Author's Note: As I promised a swift update—thank the muse who just took off and gave me the visions and scenes and with that inspiration my fingers just flew over the keyboard. A big thanks to my anime bud RedLion2 who just gave birth to her daughter and gave me the idea for Kaoru's giving birth, which I felt was more in line with her character. And the attacks were gleaned from the manga volumes 12 and 15. Thanks to all the readers (5956) and reviewers.
Glossary of Japanese terms and attacksKuzu Ryu Sen—the attack from the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu that hits the nine major areas on the body: karatake, kesagiri, sakagesa, migi-nagi, hidari-nagi, migi-kiriage, hidari-kiriage, sakakaze, and tsuki.
Amakakeru Ryu No Hirameki—the ultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, which is the above attack combined with the added increased speed of the sword draw that creates a vacuum that draws the victim in, with no chance of evading the hit or escape.
Jigan-ryu—is an attack that combines multiple slashes, part of satsujin-ken, which are swords that bring death.
Jodan no Kamae—a kenjutsu stance that has the sword held above the head.
Chudan no Kamae—another kenjutsu stance, only with the sword held at a side angle aimed for the head and torso.
WELCOME KENJI
Kaoru began to pant as another pain hit her. She screamed as she sank down and grabbed at her belly, feeling movement and another contraction, signifying the arrival of her child. . . .
Kaoru was breathing heavily as Shura leaned over and asked, "Are you certain?"
She nodded as she rasped, "Megumi-san told me what to expect before birth. I just lost my water, which is the first sign. And she told me after that the baby could come at any time so I'm sure."
Nodding Shura took a deep breath herself as she got up steadily in the pitching and looked around for any clean cloth, a torn sail, anything that would provide a clean place for Kaoru to give birth and to keep the baby from becoming dirty. She then spotted a chest in the far corner but first she pushed the corpse of Kagesu to the side, clearing the path and getting it out of the way from where the birth of Himura's child was happening. The juxtiposition of new life and death was too grisly to allow. She then picked up a sack and covered the cold form and continued her mission, heading to the chest to rummage through. She pushed aside books and papers impatiently as she came to some bolts of silk, probably some samples purloined from a merchant or taken from a destroyed mill storehouse. But the origin was unimportant as Shura gathered the bolts and hurried over to the wall where Kaoru was sitting with her head hanging and in evident distress.
Shura put the bolts down and glancing about, she spied a torn but relatively clean sail. She reached down and grabbed the sun-bleached canvas, thinking it a bit coarse but better than the filthy sacks or worse, the floor. She arranged the canvas like a futon in a manner to cushion the hard and rough wood then satisfied headed back to the mother-to-be.
Leaning down she asked, "Can you stand up?"
Kaoru raised her head and nodded as she gazed numbly at the head of the Kairyu. "Why? Where are we going?"
Wordlessly, Shura took hold of her elbow and with the other arm encircled Kaoru's waist as she helped her to her feet then guided her to the makeshift futon. Once there, Shura gently but firmly urged Kaoru to lay down and then fluffed up the canvas behind her to give her some leverage. As she reclined it was becoming obvious to Kaoru that the female pirate knew what she was doing.
As she settled in Kaoru remarked with a weak smile, "You seem to know what to do, Shura-san. Have you done this before?"
"Hai," was the short answer as Shura made some further adjustments to the canvas then spread Kaoru's legs. She bent them at the knees and then took a bolt of silk, unwound it and laid it over the legs. "When not at sea, I would assist the midwife with the births at our village."
Kaoru said in gratitude, "Arigatou, Shura-san." Her smile faded as the pain struck again and she clutched the folds of canvas surrounding her.
Shura said soothingly, "Take deep breaths, Kaoru-san. It will help ease the pain of the contraction."
Panting as another contraction hit, Kaoru threw back her head and did as she was told, tears squeezing out of her tightly closed eyes as she felt as if a hot blade was tearing her in her abdomen. She opened her mouth and another cry issued forth. . . .
