Divine Commiseration

Chapter 8: Two Pieces of a Whole

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rurouni Kenshin, including the amazing sword prodigy, Sou-chan!

Author's Note:

Sorry for the late update, everyone! My vacation was fine, plenty of fun, although somewhat tiring. I was exhausted when we finally got home. I almost fell over dead when I climbed the stairs and got into my room. Finally, I got into my room, back to my table, got to my laptop, and... INTERNET! Yes! I can type and write and everything! Everybody cheer!

All the same, this chapter is going to very anti-climatic. And I mean, really, really climatic... ish. Although there isn't a lot of Soujiro/Misao interaction (okay, so there is none), we will still see a lot of them... apart. And a lot, lot, lot of Soujiro. He was my number one priority this chapter, and I had to write him good. If he seems a little scary, good. He's reverting to the Tenken, you see, like Kenshin reverts to the Battousai. They both have nicknames! Teehee. I didn't notice that before. Okay, before I scare you guys with another Chapter 1-like author note, enjoy!

Seta Soujiro didn't quite know what he was feeling at the moment. A dull sense of excitement, as if he was just about the plunge in the sword. It was amazing... Adrenaline ran through his veins

He thought of how he had left Makimachi Misao, the girl who had innocently planted the seeds of corruption into his mind. How was he to know... A small, tiny female, someone he had never expected to do this had done it. In an ironic sense, it reminded himself of... well, him, as a killer.

Those guards that had seen him with a bloody sword never even thought that he had been the one to take the life. They just looked at his childish smile and asked if he had seen anyone with a bloody sword. For a moment, he bet that if he had held the bloody sword, they would still think that he found it on the ground.

Ah... The pleasures of not looking your age, of being able to hide in the oasis of a smile.

It was as if something was taking over him. Someone does, every time he is feeling the foreshadowing of a battle. Like... It was like he held a soul in his hand. If it would run away from his Shukuchi in time, it would survive.

It never had. Not yet, at least.

As he sped back to Mr. Hiei for the battle that would change his life, his thoughts never seemed to stop running by her. The way her eyes sparkled, so unlike his. The way annoyance crept into her voice like he crept onto his victims. How every little thing she did was unlike him, unlike his thoughts, unlike his philosophy.

It was enough to drive him a little mad.

He forced himself to think about Himura, the man he was about to face off. He forced himself to wipe his emotions clean and grasp every memory he had about the red-haired man, the number one assassin during the revolution.

Soujiro couldn't help feeling a tad bit of disappointment as he remembered their first battle. How easy he had been to read! And his whole 'no-killing' thought process? Perhaps that had been it. He wasn't used to someone who hadn't killed before.

Hell, he was sure that all of the people in the Juppon Gatana had killed before, or at least ordered them killed. Or both, in Shishio-san's case. Even Yumi-san... A memory brushed his cheek as he remembered how Yumi had told him once, when the client who had ordered her Oiran duties, didn't pay. She had told him, with flashing eyes, how she had taken the silver pin that was securing her hair and plunged it into his chest, then stabbed him repeatedly with it, on the forehead, into stomach, anything she thought was vital.

Soujiro stiffened a giggled. The method was clumsy, but creative. And it definitely signaled that she was not to be angered.

Once again returning to the thoughts of Himura, he grew serious once more. The angry ki he had felt rising off of him had been reckless—and if he had his prized sword, the man wouldn't be breathing. The strength of the sword, combined with the air pressure, would have not only broken his reverse blade sword—and splatter the rest of the metal into his body, lodging in his chest. From there, the metal shards would bury into his lungs. A slow, painful death would have ensued.

That was why he had the Kiki Uchi Monji today, so he could make sure that Himura would be taken care of.

The wind caressed his dark brown hair, it fluttering, teasing his pale cheeks, until he could slow down. Going from step two speed to a complete stop wasn't an easy task, but he had mastered it enough so that he would easily lose Himura in battle.

