Chapter Eleven
Okita loped easily in the lead with his bushy tail held high. Although they had been traveling all day, since before dawn broke, he wasn't tired in the slightest. His powerful wolf body was used to days where he would cover endless miles on patrol. The two humans weren't nearly so luckily. Despite both being in peak physical fitness the warm air was making them perspire and occasionally swear. Enishi refused to rest claiming they needed to be there directly at dusk.
The young werewolf knew it wouldn't matter. It was part of Saitoh's plan to warn Shishio that they would come tonight. The vampire lord would have already spread his forces. There was no surprise to speak of.
Slowing to let them catch up again he scratched at his neck still marveling at the vacant air that met his blunt claws. Pushing a little harder, he let them dig into fur and skin with his tongue lolling.
"I want to know how you got that off." Hiko remarked. His ebony eyes were locked on Okita's neck, but he made no move forward to enforce his demand.
Both of them knew that even if Okita decided to speak, which he certainly wasn't going to, that he wouldn't be understood. Aside from that, he wouldn't run off without good reason, not even if he was being harassed. Which gave the big human quite the unfair advantage. An advantage that he exploited every time he came in earshot.
"Leave him alone." Enishi growled in annoyance. The pressing heat of the late afternoon had dampened his spiky hair almost flat and his bandages were tinted a rose pink. His large, ornate sword was slung to the side and he clutched a thick walking stick in his left hand. "We might get there fast if you'd stop bothering and distracting our guide."
Okita gave a canine grin flashing his white incisors. It was amazing the bridges that could be crossed given the right medium. The sparring match had elevated Okita to comrade status overnight.
Hiko rumbled, but didn't protest the issue. Okita found him uncomfortably nosy in regards to werewolves.
He shifted his shoulders to redistribute the weight of the katana across his back. He had asked before he shifted to wolf form that it was to be strapped to him. The clothing he left discarded; they were of no consequence. The blade, however, was far too fine and he doubted Kikisha had given it to him just to provide protection against the two hunters. It chafed slight against his shoulders, since it obviously couldn't be hooked across his middle without tripping him. Even so, the discomfort was drowned out by the sense of freedom and his sudden control of destiny. He had plans for the steel that rested across his back like a dangerous animal.
He marveled again at how he was no longer constricted to Shishio's wishes. He had bore the intangible weight that was that of any slave since he had been old enough to understand.
He could imagine how it would be if he had no purpose, no mission. It seemed Kikisha had struck again. She had provided him with a job, one that she was no doubt supposed to perform herself, knowing he needed it as an anchor.
He wasn't a flighty being despite his usual cheerful demeanor and good nature. He wasn't stupid or stubborn either, yet he knew that if he had been given his freedom without a task to keep him straight his chances of going off course were immeasurable. To be serving his alpha, his pack, and all those human slaves and to have them counting on him was the firmest thing to have hold of him. Honor and loyalty were so deeply ingrained in not only his personality, but his nature as well.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in much the same way. Hiko refused to back off despite Enishi's short warnings; therefore, Okita took to keeping the big man out of earshot, but staying just in sight.
Just as the sun start to set, they could the see the massive stone entrance that was the main one. Okita noticed two shadows slip around the side and gave a sigh of relief. Shishio had maintained his werewolf guards and now they were off to set the alarm. An alarm that served a dual purpose to those inside. Kikisha have been very explicit in her explanation about how the humans and packs would be warned first, then the vampires. But they had to arrive before sunset to make the alarm look as genuine as possible.
He gave a respectful nod indicating that they should stay put before loping off to the perimeter guardhouse. It wasn't much, just a small shack that held clothing and provided a private place for changing. He forced his body to pass phases faster than normal and threw some clothing on that were approximately his size. Double-checking his katana he pulled his dark hair up into a ponytail and tied it with a strip of leather. That was another thing Shishio didn't allow his slave to do, put their hair up. To do so was to invite it to be hacked off. Usually in quite a rough manner.
When he returned the pair had shed themselves of everything but their weapons. Even Hiko's large sake jug that had yet to leave his side was forlornly placed to the side with the other supplies.
"You want us to go in the front?"
Okita gave a brief nod and made a flash decision to at least warn them, "Lord Shishio will be expecting you, as is one my pack leaders, Saitoh. I'm afraid neither will be particularly welcoming, however, the werewolves will do their best to keep the lower fighters out of your way. The only ones you should watch for are Soujirou," Okita paused to watch Hiko's knuckles turn white and his eyes flame, "And Usui. Usui is an oni, but he is very skilled."
"And no longer a problem. Saitoh chopped him in half." Sano said suddenly materializing out of the shadows. He wasn't wearing his usual white clothing. Instead he was wearing dark brown cloth. He looked Hiko up and down briefly, "Heh, you don't look nearly so big now."
"But you are just as young and naïve." Hiko replied easily ignoring the werewolf's tangible anger. "Led on then."
"Sure thing your highness." Sano growled giving Okita a playful punch to the shoulder. His light blow, or what he thought was a light blow, rocked the smaller wolf.
"Sanosuke, this is Hiko," Okita said smoothly, "And that is Enishi."
"Nice to meet you." Although he spoke with jovialness in his tone, his eyes were dark and unfriendly. He absently fingered the pale line that traced his shoulder crossways.
"Do you have a weapon?" Okita asked certain that Sano knew of the plan by now. He wouldn't have shown up otherwise.
Sanosuke gave an embellished shrug and cracked his knuckled heavily. He looked around carelessly and chewed idly on the end of the stick he had placed in his mouth. Finally he spit it out and shrugged again.
"Naw. They broke my zanbatou when I first wandered in, and I just don't see me using some light weight katana." He gave a vicious grin showing off his slightly pronounced canine teeth and smacked his palm with a fist, "Besides, I've got knuckles of steel."
"Idiot." Hiko snorted.
"Maybe, but I'm not going to face the boy wonder. You're totally welcome to that. He gives me the creeps." Sano paused and he added in a quiet voice, "The dead should stay that way."
"They certainly are not able to rest in peace with such a monster conjuring them for his own twisted pleasure." Hiko snarled and Sano blinked at the reaction.
"You should go straight through those doors. No one will halt your progress." Okita paused wondering if his duty was over. He looked to Sano who nodded. "A new guide may or may not appear, I do not know. Good luck. May your blades find the vengeance you seek."
The pair of youths watched the mismatched couple stride down.
"Hey buddy, you okay? You're usually not so quiet. They didn't hurt you did they?" Sano growled casting a baleful glare at their backs, "I don't trust them. They're humans."
Okita shook his head seriously then grinned lightly, "So are we. Well, partly. What do you mean Usui's been chopped up?"
"Just what it sounds like. Saitoh took the guy out with his katana." Sano quickly related the events and Okita looked at him suspiciously still keeping a light grin on his face. How did his friend know so much?
"But Sayo was murdered last night by Soujirou. Misao was really broken up about it." Sano said seriously looking disturbed. The youth had been the one to actually find the miko and bring her back. He probably felt responsible for her and her protection. Sanosuke was like that. A good guy to have on your side when the chips were down. "Other than that it's been business as usual."
"And a certain fox?" Okita teased.
"Gah! First I get yelled at for showing an interest and now you're encouraging it? What kind of friend are you anyway?" Sano said shoving him playfully. "She's under Tokio's wing now. Or so I gathered from the dining hall last night."
"Tokio!" To say that he was shocked was an understatement. Tokio never taught anyone personally. The last one to benefit from her tutelage was Kikisha. But that had been years ago when the woman first came. Megumi must really have been important.
"Yeah, I know. Misao was seething. I almost lost an ear. She ranted about an outsider taking our alpha and how Foxy was with 'those murderers'." Sano's eyes narrowed, "That's why we're going to stick together when the battle is pitch right buddy? I need help keeping my little weasel in check."
Okita gave a companion some nod in agreement. Misao was still not quite herself. Besides, the three of them were capable enough to handle most any vampire in the compound. He was sure that Misao still had Aoshi's kodachi and she was proficient at using it even though she tended to rely on her throwing knives more. Even without a weapon Sano was excellent at using his fists.
Okita checked his katana and nodded.
"Of course. What sort of packmate would I be if I didn't?"
"Good point." Sano said sheepishly. He paced slightly squinting at the dimmed horizon. "Not for another minute. Damn. You know what?"
