Atonement of Sins
Sano turned facing sideways to her, "Look Missy, if we don't get that information we might be in danger."
"I don't care. Spare her. She saved Kenshin." Kaoru said, "She doesn't need you to force things out of her that she doesn't want anyone to know."
Sano made a face, and looked at Kaoru straight for ten seconds. Suddenly, he spat on the floor. "Fine…" he said, "Have it your way." He walked towards them, passing them as he went his way.
"Hey!"
Sano stopped.
"Apologize." Kaoru said, "Now."
"Fine… sorry." He said, harshly, and left.
Kaoru rushed towards Yuki, "I'm so sorry I let him do that… Are you alright?"
She leaned forward to see that Yuki was sobbing softly, tears in her eyes, "I hate him…" she muttered, under her breath, panting, "He knew I couldn't fight back…"
"You shouldn't have acted so mean to him… " She leaned closer, "Here… this can wipe off some of that blood." She handed her a white cloth.
"…I'll be fine." She said, snatching the cloth from her hand, "Don't worry, he'll be punished eventually…" she said, still breathing hard.
"I… I don't know what's into him. We should actually be thanking you for helping Kenshin…"
"It's alright… I'm actually surprised that he could derive what he said." She said, wiping the blood from her mouth, "… I don't blame him. But… thanks… I guess."
"It's ok, I'm only doing what Kenshin would've done." She paused, "In a sense. He's much more smoother than I am."
They looked back at him, but his eyes were still shut, as if he were sleeping.
------
"Hiko Seijiro, Kenshin's master…" Yahiko repeated, in the local restaurant Izure Midori, three hours later. Sano and Miss Kaoru had not said a word to each other, it seemed that they still were mad at each other, "Hey, aren't you guys excited? He's as good as Kenshin, if not better!"
"Kyoto is far, very far." Sano said, "And that's not even it, we have to venture farther in order to reach sir Hiko."
"At least it's necessary." Kaoru said, "So we'll be able to know the truth. The only true master of the Hiten Mitsurugi should know."
"And he'll just prove me right!"
"As in WhAt do you possibly mean by that?!"
"That somehow Yuki is part of this!"
"Aren't we even worried about Kenshin? What if the assassin attacks tonight?"
"Kenshin is fine. We'll only get in the way if we stay here. I'm pretty sure Kenshin is the only one who can actually maintain peace in this city."
"Then why did he lose last night?"
"Doesn't it make sense?! Because the lady was there with him! Didn't you see his face?"
"Huh?!" Kaoru blinked, "What do you mean?"
"Didn't you see?!" He slapped his forehead, "He was staring at her like a tramp! He was infatuated!"
"In-whA?!" Yahiko screamed, "Are you saying Kenshin actually LiKeS her?!"
"At the time being, he did." Sano said, "Why else would he brush off Missy's advice and go with miss Yuki?"
"That—that had nothing to deal with it!" Kaoru said, protesting, "Kenshin just took the better advice… and—and—"
"I actually thought your idea was much better. Knowing Kenshin—I know that deep inside he knew it was too."
"So then why--?"
"It's obvious that he wanted to stay with Miss Yuki."
"You IDIOT!" Yahiko screamed, "Why would Kenshin want to stay with an old hag like her?!"
"Although she's crippled at the moment, Yuki gave a good impression as soon as she started talking to Kenshin. If you didn't notice, she almost has the same kind of mind as Kenshin himself, since she lived during that period of the revolution."
Kaoru's eyes widened, "Are you saying…."
"So you were only six back then? So how old are you…"
"17." She said plainly.
"17?" Kaoru blinked, "You're three years younger than me. You seem older though."
"My life is one that forces you to mature faster." She said coldly, "But if you wish to see my face…" she pulled off some bandages.
"Oh my god." Sano practically screamed, "I mean… wow…"
The beautiful, calm, fragile face reappeared in Kaoru's memory.
"… I would like to be treated to in private."
-Kenshin had said that to us before we left him from Yuki.- Kaoru thought, -Is it possible-? Her head slumped.
"I know… that Yuki looks like a goddess when she pulls off those patches…" Kaoru said, "So what if she's seventeen? I don't believe you."
"Over that—her tactical level is high." Sano reminded her.
