Chapter 1
By Crystal
*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*
'February 8, 1864
On a street in Kyoto, he became a person never to return. I am on a mission to kill the Hitokiri Battousai.'
I closed my journal slowly. What troubled my brother and my father was that I didn't cry. Not a single tear came out. My sister was clueless, which I was glad of. I didn't want her to know any of this yet, not until much later, perhaps. This new information I obtained, I didn't believe any of it. I couldn't stop remembering Kiyosato's smiles. The only reason why I didn't cry and stayed calm, was probably because I didn't believe it. I didn't believe Kiyosato would die, not so fast, without even bidding a farewell to me. Certainly, he wouldn't die by the Hitokiri Battousai's sword, would he?
Father told me Kiyosato was the only one that was able to scratch the Hitokiri Battousai. The legendary manslayer... I still don't believe the Battousai would end up fighting with Kiyosato, I mean... Kiyosato wasn't that much of an important person in the Bakumatsu, was he?
Rumour has it that the Battousai had hair like the colour of blood, his eyes amber like the dying fire in hell. I still wouldn't believe it. Whatever anyone said, either about Kiyosato killed by the Battousai or the Battousai being real, I wouldn't believe. He was after the 'legendary' manslayer... But... I've got to find out myself. I have already planned to find out the truth. I will miss Enishi and Toshiko a lot. Father isn't always home. I home they'll be fine. I've got to say goodbye to Kao-chan too.
I sighed and closed my eyes, massaging my temples. I was tired. Even though I didn't believe Kiyosato died, I couldn't shake the feeling that he really was dead. My breathing was becoming a bit harder every second. No matter how much I tried to deny the fact, truth was sinking in. Father would never lie to me, nor would his messengers.
As my eyes were closed, I became picturing how the Hitokiri Battousai was. An old man with a slash on his left cheek, with crimson red hair, narrowed golden eyes, katana held up high, his clothes full of blood. Perhaps that's what he looked like, yet, it didn't feel right. I opened my eyes as I heard the shoji slide open.
My sister, my dear little sister. In some ways, she looked a lot like me, except... she smiled a lot. Me? I've never smiled much, even father said so. I've been like this most of my life, I think. I don't think anything's wrong with it. People didn't become friends with me because I never smiled or laugh. They thought I was weird, I never really minded.
Toshiko, such a little angel. She didn't have much friends, as I know. She didn't like going out, even at the age of two, most children would whine about getting out and throwing balls with the other children, she never did. She always stayed home, either with Enishi or me. "You'll grow up to be a beautiful woman." I said to her. She was smart and understood me. How a two year old understood me, I had no idea. She learned things fast.
Tonight was probably going to be my last night here. I signalled Toshiko to come over and she obeyed. I didn't know if she was ever going to remember this, but... I taught her how to tie her hair up like I did. She needed help, but other than that, she had pretty much gotten the idea. My lovely sister, how I'm going to miss you...
She yawned and I felt the corner of my mouth move up slightly, she was too cute, too adorable. I picked her up and carried her to her futon, and walked back. There, I saw Enishi staring intensely at me. Was it me, or did none of the Yukishiro friends get much friends? I only had Kiyosato and Miyaki who moved away a few weeks ago. Enishi? He never got along with any kids well, except Toshiko and I. And Toshiko? I still wouldn't know, she never goes out to play, but by the looks of it, she'll just be like her older sister and brother. Perhaps we like the solitude better.
"Oneechan, what's wrong?" Enishi asked, at that moment, I knew he had seen the bag I packed for my journey from Edo to Tokyo. I looked at him for a second before I answered.
"Enishi, I'm going away tomorrow." I replied calmly.
"Demo, Oneechan!" Enishi protested as I cupped his face and spoke to him.
"Enishi... I have something to do, this isn't something I can just forget because you don't want me leaving." I said. I think I said that a bit too cold, because the next second, with his head hanging, he slid open the shoji and walked out the door. I heard him murmur a farewell and slid it back close again.
