Final Battle-Nataki Forest P3

The clash that rang out through the forest made all the wildlife scatter to safety. Kano had to cover his ears it was so loud. Once the fight started, none of the boys could see either Kiriko or Shio. They completely disappeared. Only the reflections from their blades were visible.

"This looks similar to the fight Kiriko had with dad. Only, this time there's something different." Kenji commented. His eyes racing trying to follow the blades.

"Yeah there's something different. That guy is trying to kill Kiriko!" Saganno said angrily. "We've got to help her."

"Oh yeah, she really needs our help." Kano said sarcastically. " Saganno are you blind. Look at her."

As Saganno watched the invisible fight, the two swords dancing in the mist, he realized that Kiriko was matching the guy blow for blow. She really didn't need any of their help.

"And besides…" Kenji continued, "my father's down there. If something goes wrong he'll jump in faster then we ever could."

Unlike the boys, Kenshin could see ever detail of the fight because his eyes were more acute for these types of battles. Kenshin was in awe. He had never seen a fight like this in his life. Shio's technique was in some ways similar to Shishio's but Kenshin could see that Shio's was better. It was deadlier. The moves that he did, Kenshin had never seen before. He was becoming a little nervous. However, Kiriko was amazing. Every attack he made, she had a counterattack for it and vice versa. Kenshin sensed others close by. He took a quick glance at the trees and saw the boys watching the fight intensely. He just hoped they would stay out of the way. Last thing Kiriko needed to worry about was having her brothers and friend involved in her fight. And that's what it was. It was her fight because Kenshin realized at that moment that he was no match for Shio.

Kiriko blocked his attack to her arm with her sheath. She spun aiming for his neck but he jumped back away from her. When he landed, neither one attacked. Kiriko glared at him. She was breathing heavily. So was he. They just glared at each other in anger and also in awe. Kiriko never faced an opponent like him. Even her father was easier then Shio. She could tell by his determination that if she didn't at least knock him out, he could really hurt her. But that was the problem. Deep down in her subconscious, she didn't want to knock him out. She didn't want to hurt him at all and this factor was keeping her from transforming in to Battousai.

The same problem was plaguing Shio's heart as well. He thought it would be easy just to knock her out and get her out the way but she was not an easy opponent. He had no idea that she contained so much power and skill. So is this what it feels like to battle the Battousai?, he thought, no…she's not the murderer. She is not my enemy. That thought was also keeping him from knocking her out. Shio lowered his sword from its attack position.

Both Kiriko and Kenshin narrowed their eyes to this move.

"You're not a murderer." Shio said more to himself then to her.

"Neither are you." She answered lowering her sword. Maybe he's coming to his senses, she thought hopefully.

Shio clenched his fist. "But I will be." In a surprising move, Shio darted towards Kenshin. Kiriko raced to get to her father before Shio could. Kenshin was taken aback by this move. He absolute couldn't predict it was coming. Nonetheless, being the legendary Battousai, he was able to block Shio powerful slash. Before Shio could attack again, Kiriko pushed Kenshin out of the way and she took the full force hit of his attack, sending her sliding across the ground.

Shio didn't even realize he had hit her until she started to get up. Thankfully, she was able to block some of his attack, otherwise, he could have killed her. Shio watched her with concern; he didn't mean to hit her. He was about to go to her side but stopped when he noticed the air around her was changing. The mist began to whirl around her. She slowly got to her feet with her head still down. Shio watched this new reaction. He didn't know what was going on. However, Kenshin knew what was happening.

"How dare you take such a cheap shot at my father." Kiriko spoke in a low sinister voice but it was loud enough for Shio and Kenshin to hear. "Maybe you are like Shishio Makoto. If that's so…" She raised her eyes to meet his. " then I will stop you."

Shio eyes widened slightly when he saw the burning glow the radiated from her eyes. He had seen those eyes before but he couldn't remember where. He was scared. Not because of the deadly glow in her eyes but because of what they meant. His beautiful, sweet, and kind Kiriko had changed right before his eyes and he was the one that made that change. And that's what scared him. He was scared that he might not ever get his Kiriko back. And if that is so, then this person that is standing before me is just another obstacle from my real goal. I don't have to hold back any longer. Shio raised his sword ready for any attack.

Kiriko took her sheath from out of her tie and sheathed her sword. She poised herself ready to use her battoujitsu. Kenshin could see that neither was going to hold back this time. He was frightened because his mind was screaming for him to interfere but his heart was telling him to trust in Kiriko. She could defeat him. Kenshin sheathed his sakabatou and stepped back giving them plenty of room. The true fight was about to begin…

(…Flashbacks…)

(………"I've known nothing else but this mission my whole life. It's consumed my time so that is why I never had a chance to make any friends…When you told me that I was your friend, I was a little shocked…..but mostly honored that you would think of me that way…… And even though I've only known you for a short time.……… you have become the only friend I've ever had………….I thank you for that and I'll never forget you"………)

His words plagued her mind like locust.

(…You have become the only friend I've ever had… )

She couldn't get these thoughts to leave her even as she fought him.

(…I thank you for that…)

She blocked a swing for her head and flipped over him, sheathing her sword then unsheathing it as she did a spiral attack.

