Evening fell and there had been no word from Soujiro. For awhile, even Koharu remained unseen until she was eventually sought out by Kenshin as dinner came around. Everyone was distracted with what they were going to eat and who was cooking it, so much of the activity took place within or around the kitchen area leaving Koharu nearly forgotten. She sat by a dying hearth and finished playing her box through its last round and sighed gloomily when sat it down beside her.

"Ah, there you are. I thought you might have snuck in to see your brother anyway. No one has seen you in awhile." Kenshin acted like he had just found her. He had first let her finish playing her music box through before disturbing her. "Dinner is almost ready. I thought you might want to eat and bring some food to your brother. I don't think he's eaten at all today."

Koharu sighed again and hunched her shoulders. "He probably won't eat anyway.… he's stubborn like that." Her eyes glistened while she gazed in thought towards the hearth. It didn't take Kenshin much longer to realize she was struggling to hold back tears. "Sou can be more selfish than he realizes..."

Kenshin approached her more closely until he was stranding next to her. He didn't want to sit next to her being unsure how uncomfortable she might be with him. It seemed safe to believe Soujiro had not poisoned her against him, but it was also difficult to imagine Soujiro having spoken positively about him to Koharu. However, Koharu seemed to trust Kenshin right away and even gaff him a respectable bow right away when first meeting him. Perhaps Soujiro had not put him in a bad light, despite the obvious ice, cold glare Soujiro would cast at him. "What do you mean? He gave up his freedom so you and Miss Avaron here could be safe. It seemed selfless to me."

"Yes it was," Koharu agreed and smiles half heartedly. " And I know it's the only reason why he surrender. Its part of what's... annoying about him. What makes him so selfish is he seems to give no regard or value to his own life… so he doesn't ever think about what his loss will do to others.…Does that make sense?" She then forced a chuckle. "I know he doesn't wish to die, but it's easier to give up now than face what lies ahead of him. He knows from now on I'll be safe and Avaron will be both safe and kept away from him. The few things he has come to care about, he no longer has to worry about. He could let himself die knowing we're safe now." She looked away from the burning hearth to wipe a tear away. "It would not be the first he had such thoughts. I know the path ahead of him isn't a desirable one.…" she then let her head fall against her knees and clenched her fists. "I should have just left him alone like he wanted. I never should have followed after him! He wouldn't be here. He wouldn't be sick.… but somewhere far away by now and given a real chance to start over."

Kenshin finally risked kneeling down next to her to talk at her height. "There's no way you could be sure about that and it's reason enough to not ever think like that. Soujiro doesn't. If you're worried about him wanting to give up or let go though, it's up to us to make sure he doesn't. In fact, I think he's been alone long enough. Perhaps you would like to bring him something to eat?"

Koharu faced forward towards the hearth thoughtfully and started to open her mouth. She closed it again second guessing the decision until a faint smile was seen on her face. She then looked back towards Kenshin. "You should do it."

"Wha- me?" Kenshin was already nervous and clutched at the back of his skull anxiously. "I don't think that's a good idea..."

"The others are still afraid of him or don't trust him. It hasn't been enough for them to know he would never directly hurt me. They're still afraid of what he might do to you. If you could make peace with him, maybe the others will finally see the good person he is."

Kenshin's face fell into a more serious, contemplative state. He wouldn't even know where to start if he saw Soujiro that very moment. "Is he angry at me?"

Koharu got her feet beneath her and stood to face him. "He doesn't hate you... I'm not sure if angry is the right weird either…." she then exhaled as she shyly folded her hands in front of her. With her hair left down and wearing one of Kaoru's favorite dresses as a child, she almost looked like a matured, young lady. She had even adopted Avaron's mannerisms already with how she shyly held her hands neatly in front of her and kept a small bow of the head, as if constantly acknowledging the respect she needed to show to such ones like Kenshin. "I can't tell you much more without betraying his trust. But if others saw you two getting along peacefully, they wouldn't be afraid of keeping their distance or feel like it's you in danger. I want everyone to see the Sou I've come to know, not the person he was."

Kenshin nodded. "I understand. You're right. As long as there is tension between us, it makes for a hostile environment for everyone and one difficult for Soujiro to recover peacefully in." He knew waiting to approach Soujiro would just make the tension between everyone grow and defeat the whole purpose of Soujiro remaining in the secluded walls of the dojo.

