Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Bloodline ❯ One Step Closer ( Chapter 11 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Angie-san 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.28.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 688 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.28.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 688 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer - Sadly, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. It is the sole property of Nobuhiro Watsuki and the many companies who have purchased the rights.
Chapter 11 - One Step Closer
Kenshin rolled to his feet and dusted himself off as the train continued on its course, completely ignorant of the fact that two of its passengers had just exited in a decidedly unconventional way. Glancing around at the slowly brightening landscape he smiled. It had been a perfect jump, a short distance from where he stood was the mountain range he'd passed on his way back from Kyoto. The peaks stretched out for as far as the eye could see in both directions, in particular though was his interest in the mountain face directly in front of him, Just visible was a small dirt track barely wide enough to fit a carriage leading up into the dense forest before vanishing out of sight. He knew without a doubt Kaoru was on this one somewhere. For some reason he'd begun to feel her presence under his skin as they drew closer to their destination, letting him know that she was at least alive. Now standing at the foot of the mountain it felt as if she was calling to him, somehow guiding him to her. He couldn't figure out why he felt this invisible link to her but he would use it if it would help him find her.
Centering himself on that feeling he reached down to retrieve his sakabatou and the katana from their landing place nearby. He cast a hooded glance at his companion as he slipped them into place at his side; the deep rumble of the train beginning to fade into the distance. A slight smirk turned up the corner of his lips as the scowl gracing his companion's features showed him just what his companion thought of their departure from the train.
Leveling his golden gaze on the man beside him he smirked devilishly. "Are you ready?"
Tucking his own katana into his belt Saitou glared at the redhead beside him. "Was that really necessary?"
Kenshin's smirk turned into a full-fledged smile. Ignoring the sarcasm dripping from his former enemy's voice he set off for the dirt track not really caring if his companion followed or not, he wasn't about to wait for anyone when Kaoru was so close.
Saitou snorted in disgust and followed in his nemesis' footsteps as a slight grin grew on his lips. Despite the humor in his companion’s actions, the underlying coiled tension was still there. Battousai was fully awake, his ki virtually hummed with barely contained hostility. It shot out from the slight man, continuously brushing against his own. The killing intent aggravated him to the point where his hand itched for the feel of his katana. The katana tucked into his companion's belt hadn't gone unnoticed either; it seemed Battousai was dead serious in getting his little tanuki back.
Flipping a cigarette into his mouth he lit it and blew smoke rings into the air as anticipation bubbled up deep in his chest. Today was going to be very interesting, he only hoped he would get a chance to finally take on the infamous hitokiri again after he finished with the spineless murderer who thought he could get away with killing Kamiya's father.
Kenshin cast a quick glance over his shoulder as he closed the distance to the dirt track, eyeing the man following behind him. He'd been shocked to find Saitou already on the train when he'd boarded, his shock had quickly turned to anger though when the Wolf had simply given him a sly look and a nod. When asked what the hell he thought he was doing all the Wolf had said was that he had a score to settle. It seemed he'd taken Koshijiro's death personally and that was strange coming from this particular man.
With an inward shrug, Kenshin turned his attention back to the trail ahead of him. He really didn't care if the Wolf came along or not so long as he didn't get in the way when it came to taking Kaoru back from Shishio. That was something he would do alone. Beginning to climb up the mountain track he focused his attention on Kaoru's presence, the feeling becoming clearer and stronger with each step he took. It wouldn't be long now, soon he would have her in his arms again and this time he wasn't going to let go.
oooooooooooooooooo
From his vantage point atop the carriage he'd just acquired Razan watched the two men begin to ascend the dirt track that led to the mansion. A shake of the reins set the horses into motion again and he drove the carriage out from around the side of the mountain, pulling them to a stop at the mouth of the trail. With ease he jumped down and tied them to a tree then watched for the shadowed figures to disappear around the first bend in the road before he blurred his form into a shadow and raced through the trees beside the road disappearing into the dark forest.
Shishio would need to know about this, it seemed Battousai had decided to come and take back what was his and he'd even brought the Wolf of Mibu with him. A slight smile touched his lips as he flew through the underbrush; this day was going to prove to be very entertaining.
oooooooooooooooooo
Kaoru drifted in the space between sleep and awareness, a feeling of warmth permeating her body. Contentment filtered into her fogged consciousness, wrapping her in a blanket of security, caressing her very being. It almost felt like she was wrapped in a pair of strong arms protecting her, sheltering her, loving her. Shifting slightly she whispered "Kenshin?"
"No, my dear, but I'm sure we will see him soon."
