AN: Here it is, part two of the Jinchuu arc! I hope that the way I try to balance the canon pieces and original pieces is entertaining for everyone, so please enjoy! For those who are not familiar with RK, please read the manga!

Disclaimer: While the story idea is mine, the characters and their worlds are not and belong to their original creators only!

I would sincerely like to apologize for such a long delay. As we all know life can get in the way of our passions (like writing) and we have to do what we have to do as adults. I would also like to apologize if my fight scene writing isn't up to par. It's not easy for me to write what I feel is a good fight scene so please bare with me. XD

PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOT AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER! THANKS 3

Chapter 18

Kenshin gripped his sword tightly trying desperately to keep ahold of it as he slid roughly across the ground. The slight whirring sound of Iwanbo's arm could be heard behind him. Getting to his feet again, he kept a careful eye on Iwanbo as he reassessed his opponent.

Gein's voice drifted down to him from the puppets mouth. "All the joints rotate freely on both the vertical and horizontal axis, it's what I like to call the joint-free mechanism." He said, a smug note coming into his voice as he spoke about his creation. "No matter how many opponents you have beaten in the past Battousai, this is the first time you have ever fought something that isn't even human!"

'Isn't human….then there is no reason to hold back or show mercy.' Kenshin thought as he adjusted his hold on his sword, flipping the blade in the process. As he prepared to attack he felt it. It was like a tickle at the edge of his awareness. He furrowed brow as he tried to place this feeling.

Moments later there was a blur of movement followed by a thud that kicked up a large cloud of dust drawing everyone's attention to where the dojo's gate once stood.

Kenshin eyed the slowly dissipating cloud of dust, being careful to keep Iwanbo within his peripheral vision. A second, softer thump followed by a muffled feminine 'ow' and a soft 'poof' had him blinking in surprise.

As the dust settled two figures could be made out. One was standing above the other, who was sitting on the ground and the obvious source of the second thump.

"Oh my…" Said a sugary sweet feminine voice. "...you weren't waiting for us too long were you?" 'She' giggled as her big blue doe eyes scanned the dojo's court yard taking in everyone's wide eyed, shocked expressions. She carefully kept her amusement at everyone's shocked expressions to herself as she started to make her way towards the closest enemy, her long blonde pigtails swaying behind her.

She knew that the shock of her appearance was only enhanced as the dust settled and seemed to float around her more interesting assets. Batting her large blue eyes up at the large, muscular camo clad man she continued talking. "Oh, you're staring is making me blush!" She said as she shyly put her hands up to her burning cheeks. "Do you like what you see?" She asked sweetly, the tone of her voice deceptively innocent sounding. Her actions caused the blood dripping from his broken nose to trickle out faster.

Banjin stared, slack jawed and drooling, blood dripping in an uncontrolled stream from his nose, as the pretty, young and very naked blonde girl moved towards him. Oh how he wished that the strange dust cloud swirling around her body would completely disappear so he could see all of what she had to offer. Quickly wiping at his bleeding nose he grinned down at the blonde girl. "Hey there cutie! Do you want to watch me wipe the floor with this loser over here?" He asked as he gestured towards Sano.

"Hey! Who are you calling a loser?!" Sano barked, the insult having snapped him out of his own shocked stupor.

Tearing his eyes from the girl that was slowly approaching him Banjin turned back to his opponent. "You thats who!" He barked back. "So, what do you say cutie?" He asked again as he turned back towards her.

She pouted her pink lips and tapped a delicately manicured finger against her chin as she pretended to think over the offer. "Well...I don't know…."

"Come on now, you know you want to watch a big strong man like me fight!" Banjin said, a kocky grin spreading on his face.

"Hummm…" She eyed him over critically. "...I think…."

"Yeah? What do you think cutie?" Banjin asked, his grin spreading as he leaned forward in anticipation.

"I think…" 'POOF' "...that you're a dirty pervert!" Naruto exclaimed as he lept at the now completely stunned Banjin and punched him squarely in the face with a chakra laced fist sending flying back and crashing into the compounds outer wall.

