by linay
chapter 4: mysterious saviour
Tetsuya laughed cruelly, crouching into an attack position.
"Come," he said coldly, "Come meet your death, Kamiya Kaoru."
"She'll do no such thing," Kenshin's cold voice cut in from behind.
"Kenshin!"
Kenshin stood behind Tetsuya, at the entrance of the gate. His eyes were harsh and his tone was cold.
"You again," Tetsuya cursed, turning his attention towards Kenshin instead, "Guess I'll have to kill you first before I can destroy that girl."
Kenshin made no reply. He lowered himself into a battle stance, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword.
"I don't appreciate your threats, Tetsuya-san," Kenshin said in a low, dangerous tone, "And I think they must stop."
Tetsuya smirked, readying his sword.
"Make me," he cried as he rushed towards Kenshin.
When Tetsuya was almost on top of him, Kenshin whipped his sakaba out and swept the air with it, waiting for the sound of impact between sword and flesh. But the sound never came.
"What?"
Tetsuya sommersaulted over Kenshin's attack and landed behind him. From behind!! Kenshin's senses screamed to him. With lightning speed, Kenshin whirled around to block Tetsuya's downward slash.
"Losing some your reflexes, are you?" Tetsuya taunted as their blades struggled against eachother.
Kenshin gritted his teeth. This guy was stronger than he thought. And still, the feeling that he had seen these moves in the Fujiwara dojo nagged at his mind. Between thoughts, Kenshin thrust and blocked with his sword, the metal sounds echoing throughout the dojo. Tetsuya fought expertly but Kenshin was growing more and more certain that his movements were from the Fujiwara technique.
But my technique only uses wooden swords Fujiwara's voice echoed through Kenshin's mind.
Wooden swords. Then the realization hit Kenshin. Tetsuya was good. There was no denying his skill. But his swings were too wide. Whenever he thrust or slashed, the sword travelled a little too far. As if, Kenshin noted, As if the sword is too heavy for the technique. With this new understanding, Kenshin renewed his attacks. Kenshin unexpectedly dashed forward straight towards Tetsuya.
"What? Are you giving yourself to me?" Tetsuya mocked as he swung his sword at Kenshin with all his might.
Kenshin easily dodged the swing and then lifted his own sword in a diagonal slash. Tetsuya saw the attack coming. He tried to pull his sword back to block. But his sword seem to have a mind of its own; it was still being carried backwards by the momentum of the original swing.
"What?" Tetsuya cried, alarmed.
Kenshin's sword cut through the air unhindered and landed with a loud thwack on Tetsuya's shoulder. Tetsuya buckled under the heavy blow. Kenshin stood over him, sword pointing at his throat.
"You can't even control your sword," Kenshin said, disgusted, "The technique you are using is designed for wooden swords and you didn't think to compensate for the difference in weight." Which means Fujiwara is lying or you stole his technique, Kenshin added silently to himself
Tetsuya chuckled, raising himself up with his sword.
"You think it's that easy to defeat me?" he laughed and rising as if to leave, "Don't worry, you haven't seen the last of me."
The tip of Kenshin's sword did not waver from the enemy's neck.
"You're not going to just walk out of here again," he said softly.
Tetsuya chuckled again, his laugh full of hatred.
"You can't keep me here, Battousai."
Tetsuya pulled a tiny black ball from his sleeve and held it up between two fingers. He looked past Kenshin and smirked malevolently at Kaoru.
"We'll meet again, Kamiya!"
After uttering his threat, Tetsuya tossed the small ball in the air. A blast of smoke errupted, making Kenshin back away from his enemy and collapse in a coughing fit. Kaoru rushed forward worriedly. The smoke cleared. Kenshin tried desperately to rise and looked around frantically for Tetsuya.
"Kenshin," Kaoru whispered, holding him down by the shoulders, "Don't get up, he's gone."
Kenshin's knuckles went white with frustration as he clenched his sword angrily.
"Damn," Kenshin cursed under his breath.
