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Disclaimer: Same thing as last time… Go back and read if you must… ^^
Chapter 17
All stood as still as statues, the only signs of life being the occasional blink of a glaring eye and the steady puffs of hot breath warming the cold air in front of them.
The Oniwaban, coupled with a few police officers, spread behind the two heading up their group. Aoshi and Saitou gave no look in the other's direction, both agreeing silently to remain out of each other's way during what lay ahead. Kenshin was no where to be seen by either one of the sides, with the exception of the tall young man standing beside him in back. Sano's frame was rigid as he stared ahead, the two to three dozen strangely uniformed men ahead on the receiving end of his heated stare.
Kenshin didn't have to look his friend's way to know the nature of the thoughts running through the younger one's mind, for his mind dwelt in the same area. His blood, accustomed to the feel of an looming battle, burned with a fire of preparation that coursed it's way through his veins. In the end it ignited a flame from long ago, one that now hid the purple of his eyes behind an eerily bright amber. He narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of the leader of the 4th Urakami, standing a few feet ahead of the others. They were dressed in black uniforms, similar to the navy blue of those Saitou and his officers wore. A flash of yellow stuck out against the black of their hats, a thin band of the color encircling the cap before the short bill.
The hesitancy and nervous twitch of a few men was evident on both sides, and the rurouni felt the tense atmosphere as heavy as it was in the last days of the Bakumatsu. It had been but a couple of minutes since the Urakami halted in their approach, and though the sheen of a drawn sword wasn't seen, the leader's untamed tongue was sharpened enough to get right to the point. He came from behind his men and stood directly in front. His eyes danced over the group in front of him, a steady smile playing upon his young face.
"As is seen, neither side requires introduction." Kenshin found it odd how young the voice was, but even more curious was that the smile on the boy's face never once cracked, even in his threats. "You are, and have been, in our way and insist on keeping us from our righteous goal. Know this, you will die, along with the swine you protect."
That got to Sano, who grunted in annoyance, cracking his knuckles as he tightened his fist. Kenshin felt the air stir next to him and he automatically lifted a hand up, keeping Sano from stepping forward.
"Be patient Sano. Don't let anger cloud your focus." Kenshin whispered, his eyes still fixed before him.
"Guess you're right." Sano couldn't help the snort he threw in, and that's what grabbed the attention of the cool faced, foul mouthed Urakami leader.
"So it seems I am mistaken. There is at least one Christian, standing cowardly in the back." His smile, wide as it was, increased in size as it showed off his white teeth. "Come, step forward and show yourself, or will fear keep you in your place?"
As Sano prepared to confront the man calling him out he was stopped yet again in mid step, this time halting all on his own. Kenshin apparently beat him to it…The sight of Kenshin approaching drove the crowd around him to part in two as he made his way to the front, to a place where he could stand face to face with the young man with the heated tongue spun from a darkened heart.
"I fear nothing…" Came the first words from the rurouni's mouth, his face emerging from behind a couple of the police officers. "And I most certainly do not fear you, that I do not."
A light laugh struck the air when Kenshin's face came into view, the Urakami's leader apparently pleased as the rurouni came near.
"Look men, it's Himura the Battousai…I assume you have come on behalf of those coward Christians." The leader laughed.
"The only cowards I see here are you and your men." Kenshin's eyes glanced upward, taking in something he had noticed as he approached the front. "The yellow of your uniform speaks of this… and the black for the condition of your hearts."
Even this didn't sway the smart smirk upon the Urakami leader's face. Though young in appearance, the leader had an air about him that added to his years and a look in what was seen in his deep brown eyes that told of tales of a rough life, shadows of pain familiar to the redhead. It was disturbing, and Kenshin felt the unrest of the man's soul despite the front being displayed.
"And what is this condition you speak of?" The man inquired, his lips forever curled upward. He didn't get an immediate answer and stayed there, watching the other swordsman from beneath the bill of his hat.
Kenshin's intense stare was so piercing that the confident leader almost came close to dropping his smile. It was as if the former hitokiri could see straight through him. And Kenshin's one word answer proved just as powerful.
