chapter | part ten: who is the one
[Everyone got up and quickly bolted right in the direction of where the smoke trail was emanating from. As they were running along the streets the heat from the fire hit themselves along with the feeling of something very evil. When they got to the destination of where the fire had broken out, the flames had already spread through three houses. Everyone seemed to have been evacuated. The members of the sailor team had fallen behind just a bit as the others reached their destination before them. Kenshin takes his sakaba out of its sheath, and with one quick movement of the wrist into the ground, he brought up a lot the earth so as to try to smolder some of the fire from spreading to the other surrounding houses. This only seemed to make the flames grow in rage.]
Haruka: It's pointless! Only the girls can put out that flame now.
[The rest of the girls caught up with the others as they looked onward at the fire.]
Rei: I think it's time that we showed these guys the truth of where we come from.
[The girls looked at the people that were there with Kenshin and up at the cloud above, and a look of determination came across their faces.]
Usagi: Let's do this!
Minako: Venus Crystal Power! Make-up!
Makoto: Jupiter Crystal Power! Make-up!
Rei: Mars Crystal Power! Make-up!
Ami: Mercury Crystal Power! Make-up!
Usagi: Moon Eternal! Make-up!
[Meanwhile, where Hotaru and Soujiro were staying at, Hotaru's communicator was going off.]
Soujiro: [with a kind smile upon his face] Tomoe-san, I think that thing that you have is making a weird noise.
Hotaru: Huh? Oh right..... It's my communicator, it allows me to keep in contact with my friends. I have to answer this, it must be important.
[She takes the communicator out from within the cuff of her kimono and answers the ring. On the other end was Haruka.]
Haruka: I don't know if you're outside or not, but if not you really should take a look outside. There's a huge fire of evil that you cannot miss.
[Hotaru and Soujiro, both listening in on the conversation, heads out the door to look around. Sure enough, there was smoke billowing above the city and a certain presence of evil coming from the area.]
Hotaru: I must go.
Soujiro: Why? What could you possibly do to help?
Hotaru: Even though he may actually be right. I cannot transform and help out, but still, I should be there.
[Hotaru clutches the communicator at the thought of this and looks up at Soujiro.]
Hotaru: Those are my friends over there, and I should be there to help out. I must protect them in anyway I can.
Soujiro: You don't look like the type to hurt anyone if you need to.
Hotaru: But I must. I don't need to kill in order to protect my loved ones. Now I must go, but you're welcomed to come along if you would like.
Soujiro: Protect your loved ones without killing. [a slight smile crosses his face] I remember those words. And who protects you if something were to happen?
[Hotaru stops shortly at the mention of these words.]
Hotaru: My friends will always be there for me. We help each other out. One in particular watches out for us all, even though, I'm supposed to be one of her protectors..... You don't need to kill in order to protect your loved ones....... However, I'm feeling very helpless and vulnerable right now. They shouldn't have to worry about me.
Soujiro: Then let me be the one who protects you, Tomoe-san.
[Hotaru gave a look of shock at Soujiro at the mention of this. She gives a slight blush with a small smile and nods to notion that it was okay. At that, the two of them were headed out towards the direction of the cloud of evil.]
[Meanwhile back at where the fire had broken out; Kenshin, Aoshi, Saitoh, Sanosuke, Kaoru, and Misao turn their heads over to look at the five who shouted their chants in wonder, and were in shock to see the transformations right before their eyes. In a matter of a blink of an eye, but looked and felt longer, the five were no more in their attire of kimonos. They were adorned head to toe in their sailor outfits.]
Sailor Moon: Stand back everyone, and out of the flames harm. [turns to look at Kenshin] Please, let us take care of this.
[Kenshin nods in agreement and notions for the others to follow suit. However Sanosuke and Misao needed a bit more of a push to get them from their positions as they were still gawking with their mouths wide opened at the girls who just transformed.]
Kenshin: Sano!
Aoshi: Misao!
[Slowly and reluctantly the two moved out of the girls way.]
Sailor Moon: Okay, now how do we take care of this one? Any ideas?
Sailor Jupiter: Let's fight this straight on.
Sailor Mars: I'm with Jupiter on this one.
Sailor Mercury: Hold on! Perhaps my power will extinguish its flames. At least if I'm reading this correctly.
Sailor Mars: Do it Mercury!
Sailor Mercury: Right...... Mercury!... Aqua Rhapsody!
[Sailor Mercury's attack ripped through the flames, and it seemed to have worked. The flames had subsided. That was until another burst came up but not as flames this time. This time a blanket of ice crystal shards started to aim right for them.]
