Disclaimer: If I owned either "Rurouni Kenshin" or "Yu-Gi-Oh!" then you would be seeing this in the manga or anime as opposed to ff net.
Chapter 41
Kenshin made his way back to Ryou's house, Mask in one hand, Puzzle in the other. Ryou was still asleep in his soul room. Kenshin had been able to take over the body without waking the boy, and would return to the Ring as soon as he put Ryou's body back in bed. He would not go to sleep, however. No, he was expecting company as soon as a certain someone woke up to get ready for school. Kenshin knew he would come to Ryou's house first.
~*~
There was a knock on the door. "Yugi, time to get up!" came Grandpa's jovial voice through the door. Yugi groaned and rolled over, his groggy mind thinking maybe the annoying voice would go away if he ignored it. He had no such luck.
"Come on, Yugi, get up!"
Yugi had gained enough conscious thought to identify the owner of the voice, and realized any attempts to return to his slumber would be futile. "Alright, Grandpa, I'm up," he said, just loud enough to make himself heard through the door. It was hard to make your voice work so early in the morning, especially at higher volumes. Apparently Grandpa heard, because Yugi then heard him calling through Kenshin's door to wake up Yami. Yami answered him promptly.
Yugi grumbled about how stupid people had to have school so early in the morning as he climbed out of bed. Without opening his eyes, he groped around on the desk to find the Millennium Puzzle. After a minute or two, he opened one eye to see it was not on his desk. Opening the other eye. He looked on the floor around his desk. Nothing.
Maybe Yami took it. After all, he has lived there for several centuries… Yugi thought, making his way to Kenshin's room. He squinted in the bright light of the hall as he opened his door. Ignoring it, he knocked on Kenshin's door. "Yami? Can I come in?"
"Yes," Yami replied and Yugi opened the door. Yami noticed the expression on his face. "What's wrong, aibou?" he asked.
Yugi didn't see the Millennium Puzzle and started to become a little worried. "Yami, you didn't happen to take the Puzzle, did you?" Yugi asked, a little nervously. Yami's eyes widened.
"It's not in your room?"
Yugi shook is head. "No, I can't find it."
Yami stopped, as if remembering something. "Yugi did you leave your window open last night?" he asked.
"No, it gets too cold. I always close it before I go to sleep," Yugi said.
Yami cursed under his breath. "Last night, I thought I heard someone close the door to your room. I went in there and discovered the window open. I couldn't see anyone outside, so I assumed that you had left it open and it had blown the door closed. Apparently, that was someone stealing the Puzzle," Yami rationalized. "We need to get it back as soon as possible. I'm going over to Ryou's house to see if he'll lend me the use of the Ring. I still need to apologize, as well."
"He might still be a little mad at you. Are you sure he'll let you use the Ring?"
Yami shrugged. "I don't know, but if someone else is after the Millennium Items, then his Ring maybe next." Or they could have already taken it, Yami thought. He didn't voice opinions because he didn't want Yugi to worry more than he already was. "I'll be back," he said, walking out of the room.
He summarized what had happened and where he was going for Grandpa before heading to Ryou's house. He ran the entire way there, briefly wondering if the boy would be up yet.
~*~
Kenshin smiled as he felt Yami's aura grow closer. Ryou was indeed up, eating breakfast. He paused when he heard someone knock on the door.
That's odd. I wonder who that could be? he wondered as he walked to the door. He was considerably surprised at what he saw.
"Kenshin!" he said, more than a little startled. The red haired boy shook his head. "No, Ryou, I am Yami. However, I can't seem to get out of Kenshin's body," Yami explained. His eyes wandered to Ryou's bruised cheek and he looked down, ashamed. "I am truly sorry for my actions the other day. I was out of line. You were only stating the truth and I had no right to hit you, regardless of what you may have said. I apologize," Yami said, bowing. Ryou was speechless.
"Y-Yami…?" he stuttered, not sure what else to say. How often does an ancient pharaoh show up on your doorstep first thing in the morning in your friend's body apologizing for hitting you? Yami decided to get right to the point.
"Ryou, then reason I've come is because the Millennium Puzzle has been stolen," Yami said, seriously.
"What? Someone stole the Puzzle?" Ryou asked, finding his voice. He was momentarily surprised at the news until he remembered Kenshin's request the previous night. Kenshin, did you…?
