I am Battosai.

I have killed hundreds for the sake of a new world; one where people could laugh and love without fear. One where people who learned to live without hope could find relief. While trying to bring on this new era I have destroyed the old, and taking the peoples love from them in the process. I was so obsessed with trying to help I did not see how killing would effect the families of my victims. I have gone from a patriot of freedom to a demon of death.

I am the Battosai. Fearless. Heartless. Trapped.

Chapter One

"Good afternoon class. Please sit" A tall man stood in front of the lecture hall. His tall slender build was presented with his black dress pants and yellow dress shirt; a little formal for his profession, but not unappreciated by the opposite sex. "My name is Aoshi Shigamori and I will be teaching the first year of Legend, Fables, and Myth class. I would appreciate it if who ever was hoping to get an easy A would leave my class room immediately for this will not be as easy as you first thought".

No one moved a muscle.

"Very well." He moved to pick up the remote for the slide show from the small brown desk, decorated with an expensive looking computer. Turning back toward the class he held the remote. Looking around the room he notice the seats to the lecture hall were full, a first in The University of Kyoto history. "Before I begin does anybody have any questions for me. Keep in mind that I may not answer all of your questions."

Again, no one moved a muscle.

This man, teacher, had such a demanding presence that no one dared to encourage any kind of wrath. His piercing blue eyes prided deep into your soul. It was as if he knew everything and nothing at the same time. Creeping, yet alluring; the genius of this one man held no boundaries.

"Ok, then lets start. I give two exams; one in the middle of the semester and one at the end. I expect you to take notes every class and have each day labeled and dated. At the end of the semester you will be required to write me a ten-page paper telling me about your favorite myth, legend, and/or fable. You will write it as if you were explaining it to a person who had never heard of your chosen myth, legend, and/or fable before. Your finals will consist of this paper, your second test, and your notebook. Any questions?"

No one moved a muscle.

"Take out your notebooks. I will start with one of the most well known stories known to man; the legend of Hercules. Next class however I will lecture about a story of blood, love, and pain. This story is not know by no more that a handful of people."

The three-hour class went on like that. The teacher voice was one that if wanted to could lull you to sleep but keep you interested in the most boring of topics. Kaoru was captivated by the man's voice and vast knowledge of the chosen topic. Ever person was writing diligently, not missing a word.

"Wasn't he so handsome?" Misao twirled around the halls of the university in a dream like state.

Kaoru giggled. "I admit he was attractive but he just isn't my kind of man"

Stopping Misao smiled at Kaoru "good, cause then I might have to kill you. Anyway, I have to go, gramps is making me set up for the party. You still are coming right?"

"I sure am" Kaoru smiled. That girl's energy was amazing.

"Good cause then I would really have to kill you. See ya" and she was gone.

Shaking her head she made her way down the street toward her family dojo. Luckily for her the university was built during her grandfather's time three blocks from the dojo. It made it easier for her to commute. Unluckily she made her way there knowing that no one waited for her.

She envied Misao because of that. Kaoru had been alone for year; emancipated when she was fifteen. Despite her attempt she was never excepting in with another family and had trouble-keeping friends until she met Misao and her pack of friends. Misao was in the same boat she was, except somebody had taken her in. She had a family, however odd they may be, and they loved each other very much.

Kaoru would have done anything for that, but not anymore. She had her friends and a new way of thinking. Because of her past she thought of herself as a strong capable young woman who could overcome anything, including her second year of collage.

The first day wasn't that bad, at least not as bad as she thought it would be, although, she may have taken more than needed. She would have to drop some if she wanted to pass. Her ideal time of graduation would have to be pushed back a year, but that was ok, as long as she passed.

And what was her major…

…she didn't have one yet. The only think she had ever wanted to do was teach her families sword style, but that doesn't bring in the big bucks, so a new plan was formed. Go to collage, get a good job, and teach on the side. Seemed good.

Reaching her dojo she made her way in and locked the gates behind her. Dropping her backpack inside of the front door she made her way towards the kitchen for an afternoon snack.

Her house was one that you should see in a designer's magazine. The outside was that of an old dojo from two hundred years ago, but the inside. With the money her family had left her after their death she redid the kitchen with modern appliances and stainless steal. She added a bathroom to the main house with a Jacuzzi tub and stone floors. Next she had the proper wiring put in for electricity. Her father was obsessed with living like they did when they first built the dojo.

The finally step towards modernizing the house was to set up an alarm system around the dojo and putting sealant on the dojo's wall to keep the wood from aging so fast.

It was a masterpiece, and livable for the time period.

But now she had just enough money to live for a few more years. That's why she needed a good job so bad.

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Misao had been running in and out of her house all day trying to prepare for the party. There were about a hundred people expected to be there from there from the university, including many attractive single woman who gramps was looking forward to meeting.

There was no need for it to be over decorated or elegant as all get out, but it had to have the essentials; alcohol, food, and entertainment.

She had all of those covered.

Looking up at the clock she smiled and clapped her hands together. Only ten more minutes and people should start to show.

