Thank you to Tatsuko-san, Ashfae-san, Cecille Francisco-san, Sylvia-san and Lily-san for prereading.
:: :: Non spoken conversation
Kokoro - Heart, Mind and Soul
Part 14
By Jade One
Outskirts of Tokyo
Tokyo was still quiet, both physically and, to Akihisa's senses, mentally as well. This was a fact for which he was thankful. There was only so much noise he could ignore or block. He'd been in Tokyo for five days, and usually that wouldn't have caused a problem, but the last five days had been particularly stressful. The entire trip had been stressful. But it's nearly complete now, he thought with a smile. Soon it will be complete and Tokyo or any other place will not be a problem.
Akihisa looked to his right. The sun was beginning to rise over the city and the lightening sky was clear. It was a beautiful picture. The night had been cool and had laid a blanket of dew over the city. The early morning rays were bouncing off the ceramic tiles of the city, giving every building an outline of pure white light. The entire city sparkled. He looked around, taking in the full panorama. Kiree... And it will all be mine.
He turned back to the road. For the moment, he and Bairei were still surrounded by houses, but they were reaching the outskirts of the city. Once that happened they would be able to make better time, since they could stop leading the horses. There was no need to wake the citizens early, and he didn't really want his passage noted. I promised to leave the Battousai alone. But he did not make any similar promises. He has Kaoru-dono for now and that should keep him occupied but I think I must assume that eventually he will seek retribution. There is no need to make it easy for him. By the time he does find me, it will be too late. I will hold them all: Kouken, Hiten and Tamashii. They will all be one within me. And holding one then becomes obsolete.
Akihisa walked on, absently listening to the dull fall of his horse's hooves on the road. They made an interesting counter point, a measured beat to the bird song that was beginning to fill the air. He nodded slightly, eyes narrowing in thought. The Battousai would eventually be after him. But I don't think I will kill him. There will be no need. He has given me what I need. It would be best to send him back to Kaoru-dono. If necessary, although I wouldn't really like to on him, I can use Kouken's fifth technique to erase his memory of me, or maybe to give him a stronger attachment to her. There should be no need to do anything further and with him any alteration may not be permanent. Akihisa could still remember the fierce will of the man. That will could undo almost anything he could do. A working in him, on his mind would have to be perfect if it was to survive that will. And such perfection took time... Time I am unlikely to have, if I am facing him down, Akihisa thought with a grim smile.
He looked up as the last star disappeared and took a deep breath of the crisp, chill air. Everything was going so well, even if the Tamashii Master had escaped. He cannot run forever. And I will be able to find him again easily. I have marked him... If he would just submit, I wouldn't have to hurt him. He could be free and not be living under the cloud of my reach. Seir's escape and the effort, although slight, he would have to expend to recapture him and take what he needed was perhaps the only blot on his plans.
But if Seir was the low point, she was definitely the high point. The beauty of Tokyo in the morning light faded at the memory of her perfection. He still remembered the first time he had seen her, when he was observing the Battousai. He'd thought she was another child at first but that brief touch, the brush of her against his extended senses had proven how wrong he had been. Earth, air, water, fire, light and dark. They were all contained and balanced. She had shone like the universe reborn. The sun's softest touch, its harshest burn. It had been so intense it was painful. She had amplified him, expanded his focus. In that instant, he had almost touched the world. He'd never had to struggle so much to remember Kouken's first lesson, something that had always come instinctively to him.
Akihisa had known then that she was the one for him. Her presence to his Kouken senses was electric but her physical presence was in no way diminished by her other beauty. She was small but she had a woman's curves. Long hair confined in pink silk had complimented her eyes, a blue darker than the sky but lighter than the night, sparkling, vivid, bright and alive. Every part of her was brilliant with her life force. But it had been unfocused. Focused for him though, what couldn't he do, sustained by her presence?
But that memory was nothing compared to the time at the Phoenix's base. The power of her touch! He'd almost been lost just by stroking her face. The haze that had come to his eyes had taken hours to clear completely. After that he had been careful when he had touched her again. Her skin was so smooth. She felt like silk to his fingers, and her hair! So lustrous! She was so much more beautiful in person. But she possessed more than mere physical beauty. The shock, the energizing charge she gave to his Kouken senses was both exquisite and exhilarating. He could hardly wait to feel her now that he had added Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. To hear her song. To have her focused for him.
Ever since he had fought the Battousai, his Kouken senses had been increased. And that was the reason why this trip had been so stressful. The addition of Hiten had increased the noise from Tokyo one hundred fold in one day. He had almost been screaming last night in frustration and pain at the noise before he finally got shields in place. Shields he had only ever used in the deepest training with his Shishou. He hadn't needed them before the evening though. It had taken time for the constant noise to wear down his normal shields. He'd replaced them this morning, anchoring them firmly. They were stronger than before but he needed time to adjust, so it was good to be leaving. The outskirts of Tokyo were quieter than the centre. And at the end of his journey, she was waiting.
