From: Hiko Seijuro No, really. It's part 5. I've delayed this and delayed this and rewritten it and scrapped it and redone it and... well you guys get the idea. It's been quite some time since I've written this, and I hope for those who've wanted to read it like it. For those who haven't read this, the previous 4 chapters are located at my homepage http://come.to/hikoshrine --> under the fan section. Or you can also find it on MKR - Meiji Kenkaku Romantan http://meijikenkaku.freeservers.com -OR- http://members.xoom.com/MeijiKenkaku (I think that's right...) I'm going on vacation tomorrow morning for a week, so I won't be able to read anyone's comments till I get back...and I'm pretty scared of opening my mailbox in a week too, knowing how much traffic there is now ^_^ I guess consider this a parting contribution to the list. Anyhow enought babbling, read on! ~~~~ The Final Mark V a Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic written by: Hiko-san (cronusz@bellsouth.net) It's been some time since I wrote this, but recently people have mailed me demanding for it to be finished. I apologize in advance for the delay, but let's say life wasn't being nice to me for the past couple of months...but now, the good times are back, and the fanfics will follow! (Tabun...:P ) All characters created by Watsuki-sensei save a few of my own devising. WARNING: This story may have spoilers! Flee in stark raving terror if you don't like spoilers! V - Interference One word could have described the faces of Sanosuke, Megumi, and Tsubame as they returned to the room where Kaoru had been lying down. Shock. Kaoru was up and moving, breathing. She murmured Yahiko's name in confusion, as she fainted again. Yahiko caught her gently, his eyes still wide in exhiliration and utter shock. Mixed in with a bit of joy. "YAHIKO! She's...!" Sanosuke said, pointing his free hand's finger at Kaoru, his other arm occupied holding up Saitou on his back, who stirred slightly. Megumi all but sprinted to Yahiko, checking for pulse and fevers. Her eyes said it all. "She's...fine." she said, her mouth parted slightly, as she stared at Kaoru, who was slightly snoring. Her mouth then curved into a genuine smile. Yahiko could only do the same, as they lay her down on her futon again. Yahiko brought blankets for her, and then began aiding in the treatment of Saitou. Another futon was prepared for him quickly under Megumi's sharp guidance, complete with stitching kit and materials for cleaning the deep sword wound he had taken. Saitou winced as he was laid down on the futon from Sanosuke's back, and his clothes stripped off of him. Megumi set to work on him immediately. Saitou, now somewhat awake because of the pain, lazily rolled his head to the side, and saw Kaoru breathing, slowly, but nonetheless breathing. He smiled slightly, before returning to slumber. *** [Kyoto] Aoshi scratched his nose as he read the message that his messenger pigeon had just delivered to the Aoiya. Misao read over his shoulder, her expression completely serious, as was Okina's. Oniwabanshuu Leader, Shinomori Aoshi. Battousai coming your way. Hajime almost mortally wounded from fighting him. Apparently, a man named Goro murdered his wife earlier in the day, and he's heading to Kyoto as well, Battousai should be close by by the time you read this. He must be apprehended or killed, whichever is necessary. Saitou Tokio He handed the note to Okina, and his head dropped into his palm, and he began to think. How could the Battousai emerge again? The learning of the succession technique Ama Kakeru Ryuuno Hirameki had veritably destroyed that side of him forever. And now he's a killer again? His eyes narrowed as he recalled the note. '...almost mortally wounded...' What had stopped him? If he had gone so far in the battle, why did he not finish Hajime? It makes no sense... "Aoshi-sama? What are you going to do?" Misao asked, one hand on her right hip, the note in the other hand as she read it. Misao had grown a bit more in the last 4 years, in shape and mature personality. A bit less the supremely cheery young woman she once was, a bit more the serious leader, or at least second-in-command, of the Oniwabanshuu. Her martial arts were complete, with the aid of Aoshi's instruction in Kempo, and her KunaiJutsu was honed to razor-sharpness. She hadn't been one to tangle with before, but now, many knew it was rather suicidal to challenge her. "This is a rather serious matter, Aoshi." Okina coincided. Okina's age was starting to show even more prominently now, only moreso because of the great