Standard Disclaimers Apply.
Revelations
Battousai no Kokoro Act II- A Heart to Return Home To
**** We would like everybody to please settle down. The play is about to resume in 2 minutes. Please take your seats and enjoy the show. ****
The spotlights had slowly illuminated the stage, showing a library. Kenshin stood on one end, seemingly waiting for something to happen. Out of the dark corners, a figure slowly showed.
Aoshi took his cue and looked grimly at Kenshin. Looking into his opponent's eyes, whatever dreams that seemed obscured to him ever since he was a child suddenly became clear to him. His face hardened as he said icily, "Let's go Battousai."
~~~~~
Sano couldn't believe his eyes, "Chikuso! I know that scene… I know it by heart. I was there. I was with them!!! What the hell is happening in here!!!" Closing his eyes, he slowly put the pieces together, We left Saitoh to fight Usui and we ran off to the Tenken's room. I was carrying Yumi. The Aoiya was in trouble and then, on the way, Kenshin felt his kenki. Aoshi…Risking everything for this last fight. Could it be that Aoshi also remembered? What if… what if he's not aware that he's just acting out on a play. Chikuso! They might really hurt each other!" Sano slammed his fist on the wooden stool causing it to crumble into dust. He took a deep breath as he nodded to himself with his new resolve. To intervene with their fight and save them both from much harm. He was about to leave the room when the door flung open.
~~~~~
Meanwhile, sweat was forming on Megumi's face as she saw a sight she dreaded once in her past lifetime. She barely whispered, "Aoshi Shinomori." Shivers ran through her spine as she closed her eyes, Aoshi… The Onniwabanshu… Takeda Kanryu… Opium…
"Ken-san, everyone, I'm happy to have friends like you. Thank you." With that, I raised my dagger to claim my life but then a hand stopped me …Sanosuke!
Neglecting all rational thought, she stood up from her seat and ran towards the technical room. She flung the door open and threw her arms around the surprised Sanosuke, crying.
Sanosuke had forgotten his earlier resolve as he melted in Megumi's arms. He gently stroked Megumi's back and whispered consoling words to her. He looked back at the stage, Damn! Looks like I am not the only one affected by this play. Could it be that we are all slowly starting to gain our past memory?
~~~~~
Misao paled at the sight before her. Aoshi-sama…Shaking out of her trance she heard Kenshin say, "I promised Misao-dono I'd bring back the Onniwabanshu's Aoshi." Hearing her name, Misao closed her eyes and creased her forehead, trying really hard to understand the situation or even remember something. Anything. Nothing!!! Misao shook her head in frustration. When she suddenly heard a banging on the stage, she snapped her eyes open. There she saw that Kenshin was wounded in his right shoulder and right thigh and was breathing heavily.
Aoshi lounged towards his opponent for another attack, which Kenshin easily dodged.
Taking an offensive stance, Kenshin yelled, "Ryu Kan Sen!" Expecting his sakabattou to connect, he was so shocked when Aoshi blocked his attack with one of his kodachis.
Using with his free arm, Aoshi elbowed the surprised swordsman.
~~~~~~
Fujita smirked as he watched the scene from the side, Hmph! So this is what happened while I fought Usui. I always knew that Battousai was a softie. What a waste! He had allowed that kid to beat him. Fujita exhaled his cigarette smoke and allowed his eyes to rove around the audience. His eye caught a stunned individual causing his smirk to grow, I guess that weasel-girl is also getting her memories back. Better keep an eye on her before she does something stupid.
~~~~~
Back at the stage, Aoshi took off his white trench coat and opened his top, revealing his battle and training scars. He glared at Kenshin with his ice blue eyes and said with neither arrogance nor fear, "I have come to beat the deadliest swordsman, the legendary Hitokiri Battousai. My men cannot rest until I have killed Battousai and taken his title of the strongest. The Onniwabanshu will forever be remembered as the mightiest warrior of this era." He paused for a while and continued using a more challenging voice, "Stand up Battousai. I am going to beat you and be known as the strongest fighter. Only then, can I look death in the face as Okashira of the Onniwabanshu and finish this business. So Battousai, reverse your sakabattou and fight me the right way."
