To Reveal All
Chapter 10: Revealing Pause
By steelphoenix
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of its characters.
Author's Notes: I just have to put a bit of the last scene in, so that you can carry on reading, and it flows nicely. Besides which, I really like Kenshin's line here… /sweatdrops/
This chapter is a pause, a wait, in itself. This is the deep breath before the plunge… I had some more material to include here, before the fight, but at the end, I have given you the start of what I hope should be an epic battle.
BTW: I'm going to rewrite the first three / four chapters. I have discovered MAJOR inaccuracies, so I'm redoing them… I hate inaccurate writing… Expect them out some time after this chapter, maybe as my next update. Apologies to miki and jeez for not doing this earlier, given that you pointed it out to me. /sweatdrops/
Language Notes: Battoujutsu is Kenshin's sword-drawing technique, where he draws the sakabato at god-like speed, and has a very distinctive stance. It's best seen in the anime.
Hiltless katana – By this I mean one of those katanas which appears to be a long stick, until it's drawn, like the one the yakuza leader uses in Episode 2 of the anime.
Warnings:PG-13 for violence and sexual situations/scenes. No language warnings.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Shishio's bandaged face was contorted in anger at the interruption. His expression was mirrored by Yumi, who was still sitting on the floor, kimono around her waist, face flushed.
"There are only two reasons a man interrupts another man's pleasure, Shishio." Kenshin's voice was eerily calm, and his face had gone back to the Battousai's usual expressionlessness.
"What do you mean?" Shishio questioned, anger and confusion mixing on his face.
"There are only two reasons a man interrupts another man's pleasure," repeated Kenshin, his eyes blazing amber.
"Love. And war."
---
"Love? War? What are you talking about?!" The confusion on Shishio's bandaged face was evident, as was his discomfort at the situation. He was a man who didn't like unpleasant surprises, and given the expression on this merchant's face, this was likely to be a very unpleasant surprise.
"You recall how you kidnapped the geishas?" asked the strange redhead.
"Yes…?" Shishio's confusion grew deeper. What does a merchant have to complain about…? Unless…
The realisation struck him suddenly, and a slight smirk appeared on his black lips. Of course. I've kidnapped the woman he loves… That's why he said that this was about love!
"I see you have realised why I am here, Shishio."
The Leader of the Kokuryukai was surprised that a mere merchant had picked up on the reason that he was smiling.
"And now you're wondering how a mere merchant can understand what you're thinking." The redhead's tone was smug.
Shishio stood dumbstruck for a moment, and the watching Kokuryukai strained forward, wondering what he'd say or do, and how he'd punish the cocky disruption.
Shishio threw his head back, and laughed, a hacking but resonant sound. The Kokuryukai sat back, relieved. If the Leader was laughing, there was no reason to worry. An amused Shishio was not as dangerous as an annoyed Shishio.
"So you're a bit of a swordsman, are you, merchant?" Shishio's smug tone matched that of the merchant a minute earlier.
"Oh, more than a bit, Shishio. You'll find I more than match you."
The cynicism in the man's tone set Shishio's teeth on edge, and he snapped out, "There's only one man who could hope to match me, let alone beat me, you fool! And there's no way you're the Hitokiri!"
A sardonic smile curved the merchant's previously expressionless lips, and his question was icy and bitter. "No way, Shishio?"
"Battousai's dead," said Shishio, waving his hand negligently. "He disappeared after the Bakumatsu. He's sure to be dead by now."
With a swirl of creamy material, the merchant's cloak was cast on the ground, and the redhead turned and leaped off the veranda, landing in a fighting crouch halfway across the courtyard. Slowly, he straightened to a formless stance, feet akimbo, hands at his sides.
"No way, Shishio?" he repeated, and his right foot slid forward. His weight balanced, he leaned forwards slightly, and his right hand moved to hover over his swordhilt.
Shishio gasped in shock. This was the stance of Battoujutsu!
But no-one's been a master of Battoujutsu since the Battousai…
The smirk deepened, and the amber eyes stared up at Shishio, challenging and amused.
Shishio began adding together the facts before him. Red hair, yellow eyes, cross-shaped scar… They could be faked… But the stance of Battoujutsu, that can't be imitated!
