Disclaimer: I don't own RK, neither do I own the characters in the anime or manga.

~~

Yutaro arrived only in time to see Kenshin rush in between Yahiko and Soujirou and receive Yahiko's blow. On the sharp side of the sword.

Blood splattered everywhere. Time seemed to stop as everybody stood frozen in shock. Kenshin collapsed onto his knees, blood dripping and pooling rapidly around him. Yahiko was the first to react. He flung the sword on the ground and knelt down beside Kenshin, so did Soujirou. Kaoru screamed in shock and ran to Kenshin's side too. Sano and Yutaro needed no prompting. Together, they set off to fetch Megumi.

"Kenshin! Why did you save this murderer? I was going to kill him. People died because of him you know. But you..."

Yahiko stopped talking at the warning look on Kenshin's face. Wincing in pain, Kenshin turned his head and greeted Soujirou as if nothing happened. Then, he collapsed once more, this time, lying on the ground.

Soujirou was shaking his head in disbelief. All these problems were caused by of him. Newly found guilt added to those he was not able to ease in the past ten years.

Megumi arrived shortly and set to work. Kenshin had been slashed from his left shoulder to mid torso. The  cut was deep and Kenshin had already lost a fare amount of blood.

Sano gathered the other students and herded them back into the dojo. Yutaro went to make sure Kenji was still in his room. The crowd shrunk to only Megumi, Kaoru, Yahiko and Soujirou. All gathered around Kenshin, hoping for the best.

~~

After one and a half hours, Kenshin's condition was stable.

Yahiko was relieved. For the past one hour, he had been thinking, and he knew if Kenshin hadn't stopped him, Soujirou might have been killed. Yahiko knew he didn't really want to kill. Blaming all the consequences on his own rashness, he ran out of the gates, too ashamed to even see Soujirou.

Soujirou, who had been blaming himself also, apologised repeatedly. When Yahiko ran out, he followed.

~~

Yahiko ran to the river where Kenshin had left Kaoru crying. He had said goodbye to her and went to Kyoto to fight Shishio. He stopped at the edge to reflected on what happened. Then, sensing that someone was behind him, he turned and saw Soujirou.

"What do you want?" Yahiko wasn't ready to forgive Soujirou.

Soujirou sat down on the edge and told Yahiko to do the same. Amazingly, Yahiko did as he was told. Both sat quietly for a moment, not talking, just thinking.

"I have been wondering for many years, just like Himura-san and realised many things. I used to go by the saying, "Survival of the fittest", it seemed ethical and true at that time, when I refused to think of things in another perspective. Now, my believes have changed. Yes, the fit survives, but they are not the only ones. The weak can live too, with the help of the fit. Himura-san was a slasher. Now he has given up killing and uses his sword to help other people instead. He is one good example of my new belief. Ten years ago, I fought him and he made me realise what he was saying made sense. I left Shishio-sama's side and have not regretted that decision. About today's incident, it's my fault. Not yours. Anyone would have wanted revenge....

"I'm not just anyone or somebody. I'm Yahiko Myoujin, a proud samurai. Who said I was guilty for wanting to fight and kill you? All I'm blaming myself for is not reacting fast enough to see Kenshin in front my me. He actually saved you. He's still as naïve as ever."

Soujirou was not offended. He knew it was hard for someone to change almost immediately. That was his case. Then, he opened his mouth to speak again.

"Himura-san won't have wanted you to kill. Especially with his sakabatou. The one he had used to protect and help others. The sword which have yet to take any lives."

Yahiko's eyes widened at that fact. He knew it. He just didn't want to face it.

"Let's go back. Himura-san and Kamiya-donno would be worried."

Soujirou stood up and walked off, trusting Yahiko to follow.

He did.

~~

"Tadaima..." Yahiko muttered dejectedly as he stepped through the gates.

Kaoru pounced on him and looked him all over, fussing over him.

"He's okay."

Soujirou hadn't walked through the gates. He was worried that Kaoru didn't want to see him. Kenshin came over and invited Soujirou for tea. Kaoru didn't object and nodded energetically instead.

Soujirou wasn't about to accept the invitation. After all, he had caused chaos within them. But Yahiko added another line, his invitation to Soujirou for tea, a peace offering. Soujirou agreed immediately.

~~

"You have been wondering for ten years, are you going to continue? It seems like you have found what you wanted."

Kenshin had been extremely happy to see Soujirou change for the better. Now that he had succeeded in finding peace in himself, Kenshin hoped Soujirou could settle down to put his new belief into use.

Just then, Kenji wondered into the room. He had just woke up from his nap and the red hair he inherited from his father was tousled.

"Who's our guest? OH!"

Kenji recognised Soujirou immediately.

"Otou-san!! That's the guy who saved me this morning. The guy who saved me! That's him! That's him! There! Sitting there! HIMMMMMM!!!!!!!"

Kenji was so excited that he started bouncing up and down in front of his father. Kenshin, who had not bee told of the incident, followed the movement of his son with his eyes for a while. Then he turned to Kaoru.

"Is there something you're not telling me?"

Kenshin looked stern but she could tell he was amused by Kenji's reaction on seeing his "savior".

Briefly, Kaoru explained the situation, with Kenji's many shouts of "yEah!"* when she described how Soujirou helped.

(A/N: Kenji is now skipping around a very amused Soujirou. However Soujirou's habit of keeping a placid expression on his face has yet to change. So imagine a chibi Kenshin aka Kenji skipping around a Soujirou who doesn't seem to acknowledge his presence.)

Kenshin was very thankful. Had Soujirou not been there, Kenji would have been harmed. After thanking Soujirou many times, he turned to Yahiko, producing the sakabatou that Yahiko had left on the ground.

Before Kenshin could speak, Yahiko nodded and spoke first.

"I know Kenshin. Soujirou told me already. I understand that I have my rashness to blame. It's okay. I know my mistake. Please, take the sword back. I do not have the right to own it. Give it to someone who would put it to better use."

Kenshin's expression did not falter. It seemed as if he expected what Yahiko would say.

"Yahiko, by saying that, you have proved yourself worthy of my sakabatou."

(A/N: Kenji is now sitting on Soujirou's laps. He had been shouting "Nii- chan" over and over again until Kaoru silenced him with a very stern look when Yahiko started talking.)

Kenshin returned Yahiko the sakabatou and changed the subject. The friendly air returned to the conversation.

Halfway through, Yahiko suddenly perked up and came up with an amazing suggestion which stunned the whole group.

"This family can still hold another member. Though it will become the only family with great fighters... that is except for busu... (receives knocks on the head by Kaoru). Why don't you stay, Soujirou? I know we will all agree, even Sano and Kenji would really love that.

Kenji, who had stayed very quiet, started his "yEah!"s again. All looked at Soujirou expectedly.

Sano, who had heard the last part of the conversation, entered the room suddenly and voiced his agreements.

"If you people really don't mind (nods from everybody), then I guess I'll stay."

Cheers erupted.

And so, Soujirou finally found peace in his heart and a family forever.

~End~

A/N: Tadaaaaaaa…… Finished…. There'll probably be a sequel… but it might have to wait. I got other fics to complete first.

*: "yEah" is also contributed by spas. It was one of her favourite phrases. WAS.

Glossary

Sakabatou – Kenshin's reversed edged sword. It was given to Yahiko in the end in the manga.

Tadaima – "I'm home"