I don't own RK.
Words used in chapter –
Boken – Wooden Sword
Battou Jutsu – A style of swordsmanship that focuses on drawing the sword from the sheath.
Hiten Mitsurugi style – The style of swordsmanship that Kenshin Himura uses.
Battousai – Battousai the manslayer. Or Kenshin Himura, which is the Battousai. The word Battousai means legendary… I think. /
Chapter 5: Attack of the Shadow Bane Clan
Naijiro smiled wickedly. "Melna, you know what to do."
The raven haired girl paused for a second then nodded. "Yes. I know what to do."
Melna stood, ready to attack. We will see if they expect this.
Kaoru ran to Yahiko. "Are you alright?" She asked worriedly.
Yahiko felt his face and focused on the blood when he pulled his hand back. "So… fast." He stuttered.
Kaoru tightened her fist. "Kenshin will teach them a lesson, about picking on people weaker then they are."
Yahiko blinked in shock a few times before looking at Kaoru. "Did you see any of that?"
Kaoru shook her head negatively.
"He moves faster than I have ever seen Kenshin move." Yahiko said nervously. "I hope the others aren't as good as him. Or we will be in trouble."
Saigon and Naijiro charged! Kenshin and Saitou charged as well.
When they engaged one another, all of the ninjas charged toward Kaoru and Yahiko!
Yahiko leaped to his feet. "I'm not going down without a fight!" he shouted grabbing his boken. "Let's get them Kaoru!" Yahiko declared pulling another boken off of his back.
Kaoru nodded bringing the boken into a Kendo stance.
Melna ran around the all out mêlée that Kenshin, Saito and the other ninjas were in and straight toward Yahiko and Kaoru. And jumping, landed beside Kaoru.
Drawing her katana, she readied herself. "Miss Kamiya! I'll help you."
Yahiko glared suspiciously at the girl. He didn't trust her, but if she was willing to help, then he should think about it later.
Yahiko looked back toward the charging ninjas. I'll have to keep a close eye on her.
The ninjas charged toward Yahiko. One of the ninjas fell to the ground as Tojai zipped past him. He caught two more off guard, and then stopped beside Yahiko. The remainder of the ninjas halted, eyeing Tojai uneasily.
The boy smiled at Yahiko. "These guys shouldn't gang up on a small group like that."
Yahiko glared at Tojai cautiously. He didn't like all of the new faces, and their apparent skill.
Yahiko and the others glanced up at the corner, to see many ninjas rounding it. They stopped then charged at Yahiko.
Yahiko was taken aback at the site of the hoard of black suited ninjas dashing toward him. There must have been 80 or more.
Tojai pulled his sword up beside his head. "Let's go Yahiko!"
Yahiko tensed, but then brought his boken into a Kendo stance and readied to charge. Kaoru and Melna readied themselves too.
Yahiko was scared, but he wasn't about to say anything. Kenshin was fighting a duel he may not walk away from. The least Yahiko could do is protect Kaoru, even if it meant the same for him, possible death.
Tojai and Yahiko dove forward when the enemies got about 20 feet away. Kaoru and Melna followed after a brief moment.
Yahiko was following Tojai's sword, when it arched into the foes he dashed in past it. He quickly lost sight of the others in the thick cloud of ninjas. He began his dance of swordsmanship, blocking every blow he could not dodge, his wooden sword swinging wildly, yet with finesse, not missing any targets. Yahiko quickly ducked under a powerful swing by one of the ninjas before swatting his second blow away and whacking him in the back of the knee, following up with a wide backhanded arc directly into the man's face. He fell to the ground with a holler and loud thud.
Another sword nearly clipped Yahiko's hip as a ninja attempted to subdue the boy from behind, which failed miserably. Yahiko swung around bashing the lunging man in the face hard enough to send a tooth spinning off into the distance.
Yahiko had become focused on his battle so much he could sense the foe racing from the bushes, straight for him. He whirled around to see a ninja running toward him with a wooden staff.
The other ninjas backed away from Yahiko, deciding to let the newcomer deal with the boy. They quickly directed their attention to Kaoru and the others.
The man stopped about ten feet from Yahiko and resting his staff upon his shoulder, spoke in a deep menacing voice.
"You have some talent with that wooden sword, talent that could be used, what say you? Join me." He said smiling sternly.
Yahiko licked the trickle of blood from his lip, spitting it to his side. "You kidnapped Kaoru, and you work for Gohei. I want nothing to do with you!'
The man closed his eyes nodding. "Vary well; if that is your decision… you have to be eliminated."
