So I thought I would have more time to write while getting my Masters. Apparently I am sadly mistaken. Ah well, I'm almost done! With the story, that is. Next chapter up for comments and/or review!

Chapter 17

The snow had gotten significantly heavier as Yamamoto and his two men rode to Nishiyama-ya. It was piled deep enough on the ground now that the horses were having trouble trotting through the drifts that were cropping up across the unmarked path. "Keep the pace up!" Yamamoto ordered, giving his horse an extra kick in the ribs as it tried to slow down.

"Taishou!" He turned at the shout from Junichiro. Kenshin had gotten to his feet as soon as the horse had slowed and was running alongside it now. Yamamoto cursed and jerked the rope towards his chest. Kenshin swerved towards the horse in response, still running. He was neck in neck with the horse now. Yamamoto jerked the rope again, growling as he saw Kenshin was anticipating his moves and compensating accordingly. Battousai was trying to get his sakabatou.

"Patsu, get beside me! Junichiro, behind!" They understood what Yamamoto was going to do. Kenshin would either be crushed in between Patsu and Yamamoto's horses or trampled by Junichiro's.

"Ooohhhhh!" The few dead leaves still clinging tenaciously to trees crackled loudly as Kenshin charged towards Yamamoto's horse. Yamamoto was startled at the sudden surge in Kenshin's kenki, so much so that Kenshin would have grabbed his sakabatou if Junichiro hadn't spurred his horse forward in a last ditch effort to assist his taishou.

"Uuh-!" Kenshin fell forwards as the horse ran over him, grabbing hold of the rope around his neck before it tightened too much.

"Shimata!" Yamamoto gasped, wiping a hand across his face to wipe away the sweat that had unexpectedly sprung up. That had been close. He truly couldn't underestimate Battousai. They were almost at Nishiyama-ya though and once they got there, Battousai wasn't going anywhere except a grave.

"Patsu, go ahead and make sure it's safe," Yamamoto ordered as they came within a mile of the Heaven's Judges' refuge. Patsu gave an acknowledging nod and galloped ahead, coming back shortly with a group of men talking excitedly.

"You really got him Yamamoto?" One asked, leading his horse around Yamamoto's and looking carefully at Kenshin, who met his stare with glazed eyes. "How was it? He doesn't look like he would be much to take on."

"Oh, he must have been though!" Another laughed, pointing at Yamamoto. "Looks like Battousai got some good hits in!"

"Shut up," Yamamoto growled, swinging onto the ground and sinking up to his knees in soft snow. He trudged behind his horse and after untangling Kenshin from the rope, grabbed the front of his gi, holding him off the ground. "Hitokiri Battousai!" He called, raising a cheer from the men gathered.

"So what're we going to do?" Patsu asked. "No doubt the authorities will be looking for him, since he aids the government. We'll be subject to death if we kill him." Several of the men snorted.

"We're already wanted for death for opposing the government, idiot," One said with contempt. "There's nothing to lose."

"So let's go ahead and kill him!"

"No, that's too good for him." There were nods of agreement.

"It's too early for this, let's give it a few hours," Someone yawned.

"He's too dangerous to just leave sitting around for a 'few hours'," Patsu said with a wary eye on the rurouni. "Don't let his looks deceive you, he's already almost escaped twice." There were dubious grunts.

"Looks to me like he's had it," A heavyset man said as he jumped from his horse. He walked over to Yamamoto. "Here taishou, let me see him." Yamamoto was hesitant to release his prisoner.

"I'm telling you Hasugawa, expect anything." He warned, reluctantly releasing his hold on Kenshin.

"Don't worry, I'm just going to see if he's as tricky as you say," Hasugawa said, dragging Kenshin away from the horses and dropping him on the ground. Yamamoto opened his mouth to reprimand him as Kenshin pushed himself to his knees but closed it again when Hasugawa brought his fisted hands down on Kenshin's back. The rurouni's grunt was muffled by the snow. Yamamoto relaxed, smiling. Finally, payback for all those years ago.