"Niijima-sama?" Bairei's voice broke in on his thoughts. The boy was armed for travel. It was not usual for his servants since he liked them to move as inconspicuously as possible through the general populace.
"Ara?"
"I think we are far away enough now," he said quietly, gesturing around.
Akihisa looked around. They had indeed cleared past the city and were now surrounded by fields. The sun hit the paddies, filling them, creating a glare. It was dappled in the fields but solid on the canals running in between the fields. The sun was higher in an almost white-blue sky and the ceramic roofs of Tokyo were clustered together, like a lake of blue tiles stretching before him.
"Aa, ikuzo. We have a long way to go," Akihisa nodded, turning away from the landscape and looking at the road ahead. It had a slight upward rise. They were beginning to enter the foothills. He swung up into his saddle, flicking his manto back to ensure he did not sit on it. Bairei was already waiting quietly although his horse was prancing, bringing its hooves down loudly on the road. Akihisa nodded slightly before he spurred his horse forward, not giving Tokyo another glance.
***
"Neigh!"
"Chikushou!" Akihisa jolted up as his horse shied. He knew though, that swearing at the animal was not going to calm it and deliberately placed a calming hand on the animal's neck. His horse pranced sideways, its head held high. But its movements showed that it was backing away from something. As Bairei reined in behind him, Akihisa looked around.
The sun was still relatively low in the sky, causing long dark shadows. The road here passed through a clearing, which was a large irregular circle, defined by thick bamboo and trees. A thick bed of discarded leaves littered the ground but out from under the canopy soft, even moss-like grass carpeted the ground. It was dotted with tiny white flowers that still glittered with the last morning dew. Now is not the time to be admiring the scenery, Akihisa thought bemused, before he narrowed his eyes, focusing in on a floating red dot in the middle of the darkest shadow.
"It looks like I underestimated him," Akihisa murmured with a stab of recognition before raising his voice conversationally. "Ohayou, Fujita-san. I trust I haven't kept you waiting long," he added pleasantly.
The man walked out from under the branches but stopped short of stepping into the sun and remained in the dappled, shifting shadows of the overhanging canopy. He was as neat, tidy and menacing as usual.
Akihisa dismounted, examining Saitou, aware that he was being examined in return. He handed his reins to Bairei, who rode further up the road, passing the clearing before turning around and settled down to wait with every indication of being prepared to stay there for a long time.
"I wasn't waiting long," Saitou responded. He was dressed as Akihisa had always seen him, in an immaculate uniform. The creases in the pants looked like they were a permanent fixture for Saitou, as were the four bangs that hung down over his face. His katana hung at its usual angle but for today Saitou had discarded the usual cap which accompanied his uniform. And although a police officer was supposed to be a comforting sign, his expression was devoid of warmth or politeness. His eyes were narrowed and glittered fiercely. A slight frown creased his brow and his lips were pursed, making his cheeks seem all the more gaunt.
Akihisa himself was dressed as normal. Hakama tucked into boots, with a gaijin shirt, the pattern of which he liked. It was colorful, but the colors were dark and swirled in an intricate pattern. He had forearm and shoulder guards on and his boots looked normal but were actually reinforced over his shins. His manto fluttered around him in the slight breeze, revealing a katana slipped through his hakama's ties. His hair was already tied back for travel so it would not be a problem in the fight Saitou wished. He deliberately kept his expression open, green eyes looking out from over a slight smile.
That was before he looked questioningly over at Saitou. "Ano? I know why I am travelling along here, but I am at a loss as to why you are here, Fujita-san?"
Saitou's expression did not change but he did seem to consider his answer. "The Shadow Daggers."
"Aa," Akihisa nodded. He saw no real advantage in denying that. "You worked that out quicker than I thought you would."
Saitou looked away for an instant, dismissing the matter. "Underlings have their uses."
"Oh!" Niijima laughed. "I guess I never thought of that. You didn't strike me as the type of man who relies on underlings much. No matter." His eyes narrowed in speculation. "But the Shadow Daggers are hardly worth pursuing me over. In fact, I was doing you a favor. I'm sure the casualties on both sides has significantly reduced the number of Yakuza you have to deal with, hmm?"
"Kamiya."
Akihisa glanced at the ground. "I am sorry for taking her, but I could not get the Battousai's attention or agreement any other way, and his agreement was very important for me." Niijima tried to explain, even though it was probably a waste of time. He knew the answer to his next question but he asked it anyway. He was trying to show he was sorry and had been concerned for her safety, wasn't he? "She is alright, isn't she? I did not hurt her."
"So she maintains. That doesn't really interest me, nor do the Shadow Daggers or Black Cobra's or any of the others. But I am interested in the price the Battousai paid you."
"Oh, that trifling little thing?" Akihisa's face became hard, his body taking up the challenge implied by Saitou's comments and question but his voice remained light and almost amused, as if this matter was inconsequential. Then it changed, matching his outward stance. "You really shouldn't be concerning yourself with matters which do not involve you."
