Author's Note: Hmmm…I actually wrote something again. Acck, its been so long. I hope it doesn't suck too much.

Disclaimer: I don't own. You don't sue. We're both happy.

Way the World Turns

"Himura-san…you really did run far from your past…"

It was a quiet town. Very peaceful.

"I do envy you. This is a nice place. Kyoto could never become like this even in the Meiji era."

It was more than just the quiet. It was the euphoria of peace. Of a town that saw its share of scuffles, fighting, and perhaps even death. But not the mindless craze of a city reeling from bloodshed. It didn't have that texture or the flavor the Bakamatsu had branded into the very foundation of Kyoto.

Beautiful.

"Too bad…" Soujiro smiled as he slipped the map back into his bag. "I wonder how much I'll have to change this city to get an answer, Himura-san." He began the walk down the path. "It's time we tied some loose ends after all."

***

"For the son of the strongest Hitokiri in Japan...you aren't anywhere near as intelligent." Neatly looping the end of his shinai into the collar of the struggling child, Yahiko sighed. "This is the fifth time I've had to drag you off the roof." Smiling nonetheless at Kenji's giggling laugh, he chuckled. "But you've got your father's skills. I couldn't even jump on top of the roof until my fourth year."

The child just smiled as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"You're either going to be almost as good as your father, or you're going to drive me completely insa…"

Yahiko wasn't sure if he was more surprised or resigned when the customary blow to the back of his head almost knocked him unconscious. Either way, any desire to tease Kenji immediately vanished as quickly as the stars dancing across his vision arrived.

"Stop teasing my son!"

"Teasing?" Yahiko indignantly glared at the offender, who of course had to be one certain Kamiya Kaoru. "I just saved him from breaking his neck!"

"It's ok honey." Deftly lifting the boy of the end of his shinai, and just as easily ignoring his comment, Kaoru cooed softly, "I won't let my bratty student hurt a single hair on your head."

And that was Kamiya Kaoru for you. Or more accurately, Himura Kaoru.

Maybe because it was just the early morning sun. More probably it was just the effects of the light concussion. But watching the kendo teacher shower affection upon her more than willing son, Yahiko was struck by how naturally maternal she looked. He never would have guessed it…especially not after all the bruises, migraines, and near-death experiences she had inflicted on him.

But she made a wonderful mother nonetheless. Yahiko smiled. She was more of a mother to him than anyone else. It shouldn't be much of a surprise.

"What are you staring at?" Yahiko instinctively flinched from the dark glower that was shot at him. Wonderful mother or not, she was still a strong woman. That, like many things in life, probably just wouldn't change.

"Nothing…nothing…" Smiling weakly, he looked around the dojo. "Where's Kenshin?"

"Kenshin?" Kaoru frowned as she pursed her lips in thought. "He just finished washing the clothes, re-waxing the dojo, tiling the roof…"

Yahiko definitely began to see a pattern here. For the better part of going through the rest of the day without having to worry about mental damage, he decided to remain silent.

"…and I did ask him to buy tofu just a moment ago…so I would think he'd be in the backyard resting." Though she hid it well, Yahiko noticed the flicker of worry cross through her eyes. "He should rest more. I always tell him to rest more."

"It's Kenshin. Don't worry. He knows how to take care of himself."

"That's just what Sano says." Kaoru frowned. "Always wondering around god knows where if I don't keep an eye on him. Never takes a single good look at his health before going outside." She smiled ruefully, "I am his wife. It's my job to nag to him all the time…maybe I'm just being the overprotective one…but you too Yahiko. Don't stress Kenshin that much anymore…"

"Kaoru?"

Kaoru hesitated a long moment before brushing her hair back and replying quietly. "He's growing old…Kenshin. He's forced himself so much that he's burned all his energy away. Megumi-san is worried too. He's ageing a lot faster than he should...but he won't tell anyone. He doesn't want to worry anyone. Even when it's his own wife." She sighed softly. "I think part of me is still scared I'll wake up one day and find him gone."

"He's not a rurouni anymore." Yahiko shook his head. "That'll never happen."

"…I know." Adjusting Kenji on her shoulder, she smiled as the boy cooed with pleasure. "I know. Because he gave me a son…because he gave you his sakabatou."

"No." Yahiko shook his head. "Because he met you."

And all Kaoru could do was blush.

***

He was…still was…the greatest swordsman in all of Japan. Of that, Yahiko never really had any doubts. He came back, bloodied, battered, within inches of dying…but he came back. And that was always the most important part. That he come back.

It was not just the Hiten Mutsurugi Ryu that made him that way. In truth, Yahiko believed he could have made any sword school great. Just by wielding the blade. Just by staying true to his beliefs…his words. Always, Yahiko found himself staring in awe at the back of the figure that always walked so far in front of him. Through all the battles he had fought in and the times he had placed his life on the line…no matter how many steps he took forward, Himura Kenshin stood in front with the distance between neither shortened nor lengthened.

