This is not a new chapter. It is a new posting of chapter 24 that I revised. If you have already read the chapter, you may or may not want to imbide. The flow is much better. I think I was half asleep the first time I edited it. It was choppy as hell. I'm surprised you guys got through it. Thanks for the reviews thus far. They are more than kind considering what I put in front of you to read. God Bless, Kanzen ne Tsuki
WARNING: LIME ALERT ( R ) RATING IN EFFECT
Minna-san: Only about 2 chapters to go. Seriously this time. Thanks everybody.
Review response overview at end of chapter. God Bless. KnT
Glossary: Ren'ai=Make Love, Hai=yes, Shin-yuu=friend, Otousan=Father, Okaasan=Mother, Kuso=Shit, Anata=Beloved Husband, Aisai=Beloved Wife, Aishiteru=I Love You, Itsumdema= Forever, Kirei=Beautiful, Netsuai=Love Passionatly, Zenrei=My Whole Soul, Doushita=What is wrong?, de gozaru=That it is/are, Goukan=Enjoying sexual pleasure together
Chapter Twenty-three
Light of The Avenger
Prayers were spoken, emblems of commitment exchanged, and the blessings for a long fruitful life together laid upon their heads as the two couples knelt before the aged Buddhist Priest. Each one of the young people bowed and touched his or her head to the cold wooden floor and listened to the drone of the voice speaking the words that bound them together as man and wife. As the ceremony progressed, each of the participants began to harbor questions and rising doubts about their uncertain future.
'Will we live long enough to have children, or will the blood of Himura die here? How can I be the force that holds him steady when I feel so small? What would Papa do?'
'Am I strong enough to do this thing, or will I fail because I'm not ready? Will I lose everything that is most precious to me? Will I lose her? What would Otousan do?
'How can I help him when I am so afraid of failing? Will my inability to uphold my purpose in the task ahead be the cause of all our deaths? What would Auntie Kaoru do?'
'Can my speed and strength protect her when the time comes, or will I be forced to watch her die? Will Her face be lost to me after only one night of holding her in my arms? I wonder what Otou would do.'
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"Hey, don't worry, kid." Sano gave Christian a playful punched in the arm as the solemn faced man walked past him a few moments after the ceremony ended. "You'll get the hang of married life in no time, trust me. All you have to do is keep your woman happy in the bedroom, and she'll never nag or gripe at you about other stuff."
"Oh," Christian arched an elegant dark eyebrow and gave Sano a measured, skeptical glance that reminded the ex-gangster way too much of the younger mans father. "I think I care for Kuumi's heart first, then think ren'ai. Heart more big. Hai?"
"Geez," Sano wrapped his arm around the younger mans shoulders and gave him a reassuring squeeze. "What'd your old man do? Give you every single 'serious' bone he had in his body?" A nervous laugh trickled from the tall mans mouth as he desperately tried to lighten to mood. "Come on, kid. Don't get your hakuma all tied up in a knot, I was just joking with you a little. Of course you should take care of her heart before you take care of the other stuff. If you don't, you won't stand a chance of getting close to your bedroom let alone any of the 'other stuff'."
"Hmmm, you making joke?" Christian cocked his head to the side and cast a sharp, penetrating glare up at the tall, dark-haired man standing next to him. "You make joke about ren'ai?"
"Well, just a small one..." A loud gulping sound accompanied the uncomfortable tone of Sano's answer. Suddenly he felt like he had just stepped into the ring with a wild animal that was only partially domesticated and he was starting to sweat.
"No joke about Kuumi." Christian said in a tight voice as he pulled away from Sano's loose arm. He walked several steps in front of the nervous man, and then turned to face him with glinting, dark blue chips of frozen ice. "Kuumi good woman, Sanosuke. Kuumi and Christian goukan not joke for you."
"Hey, don't go getting all bent out of shape, Kid..." Sano took a step back lifting his hands up in front of him in a defensive gesture.
"I no KID!" The usually smooth voice growled as the dark blue eyes snapped with the beginnings of anger. "I twenty-seven, and a man. Life not joke or game, Sanosuke. You Otou's shin-yuu. Much respect from me, but... no joke about Kuumi. Ever. I no accept from you. Not even as shin-yuu. We go soon. Fight Bane. Kuumi is 'wielder' and stands in front. I might lose Kuumi before even have life with her. I might watch die and no be stopping it, no having power to stop it. Helpless, Sanosuke. Helpless to watch my Kuumi die. That is what I face soon, so you make no jokes, and no call me 'kid'. Understand?"
Sano had never heard the younger man say so much all at one time, and he had never seen him display so much emotion either. But as they stood toe to toe, he could not deny the waves of energy he felt pouring outward from the angry Spaniard, and he was a little unnerved by it.
"Sure." He stammered as he took an involuntary step back. "I... I ah, sometimes I just don't think about stuff I say before I say it, you know. That's been a big problem of mine ever since I was younger than you."
"That is has." Sano closed his eyes in relief as he felt the familiar weight and pressure of Kenshin's hand squeeze his shoulder as the man came to stand beside him. "You never did know when to keep your mouth shut when you needed to. I see that problem has not improved with time."
"Ahh, no. I guess it hasn't." Brown eyes filled with gratitude locked gazes with quietly chiding violet ones. "I was just trying to cheer him up, Kenshin. He always looks like it's the end of the world."
