Disclaimer: I don't own anything of importance in this story.

Conspirator wrote a really cool story entitled "An Unexpected Lesson." It's kind of explaining how Kenshin learned to conceal all his emotions behind his rurouni mask. Who better to teach him that than a kabuki troupe? It's a great story! Go to my favorite authors and click on Conspirator.

Chapter 29

Kenshin and Kaiba stood facing each other, Kenshin armed only with a katana while Kaiba had a katana in his hand, the sheath having been cast to the side, and a wakizashi in his belt. Kenshin had placed his katanas sheath in his belt, and he and Kaiba stood opposite each other in the middle of the dojo. Neither moved, each waiting for the other to make the first move. This gave Kenshin a little time to think.

Should I end this fight quickly? Yugi will be upset about being left behind without an explanation, and Grandpa will be furious if he finds out. I should defeat Kaiba quickly and be on my way. But, I have wanted a rematch with Kaiba and I'm not one to waste opportunities... Kenshin thought, debating with himself. He shook his head. How ironic. I usually have internal debates with Battousai. Now I argue with myself when I can't argue with him. I wonder what happened to him...?

That was as far as Kenshin got along that train of thought, as Kaiba grew tired of waiting. Deciding Kenshin was not going to make the first move, Kaiba did. He ran towards Kenshin, bringing up his katana to attack. Kenshin, noticing the change in his ki, rushed forward and met him halfway, their blades clashing together before they both jumped back. Kaiba came forward again, attacking with a one-handed thrust. Kenshin stepped slightly to the left, avoiding the blade. Kaiba changed his attack to a side slash, hoping to catch Kenshin off-guard. Kenshin just jumped a little further to the left, again avoiding the katana. Kaiba changed his stance, and brought his sword in a straight slash down towards Kenshin's head. Kenshin turned his sword so that the hilt was facing up and allowed Kaiba's sword to hit the bottom of it, effectively breaking his stance. Kenshin knew Kaiba would be momentarily off balance, and allowed his thoughts to drift back to his decision of whether or not to linger here. Thus distracted, he did not see Kaiba's wakizashi until it was too late. Kaiba did another one-handed thrust as Kenshin tried to twist out of the way, the blade of the short sword tearing through the top of his left shoulder.

Kaiba smirked triumphantly as Kenshin jumped away, landing on his knees while clutching his left shoulder. "Not quite as cocky now, are you?" Kaiba taunted.

I can't believe I forgot about the wakizashi in his belt! Kenshin no baka! Battousai would never let me hear the end of this if he knew! All right, no more distractions! This is a serious fight, and it will last as long as it lasts! Itai! I suppose Kaiba programmed his computer to simulate pain, as well, Kenshin noted grimly, clenching his teeth against the searing pain in his shoulder. He slowly released his arm and stood up, falling into a defensive stance. Kaiba raised his sword up and they rushed at each other once again.

~*~

Battousai was running very fast. He had been paying attention to where Kaiba's driver had turned to get to the mansion, and so he knew how to get back to the game shop. He hadn't been at Kaiba's that long, and if he hurried he could still beat Yugi home. This was imperative because if Yugi got home first, he'd tell Grandpa about Kenshin leaving him at the amusement park. And, since Battousai was supposed to be Kenshin for the time being, he would have to not only apologize profusely to the old man, but explain where he was as well. So, Battousai was running as fast as Kenshin's body could carry him to beat Yugi to the game shop. Kaiba's mansion was actually in the middle between the game shop and the amusement park, but Battousai had lost a lot of time and Yugi might have taken the bus.

As Battousai neared the shop, he felt Yugi's aura moving towards it. Good, I'm not too late, he thought triumphantly, as he closed the gap between himself and Yugi.

~*~

Yugi walked to the game shop, slowly. After he had lost Kenshin in the park, he had almost dreaded going home. Grandpa would not be happy to hear that Yugi had let Kenshin go off alone to who-knows-where. He hoped Kenshin would already have arrived home before him, but knew the chances were slim. Almost hesitantly, he opened the door to the game shop and stepped inside.

"Hello, Yugi," came Grandpa's jovial voice. "Where's Kenshin?"

I didn't think he'd be here, Yugi thought to himself. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted as someone else walked through the door.

"You were right, Yugi, that wasn't Joey standing on the corner-- oh, hi Grandpa," Battousai said, coming through the door seconds after Yugi. He immediately headed in the back towards Kenshin's room.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Grandpa inquired as Battousai practically ran by him.

"I need to use the restroom," Battousai said, not stopping. Yugi stared after the red head's retreating form before following him. He was going to get some answers from Kenshin.

Battousai, sensing Yugi following him, entered the bathroom and locked the door. He looked in the mirror, amber eyes glaring back at him.

//Kenshin? Kenshin, please, if you can hear me, please answer,// Battousai called, trying to reach his hikari. There was still no answer.

Great, now what am I gonna do? I don't know what happened to Kenshin, but I'm stuck living his life in the meantime! Kenshin no baka! What happened to you?! Battousai wondered as he slumped dejectedly against the counter. He felt something in his pocket being jammed into his hip as he leaned against the counter. Straightening up, he fished around in his pockets until he found the offending items. He recognized it as the case for the colored contacts that Kenshin had bought for him. Well, this is one less thing I have to worry about, I guess, he thought, as he opened the case.

He had been paying attention when the vendor had explained how they were used and got them in without too much difficulty. It only took him three tries, almost losing a contact down the drain twice, and accidentally poking himself in the eye once. After he was finished, he looked in the mirror to survey his work. Now he looked exactly like Kenshin. Time to put these to the test, he thought, sighing as he opened the door. He had felt Yugi waiting outside the door ever since he entered the bathroom. Now, let's see. What would Kenshin do? Ah, yes...

