Disclaimer: I do not own RK. It belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, SONY etc...
Author: The characters from the Oniwa I am going to use:
Okon, Omasu, Shiro, Kuro, Okina, Aoshi, Hannya, and probably Shikijou, Beshimi and Hyottoko. But remember that the Oniwa has members all over the nation.
Many thanks to ri! I guess I am so used to calling Aoshi Okashira that I didn't even notice that I did so in this fic also. No worries, I fixed the part in previous chapter.
Please minna-san, if you see something out of place, tell me!
Many have now pointed out that Kenshin seems to think that Kaoru is just a friend. Sorry about that. The truth is that I WISH that things would be so and it affects my writing. If there is someone out there willing to help me out a bit, please sent me an email.
Loyalty of a Heart
By: Tiian
Chapter 3.
~ Day 3 ~
The toy Iori played with swirled around and around and he watched it, giggling happily. Suddenly a shadow fell over him. Curiously Iori turned and laughed. "Broom! Broom!"
The man laughed realizing that the child was laughing at his hair. "Ha, ha. You're funny kid. Where is your dad?" Chou didn't really expect the child to answer, but as if having heard the question, a man appeared.
"Welcome sir. You looking for something?" The man asked. He had a gentle air around him just yelled vulnerability. This man was no problem.
"Shakkuu's last sword. Where is it?"
Chou looked at the man with cold eyes. He would have that sword.
* * * * * * *
"Aoshi-sama."
Aoshi raised his eyes from the papers to look at Hannya. He had been sent to a mission and Aoshi had thought that it would have taken longer amount of time. "What is it? Are you finished already?"
Hannya shook his head. "No. I happened to see something I thought you should know about and questioned a little. Chou, one of the ten swords has taken action. Child of the man Battousai visited earlier has been kidnapped. The man seems to be searching for Shakkuu's final sword and left for the Hakusan temple to get it."
Hannya stopped speaking and Aoshi started thinking. The problem was not directly theirs, it was more Battousai's. "You may leave Hannya."
Hannya bowed and disappeared. Aoshi stood up and also left the room only few seconds later. He walked along the corridor, trying to locate Battousai. He finally found him from the kitchen washing dishes. Aoshi almost sweat dropped. The man said to be the strongest, feared all over the country, was washing dishes like some lowly servant.
"Battousai."
Kenshin turned to the man he had sensed already earlier. Shinomori Aoshi stood there, his eyes cold, his body completely still. He looked frozen to the spot. And once again he voiced that name given to him during the war. The name of a killer. Oh how he wished that he would never hear it again.
"I have asked you several times not to use that name." Kenshin said with almost sad smile while drying his hand to a piece of fabric.
"One of Shishio's men has abducted the son Arai Seikuu. He is heading for the Hakusen temple--"
Aoshi didn't have time to say more before Kenshin already lunged for action. He threw the towel from his hands and flew out of the door. Aoshi stood still. With a wet towel on his face.
* * * * * * *
"Father!"
Ryoushin almost winced as he heard her voice echoing all over the house. She was angry or anxious to know something. And she would soon reach him, he had no chances of escape. No one had when Tsunami decided to find him or her. She knew this house better than anyone and there was nowhere to hide where she would not find you. So he just stood still, waiting for her to catch him.
Tsunami was there in a minute even with a kimono restraining her movements. "Father. Found you." She smiled.
Ryoushin sighed in relief inwardly. *She is not angry.* Tsunami was awfully hard to handle when she was angry, or sad. She had a tendency of getting impossible.
"What is it, Karen?" He asked while looking at her. She was smiling overly innocently which alarmed him immediately. She was going to be overly sweet or overly angry if he would not tell her what she wanted to know.
"There are few little things I would like to know." She played with the end of her long braid. The innocent smile remained. She looked really cute and someone who would not know her, would think her to be innocent and harmless. That would be their mistake. Ryoushin knew her daughter better than anyone and he knew that she was about to ask something he did not want her to know.
He raised his eyebrow and so she continued. "Well... What is going on in the town? I see hints of something big all the time. Something is going on and I want to--. No, I need to know what it is. You know, don't you? Tell me, father."
She still wore that adorable expression, but her voice told that she was waiting for an answer. Ryoushin had been correct. He really had no wishes of telling her about Shishio Makoto and his quest to conquer Japan, but clearly he had no choices in the matter. Tsunami was standing there waiting for him to start speaking. And she would continue doing so until she got her answer.
And so Ryoushin nodded. "Fine. Let's go to my room." He turned and could sense Tsunami following him.
They walked down the corridor slowly getting closer to his office. The carpet silenced their already silent steps to nothing and the pictures on the wall stared down at them. They were a fine piece of European art. Beautiful women in strange dresses made of silk and decorated with lace. Tsunami had never seen such dresses on anyone and in her opinion they were not beautiful at all. There were men also in uniforms. Some men that had visited her father to do business had had those kinds of clothes. Tsunami had welcomed them and acted politely whole evening. But inside she had shaken her head and thought that she preferred traditional Japanese clothes.
They entered his office and Ryoushin sat on his own chair and Tsunami before him. For a moment they just stared at each other with neither one of them speaking. Then Ryoushin sighed. "I would have preferred you not finding out."
Tsunami smiled. "I know. But I have a feeling that Aoshi-san is involved and so I need to know, you understand that, don't you."
He nodded. "That's why I am going to tell you this. I know that Shinomori Aoshi is involved. It was already some time ago that I received first letters telling me that something is going on and I investigated the matter."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "To understand this, you need to understand the past and the war also. During the war, Ishinhishi had two great hitokiris on their side. Battousai and Shishio Makoto. Battousai disappeared before the war ended and did wisely. If he had stayed, he would have faced the same fate as Shishio. He was killed by his own side because he was too dangerous alive, or so the rumour went."
