Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Seisou Hen ❯ Hostilities shattered the city ( Chapter 19 )

Act 19: Hostilities shattered the city!

A huge yawn was released out in Sano's mouth while walking sluggishly behind the two. "Where exactly are we going? We've been walking around the woods since morning." Sano wailed patiently.

"We're going to loom over the hidden cave next to the auction house." Aoshi answered.

Sano quickly squint his eyes when he heard Aoshi's voice, "A hidden cave?

"A place where the whole Mafia lurks." Saitou added.

His eyebrows started to furrow, "Hell sure, Kaoru and Kenshin might be there. We can save them now." He did wished his suggestion we're all right yet it only lead the two shut their mouths. He frowned in annoyance and crossed his arms, "What the hell is wrong with these people??" he looked at across his shoulder and saw the lifeless girl, walking in trance behind him. He knew something was wrong with her. Prove that little grimace in her face and blank appearance. She's even quiet causes them both not to have an argument for this day. `That's weird' he thought. He was about to open his mouth to confront the weasel girl yet he noticed the two halted from their walking. He turned his head to see what was happening and saw Aoshi and Saitou hiding right behind the wide oaks, staring intently somewhere. "What's wrong-?" Saitou pointed a palm at him to stop from speaking too loud.

Sano switched his eyes to see where their eyes were fixated. His eyes widely opened with his mouth half-opened in this appalling consternation. Two figures were walking out from a cavern, heading somewhere near the location they were standing in. Red and ivory hair. "Kenshin!" Aoshi grab his head and gripped down to Sano's blaring mouth. Everything will be ruined if ever they notice their presence.

They waited until the two disappeared in their sights before they stepped out from the bushes. Sano gritted his teeth and clutched his fist, "That's Kenshin for God's sake! Why didn't you let me approach him??" Sano exclaimed in a huff.

"What you're thinking is nonsense, rooster. Can't you see Yukishiro is with him?"

"Saitou is right. It is not safe to appear so sudden especially in an underground territory." Aoshi walked forth to see if the two were positively gone. "Seems like the end is coming near."

Sano turned his head to him an arched temple, "What do you mean?" he guilelessly asked.

"Didn't you notice the fires burning in their eyes. It's seems their about to settle everything." Saitou added.

"W… well…" Misao stuttered, "If we can't stop them… I'd rather watch their battle in stead." Everyone's attention were caught with her in her sudden suggestion. Misao felt scanty just seeing them criticizing her. Much worst now that she knew everything. Everything that her Aoshi-sama feels. She can't even look up at him, eye to eye. She felt so ashamed about everything she couldn't name.

"That's exactly what we've got in mind weasel." Saitou spoken although he could see the trouble surrounding the girl's aura. Perhaps she had heard everything yesterday.

"Good idea." Aoshi turned his back on Misao and started to walk off.

Misao watch him leave in trance yet she was immediately roused when Sano tap her shoulder. She turned her head to him, much to her surprise seeing him grinning. "Iku."

She smiled and jarred her head, "Hai."

~**~

It's been moments right before she woke up. She raised her head, a bit inebriated when her eyes struck open. Her small mouth yawned languidly and then went to stare in her mother's feeble form. She look very aged and weak. It seems she couldn't take this sudden pity that she felt just seeing her all ailing. "Okasan…"

Not so long, the huge door suddenly opened behind her which quite jarred Kaoru from her stool. She looked behind and was quite surprised to see a breathless form of Zhao, panting heavily while she held her weight against the door.

"Zhao?" she uttered in shock.

The raven-haired swordswoman motioned from her position and went to haul Kaoru by gripping her arms tightly. "You're coming with me!" she dragged her like an animal until they reached the outside of the room.

Kaoru snatch her hand way from her strong grip and started to question, "Why did you do that for? What's wrong with you??" she was so angry in how this woman acted just a few seconds ago.

"Look! You're husband and Kenshin are fighting to death outside! We need to stop them." Zhao spat back angrily.

"What?" Kaoru gasped. Her heart started to beat faster and heavily. She had never expected anything of this. `Enishi and Kenshin… oh my God…' her eyes struck open widely. She can't take the pressure of being worried and afraid.

Zhao had seen fear within her eyes and she knew she's feeling the same as what she was experiencing right now. She too was afraid of losing his Shinta and definitely she wouldn't let Enishi kill him. "We have to hurry or witness their dead corpses"

Kaoru was still stupor yet she still jarred her head and was quickly led by Zhao.

