A Lifetime Forgiven

Chapter Eighteen: Hate

"So, you've managed to kill Ri?" Asks Shishio coldly at Arami's approach.

"Your turn." Growls Arami, cracking her knuckles as she skids to a halt near Shishio.

"Oh, I don't know about that.  Men." But nothing happens and Arami's smile widens as fear flickers across Shishio's expression.

"Himura took care of them." Says Arami, that sadistic smile still spreading across her lips as the fear increases ­on Shishio's expression. "You know, I haven't killed in a long time.  Morals and all." Continues Arami scathingly.

Bushes rustle behind Shishio, but Arami's smile only widens, for she already knows who is there.  A second later Kenshin appears, a bit bloody and perhaps injured, but his head is bowed so his bangs easily cover his expression.  His reverse-blade sword is slung over his shoulder, and though it's almost a relaxed expression, he seems ready for battle.

"Arami…" Kenshin trails off, lifting his head slowly until his sapphire-violet eyes meet hers.  "You don't have to do this."

She frowns at him but continues.

"I've been waiting for this since you killed my father." Her frozen expression is on Shishio, whose staring at Arami with his eyes widening.  "He might have been ashamed of me, but after all those I've killed, he has fantastic reasoning."

"What if I told you your father isn't dead." Tried Shishio a smirk appearing thinly on his lips.  Arami's expression became colder.

"You'd be lying.  I found my father as he lay on his deathbed.  How do you think I found out about you?"

"You're lying!" Shishio's eyes had widened again and his smirk had disappeared.

"He told me of everything he knew…" Kenshin noticed her gaze was becoming watery, and she was blinking furiously.  "But he's dead now, and I'm here to avenge them."  At once her gaze hardened and the unshed tears disappeared.  "You brought this upon yourself."

She flexed her claws again, then with an almighty jump she leapt and slashed through Shishio before Kenshin could stop her, or before Shishio could scream.

As she landed in front of Kenshin, he saw the tears beginning to brim in her eyes once more.  Before he could say anything however she had leapt off into the surrounding forest.

Author's note: THIS ISN'T THE ENDING!

Disclaimer: you know the drill.  I don't own Rurouni Kenshin™, I do own all of my original characters.