Chapter 14 - Dynamic Duo's Finish

By: Ochako107

Standard Disclaimer Apply

Kaoru and Shishio were still battling, trying to get into each other's range. Kaoru swiped at his lower abdomen as Shishio jumped back and landed on a light foot. He shot back at her full speed, cutting the strap of her dress off as well as a few loose strands of hair. Kaoru gasped at the feeling of the strap snapping as she skidded to a halt and spun around to face her adversary. She held her weapon positioned directly at his heart panting slightly. Her deep blue eyes narrowed in vehemence at the man who was toying with her. He would not kill her... not yet. He had to break her spirit first.

Shishio grunted as he crouched to the floor, one hand on his sword. "You, little girl, cannot defeat me. Perhaps Battousai, you're brother, over there can, but you are much too weak."

"Shut up! Shut up! Kenshin can't be my brother! HE CAN'T!" She closed her eyes and darted at him again, now slashing wildly. He once again slipped away by a centimeter from her assault. He spun around Kaoru now behind her as he swiped at her dress again. Before Kaoru knew it, her once beautiful gown had been dramatically altered into practically a mini skirt with a few ribbon like strands flying behind her in a mess of raven locks, minor cuts of blood, and plum colored silky material.

Kaoru cried out in anguish as she landed a hit on Shishio's legs—right behind his knees to be exact. The man fell to the floor as Kaoru kicked him in the face with her sharp heel but before she could strike again, he caught her foot. Shishio laughed and flipped Kaoru over him making the young woman fall into the most unlady-like position. Kaoru dropped her sword in the sudden attack. The wooden sword flew a few feet away from her and Shishio. Before she could reach out to grab it, Shishio straddled her to the floor by sitting on top of the withering woman.

"Get off!"

Shishio rolled his eyes with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Yeah, like that will happen." Kaoru suddenly had a lack of air. Her eyes widened when she saw those gloved hands around her throat, slowly choking her. Kenshin began to run over, but Shishio's head snapped to clash with the amber eyes.

"Any closer and I kill her instantly." As if in a spell, Kenshin found his feet glued to the floor. One side of Shishio's lips curled. "That's much better... now where was I? Oh right..." He turned to Kaoru and pressed a little harder on her throat. "...I was in the middle of torturing you." Kaoru grasped his wrists to try and take some pressure off her throat which was burning for oxygen. He smiled at her weak attempt of saving herself as he came closer to her face.

"Don't you dare touch her, you bastard!" Kenshin growled. He could feel his fist gripping to his own sheathed sword. How dare he defile Kaoru like that! His grimy self all over her form, he couldn't stand it. And if he took any more steps closer, Shishio would cut her air supply completely. What was worse? Watching the one he could possibly love be tortured? Or stand and do nothing as she dies? Kenshin could feel his knuckles turning white and blood pulsing through his veins at a rapid rate.

Shishio ignored Kenshin's intimidation as he bent to Kaoru's ear. Her eyes we're stinging with tears of defeat. "I want you to suffer. You should not have meddled in the business of Makato Shishio. What did you think you'd be getting out of this? Glory? Respect? Or possibly... love?" Kaoru closed her eyes and clenched her teeth. His voice dropped to a low whisper. "Now, you've lost it all. And what's this? Tears? You, Kamiya, are much too weak. It seems as if instead of gaining anything... you've lost everything."

Kaoru's heart clenched as she fought her tears away. "N...no..."

"No?" Shishio laughed. "My dear, you cannot say no. I have won and now you must beg for your life... even though the chances of me letting you live is like finding a needle in a hay stack."

Kaoru found memories flooding through her mind. He was right... what was she doing here? She's lost everything... gained nothing but sorrow... she was a complete fool...

Suddenly, she heard thud to her left. Her eyes fluttered open to find untidy locks of red bent over to the floor. "Please, Kaoru-dono... focus..." Kenshin whispered to himself, "...please, don't leave me."

Like a lightning bolt, the suggestion hit her. I've got to take the chance... she thought to her self. Kaoru let her body go limp as Shishio, in surprise, saw the young woman pass out.

"Wow... that was too easy." He directed his eyes to Kenshin who was staring at Kaoru's lifeless form. "It was too bad... I was having fun."

"You shut up." Kenshin snarled. "You will experience a living hell, now."

Shishio let his hands away from Kaoru's throat and narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. "I'm already living it."

"Fuck off."

"Ohhh, Battousai is making an appearance? What a privilege to see the full fledge Battousai in front of my very eyes."