"What?" Okita asked patiently. He was confident in his skills. There was nothing to worry about. If the humans failed it was hardly the werewolves fault. He felt wary about letting his alpha take the blame if it came to that. Here he was preparing to fight with no consequences in sight. He shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind. A warrior shouldn't be distracted before a battle. He should focus.
"If I die will you take care of her?" Sano asked softly. He avoided Okita's questioning gaze. Thoughts of death before a battle was hardly unusual, but Sano was always so cocksure and arrogant. He had always been that way. It was him. It was Sano.
A heavy hand grabbed Okita's heart and he gazed into the darkness, "I can't promise that Sano."
"I know."
They sat in silence for another moment.
"I guess it's time to go huh? Well, I'll just have to make sure not to die!" Sano grimaced as the words echoed slightly.
Okita matched Sano's long strides and Misao met them at the side entrance. She was holding the kodachi loosely and there were several places Okita suspected hidden knives were stashed. She gave them both a grin and an impulsive hug.
"You guys ready?" She asked seeming like her old self. She jumped on Sano's back rambunctiously and clung like a monkey. He tried to shake her off until she grabbed a fistful of hair. "Kikisha should be telling Sissy any moment now."
"And what a joy that will be. Will you get off me?" Sano grunted. "Don't you go running off. We're making up a threesome here and that means you've got to stick with us."
Okita rolled his eyes as Misao dragged the young wolf's head around and gave an impish peck on Sano's nose. He crossed his eyes at her and she slid off his back.
There was muffled shouting from down the stone hallway. The sounds were grossly distorted, but it was clear enough that the battle had been pitched. He silently slid forward being faster than either of his companions. He could feel his blood begin to pound and could hear the overwhelming noise of the footfalls behind him.
This certainly wasn't his first battle, nor would it be the first time his blade had taken life. Unlike Sano and Misao he had been trained to fight for a very specific reason and he had used those skills in the service of Shishio to quell rebellions or instill terror into small villages. He and Death were well acquainted from years before.
They skittered around the bend to find Kaoru and the kid that had been with the hunters backed against the wall. Already the smell of tangy copper from split blood saturated the area teasing Okita's senses and driving his instincts wild. He clamped down firmly on the urge to jump the nearest enemy and tear out his throat.
Instead he rationalized the situation at a glace. Several human slaves lay slain in crimson puddles and a werewolf, from another pack, panted with a horrendous injury to the neck. She reached over to the knife that lay at a downed human's side. With a pained, jerky effort she drew the blade across the calf of the nearest vampire. He barely flinched and without turning twisted his blade into her back with a sickening crack breaking her spine.
Misao snarled and threw herself at the vampire. Her blade whipped past Okita's head expertly and buried to the hilt in the undead man's face. He calmly plucked them out even the one that had taken him in the eye.
"So the little wolfies think they're big 'n' bad." He said with a leer. "Ain't bad lookin' either."
Before Misao could react Sano had flown past her landing a blow on the vampire's jaw and knocking him into a stone wall. Okita slid deftly between his friend and the blade destined for Sano's back. Steel clanged and he threw the larger fighter off.
Baring his teeth Okita gave a fierce grin. Their swords did an intricate dance seeking weakness and the steel almost seemed to flow as if it were alive. The vampire was far quicker and he had a strength advantage, but Okita's natural talent even the scales and perhaps even tipped them in his favor.
With a feint to the left he opened up the other's guard and was about to thrust his blade into the empty area where a heart should be. Instead he was shoved from behind. Stumbling from the unexpected force his blade tore across the vampire's side and lodged into the ribs.
The cradle of bones refused to give up their unexpected prize and Okita was forced to let go of the hilt.
"Here!"
The human tossed something at him and he instinctively caught it. The wooden sword, most likely stolen from the training area, had a newly sharpened point. There were dents in the side and he could tell she hadn't been using it correctly. You simply couldn't bludgeon a vampire to death. You couldn't even defend yourself with such an ineffective tactic.
Whirling the wooden sword into a better grip he turned swiftly to parry the blade that whistled down towards him. He turned his weapon slightly so that it wasn't slashed in half before driving it forward and straight through the vampire's chest. This time he didn't miss his intended target. The wooden point stabbed easily in the way his blade didn't and it didn't stop until he withdrew his pressure.
Retrieving his katana he looked up to see Misao and Sano finish off the last of their foes. There were only four corpses on the ground so it hadn't been that large of a group. He wrenched the wooden sword out of the carcass and handed it back handle first.
"You shouldn't be afraid to stab. It could mean your life if you don't." He pointed out kindly.
The human twitched under his careful gaze, but looked up with fiery eyes, "I can't betray my father's beliefs."
"Give it up Okita. They'll be fine if they get outside."
"And who said I was going to run away from the fighting you brute!" The woman screamed at Sanosuke and he blinked lazily.
"You should consider it because you're a tasty looking snack Missy."
"Hey, you're that werewolf." The boy said poking his stick sword at Sano. He scrutinized Misao and Okita, "And you were with that Aoshi vampire. Heh, Enishi did a good job with him."
"Why you…" Misao shrieked in fury. Sano barely grabbed her twisting her arms back and holding her down. She was screaming obscenities that Okita had never even heard before.
"Kid you must really have a real wish to be skinned alive because that's what she'll do to you if I let go."
"She can't do anything to me." The boy said making a face and further enraging Misao.
"Now now. He's just a kid Misao." Okita said trying to be soothing. "We have a battle to attend. Now is not the time to start meaningless fights."
"But he insulted Lord Aoshi!" She snarled as Sano carefully untangled his arms from around her lithe form. He kept a cautious hand on her braid just in case.
"Which means more to you? Your dead master or your freedom." It was harsh, but it needed to be said.
Sano paused and looked between them. He started to open his mouth, but he closed it again. A wise move. This wasn't something he could answer for her. It had to be her decision. If one little loud mouth child could sway her then it would be dangerous for all of them if she kept fighting.
She bit her lip in indecision with her emerald gaze flickering over to Sano. He leaned against the wall ignoring her imploring looks. The humans looked between them in confusion. The faint melody composed of the screams of the wounded drifted in like a light scent on the breeze.
"I… my freedom." She said suddenly with fierce determination. A brace of knives flashed between her fingers before disappearing out of sight. To Okita's amusement the kid was looking a bit pale. "Let's go guys! Why are you just standing there?"
Okita cast an amused glance at Sano and noticed he was a little pale himself.
"Are you all right?"
"Perfectly." He croaked then grinned sheepishly and blinked, "I guess I've never killed anyone like that before. It's a little upsetting."
"In your mind or your stomach."
"I'm regretting having some meat that looks like that guy's face." Sano said jerking his thumb in the direction of a body with a face comparable to ground beef. Okita winced seeing his point. "If we don't hurry the little weasel will throw herself into a fight without us."
That's how the trio spent the next hour and a half, skirmishing with vampires and loyal human slaves, and even other vampire-loyal werewolves. Although winded lightly, the three were young and in good shape and practice.
"If you'd just sit still you stupid rooster!" Misao yipped bodily trying to make the larger male sit still. "If you leave this open it will get infected! Or worse, it will tear and rip off all your skin. I like my guys with all their skin thanks."
"Go get Okita! It's a scratch!" Sano said pushing her hand, and the needle, away.
Okita paused in his vigilance to give himself a brief once over. His muscles complained, but not from overuse. They were pleased to be stretched and strained. It left a pleasant tingling sensation when he moved them. There was a long, shallow slash across his ribcage where another werewolf, favoring a pair of kama, had taken him off guard. It bled sluggishly now that he wasn't in motion. There was a deep gash on his upper thigh from a lucky hit with a dagger and a strained muscle beneath his diaphragm. Other than that he was perfectly fine. His breathing had evened out and they had found water so they wouldn't dehydrate. He was ready for the break to be over.
To kill a bit of time he stripped his top off and tore it into makeshift bandages. He carefully wrapped them around his side after flushing it out. He treated his thigh the same way.
"Well look 'ere Anji. These musta be th' three causin' so much trouble eh?" Okita had no trouble recognizing the tall, blond vampire. In the vampire's hand was one of his favorite weapons and Okita had no doubt that wrapped around his waist would be another. Not to mention the ones bristling from other parts of his anatomy. Those weapons were children to him.
The dark vampire's coal smeared eyes looked them over mildly. He cut an impressive figure, but that didn't stop Sanosuke from giving a rouge grin and a gesture that could only be interpreted as bring it on.
"So what? We're just doing the world a favor!" Misao said with evident pride and no little maliciousness in her voice. She had the kodachi out and ready. Unlike her late master she didn't try to use the blade as an offensive weapon, but she excelled defensively.