"But that's not true, is it?" Tsunami said when her father stopped.
He shook his head. "It was thought to be true, but it is not. He survived and now he is back to pay back for what was done to him. I have heard that they tried to burn him and now he is covered with burns. The government is worried and so they sought out a man they trusted once before and who could be strong enough to kill Shishio Makoto. Hitokiri Battousai. He is back in Kyoto and he is staying at the Aoiya. That naturally means that Oniwabanshu and Aoshi are involved in this as well."
Tsunami nodded. "I went to Aoiya, but I am quite sure I did not see him. They must be hiding him."
Ryoushin frowned. "But I heard that you had already met him. He has read hair and a cross-scar on his cheek that he tried to hide with tape. He is only a little taller that you are and he carries with him a saya. His sword is broken or so I have heard."
Tsunami stared at him with eyes wide. "You have got to be kidding! He, the famous Battousai? Himura, the feared hitokiri? No way! ...He isn't old enough, for one thing." She almost pouted.
Ryoushin chuckled. "Yes, he looks quite young, but that's him. There is no mistake. Stay away from him. I have heard that he no longer kills, but there are many people who would like to see him dead and I don't want to see you hurt in the process."
Tsunami stood up at that. She stared at her father furiously. "Do you think that I can not take care of myself? I may be a woman, but I am very well capable of defending myself! You of all people should know that!"
Ryoushin also stood up. "These people are dangerous! They have fought in a war and possess fighting skills that make them almost invincible!
Saitou Hajime, the third captain of Shinsengumi. He is called immortal! He has mastered Gatotsu to extent no other has ever reached!
Himura Kenshin, hitokiri Battousai and his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. Style so dangerous that there can never be but one master! Style said to be from Heaven!
Shinomori Aoshi, okashira of Oniwabashu now that Makimachi is not capable. During the war no one walked past him! He defended the Edo-castle with only one kodachi and now he has mastered a new style, Kodachi Nitou Ryuu that makes him even more dangerous!
Shishio Makoto, a feared assassin that no one has been able to kill! I don't even know his style! He has also gathered around his incredibly strong fighter and formed Juppongatana!
These people are dangerous! You will not involve yourself in this matter! That is an order, Ichikami Shouri! You will obey me, your okashira!"
Tsunami stood still and quiet, before she drew a deep breath. She bowed. "Yes, okashira. I will do as you say." She said this with calm and quiet voice. Ryoushin very rarely had to use his authority against her, but he did so when needed. Tsunami hated it, but she had been taught to obey her okashira. At moments like this, her training instantly took over and she obeyed. He was not her father during those moments. She was his ninja and he was her okashira.
The door crashed open as a ninja Tsunami recognized as Toru run inside. "Okashira, we just got information that Chou, one of the Juppongatana, has kidnapped a boy of a famous sword maker. Battousai was seen running out of the Aoiya, he is probably heading for Chou."
"So things are moving forward again." Ryoushin sighed. "I'll send someone to see to the matter. Thank you Toru. You may leave."
The short man bowed and left. Immediately as the door closed after him, Tsunami turned to her father. "Okashira. Please, allow me to go. I will not involve myself to the matter, I'll just watch and then report to you." She watched him steadily and Ryoushin looked back just as seriously.
"All right, but you'll take Fumio with you."
Tsunami nodded and bowed. Then she smiled brightly and left almost running out of the room. Ryoushin couldn't help but smile also. She was the light of his heart. He was very proud of her, his daughter. She was beautiful, brave, strong and determined. She was also loyal to him as his daughter and as his ninja.
She was a perfect daughter as both Karen and Shouri. He had been careful when he had chosen her names. Karen meant pretty and Shouri victorious. She was both.
He sighed and looked at the papers on the table. He received bad news too often these days and almost every single one told about Shishio Makoto and his movement. He was gathering Ten swords to Kyoto and nothing good could come out of it. He was getting closer to his goal, whatever it was. Ryoushin had some of his men working undercover in Shishio's base, but they had found out nothing expect that something was going on. A big event.
Ryoushin had no intentions of getting mixed up in this matter, he just wanted to know enough to keep himself out of it. He didn't want to upset the balance between Shishio Makoto and government.
He and his clan had always worked in complete secrecy unlike Oniwabashu and Yaminobu. They were far more widely spread than others, Oniwabanshu and government, thought. He had people working all over Europe and America, even foreign people. They blossomed even now when Meiji had changed everything. They had always been and would remain in shadows. That was their home.
If they would leave the shadows, only God knew what could happen. They were too strong in numbers to keep the balance there and war was the last thing he wanted. And so they remained as eyes that kept watching and recording the history.
* * * * * * *
*So it has already started...*
Tsunami hid herself carefully and erased her ki so that no one could feel if they did not know what they were looking for.
She immediately recognized Himura and could now see his scar clearly. The look in his eyes was much scarier than what she had seen.
Chou was clearly the taller one of the two. His long pointy hair moved with the wind. He stood there without his shirt and Tsunami could see his muscular chest. *Not bad, but the man is not really my type...*
Something glimmered in the light at his waist.
Her sharp ears caught suddenly small noises. What she saw surprised her. An innocent looking man and a woman. *They must be... The boys parents.* She decided. She had never actually seen the ex-sword maker even though she had heard of him.
"Stop! The thing on his stomach! It's a killer's sword! One of my father's works!" The man started suddenly shouting. His words confirmed Tsunami's thoughts. She turned her eyes on the small child that hung in the tree. She could easily save him while Chou was busy with Himura, but she had promised not to interfere.
"I'll show you the true might of Chou, member of the Ten Swords." The tall man said laughing a little.
"Prepare yourself... Here I come."
He had an evil look on his face and suddenly his hands moved, almost too quickly for her to see.
"Look! It's my favourite sword- Hakujin no Tachi!"
