AN: Finally! I know there has been longer pauses between posting new chapters. This one I actually had to rewrite because I just didn't like it the first time.

Thanks for the recent reviews, including from TOSoldtimer, ALWAlways and the one who has left the most reviews, kaoruca. ^-^

I always mean to thank people for reading and reviewing, but it's kind of a pain for me to get these chapters to post through my phone. It's a series of steps and I get too excited to finally hit that post button and forget to thank the people who keep me motivated XD but I was determined not to forget this time! I'm so happy you're enjoying it. Hopefully that's still the case with this chapter. ^-^'

Soujiro could hear the police blow their whistles in the distance as they were drawn to the scene he left behind at the inn. He was sure one of the employees at the inn had finally gone to fetch more back up. Whether they secretly praised Soujiro for what he did or not, those witnesses could not just stand around with three incapacitated officers in the building and not do anything. Still, their obvious reluctance had bought Soujiro and Koharu plenty of time to get away. They were treading slowly through the narrow streets and allies, now more focused trying to find shelter. Most people now had cleared the streets and were safe inside their homes as the storm started to get underway so they hardly worried about passing another soul along the way.

He paused against the wall and clutched at his chest as he worked to steady his breathing. His wrap hung loosely off his shoulders now because he was breaking out into a cold sweat. He was too hot wearing it but he was just as miserable without it. There was no relief that could be found. He would soon rather endure a beating from his foster family than have to endure this disease any longer.

He almost didn't realize he was falling out of consciousness. His eyes had even darkened until he hit his head against the wall he leaned against. He raised his head back up and noticed he was the only one on the street. He stood straight. "Koharu? Koharu!" Raising his voice caused him to cough.

"Sou?" He heard her voice before she turned the corner she had disappeared around of. She rushed back to meet him. "What is it -"

"Stop wandering off!" He snapped. He turned away and started coughing again.

Koharu coward slightly. "I'm sorry. I'm just trying to find shelter before the storm gets worse but without rushing you."

He exhaled and closed his eyes in regret. "I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean to yell. " Soujiro then let himself slide down against the wall and he unfolded his legs out bedside him.

The wind had started to pick up and the snow was falling in greater volume. Koharu felt she had to do something. "Sou, I can wander just a little bit ahead while you rest. I'll be fine." Her voice quivered anxiously.

"Just give me a few minutes." He smiled for her. "I'll be fine in a bit."

She frowned at hearing that. Soujiro didn't notice as he had already closed his eyes to rest. Koharu fell back against with a pout as she crossed her arms. Does he even care the snow is only going to get worse? We don't have time for this.

She looked at him and softened her pout seeing his pale face. It had not gained that much color since arriving. Koharu began to wonder if he ever really got a chance to heal since Kofu. If he had, it was backtracking. She knew she was losing him.

Soujiro opened his eyes when he felt her cold hand touch his hot face. He frowned while tilting his head away.

Koharu lowered her hand. "You wouldn't care if it was Avaron," she mumbled under her breath.

Soujiro scoffed at that remark, but didn't end up refuting it. He was sure she was right.

"Sor-" She started to apologize knowing she embarrassed him, but then cut herself off. She glared at him as she fell to her knees. "Forget it. I'm not going to apologize for being worried."

"Ah, now you're getting it."

Koharu found no humor in it and made that clear when she dropped her head against his torso. He shifted uncomfortably, but barely moved after that. After awhile, he even pulled his wrap back over his shoulders so to drape around her to help her stay warm. He might need the wrap more than she needed it, but it wouldn't stop him from offering any warmth he could provide for her. "Koharu… would you recognize the shop you and Avaron were at if you saw it again?"

She nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Do you remember where you followed me and first bumped into me? Near the Kamiya Dojo where that street fighter picked a fight with me?"

"I didn't know it was a dojo... But I think I remember it."

That's right, she can't read. He continued. "Would you remember how to get there from the dress shop?"

"Can't you?" She felt and heard him huff impatiently on his breath. She raised her head from his torso to answer the question. "If I had to…I think I could."

He then only nodded. He hesitated. A moment passed before he decided to continue. "I haven't told you this, but we've been offer sanctuary there."

Koharu immediately sat straight with newfound hope. "That's great, Sou!" She started. "What are we waiting for?"

He seemed to grimace at the thought. It didn't take long for Koharu to put it together. She thought back to when Soujiro fought off that street fighter and the words that were exchanged between the two. "That's right. Kenshin is there, isn't he? Yes! He'll want to help you!" She clutched at his wrists. He immediately jerked at her touch and scoffed. He was scoffing at the idea he alone had brought up, and Koharu had had it. She clutched his wrists more firmly to get his attention. "What is it with you? Even when you first mentioned Kenshin, you said his name with such detest. Why? Avaron didnt want to seek his help because you let her think he would hurt you, or that his friend would.… but it doesn't make sense that he would. It's like you resent him for keeping you alive!" She raised her voice. If he resented being kept alive, it meant he never had the will to live in the first place.

Soujiro glowered. He at first could only shrug it off. "From the moment I witnessed him extend mercy to someone weaker, it irritated me. I didn't understand."

"But you do now." She said as she squeezed his hands. "It's something else." She glowered back at him, as if waiting for a confession.

"I don't hold resentment towards Kenshin..." He tried to make clear. He was trying to avoid the question directly, but Koharu knew better now. She waited expectantly with a stern gaze she had no doubt learned from him. He started to open his mouth and finally confess before his eyes suddenly darted over her shoulder in alarm.