He walked under the six arches and entered the mountain cave. With a practiced air, he walked into Shishio's main room. There, Shishio sat, Yumi at his side. For the first time, he looked at Shishio without the glorified adoration in his eyes. For the first time, he saw the man who had raised him, taught him to be a killer... And, for the first time, wanted to thank him endlessly, with the utmost sincerity and gratitude.

Without Shishio Makoto, where would he be now? Dead, or perhaps still slave to that so-called family of his? It should have been strange to him that after all these years, he still called them his family.

He bowed down his head respectfully in a slight nod. "Shishio-san!" Another one of his faked smiles. His emotions were gone once more, locked away in the more human part of him. "The Battousai, Saitou Hajime, and Zanza should arrive here momentarily. Anji and Usui are already in their rooms. Shinomori Aoshi is in Hoji-san's office," he quickly rattled off.

Shishio Makoto's eyes were burning with the infamous fires of hell. Red, crimson, so like the blood he spilled as the Battousai's heir. The bandages wrapped around him were a sort of threat that to kill him, the killer would have to do more than burning him. His body was rigid to a swordsman's eyes, but his posture was simply one of regularity.

"They're preparing for the final match, I suppose. And you, Soujiro?" The deep voice could not be read.

His lips stretched out into an innocent grin. "I was ready since that moment you took me as a student, Shishio-san."

Shishio nodded, satisfied with the answer, then smirked, a smile of his own. "You know that after this, Soujiro, you'll not only be my right hand, but the second strongest man in the world?"

Soujiro's eyes brushed over the whole room, drinking it in. "Yes, Shishio-san." His smile grew a bit smaller, but the same look was still on his face—void of all emotion, but with one could still sense child-like innocence.

Shishio turned his head to Yumi, who was softly stroking his bandaged face. "Yumi, you know what to do."

Soujiro knew that it was soon. The inevitable. Yumi would act as guild to the three men coming to fight them... one who would most likely duel with him. After every fight Battousai had, Yumi would send a telegraph to Shishio, telling him of all the Battousai's techniques.

Yumi nodded, her face falling into a mix of excitement and... was it dread? He knew that Yumi had never had any feelings of adoration of battle. She didn't care who died, who fought, as long Shishio remained victorious. It was almost something he wished he could do... Blind eyes turned towards everything, but triumph.

Shishio looked back to him. "Soujiro, let me see your sword."

Soujiro instantly handed over his sword, the white handled Kiki Uchi Monji.

Slowly sliding the sword out of it's smooth, laquer-like scabbard, he stared into the blade that already taken so many lives.

In a soft voice, he started commenting on the sword. "You know already, Soujiro, that this sword is a work of art. Perfectly balanced. The blade sharp, but light, excellent for pulling it out of the scabbard without harming the blade or the user. You have never been cut by this sword... Your best weapon..."

The boy-not-yet-man nodded slowly. He already knew this about his prized sword. "Yes, Shishio-san," he repeated.

Shishio slammed the blade back into the sheath. "Kill Battousai with it, Soujiro. Make sure that I didn't give you this blade in vain."

Vaguely, Soujiro wondered what Shishio was thinking that second. He didn't have the time to think, or ponder uselessly. "Yes, Shishio-san. This will be the first step towards your complete victory." The words were something that he hadn't expected to say, but what did it matter at the moment?

"Then go. You may watch the fights, but be in your room before the Battousai reaches it." The handed the sword back.

As Soujiro turned to go, one last request was heard from Shishio Makoto, the era's devil.

"And Soujiro... When you defeat the Battousai, be sure to remember what his face looked like. I want to hear you describe it."

Soujiro beamed, his trademark smile masking the rolling stomach and slight excitement. "I'll make sure of it, Shishio-san. Thank you."

And with that remark, he walked out of the room and into his future.

The occupants of the Aoiya grimly looked outside the window towards the small portion of Shishio's army. Before he had left, Kenshin had already warned them that Shishio might attack them...

Kamiya Kaoru, already in her kendo practicing uniform, looked towards the other seven people in front of her. "What are we going to do...?"

Okina nodded, his eyes clouding with worry. "Without Misao, we have even a less of a chance of beating them."

