Rurouni Kenshin is written by Watsuki Nobuhiro, published by Shueisha in "Jump," and produced by Sony Entertainment. All rights are theirs. I have no money to speak of, so suing me will not make you rich.
This is my first piece of Rurouni Kenshin fanfiction (I usually write Sailor Moon fanfics), but I discovered this series earlier this year and am most certainly hooked. I'm actually supposed to be studying for my AP examinations...but one can only study for so long before all the words begin to blend together (Now did W.E.B de Bois speak about the talented tenth or about the laws of thermodynamics...? - [it's the former, if you're wondering]). Anyhow, bad jokes aside, this is a piece that takes place between when Jin'e kidnaps Kaoru and Kenshin confronts him at the shrine in the woods. Enjoy!
This story contains spoilers for the OVA's, manga volumes 2,20, and 21 and episodes 6 and 7 of the anime...I think that about covers it. Many thanks to maigo-chan (http://www.maigo-chan.org/ruroken.htm) for her manga translations.
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Patterns of Blue


by Mir ::: 12.May.2001


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repeating patterns
cycle in the grasp of time
silent ghosts watch on
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~ 1878: Tokyo, Japan ~

The boat was swept away, thrown and tossed by the insensitive blows of the rushing waters - I stood at the bank of the river and watched it disappear into the blue horizon. I stood, hands clenched tightly into fists at my side. There was nothing I could do.

<<It's my favorite ribbon, indigo blue. I'm lending it to you.>>

As my eyes strained to follow the vessel around the curvature of the globe, tried vainly to trace its path to eternity and back, my fingers closed around the liquid softness dangling forgotten at my side. The wind reached forth with its delicate touch and tugged playfully at the fluttering edges.

<<I'm only lending it to you. Be sure and give it back.>>

I brought my hands instinctively to my chest, wrapping the cloth around anxious fingers. A faint scent teased my senses, light as the morning's trembling glimmer of dew, but hauntingly familiar. ~white plum~ Life cycled forever, without mercy.

<<It's all right . . . So please don't cry.>>*(1)

Even as the harsh metallic aftertaste of blood lingered in the back of my throat, I wore her sent forever afterwards. Never in the years following did the incessant rain of crimson stain the blue fabric tucked into my gi. Never again did I forget the reason I was fighting. I had struck down the one I loved - but I would not bury her memory as well. And then, when the violence had faded into dying tremors and echoing cries, I left the sent behind - left it with my abandoned katana as I walked calmly in the opposite direction.

<<Until there can be an age lit up by these small happiness, I will wield the sword. But when the new age comes . . .>>

The new age had arrived. In a sweeping flurry of brilliant colors and glittering remembrances it had descended upon an unsuspecting population still caught in the securities of a defeated era. And even as the massive trains rushed frantically past on thin rails of iron, the sent of yesterday lurked silently in the shadows, and I turned away with guilt and shame.

<<After you fight Jin'e, if you forget and go off wandering again, I'll never forgive you.>>

The river was calm again, quiet as the expansive sky above and leaning pensively against its banks. I exhaled softly, the air drifting from my nostrils to diffuse back into the world around me. No, history would not repeat itself again. Without looking down I folded the ribbon neatly and tucked it against my chest. The sent vanished as though it had never existed - but I knew better.

<<I understand. I'll be sure to come back to return this. You can wait at the dojo without worry.>>

Once again I had failed. 'Sumimasen Kaoru-dono'. Twice had I washed the rusty blood of Tomoe's happiness from my calloused hands. Twice had I turned and left my past behind me . Three rough stones, now carpeted with a deceptive blanket of velvety-green moss, rose from old graves dug by a child's hands. Nearby, the tattered remains of a worn blue scarf fluttered dejectedly in the ever-blowing winds of time.

<<May you find happiness in the next world . . .>>*(2)

No, Jin'e - you will never find happiness anywhere. Never. I will hunt you down until your blood runs in crimson rivers at my feet, and after the ground has drunk until it can drink no more, I will haunt you forever in the afterlife. As one, with an inserted finger, can break the cycle of a spinning pinwheel, so will I retaliate tonight and halt the future's morbid unfolding. You will not escape me.

*end*

I wasn't really planning to end it so darkly...but you know how these things tend to take control of themselves and run off in directions you never anticipated...or maybe that's just me ^_~. Anyhow, drop me a note and let me know what you think (I promise I don't bite!)

- Mir (05.12.01 ~ 05.__.01)
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