Koharu immediately followed his gaze but saw nothing. "What is it?" A moment later, she heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from around the corner. "How do they keep finding us?" She cried out in frustration.

"It's not exactly unpredictable that we sought shelter out here." He said as he grabbed at her shoulders. He turned his eyes skyward looking to the roofs. "That and I can be tracked more easily in the snow."

"What are you thinking?" Though she got the basic idea.

"The rooftops." He looked back at her while pulling her arm over his shoulders to carry her.

Koharu resisted his hold. "Sou, you can't! You barely survived jumping out a second story window!"

"I didn't nearly die from it. Come on, Koharu. We don't have time for this!"

Koharu let out a frustrated cry but obeyed and let him pick her up in his arms. The moment he took hold of her, he leapt to his feet and darted along the opposite path.

"Sou, shouldn't I be carried on your back?"

"You're right. ...I'm going to have to throw you."

"What!" She barked and only tightened her hold around him.

It had not been a mistake on his part. No matter what, he was going to end up slipping because of the weather conditions. He couldn't trust Koharu to hold onto him from his back when he would have to go to reach out to grab hold onto something before he would slide off the roof. Even if she could hold on, her added weight would make it that much difficult to pull both their bodies over in time before they were seen. However, if he gained enough momentum and air, he could throw her and have the few seconds to ground himself and catch her before she would slide past him.

"You're just going to have to trust me! Hold on!" He turned the next corner so they wouldn't be seen by the time their hunters turned the corner at the opposite end of the street. He only had a few seconds to map out his surroundings. He leapt and planted his heel against the wall and leapt off towards the sky in the opposite direction already gaining the momentum he needed to clear the roof. Once Koharu saw the ground shrinking from her feet, she turned away to bury her head into his chest, trying to not pass out. "I'm really sorry about this!" He yelled.

Once he cleared the two story building, he broke through Koharu's tight hold on him and shoved her as far as he could away from him before he landed. Koharu couldn't help but scream because of her fear. She landed on her backside and was alreadys sliding back towards him. Soujiro barely landed over the edge and slipped over his hands and knees, struggling to ground himself before he would have to grab her.

"Sou!" Koharu screamed. She had shifted to her side and did all she could to slow her momentum by planting her palms down beside her, but it did little good. He had hoped to catch her, but he had barely slowed to a stop and his heels were over the edge.

This idea sounded better in my head! he thought frantically.

Koharu was about to crash into him and send both flying down the roof. Moments before Koharu was going to strike him, he reached for his sword and drew it back near his shoulder, his palm pressing into the very end of the hilt. The last thing Koharu saw was Soujiro raising the sword with the point aimed at her. She didn't know what he was thinking and didn't get a chance to scream at him before she ended up plummeting into him. She screamed before it was cut short from her obi suddenly becoming too tight around her and she bolted to a stop.

She gazed around confusingly until her eyes fell upon the sword struck through her obi against the roof to hold her in place. It had only struck so far because of the dull blade. It suddenly tilted and shifted causing her to slide an inch further. She screamed. "Soujiro!" She cried out for him not knowing what had been the end result to her crashing into him. That and the fact she was about to fall anyway.

Soujiro had been struck and thrown over, but managed to grab hold of the edge of the roof with his one hand before he was completely thrown off. She saw his hand and then his other before he got his arm over and pulled himself up so his head and arms were visible to her. Koharu then saw something she would never be unable to unseen. While he heaved and tried to get himself over the edge, his breath was cut short. He choked and clawed his fingers into the snow and roof before he gagged and forced-cough the blood from his lungs then spat the clot of blood out. It was a sight that would haunt Koharu for the years to come. Despite the gruesome scene, she heard Soujiro take a deep breath before he might pass out from exerting himself. He then exhaled as he now worked to get his leg over the edge.

She tried to offer a helping hand but trying to extend her arm caused the sword to tilt and give a bit more. She screamed.

"Don't move!" He grunted out.

Koharu closed her eyes and nodded frantically.

"The scream was heard from over here!" The voice of an officer was heard.

Koharu's eyes snapped wide open. Oh no! I alerted them!

She looked back at Soujiro who had barely gotten his leg back over. His face twisted in agony from the effort it was taking him as he got his second foot over the rooftop. It was just a matter of shifting his weight around to fully ground himself over the ledge. Koharu found herself still trying to reach for him. "Sou... I'm sorry." She cried softly. She felt worse just sitting by watching him struggle.

"Koharu, don't!"

It was too late. The sword let go completely.

Soujiro barely managed to fall to his side in time to let her fall against him again. Because she was close in reach and couldn't strike him wth the same velocity, she merely slid into his hold without him being thrown off the edge again. The moment he caught her, Soujiro used the last few precious seconds to pull his wrap over them with his back to the edge of the roof and lay just slightly over her to conceal her and be out of view of the others approaching. The snow fell in great volumes and covered the whole of the roof and would work to add to the illusion he was trying to create. From the officers point of view, it would already be difficult for them to see where the tops of the roofs met the sky. His gray wrap worked to conceal the vibrant colors on Koharu's kimono and hopefully conceal him in case the officers happened to look up at the right time.

"See anything?"

"I can't see anything through this storm!"

"That was the girl all right." A familiar voice was heard. "They're out here somewhere."

Soujiro's eyes widened while Koharu had to to cover her mouth so not to gasp out loud. It was Chou. Koharu was quickly assured when Soujiro fixed his gaze back at her and smiled. "It's okay. He won't find us." He whispered for her to hear.

