By the time he finally returned back to the Ochies, the snow had quicken its pace from its fall from the heavens and was falling in abundance. Soujiro still hesitated to take another step towards the home. His return was humiliating to him in a way. He was coming back because he really didn't have a choice and because he still needed help. He still stood there, for a moment, even though he shivered as he held his arms and lost feeling in his toes. The wind blew into him so that his knees finally gave and he fell upon them still grasping at his arms. My pride is going to get me killed, he thought bitterly. He raised his head in alert when he heard the shoji door ahead slid open and Masumi came rushing out with a blanket.

"Why did you stop?" Masumi questioned and instantly threw the blanket around his shoulders. Soujiro hadn't even respond before Masumi was trying to get him back on his feet.

"You were waiting?" Soujiro's voice quivered as he shivered. "I wasn't sure how my return would affect everyone." He thought that they really thought he had harmed Koharu. And he had by accident when he rammed his elbow into her stomach. She wasn't the only one to overreact. Once Masumi got him on his feet, he was able to maneuver on his own from there. It really was his own stubbornness that froze him on the spot.

"We would have only worried more if you didn't," Masumi replied. He led Soujiro inside the warm home. Once he shut the door behind him, he faced Soujiro with a very disconcerting expression. "It's your sister. She has only taken a turn for the worse."

"What do you mean? What's wrong?"

"Her fever hasn't broke...and she...she won't eat."

Soujiro's brow furrowed. "Because of me?"

"Yes, because of you," Ayaka interfered.

Soujiro and Masumi turned their attention upstairs to see Ayaka coming down after checking on Koharu. "Ayaka," Masumi said in a warning tone of voice.

She continued to approach Soujiro until she was standing just before him. "I'm afraid you're the only person she'll listen to." She paused and shifted her eyes away as she spoke her next words. "It looks like I owe you an apology, Seta. I really thought you were hurting her."

At first, Soujiro said nothing. His expression was empty as he carefully decided his next course of action. He finally shook his head at her and Masumi. "Actually, you were right all along about me."

"Soujiro, you don't need to explain anything," Masumi started in.

"Yes, he does," Ayaka turned her nose up at him. "What exactly was I right about?"

Soujiro continued. "I'm afraid you've been sheltering a wanted criminal. But I did it for Koharu's sake. I can't care for her. I know that now. She's just has no one else, but me."

Masumi only seemed saddened, but not repulsed as Ayaka clearly was revealing on her eyes.

"Did you hurt that little girl, or not?" Ayaka started to approach him more closely. Masumi grabbed her arm and only allowed her to approach Soujiro so closely.

Soujiro hesitated. His response could lead into a repeat of what happened just hours before and emotionally, he just couldn't take it again. Still, turning them against him would make them more eager to take care of Koharu so they could love and protect her the way she deserved it. And he had hurt her on more than one occasion. He started to open his mouth to confess.

"No! Don't you dare, Sou!"

They directed their attention upstairs to see a very weary Koharu who had clearly been listening in. She was already trying to approach them, but Soujiro saw from the small action alone, that it would be a grave mistake. "Koharu, stop!"

Her knee buckled from her lack of strength mixed with her desperation to quickly defend him, and she fell forward down the staircase. She didn't even make it halfway to deal with the worst of the fall before it was put to a stop when he seemed to leap off his foot and was already up the steps to grab her. She opened her eyes to find herself safely secured in his arms. Her shoulder had landed awkwardly into his torso.

"You rush into things without thinking," he said in a frustrated tone of voice. He gently pushed her off him. When Koharu got her weight somewhat stable, she fell back into him wrapping her arms around his neck to embrace him.

"I'm just glad you're safe!" She nearly took them both down the stairs that time and had knocked the air out of his lungs.

"Like that," he groaned, half out of breath as it added truth to his earlier statement. He had clutched her waist only to stabilize both their weight, but it was the closest to an embrace Koharu had ever gotten out of him.

