Elvengirl: Update day! It's update day! The long awaited Aoshi vs. Kenshin, or rather, Jaffar vs. Karel fight, round one is here.
Sain: Yay...look, when do I come in!
Elvengirl: Kyoto arc, I told you. On that note, I've started the Kyoto arc. Chapter Seventeen, if you can believe it, is well into production...but it's going to be long.
Sain: The torture you put yourself through to get to your favorite fights, honestly.
Elvengirl: What else can I ramble about for a bit...let's see. I'm sort of overworked with my job. I think I worked about three seven hour shifts this week, shelving books. The six-hundred section of the dewy decimal system is evil...and that's all people do. Garden, cook, renovate, work on their cars, take care of pets.
Sain: (pats her on back) It's okay.
Elvengirl: (recovers) And a few notes on G-project. It's coming along beautifully. I now have about nineteen original mobile suits. I'm so proud of myself. Hopfully, I'll it up soon. Still, I'm sure you're all sick of my rambling and stalling. So I present to you, chapter eleven.
Disclaimer and Notes: Still don't own Fire Emblem or Kenshin. Also, I apologize for the extreme OOCness of Jaffar. I had no idea that Aoshi talked so much...and he seemed like such a quiet guy to. So yeah, please don't attack me for that...I tried to cut it as much as possible.
"We know each other...and now we meet," said Karel, staring hard across the wide floor of the ballroom. Across the floor, stood a tall man. He wore a long white trenchcoat over a black shinobi outfit. His hair was a dark red, wound up in a black clothe, similar to that of a turban. His eyes were black and stared back at Karel like ice. This was Shinomori Jaffar.
"Indeed," Jaffar responded.
"What was said to Nergal, will now be asked of you. This one wold prefer not to fight. Will you please step out of the way and tell us where Limstella-dono is?"
"And Nergal did not let you pass, did he? Ask for the location with your reverse-blade wo dao, and my reply shall come with this." Jaffar threw open his coat, revealing a medium sized sword.
"A wakizashi! You think you can take us with that? You arrogant-" Guy exploded.
"Have the child stand back," ordered Jaffar, cutting Guy off.
"Hey!"
"This one would prefer it as well...just so...you know..." smiled Karel, avoiding Guy's glare.
"Fooey to all of you!" Guy walked away, then turned atound again. "Just beat him quickly alright? Don't waste your time with a wakizashi!"
"This isn't a wakizashi, but a kodachi. Know it's properties?"
"A mid-sized sword between a katana and a wakizashi. The shortness provides less power, but the lightweight it has makes an excellent defense. The "shield sword" is how it's known."
"To be on its other end is quite a challenge. Yes...I mean to take the offensive." With that, Jaffar lunged at Karel, with incrediable speed. Karel had very little time to react. He blocked Jaffar's sword attack, only to get hit by a kick.
"A kick...he's a martial artist...like Nergal?" Karle gasped. Jaffar launched an attack of mulitiple punches and the two flew apart. Karel landed, recaught his balance, and flew at Jaffar, using the ryusonsen. Jaffar blocked every attack.
"So...you block with your kodachi and attack with matial arts like Nergal?"
"You make one fatal mistake...I do not fight like Nergal...but he like me. Don't underestimate the blows of the master."
Karel winced as the wounds in his shoulder opened.
"...When you die, it will be the first amoung the Inshin Shishi..." Jaffar whispered, almost triumphantly.
"So... you don't fight for Marcus?"
"...Who cares for that scum."
"As the Oniwabanshu of Edo castle then? For the Tokugawa Bakufu crushed by the revolution."
"...You know of the acts of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, at the battle of Toba Fushima?" Jaffar asked, although already knowing the answer.
"Yes. The last Shongun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, knowing he was outnumbered fled to Edo from Osaka by boat, leaving behind ten thousand men behind to fight."
"Once at Edo, he took refuge at Kan-eiji temple, entrusting all to Katsu Kaishu, who, with Saigo Takamori, agreed to avoid battle at Edo castle, thus the most key castle was taken, and we, The Oniwabanshu, never saw combat. We care nothing for that coward of a shogun, only that we could not fight. But...if there had been a battle...the victory at Edo would have been ours. We'd have set a great fire,striking in the heart of the confusion. Putting the patriots, Saigo, Okubo, and Katsura to death. Easily crushing the headless army."
