Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or creations from Rurouni Kenshin. But I do share ownership of the original characters with other authors/readers. There's my disclaimer, so… have a nice day… or night.

The Black Sakura – The Birth of Warriors – By Cherry Chibi

Chapter Eleven

AN: Due to the combining of groups… From now on, the title of the scenes will be the names of places that the characters are at, not the groups, I've made a change on the character's list as well. Thanks!

~*~ 1/ Shadow Gates ~*~

 "ARGH!" Kaoru released her ki and felt the tension in her body loosen. Circles of winds blew the dust away from the centre of the court yard of her sanctuary. A few moments passed before tranquility had made its return. She had grown taller and her features were more feminine than two years ago. "I wonder if they remember…" Kaoru muttered while she walked over to a large Sakura tree that was just nearby the wall of waterfall.

She stared up to the ceiling that she had created. It was a continuously changing image of the sky, stars were dotted over it and clouds smudged patches here and there. 'It's already night… I guess that they don't remember… today… is my fifteenth birthday…' She sighed.

* * * *

Battousai leaned against the wall next to the silver Sakura marked door. 'She has grown strong, her powers are at least under much needed control…Thanks to the Okashira…' As much as Battousai hated to admit it, it was because of Aoshi that Kaoru had learned and honed her skills to control and tame her abilities. Although at first, he thought that Aoshi's techniques were a bit too harsh for a thirteen year old but they worked and Kaoru coped.

 "Been awhile since we've spoken,"

Battousai looked up and smiled weakly. "What is it Athena?" His younger sister stood there, a warm aura being emitted from her. "Is there something Hiko wanted to tell me?" Athena shook her head with a smile.

 "No, I just wanted to talk to my dear older brother!" Athena said with a laugh. "However…" She paused for a minute to remember something. "Oh! That's right! If you do get to talk with Kaoru later on, please tell her that Hitoshizuku and Maya bid their farewells, they'll be journeying for a while to strengthen themselves and are sorry for not being here today."

 "Why?" Battousai asked.

Athena raised her eyebrows at him. "You ARE growing old aren't you?" She laughed when Battousai growled. "Ok, Ok don't get mad. Have you forgotten that today is Kaoru's birthday?" She noticed shock pulse for a moment. "… you have?"

 "There you are!" Yahiko shouted as he strode down the hall. "Man, even after two years from moving in… this place is huge!"

 "Yahiko! Wait…" Tsubame caught up. She flew and skid to a halt behind Yahiko. A gust of wind blew over them.

 "Well, we were wondering if there is going to be a birthday party or something." Yahiko said, "After all, it is Kaoru's birthday!" Silence fell over and then Athena cleared her throat.

 "I'm sure we can arrange something… can we BROTHER?" Athena nudged Battousai in the arm. "Go on!" Battousai growled for a moment. Athena narrowed her golden-flecked brown eyes and tucked her brown hair behind her ear.

 "Fine, have it in the foyer…" Battousai said, "But don't expect me to be there." Athena and Yahiko rolled their eyes. Even if it was a special occasion, the hot-head was still stubborn.

 "Um… I can cook something… I'll… see you later!" Tsubame said. She gave a small wave before flying off. Yahiko waved back and crossed his arms when he turned back to Battousai and Athena.

 "Well, better not talk to close near Kaoru's sanctuary." Yahiko said, "Let's go and plan it!"

~*~ 2/ Aoiya ~*~

 "WHAT IS THIS?!" Orion stared at her reflection with a horrid stare. Misao had forced her into wearing a black kimono that had bright yellow floral patterns all over it. "I look like a tree!" She turned back to Misao, "Why aren't you wearing one?"

Misao laughed. "I only wanted to see you in a kimono… that's all." She laughed harder as Orion sighed and joined in the joy. "Anyway, Kaoru's surprise party is going to be soon! So we better teleport there!"

 "Since when did you learn how to teleport?" Orion asked while she checked on the tip of her tail where the hairs were as sharp as her fangs. They glistened beautifully and were in good shape.

