A/N: I've got some good new and I got some bad news. The good news is my Beta reader is back with her BRAND NEW COMPUTER! (claps) The bad news… she hasn't gotten a chance to look this over yet. I'm posting it because my computer is actually being nice and not making me upload my chapters OVER AND OVER again. Both this and the last chapter will be re-posted when I get the chance! Also be expecting slower update. (I know what you must be thinking… SLOWER! You already move at a sail's pace) I'm sorry but my best friend is moving off to college soon and will be sorely missed. Also my Aunt is going into surgery to remove her tonsils and my mom will need my help when she leaves for the next two weeks to keep the house together. Not to mention I'm starting a new job and going to college in a few short weeks! SCARY!!! So I'll try to update as quick as I can!
NOTE!!!!: On the last chapter it was brought to my attention that were I use to have Suiso chanting it was replaces with a bunch of ???????????? I'm trying to fix this but it seems every time I try to all my paragraphs get deleted and it's one BIG paragraph. This too I will try to fix. ASAP!
REVIEWERS!!! (I thank you for giving me a reason to work on Fanfics instead of other stuff!)
Ms. Zeal - No your cliffhangers are never that bad… sometimes. Your predictions make my mouth drop and my eyes bulge. It makes me think you can read my mind. (gets tinfoil and begins to wrap it around head) There! THAT should keep you out!
Nekotsuki - I'm trying to get my POV changes better. I use to use stars but they got deleted. (sigh… I miss those things) You were talking about all the ???????????????? In my last chapter correct when you said "the only problem I have is all those exclamation points you use" or is it when I add more then one ! if it was the question marks I'm trying to fix that. They not suppose to be there. If it's the exclamation points I'll try to cut down.
rain angst - I like seeing Kaoru kick ass too! She really is strong for a girl back in those times. She just looks really weak next to people like Sano and Kenshin. But COME ON! Who wouldn't look weak against people like that!
Tiger of the Sonicboom - WOW! NO MISTAKES! (dances) I really get typing to fast and make REALLY stupid mistakes. I mean REALLY REALLY stupid. So hearing you say that makes me happy! 'mazoku appeal' Zig-zag has a new word! I LOVE MAZOKU appeal. Most of the stories I write are like that and most that I read too! I love my new word! Thank-you so much for my new word! YEAH PAIN!
Shaolin 10 - YOU LOVE IT? Wow! And coming from you! (Cries) I'm not worthy!
Chapter 21 - Confrontation
"So Battòsai, which is it?" With a snap of his fingers he released Kenshin from the spell. Kenshin sat up and looked Suiso right in the eye. Suiso put his blade to Kaoru's throat. "Pick up that silly sword of yours and kill the boy. Kill him and I promise your lover here will be set free. If you don't I'll kill her right in front of you. You want to see her pretty kimono stained red?"
Kenshin moved his calm gaze to his Sakabato and picked it. "Suiso this one won't allow you to hurt Miss Kaoru." With that Kenshin flipped the blade. Nakami's eyes went wide as Kenshin picked himself up.
Kenshin looked at Nakami with sad eyes and as he did all the tales he had been told about the Battòsai came running back. "His hair was stained red from the blood of those he killed. He sucked your soul dry with his amber eyes. The greatest killer in all of Japan. Hitokiri Battòsai." Now that man stood, sword in hand, looking at him with sorrow filled eyes. Without thinking Nakami began to back up on his hands and knees.
"Is he going to kill me?" The young boy thought wildly too afraid to speak as he slammed into the wall. His thoughts where so cluttered with the thought of death her didn't even notice the pain that shot through his entire body as he hit his injured shoulder.
For awhile Kenshin and Nakami s sat and stood staring at each other. Both were silent but Nakami could hear his teeth chattering in his head. After a few moments Kenshin did something he didn't expect. Kenshin smiled at him. "Dose he want to kill me?!" Nakami's head screamed. Kenshin did smile but as he did he turned his head towards Suiso.
"Let her go Suiso." He said softly.
"I will Battòsai. Just kill the boy first." Suiso said returning Kenshin's smile.