Kaoru's eyes widened. She'd never heard Kenshin swear before. Kenshin rose brusquely, sheathing his sword with a loud snap. He made as if to leave the dojo.
"Kenshin?"
"I will find him," Kenshin muttered, his eyes dark.
He began to stride forward with determined steps but was stopped by a firm tugging at the back of his gi.
"Kaoru-dono?" he asked, turning slightly, "Let me go."
"Kenshin," she whispered, head bowed, "Stay."
Kenshin looked at her, eyes wavering between affection for the girl before him and the desire to pursue his new enemy. In the end, the choice was made for him.
"Oi Kenshin!" Sano yelled gruffly, "You can't leave dumbass, we need you to cook! It's dinner time and we don't want you-know-who whipping something up."
Kenshin regarded his friend with a mixture of annoyance and impatience. This was a serious matter, not a time for joking around. Kenshin's eyes narrowed. He turned back to Kaoru, preparing to tell her to let him go. His eyes met hers.
Kaoru gazed back at him, her eyes wide and pleading. Kenshin felt his gaze soften and his body slowly relax from the pent up tension inside of him. He smiled at her with gentle, wide lavender eyes.
"Fine, fine!" Kenshin called with a tone of cheerfulness, "What is everyone in the mood for?"
Kaoru smiled at him gratefully. Kenshin gave her a soft smile before heading off to the kitchen.
.
Night had fallen hours ago. Kenshin lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He had been trying to sleep for two hours. Irritated with the unwanted bout of insomnia, he rolled over on one side to stare at the wall for a while instead of the ceiling. A soft rustling sound attracted his attention. He perked up his ears, listening intently. He heard a door slide open and closed. Kenshin sat up, worry lines etching themselves into his forehead. He crawled out of bed and, grabbing his sakaba sword, stepped out into the hall. He looked around.
No one.
Kenshin knit his brows together. He could have sworn he'd heard someone leaving a room. Shrugging, he started to return to his room. After all, what did it matter? Perhaps someone had to get a drink, or go to the bathroom or something normal like that.
Sounds from the dojo made him freeze in his tracks. Someone was in the dojo. Kenshin made his way with catlike movements to the dojo building's door. Holding his sheathed sword warily, he peered into the dojo. His eyes widened in surprise.
Kaoru was kneeling at the centre of the room, her father's sword unsheathed and lying before her. She ran a set of delicate fingers over the flat of the blade, whispering incomprehensible words. Kenshin saw a tear splash against the blade. Kaoru's deftly moving hands lifted the sword up in the air before her. Then, with unexpected suddeness, she gripped the handle tightly with both hands.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin cried, suddenly worrying for her safety.
Kaoru did not turn to look at him. Instead, she rose quickly, holding the sword upright. With unnerving energy she began to hack at the air with the sword. Kenshin recognized the moves - they were the warm up exercises of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. He watched from the doorway as Kaoru gradually worked up a sweat. All of a sudden she stopped, panting.
"Kaoru-dono?"
She finally turned towards him, a wry smile forming on her lips. She walked swiftly to her father's shrine and sheathed the sword, placing it on the floor before the shrine. Then she knelt before it, head bowed.
"It's impossible," she stated flatly, "The Kamiya Kasshin cannot use metal swords - the technique requires a lighter weapon to be effective."
Kenshin nodded silently from his place at the door, remembering his fight with Tetsuya.
"How can this be my father's sword?" Kaoru asked softly, more tears splashing onto the sword, "How..."
With an anguished moan she clasped the sword with both hands, her knuckles going white.
"I don't understand!" she cried softly, "Why would he die fighting? Who killed him? And...why?"
The last word came out as a choked sob.
"Don't despair, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin encouraged her softly as he slowly knelt beside her, also facing the shrine.
Kaoru turned to him tearfully, her tears overflowing.
Kenshin smiled at her softly.
"You will have many hard times," he said with a slight smile, "But always remember what you have been taught to be true."