Kaoru's eyes flew open when she felt a finger trail along her cheek, pushing a stray lock of hair off her face. The hated voice so close she could feel his breath whispering across her skin. Sitting up she quickly shot to her feet and backed away from the man squatting beside her. Disoriented she scanned the garden trying to get her bearings. She didn't remember falling asleep; the last thing she remembered was coming out here to get away from him and truth that he could so easily kill his lover without a second thought.
"What do you want?" she asked, moving further away from him.
Shishio rose and gazed at her curiously as she continued backing away from him, moving deeper into the grove towards the stone building. A sly smile grew on his lips, "What do I want? I'm not sure you're ready for what I want yet," he teased. Pleased with the shiver his statement coerced out of her he began walking towards her matching every step she took until she finally bumped into the wall. A flash of unease shot through her eyes before she pierced him with a hate-filled glare. Reaching out a hand towards her he chuckled when she recoiled from the gesture, "Come, sweet angel, it's time to get ready to go."
"Go? Go where?"
"I'm going to take you home."
Kaoru's eyes narrowed. Home? Why was he taking her home now? Suddenly the image of the destroyed meadow flashed before her eyes, reminding her just what he wanted. Fear struck deep into her heart. Shaking her head vehemently she glared at him, "No!"
Stepping towards her Shishio watched her flatten herself against the stone surface and started skirting to one side, trying to get away from him. Fixing her with a piercing black gaze, he grinned, "You don't have a choice my dear. You can come freely or by force, either way you will come." Moving another step towards her his grin widened as he watched her try to melt into the stone wall, her eyes growing impossibly wide. Tilting his head to the side he let his eyes travel up and down her body, the thin yukata barely leaving anything to the imagination, "It's time for you to dress. although I would prefer it if you would allow me to dress you. I'm can assure you that would be more enjoyable...for both of us."
Kaoru shivered in disgust at the mere thought of his hands on her. Shifting away from the wall she backed away from him until she started to feel the invisible strings pulling at her again. Growling she clenched her fists and leveled a murderous glare at him, "Let me go, you bastard!"
"Shishio sama?"
Shishio scowled and glanced over his shoulder at the man standing on the porch. "What is it?"
Razan dipped a bow and slid his eyes to Kaoru before fixing them back on Shishio, "Battousai has come to take back what was his, he's about halfway up the mountain."
"Really?" Shishio purred, a malicious grin lighting up his features. Shifting his eyes back to Kaoru he saw the look of cautious hope flicker across her features, "It seems you are more important to him than his long dead wife after all. I didn't expect him to leave Kyoto so soon."
Kaoru simply stared at him until what he'd said finally sank in and then her eyes narrowed into slits and she gazed at him suspiciously, “How did you know he was in Kyoto?" Watching the laughter dance through his eyes as his grin widened she finally understood. "You heartless monster, you did that to Tomoe's grave!"
"I needed him away from you and that seemed to be the best way to pull him out of Tokyo." He replied with a shrug. Ignoring the glare of pure hatred she leveled on him he turned fully towards Razan, "Is he alone?"
Razan's grin grew into a full-fledged smile as his mismatched eyes lit up with anticipation. "No, he brought Saitou Hajime with him."
A light chuckle escaped Shishio's throat, "It seems we'll both have a little entertainment before we leave."
Icy fear flowed through Kaoru drowning out all her anger as the implications of what he said hit her. If Kenshin came here Shishio would kill him, she knew without a doubt he would, she couldn't let him do that. Flying at him she grabbed ahold of his arm and swung him around. "You can't kill him!"
Shishio loosened her grip and dragged her against his chest, leaning in he pierced her with his now blood-red eyes. "He's come to try to take you from me, and even though his efforts will all be in vain I still need to fight for what is mine and...you...are...mine."
"I am NOT yours!" She all but shouted yanking herself out of his arms. "I will not let you kill him!"
"You cannot stop me, my dear." Shishio purred with a smile. "He will die today for being foolish enough to come here. I will rid myself of this nuisance and then there will be no one to stand in our way when we destroy the bastards who thought they could kill me."
Kaoru could only stare at him in horror as her heart hammering almost painfully against her ribs. There had to be a way to kill him, but she hadn't had enough time to figure out how. Not enough at all. Falling to her knees she wrapped her arms around her middle and hung her head in defeat. Kenshin didn't know Shishio couldn't die and now he would die because of her. Why? Why was this happening?
Shishio could feel her loss of hope echoing through the bond and he grinned at as he reached down and grasped her arm to guide her back to her feet. "Come, my dear, time to get ready for our visitors, they should be here soon." Turning his attention back to Razan he smiled. "Go wait for them at the mouth of the tunnel. You can have the Wolf but Battousai is mine." With that he guided his angel into the mansion, eager for the battle that was just moments away.
