Standard Disclaimer: Me not own Rurouni Kenshin; me want own Rurouni Kenshin; me want own Gundam Wing more…
Chapter Six:
Tears of Blood:
The New War
They ran for about a mile and saw a bloody battle. Soldiers from the Meiji were lying in pools of blood. The rain began to pour down upon the people. Very few of the soldiers from Haku's side were dead. In the distance, there was a tall, tall building, and at the top stood two people. From what Kenshin could tell, Satsu and Haku. Then something at the very back of Kenshin's mind clicked. There had to be a reason of why Satsu was always along side Haku.
"Saitou, do you know anything about Haku?" Kenshin asked still with a locked look on the building.
"Yes I do. I found out that Satsu is his wife and that they have a child. Their child's name is Shinta. And he is ten years old and is one of the strongest people of Haku's men other than Satsu and himself," said Saitou while watching the fight. Aoshi ignored the conversation and walked forward into battle. He unsheathed his two swords and began fighting. Sanosuke, feeling left out, grabbed a sword from the muddy ground and ran to fight.
"Does he know how to use a sword?" Saitou asked noticing Sano.
"I'd hope so. He used a Zanbatou before." Kenshin sweat dropped.
"Moron," Saitou mumbled.
"The best thing we can do is fight…" Kenshin said mournfully. Saitou unsheathed his sword without hesitation and headed for battle. The memories of the Revolution suddenly plagued him. He lifted his hand to his face and he instantly saw it covered with blood. His sword was also. Many people around him were covered in blood. And he was the cause of it. He was one of the manslayers during the Revolution.
But the only way to save Japan and the ones he loved was by fighting in this. He had to do it. He had to fight in this unruly war to save Japan. But then again, the thought of what Satsu said to him was true. How could he live a life of peace when he was always fighting the Battousai inside of him? He had to make sure that didn't go back on his vow. He had to save Japan from the terrors of the Tankenshogu Era that Haku was bestow upon the country.
He lived upon battle ten years ago. What if he were to lose himself while fighting in a freshly made war? He would have to. That or become a wanderer again. His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. He stood in frustration until someone of the opposite army decided to lunge towards him. And so Kenshin fought with his mind and his memories blurred.
The ground that they were all fighting on became harder and harder to keep grip. The rain poured down so hard that the sky was black. The mud soon was filled with blood from previous fighters and present fighters. The battle waged on until day. But the rain made it still nighttime. Many lives are being lost for Japan. But yet very few of those lives are being lost in order for one man to take complete control and rule with such power, that even the tiniest child that cried around him would suffer.
~
Atop the roof, two people stood watching the battle. Haku had his arm wrapped around Satsu's shoulders and she leaned into him. She watched as Kenshin fought to help save Japan, but also to save himself from the Battousai within. Haku sighed and grinned at the battle.
"Isn't this beautiful, Satsu? All those pathetic soldiers dieing to try and save a country not even worth being on the planet! When this war is over and I am in charge, this country will be put through its paces. Every child will be disciplined for any wrongdoing. The laws will be strict and anyone who disobeys will be put to death. Doesn't that seem wonderful, Satsu?" Haku concluded. Satsu nodded and watched as soldier after soldier died.
It was only just the first day of the revolt, and many more soon would follow.
Shinta climbed up on the rooftop with his parents and stood by his father. Haku took his hand and placed it firmly on Shinta's shoulder.
~Two days later~
Kaoru paced along the wooden floor of the dojo. She hadn't eaten at all while Kenshin was gone. Megumi came over to see what was going on only to find out that a revolt was made against the Meiji Government and Sanosuke, Saitou, Aoshi and Kenshin were fighting in it.
"You mean Sir Ken is fighting in another war?" Megumi said after Misao told her about Kaoru's stress.
"Yeah, and she won't eat until Himura gets back. And who know when that will happen?" Misao said looking over towards pacing Kaoru.
"Sir Ken wouldn't want her to starve to death would he?" Megumi said loud enough so Kaoru could hear her. Kaoru stopped and walked over to where Megumi was. She took Megumi's tea, drank it, then took some of Misao's sushi and ate that. Then went back to her pacing.
