#I always called Kenshin “Shinta” ....

[ikemenbidanshi]

Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura, RRK

[scarbladed-archive]

rurouni. ken.shin edition interview / ( minus the whole truth )

TAGGED BY: @fujxn ( thank you so much!! ) TAGGING: @godkilller @vantagx @dokuhai @endsviolent @unwaken @seraphblessed @cxrsedsilence @firstsavior @lunafaeris @futainokiwami @fukenzena @halved @cosmicworn @yunhuntress @sabitaxken @bladesandpottery @woerended @wrathlock @wcnderingwitch @exfujin + everyone please consider yourself tagged i lost brain of everyone so kindly think it’s everyone because it is for everyone !

1. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

“ Himura Kenshin, that it is. ”

2. WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME?  

“ Oro! Was that not satisfactory? So cold..you are.” Himura SHINTA.

3. DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE CALLED THAT?

“ .... you’d have to ask a rather narcissistic person he knows.” Of course, ‘heart of sword’ easily denoted his legendary skills as a warrior and swordsman - and had taken the place of something more ‘soft’ or so his shishou said. He ponders it without revealing anything but an easy smile.

4. ARE YOU SINGLE OR TAKEN?

“ ......Oro? “ Widower more likely, slow-burn love at present, definitely.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR POWERS AND ABILITIES?

“ -- ah, this one is merely a humble rurouni, that he is. His existing or non-existing skills are irrelevant in mere conversation .

 If we were in a time of crisis, this one would mention them, if he felt it relevant, he would. Quite frankly he means no harm, nor feels it fitting for power to flaunt power - if it must be shown, it will be shown, yes?’ 

6. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES?

“ Hm....? A...shade of purple, he supposes! He doesn’t tend to think about it!”A light laugh.

7. HAVE YOU EVER DYED YOUR HAIR?

“...Is it that odd? No, this one has not. Though it warrants many stares at times - red is not common in this one’s country of birth.”

8. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS?

“ This one has many reliable friends in his life. He feels he has been more than fortunate to have even one of them, much less a place so familiar now.” Best not go into wherever his brother-in-law was, much less that he was a widower by his own hands.

9. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?

“ …No he does not, but he is fond of animals.” ( they made good companions in ten years of solitude and gravitating from place to place to observe the country’s condition. )

10. TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE.

“ The act of murder and the taking of life along with the oppression of the weak and those not able to completely defend themselves - especially those who do it for the sake of no reason at all - it cannot be allowed. ” 

11. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR ACTIVITIES YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

“ Hm, Kaoru-dono has many chores for this one - between making the meals he can’t say he has many!  Does perhaps meditation count? He does very much like to clean - laundry, ah, yes, who doesn’t like clean clothes when one is finished?  ” ( does giving the misguided and wicked an overpowered beat down to protect the innocent and suffering count is that valid enough reporter-dono.. )

12. HAVE YOU EVER HURT ANYONE BEFORE?

“ ...Does it look like I could hurt someone with a blade like this? ” ( the less you know the better! )

13. HAVE YOU EVER… KILLED ANYONE?

“Could I kill with a blade that again, is facing this one on its edge, not your body? ” ( ....More like the hundred count as a shadow assassin in his first four months - after that, he counted, he remembered, and it was high enough as a front-line swordsman of the Bakumatsu. 

The Battle of Toba Fushimi’s end he’d long before felt he had been walking in skulls wide-awake. But of course, he’s trained himself enough to be unassuming that not even his hand twitches, but his heart stabs itself inwardly with that constant pain and his eyes feel too frayed to continue masking it seamlessly. )

14. WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL ARE YOU?

“ …He should like to be something like a bird, perhaps? A rabbit? Those are cute, are they not?  ” ( he took after his sword-style, the might and terror of a DRAGON, the protectiveness of its heart, the raw power with which none withstood it. he was more suited to be something which was feared or reviled. )

15. NAME YOUR WORST HABITS.

“ Oro... perhaps not being able to fully withstand Kaoru-dono’s food. ” Self-hatred, negligence of his life, his temper losing its control, his penchant for distancing himself subconsciously - thinking the real answers while giving light-hearted half-truths was exhausting, he thought.

16. DO YOU LOOK UP TO ANYONE?

“ Of course. Those who seek for peace and have strong wills to protect and help others in any field of work are given my highest respects, that they are. Merely living in this world and enduring tomorrow would garner enough respect if one had a positive viewpoint.