A deadening numbness settled into Kaoru's very bones and she followed behind him as tears streamed unnoticed down her cheeks. There was no reason to fight anymore, it was over. She couldn't win. He would kill the man she loved before her very eyes and there was no way she could stop him. Sinking to the futon when he released her she didn't even notice when he withdrew the cream colored kimono she had admired from the chest and laid it down beside her. She barely felt it when he grasped her chin and turned her to face him, "Snap out of it my dear, do you want him to see you broken?"
That snapped her out of her depression, shaking of the numbness Kaoru yanked her face out of his hand and narrowed her eyes. "I may be bound to you but I'm not broken, I will find a way to kill you before you can kill him."
Shishio smiled at the fire now filling her eyes. "You can try, sweet angel, but I doubt you will find a way. For there isn’t one."
With that he rose and left her to dress as a rush of excitement flew though his veins, the surge of anticipation that followed putting a spring into his step as he made his way to his room. He'd been looking forward to this battle for a long time, his predecessor didn't deserve the Hitokiri Battousai title and now he was finally going to be able to rid the world of him and take the title that was rightfully his.
Soon he would have it all.
oooooooooooooooooo
Kenshin carefully picked his way over the broken ground his rage growing with each step. The killer within him itched to bleed the bastard who had made Kaoru do this. Everything was destroyed around him, everything but a lone sakura tree standing untouched in the destruction off to the left. He knew without even needing to see it that Shishio had tied Kaoru to that tree and done something to her to unleash whatever it was that hid inside her. Makoto had destroyed her innocence and the killer inside him was more than ready to take blood payment for the transgression.
Beside him Saitou smirked as his companion's ki flared even higher. Battousai was on the verge of losing it, the death grip he had on the katana in his belt paid testament to just how close the hitokiri was to the surface. This was the man he had come to grudgingly respect during the Bakumatsu. His hand twitched ever so slightly at the mere thought of finally being able to face him again. Shishio didn't stand a chance, he would die today for taking something that Battousai thought of as his. A light chuckle escaped his lips as excitement coursed through his veins, it looked like he would finally get his chance to finish what had started so long ago.
oooooooooooooooooo
Perched on the boulder beside the mouth of the tunnel Razan watched the two figures slowly materialize out of the dense forest, both walking resolutely up the dirt road towards him. A slight grin twitched the corner of his lips as he felt a killing ki brush against his. Eyeing the smaller man that seemed to be outlined by a flaming red aura the grin sprang fully to the surface. A shame he would never be able to cross blades with the infamous hitokiri striding towards him, it definitely would have been an entertaining fight. With an inward shrug he shifted his eyes to the taller of the two men and his smirk grew into a smile, but at least he would be able to play with the Wolf and that was something he'd been looking forward to for a long time. Slipping from his seat as they neared he stood before the mouth of the tunnel and waited patiently for his entertainment to begin.
Kenshin eyed the man blocking his path in irritation as he closed the last few yards to the mouth of the tunnel. He could feel Kaoru so strongly now it was almost as if she was standing right beside him. For the last half mile or so he'd begun to feel a frantic desperation through the link that made his protective instinct rage to comfort her. His steps had quickened as the feeling had spiked then died. Now only a few yards away from her the desperation he'd felt before came back tenfold and this man seemed to think he could stop him from getting to her. A light chuckle escaped his lips as he wrapped his hand around the hilt of the katana. But that was only the man’s first mistake, his second was the knowing grin plastered on his face that made the killer in Kenshin itch to wipe off. Fighting down the urge to drive the blade through the man's chest he narrowed his eyes and pierced him with a deadly glare. He didn't have time for this; he would give the man one chance and one chance only.
"Move."
Razan chuckled as the ki emanating from the small man spiked; this man would have been a challenge for Shishio if his boss hadn't found a way to cheat death. Stepping aside he motioned for him to pass, "You may go but the Wolf stays here, we have unfinished business."
Kenshin nodded. Releasing his grip on the katana he strode through the tunnel into the compound, a cold calm settling over him like a blanket. Slipping silently down the deserted hallways he continued to follow Kaoru's presence as his mind embraced the killer within him. Soon...very soon he would have her back.
As Kenshin disappeared down the tunnel Saitou gripped his katana and eyed the man who seemed to think he would be a challenge for the Wolf of Mibu. "So, the spineless murderer thinks he can best me does he?" he drawled sarcastically.
A small smile graced Razan's lips, "I know I can."