Kaoru's eyes flashed at him, "If you think that you can get me to accuse that innocent girl by making me feel jealous, you're wrong! She has nothing to deal with anything!"
"Let's go to sir Hiko and find out then." Sano said.
"No! We're not all going to leave Kenshin here. I told you already!"
"Look Missy, if you stay here and encounter the assassin you're not going to stand a chance! I know you want to stay with Kenshin but get real! You'll just get in the way!"
"I'm not saying I should be alone with Kenshin!"
"Hey, I'm not going to stick around with you and miss out going to Kyotou for this!" Yahiko said.
"Yes, you are." Sano said. Suddenly it fell silent.
"Hey—I think missy's got a point." Sano said.
"Huh?"
"I don't want to miss out anything too." Sano said, "So what do you say, we need to make sure Missy's safe, don't we?"
"Of course!" Kaoru insisted.
"And we don't want to miss out on anything…"
Yahiko shook his head, "Of course not!"
"Good. Then it's done." Sano pointed at her, "You go to Kyotou alone. That way you'll be away from the assassinations. Go to Hiko and ask him, that way you'll find out for yourself."
"Wh—At?!"
"I know I'm right already, so I don't really need to go. I can stay and help Kenshin fight this thing off. So can Yahiko."
Yahiko's eyes widened, "Hey--!"
"We'll let him pay for killing Ishimo and Yon-san." Sano said, "We'll be ready aid. We can fight and protect Kenshin!"
"How about that part of 'being in his way'?" Kaoru asked, rolling her eyes.
"That only applies to you-" Sano said, "Because he loves you!"
"Wha-?!"
"Plus." Yahiko said, closing his eyes, "You'd be the only one who cOuLd be kept hostage if you think about it."
"Hey-!"
"The road to Kyotou is safer by sea, like you took last time. Then you can land safely at the Aoya and recruit Misao and Sir Okina to help you on your journey. You're not that scared, are you Missy?"
"No, of course not! I'd do it for Kenshin! But—"
"What?"
"I'm afraid of what might happen to you two." She said softly, "I know I didn't want to leave Kenshin alone… but now… I see… this may be the best way to handle things."
"So it's agreed."
Kaoru nodded her head, "I guess it is...."
"It's almost late." Sano said, "There's enough time for you to head to the ship before the sun sets."
"I'm on my way." Kaoru said, "Take care you two… don't let your guard down."
"We'll watch your back until you fade off." Sano said, "I wouldn't want to be responsible if you got into trouble without us knowing about it. Kenshin wouldn't be happy with that."
"Ok-thank you."
"Let's get outside."
Once they were at the entrance where they had first arrived the afternoon before, Kaoru said goodbye again and hugged Yahiko. She turned towards Sano and stopped.
"I'm still angry at you, you know."
"Ok—how about a shake?" Sano said, "For mutual respect."
"I could do that." They quickly exchanged hands and bid farewell.
"I'll be back in three days. I'll try my best." Kaoru said.
"Whatever, just do it." Yahiko said, "We'll be waiting."
They watched her as she faded into the distance, as they promised.
------
Night fell, and only the burning torches from the outside illuminated the lonely town's fragile existence. Sano stood outside the entrance of the Mirameki hotel, waiting.
"I won't let him get away this time." Sano thought to himself, "If he comes, he's probably coming for Kenshin, and I won't let him have him so easily."
Within the Mirameki, Yahiko and Yuki continued to keep watch on Kenshin. Kenshin was now laid on a bed, which proved helpful. Signs of consciousness had not yet appeared, as Yahiko and Sano had expected.
"He must be tired." Yuki said, sipping some Jasmine tea in the corner, "He's not some ordinary man. People die from such injury…"
"Kenshin is too strong to die." Yahiko said, "He's been through worse."
Yuki smiled, "Is that so…?"
"Uh huh, but I'm not in the mood to get all conversational, we have to keep an eye out for the assassin."
"Yes, that is so." She paused, "So tell me, why is the hitokiri battousai wandering around with three unlikely members?"
"I said I'm not in the mood to talk."
"But you're such a sweet boy. I'm curious . . ." she blinked, "We got off on a bad start, but I want to make it up to you. I've got a keen eye on both the window and the door. If anything happens I'm prepared to defend our friend."
