Sakabato v. Kodachi
"You know the rules, Kenshin. I can't have anyone in the police force know about our secrets. You are an exception because you are retired and you can be trusted, but I can't say the same for this young lady. I'm sorry, but she must be eliminated." Aoshi began to walk towards the girl with his kodachi as his men forced her to kneel.
"Aoshi-san," Misao shouted. "This is my fault. I'm the one that let her in. If anyone should die then it should be me."
Be silent, Misao!" The female ninja winced at his loud and stern voice. "It is not about who makes what mistakes. We must do what we can to become number one in the Mafia. That is one truth of the Oniwanbanshu. However, we must do what we can to protect the members of this organization. You are to be the next leader when I step down. Many will be loyal to you, but you must protect them. If that means killing this woman to do so, then it must be done." Kaoru didn't know what to do. She couldn't defend herself. All she could do was wait for the final blow.
"That may be true, Aoshi." Kaoru's eyes shot open when she heard Kenshin's voice. "You must protect those that are close to you. However, killing innocent people cannot justify any means or ends, and I cannot allow you to harm Kaoru-dono." Aoshi turned to Kenshin. This was the moment he was waiting for all these years. Kenshin had finally drawn his sword on him.
"Are you suggesting a duel against my kodachi?" Kaoru was surprised. Who would fight with a kodachi? she thought. It can't help with offensive moves. Even though it has amazing defensive power, a blade like that will never work against Kenshin's…What? Now Kaoru was really confused.
"If that is what it takes to save Kaoru-dono's life, then I will gladly fight you." Kenshin scowled as he held his sword. Kaoru couldn't believe what she was seeing. He was holding up a sakabato, but it couldn't be. That sword's blade is on the wrong side. What good can that do? "This sword is meant to protect those who cannot protect themselves. As atonement, I carry this sword with the vow never to kill again." Aoshi nodded with a smile.
"I have been waiting a long time for this, Kenshin. You are legendary as a great swordsman and a detective. I will defeat you and earn the title as the best swordsman and the man that defeated Battousai the Manslayer." He signaled Kenshin to follow him down a corridor along with the man holding Kaoru and Misao. Kaoru was completely confused by now. Battousai? But he killed so many criminals in the Mafia. The TPD claimed it was to help win the war against the Mafia, but could Kenshin really have taken so many lives?
They were led into a huge building that looked like it had been abandoned for years. Kenshin walked into the center next to Aoshi, ready to face him. Misao stood on the sidelines next to Kaoru, who was still bound and gagged. All she could do now was wait in the henchman's grip, hoping Kenshin could pull off a miracle.
"So you are still going to fight me with that sword?" Aoshi asked.
"I wouldn't sooner throw this sword away then you would throw you kodachi away." Aoshi smiled at the remark. Both men held different views, but in many ways they were too similar.
"Alright, here is the deal, Kenshin. If you win, I let you two walk out of here alive. If I win, then both of you will offer your necks to me." Kenshin nodded as he took his stance. He was waiting for Aoshi to make the first move, but with a kodachi, it was hard to make any offensive move. Aoshi, however, surprised Kenshin. "If you won't attack, then I will."
Aoshi move with such speed, Kenshin almost didn't block the blow. Kenshin was even more shocked when Aoshi's fist landed on the cross-shaped scar. Kenshin went flying across the floor as he tried to keep his footing. Aoshi kept attacking with his fist, using his sword to block Kenshin's attacks. Finally, Kenshin hit the ground as Aoshi shook the blood off his fist. Kenshin tried to stand as he laughed.
"I've seen this fighting technique before. I believe it belonged to a man called Han'Nya. You're fighting style is just like his." Aoshi stared coldly as he made his next remark.
"You've got it wrong, Kenshin. My fighting style is not like Han'Nya's. Han'Nya fights like me." Suddenly, Kenshin could feel every single punch take affect over his body. "He learned from me. You should never think the pupil is ever comparable to the master. You make too many mistakes, Kenshin. For that, you will lose your life." Kenshin tried his drop attack combined with his speed, only to be blocked again. "Try as you might. I will block every attack, Kenshin."
Aoshi managed to block another one of Kenshin's attacks, but he didn't have time to counterattack. Kenshin's hilt hit Aoshi right in the neck, sending him flying back this time. Kaoru had thought Kenshin had managed to get past the defense, but then she saw it. Kenshin's hand was bleeding from holding his blade at the base.
Of course, she thought as she tried to remove the gag. At first, the katana appears to have the advantage, but it does have blind spots because it is a longer weapon. If he shortens it, then he will be on the same level as Aoshi. It's all about staying in your own zone and keeping your opponent out. Kenshin could win.
"That was a neat trick, Kenshin," Aoshi said as he massaged his throat. "You will not be so lucky this time." Aoshi moved towards Kenshin, but Kenshin blocked the blow. Kaoru watched the blade. Something is wrong, she said to herself again. The blade is slower. Why would Aoshi do that? Kaoru had just managed to get the cloth out of her mouth when she realized what Aoshi was doing. Shadows of his body were moving around Kenshin as if he were dancing.
"Kenshin, watch out!" Kaoru shouted as Aoshi jumped behind Kenshin. The sword slashed three times across Kenshin's chest, immediately sending him to the ground. When Aoshi landed, he shook the blood off his sword.
