The White Caped Rurouni Chapter 1: Prologue, a rurouni kenshin fanfic

Legal information:

Foreword:

This is my first fan fiction; I've been wanting to do one for a long time and sat on the fence reading others. Now, I've finally worked up the nerve to sit and compose one. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it. Reviews are welcome, both positive and negative, it's the only way we learn and grow. Having searched for awhile and never having found a Kenshin work that revolved around him completing his training (if someone knows of one, please let me know.) this seemed like a good idea.

I will say in advance, I am drawing from both the manga and anime, the elements I really like of each. I'm going to lean more on the manga, as I want to respect Watsuki-san's work. The comedy will be pretty light in this story, I'm not so good with creating funny situations.

Well, I'll stop yapping and I hope my readers enjoy this opening.

Prologue

Great men have risen and shaped the world since the dawn of time, but rarely is history affected greatly by a single choice. Yet, many individual lives can be altered in an instant by a single choice, one with irreversible consequences. A young boy, once named Shinta, then Kenshin, faced such a choice. In history he became the legendary, and infamous, Hitokiri Battousai. The great assassin who single-handedly helped bring about the Meiji Era of Japan.

Yet, what if this great assassin, at a young age, made a very different choice than the one that started him down the path of the Battousai?

First Year of the Bakamatsu: A mountain valley outside Kyoto

"You're leaving? Why?"

"Hai. People are suffering Shisho (master), and more suffering will come! Isn't it the duty of the Hiten Mitsurugi to end suffering? I have to help them!"

"Can you save them all?"

"…"

"Don't be a baka (idiot). You should forget about the outside world and remain here to finish your training."

"Shisho! You're being the baka! How can I ignore the suffering of those around me? I can't! I won't! You trained me to prevent needless suffering! Why aren't you living up to our ideals!"

The voice of a young man with a long mane of fire-red hair, tied back loosely behind his head, rose in pitch and emotion. His eyes burned with anger and conviction at something he believed in with all his heart. Why couldn't his shisho understand?

"Baka-deshi! (Idiot apprentice) Who are you to argue the ideals of Mitsurugi-Ryu with the master of the style?" The voice of the much taller, and more powerful, teacher boomed back with an authority that brought silence to his deshi. His eyes still burn pure with his heart. If only his head will listen.

"Shisho…!" The pupil was about to protest, when again his master's voice cut him short.

"Listen to me! Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu is one of the most powerful Budo! It is like the Black Ship on the Shore. Ours is an ancient style, refined from before the Sengoku Jidai and continually improved upon into the ultimate killing form!"

Hiko Seijuro, Thirteenth Inheritor of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, the greatest swordsman of his generation, unequalled in skill or power in the land, leaned in close to his apprentice, his gaze hard with a powerful glow of his ki. Kenshin could only shiver at the power in that gaze, and was held in thrall by it. Deep green eyes burned into younger violet eyes. Both stared one another down, both certain in their convictions, but the younger began to waver.

"Kenshin! Listen to me! Few swordsmen have knowledge as powerful as ours! Even at fourteen, you stand as one of the skilled warriors of the age! But your spirit is not ready! The Hiten Mitsurugi was founded to protect people from suffering, that is true, but to uphold that ideal, your sword must belong only to your heart. It cannot belong to any other philosophy or political ideology!

"To walk the path of the Hiten Mitsurugi demands a powerful spirit that will not compromise the ideals of the style. The power of Mitsurugi-Ryu, thrown in with one side or another of a struggle will almost assure victory for that side. I am not going to waste my breath on a lecture. Do you understand?" Hiko became silent, watching his apprentice closely, eyes still hard.

Kenshin's eyes wavered slightly in the face of those words, he took several long breaths to consider this, but it wasn't long before the fire returned and he spoke with more strength in his voice.

"No! I don't understand! People are suffering from a useless conflict and we have the power to end it! Why should we hesitate to use the Mitsurugi-Ryu to defend others!"

