Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin
& Samurai X Original Japanese Version ©N. Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME
Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole
purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Amber eyes glittered in the
semi-darkness of the alley, watchful, intent, alert…insane. The scent of blood was strong on the night
air, wafting towards the shadow-enshrouded figure standing motionless at the
mouth of the alley, just out of reach of the full moon’s rays. He sniffed tentatively, and then wrinkled
his nose in disgust. Over the past few
months since his last confrontation with Saito Hajime, captain of the third
squad of the Shinsengumi, the young man known as Hitokiri Battousai had known a
steady decline in his professed enjoyment of killing. He didn’t know why this was happening, only that it was. Just as quickly as the blood lust had
overcome him, it was now leaving him.
For the first time in months he began to think clearly again, as if
awakening from a long, dark and terrifying nightmare. He no longer knew if the memories were true or a figment of his
own demented imagination. All he knew
was that somehow along the path to the birth of the ideals of the Ishinshishi
he’d lost his ability to decipher reality from fantasy and this, he knew, was
more terrifying than the worst of the blood filled nightmares that had been
haunting his nights of late. This
problem of his was bound to get him killed.
And so he stood partially concealed in a
dark and dingy alley, peering out of the shadows warily, watching the scene
unfold before him as he carefully masked his ki. He would watch and wait.
He didn’t think he’d killed those people…but he couldn’t be
certain. Not anymore. He knew he couldn’t rely on his dubious
memory any longer. Tonight’s answer
would determine his fate. If it turned
out that he had, indeed, slaughtered those travelers in the street, then he had
no choice but to end his life. If he
couldn’t remember what he’d done…then there was no telling what else he
could’ve done while caught in the throes of madness.
His hand tightened on the hilt of his
katana as he leaned forward a little more, straining to catch the patrol
leader’s report and assessment. Holding
his breath, he leaned forward some more, compromising his hidden position in
his desperation to know the truth.
“Bandits. Bastards.” Battousai closed his eyes and breathed a
silent sigh of relief. The next instant
his eyes snapped open again as he caught the rest of the words drifting on the
breeze. “Damn. They even killed the child. Monsters!
They must be stopped.”
Child? A child was slain?
Battousai tilted his head to the side thoughtfully. Perhaps by way of atonement he could help
this patrol bring the bandits to justice.
His atonement for not being there to save an innocent’s life. Making his decision, he silently disappeared
into the night. The kill had been
fresh, therefore he’d have a fairly decent trail to follow. Sniffing the air delicately, he turned his
head slowly, taking in his surroundings.
If I were a bandit, where would I go? Slowly he turned towards the warehouses along the river. A slow, predatory smile tilted the corners
of his lips upwards. Ah…of
course. The less population, the less
likelihood of discovery. Perhaps
bandits have more in common with assassins that I previously gave them credit
for. He paused, a scowl marring his
youthful features. He didn’t like the
sounds of that. “Bandits have no
honour.”
“And you do?”
Amber eyes widening in shock, Battousai
spun to face the owner of the familiar cold voice, a cheerful smile of greeting
brightening his expression. “Saito
Hajime, what a pleasant surprise.” For
once he actually meant the words.
Saito scowled at the younger man and
raised his katana, ready to defend himself at a moment’s notice should it
become necessary. “Is that so?”
Nodding slowly, he watched the other
man’s every move intently. “What brings
you out here?” He asked as nonchalantly
as he could under the circumstances, golden gaze wary.
The Shinsngumi captain frowned, watching
the hitokiri carefully, noting his non-aggressive attitude and the oddity of
his uncharacteristic friendliness.
“What are you up to?” He didn’t
bother trying to keep the suspicious note out of his tone. He’d learned through his past dealings with
Hitokiri Battousai that it was pointless in trying to keep his emotions
hidden. The younger man had an uncanny
ability to sense these things.
“Somebody murdered a child tonight. I intend to bring tenchu to him in
return.” He rested his hand against the
familiar worn hilt of his katana, fingers caressing the leather almost
lovingly. “The innocents should not be
made to suffer in the world of men, Saito.
It isn’t right.” His eyes grew
unfocused as his mind dwelled on the distant yet not so distant memory of his
own childhood. “Children should not be
made to suffer…” He repeated softly.
