A/N: Hey i'm back. Sorry if it took so long. I hope that I make this longer than normal. Well, I'm bound to end up shorter than I want, like normal sighs Well. Here is the next part of the battle.
Final Battle pt. II - To Save A Life
Kenshin looked at Shishio with a pleasure at first, then his face turned to a bit of worry. Although he was use to one sword he wasn't sure if he could use it. He wanted to help everyone, but could he? He felt like his stomach was in knots. He wanted to throw up but he tried to avoid it. This was not what he was expecting. His body was weak for a moment and Shishio was going to take the advantage.
He barreled toward Kenshin and a quick move to the left avoided that. The smoke left from the trail of fire went up Kenshin's nose and he shook his head to get rid of the smell. He looked down to Kaoru. She was worried. Her arms were wrapped around her body and she was ready to cry. Kenshin then looked up. He let his body try to regain the power that it had just had. He didn't know what made him feel the way that he was feeling. Maybe it was the fact that he was acting to high and mighty. Maybe it was because he was thinking of himself as all the heroes that you would see on television. That was what was the problem. This wasn't television. This was his life. He was just a sixteen year-old kid who, by a stroke of luck, gained this power. Now the world was resting on his shoulders.
Kenshin watched Shishio's movements as he pulled his head from the sight of Kaoru. Kaoru. That was a problem as well. Kaoru was someone that he had to protect. he just had too. And what if something happened to him? What would she do? She loved him. She would be shattered to pieces if he was gone. That was when Kenshin stopped thinking about. That was when Kenshin was ready to fight. He was ready to win. He ignored his stomach and got in a stance. He put the sword away and looked at Shishio with a very hard scowl.
" What is wrong wth you. You're getting so emotional," Shishio pointed out. Kenshin tried to block out Shishio's nagging voice. This was another thing that was hard. He looked down to Kaoru one last time and summoned his courage. He looked to Shishio and prepared to attack.
Kaoru stared at Kenshin biting her lip. Her arms grasping her arms she was ready to cry. Kenshin wa in trouble. She was watching his face and he was changing it rapidly between expression. What was wrong? When he looked to her for the second time he seemed to change. His entire body seemed to turn on. She watched as he started to Shishio drawing his sword. He missed but that was the intent and he slashed with a flame on his sword. Shishio too had fire. This was a draw and Kenshin pushed back. What else could he do? He stook a breath in and ran on the air toward Shishio slicing twice with water. The whip ripped at his coat. The small shreds fell to the ground. Kenshin pulled strands of hair form his face. His eyes were looking at Shishio, but his mind was seeing a monster. Kenshin watched Shishio look at the slices and stare up at Kenshin with a smile. " You can actually hit me. Your not so worthless after all," Kenshin ran toward Shishio and swung his sword. At this moment he didn't use any power. He was more use to just a regular sword. " Where did the power go?" Shishio asked. " Are you scared?" Kenshin couldn't refrain any longer and very lowly he said.
" No,"
He went toward Shishio disappearing and almost landing on top of him. Shishio moved and Kenshin slowed himself down as he almost hit the pavement. People looked at him as he hovered and they gave amazed looks. Kaoru ran closer and as she did Kenshin blasted himself ahead with the sword glowing a blue. He came to Shishio at a super speed and hit his sword. The clang was loud but they kept close to each other. Their powers cancelled each other, but whoever said that Kenshin was trying to use water? From Behind Shishio a few rocks hover. Kenshin hit him in the back of the head. Shishio turned in wonder and then back to Kenshin slicing. " Why you little cheat!" he said between his teeth. He shot a blast of fire at Kenshin who barely moved. It singed the strings of his haori enough to make it start flowing to the ground. Kenshin watched it. A young girl grabbed it and put it around her shoulders holding it tight. Kenshin smiled. A young girl was confident in him. He looked to Shishio and started to zoom over. Without the haori he was able to move a bit faster.
Shishio clenched his teeth as Kenshin sliced at him again. He was then smiling as he threw another shot of fire at Kenshin. He ducked and looked at the side of the building that had a black spot. Kenshin turned his head back to Shishio who shot another few fireballs at him. Kenshin moved quickly and sliced at him only to miss. Shishio elbowed him hard in the back and singed through the clothing. It didn't touch his back but it was enough to send Kenshin to the ground. He tried to look at his back and Kaoru walked toward him. " Are you alwight Siwent Samuwai?" a young boy looked up to him. Kenshin smiled and nodded. Everyone was looking at him. He turned to Kaoru amd smiled. She had the expression on her face that read what the boy had said. He nodded to her as well but her face still tense.
