Bended Shadows
Chapter One: Tanuki's Lapse
A/N Alright, as promised, the story actually progresses here. WARNING: Possible spoilers, if you haven't seen or read past the Kyoto Arc, don't read this. And also, big surprise: I have no rights to Kenshin or his friends; those belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment and Jump Comics. Please review, flames accepted with a tolerant smile. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
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Kaoru gracefully completed the movement of Kenjutsu. This was her favorite time of the day, Sano and Yahiko were off at the Akabeko, and Kenshin was off fishing. It was her time to concentrate on her own training, perfecting her movements. Her students were progressing wonderfully, the Kamiya Doujou was at its peak, 8 students total, she was glad that Yahiko training was going well enough for him to help her with her classes. It was also wonderful not to have to teach at other doujou's in order to feed her family. Family, that was what they were. She preformed the ceremonial chiburui and smiled at the thought, they were all together again, happy. Her family. The Kenshin-gumi has seen its best days in these past months, laughing and enjoying each others company. Peace has settled around them, well, aside from Sano's bad-mouthing of her cooking, Yahikos constant busu in her ear, and Megumi still hovering over her Kenshin. But even those thoughts brought a soft chuckle to her lips. She knew her cooking was bad, even if she didn't think they had to point it out so loudly. She tried didn't she? Another slash of her shinai. She knew Yahiko was just playing with her, she was both mother and sister to her ward, and their relationship reflected that well. Megumi. Another slash, a bit harder this time. She knew the woman was teasing her, after all, she didn't have to wonder about how Kenshin felt about her any more, even it things were progressing slower than she would have liked. Slash.
She sat in the center of her Doujou, looking at the name plaques along the wall. The sword that protects life. You would be so proud father. I survived; I carry your beliefs to the next generation. And I have found a man who makes me smile. He even does my laundry father! He walked with me to your grave the other day to pray with me. What do you think of him? He carries your ideals too, he values life so much, that joy that he holds so deep inside himself is starting to bubble out, and it almost makes me dizzy. I love him father.
She closed her eyes, resting, feeling the sweat from her workout rolling down her back. She smiled as she sensed someone behind her, "Kenshin, did you catch many fish?"
"I'm only after catching one fish today" a gruff voice started her eyes open.
She jumped to her feel, raising her shinai at the man who stood in her doorway, cursing herself for letting her guard down enough that he could just waltz in.
"Who are you?"
"My Name isn't important doll face, but yours will be, to your lover, you think?" An evil grin spread across his face. "Do you mean to fight me, little one?"
"You are not welcome in our home." She advanced towards him. "I am the master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, and you need some manners!"
He drew his sword lazily "Child, put that toy down."
She jumped at him "Why can't you just let him live in peace!!" she screamed. Not now! Not when things were finally moving along. Kami-Sama, why now?!
He parried her attacks easily, She is good, but she thinks about it to much, her movements are predicable, she knows the forms, but she lacks the discipline to surprise her opponent. It's a shame, without all this "sword that protects life" crap, she might actually be a worthy opponent. Interesting, that the Battousai chooses such a woman for his mate.
She advanced on her, one step at a time, cutting small bits of her wooden sword off as he gained his ground. Finally he had her backed up against the wall, only a splinter of her little stick remaining. Her eyes were on fire as he reached up and ran his finger along her jaw line. Feisty little thing, she will do well. He flipped his sword and bashed into the side of her head, the skin broke, and splattered traces of blood on a few of the name plaques on the wall. He hoisted her up on his shoulder, and carried her off through the woods.
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Kenshin whistled as he walked up the path to the Doujou, he stopped for a moment. Whistling? He chucked at the thought. I am glad I was able to catch something other than catfish for Kaoru-dono today. He smiled, remembering his return from his last fishing trip. Catfish!!?! Why don't you ever catch anything eatable for a change! She had then thrown a bucket of water at him, smashing into his head. Of course, then she had cradled his head in her lap while he blinked away the pain. He didn't have to let himself be hit, obviously, but he enjoyed those moments of comforting so much that it was small sacrifice to make.