 Even then survival is brave, to live even in great straits is to have courage in some form is it not?  Having goals is admirable as well in life. He thinks there is much to admire and care for in the human heart, that he certainly does. ”

17. GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BISEXUAL?

“ ........ Oro?! “ ( The heart attracts him, not the body. But he heavily leans towards woman, very likely to be demisexual with a strong female lean / preference, but Kenshin has never mulled on it.  He’s never really thought about it, but the loves of his life have both been women. )

18. DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

“ No he does not but he lives at one! The instructor is a fiery spirit she is!” ( he went to school as a child then became an unstoppable killing machine/legend/nightmare in the war that shook the foundation of his country into a new era while the people who were his commanding authorities in that war didn’t seem to mind much that he was just a boy as long as he could do thrice what a grown man could do in seconds. )

19. DO YOU EVER WANT TO MARRY AND HAVE KIDS SOMEDAY?

“ …He wonders!” ( .... to think he’d be worthy of such a thing again. when he was already so unworthy the first time. it’s painful to smile without showing anything. he adored children - and love, well....how long could he keep that up? )

20. DO YOU HAVE ANY FANS?

“ …He doubts it, and if so he’d politely ask them to not. That sounds rather strange. ”

21. WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF?

“ Haven’t you heard if you voice your biggest fears all the more do they become larger in your head and more likely to you in your mind to happen? ” ( failing to protect what he loves most again. failing to protect a life. succumbing to his hitokiri nature again. traveling atonement’s path and never finding the full ‘answer’ for his sins. a woman coming to their door telling him to his face once again, like the brave, very few that he has orphaned her of a son, a husband, a relative by a hitokiri’s hands - his past hurting the ones he loved and putting them in in danger far worse than it already had. )

22. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR?

“ What this one is wearing...?” (sometimes he wears a blue gi. but it’s always this, and he’s fine with it. he isn’t very materialistic even in practicality.)

23. DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE?

“ … That’s a broad question!” (a fiery-eyed kenjustu inheritor and master of the life-giving style of  kamiya-kasshin, horrible cook, vibrantly emotional, as warm as the softest morning -- and not his to have. )

24. WHAT CLASS ARE YOU?

“ Pardon? ” ( he’s confused. )

25. HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE?

“ Many! He’s very fortunate that he can’t even count them on both hands! ” ( and they all knew of his past. it astounded him. )

26. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIE?

“ Isn’t that a western sweet treat? ” ( …who can even afford that??? )

27. FAVORITE DRINK?

“ Tea.”

29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE?

“ Wherever this one’s friends are. ”

30. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SOMEONE?

“ Are you interested in someone?” He smiles brightly, a polite but concrete dismissal.

31. WOULD YOU RATHER SWIM IN THE LAKE OR THE OCEAN?

“ …Either is fine. The ocean seems more likely. ”

32. WHAT’S YOUR ‘TYPE’?

“ Hasn’t this one told you he isn’t interested?” ( female swordswomen with hearts of gold and light and goodness and tempers that could send grown men quaking or into walls (like him), who make him stand up on the brink of death just to go to where she is and see her again. types like that.)

33. ANY FETISHES?

“ You’re a little young for this, that you are.... orororo....”

34. TOP OR BOTTOM? DOMINANT OR SUBMISSIVE?

ORO!?

35. CAMPING, OR INDOORS?

“ Both is fine, he’s more familiar with ‘camping’ as you say.  ”

36. ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS INTERVIEW TO BE OVER?

“ Well, frankly he isn’t sure why he was interviewed to begin with - but perhaps! Apologies his answers were so simple.” A smile, but of course, that was the intent all along. 

[backblade]

romance headcanons

NAME:  Himura Kenshin NICKNAME: Battosai, Hitikiri Battosai, The manslayer, Shinta, Hiko Seijijrou XIV GENDER: Male ORIENTATION:  Bisexual, but with a heavy preference for females over males.  PREFERRED  PET  NAMES: He’s become quite fond of Ken-san

RELATIONSHIP  STATUS: Widower FAVORITE  CANON  SHIP( S ): He has two canon ships, and I love them both. Kaoru obviously makes him very happy and in her presance he grew and healed so much. but honestly my preferance may lean a bit more in the Tomoe direction, seeing as she was the first one to call him on his bullshit when he was younger and then stood by him as he suffered and allowed herself to curb the madness growing in him. Without Tomoe where would be no main series Kenshin for Kaoru to love. Lets just see them as equals okay?

