Soujirou stood outside of the Dojo. Megumi was there for a few weeks to 'Take a break'. But now she was helping Misao fight for her life. That, that bastard's sword had gone right through her heart ... again.
Mou, why did she do it? Why did she step in the way? He could of taken the wound, maybe she did...

Surely man was born
To defend the one he loves
If there is no love If one is not strong
One cannot be kind

Love you? HAH! Like that could happen any time soon. Baka, you should know that she could never love someone with hands as stained as yours. Even Shinomori's hands are cleaner then yours.
Iie! that wasn't true! It couldn't be!
All we can do now is hope that she doesn't die. If she does, it'll just cover your blood stained hands even more.


Don't break your dream
Smile once again

Even though I know we will be drenched
Well, let's not hold back and just plunge in the rain

Soujirou sank to the floor, his shoulders shaking. He stared at his hands as if they were covered in crimson blood. Suddenly there was a yell of shock and Soujirou slammed the door open only to find Megumi trying to revive a pale Misao. Her skin had taken on a sickening pale green tint, one he knew well, one of when one was close to death by suffocation. But why?
"Misao-chan!" Soujirou barely let out. Megumi suddenly turned.
"She can't breathe! I gave her the painkillers and she suddenly... Iie..." Megumi stared at Misao who was turning a bit grayish. "She's going to die if we can't get her breathing!"
Iie...

Like the bright rainbow
After the storm has passed
Morning that cannot be beaten by sadness
The door of dreams opens

"Iie! Misao-chan! Don't leave me!" Soujirou leaned over her, as if she could hear him. He felt something trail down his face. Water? He was crying. Megumi froze and then took out something, a bottle. It shook in her hands and then stopped. Taking out some sort of contraption, she stuck the needle first into the bottle and then into Misao's arm. She closed her eyes, praying that the western medicine would work. Soujirou, by now, Was clutching Misao to his chest, tears rolling down his face. Suddenly a tortured gasp of air and Misao began to breath. She screamed in pain and grabbed at Soujirou's shirt. He didn't care, she was alive, still alive.
His angel was still here, to comfort him...

Surely man was born
To defend the one he loves
The finger that wipes off your tears
Even a little violence
Perhaps a man would surely fight
Until the pain in his heart disappears
If there is no love If one is not strong
One cannot be kind

He looked at her sweat covered face and then frowned. "This is all Aoshi's fault, and that bastard will PAY!' He thought angerly, his eyes flashing a dangerous red.




Don't break your dream
Smile once again

Aoshi stared at the paper screen, hearing the anguished, no HORRIFIED, yell of Soujirou. He had barely caught the words Megumi had said, but he wished he hadn't.
"She had an allergic reaction to the medicine... it affected her throat... She..."
"She's What? TELL ME MEGUMI-SAN!"

Drowning memories steeped in crime down the sea
A man goes out once more for an endless journey
Even if the fierce winds blow
And blow away the smile
If one has courage in his heart
Someday he shall meet his dream

"She's mute... "
"Iie..."
"It may be temporary, but then again."
"IIE!"

Surely man was born
To defend the one he loves
If there is no love If one is not strong
One cannot be kind

Don't break your dream
Smile once again

Mute... her voice was gone... What has he done? The clouds overhead began to rain down upon his form, as if questioning him. Staring into the sky, he watched as it hit his face, his body. Once he thought rain was a way to purify one's self. As if it was god's way to forgive the sins caused by the sword. But now, all it seemed to do was send forth accusations, to damn him to hell. A Proper sentence...
Aoshi hung his head when the door to Misao's room slid open. He walked up to Aoshi, hate burning clearly in his eyes.


"Aoshi Shinomori, I challenge you." Soujirou hissed down, his eyes flashing red. Aoshi just turned and then looked at the young man, his eyes glaring. He simply unsheathed his Kodachis and waited. Drawing his own sword, Soujirou charged.
Surely man was born
To defend the one he loves
The finger that wipes off your tears
Even a little violence
Perhaps a man would surely fight
Until the pain in his heart disappears
If there is no love If one is not strong
One cannot be kind

Megumi frowned as she watched Misao toss and turn, when the clanging of swords forced her to turn around. Suddenly Misao's eyes opened and she bolted up, struggling to get up. "Misao! Don't try!" Megumi said, forcing her down. Misao tried to retort only to find her voice was gone. Staring at Megumi, she looked into the older woman's eyes and knew the truth. Pushing Megumi away, she slid open the door only to find Soujirou's sword and Aoshi's Kodachis heading right for each other's bodies. She fell to the floor with a loud thunk and stared, the sound of her fall alerting the 2 fighters, who leapt to her side. Megumi stopped them and glared as she picked Misao up, half carrying her, half dragging.
"Your damn fighting caused this, so don't make it worse!" Megumi spat out before closing the paper door, leaving the 2 stunned fighters there, the rain drenching their clothes.