~**~

Fleeting steps were halted back as they stepped clearly unto the white sand. Kaoru almost fainted when she arrived in the rim near the HQ. Zhao gasped seeing these two men bleeding to death. Her heart started to thump so hard, the pain wanted to stab her deeply, "Shinta!" she called out in fear, luring the attention of the whole. Including Sano and the others who were quite surprised in their arrival.

Kaoru couldn't speak. Just seeing them shed blood breaks her down to pieces. `Kenshin…' then she turned to Enishi who almost look tired forth the whole situation, `Enishi…'

Kenshin saw them afar from his position. He was definitely weak and tired and there's no way he can vacillate that Enishi's Jinchuu is such an elevated match with his Hiten. He doesn't even looked tired in spite of those scars his Sakabatou had caused. He turned his head to Kaoru and smiled wholeheartedly, "Kaoru-dono."

She can't hold back the tears any longer so she started to weep, "Kenshin" this was terrible. She had never wished to see Kenshin in great agony again. Even though that love she felt before vanished, she still the affection of friendship towards him. She will always stay as the same care-worn girl who continually supports him and stays at his side.

Sano didn't waste a minute and started to run in Kaoru's side. The others had no choice but to follow him, well except for Saitou who would most likely prepared watching the whole battle scene in his spot. He has a better view of it to observe their tactics.

Enishi saw their eye contact and quickly tried to sway their concentration. "If you think you can get her away from me, you'd better use full force." Kaoru looked at the man she had fallen for with teary eyes. He tried to keep his composure as a mercenary so he fluctuates his eyes away from hers to avoid seeing her pleads. "I will kill him with my own hands. If you want to meet him, then commit suicide and see him in hell." He didn't meant to say such words, yet that was all left for him to state to heat things up.

Kaoru stared at him in complete shock. `What is he talking about?' she never expected him to speak such words. It makes her feel guilty and unworthy just hearing his tone.

"Kaoru-dono." She was lured back to the red head again when she heard him called her name, "You don't have to worry, just wait over there." He returned his focus back to his enemy, posing out for a new technique. Before she knew it, they started again, battling like wild animals, moving at the speed of lightning that no normal human could see. They were so skilled and proficient in sword fighting which makes everything interesting in Saitou's taste.

When they reached the spot where Kaoru and Zhao were standing, Sano immediately pat Kaoru's shoulder, entrapping her attention. "Oy! Jou-chan."

`that voice…' Kaoru quickly spun back and saw three people she had never anticipated to see. "Sanosuke…" she looked behind him and saw a smiling Misao, and a blank expression from Aoshi. "Minna…"

Sanosuke grinned. "Long time no see."

Kaoru's lids quickly blink out, "How long have you guys been here?" she asked.

"Since the battle started." Aoshi answered.

This time, Zhao endeavored to join their little chitchat. She turned her self to see these three people Kaoru was talking to. Sanosuke glared at her raging and huffy yet his way of confronting was ceased when she started to talk. "Can you please tell me what had happened?" Zhao asked affably.

Aoshi nodded, "Actually, we followed them here when we caught a sight of these two walking out from the cave. When we arrive here, we witnessed them battling, talking about possession, Tomoe and soon enough, about you Kaoru." He gaze at her who was much silent now in lapse. "It seems these two are fighting till death, not only because of Tomoe. It's all because you had this trouble of choosing whom you should love. Their fighting for who should own you."

Kaoru took a gulp down to her dry throat, getting all-apprehensive in Aoshi's smears. Sano and Misao didn't get any grip of what Aoshi was saying. "What are you talking about Aoshi?" Sano questioned. He feared what he had in mind and he do wished it wasn't true.

Aoshi stared intently in her guilty eyes, "You're the one who can decide this battle Kaoru. You must choose wisely."

All Kaoru could do was to lower her head in complete remorse. He was right and she couldn't sway the fact that she's confused. Definitely she cannot choose between the two. Kaoru raised her head to see the strife happening behind her. "I can't do it… they're too important to me…" as what she had seen, Kenshin and Enishi had this identical value of strength, no one could tell who would stay as the victor just seeing them battle like fearless beast, famished in bloodshed.

"No… no way…" Sano shook his head unbelievably. "Kaoru's not in love with that, with that-" he faltered out when he finally realized what Aoshi was trying to imply.

