The blizzard winds had started to die down but the snowflakes still fell in large volume around them. It changed nothing for Soujiro. He had never felt more frozen and numb in his life. It was then he realized it was the same grief and sorrow he had been putting her through since Kofu, the pain he had put her through up to this very moment.. He knew now he had been too inconsiderate how his choices were affecting her. He could still barely comprehend how she valued and loved him. He was realizing too late how he valued and loved her. He clutched at her torn dress where it was bleeding through and felt her blood gush though the fabric where her heart was. He tried to slow the bleeding by bunching the fabric into it, but he knew it would do little good.
Yahiko was struggling with his own guilt. He felt part of him had let her go to run to Soujiro. She seemed so sure that Soujiro would stop and listen, but it came at a price neither Yahiko or Soujiro wanted to pay. Yahiko's job was to drag her back the moment he had caught up to her and regretted not doing so.
"Soujiro?" Kenshin risked a step forward. He still wasn't acknowledged by Soujiro. He continued: "Let's bring her back to the dojo. Something could still be done for her."
"Just her, right?"
"Sano-" Kenshin started too reprimand him.
"Don't even, Kenshin! I don't care if it was an accident, it was his rage that killed her!" Sanosuke raised a fist. "He is out of control! Do you really want such a monster lingering around the dojo near Kaoru?" Sanosuke only regretted those words when he saw the hurt strike Kenshin's own face. Kenshin's sins were no less than Soujiro's, and Sanosuke wondered if Kenshin had ever done such thing like Soujiro had to Koharu.
They both turned their attention back to Soujiro as he finally choked out a sob he couldn't keep in anymore. Once that happened, he couldn't stop and continued to sob into her matted dark hair. He had never known grief in this way. He felt a pain and emptiness he couldn't describe. It really felt like a part of him died and it was something he did not want to carry along with his regret and remorse. Trying not to feel anymore wouldn't cut it. Koharu had broken that curse completely to where he wouldn't know how to bury the pain anymore. He didnt even want to wait for the disease to finish him off. He couldn't face life ahead knowing what he had done to her. He had struck down his source of happiness. He had struck her down after promising her to remain her guardian.
Chou still stood before them them, not only shocked at what Soujiro had done, but seeing how much he had really cared for Koharu. How did an annoying brat like her make such an impact on the Tenken who was known not to feel? He stepped forward when Soujiro's sobs started to subside. "This doesn't change anything, Soujiro. I still have my orders. I still have to take you in."
Soujiro raised his tear filled eyes from Koharu, but couldn't stomach lifting his eyes any higher than off the ground. "I. Am. Not. Going with you," he said for the last time. Chou pointed the gun he had retrieved.
"There's only two options, Soujiro. You're too dangerous to be left alone -"
Chou stopped when Yahiko inserted himself in front of Soujiro with his arms raised. "Leave them alone, for goodness sake!" Yahiko at first had started to develop the same disdain and anger towards Soujiro that Sanosuke had until Soujiro openly expressed his grief the way he did. The fact that Kenshin was obviously sharing in Soujiro's pain made Yahiko feel the need to stand up for him, despite where Soujiro's actions had led him.
"What are you doing?" Soujiro questioned, his voice already broken from grieving out loud. He was still trying to hold back another wave of tears.
"Yahiko, you idiot get out -" Sanosuke started until Kenshin stepped forward and went to stand next to Yahiko. Sanosuke dropped his shoulders in defeat and felt it best to do the same, despite his detest towards Soujiro.
Soujiro now had Yahiko standing in front of him and Kenshin and Sanosuke beside him. He didn't understand these people and their desire to still help him. The fact that Yahiko stepped up first shocked him the most. He had never met the kid and he was ready to take a bullet for him, even after what he did to Koharu.
"He needs time to grieve," Kenshin explained. "It's not going to do anyone any good to take him in now. He'll stay with us under my guard until he's ready."
"Do you really think that the Meiji will accept that?" Chou scoffed in disbelief. He had not lowered the gun.
"If they hope to use the Tenken's talents at all, they'll have to back off!" Yahiko spat.