After I put my journal in my bag, I looked outside and caught myself gazing at the stars. I remember when my mother was alive, she said once, 'If the stars are pretty, it means you're happy, but if the stars are unlovely, then there's something wrong with you. The stars are always the same, being unlovely or lovely is what you yourself is thinking.' I don't know if that saying's true, but the stars tonight are not exactly the prettiest. Perhaps with the new obtained information about Kiyosato... Come to think of it, I haven't seen any beautiful stars since Kiyosato left.
I felt my heavy eyelids start closing, it was time for bed. I have to leave tomorrow morning. I also have to say goodbye to Kao-chan, or she'll surely be mad at me for the rest of my live! That cheerful child, every time I saw her in the market with her mother, she would come running to me. I don't think I remember why she had first come running to me. Her mother and I would always have short conversations and I would stay at their dojo for a short while, then I would part with them.
Ever since her mother passed away, I would visit her once in a while, and then one day, she said I was her best friend. She had no idea how I felt when I heard those simply words. Those simply words I had never heard anyone say them to me before. I felt warm.
I could've bet I slipped into slumber the moment my head hit the pillow, I was so exhausted.
Early morning... It was already seven, and I was planning on buying a few provisions for my journey, not that I ate much, mind you. But I didn't want to starve to death before I arrived. I had brought plenty of money, enough to last me for a very long time. I slid open the shoji door leading to Enishi and Toshiko's room. They were both sleeping so peacefully. I'd hate to wake them up. So, I didn't. I left, but before I walked out the house, I left a letter for my father in my room.
Kao-chan should be awake, probably practising her swings. I heard from her father that she was going to master the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I wish her luck. What I had said before about her awake and practising, I was right. She opened the dojo gates and hugged me tight. She was pretty sweaty, though I didn't mind at all. I was going to get sweaty at the end of the tiring day.
"Ohayou Tomoe-san!" She said cheerfully. Always so cheerful, that's one thing I'll ever be jealous of. When she grew up, men would certainly love her cheerfulness.
"Kao-chan." I greeted.
"What's wrong, Tomoe-san?" She asked.
I looked at her, a bit surprised that she saw through my emotional mask, I shook it off. "Kao-chan, I'm leaving today, so I won't be back in a very long time. I just wanted to bid you farewell."
She looked at me wide eyed and hugged me, I hope she wasn't crying. I wouldn't want such a pretty face to cry. "Tomoe-san, when are you coming back?"
"I don't know." I seriously didn't, perhaps I would never come back. After all, I am on a mission to kill the Hitokiri Battousai. How easy could that get? The most feared assassin in all Japan. He slashed people like a demon, without emotions. I heard from some people his glare could kill. After a little chat, I left the dojo with a crying and waving Kao-chan behind me.
I bought all my provisions and as I left Edo, I turned around. It had always occurred to me that I won't be coming back to my hometown. I was against the Battousai. I would probably never have a chance to hear Enishi calling me 'Oneechan' again, never see Toshiko's beautiful smile again. I had already missed Kao-chan's laughing and her way of calling me 'Tomoe-san'.
At one point, I thought about going back and forgetting about going to Kyoto. But... I knew sooner or later, I would go, because I wouldn't be able to stand not knowing the truth. I wouldn't believe anything until I found out myself, but somewhere deep in my heart, I knew it was true. I just wanted to delay the inescapable truth.
I would be alone for the next week or two. Only my journal with me, the only problem would be, I would not have much to write about. Night quickly fell and I found myself gazing at the stars again, ever so sadly. My heart felt hurt. The stars... They really weren't that pretty tonight... Perhaps one night, the stars will be pretty? I wrapped the blanket around me. It was a cold February. Perhaps... perhaps... I feel sleep taking me over...
Little did she know, she would be seeing the prettiest star a little later that year, somewhere in Otsu...
Author's Notes: I hope you guys like this K/T fic, since I'm pretty proud of it =p Been working a while on it. So anyways, I hope you enjoy it. Please read and review! Arigatou, minna-san! I'm going to rewrite 'Crimson Puddles' and I'll be updating 'The Difference Between Rain and Tears' within one to two days. Sorry for the delay!
