A/N
Hey! This is my first Rurouni Kenshin fic! I hope you like it! It's spawned from my imagination although a few scenes might seem familiar. Some OOCness but nothing too bad. Please R&R. I'm a newbie! ^^
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin but I do own all characters non- related to it.
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Prologue - Out from the Shadows
Night, shrouded in gloom and fog, with the full moon blotted out by thick dark clouds hovering like banshees overhead, covered the city of Kyoto. No stars shined through the evening mist, no soul stirred within their quilted beds, no owl cried out mournfully, for the shadow of a killer haunted the streets. Leaping through the night like wolves on the hunt, the attackers came, swift as the eagle at midday, across the vacant stone paths. The killer could hear their approach long before their shadows played on the rooftops and vendor booths. His smooth white hands loitered on the hilt of his katana, trembling slightly in anticipation. A hush lingered in the trees, and a soft breeze drifted through the city, creating an ironically peaceful atmosphere. The attackers ignored it, waiting in the shadows for the exact moment to strike. The killer, however, relished in the peace that enveloped him, the midnight wind flowing through his scarlet hair, as he studied his opponents in the darkness. Even though they remained hidden he could sense the presence of amateurs. Little sounds of trembling hands on hilts of swords, and quiet shoofing of straw sandals not only gave away their locations but also their fear. Granted, they should be fearful.
In a flash the wolves leaped from their hiding places and circled the killer in a ritualized formation, surrounding their enemy and using their strength of numbers. A wicked smile played on the killer's lips as he watched their ankles tremble from behind his thick bangs. Only five men had been sent this time. The ones who sought his demise were finally beginning to learn their lesson about how many men to send out against him. They had come to respect his skills as a swordsman. He was glad for a taste of that. However, as things were, he still had their spite to deal with. Had the cowards shown their true faces, instead of hiding behind a pack of mangy dogs, they would have realized the danger long ago, that of a man without a drop of mercy.
From the left, the killer noticed a rush of silver coming toward him. Swiftly, he pulled his sword from its sheath in a swooping strike and cut down the first who came against him. The second from behind received his due as the killer leaped into the air, avoiding a backstab and came down harshly, his sword crushing the man to the ground. The remaining three grew hesitant as they saw the burning fire in the killer's eyes, an unearthly amber glow luring them to Death's open door. The smell of blood saturated the night air, sending the attackers into a desperate fright and the killer into controlled madness. Seeing that their deaths may be noble in battle than in flight, the three men came simultaneously in a swift and deadly formation but found their quarry missing as they came through the returning mist. From above the killer flew down to them, his sword cutting them through in one full sweep. Their cries of anguish were silenced by the sweet song of the steel katana wielded by a heartless man with eyes of fire. The city stirred not an inch as the killer returned his sword to its scabbard. He wiped the warm spatters of blood from his face and haori and returned to the shadows, eyes glowing in the silvery mist, leaving the bodies to rot in the midnight air.
Hey! This is my first Rurouni Kenshin fic! I hope you like it! It's spawned from my imagination although a few scenes might seem familiar. Some OOCness but nothing too bad. Please R&R. I'm a newbie! ^^
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin but I do own all characters non- related to it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
Prologue - Out from the Shadows
Night, shrouded in gloom and fog, with the full moon blotted out by thick dark clouds hovering like banshees overhead, covered the city of Kyoto. No stars shined through the evening mist, no soul stirred within their quilted beds, no owl cried out mournfully, for the shadow of a killer haunted the streets. Leaping through the night like wolves on the hunt, the attackers came, swift as the eagle at midday, across the vacant stone paths. The killer could hear their approach long before their shadows played on the rooftops and vendor booths. His smooth white hands loitered on the hilt of his katana, trembling slightly in anticipation. A hush lingered in the trees, and a soft breeze drifted through the city, creating an ironically peaceful atmosphere. The attackers ignored it, waiting in the shadows for the exact moment to strike. The killer, however, relished in the peace that enveloped him, the midnight wind flowing through his scarlet hair, as he studied his opponents in the darkness. Even though they remained hidden he could sense the presence of amateurs. Little sounds of trembling hands on hilts of swords, and quiet shoofing of straw sandals not only gave away their locations but also their fear. Granted, they should be fearful.
In a flash the wolves leaped from their hiding places and circled the killer in a ritualized formation, surrounding their enemy and using their strength of numbers. A wicked smile played on the killer's lips as he watched their ankles tremble from behind his thick bangs. Only five men had been sent this time. The ones who sought his demise were finally beginning to learn their lesson about how many men to send out against him. They had come to respect his skills as a swordsman. He was glad for a taste of that. However, as things were, he still had their spite to deal with. Had the cowards shown their true faces, instead of hiding behind a pack of mangy dogs, they would have realized the danger long ago, that of a man without a drop of mercy.
From the left, the killer noticed a rush of silver coming toward him. Swiftly, he pulled his sword from its sheath in a swooping strike and cut down the first who came against him. The second from behind received his due as the killer leaped into the air, avoiding a backstab and came down harshly, his sword crushing the man to the ground. The remaining three grew hesitant as they saw the burning fire in the killer's eyes, an unearthly amber glow luring them to Death's open door. The smell of blood saturated the night air, sending the attackers into a desperate fright and the killer into controlled madness. Seeing that their deaths may be noble in battle than in flight, the three men came simultaneously in a swift and deadly formation but found their quarry missing as they came through the returning mist. From above the killer flew down to them, his sword cutting them through in one full sweep. Their cries of anguish were silenced by the sweet song of the steel katana wielded by a heartless man with eyes of fire. The city stirred not an inch as the killer returned his sword to its scabbard. He wiped the warm spatters of blood from his face and haori and returned to the shadows, eyes glowing in the silvery mist, leaving the bodies to rot in the midnight air.