An eager smile lit up Saitou features, drawing his katana he settled himself into his Gatotsu stance, "Then let’s begin, I have another engagement shortly."
oooooooooooooooooo
Kaoru knelt stiffly on the dais and stared at her twisting hands as she wracked her in an effort to find a way to stop what was coming. If only there was more time, that's all she needed just a little more time. The answer had to be somewhere, she couldn't watch Kenshin die, it would kill her if she had to watch him die. Delving deep into her mind she searched frantically for the answer, there was still a little time left, hopefully that's all she would need.
Shishio chuckled lightly as he shifted his gaze from the closed shoji to the woman beside him, he could feel the utter turmoil her mind was trapped in. Idly wondering if maybe he should let her go back to her room he reached out a hand and gently pushed her hair back over her shoulder revealing her full profile to him. It just might break her completely to see Battousai die by his hand, she really did seem to love him. With a shake of his head he rejected the idea. She needed to see this, she needed to see that she was his and his alone. No one would come between them.
Feeling the finger trailing along the shell of her ear and then down her jaw Kaoru snapped out of her search and nailed the man beside her with a scathing glare, “What are you doing?"
"Just admiring what is mine."
Kaoru's eyes narrowed dangerously but before she could respond the soft grating of the shoji being opened drifted to her ears. Snapping her head around her heart stopped then began pounding madly against her ribs. This was it, there was no more time. Kenshin stood in the doorway, his glowing amber eyes locked onto her, all but swallowing her in his molten gaze. Without warning the sensation of arms wrapping around her protectively filtered through her body, causing a single tear to escape her eyes. She wasn't the one that needed protecting...he was. Absently she began to rise, the need to protect him from Shishio overruling all other thoughts when she was stopped dead suddenly, the invisible strings binding her in a tight grip.
"LET ME GO YOU BASTARD!" She screamed as he forced into sinking back to the dais.
A small chuckle was her only answer as Shishio rose and stepped off the dais. "Welcome, Battousai."
With effort Kenshin tore his eyes from Kaoru and shifted his attention to the well-dressed man standing before him. His eyes widened slightly as he took in the unblemished skin and seemingly perfect health of the man who had been burned years ago when the government had tried to rid themselves of him. Meeting the blood-red gaze fixed on him he smiled, this was the man who would die for ever thinking he could destroy Kaoru's innocence. Nodding slightly in acknowledgement he murmured, "Shishio."
A low growl coming from the dais suddenly caught his attention and Kenshin shifted his eyes back to Kaoru in time to see her wrestling against something he couldn't see. A spark of anger lit deep in his gut as she fought against whatever it was holding her.
"What have you done to her?" he grated in a steely voice as he looked back to Shishio.
"I have done nothing but tasted the sweet nectar of her body, it is her own blood that binds her to me." Shishio replied with a shrug. A tiny smirk curled the corner of his lips, "She is mine now, there is no way you can take her from me."
Kaoru quit fighting against the hold Shisho had on her and hung her head. He was right, there was no way Kenshin could save her and now he would die. "Don't fight him, Kenshin, he will kill you if you fight him. Leave now, while you can" she muttered, her throat tight on the words, not even sure if he would hear her or not. Tears dripped from her lashes to splash soundlessly onto her tightly clenched fists as a deadening hopelessness settled over her. She knew even if he did hear her he would still fight. Battousai was in control now; her Kenshin was gone, buried beneath the killer that would demand blood. It was just like with Jin'e but this time she could tell by his ki that he wouldn't back down even if she begged him.
The deadening of Kaoru's ki broke through the red haze that had begun to filter into Kenshin's mind at Shishio's words, allowing her softly whispered words to reach his ears. Shifting his eyes back to her he watched a single, crystalline tear fall from her eyes to splash soundlessly onto her hand. An aching need to wrap her in his arms gripped ahold of him making it hard to breathe. Purposefully striding across the room he continued to watch the tears fall as the rest of his senses kept a close eye on Shishio. Coming to her bowed head he reached out and lifted her face, "You are mine, Kaoru," He murmured softly as her watery blue eyes met his. "He stole you from me and now he will pay."
Inexplicable warmth flooded through Kaoru as he gently brushed away the wetness from her cheeks. The look in his amber gaze spoke the truth of his words, he loved her, this wasn't just Battousai this was her Kenshin too and he loved her. A shot of pain lanced through her heart at the realization. Pulling her face from his hand she gazed once again at her white knuckled fingers, "He can't die Kenshin, because of me he can't die," she whispered, the truth of her words cutting deep.
Confused by her confession Kenshin reached out his hand again but stopped when he felt a subtle shift in the air. Springing back from the katana that split the space between them he skidded to a halt instinctively drawing his sakabatou as he fixed his amber eyes on the man who now stood in front of Kaoru.
