DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor will I ever own Rurouni Kenshin. I am making no profit from this and I will remove this if requested to do so for any legitimate reason.

WARNING: This story is rated R for violence, so if you do not like graphic depictions of people dying I suggest you find something else to read.

The Last Battle of the Bakumatsu

Chapter 17

Megumi stepped out onto the back porch and spotted Sano drawing water from the well. As he filled the laundry bucket Megumi approached with a sceptical stare. He either didn't notice her or didn't acknowledge her presence as she stood nearby waiting to hand him the clothes. After he finished filling the bucket he turned to look up at her but didn't speak.

"This is something I'd thought I'd never see," Megumi admitted as she handed the clothes to Sano.

"I guess you're a lucky woman," Sano innocuously replied as he started his work.

"That depends on the result, it's worth nothing if I can't wear that kimono tomorrow. Are you sure you know what you are doing?" Megumi looked dubiously down at Sano as he began to scrub the clothes clean.

"I've spent enough time watching Kenshin to know how to scrub a few clothes," Sano continued to work and didn't look over to Megumi. The silence extended as Megumi started to chew her lip. She had something she wanted to ask but she didn't know how to begin. Also she didn't know if she would like his answer or even how he would react. She knew that he was contemplating challenging Aoshi but she wanted to know why and if she could stop him.

"For someone who is never at a loss for words you sure have a hard time asking a simple question," Sano's voice startled her as it broke into her thoughts. Megumi looked away from him as he looked up at her, waiting for her question.

"You're planning on challenging Shinomori, aren't you?" Sano looked back at his laundry bucket. "I expected you'd do something stupid but can you at least tell me why?" Megumi waited as Sano continued to scrub the clothes. Quickly losing her patience, Megumi was about to yell at him when he began to speak.

"I have a couple of reasons but both Aoshi and Misao need to face the truth," Sano deliberately stared at the laundry rather than Megumi's face.

"And how do you think fighting Aoshi is going to show them anything, can't you just talk to him?" Sano looked at Megumi's flustered face as she felt her frustration creeping up.

"I probably could talk to him but by fighting him I know he'll be listening. He has to realise that everything Misao has done in her life has been because of him. Misao has to understand that she has to live her own life not caring what Aoshi or the Oniwabanshu think. Besides I said I had other reasons for fighting him, not just Misao," Sano allowed Megumi to scrutinise him for a few moments before he got back to work on the clothes.

"Are you going to tell me your other reasons or am I supposed to guess?" Megumi inquired letting her annoyance at his silence show through in her voice.

"I have been looking for a fight against someone as good as Kenshin," Sano could see Megumi about to scream at him for being stupid. "I also need to figure out the meaning of this," his voice was quieter as he held out his damp right hand palm up. Megumi didn't need to look to know what he was referring to but found herself kneeling down and taking his hand in both of hers.

"No matter what I did to this hand, that scar has never changed. Scars that happened later have faded away but it's still there as obvious as always. I figure if I fight him, I might know why," Megumi focused on Sano's hand as he spoke rather than looking up to him.

"Why did you stop me from killing myself?" Megumi hesitantly asked, tracing the smooth white scar that crossed his palm as she avoided looking at him.

"You're probably not going to like it but I was just angry that even after we had saved you, you were still going to kill yourself." Sano watched a sad smile appear on Megumi's lips as she relaxed her grip on Sano's hand.

"What you thought of me at the time helped me make the decision to go back that place and try to kill him. I thought you hated me," Megumi's voice had trailed off to almost nothing. She was surprised to find Sano's hand caress her cheek and tilt her face up so that she was looking directly at him.

"I don't hate you, never did," Megumi found Sano's soft words and rough hands soothing as she let him gently stroke her cheek. "You'd better get some sleep, I think I can handle a few clothes," Sano let his hand fall away and Megumi paused before she stood up. Sano watched her as she slowly turned and walked back to the house.

"Promise me you won't do anything stupid, like going to fight Shinomori without me," Megumi called to him from the doorway.

"I thought you thought everything I did was stupid," Sano jokingly commented. Megumi smiled and was about to ask for an answer when he solemnly nodded to her. His mouthed the words 'I promise,' before turning back to the laundry. Ignoring the spectacle of Sano doing laundry, Megumi retreated into the house feeling a little more relaxed but still anxious about the next day's events.

Megumi awoke in the morning with the early morning light illuminating the scene before her. Misao had had a restless night and was tangled in her blankets. She was still deep in a fitful sleep so Megumi quietly exited the room. The house seemed empty and lifeless as she slowly made her way to the back door. As she walked out into the warm sunlight she spotted Sano and Outa in the yard together. Sano was apparently showing his little brother the basics of unarmed combat. Megumi stood unnoticed as Outa worked hard at what Sano had shown him, the young boy avidly listening to his idols advice.

