Just a quick one-shot. One of those things where the idea pops in your head and you have to wriite it down. Not a whole lot of editing was done here so I apologize for any screw ups on my part. Btw, the italics are quotes from jinei before he disappeared through that window.
Standard Disclaimer: I Don't Own Kenshin
The warm summer breeze tousled the locks of the red-headed warrior as he stood leaning against a tree. As the sound of the rushing river reached his ear so too did the scent of packed dirt waft to his nose. Crickets chirped their nighttime symphonies. Fireflies danced in the air. His cut arm vied for his attention as it throbbed though he ignored it. He'd suffered worse. Soothing as the night was, it refused to calm the tempest inside him.
I'll give you one day to prepare yourself.
He couldn't get a handle on himself. With the fight being a scant hour ago, he still felt raw. It'd been awhile; awhile since he'd gotten so close to being a manslayer. Awhile since he'd felt the feelings that came with it.
Go ahead and search your soul.
His first reaction shamed him. Never would he confess it to anyone. They wouldn't understand; they'd only see him for the monster he was. How else could they see him? He wished he could tell Kaoru-dono, his landlady. But how could she, an innocent and naïve swordswoman, understand the thrill he got from fighting someone equal to him?
You should realize how obtuse your swordsman spirit has become.
Jinei had been correct, no matter his insanity. If Himura were honest, he knew how lax he'd become. Ten years ago, during the Revolution, Jinei wouldn't have touched Battousai. The manslayer wouldn't have even thought about it; the only reminder of Jinei would have been his bloodstain alongside a thousand others etched into Himura's blade and soul
Himura's head dropped to his hand.
Revive the manslayer within you.
No. He wouldn't. For ten years he'd struggled to right his wrongs. To struggle for so long only to go back to the beginning would be unbearable. Winning was…possible with his reverse-blade.
I know you can find him.
Himura scoffed. The idea that he and the Battousai were two separate entities was ridiculous and naïve. If that were the case, he could hide Battousai deep within himself and never let him out.
No. He and Battousai were one and the same. The rurouni façade he'd invented hid who he was. He was Himura. He was Battousai. There could not be one without the other. Battousai has been and always will be.
I want to kill the legendary Battousai from the revolution.
Optimism had long since been stamped out of Himura's character. Death was likely and, for Himura, welcome. If destiny ordained him to do die tomorrow night, so be it.
A perfect end to a perfect nightmare.
A/N: Poor Kenshin :( Review please!