"Impossible!" exclaimed Guy.
"It isn't, not even now...even here in Tokyo. We Oniwabanshu were the strongest of the Ishin Shishi during the Bakumatsu. That I shall prove. " Jaffar pointed his kodachi at Karel.
"Back then...we fought...for the happiness of the people...for the peace. Not for who was right or wrong! You, who speak so casually of burning the city...there's nothing left in you but the ice cold blood of war! You continue to cause suffering to others. Ishin Shishi...or even rurouni...this one will not stand idely by!" Karel stood up, full of rage.
"Say what you will."
Karel leapt up, using the Ryusuisen and Battojustu in rapid succession. Jaffar blocked both blows.
"Quite an attack...but my sword is not so flimsy," he responded.
"Damn him! How dare...someone like him...insult me," Marcus fought to control his rage. "He can't be bought, same with the Sword Demon...and he loves fighting to the point of insanity...so how do I rid myself of both of them?"
"Um...Marcus-san..." a man appeared at the door.
"Yes!" Marcus snapped back. The man flinched.
"The..the device is ready for testing." The man bolted down the hallway.
"Fine, I'll be right there...wait...I have a better idea," sneered Marcus.
The battle continued on like it had before. Karel attacked, Jaffar defended and then it was reversed. Karel was clearly losing strength and the battle, as Jaffar pushed him backward into the floor.
"...Get up," ordered Jaffar, who, despite his earlier monolougue wished to finish this honourably.
"No emotion...even when he's winning," thought Guy, disgusted and amazed at the same time. "There's nothing left in him but the "ice cold blood of war." Guy began to tremble. "Karel!" he yelled to his fallen friend. Karel struggled up.
"Don't worry. Limstella-dono needs my aid, and how could this one face Lyn-dono, never mind Hector. Besides, this one now has a counter to the kodachi."
"...A bluff...show me!"
Karel attacked, this time landing a blow on Jaffar.
"...The base of the blade..." Jaffar gasped. Karel was now gripping the sword on the blade, right by the hilt. Blood dripped on the floor. Karel fought to control his rage.
"Range...that's how your attack works," Karel said in a raspy voice. Guy recalled his lesson in range. The distance one can attack in one movement. Range varies on the weapon and skill of the wielder. Victory usually goes to the one who can stay in thier zone and keep their opponent out.
"With the katana, there are more blind spots. You use that blind spot to attack with your fist. But...shrinking the katana to the size of a kodachi, also shrinks the blind spot as well."
"...Cutting your own flesh..the true essence of the Sword Demon. In return, I give you the true essence of the Okashira." Jaffar lunged, slowly. Karel blocked.
'So slow...why not faster?'
Suddenly, Jaffar was behind him...no, circling him...with after images.
"Sword dance! The true style of Shinomori Jaffar?"
"Die!" Jaffar attacked, from behind. Karel turned in a split-second, only to be hit by the impact of the attack. Karel fell to the floor. Guy gapsed.
"Kaiten-kenbou." Jaffar stated the name of his attack. Karel didn't move. Guy trembled.
"It's over. The Sword Demon is dead." Jaffar glanced toward Guy.
"Then I'm next! If I die...you're coming with me!" Guy grabbed his shinai.
"Your spirit is strong...I'm almost sorry to kill you."
"Guy...is important...to Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. He...cannot die...yet! Nor this one as well." Karel got up, barely. Three large slashes lay across his cheast.
"...Immortal or..." Jaffar gasped.
"No." The top part of Karel's sheath split into three pieces. "Your Kaiten-kenbou cut through metal like wood."
"You shielded yourself...only taking half damage. You are strong...I acknowledge that...but we are the strongest!" Again the Kaiten-kenbou came. Jaffar hoping to win, now that Karel was wounded and slow. Jaffar attacked. Karel turned again, tossing his reverse-blade wo dao away and catching Jaffar's kodachi.
"The...blade catch," Guy breathed with a mix of relief and amazement.
"Jaffar...the the "Most Powerful" title if you want it. Right now...the only thing that matters are those waiting for this one's help," Karel shoved the hilt into Jaffar's throat. "Don't force yourself. Admit defeat."