( …and I'll never forget you…)

She dodged a strike for her stomach by jumping high then coming down with all her force. He blocked her by striking upwards.

("Kiriko…you've trusted me enough to come to my place, eat my food and sit in my house. I would think you should know by now…)

…Kiriko concentrate! Why are you thinking of these things at a time like this! If you give him a chance he could really kill you…

(…that I'm not going to hurt you"…)

… Why am I thinking about this? Her thoughts questioned as she tried to slash upwards across his chest but he moved fast, cutting her on the left hand. She didn't notice.

However, Kenshin saw that small cut and became very worried. She not concentrating. Her mind is on something else. He should have never got that little cut in. He grabbed his sakabatou. No wait Kenshin. Let's just wait and see.

(…"Sure, if you don't mind having a little brat travelling along side you." A small smile etched its way across his handsome lips. "Do you think I would have suggested it if you really bothered me that much?"…)

Kiriko desperately tried to get the flashbacks out of her mind. Without her even knowing it, Shio had cut her again this time on the right side of her neck.

(…"Sorry." He said softly then he narrowed his eyes slightly. "But you know……you shouldn't wish people died unless you mean it."……)

I don't want him to die……… Kiriko used her sword at unimaginable speeds. They were so fast that Shio was having difficulty just blocking them. She didn't know what she was doing. She wasn't trying to slash him, she was trying to cut the flashbacks out of her mind.

(…She grabbed her sword. "You're not taking your sword, are you?" Shio asked. "I mean…I don't think that really goes with your kimono." "Well, I take it with me everywhere. A girl has to protect herself, you know." …)

Kiriko spun and slashed down causing Shio to stubble on a large branch. …. I have to make him stop. I don't want to hurt him at all…… I want to help him. I HAVE to help him get rid of this pain he feels…but why…WHY do I care so much…is it because…… He fell back on the ground.

(…Shio walked over to her and gently took the sword from her hand. "Don't worry. I'm here to protect you now."…)

… because… Kiriko raised her sword…

(…"A weapon is a weapon regardless if it is blunt or sharp, it is meant to inflect pain to others. Sometimes the most effective attack is not attacking at all"…)

Because…………I love him? …she stopped. Her eyes changed back to indigo. Shio slashed her across her stomach. Blood spray on his face.

"Shio……" She whispered as she started to fall to the ground.

Shio saw her raise her sword to strike. He slashed upwards wanting to block Kiriko's attack. When he felt the blood on his face, he thought that she had actually cut him. Until he looked up and saw that her eyes were indigo again, he knew then that he had struck her.

Kenshin, Saganno, Kenji, and Kano's eyes widen in horror as they watched the blood spill from her stomach.

"NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!"

All of a sudden, they heard a heart-wrenching scream echoed through out the forest. They looked around to see that it was actually Shio screaming at the top of his lungs.

Shio dropped his sword and reached for Kiriko's falling body. She fell into his arms.

"KIRIKO!" Kenshin ran over to where Shio caught her. They others followed quickly behind. Kenshin stopped the boys from getting closer when he saw they way Shio held her in his arms.

He had her cradled gently in the crook of his arm. He had ripped the sleeve off his gi and wrapped it around Kiriko's stomach.

"Kiriko…please wake up." He whispered gently in her ear. "Please, open your eyes…Please…Please.."

Her eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked up into his beautiful tear filled eyes. "Shio…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. She spoke slowly, "Shio……I-I just need to know something."

He swallowed down his tears, "W-what?"

"Am I worthy?"

Shio looked at her confused. "What?" He didn't know what she was talking about but then in dawned on him.

(…"Well, I know you have a girlfriend?" Kiriko asked. "I haven't found a female worthy enough for me." He answered. …)

Tears flooded his eyes. He hugged her tight but not enough to hurt her, "How could you ask me such a question." He looked deeply into her eyes again, "Kiriko………you don't need me or anyone else to tell you what your worth. ……There…..there really are no words that can describe you. I thought you already knew that I felt inadequate to be in your presence……Oh Kiriko…" His voice choked and he hugged her again. "I'm so sorry."

He looked in her eyes again. When she saw the beautiful crystal tears streaking his face her own tears started to fall. She smiled at him and tried to conceal her pain. However, he could see that he was losing her.

"I have to tell you something." She whispered.

"Tell me later. Right now we have to stop the blee-" She put her hand lightly on his lips.

"I'm sorry." Shio looked at her with shocked eyes. She continued, "I didn't mean for this to happen…..This was the only thing I could think of to stop you from making a big mistake. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

Tears flooded flowed down his cheeks like waterfalls. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Why are you apologizing to me?"

She slowly moved her hand to his cheek. He held it there. "I'm sorry because I'm only making you unhappy. I didn't mean to do that. I just want you to be as happy as you were when we were travelling together."

Kiriko's eyes became deep pools of sorrow. "Shio…… I haven't been able to think about anyone else since you left my side……You made me so happy I just wanted to do the same for you but I've only managed to cause you more grief…… I'm sorry…. But you see… I had to stop you…… You don't need to kill someone to be happy and loved…" Her eyes slowly closed, "…because I'm here…right here in front of…"

Her hand went limp.