The Frog Swordsman
Part Six
By Maria Cline
The frog flew through the air. At first, he couldn't think of anything other than that his best friend had just tossed him like a ball. Then, his mind kicked in and he managed to caught himself on a branch. After a struggle, he pulled himself up onto a thick branch on a tall tree. He stared down at the ground. It was high up and not even he could handle such a fall. The frog couldn't help at the irony that the same man who could jump up mountains in a heart beat have trouble with a small tree. Of course, he had to deal with many things since he turned into a frog so long ago.
"Kenshin!"
Kenshin hopped down the branch to see Kaoru running around looking on the ground. Kaoru was searching for him, no doubt she wanted to make sure he was dead. He couldn't blame her for hating him for all the blood that was on his hands. All of a sudden, he sensed a strong power coming up. Kenshin stared down to see a tall burly man with a huge sword smirking at Kaoru. He could smell the blood on the man's sword, he knew who he was. He was the imposter.
Helplessly, Kenshin watched the imposter and Kaoru fight. Kaoru was good but she was weaker and armed with only a wooden sword. The huge man slashed at her and she dodged it only to get it in the arm. Kenshin's heart pounded as he studied the situation. The imposter raised his sword at her ready for a final strike. No matter how much Kaoru hated him now, he cannot let her die. Letting out a war ribbit he jumped down and landed on the imposter's head.
The imposter jumped as he felt something slimy on his head. "What the?" He swung his free hand at the slimy thing only to see it jumped down onto the ground.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru gasped in shock at her very unlikely savior.
"Stupid frog." The imposter said as he came up. "I'LL SQUISH YOU!" He stomped at the frog only to miss. Kenshin bounded up the legs bouncing from one to the other. The imposter tried to catch him again and again but he missed every time. Finally, the frog made a huge leap and bite the imposter's most (ahem) sensitive area.
"YEEEEEOOOOWWWWW!!! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" The imposter screamed as he tried to pull the frog off. Kenshin bit even harder as the imposter used every ounce of his strength to save his body part.
Kaoru picked up her bokken again and slammed the man on the head. He fell over just as the other fighters came up to see the Imposter Battousai lying on the ground in pain with a frog still biting down on his you know what.
"About time you got here." Kaoru said as she glared at them. "I nearly died."
"We came as quickly as we could." Oolock said as he stared at the scene.
"Well, he's hurt now." Kaoru picked up the sword and tossed it to the side. She knelt down next to Kenshin and said, "Kenshin, you can let go now."
The frog looked at his friend and opened his jaw. He spat several times and then said to the prone swordsman, "If you kill anyone using the Battousai name again, I will chomp that off completely."
"All right…" The man moaned as he sat up while rubbing his wound.
From behind Oolock, Aoshi appeared and stared at the scene. He glanced at the frog with his ice blue eyes. "You again?"
Kenshin looked up at Aoshi and nodded. "Hai, Aoshi-san."
"You know him?" Oolock asked the ninja.
"We… crossed paths before." Aoshi replied and then stared at the fake Battousai. "This man murdered many people recently; I can smell the fresh blood. However, the real Battousai was far better and killed far more people. He is a murderer but he is just some assassin wannabe."
"Okay! Toss this guy in the dungeon and get him interrogated." Oolock ordered as the other soldiers jumped on the imposter and chained him up. The security chief looked at Kaoru who was bandaging herself. "And someone help this woman before she bleeds to death."
"I'm fine, really." Kaoru winced slightly as she saw her blood trickle down to the ground.
"I don't think so." An old man said as he came up with a medicine bag and treated her wound. "You were very brave to face that madman alone. I am Dr. Gensai."
"Thanks, Dr. Gensai." Kaoru looked at Kenshin who was sitting to the side. Then, she looked at the doctor who was healing her arm with some magic salve. "Doctor, I know this will sound crazy but can you check on Kenshin, my frog over there. I… accidentally throw him and he could be hurt."
