Here is the last part, there may be an epilogue coming up but this is the last part. I'm so sorry it took so long but killing Kenshin is harder than it looks. sweatdrop Anyway, many thanks to the reviewers out there who kept on pushing me and my online friends.

Fading Away

Part Five

By Maria Cline

She was always the cheerful one. Ever since she was a child, people noticed how much brighter everything felt when she entered the room. Everyone loved to see her smile; no one could ever guess she was a ninja. As a ninja, she blend into shadows and not be seen by anyone. Her genuine smiles made the perfect mask for her serious side. Misao sighed as she glanced up at her husband, Aoshi. She worshiped Aoshi since she was a child. The worship transformed into friendship, and then into love. She gazed up at her husband. Over the years, Aoshi had matured and his hair started to grow gray. His cold demeanor still exists but only when he does business. When he was not heading a spy network, he was a loving husband and father. Misao felt her long hair along her back. It had been years since she had it braided like she did when she was a little girl. Aoshi loved her hair long and flowing.

"We're here." Aoshi said as he gazed at the cherry blossoms falling from the trees. They were raining so hard that the entire sky was pink.

"Hello, Aoshi, Misao." Yahiko said as he came up. "We're getting ready to start."

"I brought some tea. I hope that is okay." Misao said as she held up a container.

"Not at all. We have plenty of sake and wine." Yahiko said as he bowed his head. "I'm just happy to see you. They're this way." The young man sighed as he gestured down by the riverbank where a pair figures lay on blankets.

"Great!" Misao rushed toward the cherry trees and Aoshi followed her. She nearly tripped when she stopped and saw Kenshin and Kaoru sitting there. Misao's eyes bulged at the sight of the sickly man. It felt like only yesterday that she met him. He was so fast, he dodged her blows like they were nothing. He was one of the very few who could actually defeat Aoshi. Misao looked up at Aoshi who was shaking slightly. He was using his mask to keep his emotions in check.

"Himura-san?" Misao said as she knelt down next to him.

Kenshin smiled at her and nodded slowly. The young woman nearly collapsed at the sight of such weakness. Not even when Okishira was dying did the old man look as bad as Kenshin did.

"Hello, Misao." Kaoru said as she smiled at her. "You look lovely."

"Yeah." Misao noticed how much better Kaoru seemed but she still looked like she was getting ready to fade away into oblivion.

"I'm so happy you and Aoshi made it. Where's your son?"

"Right here." Susumu said as he jumped down from the branches. The young ten-year-old was slightly shorter than Kenji. He had his father's looks and he was dressed in a pair of light pants and shirt. "Hello, Kenshin-san, Kaoru-san." He said as he ignored the startled group.

"Do you have to do that every single time?" Kenji growled as his eyebrows twitched.

"I'm a ninja in training. It is my duty to train." Susumu said calmly.

"Who's that?" Sanosuke whispered to Yahiko.

"Susumu, Aoshi and Misao's son." Yahiko whispered back.

The tall man's jaw dropped as he gawked at Aoshi. "THOSE TWO ARE MARRIED?! ICE MAN AND WEASEL GIRL?!"

"It's nice to see you haven't changed at all." Aoshi said as he smiled slightly causing Sanosuke to fall over.

"He's smiling! It's a miracle!" Sanosuke gushed as he went onto his knees.

Susumu looked at his mother and whispered, "You're right, he is an idiot."

Aoshi sweatdropped at the scene. "You really have been traveling too long." The ninja muttered.

"Or maybe I just want to embarrass you for a change." Sanosuke pointed out.

"Heh…"

Yahiko shook his head at the sight. This was supposed to be a final meeting before Kenshin and Kaoru departed this world. They are dying and this is the time for goodbyes. He could feel them slipping away with each day. This was their day. He didn't know how to handle this final picnic. Should he cry or enjoy this reunion?

Then, laughter came out of nowhere and the group looked at Kaoru who was chuckling. "Gomen, I forgot what it was like to have everyone like this." The woman said as she blushed and then she held her stomach.

"Are you all right?" Misao asked.

Kaoru waved her hand. "Don't mind me. The pain will stop soon. Just enjoy yourselves."

The group stared at each other not sure of what to say. Death for two of their dearest friends is upon them and they are having a party. Kenshin and Kaoru were the center of this group. Everyone met in one way or another thanks to Kenshin. While he was the reason they gathered together, Kaoru was the glue. She had the purest past, she never robbed or killed or committed any sin. Still, she never acted above anyone and always treated even those who tried to kill her with great respect.

