Past and Future
By Hitokiri-san
Disclaimers: Have you ever thought why the Tsuikuhen and Seisouhen's characters look completely different as they are in the manga and anime? Look no further! I declare lawfully that the anime and manga are drawn by me! Really! Nobuhiro Watsuki stole it from me and...*thunder sounds. Kami- sama doesn't seem too happy about this*...Well, on with the story.
Ch6 A Brush with Time
To say Battousai was mad would be a great understatement.
Battousai was royally pissed off.
At least that was what he thought he was, until after a session of marching through most of the streets in Kyoto like some cracked person and glaring at each and every passer-by in turn that he decided he wasn't really mad.
He was stressed. The short yet unforgettable encounter with Zenei Makimoto had completely stressed him out. Well, let's admit it, Zenei wasn't some dork that could be flung into space anytime he wanted. Actually Battousai was rather afraid of the man ( not that he'd ever admit it) - he couldn't sense him, he couldn't fight him, and he couldn't avoid him forever either. The man had a strange ability of tracking him down that made the hitokiri suspect if he was some sort of Zenei-magnet. Privately he thought he would rather face ten Vanguard of Justice groups than a single Zenei Makimoto. And, as he suddenly noted, Zenei wasn't alone.
In his stress he had found someone to lash out on - unfortunately, it was the rurouni and Battousai was currently kicking a certain something along the way in his regret.
And speaking of the Vanguard of Justice thing...did he miss something? Something really important?
Lavender eyes widened to the size of saucers. A curse foul enough to wake the dead reverberated through the whole street, and the population hearing it cringed.
Battousai was tearing through the streets in a second, bringing up a powerful gale wherever he went. Damn it, how could he miss it? In his stupid rage he had forgotten almost any sensible thing, imagining himself to be smacking the wanderer with various Hiten and not-so-Hiten moves. Baka baka baka baka baka!
He had two choices - either going back to the house or directly head to the Vanguard group's secret hideout. He decided upon the first. Barging into the group's place alone would be far too risky. He'd just go back to where he had left the rurouni, give him a full apology, and everything would be back to normal. That was what he assumed.
A high-pitched shriek woke him out of his thoughts. Wondering what in the name of Kami-sama could have happened, he snapped his eyes back into focus...
And nearly collided head-on with a somebody stupid enough to get into his way. Luckily for both Battousai and the somebody, Hiko had spent year after year trying to make his baka deishi able of braking to a halt when using the Hiten's godlike speed - which he deemed almost impossible considering his baka deishi's dislike for practicing in that useless (at least that was what young Kenshin thought) field.
Well, it does prove useful now, the manslayer thought idly as he halted in front of that dumbstruck person, their noses almost touching. Enormous ink- blue eyes batted. Hadn't he seen those eyes before?
"Tigress-dono?"
"Kentai-san!" Kaoru blinked sheepishly before she got the insult. She smiled sweetly.
"If you haven't forgotten, my name is *Kamiya Kaoru*!" and Battousai found himself dodging a series of poorly aimed yet furious bokken-dealt blows as he lamented for meeting such a tiring sort of person when he was obviously in a hurry.
The blows subsided finally. Kaoru was clutching her side and gasping for breath. Battousai quickly distanced himself from the crazy girl lest he got beaten by unsuspected swings.
"Okay okay, Kaoru-san. What exactly do you want with me? I'm in a hurry actually."
Kaoru turned serious, blushing a bit at her outburst. "Er....I was thinking, have you seen Kenshin?"
"Iie." He lied. He just wished she could get out of his older self's way.
"Why don't I believe you?" Kaoru asked, blue eyes burning into his.
This girl is sure persistent, isn't she? Battousai sighed. "He's currently out with some girl and wants you out of the way so he could have some fun. Is that answer acceptable? Now, Kaoru-san, excuse me but I must go." He winced at his own rudeness; but he was in a foul enough mood without having to deal with the girl.
Instead of going berserk and having another round at Battousai like he'd expected her to, Kaoru fell silent and looked down. Battousai felt suddenly sorry. He himself might not like the girl, but to the rurouni it was a different thing. He should have been kinder to her...
"Listen, Kaoru-san, I was only joking - "
Kaoru looked up with a very business-like glow in her eyes, waving an impatient hand. "Of course you were joking. If you were *not* - well then, you won't be having a brother any longer. Answer me, is Kenshin up to something?"
//That threat was creepy // the hitokiri thought, taking the line a bit too seriously. "Oh no, he isn't up to anything. I...uh...got lost and is looking for him now." What a fine lie. Battousai had always known he was the worst liar ever born on this world.
Kaoru looked at him pleadingly. "Please, I just want to see him. Even if he's up to anything, I won't get into his way. It's just so disturbing with Kenshin bearing all the responsibilities himself. Kentai-san, I ask of you. Please..." She bowed low to him, eyes brimming with tears.
"Yare yare," Battousai put a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes. Women could never fail to get on his nerve. Someday he'd have to learn how to deal with it when a woman asks him for a favour. "Okay, if you'll follow me I'd bring you to him. But promise me one thing - get outta our way when we're working."
// Too easy. One thing similar between Kenshin and Kentai - they're both too soft. // Kaoru smiled happily, bobbing a little energetic bow. Shaking his head, Battousai grasped her around the wrist and started running along with breakneck speed. The tanuki girl had to keep herself from screaming as Battousai dodged pedestrians abruptly, jumped cleanly over passing carriages, and skidded over hairpin turns so fast that she thought her arm would fall off.
"Right. We're there." Battousai stopped suddenly at the entrance of the neat little house, panting slightly from the long run. Kaoru was doubled over behind him, wheezing loudly. He threw her a sideways glance.
"Weak, aren't you?" he muttered under his breath, entering the house quietly. Cursing the boy under her breath Kaoru followed, still bending over from the roller-coaster ride she got.
Something wasn't right. The house sounded far too silent. Battousai felt his breath stuck in his throat. // Dammit, have they left me behind? I'll kick both their ass if they do! // he thought fiercely, casting his ki around the house.
Kaoru was leaning on the doorframe gulping some much-needed breath. What did the boy think he was, a human hurricane? She pondered about the necessity of jumping over carriages and flying over rooftops. Maybe the boy was just making fun of her, damn him. If she hadn't a favour to ask him he would be dead by now.
