The translucent 'orb' barely lit the dark hotel room, hovering like an mischievous fairy as it showed images of a redheaded swordsman in

battle......

 

"Is that him, Brother?"

 

The orb hovered to the ground, dwarfing the children sitting there.

"Hai," The boy said with a smile. "That is Himura Kenshin."

 

His sister twirled a lock of white hair around her finger. "Not what I expected, but I can see the resemblance, Torashin."

 

*Resemblance wasn't the word....* Torashin mused. He was a ten-year-old version of the man, except his skin was coffee complexioned and his hair dark. His twin Yunomura had the infamous golden eyes, leaning more toward their mother..... "And you have the eyes, Yuno, just like Momma said."

 

"Speaking of which, you better shut that off. Momma will be pissed if she

found out....."

 

*No more pissed than she will be at your language, young lady.*

 

Yunomura winced at the telepathic scolding, Torashin chuckling as her pale skin went even paler.

 

"So much for not getting caught."

 

*I suppose this was your idea, Torashin.* Her dry voice responded. *You need

to be well rested for tomorrow, children, after all you two play a big

part.*

 

"I know, Momma....We just wanted to see him, that's all."

 

There was a sigh. *I know, children. I miss him too. But after tomorrow you won't need that to see him anymore. Your father will be free and you'll finally be together again. Now go back to sleep, Momma will be home shortly.*

 

"Hai, Momma."

 

*I love you....Good night.*

 

Ashura waited until they were asleep to cut the mindlink, uncharacteristically smiling warmly to herself.

 

Premium Spirit Productions Presents...

A Rurouni Kenshin/Ninja Scroll Crossover

Darkness before Dawn.

By Sentora

 

Rurouni Kenshin and all it's characters belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, The great guys at Sony and Jump magazine, I'm just borrowing them for this crazy fic. Same goes for Ninja scroll, whoever it belongs too. ?_? The new ones, however, belong to me...So ask nicely if you want to use them, Kay? ^_^

 

Part 5: The answers you seek.....

 

*So quiet.....*

 

Kenshin sighed in frustration, sitting down on the steps of the Jamison house's small Dojo. *Listen to me, upset because war hasn't broke

out.....yet. Or maybe.....* His eyes darkened at the thought. *Ashura's not the threat I'm really worried about.....*

 

He glanced up at the library window, where Karou was reading the new books Merlin had brought from Avalon. *Karou would kill me if she knew if I was

hiding my feelings again....But I don't even understand what I'm going through.....What 'we' are going through.....*

 

"Kenshin?"

 

Tomoe's soft voice shook him out of his thoughts, Kenshin looking up to see her walk up to him....Mild surprise turning to amusement when he saw her. "I

don't see what's so funny...." She scowled at him, making him grin even more. "The baby got me again and this is all they had in my size...."

 

Kenshin tried hard not to laugh out loud, especially with the threatening look on her face, but seeing Tomoe in a western style, red plaid shirt tucked into snug overalls was too much. "Gomenasai....." He said sheepishly as she sat down beside him.

 

"Hard to believe with that grin plastered on your face...." She snorted in mock contempt, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Mou, even you're picking on

me."

 

Kenshin chuckled. "You started it last night, remember? Are you deliberately trying to corrupt Karou?"

 

Her only answer was an evil grin. Kenshin sweatdropped.

 

"I take it back, Looks like Karou's corrupting you....."

 

They both chuckled over that one, Kenshin feeling a little more at ease now, which was Tomoe's original intention. One of her 'gifts' was the ability to sense emotions since they affected Ki, and she decided to put to a better use than seeking prey....

"I did mean what I said, you are a good catch." Kenshin blushed as she placed her hand on his shoulder, their eyes locking.

"We both know it....."

 

The lust for life-force returned full force at that moment, Tomoe realizing what she was doing....putting Kenshin into a trance like her victims before she....*No! I can't....* She found herself drawing close to Kenshin.....His aura seeming to draw her in as he eyes glowed and she reached for him. *I can't stop it.....*

 

Kenshin's hands tightened on her wrist before she grabbed his neck. 

"Tomoe." His voice was calm but commanding....snapping her out of it. She turned away, ashamed to look at him.

"Look at me, Tomoe...." She did as he asked....

 

And immediately regretted it.

 

"Your eyes!"

 

"What's wrong, Tomoe?" The feral, softly glowing amber eyes were a stark

contrast to his warm smile. "Don't you recognize your former husband?"

 

Tomoe was speechless for a moment. There was no mistaking the change, right down to his aura, which despite colored with the warmth of his feelings for

her, had the same cold lethalness the Battousai was known for.

"What....Did I do this....?" She knew of Kenshin's dual nature, but she thought the succession technique merged the two according to Ashura.....

 

He took her hand in his. "No....You aren't doing this....not intentionally anyway."

 

"Not intentionally......?"

 

"I mean it's related to whatever made you speak in that different voice." He added. "It's feels like the same dark energies of Ashura I feel around

you.....yet different. Whatever they are, they're...changing me....as if something's awaking within me......" His eyes darkened. "Something different

than the Battousai or Rurouni...."

 

"....A remembered dream...."

 

".....Of a life once shared forever over the centuries....." Kenshin finished, sounding as dreamy as Tomoe when she said the first line. The two blinked back into reality, staring at each other in confusion. "See what I mean Tomoe?" Kenshin said quietly, and when he opened his eyes again Tomoe noted that his right eye was the clear violet of the Rurouni while the left was the Battousai's amber.....Just as he saw Tomoe's eyes turn silver blue.....

 

Upstairs, Karou impatiently (But carefully, seeing that the book was older than her great great grandfather and Merlin would turn her into a real Tanuki girl if she ripped it.) turned the pages of the fifth huge book of Merlin's. *Mou! Not a blasted thing on this Triseoul whatzit.* She yawned. *Not that even with this instant translation spell he cast on me, I'm much of a bookworm....*

 

A 'Murrrooooowwww' interrupted her thoughts, Karou staring at the white cat that had somehow gotten in the room....hopping down on one of Merlin's open

books. "Shoo!" She swatted the cat, which hopped off in with an indignant yowl and alighted itself on a bookshelf, hissing.

 

"Dumb cat." Karou stuck her tongue at it and was about go back to her book when she saw the page that the book was open to, something about a dragon

and a sword maker that caught her interest.

"What's this?" She brought the book into the light. "When the world was young and dragons still roamed the heavens, their king grew curious of the humans below and sent a young female to spend time among them disguised as a human. She spent a hundred years among them, watching them change over time and enjoying her

time among them not aware that she was slowly becoming more and more human herself...."

 

Above her the cat sat down and watched with unusual interest....

 

"...Until the day she fell in love with a handsome swordsmith and he with her. Unable to lie to him any longer she revealed the truth. Fortunately,

the swordsmith did not shun her as she feared, but still loved her. With the permission of her king they married and soon had a son, The young dragon

living in perfect bliss....Until one day the townspeople somehow learned of her true identity and attempted to kill her out of fear....her husband and

their son killed in the resulting fire."

 

Karou felt a stab of pity as she continued. "The young dragon went mad at the loss of her child and her husband and destroyed the entire town in a

rage....All of humanity swearing revenge on her and she upon them. The bloody battle that resulted ended when her husband, who was actually just

badly wounded in the collapsed house and unconscious for days, managed to find her and restore her sanity. The young dragon, horrified by her actions

begged her husband to kill her since only he had the knowledge how. Instead, her husband somehow separated her soul in two, taking part within himself

and merging the other half within a young woman at the battle with the hope that some day their reincarnations will find each other due to the soul they

shared....." Karou felt her heart warm at the ending, which was interrupted by a disturbing thought.

 

*Could this have something in common with the.....*

 

The cat landed on the book at the moment, starling her right out the chair.

"Why you...." She stopped suddenly as she got a good look at the cat's too human sneer....the hisses sounding like laughter....

*That's.....No ordinary cat......*

 

"You got that right, little girl....."

 

The 'cat' started to swell and stretch into something much bigger....very human laughter....Ashura's laughter...echoing in the room as Karou found

herself staring down what seemed to be a horrifying cross between a White tiger and a black panther where the harmless white cat once sat.....Wickedly

curved claws snapping out of their sheath and bearing her fangs in a sinister grin. "Oyasumi, Karou dono...."

 

Karou took a step back, darting a glance at her Bokken sitting by the side of the desk....in reach of those nasty claws. "Go ahead." She taunted,

tapping it with a claw. "Just know that whatever move you make, Mine will be faster...."

 

Karou glared back at Ashura for what seemed to be an eternity....then ducked and kicked the bookshelf beside her just right enough to make it pitch

forward.....The surprised Ashura unable to react in time to avoid the avalanche of books as Karou rolled and snatched the bokken just barely out

of reach of Ashura's swipe before she was buried....Karou immediately climbing up another bookshelf and flipping over the top as Ashura THREW the

bookshelf off her and across the room with a howl....

 

The horrendous crash was enough to snap Kenshin and Tomoe out of it, along with the gunfire that erupted on the south part of the house.

"Wha...."Kenshin's now violet eyes widened as he saw the bookshelf smash through the wall and almost land on them, Tomoe pushing them both out of the

way just in time as it splintered on impact. "Karou!"

 

"That's the least of your problems, young man....."

 

Mother appeared out of nowhere to stand before them, her face even more hideous by the malicious grin she wore. Tomoe's eyes widened in shock and

before Kenshin could react she heaved him into the Dojo like a rag doll before leaping after him, slamming the door and blocking it with a large

chunk of wood. "Orrroooo...."Kenshin shook of the dizziness as he stood up. "Who was that....."

 

"That's Mother! We can't face her head on!"

 

Outside Mother's grin widened, the rags covering the hump on her back falling away as it starts twitching and pulsing wildly.....tearing and

peeling open.....

 

"Mother is the descendant of the original Echidna, the Greek mother of monsters! We'll have to go around....." A skittering sound interrupted

her.....Both slowly turning to see a FLOOD of black widow spiders scutter under the door and inside the dojo....Kenshin and Tomoe backing up as most

of them swarmed over the door and eat through most of the door enough to allow IT in....a horrifying crossbreed of a spider and various insects that

defied description and was the size of a horse....

"That's Mother?!" Kenshin gasped.

 

"No...Just one of her offspring...." Tomoe turned and smashed the wall out

with her fist, Kenshin oroing in shock. "Get to Karou and the others! I'll

handle this!"

 

"Tomoe!"

 

"Just....." She grabbed his gi and flung him out. "GO!" Seeing him land safely outside and sprint off she turned back to the charging creature.....

 

On the south side of the house......

 

The thirty henchmen Ashura had hired as backup stormed the house to find an unusual scene. The Jamison women and Yahiko sitting in the kitchen, calmly

drinking tea.

 

"And you said things were too quiet, Auntie..." Micheala said calmly as she sipped her tea.

 

"Silly me."

 

"Aww, only thirty of you gentlemen?" Grandma pouted. "I was hoping for more...."

 

The men grinned at each other. Four helpless women and a brat, too easy....."I'm sure we can entertain ya ladies....."

 

"Guess they'd have to do." Moshi said with a bored tone, despite the dangerous glint in her eyes.

 

The smartest of the thugs started to get nervous. "Aintcha scared?"

 

"No." Yahiko said as he drew his bokken

 

"But you should be....." Usagi grinned as she held up a two-barreled shotgun bigger than she was.

