Chapter 4: AU version #1
This AU chapter has two additional changes from the anime.
The two charge close the short distance, dashing towards each other. I can see Shishio eyeing Kenshin's feet already. There's really nothing Kenshin can do but continue the attack. Kenshin's left foot steps out and the floor cracks under the power of that step. His sword flashes out with beyond god-like speed creating a blue blur, but Shishio has his sword out in time to parry. Shishio diverts Kenshin's swing so it passes by harmlessly and ignites his sword, starting his own secret attack. A whirlwind of fire spins ferociously around his blade. Most definitely, a painful multi-burning attack if it were to land on Kenshin's exposed back.
A thought flickered through my mind that maybe Kenshin didn't understand the full secret of the Amakakaru no Hiremaki. Maybe I gave my idiot apprentice too much credit and should have laid it out in plain words.
But no, my worry is put aside as the vacuum void is created and Kenshin continues his swing. The horrified look on Shishio's face reveals that he realizes that the air is sweeping out his feet. Kenshin's hair and tattered gi trace his spin into the second step of the Amakakaru no Hiremaki. Again the floor breaks under the power of the left step and this time the blue blur that is his sword connects hard with Shishio's side.
It's hard to remember who lands on the floor first - Shishio on his face or Kenshin on his knee who could barely control the follow-through on the swing. Still it was a good Amakakaru no Hiremaki, worthy of any Hiten Mitsurugi master.
The pride I feel for my apprentice - I mean for the masterful way I've taught him - must have leaked through because I hear him whisper, "Master," and flick a glance at my direction. Ah, he finally notices that I'm here.
A hacking sound draws all of our attention to the other side of the arena where Kenshin had tossed Shishio. Shishio claws at his ehest in response to something other than the blow Kenshin had inflicted. Red steam rises from his body and the smell of burning blood fills the air even more.
Kenshin walks up to Shishio, but the woman run in-between the two and pleads for mercy. Kenshin listens and his eyes soften a bit. I wonder if he's remembering a time when three women had pleaded the same for him.
His sword lowers and then Shishio's words "You're too soft. This fight isn't over" just barely precedes his stab through the woman and through Kenshin's guard. Blood sprays everywhere and both the woman and Kenshin fall from their large gaping wounds.
On the ground, Kenshin's pain-filled voice accuses Shishio for killing his love for a battle. Shishio, in response, says Kenshin has no right to judge him. Words that pierce more than they might seem. The woman, Yumi, uses her dying breath to express her happiness at helping Shishio in a battle anyway she could. They are confusing words to Kenshin, I know. Thoughts are swirling in my apprentice's head and I sense him slipping back to the past. Maybe even into a time where he didn't want to live.
Kenshin flips onto the back, weakly grasping his sword, but his spirit drains faster than his blood from him. His demeanor, his aura tells me that he's readying himself for death.
No, you can't give up on life, I wanted to shout to my stupid apprentice. But I hold my tongue because I know I cannot force him to live. I can open his eyes and teach him all I know, but the choice is ultimately his.
Stupid, stupid apprentice. I'm not going to help you if you're going to choose to die.
The sudden clenching of Kenshin's hand around his sword marks a change in his aura. Eyes opened, pulling himself to his feet, he yells, "No, I can't die yet! There are people who are waiting for my return!" The relief I feel is matched by a sudden curiosity. what thought fired up my apprentice?
Kenshin is barely up in time to block Shishio's overhead attack. The force of the blow reverberates behind Kenshin, crumpling the tiles behind him, but still he stands. The two struggle sword against sword, when suddenly a crack rings out. Kenshin staggers back from Shishio. A new wound blossoms red with blood on his chest.
"Kenshin!!!" cries Sano.
In slow motion, I can see Kenshin's ever expressive violet eyes flash different emotions but the last is regret before they slowly close. His sword clatters to the ground a second before he does, blood trinkling out of his mouth.
After a stunned pause and an irritated glance at Hogi with his smoking rifle, Shishio lifts his sword again to finish Kenshin off.
I've had enough of this. No one takes such advantage of an apprentice of mine and gets away with it.
The curses flow from Sano, and Aoishi tries to distract Shishio with the throw of his remaining kodachi, but it will not be enough to stop Shishio from doing his deed. Shishio just swats away the kodachi with his lesser hand before resuming his swing at Kenshin. These men would be too late to help my deshi.
