Author's note: Short chapter this time!! It's about half my normal chaps
but it IS one big fight scene so I guess it's not that bad. Hope this was a
good one and that you enjoy it. Oh and Mei, thanks for the corrections.
Just keep em coming!
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"Si-HA!!" Hiro shouted as he ripped the katana from its sheath.
Kenshin watched as some force within the wind came towards him. It wasn't just a normal gust.....There was something there. He jumped into the air and felt and dulled version of Hiro's attacked which knocked him off balance. Luckily for him he didn't receive the worst of it.....But the ground around him wasn't so lucky. That had been torn to pieces.
As Kenshin hit the ground he quickly drew his own weapon to block the sudden follow-up attack by his adversary. The two opposing pieces of steel clashed together as the two looked into each other's eyes.
"I'm not half bad, am I Himura?" Hiro grunted out.
"You're better then before, that you are.....But not enough as you hoped."
They pushed off each other, charged, and threw in a flurry of attacks, dodges, and parries neither getting a clean swipe on the other one. The audience around them was in awe. They were moving so fast, it was surreal.....Especially Hiro. He was keeping up with Kenshin step for step. If Kenshin ever had a son this would be him...
Kenshin knocked Hiro off his guard and went for a hard downward thrust. Hiro pushed himself wildly to his right and took and quick slash to Kenshin's right shoulder. Hiro stumbled back a bit but regained his balance taking a defensive stance, holding his katana in both hands in front of his face, the blade parallel to the ground.
Kenshin felt his shoulder spilt and liquid run down. He touched it and figured it was only a light scratch. He looked at Hiro with a new admiration. "If you're done warming up, we can really begin." He said, he eyes more serious and to the point.
A gasp came from the peanut gallery. They were just warming up?? But it seemed Kenshin was the only one stretching his muscles as Hiro had the same shocked expression. He bluffed and responded with. "Yeah, I guess we can get to the real thing."
Kenshin sheathed his blade and stood in his style's ready position....The position all men feared. His right hand just dangled over his hilt as he waited for Hiro to attack.
"So this is it." Hiro thought to himself. "Now comes the real Kenshin Himura.....Now comes a glimpse of his olden self....The Battousai. Hmph, I can handle this. His strength comes from the unsheathing of his katana. To block is to sacrifice your weapon. To dodge is futile....The only counterattack if one from afar. My specialty."
Hiro sheathed his own weapon and held the hilt firmly in his left hand. There was silence as they stared each other down. Nothing moved, no one breathed....The only sound came from the rustling of the wind. A leaf caught in the air's tide brushed between the two and just as it passed Hiro's katana was out and the breeze around him was channeled into his weapon to be made into a more destructive force.
The attack this time was much narrower and formed a crude crescent slash as it sped towards the crimson-haired opponent. Kenshin took out his own katana with his sonic speed and sliced the slash in half but the repercussions of the attack was not over. The trial of wind behind the attack was still mighty and strong and it blew through Kenshin like a train. The forced knocked him into the air and away from Hiro. He came to a skidding halt a good distance away.
Another gasp from the group as Kenshin sat up, clearly feeling the affects of that last attack. He grunted as several cuts around his body opened up and bled, none of them serious or deep but enough to remind him they were there.
"Had enough Himura?" Hiro asked with a small smile.
"If I gave up this easily in every fight I would have died a long time ago."
"Heh, persistence is not your friend...."
He stood back up to his feet and motioned for Hiro to attack once again. He nodded and charged, thus continuing the flurry of slashes. This kept up a little while longer until Hiro made a hard side thrust and Kenshin knocking him severely off balance. Hiro hopped back a bit but Kenshin only closed the gap before he could recover. As he ran closer he sheathed his weapon. Before Hiro could react of even blink the dull blue shine of his steel was running along his cheek. Hiro's scream of pain was hallowing when a second whack to his chest took the precious air from his lungs. Hiro was on his back before anyone knew Kenshin even attacked.