Sailor Jupiter: Let me take care of this!..... Jupiter!... Oak Evolution!
[Sailor Jupiter's attack caught every single piece of shard that was aiming right for them. The pieces were scattered down onto the ground, and they seem to regroup. All the while a very evil presence hung above them, and after the pieces were regrouped, it formed into one huge solid shard. This shard aimed directly at Sailor Moon, but Sailor Mars stepped directly in front of its direction and took aim.]
Sailor Mars: Mars!... Flame Sniper!
[The flame arrow that was sent by Mars hit dead onto the shard and it broke. This time it didn't seem to regroup, but unknowingly behind all the scouts was Misao planning to help out in her own way. She grabs hold of her kunai in her hands and looks up at the dark cloud above. With the help of Sanosuke, she was sent flying and took aim right for the heart of the cloud.]
Misao: Kansatsu Tobi Kunai!!
[The kunai was sent soaring up above. However, they went right through the hanging cloud and came back down to hit the street just over on the other side. The cloud as a reaction seemed to grow darker and the evil aura that was around it seemed to intensify.]
Haruka: Idiots! You cannot fight evil with mere swords and weapons! That is why you cannot fight this fight, and shouldn't be involved.
[A big energy blast seemed to emanate from the cloud and headed directly towards Misao and the others.]
Sailor Moon: Watch out!
Sailor Venus: I've got it!.... Venus!... Love and Beauty Shock!
[Venus's attack hit dead on with the energy blast, and they both seemed to cancel each other out in one big explosion. After that final attack, the cloud that was above seemed to dissipate once more.]
Sailor Moon: Oh no! It's getting away again!
[At that moment two figures were seen rushing towards them. It was no other then Soujiro and Hotaru.]
Michiru: Well it's about time you showed up, and looks like you invited your friend as well.
[Everyone turns to look at the joining couple. Aoshi ever so slightly raised his eyebrows, Saitoh eyes narrowed downwards just a bit, and Kenshin gave a look of shock when they saw who was coming.]
Kenshin: Seta... Soujiro.
[Those that remained silent and know about Soujiro looked onward to the two people heading over their way.]
Hotaru: Sorry I'm late!
[Unknowingly, the cloud that was overhead that seemed to dissipate had regrouped once more. A deep eerie voice seemed to resonate to the surrounding group below. Everyone looks up to the cloud that has once more regroup itself and was floating off towards the two that had just arrived.]
Voice: Finally....... Finally....... A body that I can take over..... I sense another body that has tasted evil.
[Everyone looks over at the new arrivals.]
Sailor Mars: You mean it really is this Soujiro that we have been looking for? He's the one?
Sailor Moon: Hotaru-chan get away from him. It's about to start. He's the one! The one that this new enemy of ours can possess!
[Hotaru looks over at her new companion with a look of confusion. She hesitantly backs away, but the cloud was faster then her movements and was starting its descent on the two. Soujiro looks up at the cloud above that was approaching them. He rushes Hotaru, but instead of doing any harm to her, he pushes her out of the way of the approaching cloud. The cloud once more tries to possess the body of another victim, but it fails. Soujiro unsheathes his sword that he keeps at his side, but the cloud was quicker. Soujiro falls to his knees from being hit full force with this enemy, dropped his sword onto the ground, and was weakened severely.]
Soujiro: [in a weakened voice] I... I told you.... I would protect you.
Hotaru: Soujiro! Don't give in to it! Fight it! You're better than this, I know you are!
[Soujiro gives her a true smile, and what was that upon his cheeks? It was actually a slight blush! He couldn't remember the last time someone cared about him like that. The cloud retreats just a few feet above the two. Saitoh gives a very sharp look at the two. Kenshin senses his fighting spirit, and looks over at Saitoh.]
Kenshin: Sai - toh. What are you planning?
Saitoh: He is the one that evil can possess. If he's out of the picture, evil cannot take over.
Sanosuke: So you're planning to take him out of the picture before these girls get their chance to help out like they say they would.
Saitoh: I cannot wait that long, a-ho. You know the words I live by as a mibu wolf.... Aku Soku Zan.* Evil will not prevail.
*note to non-kenshin fans: this is Saitoh's motto that he lives by, basic translation "Kill Evil Swiftly"
[Saitoh takes out his own sword and makes his stance. Soujiro was well aware of Saitoh targeting him.]
Soujiro: I think that it's time you were with your friends....