"I know you're there, Soujiro!" Chou suddenly hollered from below.

Koharu thought they were spotted after all, but Soujiro still didn't move. He merely frowned.

"You can surrender or freeze to death! Surrender and you and your little pet just might get to sleep in warm beds tonight." A moment was given for Soujiro to respond, which he still refused to. "Suit yourself. It's only a matter of time. Your end is near. Whichever end you want will be up to you."

Another moment that lasted too long past.

"Keep your eyes peeled. He's not going to be able to last in this storm for much longer. Especially the whelp traveling with him. Go on, move!" He ordered the two officers with him.

"Yes, sir!"

Chou smirked watching the two officers swiftly obey him and continued the search ahead. He was forced to work for the very people he tried to help eradicate. Even so, he was the one ordering them around like dogs now. They had to obey him in any hope of bringing Soujiro down. That alone made the hunt worth it.

The longer you delay, Soujiro, the more the Meiji will give to me to bring you down. You're only getting weaker and that weakness is making me stronger. He thought as he followed after the other officers.

When Soujiro sensed they were alone, he lifted his wrap from over his head and sat up so Koharu could be allowed to move. "Thank goodness Avaron ties a good knot, eh? I was slightly worried it would have only been yanked off because of what I did. Then we would have really been in trouble." Considering the obi is what holds the dress together.…

Koharu was dumbfounded. While what he said was true, he spoke in his usual lighthearted tone. He almost sounded like what just happened was of no real concern. She had watched him exert incredible strength to make the leap he had to only have her crash into him and make him work even harder to save their skins. She had watched him suffocate and then vomit out his own blood. It hadn't been a lot of blood, but the sight had still been gruesome for her. She blamed herself and lowered her gaze sadly.

"Koharu?"

"I think its about time you abandoned me. Broomhead is right. I'm only slowing you down. I nearly got you caught again."

She looked up when he ended up resting his palm on her shoulder. "Hey, I put you through that knowing full well how you would react. It was a risk I took, not you. We made it, so there's no use looking back. I just needed you to trust me ….like you always do." To scold her would make him no different then when her actual brother would force her to face her fears in twisted ways just to beat her when she reacted to it. "It wouldn't have been easier trying to out run them. This way, we're leaving no new tracks for them to follow."

She only nodded. She still desired more than anything that she could have been stronger for his sake.

"Come on. We're going to travel this route until our tracks are covered and we can't be followed."

He started to climb pass her until she gave a playful punch into his arm. "That's for nearly tearing off my dress with your sword."

He paused looking a little too guilty, especially with how she worded it. He gave off a nervous laugh. "Yeah, sorry about that too….speaking of which.…" He stood and awkwardly reached around her to pull the sword still stuck inside the obi. Koharu raised a perturb brow and tried looking where the sword had been. She hadn't even felt it and noticed it was still there from how thick and well the obi was tied. She couldn't imagine the precision needed to make such a strike. She didn't even think he harmed the fabric.

She still turned to face him with flushed cheeks and clenched fists.

"I said I was sorry," he said as he sheathed the weapon. He then extended his hand down to her. "You're not going to be able to walk well in that dress. Come on." He said more seriously.

He had to watch his balance and footing, but her's particularly and guide her up the slope until the highest point where they could tread on the flatter surface at the highest point. Koharu slipped several times, but was swiftly pulled to her feet from being able to hold Soujiro's hand with both of hers. Once they were at the top, he began treading and following the roof across that thankfully connected to others along the street so no other jumps had to be made. He braved the cold leading Koharu because of the more fierce winds beating against them. One hand kept his wrap from blowing away and the other guided Koharu from behind him. He didnt plan on staying long on the rooftops, just enough to get the distance between he and Chou.

"Sou?"

He turned to face her expecting her to say something of the cold winds and blizzard forming. He was about to encourage her until he saw the faint smile on her face.

"I've forgotten already what a view you get being this high," she said as she gazed as their surroundings. "It's worth freezing for a bit to see all this."

It was something he always failed to notice. He humored her and gazed at their surroundings. Not only was it an enchanting sight, but even off as far as he could see, he could make out the millions of snowflakes falling. The snow laced every surface he could see and framed every sloped rooftop. He realized how different it made Tokyo look, Japan overall. For a moment, it didn't feel like he was in Japan. It felt like he was peering into a world far from the one he had come to know.

Why is that? I've seen winter before. Maybe I just never took the time to actually notice. He looked back at her and smiled fondly as he watched her admire the snowfall and view around them. It was one more thing he got to give to her. It made up for what he had just put her through. He could almost forget he was being hunted and admire the beauty peacefully with her.

"Wait." Koharu narrowed her eyes in attempt to focus them. She pointed across from them down to a street over that still had some people bustling through. "I recognize that street. The shop Avaron and I was at is on that street."

"I know." He said and started to tread down the slope of the roof. " We should be okay for now. Let's go." He stepped down towards the slope and turned to face her keeping his hand extended out to her. "Come on."

Koharu already got nauseous taking into consideration how high they really were. It was easy to climb up and be able to focus on Soujiro the whole time, but she only saw the downward slope ahead of her now and where it led far below.

"Don't start doubting me now." He kept to a light hearted tone.

A small whine escaped her throat, but she still managed to extend her hand out to him. He took one step closer to try and ease her anxiety and be ready to catch her in case she fell.

A creak was heard.

Soujiro paused and withdrew his hand.