Kaoru gasped out when Kenshin almost stab Enishi's bruise in his left arm. "This is not right… he's different… from the Kenshin before…" she uttered anxiously.

"His style of fighting and movements have no hesitation. He is more powerful than before. It seems battousai's trying to emerge strength from his body." Aoshi predicated.

Enishi quickly avoid the upcoming reverse blade by opposing it with his own watou. His ryu was so strong, he ended up falling against the hard elm of a tree. Sand had scattered all over the atmosphere, almost covering them up from their sights.

"It makes me laugh to know that you have vowed against killing." Enishi brought his sword, positioned against his palms, "YOU will always be a HITOKIRI, no matter what you do nor no matter what you say!" he started to make a tactic, speeding up to slit Kenshin's body. The ex-hitokiri evaded the forthcoming death by fronting the hilt of his Katana against the sharp blade. "The only way to redeem killing, is to accept your own death! But a fallen person cannot do that."

Saitou saw Kenshin's affliction back in Enishi's vigor. Enishi was too skilled, not in terms of sword fighting but also with martial arts. Battousai's lean body had no match with his lofty foe.

Her heart started to jump out a beat in the whole situation she was seeing. She knew Enishi could easily kill Kenshin. But why? Why was he controlling him self? What was the reason why he keeps his ability level down to equalize with Kenshin's? Why? "Enishi…"

"That's why those who are left behind just carry it out. This is Jinchuu, feel the pain and regret!" Kenshin felt his knees weaken, his hand lose its grip on the Sakabatou which made a lot more easier for Enishi to strike and beat him ceaselessly. "The regret of taking my sister's happiness!" a sole punch in the face, "The guilt of stepping over people's lives, for causing sadness and pain," a couple of whacking in the abdomen. "For their love ones, you shall DIE for this!" Kenshin was in deep pain as he finally knocks down to the ground. He rolled over when a fist was about to hit his face again. He fortunately gets a clutch on his Sakabatou again and tried to use the sand for an exalted skip out.

Kenshin stood a few miles away from the raging tora as he performs an another aptitude of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. "I'm not afraid of death. But my life does not belong to me. The sisters who died saving my life when I was a child… and Tomoe… who let me live on to protect the smiling faces of the people. I will swing my sword with a strong heart to complete my life. That is my answer to your sister."

Enishi swing his arm in disgust, "Liar! What I wished for was not everyone's happiness but only for one person, my sister's happiness! But you step all-over people's lives and washed her life away! I don't have anyone to protect anymore… all I have left is the flame of hatred, burning against my misfortune… and now… and now you're about to seize my happiness again!" he stared angrily at Kenshin, "I know you'll take Kaoru and I won't allow you to that. She is mine and that would only be fair for you had taken my sister away before!"

Kenshin felt guilt run through him and as if he was seeing that same boy again way back then. He can't believe how this little boy would grow up to such a strong man like him. He knew how much Enishi had hated him from the start, but witnessing his sister die in an assassin's hands might had driven his ire to the edge. He couldn't blame him although there's no way he'll be giving his sweet Kaoru just like that. He loves her nevertheless, he was too stupid enough not to show that before when these things aren't happening yet.

"I was the reason for that flame and if misfortune is the only truth that you have, then I prove it to you with my answers." He started to use his Ryu Mei Sen, a new technique he had learned which damages Enishi's left arm. "I am not sure if the end will mean death for me, or it will mean some other type of punishment, but until I cannot use a sword at all, I will absolutely FIGHT!" the fight was very fierce. Enishi's `nerves of insanity' seems designed to counter all the moves of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. And having spent 15 years of his life living only for revenge, Enishi will surpasses the limitations of his body.

Saitou puffs out a smoke as his eyes directly hooked on the two.

Kaoru couldn't take the awful sight and instantly buried her face against the crook of Sano's neck as he pats her hair for comfort. Zhao clenched her fist in terrible fear and anger to her self for not helping. Aoshi and Misao just stayed silent being so heavily inclined in the combat.

Finally, the whole battle had been decided. Because of Enishi's Tate no Hakai technique (vertical destruction), Kenshin was left numb on the ground, bleeding invariably by his wounded torso. Enishi fell down to his knees, hanging against his watou, catching his breath heavily. "It's over…" he breathlessly mumbled.

