[Chapter 3: The Memory and the Death]

The greeting that was given to them was what Kenshin expected. He thought, "Luckily, I did not let Kaoru go alone." He continued, "I knew this would happen." They fought seriously and went into the doujou once they have taken care of what's happening outside.

Meanwhile, Ryu was waiting for them in the doujou. Sayuri just stood there. She was worried, worried of what's going to happen next.

The door of the doujou was opened. Kenshin and the others went in.

"I know you guys would come, Himura batousai." Ryu said.

"You must be Ryu Kageki. The master of the clan." Kenshin replied.

"Sayuri!" shouted Kaoru.

Sayuri just kept quiet and did not answer back to Kaoru. She didn't say anything. She is trying to act dumb. "Sayuri." Ryu called her. "Yes! Kageki- sama?" Sayuri answered. "Get him." Ryu insisted Sayuri to fight Kenshin. "Yes, Kageki-sama." Sayuri answered.

Kaoru was shocked that Ryu was trying to use Sayuri. Kenshin just stood there and dare not to draw his sword. Sayuri draws her sword and start to attack. After so many attacks, Kenshin didn't draw his sword, as he did not want to hurt his friend's cousin. Ryu was getting frustrated and he wasn't himself anymore.

"Sayuri! Stop!" said Ryu while he was facing down.

"Heh? But, Kageki-sama." trembled Sayuri.

"You have failed me. You have failed me many times." Ryu said.

Ryu started walk towards Sayuri. He suddenly punched her stomach. Sayuri coughed out blood. "Ka-ge-ki-sa-ma" Sayuri fainted as the impact reaches through her stomach. Sanosuke caught her in his arms. Kaoru told Sanosuke to bring Sayuri to Megumi so that Megumi could heal her.

The battle begins between Kenshin and Ryu. Kaoru hopes that Sanosuke gets to Megumi in time.

"Ojo-chan, hold on a little longer." Sanosuke whispers to Sayuri.

Flashback

Sayuri was in her world. She suddenly can remember everything. In her dreams, she saw herself, her brother and Kaoru playing together in the field. She said to herself, "I know who is that girl, it's Kaoru my one and only cousin." "And my brother, he was the best."

The dream went back to during the tokugawa era. Where Sayuri had lost their family. "Brother!! Mother!! Father! Where are you?" "I know this, this is during the tokugawa era." "That's Ryu" "Now I know who the woman is!!" She said in her heart.

End of flashback

Meanwhile, during the battle, Kenshin and Ryu got injured. All the red blood dripping on to the doujou floor, the last attack shall tell who is the winner and the best swordsman.

Both of them started to move.

"Itsuzuya Kasshin Style! NinHakkin!!"

"Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu. Kyutou Ryuu Sen!!!"

Both of them shouted together and one of them gets the slash. It was Ryu! Ryu falls on to the floor and his life was over. Kenshin keeps his sword and walk towards Ryu's body. With the sadness in his eyes, he picked up Ryu and buries him under the cherry blossom tree.

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Tsunami's note : ^^ how was it? it's quite sad that Ryu has to die. Want to know what's gonna happen next? wait till chapter 4 ^^

REVIEW!! onegai!! ^^