He opened the gate and smiled "Kaoru-dono! I brought dinner!" he called out.
He frowned when no one answered him, starring at the door to the Doujou she normally came bouncing out of when he retuned home each day.
Something's wrong.
He walked to the door of the Doujou, and stepped inside.
Small splinters of wood were scattered along the floor, the hilt of a shattered shinai lay alone against the far wall. He allowed his eyes to travel up the wall above the sad piece of wood. His eyes flashed brilliant amber as his eyes settled on the blood covering Yahiko's and Yutarou's name plaques.
"Kaoru!!!!!!!!" He screamed out as the bucket of fish fell to the ground with a swoosh of water, several fish jumped at his feet, unnoticed.
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Kenshin strode purposefully down the path in the woods; they had made no effort to hide where they had taken her. How much more do I have to take? I just want us to be happy. It doesn't matter, nothing matters without her. He thought back to Hikos words, telling him that the will to live is strongest. She is my will to live. I will protect h-our happiness. I will not let them use my past to harm her. To harm our life.
He entered the small clearing decisively. His eyes flashed from deep violet to rich amber, horror reaching deep into his soul.
The clearing held about 15 men. One, with a bright green cape, sat on far end, Kaoru was pressed against him, being held on his lap. One hand, held a gleaming wakizashi, beads of blood gleaming on it, pressed firmly against his beloveds neck. His other hand rested casually on her thigh.
"Welcome to our little party Battousai, I was hoping that you'd join us, we were just having a little fun with your whore here." He smiled at him.
Kenshin's hand darted up to the hilt of his sword, his amber eyes glowing with fury.
"Touch that sword, and your whore dies Battousai"
Kenshin's hand froze. He doesn't want me to fight him?
"One move and I'll slice her throat. You can't get to me in time to stop it, and you know it."
Kenshin's mind blanked, he had to think quickly, or he would lose her
Nakao Fumihiro watched Battousai weighing his options, a smirk on his face. There was only one choice here.
Kenshin stared straight into Kaoru's eyes, he saw fear there and anger; and he also saw that her fear was not for herself. She feared only for him, her anger, was reserved for her alone. He looked intently at her, It's not your fault, I'm so sorry. I Love you. He pushed his thoughts out at her, and then lowered his eyes . . . and his hand.
One of the lackeys jumped up and pulled the sword from Kenshin's waist belt.
"What do you want from me?" Kenshin asked at last, his eyes still looking at the ground.
"What do I want? I want you to beg! I want you to grovel at my feet and plead for the life of your whore, and for your own life. That is what you did to my father. You forced him to kneel before his murder and beg! You dishonored him as I watched!"
Kenshin blinked. As he watched? I never left any. . . His mind clicked in place. Toumari, just outside of Kyoto, the little boy! His father had begged for his son's life. . . I listened! I let that boy go! And now he comes back to tear at MY family. Deep anger and resentment at his past bubbled up in his soul atone for my sins. But he felt a deep river of relief at the same time. His father dishonored himself by begging before his attacker, but I honored his request. I let his son live. He will do the same by me. If I do as he wishes, he will honor my wish, and he will let Kaoru go!
Kenshin looked up at the man, his eyes a soft violet. "I'm sorry."
Kaoru eyes widened NO!! Kenshin! Don't dishonor yourself this way! Please, don't throw away your honor for my sake! Don't let them do this to you! Please!!
She closed her eyes, and a single tear rolled down her cheek as she watched Himura Kenshin, the most feared Hitokiri in Japan, and possibly the worlds greatest swordsman, fall to his knees and prostrate himself in front of her captor. If only I had been stronger, how could I have let him take me! I'm tired of being used as his source of pain!!
She distantly heard her beloved rurouni begging and pleading with all his soul somewhere in the distance. No, they will kill him! Will he never be allowed to enjoy his life? He was happy! We were all happy! And I again become the source of pain for him. They use me to hurt him. I am hurting him!
