Sorry this took so long. I've been busy and sick, but here's the next chapter and thanks Soooooooooooo much for all the reviews. Anyway, here we go.
MY NOTE PLEASE READ: Last time I said they were using real swords, but I really had no idea what I was talking about. Thanks to Jason M. Lee, I now have some idea what I am writing about. Actual kendo, that is. Anyway, no they're both using bokkens, got it? Anyway, NO REAL SWORDS. And points are awarded for scoring hits on head, stomach, hip guard, and near shoulder.
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Let the duel begin, came Aoshi's strong voice.
No! Kenshin cried out mentally as his body slipped into a battle stance.
Sanosuke grinned, but was a little surprised about how natural Kenshin looked in battle stance. It was more than instinctive... Weird.
Well, I'll stop that, he thought with a grin, and charged agressively toward the short red-head.
Kenshin was mildly suprised by the aggressive nature of the attack, but figured that if he pretended it was hard for him to block...
Almost against his will, his bokken flew up to meet Sano's, and the two swords connected, hard, much harder than Kenshin had meant to. A strange jolt passed through him. It was like something was reawakened inside his mind and body. Dark thoughts were swirling through his brain. Someone, someone insignificant, was attacking him. Kenshin was not even sure what he was doing, but before he knew it he had moved his sword with god-like speed and slammed it into Sano's stomach.
Sano stumbled backwards in shock.
Kaoru gasped.
Aoshi raised his eyebrows in surprise. Kenshin had said he knew a little, but that attack was so fast...
All right! cried the kid, who was, indeed, Yahiko. He's good!
Most of the club was suprised but impressed. Kaoru, however, was concerned. Kenshin looked strangely sad the moment the duel began, but it was as if that had washed away the minute his bokken rose. His purple eyes were hard now. He no longer looked gentle and benevolent. (In the real story, when Kenshin first meets Sano, he's been a rurouni for 10 years, and knows how to control himself when fighting, so he can be all noble and stuff. This Kenshin is fresh out of his Battousai years, and cannot fight without becoming, at least in part, like Battousai.)
Well, looks like you were being humble when you said you knew a little, Sano said when he regained his breath. But I won't be so careless this time.
Sano rushed forward, but Kenshin was no longer thinking, really. He was not Battousai, but he was not Kenshin Himura either. He swung around easily and his bokken connected with Sano's shoulder.
Sano again stumbled back. Is he HUMAN? he found himself wondering. He seemed almost better than Aoshi. No... he was DEFINITELY faster than Aoshi (Sorry Aoshi fans)
Sanosuke looked into Kenshin's eyes, and was surprised to see them flicker amber for a moment... Or had that been his imagination?
This time for real! Sano cried, rushing forward yet again, but Kenshin had vanished. He was behind Sano, moving with god-like speed, slicing the bokken across the back of Sano's neck. Sano gasped and sunk to his knees.
cried Aoshi. That is NOT allowed!
Kenshin looked coldly at Aoshi.
Sano stood up again, but Kenshin sliced at him again, knocking him painfully to the floor.
STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!! cried Kaoru.
In that instant, the trace was broken. Kenshin dropped the bokken, and stumbled backwards. His eyes were filled with panic. After a moment he rushed towards Sano. Are, are you all right? he cried.
Sano sat up and smiled. Yeah... you're incredible man. Where'd you learn to fight like that?
Uh... My dad, Kenshin lied.
I see. I'd like to meet him. Anyway, you sure hit hard... You should fight Aoshi sometime.
said Aoshi, who had just walked up behind Sano. Kenshin... You are quite skilled. But you may not fight like that again in my club.
I am very sorry, that I am, Kenshin said.
I thought you said you only knew a little! Megumi cried. She was kneeling beside Sano, looking more concerned than she would ever admit she was.
I-I haven't practiced in along time, so I just assumed my skills would decrease... That sounds plausible, he thought, doesn't it?
I see, Aoshi said. Anyway, it's time for everyone to go home. This club was supposed to end ten minutes ago.
Everyone filed out. Kaoru walked towards Kenshin. Kenshin, you okay?
Uh, yeah, he lied.
Let's walk together, okay?
