Special Thanks to Sylvia for reading this through for me. Special thanks also to the people on the Fanfic Mailing list who also picked out some mistakes, especially to Herald Captain Kerowyn and her requests for more chapters. And extra Special Thanks to the archive keeper for putting this up for me!

Two Blades of a Sakabatou

By Jade One

 

Inside the sphere Kaoru's eyes opened and her expression became determined. The tears vanished as if they had never existed. Her body uncurled so that she was standing and the wings Enma had thought he had seen exploded into being, shattering the sphere. Feathers of pure light fluttered to the ground as her wings stretched out, the individual feathers defined by pure energy. Her eyes glowed with power, white blue.

The sphere's fragments shattered on the floor like glass. Their crystalline chime lost in Enma's scream as the energy back lashed into him. But that sound too was eclipsed by the unmistakeable clash of blade against blade.

"You will not take him," Kaoru grated through her clenched teeth. She was extended, the sword Shinuchi locked against the Homura Dama, its point driven into the ground beside Kenshin's chest. Her wings were swept back.

Shishio stepped back, pulling his sword from the ground, his eyes wide as he looked at the woman before him. Kaoru moved into a defensive stance before Kenshin, her sword held at the ready.

"NANI?!... What are you?" Shishio had seen many beings since he became a resident of Hell but never one which radiated such energy.

"She's an angel, Shishio-sama," one of his demonic Juppongatana replied, while trying to shield himself from the energy she was emitting.

"No... I am not an angel. I just look like one here. I am Kamiya Kaoru, Master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu and I say you will not hurt him."

"Kaoru... No, you can not take him," Kenshin gasped, recovering slightly, sitting up and reaching out to stop his beloved.

"So this is your last defender?" Shishio addressed the prone and near unconscious form of the demon Enma. He reached into his kimono, pulling out a new glove. "The woman who defeated Kamatari and the would be mate of the dragon.

"You really are pushed for good help," Shishio said with a sigh, sounding exasperated. One more petty defender to destroy. "Well come... I'm waiting to see what you think you can do..." He assumed a ready stance.

"No. Kasshin Ryu is about defence, not attack."

"Hai..." Shishio charged, he was not about to let a mere woman stand in his way.

Kaoru closed her eyes, erasing doubt, erasing fear, becoming her purpose. She loved Kenshin. She would defend him. She believed in her purpose, touched her soul, opened her eyes and stepped into Shishio's attack, her blade moving in defence.

"Kaoru," Kenshin gasped as he struggled to his feet. He was thrown back by the force of the impact as Shishio and Kaoru crossed swords.

"Eargh..." The force of Shishio's blow made her cry out. He was strong. No I cannot be defeated here. I must defend those I love. I must draw my strength from my belief. She slid her blade along the length of the Homura Dama before snaking it back in to meet his next swing.

"Amazing... A mere woman is standing against him." The Juppongatana watched on as their master fought the woman's soul. Their swords clashed into each other, neither combatant giving up ground to the other. Kaoru's wings had faded now. They were still visiable, definite outlines of light but were no longer blazing with energy. Her soul's energy was focused on the fight.

Hmmm... Jin'eh had been watching the Kamiya girl as the Battousai had been beaten up by Shishio. Her reactions had been the same as they were in his fight. But this time he had been able to see her gathering the energy to break through the bubble. She protected him from becoming fully the Hitokiri then and she protects him now from an unknown fate... Ah... I understand now. Her strength is spiritual, of the mind and drawn from protection. No wonder she couldn't break my Shin no Ippou immediately. She had to wait until she was in a position to protect. A strangely fitting ability for the Battousai's woman. A couple whose beliefs and abilities cover both edges of the sword.
    Jin'eh turned away. Shishio may not yet have lost the fight but he was going to. There was no need for him to remain here when he knew the outcome. He had his answer now and definitely had no loyalty to Shishio or his cause. And the Battousai would not fight him now. There was nothing for him now.

Enma had recovered slightly. He watched the battle between Shishio and the Battousai's woman. No wonder pulling their souls into Hell had nearly killed him. She was the Master of a very powerful spiritual technique, one that almost seemed Heaven born. That, and her appearance here, explained why she had been so heavy to pull. She had probably been resisting all the way. But it may yet work out...