And then ten years had passed.

Some things changed. Kenshin had cut his hair short and the scars on his cheek faded more every time Yahiko saw them. Kaoru had given birth to Kenji and, for the most part, given much of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu to him. Megumi had moved her doctor practice to Tokyo where she had been quite successful. Sano had sent a letter saying he had traveled over two thirds of the world and was trying to find passage to the United States. The Aoiya had become a very popular tourist attraction after being rebuilt and was planning to reopen after renovations over the next fall.

Everyone was finding their own path. Everyone was moving towards a direction he could neither see nor follow. He was of no exception. Kaoru had begun sending him to more dojos as of late through most of the southern and eastern parts of Japan. Though he still doubted how well he could deal with it, not even Kaoru bothered to hide the fact that he was going to inherit the entire Kamiya Kasshin Ryu.

And now, at the age of 20, Yahiko could begin to appreciate just how all the paths began with one rurouni.

Where would they all be without?

Megumi would probably be dead or making opium to some drug lord.

Sano would be just another nameless fighter beating his next meal out of another poor ingrate.

Kaoru would probably have lost her dojo or have lived the rest of her life alone.

And Yahiko…he would just be another urchin on the street of the Meiji era. Another orphan whom no one wanted.

He was thankful. By God he was. There were times he would wake up shaking uncontrollably at the thought of what else could have been. Kenshin had become such a set part in their lives that it was really difficult to think about it any other way.

True he was just a man…but that didn't change the fact that he was as superhuman as they came. Though he had seen for himself how beaten Kenshin was after his fights with Shishio and Enishi, it had never really occurred to him that they really affected the samurai. He had taken for granted, much like everyone else, that the wounds would heal and disappear. That when he was needed, Kenshin could just as easily get up and wield the sakabatou.

Stopping at the backyard, Yahiko nervously clenched his fist together. "Kenshin…you are alright aren't you?"

"Yes, I am sure he is quite alright. Thank you very much for worrying though." Yahiko jumped slightly as the calm, soothing voice came from behind him. Smiling at his discomfiture, Kenshin set the wet laundry against the post and asked, "What would make you think he wouldn't be?"

"Nothing…nothing really…"

"Talking to Kaoru-dono again?" He laughed. "She worries too much."

"Well," Laughing with him, Yahiko agreed. "It is her. She's either worrying her heart out or hitting you over the back of the head."

"I'm sure it's not that bad. Would you like to help me place all the laundry up?"

"What? Me? Do woman's work?"

"It's not really all that…"

"Sure." Interrupting, Yahiko grinned, "Well, if it's with you, alright. Where do I put the whites?"

***

"And then, I caught the sword right in my hand and snapped it in half. Just like a twig."

"Excellent form. I never had that good coordination."

"My students are getting so lazy. They complain so much at the smallest things. I tell them to do it again and all I hear is whining and complaining."

"Not so different from you when Kaoru-dono began your training."

Yahiko made a face as he bit into the rind of the watermelon. "Don't even compare us, Kenshin. These little punks already want to go on to REAL swords. I told them to be quiet and master the shinai before even dreaming about going on."

"True. Very true." Reclining on the porch, Kenshin smiled. "You have grown a great deal. It's already been 5 years since I gave you my sakabatou as your genpukku. I'm glad to see you are beginning to wield it as well as I ever did."

"What?" Yahiko shook his head viciously. "No, I'm still a LONG way to becoming anywhere NEAR as good as you are." He pointed a thumb at himself. "But I'm working hard to though Kenshin. Someday, I'm going to be just as good as you are."

Instead of responding, Kenshin stared at him intently. There was something disturbing about that stare…nothing like the ice that formed in the back of his neck when Kenshin went into his Battousai mode…but disturbing nonetheless. It seemed to pierce his soul and read every inch of his mind. Swallowing in the nervous silence, Yahiko asked, "What?"

"Yahiko…why don't we have a spar?"

"What?"

Getting up, Kenshin lightly dusted his gi. Walking to the back of the dojo hall, he took a shinai mounted on the wall and lightly held it in one hand. "Let's spar just a bit. You and me." He flashed a smile. An old smile. "Like we used to."

Yahiko remembered it very well. How he could swing the sword a thousand times and always expect to hit nothing but air. It was difficult…no, it was impossible…for him to even expect to land a blow. Too fast. Too strong. Kenshin wouldn't even begin flinching when Yahiko was already covered from head to toe in sweat.

That was Himura Kenshin. Someone who could never be defeated by anyone who held a sword.

That was the way it would always be.

"Like it would make a difference…"

Setting the sakabatou to the side, Yahiko drew back as Kenshin shook his head. "No. Use the sword I have given you. You are its master now. I did not give it to so it would remain in its sheath."

"But…"

"You are a swordsman Yahiko. Do not ever be afraid to grasp your own blade. Draw it with a full heart."

