Author's note: I'm screaming in laughter over the reviews, I literally just love how this fic is attracting all of my fellow perverts out into the open like this. Yes!

Thank you so much for your hilarious review, Chimerical, I was laughing out loud reading that. Yeah, well, Soujiro better shape up fast or else he'll lose Kenshin forever and we can't have that happening, now do we? ;) This update will be dedicated to you for your wonderful reviews and your support. Thanks for not abandoning me or my story!

Cannibal Corncob, you really came through with your equally hilarious review. Kenshin's futon, haha! Yes, I think Soujiro is pretty jelly over Kenshin's more established life and relationships that he's formed with other people, which makes his attraction over the Battousai even more complicated than usual. How is Kenshin's family and friends going to take this? Secrets, secrets.. ;)

l8Pi, I was rolling over your review. I am so sorry that I've ruined your life, ha ha! I promise that I will at least try and space out the updates a bit so that us perverts can at least take care of our lives and such. It's just so addicting though, writing these two major hotties together!

And now for chapter 8, Illumination. Many of the 'past' scenes running in Soujiro's head in this chapter will be from the animated series. Just an FYI if you're a bit confused reading over it. It will be a multi-part for this chapter, this one being part one, as it was getting quite long already and my reviewers probably want her hands on little Soujiro already, ha ha! ;)

Rated M+ for strong sexual references. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Scene VIII: Illumination (Part 1)

The rest of that evening went horribly for me as expected. For everyone else who are absolutely unaware of the tension between Kenshin and I, it was all in a good day for them and having fun together. For me, I just wish I was never born. I wish I have never met Kenshin, let alone have him affect me so deeply like this. I should have continued my ten year voyageur without having to seek him out. What was I thinking? I should have learned about my own truth by myself like a real man should, and not succumb to the pressure of having to get help from somebody else. I feel so worthless. How could I be so stupid? How could I just go and mess up my own life like this even further than it has to be? And just when things started getting stable, no less; I am getting in touch with my emotions more and more without Shishio being suspicious, or having Yumi putting me down, or letting anybody into my vulnerabilities when I have to go out and kill them. Why do I have to go and wreck things up like this? Just because I am attracted to Kenshin? Ridiculous.

There is a bitter lump inside my throat as the gang walk on ahead of me to go back to the dojo, the moon illuminating the entirety of Tokyo like a summer dream. Through my bangs, I could see Kenshin walking hand in hand with Kaoru, and the lump inside my throat grows. I shouldn't be envious of Kaoru. She didn't do anything wrong except fall in love with him way before I noticed his amazing qualities, and that isn't her fault. Kaoru has innocence, a contrasting force against Kenshin's sinful past of murdering other people; the yin to his yang, so to speak. That is, if I could remember what I've learned about Chinese scriptures from Yumi's scrolls and books. We all need balance in our lives, something to counteract of our darker parts with the good ones. When I was in the Juppongatana, I had let evil stay around my heart like a cage enclosing a soft vessel, so that I can be the best right hand to Shishio. Leaving it meant breaking apart that cage and letting my heart roam free. But now I wonder if I let it go too soon and had created something awkward between Kenshin and me. I watch as Kenshin turn to Kaoru to say something to her, and she giggles, resulting in another pang radiating in my chest. Sanosuke has his arm draped around Megumi's shoulder and her head rests on his arm, and even Yahiko has his hand on the small of Tsubame's back. Everybody has someone to love them.

Everybody but me.

Laying on my back in my bed, I fight with all of my strength to not break down and start crying. I know Kenshin said goodnight to me earlier, but he couldn't even look at me in the eye when we passed each other down the corridor when it was time to sleep. The air felt so cold when he walked by me and when he didn't even say one word to me. How could he even do that? I toss and turn in my bed, remembering all the stupid things I've said not even an hour ago: Make sure your wife knows. I'm not your wife. I don't make the rules. Idiot! I grab my hair and grit my teeth, enraged by my own stupid behaviors. How could I be so horrible when it was him and Kaoru who let me inside their homes so openly and with so much trust towards me? This is how I thank them, by being an absolute prick! I grumble as my own self rage simmers and I could have sworn some steam have exited me somehow. Ha. I can be so passionate whenever my emotions get the best of me. I wonder if that's just my personality or if I just need to learn how to get a better hold of the negative emotions without having to cloak them completely like before. So much to learn, I'm afraid.

