To Reveal All
Chapter 15: Revealing Fangs
By steelphoenix
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of its characters.
Author's Notes: Sorry I took so long to update. This chapter just did not want to be written. Battousai's got a full-time job fighting off a writer's block, so I don't have my Muse. Rurouni volunteered to stand in, but I'd keep getting distracted by that smile…
I probably shouldn't have dropped you where I did. But, well, it was turning into a very long chapter, and I had to stop somewhere, so why not at a dramatic point? Nevertheless, I probably shouldn't have… but it was fun /evil grin/. Battousai and I were agreed on that point. I didn't this time… so you can put down the (virtual) vegetables… /ducks/
Language Notes: The tsuba of a katana is the guard between blade and hilt. The menuki is the small ornament beneath the bindings on the hilt. Again, check .
Warnings: R for violence and sexual situations/scenes.
Shishio's arm thrust forwards, flinging Yumi's dagger. Spinning through the air, it sped towards Kaoru.
She barely even thought as she clicked the katana out of its sheath. A thrust with her thumb to the tsuba, and the blade flew out of the sheath. She grabbed the blade as it shot out, the sheath, now unsupported, falling to the ground.
With the easy grace of one who had deflected flying weapons before, she lifted the blade, and the airborne dagger struck it, zinging off and falling with a clatter to the stones.
All the spectators gaped for a moment.
Except two.
Shishio was moving the moment he launched the dagger. In the scant second before it reached Kaoru, he had already repositioned himself a couple of metres from Kenshin.
Kenshin had seen the movement of Shishio's arm, and he had tried to stop the blade with his sakabato, wasting a few precious moments.
"Kaoru!" Unconsciously, he had cried out her name as the dagger flew.
When it clanged off the blade of her katana – his katana – the relief that flooded him was the greatest he had ever known. The woman he loved – and he knew that he did, now more than ever – was safe.
And he'd had no part in protecting her…
I should have guessed that he would try something like that! He berated himself. Kaoru was in danger!
But she had done what he could not, and protected herself.
It proves I'm unworthy of her…
---
Kaoru lowered the katana slowly, watching the dagger cease its spinning slowly, from where it rested on the stones. It had been a close call…
She looked up to see Kenshin standing, seemingly dumbstruck, in the middle of the courtyard, staring at her. The guilt and pain in his face was so deep as to be almost unbearable.
He always wanted to protect me… Kaoru knew that that had been one of the first parts of Kenshin's character she had seen, and now she knew that it had been one of the first manifestations of his love for her. Now, his failure in that would be wracking his mind with shame.
I have to reassure him… He needs reassuring…
"Kenshin…" she made to step out, but as she did, fluttering purple cloth caught the corner of her eye. Shishio was moving again.
Hah, my plan worked! Aiming for that girl distracted him enough! Shishio knew that his plan had been a long shot, but now that it had succeeded…
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled as the bandaged man ran towards the redhead. The blank, remorseful stare snapped, a thread of thought flicking life back into his gold-veined amethyst eyes.
Shishio sped towards him, in a straight attack, lunging for his heart.
Kenshin, though only just recovering, avoided the katana, lifting the sakabato to defend.
But the shock of the attack on Kaoru had cleaned his memory of the mistake that had earned him the Guren-Kaina.
Shishio's hand swept through.
Seizing the tie of the redhead's hakama, the bandaged man hoisted Kenshin upwards once again.
And he buried his teeth in Kenshin's shoulder.
---
"AAAAAAHHHH!"
Kenshin cried out as the Leader's teeth ripped through his skin. All the blood in his body seemed to rush to the broken spot, flowing out in abundant amounts. Pain blossomed into a fiery flower on his shoulder, overwhelming his senses and abilities, but still a reproach to himself threaded through his mind.
Why did I fall for his trick again?! I should have known…
His fists clenched, half in anger, half in pain. The tight grip bought blood throbbing out of the wound, and the menuki on the sakabato's hilt dug into his palm.
The sakabato's hilt…
The realisation that he still had his sword pushed laboriously through the fog of throbbing pain.
The Kokuryukai was still gnawing on Kenshin's shoulder, licking at the blood, ripping at the torn flesh. Bolts of agony shot through Kenshin with every nip of the man's teeth.
Lifting the sakabato, Kenshin began to move it to the Leader's chest, to thrust it through.
To kill… It's what has to happen! Of this, Kenshin was nearly sure. It was the only way.
Then a darting voice countered, What about the vow not to kill?!
He'll kill me if I don't kill him first!
