A/N: Okay peeps! There might be some OOC in this chapter as well. I honestly tried to avoid it, but you all knew that already. Man, both Oro-chan and the spikey-haired brat are hard to portray! Why is the world so cruel?! WHY!?!

BTW, I like Yahiko, even though he is a bit of a brat.

I Wish

"I was the one that stole your son from you."

The words didn't need any time to sink in. Immediately the old man's eyes grew in size and swirled with savage fear and anger. It was only then that he noticed the swordsman's unusual colorings and the scar on his cheek. He took a few steps back, keeping his eyes locked with those dreaded violet ones. Though anger was very much present in his aged eyes, fear seemed to overrun it. "So," he said taking another step back. His voice was a shaky growl as panic and rage coursed through his blood. "you've come to take away our pain by giving us death."

Kenshin was a bit taken back. Though his voice was faulty, he spoke the words more as a flat statement then as a question. In response to the elderly man's words Kenshin gently lifted his hands, palms facing forward, showing he meant no harm. "I can assure you honored sir that I do not mean to do such a thing de gozaru." The old man continued to scrutinize the redhead, noticing that he didn't appear to be armed. "Then what is it you want here?!" he demanded, his eyes still scanning his clothes for any possible hidden weapons. Kenshin slowly lowered his arms to his sides and sighed. His head dipped as his eyes eased closed, covering his face with his fiery bangs. "Your wish has come true."

The man blinked in surprised, clearly not understanding what the swordsman was speaking of. "A boy's life is in danger." Kenshin continued, lifting his head. His violet eyes opened halfway, shining with sadness and guilt, and locked with those of the man. "He's going to pay for sins he didn't commit."

"YOU'RE INSANE!" Kenshin's jaw dropped slightly at the power behind the old man's outburst. The fear that had once been present in his eyes was replaced by his raging anger. "I would never wish for such a thing! I would never have an innocent soul die, especially that of a child. I'm not like you Battousai!" Kenshin placed his hands in the air again as if trying to push the anger back. "You misunderstand me sir. There was good reason behind your wish but I'm afraid you've made a terrible mistake." Kenshin's eyes once again wandered back to the stick imbedded in the man's yard. Seeing this, the old man's eyes followed slightly, never completely loosing sight of the figure before him.

"I've made mistakes as well. Several of them. Though I try to atone for the sins I have committed I know that there is nothing I can do that can truly compensate for the lives I have taken. However, another soul is about to suffer from my past mistakes. I've come here not to take the lives of you and your son but in hopes of fixing the mistake you have made with your wish and saving this soul. To do this I am willing to trade in my life."

"Willing to trade your life?" the man parroted, his eyes now completely off of the redhead. For several seconds his eyes absorbed the ribbon waving in the warm evening breeze as he tried to understand what the swordsman was speaking of. Along with the old man Kenshin allowed his eyes to indulge the crimson ribbon's graceful movement. The familiar pain of remorse stung within his chest again. Within the ribbon the spirit of the young man lived on, yet his eyes would never gaze upon another sunrise or after storm rainbow. His skin would never feel the sting of a cold rain or the kiss of a warm summer breeze. The pain increased as the thought that another warrior's flame was about to extinguish. A warrior whose spirit was far too young to depart from this world and lose the ability to see, touch and live. And it would completely be his fault.

"Your son, is it?" Kenshin's eyes quickly flew to the old man. In response the man slowly turned his head. "It's your son's life that's in danger, isn't it? That's why you're willing to sacrifice your life." Kenshin opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak the man continued. "You're here to allow me to kill you in revenge, in the process my thirst for vengeance will have been quenched thus eliminating the need for his death." Once again Kenshin's lips parted to speak and once again the old man beat him to words.

"What right do you have to father children you bastard!?" At this the man's eyes grew hard and angry, this time harboring more intensity than before. "You think you can fix things this easily? A demon like you couldn't possibly understand the pain I've felt for ten years! Now a child, whose only crime was being born from your icy blood, will die and there is no one else to blame but you!" Kenshin inwardly cringed at the cruel words. It was as if the haunting voices of guilt in his head had been given a flesh form. "The only way I can be satisfied is for you to experience the pain I've felt for yourself. Hope you enjoy it you bloodthirsty devil!"

"They were crimes I committed!" Kenshin cried, his voice somewhat horse. "If anyone should be punished it should be me."

"You are being punished Battousai!"

That said and done, the old man slammed the door shut just inches from the swordsman's nose. He jumped back a bit, not because of the door, but in response to the old man's hatred. He certainly wasn't expecting the man to invite him in for tea with open arms and a smile, but the magnitude of his hate went further than revenge. He truly wanted Kenshin to suffer. What am I to do now?

