Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Evil Within ❯ The Devil's Playground ( Chapter 5 )

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The Devil's Playground - TEW 4




The Evil Within


Chapter 4 - The
Devil's Playground



Author's
pre-read Note: We all (well, probably) know that this chapter is a fight scene.
Don't expect much. I suck at fight scenes and I'm not too fond of making
them, because I always have this image in my head of how it should go but I can
never find the words to describe it. Argh! This is my first attempt at a big
fight scene, too, so be prepared. Anyway…here it is, the neglected Chapter 4.





Shinomori Aoshi narrowed his tired
eyes at his opponent-a shadow cast by the last rays of the setting sun,
unsheathed his kodachi, and attacked.



"Your assaults are much
faster and much more efficient than they were when we first met." The
golden-eyed man commented somewhat disinterestedly.
Aoshi
nodded to acknowledge the man's alleged compliment. He knew he was
faster. Roughly nine months had passed since his fight with Okina, and in those
months, he had done nothing for every single day but practice.


Not
only had he developed his skill at sword fighting, but he was also getting
better at blocking his thoughts from Rofocale, and he was pretty sure that he
wouldn't be able to control him as easily anymore.


"That
attack was the Kaiten Kenbu, if I remember correctly. You've been practicing
that move for quite some time, now" Rofocale asked in the same tone he had
just used; as if he didn't care whether or not Aoshi answered.


"Aa."
Aoshi nodded and resumed his practicing, already used to the rigorous schedule
he had set for himself.


He was
used to being alone with no one but Rofocale for company.


He was
used to the voice in his mind that sometimes whispered comments, orders, and on
occasion insults.


He was
also used to the thin, silvery-white line that ran from Rofocale's left
fingers to Aoshi's right wrist. Rofocale had explained that when he was
outside of Aoshi's body, when none of his spirit was within him, that thin
line was the only way his extraordinary speed, strength and skills could be
transmitted. Without it, Aoshi was just a normal human again.


It
still made him feel like a puppet, though.


That
night, minutes after his training, Rofocale had told him he would be leaving,
and vanished abruptly along with the thin "string" attached to his wrist.



Aoshi examined his wrist. It
showed no puncture wounds, no evidence that anything had been pierced into it.
Some time ago, he had inspected it for fear of a cut, but now he knew that it
made no difference and only did so out of pure habit.
By
the way, I heard that Battousai and his friends are back in Tokyo. They've
been back there for almost a month, now. I recently got the information from
some people in the outskirts of Kyoto. Aoshi mentally informed Rofocale.


Excellent.
Give it a few days longer so he can fully recover before you challenge him. And,
of course, so you can train a while longer. You do want it to be a fair
fight, ne? Rofocale asked.


Aoshi
nodded, though Rofocale couldn't see him. Of course I do. I'm not like
Shishio Makoto. From what I heard, he made Battousai fight the best member of
the Juppon Gattana-remember Soujirou, the boy who asked me to join them months
ago-and then faced him.


So
how did Battousai win? I know Shishio is an excellent samurai. Rofocale
inquired, his voice now taking on a slightly engrossed tone.


He
had some help from Mibu's wolf and his gangster friend. Nobody is sure whether
Hajime made it, though; he disappeared. So now, like I told you, they're all
back in Tokyo in the Kamiya dojo. Aoshi lapsed into silence for a moment
before continuing.



Misao went with them, too,
along with one of the other Oniwabanshuu members. I'm just not sure which one.
You
still care about the girl. Rofocale's tone was now clipped and dull, as if
he couldn't quite accept the fact that he was having this conversation or the
fact that Aoshi still cared at all.


You
could say that. I'm just a little concerned about how my fight with battousai
will affect her. Aoshi answered.


Right.
Rofocale replied shortly. Just get some rest now. You'll be training
again tomorrow. From his tone, Aoshi could almost envision him sighing
impatiently and rolling his eyes. He seemed to have something against Misao,
even though he had never actually had a face-to-face encounter with her except
for those few seconds after his fight with Okina.


