Chapter 11 - Swift Goodbyes

Saito and Kenshin sat. Yahiko and Grey Wolf stayed a bit longer, angrily staring each other down, before moving to their seats. As Grey Wolf passed Saito, he whispered to her, "That's what you get for cockiness." He and Kenshin had noticed that she had been using only one hand the whole time, even when using the gatotsu, something done out of sheer cockiness, especially when going against the battojutsu. Then, to both their surprize, she had ran at Yahiko using both hands in anger. They had exchanged glances, Kenshin's showing something rare to his face: fear.

Grey Wolf sat, holding contempt for Yahiko.

"Yahiko, you may come." At Saito's words, Grey Wolf immediately stood to protest, but a mere glance from Saito caused her to nearly fall back into her chair. Disappointment and anger were in his eyes. Anger, she'd seen before from him... but for him to be disappointed in her was like a bitchslap to the face, when she had failed him but once, when he understood the circumstances were stacked too highly against her. She gripped her hands, the right bearing the scar from that incident.

"Battosai... you'll fall by my hand." She thought, meaning not only Kenshin, but Yahiko as well.

Saito continued the planning. "Those in team A, Me, Grey Wolf, Battosai, Yahiko, Gohan, and Sanosuke, will take out Shishio. Those in team B, Aoshi and the Oniwabanshu, Ghost, and Vejiita, will protect Kyoto. You have been given your primary objectives. Fail... and Japan will suffer the consequences. Including some training time, I believe we can reach there within a week, if we split into 2-4 man(Grey Wolf and Misou's eyes twitched at this) cells. At that time, we must meet somewhere..."

Aoshi spoke up, "I believe my home would be fine, if you wish. It is located near the train station."

"Arigato(Thank you), Aoshi. We will meet at his home once we reach there. When everyone has come, we will head out to fulfill the mission objectives. Everyone, prepare yourselves, split into groups, and leave within half an hour. Dismissed." The room filed out. As Aoshi passed Saito, Saito told him, "If Ghost tries to leave after Kyoto is safe... let him. No sooner."

Aoshi nodded, and left, the Oniwabanshu behind him. Already prepared, they left for Kyoto in two groups: Aoshi, Misou, and Shikijo, and Han'nya, Beshimi, and Hyottoko.

Grey Wolf walked into her room. Zac was waiting for her, surprizing her.

"I know you're leaving."

"Zac, I-"

"Don't say anything... just listen for a moment. You know I care about you. And if anything ever happened to you, that I could've prevented... I'd never forgive myself. I don't want you to leave. At least... not without me."

"Zac, you-"

"Please. I'll do anything, just... please, let me come with you."

"Zac... this isn't going to be any normal fight. This is kill or be killed. There won't be any gray area in between. And you... If you're there, it will only greaten my burdens. I know... I know you're as strong as that stupid little-"

"I get the picture." He quickly spoke, knowing she spoke of Yahiko.

"Yeah... you're as strong as him in swords, and he's coming... but... you know what Megumi said. Your body can't handle fights. If you push yourself too far, you could really hurt yourself..."

"Do I care? I'm tired of people underestimating me. I am strong. I can handle this." Zac moved forward to touch her hand, though still aware that she hadn't given him an answer as to where their relationship would be going, if they would have one at all.

He spoke, though barely a whisper, "Do you believe in me?"

"Always. I will always believe in you. You're the best friend I've ever had."

She walked to her bed, where her Poke'mon Master cape was. She hadn't worn it since Speedy's death, but it found it's place around her neck just the same. She walked to the door.

"... Maybe more. Meet with me and Saito outside in 10."

"Sano, where will you be going?" Kenshin asked his friend.

"I don't know. Somewhere. But I have to go alone."

"Are you sure, Sano?"

"Yeah... I'm sure. I've got some soul seeking to do." Sano walked out the door and on the path to Kyoto.

