Disclaimers: Rurouni Kenshin© is created and owned by Watsuki Nohuhiro, Sony Entertainment and Jump Comics. I am doing this fic for entertainment purposes only.
Gateway to DarknessChapter 3: Gathering of the Guardians
Nagasaki, Japan
1881
Silently, into the dark sea, a lone boat was anchored near the harbor and the fisherman's coast, where just days ago, an innocent fisherman saw the dark shadow beneath the waters. There was only two men in the boat, one steadying the boat using the oar, and the other one standing stiffly, his arms crossed and his eyes closed. He emitted a dark aura, flowing from him and towards the reluctantly rising island. With his energy, he managed to raise the small piece of land very, very slowly.
The sound of another boat nearby broke his concentration. The man by the oar took a weapon from his side and readied himself for a battle. The man standing turned, his gray eyes narrowed, before he looked at his companion.
"Drop your weapon. It's an ally." He commanded, and the man immediately complied. The obvious leader turned again to the boat, irritated that his men simply came out to the waters when they knew that time was gold. "What do you want? You know the rules."
"Stop your scowling. I bring bad news." His younger brother replied. "I've sensed the Guardians as you've requested, and it seems they're all gathering to a place up north. The Guardians who doesn't live on Earth are coming." He reported. "I guessed that they would be meeting because of our plan, but I never thought that they'd knew it immediately."
His older brother scoffed. "Of course, because of the lower class demons coming from the Gate. The insects are infecting Japan, and I sent one weakling to attack a Guardian in Tokyo. My spy didn't return. Death has taken care of him." The words came out as a snarl. "They are moving just for the reason that the insect themselves are a threat to the human race. What more would they do if they knew that higher class demons are waiting for the breaking of the Barrier?"
"Tokyo is protected with a powerful barrier. The insects pass that city."
"Then, it's the work of the Guardian I sensed in Tokyo a long time ago." The older brother clenched his fist. "If she so much wreck the plan we came up with years ago, I will personally send her to the Other Life."
"So it's a woman."
"Shut up! Woman or not, I will kill her, if it's the last thing I do!"
His younger brother laughed hollowly. "There's something else you should know, since it'd be our advantage against them."
"Say it!"
"There are four more Guardians who are unaware of their destiny. They are, as I might say, 'unawakened'. They're vulnerable to any attacks we might give them, and they can only sense the danger lightly. They can't see the insects. The other Guardians are the ones who protect them. One of the Guardians is sick, but only for a few days. After that, she'll regain her energy."
"Remarkable!" He said, his confidence raising a level. "I commend you for your hard work, brother! Now that you've given me that information, I'll send hordes of weaklings to them so they'd be occupied while we work on raising the island."
The younger brother smiled maliciously, already signaling the one rowing his boat to return to the harbor. "Concentrate of lifting the island. Leave the Guardians to me."
Tokyo, Japan
1881
Kaoru was jolted from her sleep so suddenly that she literally sat up on the futon. Beside her, Kenshin muttered something then turned over in his sleep. She felt something unusually cold in her surroundings and clutched the yukata, tying it tighter around her. She eased out of the bed, carefully placing the covers back so Kenshin wouldn't wake because of the cold and find her gone.
The room seemed misty and Kaoru narrowed her eyes, ready to use her powers if the situation called for it. She turned, coming face-to-face with someone. She stifled her scream when she recognized who it was. With a sigh, Kaoru relaxed her tense posture and let her guard down.
"The Guardian of Ice. How wonderful to see you again!" Kaoru whispered. "You surprised me. Are you the reason for the strange coldness in my room?"
Ice chuckled lightly. "Yes, that would be me. Being the Guardian of Ice and dead at the same time intensifies the cold." She glanced at Kenshin. "I'm surprised that he's still asleep. He usually wakes when something's wrong with his surroundings." She pointed out, disapproving at that. "How can he protect you when he isn't alert? You're making him soft, Kaoru-chan!" Ice admonished lightly.
Kaoru smiled. "If you want to talk, not here. Kenshin might wake up anytime, but I'm afraid to leave him. He easily gets hysterical when he doesn't see me when he wakes up."
"Oh, that's typical of a man who's in love with you." Ice commented teasingly. "We can stay here. If he wakes, he can't see me, and he'll think that you're just sitting at the side of your bed, like you're lost in thought. Sometimes, it's easy to read him, other times, he's not." She added. "After all, we can't let you out. It's cold tonight."
She groaned. "You know I'm sick! Oh, how wonderful!" Kaoru whispered sarcastically. "Does Dream know?"
