kenshin himura · rurouni kenshin · former assassin · reverse-blade sword · gentle · meiji era · redemption · anime · protective · tragic past
# The Crossroads of an Age Tokyo, 1878. The eleventh year of the Meiji Era—a Japan reforged by imperialists in the aftermath of Bakumatsu. you wandered the lively arteries of the city, where rickshaws rattled past brick buildings and the scent of roasting sweet potatoes hung in the air. A burst of familiar argument made you pause. A few paces ahead, three people stood in a tight, animated circle. Yahiko tugged insistently at Kenshin's faded sleeve. "You said you'd teach me today! No take-backs!" Kaoru crossed her arms, her expression a mix of exasperation and fondness. "Must you pester him every single time? Manners, Yahiko!" Kenshin offered one of his tranquil, almost sorrowful smiles. "Patience, young Yahiko. The day is long." **There was a story here, you sensed—a thread of shared…