Sorry for the wait, everyone! I won't give excuses because I'm sure you don't want to hear them, but I try to get this out a bit earlier. At least I'm still in the promised 5-7 days range. The Jin-e arc in the RK universe was one of my favorite parts of the entire series, so I'm excited to present to you Kenshin and Jin-e's magical fight. I hope you enjoy it!
P.S. Just so you know, there is some language in this chapter. It's not as bad as it could be, but there is some.
Disclaimer: I don't own the RK or CCS series or the characters. So don't sue me please.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Blood of Hitokiri!
Knowing there wasn't a moment to lose, Sakura released her wand and cried, "FLY!" The key shaped pendant grew, little wings appearing at the end. Without a moment's hesitation, Sakura and Syaoran jumped on and took off into the sky, Kero trailing after.
"Sakura-chan, matte!"
Kenshin shouted at Sakura to stay, but Sakura had to ignore him, even if it hurt to do so. I can't let him help me this time. Not this card… Not this card…
From behind her, Syaoran chanted, "Force, know my plight. Release the light!" Though Sakura didn't turn around she knew exactly what he was doing. Syaoran was calling upon his magical compass, Rashinban, which he always kept within his Chinese magical combat outfit. Answering Syaoran's bidding, the compass created by Clow Reed began to glow. A beam of light emitted from the compass and shot towards 10 o'clock, pointing towards the location of the Clow Card. The one arm Syaoran had around Sakura's waist squeezed a little harder. "Let's go," Syaoran said in her ear.
"Yoshi!" Sakura tilted the wand in the direction of the light, picking up speed.
"Hey, don't forget about me!" Kero shouted, followed them.
After about ten minutes of flying in the direction the Rashinban directed, the board began to glow again. Another light shot out of the compass. "Wha-What? There's two Clow Cards?!" Syaoran gasped. Hearing Syaoran's cry, Sakura slowed the wand to a stop.
"The new light is pointing in the complete opposite direction of da Clow Card! What are ya going ta do now, Sakura?" Kero asked. Sakura bit her lip. After thinking it over a moment, she pointed the wand in the direction of the first Card, urging the wand to fly again.
"But, Sakura!" Syaoran protested behind her. "What about the other card?"
"Even if I dropped you off back there, you can't seal Clow Cards on your own," Sakura replied. "Plus, there's a chance that this card's effects can become permanent if not sealed quickly enough, right Kero?"
Kero sighed, "Aa."
Confused, Syaoran questioned, "But isn't the other card in the direction of your precious brother? He's completely defenseless you know, Battōsai or not!"
"I agree with the kid on this one, Sakura," Kero said. "I have a bad feeling about this."
When Sakura closed her eyes the images of her friends appeared in her mind, Sanosuke, Tsubame, Yahiko, Kaoru, Kenshin… She gripped the wand tighter. For their sakes… we must not lose!
"We have to stop this card from going on a rampage!"
"Sakura-chan, matte!" Kenshin shouted.
But despite his cry, Sakura, Syaoran, and Kero flew into the sky, heading upriver. Watching their vanishing forms, Kenshin clenched his fists, biting back a curse.
From her place on the ground, Kaoru blinked in confusion. The blast of air from Sakura's takeoff had blown her off her feet. She turned to her head to see if Yahiko was all right, but she couldn't see him. "Yahiko…?" Had he chased after Tsubame on his own when they discovered she was missing?
"Blast!" Kenshin exclaimed. He ran past Kaoru, heading downriver. "Yahiko!"
"Wait for me!" cried Kaoru. She stood up and followed Kenshin.
Unfortunately after five minutes of calling Yahiko's name and receiving no answer, the realization hit both of them hard: Yahiko had disappeared. Just like Tsubame and Sano. Kenshin had slowed down and the two walked side by side in silence for a while. Neither of them knew what they could do to remedy the situation. Kaoru peered into Kenshin's face. He's so pensive… and the look of guilt and anger in his eyes…
"Gomenasai, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin muttered. "This one should have realized that Sano and Tsubame were missing earlier."
"Stop that!" Kaoru blurted, angry. Kenshin stared at her in shock. "Stop blaming yourself for everything, Kenshin! You're not a god and this is magic we're dealing with here. You can't be prepared for everything that could possibly happen. You just can't. So stop beating yourself up over it! You're… you're worrying me."
"This one didn't realize that you…" He looked away, but after a moment he turned back to Kaoru. "This one is sorry he made you worry, that he is." He smiled.
"T-That's okay…" Kaoru stammered. Oh why… why does my heart jump like that when he smiles at me?
Kenshin looked down at his fist. "This one will definitely talk to Sakura-chan and get her to confess everything she knows about the Clow Cards. This one won't put you in all this danger without being prepared."
Kaoru sucked in a breath, surprised. I didn't realize that he cares so much… Feeling happy enough that she could glow, Kaoru said, "Kenshin, everything will be all right."
Frowning, Kenshin whispered sadly, "How can you be sure? Where do you get your confidence from?"
Kaoru stopped walking, forcing Kenshin stop and turn to her. "Well, the answer's obvious." Kaoru clasped her hands behind her back and beamed at him. "You'll protect me! After all that's what you told me before, right? I believe in you."
"K-Kaoru-dono…" murmured Kenshin, his eyes softening. He blinked several times before he smiled gratefully at her, the first genuine smile that Kaoru had ever since grace his face. "Aa, this one will protect you, that he will-"
Without any warning, a hand clamped over Kaoru's mouth and an arm wrapped around her waist. Before she could comprehend what was going on, she was jerked backwards in the direction of the river. Someone's insane laughter resounded through her head.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin screamed.
Kaoru's mind spun in a panic. Oh my gods, someone's trying to drown me! Drown us both! But who? Why? Where did they come- Whoever had their grip on Kaoru jumped lightly backwards into the river and landed on something floating on the water. Kaoru glanced down. A raft?
"I see that this is your woman, Battōsai!" A man voice shouted in Kaoru's ear.
Battōsai? Kaoru thought. Oh no… And then, I am nobody's woman.
"Udō Jin-e…" whispered Kenshin, his eyes wide.
"I'm honored that you remember me. It has been a while. Ten years at least."
Gritting his teeth, Kenshin hissed, "Who could forget the hitokiri so obsessed with killing that he would kill his own comrades for fun?!"
Oh gods… this can't be happening… I'm being kidnapped by a sadist…
The man that held Kaoru, Jin-e, laughed delightfully. "You flatter me! But I'm sad to behold you in such a sorry state. You, the greatest of the hitokiri of the Bakumatsu, have become a soft hearted rurouni carrying a sakabatō that can't kill anyone? Where's your sense of fun?"
Kaoru's toes curled with disgust. Kenshin would never kill people for the sake of killing, even when he was hitokiri Battōsai; he did killed because he believed in creating a new era full of peace!