"Kentai-san?"
"Silence!" the boy froze, shielding her with an outstretched hand.
"Kenshin's here! Right at the second floor. C'mon." Battousai said, relieved. He had feared so much that it was a hostile ki....if he was truthful with himself he would know that he was indeed afraid that he would sense Zenei lurking in the second floor.
Sensing Kenshin's ki instead, the hitokiri boy literally leaped up the staircase, eager to join his older counterpart. He slammed the shouji aside.
"Ken...nii-chan! I'm glad you haven't left. The badass wolf is late huh? I...." Words died in his mouth as he gasped, paralyzing in the doorway.
Zenei Makimoto turned to look at him, his squad of twenty men standing in a tight circle around the door.
"I know you would be attracted to come up here if you think you have sensed your future self."
"You! Zenei...how...it should be Kenshin standing here...." the hitokiri gaped, terrified.
"I copied his ki, Himura. I let you sense this ki on purpose. As for we, we never have any ki." Zenei told him, smiling in a horrifying sort of way.
"That's not true! Any living thing has a ki. You can't just shift your ki to someone else's at your own will. What have you done to Kenshin!" Battousai bellowed, losing his typical hitokiri coolness.
"Ah, innocent people. Have I ever told you that we are living things?" Zenei said, a thread of compassion in his voice.
"WHAT?"
"Let me tell you. We are neither living nor dead. Our form has surpassed this cycle long ago. For us, existence need not be bound by simple life-and- death boundaries. That is, life and living have definitely no meaning to us. We are never human. We are Time."
"Time?" Battousai asked blankly.
"Do you really have to know?" Zenei asked a bit impatiently, then resigned with a little sigh. "No matter. I will clear your memory eventually anyway, so I guess it won't hurt telling you this."
"As you've already known, we are Time. We control time, run it, and prevent error from getting into its way. By some mistake, the time turner breaks loose from where it was stored. It has neither form nor shape, so it was damned difficult to find the thing out. A single time-turner in a billion worth of years." He snorted, clearly thinking the idea insane. "However, the time turner has one property. It sticks to the first object it can get hold to and transfer its power to it. Anyone unlucky enough to touch it - that's you - would be going on a havoc time journey to various stages of your life. They stick here forever if we don't go to their help. No...actually not forever. They mess up the whole time system. There are usually two outcomes. First, the past is changed and the future overwritten. That is, the future self vanishes completely. Second, the damage done in the past is not severe enough to actually impair the future. It ends up like a multi-ending story or something - that is, time splits and another time zone with the new outcome appears out of nowhere. One more time zone for us to work on, actually. But the second chance has a really minor percentage of happening. Especially considering you - you're a main character responsible for the Meiji restoration, I believe?"
Zenei turned to a dumbstruck Battousai. His amethyst eyes were a bit glazed over, but he was catching on. Well, not a small feat to be achieved by a mere human, Zenei nodded his approval.
"To avoid complications, we assume that all cases will end up in the first outcome - that is, the future will be overwritten. We seek out all victims affected, erase their memories, and send them back to their rightful time. One problem is that, we can't erase the future self's memory. Don't ask me why, that's some technical problem we're facing." Zenei added as Battousai opened his mouth questioningly. "It's bad enough that he knew his past has come to this era, but your future self must not know of us."
"Iie, I wasn't going to ask why," Battousai said, forgetting his fear temporarily, "I was realizing why you withdrawn that night when the rurouni came out to look for me."
"That's right. He can't possibly know of our existence," the raven-haired man said. "Anyway, most of these victims are only too willing to cooperate with us. They want to return life to normal. You - however - is a pain-in- the-ass obviously. However, things aren't going to change. You're going back - like it or no. You'd better go, Himura, unless you want your future self and this whole Meiji world to disappear."
The redheaded boy felt cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. That was a difficult choice. While he enjoyed living in the Meiji era so much he had no wish to risk his other self's life. But it was the same, right? He was cornered. It didn't really depend on his choice - Zenei would make sure he got back to the Bakumatsu *and* forgot everything. Instinctively he backed away from the man, stepping on someone's foot.
"Kaoru-san!" he had totally forgotten that Kaoru was also there.
Kaoru looked very pale, but her voice was reasonably composed. "Ken-Kentai- san. Please tell me, what are you?"
"I..." Battousai was at a loss for words. He knew it would sound rather farfetched to tell her the truth. Some things were best kept unknown, he decided. However, Kaoru wasn't a fool. The previous story wouldn't exactly work against her this time.
"You won't understand what I am," the boy sighed.
There was some uneasy stirring in Zenei's squad. "Who is this woman?" Zenei asked, sounding dangerous. Battousai instinctively stood in front of the tanuki girl.
"She is irrelevant. Let her go." Battousai said, sensing the sign of danger.
The man narrowed his eyes, not waiting for an answer, "Kamiya Kaoru, your future self's lover. I'm sorry, but she cannot go after she learns about Time."
"You cannot eliminate her! You'll....as you've said before, you'll alter history. I will give you the time turner, but *please*..." Battousai felt helpless. His Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu was practically useless against Zenei or his companions. If it were any other people he would have slashed his way out instead of wasting his breath on pleading.
"I believe she'll alter history, but it was only in a minor way. She does not make as much difference as you do. But, Himura, we aren't killing her. We are only offering her a new life - without death. She will only lose her memory and blend in another world as a new person." Zenei said slowly.
"What - what are you talking about?" Kaoru said, her voice shaking.
The assassin unsheathed his katana. "Kaoru-san, get out of here!" // You won't be killing her, but you'll be as good as killing the rurouni. What should he do without her? I will protect her for the rurouni's sake. //
"Dare you move a hair on her head, you will have to look for the time turner yourself. Let her go, and I'll hand it to you personally. What about that?" In the corner of his eyes he saw that Kaoru was still standing behind him. Stupid woman.
"Are you threatening me, Himura?"
"I surely am." Was Battousai's gruff reply. He gave Kaoru a shove. This time she took the hint and started darting down the stairs. The girl apparently knew that without her shinai and in her kimono she was being nothing more than a hindrance. Of course, being in her training outfit and *with* her shinai wouldn't change the fact that she would be a hindrance.
Zenei watched leisurely as the girl departed.
"Regrettably, we normally do not accept threats."