"Baka! Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu is a style of ken-jutsu! To wield the sword is to kill! Our ideal of ken-jutsu is to protect others from the swords of the immoral! Your sword wasn't given to you to wield is pointless political struggles, it was given to you to kill for justice! Using it any other way would make you a murderer!"

Again his pupil wavered for a moment, but he quickly recovered and moved his lips to speak but was once more cut off, this time by a softer voice. "Kenshin, listen to me. If not as your shisho, then as the man who has been your otou for the past several years. Conflict is eternal, and this war will only breed more chaos. While both sides fight for their ideals, they will make many mistakes they will regret. It is our duty, to make certain the least amount of people possible suffer from these mistakes.

"If you leave now, without knowing in your heart when to kill, and when to stay your blade, then you will become a monster! I did not give you the Mitsurugi-Ryu to allow it to be corrupted before you are ready to use it. I am asking you, one final time, remain here. Complete your training, when you have learned all I can teach you, then. Then you will be ready to face the world and protect others from suffering.

"You and I have not been Father and Son, but we are the closest thing each other will get to such things. If you have any love for me, Kenshin, then heed my wisdom. I know it hurts, but believe in me as your Shisho, it will pay you greatly in the future."

Watching with softer eyes, Hiko turned and watched the waterfall as is passed their high stone and crashed into the pool below. He enjoyed this spot, it was here in this place where he had trained many times with his deshi. Here and now would be the spot where his student's fate would be decided.

The silence was almost deafening, only the sounds of the fall beside them broke the stillness with its repeating sound of water obeying nature's laws. The emotions that played across Kenshin's face were almost heart wrenching. Doubt and guilt played upon him at abandoning those who currently suffered. Yet, it was certain that Destiny had given him to Hiko, and in the same turn given Hiko to him. He'd trusted his master this far, perhaps it would not hurt to follow…a little while longer.

I swear on the graves of Kasumi, Akane, and Sakura I will protect the innocent! Just a little longer and I will be strong enough to save them all!

He remained silent and bowed his head, finally, in a defeated tone that still burned with conviction. "I shall remain, Shisho." He could not see it, but Hiko smiled as his eyes turned to the sky above, watching the stars a moment.

Yes, he will be strong. He will become the greatest inheritor of Hiten Mitsurugi!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third Year of the Bakamatsu: Hiko's Valley

Master and Apprentice sat side by side in the clear evening, the warmth of summer was finally passing into the cool of autumn. The air carried a sharp chill, both men blowing steam from their lips as they looked upon the stars. Hiko looked at the large jug of sake he'd been curing for this day.

There is no turning back. Tomorrow, all of my toil shall be reaped. He will learn the final step of Hiten Mitsurugi. I know it.

The sound of the cork being pulled snapped from the bottle didn't distract Kenshin's view of the sky, nothing was new about Shisho drinking a few cups of sake before retiring for the evening. When his Master spoke, however, it caught him completely off guard. His thoughts had wondered to those that still suffered under the war that raged in Kyoto. The forces were clashing and no one was making headway, meanwhile to fuel their efforts more forces were pulled into the areas of conflict. The more men pulled from the fields, and the more rice taken, meant more people suffered starvation. And more bandits were roaming the area than in times past.

"Do you remember, that day I took you on as my Apprentice for the first time? I said we would share a drink of sake one day. Today is that day. I have been letting this wait just for this event." The liquid was cool, as Hiko preferred, and poured into a cup which Kenshin received with a bemused expression on his face.

"What event, Shisho?" His unguarded confusion earned a chuckle which brought a blush to Kenshin's cheeks, he knew what was roaming this his master's head. More insults about his young pupil, there could be no doubt.

"Tomorrow, baka-deshi, you will learn the final step of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. The ougi will become yours." The second cup of sake, saved for Hiko, was quickly drained to make room for another.

To say that Kenshin's expression was comical was an understatement. Awe, fear, surprise, confusion, pride, all of it played across his face. His jaw simply swung on its hinges and he stared at his teacher, the sake completely forgotten.