Saitou, if anything, looked more dangerous at the rebuke in Akihisa's voice. He flicked his cigarette away before reaching over, drawing his sword and murmuring, almost too quietly to be heard, "The Battousai belongs to me. I will allow no one to interfere in our fight."
"Sou da ne?" Akihisa laughed, also drawing his weapon. "He must be grateful that you are taking such good care of him."
"And that is not your concern," Saitou said, dropping into a crouched position, the gloved fingers of his left hand spread over the curved point of his katana. His feet were digging into the soft ground, gaining purchase. "And you will not interfere for much longer," Saitou snapped, jumping forward with a spray of dirt.
Niijima brought his sword up to meet Saitou's charge. That is, he tried to. NANI?! The world had suddenly acquired a red tint and had become flat with everything defined with straight, sharp lines. Saitou loomed disturbingly close. Akihisa's eyes opened wide as he recognised the view and the absolute silence that accompanied it.
::Worthy of me?:: The question was there with contemptuous clarity. ::I doubt you could ever possibly be worthy of me.::
::I can't be, if you don't allow me to prove it. I have the techniques which you should be wielded with.::
::Technique is not everything. You would wield me as show. And I do not need that. I am not merely an accessory to power.::
::Iya, you are not. You are a power of yourself,:: Akihisa agreed. ::But if I cannot wield you, I can never prove my worth.:: Akihisa almost ground his teeth in frustration. Saitou had closed the distance by more than half but he doubted the sword would consider that important. Now was not the time for him to be held immobile by a sword. But he should have known, should have seen that it would be this exact time that the sword would exert itself. To prove himself, he would have to overcome it.
::Yet you would prove your worth to wield me by wielding me?:: It almost seemed amused. ::That hardly seems fair.::
::Shikashi...: Akihisa indicated to Saitou's current position. He had now covered about three-quarters of the distance. Niijima's mind was screaming in frustration.
::He's faster than I remember him to be,:: the sword responded, conversationally, not releasing its grip on Akihisa. Although there was not really a voice, the tone was mild, uninterested and very unconcerned about the approaching figure.
Akihisa gritted his teeth. He maintained enough control to do that. He also braced himself for impact with Saitou's sword, as much as he was able. This was not really the way he saw his end but even though he was struggling against the sword's embrace he couldn't feel it weakening. This was going to be bad. With absolutely nothing to prevent or soften the impact, not even the shifting of his weight, Saitou's impact was bound to be both painful and fatal, eventually. He'd no doubt linger for a while. It would be painful and was not something he really wanted to consider. ::TEMEE!:: he screamed at the sword.
Its reply seemed to be a crystalline laugh. ::Blood is blood. I have no reason to care if it is yours. There has only been one man with whom I have cared if it was his blood or not.:: It took on an accusing note. ::And you spilt his.::
There was a loud clash in front of him. At least, Akihisa assumed it was loud. Since he was trapped by the sword, he could hear nothing but he could see, although only in the way the sword saw the world.
Bairei was sitting low in his saddle, bent over. Neither hand was on the reins, both were holding his sword against Saitou's, pushing his into the ground, at least at its tip. He was controlling his horse through the main strength of his legs. The animal was trying to shy away. Its head was raised and it kept jerking back from Saitou. Bairei was calling to him. Akihisa could feel him desperately pounding on the barrier imposed by the sword to no avail. The sword was allowing him no outside communion. He could see that from behind Bairei's horse Saitou had stepped back and was now holding his sword loosely across his body. Akihisa doubted he was in anyway amused at the interference but at the moment, he didn't really care.
::You are going to bow down to me,:: he snarled at the sword, ceasing his struggles against it.
::Perhaps, but perhaps not. Your servant cannot stand against the Wolf,:: it said casually, watching outside itself.
Bairei had dismounted and his horse had taken the opportunity to clear the area. Bairei though, had remained, standing protectively in front of him, his sword held high and ready. A classic defense. Akihisa could imagine his defiance. Grrr. He mentally shook himself. Right now he had a more immediate problem. ::You are going to bow down to me,:: he repeated as understanding finally came to him. The sword had almost told him itself how he could break free. 'You would prove your worth to wield me by wielding me?' It all hinged on those words.
Bairei was locked against Saitou and was giving a good accounting of himself, but if the battle continued he was going to lose.
::I will prove my worth to you.::
::Honto ne?:: It seemed amused.
Akihisa smiled and moved. He could now that his decision was made. He twisted his wrist, turning the sword's point towards the ground and drawing himself up. Neither combatant seemed to notice his movement, focused as they were on each other. It would take Saitou a while to defeat Bairei. He flicked the sword over, and drove it into the ground. ::Watch,:: he instructed. ::Watch, and I will do what you have requested,:: he finished with a slight smile, turning away.
