DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.
Another Disclaimer: Don't own Samurai Jack, for jack. (heh, heh)
Author's Notes: A/U fanfic about the Kenshin-gumi traveling through time after accidentally getting trapped in a time machine while attending a high school Science Fair. Will they ever find their way back to the present? Lost in Time Comedy Fanfiction by Gypsy-chan Enjoy! (created 3/02, completed 4/03)
Author's Comments and Warnings: Please note, this is a humor fic and should not be taken seriously. Major OOCness (Out of Character) on the part of ALL the characters and situations. I've changed the part of how Kaoru and Kenshin met for the purposes of my story.^_^ Also, small spoiler warning for the newcomers to the series.
CONCLUSION
..."I do not joke in matters of life and death," Saitoh said as he eased into his Gatotsu stance. "By finishing you off here, I will spare my future ancestors the pain of dealing with a moron like you in the future."
Young Battousai skillfully took over Future Kenshin's thoughts. He then narrowed his amber eyes dangerously at ancient Saitoh while placing his hand upon the hilt of his sword. "I can assure you that you are not dealing with a moron now. Today... you shall die."
Ancient Saitoh smirked, "Let's go."
****************************
Ancient Saitoh and young Battousai charged one another. As their swords clashed, a bright blinding light flashed before their eyes. When the brilliance of the light faded, Ancient Saitoh and Young Battousai was astounded by the sight before them.
Apparently, Kaoru and the Rurouni had altered the timeline as they travelled back thru time to the Bakumatsu era. Young Battousai and Ancient Saitoh couldn't believe their eyes. Kaoru was also stunned. Her eyes widened as she glanced around and saw three Kenshins and three Saitohs, past, present and future, standing in her midst.
The three Kenshins looked at one another and in unison mouthed, "Oro?"
The three Saitohs in response murmured, "Moron".
Kaoru carefully looked back and forth between the three fiery haired men and finally gave a big smile of relief upon finding future Kenshin.
"Kenshin," she called out as she ran and threw herself into his arms.
"Orooo!" future Kenshin gasped upon falling on the ground with Kaoru's arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
"I finally found you," she cried. "I was so worried about you." She hugged his neck tighter almost cutting off his air supply.
"Don't, *cough, cough* worry, I'm *cough, cough* gasp*, alright *wheez, wheez*, Kaorrruuu-dono."
Kaoru whacked future Kenshin on the head. "Baka! I told you to stop calling me that!"
"Sorry," future Kenshin replied as his eyes swirled around in his head.
The young Battousai stared intently at the three Saitohs, all the while, keeping his hand at the hilt of his sword. The Rurouni, however, closed his eyes. He could sense the tension rising between the past, present and future Saitohs. He knew that things were about to get worst.
"Kaoru-dono,"
"Yes,"
"Now that you have found your friend, I think it is best that you both leave, that I do," the Rurouni suggested as he focused his attention back on the three Saitohs. "It is not safe for you two to be here, that it is not. So please leave."
Kaoru became worried. "But what about you Kenshin? I don't want to leave you here like this."
"No one will leave until I say so," future Saitoh cooly replied. He reached into his top right pocket and pulled out a cigarette. After lighting it, he took a long hard drag on the cigarette before passing it over to his Meiji self. Meiji Saitoh accepted the cigarette and he too took a long hard drag. He grinned wolfishly at the three Kenshins after exhaling a large satisfying cloud of smoke.
"So, which one of you morons want to die first?"
"No one will die here today," the Rurouni firmly stated to Meiji Saitoh. "I cannot explain how we are all here or what has happened, but I do believe we can resolve whatever differences we have peacefully without shedding innocent blood."
Young Battousai kept a trained eye on the three Saitohs as he spoke to the Rurouni. "Do not be foolish Rurouni. Mibu Wolves talk only with their swords. And right now, my blade is ready to taste their blood."
"Spoken like a true blood thirsty demon," Ancient Saitoh remarked after exhaling a puff of smoke from the cigarette he took from Meiji Saitoh. He passed the cigarette back to future Saitoh. Future Saitoh took a final drag before flicking the butt of the cigarette to the ground. He smirked at future Kenshin as he casually lit another cigarette.