Setting
these thoughts aside-and grateful and proud at the same time for being able to
hide them from Rofocale-he closed his eyes and slept.





"Himura!"


Himura
Kenshin looked up from his game with Ayame and Suzume. "Back already,
Misao-dono?"


"Misao-neechan!"
Ayame and Suzume both cried, waving at her as she walked up to them.


Makimachi
Misao lifted the small basket that she was holding, smiling lopsidedly at the
two children. "I got the fish that Kaoru asked me to get. Where is she?"


Kenshin
got up, wiping the sweat of his forehead. "I think she's inside. I'll
bring it to her for you."


Misao
shook her head. "No need to, Himura. I'll do it myself. Arigatou. You all go
ahead and play now."


Kenshin
watched her walk away, a familiar sense of brotherly worry tugging at him as he
did so. Everyone at the dojo had been concerned about her ever since her arrival
at Tokyo, for they had all noticed a drastic change in her. She had become
quieter, more serious, so unlike the Misao that he had first met almost a year
ago. They became so disheartened with her uncharacteristic misery, in fact, that
they had written to the Aoiya within days of her stay asking what had happened
to her. And a week or so later a tall raven-haired woman bearing the name
Kourinno Tenkage had appeared at their gate, saying she was Oniwabanshuu and she
had been sent to help them take care of Misao.


It was
hard to believe only one man was the cause of all this.


Sighing,
Kenshin shook his head and returned to his game with Ayame and Suzume.


"Oi,
Kenshin."


He
looked up again to see Sagara Sanosuke leaning over them, fish bone between his
teeth. "Sano, what are you doing here?"


Sanosuke
smiled and shrugged. "It's almost lunchtime, ne? I got no place else to
eat."


Kenshin
laughed. "I should have figured. Go ahead inside, Sano. I think Kaoru's
cooking today."


"Wonderful.
I can't wait to eat poison all over agai-what is it, Kenshin?" Sano lifted
one eyebrow as he watched Kenshin's expression change from open and friendly
to cautious and guarded.


Kenshin
narrowed his eyes at the trees above them, trying to make out the shadows cast
by the brilliant sun. "Ssh. There's someone here. Watching us. I only sensed
it now."


"Nani?
Who?" Sano instinctively crouched down beside Ayame and Suzume, gathering them
in his arms in a protective hold.


"I
don't know yet." Kenshin muttered, hand impulsively resting on the hilt of
his sakabatou. "I think it's…" he paused, unsure whether or not the chi
he felt really was whose he thought it was.


"Well?
Who is it?" Sano got up, still carrying the children.


"It's
Aoshi." Kenshin finished, sensing the semi-familiar chi in the air. "Sano,
bring Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan into the house."


"Hai."
Sano nodded, and sprinted into the small house, looking back in concern at
Kenshin, who was still looking around carefully.


"Aoshi,"
Kenshin called, his eyes finally focusing on the tree on one end of the yard,
"I know you're here. Come on out."


There
was no answer, simply a slight crackling sound in the trees and a black blur in
the air that moved so fast he almost missed it.


"Kenshin!"


He
turned his head at the familiar voice. "Kaoru-dono, Yahiko. Stay back." He
narrowed his eyes as he returned his attention the trees. "Come on, Aoshi. I
need to talk to you."


Kamiya
Kaoru let out a soft gasp as she heard Kenshin addressing Aoshi. "Kenshin,"
she began quietly, her heart fluttering nervously, "where is he?"


Myoujin
Yahiko kept silent, lips pulled into a grim line of worry as he looked around as
well.


Kenshin
ignored her; he simply kept on talking, his fingers tightening around his sword.
"Aoshi. There isn't a need to hide. Come on and face me. It's important. I
don't even want to fight you; I simply want to talk."


Another
rustling of the trees, a soft thump of feet making graceful contact with
the ground, and Aoshi stood a few feet away from them, eyes glittering coldly.


"There
is nothing to talk about, Battousai. I simply want my fight."


Kenshin
gently pushed Kaoru a safe distance away from both of them, but he didn't get
into his battle stance. "No. I promised Misao that I would bring you back to
her, and I'm keeping that promise." He thought he saw guilt flash across
Aoshi's blue eyes briefly, but it was so fast that Kenshin wasn't sure if he
simply imagined it.


