Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. And if I did. I'd die a happy person. Warning: this version is true to the toonami version of Rurouni Kenshin so if you do not like this version, please do not flame me cause I warned you. ^ ^
Spirit of the Sword: The midnight bloodshed
Chapter 1: Kenshin's thoughts and the Mystery fighter
As the wind whipped through the trees in the brush in front of the Kamiya dojo, Kenshin Himura sat on the deck and thought about his life. His new friends. They had accepted him as if he were a normal person. He ran his fingers through his hair. They never treated him as the Hitokiri Battousai from the Meiji Revolution. He was an imperialist. But they chose to ignore that. He solemnly swore to himself that he would protect them, whatever the cost. Particularly Miss Kaoru. She was a strong willed woman, a little childish at times, he admitted to himself. But he couldn't help loving her. Even if she was mad at him and threw pots and things at his head. He laughed.
"I suppose I will have to get used to that. That I will." He said.
Just then, he heard a loud crash come from behind the Dojo. Near the well. What could that have been he wondered to himself. Then a gunshot went off. He feared the worst had happened. He especially feared for Kaoru's life. Kenshin unsheathed his sword and headed towards the well, with his arm outstretched sword in hand. When he reached it, he saw a man. One quite unknown to him and frankly he had not a clue who this man was. On the opposite side of the well was Sanosuke and Yahiko. They were both pulling something out of the well. Kaoru.
"Maybe he wouldn't have pushed you in if you weren't so ugly…" Yahiko said coldly to Kaoru.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru screamed as Yahiko and Sanosuke pulled her out and put her on the ground.
Her voice was unusually squeaky and she was shivering all over. It took a while, but Kenshin realized what had happened. The man, currently unknown to him, had pushed Kaoru in. Kenshin did not like men who hurt women and children. Even if they had a good reason. Two little voices could be heard coming from in front of the Dojo. Ayame and Suzume came running to Kenshin and rung him around the knees.
"Uncle Kenny! Uncle Kenny!" they exclaimed in unison.
"Girls. Could you please go and help Miss Kaoru. I think she needs your help more than I do." He said sweetly.
As they were running to help her, Kenshin slowly started to walk toward the man believed to have pushed Kaoru into the well.
"What do you want? I don't believe a man like you has the right to hurt poor innocent people." Kenshin said serenely, even though his anger was all bottled up inside him.
"Heh. You must be the infamous manslayer. Kenshin Himura. Hitokiri Battousai. So many names for a mere weakling. How did you ever make it this far?" he asked.
"I left that name long ago in Kyoto. And you however have still not answered my question. What do you want with me? Who are you? Kenshin asked calmly.
"I, am Akahito Maranajii. Heh…but you can call me Slayer for short. I wish to fight you." He explained.
"Not here. Not now. I cannot risk hurting these people. I have a feeling I cannot turn down your offer though. I will meet you at midnight by the river. We shall fight then. But why the sudden interest in fighting me? I don't even know you. Have you got something against the imperialists as so many people do these days?" Kenshin asked sheathing his sword and running his fingers through his long red hair.
"Heh…we shall save our talking for tonight. If you do not show up however. A very unfortunate "accident" shall occur. And I promise you. It will happen to someone very close to your heart." He said these words looking Kaoru. Kenshin knew what he was planning and was obligated to follow his orders. Even if he might get himself killed.