" Be careful," she said low as he sped off. He heard her and it made him feel proud. He started to move the sword around in a circle. He kept doing it until a circle of water was following the tip of his sword. He looked to Shishio turning it on it's side as throwing it as Shishio like a discus. He kept a thin strand of water to kept it on his sword. Kenshin brought it back and held it in his left hand. He was confident. Very confident and he threw the discus again with a ring of fire lingering on it's edges. Apparently the laws of physics or whatever it would be did not apply to his power.
Shishio looked at the discus and tried to slice it. It formed back together on the other side of him as it was still connected to the sword. Kenshin smiled, but not in a snobbish way. He smiled in a way that he knew that he would protect. That was not something that he wanted. It was something that the people needed.
Kenshin stared as he threw the discus again. The fire singed at Shishio's coat. He looked at Kenshin in anger and flew real quick over to him. He sliced at Kenshin's chest. It wasn't burned and there was on a thin cut. The magenta gi fell to his waist on one side showing the white undershirt. Kenshin didn't mind he continued an attack releasing the discus completely. Shishio tried to graps it, only to let it fall to a puddle at his feet. Shishio grabbed Kenshin's collar after levitating with the fire around him.
" You're a smart little boy aren't you? I didn't expect it of someone who cringed behind the adults. I guess I can be wrong but it's only sledom. Nonetheless you will die this day. I promise it," he snickered as he dropped Kenshin.
Catching his breath from the near choking hold Kenshin looked up to Shishio. " Trust me zero. It's going to get a lot worse than this. I'll make your blood spill on the children that adore you," Kenshin stared quizzically. That was a very sick and twisted thought. Kenshin could hardly bear to think of it. When did this man go crazy? Maybe he had been that from the start having a way to hold it in. Now all of it was being poured onto Kenshin in the thickest way.
Kenshin erased the image from his mind and stood looking at Shishio. People looked to him in wonder. Threats this man was giving was making the onlookers run into back alleys to do who knows what. If there was one thing that Kenshin knew, it was that in any way this man must be stopped. " Come on zero. I'm ready for your bag of tricks," Kenshin levitated and flew toward Shishio, slicing at him. There was a string of rocks following the swords path that hit Shishio on the chest and in the cheek. Kenshin was proud of the accomplishment, but he was clawing at a diamond. It was going to take more than just a simple scratch to crack it. It takes a diamond to hurt a diamond. That was what made Kenshin start to speed up.
Shishio was doing all could to hurt Kenshin. He started to throw fireball after fireball, but Kenshin just blocked. He knew there had to be another thing that this talisman could do. He pulled off his coat and the talisman hung openly. " I call the powers of the spirits. Grant me your dark powers," he yelled to the sky. Kenshin back up at the towering light that was in the city. When it dimmed, Shishio was unchanged. But it wasn't he that changed it was hs sword. It was just like Kenshin's. With a certain power he was able to upgrade it. It was large and it glowed brightly. It was a dark crimson. He flew over to Kenshin and sliced. There was a train of fire that come from the tip. It struck Kenshin's chest. Again there was not burn for his body was healed of any burns inflicted that were serious. There was a cut that oozed a bit of blood. Kenshin put his hand over the large cut and looked up.He was kneeled almost in a bow to Shishio. " That's right dog. Bow like the lowly sevent that you are," Shishio said in a hiss. He tried to kick at Kenshin. He rolled and stood looking at Shishio as he was ready to growl. He took his hand off of the wound letting it stain his white shirt and he lowered his head in thought. He could hear Kaoru. Her sobs. Sobs that would happen in the future if he died. They were inevitable. He was going to die this day. Shisho was right. But he was going to take Shishio with him.
He flung his head up and clenched his teeth. His power increasing almost ten fold as he sped to Shishio. He slashed and let rocks follow his sword. He made a second slash and water hit the sword causing it to stop burning for a moment. Shishio still attacked Kenshin who was blown back hitting a wall. His body started to ache as he got off the wall. Kenshin wiped blood on his sleeve that was at the corners of his moth.
Kenshin stoood fully. Hitting that wall was not good for his back. But this was a fight, and he had to finish it.
" Still up?" Shishio asked. Kenshin looked as he wrinkled his nose. " I'm surprised. You're such a little thing," Kenshin ignored the taunt. He thought to himself over and over ' He's messing with your mind. This is nothing you haven't heard ', but it was hard to focus as Shishio kept talking. No matter how many times that he said that to himself, Shishio kept talking. Finally, through all the talk, Kenshin screamed in his head ' This is for Kaoru!'