Koharu nodded eagerly and then smirked as she dried her tears from earlier. "You have to be as stubborn as he is. I had to really fight and knock sense back into him to show him why I should stay with him. He'll think he knows what's best but he doesn't. He just needs... a kind push in the right direction." She said as she punched her fist into her palm. "If I can do it, you certainly can."

"I guess I can't argue with that," he chuckled nervously. It wasn't going to make it much easier to face him, however.

"One last thing," Koharu trudged as close as she could to Kenshin so she was gazing directly across from Kenshin's eyes.

Kenshin gulped nervously and tried to distance himself without making it obvious. "Yes?"

"You have to promise... even if something does happen between you and Sou… you won't let it cost his stay here. No matter what Soujiro may do against you, just remember that he's a good person and he doesn't hate you. In the end its just his own stubbornness and pride getting in the way."

She was making him promise that even if Soujiro does retaliate in any way, that Kenshin had to be the one to somehow fix it before the sanctuary given to Soujiro was cut short.

Kenshin didn't have to think long before he was able to promise her. "All right, Koharu. I trust you. I will talk to him."

Koharu was now grinning more hopefully and clasped her hands back in front of her. "We shouldn't delay. You get Soujiro's food and I'll get Megumi to help me start brewing some tea for him."

"Uh-"

"Oh! I'll get an extra cup so both you and Sou can drink tea!" She spun on her heel and hurried down the hall to start collecting Soujiro's meal together.

Um…." Kenshin started in against the thought but was already abandoned by her. "Okay then," he said as he started more slowly after her. "It is sure be more lively than drinking tea with Aoshi, that it will." It was about the only positive thought he had concerning it.

It was when dinner was being served that Kenshin put Soujiro's meal together right away to deliver it to him. His meal had been prepared separately with revitalizing soup and tea that was specially brewed by Megumi in an attempt to ease Soujiro's symptoms. Besides that, water had been boiled and cooled just for his sake so he could keep hydrated while he remained confined to his bed and a fresh set of clean rags were also placed on the tray for him.

Kenshin entered the dining area where everyone else was already digging into their meal, including Koharu. Next to Kenshin, she also had come to not mind Kaoru's supposed bad cooking. Each time Koharu happily helped herself to the food cooked by Kaoru, Yahiko and Sanosuke could only stare with empathy. "We've got to show this girl some good food," he whispered to Sanosuke.

Sanosuke nodded in agreement.

Yahiko's face lit up when he saw Kenshin enter the room with Soujiro's meal… the one thing Kaoru had not tainted with her cooking. "Hey, is there any of that left in the kitchen?" he asked, already pushing his plate away eagerly.

Kenshin paused with a raised brow. "It's barely more than just a broth." It was the easiest thing for Soujiro to swallow and get the nutrients he would needed.

"Did you even try my food?" Kaoru barked angrily raising a fist at Yahiko.

"I've tried enough of your cooking to know better."

"Ugh, you're such a spoiled brat!" Both Koharu and Kaoru yelled. Kaoru lowered her hands that had been planted on her hips and met Koharu's gaze with a perturbed brow. She then smiled and crossed her arms proudly. Koharu was almost like the little sister she never got to have.

Yahiko slumped his back while resting his head on his hand. "Soujiro must not be a good cook either."

He was immediately struck with the cushion Koharu had been sitting on and was nearly thrown to his side on the floor because of a pillow.

Sanosuke pointed a finger at Yahiko and laughed out loud. "She's got quite the arm, doesn't she?"

Yahiko sat up first glaring at Sanosuke, feeling rather betrayed and then glowered irritably towards Koharu.

"Sou is the best cook and fisherman alive!" She exclaimed as she now towered over Yahiko. "He's so quick that he can catch fish with his bare hands," she bragged while pretending to pull a fish up from an imaginary river.

"Yeah, right-" Yahiko tried to counter before she lunged to wrap her arm around his neck and tackle him back to the ground. "Ow, hey-"

"You're going to eat those words… little Yahiko!" She had quickly learned what got under his skin.

Yahiko growled before he then chuckled evily. "It already tastes better than Soujiro's or Kaoru's cooking!" He fought back.

He actually admired Soujiro and his swordsmanship and would never openly disrespect him while he was within the room. He just knew saying the littlest negative thing about him is what would send Koharu over the edge.

