Chapter 14
Deathgod' Violent Mow Down
Kenshin and Eitho stood facing each other while being witnessed by Sanosuke
and Yahiko at their side. Kenshin turned toward the two of them with a warning glance.
"Yahiko, Sano. Please stay out of this fight no matter what."
Sano grudgingly promised while reminding himself quietly that should anything happen, the verbal promise can be broken. Having a live and angry Kenshin is better than explaining to people about why he only watched as Kenshin got killed. Yahiko just kept quiet.
After making sure he got the answer he wanted, Kenshin then faced his
Enemy as if wanting to ask whether the matter can be resolved without fighting. Eitho remained stoic, answering him wordlessly. The Eitho that was standing opposite him was a different one that shared his lunch and traded stories with the three of them. This is one of the battles Kenshin couldn't run from.
Kenshin unsheathed his sakabatou.
"I, Himura Kenshin of the Hiten Mitsuruugi-ryu will accept the
challenge."
Eitho also unsheathed his sword.
"And I, Yasukoto Eitho of the Shinigame Ranbu (Death God's Violent Dance) challenge you to the duel."
Three pairs of eyes became focused on Eitho's sword.
"A reverse edge sword?" Yahiko asked.
Eitho threw a glance toward him.
"Kid, for someone who uses a bamboo sword to fight, you sure ask a
lot. A weapon or a fighting technique is dangerous not because of itself, but because of its user. It is a basic fact that a strong thrust to an opponent' s neck using a bamboo sword will be as dangerous as when using a real sword. Your sword technique is no exception."
"But the Kamiya Kasshinryu technique is not intended to kill."
"Kamiya.." Eitho's voice trailed as he pondered on something.
"Why? Do you know anything about it?"
Eitho shook his head. "No. Only that the name reminds me of a story. A
Story which my brother and I. Enough! What matters now is today. Not yesterday
and not tomorrow."
Eitho then focused his attention on Kenshin, gauging him silently.
"So, Eitho you want to have a level and fair fight with Kenshin that
you got a similar reverse blade sword?" Yahiko looked at Sanosuke who didn't take his eyes of the sword.
"Yes, but the difference is that I will kill him after I win."
"But there is no way that you can win," Yahiko protested. "Kenshin is
very good at using the reverse edge sword. And his sword was..."
Eitho ignored him and jumped toward Kenshin.
"Shinigame no taisen-ono."
"Souryusen."
Two swords clashed as their owners maintained eye contact with each
other. Then the two of them jumped away. Eitho looked at his sword and fingered the
blunt edge using his left index finger, as if caressing it.
"Good enough for your sakabatou-shinuchi, Battousai. And as I
predicted, you were able to counter my move."
He rushed again while Kenshin slashed his sword to the ground.
"Doryusen!" (Ground dragon flash)
"Kuroishin arashi!" (Black heart storm)
Kenshin's ground attack caused pebbles and stones to fly toward Eitho.
But in the middle of their flight, they suddenly dropped to the ground. An unseen force caused by Eitho's sword technique had blocked all of them.
Elsewhere, a pair of hands was fisted so tightly that the fingernails cut into the flesh. Then the right hand was put on the chest, trying to calm the turbulent beats within.
"Ryu Tsui Sen!" (Dragon mallet flash)
"Matsugo." (Hour of death)
Kenshin's attack managed to find its way to Eitho's chest after defeating Eitho's air counter move. Eitho gritted his teeth and slashed again, forcing Kenshin to retreat. Kenshin stood and faced him while being silent, as if thinking before resuming attacking.
Sano watched as the fight dragged on. He knew that in order to defeat Eitho, Kenshin has to understand Eitho's way of thinking, just like when he defeated some of his enemies. But he problem was, as Sano noticed, Eitho was doing the same thing. The result was the both of them were reluctant to take risks, instead adopting defensive maneuvers along with "safe" attacks. But then again, Sano reasoned, perhaps Kenshin and Eitho were trying to wear down each other, determining the winner as the person who lasts longer. This is probable as the two of them were only lightly injured, something which does not normally happen during a sword fight.
As he looked to his left, Sano felt that perhaps the person beside him was destined to be a great fighter after all. Yahiko has given his full attention to the fight, absorbing everything he saw. Then he noticed something from the corner of his eyes. Eitho had assumed a new stance,
A stabbing stance which reminded him of the fang stab used by Saitou.
