crack_van | An Unexpected Lesson by Conspirator (PG-13)

Fandom: RUROUNI KENSHIN
Pairing: none
Length: 108k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author's website: FanFiction.net
Why this is a must read:

I passed this story by for many years until a few months ago. At first, I just couldn't buy into Hitokiri Battousai being a in a kabuki troupe. Just too far fetched. But that's the point of this story. Conspirator creates a possible transformation from a battle weary assassin to the swirly-eyed wanderer we see in the anime/manga.

A trademark of all of Conspirator's stories is the attention to detail she brings to creating original characters and a story line that you just don't want to ever end. She brings the action, drama, lots of humor in this one, and just the right amount of angst to keep us reading long after we should have gone to sleep, work, made dinner or whatever.

"Himura-san," she said forcefully as she restrained him from untying the obi, "let me be blunt. I'm guessing you used to be a soldier, like Baiko-san, and what is a soldier taught to do? You were taught to kill. It doesn't matter whether you were fighting for or against the government, that's what you were taught to do, and that brings only grief and sadness to the families of your victims. Isn't that right?"

Kenshin suddenly became very still and, she noticed, even more tense than before.

"But what are actors taught?" she continued in a gentler tone of voice. "They're taught how to transport people away from their everyday cares and woes, and that brings happiness and joy to those who watch our plays. That's what we're offering to teach you."

Kenshin's face was unreadable, his eyes flat and emotionless, but Ikuko knew she had struck a chord. She saw something flicker briefly across his face, then watched has he lowered his eyes and let out a soft sigh.

"Happiness and joy have never been associated with this one," Kenshin finally said in a voice barely above a whisper. "Sessha doubts they ever will."

Ikuko was taken aback at this statement.

"But you've already brought happiness and joy—to my family," Ikuko said. "We would have lost Ennosuke but for you. Why not give this a try—what have you got to lose? Perhaps it will even bring a smile to your face. At any rate, we would be most grateful for your efforts."

Kenshin gave a short breath of a laugh. If his life had taught him nothing else, it had taught him that happiness and joy were not meant for him, nor were they meant to be given by him. Still, what Ikuko offered him was so tempting. He had been happy once, in Otsu. His time with Tomoe had almost made him feel like life was worth living. Perhaps he could help these kabuki actors bring some happiness to others even if he himself could never experience such joy again.

An Unexpected Lesson