"He's a dirty pervert?! If he's a dirty pervert, what the hell does that make you?!" Misao exclaimed, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

"Yeah!" Yahiko barked at him. His own cheeks flushed a fiery red.

For a moment the area went still, the only sounds breaking the eerie silence was the ragged breathing from Hyougo's inert form and the painful groaning from Banjin. All eyes snapped to where Naruto had landed, taking in the disgruntled figure of Miaso who was standing with her arms crossed and foot tapping as she stared Naruto down for his perverted stunt.

"Misao?!" Everyone chorused surprised.

"Hey guys!" she replied as she turned her attention towards the dojo and waved. "You didn't think I would miss the chance to come and help did you?"

Naruto crossed his arms as he let out a derisive snort. "More like you forced yourself on us." He grumbled, frowning at the older girl.

Misao growled in frustration. "What was that?!" She barked at him as she turned her attention towards the blonde shinobi.

Naruto narrowed his eyes as he eyed her. "You heard me!" He barked back.

"Why you…!" She growled, taking a step in his direction.

"Knock it off you two!" Kaoru yelled, interrupting the two teens. "Where's Hinata?" She asked as she scanned the area quickly.

Naruto turned towards Kaoru, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, she's just, ya'know, tieing up a few loose ends." He said with a chuckle as he pointed over his shoulder at the still form of Hyougo, who was now neatly tied up with ninja wire.

Kenshin let out a breath as he watched Hinata emerged from the shadows of the compound wall and make her way over towards Misao. 'They both made it, thank Kami.' He thought with relief. "It is good to see the two of you again, that it is. Although I am surprised to see you Misao-dono. I did not expect you to accompany them, that I did not."

"I told you we would make it Ji-san!" Naruto said, a grin still plastered to his face as he made his way back over to the girls. "You didn't doubt us did you?"

"If you're done with your little family reunion, we have some business to get back to Battousai." Gein said.

Kenshin looked back at him over his shoulder, his eyes narrowed. With a flick of his wrist he sheathed his sword. "Naruto, Hinata-dono are the two of you good to fight?"

"You bet we are!" Naruto said excitedly as he turned slightly. "Right Hinata?!"

Hinata blushed a little. 'I can't let them down.' She thought. As she set her determination she gave a small nod. "Y-Yes. I can fight…."

Kenshin turned his back to Gein. "Good, I leave this one to you two then." He said as he started to calmly walk back towards the dojo.

"You would have me fight children Battousai?!" Gein shouted angrily, insulted by the turn of events.

Kenshin did not stop to look back. "I do not have time to play with toys." He replied, his voice cool and controlled. As Naruto and Hinata approached him, he placed out a hand to stop them. "Be careful with this opponent. The real man is hidden inside this mechanical puppet."

"Heh, this guy is hiding in a puppet huh?" Naruto said as he eyed Iwanbo. "Don't worry Ji-san, we got this."

Violet met determined blue for a moment. With a nod of his head Kenshin dropped his hand and allowed them to continue. "Remember what I told you..." He said as he turned and watched them approach their opponent.

"Yeah, yeah...I know!" Naruto replied, waving at his uncle over his shoulder as he walked.

Kenshin watched them for a long moment more before shifting his attention up to the hot air balloons above. "ENISHI!" He yelled. "I'm tired of waiting, why don't you stop watching and come down and face me!"

"There is no need to yell Battousai, unless you wish to wake the neighbors." Enishi replied as he looked down upon the battles below him. "You, the one that killed my sister, the one looking up to the heavens, have no right to order me around. I am the one in control here Battousai! Once all the opponents before you have been defeated, then and only then will I come down. Do not fret though Battousai, I will deliver my Jinchuu personally!"

Naruto narrowed his eyes up at the white haired man. "You better remember you said that, 'cause we are going to beat all these guys in no time!" He shouted.

"Yeah, you tell him kid!" Sano exclaimed as he cracked his knuckles and eyed Banjin as he struggled to pull himself out of the hole his body had made in the wall.

Enishi scoffed, a smug expression on his face. "Your nephew sure has a fierce bark Battousai. I wonder if his bite will live up to it's promise, or if you just sent him and that girl to their deaths."