"They'll listen to Kenshin," Sanosuke spoke up. "They have more respect for him than you. At least he was never forced to work for them."
Soujiro would rather take the bullet from Chou's gun than accept either of those options. Going with Kenshin to grieve sounded about as miserable as Chou arresting him and accepting what lied beyond that. He knew these people would not step down now to let him take the easy way out.
He had cradled Koharu back against him resting his jaw just over her head to avoid gazing at her lifeless face. It would only spark another meltdown if he kept gazing upon it. His fingers clutched into her matted hair and he closed his eyes as a few tears still managed to escape from his closed eyes. He opened his eyes towards the ground and they fell upon the sword he had used against her. He didnt know why, but he released his hand from over her heart where his hand been bunching the fabric of the kimono over the wound he inflicted and placed his hand at the hilt of the sword. He used his thumb to brush the snow away that had already covered it.
Sanosuke looked down at Soujiro when he suddenly gasped out loud, like he had been holding his breath too long. He thought Soujiro was about to do something rash seeing his hand around the hilt of the sword. That was until his eyes focused on the lotus hand guard Soujiro had cleared the snow off of. Wait a minute... that sword was blunt, wasn't it? Sanosuke thought.
Just as he questioned it, Soujiro felt Koharu's head shift against his and she released a soft moan. It seemed too good to be true. He didn't pull her away until Koharu raised her hand and clutched at his arm supporting her head. "Sou?"
Yahiko and Kenshin whirled around to face him at the sound of her voice. Soujiro knew he wasn't imagining it when he saw the relief and joy already overwhelming their face.
"She's still alive!" Yahiko was the first to announce.
When Soujiro loosened his hold on her, Koharu was able to hold herself up and face him directly. She quickly had to pull her kimono taut to keep herself decent before them. She then directed her wrathful eyes at Soujiro. "It took something like this for you to hug me back?" Her hardened eyes softened when she noticed the tears still running down Soujiro's face and his momentarily, expressionless face. She had no idea how he had already begun grieving for her. "Sou?"
It startled her when he finally reached his hand against her face. "You're alive!" he said it like it just dawned on him. His tears were quick to turn into tears of joy as he burst into joyous laughter. "You're here! You came back!" She had been serious in what she last said, but was realizing now she had been thought dead and how overjoyed he was that she was alive. The words he had spoken instantly sounded familiar to her. She had said such joyous words to him when he rescued her from Hisato. It then touched her to see how happy her existence really made him.
He didn't know it, but his laughter and joy quickly became contagious, especially when she decided to fall back in his arms to see if he would embrace her again. He finally let his arms drop around her and clutched the back of her head against him. "Thank goodness!" he cried out. "You stupid girl, don't ever do that again." She was enthralled to finally have him return his affection to her. He held her like he always knew how to but it still shocked her to the point she very nearly forgot to return her affection.
Those around him were seeing the person Koharu knew him to be. Both Kenshin and Yahiko smiled out of joy and happiness seeing Koharu alive and how it was affecting Soujiro. Kenshin saw firsthand how she had changed him since he last had to leave Soujiro behind to face Shishio. It hurt even more to think what it would have done to the young samurai had he done permanent damage against Koharu.
Sanosuke, of course, fought the urge to give in to Soujiro's rejoicing. Chou had lowered the gun and was again, stun to see how such a girl was able to stir such emotion out of the former Tenken.
Soujiro pulled out of her embrace remembering she was still hurt. "I don't understand.… the way you screamed. I thought I…." He looked back towards Avaron's sword laying beside them.
"Well, it still hurt, dummy," Koharu grunted as she clutched her wounded shoulder. She followed his gaze until it came to rest on the sword. "But I guess I'm lucky you picked up that sword."
Soujiro shook his head. "No, I still could have ended up killing you with it." He still could have taken her life with it, especially if the blow had struck her head. "But had it been any other sword…you would be dead now." Thank you, Avaron.
