"Do you have any proof behind your claim?" Kenshin asked angrily. The police had brought him to the police station; refusing to hear him speak until they arrived.
"You're the one who was taking care of your wife," none other than Saitou was the one questioning. "You've told us yourself."
"Saitou," Kenshin hissed angrily. "You know perfectly well that I would never attempt to murder my own wife!"
"A couple of months ago I would have," Saitou agreed. "But I know you killed that politician Himura, Nigrado Rubedo. Several witness saw you."
"You know full and well," Kenshin stated calmly, though his insides wriggled frantically. "That I was with my wife while she was in labor the entire night."
"I don't know how you did it Himura," Saitou gritted his teeth. "But I know you killed that man. You somehow managed to be in two places at once."
"You have no proof against me for that crime," Kenshin had already been brought to the station and questioned. But Sano had come with him, insisting that Kenshin had been with him the whole night at the clinic. Megumi had also spoken out as well as Kaoru. Kenshin was immediately cleared.
"Like I said Himura," Saitou lit a cigarette and blew a long puff of smoke into the air. "I don't know how you did it, but you did."
"Lord Saitou," another policeman carefully opened the door, apparently afraid of incurring Saitou's wrath for interrupting his interrogation.
"What is it?" Saitou threw his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out.
"We have news on Kaoru Himura's condition," the man's voice clearly shook.
"Well speak!" Saitou barked, concentrating on the man.
"She's awake now and recovering," the man's voice grew steadier as he saw he had Saitou's approval to speak.
"You see Himura," Saitou now turned to Kenshin. "Now that you're gone, you haven't been able to poison her and she's awake and recovering now." Kenshin sat in silence, to relieved to speak. Kaoru was awake, she was alive. He felt his heart beat again.
"Has she spoken to anyone?" Saitou asked, turning back to the policeman.
"Ah, yes," the man grew uncomfortable again.
"We can use anything she said against Himura, tell me, what did she say?"
"She, uh," the policeman swallowed tightly. "She wants to know where her husband is and when he'll be home."
"You even have her tricked Himura," Saitou turned back to Kenshin, visibly angry. "What's your reason Kenshin, your motive? Is it because your old wife is in town, maybe you wanted to run away with her? But you couldn't do that, you've already re-married. So did you have to get rid of wife?"
"I would never do that!" Kenshin leapt to his feet. He too was now plainly angry. His eyes were slits, as were Saitou's. They both glared at each other, neither one wanting to back down.
"It's already been decided," Saitou spoke evenly, not looking away from Kenshin for even a moment. "You're punishment, that is."
"And what is it?" Kenshin spoke calmly as well.
"Since I am the chief of police," Saitou narrowed his eyes more. "The law clearly states that I have the power to choose your sentence, and I have chosen. Himura Kenshin, you are hereby sentenced to death for the attempted murder of your wife."
Tomoe couldn't believe this had happened. Never, not in a million years had she even thought that Kenshin would get blamed.
"The poison was supposed to leave no trace behind," Tomoe had cried out desperately in her mind. "Everyone was supposed to think that it was her flu." Of course, Tomoe didn't even think the police would care that Kaoru was sick and dieing. But it seemed that the police were almost out to get Kenshin. They had been watching ever since the birth of Kenji, waiting for a slip up from Kenshin. What kind of slip up, Tomoe couldn't even imagine.
"Everyone!" Sano came racing into the dojo, out of breath from running. "Come quickly!"
"Shut up Sano!" Megumi hissed. "Kaoru is sleeping as is Kenji."
"Does she know that Kenshin has even been arrested?" Sano asked.
"No," Megumi shook her head. "I've just told her that the police needed his help tracking a man. It'd break to learn that he has been arrested for a crime he clearly didn't do."
"You're going to have to tell her soon," Sano looked stricken. "Because Saitou truly believes he tried to murder her; now Kenshin's sentenced to death!"