Kenshin's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You need not worry about them. They can handle themselves." He replied.

"We shall see now won't we Battousai? It would be fitting for you to watch your nephew die though, don't you think? Although I wonder how you two are related….through his father...or mother maybe?" Enishi's grin broadened as he watched Kenshin's expression as it darkened. "Ah...so you too have a beloved neesan. Too bad I can't kill her in front of your eyes like you did mine!"

Naruto's blood boiled at Enishi's words. "SHUT UP!" He roared, his expression dark and more feral than it was mere moments before. "How DARE you speak about either of my parents you BASTARD!"

Kenshin gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, the white of his knuckles the only visible sign of his own growing anger. "Naruto calm yourself!" he called, his voice stern. "Do not let someone who knows nothing about honor and sacrifice get to you!"

Naruto's head whipped around towards Kenshin. "But..!"

"Kenshin-sensei is right Naruto-kun." Hinata said, her voice quiet and barely audible. She eyed Iwanbo warily as she continued. "H-He is trying to wryly up your emotions in hopes that you will get yourself killed. Do not give him that pleasure."

Naruto growled, his anger and frustration evident. "Fine." He replied. "Lets kick this guys ass then!" He said turning his attention to the large Iwanbo puppet.

Gein growled, angered by Naruto's remark. "Don't be presumptuous. You don't stand a chance boy, I am a master of my art!" He said. "I am Gein! I am the last descendant of a line of puppet masters that have worked to refine the arts of construction and mechanics since the middle ages!"

"You call that art?!" Naruto replied as he looked Iwanbo over. "That thing is ugly!"

"My Iwanbo model 3 wasn't built for beauty, it is a piece of perfected construction which is a completely different type of beauty boy! A lifetime of work went into this. The rubber surface, processed for maximum ductility, steel control wires, state of the art mechanics and joints! Made to withstand even the legendary Battousai himself!"

"Heh." Naruto scoffed as he took his bokken off of his back and settled into a fighting stance. "Well, I don't know about all that stuff that you were just talking about, but I'm not Ji-san and that thing doesn't stand a chance against me, Naruto Uzumaki!"

Naruto dashed forward and with a quick leap went to hit Iwanbo's shoulder.

With a flick of his wrist, Gein had the puppets arm moving to block. Another twist of his hand and he had the puppets hand connecting with Naruto, batting him away and sending him sailing through the air.

With a crash Naruto landed roughly in a large pile of rubble. He let out a pained groaned. 'Damn, that hurt.' He thought as he extracted himself from the rubble..

"I told you boy, I designed this Iwanbo specifically to fight the Battousai! A weak child like you doesn't stand a chance!"

Naruto growled angrily. "And I told you that thing doesn't stand a chance against me!" He barked back as he charged forward again. Moving quickly he ducked under Iwanbo's arm and swung, making contact with the puppets side. His bokken sunk into it's side for a moment before reversing its trajectory, sending Naruto flying back again.

Hinata stayed off to the side, taking care to not draw Gein's attention towards her as she carefully studied Iwanbo's mechanics. Her Byakugan throbbed painfully, but she pushed herself to keep it activated. 'I need to find it's weakness! It's the only way!' She thought as she grimaced against the pain.

Kenshin watched as Naruto and Hinata's fight start from his position on the dojo's engawa. It was the most advantageous position as he had a good view of all three fights plus he could see the hot air balloons above. It was the main reason that he had joined Kaoru, Megumi and Misao on the engawa.

"What is he doing?" Kaoru hissed as she intently watched Naruto's battle unfold while the other fighters squared off and sized each other up.

"Ya mean besides being an idiot?" Misao said, groaning as she watched him fly into a large pile of rubble, landing with a crash.

"If I had to guess, he is testing his opponent." Kenshin replied.

"But he just keeps bouncing off!" Kaoru said as she turned towards him slightly. "What on earth could he be getting from that? And why isn't Hinata helping? She's just standing there, didn't you leave that guy to both of them?"

