"Sano…this fight is between this one and Shishio alone. No help from the sidelines."
I looked at him, even though I had known the words were coming. I knew he would ask me, at some point, to stay out of his fight. He knew he could die, and he knew I would die if I went up against Shishio. His nature was to remove others from harm while flinging himself into the line of fire.He knew it was my nature to jump to a friend's defense the moment there was trouble, and he hoped to keep me safe.
I paused. I knew the fight was between himself and Shishio alone, and that was how he wanted it. That was how Shishio wanted it, even though he had sent Kenshin through a literal Hell of opponents to weaken him. If Kenshin had been at top form I wouldn't have worried at all. I wouldn't have waited the extra moment to reply, or felt slightly betrayed.
"Yeah. I understand."
If Kenshin knew me as well as I thought he did he knew, no matter what I said now, I would be there by his side if he was in too deep. He knew there was no way I could abandon him to death, even if we both died in the process. I was not logical in my thinking, ever. I knew losing Kenshin would kill me in more ways then one. I knew losing Kenshin would kill Jou-chan, Yahiko, Megumi, and every other person waiting for him to return. I could not let him die.
Kenshin smiled. His smile was thin and frail, but it was relieved. "Thank you."
Kenshin didn't glance back. He walked forward, his eyes trained in front of him. His steps were heavy, and his footsteps were bloody. He breathed carefully, and walked gingerly. His gi was tattered and bloodied beyond repair, and his entire body was filled with exhaustion. He was near his breaking point. The great man before me was clinging to his physical power with a slipping grip, but his resolve and nature were undisturbed. Unaided Kenshin was walking to his death. He knew that, and yet he told me to stay out of the fight.
Yeah, I understood. I understood his words, his reasons, but he understood mine. He knew the moment he was in trouble I'd be there with him. He knew I couldn't let him die. He knew that. I knew that.
I clenched my fists as he walked on, and watched his small back. There was no chance I would let him die. There was no chance I could. I looked at his bloody back, and wondered if he really did know. But, how could he not?