Kenshin started to use his sword technique without any power to increase it. He was still on the ground but continued to jump up and hover to hit Shsihio. When he was knocked down he flipped to land on his feet and just went up again.
" You're becoming a nuisance," Shsihio said. " Just a fly on the wall," he held out his hand and watched. Energy gathered for the parts of the city. Lights began to blink. Kenshin needed to stop him. But as he went up to hit Shishio there was a barrier and he was just shot back. " Say your prayers Superzero!" Shishio yelled. the ball formed and he arched it behind his shoulder. Kenshin had two options. One was to block it and hope the block holds out. The other was to move and let the people try to run away. He wasn't going to endanger any innocent lives. He would have to block it.
In the time, Hiko had pulled up in his patrol car. He had seen it on the news. He knew that Kenshin was fighting and knew that he might need the support. he stood from the car and looked at Shishio. If anything, Hiko wanted to pull out his gun and shoot the guy, but this was his nephew's fight and he knew that Kenshin was determined, and always fought to the very end.
Shishio let the blast go and Kenshin pulled up his sword. He watched as the ball stopped in it's tracks and stayed on his sword.The heat it generated was making Kenshin sweat further and making it hard to breath. Soon he was in struggle just to keep it subdued and couldn't use any elemantal power. He grit his teeth as he was pushed back by the power and he strained himself to keep it away. But when it became impossible Kenshin was flung back into a building the walls crumbling as he hit.
Kaoru ran over crying. His sword clattered on the ground with a few sparks of his power lingering. Blood was staining the hilt of it where Kenshin had put his hand.
Kaoru looked at the building. Dust was circling up and bricks were still falling. It was jagged where he hit. His leg stuck out. The pant had been ripped from it leaving his leg bare. Kaoru wanted to yell his name. She wanted to cradle his head and cry and babble to him. But there were too many people around and she had to think of his identity. Kaoru just fell to her knees and looked as did many others. Water trickled from a disconnected pipe. It was hitting Kenshin's forehead. He was half conscious but was unaware of what had just happened. It was like when you are half asleep. You don't register anything that is around you.
Kaoru still watched. He her was racing. Her mind was racing. It kept saying. How could you be so stupid? How could you do this to everyone you love.? You didn't have to do this. You're my hero no mater what you do,' Kaoru put her hands over her mouth and leaned over. Someone placed a warm hand on her back. She looked up to Hiko who towered over her. He looked down to her and said.
" My deshi is not this weak," he looked over to the rubble. No one had heard his whisper to Kaoru. She stared at him as he started to chant. " Silent Samurai! Silent Samurai! Silent Samurai!" he kept his hand on her back. It was so warm and reassuring. Kaoru got off of the ground her pants soiled. She looked still sniffling and followed Hiko's motion.
" Silent Samurai! Silent Samurai!" she chanted. Her voice was weary as she did but she watched the hole for any sign of Kenshin's moment. Soon the crowd had caught on and they started to chant. It was a ripple effect. Shishio stared at them and shot a fireball. There was a barrier around the people. They didn't even look up they just kept chanting. Shishio looked at the entire crowd and yelled to them.
" Shut up you bunch of ninny's! Shut up!" he stared at them but no one stopped. All were chanting. All were proud.
Kaoru watched. She knew that Kenshin still had a bit of life in him. If there was a barrier then he was protecting them.
Kenshin twitched. His body was in pain. There was blood running from a cut in his forehead. It stained his mask and ran into it over his eye which he kept closed. He propped himself on his elbows. He was listening to the people. Two voices rang out. Those were Hiko and Kaoru's. He knew that his uncle and Kaoru had started it. He smiled and stood. He was wobbling as he walked out of the hole. His shirt was ripped off and one of his pant legs were ripped. He was lucky to have his shoes.
He gave a bit of a limp as he straighten himself out. The chants of his name turned to cheers when the crowd saw him walk out. Kenshin took a deep breath as he walk over to Kaoru. He handed the handkerchief back. I was in his pocket and he didn't want it to get ruined. " Please keep it," she said. Kenshin shook his head as he walked away. He picked up his sword. He pulled up his left hand. It was searing in pain. There was a reason for that as well. His arm was broken, he could feel it. So were several of the fingers. There was another thing that he had to ignore. It was going to be hard. But everything else was.