*~*
Kenshin watched Tasuka with a concentrated stare. He had no idea what style the boy would use. Tasuka in turn smiled in quite a smug way. He was much too familiar with his Kenshin-nii's Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. The two fighters turned slowly clockwise, katanas raised at shoulder level.
"Here, Kenshin-nii." Tasuka said, launching into the air. Kenshin's eyes widened slightly - wasn't it the stance for Ryu Tsui Sen? //Don't tell me he's using the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu...//
Shaking the suspicion away, he met the move with a matching Ryu Son Sen. Tasuka grinned suddenly. Under the faint glow of the crossing swords his grin looked purely evil.
"Argh!" the ex-Battousai cried out as a blade cut across his left forearm. Sidestepping out of the way, he flung Tasuka off. The brown-haired boy landed cleanly at his side; Kenshin noticed that he had drawn his wakizashi while their katanas touched. Clever move.
Gripping his injured shoulder Kenshin nodded grimly. "I see. An imitation of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. You caught me off guard." He is good, he thought. He made use of the Hiten moves to invent his own original moves. I wasn't wrong back then - Tasuka would make a fine samurai. His spirit is valiant and he is clever beyond measure.
But when this cleverness is used in the wrong way...
The Yashiro boy cocked his head. "You aren't in a good state, Kenshin-nii. You've been injured recently?"
The former Ishinshishi was impressed. "Aa. Demo..." he gripped the sakabatou horizontally in front of his face. "I will still fight you."
Tasuka was too much experienced with the older samurai's tolerance with pain. He knew it, and Kenshin probably knew it too - his last move would have taken the redhead's arm off if Tasuka hadn't withdrawn the blade at the last moment. But then, Kenshin was also holding back with that Ryu Son Sen. Saitou surveyed the fight silently, and cursed Kenshin again for the millionth time in his life - some day his kindness was really going to be the death of him.
The younger samurai sheathed his wakizashi once more, the katana leveling his chest. Himura looked intently at the tip of his glimmering silver blade. Tasuka was fast, cool, powerful - and yet...
The sakabatou arched through the air in a wide circle. This was an experience, the violet-eyed samurai thought. He might not be right, but then successes do rely on experimenting, don't they?
Puzzled charcoal eyes glanced at the whirlpool of silver light, and the man leaped out of its way just in time. "What was that?"
Kenshin looked a bit sly. It seemed that he was right, wasn't he? Tasuka *was* fast, cool, powerful and all that - *but* Kenshin quickly noticed two things in which the boy was lacking. First - his moves and reaction to moves relied too much on the Hiten's side. He therefore tested the boy with a non-Hiten technique. The result was obvious; the former hitokiri was greeted with a confused "what was that", meaning the boy hadn't too much experience on dealing with non-Hiten Mitsurugi techniques.
The second thing was on the boy's Hiten-imitating moves. The Hiten Mitsurugi was probably the strongest style there was; yet Tasuka's original moves weren't polished and replenished for hundreds of years as the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu had been. After all, the creation of an invincible sword style could not be accomplished by one single man; generation after generation of editing and refining was vital. In addition, Tasuka knew most Hiten moves only due to his photographic memory. He had watched as the former Ishin warrior practiced, memorized the forms; and came out with a new style years later. Never having learnt them in earnest, there was something still lacking in his stances, though noticeable to only the best fighters there were. Unfortunately, if Himura Kenshin and Saitou Hajime weren't counted in that caliber there would be no one else in it.
The wolf must have noticed that as well, Kenshin thought distractedly as he glimpsed at the lanky policeman. Sure enough, the ex-Shisengumi was holding a small smile on his lips - which made him all the more menacing than usual. Why can't he ever smile in a human way, Kenshin scowled slightly.
Tasuka stared at the pair of them. With an identically sly smile on their faces they looked pretty insane. "Here I come again," he muttered as he swung his katana in a way that looked suspiciously like Ryu Kan Sen. Resisting the urge to block with a Hiten technique, Kenshin turned his blade sideward. He knew he would look dumb, but that was the only thing he could do without using his own Hiten techniques.
"Gatotsu." An amused voice came from his side. Dammit, he was damned sure the wolf would laugh his head off. And he did - internally. On the outside he just smirked wider and crossed his legs.
The ex-hitokiri felt his cheeks burning; he'd just realized that his stance must look absolutely sloppy in front of this Gatotsu master. He averted his eyes from the snickering policeman, an image of Saitou Ryu Tsui Sen-ing some people gliding involuntarily through his mind. What did he expect, he was a master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, not Gatotsu - if he had any other choice he would gladly choose the other regardless of the difficulties. At least this would have saved him the humiliation of giving Saitou something to taunt him about. Gatotsu was possibly the technique he had seen most in his life, although .... he'd never thought that this would come in useful one day.
Although Saitou found the situation entertaining a part of him was gaping at Kenshin's brilliance. His stance was perfect though awkward with the lack of practice. Battousai must have learnt a lot throughout all our encounters, he mused. It was of no coincidence that Battousai became the best swordsman in the Ishinshishi. He saw those amethyst eyes looking in his way and smirked. No way was he going to give the rurouni the satisfaction of seeing him gape. Let's see how your Lishiki goes, Battousai.
Kenshin was still blushing as he went with the Lishiki as Saitou had guessed. It looked easy when Saitou did it, but to Kenshin it seemed so unnatural to have your blade turned horizontal while charging. Why didn't he just Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki the boy and get this done with? That would be much easier. He secretly understood why. He had no intention of hurting Tasuka - the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki was way too powerful. Any other moves - except Kuzu Ryu Sen - would be recognized. He seriously regretted allowing Tasuka watch him practice when both of them were no more than children.
//What is this supposed to be? // Tasuka was doubtless that if it ever comes to a fight, his Kenshin-nii would use his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. It seemed now that all his time spent on revising those Hiten techniques had been wasted. He sidestepped, not quite knowing what to do. At this moment the Miburo's eyes sparkled with sudden realization. "That is sly."
Tasuka was partly digesting Saitou's words as he, too, came to an abrupt realization. As Kenshin braked to a halt cleanly in front of him, the boy became conscious that there was actually no need to dodge his ferocious- looking Lishiki. The former hitokiri had not applied any of his power on the move. Then it must be...Tasuka swerved around, readying to block the following fatal blow.
