Sanosuke groaned as the pain rushed back all at once, but it was a dull thudding pain this time, not the live draining pain he'd felt before as his blood spilled out of the wound created by his leg jutting out at some odd angle. He looked down at his leg. It was neatly bound together by bandages and a splint. And knowing the feeling so well, he could tell that it had also been tightly sewn back together in places. After a while he noticed a presence beside him, staring.

He looked over to see Aneka sitting there, watching him with a worried expression.

"How are you feeling" she asked.

" Like shit" Sano felt prompted to respond, but regretted it when he saw the expression on her face. "But better than before, where I felt as though I had been trampled over by a bunch of horses." He added quickly. Aneka gave a feeble smile at that

"It's my fault." She said forlornly " This wouldn't have happened if-"

"Whoa Whoa, Jo-chan there's no use blaming yourself for what's over and done with." Sano interrupted and then continued a little sheepishly "But I'm not really the one who should be telling you this. I'm always blaming myself for stupid things… Don't you dare tell Kaoru I said that" Aneka laughed.

" That's more like it" Sano said smiling. He winced shortly after as he tried to get up.

"Ah!" Aneka exclaimed "You shouldn't be getting up just yet. The doctor said…" she trailed off after a sideways glance from Sanosuke.

"Aw Fuck what the doc says. I never listen to doctors."

"And look where it got your hand" A new voice came from the doorway of the room. Sanosuke looked up abruptly.

"Fox-Lady?!" He said startled to see Megumi "What the hell are you doing here" Megumi glared

"I could ask you the same. But since it's not your hand again, technically you didn't break your promise." She glared at him longer "What the hell do you think I'm doing here, what other doctors do you know!"

"I just thought that the kid wouldn't bring me so close to home" Sanosuke mumbled

"What kid" Megumi asked. "Oh, you mean Jin? He's been coming to this clinic since before I was here with his grandfather. It was nice of him to help you guys over here."

"Well Shit" was about all that Sano could say. He didn't feel like explaining the situation, especially to someone as gun ho about Kenshin as Megumi. For all he knew, she might help Enishi and try to take Kenshin herself.

Well, maybe that wasn't giving her enough credit, after all they had been pretty close for a while now. Though Sano sure didn't really want to get attached permanently to the wench he at least considered her friend. He sighed.

"I don't have time for this. I gotta go save Kenshin." Aneka looked a little alarmed.

"What's wrong with Kenshin?"

"Haven't you been paying attention, jo'chan? Kenshin's been living with a big nasty tiger who's after his girl." He sighed in frustration "not much I can do though, In the state I'm in." Megumi looked at him in contemplation. It wasn't hard to figure out he was talking about Enishi from what he said.

"Are you positive Enishi made a move?" She asked Sano.

"Positive." He affirmed "He made sure that something came up to get everyone out of the house but Kenshin and Kaoru. Likely driving Kaoru out because of the incident a while ago, which I also believe is Enishi's fault. It's just not like Kenshin."

"Hmmm" Megumi contemplated what she knew of the situation. She'd never gotten around to approaching Enishi about his plan… because she doubted the ex-syndicate leader would have trusted her. Rightfully so, because she knew that Kenshin could never be happy with anyone but the Tanuki girl. "I think we should head over there then." Sanosuke looked surprised

"Don't look so surprised," she said glowering at him "I understand the situation for the most part. I'll bind your leg a little tighter, just be careful and use this." She said, handing him a crutch.

* * *

Kenshin and Enishi had been going at in ferociously for nigh fifteen minutes now, which is a really long time for a fight to last. It seemed as if every blow exchanged was countered almost perfectly, both being familiar with the other's style. Kenshin got the first hit, just barely cutting through flesh as Enishi spun deftly out of the way, a trail of blood skimming in the air behind him.

Kaoru could only look on in apprehension, staying towards the tree line surrounding the clearing in the Sakura grove. She was at a loss for what to do, afraid for Enishi, Afraid for Kenshin, and afraid of both of them at the same time. Enishi got the second hit, also just a graze, right under Kenshin's left eye, The blood streamed down his cheek, and the color somehow suited those yellow eyes. Mesmerized by the sight, Kaoru almost missed the split second it took for Aoshi to drop out of nowhere between the two and punch Kenshin in the face, and in the same movement, disarm Enishi's sword with a deft kick to his wrist.

For a long moment, everything stopped, but for the stirring of the trees and the falling blossoms, then Kenshin dropped his sword, as he dropped to his knees.

"Kaoru dono, Sessha….I.. an sorry" Kaoru shook her head as if to negate the need for apology, then stopped.

"No, I'm sorry for causing this because I was not clear with my feelings."

"Enishi has not been fair to you" Kenshin said quietly "He's been using underhanded means to-"

"I know," Kaoru interrupted. Enishi looked surprised for a moment, then disconcerted for not expecting it. "I chose not to notice, which is why this is my fault." Kaoru looked at Enishi and smiled, a smile that told him not to worry. Kenshin sighed.

"Then I suppose that is your answer…" He said forlornly. Kaoru nodded

"Though I don't want to loose your friendship either."

"I'm sorry" Kenshin responded in answer. Tears started once more trailing down Kaoru's cheeks as she nodded in acceptance to his refusal. "I may come back one day" Kenshin said a little tiredly in reassurance.

"You sure as hell aren't going anywhere without me" Said Sanosuke, just limping onto the scene. Kenshin nodded to Sano. Aneka tugged onto Sanosuke's sleeve, getting his attention. "Don't worry," Sanosuke said, dropping the clutch and wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "You still haven't told me everything yet. I'm not letting you go."

Enishi looked a little perturbed at how quickly everything was winding up he sighed, picked up his sword and leaned against a tree, to wait for everything to wrap up. Aoshi looked at him coldly, but without hatred. Misao clung closely to Aoshi, having dropped in a little later. Everyone stood there, waiting for something to happen. Finally Kenshin spoke up, breaking the silence.

"It's about time for dinner isn't it?" He said a little sheepishly. Yahiko dropped out of the tree's where he'd been waiting for quite some time, at a loss for what to do.

"At times like these… we should get a beef bowl."

"I'll pay" Enishi said.

"Well that settles it" spoke a new voice, slinking out from the shadows. "Now I won't have to arrest you all for disturbing the peace." He looked at Enishi "Buy me a soba." Enishi nodded, amused.

"What happened to you," Saitoh said to Sano as they all started walking into the town " Trip over a cat?" Sano glared. "Watch it, or I'll arrest you for kidnapping." He said, nodding his head towards Aneka

Tha End...

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Alright... it's a strange end... Im not sure I like or dislike it... it just turned out this way. Comments?