AVENGEMENT
Disclaimer: I do not own. You may not sue. That said; here is new chapter.
A/N: Your reviews made my day. The responses are at the bottom of the chapter and I hope you will like it. Did anybody wonder who the 'shadow' was in the prologue? I hope that Akamatsu wasn't a disappointment to you ^^ I used him because he's a big, cocky, arrogant, idiot who's too full of himself to realize how weak he is. Umm . . . I am having a problem understanding the entire concept of the Bakufu, Ishin Shishi, the Tokugawa era and other important aspects that are in the subject area of Japanese history, can someone please IM/email me and explain it to me? As far as I understand, the Ishin and Choshu are siding together, fighting against Bakufu, which the Shinsengumi supports. I do not know if this is correct because even though I research on it, it is still very confusing because I haven't seen all of 'Samurai X,' thanks for the support! Oh, and by the way, a lot information on Shinsengumi characters will be shown in this and chapters in the future; anyway, chapter three cominatcha!
Chapter Three
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'I must have the Shin no Kage join Choshu,' was the thought that flashed through Katsura Kogoro's mind as he saw the raven-haired assassin disappear into the shadows.
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Hitokiri Battousai's POV
'Damn! I can't stop thinking about her. Why?' Kenshin cursed in his mind as he executed a somewhat angry Ryu Tsui Sen.
"My, my Himura-san, touchy aren't we today?" A sly voice interrupted Kenshin's train of thought.
"What do you want *Kawakami?" Kenshin barked at his fellow Choshu assassin with a click of his katana.
Note: *Kawakami Gensai was Kenshin's real life assassin colleague. He was similar in many ways to Kenshin; he was a cold assassin – the creator of his own style: Furanui Kenjutsu. He was considered the most powerful of the Four Great Hitokiri of the Bakamatsu era. His Battou-jutsu stance was different – with his right leg out slightly bent and his left leg bent under him resting on his knee. Overall, it was a low position but very fast. Apparently, he was not as skilled as Kenshin in Battou-jutsu, but more than likely, he chose to master a particular technique. The Meiji government later killed him.
(A/N: Can you see all the research?)
"It seems like our dear Himura has something on his mind . . . a woman possibly? It's about time you started indulging in some manly pleasures. Would you like me to ask Takasugi to send you a prostitute?" Kawakami said, with a cold chuckle.
"Shut up and get lost," was Kenshin's cold response.
The two Hitokiri were similar in almost every possible way. They both carried the icy demeanor of a powerful murderer. Despite their 'disagreements' which was only how they normally spoke to each other, they understood each other. Only an assassin would know the pain of being a murderer . . . only an assassin would suffer the pain of the bloodlust. Only an assassin would know how to interact with another in that cold manner.
The pain was their own to carry.
Another slow chuckle
Kawakami left the red-haired assassin to his training and his thoughts.
Shin no Kage's POV
'Must kill that demon!" Kaoru screamed in her mind while she stabbed at an imaginary opponent.
Two strong assassin qi were nearing
She turned her back to the rustling sound, facing the river
Kaoru's senses instinctively sharpened. She listened intently, her hand at her katana.
Two figures entered the clearing
One was a tall wolf-like man who wore a serious expression and didn't look like one to play around with. The other, was obviously younger. He was shorter than the other was and had a pleasant smile on his face. They were both clad in the Shinsengumi uniform and wore katana at their waists.
'The wolves of Mibu,' Kaoru thought.
'Interesting . . .' the taller one mused, ". . . I feel a warrior's spirit emanating from this woman,' he shot a knowing glance at his companion who only nodded.
"Tell me, what is your name," the shorter one asked, acknowledging Kaoru.
"Kamiya Kaoru, also known as Shin no Kage," was her curt response, "What does the Shinsengumi want of me?"
"Straight to the point, just like the rumors say" the taller of the two said while lighting a cigarette.
Kaoru glared at him.
"The Shinsengumi leaders are in search of recruits for squad leaders and members. Having the legendary Shadow of Death on the side of the Shinsengumi would be an honor," the shorter one replied with a smile, "Oh, forgive my manners, I am Okita Soushi, leader of the first squad of the Shinsengumi and this is Saitou Hajime, leader of the third squad of the Shinsengumi," he said with a small bow.
"Honestly . . . resorting to a woman to help the most powerful group of the Bakamatsu. I wouldn't hear of it," Saitou scoffed.
Kaoru was beginning to hate this man by the second but she kept in. She threw him another glare and turned to Okita.
"So . . . *Kondo Isami, Serizawa Kamo, Niimi Nishigi, Hijikata Toshizou and Yamanami Keisuke are looking for recruits? If I join the Shinsengumi, will I be allowed to kill the Battousai?" she asked defiantly.
Note: *Kondo Isami, Serizawa Kamo, Niimi Nishigi, Hijikata Toshizou and Yamanami Keisuke were the masterminds behind the Shinsengumi – the most powerful group of the Bakamatsu era
Saitou exhaled a puff of smoke.
'She knows much about the Shinsengumi. We are fortunate she isn't against us . . . we are also fortunate to have her against Hitokiri Battousai. If she sided with Choshu we wouldn't even be standing here,' Okita noted, 'She is a fine assassin, the Shin no Kage works alone . . . with no companions. Her assets are amazing'
"You will be assigned a victim, but with your skills, you just may be chosen to kill Battousai. Okita and I will more than likely not get the honor of slaying the Battousai because the Ishin knows our styles and this information has been memorized by all Choshu assassins," Saitou said, flicking ash from his cigarette.
