"The Sword of Peace"

Kiriko paid close attention to the story Seiku told. When he finished, she remained speechless.

"I love hearing that story over and over again… Kiriko, your father is a great man." Yori commented.

Kiriko smiled but she really wasn't paying attention to Yori. It was taking her a few minutes to let the story sink in. "What did you mean he thought he broke his vow never to kill again?" She asked Seiku.

"Well just like I said. Kenshin was devastated when he thought he killed Chel but when I pointed out that it was a sakabatou he was using. He was relieved that he didn't break his vow."

Kiriko frowned, That wasn't the answer I wanted. I think I asked the wrong question. "Do you know what he did that would make him take a vow like that?"

Seiku was confused. "Well surely you know your father was a great Imperialist during the Revolution."

Kiriko eye's widened and shook her head. Seiku knew Kenshin was modest but he didn't tell his daughter about his incredible deeds. Then it dawned on Seiku, maybe he didn't want her to know after all he was a dangerous man at one time.

"I have two more questions. What happened to his original sakabatou and why did he need a new one right away?"

Seiku frowned, "I'm sorry Kiriko but he never told us why or what was happening at the time. He just needed a new sword."

"Oh." Kiriko then thought about her little brother's bokken. How it was sliced to pieces. Even the handle was shattered in two.

"What's wrong?" Yori asked placing his hand on her shoulder.

"That bokken was my little brother's. I made a promise to bring it back to him…. He'll never speak to me again." Just the thought of Kano being mad at her forever made her very sad.

Seiku didn't know what to say. He felt bad that she sacrificed herself and her brother's weapon to save them. Then he smiled, "Yori go in my study…"

Yori was already on his feet heading for the other room. He was thinking the same thing his father was thinking.

Kiriko didn't understand what was going on but she really didn't care. "I better get going. I-"

"Wait please we have something for you." Yori came into the room holding a long object wrapped in a red velvet cloth. He handed it to Kiriko. It was somewhat heavy.

She looked at the object confused, "For me? What's this?"

"Please open it and see." Seiku smiled.

Kiriko unwrapped the beautiful red cloth. Lying in the middle were two bokkens. One was short and looked just like Kano's and the other was long and thick. Kiriko picked up this one. This was obviously the one that made the bundle so heavy.

"Wow this bokken is different." Kiriko held it delicately then set it down.

Seiku shook his head. "Take another look."

She picked it up again and brought it closer to her face. There was a small gap between the handle and the shaft. She pulled at the handle. It came apart. The sword inside was the most remarkable thing she ever seen. It looked like her father's sakabatou but this sword had no blade at all. It was completely blunt on all sides but the most incredible thing was it still had an unbelievable reflection. The sword had a shine to it that was uncanny. Kiriko lightly traced over the edges to see if it would cut her fingers but it didn't even give her a scratch. It gives the appearance of the sharpest sword in the world but it probably can't even cut butter, she thought.

"I know what you're thinking…" Kiriko had to pull her gaze away from the sword in order to look at Seiku. "…. My father told me a long time ago 'I would make a sword that would end all wars. A sword like no other. It would protect people from anything. It would even protect people's hearts.' I didn't understand since all he made were swords that killed but once I saw that my father's last sword was a sakabatou it inspired me. I wanted to make a sword that would honor him and his beliefs. Although, I had no idea how to make a sword like that I still went on a quest to make that weapon."

Seiku held his hand out and Kiriko hesitantly gave him the sword. "Someone told me of a metal that was like no other. It was extremely rare and seemed to have a spirit of its own. Once I heard about this unusual metal I knew I had to have it for the sword. So for eight years I went all across Japan looking for this specific type of metal called platinum. That is what this is made of. The sword's name is Laplatina."

Kiriko looked at the sword in his hands. She had to say she'd never seen anything like it. "It seems like it's alive." She said more to herself then to Seiku.

"Laplatina has a spirit of its own just like your father's sakabatou. Every sword has a spirit if it is with the right person. I've never actually used Laplatina since I am not a swordsman. I just wanted something to make my father proud…" Seiku paused and gave it back to Kiriko. She held the sword with such passion. She gazed at the blade. The eyes reflecting back at her made the sword have a life of its own. He knew that the sword he made was meant for another but he would have never guest it was for the daughter of his son's saviour. He continued, "… You know…. Laplatina's soul purpose is to help people, like your father did…as I think you are destine to do."

This got Kiriko's attention. Seiku grinned, " Kiriko, I want you to have this sword."

She gasped. "I can't! I just can't take something like this!" She exclaimed.

Seiku smiled, "You're not taking it……I'm giving Laplatina to you. Can't you see that the sword wants you to be its owner?"

Kiriko opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it.

Seiku chuckled, "You know……I have a feeling that we weren't the only people you've helped on your way here. You've helped others. I can see it in your eyes………I couldn't thank your father enough when he helped us and I can't thank you enough. You would honor my father and me if you took this sword and use it for good. Give the bokken to your brother."

Watery crystals pooled in the bottom of her eyes. The kindness that she received all through her journey was coming back to her at once. It made her so happy.

"Thank you. Thank you. I …I wish I can say or do more."

"You have my dear. More then you'll ever know." Seiku smiled and handed her a handkerchief.

She didn't understand what that meant but she gave him a big hug and she gave Yori a hug too. Yori blushed. "I have to get going…I just don't know how to thank you." Kiriko put the sword back into its sheath and carried the two weapons on her back.

They walked her down to the path she came from.

"Just one more thing." Seiku touched her on the shoulder. Kiriko turned to face him. "A weapon is a weapon regardless if it is blunt or sharp; it is meant to inflect pain to others. Sometimes the most effective attack is not attacking at all. Try to remember this if you ever find yourself in a situation that appears hopeless."

Kiriko bowed to him, "I will always remember. Thank you. Goodbye and take care."

"Goodbye." Yori waved.

Seiku watched her walk into the darkness. Good luck, Kiriko.