"Well, we know Kenshin chose a weird one…" Misao said hoping Kaoru would snap back to reality. Kaoru continued pacing without paying any attention to the smart remark.
~
Kenshin, Saitou, Sanosuke and Aoshi found an abandoned dojo in the woods and stayed there for rest. They had fought for two days straight and never ate or drank. Finaly they were able to rest and eat and drink for a short while. Sanosuke went right to sleep while Saitou and Aoshi zoned off and slowly went to sleep. Kenshin sat against the wall trying to get any stray blood off his sword.
"Why…" he asked himself. Visions of the past haunted him. All he could see were pictures of the Revolution and all the dead and dieing people. "Why…" he asked again. The sight of him being slammed onto the ground by his old friend began to sting. She had held him down with her foot and her sword. She was continuing her path of destruction and death. "Why…" he stifled a shout. Revisiting Haku's revolt against the Meiji government. Seeing Satsu by his side the whole way. Seeing their son helping with a war that has all ready sacrificed many lives. "Why…" he slammed his fist into the wooden floor.
"Kenshin, why don't you and Satsu marry each other? I mean, you guys are always staring at the moon together… so why not just get the rings prepared and I'll make wedding reservations." The master teased. Kenshin and Satsu stuck out their tongues in disgust as their master laughed at their reaction. The master left and went to bed. Kenshin climbed into his mat bed and almost fell asleep until Satsu woke him up again.
"Kenshin, if I were to ever hurt you against my will, I'm going to cut you. And then, I'll take your sword and cut me. Sound fair?" Satsu asked while climbing into the bed next to his.
"Yeah. And the same goes with me. All right?" Kenshin said.
"All right. And another promise, let's make sure that we never ever get married to each other, but we'll stay best friends for all eternity. Okay?" Satsu said. Kenshin nodded and the two went to sleep.
~
The sun rose the next morning and they were all awoken by a large cry. At first it was just one, and then many came after that. Kenshin got up and walked out the door and around to the front. From what he was able to see through the thicket of trees, were women and children coming out to the battlegrounds. Either spitting upon the dead men of Haku's army, or running to their loved ones.
Kenshin's eyes saddened as he watched the people mourn over their loss. Sanosuke had woken up and walked behind Kenshin. He put his hand on Kenshin's shoulder in regret.
"You've done all you can do for Kenshin, don't over do it." Sano said comfortably towards him in a friendly way. Kenshin turned around and looked at Sano and smiled.
"Thank you, Sano…" Kenshin said and went back to the dojo. Saitou and Aoshi were awake and noticed that Kenshin was silently mourning for the other peoples' losses.
~
Satsu sat on the floor of the palace in front of Haku as she examined her sword. The bloodstains on her sword became official. She sat quietly as Haku watched her. He had a grin upon his face. He rested his elbow on an arm of a chair and rested his head upon his hand. His thoughts began to circle around her. Since the day he met her he had loved her. Two days after they met he asked her if she would like to be his ultimate partner. She smiled and said that she would marry him. And their love was unbreakable.
"Are you ready?" He asked. She looked up at him and smiled sweetly.
"Yes I am," said she. Satsu stood and sheathed her sword. She climbed on the couch next to him and rested her head on his chest. The steady rise and fall of his breathing seemed soothing. She closed her eyes and fell into a melodic sleep. Haku noticed his beloved wife sleeping upon him and softened his eyes.
"Father," said Shinta while walking inside the room quietly. Haku looked at his son and waited for his explanation.
"A man named Hajime Saitou has sent a letter requesting to talk with you. He's one of the fighters that helped the Meiji soldiers. He requested to speak with you as soon as possible. Should I go and fetch him?" Shinta said noticing his father's look. Haku's look softened and nodded his head in acceptance to the invitation.
(Soldiers had entered Kyoto and every other part of Japan to fight all the Meiji soldiers. Many had died that day and night. And many are still dieing.)
And a large cry swept over all of Japan…