"Um-hum." Kenshin offered his son an apologetic half smile and then rolled his eyes for Christian's benefit. The younger man allowed the barest hint of an upward turn to tug on the corner of his mouth as he met his fathers knowing gaze. "Perhaps that is so, Sano, but, Chri-stan has many things on his mind right now that could very well have to do with the end of the world... or at least the end of the world as we know it."
"You mean this 'Bane' thing, don't you?"
"Hai, that I do." Kenshin motioned Christian away with the barest movements of his head and he took Sano by the arm and led him in the opposite direction. "There is much you do not understand, Sanosuke. Perhaps it is time you did."
"Something tells me I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"Doubtful."
"Is this as bad as Enishi or Shishio was?"
"Worse. Much, much worse."
"Great."
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As a wedding present, Aoshi and Misao gave the two newly joined couples private rooms at the Aoiya, and not long after the sun set behind the low horizon, the huge mob of the extended Kenshin-gumi escorted the four young people to their lodgings.
Hiko, Sano, Yahiko, and Soujiro were all well on their way to a new level of inebriation as they stumbled and hung onto each other the whole way. At the same time the sound of their drunken voices grated across the butchered notes of several songs as they struggled to find one that all of them knew. Kenshin, Saitou, Aoshi, and the womenfolk could do nothing but try to ignore the fact that they were in any way associated with the four severely drunken men while at the same time, attempting to keep them from seriously hurting themselves as they tripped and wove their way through the streets. The young cousins kept to themselves in a small huddled group and proceeded to point and laugh as often and as loud as they dared just so long as they were able to stay out of bokken and fist range.
Kenji, Quii, Christian, and Kuumi just bowed their heads, tucked their hands deeply inside the sleeves of their kimono's, and walked as fast as they could in an effort to put as much distance between them and the entourage of squabbling adults and giggling children as possible. All they wanted to do was get where they were going, bid a fond if not quick farewell to the family, and disappear behind their respective doors of privacy. It was the most embarrassing spectacle either couple could remember being a part of and each offered a fervent prayer to Kami-sama that it would all be over soon. This had been one of the longest days in each of their young lives, and they just wanted it to be at an end. The promising comfort that their newly acquired spouse offered was a treasure each eagerly wanted to experience as well as savor. The uncertainties of the future hung over them like a dark cloud of ill-will, and no one, not even their insightful Uncle Aoshi could even begin to foresee what might be in store for them. They yearned for one night of peace to share together with their mate through which their mutual love could be fully embraced and enjoyed. They were all deeply afraid this might be their only chance to do that.
As they walked through the darkening streets of Kyoto, Kenshin could feel the anxiousness building within both of his sons, and deep within his own husband's heart he understood the overwhelming need to hold that which was most precious to him as close as the limits of his physical and spiritual bodies would allow. Only with Kaoru had he ever experienced the ultimate pleasure of joining both their flesh and soul, and even now, after all the years of marriage to her he still found the limitations of being human an unwanted hindrance. Sometimes, his arms couldn't hold her close enough and he found himself wishing for some deeper joining than the lovers embrace. He wanted to possess her so completely that they became one in the same.
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Christian let loose a long sigh as the sho-ji finally closed and blocked out the grinning and winking faces of his family. It had been one of the most trying days of his life and he was more than happy to see it coming to an end. The ceremony had gone off without a hitch, the celebration afterwards was joyous enough, but it was time for the day to be over. It was time for the family to go home and leave him and his brother alone with their new brides. It was time they had their moment of calm and serenity.
"Are you that glad to get rid of them, Anata?" The musical voice of his new wife flitted across the room and tickled his ears with a hint of laughter which brought a half smile to his lips in response. "They were just trying to make sure we all got here in one piece."
"That kuso Koishii, you know that no true." He turned dancing blue eyes in her direction and as she covered her mouth in shock. "Nani?" He asked innocently as he tucked his chin and approached her on quiet feet. "What I say?"
"You cursed, Anata. I've never heard you curse once... not ever!" Dark blue-green eyes narrowed at him as he lowered himself down on the futon beside her. "Is Kenji teaching you more 'new' words again?"
"Ahem... well," Christian rolled his eyes up toward the ceiling and pursed his lips in a mocking excuse for a thoughtful expression. "Just a few."
"I'll kill him." Kuumi hissed in frustration as she ground her teeth together envisioning her cousin skewered on a giant spit and roasting alive over a pit of red hot coals. "If he's going to teach you to talk better, the least he could do is teach you 'good' words."
"He is teaching good words, Saiai." Christian chuckled as he put his arm around Kuumi's shoulders and pulled her into the warmth of his side. "He teaching me to talk to you... remember?" As he reminded her of what 'almost' happened between them earlier that morning, a delicate shiver quacked through her body bringing an answering smile of satisfaction to his handsome face, and he leaned over to nuzzle against the gentle curve of her cheek. "I learn speak my heart to you, Kuumi. I learn tell you what I feel... and what I want. Remember?"
"I remember, Anata." She turned into his chest and burrowed into his throat as the warmth of his love radiated out to envelope her in the security of its embrace. "I suppose I should at least thank him for that, shouldn't I?"
"Hai. You should, Aisai. He was good Sensai."