Too late.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu - KUZU RYU SEN!" the horizontal thrust flipped to nine hyper-speed slashes; Kenshin seemed nothing but murderous. The ex- Shisengumi could not understand the look, however - it was fairly untypical of Kenshin to be angered in a fight as the rurouni had a frustratingly slow fuse. Deprived of the ruthless pride that most samurai had in their skills and identity, the only efficient way to irritate the man was through threatening his friends. Most of his enemies - ranging from Jinei to himself - had realized that sooner or later. The wolf shook his head. This would be solved afterwards. On with the show.
Tasuka was completely caught off guard. Despite his effort to block the man still got the full blast of the formidable move - the last thrust on the chest sent him flying backwards, landing on the carpet with a soft thud. Seeing their leader fall, Tasuka's five closest warriors ran down the steps in unison, weapons out and pointing at the offending rurouni.
Saitou Hajime shook his head. "Still holding back aren't you? Someday..."
"It would be the death of me, yeah." Kenshin intercepted with a bored voice, the killer expression gone in an instant. Ignoring his potential attackers, he walked over to where Tasuka had fallen and offered him a hand.
To everyone but Kenshin's surprise, Yashiro took it, looking genuinely good-natured.
"After all these years you're still better than me, huh, Kenshin-nii?"
"And after all those years your heart is pure as before, Tasuka-chan." Himura smiled back, a sense of understanding passing between them. Serene violet stared into thoughtful blackness.
Tasuka gave a detached wave, and the five warriors backed away. Kenshin tilted his head slightly. " What was that feeling you have when you took my last move?"
Tasuka closed his eyes. He thought Kenshin was going to kill him - for one heart-stopping second the normally gentle rurouni's eyes had gleamed amber, promising nothing but instant death. He shuddered at the thought. "I...I think I was scared. Scared of dying." This was half of the truth. In that second - a ridiculously long one - he found himself thinking of his deceased parents. Of his childhood spent in chaos, yet so much better than what he had gone through since the new era...
Kenshin nodded at the answer, understanding both told and untold. "This - is what your victims think of in their last moments. Corrupt and twisted they may be, but they are men, Tasuka. They're as much bone and flesh as you and I are."
The Yashiro boy blinked, doubt swirling in his jet-black eyes.
//Is.is that what they think in their last moments? About their families and friends? Not money or bribing or any black dealings they have? //
Doubt spreads through him as he relived the experience once more. He was afraid. He *was*. And yet...
// Have I been wrong all long? //
A/U: Gomen, I know this chapter royally sucks. Please bear with me, my head is sorta blocked and I just can't write properly .. I was expecting your mail but it never came. So I guess I'll send you one right now! I'n writing Kaoru like a jerk! Geez! I ain't exactly a Kaoru fan but actually I'm fine with both Kaoru and Tomoe. They both play important roles in Kenshin's life, but Kami-sama knows I just can't write romance properly (Well what romance d'you think a 15-year-old girl has) Anyway, I'm looking forward to hear from you soon! I've downloaded AIM but you're always offline *nods sadly, smirks internally* Are you off with your school yet? I hope you are. Then we can have a long long holiday, ne? ^^
Boomerang-chan-sama: Whao thanks for the birthday present! You know it's the best I can have! *runs around like a maniac* kuso, Tasuka's a jerk in this chap! He's just "oh! I was wrong all these years!" and turned good or something. *sweatdrops* and Kenshin Gatotsu-ing? I must be delirious ~ I just can't get Battousai outta where he is! *cold sweat and tension marks flies all around my head*
Liemtenshi-sama: Mou! You don't set off fireworks in my home! *stares at a pile of ashes that was once my home* oh well..I think I'm gonna kill you ~ *White-wigged fatties strode across the ashes and starts ambushing me with something called Copyright Ordinance* I didn't do it! My reviewer does! Ask that guy here..*Liemtenshi-sama blinks innocently, fatties refuse to listen to my truthful confession* this is my best birthday ever..*eyes swirling with amber* Well, this is half a Battousai chap! * Glares at all potential protesters* What? I should have given the whole chapter to him? Oro! I don't know why, someday the idea just popped into my head that I need some time device. And that Shishio guy is called Usui ^^ Zenei is just a someone popping out from nowhere. RK is still on? *blinks incredulously* I thought they've killed it. Thanks for telling me it! I dunno why, but one fateful day on my birthday the chapter makes a lifelong decision to appear in the right format! *sighs helplessly*
Sapphire-eyes-sama: Hi here! I've fixed all the little outer-space signs out there - for some reason they've been battling with me for days, then just suddenly decide to be all right again -__- can't control them, they're tame as Saitou..anyway I hope you've enjoyed the story! See ya again in next chapter. *Bows happily* A beauty?! Arigatou so that! I appreciate your reviews so much.
Akira Miota-sama: Yeah I'm just thinking this chapter sucks..I hope you don't mind it, that you don't, if there's any suggestion or something please just email me.
ChocolateEclar-sama: Do you like chocolate eclar? I luv it!(stupid question, why name yourself chocolate eclar when you don't like it?) It's tasty! Thanks for reading this unworthy story! I hope to see you soon ^_^
Are-en-sama: When I first wrote the story it was only a flicker of inspiration, but somehow I can't stop it - same goes for my Chinesse story, I've been writing it for half a year since! Stupid rambling of a little girl..please leave a review when you have time! Always cheer me up when I'm down or, more possibly, just bored. Summer holidays are peaceful for me and there is so much time to write!
LittoGrrlStephie-sama: Thanks for the review! I'm impressed with this called a great story..I've thought it sucks! I'll be waiting for your next comment!
Lilfrozenfire-sama: Arigatou for the nice comment! K&K moments? *froze temporarily* I do hope I can write romance well! It usually sucks because I have no idea how romance goes (what d'you expecting from a 15-year-old little girl anyway?) But I'll try! Kaoru's currently stuck with Battousai and he dislikes her...things'll be rough for poor rurouni..And, actually my place is once a British colony and my school was run by some Catholic sisters so except Chinese and Chinese History all subjects are taught in English. I write most my assignments in English..it's probably even better than my Chinese when it's paperwork ^^
Dork-in-training-sama: hullo there a new chapter's out. And miraculously FF.net has freed me of little extraterrestrial signs so I can post the story properly. Have a good day!