He nodded as his eyes narrowed slightly as he focused\ more intently for a moment. "Did you not notice that each of Naruto's attacks, while appearing similar, have made Gein use that puppet of his in a different way?" He asked.

Megumi turned her attention away from the fight to look at Kenshin. "There isn't anything special about that is there?" She asked curiously. "I mean most people would move and reacted at least a little differently to each new attack."

"You are correct Megumi-dono, that you are." He said as he nodded in agreement. "These variations in movement should show what the puppets limitations are, as well as possible weaknesses."

"What about Hinata?" Kaoru replied as she watched the battle. "She doesn't even have her bokken out to fight."

"While I do not know the full extent of her abilities, I do know one thing for sure." Kenshin replied as he grinned slightly before he continued. "She is using those eyes of hers to watch. If anyone will be able to see Iwanbo's weaknesses, it's her." He turned his attention away from the battle to look at her as he continued. "With Naruto using himself as a distraction Hinata-dono is free to assess the enemy without his realizing. To him, Naruto is nothing but a loud mouthed boy who's full of himself and Hinata-dono is nothing but a frightened girl in too deep. He has no way of knowing just how dangerous shinobi can be and no reason to suspect that he will, in fact, be beaten by those two."

Getting to his feet Naruto wiped a trickle of blood from the scrap on his face. "Is that all you got?!" He barked, a smirk on his face.

Gein frowned at the remark. "I should be the one asking you that boy." He replied. "The only thing good about this fight is the fact that I got to test the new mechanisms that I designed. Do you understand now that you and that wooden sword of yours don't stand a chance against me? It's hopeless for you to fight me!"

Naruto scoffed as he adjusted his hold on his bokken. "That's where you're wrong!" He exclaimed. "It's not hopeless, and if you think I'm going to run away like a coward you can forget it! I will never back down or run away from a coward like you! A grown man who hides himself away inside a doll! Why don't you come out and fight me like a real man!"

Gein growled to himself as he felt his own temper rise at the blonde shinobi's taunting. "If that is how you truly feel boy then I shall show you what this doll can do!" He exclaimed as he sent Iwanbo's arm shooting out with the twist of his wrist in an attempt to grab the blonde boy.

Naruto dodged the puppets hand, letting it crash into the ground where he had stood. With a leap he landed on Iwanbo's extended arm and ran up it. As he reached the top of the puppets arm he jumped, bokken raised above his head, and aimed a hit towards Iwanbo's head.

With a quick flick of his other wrist Gein sent Iwanbo's other hand up to intersect. Grabbing Naruto from mid air he threw him, sending him flying back and crashing roughly into the ground where he bounced and rolled before the rubble stopped him.

Hinata eyed him worriedly as he pulled himself to his feet again. "Damn that hurts." He grumbled to himself.

"A-Are you alright Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked as she moved over towards him.

"Huh?" He blinked as he turned towards her. "Oh, yeah...I'm fine." He replied as he chuckled a little. Honestly, he had forgotten for a moment that Hinata was even around. Turning serious he looked back towards Iwabo. "So, did you see a way to defeat him?" He asked, taking care to keep his voice down so Gein wouldn't overhear him.

Hinata's expression turned grim. "G-Getting through that rubber skin isn't going to be possible with the bokkens...we are going to have to use kuani for that. Even then I-I'm not sure what kind of damage we will be able to do, the rubber l-looks to be reinforced. As far as the puppet itself, we need to jamb the mechanics some how."

"And that Gein guy?" He asked.

"H-He is in a steel cage located in the puppets torso. I-It will be hard to get to him, but not impossible if we can get through the outer layer." She replied.

A confident grin spread across his face as he took his bokken and strapped it across his back.

Gein's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing boy? Giving up?" He asked.

"Hey, you wish!" Naruto barked back. "I'm just done warming up!" He slid his hand into his weapons pouch and grabbed a couple of kunai as he eyed Hinata from his peripheral vision. "Ready?" He asked quietly.

"Yes." Hinata replied, her voice set and firmer than usual as she too got out a few kunai.