[Hotaru looks over at Saitoh and then back at Soujiro and clenches the sleeve of his attire. She looks up at him with fearful eyes and shakes her head no.]
Hotaru: You don't have to kill....
Soujiro: If I promise that I won't, will you please go to your friends? I cannot protect you while you are in the middle of this fight.
Hotaru: So it's a promise?
[Soujiro turns to look at her and smiles again.]
Soujiro: Promise.
[Hotaru smiled a little and started her path towards where her fellow senshi were at. Soujiro turns to look around and spots an iron light pole near one of the houses that was burnt down. He races towards it with the speed of his Sukuchi. Hotaru hears the steps he takes and turns to face the direction of where he went. Soujiro then takes his blade out and with a swift yet measured movement, he ran his blade through the pole. The sparks of metal clashing with metal flew all around him. He stops briefly and takes a look at what he had done to his sword to make sure that he accomplished what he had done to keep his promise. Then he turns to face Saitoh with that same smile upon his face when he was getting ready to fight.]
Sanosuke: Oy, what is he thinking? He just ruined the blade, now it's of no use.
Kaoru: But..... He didn't ruin it at all. He just dulled his blade........., so as to create a make-shift sakabatou.
[Kenshin smiles to the thought of this. Soujiro also puts on a smile, but it was that same smile that he has when he's preparing to fight.]
Soujiro: So then Saitoh-san, shall we continue this?
Saitoh: Let's go.
[Saitoh rushes him with his Gotatsu, his sword being held downwards at an angle, and Soujiro picks up the pace into his Sukuchi. Before you know it, Soujiro was no where to be seen, just the sounds of his footsteps hitting the ground around him. Saitoh halts to a stop, he couldn't keep up with Soujiro's speed, but he was able to keep track of his whereabouts. Soujiro then comes up from behind Saitoh, and just as he was about to make his move, Saitoh swiftly turned around on him and goes at Soujiro with his Zero Gotatsu Stance. Both of their swords clashed with each other. Soujiro jumps back a step, and gives him another smile.]
Soujiro: I'm finally able to go up against you. In the past it was only Himura-san and me.
Saitoh: And you're toying with me the same as you did with Battousai.
[Soujiro prepares for another rush at Saitoh. Everyone is looking on in wonder, shock, and pain. Sailor Moon was one of those that were in pain seeing this. This isn't what she had come back to the past to see or to start a fight between two people. The swords were clashing again.]
Sailor Moon: Please stop this now!
[Her words did not reach the two, and the fighting continued. Soujiro finally manages to make a hit on Saitoh, but Saitoh also cuts him. They finally come to another heat, where the two were at a standoff.]
Aoshi: Saitoh, do not forget he is not our enemy. The evil was rejected by Soujiro just the same as Kenshin's body rejected it.
[Both Saitoh and Soujiro respond to this by stopping the fight, and stared each other down.]
Saitoh: Feh.... Aoshi, you messed up a good thing that was going on....., but you're right.
Sanosuke: Huh? What are you guys talking about? We both saw how it was trying to possess him and talking about him being evil before.
Saitoh: A-ho, he was never evil. Just a little messed up in the head is all, and fighting for what he believed was right.
Kenshin: However, if it is not Soujiro that it was after then sessha wonders who it could be - de gozaru?
[At the thought of this everyone turns towards Hotaru. The members of the senshi tried to hurry towards her to protect her. Soujiro looks on at her and tries to rush to her side as well. Even with the speed of Soujiro's Sukuchi, even he did not make it in time. While they were figuring everything out, the evil had managed to sneak upon her unnoticed. Her eyes widened, and she looked in fear of the approaching cloud which seems to be transforming into a mist. She took off running towards Soujiro and the senshi, but due to her lack of experience in wearing kimonos and sandals, she tripped over herself and landed flat on her face. It was at that moment that the evil took its advantage and got to her. In one deep breath, the evil cloud was consumed within herself.]
Sailor Moon: Oh no.... impossible......... We were looking for someone from this time that was in danger. Hotaru-chan cannot be the one!
Footnotes:
Sorry it has taken so long to update.
Excuses?
Well besides real life?
I had other things that needed to be taken care of online.
Hope this chapter intrigues you, making you only want more!
This chapter was a bit difficult to write with all the characters in it.
Also hope there are still people clinging and waiting for the next chapter!
And that I haven't scared you off yet. ~¿ô
The best is yet to come, and hope you agree.
Don't forget to comment/critique/review this, and any ideas?
Let me in on it, I have an open ear.