Love, Lies and Empire Chapter 10: The Siege II, a rurouni kenshin fanfic

Summary: When two warring kingdoms clash, it is up to the heirs, Kenshin and Kaoru to bring peace to a devastated land, but can they set aside their own differences or will the desire to defeat each other spur the war on. KK, AM, SM.

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creative work of the inimitable Watsuki Nobuhiro. He owns all the characters in this story but the events and their telling belongs solely to me. Therefore, any bouquets or brickbats (hope not) can be addressed to me.

Rating: T for violence, swords, knives, and adult situations in later chapters.

Hello everyone! Dodges the rotten tomatoes

Please excuse me for not updating for so long. But hey! Don't blame me. Blame the real world, blame work, the dusty bank, blame the boyfriend, blame coffee and cream, and blame Madhuri Dixit. Blame music, blame shopping and…….you get my point?

Hope you like this chapter!!

Thank you List!!

Sweet Miyu,

lazyreader,

Cutepuff – Awww, that's such a cute story.

Whit195,

swordofheaven,

happyloveygirl,

Flowergirl,

Falkeness,

sakura,

skenshingumi,

ELLIE31773,

jasmineblossom625,

mangagirl234,

Illeterate,

antica,

reitamoeshi,

icy,

Kaori-angel,

alwyzme,

miniwoo,

iluvchocs,

anime.fushigi,

sulou,

Ellav31,

Leigh4,

EmbersofAmber,

flaming-amber,

MikaylaMae,

rawr,

keniichi,

kenshinorio,

Rosabella,

StoryJunky,

Lady Madison,

cleoclaudia,

JadePhoenix,

AceRaptor,

Gabyhyatt

Impashence

Hope I haven't forgotten anyone……

Love, Lies and Empire

The Siege – II

I watched as the flower was crushed,

Under the stone wheel of the cannon,

I stared as blood flowed and seeped into the earth,

I screamed when my eyes would cry no more,

And my throat was hoarse.

I bled and the land bled with me,

The hands that stole our lives, stole our memories too.

We are lost and homeless,

Our fields cut up and given to our enemies,

But we will return and snatch them back,

The green fields whose souls are tied to ours,

We will return,

When the blood of the dead shall rise with the earth

The red earth will fly on the wind,

It will touch the fields and the land where it once ran.

The voices of the earth will cry one by one,

"I am here, I am here,

I exist, I love, and I dance,

I am free."

(krystalMage)

Water rose through the solid beams of bamboo and splashed against Kaoru's face. She didn't stir. Her limbs rested heavily on the bamboo beams and she remained dead to the world beyond her shut eyelids. The raft moved rapidly along the flow of the river. But with nobody to steer it carefully, it drifted too close to the riverbank, a circumstance Saitou would have wanted to avoid at any cost. The sole passenger of the raft was however, oblivious to this. She lay still, lost in dreams of anger and indignation. The course of the raft was uncertain; it floated on whim of the stream. Faster and faster, it raced down the swirling track of the river. It skidded along the surface of the large boulders that jutted out of the water, upsetting the flow of the river. And then, suddenly, it dipped and tipped over. The pallid girl resting on the raft rolled into the water.

Seconds later, a head burst out of the icy water, swallowing and gasping for air. Kaoru splashed about in confusion and fear. Her head bobbed in and out of the water as she tried to swim to the riverbank. Her hands rose above the level of the water; as though she were trying to find something solid to hold onto in the air. She kicked and thrashed about but to no purpose. The stream was moving too fast to try to cross. She tried to grab the roots growing out of the bank but her hands slipped, and she slid further down the stream. She slammed into a wall of rock. The blow should have cracked her spine but by some providential chance she escaped that dreadful fate. The thick moss that stuck to its surface shielded her from grave injury. Her shoulder rang with pain. The pain, more than anything else, opened her eyes and forced her to become ready to act.

She knew she had to get out of the water, and fast. The flow was too swift and the temperature too low for her to survive in. She shook herself free of the rock and floated along with the water, further down the bank. Her head disappeared under the water but she surfaced once more; and this time she latched on to the reeds and grass growing on the bank. She clutched them tightly. She breathed heavily, trying to grip the reeds higher. She looked around but saw nothing and nobody that could help her. The water rushed around her.

Kaoru shut her eyes and felt the pull of the water trying to suck her into the stream again. She resisted. She pulled at the grass. The muscles of her arms clenched as she strained herself to pull away from the water. She began to tremble as the strain of holding on to the grass sent tremors through her upper body. Her strength failed, and she jerked back, her hands almost letting go of the foliage that held her to the bank. Panic and fear swelled up inside her heart. Terrified of the watery grave that awaited her, she found herself pushing her body up and out of the water.

The reeds began to give way. Desperately, she scrambled onto the bank, digging her nails into the ground. She pushed at the earth, grabbing handfuls of dirt and grass, pulling herself higher and letting go. She sputtered, trying to expel the water that was trying to escape down her windpipe. She retched and coughed violently. Tears squeezed out of her eyes and she gasped repeatedly. She laid her head down on the ground, her limbs collapsed soon after. She heaved as her breathing slowly returned to normal. She turned and lay on her back, facing skyward.

Her wet hair stuck to her scalp, a few locks were plastered across her face. She swept them off her face with her fingers and tucked them behind her ears. She shivered. Her clothes were stuck to her skin and the cold wind increased her discomfort.