Okon sniffed, tears rising again to her eyes. "What happened to our Misao-chan, anyway?! Did... Did Shishio really think she was really that much of a threat?"

"If she knew, I think she would have took that in pride..." Okina looked out once more, then hardened his voice. "It doesn't matter... We have to win today. Then we can look for Misao-chan. It's the only way..."

Seven determined voices quickly answered.

They were all resolute in their answer. "For Misao!"

It had already been hours... Soujiro had watched as the three men had arrived, how Yumi had led them through the maze that was the entrance, and had arrived at the first room.

Anji's.

Zanza had quickly stepped up. The irony was so thick, Soujiro mused that he could cut it with any sword. It was enough to make him laugh.

He had seen the two exchanging blows, their punches smashing on the other's body. To this he had shaken his head in disappointment. They had no speed or grace of a swordsman, something he wished they had for a proper show.

It was by a stroke of luck that the lanky man talked Anji into 'seeing the errors of his ways', and into his defeat. If he didn't have that mouth, those acting skills, he would be like the statues Anji practiced on.

Soujiro had been overjoyed when he witnessed the Mibu Wolf's ultimate attack, and in all four versions. His Gatotsu in zero stance had been unexpected—and welcomed.

And to see Usui, that blind fool who challenged Shishio-san so openly, being plastered against the wall—it was the most pleasant surprise he had witnessed in a long time.

Sure, when Usui had blabbed on and on about how great his so-called ability to read minds, he had been bored to tears. As much as he would have loved to hear about Usui's famous Shingun, it had been nothing compared to the fight between Anji and Zanza. All the same... When the blood started spilling, his excitement had been running.

And now.. The moment where Himura Battousai would fight was so close, he could nearly taste it. He would finally be able to see him fighting another, and not only would that be to his advantage, he would also get to see a free show.

Sure, Shinomori Aoshi had once been defeated by Himura before, but now... He nearly cackled with glee at how dark and blank his eyes were now. He had even gone after Okina, and tried to kill him.

Sadly enough, the old man was still alive, but he supposed that he couldn't complain. It was enough that he actually made an effort to kill Okina, and could have. Wounding him that severely was good enough for Soujiro...

He watched Himura walk into the office, his face twisting in displeasure as he saw Zanza well enough to carry Yumi so indecently. No matter what, Yumi was still a mother figure to him, and he knew that she was... well, unhappy would be an understatement. Perhaps he should cut him down...

No matter. He had seen the look on Himura's face as he entered the office...

Well, let the games begin.

Makimachi Misao was out of breath from trying to hide from the busy citizens of Kyoto. No matter what, they should not see her.

After the attempted arson on the town earlier, most of them knew her. And most of them had probably heard about how she was missing, too.

'No point raising an alarm...' she thought to herself quickly.

Luckily, her kempo training had taught her to be silent and to be able to hide her warrior ki relatively well. Perhaps not as well as Soujiro, but...

She mentally wacked herself. She could not afford to think about the smiling Tenken at the moment. Not if she wanted to help her friends in time...

When she finally arrived just outside the Aoiya, she nearly stopped dead in her tracks. Already, everyone was fighting.

And they seemed to be losing.

Rage filled her senses. Not... Not if she was around... Nobody, nobody at all, would hurt her friends. Not now, not ever. As long as she was there...

Makimachi Misao, Okashira to the elite clan of ninjas, the Oniwa Banshu, had arrived...

And she was ready to kick villain butt.

Ending Note:

Sorry for the shorter chapter, all, but I felt as if I needed to stop there for dramatic effect. It would fit well, after all. Still, I promise the next chapter out soon. I'm getting work to it immediately, and it should be relatively easy to write. Hope to see all of you soon!

Oh, one last note, or translation. The Gotatsu is Saitou's ultimate attack. It comes in four stances, which I am too lazy to name, but the zero stance is the most secret. Also, the Kiki Uchi Monji is Soujiro's best and ultimate sword (though he has another one... I forget its name). Sorry for not explaining that earlier. Kempo is the martial arts skills that Hannya (the guy in the Oniwa Banshu with the mask) had been a master at. He taught Misao at a young age how to hide her spirit from less experienced warriors. An Oiran is, really, an expensive prostitute. That's what Yumi was before she met Shishio. Anything else? If you have more questions, ask in a review or an e-mail! I love feedback!

