Finding the Exile
Yuki woke up as a hot towel was laid upon her forehead. Her eyes immediately shot open and she made a quick gasp, looking above her. Kenshin, in a white kimono, stood over her, holding the towel to her head.
"You're very lucky, that you are." Kenshin said, pleasantly, "One of your major pressure points were struck, you almost died from lack of oxygen to your brain."
"I… I…" she lifted her arm and pressed her right hand over the towel on her forehead, noticing that she was wearing the same white cotton kimono that Kenshin was wearing, "I… guess I should thank you." She said, finally, a tear dripping from her eye.
"You're very strong" Kenshin said, closing his eyes and smiling, "That you are."
"It doesn't make sense though." She said, "I thought I killed you… you must've rolled away at the last second… but still…" she closed her eyes, "Despite the fact that I almost killed your comrades, you still helped me. Why?"
"I will not let you die. I still don't know anything about you." Kenshin said, "Even as we speak, miss Kaoru is heading to Kyotou, that she is. She will find out if you had any prior training from the Hiten Mitsurugi Style."
"You saved me… urk…" she winced in pain, "But you still don't trust me… huh?" her eyes were still shut, "You're very clever, that, you are."
"Your Hiten Mitsurugi style was beyond anything I've ever seen before." Kenshin said, calmly, his eyes growing serious, however, his voice maintaining that same kindness, "You've put double the effort on your swords, I've noticed."
"Your single sword is no match for my double katana's." Yuki stated, chuckling with her eyes still closed.
"You stress too much power when you execute your strikes." Kenshin said, "and when you use the reverse end of your swords, you exhaust yourself by adjusting the angle just so it will not cut me. Also… you are over-confident." Her eyes slowly opened.
"Why did you take off my patches?" She said to him, looking at his eyes, "Did you get a thrill from changing me into these common clothes?"
"No… the inn-keeper is a nice old woman, she was able to assist your change of attire." He paused, "However… you shouldn't cover your face. You look much better without patches, that you do." He smiled.
"I know…" she said, narrowing her eyes and looking hostile towards him, "That's why I don't want you to take them off, I'll have you know. This beauty you see is just a disguise of how ruthless I am inside. I don't want you to get the wrong idea!"
"Can you move alright?"
"I'm… I'm still stiff." She said, "You're last move of the Kuzou Ryuusen hasn't rendered me impotent, I hope." She said, "I was expecting all the other attacks except that one. I didn't think you'd be so ruthless."
"A battle is a battle. There is no mercy when it's a fight to the finish."
"Why-- are you like that?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do you soften the situation? You didn't use "death". You said 'a fight to the finish'. They are two different meanings."
"I made a vow never to kill again."
"That's stupid." Yuki pouted, "That's really stupid."
"Is that so?"
"No matter what you do, you can't atone for what you've done. Helping others won't bring back those you killed."
"I must ask you the same question. Why do you seek your parents murderer if you know that killing him won't bring them back?"
"You're dumb." She said again, "If you were really that determined to make up for your sins, you should have at least done something for those you killed. Like apologize to their families and accept your death penalty."
"I did not kill those people for pleasure." Kenshin said, "I never have. I was merely a soldier of war, fighting for my own beliefs. All those I have slain were slain for a reason. To destroy the shogunate and establish this era of the Meiji."
"You don't know anything!" she cried out, "My mother wasn't a soldier of the shogunate, but she died regardless!" tears flew from her eyes, "You bastard!" she screamed, "You probably don't even remember it! You liar! You didn't have to kill her, so why did you?!"
"There were many assassin's during the revolution." Kenshin said, "It would be wise to assume that I am not the only suspect… and also…" he paused, "I only remember killing one woman… and she was NOT your mother. I am sure."
"No. I remember. I saw your attack, I saw you move… I've seen you now. It's the same. You were the one who…"
"MISSY!" A knock came from the door, "Missy, are you alright?!" Sano suddenly rushed in the door, "Yahiko told me everything. He saw you look out the window and scream, and then as soon as he looked over…"
"Before he knew it he was knocked over several times and then the assassin got me as well and then sent him flying out the window." Yuki finished.
"HoW could you say that so CALMLY?!" Sano asked, "Are you ok?"