"That one's mine." Sano bristled looking at the former monk. The vampire looked back impassively with his cold, jaded eyes.
Okita whirled in time to blunt the attack aimed to separate his head from his shoulders. He slipped out of the sword lock dragging his katana down the length of Chou's double bladed sword. He jerked the edge away just as Chou moved to trap it.
The vampire had always had an unhealthy fascination with swords and he was very proficient in fighting with them. Especially the one he held at the moment. It was a curious design with two blades running parallel out of the same base a mere inch apart. However, curious turned into deadly when both plunged into flesh like giant metal viper fangs.
"Be a goo' little doggie an' tuck yer tail." Chou advised with his one open eye glittering. Okita stared at him as the blades locked again. His slight statue was a major disadvantage against the lanky sword collector who out did him in everything. While Okita had been expecting to fight he hadn't planned on running into any of the Ten Swords.
The blood roaring in his ears he flicked the larger fighter off again and retreated trying to think of a strategy. He danced back as Sanosuke's body crashed past him taking Chou with it into the adjacent wall. The two slid down in a daze heap, but before Sano could recover Anji was on him again. The pair continued their fight moving slowly out of range.
Chou staggered to his feet and shook his head in a daze fashion. Okita didn't need a second invitation.
He pressed his lucky advantage and narrowly missed having his jugular slashed open. Undaunted he danced out of range before darting back in with his three-point strike. Chou's double blade clattered just out of reach and before the blond could recover it Misao had kicked it into the dark shadows of the corner.
"So ya wanna play eh?" Chou snarled, his face twisted with hate and arrogance. His hand when to his waist revealing the steel curled around his middle. With an exaggerated flick of his wrist he uncoiled the beast and straightened it out. "I didn' wanna use this, but ya forced me."
Okita backed up a step wondering what he was going to do. The sword not only had an amazing reach, but it was incredibly flexible. One small movement could send it seeking an errant enemy. It was a precise effort, but Okita had seen Chou skewer a child through the hand with one practiced move. There was no doubt the blond, for all his boasting and attitude, could pose a true problem.
"Hey you bully!" Misao shouted and Okita's peripheral vision saw the blur of movement that he assumed were knives.
Chou dodged bringing his whip-like sword to bear knocking the missiles away and lashing out at the small, spunky fighter. She dodged the seeking tip and bared her teeth.
There was a loud crash as a body hit the wall for the second time. This time it was the dark skinned monk who was picking himself up. He didn't look fazed in the slightest that he had made a foot deep indentation into solid stone.
"There's more where that came from." Sano challenged wiping away a trickle of blood that he had coughed up. One hand dangled forlornly at his side and he was leaning heavily on one hip, but the cocky grin hadn't left his face even as his eyes clouded with pain.
"You will not win." The monk replied with quiet certainty.
"So you say!"
Okita, Chou, and Misao paused to watch the stunts the two pulled. Whenever their punches hit something other than flesh it would seem to dissolve into a fine powdery substance.
"You learn through watching." Anji noted in a detached manner, "Still, once I disarm your fists you will be helpless. Then I will crush you."
"You can…" Sano paused with a grunt as a thrown punch clipped his broad shoulder, "Try you bastard."
"Eh, 'nuff gawkin'." Chou shrugged turning his attention back to their paused fight. But before he could redirect his blade he was smashed into a wall. "This place is too small fer this! Didja think I wanna be flattened by my fellow vampire?"
"It's a good look for you broomhead."
Okita rolled his eyes. Did this have to turn into a mudslinging episode?
Chou had recovered himself yet again, but Okita knew better to try and take advantage. Vampires didn't get winded and the crushed bones were probably no more than a tinge of pain as they mended.
Before the blond could send his snake blade questing for flesh and bone Misao launched a fistful of knives. As he whipped the blade up to deflect them Okita knew he had hesitated a second too long. There was the rewarding sound as half the missiles pinged off steel but the other half hit their intended target. It was disturbing, however, to see the blond casually pluck on out of his eye and toss it away. The wounded parts of his face made it look like someone had started poking holes in it and the gaping socket where the eyeball used to rest was nauseating.
Okita wasn't sure what happened next, but somehow the hand grappling had once again been set on a crash course. Unfortunately it wasn't Chou in the path of their flight this time.
Misao yelped in surprise at the two locked combatants flew towards her. She tried to dive to the side, but Okita could easily tell she would be too slow in her movement to escape. If she was lucky she could shave the force of the blow.
However, Lady Luck had chosen that moment to be fickle because Misao let out a hiss of pain and fell down to the floor ungracefully. Instinctively she clutched her hurt ankle, which had twisted.
"Where did ya think yer going boyo?" Chou sneered as Okita started towards the catastrophe that was about to happen. "How painful to be crush into the wall. Yet I don't thin' she'll be gettin' up af'er this."
Yet by some miracle Misao had the sense to flatten herself out and roll. She staggered back up with one foot planted and her knee pressed against stone to steady her. Although her whole body was shaking with pain and adrenaline she carefully took aim at Anji's broad, conspicuous back. Her normally cheerful eyes were almost colored black because her pupils had dilated and her face was set in a hard line.
Okita felt relief course through him. Trust Misao to scrape out of that alive. It reminded him that being small of stature was an advantage. He quickly reviewed his fight so far with Chou. There was no way he could win at the rate he was going. Chou had every advantage and his reach was impossibly long. If Okita could somehow get under his guard and close in he would just have another, more appropriate blade ready.
As he watched Anji stumble by he had a peculiar idea. It was one that Saitoh most certainly wouldn't approve of, and not only that, but it was incredibly risky. However, if he could rig it correctly it would be a way to defeat Chou. The longer the battle dragged on the less likely the werewolves would have a chance at coming out alive.
He needed some cooperation from Misao and Sano though and he didn't know how to convey what he needed. He made a move towards Misao, but the long blade made a slash at his exposed chest. Falling back he tried to catch her eye instead. Wolf language was based more on body language. If he could get her to pay attention then he could tell her what he needed without saying it aloud.
He gave a sharp, signature yip that jerked his companions' head up. The sound was mutilated by his human throat, but it accomplished the intended task.
Misao nodded, a move, which Chou didn't even notice, and she grabbed her sheathed kodachi. All Sanosuke needed to do was lead Anji toward the blond. Not a hard task in such a confined space.
With a burst of speed Okita rushed the lanky fighter slipping past his blade. As he expected, the vampire swung it to his left and unsheathed another from his back. The curved tachi met with Okita's katana and he felt his blade sliding along the arch of the bowed blade.
Okita gave a quick glance towards Sano. With an immense effort he threw himself bodily at his katana's back with one hand on the hilt and the other cradling the flat. His chest hit his hands and the weight pushed forward against Chou's sword.
The vampire never expected the move and it caught him completely off guard. Before he could recover himself there was a dull whistling sound and a satisfying smack. While slightly off course, Misao's aim had been good enough for the kodachi to hit the back of the knee.
Even if he didn't feel pain, his body still reacted in the normal way. His assaulted knee buckled under the hit driving his down to his knees. Sano twisted out of reach as Anji's elbow came at him. Unfortunately for Chou, Anji couldn't seem to stop his powerful blow. It smashed into his surprised, unresisting forehead. A ripple went through him and his body followed the stone's example turning to powder.
"Wahoo! Great plan Okita!" Misao hollered as Anji blinked at the remains of his former companion. He didn't have time to react to the accidental friendly fire because Sanosuke hadn't let up with his attack.
"Misao, we need to get out of the way." Okita panted feeling winded. He had gained several new flesh wounds, but nothing too serious. However, being crushed by two giants was hardly the death he wished for.
"Okay, but I can't stand on my ankle. I think I broke it." Misao said and winced as he felt the length of it not so gently. There wasn't time. His fingers felt the place where the bone no longer met and he shook his head. She was lucky it hadn't shattered as well or that it wasn't sticking out through her skin.
"I think you did too." Okita said and offered her his shoulder. She clutched it and dragged herself up to an unbalanced standing. Her eyes flicked over to the abandoned kodachi that lay to the left of the fighting. Okita followed her gaze, "Don't even think about it Misao. We need to get out of here in one piece."
"But I'm out of knives!" She protested.
"No. We can get it when Sano's done."
Before the young wolf could react, she had torn herself out of his grasp flinging herself at the blade a few yards away. Having spent half her life on four feet she had little difficult adapting her stride for such a short sprint and managed to not use her leg. But once she skittered to a stop and scooped up the steel she had lost her momentum.
