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.

Author's Notes: Wow, another update in less than two weeks. Well, hopefully I can keep up this pace until I get this thing finished. Anyway, for this chapter I was just going to write about Megumi but then someone gave me an idea that changed everything. Consequently, this chapter needed to be split into two. Sorry about the cliff-hanger but you'll have till my next update to get the full story.

Thanks to those who reviewed, hope you will continue to do so in the future. I thought people would have forgotten all about this story.

The Last Battle of the Bakumatsu

Chapter 24

By SDB

It was fairly early in the morning and Megumi was glad there was a lack of patients. Today was traditionally a day she spent making house calls. Unless it was an absolute emergency, they wouldn't come to the clinic looking for her. It was nice to be able to take her time and to stroll around town at her own pace. Since her trip to Shinsuu, she hadn't really had a great opportunity for a relaxing walk during daylight hours. Of course, the drawback was that Sano wouldn't be accompanying her since he preferred to spend the morning training.

It was probably better that he wasn't there considering he could be very distracting. She tried to ignore the heady blush she felt as she remember how their walk ended after last evening's party. She turned around to make sure that she had all the supplies she needed and found Outa quietly standing in the doorway. "You don't have to be shy Outa, come in. What can I do for you?"

The boy meekly entered and immediately attempted to sit in a chair. His problem was obvious when he refused to use his right hand. She immediately sat down next to him and began to examine his right wrist. "Kaoru-sensei said that it was probably just sprained," he winced as she flexed it.

"So I take it that this was a training accident." She expected to see at least one or two students from the dojo after a training session. However, Outa's wrist looked a lot worse than the normal bumps and bruises she dealt with.

"Sort of…" he didn't want to look up because he knew that she was staring at him, waiting for further explanation. His resistance lasted all of thirty seconds. "Kaoru-sensei and Yahiko-sensei were fighting. Yahiko-sensei turned his back and that's when she tried to hit him but…"

"But you got in the way trying to protect Yahiko," she let out a resigned sighed. The severity of his injury explained by the fact Kaoru never held back when she attacked Yahiko.

"It didn't seem right for Kaoru-sensei to hit him like that." He mumbled quietly as she bandaged his bruised and swollen wrist.

"I'm sure that your brother has warned you about stepping into fights between those two. You don't need to worry about them. In the six years that I've known them, they've never had to come to me for medical help. They're very resilient." She watched as he tentatively flexed his wrist, still wincing a little when he bent it too far. "You won't be able to do anything too strenuous with that hand for a while, which means no kendo practice."

The boy looked a little crestfallen because of this new information. "So what am I supposed to do?"

"Well, if you'd rather not have Kaoru put you to work, there's something you can do for me. I was about to go out and do some house calls. It would be nice to have some company," she smiled down at him as he considered his answer.

"As long as you don't think Kaoru-sensei will mind." He cautiously replied, realising that his master might be expecting him to return to the dojo.

"Of course she won't, you can't train all the time. Besides, this will be a good opportunity for you to have a look around Tokyo. It would be nice for you to see more than just the dojo and the Akabeko." She realised that he was still thinking about it, so she decided to finish packing what she needed while she waited.

"Okay, what do you need to me to do?" He slipped off his chair and moved up alongside her. He gazed curiously at the box full of medicines that she was topping up.

"All I need you do is to carry this while we walk around town." She lifted the heavy box off the table and helped slip the straps over his shoulders. She was amazed that the extra weight didn't seem to affect him at all. "It's not too heavy, is it?"

"No, it's not that heavy, are we going now?" He looked up, confused by the doctor's stunned expression.

She could only nod and then watch as he casually walked out the door. When realised that she was supposed to be going with him, she followed after him once she had picked up her bag. As she locked up the clinic, she noticed him sliding his shinai between the medicine box and his back. "Just like Yahiko," she sighed, knowing that he was never going to let the simple piece of bamboo out of his sight.

Outa just looked at her, thinking that she had said something. If she had, she didn't repeat it for his benefit. Instead, she started to walk down the street and he walked by her side. As they turned into a side street that he had never walked before, he decided that this might be an interesting day after all.

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It was close to lunchtime when they started back towards the clinic. They walked in silence, Outa taking in his surroundings while Megumi thought of something she could give him in thanks. She had enjoyed his company and learning a little more about him. He had been described as adorable by some of the older women they visited and he quietly endured their doting. However, what surprised her most was his behaviour when it came to treating patients.

She initially just chatted with her patient and pointed out what she needed from Outa. Slowly, she started explaining to him about her choice in medicines and their various other purposes. Her explanations led some patients to believe that he was her apprentice. Even though she denied that, she still treated him as if he was. That was when he shocked her. He remembered what she had told him and was able to predict what she needed before she even asked for it. She found that she enjoyed being the teacher and decided she might ask him to accompany her more often.