"…" she paused, "Why are you being so nice to me now?" Yuki said, trying to suppress a smile, but failed, "I hope you're sorry for what you did to me the other day."
Sano made a face, "Ah, I see, so you're still acting all stuck up."
Her grin widened, "Or is it because you finally see my true face?"
Sano closed his eyes, "As far as I'm concerned, you're as messed up as Shishio." He grunted, "You may look all flowery in the outside, but in the inside, you're a brat."
Her eyes widened intensely and stared at him, "Come again?"
They stared at each other, relentlessly. Suddenly, Sano turned around.
"Forget it, you're the same as before." He said, apathetically, leaving through the door, "I was only trying to help, but it seems like you're already back to normal."
"That's what I thought." Yuki said, as Sano closed the door.
She turned back to Kenshin, "I don't get it." She said, "He suffered major injuries from battle. Why is he up and going already?"
Kenshin smiled, "Sano isn't one to be taken lightly, that he isn't."
She made a face, "Stop smiling. It's cloying. You've killed my mother, and you're smiling like some &$$$ at me. Let me tell you I'll return you the favor once I look upon your dead body."
Kenshin's eyes suddenly narrowed, "Let me tell you I'm still deciding whether I should let you live or not."
"Don't act so noble. If you don't want to kill me then I'll kill you." She said, "You think you have everything under control, so you're smiling and acting so nice to me." She made an evil smile, "If I wasn't having so much fun beating up your friend, I would've noticed the little boy sneaking up on me and killed him as well."
"Your only true purpose is to scorn me." Kenshin said.
"It's payback for everything you made me go through." She said, "Nothing personal. I just want justice… afterall."
"What?"
"Believe it or not, we have something in common… a strong inclination to justice." She said, looking up at the ceiling, "Too bad that in order for justice to be served, so much has to happen to make you suffer."
Kenshin's eyes flared, "So you're saying you'll kill little children to make me suffer?! Is that your definition of justice?"
"YeS—all those children's deaths amount to nothing to you compared to the single death of my mother to me!"
"You're wrong."
"So what are you saying?! Are you saying you feel more pain for some stranger than I do for my mother?! How dare you!! Don't you dare lie to me or I'll kill your little girl-friend too."
"You say it's nothing personal… that you want justice. If that's your true philosophy then you belong in an asylum."
"No, if I belong to an asylum, you belong to hell, because you made me like this!"
"If you think killing children is justice… and if you think I'm the only one responsible for the path you chose, you are blind." He closed his eyes and stood up, "As soon as you're better, leave. I'll have no more words with you today."
She started laughing as he closed the door behind him.
------
"We've arrived" Shura said, as the ship docked on the shore of Kyotou, "It wasn't as nearly long as I thought. Unfortunately, Kyotou is such a big place. It'll be awhile before we can pin-point our position."
Miss Kaoru was still wearing her Kimono at the time. "Thanks for accompanying me on this trip."
"It's nothing. Hey, you should change."
"huh? But why?"
"We're going through Kyotou, you don't need to restrict your body movements with that elegant dress. Anything can happen when we head off to the woods to where Himura's master dwells.."
"You're right." She paused, "But still, we should head over to the Aoya first, Sir Okina and Misao will be able to help us find Sir Hiko Seijiro. We can rest over there before we head over to Kenshin's master."
"So you'll remain in that 'uniform'?" Shura grinned, she was wearing much looser clothing, "Ok, just try to keep up with me then."
"Don't worry, I'll do so."
They departed from the ship and began to journey to the Aoya.
This road…I've walked down here before… Miss Kaoru thought, I think… it wasn't even a year ago that Kenshin… Sano… Yahiko… and I… we were together when we fought Shishio and the Juppengattena. Those were such horrible times. I can still remember the anxiety… the tension… it lasted for the longest time I can remember…
"Is something the matter?" Shura asked.
"No… not really." She lied, "Let's hurry. I don't want Kenshin to be in any more danger. This side-trip isn't supposed to even take so long." Dramatic memories flooded her mind as they began to quicken their pace towards the Aoya.
They arrived at the Aoya by mid-afternoon. They had stopped to eat two times before hand. During this time, Miss Kaoru told Shura about all the adventures that Kenshin had had after their departure from her. Miss Shura was shocked to hear about the unexpected appearance of both Saitou and Shishio, and how they had both dramatically twisted into the tale of Kenshin from the past into the present.
