DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.
Author's Notes: Kaoru believes that Kenshin is dead after his fight with Shougo. She vows to avenge his death. After defeating Shougo, she begins a reign of terror against some of Kenshin's former enemies. Who will stop her? K&K romance. (Please note, this fic is not based off the movie "An Eye for an Eye" I just couldn't think up another title.) An Eye for An Eye Romance/Drama Fanfiction by Gypsy-chan Enjoy!
Light Shimabara Arc Spoiler Warning (This story does not follow every detail of the actual Shimabara Arc episodes, especially in places where I've indicated that Shougo uses a corrupt blade. I changed that part for the sake of my story.) Also, this fanfic is totally OOC.
Part Three
As Kaoru relaxed in her long desired bath, she let the steam of the hot bath water take over her senses.
"Kenshin.... I miss you so much."
She paused in her thinking to wipe away stray tears that had fallen on her already tear stained cheeks.
"Tomorrow will be a new day for me. I shall start my training with Soujirou. I will avenge your death my belove. I promise."
********************
The next day, Kaoru and Soujirou were up before dawn. They quitely left the dojo in order to train in the forest. After selecting a secluded area for training, Soujirou glanced over to Kaoru and smiled.
"I see you are not use to the early hours," said Soujirou as he watched Kaoru wipe the sleep from her eyes. "Maybe we should find a more suitable training time for you."
"You need not concern yourself over such trivial matters. I'm ready to begin my training," replied Kaoru as she removed the sheathe from Kenshin's sakabatou.
Soujirou took note as to how Kaoru was holding Kenshin's sword. "I can see from the way you hold Himura-san's sakabatou that you are experienced with the sword. I'm impressed. I had heard that you only fought with wooden swords."
"I am the Adjutant Master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. My father didn't limit my training to the use of a bokken or shinai. He trained me in all aspects of swordsmanship, which would include the use of various types of swords."
"That is very interesting. Please, tell me more about Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I don't know much about it."
Kaoru was now becoming frustrated with Soujirou.
"I thought we were suppose to train. I didn't get up before the crack of dawn to stand in the middle of this god-forsaken forest to discuss my fighting techiniques. Are we going to train or not!"
"Please accept my apologies if I have offended you Kaoru-dono," replied Soujirou as he bowed respectfully before her. "I know that you are an experienced swordsman. How else could you have beaten Kamatari, former member of the Juppongatana. Training you will be easier than it would be for someone who has never learned the art of swordsmanship. However, in order for me to train you properly, I need to understand the philosphies of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu."
Kaoru lowered her sword and sighed heavily. "Very well... I suppose I would ask the same question of a student coming to me for training from another dojo." Kaoru paused for a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing.
"The Kamiya Kasshin school teaches the sword that protects life. It is the sword wielded for people, to protect. One sword can protect you, or make two destinies. If you fight and lose with such a sword, you have not fulfilled your destiny to protect yourself...* or the ones you love."
"I see." smiled Soujirou. "That is a very interesting concept. Now I understand why Himura-san stopped wandering and took up residence at your dojo. The teachings of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu re-enforced the pacifist side of him in which he desperately clung to. He must have been pleased to find someone else in this world to share his ideas and beliefs."
Kaoru lowered her head briefly at his last words. She didn't want Soujirou to see the tears that were threatening to spill upon her face.
"What good is Kamiya Kasshin Ryu or pacifism when it claims the lives of the one you love," she replied through trembled voice.
"I don't want to talk anymore." With raised sword in front of her she shouted, "I want to train now!"
"Then we shall begin your training," smiled Soujirou as he pulled out his sword.
********
Meanwhile, on an island far from Tokyo, a redheaded swordsmen lie quietly in the bunk that was provided for him. He was in deep thought.
"I wished I could remember what happened to me. I don't know who I am or why I am surrounded by darkness. If only I could remember.... if only...."
His thoughts were cut short by the creeking of his cabin door. By instinct, he reached toward his side as though he was reaching for a katana.