"Doctor Takani Megumi?"

Her reverie broken, she stopped in her tracks to look at the young man who had addressed her. He was in a police uniform, although he still looked like he was a teenager. His narrowed eyes and general presence reminded her of Saito. That resemblance was reinforced by the fact that he carried a Japanese sword rather than a western one. "Yes I'm Doctor Takani, how may I help you Officer…?"

"Mishima Eiji," he stated plainly, bowing slightly even though he seemed anything but polite. "I require your medical assistance, could you follow me please." He turned abruptly, marching off in the opposite direction they had been going. He gave the impression that he was less than pleased with the fact he had to act as a messenger.

Megumi followed cautiously. She was aware that Outa was anything but calm and appeared ready to attack the police office. From his build and the fact he carried a Japanese sword, she doubted that either of them would last a second if it came to a confrontation. She resolved herself to obeying him as long as he didn't give her a reason to refuse. Until then, she had to assume he was a real officer and not a criminal in a police uniform.

Despite a few weeks having passed, the every present threat of the Shinsengumi was still there. It would be punctuated by propaganda telling the public to rise up against the government. They also leaked documents relating to negotiations to display the apathy that the remaining officials had in trying to secure the release of the hostages. It amounted to a very convincing argument on their part. However, the violence they had displayed dissuaded many from believing they were any better.

Without warning, Eiji turned into the entrance to a house. He suspiciously watched them as they followed him in but they didn't move far from the front gate. Before anyone could say anything else, a figure appeared in the shadows of the house. From what was visible, it was obviously a woman in a dark blue kimono. She appeared to be struggling to carry a tea tray while also trying to walk with the aid of a cane.

"Tokio-san, you know you shouldn't be moving around?" Eiji's voice and appearance softened as he went to the aid of his guardian.

"Oh Eiji, I didn't realise you were back. I just wanted some tea and you know how Mimori has been acting lately." She smiled faintly as he relieved her of the tray.

"I brought Dr Takani back with me." He responded, glancing anxiously at the two guests before entering the house.

"And Outa too, well this is a surprise. I hope you can both join me for some tea," she smiled a little brighter before following Eiji inside.

Feeling a little more relaxed knowing that Tokio was there, Megumi went after them with Outa following in her wake. After removing their shoes, they paused in the doorway. Eiji had placed the tea at the centre of the room and was in the process of helping Tokio sit down. They placed their baggage out of the way and joined her but Eiji stay long.

"I have work to do, I'll see you later Tokio-san," he politely bowed from the doorway before disappearing. The rest of the room was silent for a moment, as no one quite knew where to begin.

"Eiji seemed so like your husband when we first met but as soon as he saw you he was almost an entirely different person." She didn't mean to be impolite but she wondered just what his relationship to Saito was.

"He does take a little after Hajime but I think it's more because Eiji wanted to be strong like his elder brother. He used to work for my husband and it seemed only natural for Eiji to look up to someone like my husband." Tokio began to prepare the tea while her two guests looked on.

"Still, it was a little disturbing when he approached us on the street." Megumi hesitantly spoke, as the tension in her body was reluctant to subside.

"I apologise, he wasn't particularly happy that I asked him to find you for me. He only started working for the police recently and he didn't want to be distracted." She poured three cups of tea and started to hand them out around the group.

"He seems a little young to have started working for the police, but I suppose since he carries a sword he knows how to use it." She sipped at her tea, watching a solemn look pass over her face.

"Unfortunately, but he had to grow up sometime." There were a few moments of silence with Outa looking between the two women and feeling a little out of place. "I'm sorry that I don't have anything for you to eat. I haven't really been able to get out of the house lately."

"It's okay, I'm not really hungry." She lied but while she could hide her hunger, the boy next to her couldn't. His stomach growled loudly at the suggestion of food, leaving him red faced and scratching his head sheepishly.

"Well it appears someone is hungry." Tokio smiled at the extremely embarrassed boy until a shadow in the doorway caught her attention. "Mimori, could you come here for a minute?" Both Outa and Megumi looked to the doorway where a girl slightly younger than Outa appeared.

"I only came out because I thought that I heard Eiji's voice," the girl remained in the doorway. She seemed reluctant to enter and Megumi could practically see the tension between what she guessed was mother and daughter.

"Would you mind going out to get a few things for me?" Even though it was a polite question, she didn't wait for a response as she searched for some paper to write a list. Mimori looked at the two strangers as if they were intruders in her house. The scruffy looking Outa seemed to earn more than his fair share of scorn. She didn't even bothering to acknowledge him as he courteously bowed to her. "Here's a list and some money, it shouldn't take you too long."