"Himura is an awesome man" Shura had said, after Kaoru went through all the details, "You are quite lucky to be with such a fine and adept warrior."
Kaoru blushed, "I don't really think of him like that. I like Kenshin for who he is, not for his strength or his power. He's just… well… deep inside, he's a nice person who wants to see things straight. Always. And I like him because of that."
"I too, respect him for his unselfish merits."
As they neared the Aoya, they could hear the screaming of both Misao and sir Okina. Miss Kaoru took the honor of going to the door and knocking.
"Hello, Sir Okina, Misao? It's me, Kamiya Kaoru, from the Kenshingumi!"
"The… Kenshin-gumi?" Shura asked.
Before they knew it, the door opened, and Misao's face was visible to both of them, "Miss Kaoru?! Is that really you?" suddenly, for a moment, silence came across the Aoya. Then a loud eruption.
All four members of the Aoya jumped out to where she was, greeting her in a very friendly manner. Miss Kaoru blushed and introduced them also to Shura, who was an acquaintance of hers a long time ago.
"Nice to meet you." Shura said, happily, "It's been awhile since I've been able to get together with a few hearty comrades."
Sir Okina was the last to greet them. He was, by all means, no older than he looked like before. He was still full of great energy and compassion. Kaoru admired this trait, and hoped that Kenshin would also be as youthful when he came of old age.
"It's quite a pleasure to see you again, Miss Kaoru." He said, joyfully, "Would you like to party with us again before you tell us of your issues?"
"I'm sorry." Miss Kaoru said, "This is quite serious."
Sir Okina blinked, and suddenly he became serious, "Ok, I understand. Follow me." They were led up to a small, desolate room upstairs. When they arrived, they knelt down on a small table.
Suddenly the door opened and Kaoru gasped.
"Aoshi Shinamuri!"
But Aoshi wasn't like that what she had seen before. He was now wearing a black kimono, and holding a tea tray with three cups. Kaoru couldn't help but giggle. Aoshi actually looked like some sort of waiter.
"You're back." He said, to miss Kaoru, quite emotionlessly.
Woa, who is he? Shura thought, as Aoshi set down the tea tray in front of them and removed each cup of tea from the tray, placing it on the table, and then picking up the tray again. Then he stood up again, but he did not leave.
"We need to find Hiko Seijiro." Miss Kaoru exclaimed, "It's urgent. The story so far is that someone was found having the exact same technique as Kenshin, the Hiten Mitsurugi style. Kenshin says he didn't remember anyone else being taught the Hiten Mitsurugi, and he also exclaimed that he didn't think that his master would actually teach another pupil without informing him about it. So… we've come to double check."
"There is a man running around with a reverse blade sword that is pretending to be like Himura?" Mr. Okina asked, surprised.
"Yes." Shura said, "It seems that way, except it isn't a reverse blade sword. It's two swords. Also, this man isn't like Himura at all. He is truly a battousai."
"Oh… and who are you?"
"I'm Shura, an old acquaintance of theirs. I've decided to accompany Miss Kaoru, so she won't be in danger."
"That's not truly necessary." Okina said, "We have the members of the Aoya, whom are strong enough by themselves."
"I decided to come along with her as a favor to Mr. Himura, who saved my life about a year ago." She said. Aoshi turned to her.
"The battousai saved you, as well?"
"Yes." Shura looked at the tea, "He changed my life… forever."
Aoshi closed his eyes and smiled, "Yes… the battousai has a funny way of changing people. I do admit."
All of a sudden Kaoru felt a little jealous. Kenshin had changed the lives of both Aoshi Shinamuri, and Shura. Beyond that, he had also changed the ways of Zanza the bounty hunter, who was now Sano, and Yahiko Miyoji, the apprentice of Kaoru. But did Kenshin in any way effect the life of her? She thought back upon it…
"Miss Kaoru." Okina said, "Miss Kaoru… Miss Kaoru, this is the third time I'm talking to you, are you there?'
Kaoru blinked out of her trance, "Hmm? Oh, yes, yes, I'm terribly sorry about that." She blushed, "I was just thinking…"
"Yes…"
"Umm… about the situation. Kenshin's in danger. The rest of our friends are in Yamasaki near Tokyo right now and we are in desperate danger. Two days ago there were assassinations in the city that we witnessed in front of our eyes. Kenshin didn't even have a chance to do anything. The assassin attacked him first… with a double Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki… Using both swords. It engraved two solid marks on his chest… similar to the scar on his face."