Up on the swaying rain swept deck Kenshin heard his wife's agony and became distracted again, allowing for Izumo to make another slash with his jigen ryu across Kenshin's left thigh, drawing more blood. The Samekuroi leader laughed as another bolt of lightning ripped the sky.
"Oh Battousai, this is too amusing. Your skills have diminished to the point that you let down your guard so easily. Or is it the sound of your wife's suffering that causes you to break your concentration, huh?"
Panting with exertion Kenshin whirled around with a scowl and retorted, "Izumo, you waste much time in crowing over your yet to be achieved victory. It was your downfall in the past and it shall be again."
Izumo sneered, "Is that so? The way I see it, I have the winning move on the board and you are on the defensive. My servant Kagesu is right now preparing your wife to witness your demise. But first I told him he could have some fun first."
The meaning behind his statement clear Kenshin's eyes became ruby tinted amber orbs narrowed to slits. "You bastard, I'll slit you and him in two if he dares lay a finger on her," he ground out.
Izumo laughed in pure amusement. "You're losing that famous cold composure you're so well known for, Battousai. Have I finally found the chink in your armor?"
Preparing himself for battle Kenshin tried to block out all thoughts but Kaoru's lovely and innocent face floated before him, the same way it did when Shishio had him by the neck and was trying to squeeze the life out of him at Mount Hiei. At that time he thought of the farewell among the fireflies and how she had followed him to assist in his quest to defeat his successor knowing then that he loved her with his whole heart and with that knowledge he was determined to live. This time, however, the thoughts of the days of their new marriage flickered in his minds eye, their honeymoon in Hakone and the nights of tender passion they have spent since. The culmination of both their dreams coming true as they truly became one, in body and spirit was in the former rurouni's uppermost thoughts as well as their new found faith in a God of redemption. He then knew that no matter how black Izumo's soul was, it was not his place to take his life nor was he about to give up his own life. Especially when his wife and unborn child depended on it.
He stated, "Your fight is with me, Izumo. Don't involve innocents in your twisted plans."
Izumo laughed again then he again got into a stance for another jigen ryu attack. "Enough useless prattle. Let's get down to business."
His purpose and mind clear Kenshin re-sheathed his sword and got into the battoujitsu stance thnking ahead and intending to end the battle with the use of the penultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu the Kuzu Ryu Sen. . . .
Down below deck in the listing, dingy hold on the canvas Kaoru was breathing in short, panting breaths as her contractions came faster. Shura knelt down beside her and encouraged her but as she saw Kaoru tense up with pain and get ready to cry out again she leaned in with a stern look.
"Kaoru-san, listen to me. I know that bringing a child into the world is a painful event and you have a right to scream out. But I'm telling you now that your screams may cause you to lose your husband. If he hears you, he will be distracted and will open himself up to being defeated and most likely killed. Do you want that to happen?"
Kaoru's pain glazed sapphire eyes were wide with fear as she vehemently shook her head. "Iie! Iie! I want my baby to see his father."
Shura nodded in understanding as she said, "Then you must be strong and hold your tongue. Himura's up there now fighting for both your and his own life."
Kaoru shuddered as another contraction hit as a loud peal of thunder crashed. "B-but it's s-so hard, S-Shura-san," she whimpered.
Shura responded firmly, "I know it is. But I also know you, Himura Kaoru. You are no simpering little girl or sheltered child bride. You are a strong and courageous young woman who is a hell of a fighter, the master of a dojo that taught swordsmanship to hardened pirates and who fought against many enemies by Himura's side. That is who you are and that is why he chose to share his life with you."
Having heard the same words once before, Kaoru momentarily forgot about her pain and saw the passion glowing in the lady pirate's sherry eyes. She was amazed as she saw a bit of the same light she had once seen in Megumi's eyes when they spent the afternoon together under the bridge in Kyoto. At that time, the lady doctor had declared that she Kaoru was the only one to bring Kenshin back from the battlefield and Kaoru had seen the regret etched on her delicate features indicating Megumi's deep love for the rurouni. And now she saw the very same thing in Shura's eyes, that the noble crimson pirate was in love with her husband and was denying her own desire to offer assistance to the one Kenshin had chosen, her. With renewed determination, the kenjutsu sensei drew from her deep well of strength within and grit her teeth as the next wave of pain hit.
