Disclaimer: I make no claims to anything.
Author's note: Waaah, I'm so late again! I'm sorry! *bows apologetically* I've had loads to do lately, considering it's supposed to be my summer holiday *glares at the various things that have been crowding out her time* Grr!
Oh, and lots of peeps seemed to think Hiko died… *confused* I never said he died… Kenshin said he was told Hiko was dying and then he spoke about Hiko in a present, not past, tense- that was deliberate on my part to indicate that he was alive. I was surprised at how no one seemed to mind the idea of him dying, though… Ah well. He isn't dead, anyway. *shrug*
Well, I'll get the next chapter out as soon as I can. Meanwhile, it's about time for an R.O.U.S or two to make an appearance!
Enjoy!
The Princess Bride: Kenshin StyleTwenty-Two
"We have to move on, Kaoru," said Kenshin at last, a note of regret in his voice that he didn't try to hide.
Kaoru nodded, and the couple released each other to walk on once more through the shadowy, ancient swamp.
The black-haired girl was rapidly becoming lost in her own thoughts. So that was what he was doing, all that time he was gone… All the time I thought he was dead… He was fighting on, learning what he had to know to do what is right… Did his father actually die, then? Kenshin said he was dying… Did he have to die to teach Kenshin the ougi? Was that why the first Battousai died- passing on the ougi to his comrade?
And I still don't know…Kaoru glanced across at Kenshin's face, at the once smooth cheek, now marred by a cross-shaped scar. Kenshin's eyes had taken on a colder shade of violet as his own face betrayed his pensive mood.
I still don't know why he has that scar…
Could she ask him? He'd found it difficult to tell her what he already had, and Kaoru couldn't bring herself to question him further. Yet the scar kept drawing her gaze, and intruding upon her thoughts. It was so harsh and cruel, possessing the height and breadth of Kenshin's cheek like that. Yet at the same time, the thin, perfect lines, meeting and passing at the centre, seemed to represent something of grief and tragedy.
"I got it when I learnt the ougi," said Kenshin, his eyes turning to catch Kaoru's gaze briefly. "It is the mark of the Dread Hitokiri Battousai. It is the scar that each Battousai gives the one who follows in his footsteps."
Kaoru tore her eyes self-consciously from Kenshin's gaze a moment after he'd already looked forwards again, and from the scar on his face. The mark of the Battousai. Did it hurt a great deal?
Kaoru walked on.
"There is a story behind that scar."
Kenshin sat with his back against the wall, a damp cloth against his face where the two long cuts still felt like fire, stinging his skin.
He lifted curious eyes to his shishou, knowing not to interrupt, waiting for Hiko to continue.
Hiko was crouched, leaning heavily against the opposite wall. He should have been lying down, with his injuries as bad as they were, but Hiko's pride did not allow himself to be lying on the floor while his stupid pupil was in the room.
"The first- the true- Dread Hitokiri Battousai was a member of a rebelling faction, much as we are now. He was their most prized assassin- that was how he got his name, and why his name is as feared as it is." Hiko paused to take a few breaths, willing back the wave of pain that came from the deep, ugly mark that ran diagonally across his body from stomach to shoulder. "The Dread Hitokiri was incredibly strong, unbelievably skilled- he killed in seconds. His victims didn't even have time to scream before their blood was on the ground. However, one night, the Battousai's target, a young man, managed to mark his killer before he died. He gave him a slash across his cheek."
Kenshin listened mutely. He'd seen the scar on Hiko, and always wondered what it meant. Now, at last, he was finding out.
"One of his comrades told the Battousai of a superstition that says if a wound is made with enough spite, or hatred, the wound will never close- it will keep bleeding, now and then, for the rest of your life, or until revenge has been exacted. The Battousai could not deny that his wound kept opening and weeping blood, no matter what he did.
"Things were getting difficult for the group at that time, and they suspected a spy in their ranks. An assassin sent from the opposing royal group, who should not have been able to know where the Battousai was at any moment, attacked the Battousai one night. The Battousai's leader's suspicions were confirmed, and he valued his assassin as a valuable tool, but also as a comrade in arms. He sent the Battousai away into hiding, with a woman to play the part of his wife, and divert suspicion from their neighbours.
