Chapter 13

Morning arrives and everyone begins preparing for breakfast. Kaoru and Megumi are cooking; Kenshin is playing with Ayame and Suzume, Yahiko is cleaning the room and Dr. Genzai wrapping new bandages on Misanagi and Aneko.

"I went earlier and purchased two tickets for Germany," Misanagi says. "We should leave around afternoon to get to the port around evening."

"All right Misanagi," Aneko says with sadness.

Misanagi grabs her other hand, "It'll be okay Aneko."

Kaoru and Megumi bring plates of food out. "Time to eat!" Kaoru shouts. Everyone gathers around and begin to eat breakfast. Aneko takes a couple bits and walks outside.

"Imagine how she feels," Kaoru says.

"She's taking it better than I thought," Megumi says.

"Where the heck is Sanosuke anyway!" Yahiko shouts.

"I know he'll be back," Kenshin says.

"I'll beat him if he doesn't," Kaoru says.

"Everyone," Misanagi says, "While I'm still here, I wanted to apologize to you all for everything I put you through. But I also wanted to thank you; for helping me realize the sins I've committed."

"Misanagi…" Kaoru utters.

"It's all right Misanagi. Glad to see you've changed," Kenshin says.

Everyone finishes eating and cleans up after themselves. Afterwards everyone relaxes around Dr. Genzai's house. A few hours passed.

"Aneko, we have to leave soon," Misanagi says. Aneko lifts her head from leaning on the wall and stands up.

"We're coming with you," Kaoru says. "To watch you two depart."

"I can not come since I have to attend to a few patients," Megumi says, "But good luck to you and farewell."

"Have a safe journey," Dr. Genzai says, holding Ayame and Suzume.

"Thank you," Aneko says.

Kaoru picks up a bag and says, "Well… let's go."

Aneko, Misanagi, Kaoru, Kenshin and Yahiko begin to walk away and make their way to the port.

-

Then they reach the port, the sun begins to set down into the horizon. Kaoru holds out her arms holding a bag.

"Here," she says, "It's some food Megumi and I made for your journey. I hope you like it." She hands it to Misanagi.

"Thanks a lot," Misanagi says.

"Um… It was an adventure meeting you," Yahiko says, "I'll remember to use some those techniques you taught me the next fight I get into. Take care."

"I hope Dr. Hans is able to fix your hand," Kenshin says. "We hope to see you two again."

"Yeah," Kaoru says, "When you get to Germany, please write to us."

"We will," Misanagi says.

"Thanks for everything," Aneko says, "And please, take care of yourselves."

Aneko and Misanagi begin to board the ship until they hear someone shouting "Wait!"

Aneko turns around to see Sanosuke running towards the ship. She jumps off the platform and runs to Sanosuke.

"I'm sorry," Sanosuke says when they reach each other. "I realized that I had to stop avoiding this, even though I knew this was going to happen."

"I don't want to leave, I want to stay here with you," Aneko says, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Return to Germany, your hand will be fixed there," Sanosuke says. "And your sister needs you, don't let her down."

"Sanosuke…," Aneko says, beginning to cry on his chest, "I will never forget you."

"Don't say that," Sanosuke says, "We will see each other once again. Every night I will pray for that day."

In the distance, Misanagi shouts "Aneko they are departing soon! Please hurry!"

"I will wait for that day," Aneko says. She looks up to his face. "You lost your head band…"

"Don't worry about it," Sanosuke says. "That doesn't concern me."

Aneko pulls the red cloth out of her hair and wraps it around his forehead. She tries to tie it but she can't use her hand. Sanosuke takes it and finishes tying it. She leans onto her tippie-toes and kisses Sanosuke.

"Good bye for now Sanosuke," Aneko says. She begins walking back to board the ship.

Sanosuke watches her walk away. He looks at Misanagi, "Misanagi! Thank you!" he shouts.

"You're welcome!" Misanagi shouts back.

The ship begins to set sail. Misanagi and Aneko stand at the deck waving down to everyone. Sanosuke runs down to the dock and begins waving with everyone else. Sanosuke, Yahiko, Kaoru and Kenshin watch the ship sail into the horizon until it was a small spec.

"Well…," Yahiko says, "I guess we should head back."

"Yeah…," Kaoru says. Kaoru takes Kenshin's hand and the three begin to walk home. Sanosuke takes one last look at the horizon, smiles and begins following the three.

-

It was the following morning and everything returned back to normal at the Kamiya dojo. Kenshin was doing the laundry while Kaoru gave lessons to Yahiko. Sanosuke, as usual, sat on the porch doing nothing like a freeloader.

Kenshin takes the dry laundry inside. He returns back outside with something in his hand and sits besides Sanosuke.

"Here have this," Kenshin says. He hands Sanosuke Aneko's dagger. "She forgot it."

"Oh… thanks," Sanosuke says.

"How are yah doing?" Kenshin asks.

"All right I guess," Sanosuke says.

"Do you want to know what I sensed when I first met her?" Kenshin asks.

"Sure, what?" Sanosuke asks.

"I sensed tragedy," Kenshin says. "But now I sense something new."

"And what is that…?" Sanosuke asks.

"Hope," Kenshin replies. "That that wasn't the last time you would see her. I have a good feeling we will see her again, that I do."

"Yeah?" Sanosuke asks. "I have that feeling too."

They both stare at the birds flying towards the sky.

-

Month's later…

"Hey!" Kaoru shouts to the guys sitting around the dojo, "I just received a letter from Aneko!"

Kenshin, Yahiko and Sanosuke gather around Kaoru and she begins to read off the letter.

"Dear Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well. We returned to Germany safely and immediately I met with Dr. Hans when we arrived. He successfully repaired my hand, but it is still healing. It's hard re-learning to use this hand but it's going well. Misanagi is doing well; it wasn't until weeks ago that she was finally reunited with Schneider. It makes me so happy watching her smile everyday the way she is now. But anyway I will write to you all again as soon as I have the chance too. But Kaoru, I'm sure your cooking has improved immensely. Kenshin, it's about time you confess your feelings to Kaoru if you haven't already. Yahiko, keep up with your training, I've never seen an apprentice with so much potential. Tell Dr. Genzai and Megumi I say thanks for all their help. And Sanosuke… I still pray for that day like I told you. Because of you, my heart was able to fill with love and happiness. I miss you as well as everyone else, and one day I will see you again. Take care everyone!

Love,

Aneko."

"Dr. Hans was able to fix her arm, that's awesome!" Yahiko shouts.

"Aw Sanosuke, she misses you!" Kaoru shouts with a smile.

Sanosuke smiles, "…Yeah."

"Ha-ha look at Sanosuke! There he goes again turning redder than an apple!" Yahiko shouts with a laugh.

Sanosuke humorously swats Yahiko away. "Oh yeah! Look how red Kenshin is!" Sanosuke and Yahiko begin to laugh.

"Yeah Kenshin, what's this about a confession to Kaoru!" Yahiko shouts with amusement.

"Umm…Uhh…." Kenshin mutters. He and Kaoru both turn red from embarrassment.

Yahiko and Sanosuke continue to laugh at them. Sanosuke stops and smiles, tightening the knot of his red headband.