Luckily, I cooled down and I carefully sit up to just look around my room. It's so nice of this family to let me in, someone who used to be their sworn enemy and all of that. I am clothed, bathed, and fed properly here and I don't even deserve half of that with the way I'm behaving. Jumping on and tickling Kenshin shouldn't even had happened in the first place. I realized that now. I look at my sliding door, shut and silent, and even though I should know better, I feel a prick of hot liquid stinging my eyes. I fucked up and I know that. I wish I could turn back time and just do better. But I can't, and even if I could, how will I ever learn on this journey? Maybe bad things have to happen. Maybe Kenshin hating me and not trusting me anymore would be for the best. He can focus on Kaoru, and Kenji, and all of his friends without me interrupting their good times, and then I can leave this dojo and never have to speak to him again. That last part did it. A single tear slides from both my eyes and I hiccup, not wanting to be a sobbing mess at this ungodly hour. I've never cried this much before in one week, not even when I was beaten often as a child. So much is coming out of me just by being around Kenshin and I wonder if all of this crying is just my soul trying to cleanse itself of all the debris of my sins and past hurts. It would make some sense, honestly.

"Kenshin," I whisper, my brain not connecting to my mouth when I said that, and my eyes enlarge at that shocking realization of me having to want to say that. But why? Why him, of all people? It's not like I can do anything about it. He's settled down, married, and has a child to look after. I have no right to even think about him in this way. I refuse to be like my mother. I laugh a little at that thought, but it's true. But, even though I should refrain from doing anything to destroy the sanctity of their marriage, who said I should be banned from ever having some mental fantasies here and there? As long as I don't touch him in real life or try anything, and just keep my desires to myself, who says I can't have fun with myself by myself?

That's right. I'm doing nothing wrong.

I loosen my belt of my lower garments to free myself from it and wrap my fingers around my cock, my head tilting back against the wall and I close my eyes. I'm not doing anything wrong right now. It's just a fantasy. I try to remember the bits and pieces of my dreams that I had the other night; the feeling of Kenshin's mouth on my neck, the way he drags his tongue against the sensitive parts of my ear, the way he swallows my entire cock whole in his mouth, the way he looks at me. Those eyes especially, my god. My breathing hitches and I stroke myself faster, remembering just the way he looks at me. It was so intense and intimate, clouding over as he impales himself inside of me and feeling my tightness around his cock. I remember how in the dream, he grabs my hips just to fuck me deeper, his eyes losing focus just like mine did. I remember the way he says my name, in a husky voice, so deep and masculine that it sends a shiver inside my spine. I'm willing to bet that I'll be his tightest fuck ever, if we lived a life without any consequences. He would love my body so much in another lifetime; Sleek and energetic and youthful, and my mouth so eager to please if he'd let me. I moan softly the harder I pump, thinking and fantasizing and wanting..

"Oh," I groan, "Kenshin.."

I want him. I want him so badly. I want him in all the ways that I can have him. I want to embrace him. I want to kiss him, tongues and everything. I want to cuddle with him and hold his hand like he did with Kaoru. I want to touch his face and his hair, letting my fingers drag along his arm and everywhere else. I want to pleasure him with my mouth, to have him cum just by me staring so lustfully at him. I want to fuck him. I want all of him. Kenshin. Kenshin. Kenshin. It had to be you, Kenshin, didn't it? It couldn't be anybody else. It couldn't be a woman whom I can enjoy myself with. It couldn't be my ex girlfriend whose parents sent me away. No, in the end, it all had to come down to you that I crave the most. I want to hate you. I want to leave you and have you never speak of me again. I want you to just be gone from my life. I want to never have to think of you again. I used to wish death upon you, but now I just want you to tear my body apart with your lust. My breath hitches in my throat and I feel myself going over the edge.

"Kenshin," I moan deeper, grabbing the head of my cock to rub against my more sensitive part, "Uhnn..!"

I want him. I need him. I can't have him hating me. I take it all back. I can't live without him. I know this because I fucking tried to for four years. I suddenly feel the urge to angrily grab my blanket and pull it off of me, and stand up from it to look straight at my door, closed and silent and mocking me. In a different life, he would come in and see me. He would be here, right now, to finish me off. And I'm not just talking about with swords. I want to finish in his mouth, to have him taste me. I growl under my breath, my face darkening the more I focus on my door. Wishing, hoping, wanting. And in an instant, my strange mixture of anger and lust dissolves into a state of helplessness, my heart not able to hide from this simple truth: I am falling for a man that I can never have. Not right now. Not ever. Not in this cursed lifetime of mine. I hear a hiccup and then my tears return, but I don't stop touching myself. If only things could be different. If only I realized it earlier that I wanted to be with him. If only I wasn't so stubborn before, who knows what could have become of us. Why would he even want me? I am so disgusting, just look what I'm doing to myself!

"Kenshin, I want you," I whisper, my sobbing growing erratic, "Please.. want me.."

The door doesn't open, just as I expected. He won't come here. I know he won't. I stroke myself, wondering if by sheer force alone, that I can mystically implant myself into his dreams or in his thoughts. I wonder if we as human beings can really connect through just our minds alone. It's something I would scoff at as an idea before, but with everything that's happened, I'm grasping for any way I can to be close to him without actually being close to him. I focus harder, my breathing and moaning deepening, careful to not be so loud to wake my sleeping mates up with my activity.

