Last modified: 08/11/99 [KFFDisc] Destiny of Fangs - teasers 1 & 2 ====================================================================== DESTINY OF FANGS: A Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic by MadamHydra A side-story to "That Which Lingers" ====================================================================== (teasers 1 & 2) ====================================================================== [ 1849 ] (start of teaser 1) There were times when Kentaro absolutely despised his baby brother and this afternoon was one of those times. As he crouched underneath the porch, he could hear his mother talking to their guest. Jumonji Taizo was a distant cousin of his father and a famed swordmaster. Kentaro had long dreamt of studying under the well known swordman and had spend many hours over the last several weeks practicing in the hopes of impressing Jumonji. He gritted his teeth. His bratty little brother had refused to leave him alone to practice and even had tried to duplicate Kentaro's moves. When he had complained to his mother, all she said was that it was perfectly natural for a little boy to copy his older brother. The swordmaster had said little at his demonstration that morning, but that was only to be expected. However, Kentaro was dying to know what Jumonji thought of his abilities. When his father's cousin had asked to speak privately to his mother, he was sure that Jumonji had been so impressed with his talent that he was offering to take Kentaro as a student at this very moment. Kentaro had managed to find a good spot to eavedrop on the conversation, but his hopes were soon dashed to pieces. Jumonji said, "About your son...." In her usual vague, fluttery voice, his mother said, "Oh, ever since Kentaro found out about your visit, he's been going on and on about becoming a swordsman." She sighed delicately. "He is... reasonably good for his age." "Do you think there's any chance for him? Things with swords and fighting...." She made a faint gesture of distaste, then shrugged helplessly. "I hope you so, otherwise, he's going to be so disappointed and sulky. Really, I can't deal with Kentaro when he's like that." There was a low, polite cough, then Jumonji said, "Actually, I wasn't referring to Kentaro. While Kentaro may become an excellent swordsman, given decent training and with hard work, I think your other boy has the potential to become a truly great swordsman." As Kentaro simmered and fumed underneath the porch, he could hear his mother gasped, then reply in a breathless voice. "You don't mean little Hajime-chan!? He's only six years old!" ----------------------------------- As Kentaro scurried away, his mind filled with the burning desire to beat the crap out the sly, sneaking, underhanded brat that was his younger brother, the adults' conversation continued. Jumonji chuckled quietly. "Hajime is indeed young, but there's just something about him... an inner strength and sense of dedication that Kentaro unfortunately does not have." His mother fluttered her fan and murmured doubtfully, "I love him dearly... he's so smart and clever, but... well, he can be such an odd little child at times. I just don't understand him. I always know when Kentaro's unhappy or when he's hurt, but Hajime-chan... he keeps such things to himself so much." She blinked her long eyelashes at him. "Oh, he can be very sweet and adorable," she hastily added, which was followed by a wistful sigh. "But that happens so infrequently. I do wish that he would stop being so aloof and distant to me." The swordmaster gazed upon his cousin's wife Mami -- a pretty, delicate young woman with a concerned, if somewhat vacuous expression on her face -- and uttered a noncommital "Hmmm." It was no wonder that Kentaro had no discipline. Mami was complacent and rather beautiful... and that was about it. He doubted that she had much to do with the running of the household and she was obviously incapable of handling one growing boy, much less two. With her husband away so much in the last three years, the older boy was running a bit wild. He hoped that his cousin Anzai would soon return home for good. The household needed a firm masculine presence before Kentaro's character was irreparably ruined by their mother's vague and inconsistent handling. Jumonji wondered if he could somehow persuade Mami to let him raise Hajime. He doubted it. She might not understand the boy, but in her mind, Hajime was still her adorable, little baby. ----------------------------------- The ten year old Kentaro found his little brother sitting by the koi pond, staring at the fish slowly swimming below. His hands clutched into white-knuckled fists, the older boy stalked forward. Fascinated by the elegantly swirling fins, the younger boy brushed aside the thin strands of dark hair that persistently fell into his face. Without turning to look at his older brother, he absently asked, "What did Uncle Jumonji say, Ken-chan?" The only response Saitoh Hajime got was a faceful of chilly water as his furious older brother booted him head first into the koi pond with a hard kick in the butt. ----------------------------------- (start of teaser 2) Five year old Hajime stood alone and abandoned by his older brother. The ancient forest encircling him had once been the scene of a bloody battle centuries ago. Now restless spirits of the dead and other dark creatures supposedly prowled the area every night, drawn by the aura of carnage and blood that still clung to the damp mossy ground. As the last traces of sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains, Hajime heard the rustle of brush and low harsh growls as the pack of feral dogs which had been stalking him for the last half hour came ever closer. As he gasped for breath, he knew he was surrounded. There was nowhere further to run. His hands clutched the ancient, rusty wakazashi he had found just a few minutes ago even more tightly as he felt the blood dripping from the gashes along his arms and legs. The dogs had shown their fangs. Now Saitoh Hajime would show them his. (end of teaser 2) -------------------------------------------- madamhydra@aol.com /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/:E http://www.geocities.com/~madamhydra/ -------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== Disclaimer All rights and privileges to Rurouni Kenshin belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shuiesha, Sony Music Entertainment, and associated parties. The characters of these series are used WITHOUT permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit. Original portion of the fiction included here is considered to be the sole property and copyrighted to the author. ======================================================================