Spirit of The Samurai

~ accompanied by the song "Hero"

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin © Nobuhiro Watsuki, Jump Comics, Shueisha, Fuji TV, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. The song "Hero" was sung by Mariah Carey—and I think I don’t know who composed it . . . ^-^ Anyway, standard disclaimers apply.

Author’s Note: I’m not making any money out of reproducing the lyrics, or writing this song fic. This is simply for entertainment purposes only. Really! Anyway, hope you like it, and God bless you!

Author’s Recommendation: If you haven’t bought the RK Original Vocal Album CD, then I highly recommend that you get it right away. It’s the best, and in my opinion, it’s way much better than the second songs CD. Come on! I mean, compare "Ice Blue Eyes" to "Kono Sekai no Katasumi De"/ "This World’s Corner," or "Ippatsu Yarou" to "Nakedness of the Heart." Don’t believe me? Just go get it!

*****

The wind blows through the leaves, causing them to rustle. The setting sun leaves a soft golden glow upon the smooth side of the leaves. Not too far away, a young boy stands alone, with nothing else but a shinai in his hands.

[Music starts]

Yahiko’s dark eyes burn with a quiet intensity as he raises his shinai. Letting out his breath in a soft, swift gasp, he deals the first strike.

There’s a hero

If you look inside your heart

In the corner of his mind’s eye, Yahiko sees himself before he meets Kenshin . . . a pickpocket taking money from unsuspecting victims. His cheeks burn with shame, as he continues to practice.

You don’t have to be afraid of what you are

Kenshin’s words float back to him. "You have the form of a child, but you have a fine heart . . . I’m sorry I underestimated you."

With this words, Yahiko looks up and lets a smile return to his face, enthusiasm flowing through his movements as he strikes around him with his bamboo sword.

There’s an answer

If you reach into your soul

And the sorrow that you know will melt away

Yahiko remembers Kenshin coming for him, kicking the door open, sakabatou in his hands, the fierce look of unwavering determination in his eyes. Gripping his shinai tighter, he vows that someday, he will be just like that.

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

"Dammit . . . I want to be strong." His bitter statement echoes in his ears as the sweat pours down his skin as he practices harder. "Strong so I don’t need anyone’s help, so I can defend the honor of my parents myself."

He sees Kenshin’s understanding smile upon his saying this, and he knows deep in his heart that he has finally found the person he’d been waiting to come for him . . . a man who’d understand him the way a father would . . .

So when you feel that hope is gone

Yahiko remembers the shame he felt when he was tricked by Gohei into putting Kenshin’s life in danger . . .

Look inside you and be strong

. . . but Kenshin just smiled gently and said, "You’re on the road to becoming a man . . ."

And the tears couldn’t stop themselves from pouring forth.

And you’ll finally see the truth

Yahiko recalls his fight with Mikio to protect Tsubame . . .

That a hero lies in you

. . . and his battle on the train to Yokohama . . .

And he knows that Kenshin was right about him.

It’s a long road

When you face the world alone

But it’s hard to forget a past that’s been long and dark and lonely . . .

No one reaches out a hand for you to hold

And it’s hard to forget a loss that’s been stamped on your soul throughout eternity . . .

Yahiko’s eyes fill with tears as he sees that he can’t perfect the move he so wanted to master that night.

You can find love

If you search within yourself

And the emptiness you felt

Will disappear

Yahiko remembers the devastation on Yutarou’s face when he learns that his dream has been shattered and that the one thing he can’t have can never come to pass . . .

. . . the pain in Sanosuke’s eyes as he recalls the betrayal of the Ishinshishis and the death of his dear captain . . .

. . . the long years Megumi had been forced to suffer under Kanryu Takeda . . .

. . . Yahiko’s eyes flash with determination.

And then a hero comes along

{I can still help them be happy . . .}

With the strength to carry on

{I can still grow up to be strong . . .}

And you cast your fears aside

{There’s no more reason for me to be afraid . . .}

And you know you can survive

{As the son of a Tokyo samurai, it is therefore my duty to protect my friends’ best interests and make them live happy lives even at my expense!}

So when you feel that hope is gone

The sun slowly sets, and the darkness settles in.

Look inside you and be strong

Yet the light of hope shines more brightly than ever in the young samurai’s heart.

And you’ll finally see the truth

In the corner of the mind’s eye, Yahiko sees Kaoru smiling proudly at him, no matter how she’d deny it in public.

That a hero lies in you

He sees Sanosuke and Megumi grinning at him from afar.

And Kenshin slowly walks toward him, his eyes glowing with a light never seen before.

{Their happiness means so much to me; the least I can do is to return the favor.} Yahiko smiles back, though all he sees is the night before him.

Lord knows

Dreams are hard to follow

There have been times of frustration . . .

But don’t let anyone

Tear them away

There have been moments of pain . . .

Hold on

There will be tomorrow

Yet Yahiko smiles. He knows he has overcome them all, and will be able to overcome what else is there to follow.

And in time you’ll find a way

If he could only help others do the same . . .

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

With a sudden burst of speed and strength, Yahiko springs forward and extends his arm with the shinai. To his surprise, every leaf that flutters nearby gets torn apart, though he touched none of them

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

Yahiko grins to himself in the dark. {It was my ki that did it . . . and that’s all that matters now}

So when you feel that hope is gone

Yahiko sighs, then gazes up at the stars. {It’s been a long night}

Look inside you and be strong

"Yahiko! Come on in; your dinner’s getting cold!" Kaoru’s voice calls him back to the familiar warmth of the dojo.

And you’ll finally see the truth

Yahiko pulls himself to his feet and gets going. To his surprise, he feels an excitement tugging at his bones—he can’t wait to see the friends he so wanted to protect and love . . .

That a hero lies in you

Yahiko opens the door of the dojo, to be greeted by the warm smiles and merry taunts of his family.

{I’m no pickpocket streetkid now. I’m Myoujin Yahiko, son of a Tokyo samurai and member of the Kenshin-gumi. And I’m gonna be strong.}

[Music ends]

END: 08/02/99

By: Angela-chan

Back to Rurouni Kenshin's Fanfic's Selection