Hiko was quick to take his third cup to keep from bursting into laughter. He was a very sly man, given to subtly and dry humor, but Kenshin's expression was almost too much for his control, almost.

"Don't look so surprised. You knew this day was coming for a long time. I've watched how your heart is wounded every time word of more death comes from Kyoto. You have trained harder in the past two years than in your entire time before. Your spirit has grown, and I believe you are ready…unless of course you don't yet have the skills to stand up to others…" Another sip of sake hide the smirk, those words had the desired effect.

"Shisho! I am more than ready to learn the final lessons of the…" he snapped his jaw shut as he released he'd been set up again. His master's eyes said it all.

"Then shut up and drink your sake. I'd have thought after all the trouble I went to make this bottle for you, that you'd at least take one cup before refusing it."

Frowning, and mumbling about his Shisho's irritating manner, he hit back the cup in one gulp. The sake slid down his throat with a sweet burn, and hit his stomach hard. Not long after the huge drink, Kenshin swayed on his rock and fell back, hitting his head on the sand. Hiko could only shake his head and shrug.

"Baka, maybe I should put off your training to teach you how to properly enjoy a good sake. What kind of man are you, who can't even drink right? Ah well, more for me." And so the evening wore on, with Hiko drinking in silence, chuckling at his student's misfortune.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Remember, after this, you will have learned all I can teach you. Your skills will put you above all other swordsmen in this era…except for my own, but then you do need something higher to aspire for, don't you? Of course, you will never reach the peek I am upon, but it certainly won't hurt you to try, will it?"

The confident smirk was there in force, and Kenshin could only roll his eyes inwardly, just like his master to be so arrogant. All I want is the final secret, my strength will be what is!

"Kenshin, remember this, no matter how powerful the Mitsurugi-Ryu will make you. No matter what skills you learn in the future, nothing will ever make you a god. You are one man, and there is only so much you can accomplish. Even the strongest sword can swing so many times before the bearer tires.

"You are a human being, nothing more and nothing less. You must value your own life above everything else. While it might seem easy to throw away your life for the good of others, a dead swordsman cannot protect others. The Mitsurugi-Ryu was not given to you to waste unless the circumstances dictate the ultimate sacrifice from you. Remember that! The greatest strength comes from within…now, prepare yourself!

"Don't move a muscle! If you do, you die. It's as simple as that."

Kenshin watched with a mixture of anticipation and fear, this was the final technique, the ultimate secret of Hiten Mitsurugi. He would have to watch closely if he was to learn this technique. Hiko raised his katana, angled away from his body, with the hilt held at waist level.

"All of the styles of ken-jutsu revolve around nine points, both attack and defense. Every stance and style emphasizes them in one way or another. But…when all nine are combined with the God-speed of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, an unstoppable attack is achieved…behold, the Kuzu Ryu Sen!(2)"

With that the master shot forward with all the speed Kenshin could remember Hiko possessing. His eyes could follow the God-speed easily, the spars in the past two years had continually moved up in intensity until the peek of the skill was achieved. Yet, while he saw his master's charge, he was frozen stiff as the sword moved. There was a swift breeze and Hiko was past him.

He heard the ground crunch under his master as Hiko stopped suddenly from his charge, but Kenshin was still frozen from what he had seen. Bits of hair fell from his scalp, it seemed to awake him. His eyes roamed to his shoulders, both bore minor cuts in the cloth, his chest has been poked hard enough to leave an indent, his waist, thighs, and the sash holding up his hakama split slightly.

Turning, Hiko smirked and stood in an easy stance, sword resting on his shoulder. "Of all my moves, that is the most amazing. It gives the opponent no time to defend or react. Unlike the Ryu Sou Sen(3), or other multi-attacks, each blow of the Kuzu Ryu Sen carries lethal force. It's killing power is unequalled by any other Budo."

