Elvengirl: Hey. Sorry this took so long. I was on vacation, which was awesome and between friends coming and going and work, I've been rather busy. Hope you all enjoy this chapter, and hopefully the next one will be up soon.
Senkaku exploded out of the floor and towered over Karel and Ephidel.
"So, you are the one who murdered Ross's parents," Karel growled. Senkaku let out a thunderous roar and charged at the two, who leapt away to safety. They both marveled at the large man's speed.
"You're slow," Senkaku laughed,jabbing with hsi right arm, the curved knuckleblade slamming Karel into the wall.
"He's weaker than expected," the boy muttered.
"The sword demon is no one to fear!" Senkaku announced triumphantly.
"Ross will have his promise," Karel grunted. Senkaku looked down. There was a large crack running up his knuckleblade, originating from the reverse blade wo dao.
"I'll take you down before Kishuna!"
"You? Take me down? Don't make me laugh," Senkaku smirked, "Try!" The other knucklebalde flew towards Karel, "I'll make you my one hundreth victim!" Karel leapt out of way as a spray of tatami flooring in multiple directions.
"And here I thought you were a warrior," Ephidel sniffed.
Karel darted behind Senkaku, leaving the observers amazed at his speed as well.
"I never lose in speed!" Senkaku boasted, and was quickly behind. "Attacking from behind is something I can do as well, but you lack the sheer strength I have!" Senkaku began a barrage of punches that tore up the floor. Karel evaded each strike, moving in a circular pattern. No ground was being gained on either part. They were in for a long battle.
"Heh, I hear today's intruders are quiet adept," remarked a gaurd to the rest of his patrol.
"Yeah, but few can survive Senkaku-sama's "mincing blow"."
"Either way, there's no need for us this time," another shrugged, leaning against a tree.
"On the contrary, you're needed right now." Leila stepped confidently out from behind some trees.
"Who're you!" The gaurds jumped to attention.
"Makimachi Leila doesn't need to reveal her name to scum as low as you!"
"Uh...you just did..."
"Whatever! Just get out my way!" Leila launched a barrage of kunai at the group of gaurds. One managed to call her a brainless wench before being knocked out by a well place kicked. The final, amazed that such a young-looking girl could produce such violence, began to raise his whistle to his lips. He stopped when he felt the press of cold steel against his neck. He looked down slowly, into the flaming eyes of Ross.
"You! Show us the way to Senkaku. Take me to him."
The gaurd nodded, nervously.
Inside, the battle raged on in a continous cycle. Each opponent would try to get behind the other, and then Senkaku would chase Karel around the now torn apart room. It was clear that both Senkaku and Karel were of the same speed.
"Himura seems to be having trouble," the boy noted, "He hasn't had a chance to strike yet, and all he can do is run away. Are you not going to give him a hand, Ephidel-san?"
"I've no intention of revealing my sword moves here, on an opponent such as him. In fact, you master has been watching this battle intensly, in order to determine Himura's moves. Himura has figured this out, and so he waits for his opponent's self-destruction."
"Self-destruction?" Ephidel was given a confused look.
"Just watch."
As the game normally played out, Karel darted behind Senkaku. Senkaku, like usual, turned as well. A horrible ripping sound echoed throughout the room and Senkaku's leg beant almost one hundred eighty degrees. Senkaku fell to the ground, howling in pain. His leg was broken.
"By moving repeatedly, without dropping you speed, you exceeded your body's limit," Karel explained.
"But how? We were moving at the same speed."
"Indeed, but with a larger body, the weight, the burden, is greater."
"That's impossible! My body has no limit! I-"
"Fool. The Sword Demon was increasing his speed slightly everytime he moved, so you believed you were moving at the same speed," Ephidel smirked, "Your one hundreth kill seems to be you."
"Wow...so many things to think about while you're fighting," the Boy remarked.
"I...honestly didn't kill that many people...really..." Senkaku confessed under the hard gaze of Karel.
"But you did kill Ross's parents, didn't you?" Karel growled.
"Senkaku, I never really expected you to win, but if you go the entire battle without making the Sword Demon reveal a single Hiten move, I'll kill you where you stand."
There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Shishio Kishuna wasn't kidding.
"So, in here," Leila asked, casually.
"Y-yes," the terrified gaurd responded.
"Good...'night now," Leila knocked the gaurd out with her elbow, then joined Ross where the door was opened slightly. They arrived to watch the giant Senkaku attack Karel, who leapt up to meet the attack. Using his left hand to provide extra speed, Karel forced his sword into the bottom jaw of Senkaku. The giant fell to the ground with a dull thud that rattled the building.
"Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu. Ryushosen."
"Idiot, that kindness to that block-head, may very well cost yu your life," Ephidel sighed, annoyed.
"That doesn't matter. This one is no so worried about himself," Karel pointed his sword at Kishuna, "Get your sword, Shishio Kishuna."
'That was amazing. I had no idea Himura was so strong...' Leila thought, 'But whatever's going on, it looks serious. I don't think we should stick our noses in any further...'
"Aaaack!" The door slid open, curtesy of Ephidel, and Leila fell right on top of Ross.
"Stop sneaking around and watch then. Just dont' leave my side."
"Leila-dono? Ross?"
"That move, the Ryushosen. It was originally meant for decapitiation with a blade, correct?" Kishuna asked. Karel turned his attention back to Kishuna. "I'm dissappointed. I'd heard from my spies that you'd given up killing, but I couldn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. Try and defeat me like that, and you won't stand a chance in hell," Kishuna left out a dry chuckle, "And I hate boring fights."
Kishuna snapped his fingers. The woman stood and pushed back a screen, revealing a secret exit.
"So, come to me in Kyoto, as the Sword Demon."
"So, you run away with your tail between your legs?" Karel growled, spitefully. Kishuna, without a hint of annoyance, picked up his sword and tossed it at the boy.
"Ewan, feel free to amuse yourself in my stead. Why don't you show them your Tenken, in return for the Ryushosen."
Ewan deftly caught the sword and nodded.
"Alright. I'll catch up to you then."
Kishuna left, the woman following. Ewan stepped forward.
"I'm not gonna hold back," he said confidently.
"Himura! What are you doing! The Bandage man's getting away!" Leila yelled, springing up. Karel turned to glare at Ewan. Leila felt a heavy blast of air and was thrown back against the wall.
"What...was...that?" she gasped.
"Directing Ki towards him is like pushing oneself against a curtain," Ephidel explained, "I've been doing it myself for awhile. This boy not only lacks Ki, but agression and rage as well."
"Kishuna-sama?"
"Mm? What is it, Sonia?"
Kishuna and his woman were riding through the forest on horseback, their destination Kyoto. Sonia sat in front, leaning on Kishuna.
"What is this "Tenken" you mentioned?"
"That's his name. A sword wielded by heavenly skill. He is Heaven's sword."
"But isn't the Sword Demon the same?"
"Perhaps, but due to the family Ewan grew up in, he lacks all emotions except comfort. He possesses no anger or fighting spirit. The well-trained swordsman reactions by reading emotions. Saitou Ephidel had been wanting to kill me for quite sometime, but didn't because he was unsure how Ewan would react. Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu, which relies so heavily on reading opponents emotions, is useless here."
"I hope you don't mind, but if I don't hurry up, I will be unable to catch Kishuna-sama," Ewan smiled, taking a small step forward. Karel said nothing, mearly sliding into the position of Battojutsu.
"I thought as much," Ephidel nodded, "If he can't read emotions, he will strike with the fastest sword."
"Battojutsu, of course. Then I to..." Ewan said, taking the same stance. A silence fell on the room.
"The match will be decided through Battojutsu," Kishuna explained, "and the sword speed will be equal."
The two combatants charged.
"However..."
The swords met with a loud ring.
"Between the Sword Demon, who has sworn off killing, and Ewan, who feels nothing when he kills, the Sword of Heaven, is a very different weapon. Until the Sword Demon reverts back to his self of ten years ago, he will never beat Ewan."
Karel stared at the top half of his reverse blade wo dao, sticking straight up out of the tatami floor. He held the other half in his hands. A clean cut.
"Match over?" Ewan offered.
"Indeed. You both can't continue. It's a draw," said Ephidel. Ewan looked down at his katana. What had moments ago been smooth, was now covered in cracks, far beyond repair.
"Ah well, it's Kishuna's anyway," Ewan shrugged, "I must take my leave now. I hope we fight against soon, Sword Demon, to settle this score. I hope you find a new sword by then."
After Ewan left, by the same exit as Kishuna, Karel sheathed his broken sword.
"Himura...your reverse blade wo dao broke..."
"And Kishuna got away." Ephidel was less than amused.
"Well, we can always make another sword, and we can always resume the chase for Kishuna, but at least we saved Shingetsu village that we did." Karel smiled at Leila. Ephidel just sniffed.
On the other side of the room, Ross glared at the fallen Senkaku. This man, who had caused him so much grief. Senkaku twitched. Ross gasped. Senkaku was still alive. Ross's grip tightened on the katana he held. He must pay! He must pay! HE MUST PAY!
