Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/456333.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Rurouni_Kenshin
  Relationship:
      Himura_Kenshin/Original_Male_Character
  Character:
      Original_Male_Character
  Additional Tags:
      Original_Character(s)
  Series:
      Part 5 of Odd_Bits
  Stats:
      Published: 2012-07-10 Words: 9803
****** ARIES ******
by Abby_Ebon
Summary
     AU, OC: Aries... a former thief, a begger, another ne'erdowell,
     and... A 'kidnapped' apprentice to the Hitenmitsurugiryu sword style?
     Who uses a pair of triblades instead of swords?
Notes
See the end of the work for notes
Part 1,
Chapter One:
Aries - The Starving Thief
===============================================================================
Aries was cold sitting on the ground, freezing really. On some level he knew
that he shouldn't be freezing, without money, or without a mother and father
protecting him. But time's where bad, and as a result, Aries knew that he being
homeless sense he was five was no accident.
Aries had shoulder length brown hair with copper and bronze intertwined peeking
out from his bangs were alert and street weary sea green- cobalt blue eyes. He
was dressed in a ragged cream tee shirt and tan torn at the knee pants. He
didn't have the luxury of something to cover his feet.
Cradled in his arms was his most treasured possession, which has saved him many
at time. It was a triple blade dagger, it had been the only thing his father
could give him before he had died. Necessity had demanded he have a weapon so
he had mastered how to use it early on. Survival had demanded that he learn to
steal to survive, so he stole and became a fairly good thief.
But it was the middle of winter so no one with much sense who had money came by
the alleys and back streets that he had been forced to memorize at an early
age. So it came as a great surprise when a man in a cape passed with a red
haired boy that looked two years older then Aries.
Aries knew his heath was deteriorating and that if he didn't get money or
better yet food very soon he would die. But he couldn't bring himself to care
that his man might be his only chance at a meal. He could barely focus on the
two as they walked past him. The red haired stopped and turned to stare at
Aries.
"Shinta?"
The elder man had stopped as well, turning to stare at the red-haired boy. The
red head, who Aries guessed was named Shinta, was still staring at Aries with
calm and pitying blue eyes. Aries's pride and dignity forced him to say
something, so drawing a breath he spoke..
"What do you want Red? Never seen someone going hungry?"
Aries words were raw and harsh, hardly above a whisper. Shinta, or as Aries had
dubbed him, Red blushed and lowered his eyes turning to leave.
The man however still stood watching Aries with a calculating look in his eyes.
Aries wasn't too worried about him; others had looked at him with the same
look. Calculating if he was truly worth saving. He apparently had came to a
decision for he left with Red trailing behind him.
Aries closed his eyes and snorted at they left, apparently they hadn't been out
of hearing range for the man had stopped again.
"I think boy you best return my money and come with us"
Aries eyes opened and widened in disbelief at back of the man. Red was looking
between the two in confusion.
"But Hiko Seijuurou-sama, the boy hasn't moved." Shinta offered as if in
explanation.
Aries laughed a echoing and uncaring laugh, the laugh of someone at the end of
their wits.
"I have no money baka. Even if I did I wouldn't just hand it over." Replied
Aries. How could anyone be that stupid? The man apparently called Hiko turned
enraged eyes to Aries.
"What is your name boy." Hissed Hiko.
Apparently people now a days could still be that stupid.
Aries summoned the strength to uncurl him self from the little warmth his body
heat had gathered and stood. Even if he swayed a little. He got in a shaky
stance raising his Tri-blade in a defensive position. Attacking right off would
only place him as more of a suspect.
"My name, you baka, is Aries." Growled out Aries.
Hiko smirked cruelly, and Aries briefly wondered if he should be smart and
abandon this by turning and runing away. But damn it all, Aries was sick and
tired of people like this baka kicking him around. Blast it, he had been here
first.
"Want to fight you dirty little thief?" Spat Hiko pulling out a sword from
underneath his cape. Shinta looked on with confusion in his eyes. Aries sneered
at Hiko. So the man had a sword. Judging from his look he was a sword man.
Hiko's stance told Aries that he was also skilled.
Damn, he really didn't stand a chance. Aries gave a long sigh and never one to
hold back and wait till his opponent made the first move lunged. Hiko easily
blocked as a true swords man would then twisted till the blades broke apart
from each other. Hiko swiftly brought the swords flat end down upon Aries's
head. Aries jerked with surprise and fall to the ground unconscious.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
There are two types of sleepers I know in this world. Those who sleep deeply
and wake slowly, or those who sleep lightly and are awake in an instant. Aries
was a light sleeper, unless drugged, which he hadn't been. Just hit hard enough
to be sent in to la-la land.
Aries felt like he had been hit in the face with ice cold water he was drifting
in and out of consciousness vaguely wondering where he was. Then like a ton of
possessed bricks it hit him, that baka must have kidnapped him. Aries felt like
selling Hiko to a slave trader he knew.
"You awake?" It was Red's sympathetic voice.
"I'm up." I answered rubbing the back of my neck were that Baka had hit me.
Red seemed shocked that I was up.
I smirked and brushed my too long bangs out of my eyes, rising to my feet. I
hadn't been tied up and I took that as a good sign and looked around the place.
Red following behind me. I wondered if the baka had instructed him to watch me.
Probably.
It was barren room other then the window. The small room held nothing but a bed
I had been laying on. Sighing slightly I looked to the Red. I assumed he was
the apprentice of 'Master Hiko'. I had been hoping that I would be able to
recognize the landscape, or something common from the village. I didn't
recognize a thing. I hoped Red would be talkative. Red cleared his throat and I
turned to look at him.
"I'm Shinta, but I'm called Kenshin."
I blinked at him well he was talkative all right but not about the stuff I
cared to hear. Foot steps echoed from the hall outside the room and I turned to
the only door. The now open door which Hiko-Bastard was stepping through.
"I'm sorry for harming you. I hope you're not too injured." Apologized Hiko as
he entered the room. I glared heatedly at him; he seemed so changed from how he
had been in the alley, maybe he wasn't as much of a bastard as I had thought.