Kenshin looked at him straight in the eye and used his sakabattou for support as he stood up, "After you have your title, what will you have left? Aoshi, did you think about that before the fight? Misao-dono, Okina-dono, Hannya, Shikijo, Beshimi, Hyottoko… everyone of them wouldn't expect you to die."
~~~~~
Suddenly, the images Misao was struggling so much to remember, flooded her mind. Shikijo, Beshimi, Hyottoko, Hannya… Hannya-kun… You told me Aoshi-sama was returning to me. Tears began to fall from her eyes when a vivid memory returned to her. Okina…
"I couldn't stop him. Please Himura-kun… Please kill Aoshi with your own hands."
"…I'll bring Aoshi back."
Aoshi-sama, Misao thought bitterly as she allowed her tears to fall. Little by little, her memory is coming back to her.
~~~~~
"As you wish, I'll keep my promise. From now on, I'm fighting my hardest. But your opponent will be Kenshin Himura."
"Let's go Battousai."
"Onniwabanshu original Kodachi Nitou Ryu Gokou Juji"
"Ryu Sho Sen!!" Kenshin yelled as he dodged Aoshi's attack. Leaping through the air, he cried "Ryu Tsui Sen!!"
~~~~~
Yahiko closed his eyes as he recalled that day… his promise to Kenshin that he'll protect the Aoiya. He squirmed in his seat as he felt the pain from that fight wrench his body. Ryu Tsui Sen… Aoiya… Kamtari… Iwambo… Hennya… That's it! I beat that bat man with an imitation of a Ryu Tsui Sen!!! Yahiko opened his eyes with a renewed feeling of satisfaction as he remembered all those days when he fought as a junior Tokyo samurai— days when he had made Kenshin proud.
~~~~~
"And whatever you do to me, your friends are still dead." Kenshin said calmly.
Aoshi drew his katana, which Kenshin gripped with his left hand causing blood to ooze from it. Not leaving his eyes from Aoshi, he reasoned, "Aoshi, open your eyes. Misao-dono is now the Onniwabanshu's Okashira. Protecting Kyoto and the Onniwabanchu means so much to her because doing the job was meant for you."
Misao closed her eyes as she recalled that day when she had declared herself the Okashira to protect Kyoto from Shishio's plot to burn down the city. Hearing the clicking of hilts, Misao opened her eyes. Her gaze widened when she saw Aoshi flipped his twin kodachi. He said, "Win or lose, there will be no repercussion."
"Yes, this will be our final fight." Kenshin replied
"To win this fight…"
"..I'll do my best," Kenshin finished as he positioned himself in a Battou-jutsu stance.
Misao gripped the handle of her chair more tightly as she waited for the inevitable. She whispered, "Aoshi-sama is going to use Kaiten Kenbu Rukuren."
Less than a blink of an eye, both rushed towards each other. The only sound that could be heard was the clanging of swords and Kenshin's battle cry, "Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Succession Technique!!!"
Aoshi fell to the stage and whispered to himself, "Sorry Hannya, Shikijo, Beshimi. Hyottoko."
Unable to contain herself, she shrieked, "NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!! Aoshi-sama!" Using her hidden onmitsu skills she jumped up the stage just as the light faded.
~~~~~
The next scene was set on the streets of Tokyo. The background music was a rendition of the song Angel by Sarah Mclauchlin. A piano played its tune while accompanied by the soulful voice of one of the students.
Spend all your time waiting, for that second chance
For the break that will make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And its hard at the end of the day
The lights slowly opened and the spotlight focused on Kaoru. She was lying on a futon, apparently crying for the loss of her love. She was staring blankly into space as tears fell silently from her eyes.
I need some distraction
Or a beautiful release
Memories seep through my veins
~~~~~
Tsubame held her hand to her mouth and gasped, "That was the time when Kenshin-san left her to help in the continental war." She glanced at Tae who held the same expression as her.