Disclaimers: Have you ever thought why the Tsuikuhen and Seisouhen's characters look completely different as they are in the manga and anime? Look no further! I declare lawfully that the anime and manga are drawn by me! Really! Nobuhiro Watsuki stole it from me and...*thunder sounds. Kami- sama doesn't seem too happy about this*...Well, on with the story.
Ch6 A Brush with Time
To say Battousai was mad would be a great understatement.
Battousai was royally pissed off.
At least that was what he thought he was, until after a session of marching through most of the streets in Kyoto like some cracked person and glaring at each and every passer-by in turn that he decided he wasn't really mad.
He was stressed. The short yet unforgettable encounter with Zenei Makimoto had completely stressed him out. Well, let's admit it, Zenei wasn't some dork that could be flung into space anytime he wanted. Actually Battousai was rather afraid of the man ( not that he'd ever admit it) - he couldn't sense him, he couldn't fight him, and he couldn't avoid him forever either. The man had a strange ability of tracking him down that made the hitokiri suspect if he was some sort of Zenei-magnet. Privately he thought he would rather face ten Vanguard of Justice groups than a single Zenei Makimoto. And, as he suddenly noted, Zenei wasn't alone.
In his stress he had found someone to lash out on - unfortunately, it was the rurouni and Battousai was currently kicking a certain something along the way in his regret.
And speaking of the Vanguard of Justice thing...did he miss something? Something really important?
Lavender eyes widened to the size of saucers. A curse foul enough to wake the dead reverberated through the whole street, and the population hearing it cringed.
Battousai was tearing through the streets in a second, bringing up a powerful gale wherever he went. Damn it, how could he miss it? In his stupid rage he had forgotten almost any sensible thing, imagining himself to be smacking the wanderer with various Hiten and not-so-Hiten moves. Baka baka baka baka baka!
He had two choices - either going back to the house or directly head to the Vanguard group's secret hideout. He decided upon the first. Barging into the group's place alone would be far too risky. He'd just go back to where he had left the rurouni, give him a full apology, and everything would be back to normal. That was what he assumed.
A high-pitched shriek woke him out of his thoughts. Wondering what in the name of Kami-sama could have happened, he snapped his eyes back into focus...
And nearly collided head-on with a somebody stupid enough to get into his way. Luckily for both Battousai and the somebody, Hiko had spent year after year trying to make his baka deishi able of braking to a halt when using the Hiten's godlike speed - which he deemed almost impossible considering his baka deishi's dislike for practicing in that useless (at least that was what young Kenshin thought) field.
Well, it does prove useful now, the manslayer thought idly as he halted in front of that dumbstruck person, their noses almost touching. Enormous ink- blue eyes batted. Hadn't he seen those eyes before?
"Tigress-dono?"
"Kentai-san!" Kaoru blinked sheepishly before she got the insult. She smiled sweetly.
"If you haven't forgotten, my name is *Kamiya Kaoru*!" and Battousai found himself dodging a series of poorly aimed yet furious bokken-dealt blows as he lamented for meeting such a tiring sort of person when he was obviously in a hurry.
The blows subsided finally. Kaoru was clutching her side and gasping for breath. Battousai quickly distanced himself from the crazy girl lest he got beaten by unsuspected swings.
"Okay okay, Kaoru-san. What exactly do you want with me? I'm in a hurry actually."
Kaoru turned serious, blushing a bit at her outburst. "Er....I was thinking, have you seen Kenshin?"
"Iie." He lied. He just wished she could get out of his older self's way.
"Why don't I believe you?" Kaoru asked, blue eyes burning into his.
This girl is sure persistent, isn't she? Battousai sighed. "He's currently out with some girl and wants you out of the way so he could have some fun. Is that answer acceptable? Now, Kaoru-san, excuse me but I must go." He winced at his own rudeness; but he was in a foul enough mood without having to deal with the girl.
Instead of going berserk and having another round at Battousai like he'd expected her to, Kaoru fell silent and looked down. Battousai felt suddenly sorry. He himself might not like the girl, but to the rurouni it was a different thing. He should have been kinder to her...
"Listen, Kaoru-san, I was only joking - "
Kaoru looked up with a very business-like glow in her eyes, waving an impatient hand. "Of course you were joking. If you were *not* - well then, you won't be having a brother any longer. Answer me, is Kenshin up to something?"
//That threat was creepy // the hitokiri thought, taking the line a bit too seriously. "Oh no, he isn't up to anything. I...uh...got lost and is looking for him now." What a fine lie. Battousai had always known he was the worst liar ever born on this world.
Kaoru looked at him pleadingly. "Please, I just want to see him. Even if he's up to anything, I won't get into his way. It's just so disturbing with Kenshin bearing all the responsibilities himself. Kentai-san, I ask of you. Please..." She bowed low to him, eyes brimming with tears.
"Yare yare," Battousai put a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes. Women could never fail to get on his nerve. Someday he'd have to learn how to deal with it when a woman asks him for a favour. "Okay, if you'll follow me I'd bring you to him. But promise me one thing - get outta our way when we're working."
// Too easy. One thing similar between Kenshin and Kentai - they're both too soft. // Kaoru smiled happily, bobbing a little energetic bow. Shaking his head, Battousai grasped her around the wrist and started running along with breakneck speed. The tanuki girl had to keep herself from screaming as Battousai dodged pedestrians abruptly, jumped cleanly over passing carriages, and skidded over hairpin turns so fast that she thought her arm would fall off.
"Right. We're there." Battousai stopped suddenly at the entrance of the neat little house, panting slightly from the long run. Kaoru was doubled over behind him, wheezing loudly. He threw her a sideways glance.
"Weak, aren't you?" he muttered under his breath, entering the house quietly. Cursing the boy under her breath Kaoru followed, still bending over from the roller-coaster ride she got.
Something wasn't right. The house sounded far too silent. Battousai felt his breath stuck in his throat. // Dammit, have they left me behind? I'll kick both their ass if they do! // he thought fiercely, casting his ki around the house.
Kaoru was leaning on the doorframe gulping some much-needed breath. What did the boy think he was, a human hurricane? She pondered about the necessity of jumping over carriages and flying over rooftops. Maybe the boy was just making fun of her, damn him. If she hadn't a favour to ask him he would be dead by now.