"Misao move!" Okita screamed. She had been lucky the first time to get off with a broken ankle, but Fate didn't like cheaters.
She stared up in a panic and scrambled to comply. Her ankle gave out from under her with a loud crack making her scream in pain.
Okita cast around for something, anything, he could do to save her, but in his heart and mind both he knew there was nothing. He could run over there and scoop her from the jaws of Death. Nor was there anything that could knock the pair off their present course. Assuming he could lift something that heavy in the first place.
No matter how deep in the lust of fighting Sano was her scream brought him out of it. He craned his neck and his eyes widened with fear. They were so close now that he couldn't stop it, not that he would have much success if he had tried before, or slow. Instead he did the only option that was open to him.
With all four limbs he cast Anji away from him. The monk careened out of control before smashing through an already weakened wall. There was a pitch black hole where his body had been forced through before the stone started tumbling down to cover it. The whole corridor shook and rumbled in protest to the abuse of its support. Stone dust and flakes sprinkled down showering Okita's dark hair. His eyes never left his two friends as if he were unmindful of the danger of being buried alive.
Sano's large body contorted in an unnatural way to accommodate his wish to grab Misao. He wretched her bodily upward and against his chest with his muscles corded and strained to accomplish such an impossible task in midair.
Okita had to force himself to keep watching. There was no way his friend could survive that. If the vampire hadn't then Sanosuke surely wouldn't. Even diamonds had a breaking point.
The young wolf's back hit the wall with a sharp, explosive crack followed by several small noises as his bones broke and crumbled under the pressure. His head lolled at a strange angle, although the back of the skull wasn't even hurt. He and Misao slid down both crumpled and broken.
Okita stood frozen now that the danger of battle was over. How could he be so calm when wielding a weapon offensively? How it didn't bother him who was kill, by or around him. Yet now that the danger was past he was frozen, rooted.
Misao groaned, almost inaudibly, and stirred. It seemed to break the spell because he raced over almost tripping over himself in his haste. She was still alive, but how hurt was she? Sano's body surely absorbed most of the impact, but he had hit the wall very hard.
Her emerald eyes were open, but unseeing. The cloudy orbs shifted in confusion and she licked her lips wincing when saliva met open cuts. Shifting slightly she hissed and made a sharp grab for her ankle.
"What?" She whispered sinking back against Sano. The man's arms were still wrapped around her protectively.
Okita brushed a hand across Sano's neck although he already knew the answer that his silent fingers sought to affirm. There was just no way. No way Sano could have survived that.
The sensitive tips brushed across the lump that pressed against skin at an odd angle. No way. Not when his spine was snapped and shattered like a discarded katana.
"You are hurt from the fight." Okita replied uncertainly. Her eyes, half closed to ward off pain and confusion, were clearing. He was scared to tell her the truth. Scared that it would send her body into shock and her mind spiraling. She could already have damaged her memories.
"What fight?" She murmured, trying to bury her face in Sano's shirt. Okita gently tried to coax her to him, but she ignored his efforts.
"You remember your name?"
"Misao." She answered softly.
"And mine?" He pressed hopefully. Maybe she hadn't lost too much. He knew head injuries were fickle things.
"Okita. And this is Sano."
Was Sano, Okita mentally corrected looking away. He should be stronger. He should brush it off and continue fighting. There would be time to mourn, or not. Would it be so bad if he went down in battle?
He felt the familiar tightening in his chest. It was purely luck that no one knew. It certainly wasn't because he could control his body's reactions. If anyone had inquired overly much he brushed it off as asthma.
"Yeah, Sano. We need to get out of here. Do you think you can stand Misao?" Okita asked nervously. Not for himself, but for her. She was in no shape to fight.
She slowly complied dragging her battered body up. He was almost hesitant to touch her, to make her injuries worse, but she obviously couldn't walk by herself. Especially not with her ankle the way it was.
"Aren't we going to take Sano?" She asked seeming drugged. He supposed it was the body's natural defense against the overwhelm hurt her nerve endings must be suffering. He could just tell her a little white lie… and then what? She'd, at the least, be very disappointed in him when she found out. Then again, he didn't need her going into hysterics because her brain was in shock.
"Sano…" He choked on his words. He couldn't, he just couldn't sit there and calmly lie to pacify her. It was harsh, but it was reality. "Sanosuke is dead Misao."
She blinked slowly with her mouth going into a small 'o'. Her lips moved slightly for a moment, but not even noise came out let along the words that must be tumbling over in her mind. She bit her lip and looked up with moist eyes threatening to cry.
"Dead? Are you sure?" She asked sullenly. The shadows that had been there after Aoshi's death had returned. Her eyes were unfocused and dark as she turned her head towards his body.
"I'm very sure Misao." Okita said sincerely. "His spine broke from the angle and the force of the blow. He died instantly."
"Don't give me the mechanics, please." She requested with an odd lit to her voice. It was cold as an icy stream of spring melted snow and sharp. She reached down to prod her ankle showing none of the reaction he was expecting. This time he was sure she had been lost, so lost. Even her natural cheer and bubbly nature crumpled under the blows of loss.
They sat in an uncomfortable silence before she said calmly, "You should go fight. You're not too badly wounded and I'd only slow you down." There was an underlying accusation in her tone the cut at him. Yes, he was, all things considered, fairly well off physically.
"I can't leave you here by yourself!" Okita protested, torn. His blood flared with ill-concealed excitement as his mind was brought back to the battle that still ran rampant. He wanted to be out there doing what was right. He wanted his sword to bite for freedom and tear for justice. Yet how could he ever forgive himself if he just left Misao?
His mind echoed back to the eerie conversation that he and Sano had held before the battle commenced. The words about just not having to die rang in his mind. And the almost-promise he had made. Misao simply couldn't shove him away like that.
"Gather some of my knives and give them here. You can set me up in the shadows and I'll stay hidden. If someone finds me I can always defend myself with my knives."
Not your kodachi? You can't blame things on a weapon. A part of Okita's mind accused harshly. The logical and rational part of him was rebelling in earnest now.
"Hoji just snuck past that end corner." Misao remarked sinking to the ground and scooting over towards what used to be Sano. "Even if I can't have my revenge you could at least have yours."
"It was foolish of him to do so near me." Okita hissed coldly feeling deadly anger race through his causing unconscious reactions in his body. "Not that he would remember one little torture victim, or care who was hurt."
No matter how deep and fast flowing his rage was he still had control. It was one of the earliest lessons drummed into him, and even in the most testing of times it remained. It was his lifeboat and anchor all at once.
"So go. What are you waiting for?" Misao screamed when he looked to the stars for answers. Of course, all he saw was stone. Cursed stone.
"I can't leave you because I made a promise. The living should take precedent over the dead in any case."
She looked at him, "You can't be serious. You get the perfect chance and you throw it away?"
"Am I throwing it away?"
Mary-Ann: Quite honestly, I find it strange to think Saitoh under anyone's domination. I haven't watched the Christain Arc either actually, not yet anyway. You didn't miss much. She's just a religious nut that died in the anime ^^ That about covers it as far as I know. More Hiko and Enishi next chapter!
Wistful-Eyes: Only three more chapters not counting this one. That's how far I've seen of the anime also. Something I hope to fix eventually.
Fyyrrose: No we won't. I want to go to bed. Shishio will only win if you write an alternate ending. Minor? Oh yes, minor. Something that's been planned for over a decade. Your humor is scary. HH updates all the time. You just only read one of her stories. Keeps are good. I play for keeps all the time. There's no point otherwise. Yes, if he wasn't burnt alive and shot in the head Shishio would have killed Aoshi, Kenshin, Saitoh, and Sano. I tell you, Hoji needs a mancatcher. That is totally his sort of weapon O__O I "play" all the time. Its called writing. -__- Don't get me started on my family right now. They are 'assedness' just like the dsl people. She would make a weird Shinto priestess O.o but C. wasn't around in Japan back then. Neither was Buddhism. If you recall, that fight scene was only supposed to be five paragraphs, not five pages. Wait too long? I have an update schedule. You don't. Besides, I'm writing a ton of fics. I need to finish Transgender.
MissBehavin: I thought you'd like that ^__~ Shishio didn't think that Soujirou WOULD figure things out on his own LMAO. Misao is already out of control, but now Soujirou's in some real trouble with her ^^ If you mean "getting together" romantically, no. I try not to reuse couples unless I really like them.
