Chapter 8

Kamatari soon began to twirl her, now, solid steel scythe (even the handle). Soujirou looked at any other possible way to get through since it will be too tough to cut through solid steel. The scythe began from fast to uncontrollable. Soujirou frantically looked around for something to slow it down, but it seemed that nothing could do it as it smashed through rocks and dug through earth. He could do nothing but to keep backing up and backing up.

I hope this will remind you of me... Her voice suddenly played in his head. But, what good will this do? he thought.

Or help you in any way. He shifted his attention from the scythe to the daggers in his gi. If only the momentum...The momentum! Only, how do I slow it down? He doesn't tire out easily. The ball of the scythe hit the ground and the loose soil distracted him and suddenly drew his attention to what held the blade of the scythe and the chain to the staff. There was no other way, he only has one shot. Either he succeeds or he dies.

He brought out one of the daggers and heard a scoff from Kamatari. "Are you going to try and stop me with a mere dagger? Haven't you learned enough yet?"

"Kamatari-kun, I wouldn't be second to Shishio-sama if I have not a clue to stop you."

"But, this is different. My scythe is improved. No wood is going to be its downfall and each metal is stronger, now."

"Stronger, but heavier."

"Nani?!"

At that moment, Soujirou's shukuchi burst into action. He made his way to an undestroyed rock to their right which he used for a leg up. The moment he got above Kamatari, he took one of the daggers and gave it a very strong throw. It hit the hole of the chain and connected with the blade of the scythe. It yanked a little causing the delay of the momentum. As soon as Soujirou landed, he threw the next dagger at the middle of the blade and the bolt gave out making the momentum more timed out and the blade fall out.

Karu held out the men well enough but got dangerously close to the cliff and to the former Juppon Gatana members.

Soujirou pulled out his sword from the sheath and pulled the sheath out off his hakama's tie and positioned himself at Kamatari's back. He used the sheath first to hook the chain and pull it backwards and stretch the chain then the sword to slice the stretched chain in two. Kamatari's reflexes made him swing the remaining pole at Soujirou but knocked off his sheath instead sending it and the chained ball flying at Karu.

As the broken piece headed straight for Karu, the last 2 men she was fighting, backed away causing her to realize the danger she was in. When she looked at the direction of the ball, it was too late to dodge it and even if it was, a duck wouldn't do it. She held out her hand to try and stop it. It pushed her back until she reached the edge of the of the cliff. The sudden pressure of the ball caused her waist to churn and made her reactions slower as her opponents once again attacked her at the same time. Her past injury bled once more and her impulses only made her do one thing - pull her opponents with her as she fell over.

"Karu!!!" Soujirou cried out and ran to the edge of the cliff. He saw the men engulfed in the murky depths of the waves of the sea as he looked for Karu.

"Now that she's gone, you can go back to being Tenken again." Kamatari told him in a defeated, yet, hopeful voice. "If you really are loyal to Shishio-sama you wi--"

"Chottomatte [wait]!" Karu's voice rang out from the cliff, "Soujirou-kun, mada onaji machigai nai [don't make the same mistake again]." She was seen clinging to the side of the cliff with her kunai digging earth.

"Kamatari," Soujirou reasoned, "I am loyal to him and I would still be if Himura-san hadn't opened up my mind. He has clouded my mind into thinking that only the strong will survive. I have killed others against my will when I have no reason to do so either."

"Uruse [shut up]!" Kamatari yelled, "I don't care even if I do it myself!" He didn't want to hear this any longer so he attacked Soujirou with all his might with a thrust. He missed and tripped over a rock. He screamed as he plummeted below.

"Kamatari!" Soujirou screamed helplessly.

"Soujiou-kun!" Karu called out with the winds picking up and the rain starting and getting heavier. "Kamatari-san wa daijoubu da yo."

Soujirou peered over the cliff and saw Karu holding Kamatari's hand. It seemed that everything was fine then, until they heard a crack. Karu's kunai couldn't take the pressure any longer and it started to break. She knew that she had to act fast or else they'd both die.

"Kamatari-san, I'm going to swing you over to that ledge. Try to grab it, OK?"

Kamatari shook his head and bowed. he knew that his honor as a fighter would be once again shattered if he did.

"Kamatari, do it!" Soujirou yelled over the now raging storm, "If you're thinking about honor, you don't need to die to attain it. Honor is facing thew worst that could happen. It is not always based on your pride or principle.

"Onegaishimasu [please], Kamatari-san." Karu pleaded.

Kamatari then began to swing his legs in momentum. Karu began to swing her arm to help give him the momentum he needed. As soon as the swing was large enough, Kamatari lept up in the air and Karu let go of him letting him land on the ledge. The kunai suddenly gave way and Karu was hurled to the sea, engulfing her in a sea of red in its black background. Kamatari and Soujirou could do nothing but stare what lay beneath them.

Soujirou looked for any signs of life, but in vain. If Himura could protect the lives of those close to him, why couldn't he? He couldn't help his tears as it pooled in his eyes.