"It's not over!" Jaffar hit Karel with a massive punch, sending Karel down again.
"Karel!" Guy ran over, "You okay?"
"No need to wor-" Karel sat up, "No worry...no wait..."
"SHOULD I WORRY OR NOT!"
"Look...Jaffar."
Jaffar lay on the ground, not moving.
"Dead?" asked Guy.
"No...out. In the end...he did not accept defeat, though defeat accepted him." Karel turned to Guy, "What you said was comferting when his attack hit."
"Well then, let's go beat Marcus and rescue Limstella!"
Karel smiled, knowing that Guy's ego had just been boosted several points.
"If only we knew where she was..."
Jaffar got up, breathing hard.
"Quick recovery," smiled Karel.
"Why...didn't you finish me?"
"This one is no longer the Sword Demon. Now...why do you work as a bodygaurd? Surely there have been other offers..."
"Yes, plenty...but they were for me alone. For men strong in a single skill, or traitors, there were no offers. How could I, as Okashira, abandon my own men? Will I be like Tokugawa Yoshinobu? No, I will not. Even though his surrender saved a country from destruction, still I will not. As we entered Meijii, I watched as each of them left, found new lives, until four were left. Fighting was their lives, so I wanted the title "most powerful" for them. Finish me, or I will keep coming after you."
"Then come...if that is your wish."
There was a silence, soon broken by a loud voice.
"Hah...rolling over after barking so loud!"
"Marcus..." Indeed, it was Kanryu Marcus at the door, standing behind an object covered in cloth. A saidstic grin on his face.
"Good, no need to find you," said Karel.
"So confident...but you won't be after this!" Marcus threw off the cloth.
"No...A gatling gun!"
"Good, you know your weapons...but thus us a new market model, right off the Black market. Sahll we try it?"
"So loud...at least I'm up." Hector clutched his head as he sat up.
"Something happening upstairs."
Hector jumped and turned around.
"Nergal!"
"No need to be suspicous I lost. I won't stab you in the back. Besides, I'm worried for Jaffar, so I'm going ahead with Hawkeye. You?"
"Guess you're not all evil, huh?"
Nergal brushed off the sarcastic comment and knelt by Hawkeye.
"Wake up."
"Mmm...Gah! Nergal...your face is good for waking people up."
"Hey Baldy...baldy."
"What Shorty?"
"You hear that...hear that?"
"That roar?"
Denning nodded.
"Then I'm not hearing things...something's going on."
"Two hundred rounds per minute! Isn't this great!"
Karel, hold Guy, and Jaffar ran criss-cross across the ballroom. not wanting to get hit, knowing that it would mean certain death.
"He's doing it to make us squirm!" yelled Guy above the gunshots.
"I know, but it's all we can to do run right now," Karel replied.
"Marcus...How did you get such a weapon!"
"Marcus-san! Fool!"
Two shots hit Jaffar in the legs, imobilizing him.
"Might as well take a break," said Marcusm stopping and lighting a cigar. "I have no intention of remaining a small time opium dealer. I plan to become an arms dealer, a merchant of death."
"You will ruin people's lives for your own happiness?" Karel asked, eyes narrowing into a death glare, turning the slightest bit red.
"I never expected you to understand. How hard was it for you to achieve your skills, Sword Demon? Not easy, I assume. But with money, I dwarf your power. Money! That is the true source of power!" Marcus aimed the gatling gun. "In the end, the "most powerful"...is me. DIE!"
"A gatling gun!" gasped Nergal, as they flew to the door.
"Damn!" yelled Hawkeye, running towards the immobilized Jaffar.
"Hawkeye!"
"Now, run Sword Demon!" yelled Nergal.
"The birdhead thinks highly of you...take care of him," smiled Hawkeye as he ran past Karel. Karel gave him a confused look.
"Die Jaffar!"
"No you don't!" Hawkeye leapt in front of Jaffar, taking the impact of the bullets.
"Hawkeye.."
"Hey...don't you even start. I got these muscles...bullets didn't even get through...sure...showed...him." Jaffar stared at his fallen companion.
"Now, it's your turn Jaffar."
