Here I am posting faster then I thought, but then again, who's complaining. Not much to say, except say hello to my first beta-reader, Alea Seikou! I like what she's done for me so far and I can see good things coming from her help. So show some love to her!
Reviewer Responses at the bottom.
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Don't Let Go by Sephiress
Chapter 8) Resting of a Soul
The forest had reached an almost unnatural silence, the sounds of rustling foliage and scurrying woods creatures vacant at the moment. There was a hanging smell of burnt coal in the air, carried across the treetops from the nearby train station. The tree branches were subject to change as their leaves were losing the emerald color of the summer. The plants were transforming into the golden oranges and crimsons of autumn, colors that nearly hid the flaming hair of a man who stood in the clearing.
Kenshin watched the young samurai before him warily. His violet eyes drinking in the small movements Soujiro made as he unsheathed a katana that had obviously not been in recent use. The way he drew the blade, however, showed no signs of rusted skill.
"Are you sure you do not want to flip the blade of your sakabatou, Himura-san?" Soujiro asked for the third time.
The Tenken had suggested the idea to Kenshin as the train had come to its first stop on the trip home. Both swordsmen had agreed that as soon as they reached a suitable location, they would dual the farthest away from civilians as possible. The forest near the village was an ideal spot, as none of the villagers wandered along its paths.
There would have been two sets of brown eyes watching the men stand each other off. Sano and Yahiko had point-blank refused to stay in the town while Kenshin put his life on the line. But Kenshin made it vividly clear that the more bystanders watching; the more difficult it would be for him to focus. So after a long debate involving screams, hair-pulling, and hitokiri glares, Sano and Yahiko had given in to Kenshin's Battousai eyes and stayed at the inn.
"Hai, I am quite sure Seta-san." His voice was cold and distant, Kenshin's face wiping itself of emotion as he pulled his own sword out of its sheath. Soujiro's eyes narrowed at Kenshin's response. Why would he not turn his blade? Soujiro was no pushover, and Himura was no fool.
"Very well. Shall we begin?"
"Hai, but first I have one thing to say."
Soujiro raised his eyebrows.
"No matter the outcome of this match, Seta-san, there will never be any doubt in my soul that the strong protect the weak. I do not know what your heart tells you, but the message Makoto Shishio built in you is not only wrong, but morally evil. To go through life feeding off the weak to grow in power is something that this world should never be subjected to."
Kenshin watched the play of emotions over Soujiro's face at his words. His blue eyes were slightly clearer then before, but still held the uncertainty Kenshin had seen in their previous battles.
"In truth, Himura-san, I do not know what to believe anymore. I know that the way of Shishio-sama was a failure, however, the way you taught me did not succeed any more then his."
Kenshin nodded his head and drew his sword up into a defensive stance.
"Then I hope this match will help us both understand what to believe in." Kenshin said with a hint of determination in his voice. Soujiro nodded and settled into a stance as well. And with those words said, the entire aspect of the duel changed. It was not a battle of opponents, but a learning experience of morals.
"I hope you're ready, Kenshin."
"That I am, Soujiro."
As soon as the quiet reply escaped Kenshin's lips, Soujiro vanished in a flash of faded blue. 'He's faster then before.' Kenshin thought quickly as he sensed out the younger man's battle ki. In the blink of an eye, he jumped to the right just as a strike as fast as lightning came down where his head would have been.
Kenshin parried attack after attack Soujiro threw at him. He was still so drained, so mentally exhausted from that day when his soul had been ripped from him, making it difficult for Kenshin to launch an attack of his own.
"Why do you just defend Himura?! Fight me with all your strength!"
Kenshin winced at the harshness in Soujiro's tone. It was like when he was a boy and he and Hiko would spar. His master had always taunted him, saying he wasn't trying hard enough. It had been an uphill battle then, and it was an uphill battle now. Kenshin sprung up from the ground as Soujiro launched an attack at his feet. The Tenken's eyes widened at the miss and he near lost his balance at the force of his swing. But it was too late. Kenshin was already soaring down at him with the grace of an eagle, a cry issuing from his mouth.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Tsui San!"
