Hey, everyone. This chapter is going to be a long one, probably my longest. I'll probably have an epilogue too. So, without further ado, whatever that means, here is the next chapter.

Battles of Honor, Loyalty, and Love

Kenshin, Katsura, and Shiro all made their way towards the castle gates. They knew they had to work fast if they wanted to save the revolution. As they finished climbing to the top, they noticed the Meji Army moving towards the city.

"Those fools," Katsura said. "I told them to wait until we reach the shogun."

"It's ok, sir," Shiro said. "They can distract the army while we get into the castle." Katsura and Kenshin nodded as they jumped into the castle yard and made their way into the castle, killing guards stealthily as they went by. When they got into the ballroom, they felt something was wrong. The doors in front of them opened and, to their surprise, Shishio stepped out.

"Shishio," Kenshin said. "Have you infiltrated the castle already?" Shishio just laughed at his predecessor.

"You fool, you know that this revolution is a waste of time. I cannot allow your rebellion to go on any further."

"Shishio, have you gone mad?" Katsura said.

"No, I am perfectly sane. I can't avoid my motto or my destiny any longer. I will make sure things return back to the way of the old days. The strong shall survive and the weak shall perish. Don't you agree, Shiro?" Katsura and Kenshin looked at Shiro with shock. Surely the long sword fighter hadn't betrayed them.

"Shiro," Kenshin said, "What is he talking about? Have you?" Shiro bowed his head. Kenshin turned to Shishio again. "A sword is meant to kill people. Samurais are to live by Bushido and do whatever their lord says. That much is true. But our mission is to protect those that can't hold a sword or fight with one. We will bring equality to the people. They shall not live in fear."

"Shiro, is what this man says true?" Katsura asked.

"It is true. I was with Shishio when we joined forces with the Shinsengumi. I have betrayed you all." Shishio laughed aloud as he drew his sword.

"I will make sure that your heads are given to that wench!" He then charged at Katsura. Katsura tried to unsheathe his sword but it was stuck. Just when Shishio's blow was made, Shiro jumped in with his long sword. The two samurais looked at the traitor with surprise once again. "Shiro, what are you doing? You are on my side."

"I was on your side when you were with Captain Katsura. I pledge allegiance to him, and now I have betrayed him. Please forgive me. Kenshin, I never thought I would like you. I thought you were just a ruthless killer. But I now know that you are a man of honor and courage. You will fight for the people and live a life of honor. Go save Miss Kaoru while I rid us of the traitor."

"Thank you, Shiro," Kenshin said as he and Katsura ran through the doors. Shishio tried to follow but Shiro blocked his path. Shishio chuckled at him.

"I would have thought that you would choose to be strong and live."

"I will be strong. But when this is over, I will receive my punishment for my betrayal." They both started fighting. Both were equally match. Shiro knew he must defeat him for Kenshin. He would not back down from Shishio.

Kaoru sat in her room in a new kimono. The one that Kenshin had given her was ruined by Kyochi. She tried to be strong for his sake. She knew if she let Kyochi know she was weak, then he would win. She wiped away her tears when Saitou came in.

"Lord Kyochi would like your presence on the fighting roof." Kaoru got up and walked to him. She then knelt down and moved her hair to expose the back of her neck.

"Kill me," she whispered. Saitou stared at her with his emotionless eyes. "I said kill me. That is an order."

"Give me a good reason why I should," he asked. Tears started to fall from her eyes to the floor.

"I have no will to live anymore." Saitou was astonished by her words.

"Don't you wish to live under the protection of the shogun? Do you not want to live an easy life and never have to worry about anything?" Kaoru lifted her head to show him her bloodshot eyes.

"All of that means nothing if I am not with him." Saitou knew that she was talking about the Battousai at that point. "What life would I be able to live if I knew that the one I loved was killed because of me? I could never love Kyochi. So why should I have to bear that pain?" Saitou drew his sword and pointed it at her, ready to strike. Kaoru closed her eyes and waited for the blow. "Do it." He simply smiled and sheathed his sword. He picked her off the ground and stood her on her feet.