"Empty…"
Silence stretched and words fell, all mouths dumb for the time being before Kenshin offered his final words of reasoning in an attempt for peace to reach the intended hearers.
"Surrender peacefully… "
Kenshin shifted in his spot, everyone behind him hoping they didn't see the reality behind the action.
"And you, too, can be forgiven of your sins."
Throats constricted on both sides, some in anger and others in disbelief. Dirt mixed with melting snow caused for a dark slush to cover the ground, swishing under Kenshin's feet as he began to turn around.
The next second caused the ground to shake as those standing around watched what took place. The sound of an unsheathed sword went unnoticed to only the untrained ears around them, but the clashing of the two swords was unmistakable, both heard and felt by all.
The Urakami's leader had charged once Kenshin had his back turned, but the rurouni, having sensed the increase in ki behind him quickly laid hold of his sakabtou and countered the other's blade before it came down on his shoulder. The impact sent both men back a few paces, the Urakami leader a little further than Kenshin. The atmosphere sparked with heat, bringing those who had weapons to take them out, readying themselves to join in on the fight at any moment.
"Tell me your name," Kenshin demanded, holding his sword fast before him. The other's speed was so incredible that the rurouni almost didn't see the strike in time, telling him that this was no ordinary fighter.
The Urakami leader removed his hat and threw it off to the side. In doing so he confirmed Kenshin's initial impression; the leader of the fierce 4th Urakami was nothing but a boy, probably no older than Kaoru's age.
"Soujirou Seta." His brown eyes were shadowed by the brown hair that fell into his face after having removed his cap, yet Kenshin knew no smile could be found within them. The glimpse he had of them emitted the truth loud and clear. Kenshin did not want to fight, but he also didn't want to allow this man or his followers to get away for the atrocities they committed.
"I desire that no blood be spilled today." Kenshin confessed, glancing at his sakabatou as an indicator.
Another snort sounded, this time coming from in the direction of none other than Saitou.
"Speak for yourself, Himura." Saitou said, pulling out a cigarette from one of his pockets and striking a match, his glare never wavering.
"This can be resolved peacefully. I'll tell you once more, Soujirou… surrender."
"I would die before falling in the hands of the likes of you." This time Kenshin saw the start of the attack and effortlessly parried it yet again.
"Forget this, it's taking way too long." With his complaint thrown to the air, Sano came out from the crowd and punched the first Urakami officer he saw to the ground, taking his victim by surprise. With that both sides charged, the air no longer filled with gaps of silence but crowded with the cries of battle, and thunderous sound of steal upon steal. Sano felt a little satisfied with his actions because soon after everyone else followed his lead.
Saitou found a couple of the Urakami rushing him at once, both naïve as to think they could take down the experienced fighter with a joined effort. As expected it took Saitou a mere second to them down, the flick of his wrist bringing his Japanese katana in a fluid horizontal slash from his right.
With his special Kodachi Nitouryuu, Aoshi felled anyone that came in his way. Slicing from different sides and angles, his movements perfectly uniformed in execution, he continued forward leaving not one standing in his wake.
With fists tingling, and his knuckles bruising, Sano breathed heavy with the rush of fighting once more. It had been ages, so it seemed, since the last time he got in a good brawl. Men with swords came at him but his long arms reached their faces, chests, and stomachs far before they could ever reach him. After one gut punch here, another broken nose there, and a couple good kidney shots, Sano was on his way to getting back into the swing of things.
With the rush of bodies and the air thickening with the sweat of battle, Kenshin stood ready for anything, his eyes undistracted and fully focused on the man standing before him. All else around them faded into the background, a noise slowly completely ignored as they stared at each other, each second dragging longer than the last. It was a battle of wills, spirits, and real strength and only one would be the victor.
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Kaoru paced around the room, the heavy feeling pressed upon her chest making it hard for her to breathe…
The battle had started.
