Chapter 8.

"Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red"

- (Act II, Scene II). Macbeth

Shinta walked wearily back to Kaoru's small house. His clothes hung on him heavily, weighted down by sweat and blood. Weariness seemed to press him toward the ground. "What was it?" he mused out loud. "What took so much out of me?"

Sano had left him when they passed his rundown apartment. Now, Shinta was on the verge of collapsing. His bones and muscles did not ache. That man was hardly troublesome. No, it was something else. It was…mental. He nodded dazedly, acknowledging this thought. He hadn't used that much brain-power since heavens knows when. It had drained him of his usual mental processing. He couldn't think straight. Shinta stumbled, muttering sourly. He would have to begin to train his mind again if these sorts of fights were to become frequent.

He pushed on the wooden door in the stone wall that led to Kaoru's yard. It was locked. He jingled the door a little more. Cursing, he gathered his thoughts, and became translucent. Then, with a swift motion, he stepped through the closed oak door. His body solidified once he was on the other side. He grinned, amused by his own trick before turning toward the house. He squeaked in surprise.

On the porch, sitting in the two-person swinging chair, sat Kaoru and Yahiko, both staring at him with their mouths agape and eyes wide. "Sh-Shinta, did you just walk th-through a door?" stammered Kaoru. Yahiko recovered from his initial shock and got off the swing. "Whoa, can you teach me to do that?"

Shinta glanced around fugitively. "Kaoru-dono, um, what are you and Yahiko doing up?" Kaoru stood up as well, her hands on her hips. "Exactly how much aren't you telling us? Next you'll tell us you're the Grand Emissary of Mars in disguise."

Shinta held up his hands, and winced, trying to find a shadow he could hide in. "Um, nothing like that, I assure you. It's just that my mind is far more developed then yours." He clapped a hand over his mouth as Kaoru got in his face. "WHAT?!?!"

Shinta cowered. "I explain badly. Allow me to rephrase that." He looked at Yahiko, who was shivering in the slight breeze, his socks soaked because of dew. He turned to Kaoru. "Let me explain inside."

Kaoru nodded huffily and stomped back inside. Yahiko and Shinta followed suit after a moment of fearful hesitation. Kaoru was busy preparing some tea as they walked into the kitchen. "So, Shinta? Are you going to explain why you think I'm stupid?"

Shinta let his eyes wander to the stove, to the holographic clock, to the window, anywhere but Kaoru, who was setting tea on the table. "Kaoru-dono, you are not stupid. The fact of the matter is that I had nearly two thousand years to become more knowledgeable. I have memorized eighty-three different languages with their three hundred some dialects on the side. I have studied nearly all branches of math, from calculus to theoretical quantum formulas. I can collectively name eight thousand species of flora and fauna along with their scientific names. I can name all of histories more or less important events since the beginning of recorded history along with important key figures, members of these figures groups, and their family trees. I have mastered seventy-four different styles of kenjutsu, martial arts, and various sword-play techniques along with my own." He took a sip of tea, allowing it's warmth to flow down his throat. "Kaoru-dono, my mind is now working at nearly ninety-six percent. The average person, no matter how modded, can barelyuse even twenty percent."

Kaoru crossed her arms. "And how does that explain you walking through stuff?"

Shinta sat back in his chair, his tea held gingerly in his hand. "Simply put, I can will my molecules to vibrate around foreign molecules. I have to be careful, though. I tried walking through someone once and got their molecules confused with mine. That was a mess." He took another sip of tea and watched Kaoru sigh and sink into a chair. She stared at him intently before gasping.

"Your clothes, they're all bloody and torn. What have you been doing?" Shinta gulped. "You've been fighting again. And those are new clothes." She started to strangle him. "I don't have money to spare. You idiot, what were you thinking?"

Shinta made some gurgling sounds while Yahiko began to laugh. Suddenly, Kaoru's comptroller rang. Growling, she released Shinta and answered it. "Yes? Yeah, this is she…Uh-huh, he's here, hold on." She handed the phone to Shinta.

"Yes, this is Himura Shinta," he said brightly. Suddenly his eyes flashed emotion. It lasted only a second. Glancing at Kaoru, he smiled disarmingly.

"Yes," he said amicably, still smiling. "I understand. I'll be there." The comptroller gave a click and Shinta shut it swiftly.

"Who was that?" Kaoru asked innocently. Shinta continued to smile like an idiot. "Oh, no one important. Just some government pencil pushers who wanted to clear up some things." The lie came easily; he barely had to think about it. He stood up. "I'm a bit tired. Thank you for waiting for me." Kaoru and Yahiko watched him go.

"Man, that guy is weird," Yahiko said airily. "Well, I'm going to bed. G'night, hag." Kaoru let the insult go and made her way to her own room.