"Hiakutenshi." (Flying evil angel)
"Ryukansen." (Dragon wind up flash)
The blow itself, although blocked by Kenshin, was actually a fake move. A kick landed on Kenshin's right torso, stunning him. Then this was followed by an attack to his stomach which knocked him off. As Kenshin got up, his opponent just stood in his place, patiently waiting. Kenshin took a deep breath. Then his eyes became focused.
"Kuzuryusen!" (Nine headed dragon flash)
"Rokuatsuki." (Six emotions)
A second later Eitho were hurled backwards toward the ground, but so was Kenshin. As the two of them struggled to rise, Eitho wiped the blood off the corner of his forehead.
Yahiko was shocked. "Impossible. How could Kenshin..."
"Because, when he attacked using the nine headed dragon flash, Eitho countered, using a six simultaneous attack, just like Himura's. So, three of Himura's attacks managed to get through and injure his opponent. But, Eitho' s six attacks were more powerful than those of the nine headed dragon flash so that Himura was also injured."
"Sano, how come you sound like a woman? And why does your voice sounds
like its coming from my left side?"
"Kid, you should have your ears checked. I didn't say anything and I'm standing to your right," Sano answered irritatedly, for he was trying to concentrate on the fight.
"Oh. Okay."
Then suddenly, Yahiko felt something was amiss. "Wait, if Sano is on
My right and he didn't say anything, then..."
Yahiko turned to his left. Silence. Questioning thoughts and a stare.
"Battousai, looks like the fight has to be won by using each other's
secret move."
"Eitho, I think there is something to this than you just wanting to
get revenge. After all, why did you choose to fight me this way when you
could have used an easier method?"
Eitho looked at Kenshin as if he was very stupid.
"I thought that you would have understood my principle, after all this time. But I was wrong. No matter, just prepare yourself."
Kenshin remained still.
"Don't be an idiot, Battousai. Although you're correct to presume that I
will not attack you if I know that you will not defend yourself, but think of it from another perspective. Suppose I force you to attack me instead? Like attacking the three of them over there?"
Kenshin didn't even budge.
"I know that you wouldn't be able to do that and be ready to defend yourself simultaneously. Attacking them will not accomplish your goal."
Eitho smirked.
"So then, does this mean if I retreat from our battle you wouldn't be stopping me?"
"Yes. I wouldn't stop you."
"Himura doesn't realize yet that he's being led into a trap," the
woman beside Yahiko said, almost whispering.
"A trap? How can that be?"
"Just watch and listen."
Eitho led out a defeated sigh, slumping his shoulders.
"Oh well, I will not press you to continue, since you wouldn't fight
with me anymore. I better go somewhere else. Good bye." Eitho turned around.
"I wish you a good journey then."
Eitho stopped. Then a chuckle came out of his mouth before it became a roaring laughter. After his laughter had stopped, Eitho turned back to face Kenshin and continued talking.
"Good journey indeed Battousai. I have never thought that I will hear such a stupid conversation between the two of us. Hmph. Good journey. How pathetic. Perhaps I should write you a nice letter when I go to the place where I want to go. But pity, I don't know anyone who can provide me with a doll, unlike your white-haired brother in-law. Maybe I should do it for real this time. Just for you. After all, I have tried to get my revenge this way but..."
"YOU WILL NOT INVOLVE ANYONE ELSE INTO THIS!"
The surge of Kenshin's kenki was felt by everybody. But Eitho just shook his head calmly.
"Don't worry, I won't, not if I can help it."
Kenshin stood firmly.
"Only the two of us. No one else. And no more after this."
"Agreed. Once and for all. But no tricks."
"Yes."
Eitho untied his sword sheath and let it fall to the ground. Then he
Held the sword upward with his two hands.
"An attack which ignores any defense before and after it," the woman beside
Yahiko informed him.
"What do you mean?"
"He will jump and then attacks using every part of his body to execute a downward slash. This attack will leverage on the user tensing his body and releasing it when attacking, giving a similar but more powerful spring effect as provided by the sword sheath to the battou-jutsu techniques. This will make the attack very fast, and in many cases will even surpass
battou-jutsu techniques. But if the attack fails, its user will be susceptible to counter attack."
