Author’s note: Yokairyu Renkinjutsu literally translates to Yami Dark, Ryu Dragon, and Renkinjutsu Alchemy. So it would its English title would be Dark-dragon Alchemy Forest, but it sounds SO MUCH cooler in Japanese. I’m sorry if this ends up becoming a Samurai Deeper Kyo crossover, I’ll try to keep that from happening. Yokai translates to Ghost or Phantom, and Kokoro is the translation for spirit, with a sub translation of soul, this is for future reference. Aki Autumn and Fuyu Winter.

Return of the Greatest Imperialist

Act IV. Yamiryu Renkinjutsu Forest

“WAKE UP!” came a scream from below the Battosai. The Rurouni was actually being rather nice to the Battosai. He had told him as long as he protected Kaoru he could do what he wanted for while.

What was that? The Rurouni asked rather annoyed.

‘Don’t know, but it’s going to die,’ the Battosai responded.

Are you sure that it’s an enemy? the Rurouni asked. The Battosai opened their eyes; he looked off the side and saw Sanosuke waving his arms wildly. The Rurouni frowned, what was he doing looking at them like that? Find out why he’s doing that, and please tell him to stop now before he attracts the forest dwellers.

“What the hell are you doing? Zanza,” Sanosuke looked at the Battosai then pointed to a limp creature in front of him, “crud, that’s a Forest dweller. How did it get here farm boy?” Sanosuke scowled like Saito for a second as the Battosai hopped out of his branch. “The Rurouni was right, you are thick headed. Nuisance, why don’t I just spare you living Yokai.”

“A Yokai? Aren’t those just legends?” Sanosuke asked with this really strange look on his face.

“YOKAI?” Yahiko yelled, “are you kidding? That can’t be a Yokai.”

“Not all legends are myths, how else would you explain my existence?” the Battosai retorted, Sano and Yahiko got the message.

You are so full of it Battosai…

The Legend of Hitokiri Battosai the Manslayer was created in the revolution, created by the man who had mastered all that was Battojitsu, Kenshin Himura. Although people thought he was just a rumor tales of his legendary blade as spread throughout the war, his was legend of great and terrible power.

“True, but you have proven you exist, I doubt those are really Yokai,” Sanosuke yelled back.

“Doubt it or not, what do you plan to do to them?” Yahiko asked scampering behind the Battosai. The Battosai just took his wooden sword off his belt.

“You up for a little fun Zanza?” Sanosuke nodded, the two them charged into the group of forest dwellers. The Battosai looked like a small fireball charging into a group of trees. Sanosuke followed up after him, but he only got to hit about a third of what the Battosai had. The Battosai’s speed let him get to the group faster, but that didn’t hold Sanosuke down a bit. He did his best, which meant taking out each forest dweller’s dace that he could get to.

“Do you think we over did it?” Sanosuke asked when then were looking what remained.

“Not one bit, you might want wash that acid of your hand before…” Sanosuke looked at his right hand were the acid was eating away his flesh. He ran toward the small creek and washed it off as fast as he could. Yahiko just stood there looking at the Battosai.

POV Change

‘He’s not that bad, or at least as long as he not your enemy…’ he thought. He tried to climb up a nearby tree. He was unsuccessful and fell to the forest floor. That’s when he felt the two them looking at him.

“There is no point in trying that again,” the Battosai replied, “I don’t care if you die honestly, but don’t die doing something so dumb.”

“You want some help Yahiko?” Sanosuke asked as the Battosai hopped back on to his branch. Yahiko nodded, he was beginning to think he was wrong.

‘How can two people so different be one person?’ he thought to himself. Sanosuke grabbed the back of Yahiko’s shirt and flung him onto a branch. ‘I bet Sanosuke has a similar opinion, I mean he must thinks something.’ After Yahiko was on a branch Sanosuke jumped up onto a different one, they had finally figured out why he went through the trouble of Kaoru a sleeping place high in the air.

POV Change

“Battosai?” came a voice from above him.

“What?” he replied grumpily.

“Why did you bring us here? I mean we were almost eaten by those things, yet we have seen any sign of human life,” the voice answered surprised.

“This is one place that even people like Shishio and Saito are scared to go. I had let my wounds heal anyway,” was his answer, ‘what is Zanza getting at anyway?’

I don’t like where this is going… Battosai don’t forget your promise. He didn’t need to be reminded. The girl was alive and well, so he didn’t have to say the word.

“Funny… You’ve always struck me as the type of person who’d rather die than let old wounds heal,” Sanosuke answered in this mocking tone, “ besides what kinds of wounds would the great Battosai the manslayer stop to let heal?”