Im also a huge super for Kenshin and Sano bromance and the father son relationship with Hiko FAVORITE  NON-CANON  SHIP( S ):  Saitou/Kenshin, Kenshin/Megumi as well as a ship being worked on with @batomotif ! If y’all wanna ship im always willing BTW Other then that I love Kenshin x Happines and Kenshin x a healthy mental state

OPINION  ON  TRUE  LOVE: He just happens to love who he loves OPINION  ON  LOVE  AT  FIRST  SIGHT: No. HOW  ‘ROMANTIC’  ARE  THEY: He can be super romantic when he wants to be. Other times hes as blunt as a post. IDEAL  PHYSICAL  TRAITS: Confident posture, looks like they take care of themselves.

IDEAL  PERSONALITY  TRAITS: Independant, not afraid to call him out, nurturing UNATTRACTIVE  PHYSICAL  TRAITS: slouching, poor manners UNATTRACTIVE  PERSONALITY  TRAITS: Snobbiness, lack of care for others, rude IDEAL  DATE: Something quiet and secluded, like a picnic, or a simple date walking in the wilderness DO  THEY  HAVE  A  TYPE: Who he falls for  AVERAGE  RELATIONSHIP  LENGTH: Uhhhh can an avaerage be found off one sample that was maybe a year ? at most? PREFERRED  NON-SEXUAL  INTIMACY: Cooking or helping with chores, sleeping next to each other, bathing, hand holding, massages, taking care of them, hair brushing  COMMITMENT  LEVEL: once he commits to you he would literally die for you without question!!! OPINION  OF  PUBLIC  AFFECTION:  No, he’ll show his love in piblic by doing things like buying food for you, walking with you, buying you things ETC all intimacy is behind closed doors sorry hes a fluster boy PAST  RELATIONSHIPS: Tomoe, hasn;t dated since 

tagged: @houndnin

tagging: @big-kitty-fai, @kurosamaofsuwa, @batomotif @stonedeafdog

[tact-and-impulse]

Fuyugomori Part 2

And I’m back with Thursday update! It’s snowing a little bit where I am, so isn’t that lucky? :D I do diverge from most fic writers at one point, so if you’d like to hear my rationale, head over to this fic on FF.net or AO3 for the end note.

Part 2: Tsurara

“Oh. It’s snowing.” Kaoru remarked.

Kenshin finished lighting the brazier and looked up. The back door was slightly open, as she stared out into the yard. She seemed contemplative, startling when he approached.

“So it is.” He said. It was a calm moment, as they watched the snowflakes sift down, but he wondered if she was feeling cold.

Suddenly, she straightened and turned to him with a smile. “I was thinking that we should have soup tonight. What do you say?”

“That would be good.”

“Then, I’ll go to the market to buy eggs.” She walked around him, heading for the front.

He followed. “This one will come along.”

She stopped, her eyes wide as she glanced at him. “A-are you sure?”

“Is there a reason why not?”

She hesitated, before shaking her head. With that, they set off. The snow was sticking to the ground, dusting the path with white. A few snowflakes caught in Kaoru’s hair, melting away within seconds. Neither of them said anything, as they exhaled into the scarves wound around their necks. His nose gradually became damp against the cloth. He was about to ask if she was warm enough, when she spoke.

“Kenshin, um,” She took a deep breath. “If you have to talk, I’m always here to listen.”

He blinked. “…thank you, Kaoru-dono. But that goes for you as well. Is there something bothering you?”

“I should be the one saying that! No, wait.” She gave an exasperated sigh, before directly meeting his gaze. “I know you might be remembering Tomoe-san, and what snow probably means to you.”

“Oro?”

“But if you’re feeling down, I don’t want you to be quiet about it. I’ll do the best I can to help you, I can even give you space, if you need-”

“That won’t be necessary.” He interrupted. Space from her was the last thing he wanted. “Kaoru-dono, this one is very grateful for your kindness. However, it’s been more than ten years. This one cannot blame the snow for his memories, and because of what Enishi did, you know that this one has learned to accept her death. This one will not forget her, but this one is ready to move forward. Also, if there is anything that you have taught this one, it is that there are only two things that matter: the present and the future. So, do not worry. This one is alright.”

She bit her bottom lip. “Then, did I just hurt you, by bringing it up?”

“No, you didn’t. As this one said, it’s been long enough.” He told her.