/Yup./
"Yami, why don't we discuss this inside?" Ryou suggested. He had a feeling that what Kenshin was planning on doing would be better done inside, away from prying eyes. He led Yami to the living room where they both sat down. Yami continued.
"If someone is stealing the Millennium Items, then your Ring may soon become a target. I have come to ask if you would lend me the Ring to find the Puzzle. You do still have the Ring, don't you?" Yami asked, his eyes wandering to where the Ring usually hung around Ryou's neck. His narrowed at what he saw there.
"Ryou, how did you get the Millennium Mask?" Yami asked, his voice quiet. The last time Yami had checked, the Mask had been sitting on Yugi's desk. Yugi probably hadn't even noticed it was missing yet.
Ryou looked down in surprise. Sure enough, the Millennium Mask was hanging around his neck. How could I have not noticed that? Ryou wondered. He looked back up at Yami's angry eyes.
Kenshin, feeling Yami anger rising, decided that now would be an excellent time to intervene. /Ryou? Would you mind if I took over from here?/ he asked.
Be my guest, Ryou said a little too enthusiastically. He had seen what Kenshin's body was capable of, and an angry Yami was currently possessing it. Kenshin would be much more able to defend against anything Yami could possibly do.
Yami didn't notice the muted flash of the Ring beneath Ryou's shirt, but there was definitely something different about the boy. How he held himself reminded the pharaoh of Bakura.
"How did I get the Mask? I took it, of course. It was ridiculously easy. Although, this body isn't as well suited to stealth as I would have liked, so I ended up making an incredible amount of noise. I can't believe that, even with that body, you only realized something was wrong when the door closed. And then you thought it had been because of the window! Don't you think the door would have closed earlier had the window been open all night? Pathetic," Kenshin said, sneering. For some reason, it brought him a certain amount of pleasure to see Yami grow more and more angry with each word. The feeling was intensified because Kenshin could almost see what Yami was thinking. He was agreeing with the accusations. He was berating himself for not reacting like he should have, and Kenshin was gratified to see his insults hit home. He really hated the Pharaoh.
"So, you managed to Shadow Realm, Bakura. My compliments on accomplishing such a feat," Yami said, a little bitterly. Of all the times for Bakura to come back…
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "Do not compare me to that petty little thief," he replied, scathingly. Yami looked surprised.
"If you are not Bakura, then who are you? Battousai, perhaps?" Yami asked, his eyes once again traveling down to the Mask.
"Wrong again, I'm afraid. It really bothers you to not what's going on, doesn't it? Oh, the might Pharaoh is stumped!" Kenshin said, practically howling with laughter.
Both Battousai and Ryou were a little alarmed at Kenshin's behavior. Since Ryou was now wearing both the Ring and the Mask, he and Battousai could talk without Kenshin overhearing.
Does Kenshin normally act like this? Ryou asked.
//No, this isn't like him at all. He was a little too cutthroat when dealing with those gangsters yesterday, but I didn't think anything of it because of the shadow powers. This is probably the only time he'll ever have access to them, so he was trying them out. Now, however, I'm not so sure. Also, feel his emotions. He's practically radiating his hatred towards Yami,// Battousai said, wondering what would make Kenshin act like this.
Well, I can understand why he would hate Yami, Ryou said, thinking about all the problems that had happened recently that could be traced back to the spirit.
Battousai shook his head mentally. //No, Kenshin doesn't hate Yami. Bandits killed the only people that he cared about and were ready and willing to kill him as well. Hiko slew them first and Kenshin gave them proper burials, along with the slave traders that beat him on a regular basis. He couldn't bring himself to hate any of them and the most Yami has done is inconvenienced him. That's the problem, something is influencing Kenshin, changing him, and I don't know what it is, or how to stop it,// Battousai admitted, frustrated.
Ryou was silent a moment before making an observation about Kenshin's behavior. He is acting a lot like Bakura.
"Well, if you openly admit to stealing the Mask, was it you who stole the Puzzle as well?" Yami demanded more than asked.
Kenshin feigned surprise. "Oh, you're not quite as stupid as you look," he said, sneering.
Yami ignored the remark. "Where is it?" he asked. He didn't know who this person was, but he was acting almost exactly like Bakura. And one of Bakura's weaknesses was the fact that he liked to gloat.