"…alright." Lacing it back into his sash, Yahiko took his position opposite of Kenshin. Sliding the sakabatou from the seiya, he assumed a ready stance. "I'm ready."

"Good." Kenshin did likewise. "Here I come."

Kenshin's ken-ki was a dangerous thing to charge into unprepared. The coercion, the inability to rationally make a decision…the indecisiveness…all these feelings were instantly read by it and created by it. At his genpukku, Yahiko still felt completely overwhelmed by the aura though he already knew what strike he would go for and what counter Kenshin would make. Standing here, the knot in his stomach once again built up as sweat made it difficult to keep his firm grasp on the sakabatou's hilt.

He blinked once. And Kenshin was already gone.

He was fast. Indescribably fast. Closing the distance in a heartbeat, Yahiko barely spun away as Kenshin's shinai lanced forward and barely missed his temple. Changing direction mid-pivot, Kenshin followed his awkward dodge, aiming the swing to hit his diaphragm.

Shit! The smack of wood against metal was deafening in the otherwise quiet dojo as Yahiko managed to bring the sakabatou across and block.  It was a difficult to completely negate the shock, and the hilt jarred harshly against his wrist as Kenshin likewise applied pressure. Gritting his teeth, Yahiko placed both hand firmly against the stock and pushed outwards, breaking the deadlock.

He still didn't have enough arm speed to compete with Kenshin at point blank. Though he had grown slightly taller than Kenshin over the years, the pure speed Kenshin possessed completely made his longer arm reach useless. At this rate, he would spend the whole battle just trying to defend without even getting a good swing in. Fending off a quick jab, Yahiko stumbled back as Kenshin broke left and aimed a blow at his blind side.

He managed to block the brunt of it, but the leftover force dumped him off his feet and swept him across the hall. Turning the fall into a makeshift shoulder roll, Yahiko crouched with the sakabatou across his face as he expected the counter.

"Creativity.  A good sense of your weaknesses and how to compensate for them. Very good." Kenshin pointed the tip of the shinai at him. "But you're too worried about defending than attacking." His eyes narrowed. "It's as if you're expecting you can't keep up with me…when in fact, you already are."

Keeping up? You're Kenshin! Are you…Yahiko paused as the thought flashed too quickly through his mind. Fighting like this…watching his step so carefully…this wasn't the way he fought. Kenshin was fast, it was true, but he had watched the swordsman long enough to read him better than this. Taking a deep breath, Yahiko closed his eyes and forced the tenseness in his shoulders to loosen.

I've been trying for so long to catch up to you, Kenshin…that I've never let myself see how close I am already. I've always been so far behind…

"I'm going to see how much distance has closed." Yahiko opened his eyes and assumed a stabbing position. "Prepare yourself."

"A stabbing strike?" Kenshin brought the sword perpendicular to his back and crouched slightly. "You've been watching Saitoh's Gatotsu too much. But strike hard…and strike clean. Or you know what else comes next."

"Hiten Mutsurugi Ryu. Battou-jutsu. If anyone can do it with a shinai, it would be Himura Kenshin."  Though his tongue was glib, Yahiko knew the sweat on his forehead was more than just exertion. Battou-jutsu…the mainstay of Kenshin's swordplay. Rush in, and the blade would kill you. Stay back and the blade would move forward and kill you. The perfected defense with the perfected offense.

His stomach began aching slightly at the memory of the strike he had taken during his genpukku. True, he had managed to score a double hit with Kenshin…a fact that to this day still surprised him. But the strength behind the blow could not be compared. He had dropped hard and the bruise had taken over a week to fully heal.

He had learned there though, that an overhead strike like he had tried was impossible against Kenshin's Battou-jutsu. There was too much of his body he left unprotected, especially since Kenshin always favored striking the lower torso. So it came down to this. His crude makeshift Gatotsu.

Ignore that. My technique is already different from Saitoh's. Yahiko forced himself to focus. Think Myoujin Yahiko. He's doing a Battou-jutsu without either a sash or a seiya. I might not be as fast but at least I can start to compete. Aim for shoulder…right at the shoulder…

"Let's go."

Lunging forward, Yahiko brought his blade back to generate more momentum. At the same time, Kenshin's right hand blurred across his body as he began lowering his shoulder to meet him.

"COME ON!" Throwing all his weight forward, Yahiko braced his foot against the light tarp and thrust his sword forward…

It was a good strike. Perhaps one of his best single strikes over. But even before his sword grazed nothing but the wind where Kenshin was but a second ago, Yahiko knew that once again, when it came to the unexpected, no one even rivaled the swordsman.

Ryu Tsui Tsen.

The blow came from above, catching him right below the neck. Neatly jumping over his attack, Kenshin had never planned to go Battou-jutsu from the beginning. The stabbing position which he had taken to guard against the low sweep of a Battou-jutsu did nothing to prevent the full shock of an overhead strike. Already unable to control his weight, Yahiko felt the pressure begin to cave in the mat as his legs began to buckle.