"I am still your protector. No matter what happens in life, we have to accept the good and the bad. We all have our cross to bear. All we can do is hope that things will work out for the best." Kaoru knew he was right. She smiled and let the men escort her. Just as she left, a soldier ran to Saitou's side.

"Lord Saitou, there are intruders in the castle. It is the Battousai!" Saitou smiled and walked into the hallways. I will finally finish this, Battousai the Manslayer.

Katsura and Kenshin continued to run through the hallways of the castle, but they were suddenly stopped by a wall of Shinsengumi soldiers lead by Saitou. He grinned as he said, "It looks like you have reached a dead end, men." Saitou drew his sword and signaled his men to stand down. "I will finish this." Kenshin was ready to draw his sword, but Katsura stopped him.

"Kenshin, you must find Kaoru and get her out of here. I'll take care of this pest." Kenshin nodded.

"It has been an honor to serve under you," Kenshin whispered to his master.

"Don't think you're done yet," Katsura said with a smiled. "Go, NOW!" Kenshin ran past Saitou and killed the troops blocking his way, leaving Katsura to the Shinsengumi leader.

"Do you do this out of pride or courage?" Saitou asked Katsura as he clashed swords with his foe.

"Neither," Katsura answered. "I had an oath not to fight ever again, but I will make an exception for Kenshin. I do it out of friendship and loyalty."

Kenshin made his way through the castle. He finally reached the highest part of the castle. He opened the final door which led to an open arena for fighting on the roof surrounded by metal fences. In the middle stood Kyochi with his sword drawn. Behind him stood two soldiers securing Kaoru.

"It looks like you have found my hiding place, Battousai the Manslayer. Are you ready to offer your neck and end this pointless rebellion?" Kenshin glared at Kyochi as he heard the lord's words. Kaoru smiled, but then frowned at Kenshin. He had changed somehow. This wasn't the man she knew. His eyes were cold like Saitou's, as if he had no emotion.

"Kyochi, you and your father have wronged the people enough. I will make sure that the people are freed from your tyranny." Kenshin words made Kyochi laugh as he pointed his sword at the manslayer. "I see there is no reasoning with you. That being the case, I must kill you."

"I will not submit to a slave. I will make Kaoru watch your death. Then I will display your body so the people will know of your treason and of my power." Kyochi charged at Kenshin with full force. Both blades met with a spark. Kaoru was worried. Kenshin, she thought, run away. You don't know what he is capable of.

The two continued to fight. Kyochi thought he had Kenshin. His sword swung down on Kenshin's head, but he didn't feel the impact. Kyochi turned around and felt Kenshin's blade slice his shoulder. Kenshin landed behind him as Kyochi staggered to his feet. Kenshin quickly shook the blood off his sword as Kyochi faced him with a smile.

"You sure do live up to your name. I didn't even see you move on that last attack. I don't know what I am going to do."

"Why don't you die?" There was a bolt of lightning followed by thunder after Kenshin said this. Kyochi only laughed.

"It looks like we are in for a thunderstorm," he said as he pointed his sword to the sky. This can't be good, Kenshin thought. He will get struck by lightning if he keeps his sword up like that. "I have been training for years to perfect my technique. It is called the 'Wrath of the Heavens.' And, no, it is not anything like the ninja Rikimaru's 'Wrath of Heaven (1).' This is quite different. I have trained my body to absorb electric charges, like in lightning." Suddenly, a bolt of lightning hit his sword, causing a burst of light to blind everyone on the roof. When the light cleared, Kyochi and his sword were emitting electric sparks. "Now I can control the power of lightning."

"How could he survive that?" Kenshin asked. "He should be a crisp corpse by now. He shouldn't be able to stand the pain from the electric shock."

"Oh, but I can. And when I use it against my enemy," He charged at Kenshin and sliced his shoulder. But that was not it. Kenshin's body shook in pain as an electric current was sent through his bones. He tried to hold himself up on his sword as Kyochi laughed. "I can send an electric pulse through my enemy's body, causing them to feel like they were electrocuted. This technique works wonders on getting information from prisoners. It's also fun for torture." Kaoru watched in horror as Kyochi and Kenshin fought. She knew that Kenshin wouldn't escape.