"Fine! Let's see how it tastes with your own sword instead!" She tried to reach beside him where he had laid his sword but he was quick that time to wrestle and keep her away.

"You need to learn some boundaries!"

Kaoru's brow had flatten watching the fight between the two unfold. For once I just want to eat our meals like normal people. She looked around and saw that Kenshin had disappered as well as Sanosuke, who had left behind his untouched meal. Kaoru's shoulders dropped. Now he's just being mean.…

Sanosuke had followed after Kenshin when he left the room after depending on Koharu and Yahiko's fight to keep Kaoru distracted. He wasn't about to let Kenshin face their former enemy alone. "I know you can handle whatever this kid throws at you, especially now. But how he acts and treats us now will show how he'll be if and when he recovers his strength." Sanosuke had to stop walking when he realized Kenshin was no longer walking beside him, but had slowed to a stop behind him.

"We can't be harsh right away with him. Whether he still sees me as an enemy or not, Soujiro's life has been changed forever. No matter what happens tonight, I'm not going to take it personally. He has more than enough reason to be upset right now and we shouldn't make it worse. I would appreciate it if you let me handled this alone. Soujiro knows he can't fight back right now. And if he is harboring anything against me, this is my chance to make peace with him."

Sanosuke had failed already to take that into consideration. He had been preparing himself to jump down at Soujiro the moment he might retaliate because he thought it would solely stem from their history as being enemies. Soujiro had more reason than that to be sensitive because of all the life changing decisions that were made for him that day. Seeing it that way showed Sanosuke he needed to show a little more compassion. After all, Soujiro surrender that day not to save himself, but the people he cared about. He sighed. "All right. You have a point. But the kid still has to work at earning our trust. I need to see for myself that he will mean us no harm in the future. I can trust you to handle whatever he may throw at you for now, so I'll remain out of sight for now, how's that?"

Kenshin nodded in agreement. "I can settle with that. So as long as you leave it to me to handle matters between us," he said as he carried on delivering the food.

When they started to enter the hall Soujiro's room was designated in, Sanosuke fell behind while Kenshin walked ahead alone. He waited at the end of the hall far enough so the Tenken might not become aware of his presence, but remain close enough to hear what might unfold between the two.

Kenshin had only made himself more nervous about approaching Soujiro after spending the evening trying to contemplate how to face him. Even now he took careful steps as he approached the room and was suddenly taking his time as he neared it. Finally, there nothing else left to do but give a soft knock on the door. Not surprisingly, no response came. Kenshin even second guessed his actions and wondered if he should wait to talk to Soujiro. It was certainly much easier to think that it would be in everyone's best interest to leave Soujiro alone. He still had no idea what he was going to say.

He wouldn't…he couldn't escape if he wanted to. Kenshin began to think. He wouldn't get very far. Plus, I'm sure the Meiji is still keeping a close eye on the dojo for that very reason. Soujiro's senses aren't sharp enough yet to be alert who and where they could be watching.

The thought quickly terrified him.

Honestly, if anyone could do it, it's him…. And there's a door leading outside in there! He panicked inwardly. No, no. He wouldn't.… he tried to assure himself.

He still hesitated and wondered if it had really been wise to have left Soujiro alone after all. It made it even harder to open the door to discover the truth.

"Kenshin," Sanosuke hissed from the end of the hall. "What is it?" He was immediately assuming something was wrong seeing Kenshin hold back.

Kenshin turned a nervous grin at him. "Perhaps I'll knock one last time."

He then sighed and turned back to face the door. All right, Soujiro. This is one way to start earning our trust.… by being on the other side of this door.…

He went ahead to knock just as nervously but a little louder. After hoping Soujiro might just be asleep, Kenshin risked opening the door, planning to leave the tray within Soujiro's reach and leave him alone if he had fallen asleep already.

The moment he cracked open the door, he felt a rush of cold air brush against his face and immediately took it as a bad sign. He slid it open all the way and nearly dropped the tray in his panic. The bed was empty. He rushed in. "Oh no...Sou-"

He then quickly sealed his lips and held his breath.

Kenshin only had to rush in to see that Soujiro still was within the room, but laying with his side against the wall towards the corner of the room where he had access to the door outside and appeared to still be sleeping. In fact, his head and shoulder rested against the frame of the door almost completely outside to breathe in the cool night air.