Naruto's grin spread at her answer. "Ok then Hinata, let's go!" He said as he dashed forward, boosting his speed with chakra. Iwanbo's hand shot out towards him, which he quickly dodged and let loose the kunai he had in his hand. As he flipped over Iwanbo's foot that had moved to kick him, he watched as his kunai sunk into Iwanbo's rubber skin and didn't bounce back as the sharp metal blades sliced into the rubber. "Yatta!" Naruto cheered as he landed on his feet, sliding back from his momentum. "It worked!"

Hinata let Naruto take the lead. While he was engaging the enemy she used Geins distraction to her advantage as she moved around to the other side of the giant puppet. Letting loose her own kunai she watched as they sunk into Iwanbo's rubbery surface up to their handles. A small smile formed on her face at Naruto's excited exclamation from the enemy's other side. 'Hmmm…. I wonder…' She thought as she moved, taking care to stay in Iwanbo's blind spot. Palming another kunai she prepared to throw it, this time adding a little chakra to reinforce the blade. With a quick flick of her wrist she sent the kunai sailing towards Iwanbo where it embedded into it's back...and completely disappeared as it sliced through the rubber outer layer as well as the thinner, malleable wire reinforcement under its skin.

Gein's eyes widened as a metallic scraping sound rang out around him as Hinata's kunai sliced through the outer layers of the puppet before embedding itself in the protective metal cage around him. With a few quick twists and of his wrists he disengaged from the blonde boy and sent Iwanbo's arms shooting around behind him.

"Naruto-kun! Reinforce your kunai!" Hinata called as she turned to look in the blonde's direction. Movement in her peripheral vision had her snapping her head back around and jumping to dodge as one of Iwanbo's hands as it shot out from it joint towards her. As she flipped in mid air Iwanbo's other had shot out and grabbed her, tossing her roughly into the nearby rubble.

"Hinata!" Naruto shouted, concerned as he watched her land with a loud crash.

"Stupid girl!" Gein growled out angrily. "You think you can beat me with those little knives of yours?!"

Naruto's eyes snapped back towards the puppet at Geins words. "You bastard!" He growled out angrily. So what if he had been tossed around like a sack of rice, he could take it, but he would be damned if he would just sit back and let Gein treat Hinata like that. Palming a kunai as he dashed forward, dodging the hand that shot out towards him and with a quick leap, with a twist of his body he easily dodged the second hand as well. As he landed on the puppets extended arm he laced the kunai with chakra and dragged it along the rubber skin, slicing it away to expose the steel cables and mechanics hidden underneath.

'Damn that boy!' Gein thought in frustration as he retracted the other arm and shot it at Naruto again.

Naruto could see the hand shooting towards him as he reached Iwanbo's shoulder, with a grin his dug out a different kunai. Quickly activating the seal tag that was attached he charged the kunai with a little chakra and sent it flying towards Iwanbo's head. With a quick flip he sailed over Iwanbo's hand before landing on the ground.

The kunai flew true, landing right between Iwanbo's eyes and slicing through the rubber like butter before shredding its way into the puppets head. As the kunai embedded itself on a thick piece of steel within Iwanbo's skull the last of the explosive note burned away.

BOOM

Gein's eyes widened as the explosion rocked the puppet. Heat blasted down on him followed by thick, choking smoke. He coughed and gasped for air. Blinded by both the smoke and watering eyes. He cried out in pain as red hot melted rubber dripped down onto him, burning through his hood and mask. Another coughing fit wracked his body, he know he had to get out or suffocate on the thick, putrid smoke. For the first time he cursed himself for his over confidence in his design. The only exit was through the melted rubber and burning hot steel above. His head swam, his vision blurred and narrowed as blackness edged into his vision. Dropping the control wires he reached out, desperation driving him to climb out to fresh air.

Hinata climbed to her feet, scraped and a little bruised from the impact, but otherwise alright. She warily eyed the smoking remains of Iwanbo's head as Naruto made his way over to her.

"You ok?" He asked as he reached her.

She gave him a quick nod. "Y-Yes." She replied. A long moment passed as they both assessed the smoking puppet before them.