Aoshi
didn't answer any longer; he just unsheathed his kodachi and narrowed his
eyes.


And
then he attacked. He moved with such unbelievable speed and fluidity that
Kenshin barely had enough time to sidestep the slash that was directed at his
abdomen.


"I
said I'm not fighting you." Kenshin managed to gasp out before the kodachi
painfully cut through his arm, leaving several traces of blood on the earth.


"Kenshin!"
Kaoru cried, terror welling up in her heart as she watched the battle continue,
the footsteps echoing from inside the dojo gone unnoticed.


"Kaoru-san,
what is-" Misao began, Tenkage hurrying behind her. Her words were cut short
by the sight before them, her crystalline blue eyes widening. "Aoshi-sama."


"All
of you, stay back." Sano muttered, suddenly appearing behind them and gently
pulling them further from the continuing combat.


Tenkage
was simply regarding the situation with apprehensive golden-blue eyes and a
malevolent frown as she felt Misao's hand tighten around hers in fear.





He
isn't fighting back. Aoshi thought,
annoyance collecting in him as he continued to direct slashes at his opponent.


He
will. Just continue what you're doing, and you won't be giving him too many
options. Rofocale advised. He can't just avoid you forever; it's
either your life or his.


"Come
on, Himura." Aoshi muttered, his eyes flashing as Kenshin once again managed
to avoid his assault. "Fight me. You don't have any choice."


"No."
Kenshin repeated firmly, finally unsheathing his sword, only to use it as a
defense.


The
next words that seemed to escape Aoshi's lips weren't his. "If you don't
fight back, I won't just kill you, I'll murder your little
companions, too."


Aoshi
could almost feel the surprise and rage that coursed through Kenshin as he said
those words.


After
all, he felt the same emotions too.


Why
the hell did you make me say that? Aoshi thought furiously, though he
observed that Kenshin had finally gotten into his fighting stance.



So he would finally fight
back. I want to see the famous hitokiri Battousai in battle. After all, it
worked, ne? He's ready to fight now.
Aoshi
didn't have enough time to think up an answer, though, as Kenshin rushed
forward and their swords met in an all-too-familiar sound of metal against
metal.


"You're
not touching any of them." Kenshin snarled, eyes briefly flashing a
lethal gold, seconds before they both sprang back, ready for a new attack.


Aoshi
narrowed his eyes, trying to gauge whether he should attack or not. Deciding
that he should, he crossed both his kodachi at the middle, something like a pair
of scissors, and dashed forward, arms held at neck level. When he was near
enough, he snapped them together around his throat, and he had to hold back a
smug smile as blood coursed down either side of Kenshin's neck; he had barely
managed to avoid any major damage.


Kenshin
retaliated by slashing repeatedly at Aoshi with blinding speed, who swiftly
moved backwards, but despite the extra speed that Rofocale had granted him, was
inflicted with a good number of wounds.


Hm.
Battousai is fast. I may have underestimated him. Rofocale commented
calmly, as if he weren't getting practically first-hand experience at a lethal
swordfight.


Aoshi
gnashed his teeth in irritation as he proceeded in holding his kodachi
backhanded, and then swung his right hand forward, ripping Kenshin's top open,
and continuing with his left hand; he rose his arm again to continue, but
Kenshin spun counterclockwise, ending up beside him, and, raising his sakabatou,
hit Aoshi in the back of his head.



Aoshi staggered forward, but did not fall, and he
whirled around to face his enemy, but he was a spilt second too slow, for
Kenshin's sakabatou had already made painful contact with his chin. This time
he fell.
How
could you be losing to Battousai?! Rofocale yelled, his deep, angry voice
echoing within the chambers of Aoshi's already racked mind. After all the
power that I gave you! I overestimated you, Shinomori. I thought you'd be
stronger than this. Now I have to take matters into my own hands.


Aoshi
knew what his words meant. Rofocale wanted to take over-again.