Kenshin looked over his shoulder to the people who were in large clumps. He gave them a really warm smile and turned back. " You are a very persistant little bug aren't you?" Shishio asked. Kenshin nodded. When Shishio asked the question he thought. ' I always have been, and always will be,' he was proud of the way he was too. Kenshin took yet another deep breath and started running to attack. Water was shot at Shishio's face and he wiped it away. In the time Kenshin had already prepared more rocks. One being rather large. Kenshin launched it at Shishio who put his sword up and sliced it. A few people that were behind him moved out of the way. Shishio had started to talk but was cut off by Kenshin slashing his sword Shishio's way. He blocked Kenshin smiling. His eyes were glowing the golden again.
" Hello, do you remember me you psycho?" he asked and threw what looked like blades of water to Shishio. They cut at his arms and Shishio dropped the sword. He flew down to it but Kenshin was already there to kick it away. He got close to Shishio, close enough to where he couldn't be heard by the people. Shishio listened. " Why would you endanger such kind people?" it was in a hiss. " They have nothing to do with us yet you continue to keep a very cold heart. I know what I'm going to do to you. the same thing that I did to your other owner a thousand years ago," it was no longer Kenshin. It was the other person that had wielded the swords. Kenshin was fully aware of what was going on, but he didn't have much control.
Kenshin walked over to a desolate area of the road. People began to back up as he lifted from the ground. Shishio was prepared to follow but Kenshin shot a blast of all the elements to Shishio. It knocked him to the ground leaving him trapped. People watched as Kenshin started to speak. It wasn't his normal soft voice.
" I am prepared to give my life for these kind people!" Kenshin said as he looked to the sky. " I ask of the Gods of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air to accompany," he started to glow. He placed the sword downward to the crowd. There were four dragons surrounding Kenshin. Each had a color to them that signified who they were. " I ask to seal away the powers of the talisman and the sword. In exchange I give my life to the dragons," Kenshin said. The people looked in awe. Some took pictures with their cell phones at the phenomenon. Kenshin continued to glow as the dragons swirled around him.
Kaoru was breathing hard as she looked. What was Kenshin doing? Making himself a sacrifice. Kaoru was scared as she watched.
Shishio continued to struggled under the rock. He couldn't get out and he too started to glow.
" By the power of eternal light. Grant my wish!" Kenshin started to seem to sparkle. Chains of golden color wrapped around his wrists and his ankles. Something had hit him and he gave a wide-eyed look. Blood trickled from his mouth for a moment as the light died down. He was starting to disappear. Something gave a blast and Kenshin disappeared along with Shishio. The talisman floated to the sky and flew off. People didn't care, but they wondered wher Kenshin had gone. Kaoru started to cry hard.
" NO!" she yelled as she fell to her knees. " Kenshin no baka," she said. She looked up at the sound of a cough and saw something lying between two cars. She stood and ran over. The person was on their stomach. Kaoru turned him over and looked at the face. Her's lit up. It was Kenshin. He was alive.He was in his normal state. His breathing was shallow. His eyes fluttered open. They were the dull purple. Hiko lingered over and called 911. Kaoru propped Kenshin up in her arms. He was looking at her and he struggled a smile. " Miss Kaoru," he said in a rasp. Kaoru smiled to him nodding.
" Don't you ever do that to me," she said real low. Kenshin placed his broken arm over his chest. Kaoru placed her's on his and looked at him. She knew he wasn't dead. There was just no way he could be. She continued to smile as her fingers ran through his silky hair. " I don't want to lose you. You know that. I love you," she kissed him on the lips. When she stopped she looked into his eyes. She was still crying and it hit his face. He turned his head somewhat to her and said.
" Do not cry Miss Kaoru," it was struggled. Like he was having trouble breathing. " There comes that time.. that time that we all must go..." Kaoru listened but didn't want to hear it. " And if heaven is what I believe it. I'm not afraid to die," he said. Kaoru looked at him with a scowl.
" Shut up," she said. " Just shut up," she said again. " You're not going to die," Kaoru said and she continued to lift him up until his head was on her shoulder. " You're going to make it Kenshin. You hear me. You're going to make it," she was sobbing. Kaoru rocked him like a child back and forth. She could still feel him breath his chest going up and down. Rain started to patter and the blood on the pavement started to wash away. Kaoru was waiting for the siren. It came quicker than she thought it would. She placed his head gently on the ground and the paramedics take over. And in her mind she kept saying, ' You are going to make it. You have my love to make it happen,' Kaoru got in the back of the ambulance with Kenshin and Hiko followed in his patrol car.
A/N: Hi! told you I'd try to make it longer. I hope you enjoyed it. Tilll next time, KenSan out!