 

"Because we're going to show you gentlemen....." Micheala drew a Six-shooter and a lever action, short barreled shotgun .

 

"How we Jamisons....." Moshi cracked her knuckles.

 

"Welcome uninvited guests....." Grandma unfolded her cane into a set of three stick Nunchaku with an evil grin.

 

The men barely had time to 'eep' before all hell broke loose.....

 

Upstairs, it was a deadly game of hide and seek between Ashura and Karou....Stalking each other in the he library.....

 

"Nice trick there, Karou dono...." Ashura sneered as she padded through the shelves, her nose flaring and claws clicking out occasionally in barely

restrained bloodlust. "Much better than I expected really."

 

"I'm flattered." Karou crept quietly along the top of the bookshelves while Ashura searched below, thankful for that the place was so huge. *No way I

can go toe to toe with her like that....Must outsmart her....*

 

Ashura chuckled. "You should be....It's not often I'm impressed....but it'll pass...." *Got your scent....*

 

Karou waited until Ashura was below....tossing a book in the opposite

direction....*Oh please fall for it....*

 

Ashura's eyes narrowed at the sound.....*Stupid girl.....* She started to walk off in the direction of the noise.....

 

Before springing up the bookcase right at her like a train....

 

Karou was waiting however, Ashura's fangs chomping down the bokken instead of her neck as she fell back and heaved back....using the added momentum

sling Ashura into the bookcase top behind her as she fell back.... a sickening crunch heard as Ashura folded in half over it....Karou kicking

down two more of the shelves down on top of them and barely getting out to avoid getting crushed by the heavy shelves. *That should hold her.....*

 

It did....for five seconds.....

 

Ashura literally exploded from the pile right at her, Tackling her and snapping at her throat....Karou blocking her with the Bokken but paying for

it as Ashura reared back and flung her with a twist of her neck into another bookshelf even as Karou refused to let go....repeating the maneuver twice

before letting the Bokken go and rolled her across the library in a heap. Karou climbed to her feet shakily, fighting the dizziness enough to face her

down. "Is...THAT ALL YOU GOT?!!!!" She screamed.

 

Ashura grinned. "So you're not the weakling I thought you was. Good girl...." She shifted to human form, still on all fours as she stretched

like a cat. The fur shifted as well to form a loose fitting pair of Chinese style shirt and pants, Excailbron's hilt slithering around her. "You've

earned the honor dying by Excailbron, Karou dono. You should be thrilled."

 

"Just shut up and fight."

 

Ashura grinned.....And sprang at her with speed rivaling Kenshin's....Bokken and Demon sword meeting with a clash.....

 

Outside, Kenshin was on the roof in two leaps, sprinting toward the library.

"Karou!!! I'm....."

 

Something flashed out of the darkness and caught him with a viscous punch, Kenshin bouncing across the roof and almost off before grabbing onto the

roof's edge....barely hauling himself up before a large foot smashed the roof where he was a second ago.....The attacker CATCHING the sakaba as

Kenshin slashed out, Kenshin getting a glimpse of the man's empty eye sockets before he got kicked across the roof again.

"Out of my way!" Kenshin sprang back at him on the impact...slashing him across the neck....To no effect and just missing getting stomped into paste

as he rolled away to examine his opponent.... "Kill...."

The man spoke in monotone past torn and rotted lips that parted in a grin that revealed broken and decaying teeth and gums and much to Kenshin's

disgust, worms spilling out. "Kill....you....."

 

"Kami-sama....." Judging from the raggedly pair of overalls he wore and condition of his skin, MISSING in places to reveal bone, and unhealed wounds

that no man could survive, especially the acid burns that took his eyes, Kenshin realized this thing was of the undead....

 

Just like Tomoe.....

 

 

 

 

##

 

"You bastard....."

 

Shannon wagged a finger at Megumi. "Now, now, fair's fair. I just tricked you first. No need to swear."

 

Megumi growled in bad temper. *Mou, that'll teach me to follow one of that baka's plans.* "I don't suppose you're just going to hand over Excailber,

ne?"

 

Shannon grinned at Arain.

 

Megumi hid her grin. *Not so clever after all. He hasn't figured out Arain yet.....or my ace in the hole.*

She winked at Arain and patted Soujirou's hand, who looked more relieved....

 

Below....

 

"You're better than I expected, Chickenface." Silk sneered. "But then again..." She callously stepped on a man's chest, Sano wincing at the

audible crunch of his ribs and the man's strangled scream. "This trash isn't much to go by."

 

Ten of the recovering men growled at that. "We'll show you trash!" They yelled as they lunged at her....Silk yawning before causally punting the

first one high above her....slamming down the same leg with such force on the second's collarbone he seemed to fold like a bloody accordion before

kicking out and crushing the throats of two more....catch and rip the fifth's arm out of it's socket and use it to bash the sixth brain in while

sidestepping and snapping the neck of the seventh as he zoomed by...toss the arm into the crowd (Where it landed in the lap of one of the rich women, all

fainting as one.) to grab eight and nine and smash their bodies together with a sickening crunch and halfheartedly flung the boneless corpses across

the room before standing before Sano with a cocky grin and arms spread wide.....Snapping up her knee as she caught and broke the back of her first

victim without even looking and dropped him as she made a curtsy. "See what I mean?"

 

Not a single one had touched her with fist or blood. And it was over in a minute.

 

*Shit squared.....* Sano mused.

 

Silk tossed off her coat as she walked up to Sano, who could help but gawk. She was intimidating enough with it on, but without it she seemed even more

huge....one of her biceps alone was the size of his head at least! "I see you're in awe of my incredible physique....." She cackled.

 

"Actually....." Sano grinned, glancing at her chest since he was now eye level with it. "I'm surprised you actually have breasts...."

 

He just barely ducked the punch she hurled at him, the wind of it almost knocking him down as the battle started full swing....

 

Back upstairs Shannon's eyes widened in disbelief. Megumi groaned as she slapped a hand over her face. "Your boyfriend's ether got balls of brass or

brains of cow dung."

 

"You have no idea....." Megumi replied. "I could say the same for you for thinking of doublecrossing that freak below."

 

"Even a elephant can be stopped by a bullet, dear Kitsune." He motioned to the balconies, Megumi noticing the two riflemen waiting above. There were

several more in the audience and two more came to flank Shannon. "I thought I'd let her have a little fun then shoot the winner. That freak upstairs

will also be taken care of." He smiled fiendishly. "I will not give Excailber over to ANYONE.....Not that witch, and certainly not to you."

 

Megumi smiled coyly, reaching out to take his hand. "Where does that leave me?"

 

Shannon grinned.

 

Below it was an all out war....Silk not caring if the cheering crowd got in her way of squashing Sano, who was dancing and weaving around the slower

(Though not by much! Sano yelped as she hammered the floor where he just was.) Silk, landing a couple hits and darting back out of the way....never

stopping and frustrating the giant. *Chikuso! This sucks but I can't go toe to toe with her now! Especially with Megumi at risk!*

 

Silk suddenly lunged at him....Sano rolling under her legs and leaping up to land a spin kick in the back of her head that stumbled her a bit before she

whirled and landed a good one in his chest...Sano flying across the room and bowling right through the crowd in a heap....Silk somehow there a second

later to grab him by the legs and literally wrap him around one of the statues before slamming him down and booting him across the room

again....The crowd around a banquet table fleeing to safety as Sano slammed into it and broke it. *That's a another good reason....* Sano winced as he

counted five broken ribs, grabbing two of the heavy silver serving plates as he saw Silk dropping toward him and rolled out of the way of her stomp,

boxing her ears with a clang and then smashing them down on her head hard enough to DENT them.

 

She just rolled her eyes at him. A Chibi Sano staring in disbelief. "Try again?" She snorted before grabbing him by the head and causally tossed him

behind her into the air and into another table, Sano skidding across it and landing in a heap of food and tangled tablecloth....Silk stalking toward him

slowly and reaching out to grab him again when he suddenly flung a bottle of wine in her face, quickly snapping the tablesheet around her head and neck

as he flipped over her and planted his feet hard in her back, an maneuver that would of broken an normal man's neck instantly but instead slowly

choking Silk.....Sano riding her like a bull as she thrashed and bellowed and ran over the idiots in the crowd before Sano finally heaved back with

all his strength and slung Silk to the ground with a massive WHAM that lifted everybody on the floor off their feet. Sano slammed her again once

more with a yell.....Silk grabbing the sheet and uppercutting Sano off his feet again and into the wall as she ripped off the sheet. "Much better...."

She chuckled. "Even though you're still holding back...." Sano's eyes narrowed. "That's ok....Me too." Silk lowered her voice with a sneer. "After

all this is just for fun. When we dance for real later it will be at full strength, and I promise there WILL be a later....."

 

Sano's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean later?! Tell me what you're up

to!!?"

 

"Make me...." Silk grinned, Sano charging.....

 

Above....

 

Soujirou tensed slightly, flashing a ready look at Arain, who winked. Shannon, however, was too 'distracted' by Megumi. So were the two guards

alongside Shannon. "Well....I can think of something...." He said slyly. "After all, you and I have a lot in common. Mentally speaking, of course."

 

"Hai...." Megumi lied through her teeth, moving her hand up along his arm, a very seductive light in her eyes. "Imagine all the treasures we can loot

with our combined resources....."

 

"And your boyfriend?"

 

She smiled, stroking his cheek. Downstairs Sano happened to look up at that moment, his eyes going wide with disbelief before Silk punched the hell out

of him. Megumi snorted. "He's just brawn, nothing more....."

 

Shannon's grin went from smug to pained as he found a blade suddenly pricking his throat, Megumi's eyes glinting dangerously. The two guards were

stunned for a second before raising their guns....Soujirou already snapping his sword out of his 'walking stick', blunt edges out, and knocked both out

before they even knew it. "....But he's still smarter than you, Morgan-san." She sneered. "No sudden moves now, the poison on this blade is quite

deadly."

 

"This is a surprise...." Shannon made a show of cockiness. "But you forgot something....."

 

But Arain had already acted, teleporting right behind the first sniper and taking him out with a vicious kick to the groin, her fairies freezing the

other soild. Shannon's eyes bugged out. "I didn't." Megumi said calmly. "If you were so smart you should of figured out Arain's from Avalon...." Her

grin turned sinister. "And doesn't like you very much...."

 

Shannon snorted despite shaking slightly with fear. "Hmph, a standoff then. You're trapped by all of my guards...." The men hidden in the audience had

now noticed what was up and were now leveling their guns at them and the fighters, the crowd too busy cheering and gambling on the fight to notice.

Soujirou and Arain tensed, ready to move. "And if they shoot you I'm dead.

Interesting, no?"

 

Megumi's smile was scary to behold. "We'll figure something out, won't we?

Ether way, You should be more worried about the redhead......"

 

As if she heard, Arain fixed Shannon with a glare that spoke volumes of the torture planned for him.

 

Meanwhile, upstairs.....

 

The battle had extended into Shannon's huge trophy room, Jubei, Shuriken and Daisho showing no respect for the ancient artifacts within...Tapestries,

statues, literature and the like were ether used as weapons or simply destroyed as they fought hammer and tongs.....

 

"Should of known you bastards would have been here!" Jubei snarled as Daisho's Katana whooshed over his head and sliced a old looking portrait of

a smiling lady....Locking swords with the grinning freak. "Who tipped you off?!"