"Die Senkaku!" Ross shouted at the top of his lungs. He raised the katana high above his head, the fires of revenge burning in his eyes. Ross never completed the finishing blow. His hand was stalled by Ephidel, who threw him back against the wall by the back of his shirt.
"He's useless when he's dead. We still need him for interrogation, not to mention that revenge killings were outlawed in the sixth year of Meijii. Don't make my job any harder. He'll probably be executed after he's introgated. Most likely tortured as well. Far crueler than killing an unconcious man."
"I don't care about laws or execution! What about my family? How can my family ever rest in peace if I don't get revenge with my own hands!" Again, Ross's grip tightened on the katana.
"What the dead want is not revenge, but happiness for those who are living. If you stain your hands with blood now, then the dead will never be happy. As you grow up," Karel smiled, laying his hand on top of Ross's, preventing him from lifting the katana again, "and become an adult, don't become a man like Kishuna or Senkaku, hwo seek to dominate, or like the villagers, paralyzed by fear. Become a man like your brother, who wanted only for you to be safe and achieve happiness."
The katana rattled to the floor. Ross sobbed loudly, bringing his arm up to brush away his tears.
"Well, it's over for now at least," Leila sighed, handing Ross a handkerchief to dry his tears. Ross pushed it away.
"Why you!"
"So it's over," Ephidel mumbled, staring at the broken katana sticking out of the floor, "Is it?"
"It's not my fault, Kishuna-san," Ewan laughed as Kishuna inspected his broken katana, "If you're going to blame anyone, blame Himura."
"Destroying the "Nagasone Kotetsu" with a reverse blade wo dao. It appears I've underestimated him." Kishuna's voice held a twinge of awe.
"Kotetsu?" Ewan inquired.
"Your skill is nothing compared to your ignorance," Sonia sighed, "Kotetsu us one of the thrity-one greatest swordsmiths in Japan. Any swordsman would kill to have one."
"Ewan, I've a request to ask of you."
"As long as it doesn't involve paying you back, go ahead."
"Contact the Juppongattana and them in Kyoto. The Sword Demon will reveal himself to me, even if I have to drag him out by force."
The atmosphere of the village had changed dramatically. What was once a somber, isolated area, was not cheering and dancing in the streets, celebrating the defeat of Senkaku. Karel, Leila, Ephidel, and Ross watched the going-ons from atop the cliff.
"Now, Shingetsu village can return to normal. Still, I don't feel right about all taht cheering," Leila nodded.
"It's only the beginning. The people have seen the ugliness of their souls," Ephidel stated, "It'll be rough for awhile."
"Not that I feel "right" about you either," Leila snapped. Ephidel brushed off the insult.
"It's still my homeland. I'll pray for the best," Ross smiled. Karel smiled back.
"Now, it's time for me to head back," Ephidel stated, almost relieved.
"What's gonna happen with Ross?" Leila asked, glancing at the young boy.
"I'll take him with me to Tokyo. I'm sure I can find someone who can take him in. Himura, just hurry to Kyoto alright, and return to the Sword Demon. This battle must've made it clear to you that you cannot defeat Kishuna or his close cohorts as rurouni. This was a good time for the reverse-blade wo dao to break. Quit flip-flopping and make your decision. I'm counting on you...counting on your past."
"Again with the repition, Ephidel. I know I have to make a decision," Karel mumbled under his breath. Leila looked at him, slightly confused.
"Okay, so maybe I don't exactly get what just happened here, but the bad guys ran and we won. You know Himura, you looked really cool when you were all grim and silent, but kinda scary at the same time. I personally prefer the relaxed Himura who says "Oro". He's much better." In an attempt to break the uncomfertable silence, Leila had begun to ramble.
"What Leila-dono thinks is of no concern," said Karel, turning away to face the sunset.
"Well in that case - Hey! Wait a minute!"
Karel turned around and smiled at Leila. Leila twitched in annoyance. So...he was just fooling with her, was he?
"Monster bird kick of rage!" Leila yelled, kicking Karel in the head.
"Oro? That hurt Leila-dono."
"Yeah? Well, you deserved it."
Karel nodded and continued walking. He doubted that Kishuna's men wouldn't attack until Kyoto, so why not finish the journey on the East Sea road. It was his goal to get their before Ephidel.
'Must this one become the Sword Demon once more? The answer lies in Kyoto.'
Meanwhile...
"Damn. I think I'm acutally lost now. Which way was it to Kyoto again?"
Hector was even more lost.
Next time: Meeting in the Woods.