"That's enough, it's time to begin."
Converting /tmp/phpW1ZdBp to /dev/stdout
Chapter 11 - One Step Closer
Kenshin rolled to his feet and dusted himself off as the train continued on its course, completely ignorant of the fact that two of its passengers had just exited in a decidedly unconventional way. Glancing around at the slowly brightening landscape he smiled. It had been a perfect jump, a short distance from where he stood was the mountain range he'd passed on his way back from Kyoto. The peaks stretched out for as far as the eye could see in both directions, in particular though was his interest in the mountain face directly in front of him, Just visible was a small dirt track barely wide enough to fit a carriage leading up into the dense forest before vanishing out of sight. He knew without a doubt Kaoru was on this one somewhere. For some reason he'd begun to feel her presence under his skin as they drew closer to their destination, letting him know that she was at least alive. Now standing at the foot of the mountain it felt as if she was calling to him, somehow guiding him to her. He couldn't figure out why he felt this invisible link to her but he would use it if it would help him find her.
Centering himself on that feeling he reached down to retrieve his sakabatou and the katana from their landing place nearby. He cast a hooded glance at his companion as he slipped them into place at his side; the deep rumble of the train beginning to fade into the distance. A slight smirk turned up the corner of his lips as the scowl gracing his companion's features showed him just what his companion thought of their departure from the train.
Leveling his golden gaze on the man beside him he smirked devilishly. "Are you ready?"
Tucking his own katana into his belt Saitou glared at the redhead beside him. "Was that really necessary?"
Kenshin's smirk turned into a full-fledged smile. Ignoring the sarcasm dripping from his former enemy's voice he set off for the dirt track not really caring if his companion followed or not, he wasn't about to wait for anyone when Kaoru was so close.
Saitou snorted in disgust and followed in his nemesis' footsteps as a slight grin grew on his lips. Despite the humor in his companion’s actions, the underlying coiled tension was still there. Battousai was fully awake, his ki virtually hummed with barely contained hostility. It shot out from the slight man, continuously brushing against his own. The killing intent aggravated him to the point where his hand itched for the feel of his katana. The katana tucked into his companion's belt hadn't gone unnoticed either; it seemed Battousai was dead serious in getting his little tanuki back.
Flipping a cigarette into his mouth he lit it and blew smoke rings into the air as anticipation bubbled up deep in his chest. Today was going to be very interesting, he only hoped he would get a chance to finally take on the infamous hitokiri again after he finished with the spineless murderer who thought he could get away with killing Kamiya's father.
Kenshin cast a quick glance over his shoulder as he closed the distance to the dirt track, eyeing the man following behind him. He'd been shocked to find Saitou already on the train when he'd boarded, his shock had quickly turned to anger though when the Wolf had simply given him a sly look and a nod. When asked what the hell he thought he was doing all the Wolf had said was that he had a score to settle. It seemed he'd taken Koshijiro's death personally and that was strange coming from this particular man.
With an inward shrug, Kenshin turned his attention back to the trail ahead of him. He really didn't care if the Wolf came along or not so long as he didn't get in the way when it came to taking Kaoru back from Shishio. That was something he would do alone. Beginning to climb up the mountain track he focused his attention on Kaoru's presence, the feeling becoming clearer and stronger with each step he took. It wouldn't be long now, soon he would have her in his arms again and this time he wasn't going to let go.
oooooooooooooooooo
From his vantage point atop the carriage he'd just acquired Razan watched the two men begin to ascend the dirt track that led to the mansion. A shake of the reins set the horses into motion again and he drove the carriage out from around the side of the mountain, pulling them to a stop at the mouth of the trail. With ease he jumped down and tied them to a tree then watched for the shadowed figures to disappear around the first bend in the road before he blurred his form into a shadow and raced through the trees beside the road disappearing into the dark forest.
Shishio would need to know about this, it seemed Battousai had decided to come and take back what was his and he'd even brought the Wolf of Mibu with him. A slight smile touched his lips as he flew through the underbrush; this day was going to prove to be very entertaining.
oooooooooooooooooo
Kaoru drifted in the space between sleep and awareness, a feeling of warmth permeating her body. Contentment filtered into her fogged consciousness, wrapping her in a blanket of security, caressing her very being. It almost felt like she was wrapped in a pair of strong arms protecting her, sheltering her, loving her. Shifting slightly she whispered "Kenshin?"
"No, my dear, but I'm sure we will see him soon."