Kenshin could only turn to face his master with his eyes still astonished at what he'd just seen. Never, in his entire life had he imagined that a technique of such power could exist. With this Kuzu Ryu Sen at his command, he would be virtually invincible, who could stand in the face of such power…

Hiko recognized that look, Kenshin was still held in a youthful thrall by what he'd witnessed. He would break it now, and remind Kenshin he was still only a human being, and even he would have limits that would never be surpassed.

"Well, don't just stand there and gawk, if you've got it, bring it." Kenshin was snapped from his reverie by this words. If he jaw was low from awe, it dropped impossibly low at the command in disbelief.

"What! I can't just…" he stammered only to be silenced by the powerful voice of Hiko.

"You didn't learn your skills by studying them step by step, you learned them by overextending yourself and getting struck time and again until you got it right. You did it then, and you will do it again. So, do it!"

Nodding, his sword raised into the position he'd just witnessed. Kenshin felt a cold chill pass through his body as he ran the steps of the attack through his mind. A calming breath passed from his lips, cool and refreshing. He expelled his doubts with that breath, and took in his center. No hesitation, repeat what'd he learned.

At an unseen signal, the two swordsmen charged with all the power their bodies could muster. In the small valley, a crash of thunder erupted as Master and Apprentice of the Mitsurugi-Ryu collided with one the most powerful attacks ever created in ken-jutsu. Their speed was unbelievable, the untrained eye could never follow, and the reports of their colliding blades were too swift for the ear to track. Yet, to the pair each strike was clearly seen and traded in perfect time.

The roar created from their impact died away and a cloud of dust settled from the ring that had been blasted up. In the center, where the two had traded blows stood the Master, unfazed and bearing his trademark smirk. Several feet away lay a stunned Apprentice, dirty and panting from the release of energy. Hiko's familiar chuckle brought him back to his senses and into an upright position.

"What…did I do wrong?" He spoke aloud, not quite content to contain his thoughts.

"Nothing, your Kuzu Ryu Sen was perfect. But, despite that, the same attack performed flawlessly, is different in the hands of each person. Both your arm strength and weight are inferior to my own, hence your Kuzu Ryu Sen can never surpass mine."

Shock registered on Kenshin's face, how was he to truly master the style if he was incapable of overcoming Shisho at least once? Sighing in defeat he rose and beat the dust from his body, his head lowered and nodded, as if resigning to the fact he had learned all he could.

"Why so glum? The difference between Master and Apprentice is incomparable, I have much greater experience than you, and have trained far longer…yet, the Kuzu Ryu Sen was not made for battle. But as a test to the true secret of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. There is a single move that can overcome my Kuzu Ryu Sen, that is the true ougi.

Hiko only shook his head and snorted as his baka-deshi took on an even greater level of surprise. This was truly becoming an amusing day.

"Did I ever say the Kuzu Ryu Sen was the secret? Think hard about the nature of the attack, and you will now the secret of ougi."

Frowning, Kenshin's mind turned inward and broke down his Shisho's technique piece by piece. He went back to every early lesson he had learned from Hiko. Nodding, he returned his katana to it's saya (sheath). Left hand gripping the saya and right resting upon the handle, he took a breath, his left leg dropping back with his right knee bending.

Hiko nodded and smiled in pride, "Correct, the attack must be countered before it can land. Battoujutsu is only method that can accomplish this. Yet, as fast as your battoujutsu is, it still cannot match the speed of the Kuzu Ryu Sen, which is a God-speed attack. Therefore…" He paused with a curious look on his face, the smirk returning in force. He couldn't do everything for his deshi, no some things Kenshin needed to learn on his own.

"Therefore, the battoujutsu must be done at God-speed…even beyond God-speed to work before the Kuzu Ryu Sen. But, Shisho. How can I do that?"

"That is something you must figure for yourself, Kenshin. There is a powerful force inside you that you must unlock, it will give you the secret of the Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki.(4) You know it, you simply have to find it. This is why the Kuzu Ryu Sen was created, for this test. Do you know what you lack?"

Violet eyes fell to the ground as the young mind was scoured for what he needed. What was the single most important lesson from Master Hiko? There was so much wisdom imparted in the years, it was…

"I have to survive! It's as simple as that, if I fail to live, I am no use to anyone."