Shura watched as Kaoru metamorphosed from a frightened girl to the brave and strong swordswoman that was created to be the Hitokiri Battousai's mate, bearing his seed. Her visage showed a steely will to bring her child into the world in spite of the agony that was tearing through her petite body as she bore the pain. Again the female pirate captain felt a grudging admiration rise for Himura's wife. She grinned as she leaned into Kaoru's side.
"That's the way, Kaoru-san. Himura's depending on you."
Kaoru looked at Shura and gave a weak smile. "Hai, Shura-san. I won't let him down." She closed her eyes as another contraction hit simultaneously with another bolt of lightning. . . .
…………………………………………………………
About fifty leagues out of Tokyo Bay the Imperial ship, the Katsumoto was steaming at full throttle as Misao, Aoshi, Sanosuke, and Yahiko all stood at the bow, their eyes trained on the vast waterway before them tossed with whitecaps as the storm raged about. However, the foursome was oblivious to the treacherous weather as they itched to join their friend Kenshin and help rescue Kaoru. All four were deep in thought as they all contemplated the ordeal in which the couple was embroiled.
Yahiko was frowning darkly as he brooded about the two people who he had come to love as family, the two who had rescued him from a bleak existence as a yakuza pickpocket. He had been a surly orphan of a former samurai on the fateful day he picked Kenshin's meager wallet and was surprised by the amiable swordsman's reaction. Then he was even more amazed when Kaoru had barged into the lair of the crime organization and demanded that he be released from their clutches, putting her own life on the line as she gambled for his. And then she had offered her dojo as his training place and his home, allowing for him to grow strong as a swordsman. He bit his lip as he recalled the numerous times he teased and insulted her mercilessly when deep inside he adored her as if she were his sister and would gladly give his life for her. And Kenshin was his idol, the man who to him epitomized strength as he fought countless enemies and never took a life. When the two wed, nobody was happier than he was and now he vowed that he would do all he could to recover his family and return them back to the dojo safely.
Sanosuke stood in deep thought as he mused as well about his relationship with Kenshin and Jou-chan. As with Yahiko, his mind went back to the day he met them, the day at the Akabeko where he first crossed paths with the legendary hitokiri Battousai and the feisty young kenjutsu master who was a mixture of delicate beauty and fiery temperament. Having handily defeated some drunken miscreants with assistance from Kenshin, Sano had become intrigued by the swordsman that used an attack that vanquished but did not kill so he challenged him to a fight. But with his rurouni ways, Kenshin graciously refused. Then Hiruma Gohei, a bitter former student of the Kamiya Dojo who was bent on revenge, hired him, telling him that he was to kill none other than the Hitokiri Battousai himself. Because he had desired to fight him anyway interested, he agreed and met Kenshin on the field of battle where he was eventually defeated. But with that loss began a deep and warm friendship as he and Kenshin often worked in tandem to defeat the likes of Takata Kanryu, Reijuto, Shishio, Amakusa Shougo, and Rensui. And now in spite of Kenshin's refusal for him to come along he intended to offer his hand in defeating the Samekuroi. But first he had to save Jou-chan for after seeing first hand how her mock death at the hand of Enishi had sent him into the depths of despair, Sano knew that if she actually perished, Kenshin would shatter like a china vase for she was his life.
