Tanuki To Ryuu
Here I am again! Its good I keep getting responses from you fans!
Oh, and something to look forward to: after the Mastery Arc will be the
3 chapter long 'Marriage Arc'. After the Marriage Arc, I'll start the
spinoff fic, 'Itachi to Hebi', but don't worry, 'Tanuki to Ryuu' will
still go on! 'Itachi to Hebi' will have romance and action like
'Tanuki To Ryuu' did, but 'Itachi to Hebi' will also have elements of
mystery and intrique, and the focus of the fic will be Misao and Aoshi!
Anyways, back to the fic!
Chapter 13- The Disciples vs the Twins
"Listen you two," Yahiko started as he unslung his shinai, "you
better get away from that gate!" Yutaro held his cane in his left hand
in a similar fashion as a shinai, but felt a bit more reserved than
Yahiko. Yutaro never had success against a real blade, and that
aprehension seemed harmful. The twin smiled and moved forward, in time
with eachother.
"It seems," one twin said as he gripped the hilt of his
wakizashi tighter.
"That the blackhaired brat is the stronger of the two," the
other twin finished as he copied his brother's movements. Both
brothers swung at Yahiko at the precise same moment from opposite
directions. Yahiko lept back, but stumbled as the chain ran short.
The two blades barely missed Yahiko and he struck one of the brothers
right in the face with his shinai.
Both brothers lept back to the front of the gate and Yahiko
glared at his partner. "Hey! Stop looking stupid and help!" Yahiko
shouted at his arch rival. Yutaro moved in closer to Yahiko with fear
in his eyes.
"What can we do? They have real swords!" Yutaro whispered to
Yahiko.
"You must really be an idiot," Yahiko muttered back, "a
wakizashi's range is equal to my shinai and your cane, but our weapons
are lighter! Plus we have a mobility advantage!"
"HAD," Yutaro pointed out as he held up his shackled wrist.
Yahiko groaned at the situation.
"Yeah, thanks Kaoru," Yahiko mumbled to himself.
***
Kaoru stopped the sneeze before it began and stepped away from
Kenshin to face Tonno Akutsa. To sneeze in such a situation would
almost assure death from the distraction. "Tell your men to sheath
their swords," Kaoru said.
"You presume to order me, woman?" Tonno responded. "But I can
see how it would intimidate such a weak person as yourself, so..."
Tonno nodded and all of his men sheathed their swords. Kaoru's eyes
glared at Tonno.
"I'm not weak," Kaoru stated. "In fact, you are the weak one,
Tonno Akutsa. Too weak to live in a new era," Kaoru stepped away
from Kenshin and circled around him. The cool autumn air blew many
brown leaves around the courtyard in Kaoru's pause before she continued.
"My sword is the protect, and I will absolutely protect this new era
from the likes of you," Kaoru said as her eyes flared and five leaves
which circled around her exploded. Kenshin grinned as he saw the
leaves snap and sheathed his sword.
"It will be a good fight, but I suggest you take it inside the
dojo," Kenshin said.
***
Yahiko lept upward to try and finish the twin on his side when a
tug reminded him of his anchor and he was yanked back down to the
ground. "Dammit," Yahiko muttered, then rolled towards his partner and
barely avoided a stab of the wakizashi. "Don't just stand there and
attack that other silly twin!" Yahiko shouted at Yutaro!
"How can I?" Yutaro shouted back. "He's got a SWORD!"
Yahiko shook his head in disdain. "So? Stop backing away and
attack!"
"It seems these two," one twin started.
"Cannot agree," the other finished. Both students glared at
the twins.
"Just attack?" Yutaro asked.
"Yeah," Yahiko answered. Both students crouched low, then
leapt at the twins with their weapons swung at their targets.
***
"Why should I help them?" a figure in shadows asked as he lit a
cigarette. Ayane glared at the man.
"I was told you were difficult, but I didn't think you were
stupid," Ayane muttered. The man in shadows glared at the woman with
the naginata.