Eitho raced toward Kenshin, faster than before. Then he jumped,
somersaulting and twisting his body at the same time.
"Shinigame ressou nage! (Deathgod's violent mow down)
The attack was a downward diagonal slash, only a bit different from what was predicted by Yahiko's companion. The spinning of his body had made the slash even faster and powerful than the attack she had described.
Kenshin closed his eyes.
Then there was the flash.
"It's the Amakakeru ryunohirameki (Heaven's soaring dragon flash),"
Sano exclaimed.
This time only Eitho was thrown to the ground. Kenshin looked at his
Fallen foe before approaching him.
"Go away Battousai," Eitho hissed angrily while using the last bit of
his strength to stand up. While trying to maintain his upright position, Eitho walked
falteringly to the exact spot where he and his brother stood years ago. He then stood
and kept silent, lost in his thoughts.
"I lost," he said quietly. "I was wrong, very wrong. How stupid of me,"
Eitho's voice was full of contempt and anger.
"Eitho."
"Not that, Battousai! The only thing in the world that I regret was to not
truly understand what my leader said at that time."
"What do you mean?" Sanosuke asked.
"He said that in a battle or war, there is never an honorable way to
fight. Only kill or be killed. What important is victory. Total victory. People are
expendable, cheap, useless and only tools for the fighting sides."
"People are not tools." Kenshin interjected.
"I, for one, agree on that. But that is the reason why I hate you very much, Battousai. For someone who was a mere tool, you sure talk like you know everything." Eitho smiled bitterly.
"And I wonder what would of happened if your wife didn't die? You're now probably working for the Meiji government, killing anyone who dares to defy it. I think that you're a hypocrite."
"Kenshin is not a hypocrite," Yahiko interjected.
"Oh? Why is it that Battousai only has human feelings after his wife was accidentally killed by him? Why only then he talked about fairness of the fight? Why before that he killed badly injured and tired enemies in battles? I'll tell you why. What mattered to him at that time was killing
enemies. Ishinshi's enemies.
"Explain to me this Battousai. During the war, you were told by your leaders to always strike at your enemy's weak point to make him weak. Like assassinating General Mouri's entire family, young children included, to disrupt his strategic planning ability. And how about the feel good talk where we should let ourselves be consumed by craze in order to build a new world? Is this correct, then?"
Kenshin didn't say anything.
"So," Eitho slowed his voice, and pointed to Kenshin. "According to your almighty leaders' principle, Enishi was correct in utilizing your weakness. And he's also correct to let himself be consumed by craze in order to achieve his goal, which is to extract revenge on you."
Kenshin still kept quiet. But wide eyes indicated that some of the words have struck home. Then Eitho took a deep breath and exhaled it. His demeanor had changed into a calm one.
"The reason why I didn't kill you is because I still believed in fighting fairly, although you would have killed my brother in cold blood just before that. It was his words that have kept me from killing you. I also know that you have to do your job, as I and my brother did."
"And at that time, I also understood his words and the true meaning to my leader's cruel philosophy. A sacrifice is always needed to achieve something. A philosophy which I understood, but refused to believe until today."
"Only fools would believe that they can have everything. I was one of them, believing that once I uphold my principles, I will never lose. But now I know that I have to trade my dignity or my life to uphold my principles. And one of my principles is to not accept any failures in my given responsibilities."
Eitho began to walk toward the edge of the cliff.
"Eitho!"
"I would rather die than face the shame of failing in my mission for two times, especially since I was foiled by the same person." Eitho hesitated for a moment. "I don't blame you for my loss. Perhaps this is the price I have to pay in order to have a clean battle with my brother's killer. But for me, the sacrifice is worth it." Eitho turned and smiled softly for the last time tothe others.
"Perhaps, one day you will be in the same situation I'm in right now and you will understand why I do it."
"No!"
Kenshin dashed toward Eitho. Just as Kenshin extended his hands to grab hold of Eitho, Eitho kicked him, using the momentum to propel his body awayfrom Kenshin and off the cliff into the sea below.
"Remember, Battousai, a sacrifice is always needed to achieve something" was Eitho's last words before he plunged into the sea, never to emerge again.