"See, Hiro. You have grown greatly but not enough to stand against me. Miss Megume will give you the proper medical attention you need."
Kenshin's katana chinked as he put it away, walking to the dojo.
"You....You wait just a second."
Kenshin turned to see Hiro slowly rising to his feet.
"I didn't train and practice all these years just to beat so easily yet again..." He picked up his katana and stood tall and proud in his defensive position.
"Hiro...." Kenshin said, low and to himself. "....You spirit is strong, this it is.....But it is also misguided." He pulled out his weapon yet again and ran towards Hiro. "I can only hope this will put you in your place!"
"Well just try, Himura!!!!"
A large spark came from the two swords and they were brutally forced against each other over and over again. The energy of the battle was now picking up and both fighters were letting out all the stops. They flipped and jumped trying to best the other. Moves were used that people had never seen before but they still could overcome the other.
Hiro made a straight thrust for Kenshin's side which was parried and forced Hiro right past his opponent. As he turned to meet him, he swung he sword throwing a gust at Kenshin. He moved with his incredible speed and suddenly appeared on Hiro's left side. The only problem with Hiro's fighting style was that it left him open a few seconds after preformed. Kenshin took this time and planted his Sakabato deep into Hiro's elbow. His weapon went flying as the sounds of bone cracking could be heard all around the dojo.
Hiro fell to his knees holding his arm, grunting in pain. Kenshin was about to kneel down next to him but Hiro took his katana in his right hand and took a wild slash towards Kenshin's face. "This isn't over!"
Kenshin's expression was now one of sorrow. Hiro wanted all the world to beat him but he just wasn't strong enough.
"Hiro, I broke your arm...But it still can be healed, stop fighting and get it injuries looked at."
"If I gave up this easily in every fight I would have died a long time ago."
Kenshin gave a faint smile as Hiro recited his own saying. "This isn't the same....You're not going to win."
"The only way I'm going to loose is if you knock me out. Now....Prepare yourself....Rrrraaahh!!"
With that Hiro shot off at Kenshin with speed greater then anything he had used thus far. If Kenshin blinked in even the slightest way then this battle may have ended but the warrior, always ready, counter-attacked just as swiftly.
The attack was so quick, no one noticed that anything happened. He two fighters stood in front of each other....Not moving, not knowing what the outcome was...Kenshin's Sakabato was nestled deep in Hiro's neck and Hiro's own katana was lodged in Kenshin's right shoulder. They each gasped in pain but Hiro felt the worst of it....He stumbled then fell backwards as the tip of his weapon slid itself from Kenshin's body.
Kenshin dropped his weapon and held his shoulder with his free hand. "....With every move you make, Hiro.....You amaze me."
Hiro coughed and gagged trying to speak. Kenshin's attack really did a number to his voice box. Hiro began to squirm around, using all his strength to get up. All he could think about was beating Kenshin. He had to show him he was worthy. Defeat does not help prove something as bold as that. He simple wasn't ready for his fighting style if he couldn't even beat it's wielder. Not only that but his own honor had a few cards to play into this. Of all the battles Hiro had, Kenshin was the only one to ever beat him down without so much as breaking a sweat. He didn't care that it was his first real fight. He HAD to show him he really did grow in strength.....He didn't grow at all if he were to be beaten a second time.
Kenshin watched as the young man rose once again to his feet. His determination was amazing.....How could someone wish to fight so hard. And for what? Bragging rights....It's as if he wished death upon Kenshin and would stop at nothing to get it....
"I will.....I will....I will win!"
Steel again meet familiar steel and sparks lighted up the ever darkening sky. Minute after minute, slash after slash, the fight drew on. Fatigue was setting in and the only thing that seemed to be hitting harder then the sword in their hands were the lungs in their chests.
Hiro and Kenshin rested each on one knee. They looked across at each other. Each nodded to the other. This last attack was going to be it.....No matter what, someone was about to fall. The two warriors stood up and took their own defensive positions. Kenshin with the Sakabato in his left hand held straight up and out like he normally had it and Hiro with his katana in his right hand, hanging down by his side.
