Chapter VII

A Shattered Heart; Terrible Loss

A Rurouni Kenshin Fanfiction Original Storyline by: Nobuhiro Watsuki New Storyline by: Zac ---------------------------

It had been a long day, Kenshin was sitting in the village bridge fishing for tonights dinner, Sanosuke was just around, and the four Espers were sitting under a tree discussing their plans. "So, anything suspicious around here lately?" Kaze asked. "I... found something... it was in the kitchen..." Kaori said. They all looked at her. "What is it?" Kaitou asked. "... A... a... a... COOKIE!" She smiled and bit into the cookie, when everyone just groaned.

"Oh Kaori, is they're ANYTHING on your mind besides food? Come on you have to at least think of something else..." Ayame said. "So anyway you guys aside from food, did you guys find anything suspicious?" Kaze asked again. They all shook their heads. "Nope, I haven't. Not even any booby traps of any sort... we need some action around here... I'm getting tired of just waiting for something big to happen!" Kaitou said.

But what Kaitou doesn't know is that something big WAS going to happen later that night. Meanwhile at a certain hideout. "Alright, here's the plan. I'm going to go to the Kamiya Dojo. After all we want the legendary manslayer to awaken again so I have a plan that is sure to make him come back..." The assassin known as Asuka smiled evilly and snapped her fingers, disappearing in a cloud of smoke, awaiting for nightfall to strike.

Though in Kenshin's mind, Kaoru was a beautiful lady, she was kind, smart, and always knew how to make someone happy. Though sometimes she can be a little clumsy and annoying and... just plain weird, but other then that she was ok. Yahiko was a child, Kenshin understood that perfectly. He acts his age, he's very brave and he never gives up on a fight. "He'll grow up to be a very good swordsman, that he will." Kenshin said. As for Sanosuke, him and Sanosuke were friends, loyal companions, you know the type of guys that will always lend a helping hand.

Kenshin didn't know the four Espers very well, but as of right now, they were all a very big help with their missions. "Yahiko seems to like Ayame, it's good he can have someone to look up to besides me. Kaori and Kaoru can get along, maybe Kaori can help Kaoru with the food, that is if she doesn't eat it first." He smiled and laughed. "Kaze and Kaitou I don't know very well but the two of them seem to know a lot about what's going on around here.

"You ok Kenshin? You look like you have something on your mind." Kaoru walked up behind him and handed him a cup of tea. "I guess, I have the feeling something is going to happen. The wind is too mysterious today, and the sun is giving off an eerie glare, so make sure you're on the lookout tonight alright Lady Kaoru?"

Ah but what Kenshin didn't know is that he was right. A shady character was lurking around the corners, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack.

When nightfall came, Sanosuke, and Kaitou were out walking, as Kaze, Ayame, and Kaori were sitting out by the pond. "All these people seem too strong and are willing to fight back... Aren't there any children here?" The assassin looked around the corners and spotted the child Suzume. "Perfect..."

Kaze's ears twitched and she turned around. "Wha?" Kaori just looked at her. "What is it?" She asked. "I feel like someone is watching us..." Ayame got up and looked around. "I... don't see anybody... are you sure you're just not being weird again?" She asked. "Of course not! For once I'm being serious, and plus... I wouldn't joke around about this... I'm serious guys... something isn't right..."

The night was unbearably silent, and the moon wasn't very bright, Kenshin was obviously right. The stars seemed to scream out 'Be careful'. Kenshin just looked at the sky, trying to decipher out what the stars were trying to say. "What's going to happen..."

Suzume was running around playing with a ball in front of Kenshin. Suzume waved and bounced the ball. "Uncle Ken, wanna play?" Kenshin nodded and got up. "Perfect... time to go in for the kill..." The assassin rushed up to Suzume and...

The assassin rushed up to Suzume and, struck her with his sword... Suzume cried out and tried to reach for Kenshin's hand but she had fallen down, the ball dropping on the floor down to Kenshin's feet. All four Espers gasped as they received the sense of a spirit dying off. "SUZUME!" The four shouted.

"What's wrong?" Sanosuke asked. "..." A tear ran down Kaitou's cheek. "We have to go back home... NOW! Let's go Sanosuke!" The two men ran back to the Kamiya Dojo as fast as they could.

