To Reveal All
Chapter 11: Revealing Battles
By steelphoenix
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of its characters.
Author's Notes: This chapter rates as the hardest to write yet… If the fight scenes seem a little bland, it's because I was trying to write them so they're not too similar to the anime. I keep putting together bits of other fights for Kenshin, but there's only one fight I can go on for Shishio, which is rather… limited.
On a side note, the scenes in this and the last chapter with Kaoru / Yahiko / Tsubame were going to be Chapter 10, and the fight scenes were going to be Chapter 11. Unfortunately, that screws with the timing, so it was better to do it this way.
Big gomen nasai for the lateness of this update. My family went away, and I went with them. We were camping, and there's no Internet access in the middle of the bush… I'm REALLY sorry about dropping you in the middle of a good bit /ducks rotten vegetables/ but there's no way I could, or would want to, miss going away with my family.
Language Notes: Homuradama (Fireball) and Guren-Kaina (Scarlet Lotus Arm) are best seen in the anime.
Warnings:PG-13 for violence and sexual situations/scenes. No language warnings.
A drip of red hit the ground, and Kenshin stared down at it for a moment, horrified. The wound in his chest was shallow, but the surrounding skin was crimson from the heat of the blade that had cut him.
How can he use fire like that? It's insane…
Shishio is insane, Rurouni. Battousai's voice was grim and emphatic. Remember that. And remember that because of that, he will go to any lengths to kill us.
Including using fire… Rurouni's tone was turning grim, beginning to match his counterpart's. But we have to do this. We must keep them away until Kaoru-dono, and the rest of the geishas, are safe.
Yes. That is what we set out to do, and we must accomplish it.
Kenshin's head lifted, and the amber of them swirled briefly with amethyst, determination and resolution filling them. The sakabato was returned to its sheath, and the sheath was slid back into the hakama.
"Back to Battoujutsu, Battousai?" sneered Shishio. He was now far out of range, on the other side of the courtyard, by the steps. "Do you only have one trick? I know how I can block Battoujutsu, and I have the attack you just experienced, the incredible Homuradama!"
"Really?" Kenshin didn't grin, but one eyebrow cocked, quizzically.
That wasn't Battoujutsu, interjected Rurouni. You drew the sword before you struck.
Yes, but he doesn't know that. I want him to attack, then we use Battoujutsu.
I wonder what his other fire tricks are?
No doubt we'll find what they are in a short time, Rurouni… we'll be receiving them…
---
"Here I come!" The Kokuryukai yelled, lunging forwards, katana swinging in a downwards arc.
Yahiko lifted his katana, to block the stroke. The two katanas met with a clash, and the Kokuryukai pulled his blade back, so it slipped off Yahiko's block. Then he stabbed inwards again, aiming for Yahiko's face.
The young warrior had anticipated his move, and had slipped to his left, out of the way, long before the katana reached its target. He aimed a cut at the man's shoulder. It was blocked, and the clashing of blades was quick and deadly, no holds barred.
Yahiko had a cut to his left arm, and the Kokuryukai was sporting several slashes to the chest, when the Kokuryukai made his move.
A downwards slash, not unlike the one that began the fight, was pulled back, so that it missed Yahiko's block entirely. Then, another stab upwards, aimed at the heart.
Yahiko moved fast, but not fast enough. A long rip was left in his gi, accompanied by a nick to his left side, just under the arm. Yahiko's counter ended the fight, and the Kokuryukai's life: an instinctive slashing lunge at the man's unprotected neck.
Blood spurted quickly, and with a gurgle, the dead weight of the Kokuryukai slumped to the veranda.
---
Hah! I blocked the famous Battoujutsu! Shishio exulted, the manic grin on his face. I know what I can do! Pretend to attack, then, when he uses Battoujutsu, he'll be wide open!
Kenshin's hand didn't waver as he watched the changing expressions on Shishio's face. It was obvious that he was plotting something, no doubt something to try and trap Kenshin into using Battoujutsu too early, and use the opening from the Battoujutsu to strike.
It's so obvious, stated Battousai. The only problem is his fire attacks. We don't know them…
But surely we can avoid them until we can analyse them, Battousai!
Then, with a swift lunge, Shishio was moving.
He sprung towards the redhead, and his feet barely touched the cobbles as he raced towards his predecessor.
Just a little closer, and I'll stop… Shishio thought as his feet ate up the distance.
And… STOP! Shishio's feet halted, and with a slew of dust, he slid to a halt, a mere four feet away from Kenshin.
Still too close.
The image of Kenshin again blurred. The sakabato flashed out of the sheath, in a simple Battoujutsu.
I can see it! I can see the path… NOW!
Shishio's sword leapt out of its sheath, and the bandaged man leapt at the same time. The sakabato, which was to impact on Shishio's left hip, slid harmlessly past, missing by a finger's width.
CLANG! The two swords impacted, and Shishio was sent skidding away, his katana sent spinning out of his grip.
Perfect. He did exactly what you expected. Well done, Rurouni.
There was a mass gasp from the watching Kokuryukai. No-one had ever made Shishio lose his grip on his katana!
