It started as a cold.
Sano noticed Kenshin sniffling one day, and remarked that you shouldn't be doing laundry so late, it can't be good for you. Kenshin smiled at him.
Sano forgot what he was talking about. Kenshin had the most beautiful smile.
The cold progressed to the point where they had to call Megumi in and she berated all of them including Kenshin who sat shivering on his futon for not calling her sooner. A little thing like this could easily get worse she said. It is very easy to get help too late. She administered a tonic to Kenshin and ordered him to stay in bed. Chagrined by the reprimand, Sano stuck around, making sure Kenshin complied. Megumi left.
It got worse during the night.
Sano awoke to a crash from Kenshin's room and immediately went to investigate. He found Kenshin huddled in a corner, muttering to himself unintelligibly. He couldn't get any sense out of him. Sano picked him up and put him back to bed, amazed at how light Kenshin was. Kenshin immediately fell back asleep, feverishly restless. He was so warm. Sano woke Yahiko and told him to get Megumi and waited by Kenshin's side as he tossed and turned, lost in nightmares. Kaoru sat with him, eyes shimmering.
When Megumi came and saw Kenshin, her face set into a somber expression that Sano did not like at all. She administered another tonic and asked if Sano knew of any family the swordsman had. Sano knew of Hiko but what did that have to do with anything? Kenshin could go to see him when he gets better right?
Megumi told him he should contact Hiko soon. Sano shook his head disbelieving, only distantly aware of Kaoru as she left the room, saying I'll go get a pen and paper then unmindful of the tears spilling down her face, of Yahiko's voice outside the door, demanding what's going on? how's Kenshin? why are you crying?
Hiko arrived after days of thrashing and delirium. He arrived during one of Kenshin's lucid spells and Kenshin smiled up at him. Hiko frowned back. Baka deshi what are you doing getting so sick? Kenshin merely replied it is good to see you Shisho and fell back asleep. Baka deshi Hiko muttered and stroked the sweaty red tresses. Sleeping lips curved into a smile. Arigato Shisho.
That night Kenshin died.
TBC, of course.
Hmmmm, how should Kenshin come back?
Please review.