"What is it-"

Soujiro held his palm up to silence her. She hadn't heard anything with the wind picking up. Soujiro took a step back and slowly got down on one knee and started clearing the snow beneath until he saw the actual rooftop. It was about to cave.

You've got to be kidding me.

He slowly stood making the rooftop creak even louder. He looked back at Koharu. "Step a few paces back."

A look of dread overwhelmed her face. She meekly obeyed, despite not able to hold onto him for balance. Once he felt she wouldn't be in danger, he carefully started to tread towards her. Koharu continued tho back away. "That's enough." He told her when he saw her still trying to maneuver away. A strong gust of wind suddenly blew causing Koharu to scream and flail her arms about.

"Koharu!" Lunging to catch her only caused him to lose his footing and stumble over his knees. He started descending down the slope on his side.

"Sou!"

Koharu caught her balance before she could fall by falling over her knee and steadied her weight over her palms. She looked down at Soujiro seeing him safely slow to a stop down the slope of the roof. He shifted his eyes up at her and smiled in relief. "Well, that was a close one."

A louder creak was heard and then the sound of wood snapping.

Koharu saw the look of horror replace Soujiro's smile before the roof beneathed him collapsed and he disappeared with the section of the roof.

"Soujiro! She cried out.

She forgot her fear and got down to her side to slide down the slope into the newly formed hole after him. She didn't second guess her actions until the last moment before she fell through and screamed.

Soujiro was already clambering back to his feet when his back was struck with her body and he was catapulted forward back into the debris and landed on his stomach.

"Ow…." He croaked pathetically as he worked to get to his hands and feet again.

Koharu frantically called out to him again when she saw him and ended up tackling him back to the ground for the third time. "Thank goodness! Are you okay?"

He collapsed on his side from her love-attack. He at least managed to sit up to face her. "I'm fine." He quickly tried to assure her. "I will be if you stop tackling me to the ground." He gave her a playful shove.

Koharu was surprised to see him get right back up. He really did appear to be okay. She lifted his arm confusingly and prodded her finger into his side. "What are your bones made of to allow you to jump and fall through buildings?" It wasn't fair to her that she had jumped off a horse and sprained her ankle.

He yanked his arm free to shield his side and hide the fact he was ticklish. "I'm actually flattered you overcame your fear and jumped after me. It's nice to know I hold the same value to you as some pretty peach." He teased. It was the only other time she had willingly faced her fear of heights.

"Of course you do, dummy!"

He chuckled and took a moment to examine the room they had fell in. Considering the state of the roof, he had long figured the home had been abandoned and not taken care of by its previous owners. It had not been as noticeable with the amount of snow gathering at the top already. Koharu followed his gaze when he looked towards the ceiling hearing the wind pick up outside and the roof groaning in response. It was a difficult choice. It was a relief to be out of the blustering winds, but he wasn't sure if the rest of the structure could hold up against the storm through the night. It didn't take him much longer to come to a decision. This was the first shelter they had found and leaving it was as risky as remaining in it.

He looked back at the debris and started drawing out smaller pieces of wood to build a fire. As long as no one else walked on the roof, he felt okay lingering. He didnt worry about the smoke from the fire he was building being seen through the hole he fell through. The smoke would quickly become lost in the winter storm.

As soon as he made a decent pile of wood, he rested the blade of the sword against his shoulder and gathered a section of his hair over it to saw through to be use to light the fire.

"Don't do that!" Koharu scolded.

Soujiro paused mid-action with a raised a brow. It wasn't exactly a sacrifice for him, especially if it meant getting some warmth.

Koharu promptly sat in front of him and started undoing one of her braids. " Use my hair. It's longer and more likely to get the fire started."

"Are you sure? I know how you are about your hair."

"Just do it. It's a small sacrifice to pay to stay warm."

I guess I'm not allowed to harm a hair on my head either. He laughed inwardly at her as he took a small section of her hair over the blade began sawing it though. One would have thought he was about to cut his finger off by how Koharu lashed out at him. He thought it be best to let her make this small sacrifice. He understood that feeling of feeling useless to another and he knew it meant a lot to Koharu if he let her help. It was a fault with Shishio that Soujiro could be glad he didn't end up adopting. Often, Yumi had been left feeling too useless and even as the Tenken, he had felt sorry for her.

A rock was used against the sword to light the hair he cut off and placed inside the wood. It wasn't before long before they finally got a chance to gain the warmth they had long craved. Long, dull moments passed while they stayed as close as they could to their source of heat before having to brave the cold again. Meanwhile, Soujiro kept his eyes to the ceiling making sure it showed no sign of give against the storm.

Koharu decided it was time to risk angering him again. They had not gotten to finish their conversation before Chou had nearly found them. Soujiro had been about to say why he held such negative feelings towards the man that spared his life.

Another moment passed before she found her courage to speak of it. "Sou?"

He acknowledged her by shifting his gaze from the ceiling to her.

"Why do you hold anger towards Kenshin for keeping you alive? Aren't you happy your life was spared?"

She was surprised when he faintly smiled towards her, but then shyly looked away. "I was hoping you might forget we started that conversation. I should have known better.…" He sighed.

"You said you were confused. That he confused you because he shows mercy to the weak. That may have been you once, but not anymore. You understand why he does it."

"I know.…" He then shrugged gazing back at the fire. "To tell you means telling you something I've never told anyone. My problem with Kenshin is something he isn't aware of. No one is.…"

"Well, that's unfair if he doesn't even know why you're bitter towards him. I'm sure he'd want to fix it."