The tip of the sword swirled across the air with incredible speed and aimed for Himura. He dodged it at the last moment possible.
The young man, Seikuu if Tsunami remembered his name correctly, started yelling again. "NO! That won't work! Just dodging by a hair's breath won't--"
Chou snapped his wrist, the tip snaked down and buried itself in Kenshin's thigh. Even though it must have hurt like hell, he didn't utter a sound, but merely dropped on his other knee.
"I aimed well. You can't move like before now!" Chou smirked.
Himura stayed still and silent. His thought flew around in his head. *That sword... It has an extremely thin blade, but it stays very solid. The tip is relatively heavy and so Chou can move it with only simple wrist movements.*
"We have spectators now. This fight is going to reach its climax." Chou said looking at Seikuu and his wife. He flicked his wrist and at blade moved accordingly. "I'll show you my own Orochi style."
He attacked. The blade swept the ground and sent rock flying. Himura raised his saya and it broke, but he was saved.
"Nice job! But it's not over yet!"
Chou sent the blade flying again and Himura moved to dodge, but his leg made it more difficult and he hit the ground with a rather painful way. The blade missed him.
Tsunami shook her head. This was no good. And if his sword was really broken, there was not much he could do. If she and Fumio would help...
No! She had promised to stay out of this! Besides it would totally blow her cover and reveal their clan to publicity. She could not have that!
Seikuu spoke to his wife, but more quietly than before and Tsunami could not hear what he said. The ground broke to pieces and Tsunami turned to look at Kenshin. He was staring at Chou with cold eyes, blood covered half of his face. *This is not looking good...*
"You're just a bad loser. This is pathetic." Chou said with a little disappointed voice, but Himura's glare angered him.
"Your look is irritating me. Have you not understood your situation yet? That you're about to die? Just for some kid? Heh..."
Himura started getting up. "At the of the Era I killed a lot of people."
Chou walked closer. "You want to brag? Fine. It is pathetic to brag about one's past at the end of their life."
Himura was up now and he continued. "It has been ten years since the new age began, the result of bloodshed and duels to the death for which there can be no redemption. But this is the first time the new era has shown this aspect of peace to a child, raised by a good family, who knows nothing of duels or bloodshed. To you he is nothing but a brat, but to me he is a heaven-sent child of the new era. If it costs me my life, I will return Iori to the Seikuu family safe from harm."
Tsunami was at awe. This man was the legendary Himura Battousai?
"So now you're the ally of justice? I hate being the bad guy. But your part in this is over. Soon under Lord Shishio I'll make a new era with the Hakujin no Tachi. So die in peace." Chou said and swirled the sword around him.
"It's unfortunate, but for you this is utterly impossible. Swords cannot make an era. For this you need people." Himura replied with calm voice.
The sound of someone running caught Tsunami's attention and what she saw surprised her. Seikuu was running towards the battle and Iori. "I am coming Iori! I'll free you!" He yelled as he passed by the baby.
"No spectators allowed on the field!" Chou yelled angrily and aimed for the running man. His wife yelled for Seikuu and covered her mouth with her hands in fear of what would happen to him. Just when Tsunami thought the man would be cut in half, something hit the blade. She stared. Himura had thrown his broken sword and stopped the blade.
"Now you're really are getting on my nerves!" Chou stared at the former hitokiri with raged expression. Seikuu entered the shrine.
"I'm not going to take this anymore! I'm pissed off now! See this head? This is what they call Angry Hair that Strikes from Heaven!" He pointed at his head.
"You'll have to try a little harder with that worn-out broom head then." Himura said with serious expression.
Tsunami almost fell at his words and then giggled.
"Broo--m. Broo--m." The small child also giggled happily.
Enraged Chou started running at Himura. "I'll cram this in your stupid serious face, you fool! You goddamn little--" His wrist moved and the blade headed to Kenshin, who took his saya and captured the tip within it.
"He stopped it with what's left of the sheath--" Chou said looking utterly confused.
Himura quickly tossed the point of the sword aside and leaped forward with a battle cry escaping his lips.
"Oh shit!" Chou yelled and Tsunami agreed.
Himura hit him with his elbow with all of his power behind it. Chou fell to the ground and Himura landed behind him. He was huffing a little.
Chou lifted his chin still lying on his back. "Ooh, careful, careful. It's not good to make too much fun of you."
Still on the ground, he continued. "That attack made me angry, but I'm calm again. You won't fool me a second time. I'll chop you into five pieces and put them on display at the Shijou Gawara."
"Himura-san!"
Tsunami turned to the shrine. She had already forgotten the man that had entered it. Her eyes widened. He was holding a sword in his hands.
"It's my fathers last sword! Please use it!" Seikuu yelled and threw the sword to Himura who caught it with surprised expression.
Chou stood up slowly and muttered. "The stagehand's a little late throwing in the props. Well, whatever. I'll destroy you and take the last work. Two birds with one stone. Draw it. I've had enough, let's settle this. We're two equal swordsmen. It'll be easy to tell which will kill and which will be killed."
Tsunami stared at him in disbelief. Till this point Himura had fought with only his saya and broken sword. Chou had had the upper hand all the time. She really wanted to hit Chou for his words. He was really, utterly stupid.
The silence grew longer and longer. Neither of the men moved.
Chou, who Tsunami had noticed to be quite fond of his own voice, spoke again. "You're Hitokiri Battousai. And you hesitate to kill."
They continue staring at each other.
"All right, if you've forgotten the joy of killing, I'll make you remember." He smirked and glanced at the baby. "Based on this performance." He raised his hand and the sword in it.
Tsunami gripped the tree a little tighter to keep from leaping at the man. *Dirty coward!*
"I'll destroy what you called a heaven-sent child of peace!" Chou yelled and aimed for a kill.
