A/N: This story was set after the last episode of Rurouni Kenshin's second season (after Kenshin beat Shishio and went back to the Kamiya dojo). Let's pretend that the whole Season 3 and all the rest [OVA / movie] didn't happen (except for the Trust and Betrayal OVA [Tomoe's story]) but Kenshingumi already knew about the whole Tomoe affair. This story mentions lots of Japanese stuff and I also made use of some Japanese words. The words and their meanings/definitions are listed in alphabetical order at the end of each chapter. ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin and any of its characters. If I did, I'd be doing mangas and not fanfictions. XD.. The OCs are mine though. =)

Prologue

Meiji Revolution, Tokugawa Era

Nakamura Yoshiro chuckled as he felt Yumi's head fall helplessly on his shoulder. His four year old daughter had been jumping for joy this morning since he told her they would go fishing. She ran around the house squealing with delight and she had been restless until the afternoon came and they finally set out to fish at nearby river. They used to go fishing once a week, but lately he had been busy doing important things for the shogunate that he barely spent time with his three children. He would go on long trips towards the capital to meet with important people, people who needed his help to win the war.

He wasn't a man of war. He didn't even know how to properly wield a sword. He is not familiar about war strategies and such. But though he is not in the front line, his support to the shogunate forces is one of utter importance. He is one of the biggest benefactors of their army. He funded their needs from food, medical care to weaponry. Two of his mansions are currently used as headquarters for the army, one in Kyoto for the Shinsengumi and another one right there in Edo as a hideout for some of their spies.

He didn't really disapprove of the ideals of the opposing force who call themselves the imperialists. In fact, he often wondered what the future would be like if their ideals came to be. However, his loyalty to the shogunate weighs greater than his interest for a new age. The shogunate government has taken care of his family even way back from the time of his grandfather, and he believed that they will continue to do so in the years to come. Of course, he was well aware that there were others who were suffering from the current system, but there is also no way of telling that the new government promised by the imperialists would be any better. He was not willing to risk the bright future of his children for an ideal which efficiency is yet to be tested. He decided that he would support the shogunate for as long as he can.

Though he had already contributed a great deal, his role in this revolution had become more important. According to their reliable source, the imperialists were advancing towards making use of western weaponry. If they didn't want to be at a disadvantage, they also needed to upgrade their weapons and tactics. Obtaining firearms was not easy in his country, but being the successful businessman that he is, he has acquired a vast amount of foreign connections over the years. It is now his duty to aid the shogunate in obtaining the new weapons for the army. This whole agenda had consumed most of his time, and hopefully, things will soon set in motion if everything will go as planned.

Now, he was glad of the chance to finally spend time with his family again. He had missed his children terribly. Ever since his wife died of childbirth four years ago, he was consumed with grief that he almost gave in to his depression. His children however, gave him a reason to continue living. Ichiro, his first born, is wise and passionately curious despite his young age of five. He hoped to see him use his intelligence for the good of his country in the future. Chiaki, Ichiro's fraternal twin, is strong and vigilant. He knows she will grow up to be a fine young woman who would always fight for what she thinks is right. And the gentle and loving Yumi, his youngest, who reminds him a lot of his deceased wife, never fails to ease his wearies away.

He felt Yumi squirm in his arms. She snuggled herself deeper into his body, almost burying her face on his neck. Yumi had been hyperactive during their whole fishing adventure that she fell asleep in the middle of their fishing. She also has a weak body that it was no question why she tires so easily. He didn't want to wake her so he carried her as they walked their way back home.

He smiled as he looked at the now dim sky. It was a starless night but the full moon somehow still shone behind the dark clouds. They had finished quite late than they usually would, but he wouldn't have minded if they stayed a bit longer. Chiaki and Ichiro had not wanted to leave until they caught fishes on their own, but it was getting cold and the sky looked redder as the dusk turned into night, a sign that it was about to rain soon. He thought it better to just go home and not risk Yumi's weak body to get caught in the rain. The twins had been arguing who would make their first catch the next time they went fishing. They always argued like that every single time. They always seem to treat everything as some sort of competition, but until now none of them had gotten their first catch yet. Yumi also, would fall asleep in the middle of fishing or on the way home without fail. He had always carried her back home. He had missed all these during the long period that he was away. He thanked Kami for the blissful time he was now enjoying. He would give anything just to keep things the way they are now: his family happy and contented.

