O_O Didn't realize it was so long since I didn't update this fic…Sorry!! *bows multiple times* you want me to commit seppuku for you guys? _;; I will update more! I definitely will! …Or I hope I will… I  have practice exams next week and then…two weeks to 3 exams…then another two weeks for 3 more exams… I'll do my best! I owe you guys!!! XD

Chapter 18 – Challenge

"…Would you want to try your Kuzuryuusen against mine?" Soujiro asked, smiling at Kenshin with drawn sword in hand. The rurouni slowly turned to face his teacher's newest student, faint surprise showing in his widened eyes. Soujiro blinked at the expression and thought to himself a minute. "Oh! No no no, I'm just trying to help you practice the move! Then, perhaps you will be able to learn the final ougi." Kenshin sighed and smiled at the younger man.

"Is that the only reason you have, Seta-donno?"

            "Hahaha…you're good at reading people Himura-san," Soujiro replied, resting his sword against his shoulder. "Hm…no, it isn't my only reason. I've only practiced Kuzuryuusen against Hiko-sensei and~" Soujiro raised his left arm and looked at it. "We're slightly different in strength ^^; I want to see how I would match up with one of more…my level?" Kenshin nodded, a faint smile still on his face.

            "I cannot practice all night though, Seta-donno," Kenshin apologized, drawing his sword. "I have to find what I lack…"

            "That's what I'm helping you with, Himura-san." Soujiro smiled as the two squared off against each other. Kenshin narrowed his eyes and raised his sword, holding the hilt in both hands. Soujiro did the same, with the ever-present smile still…present on his face. Kenshin took a faltering step forwards. "What's wrong, Himura-san?"

            "A-Are you taking this fight seriously?" Kenshin asked, looking confused.

            "What do you mean?" Soujiro asked, turning chibi.

            "Your ken-ki…I can't feel any…"

            "Oh! That!" Soujiro laughed. "Hiko-sensei always complains about that as well. Please ignore it Himura-san and we can get started." Kenshin gave the smiling young man another look before nodding and concentrating once again.

            Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu Kuzuryuusen.

            Soujiro cocked his head and smiled, eyes closed. He saw the move once, and he could perform it…I finally get to see the skills of the legendary Hitokiri Battousai…

            Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu Kuzuryuusen.

            Both men's eyes widened as each hit blocked the other perfectly. Again and again, no hit connected but Soujiro suddenly felt himself being pushed back. Only by inches, but his zori had moved back by Kenshin's attacks. It's less of a difference then when I go against Hiko-sensei but… The blows stopped being exchanged and the two swordsmen lowered their swords as one. "That was amazing Himura-san! You've already mastered Kuzuryuusen after two attempts." Kenshin sweatdropped.

            "Maa…"

            "Anyway." Soujiro pointed down at the small indent in the ground where he had been pushed back. "It seems your strength is also too much for me!" He put his hand behind his head and laughed slightly. Kenshin smiled back.

            "Seta-donno, you'll become stronger the more you train."

            "I don't specialize in strength though, Himura-san." Soujiro looked down a moment as he tapped his foot on the ground. "I rely on my speed." Soujiro looked up still with the bright smile on his face. "May I train with you a while longer?" Kenshin opened his mouth to apologize but then nodded.

            "You haven't fought against anyone yet, have you?" Soujiro shook his head once, practically bouncing now. "Maa…calm down…it isn't that fun to fight. But, I will train against you for a while then."

            "Thank you, Himura-san," Soujiro said, bowing his head slightly before blurring out of sight.

            "W-What?" Kenshin watched a path of destruction fly towards him; dust flew, clods of dirt spewed into the air, stems of grass shredded, twigs snapped and shattered. A moment before Soujiro reached him, Kenshin dodged to the side and quickly spun to see the blue-clad smiling boy reappear as he slid to a stop a few feet behind the red head. "Seta-donno…that was…Shikuchi?" Soujiro grinned and nodded his head.

            "It's natural you knew of it, because it was Hiko-sensei who taught me it."

            "Shishou didn't tell me of it…" Kenshin sweatdropped. "But…its amazing for you to have mastered it at so young an age."

