Sword Summit

by: MrFoshizzlePro

Author's Note: I thank you very much my friends for leaving such wonderful reviews to my humble little story ^-^ I greatly appreciated reading each and every one, indeed I did. This chapter is a tad bit short (it was originally longer, but I decided to write the other half into Chapter 3 ^^;) Nevertheless, I hope you will enjoy :)

Disclaimer: Nobuhiro Watsuki owns all rights to Rurouni Kenshin. I own nothing, nor do I claim anything except my fanfiction ^^;

Chapter 2

A Choice To Kill

Kenshin seated himself across from a friendly-looking man known as Kogoro Katsura. The other man who had accompanied Katsura leaned against the wall between them. He had learned this man's name was Takasugi Shinsaku. A young woman servant had come in to serve them tea. She appeared to be nice and had a kind of grace in her brisk movements.

Once she had taken leave, Katsura had his eyes fully focused upon the young swordsman sitting before him. Then, he spoke, "What is your name?"

"Kenshin."

"And how old are you?"

"Fourteen."

Fourteen... Katsura had to admit the teen's looks were very deceiving. Nonetheless, he set this fact aside and carried on the conversation. "So that was Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. I have heard of it, but I never thought it truly existed..."

Though Kenshin was appalled by this, he did a good job at concealing it to himself as he listened on.

"But let me ask you one thing: have you ever killed with Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu?"

Katsura studied the boy's facial expression to see if any hint of change could be found taking form. The red haired child reached for his tea cup, raising it to his lips, his eyes averted to stare at the floor. "No," he simply replied. His interest in this boy grew more and more. Katsura dared to question him further. "But... do you think you could?"

Finally, a flit of emotion etched across his face. Good. He's showing a reaction...

Kenshin considered Katsura's words thoughtfully. The real question is, would I be able to? Sure, he'd killed animals with his own weapon in the forest now and again, but to even think of taking a human life after all of Hiko's teachings had taught him—

Clk. He sat the cup down. His eyes turned to look directly at Katsura, showing his seriousness against the matter of which they discussed. Kenshin said, "If you mean by taking my own dirty blade and the lives I take, I could pave the way for a new era in which many could live in peace, then..." He trailed off.

"Hm." Katsura bent his head down. Kenshin was confused whether Katsura's sudden silence signaled the confersation must have come to an end. Even so, the teen got to his feet and bowed deeply to show his respects.

"Arigatou Katsura-san, Shinsaku-san." He stood upright once more. "I'll be leaving now if that is all you needed from me—"

"We're leaving for Kyoto first thing in the morning." Kenshin was startled a little when Katsura spoke up from his quietness but the feeling soon faded as he listened. "Take a room upstairs and rest."

Kenshin's voice numbed in his throat. All he could manage to do was dip his head and thank them again for their kindness. He slid the shoji door to a shut and headed for the staircase. His mind was restless with thousands of questions throughout the night. Though it was the first time in over a day he had laid on a futon, even the bed's comforting warmth wasn't enough to vanquish the thoughts running loose in his head.

Eventually, he had all he could take of the mental torture. Settling into a sitting position, Kenshin raised his gaze to the ceiling and frowned, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion. What's keeping me from sleeping now? Is it still because of shishou? Or is it because of that nightmare?

He shook himself briskly. I have to sleep. Clutching the covers in hand, he draped them over his body and he forced himself to lie back down.

I can't stay awake forever, Kenshin was thinking as he tightened his eyes shut. If nightmares come to haunt me, let them. I refuse to let it weaken me.

Sleep came over Kenshin without him even realizing it. And as he slept, a whistling breeze rattled loudly against the exterior wall of his bedroom.

Japanese Terms Used and Their Meanings:

Kyoto - A city located in central Japan, on the island of Honshu.

shoji - Japanese sliding door.

futon - A Japanese quilted mattress that is rolled out across the floor and used as a bed.