She could hear the noise of it all from the room she was in, the same one she had occupied through out the night. Oddly enough, she had slept well despite what she knew what would be just as soon as she opened her eyes. She felt her body stiffen once the first clash of swords rang through the air. Kenshin was involved from the start of it, she knew he was… She stopped long enough to take a deep breath to still her nerves, a small pause before she continued to tread along the creaking floor.
Yahiko watched from where he sat on his bed, a frown of disappointment on his face. His arms were crossed and hidden in his yellow shirt as he grumbled things under his breath.
"I can't believe they didn't wake me up…" He complained for the fourth time that morning since he had woken up.
"Hush, Yahiko. You aren't skilled enough to stand a chance out there. Be thankful that Saitou or Aoshi didn't demand your hand in the fight." Kaoru said, biting at her bottom lip and twisting her hands together. Yahiko watched on, wonder giving away to his next comment. From what he knew of his sensei she was skilled in the art of swordsmanship, and aside from her peaceful spirit, he knew she was being eaten up inside. The fire he had burning at his heels told him that she felt the same… She wanted to fight just as much as he did.
"Why aren't you out there? I mean, don't you want to help out?"
Kaoru turned towards the youngster, one eyebrow raised in question. Soon her expression gave way to defeat, her sigh loosening up her rigid shoulders into a slump.
"Yes… I do want to help." Shaking her head she stopped and walked over to Yahiko, taking a seat next to the boy. "But I'm afraid my dislike for those men outside would be the wrong motivation with which to enter the battle."
"Kaoru…" the boy started, averting his eyes shamefully off to the side. "Is it wrong for me to hate them?"
Kaoru took her eyes off him, thinking to herself a second or two before giving an answer.
"I understand where you get this hate, Yahiko. Remember, my father's life was taken by them as well…" When she paused yet again, Yahiko lifted his eyes back to her face, curious as to how she dealt with her pain. Suddenly a smile came to replace her contemplative stare. " It's easy to hate, Yahiko, but it is far greater a task to love our enemies. Christ tells us to love one another, especially those who don't love us."
He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of conflicting thoughts. It was in human nature to hate, but Yahiko knew there was much more to the situation than that. He wasn't bound to that nature any longer… Christians weren't subject to follow the standard of the world, a world that hated them because it hated their Lord. Should he take part in something that was below the standard he was now living up to?
"You're right." He wore a soft smile on his face, eyes still turned away from his sensei's face. Kaoru didn't expect him to be open with his gratitude, so the feeling of understanding in the silence was enough to please her. She smiled for a second before a thought occurred to her, taking the light of the smile from her eyes.
Yahiko took notice immediately and didn't allow her to keep the burden to herself. "What's wrong, Kaoru?"
She hesitated, shaking her head she opened her mouth to say something but closed it just as quickly. Another moment passed, and then she sighed. "It's nothing…"
Feeling the distance present between them muted whatever Yahiko had in mind to say. He wanted to tease her, soften up the tense air that had settled, but he knew better than that. Instead, Yahiko rested his chin on his hands and kept watch over Kaoru from the corner of his eye. He would never admit it out loud, but her silence worried him.
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Panting breaths were taken, it was a stalemate… There they were, down the street from the rest of the battle, alone with no distractions to weigh the scale in either one's favor.
Kenshin kept everything out of mind, his attention set on Soujirou only. After the last furious minutes of non-stop fighting, lightning fast moves and advances, offensive and defensive sides switching with mere movements of the wrist. The redhead stood, feet spread in a defensive stance, his opponent doing likewise… It seemed neither one could accurately read the other's moves until the last second of each strike.
Soujirou upheld his smile through the entire ten minutes or so they had been fighting, and even now when he inhaled the air greedily, his thin lips were still curled in the direction of the morning sky.
No words had been exchanged since the beginning of the fight and things needed to be cleared, in Kenshin's mind at least.
"Why is it you smile, Soujirou? Does the pain of the innocent entertain you in some way?" The glowing behind his eyes flickered like a smoldering ember.
"Why is it you ask these questions? You know you can't win this fight… no matter who you once were. There is no real hope for you."