She pulled out a handful of Kunai, "These come in handy for swaying away any dangerous people. As soon as I throw it, it'll buy us time to react . . . that is, if anyone comes breaking in."
Yahiko took a deep breath, "I don't trust you."
Yuki made a soft expression and smiled serenely, "Why?"
"I've met people like you before." He said, "Your kindness is a façade. I can tell. You know nothing about Kenshin and the things he's done for everyone. If you did, you would stop hiding around the bush and tell us what you were doing that night; no matter what it was."
"You think someone who survived the revolution would do something as reckless as that?"
"You don't understand the situation! Someone's out there to kill innocent people and Kenshin is the only one who can stop him!"
"And why is that?"
"Look." Yahiko shook his head side to side, "You don't know Kenshin, you wouldn't be able to understand."
"Oh—but I do. Please tell…"
------
A scream echoed from the inside of the Mirameki. Sano looked up at the sky.
"What the hell?! I could've sworn I didn't see anything enter the Mirameki from outside!" he rushed inside the hotel and ran upstairs. Everyone in the inn, including the shopkeeper, was already phoning for the police. Now multiple screams were echoing off from everywhere, from scared residents of the hotel.
Sano burst inside the hotel room, to see a dark blue blur collide into Yahiko, causing him to fly through and break the window. Sano blinked… staring at the distorted room, blankets, sliced up pillows, broken chairs. What was happening? He looked to see the blur escape through the window, in hot pursuit of the air-borne child.
He found his voice escaping through his lips, "Ken—shin…" he looked at the bed to find it empty. "HuH?!"
CLASH
Sano charged to the broken window and peered outside. The flicker of the flames of the village reflected the assassin, in a dark blue kimono, with jet-black hair, his sword being blocked ferociously by Kenshin, bare from the waist up.
"Yea! Kenshin!" Sano heard himself screaming in joy.
The assassin leaped backwards from the block and did a backflip onto the rooftop of a smaller building. Kenshin likewise landed on top of another rooftop, where Yahiko was lying sprawled on the surface.
"Leave him alone!" Kenshin roared.
The assassin said nothing, however, charged straight at Kenshin,
"Battoujitsu!" Kenshin yelled, recognizing the attack. He made an upward strike, and a sound like thunder erupted as it broke up through the X-shaped battoujitsu attack. Suddenly both characters disappeared in a flurry of battle strikes.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Kuzo Ryuushen!" Kenshin yelled. Sano heard eight clashes, however, heard the blunt end of the Reverse blade hit its mark on the ninth attack. Sano saw the assassin leap away, bursting far from Kenshin, who now was visible yet again. Genuflecting upon the rooftop, his jet-black hair covering his face.
He swore that he saw the assassin's lips move, but he could not make out what he was saying. Suddenly he became a blur yet again.
Nine strikes yet again flew up unto the air, as the Kuzo Ryuushen was executed once again. This time, all nine strikes echoed across the distance.
"Yeah!" Sano cheered. His joy was cut in half as he saw Kenshin flying off the rooftop and landing on the ground.
"Damn it!" Sano said, "That's impossible! How can someone get Kenshin like that!" He found he had no choice but to follow the pursuit and leaped out through the window, up unto the building where Yahiko lay sprawled across the surface.
"You ok, kiddo?"
"Help—Kenshin…." Yahiko whispered weakly.
"I hear ya" He stood full height and looked at the assassin, whose face was covered with the darkness.
"Come on, you wuss!" Sano screamed.
"Com—ing…" The assassin hissed in a cold voice. Suddenly, he disappeared.
I'm pretty sure if anything comes in contact with my Futae no Kiwami, it will be destroyed. Sano thought, that means--- "ARGHH!" He knelt down and punched the roof from underneath him. All the debris flew straight into the air, acting as a barrier between him and the assassin.
"Umph!" The assassin cried, as the debris caught his chin from underneath. He was only a hairs width away from Sano before the debris started flying into the air.
"I used the same technique for a gattling gun!" Sano said triumphantly.
The assassin leapt away, and Sano could see drops of blood on the rooftop. Maybe I can win this… he thought I feel better than ever!
