Truth, Lies, Betrayal And Love

Chapter 12

"What!" Kenshin asked in complete and utter shock, had he heard Ryunosuke right?

"I took you to live with the Himura family, I'm the reason you disappeared all those years ago."

"You mean you… you're the one who kidnapped me?"

"Yes, I thought you could fulfill your true destiny as a commoner better than you could as a prince. I thought that it would be a better life for you. And I was right, you've grown up into an honorable and strong man, one that helped change our world for the better."

"Thank you, I have had a good life even if I do have regrets about my past."

"Everyone has regrets Kenshin, we're human, but it's how you deal with your regrets that makes you the person you really are. I've seen how strong you are with my own eyes and it confuses me as to why you allow your parents to order you around, that's not at all like the young man I fought twelve years ago."

"I'm not that man anymore that I'm not. I gave up being Battousai ten years ago when I left the war."

"But you are still Kenshin Himura whether you are still Battousai or not, don't ever let them take that away from you."

"But they want…"

"It doesn't matter what they want Kenshin, it's what you want that counts, despite what they believe it's your life to live not theirs."

Kenshin chuckled, "You sound like my friends back at the dojo that you do."

"Do I? Well… I hate to leave our conversation but I must return to my post."

"I understand that."

"Goodnight Kenshin."

Ryunosuke ruffled his hair and headed around the corner, missing the smile that came across Kenshin's face as he watched the retired samurai leave the courtyard. He shook his head and got up to head back inside then he saw a dark shadow climbing up the stone wall of the castle, "Who is that? Oh no, they're heading up to Lady Kiyoko's room!"

The dark figure crept silently into the room and made his way to the bed where Kiyoko lay sleeping, unaware of the danger above her. She sensed that she wasn't alone and opened her eyes to see an unfamiliar face next to her. Terrified, she let out a scream and tried to run from the man but he was faster than she was and managed to catch her wrist and pull her back, "AH! Let me go!"

"No, you're coming with me girl I have plans for you…"

The door flew open and Kenshin ran in, his hand firmly grasping the hilt of his sword as he glared at the intruder, "Let her go!"

"No, I need her."

"For what?"

"None of your business, Battousai!"

The man tried to jump out the window with Kiyoko but Kenshin ran to them and pulled her away from the masked stranger. She took the opportunity and ran down the hall where she was met by the lord and lady and Naoto, "Kiyoko what happened we heard a scream!" Suki asked worriedly

"I don't know, I woke up and saw this strange man next to me."

"Where's Kiyoshi?" Shiro asked

"He's fighting with the man now…"

She paused when they saw the stranger fly by them and crash into the wall. Kenshin came to stand in front of the others and looked down at the fallen man, "Who are you and what do you want?"

"I want the girl."

"You're not getting her, leave now."

"Not a chance!"

The man charged at Kenshin and somehow managed to slash him across the ribs with his sword. When Kenshin stumbled the man went after Kiyoko but he was stopped by Naoto as he stepped between them and fended off the man's attacks. Kenshin quickly regained himself and got up to help Naoto but the stranger jumped above them and landed near the window, snarling in anger, "You may have won this battle Battousai but I promise you I will get you for this. Maybe I can find a prettier girl down at the Kamiya dojo to play with for awhile."

"No! Wait!"

Kenshin tried to go after him but the man jumped and was gone before anyone could do anything. Naoto went up to Kiyoko and hugged her tightly against him, "Are you alright Milady?"

"Yes thanks to you and Kiyoshi."

"I have to go." Kenshin said quickly as he began to leave

"Kiyoshi wait. That man called you… Battousai… is it true? Are you really that… that manslayer?" Suki asked shakily

Kenshin sighed, "Yes ma'am it's true, I'm Battousai, or at least I was."

"I don't believe it how can you possibly be that… that manslayer?" Shiro asked loudly, his voice full of disbelief.

"I am. I'm a murderer I admit that. For the past ten years I've been trying to repent for what I've done, to save as many people as I can."

"But that doesn't explain why you are leaving us."

"Because my staying here would only cause you more trouble, now that my enemies know that I'm here they'll use you all to hurt me. I would never forgive myself if I let any of you get hurt because of me. And besides I have to help Kaoru, if that man gets to her…"

Shiro cut him off, "Don't worry about that Kiyoshi, he was just bluffing and I'll send some guards to go and check on the dojo for you now get to bed."

Kenshin left without a word, heading quickly down the hall to his room. He stepped onto the edge of the balcony to jump but a voice behind him stopped him, "Where are you going Kiyoshi?"

"Naoto… I have to go and help Kaoru before that man hurts her."

"I understand I would be doing the same thing if it were Kiyoko in trouble."

Kenshin smiled at his cousin, "You really do love Lady Kiyoko, don't you, Naoto?"