"Bairei, that's enough!" He called sharply, cutting over the clash of swords. In the slight pause Bairei jumped back, clearing out of Saitou's reach.
Bairei looked over, wary still of Saitou but there was a smile on his face. "Niijima-sama!"
Akihisa nodded in acknowledgement. "Come here, Bairei." He looked then at Saitou. "You have my apologies Saitou-san. You did not come here to fight my servants," he said as Bairei came over to him. Saitou showed no expression. "I should have expected what happened and made an allowance for it." He smiled wistfully. "It was somewhat silly of me to expect it to…" He paused. "Ah, I see you have no idea what I am referring to. No matter." ::Bairei?::
::Hai, Niijima-sama.::
Akihisa was pleased to see that the boy displayed no surprise at contact, nothing for Saitou to pick up on the conversation. ::Give me your sword, then go collect the horses. I don't wish to walk the rest of the way.::
::Hai.::
::You did well against Saitou. You have progressed further than I thought you had.::
Bairei glowed with the compliment. He still had to learn total control. As he handed over his sword, ignoring Saitou's glare, Akihisa caught the thought, "I was better than Saitou thought I was too." ::That you were. But don't get too cocky. Saitou doesn't really expect high level resistance these days.:: Akihisa accepted the blade and looked back at his opponent. Bairei backed away before he turned and walked after their horses. He made the occasional soft murmur to reassure them as he approached.
"I am truly sorry about that, Saitou-san. Shall we begin again?" Akihisa questioned, assuming a ready stance. He measured the distance between them. It was about the same as before.
Saitou looked at him before he sighed and fell back into his gatotsu stance. "I hope you have a better defense than that for my gatotsu. I'd hate to have to tell the Battousai that you died gibbering in fear."
"Heheheh!" Akihisa laughed. "You really don't understand what just happened, do you? How boring your life must be but I assure you, my defense will interest you. Just to prove it, you can start again." Akihisa watched Saitou. He was considering the words just spoken but would attack soon enough. He reached out, lightly touching the burning intense presence that was Saitou. I might as well see how good my integration of Kouken and Hiten is…He broke off all thought as he caught Saitou's decision to attack and saw him tensing an instant before he leapt.
::Watch me!:: He repeated the instruction, twisting out of Saitou's way, his manto trailing, flapping behind him.
Saitou pulled up, blocking Akihisa's swing amazingly fast from a move which looks like it leaves its wielder completely open after a failed attack. That's why he is a master of gatotsu. He knows how to counter for its weaknesses. Akihisa faced Saitou square on, allowing his movements to be decided upon by the impulses he felt in Saitou's mind. He gave a very focused attack. Akihisa's eyes darkened slightly in concentration. Cross right, up, block, parry, swing low. The cut, aimed at Saitou's thigh, swished harmlessly through the air as Saitou stepped back, his eyes calculating.
Akihisa resumed his ready stance, but the brief exchange had given him much to consider as well. He's not merely focused. His mind is as quiet as the Battousai's, he realized quite suddenly. The movement of his sword, his enemy and how to hunt them are the only things occupying his thoughts. Niijima narrowed his eyes and reached out mentally, deepening the contact he had initiated. The gesture brought new knowledge to him. He is as quiet and focused as the Battousai, but I am not struggling as much to hear him. I knew absorbing Hiten had increased my Kouken senses! He clamped down the surge of euphoria. This merely confirms it. But now I need to use Hiten Mitsurugi. That will be the real test. Niijima nodded to himself and waited for Saitou to continue.
The moments stretched out into minutes. The shadows crept back and the wind playfully rustled the leaves. Then at some unseen signal, they both leapt at each other.
Gatotsu again? This was almost going to be too easy. Akihisa side stepped left, then allowed the move to flow instinctively from him. He twisted, performing a pirouette on his right leg, and brought his sword around in a horizontal arc. "Ryuu Kan Sen." His eyes focused on the base of Saitou's skull.
But Saitou had seen the move coming or else he had been expecting it. He had been caught by the Battousai once with it and he had watched Akihisa avoid a similar attack a few days ago. He copied the defense, allowing himself to pitch forward but at the same time he slashed out and back with his sword.
Akihisa jumped. The arc of silver passed under him, but he felt shivers from his toes. It had been closer than he wanted. He pulled his right arm back in and reversed his grip on his sword, angling it down. He was already spinning from his failed move and as he fell to the ground again he drove the point of his sword down, hard, at where Saitou's chest should be.
He missed by a whisker, as Saitou rolled away, his sword pressed protectively against his leg. Akihisa did not pursue him. It would be too easy to get tangled up and leave himself open. Instead he waited until Saitou sprung upright, before he moved to close in again.
They stood in close proximity to each other. Both of them were defending against the other's attacks in the peculiar rhythm which was unique to combat. The battle progressed back and forth over the clearing, destroying the fine grass and tiny flowers that had been there.
