Author's Notes: Okay, okay, you can smack me if you want to. I know I'm bad. Currently, I have two stories I am completely stuck on. I really need to start something else. I'm not sure if it'll continue with it, but I do need to post something else. Some other people with writer's block might understand, but if you don't please bear with me. Also, I hope to work on different word choice and descriptions.

This story is kinda written off the top of my head, so please forgive if it's not the greatest. Like I said, it's being written because I have no idea what to do on my others, mostly 'The Past Isn't Over'. The title for this story was inspired by my recent trip to Washington DC. I don't know if any of you have been there, but at the Korean Memorial, there's a wall behind a fountain that reads "Freedom Isn't Free" I've heard it many times before but seeing it just had a sort of effect on me, so I named my story after it. In this case, Battousai is seeking more emotional freedom, rather than from a physical restraint.

The time line here is kind of different. In this fic, Kaoru and the gang are living during the time of the revolution. Ages are all the same, just that Kenshin is still the 18 year old Battousai. I'm aware that during the time of Battousai, Tokyo would be called Edo, but just to avoid confusion I'm going to continue to call it Tokyo. The quote at the beginning is because I like it, and it seems to start it off pretty good. That being said, enjoy!


"One hundred and forty years ago amidst the chaos and bloodshed which accompanied the end of the Tokugawa regime there was a swordsman in Kyoto who was called Battousai the Manslayer. Battousai carved the way into the new era, the Meiji Era. It was said he was undefeatable."

The war was over. The Ishin Shishi had won and were now planning out their new government system along with several other people of great importance. He had to get away though. He was done with the fighting. His mind was a mess, his single reason for living taken away and worst of all, by his own bloodied hands.

The rain was coming down steadily now, instead of the scattered droplets. Everything was silent. The sun had set and even the crickets were hushed. Everyone was in their home, nice and dry, maybe laughing and having a good time with their families and friends.

Not Battousai though. His clouded mind was whirling and he was freezing. His clothes were drenched and on top of all that, he found himself sneezing considerably. He didn't think much of it though. He wasn't thinking much of anything.

His feet dragged through the muddy streets as he fought to keep his eyes open. He was vulnerable, he thought vaguely. His right hand was clutching his left side, his left tightly clutching the purple scarf that he wouldn't dare part with. His side was bleeding from a wound that had never fully healed. Battle had reopened it. He was so dizzy by now that he couldn't see straight and would not do to well in a battle now, which only added to his stress.

He finally couldn't go on anymore and fell to his knees. No, not here. He looked around his vision still painfully blurred. Feeling low and pathetic, he slowly crawled through the mud to the side of the road. Once he reached the side, he rolled onto his back, letting the gentle rain wash across his burning face while the rest of his body ached with cold. He brought the scarf closer to his face, wrapping it around his neck weakly. He didn't care if he died, he wanted to die; right here, right now. But it was a mercy he did not deserve, and would not receive.


Kaoru stared, disgust all over her face as she watched Man and Boy race to see who could stuff the most food in their mouth the fastest. The whole contest, made no sense, but they seemed to enjoy making fools of themselves and causing her to go broke.

Megumi's face showed much the same emotion, though she wasn't as upset since it was her money. Kaoru had said she would pay for the morning's breakfast, but that didn't mean she approved of the eating habits of the males of their species.

"You two look like idiots," she commented, keeping her voice innocent and sly.

"Calm down Kitsune, we're just eating."

"Like pigs," she finished for them. "And don't talk to me with your mouth full," she said while sipping from her cup of tea. Sano rolled his eyes, swallowed and shook his pair of chopsticks at her.

"Maybe if you ate like us, you wouldn't be so small and weak."

Megumi's eye twitched but she only stared at him for a moment before answering. "What was that?"

"You heard me. Maybe you wouldn't be so damn skinny if-"

Since he had been using his "as a matter of fact" voice, his eyes had been closed and his nose pointed upwards so he didn't see the rice cake as it was hurled at his face. It splattered all over his face and neck causing Yahiko to laugh hysterically, thus choking on a piece of food that had been in this mouth.

Now it was Sano's turn for his eye to twitch and when he heard Yahiko begin to choke he grinned.

"Oh no! Let me help you out there buddy!"

He raised his hand high in the air and thudded Yahiko in the back causing him to bend over, smashing all of the food in his plate.

"Better?" When he didn't stop, Sano raised his hand again, only to be stopped by Kaoru.

"Okay, okay! Enough! Yahiko just take a drink."

He finally stopped coughing and Sano looked at Kaoru. "It would have gone better my way."

The rest of their meal went by peacefully, or, as peacefully as breakfast can go with this group. Once they were finished and had paid, they all left the restaurant and headed back home. They decided to take the long way, as decided by Sano in order to "work all of their food off" but no one really objected. There was nothing to do that day, so being outside was the best thing they could do.

It was the best time to be outside too. The air smelled fresh and clean due to the night's rain. The group of friends walked slowly down the pathway and stopped at the river to dangle their feet in the water. The dojo was still a ways off, they decided to get moving again, hoping to think of something to do so they wouldn't be bored.