“Watch your tone Zanza, the Rurouni said nothing about me cutting out tongues or breaking your limbs. Besides he won’t let me say anything even if I wanted too,” the Battosai sighed, he could sense utter chaos from the man on the branch above him, “I promised to let him explain, but I see no point to this discussion.”

“Maybe… just maybe you’re afraid of Kenshin,” Sanosuke replied quietly, “what could have turned you to hating each other so much?”

Enough. This is not the time, nor the place.

“A woman, now leave it be before I cut out your tongue,” was the Battosai’s final response.

Battosai. The Rurouni didn’t have to say more, the Battosai could feel the Rurouni’s tension. All that the Battosai had said was true, except the fact that he didn’t care. That was more like him to talk like a manslayer than a normal person. Although the fact they were in the Yamiryu Renkinjutsu Forest did not help his mood.

(Time Break)

br> br> br>

The Yamiryu Renkinjutsu Forest is a place that brave men do not venture. The forest is soaked in the blood of men and smells worse. It smells like a graveyard, but it seems to have barely more hope. What little light shown in through the over baring canopy was darkened by the forest’s own foul aura. The Battosai and his tag-along companions had been there for a few days when they had decided to leave. The Battosai lead them out on his steed with Kaoru sitting behind him.

“Why did we stay there for so long Battosai?” Kaoru asked, she yawned slightly. The only reason they were leaving was because of a different aura he had felt approaching them. It was affecting his concentration, not to mention the smell of the blockheads behind him. The short one and the girl practiced their Kendo while he kept watch, as for the Zanza… He would rather not go in to what he had to do to Zanza to make the Rurouni happy again.

“Look around,” were his exact words. So she did just that, there were signs of a camp. Then she saw the blue police cap that had been left behind. The police had been following them after all! Kaoru jumped down to look with the others, Battosai stayed on the horse.

“So the police were following us, but why didn’t they follow us any further?” Yahiko thought aloud.

“For a similar reason you left, although not quite the exact same,” a person appeared out of the forest, she had long red hair like Kenshin’s.

“It’s been a long time Aki, where’s Fuyu?” the Battosai asked, “Your life is depending on your answer.”

“That is a fine way to greet someone, sometimes I wonder if there was any point in tracking you down. Fuyu is a bit busy, although I did hope she’d be here when we found you,” the girl replied her deep brown eyes were frightening. She kept the same face, as she walked up to him.

“Aki to what do I owe your presence this time,” he asked, it was apparent he wasn’t in the greatest mood.

“Does a girl need a reason to pester her brother?” she replied. She was mocking him, and he took it without any sign of rage. There were some signs of annoyance; she knew she hadn’t pushed him to far.

“Aki is your sister? How is that possible?” Kaoru was intrigued, she had never thought that he had siblings, “so is Fuyu your sister?”

“No, but I doubt the Battosai knows more than Rurouni on this one!” she smiled. Her teasing glance was thrown against his will of steel. He was getting extremely mad, she was so bleak with her explanations.

Let me try…

‘No. I will deal with her…’

…

‘What?’

This one thinks that you are peeved, but don’t make Aki or Fuyu your outlet source… Not unless you want me to act.

‘… Fine. Make it quick pest,’ the Battosai was forced inside as the Rurouni took over. Their eyes closed as he tightened his grip on the horse’s reins.

“Aki, since when do ninjas travel alone?” Kenshin asked bluntly, Aki stepped backward.

“How would you know of that?” Aki was taking that rather badly, “I never let on anything about that in my letters.”

“You actually wonder how I knew? Normal people don’t tell their brother the shadow assassin not to worry to much about the lives they’re sending to hell,” Kenshin replied coldly, “you forget exactly how many times we crossed paths and lived to tell our tales. Although you never came after me, I know you must have had orders to watch me at some point.”

“You misunderstand brother, I was just…” Aki was too edgy for Kaoru’s liking, but she fit right in with Kenshin. The two them knew more about the revolution then most revolutionaries.

‘Wait, he said something about their paths crossing, they were on different sides!’ Kaoru was confused.

“I thought you would have realized it by now. Your life belongs to the shogun,” Aki replied coolly she wiped off her Kimono to reveal her ninja outfit. It was black, and had a Crimson Wakisaishi, she looked like someone who had seen the other side.

“Why do you guys have such a strange connection?” Kaoru asked trying to get at least one of her questions answered. Aki reached into her robes and pulled out some daggers.

“You’ve always had a death wish Aki, but that’s about the time when Fuyu would…” he swung his wooden blade straight into the face of a similarly dressed Ninja, “sneak up on the enemy from behind. Been a while since you’ve tried it, and it’s still worthless against me.” The other one was thrown into the ground at a godlike speed.

“I don’t understand what the shogun wants with you,” the one known as Fuyu said, “I wish you just give up this tiresome resistance. I mean he will get you, one way or another.”

