Hey guys! Almost to 40 reviews! That's awesome; when I started writing I really didn't think people would like my writing. But I guess (or at least hope) that I was wrong. So thank you to all of you who like my story. And I already have ideas to continue this story in a sequel and so I'm gonna finish this story soon and start on a new one! So be prepared for a soon to be finish I promise.
a rose by any other name71591
Last time on I promise:
"Your promises mean nothing to me anymore." Kenshin said as they tied him to the rest of the group.
This time:
Kaoru's POV
I'm sorry Kenshin. I really am, all I want is for this to be over. I just want this to end where it began.
Regular POV
"Kenshin, what are you doing? Fight, use your Hiten Mitsurugi Style!" Yahiko said struggling against the ropes.
"Are you all alright?" Kenshin said his eyes fixated on Kaoru's form.
"Nothing but my pride." Misao said frowning.
"You bastard, how could you?" Sano said his face down.
"Sano, the girls!" Megumi said sharply
"How could you just let her fight? She's gonna die, and you are letting her! I remember your sorry ass when Enshi "killed" her and I won't come and save your ass again, so you do something!" Sano said his eyes boring into the red heads eyes.
"Sanouske." Megumi said shocked.
"Uncle Kenny, where's Auntie Kaoru?" little Suzume asked her eyes wide and frightened.
Kenshin's eyes widened. Her soul bearing eyes threatened him to cry. What was he doing? It was too late, if he did something, someone would end up getting hurt, whether it Kaoru or his friends.
Realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Kaoru knew this, that's why she switched places with him. At every angle, they would be okay, but she would not. The only way was for her to win. And not that he didn't have faith in her; no; she was strong, she could hurt the Battousai, but not in her weaken state.
All eyes looked upon her, watching what would happen.
"Are you ready to fight me?" Gohan asked
"I was born ready." Kaoru said serious
Gohan stood there his hand not on his sword. Kaoru stood in her usual stance prepared to fight.
"What are you doing?" Kaoru asked, confused at what he was doing
"Oh, I'm ready, you can go at any time!" Gohan said smirking
Kaoru's POV
What are you planning Gohan?
Regular POV
"Kaoru watch out, he has something planned!" Misao screamed out
"Yes, what do I have planned? Can you tell?" Gohan asked, toying with there thoughts.
"No, I don't know what you have planned, but I will find out!" Kaoru screamed readying herself for whatever he has planned.
"Ok, well whenever you are ready." He said his eyes haunting and empty.
Time stood still. All eyes transfixed on two people. One stood, hand on their sword ready for anything. The other stood there still hands down at his sides, unprepared but seemed confident at what was about to happen. Soon one disappeared. And soon the other one did, and then the fighting began.
Kaoru disappeared and reappeared behind Gohan, but he was gone. He was behind her.
"Kaoru behind..!" Misao said as she was cut off by the sound of Kaoru's yell of pain shooting from her shoulder.
Kaoru stumbled to the side where her shoulder was bleeding and pushed forward. It seemed not only had he stabbed her but dislocated her collarbone. Her face distorted in anger and pain.
"Missy, don't let that get you! Get back in the game!" Sano said trying to encourage her.
"Thanks Sano." Kaoru said as she placed her hand on her shoulder and popped it back in place, causing them to grimace.
"Eww, that was disgusting Raven!" Gohan said smiling
"Don't be a sissy." Raven said her cold eyes glaring.
"Now, you wanna try that again?" Gohan asked still standing there his hands down holding his sword. His sword trailing on the ground like it was too heavy.
"No, I think I'll try something different." Raven said smirking.
"Go ahead." Gohan said testing her.
Kaoru lunged forward her sword pointed for a deadly attack. But was deflected, with his sword and while she still surprised that it was deflected was even more caught off when a hard punch to her sore wound in her stomach.
She was pushed back where she landed on her back but continued to roll from the force of it.
"You bastard!" Sano yelled pulling at his ropes.
"Kaoru!" Megumi yelled also struggling
"Cover your eyes girls." Kenshin asked for the sake of the young girls, not wanting them to see the pain Kaoru was going through. It took all of him not to break through the ropes and help her. But the thugs with swords pointed toward them forbade it.
"Come on Kaoru get up!" Yahiko screamed
Kaoru slowly rose to her knees, she coughed, blood coming to her lips from the impact of the hit. She stumbled to her feet, she turned her head, her eyes glaring at Gohan, who stood there smirking like a Cheshire cat.
"Do you plan to hit me sometime during this fight?" Gohan asked
"No, I plan to kill you in this fight." Raven explained
"Oh, okay, I just wanted to know, because I couldn't tell." Gohan said laughing.
Kaoru's knuckles became white with pressure.
"Kaoru he just trying to mess with you!" Yahiko yelled.
Kaoru slowly got in her stance again. Gohan stood there waiting.
