Sorry the update is so late, I had a bit of a writer's block, but I beat it into the ground. Hope you enjoy this update!

Chapter 11

As I came to I began to cough, spitting out water. I breathed deeply, sitting up on the rocky ground. I was drenched in freezing water, and the day was quickly turning to night, meaning it was getting colder quickly. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself for warmth.

I stood shakily, trying to remember what had happened. I had asked Tomoe to marry me, and then I had taken her flying. I couldn't breathe, and then…

I looked around me, searching for Tomoe. She was nowhere to be found. I tried to rise into the air, but my wings were frozen with water. I instead ran, going downstream to look for Tomoe.

"Tomoe!" I cried. "Tomoe! Answer me!" There was no answer to my calls, and I began to get worried. I looked up at the sky, knowing it was going to rain. I could feel fear sneaking into my mind as I thought to my first tragedy in the rain, the night I had lost my father.

Rain began to fall around me, and I grew more frantic in my search. I found a waterfall and I cried out in fear when I spotted Tomoe's scarf caught on a branch at the bottom of the falls. Hardly caring for my own safety I flung myself from the cliff, using my frozen wings to glide shakily to the ground. I hit the ground quickly, hissing in pain as my ankle twisted beneath me.

I pushed myself up, standing on the ankle despite the pain the flooded through me. Each step was agony, but I kept moving, going towards Tomoe's scarf.

I suddenly tripped and fell, sprawling out full-length on the ground. I lay there for only a split second; I pushed myself back up, gritting my teeth. It took me some time to climb all the way to my feet, but I made it there. My wings spread slightly to help my balance, I continued towards the scarf.

I finally reached it, picking it up and looking at it in horror. Blood covered one end of it, staining it dark. I looked up, and my eyes widened. Tomoe lay a little farther down the river, motionless in the dirt.

I ran to her, gathering her into my arms. "Tomoe! Tomoe, wake up!" She was as pale as snow, face peaceful. I shook her, warm tears filling my eyes. "Onegai koishii…"

Her bottomless eyes fluttered open, clouded and barely seeing me. Her smile was shaky. "Anata…you're…" she coughed, shaking in my arms. I tightened my grip on her, sniffling as I tried to hold back the tears. "You're okay…" She coughed again, blood spotting her lips.

I ran gentle fingers over the wound through her stomach, caused by a broken branch, which was still in the wound. "It's alright Tomoe…" I whispered. "I'll heal you…"

She wiped away tears I hadn't known were flowing. "It's okay…anata…Ai-aishiteru…"

She fell limp in my arms, and my eyes widened. "Tomoe?" I gathered her closer. "Tomoe? Wake up Tomoe! Don't leave me alone!" It was no use. I lowered my head over her body and sobbed, holding her close. I had finally found someone to accept me, only to have my gift, my curse, take her away. I raised my head, screaming my grief to the skies that were crying along with me. I was lost…

I don't remember how I managed to get back to the city. All I know is that I buried Tomoe's body by the very river that had taken her from me, digging a grave with my bare hands. After that I wandered aimlessly, barely having the sense to hide my wings. With my ankle twisted the way it was I only aggravated it more as I walked back towards the city. I made it to the town, where I finally collapsed from exhaustion and pain.

(Iizuka)

I was walking through the streets when I suddenly got the sense that something was wrong. I looked around, fearing that the Shisengumi were suddenly going to burst out of the buildings around me. Night was their favorite time to hunt. Nothing came to my senses and I continued on my way.

I was out looking for the return of Himura-san. He had gone out with Tomoe some time ago, and Katsura-san had told me to go look for him. I was wandering around the outskirts of town, looking around for the redheaded hitokiri, but so far I had had no success.

Again my senses were drawn to a place nearby, and I finally spotted what was causing it. A figure lay motionless on the ground, stretched out full-length on the dirt. I moved cautiously closer, creeping towards the person. I spotted the flaming red hair pulled into a high topknot and gasped. Himura-san!

I ran to his side, quickly rolling him over onto his back. His features were as pale as snow, and he was bare-chested. There were a few minor cuts on him, but nothing too serious. His right ankle was swollen, black and blue beneath the stained and torn hakama he wore. He made no move, and I slapped his face slightly to receive a response.

