A/N Poor Kenshin! I keep hurting him! Yamagata is really evil to be forcing
Kenshin to do this.....*sob*
Shishio=Pain is good.....
WoF=-_-;; Shut up
Rei=Speed?
WoF=Why me?
Onward and pastward!
Chapter 3: The Return of Battousai
"Battousai is right, it must be done, for the future."
"Kenshin..." Sano breathed
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled out, rushing forward to the pair, "what were you thinking!? You could have killed yourself carrying on like that!" Kaoru's anger dissipated and lightly whacked the top of his head, "you....you idiot!"
Yahiko looked at the scene in utter horror. His idol, the calm, patient and eternally strong Kenshin had broken down in front of his very eyes. But shock soon was replaced by anger, the righteous anger of the honorable samurai of old. "Kenshin." He said quietly, "we won't let him have you. I'll fight him if I have to!" He cried the last, pulling out his bokken.
Kenshin lifted his head from Sano's chest and moved away as Sano reluctantly let go, still standing near enough to catch him again if necessary. Kenshin smiled at Yahiko, the sweet smile that he only so often let out. Not the rurouni's smile, not Battousai's smirk, but Kenshin's gentle smile.
"Thank you Yahiko." Kenshin turned away, "I'm going to see Yamagata."
The others looked at him in shock, was all that for naught?
"Kenshin, omae-" Sano began.
"Don't worry Sano. I'm only going to talk."
"But Kenshin!" Yahiko said stridently.
Kenshin smiled at him once more. "I must find out the extent of the situation to determine the proper course of action." Yahiko blinked. This was the mindset that got Kenshin through the Bakumatsu. This calculating thought pattern that left nothing to chance.
Kenshin stepped forward to leave, but Kaoru reached out a hand and caught the sleeve of his gi in an iron grip. "Kenshin, don't leave again."
Kenshin's eyes darkened in sorrow. "I'll be back tonight."
"If you go off again without telling us I'll follow you again and drag you back by your ear!" Sano threatened, covering his anxiety.
"You'd get lost." Kenshin said gently, humour in his eyes.
"Omae....." Sano growled, Kaoru and Yahiko stared and dissolved into laughter. "I'll get a map first and then follow you and drag you back!"
Kenshin smiled at him, a genuine smile that spoke of ages and vast experience. In her laughter, Kaoru had released his sleeve unknowingly.
"I'll be back." Kenshin said, and vanished. Sano, Kaoru and Yahiko stared at the space Kenshin had been standing in.
"Damn that god speed!" Sano growled.
Kaoru and Yahiko shared the sentiment, but in less caustic terms.
"Ah!" Yahiko cried sharply.
"What?" Kaoru said, corncerned.
"He took it!"
"Took what?" Kaoru asked, puzzled.
"That bundle from Yamagata, he took it with him!" Yahiko elaborated, shocked and horrified.
Sano and Kaoru exchanged foreboding looks, only hoping that Kenshin, their Kenshin, would return to them that night.
********
"Who are you?" The Guard at the gate of the government headquarters asked none to kindly. "A boy ain't supposed to be hanging around here!" "I'm here to see Yamagata." Kenshin said tersely. "And I'm no boy."
"Oh, a *teenager* then?" The guard drawled, obviously enjoying this.
Kenshin closed his eyes, warding off feelings of frustration. It was hard enough to come here at all! Why must I deal with these guards!
"Uh, sir?" The junior guard at the elders side said softly, "Sir, I think that sir should let him in sir."
"Oh? And whys that Kenji?" The elder guard asked sharply, staring down at the teen.
"Because I don't think we should make him mad sir..."
"Eh?" The elder guard looked back at Kenshin incredulously, "this shrimp?"
"I am no shrimp." Kenshin said, anger coursing through his voice. "Now step aside!"
"Sir...."
"Who are you?" The elder guard asked, now suspicious. Kenshin's eyes snapped up at him, yellow infernos radiating rage and despair.
"Hitokiri Battousai."
The guard jumped away in horror, pulling out his gun and trainiing it on the hitokiri. "Stay back! I don't know what you want but you better just walk away." He attempted to sound threatening, but the fact that his knees were shaking canceled out that effect. The younger guard plastered himself aganist the wall, terror claiming his young features.
Kenshin's eyes dimmed in sorrow, returning to violet. "You are afriad."
"Like hell we are!"
"Step aside de gozaru." Kenshin said, and without another word, flashed up to the guard, knocked the gun from his hands and entered the building.
The young guard, Kenji, looked after his retreatig figure. "It's so sad, he's such a kind man."
"Kind?" The elder guard asked incredulously, "Kenji, you better get your perceptions checked! That man is a monster!"