            "Weren't you called the Hitokiri when you were sixteen?" Soujiro asked, tapping his foot again. Kenshin frowned slightly but inclined his head. "I heard Hiko-sensei call you this, as well as me. Tenken. Heavenly sword. Prodigy. Either Hiko-sensei was lucky to get such gifted students or he is as good of a teacher as he always claims." Soujiro smiled. "Anyway Himura-san, that wasn't the real Shikuchi. It was three steps slower than the real one." Soujiro sweatdropped at Kenshin's incredulous look. "Maa…I haven't perfected it yet, I'm still practicing one step. I can show you two steps before now though." Kenshin nodded.

            He's almost showing off his techniques…But…I suppose he sees me as his predecessor…maybe his sempai… Kenshin sweatdropped then smiled. I supposed I can train against him for a while longer. The red-headed swordsman narrowed his eyes as the younger man disappeared from sight once again, the blur of destruction raging towards him. This time, Kenshin leapt into the air as the boy blazed under him.

            "'Hiten Mitsurugi Ryutsusen!" Kenshin landed on his feet as Soujiro dodged around the aerial attack and reappeared behind him. "Ryukansen!" Kenshin spun around and slashed out with his sakabatou. Kenshin gritted his teeth as Soujiro dodged his counter-attack and disappeared. It just isn't his speed…I can't sense his ken-ki…it's like fighting a dead man…

            "Ryutsuisenzan!" Kenshin rolled to the side as Soujiro's blade cut a deep rent in the earth. Regaining his feet, Kenshin changed his grip on his sakabatou's hilt.

            "Doryusen!" A shower of rocks flew towards the blue-clad man.

            Soujiro looked from his kneeling stance at the attack and quickly regained his feet, also switching his grip. "Doryusen!" Soujiro's sword made the earth explode and send another shower towards Kenshin. Both students turned chibi as the attacks met and dirt flew everywhere, splattering over them and the general area.

            "Oro…M-Maybe we should take a break from sparring and clean this up Seta-donno before Shishou sees it…" Kenshin mumbled, eyes wide. Soujiro nodded and they both sheathed their swords and sweatdropped, looking at the destruction they had made.

            As they were cleaning, Soujiro looked up from his gathering of twigs and smiled at the long-haired man. "Himura-san, did I help you at all?" Kenshin looked up from wiping the kiln clean and sweatdropped.

            "Oro?"

            "Find what you were lacking?"

            "Ah! Ah, I think…" Kenshin trailed off as he thought about the fight and his teacher's words.

            "Take one night. Until morning, search your heart and find the part of you that you lack. If you can't do that, in mastering the ultimate technique, you really will be throwing away your life."

            Shishou…what do I lack? I never thought about why I surpassed others. I thought I was a sinner, hiding the true nature of the Hitokiri deep in my heart. Maybe…

            "Seta-donno? You haven't mastered the ougi, have you?"

            "Iie. I, however, am not about to go fight Shishio Makoto and his men. Hiko-sensei said that it was too soon for me to learn it…" Soujiro replied, his bangs covering his eyes. "He said it would be best for me to master Shikuchi first…"

            Kenshin nodded to himself. He had left his training early…and he had slaughtered people in the name of a revolution. "I'm sorry Seta-donno, about this."

            "?"

            "I came back and interrupted your training," Kenshin said, turning to face Soujiro, the cloth hanging lose in his hand. "I won't bother you with this anymore." Soujiro opened his mouth but Kenshin held up the cloth and shook his head. "Iie Seta-donno. This is my problem and I must find the answer within myself." Soujiro sweatdropped.

            "Hai Himura-san…I know that but…"

            "But?"

            "The cloth's on fire…"

            "ORO!"

TBC

Sorry bout the corny ending :P Sorry for the very very late update and very very short chapter…Sorry! Well…I know where I'm going with this now though, so I'll probably update again really soon…I hope… Thanks if anyone's still reading this!!

Moonlight2: I've finally started writing more of HMR ^^; Thanks for all your ideas :P And…its kind of a tie :P

Lord Cirenmas: Thanks for still reading ^^;

Momoku: Once again I'll say it…its not I don't believe that pairing works…its that I know I can't write romance/pairing fics…I'm just not good at it :P sorry

greeneydgrl74: Did you just start reading this fic? ^_^ And…Soujiro is a guy *sweatdrops*

kitiara_uth_matar: Ah, I'll try not to hurt everyone that much but…in the RK storyline many people are hurt ^^;;