 

"Fool. Who do you think gave that idiot the means of getting Excailber in the first place?" Daisho sneered. "Looks like we get the bonus of your heads

as well as the sword...."

 

"As if you two idiots could even lift it!" Shuriken yelled as she clashed with the frenzied smaller twin Shuriken to claw, the battle actually even

and destroying more property than Jubei and the bigger brother.Excailber sat right in the middle of the room, in a replica of the original

stone, waiting for whoever got it first....

 

"You little...!" The twin snarled, and with a toe curlingly disgusting slurping sound he snapped his tongue out like a frog, smashing off a statue

head as Shuriken ducked, snapping at her rapid fire at her dodging form and barely missing......Shuriken ducking and grabbing the tongue to knot it

around a pillar....the twin screeching as the tongue rubberbanded him right into the pillar HARD. "Excuse me!" Shuriken kicked him as she dashed by him

and grabbed the sword. "Jubei!"

 

The larger twin was drowning Jubei in a ornate fountain. "Right....behind you!" He sputtered before kicking back to nail Daisho in the groin, carrying

the hilt while she struggled with the blade. "Mou! How can Arain lift this thing?!"

 

"That's none of your concern anymore....."

 

Daisho suddenly flung something at them, Jubei snapping it out of the air.

 

And freaked when he saw it was a lit stick of dynamite....

 

The situation was getting grave downstairs, Sano obviously dizzy from bloodloss yet still standing face to face with Silk, who seemed unhurt save

for a ugly bruise on her neck, the fight degenerating to a brainless slugout that Sano was obviously getting the worse....Megumi wincing at every punch

Silk landed to his two and the hammer striking meat sound it made.....

"Whatever miracle you're expecting better happen now," Shannon sneered. "I doubt 'Souzou' will last much longer...."

 

The words were barely out of his mouth when the roof suddenly blew apart in a rain of rubble, treasures and three warriors.....The crowd panicking out

of the way as Sano and Silk looked up in surprise....Sano leapfrogging over the stunned Silk before he was buried right along with her....Everybody

staring at the rubble and the dazed Jubei, Shuriken and Daisho sprawled on top in shock for a tense moment.

 

"M-M-My T-trophies....." Shannon sobbed. Megumi smirked.

 

Arain hopped down onto the rubble as Excailber started to glow....her dress changing to her battle gear as she slowly drew it from the 'stone' and held

it up with a battle cry as it flared blindingly for a brief moment.....Arain raising it to point it at Shannon with glowing eyes.

 

"You......"

 

"Don't just stand there you idiots! Kill them!"

 

The guests had finally wised up enough get the hell out of there, panicking as the hidden guards drew their guns and more men piled in....

 

##

 

At the same time.....

 

"Good thing I'm killing Alexander as well," Ashura taunted. "He'll be pissed to see what you've done to his library....."

 

"What I did?!!!"

 

It seemed the library was getting the worse of the battle at the moment, Shelves knocked or thrown over, books everywhere....Ashura and Karou still

going at it hammer and tongs although Ashura seemed to be holding back. "Just between us girls, I honestly can't see what Kenshin sees in you."

Ashura continued as she parried an angry thrust at her face and snapped the hilt at Karou who likewise countered barely. "You don't have a fraction of

Tomoe's or my good looks....You can't cook to save your life and you don't have a feminine bone in your entire body....." She grinned at Karou as they

locked swords again. "Unless you're not as 'innocent' as you appear....."

 

"You sound jealous!" Karou pushed her off and slashed at her throat, Ashura causally sidestepping and bringing down Excailbron in a viscous

downstroke.....Just as Karou intended, the younger girl flipping back to barely dodge and catch Ashura solidly in the chin with her feet and knock

her back a bit....The snakesaya lunging at her just as Karou landed on her feet, sinking it's fangs into her arm. Karou yelped and yanked it off....The

poison already in effect from the dizziness and the two Ashura nursing her jaw as the snakesaya slithered back up her shirt. "Oh, it won't kill you,

Karou dono...." She sneered as Karou swayed. "Just weaken you long enough for this!"

 

Ashura lunged and kicked her with such force Karou flipped into the air....using both saya and sword to slash repeatedly at her as Karou fell

back down, the force of the slashes creating a vacuum that kept her airborne and helpless as the attacks shredded her clothes and soon into her arms,

back and legs...Ashura laughing as Karou's blood literally rained on her and stopped long enough to kick her across into another bookshelf as she fell,

Karou plopping to the floor in a ravaged heap. "One of my favorite techniques....." Ashura cackled. "Tamashii no Shuukakusha: Crimson rain.

Aptly named, ne?" Karou staggered to her feet, cut in a dozen different places and a mess, but now clear headed thanks to the pain. "Still strong

enough to fight? Good girl....."

 

Ashura gave her very little time to respond, clearing the distance between them in her next breath in a dash and roll....Karou putting all her strength

in her blow only to watch her bokken SHATTER as Ashura intercepted with her fist and returned with a powerful slash that would of cut her in two like

the bookshelf behind her if Karou hadn't ducked....Karou lunging up in a jumping uppercut that caught Ashura off guard and followed with a dropkick

that knocked her off her feet...Ashura grinning wildly as she rolled to her feet. "Fair's fair....." She sheathed Excailbron and threw it aside.

"Crushing you on your own level will be more entertaining!"

 

"Shut up and fight!" Karou screamed as she charged.....

 

Outside....

 

Kenshin's fight had left the rooftops and continued in the field and around the house, (mainly cause he was thrown off....) the zombie relentlessly

attacking him despite near collapse from rot and Kenshin's attacks...*Che! I've hit this thing enough to kill a normal man!* Kenshin ducked a

punch that knocked in the wall, immediately rising in a Ryu sho sen that tore the creature's arm off....getting backhanded for his trouble through

the smashed wall before he touched ground....the creature picking up it's torn off arm and simply reattaching it as it walked toward him....

 

And was blown off it's feet by gunfire.

 

"Kenshin!" Usagi lowered the smoking shotgun as Yahiko and the rest of Jamison women piled in....stunned as they recognized the zombie. "Gregor!"

 

"Our former farmhand before he sold us out to Ashura." Grandma explained. "Even a scumbag like him doesn't deserve that...."

"KILLLLLLLYYYYOOOOOUUUUUU!" Gregor charged.....

 

##

 

All hell broke loose.

 

"MISS SHURIKEN!!!!!"

 

Megumi didn't know what was scarier.....seeing the normally calm Soujirou go berserk at the sight of the surrounded Shuriken or the awe inspiring visage

of Arain surrounded by a swarm of fairies and eyes glowing pure white as she raised Excailber parallel to her eyes like Saitou's Gatasou....ether way the

carnage that followed was staggering. Pieces of guns, clubs and even men flew through the air as the two ripsawed through the mob to get to their

goals....Shannon taking advantage of her shock to swat her hand away and lunge, knocking them both out of the chair as he started to strangle her....

"Megumi!" Sano jumped up to help her....only to be grabbed by the foot and slammed back down...A brusied and pissed off Silk rising out of the debris....

 

Soujirou reached Shuriken just as she was waking up.....With a still dazed Daisho stabbing his Katana down toward her heart and only hitting debris as

Soujirou scooped her up in the same second....Jubei also rising to his feet at the same time to smash his saya in the larger man's throat....Daisho

collapsing with a groan. "Miss Shuriken!!" Soujirou shook her. "Are you ok?!"

 

"Will the two of you stop yelling....." Shuriken grumbled, eyes spiraling....

 

Upstairs Shannon was on top of the struggling Megumi, forcing down all his weight on her throat. "I'll show you to threaten me you little...."

 

CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!

 

Shannon made unrecognizable noise and his eyes rolled into his head as Megumi kicked him repeatedly and viscously someplace very sensitive until he

staggered off her.....Megumi kicking him again while he was down. "What were you going to show me?!"

 

Arain was to the stairs now, finishing off the last of the guards and stalking toward Shannon. "He's mine, Megumi...."

 

Shannon made a strangled cry and started scuttling backwards the best he could.....

 

Sano couldn't help but grin as he saw Megumi was safe, Silk fuming. "Pay Attention!" She bellowed as she swung and missed Sano, getting a two hitter

in reply that she shrugged off. "It'll take more than that!"

 

The words were no sooner out her mouth when a piano pushed by Soujirou,

Shuriken and Jubei slammed her into the wall hard enough to crater it.

 

"How's that?" Shuriken yelled.

 

A second passed, and then Silk slowly lifted it off her and into the air, hurling it at them and missing badly. ".....A roof....A piano....." She

chuckled stupidly, actually dazed. "Takes more than....."

 

She didn't even get to finish before Sano swung one of the statues like a baseball bat right into her chin, Silk flying through the wall and

outside....Everybody watching her tumble a good three feet before bowling over a carriage. "Home Run, Sano...." Shuriken grinned as Sano slumped unto

Jubei. They looked at her blankly. "Never mind."

 

The place was now deathly quiet save for Arain's footsteps toward Shannon, who looked petrified at the raw anger ablaze in her eyes. "I'll give you

anything you want, just let me live!"

 

"You beg?" That seemed to piss her off even more, the air now freezing. Shannon yelped. "You DARE TO BEG?!!! LIKE YOUR VICTIMS DID?!!!" Her grip

tightened on the hilt, her knuckles whitening. 'YOU WANT MERCY AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO MY MENTOR?!" Tears came to her eyes as she raised the sword. 'TO ZAN?!!!" She brought Excailber down as she shrieked the last.....

 

An inch from his face.

 

Shannon pissed himself. Megumi wrinkled her nose in disgust.

 

"No..." She lowered the blade, her voice pure ice. "Killing you now would dishonor Avalon and Excailber. I can't think of a better justice than to let

you rot here with everything you cherished gone, like you left us. Sayonara!" She punucated the last with a devastating kick to his jaw,

leaving him a crumpled, sobbing heap as she walked down the stairs. Megumi however, stayed to say one last thing before she joined Arain.

 

"If you don't want to waste her generosity, Morgan-san, you better leave now...." Daisho and Silk won't be so kind."

 

Arain wiped her eyes and smiled as the others walked up to her. "This may be rude, but you look like shit, Sano." She commented.

 

Sano grinned weakly. "You should.....See the other guy....." The grin faded when he saw the fury on Megumi's face as she got a good look at him, her

fist clenching so tightly her knuckles were white. Before he could say anything in his defense however, he passed out just as her fist rocked his

jaw.

 

##

 

"Tamashii no Shuukakusha: HELL EMBRACE!"

 

Ashura's arms turned eellike as she caught Karou in a crushing bearhug, grinning as Karou screamed at the pain and the surge of electricity she

added to it. "Come on, girl! Is that really all you got?!"

 

Karou answered by wrapping her arms around Ashura tightly....yelling as she planted her weight and heaved back at the same time to back drop slam Ashura

and knock the wind out of her, refusing to let go even though it burned her arms to lift and slam her repeatedly until Ashura finally let go....Karou

rolling atop her and unloading on her with everything she had until she was finally flung off....Ashura rolling backwards to a crouch and springing at

Karou as the younger girl landed on her feet to grapple again hand to hand and pushing her back....Karou realizing her intention too late as Ashura

shifted into a bull and rammed her into the shelf with an awful crack that could have been the shelf or her ribs or both....sweeping Ashura's legs from

under her and rolling away desperately as the bull crashed to the floor and shifted back to her real form.  Both girls slowly stood and glared at each

other as they paused for breath....Karou's vision blurry from bloodloss but she could tell that she hurt Ashura at least from the blood she spit on the

floor and the faint bruises here and there. "Ready to die, little girl?"