"No, you're wrong." Kenji said softly. "I was afraid of him because of what I've heard in the stories, but after seeing his eyes, I know he's not like that. He's kind and gentle and he carries so much pain." "I don't give a damn about his 'pain'. He's a killer, he deserves our contempt."
"Perhaps, perhaps not. Either way, he is a good man." Kenji said, sitting beside his superior.
"Kenji, you see him with the new era eyes. I've been in the Bakumatsu, I know what kind of man that takes."
"He was a monster then perhaps, but now, now I think its different. If an era can change, why not a man?"
The elders man reached over to ruffle Kenji's hair, "Kenji, keep thinking that." He turned to the door, looking after the Battousai. 'Perhaps Kenji was right, maybe he can change? He didn't kill us, and he could of.....why didn't he? We had the gall to piss of Battousai and we still live to tell the tale? Incredible. Maybe, just maybe Kenji is right....either that or we both need a trip to the doctor....'
*******
".....and that's why we should increase trade to the US."
Clapping was heard behind the door as the speaker finished his speech on US trade. Kenshin stood outside the door, hand lightly resting on the handle. As soon as the clapping died down, he pushed open the door, steeled his resolve and stepped forward into the room.
Gasps were heard from the surprise at the intrusion.
"Hey! Kid! You can't come in here!" One of the politicians cried out.
"Guar-" Another called, but was cut off by a hand held up by Yamagata.
"I see you've come Himura-kun."
"Aa." Kenshin said softly, but sternly. Looking up to stare into Yamagata's eyes.
"You have changed your mind?" Yamagata said slowly, trying to hold back the hope from his voice.
"Yes." Kenshin said, holding up the bundle, "I have decided that these will come in handy."
"Thank you, Himura."
"Yamagata-san, who is the kid?" The politician who had nearly called the guard asked.
"Gentlemen!" Yamagata said, standing and placing an arm on Kenshin's slim shoulder. "This is the hope of our country, the man who will stop this war!" The men in the room were Yamagata's most trusted advisors and friends, and as such he dared to reveal the truth to them. "As you all know, the movements of the old Shinsengumi are causing trouble all over Japan! They have picked up supporters in the highest rankings of the government and are moving to start a counter revolution and bring back Tokugawa Ieyasu! We cannot let that be realized! Himura Kenshin, known as Hitokiri Battousai will once more be taking up his sword to fight for us! Welcome him as our savior!"
Applause once more shook the room, men cried out there faith in the former hitokiri once more turning to death. "Stop." Kenshin commanded softly and the applause ceased. "I am a killer, I need no praise for destroying lives."
Kenshin turned and walked toward the door, "You know where to find me. Send an envelope with the target information."
"Kenshin! This is Meiji, we wil discuss the targets in meetings, which you will attend."
"No." Kenshin said, eyes a dark yellow ringed with violet. "No, this is no different. I'll take orders the same way. My view is still the same, I want no praise or recognition. I care not for being in history." With that statement, Kenshin turned and shut the door behind him, moving toward the sunlight once more.
"Yamagata-san?" His assistant asked, "Is this alright?"
"Yes, yes, this is fine." Yamagata said sadly. 'I'm sorry Himura-kun, but there is no other way.....'
********
Kenshin arrived at the walls of the Kamiya dojo just as the sun was setting. He could hear Yahiko and Kaoru fighting and Sano complaining about the empty state of his stomach. 'So pure and so kind....I don't belong here anymore. I never did.'
With a sigh, Kenshin leapt over the wall and silently made his way into his room. Closing the screen behind him, he turned from the kitchens warm light and moved to the sword rack on the wall.
"So this is the end," Kenshin whispered to himself. "The end of my foolish dream."
Kenshin pulled the Sakabatou from his hakama and placed it on the wall with reluctance. Slowly he turned away from his weapon of choice since the Bakumatsu and stripped out of his clothes. Body bathed in the red sunlight, he folded the pink gi and white hakama, placing them to the side of the rack. With great reluctance, he unfolded the bundle he had carried all day. Pulling out the gray hakama, he slid them over his pale legs and tied the complicated knot around his waist. Bending once more, he retrieved the navy blue gi and slid it over his arms, tying it at the waist. Pulling his hair band out, he gathered his blood red hair into a top knot and secured it with the black band. All that remained was the killing blade at his feet.
'So this'll end everything...'
Kenshin reached down and grabbed the blade in white knuckled hands.
'No turning back now....'
Kenshin placed the sword in his hakama, eyes burning amber.
'Goodbye....Kenshin.'
To Be Continued......
Review or 'Chapter 4: A Promise Thrown to Chaos' will take very long indeed.....
Thanks to my wonderful reviewers: Miriya, Holly, Arteme, Lady Winged Knight,Xxoro-chanxX and RBC1726!!!! Love you guys!