Nodding, Hiko smiled and for the first time there appeared a very quick instant of sadness. But it had to be imagined, for it was gone almost as soon as it appeared. Hiko's hands rose and pulled the mantle from about his shoulders and tossed it behind him. The white cape landed upon the ground with a thud, as if it were far heavier than mere cloth.

"This mantle, passed along with the name Hiko Seijuro, from inheritor to inheritor, is lined with various weights and springs. In all, it provides nearly a hundred pounds of counter pressure to each strike. The purpose is to lessen the power of the Mitsurugi-Ryu inheritor in times of peace. It is also a secret to the great power of each, for continual training under such weight makes one even more powerful.

"This mantle, along with the name of Hiko Seijuro will be yours. If you can overcome the Kuzu Ryu Sen." Hiko's voice became hard, stern. "Prepare yourself Kenshin, you have all you need. It is time for the final test, the last moment. This will determine if you are fit to take over my place as Hiko Seijuro the Fourteenth, and use our Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu as it was intended."

Kenshin backed up slowly, fearful of the power rolling off his teacher. He had never seen Shisho like this before, never so serious. There was death waiting in those eyes. There was no mistaking it, the man who had raised Kenshin into manhood was prepared to kill him all to test his strength?

"Shisho…" his voice held a clear tremor of fear but he was silenced with only a glare. Kenshin's left hand shook with his terror, it was almost overpowering. No, I will not show fear! I must learn the technique. This is just a test. I will live!

"Good, you're ready. Now!"

Time seemed to slow to a crawl for both as Hiko pressed forward with all his power. Kenshin witnessed for the first and last time the true power of Hiko Seijuro. A man who had long since went far beyond the God-speed. The mantle's secret and Hiko's own control were astounding, as the true ability of the Hiten inheritor unleashed it.

For an instant, Kenshin could see his body being sectioned and blasted away in the power of the Kuzu Ryu Sen. Everything from the death of his parents, the slave traders, his master's training; all of it flashed before his eyes in he span of heartbeat. Death was come for him like a thief in the night, it would take all that he had worked for, it would ruin his chances to protect others.

No! He wouldn't die, not here. With a cry he pulled every ounce of inner strength, his drive to remain living, to the surface and channeled it into his sword. This was life or death, this was what Hiten Mitsurugi prepared him for. This moment was the ultimate truth of his existence. And he refused to fall.

Hiko's first strike bore down on Kenshin, but a fraction of an inch from his skull. His master's arms were strained, muscles unleashing all their power for this strike. If it connected there could be no doubt his skull would be cleaved in two. In this instant, Kenshin unleashed his strike, the katana roared from the saya in a flash of light. No sound came, only the swiftest strike he had ever delivered, so quick in fact he didn't even see it flash past his master's chest.

Sound came back in on him in that instant, the sound of the sword's path boomed low for a moment and then faded away. Panting from the tension and sudden release, he quickly took note that he was whole. The blade that would take his life never even disturbed his hair. Letting his muscles loosen, the voice of his master came to him in a manner he had never expected to find so comforting.

"Yes. You've found your greatest source of strength. The Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki is now yours. You will take my place as master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. I knew you could do it Kenshin."

Master and Apprentice turned to one another, both glowing with pride at the accomplishment. Hiko bore the look of a sensei, a father, who had seen his student, his son, achieve the highest mark of success. Kenshin glowed in the greatest praise. Their shared dream was realized.

A rip spread down Hiko's shirt, followed by a small red line that deepened into a vicious wound. What was slowly turning into a shallow cut suddenly burst open. Hiko's lifeblood raced from his body and turned him pale white in an instant. Kenshin never even had time to register horror on his face.

"Kenshin…do not take this as your doing…this is the fate of Master and Apprentice. I learned it at the cost of my own Shisho's life...and now…I leave the rest to you…" With a last gasp, he fell forward upon his face. The ground began to stain with the blood of his body, which spilled out like a dam that burst.