Okita loped easily in the lead with his bushy tail held high. Although they had been traveling all day, since before dawn broke, he wasn't tired in the slightest. His powerful wolf body was used to days where he would cover endless miles on patrol. The two humans weren't nearly so luckily. Despite both being in peak physical fitness the warm air was making them perspire and occasionally swear. Enishi refused to rest claiming they needed to be there directly at dusk.
The young werewolf knew it wouldn't matter. It was part of Saitoh's plan to warn Shishio that they would come tonight. The vampire lord would have already spread his forces. There was no surprise to speak of.
Slowing to let them catch up again he scratched at his neck still marveling at the vacant air that met his blunt claws. Pushing a little harder, he let them dig into fur and skin with his tongue lolling.
"I want to know how you got that off." Hiko remarked. His ebony eyes were locked on Okita's neck, but he made no move forward to enforce his demand.
Both of them knew that even if Okita decided to speak, which he certainly wasn't going to, that he wouldn't be understood. Aside from that, he wouldn't run off without good reason, not even if he was being harassed. Which gave the big human quite the unfair advantage. An advantage that he exploited every time he came in earshot.
"Leave him alone." Enishi growled in annoyance. The pressing heat of the late afternoon had dampened his spiky hair almost flat and his bandages were tinted a rose pink. His large, ornate sword was slung to the side and he clutched a thick walking stick in his left hand. "We might get there fast if you'd stop bothering and distracting our guide."
Okita gave a canine grin flashing his white incisors. It was amazing the bridges that could be crossed given the right medium. The sparring match had elevated Okita to comrade status overnight.
Hiko rumbled, but didn't protest the issue. Okita found him uncomfortably nosy in regards to werewolves.
He shifted his shoulders to redistribute the weight of the katana across his back. He had asked before he shifted to wolf form that it was to be strapped to him. The clothing he left discarded; they were of no consequence. The blade, however, was far too fine and he doubted Kikisha had given it to him just to provide protection against the two hunters. It chafed slight against his shoulders, since it obviously couldn't be hooked across his middle without tripping him. Even so, the discomfort was drowned out by the sense of freedom and his sudden control of destiny. He had plans for the steel that rested across his back like a dangerous animal.
He marveled again at how he was no longer constricted to Shishio's wishes. He had bore the intangible weight that was that of any slave since he had been old enough to understand.
He could imagine how it would be if he had no purpose, no mission. It seemed Kikisha had struck again. She had provided him with a job, one that she was no doubt supposed to perform herself, knowing he needed it as an anchor.
He wasn't a flighty being despite his usual cheerful demeanor and good nature. He wasn't stupid or stubborn either, yet he knew that if he had been given his freedom without a task to keep him straight his chances of going off course were immeasurable. To be serving his alpha, his pack, and all those human slaves and to have them counting on him was the firmest thing to have hold of him. Honor and loyalty were so deeply ingrained in not only his personality, but his nature as well.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in much the same way. Hiko refused to back off despite Enishi's short warnings; therefore, Okita took to keeping the big man out of earshot, but staying just in sight.
Just as the sun start to set, they could the see the massive stone entrance that was the main one. Okita noticed two shadows slip around the side and gave a sigh of relief. Shishio had maintained his werewolf guards and now they were off to set the alarm. An alarm that served a dual purpose to those inside. Kikisha have been very explicit in her explanation about how the humans and packs would be warned first, then the vampires. But they had to arrive before sunset to make the alarm look as genuine as possible.
He gave a respectful nod indicating that they should stay put before loping off to the perimeter guardhouse. It wasn't much, just a small shack that held clothing and provided a private place for changing. He forced his body to pass phases faster than normal and threw some clothing on that were approximately his size. Double-checking his katana he pulled his dark hair up into a ponytail and tied it with a strip of leather. That was another thing Shishio didn't allow his slave to do, put their hair up. To do so was to invite it to be hacked off. Usually in quite a rough manner.
When he returned the pair had shed themselves of everything but their weapons. Even Hiko's large sake jug that had yet to leave his side was forlornly placed to the side with the other supplies.
"You want us to go in the front?"
Okita gave a brief nod and made a flash decision to at least warn them, "Lord Shishio will be expecting you, as is one my pack leaders, Saitoh. I'm afraid neither will be particularly welcoming, however, the werewolves will do their best to keep the lower fighters out of your way. The only ones you should watch for are Soujirou," Okita paused to watch Hiko's knuckles turn white and his eyes flame, "And Usui. Usui is an oni, but he is very skilled."
"And no longer a problem. Saitoh chopped him in half." Sano said suddenly materializing out of the shadows. He wasn't wearing his usual white clothing. Instead he was wearing dark brown cloth. He looked Hiko up and down briefly, "Heh, you don't look nearly so big now."
"But you are just as young and naïve." Hiko replied easily ignoring the werewolf's tangible anger. "Led on then."
"Sure thing your highness." Sano growled giving Okita a playful punch to the shoulder. His light blow, or what he thought was a light blow, rocked the smaller wolf.
"Sanosuke, this is Hiko," Okita said smoothly, "And that is Enishi."
"Nice to meet you." Although he spoke with jovialness in his tone, his eyes were dark and unfriendly. He absently fingered the pale line that traced his shoulder crossways.
"Do you have a weapon?" Okita asked certain that Sano knew of the plan by now. He wouldn't have shown up otherwise.
Sanosuke gave an embellished shrug and cracked his knuckled heavily. He looked around carelessly and chewed idly on the end of the stick he had placed in his mouth. Finally he spit it out and shrugged again.
"Naw. They broke my zanbatou when I first wandered in, and I just don't see me using some light weight katana." He gave a vicious grin showing off his slightly pronounced canine teeth and smacked his palm with a fist, "Besides, I've got knuckles of steel."
"Idiot." Hiko snorted.
"Maybe, but I'm not going to face the boy wonder. You're totally welcome to that. He gives me the creeps." Sano paused and he added in a quiet voice, "The dead should stay that way."
"They certainly are not able to rest in peace with such a monster conjuring them for his own twisted pleasure." Hiko snarled and Sano blinked at the reaction.
"You should go straight through those doors. No one will halt your progress." Okita paused wondering if his duty was over. He looked to Sano who nodded. "A new guide may or may not appear, I do not know. Good luck. May your blades find the vengeance you seek."
The pair of youths watched the mismatched couple stride down.
"Hey buddy, you okay? You're usually not so quiet. They didn't hurt you did they?" Sano growled casting a baleful glare at their backs, "I don't trust them. They're humans."
Okita shook his head seriously then grinned lightly, "So are we. Well, partly. What do you mean Usui's been chopped up?"
"Just what it sounds like. Saitoh took the guy out with his katana." Sano quickly related the events and Okita looked at him suspiciously still keeping a light grin on his face. How did his friend know so much?
"But Sayo was murdered last night by Soujirou. Misao was really broken up about it." Sano said seriously looking disturbed. The youth had been the one to actually find the miko and bring her back. He probably felt responsible for her and her protection. Sanosuke was like that. A good guy to have on your side when the chips were down. "Other than that it's been business as usual."
"And a certain fox?" Okita teased.
"Gah! First I get yelled at for showing an interest and now you're encouraging it? What kind of friend are you anyway?" Sano said shoving him playfully. "She's under Tokio's wing now. Or so I gathered from the dining hall last night."
"Tokio!" To say that he was shocked was an understatement. Tokio never taught anyone personally. The last one to benefit from her tutelage was Kikisha. But that had been years ago when the woman first came. Megumi must really have been important.
"Yeah, I know. Misao was seething. I almost lost an ear. She ranted about an outsider taking our alpha and how Foxy was with 'those murderers'." Sano's eyes narrowed, "That's why we're going to stick together when the battle is pitch right buddy? I need help keeping my little weasel in check."
Okita gave a companion some nod in agreement. Misao was still not quite herself. Besides, the three of them were capable enough to handle most any vampire in the compound. He was sure that Misao still had Aoshi's kodachi and she was proficient at using it even though she tended to rely on her throwing knives more. Even without a weapon Sano was excellent at using his fists.
Okita checked his katana and nodded.
"Of course. What sort of packmate would I be if I didn't?"
"Good point." Sano said sheepishly. He paced slightly squinting at the dimmed horizon. "Not for another minute. Damn. You know what?"
"What?" Okita asked patiently. He was confident in his skills. There was nothing to worry about. If the humans failed it was hardly the werewolves fault. He felt wary about letting his alpha take the blame if it came to that. Here he was preparing to fight with no consequences in sight. He shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind. A warrior shouldn't be distracted before a battle. He should focus.
