Author's Note: Here's the bridge chapter to the next where the action really begins. And to several faithful reviewers, no, Kenshin is not going to hook up with Shura, the man's married and about to be a father, for crying out loud:). Besides, he's a man of honor. But his concern for Shura will show and is in line with the way he acted toward her in episodes 26 and 27. Thanks to every reader (3010 hits—whoo) and the faithful reviewers. I also want to thank those who put me on their favorite list because of this story, you all rock!
Japanese terms:
Yasashii Iesu—Sweet JesusJigoku ni otosu—Damn you to hell!
A LINE IS DRAWN
The Hono'o glided on the breeze until the dark silhouette of the isle of O'shima came into sight as the sun's final rays of the day faded into the indigo of night. Already, the sky became dotted with stars, sprinkled across the clime like glitter on velvet. But not a one onboard was affected by the evening's hushed beauty, they were all focused on what awaited them at the island.
As the craft cut through the surf, Shura stood transfixed as if she were frozen in place, her sherry eyes riveted to the dark coastline, with no sign of life in the form of lights scattered from huts no longer inhabited. Her face was expressionless as her mind became numbed in anticipation for the gruesome tableau that she was certain was waiting.
She sighed as the familiar landmarks came into view that told her she was home like the palisades that gracefully lined the cove and hid the secret caves where the Kairyu hid their plunder when they were the scourge of the Japanese seas. The nearly full moon was in the mid eastern sky, and its bright light illuminated the landscape allowing for clear views of the devastation. Even from the far distance of the ship, one could see the burnt out shells of former dwellings as they sat in dark desolation.
"Comin' up to port, Shura-sama," the boatswain announced. "I'll get ready to unload the cargo.
"Hai," she responded dully as uneasiness ran through her and she braced herself for the worst.
The bowspirit of the ship was aligned with the wooden dock that stood waiting as the mute youth Sarujiro leapt down with a mooring rope along with several other crewmembers to guide the Hono'o to her rest. They tied the mooring secure to the dock, as the ship way anchor to settle in. Onboard, the crew scurried to lower the plank and get ready for disembarking.
On the upper deck, Shura took a rope and swung down, landing beside Kenshin and his men, who waited as the rest of the crew left the ship. She stood by, seemingly impassive but in reality, she was preparing herself and clamped down on her "weak female emotions" as she referred them.
Kenshin gazed at her, admiration and sympathy mixing in him as he saw the struggle taking place within the lady pirate captain and he reached a comforting hand to her shoulder. That gesture, with no words spoke volumes as she took a deep breath and headed to the exit, with Kenshin and his squad behind her.
As the group made the short walk through the brush to the village, the usual chatter that took place among the returning Kairyu was nonexistent, as everyone prepared for the disaster that lay in wait. But as they came into the clearing where the village once stood, there was a collective gasp of disbelief because what was there was nothing any of them could have ever imagined.
The burnt out hulks of what once was storehouses and huts were all charred skeletons, lit up by the full moon in a macabre scene that appeared as from the pit of hell. Some buildings were still smoldering, sending vapors into the atmosphere like gray wraiths. Corpses littered the area, as men, women, and children all were reduced to ashes as they were scorched beyond recognition. But the most horrific fact was the smell; a miasma of burned wood, supplies and flesh that was a sickening stench of epic proportions. Not even the sea breeze could dispense the foul odor.
The Kairyu crew, all hardened by their many, many battles, were reduced to stunned silence as they all spread out and slowly approached what had been their homes and kin. Even the strongest of men sunk to their knees in utter shock at what they were seeing.
Shura's sherry orbs were wide in total awe of the scene before her, her expression one of total horror as she scanned the view of death and destruction that the demons of the Samekuroi had wrought. She felt the sting of tears as she saw the suffering etched for eternity on the burned faces and heard their screams as flames and explosions consumed them. She walked slowly while turning like a lighthouse, taking in the entire view.
Sarujiro, the young mute turned to his idol, his eyes questioning as if she had the answers he sought to why this catastrophe had taken place. But she had no answer for the youth, as she herself tried to come to terms with what she was concluding was her failure to carry on her father's legacy. Inside, she fought to maintain a firm grip on her fragile heart as it was shattering like fine crystal smashed on a stone floor.
