Izou Hen: The Legacy Arc
Rurouni Kenshin © 1997 by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
VI - Time for the unexpected!
- What do you mean, 'nothing'?
Hippolyta had her reasons for being so exhalted. The Amazons were going to confront their enemies within less than twenty-four hours. And there was Penthesilea, in the middle of the main convention room, bringing her trouble.
- I mean 'nothing', your Majesty. - the young warrior answered firmly. - They were gathered together discussing; the man from Kyoto seemed to have an idea, but then he didn't tell the others anything about what he had in mind. He just told them to wait and trust him. I stayed there spying all day but nothing came out. It looks like they don't even have a plan.
- That's impossible. - the queen said, preoccupied eyes turned to the floor. - They are trying to surprise us... I just know that.
- Don't waste your time thinking about them, Iporita-sama - Molpadia, by her side, looked tranquil. - They'll never be able to overpass us in strenght. This battle is already won.
- You must be right, dear Molpadia. - Hippolyta sighed. - Still...
As quick as the night fell, the morning came. And with the Sun came the time for the warriors to leave.
Stomp.
- Damn it.
Stomp stomp stomp.
- Damn it damn it damn it.
Stomp stomp stomp stomp stomp.
- Damn it damn it damn it da--
- You´ll make a hole on the floor, Misao-chan.
- Megumi-san! - the young woman stopped walking viciously from left to right and turned to the door, where Megumi stood. - I didn´t notice you were here.
- Of course you didn´t, you were too concentrated on your mumbling. - She answered, entering the guest room. - So, what made you so worried?
- Ha. Aoshi, who else?
- Men - the older sighed heavily. - Always a headache. To think we just can´t leave without those idiots!
- By the way... - Misao´s voice turned into a whisper while she got closer to the other´s ear. - Tsubame-chan told me about you and Sano, y´know. - They both blushed and shared a laugh. - You two are quite impatient, huh?
- Oho! Do you think so? - Megumi raised her eyebrows. - Weren´t those fifteen years enough?
The younger shook her head, smiling. - I guess you´re right. Anyway, I´m just really mad at him.
- At Sano?!
- No!!! At Aoshi. He didn´t let me go with him to the battle.
- He loves you very much, Misao-chan, that´s why... he was just trying to protect you.
- But I´m tired of being protected!! He always does that!!! I´m an onmitsu as well, damn it! - she sighed, closing her eyes. - Sorry, you don´t have anything to do with all that and here am I pestering you.
- Oh, never mind. I take your point. - Megumi said, then chuckled. - But now it´s my turn to complain.
- What, what did Sano do?
- At the moment, nothing. But I know, I just know he´ll show up all bleeding when they come back! And who´s going to get all worried about his health? Who´s going to patch him up? The baka here, as usual!
- Actually... - a faint whisper made both women turn to the door. Tsubame was there. - ... I´m worried about Yahiko as well... I mean, I trust him, but I really wanted to help them in some way. I know I´m not able to fight like Misao-san, but--
- Wait a minute! - Misao interrupted the girl. - You gave me an idea.
- Misao-chan... I know this weasel face. What are you planning?
- Megumi-san, Tsubame-chan, I´ll test your strenght.
The two women looked at each other, puzzled, then turned back to the kunoichi and spoke together. - Test our strenght?
- Yes, why not? If I like what I see, I tell you my lil´ plan. Right? Megumi-san, you first. - Misao showed them her opened hand. - Give it a punch.
- A-a punch?
- Yeah, a punch! Don´t you know what it is?
- Of course I know! - The doctor exclamed, hitting Misao´s hand hard. - Ask Sano about it.
- Nice! I liked it! Now you, Tsubame-chan. - the young lady blushed a bit and gave Misao a very light blow. - Oh, c´mon, girl! Can´t you do something better than that?!
Tsubame inspired deeply and tried again, giving her best.
- OUCH!!! - Misao shouted, shaking her hand in pain.
- Oh my god, I´m so sorry! Did I hurt you?
- What was that, Tsubame-chan?! - Misao laughed, wide-eyed. - I guess I just discovered a hidden talent! Where did you get all that strenght?
- Oh, well, I don´t know - Tsubame blushed. - Perhaps from working so hard at the Akabeko...
- Anyways, you passed the test. Now let me tell you what I´ve thought...
The sky above them was absurdely clear already, and no one had appeared in their field of vision. Standing in the middle of the Kyoukokudou, the Amazon army impatiently awaited for their adversary.