Finally, the group's elder, Hiko came up with some jugs of sake. "This is not a funeral." He said as he handed the cups. "This is a picnic, treat it as such."

"You're right." Yahiko said as he accepted a cup. "This is a reunion, we can't be depressed."

"That's right, it's been forever since we've been like this." Misao agreed as cheerfully as she could.

Kaoru sighed as she watched her friends gathered together for the drinks and food. She glanced at Kenshin who was staring at them. "Isn't it wonderful, Shinta? Everyone is here, together like old times." She smiled at him.

Kenshin nodded at her and then looked up at the trees. "E-everyone." He pointed out with a shaking hand. Kaoru saw at that moment how clear Kenshin's usual vacant gaze was. His eyes became focused and he was actually looking at that group of trees. She looked at them to see a group of people walking through, one of them she recognized instantly.

"Saitou-san." Kaoru gasped.

The taller man nodded as he smirked, "I'm glad to see that I'm not too late."

"I thought you were not going to come." Yahiko muttered in relief.

"I do not back down that easily." Saitou boasted. His face became serious as he looked down at his former adversary. Why did he come here? A blind man could tell that Kenshin was going to die before the sun sets. He didn't want to see the last remains of his past wither away thanks to some disease. Still, he could not forgive himself if he ran away from this fate.

"Who are they?" Sanosuke asked as he pointed to the woman and the three men. "Are they your family?"

Saitou blinked and then got out his cigarette and lit it. After taking a long drag, he replied, "No, they are my prisoners; I just wanted to show them off."

Sanosuke's eyes bulged and then he stepped back. "Okay…"

The oldest of the three men who was dressed in an army uniform whispered, "He's right, Sano is an idiot. Actually, Sanosuke, we're his family. This is my mother, Tokio. I'm Tsutomu, and these are my brothers, Tsuyoshi, and Tatsuo."

"How do you do." Tokio said as she and her sons bowed. She smiled at Megumi. "It's so nice to see you again."

"I know." Megumi bowed back.

"He's married too?" Sanosuke exclaimed as his eyes bulged. "With kids?!"

"Stranger things have happened." Hiko said as he came forward. "Ah, Saitou, we never met, sake?"

The tall man picked up a cup. "Please."

The sun soared through the sky as old friends and former enemies talked and reminisce about old times and battles. Before, they could have fought to the death and not think a thing about it. Times had changed as well as the group.

"I'm glad I'm not wanted by the government any more." Sanosuke said as he and Saitou sat together on a log with a jug of sake between them.

"Well, Tani was exposed for his corruption and you didn't do anything else wrong. As long as you don't do anything stupid, you will be fine."

Sanosuke frowned as he fingered the cup of sake. "I'm surprised you're still alive. I pegged you as the type who would die in battle."

"I am more than a sword, Ahou." Saitou said as he frowned. "I have other skills and reasons to live. I have my family and future grandchildren. I'm a little surprised you're alive and with a classy wife yourself."

"I got lonely and Sayo taught me a lot about life beyond fighting." Sanosuke held up his cross. "I am still strong but I vowed not to fight unless I have a good reason."

"I see." Saitou sipped his sake. "Do you still want to fight me?"

Sanosuke shrugged. "Yeah, I do but I can't. Kenshin hates fighting and I don't want one of the last things he see in this world is us trying to kill each other. Besides, I have no reason to fight you, not now at least."

Saitou smiled slightly. "You finally understand, took you long enough."

The former street fighter looked at the falling cherry blossoms and asked, "Hey, Saitou, why do you hate me so much? Every time we met, you just seem to want to goad me into attacking you."

Saitou stared out and then at Kenshin who was sitting to the side. Finally, he reached into his pocket and got out an old photograph. "Look at this picture."

Sanosuke looked at the picture and gasped. "Oh my god!"

"What is it?" Yahiko asked as he looked over Sanosuke's shoulder and stiffened. "Is that… you?"

In the picture was Sanosuke in a Shinsengumi uniform holding a spear in one hand with Saitou and a young man who looked like Soujiro between them. "He looks just like…"

"You. His name was Harada Sanosuke, a ruffian who fought with a spear in the Bakumatsu. He was loud, strong, and loves to fight."

"This is freaky. I know that I kinda remind the old veterans of this Harada guy but he could've been my father." Sanosuke said as he handed the photo back. "So, you hate me because I look a little like this Harada guy?"

"I never hated you; I just wanted to see you stronger." Saitou said as he put the photo back into his jacket. "You have potential so I wanted to test your limits. Besides, you and he were so much fun to poke."