"My actions were justified, I had to have a reason for taking you away from
that village." My hand curled into fists.
How dare the asshole!
"Justified? What makes you think I wasn't happythere?" I hissed through
clenched teeth. How dare this man take me from the only home I had ever known!
"You were starving. You couldn't have been happy there." Hiko said in a
condescending tone. As if he had the right to do what he wanted with me because
it was 'justified'. And I was just accept his control over my life and move on.
He had to have been on drugs.
He must have seen the look of disbelief on my face.
"Sense you don't seem to have any proper guardians. I'll take you under my
wing. You will train with Shinta as my apprentice." Hiko told both boys.
He didn't even consider that Aries might not be willing. It was as if Aries
were to obey him without question simply because he had kidnapped him. Aries
would not be tamed into this mold so easily as Hiko and Shinta would soon find
out.
===============================================================================
ARIES
Abby Ebon
Part 1,
Chapter Two:
With Friends Like These... Who Needs Enemies?
===============================================================================
Aries flinched in pain as a glancing blow from one of the bricks that Hiko had
thrown at him slightly succeeded in hitting him. Inwardly he screamed in rage
and pain, but Aries showed no other outward sign, he been on the streets for
too long for that.
He had dealt with ignoring pain worse then this. The streets were never kind to
children who were forced to grow up faster then many adults would have liked to
believe.
Aries quickly came back from his thoughts as Hiko nearly hit him with another
brick, dodging swiftly he moved so it wouldn't do any damage.
Moving his tri-blade so it would cut the next brick in half he panted for
breath. He knew that if this didn't stop soon he would be to tired to dodge,
attack, or block Hiko much longer.
"That's enough." Hiko said leaving the room. After signaling to Kenshin, as it
was his turn to practice.
It had been about a mouth sense Aries had been 'kidnapped'. Sense then his
skills with his tri-blade had improved greatly, until his skills were equal to
Kenshins own.
Hiko had tried to get him to use another kind of weapon, but he had not wanted
another weapon and had quickly proven to Hiko that his Tri-blade could match
any other sword in the Hitenmitsurugiryu sword style.
Aries yawned, it was late, and Red was sure to be up late meditating and shit
like that to clear his head and deal with 'the thief' as Red had dubbed him.
Well that was fine with Aries.
He didn't think he could handle Red's hot shot, over confident and cocky
attitude for more then six hours a day. Aries collapsed on the cot and snuggled
under the covers wail moving his Tri-blade so it was under his pillow.
Despite their so far sincerity in training him he didn't trust them. Aries
doubted he ever would.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
In the still early morning Kenshin dumped a bucket of ice cold spring water on
his younger companion. As much as he loathed admitting it out loud, the thief
was growing on him and he held no doubt to Aries abilities.
While he had been thinking, Aries had awaken with a start. Tumbling out of bed
and getting tangled into the blankets, muttering a curse. He tried to struggle
out of the blankets but gave up when the things seemed to warp around him.
"Red, stop you damn laughing and help me outta this mess." It was more of an
order then a request. Kenshin smirked down at the venerable thief.
Aries's messy brown hair clung to the blankets causing Kenshin to chuckle,
green-blue eyes glared daggers at him. Aries got off the floor smiling coldly
at the other boy abruptly bringing an end to his laughter.
Kenshin cursed himself for his carelessness.
Aries held his deadliest weapon in his hand, his Tri-Blade. Kenshin eyed the
weapon gulping, then started to slowly back away as Aries advanced.
Hiko interrupted.
"Boys get out here!" Yelled their sensei. The two glanced at each other
momentarily wondering in unison how Hiko had known. They then raced into the
yard. It was nice enough, a large tree and a lake with three boulders in it.
Aries hated that he had never seen any sign of a town. Damn Hiko. He nodded to
Hiko, the closest he had ever come to bowing. While Kenshin- who stood in front
of him bowed to Hiko. Aries tried to concentrate on Hiko just in time to catch
a pair of pants and a tank top.
"Put these on."
Joy weighted clothes. The two did so, and staggered into a standing position.
"Those are weighted as you know, but they are three times the weight you are."
Hiko said as he smirked at them. Sadist hissed Aries's mind, for once he
completely agreed.
"Now you will not be allowed to take those clothes off until you are able to do
every thing you could do without them." Hiko instructed in a bland tone.
"What about bathing?" Kenshin asked with a scrunched up nose. Hiko looked as if
he was thinking.
"No -and for that you both will have to do your daily exercises and choirs
until they are done. Even if it takes until midnight, not until I feel you can
do everything that you did without these clothes we go onto the next training
exercise." With that Hiko left the two standing in the yard. Aries started
cursing.
"Bet we were gonna have to do that anyway." Muttered Kenshin with a dark
expression.
After a week of normal chores with weighted clothes…
Morning chores that included making breakfast- that Kenshin normally did
because Aries couldn't even boil water without burning it. Then laundry and
dishes and making their receptive beds.
And training which took longer then either had ever dreamed…
Run two miles on varies terrain that Hiko changed unpredictably then they would
use practice exercises to get ready to spare with each other and then go to
bed… if Hiko didn't have them do any extra training.
Aries was ready to kill Hiko. But Kenshin was ready to kill Aries- he had
learned more curses and vulgar sentences then he had ever wanted to know.
"Both of you- get out here!" Yelled Hiko from outside.
"Kenshin! Aries! Now!" Hiko shouted once more. With a smirk Hiko heard feet
running like thunder from different parts of the house toward Hiko. Then both
skid to a stop in front of him.
He nearly smiled- they had progressed quickly and he was confident they could
now do the second task The two stared at him as a smirk spread over his face.
Both felt an ominous drop in their stomachs.
"Well you two certainly adjusted quickly. These four buckets of water are to go
to a friend of mine. Kenshin you know who I mean." Red nodded and Aries nearly
stuck his tongue out-that show off.
"Your are not to spill a drop." The threat was clear and both quickly nodded
and with these orders delivered Hiko left them to their own devices.
Kenshin and Aries looked to the four buckets filled with water and sealed tops.