He could see the openings in her defence. Kasshin Ryu was obviously not a physical technique, yet her spiritual component countered her physical weakness. She could stand against Shishio. And with any luck, in this, the Realm of the Dead, where spiritual prowess was the measure of a technique's worth, she would defeat him. At the very least, she should weaken his defenses enough so that he could destroy the human's soul. Enma watched the battle before him, grimacing in sympathetic pain as Kaoru landed a heavy hit on Shishio. Things were definitely looking up.

Usui stood among the new Juppongatana. He had joined Shishio this time, not for any desire for revenge but from boredom. His techniques and abilities allowed him to easily defeat the demons in Hell and he had been bored when Hoji, that sycophantic dog, had approached him. Joining Shishio's conquest of Hell at least gave him something to do.

He watched the fight with some interest. Since coming to Hell his inner vision had only gotten stronger. Demons appeared to him as points of darkness. Human souls were visable in shades of grey. Enma and Shishio appeared to him as blazing forms of black light. Himura Kenshin had appeared to him in two ways. A black light whose darkness surpassed both Shishio and Enma and as a blue light which matched his darkness in its intensity. I guess when he agrees to a battle, he is near invincible. No wonder he is called the legendary Hitokiri Battousai. The woman fighting Shishio was a blazing white light, a humanoid figure with wings. It was hard for him to remain focused on her.

So this was the Battousai's woman? She could yet strike down both Shishio and Enma and where did that leave an enterprising soul such as himself? His mind worked at the alternatives.

Shishio was beoming angrier by the moment. Who was this woman? And how was she managing to stand against him? He could see the openings in her technique but every time he moved to strike her she somehow managed to defend herself. How is she doing it? "You touch her and I swear, you will regret it, Deshi. Not even I would go so far with her." His Sempai's words flashed through his mind. Had that been a warning? Not of the consequenses Himura would inflict but of the power she would be able to summon to her defense. 
    Ah. An opening. He brought the Homura Dama down in a vicious horizontal slash, aiming for her knee. There was no way she could defend herself from this strike. His sword's arc was traced in fire. "I've got you!"

"Kaoru!!!"

Kaoru's eyes widened as she saw the oncoming blade. She couldn't move Kenshin's sword fast enough. But that's not the only way to defend against such a strike! She jumped. Her wings spread and pumped downwards, helping her to gain altitude in a jump she could never have performed on Earth. Kaoru lashed out with a back handed blow, trying to connect against Shishio's temple. She was rewarded with a solid hit against his head band which shook her arm. "Argh!" She focused on gaining height as she pulled back her aching arm, cradling it with her left hand.

"Kaoru!"

Kenshin. She smiled, her heart becoming light. I will protect those I love.
    She turned over, attacking Shishio from the air. He had to have a weakness, somewhere. "Yaaah..." She came in horizontally, matching strikes with him, hovering like a butterfly. The clash of sword against sword echoed through the room.

"You're annoying me insect," Shishio snarled, countering her thrusts. He couldn't allow her to get many more hits in. The blow to his temple had blanked his vision for an instant. She was more powerful than she looked. He growled, driving his sword forward, and was rewarded with the familar resistance of flesh. He had struck her left leg. He moved his left hand up, drawing his sword back viciously, tearing the wound as much as possible. He jumped, even as he ignited his glove, allowing the explosion to carry him back. That should bring the little bird back to the ground.
    Kaoru was thrown back to the base of Enma's throne. She screamed as her body impacted the ground. She rolled, gasping, trying to rise. Her head hurt and her vision was fuzzy. She heard Shishio intone the words "Guren Kaina." It seemed to be his favorite attack.

"Kaoru..." Kenshin moved to her side, helping her to stand, with the aid of his sword. "Kaoru, you have done enough. You can't fight him any longer."

She closed her eyes, allowing herself to be comforted for an instant. "I must Kenshin. I must protect those I love." Her eyes changed, once again glowing with the power of her soul. "Kamiya Kasshin Ryu does not accept defeat in this." She moved away, drawing his sword from the ground, stepping forward again, to face Shishio.

"Yah!" she charged forward, ignoring her wound, Shinuchi held low.

Shishio narrowed his eyes. The girl was good, her spiritual technique compensating for her lack of physical skill, but he knew her limits now.

Their swords met. Shishio attacked, driving Kaoru back, step by step. Her face showed her pain from both the strength of his blows and of her wound as she was forced to retreat.