Shiro and Shishio continued to fight. Both had wounded each other badly. Shishio had to ask his friend one last question. "Why are you willing to give up your life for something so ridiculous like this rebellion? You know very well that the strongest should rule over the weak."

"Everyone deserves a chance in life, whether they are gods or just slaves. We are the samurai of the Meji Army. We protect the innocent and punish the guilty." Shiro went to finish his opponent, but was stopped when a bullet hit him in the leg. Several men from the Meji Army were aiming their weapons at Shiro. Shishio smiled at the soldiers.

"I'm so happy you are here. This traitor almost had me." The men pointed their guns at Shishio, causing him to back away. "What are you doing?" A man in a general's uniform stepped forward. Shishio immediately bowed to him. "General Yamagata Aritomo, I have captured this traitor. Shall I kill him now or wait for his public execution."

"We will wait for your execution." Shishio gasped at Aritomo's words. "You have betrayed us to the Shinsengumi. You will be tried for your crimes. Arrest them both." The men bond the two samurais and led them away.

"You will pay for this," Shishio whispered before he was taken away.

In the hallway, Saitou and Katsura paused from fighting. Both were tired and wounded. Saitou smiled at his opponent. "You are two weak to fight, are you not?"

"Yeah, my muscles are on fire," Katsura said.

"I can barely lift my arms," Saitou said. "Let us put off our battle. I believe that we have some friends to save." Katsura nodded as they ran to the fight that was still in progress.

Kenshin continued to fight. He was able to keep the shocks at bay when he met swords with Kyochi, for his sword butt was made of wood. But when Kyochi missed him, Kenshin's body was enclosed in bolts of electricity, causing him to go on all fours. Kyochi just laughed.

"You can't win, Battousai. You are just a slave. You cannot protect yourself from the son of the shogun, let alone your girlfriend or the people of this country. You have failed everyone, including your precious Tomoe." Kenshin growled at his words. Kaoru couldn't stand it anymore. She had to do something.

"Kenshin, listen to me!" she yelled. "You have to get up. All the people of Japan are depending on you. If you don't save them, no one will. Please, get up." By this time, tears were falling from her eyes. "Kenshin, if you die, who will I have left to love?"

Kenshin's eyes opened wide. That was something that Tomoe would say. He knew he had to get up. He loved Kaoru too much to let her down. Suddenly, there was a boost of energy inside of his body. He rose to his feet and started to attack.

"I see you got your second wind," Kyochi coaxed. "Too bad it will be your last!" This time, Kenshin had the upper hand. He could handle the lightning. Every time Kenshin attacked he got a slice of Kyochi. Kyochi finally stood up and faced Kenshin. "I've had enough. It's time for my ultimate attack. Lightning Strike!"

"I can not permit this to go on any longer. When I said I would kill you," Kenshin put his sword back in his sheath as he watched as Kyochi powered his sword. "That means I will kill you." Kenshin's eyes were now in a deadly stare. But Kyochi didn't let that bother him. He quickly advanced towards Kenshin. The way Kyochi moved towards Kenshin was unspeakable. It was like a blur. At first, Kenshin couldn't see it. But in the final second, Kenshin drew his sword.

"BATTOJUTSU!" Kenshin yelled as his sword swept across Kyochi's chest. Kyochi dropped his sword and fell to the ground. Kenshin quickly turned to the guards holding Kaoru, who ran away at his eyes. Kaoru couldn't believe her eyes. She couldn't even see the movement of the sword. But it was his eyes that scared her. She winced when Kenshin approached. "The Battojutsu is the god-speed sword of the Hiten Mitsurugi style. It is the fastest and deadliest attack by a sword known to man, letting its user to strike his opponent before there is time to react. Luckily," Kenshin turned his blade so the sharp side was on the right side. Kaoru smiled as Kenshin's eyes returned to normal. "I used the dull side of my blade to attack. Kyochi will have trouble breathing when he awakes, but we will be able to turn him over to the Meiji alive."

"Kenshin," Kaoru said as she hugged him. "I thought you would die for sure."

"I could never leave you, Kaoru," he replied. "I love you too much."