Killing is never the answer!
The two voices swirled in his head, and in reflection of it, the sakabato lifted and fell as the two gained and lost ascendancy by degrees.
The Kokuryukai Leader, though absorbed in tasting the sweetness of blood, could not miss it. His mouth unfastened from the redhead's shoulder first. Then, as he saw what was happening, his face clouded with confusion.
What's going on here…? It's like he's fighting with himself… Shishio could sense the rising and falling of two distinctly different chi forces within the man. Perhaps… perhaps he is fighting himself…
He remembered the occasional odd movements that had occurred within their last fight, apparently without reason. He remembered the pure amber of the man's eyes before the fight. Now, as he looked, he saw that amber and amethyst mixed in the staring eyes.
He has two people inside him…!
Suddenly afraid of the possibilities of a man with two forces of will controlling his mind, he abruptly dropped the redhead. As the man fell to the pavement, limp as a boned fish, Shishio backed away, his Kokuryukai following suit, backing away from the combat area, and Kenshin's friends.
Shishio wiped at the blood on his mouth, trying to remove possible contamination of Battousai's madness.
---
As Shishio grabbed and lifted Kenshin for the second time that night, Sano growled in shock that the same trick could be successfully be played twice on his so-observant friend.
"Sano, what… is… the matter?" Megumi gasped out.
"This is the second time he's played that trick on Kenshin… The first time, he –" Sano began to explain, but Shishio had bitten down on the redhead's shoulder. Kenshin's yell and Kaoru's scream were simultaneous, and Sano winced at the volume of the girl's voice, right next to him. His leg was throbbing, and the scream gave an answering throb to his head.
"Missy, sit down… There's nothing you can do…" he looked upwards, talking calmly, trying to quieten Kaoru's fear.
She didn't sit down, or even acknowledge his statement.
"Kaoru…" cough, "sit down." Megumi's voice, despite being halting, was commanding. Her 'younger sister' paid no attention, absorbed in Kenshin's pain.
Megumi's face fell, disappointed and hurt that her friend paid no attention. Sano gently stroked his fox's cheek, and explained. "She's totally absorbed in Kenshin… she won't do anything for anyone until this is over."
"Selfish…" Megumi smiled up at the tall man, indicating that she was joking. A return smile graced his lips.
"Then again, maybe 'love' and 'selfish' are one and the same." Sano looked back up at the battleground, where Shishio had Kenshin suspended. His soft smile faded as he added, "I don't blame her."
"Neither…"
---
Kaoru was totally absorbed in Kenshin. Every muscle twitch from Shishio's chewing made her flinch. The rise and fall of the sakabato brought faint moans of pain and anxiety from her lips, and she clenched the katana tighter.
She knew the moment that Battousai and Rurouni separated. She could feel the alteration in Kenshin's chi, from the steadily burning flame of the whole Kenshin, to two rising and falling fires.
They've separated again! Is this good… or bad…?
Then Shishio lifted his head, and she saw the confusion on his bandaged face. His expression told her that he could sense the changes in chi, but didn't know what to make of them. He didn't know the reason behind them.
Then realisation began to dawn on the wrapped face, and it was clear that he had realised that there were two personalities in the body.
What will he do now? Please, please, don't hurt him…
Shishio dropped Kenshin, who slumped to the cobbles with a swish of magenta and white. His limp lack of movement scared Kaoru, and fear grew in her as the period of immobility lengthened.
He's not unconscious, is he?!
She stared across the courtyard, unknowing of what to do.
There's only one way to find out.
No-one noticed her movement until she had already begun her run forwards to kneel by Kenshin.
---
Kaoru knelt by Kenshin's side, dropping her katana beside her.
The small man's body flopped limply as Kaoru lifted him into her lap for the second time that night. His face was pale, the staring eyes were dulled from jewels to stones, and the brilliant hair seemed somehow washed-out. Again, she knew that she had to wake him – but this time, the two spirits hadn't spoken to her. She simply knew.
If he doesn't wake soon, then… the two will consume him from within. The thought sprung into her mind, instinct speaking more clearly than reason. While she could sense the chi of the two spirits, she could tell that they were fading, and if they weren't distracted long enough to let their body regain consciousness, Kenshin – both sides of him – would die. They were both holding to the control of the body too determinedly to allow its natural reactions to take place.
She had to get him out of the grip of the two's command.
She had to distract them.
Wait, distraction…? There was a distraction that had worked once before, when Battousai had taken the upper hand – that night when Kaoru had first seen Kenshin as Battousai.