"He can't."

Another moment passed before Koharu maneuvered towards him and tugged at his sleeve. "Tell me. Maybe I can fix it."

Soujiro smiled at her even though he was just as doubtful as ever. "I don't resent Kenshin for sparing my life." He assured her. There was another moment of silence before he could continued. His lips fell straight. " ….I think it's resentment I'm holding onto though.… " He shifted his gaze back towards the flames. "I'm afraid that seeing him will unhinged me again…." His voice trembled thinking back to his dual with Kenshin. Back to where he suffered a mental breakdown. He never wanted Koharu to know that side of him and he already felt like he was on the verge of losing it just thinking about it.

Koharu's gaze remained intense, but she raised a confusing brow. "What do you mean?"

He still struggled to continue. After a moment, he finally caved completely for her sake. He nodded to her. "You're right, Koharu. I have come to understand how the weaker ones, including myself at times, need help. I also have learned the need to step in for others. Almost as soon as I took you in, I started to understand. What I don't understand... and struggle with... is what happened to me as a child.… Kenshin reminds me of what I lost and he makes me question if I ever needed to lose it in the first place. "

Koharu's face finally softened. She thought he had told her everything. She thought he had at least told Avaron everything that happened to him as a child. She thought Avaron knew the most important details. "What did you lose?"

"Innocence?" He stated more like a question as he gazed at the flames. He then raised his palms and gazed as if he could see the blood of those he had first taken. "Did I ever really need to shed their blood in the first place?" He closed his eyes and then his palms. Soujiro continued: "….To this day, I've never needed more help and protection than I did as a child. When Kenshin came along, and I tried to understand what he stood for, it angered me." His hands balled into a fists back over his arms. "If what he said was true, why did no one save me? Why did I have to murder them in order to live? Especially if what Kenshin believes is true? I don't hate him, but whenever I think of him and his no-killing ways, I get angry." His voice broke and his words seethed as he spoke. " I'm angry at what I was forced to do and what I was led to believe for most of my life. Kenshin is everything that I needed that night, but he wasn't-no one wasn't..."

He stopped to regather his thoughts and calm his nerves. "I still had to kill them. I had no choice. For me, it was kill or be killed. Be stronger or die. If Kenshin had been there, only then would it have been different and my hands free of the blood I spilled. I followed the path I did because it was clear that night if I wanted to live, I had to kill and feed off the weakness of others like my family did. Like the whole village, I had groveled to them. Shishio wasn't the first to prove that the strong feed off the weak. He only made it that much clearer to me! So when I finally snapped, I sealed my emotions to do what I thought needed to be done. …But according to Kenshin and the truth he lives by, I should have acted differently, or someone else should have acted for my sake. I don't know!" He shut his eyes as he gripped his arms even tighter. He kept his eyes shut tight as he finished speaking. "But no matter how I dissect what took place that night, I see no way I could have lived… except by… killing them."

Koharu thought she had come to know the burden he carried, but she now knew it went so much deeper than she realized. Soujiro had told her the one thing he had always kept to himself. She understood now that he was admitting to murdering his family and it constantly haunted him. In the end, he felt nothing but guilt and he wished more than anything that Kenshin, or someone like him had shown and proven to him differently from his young age. His family and master had been his only rolemodels and so had the truths they lived their lives by until Kenshin came along.

Soujiro opened his eyes when he felt Koharu rest both her hands on the sleeves of his arms. He was relieved to find she still gazed at him like she always had done since they first met. In a way, she could understand. She had never killed anybody, but her brother related by blood had killed to save her from her drunken father. She had witnessed Soujiro kill Hisato to save her. She had witness and understood the desperation to survive and live. She also knew she had gotten to be saved whenever it happened, unlike Soujiro.

"You're right, Soujiro. You should have been saved, but you didn't have anyone. You reacted like any other human being would. You fought for your life. You had to!" She only had to think about the scars on his back to know how horrible his family was to him and remember what Avaron had related to it out loud. The thought of it all made Koharu's blood boil. "I can't imagine the guilt you must carry every day, but I'm glad you did it. I'm glad you were stronger. It's no more than what they deserved!"

"Why would you say that?" He asked, rather surprised.

She now gripped and held at his arms. "Because you wouldn't be here if you didn't fight for your life then. It wasn't murder! It was self defense because they were trying to murder you. It's not fair that you had to. I agree with that with my whole heart. But I wouldn't have never known you if you didn't fight back. We both know I wasn't going to survive much longer in Gifu if you didn't come. If your life had ended that night, I would be dead by now. The thought of all that…." She clutched his sleeves more tightly. "I don't want to imagine that outcome for either of us. I want to believe we both survived and met for a reason." She stood straight on her knees to grasp at his shoulders. "Everything else you did were mistakes driven by a stupid lie fed to you to use you. I'm sorry, but it was!" She risked saying. She had wanted to say that since she first heard of Shishio. But she sensed now that Soujiro was finally putting the correct blame on his master. Even as she said it, he lowered his gaze but never ended up refuting her words. "I think Kenshin gave you hope. Hope you immediately dismissed because no one saved you and you didn't want to admit that what you were doing was wrong. It kept you sealed up on the inside until you fought Kenshin."

"I don't know." His voice shook. "Maybe. I couldn't wait to prove him wrong."