"Kentai-san?"
"Silence!" the boy froze, shielding her with an outstretched hand.
"Kenshin's here! Right at the second floor. C'mon." Battousai said, relieved. He had feared so much that it was a hostile ki....if he was truthful with himself he would know that he was indeed afraid that he would sense Zenei lurking in the second floor.
Sensing Kenshin's ki instead, the hitokiri boy literally leaped up the staircase, eager to join his older counterpart. He slammed the shouji aside.
"Ken...nii-chan! I'm glad you haven't left. The badass wolf is late huh? I...." Words died in his mouth as he gasped, paralyzing in the doorway.
Zenei Makimoto turned to look at him, his squad of twenty men standing in a tight circle around the door.
"I know you would be attracted to come up here if you think you have sensed your future self."
"You! Zenei...how...it should be Kenshin standing here...." the hitokiri gaped, terrified.
"I copied his ki, Himura. I let you sense this ki on purpose. As for we, we never have any ki." Zenei told him, smiling in a horrifying sort of way.
"That's not true! Any living thing has a ki. You can't just shift your ki to someone else's at your own will. What have you done to Kenshin!" Battousai bellowed, losing his typical hitokiri coolness.
"Ah, innocent people. Have I ever told you that we are living things?" Zenei said, a thread of compassion in his voice.
"WHAT?"
"Let me tell you. We are neither living nor dead. Our form has surpassed this cycle long ago. For us, existence need not be bound by simple life-and- death boundaries. That is, life and living have definitely no meaning to us. We are never human. We are Time."
"Time?" Battousai asked blankly.
"Do you really have to know?" Zenei asked a bit impatiently, then resigned with a little sigh. "No matter. I will clear your memory eventually anyway, so I guess it won't hurt telling you this."
"As you've already known, we are Time. We control time, run it, and prevent error from getting into its way. By some mistake, the time turner breaks loose from where it was stored. It has neither form nor shape, so it was damned difficult to find the thing out. A single time-turner in a billion worth of years." He snorted, clearly thinking the idea insane. "However, the time turner has one property. It sticks to the first object it can get hold to and transfer its power to it. Anyone unlucky enough to touch it - that's you - would be going on a havoc time journey to various stages of your life. They stick here forever if we don't go to their help. No...actually not forever. They mess up the whole time system. There are usually two outcomes. First, the past is changed and the future overwritten. That is, the future self vanishes completely. Second, the damage done in the past is not severe enough to actually impair the future. It ends up like a multi-ending story or something - that is, time splits and another time zone with the new outcome appears out of nowhere. One more time zone for us to work on, actually. But the second chance has a really minor percentage of happening. Especially considering you - you're a main character responsible for the Meiji restoration, I believe?"
Zenei turned to a dumbstruck Battousai. His amethyst eyes were a bit glazed over, but he was catching on. Well, not a small feat to be achieved by a mere human, Zenei nodded his approval.
"To avoid complications, we assume that all cases will end up in the first outcome - that is, the future will be overwritten. We seek out all victims affected, erase their memories, and send them back to their rightful time. One problem is that, we can't erase the future self's memory. Don't ask me why, that's some technical problem we're facing." Zenei added as Battousai opened his mouth questioningly. "It's bad enough that he knew his past has come to this era, but your future self must not know of us."
"Iie, I wasn't going to ask why," Battousai said, forgetting his fear temporarily, "I was realizing why you withdrawn that night when the rurouni came out to look for me."
"That's right. He can't possibly know of our existence," the raven-haired man said. "Anyway, most of these victims are only too willing to cooperate with us. They want to return life to normal. You - however - is a pain-in- the-ass obviously. However, things aren't going to change. You're going back - like it or no. You'd better go, Himura, unless you want your future self and this whole Meiji world to disappear."
The redheaded boy felt cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. That was a difficult choice. While he enjoyed living in the Meiji era so much he had no wish to risk his other self's life. But it was the same, right? He was cornered. It didn't really depend on his choice - Zenei would make sure he got back to the Bakumatsu *and* forgot everything. Instinctively he backed away from the man, stepping on someone's foot.
"Kaoru-san!" he had totally forgotten that Kaoru was also there.
Kaoru looked very pale, but her voice was reasonably composed. "Ken-Kentai- san. Please tell me, what are you?"
"I..." Battousai was at a loss for words. He knew it would sound rather farfetched to tell her the truth. Some things were best kept unknown, he decided. However, Kaoru wasn't a fool. The previous story wouldn't exactly work against her this time.
"You won't understand what I am," the boy sighed.
There was some uneasy stirring in Zenei's squad. "Who is this woman?" Zenei asked, sounding dangerous. Battousai instinctively stood in front of the tanuki girl.
"She is irrelevant. Let her go." Battousai said, sensing the sign of danger.
The man narrowed his eyes, not waiting for an answer, "Kamiya Kaoru, your future self's lover. I'm sorry, but she cannot go after she learns about Time."
"You cannot eliminate her! You'll....as you've said before, you'll alter history. I will give you the time turner, but *please*..." Battousai felt helpless. His Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu was practically useless against Zenei or his companions. If it were any other people he would have slashed his way out instead of wasting his breath on pleading.
"I believe she'll alter history, but it was only in a minor way. She does not make as much difference as you do. But, Himura, we aren't killing her. We are only offering her a new life - without death. She will only lose her memory and blend in another world as a new person." Zenei said slowly.
"What - what are you talking about?" Kaoru said, her voice shaking.
The assassin unsheathed his katana. "Kaoru-san, get out of here!" // You won't be killing her, but you'll be as good as killing the rurouni. What should he do without her? I will protect her for the rurouni's sake. //
"Dare you move a hair on her head, you will have to look for the time turner yourself. Let her go, and I'll hand it to you personally. What about that?" In the corner of his eyes he saw that Kaoru was still standing behind him. Stupid woman.
"Are you threatening me, Himura?"
"I surely am." Was Battousai's gruff reply. He gave Kaoru a shove. This time she took the hint and started darting down the stairs. The girl apparently knew that without her shinai and in her kimono she was being nothing more than a hindrance. Of course, being in her training outfit and *with* her shinai wouldn't change the fact that she would be a hindrance.
Zenei watched leisurely as the girl departed.
"Regrettably, we normally do not accept threats."