“What are you talking about?” Sanosuke yelled, he was tired of being ignored.

“Yeah, what would a shogun want with Kenshin?” Yahiko retorted. Kenshin jumped off the horse, his face as smooth as a stone’s. The gold eyes returned from within his inner being, his hatred was immeasurable.

“You can tell that ignorant pig to go to hell,” that was definitely our friend Battosai.

You cold-hearted creep. I thought you had a much harsher way of introducing him. The Rurouni wasn’t being very cooperative. The Battosai looked at the Ninjas with a look of disgust.

‘Kiss my rear you pain in the rear!’ was the only thing Battosai said to the Rurouni.

“That’s nice, but how do you think he’ll take it?” Aki replied.

“I think you’re the one that’s forgotten Battosai,” Fuyu said as she jumped over to Aki’s side.

“You haven’t got a choice, it’s already been decided,” they said together, “it’s your destiny, and we intend to make it so.”

“What kind of sister sells her brother out just to insure a position in the new government their father’s creating?” he spat out angrily. His gold eyes were clouded and furious. Fuyu grabbed Kaoru without thinking. Fuyu had a dagger at Kaoru’s throat before she could react.

“If you think that’s what this is about you are sorely mistaken. Should you choose to follow us without any violence we’ll let your friends off the hook,” Fuyu said coldly.

“Now Fuyu I think we should give him a little more incentive,” Aki replied watching the Battosai carefully, “you come with us or a group of the shogun’s Ninjas kill your friends starting with her.” She pointed at Kaoru.

“Aki remember what you said, cause now you are going to regret it,” the Battosai growled through his teeth, “you said that you’d always be on my side, that you’d never ‘sink to the shogun’s level.’ You dishonor the Himura name.”

Well said, but you know Aki as well as I. She won’t give this up with out a fight.

“You’ll pay for this Aki and Fuyu of Mibu,” he said biting his tongue to keep from endangering Kaoru.

“It’s not like you can stop us…” Aki and Fuyu started laughing evilly.

“Kill her and you’ll feel the hell of the assassin’s sword for sure. You see if you kill her the Rurouni’s the one you’ll be dealing with as well as me,” he grinned rather smugly, “and if we combine our strength…”

“I know very well, but what about that woman. I think her name was-” the Rurouni cut off Aki.

“SILENCE! You know better than to even think that name,” fiercely enraged lavender eyes were staring back at them. Kaoru was scared, if he could put off the much energy without this name then why did they almost say it.

“What the hell is your problem?” Sanosuke yelled at him. Although Sanosuke’s voice never reached the Rurouni’s ears, his harsh cold thoughts even blocked out the Battosai. Aki had almost brought up the subject that made Kenshin unstoppable, which wasn’t a good thing.

“Aki, say that name and I will slaughter you like the bug that you are,” his voice was low and menacing.

“Kenshin, no you must not use swordsmanship to kill!” Fuyu is that instant took Kaoru away. Only five minutes later did Aki dare to reply to his words. She was scared, but at the same time ready she used her Ninja skills to stealth fully sneak up next to him.

“As Summer once said to Autumn when the seasons passed, death is some thing that should be avoided at all costs even it costs my life,” she said to the group, she then whispered softly into his ear, “even if it costs me my life I will defend those I care the most for. I will protect you my love. I will protect you my beloved Tomoe…” She vanished into thin air as Kenshin’s blade went straight through the place she had once occupied. He had a look of vengeance, and a look of utter despair.

“I’ll kill you Aki, even if I have to kill to get to you,” he snarled, “you will die. As long as you continue to live my spirit cannot be freed. Not until you’re knocking on the doors to abseil hell.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Yahiko asked, he didn’t understand what Kenshin had just said at all.

“As long as I can and walk and kill I will not rest until that Yokai is dead,” that was the last day Kaoru saw him alive.

End of Act IV. Yamiryu Renkinjutsu Forest

Hittocere: I realize that I’m quoting from a different Anime, but I thought that quote went along with the theme at the time. After all anyone who is foolish enough to bring up “her” name is foolish enough to die.

Saria: You need to spend less time retyping and more time getting to the point… One might try updating more often.

Hittocere: OwO… I would update more often, but I’m having difficulty getting to a computer with Internet service… SO I’ll try to update the chapters in pairs. Oh and as for the last sentence… I will reveal nothing, but I can promise a twisted conclusion to this fiction.

If you have questions about anything feel free to post them in the reviews. I’ll answer then as soon as I can, (although I probably should keep typing before some sicks my ninja characters on me.)

Aki and Fuyu are characters that I made up on the spot, but there is one more character you’ll meet concerning my dark absurd plot. If any of you have some decent girl names please feel free to post them in reviews. The only thing required is it has to be Japanese.