"I want to be," I hiccuped, "In your dreams, in your thoughts, Kenshin.."

I think of Kenshin, the way he looks, the way he sounds like when he talks, the way his eyes never lies, the way of his entire being is. Kenshin. I want him to want me, so much. I won't forget how hot and amazing it felt when he came inside of me, feeling his liquid shooting up inside my body. My eyes roll to the back of my head and my knees give out, falling to the floor with a dull thud and I cum, biting my lower lip so as to not scream and wake everybody up. The last bit of cum makes me flinch and shiver and I collapse, trying to control my breathing, and my vision spins while looking at the ceiling above me. That felt so good.

"Kenshin.." I sigh to myself and close my eyes to fall asleep on that floor.

It was a really good rest. That masturbation session has relieved me of all the stress and had given me one of the deepest sleeps in all of my years of living. The morning sun creeps up after several hours and I get up to groom and dress myself for breakfast. Everyone were behaving as per the usual; Kaoru is serving us all the homemade meals she's made with love, Kenji and the other young girls, Ayame and Suzumi, are giggling about wanting to go outside after breakfast is over to play. Megumi is reading the papers for the local news, Sanosuke is stuffing his face while Yahiko tries to beat him in speed, and Dr. Gensai is enjoying his cup of morning tea. I sit down, my stomach in a knot, since I know he'll be here soon and I'll have to see his disappointed expression again just like last night. I want so badly to just apologize and get it over with, just so we can go back to normal, but a part of me holds me back from even lifting a finger. Just as soon as Kaoru sits down to enjoy her meal, Kenshin comes through the door with his empty cup to enjoy tea with Gensai. We lock eyes for a moment and, in a swift second, he looks away and sits down next to Kaoru, not saying anything. Break my heart harder, why don't you?

"So, are you guys going to train again?" Kaoru toots up suddenly from in between eating her food, "Tell us so that we can let you guys be, alright?"

I hesitate and my eyes shoots from my food towards Kenshin, and even I can see his eyes widening in realization as to why I'm even here in the first place. He still doesn't look at me, but his face gives it away. Kaoru blinks at me and then looks at Kenshin for why we're silent, and he gives her a false smile and laughs, "Of course, dear, I know! I think we should have a break today if that's alright with Soujiro."

Why? Why are you lying, Kenshin? This isn't like you. Kaoru turns her head at me and I feel the need to force myself to nod, "Y-Yeah, Kaoru, I think we'll take a break today if that's alright."

"You said you needed more time here, correct?" Megumi yawns out of her sleepiness, delirious of what is even happening underneath the surface, "Then take a break, God knows we all need one sometimes."

"Hey, Soujiro, maybe we can hang out today!" Yahiko pipes up and slaps his hands on the table, making me flinch, "I can show you all the really cool places here in Tokyo!"

"Yahiko!" Kaoru whispers with a glare, "Don't be so imposing!"

Yahiko responds by sticking his tongue out and aside from a death glare, they both back down peacefully. Sanosuke then decides it's his turn to speak: "We can go fishing together if you'd like, Soujiro. Kenshin and Yahiko can come along too if they want to. Just us men."

"Alright!" Yahiko brings his fists up victoriously.

I don't dare bring my eyes up to Kenshin, but I did hear him sigh and say, "Not today, Sanosuke. You can all go without me. I have some things to catch up on."

"Such as?" I hear Sanosuke challenge him.

"That's a private matter, that it is."

"Kenshin?" I hear Kaoru's voice breaking into this conversation, "What has gotten into you today?"

I can't take this anymore. I stand up abruptly and bow to everyone, "I'm sorry. I think I'll decline also. I want to be alone for today if that's okay."

"You too?" Sanosuke now sounds even angrier than before, "Come on, what is this? Are you and Kenshin fighting or what?"

My heart jumps and my eyes let themselves travel to Kenshin, and he has his eyes hidden by his bangs. No, I can't have this happening to us. I can't let anyone know what I said about Kaoru. They'll hate me and they'll hate Kenshin for bringing me into this dojo with that kind of opinion of her like that. They'll never forgive us. But before I open my mouth to protest, Kenshin clears his throat so that everyone can pay attention to what he has to say.

"It's nothing," And he suddenly breaks out into a very happy smile, "Nothing is going on. We're just a little tired from all the training, that we are! Soujiro should do as he please today and I have to visit my sensei to fix something of his, that I do."

"You mean Hiko?" Kaoru tilts her head. Kenshin nods her way.

"Oh, so like," Sanosuke flashes his eyes back and forth between us, "Um.. you guys are fine, then?"