But… I can't do that here…! Embarrassment tinged her cheeks pinkly.
WHAT?! Her mind analysed what she'd just said. Too embarrassed to SAVE KENSHIN'S LIFE?!
I have to do this!
Her colour deepening with each moment, she took a deep breath – as she would at the beginning of a session of training – and she leant down to the dear, scarred face that rested in her lap –
– The briefest of pauses –
– And she lowered her lips to his. She allowed her lips to move gently against his, once, and then she lifted her head, staring down, waiting for the slightest indication that it had worked.
A gentle warmth, and a hint of colour, rushed outwards from Kenshin's lips, and across his face. Kaoru stroked his cheek, dislodging a bang of ruby hair. It fell back, shimmering with life again.
But there was no animation in the eyes. They remained stony and unresponsive.
"Kenshin… please…!" Kaoru's whisper carried across the quiet courtyard. All were silent, unknowing of what their response should be.
He can't just… die! Doesn't he know I love him? Her face drew up in sorrow. She'd finally realised that she loved him, and now he was to be taken away…?
Kenshin can't just die! I love him, he can't die!
She screwed her face up, trying to prevent the inevitable tears, but they came nevertheless. Salty drops slid slowly across her cheeks, falling on the reactionless face.
"Kenshin… I love you, come back…" her barely-audible words were a plea from the deepest depths of her heart.
Desperately, refusing to let him go, she bent again, and laved his lips with kisses.
---
Deep in the depths of Kenshin's mind, two personalities, nearly polar opposites, argued the fate of their body.
No! I will control! Rurouni's voice snapped, determined.
This body is rightfully mine! Battousai was equally adamant, refusing to yield any control to the more peaceful spirit.
I am as much part of it as you! The spirit in question thought he had scored a point, but apparently Battousai didn't care. Yes – but I'm the one they need in this situation! This is a battle, they need me!
I can fight just as – Rurouni paused. Did you feel –?
Yes… someone's calling us…
Both spirits could now feel the intense tug from their body. Calling them irresistibly, it was faint, but growing in strength with every second.
Truce…?
Rurouni did a double-take. Battousai was never the one who loved peace. It was always he who would try to compromise, to find the way out.
So we can help Kaoru. She's crying, and she's crying for us. Battousai's tone was fierce. I won't let her weep – she's not a girl who should shed tears.
Alright… truce for now. Should we merge? The offer was made peacefully, but internally, Rurouni was cursing himself for not picking up Kaoru's grief earlier.
Merging worked well before. It should now.
As they rose though the dark waters of the soul, they both concentrated on Kaoru… and her tears.
---
Aoshi's long experience with dead and dying bodies told him that while Battousai was still alive, he was not in good condition. The pasty complexion, the dull hair, the utter limpness of the man said quite clearly that he wasn't going to last long. That girl's tears weren't going to do anything, anyway.
"Aoshi-sama…?" Misao queried, wondering why his face has suddenly grown tight and closed again. She took a stab at guessing. "Is he… dead?"
"No. No yet, certainly. Later…? It depends on whether he can get out of the 'chi well' he's created."
" 'Chi well'?" Misao's face was even more confused than previously.
Aoshi's deadpan face broke, and he smiled down at her, slightly amused that she hadn't heard of it. "It happens when you're too deeply retreated within yourself – your chi begins to fall deeper and deeper into your soul. Fall too deeply, and you will die."
Misao's horrified gasp echoed, and she huddled closer to the Okashira.
"No. The girl's tears and kisses will pull him out of the 'well'." Aoshi knew this from experience. He had been falling into a chi well himself, depressed and angry that he had to serve the Kokuryukai for a debt his father had incurred. Then Misao had come along, and the enthusiasm with which she threw herself into life inspired and encouraged him, and began the long process of his falling in love with her.
"Can she really?" Misao wanted badly for her to succeed, but Aoshi's description of a chi well made it seem hopeless – how could you overcome yourself?
"She loves him. That is obvious… and that will be enough to pull him out." The certainty of the Okashira's voice made her look up at him, to check he wasn't just saying that. Confidence was evident on his face.
Misao looked out again at the couple on the pavings. It's possible… please wake up, Battousai…
---
Swimming up though Kenshin's soul, the two spirits gradually began merge as they had before, as they had agreed.
As they rose, they began to feel through their body's senses. The digging of stone into the back was immediately evident, as was the throbbing of wounds.
But they were ignored in favour of barely-felt kisses, and damp tears on skin.