"I am the strongest and I have played long enough with you weaklings. It is time for the weak to die," he snarled, twisting the Homura Dama, sending Shinuchi flying out from her grasp, driving her to her knees. "The strong survive, the weak are merely food for the stong. Now you die."

"Kaoru!" Kenshin cried, running towards her. He had to defend her, even if it meant his life.

Kaoru struggled to her feet, even as Shishio raked the length of his Homura Dama across his saya, igniting the blade. He raised his arm. The fire spiralled his sword. "Tsui No Hiken, Kaguzuchi!" His final hidden technique. He swung down. The flame grew stronger with his every motion. She would not survive.

Kaoru focused her eyes, her soul still determined, raising her head to face her opponent. She saw Shishio's face. His eyes showed his madness. She saw his sword. His blade encircled by fire and she saw it fall, igniting fire in its path.

...protect those you love...
    ...ultimate and final defense...

Her eyes flashed and her wings blazed as she stepped forward, into Shishio's Tsui No Hiken Kaguzuchi, her arms moving in the practiced pattern of the Kasshin Ha-watari. She locked her wrists, right to Shishio and left closest to her, in a cross motion, catching the Homura Dama, ignoring the burns on her fore arms. "Yaaah!" She twisted her forearms, left palm towards her, pulling the sword from Shishio's grasp. Her right hand opened, moving down and back and up. Tracing the length of the blade, before closing on the spinning sword's hilt and driving forward.
   Ka-chunk... A resistence met the swords serated point and length.
    ...ultimate and final defense...

    Shishio looked at her, his eyes wide in disbelief. Kenshin was not in much better condition. The Juppongatana watched as the figure many of them had regarded as invincible was brought down.

"Kamiya Kasshin Ryu Ougi, Ha-Watari," she said into the silence.

"Shishio-sama," Yumi screamed running forward.

  Shishio stumbled back, his hands clawing at his sword which was impaled through his breast. The taste of blood was in his mouth and a small riverlet ran from the corner of his lip. He fell to his knees, his eyes still wide and focused on the woman's face. She is not one of the strong. She is weak. She is his food. She should be dead.
    "Ahahaha... Magnificent!" Enma cried out, recovering completely from his paralysis. "How does it feel Shishio? How does it feel to know you were beaten by one of the weak? The shame of being brought down by your own sword. How does it feel?"

Yumi reached her beloved, falling with him as he fell back to the ground, cushioning the impact. "Shishio-sama." Tears filled her eyes as she struggled with the blade, trying to draw it out of his body.

A hand appeared on the hilt, helping her to draw it back and she looked up, briefly, into the purple and sympathetic eyes of Himura Kenshin as he drew the blade back, tossing it away. "I tried to warn you Shishio, not even I would go so far if it was against her will."

Kamiya Kaoru stood in the back ground. She watched the scene, her head and wings lowered and her eyes sad. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "but I could not let you hurt him."

"Shishio-sama," Yumi's tears escaped her eyes. This is impossible. The dead cannot die! Shishio-sama...
    "Yumi..." Shishio gasped, struggling to breathe. He was accostomed to heat but his body was growing numb, a cold seeped through him.

"Well, Sempai. It appears you are responsible for the defeat of two Kuni Tori's. I, eargh... I will... definately have to... to avoid your pres... sence in the... ha... in the next one. Hai, trap you in... haha... in Heaven. Yes I think that... that would be best..." He gasped around the blood that was filling his lungs.

"Yumi... The dead... dead do not die... Hahahahaha... I will be back, Enma," Shishio's voice became a snarl. He gritted his teeth before continuning. "Eegah. I will complete... Kuni Tooorriiii..."

Shishio's eyes closed but there was no peace in his expression, just a burning hatred. Yumi folded her arms, crying into Shishio-sama's chest. Her hair came loose, spreading out in a luxurious mass, becoming soaked in blood. Yumi was beyond caring. "Shishio-sama."

Enma lounged on his thrown. "Shishio-sama, Shishio-sama... No! No!" he cried, imitating Yumi, with a grin on his face, obviously enjoying her pain. His expression changed suddenly as he growled, sneering. "If only it was so simple!"

"What do you mean?" Kenshin queried.

"I mean, he was quite correct, the dead do not die," Enma sounded disgusted. "If you wait a little while, you'll see what I mean. It's beginning even now."