"Fighting for my life against Battōsai… killing him…" Jin-e licked his lips. "It shall be the best killing. But first…" Jin-e tightened his grip on Kaoru, "Get mad! Go mad! Be mad! Turn back into your old self of ten years ago! Into the incomparably cruel hitokiri…"
Throwing an arm out to Kaoru, Kenshin yelled, "Jin-e, you monster!"
"If you want to save your woman, Battōsai…" Jin-e rested his head on Kaoru's shoulder. Giving a cry, Kaoru tried to jerk away, tears of fright pricking her eyes, but Jin-e had a grip of steel. He grinned, "…then follow the blood of the people you killed…"
What…? Kaoru examined Kenshin closer, trying to discern what Jin-e meant. Kenshin staggered backward, staring at his raised hand. Horrified, he opened and closed his mouth repeatedly. Blood? But I don't see anything…
A sharp prick tore into Kaoru's side. "Say your good-bye now," he ordered, removing his hand from Kaoru's mouth. Warm blood slid down Kaoru's side.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru screamed.
But Kenshin was too focused on his hand to answer. With Jin-e laughing madly, Jin-e and Kaoru sped down the river, leaving Kaoru's hopes far, far behind her.
Sakura gave a small gasp as an icy chill shuddered through her. She threw a glance behind her shoulder. Nii-chan…? Kaoru onee-san…?
"Are you all right, Sakura?"
Startled, Sakura stammered, "I-I'm fine!"
Syaoran regarded her with suspicion, but said nothing more on the subject. Turning ahead, Syaoran walked forward. "Let's go then. We can't count on the stuffed animal."
"Hey, yes we can! Kero-chan is very reliable." cried Sakura, Syaoran's goading giving her the courage to catch up to Syaoran.
After about an hour of flying on the wand, Sakura, Syaoran, and Kero sensed the Clow Card's presence. The trio descended and began to explore the area. They left Tokyo behind and now they found themselves in the middle of a vast forest with little to see other than trees. Kero had flown on ahead, wanting to check out the area before Sakura and Syaoran did.
Scanning the horizon with her eyes, Sakura clutched her wand to her chest. I never thought this card could have such a far reach. Last time it only affected those who approached it. Did it run away? Or could… could someone be controlling it? Sakura shook her head. That was impossible. No one in this time knew how to control magic, let alone believe in it.
Closing her eyes, Sakura bit her lip against the sadness she felt at the reminder of her time in the future. "Syaoran-kun…? How did you… how did you come into the past?"
Syaoran stopped walking. After few moments passed before he said, "I was wondering when you were going to ask me that. Let's just say that the method I used isn't something that's going to get us back into the future. I'll… I'll tell you more about it later.I'm really, really sorry, but I tell you later when… when the time's right." At his last statement, Syaoran turned around, searching Sakura's eyes to see if she agreed with him.
Sakura nodded. She trusted Syaoran with her life and knew that if he believed there was a good enough reason for not telling her, then she understood. However, now that Sakura had started asking questions about their time, like a crashing tidal wave she couldn't stop herself. She grabbed Syaoran's sleeve and asked, "How's my family? Is Tomoyo-chan doing well? How about Meiling-chan? What about all of our friends at school? Are they happy? Are they getting good grades? How did my family react to me being the Cardcaptor? They're not mad at me, right? Do they miss me?" Sakura sniffed as she whispered, "Do they… miss me like I miss them?"
"Yes…" Syaoran exhaled, frowning in sympathy. "They miss you very much. Your father was very surprised when he heard about your magical talents, but your brother seemed to have suspected it already. They were very supportive of me using my magic to search for you. All of our other friends are doing well, but they're worried about you."
Rubbing the tears from eyes, Sakura hiccupped, "I missed you too, you know. I missed you so much…"
Seeing Sakura's tears, Syaoran froze. Slowly, very slowly, he eased up the tension in his shoulders and stepped closer to Sakura, wrapping his arms around her. "It's all right. Because no matter what happens… I'm… I'm always with you. Whether we're together or apart."
"Really?" Sakura asked, hopeful.
"Really. As long as we still remember each other, and we hold those memories close to our hearts, then we'll never really be separated. At least, that's what my mother told me after you… after you disappeared."
Sakura hugged Syaoran tighter, never wanting to let go. She never wanted to experience the pain of separation from him ever again. Is that the answer Syaoran-kun wants…? I don't think so because I don't want to be separated from my family and friends either… He wants something more…
"I don't suppose you know why the Clow Cards are no longer Sakura Cards and the wand isn't transformed into the Star Wand?" Sakura shook her head at Syaoran's question. "And I assume you've already tried to turn the cards into Sakura Cards and it didn't work?"
"Hai."
"And the Kerberos hasn't said anything about it?" When Sakura shook her head again, Syaoran sighed. After a moment he began to tentatively patted Sakura's back. "It seems our best chance of returning home is to collect all of the Clow Cards. Once we have them all, we'll come up with a plan. Don't worry, we'll figure something out-"
"A-HEM!"
Sakura and Syaoran jumped apart, blushing madly. Kero, who had snuck up on them, growled, "Just what in Clow's name do yous think yous were doing?! I go off on a scouting mission ta see if there's any danger-we are chasing a Clow Card let me remind ya-and I come back to find the real danger is…" Kero flew into Syaoran's face, pointing a finger at Syaoran's nose. "…you!"
"Hey! I would never hurt Sakura!" Syaoran cried.
"K-Kero-chan…"
"What's gonna happen now?" Kero continued ranting, ignoring Syaoran and Sakura. "The next time I turn my back yas'll be married? Well, I won't have it! And before you, brat, even claim that what happens between ya and Sakura is none of my business, it is! Sakura is my friend and master. It's my duty ta watch over her and protect her. I forbid ya and Sakura from marrying anybody until yer…" Kero closed his eyes and rubbed his chin, thinking. Sakura and Syaoran leaned in, waiting for the answer even if the subject was embarrassing for them. "I'll say…" Kero said, "… about 267 years old. Yup, that sounds about right. And children when you're over a thousand."
"WHAT?!" Syaoran shouted. "Are you stupid or something, plush toy? People live to be a hundred at the very best!"
Kero shrugged. "Oh well. Not my problem."
"Are you even that old?" asked Syaoran, pointing a finger at Kero.
Frowning, Kero rubbed his chin. "That's a good question. Just how old am I…?"
Heaving a mighty sigh, Sakura left the two them bickering behind her. As Kero has pointed out, there were more important things to do. Behind her, she heard Syaoran's and Kero's cries telling her to wait.
When Kero and Syaoran caught up to Sakura, Kero informed Sakura, "I saw an abandoned cabin about up ahead that's full of the presence of a Clow Card."
Just as Kero promised, a small wooden cabin appeared past the next grove of trees. As the trio approached they could see the holes in the walls, the rotting floor boards, and the dozens of cobwebs in every corner. Sakura glanced at Syaoran. He nodded at her. So he feels it too… that has to be where the Clow Card is.