"This one has vowed to never kill again, however, this one is willing to break that vow for Miss Kaoru…"
"Kenshin!" Kaoru chocked scared at what Kenshin was thinking.
Kenshin raised the Sakabato. "…and Nakami's safety." He then put the Sakabato's blade to his own throat. "Let Miss Kaoru and Nakami go Suiso or you'll lose your legend."
Suiso stood dumbstruck. He had not expected this. "You're bluffing." Kenshin pushed a little harder to prove he wasn't. "If you die then what's to stop me from killing them?"
"So you're saying you'd rather kill them then have your legend?"
Suiso's smile evaporated. "Don't tell me what I want Battòsai! I know what I want and I always get it! Always!" He pushed his sword closer to Kaoru's neck. "Drop your sword Battòsai or I'll kill her."
"You kill her then this one will take his life."
Suiso and Kenshin were at a stand off. Suiso craved to use his powers to send Kenshin flying backwards or get him trapped in the circle once more but his sword was too close to his juggler. One wrong move and it would be sliced open and his legend lost. "Battòsai… lower your sword." Suiso said through gritted teeth. Kenshin didn't move.
"If you don't let her go in three seconds this one will kill himself." Kenshin threatened. "One."
Suiso's eyes widened a bit. "He's serious!" His brain screamed.
"Two."
"KENSHIN!" Kaoru screamed from her helpless position. "DON'T DO IT!!!"
"Thr…"
"Stop!" Suiso lowered his blade from Kaoru's throat but he still held her to him. "I won't hurt her."
Kenshin wasn't satisfied. "Throw down your wood." Kenshin said still holding himself hostage.
"NO!" Suiso shouted clutching his pocket. Suddenly there was a spike of three new kis that Kenshin recognized. He looked to the door as it was thrown open to see Aoshi, Sanosuke, and Tsuki come running in.
"Kenshin! What the Hell is going on?" Sanosuke yelled as he took in what he saw.
Kenshin lowered the Sakabato slightly. "Sano get Miss Kaoru out of here!" Seeing his chance Suiso sent a blast of wind toward Kenshin slamming him into the wall. While the others were momentarily surprised Suiso grabbed Nakami and with a second gust of wind sent the three intruders off there feet. He ran out with a kicking and screaming Nakami under his arm.
"Nakami!" Kenshin yelled and began to follow after them but a wave of dizziness swept over him and instead he fell to a knee.
"Kenshin what's wrong?" Sano yelled surprised to see the almighty Kenshin down on a knee.
"I'm alright." Kenshin huffed. "Just a little tired." He was about to stand when a hand touched his shoulder. Kenshin looked at the owner of the hand and found a teary eyed Kaoru.
"You idiot!" She yelled at him. "How could you do that! What if Suiso let you die!" Tears rolled freely down her face.
"I'm sorry Miss Kaoru." He said reaching up to her and wiping her tears away. "This one did not mean to make you cry." He brushed away a few more tears before rising to his feet. "We have to find Nakami."
"Who's Nakami?" Tsuki asked.
Kenshin sighed. "I'll explain while we go." With that they set out after Suiso and Nakami with Kenshin explaining what had happened as they went.
Suiso ran out on to the deck and held Nakami close to him as he awaited the arrival of Kenshin and the others. Nakami struggled in Suiso's tight grip trying to free himself. As he waited Suiso saw a few of his crew and called to them. "Order EVERYONE to the deck and hurry!" The men ran off in a hurry. By the time Kenshin and the others arrived on the deck almost every one of the crew were standing behind Suiso. "This is it Battòsai!" Suiso yelled to the small group. "Kill them!" His men drew their swords and charged forward.
"Now this is what I've been waiting for!" Sano yelled happily as he took out three men rather quickly.
Soon the deck became a mess of bodies. The unconscious littered the floor. Everyone did their fair share of fighting. Aoshi moved quickly from person to person using his martial arts skills to take down his opponents. Sanosuke punched and kicked his way through the seemingly never ending attackers. Kaoru used her pan as if it really were a bokken taking down men left and right. Tsuki held his own fighting mostly with his hands as the men charged at him. Kenshin moved swiftly and quickly. The affects of Suiso's power slowly wearing off as fought.