Even though he had struck Koharu wth the sword meant to protect her, she was still alive because of it. He pulled her towards him and made her lower her sleeve to examine the wound again. He gulped still seeing how the strike fell right over her heart. The sword had struck at its deepest in her left shoulder towards her heart, but by the time the sword had completed the strike, it had only sliced through into her kimono. Had he struck any deeper into her, she would have died instantly. He knew he was fortunate to have her here with him. It really did feel like he was given a second chance.
Part of him still wanted to finish the fight with Chou, but he knew he had lost. He knew he was too weak, especially to have to face Kenshin again. He had been ready to throw it all away to what he thought would be better for Koharu and Avaron. But now that he knew the true pain of grief, he was sorry he had been too ready to put Koharu through such pain. He better understood the anger she had towards him on the train ride when she learned what he attempted to do once he sent her away. He understood now how selfish it was. He never wanted to put Koharu through the pain he just suffered through.
"Um…Sou.…" Koharu blushed as she struggled to keep herself modest while he seemed to just be staring. Obviously, the kimono itself had been sliced through so she struggled to keep her shoulders covered while keeping it enclosed around her.
He took his hand off her and looked away while shyly rubbed at the back of his neck. "Sorry." He just wanted to be sure he hadn't done worse by her. He picked up Avaron's blade and sheathed it before putting his arm back around her and carefully took her back in his arms before standing back up. He would carry her and keep her snug in his hold so she didn't have to fight the whole way back to keep herself modest before everyone.
"So I guess you won't be needing time to grieve after all."
Koharu cringed in his hold at hearing Chou's voice again. She still worried Chou would feed the fire in Soujiro that was finally cooling down. She looked to Kenshin to step in, but he was looking to Soujiro to make the decision. Soujiro seemed to ponder, but it was an obvious choice. He lifted his gaze towards Kenshin and was able to will a nod towards him.
"He's coming with us." Kenshin made clear for everyone. Koharu practically deflated in relief in Soujiro's hold.
"Is that so?"
"They both are in need of a doctor," Kenshin said as he looked over his shoulder towards Chou. "Even if Soujiro surrendered to you, he would have to be placed in immediate care. Fortunately, the best doctor in town is waiting back at the dojo. Soujiro will receive the care he needs there."
"Then I'll tell Yamagata where to find him. I'm sure he'll be delighted to know he's now under the watchful guard of the trusted Batoussai and will turn him in when we come for him."
Kenshin paid no more heed and turned to face Soujiro. He gave an encouraging smile towards Koharu, then back towards Soujiro. He was relieved for Soujiro's sake that Koharu would live. He knew Soujiro would have been beyond saving had such a tragic thing happened by his hand.
Soujiro took a moment to swallow his pride before turning to face the others and following them back to the dojo. Suspicious eyes were momentarily kept on him as he walked passed them after Kenshin. It couldn't be helped. Soujiro knew he gave them every reason to make it difficult to trust him.
His mind was briefly taken away the awkward moment when he felt Koharu clutch the fabric on his shoulder more tightly. Her gaze was far off and he felt her tense in his hold. "Are you okay?"
She nodded and slightly relaxed her fist on his shoulder, but her gaze remained saddened. She turned her head into her his torso and brought her arms up to hold his neck more firmly. Soujiro slowed to a stop and waited for the others to pass him before he questioned her again. Her hold was protective, but a hold like she was saying goodbye. "Koharu? What's wrong?"
".…Do you promise not to get mad?"
"Of course, what is it?"
Koharu pulled away so to be able to meet his gaze. "I always wanted to stay by your side. Just you and me against the world…but I realized now the world is just too big. It's too much and the more we've tried to fight against it, the worse its gotten for us. I know now what I wanted was a fool's dream. And its only gotten worse for you... living as a fugitive."
"What are you saying?"
She clenched her fist at his shoulder again and asked in an earnest tone: "Would it really be so bad if you worked for the Meiji?"
Soujiro flashed a look of repugnance and it was a look Koharu's heart couldn't take. She avoided it by dropping her head back against his neck. "At least you'll live that way... and you'll be good at it. And maybe not live in such isolation like you've had to."
