Note: This fic is AU and begins from the end of the Seissou Hen, and involves elements of established fantasy genres. Boring aren't I? You don't really want me to go all freaky do you? J Anyway, read and review, minna.
Rising from the Past"Arigatou, Mizushin-san. I can not express well enough my gratitude for what you've done for me, and for my beloved Kaoru de gozaru yo" Kenshin smiled amiably, bowing as his said his thanks.
Junzo waved off the bow. "Please, Himura-san, you need not bow, I'm not worthy of such high respect. Please, get up. Oh, and do call me Junzo, I'm not one for much formalities."
Kenshin straightened from his slight bow, halted by Junzo's immediate reaction to what he was going to do. "Very well then, Junzo-san de gozaru yo." Seeing the discomfort at that, Kenshin chuckled. "I see, you truly do not like any formalities. Junzo then. As for me, call me Kenshin, for I care not for the formalities either." A slight sound announced the arrival of Kaoru. A smile crossed Kenshin's lips as she set down tea in between the two. After a few moments, she sat beside Kenshin, greeting their new visitor with a smile. Kenshin placed a hand on her lap, which she covered with her own. After a few moments of silence, Kenshin turned to Junzo with, questions and some confusion in his eyes. "Junzo-san. I mean, Junzo, I think you know what question I want to ask, neh?"
The man across the red-haired former hitikiri, no, former rurouni, merely smiled sadly. "I'selu." Kenshin and Kaoru both looked at him with a peculiar gaze, uncomprehending. Junzo realized what he'd said and smiled sheepishly. He sipped his tea then placed it down. Placing his hands on his lap, he translated what he had previously said. " I'm sorry, I forget that you do not understand. I've been away from Japan for…quite a while." He paused as he said the latter part of his sentence. He cleared his throat with a soft cough before continuing. " As you asked me, how did I, ah…cure, you, I said i'selu right? The word i'selu means, 'The magic arts'." Surprise flashed on their faces as expected. He sensed Kenshin grow tense. "Perhaps it would be better if I explain this all from the start?"
Kenshin nodded, a serious air about him. "Please do, for I don't understand how you managed to heal my…condition."
Junzo nodded and began his story. "A few years ago, I was just like you were in your younger days. A rurouni, a wanderer with ideals of the new era. It so happened that one night, I took shelter in a cave, near the place where Himura Kenshin had been rumored to have defeated Makoto Shishio the leader of the Juppon Gatana, who died a fiery death. In that cave, as I slept, I had many dreams, disturbing me. Dreams of other worlds, many of worlds with magic, a few of worlds that seemed to be future versions of our own. I dreamed that I saw the gates of Heaven, and the misty darkness of Hell, or the Underworld." Junzo blinked, the floods of dreams slowly returning to memory. Shakily, he took the teacup and sipped it, calming him down. "Sorry."
Kenshin sensed the man's unease, his discomfort. "If you don not wish to finish this morning with your…tale, we could continue later, this afternoon."
Junzo shook his head. "No, better now than later. As perhaps, you and Kaoru-san may be able to explain to your friends how you became…as you are now." Kenshin nodded, and with a look at Kaoru, she nodded as well. With that, Junzo continued. "I woke up from those dreams, terrifying, wonderful, all strange and unique in their own way. In that cave, when I awoke, I saw a dim glow emanating from within its depths. I did not survive the trials of the post-Bakumatsu era, before the Meiji government managed to finally assert its control, without learning caution. I took with me my katana and sakabatou-wakizashi, and crept slowly deeper into the cavern. What met my investigation was a glowing portal, much like a body of water, a pond. Only, it was standing up, and it glowed with unseen power. The things I felt when I drew near it were not malevolent, nor were they enlightening or uplifting. Rather, I felt serene and calm, peaceful.