Kenshin scanned the rocky sea shore below from the place where Eitho was standing, his eyes searching for any sign that Eitho was still alive. But only roaring waves answered his prayer for the miracle to happen. He stood transfixed at his spot, neither saying nor doing anything. He remained that way for a few minutes.
"Who are you?" Kenshin asked with his back still facing the others.
"Amakaeru Kyoko."
"So, Kyoko-dono, what are you doing here?"
"I'm sent by Aoshi."
Kenshin turned toward Kyoko. Clad in the Owanibanshuu uniform, Kyoko bore some resemblance to Megumi. Except she was shorter and her hair was shorter still. She gave a letter to Kenshin who read it.
"So, since you are a member of the Owanibanshuu, surely you know Misao?" Sano questioned her as he handed Megumi's medicinal can to Kenshin.
"Yes, but I only know her by name. I have yet to met her in person."
"And what are you carrying inside the box behind your back? I can almost hear sounds coming out of it," Yahiko asked.
"Well, I am more into the intelligence type of thing, so I carry live pigeons and some smoke bombs aside from the usual stuff. We need them to maintain constant contact with our people while on the journey."
"Live birds? We?"
"Yes, Yahiko. We."
"No, you will not follow us," Kenshin said while returning the can to Sanosuke.
"So, are you saying that you're refusing Aoshi's offer for me to join you?"
"Sorry for being rude, Kyoko-dono."
Kenshin, Sanosuke and Yahiko turned and began to walk away from Kyoko. She watched them. Then she blinked her eyes and smiled slyly.
"I have the exact location about Kamiya-san's whereabouts until just yesterday. But I suppose I will have to respect your wish to not intrude in your search."
The others stopped and looked at each other before looking back at her. Kenshin's eyes told Kyoko that he was still very reluctant to allow her to follow them. Even then the same eyes also told her that he admitted that they needed her help to locate Kaoru. Sanosuke also knew this and motioned her to join them. In an instant Kyoko was beside them, with cooing sounds coming from the box behind her back.
Author:
I've always thought writing a fighting scene was easy. But, it's hard.
Very
hard.
Editor:
I've always thought pigs had wings. But they don't. Too bad.
Deathgod' Violent Mow Down
Kenshin and Eitho stood facing each other while being witnessed by Sanosuke
and Yahiko at their side. Kenshin turned toward the two of them with a warning glance.
"Yahiko, Sano. Please stay out of this fight no matter what."
Sano grudgingly promised while reminding himself quietly that should anything happen, the verbal promise can be broken. Having a live and angry Kenshin is better than explaining to people about why he only watched as Kenshin got killed. Yahiko just kept quiet.
After making sure he got the answer he wanted, Kenshin then faced his
Enemy as if wanting to ask whether the matter can be resolved without fighting. Eitho remained stoic, answering him wordlessly. The Eitho that was standing opposite him was a different one that shared his lunch and traded stories with the three of them. This is one of the battles Kenshin couldn't run from.
Kenshin unsheathed his sakabatou.
"I, Himura Kenshin of the Hiten Mitsuruugi-ryu will accept the
challenge."
Eitho also unsheathed his sword.
"And I, Yasukoto Eitho of the Shinigame Ranbu (Death God's Violent Dance) challenge you to the duel."
Three pairs of eyes became focused on Eitho's sword.
"A reverse edge sword?" Yahiko asked.
Eitho threw a glance toward him.
"Kid, for someone who uses a bamboo sword to fight, you sure ask a
lot. A weapon or a fighting technique is dangerous not because of itself, but because of its user. It is a basic fact that a strong thrust to an opponent' s neck using a bamboo sword will be as dangerous as when using a real sword. Your sword technique is no exception."
"But the Kamiya Kasshinryu technique is not intended to kill."
"Kamiya.." Eitho's voice trailed as he pondered on something.
"Why? Do you know anything about it?"
Eitho shook his head. "No. Only that the name reminds me of a story. A
Story which my brother and I. Enough! What matters now is today. Not yesterday
and not tomorrow."
Eitho then focused his attention on Kenshin, gauging him silently.
"So, Eitho you want to have a level and fair fight with Kenshin that
you got a similar reverse blade sword?" Yahiko looked at Sanosuke who didn't take his eyes of the sword.
