Heya! This is the…2nd to the last chapter maybe? But if you wish to read this once more, you may see my website…but it's not that updated yet! Sorry! I'm still fixing it and…my graduation's on April…6! Can you imagine that? A fifteen year old going to college! Anyway, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN RK AND EVERYTHING IS NOT BASED ON THE REAL RK SERIES…NOT ALL!

Chapter 19: Finally

Battousai panted.

He was as tired as ever, and he didn't expect the fight was this tiring. He couldn't keep the glare that was still looking at his opponent. Clutching the new wound on his left side, he crouched. It made him weak but he was able to his opponent on the same part too. Luckily, their conditions were fair…maybe.

Saitoh was on the other side, standing tall and strong. Pain was stinging on his side and he wished to hold on in too. But there was no use for him, he needs to win…and really has to. He doesn't allow his self to loose to some one who's smaller than him or a person who was faster than him…he doesn't want to.

Taking his sword, Kenshin made his balance, trying to stand up and to keep that shot of angry look to his opponent. If he loses, he dies. But then, if he wins…he may die or just simply run off. But then, he noticed something…if those puppets were controlled by someone, then this idiot wasn't alone. There could be someone or SOME out there in the woods, waiting for a signal to kill. They could've been hungry for the taste of his blood…wishing to have a part of him on their swords.

"Can you still hold on, Battousai?" Saitoh asked, a wolf's grin on his face. Kenshin tried to stand up perfectly but then his sword was required there. "Can you?" he growled, making a tone of an angry dragon. Saitoh Hajime smirked, knowing that both of them could die just any minute but then with the result of the fight, someone has to die…someone has to proclaim that he is the victor of this battle.

Keeping up, he posed once more, thinking that this blow would be the last. Smiling, he charged off, a great pounce of victory in his heart…cause he believed that he would…and maybe he could. Kenshin looked straight and then stepped a couple more to evade the weapon that was coming up at him. But he was way too slow, the wolf kicked him, which sent him flying off.

Falling onto the forest floor hard, Kenshin tried to stand up once more, keeping another weight of balance on his sword. Saitoh was about to attack once more but then noticed something in his sudden change.

Minutes ago, that Battousai was weaker but then…now…He looked stronger than before…also tougher. Then, before he knew it, Kenshin was flying seconds into the air, doing his maneuver as he landed down on his opponent. it may be the end…the wolf could be dead. There could be no way that long slash across the chest could be escaped by death…well if ever, this Hajime isn't human. He tucked in his sword in its sheath and then looked across the forest when he began to sense a mysterious ki. Joyful but then at the same time, mad.

"Whoever you are, I suggest you to come out…that's what." The red-head spoke, staring at one spot when he thought 'it' was there. He waited patiently and then suddenly, that someone charged at him with great speed. Cooly, he pushed the weapon aside and then pounced on one side. He observed the attacker seriously.

Just like Saitoh, his hair was on a high ponytail and his uniform was cool as blue. But there was something wrong, his face…it was still smiling. "So, you thought you beat Saitoh-sama like that?" he asked, a grin on his lips.

Himura observed him once more, it was different...something seems to be really wrong. He couldn't describe the kid's next move because of the irritating smile. "Okita Souji…I suppose?" he asked. The younger boy nodded and then posed for his next move. Kenshin got ready too, making his Battou-jutsu and then watched for any possible clues that may help him swipe that smile out of Okita Souji's face.


I ran, looking for any signs my brother or Nataku could be with. I spotted a big tree and something tells me to go forward and stop there. So I did, walking towards the willow and then stopped there for a short break.

There was nothing usual in here, just some ants that traveled towards a dead frog. Somebody must've stepped on it…accidentally. I don't know, I was just here. Something dropped on my right arm, maybe water or something I wouldn't want to touch. Looking up, I saw two images trying to move their way out of something. I took some steps back, and then began to see who it was…this time, it was real.

Two boys were tied to each other on a thick branch of a tree. One of them were struggling to break free from a handkerchief that was wrapped around his mouth. And the other was crying…crying and was staring at me. I recognized the boy from the hair and then a few of his miffs.

It was…

It was…Enishi…

I then began to panic, how do I get them down from there? I don't know how to climb a tree that tall and it's hard for me to climb either…with clothes like these? Hope I'm wearing my jeans! I need help, where? Kenshin? He's busy…we both are.

Searching for another living, I looked all around me, hoping that there are villagers around here in the middle of the night. Yeah, sure! There are going to be men who are here in the middle of the night, wanting to get killed by Kenshin's mortal enemies!

Sigh…wish help was here…

Wish Akira was real…but if he was, then I wouldn't be here, I should've been at home…enjoying very moment.

Woah!

Snap it out, Yukishiro Tomoe…we should go and find some one who could help us bring Enishi and Nataku down from that tree. "Enishi! Nataku!" I shouted to them in a moderate tone, low so that if there are any idiots there outside wouldn't hear me that much. "I have to go and find someone who could help you go down there." Enishi nodded…so did Nataku.

Walking out of the way, I spotted a few blinking shadows on my far left. I searched for a weapon for some guard since it might be a foe. Then the image darted again, it has a long hair and then it wore some kind of long clothing. Might be a lost lady, I thought.

Taking a few steps forward, something tells me that the person looks familiar and that I would be feared to see her. I shrugged that thought off and then continues to approach the spot where she last hid. I felt my heart miss a beat and then another…then the beat went faster.