After summoning up her courage and reminding herself that ghosts couldn't harm her with Kero and Syaoran by her side, Sakura stepped onto the creaking wooden boards. When nothing happened, she peered inside the open doorway. The eerie sound of a woman's laughing echoed. A giant grin appeared floating in the air, followed by a woman dressed in a jester's outfit. She held a cape that had Sanosuke's, Tsubame's, and Yahiko's shocked faces on it.
Sakura brandished her wand at the woman while Syaoran unsheathed his sword. "I've finally found you… Erase."
I'll show him the true meaning of Battōsai. Here I come!
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū! Ryūsōsen!" Kenshin screamed as he lunged at Jin-e, swinging his sakabatō in a series of fast strikes. Jin-e met the sakabatō blow for blow. Undeterred by Jin-e's parries, Kenshin continued to fight. Craning his head to the side, Kenshin dodged Jin-e's one handed flat thrust. Not missing a beat, Jin-e slashed his sword at Kenshin's chest, forcing Kenshin to jump back. And… now! Knowing what was coming, Kenshin turned the sakabatō over in his hand and met Jin-e's downward strike with the bottom end of the sakabatō hilt. The shock of resistance from the hilt jarred Jin-e, leaving him vulnerable. It's time to end this. Lunging at Jin-e, Kenshin raised the sakabatō.
"Hehe…" Instead of attacking Kenshin, Jin-e lifted his sword hand over his head.
No… Kenshin watched horrified as he realized he completely read Jin-e's attacks wrong from the beginning. Behind his back, Jin-e dropped his sword into his other hand. Before Kenshin could react, Jin-e followed up with a stab at Kenshin's shoulder. Smiling, Jin-e twisted the sword before pulling it out. Crying in pain, Kenshin collapsed to the ground.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried.
Kenshin grasped his shoulder and felt the blood flow in between his fingers. Blood… With his other hand Kenshin reached out and touched some of his blood that had sprayed onto the ground. Just like the blood that covers me from head to toe… but is the blood on me really mine?
After Jin-e kidnapped Kaoru, Kenshin stood at the riverbank slowly going into shock. He was completely covered in blood. Flashbacks of all the times his missions as a hitokiri tumbled through his mind, tripping over themselves in their haste to make Kenshin relieve all the gory details. He hadn't attacked anybody, let alone unsheathed his sakabatō, so where had all the blood come from? His mind had screamed, This isn't possible. This isn't possible! This isn't possible!
It was all Kenshin could do to not have a panic attack then and there. Not even Kaoru's desperate cries for help awoke Kenshin from his terror. Only after expending a tremendous force of will did Kenshin calm down enough to no longer see the corpses of his victims staring at him with soulless eyes.
Kaoru-dono!
Remembering Jin-e's final words, Kenshin quickly spied a trail of blood on the ground and followed it upriver. Under the light of the full moon, Kenshin discovered Jin-e and Kaoru by an abandoned shrine in a forest near Tokyo. Thankfully, Kaoru appeared unharmed. I will tear Jin-e apart for kidnapping her and making a fool out of me.
Quickly Kenshin and Jin-e had begun to duel. Jin-e relentlessly baited Kenshin, calling him weak, mocking his use of "this one" and the sakabatō. So consumed with anger with Jin-e for kidnapping Kaoru, Kenshin dropped using "this one" and returned to using first person as he had done in the past when he was Battōsai. Through it all Kenshin could still feel the blood on him, sliding down his arms, his back, his legs, in between his toes. And the blood Kenshin had followed to the forest where had it all come from? Who did it belong to? Was it really from… whom Jin-e had said?
"Wha…" Sitting up, Kenshin whispered, "What did you mean by the blood of the people I killed…? What is this blood that covers me?"
Seeing Kenshin struggling below him, Jin-e laughed. "What's wrong, Battōsai? After all, blood is a hitokiri's second skin."
Shouting over Jin-e, Kaoru asked, "What do you mean, Kenshin? The only blood that's there is the blood coming from your shoulder…"
What? But that's not possible… I can see the blood! I can feel it on me! And yet Kaoru-dono wouldn't lie…
Jin-e tilted his head towards Kenshin, the shadows covering most of his face. The moonlight glinted off his teeth as he smiled, "Going insane, Battōsai? Tell me… do you feel the thrill?"
G-Going insane? Oh my gods… oh my gods… Slowly, Kenshin lifted his hand from his wounded shoulder and examined it. With a start, Kenshin realized his hand was trembling. It took Kenshin another second to recognize that his entire body was shaking uncontrollably. What's happening to me?!
"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried, her tone desperate. "Hang in there!"
"Feh," spat Jin-e. "Look at you quivering in fear like a worm. You still aren't the Battōsai. Not nearly. I could kill you so easily. And that would be boring." Jin-e swiveled his head to Kaoru. With a feral grin, Jin-e said, "I must make you more enraged…" With a wave of Jin-e's hand, Kaoru flickered and then began to disappear.
"KAORU!" Kenshin screamed.
Jin-e threw his head back and laughed. "Better watch out, Battōsai! In just two minutes your woman will be gone forever! Just like those kids and that spiky haired punk-"
Jumping into the air, Kenshin flew towards Jin-e and crushed his face with the sakabatō.
Jin-e staggered back a few steps. He coughed, "I never even saw…" A huge smile broke out on Jin-e's face as blood dripped out of the corner of his mouth. "So that's Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū…!"
"Shut up." Again Kenshin shook, but this time from rage. Pure hot rage. "Hurry up and strike so I can kill you and send your worthless existence to rot in hell."
Jin-e chuckled. "Ah, now that's so much better. All that's left is for you to turn that ridiculous sword around. Let's see if the rumors of your impossible strength and speed can hold up against the impossible reality…" Instead of using his sword, Jin-e clapped his hands. Fog billowed out of his sleeves, separating Kenshin from the rest of the world.
What the hell? Kenshin backed up a step. Yet again he found himself asking, How… how is this possible?
Jin-e voice echoed, "…that is, if you can remain sane." His laughter reverberated from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
The fog surrounded Kenshin, making it impossible to see anything besides a few feet around him. Kenshin's thoughts raced a mile a minute, his panic growing. Where did this fog come from? How can I fight what I can't see? What do I do? What do I do?!
A sharp laugh pierced the air as a sword flew at Kenshin. Instinctively, Kenshin dodged. "Die," a voice said in Kenshin's mind.
What…? Kenshin thought, confused. Where did that voice come from-? Kenshin screamed as another sword stabbed his wounded shoulder from behind. Wincing, Kenshin grabbed the hilt of the sword protruding from shoulder. It's slick with blood…
"This is the blood of a young man you killed in Kyoto," another voice whispered in his head. "And now we will feast on your blood…"
Kenshin's eyes widened. It's just like Jin-e said. It's… the blood of the people I killed…! Their ghosts… they want my blood! They've risen up from my past and are using Jin-e to extract their revenge!
All of my nightmares… they're coming true.
Kenshin tried to fight against his hysteria, but it was like trying to trap the water of a tidal wave inside a bucket. With a cry, Kenshin yanked out the sword and threw it to the ground. Blood poured from the sword, soaking the ground and staining it crimson. Maniacal laughter resounded through Kenshin's head.