Battousai blinked upon seeing the smaller boy standing right outside the door. "Yugi, if you needed to use the restroom, you should have gone to the one downstairs, or at least knocked to let me know you were waiting," Battousai said, as he made his way towards Kenshin's room.

Yugi, not expecting that response from Kenshin, took a moment to get over his mild surprise. Kenshin was just about to enter his room. "Kenshin, wait! I need to talk to you!"

Battousai sighed mentally. I was almost there, too. Oh well, I suppose the contacts are working at least... "Yes, Yugi?" Battousai said, turning around with a pleasant smile on his face.

"Where did you go?" Yugi asked.

"Kaiba invited me over to his house," Battousai answered truthfully. It was always best to stick as close to the truth as possible, as it was harder to be caught lying that way.

Yugi looked understandably surprised. "Why?"

What business is it of yours? "He wanted to show me a new invention of his," Battousai said, smile plastered in place as he took deep breaths to calm himself. He really had a short temper, and Yugi could be very annoying with his incessant questions.

"But why did--" Yugi began before Battousai cut him off.

"Look, Yugi. Dealing with Kaiba any time is very stressful, and those infernal contraptions you referred to as 'fun rides' weren't exactly relaxing. I'm tired. Must you interrogate me right now?" Battousai said, trying to keep his voice level. How does Kenshin put up with him?! Battousai complained to no one.

"Gomen, Kenshin," Yugi apologized. Battousai just turned and entered Kenshin's room, closing the door behind him. Yugi in turn, entered his room and lay down on the bed.

\\What is wrong, aibou?\\ Yami inquired.

\Well, it's just that Kenshin didn't seem like himself. He doesn't usually get that upset over something like this. He might be hiding something, but even then he didn't get that mad at me,\ Yugi explained.

\\Well, he does have a valid point. Kaiba isn't the easiest person to deal with at any given time, especially after you have just experienced a roller coaster ride for the first time. Kenshin was still recovering from that experience when he had to deal with Kaiba and then your interrogation. He's bound to be a little upset,\\ Yami said, in Kenshin's defense.

Yugi wasn't quite convinced. \But, the way he acted-- it almost seemed like it wasn't Kenshin we were talking to, but Battousai.\

\\That isn't possible, Yugi. Kenshin has to have the Mask in order for Battousai to take over his body,\\ Yami said, logically. \\Besides, Battousai is a part of Kenshin. Maybe Battousai being gone after years of constant companionship is starting to affect Kenshin. I think that he misses Battousai, regardless of what he may say to the contrary. So, Kenshin may unconsciously be starting to become like Battousai, in some aspects,\\ Yami explained. Yugi pondered that theory.

\Well, regardless, we need to find the Mask and give it back to Kenshin. He seems to need it more than he may realize. Besides, I don't want him to change. Now the only question is, how do we find it?\ Yugi wondered.

They were both silent, lost in there own thoughts, until Yami realized something. He laughed.

\What's so funny, Yami?\ Yugi asked, confused. This was a serious situation.

\\Aibou, it's so simple! I can't believe that we missed it! The solution to finding Mask has been here the whole time!\\ Yami said, amused at his oversight. Yugi was still confused, so he continued.

\\Alright, Yugi, let's start with what we know. How many items do we know the current location of?\\ Yami asked.

\Four; the Millennium Puzzle, the Millennium Ring, the Millennium Ankh and the Millennium Scales,\ Yugi replied, not sure where this was leading.

\\Correct. And what are the powers of the Ring?\\ Yami continued.

\It can remove peoples souls from their bodies,\ Yugi said, shuddering in remembrance of a specific time that had happened to him.

\\Well, that is actually an ability shared by more than just the Ring. If you remember, I was able to replace yours and your friends' souls into their respective bodies. Also, Pegasus was able remove and replace people's souls as well. What else?\\ Yami prompted.

Yugi thought a bit more before the realization hit him. \And, it can hone in on the location of other Millennium Items!\ he said, excitedly.

\\Exactly,\\ Yami confirmed. \\Now, all we have to do is talk to Ryou. I'm sure he'll be happy to help us.\\

~*~

Battousai entered Kenshin's room, making sure to close the door behind him, and flopped down on the bed. He was tired, and he didn't really want to deal with being Kenshin right now.

Maybe I'll just retreat into the Mask for a while. I can wait for Kenshin to come back in there, and I won't have to worry about ruining his life. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. They'll probably just think he's in a coma or something... Battousai thought as he closed his eyes and retreated back into the Mask.

He had gone back into the Mask countless times before, but this time something was different. It didn't feel right; something had changed from every time he had done so previously. He wasn't sure what was different until he opened his eyes.

What the?! He exclaimed as he looked around Kenshin's soul room. I must have done something wrong, he thought, trying to go to the Mask. Nothing happened. He tried again. Still nothing. What's going on here?! Why can't I leave Kenshin's body?! Battousai yelled in frustration. Suddenly, the realization hit him. Two souls can share one body as long as one resides in a Millennium Item. However, while the Item can be empty of souls, the body cannot. Kenshin's soul disappeared, and so his body automatically replaced it with Battousai. That meant if Kenshin were to come back, he would now be the spirit residing in the Millennium Mask. Before, he could forcefully resume control of his body from Battousai because his body recognized him as the resident soul. However, now Battousai had taken that position. The body no longer belonged to Kenshin-- it now belonged to Battousai.

Oh, Kenshin's not gonna like this.

~*~