Kaoru's eyes flew open when she felt a finger trail along her cheek, pushing a stray lock of hair off her face. The hated voice so close she could feel his breath whispering across her skin. Sitting up she quickly shot to her feet and backed away from the man squatting beside her. Disoriented she scanned the garden trying to get her bearings. She didn't remember falling asleep; the last thing she remembered was coming out here to get away from him and truth that he could so easily kill his lover without a second thought.
"What do you want?" she asked, moving further away from him.
Shishio rose and gazed at her curiously as she continued backing away from him, moving deeper into the grove towards the stone building. A sly smile grew on his lips, "What do I want? I'm not sure you're ready for what I want yet," he teased. Pleased with the shiver his statement coerced out of her he began walking towards her matching every step she took until she finally bumped into the wall. A flash of unease shot through her eyes before she pierced him with a hate-filled glare. Reaching out a hand towards her he chuckled when she recoiled from the gesture, "Come, sweet angel, it's time to get ready to go."
"Go? Go where?"
"I'm going to take you home."
Kaoru's eyes narrowed. Home? Why was he taking her home now? Suddenly the image of the destroyed meadow flashed before her eyes, reminding her just what he wanted. Fear struck deep into her heart. Shaking her head vehemently she glared at him, "No!"
Stepping towards her Shishio watched her flatten herself against the stone surface and started skirting to one side, trying to get away from him. Fixing her with a piercing black gaze, he grinned, "You don't have a choice my dear. You can come freely or by force, either way you will come." Moving another step towards her his grin widened as he watched her try to melt into the stone wall, her eyes growing impossibly wide. Tilting his head to the side he let his eyes travel up and down her body, the thin yukata barely leaving anything to the imagination, "It's time for you to dress. although I would prefer it if you would allow me to dress you. I'm can assure you that would be more enjoyable...for both of us."
Kaoru shivered in disgust at the mere thought of his hands on her. Shifting away from the wall she backed away from him until she started to feel the invisible strings pulling at her again. Growling she clenched her fists and leveled a murderous glare at him, "Let me go, you bastard!"
"Shishio sama?"
Shishio scowled and glanced over his shoulder at the man standing on the porch. "What is it?"
Razan dipped a bow and slid his eyes to Kaoru before fixing them back on Shishio, "Battousai has come to take back what was his, he's about halfway up the mountain."
"Really?" Shishio purred, a malicious grin lighting up his features. Shifting his eyes back to Kaoru he saw the look of cautious hope flicker across her features, "It seems you are more important to him than his long dead wife after all. I didn't expect him to leave Kyoto so soon."
Kaoru simply stared at him until what he'd said finally sank in and then her eyes narrowed into slits and she gazed at him suspiciously, “How did you know he was in Kyoto?" Watching the laughter dance through his eyes as his grin widened she finally understood. "You heartless monster, you did that to Tomoe's grave!"
"I needed him away from you and that seemed to be the best way to pull him out of Tokyo." He replied with a shrug. Ignoring the glare of pure hatred she leveled on him he turned fully towards Razan, "Is he alone?"
Razan's grin grew into a full-fledged smile as his mismatched eyes lit up with anticipation. "No, he brought Saitou Hajime with him."
A light chuckle escaped Shishio's throat, "It seems we'll both have a little entertainment before we leave."
Icy fear flowed through Kaoru drowning out all her anger as the implications of what he said hit her. If Kenshin came here Shishio would kill him, she knew without a doubt he would, she couldn't let him do that. Flying at him she grabbed ahold of his arm and swung him around. "You can't kill him!"
Shishio loosened her grip and dragged her against his chest, leaning in he pierced her with his now blood-red eyes. "He's come to try to take you from me, and even though his efforts will all be in vain I still need to fight for what is mine and...you...are...mine."
"I am NOT yours!" She all but shouted yanking herself out of his arms. "I will not let you kill him!"
"You cannot stop me, my dear." Shishio purred with a smile. "He will die today for being foolish enough to come here. I will rid myself of this nuisance and then there will be no one to stand in our way when we destroy the bastards who thought they could kill me."
Kaoru could only stare at him in horror as her heart hammering almost painfully against her ribs. There had to be a way to kill him, but she hadn't had enough time to figure out how. Not enough at all. Falling to her knees she wrapped her arms around her middle and hung her head in defeat. Kenshin didn't know Shishio couldn't die and now he would die because of her. Why? Why was this happening?
Shishio could feel her loss of hope echoing through the bond and he grinned at as he reached down and grasped her arm to guide her back to her feet. "Come, my dear, time to get ready for our visitors, they should be here soon." Turning his attention back to Razan he smiled. "Go wait for them at the mouth of the tunnel. You can have the Wolf but Battousai is mine." With that he guided his angel into the mansion, eager for the battle that was just moments away.
