense it makes.
"Okay”, she finally agrees. “Let's go to Otsu."
-~-~-~-
In the time she has known him, Kaoru has learned to recognize Kenshin’s smiles. There is the wry one, the self-deprecating one, the too-rare amused one, the not-daring-to-hope one… And then there is the one that he gives her now, that she does not remember seeing before, but one that she wants to treasure and see more often on him. This smile is genuine. In other circumstances, she would say this smile is happy.
So Kenshin smiles, warm ki brushing hers and making her skin tingle, and nods. "To Otsu."
-~-~-~-
Gathering a few essentials does not take long - some clothes, money, food, her favourite bokken.
"…Plus, I guess two people will attract less attention than a lone swordsman”, she all but rambles as she moves from one room to the other, taking what she needs in each. Kenshin follows her, amused. And here he thought he would have to argue all night to convince her to leave Kyoto… He hopes she agreed for the same reason he thinks he asked, and her ki tells him that maybe, just maybe… But Kaoru is still talking.
“What will we posing as, by the way? Brother and sister? Or…" she adds with a sly grin, "husband and wife?"
He gulps. This is going to be interesting.
Chapter: 8/? - The Night Lights of Kyoto
Rating: PG
Summary: Somehow, he couldn’t help but notice the young woman who dared walk the streets of Kyoto alone after dark and wielded only a bokken. It was only a matter of time before their paths crossed.
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: I wish.
Notes: End of the first arc. There are two more to come after this. :)
More notes: I’m starting a new job next week and will also be moving to a new apartment soon. I’ll try to post the next chapter in 3-4 weeks as usual, but it may be delayed a bit. Fair warning. I am NOT abandoning Truce though!
Beta: the always-amazing Broomclosetkink. Many thanks to her for her help and encouragements! :D
The Night Lights of Kyoto
Would you like to come with me to the festival tonight?
Kenshin trails a few feet behind Kaoru, delighted by her childlike excitement. The shops are open late tonight and she all but hops from one stall to the other. Lights, music, fans, toys, food, trinkets, fireworks… the exuberance is such a stark contrast from the usual cold and dark of his nights, it almost scares him away. War does not have a place here, he thinks, but Kaoru’s bright eyes have lured him in, and there is no way he’ll spoil this for her.
She stops in front of a shop selling ornamental fish. The animals have been placed in several big tanks and children push and pull to try and catch the ones they like best. “Catch the fish, and it is yours”, the seller calls.
“I like those”, Kaoru tells him when he catches up with her. She is pointing at small red and white fish with long fins busy trying to escape overly enthusiastic children. Kenshin has to admit that there is a certain grace to their movements. If anything, they look more annoyed than frightened…
“They are beautiful”, he replies with a smile. “You should get a couple for your house.”
“Maybe one day… They’d look nice in the garden’s pond but I’d have to get it back in shape first. And… well, you know my cooking? I’m just as bad at gardening. So… yes, maybe one day!”
Kaoru’s laughter takes them to the next stall - paintings and woodblocks, then hairpins, toys for children, more fish, food stands… They find a quieter side street to enjoy a quick snack - “yakitori, because that is a tradition for me”, Kaoru explains - before making their way back to the main street to see the procession.
Despite his best efforts, Kenshin can’t help but feel on edge in such a big crowd - was that man staring? And that other one? He steps close to Kaoru, close enough that the back of his hand brushes against her sleeve. His other hand rests on the hilt of his sword, deceptively relaxed.
They have grown close, since that night, close enough that Kaoru senses his discomfort and does not hesitate to take his hand and squeeze it lightly. “It’s all right”, her smile says, “I’m being careful too”.
The procession is as beautiful and colourful as they could have hoped, even if the height of the festival is still several days away. Amid comments and laughter, Kaoru never lets go of Kenshin’s hand. Though it is not safe, the dense crowd gives them relative protection, and Kenshin feels no need to move.
-~-~-~-
They are sitting inside an izakaya, seeking quiet more than alcohol, when a man bursts in, spots Kenshin, and all but runs to them.
Kaoru has never seen him. He is quite unremarkable, in fact, with his dark hair, dark eyes, and slightly slumped shoulders, but something about him makes her think he is rather the kind of man who hugs walls and makes an art of being forgotten.
And somehow, she doesn’t like him. She sees Kenshin frown and senses his ki turn sharp, guarded but infinitely attentive, like a predator who knows the hunt is coming, but not how hard it will be. Oh no, she doesn’t like him.
“Iizuka-san,” Kenshin acknowledges his presence.
The man glances at Kaoru questioningly, but quickly turns back to Kenshin. There are more pressing matters at hand. “Ah, sorry to interrupt, Himura, but there has been a… complication.” At this Iizuka puts his hands on the table and leans towards Kenshin, his voice dropping to a whisper Kaoru has to strain to hear.