There were two sturdy looking sticks that attached two of the buckets to each
other.
Aries snorted and picked his up, pulling it over his shoulders and neck his
hands on either side to keep it balanced.
Kenshin grunting with the added weight followed his lead in carrying them- then
of course took over leading when they headed to town.
Kenshin groaned softly- the fastest way was straight through the town market.
"We'll have to go through town." He told Aries not looking over to the other
trainee.
Aries sighed and closed his eyes. The two made slow process through the market
as they headed through the mob of people.
Aries had halfway tried to keep Kenshin in sight but ultimately failed. Sighing
Aries could tell he was lost- he'd never been in this part of the town before.
Curiously eating him when he heard shouting he glanced and quickly paled.
Drunk's -five of them, who he could tell were just itching for a fight.
Strangely they had boils on some exposed bits of skin but Aries didn't notice
this.
Aries growled his anger clouded his judgment when they hit a woman who hadn't
had enough time to move out of their way. He helped the woman up and quickly
rained in his anger when she saw her frightened face.
"Hey runt, tha' ya ma-ma?" Growled one shoving Aries to the ground, then
another grabbed the back of his tank top. Aries cursed himself for letting him
self forget they were behind him- and then get the better of him.
"Please let him go." Kenshin's soft and dangerous voice reached Aries's ears.
Aries was sure they wouldn't but they dropped him to the ground, his breath
coming out in a rush. Winded, humiliated, and slightly bruised but none the
worse for the ware Aries looked up, to see Kenshin setting his buckets up and
checking for water leeks and the drunks were staggering away.
Aries felt a blush stretching across his face as he got up and brushed himself
off. Kenshin shoved the water buckets into his hands; the wood stick that had
connected them had broken.
"Thanks." Aries said roughly, unused to the words and not meeting Kenshin's
eyes.
"Try not to get in fights with the drunk and decayed again." Kenshin hissed
blue eyes cold and distant.
"W-what?" Aries gaped as he stuttered.
"Those people," Kenshin motioned in the direction where the drunks had
staggered off. "Are decayed. They will die."
"How do you know?" Aries asked agast.
"My family …died somewhat like that." Kenshin admitted his eyes lowered.
The rest of journey was made in silence when the two finally reached Hiko's
friends house- they didn't even get to rest. A young woman had greeted them at
the door; she had hefted the water buckets easily and just as easily handed
each of them two butter buckets to carry.
Inwardly flinching at the unfairness of his life Aries took the new burden.
Kenshin sighed-he had expected as much. The two headed back into town and soon
they came upon some street fighters who teased the two about being woman- for
doing the women's work of caring butter. Kenshin could stand it no longer- he
pretended to trip and started hitting the street punks with the buckets and end
of the poles until he regained his balance
"Oh I am so sorry, sometimes I'm so clumsy." He 'apologized' the street punks
were floored, groaning in pain and were unable to reply. He smirked then winked
at Aries who chuckled. Aries grinned and walked through the market whistling
while Kenshin shook his head in amusement. The rest of the walk to the house
was spent in companionable silence.
Hiko was glad to see that his students had made it back safely- the two put the
butter in the storage room, then two then went to there respective bedrooms.
The next morning everything started out normal-but Aries seemed disturbingly
too quite.
Which the two would very soon recognize as Aries plotting something which was
mostly a very bad idea. At noon, grinning insanely, Aries strutted over to were
Hiko sat meditating raising an eyebrow he opened his eye to see the former
thief who smiled at him humorlessly
"Just wanted you to know that I'm done with my morning chores and I'm getting
piercing today- see you in half an hour, bye!" Hiko blinked as he tried to
decipher the boy's words Aries shot up and ran out the door laughing insanely
Hiko paled when he did.
"Oh gods what have I done to deserve this?" He muttered to himself.
Kenshin came into the room looking a little pale. Hiko looked up and
sympathized with the younger men he had obviously been given the news in the
same manner. Kenshin sighed and looked no better for it.
"I do not know how he could be interested in body piercing- it seams painful."
Kenshin said faintly in a far away kind of voice the two could do nothing to
stop Aries with the head start he had gotten he would probably be in town by
now
Aries came back in half an hour he's grin was replaced by a pained look. Though
it was quite easy to see why; the two piercing in his ear- andthe ear itselfwas
an aggravated red.
Kenshin grinned but tried to hide it- he knew Aries would probably never speck
to him for a week if he made fun of his rebellious friends decision.Hiko
however was most likely unfamiliar with the ways of teenagers or had forgotten
them as most adults do as they grow up so he started to lecture.
"Baka I hope you learned your lesson not to make split second decisions that
will affect you."
Aries blushed but nodded and went into the joint room and lay on his bed
fingering his tri-blade. He smirked and tossed it- and caught it again. Then
tossed it higher- Aries had momentary forgotten the tri-blade when he had heard
Kenshin enter the room.
He smiled at Kenshin as Kenshin watched in horror as the tri-blade his friend
had thrown descended- pulled by gravity upon him. The blade turned down and
Aries only caught a look a Kenshin's horror struck look- only then remembering
the tri-blade.
He looked up and realizing he couldn't catch it in time and tried to roll off
the bed. The tri-blade struck the beds covers just barley missing Aries- or so
Kenshin had thought at first. The tri-blade had cut all the way across his
friends back.
Aries gasped as the delayed pain hit. Kenshin gave him credit for not passing
out as Kenshin rushed to Aries side putting his bedding on the wound. Hiko had
probably sensed that something was wrong as he came into the room. Without
delay he ordered Kenshin to get some wet and dry coverings -and sewing thread.
Kenshin was ordered out of the room as Hiko went to work.
The next day Hiko left the room, he smiled when he saw that Kenshin had fallen
asleep outside of the bedroom. He knew that having the two as partners would be
a good idea, just as he knew Aries would survive and be able to fight again.
Kenshin although he was very strong on his own needed someone to share his life
and feelings with. Someone that he could count on -and someone to live for -
although Kenshin would become very strong, he was not immune to human feelings
and after the war ended he would probably feel that he had served his fate.