Misao stood dwarfed by Sanosuke and Aoshi as both men towered over her, buffering her somewhat from the raging elements. She was no helpless, whiny female, from the time she was out of swaddling she had aligned herself with the Oniwabanshuu, her late grandfather's group of shinobi whose main purpose was to protect Edo. She trained with her friends Beshimi, Shikijo, Hyottoko, and of course the one who taught her to fight for honor Han'nya as the okashira Aoshi-sama watched. She had loved the tall young man who at the age of fifteen had become the group leader but had always had time to spend with her. Then came the day he had made a decision to leave the Oniwabanshuu with the four and eventually agreed to work for the opium dealer Kanryu. She remembered waking one morning to find the one she adored gone and she was left with the old man Okina who then raised her. Then as she reached her teens she saw the change that drove Aoishi from the Oniwabanshuu and she set out to find the man she worshipped, traveling all through the area between Kyoto and Edo, now called Tokyo. It was in those travels that she met the titian haired rurouni who was the man of legends from the Bakumatsu. They had become allies after he thwarted her attempts at thievery and he took her back to the Aoiya the hostel that was the base for Kyoto's branch of the Oniwabanshuu. It was through that time of travel she discovered that the man who looked so harmless was actually the former hitokiri that had been notorious for his many kills. And as he sought to defeat Shishio she saw that he had not been alone, he had some loyal and faithful friends and the love of a young woman who was as strong and courageous as she was kind and beautiful.
Due to her tomboyish demeanor Misao never had a lot of female friends but Kamiya Kaoru who was so similar in manner to her had become a fast and dear one. She was a tremendous fighter who when faced with a situation that called them all at the Aoiya to battle, did not hesitate to put her own life on the line. After Shishio and his minions were all soundly defeated, Misao was deeply grateful to Kenshin, Kaoru and the rest for bringing Aoshi-sama back to her. And through that they had all gained a place in her heart forever. She was thrilled when Kenshin finally made Kaoru his, choosing to propose to her right in Kyoto as they stayed at the Aoiya. And when she heard that Kaoru was expecting their first child, she was ecstatic as she aniticipated the birth of the next generation of Himuras.
We HAVE to save Kaoru-san before she has the baby. After everything she and Himura have done for us in the Oniwabanshuu we owe it to them Misao stated fiercely to herself as she gripped the rail.
On her right Aoshi observed as Misao's agitation showed on her delicate features, through the drenched raven locks in the downpour and he felt the need to protect her. Aoshi then drew closer so his arm snaked around her tiny waist, allowing his tall form to shield her. She glanced up and his heart warmed at the way she smiled, her elfin grin reminding him of the little spitfire she was when she was small. His face forever austere, he allowed his icy eyes to twinkle at her, a private message just for them. He then mused about how lost in the midnight of grief that enshrouded his heart, he had turned his back on everything and everyone as he sought the elusive and counterfeit title of being the strongest. After the deaths of his four steadfast comrades, he was confronted with is own imagined shortcomings as a warrior and having witnessed the strength he yearned for became obsessed with defeating the Battousai. It was that obsession that led him into the true darkness as he joined up with the demon Shishio and it was there as he battled the Battousai he learned just how wrong he was. Ironically, it was the one he had vowed to defeat, the Battousai that defeated him in battle and in doing so had restored his soul. He then joined the former hitokiri in defeating Shishio and then returned to his home and Misao.
Aoshi sighed as he recalled the time he and the Battousai shared tea and how they rebuilt bridges discussing many things, especially the women they loved. Kenshin had pointed out how clear it was to see how much Misao meant to him Aoshi, and in the same conversation had said the same about Kaoru. The night they had become engaged, Aoshi remembered his own feelings of happiness for the Battousai and his bride-to-be, knowing in his healed heart how the fiesty Kaoru-san was the perfect mate for the swordsman. So it was imperative that she be returned to the Battousai unharmed.
A peal of thunder roared as the lookout in the crow's nest called out. "Ahoy captain! Two ships about twenty-five leagues at the mouth of Osaka Bay off the starboard bow!"
"Hai!" was the captain's answer as the four immediately looked in that direction.
"There they are!" Yahiko shouted as Misao agreed.
"Hai, and let's get ready," she said.
"Hold on you two," Sanosuke said. "We'll be there soon enough."
Sano and Aoshi exchanged glances as the Katsumoto headed into the fray. . . .
Over on the Obake the razor's edge of life and death was occurring simultaneously as Kenshin prepared to engage Izumo in battle his mind on the fight but his heart filled with urgency as he was anxious to be done and locate Kaoru. Izumo must have seen the internal struggle in Kenshin's expression as he chortled, goading the former assassin.
"Why the hesitation, Battousai? You never hesitated before. Are you doubting your skills against me?"