Far into the night, she could hear the noise of the fighting, but very faintly. The slam of the battering ram, the crashing of shields and swords were drowned out by the fervent sounds of the forest and the river. The water rushed past, exclaiming its surprise at her survival in thousands of voices. The trees seemed to have grown closer, fitting against each other snugly to tower over her. She took in her surroundings confusedly. The forest that lay beyond the river bank was completely unfamiliar to her. Furthermore, the night had changed the face of the forest completely. The trees and undergrowth that would have looked welcoming and beautiful in the light of day appeared sinister and cruel.

For the first time in her life, Kaoru felt the cold stab of loneliness. She was alone, truly alone and she did not have any idea of her whereabouts. Fear gripped her heart, a cold wave of nausea rushed over her. She took a deep breath.

She tried to sit up, pushing into the ground with both her arms. Her arms shook with the strain and collapsed soon after. She lay quietly on the ground, watching, listening to the sounds of the forest around her. She looked up at the sky. The stars wheeled around in the heavens. She wiped her tears quietly and thought about everything that had happened in the past few hours. She had been abruptly sent away form her home and she had been sent alone; there was something else at work that she had not been aware of. Her father and her uncle were not the sort of men who panicked easily. If she had been sent away from the citadel during the fighting, it meant that there had been certain danger for her life in Kansan. Danger that they could not, or would not overlook and trust to chance.

Perhaps it was the fact that she had just fought for her life in the river with everything she had and won, perhaps it was her inherent trust in her guardians, or perhaps it was the moment when Kaoru truly assumed the importance of her station, not only in name but also in deed, that she did not sink into hysterics. She had learnt the value of life. The acrid taste of death still lingered in her mouth and nose. The cruel water of the river had taught her a lesson no dojo or meeting room could teach. Life was precious; she understood the meaning of it. She had been sent away so that she could live. She did not grudge the highhandedness of her kinsmen for doing so. Her life, her existence was important to them. They had merely sought to protect what was precious to them. They had sent her out of the sphere of danger to a place where she could fend for herself, for as long as she needed to.

Kaoru buried a sneeze in her hands. She gently wiped her nose on her sleeve. The dryness in her throat niggled at her mind. She remembered the water skin tied to her leg. She pushed herself up. She slowly crawled higher up the bank to where the forest began. She swept the ground in front of her carefully, pushing away at stones, pebbles and small sticks, making sure she didn't land on a twig or dry leaf. The last thing she wanted to do right now was to alert someone to her presence.

She finally crawled away from the bank and reached the line of trees closest to her. Leaning against a tree, she stretched her leg out and meticulously began to unravel the string tying the water skin to her leg. She brought it to her lips and drank a mouthful of water. It slid down her parched throat, soothing her muscles. She gulped down another mouthful and tied the water skin once more to her leg. She decided to take stock of her situation. Looking around, she could not observe any soldiers.

She sat up and slowly peeked out from behind the tree. Nothing. There was a gentle breeze blowing, but apart from the rustle of the leaves on the trees, she could hear nothing else. She stood shakily. She stepped out of the shadow of the tree, and stopped. There was a crackling sound from one of the bushes. She spun to the left. An archer stood watching her calmly with an arrow poised on the bow. Kaoru froze.

She had no weapons save the dagger Tae had given her before she left the palace, but a dagger was no help against an arrow, and there was no question of dodging it at such short range. The archer would have to be a complete imbecile to miss a target when she stood not ten paces from him. Her blood seemed to run cold in her veins. She took a step back. The archer advanced. She calculated the time it would take her to pull the dagger out from the binding on her thigh. Her heart sank; even if she were to use it, she would be shot dead by the time she threw the dagger towards him.

He raised his bow and drew the string back tautly. Her heart thumped. She could feel her pulse race and hear the rush of her blood in her veins. Every fibre of her being protested against it. This was not the death she wanted! Her life couldn't be ending this way, so uselessly.

A twig snapped and she heard the call of a cicada. The archer stopped in his tracks and looked behind her. She heard a branch creak. She glanced at the archer questioningly but he seemed to be focussed on a spot behind her. She slowly turned her face back. A figure rose from the ground and stepped up lightly in front of Kaoru. Kaoru pulled her dagger out and slid back into the shadows once more. She was about to charge forward and plunge the blade in his shoulder when he stepped forward. The light of the moon fell across his face.

She swallowed a breath and set her lips in a grim line. It was not a face that was unfamiliar to her. Straight black hair framed a face that was as handsome as it was humorous. His lips curved into a smile to reveal a line of glistening teeth.

"Forgive me for not being here sooner Your Highness. I'm afraid you surprised us. We were expecting you to alight further downstream. "

"Is that so, Captain?" She responded testily.

"Captain Katsu at your service, your Highness." He bowed gallantly.

"What is the meaning of this, Captain?" Her voice was wry. Her fear had dissolved and was swiftly turning into irritation once more.

"It's very simple, your Highness, we're the rearguard, and along with our duty to guard the river, we were also given the responsibility of ensuring you weren't captured or swept away by the river."

She stared at him as though he'd grown two heads. "Well, forgive me if I am wrong Captain, but I think I handled the task of rescuing myself just fine. Which is more than I can say for you. " She slid the dagger back in its sheath and began to tie it to her belt.

