Here goes!
DisclaimeR: Rurouni Kenshin does not belong to me..etc
Chpater 4
Kenshin and the rest arrived at the mansion just before the sun sets. It was a long trip and the heat of the sun did not help a bit. However, the sight of the mansion raised their energies up again.
"Is this the mansion?" Yahiko asked. "I think it is." Kenshin answered. "Well then, what are we still doing here? Let's go in!" Sano exclaimed. Just then, the gates opened and revealed a lady with long black hair wearing a black kimono.
"I am Sakura, if you follow me, I will lead you to the waiting room, where someone will bring you to the battle area." she said then turned towards the main doors. She did not bother to hear their replies anymore. The Kenshin-gumi followed in silence never letting their guards down.
They were lead to a receiving room and offered to sit. "Please wait until I inform the master that you have arrived." the lady left. It has been a few minutes since they were left alone.
"Its taking pretty long before the said person comes." said Sano impatiently. Misao decided to start a little conversation to pass time and release tension.
"Its nice of you Aoshi-sama to come with us today, you know?" Misao started.
"I came with you to see that man again, his aura is different and I wanted to know more about the spell he used." Aoshi said casually.
"In any case, thank you Aoshi-san for being here." Kenshin said politely. Misao decided to walk around the room and leaned beside the door. Suddenly the door flew open and a pair of hands covered Misao's mouth and grabbed her quietly. However, silence did not hinder the others to not sense the ki. When they looked at Misao's direction it was already too late.
"What the hell just happened here?" Sano asked in confussion. Then Yahiko decided to run towards the door, but Kenshin stopped him. "We are at the enemy's grounds. We do not know how they act. We have to think our actions over. "But what will we do?" Yahiko asked. "Wait, do not worry, iI will rescue Misao later. As for now, we have to stay calm and alert." Aoshi said.
After a while, the door opened again and a lady stepped in. "Sorry to keep you waiting. We have met yesterday, I am Kaoru. Please follow me, and I will lead you to the fighting grounds." She turned then started to walked away. Everyone started to follow though uneasiness and confussion are starting to build up.
"Do you know where Megumi is?" Sano started. "I don't." Kaoru said. "How about Misao?" Sano asked some more. "I do not know anyone that goes by that name." Kaoru answered. "Is it far from here?" Sano asked. "Not really, its located at the middle of the compound." Kaoru answered. "Don't you remember us anymore Kaoru?" Yahiko was unable to control herself from asking. The rest turned their heads at Kaoru. "As what I've said before I don't. I only know the people in this mansion, plus its enemies." she paused then glared at Kenshin.
"We're here, the master's waiting." she lead them to an open area. It had wooden floor but was covered with nothing, the moon and the stars could be seen clearly above them. At the far end of the area sat Ken Hikoto.
"Welcome to your death Battousai. Please take a seat. As I promised I shall answer all the questions in your head before I give you my verdict. Come my Kaoru." When Kaoru has taken the seat beside his, he started. "I was an orphan at the age of seven. Our town was caught in a fire and I was the only one to survive. I had no place to go. I traveled to the nearest town, I was so hungry and tired that I fainted in front of a house. The next thing I knew, I was lying on a futon, I saw a girl sitting beside me waiting for me to wake up. She asked me who my parents are and where I live. After I have told her the whole story, she offered me to stay at her home. I said yes. I lived with her family for 5 years. On the 4th year she was engaged to marry a fine man. We were all happy for her. However, shortly after that, we received news that her fiance was killed in the war. She decided to leave home and search for her fiance's killer. After a year we heard that she was killed by the same man. I was so devastated that I left her home and promised myself to avenge her death and her lost happiness. You have taken the most important woman in my life when I was a little boy." Ken narrated.
"Well, that can't be true because I have only killed one woman in my entire life plus it was an accident." Kenshin replied.
"So you have chosen to deny it, neh? The woman I am talking about is named Tomoe. Now do you remember?" Ken added.
Kenshin and the rest was shocked. Can it be, that the man in front of them knew Kenshin's past wife?
"If what you say is true, I ask for your forgiveness, her death was an accident. I loved her. Please don't involve Kaoru, nor the other women into this mess." Kenshin answered calmly.
"If you think that having Kaoru is part of my revenge, well you have mistaken. Whether she knew you or not, the same fate lies ahead of her. She is my soulmate, just like Tomoe. Now, since I've told you my reasons, then it is time to begin." Ken started to stand up and headed for the middle part of the yard.
'This guy's just like Enishi, how many psychos are there anyway?' Yahiko thought. 'This will be a tough one battosai, goodluck' Aoshi thought. As Kenshin was about to stand up, he sensed a familiar ki. When turned to his left he saw a man holding the woman who welcomed them at the gates. "What are you doing here Saito? and what's with the girl?" Kenshin asked irritably.
"I received a report, that the syndicate involved with kidnapping seems to be hidding in this manor. I found this woman at the gates, and wouldn't take me in without the use of force." He said.
"Well let go of her now." Kenshin said.
"Well, well, I have more visitors than I've expected, and an officer if I may add. you are welcome to die sire." Ken said sarcastically. "Now, no more interuptions battousai, I will deal with the rest of you, later. For now, our long postponed battle shall begin." With that Ken charged Kenshin.
Author's notes: So how was it? bad good? improving? please review, I would really appreciate those. :D