Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin; but I am open for negotiations.
Through the Minds of Manslayers by Cabel
Chapter 5: Evil Takes Form, the Meeting of the Manslayers
Later that Evening,
By the time night fell Megumi had been filled in on recent events; and to no ones surprise was a little skeptical about her friends' story. However her faith in her friends won over her better judgment; helping Karou, Yahiko, and herself stay awake by using medicine made from ginseng (A/N: I don't believe they had coffee in the Meji Era). Sanosuke insisted on not taking any despite their objections.
Somehow in the mist of the gloomy atmosphere Megumi managed a weak chuckle.
Karou asked, "What's so funny?"
"Most doctors recommend a good night's sleep to their patients. But judging by what you said, that's the last thing to suggest."
Kenshin entered the room. "I suppose there's a first time for everything, that there is."
"Aw Sir Ken," Megumi said as she grabbed Kenshin in a bear hug, turning him several shades of red. "Even in your sleep you're always fighting to protect us. You truly are my hero."
It was hard not to notice the veins popping out of Karou's forehead. It might have been the ginseng, either way the last thing she needed was Yahiko on a ginseng rush.
"ThatKenshin, nomatterwhathappenshealwayshastimetobealadiesman."
*WHACK*
"Thanks, I needed that."
Kenshin sat down against the wall. "Remember, if you see any sign of trouble, wake me up."
"Don't worry Kenshin, if you start having trouble, I'll be along to help you out."
"Thank you Sano, but I have a feeling brute strength won't be very helpful."
"It's not that I'm disagreeing with you, but did have to make it sound like that's my only quality." "You mean you have other qualities?" *WHACK* "Shut up, Yahiko!"
"Dammit Sanosuke, we're supposed to keep each other awake, not knock each other out!"
"If you keep up the wise cracks I'll put you to sleep!"
"If you wanna put someone to sleep, Kenshin's right there!"
"That really won't be necessary; that it won't!" Kenshin yelled waving his arms frantically.
"Kenshin, please be careful."
"I will Ms. Karou." Kenshin said as he took his sword in hand, gave his friends a look of reassurance, and closed his eyes and drifted into a trance.
"So is he asleep yet?" Yahiko asked.
A low growl came from out of nowhere and made everyone jump in surprise. After scanning the room they realized what it was and face-faulted.
"I never knew Kenshin snored."
For a moment, Kenshin didn't sense anything. Then slowly he became aware of his surroundings. He was walking down an alleyway. To anyone It could have easily been anywhere in Japan. But to Kenshin, it was more than an alley. It was among the many places that haunted his mind, further confirmed by the scent of blood in the air. To Kenshin, it could only be one place.
Kyoto.
"So you've finally come." A dark voice echoed.
Kenshin spun around. "Who's there?!"
"I knew you'd come to me if I waited."
"Are you the one who's been tormenting my friends in there dreams?"
"Heh, heh, guilty as charged."
"Who are you? Why are you doing this?"
"Cause I can."
Kenshin prepared to defend himself, holding his sakabato at ready. He calmly asked out,
"What are you?"
Kenshins' question was answered by a loud screeching sound, like that of metal being scraped across metal. Kenshin turned around and saw a man stepping out from the shadows, his appearance hidden by a cloak and hood. The man answered with a chuckle.
"I am many things, and so much more."
Kenshin cautiously took a step backwards as the man moved closer.
"Do you ever get the feeling that life is just one big lesson in irony? After all, was it not here when you killed a bodyguard who was 'stubborn' enough to actually wound the legendary Battousai? Yet it was in that one moment, the ending of that one insignificant life, that your life was changed forever. Now you stand here, haunted by the consequences of your actions. I'm also here as a result of my actions, only I'm the one who does the haunting." He continued with a laugh.
"It's not my position to inquire you about your past; that it's not. But it still does not explain the actions you've taken against my friends."
"I heard stories, about an assassin whose skills seemed so inhuman that he could only be described as a demon in human form. I felt I had see for myself, then show this so called 'demon' how it's really done!" He yelled as he extended a bladed hand forward, only inches away from Kenshins' face.