Talking to the voice in his head which must have come from the sword, Kenshin cried, "All I've done these past ten years is try to repent! Why? Why isn't enou-?!"
Hearing a whistling noise, Kenshin jumped back, narrowing missing a third sword. "As if you could ever repent for the tsunami of blood you've spilt. No amount of 'good' deeds can ever replace missing, priceless lives!"
"But what else can I do?!" Predicting another flying weapon, Kenshin dropped to the ground and rolled, despite his wounded shoulder. A large knife hit the ground beside him, quivering with suppressed rage and hatred.
"You can burn in hell for eternity like the demon you are," the knife laughed.
Terrified, Kenshin shrank back. This isn't happening… This can't be happening. I really have lost my mind. He used his hand to brace himself on the ground, sending pain shooting up his arm and wounded shoulder. Kenshin hissed in pain, blinking back tears.
Three daggers ledged into Kenshin's back. "Aaaaahhh!" Shouting in anguish, Kenshin tumbled to the ground. He could feel his own heavy blood slide down his back, mixing with the blood of his victims.
A voice from the three daggers explained, "I am the woman whose husband and two sons you killed. Oh, how I've longed for the day I can make you experience all the agony I have felt through the years…"
"Hey! Wait your turn! He brought me in for torture!" a different voice cried from within the mist.
Torture? Oh gods, I'm sorry… I didn't know.
"And you were a spy and deserved it! I was one of few people who could be called his friend and what happened? I died because he left me behind!"
Images of all the people who were nice to Kenshin flashed through his mind, followed by their dead bodies. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…
"That's nothing compared to all the people he killed that were just sympathizers to the shogunate. They were innocent!"
The names written in black envelops that Kenshin accepted when he was hitokiri Battōsai… Kenshin had always wondered why there were so many names. Now he knew. They were just ordinary people. People who might have given some money to the shogunate cause, or have been forced to shelter some soldiers rather than letting their family be killed or who had wanted to support the cause their family members and friends fought for. They weren't officials or politicians or people donating guns or ships to the shogunate as he had been told. Trembling, Kenshin covered his ears and thought, Stop. Please stop. I don't want to know. I don't want to know. It hurts… It hurts so much… my heart is breaking…
"You will never be accepted in this new era, demon of hell," the voices continued.
"Stop!" Kenshin cried, bending over slightly.
"You can never repent for your sins."
"Stop!"
"It would have been better for the world if you had never been born."
"STOOOOOP!"
Panting heavily, Kenshin curled up into a ball, not even caring about the pain his lancing through his back and shoulder. As he watched the blood pool around him Kenshin thought, I'm going to die slowly, I know it.
The ghosts of Kenshin's victims materialized within the fog and encircled him, numbering in the thousands. They all chanted, "Die! Die! Die!"
But… but I don't want to die!
Gripping his shoulders, Kenshin tried to reassure himself. You're a hitokiri, always was and always will be. The people I killed thirst for justice, so I deserve to die in whatever manner they deem fit. This is the right thing to do. The ghosts of my past will keep on attacking from the shadows, wheedling at my life bit by bit until…
…I run out of time to save Kaoru-dono…
Kaoru-dono!
Kaoru's smiling face appeared before his eyes. The conversation they had earlier by the riverside replayed in his mind.
"Kenshin, everything will be all right," Kaoru said.
Frowning, Kenshin whispered sadly, "How can you be sure? Where do you get your confidence from?"
"Well, the answer's obvious." Kaoru clasped her hands behind her back and beamed at him. "You'll protect me! After all that's what you told me before, right? I believe in you."
Even if I was the hitokiri Battōsai, I have to live.
I have to live to protect Kaoru!
Rising from the ground, Kenshin raised his sakabatō over his head. "Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū! Doryūsen!"
Striking the ground with the sakabatō, rocks and dirt blasted into the air, scattering in all directions. In the blink of an eye, the fog disappeared, the blood on the ground vanished, and the voices in his head were silenced. Out of the corner of his eye, Kenshin detected some motion. Moving faster than the eye could follow, Kenshin ran towards the movement and swung his sakabatō, knocking the figure to the ground. Kenshin pointed his sword at it, the sharp edge digging in and drawing blood.
"Nice try," Kenshin growled, all of his terror turning into fury. "But when I say I will kill you, you will wind up dead!"
Jin-e grinned up at Kenshin. "Greetings, Battōsai."
Kenshin snarled, "Release Kaoru-dono from your spell this instant or say goodbye to your head."
"You're too late, Battōsai. She's already dead. Dead and gone."
Gasping, Kenshin whipped his head around to the shrine. Kaoru had disappeared. Kenshin had run out of time. Kaoru-dono… dead? "N-No…" Kenshin whispered. "That can't be…" But she was gone. There was no sign of her anywhere.
It was as though the world had shattered below his feet, leaving nothing to support to him. The sun had been extinguished, plunging Kenshin into icy cold darkness; darkness that promised Kenshin would remain in for an eternity. No matter how much pain he had experienced from the voices, this was a million times worse. He had promised to protect Kaoru, but instead an innocent woman died because of his bloody past. Kenshin would have gladly thrown himself into the hands of the spirits of his past if it meant Kaoru would still be alive. B-But…
How could Kaoru-dono just have disappeared? She had… died and I wasn't there to save her, or, or comfort her or hold her as she died… I'll never s-see her smile one last time… or tell her just how much she meant to me…
Tears slipping down his face, Kenshin gripped the sakabatō hilt with two hands. "You bastard…" Kenshin raised the sakabatō over his head. Swinging the sword down towards Jin-e's neck, Kenshin screamed, "Damn you to hell!"
"NOOOO!"
A body collided into Kenshin's side, arms wrapping around Kenshin's arm. With a jerk, Kenshin stopped the sakabatō's descent. Almost too scared to look, Kenshin turned to see Kaoru. "Don't," she begged. "Don't become the hitokiri Battōsai for my sake." Tears spilled down her face, but she smiled as she wiped away Kenshin's tears. "I'm okay. I'm all right. I'm all right." She stroked Kenshin's cheek after brushing his sweaty hair aside. "I'm right here."
"K-Kaoru-dono…" hiccupped Kenshin. He soaked up the sight of Kaoru, breathed in her smell, listened to the melodic sound of her voice and desperately committing it all to memory so he would never lose her again.
Before Kenshin could say anything else voices cried out from the nearby forest, interrupting Kenshin and Kaoru's reunion. "Return to the form you were meant to be, Clow Card!"
"You did it, Sakura!"
"Thank goodness. I was so worried we wouldn't make it time."
"Yeah, well with it runnin' all over ta forest like that… I just don't understand why Erase would be acting like this…"
"Hold on a second. I sense another card!"
"What? Where?"
In a flash, Jin-e grabbed his sword that had fallen to the side and lunged at Kaoru.