Suddenly he shook himself, pushing the memories back into his
subconscious and refocusing on the present.
“They are like mad dogs, and as such must be put down for the safety of
all.”
Saito wasn’t certain if he understood
the hitokiri’s motives entirely, but what he did know was that he was on a set
path and wouldn’t be swayed from it.
“All this for the sake of one child?
You are aware that you could be captured tonight…”
He shook his head sharply. “Not captured. Never that. Better to die
than to suffer that dishonour.”
He nodded his understanding and
agreement. He felt the same way. “All right, not captured, but killed
instead. You would risk your life for
the sake of one dead child?”
Battousai’s expression hardened, amber
eyes glittering with rage. “Yes. And for all the other children these
bastards killed or might kill. For the
women they dishonoured and the men they butchered. This was no act of war…it was murder.”
Saito nodded again. “And this is what separates you from them,
is it?” When he didn’t receive an
answer he shrugged. “It isn’t my place
to judge you to be hypocritical or not, Battousai. My duty is to see the eradication of all evil.”
“Aku soku zan.” The smaller man smiled grimly. “Yes, I remember.” Tilting his head to the side he allowed his smile to turn
somewhat wicked. “I’ll make you a deal,
Saito. Interested?”
“What kind of deal, Battousai?” Slowly he lowered his katana, not quite
certain if he should trust the hitokiri to not attack.
“Just this once we join forces, work
together towards a common goal, and bring these bandits to justice.”
“And why would I do that?” When the younger man clasped his hands
behind his back and rocked back on his heels, Saito sheathed his katana and
folded his arms over his chest. “Well?”
“You want them dead, as do I. It’s as simple as that. Both of us are happy and justice is
served. The streets of Kyoto are rid of
one more pack of mad dogs and the children are safe for one more night. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“You’re different. Something’s changed.” Saito studied the young hitokiri with
narrowed eyes. “Where’s the demented,
maniacal glee at the prospect of drawing blood? Where’s the anticipation of the enjoyment of killing?”
“You think too much, Saito. Are you interested or not? It’s as simple as a yes or no. No need to analyze the why’s and how’s.” Battousai watched the taller man warily,
almost holding his breath as he awaited the answer. It was true…he did have ulterior motives for inviting Saito to
join him in his hunt.
Saito’s eyes narrowed as he stared at
the younger man, trying to determine the cause of his growing unease. A moment later his eyes widened almost
imperceptibly. “Perhaps a temporary
alliance would be beneficial to this common goal we seem to find ourselves
working towards.”
“Excellent.” Turning to stare across the bridge towards the darkened
warehouses, he rested his hand on the hilt of his katana, fingers moving in a
gentle caress of the familiar worn leather as his narrowed gaze studied the
area alertly. It was a relief to him
that Saito had agreed to the temporary alliance. He wanted the other man to know that he was just the demented
freak he obviously believed him to be.
Eyes closing for a moment he drew in a shuddering breath, silently
acknowledging that he needed to prove it to himself as well. Slowly opening his eyes again, he focused on
the rows of rooftops, searching for a sign…anything…that would give up the
location of the murderous bandits.
“Nothing.” He muttered under his
breath before turning to face Saito warily as he stepped closer.
“What was that?” Studying the smaller man from the corner of
his eye, Saito was certain that something had changed in his demeanor. But what?
“They cover their tracks well.” Raising a hand to push his hair out of his
eyes, Battousai frowned in concentration.
“Where would they be…” He murmured softly, eyes scanning the area
constantly. “Where could they go…” He
took a slow step forward before pausing.
Something didn’t feel right.
Tilting his head to the side, he scowled, trying to find a cause for his
growing unease.
“What are you doing?” Saito strode forward boldly, stepping passed
him onto the bridge, his footsteps echoing hollowly against the wood.
Moonlight glinting momentarily off of a
reflective surface about six inches above the wooden plank caught his
attention. “Saito…” The other man
either didn’t hear or chose to ignore him.
“Saito, stop! It’s a trap!” He moved fast, throwing his weight forward,
his smaller, compact form slamming into the Shinsengumi captain just as a loud
report filled the night, throwing him off balance against the rail and over.
**To Be Continued…**