After that, her mood lightened and she talked about how Yahiko would probably visit for free meals over the next few weeks. She helped in preparing dinner; her cutting skills were good if she concentrated. He still handled the seasoning, though. The eggs from the market trip were boiled and mixed into that night’s oden. With the broth and the heat of the brazier, he didn’t feel cold at all.

The next morning, there were glittering icicles on the rooftop. A fine powder of snow had coated everything, and the air was crisp. He used a shovel, to clear the walkway. As he pushed the snow away, he was in deep thought. There weren’t many recreational opportunities in winter, but perhaps, he could invite Kaoru out to a theater play. That was more in line with a courtship, although he wasn’t sure if she’d appreciate it. He didn’t want her to worry about finances, but he had to do more than give flowers…

Something hard and cold disintegrated against his head. He blurted. “Oro?”

From the front step, Kaoru happily called out. “There’s just enough for a snowball!” She knelt down, gathering more snow in her hands. She was quick, because she threw it a second later; he dodged it with a grin. He hadn’t felt this thrill in a while, and well, it wouldn’t hurt to play. He formed a snowball in his hands and ran up to her. She yelped and ducked before the snowball collided into the wall, but she stumbled. He caught her, so she bent over him instead of falling. The action literally brought him to his knees, and that made her laugh.

“Thanks, Kenshin!”

He couldn’t reply. Her face was red from the cold and breathlessness, and her smile was of pure joy. He wanted to kiss her. The realization struck him at full force, and he was momentarily stunned. Then, a bit of cold snow slipped down the back of his neck and he winced as he reached to remove it.

“That’s another one for me! And you still haven’t gotten me yet!” She declared, breaking away to make more snowballs. He followed suit, foregoing shoveling for the impromptu fight she had started.

In the end, he completely forgot about inviting her to the theater.

***

It started with a dry throat, as it usually did. He noticed, when Kaoru drank more tea than usual. He went along with her excuses, but he checked their supply of medicine. The following day, her eyes were glazed over, and he gently touched his hand to her forehead. Her skin was burning, and he frowned.

“It must have been from the snowball fight the other day.”

“Geez, I can’t believe it.” She sighed. “But we did have fun.”

“Yes, that’s true. Here, Kaoru-dono.” He unfolded a spare blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “If you keep warm, you’ll recover faster.”

Then, she began to cough. He told himself not to worry, but he couldn’t help it. The cough had sounded minor at first, but now, it was three days into her sickness, and the fits had worsened. His stomach tightened, at the sight of her doubled over and gasping for air. He rubbed her shoulder for comfort before stoking the fire in the bathhouse, so she could sit in the steam. Dinner was rice porridge, along with her medicine, and she grimaced as she swallowed the bitter doses. He rolled out her futon, adding fresh blankets to surround her. She had to sweat out her fever, and it would be a cold night. Nevertheless, she stared in dismay at his work.

“Stop treating me like a baby.” She grumbled. “I’m only sick, that’s all.”

“Still, this one is here to help.” He fixed on a smile, ready to let her rest, when she pulled at his sleeve.

“But, um¸ can you stay here with me? Just for a while.” She asked, and he couldn’t deny her.

“As long as you need.” He said and sat against the wall, helplessly listening as she convulsed with another cough. Over the years, he had come across many ill people, but this was Kaoru. He certainly knew how much her well-being meant to him; he didn’t have pleasant memories of disease either. His thoughts automatically went to a distant time, of shivering bodies and sour air. If he closed his eyes, he could almost hear the insistent, pleading voices.

Shinta, you have to go. You can’t get sick too.

“Kenshin? Kenshin, what’s wrong?”

He jolted. “No, this one is fine.”

“Don’t say that, your eyebrows are like this again.” She pushed her own together, giving him a pointed look. “Is it because I’m coughing too much?”

“Something like that wouldn’t bother this one.” He paused. “It’s only that this one’s remembering, when this one’s family died of cholera.”

Her gaze softened. “That’s right, you said they did, when you told me about Akane-san, Kasumi-san, and Sakura-san.” She propped herself up, gathering a blanket around herself. “What was your family like?”

“Well, this one lived on a farm with his parents and older brothers.”

“No, I meant what were they like? Their names, their personalities, how all of you lived. Things like that.” Her voice was gentle, and she looked so earnest.

He was surprised, but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. It was only that no one had ever asked beyond the brief description he gave, and he realized that he wanted to tell. He paused, wondering where to start, but Kaoru seemed to have mistaken his silence for reluctance.