Silence fell upon the fight. Nothing dared to interrupt this battle, all that could be heard was the heavy pant from the tired warriors....And the rustling of the wind.
There was a bird in a tree not too far off. It just found some food for it's young family and was feeding them contently. One young bird in the back wasn't getting his fair share and squeaked for his mother's attention.
CRACK! Dust flew from the ground, feet stopped in their place.....Swords meet their targets. Kenshin was widened then narrowed. Hiro's sword was driven deep into his neck if his bones weren't broken his muscles were defiantly ripped from their place. He started to fall forward onto his knees dropping his own weapon from its place half way through Hiro's body. Any more force and it would have come out the other side. Kenshin's vision blurred as he saw Hiro's face kiss the floor. "Well, this is a first for me....A draw." His blurred vision lost sight all together and he fell into a deep slumber.
Tomonadi picked his jaw off the ground when the fight ended. He thought Hiro was good before but he just saw something he never heard of before.....He brought Kenshin....The MIGHTY Kenshin to the ground!! He jumped from his hiding place in the trees and ran over to the group who wasn't paying too much attention to him to begin with.
Yahiko was the only one who wasn't really doing anything. Sanosuke was carrying Kenshin in and Megume and Kaoru were bringing Hiro in. So he dealt with the guest. "Hey kid. Not a good time. Come back later, ok?"
"Oh wait!! Hiro said to tell you that he brought me here! He said I might be able to live here and he'd have my answer when I got here."
"Sorry, but I know nothing about that. Why don't you just go home and come back tomorrow!"
"But that's just it! I don't HAVE a home!!"
"Look, I'm sorry! It's not my call! Come back tomorrow!!"
Yahiko ran back into the house and closed the door. Tomonadi stood in the front of the dojo and just looked on in shock. The rain started to drizzle and he knew it was going to be a hard downpour but he didn't care.....He had no where else to be....He sat right there and waited for someone to come out......Unfortunately, he'd be waiting all night.
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"Si-HA!!" Hiro shouted as he ripped the katana from its sheath.
Kenshin watched as some force within the wind came towards him. It wasn't just a normal gust.....There was something there. He jumped into the air and felt and dulled version of Hiro's attacked which knocked him off balance. Luckily for him he didn't receive the worst of it.....But the ground around him wasn't so lucky. That had been torn to pieces.
As Kenshin hit the ground he quickly drew his own weapon to block the sudden follow-up attack by his adversary. The two opposing pieces of steel clashed together as the two looked into each other's eyes.
"I'm not half bad, am I Himura?" Hiro grunted out.
"You're better then before, that you are.....But not enough as you hoped."
They pushed off each other, charged, and threw in a flurry of attacks, dodges, and parries neither getting a clean swipe on the other one. The audience around them was in awe. They were moving so fast, it was surreal.....Especially Hiro. He was keeping up with Kenshin step for step. If Kenshin ever had a son this would be him...
Kenshin knocked Hiro off his guard and went for a hard downward thrust. Hiro pushed himself wildly to his right and took and quick slash to Kenshin's right shoulder. Hiro stumbled back a bit but regained his balance taking a defensive stance, holding his katana in both hands in front of his face, the blade parallel to the ground.
Kenshin felt his shoulder spilt and liquid run down. He touched it and figured it was only a light scratch. He looked at Hiro with a new admiration. "If you're done warming up, we can really begin." He said, he eyes more serious and to the point.
A gasp came from the peanut gallery. They were just warming up?? But it seemed Kenshin was the only one stretching his muscles as Hiro had the same shocked expression. He bluffed and responded with. "Yeah, I guess we can get to the real thing."
Kenshin sheathed his blade and stood in his style's ready position....The position all men feared. His right hand just dangled over his hilt as he waited for Hiro to attack.