"Those feelings helped wash away the terrors I felt when I experienced those dreams. Curious, I touched the portal, which unbeknownst to me was a gateway between worlds. Accidentally, I slipped through that gateway, and traveled to another dimension, another world. I spent some years there, perhaps three or four, enough to learn the arts of magic, of healing mostly. It was in my fourth year when I was compelled to return, due to circumstances. A dark man had amassed a massive army there, and his evil horde was slowly taking over the lands. His name was Makoto Shishio." Junzo looked up at Kenshin, and the amazement on his, and Kaoru's face was evident. "I could not believe it either, but then I remembered, magic. Magic is a powerful tool, and in that world there were evil magic-users called necromancers, who summoned the spirits of the evil dead, or the newly dead, evil or not. The necromancers would bind these spirits into corpses, and force them to obey them. However, Makoto Shishio was just waiting for such a chance, since he had learned much in his few years in the Underworld. For you see, the Underworld is shared by all the other worlds of life, like this. All the 'evil' spirits go there, imprisoned, while all the 'good' ones are left free to wander, though their true home was 'Heaven'.
"In any case, Shishio and his immense will managed to break free, and he took over the necromancer's body. Using the necromancer's power, he managed to recreate his former body, the one of this world. With magic by his side, he resurrected the Juppon Gatana there, bringing along with him Unouma Usui, his woman, Yumi, and his right hand, Hoji. Many of the former Bakumatsu warriors were slowly brought forth, for after a year after his 'summoning', he saw that the general level of combat expertise in that world was lower than of this one. With an army of undead forged from the spirits of the Bakumatsu along with others who joined him and his rising power he was proving unstoppable. I was the only one from this world to realize that only the warriors of this world could stop him. Since the 'good' spirits were forbidden to intervene any more than giving wisdom to the forces that fought against Shishio, that meant that only the living warriors of this world could stop him. I know that I could not hope to defeat him without allies of skill, allies that can only be found here. So, I returned, with a special gift from the elves, a people of great magical power, to bring from Earth the best warriors I could find, and halt Shishio."
By the time Junzo had ended his tale, Kenshin and Kaoru stared at him with disbelief. It was unbelievable, they knew. Yet, this fanciful story could explain why he was here, and why they were healed. Even Megumi-san had said that Kenshin and Kaoru's sickness was incurable, and she was an expert doctor. How else, but though magic, could he have healed them? Even more evidence to this power, was that how else could Kenshin and Kaoru have seemed to have gotten younger? With that in mind, they could not disregard his story as delusions. Kenshin was the one who recovered first, and broke the momentary silence with a question. "This special gift of magic from these…elves. What was it?" Kenshin asked, already guessing the answer.
Junzo was silent for a while before he spoke. "With the intervention of Heaven, and the benevolent spirits, the elves had given me the magic to bequeath the gift of youth upon people." Kenshin nodded, his guess quite close to what Junzo had answered. "However, I can only bequeath this gift to a certain number of people, and the effects are not all the same. This changes from person to person, as you can see by yourselves. Kenshin has de-aged slightly more than you have, Kaoru, though the difference is only by two years or three. Also, your minds remain exactly the same as you were, even if your brains themselves are physically younger. Do you follow me?"
Kenshin nodded. "I do. Now, how many people can you give this gift of youth to?"
Junzo frowned and slumped slightly, deep in thought. "This world's magic has not been used by any major powers for centuries. Thanks to that, I suppose I could rejuvenate around, twenty people or so? Perhaps more, perhaps less. I'm not too sure, since this is the first time I've used magic in this world, or such strong spells for that matter."
Kenshin nodded, becoming silent. Though Kaoru and Junzo began to speak, Kaoru asking questions and Junzo answering her inquiries, Kenshin didn't really listen. Makoto Shishio…even when you are dead, you haunt me from another place. In his heart, Kenshin knew why Junzo had come here, why he had empowered youth onto Kenshin. He needs…no, wants, my help. But if I use Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu again, it will drain my body once more, and I will die like I nearly did, not a short while ago. Or was it yesterday? He sighed. He knew that he could not risk that, not again. Surely, he could get some others, like Sanosuke perhaps, or even Yahiko, as grown up as the Tokyo Samurai was now. Kenshin pondered this, and mentally agreed with himself. Someone else. Even if I have been...given youth, I can't go. A name in Junzo and Kaoru's conversation caught his ear. Kenji…
Kaoru and Junzo's conversation was more on comparison of the other world now and this one. She believed him, as Kenshin himself did of what this young man had told them. After all, they were younger now, and there was no denying it. Also, that mysterious wasting disease was completely gone, yet another testament for Junzo's tale. But he had responsibilities here, and he wouldn't risk his life yet again, and throw away his time to intervene in the struggles of another world's fate. Surely, there would be others who could help. With that in mind, he made his decision. He patiently waited for a pause in his wife and the young rurouni's conversation. In a few moments his patience was rewarded, and he spoke. "Junzo, I would like to cut straight to the point. You said only this world's warriors could match Shishio and his men, correct?" Junzo nodded. Kenshin continued. "Therefore, you have come to recruit the best fighters you knew of. You have come here, to my home, seeking me. Himura Kenshin, once known as the first Hitokiri Battousai, you've come seeking my aid."
