By the way, both Rurouni Kenshin and the characters of Polgara and Beldaran don't belong to me. Rurouni Kenshin was written by and belongs to Watsuki Nobuhiro, while Polgara and Beldaran are the creations of David Eddings (even though I did change their characters a bit) I guess that ends the legality stuff =D
Chapter 7: Let the Circle Be Completed
"It’s the circle of life and it moves us all, through despair and hope, through faith and love, till we find our place on the path unwinding"
-The Circle of Life, Elton John
Kenji sat back in his chair at the Akabeko, glancing surreptitiously at both Usagi and Akane. Though they were laughing and joking with the others the way normal college students would, he just couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong. He had the greatest faith in his instincts, and though he didn’t think the two girls posed any danger to him or his friends, there was something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Kenji suddenly found himself distracted from his thoughts as a young boy came up to the table to take their order.
“Hey everyone. What would you like today?” The others looked up and saw a high-schooler with spiky hair and brown eyes looking at them expectantly.
“How’s it going, Akira?” asked Shohei.
“Pretty good rooster head. I see you’ve got some new buddies with you. You brought weasel girl too,” he added slyly, glancing at Ayame.
“Uh oh,” muttered Tsuyoshi as Ayame’s eyes narrowed dangerously and she moved to get out of her chair. He grabbed her arm and Ayame settled for giving Akira an angry glare.
“Akira Mizuno, you’re awful!” she exclaimed. “Anyways, you’d better go grab our food and do it quickly, or you’re really going to get it.” The young boy sketched a bow, and asked grinning, “So what would you guys like?”
As everyone placed an order, Beldaran noticed Polgara throwing a suspicious look at Akira, who was busy scribbling in a notepad. However, her expression changed so quickly that Beldaran found herself wondering whether she had just imagined it. Shrugging off her worries, she was distracted as a tall and stunning young girl entered the restaurant, drawing all the attention of the men.. Her lips were artfully painted with red lipstick, and not a single strand of her long glossy black hair was out of place.
“Hey, Tetsuko, care to join us?” called out Aya loudly, ignoring the look of death that Shohei was sending her from across the table. The other girl smiled back and sauntered over to their table, slipping into a seat next to Kenji’s.
“Sure thing Aya-chan. Ken-san, I haven’t seen you around lately! I’ve missed you!” Grabbing Kenji’s arm and leaning in closer, she tucked her head against his shoulder and gave everyone a sly smile.
“Umm…Tetsuko…” Kenji’s voice trailed off in embarrassment as his face turned a thousand shades of red in the space of a second.
“Geez, woman, let the poor guy go! Can’t you see he’s not interested?” muttered Shohei in disgust.
“That’s none of your business, chicken head.” Tetsuko’s eyes narrowed, returning Sho’s cold glare.
Ayame sighed, shaking her head. “Can’t you get along with anyone, Shohei?” The young man merely continued grumbling about ghoulish weasel girls and refused to answer.
“Food’s here!” Akira’s loud voice interrupted everyone, as he made his way to the table, attempting to balance many platters of food on a large tray. Everyone began to eat and Akira pulled up a chair, wiping has hands on his apron.
“So are you guys all going on that college archeological dig in Yokohama next week?” asked Akira. “I hear’s it’s gonna be a blast. Our principal even convinced your professors to let a few of the high school classes tag along!”
“Yeah, everyone’s going,” replied Kenji. “It should be a lot of fun. I think the professors are especially interested in the Meiji period or something like that.” His quiet voice trailed off suddenly as an image of Kaoru flitted through his mind.
“I hear we’re actually going to help out some experts with the digging at a real excavation site! Wouldn’t that be awesome?” asked Ayame excitedly.
“What if some ghost doesn’t like us messing around with his old piles of junk or something?” Shohei grimaced, making a face at Kenji.
“Don’t be so paranoid! It seems that the hair isn’t the only resemblance between you and the chickens,” spoke up Tetsuko smiling.
“Shut up, fox lady,” muttered Shohei as he crossed his arms over
his chest and continued to glare at her. Everyone else burst into laughter,
and dinner continued without any more interruptions.
Chapter 8: Evil Delivers a Warning
"In the dark of the night, evil will find her. In the dark of the night just before dawn!"
– In the Dark of the Night, Anastasia
Polgara sat crossed-legged on Beldaran’s comfortable couch and reached for another handful of popcorn. The choir of angels could be heard singing outside, their voices floating in on the breeze through the open window of Beldaran’s house. The owner of the house eyed her friend in amusement while finishing the remnants of her own mocha chip ice cream. Polgara could never stop eating when under stress, and apparently some habits never changed.
“So you think that all the people in the Meiji are being reincarnated?” asked Beldaran, looking over at her friend from her seat on the floor.
“I don’t know what else to think,” replied Polgara. “But they’re all here in the modern world. Kenshin, Sanosuke, Megumi, Misao, Aoshi, even Yahiko. Everyone except…”
“Kaoru” finished Beldaran on a melancholoy sigh.