Soujiro knew now that Koharu really was saying goodbye. Either way, the Meiji was coming for him and he had the choice of working for them or being executed. If not, the people around him would start paying the price. It was Koharu who felt his hold stiffen around her as all expression left his face again. He was suddenly disheartened. Either way, Koharu wasn't going to be able to stay by his side. He was not just going to be leaving her. It could also be seen as her being taken away from him. Where was she going to end up?
"Soujiro?" Kenshin called out from ahead.
Soujiro looked ahead to see all eyes turned back on him again. Sanosuke's posture had tensed, ready for a chase in case Soujiro would attempt to run. Soujiro did have a look like he was second guessing his decision to go with them. He wanted to run. Unlike Koharu, he wanted to keep fighting against the world and what it was expecting of him. It was almost too tempting to turn on his heel and keep running, but if the twelve year old girl in his arms was realizing what they wanted was a fool's hope, he really would be delusional to think otherwise. He met Kenshin's gaze and found the courage to take the next step forward. He had to trust Kenshin could protect her like he promised. That alone gave him enough reason to keep moving forward.
Soujiro then put on a smile as he passed Sanosuke. "Ease up rooster head."
Sanosuke aggressively took hold of his arm and gave Soujiro a jerk. "Hey, you're lucky she is still alive. Maybe I wouldn't have been able to kill you for what you did but you can bet I would have beat you within any inch of your life before Kenshin could stop me. I don't care what anyone else thinks, I know what you are and what you deserve and it isn't a second chance. How this girl sees any good in you and can still stand to be in your presence is beyond me because you could drop dead in front of me and I couldn't care less." Sanosuke made his feelings known. He still couldn't get over the fact that Soujiro had driven a blade into a small girl like Koharu and had done it with such rage.
"Hey -" Koharu barked angrily, ready to openly defend Soujiro.
Soujiro dropped the smile and said: "It's okay, Koharu. He's right. " He then shouldered off his hold and continued forward. "I know what I deserve."
Sanosuke was briefly met with Kenshin's disapproving eyes, but Kenshin kept quiet for now. Sanosuke was hotheaded and to rebuke him for what he said would probably lead to a fight they didn't have time for. However, all it took was that glance from Kenshin for him to start regretting those words. While Kenshin and Soujiro were two very different people, there was still much the two could relate to.
Koharu dropped her head with a pout against Soujiro as he followed after Kenshin again. She couldn't understand Sanosuke. Earlier, it had seemed like Sanosuke was willing to defend Soujiro, but she guessed he really was only doing it just to support Kenshin. She found herself holding onto him protectively again. He'll come to see him as I do. I won't have anyone thinking less of him.
Yahiko caught up to Soujiro's side and rolled his eyes. He put his hand over his mouth and leaned in with a whisper: "Don't listen to him. He practically said the same thing to Megumi and eventually got over it."
"I heard that!"
"Well, it's true!" Yahiko crossed his arms as he walked ahead of Soujiro.
Koharu looked up at Soujiro when he slowed to a stop again. "Sou, is something wrong?" He was breathing like he suddenly wasn't getting enough air.
He looked at her and smiled. "Hm? Yeah, I'm fine." He tried for her sake to act like was fine, but had begun breaking out in another cold sweat. As he tried to walk again, his weight shifted uneasily and his hold on Koharu slacked. He grunted softly as he struggled to support her anymore. He was briefly met with Kenshin's concern gaze until he closed his eyes trying to steady his breathing. He then lost all sense of direction.
"Sano, catch him!" Kenshin called out to hin.
Sanosuke was confused until he saw Soujiro's knees give out beneath him and lunged to barely catch Soujiro by his shoulders while Koharu slipped through Soujiro's grasp. She fell on her knees in front of the two with a yelp. Sanosuke eased Soujiro to his knees as he started coughing blood into the snow.
Yahiko first tried to check on Koharu, but she ended up pushing him aside. "Sou!" Koharu clambered on her hands and knees to get back by his side.
"You might get your wish yet " Soujiro uttered over his shoulder for Sanosuke to hear. He then turned away with a choked cough.