Hasugawa gave Kenshin enough time to stagger to his feet, then grabbed his head and began to twist it slowly as he lifted him off the ground. Kenshin gasped and grabbed Hasugawa's arm with his good hand, straining to pull it away. That proving ineffective, he swung his feet back as far as he dared and slammed them into Hasugawa's ribs. Hasugawa snarled angrily, cracking his head against Kenshin's. The rurouni crashed into the snow and lay there dazedly as Hasugawa massaged his stomach.

"See Yamamoto, he's not so slippery. You just need the right skills." He stomped back to his horse, spitting at Kenshin as he passed. Several of the men slapped Hasugawa on the back and proffered congratulations. Hasugawa brushed them aside with a grunt.

"This still leaves us with the problem of what we're going to do," Patsu spoke up as Hasugawa trotted back to the Nishiyama-ya. Yamamoto was rubbing his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I think," He said carefully, "that Matsumura's right. It's too early to think about this. Let's go get some rest and we'll discuss it later." He received several incredulous stares.

"Taishou . . ."

"Where's he gonna be?" An accusing finger was pointed at Kenshin.

"He's going to be right here," Yamamoto said with certainty, picking his rope up from the ground.

"Taishou, are you crazy? He'll escape!" Junichiro exclaimed.

"No he won't. After ten minutes of sitting out here, he'll be half dead. We've got nothing to worry about. Trust me." Yamamoto nodded to Junichiro. "Bring him over here," He said, indicating the cherry tree he was standing next to. Junichiro complied.

"He's heavier than he looks," He grunted as he settled for dragging Kenshin across the snow.

"Hurry up!" Yamamoto snapped as he threw the rope over one of the top limbs of the tree. "Come on, I'm getting cold. Hold him up," He said impatiently as Junichiro released his cargo with a huff. Yamamoto jerked Kenshin's arms in front of him and quickly tied one end of the rope around them, pulling the rope until Kenshin's toes hardly touched the ground. He used the rest of the rope to secure Kenshin's body to the tree, then stepped back to scrutinize his handiwork, inspecting the rurouni from the bottom up. Yamamoto nodded satisfactorily.

"It's not for long Battousai," He said with false civility as Kenshin's face twisted with pain. "Just don't try to get away and you won't put any weight on that arm of yours."

"Yama . . . moto . . ." Kenshin said in a dangerously low voice.

"What, are you going to stare me to death?" Chuckling, Yamamoto gave Kenshin's face a light slap and then turned to walk to the Nishiyama-ya with his comrades.

000

Misao could clearly remember everything when she woke up. Standing in front of the fire, finally braving the flames to see Aoshi-sama fighting somebody, and suddenly the move that had cut her okashira in two. Misao started crying loudly, wishing her life had ended too. If she couldn't protect Aoshi-sama, what right did she have to live?

"Misao? What's wrong? Does your arm hurt?" Misao sniffled, faintly aware that she was being carried.

"A l-l-little-" Her tears dried suddenly as she recognized the voice. "A-Aoshi-sama!" Not daring to look, she squeezed her eyes shut and said, "Am I right? It's you, isn't it?" Maybe her senses were still dulled from the blast.

"Yes. What were you trying to do back there, burn yourself to death?" Misao didn't care that the tone was patronizing. Aoshi-sama was alive! Her eyes sprang open and she grinned up into his face. It was so covered with smoke that she could hardly recognize him.

"No! I knew that the ship was about to explode and I had to go warn you! I didn't think you could hear me, so I kept going-"

"Didn't you have faith that your okashira knew what was going on?" Misao bit her lip. Actually, the thought hadn't occurred to her.

"Um . . . Gomen nasai, Aoshi-sama. I thought-"

"Still, it's an admirable trait," Aoshi conceded, and Misao smiled. "Just never do it again for my sake."

"But–" Misao's grin faded.

"Your life is worth more than mine Misao," Aoshi interrupted sharply. "Don't throw it away."

"Hai," Misao responded softly, settling into Aoshi's arms. "Ne, Aoshi-sama, Omasu and Okon–"

"They're fine. They went to the Akabeko."

"Are we going back to Kaoru-san's dojo?" Misao asked, enjoying the free ride.

"Aah. And I believe that's Sagara just ahead of us, heading back as well."

"Really?" Misao sat up and followed Aoshi's gaze. A tall, lanky figure, hands stuffed in his pockets, was strolling their way. Misao noticed the spiky hair and red bandanna blowing gently. "Sagara!" She called, waving. She could see his face now and he looked tired but satisfied.