"The people here are so easily impressed with your hiten-mitsurugi, saying that you are the best with a blade. As good as you are; nothing you can do could measure to what I've done." He continued as smoke started to rise around him. "How do I know?" He asked as he burst in to flames.
Kenshin covered his face until he felt the heat from the flames die down. He removed his sleeve from his face and saw the man for what really was. He wore an old red and green sweater with a western-style hat, with the bladed glove on his right hand. But that paled in comparison to the burns that appeared to cover his entire body. There Kenshin stood, face to face with him for the time as he laughed maniacally before he answered his own question.
"I know Kenshin, because hell is timeless."
Author's Notes:
Finally I'm done with this chapter. I've been off and on this chapter since my last update but because of several distractions (work, school, parents, tests, irritating coworkers) I just haven't been able to get in the right state of mind for typing. Before I finish there are a few points I wanna get around.
1) In case you have or have not figured it out by now, yes that was Freddy Krueger at the end. As far as I know this is the first ever Nightmare on Elm Street/ Rurouni Kenshin crossover.
I was concerned that readers would jump to conclusions about the concept of a Kenshin/ Nightmare crossover and think it would be another bad crossover fic before actually reading it. That's why I chose to keep the crossover secret and try to surprise you all with it. Personally, I don't think crossing 'Nightmare' and Kenshin is any more or less obscuring than some crossovers that have been done.
But rest assured, this is not a crossover fic for the sake of crossing over. I have put a lot of thought into this story and I believe it will satisfy Krueger and Kenshin fans alike.
2) Speaking of Krueger, I know his monologue could've been better. I've had writer's block centered around that for almost a week. I knew what direction I wanted to take with it, but I couldn't quite figure out how the hell to get there.
3) I know you're out there readers; I can hear you typing (or is that me?). As appreciative as I am over the reviews I've gotten so far, I would love to hear what the rest of you have to say.
Sorry for boring you with these notes. I'll update as soon as I can.
Till next time, this is Cabel.
Through the Minds of Manslayers by Cabel
Chapter 5: Evil Takes Form, the Meeting of the Manslayers
Later that Evening,
By the time night fell Megumi had been filled in on recent events; and to no ones surprise was a little skeptical about her friends' story. However her faith in her friends won over her better judgment; helping Karou, Yahiko, and herself stay awake by using medicine made from ginseng (A/N: I don't believe they had coffee in the Meji Era). Sanosuke insisted on not taking any despite their objections.
Somehow in the mist of the gloomy atmosphere Megumi managed a weak chuckle.
Karou asked, "What's so funny?"
"Most doctors recommend a good night's sleep to their patients. But judging by what you said, that's the last thing to suggest."
Kenshin entered the room. "I suppose there's a first time for everything, that there is."
"Aw Sir Ken," Megumi said as she grabbed Kenshin in a bear hug, turning him several shades of red. "Even in your sleep you're always fighting to protect us. You truly are my hero."
It was hard not to notice the veins popping out of Karou's forehead. It might have been the ginseng, either way the last thing she needed was Yahiko on a ginseng rush.
"ThatKenshin, nomatterwhathappenshealwayshastimetobealadiesman."
*WHACK*
"Thanks, I needed that."
Kenshin sat down against the wall. "Remember, if you see any sign of trouble, wake me up."
"Don't worry Kenshin, if you start having trouble, I'll be along to help you out."
"Thank you Sano, but I have a feeling brute strength won't be very helpful."
"It's not that I'm disagreeing with you, but did have to make it sound like that's my only quality." "You mean you have other qualities?" *WHACK* "Shut up, Yahiko!"
"Dammit Sanosuke, we're supposed to keep each other awake, not knock each other out!"
"If you keep up the wise cracks I'll put you to sleep!"
"If you wanna put someone to sleep, Kenshin's right there!"
"That really won't be necessary; that it won't!" Kenshin yelled waving his arms frantically.
"Kenshin, please be careful."
