For entertainment purposes only. No infringement intended. Ranma 1/2 is owned by Takahashi Rumiko. Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Author's Note: This isn't canon Ranma or Kenshin; you really don't need any previous knowledge of either to read this fanfiction, though it is helpful. Some ideas were also taken from Samurai X, a prequel of sorts to Rurouni Kenshin.

Any C&C is welcome at: fxffects@hotmail.com

Reviews are appreciated. So is constructive criticism.

Prologue: Scars

"I have in equal balance justly weighed what wrongs our arms may do, what wrongs we suffer, and find our griefs heavier than our offenses."
~ Shakespeare, 'Henry IV, Part Two,' IV, i, 67

China
Spring
15 years ago

<<<… The assassin automatically wiped his bloodied sword on his victim's clothes, as he eyed the remaining guard carefully. Several dead bodies littered the ground, dead eyes still wide in surprise, as blood continued to pool about their still carcasses. The remaining guard was trembling in fear, struggling to tighten his grip on his sword handle, as he stared at the red-haired assassin.

"Hitokiri Battousai," he whispered, as he began to edge away from the bloody scene, panic plain on his features.

The assassin's ears perked at the title, and he shifted his stance slightly, bringing his sword back to his side. "Defend yourself," he whispered, as his sword suddenly flashed forward in a wide arch, neatly severing a nearby wooden pillar in half. The guard squawked in surprise, as he barely dodged the strike, and stumbled back onto his back. He rolled to one side, as the assassin slashed at his head, the blade missing his head by scant centimeters. The guard jumped to his feet, raising his blade in defense, as the assassin dashed forward, sword slamming into his. Sparks flew, as the two traded blows, the sound of clashing steel filling the air…

… The guard backed up several steps, as the assassin abruptly ceased his assault. The assassin slowly brought a hand up to his left cheek, and touched the light cut on it, his eyes widening in surprise as he blankly stared at the blood on his hand.

"You… cut me," he whispered, causing the guard to further back up. The guard unconsciously shivered, as the assassin's gaze seemingly bore into his very soul, and shakily brought his sword up, swearing lightly. The assassin sighed, and sheathed his sword, as red flames seemed to flicker alive about his body. Gripping his sword hilt, the assassin's eyes seemed to burn with an eery yellow glow, as he silently began mouthing a small mantra. The red flames flared, as the assassin suddenly ceased chanting, and drew his sword…>>>

15 years ago

<<<"The mission is completed, Mistress Cologne," the assassin whispered, as he bowed stiffly to the small, diminutive figure regarding him speculatively, staff in hand.

Cologne nodded once, as she hopped over to the bowing assassin, using her staff like a pogo stick.

"Very good, my son. I assume there were no witnesses?" she asked, full well knowing the answer.

The assassin simply shook his head once, as he looked up at the small old woman eyeing him. Brushing back a stray red hair, the assassin grimaced, as he absently brushed a light red scar tracing his left cheek.

Cologne frowned, as she noticed the cut, and cocked her head slightly. "A wound?" she asked, surprise in her voice. The assassin nodded once, as he dropped his hand.

"I was careless," he mumbled, as the wound suddenly reopened, and began trickling blood down the side of his face.

Cologne sighed, as she reached forward, and dabbed at the open cut. "We will need to stitch this," she muttered, as the assassin flinched slightly at her touch. Lightly shrugging off the hand, the assassin wiped the blood off his face, and bowed once more to the woman.

"I have a request of you, mistress," he whispered, as the blood continued to trickle down, staining the wooden floor. Cologne nodded once, and waved for him to continue. "Mistress, I wish to retire from this line of work," he whispered, as the old woman nodded at the request.

"We still have need of your skills, my son. Perhaps, in time…"

The assassin merely nodded his assent, as blood continued to drip down his cheek…>>>

Winter
15 years ago

<<<… "T-Tomoe," Kenshin whispered, as sword fell limply from his grasp. Tomoe smiled slightly, as she reached up and gripped his hand lightly, tears streaming down her face.

"K-Kenshin," she whispered, as Kenshin knelt down and gathered her into his arms.

"Tomoe, I…" Kenshin began, as he felt his voice catch in his throat. Tomoe smiled, and weakly reached up, placing a finger against Kenshin's lips.

"Ssh, my love," Tomoe whispered, as she raised her dagger up to rest gently against Kenshin's scarred cheek. "Forgive… forgive me, my love," she murmured, as she dragged the dagger's point across his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. "Please, forgive me…">>>

15 years ago

<<<… Cologne watched, as Kenshin slowly laid Tomoe's still body within their small cottage, and sighed to herself. "Poor child," she whispered, as Kenshin lightly placed a veil over Tomoe's serene face. "Kenshin," she called out, as Kenshin turned, and stepped out the door, closing it behind him.

"I found the spy," she said, as Kenshin silently gathered together a small pack set beside the door. "I have acquired another assassin, and have dispatched of the spy," Cologne continued, as Kenshin struck and match, and lit a small torch.

"And?" he whispered, as he turned to wearily eye Cologne, his eyes still red and tired.

"We still require your skills, my son. The Musk are consolidating their power in the East, and the Japanese are…"

"I understand," Kenshin whispered quietly, as he bowed to the Amazon matriarch. Cologne nodded once, and began to hop away, occasionally glancing over her shoulder at the somber redhead.

"I am sorry if my intentions caused you pain, my child," she whispered, as she adjusted her straw hat slightly. Kenshin nodded once, and shouldered the pack, gripping the purple cloth wrapped about his sword tightly in one hand.

"I will aid the Amazons in ridding the world of the Musk. But that is all I shall offer," Kenshin whispered lightly, as he tossed the torch onto the thatch roof, watching blankly as flames began to engulf the house. "After the battles have been done…"

"You will withdraw your sword," Cologne stated, as she observed the redhead through the corners of her eyes.

"It would not honor Tomoe's memory to die as a swordsman," Kenshin replied, as tears began to stream down his face. "I… I have already done so much… it just wouldn't do… to add to my sins…"

Kenshin stared wearily back at the burning house, as he reached up and traced the cross-shaped scar on his cheek, tears streaming down his face. "Forgive me, Tomoe," he whispered, as he turned away from the house, and began trudging down the dirt path. "Forgive me…">>>

To be continued.

Webmaster: Larry F
Last revision: May 21, 2007