Masumi was still impressed to see how fast Soujiro reacted while Ayaka finally got to witness his seemingly unnatural speed. It almost seemed like he had teleported from before them to the stairs. She also got to witness the true bond between them and how Koharu had complete trust in him. That was proven clearly from the trust fall she had practically performed before them.

"I understand you leaving. Just don't do it like that," she whispered as she tightened her hold. She would not have anyone thinking less of him, especially for her sake.

"I'm saying the truth." He pulled away to meet her gaze.

"It's not the truth!" She raised her voice for them all to hear. Her hold on him became more protective as she glared specifically at Ayaka. Soujiro always found it amusing when she became protective of him and it even made him smile. It was something that could have made a big difference in his younger years by how it just made him feel. "We changed. We both had to. We never fell back into our old ways. This was supposed to be a second chance for both of us."

"It doesn't change the fact I can't care for you, " he stood from his kneeling position he had landed in when catching her.

"Sou-"

That's enough," he whispered sternly. She was defending him, but possibly at the cost of her having a real family and home. He turned to face the couple and left Koharu on the steps as he approached the couple. "I know she's my responsibility, but as you can see, I have nothing to offer her. She'll die if she stays with me. And whether I've changed my ways or not, I'm still wanted for my crimes so it also puts her in danger."

Masumi figured from the beginning that Soujiro was in some trouble with the law, especially when mentioning that his son was a policeman. He only seemed to want to shelter the two all the more because he still saw Soujiro as just a child. Now that Soujiro had revealed the truth, he would be committing a crime sheltering him any longer. And that would not fair well for their son as a policeman.

"I wish I could give you something in return, but I can't," Soujiro could barely take his eyes off the floor now.

"You already have," Masumi spoke. "You saved our lives." Soujiro had honestly forgotten about that. It had been such a menial task he had performed, but what Masumi said was true. "We'll be happy to care for Koharu."

Soujiro finally focused his eyes to meet Masami's. He was is disbelief. "You will?"

There was a creak and soft thud when Koharu fell back on a step knowing now she lost her friend for forever. Soujiro turned to face her, but she wouldn't meet his eyes anymore. She at first looked furious, but then just plain heartbrokened. He realized then that he had never had to say goodbye before. He started to approach her again before she shook her head and stood before running back up the stairs.

"Koharu-" He started to go after her.

"You can't stay here anymore," Ayaka spoke up to stop him.

"I know." He huffed out loud as he looked over his shoulder to her. "I'll leave tonight. Just give me a minute."

"No," Masumi interjected. "I'm not sending him out in the cold like that. He'll leave tomorrow." Ayaka started to speak against it, but Masumi would have the final word. "He deserves to say goodbye to her. We owe them that much." He nodded to Soujiro to continue.

Soujiro acknowledged with a nod of his own and then continued upstairs. He turned down the hall only to nearly tumble over Koharu again. "Koharu!" He at first said irritably, but was still surprised to see her up. He had half expected her to be in her bed already crying and pouting to guilt him to change his mind.

Instead, she had been walking slowly down the hall with his sword to bring it back to him. "I know you won't forget it, but I thought I would bring it to you anyway." She still couldn't meet his eyes anymore.

He made her lower the sword she held out to him. "I'm not doing this because I'm angry. It's just what's best."

"Would you have done it if we haven't fought?".

When he didn't answer right away, she finally managed to raise her gaze to try and meet his. "A lot of factors played into it." He started. "But our fight made me realize that you are probably right. You probably do deserve to know what's wrong with me but I...I can't." He tugged at his blanket and Koharu knew that he was becoming self conscious of the scars on his back. "I can only tell you I'm the way I am because of my past. It made me like this. It's the only satisfying answer I can provide. And it's one more reason why you shouldn't stay with me. It isn't fair for you. Sometimes I can be unpredictable, sometimes violently unpredictable and heartless and one day I could lash out against you again."

Koharu didn't hesitate that time to throw her arms back around him to pull him in another tight embrace. "There's nothing wrong with you, Soujiro. I never should have pushed you into telling me." Her hold became more protective. "I just hope whoever hurt you like that paid for it."