 

Karou mirrored her grin. "I...was about to ask the same thing....."

 

Ashura laughed....then charged as Karou readied herself....drawing Excailbron a second before reaching her in a scream and swung.....

 

Outside, Gregor was still somehow going despite the beating he/it was receiving and giving it right back...although they could tell it was

starting to slow down as if it was running out of strength.

 

"Micheala! Usagi!"

 

Alexander appeared in the window above, hurling a glass container at the creature. 'SHOOT!"

 

They didn't need to be told twice. All three guns fired as one at the moment it reached the creature, the liquid catching flame as it shattered and

engulfed Gregor as it howled....the flames seeming to have no effect at first from the way the burns were immediately healing.....then it suddenly

slumped to the ground with a moan, soon a shapeless and burning pyre. Everybody slumped in relief until....

 

"Where's Karou and Tomoe, Kenshin?" Yahiko asked, soon answered by her scream....

 

Upstairs....

 

"Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu: HADOME!"

 

Karou screamed as she crossed her wrists and caught Excailbron's blade with the back of her hands, screamed at the incredible cold BURNING her and in

outrage as she kicked Ashura with all her strength in her stomach, Ashura letting go in surprise just enough for Karou to shove Excailbron's blade

back toward Ashura and deep into her shoulder. "Bitch!" Ashura snarled and backhanding Karou right across the library and THROUGH another shelf, Karou

struggling to her feet as Ashura advanced....her wound already starting to heal....

 

Stopping as Excailbron started to hum, glowing faintly. Ashura glanced at it and grinned before sheathing it. "Heh, This round goes to you Karou-dono.

I'm really impressed you did so well against me at HALF strength, it's an achievement most men can't claim to. Feel proud of your victory and look

forward to our next encounter....I will...." Laughing wildly she leapt out one of the smashed windows, vanishing into the night just as the others came

bursting in. "KAROU!" She collapsed into Kenshin's arms as he flickered to her side in an instant, both horrified at her wounds and filled with rage at

Ashura.

 

"....I'm fine....Kenshin...." She smiled weakly. "I....won...."

 

Moshi and Yahiko were trying to keep Alexander from jumping out the window. "You need to get back in bed, Alex-san!" Yahiko said as he yanked on the

injured and swearing man.

 

"Bed, hell! I'm gonna take my shotgun and shove both barrels down her skinny throat!"

 

Micheala, Usagi and Grandma returned from the dojo, Kenshin feeling worse when he saw Tomoe wasn't with them. "Is Tomoe...."

 

Grandma looked downcast. "The place was a mess....That thing you described splattered all over the place, I've never seen anything like it....But no

trace of Tomoe, Ken-san."

 

Kenshin looked out the smashed window and into the darkness....Karou thinking she saw one of his eyes turn amber for a second.

 

"Where could she be......?"

 

##

 

Shannon didn't get far.

 

Immediately after Arain had teleported them out of there, Shannon, idiot he was, had immediately dashed to his emergency funds and whatever valuables he

could carry before fleeing....and was caught before he could even get out the door by Daisho and Silk, who were waiting for him. The remaining guards

and thugs that had survived the earlier onslaught hadn't learned ether, attempting to save their boss in hope of a reward.

 

Daisho was happy to oblige their death wish.

"Don't look so down, Mr. Morgan." Silk said cheerfully as she leaned a little harder on Shannon's chest, enjoying his shrill scream. "At least we

gave you your wish."

 

"You were using me all along, weren't you?"

 

"He's catching on, sis....." Daisho chuckled as they flicked blood off their claws and sword. "As if we were stupid enough to get Avalon pissed off at

us. You were on the other hand, nothing personal of course."

 

"And it looks like we lost Excailber anyway, brother. All that work wasted...."

 

Daisho mirrored his sister's sharklike smile. "Looks that way....."

 

Shannon realized the truth then. "You wanted that bitch to get the sword back! But why all that trouble to steal it....." Silk choked off his

question by pressing harder.

 

"That's no longer your concern, Mister Morgan." She motioned behind her.

"That is."

 

Shannon wasn't aware of the huge front door being bashed in behind them until then, craning his neck to see....and when he did his mind was too

horrified to comprehend what his eyes were telling him: Long, dark and bloodstained hair. Glowing eyes in a mask of beauty. Razor sharp claws and

fangs. ripped and bloody shirt and overalls hanging on a female seeming but rapidly deteriorating body....Silk looked even more amused by his terror.

"See, here's the deal. I'll give you a generous five-minute start, and if you can make it to your gate, you're free to go. If not...." She chuckled.

"Feeding time."

 

The thing dropped to a crouch, actually smiling at him like a child.

 

"Clock's ticking, Mr. Morgan." She released him.... "Let me HELP!" Then kicked him in the side hard enough to send him flying over the creature's

head and tumble a good two feet into the yard....Shannon too terrified feel his broken ribs as he bolted for his life....His heart pounding too loudly

to hear the beastly howl behind him.....

 

He had just gripped the gate door when it caught him....Shannon only vaguely aware of his arm still attached to the gate door as he was yanked

backwards.....Hearing a feral grunt followed by a SNAP that could of only been his spine.....His last thought ironically thankful to it so he wouldn't

feel it literally tears him apart....

 

Silk mock-winced at the sight, giggling like a schoolgirl. "That will ruin his weekend....." She said sagely before laughing at her cruel joke.

 

"You're one sick puppy, Sister dear." Daisho grumbled. Silk only grinned wider.

 

Outside the creature stood over the ravaged remains in a triumphant roar.....Drinking in the stream of red mist that rose from it....the roar

slowly becoming a human scream as healthy pink flesh grew in place of damaged flesh and claws and fangs shrank to normal.....The eyes losing their

glow and a panting and now very human Tomoe collapsing to her knees amidst the carnage.....

 

"Her first kill, Mother.....Oh, my baby's all grown up....."

 

Tomoe looked blankly at Ashura and Mother as they shimmered into existence before her....First horrified as she realized what she'd done.....Then

shaking in growing anger as Ashura continued. "Feels like your first time with Kenshin, Ne? The rush...the excitement...." She dodged Tomoe frantic

lunge and tripped her as she flew past. "Don't be an ungrateful brat, Tomoe. Not only did he deserve it, but look at yourself...."

 

Tomoe realized that she actually felt the sting of the impact instead of the numbness she'd grown accustomed to....felt warm blood pump through her

veins....the feeling that she was actually alive again instead of the illusion of it. "Yes....." Mother sneered. "This is what you've been denying

yourself, child, because of your silly morals. Feels good, dosen't it?"

 

"What....happened....." She managed as she lowered her hands. "I remember....an awful creature....."

 

"Just one of Mother's children, Tomoe." Ashura said calmly. "Born for the sole purpose of forcing your body to slip into beserker mode for survival.

If you hadn't, you would have deteriorated from the strain of starving yourself for so long. I even set up 'dinner'." She smirked. "Better that pig

than Kenshin."

 

"And I should feel grateful?" Tomoe shot back.

 

Ashura's eyes grew hard. "Hmph. Listen to me, you stupid little girl. If it wasn't for me you would be wormfood these past ten years....And I can send

you right back in an instant. Don't ever forget that."

 

"You don't scare me, Ashura...." Tomoe countered. "I'm no use to you dead, as you've proven. But I'd gladly die than to be used by you to hurt him!"

 

"You hypocritical bitch....." That one really riled Ashura, Excailbron out in an instant to her throat. "How dare you accuse anyone of hurting him when

it's all you've ever done to him?" Tomoe didn't flinch at the blade, even as it pressed against her neck enough draw blood. "You claim to love him so

much yet all you've done is ruin his life! I've loved him more than you ever have....." She grinned evilly. "And in more ways than you think...."

 

Tomoe just stared at her in disbelief as she understood. "You lie....."

 

Ashura smirked. "You wish I were, don't you?" Tomoe looked ill as she continued. "It was during his wandering days....Coldest night of the year.

He was alone, wet, miserable and about to end it right there because of the damage you've done. So I stopped him by pretending to be you and....." Tomoe

clenched her fists as Ashura added the knockout blow with a nasty sneer. "I must admit I've known pleasure in the arms of many men, however I must admit

he was the first I ever made love to....and it seemed it was his first time to be loved so well...."

 

Tomoe cut her off with a scream of rage and threw a punch that Ashura easily caught despite the strength behind it, slowly adding pressure that forced

Tomoe to her knees. "Liar...." Tomoe spat through clenched teeth. "I loved Kenshin.....He knows I didn't mean to hurt him so much.....I won't let you

convince me otherwise!" There was pure hatred in her eyes as she glared at Ashura. "Nor will I let you win!" With that she swiped at Ashura to make her

let go....springing away into the darkness. Ashura simply let her go with a smirk.

 

"That's it, Run back to Kenshin....." She sneered as she watched her vanish.

"Make up whatever little story you want and he'll accept it of course. Unfortunately I failed to mention that your little snack would only last for twenty-four hours. And you'll be even hungrier than before...."

 

##

 

 

Meanwhile....

 

Mostly everybody had returned to the Jamison household safe and sound, including Merlin thankfully, (Though he was livid about the library.) who

used his magic to treat the more seriously wounded like Kenshin and Karou.

 

All except one.

 

"Bakayarou!"

 

"Owww!!!!"

 

In fact, they were all lounging around the dining room at the moment, both discussing what happened and enjoying the 'entertainment' of one EXTREMELY

irate Fox-doctor patching up her patient/victim. Megumi had 'insisted' that Sano would be treated by her instead of Merlin's cure magic till morning,

obviously wanting to make him suffer a good bit for making her worry so much. Everybody agreed after hearing about the stunt he pulled.....

 

*Although she could be a little more gentle* Kiro thought as he shooed the kids to bed. *And not swear with each breath.*

 

"The library must have been Ashura's real target." Merlin mused. "Keeping us from finding out the answer...."

 

"I did find something in one of your books, Merlin san." Karou explained the dragon story to Merlin, who looked thoughtful. "Could it have a connection?"

 

"Hmmmm....Interesting. Thank you, Miss Karou. You've just given me an important lead to follow while you go to Japan."

 

"Now, Old man?" Arain gave him a half-annoyed, half-asleep look. "We barely got back...."

 

"Ashura making her move now, I can feel it....." The old man sighed. "Something that disturbs the balance of all things is approaching soon. You

have to retrieve Murasame as soon as possible to avoid this....." He glanced over at Kenshin, who paused slightly in hovering over Karou like a mother

bird and glancing at the door at the same time to flick a glare at Merlin. "Right after Tomoe returns, that is."

 

"Do you know where she is?" There was an uncharacteristic tone of accusation in his voice. Karou pretended not to notice despite her heart starting to

beat quicker. Merlin thought carefully about how he should answer. He could sense the change in the young man.....as well as something completing it's

transformation into a thing of darkness. He knew what that 'something' was.... "Tomoe is alright, Kenshin." He lied. "I sense her aura approaching

us now."

