A/N: Sano finally makes an appearance, but not a very big one. Sorry Sano fans. I think I might have had him a bit OOC in this chapter, honestly tried to avoid it. I couldn't really think of a place for Sano in this story but he had to show up sooner or later, ne? ::dodges bricks thrown by Sano fans:: Forgive me! I didn't mean to ignore the great Sano-sama! ::people get scared:: Erm, nevermind! Anyway, ::points down:: there's chapter four. So read it already! Oh and don't forget to review.

I Wish

Kenshin pressed his fingers to his lips in an attempt to stop the vomit that threatened to shoot from his mouth. Yahiko tossed and turned in pure agonized misery on his futon, too hot and too cold at the same time. Seeing the poor kid like this was quiet literally making Kenshin sick to his stomach.

"Stop blaming yourself." Sano had said earlier that day. "We'll pull through this." The street fighter had surprisingly been a tremendous help around the dojo after hearing of Yahiko's turn for the worse. The redhead was far too stubborn to move from his spot leaving the chores undone. Sano wasn't much for "woman's work" and he flat out despised the idea of doing the laundry, but he wasn't so immature that he would leave his friends in a time of need. He, too, was worried about the kid. Though now he was starting to get frustrated with Kenshin's self-induced guilt trip.

Yet, the swordsman remained at his post, scrutinizing the boy carefully and readily reacting to the slightest change. He had already sent Sano to get Megumi when his fever peeked. Much to his dismay, she could do nothing. This was already out of a doctor's hands.

Yahiko let out another agonized groan and Kenshin felt his stomach churn. He visibly winced, almost as if he could feel the boy's pain himself, and dabbed his forehead with the cloth. I have to do something. I have to make things right, somehow. With eyes narrowed and teeth gritting, Kenshin allowed his self-rage to fuel his determination. He is not going to die because of my mistakes. I won't allow it!

Problem was that he didn't know how he would go about doing such a thing. He shook his head to chase away the aching pulse brought on by two nights without sleep. This shouldn't be happening. In response to the boy's moans Kenshin scooted closer to the futon and pulled him partially into his lap. If anyone should be punished, it should be me. "Kenshin.." The look on the kid's face was one of pure torment. His mouth was crooked and his teeth gritted. Though his eyes only were halfway open, there was a trace of tension around them as if he couldn't quiet recognize the figure holding him. "…it's so hot in here…" Yahiko's words were no more than a harsh whisper, laced with pain and forced from his mouth. "..and..it's cold."

"I know." Kenshin pulled the thick blanket up to the youth's shoulders in response to the shivers that raked his body. A bowl of icy water waited patiently by the futon as the redhead plunged his hand into the freezing liquid. He slowly withdrew, flinging off the little drops that clung to his fingertips, and brushed his hand against Yahiko's face. The touch washed away some of the heat and sweat from before, leaving the child slightly more comfortable. It wasn't quite enough though. His body remained tormented by a fiery ice and a freezing flame from within and continued to spread from head to toe.

The swordsman's head dipped once again and he shook off the weariness with an annoyed hair toss. He wrapped the blanket around the boy's body and slowly eased him from his lap and back onto his futon. He dipped his cupped hand back into the bowl and gently splashed the boy's face with the icy water. Yahiko moaned again but not as labored as before. Kenshin supposed this was a good sign despite the shivers and fever that continually attacked his body. Would it be enough, however? Probably not.

Once again weariness set into the rurouni's brain and tried to pull his tired body into the void of sleep. At first his body seemed to go limp and ready to accept the invitation. Kenshin planted his right palm into the floor and shook his head, growling slightly as if to warn the fatigue off. However it set in again and slowly tugged his body towards the floor with invisible strings. He had still yet to realize how much his worry had drained him and caused him to neglect himself. His right arm trembled under slumber's grasp and soon gave in. Shaking his head again he hoped to throw the feeling aside. Yet he found his body willingly lowering himself towards the floor, ignoring his mental cries to stay awake.

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Kenshin opened his eyes to a ceiling splashed with the colors of the setting sun. He couldn't even recall lying down on the floor fully and now he discovered something soft beneath his head and a thin blanket draped over his body. The absent feeling of softness against his back replaced with one of a wooden floor confirmed that he had not been placed atop a futon.