Suiso watched Kenshin with a careful eye. He held onto Nakami tight as the sudden realization that his ENTIRE crew was getting beaten by just five people. Even if one was the Battòsai this was his entire crew. Surly they couldn't beat his entire crew! He was so caught up in the fact that his men were losing he never saw Sanosuke come up from behind him.
"Hey Suiso! Why dontcha leave kids out of this!" He yelled as he grabbed Suiso around the neck. Suiso was so surprised by the taller man's attack he let go of Nakami and frantically tried to free himself from Sanosuke's hold.
"Sanosuke! Get the wood in his pocket!" Kaoru yelled when she saw what was going on. "It's his power! Get rid of it!"
"In his pocket?" Sano looked down at the flailing Suiso and saw that one of his shirt pockets was larger then the others. "There it is!" Sano quickly reached down and yanked the wood the wood from Suiso's pocket ripping the pocket as he did. "I got it
Suiso broke free of Sanosuke's grasp. "Give it back!" He practically jumped into Sano's arms trying to reach the item in Sano's hand.
Sano with one hand tried to keep the crazed Suiso off him while he keep the hand holding the wood high above his head. "Get off me!" Sano yelled. "Get off me you…" Suddenly Sanosuke's vision blurred. Sano blinked his eyes trying to clear them but when he did he no longer saw Suiso but the head of Captain Sagara Sozo. Sanosuke's eyes went wide. "What?"
Captain Sagara's eye's opened and looked angrily at Sano. "Why haven't you cleared the name of Sekiho yet?" The head spoke angrily. Fear and confusion gripped his body and he dropped the wood and Suiso easily caught it.
Suiso jumped back from the shocked Sanosuke and turned his attention towards Kenshin. Suiso looked all over but couldn't find Kenshin anywhere. Suiso moved his eyes left to right looking for the red head but he couldn't find him. A shift in the wind. Suiso ducked just in time to avoid the blow aimed at the back of his head.
Kenshin was surprised to find his attack had missed. Suiso had been completely unaware of his presence behind him and yet he had dodged just in the nick of time. Suiso stood back up and turned around. "You!" He yelled a deep frown set on his face. A blast of wind set Kenshin skidding backwards a few steps. Not wasting anytime Suiso flung himself at Kenshin grabbing for his throat. Kenshin easily side stepped Suiso and Suiso stumbled to a stop. "You were suppose to be BROKEN!"
"As long as there are people depending on me you can't break me Suiso." Kenshin said calmly.
"I will break you!" Suiso yelled as he sent a short and quick blast of wind towards Kenshin. Kenshin covered his face as the blast struck him pelting his body. "I won't underestimate you this time! I'll make you beg! Beg for your life!" Again he sent the blasts. Kenshin blocked again as the invisible pellets stuck him. There had to be some way to dodge these things and he had to find it fast. "Beg Battòsai! Beg!" Kenshin waited for the last possible second then did a quick ninety degree turn to escape the blast but the blast followed hitting him again.
Kenshin's head pounded and it felt like his whole body was bruised. There had to be some way to get past these things. Another round came and Kenshin just had enough time to raise his arms to protect his head from receiving any blows.
Kaoru saw the last round of blows after she downed another one of the crew. Her eyes were wide with horror. What was Suiso doing to Kenshin? "Kenshin." She whispered her voice lost to her.
A gentle breeze took her words. It took her words with it as it gracefully blew them to the man it listened to. The man it protected. The man it was allied with. The wind is a dangerous and powerful tool in the hands of a madman. Suiso, without turning his head, looked towards Kaoru. "Beg." He said softer then before. "Beg Battòsai. FOR HER LIFE!" He spun around and sent a strong attack towards Kaoru. A stronger attack then he ever used on Kenshin.
Without wasting a moment Kenshin rushed to Kaoru. Taku's words echoing in his ears. "Kenshin, you won't be able to save her… Kaoru will end up just like her." He wasn't going to let that happen. He wasn't going to let another person he cared about die from an attack meant to hurt him. Never again. He grabbed her just as the attack hit.