That was why Hiko had decided to take on Aries as an apprentice as well. so
that they would have each other when the war ended. he hopped that Aries would
be able to survive the war.
"Master? Is he alright?" Hiko pulled himself from his musings at Kenshin's
words. He had probably awoken when he had felt he was being watched. Hiko
sighed and smiled sadly.
"Yes- physically, he'll be able to fight again. However being hurt by your own
weapon even if you are to blame- does something to a person." Hiko answered
vaguely, Kenshin turned away and glanced at the ground. As he got off the floor
he felt a rush of anger at himself for entering the room when he had and at
Hiko for being so damnably vague.
Kenshin went into the room and there he watched and guarded his friend as he
slept. Hiko had no idea how right he would be…
Aries was never quite the same as he had been when he awoke.
===============================================================================
ARIES
Abby Ebon
Part 1,
Chapter Three:
The War
===============================================================================
"Come on Kenshin! Fight Me!" Aries yelled dodging fast to the left as Kenshin,
aggravated with the younger boy's taunts, lunged at him with his sword.
Kenshin, though frustrated, saw through Aries' ploy and leaping up- he flipped
over mid jump to land behind Aries.
Aries quickly realized what Kenshin had done- as he used that ploy often
enough- and spun around while bringing his tri-blade up to defend him self. The
two weapons met in a clash of sparking steal, and Hiko could see that both of
his students were breathing hard.
Hiko knew that although they both loved the thrill of fighting each other,
himself, or even someone equally as skilled as them. They were careful, and yet
he didn't know how they would fight with someone trying to kill them.
It had been three years sense Aries had been taken in. If he had judged the
boys ages correctly- Kenshin was now around fifteen or fourteen, Aries likely a
year younger. Kenshin grinned at Aries's frustrated expression and replied with
a 'calm' retort. Putting more pressure on the triblade- and Aries himself.
"I am fighting Aries." Kenshin smirked, his sword had been caught between one
of the tri-blades blades. Using an old technique, he moved suddenly-causing
Aries to fall to the ground and Kenshin to land on top of him.
Kenshin smirked triumphantly down at Aries, as he pointed the blade playfully
at the younger boy's throat. Hiko felt a thrill of fear- it would be so easy
for Kenshin's grip to slip and the sword to get its first blood with Aries's
life.
"Enjoying your self?" Aries asked with a smirk, as he sighed and rolled his
eyes. Hiko chuckled knowing that Kenshin always fell into the trap of pinning
Aries with his body. Which on any other swordfighter it might work- although on
Aries it never would.
"Shinta- how many times do I have to tell you? I am a street rat!" Aries yelled
as he lunged at Kenshin with another tri-blade, a gift from Hiko. His main one
holding Kenshin's sword at bay as he rose up.
Kenshin jerked back, and their rolls were successfully reversed. Aries had no
qualms with pinning the bigger boy. The other held Kenshin's sward trapped
between the blades. Kenshin laughed shaking his head.
"Alright you win this round now get off Aries." Kenshin yielded, Aries rolled
his blue green eyes and got off, brushing dirt off his fighting Gi. Kenshin
tilted his head. Aries had changed a lot over the years.
His hair was longer in a ponytail now, rather then those rats-nests he had long
ago- though his bangs were everywhere giving him an innocent look. Girls fell
for every time. Aries looked to the side where Hiko stood.
"So how was that Master?" Aries asked shyly- the boy still had some self
confidence issues even after three years of the accident. Hiko nodded satisfied
at their progress but noting Kenshin's absentminded gaze he decided to
embarrass the youth for ignoring him.
"Very good, however I doubt a true opponent would let you get so close." Hiko
stated dryly, Kenshin's cheeks flamed bright red, and Aries laughed as the
three of them made their way back to the house.
Hiko disappeared as he usually did as Kenshin and Aries started on their
chores. Kenshin started on the dishes- while Aries did the laundry.
Kenshin was at the age where he had noticed that in the village only the women
were doing chores like these and deemed them girly.
"We should be practicing Aries, not doing chores! It's demeaning…" Kenshin
whined, Aries couldn't help but laugh as he started on the laundry.
"Well there aren't any girls here Red, besides we have to earn our keep
somehow!" Aries told him softly.
Kenshin had known this, of course, but hadn't told Aries that. While doing
these chores was kind of meditative in a way, and one of the few times he could
think without people interrupting.
Aries, meanwhile, was wondering to make Kenshin this distracted lately. He
frowned Hiko's comment to Kenshin had been strange. Aries turned worried eyes
to his friend's back, opened his mouth-then closed it when no words came, then
he worried his bottom lip and tried to concentrate on the laundry.
Though he couldn't- as unfound fears and thoughts he had buried long ago came
crawling out of the dark places of his mind. What if Kenshin and Hiko didn't
want to keep him around anymore? What if they thought he had outlived his
usefulness to them? Did they want to send him out on the streets again?
In any case Aries didn't want to leave. This was the only place he felt
relatively safe and wanted at. As his questions and doubts stirred he grew
uneasy. He blinked in surprise when he reached for another article of clothing
and there was none.
Aries sighed and got up, picking up the bucket and dumping it outside. He
always did the laundry in the kitchen, even if Kenshin and Hiko thought it was
a bad idea. He usually didn't spill any of the dirty water, and they really
didn't have anything to complain about sense there clothing was hung in the
kitchen- to the side where the heat dried them faster.
Aries sat down outside and silently watched the sun set. It was always
beautiful here. Aries remembered when he had first came here so long ago- and
had wanted nothing more then to go back to the streets where he knew he would
have died at.
In a since he supposed he had wanted to die back then. Then Hiko and Kenshin
had given his something to live for- the Hitenmitsurugiryu sword style. Hiko-
who was both his father and teacher. Kenshin- a friend who had become like a
brother to him.
To Aries these things meant everything. Although they probably didn't know it,
he was loyal to only them- and would die for them without a second thought to
his own well being.
Aries frowned bitterly remembering his past, which he had still not told to
them. It wasn't trust issue anymore- he was ashamed of who and what he had once
been.