This is surely Battousai!
Shishio's laugh rang out, exultantly, over the courtyard, and the hushed Kokuryukai, more of whom were arriving every minute.
"At LAST!" His yell was triumphant. "Finally, I get to face my predecessor! I have always longed for a match against the Battousai, and now my wish is granted!"
"Battousai!" "Battousai?!" "Predecessor?" "The legendary Hitokiri?" Whispers buzzed through the crowd. All the watchers took a step backwards, not wanting to get in the way of a match between the Leader and the legend.
"Very well, Battousai! I shall match my predecessor, and beat him!" Shishio strolled along the veranda. He was met at the head of the stairs by Yumi, who had meanwhile re-dressed herself. She handed him his sword, and a passionate kiss passed between the two, to the whistles of the Kokuryukai. Then Shishio walked slowly down the stairs, stopping when he was opposite the man he had called his predecessor.
He did not notice that his opponent's eyes were joyful.
We distracted them well, Battousai!
Indeed we did, Rurouni… but beware. This may be a harder fight than we are used to…
---
Sano stood, helpless, as Kenshin confronted Shishio. His friend's phrases rang in his ears, as much as Shishio's laughter grated. A chill, a foreboding chill, swept over him.
This is going to be a fight to end all fights…
The stance of Battoujutsu, Sano had seen before. The redhead's graceful movements he was used to as well. But the way Kenshin was poised now had a different sense to it. There was an edge, a sharpness and a deadliness that he had never seen before in Kenshin's bearing.
It's a killing intent, a warrior's spirit, Sano realised. Kenshin is Hitokiri Battousai, not Kenshin the Rurouni.
No, wait –
The tilt of Kenshin's head was familiar, the lifting of the chin that Sano had seen a hundred times, every time the two of them sparred together. It didn't have the same edge that the tense shoulders and torso held.
It's both of them… the Hitokiri and the Rurouni! They're sharing the body – they're working together!
Sano stared at his friend, studying the poise of the Battoujutsu stance. In it he could see the gentler elements of the Kenshin he knew and the bladelike edges of the Battousai.
Perhaps by combining their strengths they'll defeat Shishio… after all, he's Kenshin's successor, and he'll be hard to beat…
---
Kaoru sprinted across the lawn with all the speed she could manage, barely avoiding tripping over roots of the ornamental sakura trees. As she neared the Kokuryukai House, she slowed, and became more cautious in her movements. She didn't want to get caught so early in the plan.
A flash of a yellow and green caught her eye. Yahiko was standing on the lamp-lit veranda, holding Tsubame's hand. As Kaoru watched, they walked along the veranda, listening and occasionally opening shoji doors, quite obviously looking for something.
Of course… Kenshin said that they were looking for the geishas! I can get them to lead the next group of geishas out! It's perfect!
Kaoru stepped out of the shadow of the trees, and was about to call out to her brother. Then he slipped a shoji partly open, obviously without checking for sounds inside, and after a second, a group of three Kokuryukai burst out onto the veranda.
Oh no! How are they going to get out of this…?
---
As they made their way along the veranda, Yahiko checked the rooms, and Tsubame followed, perfectly happy to hold Yahiko's hand.
Yahiko slid open yet another door. Tsubame was snapped out of her happy daze as his grip on her hand suddenly tightened.
She whispered to him, "Yahiko, what –"
Her unasked question was answered as three men, with the Kokuryukai's black headband, spilled out of the door. They stepped threateningly up to Yahiko.
"Look, brat, I dunno what you're thinking, but get lost!" The leader, a tall man in green gi and hakama, spat at the young man.
"Lookie, lookie, there's a little girl here." The second Kokuryukai, a plump man, stepped forwards, and pinched Tsubame's cheek. She shied away, and slipped closer to Yahiko.
The tall man looked the meiko up and down, noting how her hand clung to Yahiko's, and where her free hand was clutched to her chest. What he didn't know was that concealed within her kimono were two razor-sharp knives, and she was reaching for one of them.
A smirk came over the tall man's face. "Looking for a place to have a little fun, brat?"