Katsu's face fell. "You are being unnecessarily bitter your Highness. I assure you, I would not have let you drift any further."

Kaoru rolled her eyes and almost threw the dagger away in frustration. "I suppose that's why you were expecting me to drag myself out further down stream, is that it?"

Katsu opened his mouth to offer another explanation but Kaoru cut him off. She raised her hand regally, effectively telling him to hold his peace. She looked around once more.

"Rearguard, you say? How many men do you have Captain? And what are your orders?"

Katsu straightened his shoulders. "I have twenty men with me here. Twenty-one including you. The general wanted to be sure that none of the enemy find the river."

Kaoru nodded slowly. The river was essential to the defence of the citadel. It was their source of water and supplies. Few people outside the imperial palace knew about it. It was a narrow and treacherous route of water that changed its course with every season, which was a reason why it had never been mapped. The kings of Konan had discovered that keeping the river secret was most conducive to their defensive strategies. The enemy had no way of knowing that such a river existed. It flowed through a canal underneath the royal palace, more of an ornamental body of water than anything else. It was secret and it was safe. No doubt Kamatari intended it to remain secret and safe.

Katsu continued. "We've been stationed here since the battle began."

She stared back at him in amazement. "What? How long were you supposed to stay here, guarding the river? We need men at the city, not here! Nobody even knows about the river. People are dying in the city! Not just soldiers, but citizens as well, and the men need reinforcements and despite all this, you've been stationed here? Here, of all places?"

"Those were our orders." Katsu replied grimly.

Her only response was to shake her head. "Katsu, we need to go back to Kansan. They desperately need help there. You can imagine how bad the fight is going for us just by the fact that I'm standing here in front of you. Do you really think Taro would send me away if there was even the slightest chance that we were doing well?"

Katsu studied her face carefully before he turned to the archer. "Back to positions. Stay alert."

Kaoru stared at him incredulously. "Katsu! Captain, I am telling you we need to go back!"

He didn't answer.

"Captain, are you even listening to me? I'm telling you something here! Katsu!"

He began to walk back to where he had come from. Kaoru followed closely at his heels. She tugged insistently at his sleeve when he continued to ignore her.

"Katsu! Why aren't you listening to me?"

"Because I have received my orders. And my orders are to stay here and make sure the river is not found. Does that make it clear to you, your Highness?"

"Yes! It makes it clear that you're going to sit here and wait for an enemy who won't even show instead of going back and helping out your friends at the city who might be dying! But no, we are going to stay here and rot because you can't see anything beyond your orders!" Kaoru retorted back in indignation.

"You don't understand. There's a good reason we're here." Katsu's voice dropped.

"Oh? That's strange, because that's not how it looks to me. We are wasting our time here! We should be there, helping with the fighting, not here, sitting around doing nothing!"

Katsu slowly exhaled. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Now for the last time, we will stay here and finish the job General Kamatari gave us. And please, your Highness, there won't be any arguing about it."

"There will be arguing about it. I've never heard of something so silly. I refuse to be a part of this. We have to go back Katsu! Why don't you understand?"

Katsu frowned. A nerve near his eyebrow twitched dangerously. "Your Highness, I will say this once and only once and I will expect you to understand and accept it. Please do not interfere. The general knew what he was doing when he posted us here. We are the last vestige of hope for everyone in that city. When the city falls, they will need safe passage out of it and we are the ones responsible for providing that. Now, if you can be of any assistance and man a post, do let me know. However, if you still believe we are not doing everything we can to help those inside the city then you may very well sit and sulk in a corner or at the very least, keep out of our way."

The silence that stretched between them was extremely uncomfortable. Neither of them spoke for a few moments. Katsu rested his hand against a tree and Kaoru stared out into the night. She was annoyed, to say the least. Katsu glanced at her, and then turned to leave when he didn't get any response from her.

Kaoru glared back at him. She was about to give a free rein to her anger and launch a verbal tirade at him when she realized that he was only doing his duty. He had been given certain orders and he had to carry them out. Asking him to disobey them and go back to the city was not appropriate by any yardstick. She had to accept that. She bit back a retort and instead took a deep breath and grasped his elbow tightly as he turned away. "I will need a bow and a quiver, Captain."

Katsu looked at her in surprise. He hadn't expected her to stand down so soon in the argument. If he knew anything about Kaoru, it was that she was not one to let sleeping dogs lie. Her stubborn streak simply didn't allow that. He looked at her once more. Was there something he had missed? Kaoru did not appear disgruntled, or irritated. She just stood there, waiting for him to arm her and tell her what to do next. Something had changed in her. Her childish habit of being contrary and obstinate about everything seemed to have worn off.

He nodded and gestured her to remain where she was. He disappeared into the forest and reappeared a few moments later. In his hands, he held a bow and a quiver. He silently handed them over to her and pointed in the direction where she was to stand guard. As she turned to go, he placed a hand on her shoulder and stopped her.

"This bow was given to me by General Kamatari. He told me to give it to you when you reached here. He made it for you, especially for this day."

