Chapter # 8

Chapter # 8

Nerima, 1990's-

The Tendou training hall seemed dark though it was afternoon. Two figures sized each other up, each with a shady expression. The entire house seemed silent, all except the soft breaths made by the girl at the sidelines.

The odds did not look particularly good. Ranma didn't normally have a problem facing Kuno, but this time he was serious! The wooden bokken Ranma was used to fighting seemed almost childish now; now that they were through playing with toys. Each opponent felt the hilt of their katana. Kuno looked most eager to start the fight while the other looked almost uninterested.

The sakabattou made a small 'shiff' sound as Kenshin nudged it out with his thumb. His eyes looked most grim now and his lips were pulled thin. He had considerable time to look his adversary over. It took him a little down memory lane as he did. He thought in retrospect, * To think, this mere boy is challenging me.* But another notion brought him greater shock. He furrowed his brows as he also realized, * He's so young. I can barely believe that at his age I myself was the Hitokiri Battousai. *

In hopes of avoiding the heavy matter, Kenshin gave a last warning, "Kuno," Tatewaki looked up with anticipation, "I warn you not to start this. The probability of injury to yourself is far greater than what you may have previously thought."

A hearty laugh ensued coming from the brown haired boy. "I think not!" he cackled, "Ranma Saotome, from the day I met you I hated you. You've stolen both of my loves from me."

Kenshin winced at that. * Loves? Multiple?*

But Kuno continued, "With you out of my way, I can now take the hand of the fair Akane Tendou and the fiery pig-tailed girl!"

Out of nowhere, a large mallet slammed into Kuno's head, Akane attached to the handle. She reared up and shouted, "Not on your life, Kuno! I don't want to have anything to do with such a pervert!"

Instead of losing his face, Kuno reacted by presenting a trademark red rose to Akane. He looked at her with love and said, "To you, my dearest. And after my victory we must celebrate with a night of unrestrained passion!"

Slap! A searing red mark in the shape of a hand was left on Kuno's cheek. Akane stomped some distance away and shouted back, "Ranma! Do whatever you want with him!" With that she sat down and crossed her legs. She very badly wanted to see Ranma kick Kuno around for a while.

Watching the past few minutes was more than stunning to Kenshin. He couldn't believe the kind of behavior people had in the future! Taking multiple women, malleting people, and taking it all in stride!--it was entirely quite insane! But no matter how much her wondered, he could never fathom the depth of weirdness in Nerima until he experienced it firsthand...which he would.

With that distraction out of the way, Kuno returned his focus on Kenshin. Feeling as though he could no longer wait for his rival's death, he made a dash of his attack using his katana in the normal way he used his bokken—striking rapidly, plunging in stabs.

Kenshin, on the other hand used his style. He waited calmly for his aggressor to come. Seeing the time as right, he finessfully unsheathed his sword connecting with Kuno. The hit sent the boy reeling back. He shook his head in surprise. Rising to his feet he looked even more invigorated than ever exclaiming, "My my! How one dose change! I never thought you were one for swordsmanship! Perhaps this will be a worthy fight after all! Come, Saotome, and play with me." He then raised his sword in a disturbingly familiar fashion.

Shock hit Kenshin hard. "What the-? That stance looks just like…Shishio Makoto!"

The jolt sent through Kenshin pleased Kuno. He noticed his look of dismay and apprehension. Kuno kept the sword aimed and boomed, "I see you recognize my form! It is the foundation of the Kuno Style of Kendo-Kenjitsu! Shishio Makoto was my great ancestor." Kenshin gasped. Akane showed concern, but still didn't know who this Shishio person was. Kuno was glad to expand the thought, "You must be quite familiar with him, eh, Saotome? Who else can boast to be part of such noteworthy heritage? Unfortunately, at his most triumphant moment, he lost his life at the hands of a rival. But no matter. So as the style was passed through the ages, so it was improved upon."

This couldn't be happening! As far as Kenshin knew, Shishio had no children and taught no disciples, but still…That technique was not mistakable. The entire affair was bringing back painful memories he had, when he himself defeated Shishio.

With a smile on his face Kuno added, "It is by his philosophy that this fight shall be decided. Only the strong shall live and feed off the weak! Following this, I will delight in your death, Saotome. Now taste defeat by the legendary sword!!!" Kuno lunged at Kenshin making a series of strikes and slashes. The steel clanged as Kenshin parried as well as he could.

During the fight, Kenshin's body moved automatically--just as he'd been taught to. Despite this, he struggled to keep up with the malevolent boy. It was indeed Shishio's technique, but other moves were built into it! Swift, smooth, deep, and hard--Kuno moved with the expertise as one who'd lived in the Mejie era as a warrior!

The intensity rose within the room as the two went at it swing by swing. The breath was caught out of Akane even though she herself was not part of the battle. She looked onward in amazement commenting on the skill, "Incredible! They're moving so fast! I would barely know their swords were hitting if it wasn't for the noise!" She concentrated on one then the other, equally baffled by both! "I've never seen Kuno fight with such dexterity before. I guess all that stuff with the bokken was just practice after all. Now I see his true potential as a fighter! If he had used that katana on Ranma before, I don't know if he would have won so easily, or survived!" But as she looked on, she saw that Kenshin was holding his own. Of course, it was all too remarkable for her, because she still thought he was Ranma! She couldn't help but note, "Ranma's…Going at it as well! I've never seen him pick up a katana in his life, and yet he's neck in neck with Kuno. This is extremely odd. I know Ranma can use the Chestnut Fist, but I don't think that would make him better with a weapon unless he really knew how to use it."