A deadening numbness settled into Kaoru's very bones and she followed behind him as tears streamed unnoticed down her cheeks. There was no reason to fight anymore, it was over. She couldn't win. He would kill the man she loved before her very eyes and there was no way she could stop him. Sinking to the futon when he released her she didn't even notice when he withdrew the cream colored kimono she had admired from the chest and laid it down beside her. She barely felt it when he grasped her chin and turned her to face him, "Snap out of it my dear, do you want him to see you broken?"
That snapped her out of her depression, shaking of the numbness Kaoru yanked her face out of his hand and narrowed her eyes. "I may be bound to you but I'm not broken, I will find a way to kill you before you can kill him."
Shishio smiled at the fire now filling her eyes. "You can try, sweet angel, but I doubt you will find a way. For there isn’t one."
With that he rose and left her to dress as a rush of excitement flew though his veins, the surge of anticipation that followed putting a spring into his step as he made his way to his room. He'd been looking forward to this battle for a long time, his predecessor didn't deserve the Hitokiri Battousai title and now he was finally going to be able to rid the world of him and take the title that was rightfully his.
Soon he would have it all.
oooooooooooooooooo
Kenshin carefully picked his way over the broken ground his rage growing with each step. The killer within him itched to bleed the bastard who had made Kaoru do this. Everything was destroyed around him, everything but a lone sakura tree standing untouched in the destruction off to the left. He knew without even needing to see it that Shishio had tied Kaoru to that tree and done something to her to unleash whatever it was that hid inside her. Makoto had destroyed her innocence and the killer inside him was more than ready to take blood payment for the transgression.
Beside him Saitou smirked as his companion's ki flared even higher. Battousai was on the verge of losing it, the death grip he had on the katana in his belt paid testament to just how close the hitokiri was to the surface. This was the man he had come to grudgingly respect during the Bakumatsu. His hand twitched ever so slightly at the mere thought of finally being able to face him again. Shishio didn't stand a chance, he would die today for taking something that Battousai thought of as his. A light chuckle escaped his lips as excitement coursed through his veins, it looked like he would finally get his chance to finish what had started so long ago.
oooooooooooooooooo
Perched on the boulder beside the mouth of the tunnel Razan watched the two figures slowly materialize out of the dense forest, both walking resolutely up the dirt road towards him. A slight grin twitched the corner of his lips as he felt a killing ki brush against his. Eyeing the smaller man that seemed to be outlined by a flaming red aura the grin sprang fully to the surface. A shame he would never be able to cross blades with the infamous hitokiri striding towards him, it definitely would have been an entertaining fight. With an inward shrug he shifted his eyes to the taller of the two men and his smirk grew into a smile, but at least he would be able to play with the Wolf and that was something he'd been looking forward to for a long time. Slipping from his seat as they neared he stood before the mouth of the tunnel and waited patiently for his entertainment to begin.
Kenshin eyed the man blocking his path in irritation as he closed the last few yards to the mouth of the tunnel. He could feel Kaoru so strongly now it was almost as if she was standing right beside him. For the last half mile or so he'd begun to feel a frantic desperation through the link that made his protective instinct rage to comfort her. His steps had quickened as the feeling had spiked then died. Now only a few yards away from her the desperation he'd felt before came back tenfold and this man seemed to think he could stop him from getting to her. A light chuckle escaped his lips as he wrapped his hand around the hilt of the katana. But that was only the man’s first mistake, his second was the knowing grin plastered on his face that made the killer in Kenshin itch to wipe off. Fighting down the urge to drive the blade through the man's chest he narrowed his eyes and pierced him with a deadly glare. He didn't have time for this; he would give the man one chance and one chance only.
"Move."
Razan chuckled as the ki emanating from the small man spiked; this man would have been a challenge for Shishio if his boss hadn't found a way to cheat death. Stepping aside he motioned for him to pass, "You may go but the Wolf stays here, we have unfinished business."
Kenshin nodded. Releasing his grip on the katana he strode through the tunnel into the compound, a cold calm settling over him like a blanket. Slipping silently down the deserted hallways he continued to follow Kaoru's presence as his mind embraced the killer within him. Soon...very soon he would have her back.
As Kenshin disappeared down the tunnel Saitou gripped his katana and eyed the man who seemed to think he would be a challenge for the Wolf of Mibu. "So, the spineless murderer thinks he can best me does he?" he drawled sarcastically.
A small smile graced Razan's lips, "I know I can."