Kaoru's eyes widened at his words. Those words. She had heard those words before. Kenshin blinked at her in surprise; she was staring at him.
"Oro?"
Kaoru laughed softly and wiped her tears with the sleeve of her yukata. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of renewed strength building up inside of her.
"Alright!" she said, rising to her feet, "It'll all be fine!"
Kenshin rose slowly, nodding at her. He smiled.
"So then," Kaoru asked, stretching her arms, "Shall we go get some rest?"
"Aa," Kenshin replied.
When they were just about to enter the house, Kenshin stopped. Kaoru looked back at him in surprise.
"Kenshin?"
He smiled placatingly and gestured for her to continue on in.
"Don't worry Kaoru-dono," he reassured her, "I just want to sit out here for a while."
Kaoru nodded and walked into the house alone. Kenshin heard the faint sound of her door shutting. He sighed in relief as he sat on the edge of the porch.
Leaning back and looking up at the stars, he tried to sort out his feelings. She was so young, so tender-hearted. He had known by the look in her tear-filled eyes that she had never before been the object of disgust in anyone's eyes. He had felt the feelings of helplessness and shame that had emanated from her pleading eyes when she had been begging him to stay. It was the only thing that had held him back from pursuing Tetsuya - the sight of her beautiful innocent eyes marred with feelings of shame. Eyes that had never before shown anything but strength and pride and kindness. Kenshin sat and thought pensively. His feelings. He couldn't even think clearly. He felt as if he should do something to bring the happy carefree look back into her eyes. But how do you protect someone from shame?
Kenshin pressed his lips together. There were some other feelings confusing him. He had felt affection when he had seen her in tears. But there was something else. Something that was nagging at him, amplifying his anger when she was hurt, forcing him to follow her whenever she wandered off. But I want to stay with you forever. Her words from a time that seemed so long ago echoed in his mind. In truth, the words had hurt him. They had stung him because he felt so old and scarred compared with her youth and innocence. Her simple statement. ....to stay with you forever. He sighed, frustrated by his own unwillingness to admit what he never dreamed possible.
To stay with her forever, Kenshin thought to himself, But as what?
She was young, he concluded. And innocent. Too young, too innocent.
Kenshin rose slowly, looking up to the stars.
"I won't allow them to weigh you down with shame," he vowed.
And then with a smile he thought to himself, And I will stay for as long as you want me to
Satisfied with his conclusions for the night, he turned to head to his room.
.
"Geez!" Yahiko sighed, patting his belly, "The Akabeko had the best food!"
"You should know, little waiter," Sano chuckled.
Yahiko threw a deadly glare at him.
"Ah - Jo-chan!" Sano called at kaoru, "Thanks for lunch!"
"Hmph," kaoru grumbled, "I didn't know I'd have to pay for you, too!"
"Don't you know," Yahiko teased, "You pay for everything!"
Kaoru turned to look at him, hands on her hips, "Don't rub it in you little freeloader!"
Kenshin smiled, amused by the talk. The four of them had just eaten a huge meal at the Akabeko restaurant. Kaoru had been full of her usual energy and had insisted that they go out. The group had been silently glad that she had returned to her normal self. It was refreshing.
"Give that back!" an old lady unexpectedly shrieked.
The group turned simultaneously. In front of a pottery stall, a thin old woman was grappling with a thief for a huge vase.
"Give it back, give it back!" she shrieked.
"Oi, Shouldn't we be helping out Jo-chan?" Sano glanced around, "Jo-chan? Oi, where'd she go?"
The group watched in stunned silence. Kaoru was already barreling towards the thief and his victim.
"Hey you, thief!" she cried indignantly, "You leave oba-chan alone!"
The thief looked up in surprise, only to be met with Kaoru's fist.
Kenshin and the others looked at eachother and nodded. She's definitely back to normal.
The thief slowly fell over backwards, with Kaoru staring angrily down at him. She didn't even notice the old woman tottering under the weight of the pot. A huge crashing sound made the whole group cringe. Kaoru turned to look behind her with dread. The old woman lay on her back, the broken pieces of the prized pot all around her.