"Of course." The old man came up to the frog who was washing his face. "Hello, Kenshin. I heard you were quite a hero."
The frog looked up at the doctor. "I… just wished to protect Kaoru-dono. I did what any other frog would do."
"You are very modest. Let me check you." The man knelt down and picked up the frog. With gentle fingers, he felt the frog's skin and Kenshin tensed up in pain.
"Is he okay?" Kaoru asked worried.
"Some bruising and maybe a strained muscle but nothing a good rest in a cool bowl of water won't cure. You must remember that frogs are frail and you cannot toss them around like that." Dr. Gensai said as he gave the frog back to Kaoru.
"Hai, I'll remember." Kaoru held the frog in her hands.
"Oh, here's your reward." Oolock held up a bag of gold to give to Kaoru. Before she could refuse, the burly man walked off. Soon, everyone else left leaving Kaoru and Kenshin alone.
Kaoru put the money down. She didn't take down the imposter, Kenshin did. "Kenshin… I…" Her throat choked up as tears threatened to come down her cheeks.
The frog stared up at her and then hopped out of her lap. "Kaoru-dono, forgive me for deceiving you. I never wanted to hurt you or make you sad. I don't blame you for hating me for what I did. I will leave now. I just wanted to protect you one last time." The frog started to hop away when Kaoru got up and wiped her tears away.
"KENSHIN YOU IDIOT!"
The frog turned around confused. "Oro?"
The woman knelt down and picked up the frog. She held him to her chest. "Kenshin, you are my best friend. I don't care if you were the Battousai. I should be the one to apologize to you for throwing you like that and saying all those mean things about you. I want to help you like you helped me. Tell me, how can I help you get back to being a normal man again?"
Kenshin stared at her. He could tell that she was sincere. For the first time since he had been cursed, someone wanted to help him. "I… I really don't know. The one who did this hated me. She didn't want any chance for me to get back to normal so she never told me."
"That's weird. I thought witches blabbed to the victim what the cure is." Kaoru pondered as she rubbed his head.
"No, what she did was very personal. That one armed man you were talking to earlier was her step brother and they work together." Kenshin explained.
"That's it!" Kaoru stood up and held the frog in the air. "All we have to do is find Enishi and his stepsister and get them to reverse the curse!"
"Kaoru-dono, no!"
"What? Don't you want to be human again?" Kaoru stared at her froggy friend.
"Yes, I do want to be human but I can't let you suffer for me. Rose Red and Enishi hate me and had done a lot to curse me into this form. Enishi had even sacrificed his left arm just so the spell can't be reversed by normal means. That's why a kiss won't work." Kenshin explained as he tensed up.
"Come on. How long have you been a frog?"
The frog looked around and counted. "Let's see… I believe it has been ten years."
The woman fell over and exclaimed, "Ten years?! Do frogs even live that long? How did you survive?"
"I… was creative." Kenshin said.
"Then, they must be over it by now. If we can just find them and tell them how you changed, then they will help you out. I mean, what could you have possibly done that would force them to turn you into a frog?" Kaoru asked out loud.
"Ruined their lives." Kenshin replied.
Kaoru blinked at him. She want to know so much more but the frog tensed up. "Well, it's getting late and we need to get some sleep. Maybe we can find out more tomorrow." Kaoru said as she walked back to the cottage with Kenshin in her hands.
The rooster crowed and Kaoru yawned as she opened her eyes. The woman put on her bathrobe and looked down to see Kenshin sitting on the window still. If it weren't for the ache in her arm, she could've sworn that last night was a bizarre dream. "Good morning, Kenshin."
"Good morning, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin said as he bowed his head.
"How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?" Kaoru asked as she picked up the frog and examined him.
"No. I'm fine. I'm a fast healer." Kenshin confessed as he fidgeted.
"Good." The woman put Kenshin on the table and went to the other room to change. She came back dressed in a kimono rather than her usual gi and hakama. "Now, as soon as we eat, we can find Enishi and his sister."
