Review Comments: Ji-chan, arigatou for reading my long chapter and typing most of it! I owe you a bunch! Expect a really awesome Christmas gift. (Dai-chan already knows what it is too!) Hee hee. I really can't thank you enough for typing chapter ten for me! World of Pink Gayness! HAHAHAHAHA! Good times, good times. "Yuki, time for your press meeting!" giggle Aki-chan was such a cute kid. What happened? shakes head I'll let you know when I'm grounded from the computer again. And isn't chapter 12 a really big cliffhanger? I like working on my other story because it leaves you and Dai-chan ready to kill me. What are the bets that when I post that chappie that I'll get more than one death threat from Fumeiyo fans? Remember the comic that you drew. Like Hyatt, the blood doesn't stop! YAMU YAMU YAMU HAHAHA! (I know I'm gonna pay for that) cringes Dai-chan, arigatou! I swear, if you give anything away, I will find a very morbid, nasty, evil way to kill you. Don't forget the conversation that Ji-chan, you, and I had. Tsk tsk, if you have forgotten. maniacal laughter Ahem. Gomen ne. Anyways, I'm glad you like the chappie. The fox thing was pretty cute, huh? Well, Yosh yosh yosh! Yamu yamu yamu! I'm such a dork. I really need a life. ('funarifc' birthday. I really am lame!) Abayo!
NOTE: I feel so unloved. No one but Ji-chan and Dai-chan has come back to read my chappies! cries Oh well. It's your own fault for not reading the note at the bottom of chapter nine, since I did tell you (twice) that it would be a long time until I updated. Chapter ten is long x, don't hate me! Hee hee! Have fun! I'm also writing another story which is so much fun. But, I'm going to wait until this is done to post that. I think my Kenshin story is coming to an end sometime soon. I'm aiming at 15 or 16 chapters! Sorry!
Disclaimer: Nope. I don't own the Kenshin-gumi or the other characters in Rurouni Kenshin. I do own, Kage, Fumeiyo, Mayonaka, Tsuyoi, Hikari, Tomoko, and Fujitaka. I've been lazy and haven't been doing Keito-chan's Adventures. If I really feel like it, I'll put another episode at the end of this chappie. If not, you might never know what happens! x
Chapter 11- The Fates Collide
Everyone in the room jumped, except for Saito, Aoshi, and Kenshin, when the clock struck eleven thirty.
"Let's go," Saito said, adjusting the Japanese long sword in his belt.
Yahiko and Tsuyoi gripped shinais, while Mayonaka had her bokken tightly in her hands. Tsuyoi also had his grandfather's old sword tucked into his belt. He had practiced with it to make sure that he'd be able to wield it. Soujiro had his sword and extra sandal laces for when he did his Sekushi if he needed to. Sano grinned as he and Katsu cracked their knuckles. Next to Katsu on the floor, was a bag full of bombs. On both of his pointer and middle finger, there was flint to ignite the fuses. The Oniwabanshu had their weapons and had changed into their ninja outfits. Aoshi had his double kodachis in their long sheath and Misao gripped her kunai.
Kenshin felt everyone's eyes resting on him. He moved forward and said, "Let's go save Kaoru-dono."
Megumi spoke up from the corner, "Be careful, all of you."
There were a few nods and smiles. She trailed behind Sanosuke at the end of the line. After everyone but Sanosuke was in the yard, Megumi tugged on his shirt lightly. He turned to her and she pulled him into the hallway.
"Sa-Sanosuke," she began shakily. "Please be careful." She took his hand that had the scar on it. Her fingers traced the scar, sending shivers up Sanosuke's spine. Megumi remembered this scar well.
"Are you stupid?! We're fighting for you! If you kill yourself, you'll never be reunited with your family!" he yelled, blood dripping from his hand from the knife he gripped.
Sanosuke gripped her trembling hands tightly and said, "Don't worry, Kitsune. I'll come back to you."
He leaned down and they kissed for a few seconds before someone yelled, "Sanosuke! Stop making out with Megumi and let's go!"