"This woman had been witness to one of the Battousai's killings, month before, but instead of killing her, too, the assassin had let her live. He never explained why. He took her back to the inn he was staying in, and she got a job there, so they saw each other often. Some speculated that she was the only person the Battousai trusted." Hiko snorted derisively. "I doubt he ever trusted anyone.
"The pair of them stayed hidden for some time, being visited a couple of times by one of the assassin's comrades. The Battousai did not hide the fact that he preferred his new life to his old one; he had always had a distaste for spilling blood, despite his incredible skill at doing so.
"His peaceful life didn't last. His visiting comrade came one cold day of winter to tell him what he had found out: that the woman he was living with was the spy, and that she'd sold out the Battousai to the royal side. She'd laid a trap for him that day, with herself as the bait.
"The reason became clear. The man who had marked the assassin had been engaged: the Battousai had killed his 'wife's' fiancé, and destroyed her happiness. She wanted him dead.
"The Hitokiri must have been in love with her by then, or he never would have gone up that hillside, knowing what he knew.
"He went after her despite everything, ploughing through the snow to get to her. He was attacked on the way, of course. By the time he reached her, and the man who stood with her ready to kill him, the Battousai was bleeding and battered, the angry wound in his cheek dripping blood along with his other injuries.
"Sure enough, the man with the girl attacked, and the fight could only end with the death of one or both. The girl, torn up inside, caught between her old love for her dead fiancé and her new love for the Battousai, finally threw herself between them."
Kenshin drew a sharp breath, his eyes full of intense fire. The cuts on his cheek throbbed heavily, as if remembering the painful time that Hiko described.
"She intervened as the Battousai delivered the killing blow. His sword went straight through her and into the other man."
Kenshin's cheek gave a sharp pulse of pain, making him wince. These cuts were full of hurt, steeped in memory… Unable to let go, even when passed onto someone new…
"As she lay dying in her lover's arms, she gave him the second cut on his cheek: revenge was exacted, and the Battousai's wound could close at last.
"But the price was higher than he could bear." Hiko paused, his eyes on the fire that flickered quietly between he and his red-haired comrade. The firelight danced slowly over the older man's face, lending it a soft orange hue.
"He never forgot that woman. I doubt he ever stopped loving her. He hung up his killer's sword, and took a sakabatou instead- like the one you carry now, Kenshin. He vowed never to kill again, unable to ever forgive himself for what he'd done."
Hiko's story was done: his eyes fell shut as he went back to concentrating on fighting his pain. Kenshin's ougi would have killed him were it not for the sakabatou- even so, Hiko would not recover fully; not with the other injuries he'd already had from the ambush. But at least he was alive.
Kenshin stayed in the room through the night, unable to sleep. He sat in silence, gazing into the fire as it burned low, dwelling on the sting of the mark on his face, and the new, shadowy pain it had brought to his heart.
He wouldn't tell Kaoru any of that story. It would be hard for her to understand the need for his painful scar, and he didn't want to upset her any more, not after everything he'd already put her through.
This was all aside from the fact that he'd noticed an R.O.U.S following them.
He needed to keep talking, and distract Kaoru if possible: he didn't want her to be afraid, even though part of him guessed she probably wouldn't be too intimidated by a Rodent of Unusual Size.
"I'm sorry I didn't come for you sooner, Kaoru. I suppose I assumed you would always be at the farm, that everything would stay the same…" Kenshin shook his head at himself, at his own naiveté.
"No, Kenshin, I just never expected the Prince to propose to me like that. It all happened very quickly," said Kaoru hurriedly. I would never, ever have agreed if I'd known you were alive…
Kaoru's train of thought was broken off by a sudden rustle from above, followed by a snapping, angry growl, the metallic whisper of a sword being drawn and a heavy thump.
She spun round to see Kenshin gripping his shoulder with one hand, his sword held in the other, and an injured R.O.U.S on the ground, growling defensively up at Kenshin.
Kaoru let out an inarticulate cry of surprise and anger as she quickly glanced around for a weapon. Attack my Kenshin, will you? It might not be a bokken, but this will do! She grabbed a long, almost-straight stick from the ground and, holding it securely, swiftly brought it down on the R.O.U.S' head with a sharp blow, just as she'd practised so many times with her bokken at home.
