Announcement/Request:
Due to an unusual anomaly in the mail I received, wherein a
post was melded with another and the original message lost,
I decided to make a request to the FFML: if anyone has sent
me an e-mail or C&C in the past couple of days and has _not_
received a reply from me, could you please resend it;
chances are that it was lost in transit. A few things might
have caused problems on my end - my ISP experienced a fair
amount of downtime yesterday, and I finally clocked over my
PC; the computer survived but perhaps it wasn't such a good
idea, after all.
At any rate, just so this doesn't constitute pure spam or
worse yet, a test message, I've added a Rurouni Kenshin
shortfic below. Feel free to send C&C on this, though I
suspect many people have not seen the episodes relating to
the story (Eps. 70+). :)
Thanks for taking the trouble to read this announcement; I'd
hate to lose anyone's C&C, especially through computer
error.
Phil.
---
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Watsuki-sama and
certain large Japanese networks.
This fic is rated SP4; it contains some spoilers for the
Divine Medicine story arc of RK.
C&C is most welcome.
---
A Sonata for the Sanada
A Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
By Kagami
---
For a gaijin to approach the realm of the Sanada ninja
clan was to surely invite death, yet the footsteps of the
blond swordsman never faltered as he made his unhurried way
up the narrow mountain path. His quick eyes caught the
flashing shadows passing by in the gathering darkness, but
he spoke not, nor did he slow his pace. Only when a
gleaming blade buried itself into the soft earth in front
of him, did he halt.
"I have a wish to speak with the Sanada. Please convey my
greetings to your O-kashira." His voice echoed serenely
among the trees, but for a long time, silence was his only
reply. The swordsman showed neither concern nor haste,
merely waiting patiently where he had stopped.
"Return to the city if you value your life, stranger.
Continue, and you shall perish." The sibilant whisper
commanded in tones that promised death to any who chose
otherwise.
The swordsman returned a cheerful laugh.
It was a merry sound, neither mocking nor nervous. The
clear peals momentarily brightened the shadows about him,
sending them fleeing from the foreign sound. The moment he
halted, they gathered again, drawing strength from the
limitless night, and darkened the road once more.
"Only one person in the world may command my heart to stop
beating, and you are not she," he said calmly to the night.
"I do not wish to fight, but if that is the only way to
pass, then I shall." He touched the hilt of the sword
sheathed by his side. It was a curious weapon, unlike all
others in Japan. Though of a length equal to any katana, it
was straight-bladed and double-edged, ending in a pointed
tip that permitted both cutting blows and piercing thrusts.
"That will not be necessary. Withdraw, all of you." A
familiar voice called from the shadows.
"Ah, is that you, Kaita-san?" the swordsman asked,
seemingly pleased. He was answered by the figure of Kaita
emerging from the surrounding darkness. "It is good to see
you again."
"Follow me," Kaita said in response. As they continued
their way up the mountainside, it seemed that the Sanada
ninja would not speak further. Then the faintest of whispers
reached his ears. "And you as well."
The swordsman's keen eye tracked the fluttering of black
wings in the night air, but he said nothing. Instead, he
brushed back his blond hair and hid a small smile as he
carefully followed in step with his guide.
---
"Only one person in the world may command my heart to stop
beating, and you are not she..."
Misanagi Sanada stood on wooden palisade of the fort,
cocking her head to listen to the night air. She smiled as
she contemplated the path leading up to the Sanada Clan's
mountain retreat. "I only remember one man who could turn a
phrase like so."
Ever since the reports of her agents in the capital had
arrived concerning a certain blond knight from the West, it
had been hard to regain her equilibrium. Her heart kept
wanting to sing her joy to the world, and that did not
benefit the leader of a shinobi clan.
But he had come, he was here, he was, he was....
It was impossible to keep the joy hidden, and she
confessed to herself that she no longer wished to do so. A
smile formed as she turned and spoke to the figure awaiting
her command. Black bats silently flapped around the
crouching man, bearers of the glad tidings.
"Baku, send someone to escort the gentleman to my study
when he and Kaita arrive."
---
The shoji door slid shut behind the blond swordsman, but
he hardly noticed. He only had eyes for the figure that
stood before him in the candle-lit room. His breath caught
as she turned her head towards him. The five years that had
passed had merely allowed her beauty to blossom. For long
moments, he stared, drinking in her delicate features. Then
he knelt and bowed his head.
"Misanagi-san, I have returned."
"And why have you done so?" she asked, amusement evident
in her tone.
"Oh, I understand the Sanada are looking for new recruits,
and I believe there were some shinobi lessons that were
promised me a while back," he answered.
"There were?" She sounded surprised.
Had she forgotten? He raised his head to lock gazes, and
the laughter dancing in her eyes told him she had not. "I
believe so, my lady. Though I am not very experienced, and
so I must ask you to be gentle with me."
That sally drew a burst of laughter from her lips. She
shook her head slightly. "I can't promise you that, but I
can promise that you won't find the lessons uninteresting."
"In that case, I place myself into your hands," he intoned
solemnly.
Her grin grew wicked. "Oh? Is that right? Are you certain
you will not regret it?"
"Never, Misanagi-san."
She drew near, and lowered her head towards his. Warm
breath brushed against his lips, and a wet droplet splashed
upon his cheek.
"Schneider, I've missed you."
And the night touched the darkness, and was redeemed.
---
Author's Notes:
The Divine Medicine arc in RK irritated me no end. The
portrayal of Misanagi was especially a sore point to me.
The producers seemed to have switched steps between one
episode and the next, conveniently forgetting certain past
actions by the Sanada O-kashira which had seemed
unforgivable. I kept wanting to shake the TV and shout,
"Either keep her as evil personified or dump the initial
aspects which made her so!" The half-and-half treatment was
inexcusable to my eyes.
Nevertheless, one aspect that seemed interesting was the
blossoming romance between Misanagi and Schneider. Of
course, it was left completely unresolved and open-ended at
the end of the arc. This was utterly unsatisfactory, so I
decided to try a resolution of my own.
It's pure WAFF, but I can't see the story ending any other
way, especially in RK.