They broke off their kiss and Sanosuke grinned at Megumi, who was blushing hotly. He cupped her face, winked, and sauntered out, cheerfully cursing off Katsu, who said the comment. Megumi lingered in the hallway before going down the hall to find the futons to put in the practice room for the injured, if there were any when the group returned.
Fumeiyo knocked on Kaoru's door, startling her out of a light sleep.
"Come in," she called groggily, stretching out her joints.
Fumeiyo entered the room, carrying a dark blue overcoat that was similar to the one he was wearing.
"Here," he said, holding it out to her. "It's fairly cold outside, so you can wear this when you fight."
Kaoru looked at it warily. "It this Tomoko's also?" she questioned him.
"No," he replied, hurt in his voice. "This one is mine, but it's far too small for me now."
"Oh, arigatou," Kaoru said. She sighed. "I can't believe that it's soon until I see everyone. These two days have felt like two months."
Fumeiyo smiled down at her. "I wish we could have met under better circumstances, Kaoru. It probably would have been less awkward, ne?"
Kaoru nodded her head in agreement then said, "Oh, arigatou gozimasu for the bokken and katana. I'm sure that they will help me tonight greatly. The katana is beautiful," she added.
Fumeiyo said, "The katana is one of my best swords." He moved his overcoat to retrieve the wakazashi that was hidden there. He handed it to Kaoru, who took it carefully.
"This is the katana's brother. I want you to have them both and I want them by your side tonight." Kaoru began to protest, but Fumeiyo interrupted her. "They may save your life. I defiantly don't want your life at stake. No one does, so I'm ordering you to wear them."
Kaoru sniffed disdainly and said, "Fine. But, I will not use them to kill. The Kamiya Kasshin Ryu teaches katsujin-ken, not satsujin-ken."
Fumeiyo looked at her, eye wide. "Katsujin-ken? Swords that give life I've never heard that before. That's weird."
Kaoru stiffened. "Katsujin-ken was my chichi's ideal. That's what my dojo's about! It's not weird; it's different since most people use swords to kill! The Meiji is supposed to be peaceful, but it's far from it. That's why I teach katsujin-ken."
Fumeiyo help up his hands and said, "Gomen nasai! No offense was meant! I respect those ideals, and I like them. Everyone should protect with their swords, not kill." He strode towards the door and turned. "I'm leaving to go meet the Battousai. I'd go down into the yard very soon if I were you. I'll take the kimonos with me and I'll leave them where I'm meeting him. Ja ne!"
Kaoru waved slightly and gripped the wakazashi tightly. She stood up and slid the shorter sword into her belt. It felt different having the weight there. She grabbed the katana and pulled it from its sheath. She moved into a fighting stance and began to lunge. After a few minutes, there was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. Kaoru wiped it off with her sleeve and resheathed the sword, slipping it next to the wakazashi. She picked up the overcoat that lie on the futon and put it on. It obscured the view of the katana and wakazashi completely. Kaoru retrieved the bokken and blew out the lantern, plunging the room into the darkness. She silently slid the door open and closed and then began to descend down the stairs. She opened the door into the courtyard and stopped dead. She found herself staring at the back of Kage's head. Kaoru sucked in her breath sharply.
"I guess you and Fumeiyo thought you were so clever. I knew about this," Kage said casually, turning around. He inspected his fingernails thoughtfully for a moment. "I mean, you had me fooled until last night."
Kaoru looked at him with confusion. "I hope you know that I only found out last night," she said dryly.
"Hmm, I didn't know that. But, Fumeiyo should have known that I would see him returning from your dojo. He's such a baka," Kage said. "He's always been a pathetic, worthless fool, even if he is my best ninja."
"No," Kaoru spat coldly. "No. You're wrong." Kage's eyes flashed dangerously. "You are the pathetic, worthless fool, Ka-"
Kage's grabbed her and pinned her to the wall, his grip around her neck. "You still haven't learned, have you?" he snarled. "Stupid bitch!" He tightened his bruising grip, cutting off her air completely. After a few seconds, he let go of her and watched as she used the wall to support herself and catch her breath.