Kenshin came down upon his opponent with the force of thunder, certain he had hit home. But as the dust from his attack cleared, he saw Soujiro standing beneath him, his katana pressing up again Kenshin's own in a block position. A triumphant graced Soujiro's features before he twisted the angle of his blade and slashed across, sending Kenshin flying through the air and landing roughly to the dirt.
Kenshin gasped as a pain shot through his body at the impact. He lifted himself up by the strength of his arms, cursing himself at the slowness he had displayed in the attack. It was no wonder Soujiro defended himself so fluidly. Kami, had he really become that weak?
"Why won't you fight me seriously Himura-san? Am I that unworthy to you?" Kenshin could hear the Tenken's light footsteps approaching, a slow pace that gave him time to recover from the blow. He rose to his feet and turned to see Soujiro watching him, his sword down and unprepared.
A mistake on Soujiro's part.
Kenshin took advantage of his opponent's unfocused state and sheathed his blade, only to rush forward with his infamous 'God-like' speed.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Kan San Isimuji!"
Kenshin's body became a blur, his sakabatou cresting a giant circular arc as he spun around and launched an attack directed at Soujiro's chest. He felt his sword hit flesh and turned to see Soujiro flying backwards, his heels digging into the ground to bring him to a halt. The younger swordsman collapsed down to one knee, his breath labored. The cloth of his gi was torn across and revealed a red welt caused by the dull edge of the sakabatou.
For a moment, Kenshin could not help but feel regret for striking down Soujiro. But then the Tenken's head rose to meet Kenshin's gaze. Soujiro's eyes were alight with blue fire, a passion erupting from the combination of the desire for vengeance and the thrill of the sword.
"I suppose it's time to get serious, ne Himura? You've stopped playing games, as shall I."
Kenshin felt a gash of fear slice through him. Did he really have yet to experience Soujiro's full strength? And more importantly, could he handle whatever the Tenken had in store for him?
He watched with anticipation as Soujiro's foot began to tap the ground again in the now-familiar preparation for the Shicuchi. Kenshin crouched low, his blade ready. And then the blue-eyed samurai disappeared, the fallen leaves picking up in the wind he left behind.
Kenshin felt out for his opponent and turned around to feel the ki behind him. He could see flashes of Soujiro's body weaving left and right, his blade being drawn. But which was it? Left, right, left, right...
Left!
Soujiro's katana came up in an impossible speed towards Kenshin's left side, the red-head just barely having enough time to raise his sword and block off the attack. The shock waves from the clashing metal sent Kenshin rushing back, his heels causing friction against the dirt to slow him down. He looked up to see Soujiro near-flying up to him again, but this time it was too late to determine which side.
The cold bite of steel hit Kenshin's left side right near the pelvis bone. A monstrous cry wrenched itself from his throat. His body instinctively jumped away from the pain-causing object, only to crumple in a heap some fifteen feet away.
Kenshin's breathing was intensely heavy, his fresh wound gushing out blood onto the whiteness of his hakama. His hand reached to cover the gash, the metallic smell and of his own fluids making the rurouni nearly wretch.
He watched again as Soujiro approached him, the emotions reflected in his eyes that of vengeance...and as the same time...regret?
"Himura-san...Kenshin...I don't believe that you are the type of person that would give up their life so easily. In fact, you are the least like that of anyone I've ever met. So why won't you pick up your sword and use your full strength?" Kenshin stared up at him with a sliver of shame in his orbs, but Soujiro held the gaze.
"You told me you had found something to live for, ne Kenshin? Something that had captivated your mind and heart, something that you were completely unwilling to let go. Do you still want that thing, that person you love with all your heart. Do you Himura Kenshin?"
'Kaoru...'