Kenshin silently breathed in relief. He had been sure Soujiro wouldn't attempt to escape, not just because of his condition, but he found it difficult to imagine Soujiro leaving Koharu so suddenly after witnesning the bond between them.

Dread was quick to replace his relief when he saw how still and motionless Soujiro was laying against the door frame. His posture was slightly hunched over and his head slumped too far to one side making his posture overall look unnatural with his white skin.

Kenshin started to take a few rushed steps to check on him and started to say his name again but had to seal his lips and freeze in place when he finally saw Soujiro breath and adjust his head so it was more aligned with his spine to rest in a more natural position. He continued sleeping rather soundly. Kenshin was able to exhaled in relief once more. Both in that Soujiro was still alive and that he had not discovered Kenshin trespassing into the room to check on him.

I understand the need for fresh air, but he can't stay like this all night. He'll freeze for sure. …it might be better if I got Koharu to wake him though.…

It was easy to figure Soujiro's fever had raged to a point he couldn't stand and had approached the door for the fresh cool air. It looked like Soujiro had even used the snow before him not only to cool his face but to clean himself up after having bled on himself when the soldier struck him in the face with the gun. The cool air might have done him some good at first, but Kenshin thought it best to get him away from the freezing cold and back to resting in his bed. In some ways, it was a relief he would not have to talk to Soujiro that night. He still wasn't sure what Soujiro was holding against him and he was almost afraid to ask. One might easily say it was because Kenshin fighting Shishio led to both his and Yumi's death, the closest people Soujiro had been to at that time, but Kenshin long dismissed that being the reason. As Megumi earlier concluded, Soujiro's actions had proven he wasn't seeking any revenge. The fact that Koharu was with him dismissed the idea completely. A vengeful Tenken would have left her behind long ago.

The answer would have to wait for now. Kenshin sat the tray on a nearby table and felt best to leave it to Koharu to wake him up and convince him to close the door and get back in bed. Before he would leave the room, he decided to at least cover Soujiro with his blanket he had left behind so he could have some warmth until Koharu returned to wake him. He was probably one of few people that could maneuver so quietly and carefully around the former Tenken.

As he approached with the blanket, Kenshin saw that in the process of trying to clean himself up, Soujiro had left his sleeve off his shoulder so it revealed the bandages fastened around his torso to cover the wounds inflicted by Chou the night they brought him here. But what took most of Kenshin's attention were the old scars revealed to him to the right of Soujiro's shoulder blade. It wasn't the first time he was seeing it. He had helped Megumi bandaged him up when he was first brought here. Soujiro had remained incoherent throughout that whole night and still unaware that they saw the once gruesome wounds. The sight had distressed both Kenshin and Megumi but they ended up thinking it was best to just finish mending his wounds and never reveal out loud what they saw. It had been tempting to question Koharu about it until she brought out she couldn't say anymore without betraying his trust, and Kenshin would respect that. He still couldn't help but wonder who had been the source of Soujiro's torture. He couldn't imagine Shishio having to do anything with it with how Soujiro used to admire and strongly defend him. So he had concluded it had to have happened long ago when he was completely helpless.

If what you say is true, why weren't you there? Why wasn't I saved? He remembered Soujiro's words from their duel as he stared and tried to make a connection.

He looked and stepped away when Soujiro shifted in his discomfort so he twisted more to his side only making the scars over his shoulder blade more visible to Kenshin as his arms wrapped more tightly around him and tugged at the fallen sleeve. Not only were his scars openly visible, but his frail form overall. In just the short amount of time he had been there, he had lost a significant amount of weight. Even his hair was thin and dull while the moon shone upon it.

When Soujiro remained oblivious to his surroundings, Kenshin knelt down by his side and carefully draped the blanket over him on his shoulder and let it fall around him while managing not to disturb Soujiro completely out of his sleep. Soujiro's hand even tugged at the blanket to pull it more snug against him.

As he turned to walk away, he couldn't help but think about Koharu's words. I can't tell you much more without betraying his trust.… he doesn't hate you. Kenshin stopped beside the tray on the table as his thoughts were drawn back to the duel with Soujiro when he completely snapped. He figured what Koharu said, the scars on Soujiro's back and the contempt he had towards him was somehow all connected.

Is it somehow my fault that happened to him?

