Title: Blades of Blood
Author: Vathara
Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin, NightLife RPG, Law and Order: Criminal Intent
Pairing: pre-Kenshin/Kaoru
Categories: AU, action/adventure, horror, supernatural, bonding, crossover
Length: epic
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: Urban Legends: the Site

Author's Summary: In a world where monsters roam city streets, a mild-mannered New Yorker has just picked up a blade called Battousai...

Review:
While technically a crossover, the focus is on the cast of RK and this story reads more as a particularly enthralling AU as a modern urban horror/fantasy.

It's a very clever re-imagining of the characters and their interactions. One of the things I find most intriguing about the anime is the relationship between Kenshin's two sides: his rurouni side and his Battousai side. Few stories really treat the topic well, in my opinion, but the neat thing here is that Vathara actually makes them two different characters with Battousai as an ensoulled sword that is not quite possessing Kenshin but definitely sets up shop in his mind and body. The dynamic between them is a fascinating read, especially as Kenshin is drawn deeper into Battousai's world.

We also get what might be my favorite depiction of Kaoru in this story. I admit that I'm not a huge fan of her normally - for me, the anime never quite struck the balance between tough, competent swordswoman and lovesick girl. Here, she is as I wish she would have been - perfectly believable as a dojo instructor and someone to take seriously but still feminine and interested in Kenshin. This Kaoru just really works.

On top of that, you have an intriguing plot with elements from the original but "remixed" and a good strong showing from Yahiko and Sano as well. (There is a sequel available on ff.net called Witchy Woman, but I haven't read it yet myself.)

Blades of Blood