 

"....Agratou, Merlin-san." Karou reached up to squeeze Kenshin's hand, feeling the tension flow out of him. Only Soujirou noticed the worried

glance that the Jamisons exchanged with Merlin, his eyes narrowing but keeping quiet.

 

"Are you going to do what I think you will?" Arain questioned. Merlin smirked in reply, which made her groan. "Don't come complaining to me if

Grandmother puts you back to sleep, Old man...."

 

On the other side of the room.....

 

Sano let loose a string of curses as Megumi roughly bandaged his ribs. "Shut up!" She snarled at him, biting her lip to keep from crying in relief. Lucky

didn't describe Sano....if the knife wound had been a little lower or deeper or if Silk had hit him there.... "You ignorant Jackass!" She let him have

it. "Serves you right for being so stupid!"

 

"What was I supposed to do to buy more time? Sip tea and flirt with Shannon like you were?"

 

Megumi growled and pinched his ear as she yelled in it. "IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN GETTING YOUR BRAINS BASHED IN YOU TWERP!! YOU'RE NOT INVINCIBLE!"

 

"Yare, Yare!" Shuriken teased. "No need to get so loud about worrying over him!"

Megumi reddened as she shot a lethal glare at the giggling girl and her smiling bodyguard, Arain winking at her and Yahiko making kissy faces. Jubei

pretended to be examining his sword although obviously amused. She immediately whirled on the snickering Sano and smacked him in the back of

the head. "This isn't funny! You....You...." As hard as she fought not to cry her eyes watered. "You...almost....almost..."

 

Sano heard the strain in her voice, turning slightly to see what the others couldn't because of her hair in the way....see the glistening tears about to

fall.

 

*Megumi....*

 

"Oi, Fox.....Now we sound like the lovebirds over there." He motioned at Shuriken and Soujirou.

 

It had the intended effect: Megumi was so surprised she stopped crying and stared at him. Soujirou blushed while Shuriken squawked in outrage.

 

"You don't have to worry anymore, Megumi." Sano smiled smugly before she could recover. "I'm not gonna pull a stunt like that again....at least not

without my lucky dice....."

 

Megumi wiped her eyes as she realized what he was saying. *Still, * She mused. "I don't know if I want to cry on his shoulder in relief and hug

him....or strangle him.* "I guess you're never getting them back then." She remarked. "You're getting smarter without them."

 

"Oi!"

 

Everybody laughed, including Kenshin. Jubei's however, sounded forced.

 

Just then Tomoe staggered in the door.

 

Kenshin was there to catch her that same instant, Tomoe already explaining something about the creature's poison confusing her and causing her to

stagger off....Kenshin already knowing it was a lie but was too relieved to argue. Karou looked a little peeved for a second before getting up to help

Kenshin sit her down, Merlin and Alexander nodding to each other while everybody's attention was diverted.  "I'm sorry, Tomoe," Merlin started,

ignoring the icy look Kenshin shot his way. "but can you manage enough strength to help me? We don't have much time."

 

Tomoe nodded, Merlin first curing Sano then standing up to address everybody. "I'll use a teleportation spell to send you there, guided by

Tomoe's thoughts. That should give you enough of a head start to rest a little...." Merlin's eyes flashed briefly as he glanced from Tomoe to

Kenshin before turning and walking out. "You'll need it....."

 

They took long enough to bid farewell to the Jamisons, which was just as animated as their introduction: Spinecrushing bearhugs and buckets of tears

from Moshi, not so subtle filtration from Grandma and Micheala like gropes disguised as hugs, much to Jubei's and Sano's discomfort.... Soujirou and

Shuriken obviously got the worse of it since everyone of them, even the kids, had made some remarks about the two that had all the subetly of an

anvil that bounced off the clueless Rurouni....

 

*Or did they?* Shuriken glanced over at Soujirou as her father stopped pounding him on the back in laughter, finding herself smiling. *I

wonder.....*

 

Once outside, Merlin traced a circle in the air with his staff as he spoke in Avalon....Forming a 'door' of swirling energy before them. "All Tomoe has

to do is concentrate on your destination, my magic will do the rest. I will join you as soon as I'm finished here, Fare thee well until then...."

 

"Fare thee well, Merlin-san." Tomoe said before walking in, Kenshin and Karou right behind her....

 

"Um, maybe I'll just catch the next boat....." Megumi and Shuriken pounced Sano and Yahiko before they could flee and threw them in before entering

themselves. Jubei and Arain went next, Soujirou the last to go. "Gomensai, Merlin-san." He turned to the old man. "You didn't explain what you will be

doing."

 

Merlin grinned. "Visiting an old friend, child. It may prove useful."

 

Soujirou faked a smile. "Hai, Merlin-san. Sayonara." *He's not telling me the truth.....*

 

Merlin allowed himself to relax after Soujirou left, closing the portal.

"No...I'm not, Soujirou. Gomensai."

 

 

"She's one of them, isn't she? Like Gregor?"

 

Merlin turned to the Jamison, sighing. "Yes, Moshi. Her transformation to a 'Cultivator' is complete. There's nothing we can do now but wait and see

what happens."

 

Moshi sagged against her husband, paling. "My baby traveling with one of those things....."

 

"Maybe she can fight it like before...." Usagi started.

 

"Possibly. I've never seen one fight it as long as she has, so maybe there's a chance." Merlin said firmly. "Right now we have work to do....."

 

##

 

Asuka, Japan.

 

The old Yukashiro estate was one of the largest houses in the district, often rumored of being haunted since it was abandoned for the past 12 years.

 

It's reputation wasn't helped by the appearance of a swirling portal twenty feet over it's large pond and dumping nine screaming people into it.

 

Clearly Tomoe's mind was still 'muddled.'

 

"And my magic will do the rest he says!" Yahiko grumbled as he climbed out with the rest of the soaking wet crew. Sano got on all fours and shook

himself dry like a dog would, soaking Megumi and the others even more. Arain dried herself and the others in a fancier way by using her powers to drain

the water off them....only to form it into a ball and drop it on an indignant Sano. "Merlin no baka...."

 

Tomoe smiled sheepishly. "My fault actually. I thought it would be better to rest here than at the Murasame shrine, since it's underwater at this time."

 

"Underwater?"

 

"It's built within the cliffs by the shore, the enterance revealed when the tide goes out. If we had gone directly there we would have drowned since the

shrine is flooded at high tide. We'll just have to wait until later."

 

"Funny that you didn't mention this to us earlier." Arain sniffed.

 

Tomoe coolly eyed Arain, seemingly unruffled. "I'm clearheaded now, Arain-san. I also doubt that Merlin-sama would have wanted us to wait, since

time is of the essence. And no disrespect, I doubt that you could move that much water as exhausted as you really are."

 

*How did she...? * Arain hid her surprise well, nodding and smiling. "Hai, I see your point." *Something's not right here....*

"Forgive my rudeness, Tomoe-san." Soujirou said. "But it looks like someone was here recently....."

 

"Nani?" Tomoe looked around. The place had been lived in recently from the looks of things, even tended to. And she felt the traces of an aura....a

warm, familiar one.....

 

"Probably just vagrants." Tomoe lied. "If Ashura was searching here the place would be a wreck." She added before anyone got skeptic. She felt

Arain's suspicion grow. *Feh, go ahead and worry your little head about it. It's none of your business.....*

 

An hour later.

 

Tomoe silently crept through the house, taking care not to awake her sleeping comrades in their rooms. They had immediately gone to sleep,

leaving her free to her task. Part of her felt bad about being so secretive, but it was something she had to do alone. *My final atonement.* She mused.

*And I may not get another chance.....*

 

"...Tomoe-san?"

 

She was almost out the door when Soujirou, lurking downstairs on the couch half asleep, half guardian angel, woke up and spotted her. "Is something

wrong?"

 

"Nothing at all." Tomoe's eyes flared, Soujirou struggling at first but soon in dreamland. Tomoe easily lifted him onto the couch and wrapped him in his

blanket. At least he'll get some real sleep, she mused and slipped out the house and ran a good ten feet away from the house in seconds before

stopping.

 

"That's good enough." She then started to concentrate on tracking the auras she'd sensed earlier, tapping into her newfound knowledge from her

'transformation.'...Feeling the warmth of the magical energies flowing through her as she opened a portal like Merlin's and leapt in as it closed

around her.

 

Rakunimura, Miles away.

 

The portal opened and closed long enough for Tomoe to step out, the young woman repressing the urge laugh maniacally at her success. It seemed that

not only had her body gained new life and but power as well.....Power that sang in her veins with typhoon force and felt DAMN good she had to admit.

*Heh, Forcing me to kill that slime may be your biggest mistake, Ashura.* She should of felt horrified at the thought but instead felt a rush of

emotion that could only be described as primal. *After this you're mine....*

 

She paused and looked around. Desolate was one of the words that came to mind, unable to believe that 'they' were really here or that anything could

live in a hovel like this. And the tainted Ki....*This place radiates misery and depression like a stench....It would be a BLESSING if I fed on this poor

souls and put them out of their misery....*

 

Unlike the first, that evil thought did scare her. So did the now louder voices in her head that she had the right to, that it was the only way to

truly help Kenshin...

 

She ignored them the best she could and started on her task....

 

When it found her instead.

 

"Well, now, aren't you a sight for these old, senile eyes....."

 

Tomoe felt tears well up in her eyes at the sound of his warm voice, turning around to face him. She barely noticed his unkempt and shaggy appearance,

only those warm eyes she remembered from childhood.....Running into Oibore's open arms.

 

"FATHER!!"

 

##

 

The next day.

 

The crew had awakened at noon, more exhausted than they originally thought from the previous battle, and after a quick breakfast of rabbit they

immediately started the two-hour hike to the coast. Tomoe, Kenshin and Karou were at the point, Arain and Jubei covering the rear and the others in the

middle, kinda like a herd protecting the younger and weakest of the flock as Jubei remarked. He went on to add that Battousai should switch places

then....

 

It was kinda ironic to see Karou holding Kenshin back in instead of the other way around.

 

"Good thing you actually slept for once, kid." Jubei teased Soujirou afterwards. "Sweet dreams of the nag?" He dodged Shuriken's elbow jab.

 

Soujirou gave him a dirty look, then looked around to see if Tomoe was in earshot and lowered his voice. "Actually I had a odd dream about Tomoe-san.

I have no idea why...."

 

"Everything is odd where Tomoe is concerned." Jubei retorted, earning a glare from Shuriken.

 

"Her eyes weren't glowing in this dream, were they?"

 

Soujirou stared at Yahiko. "Actually they were.....How...."

 

"I had a similar one a few days back. Tomoe sneaking out of the dojo, stalking this couple like some kind of animal and...." Yahiko shivered. "I'm

glad it was just a dream."

 

"Who says it was?"

 

Arain, Yahiko, Soujirou, Megumi, Shuriken, and Jubei looked at Sano. Fortunately he had the sense to keep his voice low enough that Tomoe or

Kenshin didn't hear like everybody else. "That's not funny, Roosterhead." Megumi hissed.

 

"No it's not." Jubei replied. "He's just admitted what we're all thinking but too respectful of Kenshin to say.... Except me. And don't say you

haven't noticed anything....unusual about her."

 

"Other than she's dead?"

 

"Very funny, Red. Does everybody remember how while we were on the way to America, Tomoe would lock herself in the room and only come out at night? Or

the mysterious 'illness' that only affected people for a day?"