"Oi," Sano greeted them. "Aoshi, Misao, you look like hell."

"As do you," Aoshi responded. "The river blockade was a success?"

"Yeah, of course, they had me," Sano said. "And detaining the Heaven's Judges' ship?"

"Blown to the sky!" Misao crowed.

"No kidding?" Sano asked. "Way to go! Wait'll Kenshin hears that." He looked up into the sky. "Good night to snow huh? Feels nice."

"Um-hm," Misao agreed. They walked in companionable silence until they reached the dojo. The snow had begun to pick up, and drifts had gathered in the street.

"Jou-chan's gonna have a fit," Sano said as he raised his hand to knock on the gate. "Just when she'd cleaned the house." The gate flew open before Sano could even touch it and Kaoru rushed out, grabbing Sano around the waist in a hug.

"Sanosuke! Yokatta! I've been half out of my mind worrying about all of you!" She turned to Aoshi and Misao. "Misao-chan, you're hurt! Megumi's waiting inside, I'll go wake her. Come on, it's freezing out here."

"You look a little cold yourself Jou-chan," Sano remarked, noticing Kaoru's lips were tinged a bluish-purple. She flushed.

"Ano–I wanted to be here as soon as you got back, so I thought I'd wait outside," She said sheepishly.

"Baka," Sano shook his head. "Where'd you say the kitsune was? I busted my hand again and-" Kaoru screamed as Sano gingerly took his hand out of his pocket to inspect it.

"Sanosuke! What the hell did you do!" Sano frowned at her.

"Is that any way to talk to a man who just single-handedly stopped an entire troop of Heaven's Judges?"

"Don't you think you're exaggerating a little?" Misao muttered.

"And keep it down will you?" Sano continued, ignoring Misao's comment. "Megumi's gonna kick my ass enough as it is-" He swallowed the rest of his words as the shoji slid open just then, Megumi standing behind it.

"Kaoru-chan, I heard the noise." She gave the three combatants a once-over. "What were you saying about me, rooster-head?"

"I–that is–heh heh–" Sano held his hand up and grinned sheepishly. "You wanna wrap this for me one more time?"

000

The rest of the combatants returned at staggered intervals. Megumi went to work as soon as Sano, Aoshi and Misao walked in, going from one patient to the next in an organized fashion. Kaoru stayed up to help her although Megumi suspected half the reason was because she was still waiting for Kenshin to walk through the door. Kaoru finally took a break to move Yahiko and Kaiba from the doorway (they had fallen asleep) after five consecutive people tripped over them. Hiko walked in a few hours after the first three, grumbling about the weather. The most he had suffered was a superficial slash across his arm.

Katsura was the last to arrive, stumbling in just as the clock struck six. Kaoru jumped up when he pushed open the shoji. "Katsura-san!" She saw the spots of blood he was leaving.

"Kamiya-san," He returned, sinking onto the floor once he'd got to the dining room.

"Megumi-san!" Kaoru called. Megumi was taking a well-earned break. "Katsura-san's back!" She crouched down in front of Katsura. "Katsura-san, did you see Kenshin? Or Saitou-san?" She asked. Katsura shook his head slowly.

"Himura and Saitou were on the opposite side of the governor's. I'm not sure what they were doing. It was a vicious attack."

"Saitou did mention that," Hiko put in. He was sipping sake at the table. "It was the most strategic place after all. They should have sent me there." He shrugged indifferently. "But they didn't. What's done is done."

Megumi had come in and was looking at Katsura's wounds. He had been cut several times and had bruises on his face and torso.

"Katsura-san, what happened?" Kaoru asked, trying not to stare. Katsura was sipping the cup of tea Megumi handed him.

"They sent samurai on horseback, more than a hundred of them. They flanked us, and then had foot soldiers come behind them. It's a wonder we won. It only just ended, everyone was fighting strongly. I think some people broke off and began fighting in smaller groups. Himura and Saitou could have been with one of them." Katsura sipped at his tea again.

Kaoru jumped as there was an intense knock on the front door. She hurried over and threw the shoji open, gasping. "Saitou-san!" Saitou stepped into the house, looking for something. Blood dripped from his face and leg in several places.

