The fight had begun and the sound metal upon metal could be heard. As the two trade blows, Aoshi lands several punches and is able to block everything Kenshin throws at him.
"I see. You plan to create an impenetrable defense with the kodachi, then, like Hanya, attack using kempo.." Kenshin began.
"You make one mistake. I was the one who taught Hanya kempo." Aoshi parried as he again strikes at Kenshin. His punches rain down with one finally catching Kenshin in the face causing him to hit the floor.
"No matter how many times you attack, it's futile. Stand up. I don't like dealing the finishing blow to one already defeated.
Usagi was in a heap on the floor, staring into infinity. Finally Yahiko's cry brought her back to her senses. Yet she felt weak emotionally and physically, as if all her powers had drained out of her with the realization that perhaps that man is not Mamoru. Perhaps she was holding on to an illusionistic dream that would never come true. But the resemblance is uncanny, and it hurt her heart and soul to see his visage. She heard the fighting cease and looked up in surprise to see the Mamo-chan look alike sprawled on the floor, but still breathing. She hears Yahiko's voice, "Is he dead?"
"No, just fallen. But in the end, his fighting heart wouldn't give up. He refused to accept defeat…" Kenshin replied but was cut off as Aoshi began to stir and rise. "You amaze me." Kenshin said to the stout warrior.
"Deliver the final blow." Aoshi commanded "Or I'll pursue you until I have satisfaction."
"It doesn't matter. Challenge me, if that's what you want. But I cannot permit you to involve others in our fight…" Kenshin was interrupted by the abrupt banging of the double doors and a maniac laughter.
"Ha--ha ha! You talk big even while you fail, you're pathetic, Shinomori Aoshi!!" Kanryuu confident that he has their attention recognized the other 'guests' in the ballroom. "Hello. It's a shame to interrupt your talk, but I'm afraid I'll have to cut you short with this…" He whips the cloth away from the contraption he had wheeled into the room with him to reveal the gatling gun. He begins to spray the room with gunfire aiming for Aoshi first and then anything in sight.
"What do you think? Amazing, isn't it! Two hundred bullets per minute!" Kanryuu laughed again as he poured more bullets into the room. Everyone began to run upon Kenshin's advice, but Aoshi stood firm.
"Kanryuu!! What the hell are you doing with that thing…" Aoshi began but was interrupted by Kanryuu's wail.
"How dare you address me without a title!!" He turns and shoots Aoshi in both his legs, sending the kodachi wielding warrior to the floor. Satisfied with the outcome, Kanryuu lights a cigar. "I plan to rise above this petty opium smuggling. My ultimate wish is to make more money than any merchant on earth. As a real 'merchant of death' arms dealer."
"You'd go so far…to prey upon the lives of others for money…" Kenshin seethed, his fist clenching at his side as the other hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.
"I might as well. With money, it's easy to gain power! In an instant! Without paying any kind of price at all!! MONEY! The true proof of power! The true 'strongest' is me! Now DIE!" Kanryuu screeched as he pulled the gatling gun towards the remaining occupants of the room.
In that same instant, Sanosuke, Hanya and Shikijou dash through the opposite set of doors. Upon catching sight of their wounded leader, Hanya and Shikijou rush to his aid. But to no avail, they are gunned down by the crazed Kanryuu. But in that given moment, where two gave up their lives, Kenshin was able to grab Yahiko and put him safely in Sano's arms.
Aoshi looks upon the now still faces of the ones he has worked so hard for. His heart is saddened but for a moment, and then frozen solid at the thought of what this one man and his evil intentions has done. But, he does not have time to ponder long when Hyottoko and Beshimi come charging into the ballroom, ready to defend their leader. The gun shots are deafening yet demanding, and two more honorable warriors are sent to an early grave. The Okashira is lost. Suddenly he feels a small weight wrapped around his shoulders, and a wetness upon his neck. He looks down to see the young girl from earlier, and she is crying. Crying for his comrades or for him he does not know. But she keeps murmuring that she couldn't save them. How could this slip of a girl defend these mighty warriors against a gun?