 

Soujirou sighed. "Jubei-san, We understand what you're saying but....Think about what Tomoe must be going through....."

 

"I don't mean to sound coldhearted." Jubei growled. "But this can't wait because it affects our mission. Tomoe's changed....I can't place my finger

on it but there's something different about her I don't like....something that...."

 

"Reminds you off Ashura." Arain's comment was followed by silence. Then Jubei nodded, Arain's jaw tightening. "Excailber and I feel it as well. But

until we are certain we can only be careful. It's the only thing we can do."

 

"I don't believe this." Shuriken hissed. "The last thing we need is to start doubting each other. Besides, Tomoe wouldn't betray Kenshin or us to that

bitch...."

 

"How sure are you?" Jubei asked. Shuriken only glared in reply. "Let's just take Arain's advice and wait. That's all I got to say." Everybody nodded in

reply.

 

"You're awful quiet back there," Tomoe suddenly spoke up, smiling at them. "I never thought Jubei'll ever be too tired to run his mouth."

 

Everybody snickered. Jubei frowned. "And I thought you'd be too busy ogling Battousai to pay attention."

He retorted.

 

Tomoe only smiled wider and turned back around, musing over her 'comrades' conversation she eavesdropped on with her heightened senses. *Feh, So you

don't trust me. You're smarter than you look. I don't trust 'myself' ether so you better be prepared....*

 

She remembered back to last night in Rakunimura, her reunion with Father and Enishi. Father knew she had returned to the living....he wouldn't explain

how but merely thanked her for visiting an old fool. Enishi's miserable appearance had broken her heart, damning Ashura to every hell she could

think as she hugged her brother and begged his forgiveness for ruining his life....encouraging him to live for himself now for that would truly make her happy. He promised he would, her heart finally free of its burden.....

 

The moment was ruined only by Enishi's revelation.

 

"The Battou- I mean Kenshin, is he still alive? Has the poison failed?"

 

She felt a shudder run through her. "He lives....But what are you talking about?"

 

Enishi bowed his head. "My blade was laced with a special poison that would drive him mad....given to me by some mysterious old woman, a

hunchback....She said that even if I failed to kill him it would finish the job for me, make him suffer a long and painfilled death."

 

*....Mother....* She stored the thought away for later, smiling at Enishi.

"Don't worry. They found a cure. Sayonara, beloved brother. Kami-sama bless you." With that she put him to sleep, knowing he would think it was just a

dream but follow her wishes.

 

Her father gave her the second shock of the night afterwards.

 

"Leave Murasame be, daughter."

 

"Nani? How....?"

 

His eyes were stern, making him seem less of a clownish old man and more of something else that scared her. "That damned sword cost me more than you'll

ever know, child. It may be our family's legacy but it's also its curse! There's more to the swords than you'll ever know so leave it be!"

 

"I can't father.....If I don't it will fall into the wrong hands....."

 

"And it will be in worse hands if you possess it, Tomoe!" His voice softened. "That sword is why I left, Tomoe.....It and the damnation it

brings with it. Your mother...." He let his voice drop, once again the old clown, although sadder now. "All you need to know is to leave it alone. If

nothing I've taught you, is that I love you and your brother....I can't bare to see you go down the path I did....."

 

After that they had left with a final hug and goodbye, her father promising to protect Enishi. However, before she had stepped into the portal she had

heard him mutter something that bugged her.

 

"Damned dragon.....Can't you leave an old man in peace? Haven't you done enough, Bane?"

 

Tomoe let herself return to the present. *It doesn't make any sense....Why would Ashura poison Kenshin when she harps about loving and needing him so

much? And what did father mean about my mother and this curse? More pieces to the damn puzzle....

 

"Tomoe? Daijoube?"

 

Tomoe smiled at Karou. "Hai, just a little tired." It wasn't a lie, really. She hadn't really slept at all last night, preying on whatever animals or

humans that crossed her path for the extra energy after her visit....Not enough to kill of course. *I'll probably need it.*

 

"Oh." Karou forced a smile back and continued the halfhearted conversation. She knew Tomoe wasn't telling her the whole truth but she let it slide. For

both their sakes. *Tomoe's been through enough without me adding to it. She has a right to her secrets.*

 

It was ironic how things had turned out. She remembered how she used to feel so inferior when comparing herself to Tomoe....wondering how Kenshin could

ever love her when he once had someone so much better. But now she could see there was no need for comparison in the first place. Tomoe had helped her

see that in that heart to heart talk they had, and they soon became fast friends. Although she had to admit that sometimes Tomoe did unnerve, even

frightened her at times...*But that doesn't matter. She can't help what she is and I won't hold it against her.....*

 

But there was something that nagged her ever since she read that story....Something that could only mean trouble.....

 

A short while later they had reached their destination.

 

The view along the cliffs and shore was nothing short of breathtaking: Crystal blue waters reflecting the afternoon sun as far as the eye could

see, Dolphins hopping out of the water as they raced, Warm white sands....Hard to resist the urge to just kick back and relax.....

 

Tomoe led them to the base of the cliff, where the tide had lowered just enough....to reveal a wall of rock. "What the...."

 

Tomoe smiled and simply 'parted' the stone as easily as the water it was. "Just a illusion," She gave Jubei an arch look. "Keeps the fools out."

 

Jubei growled under his breath as the others chuckled.

 

"Jubei and I will stay outside."

 

Everybody turned to Kenshin. "Nani?"

 

Tomoe smiled. "Ah, you know the story." Then to the others. "This isn't an ordinary shrine....The water that flows through here somehow changes itself

to reflect the mind and Ki of those who enter, save that of the bloodline. I regret to say that Kenshin and Jubei would endanger us."

 

"Not to mention cover our backs." Soujirou added. "I doubt Ashura's gonna give it to us without a fight. But wouldn't I endanger you as well if I

came?"

 

Impatience briefly flickered across Tomoe's eyes, quickly hiding it with a smile. "Nothing to worry about, Soujirou." The smile became a smirk.

"Considering your frame of mind around Shuriken the Shrine would probably just mother us....." Both victims turned beet red. "Shall we go?"

 

 

Megumi glanced at Karou, seeing her own suspicions mirrored there. Not that she didn't doubt the others' fighting ability, but Megumi felt uneasy about

going into who knows what without Ken-san and Jubei, Mostly because every one of her 'fox instincts' screamed 'IT'S A TRAP!' at the situation. *As

much as I don't want to admit it, Jubei has a point....And this conveniently puts Ken-san out of harms way.......No. Karou trusts Tomoe, so I'll give her

a chance. For now.*

 

"Come on, Rooster head...." Megumi tugged on Sano. "I hope you not as Claustrophobic as well as scared of trains...."

 

"Claus-tro- what? Speak Japanese!"

 

Before going in, Karou and Tomoe eyed Jubei and Kenshin. "Behave." They growled. "Or else."

 

Both men chuckled nervously.

 

Unnoticed by anyone, two figures on the cliff above ducked out of sight.

 

##

 

 

Rukuinmura.

 

"Stubborn girl."

 

Oborie didn't mean it as a rebuke. She couldn't help her destiny. Although now, as he felt Murasame awaken and call to it's new master, he wished he'd

tossed the damn thing into the sea.

 

Wishful thinking....This would of happened anyway.....

 

He sighed, remembering: A rare, peaceful night. The war that erupted without warning in their backyard and forever shattered his life. The murder of one

of his fellow swordbearer he'd never met but knew by his black bladed sword. His mate going beserk and obliterrating his inhuman murders and herself in a

burst of raw power that rained from heaven.....and the worst part....the odd light that tore free of her withering corpse, through the house and stuck

his pregnant wife....

 

Yes...This was all going to happen anyway. Nothing he cou-

 

Wait.

 

All former bearers of the swords still retained their link with them until their death. That was how he sensed Tomoe's return from the dead. Now....he

felt the sword's confusion....two bearers at one time? No....Three!

 

His eyes widened in horrified realization.

 

"Kami-sama.....Nooooo!"

 

##

 

The shrine wasn't exactly what they expected. It was a tomb for Tomoe's ancestors carved into the cliff, dark and flooded up to their ankles in

water that felt both unaturally freezing and warm at the same time. Tomoe led the way with a torch and the others tagged along in a close line, ready

for anything....

 

Except for what did.

 

Megumi suddenly squealed and jumped almost a foot back, Sano swearing as she slammed into him. "Something.....brushed....my....leg....."

 

Soujirou paused for a moment, watching the water....then stabbed down with his sword. The wriggling, darkfurred creature pinned between the two blades

he held up wasn't a welcome sight.

 

"Water rat."

 

At that moment every rat in the place decided to book out of the place....the water churning with them and the walls and tombs crawling with

them. Megumi jumped on Sano's back, ignoring his swearing and scrabbling to stay on as she stared at the water in terror. Karou and Shuriken alternately

and simutasiously screamed, did odd kicking dances and swiped at the little terrors with their weapons and feet. Soujirou just stood there as if

confused. Yahiko bawled in laughter....until three ran right up his leg and forced him into a crazed dance of his own to get them out of his clothes.

Only Tomoe and Arain were calm, watching the antics with a large sweatdrop until the rats were finally gone. "Ahem, Children...." Arain started,

pausing as a rat dropped down from above on her shoulder. She glared at it, instantly turning it into an icecube and brushed it off. "As soon as you're

finished....."

 

Karou and Shuriken blushed firecely. Megumi, however, would not get off her 'perch.' "Don't worry, Fox." Sano said sweetly. "I'll be glad to carry you

so the big bad rats don't getcha....."

 

Megumi reddened and caught between wanting to wanting to die from embarassment, kill him and her fear of whatever else lurking down there,

simply kept her mouth shut.

 

"The way they're leaving....." Yahiko commented nervously. "I think they know something we don't."

 

"They just sense the sword awakening to my presence." Tomoe said with a smile. "Nothing at all to worry about...."

 

Outside was an even odder scene....Mostly because Kenshin was sitting cross-legged, meditating while a bored and annoyed Jubei was leaning against

the entrance. "Mediating? YOU?!"

 

"When I have to ignore rambling idiots like you, Yes I do."

 

"That was so funny I forgot to laugh." Jubei snorted. "Besides I know you're just scared of Karou and Tomoe....not that I blame you."

 

Kenshin opened an eye. "Was that supposed to mean something?"

 

Jubei smirked. "There's no shame in admitting when your opponents stronger than you. Even if it's a tomboy and a block of ice."

 

Kenshin gritted his teeth and squeezed his swordhilt. "Ironically you wait until they're gone to admit that."

 

Jubei chuckled. "How long are you going to pretend, Battousai? Till it's too late?" No answer. Jubei hardened his voice. "Kisama! I know you sense

Tomoe's power as well! Get your head out of your ass and...."

 

A sharp breeze.....Jubei barely blocked the Sakaba and glared at the pissed off Kenshin. "Hit a nerve that time, Battousai? What's wrong?"

 

"Shut up."

 

"If you really loved Karou you would do something about it....Or was she just a convient replacement?"

 

"SHUT UP!!"

It was a good thing Jubei ducked and rolled.....The wild slash Kenshin took at him literally splintered the rockwall he was standing, debris raining

everywhere. Kenshin turned on him, Jubei clearly seeing the golden left eye. "If thou care to live...." Although it's Kenshin's voice, Jubei got the

impression that it wasn't really him, especially the wild aura that radiated from him in the form of a dragon. "Mind thee words concerning thine wife!"

