The events of earlier that day had come and gone. The past was behind and the group had moved on. It was late that night and Kenshin was alone, with his reverse bladed sword, thinking.

'Tonight's the night, Kenshin. You promised to me that one day, we'd fight back in the name of the new world. I know you've given up your ways of being a manslayer, but grant me this one last wish that I might be able to be remembered as a hero. Please, Kenshin.'

The words spoke themselves. He promised to repent for his deeds, but had he just promised again to go against those words? "Arurisonu...why do you wish to cause more pain? Why must you create a new world when it is slowly forming itself?" He sighed.

There was a knock on the door, and it slid to the side. Sanosuke stuck his head in and peered down at Kenshin who was sitting cross-legged on the floor beside his bed. "Kenshin, I heard what you were saying. Didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I knew something was up." he stepped inside and sat beside him. "So, you've supposedly decided to return to a slayer?"

"No!" The answer came suddenly, and in a harsh tone. This surprised Sanosuke, but Kenshin put a hand to his head and sank down with his shoulders. "No...I didn't mean to yell at you Sano...it's just that..."

"It's fine, Kenshin. You don't have to explain to me, I've been in that position before..." Sanosuke's voice trailed off as he remembered his old Captian Zagara and childhood friend.

Kenshin smiled. "Thanks, Sano..."

Standing up again, Sanosuke walked over and slid the door open. "No need to thank me. I won't be around when you hit the news to the others, I've got some business to take care of. Just wanted to tell you." His exit was as quick as his enter, and his footsteps fadded away down the hall.

Alone again, Kenshin let his head rest against the reverse blade's sheath. "I don't know what to do in this situation, that I do not. I must stay with Miss Kaoru, and protect her, but what of Arurisonu?" Moisture built up in his eyes. If anything, this would be his hardest decision ever...

**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

"Megumi, I think there's something wrong with Kenshin." This was the first time that Kaoru was actually confessing he thoughts on Kenshin to the woman.

"Really? How so?" Megumi being the older of the two, had no problem with hearing about Kenshin. For, many knew that she too had more than just a crush on the wanderer.

Kaoru glared at Megumi, telling her to take this seriously. "He was, just acting weird today. Like...he seemed like he wasn't concentraiting on his work today. He was...different."

"Perhaps Sir Ken is sick. Shall I take a look at him?" Snickering, Megumi raised a brow and eyed Kaoru.

Frowning, Kaoru held back her would be explosion. "That's not what I ment, at all. I mean he seems distant. Like something from his past is trying to drag him back, but it's impossible for him to go back to his old ways."

"Ah, I see. So it's not a matter of bodily harm, more of an emotional problem..." Megumi pondered for a moment. "That might take some thinking."

"Indeed..." Kaoru mumbled as she dressed into her night gown, and laid down in her bed.

Megumi stepped through the divider and into her own section of the room. She too down dressed and got ready for sleep. 'Poor Sir Ken.' She thought to herself as she stared at the ceiling.