Elvengirl: Hey all. Here's the weekly update. I'm so glad that this story is moving right along. I've almost reached the Kyoto arc in my notebook. I'm on the Raijuta arc as of now. I've been working pretty hard.

Sain: At Sacred Stones.

Elvengirl: (glares) So what?

Sain: Um...nothing...

Elvengirl: Alright, so without further ado, I bring you the begining of the Jin-e arc.

Cast:

Udo "Kurogasa" Jin-e: Linus "Mad Dog" Reed.

Chief of Police: Heath

Tani Jusanro: Kennath.

"Hey Lyn, what're you reading?" asked Guy as he swung his shinai.

"It's an aticle about this murderer...The Mad Dog they call him. He's been going around killing government officials, as well as thier bodyguards."

"Wow...he must be really strong then."

"Yeah, and get this, the few survivors say that when the Mad Dog attacked, it felt like they couldn't move at all."

"Couldn't move huh? I wonder if Karel knows. Where is he anyway?"

"I sent him on a few errands. He should be back soon."

"I hope you sent him for something to eat. Your cooking is terrible," muttered Hector, trying one of Lyn's riceballs.

"Shut up!" yelled Lyn.

"I will never shut up!" Hector yelled back. Soon, Lyn and Hector were in a heated argument.

"Seesh, the way those two argue, one might think they're married or something," muttered Guy, turning to back to his training.

"Hello Guy. My, things are lively around here," said Karel, coming in with two large buckets of food.

"Oh Karel, you're back. Lyn made riceballs, but they're deadly, just to warn you."

Karel mearly smiled and picked up a riceball.

"Karel, how can you eat those things!" asked Hector, breaking off his argument with Lyn.

"Oh, I've gotten used to Lyn-dono's cooking. It tastes better every time, that it does."

"So it's an aquired taste...kinda like head cheese."

"Exactly."

"IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT! DON'T EAT IT!" Lyn exploded, flinging various objects at Karel and Hector. Karel recieved most of the assault as Hector was using Karel as a shield.

"Excuse me, but is this where Himura Karel-san is currently residing?" came a voice. Lyn looked over. There was a young man with long green hair that stuck out at odd angles. His green eyes stared, confused at the scene that was occuring in front of him. Lyn looked back at Karel.

"Oro..."

There was a silence.

"Uh...come in," Lyn blushed.

About fifteen minutes later, after Karel had recovered, they all sat in the dogo to listen to the man's story.

"My name is Heath, and I am the police chief. I have come here to beg your assistance."

"What?"
"Oro?"

"Why Karel?"

"Well, we dixcovered that it was he who aided in the capture of Lundgren and Laus."

"Oh, so you found out about that," Karel smiled.

"Hey, I helped to," exclaimed Hector.

"Anyways, no doubt you have heard about The 'Mad Dog' incidents?"

"Yes, I was reading about them just now," said Lyn.

"Well, we want Karel-san to bring him down."

"What? Why?"

"Some of the murders the Mad Dog has committed cannot even be revealed to the public. We need Karel-san to get rid of him before this country collapses."

"Just who is this man?" Karel asked, "What are his origins?"

"We don't know his real name, so we've dubbed him the Mad Dog. He's a great swordsman who's been killing government officials since the revolution. He sends a threat letter, then attacks, killing as many as he canin the process."

"Haven't you used gunmen?" asked Lyn.

"Yes, but they were all struck down before they could draw their weapons. Those who didn't die instantly said that they were paralyzed and then cut down."

"Nikaida Heiho...Shin no Ippo. If a man kills to many for to long, he becomes possessed and wishes to nothing more than kill. The smell of blood is enough to make him go mad. Could a man like that still exist after Meijii?"

"To help my gaurds? You must be joking," laughed a large, grotesque man.

"But sir...we are dealing with The Mad Dog here..." Heath protested. He stared pleadingly at the man, who sat at a desk, surrounded by Yakuza thugs.

"I survived many chaotic battles in the revolution. I will be fine here, with my gaurds."

"Yeah, Kennath-san's got us with him," smirked his Yakuza gaurds.

"See, I have no need for some no-name thug that you suggest."

"So, Kenneth-dono's become a very big man, compared to the one who always needed my protection during the chaotic battles of the revolution."

Kennath gave a nervous laugh upon seeing Karel. Karel smiled.

"You must be dissapointed to have this no-name thug as a guard, but please try to bear it for one night."

"Hey Karel, don't forget about me!" exclaimed Hector, bursting through the door.

"Hector? What are you doing here?"

"You're not leaving me behind. I can give you a hand," Hector smiled.

"Thank you."

"So...do you think he's really coming?" asked Hector, moving a shoji piece. They sat in the large office. Yakuza wandered around, glancing out the window nervously, speaking to each other in whispers. It was five minutes till midnight. Five minutes till the appreaence of the Mad Dog.

"Oh, he'll come alright. And when he comes, this one will be ready."

"But...I thought the Sword Demon was a thing of the past."

"It is, but if this Mad Dog lives, everyone will suffer. Including the Mad Dog himself."

"Answer one more for me. What is Nikaida thing you spoke of earlier? And just who is The Mad Dog?"

"That's two questions."

"Just shut up and answer," Hector glared, his fist finding it's way into Karel's forhead.

"Well..."

BONG! Karel was cut off as the clock struck twelve. Everyone glanced around nervously. Karel and Hector moved toward the door, slowly. There was a long, awkward silence. No one spoke or moved.

"Heh...heh...I guess...I guess he's not coming," gasped a young yakuza member in relief, letting down his guard. The others began to do that as well.