 

*What the hell?!!*

 

As quickly as they came, the aura and glow faded, Kenshin swaying slightly.

"What....What just happened?"

 

"You're asking ME?!"

 

A sharp cry interrupted them, the warriors turning to see two children kneeling by the water....The boy seemed to be trying to comfort the crying

girl. *That's odd....* Jubei pondered. *They weren't there before.....*

 

The girl's sobs had lessened somewhat by the time they reached them, her white hair covering her face as she rubbed her eyes. "There, There, Yuno."

The boy soothed.  "Don't cry."

 

"What's wrong, Kid?"

 

They didn't turn around. "I want my daddy....." Yuno sobbed. "He's lost....."

 

"Lost?" Jubei frowned. *Something's not right.....*

 

"Maa, Maa...." Kenshin patted the boy on the shoulder. "We'll help you find him."

 

"Thank you....." The girl turned to look at him....

 

Kenshin's and Jubei's eyes widened in shock. Her FACE!!!!

 

".....But you already have." Torashin finished.

 

Before ether could react, the two grabbed Kenshin and vanished in a burst of light....and at the same time Daisho erupted from the ocean just seconds

before Jubei leapt clear....The snake twin immediately snapping out to headbutt Jubei in the stomach that same moment and then dragged him

underwater. Jubei kicking free and  ducking the larger twin's stab and pushed him back, sufacing for a quick lungful of air... *I knew it! A trap!

And we fell for it-OH SHIT!*

 

The last was due to the massive blur of scales and fangs that sprang out of the water and took him back under.

 

Kenshin and the children appeared on the above cliff, Torashin throwing Kenshin with surprising force the moment they touched the ground....Kenshin

rolling with the impact to his feet and staring in disbelief at the two even as he went for his sword. "WHAT ARE YOU?!!!" His mind was reeling and his

heart pounded.....Unable to accept the truth his eyes were telling him....

 

The boy looked exactly like him as a child, save his hair was dark and his skin coffee complexioned. And the girl....save for the white hair and golden

eyes....

 

Save for the white hair and golden eyes looked exactly like Tomoe......

 

Inside the shrine....

 

"Whoa."

 

Whoa indeed, Megumi echoed Sano as he put her down. The cramped tunnel suddenly opened to a massive room that must have taken up the entire

cliff.....Murasame and its saya resting just above the mirror like lake that engulfed the entire room by seemingly nothing. The water itself seemed to

softly glow and like the water it slowly trickled into the tunnel both warming and chilling them at once. "Stay right there."

Tomoe firmly commanded as Yahiko started forward. "That lake is bottomless....and if you touched it, not being a Yukashiro, the water would

react unpredictably....Possibly even kill you." Yahiko gulped and hopped back a step. "You stay here while I retrieve the sword."

 

"You're going to swim in that?" Sano asked doubtfully as he looked in.

 

"No."

 

She stepped out onto the lake....and stood there as easily as land..

 

"Walking will do."

 

Above....

 

Agony wasn't a strong enough word for the pain Kenshin felt at the moment.

 

The mere sight of the twins now sent racking chills through his body and his mind explode with visions too fast to comprehend.....The Sakaba falling from

nerveless fingers as he collapsed to his knees and held his head. "What....are.....you.....DOING TO ME?!!!!"

 

"What must be done to release our father....." Torashin started, his eyes glowing a sinister violet as they walked around Kenshin.

 

"From the prison you created!" Yunomura finished as her golden eyes flared. "In order for our father to be free the Rurouni must be destroyed...."

 

A surge of pain even stronger than the first wave nearly knocked him out, the tide of visions, no, MEMORIES Kenshin realized as they slowed enough to

be understood and their emotions felt....each of a woman similar to Tomoe or Karou and their shared love.....Different lives....different times, eras,

nationalities that Kenshin never knew existed yet knew and felt.....And at the same time he felt himself being buried in the unrelenting

tide.....everything he was and had come to be including..... "STOP IT! STOP IT NOW!!!" He fought to stand, every nerve in his body protesting. "I don't

know what your talking about nor have I ever met your father!!!"

 

"Never met him? Sou desu ne?" Yunomura asked, an Ashura like sneer on her face. "You know him better than anyone, Rurouni....but let us show you

anyway!"

 

"Auntie Silk! Now!" Torashin yelled.

 

*Auntie Silk?!!* Kenshin glanced around and noticed for the first time the ropes and stakes around him leading toward the edge.....The spiderweb cracks

below him.....

 

It was all he had time for as Silk yanked hard from below and triggered the 'trapdoor'; the twins grabbing hold of Kenshin as the ground gave way below

them....

 

In the Murasame chamber Tomoe had almost reached the sword when the roof gave way....the wave kicked from the falling debris washing her and the

others almost back down the corridor. Tomoe glimpsed Kenshin and the twins for a second before they plunged into the pool as well. "NO! KENSHIN!!!" She

watched the surface quickly smooth into place....

 

Then churn as it darkened to a blood red.....

 

Sano swore as everybody stepped back. "That....can't be good...."

 

Kenshin suddenly shot out of the lake and at their feet as if the lake spit him out. "Kenshin!" Karou helped him up. "What are you doing?! Jubei....!"

 

"(Koff) Ambush.....twins....."

 

"What are you....." Then she realized that everybody was just staring in petrified shock at the lake.....her and Kenshin's eyes widening as well as

they looked up as well....

 

It was a lake of steaming blood now....one could even smell the coppery odor now....but the worst was that in the center a shapeless but rapidly shifting

form had started to rise behind Murasame....it's inhuman cry echoing....an 'arm' and 'hand' stretched out to wrap around Murasame's hilt, followed by

another....legs and feet....other human features.....'blood' solidifying  to 'flesh' and 'clothing'.....more detail rapidly filling in as

well....familiar details.....

 

Long white hair drawn in a high ponytail.

 

Dark, coffee complexioned skin.

 

A slight frame that seemed both feminine and male, yet stronger than it appeared.

 

A youthful face no more than fifteen, as unchanged as it's future self now watching it form.

 

Feral golden eyes, glowing like stars.

 

Sano swore in disbelief. Megumi eyes widened. Yahiko's jaw sagged open. Arain raised Excailber with a growl. Soujirou and Shuriken mirrored Arain

and drew their weapons, although just as shocked as the others. Kenshin, Karou and Tomoe could only stare, shocked numb and speechless.

 

The 'blood' ceased to boil as 'he' detached from it with a wet slurp, standing on it as easily as Tomoe had. Slid Murasame free off it's sheath

and unleashed a wave of Kenki that briefly but violently disturbed the liquid surface and rippled his hair and the raggedy folds of his black

kimono....Smiling wolfishly at them as he let Murasame rest at his side....it's blade seeming to shed a flow of bloody tears....

 

"It...has to be an illusion...." Karou choked out.  "It has to be!"

 

But Kenshin knew better....he felt the void in his soul, the pain of having that part of him torn from him like one would tear a sword free from a

wound. "It's not."

 

The Battousai and Rurouni were no longer one, but two.

 

##

 

 

Outside Jubei felt the separation....although in little position to do anything about it....

 

The creature attacking him could only be described as a cross between a snake, crocodile and great white shark....long serpentine body thick with

muscle and a razor spined tail as big as he was, unbelievably huge jaws with rows and rows of teeth that seem to go on forever....jaws that Jubei was now

waist deep into and doing his damnest to keep from biting him in half as they ripped through the water. *Ashura.....*

 

*Correct, Kimagami....* Something of a chuckle bubbled from it's maw as her voice played in his mind. *Cliché and repetitive, yes, but I'm a sucker for

a classic!*  Ashura thrashed around, pushing harder against Jubei's arms barely holding her jaws back.....Jubei letting go to quickly punch her in

the eye and pull him self out....flipping over to her back as the jaws slammed shut and wrapped his arms around them to keep them shut, wresting

with her alligator style. *Damnit!* Jubei thought frantically, feeling like his arms would rip off. *Running out of air, can't let go! Now what?!*

 

Ashura spun, Jubei surprised and slipping off....The massive tail cracking his ribs and sending him pinwheeling.....barely getting his sword out to

deflect another swipe and the jaws snapping repeatedly at him....lungs screaming for air and quickly losing his strength....making a final

desperate attempt to escape by holding his sword sideways and letting Ashura bite down onto it before flipping on to her back and pulling back on the

sword like a horse's reins.....

 

On the shore, Daisho impatiently waited, grinning at the bubbles rising to the surface. In case he somehow got past Ashura, then the ninja was his to

take out and they were going to enjoy....

 

WHOOSH!!

 

Jubei got out all right, though not in the way Daisho expected.

 

The massive form of Ashura erupted from the water with the grace of a dolphin as she tried to shake off Jubei and the painful 'bridle' of the

sword....Jubei leaping clear as she flattened Daisho and rolling safely away....amazed at how sweet the air tasted as he panted for breath and stood

shakily to his feet. With her powerful tail Ashura backflipped, gracefully shapeshifting back to human in midflip and landing on her feet as Daisho

climbed to his. "My, my...." Ashura simpered. "You're more fun than I thought you'll be!"

 

"You have no idea...." Jubei smirked in reply. "So howya knew? Tomoe sold us

out?"

 

Ashura grinned like a shark. "So you're smart enough not to trust her, what a pleasant surprise. Although it's a good guess, I'm sorry to say you're

going to die disappointed."

 

"Slowly....." Daisho added.

 

"With the way you're boring me with your bitching," Jubei replied. "You're

off to a good start."

 

Ashura laughed. "So much for smart. Mind sharing him, baby brothers?"

 

"Not at all!"

 

*Me and my big mouth....* Jubei thought as he blocked the first blow....

 

##

 

Back inside the shrine.

 

'Battousai' chuckled at their surprise, speaking in the voices of both Torashin and Yunomura. "The rest of you can go....The Rurouni is all we

desire."

 

"What....what happened Tomoe?"

 

Tomoe was ashen faced. "What I feared....The lake defends Murasame by taking the form of the intruder's worst enemy....himself in this case...."

 

"It's more than that, Tomoe-dono." 'Battousai' interrupted. "We have used the lake to begin father's release.....Borrowing his form and skill in order

to complete his revival by destroying the Rurouni!"

 

Karou felt her heart stop. "Awaken....Are you saying that....."

 

"You lie!" Tomoe screamed, near hysterical. "It can't be true!!!"

"But it is.....We are Torashin and Yunomura, the children of the Hitokiri Battousai....." they smiled.

".....And Himura Tomoe....."

 

If the transformation was shocking, that revelation numbed to the bone. Tomoe collapsed to her knees and just stared blankly at the twins, robbed of

speech. Karou suddenly felt faint. Kenshin looked catatonic, as if his fears were just confirmed. Everybody else was too stunned to react for several

seconds before a shaken Sano exploded. "BULLSHIT!!! YOU CAN'T BE THEIR CHILDREN BECAUSE....."

 

"Mother died?" A demonic smirk. "At the time of her death, she was one month pregnant with us....And thanks to Ashura, the one who we gladly claim as our

real mother, we have been given the chance to live and free our father!"

Murasame hummed with power..... "Last chance to leave or die....Even you if you interfere...." A mocking tone crept into their voices. "Mother...."