At the sight of this, Himura yelled and started running at Chou holding his sword in a tight grip.
Hearing his voice and steps, Chou turned and yelled. "I'll pay you back for making a fool of me! I've got you now."
The blade headed for Himura like a snake. Himura jumped, carefully avoiding the blade. He swirled around in the air and avoided the blade again.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu- Ryuu Kan Sen Tsumuji!"
Tsunami stared at the scene her eyes wide. And she suddenly understood what his father had said. She was a great fighter and a ninja. But these people were practically unreal.
Chou hit the ground with blood pouring out of his mouth. Tsunami gasped. Himura looked positively scary with a cold look in his eyes and blood on his face. It was the small sound from the child that warmed his eyes a little.
"I..." Kenshin whispered.
Then Tsunami saw his eyes widen and looked at the source. The swords blade was on the wrong side, it was a sakabatou. This was the first time she ever saw one in her life. Her father gathered swords, but he had no reverse-blade in his collection.
"Now I see why Lord Shishio wants to fight you while he's trying to take over the country. But don't feel too good about your win. There are still nine of the Ten Swords left. Two of them are definitely better than you. Soujirou, who you crossed swords with before, and Usui who's come to Kyoto from Ryuukyuu. You'll never get to Lord Shishio! Remember how weak you really are and sit back and watch his coup!" Chou whispered, unable to get up anymore.
Azusa walked to stand by Himura who smiled at her. "Let's turn him over to the police. I don't know if he's arrived or not, but there's a man here who has complete responsibility for... Things like this."
Seikuu still stood at the shrine and Azusa walked to him. "A reverse blade. My father's last work was a... I don't understand. Why...?"
Suddenly Himura turned to look at the sword. The wooden handle was splintering. The handle broke and the blade hit the ground. The blade itself was not damaged.
Tsunami saw Himura and the couple gather at the blade and couldn't help but wonder what was so interesting in it.
She saw Azusa leave and then return with police officers. Seikuu took his son and hugged him close. Azusa joined them while the officers tied Chou up and left almost carrying him.
Kenshin watched it all with the blade in his hands. Tsunami smiled. Everything was solved now, it was time for them to leave. The longer they lingered here, the most probable it would be that Himura would sense them. She turned to leave when she suddenly felt eyes on her. Himura was watching directly at her and then at Fumio.
She leaped off and flew from one tree to another. He had probably sensed them. She would not mention that to her father if Fumio had failed to notice it.
* * * * * *
(A while later, in the Aoiya.)
Kenshin had led the couple to Aoiya and offered them little snack and tea. Azusa sat with Iori in her tight embrace. He had one of Misao's old toys to play with. Okon had given it to Azusa when she had brought them tea.
~ ~
I forged swords that killed for countless years
For the world of my grandson, a child who bears no one any ill will.
~ ~
"He kept making swords for so many years. Even though his own son hated him, he did it for the world of his grandson. Probably Shakkuu intended this as his death poem." Kenshin said smiling lightly.
Seikuu nodded. "My father learned as he went on how arrogant it was to think that a sword could build a new age. But the time was the height of the Bakumatsu; he could not retire nor remain and suffer as the chaos reached its peak. As a sword smith living during the Bakumatsu, my father only continued to make killing swords in the hopes that the time of peace would come another instant sooner. It was completely against what he wanted. It was with deep regret and a little prayer of hope that my father left this holy sword, this true reverse blade."
"Please take it, Himura-san. I think my father would have wanted it that way." Seikuu said with a smile on his peaceful face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So you're leaving the Shishi, Himura."
"We've just won the first battle at Toba Fushimi. From now on, it's just selfish fighting. And on top of that, what am I supposed to do without a sword?
I have Master Katsura's permission, Mr. Shakkuu. From now on, I intend to search out the way of protecting those who live in the new age, without killing."
Finally the war had ended for him and he could fulfil his promise to Tomoe. He was free from killing. It was time to atone...
Shakkuu pondered for a moment. "Hmm... If there is such a way, I'd like to know it too. You can't just run away from all the lives you've taken after so long. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword. That should be the only way you can follow."
Shakkuu threw a sword to Kenshin and he caught it.
"A goodbye present. It can't hurt, even though it's probably too much for you. Try being a swordsman with that at your waist. You'll find out how deeply you believe what you just said." Shakkuu started walking away.
Kenshin drew the sword from its saya and noted that the edge was reversed.
"When that sword breaks, if you still believe that weak joke of yours, come see me again in Kyoto." Shakkuu said and disappeared back into the chaos.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mr. Shakkuu..." Kenshin laid his hand on the blade. *I still, like you, want to try living by this weak joke. So...*
"For the true reverse blade, I offer my humblest thanks." He smiled.
After some time of talking, Seikuu started getting up. "Well, we should be.."
"All right. Take care." Kenshin also stood up.
Azusa came close to him with Iori in her arms. "Gojaru . . . Anfake, anfake. Bye-bye anfake." The child giggled causing Kenshin to smile. He took a hold of his hand and shook it.
"Goodbye, Iori."
Kenshin escorted the couple out and then turned to see Aoshi standing behind him with a closed impression. They stared at each other for a moment before Aoshi turned and started walking away.
"Who did you send to watch me?" Kenshin suddenly asked.
Aoshi stopped, but didn't turn. "No one. I presumed you could handle the situation alone."
"I am sure I sensed someone as I were leaving the temple, but he or she was carefully hidden, even from me." Kenshin said and got a serious look from Aoshi. "I sent no one."
He turned again and walked away. Kenshin stood there thinking about the matter. *Maybe one of Shishio Makoto's men... Or someone else entirely.*
* * * * *
Author: I am sorry about the jumpy beginning. It needed to be done, so many things were going on at the same time.