To his right he felt a presence. Two actually, one very weak and the other drowning with sadness. He sat up, feeling the blanket slide off his chest and onto his lap, and turned his head. Yahiko had not changed that much. He was still struggling for air and shivering violently. At his opposite side sat Kaoru dressed in her training gi and hamaka. Kenshin guessed that she had just returned from giving lessons and had not found the energy to change. Just as well, he detected a decrease in her strength but knew well enough that the physical activity required for her occupation was not responsible.

Her eyes were downcast on Yahiko's form. There was a sadness within them that was also evident on the rest of her face. She glanced upward slightly and placed a feeble smile on her lips. "Did you sleep well?" she whispered, exhaustion stringing through her voice. With her eyes locked his with, Kenshin saw just how troubled her spirit was. They were halfway open, as if keeping them that way was tiring enough, and depressing emotions swirled about in her sapphire pools. "Kaoru-dono?"

Her eyes closed even more so as she dipped her head back down at the youth. As her smile slid from her face into a weakened frown her bottom lip trembled. Her usually lively blue eyes became clouded and shaky as water collected behind them yet refused to fall. "We're losing him, Kenshin." She spoke, dipping her head more and hiding her eyes beneath her bangs. "This isn't even Yahiko anymore. His pride, his spirit, everything is gone. And soon…" She had to clamp down on her lip before she finished. The very thought made her head spin.

Kenshin felt his heart constrict with her words. Someone was trying to get to him, but they were going about it wrong. If I'm to be punished for my sins, then the innocent shouldn't have to suffer. I will NOT allow this. "Kaoru-dono." At the sound of his voice she lifted her head. Kenshin quickly rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving Yahiko's form. "There is something I must do," he paused, drawing up his eyes to meet hers. "for Yahiko's sake." Kaoru looked up at him. Her eyelashes fluttered slowly as she titled her head to the side as if trying to read through him. "What do you mean?"

Kenshin stood for a while, unsure of what to do or say. Slowly and reluctantly, he turned, knowing very well what Kaoru's reaction would be. "Kenshin!" Her cry caused him to turn back, his ponytail swinging slightly from the sudden movement. As expected she sat ready to tear herself from the floor. Her right foot was balancing on her toes while her left knee rested at the floor. Both hands were facing down, fingertips glued to the floor as if that were the only thing holding her down.

"Kaoru-dono, please don't worry." He slowly eased a smile onto his face and allowed his eyes to drop halfway shut. "Everything will be explained later." He kept his gaze on her form for several seconds, watching as her muscles tensed and readied themselves to pounce should the occasion occur. He reached over for the shoji and pried it open, turning only when there was space enough for his thin form to pass through. "Kenshin!" Her cry was identical to the previous one, laced with a distinct panic caused by not knowing what was going on.

He turned again, slowly this time, and his smile had been replaced with serious, yet gentle, expression. He locked his eyes with hers making sure he had her undivided attention. "Everything will be explained later." He slowly drew his eyes across the room, willing her to follow, and rested them upon Yahiko once again. "But right now he needs you here. So please don't worry, Kaoru-dono." Kaoru felt his gaze fall upon her once again and she willingly directed her gaze from the boy to his violet orbs. His eyes waited patiently, coaxing a response out of her while she turned what little information she had over in her head. "I'll stay." She said finally. Her eyes narrowed then slightly in what would've been a hostile look had it not been so concerned. "But be careful." Her tone, though gentle, was much more of a command than a request.

Kenshin nodded in response, his face still free of a grin. He turned to make his exit and slowly pushed the shoji shut with a quiet click. Through the paper wall Kaoru's eyes followed his silhouette, bouncing along with each step he took until they noticed something resting upon the floor. Her eyes widened as they locked with the item, forgetting about the swordsman's shadow. He never goes anywhere without his sword. If he left it on purpose that must mean he won't fight anyone. That's a relief, but.. Her eyes traveled back up to the illuminated wall, his shadow no longer in sight. ..what is he thinking?

