Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version ©N. Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
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The Madness of the Hitokiri Fanfic By: ChirukenPart 9
"The trail leads to that inn, sir."
Saito Hajime, former leader of the third squad of the now disbanded Shinsengumi nodded grimly. He and the last three remaining members of his squad had been tracking a band of murderous thieves for the past three days and his temper was beginning to fray. It seemed they were always one step behind the bastards. Stopping to bury the victims had held them back, but honor dictated that they at least saw to the dead first before continuing on. He was sorely tired of seeing dead and mutilated men, women and children. In a way he longed for the orderly combat of the revolution again, as bloody as it had been. At least then he'd known who his enemy had been. "Spread out and approach from the four directions." He didn't hold out much hope that they'd finally cornered the bandits, but caution was always best. "Silently, as always."
He didn't wait for acknowledgement of his orders. He knew his men would obey. They were highly trained and as eager as he was to find the men responsible for such brutal carnage. He rubbed a hand over his face wearily. He recognized the inn as being near the location of his last true battle with Battousai. For a moment he wondered where the hitokiri was now. Shrugging the distracting thoughts aside he moved forward stealthily, eyes trained on the silent building, dread forming in the pit of his stomach. The home was occupied, he knew, by a woman and several children. He spared a moment to pray that they'd somehow, by some miracle, escaped the murderers loose in the area.
Flattening himself against the side of the building he raised a hand to cover his mouth and nose, the scent of blood and death strong on the air. Shaking his head slowly he silently drew his katana. Slowly creeping to the corner of the house he peered around the corner and started violently, a curse escaping his tightly clenched teeth on a hiss. Casting one last look around the still yard he sheathed his weapon with a snap of his wrist and strode forward boldly, seeing the startled looks his men wore as they also approached the front of the building. "Battousai, what are you do---" The rest of his harsh question was cut off when he finally saw the young hitokiri clearly. Another curse, this much softer than the last, escaped his lips. He recognized the body of the child held in the young man's arms. Holding his hand up in a staying gesture to his men he approached the still figure of Hitokiri Battousai, expression grim.
Slowly he raised his head, eyes dull with grief. "Saito…" He murmured softly, recognition flitting across his pale features before he turned his gaze back to the girl he held protectively against his chest.
Saito stared down at the bowed head of his greatest rival from the revolution. Slowly lowering himself to a crouch he peered into the downcast features of the young man. "What happened here?" He asked softly. He had no doubt that the hitokiri had not been responsible for this bloodshed. Even if his demeanor had not been filled with grief and sorrow, their past encounters had given the older man much insight into the hitokiri's mind. He knew the younger man cherished children and would never intentionally harm one, especially not this one, a child he had known.
"Saito-san…" The rest of his squad slowly approached, confusion etched on their features. They recognized the hitokiri, yet they couldn't understand their leader's actions. Should they not be attacking? He was their enemy after all.
Throwing a quelling glance over his shoulder, Saito scowled. "Stand down." He understood his men's bewilderment and he owed them an explanation for his actions, but that would have to wait. He gestured for them to lower their weapons. The last thing they needed was for the hitokiri to decide they were the enemy at that moment. If he attacked, his men didn't stand a chance against him. Reaching out slowly so as not to startle the young man, he rested a hand on his shoulder. "Battousai…" He began only to be thrown violently off balance.
"Don't touch me!" Standing abruptly, still cradling the body of the child against his chest, he backed away, towards the broken door, free hand reaching for his katana. He stopped before drawing the weapon, breathing hard, expression filled with anguish. "Did you do this, Saito? Did you kill Akane-chan?" His tone was that of a confused boy, filled with betrayed hurt.
Standing slowly, Saito shook his head. "You know better than that." He studied him carefully, noting with no small measure of relief that he wasn't drawing his katana though his hand remained clenched on the hilt. From the corner of his eye he saw his men moving to flank the hitokiri, their intentions obvious. Turning to them, expression harsh, he brought his hand up. "Stand down!" He barked the command out before turning back to face his former adversary. "We are not the enemy, Battousai. We have been tracking a band of thieves who have been terrorizing the area, murdering and plundering in the confusion left in the wake of the end of the revolution." He spoke slowly, clearly, willing the younger man to calm down.
"Thieves?" He repeated slowly relaxing his stance reluctantly. "Terumi-dono had nothing…only her children and this inn."
"That may be true, but the bandits couldn't have known that." Saito slowly approached again, holding his hands out in a gesture of peace. "I understand how you feel, but…"
He let out a harsh bark of laughter that contained no humor. "You understand how I feel? That's a good one, Saito. Real clever. Next you'll be saying that we should work together to bring these men to justice." Shaking his head sharply he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What are you after, Saito?"
"Damn it, stop putting words in my mouth." He could feel his temper rising.
"Saito-san…" He turned at the sudden warning in the man's tone. "Some one approaches."
"Divert them. Don't let them anywhere near the inn."
"Yes, Sir."
"Battousai, listen to me and listen well. My men would like nothing better than to kill you where you stand. If you continue acting like an ass I just might let them."
He released a deep sigh. "What do you really want, Saito? I don't want to play with you anymore."
"I'm not playing some game, ahou. The bandits I spoke of are very real and the more time we waste on you means the greater distance they place between us. I have every intention of bringing those bastards to justice and I won't let you or anyone else stop me. Is that clear? Now, release the child so we can give her a proper burial. Then you can decide what you want. Is that understood?"
"What I want?" He repeated softly, slowly lowering his gaze to rest on the still features of the child he still held. His shoulders slumped in defeat and he slid down the wall to kneel in the doorway, gently laying her on the bloodstained floor, tenderly folding her small hands across her chest. Reaching to the side he lifted her bloodied doll and placed it beneath her hands. "What do I want?" Drawing in a shuddering breath he bowed his head and closed his hands into fists. "I want the death to stop…" He whispered before falling to the side, darkness claiming him as his body finally succumbed to the oblivion of unconsciousness.
"They were travelers, Saito-san. We've sent them…" The words trailed off as the men noticed the collapsed form of the hitokiri. "What happened?"
"He passed out." Saito turned to face his men grimly. "All right. Let's be about it while he's unconscious. The dead must be seen to."
Casting curious looks between the young hitokiri and their leader they set about digging the graves quickly while Saito knelt beside him. "Damn." He muttered. "What are we going to do with you?"
**To Be Continued…**