"Oba-chan!" she cried, rushing to the old woman's side, "Are you alright?"
The woman sat up and looked at Kaoru's expectant face.
"Of course not you idiot!" she shrieked, "You broke my most expensive pot! Should've let the thief just take it! At least he would've found a use for it."
"Eh?"
"Hey old woman!" Sano yelled, "Jo-chan was only trying to help!"
"Well," the snarky woman snapped sarcastically, "She didn't do very well, did she?"
"Oi!" Yahiko yelled, "Hold on you old hag -"
"Yahiko," Kaoru reprimanded sternly.
Kenshin eyed the situation worriedly. When should he step in?
"I wish you'd never come along," the woman continued berating Kaoru, "You ruined everything."
Kaoru hung her head, shamefaced. Kenshin began to step forward, thinking that was quite enough.
"You did a horrible job of helping but," she said gruffly, "but thank you."
Everyone looked at the old woman in surprise.
"Eh?" Kaoru stared dumbfounded at the woman.
"Thank you, young lady," the woman said, meeting Kaoru's surprised eyes.
"Whoa," Sano whispered to Kenshin, "Talk about personality disorders."
The old woman was short but slim and her brown eyes crinkled with life. Kaoru found herself smiling at the old woman.
"And don't call me oba-chan," the old woman commanded, "That makes me feel old. My name is Nagoya. Nagoya Minako."
"Yes, Nagoya-sama."
"My god!" Minako cried, "You'd think I was a dead saint. Just call me by my first name - Minako."
"Yes, yes," Kaoru corrected herself, "Minako-san."
The woman nodded enthusiastically. "Good, good," Minako smiled, her eyes twinkling, "That's the way to address someone as beautiful as me."
Sano gagged in shock. But Kaoru smiled, her eyes catching some of the old woman's twinkle. Kenshin smiled appreciatively. The woman made Kaoru smile.
"Minako-san," Kenshin said, bowing lightly to the old woman, "Please accept our apologies for the pot"
The woman looked Kenshin up and down appreciatively.
"Oi Kenshin," Sano whispered again, "She's checking you out."
Kenshin's eyebrows went up.
"Hey, old woman!" Sano called out, "Aren't you a bit old to be doing that?"
The woman sniffed at Sano and then turned to Kaoru. "Quite a catch you've got there," She said a bit loudly.
Kaoru flushed. Kenshin flushed. Yahiko sighed impatiently.
"Ummm, Minako-san," Kenshin said to cover his embarrasement, "Please, join us for tea at the dojo."
Kaoru eyed Kenshin and huffed, "Since when do you invite people to my dojo for me?"
The old woman laughed heartily, "There ya go girl! Show him who's boss."
"Oro?"
"Oh great going Kenshin," Yahiko muttered under his breath, "Now there'll be two lunatic women at the dojo."
A pot sailed through the air and smashed against Yahiko's skull.
.
The group wandered happily down the road to the dojo. Kaoru and Minako led the way, arms linked. Yahiko and Sano followed, grumbling about the lunatic women. Kenshin came last, watching the pair of laughing women with a slight smile on his lips. The company of such a light hearted woman would be good for Kaoru's spirits, he thought. Although perhaps not for his pride.
"Fancy meeting you here," a cold voice came from the bridge up ahead.
A tall slim figure loomed in front of them. Kaoru's heart stopped - but only for a second.
"Listen you fiend," Kaoru yelled, "Go away. Stop dirtying my father's name."
Tetsuya simply cast his usual smirk at her as he advanced slowly, pulling his sword from its sheath lazily.
"Stupid girl," he mocked.
Kaoru stiffened. Minako watched her intently. Kenshin's blood began to boil. He took a large, threatening step forward.
"Not so fast Battousai," Tetsuya said with a laugh, "I want a shot at the girl so," he pointed at a figure approaching from behind, "I brought a friend along."
Kenshin looked behind him. A lanky, thin figure was leaning against a tree behind them, sword drawn casually.