"Heheheheh!" Akihisa laughed. Block, block, strike, step back, counter and turn. It was all so easy. Saitou had yet to touch him but there were several fine cuts in Saitou's uniform that could only have been made by a katana. He could feel the decisions and see the moves with such clarity. And he could tell, as Saitou moved, exactly when to strike, when he would be open for a fraction of an instant. Akihisa examined the link he had established between them. The link was the key to his Kouken fighting style but the link was not telling him everything he was acting upon.
The Battousai! The Hitokiri Battousai's technique, Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu… Akihisa's eyes opened wide and a smile of pure pleasure flashed across his features. It's telling me when to move! With Kouken, the signal to move, either in attack or defense came from without. It came from the opponent, dictated by their moves and their beliefs of the moment they would be most vulnerable. That's why it was so good. To your opponent, you knew every defense and you never attacked in vain. It was very demoralizing to only be attacked when you considered yourself vulnerable. But something now was coming from within and he was moving almost before he was aware of it. Hiten Mitsurugi! The Battousai's knowledge is letting me read Saitou's moves as he makes them. He laughed again in pure delight. This wasn't the ultimate technique yet, but it was one thousand times better than he ever dreamed possible.
Akihisa could feel Saitou's frustration, even though nothing showed in the Wolf's movements. And he caught the stray thought that intruded upon Saitou's focus. "Hehehe! Indeed it does Saitou! My defense does improve to match my attacker's skill. I never thought of it like that though." Akihisa's eyes sparkled with amusement as they separated. "I didn't need to be that good against Sagara. But I needed to be better than I was against the Hitokiri Battousai," he admitted ruefully, rubbing his arm lightly. The constant movement in defense or to attack Saitou was not doing his arm or ribs any good but they were only bruised and could handle the strain. He could handle anything.
"And for you, well…" He trailed off, cocking his head and looking down at Saitou's once immaculate uniform, his eyes picking out a number of small cuts he had put in it. "I'm probably better than I need to be," he finished in a somewhat superior tone.
Saitou remained silent. Not that Akihisa was expecting a response. He knew Saitou's beliefs. The winner of any battle was the one who walked away. And no fight was truly over until one combatant was dead.
"You know, it occurs to me that I should thank you, Saitou-san," Akihisa began again. "If we weren't fighting now, I doubt I would have had the chance to fully test the price the Battousai paid me." His voice held a note of speculation.
Saitou looked up at his words. He's still interested in the price, Akihisa determined quickly.
"The price?"
"A trifling little thing you have been attacking against," he replied cryptically. Confusion was all he could feel from Saitou. "You still don't get it, do you?" Akihisa could feel it. The man really did not understand. He didn't even entertain the wildest thoughts that may have led to understanding. "No matter, Saitou-san. You don't have to understand, ne? Nor does it really concern you. But please accept my thanks for this fight." Saitou took his words as bravado, despite the evidence to the contrary. Akihisa shook his head. I guess I always knew it would take something more to discourage the Wolf.
He does not have to be my enemy. The thought had been one he'd associated with Saitou Hajime for months now but as Akihisa watched, the man in question was falling into his gatotsu stance and he was regretfully forced to conclude that, for now, he was not ready to hear Niijima's offer. Later though… When he fully understands, he should be more receptive. Akihisa stood at ease as Saitou prepared to attack again. It was time for a more dramatic demonstration, to really test the extent of his new abilities.
As Saitou came forward, his sword shimmering brilliantly in the sun, Akihisa moved with deceptive slowness, twisting his forearm and driving his sword point into the soft turf. He held his left arm high and across his body to protect himself from any stray dust. Niijima stepped into Saitou's gatotsu, driving his own blade forward, through the ground. It took a great deal more force than he thought but the effect was worth it. "Dou Ryu Sen!"
Saitou slammed into the spray of dirt at full force. The tiny particles and some larger pieces of rock bit into him, ripping his uniform and causing many small abrasions. The damage was not quite as bad as it could have been. Saitou had managed to shield his face but because he had pulled up so harshly in an attempt to avoid the dirt, he was now dangerously over balanced and was stumbling backwards.
Perfect. Akihisa continued his lunge forward with a smile on his lips and his now black eyes shining happily. Saitou had reacted as he had expected. He pulled his sword out of the ground and held it across his body. Its cutting edge was angled towards him. Saitou was still a man of possibility. There was no need to kill him just yet. He crouched slightly and then drove upwards, diagonally, following the path the Dou Ryu Sen had taken but for a slightly different move.
"Ryuu Shou Sen." He felt the sword hit solidly and heard the crunch of Saitou's teeth. Saitou maintained enough control not to cry out but the hit did send him reeling backwards.
It was going to take something more to bring him down, Akihisa decided from his mid air vantage point. One more hit should do it. Akihisa angled his sword in, still flipped, focusing on Saitou's left shoulder. Saitou still held his katana but it was held at an odd angle, away from his body. Probably a defensive reaction so that he doesn't cut himself, Akihisa decided. His manto flapped around him, spread out on either side. It made his shadow consume Saitou's. "Ryuu Tsui… Nani?!"