~~~~~
Let me be empty or weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
Even in her weakened condition, Kaoru struggled to stand up as she roamed around the stage. As she reached the corner, another spotlight opened and focused on a battered and struggling Kenshin. He fought to stay on his feet as he walked towards Kaoru. Kaoru, mixed with love and happiness, met her beloved halfway.
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
Unable to stand up straight anymore, he collapsed into Kaoru's arms and said in a weak and groggy voice, "Tadaima."
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find, some comfort here.
"Okaeri nasai," Kaoru said as she embraced Kenshin, pouring out all her love. Then she whispered only for Kenshin to hear, "…Shinta."
The lights faded and the curtains closed.
The audience, totally unaware of the true to life drama unfolding before their eyes, stood up and gave the scene a standing ovation. All except… Tae, Tsubame, Yahiko, Sano and Megumi, who held a blank expression as unnoticed tears fell.
~~~~~
After that last scene, Kaoru felt the same breeze bite her skin. When the curtains opened again, she was alone. He mind screamed in panic, Kkkkeeennnnsssshiiinnn!!!!
Author's Notes:
Whew! I am really glad I had finished with the play… these two chapters are the hardest scene to write. I had to think really hard to choose the best scenes. I watched the series all over again and take down the dialogues. I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing… it's just that it's important for me to write their individual reactions to each scene that for them are important.
Thank you to all those who read my fic and special thanks to those who left a review!
Aki- I have a plan for that. ^_^ I'll inform you soon!
Shin-chan- sorry but some characters didn't appear. In any case. Thanks!
Lilyflower, AkalSaris, ArtemisMoon- thanks for the compliment! I'll keep that in mind when I need inspiration.
Macy- at least with the treatment Megumi gave him, I thinkhe is glad to be behind the scene, don't you think?
Sync*in –sorry if nothing significant happened during the interval. I wanted to proceed with the play. Besides, it was only about 5-10 minutes.
Gypsy-chan- thanks you very much! I owe you a lot!
Oro101- why don't you post a fanfics… you seem to be very good in writing. I mean, I feel as if I am reading a parody when I am reading your review. Thanks for that. It cheers me on. In case you do, mail me, I want to be the first to review.
Dementedchris- hehehe… as usual a wonderful constructive review from my favorite lit friend! ^_^
LittleDargon5- thanks for that!! ^_^
KnK4ever- thanks for that constructive review.
Nightingale- I am glad I changed your mind regarding reincarnation fics.
Jo-chan, Demon-wolf- don't worry, I won't stop writing as long as you keep on reviewing.
Battousai angel- yup! Not just déjà vu. They are reliving it again! =)
Chibigreenwizardmoon- hope this answers your question.
E-chan Hidaka- thanks for that lovely line from that song. ^_^
KuroNeko-Sama- well believe it or not, I used to act on plays that is why I have a good idea on how it goes.
Marta- I know… I almost cried when I watched that.
Hatokirei- thanks for not taking out your whip this time. ^_^::
Bunny- thanks! I love your fic more and more, too.
Hana-chan- thanks! You were the one who encouraged me to post this in the first place. ::hugs::
JML- thanks… sorry if there is no jinchuu arc here. you'll know why soon enough.
M@ry- thanks for the spell check!
JK- what is putonghua?
Midori- hope this suffices for the a/m!
Marstanuki- one my fave episodes is the first one, too/. ^_^
Shiari, Tan Kimiko- thank you! I really love the reviews! It keeps me going!
AnkaraStark, Onna- thanks! Hope this chap didn't disappoint you.
Kitsunegirl- I'm sorry if you think that the play is cheesy angst however, this is really important for the fic. I want to draw out their characters slowly. Everything serves its purpose.
Susan- thanks! I really thought about which scenes to choose and I ordered them in such a way that even the viewers of the way would think that it is logical.
Special thanks to the beautiful Hana-chan for pre-reading!
For those who want to exchange banners with my site, just email me at chibi_angelica@yahoo.com
To all the reviewers, I love you soooo much! Thank you for all the encouragement. I had written a one-shot dedicated to you. It is entitled 'The Poetry of Flowers'. Leave me a review ok?
More reviews = Happy Chibi-angel = Faster Chappies!
Go on, push that button!