"Has Battousai returned yet?" He asked, letting his sharp gaze rest on Kaoru who shook her head fearfully.

"N-no, have you seen him? Please come in Saitou-san, you look terrible." Saitou accepted her offer, nodding at Hiko.

"The last I saw Battousai was fighting a group of horsemen but that's what we were all doing. I followed a group of them through the woods to the Mura-ya. We managed to get them to surrender there. They had used up all their forces at the battle sights and were outnumbered pretty badly. Some of them retreated farther out, to Nishiyama-ya"

Saitou waved away the cup Megumi offered him. "No, thank you, if Battousai's not here then I can't stay around talking. There're still loose ends to clean up back at the office." Saitou walked to the door, turning before he closed the shoji behind him. "I interrogated one of the Heaven's Judges from Mura-ya and he said that the samurai were sent specifically for Battousai. You may want to go look for him. Not that he deserves it but it probably wouldn't sit well with all of you if he dies. Ja." Saitou closed the shoji softly, letting a few snowflakes whirl inside.

Kaoru stared at his back. "Kenshin . . ." Megumi had stopped her work on Katsura at Saitou's words. "What if–what if–" Kaoru couldn't bring herself to finish her sentence. "What're we going to do? I don't know where to look!"

Megumi picked up her needle to continue stitching Katsura and pointed to the room Sano was in. "I'm sure Sanosuke would volunteer to go, Kaoru-chan," She said.

"I can't do that to Sano, he's exhausted!" Kaoru said. Megumi's eyes flashed.

"Would you rather send Sanosuke out or have Ken-san die?"

"Well, when you put it like that–" Kaoru barged into Sano's room. She was surprised to find that he wasn't asleep but pulling his aku jacket over his head. "Sano–"

"I heard Saitou, Jou-chan," He said tersely. "I'm goin' out there and I'm not comin' back until I find Kenshin."

"Arigatou, Sanosuke," Kaoru stepped over to the ship-shape drawers and pulled a mino from them. "Here, wear this. It'll be warmer than that old jacket at least." Sano gave her a lop-sided smile and took it.

"Thanks. See you soon, Jou-chan." He slipped past her. "And don't worry. Kenshin can take care of himself. He's probably just–enjoying the snow or something." Sano closed his mouth before he could say anything else just as stupid. Kaoru followed him to the door and then sat down heavily at the table.

"Megumi-san, do you think Kenshin's alright?" She asked, glancing at the clock. Almost seven. Megumi closed her box as Katsura pulled his shirt back on.

"I'm sure," She said, forcing herself to be calm. Two people worrying wasn't going to help anything.

"But what if-" Kaoru broke off as Hiko stood up suddenly, pulling his cape around his shoulders.

"Your senseless worrying is really starting to get on my nerves," Hiko said impatiently. "I'm going to go take a walk," Kaoru stared at him in shock as he strode out the door.

"S-senseless worrying! I don't believe him! He's just going to–to sit back while Kenshin's missing!" Megumi gave her a reprimanding look.

"Kaoru-chan, you really do have a lot to learn about men. Of course he's going to look for Ken-san, it's his student after all."
"But–but he just said–" Kaoru stammered.

"Pride," Megumi interrupted with a wave of her hand. "As long as Ken-san's found, I don't care what he says. Now, help me clean this mess up." Kaoru looked at the path from the door to the dining room for the first time in hours and her hands flew to her face. There was hardly a spot that wasn't covered with blood.

"What's happened to my house!"

000

As the clouded sun crept over the horizon the snow continued to whirl around the still form against the cherry tree outside the Nishiyama-ya. Only a hint of red hair stuck out from under the pile of snow that had collected on Kenshin's head and shoulders. Kenshin had long ago stopped trying to free himself when his right arm had become too stiff to move. He was shivering uncontrollably now, almost unconscious from pain and cold. He hardly noticed when the door of the Nishiyama-ya was thrown open and Yamamoto walked out, pulling a cape on.