Kamatari couldn't dare look at Soujirou who was quite disappointed at his actions. He felt the latter's eyes on him and felt his face grow hot with shame. Kamatari thought the other was mad at him so he stole a glance, but instead of hatred, he saw disappointment in his eyes. Now, the cross dresser felt that he could not even dare face the world. The storm worsened and Soujirou's hopes of ever seeing Karu again narrowed.

After the long torturing hours of the violent storm, the sun finally shone and the winds, thunders, and rain finally ceased. Soujirou helped Kamatari climb up from the ledge that he stood onto.

Kamatari tried to look at Soujirou though his own eyes were kept averted, "G-gomenasai [I'm sorry]."

Soujirou looked at the edge of the cliff for his final attempt to find her to no avail. At last, the tears that he kept from flowing for far too long burst out at the corner of his eyes. His throat ached as he tried his best to keep his sobs from being heard by his companion. As Kamatari saw a drop of tear trickling from his former comrade's eye, he ran from Tenken leaving him to weep alone.

"Ooooiiii! Dare ka tasukete [anyone help]!" a voice called out, "Soujirou-kun! Kamatari-san! Tasukete [help]!"

At that instant, Soujirou's sobs turned to a gasp and his eyes brightened up. he easily recognized the voice he heard and immediately ran toward the edge. When he saw her, he was too astonished to move. She settled half submerged between 2 rocks which held her in place from the pounding waves of the sea.

"So, ya just gonna stare there or what?"

Soujirou then scurried to climb down as fast as he could at the face of the cliff using his sword as an aid. It was quite an easy drop because of its roughness and stony edges. After a couple of narrow misses, he finally landed on an edgy rock.

"Ki-otsukeru [be careful]." Karu warned, "Most of the rocks have developed a thin layer of moss so you can't see them."

He started to come towards her one step at a time and almost slipped a number of times until he finally reached her. He knelt beside her at the smooth rock she was sitting on. This enabled her to clearly see his tear-stained face.

With her face full of concern, she asked, "You have been crying haven't you?"

Without warning Soujirou embraced her tightly making her gasp involuntarily. "Anata ni totemo shimpai shita [I was so worried about you]. Anata ni omoushita [I thought you were]..."

"Shinda [dead]?" she pulled away, "It takes more than that to kill me. First of all, I didn't hit the rocks like those two did." she said pointing to two dead people whose bodies have been torn by the rocks. "I also know how to swim, you know. Oh, and, seawater's great for wounds. Furthermore, I promised my mom I would live no matter what, remember?"

"Are you sure you're fine?"

"Well," she yawned grogily rubbing her eye, " except for a few more cuts and bruises, I'm fine."

"Anata wa totemo tsukaremashita, ne [you must be very tired]?"

"Sou [I am]...kedo [but], daijoubu...i--" she dozed off leaving her words trailing and leaned against Soujirou.

"You're not going anywhere unless you rest properly." he scooped her out of the water and switched her to one arm so the other can help when he used Shukuchi on his way up. He hurriedly got their things and headed straight for the dojou before she catches a cold. Kenshin took them inside immediately the moment he saw their predicament. The current classes were taken over by the best students so that the three kendo teachers could help with whatever was going on.

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Karu moaned as she slowly regained consciousness. Everyone gathered around as her eyes opened. She sat up when she couldn't see Soujirou among the crowd and she started to ask them. But, before she could even let a breath out of her slightly parted lips, Yutarou held her shoulder and settled her back down.

"I'll get him. You lie down and rest." he told her as if he read her mind.

"Karu-nee, daijoubu desu ka? Hontou ni shimpai shimashita [I was really worried about you]." Kenji popped out from behind his mother.

"Wa [wow]! I thought you'd die." Yahiko commented.

"Your wounds are really seroius. Some of them are even bleeding until now." Gensai said.

"Especially the old one. It opened up again." Kaoru sighed.

"You were lucky to have survived after what you've been through." Kenshin said from the corner of the room.

"Asoko da [over there]." Yutarou pointed as they entered the room. "We're in the training hall if you need anything."

"Domo arigatou, Yutarou." Soujirou bowed.

The others followed Yutarou as Soujirou stepped in the room.

"Tell her before it's too late." Kenshin whispered as he passed her.

Soujirou glanced at Kenshin as he went out.

"Doushita no [what's wrong], Soujirou-kun?" Karu asked.

"N-nandemo nai [n-nothing]." He approached her and embraced her once again, and, again, startling her. "I-I thought you wouldn't make it. Your wounds looked so lethal."

"Soujirou-kun, you know I wouldn't die now." she smiled.

"Anou, Karu, boku wa..." he let go of her "I want you to know that I--"

He was suddenly cut off as Karu's communicating device rang from across the room, where her things were. He handed it to her and she answered excitedly. She talked for quite some time and finally, she put down the device.

Author's notes: One last chapter to go then I can rest.
the mashita and masu see here
not much Japanese in this part because my mom won't let me stay at the computer for so long. Sumimasen!

Chapter 7

Chapter 9