Sano stood impressively, on top of the rooftop, ready as ever.
"I won't let you get to Kenshin any longer." Sano said, taking up a stance, "It ends now!" His eyes were still on the Assassin, whom was perched upon another rooftop about 40 feet away, looking at him.
I'm pretty sure if I focus, I can follow the movement of his sword, no matter how fast it may be, Sano thought, After seeing Kenshin's Hiten Mitsurugi for who knows how long, I've already seen everything, so I should be able to counter it by now.
The assassin disappeared again. Sano followed the impulse of the energy.
Suddenly it was gone.
He jumped behind me- Sano turned around just in time to see the X made of two swords. He grinned. He wasn't as fast as Kenshin, but he had already expected this kind of move, and he knew exactly what to do.
"FUTAE NO KIWAMI!" He screamed, focusing on the intersection between the two swords, performing an uppercut with his right hand. His knuckles connected upon target, sending both swords flying into the air, away from them. He smirked, still disappointed that he didn't break the swords instead.
If he had any thought that the battle was over, he was wrong. Before he knew it, his head was flying sideways from the elbow of the assassin.
"UmPh!" He said, landing. The assassin didn't stop there. He picked Sano up from the collar of his shirt and began punching his stomach repeatedly one punch after another. After, kneed his genitals, causing him to scream in pain.
The assassin pressed his open palm upon Sano's face and dug his fingers into his skull. Sano widened his eyes as next his foe brought the back of his skull smashing upon the rooftop, like Sano had used his futae no kiwami earlier to punch the roof before.
Sano's consciousness started to go blank as the assassin clung onto his throat and lifted him high above the ground, over the edge of the rooftop.
"You swine!" He heard him scream. But wait… didn't that voice sound familiar? It didn't sound like it was from a man. Was it… a woman?
"Who areyou?!" Sano managed to weakly groan.
Thunder erupted from the sky above, and for a split second, Sano saw the face of the assassin. Her lips perched upwards in an evil smile, her dark eyes staring mercilessly at his. His eyes widened, "No, it can't be…" and he passed out.
"Now you'll die." The assassin said, smirking, "…you street rat."
"NoT iN yOuR dReAmS, bUsTeR!" A strong voice called behind her.
She turned around.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu Suitsuzen!" Yahiko screamed, throwing all his focus and energy into his attack. The attack followed smoothly, and if it had not been that he was wielding a wooden sword, it would have sliced the assassin open. Instead however, the sword was the one that was split apart.
Afterwards, Yahiko fell, too weak to pursue any longer.
The assassin stood, stunned. Although it was a wooden sword, the blow that Yahiko had struck hit a crucial pressure point upon her neck. It cut the blood circulation flowing to her brain.
In thirty seconds… I will die… she thought, absent-mindedly throwing Sano back upon the rooftop. This can't be… I can't…
Her focus turned to Kenshin. Must… kill… she looked around, for where one of her swords had landed. Time was running out, and dark colors were swirling around her. She held her breath and looked upon the rooftop again as lightening flashed. There! It stood straight up, the blade dug deep into the rooftop. She limped towards it, lifted it from the roof, and leaped off weakly, yet quickly. Now she was on the ground closing nearer on Kenshin. She limped closer, as all the colors seemed to whirl around her. She was right above him.
"Die…" she said, and pierced the sword beneath her, and passed out.
------
Miss Kaoru looked upon the crashing waves upon the shores as she sailed upon the ocean beneath her. She promised her companions that she would arrive back to Yamasaki within three days. Now she started to wonder whether or not that kind of promise was possible. There were many things on her mind.
First was sir Hiko. She found to her surprisement that she began to worry whether he was still near Kyotou, or whether he was alive. It had not been that long ago that she last saw him, battling against the Goliath, Fuji. There was no doubt that he was powerful, but what if in fact that he had contracted a disease during this time, or worse?
Then there was the possibility of the fact that even if she did confront him, would he have an answer to the solution? Would he even allow her an answer? Did he even remember her? There were many other things that could be a problem. Traveling wasn't always safe without Kenshin, and who knows might've happened in Yamasaki while she was gone. She just prayed that nothing bad would happen.