Kenshin stared wide-eyed at his dark-haired love, who stood tall over her victim, an angry flush on her face, sparks of fury in her bright blue eyes and a slight tremble in her arms as she gripped her stick tightly, ready to use it again.
The R.O.U.S seemed as surprised as Kenshin. An R.O.U.S' skull is really quite thick and solid, so Kaoru's attack did not kill it. It was pretty dazed, however.
Kenshin took advantage of this quickly, reversing his blade and cleaving the huge rodent in two.
Kaoru turned away from the sight, her face looking suddenly sick. She'd practised with her bokken a lot, and had imagined many battles and fights, but seeing real blood and real death right in front of her eyes was rather different from just making it up in her head.
She was holding down a slight wave of nausea when a light touch on her shoulder brought her back to reality.
She turned to see Kenshin's violet eyes gazing with concern into her face. He winced suddenly, and looked down at his shoulder, where his black clothing had been ripped by gnashing teeth.
It was a mess of blood and bite marks.
Kaoru cried out at the sight of it, dropping her stick to lift her hands to the wound.
"Oh Kenshin! Are you okay? I'll bandage it up for you," she said hurriedly, while ripping a strip of cloth from the already burned and shredded hem of her kimono.
"Thank you, Kaoru, but please do it quickly: the smell of blood attracts Rodents of Unusual Size more than anything else. There'll be a lot more of them very soon if we don't hurry." Kenshin spoke in a slightly strained voice, through teeth gritted with pain as the wounds in his shoulder oozed more blood.
Kaoru nodded grimly as she lifted Kenshin's arm gently to wind the cloth under and over his shoulder. Kenshin stood quietly as Kaoru deftly tied up the ends and released him.
"Is that okay?" she asked anxiously.
Kenshin nodded gratefully. "It's fine, thank you, Kaoru. Now let's go."
They walked more quickly than before, both keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of more of the huge rodents. Kaoru kept her makeshift bokken in a firm grip, while Kenshin walked with his sword in his hands, lifted ready for an attack.
They didn't have to wait long for the next assault.
They hadn't gone more than a couple of hundred metres through the shady forest when a group of three giant rodents pounced, darting somewhat ungracefully, though with fierce growls, from the undergrowth.
One went straight for Kenshin's shoulder, and he lifted his sword to knock it away with the flat side of the blade as another of the creatures dived for his legs, aiming to sink it's long front teeth into his calf.
It didn't have a chance.
Already swept up in the adrenaline of her previous encounter, Kaoru dived in with a loud cry to land a shocking blow squarely on the rodent's spine. The R.O.U.S shuddered with violent spasms before collapsing, dead.
Kenshin was amazed by the wild, fierce ki emanating from the beautiful young woman at his side. He'd suspected she had talent and strength, but seeing her leap to his defence like this made him fall in love with her all over again. She's incredible…
He let this thought flicker through his mind even as he slashed, in a perfectly controlled move, at the third R.O.U.S, which had leapt to attack Kaoru as she lifted her stick from the dead rodent on the ground at her feet.
Kaoru whirled round to attack it herself, but Kenshin had already killed it, along with the one that had made for his shoulder.
The pair of humans stood tall and victorious amidst the trio of ugly, hairy bodies. Kenshin smiled at Kaoru as pride swelled in his chest, pride in his love's bravery and skill, and more than gratified that she had made protecting him her first priority.
Kaoru felt herself begin to tremble against her will. She had never actually attacked anything in a real fight before, and, like the slaying of the first R.O.U.S, the scene now before her, and the knowledge of her own participation in it, was something she had not really been prepared for. She blinked a few times, trying to still her shaking hands by gripping her stick so tightly that her knuckles went white.
She glanced up at Kenshin, and the look in his eyes made her feeling of shock die away in an instant.
His face shone with pride and love- for her.
"You're amazing, Kaoru," he said quietly, his voice full of the emotions his eyes sparkled with.
Kaoru blinked again as a smile crept over her pale face. Now grinning broadly, she swept her 'bokken' up into a readied position, her body in a relaxed, prepared stance.
"I'll protect you, Kenshin," she said in a voice full of sunshine and happiness, only half-teasing him. Kenshin beamed at her.
Leaving the R.O.U.S' bodies behind, they ventured with greater confidence through the Fire Swamp.