"Soul seeking..." Kenshin thought of his own destination, before he would be able to go to Kyoto. Yahiko would be coming with him. Despite his best efforts, Yahiko's Mitori Practice, an ability to watch techniques and learn them in about 1/3 of the time, had caused Yahiko to pick up on much of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu. Kenshin laughed in his mind. Perhaps Grey Wolf, like Yahiko, also knowing Mitori Practice through the Sharingan(though learning upon viewing most techniques, except the most powerful), hadn't been meant to be the heir of the Miburo no Ookami after all. Hell, she could've been and still could be heir to Hiten Mitsurugi, knowing more of it than Yahiko through the Sharingan, a technique unique to the Uchiha clan. Only a few Uchiha's were left, having been killed by one of it's own members, Uchiha Itachi. Ghost, Grey Wolf and himself were the only ones left to have the Sharingan, other than Sasuke, Itachi's brother. Hell, had his parents not died and him not sold into slavery temporarily, he'd be dead with the rest of the Uchiha clan-

"Kenshin?" Yahiko had been standing there, watching Kenshin's mind slowly shift from one thing to another.

"Sorry, Yahiko. This one was not paying attention."

"I'm ready, you?"

"Not... quite. Wait outside, please?"

"Yes, mother." Yahiko spoke mockingly. He waited outside the dojo. Kenshin, on the other hand, walked to the kitchen area, where Himura Kaoru(whom he had married earlier that year) was waiting.

"Kaoru... This one must leave to-"

"To Kyoto. I understand."

"Then you understand that this one will not leave you behind. This one will return... that is a promise." They came together for an embrace.

"I know. I trust in you, Kenshin. Please, come back soon."

"This one will. Now, however... this one must leave. Goodbye... Kaoru." He left, and him and Yahiko began their own journey. At long last, even though for a short time only, Yahiko would be allowed to train under Kenshin, finally accepted as the true heir of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.

"Ghost, you know the Meiji is indifferent to how strong one is! That's the way it must be!"

"No. The Meiji era is an era of decay. The Tokugawa era was a time of peace. Now, Japan is slowly changing into a place where one cannot even leave their home without risking their lives! Yes, the samurai class should not be limited to lineage. I hand you that. But for one not to be allowed to bring justice where the law cannot... on the behalf of the government, that is sheer villainy."

"Ghost, you know damn well what would happen if the Tokugawa returned. Do you know the chaos it would cause?"

"Vejiita, is this not chaotic enough?"

"It sure in hell wasn't this chaotic until the Meiji was brought down."

"Why was it brought down, Vejiita? I'll answer that: It was an era of weakness."

Vejiita paused for a moment, before answering, "Ghost... Zac is a person of great weakness due to his terminal illness. Do you think he should be brought down?"

Neither spoke for a while after this. They readied themselves and left without another word.

Grey Wolf waited for Saito and Zac, outside the Kamiya-Kasshin dojo. Instead of sunlight, there were overcast skies as Zac and Saito walked out, Zac bolstering a sword.

"You two ready for this?" Saito asked, noticing the sword.

"As I'll ever be." Grey Wolf said, her tone surging with anticipation and fear at the exact same time.

"Well then... let's head out."

Saito's words began the week long journey to Kyoto. As they walked, Grey Wolf turned back and looked at the dojo. It could be the last time she'd ever see it, as the small unit made its way to the place where Grey Wolf's life had fallen apart and been put back together at the age of three. Their silent emotions caused tension thicker than butter, which was thick enough to be sliced by any of the swords at their belts. They all knew that awaiting them there was a man that would kill them in a heartbeat, given the chance. They all knew that awaiting them there would be bloodlust so powerful, that a vampire would be fearful. They all knew that awaiting them there would be the greatest challenge of their lives, the most suicidal fight they would put up, the most powerful enemy to face... and yet... their thoughts weren't focused on survival, but on the things they cared about most. Japan... Their poke'mon... Each other.