The situation was getting out of hand. Kenshin and Kuno would attack, strike or parry, then jump back only to begin another assault. It was becoming a cycle! Even as he stood now, Kenshin thought, * If this is as much of Shishio's style that was passed down, I think I can still defeat him with a specialty strike.* He backed away for distance and prepared to lay a good one on Kuno.

Noticing Kenshin's actions, Kuno took the initiative. He made a slow circle with his sword and barked, "Ha! I shall smite thee once and for all, Saotome! Embrace your death with my ultimate technique!"

Alarmed, Kenshin knew what that technique was. He would use fire to burn his opponent to a crisp! He had no time to run over but called out desperately, "Akane! Get out of here! He's going to burn the dojo!"

"What?!" Akane jumped up in distress and bolted for the door. She had to tell the others Kuno was going to scorch the place!

Before Akane could reach the sliding door, Kuno executed his master move hastily grating his sword against the ground sending up a burst of flame. The power accidentally knocked Akane over unconscious. Kenshin had avoided the attack but still knew of its deadly abilities. He tried to lead Kuno outdoors, but it wasn't working. Instead of following him, Kuno used his technique to shoot flames wherever Kenshin went.

The enemy was at a disadvantage, and Kuno knew this. With every swing he made, his rival drew back. No one would dare oppose the mighty Kuno now! He brought his sword back and roared, "This is it!" he bolted forward dragging his sword with him creating a path of fire along the way. He swung around sending heated sparks into the air. He cried, "Prepare to die at the hands of the Blue Thunder of Furinkan

High!!!"

The fire flaring about was torching the dojo. Regardless of this, Kenshin was fully occupied with his oncoming crazed attacker. The heat immense, Akane awoke with a start and looked up from the floor. Fire consumed nearly the entire room! She jumped up being cornered as she was by a wall of searing flame. She wanted to scream, but choking smoke made her struggled just to breath. It was then she looked up. Kuno was putting the killing strike on her trapped fiancée!

The ball was on his field now and Kenshin had to make a move or die! He took to the air missing Kuno's initial attack. With his sword above his head he shouted, "Ryu-tsui-sen!!!" The sound of the chop sliced through the hot air striking Kuno dead on.

Akane managed a scream as she watched Kuno whacked in the head, but the Battousai's attack didn't stop there. As long as Kuno still held onto his sword, there was still a will to fight! Kenshin unleashed upon him battering slashes one after another. Kuno was losing his consciousness! Then, with one final blow, Tatewaki was down, passed out, and terribly beaten.

Akane looked on aghast. Tears welled up into her frightened eyes as she cried, "Tell me you didn't kill him! Tell me you didn't!" She had seen every hit connect that Kenshin laid on. With a fully sharpened katana, no man or beast could have survived!

A sharp 'sheek' sound was made as Kenshin gracefully sheathed his sword. Pivoting his heel, he turned to the girl. Through the flames he could see her utter terror, disgust and concern all etched into her fair face. He did not even seem to notice the frantic yells flooding the room or Genma and the Tendo family fretfully putting the flames out. He merely stood and peered into Akane's glassy eyes studying her emotion. He reflected, "They say eyes are the window to a person's soul. You, Akane, despite your tough front, are humane. For even this boy whom you claim to hate, you care for his ultimate well-being. It is that quality that holds you from doing any truthfully malicious harm to anyone." As he spoke, his eyes focused even more intensely on hers. "Do you really think that differently of me?"

Despite the clatter going on within the room, between the two it seemed as quiet as the dead. Kenshin's unyielding eyes wouldn't allow Akane's gaze to wander. She only had but to glance into his sincere blue wells and know the answer. She lowered her head ashamed that she had ever suspected and also knowing she'd never be able to reply half as poetically.

The fires out, Kenshin knew he had proved his point. He stepped over the body of Kuno to arrive at Akane's position. He took his hand to her chin and raised her slightly bowed head. This in itself was not expected. They way Ranma had been acting lately, it wasn't like his normal self. Akane puzzled over this for a moment wondering, * What is this? Kuno is all of a sudden good at martial arts and Ranma is acting decent? No, more than decent, down right courteous and sincere!* A smile couldn't be helped from escaping from either person.

A curious look swept over the blue haired girl. She pointed at Kenshin's sword and asked, "If I saw every one of your attacks hit, then why is Kuno all right?" All right indeed! It would be weeks before his face would be the same from all the bruises inflicted!

The question asked, the answer might as well be given. An easy pull took out the odd katana. Kenshin handed the precious object to her. It didn't take her long to realize what the reason obviously was! She said in almost a question, "Why, the blade is on the wrong side!"

Kenshin smiled sweetly and explained, "It's a sakabattou. That's why the blade is on the wrong edge. While I can't kill anyone with it, it will leave a nasty mark on someone."

It was then that a painful moan irked from Kuno's limp form. The two turned their attention to him as he struggled to stand. Kuno braced himself with one hand and lifted his head. One eye was black and blue while a long, red indention bisected his beautiful face. More groans were exerted as he shakily righted himself to sit on the floor. Now the rest of the damage was visible! Crushing lines marked every spot the legendary Hitokiri Battousai hit.

A concerned expression crossed the victor's face. He lifted a questioning finger and suggested, "Ah, should be call a doctor?"

Akane realized she'd lost herself but quickly regained her usually demeanor, "No! It's just Kuno! I'm sure he'll grope his way out of her eventually. Then he'll start this whole fiasco again given only time. Let's go Ranma!" She grabbed Kenshin's wrist and dragged him out. "I don't want to be in his presence any longer. Hmp!" Kenshin turned to her slightly with a quizzical face. She realized, * My…front? Honestly!* Without looking back she said almost at a whispered, "Thanks."