A stab of absolute control, despite the pain, from Saitou's mind and the sudden dangerous gleam of yellow in his eye gave Akihisa enough warning to throw himself to his right, desperately twisting away as Saitou whipped his katana into his body, angling his gatotsu up, in the anti-air form Akihisa had seen only once, when Saitou had drawn blood from the Battousai. It was entirely possible that if he had never seen it before, Saitou would have succeeded.
Akihisa gritted his teeth as he felt the tip of Saitou's sword graze through his side. But Saitou didn't get away cleanly either. As Niijima landed, he brought his sword over and around to his left and swung forward, horizontally. Niijima caught Saitou across his ribs with the blunt side of the blade, preventing the Wolf from launching a second attack and giving himself enough time to get clear.
He spun quickly, looking back at Saitou. They both gathered themselves. Akihisa reached over to his wound and carefully touched it with probing fingers. ::Daijoubu, Bairei. It's not that serious.:: He sent the reassurance out, as he withdrew his fingers, wiping them dry on his manto. It would need to be bandaged but it was only a flesh wound. "First blood to us both," he noted clinically.
Saitou brushed himself off. He had numerous small cuts but nothing major. The Ryuu Shou Sen to his chin did not appear to be causing him any difficulties in breathing and the hit to his ribs would probably bruise but be nothing more than an inconvenience. "You might be better than I thought." The admission came grudgingly.
"It looks like I'll have to be more careful," Akihisa responded, falling back into a ready stance, narrowing his eyes in concentration. Saitou's main advantage was his ability to attack even through pain and to take advantage of the slightest opening with lightning speed. He's got more real experience than me with fighting someone of equal ability, Akihisa thought. There were not that many people who could fight someone who knew exactly what they were going to do before they even moved. That has tended to make me complacent in a fight, Akihisa admitted to himself. And Saitou is tough and experienced in defending against Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. I should be more careful, lest I get myself killed. And that would be a waste.
He concentrated on Saitou's mind. It was as quiet as always. If he was speculating on how Akihisa had pulled off the Battousai's moves he was doing it very quietly. It's too quiet… He is far too quiet. But Akihisa recognised it as Saitou's ability. Ah… He realizes that if he is distracted, he entertains the possibility of losing and he intends to lose to no one but the Battousai and then he'll lose only if he's dead. A smirk passed across Akihisa's face. Perhaps I can shake up that control a bit.
He didn't get the chance to try then as Saitou closed in. Dou Ryuu Sen won't work twice, Akihisa thought, somewhat sadly, as he moved to meet Saitou with a more conventional block. Saitou knows Hiten, so I think it's time for a Kouken attack. He blocked and swung at Saitou almost absently. He was focused on the fight. He couldn't survive if he wasn't, but another part of him was preparing his Kouken attack.
"Kouken Sokuuchi Ryuu Third Technique, Projection," he formally announced the move, gliding aside as the image formed. It was a single image unlike the attack he had used on the Battousai, and this one was perfect.
To Saitou, it looked like nothing had happened. Niijima Akihisa still stood before him, still cast a shadow in the morning sun and still blocked his attacks. Akihisa smiled. He was in reality standing aside from the image, still within reach of Saitou but unseen. The sword that Saitou saw blocking his attacks was not really at the angle it appeared at. Akihisa still blocked his attacks, even though they were of no danger in his new position.
That was, until Saitou moved slightly, presenting his throat. Niijima swooped on the opportunity. He slammed his left hand down on Saitou's wrist, holding his sword arm, while his right arm brought his sword, blade first this time, under Saitou's chin. The image vanished as Saitou stiffened in surprise.
"I think this has gone on long enough," he said quietly, black eyes driving into Saitou's face. His mind was blank with shock. Akihisa suppressed a smile. So it was possible to surprise the Wolf. "You do not have to be my enemy," he continued. "Everything I know of you says you could be very valuable to me."
Saitou snarled, his anger flaring at the offer.
"Oh, don't be like that," Akihisa chided. He did not remove the pressure. Saitou was still very dangerous and he was in a corner now. "You really should consider it more seriously, Saitou-san. I pay better than the Public Service for a start."
Saitou's eyes narrowed but it wasn't in greed. "And you control more tightly. I have no wish to be your hound."
"I wouldn't do that."
"Iie! You can tame a dog but you cannot tame a Wolf."
Akihisa felt the force of the words and could see meanings they didn't even begin to express. Saitou would never follow him, not because of the reasons stated but because he, Niijima Akihisa had dared to interfere with his prey. He had fought the Battousai. Niijima blinked. The force of will coming from Saitou was incredible. It's a pity his is not a little more reasonable. But if he was, he wouldn't be Mibu's Wolf. Akihisa's face assumed a forlorn expression as his decision was, in effect, made for him. There would be no reasoning with him. "Then I am truly sorry, Saitou-san. Tokio-chan will never find another man like you." He used the playful suffix deliberately, as Saitou did.