She waved her hands in sheepish dismissal. “Ah, only if you want to share! You don’t have to…”

“No, this one wants to, but it’s been a very long time.” He scratched his head. “This one had three older brothers. Ryouta was the oldest, then Jinta, and Yuuta. This one doesn’t remember that much…Ryouta was smart, he often talked about farming techniques. Jinta always picked fights with the other children, but that was because he was short, like this one. Yuuta was always telling jokes, he was very quick at that. They were much older, so they worked the fields with our father, while this one stayed at home to help our mother.”

“Ryouta, Jinta, Yuuta. And the youngest was named Kenshin?” She mused. “Well, one doesn’t fit the pattern.”

He smiled. “This one was not Kenshin then; that name was given by Shishou. This one was born as Shinta.” The name didn’t feel like his, no one else had heard it since that day Hiko found him.

“Shinta.” She softly repeated. As if the name had freed it, another memory dislodged: hands cupping his face, red hair in a bun, a doting voice addressing him. But it was Kaoru’s that returned him to reality. “You must have been a cute child.”

“Oro? Well, this one couldn’t say.” He felt warm with embarrassment.

“I think so, considering how...” She trailed off, but the last few words sounded like ‘how you look now’. He blinked, wondering if that was what he heard, but she changed the subject. “And your parents?”

“This one’s father was…calm. One year, the crops died, but he only said that the planting would go well in spring. He never raised his hand in anger, he never argued with anyone. And he loved this one’s mother with all he had. This one once caught them sitting together on the front step, watching the moon.” He had a faint image of them. His father had an arm wrapped around the smaller figure beside him. His father’s pale brown hair looked muted, in comparison to the crimson locks on his shoulder.

“That’s sweet.” Kaoru murmured. “And which one did you take after? I bet it was your mother.”

Kenshin smiled. “You’re right. This one didn’t know where she came from, only that she wasn’t from the village. But she taught this one a little about herbs, and she sang all the time. She was cheerful and could never refuse someone when they needed help, including the sick. When cholera came to the village, she was the first one to go out and care for everyone else.”

Kaoru looked downwards. “But still, she must have been very kind.”

“She was, and no one blamed her. After she became sick, this one’s father followed. Yuuta was next, then Jinta and Ryouta. This one tried to help, but they told him to abandon them.”

This was difficult to explain, and he slowed down. They had locked him out one day, while he searched for herbs. His brothers’ voices blended together, telling him to leave. His father was rational to the end, insisting that at least, the youngest had to survive and get help. His mother, however, had called out that he was loved and that was why he couldn’t stay with them any longer.

Kaoru’s face was distraught, and she began to cough again. He adjusted the blanket around her, quickly moving on.

“By then, it was clear that not much could be done. This one was sent to another village for medicine, but they quarantined this one. By the time it ended, everyone…was already gone. Then, this one was sold to the slavers, and the rest you know, Kaoru-dono.”

“Kenshin,” She said, when she had enough air. “That was terrible. It’s no wonder, you’re always fussing over me now.”

“This one apologizes, for upsetting you.”

That irked her, because she scowled. “Well, don’t apologize. I wanted to hear it, the good and the bad, because that’s what we should talk about. And I’m really glad you told me, so there.” She crossed her arms, and he smiled.

“They would have liked you.”

“A-are you sure?” Despite her uncertainty, she seemed pleased.

He nodded. “Yes, this one is sure. But it’s late, and you should rest, Kaoru-dono.”

Obediently, she fell onto her pillow, but she lifted her arm to motion him closer. “You can bring your futon here.”

“Oro?”

She nervously wet her lips. “Remember after we came home, you had nightmares? And I stayed with you one night, so you’d sleep? You owe me, so…just stay here too, Kenshin.” She patted the space next to her, and he didn’t have the will to resist. A few minutes later, he was settled on his own futon beside her.

“Only until you sleep. Then, this one will go.” He said it almost to himself, but her hand clasped over his.

“I don’t want you to be alone, not after all you told me. I want to be here for you, and besides, I’d feel better if you were here for me too.” She sounded flustered, although she gripped his hand tighter. Her skin was still warm with fever, but he squeezed back. And without meaning to, he fell asleep.

The sky was brightening, when he woke to the fragrance of Kaoru’s hair. He blinked to see that her head was almost touching his arm. She had unconsciously rolled closer to him, at the edge of her bedding. However, she looked so content, and his heart tightened. He had no desire to be anywhere else, and he allowed himself to close his eyes again.