The last thing brought the most fear to her heart. What happens if Sir Hiko did NOT teach anyone else the Hiten Mitsurugi style. What happens, if just somehow… Sanosuke was correct about Yuki? What if Kenshin really did murder her parents during the revolution? What if Yuki really wanted revenge? That would be just terrible
The next day, she would arrive in Kyotou. This was where the revolution had taken place almost 12 years ago. Would it be possible… to find an answer? Was she the only link that would determine the victory between Kenshin and the assassin?
She sighed, overcome by worry.
"Hey." A voice called out, "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
Kaoru twirled to find herself face to face with another woman. She blinked, "No, I don't think I've ever seen you before." Kaoru said, shaking her head.
"Hmm… that's funny." The woman said, "I remember being jealous about a girl that looked just like you, a long time ago." She said, "She had a close friend that sacrificed his life for her, when we captured her over seas."
Kaoru stood silent, not knowing how to respond to such an odd comment.
The woman squinted her eyes and turned around.
"I'm sorry." She said, walking away, "I hope a lot, nowadays. It's probably just because I think of Himura too much."
Hi-Himura?!
"WAIT!" Kaoru suddenly screamed, causing the woman to stop in her tracks, "Wait… are you… are you Shura?! The pirate girl from a while back…?!"
Shura turned around, "Hmm. I knew I saw you from somewhere." She made a nice smile, "How is Himura the battousai?"
Kaoru put her head down, "Well, the truth is… he's… in trouble." she said.
"Huh?" Shura's eyes widened, "What happened?"
"Two days ago an officer appeared at our Residence, claiming he had evidence that Kenshin murdered ten Shinsengumi the night before; near Yamasaki village."
Shura gasped.
"The few witnesses who survived the incident were slaughtered last night, when we and Kenshin visited Yamasaki to investigate for ourselves."
"Surely he didn't commit the assassinations…"
"Yes… yes, of course he didn't…" Kaoru said, sadly, "However, the assassin also uses the same technique as Kenshin, the Hiten Mitsurugi style."
"The Super sonic blade techniques…" Shura said, "Did he have a rival?"
"When the assassinations took place last night… Kenshin was also caught in the onslaught. He was barely revived by the sole survivor of the Yamasaki attacks."
There was a moment of silence.
"Surely Mr. Himura fought valiantly..."
"No… he was caught off guard. According to Yuki…"
"Yuki-?"
"The one who revived him. He was with her at the time."
Shura blanked out, "Oh… oh, ok. But that sounds awkward." Her face twisted, "Even when Mr. Himura was poisoned, he was able to ward me off when we first fought upon the ship. It doesn't make sense."
"Our friend Sanosuke thinks it's because of Yuki that Kenshin was caught off guard." Kaoru exclaimed, rushing her sentence, "Well, she's this seven-tEEN year old pRIn-cess who thinks she's all that because she's so beautiful and because she survived the revolution and…"
"Woah… slow down… I hear ye- I hear ye-"
"Oh…" she put her hand over her mouth, "I hope I didn't sound jealous or anything…"
"It's natural." Shura said, smirking "So why are you here?"
"We're on a quest… I mean… I'm on a quest to find out the truth about this mysterious Hiten Mitsurugi figure." Kaoru said, "So I'm heading over to Kyotou to Kenshin's master in order to ask him if he taught another pupil in the past."
"I'll be sure to accompany you." Shura said, "Right now I'm returning from Hokkaido. I've been wandering around, trying to atone some of the sins I committed."
"Oh… I see."
"I will return to my homeland in one month… and I guess some people expect me to find a fiancée once I return so I can fulfill father's promise."
"Oh… ok…"
"What's wrong… you don't seem alright. Are you worried?"
"Yes… I have." Kaoru closed her eyes and made her best smile, "Oh well, it's ok. I'm sure everything will be over quickly. I mean… I'm positive."
Shura smiled too, "I have deep confidence in Himura. I'm sure he will overcome all obstacles he faces." She rose one of her eyebrows, "A long time ago, he did me a favor by saving my life. Now it's my turn to help him." She put her hand on Kaoru's shoulder, "I'll make sure you will travel safely to Kenshin's Master. You have my word."
Now… Kaoru thought Now… is my journey… to uncover the truth…
------
Kenshin Ending Theme Song…