Naruto scowled at Iwanbo as it just sat there, smoke curling up to the sky from it's head. "What do you think he's going to do now?" He asked.

"I...I don't know…." She replied.

They both instinctively reached for kunai as the puppet shuddered and the rest of the head fell back and away as Gein emerged, coughing and hacking and wheezing as he desperately tried to suck in fresh air.

"You ready to fight face to face now you coward?!" Naruto barked as he slid into a fighting stance.

Gein's body shook with wracking coughs. "N-No…" He choked out as the world spun around him. Gasping he pulled himself the rest of the way out of his puppet and half jumped and half fell, landing in a graceless lump on the ground. "...I can not fight...like this…" He gasped.

Warily they approached him as another bout of coughing wracked his body. With a quick glance and a nod Hinata stepped forward, a length of ninja wire in hand to secure Gein. Ensuring the puppet master was out of the fight, and would cause no more trouble for them.

Enishi frowned darkly at the scene below. Gein, a supposed master of the mechanical arts, was beaten by two children….mainly by his nephew of all things. His fist clenched at his side as he controlled the growing rage boiling through his veins. His expression darkened further, his frown turning to a sneer at his own foolishness for underestimating those two and the damage that his oversight has now cause his plans…..but it didn't matter. The Battousai will still pay, and pay dearly. He would make sure of it. '...I swear to you neesan….'

Sano's attention drifted for moment as Naruto crashed roughly in a pile of debris outside the compounds ruined gate. He could here him barking a challenge at the giant puppet before charging in once again. His eyes quickly flickered over to Yahiko, who was squaring off against his opponent before moving to the dojo where Kenshin now stood, talking in hushed whispers with the girls.

Banjin cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders as he eyed Sano, before his own attention moved over to the dojo. "Don't think for a moment you're going to be able to stop me, the Battousai will be mine!" He said, an eager, feral grin on his face.

Sano snapped his attention back towards him. "Yeah right! I'm your opponent, not Kenshin...and anyway, I gotta beat your ass so that Kenshin can get at Enishi!" He replied as he slid into a fighting stance.

"I'd like to see you try!" Banjin scoffed as he too slid into a fighting stance. "I told you before that you are no match for my new invincible tekkou!"

"Oh yeah?!" Sano smirked dangerously. "Well let's test them out then!" He said as he charged forward, meeting Banjin head on.

Banjin threw a punch, which Sano dodged with a quick feint and threw a quick jab, catching Banjin right in the face. "You think you're so tough, but you're not!" Sano growled out as he moved back slightly. "I mean we all saw what Naruto did to ya and he's just a kid!"

Banjin snarled. "That brat caught me off guard that's all!"

Sano smirked. "Off guard?" He scoffed. "You make it sound like he just gave you a bloody lip! Did you see the crater you made in the wall?" He asked. "And damnit, I'm probably going to be the one who has to fix it too!" He roared as he charged forward, fist cocked back ready to strike.

Banjin roared as he moved to meet Sano, blocking his punch and throwing one of his own. They threw punch after punch, blocking and countering with lightning speed. They continued in this way for several minutes before disengaging and squaring off once more.

"Hey, not bad…" Banjin said, wiping the blood from his face. "...but you still can't beat me."

"Yeah, yeah….you keep saying that! Going on and on about how invincible your tekkou are!" Sano growled. "But those tekkou are obviously compensating for something...like maybe a brain?!" Sano shouted as he charged again.

"What?! Are you calling me an idiot?!" Banjin snarled as he blocked Sano's punch and countered.

Sano smirked as he block the blow and countered with another punch. "If the shoe fits…"

"I'll show you!" Banjin snarled angrily as he moved back and away from Sano before charging forward again, launching himself into a twisting flip into the air above Sano, much to his shock. Banjin reached out as he sailed over head and grabbed Sano by the neck and as he landed thew him with all his might into the compounds outer wall where Sano landed with a crash. His body creating a crater not a meter from where Banjin landed. "There now!" Banjin said, grinning madly. "Now you have two craters to fix!"