"Yes, but the difference is that I will kill him after I win."
"But there is no way that you can win," Yahiko protested. "Kenshin is
very good at using the reverse edge sword. And his sword was..."
Eitho ignored him and jumped toward Kenshin.
"Shinigame no taisen-ono."
"Souryusen."
Two swords clashed as their owners maintained eye contact with each
other. Then the two of them jumped away. Eitho looked at his sword and fingered the
blunt edge using his left index finger, as if caressing it.
"Good enough for your sakabatou-shinuchi, Battousai. And as I
predicted, you were able to counter my move."
He rushed again while Kenshin slashed his sword to the ground.
"Doryusen!" (Ground dragon flash)
"Kuroishin arashi!" (Black heart storm)
Kenshin's ground attack caused pebbles and stones to fly toward Eitho.
But in the middle of their flight, they suddenly dropped to the ground. An unseen force caused by Eitho's sword technique had blocked all of them.
Elsewhere, a pair of hands was fisted so tightly that the fingernails cut into the flesh. Then the right hand was put on the chest, trying to calm the turbulent beats within.
"Ryu Tsui Sen!" (Dragon mallet flash)
"Matsugo." (Hour of death)
Kenshin's attack managed to find its way to Eitho's chest after defeating Eitho's air counter move. Eitho gritted his teeth and slashed again, forcing Kenshin to retreat. Kenshin stood and faced him while being silent, as if thinking before resuming attacking.
Sano watched as the fight dragged on. He knew that in order to defeat Eitho, Kenshin has to understand Eitho's way of thinking, just like when he defeated some of his enemies. But he problem was, as Sano noticed, Eitho was doing the same thing. The result was the both of them were reluctant to take risks, instead adopting defensive maneuvers along with "safe" attacks. But then again, Sano reasoned, perhaps Kenshin and Eitho were trying to wear down each other, determining the winner as the person who lasts longer. This is probable as the two of them were only lightly injured, something which does not normally happen during a sword fight.
As he looked to his left, Sano felt that perhaps the person beside him was destined to be a great fighter after all. Yahiko has given his full attention to the fight, absorbing everything he saw. Then he noticed something from the corner of his eyes. Eitho had assumed a new stance,
A stabbing stance which reminded him of the fang stab used by Saitou.
"Hiakutenshi." (Flying evil angel)
"Ryukansen." (Dragon wind up flash)
The blow itself, although blocked by Kenshin, was actually a fake move. A kick landed on Kenshin's right torso, stunning him. Then this was followed by an attack to his stomach which knocked him off. As Kenshin got up, his opponent just stood in his place, patiently waiting. Kenshin took a deep breath. Then his eyes became focused.
"Kuzuryusen!" (Nine headed dragon flash)
"Rokuatsuki." (Six emotions)
A second later Eitho were hurled backwards toward the ground, but so was Kenshin. As the two of them struggled to rise, Eitho wiped the blood off the corner of his forehead.
Yahiko was shocked. "Impossible. How could Kenshin..."
"Because, when he attacked using the nine headed dragon flash, Eitho countered, using a six simultaneous attack, just like Himura's. So, three of Himura's attacks managed to get through and injure his opponent. But, Eitho' s six attacks were more powerful than those of the nine headed dragon flash so that Himura was also injured."
"Sano, how come you sound like a woman? And why does your voice sounds
like its coming from my left side?"
"Kid, you should have your ears checked. I didn't say anything and I'm standing to your right," Sano answered irritatedly, for he was trying to concentrate on the fight.
"Oh. Okay."
Then suddenly, Yahiko felt something was amiss. "Wait, if Sano is on
My right and he didn't say anything, then..."
Yahiko turned to his left. Silence. Questioning thoughts and a stare.
"Battousai, looks like the fight has to be won by using each other's
secret move."
"Eitho, I think there is something to this than you just wanting to
get revenge. After all, why did you choose to fight me this way when you
could have used an easier method?"
Eitho looked at Kenshin as if he was very stupid.
"I thought that you would have understood my principle, after all this time. But I was wrong. No matter, just prepare yourself."
Kenshin remained still.
"Don't be an idiot, Battousai. Although you're correct to presume that I
will not attack you if I know that you will not defend yourself, but think of it from another perspective. Suppose I force you to attack me instead? Like attacking the three of them over there?"