Kuumi laughed as she lifted her head up off his shoulder and was not surprised to find herself looking into a face filled with mischief and amusement. 'What a beautiful man you are.' She thought as she lifted her hands to caress those beloved features with fingertips that were more gentle than the first kiss of spring rain and softer than a mother's whisper. And then she watched fascinated as the mischief disappeared, washed away only to be replaced by the humbling emotions of love, awe, and desire. As she gazed in astonishment upon his remarkable expression, the breath caught in her throat and she lifted her eyes to meet his dark blue gaze. A small sound escaped her as she watched his eyes deepen to a rich midnight purple, and she felt her heart spring to life beating a frenzied pace inside of her chest. It, too, recognized that smouldering look, and as it pumped the blood through her system, Kummi felt her body heat rising in response. She also felt something else. Something she had begun to fear she would never feel again.
Happiness. It was almost a foreign emotion to her after all the anguish, heartache, and turmoil that had coloured the lives of her family in recent weeks. She had almost forgotten what it felt like to be happy, but if the feeling was going to be given to her, for even a short time, who was she to question it? Instead, she was going to reach out and embrace it with all her might and hold on to it for as long as she could. Deep down she knew this may be the only chance she had to experience this wondrous feeling with her mate, for there was not one among them who knew what the future held, and that thought alone brought a wave of despair crashing down upon her. Suddenly the elation that was hers receded and Kuumi felt as if she might break down into tears. Out of instinctive need for comfort she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and buried her face in in his shoulder.
"Nani, Kuumi?" Christian asked in a worried voice when he sensed the abrupt change in her mood. "Doushita, Aisai? Tell me." He pulled back so he could look into her lovely face and his concern grew when he saw the shadow of sadness in her eyes. Tender hands cupped her face and he pressed soft kisses on her eyes. "Doushita, Aisai? What you think?"
"I'm afraid, Chri-stan." Her voice dropped low and he struggled to hear what she was saying. "I am so happy right now, and... and I am so afraid that this will be the first and last moment that we will be able to share this feeling with each other." Anxious blue-green eyes frantically searched his face as Kuumi tried to relay her fears and concerns to the man next to her. "I don't want this to be the only time we are together and happy, Anata. I want us to be together for the rest of our lives. I want to have babies and grow old with you. I... I don't want this to be the end."
"I no want that either, Aisai." Christian lifted his wife into the security of his lap and wrapping his arms around her held her body tightly against him. "I no want this to be end of us. I want you all long days, Kuumi. I want family... babies with you. Aishiteru, my kirei Kuumi."
"Aishiteru, Chri-stan." She whispered back as she burrowed into his neck. "Aishiteru itsumadema. I don't want to lose you, and I don't want you to lose me."
"Then must have Faith, Aisai. Must believe we be together always, and we will." His mouth caressed the sensitive flesh along the curve of her shoulder as he spoke and he felt her shiver and tighten her arms around him in response. "Can you have Faith, Aisai?"
"I can, Anata." She breathed into the dark silk of his hair nuzzling against the warm skin of his neck kissing him, and then she raised up to look into his beautiful face. "I promise I can."
"Then both have Faith, my kirei Aisai, and God keep us together."
"Hai. Anata. I will have faith for that."
Once more Christian's dark blue eyes deepened to a royal purple as they filled with love and as he palmed her beautiful face in his hands, he spoke in husky voice filled with both passion and love. "Hold my hands, Saiai. Hold my hands and we never alone again."
"Anata..." Kuumi whispered as her voice cracked on a ragged cry of emotion. "I will never let go." She promised as he reached for his hand and cradled it against the wild beating of her heart. "As long as Hope and Faith dwell in my heart, I will never let go of you." And as tears of love oozed over the barrier of her thick eyelashes, her new husband drew a shaky breath trembling beneath the urgency of her promise and the warmth of her touch. Lifting gentle fingers, he used the tips to brush some of the wetness from her pale cheeks, and then tilting his head to the right, he lowered his mouth to hers. A thick moan of desire erupted from him when he found that the softness of her lips was already parted and waiting to be possessed by his, and as he began pressing sweet gentle kisses upon her, Christian started speaking soft words of love meant only for her ears.
"Te amo, mi esposa."(I love you, my wife). He breathed upon the moistness of her lips as his arms wrapped around the fragile slimness of her body crushing the soft swell of her breasts against the unyielding plane of his chest. "Usted mi Corazon, mi Alma, mi el rojo se Levanto." (You are my Heart, my Soul, my Red Rose. ) Then, taking great care to adjust their position on the futon, he turned and laid her down with one single, fluid motion meant to preserve the wondrous contact between their mouths as well as retain the closeness of their bodies. And then with a swiftness that told of his rising anticipation, Christian shifted covering her with his weight and wringing from her a low cry of passionate wonder as a flood of new sensations erupted within her soul.
"Usted mi Angel." (You are my Angel).Christian spoke raggedly as he traced his mate's lower lip with his tongue not realizing that as his emotions rose and claimed his rational senses, he was lapsing back into his native Spanish. "Usted mi Querido, Kuumi. Te amo, te amo." (You are my Beloved, Kuumi. I love you, I love you.). The passion filled words melted onto her lips hot as honey left out in the sun too long, and as his tongue prodded against the barrier of her teeth asking permission for an intimacy they had briefly shared only once before, Kuumi answered with a shuddering sigh that spoke to him of her mutual desires and then opened her mouth granting him passage.