"We could go fishing," Yahiko suggested.

"Nah, we do that to often," Sano replied.

"Well then, I heard the carnival was in town," was his next idea.

"That might be okay," Kaoru said.

Yahiko beamed. He liked the carnival.

Sano was the one who noticed something strange about the road ahead.

"Hey guys, what's that on the side of the road," he asked while pointing

Everyone stopped, the question having that spooky effect. It could be lots of things. No one had time to ponder though, because as they cautiously stepped closer it became clearer that it was a person.

"It looks like a child," Megumi said quietly. Fearing the worst, they finally reached the body and stepped around to the side. It certainly looked like a child, but the gasps from the friends proved otherwise. They were all a bit thrown off by his size, but there could be no other that looked like that.

"That's no kid Megumi," Sano said under his breath.

"Kami-sama," was all she said while shaking her head in disbelief.

"Is he...dead?" Yahiko asked tentatively.

Megumi kneeled down, resting one hand on the ground for support and reaching with the other to feel for a pulse. When she felt a slight fluttering beat her eyes widened and her gaze fell to his chest. She watched closely and concentrated hard, finally seeing a slight rise and fall. She sighed and stood again.

"How can Battousai the Manslayer...be dead," Yahiko asked.

"He's not." She pointed to his chest. "Watch closely." She paused a moment. "You see, he's breathing. Barely, but still breathing."

"He's hurt too," Kaoru said pointing to his side. Megumi looked and nodded her head with a small sigh.

"Well come on, let's help him," Sano said moving forwards. He looked the boy for a moment before turning to Megumi. "How should we move him?"

"Sano, things look pretty bad for him."

"Right so let's just leave him out here so he has no chance and dies with no dignity and honor at all."

Kaoru looked at him. He did deserve peace at least. "Megumi, Sano's right. We need to help him." As grave as the things he had done were, and as evil as they said he was, he was in no condition to harm any of the members of the dojo. Even if he had killed hundreds, it had been for them, so they wouldn't have to live in fear of those more powerful than themselves. Kaoru didn't believe in the killing part, but in some aspects, he was a hero.

"I know we have to help him," she retorted. "I'm just warning you all..."

Sano stepped up to him now and got a good look of his face. "Say, do you think it's possible this isn't Battousai? He look so...innocent. Maybe's he's got a kid or something that looks like just like."

"I don't think so Sano. If we want to help, we better do it fast, okay? Yahiko, would you run and get Dr. Gensai for me please?"

He didn't really want to leave, but finally scampered away, leaving the adults to figure out what to do.

"Sano, you should carry him," Megumi said. "I'm not sure what I can move on him and what I can't."

She bent down again and kept a wary eye on the small man for a moment before carefully lifting the side of his Gi and looking at his wound on his side. It wasn't to terrible. Certainly didn't look to comfortable, but the wound itself wouldn't cause death. It was infection she was worried about, as with any injury on a body.

The way he was laying didn't suggest any broken bones, so she figured that for now, they just had to assume he was all in one piece.

Carefully, the three of them situated him so that he was on Sano's back. Sano held onto his arms in front of him and the two women stood on each side, just in case he needed to be repositioned. Sano had no trouble carrying him, since he was so light.

"We need to get some food in this guy," he noted to himself as they were walking.

"He's so little," Megumi said, suppressing a giggle. How could he be the feared Manslayer?Kaoru nodded her head and smiled.

"Watch who you're giggling over. Remember, this is the guy that killed hundreds of people. Maybe they were all laughing too and then, bam! Dead before they could notice he wasn't laughing with them."

"Thanks Sano," Megumi said sarcastically.

Sano smartly didn't reply, but only kept walking at a steady pace until they reached the dojo.

Yahiko was waiting for them at the front gate when they walked up to it.

"Dr. Gensai can't make it down here now. He says he's swarming with patients and he knows Megumi can handle it. Otherwise, he said to bring him down there."

Megumi smiled at the old man's faith in her, but sighed as well. "We can't risk moving him anymore." She opened the gate. "Come on."

As soon as they had him on a futon, Megumi put herself into full doctor mode. She ordered Sano to go get some water and yahiko to help. Kaoru waited for the water and then boiled it in the kitchen.

By the time they had the bowl of hot water in the room again, Megumi had moved so that she was sitting at his right side and had his Gi off. The wound on his side looked gruesome, but it wasn't that serious really. Infection hadn't really set in yet and with the proper herbs and some bandages he would be fine.

He didn't budge an inch throughout the whole treatment, but when she took more time to notice the rest of him, it became evident than the young swordsman had goose bumps all over his arms. He didn't shiver though, which should be the bodies natural response and this unnerved Megumi a bit. She laid the back of her hand across his forehead and pulled back quickly.

"Kami-sama, he's burning up," she said to herself.

Her friends behind her felt like they could only watch as she laid a cool cloth across his head and on the back of his neck.