*~*
Kenshin watched Tasuka with a concentrated stare. He had no idea what style the boy would use. Tasuka in turn smiled in quite a smug way. He was much too familiar with his Kenshin-nii's Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. The two fighters turned slowly clockwise, katanas raised at shoulder level.
"Here, Kenshin-nii." Tasuka said, launching into the air. Kenshin's eyes widened slightly - wasn't it the stance for Ryu Tsui Sen? //Don't tell me he's using the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu...//
Shaking the suspicion away, he met the move with a matching Ryu Son Sen. Tasuka grinned suddenly. Under the faint glow of the crossing swords his grin looked purely evil.
"Argh!" the ex-Battousai cried out as a blade cut across his left forearm. Sidestepping out of the way, he flung Tasuka off. The brown-haired boy landed cleanly at his side; Kenshin noticed that he had drawn his wakizashi while their katanas touched. Clever move.
Gripping his injured shoulder Kenshin nodded grimly. "I see. An imitation of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. You caught me off guard." He is good, he thought. He made use of the Hiten moves to invent his own original moves. I wasn't wrong back then - Tasuka would make a fine samurai. His spirit is valiant and he is clever beyond measure.
But when this cleverness is used in the wrong way...
The Yashiro boy cocked his head. "You aren't in a good state, Kenshin-nii. You've been injured recently?"
The former Ishinshishi was impressed. "Aa. Demo..." he gripped the sakabatou horizontally in front of his face. "I will still fight you."
Tasuka was too much experienced with the older samurai's tolerance with pain. He knew it, and Kenshin probably knew it too - his last move would have taken the redhead's arm off if Tasuka hadn't withdrawn the blade at the last moment. But then, Kenshin was also holding back with that Ryu Son Sen. Saitou surveyed the fight silently, and cursed Kenshin again for the millionth time in his life - some day his kindness was really going to be the death of him.
The younger samurai sheathed his wakizashi once more, the katana leveling his chest. Himura looked intently at the tip of his glimmering silver blade. Tasuka was fast, cool, powerful - and yet...
The sakabatou arched through the air in a wide circle. This was an experience, the violet-eyed samurai thought. He might not be right, but then successes do rely on experimenting, don't they?
Puzzled charcoal eyes glanced at the whirlpool of silver light, and the man leaped out of its way just in time. "What was that?"
Kenshin looked a bit sly. It seemed that he was right, wasn't he? Tasuka *was* fast, cool, powerful and all that - *but* Kenshin quickly noticed two things in which the boy was lacking. First - his moves and reaction to moves relied too much on the Hiten's side. He therefore tested the boy with a non-Hiten technique. The result was obvious; the former hitokiri was greeted with a confused "what was that", meaning the boy hadn't too much experience on dealing with non-Hiten Mitsurugi techniques.
The second thing was on the boy's Hiten-imitating moves. The Hiten Mitsurugi was probably the strongest style there was; yet Tasuka's original moves weren't polished and replenished for hundreds of years as the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu had been. After all, the creation of an invincible sword style could not be accomplished by one single man; generation after generation of editing and refining was vital. In addition, Tasuka knew most Hiten moves only due to his photographic memory. He had watched as the former Ishin warrior practiced, memorized the forms; and came out with a new style years later. Never having learnt them in earnest, there was something still lacking in his stances, though noticeable to only the best fighters there were. Unfortunately, if Himura Kenshin and Saitou Hajime weren't counted in that caliber there would be no one else in it.
The wolf must have noticed that as well, Kenshin thought distractedly as he glimpsed at the lanky policeman. Sure enough, the ex-Shisengumi was holding a small smile on his lips - which made him all the more menacing than usual. Why can't he ever smile in a human way, Kenshin scowled slightly.
Tasuka stared at the pair of them. With an identically sly smile on their faces they looked pretty insane. "Here I come again," he muttered as he swung his katana in a way that looked suspiciously like Ryu Kan Sen. Resisting the urge to block with a Hiten technique, Kenshin turned his blade sideward. He knew he would look dumb, but that was the only thing he could do without using his own Hiten techniques.
"Gatotsu." An amused voice came from his side. Dammit, he was damned sure the wolf would laugh his head off. And he did - internally. On the outside he just smirked wider and crossed his legs.
The ex-hitokiri felt his cheeks burning; he'd just realized that his stance must look absolutely sloppy in front of this Gatotsu master. He averted his eyes from the snickering policeman, an image of Saitou Ryu Tsui Sen-ing some people gliding involuntarily through his mind. What did he expect, he was a master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, not Gatotsu - if he had any other choice he would gladly choose the other regardless of the difficulties. At least this would have saved him the humiliation of giving Saitou something to taunt him about. Gatotsu was possibly the technique he had seen most in his life, although .... he'd never thought that this would come in useful one day.
Although Saitou found the situation entertaining a part of him was gaping at Kenshin's brilliance. His stance was perfect though awkward with the lack of practice. Battousai must have learnt a lot throughout all our encounters, he mused. It was of no coincidence that Battousai became the best swordsman in the Ishinshishi. He saw those amethyst eyes looking in his way and smirked. No way was he going to give the rurouni the satisfaction of seeing him gape. Let's see how your Lishiki goes, Battousai.
Kenshin was still blushing as he went with the Lishiki as Saitou had guessed. It looked easy when Saitou did it, but to Kenshin it seemed so unnatural to have your blade turned horizontal while charging. Why didn't he just Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki the boy and get this done with? That would be much easier. He secretly understood why. He had no intention of hurting Tasuka - the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki was way too powerful. Any other moves - except Kuzu Ryu Sen - would be recognized. He seriously regretted allowing Tasuka watch him practice when both of them were no more than children.
//What is this supposed to be? // Tasuka was doubtless that if it ever comes to a fight, his Kenshin-nii would use his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. It seemed now that all his time spent on revising those Hiten techniques had been wasted. He sidestepped, not quite knowing what to do. At this moment the Miburo's eyes sparkled with sudden realization. "That is sly."
Tasuka was partly digesting Saitou's words as he, too, came to an abrupt realization. As Kenshin braked to a halt cleanly in front of him, the boy became conscious that there was actually no need to dodge his ferocious- looking Lishiki. The former hitokiri had not applied any of his power on the move. Then it must be...Tasuka swerved around, readying to block the following fatal blow.