----

Shinta had long ago given up on sleeping. He didn't need it. His body simply healed his weariness, as with all other injuries. However, he long ago found that people who do not sleep are often questioned excessively. So, he gave the pretense of sleeping. He propped his broadblade against his shoulder, leaned against the wall, and let his mind wander. Beds were far too soft for his liking.

His mind's eye walked slowly through memories, each one as fresh and sharp as if it had taken place yesterday. The ravages of time were meaningless to him. Time was only a way that mortal men measured their mortality. It had nothing to do with him. It didn't touch him. It didn't even bother to try. He sighed and leaned his head back on the light blue wall behind him. He wondered what his life would have been like if he were normal. It was not the first time. Would he have died of old age? Would he have died in war? Would he have been reunited with his family? Would he have watched his siblings grow up? Would he have been plagued by such guilt? Would he have killed so many people? Would their sightless, dead eyes stare at him from just beyond his reach, accusing him of stealing away the life they had?

"Every night is longer than the last," he thought wistfully. "Tomorrow, I will begin to train again. I have been far too out of practice."

----

The next day was drizzly and dark. The sky was filled with purple-tinted clouds; their dark-underbellies dropping rain on the lush planet. Alien animals chirruped and croaked out in the darkness. People walked to and fro quickly in the light shower, intent on arriving at their destination. Raincoats were slick and made squeaking sounds as they people moved along. Umbrellas of various colors mushroomed from the crowds of people. Ground cars splashed water from beneath their wheels, gaining ill-tempered curses from pedestrians.

Shinta stared up at the sky from the porch, his eyes flickering now and then as they followed the occasional rain-drop that fell from the roof. "Rain before a fight. Of course."

Kaoru walked out of the house slowly and sat next to Shinta on the porch-swing. He didn't bother saying anything. Kaoru understood. They sat watching the rain for a while in silence. The small walkway from the wall door to the porch was slick with water, showing the clouds what they looked like. A stiff breeze, driven by the shower, blew the scent of rain over their faces.

Shinta stood up slowly, grabbing his sword. "I think I would like to take a walk, Kaoru-dono. I do not know when I will be back. Please do not wait up for me."

"Can I go with you?" Kaoru began to rise from the swing. Shinta shook his head. "No, stay here and train Yahiko." He smiled at her. "That is, if you can pull him away from his cartoons." With that said, he walked out into the rain, letting the water drench him. He didn't mind the rain anymore. Before he had become immortal, he had enjoyed walking through it. Now that he couldn't get sick, he enjoyed it even more.

Closing the outer wall door, he made his way to a river several miles down the road. The water giggled and burbled as it sped away to the sea. Raindrops were lost in the swift current, not even permitted to form ripples. He sighed and sat down on a damp log to watch the water. Jin-e had escaped from the police yesterday. Several men were killed before he eluded them in the maze of alleys and side-streets that made up the city. He had called to boast of his accomplishment after doing a little hacking in the government's mainframe to find out where Shinta lived. Now, he wanted a rematch.

Shinta stiffened and drew his sword. Kaoru gulped as the sword's point tickled her skin."Never sneak up on a swordsman,"she mentally told herself.Shinta looked surprised and sheathed his sword.

Kaoru smiled weakly. She hated rain. Her hair was plastered wetly to her face and her ponytail hung limply to her shirt. "Shinta, uh, why are you out here in the rain?"

Shinta watched the river. "I simply felt the urge to walk. I've never stayed in one place for so long."

Kaoru shook her head. "You can't be thinking of leaving. You have to stay with me for two years." She paused, fidgeting. "And besides, you have friends here who don't want to see you leave. You do consider us friends, right?"

Shinta smiled warmly. "Yes, the very best of friends." He looked back at the water. "But someday, I'll leave. I don't want to watch my friends grow old and die. I don't want to be the one to bury you."

Kaoru pulled something from her pocket. Taking his hand, she thrust a small ring into his hand. "That ring is very important to me," she explained nervously. "It was my mother's. This is your reason to stay. If you leave, you'll have to come back to give me the ring. Remember that."

"Kaoru-dono, I couldn't take…"

"No, shut up and take it. You better not leave, Himura Shinta."

Suddenly, a strong pair of arms encircled her waist and mouth and she could feel her feet leave the ground. She watched as Shinta steadily fell away in the distance, a piece of paper fluttering behind her. A dark cackle sounded above the noise of rain. "See ya later, Himura."

Shinta fell to the ground, watching as Jin-e flew farther away on a small hovercraft. He grabbed his sword and began to run after the swift vehicle. A small piece of paper fluttered down in the mud, before him. Stopping, he grabbed the paper and read the contents once before crushing the paper. Changing direction, he ran off, mud spraying from behind him.

---

Jin-e laughed sadistically, insanity tainting his voice. Finishing up a few more knots, he patted Kaoru's cheek, who was staring at him intensely. "My dear, don't worry. When your little boyfriend comes, your death will be short and swift. Nothing personal, you understand."

