Beyond the Beyond
by Uenki

I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Prologue

There was once, someone great has said, "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't, no proof is possible." If humans really do believe that there is a world beyond the beyond, then the world truly existed.

The world we called Heaven. The people we named then Angels, and He whom we created. Where Good follows Evil, and Still follows Change. They are like the two sides of a coin, creating and destroying balance.

The story begins in the world Beyond the Beyond and a war in raging in the place where souls could have eternal peace. A war that causes destructions and chaos will soon follow.

Two men were standing in the middle of chaos, where shrill screams were heard and the hilt of the swords was met. It was the calm before the storm, and the slick and sticky blood was splattered on their pure, white robes.

Their eyes met, and no one said a word. They were waiting for the battle to start, and the first one who moves will win. Waiting for a signal, a word, or a chance.

Their callused fingers were placed on the handle of the sword, ready to strike like a tiger on its' prey.

They both knew the ending, yet they wanted to give it a try. If nothing was made, nothing would change, and nothing will ever be done.

The leaves rustled, and their robes were billowing with the wind. When the first leaf touches the ground, the battle will begin.

Pac-sst.

The smaller man's eyes narrowed. As

"Do Ryu Sen!"

He pulled out his sword and smashed it hard on the ground. Debris enveloped the petite man as he pounced into the air and headed straight for the older man.

The older man laughed, a humorless laugh. He pulled the long sword into the air and blocked the oncoming attack, throwing the smaller man off his pace.

"Your moves and techniques were taught by me, as I said before, you can't win, Baka-deshi!" The older man snorted in arrogance, his sword blocking the smaller man's every attack. The older man chuckled bitterly as he pulled back his sword and pushed it into a forward thrust.

He knew that his foolish disciple will dodge it, he was his master after all. However, his disciple did not, he allowed the sharp tip to pierce through his heart. The master was at a loss, his eyes wide and his mind blank.

"Baka-deshi… Oi," He started to call for him, but his foolish disciple landed on the ground with a soft thud, like a ragged puppet. He was smiling.

"Please don't control… anymore, Shishou-sama. The one who will lose everything will still be you," he spoke softly, his breathing uneven. Still, he had a contented smile on his lips. The older man stared at his disciple.

"You're willing to give up your life for that Change, you baka-deshi?" The older man saw his disciple's smile widening.

"Of course, Shishou-sama, that was what I said, after all."

-

They were settled on a comfy black couch, enjoying a cup of tea. However, the atmosphere could change water into ice. The tall man, with bulky stature looked at the petite man grimly.

"You still have a chance, it's still not too late, yet," the older man warned, his voice low and was barely audible. The petite man smiled, gently and gazed upon the elder he has known all his life as Master.

"If I wanted to turn back, I would not be sitting here, Master," He paused slightly, placing the cup back onto the cherry-wood table, before continuing, "my idea of waging war is defiance against you. You know I hate it since I was a child, I hated the way you are controlling me, just like the way you're controlling the humans." His tone was gentle and calming. The older man clenched his fist for a moment, before taking a deep breath.

"I was planning… for your future."

The smaller man chuckled, a deep throaty laugh that seemed to echo in one's mind. His violet orbs were narrowed and meeting the other man's line of sight.

"Planning is such a nice way of putting it, don't you think so too? I never had a future. We the Angels will never age, so cut the crap about future." His voice was dripping with malice, while the older man heaved a deep sigh. The older man shifted his weight on the couch for a more comfortable position while he placed his fingers on his chin.

"You have no chance."

"I wanted a Change. As long as I am able to knock some sense into those old fools, it's okay for me to lose my life."

-

Seijurou Hiko could not tolerate the fact that the one who defied is his own pupil, brought up by him and the one whom he taught the way of life to.

"What's this, your defiance? Your way of defiance? To allow me to kill you by my hands?"

The smaller man said nothing, his breathing slow and heavy. His violet orbs that were as clear as day were staring at the older man. His master's features, his worried expression, he wanted to etch them deep into his mind.

When Humans dies, they will go to Heaven for Judgment. However, when Angels dies, they will simply dissipate into thin air and form a part of the skies.

Seijurou Hiko does not allow his disciple to die. He healed his outer injuries, and threw him deep down into the Human Realm.

"He won't die… I will make sure you don't, baka-deshi."

-

That was the conclusion that was made a century ago.

Tomoe Yukishiro was lead by the Angel of Death to face the Judgment. She was sweating profusely and beads of perspiration were rolling down her pale features. She was trembling with fear, yet not of the judgment, but the life she led.

"Freak… he is a freak!" She gave a shrill scream that seemed to be resounding in the whole heaven.

The events have happened, the world is changing, and the gates of time are unlocking.

End Prologue