Sanosuke's deeper feelings on the matter were revealed when he gave a look of angst and regret towards Kenshin as he knelt down in front of him. Koharu was holding up his hand against her chest and stared anxiously as Kenshin touched his palm to Soujiro's forehead. Soujiro only looked away when he started to cough again and clutched at his chest.
"How were you even able to fight in this condition?" Sanosuke yelled. He abruptly forced Soujiro upright that openly show his disdain towards him, but it was just a cover to allow Soujiro to cough and breathe with more ease. Sanosuke knew he shouldn't be that surprised with Soujuro endurance. Kenshin was more than half dead by the time Shishio was defeated. Kenshin fought because he had to and was driven by the desire to live and return to his loved ones. It was similar to what had driven Soujiro to fight, but his body seemed to realize the battle was over and it had clearly taken its toll on him.
"I had no choice." It came out almost a whisper. It was true. He had to intervene from the beginning to save Koharu. From there, he had allowed his his rage to take control.
"I can't imagine what you're like as a swordsman in perfect health," Yahiko added in wonderment. "What I witnessed was amazing. Maybe you can show a fellow swordsman a few of those tricks."
He earned a small chuckle from Soujiro. From that point on, he started to become incoherent again. His head shifted away as dark spots started to fill his view. Koharu clutched his hand more tightly when it started to become limp in her hold.
"YOU moron, this isn't the time to ask for sword lessons," Sanosuke spat.
"I was complimenting him!"
"He's burning up," Kenshin said and lowered his hand. The urgency in his tone of voice quickly drew the others attention. "We need to get him indoors under Megumi's care as quickly as possible. Can you carry him?"
Sanosuke nodded and put Soujiro's arm around around his shoulder. "You better not pull another stunt like last time, kid."
Soujiro made no response. His head was turned away and he had closed his eyes.
"Sou?" Koharu tried to get him to at least acknowledge her. Even that faked, forced smile he often did to try and assure with would have sufficed, but he wouldn't even give her that. As he was lifted away from Koharu, she accidentally pulled the jade beads from his wrist from trying to hold onto him as long as she could.
Kenshin nodded. "We'll catch up." He turned his attention to Koharu who had hid the beads tightly in her fists.
She looked up with tears streaming down her face. "This is all my fault…."
" What? Of course not!" Yahiko couldn't fathom how she was blaming herself.
"I told him he should just surrender to the Meiji and work for them. I only said it because I want him to live but I think I just made him give up! No matter what, I'm going to lose him," she cried clutching the beads tightly in her hold.
"No." Kenshin assured. "If anything, you are what's making him hold on. Don't give way to despair. The affects of the duel just caught up to him. It's understandable why this happened. I assure you, it has nothing to do with you."
Koharu still couldn't help but blame herself. He clearly wasn't fine before, but he had at least seemed happy until she asked for him to surrender and then she knew what Sanosuke said had not helped. She looked up when Kenshin knelt down by her side. "Would you like me to carry you like he was doing it?"
Koharu had no choice but to accept his help, especially if a gust of wind decided to blow and take her by surprise. Kenshin took her into his arms and smiled kindly as they continued at a slower place. "I believe Kaoru will have some clothes that will fit you. She's lived at the dojo her whole life. I think she will like meeting you." He continued chatting with her to ease her sadness, but also the awkwardness that might come with him having to hold her. Presently, Koharu was in the company of complete strangers.
While she didn't drape her arms around Kenshin as affectionately like she did with Soujiro, Kenshin didn't feel as much as a stranger as he should have been. She felt about as safe and comfortable in his arms as she did in Soujiro's. She guessed it was because she got to know Kenshin through what Soujiro related about him throughout their journey together. Even when Soujiro wasn't thrilled speaking about Kenshin, he never actually said anything bad about him. To Koharu, he was the hero in what Soujiro related about him. That was obvious considering who Soujiro was serving at the time. She saw that clearly even when Kenshin had to stand and fight against Soujiro. He had tried not to fight Soujiro and it had not been easy for him to strike even a reverse blade against him to bring Soujiro to his hands and knees.