"If I die will you take care of her?" Sano asked softly. He avoided Okita's questioning gaze. Thoughts of death before a battle was hardly unusual, but Sano was always so cocksure and arrogant. He had always been that way. It was him. It was Sano.
A heavy hand grabbed Okita's heart and he gazed into the darkness, "I can't promise that Sano."
"I know."
They sat in silence for another moment.
"I guess it's time to go huh? Well, I'll just have to make sure not to die!" Sano grimaced as the words echoed slightly.
Okita matched Sano's long strides and Misao met them at the side entrance. She was holding the kodachi loosely and there were several places Okita suspected hidden knives were stashed. She gave them both a grin and an impulsive hug.
"You guys ready?" She asked seeming like her old self. She jumped on Sano's back rambunctiously and clung like a monkey. He tried to shake her off until she grabbed a fistful of hair. "Kikisha should be telling Sissy any moment now."
"And what a joy that will be. Will you get off me?" Sano grunted. "Don't you go running off. We're making up a threesome here and that means you've got to stick with us."
Okita rolled his eyes as Misao dragged the young wolf's head around and gave an impish peck on Sano's nose. He crossed his eyes at her and she slid off his back.
There was muffled shouting from down the stone hallway. The sounds were grossly distorted, but it was clear enough that the battle had been pitched. He silently slid forward being faster than either of his companions. He could feel his blood begin to pound and could hear the overwhelming noise of the footfalls behind him.
This certainly wasn't his first battle, nor would it be the first time his blade had taken life. Unlike Sano and Misao he had been trained to fight for a very specific reason and he had used those skills in the service of Shishio to quell rebellions or instill terror into small villages. He and Death were well acquainted from years before.
They skittered around the bend to find Kaoru and the kid that had been with the hunters backed against the wall. Already the smell of tangy copper from split blood saturated the area teasing Okita's senses and driving his instincts wild. He clamped down firmly on the urge to jump the nearest enemy and tear out his throat.
Instead he rationalized the situation at a glace. Several human slaves lay slain in crimson puddles and a werewolf, from another pack, panted with a horrendous injury to the neck. She reached over to the knife that lay at a downed human's side. With a pained, jerky effort she drew the blade across the calf of the nearest vampire. He barely flinched and without turning twisted his blade into her back with a sickening crack breaking her spine.
Misao snarled and threw herself at the vampire. Her blade whipped past Okita's head expertly and buried to the hilt in the undead man's face. He calmly plucked them out even the one that had taken him in the eye.
"So the little wolfies think they're big 'n' bad." He said with a leer. "Ain't bad lookin' either."
Before Misao could react Sano had flown past her landing a blow on the vampire's jaw and knocking him into a stone wall. Okita slid deftly between his friend and the blade destined for Sano's back. Steel clanged and he threw the larger fighter off.
Baring his teeth Okita gave a fierce grin. Their swords did an intricate dance seeking weakness and the steel almost seemed to flow as if it were alive. The vampire was far quicker and he had a strength advantage, but Okita's natural talent even the scales and perhaps even tipped them in his favor.
With a feint to the left he opened up the other's guard and was about to thrust his blade into the empty area where a heart should be. Instead he was shoved from behind. Stumbling from the unexpected force his blade tore across the vampire's side and lodged into the ribs.
The cradle of bones refused to give up their unexpected prize and Okita was forced to let go of the hilt.
"Here!"
The human tossed something at him and he instinctively caught it. The wooden sword, most likely stolen from the training area, had a newly sharpened point. There were dents in the side and he could tell she hadn't been using it correctly. You simply couldn't bludgeon a vampire to death. You couldn't even defend yourself with such an ineffective tactic.
Whirling the wooden sword into a better grip he turned swiftly to parry the blade that whistled down towards him. He turned his weapon slightly so that it wasn't slashed in half before driving it forward and straight through the vampire's chest. This time he didn't miss his intended target. The wooden point stabbed easily in the way his blade didn't and it didn't stop until he withdrew his pressure.
Retrieving his katana he looked up to see Misao and Sano finish off the last of their foes. There were only four corpses on the ground so it hadn't been that large of a group. He wrenched the wooden sword out of the carcass and handed it back handle first.
"You shouldn't be afraid to stab. It could mean your life if you don't." He pointed out kindly.
The human twitched under his careful gaze, but looked up with fiery eyes, "I can't betray my father's beliefs."
"Give it up Okita. They'll be fine if they get outside."
"And who said I was going to run away from the fighting you brute!" The woman screamed at Sanosuke and he blinked lazily.
"You should consider it because you're a tasty looking snack Missy."
"Hey, you're that werewolf." The boy said poking his stick sword at Sano. He scrutinized Misao and Okita, "And you were with that Aoshi vampire. Heh, Enishi did a good job with him."
"Why you…" Misao shrieked in fury. Sano barely grabbed her twisting her arms back and holding her down. She was screaming obscenities that Okita had never even heard before.
"Kid you must really have a real wish to be skinned alive because that's what she'll do to you if I let go."
"She can't do anything to me." The boy said making a face and further enraging Misao.
"Now now. He's just a kid Misao." Okita said trying to be soothing. "We have a battle to attend. Now is not the time to start meaningless fights."
"But he insulted Lord Aoshi!" She snarled as Sano carefully untangled his arms from around her lithe form. He kept a cautious hand on her braid just in case.
"Which means more to you? Your dead master or your freedom." It was harsh, but it needed to be said.
Sano paused and looked between them. He started to open his mouth, but he closed it again. A wise move. This wasn't something he could answer for her. It had to be her decision. If one little loud mouth child could sway her then it would be dangerous for all of them if she kept fighting.
She bit her lip in indecision with her emerald gaze flickering over to Sano. He leaned against the wall ignoring her imploring looks. The humans looked between them in confusion. The faint melody composed of the screams of the wounded drifted in like a light scent on the breeze.
"I… my freedom." She said suddenly with fierce determination. A brace of knives flashed between her fingers before disappearing out of sight. To Okita's amusement the kid was looking a bit pale. "Let's go guys! Why are you just standing there?"
Okita cast an amused glance at Sano and noticed he was a little pale himself.
"Are you all right?"
"Perfectly." He croaked then grinned sheepishly and blinked, "I guess I've never killed anyone like that before. It's a little upsetting."
"In your mind or your stomach."
"I'm regretting having some meat that looks like that guy's face." Sano said jerking his thumb in the direction of a body with a face comparable to ground beef. Okita winced seeing his point. "If we don't hurry the little weasel will throw herself into a fight without us."
That's how the trio spent the next hour and a half, skirmishing with vampires and loyal human slaves, and even other vampire-loyal werewolves. Although winded lightly, the three were young and in good shape and practice.
"If you'd just sit still you stupid rooster!" Misao yipped bodily trying to make the larger male sit still. "If you leave this open it will get infected! Or worse, it will tear and rip off all your skin. I like my guys with all their skin thanks."
"Go get Okita! It's a scratch!" Sano said pushing her hand, and the needle, away.
Okita paused in his vigilance to give himself a brief once over. His muscles complained, but not from overuse. They were pleased to be stretched and strained. It left a pleasant tingling sensation when he moved them. There was a long, shallow slash across his ribcage where another werewolf, favoring a pair of kama, had taken him off guard. It bled sluggishly now that he wasn't in motion. There was a deep gash on his upper thigh from a lucky hit with a dagger and a strained muscle beneath his diaphragm. Other than that he was perfectly fine. His breathing had evened out and they had found water so they wouldn't dehydrate. He was ready for the break to be over.
To kill a bit of time he stripped his top off and tore it into makeshift bandages. He carefully wrapped them around his side after flushing it out. He treated his thigh the same way.
"Well look 'ere Anji. These musta be th' three causin' so much trouble eh?" Okita had no trouble recognizing the tall, blond vampire. In the vampire's hand was one of his favorite weapons and Okita had no doubt that wrapped around his waist would be another. Not to mention the ones bristling from other parts of his anatomy. Those weapons were children to him.
The dark vampire's coal smeared eyes looked them over mildly. He cut an impressive figure, but that didn't stop Sanosuke from giving a rouge grin and a gesture that could only be interpreted as bring it on.
"So what? We're just doing the world a favor!" Misao said with evident pride and no little maliciousness in her voice. She had the kodachi out and ready. Unlike her late master she didn't try to use the blade as an offensive weapon, but she excelled defensively.