"Hai, Saitou-san is correct. Our leaders will probably give you the assignment because you have kept yourself in the shadows and no one knows what you look like," Okita replied.
"Show me the way," Kaoru said, making up her mind.
"Come with us," Okita said, beckoning her.
'This is my chance to kill him, avenge Father's spirit, free my soul and bring an end to this insanity,' she thought to herself.
Okita and Saitou led her through the dark forest, to the Shinsengumi base – a remote place, up in the hills.
"You will be given a shinai and you will have to fight three members of the Shinsengumi. If you defeat all or two, the minimum, you will be recognized as a member," Okita explained quickly, leading her to a dojo.
She nodded, took off her sandals and stepped into the dojo after Okita.
She saw five of the seediest looking bureaucrats she had ever seen in her life. A particularly evil looking man who was polishing an iron fan gave off a frightening aura. He was the infamous Serizawa Kamo.
Okita had some Shinsengumi members clear a sparring mat and he quickly set up the area for the match. He signaled to a medium-height man to come up to the sparring area. Okita whispered something in his ear and the man nodded.
"Kamiya-san, at the present, only Takeda is here and there is Saitou. Your first match will be against Takeda and then Saitou. I will be the referee. You are allowed to combine any sword or hand-to-hand combat style. Clean fights are not of significance in the Shinsengumi. The mat is free for whatever you want to do. Your matches will be out of three rounds each. Good luck," Okita explained to Kaoru as he handed her a shinai.
(A/N: I am not altogether sure about the whole 'clean Shinsengumi fight' thing but I put it there. The Shinsengumi's motto: 'Slay Evil Immediately' makes it sound all good and everything but many in Kyoto hated the Shinsengumi because they killed suspicious looking people who couldn't state their name, Han and reason for being where they were so *shrug*)
Note: 1. – Takeda Kanryuusai, in reality was the leader of the fifth squad of the Shinsengumi. He was a Military Strategist and was a bully. He was a traitor to the Shinsengumi and sided with the Ishin. Saitou assassinated him. The Takeda Kanryu in the Rurouni Kenshin series was patterned after him.
Note: 2. – The 'entrance exam' to be a Shinsengumi member was a shinai fight. The first opponent could have been anyone, but the second opponent was usually a more experienced fighter – usually Saitou. Okita was always the referee.
She nodded in understanding.
Kaoru took off her wrist-guards and her katana. She handed them to Okita and gripped the shinai, feeling its familiar weight. It reminded her of her own shinai, when she was a little girl, training and aspiring to be the best fighter she could be.
She stepped onto the mat; all eyes were on her.
Okita signaled for the match to begin.
Kaoru and Takeda both stepped up to the marker and their eyes met.
They bowed to Okita and then to each other.
The sharp screech of the whistle echoed through the room.
Even after the whistle was blown, the two stood there – neither moving, observing each other's energy.
With a sudden burst, Takeda thrust out, Kaoru foresaw it and easily sidestepped it. As the larger man spun around and charged with his shinai to her throat, she saw this and blocked just in time, the clashing of the wooden swords reverberated through the now-silent room. All eyes were on the sparring mat.
Her blue eyes narrowed in concentration and strategy.
'Feh, this match is as good as done. Hmm . . . maybe I should give him a chance,' Kaoru thought to herself as she dodged another fervent blow.
Takeda charged another attack, noting his opponent's sudden stillness, hoping to get a point. To his surprise, the girl didn't block his attack.
"Point! Takeda!" Okita barked, whipping out a flag.
He seized the opportunity to lay another blow and again to his surprise, she didn't block.
"Point! Takeda!" Okita barked again.
Just as he was to lay his third blow and claim the title of winner, he saw a devilish smirk play on his opponent's lips. Her eyes were a cold, steely blue.
'You are allowed to combine any sword or hand-to-hand combat style. Clean fights are not of significance in the Shinsengumi'
Kaoru grabbed the shinai from Takeda with a speed and suddenness no one would have suspected. Twisting it out of his grip, she flipped it around to have both shinai pointing at him. She slashed after him with the swords to his throat and delivered a swift roundhouse kick to his jaw that sent him staggering. A trickle of blood ran down his chin from his lip.
"Two points! Kamiya!"
Kaoru didn't wait any longer; she slashed after him with one sword, laying a blow on his shoulder. With the other sword, she brought it up to a vertical strike; however, she didn't hit him. She used the air pressure to cut him.
"Winner! Kamiya!" Okita barked.
This announcement had the bureaucrats stroking their stubbly chins and eyeing the young girl intently.
Whispers broke out among Shinsengumi spectators.
Saitou spat out his cigarette butt. He caught the shinai that a crestfallen Takeda tossed to him.
He walked up to the mat and glared at her. They both bowed to Okita and faced each other.
A/N: Haha! That's a wrap! Cliffy! What's gonna happen? Do you like what I did, making Kaoru a bad, kick-ass assassin? Review!!
Reviewer Responses:
- the squirrel: *smiles* hope you keep reading this fic
- Britannie Love: you know I love your reviews, I am so glad you liked the last chapter. I hope you liked this one too!
- kik-ting: I'm glad you like my idea! Everyone usually writes lovey sappy stuff . . . not that that's a bad thing but still, I like having something different
- hieiandbotan4ever: Love the name dude! Glad you like it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter
- Mika: Yes, the cruel and evil Hitokiri ^^
- leo hime san: Thanks P! I'm guessing you don't see this type of fic everyday
A/N: Well, this chapter was fun to write. I gotta go y'all. Remember:
*~*~*~*~Click That Button*~*~*~*
Black Chiney