The room for the party was a large dinning hall that was transformed into a makeshift club. The room could fit one hundred people easily. The only problem was the possibility that two hundred people could show, like last time.

Shaking her head she made her way to the deejay signaling for the music to start. Turning off all of the lights except a few collared ones placed around and checked the buffet. Meats, fruit, crackers, dips, and chips filled a buffet table fifty feet long. Off to the side a bar was set up with a man setting up the proper utensils for drink preparation. Soda's and other non-alcoholic drinks filled several ice chests at both ends of the buffet. Good thing they lived in an old hotel/restaurant.

Eight pm rolled around and the party was already reaching its maximum limit. Music was blasting, causing people, some drunk, some not, and some on their way, to dance up against each other in a suggestive manner. Yes the party was a hit.

Koaru sat in a chair in the back watching the people have a good time. She hadn't seen her friends yet and didn't want to. They would try to get her drink a little or try and have a good time. The truth was this wasn't her kind of thing. Actually she would have given anything to be wearing a skimpy outfit and rub up against some hot sweaty man. She just would never admit to it out loud.

Standing she made her way towards the door. Taking one last glance back in the room she spotted her friends, Sano, Megumi, Misao, and Soujiro dancing in the large crowd of bodies. They didn't know she was there and didn't seem to care.

Sighing she made her way home, wishing she had never come to begin with. Her life was lame. She didn't have the nerve to party like they were and even if she did she would not have been able to deal with a guy pursing her, sexual or not. She just didn't get along with guys that were interested in her. They were all only after what she didn't want to give. Not one wanted to be with her for any other reason and because of that she decided to wait until she got married to 'make love'. Hell, she had never even kissed a guy, might as well wait until marriage for that too.

Reaching her home she dressed down and went right to bed. There was no sense in staying up anymore. Tomorrow was day two of Mr. Shigamori's class, and she was looking forward to it.

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"take out your note books. We will be discussing the battosai today."

The class started to whisper in confusion.

A student raised their hand slowly as if they were afraid it would be bitten off.

"Yes" Aoshi eyed the student.

The student fumbled with his words under the teacher hard stare. "Mr Shigamori, why would we talk about the battosai?."

Aoshi smiled slightly. That took the class by surprise. The battosai was after all party of their history lesson in high school. He has been portrayed as a monster who killed without reason.

"I expected that question to be asked. Fable, myths, and legends are all based off of some kind of truth. Most do not followed the original story but the morals stay the same. The Legend of Battosai is one that has never really been aloud to be passed around, until now." He clicked the slide, bringing up the first picture.

The class gasped. A man with hard eyes, hair the color of blood, and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek shone over the projector.

"Battosai the manslayer killed for four years during the revolution and continued to do so afterwards. Many saw him as some kind of demon, but in reality he wasn't."

Kaoru couldn't write anything down. So many thoughts filled her head as she starred at the portrait of the Battosai. His eyes held a depth you didn't see anymore. The cross shaped scar was so deep and red. It was as if a world of emotions was put into its making.

"He was indeed unique. The only man at the time to have blood red hair and gold eyes. His stare alone was enough to put the strongest man in their place. His sword style, the Hiten Mitsarugi, was one that pinned many against one. There was no one that could stand up against him, except for the gods, and a single woman"

He pressed a button on the remote that changed the picture to one of a beautiful young woman.

The class sat on the edge of their seats waiting for the teacher to continue.

"Tomoe Yukishiro, the daughter of a samurai during the revolution. During which time her fiancé was killed during a bodyguard assignment. Becoming vengeful she left home seeking of the murderer of her beloved; the Battosai. She found him, became a trusted friend, then married him. Everything was going to plan until the inevitable happened."

"She fell in love," Kaoru said before she knew it. Placing her hand over her mouth she looked at Aoshi with wide eyes.

Aoshi, on the other hand, was quite amused and eyed the girl carefully. "Yes, she did. Thank you Miss Kaoru." he nodded towards her once out of respect.

Kaoru smiled slightly.

"Yes Tomoe fell in love with the Battosai" he turned back towards the class and was once again surprised to see a hand up. Studying the boy he noticed his relaxed demeanor and fiery eyes. "Yes Sanosuke Sagara".

"How could she love somebody like that? I mean he killed hundreds. Wouldn't that turn a girl off to a guy?" Sano scratched the back of his head in confusion.

Aoshi closed his eyes and bent his head down slightly while responding to Sanosuke's question. "The Battosai was not a heartless man. He was a rarity amongst men. Although he was the bringer of death to hundreds he did it for a cause."

"A cause?" Sano looked even more confused.

"Yes, he wished to bring about a new era where people could live in peace without the harsh classes and violence. In the long run he saved the weak. We would not be able to live as we do now if it wasn't for him."

"That wasn't what we learned in history class" Sano smiled down at the teacher who smiled slightly.

"Of course you wouldn't. The government hides behind the Battosai. They blame him for everything and hide their secrets using him as a cover."

"Oh" Sano started to write again.