Oh no! Shishio! Yumi's face was whiter than her lord's bandages.
"Hehe. Well done, Kenshin," Sano grinned. He knew that his friend could fight better than he had been doing. Even when fighting strange techniques – like Shishio's – Kenshin had never been bested.
Briefly stunned by the loss of his sword, Shishio stared down at his hand. The stinging pain assured him that he wasn't dreaming – that Battousai had really flicked the katana away.
Then what I deflected before – that wasn't Battoujutsu! It wasn't as weak as I thought! I need my sword!
"AAAAAH!" The bandaged man leapt for the fallen katana.
Kenshin's godlike speed allowed him to reach it first. Shishio's hand reached for the sword, but the sakabato intercepted his arm, slapping it away. He collapsed on his knees, pain coursing through his right side. The combination of Kenshin's disarming and the sakabato's slap to his arm was a throbbing wound to both his pride and his control.
Diving again, this time he managed to get his hand on the hilt, before the sakabato was at his neck – blade-side inwards, touching his jugular.
"Take your hand off the katana, Shishio. Unless you wish your followers –" Kenshin briefly looked up at the circle of scared faces "– to see the death of their Leader."
Shishio heard the sound of Kenshin's voice change as he looked up, and took his chance. His hand fastened around the hilt, and he rolled out of the way just as the blade swished through where his neck had been.
On his feet, he edged away, keeping distance between himself and Battousai. He's just as prepared to kill as I am… That sakabato is deceptive…!
Dammit! Battousai, WHY in Kami-sama's name did you look up then?! You knew he'd escape!
Don't panic, Rurouni. Battousai's voice was amused. I simply like to play with my food first…
Well, your 'playing' could get us killed!
All the more fun…
---
On the back veranda, Yahiko was not the only one fighting. As the leader of the three Kokuryukai lunged and cut at Yahiko, the fat man was intent on them, watching for a break in Yahiko's guard.
He snickered, and stepped into the room that the three had originally been in, edging around the fight.
He's going to stab Yahiko, and kill him! I can't let that happen!
Tsubame gripped the twin daggers, and went to meet him, skittering across the room's tatami, until she was in the centre. There she stopped, watching the man's approach. He was fat, and, according to what Kaoru had taught her, this would make him slower than her. Perhaps she had an advantage here.
Then the Kokuryukai reached into a satchel on his back, and pulled out four daggers, nearly identical to the ones she carried. He grinned evilly. The meiko was a juicy target, young, attractive, and not a fighter. He lifted his daggers, and flicked them expertly into position – two in each hand, one pointed upwards, the other down.
But Kaoru said that you should only carry one dagger in each hand… perhaps, by doing this, he can use them in both directions… Yes, that must be it!
The fat man lumbered forwards, and, as he made his first lunge, Tsubame dodged, and watched his movement, as Kaoru had told her to do.
He's quite slow, so I might be able to hit him…
Two slashes came down towards her head, she ducked, and, with the slightest hesitation, lifted her right dagger, and slashed at his wrist. It missed, but not by much.
"So, girlie, playing hard-to-get?" The man snapped, and lunged again, no longer grinning.
Tsubame blocked, and, as she stepped back, he lunged again, and a wound appeared on her chest, just above her obi.
"Aaaahh!" With the impact of the blade, all the air went out of her lungs, and she stumbled backwards. The fat man followed her, and she barely ducked as his blade shot past her ear. She thrust upwards, but missed, again.
The fat man had regained his leering grin. As she raggedly resumed her stance, he was moving again, and he circled. She followed, but he had already struck. Now Tsubame began to see what Kaoru had meant when she said that it was possible to see when you were outmatched. There was no way the meiko could land a blow on the Kokuryukai, and he had laid several light, slashing wounds into her.
He's taunting me, Tsubame realised. Her left arm hung limp, blood dripping slowly from a slash wound near her shoulder. She was barely managing to hold on to the dagger in that hand.
Suddenly, the clashing of blades behind them stopped, and, with a bloody bubbling, the leader of the three collapsed to the planking of the veranda.
The fat man paused, staring at his collapsed leader.
He was too late in turning back.
Tsubame's wild lunge miraculously found its mark in the man's chest.
---
Shishio eyed his predecessor from his position across the courtyard. The redhead was simply standing there, sakabato unsheathed and resting lightly on the ground. He's waiting. He wants me to make the first move.
Then he noticed the smirk on Kenshin's face. All strategy went out of his mind instantly. What? He's just standing there, laughing at me?!
No-one laughs at me… ever…
With a loud yell, he lunged forwards. The redhead leapt easily, evading the infuriated attack, and landed behind the taller man. Shishio spun, and lunged for Kenshin, who was just landing. Godlike speed was put to good use, and Kenshin countered, then struck in response.
The clashes and chimes of sword on sword, katana on sakabato, rang through the courtyard, a deadly and enchanting music. The Kokuryukai, Yumi and Sano watched as people enthralled, though at the back of the Kokuryukai, some of the less brave gang members were sneaking away, discarding the black headbands as they snuck out the gate or over the wall.