And PS: More review=More inspiration. You guys know what inspiration means, right? Also, they make me happy. Happy=I'll update the chapter when I'm done with not, not after I 'feel like it'. grin

Responses to Reviews:

JMeg: You think so? I hoped you guys would like that part, though I was extremely disappointed when I wrote it. I really didn't want to write it, to be honest. In truth, I didn't want much fluff yet... And I fear I've angered another reader. shiver Well, enough with the regret! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and sorry for the very little Sou/Mi interaction!

SoraKoi: If that little lateness didn't bother you, I hoped this one didn't either! I was on vacation, but now the inspiration runs freely around! Oh, and by the way, would you be interested in a Cyborg 009 Fanfiction Contest? Please join my Yahoo!Group, Cyborg 009 Fanfictions (find the link on my bio), for more details, and so you can vote and nominate if there is a contest!

GoldAngel2: Did you know, yours was the response I waited most for? I was trembling in fear because I worried that you wouldn't approve of the last chapter—and I still hope you don't. I tried to make Soujiro and Misao as in character as possible, even if it meant giving up a chance to just let them kiss and get married or whatever. I agree with you! Anji's story was really sad, too. When I watched that episode, I was ready to cry—or get a carton of ice cream for comfort. Thanks again for the episodes—I'll be home on the 23rd, which is much later than I would have liked, but, well, you can't have anything, can you? Thanks for all the support—you're the best! PS: Nocturne is to be updated soon; a guilt triggered inspiration spree started by Lara (M-X). Thank her!

Nakashima-Michiyo: I'm glad someone enjoyed that somewhat fluffy moment back there! I couldn't resist, though my writing muse screamed out against it. Oh well. shrug Here's the newest chapter, and sorry for not updating when I was on vacation! Sorry about the short chapter... It's already 1000 words longer than my usual. Thanks anyway!

Charming Woman: I'm glad I got a new reader, and that she approves! The last chapter was, although somewhat hard to write, one that I definitely enjoyed to as a reader. Glad you like this story!

ZeonReborn: I'm happy you approve so far. I've taken (at great boredom) all the liberties I could to re-watch, re-watch, and re-watch episodes, and make them fit. Thanks for the review!

XT-Zealot: I understand—take this two week vacation for instance. Sometimes a writer just needs to drop everything, lay on the couch... and watch some quality TV. Get that chapter out! This one is—so it's a deal!

Twilight Sky: You'll be going to Hong Kong? I went to LA, and then Las Vegas. You cooked a dinner dish?! Amazing! You'll be amazed to hear this—I made one perfect omelette! Sure, it was breaking off at the centers where I couldn't flip it, and it needed a little bit of salt, but I made it! It's amazing beyond belief! 'Course... We shall not mention the other omelette—May it rest in piece after setting off the smoke detector. grin Glad you enjoyed the last chapter! Talk to you soon!

Leishe: I'm glad you enjoyed that bit with Soujiro and Misao, though writing it made me cringe. Yes, we all know what happens at the battle—but you guys don't know what happens to Kaoru and Misao yet. I think. smiles evilly

Tenken's Lover: Glad you liked that separation scene! That scene actually took me the longest to write—and it caused the most cringes and headaches. Still, I guess you can't be happy with everyone, can you? I did have a fun vacation—thank you! Here's the newest chapter! Enjoy!

KRN-CHAN: This chapter nearly made you cry? I hoped that it was dramatic, but not that dramatic! Oh well! Thank you to your friends and yourself, of course! You guys are great—and I'm glad all of you are enjoying the story! Well, hope you enjoyed the newest chapter, and again, thanks for your support!

Marilda24: whew! I was hoping that this story would be original, and you just convinced me that it is! Thanks for reviewing!

MSN-CHAN: Sorry for the late update! I hope you liked this chapter, even though it is so late. All the same, thank you for your support! You rock!