A/N:: It's a view into the turmoil in Kenshin's mind after he kills Tomoe. It doesn't mention her too much and is basically is guilt after realising the value of human lives. R&R

Enjoy

Ghost of Loneliness

Through the desolate forest I wander

The leaves rustle off the tree,

The moonlight shines the path I bear,

The stars, they try hard to keep away.

There is no living creature here

Not a soul nobody,

Just the trees of the forest, and me.

Through the night a figure trudges-

All that is seen is a silver outline…

For him time stands still,

As he is buried in sorrow and grief,

With a face so emotionless, as if it can't feel.

But turmoil went on in his mind,

A war between heart and soul-

In the midst of this war he was caught,

In the midst of this excruciating duel.

His heart it was shattering in pain,

So this was the price he had to pay

For all his bloody sins,

For all those he had slain.

So many dead: families after families,

How many more were there to go?

Why couldn't this stop, thought he

"Is there nothing that would change me?"

As a tear trickled down,

It mixed with blood from his cut

And dropped to the ground.

The trees rustled more to show their pity,

Trying to comfort him with whispers and sympathy…

As two more tears trickled down-

A strong wind rushed by

Then it started to storm.

The lone wanderer staggered on,

Shadowy through the heavy downpour.

Step after steps splashed through the mud

Gradually his pace slowed,

Worn out, he suddenly fell with a thud.

His long red mane was wet and ruffled-

Picking himself up against a tree he settled.

The rain had stopped.

The sun was up,

And it shone a scarlet red,

Reminding the man of all his sins;

Of all the blood he was caused to shed.

Desperately he looked at his hands,

Both had deep dark bloody stain.

A haunting darkness yet glinting cold;

It was blood of those he had slain.

Frustrated, with tears streaming out he cried,

Looking up at the scarlet sky

"Why do you haunt me, why…?

Let it end here, just let me die,

I do not wish to be a murderer

A reckless cold blooded slayer-

So why was chosen I…?

I lost everything

To bring in the golden age,

But when will it come

When will the killing end…?

She did not deserve to die

Not with the hands of Battousai.

Innocent as a flower,

My saviour I slew with these hands of mine…

When will this stop

When will things fall in line?

Won't the golden era be ruled in harmony…?

Just a few more days to go

For the blissful tomorrow;

None of them died unreasonably

And the heavenly result shall soon here be-

Just a few more days to go for the new era

And then this disdainful hitokiri

Shall become a non killing wanderer-

A lone rurouni…

I shall no longer kill,

I pledge this from my heart.

But I will protect this

That which I helped bring forth…

Sorrow will be lost forever

And joy with light up the Earth…"

Japanese meanings roughly

Battousai: "the strongest" title given to THE best.

Hitokiri: killer; assassin.

Rurouni: wanderer; vagabond.

::Author's note:: The she here is Tomoe. This took place right after he killed. Hope you liked it. Please review. Constructive criticism/flames are welcome. Hopeully it wasn't too long.

kk's lil chihuahua