"The water is still hot if you want a bath and you clothes are already in there," Sano called out when he noticed she was watching them. Megumi nodded and walked to the bathhouse taking a final look at Outa as he emulated a move Sano had shown him. When she was finished she re-entered the house to find them beginning to prepare breakfast. She shooed Sano out of the kitchen insisting that she would make breakfast while he woke up Misao. She sighed in resignation several minutes later when Sano walked past the kitchen carrying a disgruntled Misao over his shoulder. She was completely bundled up in her blanket and struggling furiously to free herself.

Breakfast passed painfully slowly for Megumi. Misao was distressed by her throbbing headache and made little effort to eat or talk. Sano's mood had darkened as he mentally prepared for his fight. His dangerous demeanour had both Megumi and Outa on edge. Outa didn't know what was going on but he seemed to recognise what the darkness in Sano's eyes meant. Misao was oblivious to about everything until Sano told her that they were going to the dojo. She tried to resist but Megumi reasoned that she needed to tell Kaoru she was all right and reclaim her belongings.

The journey to the dojo was made in silence. Megumi and Misao walked side by side with Misao hoping that Aoshi wouldn't be there. Megumi continued to worry about her, not just because of what had happened but also because of what was about to happen. She spared the occasional glance over her shoulder to Sano who was trailing behind with Outa a few paces in front of him. Sano was walking with his hands in his pockets and his head bowed. The dangerous aura around him seemed to be increasing and it was making Outa nervous. Any loud noise would make the boy reach for the shinai strapped to his back.

As the dojo came into view, Misao slowed down and Megumi kept pace with her. Outa soon had to slow down as he caught up with them but Sano just breezed passed them. Misao barely noticed this but Megumi cautiously watched him go. As Outa tried to follow him Megumi held him back, silently shaking her head to say it wasn't a good idea. Sano walked through the gate of the dojo and was immediately spotted by Kaoru who was training Kenji. She didn't react to his presence until she noticed a meek looking Misao trying to hide behind him.

"Misao where have you been?" Kaoru's loud cry made Misao cringe, not just from her hang over. Her fears were justified as Kenshin and Aoshi exited the house behind Kaoru.

"We need to talk Misao," Aoshi's voice was even but it still sounded like a demand. Misao shrank back but started to walk forward towards Aoshi who was waiting by the house.

"Maybe she doesn't want to talk to you," Sano proclaimed as he stood steadfastly between the two Oniwabanshu. Misao stopped and looked up at him confused but Aoshi looked unaffected.

"Our business is none of your concern Sagara," Aoshi started to walk towards Misao. "Misao we have to make plans for your return to Kyoto," Aoshi ignore the cold stare of Sano and continued to focus on Misao.

"Ever thought she doesn't want to leave," Sano's comment was disregarded by Aoshi.

"Misao it's best you go back to Kyoto and the Oniwabanshu where you'll be safe," Aoshi went to walk passed Sano's right. Without warning Sano's right arm lashed out colliding with Aoshi's face and causing the ninja to stumble away.

"She's perfectly safe here and old enough to choose for herself," Sano growled as he let his anger grow. Aoshi's cold eyes looked back, no emotion was discernable but his body was tense and prepared for any attack.

"I said before that this is none of your business, there is no need for a pointless fight," Aoshi's voice was calm but Sano just smirked at him. Megumi started to usher Misao and Outa away and Kaoru did the same with Kenji.

"This is anything but a pointless fight, I have a few issues to settle besides Misao," Sano reached under his gi and produced his sword. He tossed it aside without looking and Misao only just reacted quick enough to catch it.

"Hold on to that Weasel, this is an unarmed fight," Sano stood almost at ease, waiting for the last moment to tense up. Aoshi looked guarded but didn't seem to see Sano as much of a threat and wasn't really interested in a fight.

"There is no reason for us to fight, Misao's problems are no place for you to interfere," Aoshi turned towards the house.

"How about Hyottoko and Shijikou," Sano's comment made Aoshi stop and look back at him. "I beat both of your men before I even learnt the Futae-no-Kiwami, shouldn't you fight me for their honour." Sano carefully studied Aoshi as he hesitated before replying.

"Things like that do not concern me anymore. They lost fairly, it is nothing that requires retribution," Aoshi continued to walk away from Sano.

"I suppose that one parlour trick fighter and the patchwork doll aren't worth fighting for," Sano smirked as he felt a surge of anger from Aoshi. "But there is still the question of you giving Megumi a knife and advising her to kill herself. I still have the scar on my hand where I caught the blade as she tried to stab herself. So you can understand why I have a few things to settle with you," Sano was preparing himself to attack whether Aoshi agreed or not.

