It was spring once again, it was time to walk the streets of Tokyo
The paper boy shouts as he runs across the bridge, bringing news,
That the war has ended and once again the masses will enjoy peace.
A short one paid for by the lives of others... So the weak may live and so do the cowards.
I look up, bringing a cigarette to my lips,
My own journey has not ended even in these times of peace.
The streets, the buildings, the very air holds secrets, foul ones that burns my skin.
There is no peace, only moments resembling them. That is the truth.
With a heavy sigh, I walk the length of the riverbank and come to Ueno.
My honed ears heard him panting, his gait dragged, you'd think they were in shackles.
Turning the corner, I lean by the wall to watch the display, pitying the man who was once my equal.
From a far distance a young woman cries, and I pity her too, to build her life around one man is naïve.
He stumbles and I drag on my cigarette one last time.
"Kenshin…" I look towards them, she holds him in her arms.
The leaves sway once more as a gentle breeze passes,
I watch as she shields his eyes from the bright sun.
His "ki" slowly fades away but a brilliant light blinds me as she cradles him so gently.
I turn to leave; there are moments when one should be alone.
I lived so I win. Isn't that what I told myself?
So why is it that I envy him? There is peace perhaps in this life,
At least for Battousai… Iie… Kenshin Himura.
Notes: It's a free-verse poem but formatting wouldn't work on so I used line to separate. Just a short tribute to Kenshin and Kaoru and yes that's Saitou. I'm not a big fan of the Seisouhen OVA and this was more inspired from the ending song. It completely disregards the "directors cut" version since to be blunt I don't think Saitou was that shallow, especially after Jinchuu. As usual nothing is mine, RK is Watsuki and Sony's.