She examined the list momentarily before tucking it into her sleeve. "Is that all?"

"Now that you mention it, Outa would you mind escorting my daughter? I'd feel a lot better if she didn't go alone." The boy looked a little surprised by the request and looked to Megumi to see what he should do. When she nodded he obediently stood up and retrieved his shinai from where it was leaning against the medicine box.

"I can do it by myself. I don't need to be escorted by…" She paused, struggling to find words to describe what she thought of him. However, he took the silence to mean than he should introduce himself.

"I'm Higashidani Outa, nice to meet you." Again, he bowed respectfully to her even though his interjection had only infuriated her more. She glared at him for a moment and then turned to her mother. When she realised that she had no choice in the matter, she turned and marched out to the front gate. Outa looked back to the two women in the room who silently urged him on. Reluctantly, he walked to the door before breaking into a run to catch up.

"I apologise for Mimori, she's a rather proud girl. Unfortunately, she can lack compassion at times, especially when she doesn't believe she needs help." She calmly sipped at her tea as she watched Megumi staring out the door.

"I just hope she isn't too harsh on him. His sister was very protective over him and I'm not sure how he will react to someone being openly hostile towards him." Outa's quiet nature made her question his strength. She had been told he was stronger than he looked but she didn't know how he'd react when confronted.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. She's just mad at me for not stopping Eiji joining the police. She's been lonely now that he's gone. Now that I think about it, maybe we should get those two together more often." She sipped her tea, wondering how here husband would react to her suggestion.

Megumi finally turned away from the door to look at her. "They're a little young for you to be pairing them up," she couldn't help but smile as Tokio started laughing.

"They probably are but with all our moving around, Mimori has never really had the chance to make friends. It would be nice if she had one in Tokyo." The one deficiency Mimori had in her life was that she hadn't been allowed the freedom of meeting other children. She regretted that but knew there was little she could do to change it.

"So you're not planning on staying here in Tokyo then?" Megumi watched as Tokio's cheerful mood slowly dissipated.

"I go where my husband goes but unfortunately he doesn't stay anywhere too long. Now I could ask you the same question, are you planning on staying in Tokyo?" She watched her, realising that she herself had been deprived of friends just like her daughter.

It was her turn to feel her happy world contract a little more. "I haven't really had time to think about it."

"I'm not surprised, as I hear it your relationship with Sano only started yesterday." Tokio almost felt like laughing again at Megumi's astonished look. "If you want a piece of advice, don't try and hold him back. You'll only cause problems if you do."

"You're not worried about what could happen to them?" Megumi asked cautiously, acknowledging the growing fear she had been hiding from Sano.

"Hajime was fighting for his life and his beliefs long before I met him. After everything I've been through with him, I know that he gains some strength from knowing that whatever happens, I'll be waiting for him." The room was silent, more because Megumi was thinking to herself than them having nothing to say. "How about we move on to what I asked you here for."

Megumi broke from her reverie with a slight shake of her head. She automatically moved to get her bag after putting down her teacup. As she rummaged around in it she said something that Tokio could empathise with. "Maybe you could tell me how you do it because I don't think that I have the strength."

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It wasn't unusual for Outa to be a silent presence. He wasn't a joker like his brother or talkative like Misao. He was content to be part of the group and observe how they acted. However, right now the only other person he was supposed to be with was walking three paces ahead of him. She was only slightly shorter than him and wearing a dark pink kimono. Her plaited black hair reached down to the middle of her back like a silky black rope.

He took note of the bridge that they were crossing over. It was another landmark that he could use to find his way back in case he got left behind. The last thing he needed was to get lost, especially since he was supposed to be taking care of Megumi. He blinked and then almost tripped when he realised she was looking over her shoulder at him. Her eyes almost looked to glow yellow as she glared at him. She quickly turned away, unimpressed by what she saw.

He let his vision return to the world around him. He didn't want to let himself be distracted by her. With any luck they would get what they came for and get back to the house quickly. Even if he couldn't train this afternoon, he could still help his brother working around the dojo. That way he could listen to his stories of what he'd seen when he travelled the world. It also had the bonus entertainment as Sano teased of the rest of the dojo, which he found an eternal sense of wonder. How he could keep teasing Kaoru when her reaction was to attack him was beyond his comprehension but it was hysterical at times.

On instinct his eyes focused on a man in the distance. His hooked nose, narrow gaze and small build all sounded of warning sirens in the boy's head. The man was trouble and he was looking straight at Mimori. More accurately, he was looking at the moneybag that she was carelessly swinging around. He frowned, having been told on numerous occasions by his sister how to protect himself from thieves. The first thing she had told him was to make sure he kept his money out of sight.