"Battousai, still alive?" Yamamoto called as he walked towards the tree. "Good. I know you're dying to know what we've decided on, so I'll tell you." He paused and breathed deeply. "It's not such a nice day is it? I'm sure you're sad that you don't get to see the sun once more." Yamamoto gave a melodramatic sigh. "Ah well, can't always get what we want can we?" He turned as Patsu, Junichiro and Matsumura stumbled from the Nishiyama-ya, blinking as the snow blew into their faces. "Wondered what was taking you so long," Yamamoto said calmly. Matsumura jabbed a finger at Junichiro.

"Couldn't find his katana,"

"Shut up," Junichiro growled. "Come on Yamamoto, let's get moving. We should have done this earlier, when it was still dark."

"Stop worrying, it's snowing enough." Yamamoto took his katana out and sliced the rope holding Kenshin's arms up. The rest of the rope slowly unwound under Kenshin's weight and he fell forward, unmoving.

"This isn't going to be any fun," Matsumura complained, nudging Kenshin's broken arm and getting no response. "Bring him inside first, he's not gonna be able to feel anything like this, he's already half frozen."

"Too much time," Junichiro argued.

"He can't walk in this state and it'll only be twenty minutes at the most," Patsu said. "Besides, we don't want him to have a painless death. Taishou?"

"Bring him in and hurry up," Yamamoto said. Patsu and Matsumura were right, Battousai wouldn't feel anything in his condition. They'd put some warmth back in him before bringing him to his final resting place.

Kenshin heard them talking although the words didn't really register. He was grateful for the sudden relief from the snow and wind though. His body began to sting fiercely after a few minutes and he knew warmth was rushing back into it. Soon he could hardly stand to move as wounds he had forgotten about flared into existence again.

Paying close attention, Junichiro hauled Kenshin to his feet as soon as he exhibited signs of once again being sensitive to his injuries. "Alright, let's go. I wouldn't doubt if the guntai went to look for stragglers at the river," He said.

"That's why we're going farther upstream," Patsu said. "Taishou," He cast a glance at Kenshin, "How're we getting there?"

"We walk, how else?" Yamamoto replied. "It's only ten minutes."

"Make that fifteen," Patsu said, nodding at Kenshin.

"There's nothing wrong with his legs, he can go just as fast as us," Yamamoto said. "Now shut up with the trivialities and let's go." Junichiro prodded Kenshin ahead of them, frowning periodically at the deep footprints they were leaving.

"If anyone tracks us to Nishiyama-ya they'll be able to find us," He said with worry.

"It's still snowing," Patsu responded. "We're almost there though, we can cover up on the way back." The snow had abated by the time they got to the river, which was still flowing strongly. They walked upstream for another mile before Yamamoto stopped. They were at the mouth of the river, where it ran into the Pacific.

"This is it," He said, nodding to a prayer stone in the middle of the river. "So fitting, don't you think Battousai? You're going to die on a rock that you Ishin put up."

"How're we getting over there?" Junichiro asked. "I'm not swimming out there."

"We had a boat here last night," Patsu went back to the tree-line and disappeared for a few seconds. He came out pulling a small dinghy. "See, we were ready for those idiots at the riverside to come tell us when they'd finished their job," He grunted, pushing the boat into the water where it tried to break away with the current.

"Watch who you're calling an idiot," Matsumura warned. "It's not our fault the Meiji guntai were waiting."

"It's over now, so stop arguing about it," Junichiro nudged Kenshin into the boat and the Heaven's Judges' members followed, Patsu taking up the oars. "Should we keep his head out of the water?" Junichiro asked thoughtfully.

"I've got a better idea," Matsumura said excitedly. "If we position him just right the tides will do the job." That idea went over well and Kenshin sat quietly as the three discussed his fate. He knew he had no right to begrudge them for taking his life. After all the people he had killed, all the lives he had subsequently ruined, he did deserve it. Still, he felt regret at leaving Sano and Yahiko behind. Sano was his best friend, and he knew how much Yahiko looked up to him. And then there was Kaoru-dono–Kenshin couldn't quite say how he felt about knowing he was never going to see her again. Part of him was unbearably sad but he was also a little relieved that she would no longer have to put up with the troubles still following him from his past.

"Wake up Battousai," Kenshin snapped out of his reverie as the boat grated against the grey stone in the middle of the river, brushing the small amount of snow away that had gathered there. Kenshin didn't have to feel the water to know it was freezing.