"And you couldn't! But you shouldn't be angry at him." She tried to persuade. "He didn't break you at all. You were broken long before he ever defeated you. You're angry because Kenshin proved to you that you should have saved. And you should have!" She clenched the fabric on his shoulders and lowered her forehead against his torso. She felt him jerk as she took hold of him, but she didn't lessen her grip. "I'm sorry no was there for you, but I'm not sorry that you're the one who lived. Right or wrong, I'd rather have you broken because of it than have died that night." Her voice was muffled from how tight she held him.

"Koharu.…" He barely got her name above a whisper. She didn't know how to read it. He had his arms merely hovering around her like they always did whenever she managed to embrace him. She didn't see how close he finally let his arms drop around her. She only thought she felt his hand brush against her head but disregarded everything when he suddenly shoved her off in broke into a series of coughs. He covered part of his face with his hand as he coughed and even choked.

Koharu knew now she crossed the line. Just as he poured his heart out, she had poured everything out she had wanted to say since meeting him. Things she feared he never would want to hear.

"Sou? I'm sorry! I just-"

He choked and then ended up releasing a soft cry. At first, she thought something was seriously wrong until he raised his tearful eyes. She saw the tears streaming down his face and then his guilty, but crooked smile when he lowered his arm. He tried to hold it all in, but failed miserably. His coughing had been more of a cover to try and contain it all.

"I failed to conceal that, didn't I?" He tried to dry his tears but they continued to flow against his will. She couldn't tell if his tears were being caused by grief, or if her words had moved him that much. It could easily be both.

Her question was answered when he shuddered another cry against his will right before he broke into his gentle laughter she had come to adore. He raised his head again with the tears still flowing and clutched at his forehead. He was mortified by his reaction. Soujiro shrugged as he spoke, "I think you broke me again." But this was nothing like the meltdown he suffered in front of Kenshin. To Koharu, it was endearing. It was like seeing him for the first time and seeing the person he always was meant to be shine through the darkness that had been clouded over his heart. She knew now her words were everything he needed to hear.

She smiled and threw her arms around back around him to give him the most affectionate embrace she could. "No, I love it!" She risked tightening her hold just a little bit more.

Soujiro had finally revealed everything to her and revealed what had been the root of his misery. Since meeting her, Koharu had slowly managed to help tear the brick of lies he spent his life building, but he felt sure now that she had torn it completely down for him. He felt as if the whole load had been lifted right off him. Even the aura around him felt lighter and different.

"Maybe now you'll let yourself mend all the way." Her hold on him became more stressed as she spoke the next words: "and your health too. "

He pulled away after a moment to meet her gaze. He still didn't return her embrace like she always hoped, but he held her wrists when he pulled her arms down from around him. "I will. I promise." He sounded resolved. She had given him every reason to hold onto his life now. He had been made to feel it was worth protecting since the beginning despite the grief it caused him. Even if she was the only reason he had to live, it was enough.

As night started to set in, Soujiro thought it best to let the fire die out. The smoke might not be noticeable at night with the storm raging on, but the glare of the fire could still be seen through the new opening in the roof. All a local might have to do was look out their window and think a fire was about to rage out of control.

"But its only going to get colder," Koharu whimpered as she watched the flames slowly die out.

Soujiro had positioned himself upright against a ruined wall. He smiled sympathetically and raised his arm with the wrap around it. "Come on. We'll both be warmer this way."

It always surprised Koharu, even now, whenever she was invited to be that close to him. She frowned, as if suspicious. "You mean you don't find it inappropriate?"

He shook his head with a laugh. "It's more inappropriate to let you freeze."

At that, Koharu eagerly approached him. She never had a problem sitting herself beside him and nestling herself against his side. He dropped his arm with the wrap around her and then folded the other end around them while she rested rested her arms around his waist. Her head was against his torso and she was already closing her eyes.

Actually, this feels better than the fire did. It's warm all around and I'm within the arms of the best guardian alive. She smiled giving her arms a squeeze around him. I bet this would make Avaron jealous. She opened her eyes halfway. I don't think he cringed that time either. She risked looking up at him and saw that his eyes were directed back towards the ceiling to make sure it was holding up against the storm. Wait….She suddenly thought. Does he plan on staying up all night to watch the storm? She berated herself for not knowing better and pulled away so to be able to meet his gaze. "Sou. You're the one that needs to sleep. I'll stay up if you're worried about the storm."

He had figured she might be troubled by that. "We can take turns. You fall asleep more quickly so I'll stay up for a bit. If I start getting tired, I'll let you know," he lied.

"Promise?"

He only nodded. Koharu was too gullible and trusting to know better. It didn't help that she simply loved being in his arms and protection. She knew of no other feeling she loved more and eagerly nestled back against him.

As he figured, it didn't take her long to fall into deep slumber. He smiled at her innocence then turned his attention back towards the storm as it raged on outside. "I think I understand you a bit more Kenshin. You're no more innocent than I am. So you fight for people like her so they can always have their innocence.… Of course, you'll do it for anyone. I'm not that generous. I just want to fight for her. Maybe for Avaron too…if I'm allowed to."

He shivered and pulled the wrap more taut around them. He turned away to cough before resting his head back over her. "I need to fight for her," he whispered, reminding himself why he needed to live.

It's enough for me.…

Koharu awoke a few hours later to the sound of Soujiro coughing over her and the sound of the house creaking and groaning against the storm. It sounded ready to go at any moment. She opened her eyes to utter darkness and had to let them adjust before looking up at him. She clutched at the fabric of his clothes noticing how damp they felt to the touch.