Exactly as he thought, the man broke into a run straight towards Mimori. He snatched the bag and brushed her aside as he made his escape. Before she could scream thief, he was preparing to knock Outa out of his way. Remembering a move Misao taught him, he took the man's wrist with his left hand and flipped him. Before the thief knew what had happened, he was staring up at the blue sky. He screamed as Outa stomped of his wrist, making release the money he had stolen.

Outa picked up the money and tossed it to the confused Mimori who was still on the ground. She caught the money as an automatic reflex, continuing to stare at him in disbelief. He smiled back completely oblivious to the thief who was getting back to his feet.

"You little brat, I'll…" he was cut off as Outa drew his shinai and smacked him over the head. A chorus of laughter erupted from the crowd as the thief was left face down in the dirt. Outa looked sheepishly around the crowd, suddenly aware that he now had an audience.

"Hey kid, if you don't hurry you'll lose your girlfriend."

He quickly looked to where he'd last seen Mimori only to see that she had dusted herself off and was disappeared into the crowd. He ran after her, nearly stumbling when the words from the man caught up with him. He shook his head and tried to focus on the girl he was supposed to be escorting. As he weaved through the pedestrians, he got a final glimpse of her disappearing into a store.

He stopped outside, replacing the shinai on his back and catching his breath. He entered the store and was immediately struck by the smell of freshly cooked food. He hoped his stomach wouldn't betray him like it had earlier. Silently, he walked up alongside Mimori. A kindly looking woman was looking over the list that Tokio had made. When she looked up she showed a little surprise to see Outa standing by Mimori. Her reaction drew Mimori's attention to the boy and she just glared at him as he smiled innocently at the woman.

"I'll be with you in a second," the woman cheerfully greeted him.

"Don't worry about him. He's just the hired help." Mimori snide remark stunned the woman but Outa didn't look to upset. He smiled at her, earning another harsh glare from the young girl he was escorting. The older woman gave him an encouraging smile before she got to work. He watched as she started to wrap various food items that were on the list. She added them to a larger bag while keeping one eye on her two customers. Mimori was ignoring Outa as he let his eyes wander around the store.

"Here you are," the woman smiled as she placed the bag on the counter and took the money from Mimori. Once the transaction was complete, she walked away, leaving Outa to carry the bag. He bowed politely to the woman before he picked the bag up. "I put an extra cookie in there for you, have a nice day."

He took a moment to look in the bag before looking up with a broad grin on his face. "Thank you," he bowed deeply before turning to leave. His companion gave him another despairing look as she exited the store. He followed still grinning like an idiot because the storekeeper had given him something extra. He didn't mind that the girl in front of him was either ignoring him or frowning upon his existence. He had been treated like that his whole life because he was the son on a farmer. It didn't bother him because he knew as soon as they were done he could do something interesting.

Unfortunately, as they approached the bridge he started to feel uneasy. He knew it wasn't anything he'd eaten because he hadn't eaten anything. Having been taught to trust his instincts, he looked over his shoulder. It didn't take him long to see the thief from earlier, staring at him with deadly intent. He also didn't miss his two lackeys following close behind as they picked up their pace to catch him. He quickly ran forward and stepped in front of Mimori.

"What?" she venomously spat as he impeded her progress.

"You'd better take this and run home," he urgently ordered her.

"Why?" she didn't try to take the bag, so he forced it into her hands. She looked confused and then angry but he wasn't standing there to see.

He dashed forward, the two larger men now in front of the thief. The agility of a ten year old was too much against that of two overweight men and he easily slipped passed them. The thief was shocked to see the boy escape their clutches and suffered the consequences. Outa struck him across the head with his shinai. The man spun around and fell face down on the bridge. He looked back to see the other two men coming back at him but Mimori hadn't moved. He didn't let that distract him as he tried to run away from her only to have the thief catch his ankle.

As he hit the bridge, he lost his grip on the shinai and it slid out of his reach. He grimaced as he was lifted off the ground by one of the larger men. He knew instantly that he couldn't punch the man so he kicked at his face, twisting his foot as he crushed the man's nose. The man screamed, throwing the boy into the bridge. He immediately tried to scamper across the bridge to his shinai. Before he could grab it the second big man grabbed him from behind and lifted him up into a bear hug.

"What do you think you are…?" Another pedestrian spoke up as if to help. However, he backed away when the thief produced a knife. Realising he wasn't going to get any help, Outa continued to struggle to get free.

"Now I'll teach you to humiliate me," the thief cackled as he waved the knife in front of Outa.

"What about this one?"

The thief turned to see his other friend holding Mimori, his bloody nose dripping on her kimono. "Maybe we should start with her?" the thief suggested to Outa with a sly smile.