A set of laughing blue eyes flashed over Kenshin's mental vision, their midnight depths spilling with all the light and brilliance Kenshin had dreamed of. Perfect alabaster skin glowing with sweat from kendo training taunted his mind.
A soul shining with love and light and everything that was right in the world.
Was he ready to give that up? WOULD he give it up?
Never.
And as Soujiro's watched, Kenshin could feel the ki of the breaking warrior in him suddenly grow and grow until the mass of spirit energy exploded into something too powerful for words. Kenshin's violet eyes took on an unearthly gleam, fed by all the emotions bottled up for so long in his ripped heart. A spout of energy spread all the way to his fingertips as they clutched his sakabatou with greater strength.
Flashes of gold adorned his irises.
Soujiro watched as his opponent rose to his feet, the winds picking up as though they were summoned by magic. 'Amazing...' he thought as Kenshin's eyes met his own. The red-head's appearance spoke of a new challenge, silently asking if Soujiro would still fight him, this time will everything he had. And Soujiro inclined his head, answering the silent question, a suppressed smile nearly peaking over the mask on his face.
Again the blades began to clash. Only this time it was fiercer, and in a way, more personal. The mental side of the battle had been tipped to outweigh the physical, having the spirit of the men fight harsher then swords ever could.
But after a length of time, Kenshin could feel a steady trickle of exhaustion seep into him. It would seem he was not the same hitokiri he used to be. Soujiro was younger, and compared to the younger samurai, Kenshin was a tired old man.
His sakabatou came swinging from every direction, the accuracy of each swing startling. But Soujiro was faster, and each of Kenshin's swings was blocked by the Tenken's katana. The frustration mounted and Kenshin could not help but let loose a particularly strong swing. It was blocked and Kenshin nearly lost his balance in the recoil. So the rurouni did the only thing he could, which was to jump up and away off the one foot he stood on.
As he sailed though the air, Kenshin watched as Soujiro readied himself for his next attack. So, before Kenshin touched ground, he sheathed his blade in preparation for the one attack that had helped him before against Soujiro.
The Amakaka Ryu No Hirameki.
He landed on the ground quiet as death, and the moment his foot touched, the warriors sprang towards each other. The moment the two careened towards each other was stretched for an eternity. Kenshin's amethyst orbs stared into Soujiro's faded blues, each watching the play of emotion reflected over the others.
And in the exact millisecond before the swordsmen met, Kenshin could see something flicker over the Tenken's features. It was something indescribable, and something Kenshin could not understand.
It was the face of surrender. But at the same time...there was peace.
Happiness in death.
Joy in defeat.
The dull edge of Kenshin's sword met with the flesh of his opponent's side, resulting in a sickening crunch. And due to the sudden force and acceleration, Soujiro was sent flying across the ground until his back slammed against the trunk of a large tree. The katana in his hand dropped none too gracefully and landed on the soft earth. Soujiro's body slid against the rough bark of the tree, falling in a heap on the forest floor.
His blue eyes were wide and his mouth open in silent scream of agony. And Kenshin stared into his face, a sense of numbness settling over his brain. He watched with glazed eyes as a trickle of blood dripped from the cavity of Soujiro's mouth and down over his skin. His breathing came in short pants and more blood dripped out.
Blood...more blood.
It was the sight of the red liquid that made Kenshin rush to him with horror in his mind. He knelt before the young man and looked with remorse upon the face that had once been filled with hate, now seeming so young and innocent.
'Kami, what have I done?' Kenshin thought, his brain reeling.
His hands came up to hold Soujiro's cheeks, a sad smile drifting over the handsome man.
"Ke-Kenshin, you were r-right..."
Kenshin blinked.
"Y-you were right about everythin'. The strong were meant to protect the weak, and...and more importantly, those they loved. I-I could see in it your eyes...when I talked about Kamiya-san. You fought for her, di-didn't you...Kenshin?"
Soujiro's stuttering and failing words broke Kenshin's heart and he could feel tears threatening to spill over as he nodded to the younger man.