"Kenshin do something," Kaoru tried to urge Kenshin into action but he stood firm. He could tell that there was more to this than he knew and at the moment he could only trust Sano's judgement.

"This fight is for your benefit as much as Aoshi's," Megumi whispered to Misao. Misao didn't react as she watched the events unfolding with a detached fascination. Megumi's comment reached her but she could see no reason how this was going to change her situation.

"I see that nothing will dissuade you from this fight. I will give you the fight you want but it will make no difference to how I treat Misao," Aoshi assumed his fighting stance. The response he got was a menacing grin as Sano looked both incredibly dangerous and unbelievably relaxed. In a flash Sano roared and charged at Aoshi with what was obviously going to be a right hand punch. Aoshi easily, almost casually, blocked it but his eyes widened with surprise as the right fist was quickly followed by a left-handed punch. It struck Aoshi in the face and he was forced further back as Sano continued with a barrage of punches. Aoshi was unable to retaliate since the purpose of Sano's attack was to stop his opponent from being able to counter.

Aoshi surprised Sano by turning a block into a throw and flipping Sano over. Sano adjusted so that he landed on his feet but was unable to stop Aoshi from going on the attack. Sano quickly gauged that Aoshi was about equal with him in strength but he was faster and more agile. Sano had to endure a flurry of punches and kicks from Aoshi but alone or combined they were not enough to topple the ex-gangster. Finally Sano was able to catch Aoshi's fist neatly in his palm and deliver a kick to the ninja's stomach that pushed him away. They remained apart, breathing a little heavier and assessing their own and their opponents injuries.

"At least you are taking this more seriously now," Sano growled at Aoshi as he looked for an opening.

"I have not attacked you at my full potential and you overestimate your ability," Aoshi calmly replied, making Sano glare at him.

"You should know if you want to beat me, you have to use one powerful technique," Sano roared as he charged again. Aoshi blocked the punch from Sano but was too late to do anything about the follow up kick. However as Sano tried to take advantage of the situation he receive a knee from Aoshi into his side. From there the fight degenerated into a brawl with both men trying to out hit the other with little consideration for defence. As they imparted powerful blows on each other, the onlookers cringed at how much damage they were inflicting on each other.

Sano suddenly found himself in a bad position as a punch to his stomach forced his back against the stone boundary wall. He then received an uppercut that tilted his head upwards and he was just able to catch a glimpse of the incoming kick. Aoshi's foot connected with Sano's throat and Sano dropped to his knees, colouring the ground in front of him red with his own blood. Sano struggled for breath with each one similar to drinking shards of glass. Aoshi stood warily over him until he realised that Sano could no longer stand up.

"This fight is over," Aoshi announced as he turned away from Sano.

"Not over yet," Sano gasped as he was just able to rise so that he was only on one knee.

"You are no longer able to fight, it would be advisable if you yielded before you did yourself permanent harm." Aoshi's cold voice did little to cool Sano down as his face twisted with rage.

"I was a ten year old orphan of the Sekihoutai. I had no one to protect me and I had no one who would teach me to be strong. I grew up on the streets of Tokyo, in the slums where if you weren't strong you'd die." Sano's voice was rising and gaining in strength the more he spoke.

"I forged my strength as a teenager who fought against fully grown adults for hours on end. No matter how badly I was hurt I had to fight or die, there was no other way. This fight isn't over till I say it's over and I say stand and fight. You said you were holding back, well so was I but it ends now. I'll show you the true power of the FUTAE-NO-KIWAMI!" Sano's ki flared to life as a hot breeze sprang from nowhere and whirled around the dojo. Leaves that passed too close to Sano snapped and even Aoshi was taken aback by the sudden ferocity of Sano's aura.

Sano appeared to blur as he launched himself forward at speeds that seemed unnatural for him. Aoshi was just able to block his first blow by crossing his forearms in front of his body. However he still felt the jarring impact of the blow as it reverberated through his entire upper body and caused him to slide away from Sano. Sano didn't waste time in closing the distance again and landed five quick blows. Aoshi blocked three of them but knew that there was little difference between blocking the Futae-no-Kiwami and taking the hit on his body.

Aoshi was busy waiting to counter Sano's punches that he didn't notice Sano's kick until the pain of its impact exploded in his side. Before he could realise he was sailing through the air, he felt the bruising contact on his other side as he smashed into the dojo's stonewall. The pain from a rapidly inhaled breath sharpened his senses enough for him to know that Sano was fast closing in. He rolled out of the way only to witness the stonewall disintegrate under the power of Sano's punch. The resulting dust that billowed from the destruction swirled around Sano like a tornado. Sano stood up straight and looked at Aoshi with a possessed stare that spurred more adrenaline to flow through Aoshi's body.