Kenshin was silent as having witnessed death and destruction since an early age, he too was awestruck at the scene of holocaust before them, a view that bespoke of a vile attack on innocent people by monsters. As a former hitokiri death was a common occurrence that he witnessed often, having taken numerous lives himself but this was a slaughter the likes that even he had never seen before. He whispered a soft, "Kami-sama!"as his mind comprehended the tragedy.
Danjuro just stared as he studied the many stunned faces of the Kairyu crew members and their leader in the midst of such devastating loss. He immediately lifted up prayers for them, his heart aching.
Yasashii Iesu, please send comfort to these who have lost all. They truly need to know of Your love for them. Help me to offer hope and ease to their grief in Your name I pray, amen.
He approached Kenshin and said haltingly, "Ken-san, where do we start?"
Kenshin closed his eyes and shook his head. He then sighed as he turned to Shura. "Shura-dono, what can we do for you? Just tell us," he said gently.
Shura turned to Kenshin and at the warm compassion in his violet eyes, her resolve to be strong crumbled as she fell into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Surprised and feeling at a loss of what to do, Kenshin awkwardly held her as he cast a helpless look at Danjuro. The latter just watched in sympathy as the fierce Kairyu leader bawled like a little girl, her entire frame heaving.
Kenshin said softly, "It's all right, Shura-dono. It's all right to grieve, that it is."
Shura pulled away and sniffed, "H-Himura, how can I possibly make it up to them? I made a promise when my father died that I would do all in my power to carry on in his tradition, protect the innocent and weak from those who would seek to steal their happiness." She flung an arm about and added bitterly, "Look around you, I failed, Himura!"
Kenshin reached and brushed her tears away as he said, "No you didn't, Shura-dono. You did exactly what your father did and I imagine he's smiling now and very proud of you. If you didn't, the Samekuroi would have taken far more."
"But our village is destroyed," she pointed out. "The families and friends of me and my crew have all been slain. All because of our battles with those devils!"
"Hai, that is true," Kenshin stated. "But, I imagine that every one of them felt it was the noblest of deaths to die defending the place that you called home. They fought for what you provided for them and knowing that, gladly gave their lives." He was espousing the code of the samurai, that an honorable death was the highest of callings.
However, the words had no effect as Shura shook her head, grasped her shoulders and walked away, heading toward the beach. Kenshin sighed as he glanced again at the destruction and so gestured to his squad to direct them in beginning clean up of the area, starting with the gathering of debris from the blaze and the rounding up of the charred remains of the villagers. It was a grisly task that took most of the night as Kenshin, Danjuro, and the squad worked in shifts. They avoided asking the Kairyu for help as they allowed the crew to grieve. . . .
Back in Tokyo, at the Kamiya Dojo, Himura Kaoru sat in the courtyard by the garden as she gazed up at the full moon, wondering where Kenshin was and what he was doing, missing her husband's gentle presence immensely. Her hand was laid on her rounded belly where their child rested and she sighed as her thoughts went to the tiny life inside her.
Her solitary thoughts were interrupted by the gamin figure of Makimachi Misao as she joined her friend in the moonlight. She sat down on the bench beside Kaoru with a sigh.
"Well, everybody's in for the night but you, Kaoru-san. Are you all right?"
Kaoru smiled at the kunoichi and replied, "Hai, just not sleepy so I came out here to enjoy the stars."
Misao was insistent. "You need your rest though. For you and the baby."
Kaoru sighed as she said, "I know. But the room's so empty with Kenshin gone, I hate being there."
"I bet." Misao grinned as she said with a wink, "I wonder if you do much sleeping there."
"Misao-chan!" Kaoru admonished as a blush stained her cheeks. Even though she was married for over half a year, she was still very modest about her and Kenshin's very active sex life and to have a 17-year-old talk so openly about it was embarrassing even if they were friends.
The shinobi pixie giggled and then sobered as she apologized, "Gomen, Kaoru-san. I didn't mean to be indelicate. I just meant,"
"I know, Misao-chan." Kaoru sighed as she closed her eyes, feeling the baby move inside her. "But our marriage is so much more than just that. You'll find out one day. By the way," she said as she turned and pinned the girl with her direct sapphire gaze, "how are you and Aoshi-san getting along?"
Now it was Misao's turn to be reticent as she hesitated, "F-fine. He has asked me to refer to him as just Aoshi but he's still seeking after answers by meditating daily at the temple. I wish he'd spend half as much time with me." She folded her arms and resentment clouded her teal eyes.