deal of scars that now encompassed his body, now healed. One full- fledged attack of Aoshi's Twin Kodachi styled Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren had caused them, the result being over 100 stitches, and a great deal of physical, as well as emotional pain. His beard and hair were still gray and white, and he otherwise hadn't changed in spirit or wisdom. Aoshi slowly walked to the balcony of the room, which overlooked the nearby street where the Aoiya sat. He leaned on the balcony, one hand on the balcony itself, his other hand on his right hip, as he was deep in thought. "I know it is. I'll have to confront him." Misao's eyes softened slightly. "Aoshi-sama..." Okina began to stroke his beard. "He's defeated you twice before, and that was as a Rurouni. The unrestricted nature of the Hitokiri will also have a very high chance of victory, since he has seen all of your moves." The room was silent, the occasional noise of the bustling crowd below in the Aoiya, or of birds chirping nearby being the only things breaking the tension in the room. For a while, Aoshi didn't move, didn't reply. But then... "Not all of them." he stated simply, and turned from the balcony, heading into the main hall, leaving the room. Okina and Misao heard the creak of the hidden door nearby, and the sound of Aoshi taking down his trusted Kodachi from where they hung. For a while, Okina heard no sounds, and then he walked over to the door to see what he was doing. There, he found Aoshi on his knees, examining his two swords, his eyes soft and in reminiscence. He rotated them in his wrists, taking in their familiar shape, and the bad memories that lay with them. He turned to look at Okina softly. "It's been a while since I've held these." Okina nodded, and added, "I had a choice back then, Aoshi. I could have told you where Himura-kun was. But for Misao's sake and Himura-kun's, I made my mind to challenge you. It was my choice, and I don't regret my actions." Aoshi turned to look back at the swords. "I know. It just feels...odd." "What're you going to do, Aoshi-sama?" Misao asked as she entered the main hall. Aoshi stood up. "I will confront him. That is all I can do now. After that, I don't know what will happen." "But Aoshi-sama, we need to try and-" Misao began, but was suddenly interrupted by another one of the Oniwabanshuu, Shiro. "Okashira! I've received word that Himura Battousai is heading this way...and that he doesn't look too happy." he said, panting. *** Several buildings down from the Aoiya, Goro watched from the top floor window as his adversary slowly paced himself down the street. (He is tired, to be sure, to have gotten to Kyoto this quickly. And he probably has eaten little, and slept little as well.) Goro thought, his thumb and index finger scratching his nose. He was tired also, tired of waiting for this to fall through. He wanted to break Himura's mind into a million pieces, enough to where he could never possibly puzzle his mind back together. He knew he was successful so far, but to what extent he had been successful was unbeknownst to him. The heat from the blistering sun beat down on his black suit, his body heat soaring and breaking his body and face into fits of sweat. He stared closely at the man coming his way...and the man now coming out of a nearby building, and he smiled. He started as the door behind him opened. "Ibuki. We have retrieved his sword." Santo said, bringing to him a cloth-wrapped package. Ibuki's eyes widened in anticipation, and he snatched the package from him, hungrily tearing it open. What he saw brought tears to his eyes. One of Shakku Arai's finest swords, thought lost years ago in a climatic battle between two men. Ibuki clutched the blade in earnest, and broke down into small sobs. Santo was puzzled, to say the least. "Ibuki...are you all right...?" he asked, slowly. "Brother..." was all Ibuki whispered. Santo's eyes narrowed in confusion. "....I will....avenge you...!" he said, choking back tears. The first four men had gone down in one pass, his sword strokes efficient and lethal. No wasted motion. They barely yelped before passing out from the shock of approaching death. He had met his quota, assassinating yet another foolish politician. A few of the guards still stood, though, annoying him. He smirked. (More target practice for my sword...) "Who the hell are you?!" One of the remaining men yelled, drawing his blade in hopes of protection. He smiled, a cool, sinister smile. "Telling you would waste my breath. Farewell." One of the other guards stepped a bit