-----

Kenshin gently lowered Kaoru onto her futon and pulled the covers up to her chin. Upon returning he had found her fast asleep beside Yahiko. Sano was still sleeping as well and snoring loud enough that normally he would receive complaint from Yahiko. Normally anyway. He wasn't away from the boy's side for long. After putting Kaoru to bed he returned, kneeling beside the shivering child. His attempts to get the man to renounce his wish in exchange for his life had failed. He had failed Yahiko. Steel teeth clamped down on Kenshin's heart as he stroked through Yahiko's black hair, seeping sorrow into his blood, which circulated around his body. He had failed Yahiko and now the boy was dying. He was dying. Dying.

The sorrow poisoned his brain, forcing him to mentally repeat the horrid word. He didn't know what else he could do. He had failed the boy that looked up to him the most. A rare feeling stung at his eyes and he forced it away. He knew the feeling well despite how rare it was and he desperately fought against his mind to prevent the uprising of unpleasant memories. A strangled moan snapped his full attention to the freezing Yahiko. His jaw shook violently as his teeth chattered and broke whatever silence was present. It didn't take a genius to figure that the boy was very uncomfortable and Kenshin was once again hit with that strange feeling in his eyes. Even if this is the only thing I can do, even if this is the last thing I can do for him....

Kenshin gently pried the blanket from Yahiko's icy fingers. He set it off to the side and crawled over to the futon. Slowly, he lowered his body, gently pressing it against that of the boy. As he felt Yahiko shaking against his chest, he took the blanket and wrapped it around the both of them. He tucked the blanket beneath the youth and then wrapped his arms around him, hugging him closely in an attempt to preserve what little body heat the boy had while warming him with his own. Yahiko's chest struggled to push against his as he breathed and Kenshin shifted to keep from suffocating the child. Gradually the shivering form in his arms stilled as warmth seeped into his weak body.

It certainly wasn't much but it was the only thing Kenshin could do for him at this point. Satisfied that his efforts this time were successful, he allowed his head to rest on the futon beside Yahiko's pillow. If he couldn't stop the boy's death, then he would have to make the experience as comfortable as possible. "Kenshin..."

Yahiko's voice was gentle and thin. The fluttering air from his lips tickled Kenshin's ear and the redhead slowly turned his towards the boy. "Yahiko, how are you feeling?" Once again strange stinging attacked his eyes and he forced it away with a feeble smile. "Kenshin....I'm floating..it's not cold anymore." This time, Kenshin could not chase away the stinging that penetrated his eyes. A rare but very familiar wetness pooled in his violet orbs. He closed his eyes and felt the salty water squeeze through his lids. His arms drew Yahiko in closer to his embrace while the pillow drank up the droplets that connected with it. "Kenshin...I'll be well soon, ne?"

A gentle shush from Kenshin silenced the boy. "Don't worry anymore." he whispered. "Just don't worry about anything anymore." Yahiko squirmed slightly in Kenshin's arms in protest. "But Kenshin..." he breathed, his words were so thin. "I'm getting behind in my lessons and they need my help at the..." Another shush silenced him and his feeble struggle ended. "Don't worry about anything anymore." Kenshin whispered again as he drew the boy in closer to his embrace. Yahiko made no moves in objection.

Instead he remained still. Being curled up in Kenshin's arms protected him from the bitter cold that nibbled at his skin without mercy, causing his arms to be covered in goose bumps and his body to shiver. He wasn't quite sure what was going on. All he knew was that he was very ill and weak, but Kenshin was with him. He'd be fine. Kenshin was right there. Kenshin wouldn't let anything happen to him, right? "Why?"

Kenshin opened his eyes at the feeble question. "Why what?"

"Why.." Yahiko paused, taking time to gather air. His breath rasped slightly as he struggled to bring more oxygen into his lungs. "Why do you keep saying that? 'Don't worry anymore.' Why?" Kenshin blinked a few times, his expression freezing to a passive frown. More tears dipped at the edge of his eyes but he kept his breathing strong and rhythmic, turning thoughts over in his mind. How could he respond to that? Because you're dying, Yahiko. You're dying and it's my fault. The swordsman closed his eyes again and held back a sob that crawled up his throat. Instead he rested his forehead against Yahiko's temple. "Because I'm here, Yahiko. I'm right here and I'll always be here for you. Just sleep and let me worry. Just sleep and dream of happy memories."

Yahiko was rather experienced for his age. Though he could be very rude, childish, and arrogant given the opportunity he looked at the world from a perspective different to that of most ten-year-old boys. Under normal circumstances the boy would probably question Kenshin's response, but in his disorientated state that answer served him perfectly. So he allowed his weakening body and mind to sleep as Kenshin had instructed. He hadn't felt this safe since the days with his mother.