“This is totally depressing, Beldaran. We’ve got to find out what the demon wants with Kenji, otherwise we’ll never be able to restore the balance between worlds.”
“I suppose we can’t do much unless the demon makes a move. Until then we just have to wait. It’s obvious that he wants revenge and that he’s after Kenshin and all his friends, but we still have to figure out how he’s going to make it all happen.”
“Patience is not something I have in excess right now,” complained Polgara.
Beldaran smiled absently, watching Polgara make a face and grab for some more popcorn. “We’ve all noticed,” she commented dryly as she watched her friend continue to munch happily on her snack.
“So are we tagging along for the dig at Yokohama tomorrow?” asked Beldaran, turning the subject.
“Of course! We have to keep an eye on our redhead now don’t we? Did you see how that Tetsuko was hanging all over him?” Polgara grimaced in disgust, narrowing her brown eyes.
“I’m surprise you didn’t just wiggle your fingers and make the girl disappear or something. Isn’t that what you sorcerers do?”
“Ha! I wish. You know there are limits to our powers. Otherwise all the people in the world who I deem annoying would already be toads or something like that…” Polgara’s voice trailed off suggestively.
“I’m surprised you didn’t do anything. After all, Himura Kenshin was one of your favorites back then.”
“We know Tetsuko is just playing, Beldaran. Besides it’s obvious that she’s infatuated with that Shohei character.” Polgara stood up, wiping her hands together. She then straightened her uniform, smoothing out her high-waisted, long-sleeved navy blue gown. With a wave of her arm, her sleeve lifted back enough to reveal a heavy gold bracelet on her wrist, which served as a symbol of all sorcerers. Throwing a dark cloak over her shoulders and securing it with a jeweled moon-shaped brooch at her shoulder, she grinnned at her friend. “Well I’d better be off. The master’s expecting a report from me later tonight.”
“Uggh…I just got through my interrogation this evening. Talk about being completely grilled for information. But it’s not like I had much to tell them.”
“Hmm…well I guess it’s my turn to take the heat. I’ll see you at school tomorrow morning then, Usagi!” With a wink, she was immediately engulfed in a blue light, her form first becoming transparent and then finally disappearing altogether.
Beldaran continued to stare at the fading light as a sense of foreboding crept over her. Shaking her head, she turned towards the kitchen and went in search for another carton of ice cream.
----------------
Polgara shuddered as she walked into the chamber belonging to Elenia, the tenth Master of the Immortals and member of the Great Immortal Council. Polgara could never understand the Immortals preference for the medieval Gothic style that characterized their entire Realm. Compared to the classical style of Heaven, she rather preferred the more comfortable and bright scenery of white sparkling marble to garish stone buildings and spirals. But Polgara had to admit to herself that the Immortal Realm possessed a romanticism of its own, even if it did seem like a throwback to the Middle Ages.
“Well girl, what are you waiting for? Let’s hear what you have to report.” A slender woman not much taller than the young immortal-in-training stood up from behind a large desk. Her long, russet-colored hair fell straight past her waist and she wore a navy blue gown similar to Polgara’s, with a golden sash tied around her slim waist to signify her higher rank. A gold bracelet could also be seen on her wrist, peeking out from under her sleeve. Green eyes narrowing, Elenia gestured for the young girl to sit while she gracefully sank back into her own seat.
“I really didn’t find out much,” replied Polgara. “It seems that for some reason all of the people who were Kenshin’s close friends in the Meiji have suddenly been reincarnated in the twenty-first century. Well, everyone except the spirit of Kamiya Kaoru, who is also haunting Kenji in his dreams on Earth. I have reason to believe this may become complicated, master.”
The two immortals were staring at each other for a long moment when suddenly an eerie laugh blasted through the room, its sharp sound creating echoes and bouncing off the stone walls. Both Elenia and Polgara stood up immediately, gathering their powers to battle the intruder. A figure cloaked in black suddenly appeared before them. Time stood still as the shimmering form solidified before the two Immortals’ eyes, radiating a sense of evil. A thin hand came up to pull the hood of the cloak back, revealing a lean face with sharp angles. Golden eyes glittered with evil malice, and the long dark hair of the figure made him appear even more sinister. Bearing his teeth in a cold smile, the demon crossed his arms across his chest to await a reaction from his two enemies.
“I should have known it was you,” Polgara hissed, already raising a hand and gathering her concentration. “Fire…burn,” she muttered and unleashed a bolt of heat that headed straight for the dark figure standing across the room. The demon immediately pulled a tapestry off the wall, using it to ward off the attack. Fire and cotton collided, with the beautifully designed tapestry going up in flames and a puff of smoke.
“Not bad for an amateur. Elenia, tell your little pup to restrain herself before she makes me angry.”
Palms down flat on her desk, Elenia leaned forward to glare menacingly at the figure in front of her. “Xanatos, quit this foolishness. Either tell me why you’re here or prepare to fight.”
