Part 9

Fire welled around Kenji and exploded outward, enveloping the arena in searing heat. Sano threw himself over Kenshin's motionless body, protecting him from the fire. Surprisingly enough, though, the fire did not burn him. It was not harmful, at least not to him. The dragon however, it screamed and tried to scramble away from the flames pouring from Kenji's golden body.

The phoenix dived for the dragon, screaming as he dropped onto its eyes and began to tear with his beak. The larger creature roared and flailed its head, but it could not throw off the enraged bird. Kenji dug his beak into the great eyes, blinding the dragon and throwing himself from its head.

He circled for a moment, and then dived again, this time attacking the dragon's neck, tearing at the scales, ripping them up forcefully and digging into soft flesh beneath. Blood poured from the wound, soaking Kenji and causing the dragon to give a gurgled roar. Kenji fluttered away from the dying dragon, cawing his triumph to the skies. The dragon finally fell, falling full length in the arena. Gradually it shrank into a man, his throat torn out.

Kenji landed beside Sano, hopping towards where he still shielded Kenshin's still body with own. He slowly transformed, leaving a young boy soaked in blood. He walked to Sano's side, and the tall man backed away from Kenshin.

Kenji knelt beside his father, turning him onto his back, watching his face. "Tousan?" he whispered, touching Kenshin's face. "Tousan, wake up."

Kenshin did not move, not even the slightest twitch of his eyelids or face. He looked as though he had merely been knocked out, or as if he were sleeping. Kenji touched his shoulder, alarmed to find his skin cool. "Tousan, open your eyes!"

Kenji put his ear to Kenshin's chest, crying out in fear when no steady sound of his father's heart met his ears. He crouched beside Kenshin's head and closed his lips over his father's, breathing into him. He looked up to see Sano kneeling beside him, pressing Kenshin's chest to get him to breathe.

Sano nodded and Kenji breathed again, watching hopefully for a breath, for some sign of life. There was still nothing, yet still the two worked, trying to revive the motionless man in front of them. Kenji finally bowed his head, breaking down into sobs and falling onto Kenshin's chest. "Iie tousan, don't leave me…Onegai…I love you tousan! Don't leave me!"

It was so dark…I couldn't see, hear, feel, anything at all. I floated in the expanse of space, content to just feel nothing for the time being. Some part of me was nagging that something was wrong, that I shouldn't be there, but I just ignored it, pushing that annoying voice to the back of my mind.

There was no pain anymore, and I relaxed, falling farther into the blackness. I suddenly opened my eyes, looking up into a face I had not seen in ages. Bottomless eyes, black hair framing a delicate face. I nearly gasped. "Tomoe…"

She smiled at me, eyes gentle and face soft. "Hello anata. Why are you here? It is not your time my love."

I blinked. "My time?"

She gave me a gentle push. "Go back to him anata, he needs you. Your son needs you with him."

Before I could protest I fell the other way, away from Tomoe and back into the darkness.

Kenji bowed his head over his father's body, a single tear falling from his cheek to hit Kenshin's forehead. A light blue glow suddenly formed around Kenshin's limp body, and Kenji gasped, jumping back from him.

Kenshin's lips parted, and he drew in a breath, eyes fluttering open. Kenji's eyes widened and he leaned forward. "Tousan?"

Kenshin looked at his son. "Hai Kenji. I'm here."

Kenji let loose a sob and flung himself at his father, wrapping his arms around Kenshin's neck and crying into his shoulder. "I was so afraid you were dead tousan!"

Kenshin hugged Kenji to him, not minding the blood soaking the boy. "It's alright Kenji, I'm here, and I don't plan to leave you. It's okay…."

Sano smiled from his position next to the two. "You gave us quite a scare there Kenshin. Just don't do that again."

Kenshin smiled. "Hai Sano, I won't." He hugged Kenji closer, standing on shaky legs and walking to the exit, holding a sobbing Kenji in his arms. Sano reached out to help him, but Kenshin shook his head. "I'm fine now Sano. Are there any extra hakama and gi?"

Yahiko came forward holding a set, a grim look on his young face. "Here Kenshin."

Kenshin smiled at him. "Arigatou Yahiko." He set Kenji down slowly, handing him the smaller set of clothing. "Put these on Kenji." Kenji nodded through his tears and dressed as his father did, even though the blood that covered his body soaked through the cloth quickly.

Kenji wrapped his arms around Kenshin's waist again, not wanting to let go of the parent he had nearly lost. With a sad smile Kenshin picked him up again, holding his son to his chest. "Come Sano. Let's go home."

Kaoru was worried out of her mind. Kenshin's mental presence had remained steady for many hours, but somewhere late in the evening it had been cut off, leaving her in unknowing fear. She had not slept at all, even though she had been prepared to go to bed when the connection had been severed.

Megumi had left earlier, to go back to the clinic. Since then Kaoru had been trying to keep herself busy by sweeping the yard, cleaning the dojo, doing anything and everything she could to keep her mind off the battle going on without her.

She now sat in her room, sobbing into her hands. The connection still hadn't rebuilt itself, and the crimson star had faded from her skin. She feared the worst, and all she could do was wait for the return of her husband and her son.

It was now 1:00 in the morning, and Kaoru was beside herself with worry. She stood, going to the door of the dojo, hoping to see some sign, any sign at all of Kenshin. She stared into the darkness, and suddenly gasped when she saw Sano's tall form coming into view, followed by Yahiko and Kenshin, who was carrying a limp form in his arms.

"Kenshin!" she cried, running towards them, fear racing through her heart when she noticed it was Kenji her husband carried.

Kenshin shushed her with a gentle shake of his head. "He's sleeping Kaoru."

She smiled then, glad to find that neither of them were harmed seriously. "I'm so glad you're back Kenshin." She led him back inside, sending Sano and Yahiko away to Megumi so she would have some time with her husband and her son.

HM: One chapter left after this one! Please review!