Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Don't sue me.
A/N: This oneshot is based on the manga, so Kenshin never went wandering again. I hope you enjoy.
They once fought side by side, until the river of time tore them apart. Three of them; the street fighter travelling the world, the quiet husband who does the laundry daily, and the teenager fighting to protect the weak. All separated, but in the heat of battle they are together once more.
The street fighter still gets in fights wherever he goes, always willing to relieve stress, protect those who need it, or defend his beliefs. He's a natural fighter and could so easily get lost in the pounding hearts and flying fists, but he always feels the weight of the kanji on his back, and he always hears the words that pulled him out of it when he had gotten so lost in anger. He has many reasons to fight, but one prevails above the rest if he's honest with himself. It's because in battle he once again feels them fighting beside him, and he's addicted to the feeling.
In the heat of battle, he's with part of his family once more.
The quiet husband tries to avoid fighting. Sometimes, though, it's unavoidable, especially for someone with his past. He can't always protect those he loves without a fight. When that happens, when he's once more pulled into battle, flying with a Godspeed not nearly as fast as it had once been, he feels it. He feels their strength as though they were right there next to him. And he relies on it, that strength, for the moves he once used are now useless, with him unable to perform them. As he slowly learns to fight without it, without his style that he used to defeat so many foes, he needs extra strength more than ever, and they still give it to him.
In the heat of battle, they once more lend him their strength.
The teenager fights often, young and strong as he is. With all the weak being exploited, his services are needed almost everywhere. He's rash and quick to anger, but he has a good heart, and his will is strong enough to win almost any fight. Pushing himself is something he does often, though not as much or as hard as he did before. He no longer has someone to catch up to and be better than, so he no longer pushes himself and practices like he could. He keeps his skills sharp, but he could go much farther. All that changes during a fight. During a fight, he once again sees their backs, and he once again fights to reach them, although he's fought beside them before. In that lingering feeling, when the battle's over and done, he pushes himself like he once did.
In the heat of battle, he has idols once more.
No matter how far apart they may be, when battle calls they are brought together. The spirits they feel of each other are so strong they can almost see them. But the vision is never quite there. All they can do is keep fighting, and hope that one day they can stand beside each other once more.
A/N: Not sure about the ending… Anyways, I know Kenshin and Yahiko both live in Tokyo, but I meant that they weren't fighting together like they did during the series. I hope that wasn't too confusing.