Hakujin no Tachi=Thin-Bladed Sword
Orochi=Serpent
Tiian
Author: The characters from the Oniwa I am going to use:
Okon, Omasu, Shiro, Kuro, Okina, Aoshi, Hannya, and probably Shikijou, Beshimi and Hyottoko. But remember that the Oniwa has members all over the nation.
Many thanks to ri! I guess I am so used to calling Aoshi Okashira that I didn't even notice that I did so in this fic also. No worries, I fixed the part in previous chapter.
Please minna-san, if you see something out of place, tell me!
Many have now pointed out that Kenshin seems to think that Kaoru is just a friend. Sorry about that. The truth is that I WISH that things would be so and it affects my writing. If there is someone out there willing to help me out a bit, please sent me an email.
Loyalty of a Heart
By: Tiian
Chapter 3.
~ Day 3 ~
The toy Iori played with swirled around and around and he watched it, giggling happily. Suddenly a shadow fell over him. Curiously Iori turned and laughed. "Broom! Broom!"
The man laughed realizing that the child was laughing at his hair. "Ha, ha. You're funny kid. Where is your dad?" Chou didn't really expect the child to answer, but as if having heard the question, a man appeared.
"Welcome sir. You looking for something?" The man asked. He had a gentle air around him just yelled vulnerability. This man was no problem.
"Shakkuu's last sword. Where is it?"
Chou looked at the man with cold eyes. He would have that sword.
* * * * * * *
"Aoshi-sama."
Aoshi raised his eyes from the papers to look at Hannya. He had been sent to a mission and Aoshi had thought that it would have taken longer amount of time. "What is it? Are you finished already?"
Hannya shook his head. "No. I happened to see something I thought you should know about and questioned a little. Chou, one of the ten swords has taken action. Child of the man Battousai visited earlier has been kidnapped. The man seems to be searching for Shakkuu's final sword and left for the Hakusan temple to get it."
Hannya stopped speaking and Aoshi started thinking. The problem was not directly theirs, it was more Battousai's. "You may leave Hannya."
Hannya bowed and disappeared. Aoshi stood up and also left the room only few seconds later. He walked along the corridor, trying to locate Battousai. He finally found him from the kitchen washing dishes. Aoshi almost sweat dropped. The man said to be the strongest, feared all over the country, was washing dishes like some lowly servant.
"Battousai."
Kenshin turned to the man he had sensed already earlier. Shinomori Aoshi stood there, his eyes cold, his body completely still. He looked frozen to the spot. And once again he voiced that name given to him during the war. The name of a killer. Oh how he wished that he would never hear it again.
"I have asked you several times not to use that name." Kenshin said with almost sad smile while drying his hand to a piece of fabric.
"One of Shishio's men has abducted the son Arai Seikuu. He is heading for the Hakusen temple--"
Aoshi didn't have time to say more before Kenshin already lunged for action. He threw the towel from his hands and flew out of the door. Aoshi stood still. With a wet towel on his face.
* * * * * * *
"Father!"
Ryoushin almost winced as he heard her voice echoing all over the house. She was angry or anxious to know something. And she would soon reach him, he had no chances of escape. No one had when Tsunami decided to find him or her. She knew this house better than anyone and there was nowhere to hide where she would not find you. So he just stood still, waiting for her to catch him.
Tsunami was there in a minute even with a kimono restraining her movements. "Father. Found you." She smiled.
Ryoushin sighed in relief inwardly. *She is not angry.* Tsunami was awfully hard to handle when she was angry, or sad. She had a tendency of getting impossible.
"What is it, Karen?" He asked while looking at her. She was smiling overly innocently which alarmed him immediately. She was going to be overly sweet or overly angry if he would not tell her what she wanted to know.
"There are few little things I would like to know." She played with the end of her long braid. The innocent smile remained. She looked really cute and someone who would not know her, would think her to be innocent and harmless. That would be their mistake. Ryoushin knew her daughter better than anyone and he knew that she was about to ask something he did not want her to know.
He raised his eyebrow and so she continued. "Well... What is going on in the town? I see hints of something big all the time. Something is going on and I want to--. No, I need to know what it is. You know, don't you? Tell me, father."
She still wore that adorable expression, but her voice told that she was waiting for an answer. Ryoushin had been correct. He really had no wishes of telling her about Shishio Makoto and his quest to conquer Japan, but clearly he had no choices in the matter. Tsunami was standing there waiting for him to start speaking. And she would continue doing so until she got her answer.
And so Ryoushin nodded. "Fine. Let's go to my room." He turned and could sense Tsunami following him.
They walked down the corridor slowly getting closer to his office. The carpet silenced their already silent steps to nothing and the pictures on the wall stared down at them. They were a fine piece of European art. Beautiful women in strange dresses made of silk and decorated with lace. Tsunami had never seen such dresses on anyone and in her opinion they were not beautiful at all. There were men also in uniforms. Some men that had visited her father to do business had had those kinds of clothes. Tsunami had welcomed them and acted politely whole evening. But inside she had shaken her head and thought that she preferred traditional Japanese clothes.
They entered his office and Ryoushin sat on his own chair and Tsunami before him. For a moment they just stared at each other with neither one of them speaking. Then Ryoushin sighed. "I would have preferred you not finding out."
Tsunami smiled. "I know. But I have a feeling that Aoshi-san is involved and so I need to know, you understand that, don't you."
He nodded. "That's why I am going to tell you this. I know that Shinomori Aoshi is involved. It was already some time ago that I received first letters telling me that something is going on and I investigated the matter."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "To understand this, you need to understand the past and the war also. During the war, Ishinhishi had two great hitokiris on their side. Battousai and Shishio Makoto. Battousai disappeared before the war ended and did wisely. If he had stayed, he would have faced the same fate as Shishio. He was killed by his own side because he was too dangerous alive, or so the rumour went."
