A/N: Plotbunny that hit me while watching RuroKen episode 7. 'Nuff said.
NO! Kenshin, please, no!
The sharp side of the blade came down, hard and fast, cleanly cutting through bone and flesh. The man who's head was under that blade crumpled, falling to the ground as the blade came free of his skull.
"I told you, Jine. I would become a hitokiri again for Miss Kaoru." Kenshin's once-soft voice was now laced with rage, making the smooth tenor into a harsh melody that grated against Kaoru's ears. Crimson hair flowed as a head turned to lock golden eyes with blue.
"Are you alright, Miss Kaoru?"
The kendo woman shook her head, dark hair floating around her face, covered in tears. "No, no, Kenshin. You should have just let me die." Kaoru's eyes were pleading. "You broke your vow. You broke it because of me! How is that okay?"
Gold eyes shut softly, and red hair obscured Kenshin's pale face.
"I am sorry, Miss Kaoru, but your life is more important than my vow. I am already damned, and Tomoe will forgive me. I can't let you die. I'm sorry," he murmured, wiping the bloody sakabatou on the grass and sheathing it before padding up to Kaoru. He knelt at her side, working her hands free of the ropes that bound them. Taking Kaoru's cheek in his hand, Kenshin stared into her sad gaze, his own eyes echoing her feeling.
"I'm so sorry." Then, he froze, slowly dropping his hand to the hilt of the sakabatou and spinning in his crouch, lashing out at the presence behind him.
"OI, Kenshin! Watch it!" Sanosuke's brash voice shocked the redhead out of motion, bringing him up to a stop before the ex-fighter.
"Oh, Sano. It's you." Sakabatou found sheath once again.
"Yea, Kenshin it's me. Are you oka- Holy shit… Kenshin, is that-?"
"Yes, it is Jine. What is left of him," Kenshin finished Sano's thought, turning on his heel to help Kaoru down from her perch on the shrine.
"Wait, Kenshin, did you-" Sano paused, as if unable to find words. "Kill him?"
"Yes, Sano, I had no other choice." Without elaborating further, Kenshin stepped by Sano and the still-stunned Yahiko, Kaoru in his arms. The kendo instructor looked up at him pleadingly.
"You will still be here, right? You said that you would give back my ribbon and now go off wandering again," she said, like a small child trying to reassure themselves that everything was going to be alright.
Kenshin glanced down at her, a small, sad smile just barely touching his lips.
"Of course, Miss Kaoru."
The next morning, those left at the dojo found Kaoru's blood-stained indigo ribbon in Kenshin's room, on top of which was a letter. It was brief and to the point.
Miss Kaoru, Sano, Yahiko. Forgive me, but I am unable to stay. Live on, and do your best to forget me. If we meet again, I hope it to be in better spirits. If not, I thank you for the short time you were in my life. My memories of you will not fade.
-Kenshin
Angsty enough for you? And tell me if I should write and post the sequel I have in mind! Reviews keep me going!