Title: Rain Storm
Author: Alicia Blade; Reach her at Kammi22@sprintmail.com

Konnichi'wa, minna-san! This is my first Rurouni Kenshin fanfic. I 
basically mastered Sailor Moon and am now expanding my horizons a bit. 
Don't go easy on me though, I need to hear criticism in order to 
expand, most writers would agree with that. So tell me what you think! 
Also, you could all be of a great help to me if you could tell me some 
good sites for RK fanfiction, character info, even spoilers. They can 
be very helpful! I do plan on writing more from this anime, as well as 
quite a few others I have plans for, so maybe I'll be able to build a 
name for myself? Arigatou for any feedback, it's much appreciated!
Also, a HUGE thanks to Selene Terra for prereading this for me! You 
have no idea how much your comments helped!

"I am creating new heavens and a new earth; everything of the past will 
be forgotten. Celebrate and be glad forever!"
							Isaiah 65:17-18

You hold me so close, so tight
And the rain pours down harder.
I only feel your warmth
And I know I love you.

The first time you kissed me
Send shivers through my back
Touched my hand,
Caressing warm fingers. 
I seem to remember mud puddles
Splashing up on my legs.
I thought of how much I love you.

Somewhere back in time,
We met
And you smiled so sweetly.
It was sunshine
And there were no clouds in the sky
That day.
That very night it rained,
Like now,
And I loved you.