The two walked in silence towards the door, and then through the school garden. They were alone now, and Kaoru still knew that what happened back there didn't make sense. Kenshin was hiding something. He had said that he only knew a little, but that wasn't true. He said, however, that he hadn't practiced in along time.
Kenshin, meanwhile, was thanking God that he had been able to hide most of his skills and that everyone seemed to have believed his weak explanations.
Kaoru looked at Kenshin, and Kenshin smiled in response. Their hands slipped gently together, but they continued to walk in silence. Kaoru found herself memorizing the contours of his hand, the small bumps from holding a sword... BUMPS?!
Kaoru jolted to a stop.
Kenshin looked alarmed. What is wrong? he asked.
You... When I first met you... You had bumps on your hand from a sword... That's why I asked if you did kendo!!!
Kenshin knew what she was about to say before she said it. So you COULDN'T have stopped practicing a long time ago. Those bumps are from RECENT swordhandling!
Kenshin's mild reeled. Well, I, I had done a little practicing, but-
You're lying! Kaoru cried. She was sure of it. Something was going on, and she was going to find out what it was.
Kenshin said gently. It is nothing, that it is not. Really, it is nothing.
What's nothing? Kaoru said, her resolution growing. Then you ARE hiding something!
Calm down, Kenshin said. No need to get upset.
Kaoru calmed down a little. Sorry, it's just, ARE you hiding something? She stared into Kenshin's big, violet eyes.
Kenshin looked into her blue eyes, knowing that he had to lie. he said firmly.
Kaoru asked.
Kenshin said. He hated to lie to her, but what else could he do? He glanced at his watch, and hoped that Kaoru would go home soon. Someone was going to be waiting for him behind the science building in five minutes... Someone who he did not want to see.
Kaoru remained silent. she said. I believe you, but she wasn't really so sure.
I really have to go, Kenshin said.
See ya, Kaoru said, and they walked off in opposite directions. Kaoru was almost to her car, when she remembered that she had to go to her locker and get her analysis book. How annoying! The quickest way would be to go around the science building.
***
Kenshin slipped behind the science building, and saw the person he was meeting standing ahead. His short dark hair and thin build left no doubt in his mind. Hello Sojiro, he said. It was not a question.
The boy turned around, a smile on his face. Hello, Himura-san. (They're obviously closer to the same age, but Sojiro still calls him that)
***
Kaoru was walking around the corner and froze when she heard a voice that was soft and cheerful, but sent a chill up her spine. Hello, Himura-san, it said.
What the hell was going on? she thought. Quickly, she pushed her back against the wall and stayed frozen in place. She knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping, but she couldn't help herself.
How are things going since I left? Kenshin asked. He sounded different than usual... Older, somehow, more knowledgeable and mature.
Same as always... Things have fallen into place.
Kenshin asked
Left what? Kaoru wondered.
Shishio has taken over all of your duties, and I am taking care of his.
Shishio? wondered Kaoru.
Kenshin stiffened slightly. He did not like Shishio. Of all the members, Shishio was the one he disliked the most. There was something decidedly evil about the young man who was taking over his duties.
Honestly, Iormi-sama thought you would come back, Sojiro said, still smiling.
I cannot go back, Kenshin said simply. Sojiro, are you sure that you want to continue in this occupation?
No, I will continue, Sojiro said simply.
Kenshin nodded. He understood that it was hard to leave, and that when you did you were alone. He understood that very well. Ever since he had left the group headed by Iormi-sama, he had been alone. Iormi-sama's group was a group dedicated to changing the world, getting rid of crooked politicians and those who had been corrupted by power. However, that meant that several people had to act as assassins, Sojiro and Kenshin included. Iormi-sama's group was so well-organized and concealed that the authorities had not even heard of it. The only people they knew of were and The Tenken, but they really knew very little about Kenshin and Sojiro.
Sojiro was there to check up on Kenshin and make sure than he was not going to spill any secrets. Of course this was unneccessary.
None of us will see you again, Sojiro said. Goodbye, Himura-san, he said, and turned to walk away, his examination complete.
Kaoru had been listening to all of this and was not thoroughly confused. She stepped out from her hiding place. Hello Kenshin.
Kenshin froze. He stared at her.
I heard everything, Kaoru said angrily. I want to know what's going on.
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