As the body's senses became stronger, taste kicked in, and Kenshin could distinguish the salt of Kaoru's tears, and the sweetness of her lips on his.
He moved his lips briefly, trying to see how fine his control of his body was now. Kaoru felt the movement, and she slowly raised her head, gazing down into his face.
I thought that I felt –
The cloudiness of the eyes abruptly fell away. The stones were jewels once more – amber-veined amethyst.
"Kenshin…!" Joy and relief rang through Kaoru's voice.
"…Kaoru…" the rough whisper was gentle, and Kenshin awkwardly manoeuvred himself from lying in her lap, to sitting, facing her.
"Why did you fight yourself…?" Kaoru's tone was filled with worry, affection, and curiosity.
Kenshin would have shrugged, if not for the wounds on his shoulders. "I don't know… You weren't scared by the melding, were you?"
Kaoru's smile could have lit a thousand candles. "I'd never be scared by you, Kenshin. I love you!"
What seemed like long time, an eternity – probably about ten seconds – passed.
"Really?" A masculine whisper.
"Yes." A feminine reply.
Kaoru leaned forwards, and, almost as if to prove it, kissed him lightly. As she broke away from him, Kenshin gently took her right hand in his.
An infinity and an infinitesimal amount of time passed, as they smiled into the other's eyes.
Author's Notes: Yes, Sano's quote about love and selfishness is stolen directly from the manga. Sorry, Watsuki-sama! Sessha loves that quote!
Aaahh, utter cheesiness and merangue at the end... forgive me, people!
Yes, I know that Shishio doesn't have fangs, but it sounded better than 'teeth'!
Review Replies: Thanks to all my reviewers.
half-breed-demon-fox – I know… more cliffies… mean, aren't we? Glad you like the battle scene.
Big-Purple-Lizard (for TRA13 review) – Half-naked Himura is ALWAYS good… /drools/ Mushiness is sometimes essential, ne? I can't write anything remotely romantic without it appearing, somehow… oh well. If you like it…
thechickenlittle2000 – I'm so happy that someone finally commented on that, and that you think I did a good job! /looks at next section of review/ Are you suicidal?! You're so lucky that he's off fighting the writer's block…
(Battousai: /pauses in fighting/ Who's suicidal?
Nix: No-one, no-one… never mind… /closes review window hurriedly/
Battousai: /sneaks up behind Nix, whispers in her ear/ You know I'll get it out of you… somehow…
Nix: You wouldn't…
Battousai: /evil grin/
---CENSORED---
/Nix returns to computer, hair mussed up/ Ah, it's not a good idea to annoy my Muse. I don't suggest you try it.
inuyasha/kenshin gurl - /shivers in (fake) fear/ Hehe, never you worry, there's no way I could not update… /eyes Writer's Block and Battousai fighting/ Battousai's holding the writer's block off well.
Dagorwen of Ithilien – No evil cliffhanger this time… But did you like the way that one ended?
kenshinlover2002 (for TRA13 review) – Love breaks all boundaries… including the ones of plausibility… they were looking for her, though (or didn't you notice the bit at the end of the scene?), so that was how they found her. And do remember, 'Kenshin' is Rurouni and Battousai – Rurouni's not the whole Kenshin… it gets confusing, yeah, but I like to think of it that way.
kenshinlover2002 (for TRA14 review) – Of course Shishio had Kaoru as his target. He's evil that way… Did you like the way she was able to deflect it, not dodge? I put that in to emphasise her familiarity with weapons, etc. – she is definitely a fighter, though!
sprinkles73 – Thanks, and you're welcome!
RangerDo'Urden – Remember, in the anime/manga, Battousai was sitting there all the time – Kenshin just didn't let him out. As for them being in harmony, remember that they were once one person, so it's entirely possible for them to be working together.
Crewel – I do update about every five days (if I can), so yes, it's quite soon! Unfortunately, this is a KxK fic, so while I write in some SxM, it's mainly KxK. That said, there is some more here…
anime-luney – Like twins? This is the same guy we're talking about here… and when they were finishing each other's sentences, it was because they were in harmony, melded into one complete Kenshin… the different voice tones were the two sides of his personality combined.
DakBug – Of course I had to finish there… nothing like a cliffhanger to keep the readers reading… /grin/ Can't wait, huh? Oh well… patience is a virtue… /evil grin/
Peachie-Chan – Never mind about not reviewing… vacation's probably more important /laugh/. Life's not fair… yep. Especially when it comes to fanfiction. And yes, I expect your reviews!