Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Color of Blood ❯ Life vs. Death ( Chapter 8 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 8 Life vs. Death

Two days after Yahiko had told Takara about Kenshin’s tainted past, Takara decided to go out and find some information on the crime increase. She was just about to leave the gate when Kenshin spotted her. “Takara! Where are you off to?” He called out from the porch.

“Oh, Shinta! I was just going for a walk. I’ll be back later!” She shouted cheerfully as she waltzed down the street. As she disappeared Sano slunk from the shadows of the dojo. He nodded at Kenshin and followed her.

When Kenshin and Sano had gone to check out the information Takara had given them they had found she was correct in her assumption. Kenshin was now formulating a plan on how to combat Shishio and his forces, yet at the same time he was becoming suspicious of Takara. He wanted to protect her; and he suspected something was amiss, but couldn’t be sure so he had Sano follow her.

Takara found out a great deal of information about Shishio and his lackeys, known as the Shinsengumi. She found that one of the lower criminals in his group was trying to make trouble in Tokyo that very night. She knew that it was time for Katana to make another appearance.

She was back at the dojo by dinner. Dinner that night was relatively quiet. After the meal was finished Takara fained exhaustion and retired to her room. Once there she changed into the training gi Kaoru had given her, grabbed her bokken and slipped out of the dojo. Little did she know that Sano was still following her. When he had heard her asking about the criminals he had an idea that she might try something.

He lost track of her, as she was too fast. “Damn it!” He growled under his breath as he looked around vainly for her in a dark alley. Suddenly he heard a loud thump. He raced around the corner to see a man lying dead in the street and a person slipping off into the shadows. He lunged forward and grabbed the mysterious killer by the arm before they totally disappeared. “Hey!” He shouted dragging his catch out into the little light the moon was resonating. His eyes met Takara’s as he held her firmly in his grasp. “Takara?” He questioned simply.

“What are you doing here?” She snapped, snapping her arm from his hold.

He was silent for a moment before giving her a pointed stare. “You’re Katana.” He stated coldly.

She felt a wave of nervousness fall over her, but her face still was hardened in anger. “Why are you following me?” She hissed.

“Kenshin and I were worried about you, plus I thought you might be up to something.” Sano replied in his normal casual tone.

“You shouldn’t worry! I can take care of myself!” She growled haltingly. She glared daggers at him, yet he seemed unaffected.

“Sure, but killing people isn’t alright, Takara!” He stated firmly.

“He was just a criminal!” She said motioning to the body nearby.

“He was a person!” Sano shouted losing his calm demeanor.

She remained abstinent. “One less villain to threaten innocent people.” She threw back.

They stared at one another silently for a while before Takara turned. “Now excuse me I wouldn’t like getting arrested tonight.” She was about to leave when unexpectedly Sano threw her over his shoulder and began walking towards the dojo. “Put me down!” She growled. She kicked and punched him, to no avail.

“We should let Kenshin decide how to deal with you.” He stated.

The rest of the walk to the dojo, both were silent except for Takara’s occasional kick, in protest.

Once they got there Kenshin and Kaoru were both sitting up waiting for them as Kaoru had gone to wish Takara a good night only to find her gone. Kenshin rushed out and stood on the porch as Sano dropped Takara on her feet in front of him. “Hey guys meet the infamous Katana!” Sano stated. Takara glared at him as though she could kill him just with a glance.

“What?” Kaoru covered her mouth with her hands in surprise.

Kenshin stared down at her seriously. “Is this true?” He asked her.

She spun around and stared at him emptily. “Yes.” She stated coldly.

“How?” Kaoru mumbled.

“Here’s how.” Sano said reaching for her bokken. She quickly snatched it away from his reach and pulled the katana from its wooden casing. She pointed it at Sano, an annoyed look gracing her features.

Kenshin frowned at her and stepped forward. Sano stood stark still staring Takara down. “Enough!” Kenshin almost shouted. He walked between Sano and Takara and looked at his sister. “Takara, we need to talk.”

Nothing happened for a moment before she re sheathed her sword. Kenshin motioned to her room and she solemnly walked towards it him following her. Kaoru was about to follow when Sano stopped her, shaking his head. “This is their affair.” Sano said seriously watching as the siblings disappeared into the room.

Takara sat down hard across from her brother. “Why?” Was all Kenshin had to say. Takara glared sideways at him. Looking like an annoyed teenager busted for going out after curfew.

“My thoughts exactly.” She said. “Why, did you have Sano following me?”

“To protect you.” He replied simply.

“Well obviously I don’t need protection!” She shouted shoving her bokken in his face.

Kenshin stared at the bokken and then looked past it at Takara. “Killing isn’t right, Takara.” She was about to retort, but he continued. “Under no circumstances should murder be tolerated.” He said in an effusive yet calm voice.

He didn’t know it, but he’d hit the chord. Her jaw clenched and she began to blink back long forgotten tears. “You know what Shinta, you’re right. That’s why I do what I do!”
Kenshin looked at his sister questioningly. “Our parents were murdered because I spoke out!”

Kenshin’s eyes widened in surprise, “I thought you said…”

“A fire, yes, they were burned to death!” She snapped, her voice raising quite a few decimals.

Kenshin shook his head in disbelief; he scanned the room emptily as if looking for some understanding of what she was telling him.

Takara stared coldly at the floor, her breathing thick with anger. “They were killed….by nothing more than bandits!” She pounded the floor with her tight fist. Kenshin grabbed her shoulders to calm her, but she continued to shout and rave. “They killed everyone! Our parents, my friends, even my master! They showed no mercy!”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment. Kenshin’s full of sympathy, calm like the dead of night; Takara’s full of hate and pain, frantic like a caged animal. “Why should they get any from me?” She snapped caustically.

Kenshin took a deep breath. “Takara I’m sorry for what happened to you and our parents, but that doesn’t give you the right to kill people.”

Takara pulled away from his grip and abruptly stood. “Like hell it doesn’t!” She grabbed her weapons and turned for the door.

Kenshin jumped up behind her, “Takara!” He shouted.

She stopped and then slowly turned to face him. “Don’t try and stop me, brother! I know where to find Shishio and the Shinsengumi and I’m going to stop them. Then our family will finally be revenged.” She finished bitterly.

Kenshin stared hard into her eyes. Her lavender eyes shown with the same glow as his had once. He realized in horror that that look was the one of a killer. A hardened manslayer, just as he had once been. It cut him to the soul to see his little sister reduced to the same means. He wanted to save her, to save her from a life like his had once been. “No.” He stated simply.

She cocked her head to the side questioningly at his response. “I am going to Kyoto tomorrow and you will stay here.” He said sounding very commanding. He paused, “Killing the biggest crime organization in Japan won’t bring our parents back, that it won’t.”

Takara glared at him for a few silent moments before taking a step towards him until she was right in his face. “You know what Shinta, I think it would be better had I never found you.” She turned and swiftly left, running silently away from the dojo in the moonlight.

Kenshin stood unmoving after she had left. Her statement had cut him to the bone. He shook his head in bewilderment, not knowing how to proceed.

The oaths clash! One of death one of life! You like?

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