"Over my dead body!" Kenshin cried. He pushed Kaoru behind him while swinging his sakabatō at Jin-e, aiming for his neck.
"No!" yelled Kaoru.
"Return to the form you were meant to be, Clow Card!"
Kenshin's sakabatō met Jin-e's neck and sliced through to Kenshin's shock, Jin-e's head remained attached to his body. Jin-e began to light up in different colors and patterns, before he collapsed into a blue rectangle. Sakura stood behind where Jin-e stood moments before holding out her wand.
"Are you okay, nii-chan, onee-san?"
"S-Sakura-chan…?" Kenshin whispered. All at once his exhaustion caught up with him, and he fell to his knees.
Kaoru knelt beside Kenshin. "Sakura-chan, thank goodness you're all right. But we have to hurry. Kenshin's wounded! And he keeps talking about blood covering him. Do you have something that can help?"
"I-I'm sorry," Sakura stammered. "But… there's no healing Clow Card."
"What happened?" Syaoran and Kero ran up to Sakura.
Turning to Syaoran and Kero, Sakura explained, "It was the Illusion Clow Card. It attacked Ken-nii and Kaoru onee-san."
"Li-kun! Kero! We have to help Kenshin!" Kaoru cried. "His shoulder and back…"
Sakura took a step towards Kenshin, but Syaoran held out his hand and stopped her. Syaoran walked up to Kenshin and, leaning in close, scrutinized his shoulder. After a moment, Sakura walked up behind Kenshin and inspected his back. Finished his examination, Syaoran stepped back. "I don't see anything. No blood, no torn clothes, nothing. You look fine to me." In a quiet voice, Syaoran asked, "Are you okay?"
Kenshin blinked. He turned to look at his shoulder and gasped in surprise. It was exactly as Syaoran had said. He touched his shoulder, only to feel no pain at all. But the pain I felt earlier was excruciating… easily the worst I felt in years. And I don't feel the blood that was all over me…
Kero flew over to Kenshin. "You can't fight an illusion from the Illusion Clow Card or get hurt by it. If you felt pain, then it was all in your head. You expected to feel pain so you did. If you expected to feel blood covering you then you felt it as though it was real. That's how Illusion works. But such a violent manifestation… what happened here?"
Seeing Kenshin's and Kaoru's confused expressions, Sakura clarified, "Illusion generally creates images of what a person loves or fears the most. It usually shows different things to different people but… Kaoru onee-san…" Sakura, Kero, and Syaoran shared a meaningful glance, then watched Kaoru suspiciously.
"Clow Card…" Kenshin muttered. It all made sense now, the light, the words of the ghosts, Kaoru disappearing. It was magic. Another one of Sakura's Clow Cards. He was so caught up in the moment that the thought had never occurred to him.
But why would the Illusion Clow Card show Kenshin Jin-e? After reflecting the events that happened, Kenshin began to understand. Jin-e was an assassin of the Bakumatsu, who even though the times had changed into the Meiji era he couldn't move beyond his past. He lived to kill others, spilling their blood. He attacked people that were close to Kenshin and kidnapped Kaoru. Jin-e was the manifestation of what Kenshin feared Kenshin was or what he could become. And all the words those ghosts of his past had hurled at him… they were all thoughts he had in the past, his doubts, his fears, his nightmares coming to life. He didn't know if the ghosts' accusations were true and he probably would never know.
If the hitokiri Jin-e kidnapping and hurting my friends and the ghosts of my past haunting me were what I feared the most, then what would I love the most? Kenshin wondered. Repentance. Acceptance. …Love. But those were abstract ideas that had no physical manifestation.
"But…Kenshin's okay, right? He's not hurt?" asked Kaoru. "And…" For some reason, she checked her side. "It's gone!" She beamed through her tears and cupped Kenshin's face with her hands. "Then you really are okay! I was so worried about you… Yokatta ne. Yokatta ne."
As Kenshin gazed at Kaoru's face, he found himself thinking, Or do they…? Hope began to rise within him, hope that he thought was long dead. And of course, for the millionth time his doubts came to crush his dreams. Kenshin gripped the sakabatō in a death grip. "But if Jin-e was real… this one… this one would have…"
Sakura smiled sadly, understanding what Kenshin was going to say. She pointed to the sakabatō. "At the end there, you attacked with sakabatō's dull side. You wouldn't have hurt him. So try not to let it bother you, okay? You kept your vow."
Syaoran crossed his arms. "You mean the vow that he won't kill anyone anymore, right?"
Kero nodded at Syaoran's question. Syaoran examined Kenshin, thinking hard.
Even if Sakura's words were true, Kenshin still was going to kill Jin-e when he thought Kaoru had disappeared forever and died. Nothing would change that. Kenshin held the blade of the sakabatō in his other hand and stared at it, lost in his misery.
Kaoru tentatively placed her hand on Kenshin's shoulder, wary of hurting him. "Thank you for saving me, Kenshin. Thank you so much…"
Kenshin raised his head to look at her. There was such sincerity in her eyes. Kenshin nodded. While Kenshin had been about to kill Jin-e, Kaoru physically restrained Kenshin, stopping him from transforming into a hitokiri again. Touching Kaoru's hand on his shoulder, Kenshin murmured, "No, Kaoru-dono. Thanks should go to you, that it should. Really, this one is so grateful…"
After a long moment, Kaoru lowered her eyes, blushing. Turning to Sakura, Syaoran, and Kero, Kaoru asked, "And what about everyone else? Are Yahiko, Tsubame-chan, and Sanosuke okay?"
However, Kero and Sakura were talking to each other. Kero whispered something in her ear while Sakura explained, "Just before I captured Illusion, we chased Erase here from another part of the forest. I captured Erase, so they should appear… where they first disappeared… Hoe?!" Sakura cupped her face in her hands and grinned. "Really?"
"I'm surprised that you didn't notice sooner," sighed Syaoran.
"I thought ya would of assumed she didn't know, kid," Kero said, "considering her ignorance of your feelings for forever. Of course, ignorance isn't a bad trait."
"What are you guys talking about?" Kaoru asked, completely baffled. She looked at Kenshin for an answer, but Kenshin only shrugged. He had no idea what the three of them were going on about. Knowing Sakura, it could be anything. She was the most excitable girl that Kenshin had ever met.
"We have to go then!" Sakura shouted, grabbing Syaoran's hand.
"Go? Why? We-ulp!" Syaoran's words died in his throat when he felt Sakura's hand close around his hand.
"Fly!" In an instant, Sakura's wand transformed and wing erupted from the end of the wand. Dragging a protesting Syaoran, Sakura leapt onto the wand and the two flew into the air.
"Ah!" Kaoru cried as gust of winds blasted her and Kenshin. Kenshin hugged Kaoru, ensuring they would stay on the ground.
"Oi! Wait for me!" Kero flew after Sakura and Syaoran.
Sakura waved down to Kenshin and Kaoru. "Rurouni Cardcaptor wins again! And don't worry about the others. We'll get them." As they disappeared into the dark horizon, she called, "Have a fuuuun tiiiime you twoooo!"