Within the confusion a plot is set as Hanya gives the Battousai ten seconds to retrieve his sword. Hanya sacrifices himself, but not before letting Himura know where Takani Megumi is being held.
With sword in hand Kenshin advances on Kanryuu. "That's far enough, Battousai! To use that monster, Hanya, as a decoy is a cold trick worthy of the Hitokiri! But in the end you'll all die in vain! Die!" As he turns the handle nothing happens, a look of bewilderment crosses his face.
"Take a good look. It can fire two hundred bullets per minute. You've been firing blindly for some time now. They have not died for nothing. The lives of the Oniwabanshuu have defeated your gatling fun. Now try begging the Lord God Money for your life!!!" Kenshin seethes and strikes the petrified man in his tracks.
As Kanryuu falls to the floor, Kenshin asks Sano to go get Miss Megumi, and to take Yahiko and Karou with him. The ballroom is now still, the only sounds that can be heard is the quiet sobbing of the frail woman hugging Aoshi on the blood drenched floor. Kenshin delicately pried the sobbing girl off Aoshi giving him room to breath, and she latched unto Kenshin as if he were her last lifeline.
"I couldn't save them. I don't know what's wrong." She whispered into Kenshin's chest.
Aoshi perked up at these words, as they finally registered in his fog coated mind. 'She could have saved them? But how? And why didn't she?' He wanted answers. He swiftly rose to his feet, the pain in his legs a dull thrum. He forcefully turned Usagi towards him and held her stiffly. His steely gaze met her anguished eyes, and in a voice as cold as ice asked, "If you had the power to save them, why did you let them die?"
She didn't know what to say. How was she supposed to explain what here powers were doing, when she didn't even know herself. How was she supposed to explain how she was able to wield those powers and even where she comes from. The only thing she could think to say is, "I'm sorry."
"You're sorry. They were my family and now they are dead. And you could have saved them, but you didn't lift a finger." He shook her fiercely. "You'll never know what it feels like to see the ones you love die right before your eyes…die for you…" He flung her away from him as if she burned, and the very thought of her repulsed him.
"Don't say I don't understand…you don't know me!" She seethed from her position on the floor as she slowly rose with her anger. "You haven't had to watch the people who were supposed to protect you murdered again and again never finding peace, or your soul mate brainwashed and turned against you. You haven't watched your own flesh and blood killed by her own father. You haven't died countless times saving your world only to be reborn again and again with the memories of your past mistakes. You don't have destiny standing in your way of a normal life. So don't tell me I'll never know what if feels like, because I've been around for a hell of a lot longer than you. I've faced evil it's self. This here…is nothing…because the one who is causing all of this…he's here…and you are nothing on his conquest for world domination. In the end it will be me against him. I will stand alone with no one to protect me, as it was meant to be. So be thankful your life was spared by the love of the ones here today. Be thankful everyday that you were loved." And with that said she strode towards the doors, as the crescent moon glowed brightly on her head. Her regal gown flowed softly from her shoulders, and everyone there to witness the blooming goddess stood in awe.
Finally awakened from his stupor, and for once in his life letting his emotions control his actions, Aoshi, with a speed to rival the Battousai appeared in front of the rampaging Usagi, yet in this form Neo Queen Serenity, and pointed his kodachi as her throat. "You shall not pass, until I have the answers I seek." Aoshi's voice was firm, but his eyes betrayed the pain he felt inside and it beckoned to something inside of her. At that moment she knew she had to make everything right. She couldn't help before, but her powers seemed to be in full swing all of a sudden. Perhaps her emotional state is driving this change, but in her heart she feels that something is wrong. After this nothing will be that same.