Future Kenshin became nervous after seeing the smirk upon all three of the Saitohs faces. "I've always thought having one Saitoh smirk at me was bad, but having three Saitohs smirk at me is pure torture!"
"Uhm... I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting weirded out with all this cigarette smoking and talk of blood. So... uhm... oh wow, look at the time. Got to go! Come on Kaoru." Future Kenshin grabbed Kaoru by the hand trying to lead her away from the group.
Meiji Saitoh quickly put his sword in front of future Kenshin's path. "You're not going anywhere boy."
The Rurouni narrowed his eyes at Meiji Saitoh. "Remove your sword from their path," he ordered harshly.
"And if he doesn't who's going to stop him," scowled Ancient Saitoh.
"I will," Young Battousai replied in a low threatening growl.
Kaoru whispered to future Kenshin, "This doesn't look good."
"I know," future Kenshin whispered back. "Three Saitohs trying to kill me is just way too weird. It's like living out a bad episode of the Twilight Zone. Dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee..."
"Kenshin no baka! Would you be serious," Kaoru whispered angrily.
"Sorry," he whispered back in a whimper.
Ancient Saitoh eased into his Gatotsu stance while Young Battousai resheathed his sword preparing himself for the first attack. Meiji Saitoh flicked the butt of his cigarette to the ground as he too slid into his Gatotsu stance. They squared off, staring each other down.
The Rurouni tried once more to beg off the fight with Meiji Saitoh. "Is there any way possible we can avoid this fight," he asked knowing full well what the answer would be.
"You heard what your demon half said Battousai, a Mibu Wolf only speaks with his sword," Meiji Saitoh answered with his hand poised on his blade.
The Rurouni glared over to Meiji Saitoh as he put his hand to the hilt of his sword. "If you insist on fighting me, then feel free to attack. However, no one else needs to be involved in this fight, that they should not."
Meiji Saitoh and the Rurouni were heard exchanging a few more words in the background. Future Saitoh narrowed his eyes at Future Kenshin. He eased into his fighting stance.
"Prepare yourself boy," he called out to Future Kenshin.
Kaoru looked anxiously at Future Kenshin and then glanced back to Future Saitoh and the two seasoned Saitohs. She clutched her hand over her heart.
"Kenshin," she cried out voice filled with concern.
"Don't worry Kaoru-dono, I'll protect you," all three Kenshins echoed in unison.
"I'm not worried about you two," she replied. "It's HIM," pointing to future Kenshin, "that I'm worried about."
"Oro," future Kenshin sighed. "Don't worry about me. I think I can do this." He picked up a sword that was lying on the ground near his feet. Future Kenshin began making a few quick strokes in order to get the feel of the sword. Kaoru watched him with great apprehension.
"But Kenshin, you've never fought with a real sword before. I'm afraid something will go wrong."
"I will not allow anything to happen to your friend Kaoru-dono. I shall protect both of you with all that I am," the Rurouni assured.
"You have your own battle to deal with," future Kenshin responded after casting his eyes over to Meiji Saitoh. He then turned fully to Kaoru.
"I know this looks scary, but I don't feel afraid anymore. I think fighting here, side-by-side with my ancestors, is just the encouragement I need to do this. So don't worry about me Kaoru, trust me, I'll be alright. I want you to be strong okay."
"Okay Kenshin," she answered through unshedded tears. "I'll be strong for you."
"Good, because we're going to need a cute little cheerleader like you to cheer us on," future Kenshin replied as he playfully pinched her cheek.
Kaoru blushed deeply upon his touch to her cheek and smiled. "Okay!" She yelled before jump up and down shouting, "Go Kenshins Go! You can do it! Yay!!"
Future Kenshin and the Rurouni smiled at her cheers while Young Battousai stood unphased by everyone except for Ancient Saitoh.
"Now that the cheerleader is done with her cheers, maybe we can began the fight," future Saitoh said dryly.
