5) Thunder Rolls

By: Ochako107

Standard Disclaimer

Saitoh appeared at the door eyes narrowing at the redhead who's had his hands clutched with Kaoru's. "I said what the hell are you doing?" He snapped. He took the scene before him feeling even more angry seeing Aoshi not doing as he had asked. "Boy did I not tell you not to let her be out with other boys like him? You will learn to respect me." Aoshi stepped in front of Misao feeling his hands itching to punch the sinister man.

"I believe Kaoru is capable of doing what she wants. No thanks to you, she is fine." Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Saitoh whipped his hand out and pushed him over into sharp gravel. Kaoru's eyes widened seeing such an act as Misao ran to Aoshi's assistance and helped him up. Kenshin let Kaoru go and faced Saitoh giving a bow.

"Ah, Saitoh, nice to meet you again, that it is."

"Like hell, what are you touching her like that for? Kaoru, I forbade you to meet him again." Kaoru's eyes filled with tears.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You're not my father and you will never be! I'm 19 years old and you treat me like a caged animal! I'm sick of it!" She screamed. This made Saitoh furious. He slapped Kaoru hard across the face. Her lip began to bleed. Aoshi drew his two short swords and Misao knelt next to Kaoru.

"Say that again... go and say that again you sneaky little girl." He hissed, his words cutting through her like a knife. Kaoru covered her face feeling hot tears sting her face.

"How dare you touch my sister?! You will pay, uncle! You pushed and abused me when we were younger but never... and I mean never as I solemnly swore on our father's grave, will I have you lay a hand on Kaoru. Want to know why I'm so icy?" Aoshi narrowed his eyes; icy blue pinning golden yellow. "Because you made me despise you repugnance wolf. You have disrespected us and I will not stand idle this time. You in no way liked us any ways. Why protect Kaoru with you just hurt her?"

Saitoh smirked. "You're right, I never like you brats. I took you in because it was your mother's wish. In fact, your mother was a brat too. I always had to get her out of trouble." Aoshi took another step forward when Kenshin put out his hand up to stop him.

"How can you think... you can control people using such brutal words?"

"Control? I protect Kaoru from people like you!"

"People like me..." Kenshin closed his eyes grinning innocently. "You do not know how many times this one has hear such a phrase that you do not. I get it enough; I prefer not to hear it from you. Besides, is it not people like me who make people like Miss. Kaoru happy? When you say people like me, Saitoh, do you mean poor? Or do you mean people who simply are not like you?"

"You watch your mouth you idiot. You do not know anything let alone what it means to protect."

Kenshin laughed and his eyes flickered amber. "This one is afraid that you don't know what it means to protect, that you don't. There's a difference between protection and keeping people from being happy." Kenshin said coolly.

Saitoh eyed his sword and turned to Aoshi. "I'll make you a deal; I'll let you keep Kaoru, Aoshi. She can live with you and never have me breathing down her back." Kaoru look up.

"Aoshi? Live with you? But I-"

"I found an apartment and was planning to move out, but didn't want to leave you here. I was going to tell you about it." Aoshi looked down.

"That's wonderful Aoshi! Now I can live with you and we'll be happy!" She turned to her uncle and narrowed her eyes. "What's the other end of the deal?"

"The idiot redhead here as to fight me." Kenshin drew his sword as a loud thunder rolled overhead. Kaoru gasped and Misao ran over to Kenshin.

"No! I won't let you do it, Kenshin!"

"It's not your choice, Misao that is not. I want to do this to make everyone happy. If fighting is to set Miss Kaoru free, I'll do it because..." He paused. He stared into Kaoru's sad fearful eyes. "...I love her that I really do." Kaoru ran over and hugged Kenshin around the neck.

"Oro?"

"I love you too. No one has made me feel this happy before." Misao pulled Kaoru to the side and she began crying on Aoshi's shoulder.

"I love him, Aoshi, I love him." She cried into his shirt. A blaze of lightening flashed in the heavens and Misao's eyes lit up.

