Standard Disclaimer: If you've gotten this far into my story, you should know the drill by now… right?
Chapter Eight:
Final Battle:
Kenshin vs. Haku
He had woken up just two hours before noon. His heart was heavy when he had to face reality; his reverse blade was broken and his only other option was to use the Japanese sword and kill Haku as Saitou intended. He made a proper burial for Saitou and wished him well in the heavens. He prayed that Saitou would live a more peaceful life there than he did here. He had gathered up as much strength as he could in his current condition and lifted the Japanese sword.
It felt light like his reverse blade. But the memories of the Revolution haunted him. He had used a Japanese sword all during that time period but this was different. Before he never hesitated to unsheathe it and slice anyone in his way. Now he was surprised that he could lift the cursed object. He held it in front of his face and stared at it. He grabbed his sword sheath and slipped it into that. He leaned forward and wondered how he would ever be able to do this.
Then he felt a cold breeze on his body. He took his blanket and wrapped it around him and realized something. He was half naked! All he was wearing were his boxers! She had wrapped up his wounds with nearly all his clothes off!
"That's just like her, that it is…" he mumbled remembering how she never cared if she saw him or if he saw her. He stood up and saw his clothes folded on a chair nearby. He smiled and knew that if she still did this, then she must still be his friend.
~
Noon was edging closer. He stood on the porch with his new sword sheathed. But how could he draw a sword without a reverse blade when he vowed not to? Was there some unseen force that would help him not to hesitate during battle? If he wasn't even able to come close to beating Satsu, how in heavens' name was he ever going to come close to beating Haku? His mind began to swirl around this but he forced himself to think other wise.
He couldn't even land a cut on Haku if his mind was racing and he wasn't able to think straight. He'd just have to concentrate highly upon his fight, that's all. But how can he if his sword wasn't a reverse blade? He'd have to put that all behind him. Whether it was or it wasn't, he had to do it so he could save Japan and the ones he loved so much. Whether or not he lets the Battousai return was completely up to the fight.
As he left the abandoned dojo, he took one last look at it. At least hoping that he would some day is able to return to it. Then he noticed something. There was a sign on top of the dojo. It said "heavenly place", where had he heard that phrase before?
"Now I know why she knew where I was staying enough so that she was able to bring me back, that I do. 'Heavenly Place' was something she'd refer to as a place she could go to when she wanted to be alone." Kenshin smiled.
He turned back around and walked through the thicket of trees. He began thinking of all that Haku did. All the lives that was lost just for his and his wife's pleasure. Just thinking of all the lives of men, women, and children made him angry. His eyes slimmed and turned a blue like color as they did when he fought Cho, the sword hunter. He could slowly feel the Battousai winning the battle of his soul. No! His mind shouted, not now! I can't allow the old me to return and cause more destruction than before.
"But," the Battousai argued, "you want me to return. You want the smell and feel of blood upon your sword. You've longed for it! Face the facts, you can't live without being the Battousai!"
I will not surrender a fight that I could win! The deciding factor of whether or not you come back will be the final battle with Haku! Until then I will not allow you to take control of me and make me lose all that I care for! That I will not!
"You're fighting a losing battle. How can you ever care for people that are of less strength than yourself? They are nothing! Let me return and show you how much fun killing people can be once again!"
No! Now is a time where I choose what to do! If I decide for you to come back you will. But now is not the time nor place for my decision, that it isn't.
And so his argument subsided. But the Battousai was right, he was fighting a losing battle. At first he had extreme control. But in some previous fights, he had slightly lost himself and that had weakened his control. And now, he had little to none left.
He could see the field up ahead. He could begin to see little spots of green appearing through the fire-shaken earth. As he approached the field, he noticed something that could have, what might have been Haku. He walked a little faster to get a better look. It was sitting down on the ground, he could tell that much. Its black hair was lying all over their face. At first he thought it to be Haku, then he noticed one specific factor. A beautifully colored kimono.
