Disclaimer: I got so excited that I just had to finish my chapter nine as soon as possible. I hope that you like it. I'd also like to thank all those who have reviews my story. I tried to get it done as fast as possible but maybe I should be evil and not post it right now. Nah I just better get down with it because there might be people out to get me if I don't. So here it is, I don't own any Rurouni Kenshin characters but I do own Raiden and Sajin Kousotsu, Zephon and Hageshii Meiyo, and Korosu Iikagen. So without further adieu here is chapter nine part two.
Chapter 9: End Game: Part 2
"Where did all these Ishins come from, I thought we were supposed to be the surprise?" Saitou muttered to himself as he cut Ishins down left and right. "One thing I know, I won't let Battousai get away from me." As soon as he said that he saw a shock of flame-red hair in the trees speeding among the foliage.
'You won't be getting away from me that easily.' Saitou thought as his face twisted in a murderous smile. To Saitou, Battousai was his prey and Saitou was the hunter; a wolf you might call him. Saitou gave chase careful to stay well enough behind him so Battousai wouldn't hear Saitou's feet or swishing of the brush as he went by. Saitou also masked his ki so Battousai wouldn't get suspicious. Saitou in fact was so far behind he was relying solely on the detection of Battousai's ki.
Battousai's ki suddenly stopped, Saitou slowed down because he didn't want Battousai to hear him coming. Battousai only stopped momentarily though and Satiou found he didn't' have to slow down too much, but Saitou put on a little more speed so that he wouldn't entirely lose Battousai.
'This is interesting, Battousai stopped again. Ah there we are he just jumped out of the tree.' Saitou picked up more speed and rushed into a clearing. He could tell that he had the element of surprise because Battousai's back was turned. Saitou might have even killed him if he wouldn't have stepped on a dried up, shriveled branch.
Battousai heard it and turned around just in time to block Saitou's sword that was on a path to kill Battousai. Saitou mentally cursed himself, well what was done was done he would now have to have a lengthy battle with Battousai until one of them got killed. When Saitou's sword clashed with Battousai's he let it stay there for a minute or two before he jumped back and slid into his famous Gatotsu stance. Battousai, thought quite surprised, automatically, from habit, went into his Battoujutsu stance. Saitou could tell he would be hoping for a quick kill, he also knew that the Battousai knew it would never happen.
"So it ends right here right now." Battousai said as he was poised to strike at any given second.
"It would seem that way." Saitou said, a huge sneer plastered on his face. In the shade of the trees Saitou's eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire; the beast had been let loose. The wolf was here to try and claim his prize.
All was quiet as Saitou and Battousai stared each other down. Battousai wasn't going to let himself be intimidated let alone cut down so easily. He was the dragon after all, it was about time to make Saitou learn the meaning of fear.
Saitou felt Battousai's ki flare dangerously, his sneer widened further as he remembered three years ago the promise Battousai had made, that he wouldn't be so easy to kill; this was going to be fun because the beast inside Battousai had finally awoke; the dragon was finally here. Saitou used Battousai's sudden rise in ki as a signal and charged forward, his sword parallel to the ground. Battousai quickly pulled his sword out of its sheath. A metallic sound reverberated off the trees as swords clashed. Saitou immediately jumped backwards and charged again. Again a metallic sound bounced off the trees as swords went into a power struggle.
"You seem really energetic; I hope you didn't have any sake before you started this battle." Battousai said as he tried to keep his ground.
"What can I say I'm lost in the thrill of battle." Saitou answered, his eyes burning with excitement.
Battousai snorted and jumped back. Saitou continued sneering as he yet again went into a Gatotsu. Battousai on the other hand did the unexpected, instead of getting read to do one of his Hiten Mitsurugi attacks he mirrored Saitou's movements and formed a Gatotsu, thought not as perfect.
Saitou momentarily surprised soon started laughing. "Oh now you think you have mastered my special technique?"
"I may not be as good at it, but I've seen it so many times that I can remember how it goes." Battousai said not at all phased by Saitou's sudden outburst.
"Just wanted you to feel the bite of you own fangs." Battousai said.
Saitou laughed even louder. "That's bold coming from you Battousai." Saitou sneered.
"Words are useless here; let the swords do the talking." Was all Battousai said.
Saitou shrugged, "It's your funeral."
Battousai didn't answer; instead he leapt into action, leaving a small cloud of dust in his wake. Saitou as well leapt into action his right hand keeping the sword even with the ground.
