AN: I know this took a really long time but it was a chapter I rewrote over and over again and just didn't like anything I wrote out! Then it led to writer's block, then rewriting it again! I think I'm finally happy with it though. ^-^' I rather keep rewriting until I feel good about it instead of trying to get it up by a certain time, which is always my goal is to get it up in a reasonable amount of time... but not if its not something I'm going to feel good about.…
Anyway, kind of left it on a cliff hanger last chapter so I'll keep this short. Onwards with the story!
Soujiro rose halfway from his bow to direct his defeated gaze at Yamagata. " You win... I'll do it... I'll serve the Meiji." he uttered it begrudgingly as he lowered back into a bow. "Just let Avaron and Koharu go free and I'll do whatever you want."
Yamagata's gaze only became more stern and suspicious as he looked down at the clearly defeated samurai. Soujiro continued to remain in his bow even as Yamagata approached. Soujiro heard his heavy footsteps approach until he was standing close enough, Soujiro saw the man's boots beneath his gaze. "I told you it would have been better if you surrendered willingly. You've had months to think about my offer. It's too late to grant a criminal like yourself any special-"
"I did surrender!" Soujiro snapped and started to raise from his bow until an officer swiftly drew his blade. At the sound of the blade being drawn, Soujiro halted in time as the blade was brought to rest on the back of his neck and forced him back in a low bow.
"No, Soujiro!" Koharu cried out frantically while resisting the policeman's hold on her. She thought they might execute him before her eyes. "Don't! Let me go!" She looked to Kenshin but he had barely made a move or even said anything in Soujiro's behalf. He had started to step forward when the sword was drawn but forced himself to a halt before he would draw attention from the surrounding officers. It seemed like he would protect Soujiro if he had to, but Koharu couldn't understand why he was still letting this much be done to Soujiro.
"The moment I decided to go with Kenshin, I knew I was surrendering," Soujiro admitted out loud. "You need to let Avaron and Koharu go because they convinced me it would be for my own good. I don't want to make any other deals or special requests except for their release."
"I dont believe you." Yamagata spat out vehemently. "You just tried to charge in and attack -"
"Another reason to let Avaron go! She stopped me from acting on my fear and rage. You're arresting her for acting in behalf of the Meiji. She only gave me the sword to protect Koharu who your men tried to kill. She never doubted I would make Koharu's protection a priority. You can't blame her for wanting to protect the life of an innocent girl. Koharu would be dead if it weren't for her!"
Avaron's eyes glowered towards the ground at hearing that. She never considered she had actually acted in the Meiji's behalf. Soujiro might have thought he could take on all these men himself, but she saw it more as suicide on his part. She had acted more in his behalf. Whether Soujiro believed that or not, she knew now he was only trying to free her and she would incur his wrath if she tried to speak up in his behalf. She raised her head in time to see Yamagata's disapproving eyes upon her and she ended up turning her own head away in response. Her family was well respected and known within the Meiji, and she now risked bringing shame and disgrace on them. She didn't have much to care for when her reputation was already destroyed, but she saw now it could go beyond that.
After making his feelings silently known towards Avaron, he turned his gaze back down at Soujiro. He nodded to the policeman keeping his sword rested on Soujiro's neck to be lifted. Soujiro took that as a sign to sit up. "Swear it."
Soujiro met his gaze questionably.
"Look me in the eye, Tenken, and swear loyalty to the Meiji." He wanted Soujiro to have to say it before all his friends and witnesses.
Soujiro's jaw clenched and he shifted uncomfortably in the policeman's hold who still kept his arms restrained behind him. It seemed he would flatly refuse to pledge such allegiance out loud. It only took him another moment before he could will himself to raise his head up to meet Yamagata's stern gaze. "Will you let them go -" He was silenced when the soldier still standing by him finally rammed the end of his gun down at Soujiro's face.
"Answer the question!" The soidier yelled impatiently.
The force was strong enough so the policeman had to release Soujiro before he was taken down with him. Soujiro was tossed flat against his side and regained immobile for a moment.
"Hey!" Sanosuke started in angrily.