"Absolutely!" Kenshin and I respond conjointly in a scathing fashion at Sanosuke, and realizing what we have just done, we both look away from each other with an embarrassed blush. Sanosuke looks like he's seen a ghost and his wife sneers at his stupidity.

"Well good!" Megumi clasps her hands together, "As long as we all leave this table as one big happy family, let's just get over it and move on, okay?"

We all nod in agreement and I sit back down to finish my breakfast. I think I'll spend the rest of my day wandering around Tokyo by myself, to give Kenshin his privacy and me time to cool off. The entire breakfast felt a little tense, and it would have been very awkward if not for Yahiko cracking jokes he's heard from his schoolmates. Some were groan worthy, others were pretty raunchy and inappropriate, in which Sanosuke slaps the back of the young teen's head for having the young kids hearing it. Soon they were laughing and things seem to be restored to its original pendulum, though I sometimes can't help but let my eyes flicker over to Kenshin every once in a while to catch his reactions from all that is happening. I hate to sound so campy at a time like this, but man, Kenshin is so handsome and cute. A blush creeps up my cheek and I look down to hide it, careful to not let anyone else—especially the red haired swordsman—recognize my embarrassment.

Five minutes after breakfast was done, I find myself walking outside of the dojo and into the streets, enjoying the summery weather. Some gentle winds hit my face every once in a while, cooling me in the process, and I bask in the sunlight. I needed this; I needed to get out of that dojo and away from him. I think we need some space from each other. Walking into the main shopping street, I take note of all the different types of people doing their own thing, and I enjoy my sense of anonymity. I don't stand out, unless people take a better look of my face, then they would just stare for a while. This is especially apparent from young women who don't have anyone of their own, and so I exchanged a few smiles and winks their way, making them blush and giggle amongst themselves. I guess I can be honest and say that despite my late mother's occupation, there is a reason why she was such an amazing Oiran. She was, according to my abusive relatives, a picture of pure beauty and grace, able to shake the commitment of my father's so called love for his wife. She made him cheat on his wife, and from there, I was created from their sinful affair. And her beauty, therefore, was passed down to me.

"He's so cute!" I hear one random patron gushing from behind, a group of laughter soon following along. I smile secretly to myself and kept walking.

Soon I find myself on the countryside, not too far from Tokyo, just so I can sit on a grass hill and just let my mind wander. I suppose it would be best if I can just think back on how everything started between Kenshin and I, since maybe I could then find the origin of my attraction towards him. My stomach flips at that thought, but I ignore it. It all started ten years after I met Lord Shishio and when I went along by his side to become his apprentice. He and I met many other characters in which we then became the Juppongatana, or the Ten Swords if you want to be simple, and when I learned about why Shishio was burned and was left for dead many years ago. He wanted to take over Japan, perhaps from a fit of vengeance, and I understood where his pain was coming from, feeling betrayed by my own family who were supposed to be there for me. Shishio taught me that if you're strong, you'll live, and if you're weak, you'll die. Too many experiences have supported this argument, and I grew stronger from all of my training under his firm hand. It's because of him that I became strong from the weak little boy I used to be.

This is what happened.

I turned seventeen years old. It was the spring of 1878, and Shishio instructed me to slay Okubo Toshimichi, the legendary leader of the Ishin Shishi political activist group. I remember sitting in a tree to wait for him, enjoying the warm weather meanwhile. I remember how clear the skies were that day, and how I wished I could enjoy it in under less sinister circumstances. He was in a horse carriage, and I applied my shukuchi to catch up to him. Okubo was in the middle of talking to himself and he said: "If Himura does not go"

I open the side door of his horse carriage.

"This nation will collapse!"

"You sure worry a lot!"

Okubo turns to his side to see me coming into his view and I continue, "The future of this country is something you shouldn't worry about," I smile and added a chilling, "Especially since you are going to die!"

I grab the lower part of his face aggressively to hold him still, and I go on with my message: "I have a message from Mister Shishio. 'Smart guy, trying to send Himura the Battousai as an assassin is genius. But it is a futile effort because I'm going to take over this country regardless.',"

I take out from my belt a small knife and hold it up, "And that's all he had to say!"

I plunge the knife in between his eyes, killing him instantly. It was bloody but, well, it had to be done. After the deed was done, I hid up from up on a tree and let the carriage roll on for a couple feet away before it was stopped by this group of men who wanted to kill Okubo too. Stupid fools, I thought, and soon I watch as they open the side door to find a dead Toshimichi sliding right out, bloodied and eyes gone white. They didn't know what to do, until their leader proclaim to just lie and to say that they were the ones who did it. They all drove their knives into him, wanting to take home the glory of them doing it. You see what I'm saying? In the end, the flesh of the weak is food for the strong. I remember smirking as soon as they all walked away and a crowd draws into the crime scene about an hour later.