"Kaoru-dono! No! They will kill you or worse!" Kenshin pleaded as he hopped to the edge of the table.
"Oh please, what can they do to me?"
The frog looked to the side and replied, "Turn you into a hawk and have you eat me."
The girl paled at the idea of eating her best friend. "Well, maybe if we're nice to them about it. Let me find them first." The woman held up her gold ball necklace and chanted, "Golden ball tell me where Enishi is."
The ball blinked and revealed static. "Magic ball error. Please restart and try again later." It said.
"Argh! It never works when I need it to." Kaoru scowled as she put it away. "Well, someone like Enishi can't be too hard to spot." The woman picked up Kenshin and put him in her pouch.
Kaoru gazed out at the vast streets and saw a long line of anxious bare footed women. "What's going on?" The exiled prince asked as she came up to another woman in the line.
"Haven't you heard? The prince is having a slipper fitting competition. Whoever's foot fits the slipper gets to marry the prince! Now, get back to the end of the line!" The woman said as she shoved Kaoru to the side.
"Slipper fitting competition?" Kaoru repeated as she walked down the line to see a huge stage with Prince Rudolf kneeling down with a familiar slipper in his hand. "MY SLIPPER! THAT GUY HAS MY SLIPPER!" Kaoru marched up to the stage with her bokken in hand.
"Please go back to the line." A guard said as he held up his sword.
Another guard looked at her and said, "Hey, isn't it that guy who had beaten the Battousai?"
The first guard nodded and looked at Kaoru. "Yeah, but he really wear a kimono good."
A bright red aura overcame the woman as she jumped onto the stage. "YOU IDIOT! I AM A WOMAN AND THAT'S MY SLIPPER!"
"Princess Kaoru?" Prince Rudolf asked as he stood up. "Well, it has been a long time. I nearly didn't recognize you."
"Hai." Kaoru marched up and took the slipper from the prince.
"Wait, you have to try it on." Prince Rudolf said as he pointed to the slipper.
"Okay." The woman put on the slipper and held it out. "It fits, happy?"
"It fits! She's going to marry the prince!" A woman in front screamed. At once, everyone cheered and applauded. Kaoru fell over with her feet in the air.
Unseen by anyone, Enishi and Rose were walking by. The man glanced at the stage and muttered, "Looks like they found a match."
"Awww… I was hoping to try the slipper myself." Rose said as they walked on.
"Women." Enishi rolled his eyes as they went into a building.
"I wasn't at the Ball! I was part of security! I loaned my slippers to another girl!" Kaoru yelled as smoke came out of her ears.
"She's right. I saw her and her frog taking down the murderer." Oolock confirmed.
"Well, where is the other girl?" Prince Rudolf asked as he pouted.
"Well, I don't know but I can find out." Kaoru said as she tapped on her shoe. "These are magic slippers. If one is separated from the other, they will be attracted to each other. It's really handy when they got lost especially when my sister borrows them." The woman said as she walked to the right.
"Impressive." Prince Rudolf said as he followed her. Oolock followed the prince and the curious women followed the two. Soon, Kaoru was leading an interesting parade of people down the road.
Kaoru felt the slipper tugging her foot as she went towards a huge house with a garden in front. She pointed her foot towards it and nodded. "This is it."
"Who lives here?" Prince Rudolf asked the crowd of women.
"That is my house! We were in line! My daughter, Betty, was the one with the slipper." A middle aged woman in fine clothes said as she pushed a pair of younger girls forward. They looked normal except for the thick makeup and fake looking wigs.
Kaoru frowned at the two. "I never met you three before. The girl I was talking to was smaller."
"Then, you must be mistaken because I have no other daughters." The woman said as she crossed her arms.
"Oh please!" The group looked around then saw a weasel came forward. A poof of smoke surrounded the animal to reveal Misao naked. "Just because I'm not your daughter by blood doesn't mean that I'm not your daughter!" The girl yelled as she grabbed a sheet and wrapped it around her body.