She looked up at him. There nothing but sympathy and understanding in his eyes. Kaoru bent her head and slowly walked away to a spot before a bamboo grove where she was to await further instructions. She crouched down near a tree and placed the bow carefully on her knees. She stroked it lovingly. It was beautiful. The wood gleamed softly in the light of the moon. She felt ashamed of herself for doubting Taro. He hadn't thought that she was weak. All the time he had spent helping her during her training hadn't been a lie. In his own crafty way he had made sure that she had an opportunity to help her people. She was not afraid of war or of danger. But the principles of her sword school were such that she could not bring herself to end the life of another human being.

She would not kill, not ever, not for anything. Taro had known that and so he had sent her away so that she would not have to face that decision. He didn't want her to be in a situation where she would have to choose between killing an enemy to save someone she loved. It would be a decision that would torment her forever, no matter what the justification.

She gazed tenderly at the bow, appreciating the hours Taro had put into it, the thought with which he had sent it to her and the manner in which it had made its way to her. She gripped it resolutely. The quiver had a leather strap that could be wound around her chest and right shoulder. It had a buckle that strapped it in place. She nimbly worked the leather strap around her body and buckled it in place. She drew an arrow and held it to the bowstring. She looked to her right and saw a soldier perched precariously among the branches of a tree fifteen paces away from her. He was watching her. She nodded and lifted the bow slightly to show him that she was ready. He nodded back in acknowledgement.

She looked to her left. Katsu knelt on the ground, his palm was pressed flat against the ground and his eyes were narrowed in concentration. She nudged him with the toe of her boot, getting his attention. He looked up.

"Now what? How long do we wait here?" She whispered.

"As long as we must."

The gate to the palace had collapsed. He stood upon its remains, faced with an enemy whose determined eyes belied his delicate face and slight frame.

He feigned disinterest and boredom as he looked at him. "I don't fight children. You're in my way."

"I'm sorry. You have to get past me first."

He narrowed his eyes. The boy made no move to strike. He was left with no choice. Kenshin slipped back into position. The only position he could use at this point. Battojutsu.

Beyond this boy, I will find victory. And her.

Kenshin narrowed his eyes to take a better look at the boy who was standing in his path. It was the same boy who had apprehended him and Hannya at the teashop when they had first arrived at Konan. The boy who betrayed no emotions. The only person in the whole city whose ki he couldn't even detect, let alone read. Kenshin allowed himself a miniscule smile. His first real opponent was turning out to be quite the enigma. How interesting. Behind him, hundreds of Kutoe soldiers had already begun to rush inside the gates and run towards the palace. He cursed under his breath. He had to get to the palace before anyone else. Even though he doubted any of them would get very far, he wasn't willing to risk it.

There was a very important reason he needed to be there before anyone else. The girl in the palanquin, the girl who had stolen his peace for the past one week was at the palace. He couldn't allow his weakness to end up in someone else's hands. That would become inconvenient, very inconvenient. He didn't believe in senseless violence and bloodshed without cause, however if she happened to be found by someone other than himself, he was afraid he might do something quite rash and unsavoury in anger.

Soujirou took a step forward. The swordsman seemed to be lost in his own thoughts and seemed not to notice him. He had an air of disdain and unconcern about him. He advanced one more step. The swordsman broke out of his reverie immediately. He sheathed his sword in a flash and stood ready. Soujirou stopped.

Kenshin called out to him. "You know, I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of fighting you. You're a little more than a child."

"There's no need to worry about that. My skills will more than make up for my age."

"Is that so? Confidence is a very becoming quality. I congratulate you for possessing it."

"I will not be distracted by your senseless prattle. You seem to be an able warrior, but I am now beginning to doubt your capability. Why don't you let your sword do the talking?"

"So eager for bloodshed? How barbaric."

"Enough! If you won't make a move, then I will!" Soujirou shouted out.

Soujirou drew his sword halfway out of his sheath and shot forward towards the swordsman. Kenshin opened his eyes wide in disbelief. He couldn't even see the boy. All he knew was that he was speeding towards him. Purely by instinct, he pulled his sword out of the sheath and swung a wide arc out in front of him. The blade of his sword sang loudly as it blocked the blow made by the boy. There was a flash as the blades reflected the light of the moon as they struck. Kenshin jumped back and assumed position once more but the boy had disappeared. He was nowhere to be seen.

Kenshin spun around. He held his sword up, once more blocking a blow by his opponent. In the very next instant, he felt a blade cut across his back. He spun again but this time his sword cut across only air. There was a line of blood scrawling across his back. Kenshin gripped the hilt of his sword and readied himself once more. There was a blur in front of him as the boy sped past again. He felt a cut on his thigh, another across his waist and yet another on his upper arm. He stumbled to one knee. He propped himself up by driving the point of his katana into the ground.

Kenshin stared at the ground in utter amazement. He could not comprehend what had just happened. The boy had not just managed to trick his eyes with his blinding speed but also managed to cut him in two crucial areas. He shook with anger. He cursed under his breath once more but this time, he blamed himself. He had made the silliest mistake a swordsman could make in battle. Underestimating an opponent he knew nothing about. He should have been careful; alerted by the fact that he could barely detect any ki from the boy.

His strategy with the sword relied on how well he could read the emotions of the man facing him. And this boy seemed to have such mastery over his emotions that apart from the barest simmer of anger he could detect nothing, absolutely nothing. If things continued like this, he would be in trouble, serious trouble. He had to find another way to fight him.