 "Kaoru taught me… just last year…" Misao said. "Come on! We have to get going!"

 "I'm not going in this kimono! What if an enemy attacks?!" Orion questioned. "How embarrassing if I end up fighting and I tear this kimono…" Before Misao could start, she rushed into a room and swiftly changed into her usual battle clothing. When she stepped out, Misao shook her head.

 "Nothing I can do." Misao shrugged. "Let's go anyway!"

* * * *

Aoshi heard footsteps approach and the shouji door behind him slid open. "Aoshi-sama! We'll be going now!" Misao called brightly into the once icily silenced room. "Are you sure that you don't want to come?" Aoshi faced her with a gentle smile.

 "Yes."

Misao frowned for a moment before sighing. "Alright, we'll be back soon!" She and Orion waved before they vanished into thin air. Aoshi wondered for a moment, when did Misao learn how to teleport? His thoughts were quickly directed to another direction when he sensed a strong ki behind him.

 "What do you want?" He stood from his seat and a flash of red appeared before his eyes.

You're mine.

* * * *

Misao felt a chill in her heart and shivered for a moment. Something wasn't right. "Misao, something wrong?" Orion asked. Misao breathed slowly. The chill was physically painful – it was hard to tell.

Misao shook her head. "No. Nothing's wrong." Then her eyes flung to the back of her head and she collapsed frothing at the mouth. Orion quickly hurried onto her knees.

 "Misao! Misao! Answer me!"

You're mine.

Not knowing what to do, Orion teleported Misao back to the Aoiya. She carried the girl into Aoshi's room. "Okashira! Misao needs your help!" She froze when she found Aoshi on the floor with blood forming a pool from his mouth. "OKASHIRA!"

~*~ 3/ Forests ~*~

 "Are you sure this is the way?" Miena asked Sanosuke while they trekked on the gravel path. "… Wait, don't tell me that you got us lost again!" She punched Sanosuke in the arm and he endured it without any affect.

 "Ah… yeah… well…" Sanosuke rubbed the back of his head. "Ha."

 "Great." Miena sighed exasperated. "We're going to be late to Kaoru's birthday bash!" Sanosuke shook his head and waved a finger in front of her.

 "It's a party. Not a bash." Sanosuke said. Miena shrugged. "Anyway, do you hear something?"

 "Hear what?" Miena stopped for a moment beside Sanosuke and they listened carefully. They heard Kaoru's 'title' mentioned and worries pounded into their minds. They hid behind a tree trunk and spotted Tomoe and her younger brother Enishi.

* * * *

 "Sister!" Enishi said angrily.

 "The Black Sakura will bow before me onto her knees when she sees how pathetic she really is…" Tomoe said calmly. Her white kimono was stained with blood at the low front. "… When she does… I will end her miserable life with this dagger…"

 "No! Sister… but…" Enishi was shaking his head. "No…"

 "I will not let Battousai have his way… He will belong to me…" Tomoe held the dagger close to her chest. "I will show him the pain that I've suffered…" Then she vanished from sight.

Enishi fell onto his knees sobbing. "Sister… why must you be so obsessed about this? Happiness can be with just us two living together peacefully… that's all I want." His hands balled into tight fists. "If only… if only he would disappear!"

* * * *

 "That ain't good…" Sanosuke said as he stepped away. Miena nodded and followed him. They stopped and Miena felt her fingertips tremble when a woman with a strong powerful ki with a killing edge stood in their way with a smirk.

 "My oh my, it isn't good to eavesdrop … I guess I'll just have to add you to my growing collection…" She raised her hand and a red flash surrounded Miena and Sanosuke.

 "NO!" Sanosuke pounded his fists against the invisible force and he tried to break out. Miena fought her best to try to free herself but no use. Then they heard a voice hiss into the air with loathe.

You're mine.