Dame!
He thought furiously, quickly getting up and hurling his first kodachi, quickly
following it with the other, both perfectly aligned. This is my fight,
Rofocale. You stay out of it.


All
right. Rofocale relented. But the moment Battousai gains the upper hand,
I take over.


Aoshi
narrowed his eyes, watching as Kenshin managed to avoid the first one, but the
second cut through the skin on his cheek.


He
rushed forward, taking advantage of the momentum that Kenshin had lost, and
swiftly sailed his leg across Kenshin's head, almost simultaneously picking up
both his kodachi as he did so.


Kenshin
stumbled to the side, mind reeling from the heavy impact Aoshi's kick had
made. Eyes gleaming dangerously, he leapt into the air, and as soon as he was
high enough, dove downwards, his sakabatou in position to strike.


The
attack worked perfectly, for he was able to hit Aoshi once again at the back of
his head, weakening him even further.


Aoshi
collapsed to his hands and knees, his head pounding from the force of
Kenshin's blow.


You
are going to lose, baka-yarou! Rofocale sounded absolutely livid
now, and he didn't say anything more, and a tingling sensation coursed through
Aoshi as he got up, trembling slightly at the effort it took to retain control
of himself.


But
suddenly he felt his kodachi being lifted into a completely new stance, with the
one in his right held at eye level, while the left was held perfectly vertical,
acting as a defense.


What
are you doing?! Aoshi cried, as his perpetual sight beginning to get clouded
by a hazy mist that usually told him he wasn't in control anymore.


Helping
you get your supposed title of 'The Strongest'. You're apparently not
going to attain it without my help. Rofocale answered as he sprinted forward
in an unnatural speed that could match Kenshin's. I don't normally use
kodachi, but I'm sure I can more or less improvise.


Bastard,
Aoshi hissed, you let me regain power, now!


Damare.
Rofocale muttered as he spun around clockwise, right kodachi held high above
his head, gleaming ominously in the sunlight. Kenshin prepared to block high,
but suddenly Rofocale swept his hand down and cut the sword through his legs.


A
surprised, anguished gasp escaped Kenshin as he staggered backwards and onto the
cold earth, more crimson fluid dripping onto the ground amidst Kaoru's
terrified scream and Misao's quiet, choked sobs.


I
have to protect them; Kenshin thought desperately as he placed his sakabatou
back into its saya and quickly glanced at Kaoru, Sanosuke, Yahiko, Misao and
Tenkage. I have to protect my family.



And yet as he struggled to get
back up, preparing to get into his Amakakeru Ryuu No Hirameki stance, he found
that he couldn't. The cut through his leg had proved to be pivotal, because it
would take him at least minutes longer before he would be able to get up.
"Kenshin!"
Sano yelled, fists clenching angrily as he looked at his fallen comrade. I
need to help Kenshin. He thought, legs tensing as he prepared to bolt. That
asshole is going to kill him-and possibly hurt the rest of us-if I don't.
He knew that he wouldn't be able to defeat Aoshi single-handedly, but with the
hopes of Kenshin recovering quickly, he felt slightly more confident as he
rushed forward, right hand-though not quite fully healed-clenched into a fist.


"Oi,
bastard. Over here." Sano snarled from behind him as he raised his arm in
preparation to strike.


Aoshi
turned to him with dulled blue eyes that were lined with gold as he almost
jadedly caught his fist not unlike Shishio had, only this time Aoshi twisted his
whole arm around, eliciting a pained yell from Sano.


"What
did you think you were doing?" he whispered to Sano almost pityingly as he
thrust his kodachi into his right abdomen and proceeding in kicking him to the
ground.


"Sanosuke!"
Kaoru's cry was panicked as she watched her dear friend collapse feet away
from her, his eyes shut in agony as his left hand desperately clutched his
bloody stomach. She felt Yahiko's hand tighten around her arm and heard his
worried groan.