He looked down at Chiaki who gave a soft yawn, rubbing the back of her free hand into her sleepy eyes.

"Do you want otousan to carry you too?" he asked his daughter who was holding his other hand as she walked beside him. She shook her head.

"Chiaki's fine. Otousan would be tired if he has to carry Chiaki too," she answered. He patted his daughter's head.

"We're nearly there Chiaki," Ichiro said, trying to act tough as he always did. "Don't worry. When I grow bigger I'll carry you instead."

"When will Ichiro nii-chan grow big?" Chiaki asked. Ichiro stared at the distance with a frown on his face. He seemed to be thinking hard on how to answer his sister.

"Soon," Yoshiro answered his daughter.

"Tomorrow?" Chiaki asked innocently.

"No Chiaki. My body is still very small. I need to eat a lot first so I'll be big and strong like otousan," Ichiro answered.

"Then Chiaki will eat a lot too, so that Chiaki can be big and strong like otousan," Chiaki announced.

"You don't have to be big and strong," Ichiro said.

"Why not?"

"Because you're a girl Chiaki," Ichiro stated matter-of-factly.

"So what if Chiaki's a girl?" Chiaki asked both confused and indignant at being told that there are things she can't do.

"Girls are not supposed to be big and strong."

"Why can't girls be big and strong?"

The two kept on bantering like that for a while. The guards laughed while listening to the two. Yoshiro always had guards to escort him, especially when he's out with his children. The streets were starting to get dangerous since the war began. Occurrences of murder had been more rampant. He even came across news of people who were assassinated within the safety of their own homes. Since he wasn't skilled with a sword himself, he made sure that he and his family is well protected.

He gave a soft chuckle as he listened to his two children who still had not stopped arguing. He wondered if they would still continue to argue like that when they grow older. It would be fascinating to listen to the two argue about more significant things like politics and ideals when they are old enough to understand such things. Yumi too, would probably join their discussion with viewpoints of her own. But Yumi would most likely side with her sister as she had always done at present. Maybe he can team up with Ichiro and they can debate all night against the girls.

The guards in front suddenly stopped in their tracks, distracting him from his reverie. Not far ahead was a silhouette of what would seem like a boy. He would not have minded the situation if his attention hadn't been caught by the outline of what evidently were two katanas hanging at the hip of the mysterious figure.

"Identify yourself!" One of his guards demanded. The figure didn't answer. He just stood where he was, unmoving.

An unexplainable feeling of dread slowly made its way to the pit of Yoshiro's stomach. He had had this feeling so many times before, like a signal when something undesirable was about to happen. Sweat trickled down his forehead. He didn't know why he was suddenly feeling anxious. It was just a boy standing in the midst of his five samurai guards. If the small figure had truly intended to bring them harm, dealing with him would be no problem. But for some reason, something inside him was telling him not to feel so confident otherwise. He could almost hear voices in his head screaming for him to take caution of a dreadful event that was about to take place.

"Ichiro, Chiaki, get behind me!" He snapped instinctively at his two children. The two obeyed and hid themselves behind him.

"Otousan, what's wrong?" He heard Yumi call softly. His sudden outburst must have woken her up.

Yoshiro took a step back and the other guards dutifully placed themselves between their master and the suspicious figure not too far ahead.

"What's happening otousan?" Chiaki asked, confused and a little scared. Ichiro was also looking at him nervously. He didn't respond, not because he didn't want to but because he was not sure of what was happening himself. He also didn't want to unnecessarily scare his children.

Only the sound of rustling leaves filled the night as a cold wind blew around them. Dark clouds have gathered in the red sky above slowly cloaking the moon, adding an almost ominous glow to their surroundings.

"What is your business here?" The guard asked sharply, now unsheathing his sword. The other guards did the same.