“The Shinsengumi attacked the Ikedaya tonight during the meeting…”
“Katsura-san…?” Kenshin interrupts, dread flashing in his eyes. Kaoru can only follow the exchange and try to understand what they are not saying.
“Alive, a small miracle. But Yoshida-san and Miyabe-sama… There is a spy in our midst for sure…”
A wave of suffocating rage crashes through the izakaya, strong enough that all the other customers turn to them, frozen in fear. Murderous intent clear, Kenshin jumps to his feet, ready to run to his comrades…
“Wait!” Kaoru and Iizuka’s cries resound in unison. The messenger grabs Kenshin’s arm firmly for emphasis.
“It’s too late for them, but you’re needed at the inn. Now.”
Kenshin swallows his rage, sublimates it into cold focus and efficiency. He nods tersely, once, then turns to Kaoru. The man standing in front of her is no longer her friend, but Himura Battousai, the Ishin Shishi’s secret, finest weapon. His eyes shine in unforgiving gold, hard and lethal as the steel of his swords.
“Please go back to the dojo. I’ll join you there.” She has never heard his voice so cold.
“Will you be okay?” She has to ask, she has to, because she is still herself. And she could swear that specks of lavender slip into his eyes when he answers. “Yes. I’ll see you later.”
And with that, he disappears into the night, Iizuka close behind him.
-~-~-~-
Kenshin does not come that night, nor the next, nor the next. Kaoru hears news of an army marching on Kyoto and sees the city burn, joins the hundreds of people trying to contain the flames, and still no Kenshin.
The Bakufu loudly proclaims that the rebels have been crushed. She tries to stay calm, reminds herself that if they had killed Battousai the news would have been made very public, but a few more days go by, people flee the capital, and still no Kenshin.
She believes him to be a man of his word, so she ties her hair back with the ribbon he gave her and diligently practices her kata, and keeps her mind occupied as she waits.
-~-~-~-
"You're leaving?"
He is finally here. In one piece, although Kaoru does not miss the way he favours his right leg. He is here, in one piece. There is a small travelling bag thrown over his shoulder.
"Yes. We're going to lay low for a while. The Ishin Shishi keep several safe places out of Kyoto and one has been prepared for me in Otsu. You should leave too." Ah, so there is the real purpose of his visit. Kaoru crosses her arms under her chest, her chin high and defiant.
"I can take care of myself, remember? This is my home, I'm staying."
"They burnt half of Kyoto to the ground, Kaoru!" There is more fear than anger in Kenshin’s voice.
"And where would you have me go? I'm safer here where I know what's going on!"
Except she is not, she has no idea of what she would be up against, what he has seen in Kyoto’s dark alleys. The Bakufu forces will be purging the city and if someone has even mentioned her connection to him… He will not risk her more than he already has, and his mind frantically races to find the one argument that will convince her…
"I won't budge, Kenshin. I've done nothing wrong; I won't run." Amber is seeping into Kenshin's eyes and she knows his patience is thinning. But he is the fourth person to tell her to run and hide today and she is tired of people telling her how to live her life. She is not weak, and it hurts more than a little that Kenshin would just conveniently forget this fact. And where would she go?
"Come with me." He is not sure where the words come from. They escape him in a whisper, yet heavy enough to cut Kaoru’s train of thought short.
"… What?" This, she did not expect.
"Come with me", he repeats.
"To Otsu, with you?"
"Yes. That way, none of us has to be alone."
Eyes wide, she wonders if he realizes what he is saying at all. Still she takes the time to give the idea some consideration. She thinks about her empty dojo, about the tendrils of fear that hum across the city, about how her friends have all already left and how she would be well and truly alone. Her own feelings aside, Kenshin is offering companionship, to face the uncertain months ahead. She would not be running away, she would just… go, make the best of the situation, when nothing but pride holds her back. It is ridiculous, but the more she thinks about it, the more sense it makes.
"Okay”, she finally agrees. “Let's go to Otsu."
-~-~-~-
In the time she has known him, Kaoru has learned to recognize Kenshin’s smiles. There is the wry one, the self-deprecating one, the too-rare amused one, the not-daring-to-hope one… And then there is the one that he gives her now, that she does not remember seeing before, but one that she wants to treasure and see more often on him. This smile is genuine. In other circumstances, she would say this smile is happy.
So Kenshin smiles, warm ki brushing hers and making her skin tingle, and nods. "To Otsu."
-~-~-~-
Gathering a few essentials does not take long - some clothes, money, food, her favourite bokken.
"…Plus, I guess two people will attract less attention than a lone swordsman”, she all but rambles as she moves from one room to the other, taking what she needs in each. Kenshin follows her, amused. And here he thought he would have to argue all night to convince her to leave Kyoto… He hopes she agreed for the same reason he thinks he asked, and her ki tells him that maybe, just maybe… But Kaoru is still talking.
“What will we posing as, by the way? Brother and sister? Or…" she adds with a sly grin, "husband and wife?"
He gulps. This is going to be interesting.