"Hold you fire! I am you opponent! The great Wallace! Don't aim at my gut unless you want this place blwon sky high!" Wallace began to run toward Marcus, rage in his eyes.
"What if I aim here instead!" The bullets went straight into Wallace's eye.
"Fell for it!" Wallace pitched forward, Denning leaping out of the barrel on Wallace's back.
"Take this...this!" Denning went to fire a poison dart, only to be filled with bullets and fall limp to the floor.
"...Wallace...Denning..."
"We...had one trick...they...called us...useless...but...you kept us...in the...Oni..wa..banshu. Sorry...for..being...so..useless..." Denning sighed with his last breath.
"He might have actually hurt me," said Marcus, dusting off his coat.
"Sword Demon...how long to grab that katana of yours?" asked Nergal, indicating the reverse-blade wo dao.
"Fifteen...no, ten seconds."
"Ten...pretty tight. Take those stairs to find Takani Limstella." Nergal pointed to a large flight of stairs, leading up to higher floors. "The rest I leave to you Sword Demon.
Nergal sped off one way, while Karel headed for his blade. Again the gatling gun, ended the life of the last Oniwabanshu member. Jaffar could only watch...could do nothing.
"You used him as bait. They've all died for nothing...and now it's finally your turn." Marcus turned the handel of the gatling gun. Nothing came out.
"Use your head. You shot so recklessly, so you're out of ammo. The four Oniwabanshu defeated your gatling gun."
"Sp-spare m-me," said Marcus, sinking to his knees.
"Why don't you pray to your beloved money?" Karel flew at Marcus, connecting with amazing force that it deformed Marcus's face, making it lopsided.
"He upholds the "no-kill" vow...even in a rage...barely," gasped Guy. Hector stared at Jaffar, who stood with his back to them. Karel put his hand on Hector's shoulder.
"Let him be alone. Limstella-dono needs us."
"The gunshots stopped...now what?" Limstella gasped, gripping her knife. The door knob was wiggling.
"Arrgh! Stupid door!" Hector and Guy kicked it down.
"Sorry to keep you waiting Limstella-dono."
"Karel-san...that wound..."
"A little trouble...but never mind. What matters is that you're unharmed," Karel smiled.
"I'm sorry...I put you all in danger, but it will all be over soon." Limstella raised her knife to her wrists. "Look at what I am...selfishly making opium to see my family again. If nothing else, I'm glad I met all of you."
"No!"
Limstella was about to make the cut, when Hector grabbed the knife by the blade.
"You...idiot. Karel and Guy nearly killed themselves trying to save you! I won't let you make their efforts in vain! Got it?"
"But...people are suffering from my opium. What am I supposed to say? How can I go on living?"
There was a silence, then a loud whistle rang through the air. Guy ran to the window.
"Bad news Karel, it's the police."
"Let's get out of here!" Hector grabbed Limstella's arm. Limstella broke free and reached into her kimono.
"Karel-san, this is my family's medicane. It stops bleeding, so put some on your cheast. There's a secret passage through the ceilingyou can leave through. I'm sorry for it all." Limstella headed to the door. "Trading in opium is punishable by death."
"Is that what you want?"
"Yes. The lives of those I've taken will be paid for with my own."
"Finally, we're breaking this opium ring," sighed Heath. Looking up, he noticed Limstella,coming down the stairs. "Who are you?"
"That's Takani Limstella, the one who made the opium! My partner in crime!" yelled Marcus.
"Is this true?" asked Heath.
"It..." Limstella began.
"Is not sir!" said Karel, cutting in.
"Himura-san!"
"This lady was coerced into making opium, as she worked for a great doctor."
"Don't lie Sword Demon!" yelled Marcus.
"Shut up," said Karel with a glare. Marcus whimperd.
"Sword...Demon..." Limstella's eyes widened.
"Right Guy?" Karel looked at Guy.
"Yes. I, Tokyo Samurai, Myojin Guy would not defend an opium smuggler."
"Right Hector?"
"Yeah, I suppose," Hector sighed.
"Well, if that's how Himura-san puts it, it's the truth," Heath smiled. Marcus was lead away, swearing revenge.
"Karel-san...why?" Limstella was confused.