"Oro?"
Kaoru smiled, "Ah, now that sounds like the Kenshin I know."
Touched, Kenshin released the hug to see Kaoru's face. She truly cares about me, that she does. He whispered, "Kaoru-dono…" Gasping, Kaoru jerked up her head to stare at the sky. "What's wrong, Kaoru-dono…?"
Kenshin followed Kaoru's line of sight to see a small orb of yellow light descend towards them. Kaoru stood up and lifted her hand underneath it. "Don't touch it, Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin cried, standing up and reaching for her hand. "We don't know what-"
Gently, the light brushed against Kaoru's hand. She giggled. "It tickles. But it's so warm. It must be Sakura-chan's magic." Kaoru closed her eyes and blew the orb back up into the air.
Before their eyes, the sky erupted into a thousand different colored orbs, keeping the darkness of the night at bay. They swirled and danced about, moving a music that no one but them heard. And underneath the lights the entire field of grass burst into flowers.
With a slowly growing smile, Kaoru beheld the sight. Her eyes sparkled more than the glowing orbs, and her smile emitted more warmth and life than the flowers. Someone like Kaoru was magical indeed.
Over the ten years that Kenshin traveled Japan as a rurouni, Kenshin had met plenty of beautiful women. So why was Kaoru so… so captivating? It's because has forgiven me and accepts me even though I was hitokiri Battōsai, seeing the man that I am and not the blood I've spilt. With her endless compassion and innocent trust she took in everyone at her dojo, a dojo which promotes the peace that I long for. Yes, she has a temper, and yes she can't cook or do chores, but it doesn't matter…
Seeing Kenshin looking at her, Kaoru smiled. "Beautiful, ne?"
…because she is standing right beside me, smiling at me even after all the pain she went through because of my past. That's what makes Kaoru-dono so breathtakingly beautiful.
So very, very precious to me.
Staring deeply into Kaoru's eyes, Kenshin intertwined his fingers with Kaoru's fingers. "Aa, that it is," he answered her.
Kaoru gasped a little, blushing slightly, but she renewed her smile after recovering. Returning Kenshin's stare, she whispered, "I think so, too."
The two continued to gaze into each other's eyes, both knowing that neither of them were talking about the floating lights or the field of flowers.
"Ha! Got one! That should keep the Missie quiet."
Sano grinned to himself and held the squirming fish in his arms tightly, before he realized things weren't quite what they seemed. "Hey, hold on a second… why is it night? What happened? What the h-?!"
The fish smacked Sano soundly across the face.
Japanese and RK/CCS Terms Dictionary (in order they appear within chapter):
Kinomoto Sakura-Sakura is a fifth grader at Tomoeda Elementary and is eleven years old. Ever since she opened the Clow Book in her basement and released the Clow Cards into the world she became the Cardcaptor and, with help from Kero, Tomoyo, and Syaoran, captures the Clow Cards using magic. In her battles with the Clow Cards, Sakura uses other previously captured Clow Cards as well as her magic wand to fight the rampaging Clow Cards.
Fly-One of the Clow Cards. Sakura captured Fly in the Meiji Era before meeting Kenshin. Fly's normal form is a giant bird. Sakura uses the Fly card to produce wings on her wand and fly on the wand. Sakura also has the ability to make the wings appear on her back instead of the wand, allowing her to use the wand for other magic.
Sakura's wand-Sakura uses a pink wand to direct her magic when capturing a Clow Card. When she is not using the wand, it transforms into a pendant that is shaped like a key. She must use a chant to release the wand from its key pendant form. When Sakura was transforming the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards, the wand also changed. It became a Star Wand. In the Meiji Era however, the wand is in its original state and not a Star Wand.
Li Syaoran-Syaoran is an eleven-year-old boy from Hong Kong. He is the youngest member of the Li family, a magical family that can trace its history all the way back to Clow Reed. In the beginning of the anime/manga Syaoran's arrogance caused a competition of sorts between him and Sakura to capture Clow Cards, however, as the series progressed, Syaoran began to respect and then love Sakura. While Syaoran has magic of his own and can use the Clow Cards he helped capture, because Syaoran is not the Cardcaptor, he cannot seal Clow Cards through his own power.
Kero-Kero's full name is Cerberus or Kerberos (depending on translation). He is one of the two magical guardians of the Clow Cards. He draws power from the sun. When Sakura has captured the Earthy and Fiery Clow Cards, he can transform into a large beast that resembles a lion with wings, and when in that form, he can spit out fire. Because Sakura is the Cardcaptor, she is his master, however they are friends first and foremost. He speaks in a Kansai accent, which I tried to replicate in English. The other guardian is Yue, but he does not appear in the story.
Matte-Wait
Himura Kenshin-Kenshin is rurouni, a wanderer, and the former hitokiri Battōsai. He has unusual red hair and violet eyes. On the shorter side, at a glance Kenshin is often mistaken to be a woman. In addition, though he is 28, he looks about ten years younger. He learned his sword style, Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, from his master. When he was fourteen, he ran away from his Master to fight in the civil war, during the Bakumatsu, hoping to defend the weak. Kenshin joined the Ishin Shishi, who were determined to topple the corrupt Japanese government and bring equality to Japan citizens. Because of Kenshin's great skills as a swordsman and Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, he became hitokiri Battōsai, the greatest assassin of the Ishin Shishi. Kenshin fought for five years. Afterwards he disappeared and traveled Japan, becoming a rurouni. As a rurouni, Kenshin protected people with his sakabatō, but because of his bloody past, he never stayed in one place for long. Two months before he entered Tokyo, Kenshin met Sakura and the two began to travel together. Kenshin is a fictional character, but the history of the Bakumatsu and the Ishin Shishi are real.
Clow Cards-Clow Cards are cards that contain magic. They represent and control different aspects of the environment. For example, the Sword Card is a sword. The Windy Card is a green female spirit that can control the winds. A long time ago they were created by Clow Reed, the most powerful magician of all time before Sakura had captured all of the cards and transformed them into Sakura Cards. The Clow Cards were released from the Clow Book when Sakura opened the Clow Book. They began to cause all sorts of havoc that Sakura had to put an end to.
Rashinban-Literally means compass; It is a magical compass that is more similar to a board that was created Clow Reed. It was passed down through Syaoran's family. The Rashinban releases beams of light that direct the user to Clow Cards, however it does not point out the exact location of Clow Cards, only approximate locations. Syaoran uses the Rashinban to locate Clow Cards. When there is a lot of magical presence throughout the area, the Rashinban becomes useless.
Yoshi-All right!
Aa-an informal yes
Hitokiri Battōsai- hitokiri means assassin or literally manslayer. Battōsai means master of the battōjutsu technique, Kenshin's trademark attack. According to the manga battōjutsu is when a swordsman "press[es] the blade's edge against the inside of the sheath, then draw[s] the sword quickly to increase the speed of the sword's swing by two or three times." During the Bakumatsu, Kenshin became an assassin for the Ishin Shishi. He was feared by all for his astounding swordsmanship abilities that allowed him to kill so many people. Many legends compare him to a demon. Kenshin fought for the Ishin Shishi for five years (ages 14 to 19).
