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Karou and Kenshin quickly found Sanosuke and Megumi, huddling by the wall like any beggar would do in a time of great confusion. As they approached, Sanosuke stood, then began studying the high wall that confronted them, with almost no known foot or hand holds to be seen. Puzzled, Karou went up to him and whispered,
"What's wrong? Can we get over?"
Sanosuke nodded, then quietly motioned for Megumi to stand, and for Kenshin to come over near him. He urgently whispered a plan to Kenshin as Aoshi and Misao appeared, still holding tightly to each other. Kenshin nodded, and Sanosuke cupped his hands together and bent over slightly. Using Sano's hands, Kenshin leapt onto the top of the wall, and crouched there, looking around to see if any guards had noticed. Seeing none, he made a swift motion to Sanosuke, who in turn strode over to Karou and whispered,
"Sorry Missy - there just isn't any other way."
And grabbed her by the waist and flung her upwards. Kenshin reached out and caught her, and pulled her into an embrace, just the two of them alone on top of the wall. Her eyes wide, she looked at Kenshin, who then leaned in and kissed her gently, then positioned her carefully in his arms. With a final look back, he slid off the wall, landing softly on the other side with Karou in his arms. Sanosuke, who noticed that Kenshin had made it safely to the other side, then reached up and jumped, catching the edge of the wall in his grasp. Maneuvering himself carefully, he managed to perch on the top of the wall, then quietly called down to Megumi. Looking up, she saw that he had grabbed the wall with one hand, and was reaching down for her with the other. She tensed herself, then jumped with all her might and latched onto Sanosuke's hand, which almost pulled him over. Struggling, he lifted her up into his lap; sweat dripping down from his head onto the worn stone. He carefully hugged her to him, then leaped from the wall, landing not too softly in a bush surrounding the outer wall. Now it was Aoshi and Misao's turn. Aoshi jumped up, then turned and waited to see if Misao did the same, his cold eyes glaring into the distance. He could see that the guards had finally noticed something going on, and where streaming through the doors, on their way to grab what looked like a couple of beggars escaping. If Misao didn't jump now, they'd get her…. Sensing the danger behind her, Misao quickly jumped upwards, her arms frantically trying to grab onto the stone, when they met only air. She felt herself falling, falling backwards into the rabble that was now close to her, reaching for her…
When a strong hand shot down and snatched her wrist and pulled her to safety. When she had realized what had happened, she found herself in Aoshi's arms, staring into his piercing eyes when he leaned in and whispered, "I couldn't bear to lose you, Misao." and kissed her. Shocked, she didn't notice that he had fallen from the wall, and was landing silently beside the others, a smug grin on his face. Karou took a fleeting last look at her once beloved home, then grasped Kenshin's hand and fled into the distance, cutting off all ties to her past. Megumi followed suit, her and Sanosuke following their beloved mistress, for now and forever. Aoshi nestled Misao in his arms, and began to sprint after them, making Misao bury her face in his chest and wrap her arms tightly around his waist. Now, they would start a new life together, forever…