Kenshin turned back to Shishio's body. It did not burn as it had on earth but instead was fading, becoming a mist which was disappearing.

"Shishio-sama!"

"I mean, that!" Enma sneered. His eyes became malicious, "Oh, my dear Yumi. Don't cry, your beloved Shishio-sama is not dead. He'll be back."

Yumi looked up. Her eyes wide and her face alight with hope.

"Oh, he'll be back, when he manages to recompose himself. In about one thousand years! But I wouldn't worry," Enma continued, soaking up the pain his words had just caused. "You are a beautiful lady, I'm sure you will be able to find someone who can 'occupy' you in the interium." His tongue snaked out, licking his lips. "Hahahahaha..."

"Shishio-sama!" Yumi cried, collapsing. "No... Shishio-sama, don't leave me..."

Kenshin turned towards Kaoru. He thought he knew her but her actions had just changed that, even if he now knew Shishio was not dead. "Kaoru, what did you do?"

"Kasshin Ryu's Ougi, second stage." Her voice was dead. She continued, answering his unvoiced question. "You are correct, Kenshin. I haven't taught Yahiko that version. Kenshin, while I believe in not killing, I have taken no vow and to protect those you love, what I just did is the ultimate and final defence. It is not done lightly and is only used as a last resort. Kenshin, don't ever think I am happy that I 'killed' Shishio. I only did it because it came down to him or me. If the first stage of the Ougi would have been sufficient I would have used that but you know it would not have been." Kaoru raised her eyes, looking at Kenshin earnestly, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Kenshin, please understand. I need you to understand.

Kenshin closed his eyes. He heard Kaoru and she was correct. She had never said that she wouldn't kill, just that Kamiya Kasshin Ryu believed in protecting those you love without killing. He could feel her pain and he did understand. Ultimate and final defence... He had never thought of it like that but it was true.

"No... Kaoru. I understand. Kasshin's ultimate and final defence, the Ougi." Kenshin reached out, embracing Kaoru being careful of her wings which were still visiable, feeling her arms wrap around his waist as she sought his comfort. "You or him. I would always choose you." That was the truth. "I'm so happy you are safe."
 

"Shishio-sama," Yumi cried, tears streaming down her face. One thousand years... The words were all she could hear. One thousand years until his soul recomposed itself... One thousand years before she saw him again... One thousand years alone... One thousand years until his soul recomposed itself... Alone... Alone... NOooo!
    "Shishio-sama." One thousand years to recompose... Yumi smiled. One thousand years. This time her beloved Shishio-sama was one step ahead. One thousand years. She would join him on his journey.

She wiped her tears away, her hands moving to her obi, withdrawing the ornate dagger she kept hidden there. "One thousand years. Wait for me Shishio-sama..." she whispered, driving the dagger into her breast. She gasped. The pain was the same as before. "I'm coming, Shishio-saaammmaaa..."

"No..." someone had cried out.  The Battousai... Yumi decided as she felt her souls life fading. He had been so kind to her, even in life when she was his enemy. But it was too late to stop her. Shishio-sama... Yumi smiled at her last thought as her body slowly faded away.

"Well, that got rid of one of them for the moment... Hahaha," Enma looked pleased with himself. "Hmmm... I wonder if I should have told her that the one thousand years is only if you are killed by a soul which is still alive. A very rare occurance in Hell. Oh... Haha, I imagine she'll work it out soon enough." She'll probably find a still living soul to put her out of her misery... Nah... it's not worth interferring...
    "You bastard," Kenshin snapped, taking a step towards Enma.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, Battousai. She is hardly your concern. I imagine, when she recomposes she will find someone to put her out of her misery.

Hoji paused, listening to Enma. Death by your own hand did not result in one thousand years oblivion? No, that would be to easy. But can I find a still living soul in Hell? I must. Then I can rejoin Shishio-sama... Yumi was at least correct in that... There is nothing for me here now... Hoji backed away from the Juppongatana. This day was lost and the two living souls present would not grant a request of death. He would find the soul and then force it to kill him, even if he had to venture into the Realm of the Living again.

Enma frowned, looking back at the assembled Juppongatana. It appeared one had already left and Hoji was on his way. "Usui? Are you going to try to finish what Shishio started? Do I need to extend the invitation to the living souls to Saitou Hajime? Hehahahaaah... Well, Juppongatana Usui? There are advantages to serving me..."