"I know what you seek." She whispered softly, cupping his face in her delicate hand, not bothered by the nick the short sword had given her in that movement. Her eyes softened as she saw the tears pooling in his eyes, but his pride would not let them fall. She searched his heart and soul, and knew even if it meant her life she had to do this. "It shall be done." She said with authority.
She turned away from him and walked back to the center of the ballroom. The dead bodies and blood pooled around her. She raised her hands and a small crystal appeared in her hands. "I can do this." She whispered to herself. With the pulsating of the crystal with her own heart beat she called forth the power as she said these words, "MOON HEALING ACTIVATION!" And in that instant the room was bathed in light and the peace that came with it. When the light died, a small wisp of a smile could be seen upon the angel's face, a lone tear ran down her porcelain cheek, and her eyes closed ever so slowly as she descended to the floor in a heap of white silk. When it seemed as if the silence was too much to bear, the once dead bodies of the Oniwanbanshuu stirred, and awoke as if from a dream. The Okashira had tears streaming down his cheeks as his family was returned to him, and they each embraced promising never to be parted again. He was indebted to this girl…what of the girl? Aoshi walked slowly to where Himura now cradled her limp body with tears of his own falling into the girl's silver locks. But this man's tears were not of joy, but of loss. Did this young woman, this goddess give up her life for him and his family? He would spend the rest of his life making sure it was not in vain. He too crouched on the floor and embraced Himura and the fallen angel, while the now revived followers kneeled in a circle of respect.
"I can't loose her…not yet, we've only just begun our journey." Kenshin whispered.
The rest of the Kenshin-gumi appeared and seeing the state of disarray Kenshin was in and the lifelessness of Usagi, they expected the worst. They didn't need to wonder how the Oniwabanshuu members were alive, there was only one being they knew with that kind of power, they only hoped she would pull through.
Megumi, upon seeing the silver haired maiden was rendered motionless as memories flashed through her mind. This was her princess, and she could save her. "Move out of my way!" She pushed through the crowd gathered and kneeled by the fallen savior. "Ken-san, lay her flat. Hold her hand, I might need to use some of your energy to save her." Kenshin confused, but hopeful did as he was told. "Close your eyes and concentrate on her and only her." Megumi commanded as she grabbed Usagi's other hand and began chanting in a language unknown the those surrounding.
Flying through an inky abyss, Megumi tried to revive the princess by feeding her energy to the crystal that was her life force. As she remained in this semi-stasis, she brought Kenshin through the void. Images of all their lives were flashing through Usagi's mind and heart, as the pain revisited her. It was there for all who were willing to see. Megumi remembered everything now, but her life as Rei was no more. Kenshin was confused by the images he was seeing, but absorbed as much as possible hoping to understand an inkling of what this brave woman had been through.
Finally, Usagi's pulse was steady, as was her breathing, and Megumi pulled her and Kenshin out of their stasis. As drained of energy as she was, Megumi wanted to get Usagi somewhere safe. "We need to get her out of here." She gasped through ragged breaths. Aoshi was the first to move, as he picked Usagi up delicately in his strong arms and followed Keshin being held up by Sano. While the rest of the Kenshin-gumi led the way, the other members of the Oniwabanshuu followed suit, knowing they owed their life and allegiance to this waif of a woman. In the arms of Hanya, Megumi said aloud her greatest fear in her weakened state, and everyone was witness, "There will be a price to pay for what she has done today, for she has broken a cosmic law that in this state is beyond her. That price could very well mean her humanity…"
I had a hard time writing this chapter. I hope it came out well, I need feed back. Sorry for the long time waiting. Thanks to all who reviewed and inspired me to get off my lazy ass and make time!
Suuki-aldrea, clueless97, angel, momocolady, Angel, setsuna-3000, unspoiled rini, flame ivy moon
And thanks to everyone for their well wishes! Also, Usagi just thought that Aoshi was the reincarnation of mamoru, well see if he actually is haha or should that be an evil laugh?