Gomenasai-Sorry, I'm sorry; a slightly formal apology used only with friends and family
This one-this is an English translation of "sessha". Sessha literally means "this unworthy one" and is a very humble way to refer to oneself. I'm pretty sure that in Japanese sessha doesn't refer to the third person, but in English it does, so when Kenshin talks I replaced any first person pronouns Kenshin uses with third person. However, because sessha is what one calls oneself, I use first person pronouns in Kenshin's thoughts.
"that it is", "that he is", etc.-This is the English translation of de gozaru, which is an archaic word for desu (it's archaic even in Kenshin's time or so I have heard). De gozaru and desu act to reaffirm what was said. (I don't think it has any other meaning than that…)
Bakumatsu-Before the Bakumatsu, the Japanese government closed its doors to foreigners and had three hundred years of peace. The arrival the American black ships carrying a message that the US wanted to trade with Japan forced Japan to realize how far behind they were. Some people believed for the sake of the country progressing, they had to open its borders, but others refused. This fight carried into the Bakumatsu. According to Rurouni Kenshin Restoration manga the Bakumatsu is a "fifteen year period between the arrival of the black ships at Japan and the Meiji Restoration… those wielding swords divided between the Tokugawa shognate forces and the Ishin Shishi (pro imperialist patriots) battled each other." Kyoto, the capital of Japan at that time, was were the battles were the fiercest and where Kenshin fought for a long time. While the Bakumatsu is a fifteen year period, it is important to note, that this time period wasn't completely filled with war. However, when Bakumatsu is mentioned in the story (or manga) it always refers to the war.
Rurouni-Rurouni is a made up term created from the words "ru" which means to wander and "ronin" or masterless samurai. (Note: Kenshin did have a Master, but he ran away to fight with the Ishin Shishi, cutting off all ties with him) After fighting for the Ishin Shishi, Kenshin traveled Japan for ten years as a rurouni. Carrying his sakabatō, Kenshin protected people, but he never stayed in any place for long. By helping as many people as possible as a wandering rurouni, Kenshin hoped to repent for the murders he committed as a hitokiri Battōsai. As a rurouni, Kenshin often masks his true feelings behind a smile or acting as though he is less skilled with a sword than he really is.
Sakabatō-Kenshin's reverse blade sword. The dull side of the blade is where the sharp edge should be and vice versa. In this way, Kenshin can fight with a sword but not kill, only breaking bones instead. It is a symbol of Kenshin's vow never to kill again. Kenshin has carried the sakabatō for ten years as he traveled as a rurouni.
Nii-chan-older brother; can also say onii-san, which is more formal. Ken-nii is another way of Sakura calling Kenshin her older brother. I generally only have Sakura refer to Kenshin without the formal "o" of "onii" and the "chan" honorific instead of the "san" honorific because she feels very close to Kenshin.
Onee-san-Older sister; the "o" attached to "nee" signals formality as well as the "san" honorific. Sakura refers to Kaoru in a more formal way because she doesn't know Kaoru as well.
Tomoyo-Sakura's best friend in the present. She helps Sakura capture the Clow Cards, although she has no magic of her own. When the two of them chase down Clow Cards, Tomoyo records Sakura. She also creates a bunch of costumes for Sakura and Kero and encourages Sakura to pose after capturing cards, much to Sakura's embarrassment. Kero, however, loves being in the spotlight.
Li Meiling-Meiling is Syaoran's cousin. The two of them are childhood friends in Hong Kong. In the CCS anime (she didn't exist in the manga) she traveled to Tomoeda and helped Sakura, Syaoran, and Tomoyo fight and capture cards. She has no magic of her own, but like Syaoran, she is a martial artist.
Cardcaptor-Sakura is the Cardcaptor, meaning that it is her responsibility to recapture the freed Clow Cards and become their master.
Sakura Cards-After Sakura captured all of the Clow Cards, she transformed them into Sakura Cards. There is little difference between a Clow Card and a Sakura Card, but Sakura Cards only answer to Sakura, not Clow Reed or anyone else.
Hai-Yes
Erase-One of the Clow Cards. Erase's normal form is a woman dressed as a jester holding a cape. Erase has the power to erase people and objects. People that are erased by the Erase Clow Card have the potential to disappear forever if someone doesn't subdue Erase. When restored to life, people who disappeared don't remember vanishing. In battle, Sakura uses the Erase to make obstacles disappear.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū-This is Kenshin's sword style. It is a defensive style, focusing on fighting multiple opponents at once and legendary speed. It's symbol/mascot is a dragon. Because Kenshin used Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū during the Bakumatsu, he became the hitokiri Battōsai and feared to be a demon.
Ryūsōsen-Dragon Nest Flash; It is an Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū move in which the user unleashes multiple attacks and slashes directed at various places on the opponent's body. The speed of the attacks makes it difficult to counter, block, or parry.
Shogunate/Bakufu-the fuedal military dictatorship of Japan. During the Bakumatsu, the Japanese government, the shogunate, was corrupt. They employed the military police, the Shinsengumi, to keep order and fight the Ishin Shishi. As part of the Ishin Shishi, Kenshin fought against supporters of the shogun.
Doryūsen-Earth/Land Dragon Flash; It is an Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū move in which the user strikes the ground with a sword, sending earth and rocks flying with enough force that it can knock out the opponent. It is one of the ranged attacks of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū.
Illusion-One of the Clow Cards. Illusion creates a vision based on what the viewer wants or expects to see, however in the CCS anime/manga it was most often used to show what a person feared or loved the most. In battle, Sakura has used Illusion to distract her opponents.
Yokatta ne-I'm happy for you
Oi-Hey
Rurouni Cardcaptor-a term that I created for this story. Within the story Sakura created the cute term. It can refer to Sakura and Kenshin collectively or their duty to capture the Clow Cards that are freed in the Meiji era.
Glow-One of the Clow Cards. Glow was one of the two Clow Cards subjugated by Syaoran before he and Sakura reunited in the Meiji era. Glow has no fighting potential; it only can create floating light orbs that make people happy. Glow's normal form is a female spirit that resembles a firefly.
Flower-One of the Clow Cards. Flower was one of the two Clow Cards subjugated by Syaoran before he and Sakura reunited in the Meiji era. Flower has little fighting potential, but Sakura has used it to create barriers made of flower petals.
Ne-Right? Isn't it? When attached to the end of a statement, it turns it into a question. "Ne" asks for confirmation or agreement. It is used in situations in which the person speaking is asking if what they said was correct and/or if the person they were talking to agrees with what was said.
Anyone who has concerns regarding Syaoran's character within my story, please read my reply to Aizawa Li Syaoran Vessalius below.