forward. "Just because you took them out by surprise, doesn't mean you can take all of us on at once! 6 against 1? I, Uonuma Usui will be the one to taste your blood!" the man called Usui screamed at him, pointing his blade for further emphasis. He sighed, and shook his head. Then charged. The other guards attacked from all angles, yet He anticipated each move they tried before they even lifted their swords. Their chance would never come as he sliced their heads open, tore open a belly, stabbed through a chest. They all fell quickly, blood flooding the streets. He turned to the only one left, the one named Usui. Usui was wavering a bit, but still held his ground. He smiled. "Hoooh. Something the matter, Usui-san? I thought you would be the one to drink my blood. I suppose you've changed your mind?" He said, cackling. Usui was burning with fury, as he charged his quarry with deafening speed. His quarry however, sidestepped. As Usui brought the sword to the side to clench his victory, his vision suddenly went dark, and his face was stinging with blood. It flooded his mouth, his nose, and dribbled down his body. He flew to the ground in a heap, screaming in pain. He laughed. "Such a funny man. I'll let you suffer for a while there. You'll die soon enough. Don't worry. Besides, look on the bright side. You won't be dead within seconds, unlike your men." He said, sheathing his sword. As he turned to leave the scene of his massacre, he heard voices...very familiar voices. The Shinsen Gumi. He cursed, drawing his sword in a flash. He saw 5 of them come into view not too far ahead. He had to find a place to hide, as he had little desire to face 5 or 6 seasoned warriors, especially now, after an assassination. He took off in the other direction, rounding the bend, only to find an open gate, with a young boy sweeping around it. Not one to lose a perfect chance, he headed towards it. As he approached, the boy caught notice of him, and was about to scream, but His hand was placed over the boy's, while he simultaneously lifted him up and inside the building behind the gate. He used his foot to shut the gate just enough to where no one could see him. He looked at the boy fiercely. "I'm going to take my hand away. Say a word, you die. Slowly." he said. The boy could only stare at him, wide-eyed. He released the boy, and nothing came from his mouth, save very ragged breathing. Satisfied, he put his ear to the gate, in hopes for some clues about his pursuers. The voices seemed far at first, but soon they were nearby, and then, in front of the gate. "Lost him." "...Again." "Hijikata-san. Shall we split up?" There was silence for a while. "No. It isn't worth it...he'll be exposed in due time. Let's go..." He heard footsteps slowly move away, and then a small voice. "Okita, tell your men to keep on lookout in the area. Also...lease... Kan...sai to...from....boredom, underst...?" "Hai, hai. Toshi-san..." he heard the annoyed young man's voice say, as he took off in the other direction. And soon after his departure, silence followed, save the cicadas chirping in the crisp night air. Certain that his pursuers had left the immediate area, the grip on his sword slackened, and he sheathed the katana in a crisp motion. The boy whom he had just threatened was on the ground, pale faced, and yet, he was smiling. It's as though the boy was overjoyed to see him. A fact that seriously was bothering Him. "B..." the boy stuttered softly. He looked at the boy curiously. Maybe about 9 years old, a raggy clump of black hair rested on his scalp, he had dark hazel eyes that seemed to be able to pierce flesh. His build was very small, he seemed almost malnourished...but not really. He brought his eyebrows up questioningly. "B..ro..t.." His eyes began to widen. "Brother...?" Before the swordsman could react to the words, another voice rang out through the yard, the source being from the nearby well-furnished home. "OOOOIIIII, Ibuki! What're you doing back there! Are you..." the man's voice shouted, but his voice quickly died as he placed his eyes on the young swordsman who was accompanying Ibuki in the garden. He raised his finger to point at the swordsman, his voice trembling. "S...Son?! Shiro?! I was told you were dead...!" The swordsman was puzzled, awestruck, and at an extreme loss of what to do. He had never seen these people before in his life, and they thought he was their son. (Quite the odd situation.) he murmured to himself. He felt a tug at his gi, as Ibuki, face gleaming with happiness, urged him to follow him inside. He knew if they tried anything