As night fell over the Kamiya Dojo, sleep invaded all the minds of
those within except one. Kenshin laid on his futon, gazing at the ceiling
as images of the Shadow Master's technique flashed before his mind. The
Shadow Blade was a technique that truly played with the mind of its
victims. By weaving an intricate pattern of speed and footwork, it created
multiple images of the wielder. Kenshin felt an involuntarily shudder as
he remembered Chikara charging him from what it seemed seven different
directions.
"Chikara, will your spirit ever rest?" Letting out a long sigh, Kenshin threw off his blanket and quietly strolled outside the dojo, careful not to awaken any of the sleeping inhabitants. After walking for about an hour, Kenshin finally reached the thick forest of bamboos and his secret clearing in the mist of the tall stems. If I am to survive this battle, I must be sharp, he thought and slightly pushed his sakabatou out of his sheath.
As morning came, life gradually began to stir. Kaoru slowly opened her eyes and stretched languorously. As she threw off her blanket she shivered at the coldness of the air. Something was wrong; Kenshin had always brought in firewood to keep away the morning chill. Quickly putting on her kimono, Kaoru stepped out to the dining room to find Aoshi sitting there already, sipping his morning tea.
"Where is Kenshin?"
Aoshi waved a hand at an envelope on the table and Kaoru picked it up and opened it. Carefully reading the message inside, Kaoru paled and began to visibly tremble. Aoshi gazed at her with steady eyes, So Himura Kenshin, you decided to try and save us all by fleeing those you love again?
The Letter
Dear Kaoru.
Fourteen years again in Tokyo, I fought against a great samurai called Chikara Kageno, the leader of a powerful clan called the Nightwalkers, and killed him. Of all the warriors slain by the Hitokiri Battoussai, he was unmistakably the strongest I had ever faced, even stronger than Shishio Makato. In order to keep all of you safe, I must depart from the dojo for some time and seek out certain warrior who is filled with the desire for revenge. If any blood is to be spilt, it must be mine, for the blame lies solely in me. Please do not worry or try to come after me; you will not find me. I promise that no matter what happens, I will come back to you.
Love,
Himura Kenshin
"Kenshin…" Kaoru whispered softly as she slowly dropped to her knees. Tears streamed steadily down her silky cheeks.
Aoshi got to his feet and caressed the grief stricken young woman's face and said quietly, "Don't worry Miss Kamiya, I will not let him die." With that firm promise, Aoshi picked up his long sheath and left the room.
Aoshi hesitated once he stepped out of the Kamiya Dojo. "If I was a prey seeking the hunter, where would I wander?" The silent warrior wandered out loud.
"If I were you, I would search for the closest isolated clearing." An emotionless voice murmured from behind him.
Aoshi turned around to spy Saitou Hajme leaning against a tree smoking a cigarette and nodded in acknowledgement. "Why am I not surprised that you are involved in this?"
Saitou stepped out of the shadow of the tree and tossed his cigarette on to the dusty road, stamping out the small flames. "I care about nothing for Battoussai. My assignment is to arrest or kill Yami Kageno for the destruction of Kyoto and Osaka along with the murder of three squadrons of guards. Both cites were burned down and all the inhabitants slaughtered."
Aoshi froze at the mention of his home and for the first time his usual calm voice became shaky. "Did the Oniwabanshuu survive?"
Saitou shrugged carelessly. "If any of them did, I didn't see a single one of them. You and your weasel girl should be lucky you guys are still alive."
Aoshi tried unsuccessfully to calm down his ragged breathing, his fists clenched so hard that his knuckles turned white. "Okina…Oniwabanshuu…I have failed you…" Tears slowly fell from Aoshi's tightly shut eyes.
Saitou tapped his foot impatiently, "Standing here crying is not going to bring back your precious Oniwabanshuu, nor is it going to allow you to achieve the revenge you so strongly desire right now. If you want to do something about it, follow me and help me find Himura Kenshin before Yami does." Saitou took out another cigarette from his front pocket and lit. Spinning on his heel, he walked away, beckoning Aoshi with a trail of smoke.
Aoshi punched the wall of the dojo angrily and wiped away his tears. Grabbing his long sheath, he followed the former captain of the Shinsengumi.
Meanwhile…
"Nine-Headed Dragon Strike!" The swarm of bamboos before Kenshin exploded into hundreds of pieces. Kenshin fell to one knee, panting in sheer exhaustion; he had been honing his skills through out the entire night. I must not grow weak! He thought furiously and launched himself into a fury of slashes and thrusts at the godly speed of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu.
Moving so fast that only flickers of him could be seen, the bamboos were mowed down and the area of the clearing rapidly increased. Unknown to him, a pair of steady eyes suddenly appeared in the thicket of the forest and gazed intently at the training rurouni. As quietly as the mysterious stranger arrived, he departed without the samurai's notice and disappeared.
Finally, after three more hours of intense training, Kenshin finally collapsed panting heavily. While is mind screamed for more, his body felt as if Kaoru had beaten him with her bokken. The thought of the most precious person in his life brought undesired tears to the resting samurai. Kaoru…please forgive me, Kenshin thought mournfully, regretting for the hundredth time the sorrow that his loved one was no doubt feeling. "Kaoru, I would die a thousand times to keep you forever happy." Closing his eyes he allowed his body to relax, but continued to run images of the techniques of the Shadow Blade through his mind.