"So this is it." Hiro thought to himself. "Now comes the real Kenshin Himura.....Now comes a glimpse of his olden self....The Battousai. Hmph, I can handle this. His strength comes from the unsheathing of his katana. To block is to sacrifice your weapon. To dodge is futile....The only counterattack if one from afar. My specialty."
Hiro sheathed his own weapon and held the hilt firmly in his left hand. There was silence as they stared each other down. Nothing moved, no one breathed....The only sound came from the rustling of the wind. A leaf caught in the air's tide brushed between the two and just as it passed Hiro's katana was out and the breeze around him was channeled into his weapon to be made into a more destructive force.
The attack this time was much narrower and formed a crude crescent slash as it sped towards the crimson-haired opponent. Kenshin took out his own katana with his sonic speed and sliced the slash in half but the repercussions of the attack was not over. The trial of wind behind the attack was still mighty and strong and it blew through Kenshin like a train. The forced knocked him into the air and away from Hiro. He came to a skidding halt a good distance away.
Another gasp from the group as Kenshin sat up, clearly feeling the affects of that last attack. He grunted as several cuts around his body opened up and bled, none of them serious or deep but enough to remind him they were there.
"Had enough Himura?" Hiro asked with a small smile.
"If I gave up this easily in every fight I would have died a long time ago."
"Heh, persistence is not your friend...."
He stood back up to his feet and motioned for Hiro to attack once again. He nodded and charged, thus continuing the flurry of slashes. This kept up a little while longer until Hiro made a hard side thrust and Kenshin knocking him severely off balance. Hiro hopped back a bit but Kenshin only closed the gap before he could recover. As he ran closer he sheathed his weapon. Before Hiro could react of even blink the dull blue shine of his steel was running along his cheek. Hiro's scream of pain was hallowing when a second whack to his chest took the precious air from his lungs. Hiro was on his back before anyone knew Kenshin even attacked.
"See, Hiro. You have grown greatly but not enough to stand against me. Miss Megume will give you the proper medical attention you need."
Kenshin's katana chinked as he put it away, walking to the dojo.
"You....You wait just a second."
Kenshin turned to see Hiro slowly rising to his feet.
"I didn't train and practice all these years just to beat so easily yet again..." He picked up his katana and stood tall and proud in his defensive position.
"Hiro...." Kenshin said, low and to himself. "....You spirit is strong, this it is.....But it is also misguided." He pulled out his weapon yet again and ran towards Hiro. "I can only hope this will put you in your place!"
"Well just try, Himura!!!!"
A large spark came from the two swords and they were brutally forced against each other over and over again. The energy of the battle was now picking up and both fighters were letting out all the stops. They flipped and jumped trying to best the other. Moves were used that people had never seen before but they still could overcome the other.
Hiro made a straight thrust for Kenshin's side which was parried and forced Hiro right past his opponent. As he turned to meet him, he swung he sword throwing a gust at Kenshin. He moved with his incredible speed and suddenly appeared on Hiro's left side. The only problem with Hiro's fighting style was that it left him open a few seconds after preformed. Kenshin took this time and planted his Sakabato deep into Hiro's elbow. His weapon went flying as the sounds of bone cracking could be heard all around the dojo.
Hiro fell to his knees holding his arm, grunting in pain. Kenshin was about to kneel down next to him but Hiro took his katana in his right hand and took a wild slash towards Kenshin's face. "This isn't over!"
Kenshin's expression was now one of sorrow. Hiro wanted all the world to beat him but he just wasn't strong enough.
"Hiro, I broke your arm...But it still can be healed, stop fighting and get it injuries looked at."
"If I gave up this easily in every fight I would have died a long time ago."
Kenshin gave a faint smile as Hiro recited his own saying. "This isn't the same....You're not going to win."
"The only way I'm going to loose is if you knock me out. Now....Prepare yourself....Rrrraaahh!!"
With that Hiro shot off at Kenshin with speed greater then anything he had used thus far. If Kenshin blinked in even the slightest way then this battle may have ended but the warrior, always ready, counter-attacked just as swiftly.