"What?" Tomoe raced forward and grabbed Sano's hands and gripped them tightly within her own.
"They've decided to hang him," Sano shook her, than looked at Megumi. "Tomorrow morning."
"You've got to be kidding?" Megumi sounded hysterical. "They can't kill him, they have little proof!"
"Since Kaoru has gotten better since he left they say that's all the proof they need," Sano spat angrily into the dust. "What are we going to do?" The conversation faded away from Tomoe. Kenshin was going to die, because of what she did? Tomoe tore herself from Sano's grip and stumbled away. What could she do? If she came forward and told the truth, then not only would she be the one to die but Kenshin would truly hate her for everything she was and everything she did. She couldn't blame him, now she regretted it all. She felt tears weal up in her eyes. Without Kenshin alive, the little boy who looked almost identical to him would grow up without a father. Without Kenshin, Tomoe shook her head violently.
"What am I going to do?" She asked miserably.
Kenshin sat alone in his cell. So, this was how he would die? Strangely, Kenshin felt at peace. Kaoru was alive; he didn't care if he died as long as she was well. He knew she would be devastated, but she would continue to live. She would live with their son.
"Kenji," Kenshin muttered. "I'm sorry I won't be able to watch you grow. Please take good care of your mother."
"Himura!" A gruff looking man opened his cell and stepped in. "It's time. We can do this the easy way, or I can get several men to bring you up."
"I'll come on my own," Kenshin spoke softly.
"Good," the man was surprised. Most men did not act so calmly before they died. He waited for Kenshin to join him, than they both turned and walked to the gallows.
"Kenshin Himura," a judge spoke when he entered the small room in the back of the station. "You are sentenced to death on the crime of attempted murder, do you confess?"
"No," Kenshin spoke calmly. "I don't." Saitou stood in the room, hidden in the shadows. The same man who led Kenshin to the gallows shoved him over the trap doors then placed the noose around Kenshin's neck.
"I always thought I'd be the one to kill you Himura," Saitou spoke from the shadows, smoking. "But this will have to do."
"Lord Saitou!" A man's voice rang from the other side of the door. "A man is here! He is demanding that we set Himura free!"
"What?" Saitou straightened up, just as the door broke down.
"Kenshin!" Sano tore into the room. "I won't let them kill you!"
"Restrain him!" Saitou ordered as several men tried to pin him down.
"He didn't do it!" Sano took one of the men in his arms and hurdled him across the room. "Kenshin would never try and kill Kaoru!"
"Sano," Kenshin spoke calmly. "Please don't interfere with the law."
"I have proof!" Sano shouted out from beneath a pile of men. "The real person confessed! You can't kill him!"
"What?" Saitou roared. "Where is he?"
"I'm right here," Tomoe quietly entered the room, her eyes downcast.
"What?" Saitou and Kenshin asked together, both shocked.
"A woman was the attempted murderer?" Saitou asked, disbelieved.
"Tomoe," Kenshin asked. "Is this true?"
"Yes," Tomoe's voice was small, but it cut clear and rang like a bell. "I, I just wanted you back!" Tomoe sank to her knees and started to cry. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks. "I was just so desperate, I couldn't, I didn't think straight. I wanted you back so badly I was the one who poisoned Kaoru."
"Do you have any proof?" Saitou asked. "You could just be posing to get Himura off the hook."
"Here is the poison," Tomoe tossed a package forward. "I obtained from a man who is now dead." Saitou snatched the parcel up and studied it.
"She's right," Saitou swore under his breath. "This is the same poison we found in the food."
"What will happen to her?" Kenshin asked; his eyes downcast. He stood still as the man removed the noose form his neck.
"She'll be executed," Saitou spoke as he threw the poison back at Tomoe. It hit her and lay on the floor.
"No," Kenshin stepped down from the gallows.
"Did you say something Himura?" Saitou turned his golden eyes on him.
"She will not be executed," Kenshin's eyes were hard. "I will choose the punishment."