By Crystal
*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*
'February 8, 1864
On a street in Kyoto, he became a person never to return. I am on a mission to kill the Hitokiri Battousai.'
I closed my journal slowly. What troubled my brother and my father was that I didn't cry. Not a single tear came out. My sister was clueless, which I was glad of. I didn't want her to know any of this yet, not until much later, perhaps. This new information I obtained, I didn't believe any of it. I couldn't stop remembering Kiyosato's smiles. The only reason why I didn't cry and stayed calm, was probably because I didn't believe it. I didn't believe Kiyosato would die, not so fast, without even bidding a farewell to me. Certainly, he wouldn't die by the Hitokiri Battousai's sword, would he?
Father told me Kiyosato was the only one that was able to scratch the Hitokiri Battousai. The legendary manslayer... I still don't believe the Battousai would end up fighting with Kiyosato, I mean... Kiyosato wasn't that much of an important person in the Bakumatsu, was he?
Rumour has it that the Battousai had hair like the colour of blood, his eyes amber like the dying fire in hell. I still wouldn't believe it. Whatever anyone said, either about Kiyosato killed by the Battousai or the Battousai being real, I wouldn't believe. He was after the 'legendary' manslayer... But... I've got to find out myself. I have already planned to find out the truth. I will miss Enishi and Toshiko a lot. Father isn't always home. I home they'll be fine. I've got to say goodbye to Kao-chan too.
I sighed and closed my eyes, massaging my temples. I was tired. Even though I didn't believe Kiyosato died, I couldn't shake the feeling that he really was dead. My breathing was becoming a bit harder every second. No matter how much I tried to deny the fact, truth was sinking in. Father would never lie to me, nor would his messengers.
As my eyes were closed, I became picturing how the Hitokiri Battousai was. An old man with a slash on his left cheek, with crimson red hair, narrowed golden eyes, katana held up high, his clothes full of blood. Perhaps that's what he looked like, yet, it didn't feel right. I opened my eyes as I heard the shoji slide open.
My sister, my dear little sister. In some ways, she looked a lot like me, except... she smiled a lot. Me? I've never smiled much, even father said so. I've been like this most of my life, I think. I don't think anything's wrong with it. People didn't become friends with me because I never smiled or laugh. They thought I was weird, I never really minded.
Toshiko, such a little angel. She didn't have much friends, as I know. She didn't like going out, even at the age of two, most children would whine about getting out and throwing balls with the other children, she never did. She always stayed home, either with Enishi or me. "You'll grow up to be a beautiful woman." I said to her. She was smart and understood me. How a two year old understood me, I had no idea. She learned things fast.
Tonight was probably going to be my last night here. I signalled Toshiko to come over and she obeyed. I didn't know if she was ever going to remember this, but... I taught her how to tie her hair up like I did. She needed help, but other than that, she had pretty much gotten the idea. My lovely sister, how I'm going to miss you...
She yawned and I felt the corner of my mouth move up slightly, she was too cute, too adorable. I picked her up and carried her to her futon, and walked back. There, I saw Enishi staring intensely at me. Was it me, or did none of the Yukishiro friends get much friends? I only had Kiyosato and Miyaki who moved away a few weeks ago. Enishi? He never got along with any kids well, except Toshiko and I. And Toshiko? I still wouldn't know, she never goes out to play, but by the looks of it, she'll just be like her older sister and brother. Perhaps we like the solitude better.
"Oneechan, what's wrong?" Enishi asked, at that moment, I knew he had seen the bag I packed for my journey from Edo to Tokyo. I looked at him for a second before I answered.
"Enishi, I'm going away tomorrow." I replied calmly.
"Demo, Oneechan!" Enishi protested as I cupped his face and spoke to him.
"Enishi... I have something to do, this isn't something I can just forget because you don't want me leaving." I said. I think I said that a bit too cold, because the next second, with his head hanging, he slid open the shoji and walked out the door. I heard him murmur a farewell and slid it back close again.