Kenshin didn't even budge.
"I know that you wouldn't be able to do that and be ready to defend yourself simultaneously. Attacking them will not accomplish your goal."
Eitho smirked.
"So then, does this mean if I retreat from our battle you wouldn't be stopping me?"
"Yes. I wouldn't stop you."
"Himura doesn't realize yet that he's being led into a trap," the
woman beside Yahiko said, almost whispering.
"A trap? How can that be?"
"Just watch and listen."
Eitho led out a defeated sigh, slumping his shoulders.
"Oh well, I will not press you to continue, since you wouldn't fight
with me anymore. I better go somewhere else. Good bye." Eitho turned around.
"I wish you a good journey then."
Eitho stopped. Then a chuckle came out of his mouth before it became a roaring laughter. After his laughter had stopped, Eitho turned back to face Kenshin and continued talking.
"Good journey indeed Battousai. I have never thought that I will hear such a stupid conversation between the two of us. Hmph. Good journey. How pathetic. Perhaps I should write you a nice letter when I go to the place where I want to go. But pity, I don't know anyone who can provide me with a doll, unlike your white-haired brother in-law. Maybe I should do it for real this time. Just for you. After all, I have tried to get my revenge this way but..."
"YOU WILL NOT INVOLVE ANYONE ELSE INTO THIS!"
The surge of Kenshin's kenki was felt by everybody. But Eitho just shook his head calmly.
"Don't worry, I won't, not if I can help it."
Kenshin stood firmly.
"Only the two of us. No one else. And no more after this."
"Agreed. Once and for all. But no tricks."
"Yes."
Eitho untied his sword sheath and let it fall to the ground. Then he
Held the sword upward with his two hands.
"An attack which ignores any defense before and after it," the woman beside
Yahiko informed him.
"What do you mean?"
"He will jump and then attacks using every part of his body to execute a downward slash. This attack will leverage on the user tensing his body and releasing it when attacking, giving a similar but more powerful spring effect as provided by the sword sheath to the battou-jutsu techniques. This will make the attack very fast, and in many cases will even surpass
battou-jutsu techniques. But if the attack fails, its user will be susceptible to counter attack."
Eitho raced toward Kenshin, faster than before. Then he jumped,
somersaulting and twisting his body at the same time.
"Shinigame ressou nage! (Deathgod's violent mow down)
The attack was a downward diagonal slash, only a bit different from what was predicted by Yahiko's companion. The spinning of his body had made the slash even faster and powerful than the attack she had described.
Kenshin closed his eyes.
Then there was the flash.
"It's the Amakakeru ryunohirameki (Heaven's soaring dragon flash),"
Sano exclaimed.
This time only Eitho was thrown to the ground. Kenshin looked at his
Fallen foe before approaching him.
"Go away Battousai," Eitho hissed angrily while using the last bit of
his strength to stand up. While trying to maintain his upright position, Eitho walked
falteringly to the exact spot where he and his brother stood years ago. He then stood
and kept silent, lost in his thoughts.
"I lost," he said quietly. "I was wrong, very wrong. How stupid of me,"
Eitho's voice was full of contempt and anger.
"Eitho."
"Not that, Battousai! The only thing in the world that I regret was to not
truly understand what my leader said at that time."
"What do you mean?" Sanosuke asked.
"He said that in a battle or war, there is never an honorable way to
fight. Only kill or be killed. What important is victory. Total victory. People are
expendable, cheap, useless and only tools for the fighting sides."
"People are not tools." Kenshin interjected.
"I, for one, agree on that. But that is the reason why I hate you very much, Battousai. For someone who was a mere tool, you sure talk like you know everything." Eitho smiled bitterly.
"And I wonder what would of happened if your wife didn't die? You're now probably working for the Meiji government, killing anyone who dares to defy it. I think that you're a hypocrite."
"Kenshin is not a hypocrite," Yahiko interjected.
"Oh? Why is it that Battousai only has human feelings after his wife was accidentally killed by him? Why only then he talked about fairness of the fight? Why before that he killed badly injured and tired enemies in battles? I'll tell you why. What mattered to him at that time was killing
enemies. Ishinshi's enemies.
