Shuurajou Secchuu

Shuurajou secchuu,

Beni aka zakuro hanagoori.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter One- Let's Go Home

The assassin stood in the snow, his breath coming out in short, hoarse whispers. His sword suddenly felt heavy in his clutch; his bloodied hand loosened its grip on the sword, and it fell into the snow, its red blade staining the pure white. He dropped to his knees, unaware of what had just happened. His sight was blurred and the scent of blood intoxicated him. His head ached, screaming with thoughts of Tomoe. He heard footsteps in the snow and tensed. He can't possibly be alive. No, it must be the Shogunate's back-up. Tomoe's brother, Enishi. He blindly reached for his sword, preparing to strike.

"Kenshin," a soft voice whispered, "are you alright?" The killer felt soft, trembling hands cradle his injured face.

"Tomoe?" His voice came out, barely a whisper. He opened his right eye and saw her. Tomoe's face was as pale as the snow around them and tears dripped down her cold cheeks.

"Kenshin," she said again, her voice soft and soothing. "You're alright!" She threw her arms around his neck, her ebony mane tumbling down her back. Kenshin took in a soft breath; the cold of winter mingled with the scent of blood and white plums.

"Let's go home," Kenshin breathed. Tomoe's warm embrace made his entire body relax and go numb. The thought of home and the sense of security that it brought lingered in his mind.

"Yes," Tomoe sobbed. "Let's go home." Tomoe stood up, her legs weak and trembling. Kenshin looked into her deep black eyes and saw a mix of relief and sorrow. A feeling he could not yet understand, a sensation he had never felt before. He reached for his sword, but a soft hand touched his, holding it away from the weapon.

"Tomoe?" Kenshin looked up at her again, this time with a question in his eyes.

Tomoe smiled weakly. "Remember what I told you? You can be happy with a plot of land and some seeds to plant. You don't need a sword to be happy."

Kenshin's hand dropped from hers and he looked at the carnage. The snow was red, stained with the blood of the Yaminobu. Their lifeless carcasses lay in the snow, pools of crimson growing ever larger around them. Do you need this blade to be happy? he asked himself. Would you be happy with some land and seeds to plant…would you be happy with a family?

"Tomoe," Kenshin said looking at her outstretched hand, "you're right. This sword, it doesn't bring me happiness only…" His voice trailed off. "Only grief."

He lifted his hand, a hand that had killed so many, yet could be so gentle, and rested it in Tomoe's. He smiled at her and she smiled weakly back. Kenshin stood up and soothingly squeezed Tomoe's hand.

"Let's go home," he said again.

Let's go home…

A small fire crackled under the stove, emitting a soft glow throughout the small home. Kenshin sat near the source of weak heat, his red hair gleaming slightly in the fire's light. He was gently dabbing his damaged shoulder with medicine that the Choushu Clan had given to him, to sell in town, to make it less obvious that he was truly an assassin in hiding. Assassin in hiding… The medicine sent a cutting pain through his right arm, disrupting his uninviting thoughts. He grimaced and began to wrap the bandages that he had soaked in hot water and herbs around his deep wound.

"Let me help you," Tomoe said quietly from across the room. She set down the fish she had been preparing with the daikon radishes they had harvested together and quietly padded over to her husband, gracefully sitting behind him. She gently took the wet bandages from his hand and began to wrap his bare shoulder. Kenshin did not realize this, but a lone tear slipped down her cheek. Her heart was heavy with the realization that she had almost seen the man, the man who she had learned to love so much, die. Her eyes flickered onto his back and saw three deep slashes.

"Oh, Kenshin," she whispered, "why did I let them do this to you?" She let her forehead lightly drop onto his shoulder, her fingers gently tracing the lines of the cuts.

At first, he was surprised by her touch, not understanding why she grieved so. Yet, he was calmed at her kind, loving touch. For a long time, Kenshin looked into the embers, thinking about all that had happened and what Tomoe had just said. He could feel her head on his shoulder and her finger running quietly across his back. I trusted her, then she…she betrayed me. But I still love her more than anything in the world. He remained silent until he felt a tear roll down his back.

"Tomoe," he said, "I know before we actually fell…in love, you wanted to see my dead body more than anything in the world because I killed the one held so dear. I took everything away from you. I cannot blame you for this. I can only blame myself."

"Don't say that," Tomoe whispered. "I could have stopped this from happening, I could have warned you. I could have told the Shogunate I hadn't gotten to you." Her voice was trembling, full of sorrow and remorse.

"What happened," Kenshin asked, "when you were in the small shrine? Why are you so sad?"

"I saw him," she whispered. "I saw my fiancé. He looked into my eyes and saw my pain. He told me to do what I must to protect the one I love, just like…" Tomoe's voice trailed off and she began to sob uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry," Kenshin said, his voice full of sympathy and concern. "I didn't mean to hurt you any more than I have."

He bowed his head, cursing his actions, and closed his eyes tightly, feeling the tears rolling down his back. Suddenly, he realized the single scar on his left cheek had stopped bleeding.