Battousai Reborn.
Chapter 2.
A Warrior's Heart.
Synopsis: What happens when Kenshin Himura finally loses control?
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Kenshin began running in the darkness surrounding him. What was he to do? Kaoru had been kidnapped by Saitou and he did not know what to do. How could he be betrayed like that? All these thoughts and others flowed endlessly through his mind. Running and running through the night, he stumbled upon a fight between 2 swordsmen who seemed to be holding a grudge against the other.
"Hey there!" Kenshin shouted, "What are ya'll up to?"
"None of your damn business!" replied one.
"Get lost kid, before you get hurt!" the other shouted.
"Oh well," sighed Kenshin, who then ran off.
"It's not my problem," he thought. Kenshin had lost all sense of justice in a matter of a few hours. He no longer portrayed a smile but an expression of dead seriousness. He had so much on his mind. He remembered Kaoru's laughter but it was useless, as it did nothing for him. He was slowly becoming the warrior he had left behind a long time ago. He had not realized this however and it would prove to be the worst mistake he could ever make.
A few hours later after constant running, Kenshin stopped at a small inn. He went inside only to discover that no one was there. The sun was now rising and he sat down on the floor, tired and yet full of energy. He was determined to save Kaoru in his mind, but his sore muscles seemed to say differently. He lay down on the floor and drifted off to sleep.
"Kenshin?" whispered Kaoru, "where are you, Kenshin?"
"I'm here, Kaoru" was his reply, "where are you?"
"I'm close to you Kenshin but please come save me quickly," she insisted, "Saitou is becoming a pain in the neck and I jus want to go home!"
Kenshin chuckled. However, the worst was to happen. Suddenly Kenshin heard a familiar scream.
"Kaoru!" he shouted. He got no reply. "Kaoru!" he shouted once more. No reply.
"She's gone, Battousai!" said Saitou. "And you'll soon join her!"
"NOOO!" shouted Kenshin, at the same time he sprang up from the floor.
"It was just a dream," he said to himself. "I must hurry!"
He got out of the inn and rushed into the streets, which were now filled with people from all over the town. He had 2 more days before his showdown with Saitou. He had to prepare himself to be the best he could be. He knew that the only way he could become the best was to become Battousai once more. Was he going to give up the one thing that meant the most to him to become the one thing he feared so much? It would be a question that would haunt him for the remaining time before the battle.
Kenshin started walking once more into the direction of the huge mountains. Whilst he walked, he contemplated tirelessly. He thought of how much Kaoru meant to him and how she was to be his wife.
"What kind of husband would I be if I did not do everything I could to save her?" he thought. "I love her so much and she is all I need in this world. If I was to become the slasher once more, would she still love me as she does now?" he asked.
He knew not the answer to his second question but he did know that he would do anything humanly or even inhumanly possible to protect her.
He decided to face his master, his sensei, Seijuro Hiko. If I can beat him just a bit then I can gain some confidence to defeat Saitou in my weak state. He knew what he was thinking and went off in the opposite direction in full speed, towards his master's hut in the middle of the forest.
A few hours later he came upon the hut.
"Master Hiko!!!" he shouted.
Kenshin waited for a response but did not get any. He crept closer to the hut and peered inside. No one was there. He turned around disappointed and was about to walk off when he heard his master's voice.
"And to what do I owe a visit from my ex-pupil?" Hiko asked furiously. "I told you never to come here again!"
"I must prove that I am the best, Master Hiko," he replied.
"Well then, I guess that means I have to fight," Hiko said, at the same time removing his sword from his sheath and pointing it towards the wanderer. "Anytime you're ready!"
Kenshin got into his stance position and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. He watched around and felt the strong wind blowing against him. It was Master Hiko's powerful chi, a force to be reckoned with. Kenshin began to think of what he had to do – and why he had to do it. This brought about a gain in confidence of himself and he sped forward, removing his sword from its sheath and attacking first with the Battou style. This was no match for his teacher and so Kenshin attacked once more, each time putting more effort into his techniques. Again, Hiko evaded and reacted. Kenshin was sent flying but in midair he pulled himself together and landed safely and unhurt on the ground. Hiko began to taunt him and it was exactly what the soon-to-be Battousai needed. Through this fight, Kenshin was slowly converting to the Battousai. It was what he wanted and this was the sole reason for fighting Hiko, he had to change! The wanderer stood in his place and looked sternly towards Hiko.
"Oh, hello Battousai," said Hiko.
"Hello and goodbye!" Battousai replied and then ran forward with no sense of remorse, no fear and no regret.
Battousai jumped quickly into the air and spun into Hiko. As he landed he used the deadliest technique he had – Nine Headed Dragon Lite. Hiko defended against it but his sword cracked under the pressure. The spring he had placed in his sword could do nothing for the force Battousai had placed into that single blow. Hiko laughed.
"You're getting pretty good!" he remarked.
"I am the best!" was the slasher's response.
With that, he again attacked Hiko and this time he placed the same amount of force into the blow but he stepped differently and Hiko was not able to react in sufficient time.
A few seconds later, Battousai walked back into the forest, again continuing his journey towards the mountains. Hiko lay on the ground, a huge wound lay across his chest, making an X scar across the wound he had first received from Kenshin when he was training to fight Shi Shio.
It was dark and the slasher kept on walking. No remorse, no fear, no regret!
"One more day before the wolf is to be slaughtered!" he thought to himself, referring to Saitou.
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Author's Notes: Continuing the chapters one day at a time, referring to the story and to this week. I know they could be a little longer but I not really good at writing long stuff. I'm going to finish it by Friday though so keep checking for updates each day if ya'll want. Suggestions still welcomed lol!