She sat up and found him sleeping and still coughing through it. "Sou?" She whispered. He remained asleep.

She sat straight seeing the paleness of his skin even in the darkness and reached her back hand to touch his cheek. She didn't know much about diseases and the symptoms they revealed, but she knew it wasn't natural to be that cold and sweat at the same time. She clutched at both of his hands feeling the same cold and sweat upon them.

He's not going to make it, she immediately panicked. "Soujiro no Baka, you're not as strong as you like to think!" She cried out frantically. He remained incoherent and only shifted his head ever so slightly with a wrinkled brow. She looked around, as if hoping the answer or cure would just reveal itself. She then darted her eyes back at him, still clutching at his hands.

He asked me where the dojo was for a reason. That's why he brought us this way…. In case we needed to go get help.

Kenshin might not have been able to save you then, but he can now.

She stood, still grasping his hands, but was reluctant to actually let go. She knew he needed help, but it was going to require leaving him behind. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't require leaving him behind in a structurally unsound building and her risking the rage of a storm. Even if she could drag him outside of it, he would less likely live that way. "Please stay safe," she whispered, trying not to let the tears blur her vision. She was going to need all her senses to navigate through this storm. She lowered his hands and pulled his wrap back around him, even though it did him little good at that point. She turned, hesitating the first few steps before she knew she had to force herself to act with urgency. "I'll be back with help and then you'll be okay." She said as fact before she was able to turn her back to him, and then brave the storm for his sake.

Koharu was thrashed with violent winds as soon as she opened the door to leave the abandoned home. She cringed using her arm and kimono sleeve to try and shield her face the the breath of the winter storm and ground her stance. The moment she adjusted, she shut the door behind her and began trudging through the storm.

The dress shop is the next street over. I should be able to navigate from there.

She still had to travel a ways down the street before she found a road that accessed the street just over where she needed to be. Too often, she had to stop and raise her arm with her sleeve to shield her face from the knife biting winds.

I hope this was a good idea.…I have no choice though. He'll die if he stays there much longer.

She had her back to the wind and all it took was a gust of it to make her stumble. No matter how the storm tried to beat her down and paralyze her, she kept her head up and eyes with a determined gaze. She finally turned down the main street where she with Soujiro and Avaron had strolled down barely two days ago. The street was long and there was no way of knowing which of the shops were the one her and Avaron were at. "This is the street. I'm sure of it. That's all that matters." The hard part would be remembering where to go from there. She trudged forward keeping her arm just under her gaze to try and shield herself from the blustering winds she now faced.

One step at a time.

Koharu was about halfway down the street when she came to her first turn off. She paused a moment trying to contemplate if she should keep going or go off the main path already.

Which way did Soujiro go that day?

"If you're looking for a certain rurouni, you're out of luck, little girl."

Koharu gasped as she whirled around and was immediately kicked into her torso into the snow. She sat up to see it was no other than Chou. She had not even heard him coming. "How-"

"You don't think I would have figured he'd become so desperate he'd seek out the Battousai?" Chou spat out as he drew his two swords. "Now, where is that smiling bastard? He wouldn't have sent you out here alone."

Koharu was still up on her elbows. She couldn't run from him. Not only did the weather make it impossible, but her kimono as well. Chou was armed from head to toe with weapons. He had the two swords he took from his back and also one at each hip.

How many swords can one guy carry? "I don't know." Koharu tried to deny. "We got seperated after that police found us. I've been looking -" she screamed when Chou thrust a sword down and stabbed her sleeve into the ground and held the other sword to her throat. "Last chance. Where is Tenken no Soujiro?"

"I'm not saying!" she finally cried out. She looked away in tears. She whimper when he pressed the sword into her throat. She thought swallowing was all she needed to do for it to pierce through.

"That isn't a problem. Your death will only lure him out that more quickly. However, there's one thing you should know before you die." He lowered his sword but kept the other pinned into her sleeve against the ground. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a certain, shattered brooch Koharu recognized instantly. It had once been apart of a hairpin she had admired the first she spotted it when it fell from Avaron's hair. "This was found on the train upon investigation." He cackled seeing Koharu's mouth drop and eyes widen at the sight. "So he won the heart of another girl, did he? A wealthy girl it would appear. I'm guessing that's how he managed to find a new sword so quickly. I'm afraid that's treason on her part. She'll have to be brought to justice, now won't she?"

"No!" Koharu cried. She tried to pull her arm free at the cost of tearing the sleeve. "You can't do that!"

Chou snatched the second sword up and stabbed it at the ground, then lunged at her to clutch her throat. She was forced to sit upright. "Where is Soujiro? Tell me and his shortlived girlfriend is left alone."

Koharu burst into tears only making Chou roll his eyes impatiently.

Either way, she'd be betraying Soujiro if stayed quiet or revealed his location. "He's-" Her words were lost in her sobs.

"Where?" Chou shook her throat savagely in his grasp.

"….If you promise to save him, I'll tell you." She finally uttered through her cries.

"What?" Chou spat. Then he put it together before she had to explain. He chuckled loosening his grasp around her. "Ah, so you really are out here alone... Trying to save him. What a loyal pet you are. Fine. I don't really have a choice. Tell me his location and I'll make sure he's taken care of."

Kohar opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when she heard rumbling like that of thunder in the distance. Her eyes then widened when she made sense of the sound. It couldn't be anything else but the building Soujiro was residing in just a few blocks away. It was collapsing. She was too late. She jerked in Chou's hold. "No! Soujiro!" She continued to try twisting out of his hold. "He's in trouble. The building he's in- it's collapsing-" She was cut off when Chou tightened his hand back around her throat.