"Who said I would let you remain the King of Hell?" a deathly quiet voice broke in. Kaoru turned towards Enma, her eyes and wings brightening, a blade of light appearing in her right hand. "You assume a lot, Enma."

The remaining Juppongatana backed away as Kaoru's kenki flared, her eyes narrowing in anger.

"You pulled us here without consent, you forced Kenshin to fight for you, you let him get hurt and you forced me to reveal the true nature of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu and I saved you. I think you owe us payment. You are still the King of Hell because we suffered for you, because our blood was spilt for you."

"I've already told you your payment. Fight for me, defeat Shishio and I will return you to Earth and you will never hear from me again."

"NOT. Good. Enough." Kaoru spat between clenched teeth. Kaoru moved, a streak of blue. Saitou's Gatotsu had nothing on her charge. She stopped with Enma pressed back against his thrown, her blade of light across his throat.

"For you, death is eternal. No soul, no eternal life."

"Alright, alright," Enma gasped. The sword wasn't just cutting him. It was burning him. "What do you want?"

"You will indeed return us to Earth. There will be no ill consequenses from our little jaunt in your world. Not only will we never hear from you again, nor will the people around us, whose lives are entwined with ours. We will never hear from you or your minions. To you, we will cease to exist. But know this Enma, I would kill you and bestow your title to another but unfortunately your Rulership has proven stable. There have been no major unauthorised incursions into Earth's Domain. You will keep it that way. You agree to these terms?"

"Hai..." Enma gasped in pain.

"Good. If you break them we will see if I can project my soul into this Realm or not. I don't think you want to take the risk."

Kenshin looked at Kaoru with awe after retrieving the sword Shinuchi. She had just dictated terms to a demon as if she did it every day of her life. Not that he didn't agree with them but... He smiled. There was nothing wrong. Here Kaoru's soul became her strength and she had been trained to use it. Here was merely a place where her budo abilities ruled. She was still his Kaoru but here she was the complete leader and master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu and it showed.

Kaoru stepped back to stand side by side with Kenshin, her sword and eyes fading. Her wings remained, outlined in light. Her hand slipped into his. "Well, return us to Earth, Enma. And then you can deal with the remaining Juppongatana in your own way without having us interfer in any decisions you may make. They are in your Realm and you are the Ruler..."

"Hai... I will return you," Enma responded, rubbing at his throat. He began the incantation. At least this would be easier than pulling them here.

Kaoru turned toward Kenshin as the dark light surrounded them.

"Kenshin."

"Kaoru."

The couple embraced and then were gone.

"Well Juppongatana, it appears you backed the wrong player," Enma almost purred.

Back on Earth Megumi started as Kenshin's eyes flickered and he gasped. She was sitting with them both. Sano and Yahiko were slumped against each other in the corner, covered with a blanket. It was nearly dawn.

"Kaoru..." His eyes blinked. He sat up looking for her. "Kaoru..."

"Shhh! Kenshin. She's here Kenshin, she's fine," Megumi reached over, placing her hands comfortingly on his shoulders.

Kenshin blinked, "Megumi?"

"Kenshin, you're awake. That's good. What happened?"

Kenshin moved over to embrace Kaoru as she slept, peacefully. "That is a very long story."

They were home. Hell and Shishio were finally over. He could live with her now in peace, lives devoted to each other. "I'm home," he whispered, into Kaoru's hair. Her presence gave him peace. He looked back up at Megumi, smiling. "That is a very long story, Megumi-dono. But I think you should rest now

"Arigato for watching over us."

"Hai, Kenshin, but don't you ever do this again!"

"I won't. I promise."

"I will rest then Kenshin and you can explain it all in the morning," Megumi got up and quietly left the room.

Kenshin lowered his head, burying his face in Kaoru's hair. She smelt so good. He was so relieved that she was safe. He thought his heart would stop when she had faced down Shishio. He loved her so much. She was his. His soul mate and the other half of the dragon, the two sides of the sword uniting as one. He closed his eyes, "Ai shi te ru, Kaoru."

"Ai shi te ru," came the whispered response.

The End.

Any comments can be directed to webbclan@alphalink.com.au

Imagery Note: When wings are mentioned in here, think wings like Van's in The Vision of Escaflowne (Tenchuu no Escaflowne or Escaflowne of the Heavens) or the feathered wings drawn by CLAMP for X in those wonderful full page pictures!