"The hope I found is more real than you can imagine." With this Kenshin saw Soujirou twitch with his statement. A nerve was struck, and Kenshin would play the hand he just had been given. "This hope is available for anyone, Soujirou, even for a man as yourself."
He had heard enough. Soujirou, his smile having dimmed a little by Kenshin's words, moved yet again with a speed that made him almost invisible to the eye. Except for this time, Kenshin felt the man's temper begin to flare underneath his cool façade, obviously an effect of the rurouni's words. There was some truth to his observation, and he knew it by the way he found his steps far away when Soujirou's blade found nothing but air.
Kenshin wanted to smile in his victory of judging the man/ boy correctly, but his heart felt the weight that Soujirou was starting to allow him a glimpse of. And it saddened him.
"You were correct, I am not the man I once was." The other's smile was growing more and more faint with every word Kenshin said. The former hitokiri saw this and knew he must continue. "Hope is but a prayer away. Those you've been killing could have told you this. Here I am, standing not only on their behalf, but also on account of myself."
"It is all a delusion and it's captured a hold of you as well, I see." Soujirou shook his head violently after the words left his mouth, his smile having left him completely.
"This God is said to do miracles…" His brown eyes stared hard at the ground just beyond Kenshin's firmly planted feet. His next words came out as almost a whisper, the fire behind his words having melted away. "Why didn't He send a miracle my way?"
These words took Kenshin by surprise, but they also gave a good view of what it was haunting the other man so. Unlike all those other times he had fought he felt a compassion for the troubled man in front of him.
*But he killed countless innocent people. And yet, I still feel sorry for him and whatever has wounded him in the past.* His thoughts were cut short by the slicing of the air beside him, his second of thought having been enough distraction, and now his arm suffered the cost.
The cut wasn't too deep, but it bled freely, staining his blue gi and turning it purple where it soaked into the material.
"Careless, I see." Soujirou said, his confidence from earlier returning to his voice. Kenshin took his hand from his wound and wiped the blood on his pant leg, his hand leaving a print on the white of his hakumas.
"Just concerned, not careless." Kenshin corrected, preparing himself again, this time with a different stance. "Now, if you don't want to heed my words, I'll let my sword convey my thoughts more clearly."
It amused Soujirou a bit to be hearing such things, but his amusement slowly gave way to allow for a bit of fear to seep in. He followed Kenshin's hand as they placed the sakabatou back into it's sheath. The rurouni spread his feet a little more and allowed his hand to hover just above the hilt of his sword.
"If you wish to continue, I am in place to argue." Soujirou said, his look hardening as he leveled Kenshin with it. He, too, fixed himself in a similar fashion as Kenshin and threw out his last remark with a quick scowl. "Foolish Himura."
They both charged at once, throwing themselves fully into the attack. In a split second it was over. The scales of favor hung heavy in one direction and the particular man knew why…
Lifting his head, Kenshin turned around and gave Soujirou a look of humbled sadness. " I hope your ears have been opened now that your eyes now see." Turning his body around to face the man clutching his shoulder, Kenshin stared straight into the younger one's eyes, purple holding brown in a powerful, yet understanding gaze. "I know of the hope you seek and it's right here. Now, surrender…"
(To be continued…)
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A/N: I know, I know… it was quite short… and all in good reason. This is not a complete chapter, just the beginning of a very long one. I'll probably post the next part just as soon as life slows down… Tuesday is my last day for finals and I need the next few days to study and pass my super duper hard exams.
Anyway, I hope you liked what I gave you… You have no idea how sorry I am about not posting in a such a long time. This has been a very hard chappie to write mostly because I suck at writing action sequences (I'm the opposite of you JD ^^), and writer's block has been an ever present pain. Outside of that, what did you guys think? I just can't wait until this fight is over with. I have the outline of the rest of the chapter written out already so I should have the second part up by Thursday the latest. Anyhoo, leave me a review, k? Pretty please? I've been starving for comments on this chapter. Okay, guess I better take off… Love y'all! Take care and God bless! ~ The Honorable Gucci