It happened so fast and yet each second felt like a life time. Kaoru saw Suiso turn towards her and the look of dead fright that came over Kenshin's face. She couldn't see the attack rushing towards her but she could feel the sudden ferocity of the wind as it rushed towards her. She wanted to run but she didn't know where to go or what she was running from. She just knew she had to get away. Then she felt herself being hugged. Kenshin had grabbed her so suddenly that it had frightened her a moment. Kenshin had tried to move them out of the way but the attack followed it's target; which was Kaoru.
Kenshin held Kaoru tight as Suiso's attack hit him. His back, the back of his head, the back of his leg all screamed out in agony as they wind hit him with all it's furry trying to get to Kaoru. Kaoru felt his body push into her as each time a hit landed it pushed them back a little. Kenshin clenched his teeth and shut his eyes to keep from crying out in pain but he hiss threw his teeth as the pain became over whelming. It was over in seconds but it felt like years and when it was over Kenshin was still and quiet.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled tears rolling down her checks. Why had she followed him? Why hadn't she left when he had asked her to? If she hadn't been here Suiso couldn't have hurt Kenshin like this. Why had she been so selfish? She had just wanted to be near him and now look at what she did to Kenshin. "What have I done?" She said in a low voice.
"What have I done!" Suiso said panicked. "What have I done?!" He repeated coming out of his crazed state of mind. "WHAT HAVE I DONE!" He had been foolish and he had lost his legend.
"Kenshin I'm so sorry!" Kaoru cried into Kenshin's shoulder.
Kaoru cried for a moment then stopped when she felt the shoulder she was crying on moved. She stood stock still as a hand reached up and gently stroked her head. "It's alright now Miss. Kaoru; that it is." Came a tried and hurt voice from the chest she was leaning on.
"KENSHIN YOU IDIOT!" She yelled into his shoulder. "Why did you do that! You had me so worried!" She started to cry again overwhelmed with happiness.
"I'm sorry Miss Kaoru but I won't let anything happen to you." Never again. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt her. He wasn't going to lose anymore people he cared about, the people he loved.
Kenshin released his hug-like hold on Kaoru in order to turn and face Suiso. Suiso stared back stunned. "You're alive." He whispered amazed.
Kenshin smiled. "Suiso it's time to stop."
"Never!"
"Suiso, look around you." Suiso did and his mouth dropped. Nearly all his men had been defeated. Sanosuke, Aoshi, and Tsuki were just finishing up putting down the rest of his men.
Suiso turned his head back to Kenshin. "You think you've won? I'll kill them all. I'll kill all your pathetic friends then I'll break you! I'll break you!" The wind picked up sensing Suiso's anger. "You can't beat me! The wind cannot be defeated!" The wind picked up more. "You'll see! I always get what I…" Suiso didn't finish he yelled out in pain as Nakami came running up from behind him and bit the wrist of Suiso's arm holding the wood. Suiso let out a cry and released his hold on the wood.
Using his foot and not letting his bite on Suiso's wrist go, Nakami kicked the piece of wood to Kenshin before Suiso reached down and backhanded the boy off his arm. Nakami fell backwards with a yell but quickly sat up wiping the blood from his lips and spiting it from his mouth. He had done what he had hoped to do; he had 'unarmed' Suiso. Suiso didn't notice the blood dripping from wrist. He didn't feel the thumping pain coming from the bite marks. He felt empty as he watched Kenshin picked up the wood, toss it in the air, and with a quick flip of his blade cut it into a bunch of tiny pieces. The pieces were then were carried by the angry wind Suiso had conjured up and over the side of the rail.
"My power." Suiso mumbled. In a daze he walked over to the rail. "My power." He mumbled again as he looked down at the water but most of the pieces had floated away already or sank. "MY POWER!" He made an attempt to jump over the edge but Sanosuke grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him back.
Suiso sank to his knees. "It's over. It's all over. I've lost everything." He stared out into the ocean not looking at anything. "My legend… it's gone. All gone." Suiso was broken.
Kenshin carefully walked towards Suiso; pain running through his body with each step. "Suiso." Suiso looked up at him with dull eyes. "Where's Senko?"