He rose to his feet. The wounds on his back, his arm and thigh stung him a little but it was a pain he could deal with easily. The wounds were shallow and would soon heal. He could withstand any amount of pain and wounds received in battle without a grimace. He pulled his sword out of the ground and slightly shook his head. The boy stood waiting, a triumphant half smile already gracing his features.

"I hope I haven't troubled you too much. I am just beginning to enjoy myself. You blocked my first blows quite effectively."

Kenshin jerked his sword slightly, ridding it of dirt. "Are you surprised?"

"Yes. I believe I shall have fun fighting you. I have no doubt that it will be interesting."

Kenshin smirked. "Fine words. You do realize that the fight has just begun haven't you? Wouldn't it be better to boast once you send me off to my resting place, if you can?"

"It would, if I had any doubt whether I am able to do so or not. But I have no doubts that I will defeat you. It's not the outcome of the battle that concerns me but the manner in which I send you back."

Kenshin smiled. The trick had worked. All he needed now was to keep the boy engaged in conversation for a while longer. The next time the boy struck would be the third time he saw the technique he used to attack. Three times was enough. He would know what to do.

"Is that so? Tell me, are all the officers in your army this boastful or is your king fortunate enough to have someone who likes to let his deeds talk for him?"

Soujirou bristled. "My deeds are more than enough for the likes of you. Brace yourself, here I come!"

Soujirou charged towards Kenshin. He seemed to disappear in thin air. Kenshin narrowed his eyes. He swung his sword upwards and blocked him. Soujirou's eyes widened. He jumped back and raced forward again, faster this time. Kenshin crouched low near the ground, waiting. Soujirou leaped forward once more, this time trying to strike from the right. Kenshin blocked him. He somersaulted and knelt, facing Soujirou.

Soujirou stared at him in incomprehension. He was beginning to anticipate where he would land. He was also matching his speed.

Kenshin inhaled slowly. Unbelievably, the boy had mastered a technique that allowed him to move even faster than the Hiten Mitsuryugi godlike speed. But, he still held the advantage. He had experience in battle, a vital quality the boy did not possess. The boy was sometimes distracted by the noise around them. He had cause to be concerned. He was affected by the sight of his comrades falling to their death even though he was involved in a serious fight himself.

As the fight progressed, Kenshin gradually gained the upper hand. The boy's frustration increased with every blow he blocked, with every attack he parried, every move he anticipated. As he landed a blow of his own, slashing through the boy's arm, Kenshin felt a dam break inside the boy. His tight rein over his emotions seemed to break and he cried out in anguish.

Soujirou knelt on the ground. He held a hand up to stem the blood flowing from his arm. Glowering at Kenshin, he gripped his sword hilt tightly. Kenshin straightened. A particularly loud crash drew his attention to the left side of the battlefield. Sanosuke stood poised on the battlement. He was making way for the soldiers to pass through to the Keep. His great sword fended off arrows and attacks from swordsmen. The zanbatou was not a weapon that can be easily mastered. It requires great strength and ingenuity. Since it is a very large and bulky weapon, the wielder must always think of new ways to use it so its vulnerabilities don't become a liability.

Sanosuke rammed the zanbatou into the wall and ran along the length of it. He pulled it out. Behind him, the great wall separating the outer perimeter of the palace from the inner courtyards leading into the palace fell. Great clouds of dust and rubble flew everywhere, the soldiers who were standing on the battlements cried out as huge boulders landed on them, trapping them inside. Sanosuke grinned. He spotted Kenshin standing nearby and made his way towards him. He was taken aback as he took in the gash spread across his friend's back. Startled, he looked forward, towards the person who had managed to injure Kenshin.

His mouth fell open at the sight of Soujirou. He glanced back at Kenshin, who stood very stiffly with his jaw tightened. Soujirou was silent. He had burst a blood vessel and could feel his arm beginning to go numb. Angrily he stood and slid into position. His eyes flamed and subtle waves of disquiet emanated from him.

"I should not have underestimated you. I have paid the price for that. I apologise. I will now fight you with everything I have."

Kenshin walked to a side. He held his sword at an angle and leaned forward.

"I think we both agree on that. Can you still fight though? Your arm looks bad. Perhaps you could let me pass and we can finish this some other time."

Soujirou shook his head. "I must really worry you if you have to resort to false sympathy to make me stand down."

Kenshin sighed dramatically. "You do me a grave injury by doubting my intentions. I have none but your best interests at heart."

"Indeed. Come, my lord, let's finish this. I grow weary of standing around talking while your minions tear down my city."

Kenshin smiled and sheathed his sword. He stood perfectly straight with his hand on the hilt. Soujirou slipped into position leaning forward, ready to pull his sword out to slice through his enemy. Sanosuke stepped back. The air seemed to be almost electric. He felt an unfamiliar dread as he stood there watching Kenshin face off with this strange boy. He had never seen Kenshin injured. Kenshin never got injured; his opponents were never fast enough to land a blow on him. Besides, the way he spoke to the boy was reason enough to know that Kenshin was taking this match seriously, that he believed his opponent to be a threat to him.

He backed away, even though he didn't want to, but there was work to be done. Kenshin could handle himself, but he still needed to carve a path into the heart of the city for the men behind him. Enishi was commanding the army on the west side of the city; he would soon be inside the palace and would need cover. Aoshi was somewhere ahead of them, already inside the palace. He also needed to be on his way.