Author's note: The ending is a little abrupt, I know, but it felt like a good place to stop when I wrote it.
Considering the fact that I wrote this in little bits over the space of nearly two weeks, I'm not sure how good it is… It feels okay, but I couldn't see how to improve it. Oh well. It's done, and it does the job.
Ah, and I decided to let Kaoru be Kaoru- Buttercup may have been pretty useless in a fight (sorry Buttercup fans), but Kaoru knows how to hold her own.
Well, that's enough from me! Please leave a review, I'd greatly appreciate it!
Notes to reviewers (back with a vengeance!):
Thank you to Tokyo Nights, Mistress of time (No, I've never read it- or heard of it, that I can recall… Do you recommend it then? I'll read it if you think I'll like it! ^_^), Queen of Shadows (Don't you like English? I have to confess it's one of my favourite subjects *blush* I can totally understand the French thing though- ugh *shudder* I hated French. And yes, Classics is indeed the spawn of Satan. Yay, R.O.U.Ss! ^_^), LSR-7 (Yes, it made sense ^_^ It is a bit weird I guess, I never really thought of it that way.. Oh yes, the rats have appeared! I didn't put in much detail about their looks, but rest assured they are not rubber. ^_^), Wishful Thinking (You were ill? I hope you feel better now *offers a belated get well card with a pic of Kenshin on*), star0704 (It is a great film! S to Kaoru's honour and the Prince… Well, I'll just say I'm not planning to deviate much from the book when it comes to what she wants or how she sets about getting it.), Zeh Wulf (Thank you for the vote of confidence! A lot of people have complained about the lack of action in that chapter, but I honestly thought we'd have enough for a bit! This isn't really primarily an action fic… Ah well. Yeh, Kenshin is the only guy with much honour, really… I know what you mean about Buttercup. I still can't decide if her decision to go back was based on a faith in Westley's abilities to save her again, or whether she was just being a bit silly/naïve. *ponders a while* Ponder is a great word. Anyway! Congrats on the employment status! I've had a Saturday job for more than a year myself, along with my college week… Ugh, nasty, but then the money is always good, it funds my addiction to anime dvds and manga… *big grin* I'm not looking forward to penniless university life at all… Well, the penniless part. The rest is gonna be great! And don't let your friend take all the credit- you must have wowed them if they gave you a job, right? *giggle* It's weird how getting a job is so hard, cos everyone wants one, but once you get one, you hate it. *scrunches up nose in confusion* Well, that's how it is for me, anyway. Hope you enjoy your job!), Kitty Katana (Hey, thanks! Glad you liked that one too! I don't know which one you read, but I've got two one-shot Inuyasha fics up. A third up this evening, too. ^_^ Wow, what a shameless plug, even for me! *grin* *salute* I shall endeavour to bring much fluff to the masses!), Lil summoner yuna (Buttercup's Baby was a kind of extra tiny book, but there was only one chapter- I don't know if it in fact has more than one chapter- that comes at the back of the PB book. It's a bit weird and different to the PB, but worth a look-see if you get the chance), WIERDkittyw/wingz (Er… thanks! Though I have to say I don't write unless I'm feeling inspired/ready to pour my soul out- hence the late updates on occasion… *sheepish* But I agree with the sentiment, definitely. Oh, I wouldn't hold your breath on the comedy- I usually suck at it, any comedy there is in the fic is mostly accidental ^_^ Thanks anyway!), Midnight Star (Thanks for the good luck! My exams are all over at last now… *sigh of relief* I have barely any time to myself lately, but I will have a look at your story when I get a moment! ^_^ Yay for Inuyasha! If ever I finish this fic, I want to do an Inuyasha fic- other than the one-shots I keep indulging in!), Momentum, Mewberries, Mary (No, I totally know what you mean- I always felt that Westley didn't feel the same kind of devotion that Buttercup did. The way he talked to her sometimes seemed kind of patronising- 'tolerating' is definitely the word for it. No way is Kenshin just going to tolerate Kaoru! They're really in love, I just hope I can represent that well), Ela (It was a little hard to write that chapter just because I had trouble getting into the right frame of mind for it, but