"He doesn't—yet."
"Right. Just peachy." Kaoru murmured, placing her head in both hands. "When he discovers I've been careless, he'll be really angry with me."
Ice sighed. "Actually, I've been trying to contact you days ago. We decided that the remaining Guardians be reawakened to their destiny, since we need their help as well. Their powers are unbelievable, and not being aware of it can destroy the whole world, if they want to."
Kaoru nodded, remembering the last four powers that were still dormant. "Especially Chaos and Darkness. Both of them can wipe out the entire world in just…seconds." She shifted, looking at Kenshin, touching his hair lightly. He murmured her name, seeking more of her touch even in sleep. Kaoru smiled tenderly.
Ice watched the two. "He looks like a child when he sleeps, doesn't he?" She whispered softly.
"Hai," She replied, placing a light kiss on his forehead. "So you're here to tell me about the decision of reawakening? You shouldn't have to; I was going to do it later when I'm fully recovered. Even without Dream's consent, I was still going to do it. After all, I can't let their lives be in danger because they aren't aware of it. But we've got one problem."
"What is it?"
Kaoru chuckled nervously. "Weather is…missing."
"What?"
She sighed. "Well, he had gone way, way before Kenshin and I got married. And I have no contact whatsoever with the Guardian of Chaos after he…you know."
"Oh, I know. But we've spoken just recently. He's coming back here, and I gathered that he's somewhere in Hakodate." Ice said.
Kenshin grunted, his right arm already patting the space beside him. Both Ice and Kaoru stilled as his eyebrows furrowed when he felt nothing. Opening his eyes, Kenshin groggily saw Kaoru sitting on the tatami beside her space in the futon, looking at him guiltily.
"Kaoru? What are you doing out of bed?" He asked, shivering slightly. "It's cold, and you're sick! Come back to bed this instant!" He demanded, pulling up the covers and patting the empty space for emphasis.
Giggling lightly, Kaoru crawled beside him, snuggling close to him when he placed both arms around her. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I just couldn't sleep somehow." She said, looking up at him. Kenshin sighed, pulling her closer for a kiss. She eagerly returned it with fervor, breaking the kiss of to laugh when she heard Ice comment, rather dryly, for her to at least wait for her to disappear before they…ahem, got it on.
"Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, puzzled as to why she was laughing so hard. "Is there something I should know about?" Ice coughed at his question before disappearing while Kaoru grinned at him.
Kenshin looked up, gazing around him with an expression of befuddlement. "It's not cold anymore. Strange, a little while ago, it was so cold like it was the middle of winter…" He shrugged, cuddling Kaoru to him. "Well, what's so funny, wife?"
"Oh, nothing…"
"Hmm. Well, then, I'll give you something to laugh about." Kenshin told her mischievously, rolling on top of her while he tickled her mercilessly on the stomach, Kaoru's shrieks of laughter reaching the high heavens.
Hakodate, Japan
1881
Damn it all! He cursed, shivering when he stepped out of the inn, the cold air biting against his skin. Whatever is the matter with those people in Tokyo? It was early in the morning and the surroundings were still misty. There were very few people out in the streets. He sighed, shaking his head. Traveling to Tokyo was one of the worst things he ever experienced. Because of the fact that he had to pass through Hokkaido first…
"They can't even get rid of some small pest," He voiced his thoughts out loud, frowning at the additional cold. "You shouldn't appear here when it's cold, Ice." He scowled. "You're making things much more complicated now that you're here."
"I went and had a talk with Water. I told her you're on your way to Tokyo, and you're currently here. She's been worried because Weather is basically missing, and she's sick because she's, in her words, been careless."
"I hate going through Hokkaido. I mean, what the heck? It's cold, even in summer!" He complained. "And, no offense, but with you around, it's getting colder with you dead."
Ice grinned. "Funny, you didn't seem to mind back then."
"That was different, and you know it!"
"Fine," She waved her hand dismissively. "I suggest you hurry up and go to Tokyo as soon as possible. Water needs help, and the decision of reawakening has been given. You better be there to assist her and Fire, or you'll hear from me!" Ice threatened.
He froze. "You're threatening me…I can't believe it."
She laughed. "It's a little confidence I gained from Light. She tells me to loosen up, and I do. After all, being dead and a Guardian have its advantages." Ice teased. "Well, I have to go. Dream has this little rule about not being on Earth while we're not needed. Don't worry, we'll meet again soon."
"So I gathered," He said a bit dryly. "Those Tokyo people don't seem to have enough energy to control some pests."
"Don't start," She warned.