"You shouldn't have gotten involved, Battousai," he said with an evil grin.
"Yamada," Kenshin growled, "I should've known."
Yamada laughed, "Yes, you should have! You should have put two and two together when you realized Tetsuya was using the Fujiwara technique. You should've remembered that I was there at the dojo, egging on those poor fools of students."
"You stole the Fujiwara technique for your own purposes," Kenshin said bitterly.
"Obviously," Yamada said smirking as he got up and started towards Kenshin, "But enough talk. Time for some quick deaths."
Tetsuya crouched into a battle stance.
"No one will get in our way now, pretty little bitch," he crooned.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin cried.
"You won't have a chance to save her," Yamada chuckled, "I'll keep you busy."
Yamada launched himself at Kenshin, sword upraised. Kenshin, distracted raised his sword to block. Switching movements in mid-air, Yamada moved to stab at Kenshin's stomach. He twisted out of the way just in time.
He's good, Kenshin thought angrily, How can I fight him andprotect Kaoru-dono?
Yamada didn't give him time to think about it. With a loud shout, he lunged forward again.
Tetsuya did the same. His sword sliced through the air, heading straight for Kaoru. Kaoru tried to react but she was held frozen by the look of disgust in Tetsuya's eyes. Minako just watched silently, her face strained.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin yelled, while parrying desperately with Yamada.
An unexpected kick sent Tetsuya flying off the side. Sano stood angrily in front of Kaoru, glaring down at the sprawling Tetsuya.
"No one attacks my friends," Sano growled.
"Idiot," Tetsuya muttered, standing and brushing himself off.
He lunged at Sano, sweeping the air with his sword. Sano side stepped and punched Tetsuya in the back. Tetsuya stumbled forward a few steps but then turned and swung again at Sano. Kaoru's heart lept into her throat. Tetsuya's sword had grazed Sano's chest. A thin line of blood appeared across his shirt.
"Damn you!" Sano shrieked, "My favorite shirt!"
The two threw themselves at eachother again. But it was obvious Sano was at the losing end.
"Yahiko," Kaoru ordered quietly, "Give me your shinai."
Yahiko stared up at his master. Her face was set and determined, her eyes unwavering. He dared not object. He pulled the shinai from his back and handed it to her silently. Kaoru took it and held it upright. She stepped forward confidently.
"Kaoru?"
She looked back at her student.
"Be careful okay?"
She smiled at him with tight lips. Then she faced the fighting men.
"Tetsuya," she shouted, "I'm ready. Fight me!"
The men stopped fighting and stared at her. Tetsuya grinned malevolently. Sano looked at him angrily.
"Jo-chan?!"
"I'm okay Sano," Kaoru said, gritting her teeth.
"Not for long," Tetsuya smirked.
"Let's go," Kaoru muttered.
She lept off the ground, Yahiko's shinai clenched in her hands. She was aiming for his shoulder. Tetsuya dodged and swung at her back but Kaoru managed to stop his sword by smashing her shinai onto it from above, forcing it down.
Between blocking Yamada's attacks, Kenshin watched Kaoru's battle with frightened eyes. Tetsuya's technique was designed to defeat the Kamiya technique. And on top of that, he was using a real sword. It was only a matter of time before... Kenshin's hands tightened on his sword. He had to beat Yamada soon.
"Where's your father's sword?" Tetsuya taunted as he and Kaoru fought.
"Shut up!" she cried angrily, trying desperately to hit the arrogant man.
"You're so pretty for a little bitch," he continued as he came dangerously close to hitting her, "Maybe I should have some fun with you before slitting your throat?"
She lunged at him angrily. He stopped her attack with his sword and pushed her forcefully away. She fell to the ground.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin called, turning to run towards them.
Kaoru turned towards the voice.
"Idiot!" Yamada called, slashing at kenshin from behind.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru screamed, forgetting all about Tetsuya.