He faced towards Soujiro again and was eventually moved to bring the tray within his reach beside him. Perhaps the aroma of the herbs in the soup and steam from the tea would give Soujiro a less rude awakening before Koharu might. She would not be happy to see he had allowed himself to freeze by the door.

He gently placed the tray on the ground beside him, barely making a sound except the soft clank of the dishes as he placed it beside him.…

Soujiro's eyes snapped opened and he gasped in alarm while raising an arm, ready to defend himself. Kenshin was immediately met with piercing blue eyes.

He heard that, but not the knocks on the door?

Kenshin smiled nervously raising both his palms up to show he meant no harm. " No one has heard from you in awhile so I thought -" he tried to gesture towards the food.

"What are you doing in here?" Soujiro immediately jerked away and hit his back and head against the doorframe. The strike caused him to notice the blanket that had been put on him when it fell off his shoulder. He knew now Kenshin already saw what had been done to him as he pulled his fallen sleeve back up. "Get out!" Somehow it came as Soujiro as begging, rather than demanding. With how his life would forever be changed because of his disease and new employment, he had not put together that his older wounds had already been seen days before.

"I needed to check and see if you okay. You weren't answering-"

"Please, you just need to go! I can't take your presence right now." He clutched at his bangs while burying his head in his palms. He already seemed to be on the verge of a meltdown, but Kenshin realized that Soujiro appeared to be more embarrassed than anything. He regretted not having been more respectful about entering with permission, but there was plenty of reasons he had to trespass, especially if there were more serious reasons why Soujiro wasn't responding.

No matter what Soujiro may do against you, just remember that he's a good person and he doesn't hate you. In the end its just his own stubbornness abd pride getting in the way. He recalled Koharu's words.

I hope you're right.… "Soujiro-" he tried to reason calmly while giving Soujiro his space.

"I said to get out!" Soujiro yelled and slammed the shoji door shut behind him. He further tried to show his disdain by twisting away from him and out of the blanket to get to his feet. From there, his stance instantly became unsteady but the only reason Kenshin reached out for him was to keep Soujiro from tripping over the tray of hot tea and soup he had sat near him. He stepped over it to try and block Soujiro's path to it by raising his arm out to his side. It wasn't his intention to catch Soujiro but it was the end result when Soujiro stumbled and feebly fought to get Kenshin out of his way. "Get out of my way!" He ended up forcing himself back out from Kenshin's hold and slamming his back against the wall. He had narrowly missed the door leading outside and would have thrown himself through had he struck it instead.

"Get out!" Soujiro yelled, which caused him to go through a series of painful coughs from his screaming. His back slid down the wall until his weakness and nausea forced him completely on his knees while he struggled through his coughs. Kenshin quickly took a rag from the tray he had brought and risked kneeling down besides him to give it to him. At first, Soujiro jerked away from Kenshin but when he continued to cough, he had no choice but to accept the rag.

When Soujiro finally got over his coughing fit, he lowered the rag to find himself dizzy and wanted nothing more than to collapse back on his bed. He refused to let himself though. He already felt humiliated before Kenshin.

When his vision started to improved, he noticed someone else present within the room standing in the doorway and eventually recognized Sanosuke. He stood with clenched fists ready to intervene but had slowly lowered them when Kenshin cast a warning glance back at him.

By the time Soujiro looked back at Kenshin, he saw him now holding a cup of warm tea out to him. He then looked passed Kenshin to the tray of food behind him and finally realized why Kenshin had stepped forward to block him earlier. It didn't in the least soften Soujiro's animosity.

"I'm sorry," Kenshin started.

"If you're sorry, than leave.…" Soujiro said in a hoarse voice.

"That's not what I'm apologizing for. Once, you asked me why I wasn't there for you. That if what I believe was true, then I should have been there for you."

Soujiro's eyes widened in a rage and he responded by tightening his fist to swing at Kenshin. "Go to hell, Kenshin!"

He should have known the attempt would have been futile, considering Kenshin could read attacks. Kenshin was able to hold the tea cup away without spilling a drop and swiftly caught Soujiro's wrist.

"Let me make up for it now," he continued calmly keeping Soujiro's tense fist at a distance. He then forced Soujiro's arm down in such a way that appeared aggressive when Soujiro grunted as he was thrown against his side and had to quickly use his palms to keep himself propped up or he would of faceplanted. He cast a venomous glare back towards Kenshin.