"That one's mine." Sano bristled looking at the former monk. The vampire looked back impassively with his cold, jaded eyes.
Okita whirled in time to blunt the attack aimed to separate his head from his shoulders. He slipped out of the sword lock dragging his katana down the length of Chou's double bladed sword. He jerked the edge away just as Chou moved to trap it.
The vampire had always had an unhealthy fascination with swords and he was very proficient in fighting with them. Especially the one he held at the moment. It was a curious design with two blades running parallel out of the same base a mere inch apart. However, curious turned into deadly when both plunged into flesh like giant metal viper fangs.
"Be a goo' little doggie an' tuck yer tail." Chou advised with his one open eye glittering. Okita stared at him as the blades locked again. His slight statue was a major disadvantage against the lanky sword collector who out did him in everything. While Okita had been expecting to fight he hadn't planned on running into any of the Ten Swords.
The blood roaring in his ears he flicked the larger fighter off again and retreated trying to think of a strategy. He danced back as Sanosuke's body crashed past him taking Chou with it into the adjacent wall. The two slid down in a daze heap, but before Sano could recover Anji was on him again. The pair continued their fight moving slowly out of range.
Chou staggered to his feet and shook his head in a daze fashion. Okita didn't need a second invitation.
He pressed his lucky advantage and narrowly missed having his jugular slashed open. Undaunted he danced out of range before darting back in with his three-point strike. Chou's double blade clattered just out of reach and before the blond could recover it Misao had kicked it into the dark shadows of the corner.
"So ya wanna play eh?" Chou snarled, his face twisted with hate and arrogance. His hand when to his waist revealing the steel curled around his middle. With an exaggerated flick of his wrist he uncoiled the beast and straightened it out. "I didn' wanna use this, but ya forced me."
Okita backed up a step wondering what he was going to do. The sword not only had an amazing reach, but it was incredibly flexible. One small movement could send it seeking an errant enemy. It was a precise effort, but Okita had seen Chou skewer a child through the hand with one practiced move. There was no doubt the blond, for all his boasting and attitude, could pose a true problem.
"Hey you bully!" Misao shouted and Okita's peripheral vision saw the blur of movement that he assumed were knives.
Chou dodged bringing his whip-like sword to bear knocking the missiles away and lashing out at the small, spunky fighter. She dodged the seeking tip and bared her teeth.
There was a loud crash as a body hit the wall for the second time. This time it was the dark skinned monk who was picking himself up. He didn't look fazed in the slightest that he had made a foot deep indentation into solid stone.
"There's more where that came from." Sano challenged wiping away a trickle of blood that he had coughed up. One hand dangled forlornly at his side and he was leaning heavily on one hip, but the cocky grin hadn't left his face even as his eyes clouded with pain.
"You will not win." The monk replied with quiet certainty.
"So you say!"
Okita, Chou, and Misao paused to watch the stunts the two pulled. Whenever their punches hit something other than flesh it would seem to dissolve into a fine powdery substance.
"You learn through watching." Anji noted in a detached manner, "Still, once I disarm your fists you will be helpless. Then I will crush you."
"You can…" Sano paused with a grunt as a thrown punch clipped his broad shoulder, "Try you bastard."
"Eh, 'nuff gawkin'." Chou shrugged turning his attention back to their paused fight. But before he could redirect his blade he was smashed into a wall. "This place is too small fer this! Didja think I wanna be flattened by my fellow vampire?"
"It's a good look for you broomhead."
Okita rolled his eyes. Did this have to turn into a mudslinging episode?
Chou had recovered himself yet again, but Okita knew better to try and take advantage. Vampires didn't get winded and the crushed bones were probably no more than a tinge of pain as they mended.
Before the blond could send his snake blade questing for flesh and bone Misao launched a fistful of knives. As he whipped the blade up to deflect them Okita knew he had hesitated a second too long. There was the rewarding sound as half the missiles pinged off steel but the other half hit their intended target. It was disturbing, however, to see the blond casually pluck on out of his eye and toss it away. The wounded parts of his face made it look like someone had started poking holes in it and the gaping socket where the eyeball used to rest was nauseating.
Okita wasn't sure what happened next, but somehow the hand grappling had once again been set on a crash course. Unfortunately it wasn't Chou in the path of their flight this time.
Misao yelped in surprise at the two locked combatants flew towards her. She tried to dive to the side, but Okita could easily tell she would be too slow in her movement to escape. If she was lucky she could shave the force of the blow.
However, Lady Luck had chosen that moment to be fickle because Misao let out a hiss of pain and fell down to the floor ungracefully. Instinctively she clutched her hurt ankle, which had twisted.
"Where did ya think yer going boyo?" Chou sneered as Okita started towards the catastrophe that was about to happen. "How painful to be crush into the wall. Yet I don't thin' she'll be gettin' up af'er this."
Yet by some miracle Misao had the sense to flatten herself out and roll. She staggered back up with one foot planted and her knee pressed against stone to steady her. Although her whole body was shaking with pain and adrenaline she carefully took aim at Anji's broad, conspicuous back. Her normally cheerful eyes were almost colored black because her pupils had dilated and her face was set in a hard line.
Okita felt relief course through him. Trust Misao to scrape out of that alive. It reminded him that being small of stature was an advantage. He quickly reviewed his fight so far with Chou. There was no way he could win at the rate he was going. Chou had every advantage and his reach was impossibly long. If Okita could somehow get under his guard and close in he would just have another, more appropriate blade ready.
As he watched Anji stumble by he had a peculiar idea. It was one that Saitoh most certainly wouldn't approve of, and not only that, but it was incredibly risky. However, if he could rig it correctly it would be a way to defeat Chou. The longer the battle dragged on the less likely the werewolves would have a chance at coming out alive.
He needed some cooperation from Misao and Sano though and he didn't know how to convey what he needed. He made a move towards Misao, but the long blade made a slash at his exposed chest. Falling back he tried to catch her eye instead. Wolf language was based more on body language. If he could get her to pay attention then he could tell her what he needed without saying it aloud.
He gave a sharp, signature yip that jerked his companions' head up. The sound was mutilated by his human throat, but it accomplished the intended task.
Misao nodded, a move, which Chou didn't even notice, and she grabbed her sheathed kodachi. All Sanosuke needed to do was lead Anji toward the blond. Not a hard task in such a confined space.
With a burst of speed Okita rushed the lanky fighter slipping past his blade. As he expected, the vampire swung it to his left and unsheathed another from his back. The curved tachi met with Okita's katana and he felt his blade sliding along the arch of the bowed blade.
Okita gave a quick glance towards Sano. With an immense effort he threw himself bodily at his katana's back with one hand on the hilt and the other cradling the flat. His chest hit his hands and the weight pushed forward against Chou's sword.
The vampire never expected the move and it caught him completely off guard. Before he could recover himself there was a dull whistling sound and a satisfying smack. While slightly off course, Misao's aim had been good enough for the kodachi to hit the back of the knee.
Even if he didn't feel pain, his body still reacted in the normal way. His assaulted knee buckled under the hit driving his down to his knees. Sano twisted out of reach as Anji's elbow came at him. Unfortunately for Chou, Anji couldn't seem to stop his powerful blow. It smashed into his surprised, unresisting forehead. A ripple went through him and his body followed the stone's example turning to powder.
"Wahoo! Great plan Okita!" Misao hollered as Anji blinked at the remains of his former companion. He didn't have time to react to the accidental friendly fire because Sanosuke hadn't let up with his attack.
"Misao, we need to get out of the way." Okita panted feeling winded. He had gained several new flesh wounds, but nothing too serious. However, being crushed by two giants was hardly the death he wished for.
"Okay, but I can't stand on my ankle. I think I broke it." Misao said and winced as he felt the length of it not so gently. There wasn't time. His fingers felt the place where the bone no longer met and he shook his head. She was lucky it hadn't shattered as well or that it wasn't sticking out through her skin.
"I think you did too." Okita said and offered her his shoulder. She clutched it and dragged herself up to an unbalanced standing. Her eyes flicked over to the abandoned kodachi that lay to the left of the fighting. Okita followed her gaze, "Don't even think about it Misao. We need to get out of here in one piece."
"But I'm out of knives!" She protested.
"No. We can get it when Sano's done."
Before the young wolf could react, she had torn herself out of his grasp flinging herself at the blade a few yards away. Having spent half her life on four feet she had little difficult adapting her stride for such a short sprint and managed to not use her leg. But once she skittered to a stop and scooped up the steel she had lost her momentum.