"I see you are up early," replied the voice of a woman.
"I recognize that voice. It is the same voice I heard yesterday when I had regained consciousness. Maybe this woman can give me some answers."
"Hai," he responded while sitting up. "For some reason I prefer mornings."
"I like mornings too. It is a time to reflect on what was accomplished the day before and to prepare for the day ahead of you."
Shura was now standing next to Kenshin's bunk. As she reached down toward his chest, he suddenly grabbed her wrist. Shura didn't flinch, she remained calm instead.
"Don't worry, I shall not harm you. I've come to change your bandages."
Kenshin placed his other hand over his chest while keeping a firm grip on her wrist. He then remembered waking up feeling several wounds on his chest before it was wrapped in bandages.
"How did I get wounded," he asked after slowly releasing her wrist. At that point, he didn't view her as a threat.
Shura didn't respond right away. She wanted to ponder over her answer first.
"Should I tell him the truth? Should I tell him that we found his battered body drifting off the coastline in Shimabara? No... I shall withhold the truth for now."
"I was hoping you would tell me," she answered nonchantly while unwrapping the soiled bandages from his chest.
He turned his head sideways and muttered softly, "I.... I don't remember anything. I can't even remember my name."
Shura silently gasped. "Himura has forgotten who he is?"
She stared at the deep wound on his chest.
"I should not be surprised by his lapse in memory. He received many severe wounds along with a head injury from his last fight. The village doctor said he may have some kind of head trauma from the injury on his head."
Shura had finished cleaning Kenshin's chest wound and began applying ointment to his chest. He winced slightly. She began to frown.
"If I ever catch the man who did this to Himura, I shall make him die a slow and painful death. However, I must not dwell on that now. Kenshin Himura is alive and with me. That's all that matters." Shura finally broke the silence and spoke.
"My name is Captain Shura. I am the leader of the Kai-ryu pirates. You are... you are Kintaro, my new first officer."
Kenshin allowed the name to slowly leave his lips. "Kin...taro?"
"Yes. Iwanzu, my faithful servant, informed me of the trouble you encountered while on assignment."
Kenshin lifted his head into the direction of Shura's voice upon hearing the word trouble.
"Trouble?"
"Yes," she sighed. "Last week I sent Ginjo, my former first officer, out on an assignment with a few of my crew. You were among the crew members that went with him. It seems Ginjo had planned to form an alliance with a land dweller who transported opium across the seas. He knew that I would never agree to such an alliance. So he decided to secretly form a mutiny against me. He began by spreading lies about me among the crew. Saying that I had become weak and that the Kai-ryu shouldn't be lead by a female captain. You tried to talk Ginjo out of mutiny but he wouldn't listen. A fight broke out between you and Ginjo."
Kenshin touched his forehead as if he remembered something. Images of his fight with Ginjo began to flicker before him.
"Yes," he uttered, "I do recall fighting with Ginjo. I also recall something else... smoke... fire... and..." He suddenly saw more scattered images flashing inside his mind.
"I see... I see an image of a young girl and that of a young boy. They seem to be looking for me. Who are they? I can't see them clearly. Everything is so blurry. Why can't I make out their faces? Why can't I remember anything?"
Shura abruptly cut his sentence off when she noticed him struggling to remember more. "I can't let you remember anything else Himura... not yet."
"Yes... There was a fire," she firmly stated. "After Ginjo lost his battle with you, he set the island on fire using the explosives he had pillaged from another ship. There was thick, dark smoke everywhere. It was difficult to find anyone in those conditions.
A crew member found Ginjo first. He was unconscience. We brought him aboard ship and went back on land in search of you. The search party rummaged through the wreckage calling out your name. You must have passed out after inhaling all the smoke because you never answered. The smoke and fire made it difficult for continuing the search. We had no choice but to leave the island.