Kenshin replied brusquely, "I have no doubts, Izumo. I just don't take lives any more, for any reason, even those who no longer deserve to live."
"So am I correct in assuming that my life is not in jeopardy?" Izumo said in amazement. "The most feared hitokiri from the Bakumatsu is before me and he will not snuff out my life as he did to so many of my comrades. That is incredible." He got into the stance for Saito's gatotsu, which caused Kenshin's eyes to widen.
"I see you're using the gatotsu," Kenshin remarked. "Saito Hajime's special technique, how did you come to acquire that if you were in the second squad of the Shinsengumi?"
Izumo replied, "I would spar with him and as he trained I paid attention. He never considered any of his own squad strong enough but believed me to have the skill to master gatotsu. But by that time the Meiji was placed on the throne as emperor and the Shinsengumi disbanded."
Kenshin sniffed, "That sounds like Saito. But your desire to vanquish has not waned in this peaceful era," Kenshin said in disapproval.
Izumo snorted in scorn. "That's because the Meiji regime is a sham. He is nothing more than a whoremonger, enticing the savage nations of the West to enter Japan to sell his people to the highest bidder. Day by day this once beautiful country is getting more sullied and spoiled by the vulgar influences of Europe and America."
Kenshin reasoned, "But Japan is now entering into a modern age, where inventions of convenience are becoming more commonplace. It is now a country of progress."
Izumo said derisively, "Progress, feh. At the price of the Japan that existed in the ways of purity, undefiled by the vulgarities running rampant in the West."
Kenshin countered, "And what of the oppression of the Tokugawa to those born of low station with no hope of ever bettering their lot in life and tied to a live of serving others? The old way was restrictive and caused much strife with constant fighting. Now is a time of peace and prosperity for those who had no hope before."
But Izumo was unconvinced. "Enough mindless drivel! Come and practice your diluted pacifist skills and enter into the afterlife on my sword. After which, your whore and brat shall join you."
At those words the Battousai emerged as Kenshin' eyes became amber shot with crimson and rage filled him to brimming. He immediately crouched in a battoujitsu stance and snapped, "We'll see who enters the afterlife first."
Izumo laughed mirthlessly. "That's more like it. Come and get me."
Both men faced off and prepared for the next attack as the deck illuminated in pink light with another bolt of lightning. . .
Down in the hold Kaoru was panting under Shura's direction as the final contraction came, a wave of pain so intense she made a fist and put it in her mouth as tears flowed from her indigo orbs. She was reclined on the canvas with her kimono pushed up, her legs spread and covered with some silk and in the first throws of labor. To make matters worse, the storm was causing a pitching motion, causing her to tilt off balance frequently. She cried in silent frustration as the pain finally subsided.
Shura gently brushed her damp bangs back and said encouragingly, "That's good, Kaoru-san, I know this is difficult for you." She then looked beneath the cover and saw that Kaoru was fully dilated so she leaned in and addressed the mother-to-be.
"Now Kaoru-san listen to me. The next pain is going to hit and it will be the baby getting ready to come out. When that happens, you need to push hard and I'll help pull him out."
"H-hai," Kaoru stammered as she panted and the pain hit again along with the sensation of the baby moving out. "I-I think it's coming now!" She cried out as the pain tore through her.
Shura took another bolt of silk and tore it then draped it over her hands. "All right Kaoru-san, now I want you to push when I tell you as the baby comes out. Now push!"
Kaoru squeezed her eyes shut tight and pushed with all her might. Shura bent over and ready to receive the new Himura saw the tiny top of the head and neck as the baby began to emerge, grasped the baby's head ever so gently while pulling slowly.
"He's coming, Kaoru-san. Just keep pushing," Shura urged as she glanced up at Himura's wife.
Kaoru panted heavily as another pain hit and she bore down, locking her frame as she used every once of strength she had to push her child out from the warm security of her womb. . .