I seem to remember looking at the scars on his cheek, wondering 
where they came from, how he got them. It seemed peculiar that any 
enemy could even come so close as to leave such a deep mark. He seemed 
so untouchable to me, in more ways than one. 
	It was raining. Hard. I couldn't even remember the last time we'd 
has such an awful storm in Tokyo. One minute we'd been eating at the 
restaurant quietly, and the moment we stepped outside, buckets of water 
were upon us. Luckily, Kenshin had brought an umbrella. I suppose he 
must have perceived what I could not. I certainly hadn't noticed any 
telltale signs of the swift weather change. 
	I remember, also, that there was no thunder or lighting. 
Peculiar, but certainly not in a bad way. The rain was tranquil, 
relaxing, almost romantic.
	We were walking back to the Dojo, mostly in silence. I carried 
the umbrella, holding it over our heads as he walked slightly ahead of
me. The legs of his pants were nearly soaked to the skin, and pieces of 
his dark red hair clung to his jaw and neck. He was quite a bit wetter 
than I was, and still, those large violet eyes gleamed with hidden 
innocence, contrasting the dreary circumstance. 
	Heavy drops weighed down the tree branches above our head, 
collecting in multitudes before dropping down loudly upon our only 
shelter, the light bamboo overhang. For awhile, I tried to avoid 
stepping in the mud puddles, attempting to save my kimono from another 
dutiful wash. But about half way home, I gave up, admitting defeat to 
the river we walked through. 
	Luckily, the rain was warm, moisture collected from the past 
sweltering, humid week. Only the wind brought an occasional chill down 
my spine. 
	After awhile, my analyzing thoughts landed on his sword. The 
illegal sakaba that was always at his side. He wore it now, 
unsurprisingly, and my gaze seemed as entranced with it has it had been 
on his eyes. 
	A sword with the blade on the wrong side, what a strange weapon. 
Perfectly capable of cutting through any matter on earth… when turned 
over. The dull side, however, is virtually harmless, most think it 
couldn't hurt a mouse. Only useful when applied with surreal speed and 
force. That blade hasn't tasted blood in years. I find it ironic that 
that innocent weapon has protected me and saved my life time and time 
again at the hand of its owner. 
	He always protected me. He began not two minutes after we met. 
Even smiled when I accused him of being the serial killer, Hitokiri 
Battousai.
	Funny how wrong, and yet right, I had been. 
	A sudden impulse took over my tongue and I heard myself saying 
his name, a question, a comment. He paused briefly, before turning to 
me, not ceasing his walk. 
	"Hai, Kaoru-dono?"
	"Would you mind if… er… well… Could I see your sword?"
	His expression was of surprise, and I was a little taken aback 
myself. But after only a moment, that ever-trusting smile creased his 
lips. Without even asking why, he reached for the handle, removing it 
from the sheath. I watched closely, not understanding why I held my 
breath, and not realizing that we had ceased our promenade home. He 
handed it to me carefully, holding the handle in my direction and I 
gave him the umbrella before wrapping my hands about the sword. 
	It was much heavier than the wooden swords I was accustomed to.
For a minute, I just held it in front of my face, my hands down by my 
stomach, and turned the blade over a couple time. I could feel the 
childish smile grow, and stepped into the rain, the sword outward. I 
performed a few battle moves, a couple blocks, and killed a few 
imaginary enemies. The rain clinked when it hit the metal, and when I 
paused, a silver waterfall cascaded over the edge into the sticky mud. 
I felt almost like dancing with it, whirling it around, slashing at the 
wind and sky. My feet raced forward, my arms swinging about. I laughed 
joyfully. 
	Turning, my mouth wide and giggling, I saw Kenshin still standing 
there, smiling at me with unreadable emotions. He always seemed so 
happy and carefree, it was almost annoying. 
	I blushed, turning my face away. I could be such an immature 
child. I wonder why I always act like that when I'm around him. Though 
at times, it almost seems as if he enjoys the juvenile games.
	The sucking and squishing sounds of mud puddles are heard as he 
comes nearer, and I raise my eyes to meet the strong azure gaze. The 
blush drifting away in the cold breeze, I bite my lip for a moment, 
before a mischievous smile takes over the embarrassed mug. Stepping 
away, I bend my knees to a fighting stance and attempt to stare at him 
seriously. He hesitates, confusion echoing in no-longer-grinning eyes. 
	In a long, drawn-out, fluent motion, I raise the sword to him, 
pointing the razor sharp edge at his throat. 
	"I challenge you, Hitokiri Battousai. Draw your weapon!" I 
command. It takes all my will power not to smile. 
	His benign gaze stares at me expressionless for a long while, and 
every moment I feel like I'm going to explode in laughter. Finally, a 
smile creeps onto the corners of his mouth and he licks his lips, 
easing into a battle position. Slowly, he takes the umbrella down, 
holding it like a deadly sword. A small, unwelcome chuckle escapes me. 
	I don't know how long we stood there in silence, hysterical 
dramatics pouring down as fast and hard as the rain around us. 
	"HA!" I scream, prancing forward with a swift motion of the 