"I will Ms. Karou." Kenshin said as he took his sword in hand, gave his friends a look of reassurance, and closed his eyes and drifted into a trance.
"So is he asleep yet?" Yahiko asked.
A low growl came from out of nowhere and made everyone jump in surprise. After scanning the room they realized what it was and face-faulted.
"I never knew Kenshin snored."
For a moment, Kenshin didn't sense anything. Then slowly he became aware of his surroundings. He was walking down an alleyway. To anyone It could have easily been anywhere in Japan. But to Kenshin, it was more than an alley. It was among the many places that haunted his mind, further confirmed by the scent of blood in the air. To Kenshin, it could only be one place.
Kyoto.
"So you've finally come." A dark voice echoed.
Kenshin spun around. "Who's there?!"
"I knew you'd come to me if I waited."
"Are you the one who's been tormenting my friends in there dreams?"
"Heh, heh, guilty as charged."
"Who are you? Why are you doing this?"
"Cause I can."
Kenshin prepared to defend himself, holding his sakabato at ready. He calmly asked out,
"What are you?"
Kenshins' question was answered by a loud screeching sound, like that of metal being scraped across metal. Kenshin turned around and saw a man stepping out from the shadows, his appearance hidden by a cloak and hood. The man answered with a chuckle.
"I am many things, and so much more."
Kenshin cautiously took a step backwards as the man moved closer.
"Do you ever get the feeling that life is just one big lesson in irony? After all, was it not here when you killed a bodyguard who was 'stubborn' enough to actually wound the legendary Battousai? Yet it was in that one moment, the ending of that one insignificant life, that your life was changed forever. Now you stand here, haunted by the consequences of your actions. I'm also here as a result of my actions, only I'm the one who does the haunting." He continued with a laugh.
"It's not my position to inquire you about your past; that it's not. But it still does not explain the actions you've taken against my friends."
"I heard stories, about an assassin whose skills seemed so inhuman that he could only be described as a demon in human form. I felt I had see for myself, then show this so called 'demon' how it's really done!" He yelled as he extended a bladed hand forward, only inches away from Kenshins' face.
"The people here are so easily impressed with your hiten-mitsurugi, saying that you are the best with a blade. As good as you are; nothing you can do could measure to what I've done." He continued as smoke started to rise around him. "How do I know?" He asked as he burst in to flames.
Kenshin covered his face until he felt the heat from the flames die down. He removed his sleeve from his face and saw the man for what really was. He wore an old red and green sweater with a western-style hat, with the bladed glove on his right hand. But that paled in comparison to the burns that appeared to cover his entire body. There Kenshin stood, face to face with him for the time as he laughed maniacally before he answered his own question.
"I know Kenshin, because hell is timeless."
Author's Notes:
Finally I'm done with this chapter. I've been off and on this chapter since my last update but because of several distractions (work, school, parents, tests, irritating coworkers) I just haven't been able to get in the right state of mind for typing. Before I finish there are a few points I wanna get around.
1) In case you have or have not figured it out by now, yes that was Freddy Krueger at the end. As far as I know this is the first ever Nightmare on Elm Street/ Rurouni Kenshin crossover.
I was concerned that readers would jump to conclusions about the concept of a Kenshin/ Nightmare crossover and think it would be another bad crossover fic before actually reading it. That's why I chose to keep the crossover secret and try to surprise you all with it. Personally, I don't think crossing 'Nightmare' and Kenshin is any more or less obscuring than some crossovers that have been done.
But rest assured, this is not a crossover fic for the sake of crossing over. I have put a lot of thought into this story and I believe it will satisfy Krueger and Kenshin fans alike.
2) Speaking of Krueger, I know his monologue could've been better. I've had writer's block centered around that for almost a week. I knew what direction I wanted to take with it, but I couldn't quite figure out how the hell to get there.
3) I know you're out there readers; I can hear you typing (or is that me?). As appreciative as I am over the reviews I've gotten so far, I would love to hear what the rest of you have to say.
Sorry for boring you with these notes. I'll update as soon as I can.
Till next time, this is Cabel.