"Shisho!" Kenshin's cries came too late. He rushed to the body of his mentor. With a grunt he managed to turn the larger man upon his back only to look on in shock. Blood was spilt everywhere, but the wound he could see clearly. Nearly as wide as his hand, a clean line from right hip to left armpit. Vital organs were sliced, the bone of the chest cracked, even the heart cut. This was the true power of Hiten Mitsurugi.

Tears at last came forth as Kenshin mourned the loss of the greatest man he had ever know. To think that his invincible Shisho had been laid low by a single attack. An attack so powerful it killed him in minutes. Bowing his head, Kenshin felt his world crumble. He only wanted to protect others, but not like this, not at such a price. He almost threatened to drown in his pity when the wind picked up and a rustling sound caught his ears.

Looking at the mantle worn by his sensei, he moved to it, drawn by some unseen presence. Reverently he knelt and stroked the smooth cloth. It was almost like white silk, a small piece of parchment fell out of some unseen pocket. Still in tears, he noticed in fine kanji that it was addressed to him. Without hesitation, he read the final words of Hiko Seijuro.

Kenshin,

I know, as I have always known, you now read this. Your path was set the day I took you as my apprentice. My path was set the day my sensei did the same. This has been the tradition since before the Sengoku Period. While I know you take my death hard, do not let it destroy you.

The strength of will to survive is vital in the path you will walk. Find that strength and move forward as I have taught you. This war will bring great suffering, it is you who must be ready to protect others from it. Carry on the tradition, as I have. There is a friend in Kyoto who will remake the mantle for you, it certainly would be too burdensome for you to wear as it is. You are no taller than a woman…

Kenshin smiled and allowed himself a soft chuckle, even with his last words Shisho had not failed to remain confident and insulting as ever. Yet, it was a comfort, the last words he knew were written in their own form of love from Hiko. Taking a moment, he returned to the letter.

Yet, while you may be drawn to end the fighting in Kyoto, as my last command to you. Do not allow yourself to be drawn into the political conflicts surrounding the Emperor. You will do no more good there than if you remain here for the rest of your life.

Do what your heart tells you is right, and carry on the Mitsurugi-Ryu to the next generation.

Folding the paper carefully in his hand, he tucked it into his kimono. The last tears were wiped away. His spirit returned along with the conviction to live up to the ideals of his school.

"Hai, Shisho. I will do as you ask."

On this day, as the war in Kyoto drug on, and the chaos spread throughout the land. In a small valley hidden away from the eyes of the world, a young swordsman trained in the most powerful form of ken-jutsu, his spirit polished and pure, with the most noble of ambitions, set out to bring justice to his sword and the people of his homeland.

Years earlier, a young boy named Kenshin, once Shinta, had entered this valley to gain the strength to avenge those wrongfully slain and protect the innocent from oppression. On this day, that boy, now a man, left the valley with an ancient and master-worked blade (5) at his side, and a heart and will stronger than any other in Japan.

Hiko Seijuro the Fourteenth, Inheritor and Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, strongest of all Budo, left the place of his rebirth and set out into the world…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Special thanks to Anime review by Mike Yeh for this information.

(2) Artistic license: This is usually translated as "Nine-Headed Dragon Flash"

(3) The VIZ manga calls this the "Dragon-Nest Flash"

(4) Roughly speaking: "Heaven's Soaring Dragon Flash"

(5) In the Viz manga, a copy of Watsuki-san's premier work is showed. The Hiko Seijuro of the story used a sword called 'Winter Moon.' I am using it as another Hiten Mitsurugi heirloom. And for all you obessives, yes, with Hiko 13 it had a wooden handle and sheath, and yes Kenshin replaced both with metal.

Well, that's the intro to the story based on the premise I have in mind. Nothing is set in stone, but I do have a good outline layed out for now. Depending on where readers might want to see this go, I've got things planned out well past the Kyoto Arc of the story. Or I might surprise everyone with something completely new ;)

Till next time!

Dorin!