His steel voice rang out crystal clear. "Take a picture it will last longer when you die."

Kenshin slowly rose to his feet, his head bent over slightly. After a moment, he lifted his head to view his eyes: hard as steel, bright as a panther about to hunt down his prey, and as dangerous as a wolf that had been pushed over the edge. It was if looking into the depths of a man who had lost his soul.

"I won't need to. I'm taking you down with me."

"Not if I take you down first!" Both male's turned their heads to the squeaky voice. "EAHH!" Kaoru swung the sword at his nose, breaking the bone. Shishio yelled out in pain, but Kaoru wasn't done just yet.

While she was unnoticed, she regained small amounts of air into her lungs and fingered her sword into her grasp while Shishio's attention was focused on Kenshin. Kenshin's behavior after believing she was already out was spine-chilling. Was that how he'd be? If... she'd really died?

Kaoru jabbed Shishio with all the power she could muster in the chest, heaving the man's body off of her. Kaoru kneeled on one knee and like a gunshot, shot up, pointing her sword like spear, knocking Shishio even further from her.

Kenshin ran up to her and caught her slightly. She leaned on her sword and gave Kenshin a thumbs up.

"Please, don't turn into Battousai... Kenshin. If I'm not going down that easily, neither will you." She suddenly swayed slightly, but caught her footing. The lack of air from before had make her woozy... but she had to give it everything she had! Kaoru waved Kenshin away and took a stance once more. "Okay, Shishio! Here comes round two!"

Shishio stopped cursing and pulled his bloody hands away from his nose, which was sticky with warm blood. "Fine! Then come at me!" He broke out into a maniac laughter as he flew at Kaoru and she at him, one more time. "YOU CAN'T WIN, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Kaoru had difficulty keeping an eye on him as she missed often.

Shishio found her blind attacks humorous and finally slashed her sword in two, breaking it. She gasped in surprise as Shishio took this chance and using his shoulder, knocked her down and making her fly across the room slamming into a wall. It cracked, and the wall around her shattered.

"Ahaha! See now, I've finally got that sister of yours to get down, and stay down. What a persistent little bitch." He added to himself.

"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin ran to assist her, feeling his heart beating wildly. "What he say's can't be true, do not listen."

Shishio sheathe his sword smirking. "Now both of you are in denial, how sweet. You two are total delinquents." Kenshin touched Kaoru's face and noted she was out for now; this time for real. "Women were always so weak. They let their emotions run high and only see what they want to. A ferocious wild jaguar would look like an innocent kitten if they wanted it to." He grinned seeing Kenshin shake a bit. "Somewhat like you, Battousai? She only sees this guise of a sweet man, not of the real dragon locked inside that weak body of yours."

"No...Ka...Kaoru...Kaoru-do..."

"Stand up, Battousai! Come, the little girl could not handle me. She was bound to die sooner or later."

"She is not dead!" Shishio didn't even blink, as Kenshin's sakabatou clashed into his forehead. He fell over a bit startled and turned to look at his opponent. Kenshin stood holding the tip of his sword and the hilt in both hands. His eyes glowed rich amber, hot enough to burn through the core of his soul. "I will not allow Kaoru-dono to die in a place like this."

Shishio turned to the bomb, which read seven minutes. "You cannot win in seven minutes. You all are as good as dead."

"Let the battle determine that." Kenshin struck again at a remarkable speed, and then bounced off the ceiling, pointing his sword like a spear right at Shishio. Shishio in turn pulled out his own sword and was lucky enough to take some of the attack away.

He got up and saw his clothes had been slashed through his chest area. "Nice...this little scratch proves you a worthy man."

"This one is not worthy of anything..." He pulled his sword slashing the air horizontally. His eyes were burning a brilliant new shade, almost an eerie gold.

"...Except to kill you."

Kaoru began to stir slightly after four minutes to the noise of metal clashing together. "What...?" She sat up, pain surging through her back. "Oh...my back." She staggered to her feet and rubbed her sore head and bruised neck. A sticky wetness came on her fingers, and she examined her hand now coated with blood. "Yummy...this is just great, what more could I ask for besides finding out my head was practically cracked open and I was almost strangled to death. It's a wonder how I actually got up. Kami-sama must be looking down on me or I'm remarkably healthy..."

She knew she was a mess, but it didn't stop the burst of energy running through her veins when she saw the blur of Kenshin and Shishio flying in a dance of furry around the room. "Kenshin!" She ran to pick up her wooden sword again, heels clicking all the way. Kenshin felt her ki spring back to life as he kept blocking Shishio's attacks. Suddenly, from no where, a burst of flame cut though Kenshin, making the redhead tumble over.