Up on the lower deck, the battle and the storm both was waning as Danjuro defeated another Samekuroi seaman, his unconscious form falling to the deck with a thump. He took a deep breath to collect himself and did not see Souichi. With a malicious smirk, he crept behind with his katana poised in a jodan no kamae to split the swordsman's skull. But just as he was about to level the blow his eyes became blank as a tanto, thrown with pinpoint accuracy, pierced his heart.
Danjuro blinked in disbelief as Souichi toppled forward, the katana in his hand falling and clattering on the deck. Dazed he glanced around to see the elder Ganji of the Kairyu rising from a crouch slowly after having completed the life saving action. He sighed as he walked over to regard his savior.
"Arigatou, Ganji," he said as he prayed for forgiveness for the violent ending of Souichi's life.
The elderly man nodded as he responded, "Aa. You and Himura-sama have done much to aid us, I had to do what I could when I saw you were about to be slain."
Danjuro bowed and then over the stern spotted an advancing craft in the rain, with stacks spilling smoke into the scudding sky and the white flag with the red circle representing the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan's newly designed banner. He knew immediately that an Imperial battleship was approaching and thanked Kami above for his provision as the craft came closer.
He pointed it out to the rest of the squadron and barked above the thunder. "Minna, an Imperial battleship is coming!"
The group of swordsmen and buccaneers all gathered and observed as the ship flew through the diminishing curtain of rain, the deck swarming with uniformed sailors preparing for boarding.
Ganji inquired, "Should we inform Himura-sama that the battleship is approaching?"
Danjuro glanced at the upper deck and the ring of swords clashing indicated that a duel to the death was taking place so he shook his head. "Iie, not now."
Both men cast their eyes to the latter, transfixed. . . .
Up there, Kenshin and Izumo were still locked in combat, both focused on the defeat of the other as they appeared oblivious to everything. Even the elements did not faze them as both men, leftovers from the chaos of the dying Tokugawa Era battled, having retrograded back to that time and the settling of old scores.
The two pushed apart, both gasping as energies were exhausted, just to start afresh with renewed vigor. Adrenaline was pumping as Kenshin caught his breath and he readied himself for a fresh onslaught.
Izumo panted as he taunted, "You look tired, Battousai. Could it be that my attacks are giving you more than you can handle?"
Kenshin snorted in derision. "Hardly. I'm ready to finish this is all."
Izumo chortled, "So impatient are we?" He shrugged indolently as the place lit up with another flash of lightning. "Well, it can't be helped I suppose."
"What do you mean?" Kenshin demanded as he heard another feminine scream. He scowled as he snarled, "Why is my wife screaming like that? What have you done with her?"
Izumo shrugged and remarked almost casually, "She is heavy with child so it could be that she is whelping your brat as we speak."
Kenshin visibly paled as he re-sheathed his sword and crouched again. If what Izumo was saying was true, time was of the essence and he needed to finish this, now. With a yell he took off like a shot straight at his enemy aiming for the nine vital body regions, karatake, kesagiri, sakagesa, migi-nagi, hidari-nagi, migi-kiriage, hidari-kiriage, sakakaze, and tsuki.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, Kuzu Ryu Sen!" Before Izumo could move and with blinding speed, the legendary hitokiri delivered the nine successive strikes that attacked the nine vital parts at the same time, with the added element of surprise. So stricken, Izumo fell back, blood spurting from the nine areas on his body.
He lay on the soaked deck, moaning as his eyes cracked open. Yet using his sword as a support, he still struggled to his feet much to Kenshin's amazement. He managed a shaky albeit nasty grin.
"Not bad, Battousai. Admittedly, I'm quite impressed." Izumo re-sheathed his blade as he unsteadily got into attack stance again. "I guess I underestimated you. But don't think for a minute that we're finished. I have several scores to settle and with your death will serve to accomplish one. The demise of your wife will accomplish the other."
"What do you mean. Izumo?" Kenshin snapped, infuriated by the last comment.
Izumo replied, "She is Kamiya Koshijiro's brat and I have vowed to send him and all of his descendants to hell. So if she's giving birth I'll take care of the whelp as well."