The attack was so quick, no one noticed that anything happened. He two fighters stood in front of each other....Not moving, not knowing what the outcome was...Kenshin's Sakabato was nestled deep in Hiro's neck and Hiro's own katana was lodged in Kenshin's right shoulder. They each gasped in pain but Hiro felt the worst of it....He stumbled then fell backwards as the tip of his weapon slid itself from Kenshin's body.
Kenshin dropped his weapon and held his shoulder with his free hand. "....With every move you make, Hiro.....You amaze me."
Hiro coughed and gagged trying to speak. Kenshin's attack really did a number to his voice box. Hiro began to squirm around, using all his strength to get up. All he could think about was beating Kenshin. He had to show him he was worthy. Defeat does not help prove something as bold as that. He simple wasn't ready for his fighting style if he couldn't even beat it's wielder. Not only that but his own honor had a few cards to play into this. Of all the battles Hiro had, Kenshin was the only one to ever beat him down without so much as breaking a sweat. He didn't care that it was his first real fight. He HAD to show him he really did grow in strength.....He didn't grow at all if he were to be beaten a second time.
Kenshin watched as the young man rose once again to his feet. His determination was amazing.....How could someone wish to fight so hard. And for what? Bragging rights....It's as if he wished death upon Kenshin and would stop at nothing to get it....
"I will.....I will....I will win!"
Steel again meet familiar steel and sparks lighted up the ever darkening sky. Minute after minute, slash after slash, the fight drew on. Fatigue was setting in and the only thing that seemed to be hitting harder then the sword in their hands were the lungs in their chests.
Hiro and Kenshin rested each on one knee. They looked across at each other. Each nodded to the other. This last attack was going to be it.....No matter what, someone was about to fall. The two warriors stood up and took their own defensive positions. Kenshin with the Sakabato in his left hand held straight up and out like he normally had it and Hiro with his katana in his right hand, hanging down by his side.
Silence fell upon the fight. Nothing dared to interrupt this battle, all that could be heard was the heavy pant from the tired warriors....And the rustling of the wind.
There was a bird in a tree not too far off. It just found some food for it's young family and was feeding them contently. One young bird in the back wasn't getting his fair share and squeaked for his mother's attention.
CRACK! Dust flew from the ground, feet stopped in their place.....Swords meet their targets. Kenshin was widened then narrowed. Hiro's sword was driven deep into his neck if his bones weren't broken his muscles were defiantly ripped from their place. He started to fall forward onto his knees dropping his own weapon from its place half way through Hiro's body. Any more force and it would have come out the other side. Kenshin's vision blurred as he saw Hiro's face kiss the floor. "Well, this is a first for me....A draw." His blurred vision lost sight all together and he fell into a deep slumber.
Tomonadi picked his jaw off the ground when the fight ended. He thought Hiro was good before but he just saw something he never heard of before.....He brought Kenshin....The MIGHTY Kenshin to the ground!! He jumped from his hiding place in the trees and ran over to the group who wasn't paying too much attention to him to begin with.
Yahiko was the only one who wasn't really doing anything. Sanosuke was carrying Kenshin in and Megume and Kaoru were bringing Hiro in. So he dealt with the guest. "Hey kid. Not a good time. Come back later, ok?"
"Oh wait!! Hiro said to tell you that he brought me here! He said I might be able to live here and he'd have my answer when I got here."
"Sorry, but I know nothing about that. Why don't you just go home and come back tomorrow!"
"But that's just it! I don't HAVE a home!!"
"Look, I'm sorry! It's not my call! Come back tomorrow!!"
Yahiko ran back into the house and closed the door. Tomonadi stood in the front of the dojo and just looked on in shock. The rain started to drizzle and he knew it was going to be a hard downpour but he didn't care.....He had no where else to be....He sat right there and waited for someone to come out......Unfortunately, he'd be waiting all night.