the details of Kenshin's past I had pretty much worked out from the start of this fic, so that made it a bit easier. Most of the major plot details are already worked out- it's just getting it all written out that's hard work. But fun, of course! ^_^ Yay, Inigo is the coolest! Loads of people seem to like him best- I don't blame them, he's brilliant. I know what you mean about Buttercup's less admirable qualities, as well. Yay for R.O.U.Ss! ^_^), Vash-chan AKA Makoto Almasy (Thanks again for the tip- greatly appreciated. Please don't hesitate to point that kind of thing out to me, I'm too ditzy… *sigh* Hm, yes a lot of people thought Hiko died, but I never actually said he did… *puzzled* Ah well. Thanks for the review!), LadyChrisA (Ick, sounds like hard work! I'm too lazy to be able to do that… *sheepish* Trouble enough keeping up with my fics! ^_^), Silver Eyes Bright, genocide ex-sync*in (I can kind of sympathise, cos my favourite character EVER in the history of books has been given a death prediction for the final book of a trilogy of trilogies- I'm talking about Robin Hobb and the character the Fool, don't know if you've heard of it- if the Fool does die, I will be SO unbelievably upset… *lower lip trembling already* Waah! Sirius Black was indeed a very cool character. It sucks that he's gone… _ *grabs a tissue* and thanks- *sniff* for the luck wishing *sniff*), Corran Nackatori (*beams with pride and glee at the gold-star covered object* Ah, I don't have a major! English colleges are for 16 to 18 year olds- I'm 18! ^_^ and you do around three or four subjects- I did English Language and Literature, Classical Civilisation *hiss* *boo* and Film Studies *yay!*. I'll be doing a degree in Creative Writing as of September this year! Yay!!!! *bounces around with excitement* Note to Corran- reviews can never be too long! ^_^ They don't take up my time, they make me happy! Especially yours, they're like letters from an old friend, you know? ^_^), boomerang-chan, Tevrah, Claryssa (Thanks! And you got your wish- kick R.O.U.S butt, Kenshin!), TenkunoMeiou, EvilPrincessMelphis (Say hi back to Misty for me then, if she's still away ^_^ Oh, and Sano- just so long as you get back here in time for your next appearance, I want you to do as you're told and take good care of those two lovely ladies who've been good enough to take you in and even train you! Hear me? *stern look* Good boy. *winks at Melly* Have fun!), elyssalyn (*imagines the image of Sano with Andre's body and giggles* Love your sadistic tendencies, m'dear… My kinda thinkin'! *grins at the frightened masses, who are edging slowly away* MWAHAHA!), Alec Ikiiki (Hewo! *glomp* Glad you liked the fluffy break- I feel as if there's been too much action, but lost of people seem to want more of it.. *sighs tiredly* Ah well. YOU THOUGHT HIKO WAS DEAD!? *starts spinning around like a drunken dancer* Why did so many people think that? *very confused* It's a mystery.. Ah well, I'm sure he liked the flower anyway ^_^ Hm, I thought about you're point with the shouldn't and should not, and I don't know the rules for it, but I tried doing it with should not and it just sounded too… prissy. *sheepish* No, I mean it! It just didn't sound right… Oh well. Must be my overly familiar writing style… I hope it doesn't bother you. And you got your explanation of the ROUSs in this chapter! ^_^ They are so fake and ridiculous in the film.. all rubbery and stupid… *giggles* *stuffs a sock into Sano's mouth* Eat that, pig! *giggle* *dives happily into the pile of presents again and surfaces holding a small sugar statue of Soujiro* Kawaii! Your presents are too cool, Alec! ^__^ I'll sleep well tonight… *scoops hand into blue bag and promptly falls unconscious, as Kaoru and Kenshin look on* Kenshin: think we can go back to Alec's for a while? Kaoru: Yeh, I think so… Just go quietly… *the pair put a pillow under Akari's head and tiptoe away*), DarkElf (Thanks you thank you! Yes, Kenshin can handle anything, certainly a few overgrown rodents! *cheers Kenshin on, who sweatdrops nervously*), NightRain (Thanks! I'll try my best! Sano: In your own sweet time, of course… Akari: *blush* er… Kenshin: Ignore him, keep going! Akari: Thanks! ^_^ Yay for a cool fighting Kaoru!), Naomi-chan (*jumps around with happiness* Thank you!! I'm trying! I haven't really read any other parody/movie based like fics, but I'm glad you like mine! I love the PB, it's a great story- the