The next, after the fire and smoke had subsided, we went back to search for you. As the rescue crew neared the island, they found your lifeless body drifting out toward the sea. We brought you on board immediately."
"I am most grateful for all you have done for me Captain Shura," said Kenshin through bowed head. "Though I am not worthy of such consideration."
Shura didn't respond outwardly, but began to think, "Why does he think so little of his life? He was willing to sacrifice his life for that Kamiya woman and then he risked his life to save me. What could have happened to make him feel worthless?"
Shura's thoughts were interrupted when Kenshin asked a question.
"What happened to Ginjo?"
"He was executed for his act of treason. It is the way of the Kai-ryu pirates." Shura put a firm hand on Kenshin's shoulder. "It's good to have you back with us Kintaro. When you are feeling better, I'll expect you to resume your duties."
"Excuse me Captain Shura, but how will I carry out the responsibilites of first officer when I have lost my eyesight?"
"I know it won't be easy to carry out your assignments. However, you have demonstrated your loyalty to your captain and to the Kai-ryu. I am confident you can handle the job. I want you to rest now."
"Hai sir," he replied.
After Shura left the room, Kenshin remained motionless. He was trying to process his new identity.
"I am... Kintaro, the new first mate to Captain Shura."As Shura reached the top stairs to the main deck she paused and looked back down the stairs toward Kenshin's cabin. She was beginning to have second thoughts over her actions.
"Why did I lie to him? I've never done that before. And why do I feel that I need to be with Himura whenever I am near him? Is it because... I'm in love with Himura? No! That's foolish thinking! Only weak women think like that! I'm going to go back and tell him the truth and then...."
Shura was suddenly startled out of her thoughts when she heard a noise. She quickly took out her nunchuks preparing to fight when she finally realized that it was Iwanzu, her trusted servant, who made the noise.
"Oh... It's only you Iwanzu," she said after lowering her nunchuks. "Never sneak up on me like that again."
"Sorry Cap'n Shura if I startled you. I was on my way to bring Himura-san some food. After briefly hearing your conversation with Himura, I decided to wait up here until you left his cabin. I didn't want to interrupt."
Shura eyed him carefully before saying, "Tell me Iwanzu, I know you listened in to most of our conversation, do you think what I did was bad? You know... lying to Himura-san?"
"No Cap'n Shura. I don't think what you did was bad. I'm sure you had good reasons. You always do."
Shura seemed relieved.
"However, I can see you are doubting your actions. I am a little curious as to why you lied to Himura-san. Why didn't you just tell him the truth."
"I don't know what came over me. I'm never dishonest when dealing with outsiders. That is not the way of the Kai-ryu. I'm so ashamed of what I've done. Himura has family and friends that are probably worried about him. Especially..."
Shura paused and began remembering how hard Kenshin tried protecting Kaoru when she first encountered him. She also recalled after everything was over, seeing how happy and content Kenshin looked while standing next to Kaoru.
Iwanzu knew that Shura was thinking about Karou. He finished her sentence by adding,
"Especially... that nice young girl. Kamiya-dono was it?"
"I... I don't recall Iwanzu," she sharply replied. "I think you should get that food to our guest. I am sure he is hungry by now." Shura began walking away from him.
"Wait!"
She stopped while keeping her back to Iwanzu. "What is it now Iwanzu. I need to go on shore and get back to the villagers."
"I will keep your secret Cap'n Shura," he uttered softly.
Shura eyes widened at Iwanzu's statement. She turned to face him.
"What was that?"
"If Himura-san's family had wanted him, they would have come after him like they did before. Judging from the injuries he received and the area we found him, they may have assumed that he died and his body drifted out to sea. They are all probably going on with their lives now. Especially Kamiya-dono. I'm sure a beautiful young woman like that would have no problems getting hitched to a land dweller like herself. Himura-san belong here with us."
Shura sighed and lowered her head. "No Iwanzu. He doesn't belong with us. What I did was wrong. I should not keep him from the ones who love him. We're going to take Himura back to his family."