The shadow walked slowly towards them and eventually broke into a run, his hand at the hilt of his sword. Two of the guards advanced towards the assailant, swords held high above their heads, ready to attack. What happened next was too fast for Yoshiro to follow. He saw a flash of silver and heard the wet sound of something slicing through flesh. The next thing he knew, the assailant was crouching a good many feet from where he had come from, his sword held suspended in mid-air. His two guards stood motionless with their swords raised above their heads. Nobody moved. Even the sound of the rustling leaves stopped. It was as though time itself stopped for a moment, freezing everything. The assailant calmly stood from his crouch as the two guards crumpled to the ground. He flicked his sword in the air in a swift motion to rid it of his victims' blood.

Yoshiro stared at the assailant, then at the two motionless bodies on the ground. His guards also appeared to be in shock. All of them were unable to comprehend what really happened. One thing was certain though; the person they were facing was clearly an assassin.

"Otousan…," came Ichiro's faint voice, snapping him out of his daze. He looked down at Ichiro's terrified face then at the wide-eyed Chiaki who were staring at the scene before them. They had seen. He was alarmed. How could he have let his children witness such a thing as murder? Yumi looked at them in confusion. Had she seen too?

"Don't look!" He barked at them. "Close your eyes and don't look."

Yoshiro's voice seemed to snap his guards back to their senses. Two of the guards charged towards the assassin. Ichiro and Chiaki still stared in shock at the commotion. Yoshiro desperately covered Chiaki's eyes with his hand as he blocked Ichiro's view with his body. He pinned Yumi's head against his shoulder so that Yumi was now facing the opposite way.

With godlike speed, the assassin took down the guards effortlessly.

"Nakamura-sama, please run with your children while I fight him. I will try to hold him off for as long as I can," the remaining guard told him. Yoshiro stared at him in both shock and confusion.

"Hayaku!" The guard yelled.

"H-hai," he stuttered. "Come on," he told his children.

He carried Chiaki on his other arm and told Ichiro to keep up as they started running. He could hear the clash of swords behind him. He silently thanked the guard who was now risking his life to save theirs. He heard Ichiro stumble behind him. He ran back and put Chiaki down as he helped Ichiro up.

"AAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHH!" The excruciating cry of his guard filled his ears. He looked back and saw his last warrior collapse to the ground. The assassin pulled his blade out of the guard's body.

His heart beat frantically inside his chest. Panic filled his entire body. He put the confused Yumi down and looked at his children, probably for the last time.

"Listen, I want you to run as fast as you can. And no matter what happens, don't look back!" He ordered.

The children looked at their father in horror.

"But what about you –"

"Run!" he shouted, cutting Chiaki off.

Chiaki gave him one last agonizing look and started running, taking both of her siblings' hands.

Yoshiro turned to face the assassin.

"Nii-chan, come on!" She heard Chiaki cry. He looked back to see Chiaki desperately pulling at her brother's hand. Ichiro had not moved from where he stood.

"But –" Ichiro said but Yoshiro cut him off.

"Ichiro!" He snapped at his son. He looked at him sternly, anger and desperation taking over him. Ichiro stared back at him hesitantly. He gritted his teeth and finally started running with his sisters.

Yoshiro faced his assailant again. The assassin was now slowly walking towards him. Yoshiro unsheathed his own sword. The assassin stopped a few feet from him, watching him. Yoshiro always carried a sword for self-defense, but he was no swordsman. He knew he had no chance at winning against this monster standing in front of him, but he was prepared to lay his life to protect his family. He prayed to all the gods that they would keep his children safe.

"Why are you doing this? Who sent you?" He asked. He knew that conversation was futile, but he wanted to somehow buy as much time for his children to escape. "Are you one of the imperialists?"

The assassin positioned himself in an attack stance. Yoshiro knew then that his assailant was not interested in any conversation. He held his sword tighter, his hands shaking. He knew he'd most definitely die tonight, but he didn't care. All he ever hoped for now was for his children to escape death.

The assassin started running towards him. With a blink of an eye, Yoshiro felt a blade pierce through his stomach. He didn't even have the chance to lift his sword to block the incoming attack. His sword fell and cluttered to the ground.

"NOOOOOOO! Otousan!"

Yoshiro heard Ichiro's cry from a distance followed by Chiaki's voice.

"Nii-chan no!"

To his horror, he can hear the faint sound of approaching footsteps behind him. It must be Ichiro, running back to him.

Stupid child! He thought.

The assassin moved to pull back the sword away from his body but he grasped the assassin's arm tightly. The assassin tugged to free his arm from his grasp but he desperately gripped the arm tightly with his two hands.