BOOM

The explosion shook the courtyard drawing Banjin's attention to the battle outside the compound walls where a billowing cloud of smoke rose from what was once Iwanbo's head.

"Ya' know it's bad manners not to pay attention to your own fight." Sano growled as he extracted himself from the rubble.

Banjin turned, giving him a dirty look. "Who are you to talk to me about manners?!" He growled, a grin spreading across his face once again. "Your a lot tougher than you look! How did you like my three step move? Its called the Ashurasai!"

"Not bad." Sano said gasping a little as he casually as he wiped away a trickle of blood. "Thought you would pack more of a punch though...all things considered."

"And what is that supposed to mean?!" Banjin growled angrily as he slid into his fighting stance.

"It means…" Sano snarled as he slid into his own stance. "...that a loud mouth braggart who only picks fights with those he thinks are weaker than him, who knows nothing about what it means to push his limits and to sacrifice himself to become stronger, will not beat my Futae no Kiwami!" He roared as he charged forward.

Banjin prepared himself to block, his tekkou raised for the impact.

Sano pulled his fist back and let loose his Futae no Kiwami cracking Banjin's tekkou and sending a shockwave through his arms.

Banjin howled in pain, taking his attention off of his opponent who took advantage of the opening by grabbing the front of his shirt and headbutting him, rendering him unconscious.

Sano looked down at the man at his feet. His body ached, his breathing was labored from at least one cracked rib and blood dripped from his hand from using the Futae no Kiwami. He had won. He wiped the blood dripping from his mouth, his eyes traveled out to where the explosion had happened and grinned at the sight of Naruto and Hinata, a little dirty and scratched up but alive and otherwise well, making their way through the broken demolished gate towards him. 'That makes two…' He thought as he turned his attention over to where Yahiko was fighting just as Kaoru cried out to him.

Kenshin's eyes flick between the fights. He felt it, the ill suppressed movement of power. It caused the hairs to stand up on the back of his neck and sent a shiver down his spine. A frown tugged at the corners of his mouth as he realized that he recognized the feel of the power that was surrounding them, it was the same as before. With a sigh he made a mental note to teach him how to suppress his KI when this was over.

"What is it Kenshin?" Kaoru asked as she spared him a quick glance.

"It seems," He began, his voice low. "that the board has been set."

Kaoru's brow furrowed but she refused to remove her attention from Yahiko again. "What?"

"You will see soon enough, that you will." He replied.

BOOM

The force of the blast from Naruto's fight rang through the courtyard with enough force to cause the dojo to shake under their feet and the dojo's door to rattle loudly behind them.

"Explosives! Where the hell did he get explosives?!" Misao exclaimed.

Hyouko sneered at the sound of Banjin's moronic bantering from across the courtyard. "Idiot." He muttered, refusing to take his eyes off of the boy in front of him.

Yahiko's frown deepened. "What was that?!" He growled, his grip reflexively tightening on his bokken as he spoke.

"I am surrounded by idiots." Hyouko replied angrily. "I should be fighting Battousai but instead I am facing a child." He growled. "Not that killing you won't be interesting. I suppose it will serve as a warm up for later."

"Yeah right!" Yahiko growled. "You're the one that's going to be defeated here, not me!"

Hyouko couldn't help but grin. "Such brave words, but do you really believe you can beat me with a wooden sword?" He scoffed. "That is really presumptuous of you boy."

Yahiko grinned at him, though his eyes remained determined. "I don't need more than a wooden sword to beat someone like you!"

Hyouko growled low in annoyance. "You're just as much of an idiot as those two over there if you believe that you actually stand a chance against me. I suppose I should drag out your death a bit for that. Killing you out right would be too easy. So, how would you like to die? Should I shoot you with needles, burn you with acid….may be a nice potent poison?" He asked, amused and the fear that flickered through the boys eyes. "Those wouldn't be much fun for me though." He said as he reached up and behind him. "I think I will play with you a bit first. How does that sound boy?" He asked as he drew a sword from the sheath hidden under the back of his light blue kimono.