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Kenshin ran a frustrated hand through his hair was he quickly stepped through the empty streets. The sun had completely disappeared from the sky leaving a sickle shaped moon in its place. "Everything will be explained later." He mumbled between his tense lips. His whisper may have been harboring anger, but that was because the worst kind of anger he had was always directed to himself. He did not lie, everything would be explained to them later as he said. What he failed to tell Kaoru was that he would not be the one to explain anything. That was left up to the letter he had left resting on his folded futon. Everyone, I'm so sorry. The images of his friends passed before his eyes, causing his tense face to loosen a bit with sadness. There was a slight grin that tugged at his lips when he recalled hearing Sano's painfully load snores from the guest room as he made his exit earlier that evening. He would miss them all so dearly.

He dropped his fond memories upon noticing his destination was now in view. Crickets chirped as if announcing his arrival to the occupants of the riverside house. Slowly he stepped forward, enjoying the breeze that tugged at his clothes and hair. His heart began to pick up its beat as he feet brought him closer to the front door. Upon reaching it, he gently knocked upon the door and tried to suppress the urge to fidget while waiting for a reply. Normally he wouldn't do such a thing, but this was not the typical house visit. He drew in a sharp breath when he heard footsteps fast approaching on the other side of the door. Everyone, I'm so, so sorry.

"Can I help you?"

In the doorway stood a tall young man, about Kenshin's age, with short dark brown hair. The footsteps Kenshin had heard upon knocking on the door and his choice of positions in the doorway, one hand resting on the frame while the other was on his hip, would easily suggest impatience. Yet the man's face was passive and he seemed willing to give the redhead all the time in the world to speak. Kenshin recognized this man as the younger one from the other day. Though he was certain he was upset over the loss of his brother, he was not the man who held such hatred for his former self in his heart. "May I speak with your father de gozaru?"

With a curt nod the man slipped from the doorframe and wandered into the depths of the house to retrieve his father. Kenshin allowed his ears to indulge in the sounds of the house occupants and the evening wilderness. As a warm gust ruffled his loose gi, he clenched and unclenched his hands as if he were trying to catch it. He always enjoyed the feel of a gentle warm breeze on his face. It brought him back to the very early days of his life. His parents were only dim stars on the edge of his memory that he could barely touch no matter how hard he tried, but somehow he always remembered the feel of his mother's warm and gentle hand on his face. He had braced onto that feeling after his parents had died, leaving him an orphan at such a terribly young age. He would miss the feel of the wind.

"Is there something I can help you with, young man?" The kindly voice brought Kenshin out of his stupor and face to face with the elderly man from the other day. It was a bit strange, to say the least. This old man's face was warm and kind, eyes shining with patience. He had the look of the typical kind elderly person, willing to share life experience with grandchildren and others. He certainly did not seem like the same old man who wished misery upon him in the form of Yahiko's feeble and dying body.

Kenshin looked at him passively, quite understanding the anger and agony within this kind old man's heart, but frustrated at the means that were being used to cause him his own misery. The frustration, of course, was not directed at the old man but at himself. He had caused this, he was the one responsible for the man's misery and Yahiko's now life threatening illness. Neither one of them deserved this and there was only one man who could rightfully be blamed and punished.

The swordsman was a bit unsure of how he would go about introducing himself as the famed killer from Kyoto. It seemed though that it would be best to just get right to the point. Beating around the bush wouldn't really help to soften the blow and each second that passed brought Yahiko closer to death. "Honored sir," he spoke in a steady voice, strong but not aggressive as he slowly brought his gaze from the man's curious eyes to the stick just a few feet from the house. His eyes followed the tail of the wind whipped ribbon as if the long dead warrior still had a playful living spirit about. Perhaps he did. "I've come to help ease the pain in your heart de gozaru."

"What do you mean?" The old man's voice had become only slightly tensed as he too watching the ribbon flying in the wind. Kenshin cringed inwardly, his well-trained ears picking up the intensity of his voice. This was not going to be easy at all. "I'm afraid I don't understand, young man." Slowly, Kenshin eased his gaze off the ribbon and back onto the old man. Feeling his gaze upon him, the man did the same until the two pairs of eyes had locked. There was a mild debate in the swordsman's head about what would be an appropriate line, but finally decided to speak whatever came to his mind next unless he wanted to spend the whole night deciding what to say. "I was the one that stole your son from you."

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Okay, once again I think I might have had some OOCness that I tried to avoid in there. C-chan is right, it's not easy portraying Oro-chan! And forgive me for my use of big vocabulary words. Just trying to add a bit of flavor so it doesn't sound so boring and flat. Anyway, plz review! I don't wanna be a sad panda!