"If you gave up your life, the others wouldn't come back. Lives can also be paid for by the sword, by redeeming other lives. That is why the Sword Demon...is still alive in Meijii. Become a doctor, Limstella-dono. Redeem yourself that way."
"If you do...I'll forgive you for my friend," Hector admitted.
"And maybe you'll see your family again," smiled Guy."
"Let's go home. Lyn-dono's waiting."
"Let's.."
"Oh, Heath-san...once you get to Jaffar..."
"Jaffar? We just found Marcus and four headless bodies," said Heath, confused.
"Jaffar's gone..."
"There has to be another exit."
"The secret passage...it leads to the forest outside..." said Limstella. The police ran outside, followed by Karel-gumi. The door was open, so it was clear that Jaffar had been there. Karel looked up. Jaffar stood on the wall, holding the four heads of the Oniwabanshu.
"Arrest hi-"
"Don't, you'll be killed," said Hector, "It's not your fault. What could you do against a gatling gun! They died to let you live and they were happy about it!"
"Jaffar, if you can't forgive yourself, then let us fight one more time. Fight and win, take the title "Most powerful" for those graves.
Jaffar turned away.
"...Sword Demon...until I come kill you, don't let anyone beat me to it." Jaffar dissappeared.
"So he's gone..."
"Let's go home..."
"You faired better against Jaffar that I had expected, but you are still weak. To bad Jaffar, but the Sword Demon's life will be mine..." There was a gleam of gold and stranger dissappeared into the darkness.
"Karel, what is it?" asked Guy.
"I thought someone was watching me..."
"Whatever, let's go."
Karel took one more look, then followed.
"Welcome back!" said Lyn, with an enthusiastic grim, "Breakfast and baths are all ready."
"Meh...I'm going to bed," said Hector, walking right past her.
"Me to..." Guy followed suit.
"I...worked so hard..." Lyn sobbed.
"This one would love it, actually," smiled Karel.
"I would as well," added Limstella.
"Thank you for everything," smiled Limstella, a few days later.
"No problem," repled Karel.
"Oh Karel-san...if you ever get bored with Lyn-chan, I bet I can keep you entertained," Limstella smirked. Lyn was livid.
"GET OUT YOU VIXEN!"
"Entertained...oro?"
"I'm so bad," Limstella gave a final wave and left.
"Well, its all over..for Limstella anyway," said Hector, aside to Karel, "But you've given Jaffar a reason to live."
"He's gone into hiding, where he'll heal and retrain himself...until he's confident that this one can be beaten. There was no fear with Limstella-dono, but what of the next time..."
"Karel never loses, so it'll be fine," smiled Guy.
Jaffar stood in a clearing. Four stones stood in front of him.
"For now...I can give you no glory...but soon...I will." Jaffar turned and walked into the darkness.
Elvengirl: So...how did I do? I hope this lived up to your standards, after all you, my loyal readers, are the judges. I really hope that this was to your liking.
Reviews:
Authorofthedark: Thanks. I'm really glad you like this.
Nightmare3: Thank you for your continuing reviews. I actually did have an idea for Inuyasha, but due to it's length and my general annoyance with the series, it's not going to happen. I can give you the specualtion cast list: (Please note, I am the master of obscure pairings, and have always liked Limstella/Lloyd):
Inuyasha: Lloyd
Kagome: Limstella
Shippo: Nils (But I think Ewan from Sacred Stones would fit better now)
Miroku: Sain or Saul from FE Six (He's a Miroku, honestly)
Sango: Lyn
Naraku: Ephidel (I had an interesting plot twist here. Can you guess who my favorite character is?)
Kikyou: Sonia
Sesshomaru: Linus
That's about as far as I got, however, most of that specualtion. What do you think?
Wandering Cat: I hope that this lived up to your standards.And you are correct, Eliwood is Katsu. I just finished that chapter, recently. It was the last obstecal to the Kyoto arc. Yes, I am doing Gundam/Fire Emblem as a fanfic. It's an original plot, but I'm borrowing a few mobile suits from Seed and Seed Destiny.
Elvengirl: Alright, I'll see you guys next week. Probably on Saturday though as school will have started by then. Please Read and Review.
Next Time: Guy's Fight ! (It's not filler, I swear)