~**~

"SHINTA!" Zhao exclaimed
"KENSHIN!"

Slowly, Enishi stood from his feet, carrying his sword up to the air, set to stab Kenshin's back. Ready to kill him. "It's over battousai!" his blade was about to hit his flesh when suddenly, with a blink of an eye, a certain frame was protecting the paralyzed corpse.

"Kaoru."

Kaoru spun her head to glance at him and in that second, he would swear he had seen his sister's face, staring at him.

He fell down forceless on the ground, trying to deny everything that continuously whispers on his head. "Neesan… I have to avenge you! Do I… do I really have to forgive him??" everything was painful. He hated it. Being weak and being too considerate with this assassin. He wanted to kill him, but why is he feeling this deep mercy within him? He deserves to die. Why can't he just kill him right away?

Soon enough, a pair of soft hands touched his face. He looked up to see his sister, Tomoe. "neesan…" she brought his head to her and he started to cry in her lap.

Everyone had witnessed this sad situation. And they can't help but to feel remorse over the plight.

Kaoru patted his back, letting him to cry all those hatred and anger that he had felt. She had wished to help him and this is the sole thing she could give to ease his agony. She sighed and leaned down to hug him tightly. "Oh Enishi…"

The sunsets and nightfall was about to come. All these things had ended unexpectedly and it seems what had happened just a few minutes ago would change everyone's lives.

~**~

The room was too quiet, neither both sides were speechless in that moment. Kaoru sighed and looked apathetically in Sano's grumpy aspect. "I wish you could understand…" she can't look straight into the Zanza's eyes. They had been talking for about an hour and who hell knows how much time had passed by. No matter how many times she had been trying to explain everything, Sanosuke was still in vain and hatred. Kaoru fully understand why he was acting like this for his own best friend Kenshin was almost beaten up to death with Enishi, whom she had been supporting continuously.

"I can't understand Jou-chan. How? How did you fell in love with such a man? What did this man do to you for you to reject your affection towards Kenshin?" Sano asked.

"Kenshin had never accepted my love for him, you know that… and you fully discern that I was the one who keeps on pressing myself on him… despite of the fact that he thinks he's not worthy for me." Her eyes dim in sadness with her tone almost in a crying manner. "While Enishi… he had always been there on my side. Since that day he had took me in that island, I know that there's something within him that makes me think that he will never hurt me. He had loved me in stead and I really appreciated that kind of devotion."

Sano's eyes started to furrow; "You're saying that because you had never seen how Kenshin had suffered in your loss. I pity him for looking so woeful, feeling guilty in your sudden disappearance, and feeling all worthless until he had finally found his answers just to save you. And in stead, you had rejected him and started to love the same man he had hated in all those moments. Don't you feel neurotic about that?" he didn't really wanna mash his crux against her yet knowing that this woman had deserted his best friend really disappoints him. Almost two years they had been together as a happy family, being ruined by a sole man who stole her away.

"Stop it." Kaoru implored.

"No! I won't stop until you fully understand the whole situation." He leaned against the table and grabs her wrist, pulling her to tend towards the other side. "I want you to decide wisely Kaoru. Do you really want him to go?"

"He's already gone… Zhao took him."

"But you didn't do anything to stop her."

"…"

He released her hand from his clutch and sat despondently on his stool. Sano frowned, "And how about Yahiko? Don't you know how much that boy suffered just battling one of Enishi's subordinates? Kujiranami almost killed him." he asserted angrily. All she could do was to look surprised for she didn't have any knowledge of what was happening in the outside world. "I… Is he alright now?" she anxiously asked as her voice starts to shake.

"He's recovered a bit right before we left. I don't have any sort of information from them since we departed." He responded. "What? You still don't realize how vile that man is? Do you still want to be with him despite of all those baneful things he did?"

"I'm sorry… I cannot hate him. You can't change my mind."

Sano felt even more grievous "So… it's over."

Kaoru took her head on the side, "It's up to you whether you'll hate and abhor me or go on and search for Kenshin." She shut her eyes, ready receive his painful answer. "I might turn to be wrong in your perceptions… yet… I will never forfeit this love that I'm feeling for that man you despise."

They felt dumbfounded and muted at the same time. There's nothing more Kaoru could say to neither him nor Sano to her. They had expressed everything; all they needed now is to decide. Decide whether they'll go on with their lives or feel the pain and grief of these sudden occurrences in their lives.