"Augh!" The young man hit the floor, dead.

"That was to easy..." laughed the Mad Dog, standing up. He laughed again."There are less of you than I thought."

"So...that's the Mad Dog," Hector remarked, "He looks possessed."

"He is. Possessed with the desire to kill. Hector, watch Kenneth-dono. I'll look after the Mad Dog." Karel muttered, his eyes narrowing into a glare.

"What are you waiting for! I'll handsomly reward anyone who kills him and I'll get you a high position in the army!" yelled Kenneth, getting up.

"No wait.." Karel began, but it was in vain.

"That's for me!" shouted the Brigands, who began to rush the Mad Dog. In about thirty seconds, the first five to reach him went down.

"He's fast," gasped Hector.

"Run, all of you," yelled Karel.

"You won't get away," said the Mad Dog.

"What!"

"I can't move!"

"My body feels so heavy," said Hector.

"Once swords are drawn, we swing till one is dead. That's the way it always works," stated The Mad Dog. Hector moved forward slowly.

"Amazing, you can move even while under the Shin No Ippo," The Mad Dog remarked.

"One side of the soul or Isukumi, paralyzing terror. So you are the Mad Dog." Karel leapt over Hector, attacking the Mad Dog, who parried his attack. Karel landed. "During the Revolution, there was rumour of a hitokiri who did assassinations for both sides using the Nikaido Heiho stlye. You are the lone hitokiri, Linus Reed."

"Indeed I am. I also heard a rumour. A rumour that the once great Sword Demon had given up killing. He was well known amoung the Chosu and had a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. Now, it is my turn to take down the Sword Demon!" Linus turned the Shin no Ippo on Karel.

"Karel!" yelled Hector in shock. Karel mearly broke the spell.

"Shin no Ippo is a battle of wills more than anything. It's easy to break if once just focuses thier will. Give up Linus and you won't have to face me."

"I would give anything to have the Demon as my opponent, but first I must fufill my promise. Death to the Patriort Swine!" Linus rushed Kenneth. Hector quickly broke the Shin no Ippo, ramming into Linus, stopping the attack. Linus wheeled around, slashing Hector's arm.

"Linus!" Karel shouted, rushing the Mad Dog , who once again parried his attack. It did however, break the Shin no Ippo.

"I've decided, my next target is you, Sword Demon." Linus hopped toward the window. "You best get a new sword, otherwise you won't stand a chance." The Mad Dog was gone.

Hector was silent as he wandered down the road to the Kamiya Dojo. His head was still reeling about all the things Karel had told him. How Linus was originally part of the Shinsengumi and how he turned against them to become the crazed killer he now was. It was all so mind-boggling

"Hector!"

"Huh...oh Lyn...Guy. Hey."

"Where's Karel?"

"He's left. He got the Mad Dog to take him as his target. He's down by the river waiting. He doesn't want us involved."

Lyn ran off.

"Where are you going?"

"To find Karel. What if he doesn't come back after this? I can't let that happen. Karel came when I was most alone. I'd rather die than be alone again."

Karel sat, staring at the river, it's muddy waters racing past him. 'It rained recently. The river's high.' There was a crunch behind him. 'He's here...' Karel began to unsheath his sword.

"Karel...Here you are..." Karel looked behind him to see a very annoyed Lyn.

"She's scarier than Linus...she is," he gasped. Lyn sat beside him, anger fading.

"Lyn-dono..."

"I know...but I'm not going."

"It will be harder for me to fight Linus while protecting you." Lyn nodded, stood up, and took at ribbon out of her hair. She handed it to Karel.

"This is my favorite blue ribbon. I want you to have it."

"Oro?"

"TAKE IT!"

"Yes."

"But it's just a loner, you'll have to give it back. You can't go off wandering again."

"Alright Lyn-dono. I'll do as you ask. So will you go home and wait?"

"I wi-"

Suddenly, Linus appeared, and grabbed Lyn, speeding off down the river in a small boat. Karel gave chase.

"Lyn-dono!"

"That's it Demon. Get mad. Turn yourself into what you were before. Become the Sword Demon and come after me! I'll be waiting here." Linus tossed a slip of paper and a blood-soaked rag to Karel. Karel caught it, the rag encircling his nose. He tore the note up, and glared at the retreating figure of the Mad Dog.

"Linus! Damn you!"

Elvengirl: Okay, so did the ending work? Or was it too wishy-washy. Ending that part without doing direct manga reference was difficult, but the next chapter has more action. Sorry these chapters don't have that much action This was a set-up chapter really.

Sain: Oh, I see...sorta.

Elvengirl: Other than the ending, what do you guys think? Let me know, please. Thanks to all who have reviewed, and those reading and just not reviewing. Although I would like to know what you think, and I do accept constructive cristicism. I know people are reading, I've seen the hit counters.

Sain: We're losing her.

Reviews:

Nightmare3: You know, who are the second person to suggest Serra as Megumi. My question is: How can you even consider it? It's Serra! She's nothing like Megumi! I can tell you right now that it's not Serra, but I won't reveal it until the chapter after next. Thanks for the review.

Wandering Cat: The Oniwabanshu arc's one of my faves to, although the Kyoto arc is the ultimate favorite. Sain might make a good Chou, as he's one of my fave characters, but yeah, I think I might use that thanks.

Aeros Fujita: I don't think your links worked. Still, I did consider Uther, but Oswin seemed to fit better. Thanks for your thoughts though. Glad you like it.

Elvengirl: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Update will come same time next week.

Next Time: The conclusion of the Jin-e arc.

Sain: Review