"Oh they did," he managed to mumble through his lips as he placed his hands on her shoulders to push her away. Koharu wished just this once he would hold her back just as tightly, but one would almost think he was incapable of showing affection. He cringed more than anything whenever someone touched him and even when he allowed Koharu to grasp his hand or embrace him, he clearly revealed he was uncomfortable with it. He had come a long way since they first met, however. Koharu guessed she was the first one he had ever really got to open up to and it made her worry about him even more. He could easily shut himself back up being alone again and all the progress she had made opening him up could be lost. She felt she could understand why some days she got away with playfully wrestling him or showing her affection and while other days she had to give him his space. Whoever had harmed Soujiro had not just physically scarred him, but mentally scarred him. One day, he could be perfectly fine, but the next day, maybe even the next moment, he wouldn't be fine. The more she thought about it, the more she became scared for him. He was already starting to close himself back up because of letting her go. Do I not deserve a say in this? He needs me as much as I need him.

"Let's get you back in your bed." He guided her back to her room by placing his hand against her back. When he returned, he saw Koharu's original clothes folded in the corner and figured his must have already been washed and placed in his room. Ayaka really was eager for him to leave, but he could be thankful that he would have his clothes back cleaned. "Get well for me, okay?"

Oh no you don't. "Sou!" She barked. She clasped his hand as he was already turned to leave. "Stay with me."He was already smiling halfheartedly having expecting her to make him stay. "I overhead Masumi saying you should stay one more night. I won't sleep well if you leave now into the cold night."

"You're pulling that card again, eh?"

"Yes."

He chuckled softly. "All right, Koharu. I'll stay with you. As long as you don't try to change my mind about you staying here."

"I don't even want to think about it, but..." she turned away to her futon and made Soujiro follow. She reached over the other side to pull forth her music box and stood to approach him again. She had not given up on trying to remain by his side and she would try to find a way to remain so, but not at the cost of angering him again. The music box was just in case she failed. She yelped when she tripped on her blanket and nearly fell flat against her face. Soujiro didn't bother trying to warn her and caught her under her arms when she fell against him again. He knelt down and let her on her knees on her futon. "And Ayaka thinks I'm the clumsy one. That's enough moving around for you."

She reached for his wrist and shoved the music box into his palm. "It's yours now."

Soujiro stared fondly at the contraption for a moment before he shook his head as he tried to give it back. "I'm not taking this. It's your only memory of your mother and the rest of your family. I have no right."

"Yes, you do because you're my family." She pushed his hand back towards him but kept her hands enclosed on the one he clutched the music box with. "And you're to play it whenever you get sad. It got me through my darkest times. Maybe it will help you somehow. It will give me some peace of mind. You owe me that much." She still held his hand fondly but still struggled to meet his eyes. "Maybe...maybe one day you'll bring it back."

"Koharu," he started to speak honestly, "I don't know if I will ever be able-"

There was a knock on the open door before Masumi entered with the meals he and Ayaka had prepared. "I just thought I'd bring up dinner for you. Your welcomed to continue to stay up here and eat."

"Arigato, Masumi." He relieved Masumi of both dishes and passed one to Koharu. "I appreciate everything you've done for me."

Masumi bowed to his guest. "It's an honor, Seta Soujiro. You can leave the dishes just outside in the hall and I will collect them later." He turned and left the two alone again.

Masumi's kindness made both Koharu and Soujiro smile. Despite Masumi knowing a dark enough truth about Soujiro, he was still treating him with the same kindness as before. It made him feel better about leaving Koharu in their care. Ayaka had even proven she was suitable to care for Koharu and was already protective of her. Yes, I won't have to worry. She'll be happy. He sat his meal aside to finish the conversation. "Koharu, acting as your brother was just a cover. It's hardly going to matter when I'm gone. I can't accept this."

Koharu had said she had not wanted to fight, let alone linger on the subject, but those words had stung. "You never saw me as your sister?"

"I couldn't, because I knew deep down this couldn't last. It's... It's hard enough," he held the music box back out to her. "I can't be your family, especially now. I'm sorry, Koharu."