Shishio=Pain is good.....
WoF=-_-;; Shut up
Rei=Speed?
WoF=Why me?
Onward and pastward!
Chapter 3: The Return of Battousai
"Battousai is right, it must be done, for the future."
"Kenshin..." Sano breathed
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled out, rushing forward to the pair, "what were you thinking!? You could have killed yourself carrying on like that!" Kaoru's anger dissipated and lightly whacked the top of his head, "you....you idiot!"
Yahiko looked at the scene in utter horror. His idol, the calm, patient and eternally strong Kenshin had broken down in front of his very eyes. But shock soon was replaced by anger, the righteous anger of the honorable samurai of old. "Kenshin." He said quietly, "we won't let him have you. I'll fight him if I have to!" He cried the last, pulling out his bokken.
Kenshin lifted his head from Sano's chest and moved away as Sano reluctantly let go, still standing near enough to catch him again if necessary. Kenshin smiled at Yahiko, the sweet smile that he only so often let out. Not the rurouni's smile, not Battousai's smirk, but Kenshin's gentle smile.
"Thank you Yahiko." Kenshin turned away, "I'm going to see Yamagata."
The others looked at him in shock, was all that for naught?
"Kenshin, omae-" Sano began.
"Don't worry Sano. I'm only going to talk."
"But Kenshin!" Yahiko said stridently.
Kenshin smiled at him once more. "I must find out the extent of the situation to determine the proper course of action." Yahiko blinked. This was the mindset that got Kenshin through the Bakumatsu. This calculating thought pattern that left nothing to chance.
Kenshin stepped forward to leave, but Kaoru reached out a hand and caught the sleeve of his gi in an iron grip. "Kenshin, don't leave again."
Kenshin's eyes darkened in sorrow. "I'll be back tonight."
"If you go off again without telling us I'll follow you again and drag you back by your ear!" Sano threatened, covering his anxiety.
"You'd get lost." Kenshin said gently, humour in his eyes.
"Omae....." Sano growled, Kaoru and Yahiko stared and dissolved into laughter. "I'll get a map first and then follow you and drag you back!"
Kenshin smiled at him, a genuine smile that spoke of ages and vast experience. In her laughter, Kaoru had released his sleeve unknowingly.
"I'll be back." Kenshin said, and vanished. Sano, Kaoru and Yahiko stared at the space Kenshin had been standing in.
"Damn that god speed!" Sano growled.
Kaoru and Yahiko shared the sentiment, but in less caustic terms.
"Ah!" Yahiko cried sharply.
"What?" Kaoru said, corncerned.
"He took it!"
"Took what?" Kaoru asked, puzzled.
"That bundle from Yamagata, he took it with him!" Yahiko elaborated, shocked and horrified.
Sano and Kaoru exchanged foreboding looks, only hoping that Kenshin, their Kenshin, would return to them that night.
********
"Who are you?" The Guard at the gate of the government headquarters asked none to kindly. "A boy ain't supposed to be hanging around here!" "I'm here to see Yamagata." Kenshin said tersely. "And I'm no boy."
"Oh, a *teenager* then?" The guard drawled, obviously enjoying this.
Kenshin closed his eyes, warding off feelings of frustration. It was hard enough to come here at all! Why must I deal with these guards!
"Uh, sir?" The junior guard at the elders side said softly, "Sir, I think that sir should let him in sir."
"Oh? And whys that Kenji?" The elder guard asked sharply, staring down at the teen.
"Because I don't think we should make him mad sir..."
"Eh?" The elder guard looked back at Kenshin incredulously, "this shrimp?"
"I am no shrimp." Kenshin said, anger coursing through his voice. "Now step aside!"
"Sir...."
"Who are you?" The elder guard asked, now suspicious. Kenshin's eyes snapped up at him, yellow infernos radiating rage and despair.
"Hitokiri Battousai."
The guard jumped away in horror, pulling out his gun and trainiing it on the hitokiri. "Stay back! I don't know what you want but you better just walk away." He attempted to sound threatening, but the fact that his knees were shaking canceled out that effect. The younger guard plastered himself aganist the wall, terror claiming his young features.
Kenshin's eyes dimmed in sorrow, returning to violet. "You are afriad."
"Like hell we are!"
"Step aside de gozaru." Kenshin said, and without another word, flashed up to the guard, knocked the gun from his hands and entered the building.
The young guard, Kenji, looked after his retreatig figure. "It's so sad, he's such a kind man."
"Kind?" The elder guard asked incredulously, "Kenji, you better get your perceptions checked! That man is a monster!"