I am in the sea of strangers, all of them shocked and horrified to find him slaughtered, and all the while, I felt nothing at all. That is, until I see from the corner of my eye, the man they call Kenshin Himura of the Battousai walking in between the people to get a closer look. He appeared so shocked from seeing his friend sprawled out like that, and I watch him. Shishio told me to find this man, a man with long red hair and an x shaped scar on his left cheek, carrying a reverse blade sword. I found him at last. I hear him whisper, "Secretary Okubo!" under his breath, and soon I am by his side and said:

"This is a warning. You better not stand against Master Shishio, not unless you want to end up like Okubo."

He turns around but I'm already walking on ahead, and he is unable to run after me without causing a scene. Smart man, that one is. My job here is done. I go back to my master in no time at all, and he already has another assignment for me: To gather a new ally for our group to fight against Kenshin Himura in the near future. I obeyed and with the help of a few fighters, we go to find this Aoshi Shinomori in a forest not too far from us. That man defeated all my men and I watch in secrecy, in awe of his techniques. The man is perfect! After he killed all of them, I come out of my hiding place and start clapping, complimenting on his strength. I tried to manipulate him into joining the Juppongatana, playing on his insecurities, and I walked away from him so that he can think about it some more. No need to push it anymore; I'll find him later on anyway. I go on to find my Lord Shishio and his companion Yumi Komagata enjoying what seemed to be a private picnic. I told him that the plan went well but that Aoshi seemed rather reluctant. Doesn't matter, Shishio said. He'll come around.

We found this hot spring resort and managed to get all of the people out of it and enslaved someplace else, just so Master Shishio can take advantage of its hot waters. We sent Senkaku to kill Mishima Ei'ichiro and his younger brother, though the latter did survive. We thought we could stop Himura through having him stay in the Shingetsu village, but the plans went into foil anyway. One of our men comes to beg for Lord Shishio's forgiveness while my master was taking his bath, saying that he and the other men will try all they can to find the Battousai.

"Please forgive me, Lord! H-Himura the Battousai entered the forest at a cliff in Hakone, and we lost sight of him!" Our spy seemed so deathly afraid of the wrath that is Makoto Shishio, bowing his head to the floor and everything, "We're searching his whereabouts with all of our man power, but please forgive me!"

"What should we do about this, Lord Shishio?" I chirp from where I stand, my master at the other side of the room enjoying his steam bath.

"I think I'll let it go this time. This is my first trip to the hot springs in six months, so I'm feeling pretty good. But hurry up and find the Battousai before I change my mind."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shishio!" The man sits up with a stupid grin on his face and I couldn't help but walk on over to where he's sitting with a callous smile.

"Well, isn't that good news!" I sit down and my tone suddenly changes to a more threatening one, "But if you ever make a mistake like that again, I won't be as forgiving as Lord Shishio."

"I won't, I promise." The man gulps.

I watch him as the heavy set man walks out of that room with a stunned look on his face and it's at that moment that another one of our spies come rushing in, "Mr. Seta!"

"It's busy around here today, what is it?"

"Actually.." The man leans over to whisper the following words: "Kenshin Himura and Hajime Saito are both heading this way!"

Inside my stomach, it does a flip and I smile, "I see."

I go up to the door that leads to the steaming bath room, "Lord Shishio? Master Shishio?"

"You're bothering me. What is it this time?" I hear his voice tinged with annoyance but he refrains himself from going ballistic on me. I fight the urge to giggle.

"A man with a cross shaped scar on his left cheek, and a police officer with a Japanese sword, are heading in our direction right now."

"I see. I was about to say hello to him, but he's come to me first. That's my predecessor, alright. Soujiro! Go ahead and greet them!"

I nod, "Alright."

"And ask Senkaku to get himself ready for battle."

"Well, there's no need for that, because Senkaku is always ready for battle."

Nighttime fell when they both finally arrived to our hot springs resort. I waited for them at the front gate for them, and it didn't take long until my eyes shift focus on the familiar red hair coming up from way ahead of me. They both stopped walking as soon as they see me coming out to greet them.

"I'm here to welcome Himura the Battousai and Mister Hajime Saito!"

They both watch me carefully, but I only had to smile and laugh under my breath at their suspicious glances. Kenshin especially has his eyes intensely fixed on me, as if trying to figure something out about me. Fool. He won't know anything as long as I keep this smile on.

"Don't drop your guard, Saito." Kenshin warns the policeman next to him, "This is the young man who killed Mr. Okubo."

"Please don't worry! My reason's for being here is to be your guide," I outstretch my arms to prove that I'm not carrying anything on me, "As you can see, I don't have any weapons today."