"You go first this time." Raven said
"Me? Well why not." Gohan said. He got into a stance he eyes staring at her.
Yahiko's POV
Come on Kaoru, don't let him get you worked up! Stay cool."
Regular POV
Kaoru fell to the ground in pain.
"What happened? Kaoru come on!" Misao said
"I almost didn't see him coming." Kenshin whispered
"What happened Himura?" Misao asked afraid at her still unmoving friend.
"First, he has hidden kodachi's like Aoshi and he is amazingly fast." Kenshin explained
Kaoru laid there unmoving. Her hand moved, signaling she was conscious. Her hand gripped her sword tightly.
"Damn you Gohan." Kaoru said, the sound muffled by the fact she was still down on the ground.
"What was that?" Gohan said
"I said damn you." Kaoru repeated slowly getting to her knees, but buckled because of the two wounds to her knees.
"What happened?" Sano asked
"I moved so fast she barely saw me." Gohan said cockily.
"I saw you, I just didn't move.." Kaoru said but was cut off by Gohan.
"In time to stop me? Yes you are quite slow." Gohan said
"How can she fight him if she can barely see him?" Yahiko asked
"I don't know." Kenshin answered.
"Come on Kaoru, this is boring!" Gohan yelled as he rushed towards her taking the initiative. He kicked her while she was already down causing her to roll towards the wall slamming her hurt shoulder.
"Kaoru! God!" Megumi screamed for her friend.
"I can't take this!" Sano said getting up but was punched by one of the men.
"Neither can I" Kenshin whispered. He got up and disappeared and soon knocked out all the men and ran toward Kaoru with his sword in front of her protecting her.
"This is for punching me." Sano said as he kicked one of the unconscious men.
"Tie them up." Yahiko suggested.
"Doctor Gensai, get out of here before it gets bad." Megumi asked
"No, Auntie Kaoru is hurt, we need to help her!" Ayame cried
"Auntie Kaoru!" Suzume repeated
"Quick, get out of here!" Yahiko said
"Right away…wait will you'll be okay?" Doctor Gensai asked concern in his eyes.
"Yes, hurry I'll make sure you get out o here!" Misao said leading Doctor Gensai and the girls out the dojo.
"Battousai, now what did I say about interfering?" Gohan said
"I don't know, I wasn't listening." Kenshin said
"What are you doing?" Kaoru whispered in pain. She was slumped against the wall her eyes heavy with lingering pains running up and down her body.
"I couldn't stand watching you get tossed around like some rag doll." Kenshin said
"What makes you think that you can defeat me when she cannot?" Gohan asked
"Well lets find out?" Kenshin said challenging Gohan.
"Yeah Kenshin! Kick his butt!" Yahiko screamed.
Kenshin stood in front of Kaoru his reverse-blade-sword pointed at Gohan.
Gohan stood there his kodachi's at a ready stance, something he never gave Kaoru the chance.
"Are you ready?" Gohan asked
"The question is are you ready?" Kenshin said smirking
Kenshin stood there, the setting sun filtering into the dojo. Amber sun rays shined almost as bright as his eyes. The sun reflecting off their swords casting coppery lights towards the wall. They moved toward each other.
They both disappeared, only to reappear in front in a dead lock of swords. Kenshin's frame seemed undersized compared to Gohan's tall and large frame. Gohan was taller than Sano, and with his dark hair was opposite to Kenshin's bloody mane and shorter stature. Gohan's eyes seemed a crazed green. His face long, and framed with stringy bangs covering parts of his face. His eyes giving him a distinguished face.
"It seems we are equal in strength." Gohan said struggling
"No, we are no where equal." Kenshin said pushing forward catching Gohan off guard.
Gohan lay on the floor, surprise written on his face. He wiped the bit of blood off the side of his thin lips.
"You hit me?" Gohan said surprised
"Yeah, get used to it!" A surprising voice said from behind Kenshin as Kaoru thrust forward causing Gohan to roll back and become on the defensive side of the fight.
"Not so quick now?" Kaoru asked
"I'm good." Gohan said shaking his head trying to get his head clear.
"Nope, won't let you." Kaoru said as she attacked every hit was unblocked causing pain to him finally.
Sounds of Kaoru's landed hits were rewarded by the sound of Gohan's grunts of pain.
"Yeah Kaoru-san!" Misao said jumping up and down
It seemed as if the fight were turning towards Kaoru wining when Gohan received the upper hand. Misao's once smiling face turned into torture as she saw Gohan's sword sticking out of her friend's torso. The dojo halls echoed with the sounds of her friends screams.
Kaoru stood there surprise on her face, there was no sign of pain on her face. All time stood still. Kenshin's eyes widened in astonishment.
Kaoru turned around facing him, she smiled. She fell to her knees, still smiling she fell backwards. She lay next to the door. The sun was level with the ground casting it's glow on the fallen woman. Her midnight like hair spilled around her, her sword near her outstretched hand.