Who maybe, in a since-he still was?
He didn't notice Hiko coming up behind him, though he did glance at Hiko, when
he sat down beside him.
"It's cold out here. Why don't you come in?" Hiko asked Aries glanced at the
sky.
"Master may I ask you something?" Hiko nodded wondering what was troubling his
youngest pupil.
"You'd tell me if you didn't want me here right?" Hiko chuckled, causing Aries
to glance at him startled.
"Aries is that what has gotten you so worked up?" Hiko paused to look from
Aries to the heavens hoping for guidance and words that could sooth Aries'
fears.
"Aries when I took you in I thought it might had been the worst idea I had ever
had. Kenshin, at the time, agreed fervently with me saying we should get rid of
you while we could that you would cost too mush to keep, that you were dirty
and smelt horrid." Hiko gave Aries a twisted little smile at the others
surprise. Kenshin despite his harsh words had made sure Aries had never
overheard them.
"When we got cleaned up he said that you were an orphan, a thief-a filth since
you had lived on the streets. He said that the gods would put us in a vile
place when we died for taking you in." Hiko glanced at his charge and seeing
his confusion in worry at why a person who he viewed as a parent was saying all
these horrible things about him, Hiko continued.
"But when we got to know you and you wormed your way in to our lives. Kenshin
didn't say anything. I thought he might still hate you, but had given up. I
came to him one day and told him I was planning to get rid of you." Aries was
surprised, perhaps that had been the day when they had come back with his
piercing.
"Now where he would have once rejoiced he was startled and begged me to
reconsider. That you weren't as bad underneath as you had seemed. Aries if we
had wanted you gone you would have been long ago. Now tell me why you asked
that?" Hiko finished and Aries shifted uncomfortable with the way Hiko had laid
bare the past like he had.
"Kenshin seems to be withdrawing the more that we fight and the other day he
said something funny in the village…" Hiko turned to him frowning; Aries
crouched and fingered his tri-blade.
"As to the answer to his withdrawing you must ask Kenshin about it. What else
did he say Aries?" Hiko murmured in the dark as Aries yawned and glanced to the
stars again.
"He said war was coming and we must fight." Aries said looking away from Hiko
so he didn't see the man's startled expression fade as Aries looked back to
him. Hiko stood brushing back his hair.
"I don't know if war is coming Aries- but Kenshin is wrong we're staying out of
this fight…Neither of you are ready" Hiko looked back down at Aries who nodded
and rose to go back into the house.
"Aries if Kenshin talks of war again tell me alright?" Hiko requested softly,
Aries nodded and left Hiko to think as he went to bed. Kenshin's eyes opened
when Aries passed his bed and went to his own.
Kenshin had been slightly worried that Aries had been out for more then two
hours after sun set since he was usually the first one to go to bed. Kenshin
had decided that it wasn't worth worrying over and tried to go to sleep.
The next morning when Hiko woke them up, Aries was glazed eyed and his hair was
tousled and tangled. Kenshin wasn't in much better state. They didn't know it
but they had both stayed up worrying about the future for them would be.
===============================================================================
Note; Before this begining, there was this written...be warned it is unedited.
ARIES
Abby Ebon
Part 2,
Chapter One:
Return; The Rurouni must wander, but Aries always follows after
It was a dark night, the streets and market places that where full of life
every day were bare and empty, not a soul was supposed to be out this late, yet
one was, a person that wore a black robe and a twin triplet blade and another
twin triplet blade on the other side of the persons waist under his robes a
fighting Gi that consisted of loose/baggy wight tee-shirt and black loose
pants.
This person was a former man killer, a Ishinshishi, this person was known as
Hitokiri Shisai (Shadow Death) or Aries now he had sea green eyes and long
brown hair tied into a braid that swung to his mid waist his wild bangs stuck
out along the left side of his face was an old long scar it started one inch
above his eyebrow then went over his eye (not harming it) and continues until
and inch above his jaw line then stopped.
Aries knew Kenshin was in this village and he intended to see if the rumors
were true that if his only friend and Sword Mate was now a Rurouni and if the
rumors were true he would have to join him, after all, he had no intention of
letting Kenshin battle or go on without him for Sword Mates stayed with each
other until one died, they were strong apart and invincible together, and
Kenshin and he were the only known sword mates left.
Aries looked around; he saw the dojo rumored to be Kenshin's new home in the
distance he didn't see any outside lights on so he decided to wait until
morning going to greet Kenshin going into a shop that was still open he walked
to the front desk and glanced around the room it consisted mostly of street men
and dunks.
Aries smiled at the desk clerk
"Hello sir, how may I help you?" asked the man
"I'm looking for a man that used to go by Hitokiri Battousai or as you more
then likely know him as Kenshin Himura" said Aries smirking as the clerks eyes
widened in shock
"I thought so …..Does anyone here know were Kenshin Himura is?" yelled Aries; a
man with brown hair in two red ties approached him
"my names Sanosuke Sagara and I'm a good friend of Kenshin's what do you want
if it's to fight him you'll have to go through me first" said Sanosuke
Aries smiled up at the tall man "I want nothing of the sort Sagara-san please
deliver this message to Kenshin he'll know what I mean" said Aries, Sanosuke
looked relived that the stranger didn't want to fight Kenshin he nodded for
Aries to continue
"Rurouni must wander, Aries always follows after" said Aries
"Think you can deliver that to Kenshin?" said Aries, Sanosuke nodded and Aries
smiled at him
"You have my thanks" said Aries as he walked past him and into the night
Sanosuke thought the message was a little off but would deliver it just as the
guy asked.