"P-please do not harm my children," he said through ragged breath. Blood poured down the sides of his mouth. The pain in his stomach was maddening, but he ignored it and used all of his strength to stop the assassin from leaving and going after his children.

The assassin's cold eyes regarded him in annoyance. Instead of pulling his arm free, the assassin pushed the sword deeper into his stomach. He grunted in pain. His felt his knees buckle as his strength started to drain from his body. His hands helplessly slumped to his sides. The assassin finally pulled the sword free from his body. He collapsed to the ground feeling the world spin around him. He saw Ichiro's small form from a distance. The boy had stood frozen on the ground, horror written all over his face.

I can't die now, he thought. Not yet. My children, I need to save my children.

With his remaining strength, he stood up, picked up his sword and swung it sloppily at the assassin, but the assassin dodged his attack easily, sending him to stumble to the ground. He struggled to stand again but he fell back. His body would no longer follow his command.

Is this the end of me? Is this as far as my strength would go? He thought bitterly. I can't give up yet. I must not give up.

He crawled agonizingly towards his assailant. He reached out a trembling hand and grabbed the assassin's ankle.

"P-please d-don't harm my ch-children…," he pleaded weakly.

The assassin only eyed him coldly and kicked his leg free from his grip, sending his body to topple over. He now lay on his back. He tried to move but to no avail. Pain and blood loss had already taken their toll on his body. Small drops of rain started to fall down his face. It was as though the sky was crying for him. The moon was nowhere in sight. The assassin stood over him, blocking the sky from his view. The assassin stared at him with eyes void of any emotion and raised his sword, the edge pointing straight down his chest. The faces of his children flashed in his mind.

I'm sorry otousan could no longer protect you. Kamisama, I leave my children's lives in your hands. Spare them from the cruel hands of this merciless killer.

With one swift movement, the assassin plunged the sword down his chest, piercing through his heart. His vision started to fade into darkness. His eyes felt heavy and they slowly slid close despite his efforts to keep them open. Blood gushed out of his chest with every painful beat of his heart. The last thing he heard was Ichiro's cry of pain before the last of his consciousness finally left him.

Reference:

Hai – Yes

Hayaku – Hurry

Kami/Kamisama – God

Katana – traditional Japanese sword

Nii-chan (onii-chan) – older brother

Otousan – father

Sama – a suffix added to a person's name used to denote respect to someone who is of higher level than the speaker; literally means master

What is Kenshingumi – a term referring to Kenshin's group (Kenshin, Kaoru, Sano and Yahiko sometimes with Megumi and Misao)

Why was Chiaki referring to herself as Chiaki (Third Person POV) instead of I/me (First Person POV)?

- Japanese children often refer to themselves using the third person POV.

What are: Tokugawa Era, Meiji Revolution, Meiji Era (to those who are confused with the historical stuff or who didn't follow the series thoroughly) [Gosh! This is hard…]

- The Tokugawa Era refers to the period in Japan when the country was under the Tokugawa shogunate's rule. A shogunate is a government system in Japan where basically the country is ruled by shoguns. A shogun is like a hereditary military dictator. Shoguns were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor. The Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan for roughly 250 years (if I'm not mistaken) but many people were unsatisfied. This caused the Meiji Revolution (a chain of events that restored imperial rule of Japan to Emperor Meiji). It was basically the shogunate forces vs. the emperialists (anti-shogun). The imperialists won the war and it gave birth to a new Era called the Meiji Era. One of the changes during the Meiji Era which plays an IMPORTANT role in the Rurouni Kenshin story is that it was forbidden to carry swords in public. The emperor also removed the samurai's right to 'cut down' commoners who disrespects them. You can say that it was now a more peaceful era compared to the previous one. So basically, you can say that the samurais were no longer needed/important during the Meiji Era. You see, samurai's (I'm referring to the legit ones) used to hold a high place in the society and are often considered noble people or something like that. Former samurais and warriors adapted to the lives of ordinary citizens; some offered their services as guards/soldiers/police/etc.; some became bandits/robbers (since they don't have jobs anymore) and others became rurounis (wanderers) like Kenshin.

[Source: Wikipedia, Rurouni Kenshin and school. Hahaha!]