Elvengirl: Hey...I'm back with the conclusion of the Zanza arc.
Sain: (sarcastically) Yay.
Elvengirl: Look...you're in the story. I want to get to the Kyoto arc just as much as you. Anyways, to bring you all up to speed in my life. I have written up to chapter twelve of this story, so I'm on volume five. I got Sacred Stones yesterday and haven't stopped since.
Sain: Is...is there anyone you really like?
Elvengirl: Sain...no one can replace you. Although I do like Joshua...alot...and Franz is pretty cute.
Sain: Hey!
Elvengirl: Oh yeah...I have taken a look at Samurai Deeper Kyo...and it might work. But it's really long, so a decision is pending. Anyways, enough of my rambling. On with the story.
Cast:
Sagara Sozo: Oswin
"Hey Karel," said Guy, as they walked back from the Akabeko.
"Yes?"
"That guy back there, what did he mean when he asked how your head was?"
"Well, if I hadn't taken that blow, Lyn-dono's face would be covered in scratches now, that it would."
"Oh, you mean when that guy threw that sake bottle at you."
"Exactly," smiled Karel.
"Well...then...thanks Karel," Lyn blushed.
"You're very welcome Lyn-dono."
"Seesh, where is that guy?" muttered Laus, "He says he'll take care of the sword demon, and then he dissapears for two weeks. How do you know we can trust him, Lundgren?"
"Oh, shut up," Lundgren snapped.
"So, you guys are still here." said Hector, coming into view.
"Where the h have you been?"
"The fight. It is essential in a fight to know your opponent beforehand. So I went to Kyoto, where the main revolution took place."
"So, that's where you were," sneered Lundgren.
"Yup. I'm ready to take on the real thing bow," said Hector, picking up his large weapon and walking out the door. Lundgren and Darin followed.
"Oh man, these are great Karel," said Guy, stuffing his mouth with a riceball.
"Yeah, they really are," smiled Lyn, reaching for another one.
"Hey, that one's mine ugly."
"No, it's not. And why aren't you eating any of mine "
"Because they're disgusting."
"What was that?"
"Now, now. Calm down you two. There's enough for everyone that there is."
"You haven't eaten any of mine either, Karel."
"Well...I...uh...huh?" Karel looked at the door.
"What is it Karel?" asked Guy.
"It appears we have a guest. Someone with pure honest fighting chi," replied Karel, getting up and opening the front door. There was Hector.
"I came to pick a fight," he announced.
"I'm sorry, but I still have to wish to fight you, that I don't," Karel replied.
"I don't care if you do or you don't, you're gonna fight me anyway. You see, I kinda can't back out of this one, especially since my opponent is the Sword Demon. The legendary revolutinary who uses Hiten-Mitsurigi-ryu. Active from ages fourteen to nineteen. First as a relentless assassin, then as a mercenary, protecting his comrades from the Shinsengumi. Think I got it all, except for what Hiten-Mitsurugi-ryu really is or why an assassin of your caliber gave up killing."
"I dunno Lundgren. I don't think he can defeat the demon," whispered Darin to Lundgren as they watched from behind a fence.
"That's the plan you dolt," Lundgren snapped back, "I'll get rid of them all in one fell swoop." He pulled out a gun, and waited.
"You seem to have done alot of research on my past, that you have" Karel began.
"Of course, I went to Kyoto," Hector interrupted.
"But I don't understand one thing, that I do not. And that is, why do you, a person who dislikes bullying work as a mercenary and why is the symbol, Aku, on your back? What has caused a good and honest soul such as yours to go so out of line?"
"A sob story shouldn't be told before a fight. If you want to know, you'll have to beat me."
"Very well then. But at least tell me why you chose to fight me."
"Because, all the revolutionaries are hypocrites. The government they've created had does nothing but benefit them. And they constantly change it to keep it that way. Their definition of equality is all a lie! I will crush them all, starting with the supposed greatest of the Revolutionaries!"
"I see that there is no way to change your mind, but, was it Lundgren and Darin that hired you, right?"
"Yes. How-"
"Not many people know my background in this city. And I can sense some very dirty chi coming from behind the fence."
"I thought we were being watched."
"Come out you two," ordered Karel and silently watched as the two loomed up over the fence.
"I thought we agreed that you wouldn't interfere with my fight. Give it up," oredered Hector. Lundgren placed the gun in his hand.