Swords clashed together, but it wasn't Battousai and Saitou's swords that hit against each other, Raiden had intervened with his double katanas. One katana had stopped Saitou's and the other katana stopped Battousai's paths.
"What is the meaning of this?" Saitou hissed very much surprised to see Raiden finally face to face and angry that his battle had been interrupted.
Raiden looked at Battousai, "Saitou is mine, nobody else is supposed to go after him but me." Raiden said coldly.
"It was I who went after the Battousai." Saitou stated, I don't know what you have against me but I want to finish this battle with the Battousai."
Raiden slowly shook his head, "Your fight is now with me." And with that he brought his other katana in Saitou's direction aimed directly for his neck.
Battousai took this opportunity to leave. Saitou growled as he watched Battousai retreat. He couldn't do anything about it thought as he had to protect himself from the sword that was about to cleave his head off. He did the only thing he could think of, he fell to his back and kicked Raiden in the chest. Raiden sailed through the air, landed and slid a ways but quickly got back up and dusted himself off.
"I will make you pay for what you did to my father and little sister." Raiden yelled.
Saitou though confused took up a defensive position as Raiden charged at him.
"Phew, that was too close for comfort." Battousai said relieved. "For once I'm glad Raiden is going up against Saitou."
"Oh gut why not, wasn't Saitou fun enough to play against?" A voice asked from behind him. Battousai whirled around to come face to face with Okita.
"I figure since Saitou didn't get a chance to fight and kill you, I will do it for him." Okita smiled.
Battousai had to suppress his annoyed sigh, he would have to expect this because he was the Battousai and many people wanted to kill him to claim his title. At times like this he just wished he could give them the title and have it be over with. Battousai once again went into his Battoujutsu while Okita went into the Hirazuki. Okita set it up to look like Gatotsu so Battousai wouldn't know what he was truly planning.
"I find it interesting that you know Saitou's special technique." Battousai stated and Okita smiled even wider, coughing a little in the process.
'If he works himself to hard maybe I can get away.'
Battousai then say something in a tree not too far away; was it an assassin?
He immediately forgot about Okita and went for the unknown person in the tree. Okita could only watch in horror as he realized Battousai was heading in Zephon's direction. He was about to give chase when Sajin stood in his way.
"Heh, nice to meet you again." Sajin said his kodachis directly in front of Okita blocking hi way.
"Get out of my way; I don't have time for this." Okita hissed urgently.
"I'm sorry but your fight is with me." Sajin stated as he sunk into his crouch with the twin kodachis pointed backwards. Okita growled and he also sunk into his fighting stance.
"I'm more then a match for you." Sajin said.
Okita stared into Sajin's eyes and charged.
"You are going to regret going against me, especially when I'm angry." Okita hissed dangerously.
Sajin smiled and waited for Okita to come his way. Okita went straight for Sajin then flipped to the side. Okita smiled, this will confused him. He continued this strategy several more times. Sajin tried to keep his eyes trained on Okita, not having the skill to detect ki.
'What have I gotten myself into?" Sajin thought. He gulped; he couldn't let Okita get the best of him.
Once Okita had jumped to the side again, Sajin charged. Okita was expecting it though; he used all his upper-body strength and thrust his sword in Sajin's direction. Sajin, thinking that was all Okita was planning, jumped to the side and continued with his attack. He looked into Okita's eyes and noticed a sly gleam. It was then that He felt Okita's sword bite deep into his chest.
"W-what was that?" Sajin stammered in surprise.
"That is the Hirazuki, the Shinsengumi's pride and joy." Okita said as he watched Sajin fall to his knees and slightly slump to the ground in a surprised stupor. Okita who was really worn out and wanting to end this fight as soon as possible, saw his opportunity as Sajin was still very surprised. Okita could feel a coughing spasm coming on and so he did the only thing he could think of, though it was dirty, Okita took the hilt of his own sword and knocked Sajin unconscious with it. Soon after he fell to his knees and let the coughing spasm overtake his body for with every cough it would rock his entire body and blood would make its way out of the lungs to cover Okita's face, hands, uniform and get soaked into the ground. Through the coughs Okita weakly looked up to see Battousai making his way closer to Zephon's hiding place. Oh how Hageshii was going to be mad.