Koharu had started to scream out in a rage but her words were muffled from the officer restraining her and covering her mouth. Even Kaoru had covered her mouth with a light gasp at the violent act and had to be the one to stop Sanosuke from charging in at the Meiji as carelessly as Soujiro did. Kenshin had ended up looking away in time to not have to watch it.
"That's enough, step aside!" Yamagata ordered the soldier.
"Sir?"
"This isn't some interrogation, step aside!"
There was a scream with a curse that pulled everyone's attention back to Koharu, who was seen biting savagely into the policeman's hand over her mouth. She had even freed a hand to clasp over the officer's to shove his hand into her mouth for a deeper bite so the officer would be all the more desperate to release her. When she felt his hold overall loosening around her, she raised her elbow like she often saw Soujiro do and struck it behind her, which happened to be the man's groin. By the time she was free, the policeman was falling over his knees with a whine.
"Sou!" She narrowly dodged another policeman who tried to reach out and grab her. She growled determinedly and maneuvered around the officer and shoved him aside before running pass Yamagata and falling down on her knees beside Soujiro. He was steadily sitting up trying to slow the bleeding from his nose and mouth while trying to hold back the tears that came from the stinging pain. It was shocking to find that all his teeth were still in place. Nearly half his face would swell and bruise because of that strike.
"Koharu, it's best you stay out of this," he uttered through the stinging pain while trying to conceal the damage done to his face from her. "Get away from here."
Koharu did everything but obey those words. She turned around wrathfully as she grounded herself in front of Soujiro. "You're the criminals! Sou at least changed and is sick and you're taking advantage of it! You would have never stood a chance against him if he -"
"Koharu, no!"
She was halted when Soujiro grabbed her by her arm and jerked her behind him when the same soldier started to intervene to silence her. He was about to take another hit from him. Koharu had no idea who she was really talking to and had caused nearly everyone's jaw to drop in how she spoke to their superior.
"No!" Koharu cried out and wrapped her arms from behind around Soujiro's neck. She meant to take the blow she incurred, but only made it so they both were about to be struck. Soujiro was about to react defensively when it was Yamagata who stepped forward to grab the gun and halt the action of the gun before it struck Soujiro or Koharu. Yamagata didn't stop there and thrust it so it struck the soldier in the face and knocked him off his feet to his back against the ground.
"If I can handle your insolence, don't you think I can handle the girl's on my own?" Yamagata questioned the soldier disapprovingly.
The soldier was made to groan from the pain as he shifted to his side and clutched at his now broken nose. "The girl was speaking out of turn!" he cried out.
"She's barely slowing me down.…Perhaps you'll be best suited waiting outside until my business here is concluded. You're being more of a distraction than the girl."
The soidier seemed to know better than question the general. He replied with a begrudging bow, however, before he was made to leave.
Soujiro's jaw had fell open the moment Yamagata intervened. The lord of the Imperial Meiji Army had just intervened in his behalf. Soujiro as well as the others were stunned to see Yamagata even reprove one of his own men. All of them were stun, except Kenshin, who was more relieved. Yamagata spoke up in such a way that proved he was still the same respectful man Kenshin had long known. Kenshin had been ready to intervene again when he saw what was about to unfold from Soujiro's resistance, even though it would have been for Koharu's sake.
"Time is precious to me, Tenken," Yamagata said more impatiently. "Swear your loyalty to the Meiji or I will have you face justice by means of an execution."
Soujiro felt Koharu's hold tighten around him and her head fall more heavily against his. "Just say it," she cried softly into his ear. He was moved to look fondly towards her. She just wanted him to live, but he desired her's and Avaron's freedom more. The fact that she was still being allowed to hold on to him gave Soujiro some faith his one request would be fulfilled. He felt Koharu was the reason Yamagata decided to intervene before the soidier would strike them. First, Yamagata must clearly detest the thought of injustice being committed against women and children and had probably stepped in mainly to protect her. Second, Koharu's affection and being able to freely cling to Soujiro showed Yamagata that maybe Soujiro had changed for the better when his first concern had been protecting her.