"But that's not true, is it?" Tsunami said when her father stopped.
He shook his head. "It was thought to be true, but it is not. He survived and now he is back to pay back for what was done to him. I have heard that they tried to burn him and now he is covered with burns. The government is worried and so they sought out a man they trusted once before and who could be strong enough to kill Shishio Makoto. Hitokiri Battousai. He is back in Kyoto and he is staying at the Aoiya. That naturally means that Oniwabanshu and Aoshi are involved in this as well."
Tsunami nodded. "I went to Aoiya, but I am quite sure I did not see him. They must be hiding him."
Ryoushin frowned. "But I heard that you had already met him. He has read hair and a cross-scar on his cheek that he tried to hide with tape. He is only a little taller that you are and he carries with him a saya. His sword is broken or so I have heard."
Tsunami stared at him with eyes wide. "You have got to be kidding! He, the famous Battousai? Himura, the feared hitokiri? No way! ...He isn't old enough, for one thing." She almost pouted.
Ryoushin chuckled. "Yes, he looks quite young, but that's him. There is no mistake. Stay away from him. I have heard that he no longer kills, but there are many people who would like to see him dead and I don't want to see you hurt in the process."
Tsunami stood up at that. She stared at her father furiously. "Do you think that I can not take care of myself? I may be a woman, but I am very well capable of defending myself! You of all people should know that!"
Ryoushin also stood up. "These people are dangerous! They have fought in a war and possess fighting skills that make them almost invincible!
Saitou Hajime, the third captain of Shinsengumi. He is called immortal! He has mastered Gatotsu to extent no other has ever reached!
Himura Kenshin, hitokiri Battousai and his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. Style so dangerous that there can never be but one master! Style said to be from Heaven!
Shinomori Aoshi, okashira of Oniwabashu now that Makimachi is not capable. During the war no one walked past him! He defended the Edo-castle with only one kodachi and now he has mastered a new style, Kodachi Nitou Ryuu that makes him even more dangerous!
Shishio Makoto, a feared assassin that no one has been able to kill! I don't even know his style! He has also gathered around his incredibly strong fighter and formed Juppongatana!
These people are dangerous! You will not involve yourself in this matter! That is an order, Ichikami Shouri! You will obey me, your okashira!"
Tsunami stood still and quiet, before she drew a deep breath. She bowed. "Yes, okashira. I will do as you say." She said this with calm and quiet voice. Ryoushin very rarely had to use his authority against her, but he did so when needed. Tsunami hated it, but she had been taught to obey her okashira. At moments like this, her training instantly took over and she obeyed. He was not her father during those moments. She was his ninja and he was her okashira.
The door crashed open as a ninja Tsunami recognized as Toru run inside. "Okashira, we just got information that Chou, one of the Juppongatana, has kidnapped a boy of a famous sword maker. Battousai was seen running out of the Aoiya, he is probably heading for Chou."
"So things are moving forward again." Ryoushin sighed. "I'll send someone to see to the matter. Thank you Toru. You may leave."
The short man bowed and left. Immediately as the door closed after him, Tsunami turned to her father. "Okashira. Please, allow me to go. I will not involve myself to the matter, I'll just watch and then report to you." She watched him steadily and Ryoushin looked back just as seriously.
"All right, but you'll take Fumio with you."
Tsunami nodded and bowed. Then she smiled brightly and left almost running out of the room. Ryoushin couldn't help but smile also. She was the light of his heart. He was very proud of her, his daughter. She was beautiful, brave, strong and determined. She was also loyal to him as his daughter and as his ninja.
She was a perfect daughter as both Karen and Shouri. He had been careful when he had chosen her names. Karen meant pretty and Shouri victorious. She was both.
He sighed and looked at the papers on the table. He received bad news too often these days and almost every single one told about Shishio Makoto and his movement. He was gathering Ten swords to Kyoto and nothing good could come out of it. He was getting closer to his goal, whatever it was. Ryoushin had some of his men working undercover in Shishio's base, but they had found out nothing expect that something was going on. A big event.
Ryoushin had no intentions of getting mixed up in this matter, he just wanted to know enough to keep himself out of it. He didn't want to upset the balance between Shishio Makoto and government.
He and his clan had always worked in complete secrecy unlike Oniwabashu and Yaminobu. They were far more widely spread than others, Oniwabanshu and government, thought. He had people working all over Europe and America, even foreign people. They blossomed even now when Meiji had changed everything. They had always been and would remain in shadows. That was their home.
If they would leave the shadows, only God knew what could happen. They were too strong in numbers to keep the balance there and war was the last thing he wanted. And so they remained as eyes that kept watching and recording the history.
* * * * * * *
*So it has already started...*
Tsunami hid herself carefully and erased her ki so that no one could feel if they did not know what they were looking for.
She immediately recognized Himura and could now see his scar clearly. The look in his eyes was much scarier than what she had seen.
Chou was clearly the taller one of the two. His long pointy hair moved with the wind. He stood there without his shirt and Tsunami could see his muscular chest. *Not bad, but the man is not really my type...*
Something glimmered in the light at his waist.
Her sharp ears caught suddenly small noises. What she saw surprised her. An innocent looking man and a woman. *They must be... The boys parents.* She decided. She had never actually seen the ex-sword maker even though she had heard of him.
"Stop! The thing on his stomach! It's a killer's sword! One of my father's works!" The man started suddenly shouting. His words confirmed Tsunami's thoughts. She turned her eyes on the small child that hung in the tree. She could easily save him while Chou was busy with Himura, but she had promised not to interfere.
"I'll show you the true might of Chou, member of the Ten Swords." The tall man said laughing a little.
"Prepare yourself... Here I come."
He had an evil look on his face and suddenly his hands moved, almost too quickly for her to see.
"Look! It's my favourite sword- Hakujin no Tachi!"