An eager smile lit up Saitou features, drawing his katana he settled himself into his Gatotsu stance, "Then let’s begin, I have another engagement shortly."
oooooooooooooooooo
Kaoru knelt stiffly on the dais and stared at her twisting hands as she wracked her in an effort to find a way to stop what was coming. If only there was more time, that's all she needed just a little more time. The answer had to be somewhere, she couldn't watch Kenshin die, it would kill her if she had to watch him die. Delving deep into her mind she searched frantically for the answer, there was still a little time left, hopefully that's all she would need.
Shishio chuckled lightly as he shifted his gaze from the closed shoji to the woman beside him, he could feel the utter turmoil her mind was trapped in. Idly wondering if maybe he should let her go back to her room he reached out a hand and gently pushed her hair back over her shoulder revealing her full profile to him. It just might break her completely to see Battousai die by his hand, she really did seem to love him. With a shake of his head he rejected the idea. She needed to see this, she needed to see that she was his and his alone. No one would come between them.
Feeling the finger trailing along the shell of her ear and then down her jaw Kaoru snapped out of her search and nailed the man beside her with a scathing glare, “What are you doing?"
"Just admiring what is mine."
Kaoru's eyes narrowed dangerously but before she could respond the soft grating of the shoji being opened drifted to her ears. Snapping her head around her heart stopped then began pounding madly against her ribs. This was it, there was no more time. Kenshin stood in the doorway, his glowing amber eyes locked onto her, all but swallowing her in his molten gaze. Without warning the sensation of arms wrapping around her protectively filtered through her body, causing a single tear to escape her eyes. She wasn't the one that needed protecting...he was. Absently she began to rise, the need to protect him from Shishio overruling all other thoughts when she was stopped dead suddenly, the invisible strings binding her in a tight grip.
"LET ME GO YOU BASTARD!" She screamed as he forced into sinking back to the dais.
A small chuckle was her only answer as Shishio rose and stepped off the dais. "Welcome, Battousai."
With effort Kenshin tore his eyes from Kaoru and shifted his attention to the well-dressed man standing before him. His eyes widened slightly as he took in the unblemished skin and seemingly perfect health of the man who had been burned years ago when the government had tried to rid themselves of him. Meeting the blood-red gaze fixed on him he smiled, this was the man who would die for ever thinking he could destroy Kaoru's innocence. Nodding slightly in acknowledgement he murmured, "Shishio."
A low growl coming from the dais suddenly caught his attention and Kenshin shifted his eyes back to Kaoru in time to see her wrestling against something he couldn't see. A spark of anger lit deep in his gut as she fought against whatever it was holding her.
"What have you done to her?" he grated in a steely voice as he looked back to Shishio.
"I have done nothing but tasted the sweet nectar of her body, it is her own blood that binds her to me." Shishio replied with a shrug. A tiny smirk curled the corner of his lips, "She is mine now, there is no way you can take her from me."
Kaoru quit fighting against the hold Shisho had on her and hung her head. He was right, there was no way Kenshin could save her and now he would die. "Don't fight him, Kenshin, he will kill you if you fight him. Leave now, while you can" she muttered, her throat tight on the words, not even sure if he would hear her or not. Tears dripped from her lashes to splash soundlessly onto her tightly clenched fists as a deadening hopelessness settled over her. She knew even if he did hear her he would still fight. Battousai was in control now; her Kenshin was gone, buried beneath the killer that would demand blood. It was just like with Jin'e but this time she could tell by his ki that he wouldn't back down even if she begged him.
The deadening of Kaoru's ki broke through the red haze that had begun to filter into Kenshin's mind at Shishio's words, allowing her softly whispered words to reach his ears. Shifting his eyes back to her he watched a single, crystalline tear fall from her eyes to splash soundlessly onto her hand. An aching need to wrap her in his arms gripped ahold of him making it hard to breathe. Purposefully striding across the room he continued to watch the tears fall as the rest of his senses kept a close eye on Shishio. Coming to her bowed head he reached out and lifted her face, "You are mine, Kaoru," He murmured softly as her watery blue eyes met his. "He stole you from me and now he will pay."
Inexplicable warmth flooded through Kaoru as he gently brushed away the wetness from her cheeks. The look in his amber gaze spoke the truth of his words, he loved her, this wasn't just Battousai this was her Kenshin too and he loved her. A shot of pain lanced through her heart at the realization. Pulling her face from his hand she gazed once again at her white knuckled fingers, "He can't die Kenshin, because of me he can't die," she whispered, the truth of her words cutting deep.
Confused by her confession Kenshin reached out his hand again but stopped when he felt a subtle shift in the air. Springing back from the katana that split the space between them he skidded to a halt instinctively drawing his sakabatou as he fixed his amber eyes on the man who now stood in front of Kaoru.
"That's enough, it's time to begin."
Converting /tmp/phpW1ZdBp to /dev/stdout