There was nothing, no fluttering of dark lashes against pale skin, no twitch in his face. I swore, wondering what could have happened to him, the Hitokiri Battousai himself, that had gotten him this far into unconsciousness. I pressed the back of my hand to his forehead and swore loudly again. He was burning hot to the touch, and I discovered his breathing was short and almost non-dectectable, accompanied by a barely beating heart.

I lifted him into my arms, not wanting to toss him over a shoulder for fear of any broken ribs or such. I ran as fast as I could to the Ishin headquarters, still swearing under my breath at the boy in my arms.

(Katsura)

I was meditating quietly in my rooms when Iizuka's voice came to my ears from just outside my door. I looked up immediately.

"Katsura-san! You'd better come quickly sir!"

I rose quickly and went to the door, sliding it open to see Iizuka's troubled face. He looked both worried and angry at the same time, and I couldn't help wondering what had happened. "What is it Iizuka?"

He frowned, turning to lead me away from my door. "It's Himura-san sir. I found him, and it's not good."

I frowned as well, increasing my pace slightly as Iizuka stopped in front of Kenshin's door. He slid it open, and I looked inside to see a still form on the futon in the center of the floor. My frown grew deeper as I studied the boy on the bed, kneeling beside him. His skin was paler than normal, throwing the cross scar on his face into sharp relief and making his hair seem redder than normal. His breathing was short and strained, and his cheeks were beginning to flush.

I turned to Iizuka. "Did you send for a doctor?"

He nodded. "Hai. He should be here soon."

I nodded in approval, turning my attention back to the unconscious redhead in front of me. I suddenly blinked. "Did you find Tomoe-san?"

Iizuka shook his head. "Iie Katsura-san. There was no sign of her."

I frowned again, turning to look at Kenshin. 'What happened to you Kenshin?' I was shocked when the amber eyes slid open slightly, looking in my direction. I nearly gasped at the expression in those eyes. They were dull, lifeless, like I had never seen them before. Kenshin's eyes had always been unusually cold, but there had always been that underlying light that I could pick up on. But this time, there was nothing in these eyes, no spark, no life, and no hope. It was as though the boy was no longer there.

Before I could say anything his eyes shut again and he went back into unconsciousness. I stared in disbelief at him, but the arrival of the doctor interrupted my thoughts. I sighed, backing away to allow the doctor room to care for him.

(Kenshin)

I slowly opened my eyes to see the ceiling above me. It was blurry for a moment, and I stayed still to allow my vision to clear. When it had done so I looked to my left to see Katsura watching me anxiously.

"K-Katsura-san?" I whispered. My voice was hoarse, as though from disuse, and I had to keep from choking at the dryness of my throat.

He sighed in relief. "Thank Kami-sama." He gave me a few sips of water, which I accepted gratefully, soothing the dryness of my throat. "I thought we were going to lose you Kenshin."

I blinked in surprise. "Nani?"

"You've been here for nearly two weeks Kenshin, burning with fever. The doctor didn't know if you were going to make it," he told me. "Iizuka found you unconscious and barely breathing just in the borders of the city."

My eyes were wide. "Why did they think I was going to die?"

Katsura frowned. "Your heartbeat was very erratic most of the time, and your fever kept getting higher. They couldn't get it to go down, and they said that you had just seemed to lose the will to live."

I sighed, looking away from him. "Gomen nasai Katsura-san, for worrying you."

"It's fine Kenshin." He seemed to hesitate all of the sudden. "What happened to Tomoe-san?"

My eyes hardened. "My wife is dead."

I could feel the surprise in his ki, but he said nothing. "Gomen Kenshin."

I was silent, turning my head to watch the ceiling above me. I felt Katsura's hand on my shoulder. "Get some rest Kenshin. I've gotten another hitokiri to take your place, but I still require your assistance in the rebellion." Before I could ask a question he stood and left. "We'll discuss it later."

I stared. I was no longer a hitokiri? I was…free? I was free from that loathsome job, and I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I closed my eyes, preparing to sleep again. 'Tomoe, I promise you. When this war is over, I will never kill again. In your honor koishii.'