"Soujiro...you're going to be okay. We'll get you back to the village and to a doctor. You're going to be fine, my friend, you'll be fine..." Kenshin tried to tell his sudden friend, and himself, that it was going to be fine, but just who was he fooling? Soujiro was coughing up more and more blood each moment, and by now there were tears streaming down Kenshin's face.
'God, why did I have to hit him so hard! He was still so young, so much to live for! Dammit, Himura!' Kenshin thought as he mentally berated himself.
Soujiro closed his eyes and allowed a shadow of a smile to let itself known. But when he looked again into Kenshin's distraught face, he could only shake his head.
"No, no Kenshin. I'm dying...it's over. It's been over for a long time, I j-just didn't want to admit it...I-I was too angry. But Kenshin, you- you were right. And please don't give up on protecting those you love. No matter what...that's all that will ever matter in life."
With shaking fingers, Soujiro Seta took Kenshin Himura's hands into his own and led them to the fallen katana at his side. He placed Kenshin's palms over the hilt, and when he grasped them, Soujiro brought them back to his chest.
Fearful violet eyes alight with tears looked into tired blues.
"Finish me now Kenshin... Please, I hurt and I have had enough of this life. Please my friend, my brother...let me rest now." One of Soujiro's hands glided down over the smooth metal blade until it was at the tip, and he positioned the point right over where his very heart would be. The other hand grasped Kenshin's wrists and weakly tugged on them. His eyes begged with Kenshin's, who was breaking at the request. But he could not deny his friend the peace he would find in death.
Blue eyes closed one last time and a whispered 'Arigatou' could be heard as Kenshin pushed the blade forward in one clean swipe. The steel stabbed clear through Soujiro's heart, but no sign of pain reached his face. There was only a ghost of a smile as the beat of the heart slowed and slowed until it stopped. Kenshin could feel the warmth of his friend's blood seeping everywhere, but his eyes would not leave the look of serenity on his dying face. Slowly his hands fell from the hilt of the katana and reached to pull Soujiro's lifeless body towards his own.
He embraced his now-dead brother, not wanting to look at the death he had caused anymore. The moisture from Kenshin's eyes fell freely and tortured sounds escaped his throat. He rocked Soujiro's body as he would a child as he openly wept.
The smile still remained on Soujiro's face...and the memory of it haunted Kenshin long into the night.
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AHHH! Don't kill me! I really, honestly and truly did NOT want to kill off Soujiro, but I had to! I love the little guy, but it was for the sake of Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship. It might not be clear exactly why as of now, but eventually you all will see why I made this move. So put down your weapons and send me a review!
Reviewer Responses:
I went back and wrote a note to everyone who ever reviewed me, so if I missed anyone, I am really sorry.
Brandy aka PhoenixAngelbns: Hey chica! I was so glad to see you among my reviews. But then again, who else is always online encouraging me to get over the evil curse of writer's block? Thanks for all the support you've given me babe, and I am WAITING for that new chapter of your RK/SM crossover. Anyway, I hope that you're still having fun with flag squad, thank God volleyball is almost over. No more 4 hour practices and more time for writing! Weeee! LOL, love ya girl and see ya online!
Ewunia: Thanks for letting me know that my story wasn't too confusing. That's always been one of my biggest concerns. And I hope your still reading. Arigatou.
Fds: So glad you liked it and I hope you're still reading! Thank you!
Half-breed-demon-fox: I love your name! And I hope you are still enjoying the story. There will be more Inu parts in the future...including some wolf appearances wink Thanks for staying with me since the beginning!
JodiBetz: I hope I haven't lost your attention my friend. Thanks for reviewing and I hope to see more of you soon!
Alea Seikou: Hey Alea! You cannot imagine how glad I am that you offered to be my beta. You have always been one of those people that I write for. I love everything you say about my stories and the reviews are just wonderfully insightful! I hope that we have a good future working together. Hope to hear from you very soon, perhaps on Yahoo! Messenger. Love ya!