The tip of the sword swirled across the air with incredible speed and aimed for Himura. He dodged it at the last moment possible.
The young man, Seikuu if Tsunami remembered his name correctly, started yelling again. "NO! That won't work! Just dodging by a hair's breath won't--"
Chou snapped his wrist, the tip snaked down and buried itself in Kenshin's thigh. Even though it must have hurt like hell, he didn't utter a sound, but merely dropped on his other knee.
"I aimed well. You can't move like before now!" Chou smirked.
Himura stayed still and silent. His thought flew around in his head. *That sword... It has an extremely thin blade, but it stays very solid. The tip is relatively heavy and so Chou can move it with only simple wrist movements.*
"We have spectators now. This fight is going to reach its climax." Chou said looking at Seikuu and his wife. He flicked his wrist and at blade moved accordingly. "I'll show you my own Orochi style."
He attacked. The blade swept the ground and sent rock flying. Himura raised his saya and it broke, but he was saved.
"Nice job! But it's not over yet!"
Chou sent the blade flying again and Himura moved to dodge, but his leg made it more difficult and he hit the ground with a rather painful way. The blade missed him.
Tsunami shook her head. This was no good. And if his sword was really broken, there was not much he could do. If she and Fumio would help...
No! She had promised to stay out of this! Besides it would totally blow her cover and reveal their clan to publicity. She could not have that!
Seikuu spoke to his wife, but more quietly than before and Tsunami could not hear what he said. The ground broke to pieces and Tsunami turned to look at Kenshin. He was staring at Chou with cold eyes, blood covered half of his face. *This is not looking good...*
"You're just a bad loser. This is pathetic." Chou said with a little disappointed voice, but Himura's glare angered him.
"Your look is irritating me. Have you not understood your situation yet? That you're about to die? Just for some kid? Heh..."
Himura started getting up. "At the of the Era I killed a lot of people."
Chou walked closer. "You want to brag? Fine. It is pathetic to brag about one's past at the end of their life."
Himura was up now and he continued. "It has been ten years since the new age began, the result of bloodshed and duels to the death for which there can be no redemption. But this is the first time the new era has shown this aspect of peace to a child, raised by a good family, who knows nothing of duels or bloodshed. To you he is nothing but a brat, but to me he is a heaven-sent child of the new era. If it costs me my life, I will return Iori to the Seikuu family safe from harm."
Tsunami was at awe. This man was the legendary Himura Battousai?
"So now you're the ally of justice? I hate being the bad guy. But your part in this is over. Soon under Lord Shishio I'll make a new era with the Hakujin no Tachi. So die in peace." Chou said and swirled the sword around him.
"It's unfortunate, but for you this is utterly impossible. Swords cannot make an era. For this you need people." Himura replied with calm voice.
The sound of someone running caught Tsunami's attention and what she saw surprised her. Seikuu was running towards the battle and Iori. "I am coming Iori! I'll free you!" He yelled as he passed by the baby.
"No spectators allowed on the field!" Chou yelled angrily and aimed for the running man. His wife yelled for Seikuu and covered her mouth with her hands in fear of what would happen to him. Just when Tsunami thought the man would be cut in half, something hit the blade. She stared. Himura had thrown his broken sword and stopped the blade.
"Now you're really are getting on my nerves!" Chou stared at the former hitokiri with raged expression. Seikuu entered the shrine.
"I'm not going to take this anymore! I'm pissed off now! See this head? This is what they call Angry Hair that Strikes from Heaven!" He pointed at his head.
"You'll have to try a little harder with that worn-out broom head then." Himura said with serious expression.
Tsunami almost fell at his words and then giggled.
"Broo--m. Broo--m." The small child also giggled happily.
Enraged Chou started running at Himura. "I'll cram this in your stupid serious face, you fool! You goddamn little--" His wrist moved and the blade headed to Kenshin, who took his saya and captured the tip within it.
"He stopped it with what's left of the sheath--" Chou said looking utterly confused.
Himura quickly tossed the point of the sword aside and leaped forward with a battle cry escaping his lips.
"Oh shit!" Chou yelled and Tsunami agreed.
Himura hit him with his elbow with all of his power behind it. Chou fell to the ground and Himura landed behind him. He was huffing a little.
Chou lifted his chin still lying on his back. "Ooh, careful, careful. It's not good to make too much fun of you."
Still on the ground, he continued. "That attack made me angry, but I'm calm again. You won't fool me a second time. I'll chop you into five pieces and put them on display at the Shijou Gawara."
"Himura-san!"
Tsunami turned to the shrine. She had already forgotten the man that had entered it. Her eyes widened. He was holding a sword in his hands.
"It's my fathers last sword! Please use it!" Seikuu yelled and threw the sword to Himura who caught it with surprised expression.
Chou stood up slowly and muttered. "The stagehand's a little late throwing in the props. Well, whatever. I'll destroy you and take the last work. Two birds with one stone. Draw it. I've had enough, let's settle this. We're two equal swordsmen. It'll be easy to tell which will kill and which will be killed."
Tsunami stared at him in disbelief. Till this point Himura had fought with only his saya and broken sword. Chou had had the upper hand all the time. She really wanted to hit Chou for his words. He was really, utterly stupid.
The silence grew longer and longer. Neither of the men moved.
Chou, who Tsunami had noticed to be quite fond of his own voice, spoke again. "You're Hitokiri Battousai. And you hesitate to kill."
They continue staring at each other.
"All right, if you've forgotten the joy of killing, I'll make you remember." He smirked and glanced at the baby. "Based on this performance." He raised his hand and the sword in it.
Tsunami gripped the tree a little tighter to keep from leaping at the man. *Dirty coward!*
"I'll destroy what you called a heaven-sent child of peace!" Chou yelled and aimed for a kill.