"Chikara, will your spirit ever rest?" Letting out a long sigh, Kenshin threw off his blanket and quietly strolled outside the dojo, careful not to awaken any of the sleeping inhabitants. After walking for about an hour, Kenshin finally reached the thick forest of bamboos and his secret clearing in the mist of the tall stems. If I am to survive this battle, I must be sharp, he thought and slightly pushed his sakabatou out of his sheath.
As morning came, life gradually began to stir. Kaoru slowly opened her eyes and stretched languorously. As she threw off her blanket she shivered at the coldness of the air. Something was wrong; Kenshin had always brought in firewood to keep away the morning chill. Quickly putting on her kimono, Kaoru stepped out to the dining room to find Aoshi sitting there already, sipping his morning tea.
"Where is Kenshin?"
Aoshi waved a hand at an envelope on the table and Kaoru picked it up and opened it. Carefully reading the message inside, Kaoru paled and began to visibly tremble. Aoshi gazed at her with steady eyes, So Himura Kenshin, you decided to try and save us all by fleeing those you love again?
The Letter
Dear Kaoru.
Fourteen years again in Tokyo, I fought against a great samurai called Chikara Kageno, the leader of a powerful clan called the Nightwalkers, and killed him. Of all the warriors slain by the Hitokiri Battoussai, he was unmistakably the strongest I had ever faced, even stronger than Shishio Makato. In order to keep all of you safe, I must depart from the dojo for some time and seek out certain warrior who is filled with the desire for revenge. If any blood is to be spilt, it must be mine, for the blame lies solely in me. Please do not worry or try to come after me; you will not find me. I promise that no matter what happens, I will come back to you.
Love,
Himura Kenshin
"Kenshin…" Kaoru whispered softly as she slowly dropped to her knees. Tears streamed steadily down her silky cheeks.
Aoshi got to his feet and caressed the grief stricken young woman's face and said quietly, "Don't worry Miss Kamiya, I will not let him die." With that firm promise, Aoshi picked up his long sheath and left the room.
Aoshi hesitated once he stepped out of the Kamiya Dojo. "If I was a prey seeking the hunter, where would I wander?" The silent warrior wandered out loud.
"If I were you, I would search for the closest isolated clearing." An emotionless voice murmured from behind him.
Aoshi turned around to spy Saitou Hajme leaning against a tree smoking a cigarette and nodded in acknowledgement. "Why am I not surprised that you are involved in this?"
Saitou stepped out of the shadow of the tree and tossed his cigarette on to the dusty road, stamping out the small flames. "I care about nothing for Battoussai. My assignment is to arrest or kill Yami Kageno for the destruction of Kyoto and Osaka along with the murder of three squadrons of guards. Both cites were burned down and all the inhabitants slaughtered."
Aoshi froze at the mention of his home and for the first time his usual calm voice became shaky. "Did the Oniwabanshuu survive?"
Saitou shrugged carelessly. "If any of them did, I didn't see a single one of them. You and your weasel girl should be lucky you guys are still alive."
Aoshi tried unsuccessfully to calm down his ragged breathing, his fists clenched so hard that his knuckles turned white. "Okina…Oniwabanshuu…I have failed you…" Tears slowly fell from Aoshi's tightly shut eyes.
Saitou tapped his foot impatiently, "Standing here crying is not going to bring back your precious Oniwabanshuu, nor is it going to allow you to achieve the revenge you so strongly desire right now. If you want to do something about it, follow me and help me find Himura Kenshin before Yami does." Saitou took out another cigarette from his front pocket and lit. Spinning on his heel, he walked away, beckoning Aoshi with a trail of smoke.
Aoshi punched the wall of the dojo angrily and wiped away his tears. Grabbing his long sheath, he followed the former captain of the Shinsengumi.
Meanwhile…
"Nine-Headed Dragon Strike!" The swarm of bamboos before Kenshin exploded into hundreds of pieces. Kenshin fell to one knee, panting in sheer exhaustion; he had been honing his skills through out the entire night. I must not grow weak! He thought furiously and launched himself into a fury of slashes and thrusts at the godly speed of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu.
Moving so fast that only flickers of him could be seen, the bamboos were mowed down and the area of the clearing rapidly increased. Unknown to him, a pair of steady eyes suddenly appeared in the thicket of the forest and gazed intently at the training rurouni. As quietly as the mysterious stranger arrived, he departed without the samurai's notice and disappeared.
Finally, after three more hours of intense training, Kenshin finally collapsed panting heavily. While is mind screamed for more, his body felt as if Kaoru had beaten him with her bokken. The thought of the most precious person in his life brought undesired tears to the resting samurai. Kaoru…please forgive me, Kenshin thought mournfully, regretting for the hundredth time the sorrow that his loved one was no doubt feeling. "Kaoru, I would die a thousand times to keep you forever happy." Closing his eyes he allowed his body to relax, but continued to run images of the techniques of the Shadow Blade through his mind.