In the night Kenshin tossed and turned groaning and muttering "no…no..not
again" in his sleep
KENSHIN'S DREAM
It was night the moon was full just like every dream before it Kenshin was
standing in the middle of a clearing the smell of earth, blood, and death of
the pack of thieves had been strong thunder blared and lightning flashed and
suddenly it was poring rain soaking him an new element of the old dream
interfered when a twig snapped and Kenshin spun around his sword prepared to
kill the person who startled him his blade clashed against metal instead of the
expected flesh of a human
"We're getting too old for this Kenshin, I hope the war is one soon, for your
sake if not mine" stated a nearly forgotten familiar Tri-blade wielding former
thief turned warrior his best friend Kenshin smiled
"What are you doing here Aries aren't you supposed to be helping Tomoe?" Aries
rolled his eyes "Kenshin did you actually expect me not to help out? I must
fight just as you must" stated Aries who shock his head
"I know old friend" stated Kenshin glancing at Aries who watched him warily
"Aries? What is it?" Aries flinched "We got through the war without much damage
then you had to go and accept that mission and had to get your face cut up"
explained the younger warrior
Kenshin snorted "Is that what's bugging you, don't sweat it it's not a bad omen
or anything" stated Kenshin dryly Aries didn't say any more as they made there
way to Tomoe's home Tomoe greeted Kenshin but practically ignored Aries who
went off somewhere to be alone or so Kenshin thought until he found a note
saying that Aries was going to go find himself and not to worry about him that
he wanted Kenshin to be happy with his new found love
The next day had been his worst nightmare
END DREAM
Kenshin gasped as he awoke breathing heavily the memory brought back pain of
both Tomoe's death and his best friends departure he had been depressed for a
long time after that thinking maybe Aries had died or had went back to his
thieving ways he hadn't gotten any information or heard any rumors as he had
wondered, sighing Kenshin pushed the old memories away determined that no one
would suspect that he had dreamt of his past
In the morning Sanosuke walked to the dojo and was greeted by Kenshin 'oh well,
they say the best time is the present'
"Yo, Kenshin tonight wail I was at a restaurant this guy asked everyone there
if they knew you, I walked up hoping the guy didn't want to fight it turned out
he only wanted me to give you a message" said Sanosuke by the time Sanosuke had
finished talking Yahiko and Kaoru had come
"And the message was?" inquired Kenshin curiously hopping it wouldn't be a new
enemy "Rurouni must wander, Aries always follows after" Kenshin stiffened
hoping against hope that the message had been delivered by his friend
"You said this person was male? Can you be sure of that?" said Kenshin 'I have
to be sure' thought Kenshin he knew a girl that he had met in his travels who
he had told those words to
"Yah I'm pretty sure, he had a scar over his left eye that went to his jaw
line, he carried two twin triplet blades" explained Sanosuke, Kenshin looked
faintly amused and vary relived
"Sano-san do you know where this person went?" asked Kenshin, Sanosuke shock
his head
"I'm right behind you" said Aries smiling at Sanosuke's shocked look and the
others who he didn't know
"My name is Aries, former man slayer" said Aries bowing respectfully to
Sanosuke, Yahiko, and Kaoru, Kenshin smiled and when Aries straitened he hugged
his old friend, who the others where shocked to see, was a head smaller then
Kenshin.
Aries let out a laugh and hugged the Rurouni back the two released each other
Aries smiled at Sanosuke "Kenshin, tell me why did Sanosuke here ask if I
wanted to fight you?" asked Aries as he raised an eye brow, Kenshin sighed
"Come Aries, it will be a long story, Miss Kaoru may I have the day off?" Kaoru
nodded and Kenshin lead Aries into the dojo and into his room to begin a story
that would last until the afternoon
ARIES
Abby Ebon
Part 2,
Chapter Two:
A Talk between Old Friends
Kenshin lead Aries to his room Aries sighed the room was practically empty
except from a few of Kenshin's old treasures that could be mistaken for junk if
one did not know Kenshin well enough Aries sat on the ground near the window
and Kenshin sat near him the two sat in companionable silence
"They seem like good people, the young lady Miss Kaoru it seems as if she is
interested in you as a …..husband" said Aries with a wide smirk Kenshin blushed
crimson causing Aries to chuckle good naturedly then grow solemn
"Kenshin do they know of your past after Battousai but before the Rurouni?"
asked Aries eyeing the elder of the two by a few years, sighing Kenshin shock
his head
"Aries they barely know enough to fill in some big blanks about me" stated
Kenshin, Aries rolled his eyes
"Figures yah never trusted anyone after you met me and master" Kenshin looked
at Aries narrowing his eyes yellow starting to creep in
"Kenshin we've been alleys and sword mates sense we met I doubt anything you
do, short of killing me, or yourself, will scare me anymore" stated Aries
watching Kenshin's eyes turn clear blue again Kenshin blushed lightly and Aries
shock his head his brown gold hair falling into his eyes causing him to blink a
few times
"Last we met you had fewer scars and that one on your back is resent if my eyes
don't deceive me, how did it happen and why did Sagara-san say that I had to
fight him before I had to fight you?" asked Aries in a playful tone that hid
his rage and confusion from most but that trick had never worked with Kenshin
"Remember Hajime Saitoh?" asked Kenshin Aries chuckled "Don't tell me he is
still bent on defeating you in that battle you two never finished" stated
Aries, Kenshin sighed "No he and I had to join forces latter this year because
of Shishio Makoto" Aries frowned making a mental note to find out more on this
man "I see, so he gave you the scar on your back?" stated Aries knowing the
answer
"Yes" confirmed Kenshin, Aries nodded slightly
"Tell me Kenshin the word on the streets is that you disappeared when Tomoe
died, you left, if I remember right I had left a few weeks before that, all I
have is the rumors what really happened?" asked Aries watching Kenshin silently
Kenshin didn't reply but Aries nodded "I see" Kenshin sighed "You remember I
had killed her fiancé, and that's how I got one of my scars, and took her to my
home and hopped she would leave in the morning" Aries chuckled in remembrance
"Stubborn woman, I remember that clearly if not for her then I would not know
how to cook" Kenshin rolled his eyes
"True you were worse a cook then Miss Kaoru ever could be before that" muttered
Kenshin making a face
"I'm very glad she taught you to cook I know I would have never had the
patience too" stated Kenshin causing Aries to brake out laughing, then when he
settled down he pouted girlishly
"Now really I wasn't so horrible, we could eat it without dieing" murmured
Aries sheepishly
"Oro!" said Kenshin surprisingly
"Alright, that's enough you so after she taught me to cook, and us both to be
somewhat human, I knew you wanted her for your wife and sense I wanted you to
be happy I left so you could have a normal life without flashbacks to your life
before ….so what happened?" questioned Aries studying Kenshin silently
"She had been a spy and had been instructed to find our weakness when you left
all the better she could find my weakness then through me yours" said Kenshin,
Aries nodded in understanding
"But we had to fee our home because it was burnt down and she somewhere along
the way fell in love with me and I her, then the organization she worked for
kidnapped her and took her to there base and I came there in rage in a fight
she got in-between me and the man that I was fighting I couldn't stop my blade
in time and she died by my blade, the dagger she had cut my cheek and that is
how I got the other scar they formed a x and I left after getting a reverse
blade sword and vowing never to kill again" said Kenshin
Aries sighed knowing that Kenshin was hurting and that the probability of
Battousai coming out was high Kenshin tensed a silent warning to Aries that
Battousai was now in control
Hitokiri Battousai's amber eyes glanced around the room looking for danger then
his eyes landed on Hitokiri Shisai's now lavender eyes, that meant that nothing
was wrong only that there other haves had been talking about the past
"Battousai nice seeing you again" said Shisai who smirked "They shouldn't
torture themselves with the past like that although it is good to see old
friends" stated Battousai
"True" the next half an hour was spent in silence the two old alleys and best
friends simply enjoying now and comparing it mentally to how it had once been
ARIES
Abby Ebon
Part 1,
Chapter Three:
The Bet, a Fight and the Battousai.