Soujiro then looked towards Avaron, who seemed even more distraught and unsure than he did. She was still shackled and ready to be dragged away depending on his answer. It wasn't unnoticed to him what she may have cost her family and their reputation for his sake. Even if he had a small percentage to help her keep her family reputation, he wanted to have the courage to take this chance to help her. It had taken her such courage to help him. He last met Kenshin's gaze, who was gazing compassionately toward him and offered him a reassuring nod. Soujiro wasn't sure what that meant for him, but knew what he had to say.
It still didn't make the words any easier to form through his mouth. He still felt like he was selling his soul to the devil, and that was saying something considering who he used to work for. Soujiro slowly turned his gaze back up to Yamagata and willed a short nod. "You and the Meiji both have my allegiance and loyalty. Whatever skills I have are at your disposal."
Yamagata kept a firm gaze locked on Soujiro as if to scrutinize whether what Soujiro said would be more than just words. When Soujiro's eyes remained focused without sly, he nodded to the officer keeping Avaron restrained. She was released.
"You're fortunate your family has proved loyal to the Meiji and is of valuable service. It's for their sake I'm letting you go. I suggest you find company elsewhere and not among criminals."
Avaron's face twisted in a rage as she fought to hold down a scoff towards her superior. Though her emerald eyes revealed her thoughts fully, she held her tongue. His words were nothing but hypocritical to her, especially after what she had witnessed done against her and Soujiro.
Yamagata turned his attention back to Soujiro when he heard his labored breathing and was reminded of his weakened state. While Soujiro's symptoms were starting to show through, Yamagata clearly saw Soujiro more relieved at the moment than focused on his illness. He noticed even more clearly than the disease that this was not the same person he confronted in Kyoto. That much was obvious seeing the small girl cling so freely to him. But it was going to take Soujiro more than that to prove himself loyal to the Meiji.
"Take him into custody and get him to a hospital," Yamagata ordered Chou.
"What?" Koharu cried out. It somehow came too sudden for her. "No!"
"It's okay," Soujiro whispered in an attempt to assure her as he faced her. "I knew this was coming."
"No! You're home, Sou," Koharu cried out and embraced him again. She tried to lower her voice for him to hear only. "You're my home. Without you, I have nothing." The thought of him leaving scared her even more because there was still the chance of him dying. This would possibly her last moment she was going to have with him. "You need to stay a little longer," she begged of him.
"I can't." He didn't return her embraced only because the police were already pulling him to his feet and shackling his hands behind him. "I'm sorry, Koharu." It was all he managed to get out to her before he was shoved forward and with Chou following close behind. He was not being taken seriously by them with his disease. The police thought Soujiro had fought too aggressively to be sick as he really was. Even as he was forced to his feet he started to cough and struggled to not cough blood on himself or the ground that would only add to his pitiful shame.
"No, Sou!" She started to reach out again before Yahiko stepped up to block her. He feared the police would only get aggressive towards her. She looked up angrily at him only because he had been the one to assure her Kenshin would not let anyone down. She wasn't just let down, but heartbroken. In one moment, she and Soujiro lost everything. This was supposed to be their sanctuary. She had wanted Kenshin to be everything to Soujiro that Shishio should have been, but he had stood by and let Soujiro suffer pain and humiliation.
Soujiro forced himself to keep his head forward and not hear Koharu's cries for him when it was Avaron who inserted herself before him and his escorts. He quickly turned his head away. He was unsure the state of his face after it being struck by the gun and hadn't even wanted Koharu to see it. Avaron's action surprised him after thinking he had frightened her, then letting her down after he recklessly charged in with the sword. She didn't have a look of being let down at all. Now that she had blatantly blocked him and his escorts, she became lost for words. She only did it because she didn't know when she might see him again. She just didn't know how to say farewell.
"If you aren't going to say anything, step aside, " the officer closest to her ordered. Avaron remained still, having only outstretched her hand towards him slightly in her apprehension.
They started to force Soujiro pass her before she again stepped forward and cut them off. "Avaron, what are you -" He stopped when Avaron finally reached her fingertips to his face and then her backhand if the same hand.