"M...Miss Kaoru!" Kenshin choked.

Shishio caught the woman jogging over to them from the corner of his eye. "Why the hell won't you just DIE?!" He held his flaming sword barring white teeth, almost mocking the couple. "Battousai, it seems your woman is stronger than I thought. She got up." He laughed. "But what am I saying; she can't be your woman and your sister, that's incest. Gross really."

Kaoru helped Kenshin to his feet, ignoring Shishio still laughing at them. Every time he mentioned something about their sibling, it pained the two in their hearts, making them feel more confused and ridged. It couldn't be... when Kenshin and Kaoru were together, it felt so right. Yet, now in their minds, it sounded so wrong. How could this be, this attraction, now completely out of the question?

"Kenshin, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Kaoru, don't worry about me." Kaoru gasped at Kenshin's statement. He didn't call her -dono. "Kaoru-dono," she slumped in disappointment now that he attached the formal horrific again, "this one thinks he has...a plan but you must answer me truthfully. Do you want to live?"

"Yes-"

"No, this one means do you have the will to live?"

Kaoru thought a moment, do I? Do I want to live? Yes! Her mind argued. Your friends are out there waiting your return, you have to take care of Misao...and Megumi will be upset at your absence. And Kenshin...there are so many things you have to know. "Yes, Kenshin. I have the will to live."

She held him up by the chest, nodding for him to continue. "I think I know a way to defeat Shishio, we only have two minutes left until the place blows up so it is crucial we work this out perfectly. Kaoru-dono, I want you to hold onto to me okay? Transfer all your energy with me into this attack, and I know for a fact that our energy will overpower Shishio. Just believe in your will to survive." Kaoru and Kenshin stared into each other's eyes briefly.

She gazed into his determined, yet slightly pained amber eyes. He into her scared, yet warm sapphire gems. Kaoru shakily put a hand to his scar, tears escaping her. "Ke...Kenshin..." She didn't care if he was her brother; she never met such a man who cared so much. As a leader, a friend, and a comrade, Kenshin truly was...really was... "Kenshin...I think I love you." She didn't care at the moment the harsh truth didn't concern her. She'd follow her heart and it was telling her to step the line. Not to stop just because it looked like the end. They had to go the extra mile, and live. Live for everyone counting on them.

She tipped into his arms kissing his scared cheek while rubbing his back. "I don't care what he says... I can love you can't I? No matter what? Just like I love Megumi, Misao, even dad? Does it matter who we are if we really love the person for who he is? Isn't that what love is, Kenshin? Isn't that what it is?" Kenshin's eyes began to fall into a puffy glaze of amber.

"I'm sorry it's like this, Kaoru-do..."

She put a finger to his lips, eyes still brimming with tears. She loved him, but it couldn't happen, she'd have to let go of the man who stole her heart, who stole her life, stole her soul. Her heart pounded furiously, her mind in utter turmoil, hands shaking uncontrollably.

Is this what love does to people?

She spoke barely above a whisper. "Just Kaoru...Kenshin. Just Kaoru." She moved to his back, placing her warm hands on his icy cold ones. "Okay Kenshin. I'm ready."

He could still feel her tears through his clothes as he too felt tears stinging his eyes. "I'm sorry...Kaoru." They both looked up with a renewed spirit. Shishio whipped his sword out, causing it to burn once again. Still, he could feel their aura; it glowed brilliantly orange, showing great power and strength building up on the two.

Kenshin took his standpoint and Kaoru in his shadow still gripping strongly with his. "Now you will feel the ultimate attack of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. Kaoru, focus: WE WILL LIVE."

Shishio plunged forward as Kenshin and Kaoru mimicked. The two leader's minds met in a swirl of memories.

A flower floated down in their minds... they remembered their first meeting: the shock of their counterparts, the leadership responsibilities they shared, their spar, that kiss, the dance and happy moments at the club...All of their friends' happy faces cheering them on. Mental images flashed:

Sano sat by a tree chewing on a fish bone. "Come on, Jou-chan, Kenshin, we know you guys can do it."

Megumi looked up from the computer screen smiling warmly. "Kaoru, Ken-san, we believe you can get through this!"

Aoshi sat in a meditation position looking up from his teacup. "Himura, Kamiya... our strength is with you..."

Misao jumped down from a ledge and gave a thumb up sign. "Himura! You and Kaoru better win this! All of us are here; we are waiting for you two, our leaders..."