Sanosuke sweatdropped and then he laughed. "Maybe, we will have that fight but not now."

"Tomorrow perhaps."

"Maybe."

Aoshi sipped his tea as he watched the others talked and laughed. Like many times, he was not in a laughing mood. He could understand why everyone was trying to be cheerful but he was not like that. No one knew how sensitive he was, no one except for Misao. Most people don't know his curse of enduring pain he saw in his friends and family. Whenever, one of his comrades got hurt or worse, he felt it in his heart. He couldn't stand the pain in his heart so he iced it and allowed only a few to touch his heart. Kenshin became one of those precious few. Like most others, Kenshin fought him the first time they met. Yet, somehow he could get beyond the ice and into the depths through understanding. They had fought in the Bakumatsu and had made it rain blood.

Slowly, he went up to Kenshin and knelt down beside him. "Hello, Himura-san. Would you like some tea?" Aoshi asked as he got out a tea cup and started to pour.

Kenshin smiled slightly as he accepted the tea.

The ninja helped him drink the tea. "Here you go."

"Thank you for coming, Aoshi-san." Kaoru said as she gazed at him.

"I… wish to see this to the end." Aoshi said as he bowed his head.

"I see."

"Hello, Aoshi."

Aoshi looked up to see Enishi standing there with a tray of food. The ninja knew the former gang leader. He had faced him before. From Enishi, he can sense a form of tranquility. It was soothing since the last time he saw him, he was a raging tiger aching to get out. "Enishi, how are you?"

"Fine, you?"

"The same."

"Good." Enishi knelt down and helped Kenshin and Kaoru to the food. Aoshi stood up and nodded.

"Good." He went to the side and sat down. His four dead comrades appeared before him and he whispered, "Please, take good care of him when he joins you." He prayed out loud.

Kaoru watched Enishi gave her food. His hands trembled slightly as he took a deep breath and sat back. "Arigato, Enishi."

"You're welcome, Kaoru-san." He muttered as he picked up a tea cup with plum blossoms on it. It was the tea cup Hiko gave Kaoru and Kenshin years ago to help Kenshin remember Tomoe. How Hiko knew about her, he never did find out. Maybe, he have contacts within Kyoto from all his years or he could see ghosts. Enishi glanced at Kenshin and handed him the cup. "Sorry, Shinta, just seeing that just reminded me of Neesan."

Kenshin stared at the cup and held it. "T-Tomoe."

Enishi fell back in shock. He said her name without anything except for a mere picture to remind him. All this time, despite his mind wearing down and his body half dead, Kenshin still remembered her. He got up and stumbled to the side with tears in his eyes. Megumi saw it and followed him.

Yahiko watched from a distance as he sipped his sake. Everything felt like a dream until now. Ever since he first saw Kenshin return, he was holding on to hope that Kenshin would just snap back to normal. Now, deep in his stomach, he knew the truth. The young man came up to the Kaoru and Kenshin and tears came down his face. "Kaoru, Kenshin, I'm sorry. You shouldn't be dying like this." He whispered as he knelt down.

"It happens." Kaoru said as she put her hand on Yahiko's head. "We all die eventually. I am content because my dojo is a success, my son has grown up, and you had become a fine man. I had done everything in life I wanted to do. Shinta is the same way." Kaoru gazed at Kenshin who nodded slowly.

Yahiko clenched his fists. "Kaoru, remember when I was a kid and I said all those insults to you? I never meant them. I never thought you were ugly."

"I know." Kaoru smiled again. Tears overwhelmed him as Yahiko flung his arms around them. Kaoru held him and stroked his hair. "I will be okay. Really."

Meanwhile, Megumi followed Enishi to a tree. "Enishi?"

The man raised his head up and whispered, "He… he said her name. He remembered her name." The woman nodded as she put her hand on his shoulder. Enishi gazed up into the falling cherry blossoms. He smiled slightly as a warm breeze brushed against his face.

Megumi never saw him so relieved. Then, she came up closer and her eyes widened. "Your hair." She gasped.

Enishi blinked as he looked at her. "What about my hair?" He asked as he slicked it down.

"I mean…" Megumi reached into her coat and got out a small mirror. She handed it to him. "Look."

Enishi accepted the mirror and gazed into it. At first, he was confused then he looked to the side to see that the white hair along his temples had vanished. For the first time since he had watched his sister die, he had fully black hair. "It's normal." He said finally as he ran up and hugged Megumi. All of his scars in his heart had healed completely and his hair proved it.

