Romantic Swordsman

by ButterflyMiko

Shinta, also known as Kenshin, seeks absolution at the Northern Mountain, a holy place criminals go to atone. The purity of the place allows him to find peace, for a time. But eventually that purity gets tainted by the violence of Battousai…at the same time, two girls open the pages of the "Romantic Swordsman, and who should appear…but Battousai?

3. Bond

I smiled at Kenshin's face as he woke. He glared at me, still bound by my spirit chains.

"You WILL release me." Kenshin said. "Or you will feel the steel of my blade as it rends your flesh."

"Ah, the mouth on you." I grinned. "Here's the thing. I'm not binding you."

Kenshin tested his arms and legs and stood up. "Then why do I feel so…"

"Restrained? That would be the ensorcellment."

Kenshin growled. "WHAT?"

"It's also called the bond. Like a familiar, a mate, an imprint…" I looked at him. "Point is. You cannot hurt me, and you cannot run away. You will fill inclined to protect me…and I can command you if I so wish."

Kenshin stood up and pointed his blade at my neck. A pained look crossed his face. He stared longingly at me. "Why is it that I no longer crave violence? This bloody path…I have been on it so long…"

He slumped and sheathed his sword.

I knelt. Kenshin jerked away from my touch. I reached out and stroked his scarred cheek. He surprisingly leaned into my touch, closing his eyes.

"The war is over…" I whispered. "I will help you absolve yourself. Please…" I placed a hand on his sword. "Such a blade does not suit your kind heart."

Kenshin scoffed. "You call me kind? Is it kind to carve a New Era out of blood? You will not take this bloodstained blade from me. It does suit an assassin. A killsword."

I let him go, and gestured to the blade enshrined above the altar. "Someday when you are worthy, this sword will choose you as it's master. Like mine did."

I tapped Kiboken at my hip. "Until then, you will remain at the compound. But you are forbidden from leaving this holy sanctuary. Know only that I fear the pain and sorrow your sword would tear into the Order." I knelt and kissed him softly. "And I know that more blood and death would break your heart."

Kenshin just nodded sadly.

"I will remain with you of course."

Kenshin wrapped his arms around me roughly as I was praying. He had taken a moment to wrestle with selfishness, and the desire to protect me.

"You must not remain with this one, Kuri-dono."

My eyes widened in shock. The sword glowed faintly in the shrine. It had begun. The journey from Battousai to Rurouni.