As Yami predicted, Kenshin held up the Puzzle, showing Yami his prize. "Right here. Do you want it back?" Kenshin asked, his tone mocking.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Yami lunged for the Puzzle, hoping to use the speed of Kenshin's body to catch his opponent off-guard. Unfortunately for him, Kenshin had seen the change in his ki and his posture that indicated he was about to attack. Also, Yami's movements were slow and down right clumsy to Kenshin's trained eye. He needs a lot more practice controlling my body. This display is downright embarrassing, Kenshin thought, as he easily evaded Yami's lunge.
Yami, not counting on Ryou's agility to be on par with Kenshin's, ended up sprawled over the chair Kenshin had been sitting in previously. Kenshin had taken the seat Yami had vacated on the couch.
"That was pathetic. You put that body to shame. Don't move, you'll only embarrass yourself more," Kenshin said, using the Ring to immobilize him. Yami, upon discovering he couldn't move, immediately drew upon his magic to counter his opponents. Nothing happened. He tried again with the same results. He realized, with a sinking feeling, that he had left his power in the Puzzle when he had possessed Kenshin's body. He was completely at this stranger's mercy. And this stranger didn't seem to like him very much.
Kenshin laughed at Yami's predicament. "Not so high and mighty now are you, Pharaoh?" Yami glared at Kenshin defiantly.
//For crying out loud, Kenshin! Quit stalling and put him back in the Puzzle!// Battousai said, impatiently. He didn't like seeing Kenshin like this, and Yami seemed to be what was causing the change in him.
Kenshin grumbled something about 'ruining his fun', but complied with Battousai's request. He narrowed his eyes, focusing on Yami's ki. He then used his newfound shadow powers to form a barrier encasing Yami's ki, and pulled it away from the body.
Yami, seeing his opponent's obvious desires not to hurt the body, guessed what Kenshin would do and clenched his teeth against the pain he new was to come. Sure enough, as soon as the stranger unleashed his shadow magic, Yami's very being was riddled with pain. He shut his eyes, his body tense, as he felt his soul being ripped apart. His body did not move otherwise, still being paralyzed by the power of the Ring. After what seemed like an eternity, Kenshin's body was forced to release its hold on Yami's soul. Yami didn't even register the familiar surroundings he was in before he fell into oblivion.
Kenshin smirked, triumphantly. He knew Yami hadn't stood a chance against his superior skills. It was only a fluke that the Pharaoh somehow managed to defeat me so many other times- Kenshin paused, mid-thought. Wait a minute, so many other times? This is the first time I've faced Yami, he thought to himself, confused.
It doesn't matter! That stupid Pharaoh was finally beaten! I should banish him to the Shadow Realm!
No! Yami's my friend! Besides, I'd hurt Yugi if I took Yami away from him, Kenshin argued with himself.
The Pharaoh's whelp? Who cares about him, anyway? That runt's just some little nobody who needs the Pharaoh to protect him every time he gets into trouble. He's even more pathetic than Ryou!
Kenshin ignored the remarks as something else caught his attention. Since when have I referred to Yami and Yugi as the Pharaoh and his whelp? And when have I every thought either Yugi or Ryou were pathetic? Come to think of it, when did I truly hate Yami? I never did! These aren't my thoughts! Something else is in my mind! Kenshin realized with a start.
No! I've always hated him! Ever since he sealed me into this Ring, I've sworn vengeance! I shall have my revenge! Banish him to the Shadow Realm!
Now that Kenshin was aware of this entity, he was able to feel it enter his mind, manipulating his emotions. Kenshin felt an intense desire to do as it commanded.
/NO!/ Kenshin practically shrieked, desperately trying to retain his control of his mind.
It only took a minute or so, but the battle was very difficult for Kenshin. It had been influencing Kenshin subtly for the past day or two and those roots were starting to take hold again. Kenshin firmly banished them from his mind, clinging to his moral principles and using them as a shield. In the end he was victorious, but he could still feel the entity waiting for the next opportunity to attack his mind. Both Ryou and Battousai were confused by his sudden outburst.
//Kenshin? Are you okay? Why did you yell 'no'?// Battousai asked, more than a little confused. He couldn't understand the reasons behind any of the emotions he was getting from Kenshin right now.
/I'll explain later. Right now, I think Ryou should place the Ring on my body, he said relinquishing control to the boy. Obediently, Ryou took off the Ring and placed it around Kenshin's neck. Almost immediately there was a flash of light and Kenshin was handing the Ring back to Ryou, as if he did not wish to it to be near him. Ryou took it, a little confused at Kenshin's obvious dislike for his recent ex-home.