"Uncle..."began Lyn.
"This property will be mine," muttered Lundgren.
"Take a good look, 'cause this'll be what happens next time you interfere," threatened Hector, tossing the gun up and smashing it with his bare fists. Then he turned to Karel.
"This place is to small to have a good fight. Let's go down to the river."
"Alright," Karel agreed, solemly.
"Guy...were you surprised when you found out?" asked Lyn, as they headed down to the river.
"Not really. It actually makes more sense as to why Karel's so good now."
Karel smiled, glad to have Guy's confidence.
"Oh yeah, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I'm Sagara Hector. And this is my partner." Hector tore the wrappings off his object, which was revealed to be ahuge axe without an edge. "Armads."
"I, Himura Karel, will face you with this, but you already know what it is through your research."
"Yeah, your reverse-blade wo dao. Well, let's begin." At that exact moment, Hector lifted up Armads and charged towards Karel.
"Karel!" yelled Lyn, watching as Hector slammed Armads down into the ground, creating a wave on dirt on either side. Then, he lifted it, only to find Karel's sheath, split in hald, lieing on the ground.
"Where are you!" yelled Hector.
"Armads is a powerful weapon, but it has only two option. Slashing downwards or sideways, making it very easy to read."
Everyone gasped. Karel had been standing on Armads, after Hector had swung it over his shoulder. Karel ran down and hit the back of Hector's neck.
"Clearly one strike is not enough for you..." Karel began, after he landed. "Ryusosen!"
"Multi-blows!" Lyn stated it as a question. Hector took every hit.
"So...strong..." gasped Hector as he fell forward.
"Now, please accept your defeat. I have no wish to cross swords with you anymore."
"N-no way!" Hector gasped from the ground. "I-I can't..."
Flashback:
"Remember this moment, Hector. Soon, we, the Sekiho army, will lead in a new age. No longer will the weak be exploited, and the exisistance of 'above and below' will end."
"No matter how long it takes...yeah...yeah...I've heard it all before, but Captain Oswin, does that mean that I, a lowly farmer's son, can take a last name as well?"
"Yes, Hector, it does.'
"Then...can I take the name Sagara? Like yours?"
"Sagara Hector? Alright." Oswin smiled.
Later:
"What? The Sekiho army is a fraud?"
"That can't be true!"
"But i-it is. The Government has ordered our capture and deaths."
"How could they do this?'
"They've made us scapegoats. D them!"
"Stop this! All of you! I will go to Shimasuwa personally and get to the bottom of this. Hector, wait here."
"But Captain Oswin.."
"Don't worry, Hector. I'll be fine."
But then, they executed him! They killed him for spreading ideals which they branded nothing but a pack of lies. That was sheer villiany!
End Flashback.
Hector opened his eyes and attempted to get up.
"I refuse to let the Sekiho Army exist in a pool of lies!" he roared.
"The Sekiho Army?" Karel gasped.
"Now is my chance! Die Sword Demon!" yelled Lundgren, pulling out a revolver, and pulling the trigger.
"Kare!" Guy and Lyn yelled as the bullet made contact with Karel.
"No," gasped Lyn, falling to her knees.
"Lundgren..."Laus began.
"I'm not an idiot. I didn't bring just one gun," Lundgren laughed, and then stopped suddenly. Karel was still standing. The bullet lodged in the hilt of his katana.
"A bullet's path is easy to read," stated Karel, fixing his glare on Lundgren.
"Oh yeah. In that case, take this," shouted Lundgren, aiming the revolver at Lyn and Guy. "Laus, don't let them get away."
"Right," Laus chuckled as he sauntered over.
"Lyn, c'mon, we gotta run," yelled Guy.
"I...I can't. My legs are frozen," Lyn responded.
"Too bad," smiled Laus. Suddenly, Armads came from out of no where, sending Laus flying.
"I thought I told you to stay out of my fight," breathed Hector, leaning heavily on Armads. "I cannot lose."
"You never learn, do you Lundgren," sighed Karel. "Hiten-Mitsurugi-Ryu! Doryusen!" A shower of rocks and earth struck Lundgren, leaving him to lie helpless on the ground, rolling in pain.
"People like you should be the ones to bear the mark of evil. And so should we patriots."
"Let's finish this, you damn patriot!" Hector yelled.
"Yes, let's."