 

Karou looked at Tomoe and Kenshin, the former still catatonic while the latter....Kenshin's whole demeanor suddenly changed for the worse: Whitened

knuckles gripping the Sakaba hilt, repeatedly drawing it halfway and slamming it close like he was losing it.....The almost maniacal chuckle

escaping him adding to the impression. "I'm a father....And my own children want me dead...." A wide, almost insane grin split his face. "Only fair

since I killed them I guess....All I do is kill my loved ones anyway...." Karou and Tomoe took a step forward, Kenshin snapping up the Sakaba for them

to stop. "Stay....out....of this...." He snarled like a wounded animal, his body convulsing as if in pain. "There....is...more to this than

you....think....Much more! I....have to do this!"

 

"Kenshin...." Karou whispered.

 

"Freeze the water.....Arain-Dono....." Kenshin's voice was gravel to their ears, seeming on the verge of collapse yet standing firm and unwavering on

the twins. "...So we may do this....properly...."

 

Arain nodded and did as he asked.....Forming a suitable floor for Kenshin to step onto. "You do understand, Rurouni. You feel father getting strong

enough to break free...." The twins copied the Battousai stance. "And we will finish it."

 

Kenshin chuckled bitterly. "My poor....foolish children....Ashura...is using...you...."

 

"BE QUIET!!!"

 

The words were barely in the air before the two flickered out of sight, a massive tornado erupting out of nowhere....The others holding on to the

walls to avoid getting sucked in and also able to catch second glimpses of the two actually riding it as they fought tooth and nail....The twins'

Ryu-tsui-sen blocked by Kenshin's Ryu-shou-sen.....Both fighters' Arashis grinding against each other before both unfolded and landed on the ground as

the tonado faded....Kenshin ducking under a viscously fast Ryu-kan-sen Tsumuji to execute a Ryu kan-san of his own....landing a good hit that sent

the twins flying only to be hit by a fierce gust of wind in return that slammed him into the wall.....

 

"Holy....!" Sano bit back his swearing. "This is insane!"

 

Megumi looked pained. "Kenshin's body is going into shock and he still fights....If this doesn't end quickly....." The sobering thought wasn't lost

on everybody....Even Soujirou looked grim, Yahiko unable to tear his eyes off the fight. Karou....Karou was bordering on hysteria....reliving the same

helplessness she felt watching Saitou drive Kenshin deeper to his darkside except this time she sense he was losing more than that this time....she was

losing him....

 

"It's not him....." Karou sobbed. "That....not my Kenshin fighting!"

 

"You feel it as well?" Arain commented, looking at her now faintly glowing sword. "His aura...his soul and heart....everything is changing...into

something else!"

 

"Could it be....." Shuriken was afraid to say the frightening thought.

*Triseoul....?*

 

No one noticed that Tomoe was whispering softly....begging them to stop as her eyes started to change to sliver blue....

 

##

 

Outside....

 

*You really need to learn when to shut up, Kimagami....* Jubei scolded himself.

 

It was all out chaos....Jubei's hands more than full between Daisho and Ashura as they tore up and down the beach....Daisho proved that he had been

holding back before, a heck of a lot more dangerous now with their one-two attack that forced Jubei to defend more than attack. Ashura was even

worse....Jubei realizing that not only did she combine animal forms in her shapeshifting but also in her sword style....From monkey like agility and

even gruesomely contorting her body like a snake to dodge in ways no human could to even shifting in midfight to slash at him with a claw or try to

impale him with horns.....*If I get out of this,* he promised himself. *I will be nicer to Battousai.....At least a little bit.....*

 

Daisho suddenly lunged forward like a bull, sword pointed downward....Jubei leapfrogging off him and blocking the snake twins lunge at the same

time.....Making an almost suicidal lunge of his own that forced Ashura back a step to block.....Flicking under her guard that same second to stab deep

into her stomach....

 

At least would of if it was still there.

 

In dawning horror Jubei watched her twist and shed her skin like a snake a hair after the blade pierced her flesh....entangling it and his arm...Ashura

whipping around in an almost Ryu-kan-Sen. style slash that nearly took his head off followed by a backhand slash, both dangerously close to slitting

his throat as it was when he dodged back and snapped the skin at Ashura like a whip and yanked her off her feet as it wrapped around her upraised arm

right into Daisho....Ashura twisting to kick off her brothers and tearing herself and Jubei free of the binding.....both clashing as they lunged past

each other....the three pausing long enough to regard each other.

 

"Heh....Not the pushover I thought." Ashura commented idly. "I guess we can

stop toying with the mouse baby brothers....."

 

Daisho only grinned in reply, Jubei hiding his nervousness with a smirk.

*Damned if I'll let these freaks scare me....*

 

"At least not yet." Ashura sneered, reading his thoughts.....

 

Daisho made his move.....Hurling his sword right at Jubei who sidestepped.....realizing his mistake too late as the smaller twin,

launching out a second after the hurled sword and catching it in midair and swinging it in a massive arc that would of cut Jubei in two if he hadn't

just barely threw himself out of the way....catching a good one across his right arm....Ashura taking the opportunity to dash in at the same

time....Her bare hands shifting into wickedly saw edged, hooklike claws and plunged into his new wound....laughing at Jubei's scream as she viscously

jerked her hands apart and literally ripped the deep cut further open with insane strength.....Blood fountaining over her breifly before Jubei could

scramble away from her, holding his now useless arm.....*Shit! Stupid! Cocky Bastard!* Jubei cursed himself. *Can't keep going like this....*

 

"The Daisho Guillotine and the Tamashii no Shuukakusha: Hell's gate." Daisho chuckled. "Gets them every time....."

 

Ashura shifted her hands back to normal, sighing in pleasure as she absorbed Jubei's blood into her body. "Well it was fun while it lasted, but it's time

to scratch this itch...."

 

Jubei made his move at that moment, his slash so fast the wind of it kicked up a brief dust cloud....bolting up the cliff as it blinded them for a

second. "He's all yours, brothers." Ashura said when it cleared, Daisho chuckling as they sprinted after him. "I have to see how my children are

doing....."

 

##

 

The battle inside the shrine had reached hellish proportions.....Both fighters not giving a damn to their many wounds....more concentrated on

defeating or killing their opponent. The others could see the change in Kenshin....a ruthless edge that was downright horrifying to watch, as if he

didn't care that he was fighting his own flesh and blood.....or more accurately...becoming someone whom didn't....

 

"We feel it....Yes...." The twins chuckled as they locked swords. "Won't be long now!"

 

Kenshin spit blood into the their eyes and forced them into the wall hard enough to crater it....the twins ducking under the slash that split the wall

and unleashing a blast of wind at point blank range that slammed him into the opposite wall....Both stared each other down as they climbed

out....panting for breath and wounded in a dozen places.....standing on sheer hatred and willpower....

 

"Stop it....." Tomoe whispered again, unheard by anyone.

"Please....stop....."

 

Kenshin took his battou stance....mirrored by the twins. "We end this now...."

 

"We agree...."

 

*No!* Karou realized what was coming, scared down to her core. *Kami-sama NO!*

 

The next moment was nothing short of incredible....Both vanished and reappeared in the center....An impressive battle cry splitting the air as

they both executed their ultimate weapons at the same time....The Ougi....The first impact nearly shattering everyone's eardrums but the

second was much worse.....The floor shattering explosively around them and a massive tornado erupting around them as they stood trying to force the other

down.....Sweeping them and the debris into the air.....The twins winning the struggle by kneeing Kenshin.....controlling the gale force winds to slam his

repeatedly into the walls before finally hurling him down and THROUGH the floor of ice to the waters below....."KENSHINNNNNN!" It took all of Karou's

will not to jump in after him, remembering Tomoe's warning about the water.....

 

The twins landed gracefully by the hole Kenshin made, watching with a grin as Kenshin lunged at him..... only to be pulled down by the water itself.

"It begins!!!" They turned to mock the others. chuckling as the water started to churn violently. "The shrine waters will separate father from the

Rurouni just as one separates the yolk from an egg....Of course the Rurouni will die but that's his problem...."

 

"Bakayarou!" Shuriken snarled. "The Trauma of such a separation will kill both!"

 

"You know nothing! Don't waste your lives fighting us since there's nothing you can do now! With the speed of our father combined with Murasame's you

have no chance!" As if to demonstrate he flickered from view and reappeared behind them.....blasting everyone out onto the now cracking floor of ice

with a viscous gust of wind....Another shattering it completely and separating everyone onto a chunk of ice and trapped by the water....Karou

watching the struggling Kenshin break the surface for a brief second before getting yanked down again. "Kenshin....." She turned angry tears on the

twins. "Torashin! Yunomura! Both Rurouni and Battousai are the same, you'll destroy both! Ashura is decieving you!" Her fist clenched.

 

"Don't make us hurt you....." The twins chuckled. "Fool. Momma has no need to deceive us....We do this of

our own free will, to free our father from the curse of the Triseoul and end this once and for all! Worry about yourselves for we will show no mercy!!"

 

After that, Karou screamed and went berserk...clearing the considerable distance between them in a single leap and lashing out with punch that

turned part of the ice floe to powder....realizing too late that she attacked their afterimage....spinning around with a roundhouse kick but the

twins were a second faster and blocked with the flat of Murasame and sent her flying with a causal blast of wind to the entrance....Vanishing as Sano

lunged in a second later and reappearing to mockingly dodge his punches....Arain and Yahiko joining from above and surrounding him on all

sides in a team attack that seemed useless against their speed....leaping the huge jagged chunk of ice she formed below them and blocking the rain of

ice chunks Sano sent their way after He smashed it....Yahiko using one of the larger chunks as a stepping stone to attack from behind...only to get

blasted back as The twins gestured at him without even turning and blasted Sano likewise onto another chunk of ice....The twins not seeing Shuriken and

Soujirou attacking from behind as they landed until her knee and his sword slammed into their back.... Karou appearing out of nowhere to hammer them

toward the waiting Arain. They flipped out of it as Arain executed a spinning, uppercut like blow....Excailber trailing a curtain like stream of

water behind it as the twin deflected the one handed strike...solidifying into a crescent shaped sheet of ice as Arain grabbed it's edge with her free

hand and hurled it at the surprised twins....Their speed saving them from being cut in half and instead getting raked across the chest.....

 

And to everyone's horror as they watched, their skin parted like water would.....Flowing back into place. The twins laughed, Their features

'rippling', for a lack of a better term, like water for a brief second before settling back to normal. "Our turn...." They sneered, the wind

howling as it gathered in force around them....

 

##

 

Daisho stormed across the cliff, the smaller twin swooping at him as they chased them....Jubei faint from bloodloss but still defending himself with

his good hand everytime Daisho lunged. "Give it up!" They roared.

 

Jubei smiled as he spotted the overhanging tree ahead. *Perfect.* He threw the sword at the snaketwin as it closed in, who dodged easily, the sword

sinking deep into the trunk. "Die fool!" both dived for his neck...

 

And only struck rock as Jubei leapt off....the thin but strong wire anchoring the sword to his wrist holding his weight easily and swung toward

the water....Daisho only able to stare in disbelief before Jubei swung back around and kicked them into the air and tumbling back down the Cliffside.

Jubei grinned. "Idiots...."

 

Snap!

 

Jubei groaned at the sound. "Figures...."

 

The tree uprooted from the weight.

 

##

 

 

End of part a of chapter 5