Megumi hugged back and smiled. "Come on, let's see Ken-san."

Kenshin gazed out as the people started to gather around him. His head rang and it was so hard to focus. He could barely recognize anyone around him but he did feel safe and warm. Slowly but surely, the pain started to fade away as he closed his eyes. From what felt like a million miles away, he could hear a woman whisper, "Shinta, your scar is gone."

Kenshin weakly opened his eyes as everyone was getting blurry. He had to wonder what was going on. Then, in front of him, three beautiful women stood there. They were glowing with an irradiant light. One of them whispered, "You can relax, Shinta."

The second one whispered, "You had done all you can."

The third one came whispered, "Come with us, Shinta. Everyone is waiting for you."

Kenshin raised up his hand and was pulled upwards.

All he could see was white and he whispered, "I will wait for you, Kaoru."

Kaoru stroked the now scar free cheek of her beloved. "It's gone, it's finally gone. Did you hear that, Shinta? It's gone." Kenshin remained strangely silent. Megumi knelt down and then felt Kenshin's neck.

"Kaoru… I'm sorry." Megumi said.

At once, Saitou, Hiko, Aoshi, Enishi, and Sanosuke started praying. Saitou started chanting a Buddhist chant with a hand of beads he had in his hand. Sanosuke got out his cross and started saying a Christian prayer. Hiko, Aoshi, and Enishi were all praying to their gods. Kaoru just sat there and whispered, "Wait for me, Shinta."

After Kenshin's departing, Kaoru slipped away in the night. Everyone agreed to hold the duel funeral but not in Tokyo. Everyone who was at the cherry blossom party marched to Kyoto in a solemn proession. Kenji carried his parents' ashes in his backpack. Hiko led them through Kyoto and up the mountain until they reached a small graveyard full of wooden crosses. In the middle of the graveyard were three stones and a large cross in the back. "Here." Hiko said as he went to the side and picked up a good stone.

"What is this place?" Kenji asked as he stared at it. He passed by it a few times during his training with Hiko but he never asked about it.

"The graveyard your father dug with his bare hands. He was a child when I saved him from bandits, a long time ago. I left him alone and when I came back I saw this. He had the strength to bury all of them. That was why I chose him to be my successor. That is also why I chose this place to bury them." Hiko said as he put the stone next to the three stones.

Kenji handed him the urns and Hiko buried both of them. "I never knew that."

"Even back then, he was still strong." Yahiko mused. "On the other hand, he was always full of surprises."

Sanosuke held his cross and smiled slightly, "Kenshin and Jou-chan was surrounded by all of the living people who had tried to kill them at one point or another and they are happy."

Enishi nodded. "True. Saitou, Hiko, Aoshi, Sanosuke and me had all tried to kill… him in the past. Now, we have to figure out what to do. The Legend of the Battousai will not go away as easily as the Battousai."

"We could deny everything. Make sure that everyone thinks that the Battousai was a myth." Yahiko said, "Kenshin never wanted to be popular."

"Does the Battousai Legend have to be bad?" Hiko asked as everyone looked up at him. "Look, we all know that we were not born killers. Stuff happened in our lives to make us demons at one point or another. Shinta was no different. Someday, there will be another 'Battousai' and he may not have been as lucky as Shinta was. He must be an example to every person who had killed with their own hands that redemption is possible because the world is getting more complex. Weapons are getting deadlier. One day, there will be weapons so deadly that a single bomb can blow up cities and leave the ground scorched for years to come."

Silence overcomes the group as they thought of idea of an entire city being destroyed by a single bomb. At once, they looked at Kenji who was silent. Yahiko spoke up, "Kenji, this decision will affect you and your family the most. As long as people remember the Battousai, your family will bear the burden of that legacy. Remember, this is something that will affect you, your children, and your descendants for many years to come."

Kenji gazed at the stones. Should he have the Battousai Legend ignored? Even if he did, other people will remember and twist it to something horrible. If he took it and meld it into something right, his father could live with it. "People are going to want to remember the Battousai. We might as well make it as true as possible."

"To be forgotten is something we cannot allow." Aoshi vowed.

"We must tell everyone about the true Battousai." Saitou agreed.

"And what he did to save us all and our souls." Sanosuke joined in.

"Ken-san was never a monster just a confused man." Megumi spoke up.

"And we must let everyone know that." Enishi nodded.

At that moment, there was a silent vow. Kenshin and Kaoru may have been gone but their legacy lives on. Their friends and family will see to that to the end of their lives.

The End