"I will take you down, Sword Demon!" Hector began to spin Armads above his head, giving it extra strength.
"I became a fighter so I could forget my past while I fought. And in these part ten years I've gained strength. Strength that will now crush the famed Sword Demon!"
"You still cannot defeat me, that you can't."
"Yaaahhh!" Hector slammed Armads down as Karel swung upwards with the reverse-blade wo dao. Everyone watched as Armads was split in half. Then Karel leapt up into the air.
"Hiten Mitsurgi Ryu. Ryusuisen!" Karel came down, slamming his Katana into Hector's head.
"Amazing. You are the first to take a ryusuisen and not fall."
"I can't lose. I can't lose until I kill you."
Karel punched him
"Did Captain Oswin of the Sekiho teach you to kill patriots or to complete the revolution? If that is the case, then I am not your opponent that I am not."
"No, that's not true. You spoke of equality, yet you drown in your own greed! You care nothing for Japan, only for yourselves!"
"That's not true," gasped Lyn, "Karel's not like that at all. He may have killed in the past, but now he uses a katana to protect people. He even rejected a place in the government! You see him only as The Sword Demon! And you were the one who came to pick a fight!"
"I agree. And if you don't listen, I Myojin Guy will-"
"Please don't make this any more complicated Guy," smiled Karel, "The revolution isn't over Hector. The fighting may have stopped, but people search for a life outside a world where the weak are still exploited. Even though I myself am barely worthy, I wil always offer my aid to those in need, that I will. That is my payment to those killed by The Sword Demon."
'He's just like Captain Oswin. He's fighting for the same ideals. He's the same and he still continues to fight. I simply just gave up hope. I'm sorry Captain Oswin, but by this man, I was so utterly beaten."
A few days later:
"I sure hope Hector's alright," said Karel as they walked down the busy street to the Akabeko.
"Yeah, you did kinda beat him up badly," smirked Guy.
"Well, let's just hurry so we can eat," smiled Lyn, "Then we can go see how he's doing. But Karel...there's just one thing."
"Yes?"
"Why are your eyes still in a death-glare?"
"Well...it's been awhile since I've been like this...and...well...my muscles are stuck."
Lyn and Guy pulled his cheeks.
"How's that?"
"Better...oro?"
A guy came flying out of the Akabeko.
"Could you get a little better before you challenge me again?" Hector, covered in bandages, appeared at the door. "Oh, it's you guys."
"Weren't you in the hospital?"
"My toughness is my strong point so I let myself out."
"Are you going to take the Aku off your back?"
"No, it's there to remind me what I'm fighting for. Besides, I like what you said yesterday. You're different from the other patriots, so I'm going to stay to see who you really are. So don't go wandering off without my sayso, okay Karel?"
"Alright..." smiled Karel. Hector walked off with a wave.
"Oh! Hector-san forgot to pay his bill," announced Rebecca.
"Oro?" Everyone fell over.
Elvengirl: I hope you all enjoyed that. This was the first really long chapter in my notebook...and I didn't even notice it had got that long till my friend pointed it out to me.
Sain: Proves just how ignorant she is.
Elvengirl: (glares)
Reviews:
Wandering Cat (x2): Sorry for not catching you chapter two review. Once again, congrats on guessing Hector as Sanosuke. And I already do have someone as Aoshi..although Rath would have worked. And regarding the environment, I'll work on that, same with the spelling errors. It's just hard because I don't have Microsoft Word. I how this fight met your expectations.
Nightmare3: I will work on what you've suggested, so thank you. And welcome to the realms of Kenshin fandom. Raven would also work as Aoshi...but I already finished the Megumi arc.
Aeros Fujita: Glad you are liking it so far.
Notes:
Notes on Oswin: This was the main reason why Raven was not Sanosuke. Sano admires Captain Sagara, and Raven just didn't have that person, compared to Hector who had Oswin.
Just a few notes on this arc...since we're starting to get more into the history of the story:
Sekiho Army: ((pronounced Se-ki-ho-tai...if you've seen the anime)) Military Unit(formed mainly of civilians) who, believing in the cause of the Emporor's restoration to power, were eventually turned upon by those same pro-imperialist forces and declared traitors.
Information from Rurouni Kenshin, Volume 2 Glossary.
Ryutsuisen: Dragon Hammer Strike
Doryusen: Earth Dragon Strike
Ryusosen: Dragon Nest Strike