Swimmer-onewithwater: Tom Tom Tom, I know you're still out there and knowing you and your habits, you probably come take a look at this every now and then. The Inu fic we were doing together is still there if you ever want to finish it. But either way, thanks for coming and checking my work out. In fact, if it wasn't for you, I don't think I would have ever even gotten into anime or fanfiction. I owe you so much Tommy, and you will always be one of my absolute best friends. Don't forget to call me sometime, even if it's just for a bikeride. Love you, my friend and I do miss you.
Sara: Hey girl! I hope you have seen the new chapters out. I always love your cough persuasive reviews! Thanks!
Katrina-kins: Kat!!! Where have you been! I miss you! Me, you and Sandie chan gotta get together soon and go hunt out Ricther. Mwahahaha!
Starfire: Are you still here Star? I hope you are. Starfire...hmm...Teen Titan fan? I love that show! But thanks for reviewing girl and I hope I hear from you again!
Daemon: Cool name! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you read the new chapters!
Wolf Sapphire: Oh I love Inu and RK crossovers too! I could always see Kaoru as having a connection with the Inu-gumi somewhere down the line. Thanks for reviewing Wolf, and I love sapphires too! They're my birthstone! LOL
animeloveer11368: This update was faster, ne? I was so happy with myself! Thanks for reviewing, animelover, and I hope you still like the story!
Khaos Angel: I think I did write this just for you babe! Must be those psychotic powers of mine...wooo...O.O I hope you are still adoring the story, and thanks for those reviews.
Moonmage: Heya moon! I am so glad to see you're still reading and reviewing. I love to hear your reviews, and I hope that you still find this interesting. Thanks!
Cant Tell U!: LOL, can't tell me, eh? Well we will see about that now won't we. Hehehe...hope you're still out there and reading! Hope to hear form you and thanks for the reviewing!
Kanzen Ne Tsuki: Linda...I am absolutely thrilled that you are still here reading my blab. You have no idea how deep everything you say to me goes. I don't know where I would be without all the help you've given me, fanfiction related and otherwise. It is a relief to know that there is someone I can go to with my fears. And just to let you know, things at home are getting better. Thank you for lifting me up my friend, my pseudo mum. I hope everything is good on your side! Love you always.
Sandiechan: Hey bff!!!! I have no idea if you're still even reading this, but I wanted to put you in just in case. We should get together with Kat and Rach and all the other SJN girls and Case ppl and have a party real soon! Maybe for winter formal...I hope Amber still isn't grounded then, LOL. Anywayz, ttyl girlie! Love ya my sister!
Rei: Hey! So sorry about not getting to you on those Battousai pics! It completely slipped my mind! If you're still interested, you can drop me an email Otherwise, I hope you're still interested in this fic! Thanks for the reviews!
ElvenArcher89: My my Zachary, you do have a way with words. LOL. What ever happened to Roses, Swords, and Sleepless Nights?!?!? You should finish it, there was so much potential! Anyway, w/e and lets go do something with Katie and Chucifer soon. See ya and thanks!
dragonslayer780: Wow, dragons sure are getting popular eh Slayer? I hope you like that the chapters are getting a wee bit longer. Thanks for reviewing this and I hope I see you around.
Misstress0: Oh wow, I was so happy to see you still among my reviews! I hope the story is still in your favorites. It really flattered me! Thanks friend and I hope you come back!
Jupiter's Light: That name is so awesome! It reminds me of the sailor scouts...like Sailor Jupiter. LOL, oh and thanks for staying with me so long, you were one of the first people to review chapter 7 and I was so happy! Arigatou!
Raven's Double: Oh I don't know whether to be happy or sad that my work put all those emotions in you. I was so flattered that you said that and I hope that you're still coming around to look at this once and awhile! Thanks so much Rav, and I love Teen Titans! Raven is my favorite character! LOL
The Soultaker: Author genius?? WOW! You really made me blush and grin with that one Soultaker. I really don't want to disappoint you now! Thanks for reviewing!