funny, they would be dead instantly, in any case. Or even if they didn't, he may just kill them all anyway. He entered the house, carefully surveying the area for exits or any traps or anything of importance, but instead found nothing suspicious. Ibuki veritably dragged his guest into the main room, and sat him down. "Hai, Niichan!" The swordsman was at a loss of what to do at the time, and so, took himself a seat where he was designated. The older man sat down across from him on the table, and sighed deeply. "Ibuki-kun, I need to discuss something very important with your big brother for a little while, okay?" the older man said to Ibuki, who was all smiles. "HAI!" was the reply. They both watched Ibuki head up the stairs, and they turned to look at each other once the young boy had left. The older man shifted slightly, and picked up his chopsticks nearby to eat. The swordsman made no movements at all. "What's your name, my boy?" The swordsman's eyes narrowed. "I thought you..." "Allow me to explain this..." the man began, waiting for a name to emerge from the young swordsman's mouth. The swordsman panned around the room with his eyes, surveying for any sign of a trap, an ambush, anything out of the ordinary. There was none. "The name...is Shishio Makoto." *** "Are you here to stop me, Aoshi?" Kenshin asked flatly. Aoshi and Kenshin stood about 30 yards from each other, in the middle of the street that lay beside the nearby Aoiya. Aoshi stood in his Oniwabanshuu gear, his two kodachi slung behind him, undrawn. He stared flatly back at the man facing him. Kenshin returned the stare. His gi was dirty and torn up some- what, and Aoshi saw traces of blood on the side of his hakama and gi. He looked positively horrible. "I received word from Tokyo you almost killed Hajime Saitou. I also received word that you were coming here, here to kill someone." Aoshi replied coolly, as he folded up his arms by his chest. "And?" Kenshin replied, cold as ice. Aoshi was silent for a moment, not quite expecting such a quick response. "So, you are a killer again? Tell me why." "Out of my way, Aoshi." Kenshin said sternly, his glare menacing. "I will not move until you answer me." Aoshi said. Neither one moved. "Last chance." Kenshin murmured, as he tapped the sword out of his saya. Aoshi quickly noted that this wasn't a Sakabatou he was dealing with... but the real thing. But he wasn't about to give up on the man who had rescued him years ago from a fate worse than death. He owed this man a debt of honor for what he had done, what he had gone through, to bring him back to where he was now. Where he was supposed to be. *** "If I may say so, Makoto-kun. You are the spitting image of my late son, Shiro Goro. He was killed in a skirmish with the Shinsen Gumi about 2 years ago, along with several other prominent Ishin." the older man said, sipping at his freshly made tea. His eyes seemed to glint in the dimly lit room, a sort of menacing aura about him. Shishio was fully prepared to decapitate him at a moment's notice. "So?" Shishio said harshly, bringing his hand up to scratch his nose softly. "Ibuki followed Shiro around like a dog on a leash. He embraced all of Shiro's ideals, his thoughts, his beliefs, especially in what the Ishin wanted to do...as do I." Shishio's eyes lost their menace for a brief moment. "You support our efforts?" "Indeed, Kogoro and I have been communicating for well over 6 years now. I keep him informed about activity as best I can on this side of the city." the older man said, downing the rest of the tea in one gulp. "I have asked no payment for my duty...none at all. But I would like to ask a favor of you." Shishio remained still, silent and his glare began to return. "Please...just have a talk with my little Ibuki. Shiro meant everything in the world to him...just, give him some closure. Pretend to be an older brother just this once. It is all that I ask." Shishio looked at the man, almost genuinely puzzled. "You just want me to have a one on one with your boy? Are you serious?" The older man nodded. "This way, when I told him that Shiro was really dead...it wouldn't hit him as hard. Ibuki is an emotionally unstable boy. I know it sounds very selfish but it would ---" "If I must. I see so many weak people in this world today, and they simply die in the face of the adversities. Perhaps..." Shishio's grin turned malice. "Perhaps I can save this one." *** "Why do you do this? Tell me." Aoshi said. Kenshin's form did not flinch from his Battou Jutsu stance. "Why does the one man who showed me the power of will