Misao's
heart contracted painfully at the sight of so many people she held close to her
heart in so much pain. "Aoshi-sama," she whispered, tears finally gathering
in her eyes as she stepped forward, "Aoshi-sama…please stop…onegai…"


Aoshi
spun around to face her with cold, emotionless eyes the color of the sky when it
was close to raining-a beautiful azure-gray with the slightest touch of gold-and
continued to look at her, face completely void of any emotion as a single tear
escaped her eye.


"She's
crying for you, Aoshi."


They
all turned to look at Kenshin, who had gotten to his feet and was swaying
slightly on the spot as blood still dripped from his gashed legs.


"She's
crying for you." He repeated, eyes never leaving Aoshi's face as he spoke.





She's
crying for you. Kenshin's words echoed
in Aoshi's mind, causing emotions that he was unaccustomed to feeling
unraveling within him, fuelling his desire to overtake Rofocale.


Rofocale.
His voice was quiet now; not unlike his normal tone and yet this time it held a
certain gentleness to it that had never been there before. Rofocale, stop it.


Stop
what? Stop fighting? You haven't won yet! Battousai isn't dead! Rofocale
thought back, savoring the feel of blood-blood that wasn't his but was
inflicted by him-on his skin and unwilling to give it up just yet. When was the
last time he had felt this?



I've won, Rofocale. Or…you've won. Look at
Battousai…he could barely stand up as it is. We're hurting more people than
we need to.
Aoshi
caught the angry growl emanating low in Rofocale's throat. I know what-or,
more accurately, who-you're thinking about again, Shinomori. You're
thinking about the little girl crying beside me.


Rage
coursed through Aoshi at Rofocale's uncaring, callous reference to Misao. The
fight is over. I want it to stop.


Sumen,
Shinomori. I say the battle isn't over yet; not until I kill Battousai.
Aoshi felt his body start to move again, kodachi in position.



Misao's eyes widened in
horror as she watched Aoshi step towards Kenshin, ready to kill.
"Dame!"
she screamed. And, before she knew what was happening, she had stepped in
between Kenshin and Aoshi, silvery tears spilling down her cheeks. "Stop
it!"


Her
tears triggered such a strong surge of emotion in Aoshi that it finally enabled
him to once again fight for control of his actions.



This time, it worked. He felt
his and Rofocale's positions reverse, with him in power. He returned his
attention to Misao, his arms falling limply at either side of his body.
"Stop
it." Misao pleaded, her shoulders openly shaking with sobs as she stepped
closer to Aoshi, ignoring Kenshin's low-voiced warnings. "Aoshi-sama, I'm
begging you. Stop the battle. You've won. Don't you understand?
You've gotten what you've wanted. You've beaten Himura. That's what you
wanted, ne? That's what you-" she broke off as her weeping finally took away
her ability to speak properly, the tears that were cascading down her face
helping to release all the anguish that she had been holding in for the past
months.


Kenshin
narrowed his eyes at Aoshi, carefully observing him. There was something
different about his eyes-the sharp, cold, bloodthirsty look in them was gone, to
be replaced by eyes full of placid calmness laced with gentle concern.


They
were the eyes of the Shinomori Aoshi that he had known.


Kenshin
stepped forward in Misao's direction, and wrapped one arm around her still
trembling shoulders somewhat protectively, eyes never leaving Aoshi's stunned
face.


"I
want it to stop." Misao breathed, tears still slipping down her face.


And
when the kodachi slipped out of Aoshi's hands, Misao's name forming on his
lips in an inaudible whisper, Kenshin knew that the battle was finally over.








Author's
Notes: Wasn't the fight scene incredibly, amazingly, sucky?! Feh. Anyway, this
is probably one of the longest chapters-and longest fight scenes ever-I reached
6 pages! Yeesh! :P Anyway, I hope you at least semi-liked this chapter and found
it semi-interesting, things are still going to get more and more evil as things
go. I'm sorry for the abrupt ending, too. ^-^ I just thought picking up in the
next chapter where this one left off would make for a spiffy (?!) opening. That
or I'm feeling lazy. Email me with your comments, and how I can improve my
nutty fight scenes, because I'm sure I'm going to be writing more in the
future! Ja!
<<<Chapter
3B
Chapter 5>>>
Evil
Within
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