A second later, Kaoru and Megumi were seen skidding to a stop at the opened door. "Is everything all right?" Megumi asked. She immediately hugged at her arms feeling the sudden chill as they entered the room.

"We thought we heard a door slam and then some yelling." Kaoru said as she gazed suspiciously towards Soujiro. She also rubbed at her arms feeling the chill of the outside air still lingering in the room. She turned her attention to Sanosuke, who she was sure would relay the truth. "What happened?" she asked him directly.

Soujiro saw now that Kenshin had forced his arm down in such a way so he wouldn't be seen even close to threatening him. To the others, it looked like he had fell and had barely managed to catch himself on his palms.

"He only just stumbled and fell. Are you all right?" Kenshin asked him and acted out for his sake.

Soujiro would barely have been able to describe his apprehension towards Kenshin in that moment. He knew Kenshin's intentions were not to provoke him. Perhaps he still saw Kenshin as the enemy he had failed to defeat. He had heard Shishio's voice enough in his head since taking Koharu under his wing. Sometimes it did still hurt to think about what a failure he was to his master and what Shishio would think if he saw Soujiro as he was now, even though Shishio's ways were clearly wrong. Perhaps it was also difficult because Soujiro knew even at his strongest, he was weaker than Kenshin. He hated to be seen any less weaker, in this condition, perhaps, before the strongest man alive. In the end, it wasn't anger or hate he felt for Kenshin, but his own embarrassment and shame.

Sanosuke inwardly sighed and exhaled as he crossed his arms. He acted along. "Yeah, the klutz fell. Kenshin tried to help him back to his bed but he was obviously too stubborn to take a helping hand."

The remark caused Soujiro to direct his wrathful gaze at Sanosuke. It wasn't just a lie that made Soujiro feel weak, but it was a lie making him sound no less fragile than an older person incapable of caring for themselves. There seemed to be a smirk showing through Sanosuke's eyes, daring Soujiro to say otherwise.

"Soujiro, are you all right?" Kenshin questioned more firmly.

Soujiro still couldn't will a response. He didn't know if he had ever felt this humiliated.

"Sou?"

The two women parted in the doorway to reveal a very concerned Koharu and Yahiko also present beside her. Koharu entered the room on her own initiative and she smiled innocently seeing the cup of tea still being held in Kenshin's hand. "Silly, we made this for Sou, not for you." She took it from Kenshin and held it up to Soujiro.

"Sorry.…"Kenshin laughed forcibly to play along.

Soujiro now felt like a fool. Not only was Kenshin trying to cover for him, but Koharu was too. Koharu knew Soujiro well enough he must have been refusing Kenshin's helping hand, which is what led him to fall. She had long expected this might happen. Kenshin's taking blame for Soujiro's fall and Koharu's calm and kindly manner towards him was wiping away any doubt that Soujiro had been threatening Kenshin. Soujiro just had to follow through and respond as well.

He only response was taking the drink from Koharu and cupping the warm drink with his cold hands. She continued. "We also made you soup and brought you some water too. Everything you need to get you feeling better." She clasped her hands together proudly.

She then dropped her shoulders and arms to her side when he remained quiet and stared towards his drink. "Sou!" She raised her voice impatiently and used her finger to direct his jaw upwards to meet her gaze. Her expression changed completely when she felt his ice cold skin. "Why are you so cold?" She then reached her small hands around his wrists. "You're freezing.…"

"He was asleep with the door open." Kenshin explained.

"What? Sou, how could you?" she accused him already. He had allowed something similar happen on the train when he nearly let his blood loss and the freezing weather take his life.

"It was an accident," Soujiro finally uttered.

"I don't believe you!" Koharu started to raise her voice angrily.

"It's understandable," Kenshin spoke up for him and retrieved the blanket to give back to Soujiro. It wasn't escaping his notice that Soujiro would still shiver because of the chill left in the room and how he would still be coughing into the rag given to him. "Soujiro has barely gotten quality sleep since being here. When I found him, he seemed to finally be resting with ease for the first time. I think the fresh air actually did him some good at first. He's been stuck inside since he been here after all. Can you blame him?" He dropped the blanket back around his shoulders as he spoke.

Soujiro flinched in response and cast another icy glare towards Kenshin. At the same time, Koharu gave a tight squeeze around his wrists with a slight pull to quickly stop him from acting out in any way against Kenshin. She slowly felt the tension leave his hands as he directed his face forword while keeping his eyes towards his drink. "…Thank you.…" he more of spat the words out. He then had to pull his arms free from Koharu to cough again.