With the tree a few inches from me, I hesitated to check it out, it could be someone who wants to distract me or something. I shook that off again, and then continued once more to where I was to go. Going nearer to that woman, a heard a scream then that girl charged at me! I couldn't see her face since she was fast…knocking me off and then sitting on top of me.

I concentrated on her face, could be someone I really know…and yes it was.

"Tomoe-san?" she asked, her blue eyes focused on my black orbs. She was about to give me a knock out but then luckily she was able to see me. I was shocked to see who it was at first and then began to think…is this a dream? "Kaoru?" I asked, trying to sit up.


"Kaoru, here." I told her, pointing to the way where Nataku and Enishi were. We stopped in front of the tree, looking up. Kaoru gasped upon seeing the two up there. "Enishi?" she asked, "Is that you?"

My dear brother nodded. Facing her, I began to wonder. How come Kaoru knows him that much? "Kaoru, we have to get them down there." I told her, holding on to her forearm with so much fear. Kaoru shook my hand of her arm and then looked at me. "Don't worry, Tomoe." She replied calmly, "Help is coming…"

"I don't understand, Kaoru." I told her, biting my lower lip. "What do you mean by help?"

A smiled pressed onto her lips, hugging her stomach close to her. I then remembered, Kaoru was pregnant…and the father was the man I loved. "Kenshin's troops are coming…I saw them…" she answered. Joy filled my heart…this whole thing is going to be over? Finally?

We then heard a few rapid footsteps coming our way. I then began to feel scared, it could be that Saitoh's troops coming…and not Kenshin's. I took me some mere minutes before I think twice again and finally, Kaoru was right…Kenshin's troops are coming.

Out of the darkness, I saw a man stepped out of it. His appearance was as cool as ever, I suddenly recognized who it was…Katsura Kogoro. And then a few other Ishinshi soldiers appeared out of the darkness, now I feel proud. Kenshin is not going to suffer anymore…

"Why are you two here?" Katusra asked, shifting coolly to my side. I pointed upwards and then he followed where I was pointing. He held onto his sword and then jumped high, reaching Enishi and Nataku. And then, he came down, with the two in his grasp. As he let go of the two, I hugged Enishi and then removed the cloth that was covering his mouth.

"Who is this kid, Tomoe?" Kaoru asked, removing the irritating ropes off Nataku's body. Nataku looked at Kaoru and then smiled, "I'm a friend of Tomoe oneisan…my name is Nataku." Kaoru nodded, "I see."

Taking off the rope that was on Enishi's wrist's, I kissed the dear brother on the forehead. "Are you okay?" I asked him, taking him in my embrace. He nodded and then hugged me back.

"Where is Himura?" Katsura asked, looking at me. I departed from Enishi and then looked at Katsura as I stood up. My arm embraced Enishi on the back and then looked across the woods. I think I can't describe where he was…but I still know the direction.

"Follow me."


Kenshin was already weak, he lost a lot of blood that time and maybe now he would lose more. Though pain wrapped on his body, he has to fight, and this idiot is making things worse. His cold eyes stared at the boy he was fighting, damn…Saitoh sure knows where to hit the spot.

"Getting weak, Himura?" the boy asked, smiling impishly. He has already hit Battousai in the shoulder and then was aiming for his head. Lifting up the sword he used, he smiled, knowing that triumph was on his side. "With this sword, Battousai." He declared, "I will be able to bring home that triumphant head."

Something was noticed, how come Okita didn't grieve over Saitoh's death? That was weird…or maybe, behind that smile…it was hidden.

"You wish."

The redhead went off, his rapid footsteps silently by passing the younger boy's awareness and then was able to give a hit on the shoulder…back. The boy took steps forward and then smiled as he got up. Kenshin pounced, taking more guard as ever.

"I know what to do now, Battousai." He spoke, rubbing into Kenshin's anger. "I think I'll make you move around more so that you'll die quickly."

Kenshin's eyes opened wide…he was right. If he kept on moving around frequently, then the wound on his stomach could lead his death. He has to think of something that could help him move around without spilling too much bloodshed.

Poor samurai wasn't thinking that much and Okita was able to catch him motionlessly off guard. He was caught there, on his position sitting and panting and thinking off a way. And because of that, Okita gave him a good kick on the back, which sent him flying off the air…and then landing to the hard forest floor.

"Isn't this fun, Himura?" Okita asked, smiling on his victory. Then he charged at Kenshin, who was about to stand up. Luckily, Kenshin was able to block his sword, which left the young boy amused. "That was a great move, Himura." He remarked, pushing the sword to the side. "But you'll die anyway, sooner or later."

Kenshin pushed the idiot off and then gave him a batou-jutsu on the near side. He was able to give the boy's body a long gash across his stomach. Okita pounced on one side and then held on the new wound. He was about to charge once more with that smiling face but then something stopped him to.

He coughed…

And then another sets of cough came…

His mouth poured out blood which left Himura horrified. This kid was sick…and was so determined to fight him?

"It's seems we're going to hell together." The redhead remarked, smirking and then walking towards the younger boy. Okita grinned at him and then gave out a small laugh. "I think I'll be joining hell with you." he replied, "Meaning, you go first."

There was a smile on Okita's lips…different from the other smiled he encountered. Meaning…there was something wrong…and coming, fast.

Kenshin then felt someone rush behind him…it was coming towards him…fast. Looking back, someone was trying another charge at him. But it was too late…the blade were a few inches away from him and it was aimed to his heart.

Everything turned white for Himura Kenshin…and for the person who saved his life.

Thanks for the reviews though! What do you think will happen to Kenshin? And who is this person? GASP!