At the sight of this, Himura yelled and started running at Chou holding his sword in a tight grip.
Hearing his voice and steps, Chou turned and yelled. "I'll pay you back for making a fool of me! I've got you now."
The blade headed for Himura like a snake. Himura jumped, carefully avoiding the blade. He swirled around in the air and avoided the blade again.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu- Ryuu Kan Sen Tsumuji!"
Tsunami stared at the scene her eyes wide. And she suddenly understood what his father had said. She was a great fighter and a ninja. But these people were practically unreal.
Chou hit the ground with blood pouring out of his mouth. Tsunami gasped. Himura looked positively scary with a cold look in his eyes and blood on his face. It was the small sound from the child that warmed his eyes a little.
"I..." Kenshin whispered.
Then Tsunami saw his eyes widen and looked at the source. The swords blade was on the wrong side, it was a sakabatou. This was the first time she ever saw one in her life. Her father gathered swords, but he had no reverse-blade in his collection.
"Now I see why Lord Shishio wants to fight you while he's trying to take over the country. But don't feel too good about your win. There are still nine of the Ten Swords left. Two of them are definitely better than you. Soujirou, who you crossed swords with before, and Usui who's come to Kyoto from Ryuukyuu. You'll never get to Lord Shishio! Remember how weak you really are and sit back and watch his coup!" Chou whispered, unable to get up anymore.
Azusa walked to stand by Himura who smiled at her. "Let's turn him over to the police. I don't know if he's arrived or not, but there's a man here who has complete responsibility for... Things like this."
Seikuu still stood at the shrine and Azusa walked to him. "A reverse blade. My father's last work was a... I don't understand. Why...?"
Suddenly Himura turned to look at the sword. The wooden handle was splintering. The handle broke and the blade hit the ground. The blade itself was not damaged.
Tsunami saw Himura and the couple gather at the blade and couldn't help but wonder what was so interesting in it.
She saw Azusa leave and then return with police officers. Seikuu took his son and hugged him close. Azusa joined them while the officers tied Chou up and left almost carrying him.
Kenshin watched it all with the blade in his hands. Tsunami smiled. Everything was solved now, it was time for them to leave. The longer they lingered here, the most probable it would be that Himura would sense them. She turned to leave when she suddenly felt eyes on her. Himura was watching directly at her and then at Fumio.
She leaped off and flew from one tree to another. He had probably sensed them. She would not mention that to her father if Fumio had failed to notice it.
* * * * * *
(A while later, in the Aoiya.)
Kenshin had led the couple to Aoiya and offered them little snack and tea. Azusa sat with Iori in her tight embrace. He had one of Misao's old toys to play with. Okon had given it to Azusa when she had brought them tea.
~ ~
I forged swords that killed for countless years
For the world of my grandson, a child who bears no one any ill will.
~ ~
"He kept making swords for so many years. Even though his own son hated him, he did it for the world of his grandson. Probably Shakkuu intended this as his death poem." Kenshin said smiling lightly.
Seikuu nodded. "My father learned as he went on how arrogant it was to think that a sword could build a new age. But the time was the height of the Bakumatsu; he could not retire nor remain and suffer as the chaos reached its peak. As a sword smith living during the Bakumatsu, my father only continued to make killing swords in the hopes that the time of peace would come another instant sooner. It was completely against what he wanted. It was with deep regret and a little prayer of hope that my father left this holy sword, this true reverse blade."
"Please take it, Himura-san. I think my father would have wanted it that way." Seikuu said with a smile on his peaceful face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So you're leaving the Shishi, Himura."
"We've just won the first battle at Toba Fushimi. From now on, it's just selfish fighting. And on top of that, what am I supposed to do without a sword?
I have Master Katsura's permission, Mr. Shakkuu. From now on, I intend to search out the way of protecting those who live in the new age, without killing."
Finally the war had ended for him and he could fulfil his promise to Tomoe. He was free from killing. It was time to atone...
Shakkuu pondered for a moment. "Hmm... If there is such a way, I'd like to know it too. You can't just run away from all the lives you've taken after so long. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword. That should be the only way you can follow."
Shakkuu threw a sword to Kenshin and he caught it.
"A goodbye present. It can't hurt, even though it's probably too much for you. Try being a swordsman with that at your waist. You'll find out how deeply you believe what you just said." Shakkuu started walking away.
Kenshin drew the sword from its saya and noted that the edge was reversed.
"When that sword breaks, if you still believe that weak joke of yours, come see me again in Kyoto." Shakkuu said and disappeared back into the chaos.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mr. Shakkuu..." Kenshin laid his hand on the blade. *I still, like you, want to try living by this weak joke. So...*
"For the true reverse blade, I offer my humblest thanks." He smiled.
After some time of talking, Seikuu started getting up. "Well, we should be.."
"All right. Take care." Kenshin also stood up.
Azusa came close to him with Iori in her arms. "Gojaru . . . Anfake, anfake. Bye-bye anfake." The child giggled causing Kenshin to smile. He took a hold of his hand and shook it.
"Goodbye, Iori."
Kenshin escorted the couple out and then turned to see Aoshi standing behind him with a closed impression. They stared at each other for a moment before Aoshi turned and started walking away.
"Who did you send to watch me?" Kenshin suddenly asked.
Aoshi stopped, but didn't turn. "No one. I presumed you could handle the situation alone."
"I am sure I sensed someone as I were leaving the temple, but he or she was carefully hidden, even from me." Kenshin said and got a serious look from Aoshi. "I sent no one."
He turned again and walked away. Kenshin stood there thinking about the matter. *Maybe one of Shishio Makoto's men... Or someone else entirely.*
* * * * *
Author: I am sorry about the jumpy beginning. It needed to be done, so many things were going on at the same time.
Hakujin no Tachi=Thin-Bladed Sword
Orochi=Serpent
Tiian