A/N: Don't worry there are still a few more chapters left so stick around! WAIT! Where are you going! COME BACK! (Outer Zig-zag starts freaking out) /Inner Zig-zag/: Baka, This chapters over! Leave them alone. If you keep bugging them they WON'T come back. /Outer Zig-zag/: Oh… okay then! See you next chapter!
NOTE!!!!: On the last chapter it was brought to my attention that were I use to have Suiso chanting it was replaces with a bunch of ???????????? I'm trying to fix this but it seems every time I try to all my paragraphs get deleted and it's one BIG paragraph. This too I will try to fix. ASAP!
REVIEWERS!!! (I thank you for giving me a reason to work on Fanfics instead of other stuff!)
Ms. Zeal - No your cliffhangers are never that bad… sometimes. Your predictions make my mouth drop and my eyes bulge. It makes me think you can read my mind. (gets tinfoil and begins to wrap it around head) There! THAT should keep you out!
Nekotsuki - I'm trying to get my POV changes better. I use to use stars but they got deleted. (sigh… I miss those things) You were talking about all the ???????????????? In my last chapter correct when you said "the only problem I have is all those exclamation points you use" or is it when I add more then one ! if it was the question marks I'm trying to fix that. They not suppose to be there. If it's the exclamation points I'll try to cut down.
rain angst - I like seeing Kaoru kick ass too! She really is strong for a girl back in those times. She just looks really weak next to people like Sano and Kenshin. But COME ON! Who wouldn't look weak against people like that!
Tiger of the Sonicboom - WOW! NO MISTAKES! (dances) I really get typing to fast and make REALLY stupid mistakes. I mean REALLY REALLY stupid. So hearing you say that makes me happy! 'mazoku appeal' Zig-zag has a new word! I LOVE MAZOKU appeal. Most of the stories I write are like that and most that I read too! I love my new word! Thank-you so much for my new word! YEAH PAIN!
Shaolin 10 - YOU LOVE IT? Wow! And coming from you! (Cries) I'm not worthy!
Chapter 21 - Confrontation
"So Battòsai, which is it?" With a snap of his fingers he released Kenshin from the spell. Kenshin sat up and looked Suiso right in the eye. Suiso put his blade to Kaoru's throat. "Pick up that silly sword of yours and kill the boy. Kill him and I promise your lover here will be set free. If you don't I'll kill her right in front of you. You want to see her pretty kimono stained red?"
Kenshin moved his calm gaze to his Sakabato and picked it. "Suiso this one won't allow you to hurt Miss Kaoru." With that Kenshin flipped the blade. Nakami's eyes went wide as Kenshin picked himself up.
Kenshin looked at Nakami with sad eyes and as he did all the tales he had been told about the Battòsai came running back. "His hair was stained red from the blood of those he killed. He sucked your soul dry with his amber eyes. The greatest killer in all of Japan. Hitokiri Battòsai." Now that man stood, sword in hand, looking at him with sorrow filled eyes. Without thinking Nakami began to back up on his hands and knees.
"Is he going to kill me?" The young boy thought wildly too afraid to speak as he slammed into the wall. His thoughts where so cluttered with the thought of death her didn't even notice the pain that shot through his entire body as he hit his injured shoulder.
For awhile Kenshin and Nakami s sat and stood staring at each other. Both were silent but Nakami could hear his teeth chattering in his head. After a few moments Kenshin did something he didn't expect. Kenshin smiled at him. "Dose he want to kill me?!" Nakami's head screamed. Kenshin did smile but as he did he turned his head towards Suiso.
"Let her go Suiso." He said softly.
"I will Battòsai. Just kill the boy first." Suiso said returning Kenshin's smile.
"This one has vowed to never kill again, however, this one is willing to break that vow for Miss Kaoru…"
"Kenshin!" Kaoru chocked scared at what Kenshin was thinking.
Kenshin raised the Sakabato. "…and Nakami's safety." He then put the Sakabato's blade to his own throat. "Let Miss Kaoru and Nakami go Suiso or you'll lose your legend."