Kaoru smiled and cried as Kenshin held her. Then he noticed Kyochi move and pull a gun from his kimono. "You will die, bitch!"

"Kaoru, look out!" Kenshin shouted as Kyochi pulled the trigger. Blood dripped on the ground. Kaoru opened his eyes and saw Kenshin with his back to her and his arms stretched out in front of her. He started to shake, and then Kaoru caught him as he fell to his knees. He had taken a bullet for her in the side.

"You will soon join him, you stupid… " Kyochi suddenly fell to the ground as blood dripped from the sword that pierced his neck, Saitou's sword.

"It looks like karma has caught up with you," Saitou said. Katsura walked from behind as two guards fell at his feet.

"Yes, but unfortunately, his karma got her, too." They watched as Kaoru tried to shake Kenshin awake while the rain fell down on them.

"Kenshin, wake up. Say something!" Kaoru started to cry when she saw that he wasn't moving. She decided that this would be the last time she would see him. She wanted to kiss him so badly. She closed her eyes and kissed him with everything she had. She stopped when she felt arms go around her and slide down to her butt. She suddenly lost it and slapped Kenshin. "YOU PERVERT! WHY!" She then stopped when she saw Kenshin's purple orbs and soft smiled. She started crying when she saw that he was alive. She embraced him as hard as she could, almost too hard.

"Miss…Kaoru, can't…breath!" he gasped. Kaoru quickly let go and stared at him with apology.

"I'm sorry, Kenshin. Wait a minute, why aren't you dead?" she asked.

"Yes, Battousai," Katsura said. "Why are you alive?" Kenshin smiled as he pulled out Kaoru's comb that she had given him back at the mansion. He then handed it back to her.

"Sorry about the crack," he said examining the bullet mark left in the comb. Kaoru immediately punched him over the head.

"You idiot, my mother gave this to me! How am I suppose to replace it?"

"Easy, Miss Kaoru," Saitou said. "He's hurt. We should get him some medical attention." Saitou looked over the arena wall and saw that the Meiji army was moving in. "Well, it looks like my job here is done. See ya." He then jumped over the wall, jumped down the roof, and ran across the village roofs.

"Let him go," Kenshin said. "I have a feeling we haven't see the last of him. Miss Kaoru," Kaoru looked at Kenshin with surprise. "I should have told you earlier, but…I loved you."

"I love you, too," she said as she kissed him. They both looked up and watched the clouds clear for the sunrise and a rainbow.

"It looks like it's going to be another beautiful day," Kenshinsaid as they all retreated back into the castle.

Phew, that was a long one. Don't worry. It's not the end yet. I plan to write one more chapter, like an epilogue. I hope you liked it.

1. Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is actually a game. I don't know why I put that in there.

Reviewers: Thanks for reviewing again. I got more reviews than I expected. But I have to answer some people.

Dayof46: Sorry, I love cliffhangers. It keeps the readers reading, don't you think? Did I hook you?

Royal blueKitsune: Yeah, I have a "creative and unique" mind. Ok, so I'm crazy. But that's what makes the story great. It is still good, right?

Enchanted sleeper: Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks for reviewing. Some people thought I made Kaoru wimpy. I think I made her a little helpless.

Me: Nah, you had the right. Thanks for the compliments. It aggravates me when people keep making the same mistake when you tell them over and over again which ones to correct. I guess some people don't get it.

D2Killerz: Tomoe was Kenshin's first love. She was supposed to keep him sane from killing, his sheath if you will. They were also supposed to pretend to be married after the attack in Kyoto. They loved each other so much that they wanted to be married for real. That was when Tomoe betrayed Kenshin because he killed her fiancé at the beginning of Samurai X Trust/Betrayal. She ended up saving him, but at the cost of her own life. After Kenshin's sword swept through her, she gave him the finally mark of his crossed-shape scar. I hope that helps. I'm not the best explainer.

Green Animelover: Nice, puns are fun. (Hey, that rhymes.) But fighting Kyoshi was a shocking experience that Kenshin's glad is over. Pun intended, though probably stupid.

If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry. Thanks to everyone that reviewed. I should be able to get another chapter out. Cya.