"Cap'n Shura, please let me finish," he pleaded. "What I'm trying to say is, Himura has been given another chance at life. Why can't he stay with us? You and I both know that he will be a great asset to our people. He has the spirit of a warrior. A man like that will never be able to settle down and live a peaceful life. He belong with the Kai-ryu Pirates. His warrior spirit and skills will help obtain peace between the land dwellers and our people. Isn't that what your father always wanted?"
Iwanzu could see Shura pondering over his words.
"You stated earlier that you didn't know why you lied," he continued saying. "I may be an old man and may have forgotten many things, but there is one thing a person never forgets. That is what it feels like to be in love. Love has a way of making people act strangely."
Shura blushed deeply before turning her back on Iwanzu.
"Love has nothing to do with any of this Iwanzu! I'm only interested in the welfare of my people. As you stated earlier, Himura would be a great asset to us. I need for you and Soujouro to help Himura fit in. He will become a part of the Kai-ryu family."
Iwanzu grinned toothlessly as he glanced over to Shura. "Yes, Cap'n Shura. You can count on me." He then held up the tray. "I guess I had better get this tray of food to our new first officer.... Kintaro." Iwanzu padded down the stairs to Kenshin's cabin.
Shura blushed and smiled inwardly at her trusted servant. "Arigatou Iwanzu. I knew that I could count on you."
She turned and left the ship heading on shore toward her village.
********
"That was good," said Soujirou while thinking, "she's better than I expected." He stood in fighting position once more. "Now come at me again, but this time, don't hold back."
Kaoru charged toward Soujirou. Metal clashed against metal. As they sparred Soujirou began to feel Kaoru's ki.
"Her ki is strong but her focus is off. I can feel it in her attack. She probably doesn't realize that she is subconciously still grieving for Himura-san. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to start training so soon. She will have to learn to let everything go and concentrate more. That is the only way she will be able to defeat someone like Amakusa Shougo."
"We should stop now Kamiya-dono. It is getting light and I am sure the others will begin to worry about you."
Kaoru nodded as she stood back from him and re-sheathed the sakabatou.
As they entered the dojo's gate, Kaoru headed for the wood pile. She lifted up a few logs so she could start a fire for her hot bath.
"Allow me to do that for you Kamiya-dono," suggest Soujirou as he grabbed the kindling wood from her hand.
"You don't have to do that. I am capable of making my own bath."
"It's the least I can do. You are allowing me to stay here for free. I would like to help out with some chores."
"Arigatou Soujirou," she uttered listlessly while watching him preparing things for her bath. A stray tear slid down her cheek upon remembering hot Kenshin prepared her bath. She turned her head quickly and went inside the house.
Sano was perched on a branch outside of the dojo. He saw both Kaoru and Soujirou as they entered the dojo gate. He then focused back on Soujirou.
"I wonder what he is up to? I've got to watch him more carefully. I don't trust that little punk." Sano then looked up toward the sky. "Don't worry Kenshin, I'll watch after jou-chan for you. I promise that I will not allow anything to happen to her."
TO BE CONTINUED........
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*The explanation used for Kamiya Kasshin School was taken from Kenshin's conversation with Yahiko. Reference material: Maigo-chan translations, Volume 5, Part 32.
Author's Notes: Konnichiwa minna san! Arigatou for the reviews. I know it's been like ages since my last update. Sorry about that, but I'm the kind of writer that works under inspiration. When the creative juices stop flowing, I just can't write for beans. And I love beans. Anyhoo, I finally got this chapter out. I hope it turned out okay.
This story is definitely a challenge for me. I love Sou-chan but didn't know much about him. So I had to do some research. I also did a little research on pirates in general. It was pretty interesting. Anyhoo, I'll try to update a little sooner. In the meantime, I'm open for suggestions. So, feel free to email me or leave your suggestions or comments on my review. Until the next time, please be patient as I rack my brain for more ideas for the next chapter update.^_^