"Yes but as you have learned love doesn't have anything to do with it. It makes no difference whether I love her or not she is set to marry you."

"I'm sorry Naoto, I truly am but… if I leave then… then maybe I can pretend to die in a battle with that stranger. If they think I'm dead then you could take my place again, right?"

Naoto didn't answer, he just looked to the ground and Kenshin smiled to himself, "Thank you for everything."

"Be careful…"

"I will. Goodbye Naoto."

Kenshin jumped down the balcony to the ground before sneaking out of the courtyard and onto the road. Once he left Naoto began to think about what his twin had said and an idea began to form in his mind as he remembered Kenshin's words. "If they think I'm dead then you could take my place again, right?"

"Take your place again…"

MEANWHILE

It didn't take Kenshin long to find the stranger he was out in the open leaning against a tree. It was almost as if he'd been waiting for the red haired swordsman to show up and fight.

The man chuckled once he saw Kenshin, "So you decided to come and fight me, Battousai?"

"Who are you?"

"You don't remember me? My name is Goro Fujiyaki"

The man removed his mask and revealed his face to Kenshin. He had short dark hair and black eyes, scars covered his neck and face, proof of his numerous battles. Kenshin looked at him for a moment before he spoke, "You… seem familiar to me somehow…"

"I should, you killed my father!"

"Your father?"

"Yes, twelve years ago my father's clan was attacked by the Choshu clan and my father died defending his leaders! I was there, I saw your face! You struck down my father like he was nothing!"

"Goro, I'm sorry about your father that I am but his life wasn't the only one I took back then…"

"I don't care about those others you killed I just care about my father and I'm going to avenge his death by killing you the same way you killed him!"

Goro charged at the stunned Kenshin but he blocked the attack. They exchanged several blows with one another before Goro stepped back to catch his breath, "You're holding back on me!"

"I don't want to fight you or hurt you that I don't."

"Then die!"

He stabbed at Kenshin but when he moved to block Goro disappeared and ended up behind the red head, kicking him in the back of the knees and knocking him down. Kenshin looked up in time to see a blade coming at him, "This is for my father Battousai!"

Before he could meet his mark his sword was knocked away and he looked in front of him to see another red headed man, "Who are you!"

"I am Naoto Kichimachi, if you wish to harm Kiyoshi you must first go through me."

"Fine by me!"

Kenshin got up and caught his breath as he watched his cousin fight the considerably more experienced Goro. Eventually Naoto was knocked to the ground and Goro raised his sword to kill him, "Die!"

Without thinking, Naoto raised his saber and it went through Goro's heart, causing him to gasp in pain as he slumped to the ground before letting out his last breath. Naoto sat in shock for a moment until Kenshin came up to him and helped him stand, "Naoto are you alright?"

"I… I killed him… I just killed a man…"

"Naoto answer me are you alright?"

"Yes but… I feel strangely numb."

"That's usually how you feel after you kill someone, I'm sorry that you know that feeling now that I am."

Naoto smiled, "Don't be sorry for me, it was my choice, the first one I've made for myself in many years."

"Why did you follow me?"

"Honestly I do not know, something just told me to follow you and here I am. You know… I know that I shouldn't but I am jealous of you, Kiyoshi."

"Jealous! Of what Naoto?"

"Your life… your freedom… your destiny was not chosen and planned out for you as mine was. And I also envy your strength and skills."

"You're stronger than you know Naoto."

"No I'm not. When the war started I wanted to go and fight so badly but they would not let me because I am a prince."

"Fighting isn't as glorious as people make it out to be Naoto that it isn't. Killing isn't an enjoyable thing to do that it most certainly is not. I regret every single life that I ever took, save one or two and that's why I'm a wanderer now…"

"To make up for your past." Naoto finished

"Yes."

Naoto laughed dryly suddenly, "You know… I've been thinking about what you said to me earlier, that I could take your place again if they believed you were dead."

"Yes, you can go back to the castle and pretend to be me again…"

"No, it's not that simple cousin, not every man has a cross-shaped scar on his face."

"But… you wouldn't have to be me exactly that you wouldn't. You could be yourself that you could. Just tell them that I was killed by Goro…"

"No, I have been thinking about Kiyoko as well… she deserves someone who can take care of her, someone who can keep her safe from harm… I cannot do that."

"Naoto…"

Naoto ignored him and reached into his shirt and pulled out a dagger, getting Kenshin's eyes to widen in fear and surprise, "Naoto… what're you doing?"

"Something I should've done a long time ago… this is what's best for Kiyoko… she deserves to be happy and I cannot make her happy…"

"Naoto put down the dagger now!"

Naoto looked up at his frightened cousin and smiled, "Naoto is no more… goodbye… Kenshin…"

"Naoto no!"