Kenshin responded by slowly backing away with a blank expression. "… no problem." He tried to keep to a cheery tone. The others exchanged worrisome glances having heard the obvious spiteful tone in Soujiro's voice towards Kenshin.

Koharu was holding to a forced smile. …. It's a start...I guess.…

Her next action helped to dissipate the tension growing in the room and assured the women, even Sanosuke of Soujiro's change for the better when Koharu let herself collapse against his back and hug at his neck playfully. She did it to prove and show Soujiro's harmless side but also because she didn't feel the blanket was warming him fast enough. Even his hair felt frozen against her face.

Soujiro grunted irritably when she landed on his back and he cast a frown at her but that was the extent of his retaliation towards her. He didn't even shoulder her off and faced his head back forward to take his first sip of the drink given to him. Koharu smiled when she felt him exhale in content because of the revitalizing drink.

"That's does it, Sou. You can no longer be trusted alone. Whether you meant it or not, you still nearly let yourself freeze." She gave her arm a squeeze around his neck like she meant to choke him if he disagreed in any way. "Someone's always going to be here for you now."

Soujiro lowered the cup from his lips with a frown.

"She's right," Megumi stepped forward to check on him. She bent down slightly to reach and touch her hand to his face. He resisted somewhat when he spat out a sigh as he turned away from her, and felt Koharu give his neck another threatening squeeze. "How long did you sleep with the door open?" She questioned in a disapproving tone and not paying any mind to his abrupt reaction to her touch.

Soujiro shrugged. "I don't know...maybe an hour."

"Is his fever gone?" Koharu questioned.

Megumi stood straight and closed her eyes as she frowned. "That's not necessarily a good thing. Your body temperature goes up to fight off infections. It can be dangerous when your temperature exceeds a certain point but lowering it like that is just as risky. He's barely been sick for a week, so this doesn't bode well." It was unheard of getting over such a disease in a short period of time. She narrowed her eyes as she looked back down at Soujiro. "Let's just get you back in your bed. I would also feel a lot better if you ate some of the food we made for you."

Soujiro had a look about himself that made everyone think he would continue to be obstinate. To their surprise, he was eventually able to will a curt nod. Koharu released his neck and helped Soujiro to his feet before he walked on his own back to his bed. As he was getting settled, Koharu took it upon herself to bring his food back within his reach and refilled his cup of tea and also poured it into the second cup. "Kenshin was going to stay and drink tea with you too."

"What?" he thought it was some sort of joke and glanced towards Kenshin, whose face was riddled with guilt and embarrassment. "I have no desire to be in your presence drinking tea, " he said to him and then looked directly at Koharu knowing she was the source behind the idea.

"Well, it was only if you wanted -" Kenshin started in kindly until Kaoru interrupted him.

"Why not?" she spat. She was becoming a little braver at talking down at Soujiro now. "What's your problem with Kenshin?"

"Nothing.…" Soujiro uttered and suddenly couldn't meet any of their eyes. "We're no longer enemies. I get that. But it doesn't mean I want to be friends."

"Why not?" Kaoru continued angrily. She decided to back down when Soujiro irritably shifted his eyes at her.

"Look," Sanosuke started in next. "Earlier you said it wasn't Kenshin's job to look out for you... but it is now. The whole point of you staying here is so you wouldn't be in complete isolation. So far that's all you have had and you already weren't going to last much longer." He approached Soujiro. "Tell us now what you want because we'll gladly have the Meiji come back and pick you up."

Soujiro's eyes widened and he suddenly pulled away a second before Sanosuke lunged and managed to clutch Soujiro's shirt and pulled him forward to his knees. "In fact, I'll drag you back to the Meiji myself because we're not going to spend the rest of this grueling winter putting up with your crap."

He started reacting before Sanosuke even lunged at him, Kaoru noted with astonishment. She knew even now Soujiro's senses were not at their sharpest and yet, his reaction time was still comparable to Kenshin's. She had been made aware that he was supposedly faster than Kenshin and this had about proved that to her.

"Sano, he doesn't need this," Megumi stepped forward. " Stop this!"