Akihisa drove forward, intending to make it clean but Saitou jerked back with amazing force, ripping his right arm free.
Saitou snarled again, his narrowed eyes glittering in both anger and triumph. His mind had gone completely quiet, white with rage and concentration. He snarled, that Niijima should mention his wife. But that was a flash of anger, almost too fast to be caught. Energy gathered around him as he drew his arms in and planted his feet. "Ahou! Zero Gatotsu!"
Akihisa's eyes opened wide. Shimatta! He screamed mentally as he threw himself to one side. There had been absolutely no warning to either his Kouken or newly acquired Hiten senses. "Restraint," he screamed in reflex, sending the pulse of thought out desperately. Panic lent him the strength to pull the move off without his usual gesture.
Saitou barely felt the restraint but it was enough. It slowed him down enough for Akihisa to pass, barely, beneath the blade. His manto was not so lucky but Akihisa ignored the ripping as he hit the ground and rolled, gaining distance as quickly as he could. He came up and snarled back at Saitou, breathing heavily, his sword held protectively before him.
"I have to compliment you, Saitou-san." Akihisa took several calming breaths. "You should be proud, that move will probably work against the Battousai, which is what you intend it for, ne? But he wouldn't make the same mistake as me. Your problem would be in getting close enough to him to use it."
Saitou drew himself up, bringing his sword back around to a defensive position but even he was breathing heavily. His mind was still blank, rage still formed a block against Akihisa's probing thought.
It looks like it's my turn to attack. I had better put him down before he causes me any more trouble. That, Akihisa thought, with the memory of fear, was too close. I lack true experience and he knows it. Very good Saitou, to so quickly identify my weakness and use it against me. But it's time to finish this.
"This has been interesting Saitou-san, but I have a long way to travel and you have delayed me enough as it is." Akihisa flicked off the remains of his manto, fixing the move in his mind. "If you will not serve me, I'll just have to leave you here."
He jumped forward, gripping his blade in both hands, holding it centred on his opponent. "Kuzu Ryuu Sen!"
Niijima saw Saitou's eyes widen in recognition of the move and felt him move in defense. But then he flashed past him with a shock of impact. Akihisa stumbled slightly on landing, but spun quickly to look at Saitou. If there was someone who could defend that move, it would be him.
But that was not the case. He had fallen. His sword had been knocked away and lay, slightly covered in dirt, beyond Saitou's reach. Akihisa came forward, still wary. Saitou was a cunning man, not above lying in wait, even now. He kicked him over and examined Saitou's wounds. He wasn't exactly gentle about it but then he saw the damage. It didn't look like Saitou would be getting up for a while.
"Five hits." They were bleeding profusely. "A very good defense," he murmured as he counted but then he saw that Saitou was still conscious. He was tough. Akihisa smiled down at him, superior. "You have taught me a lot, Saitou-san. But whether you now live or die is not something I am interested in. If you live though, in light of this fight, I would advise you not to fight the Battousai. Although, as you discovered I can use his techniques, I lack his experience, his pure killer instinct. I really am much nicer. You'd lose to him, fairly easily, I'd imagine, if it ever came down to it. But you know that already, don't you?" Akihisa gave a short bark of laughter. He could feel the confirmation of his words. Saitou coughed blood but remained silent. His internal wounds were probably worse than those that were showing although his eyes still glared at Niijima defiantly.
"Well," Akihisa turned away. "Good-bye, Saitou-san. What happens now is up to you. But remember, you do not have to be my enemy," Akihisa finished, walking back to the silent sentinel that had watched them fight.
::Worthy of you?:: He threw the question back at it, as he stood before it. ::I have done what you asked,:: he added quietly, gesturing vaguely towards Saitou's prone form. ::I have beaten him, using your master's techniques. He's not even dead yet, so he has the full opportunity to appreciate this.::
::Yes, you did, with a variation I have not seen, at that.:: The contempt which Akihisa usually felt was not present. Instead it was replaced by an excitement but he made no move to draw the sword just yet. The sword fell silent. It seemed to be considering what it had seen and heard with what it knew. Akihisa waited, Saitou's labored breathing forming the only counter.
::But you have spilt his blood.:: The objection came again. ::You have done what I wanted,:: the sword admitted, ::but you have spilt his blood.::
There was only one 'his' the sword could possibly be referring to. Akihisa closed his eyes. He really hadn't wanted to but that had been the only way the Battousai would agree. He was ashamed, and he tried to let the sword feel that, but for something that responded best to towering love or hate and understood absolute devotion, it might be something that it could not comprehend.
::I understand more than you think.:: Akihisa was flooded with guilt and remorse, a thousand times stronger than his own. Accompanying it was the desire to find redemption.