"Explain to me this Battousai. During the war, you were told by your leaders to always strike at your enemy's weak point to make him weak. Like assassinating General Mouri's entire family, young children included, to disrupt his strategic planning ability. And how about the feel good talk where we should let ourselves be consumed by craze in order to build a new world? Is this correct, then?"
Kenshin didn't say anything.
"So," Eitho slowed his voice, and pointed to Kenshin. "According to your almighty leaders' principle, Enishi was correct in utilizing your weakness. And he's also correct to let himself be consumed by craze in order to achieve his goal, which is to extract revenge on you."
Kenshin still kept quiet. But wide eyes indicated that some of the words have struck home. Then Eitho took a deep breath and exhaled it. His demeanor had changed into a calm one.
"The reason why I didn't kill you is because I still believed in fighting fairly, although you would have killed my brother in cold blood just before that. It was his words that have kept me from killing you. I also know that you have to do your job, as I and my brother did."
"And at that time, I also understood his words and the true meaning to my leader's cruel philosophy. A sacrifice is always needed to achieve something. A philosophy which I understood, but refused to believe until today."
"Only fools would believe that they can have everything. I was one of them, believing that once I uphold my principles, I will never lose. But now I know that I have to trade my dignity or my life to uphold my principles. And one of my principles is to not accept any failures in my given responsibilities."
Eitho began to walk toward the edge of the cliff.
"Eitho!"
"I would rather die than face the shame of failing in my mission for two times, especially since I was foiled by the same person." Eitho hesitated for a moment. "I don't blame you for my loss. Perhaps this is the price I have to pay in order to have a clean battle with my brother's killer. But for me, the sacrifice is worth it." Eitho turned and smiled softly for the last time tothe others.
"Perhaps, one day you will be in the same situation I'm in right now and you will understand why I do it."
"No!"
Kenshin dashed toward Eitho. Just as Kenshin extended his hands to grab hold of Eitho, Eitho kicked him, using the momentum to propel his body awayfrom Kenshin and off the cliff into the sea below.
"Remember, Battousai, a sacrifice is always needed to achieve something" was Eitho's last words before he plunged into the sea, never to emerge again.
Kenshin scanned the rocky sea shore below from the place where Eitho was standing, his eyes searching for any sign that Eitho was still alive. But only roaring waves answered his prayer for the miracle to happen. He stood transfixed at his spot, neither saying nor doing anything. He remained that way for a few minutes.
"Who are you?" Kenshin asked with his back still facing the others.
"Amakaeru Kyoko."
"So, Kyoko-dono, what are you doing here?"
"I'm sent by Aoshi."
Kenshin turned toward Kyoko. Clad in the Owanibanshuu uniform, Kyoko bore some resemblance to Megumi. Except she was shorter and her hair was shorter still. She gave a letter to Kenshin who read it.
"So, since you are a member of the Owanibanshuu, surely you know Misao?" Sano questioned her as he handed Megumi's medicinal can to Kenshin.
"Yes, but I only know her by name. I have yet to met her in person."
"And what are you carrying inside the box behind your back? I can almost hear sounds coming out of it," Yahiko asked.
"Well, I am more into the intelligence type of thing, so I carry live pigeons and some smoke bombs aside from the usual stuff. We need them to maintain constant contact with our people while on the journey."
"Live birds? We?"
"Yes, Yahiko. We."
"No, you will not follow us," Kenshin said while returning the can to Sanosuke.
"So, are you saying that you're refusing Aoshi's offer for me to join you?"
"Sorry for being rude, Kyoko-dono."
Kenshin, Sanosuke and Yahiko turned and began to walk away from Kyoko. She watched them. Then she blinked her eyes and smiled slyly.
"I have the exact location about Kamiya-san's whereabouts until just yesterday. But I suppose I will have to respect your wish to not intrude in your search."
The others stopped and looked at each other before looking back at her. Kenshin's eyes told Kyoko that he was still very reluctant to allow her to follow them. Even then the same eyes also told her that he admitted that they needed her help to locate Kaoru. Sanosuke also knew this and motioned her to join them. In an instant Kyoko was beside them, with cooing sounds coming from the box behind her back.
Author:
I've always thought writing a fighting scene was easy. But, it's hard.
Very
hard.
Editor:
I've always thought pigs had wings. But they don't. Too bad.