Kenshin easily dodged the attack and retaliated by smashing his blunt sword against Yamada's side. He sank down in pain. Kenshin made as if to rush to Kaoru.
"Don't move," Tetsuya warned coldly, his sword at Kaoru's throat.
Kaoru sat still, her shinai on the ground.
"Pathetic," Tetsuya said, disgusted, "In your worry for him, you left yourself completely unguarded."
"Tetsuya," Kenshin growled dangerously, "If you hurt her..."
Tetsuya laughed. "You'll what? Kill me? That's fine - but it'll be too late by then. Besides, my mission will be accomplished."
Kenshin let out a fiercesome growl from the pit of his stomach.
Tetsuya looked down on Kaoru. He lifted her chin with the tip of his sword and stared deep into her unwilling eyes.
"Too bad for you," he said softly, "But the Kamiya line ends here."
He pulled the sword back, preparing to thrust it into Kaoru's throat. Kaoru closed her eyes.
Is this how I'll die? Killed fighting? I wonder how much it will hurt. It seems so wrong for a master of the discipline of the sword that protects life. And now I'll never know who my family was, Kaoru thought dreamily,And now I won't be able to stay with him anymore...
She waited for the blow. She felt the air around her throat tingling. When was it going to come? It should have come by now. Kaoru opened her eyes. Tetsuya was still pointing the sword at her but he was strangely still. The whole world was still.
"Bastard," she heard Tetsuya mutter.
Then she saw him. Her eyes widened. A man. A black haired, blue-eyed man was standing behind Tetsuya, his sword pressed against Tetsuya's back. Beads of sweat were running down Tetsuya's face.
"Bastard..."
"Swear all you want," the stranger said coolly, "But you will still die."
Tetsuya whirled around suddenly, his sword slicing through the air. The other man, staggered back, blood beginning to seep through his sleeve where Tetsuya had slashed.
"Not so fast, are you?"
The stranger grinned, "You should've hit my sword arm, idiot."
Tetsuya's face contorted with anger. He launched another attack at the man, slashing right and left. The stranger parried quickly.
Kaoru watched in wonder. Tetsuya's attacks seemed to match the stranger's. Almost as if their techniques were made to battle one another. She looked away suddenly as she felt a prescence beside her. Kenshin knelt protectively over her, sword still drawn.
"Kaoru-dono, are you okay?"
"Yes," she answered, looking into his worried eyes, "I'm fine. Yamada?"
"Ran away."
kaoru nodded. Then they all turned to watch the fighters.
Tetsuya laughed nervously, "You're good!"
The stranger, facial expressions grim, said nothing.
"So good," Tetsuya chuckled, "That I think I'll just give up and go after the bitch."
Turning swiftly, before his new opponent could react, he ran towards Kaoru, sword upraised. With a shout, he began to bring his sword down on her.
Kenshin leapt to his feet, preparing to block Tetsuya's desperate attack. But their swords never collided. Tetsuya's sword stopped mid-swing and faltered, clattering to the ground. Kaoru gasped. Tetsuya choked on his own blood, being held up only by the stranger's sword - which was protruding from his chest. The stranger pulled his sword out sharply and Tetsuya collapsed in a dead heap.
"That," the stranger said grimly, swinging his sword in a sharp arc to get the blood of it, "That was for my mother, whom you murdered."
Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, Sano and the forgotten Minako stared at the man before them. A tall man, with high cheekbones and stern, serious blue eyes. Kaoru seemed the most affected. He seemed so familiar. She stared intently at the man who had saved her life, he who was now staring back at her and clutching his injured shoulder.
The mysterious saviour.
Hoy, everyone! Thanks for your reviews - I am so happy!! Sorry this chapter took so long to post - I had a hard time writing...
Anyway, please tell me how you're liking or disliking it. Are my fight/action scenes okay? How are the characters doing? Hm? Hm? Is the plot too confusing? (Well, I'm not revealing anything just yet...but i'm getting there) Anyway, I'm getting really excited about this fic and I'm having a lot of fun writing it so please tell me (even in two words) if you like it!!