Akihisa looked at the sword. It looked like just a finely crafted sword but as he had said before, it was a power unto itself and he knew what it needed him to do. ::I have spilt his blood but you know my feelings on that, so in return, I will spill my own.::
He placed the blade of Bairei's sword high on his left forearm, above the guard, and drew it back. The wound was not serious but it did bleed profusely. Akihisa let his blood flow and drip down on to the sword's hilt, soaking its bindings before it ran down the blade itself. When it began seeping into the ground, he pulled his arm back.
::I accept.:: The acknowledgement came quietly.
Akihisa reached out and gripped the now blood soaked hilt, pulling the sword free from the ground. He ignored the wet feeling and the blood that oozed through his fingers, as he held the sword before him.
::But I will not call you master,:: the qualification was added. ::I have called no man master.::
Akihisa laughed in delight. A power of itself indeed. ::Then we shall be as one, a partnership of equals.::
::As it was meant to be.::
Bairei was watching, he had finally tracked down their horses, as his master discarded his sword and took up the Hitokiri's blade. No, it was now his master's blade. A smile crossed his features. So the sword has finally accepted Niijima-sama but then his eyes widened in shock. As Niijima-sama master laughed, he seemed to be surrounded by a soft red haze. Bairei shook his head, and blinking his eyes, looked back. It must have been my imagination. There is nothing there but the sun's glare.
Akihisa turned back to where Bairei was waiting. As he resheathed the sword he felt sufficed with warmth. He didn't bother performing a chiburi. The sword needed to feel his blood for the moment and he could clean it later. Already it felt lighter at his waist, and it seemed to cleave the air more cleanly. This had been a worthwhile stop. I am integrating Hiten faster that I thought I could but I need to be careful and not lose focus in battle. And the sword has accepted me, far before I ever thought it would consider it. He looked up at the sun as he gave Bairei's sword back to him. They had lost time but it could be made up.
He rummaged through the pack behind his saddle and found a new shirt. He could hardly wear this one to continue travelling, not if he wanted to remain inconspicuous. Bairei appeared with what looked to be hundreds of bandages, his face concerned. As Akihisa stripped off the remains of his shirt, he looked over at Saitou. He's still there, the inane thought crossed his mind. It was not as if he was in any condition to go anywhere. "Give them to Saitou," Akihisa instructed, jerking his head as a malicious smile flashed across his features.
Bairei's eyes widened but he did not argue. "Hai, Niijima-sama!" After he had handed over a couple of rags and bandages, he took the rest over to the prone figure. He approached warily and left them within Saitou's reach.
Akihisa wiped the blood from his side and arm, then wound a bandage over the wound Saitou's anti-air gatotsu had given him. The last thing he needed to do was bleed all over a new shirt. And then he pulled his shirt on, stuffing the other back into the pack. He'd have to replace his manto later. It was probably going to be too warm a day to bother with it anyway.
As he mounted he looked back at the clearing. Saitou had not yet moved. "You perhaps could have gotten me if you had brought the Battousai along. I must thank you again. What happens now between us is up to you. I have no further interest in the Battousai and should you ever wish to work for me, the offer is still open. But for now this is good-bye Saitou-san. Perhaps we will meet again, perhaps not, but whatever happens do not ever stand in my way again. I doubt I will be as understanding a second time and I really would hate for your wife to be alone."
He turned his horse and spurred it to a gallop, leaving Saitou lying, gasping for breath. He had a long way to go yet.
To Be Continued.
Definitions
Kiree - Beautiful
Shishou - Master
Ara - general noise of surprise
Aa, Hai - yes
Ikuzo - Let's go
Chikushou - Darn it
Ohayou - Good Morning
Hakama - pants
Manto - Cloak
Ano - general noise/query.
Sou da ne - Is that so
Shikashi - But
Temee - bad way of saying you. Worse than kisama
Iya, Iie - No
Honto ne - Really
Nani - what
Ahou - moron
Daijoubu - It's all right
Shimatta - Darn it
Chiburi - Motion of flicking blood off a sword
Tamashii Hitokken Ryuu - Yasutake Ryuichi's and Murakami Seir's technique
Tamashii - soul
Hitokken - One Sword
Kouken Sokuuchi Ryuu - Niijima Akihisa, Segawa Shinichi, and Ryusaki
Masujiro's technique
Kou - Thought
Ken - Sword
Soku - Swift
Uchi - Strike
Fairly simple ne?
HUGE Thank you to Tatsuko for helping to create the names of some fighting
schools.
Any other names that appear in this fic, eg names of people, while I'm sure they mean something, I did not pick them because of any meaning they may have. I picked them because I liked them when I was choosing names. Some I stole from other manga's and animes and one or two I made up myself.
Everyone knows what Ryuu Kan Sen, Ryuu Tsui Sen, Ryuu Shou Sen, Dou Ryuu Sen, Kuzu Ryuu Sen and Gatotsu are, don't they?
Review Please!