The third Kokuryukai didn't even allow time for Yahiko to answer. "She's a pretty little piece. If I were this kid, I'd get her into bed as soon as possible," he leered. "But then, maybe I could teach her better than any kid can…"
"Never!" Yahiko clutched Tsubame's hand tighter, and stepped half in front of her, defending.
"Heh. Looking for a fight, boy?" The leader of the three mocked. "Look, give her a good kiss, and I might believe that she's yours."
Tsubame gasped at this pronouncement, and Yahiko went red – not with embarrassment, but with anger. He glared at the three Kokuryukai, who snickered snidely, obviously believing that the young couple would be too bashful to display something so embarrassing in public.
The fat man sneered, "Aw, too hard for you, brat?"
"Bastards!" Yahiko snarled, and, turning to the girl behind him, caught her with one hand around her waist, and the other behind her head. Then he leaned forward, and caught her lips in a hard, angry kiss.
Tsubame had had no time to react, and her hands, put up to protest, ended up on Yahiko's chest. As the kiss lasted, they crept up to circle his shoulders, and she melted against him, her body moving pliantly.
Yahiko felt Tsubame's body close against his, moulding against him. Rapidly losing sense of anything but her, Yahiko pulled her closer, enjoying the sweetness of her lips and the silky hair coiling around his hand. Her breasts were soft, but the hardness of the knives between them abruptly recalled him from the world where there were only two people, and he broke away with a gasp like a drowning man.
Tsubame felt the warmth of Yahiko's lips leave hers, but his arms were still around her, so she opened her eyes slowly, and looked up into Yahiko's face. There was shock and wonder written there. Unknowing of how to react, Tsubame simply smiled, allowing her happiness to show. His returning smile was rather tentative, but when he saw that she was smiling in honest joy, it deepened to a grin.
A wolf-whistle from one of the three Kokuryukai broke into their contemplation of each other, and they let go, and stepped away, blushing. Yahiko turned back to the Kokuryukai, a questioning look on his face.
"Well, brat, she's certainly yours, but she won't be for long." The tall Kokuryukai pulled a hiltless katana from the waistband of his hakama, and drew it, dropping the sheath and stepping into a fighting stance.
"Get back, Tsubame!" Yahiko snapped, drawing his katana in response. The young woman stepped back, out of range, and pulled the two knives out of her kimono, waiting for the time when it would be necessary to use them.
---
Shishio stood on the cold stone of the courtyard, opposing the redheaded man he now knew was the Hitokiri Battousai. A tingling anticipation shot through his veins as he moved smoothly to his favourite attack position: the legs braced, right foot in front of left, and katana extended outwards and down, pointing to the ground halfway between the two combatants.
I don't know how the Battousai will attack, so this is the best position: able for both attack and defense.
Kenshin, his hand rock-steady as he waited for his opponent's move, studied the position. Sword ready for either attack or defense… Rurouni pondered.
Note the twist of his wrist, Battousai added. He'll bring it up in a slash if we try a defensive move, but he only has to lift his arm to block.
The moment stretched, daring the audience to make a sudden move, to disrupt the concentration.
Suddenly a breeze swept the courtyard, shaking one of the sakura trees that flanked the front gate. A shower of blossoms floated along the air, between the two.
GO! / GO! The two voices were simultaneous.
Suddenly, the red-and-magenta figure blurred.
Kenshin was no longer where he had been.
---
Kaoru had slid to a shocked stop as she watched the kiss between her brother and the young meiko with something between dismay and amusement.
Her practical side sighed resignedly. If those two fall in love, we're going to have a lot of trouble… He'll be forever sneaking out of the kitchen to see her…
But her heart was happy, knowing that her brother had found someone. She'd known that Tsubame liked Yahiko, and from his reaction during the kiss – she had been close enough to see their faces afterwards – he was definitely interested in her as well.
When the Kokuryukai drew his sword, Kaoru instantly realised that there was going to be a fight.
A quick yank on the strings that held the skirts of her kimono together, and her legs were free. She pulled the kodachi out of her kimono, and began running across the lawn to help Yahiko and Tsubame.
Kaoru's luck had run out, and as she raced to the aid of her brother, the treacherous ground finally showed its colours. A dip in the grass stopped her foot for just long enough for her precarious balance to slip, and she tripped, falling headlong towards the wet greenery.