He swung his zanbatou back onto his shoulder. Silently praying for his friends and comrades, he went back to attacking the wall.

Kenshin waited. He wanted the boy to make the first move. He relaxed and let his muscles hang loose for an instant before he coiled once more, ready to strike. Soujirou stood as still as a statue, watching his opponent. He had cut him at the waist, arm and thigh. The wounds were shallow but if he opened them again while giving him new ones; it would decide the match in his favour. He tapped his foot on the ground, getting ready to unleash his ultimate technique, the Shukuchi.

Kenshin narrowed his eyes as he recognised the motions. He was getting ready for that technique again! He braced himself and concentrated on the boy. He kept tapping his foot on the ground and then suddenly, he stopped, for one tiny second, he stopped and shifted his feet. This was it! Left! He was going to hit his left side again!

Kenshin raced forward. Both the swordsmen were like blurs against the backdrop of the fortress. Kenshin pulled his sword out of the sheath, the sword gleamed brightly, he stamped his foot onto the ground and leaped into the air just as Soujirou's sword cut across. The sword found nothing but empty air. Soujirou was stunned. He stared at the empty space where his enemy had stood just seconds ago. The air pounded in his ears. He turned his face upwards.

His mouth fell open and his eyes widened. The swordsman was sailing through the air, his arms held high above his head, his sword straight as a line. Soujirou could do nothing but watch as the sword came closer and closer. The blade would soon land on his throat. His arm froze and he closed his eyes.

There was a loud clang as metal met metal. The blow erupted in his senses; it seemed to fracture the air around it and send off waves that rippled through the courtyard. Soujirou opened his eyes once more, the swordsman was on his feet, and his blade was stopped by another sword merely an inch away from his throat. Soujirou turned his eyes to the side. Gripping the blade tightly with both hands, Okita crouched low on the ground, holding off his opponent's sword with his own.

Kenshin leaped back and steadied himself by placing a hand on the ground. He hissed in frustration. It would have been all over had he not interrupted. Kenshin frowned. It was him. Her fiancée. Okita Souji. His veins burned as he felt fury rise up within him. Of all the people to show up. He smirked. It seemed the gods were pleased with him since he was granted his wish to encounter this man this early in battle. His eyes smouldered. He bent his head. The tie on his hair snapped and broke off. When he raised his face again, his eyes were amber.

Okita exhaled. It had been close. Another second and Soujirou's head would have been severed from his body. He drew his sword back and stood. He turned towards Soujirou and grasped his shoulder. Shaking him slightly, he called out.

"Soujirou!"

Soujirou looked back at him. He seemed a little stunned. Okita didn't blame him. He'd never seen something like that himself. He was a bit shaken himself. He had no doubt that he had finally witnessed the legendary technique passed down from generations of Kutoe emperors – Hiten Mitsuryugi. This meant that this man was surely none other than the Crown Prince of Kutoe, the man who was also called Battousai.

He turned back to Soujirou. "Soujirou! Are you alright?"

Soujirou gathered himself together. His breathing returned to normal and he regained control of his senses. He nodded and sat up.

"I'm fine. I am very sorry and ashamed that you had to……"

"Don't be stupid. If it had been me, I would be just as stumped." He gripped Soujirou's uninjured arm and pulled him to his feet. They both turned. Their opponent was waiting for them. He held his sword comfortably in his hand, watching them.

"Have you had enough, or shall I continue?" He asked casually.

Okita bristled but chose to ignore his words. He lowered his voice. "Soujirou, you take the left, and I'll attack from the right." Soujirou nodded in assent. He moved away a few paces to the left. Kenshin watched him closely. Then he turned his attention to Okita who wore a grim expression on his face. The wind blew, gently sweeping the dust to and fro.

Okita turned his blade, flat side forward. Soujirou bent forward. In the next instant, both of them charged towards Kenshin. They swung their swords out towards him. He pivoted and stepped between them. They struck each other's swords. Soujirou swung to the left and brought his sword down hard on his shoulder. Kenshin blocked it with his armguard and with his free hand; he pulled out a shorter wakizashi from his belt and plunged it into Okita's leg. Okita jerked away, swinging his sword wildly at him. The blade cut across Kenshin's cheek. A short crimson line erupted on his face. Kenshin rammed the hilt of his sword face up into Okita's knee. He grabbed a handful of dust and flung it into his eyes. Okita stumbled backwards.

The three glared at each other, each panting heavily. Soujirou pulled a piece of cloth from his belt and swiftly tied it around his arm. Okita clamped his hands around the wound on his leg. The flesh was pierced roughly and he could see the white of his thighbone slightly. The blow to his knee had been severe, he could see blood pooling internally around his knee cap. Kenshin slid his finger along the cut on his face. He studied the blood on his fingers calmly. He raised his eyes to look at Okita.

"That wasn't very nice."

Okita snorted. "It looks quite fetching."

Kenshin laughed softly. "Not quite as fetching as you'll look with my sword running through your heart."

Okita tore a strip of cloth from his sleeve. Watching the Battousai intently, he wrapped the strip tightly around his leg. The strip turned bloody. He looked up.

"That is a dream you'll have to forget, Battousai."

"Has anyone ever told you it's a bad idea to be delusional?"

Okita stood. From the corner of his eye, he saw Soujirou sidling to the side, so that he stood behind the Battousai. This was their chance to strike together and finish him off. He had no doubt that Battousai was leading the army. With their principal warrior taken out, they would have to fall back, for a while at least.

