A/N: Inspired by Rurouni Kenshin Tsuiokuhen OAV and the Tsuiokuhen chapter of the aforementioned manga.


Challenge #1:

Introduction


He did not blink when Shinsaku ushered the boy to the room.

The same boy he saw at the Ishin Shishi secret training camp, whose prowess in swordsmanship really amazed him to no end. There was something in the boy that made other swordsmen speechless when he drew his sword in such speed that rivaled the gods. The wooden target then sliced into two, revealing a nice clean cut the boy had made. All the swordsmen, who were older than the boy, stopped training and watched him in awe.

Katsura knew that there was something even more alluring to look at—the boy's eyes. They were violet. The boy looked calm and composed, his expression did not change even after landing a nice, graceful attack like that. But to the eye of the warrior, those violet orbs contained more than seriousness or ambition that were usually beamed from junior swordsmen of his age.

This boy is an extraordinary swordsman, Katsura thought.

Now the boy was bowing politely to Shinsaku and him as he casually landed his body on one of the red tatamis in the room. "Welcome," Katsura said simply. He was grateful for the chance; finally he could meet this boy face to face. He did not waste any time wandering about his first encounter with the boy—his eyes began to inspect the boy—silky red hair which brought another definition of beauty, nice-looking jawlines and healthy skin, and on top of them of course a pair of captivating violet orbs. He really could not believe that this boy was not of noblebirth.

"Can I help you, Sir?" the boy asked innocently. Katsura studied him again in a few seconds. Somehow he wanted to avoid those violet orbs...

"I saw you on the training ground," he proceed. "Why were you there, Boy? I mean—do you who we are and what we have been doing?"

"I want to protect people," the boy answered simply. "You are doing this for the sake of the people, right? You believe that a new era will bring peace, where children can run free and everyone is equal. When the new era comes, people will not suffer anymore. No children will be left behind because of poverty. Is that true?"

Katsura was taken aback. He intended to 'interview' the boy, but the boy 'attacked' him first. This was harder than he expected; the boy's violet orbs did not falter. Katsura could sense a strong ki when the boy said that he wanted to protect people. Such strong swordsmanship spirit usually belonged only to first class swordsmasters.

"Yes," he cleared his throat. "That is our goal. When the new era comes, the people of Japan will live happily. Nobody will be opressed by tyrans... by the shogunate."

"I see," said the boy quietly.

"Katsura," Shinsaku Takasugi growled from the corner of the room.

"Ah, yes," Katsura nodded understandingly. He knew that Shinsaku could feel his admiration toward the boy. A weird admiration and perhaps affection, something that he must not show to new recruits. However, like him, Shinsaku agreed that this boy was indeed different... "What is your name, Boy?"

"Himura..." the boy said firmly, "Himura Kenshin, Sir." Streaks of red bangs came loosely from both of his left and right cheeks. His violet orbs gazed at the older man cautiously, waiting what word would be said next. As if understanding the man wanted him to speak more, he continued, "I want to use my Hiten Mitsurugi to protect people, as I believe the sole objection of my technique is."

"Hiten Mitsurugi?" Katsura's eyes widened. He then shot a dagger-glare to Shinsaku, who acted as if nothing happened and readied himself to play his koto again. Still, the twitch in his lips contained mockery, as if saying "told you," to Katsura.

"Kenshin," Katsura said the name. "Kenshin..."

"Yes, Sir," the boy answered, sat still.

"Have you killed people?"

"Pardon me, Sir?"

"Have you killed people using the Mitsurugi technique?"

"No, Sir," the boy answered honestly.

"Then," Katsura continued, and to Shinsaku, his tone of voice made him heard like someone who was about to spill out bad news from his lips, "Do you think you can do it, Kenshin...?"

The boy's violet orbs flashed and for a very brief moment, they changed color into amber. Katsura sighed. "Kenshin, I am Kogoro Katsura..."

Forgive me, o ye pure soul,

"... of the Ishin Shishi."

From this day forward I am going to take away that innocence of yours.

"You can say I'm the mastermind behind this."

Gods above...

"Kenshin... would you join us...?"

Please, grant this boy happiness...

"Would you wield your blade for us, Kenshin? To open the path to the new era..."

I am going to be a very sinful man indeed, because... my question after this... and if he agree...

"Kenshin... would you kill for us?"


Word count: 945 words.