"No, you're wrong." Kenji said softly. "I was afraid of him because of what I've heard in the stories, but after seeing his eyes, I know he's not like that. He's kind and gentle and he carries so much pain." "I don't give a damn about his 'pain'. He's a killer, he deserves our contempt."
"Perhaps, perhaps not. Either way, he is a good man." Kenji said, sitting beside his superior.
"Kenji, you see him with the new era eyes. I've been in the Bakumatsu, I know what kind of man that takes."
"He was a monster then perhaps, but now, now I think its different. If an era can change, why not a man?"
The elders man reached over to ruffle Kenji's hair, "Kenji, keep thinking that." He turned to the door, looking after the Battousai. 'Perhaps Kenji was right, maybe he can change? He didn't kill us, and he could of.....why didn't he? We had the gall to piss of Battousai and we still live to tell the tale? Incredible. Maybe, just maybe Kenji is right....either that or we both need a trip to the doctor....'
*******
".....and that's why we should increase trade to the US."
Clapping was heard behind the door as the speaker finished his speech on US trade. Kenshin stood outside the door, hand lightly resting on the handle. As soon as the clapping died down, he pushed open the door, steeled his resolve and stepped forward into the room.
Gasps were heard from the surprise at the intrusion.
"Hey! Kid! You can't come in here!" One of the politicians cried out.
"Guar-" Another called, but was cut off by a hand held up by Yamagata.
"I see you've come Himura-kun."
"Aa." Kenshin said softly, but sternly. Looking up to stare into Yamagata's eyes.
"You have changed your mind?" Yamagata said slowly, trying to hold back the hope from his voice.
"Yes." Kenshin said, holding up the bundle, "I have decided that these will come in handy."
"Thank you, Himura."
"Yamagata-san, who is the kid?" The politician who had nearly called the guard asked.
"Gentlemen!" Yamagata said, standing and placing an arm on Kenshin's slim shoulder. "This is the hope of our country, the man who will stop this war!" The men in the room were Yamagata's most trusted advisors and friends, and as such he dared to reveal the truth to them. "As you all know, the movements of the old Shinsengumi are causing trouble all over Japan! They have picked up supporters in the highest rankings of the government and are moving to start a counter revolution and bring back Tokugawa Ieyasu! We cannot let that be realized! Himura Kenshin, known as Hitokiri Battousai will once more be taking up his sword to fight for us! Welcome him as our savior!"
Applause once more shook the room, men cried out there faith in the former hitokiri once more turning to death. "Stop." Kenshin commanded softly and the applause ceased. "I am a killer, I need no praise for destroying lives."
Kenshin turned and walked toward the door, "You know where to find me. Send an envelope with the target information."
"Kenshin! This is Meiji, we wil discuss the targets in meetings, which you will attend."
"No." Kenshin said, eyes a dark yellow ringed with violet. "No, this is no different. I'll take orders the same way. My view is still the same, I want no praise or recognition. I care not for being in history." With that statement, Kenshin turned and shut the door behind him, moving toward the sunlight once more.
"Yamagata-san?" His assistant asked, "Is this alright?"
"Yes, yes, this is fine." Yamagata said sadly. 'I'm sorry Himura-kun, but there is no other way.....'
********
Kenshin arrived at the walls of the Kamiya dojo just as the sun was setting. He could hear Yahiko and Kaoru fighting and Sano complaining about the empty state of his stomach. 'So pure and so kind....I don't belong here anymore. I never did.'
With a sigh, Kenshin leapt over the wall and silently made his way into his room. Closing the screen behind him, he turned from the kitchens warm light and moved to the sword rack on the wall.
"So this is the end," Kenshin whispered to himself. "The end of my foolish dream."
Kenshin pulled the Sakabatou from his hakama and placed it on the wall with reluctance. Slowly he turned away from his weapon of choice since the Bakumatsu and stripped out of his clothes. Body bathed in the red sunlight, he folded the pink gi and white hakama, placing them to the side of the rack. With great reluctance, he unfolded the bundle he had carried all day. Pulling out the gray hakama, he slid them over his pale legs and tied the complicated knot around his waist. Bending once more, he retrieved the navy blue gi and slid it over his arms, tying it at the waist. Pulling his hair band out, he gathered his blood red hair into a top knot and secured it with the black band. All that remained was the killing blade at his feet.
'So this'll end everything...'
Kenshin reached down and grabbed the blade in white knuckled hands.
'No turning back now....'
Kenshin placed the sword in his hakama, eyes burning amber.
'Goodbye....Kenshin.'
To Be Continued......
Review or 'Chapter 4: A Promise Thrown to Chaos' will take very long indeed.....
Thanks to my wonderful reviewers: Miriya, Holly, Arteme, Lady Winged Knight,Xxoro-chanxX and RBC1726!!!! Love you guys!