They almost looked like they don't buy it, which honestly made me laugh. Calm down, Soujiro. I regain my composure and continue: "Mr. Shishio is waiting for you two in the back room. Please follow me."

I try to ignore the intensity of Himura's eyes on me, his eyes not wavering and are instead zeroing right at my face. Perhaps he doesn't trust me. But then, shouldn't my lack of weaponry be able to calm him down? He doesn't move a hair and continues to gape at me and my stomach flips again like it did earlier. I hear his friend telling him that caution will only delay everyone and to just come with me. The three of us venture inside the hot springs dojo and head inside a large room where Shishio and Yumi reside in, waiting for us to arrive. As long as our swords are with us and there are guards outside, Kenshin is no match to all of us.

"I believe you're.." Kenshin seems to think carefully with his words, "Makoto Shishio, are you not?"

Shishio scoffs and replies, "You could have at least call me Mr. Shishio. What a rude predecessor you are."

"Think nothing of it. Rudeness is a trait we all share." Kenshin responds head on to Shishio's blunt attempt to offend him.

I turn my head towards Hajime as soon as he starts talking, "Hey, don't you think you ought to be doing more than just standing there like that? The old Battousai would've hopped over there and gotten a slice of Shishio already."

I jump to his defense, "Don't be so hard on him. Unlike you, Mr. Himura would never, ever think of doing something so underhanded and sneaky."

I giggle at him, knowing I cut right into his small vices, but he smirks at me anyway, impressed with my cutting statement. See, I'm not just a cute face like he would have thought, and I would hate to see Himura hurt so soon before I could see some of his amazing moves. Plus, I don't feel like seeing too much blood tonight for some reason.

"What's your reason for taking this village?" Kenshin inquires, "Although I'm certain that what you're after is the entire nation of Japan, not just one or two small towns."

Shishio takes a moment to compile his sarcastic answer: "The hot springs!"

We all don't say anything and something tells me that he's just saying that to provoke Kenshin. It's smart, but for some reason, I don't find this funny at all. Shishio continues to explain his answer.

"The hot water that comes out of these springs does wonders to soothe this burnt skin of mine. But if the people who normally come here for the springs were to see me, they'd be scared. So I took over this place for my personal use."

That did it. Kenshin starts to seethe from where he stands, "You mean to tell me that you enslaved this entire village for such a petty reason?"

I see Yumi starts to laugh to herself over Kenshin's passionate outburst and Shishio starts laughing along with her, "I was only joking about that. The rumors were right about you being too serious for your own good."

"He's taunting you, Battousai," Hajime reminds Kenshin, "Don't let it get to you like a certain someone we know."

Hmm. I wonder who they could be talking about?

"I needed this town as a base of operations where I could plan to take over the Tokai area," Shishio grins wider, "But I'll have to admit, I do like the hot springs!"

"Shishio!" Kenshin growls and takes a step forward only to be stopped by his friend.

"Keep your mouth shut, Battousai." Hajime instructs him with his firm hand on the redhead's shoulder, "So you were planning to use this village, as your headquarters to seek revenge upon the Meiji government."

"The leader of the third squad Shinsegumi, Mr. Hajime Saito." Shishio closes his eyes, "I had hoped that you of all people would understand me since you're more similar to me than my predecessor now. But I guess I was wrong."

"Elaborate." Hajime inquires.

"Ten years ago, after I took over the Battousai's position as the manslayer in the shadows.." From there, it became a blur to me because for one reason or another, my eyes wouldn't tear themselves away from looking at Kenshin Himura. I've never seen the likes of him before, with long red hair and those lavender eyes of his. Not to mention, I've never met a man who is so serene and otherwise non-threatening despite his bloody past as the Battousai. I've heard tales of pure horror about this man, but if I were to pass by him in the street, I wouldn't have ever picked up on that myself. And I'm someone who can see right through people most of the time. There's just something about him that I can't put my finger on, though. Something about him that I just know that if I were to find out, it would destroy me.

Destroy me. Where did that even come from? I snap out of it and look on ahead to see that Shishio ended his story with a funny quip, "And no matter what happens to a man, women will always find him attractive.. if he has power."

I nodded soundly, agreeing wholeheartedly.

"If that's all you had to say, then why don't you shut up and spare us this dribble? I can't believe we wasted so much time traveling all across Japan just to hear this!" Hajime retorts.

"You, my predecessor, and I, are all men who lived through the Revolution, aren't we? So why is it," Shishio exhales some smoke from his pipe before continuing, "That you can't seem to understand how I feel? Defending the Shogunates Power for promises of money and glory, that was what I used to fight for, but ultimatelyThe Revolution was simply chaos unleashed after waiting three-hundred years to occur. Those who defended the Shogunates, and those who were against it, both waved their flags in the name of justice. And they killed each other day after day during the bloody anarchy. If one was born in the midst of that carnage.. wouldn't they say that controlling the world is what a man's supposed to do?"