"But Megumi, look at him," Kaoru protested. "Shouldn't we try and warm him up?"

"It seems like a better idea, but the fever is far more dangerous right now. The coldness is mostly a comfort issue and I'm worried more about overall health right now."

Kaoru still looked skeptical but didn't say anything. Megumi was the doctor here after all. She had now wrapped a bandage around his middle to cover the wound and went back to tending his fever. There had been no improvement and after cooling down 3 more sets of cloths, she finally decided to try and warm up the rest of his body, hoping to get a response out of him.

Kaoru went to get blankets and they covered him. The odd scarf that had been wrapped around his neck was laying at his side. That was the only garment he had that wasn't torn or bloodstained. It was either brand new, or very valued to him. It was for this reason, that they kept it near him.

Megumi watched him closely throughout the day and only took small breaks, at which time, Kaoru watched him. His fever, still not getting any better was beginning to really worry Megumi. He had lasted longer than she had expected, though she feared what would happen during the night. It always seemed like things turned for the worst at night.

She debated on it for awhile, but finally decided it was for the best to get his fever down, rather than have him die cozy and warm. So, she removed the blankets, gaining yet again no reaction and was surprised to see the goose bumps still there. When she laid the cold cloths on him, she almost felt bad, but controlled herself. She would not give in. It was better this way.

He really was just a child. His face, though young for her, was rather handsome. His unusual red hair gave him a distinct quality. He looked so much like a little boy. How in the world could he slaughter hundreds and not even give a second thought? It just didn't seem to fit. She hoped he woke up, so that she could assess whether or not this could be true or all made up.

More time passed and it was probably now the middle of the night. No one in the dojo was sleeping, no one was even tired. The events of the morning were far to exciting to just sleep. Besides, Megumi might need their help.

Again, a cloth was removed, dampened with cold water and reapplied.

"Aha! Look, did you see that! A sign of life!"

"Shhh! Of course I saw it Sano," she said in a hushed shout.

He had finally moved. The cold cloth had triggered a flinch as it touched the back of his neck. Kaoru leaned in closer to listen and whisper along with them.

"Hey, ya think this means he's getting better?"

"I don't know Sano. So far, he's doing okay. I'm feeling better now that he's at least moved, showing his body is still somewhat alert."

"As an assassin, shouldn't he be more alert by nature though," Yahiko questioned.

"Probably. That's what bothers me."

Soon after, he began to shiver, which oddly delighted Megumi. Now, she finally put a light blanket over him and only kept a damp cloth on his head and covering his eyes.

"You guys can go get some sleep now," she said quietly.

"What about you," Kaoru protested

"I'm not tired," she answered.

"Well we aren't either then," Sano cut in.

"Sano please, I saw you yawning like 10 times over there."

"You kept count," he said while raising an eyebrow.

"Do yourself a favor and go to sleep. I'll wake all of you up if anything happens."

Reluctantly, the all headed their rooms and Megumi dimmed the lantern in the room. Taking a spare blanket, she wrapped it around herself and leaned against the back wall, resting lightly.


Each member rose late that morning. Megumi gave an all knowing smirk. She'd told them they needed rest. She was used to odd hours and late nights, so she didn't mind so much. He hadn't shifted from his position, but his fever was getting better. It was a slow process but at least there was improvement.

Finally the rest of them woke up and they all gathered to speak with Megumi. They all asked the questions she had expected from each of them. Was he okay? Did he wake up during the night? Did she need anything else?

She found herself shooing away the offers. She busied herself with changing the boy's bandages and checking his fever. It was slowly subsiding. Though his progress was slow, at least it existed.

A few hours dragged by and she again was worried by his lack of movement. Even his breathing was still shallow. Finally though, Megumi noticed a twitch in his eyelids, indicting they were trying to open. The other members, who all happened to be there, noticed her lean forward and they soon caught on to what was happening.

He was so confused. Voices swirled around him in the background, yet he couldn't make out what they were saying. His eyes wouldn't open and his entire body hurt. His mind was so clouded over that he couldn't think straight.

He struggled and battled, trying to regain consciousness but each time failed. Not this time though. He was determined to at least get his eyes open.

His eyes fluttered open. They were hazy with delirium and the remaining fever. He stared straight up at the ceiling and dared not move a muscle, aware that the movement would cause him severe pain.

"Hello?"

The word went unregistered in his mind.

"If you can hear me..."

He heard, but didn't understand.

"Battousai?"

The single name snapped him from his world and he searched for the owner of the feminine voice. She sat beside him, surrounded by three other people. He didn't pay attention to them and only continued to try and get a grasp on what was happening.

"No," he managed to rasp out.

"No? Are you not Battousai?"

"No," he said again, shaking his head weakly as he felt his eyes begin to close again.

"Well then who are you," a male voice asked.

"Not anymore."

His eyes closed again, the restful state of unconsciousness taking him yet again, leaving a bewildered group of dojo members behind.


A/N: Well, tell me if you'd like to see an update for this! Thanks guys!