Turning, Aoshi started his lecture once again. "When the time came to claim the Battosai's life she made her way towards her associates' hideout to try and safe him. He followed of course and in the process was attacked by several men that managed to wound him enough to dull his senses. By time he made it to the final man he was about to give up, but he had smelled Tomoe's perfume. She was in a shrine not twenty feat behind them.

'Their fight did not last long. The Battosai knew he was going to die, but planned on taking the last man down with him. Running at the man with his eyes closed he pulled his blade down and cut threw he mans body. When he opened his eyes he saw something that changed the course of his life forever.

'Tomoe had blocked the man's attack from the battosai, resulting in saving his life. The price, however, was her own. The Battosai had run her threw. She died in his arms." He could feel the class's overall emotion turn sad. The room was becoming thick with sorrow. "After that moment he had become vengeful himself. Instead of appreciating her sacrifice and living to honor it he forsake the gods. He had been convinced that they did this on purpose. Overcome with hate he traveled the country for ten years burning shrines; when he wasn't trying to save somebody. He wouldn't allow the gods to take another life if he was able to avoid it. Only he was allowed to take a life. The gods became angry with this. They sentenced him to an eternity in serving the lower of sexes, woman, as something less than a slave. He was to pleasure them in any way they saw fit.

A few hushed giggles were heard behind him.

"The day the gods had taken him his mortal body had been killed, allowing him to never age. No one knows how to break the curse but there are many speculations. All that is known is that a woman can summon the Battosai and he is forced to stay with her until they were satisfied or dead.

'It was said that once he learned to bow down to the weaker sex he would be given back his body and aloud to live once again. It was also said that he needed to find the reincarnation of his dead wife and beg her for forgiveness. Other say that he needs to allow himself to be happy and take part in love like mortals, since he thought he wasn't one. There was even one who said he had already done what was necessary to break the curse but chose to continue in his profession due to his love of it. It doesn't matter."

Walking over to his desk he reached inside of his book bag he kept to the side of his chair. Pulling out an extremely warn book he walked towards the front of the class flipping threw pages.

Kaoru watched the man with and aching heart. She didn't know what to think. Something in the back of her mind screamed that the stories were true but the rest of he mind hushed that part with a mental slap.

Still though, the Battosai must have gone threw so much pain. How could somebody live through that?

Bringing her hand to her chest she closed her eyes and tried to expel the horrible thoughts of what this man had seen. Tears threatened to fill her eyes but she pushed them back. She would have done anything to have the Battosai in her arms right then so she could comfort him.

"Does anybody know what this is?" Aoshi held the book up so the class could see it. Everybody eyed it but no one could figure it out.

"A book of some kind" Sanosuke from the back of the class smirked.

Aoshi glared. "I do not wish to have one of such foolery in my class. Act like such again and be expelled from here."

Sano's eyes widened, as he made no further move to speak.

"This book" Aoshi sighed. "Is the Battosai's diary"

Many gasps here hear along with Kaoru's in the front row.

"It was entrusted to a friend of the Battosai's, an ancestor of mine. It has been passed down telling the true story of the Battosai starting with when he was thirteen. I had no intention of letting this be known the public until I sat in on a history class when I was training to become a teacher. I was astonished by what the history books claimed happened with the Battosai. This book has is ever thought and name of his victims and as I said before. He was not a heartless man. Even when he burned shrines and temples, he was not heartless. He saved hundreds and only killed when it was necessary."

Kaoru wanted that book. She wanted to research the Battosai but knew that all of her sources would be tainted by the hands of the government.

"I have had many offer's for the book by collectors and museums. There was even a time when the government tried to storm my residence to try and prevent the truth from being known. They no longer can stop the truth from being known. I have written a book about the writings in this journal. It was done last year for my doctrine in my chosen major. If you are interested in this story for your final the only try source of information would be that book. The title is 'Idiot Apprentice'."

Everybody stopped what they had been doing and looked up at him as if he had suddenly turned into the Battosai. At least the class was paying attention.

"You have to read the book to understand why it was named the way it was."

The next two hours of the class time was spent discussing the inner workings of the Battosai and flipping threw the remainder of the pictures on the slideshow. No one wanted to speak but after being threatened with F's the class came around.

During the last five minutes of the class Aoshi had pulled up the screen that was used to do the slide show and wrote down the nights homework assignment.

"You have until the end of the week to come up with what you think would be the way to summon the Battosai, what he would have to do once he was summoned, and what is needed to break the curse. You have the basic information. Use it along with your intelligence and create something to share with the class of Friday. You are dismissed"

Collecting her things Kaoru made her way towards the exit only to slow down a but as she passed Aoshi's desk. There, in the book bag was the diary he had shown then. Wondering for a split second what would happen if she had taken it. Shaking her head she made her way out of the class.

Watching the girl leave the classroom he eyed where the book should have been. He knew that she hadn't taken it, just looked at it as if she wanted to. A small smirk played on his lips as he thought of the possibilities.

He'll get the book back, one way or another.