“I’ve come to warn you and your annoying friends not to interfere with my business. I will have my revenge on Himura Battousai, and nothing you do will stop me.”
“What are you talking about? What grudge could you possibly have against Himura Kenshin?” asked Polgara.
“Stay out of this Pol.” Turning to demon, Elenia’s voice took on a distinct chill. “If you harm Kenshin in any way, you will pay dearly Xanatos. I’ll see to it personally. And believe me when I tell you that I’ll enjoy every second of your suffering.”
“It’s too late, Elenia. I lost my most favored disciple Enishi
due to your and Himura’s interference. This time the final battle will
be fought on my grounds, and on my terms. Remember that. And if you know
what’s good for you, don’t cross me again.” With those final
words, Xanatos disappeared leaving both Polgara and Elenia in an angry state
of shock.
Chapter 9: True Identities Exposed
"Somewhere down this road I know someone’s waiting, years of dreams just can’t be wrong "
- Journey to the Past, Aaliyah
Kenji stood inside the gates of the dojo with an odd sense of nostalgia. Somehow everything just seemed so…familiar…. A young boy of about eleven was training in the yard with a wooden sword under the watchful eyes of a dark haired girl. Kaoru…Kenji recognized her immediately. The blue eyes and dark locks were definitely not mistakable. The two threw insults at each other all the while, and Kenji smiled at their childish teasing. For some reason, he just knew the boy’s name was Yahiko. A tall man with spiky hair sat on the porch, leaning back against the wall and giving a young woman in a medical smock a dark glare. Sano and Megumi, Kenji thought. The woman tossed her long dark hair and returned his glare with a sly smile. Drawn by a steady scratching sound, Kenji turned towards his right and stopped, his mouth hanging open in shock. Leaning over a bucket of soapy water and washing some laundry was a red haired man in a white hakama and blue gi. As the man raised his head to smile at two little girls who were impatiently waiting for him to finish his chore, Kenji noticed a cross-scar on his left cheek. He looks like me, wondered Kenji to himself. Suddenly the image faded away into darkness…leaving Kenji feeling even more lost and disoriented…
Kenji suddenly found himself standing inside the practice room of the dojo, his small form hidden in a corner by the shadows. A shrill scream pierced the air, causing him to whip his head around. A man with bleached hair and glasses stood towering over Kaoru, a sword raised high over her. That must be the Enishi I read about, thought Kenji to himself as he instinctively rushed over to stop the impending bloodshed.
“Kaoru-dono!!! Nooooo!!!” From the other direction Kenji saw the same red-headed man burst through the sliding doors from the opposite direction, running towards the two figures in the middle of the room, with the same group of people from his previous vision not far behind. But it was too late…the sword fell swiftly, it’s aim deadly accurate. Kaoru fell to the ground, the life quickly draining from her body as everyone raced towards her. The murderer turned to look at them, grinning maliciously at the red-headed man rushing towards him in rage. With a swift swing of his sakabato, Kenji watched the red-headed man strike a blow which immediately knocked Enishi unconscious. Not sparing him a second glance, he knelt down and gently pulled Kaoru into his arms, and Kenji could see his violet eyes filling with tears and anger.
“Kenshin…” Kaoru’s voice was faint as she lifted a weak hand to the cross scar on his cheek.
“Kaoru-dono! I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.” He bowed his head over her body, his voice harsh with grief. “Forgive me…”
“Kenshin, idiot…” The others had reached them, and everyone stood surrounding the pair. Yahiko’s eyes were wide with terror and tears streamed down Megumi’s face.
Kaoru looked up at everyone, her eyes beginning to glaze over. “Don’t worry,” came a faint whisper as she looked up at her friends and family through glassy eyes. “I’ll be…okay…” Her voice trailed off and she turned back to Kenshin.
“Kenshin…Aishiteru…we’ll be together again someday. I’ll be waiting for you…I promise.”
Kenji watched the scene unfold, realizing that his own eyes were a bit watery. Gripping her hand, Kenshin looked at Kaoru’s paling face through glittering eyes. “Aishiteru, Kaoru-dono. I…I…”
“It’s okay Kenshin…” Her voice faded away as she went limp in his arms.
“Kaoru!!! Kaoru!!!” Kenshin shouted. But it was too late. She was gone, and there was nothing else he could do.
Kenji’s eyes snapped open, but he was still reeling from the afteraffects of the dream. Glancing at his clock, he realized it was only four in the morning and suppressed a groan. This dream was nothing like the previous ones he’d experienced. This time, he had been transported into the past, and Kenji had no doubt that his dreams had been real. A funny ache settled in his chest while he thought of Kaoru and the horrible way she had met her death. Was it possible that he was Kenshin? Sighing at the thought, Kenji pulled the covers over his head as he tried to get some sleep. Tomorrow was the day for the dig, and he suddenly had a feeling that he’d be doing more than unearthing artifacts. Closing his eyes in exhaustion, Kenji began to relax and allowed sleep to claim him. But the image of a young girl with bright blue eyes and dark hair continued to haunt the back of his mind even then.