Once she had caught her breath, Kaoru drew herself up, glared at Kage, and spit in his face. Kage wiped his face off and grabbed Kaoru by the hair. Kaoru struggled to keep the bokken, katana, and wakazashi hidden. Kage dragged her into the middle of the yard and backhanded her hard, causing her lip to bleed. He threw her to the ground.
"There!" Kage hissed. "You can wait here for the Battousai! I'd like to see if he'll still touch you!" He tapped his nose thoughtfully for a moment. "Actually, I'd LOVE to see him reject you." He turned away from her and walked away, disappearing into the shadows.
Kaoru sat on the cold, hard ground waiting for Kenshin and the others to arrive. Her hand gripped the katana's hilt in a white knuckled grip.
Fumeiyo and Kenshin locked eyes when Kenshin and his group reached the trail. Kenshin opened his mouth to inquire about Kaoru's condition, but Sanosuke beat him to it.
"Oi, ninja-boy!" Fumeiyo broke eye contact with Kenshin to look at him. "How badly is Jo-chan hurt?"
"That's not important right now," Fumeiyo said shortly.
Sano grabbed his collar, lifting him off the ground. "Like hell it ain't! It is important right now!" he said angrily. "We'd all like to know, even if you don't care!"
Fumeiyo regarded him with a hard, cold gaze. "The most important thing right now is getting Kaoru out of that hell hole."
Sanosuke put him back down on the ground. Fumeiyo straightened his gi, shot Sano another dirty look, and walked down the path quickly.
"Let's just get your raccoon girl, Battousai," Saito said, smoking a cigarette. "And leave."
Kenshin closed his eyes briefly and then nodded grimly. Yahiko's head whipped around to look at Kenshin. He was positive that Kenshin would have told Saito to shut up.
"Well, if you didn't, Kenshin, I will," he muttered.
Saito passed Yahiko and said, "Don't bother, kid." Yahiko flinched. "Save your anger for what's ahead."
Misao, who was behind Yahiko, laid her hand on his shoulder and told him to just worry about Kaoru. He nodded, defeated.
The group started down the path, moving quickly. Aoshi silently approved the job that Fumeiyo and his men had done. They had hidden the path well, and knew not to use it often. Misao was thinking the same thing.
"Aoshi-sama," she asked quietly. "Do you think we'll be able to beat this guy? I don't mean to be pessimistic, but if they're this good at hiding their trail-" Misao trailed off, uncertain.
Aoshi stopped and held Misao's arm to make her stop as well. Yahiko slowed down and looked at them.
"Go on ahead, Yahiko-kun." Aoshi said. "I need to talk to Misao."
Yahiko nudged Misao with his elbow, chuckling, and headed after Mayonaka. Misao turned read when Aoshi placed his hands on her shoulders.
"You can never give up hope, Misao. They may be better than us, but we have hope and they have nothing."
Misao still looked uncertain and opened her mouth, but Aoshi put his finger on her lips to silence her. She felt her face get hot and she looked into his eyes. He looked back down into her aqua eyes, his ice blue ones, like deep pools, were serious. Misao gulped. It was now or never.
"Aoshi-sama, uh, um," she started to stutter. "I've been wanting to say this for so many years." Misao took a deep breath and blurted, "Daisuki dayo!"
Aoshi smiled in response. His smile sent chill up her spine. She didn't see him smile often and this one was full of kindness and love.
"Daisuki desu, Misao. Ignoring you obviously didn't work. I can't do that. Not to you."
Misao hugged Aoshi around the waist. He hugged her back and whispered, "I will always protect you, my Misao."
When they caught up to the rest of the group, Misao was glowing. Yahiko smiled knowingly and ran up to Kenshin.
"Kenshin," Kenshin's head turned to Yahiko. "Guess what?! Aoshi and Misao told each other."