- Cowards - one of the women mumbled. - I bet they are pissing themselves at home.
- No, - Hippolyta's firm voice hushed the murmur of the rest, - they are coming. - Then, almost whispering, she added, - I can feel them near...
She was right. Less than a minute had passed when four male figures appeared in the end of the road, opposite them.
- Molpadia, make the reconnaissance of our opponents.
- Yes, your Majesty. - the lieutenant observed the very distant frames, slowly recognising each of them. - The first on our left is Shinomori Aoshi, former leader of the Edo Castle Oniwabanshuu. Master of Kodachi Nitou Ryuu. Hasn't used his weapons for long, current fighting abilities unavailable. Second, Sagara Sanosuke, once known as the fighter-for-hire Zanza in the underworld. Not much to be said about his fighting style; basically, he uses his fists. Third, Myoujin Yahiko, master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, his weapon of choice is the bokken and his phylosophy is "the sword that protects"-- won't last long, might I add. And the last one is--
- Himura Kenji - the queen interrupted her, a trace of concern over her face. - I didn't expect him to come.
- The boy has swordsman blood on his veins, and knows both Kamiya Kasshin and Hiten Mitsurugi stances, but... he is barely weaned and completely unexperienced. He doesn't represent any threat to us, Iporita-sama. Besides, he wields a reversed-blade sword.
- No threat, you say. You are the one in charge of the soldiers... you ought to know better. - Step by step, the four men approached the Amazons and, together with them, came some realisation to Hippolyta. - I can't see their army.
They came to a halt, standing on a perfect line 6 meters ahead of the Amazon army. Spurring her horse ahead of the front line, Molpadia eyed them with a suspicious smile.
- Fools! - she exclaimed. - Aren't you bringing more men to meet painful death?
- No, we are not - Aoshi stepped ahead of the others as well. - And we shall not die.
The woman lifted an eyebrow at that, then turned to the others behind her. - He believes he will survive our army. - she chuckled. - Pretentious, isn't he?
- Molpadia. - the grave voice of their queen hushed the laughter. The lieutenant turned questioning eyes to her, but kept silent. Then, directing her words to the apparent leader of the enemy, the queen inquired:
- You might be daring, soldier, but I am sure you are not stupid. You are perfectly aware that our army could kill you in mere seconds. What makes you think that you'll be on your feet once this is over?
- A simple question is worth a simple answer - Aoshi curtailed three steps of his distance from the Amazon queen. - You want us alive.
This originated a small tumult among the women, soon cut once again by Hippolyta. - And why would that be?
- C'mon, ma'am, that's easy even for your lil' brains! - spitting his ever present fishbone, Sano decided to join the ex-okashira on the talking, which didn't please much the others: Aoshi frowned, Kenji cursed and Yahiko slapped his forehead. The fighter didn't seem to mind, and continued. - You hate us, fine, but you know we have our value. Also, we know things you don't. Aoshi here is one hell of a spy. I've been abroad for 15 years. If you have something inside your head... guess you won't just throw us to the vultures.
Aoshi sighed. - You could have been more civilized, Sagara.
- They would give a fuck for me being civilized or not - he whispered back.
- This man is disgusting, - Molpadia murmured to Hippolyta's ear, - I don't know why I haven't killed him yet.
- Hold your impulses for now. - the queen answered. - He could be right. The Oniwabanshuu is almost extinct, but they still are a way to reach the sins of the Meiji officials. And political knowledge from other countries would definitely come in handy. They have links to the police as well. - Pondering for a minute, she turned to the men again. - I take your point. Nevertheless, I wonder where you want to get. Are you going to surrender so simply?
- I suggest a one-on-one battle - Aoshi answered flatly. - The ones who lose are taken to your headquarters.
- And the ones who win...?
- Are free to go. - he finished. - Does it sound fair to your group?
- ... Molpadia, - the queen called, - choose our four strongest warriors.
Author's Notes: I made some lil' changes on chapter V; if you think something's wrong, check it. Sorry for the ones waiting for some action. I just got carried on with these scenes, I guess. Now that it's done, it's done... However, I hope I can fit all fighting on chapter VII ^_^ I mean, I have some plans for what happens next.
Ah, and I'm not an action author. I like to write quieter stories. I don't know why I'm writing this one in the first place. Whatever.
FanFiction.Net readers! Izou Hen has its own site now. The URL is http://fade.to/izouhen . Please visit, I always update the site first, before sending the new chapters to ff.net...
Chapter VII: Finally, the long delayed battle!
| Chapter VII >>
