Rurouni Kenshin
Chapter #8: Of Flame
The oni crouched in the open window-sill of Misao’s room. His red eyes gleamed in the moonlight. His baggy red pants fluttered in the night wind as did long black hair. His masculine details could be clearly noticed through his tight sleeve-less shirt. A red bandanna was tightly wrapped around his forehead. The demon’s fists were within a large metal gauntlet connected to a metallic clawed glove on each hand. Human blood wreaked off his breath and claws.
In the other end of the room Misao huddled in the corner frantically searching for a weapon to use against this foe. There were bleeding wounds on her left arm where the oni swiped at and nearly got her. She was in the middle of changing when he struck so she was half-clothed in her kimono. She pursed her lips to show no fear that she felt within.
Misao’s hands combed the floor for the knives she always kept close to her. Her fingers found a cold blade on the ground and quickly collected them in her hands. With as much strength as she could muster she launched the projectiles at her attacker, but in vain. The knives were snatched out of the air by the oni’s quick right hand, and them crushed within his fist.
The oni returned his hand to his side and remained in a crouching position, he moved his tainted claw to his lips and licked the girl’s warm blood off it. “Sweet blood of a young girl.” It spoke for the first time with a young vibrant voice. “Nothing else like it.”
“Wha... what do you want?” She tried to speak bravely but it came out in a near whimper.
“Your sweet flesh of course. I have no choice in the matter, you saw me dining the other night.”
Thoughts raced through her mind until she reached the night she saw a monster craving on human flesh. As he saw a sudden jolt of terror rush down her spine he only grinned. He stood up and walked to a spot just in front of her and crouched again. His cold crimson eyes met hers. His claw came up and gently caressed her right chee
k leaving a faint scratch.
“It is a shame that you must die.” He paused to lick his lips. “It is only fair to let you know who your executioner is. I am En of Flame.” His grin turned even more evil as he raised his right fist up into the air to strike. “Time to die young one!”
The claw came striking down at Misao, aimed for her heart. She closed her eyes to wait for the final blow a loud sound of metal clashing re-opened them. In front the demon stood Aoshi, he had stopped the claw from smashing down with his swords. Aoshi’s stone cold glare connected with En’s baffled gaze, he only frowned in return.
“So quick to die human?” En asked as he pulled back his out stretched claw. “Do you realize what I am?” he sounded completely confused, for this was the first time a human had stopped his attack. “I am of the Oni Clan!”
“I really, really don’t care.” Aoshi coolly replied. “Now get out or face the consequences demon!”
En took a this chance to step back and re-group. “Do you dare face me? Master of Hitenmitsurugi Tai-jyutsu?”
(Tai-jyutsu = Body-Fighting)
“Hitenmitsurugi?” now it was Aoshi’s turn to be confused. “That’s Battousai’s....”
“Ha! I see you have heard of our strength!” En gave out a shout of triumph.
Before En could think of what to do next, the sound of rushed footsteps came from the hallway. Within seconds Saitou was in the room with Sanosuke and Soujirou.
“Hmph, four on one, although I like these odds this isn’t what I came here for. I will not forget you girl!” En spat out as he headed towards the window to make his exit. “Or you...” he pointed a bloody claw towards Aoshi. “You are mine.” With his exit-speech finished he leapt out the window into the darkness.
Immediately Aoshi rushed to the window, only to see a silhouette against the full moon and a high-pitched laugh. Quickly he turned his attention to Misao who was still in the corner cowering. “Are you alright?” he asked softly as he knelt down.
“Ye...yes.... he didn’t hurt me too badly...” she replied. Her hand covered the bleeding wounds.
“We must tend to that.” Aoshi glanced up to the doorway, now the whole crew of the Aoiya was there. “She’ll be alright, you can go back to sleep, I’ll tend to her wounds.”
As the bystanders left for their rooms without question Aoshi lifted Misao up to carry her down stairs. “I’m not letting you out of my sight this time...” he said with heavy guilt in his words.
Misao’s wounds had been dressed by the time Kenshin and Mitsurugi arrived at the doorway.
“Is everyone alright?” Kenshin blurted out as cold sweat trickled down the side of his face. Once he almost lost someone close to him and he feared that time will repeat itself.
In the room Aoshi was leering over Misao, covering her up in blankets. “She’s alright, she just needs some rest.”
Mitsurugi spoke up. “As we rushed back we saw a silhouette of the demon, I recognized him.”
“Aoshi’s head turned very quickly when he heard this. “What do you mean?” he said maintaining his cool.
“He is one of great power. He is En of Flame, one of the Four.” Mitsurugi explained. “The Four, are the four most powerful of the oni that couldn’t be killed in the last battle but only sealed away as with their god.”
“The last battle? Sealed? I think you have a bit of explaining to do...” said Aoshi.
“The name’s Mitsurugi. Now sit down for I have a story to tell, of the Oni and the Human, and of Hitenmitsurugi...”
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