"Listen, woman, I don't have time to run to that little dojo
every time someone wants to attack that woman," the man said as he took
a puff of his cigarette. "Now leave before I have you arrested for
carrying a weapon,"
"The man is Tonno Akutsa of the Shinsengumi, and he's going to
assasinate the Emperor," Ayane said. "He plans on bringing back the
shogunate," The man in the shadows and smoke dropped the cigarette and
stepped on it, then turned out the door.
"Well?" Saito Hajime asked indignantly as he stepped out of the
shadows and smoke. "You wanted to drag me there, woman," he said, "so
don't be too surprised when I agree,"
"The Battousai was right," Ayane said as she narrowed her eyes
at the man, "You are a bastard,"
"A hitokiri that doesn't kill is not Battousai," Saito pointed
out. "And a man that claims to support the shogunate in the Meiji is
not a Shinsengumi. That much is for certain."
***
The twins grinned as they saw the two brats attack them. At
the exact moment, the two brothers grabbed the chain linking Kaoru's
students, then yanked it. Yahiko and Yutaro fell before their attacks
connected with a thud. "Go for their hands!" Yahiko lept as he struck
the brother's hand closest to his section of the chain and saw Yutaro
did the same. The twins released the chain and that gave the time for
Yahiko and Yutaro to step back.
"This is useless!" Yutaro shouted. "This chain's a piece of
crap, and those jerks move in perfect synchronization!" An explosion
inside the courtyard boomed in their ears.
"Ignore it, Yutaro! We HAVE to defeat them! FOCUS ONLY ON
THAT AND WE WILL WIN!" Yahiko shouted with deterimation. "Every
weakness has a strength,"
"How can THIS possibly have a strength?" Yutaro asked as he
waved his right chained hand.
"The strength of steel is strength enough," Yahiko replied with
a grin. "If synchronization is their strength, then we shall make it
ours as well. When I say 'Go', go through forms 4, 7, 12, and 8,"
Yutaro nodded and narrowed his eyes as he firmed his grip on his cane.
"3," Yahiko kept his resolution firm. "2," Yutaro steadied his
breathing and focused on the targets on his opponent's body. "1," The
twins grinned and held their wakizashis in attack position. "GO!"
***
Kenshin followed Kaoru into the dojo and made it a point to
glare at all of Tonno's soldiers. "This won't be a friendly duel,
woman," Tonno Akutsa said in arrogance. "Whoever can still fight in
the end is the winner,"
"I'm aware of that," Kaoru answered. "If you are done
patronizing me, we should begin. Kenshin, make yourself comfortable.
This will be a long duel,"
"Alright, Kaoru, but I will not let anyone die before me. You
remember that, Tonno," Kenshin said as he took his sakabato out of his
belt and sat down against the wall.
"Oh? Isn't this a cute picture?" Saito's mocking voice said as
he entered the dojo and leaned against the wall opposite of Kenshin's.
"a little duel to the death? Don't let me stop you," Saito lit
another cigarette and took a slow drag. Tonno looked at the man that
entered the dojo and bowed to him.
"Saito-san!" Tonno said. "What are you doing in such a
uniform? Are you here to help bring back the Shinsengumi?"
"Why bring back something which already exists?" Saito asked
rudely. "Even to this day, I am Shinsengumi. This uniform gives me
the authority to practice Aku Soku Zan. But please, don't let me
interrupt this little match,"
"HEY!" Ayane shouted as she entered the dojo, "You're supposed
to HELP US!" Saito glared at the woman.