"Told each other what, Yahiko?" he asked.
Yahiko rolled his eyes. "Don't play stupid! You know what I'm talking about. They told each other their feelings."
Kenshin's eyes showed some surprise and his lips turned up in a small smile. "That's good. About time," he said, purposefully forgetting he was avoiding telling Kaoru how he felt. "Wow, that's two people today." Yahiko looked confused. "Misao and Sano both confessed their feelings."
"Now only if you would do the same, Himura-san," Mayonaka said quietly.
Kenshin's features grew hard and he stayed silent for the rest of the time. Mayonaka pulled on Tsuyoi's gi and whispered, "Do you think I made him mad, Tsuyoi-oniichan?"
Tsuyoi smiled and said, "No, Mayonaka. I think he's just worried about Kaoru-sensei." He ruffled her hair. "Don't worry about it."
In front of everyone, Fumeiyo stopped and turned to face the group. "We will reach the road after this bend. I hope you all don't mind jogging a little. It's better if we get there faster."
Everyone nodded solemnly. Grips on weapons got tighter and Saito's cigarette went out rather abruptly.
"Actually scared, Saito?" Sano joke.
"No," Saito said shortly. "Scouts on the wall will see the light from it. There is no such thing as fear for me. If I die tonight, so be it. The code is 'to live by the sword is to die by the sword.'"
Sanosuke snorted and commented, "Yeah. I doubt that you'd let yourself be killed."
Fumeiyo glared at them to shut up. Saito stared back calmly, while Sano on the other hand, made a rude hand gesture. The group finally broke free from the tree cover.
"Yare-yare!" Katsu muttered. "I don't think I would have lasted another minute in that forest."
Fumeiyo gave them the signal to jog and they all surged forward.
"Man, I hate running," Yahiko grumbled to Soujiro, who was jogging at a comfortable pace besides him. Soujiro just laughed.
A few minutes later, the group slowed to a halt. Fumeiyo motioned them to form a circle to discuss what to do.
"Katsu-san," Fumeiyo said. "In about a minute, I want you to detonate your bombs."
Katsu nodded and said, "The lady doctor that Kaoru knows, added a sleeping powder to the gunpowder, but I'm not positive that it'll work."
"That doesn't matter, but it would help." Fumeiyo replied. "The thing we need most is a diversion." He pointed to the south corner of the wall, about one hundred feet away. "If you throw them down there, the scouts will thing they're being attacked and go there. I'll wave my arms to tell you when to start throwing them." Katsu nodded and left the group with his bulky bag filled with bombs.
Fumeiyo turned back to the group and said, "Okay. Soujiro, Omasa, and Yahiko will go into those three trees there." He pointed. "The other three Oniwanabshu members will go into the three trees opposite the others. The Battousai, Mibu's Wolf, Aoshi, Weasel Girl," Aoshi glared. "Tsuyoi, Mayonaka, and Sanosuke will go to the front gate after me."
"No!" Kenshin said suddenly. "I would like to lead everyone in there, please."
Fumeiyo shrugged and said, "Do whatever you please. How are we opening the gate?"
Sano grinned largely and raised his hand. "Me," he said. My Futae no Ki Wami is getting rusty and Anji wouldn't like that."
Kenshin nodded and said, "But the minute you have the door down, let me go through first in case Kage is there."
Sano agree and Kenshin smiled grimly. Everyone went to his or her positions and Fumeiyo waved his arms, signaling Katsu. Katsu threw a few bombs over the barricade and waited to hear the familiar explosions. And they came, along with the shouts of men and their footsteps running towards the smoke at the south edge of the yard.
"Now!" Fumeiyo told Sano, who used the Futae no Ki Wami to shatter the door. The six people in the trees jumped onto the wall. Soujiro steadied Yahiko, who almost fell off, and jumping from the wall into the open space. Kenshin ran into the courtyard with everyone else behind him. He saw Kaoru sitting in the middle of the yard.