Kakarlena: I hope your laptop is doing better hun. And it makes me so happy knowing that you consider my fics good enough to be the last thing you can do online. I am always glad to see you in my reviews, thanks so much!
Sango Hinoki: Ah, so sorry about the evil cliffies. If you think these are bad, you should check out the ones on my other story, Chained. They are downright nasty! And I'm not sure if Ill do a citrus yet. It's been rolling around in my mind, but I'd be so nervous about attempting my first one. Thanks for all the support and I'll try to update faster!
Niki: Oh I hope you're not discouraged about the lack of k/k. But believe me, there will be PLENTY of romantic goodness to come in the future. grins Thanks for the reviews!
DaydreamingKotori: Did you like how Kaoru acted towards her dreams? I really hoped that it would turn out okay, and it did! But there will be a lot of rough roads ahead. Thanks for reading Kotori!
Angel: LOL, I still remember our "hate-kikyo" discussions over email. Grrr, damn dead biotch. LOL Did you like the Inu-Kag relationship advance in the last chapter? I hope so. Send me an email again anytime and we can blab about Inuyasha again! Arigatou my friend!
... Nice name, LOL. And don't worry, all of the secrets will be revealed soon enough! Thanks for
reviewing!
Dfjfhjdghj: Well I hope the last chapter cleared up your 'Past Lovers' theory. LOL, but actually, it was my intention to make you guys fell like maybe they were...and then throw a curveball in, me being the evil writer I am. Mwhahahah...LOL Thanks for the reviews!
Lucy loo: AHHH!!! Put down the pointy objects!!!! AHHH! Lol, thanks for looking at this, and their relationship is kinda brother and sister, but more along the lines of best friends. But close enough, girlie-kins.
Reignashii: You can stop being so horrified hun! It's already Inu-Kag so no worries! LOL, hope you're still here reading and thanks for the reviews!
Spawn of Satan: LOL, I love the way you word thing Spawn, and I hope you're lovin the new chapters. I fear that if you don't those red and green stripes may come back, LOL.
InuChick333: Can't say anything about Lemons yet, but I know for sure there will be some definite lime action in the distant future. Just gotta take it one milestone at a time, ya know? And yes Kenshin will follow her with lots of surprises on the way. Hope to hear from you again InuChick and thanks for the reviews.
FangsOfTheDragon: Hey babe, late reviews are ALWAYS good reviews. Let's me know people are getting into it even after it's started. So no worries. And I love hearing form you so I looking out for all your comments. Thanks Fang!
Lildevilangel: Do you still want me to email you with new chapters? It's no prob if so. Just lemme know girl. Thanks for the reviews and don't worry about Inu-Kao cuz that is long gone! LOL
Dragoninuyokai: AH! You wouldn't hack into my name now would you? scared look LOL, well at least we got the Inu-Kao problem squared away. Hope you like the new chapters and thanks so much for reviewing!
Kiyonekage: Grrr, I hate school. I should burn the God-forsaken building down. But gladly I was able to post this due to my...dad da da dum, new LAPTOP!!! Yay!!!!
Inu kitty: 8 Reviews in one day from you! You're awesome kitty!!! Thanks so much and I hope you like this new chapter! Love ya, Sephiress.
Rurouni Inu: Now if you killed me then there would be no chance for ken/kao now would there, LOL. Glad you're liking it so far and I'm happy to see new faces. Thanks for the reviews Rurouni Inu.
magpye82: Oh I really hope this story isn't forgotten. I would be so sad. But I defiantly am going to finish this one, and I hope you're still around to see it. Thanks for the review!
Doctor Kiba: One of the best? Really? Thanks so much Doc and thanks for the reviews. I love Inu and RK, so putting them together seemed ideal. Hope to see you around!!
Wow, that took a while to type. Hope I got everyone. cracks knuckles
Alrighty then, drop me a review and arigatou!!!
Sephiress