Instinctively, Kaoru flung her right hand – the hand holding the kodachi – out as far as it could go.
I mustn't land on the koda-
A tree root came out of nowhere, and the young kendo teacher's head struck it before she could do anything.
A tidal wave of colours and light burst into her vision, and the ringing in her ears eclipsed all sound. A brief vision slid before her eyes – Kenshin, in a sword-drawing stance, facing Shishio across the main house courtyard – but then it slid away, along with the firework display.
Kaoru levered herself to a seated position, paused to regain her equilibrium, shook her head, and lurched to her feet, supporting herself with the nearest treetrunk and the kodachi. Her steps dragged initially, but as she regained her full senses, her feet moved faster, until she was once again at a full-out run.
Yahiko, I've got to help Yahiko! He's in trouble… Yahiko!
---
A magenta blur slipped through the hail of sakura, and Kenshin was on the bandaged man almost before he knew it.
The sakabato snapped from its sheath, and, as Kenshin sped past Shishio, it whipped in a silvery arc, and struck hard against Shishio's upper arm –
– or would have. Battousai had been right when he said that Shishio only had to lift his arm to block. The sakabato and katana met with a ringing clash.
The redhead swept past the taller man, and landed with a light thump. Swinging around, he met Shishio's counterattack, a basic downwards swing.
Use our lightness, our speed, that's it! Rurouni sounded overjoyed.
A quick leap from the redhead moved him out of the range of Shishio's long katana.
Don't speak too soon, Rurouni…
The bandaged man took another step forwards, and a scrape announced that the point of Shishio's katana was moving across the paving, slow at first, but faster and faster, until –
Kenshin stopped dead in horror and amazement.
The lower third of Shishio's blade was, quite literally, on fire.
I've seen this before. Battousai's voice was grim. It's from the human oils of his victims… they soak into a blade, like blood does… Both of the redhead's personalities immediately pictured the crimson sheen that had been on their old blade. And they can be set alight, giving a flaming sword.
Shishio moved fast, and the distracted Kenshin wasn't fast enough.
Shishio's arm moved almost lazily, and the point of the flaming katana flicked across Kenshin's chest.
A slap, as the redhead landed.
There was a long, horizontal slit in Kenshin's gi. It wept red, and the flesh around it matched the colour.
Fire?!
Fire, Rurouni. He has learnt the control of fire.
We're in deep shit, Battousai.
Yes, that we are.
Author's Notes: The YxT wasn't supposed to be there – he was only supposed to fight them, not kiss her… I guess I just like romance too much… Do you readers think it should be there? If you don't, review and tell me. If enough people say that they don't like it, I'll edit it out, or tone it down.
I wonder if anyone noticed the implication of that last little bit? Start guessing… prizes for the closest guess! …well… not really… but, it's the thought that counts! And I'm hoping it gets some more of you to review… /'pretty-pretty-please' grin/
Review! Please! Onegai!
Review Replies: Thanks to all my reviewers.
half-breed-demon-fox - /grin/ Of course it's evil... Good cliffhangers are indispensable to me...
Zhuyou - Thanks, I will write more! (I can't just leave this hanging. I would be killed by the reviewers...)
lyn - I will. You should too - in your reviews, I mean...
jkdsjhdhjfdshk - Like I said to Zhuyou, I can't just leave it... Of course I'm writing more!
RangerDo'Urden - Don't worry about not reviewing! I just love getting reviews, but I know that you read TRA, and love it! That's enough for me.
thechickenlittle2000 - Yep, that was definately a 'poor Kenshin' moment. I think I'm too cruel to him sometimes... The characterisation was one of the things I was really worried about. Thanks for reassuring me!
HiEi JaGaNsHis FlAmE - You can't wait for this fight? I'm writing it right now... it's hard work, but it'll be worth it in the end!
kenshinlover2002 - Yes, that was very evil of Battousai, but... well... I really didn't want to have to describe a ShishioxYumi scene... That would be... /shudders/ ...yucky.
Lydia-Blessing - Kaoru crying a lot really annoys me. She's a very strong woman, not some crybaby. She's the sort of person who actually does something, rather than go hysterical about it. That's one of that things I like best about her, and the reason I like her so much as a character.