Soft moaning cries of desire passed between them as the kiss deepened into something neither had experienced before nor even dreamed existed. Hunger and heat battled together within their senses and the lovers soon found they could not get close enough to one another. The limitations of arms and human form prevented many things, but the hindrance of their clothing was an irritation that could be remedied. Shortly the sounds of rustling cloth could be heard as kimonos, gi, hakama, and under garments were removed in a flurry of flying silk and cotton, and then tossed into a careless pile on the floor without a single thought as to their preservation. The lolling sounds of contented sighs and moans soon filled the chilled air as the pleasure of flesh touching flesh was at last enjoyed by the young lovers. As their embrace became more intimate and they began to pay homage to each others body's the lovers delved into the world of lust and hunger, finding new joys as arms and legs intertwined and mouths and tongues began to explore hidden treasures that were no longer forbidden. Shallow breathing and whimpering gasps filled the small room as hands stroked exploring tender flesh and corded muscle, bringing with them the blush of pleasures first touch, And as the moaning cries rose on a crescendo, the veil of innocence was given away to the heat of knowledge, and love bloomed like a wild rose whose scent hung heavy on the evening breeze.
"Te amo, Kuumi." (I love you, Kuumi.) Christain rasped in a voice threaded with emotion and passionate hunger as he rolled his wife beneath him in a slow, deliberate movement taking care not to cause her any discomfort from his weight or the strange position of their entwined limbs. He listened to the long, shuddering sigh that spilled from her lips as she accepted his dominance of her body, and as he dipped down to take her mouth with his once more, he lowered his hips between her thighs and found the moistness of her.
"Aisai?" Once more he was asking permission from her for something that was already rightfully his, but in Christian's mind it was still Kuumi's choice whether or not she gave herself to him. He would not take that which was not freely given. If she was afraid, he would go no further. No matter the cost to him, he would not force himself on her.
"My beautiful Anata." Gentle hands stroked the sensitive flesh of his back in long, tantalizing strokes as her nose nuzzled into his cheek and throat. "Still so much the Gentleman, aren't you? Even here, in our marriage bed, you will not take what is already yours."
"It not mine until you give, Kuumi. I no take until you give." Tender kisses filled with love traced a pathway across her cheek to her eyes, her forehead, down her nose, and then back to her lips. "It always you choose. Saiai. I no take."
"Aishiteru, Koishii Chri-stan. I think I have been yours to take from the first moment I saw you in the street." The sweet words were a soft puff of air against his mouth. "I think I knew, even then, that you were the one for me."
"So long?" He reared back away from her and looked into her dark blue-green eyes with surprise. "I not know you feel for me so long."
"I think I was supposed to, Koishii. I... I think we were meant to be together. It was just a matter of getting you here from Spain and having all of the other pieces of the puzzle fall into place." Leaning up, Kuumi kissed her husband with a tenderness that spoke volumes of her feelings to him, and when she sank back down onto the futon, he followed her.
"I am thinking same, Kirei-Kuumi. I love you many days." Gentle hands brushed the long obsidian locks out of her beautiful face and he smiled at her brushing the tip of his nose across hers. "Aishiteru the rest of my days, Aisai. I not let go of you too. I hold you hand tight."
"Then make me your true wife, Anata. Bind us together and make us what we are supposed to be. Ren'ai to me, Chri-stan. Come and be my Lover. Come and be my husband." Love and desire swirled together inside of the dark blue-green oceans of Kuumi's eyes telling Christian exactly what she was feeling and what she wanted. So, as the tip of her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip, Kuumi applied gentle but insistent pressure on her husbands back trying to bring him back down to her. That, it seemed, was all the invitation he needed.
"My Kirei-Saiai," He choked as he burrowed into the creamy flesh of her throat. "Netsuai my Kirei-Tenshi. You are Zenrei. De gozaru." And as he carefully made the necessary movements that joined his body to hers, Christian winced and froze at her sharp cry of pain.
"Kuumi?" He leaned back and looked at her with deep concern. "Doushita? I hurt you more? You alright? " He knew about the virgins pain, but he had to be sure he hadn't hurt her more than necessary. Causing her pain was the last thing he wanted to do, and although Kenji had explained everything to him, Christian was still quite naive concerning the act itself. Talking about and doing, were not the same thing. No. they were not.
"Hai, Anata." She curled her arms around his shoulders and pulled his unresisting body back down to her. "I am fine. Please don't stop." Kuumi peppered gentle reassuring kisses across his worried face even as her hands caressed the flesh of his back. "Everything is alright. Just kiss me, Chri-stan, and everything will be alright. I promise."
The contrite look on his face changed to one of trepidation as he relaxed back into her and brushed his nose along hers in a tender caress. "I no want hurt you, Kummi. I want only love you... make good for you. Not hurt."
"I know, but the worst is over, Koishii. It won't hurt anymore now."
"It won't?" He sounded so hopeful and looked so eager that she couldn't help but giggle. "What funny?" The question was asked with just a hint of his old teasing coupled with the lifting of one dark eyebrow. "You laugh at me?"
"No, I'm not laughing at you, Anata." Dancing blue-green crystals winked up at him as she fluttered her fingers down his spine. "You just sounded so hopeful... and after being so worried, it was sweet."
Christian bowed his head and chuckled. "I see. Is funny." Then he was looking at her with dark-blue eyes that were smouldering with heat and hunger. "You sure won't hurt now?" He asked as he shifted between her thighs, and she gasped at the new and unique sensations his movement caused inside of her. "I no want hurt you, Saiai."
"I... I'm sure." Kuumi listened to the hoarse voice stuttering out the response and could not recognize it as her own. That voice sounded tight and choked. 'He moves once and I get that messed up? What's going to happen when he really gets going? Oh God...'