Kenshin stood at the other side of the room. The world spun making him dizzy with pain. All he could see was her form on the ground. Her life spilling out before him marking the wood floors forever staining it.
"Oops." Gohan whispered
Kenshin looked up, his head snapping to attention. He moved so quick it seemed like he hadn't even moved at all. Kenshin's sword flipped in mid attack. The wandered was no more. Battousai was in control. It took all of Gohan's power to deflect Kenshin's; no Battousai's attacks. Gohan was soon slammed against the wall breathing hard and bleeding. Kenshin stood there his breathing normal but tears ran down his face but still his stare stood. The same stare that shook men to their core. And that's just what it was doing to Gohan, shaking him so much it seemed he was having a seizure.
Gohan's POV
So this is the real Battousai. He is different than what I expected. It seems I am trembling. This man is no man, but a demon, no man has this kind of power. I find it sad that I die and his face the last thing I see. I have accomplished my assignment.
Kill the Raven and awaken the Battousai. But now comes part two.
Regular POV
"You win Battousai." Gohan said surrendering
Kenshin held him there unmoving.
"Kenshin let him go, he is surrendering." Yahiko asked
"No." Battousai said harshly. He tightened his grip almost choking the man.
"Don't break your vow." Misao said
"MY VOW MEANS NOTHING WITHOUT HER!" Battousai screamed.
Megumi rushed over to Kaoru while Kenshin fought. She tore of parts of her kimono trying to stop the blood rush. But it only caused the fabric to be soaked with blood. Was this the end for her friend. She thought back to when she and Kaoru had talked at the village. She had been talking in riddles but now she understood them.
Back at the burning village:
"When people die, do you think they had a purpose?" Kaoru asked
"What do you mean?" a sleepy Megumi asked
"When they die, are their deeds combined only to be out shown by on single deed?" Kaoru continued
"When people die, do they feel the pain they left?" Kaoru asked looking to the sky.
"Kaoru, your just tired go to sleep." Megumi said
"Is that what you were talking about? That you knew you were going to die? That you all knew this! IS THIS WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT!" Megumi screamed. Her fists pounded into the floor. She was unable to help her friend, she was just watching.
"Kenshin let him go! He is not worth it." Yahiko said as he pulled on Kenshin's gi.
Kenshin let go letting Gohan fall to the floor
"Get out of here and never return." Kenshin said
Kenshin slowly turned around to check on Kaoru when a searing pain came from his back. The bastard had attacked him from behind.
Battousai was mad, and no vow could keep him in check. Kenshin swung around and killed him with one swipe.
Gohan's lasting thought was that the mission was completed.
"KENSHIN!" Sano yelled
"….ken…" a gurgled voice called out.
"Kaoru, your still alive." Misao said as she slid next to Megumi.
"Where is…Kenshin…" she asked
"I'm right here." Kenshin said slowly walking toward her. His face showing emotion of his pain.
"Your hurt, Megumi, he's hurt we have to help him." Kaoru said
"I think you're a bit hurt more Missy." Sano said his eyes tearing up at the sight of his "younger" sister
Kaoru realized that they were staring at her like she was dying.
"Oh, this…I've had worse… I promise.." she said fading out.
"We need to get her doctor Gensai's quick!" Yahiko yelled
"I don't think so." A voice said
"What now?" Sano said rolling his eyes
"Thank you for killing Gohan!" the voice said
"Now, it's our turn, and well, I don't think there is enough time to go to the medic, so I think she'll just have to die." The man said
"I don't have time for this!" Kenshin screamed
"Well now, make room for it, cause death waits for no one." The man yelled
"Kenshin, she's dying, we can't waste any more time." Megumi said as she watched her friend get paler and paler.
Kenshin turned around staring at Kaoru, she needed him, but the only way to get her safe was to let her leave.
"What if they left and just you and I fought?" Kenshin suggested
"Kenshin…." Kaoru said
"Kaoru, I'm getting you out of here, you are going to be okay" Kenshin whispered
"Don't do this." Kaoru pleaded
"I have to…I'll be okay…I promise." Kenshin said as he caressed her cheek.
"You…promise?" Kaoru asked a sudden wave of pain coursing through her body.
"I swear." Kenshin promised.
The last thing before Kaoru passed out was Kenshin standing there his sword ready to fight. But the scariest thing was that it was flipped.
DUN DUN DUHHH!
TILL THE NEXT CHAPTER!
NEXT TIME:
"Kaoru, come on, hang with me." Megumi said as she tried to stop the bleeding
"...Kenshin...he needs me.." Kaoru whispered
"He needs you to be alive and I will give that to him." Megumi said wipping sweat off her brow.
"I don't think I can give him that, so you have to let me help him. That's all I can give him." Kaoru said
"Kaoru stay with me...stay with me!" Megumi screamed as she...