Perhaps he was fortunate. The weak wood of a shinai, already designed to absorb most of the damaging effects of the technique, kept him from blacking out immediately. He shouldn't be too surprised that he had lost. That by trying to outthink Kenshin he had already lost from the start. It would not be the first time that had happened.

I'm going to lose…

And still…

Even if I've lost yesterday. Even if all that will happen is that I'll lose tomorrow…

Summoning energy from somewhere he had no idea existed in the first place, Yahiko managed to stand through the shockwave that sent ripples across the tarp. As Kenshin finished his sweep and landed in front of him, Yahiko was dimly aware of the disbelief in the swordsman's eyes upon seeing him still on two feet.

"Even if I lose every single time afterwards…" Bracing the sword up, Yahiko screamed, "I WON'T LOSE TODAY!"

Ryu Shou Sen Modoki!

The counter caught Kenshin completely by surprise and completely unguarded. Though old reflexes managed to catch the tip of the blade, a shinai was no match for a fine blade already repeatedly battle tested. Cleaving through the wood like butter, the rubber tip of the shinai spiraled off and landed with a soft clunk on the mat.

Unlike Kenshin's broken shinai, the sakabatou had very little to absorb its shock. Catching him right under the ribs, the blade's lack of a cutting edge did little to dull the impact. Rather, without the flesh giving way, the full force was straight into Kenshin's body. The results went without saying.

Quite literally, Kenshin's body was made airborne as like a crumpled wad of paper, the impact tossed him backwards across the room. Slamming hard into the wall, though the fragile wood managed to hold, the entire training dojo shook as if thunder had just struck outside the courtyard.

Then just as quickly, all became silent. Finally collapsing from the exertion, Yahiko panted past the ringing in the back of his head and the sour taste of acid on his tongue. His vision spasmed between blurriness and abrupt clarity as the ache on his neck began swelling viciously.

It was understandable when he either didn't or couldn't notice the sliding door from the dojo slam open and Kaoru's sharp scream.

"KENSHIN!"

***

"Young man!" Soujiro winced at the sharply disapproving voice. "Now where do you think you are going with that?"

"Oh, my bag?" Spinning around and attaching a guileless smile to his face, he hoisted the leather bag loosely in one hand. "Well, I've just traveled so far that I was hoping to find an inn to stay the night."

"Don't be smart." The officer pointed at the hilt jutting from his sash. "Swords have been outlawed on civilians since the Meiji Era."

Attaching his best, Oh My Goodness! How did that get there face, Soujiro waved his hands appeasingly, "Surely a traveler wandering by himself across Japan deserves some form of protection. I am not a very imposing man and I have very few belongings. I don't wish to cause trouble." Well, not any trouble I wouldn't want you to see anyway…

"Absolutely not! The law is the law!"

Soujiro smiled nonetheless. "Surely you can make an exception…"

"Unless you are Himura-san, which you surely are not, I don't see any reason why I should."

"Himura?" Taking a step forward, Soujiro felt his pulse quicken. "Himura Kenshin? He lives close to here?"

"Why of course! At the Kamiya Dojo. Do you have business with him?"

Almost instinctively, Soujiro traced the line across his chest where the ougi had changed his whole life. Relaxing, he nodded his head and let the naïve façade fade. "Yes…I suppose you could say he is the reason why I am still carrying this blade. I have not seen him in a long time…I would think he should be expecting me."

Instantly the officer's attitude changed. "Why didn't you say so in the first place? If Himura-sensei is expecting you, then I apologize for getting in your way. Stupid bureaucratic red tape anyway. I should have known?" He beamed, "Swordsman are you?"

"You could still say that."

"Great man! Have you come to receive his tutelage?"

"…Perhaps." Soujiro chuckled. "Perhaps not. I have already learned too much from him."

"If anyone can teach you anything about the sword, it would be him. Of that I am sure!"

"You're probably right. I suppose it would be like that…" Sighing, Soujiro unhooked his katana from his side. "Fine. I've changed my mind." Tossing the blade towards the befuddled officer, he turned around. "I give up Himura-san. I'll have to find my answer from you in some other way."

"Young man…"

"Eh?" Waving the officer off, Soujiro grinned, "It's really of no consequence. I never liked that blade anyway. Don't worry about keeping it for me. I won't be coming back to get it."

"But why…"

"It's ok. You're weak. You're not supposed to understand." Soujiro turned around. "I'm still weak. So I still don't understand either. Take it as you will."

***

"What were you thinking Yahiko!"

"I'm…I'm sorry…"

"From the rooster-head, I know I can expect some stupid things. But not from you! You're the successor of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu! Quit moving!" Brusquely brushing his hands away, Megumi grimaced at the bruise on his shoulder. "Were you two really sparring? Men and your testosterone…I'm going to need a poultice or this is going to leave a scar."