Kaoru smiled as she said, "Don't fault him for trying to turn to a higher power. Kenshin and I have both found answers through prayer. Kami-sama has been guiding us well."
"So you told me you both now worship the western God," Misao said frowning. "I've heard many things about that strange faith that speaks of a god in three persons, the same God that Amakusa Shougo worshiped when we were in Shimabara. And that the natural forces have no power over us when many times the god-tree in the garden at the Aoiya has soothed me when I was frightened as a child. I don't get it."
Kaoru responded, "I don't quite understand it either. All I know is that Kenshin and I have gained great comfort from reading the book called the Bible and praying together. It's an experience that we both share and treasure." She gave a smile of pure serenity as she gazed up into the heavens to illustrate the point.
"Hmmm," Misao mused as she tried to comprehend what her friend was saying. . . .
Over in the dark dock in the Bay, the Obake slid into her place as the Samekuroi crew moored her securely and the warriors all gathered the wounded to disembark. Onboard, Izumo was directing everyone in taut commands, his own torrid fury at his defeat bubbling inside his soul and his shame vast. He watched the hobbling troops and his rage intensified as other members met them with lanterns to illuminate the way, their visages wracked with pain.
"Souichi!" he barked and a lanky figure emerged from the shadows.
"Hai."
"Send up the fire signal to Kagesu. In a three days hence on the dawning of the day, the plan will commence."
Souichi bowed, "Hai Izumo-sama." He prepared the firework tube with gunpowder and then when ready, Izumo gave his order.
"Send up the white one now and on the appointed day, send up the red one."
"Hai." Souichi lit a match and held the flame to the fuse. Immediately, a white blast emitted from the mouth of the tube and shot up into the velvet sky where it burst into a star and spread in stark contrast to the night. . . .
Over in the courtyard at the dojo, Kaoru and Misao were still stargazing, continuing in their light chatter.
Misao sighed as she remarked, "It must be hard, carrying another body in yours. I don't know how you do it."
Kaoru smiled as she laid her hand on her abdomen. "You get used to it after a while. And then you think about the little life growing inside and you are in absolute awe."
Misao grinned as she said confidently, "I know you and Himura will be really fine parents."
"Hai." Kaoru's lovely face had a dreamy look as she said, "Especially Kenshin. He has such a gentle way with Ayame and Suzume, Dr. Gensai's granddaughters. I can't wait to see him with his own child."
Misao nodded and then she spotted a white flash from above. "Hey, look at that!"
"Huh?" Kaoru said as she looked up and saw the white starburst spreading its short-lived brightness competing with the moon, and skitter of unease slid down her spine.
"A fire signal," Misao stated matter-of-factly. "The Oniwabanshu used to send them to communicate battle positions before an attack during the Bakumatsu. Strange to see one now, eleven years into the Meiji."
Kaoru frowned then shrugged as she said, "It's probably nothing, just a firework company testing their fireworks for next week. It will be Tanabata Day, you know."
Misao, her teal eyes riveted to the chrysanthemum of light in the sky nodded as she said, "Hai, that's right. But still it's rather peculiar for them to be testing so late at night, most peculiar."
"Aa," Kaoru said her bad feeling lingering. She rose from the bench and said crisply, "It's late, we should go to bed," and headed to the house.
"Hai," the kunoichi responded, frowning as she watched the light dissipate. . . .
Outside of the dojo gates, the dark figure known as Kagesu also had his eye cast skyward and saw the white explosion. He watched it and then checked his tanto and satisfied, he crept into the shadows again.
-
The sun rose the next day over the ruined village of the Kairyu on O'shima and the long arduous task of cleaning up had begun in earnest, with Kenshin, Danjuro, and the rest of the swordsmen doing what they could to gather up debris and remains of the villagers. The Kairyu crew, over the initial shock of discovering the havoc wrought on their home, had joined in the clean up effort but Shura had remained detached, staying to herself sitting on the beach. The crew, however, gave their leader her space as they clamped down hard on their emotions and continued stoically on.