"I said I will stop the man's amibitions, but that does not mean
I will help you," Saito explained. "Besides, I want to see if Himura's
woman can fight,"
"Even the great Saito Hajime fell under the influence of the
Meiji?" Tonno asked himself. "Its no matter, then,"
***
Yahiko smacked his shinai against the chest of his opponent and
heard a smack to his left and knew Yutaro did the same. He then
proceeded into the forms that he told Yutaro to execute and was rewarded
to hear Yutaro landing the blows in time with him. Then, the 8th form
came up. A spinning manuver to strike the neck of the opponent. As
Yahiko spun to his left, Yutaro spun to his right and the opposite
spinning motions yanked on the chain, causing both Yutaro and Yahiko to
lose their forward momentum. The momentary confusion was all the time
the Twin Blades needed. They lashed out with their short swords and
sliced their opponent's wooden weapons to the handle.
"Back away!" Yahiko shouted as he pulled back and Yutaro
followed.
"Oh, great idea, genious! Yutaro shouted. "We had them until
form 8! Did you forget about THIS?" Yutaro held up his right wrist yet
again. "Now we are weaponless,"
"The hilt is all we need," Yahiko retorted. "We've been
thinking about this the wrong way. We aren't twins and we shouldn't
move in synch with one another. All we need to do is take them both
down at once,"
"How do you suggest we do that? If you forgot, all your other
plans were a bust," Yutaro said angrily. Yahiko ignored Yutaro's
rantings and studied the twins. Both were about a foot taller than
himself, but neither were overly muscular.
"We'll charge straight at them," Yahiko stated. "As soon as we
get into their range, we'll run on the outside of them and keep going!"
"What the hell will that accomplish?" Yutaro asked.
"Just do it," Yahiko said. "We'll only have one shot at this,
so you better run as fast as I do,"
"If this doesn't work, I'll beat the crap out of you in the
underworld," Yutaro threatened.
"It will work," Yahiko said. Both boys took a stance to start
their charge. "GO!" Yahiko shouted and they both ran towards the
twins. Right when they reached the wakizashi's range, Yahiko circled
to the far right, and Yutaro to the far left. The twins didn't flinch
as they slice both students in the shoulder, but that distracted them.
"KAMIYA KASSHIN RYUU CLOTHESLINE!" Yahiko shouted as the meter
long chain which held him to his arch rival was stretched to its limits
and smacked both twins in the face. The force of their charge added to
the sharp blow of the chain and knocked the Twin Blades of the Elite
out.
"It doesn't hurt so bad," Yutaro mumbled as he held the light
cut on his right shoulder with his left hand.
"Yeah, its not deep," Yahiko replied. He grabbed one of the
fallen wakizashis and sliced the chain. "There, now grab their
sheaths. It may not be as solid as a bokken, but it'll do,"
***
"Before I begin this battle," Tonno Akutsa said as he unsheathed
his katana, "I must let you know that I do not show mercy to women that
defy the old ways,"
Kaoru assumed her ready stance and narrowed her eyes at her
opponent. "I'm aware of that when you pinned that note on my dojo,"
she replied icily.
"Ayane, I'll kill you after I kill her," Tonno said as he
assumed a two handed hirazuki stance. "Just letting you know," Ayane
glared at her former boss.
Kaoru didn't flinch when the Tonno steadied his aim. "What?
You're not afraid of the hirazuki?"
Kaoru smiled a small smile. "I already know your hirazuki is
nothing compared to the Gatotsu that Saito uses, and even then I know
the weaknesses in the form,"
"It doesn't have to be the Gatotsu to skewer you," Tonno
answered as he charged forward towards Kaoru.
***
Yahiko finished tying up the twins and held a wakizashi sheath
in his hand. "Good, you ready?" Yahiko asked Yutaro.
"Yeah, the bleeding stopped," Yutaro answered as he gripped the
other wakizashi sheath in his left hand.
"Good, now lets open the gate!"
***
Wow! What did you all think of Chapter 13? I actually have
it so that the battle in this chapter and the battle in the next chapter
happen at the same time, thus the explosions will be explained in the
next chapter. I've been trying to draw some scenes from my fanfic but
I discovered.... I SUCK AT DRAWING RUROKEN! **Cries in the corner**
Any artists out there? Please help me!
