Light of the Snow Red Village
is a Rurouni Kenshin Alternate Universe Fic written by Akai Kitsune.
In a twist of fate, Tomoe survives past the point where she originally died, and lives long enough to give birth to a little girl named Hikari. Shortly after Hikari's birth, Tomoe is killed in an act of treachery from Kenshin's superiors, and Kenshin takes to wandering with his child: the light of his life.
Light of the Snow Red Village contains examples of the following tropes:
- Adaptation Personality Change: Although he's very similar to how he was in canon, there are a few subtle differences between this Kenshin and manga!Kenshin. While he still has something of a goofy side, he no longer feigns foolishness, because he wants his daughter to respect him. And ironically, having a daughter has made him more confrontational, rather than less.
- Adorably Precocious Child: For all her maturity and experience, Hikari still enjoys piggyback rides from her dad.
- Alliterative Name: Himura Hikari.
- Alternate Universe Fic: The fic eventually reaches the manga storyline, with the addition of Kenshin and Tomoe's daughter Hikari.
- Animal Motifs: Tomoe is associated with the swan.
- Armor-Piercing Question: Kenshin's on the receiving end of one of these, during an argument with Gatsu over Hikari learning to swordfight.Gatsu: If you want her protected from the life of a swordsman, then why are you still carrying a sword?
- Badass and Child Duo: Although they are father and daughter, Kenshin and Hikari qualify.
- Berserk Button: Hikari doesn't like it when people insult or badmouth her father, even inadvertently.
- Cool Big Sis: Kaoru, to Hikari. Though she becomes more like a mother than a sister as the story goes on.
- Daddy's Girl: Hikari is very close to her father, and outright called a daddy's girl by Yahiko later on. Considering he's the only constant in her life, this comes as no surprise
- Dead Fic: Unfortunately looks this way, seeing as how it hasn't been updated since 2006
- Evil Parents Want Good Kids: This is why Kenshin doesn't want Hikari to learn his style.
- Friend to All Children: Kenshin has a big soft spot for kids in general, not just his own daughter.
- Good Parents: He makes some mistakes and has to learn certain things when it comes to parenting, but Kenshin is nevertheless an excellent father to Hikari.
- Innocent Innuendo: The day after Kenshin arrives at the Kamiya Dojo, he remarks that Kaoru's had a long night. This causes Gensai to raise an eyebrow, prompting Kenshin to say he didn't mean it like that.
- In Spite of a Nail: Even though she lives another four years, Tomoe nevertheless dies under very similar circumstances to her canon death.
- Little Miss Badass: Hikari grows into one as her skills develop.
- Meaningful Name: Hikari means "light," and she is the light of Kenshin's life.
- Metaphorically True: Kenshin's initial explanation to Hikari as to why she doesn't have a mother is technically accurate, if you understand the euphemisms he uses.
- Missing Mom: Tomoe dies when Hikari is just a baby.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Kenshin makes Sanosuke less hostile towards him by explaining that he also lost somebody he loved to government treachery.
- Papa Wolf: Messing with Hikari is a surefire way to get your ass kicked by Kenshin.
- Parental Substitute: As time goes on, Kaoru becomes more of a mother figure to Hikari.
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Invoked. Katsura believes those trying to kill Kenshin under the belief he'll turn on the Meiji Government might provoke him into doing exactly that.
- Shout-Out: At the beginning of Part III, Kenshin and Hikari arrive at an inn. The innkeeper's husband is named Gatsu.
- Spared by the Adaptation: Aoshi's subordinates don't get gunned down, unlike in canon
- That Man Is Dead: Kenshin tells his daughter that Battousai is "gone forever."
- Underestimating Badassery: The Ishin Shishi elements who ordered Kenshin's death do this by assuming three skilled samurai will be enough to do the job. Kenshin proves them wrong.
- Wise Beyond Their Years: Hikari. Not many children are so concerned about their father's emotional state.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Elements of the Ishin Shishi decide to kill Kenshin because they think there's no point in keeping him alive anymore. Their attempt to assassinate him ends up killing Tomoe.