With all his strength left in him Okita tried to get Hageshii's attention. "Hageshii Battousai!" Okita yelled at the top of his lungs. Hageshii who was not far away turned and watched as Battousai got closer to Zephon's hiding place.
"Wow, I never knew my father was this good with the sword." Zephon said to himself in wonder. 'I never realized, father was right, it is a good thing I never got into this fight.'
It was then that his attention was ripped back into reality when he heard a voice yell "Hageshii Battousai!"
Zephon's head snapped in the direction of the sound and saw Battousai speeding his way to the tree Zephon was in. Zephon gasped in fear and tried to make himself look smaller. He suddenly realized, the reason why Battousai was going after him was because he was still wearing the Shinsengumi uniform. Zephon's body involuntarily started to tremble and shake.
"Father please help me." Zephon pleaded silently.
Battousai was nearly on him, that's when he saw something flash in Battousai's way; a tanto, Zephon realized with sheer joy, his father's tanto.
Battousai saw something flash out of the corner of his eye. A tanto was flying in his direction. Battousai stopped and used his sword to swat the tanto away.
Hageshii was there in a flash.
"Not again, now you want a piece of me?" Battousai asked in an annoyed tone. Hageshii didn't say anything he let his sword do all the talking.
Hageshii looked at Zephon and Zephon nodded. Zephon knew he couldn't go down the tree because a battle for the future of Japan was being waged on so he went higher up into the tree.
"For what you would have done I can't forgive you." Hageshii growled in a low voice as he stood on a sturdy branch.
"What are you talking about?" Battousai asked confused. Only assassins hid in the shadows.
Battousai getting impatient jumped off his branch straight at Hageshii. Hageshii stepped aside and punched Battousai in the face. Battousai felt like he had just hit a brick wall, he fell through the foliage and hit the ground on his back with a bone-cracking thud. By the time Hageshii made it to the ground Battousai had slowly gotten up.
'Argh, at least six of my ribs are broken I'm going to have to be more careful.'
Hageshii didn't even wait for Battousai to get ready; he threw three tantos in Battousai's direction. Battousai was able to deflect the two that were aimed for his chest but not the one aimed for his right shoulder.
Aaaaaaahhh." Battousai cried in pain. Hageshii growled as Battousai pulled out the tanto.
"I'm going to make your life a living nightmare." Hageshii growled. He charged and Battousai thrust his sword and caught Hageshii in the thigh. Hageshii, who was having an adrenaline rush, swung his sword at the katana still stuck in his leg, and shattered it. Hageshii then got up really close and skewered Battousai in the left shoulder with is katana.
'I'm going to have to finish this.' Battousai realized that he still had Hageshii's tanto in his hand. He took it and stuck it right in the middle of Hageshii's chest. Hageshii stopped his assault and fell to his knees, but made sure to pull out his katana. Battousai heard a voice from the tree.
"Father, father, are you alright?" Zephon cried as he scrambled down the tree and at Hageshii's side in an instant.
It was then that Battousai realized why Hageshii was so worked up; he had just threatened Hageshii's son.
Hageshii slowly pulled out the tanto and looked at his son. Hageshii started coughing really hard and a small trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth.
"Battousai please help me lean him up against this tree." Zephon cried frantically.
Battousai numbly complied and Hageshii was soon leaning up against the tree. Hageshii motioned Zephon to his side.
"Zephon, before I go I want you to promise me one thing." Hageshii rasped.
Zephon laughed nervously, "Father, don't say such things."
"Son just promise." Hageshii said a little more harshly; he had to turn his head so he wouldn't cough blood on Zephon.
"Father, you're not going to die." Zephon was on the verge of yelling hysterically.
"Zephon listen to me I just got stabbed in the heart and I've lost too much blood, so just promise me that you will not take revenge on Battousai where you are older, I don't want you to end up like Raiden and Sajin." Hageshii said in a no-nonsense tone.
"Yes father I promise but please don't die, I still need you." Zephon said tears running freely from his eyes.
"My boy, my dear, dear, boy you will survive you are strong." Hageshii said very quietly, almost in a whisper.
"Zephon I want you to take my sword for it would have been yours later on. My father gave it to me and his father to him, I want you to have it." Hageshii said, his voice becoming nearly inaudible and his eyes becoming dull.