Credit goes where credit is due. My friend suggested the idea of expounding on the voices of ghosts of Kenshin's past. While the Illusion Clow Card doesn't speak, I think the voices help explain Kenshin's past and adds a lot of angst. As I was writing this, I kept on going back and forth between having Jin-e being a magician that used the Erase and Illusion Clow Cards, and making Jin-e himself an illusion. In the end I rejected the former idea because I would have had Jin-e using the Erase card for his Shin no Ippō technique and erase his oppenents will to move or fight. But this is too similar to the original, so despite having to make tweaks to the Illusion card, I went with the latter idea. I've made adjustments to the Clow Cards in the past, and, as this is a crossover between two very different series, I will probably be forced to make more tweaks in the future.
Hello, Aizawa Li Syaoran Vessalius! May I call you Ai, as it says on your profile page that's what you want to be called? Thank you for reading this story and sticking to it, despite, judging by your profile and stories, it seems that you are more comfortable with Indonesian than English. And thank you for your honest review. I do not view your review as flame so all I ask is that in turn you please listen to what I have to say.
Yes, Syaoran has stayed for a while in Japan and is familiar with Japanese honorifics. I only meant that he didn't know what the "dono" honorific meant. As far as I am aware, dono is a really old and archaic honorific that is only used in specific situations, when a servant is talking to their master. I have heard before, but I have not had this confirmed by a trustworthy source, that dono is archaic even in the Meiji era. I was originally going to have Kenshin use the word "archaic" instead of just "old" when explaining what dono meant to Syaoran but I wasn't sure that an eleven year old would know that archaic meant really, really old. So I just have Kenshin say old. Because dono is an old word, I don't think it is used in modern Japan or in everyday conversation. (If I am wrong, then please let me know and I apologize for my mistake). At least, I have never read or watched any manga or anime that takes place in present day Japan that used the dono honorific. The only place I think of that used the dono honorific was in Inuyasha, but that takes place in the Feudal era, which is before the Meiji era, and was only used about two or three times. I explain this in part in the author's notes at the beginning of the last chapter, but I'm guessing that you skipped over that because it seems like you understand honorifics. As for Syaoran not understanding the other words Kenshin uses like oro, sakabatō, and rurouni, they are all made up words created by the author of RK and only apply to Kenshin so Syaoran wouldn't know them.
Syaoran is kind to the others staying at the dojo, except for Kenshin (see below). As Sakura thinks/narrates, at first Syaoran was shy and didn't talk to the others much, but now he has opened up to them. He says to Kaoru that if had some money he would give it to Kaoru to pay for him staying at the dojo, but he doesn't have any money. Hearing this makes Kaoru very happy. As for Syaoran and Yahiko arguing, they argue over things that aren't very important like normal prideful eleven year old boys. But underneath it all they are still friends and won't let a small argument ruin their friendship. However, because Yahiko doesn't have a big role in the story, this is hard to portray. I apologize.
What I was trying to portray with Syaoran is that towards everyone else he is the kind person of the ending of the CCS series, but when it comes to Kenshin he leans toward the more arrogant side of himself shown in the beginning of the series. Syaoran calling Kenshin kidnapper is childish, I won't deny it. Syaoran calls Kenshin kidnapper because of his animosity towards him. The question is why does he dislike Kenshin so much? In short, it's because Syaoran is jealous of Kenshin and blames him for not protecting Sakura while she was capturing Fly in Kenshin's hometown. He is jealous of Kenshin because while Syaoran is still waiting for Sakura to say she loves him, Sakura's love for Kenshin is obvious. It is implied, but not stated outright as I see it should have been, that Syaoran's line saying he knows what happened to Sakura in the village means that he blames Kenshin for Sakura being harmed. Even if Sakura sees Kenshin as an older brother and Syaoran wants to respect Sakura's wishes, this is a crime too great for Syaoran to overlook or forgive. Therefore he doesn't view Kenshin as Sakura's protector. I understand now that I should have emphasized this. Because of this, I have edited future scenes. As you'll soon start to see in the next chapter, deep down Syaoran actually blames himself for not protecting Sakura. However the thought that Sakura was hurt because he couldn't save her is too much for Syaoran to bear. So he takes it out on Kenshin and calls him kidnapper. Kidnapper, then, is a sign of that Syaoran cannot get over his dislike of Kenshin and blaming Kenshin and himself for what occurred to Sakura. Without such reasoning within the story itself, I understand why you questioned why Syaoran calls Kenshin kidnapper and dislikes him. As I said, because of this I have edited future scenes to make this clear. And eventually, as Syaoran grows towards understanding Kenshin, Syaoran will treat Kenshin better.
I do admit that Syaoran kicking Kenshin in the stomach was taking it too far for the sake of humor, and I will be more mindful of making Syaoran more mature as I continue to write. But not too mature, seeing as he and Sakura are still just eleven year old kids. I also admit the whole stalker part was mostly just for humor and won't appear again in the story. It was more of way of showing that Syaoran is obsessed with making sure Sakura is always nearby and won't disappear on him again after them being separated for so long. In hindsight, I should have had Kenshin explain this to Sakura in the conversation. In no way does Syaoran mean for him following her to be putting pressure on her, but that's how Sakura takes it. Sakura knows that she has to answer Syaoran about their relationship at some point, but because she doesn't know how she feels about him just yet, any meeting with Syaoran makes her a little nervous. Hence Sakura talks to Kenshin about it. Sakura can't come right out and say what she is really asking advice for because she doesn't want Kenshin to know that Syaoran confessed his feelings for her (it's too embarrassing for her). Again in hindsight, I guess little of this was able to come across to readers…
Ai, I hope that my explanations were clear, and they helped you understand why I did some things in the story. It is my hope that you will continue reading my story, especially the next chapter, if only to see how your review has helped me get a stronger grasp on Syaoran's character and how Syaoran blaming himself and Kenshin is explained. However, not everything I explained about Syaoran's feelings will be in the next chapter, because that's too much for one chapter. What I don't cover will be addressed later. If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns about anything in the story contact me through PM or a review and I'll be happy to help. Thank you.
Hello, yasha! Yes, you can leave reviews on your phone along with reading stories. It must really stink to have your computer frying! I hope it can be fixed. Originally I was going to leave it as just "pass the salt, kidnapper", but then I came up with more so I added it. Ah, it seems I might have confused you… Syaoran traveled back to the past using a different method than Sakura and Kero did, but that method can't be used to bring them back to the present. Hopefully this chapter shed some light on that and cleared things up a bit. What I meant in the author's notes was that how Syaoran traveled to the Meiji era is profound, but not like a big plot twist or something. Regardless, does Syaoran's method offer clues about how they can ultimately return home or how they came to the Meiji era in the first place? …Not really. Sorry about that!
Next chapter: When Sakura learns that Kaoru is experiencing financial problems, it's Sakura, Kero, and Syaoran to the rescue! As tension between Syaoran and Kenshin continues to rise, it's up to Kenshin to try to reach the boy.
Thanks for reading, everyone! It's not that long until part two (which I'm sure all of you RK fans can guess what that covers!)