She then shook her head anxiously. "Koharu's right. You shouldn't be leaving," she whispered and openly expressed her affection when she stroked his damp hair from his face. Even as she did it, she watched him close his eyes and very briefly felt the weight of his head fall against her hand making her give a halfhearted smile. "You need to stay here," she whispered.
Soujiro opened his eyes and fully met her gaze tentatively and shook his head confusingly. He didn't understand what she meant. Koharu had said it because she would miss him immensely, or so he thought. While that may also be true with Avaron, he saw that she was being rather austere about it.
Kenshin couldn't help but note Yamagata's reaction to Avaron openly displaying her affection for Soujiro. He seemed shocked as well as displeased at the sight. It surprised them all really. Kenshin turned his gaze back towards Avaron. Who is she exactly? he wondered.
"Ohara!" Yamagata spoke out impatiently.
As if broken from a spell, Soujiro turned his head completely from Avaron and her affection. "Please don't ruin this," he whispered back towards her. Even if its what he deserved, he only found the will to surrender and voice his allegiance out loud in exchanged for her to have her freedom and keep her family reputation intact. "It's okay. I'll be fine."
Avaron lowered her hand when she felt Megumi rest her arm around her to urge her away... only she was surprised that it wasn't Megumi's intention to urge Avaron out of the way. Megumi remained standing next to her blocking Soujiro and his escorts. "No, you won't be," she stated bluntly to him.
Soujiro's mouth opened to counter the reply until his attention was diverted to Kenshin while he passed the two women. His gaze locked with Soujiro's, whose gaze became more suspicious and apathetic towards Kenshin. Soujiro had lost track of how long he has actually stayed within the dojo, but knew Kenshin had played a role in caring for him. However, he was realizing this was only the second time he was meeting Kenshin face to face since arriving at the dojo. He had hardly said a word to him since arriving.
Kenshin's face remained calm but resolved as he looked away from Soujiro to Yamagata and continued approaching him.
"What's the meaning of this?" Yamagata questioned Kenshin.
"Chou once related to us the outcome to Sadojima Houji," Kenshin started. "His skills and knowledge would have have undoubtedly been of great value to the Meiji. But because his wishes were left unfulfilled and he was left in incarceration, he ended his own life. You clearly value the talents and skills of Soujiro no Tenken. Like you, I believe he can do a lot of good for the Meiji."
Soujiro rolled his eyes at hearing that. Where are you going with this, Kenshin?
"His one wish was fulfilled," Chou reminded them. "Though she clearly wants to join him seeing how she continues to defy the Meiji." He tried not to appear intimidated when Soujiro flashed him a threatening glare.
"That's not the issue," Megumi stated. The attention was now back to her. "It's the incarceration. You may provide Soujiro with the best doctors but not even the best can cure his disease. What's happening is you're taking him away from everyone and everything that matters to him. Whether it's a prison or hospital, he'll be left alone. It isn't healthy for a person in good health, let alone one in Soujiro's state. Perhaps Sadojima would still be here if he wasn't left by himself and his wishes appeased. "
" So just what is it are you suggesting?" Chou questioned, even though it was becoming clear.
"A doctor isn't what he needs," Kenshin continued. "Being with those he cares about in a lightened atmosphere is his best medicine. If you truly desire him to live, he must be allowed to remain here, under my watchful guard and with the people that care about him."
Yamagata shook his head disapprovingly. "He's a criminal. You expect me to simply allow him to be given special treatment?"
"It hasn't exactly been a vacation here," Soujiro uttered tiredly on his breath and was immediately hushed by Megumi. He frowned at her but took it as a hint he needed to stay quiet before he ruined things again. He figured Kenshin was trying to follow though on the original plan he must have had to keep the Meiji from taking him and the others away.
"With all due respect, it's for his own good that he remains," Kenshin continued. "As I've said, he'll remain under my watchful guard. I will take full responsibility if something happens to him."
