A lot of smart people brought it to my attention that I shouldn't plan ahead on when I should end this fanfic so I had to go back and rewrite the next chapter but now its all finished. Thanks to Brittanie Love, samuraiduck27, Reignnashii, HLH, rainblianchild, battousaichick-01, and xim-chan for the wonderful reviews, they're always appreciated.
I've been using Yahoo Messenger a lot and now I have a really bad habit of abbreviating but I'll try my best not to do so :-).Okay so here is the next chapter so I hope you enjoy it.
Among his friends, Kenshin had always been symbolized by his eyes. For most of the time they had been together they had been a beautiful amethyst, calm and serene. However, they all knew about his other side in which he sported golden eyes, still beautiful but cold and devoid of any kindness. Being aware of that other side wasn't always easy. While living day to day life with the rurouni, it was easy to forget that the real Kenshin was made up of both parts, even if he hated on of those parts himself. Now as the battle waged in front of her, Kaoru had trouble determining which of these sides Kenshin was on. The amethyst was still there, alert yet still kind but they're were also numerous golden flecks mixed in and it was obvious that the gold was quickly prevailing.
She had seen him battle his darker side before but in all instances he had his friends to help him come back to their side. Now only she and Yahiko were present and Yahiko had fallen unconscious a few moments ago and she was just so tired. If she could just rest then maybe she could help. She decided that maybe she would do that. Just rest for a second....
This guy was almost too easy. Sano may not be on the same level as Kenshin but he was no push-over so Kenshin had expected a more fierce fight. Now face to face with the man who had almost killed Kaoru and who had taken Yahiko, the battle inside himself was the more intense than the physical one. If Monkusai wasn't stopped now then he would come back for them and so he needed to be taken down before one of them got hurt. Then again, Kenshin had promised never to kill again. These two arguments flew through his head as he grew closer and closer to winning.
Through drooping eyes, Kaoru saw the battle progress. Kenshin had a counter move for every move Monkusai performed. The bigger man was too experienced to try and use his height and weight as an advantage but he still wasn't able to land a single blow. Finally with a clang of metal, Kenshin was left holding the only sword and his opponent was on the floor.
"Go ahead. I will not beg for your mercy. I will keep my honor in the face of death and die proud Kaoru heard him say.
"Beg for mercy? That is good because you will receive none. You almost killed one of the few people in the world who stands to make a change in it. If she was killed then she would have never gotten a chance to help all the people she wanted to or to spread her fathers teaching. You tried to end the life of an 18 year old girl. How is that honorable?"
These words made Kaorus eyes open wide. Kenshin really thought that about her?
She slowly started pulling herself over to where Kenshin stood with his sword in hand. When she finally lay only inches from the red-headed warrior, she was finally able to see his face. Even if his eyes hadn't been such a vivid gold, the cold setting of his face would have told her that Kenshin was no longer harmless.
He had made up his mind not to kill the brown haired swordsman but then he began to think about Kaoru. She had only lived a short time and she had so much to give and this man had tried to end it all. For that he would pay.
He raised his sword high above his head. He made his actions slow so that Monkusai would know what was about to happen to him. Kenshin had won, both of the fighters knew that and he knew his opponent would put up no more fight.
"Ken.. Kenshin. Don't," he heard a small voice behind him. Turning he saw Kaoru trying to stand.
"Miss Kaoru I will be finished in just a moment and then we will leave. Please just sit back down until I can help you," he said his voice going soft.
"Kenshin. You can't break your promise. You can't. Not now, not ever."
"He tried to harm you Miss Kaoru. I'm sorry but I must finish this."
"You told me you would do anything for me," she said in the barest whisper."You thought that I was sleeping but you said that and I believed you. Were you lying to me?" she asked as tears started to form in her eyes.
"No, I wasn't lying to you. Thats why he has to die. He can't get another chance to hurt you."
"I thought you were a true warrior. You shouldn't hesitate to kill me. Do so now. Strike the final blow and let this be down," Monkusai interjected from the floor.
Kenshin was about to turn back around and do just as he asked but he once again heard Kaoru's voice. It was getting so weak he had to bend slightly closer to hear her.
"From the moment you began living with me I have trusted everything you said and so I believed that promise as well. Now I ask you this: let him live and let us leave this place now. Thats the anything I ask you for."
"I..." he faltered not sure what to say.
"Kenshin she needs help. We have to get her to Megumi," Kenshin heard from his left. He swiveled around and saw Yahiko. At first the sight warmed his heart, he truly had been worried, but then he saw that Yahiko was quite hurt himself.
What had he been thinking? He had been so determined to make sure this man never hurt any of his friends again that he didn't even notice their pain.
"Yahiko, can you walk?" Kenshin asked him bending down to pick up Kaoru.
"Yeah. Lets get out of here," he answered and made his way to the door.
"Battousai, this isn't over," a hadr voice said as Kenshin was walking out the door.
"Far from it," was the last words Monkusai heard before the group was out of sight.
Okay, so what did you think. Lol I really do try to make them good. So please review and tell me what you think. I'm fine with suggestions, they often help. Once again, thanks for everyone who takes the time to read these stories.