"If we just tie him up there he may be able to pull out," Patsu was saying.

"Not with a broken arm," Junichiro observed.

"But he could push himself up with his feet-" Matsumura began.

"You trying to tell me my rope-work is lacking?" Yamamoto asked.

"No, just that if we're going to do things we better do them right," Matsumura said. "There's not gonna be a second chance at this. I want to make sure he's not moving from this spot."

"He's right taishou," Junichiro said, lifting his saiya from his hakama with slow grace. "We should do all we can to make sure this ends right now." Everyone knew what he was preparing to do.

"Wait! We should wait until he's on the rock," Matsumura said. Junichiro replaced his saiya grudgingly.

"Guess so," He muttered. "Alright shrimp, get over there." Kenshin stepped onto the cold prayer stone, resigned to his fate. The icy river water was only at his chest but looking at the water ring around the stone, Kenshin saw high tide would find him underneath half a foot of water.

Ordering Patsu to keep the boat steady, Yamamoto stood at the prow and tied Kenshin to the prayer stone the same way he had to the cherry tree, giving a sharp tug afterwards to make sure the rope wouldn't pull loose. "So long Battousai," He said cheerfully. "I expect we'll see you floating down the river in a week or two." Yamamoto nodded to Junichiro. "Now you can make sure he's not getting out of this." They traded places and Junichiro hefted his saiya with anticipation, tapping it lightly against the side of the boat.

Kenshin saw what was coming and realizing there was nothing he could do about it dug his left hand into the rock and braced himself. Taking careful aim, Junichiro lifted his saiya and smashed it against the lower part of Kenshin's leg. The dry cracking sound it made was drowned out for the most part by Kenshin's tortured yell. "Takes care of that," Junichiro said with self-satisfaction, placing his saiya back in his hakama as he sat down in the boat.

"Wait, one more thing," Yamamoto grinned and pulled Kenshin's sakabatou from his hakama. "You deserve to have this Battousai. After all, you were one of the greatest swordsmen of the Revolution." He unwrapped part of the ribbon that decorated the handle and tied it through the circle carved at the top of the prayer stone. "Maybe it will bring you luck Battousai!" Yamamoto said tauntingly as he shoved the boat away from the stone. "Bring us back Patsu."

Kenshin watched through blurred vision as they rowed back to the shore, not looking back. The water had risen an inch already and he was starting to shiver again. Kenshin didn't wait for the boat to disappear from his view but began testing the ropes almost immediately. Yamamoto had done a thorough job again. If he pulled up, his arm refused to move, and if he pushed up, his leg screamed with pain.

Stifling a groan Kenshin turned his attention to the sakabatou Yamamoto had left. It was dangling temptingly just to the right of his broken arm. Forcing himself to forget about his arm, Kenshin painstakingly moved his hands to the right several inches. He opened his fingers slowly, holding his breath.

A wave crashed against the stone without warning and Kenshin made a desperate grab for the sakabatou, spluttering. His fingers brushed against it as it was swept out of his reach. After several more failed attempts, Kenshin had to give up and concentrate his efforts on staying above the rising water. It was difficult, as he had to constantly put pressure on his legs but it was better than drowning.

Kenshin choked on a mouthful of water as another wave washed over his head. He could hear his sakabatou clanging against the rock. The world around him gradually disappeared into a blue-grey haze. The numbing cold faded as well, leaving him feeling drowsy and unable to keep his eyes open. Deciding he could worry about the threat the water posed when he woke up, Kenshin drifted to sleep.

aku - evil

gomen nasai - I'm sorry

guntai - military

kenki - a swordsman's aura/spirit

mino - a little cape

okashira - commander

taishou - boss, leader

Thanks everyone who's hanging in 'til the end! Skenshingumi and xZig-zagx in particular. TrisakAminawn, glad to see you're a history buff like myself. I do know about Katsura's continued contribution to the Meiji era up to his death. As you mentioned though, the series Rurouni Kenshin begins after Katsura has already died, so when my story takes place he's obviously been dead a while. I think I mentioned in my notes in the first chapter he appeared in that I was taking extreme liberties with his character. Sorry if this bugs you, I just wanted him in the story though. Thanks for being so perceptive! Let me know if you happen upon any other historical anachronisms.