"That's a darn shame. Shouldn't be too hard to find though. Best case scenario, I'll just have to find his body and report the unfortunate news. Looks like your role here is at its end after all."

She closed her eyes unable to openly express her grief. I failed... and so quickly!

Koharu's throat was suddenly let go a moment before a sword was to be driven into her. Before she even struck the ground, the sound of two swords were heard clashing and continued clashing against each other.

Chou released her and jumped far back to avoid Soujiro's descending blade that meant to strike the arm holding her up in the air. Chou had to let her go to raise his blade in time to block Soujiro's first attack. Soujiro did not stop. He thrust and swung his sword several times at Chou and grunted out in anger at each strike he threw at Chou to force him away from Koharu. Finally, there was a pause in Soujiro's relentless attacks when Chou caught Soujiro's blade against his sword and thrust the young samurai's sword off his own and kicked into Soujiro's knee at the same time. Soujiro collapsed to one knee and instinctively raised his sword over him to catch Chou's descending blade over it.

Chou stared down into Soujiro's fiery eyes gazing back at him while he resisted against Chou's blade over him. "It's nice you finally decided to show up," Chou snarled as he kicked Soujiro again to break his hold.

Soujiro collapsed to the ground and had to quickly maneuvered to the side knowing Chou would strike where he was left opened. He rolled back to his feet in time to to block another attack and parried Chou's attack off before he managed to back away to recover. Soujiro was already panting and fell to one knee grasping the sword in front of him to support him.

Chou was stun to see how worn out Soujiro already was. He understood Soujiro's condition better when he suddenly coughed out a clot of blood into the snow and continued through a series of backaching coughs.

"Sou!"

He heard her voice before she clutched at his arm to get his attention. "I'm sorry. You looked so sick. I got afraid for you and thought I could get you help."

He only nodded to her as he slowly stood from the ground. He could be angry at her for foolishly braving the weather conditions alone, but because he had managed to wake up and find her missing, he had left their hideout long before it caved in from the amount of snow that gathered at the top. He blamed himself for having fallen asleep. He had also lost his wrap at some point. The moment he saw what was about to be done to Koharu, he flew to protect her and forgot to hold onto the wrap.

Koharu tugged at his arm again and urged him down towards her height. "He knows about Avaron. He found her hairpin on the train." She wanted to make him aware before Chou would surprise him and use it to taunt him.

"What?" Soujiro huffed out angrily and directed his glare back at Chou.

"Ah yes, the girl from the train." Chou figured that's what sparked Soujiro's icy glare. He proved he knew her existence when he pulled the hairpin back out and tossed it to the ground in front of Soujiro to see.

Soujiro's eye's narrowed at the sight and he slowly raised his icy gaze back towards Chou. He urged Koharu behind him as he raised his sword back up to fight. He looked over his shoulder towards her "Remember the Kamiya Dojo. Go there for shelter. They'll take you in. I know they will."

Shelter? That's all I'm going for? Her original plan was to bring help, not find shelter for herself alone. She hesitated and wanted to confirm if that's what he really wanted. He left no room for her to speak, however.

Go Koharu, now!" He yelled impatiently.

Kohru finally obeyed and spun on her heel to continue in the direction she had been traveling.

"You think Kenshin is going to save you? He can't interfere without breaking the law!" Chou spat out in disbelief. Soujiro scoffed as he backed a few more paces and snatched the sword up Chou had left stabbed in the ground. Chou grinded and growled through his teeth in response just now realizing he had left a sword behind. He drew another sword with the other he held to prepare himself.

"I don't expect to be saved, nor am I desiring it." Soujiro said as he tested a few swings with the new sword he picked up. "Even if Kenshin can't keep his nose out of it," he then wield the two swords out in front of him, "you'll be dead long before he gets here. By then there won't be anyone to save!" he yelled and swiftly leapt off his foot towards Chou to bring about the first attack.

AN: So this would be the perfect part to abandon the story, right? Haha just kidding. Still, I read too many fanfictions that are abandoned at such scenes, which makes no sense. Just rip my heart out and crush it, why don't you? *drama queen alert*

I italicized and underlined Soujiro's words just to kind of show its the same exact words you read him speaking in the first chapter and draw attention to how it all fell into place and why Koharu is running at the beginning. Yes, we're finally there!

AIso, I never thought I would find a "theme" song for Soujiro and Koharu. I've never really looked but I'm cleaning the house and Breaking Benjamin comes on again and listening to the lyrics, I'm like: "hmph. There really is a song for everything." Please listen and feel free to tell me what you think….Especially for this particular chapter!

Look up: Without You - Breaking Benjamin

Anyway, I'm excited to continue it! I don't know how bad or good really I am describing fight scenes, but I do try! And a lot of people like to tease about the show Rurouni Kenshin and how these samuraies defy the laws of gravity so I figured I could get away with it too with the whole scene on the roof top. Hopefully it isn't too far fetched compared to the show.…..

Oh! I saw the first two live action films and kind of loved it ^-^' I can't believe Soujiro kidnaps Kaoru in it. That was a different twist. And the music score was awesome too! Some little stuff about the movie made me cringe but not enough to make me hate it. I would still totally buy it! Ironically, it was Chou's character that made me cringe XD his costume looked more like a cosplay... and so did Shishio's….. about everything else felt real though! Again the music! O.O