"It would probably be a good time to get back to what this fight is about," Aoshi felt some relief but it was only momentary as he tried to overcome the intense pain in his arms and side. "It's time you let her lead her own life. Leave or stay in Tokyo is just the beginning. She needs to decide what she's going to do with the rest of her life," Sano could see Aoshi gritting his teeth against the pain.

"She's Oniwabanshu, her life is none of your concern," Aoshi still sounded as calm as ever. Sano spat out some blood that was in his mouth and looked disdainfully at Aoshi.

"She's her own person, no matter what group she belongs to and her life is my concern if I see someone screwing it up. She had people to help her become strong but you protected her too much until she ran away from you. You can't decide what is the best for her," Sano slowly started to pace forward but Aoshi didn't back away.

"Her parents and grandparents never wanted her to live the life of a ninja. They never wanted her to have blood on her hands," Aoshi stared at the advancing Sano. While Sano didn't back down, Aoshi shifted his guard so that he was ready for any attack.

"They're dead and even if they weren't she still has to make her own choices. You surrounded her with the history of the Oniwabanshu and former ninjas, yet you didn't want her to follow them. You taught her how to fight, how to use a sword but you never wanted her to go into battle. If you never wanted her to follow the path of a ninja then why did you bring her into such a life?" Sano stood still just out of reach of Aoshi but close enough to attack if needed.

"It's a peaceful era, she doesn't need to suffer from the burdens of that sort of life," Aoshi gritted his teeth and his hands clenched into tight fists. Even though both men were similar in height, Sano's overwhelming presence made him appear to be standing over Aoshi.

"It may be peaceful but that doesn't mean people's suffering ends. They still need people to protect them, to help them when no one else cares. Misao would never turn her back on anyone in need but she is already suffering because of you. Misao suffers because she has spent her whole life in your shadow," Sano's bellowing voice echoed through the yard. Aoshi made no reply or any effort to resume the battle. Sano waited for his response, ready to combat any words or attacks and respond in kind.

Misao didn't realise she was crying until a tear fell from her chin and splashed onto her hand. What Sano had said had been true and his words were brought both desolation and enlightenment. Misao felt despair creeping up as she recounted how every major event and decision in her life had been made with Aoshi in mind. It was also enlightening as Misao started to understand Sano's intent and Megumi's words. Her resolve began to gather as she decided upon a course of action and walked directly towards Aoshi.

Both men looked as if they were about to resume their battle when they heard the sound of a scabbard hitting the ground. They looked at Misao as she approached with the unrestrained blade glinting in the sun. Misao's eyes were closed and glistened with unshed tears. She opened her eyes and Aoshi looked back slightly bemused, a looked that in its absurdity could have almost made Misao burst out laughing. She reached behind her head and made a single clean cut. Misao's braid landed at Aoshi's feet and she shook her head to allow the remainder of her hair fall freely around her shoulders.

"I'm Makimachi Misao and today I start my new life away from the Oniwabanshu. Tell Okina I will return to the Aoiya when I understand who I am." Misao turned on her heals and walked away dropping the sword by its scabbard. Sano noticed Aoshi watch Misao until she disappeared inside and then looked down at her braid. With the fight over, Sano relaxed and felt a wave of pain from various injuries. He sat down heavily down on the porch and waited for somebody else to do something other than silently watch on.

"Sssaaaannnoooo," Kaoru's low growl was an immanent warning of danger.

"Don't worry Jou-chan, it's nothing I can't fix," he spoke after he notice the full extent of damage he had done to the dojo's wall. Instead of the painful thud of Kaoru's bokken he felt a gentle hand tilt his head up. Megumi closely examined his throat before she started to search through her medical bag.

"Is he going to be alright?" Megumi whispered after taking a sideways glance at Aoshi.

"He'll figure it out sooner or later," Sano replied in a coarse voice.

"I knew what you were doing and I still don't understand," Megumi admitted as she applied some antiseptic to Sano's wounds. He hissed at the fresh surge of pain but didn't shy away.

"It's like the old story about the butterfly," Megumi paused in her work to look expectantly at him. "A man once came upon a butterfly struggling to free itself from its cocoon. He took pity on the butterfly and decided to cut it free but the butterfly's wings were deformed and it couldn't fly. The man didn't understand that for the wings to fully develop, the butterfly needed to fight it's own way free. The struggle gives the butterfly's wings the strength that allow it to fly, to live its life to the full," Sano watched as Megumi shook her head with a little disbelief. Kaoru, Outa and Kenji also looked a little surprised by the story but Kenshin was the only one to notice Aoshi listening. After Sano finished, Aoshi abruptly turned and strode into the forest without looking back.

Author's Notes: Constructive criticism and comments are welcome but if you want me to respond to anything use email, I don't like explaining myself in notes like this.