Soujiro turned his gaze towards Kenshin even though Kenshin was now mostly obstructed by the police officers still keeping a hold on him. It amazed him how much Kenshin was already risking for him and he didn't understand why, given their brief history together . Even Kenshin had said earlier that Soujiro needed to face the consequences of his past. He didn't fully understand what was going on. Would my death really been imminent if I left here? Is that what they're really worried about? He asked in thought as he met Avaron's apprehensive gaze again. She gazed squeezing her hands into a tight ball in front of her as if anticipating his fate. I've survived worst than this... I think...
"Say I allowed it, how long are you hoping he'll remain here?" Yamagata questioned.
Kenshin and then the others turned their attention back to Megumi.
"A few weeks. Give him until the end of the season at least."
Soujiro's eyes widened in surprise. The idea did sound better than where he was going, until Megumi went on to explain why he should stay.
"What?" Chou barked. "A few weeks? That's more like a few months! If this is some way to delay the inevitable-"
"It isn't." Megumi made clear. "Either way, Soujiro's health is never going to be the same again." She was then met with Soujiro's questionable, despairing face. It was something he had not been aware of either. "You've suffered severe weight and muscle loss." She now spoke like she was speaking to him alone. "You'll need that much more time to rebuild your strength," she stated honestly. "Tuberculosis never fully leaves an individual and it leaves their health permanently weakened. You still may struggle to fight off other colds or flus throughout your life."
"What?" he exclaimed in shock. He would be weakened for the rest of his life. It was making more sense why they were intent on having him remain.
"Are you saying this could affect his service to the Meiji?" Yamagata questioned.
The sound of Soujiro's chains could be here clanking by how tightly he suddenly clenched his fists behind him. It only mattered to these people that he could still be used just the same. What if he couldn't be used? Would he just be sent to die anyway?
"Soujiro will return just as strong," Kenshin promised. "That's if he's allowed to stay until Megumi says otherwise. Surviving this disease isn't enough for him. He'll need even more time to recover his full strength before he can be of any use for the Meiji."
There was a period of silence before Yamagata could finally will a curt nod. He exhaled in defeat. "It appears there's no other choice. Do you agree with these terms Tenken?"
Soujiro kept his back stubbornly to his audience, his hands still clenched behind him and his eyes closed. He was going to be Kenshin's prisoner before he was handed back to the Meiji. How was he supposed to respond? Especially knowing his health might not ever be the same. None of It seemed worth it anymore. It was too much to even speak.
It was the soft voice that spoke next that sealed his decision.
"Sou, say yes," Koharu begged. That offer was better than anything she could have hoped for in that moment. Even though he would still end up leaving her, she would get to say a real goodbye and maybe without such heartache next time.
At the sound of her soft voice begging him to say just one word, he caved and only for her sake. His fists relaxed and his shoulders dropped as he was allowed to turn to face them. "Yes." Then he added: "I accept those terms." As much as he hated it, the offer was better than anything he could have hoped for as well.
On Yamagata's nod, Soujiro was released from his cuffs and let go. When Yamagata started to depart, Soujiro was forced back on his knees as a reminder where he stood compared to the Lord of the Imperial Army. Had Soujiro not been weakened by his disease, he would have quickly reminded them who he was, but that would have to come later.
Yamagata spoke his final words to Soujiro for now when he crossed in front of him. "I respect and trust Kenshin. He's the only reason you're getting any special accommodation. If you survive this disease and able to regain your former strength, I expect you to follow through on the promise you made. These people are responsible for you now and will have to pay a price if you do anything to jeopardize that promise. Have I made myself clear?"
"If it's your wish…your majesty," Soujiro uttered mockingly with an added bow.
Kenshin cringed when the policeman grabbed Soujiro by the scalp of his hair to pull him up from his bow and kneed him in his chest. The strike forced Soujiro to choke and start him through a series of painful coughs.
Yahiko had to secure his hold on Koharu and even cover her mouth when she started to curse at the police officer. "Did you not just see where that mistake led him?" Yahiko whispered sternly to her. Koharu emitted a soft growled but stopped resisting against Yahiko. She, nonetheless, remained tense in his hold. Koharu just wished the Meiji would leave already.