The exploding of bombs didn't faze Kaoru. She sat motionless as men thundered past her, startled by the sudden explosions. Soon as the last man ran by her, Kaoru heard the front gate shatter, her heart trembling, but she didn't dare raise her head. She heard footsteps approach her and she steeled herself, subtly pulling the katana out of its sheath slightly. The minute the person reached her and knelt, she pulled the sword out.
The blade scraped Kenshin's neck, whose eyes were wide at Kaoru's action and the look that was on her face. It, at first, was an icy glare, but it turned to shock. She dropped the katana, her hands trembling. Kenshin was outraged at the bruises and cuts that were on her face and arms. Tears spilled over her eyes, their saltiness burning her many cuts.
Kenshin gently wiped the tears away. "Don't worry, Kaoru-dono," he whispered. "I'm here."
Kaoru embraced Kenshin, tears flowing fast. "Oh, Kenshin!"
Kenshin held her tightly, breathing in her unique scent as Kaoru did the same. Kenshin's gi smelled mildly of the soap he used to wash the laundry in, and that made her think of home, causing her to cry more. Sanosuke and Yahiko ran up to the pair. Yahiko sniffed hard, trying not to cry.
"Oi, Jo-chan," Sano said, shakily. "What's up?"
Tsuyoi and Mayonaka shyly came up behind Misao, Aoshi, and the rest of the Oniwabanshu. Kaoru looked up in surprise.
"Misao, Aoshi, Omasa-san, all of you!" she said, looking from face to face. "What are you doing here?! And of all places?!"
Misao winked and said, "We were visiting you guy, but Himura informed us that you had been kidnapped by some creep called Kage."
"Ouch. That stings," said a sarcastic, cold, cruel voice from the shadows. "You don't even know me."
Kenshin thrust Kaoru behind him. She wobbled and was caught by Tsuyoi.
"Ko-konnichiwa, Kaoru-sensei," he stuttered.
"Konnichiwa, Tsuyoi-kun," she said, then noticed Mayonaka. "Mayonaka-chan, same to you!"
Mayonaka hugged Kaoru around the waist and began to cry. Kaoru laid a laid gentle hand on the sobbing girl's head and turned her keen azure eyes to the figure that melted out of the shadows. Fumeiyo cringed when he saw the malicious and insane grin on Kage's face.
Fujitaka crept behind Fumeiyo and asked softly, "What's going on? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Fumeiyo grinned and said, "Sure can!"
Kage assessed all the people what were there, assaulting him. "You have strong allies, Kaoru-san," he said coldly. "Let's see who you have. The Battousai, Zanza, the Oniwabanshu, and look, you even have Mibu's Wolf. The rest aren't important. They're just pieces in the game. They can be sacrificed."
Kaoru pried Mayonaka from waist and stepped forward. "You're wrong," Kaoru said defiantly. "They may be pawns to you, but to me, they are my friends. That's something you'll never understand."
"She's right, Kage," said a voice from behind the group. "You don't understand."
Everyone turned to the voice. The moonlight revealed Fumeiyo and Fujitaka. Kage looked at Fujitaka disbelievingly. "Fumeiyo I understand, but some one as worthless as you DARES to defy me?!"
Fujitaka gulped and said strongly, "No. I am not worthless. Kaoru-san showed me that. I'm not afraid of what you may do. I have never agreed with your ways and I'm here to put a stop to them."
"Tsk," Kage snorted. "You'll regret this."
Kaoru picked the katana from the ground. She pointed it at Kage. "Kage," she said, her voice flinty. "This blade should be biting your flesh. I should plunge it into your heart for all the pain and suffering you made me endure." She turned to look at Kenshin, who gazed at her, shocked, but proudly. "But, I'm not like that. I am like Kenshin. I will not kill you. Anyway, you'd probably be dishonorable." She turned away and slowly walked towards the gate. Kage unsheathed his sword and flew at her turned back. Astonishment appeared on his face to see that Kaoru had parried his attack. The swords grated together, sending sparks flying. "Surprised?" she asked tauntingly.