Junzo nodded. "Yes, I have."
Kenshin sighed, a look of contemplation on his face. He turned to Kaoru, meeting her eyes. In her gaze, he saw her worry, and in those dark orbs he saw his son Kenji. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and shook his head. "I am sorry, Mizushin Junzo. I will not go with you." Facing his wife, and his eyes closed, only Kaoru saw the expression of sadness, perhaps despair, that crossed Junzo's face. She smiled sadly at his expression, knowing in part what he felt. The silence grew thick, before Kaoru slowly stood, taking the teacups and the pot with her to the kitchen. The few sounds that accompanied her departure only served to deepen the silence that followed afterwards. Kenshin kept silent, waiting for Junzo to react. He knew that Junzo was expecting him to say yes, and go with him. But he could not leave Kaoru and his son, not now, after all these years. He saw Junzo sigh and a stoic mask of calm appear on his face. He looked so much like Aoshi like that, especially with the blue eyes, Kenshin mused.
"I thank you for your hospitality, Himura-san, as short as it was."
Kenshin nodded. "You need not leave just yet, Junzo-san."
Junzo blinked at the words, a tight smile flickering across his lips. "Kenshin, please, just Junzo."
The redhead nodded, smiling. "As you wish, Junzo. As I was saying, you do not need to leave just yet. Please stay with us a few more days, I'm sure that Kaoru would love to speak with you some more. Also, I may have some friends who may help you. I shall write to them, requesting them to come here. Maybe they could help you, as much as I could have had I decided to go with you."
The young man in front of Kenshin nodded. The faint smile flickering on his face once again. "Very well, Kenshin, if you wish I could stay here a short while longer. But in time, I will need to leave, to return to…" The man abruptly stopped, a frown appearing on his face.
"Junzo, what is wrong?"
The man motioned for Kenshin to keep quiet, which the older man complied with. Kenshin wondered what Junzo was doing, a feeling of unease growing in his heart. Suddenly, Junzo hands flashed towards his weapons. He threw the sabakatou-wakizashi towards Kenshin, who caught it as it descended towards him. "Go to your wife!" Junzo barked at him, confusion running across Kenshin's face. What? He had no time to think any more as a dark shadow crashed through the thin walls of the dojo, the humanoid figure lashing out at Junzo with its claws. As Kenshin jumped up to find his wife, Junzo performed a flawless battou-jutsu, slashing the black-clad figure across the chest. An inhuman scream emanated from it, and it crashed onto the floor, clutching the gaping wound. Just before Kenshin ran out of the room, he thought he saw two more shadows move to attack Junzo.
Kenshin slid to a stop in front of the kitchen entrance, expecting the worst. To his surprise, Kaoru wasn't even there, with no signs of a struggle anywhere. Where is she? To the side, her voice called out to him. "Kenshin? What happened, I heard a scream?" He turned to see her running towards him, a small first-aid kit in hand. That was good thinking. He reflected, despite the situation. He flashed a worried smile at her, his hands still clutching the sabakatou. He took a step towards her, and then saw the flash of fear in her eyes. No! He knew that one of those things was behind him, and that he was going to suffer for his carelessness. He spun around as quickly as he could, drawing Junzo's sword out to try and block the creature's claws. As he turned, he saw from the proximity of the thing's claws and from its speed that he probably would not be able to block it in time.