Koharu sat her meal aside and stared a a moment at the music box Soujiro was trying to return to her. Her gaze narrowed. She finally took the music box from him and sat it beside her meal. She was still on her knees where Soujiro had placed her on the bed. Her fists balled up and she risked lunging at him again. "Fuzakeru na baka! (Stop being stupid, fool!)" She threw him on his back with a loud thud as she clawed at the blanket over his shoulders Masumi had lent him.

Soujiro was just thankful he had his own meal aside before she launched herself at him. "You don't learn!" He raised his voice trying to defend himself from her punching blows. He restrained her wrists, but she continued to resist him.

"Soujiro no aho, you're my brother whether you like it or not! Don't you dare try and ruin that!"

"Get off me! And stop it with the language," he attempted to sit up as he spoke the last sentence more quietly. He didn't exactly have the best language either, but he certainly didn't teach Koharu to talk like that. It gave an idea on how angry he just made her. Koharu only lunged back at him back and shoved him flat against the floorboard.

"Ow!" She yelled when she collapsed on his torso from the force of the fall. She had also managed to knock the air out of him when she fell on her elbows against his chest.

"Are you done?" He cringed, half out of breath.

If she had more energy, she would have been holding him in another headlock by now and forcing him to take back those words. Instead, she showed her defeat when she became deadweight against him and clutching the blanket tightly at his shoulder. Those words had hurt. If she wasn't his sister, then what had she ever been to him? She was just a burden.

Soujiro risked moving and sat upright as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Koharu became all the more bitter when he started to push her away again.

"Is everything all right?" Masumi rushed to them from the other side of the door and out of breath.

"Hai. Sorry about that," Soujiro smiled as he rubbed the back of his neck embarrassingly. The couple must have thought they were murdering each other. He flinched when Koharu let her forehead drop back against his torso. "Koharu," he muttered to her embarrassingly as he placed his hand on her shoulder, but she didn't take the hint. She didn't care anymore if it didn't feel natural to him. She almost didn't care if he didn't see her as anything else but a burden. She still loved him.

Guilt overwhelmed Masumi's eyes as he was feeling responsible for having to keep Koharu and separating her from who he thought was her brother. To him, they weren't just siblings, but real friends. There just was no other choice but to let Soujiro go now and fulfill his wish to give Koharu a better life than he could.

"She's just...tired." He tried to play it off as it was normal. "Everything is fine. We won't disturb you again."

Masumi offered a sympathetic nod. "Let me know if there's anything I can do." He said and left them again.

When he left them again, Soujiro's forced smile dropped back into a frown as he looked back at Koharu. She still refused to meet his eyes and kept her head rested against him. Then his expression it fell into one of empathy. "If you promise to stop attacking me, I'll take your music box. Just make sure that's what you really want."

She nodded and obeyed begrudgingly when he pushed her away.

"Eat your meal," He ordered her knowing she had stubbornly avoided her meals that day. From that simple, but firm statement, Koharu knew she had to obey. Once they both finished their meals, Soujiro decided to stay by her side for the rest of the night. Though this time, he dozed off on the floor bedside her futon comfortable enough with the blanket that was lent to him. Koharu never could come up with a way to force her stay with him without it possibly starting a fight, and she could never forgive herself if they left each other is such a way.

She awoke the next morning to find him gone already and jerked upright on her bed furiously. She had expected him to pull such a stunt and she had been afraid of falling asleep for just that reason. She became even more bitter once she realized he didn't even take her music box. She threw her covers aside as her anger continue to blaze against him and she stumbled to her feet. "Soujiro!" She yelled. She slammed the door aside to his room to confirm his absence, but instead, was shocked to see him present within. He had just finished dressing back in his original clothes and had just slid the sword back through his sash when she slammed his door aside. Koharu nearly smiled, despite the fact she had invaded on his privacy and Soujiro revealed his irritation by the usual frown he had to give her.

"Forgive me. I should have knocked," she blushed as she tugged at her braid. She still had enough sense to be embarrassed by her own actions. "I was so sure you left though."