~*~ 4/ Shadow Gates ~*~

 "The others aren't here… where have they gone?" The question escaped Kaoru's lips as she stood. The black Sakura petals fell from the tree and rained with soft humming. She crossed her arms and squeezed her eyes shut in concentration. 'Just a moment ago I felt their presence… what happened to them?' As she searched for the lost ki she fell deeper into the trance. Her mind walked through the Shadow Gates, the forests, the Aoiya… she couldn't find them.

Laughter from faraway echoed to her ears. Kaoru withdrew breath quickly and snapped her eyes open. 'Something isn't right… I know it!'

 "Kaoru?" She almost jumped in surprise from someone suddenly calling her name.

 "Batty?" She turned to the door and Battousai hesitantly entered. "Have you seen everyone else?" Battousai shook his head.

 "I was going to ask you the same thing." Battousai replied. Suddenly laughter roared and a hologram stood between them.

Ah… Battousai and the Black Sakura… how lovely it is to see you! The woman who stood between them said. She laughed mockingly. Their arrows of questions had hit the bulls eye.

 "You!" Battousai said accusingly and angrily. "I knew it!"

Oh don't you worry, you're dear friends are fine… that is… until the next blue moon.

 "Don't you dare harm them!" Kaoru warned icily. Sudden guilt sprawled upon her shoulders when she realized that she had been too busy worrying about her training and her birthday that she had stupidly forgotten about the risks that were clearly before her.

The hologram woman turned and glared at Kaoru. Of course, if you want your friends' souls returned to their decaying bodies… then… sacrifice yourself, Battousai and Shinta to a shrine that has been created for my love in the Dark Forests. I want him to return to me! If you don't! Then I will sacrifice all of your loved ones I have captured!

 "I-I can't do that!" Kaoru said. "There's got to be another way! Please! If you spare Battousai and Shinta then… please!" Why was her life so filled with so many problems? She couldn't just sacrifice herself or anyone… it would only lead to more harm on the land. Her hands dropped to the sides of her body.

I'm not a fool. Do as I wish. I will not compromise any other options. The woman grinned at Kaoru's tears. Black Sakura? Ha! Some myth that is. I had expected much more from you but now that I see your weakness…

 "That's enough!" Battousai shouted. "Why do you want to harm her anyway? You have no reason to get her involved!"

I have every reason to! The woman spat back at Battousai. I know she's your woman! Why else would you protect her so possessively?! You protect her happiness but you harm mine! You destroyed me and my only source of joy in this damned life! The woman turned back to Kaoru with death in her eyes. I will kill your friends without a drop of sympathy for you!

The hologram vanished leaving Kaoru in shock and helplessness. Battousai's eyes flared a bright amber in anger. Kaoru's tears shimmered but refused to fall. In a crunch her fingers curled tightly into fists.

 "YUMI!"

* * * *

AN: Sorry for the late update! #-^x Well, looks like Yumi has signed up for the evil side… Hehehe…

Fanfiction Wanderer: #-^x (ß Patched right eye) Thanks for the support! What did you think of the twist that I have added to this fic? Tell me what you think!

Silver Knight 7: Well, Kaoru's mind/soul would be much more fragile than it was when she was seventeen because of Tomoe's curse, Jay and Celeste performed that ceremony so that their help would become useful for Kaoru's emotions when the curse… hang on! I shouldn't tell you too much! Hehehe… oops. Anyway, updated as soon as I got my hands on the internet!

Nee-Chan: YOU CAN PLAY STARLESS?! It's kinda hard for me to play…. *cos Cherry has barely got any time to practice* However, I can play Departure on the piano. #-^x It's really, really easy! (well, except after the half way section… my hands are a centimeter too small…)

RKKL: Cherry: Once again, thank you for your support throughout!

Miena: I thought RKKL told you to make more fluff between me and Mr. Hottie! *points tip of sword at Cherry*

Cherry: *gulps* Shouldn't you have been captured?

Yumi: The author's right. *zaps Miena*

Cherry: *shakes head* Backstage is crazy! *sweatdrops*

Thanks everyone! Until my next update…

~ Cherry Chibi