It couldn't be! He ran closer but heard someone laugh not far from him.
"Don't waste your energy. She'll be safe as long you're alive," a sly voice said. Kenshin noticed that not to far from the person was Haku. "I found her walking around here with Saitou's wife. I decided to kill his wife and keep her for fresh bait."
"Miss Kaoru!" Kenshin shouted running over towards Kaoru. Before he could touch her, a sword blade at his throat stopped him.
"Don't touch her," said Haku smugly. Kenshin slowly rose along with the sword blade. "I could easily cut your head off but that would be rude. Me inviting you here for a fight and you dieing before I even got the chance to see you in pain. Now what would that say about my reputation?" Haku removed the sword and let it rest on his shoulder. Kenshin took steps backward and unsheathed his sword.
"What do you want?" Kenshin asked looking at Kaoru. Her hands and feet were bound and her eyes looked as if she had been tortured. Parts of her kimono were splattered with blood.
"I want to fight the Battousai, not the wanderer who'd love the wench behind me," said Haku leaning his sword backwards to point at Kaoru.
A slight rustle in the trees nearby. Kenshin looked over and saw Satsu sitting on a curved tree branch as if waiting for someone to kill someone.
~
Haku suddenly sped forward and crashed his sword on the ground causing an earthquake of some sort. Kenshin flew off the ground but luckily landing on his feet. Haku then used a technique used by one of Kenshin's past opponents. A technique used by the man that "was going to teach" Mr. Utaro swordsmanship. Kenshin was able to avoid the attack by jumping away and behind Haku. Kenshin wanted to draw out his sword, but he couldn't. His mind was so cluttered, he didn't realize that Haku and thrown his sword blade at him and hit Kenshin's shoulder.
"Draw your sword! I will not show mercy upon the girl if you wish not to draw out your sword!" Haku shouted and jumped over to Kaoru. He laid his sword blade gently over Kaoru's neck. If he wanted, he could make one swift movement and cut Kaoru's head off. Kenshin knew what had to be done. He lowered his head to the ground and a shadow passed over his face.
All right, Battousai, I allow you to return… in order to save the one I love, I will allow you to take control… Kenshin thought. He suddenly felt the Battousai grin inside him. He lifted his head and his eyes flashed from blue-purple to yellow. Haku grinned and lifted his sword back to his shoulder.
"I will not allow you to hurt that girl, Haku Yumagashi…" said Kenshin in a voice not his own. Kaoru's eyes widened.
"No, Kenshin! Don't do it!" She shouted.
"In order to save all that I care for I will." Kenshin and unsheathed his sword. The blade shimmered and glittered in the sunlight.
"Good," said Haku. Kenshin ran forward and jumped into the air.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Suisen!" Kenshin shouted as he slammed his sword down. Haku held his blade with his free hand in order to block. Kenshin flew backwards and charged at him.
The swords clashed as attack after attack was defended. From where Satsu was sitting, it would look like they were tying. But Haku was holding back. What am I going to do? I promised Haku and myself that I wouldn't interfere with their fight… but can I not when my old friend is going to die? Her mind screamed. She continued to watch the fight with a heavy heart knowing that at any moment, Haku could destroy Kenshin.
~
From what it appeared, Kenshin and Haku were panting for breath. But when Haku rested his sword on his shoulder and stood up straight Kenshin's mind raced. Haku was winning after all. Even the Battousai couldn't beat him. What was going on? Not even the legendary Hitokiri Battousai was able to beat Haku Yumagashi! What am I going to do? Kenshin tried to stand but fell back to his knees. Haku walked towards him with a smug grin that couldn't be wiped off.
"And now, Battousai, you will die…" Haku said and took his sword off his shoulder. He held it behind him as if to forward thrust it into Kenshin's right lung for a slow painful death. As he forward thrust his sword, Satsu jumped down and ran in front of Kenshin. She got there at such speed that she received the blow instead of Kenshin.
Haku's eyes widened in horror at what had just happened.