Here I am again! Its good I keep getting responses from you fans!
Oh, and something to look forward to: after the Mastery Arc will be the
3 chapter long 'Marriage Arc'. After the Marriage Arc, I'll start the
spinoff fic, 'Itachi to Hebi', but don't worry, 'Tanuki to Ryuu' will
still go on! 'Itachi to Hebi' will have romance and action like
'Tanuki To Ryuu' did, but 'Itachi to Hebi' will also have elements of
mystery and intrique, and the focus of the fic will be Misao and Aoshi!
Anyways, back to the fic!
Chapter 13- The Disciples vs the Twins
"Listen you two," Yahiko started as he unslung his shinai, "you
better get away from that gate!" Yutaro held his cane in his left hand
in a similar fashion as a shinai, but felt a bit more reserved than
Yahiko. Yutaro never had success against a real blade, and that
aprehension seemed harmful. The twin smiled and moved forward, in time
with eachother.
"It seems," one twin said as he gripped the hilt of his
wakizashi tighter.
"That the blackhaired brat is the stronger of the two," the
other twin finished as he copied his brother's movements. Both
brothers swung at Yahiko at the precise same moment from opposite
directions. Yahiko lept back, but stumbled as the chain ran short.
The two blades barely missed Yahiko and he struck one of the brothers
right in the face with his shinai.
Both brothers lept back to the front of the gate and Yahiko
glared at his partner. "Hey! Stop looking stupid and help!" Yahiko
shouted at his arch rival. Yutaro moved in closer to Yahiko with fear
in his eyes.
"What can we do? They have real swords!" Yutaro whispered to
Yahiko.
"You must really be an idiot," Yahiko muttered back, "a
wakizashi's range is equal to my shinai and your cane, but our weapons
are lighter! Plus we have a mobility advantage!"
"HAD," Yutaro pointed out as he held up his shackled wrist.
Yahiko groaned at the situation.
"Yeah, thanks Kaoru," Yahiko mumbled to himself.
***
Kaoru stopped the sneeze before it began and stepped away from
Kenshin to face Tonno Akutsa. To sneeze in such a situation would
almost assure death from the distraction. "Tell your men to sheath
their swords," Kaoru said.
"You presume to order me, woman?" Tonno responded. "But I can
see how it would intimidate such a weak person as yourself, so..."
Tonno nodded and all of his men sheathed their swords. Kaoru's eyes
glared at Tonno.
"I'm not weak," Kaoru stated. "In fact, you are the weak one,
Tonno Akutsa. Too weak to live in a new era," Kaoru stepped away
from Kenshin and circled around him. The cool autumn air blew many
brown leaves around the courtyard in Kaoru's pause before she continued.
"My sword is the protect, and I will absolutely protect this new era
from the likes of you," Kaoru said as her eyes flared and five leaves
which circled around her exploded. Kenshin grinned as he saw the
leaves snap and sheathed his sword.
"It will be a good fight, but I suggest you take it inside the
dojo," Kenshin said.
***
Yahiko lept upward to try and finish the twin on his side when a
tug reminded him of his anchor and he was yanked back down to the
ground. "Dammit," Yahiko muttered, then rolled towards his partner and
barely avoided a stab of the wakizashi. "Don't just stand there and
attack that other silly twin!" Yahiko shouted at Yutaro!
"How can I?" Yutaro shouted back. "He's got a SWORD!"
Yahiko shook his head in disdain. "So? Stop backing away and
attack!"
"It seems these two," one twin started.
"Cannot agree," the other finished. Both students glared at
the twins.
"Just attack?" Yutaro asked.
"Yeah," Yahiko answered. Both students crouched low, then
leapt at the twins with their weapons swung at their targets.
***
"Why should I help them?" a figure in shadows asked as he lit a
cigarette. Ayane glared at the man.
"I was told you were difficult, but I didn't think you were
stupid," Ayane muttered. The man in shadows glared at the woman with
the naginata.