He sighed as he approached her. "I was about to. I guess I forgot already that you were on my schedule still."

She darted her eyes upwards to his. "So you were going to leave without saying goodbye?" She crossed her arms. "You're a jerk. But... wait here." She left him a moment and returned back with her music box. She took his hand and forced it in his grasp. "Remember to play it when you're sad. Okay?"

"Okay, Koharu," he smiled fondly as he closed his palm over it. "Arigato." When he had nothing else left to say, he managed to touch his hand across her forehead and ruffled her messy bed hair. "Be good for me." He then continued to walk past her, which almost seemed abrupt. Except for the fact he had just openly expressed his affection for her, and for a moment, she was left in the room astonished by it. She couldn't help but touch where his hand was just before. He didn't do it because he felt he had to in order to care for her. She had not expected it at all. The small gesture meant he really did care. She had not just been a burden, after all. She turned and watched him down the hallway until he disappeared down the steps. I can't let him go. He'll close himself back up! "Sou, wait!"

He was down the last step when she started to chase after him. She was going to do it. She was going to express why they needed each other. She was prepared to fight with him, for him.

He was turning to face her just as she was going to pour her heart out when three heavy knocks pounded into the side of the door Soujiro was about to exit through. His eyes shifted in alarm back ahead of him.

"This is the police, open up."

"Oh no," Koharu softly cried. "How-"

Soujiro raised his palm behind him towards her to silence her as the policeman pounded against the door again.

Masumi appeared just a moment later behind Koharu and he rushed down the steps ahead of her. He laid a protective hand on Soujiro's arm. "Go back upstairs. This probably has nothing to do with you."

"Are you willing to take that risk? Why else would they be here?" Soujiro whispered. "If they find out you sheltered me-"

"How would they have been able to track you this far?"

"I've learned not to underestimate them."

The knocks came abruptly showing the policeman's impatience.

"Be there in a moment!" Masumi called out. He looked at Soujiro again. "Get upstairs, now."

Soujiro finally gave in and obeyed the old man's request. He barely made a sound as he rushed back upstairs and pulled Koharu back with him so that they both disappeared from view.

Ayaka was just now rushing down the hallway after her husband. "What's going on?" She questioned Soujiro.

"It's the police," Koharu whispered out loud. She stood in front of Soujiro protectively. "Please don't give him up," she pleaded. Ayaka raised her cold gaze towards Soujiro. He stared for a moment back into her eyes trying to decipher her intentions and what he should do if she was too eager to give him up.

Ayaka didn't respond as she continued passed the two down the steps just as Masumi was opening the door. Soujiro's eyes followed suspiciously until she out of view.

Two policemen were at the door, one was younger and the other more experienced.

"What can I do for you two officers?" Masumi did well to hide his nervousness.

"We're questioning folks in the area on the whereabouts of a young man last seen in a village just northeast of Gifu. We think he's headed towards Kofu and we're trying to cut him off. He's an a assassin commonly known as Teken no Soujiro. We believe he's kidnapped a girl as well." The experienced one spoke up first.

Koharu turned to face Soujiro in sheer panic. "Kidnapped? And how do they know about the village we first traveled through?"

Soujiro had already figured it all out. His last stunt he performed at Gifu when running up the wall to escape and even dodging a bullet with his sword gave his identity away to anyone who had come looking for him. Since he was naturally trying to get as far from Kyoto as possible, the search for him would have continued east. Word must have somehow reached officials in Kofu he could be headed there and scouts were sent to at least question others on suspicious sightings, such as anyone carrying an illegal weapon.

"We just returned from Kofu yesterday. We saw nothing out of the ordinary."

"Is that so, Ochie?" The younger policeman questioned suspiciously. "Two bandits were found in the road and they confessed to robbing you. They said they were taken down by a man with a sword and there was a girl present at his side. Do you deny that?" This explained why the policemen had specifically chosen to question them.

Masumi wasn't that good of an actor and the question immediately backed him into a corner he didn't know how to get out, for his or Soujiro's sake.