"Yes father, I will remember you with it." Zephon said as he tried to compose himself. By the time Zephon got around to taking the sword he had to pry it from his father's dead hands. He placed it in his lap and just let his tears run freely into his lap and sword. During this time Battousai was able to get a good look at the katana's scabbard. It was different in that is was a fiery red color with white flames emblazoned on the very tip of the scabbard. The hilt was decorated with a gold dragon's head and ruby-red crystal for an eye. Truely fierce just like the man who lay here died. Battousai was so lost in his thoughts for a moment that he was startled when he realized Zephon was looking him straight in the face. Battousai was quite taken back, he was expecting to see Zephon's face contorted in anger his eyes burning with hate.
"I understand, Battousai, you were just doing your job." Zephon said as he started to et his emotions under control.
Battousai couldn't handle it anymore, he felt sick to his stomach, he had just robbed a boy of his father. He stared at his broken sword for a long time before taking it and sticking it in the ground. He then made a silent vow then and there that he would never kill a living human being again. After that he slowly limped off into the shadows leaving Zephon alone with is dead father and Battousai's broken katana stuck in the ground, showing that the Battousai had turned over a new leaf and was trudging along a new path.
Elsewhere on a hill that overlooked Kyoto Hiko could feel the presence of a brave warrior's soul leaving this world.
"Whoever died was a brave soul, he fought to be bitter end and now his soul is gone the way of the earth."
Elsewhere in a battle of their own Saitou and Raiden were still battling.
"I didn't kill your father and baby sister." Saitou stated as he defended himself from a sword swing aimed for his head.
"I know you did it." Raiden said unshaken from his ideals.
Saitou and Raiden had been going on with the battle for a long time. Saitou was sporting a deep gash on his right shoulder and fresh shallow cuts on his chest and left arm. Raiden was fairing a little better because he only had a gash on his left shoulder.
"This is going to end now." Raiden said as he put his katanas together.
Saitou hearing that familiar click got himself ready for the worst. Raiden immediately started to spin his katanas around and charged Saitou. Saitou having gone against Sajin before knew what could happen and tried to stay away from the spinning katanas while trying to figure out a way to stop Raiden. When Raiden got closer to Saitou he quickly undid his katanas and used them like scissors to catch and hold Saitou at the neck. Saitou brought his katana up to protect one side of his vulnerable neck while he used his right arm to shield the other side. Raiden smiled and kicked Saitou in the chest. Saitou flew into a tree and felt Raiden's katana bite into his left shoulder pinning him to the tree.
"This will be all over in a minute." Raiden said as he was about to kill Saitou with a thrust to the heart. Saitou grabbed for the katana that Raiden had abandoned to use for a two-handed thrust, but he wasn't quick enough though as someone else had grabbed it, pulled it out and warded off Raiden's thrust with it.
Battousai I don't need your help." Saitou gasped for breath as the pain overwhelmed him for a minute. Battousai didn't listen as he stepped in front of Saitou and tried to reason with Raiden.
"Raiden, Saitou didn't kill your father or little sister."
"How do you know?" Raiden snapped.
"Because I've been snooping around Korosu's tent for the past three years searching for the truth." Battousai stated.
Raiden lowered his katana, "If Saitou didn't do it then who did?" Raiden asked starting to believe Battousai. He didn't know why but it seemed that Battousai had seen the truth and was telling it to him right now.
"It was I, Korosu." Korosu stated defiantly as he stepped out of the shadows. Raiden was shocked, "You used me." He then yelled outraged.
"Yes, yes I did, I would have killed Saitou myself but then you came along," Korosu said as if he were pleased with what happened, "I guessed I just figured you would kill each other."
Raiden gritted his teeth and said angrily, "Why did you kill my father in the first place?"
"Because he knew too much and was going to desert." Korosu smiled.
"But why Saitou as well?" Battousai asked.
Because he cost me my arm," Korosu said as he looked to his left arm, "Here let me tell you the whole story before you die Raiden." Korosu smirked.
"Word had gotten to me that Kousotsu was too scared to fight in the war because of you, Sajin and his new child." Korosu began, "He got so scared that he was about ready to pick up and leave but he was also a top rank official and so the Shinsengumi wanted him out o the picture as well so they sent Saitou to do the job." Korosu went on.
"Saitou got there but saw that your father had a child in his arms so he wasn't going to kill your father right then, but then I showed up and did it for him, but he cut off my arm in his attempt from having me kill both the daughter and your father, Saitou I guess was either showing pity or didn't think that was the right time, where I on the other had was told to eradicate you all." Korosu stated.