In the late afternoon as the sun was setting the two former man slayers came
out and were greeted by Dr. Gensai, Megumi, Ayame, and Suzume who hadn't been
informed of the man known only as Aries to the others "Who's this girl, Sir
Ken?" asked Megumi, Aries blinked and sweat-dropped after realizing who Megumi
meant "Oro! Miss Megumi Aries is no girl, he is one of the best swords men in
Japan" said Kenshin sincerely which made Megumi bush cherry pink at her mistake
"Yah right" snorted Yahiko "No one is better then you Kenshin" said Sanosuke,
Aries ginned semi-evilly "Yah wanna bet on that one Sagara-san?" Sanosuke
nodded wail everyone with the exceptions of Sanosuke, Aries, and Kenshin anime
fell
"Kenshin, how about a good round or two then will see who the best of this duo
is" said Aries glancing at his long time friend who shrugged and nodded "I see
no reason not to Aries" agreed Kenshin
The groups of friends were surprised that this new man could get Kenshin to
spare, when Sanosuke had been trying for so long to get the former Battousai to
agree to a rematch and he had merely asked Kenshin one time and now they were
going to see the two spare.
Kenshin relied mostly on strategy and Ki in battle , Aries relied on strategy
then on any one thing else, the two men chose there weapons Kenshin his
reversed blade sword and Aries his twin triple blades Aries and Kenshin bowed
and raced toward each other using there 'god speed' as many have called it.
Indeed no one could see the two fighting only purple and black blurs to them,
Sanosuke frowned Aries and Kenshin acted like Katsu and he did sometimes maybe
there was a deeper past between the two then the others even knew of perhaps
Kenshin had known Aries before he had turned into the Hitokiri Battousai and if
that was so then that meant Kenshin probably trusted the mysterious stranger
more then the others and himself.
Aries and Kenshin suddenly stopped Aries was on the ground with Sakabatou in
between on of his triple twin dagger's blade Kenshin's amber eyes flashed
'wait' thought Sanosuke 'Kenshin doesn't have amber eyes… Hitokiri
Battousai…..oh shit' was just about what went through the rest of the Kenshin's
friends minds
Aries smirked "Battousai nice to see you….would you mind letting me up?"
Battousai shrugged and put his sword away as did Aries did with his twin
triplet blade Battousai grabbed Aries's hand and roughly pulled into his chest
and hugged him Aries sighed and hugged him back.
The two men released each other and Battousai looked Aries in the eyes
"Aries….why did you leave?" said Battousai with no emotion in his voice, Aries
sighed again and hung his head "Battousai…you were so happy with Tomoe, I felt
I was just another reminder of your …our…past…..so I left" said Aries head
still bowed Battousai scowled at Aries's humbleness.
"Look at me Aries, Hitokiri Shisai, we would have been Sword Mates no matter if
Tomoe liked it or not and you should at least have told me you were leaving I
would have gone with you no matter if I loved Tomoe or not" said Battousai
sincerely, Aries shook his head sadly "Battousai…..I wanted you and Tomoe to be
happy no matter my fate"
Battousai's eyes widened and then narrowed, he grabbed Aries's chin and forced
him to look at him "Aries …..Remember what Hiko Seijuurou said? Once a Sword
Mate always a Sword Mate until one dies….then the living one is living a half
life…until he too dies…if you had died half of my soul would have died with
you" said Battousai with sincerity
"We both agreed that we would comment seppoku if one of us died for its better
then living when you only had half of a soul" said Battousai harshly Aries
flinched and glanced to the ground that was now far more interesting
Battousai's eyes softened and he sighed and shook his head
"Your getting as soft as Rurouni" stated Battousai softly, Aries chuckled and
looked up at him then at Sanosuke wail grinning impishly needless to say Sano
was very pale "So Sagara-san I do believe we had a bet lets go settle it" said
the infamous Hitokiri Shisai walking towards Sano and pushing the taller man
into the Dojo the others followed after wondering what the man known as Aries
would want from Sano
Battousai chuckled at Aries's childish attitude 'Happy now Battousai' asked the
ticked off Rurouni mentally, Battousai mentally nodded and a few seconds later
blue eyed Kenshin had replaced the amber eyed Battousai 'Of course Rurouni you
know that now that Aries is here I can take control and you won't have to worry
about me going on a killing spree' said Battousai mentally "That I do know,
indeed I do" said Kenshin walking away to check on Aries and Sano
ARIES
Abby Ebon
Part 1,
Chapter Four:
Changes
In Sanosuke's life there had been few things he had truly feared but this
mysterious man that rivaled Kenshin Himura's power was someone who he feared
greatly and not without reason the mystery known as the deadly Hitokiri Shisai
had done three things he had had no success in
1.) Getting Kenshin to spare with him
2.) Getting as strong as Kenshin
3.) Controlling the deadly Battousai in Kenshin
And these things were no walk in the park and now the man that had accomplished
all of these things was sitting across from him bargaining on what the bet he
had foolishly made should be settled
"Sano-san if my memories of bets are correct then the loser has to agree to
whatever the winner wants right?" said Aries smirking at the squirming man
"Hai" was the mumbled reply Aries received, Aries smirked
"Well then you can consider this a I-owe-you, you have nothing I'm in need of
now and I thing I can lodge with Miss Kaoru, I will earn my keep I'm nearly as
good as Kenshin when it comes to household keeping" said Aries "and if all else
fails I'll just resort to what I do and have always done best"
Kaoru smiled at Aries
"Of course you can stay here" stated Kaoru
A movement from Aries's direction caught Sano's attention and suddenly Kenshin
was sitting next to Aries, Sanosuke glanced at Kenshin he had his blue eyes
back, Sano mentally celebrated Kenshin's amber eyes gave him the creeps but
didn't seem to bug Aries at all.