"You think that you can match me?!" Kage leered at her.
He broke contact and swung his sword at her delicate neck. She brought the sword up with graceful movements to protect her neck. Everyone watched the two attack each other, entranced by their dance. The rip of cloth and soft cry combined with a string of curses shook them out of their stupor. Kaoru clutched her leg where Kage had sliced her. The cut wasn't deep, but it was bleeding and it hurt. Kage bore down on Kaoru. Kenshin materialized out of nowhere and stopped Kage's downswing.
Aoshi saw people come up from the side of the yard. I guess some people escaped the sleeping powder in the bombs, he thought.
He subtly got everyone's attention and motioned for them to turn around and attack the ninjas coming at them. They sprang at the enemies mercilessly. Kaoru, ignoring her bleeding leg, lunged at the person to her right and engaged them in a fierce fight. The open space became noisy and dusty from the fighting.
Meanwhile, Kage and Kenshin were launching attack after attack at each other.
"I guess I've made you angry, Battousai," Kage sneered.
Kenshin snarled, his self-control teetering on the edge. "You take a person I care for deeply and hurt her. Of course I'm angry!"
"If you're so angry, why won't you kill me?" came the infuriating question.
"Because I have made a vow not to kill and I wont break it, even if it's scum like you!" Kenshin spat back.
"Oh, tut. Speak nicely or my feeling shall be hurt!"
"Bakayarou! You don't dictate the rules of this fight!" Kenshin cried.
"Oh, but I do," Kage said coolly. "My turf, my rules."
Kenshin pushed Kage back, who stumbled and fell. Kenshin resheathed his sword. Kaoru quickly glanced at Kenshin's stance.
The Battoujutsu, she thought. A sharp pain on her cheek told her that her opponent had landed a hit. She reached into her coat and grabbed the katana's sheath. She smacked the man across the head soundly with it. He fell to the ground, unconscious.
Sano left a trail of unconscious men behind him. He had a few scratches on his arms and chest. Close by was Yahiko, who was blinking blood from his eyes that dripped from a cut on his scalp. He brutally brought his shinai down on his opponent's head, causing him to crumple. Aoshi had his double kodachis out and given quite a few men gashes, incapacitating them. Misao and the other Oniwabanshu members were attacking a group of ninjas. To their left, Saito's blade was coated in blood. He killed the man to his left, ignoring that blood that covered his clothes. He moved onto his next victim, his eyes cold, yellow orbs. Mayonaka and Tsuyoi were nearby, back to back, fighting two rather large men. The men taunted them, but they kept their faces blank and attacked. Fumeiyo and Fujitaka smoothly attacked their former co-workers. They sported only a few scratches. Soujiro left few men alive around him, all the while smiling.
Kenshin launched himself at Kage. His sakabatou flashed in the moonlight and hit Kage in the chest. Kage flew back and landed in a cloud of dust. He struggled to rise, using his sword to support his weight. His breathing was coming in gasps and he had a forming bruise on his chest.
"I-I w-wi-will not lo-lose to so-someone like you, B-Battousai," he wheezed. He shot a glance around the yard. Besides him, only two of his men where still standing, all either dead or knocked out. How could a bunch of misfits beat him? He wouldn't lose. He worked for eight years to get the Shadow Gumi to where it was now. Kage weakly stood up. His eyes reflected the hate that he harbored for twelve years. He raised his sword and ran blindly forward. A cry stopped him in his tracks.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" came a shrill cry from across the yard.
NOTE: Hey, y'all! This chapter came faster than chapter ten did! I haven't been all that busy since school is winding down, but that means my grades are slipping since I am becoming lazy. winces That's not good either. Oh, well. When it's summer, I'll be able to write to my heart's content. I guess that I'll have to find all the words that you don't know. But that isn't many so I don't think that I'll do it. (See. I AM lazy. Just stating facts!) Most of the words you know by now. I think the only thing I'm not sure of is what Misao's weapons are called. (And why am I rambling?) See you next chapter! Abayo! Keito-chan