"I'm not!" He protested. "Those Tokyo-idiots are really stupid. They can do nothing when they don't have me around."
"Don't be too cocky." Ice said before she disappeared.
He shrugged then covered himself more tightly with his woolen cloak. "Damn it, why do I let myself be pulled into this mess?"
Kawasaki, Japan
1881
Megumi marched to the front desk and deposited the room key and the money. The man jumped in surprise, looking up from his glasses. Without stopping, she went out towards the door, dragging her bags with her. As expected, the carriage was already outside, waiting for her to get in. The coachman went down from his seat on the front and placed her baggage on the coach.
"Leave for Tokyo immediately! And spare no minute! It's an emergency!" Megumi commanded. The coachman raised his hat slightly, acknowledging her command. He raised his whip on the horses and started them into a fast gallop. Megumi nearly fell out of her seat at the sudden speed, but held her hand tightly on a side handle to regain her balance.
Half an hour after the coach had set out for Tokyo, the horses suddenly stopped on their own, whining and kicking out of control. The coachman tried to control them with the reins and finally managed to calm them, but they weren't at ease. They kept stamping their foot on the ground and no matter what the coachman did, the horses wouldn't move on.
"What's the problem?" Megumi cried, pushing away the curtains of the carriage to look out.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but the horses wouldn't move on forward. It's like they're scared of something," The coachman cried in reply, worried over what's happening. "We have to know what it is before we can get a move on."
I'll bet there's something the horses should be scared about! Demons are all around us! Megumi thought, opening the carriage door and stepping out. "Sir, please get inside the carriage." She said in a tight voice, her eyes darting back and forth at the surrounding woods.
The coachman looked confused. "But, ma'am, aren't you my responsibility?" He asked.
"Not this time, sir. Do as I say if you want to live longer."
Hearing her words, the coachman did as she said, suddenly frightened at the intensity of her voice. Megumi radiated a bright green aura, pointing a finger on the ground and circling the carriage. When the circle closed, a green dome appeared, covering the carriage and the horses. The coachman blinked, the green barrier appearing whenever the light shone just right, but mostly invisible to the untrained eye.
Megumi pushed her long hair from her shoulders. "Stay inside until I return," She instructed, her eyes suddenly colored a vivid emerald green. "Don't go out from there. It's dangerous. I'll take care of whatever is frightening the horses immediately." She smiled rather fiercely, like a killer looking for a victim. She passed through the barrier she made, her eyes more vivid than ever.
Walking into the woods, her geta crunching the stiff grass underneath her feet, Megumi stared ahead, her hands ready to do an attack if some demons came out from the shadows. A rustle stopped her from her walking, and her hand rose slightly.
"Guardian, we have been waiting for you to come to us." A snarl emerged from the shadows. "We will kill you!" A demon came out from the shadows, its black claws ready to grasp Megumi's shoulder. With a quick movement of her hand, tree roots sprouted from the ground, the tip piercing the demon on the back. With a loud howl, the demon turned to ashes.
Growls from all around Megumi suddenly rose in intensity. Eyes appeared from every shadow available, low class demons snarling with sharp teeth visible and claws ready to tear her apart. She narrowed her eyes, her aura surrounding her whole body, flowing out and down into the ground.
"If you want me," Megumi started quietly, the tree roots moving again and the branches' tips becoming sharper by the minute. The demons looked up, gnarling when the branches and roots moved in fast speed to pierce them. "Come and get me." She finished, turning around and walking away as her earthly weapons killed the demons and spilled their blood, one by one.
To Be Continued…Reviewers:
Scarfer—I never said any of those things, or even implied them. Read again if you want. :)
Linwe—I could, but the list doesn't mean I won't add anything more. There is Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Time, Dream, Light, Darkness, Chaos, Weather, Thunder, Ice, Future, Rebirth, Death and Life.
PsychoSushi—You got 5 out of 8 correct.
StormWarrior91—you also got 5 out of 8 correct.
Rurouni247—well, why don't you wait and see?
MP1--hugs I'd like to give you a happy hug! OMG! You almost got them correct! But the remaining 4…you only got 1 out of 4. Try again next time! But, goodness, you sure are a stickler for facts! :D
Pika—thanks for the review.
Author's Notes: Well, there you have it, the latest chapter. Sorry it took so long to update this. Mirror is taking even longer since I haven't been able to write the chapter just yet. But as you can see from here, there are added Guardians and would make things even more confusing yet. If you're asking if it's the end of the list, then no, the list of Guardians isn't finished yet. I'm adding more. :)
R/R please!