now wish to throw his life away? Why are you pretending to be something you are not?!" Aoshi's voice seemed to grow with anger, but not many could tell, save Misao, who watched from the entrance to the Aoiya with increased worry. (If Aoshi-sama provokes him too much...things could take a turn for the worst...) she thought. (I won't let that happen though..) "You now need the satisfaction of killing another to appease your grief for your wife, Kamiya Kaoru, no, Himura Kaoru, then? I cannot see how you could become such a hypocrite in such a short time. Lay your weapon down and leave. Come back when you aren't such a fool. If you do not..." Aoshi's lecture was cut short by the low sound of two kodachi being slid out of the long saya he carried. The saya was thrown to the ground off to the side. He then reversed the Kodachi in his right hand, but made no motion of entering a fighting stance. His icy glare didn't budge. "...then I will be forced to fight you, and alternative which I do not wish." Aoshi concluded. Kenshin stood still for a while, the hair on his head covering his face and eyes. Then, he stood straight up, and withdrew the sword from his saya. He pointed the sword straight forward at Aoshi, without a word. Then, Aoshi's eyes noticed something peculiar about him. He saw tears rolling down his face. Small, but still nonetheless, tears. But Kenshin's face looked anything but sad. His face showed a great deal of determination and readyness for fighting. "Saitou interfered, and I had no choice but to deal with him. Don't make me repeat what I did to him to you." Kenshin said softly. "Tell me this, then." Aoshi replied. Kenshin moved his eyes to meet Aoshi's. "Are you the Battousai, or the non-killing Rurouni now?" Silence. "I don't know." Kenshin said, his eyes unwavering from Aoshi's. "But I do know one thing. You're interfering with me once again." Kenshin brought his sword down to his right side, and started to walk towards his opponent. "Third time's a charm. Here I come. Be prepared." And the moment the statement finished, Kenshin dashed straight at Aoshi, sheathing his sword. *** "Hey, Nii-san! What's it like in the battle, huh, huh?" Ibuki said, almost in total exasperation. Shishio sat down next to the boy, and smiled. "It's the greatest feeling in the world, little brother. The smell of blood as it's ripped from another, the taste of the pure adrenaline in your body while you fight seemingly endless amounts of enemies...it's truly amazing." Ibuki blinked several times, but otherwise seemed unfazed by the graphic details Shishio dished out. "Ad-ren-lin?" "Aah. It makes someone stronger when they're confronted with a dangerous situation. But it feels great. You feel like you can take over the world with it." Shishio mused, as he scratched his neck. "Heeeeeh..." Ibuki could only say. They sat still for a few minutes, neither Shishio nor Ibuki not knowing really what to say. They barely knew each other at all, at least in Shishio's mind. Shishio was the first one to break the silence. "I have to go away again for a while, okay?" Ibuki practically had an aneurysm. "DAAAAAAA-TE!" Shishio shook his head, and held up his hand in defense. "Listen. You know I'm doing all of this to help the country, right? I can't fight battles with all those magnificent people if you're around. You'd be in trouble." Ibuki started to pout. "I know, but..." Shishio sighed. "Listen to me, Ibuki. This world isn't what you think it is. It's full of hate, death, and chaos. The only high order in this world is the amount of people you kill and your sword skill. Nothing else." Ibuki turned to face Shishio, his eyes and ears absorbing everything he said. "After all, this world is a survival of the fittest. If you are a strong person, you can live. But if you are weak, you die." Ibuki nodded in mild understanding. "Ibuki. Do not be a fool and become weak like so many others have. Become strong, like me!" Shishio said, mentally sighing. (I feel so odd doing this but...) "Regardless of what happens to me, do not feel sad, do not become weak. Be strong, so that you may later avenge me!" *** Kenshin lunged forward, planting his right foot down hard. The Battou Jutsu came in with lightning force. Aoshi used the kodachi in his right hand to block the... (Saya?!) he thought, his eyes widening in surprise. Kenshin took his advantage of the moment of distraction, withdrawing the sword out of the saya as he pressed it against Aoshi. He gave a battle cry as he brought the sword up, and then down on Aoshi's left shoulder. [SOU RYU SEN