---
The third Kokuryukai was watching Yahiko fight, watching for the opportunity to slip a knife between his ribs. Then his leader made his final attack, Yahiko fended it off, and the Kokuryukai fell.
The shock of the man falling shook his confidence as much as it shook the veranda. A boy had taken out a man who was known in the Kokuryukai as a swordfighter…
Perhaps I can take the boy out…
"Damn you!" He dove forwards, his knife extended, aiming for the back of the too-slowly-turning Yahiko.
He never got there.
A kodachi slammed out of nowhere, its tip hitting the dagger out of his hand, and he couldn't stop his momentum as he fell forwards. The kodachi's wielder automatically began lifting the sword upwards after it hit.
The kodachi slid cleanly through his neck.
---
Shishio stared across at the man standing opposite him. His predecessor was the fastest fighter he'd ever crossed blades with. Add to that his almost uncanny ability to predict what Shishio's next move was, and there was no other way of viewing it – Shishio was in trouble.
There's only one thing I can do – wound him severely, so he can't use that godlike speed, and then finish him!
Shishio's sudden movement to his original stance – right foot in front of left, katana extended outwards and down – took Kenshin a little by surprise. There was no way that Shishio was going to try the same moves that he initially did, was there?
No, there's a slight variation in the stance, Battousai. Look at the feet.
Ah. I see. The warrior spirit's voice was lighter as he noted Shishio's stance. His legs were further apart than they had been previously, and the right knee was bent. It's a more aggressive stance. He's going to –
Shishio moved in an instant.
The katana extended outwards became a dive straight for Kenshin's heart. Kenshin slid out of the way of the crazed attack, to his right.
He played right into Shishio's hands.
With a triumphant shout, Shishio grabbed at him.
Godlike speed was no friend to momentum, and the bandaged man had plenty of momentum. His hand wrapped around the collar of Kenshin's gi, and he hoisted the redhead into the air.
The magenta gi was no friend to its wearer. Slipping up, it crossed over Kenshin's windpipe, and began strangling him. As he fought for breath, kicking out at Shishio, he dropped the sakabato.
"Hahahahaaaa!" Shishio grated at Kenshin. "So, the Battousai is just as vulnerable as the rest of us to tricks!" His face was a twisted grin as he lifted his katana until it was resting on his glove.
"Not… trick… no honour… can't tell…" Kenshin choked out, around the gi's obstruction.
"I can tell you, Himura Battousai, that you'll be dead soon!"
The scrape of the katana announced that there was a metal gauntlet beneath the leather gloves that the Kokuryukai Leader was wearing. Kenshin had the briefest of moments to notice that there was a foul smell emitted, then –
KA-WOOOOOMPH!!!!!
Shishio, braced ready for the impact, was skidded back, but Kenshin, hanging from Shishio's arm, had nothing to gain any purchase on, and he was flung across the courtyard to land by the veranda.
Sano stared down at the limp form of his friend. "Kenshin, buddy, you better be okay…"
Author's Notes: Rather a short chapter this time around, guys. Please don't hurt me… and I was so late too… /sobs/
I really need to know what you thought of the fight scenes! I have a love/hate relationship with fight scenes, so if you want more, I'll be happy to write more into them, and in the next chapter (at least until I get stuck).
Review! Please! Onegai!
Review Replies: Thanks to all my reviewers.
half-breed-demon-fox - KxK will probably meet next chapter... Hold your breath, it'll be good.
Peachie-Chan - No probs with not reviewing... I know you're reading it, and liking it, and that's good enough for me.
Sosoru - Yeah, the cuteness of YxT in the anime is a little excessive, but I thought a little cuteness wouldn't go amiss here, with all the seriousness and fighting. As well, I was trying to follow (more or less) canon pairings, so those two had to have something happening.
RangerDo'Urden - /sarcasm/ Chem and Trig homework are such fun, aren't they? I'm glad I could help you cheer up - except for the cliffie, that's not so great, is it? Anyway, here's the update!
HiEi JaGaNsHis FlAmE - I've been wanting to ask this - why do you alternate the caps and lowercase? It's really hard to type... Anyway, action/romance? Yep, greatest genre there is. This chapter had a lot more of the action aspect, though! Hope you enjoyed it.
Lydia-Blessing - The KxK was getting a bit angsty, so I decided to put in a little YxT for cuteness' sake...
blue-katana-girl - I tried to make that scene cute - apparently it worked!
thechickenlittle2000 - Yes, I thought that it was about time! Those two are so shy (but better than KxK, you must admit), so I thought they deserved a little kiss of their own.
kenshinlover2002 - I'm not sure how to remove Shishio from the picture, but I'll take the suggestion into account.
The Silly Koneko 2 - I know, I know, I know. I've been very slack at getting around to changing those chapters - I have rewritten them, with historical accuracy this time.
lyn - So should you. /grin/
blue faery - Sweet? Awww! I thought so too!
someone spcial - Done! (Love the puppydog eyes, BTW)
Zhuyou - Never mind... I sometimes forget to read them too! Do you have Author Alerts? They're very useful - helps you to remember to read your favourite fics!