"That's enough. I think he gets the picture," Yamagata stated. He wasn't quick to reprove the officer that time after Soujiro mocked him openly. Even Kenshin glowered towards the younger samurai disapprovingly. He knew Soujiro wasn't regretting it after incurring it. Even after being struck and thrown back over his knees in proper submission, Kenshin saw traces of a smirk forming that Soujiro struggled to conceal.
Yamagata started to leave before adding one last thought. "I'm not forcing you in this because I want or value your skills that much. It would be easier to have you sent off to be executed. I need you alive because of what you know. It's clear to me you have information and insight no other Juppongatana was privileged to have."
" Oh? Regarding what?" Soujiro pretended to be interested.
"Let's just say Shishio's death hasn't stopped some from trying to finish what he started. I'm sure you have had dealings with these criminals while serving your master. That's all I wish to reveal at this time, but it's vital you cooperate with us." He turned his attention back to Kenshin. "In fact, I need the Tenken's identity and cooperation kept secret. It's vital for the work he has ahead of him." After all, anyone who had heard the name Tenken likely never faced him and lived. Soujiro would need to recover his strength for that reason alone to prove who he was later down the road.
Kenshin gave a small bow of his head. "His secret and identity will remain safe here."
"Very well. I will take my leave then. Release him," Yamagata ordered the officers again who had retaken hold of him after he openly mocked the general. Soujiro still felt best to wait until Yamagata would leave and drain the room of his entourage before he dared move again.
Avaron decided against it and took it upon herself to approach him once the officers started to back off. She got down by his side where he was left in a submissive position over his knees and forearms. She took hold of his arm to urge him out of the bow and back to his feet. "Come on. It's okay." She said it even though the policemen were still watching them closely.
Megumi caught on to what Avaron was doing and was secretly delighted when Soujiro trusted and obeyed Avaron. Had Soujiro tried to stand alone, the police might have bullied him back on his knees until Yamagata would leave the room, but so far, they were being left alone as the officials started to take their leave. Soujiro wouldn't last be seen groveling to them. It was a small act by Avaron that gave him back his dignity and he seemed to realize that once he was standing beside her. He was able to return a half hearted smile knowing he obviously had not made her completely fearful of him.
"Ohara, there is no reason for you to have to remain here. Allow one of my men to escort you home," Yamagata stated with his back to them still.
Avaron shifted her eyes confusingly from Soujiro to her superior. "My lord?" Even as she spoke, she still held at Soujiro's arm and hand affectionately.
"Remember where you come from, Ohara," he stated her family name once more. "That's an order."
In Yamagata's few short statements, Avaron understood that she wasn't going to be allowed to come near Soujiro or the dojo ever again. She turned her frantic gaze towards Soujiro clutching at his other sleeve as if expecting him to say or do something about it as the police officers approached her to escort her away. Of course, they both knew nothing could be done. She just didn't know how to use the last precious seconds she got to be with him.
He nodded to her with a the same halfhearted smile while releasing her hand and pulled his arm away. "Go on. It's for the best.…" He knew it had been unlikely a friendship with her could last. If he wasn't caught by the Meiji, he would still be on the run and have to leave her behind anyway.
The first "officer" that dared approach them was none other than Chou. He smirked and gave Avaron a wink of the eye. "I'll gladly be the one to escort you home, Miss." It only made her more repulsed at the sight of him and lean more closely towards Soujiro. Soujiro's eyes narrowed threateningly towards Chou knowing the sword hunter was trying to get under his skin. "Come on, I've got orders to obey," he said and clutched at her arm to urge her away.
"Wait," she huffed over her shoulder towards Chou and tried to free her arm. It came off more like a jerk when Avaron stumbled from her slight resistance and grunted in her effort to not fall.
The sight caused something within Soujiro to snap and he spontaneously lunged forward in a protective rage and swung a right hook at Chou. Even in Soujiro's weakened state, he caused Chou to release her as he stumbled back.
"Soujiro, what are you doing?" Avaron started in disbelief.