"How did you get out of that cellar?" Betty asked.
"Shhh!" Betty's mother shushed as she put her hand over Betty's mouth.
"I used my secret ninja trick." Misao said as she came forward and then held out a glass slipper. "Here's your slipper, Kaoru. I couldn't find you at midnight."
"That's okay." Kaoru put on the slipper and the pair let out a flash of light.
"You are the lady I saw! Marry me and live in a glorious palace!" Prince Rudolf gushed as he gave a bouquet of roses to Misao.
Misao stepped back in shock. This man was not the same as before. There was something strange about him. "I can't marry you! I want to be a ninja!"
"Not bad for someone who had never been formally trained."
The group looked to see Aoshi leaning next to a wall. "Aoshi?!" Kaoru exclaimed.
"Aoshi-sama!" Misao gushed as she ran up and bowed. "I've been looking for you! Wait a second, you seem familiar somehow."
"We'll talk in private when you are more… clothed." Aoshi said as he gestured to Misao's lack of apparel.
"Inside! Now!" Kaoru opened the door and had Misao's stepmother and stepsisters, Prince Rudolf, Aoshi, and Misao enter the house. Oolock stayed outside to protect them.
"What is going on? Why is that prince acting like he has half a brain?" Misao demanded as she pointed to the prince.
"She may look nice but her voice is high." Prince Rudolf said as he studied her.
"The prince you met wasn't him."
Kaoru opened the pouch and got out Kenshin.
"Ew! It's a frog!" Geena, Betty's sister said as the two cringed.
"Get that creature out!" Misao's stepmother demanded.
"Forget it! He stays." Kaoru held the frog to her chest protectively.
"What do you mean?" Misao asked as she stared at Kenshin.
Kenshin looked up at Aoshi. "A person poses as the target to draw the attacker away. It's one of the oldest bodyguard tricks in the book. Aoshi was Prince Rudolf."
"That is correct and I know of Misao's desire to become a ninja." Aoshi said as he nodded.
"So, will you let me?" Misao asked as her eyes widened.
The tall man came up to her and stared with intense eyes. "The life of a ninja is not easy. You will be forced to train constantly both physically and mentally. You will live a life of illusion and shadows. Do you still want that life?"
"Yes."
"You can do what you want with her. Her ninja hobby was becoming a pain to us." The stepmother waved her hand.
"Thank you." Misao jumped as she giggled.
Misao and the others gathered in the castle room. The girl was dressed in a dark blue ninja outfit with her hair in a braid. "It looks good on you." Kaoru complimented as she looked at her.
"Thanks. You and Kenshin have been the best! I can finally do what I want. How can I ever repay you?" Misao sighed as she got out her kunai.
"It's nothing really. I'm just glad to help out." The slightly older woman smiled.
"How can a mercenary fighter like you have such magical stuff like the slippers?"
"I got it from my family. It's helpful." Kaoru replied as fingered her necklace.
"That's so cool and did you get that talking frog from your family too?"
Kaoru looked at Kenshin who was sleeping in his bowl. She couldn't blame him, so much happened today. "No, we met at a lake. Actually, he was a man turned into a frog but he's not a prince. I'm going to help him get back to being a guy again."
"That's so sweet. Maybe if I hear anything, I can tell you." Misao offered.
"Thanks."
Aoshi came out of the shadows and said, "Misao-chan, Kaoru, Kenshin, come with me."
"Uh… sure." Misao said as Kaoru picked up Kenshin and then followed the ninja.
They walked through the dark hallways and went down the spiraling staircase. Finally, they came up to a sign that said, 'Torture chambers. Tips accepted."
Aoshi opened up the door to reveal the imposter Battousai chained up. Oolock came up to the group. "This guy hasn't talked. We need your help again."
"Of course." Aoshi took off his white coat and handed it to Misao. "Hold this. I want you to observe what I am going to do. Stay quiet, I will need my concentration." He came up to the prisoner who spat at him.