He closed his eyes. If I swing now, it may wound the creature, and give Junzo enough time to come here. He decided to do so, rather than risk the chance of not being able to block the blow. A splash of blood drenched his face and his clothes. He didn't feel anything as he toppled backwards, falling towards the floor. His eyes opened to see Junzo arrive, blade out from another battou-jutsu attack, then immediately from there attack the creature. It was dead from decapitation before Kenshin hit the floor, pain blossoming up from his rear. He wheezed, expecting blood to accompany it. To his mild surprise, there was none. The blood, though it soaked his gi and face, was not his. It stank too much to be any human's, he thought, as Kaoru helped him take his top off, wiping as much blood off as she could.
"I owe you my life again, Junzo-san." He gasped as Kaoru touched his neck, a few small lines of blood there still flowing from the nearly lethal blow.
"Why did you hesitate from using Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu? With the incredible super-speed of its attacks you could have been able to stop the shadowfang from harming you. Before you decided to use it, you hesitated." Kenshin kept silent, knowing that Junzo's words were true. "Tell me Himura-san, I need to know."
Kenshin blinked his eyes. Should I tell him? A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "You owe him your life, not once but twice." Kaoru whispered to Kenshin. "I owe him my life as well. Tell him, Ken-san." Taking in a deep breath, he nodded and faced Junzo.
"I did not want to use Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu, for the main reason being that…it gave me the wasting disease."
Junzo nodded, keeping quiet. So, Hitten Mitsurugi does tap into the spirit of one's being. Just like mine, Kenshin's style draws upon the spirit of the body. He looked back at Kenshin, and thought it over. How can't they? The two sword-arts are virtually brothers, the light and the shadows, two faces of the same coin. Junzo smiled wistfully. He doesn't know how to stop its draining effect though, the energy it takes from one's body. He looked at Kenshin, staring into the other man's eyes. He saw the fire long hidden within, unused for so long. "You want to be free of it? Don't you?" Kenshin nodded. Junzo shrugged. "Truly, do you wish to be free of Hitten Mitsurugi, or just free of the strain it places upon your body? What if I could help you with that, help you learn how to be free from the draining effect Hitten Mitsurugi has on you, would you join me?"
A wistful smile appeared on Kenshin's lips. "Those things, they are from the other world, yes?" Junzo nodded. "Shishio Makoto can come here, can't he?" The look in Junzo's eyes told him all he wished to know. "I thought that his hands would not reach me here, hence my declination previously. But, there's no other way to stop him, is there?"
"He must be killed, yet once more. Once that is done, the magic of worlds will seal him in the Underworld, once and for all."
"All right then, teach me how to stop Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu from draining my body." Kenshin stood up slowly, supported by Kaoru. Junzo frowned at this and looked down.
"No…"
"What? Stop playing around with Kenshin, Junzo!" Kaoru frowned, scolding him. "Or were you just lying to him, and trying to trick him into following you." She moved in front of her husband protectively. "I won't let you make him go with you, only to…" Kenshin put his hand on her shoulder, quieting her.
He shook his head at Kaoru. "Iie, Kaoro, my dear. Junzo-san does not lie about this. I can sense it in his words, in his eyes." Lavender orbs stared purposefully into metallic blue. "He wants to know, if I'm worth bringing along as a fighter." Junzo nodded, confirming Kenshin's suspicions. "Later then, this afternoon." He tossed Junzo's sabakatou back to him. "I need my weapon back, if only for a while, don't I, Yahiko?" Kenshin slowly turned to find the young man standing in the dojo entrance, mouth agape at the sight of the dead shadowfang at the three's feet.
Glossary
Most of the terms I've used up there are common terms/words, so no glossary this time.
Thanks/ End NotesIn here I'll be writing my appreciation to readers who have contributed to the making of this fic. Even if you're not personally mentioned here, it doesn't mean I've forgotten you! First, I would like to thank Sherry and SMDSP for being the first people to have reviewed my story! If you have anything to say, please do. Arigatou!
If a chapter seems to be lacking in quality, or it seems to be going too fast, pls. Tell me, and I'll see what may be done. If it merits it, I'll even re-edit a chapter! Oh yes, and by the way, I've asked a friend to work on a drawing on Mizushin Junzo, so if you want to see how he looks (more or less) I'll be posting it up on my website, when its done.