- Commercial Break -

Back at the dojo, Kaze, Ayame, and Kaori all got up and ran to where the action was. "..." Kaze gasped and put her hands over her mouth. "Oh my god!" Ayame shouted. "N-no..." Kaori said, dropping to her knees. The assassin just smiled, licking his blade clean of the fresh spilled blood. "Mission accomplished..."

They all looked at Kenshin, he was frozen with fear. Someone very close to him was just killed... "W-why..." He started. "Why did you do it... Why her!? Why not me!? I've lived longer then she has! She still had so much to look foreword to!" Kenshin just gripped his sword and charged at the assassin.

"Kenshin..." Kaze said... Kaitou and Sanosuke just arrived home. "What the?!" Kaitou spotted Suzume on the ground. "... What the hell..." Sanosuke just looked away. Kaitou stood with the other Espers, watching Kenshin fight furiously, obviously seeking revenge.

Yahiko, Kaoru, and the child Ayame ran outside, woken up by the sound of clashing swords. Yahiko and Kaoru just stood there, frozen solid by a spell of the other assassin. She appeared in front of them and smiled. "Let's kill little Ayame next shall we?" Ayame screamed and ran back inside.

"You keep your hands off her!" Kenshin shouted, turning around and running towards her. "NO! You still have to deal with me remember Bottousai!?" The other male assassin grabbed Kenshin by the shoulder and kneed him in the back hearing a loud crack in the middle of the night.

Kaitou nodded to the others. "We'll get the bitch, Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke, Help Kenshin!" They all nodded and ran to their places. "I'll see that Ayame gets to safety..." Ayame said. Kaitou nodded and she ran off to find little Ayame.

"Well, enie mini miny mo... who should I kill first? Oh my my, I'll start with the guy." The female ninja rushed toward Kaitou, pulling out her dagger at a high speed, cutting a scrape across his chest. "Damn she's quick!" Kaori held her staff up high. "Oh no you don't!" The ninja muttered something as threads of string bound their arms and legs.

"What's this?" The assassin said. Kenshin just looked at him, glaring... "Rah!" Screaming, he rushed toward the assassin, trying again to attack him. Sanosuke took out the Zanbatou and swung it down on the ground creating a ton of dust in the surrounding area.

"I got this covered guys! Rose Storm!" Kaori shouted, but her arm wouldn't hold the staff up. "What's going on!?" The female ninja just smiled. "I can control your movements by this string of thread, this should be interesting... why don't you cast a magic attack on your own allies? Do it now!" She moved her middle finger around, making Kaori hold her staff up, as the staff glowed, rose petals shot at Kaitou, sending him backwards.

"This is unfair!" Kaze shouted, trying to hold back from attacking Kaori. Yahiko smiled and jumped up. "Hey ugly! Over here!" He swung his sword down and his the ninja in the face, releasing the Espers from their hold. "Thanks Yahiko!" Kaitou got up and made the Kiyomori appear. "Let's do this you guys!" The four Espers ran up to the ninja, striking at her all at once.

"I'm scared... is Suzume going to be ok Ayame?" Ayame looked at her and frowned, a tear falling down. "Yeah... heh, the little trooper will be just fine..."

"AH!" The ninja flew backwards, blood splashing out her mouth and onto the tree. "!! Jeane!" The assassin ran to Jeane and picked her up. "You'll all pay, you can expect another visit from me!" With that, the assassin disappeared.

Everyone ran over to Suzume. Kenshin kneeled down beside her. "C-can we play ball, some other time Uncle Ken?" Kenshin smiled, trying to hold back his cry for revenge, holding her hand. "Y-yeah, you bet." He replied. "Thanks, I'm looking forward to it..." When Kenshin felt no pulse in the girls wrist, he just dropped his head.

Kaze wiped her eyes, and Kaori was crying on the ground. Kaitou buried his face in Sanosuke's chest. "Yahiko... go help Kenshin..." Was all that Kaoru said. Kenshin picked Suzume up and carried her out to the graveyard.

Yahiko helped Kenshin dig a hole where they buried her. Kenshin put her ball on the top of her grave and stood there. Yahiko got the idea and left Kenshin alone. "You will be avenged Suzume... I swear it upon my life, I will get revenge for you..."