IKAZUCHI] Aoshi plunged to the ground in a heap, but he still had the physical capacity to roll out of harm's way. Then he noticed it. He wasn't bleeding. He had been hit by the blunt end. He turned to look at Kenshin. Kenshin looked at his sword, as if he was contemplating what had just happened. He had reversed the blade without even thinking about it. By instinct. Aoshi stood, picking up his Kodachi, and returning to the same stance he had assumed before. The left side of his body already felt numb from the sheer force behind the attack. Kenshin looked at Aoshi softly, but his eyes soon narrowed in anger, and Kenshin lunged forward again at Aoshi, this time bringing his sword down and diagonally left. Aoshi aimed for the blade with his right Kodachi, and the swords collided. But because of Aoshi's greater strength, Kenshin's blade was driven back, stunning him momentarily. The force of Aoshi's attack had brought the right Kodachi pointing directly at his face. Aoshi brought his left Kodachi and lined it up with his right one. [ONMYOU HASSHI] Kenshin's incredible speed allowed him to twist out of harm's way a bit, but the kodachi that had been sent flying at him had managed to slice up a part of Kenshin's right shoulder. The would was not deep, but it was by no means non-damaging. Kenshin used the momentum from tumbling down to the right to attack once again. [RYUU KAN SEN] Aoshi had seen it coming already, however, and brought himself low to the ground and brought Kenshin down to the ground with a well-placed sweep kick. Kenshin slammed onto the ground, but rolled out of harm's way just as one of Aoshi's swords planted itself in the ground right where his head had been nanoseconds before. Kenshin flipped himself back onto his feet from the roll, and brought his eyes to Aoshi. Or rather, the multitude of Aoshis. [RYUUSUI NO UGOKI] The Aoshis moved in the water flowing movement, all looking identical in everyway. Kenshin gripped his sword tight, as he waiting for the inevitable attack. He brought his sword behind him just as Aoshi struck. Kenshin growled as he brought his other fist to punch the blade skyward, sending Aoshi staggering way back, and almost tripping. [RYUU SHOU SEN] From the air, Kenshin immediately flipped in the air, coming back down with blindingly fast speed. Aoshi had little room to maneuver, and brought the Kodachi up to defend against the deadly attack. Kenshin's momentum cleaved straight through the blade, sending the shard flying into the wall near the Aoiya entrance. Misao's teeth clenched as she saw Aoshi begin to fail against Kenshin's brutal and merciless tactics. Her right hand moved to her belt, which was awash in Kunai. (Aoshi-sama...) Aoshi grunted in exertion, pressing to the ground with his hands and bringing his right foot from the side, catching Kenshin square in the jaw. He staggered back a step or two, plenty of time for Aoshi to launch more of his Kempo. He punched and kicked from every angle, each strike was deadly precision to the vital points of the body. He finished his furious attack with a spin kick to the face, sending Kenshin flying a few feet. Aoshi was panting heavily from the pain and stress his body was being subjected to, but he resumed his kempo defensive stance. Kenshin slowly stood up once more. Aoshi's eyes blinked. When they opened, Kenshin was no longer where he had just been. Instead, Aoshi felt a sword cut open his left side, but barely. Had Aoshi not twisted out of the way as well as he had, he would be in two pieces. Aoshi crumpled to the floor in pain, his right hand instinctively going to his left side in hopes of stopping the blood flow. His head lay on the ground, and he looked to his left, only to see Kenshin above him, his eyes blazing anger and loathing. His sword was pointed straight between his eyes. "It's over." Kenshin said flatly, bringing the sword down. After a pinging sound of metal, Kenshin watched as the blood flow began to trickle into the nearby dirt. His eyes narrowed in contempt. *** Ibuki's teeth gritted in fury as he watched the event take place. "I cannot believe this...!! How could...?!" But no sound came from the Kyoto streets. End Chapter 5 Send comments/money/Z-car parts to Hiko-san (cronusz@bellsouth.net) I hope this part didn't disappoint...(well, relatively speaking, of course :] ) -- -Hiko ICQ # - 19354609 Visit the Hiko Shrine! http://come.to/hikoshrine --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- ONElist: your connection to like-minds and kindred spirits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------