//Alright Kenshin, you've got some explaining to do,// Battousai said in a very paternal voice. Kenshin smiled, but decided talking took too much effort, so he conversed mentally instead.
/Well, it would appear that since Bakura has resided in the Ring for so long, his greatest goals and desires have become ingrained into the Ring. I did not realize it before, but that was influencing my actions as well. I only realized it was there after I sent Yami back into the Puzzle, and I fought it for control of my mind. It was a very tiring experience, to say the least,/ Kenshin explained, letting his head rest in his hands. He was too tired to even rejoice at being back in his own body after so long.
I suppose that makes sense. You were starting act like Bakura, Ryou said, repeating his comment from earlier.
Kenshin didn't reply. Instead, he stood up, shaking off the fatigue that plagued him, and looked at Ryou. "I thank you for all the assistance you've given us these past few days," he said, seriously.
Ryou just nodded, unsure of how to reply to that. He removed the Mask from around him neck. "It was nothing, really. I should be the one thanking you for defeating Bakura," Ryou said, handing the Mask to Kenshin.
Kenshin accepted it and placed it around his neck once more. "Well, I do believe you have school, so why don't you hurry and finish getting ready? I'll walk with you. If we hurry, we can meet up with the others."
Ryou nodded and left the room. Kenshin sat down on the couch to wait.
~*~
Yugi kept looking around anxiously. Yami wasn't back yet, and he had waited until the last possible moment to go to school. He knew Yami could take care of himself, especially in Kenshin's body, but he was still worried. Tea was silent, walking next to him. She was also worried about the spirit of the Puzzle, but she tried not to let it show, lest Yugi worry more.
Joey and Tristan came walking up, laughing and joking as usual. They paused as they saw the solemn procession before them.
"Whoa, who died, Yug?" Joey said, indicating the serious expressions on both his and Tea's faces.
"This isn't a joking matter, guys. Someone has stolen the Puzzle and Yami went to Ryou's to see about the Ring. He should have been back by now, but…" Tea trailed off, her gaze moving to look in the direction of Ryou house. Joey and Tristan both became serious when they heard what had happened.
"Why don't stop by Ryou's and see if Yami's there?" Tristan suggested. Tea shook her head. "We're already going to be late as it is," she protested.
"Ah, who cares! It's jus' school," Joey said, "We're late to class all the time, right Tristan?"
"Yeah, today won't be any different. We'll go check if Yami's there, kay guys?" he said, started towards Ryou's. A voice stopped him before anyone else could reply.
"I'm afraid he isn't there."
Everyone turned to the sound of the familiar voice. A red haired boy with lavender eyes was walking towards them. A white-haired was with him. Yugi was the first to react.
"Yami!" he said, a smile spreading over his face. Kenshin smiled slightly and shook his head. Yugi almost took a step backwards in surprise. "Kenshin?" he asked, disbelievingly. Kenshin's smile grew wider as if in confirmation, and he nodded his head once.
Before any other questions could be asked, Kenshin walked forward towards Yugi and handed him the Millennium Puzzle. "Here is your Puzzle, Yugi," he said as the smaller boy accepted it.
Yugi immediately slipped the Puzzle around his neck and turned to ask Kenshin about Yami went he heard someone ranting in his mind.
\Yami!\ Yugi cried, cutting the spirit off mid-rant.
\\Yugi?\\ Yami asked, more than a little confused.
Kenshin assumed that Yugi had discovered Yami, if the look on his face was any indication. Deciding to forgo any unnecessary questions and some rather awkward answers, he spoke to Yugi, drawing his attention back to the present.
"What happened is not important. All that matters is that almost everything is as it should be," Kenshin said, a little mysteriously.
"Almost everything? What do you mean by that?" Tea asked, wondering why Kenshin was being so vague. She almost regretted asking when Kenshin turned his attention towards her. She just couldn't look at him the same way, now that she knew who he was. She noticed that Joey and Tristan were keeping their distance as well.
Kenshin took all this in, as well as the fact that he was the reason behind their behavior. He averted his gaze from Tea, as it seemed to make her uncomfortable. This should make them feel better, he thought.
"I do not belong here. This is not my time. I shall be returning to the Bakumatsu, shortly," he explained, closing his eyes as he spoke. He read their auras to see their reactions.