"WHAT?! Incredible!" Aoshi said, surprised, "Using two swords… at once to use the Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki?! Astounding. This man is truly a match for the battousai…"
"I don't understand, it's just the same move used with two swords." Misao said, "It's just like the battoujitsu, isn't it?"
"No…" Aoshi said, "The timing for the Amakakeru Ryuu No Hirameki is much more beyond that. The timing with two swords requires the attacker to step up both times, both with the adjacent leg and adjacent sword, almost instantaneously so that when the attack is performed, it is as if it happened at the same time."
"I see." Sir Okina said, "A double step performed within a split second."
"Also…" Aoshi said, "The way it works, the Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki is executed after the attack of the opponent. Which means…"
"Which means that he had to be twice AS FAST IN ORDER TO PERFORM IT ON KENSHIN?!" Miss Kaoru practically screamed.
"It depends on what strike the Battousai used." Aoshi said, sighing, "Knowing that pacifist… he probably didn't go all out in the beginning, so he probably just used one of his ordinary attacks."
"What do you mean?" Kaoru asked.
"He must have truly believed that whomever he was fighting wasn't really trained in the Hiten Mitsurugi style. But it is clear… he is."
"But from whom could he have been taught?!" Kaoru demanded.
"… You will have to find out how. I cannot see as clearly how… but… yes. It is clear that this man we are facing is truly a taught student of the Hiten Mitsurugi."
"One question." Okina said, "You forget Aoshi, this man wasn't using one blade, and at that, he wasn't even using Reverse blades." He looked towards Miss Kaoru, "How is Himura faring?"
"He would be dead, for sure." Aoshi said, "There is no way going around it."
"No." Miss Kaoru said, "When he was attacked… the assassin reversed both blades."
Everyone gasped, "Why?" Okina demanded.
"The person who took care of Kenshin… the day he was hurt… she used to live in the Revolution. She said… that it was probably reversed for a reason." She sighed, "Kenshin barely woke up… last time I saw him. I… I honestly didn't think… he would."
All members in the room sighed, "I see." Aoshi said, "This man is no ordinary man. You will have to stop him."
"Whoever is impersonating Kenshin knows what he's doing. So… we need to find Hiko Seijiro as soon as possible. Will you help us?"
"Yes. Sir Hiko's whereabouts are the same. Misao will be able to guide you on your way. If this is an emergency, you can count on us to help you. We all will do our best."
Miss Kaoru really didn't understand what that meant, but she nodded, "Thank you for your help." She bowed.
"Misao should be right below—" Aoshi started.
"NO NEEd! I heard EvEryThing!" Misao popped out.
"Misao!" Sir Okina practically jumped, "How many times--!"
"No need gramps, I heard everything." She grinned, "So what are we waiting for, let's go!"
"We're only here to accompany you." Shura said to Kaoru, "I'm afraid you'll have to face Kenshin's master by yourself… once we get there."
"I know… I was thinking about that when I was on the boat." She paused.
"Is there something you're afraid of?"
"Yes." She said, "Multiple things."
Misao and Okina looked at her sympathetically.
"Why?" Miss Misao said.
"I feel like… there may be something I might hear that I may not wish to know."
"Well, whether you want to or not, you will have to in order to save the battousai's life." Aoshi said, plainly, "Otherwise, you will never know."
"I'm just so afraid. You see… I remember what my friend, Miss Megumi said to me… the day after Kenshin defeated Shishio. She said… Kenshin's only a man, and he's been fighting for so many years. If he continues… he will not survive. Through a doctor's eyes… Kenshin is a man who is about to burst…" she started to cry, "from fighting… so… much…"
Everyone looked upon her, saddened. Even Aoshi, who was never really that compassionate, put a hand on her shoulder.
"Do not worry. Whomever the Battousai is fighting… he will not fight alone. You must hurry to Sir Hiko immediately and gather your information. Don't bother coming back here, it'll only waste time."
