##

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 higher 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 c. 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.

“TBatI 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 itinto aicecube 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….le
and fe….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 bon hyster….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 seemuseless 
against
tspeed….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.

##