She noticed that the world had gone silent; Kenshin was still bowing down before Fumihiro. Everything was still. Then she felt his hand move on her thigh, and heard a snap of his fingers.
Suddenly the 14 men all jumped at Kenshin, kicking him punching him, spitting in his face. Kaoru shut her eyes, Kenshin's silence and acceptance cutting into her as deep at the sword at her neck.
After what seemed like an eternity, they pulled back. She gasped at what she saw; Kenshin was lying on his back, his face swollen, little cuts seeping blood all over him, his arm at a crooked wrong angle. One eye remained open, and stared deep into her eyes. "I love you. . ." he mumbled, before giving into the pain, and passing out.
The blade resting on her neck slid away, leaving a tiny cut on its path, she felt the warm trickle of blood run down between her breasts, staining her bandages. He groped her, then stood, unceremoniously dumping her to the ground. She tumbled, her head clinking against the katana that had been lying beside them.
She moaned "Kenshin . . ." She lifted her head to watch Fumihiro moving toward her rurouni. He seemed to be moving in slow motion. He held his wakizashi ready as he stepped forward. Her mind screamed. Step. NO!! Step. KENSHIN! Step. Time seemed to almost stop. Protect him! I can't protect him! She sat up quickly, pushing her hand to the ground to support her weight; she slid it forward to brace herself to stand. Cold? The Katana! Her hand wrapped around the hilt of the blade, NO! Kenshin! She leapt up, unsheathing the Katana quietly. Fumihiro didn't hear her, so intent he was on his prey. She lunged at him. The Katana slid in from the back of his neck. Blood splattered on her as she withdrew it quickly, before his dead weight pulled the blade down.
The others looked on her in shock. Their leader had fallen. This woman! They rushed to attack her.
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Sano and Yahiko ran through the forest, following the same trail Kenshin had taken, their hearts pounding in their chests in terror. "Busu!" "Jou-chan!" "Kenshin!!!!"
They heard the sound of swords clashing in front of them, and they picked up their speed.
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Kaoru was surrounded, blood was pouring from a deep cut on her shoulder. Slash.
Slash. She cut, I will protect him! She cut again. She felt the blade slide in her hand with the wetness of blood, she couldn't see, blood covered her eyes. Slash.
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Sano and Yahiko ran into the clearing at full speed. Someone was fighting with 2 men, bodies laid out all around them. Sano spotted Kenshin, looking like someone had dumped a mountain on him, sprawled out on the ground. Kenshin! Where's Jou-Chan?
His eyes scanned the clearing, settling once again on the 3 figures fighting. His eyes widened.
"Kaoru!" Yahiko screamed.
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Kaoru stood between the two men and Kenshin. Slash, cutting into the chest of the man in front of her. She followed around to clash her sword against the man that had been trying to get around her. She parried his attack, slash. Her sword hit his hard. She flicked her wrist, and the man's sword went flying through the air. He fell to his knees in front of her.
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Sano and Yahiko stood frozen in place, Blood was everywhere. Kaoru's eyes were wild, at last, the man's sword went flying through the air and he knelt in front of Kaoru.
Kaoru looked up at them, no recognition in her eyes. They started to step forward, "Jou-chan. What happened?" her eyes widened for a moment, and then she looked back at the man kneeling before her. She narrowed her eyes at him, and then thrust her sword through his heart. She smiled.
Sano gasped. The man had been unarmed! Yahiko looked dazed over.
"Kaoru-" Sano started
She looked up at him; the sunlight filtered through the trees to highlight her hair, and caught her blade as she preformed chiburui, blood rushing off the blade and splattered into the red stained grass. She smiled at them. "They will not use me to hurt him again."
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she crumpled to the ground.
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A/N : Glossary
Chiburui - a sharp flick of the wrist, to clear excess blood from the blade, done deliberately, and menacingly.
Jou-Chan – Sano's name for Kaoru, roughly "Missy, or Little Missy"
Busu – Hag, or Ugly, Yahiko teases Kaoru with this name a lot.
Kami-Sama - God
Any others that need explanation, let me know, I'll do my best. Thanks! Please Review.