"Then we finish." His voice dropped low and he swooped down to seize her lips in a voracious kiss. Then he began a gentle stroking rhythm as instinct took over and the age-old dance of love and lust started between them. As their passions mounted, Kuumi moaned and arched her back pushing her body up against his tearing a hoarse growl from deep within him. In response, Christian stepped up the pace taking them to the next level of sexual pleasure and awareness, and as he did that, something else began to happen. Something of unique importance was beginning, and the eerie glow of an incandescent dark form of light started to pulse around the futon. Something of great significance was being planted, fertilized, and nurtured to full maturity. Something great was about to be born.
It stared as a low hum; a vibration that began along the silver bonding-string that connected Christian to both his brother and his father, but then it began to spread outward along the subconscious plane of the spiritual world whispering and touching as it went. And as the lovers reached their peak of fulfillment, irrevocably bonding their spirits and their kis into a single stream of devastating power, every soul within their 'reach' crumpled to the ground or awoke clutching his head in agony as a wave of inky darkness washed over him cutting off all contact with the spiritual world leaving him feeling lost and alone. The sensation lasted only a few short seconds, and when it finally dissipated, each soul that had been touched was left with the same thoughts, feelings, and questions bouncing around in his mind.
The touch had been pure darkness. A black light of sorts that had risen to block out all other lights leaving the spirit world in an oblivion of confusion. But despite the darkness of the touch, it did not leave the residue of evil or fear behind it. Rather, it had left each person with feelings of respect, anticipation, and...hope. Hope? 'Hope' for what? 'Anticipation for what? And 'Respect' for what? How was it possible that they could find such a deep abiding respect for something so dark? What sort of person did it take to generate such a tremendous amount of power, and yet not foster even one shred of fear within those he touched with it? And how could something that was filled with so much darkness also be filled with so much good and well being?
Confusion mounted within the spiritual world as the questions and concerns over the source of the tremendous power spike were pondered. It was not difficult to ascertain that an energy source of that magnitude being wielded by one person could and would be a dangerous thing. An individual with that much power could decimate the entire ethereal plane with a single thought if he wanted to. He had all but proved that with the ferocity of his emergence. Why was he here? What was his purpose? What did he want? Again they all began to wonder what it was they were waiting for, and why being 'hopeful' was so necessary?
As the chain of power stood, many were aware of the great evil that stalked the streets of Kyoto, but there were few who had knowledge of 'The Sword of Lightening and Fire' and fewer still who had any knowledge of the fact that the two beings were connected. But it was a certainty that no one knew about 'The Avenger' or that he had any part to play in their futures at all. As for the 'Augmenter' and the 'Wielder', they were enigmas unto themselves.
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"Kenshin? Are you awake?"
"Hai, Aisai. Doushita?"
"Did you... did you feel something strange just now? I mean, did you just get the headache of your life and feel like you were being suffocated at the same time? Did you?" Kaoru sounded fearful and anxious and Kenshin rolled onto his back pulling her into his arms so he could cradle her on his chest.
"Hai, Koishii. De gozaru. It was quite unpleasant." His calloused hand stroked her long, black hair in a gentle, comforting caress.
"Was that... was it..."
"It was Chri-stan and Kuumi. Is that what you're trying to ask?" The tone of his voice was tender and slightly amused as he listened to the trepidation in hers.
"Well, yes it was." She sighed against the smooth flesh of his chest and began tracing lazy patterns over it with her finger. "I don't recall feeling anything like that when Kenji and Quii... well, you know, when they bonded."
"I felt them. It was a much different energy signature, Koishii. Perhaps, it was too much like yours for you to feel it. Chri-stan's is much different. His power comes from the other side of the spectral universe and it feels different."
"Is that why you are always saying he and Kenji are exact opposites?"
"Hai. That is why their ki's are not compatible. They are the mirror images of each other; exactly the same, yet opposite and untouchable. To touch that which is opposite means to test the boundaries of time and space with the possibility of creating an irreparable rift."
"Irreparable? What do you mean 'irreparable'?"
"Without the control that Quii offers by being able to touch them both and giving them a focal point, their combined powers could fly out of control, and a power such as that could cause damage unlike anything this world has ever seen."
"Like what?" Kaoru lifted her head and looked her husband in the eye. "How much damage? What kind?"
"Do you remember Aoshi's joke about 'splitting the world in half?" One brown eyebrow lifted as he drew a finger down the slope of her nose.
"Hai."
"It really wasn't a joke."
"Is that really possible? I mean... really possible?" Her face was incredulous.
"Hai, Saiai. They could kill us all... or..."
"Or... or what?"
"Or they could tear a rift between the spiritual planes and this world causing reality as we know it to warp into chaos."
"If it's so dangerous to the world, Kenshin, why are they doing it? Is this much power really necessary to destroy Elsbeth again?" Fear lanced through Kaoru's voice as she scooted into a sitting position. "Isn't there another way? Surely the 'Bane' is not going to be that hard to destroy. It shouldn't have to require that amount of power to kill. It's just too risky."
"Kaoru, there is something you need to understand, Aisai." Kenshin shifted his position so he face facing his wife and then reached out to take her hands in his. "This is not Elsbeth anymore. It may have part of her spirit, true, but it has morphed and mutated into something even I could have never imagined and it did it feeding off of Chri-stan's magical lifeforce. It cannot be killed with the power of man-made steel. The slashes from my sakou battou and Kenji's katana did nothing but scratch it and we hit it with everything we had. By rights, we should have cut it in half but we didn't."