"No, he needs to understand why he's here," Sanosuke spat over his shoulder towards her. He turned back to face Soujiro still in his hold as he grunted and tried to twist out of his hold . Soujiro only panicked inwardly when he realized how helpless he was in fighting off the street fighter. For the first time, he truly was feeling the effects of his malnutrition and muscle loss. "Continue acting this way, your stay will be more miserable than it needs to be and this room no different than the real prison you belong in. You can start by being a little more appreciative." He finished his words by tossing Soujiro back down against his side on his bed like a rag doll. "Otherwise, I'll gladly be the one to make your stay here a living hell."

Soujiro clutched at his covers and turned a turned a defiant glare to Sanosuke. It was hard to accept how easily Sanosuke could bring Soujiro to his knees. Compared to Sanosuke alone, he was as helpless as a child.

Sanosuke only closed the distance between them, as usual, daring Soujiro to retaliate in anyway. He was sure now that Soujiro would.

"All right!" Megumi cut in between them. "That's enough! Both of you!" She spat over her shoulder towards Soujiro to show he wasn't completely innocent in the matter. "We've intruded on him long enough. I suggest you all leave the room before you make matters get worse." She directed the words towards Kaoru and Sanosuke.

Sanosuke shrugged it off and showed no ounce of regret as he started to take his leave. "It needed to be said. He needs us, but we don't need him here," he said as he trudged out of the room. Once he left, Yahiko and Kaoru awkwardly started to take their leave as well and leave Megumi and Kenshin to handle matters.

"Sou."

Soujiro shifted his gaze to Koharu. She had barely reacted to Sanosuke lunging and taking hold of Soujiro. She must have known that Sanosuke wasn't actually going to harm him. She had witnessed how angry he got even when the Meiji was mistreating him, so it made little sense for him to actually hurt Soujiro.

"I hate to admit it but he's right. …You're not letting go of your pride and acknowledging how weak you really are. It's okay to be weak and it's necessary now so you can get strong again."

Soujiro rolled his eyes and spat out a sigh. Had he not been hurt and sick, she would have lunged and pinned him also to try and beat the stubbornness out of him. Even as he mulled over Sanosuke's words, he clenched his jaw and clutched as his covers again . It seemed he was about to break.

"Soujiro!" She tested him.

He opened his eyes to directly meet hers but his stern gaze did nothing to make Koharu cower before it. He turned away to sharply inhaled and as he exhaled forcefully, he closed his eyes and spat out the words: "Fine! Please stay Kenshin! It would be an honor. We'll talk it over with a drink!" He exclaimed in an overly enthused voice but then collapsed his head into his palm pathetically. He started coughing after raising his voice.

He was stubborn and hardheaded, but not stupid. Sanosuke's words had quickly put things in perspective and more quickly than Soujiro had led on to believe how they had affected him. He knew Sanosuke was right. Treating them coldly, especially Kenshin was quickly going to create a toxic environment and one even worse than that of a Meiji prison cell.

Soujiro barely managed to turn his head from his palm to see Koharu suddenly grinning ear-to-ear. He then only sighed more heavily and couldn't bear to raise his head any higher.

Megumi's jaw fell open as she slowly turned her gaze to Kenshin. He was taking his leave when Soujiro yelled the words out. He was now frozen in place before the door and slowly turned to face them with a nervous, most frightened expression. "Oro?"

AN: Soujiro is kind of being a drama queen here XD hey he's dealing with a lot!

So I decided to look up when I first published the chapter to this story and that was November 8, 2016. It's already almost been a year and its flown by so fast! It only feels like a few weeks ago I published my first chapter. I'll be sad to conclude this story. ：（

Is it bad that it took an anime for me to become more fascinated with Japanese culture? X'D because this story required some research and I've just absorbed the information I've taken in. I even ended up purchasing a komon kimono straight out from Japan X'D but omg it's so beautiful! It's not completely shocking that I did that. In the past I've bought an Indian sari, Chinese attire and I have a collection of Renaissance costumes for the Renaissance fair. But it is TRULY an art to put on a kimono, it's called kitsuke actually. And yes I have a few places in mind to wear a kimono to! ^-^ After I somehow master kitsuke...

I've also been distracted largely because I'm learning a new language...nope not Japanese, but Chinese. 我爱说中文。I've been learning the past few months and it is coming more easily to me than I thought it would (so far.) Maybe if I happened to master Chinese I'll pursue Japanese X'D