However, I will not be too late
This AU chapter has two additional changes from the anime.
The two charge close the short distance, dashing towards each other. I can see Shishio eyeing Kenshin's feet already. There's really nothing Kenshin can do but continue the attack. Kenshin's left foot steps out and the floor cracks under the power of that step. His sword flashes out with beyond god-like speed creating a blue blur, but Shishio has his sword out in time to parry. Shishio diverts Kenshin's swing so it passes by harmlessly and ignites his sword, starting his own secret attack. A whirlwind of fire spins ferociously around his blade. Most definitely, a painful multi-burning attack if it were to land on Kenshin's exposed back.
A thought flickered through my mind that maybe Kenshin didn't understand the full secret of the Amakakaru no Hiremaki. Maybe I gave my idiot apprentice too much credit and should have laid it out in plain words.
But no, my worry is put aside as the vacuum void is created and Kenshin continues his swing. The horrified look on Shishio's face reveals that he realizes that the air is sweeping out his feet. Kenshin's hair and tattered gi trace his spin into the second step of the Amakakaru no Hiremaki. Again the floor breaks under the power of the left step and this time the blue blur that is his sword connects hard with Shishio's side.
It's hard to remember who lands on the floor first - Shishio on his face or Kenshin on his knee who could barely control the follow-through on the swing. Still it was a good Amakakaru no Hiremaki, worthy of any Hiten Mitsurugi master.
The pride I feel for my apprentice - I mean for the masterful way I've taught him - must have leaked through because I hear him whisper, "Master," and flick a glance at my direction. Ah, he finally notices that I'm here.
A hacking sound draws all of our attention to the other side of the arena where Kenshin had tossed Shishio. Shishio claws at his ehest in response to something other than the blow Kenshin had inflicted. Red steam rises from his body and the smell of burning blood fills the air even more.
Kenshin walks up to Shishio, but the woman run in-between the two and pleads for mercy. Kenshin listens and his eyes soften a bit. I wonder if he's remembering a time when three women had pleaded the same for him.
His sword lowers and then Shishio's words "You're too soft. This fight isn't over" just barely precedes his stab through the woman and through Kenshin's guard. Blood sprays everywhere and both the woman and Kenshin fall from their large gaping wounds.
On the ground, Kenshin's pain-filled voice accuses Shishio for killing his love for a battle. Shishio, in response, says Kenshin has no right to judge him. Words that pierce more than they might seem. The woman, Yumi, uses her dying breath to express her happiness at helping Shishio in a battle anyway she could. They are confusing words to Kenshin, I know. Thoughts are swirling in my apprentice's head and I sense him slipping back to the past. Maybe even into a time where he didn't want to live.
Kenshin flips onto the back, weakly grasping his sword, but his spirit drains faster than his blood from him. His demeanor, his aura tells me that he's readying himself for death.
No, you can't give up on life, I wanted to shout to my stupid apprentice. But I hold my tongue because I know I cannot force him to live. I can open his eyes and teach him all I know, but the choice is ultimately his.
Stupid, stupid apprentice. I'm not going to help you if you're going to choose to die.
The sudden clenching of Kenshin's hand around his sword marks a change in his aura. Eyes opened, pulling himself to his feet, he yells, "No, I can't die yet! There are people who are waiting for my return!" The relief I feel is matched by a sudden curiosity. what thought fired up my apprentice?
Kenshin is barely up in time to block Shishio's overhead attack. The force of the blow reverberates behind Kenshin, crumpling the tiles behind him, but still he stands. The two struggle sword against sword, when suddenly a crack rings out. Kenshin staggers back from Shishio. A new wound blossoms red with blood on his chest.
"Kenshin!!!" cries Sano.
In slow motion, I can see Kenshin's ever expressive violet eyes flash different emotions but the last is regret before they slowly close. His sword clatters to the ground a second before he does, blood trinkling out of his mouth.
After a stunned pause and an irritated glance at Hogi with his smoking rifle, Shishio lifts his sword again to finish Kenshin off.
I've had enough of this. No one takes such advantage of an apprentice of mine and gets away with it.
The curses flow from Sano, and Aoishi tries to distract Shishio with the throw of his remaining kodachi, but it will not be enough to stop Shishio from doing his deed. Shishio just swats away the kodachi with his lesser hand before resuming his swing at Kenshin. These men would be too late to help my deshi.
However, I will not be too late