Their reactions to his statement were pretty much all the same. They were surprised, to say the least. His admission had caught them off-guard. That surprise turned into a mixture of emotions. Minor relief and guiltiness at feeling that relief came from Tea, Tristan and Joey. Yugi was unsure, probably confused as to why Kenshin would want to go back. Ryou was practically in denial.
"You can't go back!" he said almost vehemently, surprising himself as well as everyone else. He had become rather attached to the red head in the short time they had known each other. Kenshin just smiled at the boy and walked over to him.
"Ryou, I must go back. I do not belong here. Besides I – I need to atone for all the lives I've taken," he said, speaking quietly so that only Ryou could hear him. "Nothing can justify what I did. Just because one possesses the skills and abilities to take another's life does not give him the right to do so. I have been running from my past. It is time that I go back and take responsibility for what I have done. Please understand."
Ryou looked at him as if sizing him up. Ryou really felt like he could relate to Kenshin. Neither of their lives had been very easy. Kenshin had a tragic past and Ryou's past, although no where near as bad as Kenshin's, wasn't very nice. His mother had died when he was very young, and his father had always been away on archeological digs. Although the neighbors would come to check on him periodically, Ryou had practically had to fend for himself. He felt very alone in the world. Then his father had brought home the Millennium Ring. Ryou had been excited about it at first, but then strange thing started happening. The few friends he did have all slipped into comas from which they never awoke. It wasn't too long after that Ryou became labeled a freak. All the other children were afraid to be around, afraid of him.
It soon after, Ryou starting switching schools. It was the same everywhere he went until he came here. Not long after he met Yugi, he learned of Bakura's presence. The spirit of the Ring apparently couldn't stand his hikari and would verbally abuse him almost constantly. Ryou finally felt he could become friends with Yugi, but held back because of Bakura's obsession with Yugi's Millennium Puzzle. If he became close friends with Yugi then Bakura could use to his advantage, so Ryou was still forced to be alone.
And then Kenshin came. Ryou was having a difficult time trying to decide who's side Kenshin was on at first. But as Ryou discovered more about his past, he realized how much they were alike. Then the Mask was stolen, but Kenshin was able to get it back, somehow. The end result was Bakura being banished, but even if he weren't Ryou still felt that he could really open up to Kenshin. He didn't need to worry about Bakura – Kenshin could even tell who was in control at the time! For the first time Ryou had felt like he really had a true friend. And now he was leaving, never to return again.
"I understand that you didn't want to kill people. But, this world is a result of what you did. Sure you understand that?!" Ryou said quietly. No need for everyone to over-hear their conversation. Kenshin nodded, agreeing with Ryou.
"If I were to go back and change anything at all, I would not change that. I would still fight, as I still believe it was the only solution in that particular situation. However, I did not only kill the corrupt men in power. I killed many of the soldiers who were just fighting for what they believed in. I killed many of the bodyguards who were just doing their duty, trying to protect one of the men I had been assigned to kill. I killed any person in the wrong place at the wrong time that happened to see me carry out my assignments while I was a shadow assassin. My sword took many lives that should not have been lost. That is what I need to atone for," Kenshin explained.
"That still doesn't explain why you need to leave. Why can't you atone here?" Ryou persisted. He was trying to find any holes in Kenshin's reasoning to use against him, to convince him to stay.
"I am taking a vow to never kill again. I will now use my sword to protect people. I cannot do so in this age. Not only have swords been banned, but this is a world that I barely understand. So much has changed in one century. Besides, I cannot uphold my vow to never kill again with my katana or wakizashi. I need to have a new sword forged. A sakabato," Kenshin said, remembering the sword he had seen in Kaiba's virtual world. And he knew which sword smith to take his order to. "Also, although the fighting part of the Bakumatsu may be over, the actual revolution will not take place until people learn to live in the new world. The Tokugawa regime lasted for three hundred years. It will take quite a bit of time before everyone settles into the new laws, and the new government. I need to be there to help that happen. And, many of the people who need help will be people who lost their husbands, brothers, and fathers to the sword wielded by the Hitokiri Battousai."
Ryou hung his head in defeat. Kenshin's reasons were flawless. He knew it was selfish to try and keep him here. Ryou attempted to smile, but failed miserably. Instead he threw his arms around Kenshin.
Even with his ki-reading ability, Ryou's hug still surprised him. He was not used to people touching him, much less someone showing so much affection towards him. As a manslayer, people tended to avoid his very presence and Hiko wasn't exactly very open with his emotions. The only time Hiko had touched him was with his sword.