The man began spinning his staff wildly sending the piece of wood into a deadly blur. "You will beg to join us when I'm done with you… or maybe you won't!" He said, angrily dashing at Yahiko.
Yahiko brought his boken up from his side and blocked a powerful strike from the strong man. He fall backward, and looking up he barely had time to roll away from the next attack before it struck the ground, sending a small could of dust into the air. Yahiko quickly jumped to his feet, stepping to the side and ducking to avoid the man's next two attacks.
He's fast! Yahiko thought to himself, brushing off the third attack.
He quickly ducked under the man's next swing, remembering the other end of the staff he dove to the side, striking the man's side. The man howled, swinging the staff around in a wide arc with one hand. Then spinning the staff into both hands attempted to clobber Yahiko. Sensing the man's anger, he stepped to the side, diving for the man's unprotected groin.
"I win!" Yahiko shouted gleefully.
However Yahiko did not see the man's Tonfa he had taken out. The man grinned madly, brushing Yahiko's boken aside, and spinning the Tonfa, bashed Yahiko across the face, sending the boy flying to the ground 5 feet away. Yahiko gripped his face, tears overwhelming him. His vision kept blurring, and he could see the man approaching.
The man kicked Yahiko over onto his back and glared down at his adversary. "Your skill with that boken is impressive for someone your age. But it is still nothing, compared to us. If you surrender now, I might be able to persuade Gohei into not killing you.
The man smiled. "You humiliated him by defeating him, when he was so close to killing the Battousai. He wants you dead, that's where I come in." He said pulling a dagger from his belt.
Yahiko felt a cold dizziness come over him. He felt light headed, and a cool sweat began running down his body. He only wanted one thing, Kenshin! At the thought of Kenshin his eyes narrowed. That just might work. "I will never let you win!" Yahiko declared, grabbing his boken from beside him!
The man shook his head. "You, defeat me?"
Yahiko brought his boken into a Battou Jutsu stance.
The man looked at Yahiko strangely. "Battou Jutsu, with a boken, what are you thinking boy?"
Yahiko glared. It's working; he won't expect anything like this! He has no idea I know some of the Hiten Mitsurugi style!
Yahiko charged toward the man as fast as he could. The ninja was surprised at the boy's amazing speed. Yahiko screamed loudly, charging the surprised ninja.
The man quickly whipped his staff straight down at the boy. Yahiko expected this and adjusted his course. The man's eyes bulged in terror at the sight.
"Hiten Mitsurugi style, Ryu Kan Sen!" Yahiko shouted bashing his boken into the man's stomach. His attacks were quite slower than Kenshin's, however the surprise of his opponent made up for the lack of speed. Doubled over, the man turned around. "Impossible!" He sputtered at the sight of Yahiko, in the air descending toward him. "Ryu Tsui Sen!" Yahiko screamed, bashing his boken down into the man's head. Yahiko fell to his knee, using his boken for support.
The man's hand twitched, and then he slowly rose to his feet. "Darn you brat, that hurt!!"
Yahiko looked up at the man in terror. I gave it my best shot! And he's still standing?! What am I going to do now?
The man frowned angrily down at Yahiko. "You will pay for that!"
He kicked Yahiko down and rolled him onto his back with his foot, then stepping on Yahiko's stomach, pulled out his knife.
A tear ran down Yahiko's face, as he desperately screamed for Kenshin, trying franticly to reach his boken.
Kenshin locked swords with Naijiro. Suddenly hearing Yahiko's desperate plea, glanced over his shoulder to see the man standing over Yahiko with a knife.
"Yahiko!" Kenshin yelled pushing Naijiro away.
He quickly dashed for the man, determined to save Yahiko. But Naijiro had other plans. With a sprinting jump Naijiro was suddenly in front of Kenshin. And with a flurry of movement began pushing Kenshin back.
"You can't save him Battousai! And if you turn your back on me, you will die as well! Best to let Fuji have his fun. He doesn't get to kill someone every day. Let alone a defenseless kid!" Naijiro said laughing devilishly.
Fuji pushed harder on Yahiko's stomach, bending down. "Say bye bye little birdy!"
The man's evil smile reflected in Yahiko's eyes. Yahiko heard a heavy thumping buzz. The man put the tip of his knife to Yahiko's chest grinning. As Fuji gathered strength to stab Yahiko, there was suddenly a sword protruding from the man's chest. Yahiko felt a wave of relief wash over him, as he saw Fuji fall to the ground beside him. A young man dressed in blue was now standing in Fuji's place smiling, with his hand out offering help. Yahiko climbed to his feet, and picking up his boken, quickly wiped the tears from his eyes.