Koharu closed her eyes as she nestled in his hold. Maybe Kenshin can somehow protect Sou from the Meiji. At least from what they'll force him to do if he ends up working for them.
Days passed. Strangely, Chou or not a single government official came to apprehend Soujiro. The first day passed, second came and went and so did the third. It was all a blur to Soujiro. In the meantime, he was always under someone's watchful care, but of course, Koharu stuck to his side like glue. Most of the time, he remained still and incoherent. He might as well as been in a coma except for the times he needed to cough into a rag kept by his side. Megumi and Kenshin had both worked together to make sure he would stay nourished by cooking simple, but hearty meals easy to swallow and taking care not to make Soujiro choke on it. Like before, he was made to sleep upright comfortably with extra pillows so to be able to breath and consume his meals with more ease.
Kaoru had taken a liking to Koharu right away and was happy to lend her older clothes to her. Koharu was even devestated for her sake when Yahiko made the mistake to call Kaoru ugly in front of her. To Koharu, it brought on the feelings of hate and resentment she had for the boys that worked for Hisato and how they had treated her. It hurt Koharu even more because Kaoru was clearly beautiful to her. Koharu's true colors were seen when she ended up viciously attacking Yahiko and pinned him against the floor until he apologized to Kaoru… no one stopped her either. It was about the only time there was laughter during that span of time. Yahiko was quick to see Koharu more like a rotton sister than the frightened, gentle, maiden he might have first seen her as.
Kaoru at first kept her distance from Soujiro but was always lingering near when Kenshin was caring for him. After watching the others care for him, including Koharu and how she had no fear being by his side while holding his hand, her fear of him died way down. Of course, Koharu did whatever she could to ease the apprehension towards Soujiro and related only the good Soujiro had done since being with her. She related the beginning to where Soujiro saved her when she fell from the peach tree, when he rescued her from Hisato's hand, to where he saved her from the raging river that led him to saving the Ochies. She bragged like any proud sister would of their older brother.
By the third day, Kaoru found herself being able to stand next to Kenshin while he cared for Soujiro. He was supporting Soujiro's head trying to give him his first meal of the day, but struggled to feed him without making him choke. Soujiro eventually shook his head absentmindedly and turned his head away. Kenshin sighed in defeat and sat the bowl aside.
"Why don't you think the Meiji has come for him? Kaoru asked. It wasn't that she desired Soujiro to be arrested, but it was more unsettling that they were keeping their distance.
"There's obviously a reason why they're holding back. In someways, it's a relief and others it's disquieting. My only guess is they're keeping their distance to see if Soujiro will recover. It wouldn't be wise to try and move him in his condition. They must know that." He frowned when Soujiro's body twisted in discomfort as his breathing became more labored. Kenshin quickly brought his arm around Soujiro to make him sit upright and brought his wrist up holding the rag. After Soujiro coughed into the rag a few times, his breathing came back with more ease. Kaoru was already holding up a cup of water which Kenshin took to give to Soujiro. He allowed Soujiro to get the air back in his lungs before trying to give him the drink.
Soujiro grunted softly as he shook his head to not accept the drink. It was torture to have to swallow at all.
Kaoru frowned as she watched. You better start drinking some water. I went through a lot of trouble to get it. Her well was frozen solid because of the storm, but since it was vital that Soujiro stay hydrated, she had gathered fresh virgin snow and boiled it down under Megumi's guidance.
"Come on, Soujiro," Kenshin encouraged. "You have to try," he said as he touched the cup to his lips again. He was about as pushy as Koharu was. He felt Soujiro relent and tilted the cup for him to drink. He still only managed to get him to take a few sips before he had to lay Soujiro back down. He could still be heard wheezing softy. Kaoru ended up staring with such empathy now towards him. "Do you think he should go?" She was starting to second guess her feelings towards him about facing justice.
"Even Soujiro knows he can't escape the mistakes he made in his past. Like I've had to, he'll face the consequences sooner or later." He then gazed at Kaoru and smiled. "But I still ended up finding happiness I never thought I would find again. Happiness and joy I would rather have than have continued in isolation. And I believe the same awaits Soujiro if he'll just hold on," he said as he looked back towards the younger samurai. He said it because despite what Kaoru thought, he knew Soujiro was alert enough to hear the conversation. "It's definitely worth living longer for," Kenshin finished.