After I put my journal in my bag, I looked outside and caught myself gazing at the stars. I remember when my mother was alive, she said once, 'If the stars are pretty, it means you're happy, but if the stars are unlovely, then there's something wrong with you. The stars are always the same, being unlovely or lovely is what you yourself is thinking.' I don't know if that saying's true, but the stars tonight are not exactly the prettiest. Perhaps with the new obtained information about Kiyosato... Come to think of it, I haven't seen any beautiful stars since Kiyosato left.
I felt my heavy eyelids start closing, it was time for bed. I have to leave tomorrow morning. I also have to say goodbye to Kao-chan, or she'll surely be mad at me for the rest of my live! That cheerful child, every time I saw her in the market with her mother, she would come running to me. I don't think I remember why she had first come running to me. Her mother and I would always have short conversations and I would stay at their dojo for a short while, then I would part with them.
Ever since her mother passed away, I would visit her once in a while, and then one day, she said I was her best friend. She had no idea how I felt when I heard those simply words. Those simply words I had never heard anyone say them to me before. I felt warm.
I could've bet I slipped into slumber the moment my head hit the pillow, I was so exhausted.
Early morning... It was already seven, and I was planning on buying a few provisions for my journey, not that I ate much, mind you. But I didn't want to starve to death before I arrived. I had brought plenty of money, enough to last me for a very long time. I slid open the shoji door leading to Enishi and Toshiko's room. They were both sleeping so peacefully. I'd hate to wake them up. So, I didn't. I left, but before I walked out the house, I left a letter for my father in my room.
Kao-chan should be awake, probably practising her swings. I heard from her father that she was going to master the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I wish her luck. What I had said before about her awake and practising, I was right. She opened the dojo gates and hugged me tight. She was pretty sweaty, though I didn't mind at all. I was going to get sweaty at the end of the tiring day.
"Ohayou Tomoe-san!" She said cheerfully. Always so cheerful, that's one thing I'll ever be jealous of. When she grew up, men would certainly love her cheerfulness.
"Kao-chan." I greeted.
"What's wrong, Tomoe-san?" She asked.
I looked at her, a bit surprised that she saw through my emotional mask, I shook it off. "Kao-chan, I'm leaving today, so I won't be back in a very long time. I just wanted to bid you farewell."
She looked at me wide eyed and hugged me, I hope she wasn't crying. I wouldn't want such a pretty face to cry. "Tomoe-san, when are you coming back?"
"I don't know." I seriously didn't, perhaps I would never come back. After all, I am on a mission to kill the Hitokiri Battousai. How easy could that get? The most feared assassin in all Japan. He slashed people like a demon, without emotions. I heard from some people his glare could kill. After a little chat, I left the dojo with a crying and waving Kao-chan behind me.
I bought all my provisions and as I left Edo, I turned around. It had always occurred to me that I won't be coming back to my hometown. I was against the Battousai. I would probably never have a chance to hear Enishi calling me 'Oneechan' again, never see Toshiko's beautiful smile again. I had already missed Kao-chan's laughing and her way of calling me 'Tomoe-san'.
At one point, I thought about going back and forgetting about going to Kyoto. But... I knew sooner or later, I would go, because I wouldn't be able to stand not knowing the truth. I wouldn't believe anything until I found out myself, but somewhere deep in my heart, I knew it was true. I just wanted to delay the inescapable truth.
I would be alone for the next week or two. Only my journal with me, the only problem would be, I would not have much to write about. Night quickly fell and I found myself gazing at the stars again, ever so sadly. My heart felt hurt. The stars... They really weren't that pretty tonight... Perhaps one night, the stars will be pretty? I wrapped the blanket around me. It was a cold February. Perhaps... perhaps... I feel sleep taking me over...
Little did she know, she would be seeing the prettiest star a little later that year, somewhere in Otsu...
Author's Notes: I hope you guys like this K/T fic, since I'm pretty proud of it =p Been working a while on it. So anyways, I hope you enjoy it. Please read and review! Arigatou, minna-san! I'm going to rewrite 'Crimson Puddles' and I'll be updating 'The Difference Between Rain and Tears' within one to two days. Sorry for the delay!