"Kaiten Kenbu. Dance of the wheeling sword. This is the ultimate attack that kills all that would stand in the Oniwanbanshu's way." Misao stood with astonishment. She couldn't believe Himura was dead, but she couldn't believe anyone could defeat Aoshi. Kaoru, on the other hand, was in tears. He had died because of her. She didn't care if she died now. Another person was dead because of her.
"You bastard!" she shouted. "Why didn't you just take my life? He didn't deserve to die. He didn't deserve any of this."
"Be quiet, wench!" The man holding Kaoru punched her in the stomach, forcing her to kneel on the ground as Aoshi approached. She gasped for air as he stood overhead. It was strange to her. How could a man keep such a cold stare on his face even when he was winning?
"You are very selfless and kind," he said as he placed his sword on her neck. "I wish I didn't have to kill you, so I will make it painless." Kaoru closed her eyes as he raised his sword. What she heard next was more than a miracle.
"Kaoru-dono is very kind." Kaoru looked up to see Kenshin standing on his feet, but just barely. "She helps others live, and that is why I can't allow her to die." He held up his scabbard as the top part fell into three little pieces.
"You keep surprising me, Kenshin," Aoshi said as he turned to face him. "You used your sheath to absorb some of my Kaiten Kenbu. You are truly deserving of the name the best. Today, nevertheless, is the day I take that name for the Oniwanbanshu."
"No, stop this now!" Kaoru screamed as she fought against her captor. "Please, can't you see he's hurt? Don't take his life. I beg you. Someone needs to capture this madman. If he dies then this whole city is in danger. Please, let him live. Take my life instead." Aoshi looked at her again, trying to decide what to do.
"I see you are a very loyal person," he stated. "I think I can trust you with the secrets of the Mafia. I will let you live, but Kenshin will die this time." He began to perform his Kaiten Kenbu again, Kenshin constantly looking for any sign of attack. "It ends here!" Kenshin's sword went flying in the air along with the sound of cutting flesh. Kaoru couldn't look until she heard Aoshi gasp.
"You are very strong, Aoshi. That you are," Kenshin said as he held Aoshi's blade. "You have excellent defensive power, but you must switch over to an offensive state for one small moment when using the Kaiten Kenbu. I was able to catch the blade with the only bare-handed move that is common to all sword-styles. It is a pity that martial arts has none.
"Aoshi, if you wish to have the title of the best, then take it. For now, I have people waiting for me. I have a vow to be there for those who need my help." Kenshin had to end it now. He took the blade and shoved the hilt into Aoshi's throat, causing him to spit up blood and finally hit the ground, but not before he got in one last punch on Kenshin's face. Both hit the ground at the same time. It was finally over.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted as she ran to his side. Misao ran to Aoshi's side, trying to help him up. Kaoru was still handcuffed, but she managed to shake Kenshin awake. "Kenshin, are you alright?"
"Yes, I think so." Kenshin sat up, but spirals appeared in his eyes. "On second thought."
"I thought so," Kaoru said with a smile. "You had me worried for a second. Thank you for saving me." Kenshin looked at her as soon as his face cleared. Kaoru looked over and saw Aoshi in Misao's hands. "Is he…dead?"
"No, he's just out. He will have a hard time breathing when he wakes up, but that's only because he took that last punch at me. He never accepted defeat. In the end, defeat accepted him." Aoshi started to revive to everyone's surprise. Misao tried to keep him from moving too much.
"Aoshi-san, please hold still. If you move too much, you could seriously hurt yourself."
"I'll be fine, Misao. Thanks for the help." Aoshi looked over to Kenshin with his usual cold stare.
"That was a quick recovery, Aoshi," Kenshin said. "So what is the verdict?" Aoshi slowly walked to Kenshin with his sword. He swung several times at Kaoru, just close enough to make the cuffs fall off.
"It is clear to see who the victor is without a death," he said as a smile grew on his face. "I thank you for letting me know that. You are free to go." Aoshi turned his back as Kaoru lifted Kenshin to his feet.
"Thank you, Aoshi," Kaoru said. Aoshi kept his back to them both as he spoke again.
"You are a very kind person indeed, Kaoru. You truly want to help others. Maybe one day you can help me, but I doubt it. With that said, I do have some information to share with you. Have you ever heard of the man Takeda Kanryu has been lurking around our territory lately. He seems to be quite the little pimp, but he is always in the area when those women have been found dead. I have also had reports of seeing him with the women before they disappear. I don't know exactly where you could find him, but he is your best bet at the moment." Kaoru was amazed, but she bowed to him.
"Thank you again, Aoshi. I am in your debt," Kaoru said as she held up Kenshin. They started to walk away, leaving Misao to hold Aoshi up.
"No, Kaoru," Aoshi said. "Thank you for showing me what loyalty is really about." He turned to Misao and smiled. "Shall we have tea at the Akabeka?" Misao hit him in the side and carried him off.
"The only place you're having tea is in bed."
"Thanks for being so delicate, my love." Misao laughed at him.
"It's tough love, Aoshi, but love nonetheless." Aoshi laughed as Misao put him in bed. He was lucky to have someone so loyal that could care for him. He hadn't seen it until now when Kaoru had helped open his eyes to the love around him.
That was a bit long. I hope it was good enough. My little plot is starting to take shape. Please be patient. I have about six more stories in progress, so it might be awhile. As always, thanks for all the reviews. Cya.