"But…"
"Miss Kaoru, if this new foe is even more dangerous than Shishio, merely because of the fact that this is the first time that Kenshin is fighting someone at his own level, with perhaps the same exact training… you must consider your time! You must not spend anymore here! Follow Misao and go to Sir Hiko now!"
Miss Kaoru was still wiping her tears.
Shura stood up, "Come on, no more crying. And it's time to change."
Miss Kaoru looked up at her.
"You can't be wearing that Kimono any longer. Come on. It's time."
------
"Kenshin…" Sano said, seeing Kenshin resting on the chair, "Hey, you've been sleeping there for ten hours. Wake up—" He shook Kenshin a little.
"Kenshin." He shook again, "Hey… are you ok?"
Kenshin didn't respond, "Hey… Kenshin. Don't play with me now." He felt his arm… it was cold and pale, "Hey… hey…" he put his finger on Kenshin's neck and felt a weak pulse, "Kenshin. Kenshin!"
Then he heard a voice, "I told him I wouldn't… but for some reason I will have to break that promise anyways."
Sano turned around, "Huh?"
Miss Megumi stood right in front of him, "You haven't been back for almost three days. I knew something had happened."
"Oh…" Sano narrowed his eyes, "Will he be alright?"
"He's… not that bad. But his body is stressed." She felt his pulse, "I only came here right now… he's really weak, but I suspected this. What happened?"
"He was knocked out two days ago… and then last night, when Yahiko and I were being attacked, he forced himself up and tried to fight against the assassin again. He was in such a rush that he leapt outside and since his kimono was still messed up from the day before, he fought without the top of his kimono."
Megumi covered her mouth, "It was snowing last night, and it was cold!" she said, "Was he struck?"
"Yes… but only from a reverse… or two reverse ends of swords."
"He's really weak now. But he will recover. Give me some hot water. He needs to be in a tub of hot water, now!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Sano said, and rushed off.
------
It was now nightfall, and the gang had finally reached the appointed place. The old hut was still out… the same hut that they remembered from the day before. This was where Sir Hiko lived.
"I'm ready." Miss Kaoru said. She went up to the Hut and knocked on the door. There was a very long silence before they heard a voice inside.
"What is it?" They could hear sir Hiko's voice from inside the hut.
"Sir Hiko Seijiro, It is I, Kaoru Kamiya, a… friend of Kenshin."
"Kenshin?" The door suddenly opened, and Sir Hiko stood before them, his white cape still fluttering in the wind , "Yes, I remember you. You are the girl who fought against the Juppengattena before I came to help you." He turned to Misao, "Yes, and I remember you too." He turned to Shura.
Shura bowed, "I am also a friend of Himura…"
"I see." He looked at them.
"Stupid Apprentice…" Hiko grinned, "Since when has he had the pleasure of getting so much ladies beside him these days?"
"Hey--! We're not here to joke." Misao said, pleadingly.
"I know." He paused, "It's just that… I hope that women haven't been able to weaken him too much." They were about to protest angrily until he said, "That is what almost made him die ten years ago…"
"What?!" They all blinked.
"Maybe one of Kenshin's greatest weaknesses is the fragileness of a woman." He paused, "He was in love with one of the most lovely girls before… and it destroyed him later." he paused again, longer, "It scarred him."
Now all of these young women were crowding around him, waiting for more, anxious of the knowledge that was known to him that they did not understand.
"Are you talking about… how he got his scar?" Miss Kaoru was on the brink of tears again, "What…?"
"I must warn you all not to get too close to my apprentice." He said, "This is of my best regards towards my apprentice, I hope you understand."
"Sir… I don't mean to interrupt… but Kenshin is in great danger, and since he wasn't in the condition to come here himself, he sent me to ask you something."
"What happened now?"
"He wanted to ask you… if… if…" she paused, "He wanted to ask you if you had, in the past, ever taught someone else the Hiten Mitsurugi style."
Hiko stood, looking at them. For a moment, Kaoru had a strange impression that he was ready to close the door in their face, and the question would never be answered.
"Why does he ask?" Sir Hiko questioned.
"In Yamasaki city, near Tokyo, there have been recent massacres… led by one who claims to know the Hiten Mitsurugi style. And… it's not Kenshin."
"In that case…" Sir Hiko paused, "I will answer your question." He narrowed his eyes, "Yes, I did."
------
Kenshin Ending Theme Song…