After Kenshin got over his initial shock, he returned the embrace. "I'm going to miss you," Ryou whispered.
"I know. I'll miss you as well. Of all the people I've met, you're the one who understands me the most," Kenshin whispered back.
"I don't think Battousai would agree with you on that," Ryou said, joking lightly.
"He'll get over it."
Ryou pulled away, turned and walked to school, not looking back. Even though Kenshin couldn't see his face, he could tell the boy was crying. He felt guilty for causing Ryou such pain, but it couldn't be helped. He didn't belong here. They both knew it.
Kenshin turned back to Yugi, noticing that the others had slipped away while he was talking with Ryou. The smaller boy had moved closer and Kenshin could tell he had overheard the conversation. He smiled reassuringly at Yugi's guilty look. "It's alright, Yugi. I don't suppose I have any right to get angry with you for eavesdropping. I've listened to one or two of your conversation with Ryou, too," Kenshin admitted.
Yugi looked like he might scold Kenshin when he remembered what he had been doing and smiled sheepishly instead. Kenshin laughed.
"Well, I suppose this is goodbye, then," Kenshin said, his face becoming somber. Yugi nodded.
"I agree with Ryou. I don't want you to go, but I see your reasons. Besides, you've finally got your soul back in your body, and the Mask with Battousai in it! Gotta leave before you all get separated again!" Yugi said, laughing.
Kenshin joined in his laughter. "Yes, you people certainly did give us a 'run for our money' as you say."
Their laughter died down, and they stood for a moment in an awkward silence. Then Yugi walked over and hugged him. Kenshin wasn't as surprised as he had been with Ryou and returned the embrace.
"I wish you didn't have to leave. I'll miss you," Yugi said.
"And I you. But, I have to go."
Yugi nodded, and pulled away. "Well, I'd better get going. I'm already late as it is! Have fun in the Bakumatsu!" Yugi called over his shoulder as he ran towards the school. Kenshin just smiled as he watched the smaller boy leave. Kenshin turned and walked back to the Kame Game shop.
~*~
Needless to say, Grandpa was quiet surprised to see Kenshin (with the correct soul in his body) and was rather dismayed to hear he was leaving. He agreed with Kenshin reasons, however, and they said their goodbyes.
Kenshin decided to check on Ryou before he left. The boy had been pretty upset and Kenshin wanted to make sure he was all right.
Kenshin made his ay to the school, avoiding all the teachers. It didn't matter if the students saw him, but the teachers might make him go to class.
Kenshin stopped a little ways from the classroom Ryou was in. He spotted the boy sitting next to Yugi and Tristan. Kenshin cast his senses out to seeing how the boy was feeling. He was surprised at what he learned. Ryou was more like Kenshin than he knew. He realized what need to be done and although he may not like it, he accepted it and was coping. Kenshin allowed himself to smile. He turned when he heard a squeal behind him.
"Oh my gosh! Kenshin! We thought you weren't in school today!" "Yugi said you were sick!" Oh, you're so devoted to your education that you don't even miss school if you can help it!" "Oh, that is so cool!" several girls said at once. Kenshin blinked, recognizing them as what Ryou called his 'fan club'.
/Battousai, any suggestions?/
//Run.//
Kenshin took off, noting that the girls followed him. It wasn't until he heard more footsteps join the original ones that he realized his mistake. He remembered what happened to Yami and cursed himself for his lapse in memory. Battousai laughed at his gullibility.
/How long does it take you to chant the incantation for time travel?/ Kenshin asked as he ran.
//Are you planning on just disappearing in front of these girls? That's not very polite…// Battousai said, mockingly.
/Perhaps you would like to entertain them? I can force you out of the Mask, you know…/ Kenshin threatened.
//I'll need about five seconds.//
/Done./ Kenshin put on a burst of speed, increasing the distance between him and his followers. He fairly flew around the next corner, not even taking note of his surroundings. He stopped and thrust Battousai from the Mask.
/Go!/
Without hesitation, Battousai began chanting softly. The Mask glowed in response and he disappeared as the first girl rounded to corner. She was surprised to see Kenshin was nowhere in sight. He had run into the corner where two perpendicular buildings met. There were no doors, and no other way out of there. Soon, the rest of the mob came around the corner and became as confused as the first girl. Where could he have gone?
~*~