"Listen, woman, I don't have time to run to that little dojo
every time someone wants to attack that woman," the man said as he took
a puff of his cigarette. "Now leave before I have you arrested for
carrying a weapon,"
"The man is Tonno Akutsa of the Shinsengumi, and he's going to
assasinate the Emperor," Ayane said. "He plans on bringing back the
shogunate," The man in the shadows and smoke dropped the cigarette and
stepped on it, then turned out the door.
"Well?" Saito Hajime asked indignantly as he stepped out of the
shadows and smoke. "You wanted to drag me there, woman," he said, "so
don't be too surprised when I agree,"
"The Battousai was right," Ayane said as she narrowed her eyes
at the man, "You are a bastard,"
"A hitokiri that doesn't kill is not Battousai," Saito pointed
out. "And a man that claims to support the shogunate in the Meiji is
not a Shinsengumi. That much is for certain."
***
The twins grinned as they saw the two brats attack them. At
the exact moment, the two brothers grabbed the chain linking Kaoru's
students, then yanked it. Yahiko and Yutaro fell before their attacks
connected with a thud. "Go for their hands!" Yahiko lept as he struck
the brother's hand closest to his section of the chain and saw Yutaro
did the same. The twins released the chain and that gave the time for
Yahiko and Yutaro to step back.
"This is useless!" Yutaro shouted. "This chain's a piece of
crap, and those jerks move in perfect synchronization!" An explosion
inside the courtyard boomed in their ears.
"Ignore it, Yutaro! We HAVE to defeat them! FOCUS ONLY ON
THAT AND WE WILL WIN!" Yahiko shouted with deterimation. "Every
weakness has a strength,"
"How can THIS possibly have a strength?" Yutaro asked as he
waved his right chained hand.
"The strength of steel is strength enough," Yahiko replied with
a grin. "If synchronization is their strength, then we shall make it
ours as well. When I say 'Go', go through forms 4, 7, 12, and 8,"
Yutaro nodded and narrowed his eyes as he firmed his grip on his cane.
"3," Yahiko kept his resolution firm. "2," Yutaro steadied his
breathing and focused on the targets on his opponent's body. "1," The
twins grinned and held their wakizashis in attack position. "GO!"
***
Kenshin followed Kaoru into the dojo and made it a point to
glare at all of Tonno's soldiers. "This won't be a friendly duel,
woman," Tonno Akutsa said in arrogance. "Whoever can still fight in
the end is the winner,"
"I'm aware of that," Kaoru answered. "If you are done
patronizing me, we should begin. Kenshin, make yourself comfortable.
This will be a long duel,"
"Alright, Kaoru, but I will not let anyone die before me. You
remember that, Tonno," Kenshin said as he took his sakabato out of his
belt and sat down against the wall.
"Oh? Isn't this a cute picture?" Saito's mocking voice said as
he entered the dojo and leaned against the wall opposite of Kenshin's.
"a little duel to the death? Don't let me stop you," Saito lit
another cigarette and took a slow drag. Tonno looked at the man that
entered the dojo and bowed to him.
"Saito-san!" Tonno said. "What are you doing in such a
uniform? Are you here to help bring back the Shinsengumi?"
"Why bring back something which already exists?" Saito asked
rudely. "Even to this day, I am Shinsengumi. This uniform gives me
the authority to practice Aku Soku Zan. But please, don't let me
interrupt this little match,"
"HEY!" Ayane shouted as she entered the dojo, "You're supposed
to HELP US!" Saito glared at the woman.
