Misao must think he doesn't hear. Aoshi does. The sound grates on every nerve. Leaves him raw. Makes his head throb and his fingers itch.
The frustrating thing is that it doesn't fit. She's crying and Himura has lost his way but the manner of Kamiya Kaoru's death is senseless. Total destruction would require further confrontation, would require bloodshed before Himura's helpless eyes—
Not a broken body, discarded. It's not right.
He thinks about it all, analyzing carefully. Sorts through it, occasionally distracted by a faint sob. He lifts his head, pauses, gropes for his conclusions.
Thinks: It doesn't fit.