That declaration served as kindling that lit the fire of the hitokiri within. Kenshin's eyes narrowed to scarlet tinted amber as he growled, "You won't touch either, I'll send you to hell first!" He immediately crouched, left foot forward in the stance that heralded the ultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, the Amakakeru Ryu No Hirameki. . . .
Below, the fruit of Kenshin's loins was slowly making an entrance into the world as his wife Kaoru took deep breaths to expel the new life from her body, the child moving in spurts as she rested and gained strength after each wave of agony. She closed her eyes as she could feel another jolt coming and she tensed up for the push.
Shura, holding the child cradled in the silk directed, "Now, Kaoru-san, the baby is nearly out, just one good push ought to do it. So push!"
Kaoru threw her head back and clutching the folds in the canvas bore down and pushed with everything in her, crying out but not screaming. And her efforts paid off as the tiny legs and feet popped out, and the little boy was in Shura's hands.
"You did fine, Kaoru-san," Shura said in a voice of awe. "Your son is here."
While cradling the tiny life, she deftly reached for her tanto and cut the unbiblical cord, then tied it off with some thread she had found with the bolts of silk. She then stimulated the baby's lungs by giving him a vigorous massage and pat on the bottom eliciting a lusty cry. . . .
At the same time up on the deck, Kenshin had blocked out all voices but the bloodthirsty one inside that clamored for vengeance for endangering and threatening the lives of his precious ones. He cared nothing for the elements in waning rage about him, nor about his principles and beliefs that told him thou shalt not kill. His only desire was to end Izumo's life.
Kenshin came forward with a feral cry as he drew and flipped the sakabatou to the sharp side, dashing forward in the motion of the amakakeru ryu no hirameki with greater than godlike speed. His forward motion caused a vacuum that not only made his strike faster, but drew his opponent closer, whose eyes showed a mixture of shock and dread as he faced certain death. . . .
But. . .
In the split second before he issued forth the ultimate attack that would shatter his vow to never again take a life, reaching through Kenshin's conscious were two voices, both small yet with equal impact. The first was the voice of his newly accepted faith in the Living God that spoke in verses he had read and locked within his heart. . . .
The second and more delicate voice was the unmistakable sound of a new life, the sweet and priceless sound of the first cry of his son that he heard like a cry in the wilderness. It was that sound that caused the last minute change of heart that spared Izumo's life.
But Izumo whose heart was the diametric opposite, dark while Kenshin's was light positioned his sword at a chudan no kamae, with the sword held at his shoulder and gleaming in malevolent brilliance the point aimed at the heart of the Battousai. As he charged forward to kill the killer of legends, a pink bolt of lightning ripped down from the clouds and hit the blade, acting as a conductor for the electricity to flow unchecked into Izumo's body.
"Ahhhh!" the leader of the Samekuroi screamed as his body arced with the charge, lifting him several feet above the deck and then slamming his lifeless form to the weathered wood surface. His body writhed in involuntary convulsions and then stilled.
Breathless, Kenshin stared at the prone form of Izumo, feeling a mixture of both relief and regret, hating the fact that Izumo was dead yet knowing that he had received the wages of his actions. He re-sheathed his sword and then rushed down to the lower deck where he was greeted by Danjuro.
"Ken-san, we've help coming. Look a battleship." And he pointed to the advancing Katsumoto looking triumphant as the rest of the squad and the Kairyu were rounding up the members of the now vanquished Samekuroi.
But Kenshin had one thought alone as he glanced and saw the ladder leading down below deck to the hold. He commanded Danjuro to take care of things as he sprinted to the ladder and made his way down.
Once in the hold, Kenshin's eyes went to the pile of canvas where he stood witness to the greatest sight he had ever seen. Transfixed by the vision, he slowly stepped over as his wife smiled a tired but joyful smile at him and once there, he sank to his knees beside her as Shura stepped aside.
Kaoru's eyes glowed like sapphires as she held out the squirming tiny bundle with a thatch of fiery down to his own trembling hands.
"Kenshin, greet your son."
The former hitokiri turned rurouni now husband and father received his child, a new child of the new era that would carry on the legacy of peace he had helped forge.
NEXT……EPILOGUE…..BRIGHT HOPES