He gripped his katana with both hands. The pain in his leg was staggering. He needed to withdraw and see a healer soon, or he wouldn't have a leg to fight with. He looked over Battousai's shoulder. His eyes met Soujirou's. Nodding in unison, both the swordsmen charged once more.

Kenshin frowned. He prepared to counter with an attack of his own but before he could make a move, the shadow of an enormous sword fell in front of him. Sanosuke held his zanbatou in front of him like a shield. Kenshin grinned. He pivoted and faced Soujirou. The loud clang of swords reverberated throughout the courtyard.

Sanosuke turned his face slightly. "Kenshin, you alright?"

"Nothing to worry about."

"Just checking." He smirked as his eyes fell on Okita who glared back at him. Sano propped his sword on his shoulder and turned to Kenshin.

"How about you let me handle these two for you?"

Kenshin shook his head. "No."

"Kenshin, you still have the king to fight. There's no point in getting exhausted even before you reach the palace. Let me help out."

Kenshin seemed pensive, as though he were struggling with himself. Sano nudged him towards the street to the palace. Kenshin looked at him questioningly. Sano jerked his head towards the palace and gestured for him to leave. Nodding tersely, he sheathed his sword, and began to walk towards the palace.

"Running away?" Okita called out behind him. Kenshin stopped. He turned to face him. Okita was taken aback by the dangerous hue of his eyes.

"I will finish this match when you're in a position to fight me. For now, you should take care of that leg." He spun on his heel and walked away. Okita tried to rush to him to stop him but was stopped by Sano's zanbatou.

Sano grinned. "Hey, I'm beginning to feel neglected here."

"What do you want?" Okita asked irritably.

Sano smiled, revealing a set of gleaming teeth. "Let's fight."

Enishi dug his heel slightly into the side of his horse. The proud stallion seemed to understand every nuance of his master's commands. He broke into a brisk trot and came to a halt at the crown of the hill where soldiers had positioned the cannons. One of them looked up now and spoke.

"We're ready, Commander."

Enishi nodded and pulled the reins gently. The stallion swung around to face the citadel once more. The fires were beginning to die away in the western quarter of the city but they were still raging wildly in the eastern and southern quarters where Aoshi and Kenshin had been stationed. Despite his annoyance with the crown prince, Enishi admired his prowess at exploiting the situation to his own advantage. Kenshin had asked for Sanosuke to be sent ahead, changing strategy completely. But it was a gamble that had paid off. The boundary walls were already weak because of the fires, and with Sanosuke on the rampage, it wouldn't be long before the palace was wide open to them.

That would be his cue to attack.

"Once we get the signal, you will lead the rest of the men in and follow your own counsel." Those were his orders from Takasugi.

There was a flash near the sentinel tower of the southern battlement. He narrowed his eyes; a banner was being raised on the flagstaff. It was the golden dragon of Kutoe, fluttering triumphantly from the sentinel tower. The city had all but fallen, only the palace remained. That was the signal! Kenshin had entered the palace. This was it!

Enishi turned to the cannons. "Fire!"

The thundering sound of the cannonball shooting out from the cannon drowned out every other noise. It sailed through the air and crashed into the perimeter wall of the city. The walls crumbled and toppled down. Enishi raised his sword and rallied his men to charge. They ran down the hill, their spears and swords thrust forward. Wave upon wave of soldiers entered the ravaged city. The cry of the battle horn wailed from every direction.

Aoshi knelt and gently held his water skin to Kamatari's lips. The injured man cracked one eye open and raised his eyebrow questioningly. Aoshi squirmed slightly under his gaze.

Kamatari smiled. "Are you sure it's alright for you to be offering sustenance to the enemy, my lord?"

Aoshi flinched inwardly. He remained silent. He reached behind Kamatari's head and helped him sit up. Once again, he held the water skin to Kamatari, desperately hoping that he would accept.

Kamatari stared at it for a long time before he reached forward and took it. He hungrily drank mouthful after mouthful of water. When he was finished, he wiped his face with his sleeve and handed the skin back to Aoshi. Aoshi took it without a word, and stood up.

"Now what happens? Are you going to clap me in irons and drag me back to Kutoe to be presented to your emperor?"

Aoshi looked out. The flag of Kutoe was fluttering high on the palace walls. There was rubble everywhere. The women, children and many of the courtiers had already fled the palace, disappearing from some secret passage that he hadn't even been aware of. Only a few people remained in the palace, one lay dying in front of him, another was waiting for a warrior strong enough to kill him in the innermost courtyard of the palace.

The struggle was over. There was nothing more left to fight for and nobody left to fight with. The city was theirs. The princess was nowhere to be found; Kenshin would be disappointed.

He leaned against the window, exhausted. The fight had been a long one, Kamatari was a tricky opponent. Despite being the weaker fighter amongst the two, he had still managed to trouble Aoshi to the point of making him use his trump card technique. It had taken a lot out of him.

Besides, he had desperately wished that he wouldn't be the one who would have to face Kamatari in battle. The simple reason being, he hadn't wanted to kill him.

"You will be treated with the utmost dignity, even as a prisoner."

Kamatari laughed uproariously. He laughed till his sides ached. Aoshi stared at him confusedly. Kamatari panted slightly as his laughter ebbed away. He stared at his feet.