"I said I will stop the man's amibitions, but that does not mean
I will help you," Saito explained. "Besides, I want to see if Himura's
woman can fight,"
"Even the great Saito Hajime fell under the influence of the
Meiji?" Tonno asked himself. "Its no matter, then,"
***
Yahiko smacked his shinai against the chest of his opponent and
heard a smack to his left and knew Yutaro did the same. He then
proceeded into the forms that he told Yutaro to execute and was rewarded
to hear Yutaro landing the blows in time with him. Then, the 8th form
came up. A spinning manuver to strike the neck of the opponent. As
Yahiko spun to his left, Yutaro spun to his right and the opposite
spinning motions yanked on the chain, causing both Yutaro and Yahiko to
lose their forward momentum. The momentary confusion was all the time
the Twin Blades needed. They lashed out with their short swords and
sliced their opponent's wooden weapons to the handle.
"Back away!" Yahiko shouted as he pulled back and Yutaro
followed.
"Oh, great idea, genious! Yutaro shouted. "We had them until
form 8! Did you forget about THIS?" Yutaro held up his right wrist yet
again. "Now we are weaponless,"
"The hilt is all we need," Yahiko retorted. "We've been
thinking about this the wrong way. We aren't twins and we shouldn't
move in synch with one another. All we need to do is take them both
down at once,"
"How do you suggest we do that? If you forgot, all your other
plans were a bust," Yutaro said angrily. Yahiko ignored Yutaro's
rantings and studied the twins. Both were about a foot taller than
himself, but neither were overly muscular.
"We'll charge straight at them," Yahiko stated. "As soon as we
get into their range, we'll run on the outside of them and keep going!"
"What the hell will that accomplish?" Yutaro asked.
"Just do it," Yahiko said. "We'll only have one shot at this,
so you better run as fast as I do,"
"If this doesn't work, I'll beat the crap out of you in the
underworld," Yutaro threatened.
"It will work," Yahiko said. Both boys took a stance to start
their charge. "GO!" Yahiko shouted and they both ran towards the
twins. Right when they reached the wakizashi's range, Yahiko circled
to the far right, and Yutaro to the far left. The twins didn't flinch
as they slice both students in the shoulder, but that distracted them.
"KAMIYA KASSHIN RYUU CLOTHESLINE!" Yahiko shouted as the meter
long chain which held him to his arch rival was stretched to its limits
and smacked both twins in the face. The force of their charge added to
the sharp blow of the chain and knocked the Twin Blades of the Elite
out.
"It doesn't hurt so bad," Yutaro mumbled as he held the light
cut on his right shoulder with his left hand.
"Yeah, its not deep," Yahiko replied. He grabbed one of the
fallen wakizashis and sliced the chain. "There, now grab their
sheaths. It may not be as solid as a bokken, but it'll do,"
***
"Before I begin this battle," Tonno Akutsa said as he unsheathed
his katana, "I must let you know that I do not show mercy to women that
defy the old ways,"
Kaoru assumed her ready stance and narrowed her eyes at her
opponent. "I'm aware of that when you pinned that note on my dojo,"
she replied icily.
"Ayane, I'll kill you after I kill her," Tonno said as he
assumed a two handed hirazuki stance. "Just letting you know," Ayane
glared at her former boss.
Kaoru didn't flinch when the Tonno steadied his aim. "What?
You're not afraid of the hirazuki?"
Kaoru smiled a small smile. "I already know your hirazuki is
nothing compared to the Gatotsu that Saito uses, and even then I know
the weaknesses in the form,"
"It doesn't have to be the Gatotsu to skewer you," Tonno
answered as he charged forward towards Kaoru.
***
Yahiko finished tying up the twins and held a wakizashi sheath
in his hand. "Good, you ready?" Yahiko asked Yutaro.
"Yeah, the bleeding stopped," Yutaro answered as he gripped the
other wakizashi sheath in his left hand.
"Good, now lets open the gate!"
***
Wow! What did you all think of Chapter 13? I actually have
it so that the battle in this chapter and the battle in the next chapter
happen at the same time, thus the explosions will be explained in the
next chapter. I've been trying to draw some scenes from my fanfic but
I discovered.... I SUCK AT DRAWING RUROKEN! **Cries in the corner**
Any artists out there? Please help me!