"I…I'm sorry."

"You said that already!" Wincing a bit at the snappish tone in her voice, Megumi sighed and busied herself with tending to the wound. "You're twenty now Yahiko. I shouldn't have to come here and deal with a half-hysterical tanuki and Ken-san beaten almost to a…" She trailed off as the guilt and shame in Yahiko's eyes forced him to lower his head. "Don't look away from me boy. Thankfully there was no hemorrhage. Just some bruised muscles and no broken ribs. You didn't cause any unreparable damages so we can both thank our luck for that."

"I…I just didn't want to lose…ouch…"

"Bear it like a man." Washing away the rubbing alcohol, Megumi lightly tapped him on the side of his head. "Now what got into that skull of yours?"

"Every other time we fought, I didn't mind. I didn't expect to win…I thought it would just be good training. But today…" Yahiko trailed off.

"Today?"

"Today…I couldn't lose…because this might be my last chance."

"Last?"

"Kenshin…." Struggling to find the right words, Yahiko shook his head. "Kenshin is growing old…isn't he?" Megumi watched on stiffly. "And…between him…and me…I needed to show that someday I could be his equal. That I wasn't the same brat he picked off the street so long ago."

"…ok. I'll pretend I understood what you were saying. Did you find your answer then?"

"I…I don't know."

"Then you are much, much stupider than that rooster-head will ever be." Standing up, Megumi glowered down at him. "If you think Ken-san ever thought of you as anything less, you are just extraordinarily stupid. The only one who has been doubting you is yourself. Just because of your inferiority complex, don't take it out on Ken-san."

"I…I didn't think I would win…"

"Honestly, you and everyone else think that Ken-san is still the same person who fought Shishio. Even he does!" Megumi pointed at herself. "I'm his doctor so I know Ken-san's body better than anyone else. His body began giving out quite a while ago. If you were seeking a duel with Himura Battousai, you should have beaten him to death far before Enishi ever did. You stupid boy! There's a reason he gave you his sakabatou. To do what he could no longer do."

Yahiko fell silent, unable to meet her eyes.

"But more than that, Yahiko…I just feel very disappointed in you. Ken-san was more than just a father to you. He raised you. He believed in you. I think it would hurt him very much if he knew all you thought of him was just another rival you needed to compete with. His growing old or not growing old will never change that. I can understand sparring with him. But that's a dangerous mindset to have. I can understand not wanting to lose. But I can't understand your desire to win at this cost. Think over it carefully."

Sliding the door shut, Megumi left Yahiko to ponder very carefully over what had just been said.

***

Inside the next room, the conversation did not differ much.

It probably had not been such a good idea, Kenshin admitted to himself. Like Yahiko, he had taken the spar too seriously. "I'm fine…I'm fine." Holding his wife close against him, Kenshin felt a wave of relief that the worst of the hysterics had passed. "It's nothing serious…"

Kaoru, who had never taken his injuries well in the past, had exploded as soon as Megumi had finished her diagnosis. He had remained silent through her bouts of accusations and entreaties and finally just held her when she ran out of words and threw herself into his arms. She had been crying hard for the past fifteen minutes nonstop.

"No. It's not that simple…" Kaoru murmured against his shoulder. "It's not as simple as it used to be."

"Kamiya Kasshin Ryu has sworn never to kill…like my sakabatou. There wasn't any danger."

"NO! You baka!" Pushing him away from her, Kaoru glared at him. "Megumi already told you your body couldn't handle Hiten Mutsurugi Ryu! You aren't the Hitokiri anymore Kenshin. You aren't even a rurouni anymore." She placed a hand on his chest. "You're my husband. My heart almost stopped when I saw you unconscious in the dojo."

"Kaoru-dono…"

"Kamiya Kenshin Ryu was made to be used against any opponent. But not you. Never you. Because to Yahiko…because to me…you are the most important thing. If you were hurt because of my technique…if you were killed because of my technique…I would never forgive myself."

"It is the same for me. It will always be like that."

"Rest Kenshin. That is why you gave Yahiko that sakabatou…because it is his time now. You have a son to care for. This time, if something happens to you…" Kaoru's voice grew thick with fear, "If something happens to you, it won't be just me. It will be Kenji. I don't want him to grow up without a father. If you always keep on pressing your body, something horrible will happen."

"Is that what you're afraid of Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin smiled. "Don't worry. No matter what happens, as long as you are safe…as long as I know you're their waiting for me, I'll always come back."

"But…" Bowing her head, Kaoru gripped the lapels of Kenshin's gi tightly. "…you always push yourself. When people need help, you always can't stop yourself. You always end up doing stupid things that get you hurt. Let Yahiko do what you can't do. Think about the people close to you who need you the most."

"Like you?" Kenshin laced his hands through hers. "But I always do that."