blade. He dodges easily, whipping around, and our fatal weapons clash. 
He's imagining that I'm a worthy opponent, I can tell. Bracing myself, 
I swerve to the left, sliding directly beneath his arm, and my kimono 
is helpless. It will have to be cleaned for sure now. 
	I'm on my feet again, and pivot around quickly, just in time to 
catch his next attack, coming down from the sky. For a moment, our eyes 
meet, and he's laughing. Tiny drops are clinging to the long black 
eyelashes, occasionally falling over the marine stare that twinkles 
with obvious delight. I doubt he's accustomed to play fighting, and I 
imagine this must be a welcome change of pace. 
	He jumps away from me, and for a moment, I lose track of his 
location. My breath catches, my eyes scanning into the darkness of the 
woods around us. My fists tighten around the handle of the sword. There 
is a loud ruffling of leaves above, and my body jumps into action 
again, leaping out of the way just as he hurdles back to the ground 
beside where I had stood before. 
Unluckily, I find that I have tossed myself into a very deep 
portion of the merciless mudflow. Coughing for a brief moment, I swipe 
at the dirt on my hands, before turning to look up at him, standing 
only a few feet away now. The umbrella is at his side, forgotten, and 
he stares at me in obvious concern, the delighted, playful twinkle in 
his eye melted away to worrisome seriousness. 
	I smile slightly to let him know I'm perfectly alright, before 
letting it turn to an 'angry' frown yet again. I chew on my lip for a 
moment, before pulling myself to my feet, and in the blink of an eye, 
I've pulled forth my last bit of adrenaline energy, and I leap into the 
air, holding the sword above my head. I can see him startled, and his 
purple eyes widen, as he stumbles backward, falling on his back as I 
land on top of him, bringing the sword upon my prey. 
	For a moment, everything stops. Just freezes in time, with no 
rain and no breath and no wind. But only for a minute, then I'm 
breathing hard again. Still, he seems so relaxed and calm. I furrow my 
brow. Why did we stop so suddenly, instantly…? I wasn't actually going 
to hurt him, as if I could if I tried. His hand is wrapped around the 
blade of the sword, barely touching the edge facing him. Our eyes lock 
and I feel myself gulping unconsciously. His hand shifts and for the 
first time, I look at the metal blade of the sword, as Kenshin turns it 
over, and I gasp. 
	The sharp edge had been turned toward him, inches from the pale 
neck. 
	My eyes widen instantly, and I pull myself away, letting go of 
the weapon, my heart beat speeding up faster than it had been as we 
fought. I'd almost… almost…
	I rub at my hands furiously, as if they're covered in guilt, and 
refuse to make eye contact with him as I hear him stand beside me, and 
the familiar cling as the sakaba is placed back into its sheath. 
	"Kaoru-dono?"
	"G…gomen nasai, Kenshin…" I whisper breathlessly. "I could have… 
I almost…"
	"Kaoru-dono, I wouldn't have let you hurt me. You know that."
	"But, if you hadn't blocked…"
	"Don't worry about it. I'm fine!" His voice, that darned innocent 
voice of his, to match the eyes and smile… My eyes are squeezed 
together for a long time, welcoming the stinging drops of rain upon my 
face. I can feel the sticky mud on my arms and legs, a smear right 
below my left eye, and another on my collarbone. I imagine Kenshin is 
just as filthy, and still I cannot look up at him. 
	Suddenly, there are no more freezing raindrops upon me, and I 
look up at the pale brown wood umbrella. Kenshin stares at me 
emotionless for a moment, before listing his head to the side, his hair 
matted upon his head, clinging to the sides of his face, and mud 
covering his clothes. He smiled. 
Smiled! 
	"That was fun, Kaoru-dono! But we should get back to the Dojo. 
The others will get worried about us."
	My eyes are half filled with tears, and still I manage half a 
grin. "Hai, Kenshin," I barely whisper. 
	He nods slightly, before turning and we continue home, the play 
fight already drifting into a chamber of past memories. 
	At one point, I remember looking up at his hand, holding onto the 
umbrella's handle. The same one he had caught the sword with. There was 
a thin stream of blood trickling between his thumb and first finger. I 
lowered my eyes for a moment, holding my breath in contemplation. 
	Finally, I reached up and wrapped my hand around his, the tips of 
our fingers touching, our palms pressing together around the base of 
the umbrella. His skin felt so warm against my own. Damp, but warm. I 
turned away from his surprised gaze. 
	He never moved away. Never even flinched. 
	Almost home, I looked up at him worriedly. His lips were turned 
up slightly, his purple eyes switching from the ground to our mingling 
hands. 
	Looking back now, I think that was the first moment I realized I 
was in love with the mysterious rurouni. I remember my heart beating so 
uncontrollably quick, my knees weakening on the final steps to our 
home. It was so perfect, that moment, our hands tied together, 
nonchalantly as if meant to be. I must have fallen in love with him at 
that moment, that very moment.
	Then again, maybe I knew I loved him the first time he smiled at 
me, when we met, despite my falling accusations. It was so long ago, I 
hardly remember how fast my heart throbbed then.
	What does it matter? Either way…
	I knew.

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