RK cast just fit it so well! ^_^ Yes, my computer loves to screw my chapters around, it's highly irritating, but hey, at least it behaves most of the time… ^_^), ParanoidNovice (Thanks! ^_^), Sakura Joy (Isn't it exciting though? I'm sure you'll pick up the language really quickly while you're there- you'll have all your family to help you, though I understand it must be hard to be the only one having to work on it. I hope it all works out well though, and you have a good time there. ^_^ Ganbatte, ne! Good luck with the fic, too- stick with it! Let me know the title, I'll read it!), awc (*giggle* *offers more aspirin should it be needed*), faerie-chan (I haven't seen the Rocky Horror Show, but I have a friend who's really crazy about it, so I have some idea… *giggles at the crazy doctor* Hope you liked this chapter too, by the way! ^_^), c0mb4t_t3h_m0nk3h (*can't bring herself to eat the chocolate Kenshin, he's too beautiful* ^_^ I'll check with the clergy guy once I actually find him… Darn that guy, vanishing when I'll be needing him later on! *offer s plaster for the bruise from the wall-smacking* ^_^), Elf Fanatic Lark, ElvenRanger (Don't worry, the ROUSs didn't hurt Kenshin too badly… *glances around quickly, and whispers* It was all just ketchup, really- I couldn't convince Kaoru to let me injure her boyfriend *grin* Thanks for the mention of Aoshi- I've been looking forward to giving him his fifteen seconds of fame since I started this fic! ^_^), dunkmoonX, kimoniken (Thanks! ^_^ Hopefully I'll make the 1000 mark soon, I just can't believe I've had so many reviews! ^_^), kamiya kaoru (Sorry about the long wait- I know how annoying it is to have to wait forever for the next chapter of a fic… *feels really bad* I'll try harder!), D45 (No, it's okay, I forgive you… as long as you give me lots of those Pixie Stixs! ^_^ I don't know the name Pixie Stixs, but we probably have something similar, just called something different. Either way, sugary is goooood…. ^_^ *blushes madly at the compliments being heaped on her head* Thank you, you've encouraged me no end! Sometimes I wonder when I'll ever really finish this fic, but hey, with readers like you, I'll stick around as long as it takes! ^_^ I went back and read it again from the start as well, and it really helped to get me back into the frame of mind for this story… It's hard juggling this with my other RK fic, because they're so different in tone and style, but hey, I'll cope! I've already sacrificed my CCS fic for these… *beams at the 'go Akari' banners and suddenly runs off to the cupboard* yes, we have Wonka sweets! Here! *rummages around and emerges with a box full of sweets* I keep these for sugar-low emergencies! Have them, they're yummy! ^__^ Thanks again m'dear, you're almost too lovely, I'm really grateful for the enthusiasm you give me), loyanini (Go for it! What film are you thinking of basing your fic on?), Shadowfax, Nitogumi (Glad to have encouraged a love for the PB, it's a great book and a great film! ^_^ And let that waff grow, nurture it, it's the stuff of life, I say! ^_^), Missy (I'll just admit that my geography is bad and I don't think it's really a vital thing to the story- sorry if it bothers you!), Kittymui (Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it!), Little Yahiko (*ducks on reflex* Don't hurt me! Besides, I'm not on a five day update anymore, it's weekly! Sano: *raises eyebrow* Weekly? Akari: *embarressed* Well, when I can keep up with it, yes, weekly… *shuffles away in defeat*) and Sango-chan (No punishments here for not seeing the PB yet- but I do recommend it when you get the chance. ^_^ I hope you enjoy it!)!
Thank you ALL so much! And sorry again for the late update- I seem to be saying that a lot lately. I've just been really busy with overtime at work among other things… *sigh* Going to uni is gonna be very expensive, so I need to save as much as possible, instead of having a nice relaxing holiday like I wanted…
That reminds me!
Important! I'm going away on holiday to Spain (*excited*) for two weeks on Saturday the 26th of this month, so they'll be a time of no updating while I'm gone (I won't have a computer where I'm going). Just thought I'd warn you now in advance.
Well, hope you're all enjoying your summer- weather's been a bit crazy here in England, not much sun- not that I even like the sun anyway! *shakes head* I'm such a vampire… Well, see y'all soon!
^_^ *happy dance*