I start clapping at that amazing monologue.

"But what happened? I was nearly assassinated. And when I left the shadows after tending my injuries, the chaos was gone and something called the Meiji Government replaced it. However, it's a weak little government that can't even dispose me, one single man. I can't allow a government like that to rule this country. And so!" Shishio breaks his smoking pipe with his fist, scaring Yumi, "If the era of chaos is over, then I'll bring new chaos to take its place. I'll cease control over this country; The new Japan will become stronger under my leadership! That's the justice that will guide me and my noble cause!"

"But," Kenshin begins with a serious look on his face, "The blood that will be shed in the name of that justice will not be yours. That blood will belong to people who have been living their lives peacefully in this era."

"Life is merely a game where the fittest survives, but it doesn't seem that my predecessor believes that anymore."

"Makoto Shishio," Kenshin flicks his sword from its sheath just an inch, "If you think I'll allow anymore blood shed, simply for your twisted definition of justice, you're wrong!"

"Do you feel the same way, Mr. Saito?" I ask my new friend next to me.

Hajime smirks and answers, "Well now, I'm not one for spouting ideals like the Battousai, I have to say that the direct approach attacking Shishio is more to my liking."

"I don't particularly care whether I fight you two or not. But if I have to, then I prefer to do it in the grand city of Kyoto. So if you really insist on fighting right now," Shishio leans over to tap the floor once, surprising Kenshin for what was about to come.

From underneath the ground, it explodes from the impact of one of the Juppongatana members flying through it to appear in front of my guests, "Then I, Senkaku, ruler of the Shingetsu Village, will be your opponent today!"

Senkaku is this very large man with overbearing muscles and a coarse appearance, bearing two blades as weapons on each of his hands. He almost looks to be trying too hard, if I had to be honest, and I couldn't help but laugh a little, "You're as imposing as ever, Mr. Senkaku!"

"Senkaku," Kenshin glowers, "Then you must be the man who ordered young Eiji's parents to be killed!"

Senkaku grins, "Hmm! So what if I was? What'choo gonna do?!" He lifts one arm to swing downward to where Kenshin stood, but the latter moves swiftly just in time to evade it. Senkaku, never the less, turns to his side just in time, "You're too slow!"

The large man drives his weaponized arm straight into Kenshin, knocking the walls behind the auburn haired swordsman, and my stomach drops. Is it over already?

"Oh my Gosh!" My eyes widen, "I didn't think it would end so quickly!"

"Looks like Himura the Battousai was nothing at all!" Senkaku smiles wider, proud of himself. But then

"I made a promise to Eiji, that I did." Kenshin simply states, confusing the threatening giant, and it turns out that Kenshin had used his sword just in time to stop Senkaku's weapon from driving into his midsection, blocking it entirely. I couldn't help but smile.

"What?!" Senkaku growls.

"Oh!" I gasp.

"I plan to defeat you, in front of Shishio!" Kenshin announces.

"What a laugh!" Senkaku bellows, "You're going to defeat me?"

The walls behind Kenshin fall apart finally, and with a dark glare, he responds with a husky, "Yeah."

I bite my lower lip for some reason.

"Interesting! But let me warn you that I've sliced and diced ninety-nine people so far!" Senkaku says, trying to prop up his own strength for show, "My next victim will make one hundred!"

He pulls his weapon from out of Kenshin's sword, and he swings all the while screaming, "And it's gonna be you!"

Kenshin jumps out of the way in time and gets behind Senkaku. Hajime Saito makes a comment of being impressed by Senkaku's number. Senkaku does his battle cry before coming after Himura, hitting the ground floor with all of his strength to try and catch the swift swordsman. Kenshin manages to pass all of them without a single scratch.

"Oh!" I gasp in surprise, thoroughly entertained by his graceful movements.

Kenshin suddenly disappears behind Senkaku with his God-like speed, but Senkaku turns around quickly, "I see you!" swinging his arm towards Kenshin's head, but he disappears again. He once again, stands behind Senkaku. What is he doing? What is he trying to do? Never the less, I am supremely impressed.

"Oh.." I gasp again, feeling strangely giddy over this.

"Hey!" Senkaku suddenly yells out to taunt him, "Is the great Battousai the manslayer too chicken to do anything else besides running behind people's backs and hide from them? Cause in that case"

Senkaku also disappears and reappears behind Kenshin, "Then I can play that game, too!"

Kenshin pauses before simply turning around to look over his shoulder at his opponent. Senkaku continues, "I'm as fast as you! I got something you don't, and that's the power that comes from my size! And these two blades were designed to help me take full advantage of my speed and power!"