Yahiko looked down to find his hand still being held by the stranger. He quickly whipped it away blushing. "Thanks." He stated brushing himself off.
The ninjas stepped back, and one came to the front. "We will get you! But not now, you better watch your back! We will return to kill you all, you can be sure of that!"
And saying that they all took off, running up the road.
Kenshin slashed narrowly missing Naijiro's head. The ninja responded to Kenshin's attack with a grunt and a slash at his side. Kenshin brushed the attack off effortlessly, jumping back away from his opponent. Quickly he sheathed his sword and charged. Naijiro quickly went into a defensive stance, but he had no idea what attack Kenshin was going to use.
Kenshin doubled his speed when he got to the half way point, further worrying Naijiro.
"Sou Ryu Sen!" Kenshin shouted slashing at Naijiro's neck.
Naijiro quickly blocked the sword and was thrown off balance, then was stricken with Kenshin's sheath. Kenshin ducked into a spin, and came in under Naijiro. "Ryu Sho Sen!" Kenshin yelled, striking upward into Naijiro's neck.
Saigon jumped back from Saitou and grabbed Naijiro. "We will get you Battousai!" He shouted disappearing into the forest.
Kenshin's icy glare stared after the retreating ninjas, his reversed blade sword glinting at his side. "Cowards." He mumbled to himself.
Kenshin turned to see his friends. "Are you alright?" He asked sternly.
Yahiko and Kaoru nodded.
Tojai walked over to Saito. "Are you alright Sensei?"
Saitou responded by sheathing his sword, with a slight nod.
Walking to Yahiko Kenshin stared at the boy.
Kenshin smiled kindly and turned to the young man. "Thank you for saving Yahiko, Mr. Seta"
Soujirou bowed, continuing to smile. "It was my pleasure Mister Himura. I see you haven't gotten rusty."
Kenshin smiled. "I can say the same about you, that I can."
"I think Mister Hajime has something he wishes to say to us, that I do." Kenshin declared turning to Saitou.
Saitou glared at the red haired man. "I think you know most of it already. But I'll tell you what you don't know. Gohei Hiruma is after Haikejo's treasure."
"Haikejo's treasure?" Kenshin inquired.
Saitou looked at Kaoru. "And I'm going to go find it before that fool Hiruma does."
Yahiko's eyes lit up. "A treasure?! I'm coming!" He shouted jumping into the air.
A boy about 15 years old emerged from the bushes, and came to a halt beside Soujirou. "Master Seta, there you are."
"I'm sorry Riegee. I didn't mean to leave you behind." Soujirou said happily.
Riegee bent over putting his hands on his knees. His short pink hair sat messily atop his head, and his blue eyes reflected a swordsman's spirit. His green clothing was identical to Soujirou's. And he had a Japanese sword at his side.
Kenshin turned his attention to the young ninja girl. "Melna was it?"
The girl nodded. "Yes, that is correct Battousai."
"You helped Miss Kaoru, that you did. May I ask why?"
Melna sighed. "Those guys don't deserve my assistance. They would harm a young boy, just because some thug said he would pay them a few yen. The Shadow Bane clan used to be an honorable clan, until after the revolution. Then they slowly turned from helping the weak, and became mercenaries. They will do anything if the price is right. I have no desire help them tarnish the name of the Shadow Bane clan."
Kenshin nodded. "Vary well." He replied walking to Saitou. "Where is this, treasure of Haikejo?"
Saitou nodded toward Kaoru. "Why don't you ask the raccoon girl?"
"What did you say?!" Kaoru growled.
Kenshin looked at Kaoru. "Miss Kaoru?"
Nodding Kaoru began walking. "Let's go. I'll tell you on the way. I can't let them get the treasure before me."
Kenshin sighed looking over at Soujirou. "Mister Seta, it was good to see you again that it was. But I need to get going now."
Riegee looked up at Soujirou. "Treasure? Let's help them find it. I want to see what it is. Besides, we don't have anything better to do."
Soujirou nodded. "Alright, if it's ok with you Mister Himura, that is."
Kenshin nodded, and then began following the group. Riegee beamed happily, walking next to Soujirou. I get to hunt for a treasure! I'm so excited, this is so cool!
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I am sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. There is so much to do, yet there is also so little time. Let me know how you like the story so far. I'll try to get the next chapter up ASAP.
Later all you Rurouni Kenshin fan pplz!