Suiso stood dumbstruck. He had not expected this. "You're bluffing." Kenshin pushed a little harder to prove he wasn't. "If you die then what's to stop me from killing them?"
"So you're saying you'd rather kill them then have your legend?"
Suiso's smile evaporated. "Don't tell me what I want Battòsai! I know what I want and I always get it! Always!" He pushed his sword closer to Kaoru's neck. "Drop your sword Battòsai or I'll kill her."
"You kill her then this one will take his life."
Suiso and Kenshin were at a stand off. Suiso craved to use his powers to send Kenshin flying backwards or get him trapped in the circle once more but his sword was too close to his juggler. One wrong move and it would be sliced open and his legend lost. "Battòsai… lower your sword." Suiso said through gritted teeth. Kenshin didn't move.
"If you don't let her go in three seconds this one will kill himself." Kenshin threatened. "One."
Suiso's eyes widened a bit. "He's serious!" His brain screamed.
"Two."
"KENSHIN!" Kaoru screamed from her helpless position. "DON'T DO IT!!!"
"Thr…"
"Stop!" Suiso lowered his blade from Kaoru's throat but he still held her to him. "I won't hurt her."
Kenshin wasn't satisfied. "Throw down your wood." Kenshin said still holding himself hostage.
"NO!" Suiso shouted clutching his pocket. Suddenly there was a spike of three new kis that Kenshin recognized. He looked to the door as it was thrown open to see Aoshi, Sanosuke, and Tsuki come running in.
"Kenshin! What the Hell is going on?" Sanosuke yelled as he took in what he saw.
Kenshin lowered the Sakabato slightly. "Sano get Miss Kaoru out of here!" Seeing his chance Suiso sent a blast of wind toward Kenshin slamming him into the wall. While the others were momentarily surprised Suiso grabbed Nakami and with a second gust of wind sent the three intruders off there feet. He ran out with a kicking and screaming Nakami under his arm.
"Nakami!" Kenshin yelled and began to follow after them but a wave of dizziness swept over him and instead he fell to a knee.
"Kenshin what's wrong?" Sano yelled surprised to see the almighty Kenshin down on a knee.
"I'm alright." Kenshin huffed. "Just a little tired." He was about to stand when a hand touched his shoulder. Kenshin looked at the owner of the hand and found a teary eyed Kaoru.
"You idiot!" She yelled at him. "How could you do that! What if Suiso let you die!" Tears rolled freely down her face.
"I'm sorry Miss Kaoru." He said reaching up to her and wiping her tears away. "This one did not mean to make you cry." He brushed away a few more tears before rising to his feet. "We have to find Nakami."
"Who's Nakami?" Tsuki asked.
Kenshin sighed. "I'll explain while we go." With that they set out after Suiso and Nakami with Kenshin explaining what had happened as they went.
Suiso ran out on to the deck and held Nakami close to him as he awaited the arrival of Kenshin and the others. Nakami struggled in Suiso's tight grip trying to free himself. As he waited Suiso saw a few of his crew and called to them. "Order EVERYONE to the deck and hurry!" The men ran off in a hurry. By the time Kenshin and the others arrived on the deck almost every one of the crew were standing behind Suiso. "This is it Battòsai!" Suiso yelled to the small group. "Kill them!" His men drew their swords and charged forward.
"Now this is what I've been waiting for!" Sano yelled happily as he took out three men rather quickly.
Soon the deck became a mess of bodies. The unconscious littered the floor. Everyone did their fair share of fighting. Aoshi moved quickly from person to person using his martial arts skills to take down his opponents. Sanosuke punched and kicked his way through the seemingly never ending attackers. Kaoru used her pan as if it really were a bokken taking down men left and right. Tsuki held his own fighting mostly with his hands as the men charged at him. Kenshin moved swiftly and quickly. The affects of Suiso's power slowly wearing off as fought.
Suiso watched Kenshin with a careful eye. He held onto Nakami tight as the sudden realization that his ENTIRE crew was getting beaten by just five people. Even if one was the Battòsai this was his entire crew. Surly they couldn't beat his entire crew! He was so caught up in the fact that his men were losing he never saw Sanosuke come up from behind him.