"Dignity….there is no dignity in being a prisoner Aoshi. Dignity is very expensive, you see, only those that are free have dignity. A slave has no dignity, a prisoner has no dignity."

Aoshi cringed at the venomous timber of his words. He turned away. Kamatari slowly shuffled to his feet. He stood for a second before crumbling and falling face first in the rubble. Aoshi didn't turn. Kamatari pushed his hands into the floor, and slowly stood once more. Knees shaking, he made his way forward with jerky steps. He bent and picked up his sword. His fingers shook. He turned the blade towards himself, ready to plunge it into his flesh. Aoshi gripped the blade with his hand. Kamatari stared at him, a desperate plea burning in his eyes. Aoshi didn't loosen his grip on the blade. Kamatari placed the tip of the blade on his chest.

A faint sound distracted both of them. Aoshi looked out the window in confusion. It sounded like a strong wind, but there was nothing more than a calm breeze outside. The sound became louder. He realised what it was only when it came crashing through the wall. The cannonball landed on the floor with a wild thud. The floor creaked and caved in. Aoshi leaped and landed on the window sill. He stretched his hand out and caught Kamatari's arm.

The floor slid and crashed into the rubble beneath. Kamatari dangled precariously. He jerked at his arm. Aoshi held on steadfast.

He turned his eyes skyward. "Let me have my dignity Aoshi."

Aoshi's eyes widened. His arm shook. He remembered a sunny afternoon spent drinking sake and talking about horses. He loosened his grip and let Kamatari fall into the dark abyss below. The ceiling broke away as the barrage of cannon fire continued. It crashed into the hole.

"Farewell…my friend."

The last of the rafts had banked on the shore. The trail was decided and people were being led away south t safer districts till the fires of the war died out. Katsu breathed a sigh of relief. More people than they had counted upon had been saved. The plan had been successful. Apparently the enemy hadn't discovered the river till very late in the battle. The people of Konan were safe. It was time to move on and find them a new home.

Wearily, he made his way to where Kaoru was helping with the injured and thirsty. He marvelled at her strength. She had been tending to the sick and setting people off on the trails to the south for hours. But now, it was time to go.

"Your Highness, it's time to go."

Kaoru looked up. She wiped her hands. "I haven't heard from Taro or Da yet. And I don't even know where Okita is. I can't go yet."

Katsu sighed. "Your Highness, we can't wait for them here. We have to move on."

"No. I've been sent ahead once. I refuse to do so again."

"But Your Highness!"

Kaoru smiled. "Don't worry, I'll tell them I left you without a choice."

"They are not going to believe that in any circumstance."

"Oh I think they will, when they see you." She walked a little distance away. Casually, she picked up a crossbow lying on the ground. It's owner was being tended to.

Katsu frowned. He was about to ask what she meant when he felt a burning pain in his thigh. He looked down. An arrow was embedded in it. He looked incredulously at her again. She stood with the crossbow held up towards him.

She was already backing away into the forest. "I'm sorry Katsu. But this is something I have to do." She turned and ran.

"No! Your Highness! You can't! They'll….they'll hurt you, kill you! Your highness! Kaoru! Kaoru! KAORU!!!"

She was gone.

Kenshin pushed the door open. He peered inside. The courtyard felt like a furnace. Fires were burning at every corner. In the middle of that burning inferno, a solitary figure stood gazing up at the moon. He wore a loose kimono. A long sword rested at his hip. He had no shield, and wore no armguards.

Kenshin stood at the door, waiting to be noticed by the renegade king.

Shishio turned. His eyes seemed to tear through his mind and burn him. Kenshin narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.

"I have been waiting for you." Shishio stepped forward. "I hope you are not weak; that would put a dampener on my plans."

Kenshin smirked.

"You needn't fear. I'll give you a swift death."

"A swift death to you Battousai!" Shishio drew his sword and charged forward.

The glint of their blades shone brightly in the night, but there was no one present to see them. They crashed again and again into each other. The steel that danced through their flesh became coated with their blood. Every cut and blow seemed to be the last but still they tricked death and courted victory.

The night was engulfed in the cry of pain and conquest. Beneath the rubble of the palace, a limp figure tried to retain the breath of life. A commander celebrated his first war and passage to the bloody field of warriors live. And a young girl made her way back to her home, but she didn't know that race backwards would only turn distance back, not time. The lovely home she had left was now submerged in flames. Kaoru stood at the crown of the hills south of Kansan. The heart of the city was burning and the cries of triumph from those that burnt it rang wildly in the air.

She dropped to the ground. Her cries mingled with the wind and her screams with the screech of the vultures that whirled overhead.

Konan was dead.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Hello everyone! Dodges the rotten tomatoes once again

Anyways, I know it was a really long chapter. I hope none of you got too tired reading. This happens to be my favourite chapter. Well, each chapter is my favourite when I write it.

I know I said I would have almost everyone fighting in this chappie but if I actually did that, this chapter would have been even longer and I really want to get on with the story, so I truncated almost all the fights.

However I will include them in the drabbles. Personally I like writing fight scenes, and battle, it's really satisfying but I know what you guys want. So, this is the end of battle for now. Henceforth, all you Kenshin- Kaoru shippers are going to be rejoicing.

I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing.

Thank you!