Chapter 7

(Kenshin, 1 year later)

I had stayed with Karei for a year now, and I was finally fully recovered in both body and spirit. My wing had healed well, and I had spent the last few months flying on it to get the strength back up in my muscles. Karei had announced me perfectly well at least 4 months ago, but I had chosen to stay with the old woman. I had grown fond of her, and had come to see her as a mother of sorts.

My sixteenth birthday had come and gone without much of a notice; although Karei had given me a nice gi she had sewn from silk. I had been afraid to accept it, but in the end she had gotten me to take it. I hadn't grown much, I was only about up to Karei's height, and she was 5 foot tall.

I closed my eyes, in a tall tree in the forest. I let the breeze flow through my hair and feathers, cooling me and comforting me. Karei's voice came to my ears and I flung myself up and to the side, flapping quickly in her direction.

She was standing just outside of her small home, waving to me as she saw me come into view. "Kenshin!" she called as I landed a little way away from her. "Are you hungry? I made some lunch."

I smiled and nodded, dropping my wings to fold them around my shoulders. "Hai Karei-dono, that sounds wonderful."

I followed her inside, absently brushing a loose hair from my left cheek. The cross-shaped wound I had acquired was still there, a deep scar buried in my features. Karei seemed to regret not being able to take it out of my skin, to let it heal enough so it wouldn't scar, but I had told her often that I didn't mind. It would remind me forever of the reason I still lived, my father's death.

While we ate the miso and rice balls Karei had prepared for lunch I was quiet. I had made a decision, and I was a little sad to tell my caretaker so. After I finished I sat back and put my hands on my knees, looking down to where I fisted my hands in my lap. "Karei-dono?"

She looked up at me. "Nani?"

"I've made a choice Karei-dono. I…" I paused. "I'm going to go back to my cabin, and see if there's anything left. After that, I'm going to try and find a new home. I'm going to try and put myself to some use in the world. Maybe I can find some way to put my sword to use."

Karei looked down at these words. "I've always known you were going to leave me Kenshin, but I am glad for this. It means that you are healed, in both mind and body."

I stood, going outside in the sun. I turned when I heard Karei's footsteps behind me, and I was surprised to see her holding a bag and a katana, mine. "I found this katana with you when you fell from the sky. I'd never thought about it until now, but you're going to need it to defend yourself." She handed me the sword and the bag, and I slid the katana through my belt. "I've packed some food and clothes for you."

I smiled at her, and then was shocked when she threw her arms around my neck, hugging me close to her. I hesitated, and then slowly hugged her back. "Arigatou Karei-dono. I will never forget you and what you've done for me."

She gave me a squeeze. "Take care Kenshin. I hope to see you again."

With that she released me and I backed away from her, spreading my wings. On a second thought I brought one wing forward and pulled a feather from it. I handed it to Karei with a smile. "To remember me by. I will come back. Someday."

She waved as I flared my wings and leapt into the welcoming air, flying away towards the sun, heading to where I hoped my cabin was.

I found the burnt remains of the cabin in very little time, surprising for me. I landed sullenly beside the pile of charred wood and such, staring with sad eyes at the destruction. Several piles of bones lay around the yard, no doubt what was left of the men who had destroyed my life. I ignored them and went into the house, walking carefully around the splintered logs. I came to my room, and I dug through the ash and dirt to the floor boards, pulling up one to see my mother's journal, untouched by the fire.

I clutched this to my chest, bowing my head in sadness. I stood slowly, going into my father's room. There was his mantle, the one that marked him as the reigning master of Hiten Mitsurugi. He had taught me the succession technique, but I had used only a piece of wood as a weapon. I had refused to use a katana, afraid of killing him. He had agreed, and the secret of the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki had been revealed to me.

I picked up the mantle, almost afraid of what I would find beneath it. Indeed there was a pile of bones, and I choked on sobs as I dragged the mantle away from my father's body. I collapsed beside the remains, sobbing bitterly. After a moment I managed to collect myself and I draped the mantle back over his remains, bowing my head in respect for both my father and my sensei.

"I love you tousan, and I will miss you," I whispered, backing away from the fallen mantle. I turned and left the house, tucking my mother's journal into my gi in the process. I looked back at the cabin one last time, bowing low. I don't know why I did this, I simply wanted to show some form of thanks and respect. With that I spread my wings and took off, heading for Kyoto, where I knew I would be able to put my sword to some use.

I found myself at the headquarters of the Choshu clan of the Ishin Shishi not long after this, talking to the leader of the clan, Katsura Kogoro. I had hid my wings, so none knew of my special limbs.

"Will you kill for me?" Katsura asked me.

I looked at him, shock in my eyes. He sighed suddenly, as though realizing that he had to explain his purpose with my skills. "You are young, but merit the truth. There are certain men who stand in the way of our vision for a new world. So I'm asking you, will you kill for me?"

I set my face, nodding sharply to him. "I will."

And so I was brought into the Bakumatsu, to kill for the Ishin Shishi. I didn't know if what I was doing was smart, or if I would even survive the war, but I would do what I could to improve the world, and maybe I could make a difference.

HM: The Bakumatsu! Kenshin just joined it a year later than he did in the movies. Well, please review. I don't own Samurai X or Rurouni Kenshin, just to go through that again…. REVIEW PLEASE!