Chapter 4-

Kenshin dodged Yahiko's attack, shocked at the boy's swiftness, even in his drunkenness. The blade's edge had grazed the skin of his neck. Bewildered, Kenshin turned around to face Yahiko.

The look on the boy's face was one he had never seen before. A small, wicked smile played on Yahiko's lips as he gazed at Kenshin, his eyes filled with feral anger and drunken insanity.

"I've learned a lot in a year," Yahiko said, raising his sword again. "Surprised?"

Again, he swung at Kenshin. Sidestepping to avoid the katana's sharp point, Kenshin spun around, ready to dodge another predictable side attack. When he turned to face Yahiko, however, the boy was high into the air, his sword lifted above his head, his mouth open in a fierce yell.

Kenshin awkwardly stumbled backwards, his heart stopping in his throat when he realized Yahiko's target. The sword point was aimed straight at his chest.

Yahiko landed heavily in half-kneeling position, the katana driven into the compact dirt floor. Slowly, he stood, yanked his sword point from the ground, and raised it into an attacking position, his eyes still burning, challenging.

"Everlasting Thunder," Yahiko whispered.

Kenshin stared at him, his mind filled with whirling thoughts. That strike had been a final blow, meant to kill. The Yahiko he thought he knew so well had disappeared. This boy was out for blood.

"So be it," he whispered very softly to himself as he reluctantly unsheathed his sakabatou.

o-o-o

Loud voices filled the last threads of Kaoru's dreams as she stirred on her futon. The voices were angry, arguing, yelling. She slowly opened her eyes, groggily blinking back the heaviness that weighed on them.

The harsh clang of swords.

She bolted upright. They were coming from the courtyard.

Scrambling to her feet, she went to the door and flung it open, her breath catching in her throat. Kenshin and Yahiko stood in the courtyard, circling each other, each with blades in their hands.

When Kaoru looked at Yahiko's face, she knew something was wrong. This was no training session. Yahiko's movements were too violent, too angry, and too hasty. He glared fiercely at Kenshin, his eyes shining with bitter malice as he charged with a swift strike to the head.

The rurouni deftly blocked the attack, but offered no retaliation. His expression was grim as he carefully watched Yahiko's movements.

"Fight me!" she heard Yahiko cry, his voice guttural and filled with fury. "Attack!"

Kenshin was silent. He merely held his sword loosely in his hands, ready to defend the next charge.

Kaoru's heart twisted inside of her as she gripped the wooden post of the corridor. She didn't know what had happened, but Yahiko was furious. And dangerous. Though he seemed somewhat unsteady on his feet, his movements were incredibly fast. Faster than they had ever been with a bokken.

But this was no wooden sword. This was a sharpened katana, and his attacks were deadly, used for swift killing. Kenshin was obviously trying to avoid hurting the boy in any way, but she didn't know how long he could hold out his defense without doing so.

Suddenly, Yahiko let out a roar of terrible rage and stampeded towards Kenshin, his sword pulled sharply over his shoulder. Kaoru choked on her breath as he flipped into the air and, with startling swiftness, brought the sword crashing down towards Kenshin.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried, running towards him.

At the sound of her voice, he turned towards her, his eyes suddenly afraid. "No! Kao-"

There was a terrible sound of blade ripping flesh and cloth. Kenshin let out a muffled cry as he stumbled backwards, gripping his right side. Blood quickly seeped through his fingers and ran down his torn gi.

"Stay back," Kenshin gasped, glancing at her as he lifted his sakabatou. "He's too fast."

Kaoru turned to look at the boy, her voice desperate. "Stop! Yahiko!"

But Yahiko charged again, not seeming to notice her. Quickly pushing her out of the way, Kenshin blocked the attack, his face in a grimace of pain. Kaoru staggered behind him, her heart pounding.

"Enough, Yahiko!" he cried through clenched teeth. "Enough!"

"First blood!" Yahiko crowed, backing up for another attack.

"Yahiko, stop it!" Kaoru screamed hoarsely, filled with terror. "Stop it!"

But the boy didn't hear her. His eyes were vacant, lost, filled with nothing but reckless pride.

My student…

Memories flooded her mind in that split second and her heart ached. Yahiko was still just a boy, no matter how much he had changed. And he was still her student.

If I could just get him to look at me…

Yahiko backed up far from Kenshin, giving himself a good running distance. Whatever he was going to do next, it was going to be fast and powerful.

If he could just look into my eyes…

Kaoru ran to Yahiko in her bare feet, her hand outstretched, ready to touch him, anything to get his attention. He slowly raised his sword, his body tense and coiled, his face set in determination.

"Kaoru! Stop!" Kenshin's voice seemed far away as she reached out to touch Yahiko's shoulder.

"Yahiko," she said, her voice tender.

o-o-o

He didn't know what happened. He had reacted, bringing his sword down swiftly.

When he opened his eyes, she was laying at his feet.

Yahiko stared down at Kaoru's crumpled form, disbelieving.

"Kaoru!" Kenshin cried from behind him.

He stumbled backwards as Kenshin roughly shoved him out of the way, kneeling down beside his wife. Yahiko could just stare, paralyzed, shocked. He watched as Kenshin held Kaoru's face in his hands. Blood ran profusely from a deep gash on the side of her temple. Yahiko looked at his blade. Blood stained its glistening edge.

The katana dropped from his hand. His whole body began to tremble. "I…"

Kenshin looked up at him over his shoulder, his expression panicked. "Go get Megumi!" he yelled. "Now!"

Yahiko turned and sped toward the dojo gates, the world suddenly seeming to shatter around him.