Kaoru made a muffled sound around the gag, straining towards him. Jin-e laughed. "Well, ain't you a feisty one."

"Yes, she is, isn't she?" Jin-e turned to look at Shinta, who was standing calmly in a formless stance.

"Ah, you're here. A lot swifter than I expected. You must really love your woman." He patted Kaoru's arm lightly before turning to Shinta, who was gripping his sword tightly. "You like my place?" He waved a hand around, indicating the massive warehouse. He was standing on a large rafter beam, where Kaoru was tied by her neck to the massive metal girder, her hands secured together with a pairof mechanized handcuffs.Below them was a nearly thirty foot fall to the concrete floor. Jumping lightly, Jin-e landed on his feet in front of Shinta.

"Well, my friend, tonight we will see who will die. Me or the both of you." Shinta mind raced furiously. Jin-e chuckled. "Himura, I'll bet you're wondering what exactly I plan on doing. Well, it's really simple." He suddenly whirled around, intoning a message to his implant and pressed a small button on a remote. The handcuffs fell away easily.Kaoru gasped asher hands sprang to her neckand began to strangle her. Shinta's eyes widened. "Now, it will probably take a few minutes for her to run out of air. To stop her, you would have to tear off her arms, because whenever she has her hands free, she'll try and strangle herself." He paused for a moment, letting Shinta know he wasn't joking. "Another way is to turn off the implant manually. Now, considering that it's in my skull, you would have to kill me." He pulled out his rapier and spun it gracefully. "I just don't see that happening, though."

Shinta's breathing was ragged and harsh. He suddenly howled and attacked. Rage consumed him. He felt his anger and wrath pound on the doors of his self-control, suddenly being unleashed to wreck havoc. Without any form of technique, Shinta slammed his sword toward the lunatic. Jin-e was able to block the blade, but Shinta continued pushing down on the slim rapier, trying to force the thin blade away to slash at the man. Jin-e stared in horror as he met Shinta's eyes. They were gone, hidden by blinding red light. Shinta grinned sadistically before pushing down harder on the rapier, snapping it. He shoved Jin-e against a crate, shattering the thick wood.

Kaoru watched in morbid fascination as Shinta suddenly discarded his sword and began to savagely beat her captor with his fists. He was going to kill Jin-e! She could feel herself beginning to slip into darkness. She struggled valiantly against the encroaching blackness at the edge of her eyesight. Her legs felt limp beneath her, her lungs cried out for air. Desperation swept through her as her mind began to numb. "No, he's going to kill him, he's going to kill again." "No!"

"NO! Shinta, don't kill him." Shinta's head shot up to where Kaoru was struggling with her restraints, her hands no longer around her bruised neck. Shocked, he released Jin-e, who hung limply in his clutch, also staring at Kaoru unbelievingly. Kaoru freed herself and ran to the ladder that led to the ground. Shinta turned his attention to Jin-e, who held gamely on to consciousness. "Looks as if your death is not necessary as you so thought."

Jin-e fell to his knees. "H-how did a-a young girl free herself of that." His hands found his shattered blade. "No, I won't accept it. I won't." Kaoru ran to Shinta, who swiftly hugged her to himself, shielding her eyes.

Jin-e gasped slightly as the thin blade pierced his heart. He fell backwards, smiling lightly. "No, I just won't accept it. Himura, don't look at me like that. If a simple girl could overcome such an obstacle, which I myself could not, then I deserve to die." He coughed blood. "I'll be watching, waiting for you to join me. I know all about you, Battousai…" His head fell back into his own blood, his eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling, glazing over in death.

Making sure that Kaoru didn't see the body, he picked her up and left the warehouse without a backward glance.

Woot! Blood. Yeah, this is why the fic is rated PG-13 (It ain't for cursing, I never curse, be it in a fic or real life). Anyway, it was raining a bit when I started writing this (It does that a little too often in Florida). That's why it's all drizzly in the fic. I tried to make it seem better than if it were pouring rain.

Ah, well, the quote from Macbeth basically says that even if he washed his hands in the seas of the world, they would turn red with the blood on his hands. I don't know, it just seems relevant to what Shinta has to go through.

Jin-e mentioned that Kaoru could get over an obstacle he could not. He was referring to the fact that the technology had the same effect on him that it had on other, normal people that he couldn't shake. Kaoru basically humiliated him…bad.

Some detail, but I think I slacked off sufficiently since the last chapter. Eh, I'll work on it. I couldn't really think of an imaginative way to get Kaoru killed without the possibility of Shinta rescuing her. Really, I would have skipped Jin-e all together, but I thought it was important to show Shinta's insane side. And, yeah, I changed his eye color from amber to red. Get over it. Dark red is like my favorite color. Oh, and for the love of all that is written, review.