Koharu smiled at listening to their conversation. She had been made to leave his side to go get some food for herself and was just returning. She had remained in the hall listening in and watching how Kenshin cared for Soujiro. She felt Soujiro was finally given someone who he could look up to as a good example and have that very person care, actually care about his well being rather than just being used by them. Soujiro had little choice but to accept his help right now, but he had everything to gain if he continued to look up to Kenshin.
Soujiro didn't start becoming more alert until the following day when he felt the presence of another nearby. His hand was being held making him assume first it was Koharu. As he became more conscious of his surroundings, he realized it couldn't be. Koharu had been grasping his hand with both of hers and would hold it tightly, sometimes against her. His hand wasn't even being clutched, but rested beside him on the bed being held more carefully. He recognized the softness of her skin and how she expressed her care and affection by how her thumb carefully stroke over his knuckles. "Avaron?" He uttered tiredly. Then it dawned more clearly. Avaron? Here? He pulled his hand away as his eyes snapped opened. "Avaron, what are you doing here?"
She embarrassingly folded her hands on her lap with eyes on the ground. She felt now it had been inappropriate to touch him at all. "Why else would I be in a stranger's home?"
"How did you find me?"
She risked glancing up and was more ashamed when she saw how disappointed he looked. "Well, naturally I worried when you didn't show up for dinner like we planned. I even risked going to the inn the day after the storm... but it was like you were never there. I knew, of course, not to ask questions. I even started to assume right away that I had seen you for the last time.…That was until my aunt sent me to go pick up her medicine.…Dr. Gensai must have noticed my gloominess," she chuckled embarrassingly. "He asked if I was aware of where you were. Megumi happened to show up needing some supplies and allowed me to follow her back here…." She then shrugged and said: "And here I am."
"I told you we needed to limit our time together. The Meiji knows someone else helped me. You shouldn't have -"
Avaron suddenly dropped a facade that not even Soujiro had picked up on right away. Her face became more distressed and saddened.
Soujiro sat more upright and alert. "They already know."
Avaron nodded. "They're here already. They showed up just a few minutes after I did. Kenshin told me to remain in here while he handles it."
"Damn it!" Soujiro suddenly yelled. "That's why they haven't arrested me. They knew you were going to show up sooner or later!" In that very moment, nothing seemed more evil to Soujiro than what the Meiji just pulled. "Where's Koharu?"
Avaron hesitated to speak, only because she knew she had played right into the Meiji's plan to entrap Soujiro even more than he already was. She knew she had angered him because had she not sought him out, like he told her to, this wouldn't be happening. "Uh-I think she's -" she struggled to speak out of fear and regret.
When she took too long to speak up, Soujiro tossed his blanket aside and stumbled after his sword resting against the wall. Avaron's eyes filled with new anxiety and fear when Soujiro slammed the shoji door aside and rushed down the hall.
"No, Soujiro!" she cried out, but he was already gone.
Soujiro immediately spotted Koharu at the end of the hall leaning against the wall towards the room where the others were. She was acting like some sort of guard in the hall watching the dispute before her. She stood like the Meiji would have to fight her to get access to Soujiro's room. She turned to see the furious samurai trudging down the hall with a sword in hand. He was obviously in no position to be standing. His damp hair clung to his face from the sweat brought forth from his raging fever. He still panted softly and his steps were unsteady.
"Sou! You shouldn't be up. Please go back to bed." Koharu met him halfway and grabbed at his arm to stop him. "Please go back."
"Get out of my way," he said while he shoved her aside.
Koharu was nearly shoved to the ground and watched as Soujiro pulled the blade from his sheath as he entered the room. Oh no, he's making the exact mistake he made a few days ago! She looked up at Avaron who rushed beside her. She shared in Avaron's fear and anxiety over what was about to unfold.
Kenshin and the others were faced with four policemen, two Meiji soldiers, Chou and the rare presence of Yamagata himself. Seeing the man again did nothing to calm Soujiro's growing rage.