The morning passed quickly and by lunchtime, the most difficult part of the job, getting rid of the corpses and remains of the slain villagers was in progress, as a huge fire had been built to burn the rotting flesh in a funeral pyre. Danjuro took a few moments to offer prayers to the departed then the fire was lit. The smoke of incinerated loved ones was wafting up into the blue expanse and carried on the sea breeze as the Kairyu kept on in the unpleasant task, the men's noses wrinkling in distaste to the stench. Kenshin and Sarujiro both were cooking and the workers, hungry from their labors, gathered around a pit fire where some rice and vegetables were being served, staples that had been stored in the caves along with the other booty from previous raids. The men all lined up as Kenshin and the mute ladled the food, making sure everyone got a meal. When they were finished, Kenshin gave a bowl to the speechless youth, who shook his head vehemently.
The rurouni was puzzled as he remarked, "You should eat, that you should, you worked hard and need your strength." When the slim young man in a tattered kimono and hakama turned and looked toward the beach, Kenshin nodded in understanding as he realized what was on Sarujiro's mind.
"You're worried about Shura-dono, aren't you?" Kenshin said with a smile.
Sarujiro nodded, sighing. Kenshin took the bowl of food and started toward the seashore. "Come along then. We'll bring some food to Shura-dono because she needs to keep up her strength too, that she does."
Sarujiro nodded with a big grin as he took the bowl from Kenshin's hands and headed off to the beach with the redheaded rurouni in tow.
At the beach, the sun-splayed waves beat against the golden sand, laced with white foam as they bubbled up and broke against the scattered rocks that dotted the shore. On the sand, sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms resting on top, Shura idly watched the endless dance of the waves as the cawing of seagulls was sprinkled amidst the roar of the sea. She stared out, still in the aftershock of discovering what the Samekuroi had done. Even as a pirate captain who used violent means on a regular basis, it was inconceivable to her that any human beings could be capable of such vicious cruelty. Even children and infants were not exempt from their slaughter.
I don't care what Himura says, all this is my fault Shura said fiercely to herself. If I had just accepted Izumo's offer before all this began, my friends and their families would all be alive.
Flashback:
It was a normal, ordinary day when Shura in her hut was going over some logs in her new role of protector to small fishing villages along the western coast of Honshu and along to Shikoku. Since the encounter with the honorable redheaded swordsman known as Himura Kenshin, her attitude and her ways had changed. Most of her pirate crew had perished in the fire at the village where they were in rebellion with Ginjo and so she with Sarujiro and Ganji had turned over a new leaf. She no longer plundered merchant vessels that she felt were part of a new corrupt government; instead she offered her nobility to protect the small fishing villages that eked out their living by fishing and farming.
Her concentration was interrupted by a timid knock on the door and the ever-so-faithful Ganji entered with his head lowered in a respectful manner.
"Forgive me, Shura-sama but you have a visitor," the old man bowed as a tall imposing figure strode in, a man with piercing black eyes and a hard sculptured visage that resembled his brother Ginjo, Izumo.
Shura rose and said firmly, "Ganji, please leave us."
The old man hesitated, having served Shura's father loyally from his youth and knowing the bad blood that existed since Ginjo's mutiny and subsequent death he determined to remain to protect her. But she gave him a smile of reassurance.
"Don't worry Ganji, I'll be fine. Go and see to the Hono'o and prepare her for tomorrow's voyage."
"Hai, Shura-sama." Ganji threw a glare at Izumo and left, closing the door.
Izumo gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Long time no see, Shura."
Skipping the pleasantries, Shura asked coolly, "What brings you here, Izumo? I heard that you had sided with the shogunate during the Bakumatsu. You couldn't leave your humble village fast enough." Her sarcasm was evident.
Izumo's eyes narrowed slightly as he parried, "I came back to take care of what was left of my brother's things."
Shura sighed as she said contritely, "I am very sorry about Ginjo. He was a good first mate until he decided to take a wrong path."
"Humph! You're one to judge, Shura. Wasn't it the Kairyu that was known as the scourge of the seas, plundering and killing, attacking many merchant and naval ships?"
Shura looked a bit shamed as she replied, "We attacked crooked merchants like Senbonya and defended ourselves from Imperial Navy ships that attacked us first. But Ginjo wanted to begin to deal in illegal smuggling of opium and I said no which severed our ties."
Izumo said softly, "So you killed him."
"He shot at me, Izumo! And intended to kill me." Shura's eyes narrowed as she defended herself. "He became bold in his desire to overrule my authority and had convinced most of the crew to as well. It was a mutiny, pure and simple."
"So you and the Battousai took it upon yourselves to kill him," Izumo said.