"Um-" he was still in his finished stance after thrusting the punch and looked about as perplexed as she was. "I-"
"You have much to learn about the Meiji boy!" A threatened officer hurried passed Chou seeking to put Soujiro in his place. After all they witnessed from Soujiro, it should have been known he wasn't going to simply follow orders the way they thought he should by now. Still, Avaron acted protectively. She inserted herself between them to keep them from laying another hand on Soujiro. "No, don't!" By then, Soujiro was already being shoved out of the way by Kenshin and shoved behind towards Sanosuke. Kenshin, likewise, was done watching Soujiro being needlessly tortured.
Sanosuke, on the other hand, immediately took hold of the front of Soujiro's shirt with a jerk. "What the hell is the matter with you?" He dared Soujiro to fight back against him, but he refrained that time. Instead, Soujiro turned his attention back to the front towards Avaron in concern. Once Sanosuke saw Soujiro would be still and quiet, he released him with a shove trying not to be too disappointed in Soujiro's inaction towards him.
After Avaron saw that Kenshin had gotten Soujiro out of the officials reach, she had stepped forward submissively before them and gave a short bow. "No more fighting...I'll go." She uttered in a defeated tone and was already starting to take her leave. She felt she would be doing Soujiro and the others a greater favor by leaving than trying to come up with her last words to say to Soujiro. She still hesitated as she came to a stop and looked over her shoulder towards Soujiro and then Kenshin.
"Dont worry, Ohara Avaron. He's in good hands," Kenshin tried to reassure her. "We'll take good care of him and Koharu."
She looked over her shoulder towards him and nodded trustfully and then looked towards Soujiro for the last time. ".…Sayonora..." She said it in case it really would be the last time. When Soujiro only turned his gaze away from her without a response, Avaron bit her lower lip out of disappointment and had to force herself to not delay any longer for his sake. She made her way ahead of Yamagata who had continued waiting at the other end of the room. Chou was not too far behind Avaron and followed her out and watching them leave together ended up leaving a sick feeling in Soujiro's stomach. He didn't believe Chou would dare do anything to her, but the thought of her having to tolerate Chou's presence for a bit did not set well with Soujiro. He could only hope for her sake that at least one other would be escorting her home. He knew nothing good could come out of Chou's mouth around her. As for Yamagata, he lingered only a few more moments in a contemplative state gazing towards Kenshin and Soujiro. It seemed for just a moment he might change his mind and take him back into custody after what had just enfolded.
He then closed his eyes as he exhaled and finally turned away to leave. "I hope you know what you're doing Kenshin." Yamagata uttered as he finally departed.
Everybody stood in silence without a word, without breathing until they at last heard the last of the officials close the door behind them and finally leave the dojo. Not surprisingly, the Meiji left a bitter after taste in the room. Soujiro was left with a future he didn't know how to look forward to. It was apparent he was needed as some sort of spy, maybe even a double agent to win the favor of the Meiji's new enemies. Being Shishio's right hand man would gain their favor as well as having not been openly captured like the other Juppongatana had been in one day. It was obvious what Soujiro was needed for. Not only did he have that to contend with but before that could even happen, he had to overcome a disease that could leave him forever weakened.
After a moment, Kenshin slowly turned to face Soujiro to risk meeting his gaze once more. He didn't know where to start except perhaps getting Soujiro's new wounds looked at. Before he barely got the chance to face Soujiro, his eyes suddenly widened and he dodged to the right in time to miss an attack from behind. It was Koharu and in her hands was Yahiko's shinai. "Baka! Why did you wait so long to help Sou? You just stood there and let it all happen!"
"I'm sorry -ah!" Kenshin yelped when he had to dodge another strike by her. "You're misunderstanding-" he jumped and dodged another blow. "Oro!"
Koharu went to make another swing at him but the attack was cut short when Soujiro stepped forward and caught the wooden sword in mid attack. First, he was confused by Kenshin's sudden helplessness against the twelve year old but then looked towards Koharu disapprovingly. "I told you he was once a manslayer… what are you trying to prove by this?" He lifted the wooden sword still attached to her hands. He knew Kenshin would be the last person to harm Koharu, but it was the fact that he could. Koharu should have know that she wouldn't stand a chance.