"Stop trying to sweet-talk me. It's not going to work this time!" Though her voice was harsh, she made no resistance when Kenshin pulled her closer against him. Sighing, she looped her arms around his neck and whispered, "You promise you mean that though?"

"I promise."

"Don't ever go anywhere without me Kenshin. Because I'm your wife, I love you more than anything else. When you hurt, I hurt too. Don't do anything stupid like this again. I'm going to have a good luck talk with Yahiko after this too."

"He's strong. He takes after you more day after day."

"Baka. It's you he's becoming more and more similar to. It's you he wants to be like." 

"He's going to be stronger than I ever was. I saw it in his eyes."

"So let him grow then Kenshin. You've trained him long enough. Let him start walking by himself…" Kaoru kissed him. "And spend more time with your wife whose been waiting her turn long enough."

"Hai…Kaoru-dono."

Distantly, the front gate of the dojo opened and with a dull thud, slammed shut. The heavy sounds of wooden clogs against a concrete pavement slowly thinned out and over time, disappeared altogether.

Kaoru growled softly, "Where is that idiotic student of mine going now? I still need to talk to him."

"Let him go." Kaoru blushed deep crimson as Kenshin nuzzled the side of her neck gently. "It's like you said Kaoru-dono. He needs to learn how to walk by himself…and that I should spend much more time with my wife."

"…Kenshin?"

"Yes?"

Leaning close to his ear, she whispered softly, "I asked Megumi to take Kenji home with her tonight." Pushing him back against the futon she followed his descent and kissed him deeply.

It was strange…that so much of her life would begin to revolve around one man. When did it really start? When did she really begin to become unable to cope with living without him?

As Kenshin began responding to her invitation, any real effort her mind was trying to make to begin answering those questions quickly dissolved. It really didn't matter much after all. Perhaps it was better that they come later anyway.

***

Well, if the answer would ever come at all.

It hadn't come in 10 years.

"Isn't that oddly disappointing?"

With the blade…without the blade. Killing…not killing. For such profound lessons, Soujiro never really could differentiate between doing so and not doing so. It seemed a strange thing to say.  But it was the only definite conclusion he had come up with. Though the weak did not necessarily deserve to die…and though protecting the weak had not been wrong…

They still died. And still the strong fed upon them. Of that, Soujiro likewise could find no other way of denying that irreversible truth. Shishio had not been wrong to hold that mantra so close to his heart. But Himura-san was also not wrong in wanting to save the weak. To protect them.

So it stayed a paradox. To save the weak before his eyes. To protect them from the suffering they endured. And yet, to understand that the weak who remained weak would never change…and how he could ever protect anyone if he was one of the weak. Though Himura had so vehemently denied it, strength was still everything. Strength was the only way anyone could protect anybody.

It puzzled him so much. This strange definition was not the answer he had been seeking…it could not have been the answer that inspired Shishio to assemble the Juppon Gatana and begin the Kuri-Tori. It could not have been the answer that inspired the great Hitokiri Battousai to pick up a reversed blade.

It seemed almost a waste of a decade…if he preferred to think about it that way. In same ways, his journey had not been as difficult as the rurouni. There was practically no one who knew who the Tenken was…and the government seemed more interested in dealing with its own internal problems than trying to locate one stray boy, no matter what his prowess with the sword should be.

And so, his journey remained peaceful…a fact which he was actually quite thankful for. But it had left him likewise feeling very empty sometimes. And to some extent, very alone. Smiling, Soujiro allowed himself some nostalgia. Yumi, a coarse woman in the exterior had a far more gentle heart than anyone gave her credit for. And….Shishio, though a demanding teacher, had in no way abused him to the degree his blood relatives had. It…it had not been such a horrible thing…being the strongest of the Juppon Gatana.

Through the blade he had found comrades. Through the blade he had become the second strongest man in the world. His emotion lock had kept him from truly appreciating what he had.

It was curious to see the world through feelings other than amusement. The world he had learned was more than just a game he could understand with a smile. True, happiness and joy felt refreshing…but the irony lied that he never truly understood them without feeling anger or sadness either.

"Well…was it worth it?"

Questions…that was all he really ever found.

"Sir? Can I take your order?"

"I'll take the reason I exist with a side of everything else you might want to add."

"Excuse me?"

"A bottle of sake will do fine on the other hand."

Well, if enlightenment wouldn't work, getting drunk would be the next best thing. Like most things worthwhile, the things worth learning were the lessons he had learned by himself. Alcohol was something he had trained himself to like.

Well…maybe not like. "Still bitter…" Smiling at the aftertaste that left a horrible tang in the back of his throat, he chuckled. "Always bitter."

The waitress smiled at his comment and went on her way. Soujiro reminded himself that he should leave a generous tip for her patience. He already had enough troubles dealing with himself….rarely would anyone else do so. Ignoring the burning in his throat from the sake, he drank enough to keep half the world fuzzy.