"Koharu, no matter what happens, stay hidden," Soujiro whispered to her as he tightened his hold on his sword. He didn't allow time for a response before he openly revealed himself before the others and drew his sword in front of him. "I told you not to answer the door for any reason!" Soujiro put an angry face on.

Masumi and Ayaka whirled around having not expected the young samurai to reveal himself so quickly. Had Soujiro delayed a moment longer, the Ochies would have fallen under suspicion of sheltering him and that would cost them and Koharu everything. Soujiro leapt from the top step and landed just before Ayaka. When he raised his eyes towards her, Ayaka saw his intentions and attempted to dash in the opposite direction. In a flash, he lunged and aggressively grabbed at her, positioning her against him as he sat his blade across her throat. He put on his famous Teken smile as she shrieked in terror and the policemen drew their guns.

"Pathetic weaklings. So desperate to live, yet so easy to kill." he cackled out loud as he pressed the blade into her throat. "I should have known better than to trust the likes of you. Silly me."

A chill was sent down Koharu's back as he spoke those words in a strangely happy tone of voice. She knew it was an act, but she knew that this had also once been the real him. He had really thought the weak deserved to die. She shivered.

Soujiro even saw his act was disturbing Masumi and he relaxed his gaze subtly with a nod to confirm to Masumi he really meant no harm. Only then could Masumi's apprehensive face relax.

"Drop your weapons!" Soujiro demanded of the policemen as he arched Ayaka's back against him. The policemen exchanged wearisome glances before they felt best to obey the assassin. "Kick them away." Both the policeman obeyed and kicked their guns off to the side.

"What do you want?" The older policemen tried to keep to a calm voice.

There was a question Soujiro didn't know how to respond to right away. He obviously just wanted to leave, but the moment he let Ayaka go and try to get away, they would retrieve their guns and come after him. "Let's see," he continued to act out his facade. He had never exactly been in such a situation before.

"Take our horse." Masumi quickly suggested.

Soujiro had never actually ridden a horse but had experience tending to Shishio's horse and even pulling a carriage with them. He just hoped that those skills somehow transferred over to him actually being able to ride. "Fine. Prepare the horse."

Masumi started to leave until the young policeman started to block his way. "Now wait just a moment. Surely, there is something-"

"Step aside," Masumi spat. "He's holding a sword to my wife's throat. I'm not about to test his patience."

"Step aside," the other policeman said in agreement. "Let him through."

The young officer obeyed begrudgingly.

"Good man." Soujiro grinned.

Masumi left in a hurry and did not delay about bringing their horse to the front of the house. The horse was fully saddled and ready to ride.

"Step off to the side " Soujiro continued to instruct the policemen so they wouldn't try attacking him while he had his back turned. He pulled Ayaka aggressively through the open door. "You take one step towards me I'll slit her throat." He shoved a resistant Ayaka forward. "Move it!"

"You're psychotic!" Ayaka hollered.

"I know," Soujiro admitted with a smile. "But knowing is half the battle." He dragged Ayaka behind the horse next to Masumi as he completely dropped his villainous facade. "I'll leave the horse in Kofu for you."

"They'll be waiting for you there," Masumi felt the need to remind him.

Soujiro offered a more heartfelt smile. "Don't worry about me. I'll managed." He sheathed his weapon as he grabbed the reins of the horse. "You were of great help, too," he looked at Ayaka with his smile.

"It wasn't an act," Ayaka sneered.

"I know," Soujiro climbed to the saddle as he looked down one last time at the couple. "It still helped." He said it because he knew it would still get under her skin. He looked ahead and swiftly urge the horse forward with ease.

He was well on his way to freedom, and had started to put good distance between him and the Ochies when he recognize that shrill voice fill the air behind him.

"No!" Koharu screamed.

A gunshot was immediately fired after she screamed and snow and dirt beside the galloping horse erupted in the air. Soujiro's inexperience as a rider was shown when the horse skidded to a stop and staggered backwards repeatedly on it's hind legs and he struggled to get control while remaining in the saddle. "Easy!" Another shot was fired causing the horse to fully leap back on its hind legs and tossed Soujiro completely off the saddle to the ground.