Too late.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu - KUZU RYU SEN!" the horizontal thrust flipped to nine hyper-speed slashes; Kenshin seemed nothing but murderous. The ex- Shisengumi could not understand the look, however - it was fairly untypical of Kenshin to be angered in a fight as the rurouni had a frustratingly slow fuse. Deprived of the ruthless pride that most samurai had in their skills and identity, the only efficient way to irritate the man was through threatening his friends. Most of his enemies - ranging from Jinei to himself - had realized that sooner or later. The wolf shook his head. This would be solved afterwards. On with the show.
Tasuka was completely caught off guard. Despite his effort to block the man still got the full blast of the formidable move - the last thrust on the chest sent him flying backwards, landing on the carpet with a soft thud. Seeing their leader fall, Tasuka's five closest warriors ran down the steps in unison, weapons out and pointing at the offending rurouni.
Saitou Hajime shook his head. "Still holding back aren't you? Someday..."
"It would be the death of me, yeah." Kenshin intercepted with a bored voice, the killer expression gone in an instant. Ignoring his potential attackers, he walked over to where Tasuka had fallen and offered him a hand.
To everyone but Kenshin's surprise, Yashiro took it, looking genuinely good-natured.
"After all these years you're still better than me, huh, Kenshin-nii?"
"And after all those years your heart is pure as before, Tasuka-chan." Himura smiled back, a sense of understanding passing between them. Serene violet stared into thoughtful blackness.
Tasuka gave a detached wave, and the five warriors backed away. Kenshin tilted his head slightly. " What was that feeling you have when you took my last move?"
Tasuka closed his eyes. He thought Kenshin was going to kill him - for one heart-stopping second the normally gentle rurouni's eyes had gleamed amber, promising nothing but instant death. He shuddered at the thought. "I...I think I was scared. Scared of dying." This was half of the truth. In that second - a ridiculously long one - he found himself thinking of his deceased parents. Of his childhood spent in chaos, yet so much better than what he had gone through since the new era...
Kenshin nodded at the answer, understanding both told and untold. "This - is what your victims think of in their last moments. Corrupt and twisted they may be, but they are men, Tasuka. They're as much bone and flesh as you and I are."
The Yashiro boy blinked, doubt swirling in his jet-black eyes.
//Is.is that what they think in their last moments? About their families and friends? Not money or bribing or any black dealings they have? //
Doubt spreads through him as he relived the experience once more. He was afraid. He *was*. And yet...
// Have I been wrong all long? //
A/U: Gomen, I know this chapter royally sucks. Please bear with me, my head is sorta blocked and I just can't write properly .. I was expecting your mail but it never came. So I guess I'll send you one right now! I'n writing Kaoru like a jerk! Geez! I ain't exactly a Kaoru fan but actually I'm fine with both Kaoru and Tomoe. They both play important roles in Kenshin's life, but Kami-sama knows I just can't write romance properly (Well what romance d'you think a 15-year-old girl has) Anyway, I'm looking forward to hear from you soon! I've downloaded AIM but you're always offline *nods sadly, smirks internally* Are you off with your school yet? I hope you are. Then we can have a long long holiday, ne? ^^
Boomerang-chan-sama: Whao thanks for the birthday present! You know it's the best I can have! *runs around like a maniac* kuso, Tasuka's a jerk in this chap! He's just "oh! I was wrong all these years!" and turned good or something. *sweatdrops* and Kenshin Gatotsu-ing? I must be delirious ~ I just can't get Battousai outta where he is! *cold sweat and tension marks flies all around my head*
Liemtenshi-sama: Mou! You don't set off fireworks in my home! *stares at a pile of ashes that was once my home* oh well..I think I'm gonna kill you ~ *White-wigged fatties strode across the ashes and starts ambushing me with something called Copyright Ordinance* I didn't do it! My reviewer does! Ask that guy here..*Liemtenshi-sama blinks innocently, fatties refuse to listen to my truthful confession* this is my best birthday ever..*eyes swirling with amber* Well, this is half a Battousai chap! * Glares at all potential protesters* What? I should have given the whole chapter to him? Oro! I don't know why, someday the idea just popped into my head that I need some time device. And that Shishio guy is called Usui ^^ Zenei is just a someone popping out from nowhere. RK is still on? *blinks incredulously* I thought they've killed it. Thanks for telling me it! I dunno why, but one fateful day on my birthday the chapter makes a lifelong decision to appear in the right format! *sighs helplessly*
Sapphire-eyes-sama: Hi here! I've fixed all the little outer-space signs out there - for some reason they've been battling with me for days, then just suddenly decide to be all right again -__- can't control them, they're tame as Saitou..anyway I hope you've enjoyed the story! See ya again in next chapter. *Bows happily* A beauty?! Arigatou so that! I appreciate your reviews so much.
Akira Miota-sama: Yeah I'm just thinking this chapter sucks..I hope you don't mind it, that you don't, if there's any suggestion or something please just email me.
ChocolateEclar-sama: Do you like chocolate eclar? I luv it!(stupid question, why name yourself chocolate eclar when you don't like it?) It's tasty! Thanks for reading this unworthy story! I hope to see you soon ^_^
Are-en-sama: When I first wrote the story it was only a flicker of inspiration, but somehow I can't stop it - same goes for my Chinesse story, I've been writing it for half a year since! Stupid rambling of a little girl..please leave a review when you have time! Always cheer me up when I'm down or, more possibly, just bored. Summer holidays are peaceful for me and there is so much time to write!
LittoGrrlStephie-sama: Thanks for the review! I'm impressed with this called a great story..I've thought it sucks! I'll be waiting for your next comment!
Lilfrozenfire-sama: Arigatou for the nice comment! K&K moments? *froze temporarily* I do hope I can write romance well! It usually sucks because I have no idea how romance goes (what d'you expecting from a 15-year-old little girl anyway?) But I'll try! Kaoru's currently stuck with Battousai and he dislikes her...things'll be rough for poor rurouni..And, actually my place is once a British colony and my school was run by some Catholic sisters so except Chinese and Chinese History all subjects are taught in English. I write most my assignments in English..it's probably even better than my Chinese when it's paperwork ^^
Dork-in-training-sama: hullo there a new chapter's out. And miraculously FF.net has freed me of little extraterrestrial signs so I can post the story properly. Have a good day!