"Kami-sama... I didn't know that." One of her hands covered her mouth as she started to understand the true horror of what they faced. "I didn't know you had cut it. I didn't know."
"Both of us did, and it didn't do a thing. Our blows knocked it unconscious but I doubt even that lasted very long, and it has probably gotten stronger since then. It would take a freight train to budge it." He lifted a hand to cup her face. "Do you understand now? Do you see what we are up against? This is a beast made of pure magic and demon spells. It will not be vanquished by anything other than pure elemental power, and it will take something vast to do it."
"That is Kenji's purpose, isn't it? That is why he's here?" Her voice was so low Kenshin had to strain to hear it.
"Hai. It is."
"That is also why Chri-stan came to find you when he did. That is why he is here too... this is his purpose as well. Kenji can't do it without him. They have to do it together."
"Hai, Koishii. That they do."
"And the girls... Kuumi. Everything that happened to her all those years ago. Elsbeth killing her mother, putting her in the Palace with me, Soujiro rescuing her, Saitou taking her home to raise... it was all suppose to happen." Dark blue eyes filled with the sheen of unshed tears opened to look into concerned amethyst orbs. "Hiko finding Tokio and giving her back to Saitou... Quii being born. Dear God, Kenshin, they're all here. All four of them are just like pieces of a puzzle we didn't know we were putting together. It's incredible."
"Hai. I must agree with you. It is all very incredible, if not a bit humbling."
"Humbling? Why do you say that?"
"Because it is my blood that has been destined to do such an important task for the world." Kenshin turned his head and stared up at the ceiling. "To think that one such as I should father two such powerful souls and that they should be destined for a task of this magnitude... it humbles me almost beyond words."
"Why should it, Anata? You are a good man and a powerful one in your own right. Why is it so surprising to you that your sons would be such as they are?" Kaoru's hand was a gentle touch of both reassurance and comfort upon his cheek as she tried to understand his words. "You are still The White Warrior, Kenshin. Whether you are able to do battle the same as the old days or not, that fact cannot change. It should not be any wonder than any off-spring of yours would be extremely gifted."
"Perhaps not, Saiai, but you are forgetting one very important fact in your opinion of me."
"And what would that be, Anata?"
Kenshin's face turned pensive as he covered her caressing hand with one of his own rubbing his cheek lovingly against the softness of her palm. Then he turned his mouth into the sensitive flesh and pressed a tender kiss into it. "I was not always the White Warrior. I was the Battousai for a very long time as well, and HE was not what I would consider a good man."
"You're splitting hairs, Kenshin. The Battousai and the White Warrior are entities that are both a part of you. They help make up the fabric of the man that YOU are, and beneath the shell of the Battouasi, you were still a good man. If you had not been, you would not have spent so many years trying to make amends for your guilt." Her gentle blue eyes gazed into his emotion filled amethyst crystals and she smiled. "You have always been so hard on yourself, Saiai. When are you finally going to let go of all of that? When are you going to finally stop carrying the hangman's noose over your head and just be what you are?"
"But what am I, Kaoru? Even after all these years, I must battle the pain of knowing that first, I nearly failed Kenji because he had to come to terms knowing I was the Battousai from the Bakumatsu, and then I had to watch Chri-stan disintegrate into hatred when he found out I was the White Warrior, that it was I who killed Elsbeth." Lowering his head until it rested on her shoulder, Kenshin let loose a long sigh of sad relief. "I could have lost them both, Kaoru. I could have lost them and never gotten them back because of my past and the man I have been."
"But you didn't lose them, Saiai." The gentle love in her voice settled over him and wrapped his him inside of a warm cocoon of security and unconditional acceptance. "Kenji stood by you irregardless, and Chri-stan was able to find the truth of who you are and what had to be within his own heart and come back to you. You haven't lost anything, Anata. You still have ALL of your sons... including Soujiro and Yahiko, and I believe that holds you far above most men in this world. I believe that because God has blessed you with four extraordinary good and gifted souls to call Aijou. How many other men can claim that distinction?"
"I don't know." He murmured into her shoulder. "Not many I suppose."
"No, not many, but you can. And you can because you are a good, kind soul that has so much to offer this world, and because you inspire love and loyalty in just about everyone you touch with your spirit."
"Not everyone, Saiai."
"Close enough, Anata."
"How do you figure that, woman?" He raised up wearing that irresistible boyish half-smile that always pulled at her heart-strings and rubbed his nose against hers making her giggle like a young girl.
"Because, you silly man, if you can inspire loyal friendship in the Wolf of Nebo, you could just about charm the Devil himself."
"I tried that once, Koishii, remember, and it didn't work. He didn't like me." A playful chuckled rumbled inside of his chest as he watched the look of irritated incredulity cross his wife's face. "This is true, is it not?"
"You are impossible, Kenshin, do you know that?" She cupped his face in both hands and nuzzled into his cheek as he continued to laugh. "Just when I think I'm making an important point, you have to go and make it all into something funny and completely useless."
"Ne, Koishii. It is far from useless and you made your point. Sessha understands what you are trying to say, and he is most grateful that he has such a loving and devoted wife as you. He is also grateful to know that this beautiful woman who is his wife still thinks he is a good man even after almost 20 years of marriage." He planted a small kiss on the tip of her nose and then rubbed his cheek against hers. "Sessha still loves this beautiful woman as well, that he does. Hai, that he does."