"Enough," Ancient Saitoh yelled before charging toward young Battousai. As their swords clashed, Meiji Saitoh and the Rurouni began to fight also.
Future Saitoh glared over to future Kenshin. "What are you waiting for boy, an invitation?"
Future Kenshin didn't move. He stood amongst the sound of clashing steel with his hand on the hilt of his sword glaring back at Future Saitoh.
"Do you want your little tanuki girlfriend to think you are a coward?"
"Kenshin is not a coward Principal Saitoh," Kaoru scowled to future Saitoh.
"He doesn't have the guts to fight me. Just like he didn't have the guts to fight Makoto Shishio at our last Kendo tournament. Our school would have won if it hadn't been for that pathetic moron."
"Makoto Shishio cheated and you know it," she hissed. "Biting is not allowed during Kendo tournaments. Shishio should have been disqualified for biting Kenshin on the neck."
"He survived," Future Saitoh remarked casually. "But play time is over. It's time to fight. Since you chose not to make the first move, then you leave me no choice but to attack. Let's do it," Future Saitoh yelled as he charged toward future Kenshin.
"Kenshin," Kaoru shouted through fallen tears.
Future Kenshin was able to dodge future Saitoh's first attack.
"I did it! I dodged Prinipal Saitoh's attack," future Kenshin said inwardly. "It wasn't as bad as I thought!"
Kaoru cheered, "Yay Kenshin! You did it! Yay!!"
Kenshin flashed a sweet smile to Kaoru. Future Saitoh smirked, "I'm impressed boy, but don't get too cocky. This fight has only just begun. Here I come again!"
As Kaoru watched future Saitoh charge forward, she screamed out to future Kenshin.
"Kenshin!!!"
"CLING!!!"
The sound of clashing swords rung loudly through the air. Kaoru was astounded by the sight before her. Past, present and future Kenshins and Saitohs were amazingly, at that point, using the same fighting techniques against one another. She stood in awe at the battle in front of her.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Tsui Sen and the Gatotsu. Each technique being perfectly executed by it's master.
Kaoru continued watching in awe as the fight began to heat up.
"Every time their swords clash, they create a song that can only be sung by one of them. How long will they sing this song? How long will Mibu Wolves want to dance?
Suddenly, for some unexplained reason, the winds began to shift causing dust to fly around them. The fighting was stopped momentarily because of the blinding dust. All six fighters panted heavily as they awaited the winds to die down. Kaoru used the opportunity to run over to where future Kenshin was.
"Kenshin," she cried as she hugged his neck.
"Orooo, that hurts!"
"Sorry," she blushed as she quickly removed her arms from around his neck. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," future Kenshin replied. "But I think we better come up with a plan before Principal Saitoh and his counterparts began round two. Does anyone have any ideas or a plan?"
"Yes," Young Battousai said, "I plan on killing them all and then chopping them up into little pieces."
Future Kenshin flinched. "Whoa, this guy puts Jason to shame. I think I better stop watching those reruns of Friday the 13th and Halloween.
"Sessha thinks a peaceful approach is better, that he does."
"I'll be at peace once I've removed their heads," young Battousai said.
"Note to self, never get on his bad side," future Kenshin thought.
"I have an idea," Kaoru interjected. "I remember from one of my history exams that Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu has a final succession technique."
"Yes, I remember that too," future Kenshin added. "My uncle demonstrated it when I was preparing for my finals. He said that it's the ultimate attack of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu."
Young Battousai glared at future Kenshin and Kaoru. "How do you two know about the secrets of Hiten Mitsurugi! Who are you working for! Who sent you! Answer me," he growled as he put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Stop it," the Rurouni ordered. "I will not allow you to harm these innocent people. Open your eyes and look around you. We all look the same and so does the three Saitohs. This day has brought many strange events. Right now, we need to concentrate on the fight in front of us."
Young Battousai narrowed his eyes at the Rurouni and then back at Future Kenshin. He remained silent.
"Please tell us about this final technique you speak of. Can it be used to resolve our difference without anyone getting harmed?"
