Disclaimer: The canon characters from the "Rurouni Kenshin" belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, and all associated concepts.
I am not supposed to adore you. You're not supposed to cry.
"I'm going to Kyoto."
I feel hollow, and I can't bear the thought that after this moment, I will become a stranger once again, just a fleeting memory at the back of your mind. I feel empty, and I know it will stay with me long after this goodbye. I want to hold onto this moment and wish that the world would pity me for once and stand still while the two of us share the same world. I want to hide from the inevitable, but I can only fool myself for so long.
"During my stay here, my heart was at ease. I felt as if I had changed from the hitokiri to an ordinary swordsman."
When I first met you like it just happened yesterday, I still remember a fierce young woman with sapphire blue eyes. I felt drawn to you in a way I didn't know why. You came to me like a brand new day, like the sun breaking through the clouds to bring light into my world. We forged a relationship built on friendship. I was uncertain, but then slowly, you worked your way. The barriers I made around tumbled down
"When I first met you… Even though you knew I was the Hitokiri Battousai, you kept me from leaving. You told me that you didn't care about my past."
Suddenly you became the ever-present daylight in my life. Without knowing, I drew my strength from you. Then, shadows of my past crept in, and the world I'd created with you began to crumble.
"I was very happy."
You were a fantasy that I wished would never come to an end. You created a home where we could go and laugh, a future in which dreams could come true. You gave us a semblance of normalcy and a place where we wouldn't be judged for our pasts. It was too good to be true. You were too good to be true.
"But to the government, to Shishio and to all the people who have grudge on me from the past, the Battousai is all I'll ever be."
The tears streaming down your cheeks are harsh reminders that this is really happening, that you will be my immeasurable loss. I want to stay, but I know I have to leave. I imprinted your voice on my mind. I hold you tightly, hoping that your warmth could tide me over as I walk this godforsaken road again. It takes an ounce of courage within me to pull away.
"Thank you for everything that you've done for me… and… goodbye."
I know it will be hard, but I didn't realize it would be this hard.
"I am a rurouni. And once again… I will wander."
I am not supposed to adore you. You're not supposed to cry.
I am not going to look back, so please be still my heart.
"Ken..shin"