"Come on Kenshin. I know you can do this. Win this one for Kaoru. Win it for us."

"Awwwww, isn't that sweet? Almost makes me want to blow chunks." Saitoh said drying invisible tears.

Kenshin turned his attention to Saitoh and frowned. "When I'm done with you, you'll be blowing real chunks."

"I guess that means you accept my challenge. Get ready red 'cause it's going be hell." Saitoh pulled out his sword and narrowed his eyes. As yellow met the swirl of violet and amber, a crash of thunder and lightning struck as rain began to fall like tears.

Misao pulled out her old pink sash and help it in the air. "Ready? Fight!" She screamed as she threw it into the air.

There came a clash of swords. They bounced back and forth clashing with each other. Kenshin jumped into the air bringing his sword down, but it was blocked.

"Hum, you're pretty good. Too bad Kaoru has to see you die humiliated. Then she'll have to live under me till I find her a suitable husband."

Kenshin pushed him off and attacked again. "You'll never have Miss Kaoru again!" He faked up and hit Saitoh on the bottom of his jaw. The older man flew back and grabbed his jaw. "This is it. Back down now or face the consequences that you must." Saitoh just laughed mockingly at Kenshin' words.

"No, you're the one who should back down, red. Feel my special technique!" He drew is sword horizontally. Kenshin was ready. He too had a special technique. Using his god-like speed he took full speed ahead. Saitoh did the same. Both men yelled their technique and charged.

Saitoh aimed for his lower chest area; the technique, gatotsu zero. Kenshin used the secret technique his grandpa taught him; aiming for shoulders thighs, sides, ankles, and chest all in one swift move; aka kakeru ryuu no hirameki.

They quickly attacked in a split second, and paused after passing each other. The world seemed to slow down for Kaoru, Aoshi, and Misao as they held their breath thinking of the outcome. Kenshin's face remained still and focused. Saitoh's the same. After a moment a chuckle escaped Saitoh's throat.

"I guess... I've lost." And he fell to the floor. Of course, it didn't kill him because Kenshin was using the dull side of the sword. (A/N: Lucky beep) Kenshin turned around and saw Saitoh on the floor. He sighed and his eyes flashed violet again.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru ran over, kicked Saitoh in the gut, and turned to him. She has tears in her eyes, but now they held happiness and hope.

"Kaoru!" He ran over with his god-like speed and picked her up. She giggled, her hair plastered onto her features. Her face was covered in rain mixing with the cool tears. She pushed his red bangs away from his face and caressed his scar. Her touch sent jolts down his spine and chest. Wait chest? He cried out in pain and dropped Kaoru. (A/N: smooth move, Himura --;) He knelt down and grabbed his chest, wincing in pain.

"Oh! Kenshin! Hold on, we'll get help!" She grabbed his hand. "We'll get help." He tightened his grip on her hand.

"Miss Kaoru..." And he blacked out.

Misao cringed. Aoshi pulled out his cell phone and called an ambulance. Misao ran over next to Kaoru dropping to her knees with dead weight. "He's not dead, tell me he's not dead." Kaoru frowned and hugged her.

"Let's pray for the best, Misao. He just lost some blood see? Kenshin did more damage to Saitoh than he did to him. Let's get them to a hospital." Misao nodded and felt a hand on her shoulder. She got up and nodded. "He will be okay... I hope."

Aoshi saw she was cold and wet wearing her thin summer dress and gave her his coat again. He hugged her and stepped back.

"What's that for?" Misao blushed.

"Remembering how lucky I am to have you." Kaoru smiled and held Kenshin's hand tighter.

Authors Note: Hey, I feel awful making poor Saitou the bad guy, but we need an antagonist here. He should feel lucky since he makes the COOLEST one, I mean look at Shishio: he's all wrapped up in himself. (Pun intended...) and Enishi? Talk about obsessive... (Twirls a finger around the side of her head) 'craaazzy....'

Thanks to everyone who reviewed or read! Thanks!