"Soujiro, no! Drop the sword!" Kenshin demanded right away. "I'm taking care of it."
Soujiro wouldn't hear him. All Soujiro knew was that Avaron's identity was known. Soujiro felt he might as well as been played. His gaze narrowed on Yamagata and Chou as he clutched his sword more firmly. "You've got a lot of nerve!" Every Meiji official present immediately started reaching for their weapon, except Yamagata. Soujiro was about to let his rage consume him again and raised his sword to attack. Even Kenshin started to reach for his own sword to quickly put an end to the fight before it would start.
"Soujiro, no!" Avaron hollered.
The moment Soujiro started to lunge to attack, Avaron charged and grabbed him forcibly from behind causing him to be aggressively shoved forward down the two steps exiting the hall. The sword was tossed from his hands when he was thrown against his stomach and was weighed down by Avaron's body. Everyone's mouth dropped at seeing who had been the one to charge and apprehend him.
Soujiro twisted around furiously to see Avaron's own raging eyes glaring down at him. She remained over his side with her palms planted on each side of him on the floor. "This is not what I loan the sword for!" She yelled.
Soujiro's held a fierce gaze towards her as he panted softly from the energy he already had to exert. She continued to glare her disapproving eyes upon him until it was Soujiro who looked away shamefully. She was instantly sorry she had ever trusted him with a precious sword. She regretted it when he first resorted to it in the first place to deal with the problem.
"Ah, so she confesses," Chou announced to drop a hint.
Avaron flashed a look of regret before two policemen seized her by her arms and pulled her off Soujiro. "No. No!" She cried out in fear and resisted them. She gave a frightened expression towards Soujiro that secretly was screaming for him to help her somehow.
Soujiro immediately sat up to defend her but was also quickly seized by the other two policemen and kept pinned to his knees. "No, let her go!" he screamed and violently resisted the policemens' hold on him. He locked his seething eyes towards Yamagata. "Order them to release her, now! She did nothing wrong! She's the one who stopped me!"
Yamagata only stared, too calm for the matter unfolding in front of him.
Soujiro growled and found the strength to stand against the two policemen trying to keep him on his knees. He thrust his elbow back into the man's ribs and pivoted on his heel to throw a right hook. When one policeman went down, the other took its place. When he still proved to be too much for the policemen to handle, the two Meiji soldiers stepped up and fought to keep Soujiro restrained.
Kaoru, Yahiko and Sanosuke also stepped up in Avaron's defense saying her stepping in like that proved she wasn't against the Meiji and how she openly confessed to lending the sword also proved it wasn't meant to be directly used against them.
Koharu had flown down the steps to aid Soujiro in fighting off the policemen. One policeman gave up trying to restrain Soujiro and turned his attention on Koharu and ended up dragging her away from Soujiro. Both Avaron and Koharu were now in the hands of the Meiji.
Megumi had started to step in for Avaron's and Koharu's sake, but was halted when Kenshin lowered his arm to stop her. Kenshin was no less pleased than anyone else than how the matter turned out, but now there was only one way it could end.
Yamagata never said a word and glanced back without feeling towards Soujiro's wrathful eyes. Soujiro's attention was directed back to Avaron when she was shoved flat against the wall to have her hands cuffed behind her. Meanwhile, he could hear Koharu screaming for his name as she feebly fought against the policeman restraining her. They were going to be dragged out of his life before his eyes.
One of the Meiji soldiers was about to raise his gun to strike Soujiro into obedience before Soujiro finally caved for the others sake. He closed his eyes falling over his knees into submission while his hands were still being restrained behind him. "All right! Stop it!" he cried out. It immediately became deathly quiet in the room. Avaron had been whirled around after her hands had been cuffed and was about to be dragged away with Koharu.
Soujiro rose halfway from his bow to direct his defeated gaze at Yamagata. " You win... I'll do it…. I'll serve the Meiji."
AN: The end!
( Just kidding)
kaoruca probably still wanted to punch him towards the end of this chapter XD sorry that comment made me laugh...