"I can't leave you. Not with that man."

Kaoru snapped back to her senses having her eyes fixated in his chocolate-brown ones. "Sanosuke…" she uttered, a bit swayed in his words. To her surprise, he started to chuckle, "I have no choice, jou-chan. I promised Kenshin that if ever he leaves, I'd be standing next to you to protect you till death. I don't think I have the strength of breaking that promise."

In return, she smiled brightly and delights and nodded. She never expected this answer from him. She would count on a phrase of his parting yet he still stayed in her wing as her guide and guardian. Still that same rooster-head friend she had met before. "Arigatou… hontoni arigatou…" she was in teary eyes when she tried to speak each words.

Sanosuke frowned out, "No way I'll let you stay here without me looking after you. And besides…" Kaoru looked up to him with questioning eyes, "Besides what?" she asked.

"I'm a fugitive from our country. I don't think I can live peacefully back there."

"You're a fugitive? Since when did you became such a refugee?"

"Since killing Enishi's subordinate. I did that to protect that mutt out from danger."

"YOU killed him alone?" she unseemingly asked.

Sano grimaced annoyedly, "Fine! Saitou helped me. Remember, he just `Helped' me. I did all the job." He turned so jaded just seeing Kaoru's mocking stare. Not before long, Misao suddenly appeared right in front of the doorway, somewhat breathless. "Kaoru!" she called windedly.

Kaoru trend her head on her side to see the troubled girl, "What's wrong Misao?"

"The town's people starting to evacuate. I heard the underground was being attacked!"

Both jumped from their seats in unison, "NANI?!"

~**~

The skies started to grow colder and darker as the rain came to burst around the burning city. The whole mob of citizens getting frenzy in each passing minute whenever the blistering holocaust burns each house. Children were crying while their parents struggling hard to escape. A horde of ruffians came gliding by riding in their huge stallions with spears in their hands. They killed each person they could have a sight with. They were savages in killing, laughing while ripping one's flesh. The scene was too much to witness.

Because of the whole jeopardy around the feral city, they had to take the route through the thick woodlands to reach the HQ. Misao and Aoshi scooted their observing through the towering trees while Sano refined Kaoru under his protection below, keeping an eye in each corners of the forest. It was a long trip before they had finally reached the center of the thick grove.

They hid behind the thick woods, fixating their eyes upon the turbulent sanctuary until Sano suddenly blurt out of nowhere, "They're here… what the hell's happening??"

Kaoru's eyes started to water out. Pha-ra's underlings fighting against Mao's subordinates surrounded the whole sanctuary. There was bloodshed all over and Kaoru couldn't help but to think and worry about Enishi. She made a fist, shutting her eyes painfully. No, she can't be acting like this. She shouldn't show her weakness. There's no way she'll let her self-go miserable than trying to save the place she could almost call home. She can't let these barbaric men go destroy her home, her family, her love. She shook the thoughts away and straightly looked at the slaughter just beneath the hill they were standing at.

"How do we get in?" Misao asked.

"Don't worry. Enishi told me that there's a secret passage somewhere around here. It'll lead us inside." Kaoru answered.

"Then… where is it?" Misao's eyes started to stray the whole blanket of loam.

By then, they started to search, stomping, digging in each location they could see. Aoshi just stood there, letting his vision wander around the place.

"You won't find anything if you just stand there." Sano scowled out while grubbing the bushes. Suddenly, Aoshi started to walk his way across the site where they were searching at. He found a huge boulder, placed at the center of jam-packed shrubs. He looked intently on it as he turns his head behind, "I think I found it." He claimed everybody's attention, which made them to verge near his discovery.

"How can a Mafia such as big as what that Jinchuu man is running think this old-fashion trick secret lane could deceit their enemies? You've got to be kidding!" Sano vehemently exclaimed which quite annoyed the former oniwabanshu's okashira. He sighed as he lifts his sole kodachi and slices the granite into pieces. Beneath, they found an old wooden door, which leads to the underground.

"Told you."

"Tch! Just gotten lucky!"

Kaoru grimaced out and quickly stepped between the two, "We have to hurry! There's no time trying to tease each other." Before she could even face Aoshi, he already jumped down to the dark hole as Misao followed him. "Let's go Kaoru!" she bellowed right when she hit the ground. Sano and Kaoru looked at each other and soon joined the two and started to trek the dim route.

~**~