"Misao move!" Okita screamed. She had been lucky the first time to get off with a broken ankle, but Fate didn't like cheaters.
She stared up in a panic and scrambled to comply. Her ankle gave out from under her with a loud crack making her scream in pain.
Okita cast around for something, anything, he could do to save her, but in his heart and mind both he knew there was nothing. He could run over there and scoop her from the jaws of Death. Nor was there anything that could knock the pair off their present course. Assuming he could lift something that heavy in the first place.
No matter how deep in the lust of fighting Sano was her scream brought him out of it. He craned his neck and his eyes widened with fear. They were so close now that he couldn't stop it, not that he would have much success if he had tried before, or slow. Instead he did the only option that was open to him.
With all four limbs he cast Anji away from him. The monk careened out of control before smashing through an already weakened wall. There was a pitch black hole where his body had been forced through before the stone started tumbling down to cover it. The whole corridor shook and rumbled in protest to the abuse of its support. Stone dust and flakes sprinkled down showering Okita's dark hair. His eyes never left his two friends as if he were unmindful of the danger of being buried alive.
Sano's large body contorted in an unnatural way to accommodate his wish to grab Misao. He wretched her bodily upward and against his chest with his muscles corded and strained to accomplish such an impossible task in midair.
Okita had to force himself to keep watching. There was no way his friend could survive that. If the vampire hadn't then Sanosuke surely wouldn't. Even diamonds had a breaking point.
The young wolf's back hit the wall with a sharp, explosive crack followed by several small noises as his bones broke and crumbled under the pressure. His head lolled at a strange angle, although the back of the skull wasn't even hurt. He and Misao slid down both crumpled and broken.
Okita stood frozen now that the danger of battle was over. How could he be so calm when wielding a weapon offensively? How it didn't bother him who was kill, by or around him. Yet now that the danger was past he was frozen, rooted.
Misao groaned, almost inaudibly, and stirred. It seemed to break the spell because he raced over almost tripping over himself in his haste. She was still alive, but how hurt was she? Sano's body surely absorbed most of the impact, but he had hit the wall very hard.
Her emerald eyes were open, but unseeing. The cloudy orbs shifted in confusion and she licked her lips wincing when saliva met open cuts. Shifting slightly she hissed and made a sharp grab for her ankle.
"What?" She whispered sinking back against Sano. The man's arms were still wrapped around her protectively.
Okita brushed a hand across Sano's neck although he already knew the answer that his silent fingers sought to affirm. There was just no way. No way Sano could have survived that.
The sensitive tips brushed across the lump that pressed against skin at an odd angle. No way. Not when his spine was snapped and shattered like a discarded katana.
"You are hurt from the fight." Okita replied uncertainly. Her eyes, half closed to ward off pain and confusion, were clearing. He was scared to tell her the truth. Scared that it would send her body into shock and her mind spiraling. She could already have damaged her memories.
"What fight?" She murmured, trying to bury her face in Sano's shirt. Okita gently tried to coax her to him, but she ignored his efforts.
"You remember your name?"
"Misao." She answered softly.
"And mine?" He pressed hopefully. Maybe she hadn't lost too much. He knew head injuries were fickle things.
"Okita. And this is Sano."
Was Sano, Okita mentally corrected looking away. He should be stronger. He should brush it off and continue fighting. There would be time to mourn, or not. Would it be so bad if he went down in battle?
He felt the familiar tightening in his chest. It was purely luck that no one knew. It certainly wasn't because he could control his body's reactions. If anyone had inquired overly much he brushed it off as asthma.
"Yeah, Sano. We need to get out of here. Do you think you can stand Misao?" Okita asked nervously. Not for himself, but for her. She was in no shape to fight.
She slowly complied dragging her battered body up. He was almost hesitant to touch her, to make her injuries worse, but she obviously couldn't walk by herself. Especially not with her ankle the way it was.
"Aren't we going to take Sano?" She asked seeming drugged. He supposed it was the body's natural defense against the overwhelm hurt her nerve endings must be suffering. He could just tell her a little white lie… and then what? She'd, at the least, be very disappointed in him when she found out. Then again, he didn't need her going into hysterics because her brain was in shock.
"Sano…" He choked on his words. He couldn't, he just couldn't sit there and calmly lie to pacify her. It was harsh, but it was reality. "Sanosuke is dead Misao."
She blinked slowly with her mouth going into a small 'o'. Her lips moved slightly for a moment, but not even noise came out let along the words that must be tumbling over in her mind. She bit her lip and looked up with moist eyes threatening to cry.
"Dead? Are you sure?" She asked sullenly. The shadows that had been there after Aoshi's death had returned. Her eyes were unfocused and dark as she turned her head towards his body.
"I'm very sure Misao." Okita said sincerely. "His spine broke from the angle and the force of the blow. He died instantly."
"Don't give me the mechanics, please." She requested with an odd lit to her voice. It was cold as an icy stream of spring melted snow and sharp. She reached down to prod her ankle showing none of the reaction he was expecting. This time he was sure she had been lost, so lost. Even her natural cheer and bubbly nature crumpled under the blows of loss.
They sat in an uncomfortable silence before she said calmly, "You should go fight. You're not too badly wounded and I'd only slow you down." There was an underlying accusation in her tone the cut at him. Yes, he was, all things considered, fairly well off physically.
"I can't leave you here by yourself!" Okita protested, torn. His blood flared with ill-concealed excitement as his mind was brought back to the battle that still ran rampant. He wanted to be out there doing what was right. He wanted his sword to bite for freedom and tear for justice. Yet how could he ever forgive himself if he just left Misao?
His mind echoed back to the eerie conversation that he and Sano had held before the battle commenced. The words about just not having to die rang in his mind. And the almost-promise he had made. Misao simply couldn't shove him away like that.
"Gather some of my knives and give them here. You can set me up in the shadows and I'll stay hidden. If someone finds me I can always defend myself with my knives."
Not your kodachi? You can't blame things on a weapon. A part of Okita's mind accused harshly. The logical and rational part of him was rebelling in earnest now.
"Hoji just snuck past that end corner." Misao remarked sinking to the ground and scooting over towards what used to be Sano. "Even if I can't have my revenge you could at least have yours."
"It was foolish of him to do so near me." Okita hissed coldly feeling deadly anger race through his causing unconscious reactions in his body. "Not that he would remember one little torture victim, or care who was hurt."
No matter how deep and fast flowing his rage was he still had control. It was one of the earliest lessons drummed into him, and even in the most testing of times it remained. It was his lifeboat and anchor all at once.
"So go. What are you waiting for?" Misao screamed when he looked to the stars for answers. Of course, all he saw was stone. Cursed stone.
"I can't leave you because I made a promise. The living should take precedent over the dead in any case."
She looked at him, "You can't be serious. You get the perfect chance and you throw it away?"
"Am I throwing it away?"
Mary-Ann: Quite honestly, I find it strange to think Saitoh under anyone's domination. I haven't watched the Christain Arc either actually, not yet anyway. You didn't miss much. She's just a religious nut that died in the anime ^^ That about covers it as far as I know. More Hiko and Enishi next chapter!
Wistful-Eyes: Only three more chapters not counting this one. That's how far I've seen of the anime also. Something I hope to fix eventually.
Fyyrrose: No we won't. I want to go to bed. Shishio will only win if you write an alternate ending. Minor? Oh yes, minor. Something that's been planned for over a decade. Your humor is scary. HH updates all the time. You just only read one of her stories. Keeps are good. I play for keeps all the time. There's no point otherwise. Yes, if he wasn't burnt alive and shot in the head Shishio would have killed Aoshi, Kenshin, Saitoh, and Sano. I tell you, Hoji needs a mancatcher. That is totally his sort of weapon O__O I "play" all the time. Its called writing. -__- Don't get me started on my family right now. They are 'assedness' just like the dsl people. She would make a weird Shinto priestess O.o but C. wasn't around in Japan back then. Neither was Buddhism. If you recall, that fight scene was only supposed to be five paragraphs, not five pages. Wait too long? I have an update schedule. You don't. Besides, I'm writing a ton of fics. I need to finish Transgender.
MissBehavin: I thought you'd like that ^__~ Shishio didn't think that Soujirou WOULD figure things out on his own LMAO. Misao is already out of control, but now Soujirou's in some real trouble with her ^^ If you mean "getting together" romantically, no. I try not to reuse couples unless I really like them.