"You can't make me talk, ninja boy!" The murderer laughed as he stared at him.
Silently, Aoshi rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward. He clasped his hands of the imposters head and focused. "My mind if your mind, your mind is my mind. Reveal everything to me."
The imposter's eyes glazed over. "Yes, Master."
"What is your name?"
"Gohei."
"Why did you take the name 'Battousai'?"
"I… I was ordered to find the witch that cursed my master out and kill the princess."
"Which princess?"
"The exiled princess Kaoru. I thought if I killed everyone at the Ball, I could get her."
Kaoru gasped as her heart pounded. This madman was sent to kill her? All those innocent people died because of her?
"Who is the witch?"
"The Red Witch. My master was cursed by her."
"Who is your master?" Aoshi asked as he focused harder.
"I… I…" Gohei tensed up as sweat came down his head. "NO!!!" Aoshi jumped back just as Gohei's body exploded in fire.
"Damn it." Aoshi muttered as he got up and brush the ashes off of his body.
"I didn't know ninjas can do that." Kaoru said stunned.
"We can't. Someone had placed some type of curse on him to stop him from saying too much." Aoshi explained as he frowned at Kaoru. "You are in danger."
"I know but so is my family. Something happened back home and I have to know!" Kaoru screamed.
"Don't worry, we'll find out." The ninja promised, "Just don't go anywhere. Your life is in danger."
"…"
Kaoru lay in her bed. She and Kenshin was in a royal guest room with body guards at the doors and windows. The fancy bed was nice and fluffy with the finest silks for blankets and yet she couldn't sleep. "Kaoru-dono, are you okay?" Kenshin asked as he got out of his bowl and hopped towards her.
"No." The woman sighed as she stared up at the ceiling. "I am having nightmares of my palace in ashes and some monster on the throne. I know that I'm exiled by I'm still a princess and I have a duty. If something happens…"
"You will endure. You are a strong woman and if anyone can help your kingdom, it is you. I just wish I can help you with your problem."
"Oh Kenshin, you silly frog, you are helping me just by being here. But, no matter what happens, I will still find a way to get you back to normal." The woman smiled as she picked up the frog and held him.
"You do not have to."
"I want to."
"Oh."
All of a sudden, the door opened and Oolock barged in. "Princess! Come to the chambers now!"
"Huh?" Kaoru put on her robe and with Kenshin still in her hands, she followed the huge man. Anxiously, she ran to the chambers where a worn out man lie on a cot with a pair of crying girls she recognized.
"Ayame-chan?! Suzume-chan?!"
The two girls paused and looked up at Kaoru. "Princess!" They wailed at once as they came up and hugged her.
"It's okay." Kaoru comforted as she held them. She glanced at Kenshin who just nodded. "Oh, why don't you play with my friend for a while? His name is Kenshin."
"Hello." Kenshin said as Kaoru held him out.
Suzume wiped her tears and stared at him. "You can talk?"
"Hai."
"Are you a prince?" Ayame asked as she picked him up.
"No I am not one."
"Hee hee…. He's funny." Suzume giggled as took him from her sister.
Kaoru sighed in relief as she looked at her old friend. "What happened to you."
"We were kicked out." Arthur said as he held his side.
"Arthur, who did this to you?"
"A fire demon came out of nowhere. He burned the fields, destroyed everything, and took over the castle. Your father fought hard but…"
"Is he dead?" Kaoru whispered as tears came down her face.
The man shook his head. "He was tossed into a deep pit with your mother. I wanted to stay and fight but I had to find you. You must get your brother and sister and save us all, please!"
Kaoru clenched her fist as she got up. It all became clear to her. Her father didn't banish her as punishment but as protection. He had to have known somehow about this attack so he sent his family away to save them. Now, with her father and mother in danger and her kingdom in ruins, she had to make sure his sacrifice was not in vain. "Of course."
To Be Continued...