"No, Soujiro!" Koharu screamed.

Soujiro twisted his body around on the ground to face what was going on behind him.

Koharu had revealed herself when the younger policeman took his gun back in hand and ran outside to attempt to shoot Soujiro down from afar. Just before he had fired his first shot, Koharu lunged at the man and grabbed at the gun. She threw off his aim just in time and another shot had accidentally been fired amidst their struggle. The second policeman now intervened by restraining Koharu's arms and trying to pull her away. Soujiro looked up in time to see the policeman aiming his gun at him again now that Koharu was being restrained.

"No!" She cried out as she violently fought against the policeman restraining her arms. In one last desperate effort, Koharu thrust her leg out with surprising flexibility and struck the policeman's hand with the gun just as it fired.

Soujiro still felt the need to jerk to the side when the bullet struck too close for his own comfort.

"Go, Soujiro!" She hollered.

Soujiro leapt back to his feet and dashed for the horse again that was still within his reach. He swiftly threw his leg over the saddle and even before he was fully settled, he was already pulling at the reins to urge the horse around. "Yah!" He charged back towards the Ochies home.

"What are you doing?" Koharu questioned in fear for him. She was jerked back by the policeman restraining her. "You're going the wrong way!"

Masumi stepped forward in concern before Ayaka pulled him back by his arm. They had to remain as innocent bystanders to not appear anymore involved, no matter the fate of Soujiro's or Koharu's.

The policeman with the gun smiled seeing the young assassin charging back ferociously towards him. "This kid is trying to play hero now." He aimed his weapon. "Criminals can't be heroes."

"Don't!" Koharu cried out helplessly just as he fired.

Soujiro hardly seemed phased when the first shot missed him and he straightened his legs against the sides of the horse so he could better steady his weight. The policeman followed up with another shot and then another before Soujiro, in premeditation, thrust his sword in front of him in one fluid strike and deflected the bullet. The force of the bullet, however, knocked the sword from his grasp and he was forced to abandon it as he charged forward. He reined the horse to an abrupt stop next to the porch glaring down at the policeman restraining Koharu.

The policeman raised his gun a final time at Soujiro. "You're without your sword, now. Are you surrendering, Teken?"

Soujiro shifted his fearsome gaze back to the young police officer. "Of course not."

"How do you plan on-" The man was silenced when Soujiro pulled his scabbard from his side and slammed it into the back hand of the policeman's hand. "Damn it!" The policeman cursed as he dropped his gun to clutch his hand. Soujiro managed to rein the horse ever closer with the scabbard raised and swung it across the policeman's face so that he was thrust to the ground from the force of the blow.

Koharu suddenly smiled wide when Soujiro urged the horse just a little closer towards her, and he extended his hand out to her. "Come on, Koharu," he said in a calm, gentle voice.

Soujiro didn't have to openly threaten the policeman restraining her for him to release her. He did so willingly. Koharu started to reach for Soujiro's hand until she saw the policeman on the ground starting to move again. Her fists clenched in resentment as she charged towards the policeman and kick his gun from his reach so that it fell from the porch to the ground. "Kutabare! (Go to hell!) She expressed her anger clearly before leaping off the porch. Soujiro reined the horse around to follow her and he turned to see her retrieving his sword for him. He smiled down at her when she held up his weapon, to which he took and returned to the scabbard.

They each grasped around each other's arm before he was able to haul her up on the saddle in front of him. He met the eyes of Masumi one last time, who's mouth was agaped after watching what had unfolded before him, and the fact that Soujiro blatantly struck a policeman. He managed to close his mouth and acknowledged Soujiro with a friendly nod just as Soujiro urged the horse onward to make their escape. He was right to come back for Koharu. She had just saved his life when she intervened and the police were not simply going to let it go. They would have taken her away and questioned her about Soujiro and there was no knowing what would become of her after that. She got to stay with him after all and was going to need his protection, now, more than ever.