The flower finally reached the floor and both Kenshin and Kaoru jumped out of their mental conscious eyes burning with will...will to survive.

Both gripped together and flew with uncanny speed. "Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu..." Kaoru growled.
Kenshin unleashed his attack yelling, "Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki!" At that moment, everything flashed white for Kaoru, Kenshin and Shishio. Kaoru had never felt so light... almost as if she could take to the air. Kenshin on the other hand had not felt such a discharge of energy in all of his days.

As they all flew past each other, Shishio and the other two paused after their attack. "Battousai..." Shishio muttered after a brief pause. "I was right...you're woman is stronger than I thought." With that, Shishio fell, sword clattering to the floor. Kenshin felt relief flow through him as Kaoru suddenly fell from her grip on him.

"Kaoru-dono!"

She sat up staring at the bomb, now set to go off in thirty seconds. "I'm sorry Kenshin, I've never used so much energy on one attack be...before." She weakly got to her knees. "The bomb! We've got to set it off!"

"Kaoru-dono, I don't know how!"

"I should know. All those damn simulations, I've got to get it right eventually!" Kenshin picked her up and rushed over to the bomb for Kaoru to meddle with. She took off the bomb's cover showing off the three strands of color, red, blue, and green. She took a deep breath.

"Pretend it's training, no time for a mess up, Kamiya!" She instructed her self. She pulled out a knife that was lying idly on the side of the room. "Okay, think, think, think... Roses are red...Misao's favorite flowers...Violets are blue...Megumi's favorite...Green in the bad one...that will make us go boom... It's ...the blue wire!" She smiled in joy. "Megumi is the bomb expert, violet is her favorite flower!"

"Now, Kaoru-dono, come on NOW cut the wire!" He studied the timer now going off in five seconds.

"Ah ah, wait I'm trying to!" She fumbled with the knife, hands shaking uncontrollably.

5...

Cut damn you!

4...

Oh, Kenshin, I won't let you die here!

3...

I won't let either of us die here!

2...

Everyone's counting on me!

1...

Just a little more...

0...

To Be Continued....

Congrats to Jade Eyed Neko for being the 50th reviewer! (Throws Confetti)

Responses:

Crewel- Thank you for liking the previous chapter! I'm so glad you've stayed with this fic for such a long time too. And the request for a SxM story? No problem, I'll see what I can do. (Smiles) Thank you so much!

Jade Eyed Neko- Hey, congrats again! Anyway, yeah, it seems like Kenshin and Kaoru are siblings hua? We'll just have to see what happens... I mean, there are still three chapters to find out. And you're very welcome for the Sano and Megumi-ness last chapter.

Oniwabanshu- Wow, five whole reviews from you. (Hugs) Thank youuu! It's so cool that you came back to read up on the later chapters since you didn't have time to read it. I appreciate that! You're favorite Fruits Basket characters are Yuki and Hatori? Wow, so are mine! Though, since I finally finished seeing the anime series, I have a new respect for the zodiac cat. Anyway, thank you for reviewing again.

Pia16- You like my plot and style? Wow, thank you, no one has ever said that to me! I will do my best for ya', Pia-dono!

Kitsune-Blue- Yes... (Sweat drop) Poor Sano and Megumi. Don't worry; they get along better after a while, they just need to sort issues, right? Thank you for reviewing!

Erica6060- I don't want Kenshin and Kaoru to be brother and sister either! I hope it doesn't turn out that way!!! Who would they end up loving in the end? I can't imagine anyone else for either of those two! Haha, thank you for your sweet review!

DBZ Goddess- Yeay! (Hugs) Another cool review from the ever famous DBZ Goddess! Oh, and I did receive all those other reviews VIA e-mail. They did not bother me at all—it was rather sweet you went through all the trouble to give me your review! Thank you ever so much. And sorry to make you wait partially three weeks for this update. (Work bites sometimes...) Anyhow, thank you SO much and I hope you stick around till the end! You're an awesome reviewer, so kudos to you!

Kirara1- Haha, don't die; I don't want reviewers to die! Yeah, I almost reconsidered the whole siblings' thing, but I dunno, it just popped in my mind. (Shrugs) We'll see what happens I guess. Thank you for your comment in your nice review!

Cere- Um, thanks for thinking my story is good! Everyone's input counts so thank you for reviewing!

Thanks everyone for reading and/or reviewing! All reviews are welcome and I love reading all of em'! Hope to see you next chapter...