"Hey Suiso! Why dontcha leave kids out of this!" He yelled as he grabbed Suiso around the neck. Suiso was so surprised by the taller man's attack he let go of Nakami and frantically tried to free himself from Sanosuke's hold.
"Sanosuke! Get the wood in his pocket!" Kaoru yelled when she saw what was going on. "It's his power! Get rid of it!"
"In his pocket?" Sano looked down at the flailing Suiso and saw that one of his shirt pockets was larger then the others. "There it is!" Sano quickly reached down and yanked the wood the wood from Suiso's pocket ripping the pocket as he did. "I got it
Suiso broke free of Sanosuke's grasp. "Give it back!" He practically jumped into Sano's arms trying to reach the item in Sano's hand.
Sano with one hand tried to keep the crazed Suiso off him while he keep the hand holding the wood high above his head. "Get off me!" Sano yelled. "Get off me you…" Suddenly Sanosuke's vision blurred. Sano blinked his eyes trying to clear them but when he did he no longer saw Suiso but the head of Captain Sagara Sozo. Sanosuke's eyes went wide. "What?"
Captain Sagara's eye's opened and looked angrily at Sano. "Why haven't you cleared the name of Sekiho yet?" The head spoke angrily. Fear and confusion gripped his body and he dropped the wood and Suiso easily caught it.
Suiso jumped back from the shocked Sanosuke and turned his attention towards Kenshin. Suiso looked all over but couldn't find Kenshin anywhere. Suiso moved his eyes left to right looking for the red head but he couldn't find him. A shift in the wind. Suiso ducked just in time to avoid the blow aimed at the back of his head.
Kenshin was surprised to find his attack had missed. Suiso had been completely unaware of his presence behind him and yet he had dodged just in the nick of time. Suiso stood back up and turned around. "You!" He yelled a deep frown set on his face. A blast of wind set Kenshin skidding backwards a few steps. Not wasting anytime Suiso flung himself at Kenshin grabbing for his throat. Kenshin easily side stepped Suiso and Suiso stumbled to a stop. "You were suppose to be BROKEN!"
"As long as there are people depending on me you can't break me Suiso." Kenshin said calmly.
"I will break you!" Suiso yelled as he sent a short and quick blast of wind towards Kenshin. Kenshin covered his face as the blast struck him pelting his body. "I won't underestimate you this time! I'll make you beg! Beg for your life!" Again he sent the blasts. Kenshin blocked again as the invisible pellets stuck him. There had to be some way to dodge these things and he had to find it fast. "Beg Battòsai! Beg!" Kenshin waited for the last possible second then did a quick ninety degree turn to escape the blast but the blast followed hitting him again.
Kenshin's head pounded and it felt like his whole body was bruised. There had to be some way to get past these things. Another round came and Kenshin just had enough time to raise his arms to protect his head from receiving any blows.
Kaoru saw the last round of blows after she downed another one of the crew. Her eyes were wide with horror. What was Suiso doing to Kenshin? "Kenshin." She whispered her voice lost to her.
A gentle breeze took her words. It took her words with it as it gracefully blew them to the man it listened to. The man it protected. The man it was allied with. The wind is a dangerous and powerful tool in the hands of a madman. Suiso, without turning his head, looked towards Kaoru. "Beg." He said softer then before. "Beg Battòsai. FOR HER LIFE!" He spun around and sent a strong attack towards Kaoru. A stronger attack then he ever used on Kenshin.
Without wasting a moment Kenshin rushed to Kaoru. Taku's words echoing in his ears. "Kenshin, you won't be able to save her… Kaoru will end up just like her." He wasn't going to let that happen. He wasn't going to let another person he cared about die from an attack meant to hurt him. Never again. He grabbed her just as the attack hit.
It happened so fast and yet each second felt like a life time. Kaoru saw Suiso turn towards her and the look of dead fright that came over Kenshin's face. She couldn't see the attack rushing towards her but she could feel the sudden ferocity of the wind as it rushed towards her. She wanted to run but she didn't know where to go or what she was running from. She just knew she had to get away. Then she felt herself being hugged. Kenshin had grabbed her so suddenly that it had frightened her a moment. Kenshin had tried to move them out of the way but the attack followed it's target; which was Kaoru.