"Kenshin, what did I tell you about calling yourself 'Sessha'?"
"Sessha forgets." The teasing quality of his voice rose as his hands reached out to grip her waist.
"Should I remind you?"
"Later, Aisai." Came the husky reply as his hands pulled her over into his chest. "Sessha has other things on his mind right now, and that can wait until later... much later." Kaoru's startled gasp was to an abrupt end as Kenshin covered her mouth with his, and as one of his hands rose to tangle in the ebony mane at the back of her neck, he shifted and lowered her onto her back pressing her into the futon with his weight. "Aishiteru, my Angel. Thank-you for still loving me after all this time. Arigato, Himura Kaoru. Arigato, my beloved wife."
"You're welcome." She whispered thickly beneath his kiss wrapping her arms around his shoulders and holing him close. "I told you a long time ago I would love you forever, Kenshin. I meant it. I've always meant it, and I always will."
"Sweet Kaoru. You are still the heart of my soul. Now and always." He deepened the kiss and reached within himself to find that part of him which always burned and brought it to the surface of his mind. As the essence of his power spread outward from him, Kenshin took it and wrapped it around the precious woman he held in his arms. Their ki's flowed together and mixed into one blazing vortex, and as Kaoru became one with his soul Kenshin sensed something within her. Something he had not noticed before and although it was faint, it was most definitely real.
The fluttering of a second heart beat vibrated through Kenshin's elemental consciousness, and his mind was suddenly filled with a vision of flaming red hair and gleaming amethyst eyes. The hoarse gasp that filled the room was a cry of pain as well as surprise and confusion, and as he arched away from the woman beneath him, a look of horror crossed her face as he pushed his spine to the breaking point. Wave after wave of shocked spiritual awareness screamed through his system blowing his eyes wide open to stare at nothing even as his jaw dropped to scream in silence.
"KENSHIN?" Kaoru cried out in fear and concern as she watched horrified. 'What is happening? Kenshin?"
Sweat beaded on his forehead, muscle cords stood out in his neck, and his arms began to shake with the extreme effort he was exerting and then, as suddenly as it began it was over. Kenshin heaved a huge sigh, his eyes closed, his body turned lax, and he collapsed on his wife. Fine tremors of after shock shook his limbs and torso and he could feel Kaoru's arms wrapping around him in a ferocious embrace. She was frightened and worried, he could feel it. She was asking over and over again what had happened and if he were alright. Somehow he had to find the strength to answer. He had to tell her what he saw.
"Kenshin? Koishii? What happened? Tell me, onegai... what happened? Are you all right? Kenshin? What did you see? You did see something, didn't you? Didn't you? Kenshin?" Kaoru was beside herself with worry and was starting to get a little panicky the longer her husband remained quiet. 'Please answer me... Kenshin? Kenshin...'
"K-Kao-ru..." He managed to croak her name as he sluggishly moved his head to the curve of her shoulder. "I'm al-right."
"What happened? What did you see?" Frantically she stroked the sweat dampened hair away from his forehead as she cradled him against her. "Tell me what you saw, Kenshin."
"I s-saw... red hair, eyes... eyes like mine." He shivered violently and Kaoru pulled him closer to the warmth of her nakedness.
"What do you mean? Red hair and eyes like yours? What are you talking about?"
"Ano-ther baby, Koi-shii. You are preg-nant again." His trembling hand lifted to stroke the soft, smoothness of her cheek as he nuzzled into her neck. "We are having another baby." The words fell from his lips in a tight whisper as his voice steadied but became choked with emotion.
"Another baby?" Kaoru grew still as stone in her husbands arms as the idea sank home into her brain. 'Another baby... after all these years? How can that be? We've tried for so long and nothing ever happened. Why now? Why in the middle of all of this chaos would or should I get pregnant?' Then the strangest thought occurred to her and her eyes grew wide with wonder. 'I'm too old to have another baby... Oh Kami-sama! KUSO!'
"Kenshin, I can't have another baby." She said in a desperate voice as she turned her face into his damp forehead. "I'm too old. I can't do this now."
"I don't think you have any choice, Koishii." Was his semi-amused reply. "The baby is already growing inside of you. There really isn't any way to stop that unless nature does it for you."
"I know that, but... I... I can't do this." Now the panic in her voice rose to a tangible level.
"Hai. You can." As strength slowly seeped back into his body, Kenshin raised up and looked down into his wife's desperate face. "You have done it before so you already know what to expect. It won't be as traumatic the second time."
"Are you kidding me?" She squeaked in alarm. "It will be worse because I know what is coming. Ooooooh nooooo...." The moan was one of pure emotional agony. "How could you do this to me... again?"
"Kaoru," Kenshin leaned down to drop a gentle kiss on her lips. "We tried for years to have another baby, or have you forgotten that? You should be happy, that you should."
"I am, I think, but I'm scared. It was so painful and frightening and... Kenshin? Why am I pregnant now after all this time? Why now and not before?" She seared his face and saw his fine brow crease with thought as he considered her statement.
"I am not certain it has anything to do with 'now', Koishii. Why should it?"
"Why not? Everything else that has happened to us does."
"Hai. That is true." Kenshin rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling pondering what he had seen in the short vision. Flaming red hair just a few shades brighter than his own blew wildly in a summer breeze, and a pair of violet eyes dancing with mischief and energy were looking into his in loving adoration... and he was filled with the purest feelings of joy he had ever experienced. Closing his eyes, he reached inward and concentrated more specifically on the images letting the hands of his mind slide over every detail pulling out the things he had not noticed before. A soft, bow-shaped pink mouth turned up in a child's smile, chubby little hands; one tangled in his long hair and the other fisted into the front of his blue gi, and a big blue ribbon tying the bright red mane of hair back into a thick top-knot...