"Yes," Future Kenshin nodded to the Rurouni. He quickly began to explain the technique and his plan.
The three Saitohs stood unconcerned by the three Kenshins. They were having a smoke among themselves.
"Look at those morons," Meiji Saitoh said as he passed his cigarette over to Future Saitoh.
"They're probably thinking on a way to resolve this fight peacefully," Future Saitoh replied. He took a long drag and passed the cigarette over to Ancient Saitoh.
"I won't allow them to leave alive," Ancient Saitoh replied after exhaling a billowy cloud of smoke. He passed the cigarette to Future Saitoh.
"And what about the girl," Future Saitoh asked after accepting the cigarette.
"As long as she doesn't get in my way, I really don't care what happens to her," Meiji Saitoh answered reaching for the cigarette in Future Saitoh's hand.
Future Kenshin had finished explaining the final succession technique. Young Battousai, the Rurouni and Future Kenshin were all lost in deep thought.
Young Battousai: "If I had stayed with Shishou, I would have completed my training. I would have been able to use that technique to save Tomoe. Tomoe...."
The Rurouni: "The technique he described could only have come from Shishou or a reincarnation of Shishou in the future.... Can I do this? Can I use the reverse blade sword using this technique?"
Future Kenshin: "I wonder what Samurai Jack would do in a situation like this?"
Ancient Saitoh spoke out causing the three Kenshins to face him. "I think it is time to bring this fight to an end."
The three Kenshins took their places. Kaoru watched nervously as they all squared off facing each other. The three Saitohs suddenly charged with great speed holding thier swords horizontally towards the three Kenshins.
Such speed in battle. Will a kiss from the dragons be enough to stop the deadly dance of Mibu Wolves?"
The three Kenshins started off by placing their left legs in front of their right, before drawing their swords. They successfully executed the final attack on the three Saitohs by pulling them into a spiraling vacuum. As the winds and forces behind the wind became more violent, Future Kenshin yelled to Kaoru, "NOW!!"
Kaoru and future Kenshin pressed the buttons on their portable time machines simultaneously. The power from the Ama Kakeru Ryu Hirameki and the magnetic energy from the time machine created a spacial distortion in the fabric of time. All three Saitohs and Kenshins were hurled back into their respective time period.
Kenshin lay on a cold hard surface. He turned and slowly opened his eyes.
"Oi Kenshin, I thought you would never wake up," chuckled a teenage Sano. "You've been lying on the floor for hours."
Kenshin shot up. "What!" "Am I back to my own time period?"
He jerked his head back to take in his surroundings. "I'm back!!! I'm really back in my own time period," he shouted.
Sano, Megumi, Misao, Aoshi and Soujirou all laughed. "Yeah!! We all made it back safe."
Sano helped Kenshin to stand. He then noticed something amiss. "Where's Kaoru?"
Everyone suddenly got quiet. Kenshin became nervous.
"What happened to her! I thought she...."
Sano and Misao moved so that Kaoru could step forward. She was standing behind them all long.
"Kaoru," Kenshin smiled. "I was so worried about you."
"I just went to the bathroom silly," she giggled, "travelling through time can make a girl have to go you know."
They all laughed. Principal Saitoh walked over to the group. Kenshin's eyes grew wide upon seeing Saitoh.
"You fought well boy."
"Thank you Principal Saitoh.
"I will expect you here tomorrow at 5:00am sharp for training."
"What," Kenshin gasped in disbelief. "The Kendo tournament isn't until next year!"
"That's why we must begin your training now," he stated coldly. "Besides, your uncle is the one who suggested I be the one to spar with you. I won't be as soft as he is on you."
Kenshin eyes grew wide again. "Shishou? Soft?" "Oroooo!"
Before Principal Saitoh walked away he turned back to the group. "By the way, you're all still on detention." The group began to murmur. Principal Saitoh ignored their mumurings and continued speaking. "Report to room 1A-101 Monday after school."
The group watched him walk over to the no smoking sign and light up his cigarette. After taking a long drag and exhaling he glared at them. "What are you morons staring at."
"Nothing Principal Saitoh," they replied in unison.