Shura sighed, "He wanted me to kill Himura and when I didn't he shot me. But Himura saved my life." Her voice softened as she recalled the incident and how Kenshin defended her and then saved her from the fire and explosion that took all the crew's lives.
Izumo decided to drop the subject as he stated, "I didn't come here to argue with you, Shura. I came with a proposition."
"A proposition?"
"Hai. I've gathered a group of former samurai together and purchased a ship. We want to halt the trade with foreigners that our whore government has sold herself for. And I'd like the Kairyu to join us. You have no love for the Meiji, do you?"
She shook her head. "Iie, I have not."
"Then join us. You are a formidable fighter, Shura and I would be honored to have you with me."
Shura stepped back and appeared to ponder the offer as Izumo waited. She turned and stared out the window in deep thought for several minutes. Then she turned and addressed Izumo directly, her sherry orbs penetrating.
"I decline the offer."
Izumo scowled as he said, "Think carefully before you make your decision."
"I have thought very carefully and I do decline," Shura stated as she sat down as if to dismiss him. Her haughty attitude just served to infuriate Izumo.
"Very well then I shall take my leave." He headed for the door but turned with a parting shot. "You will regret your hasty decision, Shura, for I assure you we will meet again. And it will not be pleasant."
She rose and said in a deceptively sweet manner. "Are you theatening me?"
Izumo did not turn as he said, "Take it however you wish." And he was gone.
Shura sighed as she stared at the door and an uneasy chill went through her.
End flashback
Jigoku ni otosu, Izumo! She scowled deeply, still brooding when a warm tenor interrupted her thoughts.
"You shouldn't stay by yourself so much, that you shouldn't." Kenshin came up to her smiling as Sarujiro came forward with a shy grin, holding out the bowl of rice and vegetables to her.
Shura gazed up at her visitors, her raven hair flying in the sea breeze and partially masking her face as she said quietly, "Arigatou, the both of you but I'm not hungry."
She turned back to study the crashing surf as Sarujiro knelt down beside her, still holding out his offering with a shy, hopeful look in his ultramarine eyes. Shura brushed her blowing tresses back from her eyes and sighing, gave in and took the bowl. The mute youth's face split open with a wide grin as she began to eat. Because she was indeed hungry, she finished the bowl in no time.
Kenshin smiled in approval and turned to leave when the captain of the Kairyu halted him. "Himura, wait I want to talk to you," she said as she rose and headed over to him.
Sarujiro also stood up and Shura asked gently, "Sarujiro, I'd like to speak to Himura alone," dismissing him.
The young mute nodded and with a reluctant glance at the two, he headed back to the village. Shura watched as the loyal crew member disappeared and then she turned to stroll back to her place on the shore where she sat again.
Kenshin came and took a seat beside her, his own eyes scanning the horizon as he inquired mildly, "What is it, Shura-dono?"
Shura took a deep breath as the brisk breeze teased her raven locks and once again veiled her face. Partially concealed as such she remarked, "I was wondering how your life was going after we had parted. With the exception of your marriage and impending fatherhood."
Kenshin smiled as he said amiably, "Nothing really extraordinary."
Shura chuckled humorlessly as she scoffed, "Himura, you needn't be so modest. Even on the outskirts of polite Tokyo society, we the Kairyu do hear about current events and I heard all about the way you defeated Shishio Makoto. I was not surprised to hear that."
Kenshin sighed as he said, "I merely did what I have done since turning my back on my former role as a hitokiri. Prevented the possibility of innocent people losing the peace they had waited so long for."
"You used your sword for justice and still took no lives." It was a statement, not a question.
Kenshin closed his eyes as he intoned, "Shishio lost his life by his own device. When his body temperature exceeded its limit, he just combusted and thus he is no more. And his desire to claim Japan for his own reign of terror died along with him."
Shura nodded as she commented, "Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the man I captured on Senbonya's boat was none other than the infamous Battousai himself. Why didn't you tell me then?"
Kenshin sighed as he said, "Because I released the name Battousai from me when I left the chaos of the Bakumatsu. But it stays with me, nonetheless."
Shura shook her head, "I had suspicions about you when you fought us and then rescued me from Ginjo. But I figured that you would have told me about your past if you wanted to."