Korosu then smiled, "It looks like I get to do that right now." Korosu started to walk forward but then got a surprised look on his face as an arrow seemed to grow out of his neck. The only words that escaped from his mouth were Shishio how could you?" Everybody looked in the direction the arrow had been fired from only to see a tall figure disappear into the shadows.
A cry soon came out from the battle that had been raging on around them.
"The Ishins won, the Ishins won!"
Saitou and Raiden looked at each other and upon hearing the news Battousai dropped the katana and limped back into the shadows. Saitou then slid all the way to the base of the tree and slipped into unconsciousness from loss of blood.
When he awoke he found himself in a futon with his Shinsengumi top off. He slowly sat up and looked around.
"Ah, I see you are finally awake." A doctor said.
"Where am I?" Saitou asked groggily.
"In the Ishin infirmary." The doctor stated as he started changing Saitou's bandages. Upon hearing this and thinking he was a prisoner of war Saitou feebly tried to get up.
"Sir, please, hold still." The doctor said calmly as he kept Saitou from getting away.
Saitou seeing that is was futile sat there and asked another question, 'What happened to Kondou, Hijikata, and Okita?"
"Ah they are all there in this same infirmary though Kondou and Hijikata are severely wounded." The doctor answered.
"And Okita?" Saitou questioned.
"He had blood on his uniform so we assumed it was from Sajin but then we found blood on his face and hands as well." The doctor stated grimly. Saitou nodded understanding what had transpired.
"There all done." The doctor said and was just about to leave when Saitou asked, "May I go see Okita?"
The doctor nodded and directed Saitou to Okita's bedside. Saitou kneeled there and saw that Okita was awake and crying.
"Okita what is the matter, why do you cry?" Saitou asked confused as he had never seen Okita cry before.
"Hageshii is dead; he fought against the Battousai to save his son and died." Okita cried his frail body wracked with sobs and an occasion deep cough.
Saitou lowered his head in respect.
'At least he died an honorable death.' Saitou thought with respect then out loud, "So Okita what are you going to do now that he war is finally over?"
Okita just stared sorrowfully at Saitou as he said, "I think I'll go live out the rest of my life in an infirmary that will help me live with my illness."
Saitou laughed scornfully, "No come on what are you going to do?"
Okita raised his voice in anger, "I told you what I was going to do now leave me Saitou I want to sleep."
Saitou silently nodded and slowly went back to his own futon where he made himself comfortable leaning against a thick infirmary building post. A little ways off he heard what he thought was Sajin and Raiden fighting.
"No I will not believe it, I still think Saitou killed father." Sajin's voice yelled.
"No, he didn't I was wrong, I found out from Korosu's mouth and record book that Battousai gave to me before he left to go wander. The book clearly states that Korosu did it." Raiden's voice said trying to reason with his brother.
"I will not believe that crap, good bye brother I shall be leaving you now." Raiden and Sajin's argument stopped there as they were too far away for Saitou to hear anymore. Saitou was soon left to his thoughts 'So Battousai left to wander, bah, Battousai is foolish. What can he possibly accomplish by wandering?'
Saitou was interrupted from his thoughts when he heard a female voice.
"Ah glad to see you're alright." Tokio said from way across the room. Saitou looked up and saw Tokio walking over to him, when she got to him she sat down next to him and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I have to admit I was a little worried about you after I heard what had happened to Hageshii." Saitou just slowly nodded.
"I'm glad you are ok, I would hate to be a widowed fiancé." Tokio said laughing softly at her little joke. Saitou once again just absently nodded, thinking about Okita.
"Tokio did you hear about Okita?"
"Mm, yes he says he wants to stay in a n infirmary, with other people with his illness." Tokio noted sadly.
"Well it is his choice."
"Yes I know Saitou." Tokio said softly.
Saitou and Tokio were silent for a while then when Saitou tried to move and felt Tokio slide a little to the left. He looked down and found her sound asleep her head on his shoulder. Saitou sighed in an almost annoyed way but didn't try to wake her up, he just figured she was really tired from worrying about him so much, so he tried to make himself comfortable against the post he was leaning against and not soon after fell asleep. The doctor came in and was going to change Saitou's bandages but when he saw Saitou sound asleep with Tokio sleeping, her head resting against his shoulder, the doctor smiled and thought it best to let them sleep because it that scene looked to peaceful and cute to disturb so the doctor just left without a sound.