Senkaku can be such a loud idiot, I swear. Anymore of his screaming and I'll need to lie down. Never the less, I stay to watch the battle as Senkaku once again tries to slam down his double blades to the ground in the hopes of catching Kenshin, to no avail. Kenshin stops in his track, making Senkaku having to turn around completely in order to face him. What's Kenshin doing? Senkaku repeats the same actions, and so does Kenshin. Again and again.

Senkaku soon becomes irritated and insults Kenshin over running around like a little chicken and to just fight him head on.

"Mr. Himura seems to be having a hard time," I tell the policeman next to me, "He hasn't even had the chance to attack once, so don't you think he can use a little helping hand?"

Why I am helping Himura, I have no idea.

"No way, I have absolutely no intentions of drawing my sword to fight the likes of Senkaku. Take a look. He had a smirk on his face up until a few minutes ago," Mr. Saito says, pointing out to Shishio, "But ever since the battle started, he's been like that. He's concentrating and observing each and every attack his opponent possesses. But he can't find any weaknesses. I'm positive that the Battousai sees that as well. That's why he hasn't attacked yet; And he's waiting for his opponent to breakdown."

"Breakdown?" I implore.

Kenshin disappears and reappears behind Senkaku, making the latter cry out in frustration, "Would you quit, running around!"

And that's when I heard it. A snap. Senkaku breaks his entire leg and he screams out in deep pain. He falls with a large thud, and I am left in shock, as did Shishio and Yumi. Senkaku is shivering on the floor when I hear him cry, "It's, it's my leg, it's broken!"

"It's because you kept moving at that pace without slowing down. This is the result of the stress you put on your body, and finally going over its limit."

"Shut up!" Senkaku retaliates, "You were moving at the same speed I was! And there's no way that my strong body couldn't be suspended before your scrawny one did!"

"You were moving the same. But there was naturally more stress put on your body than mines since you're much heavier than I."

"I-Impossible!" Senkaku's eyes looks like they were about to pop out of his skull, "Nothing's like this has ever happened to me before! How can my body go over its limit just by moving as fast as you were?!"

"You pathetic fool, haven't you figured it out yet?" Hajime cuts in.

"What are you trying to say?!" Senkaku yells at Mr. Saito and I watch the policeman as he speaks.

"Let me explain it to you. The Battousai was gradually speeding up anytime he circled around you. You believed you were as fast as him, so you matched your pace to his. You didn't notice the changes in speed, so you fell for it. You did this to yourself!"

Senkaku makes a pained cry at the realization of his own stupidity.

Hajime smirks, "Hmph! You said you killed ninety-nine people, didn't you? Number one-hundred is going to be you, so it's a happy ending."

"Wow," I had to gasp and look towards Kenshin, "I guess you two put a lot of thought into your battles, don't you?"

Senkaku hears Kenshin coming closer to him and he looks up at the Battousai, the latter appearing fierce and intimidating. Suddenly, Senkaku starts to break down a little, "It was all a lie, Battousai, I swear! I didn't do it, I was just kidding when I said I killed ninety-nine people!"

"Never the less, the one who killed Eiji's parents," Kenshin's glare deepens and his voice sounds guttural, "Was undeniably you!"

Senkaku has never looked more afraid for his life, and then I hear Shishio sing out his name, making the large man turn towards him in fear, "To tell you the truth, I never actually believed that you were capable of defeating the Battousai. But if you lose like this without even forcing the Battousai to show me even one single move, then mark my words well.. I will kill you personally!"

Senkaku does exactly what Shishio said and leaps up towards the Battousai despite his broken leg. It is then that Kenshin is able to show us a signature move: The Hiten Misurugi style Ryu Sho Sen, thrusting his reverse blade upwards and underneath Senkaku's chin. He uses the reverse side of his blade, though, to prevent any carvings from happening, but the strong impact is enough to knock the giant out of consciousness. It's the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed in my short life.

"Tch!" Hajime Saito scoffs, "I can't believe that you were merciful with a fool like Senkaku. Your mercy will cost you your life one day!"

"I don't particularly mind," Kenshin turns to Shishio's general direction, "Shishio is my successor; I can afford to be generous with him!"

My stomach leaps and I couldn't help but compliment Kenshin, "Wow! Mr. Himura is amazing!"

Kenshin positions his sword to do a battle stance, my lord and master looking at him with an expression that I've never seen before. It's like he knows that he shouldn't fight with Kenshin right now in this state, lest he wants to be defeated, which I'll never forget the first hairline crack of my inner moral code of survival of the fittest: If you're strong, you'll live, and if you're weak, you'll die. So why isn't Shishio leaping up to the first opportunity to fight Himura? What is he waiting for?

"Makoto Shishio," I hear Kenshin announce, ".. Pick up your sword!"

(To be continued)