"I am not proud of the fact that multitudes of people died at my hands directly," Kenshin said dourly. "It is something I am trying to forget and rectify by doing what I can to protect the innocent." He added with a serene smile. "And my faith in Kami-sama above is assisting me."
Shura sniffed, "I never believed in a higher power. I've seen far too much suffering since I was a child to be fooled into believing that a loving Being watches over us humans. It's just folly to do so. Just look at what happened to my village."
"That is very tragic, indeed it is," Kenshin admitted as he nodded. Then his amethyst orbs sparked with an inner fire as he went on. "But having confronted evil head on in the likes of Jin-eh Udo and Makoto Shishio one thing is very clear. And that is evil lurks in the darkness of a man's heart if he makes the choice to allow it and never let light in. My faith in Kami-sama has taught me as much."
Shura studied the look of peace on the former hitokiri's face and she found herself wondering what this faith he was speaking of was all about. She envied him his serenity and said, "Whatever you've found seems to have given you something. Quite a bit has happened in your life since the last time we saw each other." She then gazed up at the plume of smoke from the still burning pyre at the village and added, "I take it you and your men took care of the villagers bodies, arigatou for that."
Kenshin informed her, "Danjuro-san took the liberty of saying some prayers for the departed and then we began to burn the bodies. Because there were so many, cremating them made more sense then burying them all. Then we can build a memorial to commemorate them."
Shura nodded as her mind began to remember the village and how it was before she had left for Tokyo. She recalled when all the village children gathered at the dock to see the Kairyu off, waving with broad smiles as they always did, for they wholeheartedly supported the buccaneers and aspired to be a part of the Kairyu in the future. Now the hope for the future, along with their parents and neighbors were gone.
Getting uncomfortable with the conversation Shura changed the subject as she asked, "So when did you and Kaoru-san decide to get married?"
Kenshin's eyes became ambivalent as they both infused with warmth and became sad as he spoke of his bride. "After returning from Kyoto, we were faced with another ordeal. The smuggler Yukishiro Enishi had a long time grudge against me and so he staged a jinchuu against me and those dear to me. He tried to kill me but while he had me engaged in battle, he kidnapped Kaoru and made me believe he had killed her."
Shura saw the bleak flash in the violet orbs that bespoke of the remembered agony as Kenshin continued, "Thinking her dead, I went off to Rakuninmura to live the rest of my days and hope for death. I did not care about anyone or anything, the one I loved was dead and as far as I was concerned, my life was over. Until my friends from the Oniwabanshu had discovered that what we all thought was her corpse was actually a mannequin, a very cleverly designed likeness that Enishi used to hurt me until the truth was discovered, that he had taken Kaoru to lure me into battle with him."
Once again you sacrified your life for her Shura mused with a pang What a fortunate woman she is to have your love.
Kenshin went on, "I went to Enishi's island mansion to rescue Kaoru and we had a fierce battle. But with Kaoru's help I defeated him and we returned to Tokyo. I then decided to make her permanently mine. We were wed in the fall."
Shura remarked somewhat resignedly, "I figured that you would eventually marry her. After all back when I captured you, you offered your life to me in return for hers."
She sighed as she came to terms with the ending of a dream. For she had hoped and desired that the reunion with Himura would be the realization of the last thing he said to her as he and his friends left, that they would meet again, as friends or she had hoped, even more. He was the first man that stirred the feminine feelings in her she had denied since her mother's death and when he had tended her gunshot wound and brought out her mother's kimono and said how it would suit her, he stole her heart. But as he carried her away from the fire that killed Ginjo, Gekki and the other traitors, she saw his face when he saw his friends again and especially Kaoru. The joy in both of their faces when they were reunited was proof that they had been in love with each other. But when she approached Yamagata and the Meiji government and he mentioned Kenshin's name as the one to assist her, hope sprung eternal.
Oh well, it was just a silly dream Shura admonished herself. She got to her feet and said crisply, "Well, let's head back. There's more to be done in the clean up and then we need to plan our next strategy against those cutthroats."
Kenshin rose to his feet and smiled, pleased that her melancholy was over. "Let's go then." He turned and headed to the path leading to the village.
Shura made to follow but hesitated as she firmly made a vow:
Never again will I allow the Samekuroi to take a life. As long as I have breath in my body and can do anything to prevent it, they will NEVER again cause grief to another.
Her resolve made, she strode purposefully to the village.
NEXT-A BRAZEN ACT OF COWARDICE