O.o.O.o.O
Well, other then this sex scene, this is all that ever was of Aries.
Aries hissed slightly as he removed his bloody shirt from his bruised body he
had won the fight for his will had not been broken but he would probably be
very sore for a few days to come in that there was no question Aries stifled a
yawn because despite being beaten to a pulp and staved for a few days he
desperately needed sleep so he didn't do something he'd never not do under
normal circumstances he left his Tri-blade with his old clothing
Aries didn't notice the figure in Kenshin's and his room with amber blue eyes
that watched him with lust, protectiveness, and possessiveness shining in them
Hitokiri Battousai watched his only friend and alley with something other then
friendship it had been a tuff ten year war and it was coming to an end he
didn't know what he was going to do after the war he only knew he didn't want
Aries to go away or to die anytime soon he realized that now after Aries had
been captured for three days
Battousai watched as Aries's chest rose and fell with every breath he was
breathing normally though, Battousai stepped out of the shadows he wore only
his loose pants that served as sleeping clothing in Aries and his own line of
work you never knew when danger might strike Battousai was suddenly struck by
how close he had come to loosing his first true friend he realized suddenly
that he wanted to make sure this was not an illusion brought on by not sleeping
and traveling constantly
Battousai drew closer to the sleeping figure until he looked over him
Battousai's normally blue amber eyes were completely amber Battousai got on his
knees and Aries form stiffened warning Battousai that although Aries's eye lids
hadn't flickered or his breathing pattern changed Aries was well aware that
someone was in the room
Aries moved in a flash pinning Battousai to the floor Aries's eyes widened when
he realized who he had caught, and Battousai smirked at his friends surprise,
taking advantage of Aries's shock long enough to switch there positions
Aries blinked at him curiously, Battousai straddled the younger man's waist
grinding there shafts together causing Aries to blush and his eyes to glaze
over Battousai captured the younger mans mouth with his own possessively
running his tongue along Aries bottom lip. Silently asking for entrance,
Aries's opened his mouth willingly as the two explored the others mouths with
there tongues and there bodies with wondering hands and probing figures
Somehow they turned so they were on there sides Battousai smirked when he found
Aries's entrance causing the thief to arch, Battousai's probing fingers found
Aries prostate and caused the other fighter to nearly come then Battousai
smirked and slowly started to stretch Aries who soon grew used to Battousai's
menstruations but he was panting and arching against the fingers
Battousai removed his fingers wanting to be inside of his mate gently he turned
so that he was facing Aries back gently he slid into the tight heat and groaned
waiting until Aries purposely squeezed him it had been there sign that they
were ready to move on Battousai gasped as the tight canal clenched onto him
then released him Battousai pounded into his mate his lover
Aries panted and Battousai watched him he bit into Aries's shoulder drawing a
low moan from him Battousai watched as Aries's eyes clouded and he turned into
Shisai, beautiful green-blue eyes turned into mixed lavender Shisai met
Battousai easily and he growled
"Faster" ordered the former thief Battousai didn't question him and merely did
what Shisai had asked shifting so he could penetrate deeper Shisai screamed his
name as Battousai brushed his pleasure place gasping and panting for breath
Shisai moaned
"Battousai…let go …please…harder" pleaded Shisai with a low growl Battousai let
go slamming into the withering and arching body of Shisai with twin screams the
two came as one and Battousai slid gently out of his lover and turned him to
his chest Shisai purred contentedly cuddling against the older of the two
Battousai grinned and made soothing circles on Shisai's back looking down at
his mate who met his eyes reassuring what he had always known .Shisai was his.
Battousai smiled a real smile and Shisai closed his eyes knowing that he could
relax and let his ever present guard down trusting Battousai to keep them safe
Battousai was glad that Shisai hadn't been too badly hurt just beaten 'Those
bastereds probably thought that they broke him' Battousai shivered in horror at
the thought of having his lover driven into madness by pain 'I'm glad I killed
them all' thought Battousai savagely
he remembered seeing his lover unconscious and thinking him dead then there
bloody screams of pain as he had captured them inside a secured room and burned
them making sure the flames had killed them and not the smoke and then the
relief he had felt when he had found that Shisai although bloody was alive
when Shisai had awoken they had been far away from the caves Shisai had asked
him to go and secure them a room in this inn it had been mid afternoon and he
had arrived in it about two hours, it had taken his lover until dusk to reach
it, he was worried but not too much they would rest here for a week then go by
then Battousai had no doubt that Shisai would be fully recovered.
They basked in the assurance that the other was alive and well and that soon
the morning would come and a new day would come
O.o.O.o.O
End Notes
     Likely that would have marked the between, the end of childhood and
     the beginning of the war and then parting. This is one of my older
     stories, and likely the only reason I kept it as long as I have.
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