"Shakaku..." The word slipped from his mouth smooth and quiet as a gentle stream slides over flat stones, and Kaoru raised up to look down at him in confusion.
"Shakaku? What does that mean, Kenshin?" She asked.
"Angel of Fire." He replied in an even tone as he opened his now golden eyes and gazed up into her perplexed features. "It means 'Angel of Fire', and it is the name our daughter has chosen for herself, Kaoru."
"Our... our d-daughter?" Kaoru's mouth gapped open and she dropped down onto her husbands chest in shock. "Did I hear you right? Did you just say our daughter chose her own name?"
"Hai. Aisai, you did."
"And it's 'The Angel of Fire'?"
"Hai. That it it."
"Is she puzzle piece number five, Kenshin? And if she is, what does she have to do with everything?"
"I don't know, Kaoru. But if she is the Angel of Fire then the blood of this 'Unborn' could be more powerful than anyone could ever guess. Something will tell us what is to be done. Somehow, we will know. Have faith, my Saia. When the time comes, we will know."
"God help us, Anata. I don't know if I can do this again."
"You can. After all, you are 'Kaoru'."
"Hai. I am, aren't I?" She laughed and kissed him.
"Hai. That you are, Koishii. That you are."
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Inside of their room Christian and Kuumi lay tangled together their limbs intertwined about each other and her head pillowed upon his shoulder. Their breathing was slow and regular as they slept and love's tranquility say about them like a protective shield. The bonding was finished. The Avenger and his mate were irrevocably connected through the binding of their hearts and souls. The power of their ki's has blended and fused together even as their bodies had joined to become one, and the energy pulsating around them was giving off a most unique and disturbing signature.
It vibrated along the dark pathways of the underworld touching and warning all things evil and unclean that the Destroyer had arrived and soon would bring the Holy Sword of Justice and Punishment to the Great One that traveled amidst their ranks. It spoke of pain and retribution for unspeakable sins committed in the name of darkness and declared itself High Ruler over all within its reach. There would be a reckoning and judgement would be served up the platter of atonement. There would be no pardoning, no leniency, and no mercy. The guilty would perish and the Great One who protected them would die beneath the Holy Sword. No measure, no quarter, only death.
The frozen air inside of the throne room shattered with the might of the roaring howl that filled it, and the heavy shards of ice that hung from the massive skylight broke free and crashed to the floor sending razor sharp daggers in every direction. The Bane raised up on its hind legs and furiously shook its head while clawing the air with its forepaws. The high pitched whining noise was tearing a pathway of agony through its skull, and no matter how hard it tried it could not find any source of relief. It felt as if its brain were being crushed and its eyes were about to explode. A whining growl followed by a vicious snapping of its jaw sent the Bane running in circles of pain induced chaos as it struggled to understand what was happening.
"Himura!" It growled in rage. "You fucking bastard! You stole what was mine again." Another roaring howl was raised to the ceiling, and then the Bane rolled over and over in a desperate attempt to stop the whining pain. "You stole my son. You took him from me, you filthy, lying spawn of a Demon. You and 'The Unborn'... I'm going to kill you all for this. I'm going to kill you and eat your fucking hearts. OOOWWWWWWl!! Make it stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!" Angry paws began to scratch at the sensitive ears until they drew blood from the thin cartilage like tissue. "You're doing this to me, aren't you, Himura. You and your Samurai brat's powers. You're all doing this to me. Damn you all to hell! Damn you! I'll kill you for this! I'll kill you!"
But as the Bane was swallowed more and more by the whining vibration singing painfully through its brain, it began to sense something strange. Something... familiar.
"CHRISTIAN! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
As he pulled the warm body of his new wife closer to his chest, Himura Christian smiled in his sleep. 'Hello, Mother.'
TBC
Thank-you to all the loyal fans who read this. I think 1-2 chapters will wrap it up. We are almost done. YaY!!!
Just to let everyone know. 'The Bad Kid' has been nominated for Best Drama in the RKRC awards this year. I want to thank whoever it was that did that. I am very honored and humbled by that. Thank-you. A lot of you who read this story read that one. So, I thank you all. Voting starts tomorrow and ends on the 15th. I would appreciate any support I am given. But, personally, I am just totally jazzed to have been chosen and nominated at all. It's so cool knowing someone thought that highly of my work to do that. It really means a lot to me. It makes me want to keep writing... to keep trying to make what I do better.
God Bless everyone. JD, Lere, Ewunia, Catti, SilverWarrior, Belle, Haruko, Nguardian, Sephiress, Mamori, De Lazy Lime, Baby-KaoruSama, Cherie-chan, shinime, J.44, Just Me, Giff, Kenshin Lover, Ana, FireSenshi2, Akai no tenshi, Twishinky, FHB aka Female Hitkiri Battousai, hane tsuki, and kireitenshi00.
These are the names of every person who has every reviewed this story since the very first chapter. THANK YOU to everyone of you. You guys are the greatest. This has been a hard story to write because it has gotten such poor review response. Thanks to you guys for sticking with me and keeping me encouraged enough to finish it.
God Bless, Minna-san. Kanzen ne Tsuki