He didn't hold alcohol well. At all. His unusually glib tongue just went out of control. It was kind of fun…almost. Letting his muscles relax, he leaned against the back wall and let his gaze drift. It was a nice, noisy restaurant. The Akebeko the rather gaudy sign in front proclaimed. Shishio enjoyed only the finest food and Yumi took many measures to ingrain in him Western dining manners. Dinner always seemed somewhat strange as, naturally, at the head of the table was the new Battousai and across the table was a prostitute. Either way, mealtime was just a respite from another round of grueling training that left him unable to appreciate either the food or the decor.

To relax like this…to let the natural sounds and feel of a natural world was one of the new experiences he enjoyed. The baby across the corner crying loudly with the patrons beside the table tactfully ignoring it. The laughter that always came from the other table from people who were a bit noisier than he was when more than just inebriated. Ironic considering that there seemed to be very little 'peace' going on…

It was fine though. It was more than enough.

Well…almost at least.

"Ho….now isn't that interesting?" Falling to the very last table, Soujiro couldn't help but smile at the occupant. It was faint…certainly nowhere near the first-class auras he had to deal with…but it was strong. A very focused ken-ki. Even more telling was at the patron's waist was the definite hilt of a katana. The shape and color seemed very familiar…very much so…in fact…Soujiro's eyes widened. "Sakabatou…? Himura's sakabatou…?" His eyes narrowed dangerously as his fist clenched. "Now boy…what would you be doing with such a thing?"

Well, there really was one way to find out. Picking up his bottle and dish, he made his way past the peace and into the company of those he felt most used to. The ones who had to live life with a blade by their side.

"You have a very strong aura you know…" Sliding into the seat across the table from the swordsman, Soujiro bowed his head in greeting. "Even someone as insensitive as I can feel it." He wasn't as young as he looked …this boy…no, this young man, even as he directed a harsh glare in his direction.

"I would like to be alone for now. Leave."

Ignoring his response, Soujiro continued. "Guilt. Blame. Uncertainty…" Swirling his dish of sake lightly in one hand, he moved it across the table towards him. "Very strong emotions for someone's ken-ki to have. It seems to me that you could use this a lot more than I do."

They eyed each other for a while, one with interest, the other with unbridled wariness. Shrugging, the young man picked up the dish and swallowed the sake in one go.

Laughing, Soujiro grinned. "Now there I go making the wrong assumptions again. You drink sake much better than I do."

"I've made a habit of being very irrational. Today is no exception."

"I can imagine. Soujiro. Seta Soujiro."

"Myoujin Yahiko."

Well, that did explain a lot. Soujiro recognized that name. The name of the brat that had always tagged along with the great Hitokiri of old. The boy who, although embracing the blade techniques of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, was still the flower of Himura Kenshin's hegemony. Of his Hiten Mutsurugi Ryu. Though they had never met face to face, Soujiro could relate to that boy very clearly.

I was picked up by Shishio…from him I learned my Shukuchi…my name, the Tenken. And so what of you Myoujin Yahiko? Soujiro felt his lip curl up. Are you me then? Are you the me who would have been if I had been saved by your precious Himura Ken…

Soujiro closed his eyes as the wave of bitterness crashed against him. He still had not been able to fully understand this part of Himura-san's philosophy. If the weak deserved to be protected, why had no one ever protected him? Why was it so important to protect the weak when the strong had left him forgotten to die?

Why of all the weak who deserved to be protected…was he the one who was so undeserving?

But that question had died a long while back. It was best to leave it there.

"Yahiko-ch…I mean kun…" A nervous looking waitress, perhaps two or three years younger than Yahiko, uneasily made her way to the table. Her blush grew increasingly more crimson the closer she came to the table. "Good evening." She briefly made eye contact with Soujiro before turning away. "Is he your friend?"

"No."

Soujiro smirked. "Well don't be so brusque." He softened it into a smile as he turned back to the girl. "I'd like to have another bottle of sake for Yahiko here miss. Naturally it's on my bill."

"Yahiko!" The girl's voice wasn't loud but very firm. "You shouldn't drink alcohol this late! Especially not from strangers."

Am I just trying too hard to be nice here? Soujiro was definitely beginning to sense a tragic pattern in store for himself.

"Be quiet Tsubame. You aren't my mother."

"But…"

"Just go get it or you'll lose your customers. Tae hates it when that happens doesn't she?"

"Yahiko-chan…"

Slamming a fist on the table, Yahiko snarled, "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me chan! I'm already an adult so cut that out! I'm tired of hearing you whine to me Tsubame so just leave already!"

She was close to crying. Though she seemed intent on refusing to let the tears flow, her eyes were already getting red. Sketching a quick bow, she quickly turned and ran back into the kitchen, disappearing around the corner.