Kenshin held Kaoru tight as Suiso's attack hit him. His back, the back of his head, the back of his leg all screamed out in agony as they wind hit him with all it's furry trying to get to Kaoru. Kaoru felt his body push into her as each time a hit landed it pushed them back a little. Kenshin clenched his teeth and shut his eyes to keep from crying out in pain but he hiss threw his teeth as the pain became over whelming. It was over in seconds but it felt like years and when it was over Kenshin was still and quiet.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled tears rolling down her checks. Why had she followed him? Why hadn't she left when he had asked her to? If she hadn't been here Suiso couldn't have hurt Kenshin like this. Why had she been so selfish? She had just wanted to be near him and now look at what she did to Kenshin. "What have I done?" She said in a low voice.
"What have I done!" Suiso said panicked. "What have I done?!" He repeated coming out of his crazed state of mind. "WHAT HAVE I DONE!" He had been foolish and he had lost his legend.
"Kenshin I'm so sorry!" Kaoru cried into Kenshin's shoulder.
Kaoru cried for a moment then stopped when she felt the shoulder she was crying on moved. She stood stock still as a hand reached up and gently stroked her head. "It's alright now Miss. Kaoru; that it is." Came a tried and hurt voice from the chest she was leaning on.
"KENSHIN YOU IDIOT!" She yelled into his shoulder. "Why did you do that! You had me so worried!" She started to cry again overwhelmed with happiness.
"I'm sorry Miss Kaoru but I won't let anything happen to you." Never again. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt her. He wasn't going to lose anymore people he cared about, the people he loved.
Kenshin released his hug-like hold on Kaoru in order to turn and face Suiso. Suiso stared back stunned. "You're alive." He whispered amazed.
Kenshin smiled. "Suiso it's time to stop."
"Never!"
"Suiso, look around you." Suiso did and his mouth dropped. Nearly all his men had been defeated. Sanosuke, Aoshi, and Tsuki were just finishing up putting down the rest of his men.
Suiso turned his head back to Kenshin. "You think you've won? I'll kill them all. I'll kill all your pathetic friends then I'll break you! I'll break you!" The wind picked up sensing Suiso's anger. "You can't beat me! The wind cannot be defeated!" The wind picked up more. "You'll see! I always get what I…" Suiso didn't finish he yelled out in pain as Nakami came running up from behind him and bit the wrist of Suiso's arm holding the wood. Suiso let out a cry and released his hold on the wood.
Using his foot and not letting his bite on Suiso's wrist go, Nakami kicked the piece of wood to Kenshin before Suiso reached down and backhanded the boy off his arm. Nakami fell backwards with a yell but quickly sat up wiping the blood from his lips and spiting it from his mouth. He had done what he had hoped to do; he had 'unarmed' Suiso. Suiso didn't notice the blood dripping from wrist. He didn't feel the thumping pain coming from the bite marks. He felt empty as he watched Kenshin picked up the wood, toss it in the air, and with a quick flip of his blade cut it into a bunch of tiny pieces. The pieces were then were carried by the angry wind Suiso had conjured up and over the side of the rail.
"My power." Suiso mumbled. In a daze he walked over to the rail. "My power." He mumbled again as he looked down at the water but most of the pieces had floated away already or sank. "MY POWER!" He made an attempt to jump over the edge but Sanosuke grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him back.
Suiso sank to his knees. "It's over. It's all over. I've lost everything." He stared out into the ocean not looking at anything. "My legend… it's gone. All gone." Suiso was broken.
Kenshin carefully walked towards Suiso; pain running through his body with each step. "Suiso." Suiso looked up at him with dull eyes. "Where's Senko?"
A/N: Don't worry there are still a few more chapters left so stick around! WAIT! Where are you going! COME BACK! (Outer Zig-zag starts freaking out) /Inner Zig-zag/: Baka, This chapters over! Leave them alone. If you keep bugging them they WON'T come back. /Outer Zig-zag/: Oh… okay then! See you next chapter!