Yahiko scoffed. "Let's go!" He said as he shifted his stance slightly before charging forward with a yell. He was surprised as Hyouko blocked his bokken with his sword and the sword did not cut through the wood. 'His sword is not even sharp enough to cut a bokken!' He thought as he moved back and blocked Hyouko's sloppy counter attack and quickly launched another attack of his own. Back and forth they went trading blows and countering attacks. Yahiko could feel his confidence growing as the battle went on. Hyouko's footwork was sloppy and his attacks and counters were flawed at best. It was pathetic just how bad Hyouko was in kenjutsu and it made Yahiko wonder why he thought he would even stand a chance against Kenshin in the first place.

BOOM

The explosion from outside the compound shook the courtyard. Yahiko could hear the bang of the dojo's door as it rattled in its frame.

Yahiko grinned as he backed away slightly, using the distraction of the explosion to gain some space between them. He eyed Hyouko critically as he adjusted his grip on his bokken and prepared once again to charge in but was stopped by Kaoru's shout.

"Wait Yahiko!" Kaoru shouted from the dojo's engawa. "He's a master in the use of assassin tools, don't get too close to him!"

Hyouko grinned as he raised his sword with his right hand as his left slipped into his pocket and pulled out a small glass bottle. "You should really listen to your sensei boy!" He said with a grin as he tossed the glass bottle to the ground as Yahiko's feet where it shattered, releasing a small purple cloud that quickly encompassed the boy causing him to choke slightly as he tried to breath.

Yahiko reflexively covered his mouth and nose seconds too late to prevent himself from breathing in a small amount of the purple substance. 'W-What is this?!' He thought as he quickly back peddled to try and get out of the small cloud.

Hyouko smirked as the cloud dissipated. "Don't worry, it won't kill you." He said as he raised his sword to attack. "I will."

Yahiko's eyes widened as Hyouko attacked with more speed and accuracy than he had only moments before. 'What is going on?!' He thought as he desperately tried to evade Hyouko's sword.

"What's wrong boy? Can't keep up with me any more?" He asked, as he charged forward again.

"Dammit!"Yahiko growled in frustration as he hastily deflected Hyouko's sword. Moving quickly he towards the side his eyes widening in alarm as Hyouko's sword seemed to bend and follow him. Scurrying back he tried desperately to put more space between them as the tip of the sword grew closer.

He yelped in surprise as his foot slipped and the world started to spin as he fell to the ground.

"Yahiko, look out!" Kaoru cried out from the dojo. 'No….there's no possible way an ameture could do a move like that….that….that's got to be the swords own power!'

Yahiko raised his bokken just as the sword reached him. He cried out in pain as the tip of the sword slid along his bokken and implanted itself in his shoulder.

Hyouko growled as he pulled his sword free. "That was a lucky block." He said as he backed up slightly. "The next attack won't miss."

Yahiko pressed his hand to his shoulder as he squinted up at the man standing before him. "Like hell it won't!." He growled. His eyes flickered across the courtyard at the sound of approaching foot steps.

Author's note: PLEASE REVIEW! XD Thank you all for your patience with me :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Yes yes I know, evil cliffy! Please review and tell me what you think or if you have an idea you would like to see for a future arc in the story! XD

Would anyone be interested in a writing challenge? I could either post a summary that you would need to base your story on or I could write the opening chapter and then it would be up to you to continue it. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in a review and depending on the response I will issue (or not) the challenge. So make sure to favorite me as an author so you will get the notification when/if I post it. I will say this, it would be a Naruto/Rurouni Kenshin crossover. I really don't think there are enough of them out there and I really like reading other people's work XD. I will set a deadline of May 5, 2017 (my birthday!) to respond with a yay/nay on this idea and which you would like (summary or opening chapter).

Bad girl 61: I hope you enjoyed the bit of comic relief with Naruto's 'distraction'!

Uzumaki no Rinne-Sennin: In canon yes, the name Kenshin was given to him by Hiko but I am doing a play on that. Instead of Kenshin having been Shinta Himura and receiving the name Kenshin when Hiko took him under his wing, he was Kenshin Uzumaki and changed his last name as many of the surviving Uzumaki did after Uzu was destroyed.