"Well, all I can say is that I'm glad there are people like you. Makes me feel less like an idiot." Soujiro's smile had vanished and his eyes brooked no humor. Pouring himself a drink, he shook his head. "You might drink sake like a man, but it's pretty obvious you have no idea how to treat woman. Maybe I'm just stating the obvious, but she 'whines' so much to you because she likes you." He bit out acidicly, "Really you are an idiot."

"…what would you know?"

"Not much. In fact nothing at all. Which does make you all the more pathetic doesn't it?"

"Haven't you had enough to drink?"

"Half. I will grant that this is half the alcohol talking. But that doesn't change the fact that although you hold his blade, you are nothing like Himura Battousai."

Yahiko's eyes shot open. "What did you say?"

"What did I…?" Trailing off, Soujiro grimaced as he smacked a palm against his forehead. "Oh fuck."

"Kenshin…how do you know Kenshin?" Yahiko's voice grew dark. "How do you know about his sakabatou?"

"I take it all back Yahiko-kun. I am incredibly more stupid than you." Reclining on his seat, Soujiro smirked, "Well, I am hardly in a position to nitpick my words. Why would I know Kenshin? Why would I know his sakabatou? Because under this gi I'm wearing, there's still a scar Battousai gave to me with that blade." His eyes narrowed. "Or more accurately, there's still a scar Battousai gave to me with his ougi."

"Amakake Ryu no Hirameki…"

"Very good. So even you know the name."

"I don't believe you…"

"Oh? Then tell me if he still uses the left foot."

"…" So he does know the secret behind Kenshin's ougi…

"I never asked you to believe me. Believe me if you want to…or if you don't. I personally have no preference. I wouldn't mind proving it to you if I had the evidence, but unfortunately, my blade did not survive the technique." Soujiro's tone grew sardonic, "Can you relate to me, Myoujin Yahiko?"

I don't believe it…it can't be true…

"Well, don't you seem surprised? Nothing left to say?"

"…what have you come here for?"

"To put it bluntly, to settle loose ends."

"With a duel?"

"…." Soujiro paused briefly as he stared at his distorted reflection on the rippling surface of sake. Lightly swishing the dish, he smiled. "That's probably how it will end…no matter what I do to…" He diverted his gaze back to Yahiko, "…and probably no matter what you do."

"Damn you!" The restaurant suddenly grew deathly silent as Yahiko jumped to his feet and the chair noisily clattered to the floor. Pointing at him, Yahiko yelled, "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Wouldn't it be nice to be a bit more discreet? You have a very poor sense of composure." Soujiro remained unmoved by the dangerous glint in Yahiko's eyes. "I have no quarrel with you boy. I just find it strange that the blade which defeated the Tenken of the Juppon Gatana is lying on your sash right now."

"You were Juppon Gatana?"

"Tenken no Soujiro of the Juppon Gatana to be precise." Soujiro sketched a mock salute. "At your service sir."

Staring at the man in the blue gi for a full second, Yahiko reached across his waist and slowly drew the sakabatou. Glinting in the cold light of the restaurant, the tip came within a few centimeters of Soujiro's nose. "I don't know what the hell that means…" Yahiko whispered softly, "But I've fought you Juppon Gatana before. This sakabatou has fought you Juppon Gatana before. If you've come back to start old fires, I will stop you."

"You draw that blade too easily. I begin to see Himura's patience is completely lost on you. You think you can though?" Soujiro nonchalantly took another drink. "Himura could…but then again, you're nowhere near Himura."

"No…" Yahiko swallowed nervously. "No, as you say I am not."

Soujiro suddenly stood up and swatted the sakabatou away from his face. "You're giving yourself too much credit again. I didn't mean your blade. I meant in the way you act. The way you conduct yourself. Your ken-ki, your aura, and even the reason you're drawing your blade against me. You are nothing like Himura-san." His eyes narrowed. "I was content with leaving it at that, but I'm not now. You don't deserve that sakabatou you're holding, Myoujin Yahiko. And I'm going to prove it." Brushing past him and grabbing the table knife on the counter, he began heading towards the door. "Care to follow?"

With the barest amount of hesitation, Yahiko did. Together they exited the building and took their positions along the empty street. In a rush, the onlooking patrons quickly followed in their steps, crowding outside the Akebeko to get a better look at the spectacle ensuing.

The air was cool with still a warm breeze from the day blowing the sand gently across the road. The moon was rather clear in the cloudless sky and gave the street a somewhat silver lining. It made the blade of the sakabatou shine a quick silver. It made Soujiro's eyes seem that much flatter. Facing each other, Soujiro crossed his arms together. "So what are you waiting for? If I start old fires…if I seek to face Himura-san…you will stop me. Isn't that what you said?"

"I don't fight unarmed people."

"Really?" Sliding his arm into his right sleeve, Soujiro drew out the knife he had taken from the Akebeko. "Then this will have to do."

Yahiko's voice was incredulous. "You intend to duel me with cutlery?"

"No." Soujiro's smile widened as he began lightly tapping his right foot against the pavement. "I intend to dissect you."

tbc