"Go home, the science fair is over," he instructed as he headed for his office. The group looked at one another and giggled after they were sure he was out of earshot.
"I can't believe old stone face is still making us do detention after what we went through."
"Quit complaining tori-ama, at least we are back in our own time period," Megumi said after flipping her long black hair over her shoulders.
"Yeah that's right. I'd rather do a months worth of detention in this century than get trapped in ancient time again," Misao responded.
"Don't forget, we do have the weekend off," Soujirou added.
"Yeah it's Friday! So what do you say we all go over to the Akabeko and have some fun," Sano asked while throwing his arm around Kenshin's neck and giving him a few nuggies.
"Sounds like fun to me," Misao chirped. "We can talk about some of the places we've been when we travelled through history."
"Yes it does sound like a lot of fun," Kaoru cheerfully replied. "Let's go everyone."
Everyone in the group walked out of the room except for Kenshin. Kaoru turned back and re-entered the room.
"Kenshin?"
Kenshin was standing by Enishi's exhibit. "You know at first I was angry at Enishi when I got stuck back in time. I was afraid I would never see all my family or friends again. But then when everyone started showing up one by one, it gave me hope. I started to enjoy some of the historical sites and the people we enteracted with."
"Me too," Kaoru sighed. "I have a new found respect for history now."
"I think the best part for me was to actually fight alongside my ancestors. I could really feel their spirit flowing through me as I fought. I think it's what made me execute the moves I was taught by Shishou so precisely. I'm really glad I got to meet them face to face. I just wished I had more time to really get to know them better."
"Well, that's what the library is for," Kaoru replied as she rested her hand upon his shoulder. "We can go to the library together and read about your ancestors."
Kenshin smiled at her thoughtfulness. He looked back to Enishi's exhibit again. "I hope we didn't do anything to screw up the past."
"No, you don't have to worry about that," Kaoru smiled. "When we got back, Enishi told me that he altered the stream of time with his back up time machine so that the lives we enteracted with wasn't affected. The only ones that will remember everything will be us."
"Hmmm... I guess that's okay," Kenshin sighed.
"Of course it is baka," she said after tugging playfully on his long bangs. "We better hurry if we want to catch up with the others."
"Kaoru"
"Yes, Kenshin."
"After what we've been through, I've been thinking," he paused for a moment then continued, "Will you... will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes," she smiled before giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek. Kenshin's eyes widened upon receiving her kiss. Kaoru blushed deeply.
A huge silly grin grew upon Kenshin's face. "Ahh... Kaoru Kamiya is finally my girlfriend. Life is sweet."
Kenshin slipped his hand into hers and the two of them left the science fair holding hands as boyfriend and girlfriend.
Meanwhile, back in the period of the Bakumatsu, Ancient Saitoh was now facing young Hitokiri Battousai. He glared at his opponent and shouted,
"I have come to defeat you!"
"No! It is I, Samurai Jack, who will defeat you!"
Music begans to play, SAMURAI JACK, SAMURAI JACK, SAMU..RAI JACK.
Author's Notes: Konnichiwa minna san! Sorry it took so long to update. But, it is finally finished. I would like to thank everyone for their support. You guys are just too good to me.^_^
Okay, I know I ended it a little weird but, I just wanted to have a little fun. Also, this chapter was soooo hard to write. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with Kenshin and Battousai. So I decided to split them into three. I wanted to stay as close as possible to all three of their personalities. I wanted Battousai to be cold; the Rurouni to be peaceful and Future Kenshin (the teenager) to be cute and funny. I hope it came out alright.^_~ Oh yeah, about all that metaphorical stuff Kaoru says well, I wanted her to say more then, "Ken-shin..."
Anyhoo, I hope you enjoyed this ficcie as much as I did. Okay, now on to the next unfinished ficcies. (Not sure which one I want to do next but it will be either, Fatal Love, Eye for Eye, Roommate the Spy or Faded Memories, Realized Dreams) ^_^ As usual, constructive reviews are welcomed as long as they are genuine and not sarcastic.^_^