-----

"Mom, it's freezing in here."

Sakura looked over her shoulder to see her son's small form shivering under the thin blanket. A feeling of sadness spread through her chest as she felt his body shaking against her back. She sighed, quietly cursing the income that was so pitiful she could not even afford a decent blanket for the winter months. As she rolled over to face her son, her insides complained with the movement. She knew she was ill, the pain was enough to tell her that, but she would bare through it. For his sake, she had too.

"I know it is, Yahiko, but once I get paid for this week's work I'll buy you some nice warm clothes." She wrapped her arms around her child and snuggled him into her aching chest. "Mm, you're growing. Your father would be so proud of you."

"Father, what was he like?"

Sakura exhaled gently and smiled in spite of the bitter cold. Her son was forever curious about his father and seemed to be under the impression that a repeated question brought about new information. She didn't mind, though. Despite the pang of hurt in her chest, she always enjoyed remembering her late husband. "He was a very noble man, Yahiko. Gentle, but firm when necessary. He was always strong and standing, but caring and protective of those he held dear. I just know you'll grow to be a great man like he was." Her slender fingers weaved lightly through his hair and his shivering ceased. He snuggled into her embrace, hiding his face in her chest to chase the icy air away. Her warm breath from her smiling lips ruffled his hair slightly as she invited him into her warmth.

"I know he must be boasting about with the other souls in Heaven about how big you've become. He is proud of you, Yahiko, and so am I."

-----

Through the darkest days he had struggled through under the command of thugs the blood of his honored mother kept him going strong. He held pride having the blood of such a noble woman running through his veins. Not only her blood, but that of a Tokyo samurai as well. But that pride was stolen from him. He often wondered how long he would have to continue stealing and poisoning the pride of his deceased parents. Had it not been for Kaoru and Kenshin he might still be lost in that hellhole. He was far from that hellhole now, held securely in the arms of one who cared for him. He had no memories of his father, but his mother he remembered clearly. His mother worked hard and struggled to raise him, but despite her best efforts they found themselves with only one futon to share in a one-room row house. During the bitter winter nights she would hold him like this, keeping them both warm in her loving embrace. Kenshin. Kenshin managed to fill the emptiness he felt with the loss of his mother and no memories of his father. Despite his gentle tendencies, Kenshin was very close to the man Yahiko pictured as his father. Gentle, but firm when necessary. He was always strong and standing, but caring and protective of those he held dear. Yahiko was sure his father was like him. He was certain, he had to be. Kenshin. "Thank..you......father."

A gasp caught in Kenshin's throat and his muscles tensed. Father?! He tore his forehead from the pillow and jerked away slightly, but stopped himself from moving too much when he remembered Yahiko still needed his warmth. He remained frozen for a time, staring into Yahiko's serene face. He truly does think of me as a father. Oh Yahiko.... He slowly lowered himself back to the boy's side. His violet eyes were leaking more so now as his heart ripped itself to pieces. I wish this wasn't happening. I wish I could make things right somehow. He buried his face into the pillow and felt the tears being soaked from his cheeks. If only... He wrapped his arm around Yahiko again and hugged him close. If only this wasn't happening.

-----

If there are people who read this chapter and are saying, "Hey Yahiko and Kenshin are in bed together, that means something yaoi-ish." then you need to get a life because you're stupid. It's not meant to be like that. I can imagine some of you are thinking Yahiko's acting sorta OOC here, but I mean, he's really sick and dying. I'm not too sure about this, but I doubt people are in their right minds when they're dying and weakened with fever. So he's out there a bit and I imagine he wouldn't quite act like himself. However, if you think otherwise feel free to voice your opinion as long as you're not like, "Yahiko would never act like that even if he was dying! You're stupid!" Please be reasonable about it if you disagree, that's all I ask.

Also some of you probably think it's strange that the old man didn't kill Kenshin when he had the chance. As much hate as someone can have for a person, I believe it would be rather difficult for someone who has led a normal life to kill someone. Even though he is indirectly "murdering" Yahiko, it would be easier for him to deal with that then to kill Kenshin. He never saw Yahiko's face or watched him dying so it's easy for him to ignore it. However to kill Kenshin he would have to watch him die right in front of him with his blood on his hands. Now, which would be easier for a normal person to deal with? Both acts are rather gruesome but still.

Also he wanted Kenshin to live suffering and knowing the pain of loosing a son. To him, there was nothing more horrible. If Kenshin's dead he can't be sad because, well, he'd be dead.

As for Yahiko's mother, as far as I know, she was never named in the manga or anime. Sakura seemed fitting a name for me.

And of course, reviewing would be good too! The more reviews the happier of a panda I am! Constructive criticism is welcome as well.