"I thought I could hit him at least.…" she spat.
"It's not Kenshin's job to look out for me. " He released the sword with a shove towards her.
Yahiko trudged up to her and snatched his sword back from her. "Stop taking my sword, thief!"
Koharu continued to ignore him and stomped her foot and clenched her fists towards Kenshin still. "Why did you wait so long to intervene? Couldn't you have done something sooner?"
"Hey! Don't blame Kenshin! He had it under control until this moron charged in carelessly with a blunt weapon!" Sanosuke spat gesturing at Soujiro.
"Blunt things still hurt!"
Soujiro's eye's widened and his attention was turned to the floor where Avaron's sword still lied. He completely disregarded Sanosuke's words after noticing.
"Shut your mouth this instance," Megumi hissed to Sanosuke before he would make matters worse. She then stepped forward and smiled kindly towards Koharu and explained for her. "If Kenshin would have stepped up any earlier than he did, he would have had to choose between fighting off the police or fighting Soujiro. None of those actions would have had a better ending. Fighting the police would not have only gotten him in trouble, but he would lose his good reputation within the Meiji and altogether lost Yamagata's respect."
"And then Soujiro wouldn't have ended up being able to stay," Yahiko said in realization. He had at first been confused by Kenshin's inaction and silence also. He had not even stepped up to defend Avaron like everyone else had. He had given no reason for the Meiji to find fault and think he was taking Soujiro's side and because of that, he was able to step up and aid Soujiro at the right time. It wasn't easy for him to stand by and let it happen, but it eventually put Kenshin in a position to better help Soujiro out.
Kenshin smiled kindly and patiently towards Koharu. "I also trusted Soujiro to not allow you and Avaron to be taken like that, not when he could do something about it."
Koharu still had a pout and kept her arms crossed in a stubbornly manner, but no longer fought it. She still detested the thought that Soujiro had to suffer through that to have to stay, even though he had incurred some of the beating.
Their attention was drawn back to him when a sword was heard being slid back into the scabbard. He was seen where the sword was, still in a kneeling position as he had taken the sword in hand. He stood back up and turned to see everyone's perturbed gaze on him. He raised his brow irritably. "What?"
"Did anybody else notice he had left?" Kaoru asked nervously. He had been in the center of the group after all when he stopped Koharu from trying to hit Kenshin with a shinai. He had slipped out completely unnoticed and without trying apparently.
"Avaron's sword!" Koharu exclaimed. "She'll have to come back for it!"
Kaoru remained unnerved how swiftly Soujiro left them in the open unseen but she decided to let it go for now. She found comfort in knowing Kenshin would have done something if Soujiro really had been up to no good. Still, she struggled with the thought of what Soujiro would do if he could recover his full strength. Kenshin's neck was on the line now and it all depended on Soujiro becoming trustworthy and following through on the promise he made. She kept her thoughts to herself as Soujiro approached with the weapon again. She lowered her eyes at the decorative sword he held that apparently belonged to the young woman known as Avaron. "Why do you think Aritomo Yamagata made that woman leave? Who is she exactly?"
"I wondered that myself," Kenshin remarked. "I don't think it's much to do with her, but her family. They must be well known and highly favored by the Meiji because of their unwavering loyalty."
"Her uncle fought and died during the Restoration," Soujiro confirmed Kenshin's theory. "She has a cousin in the army now… perhaps there are others serving I'm not aware of." He then spat out a scoff and said it before anyone else would. "He didn't want Avaron's association with me to become known to them because of how it would look."
"If it's her family reputation he was worried about then he probably never planned to arrest her in the first place," Sanosuke realized. "That would look just as bad, wouldn't it?"
"Hey, are you saying you agree Avaron is too good to be seen with Sou?" Koharu spat out at Sanosuke.
"It doesn't matter." Soujiro quickly inserted before Sanosuke could say another snide remark. "They still would have taken you away Koharu. It was enough reason for me to surrender," he uttered as he gazed back at the sword and traced the intricate inlays on the handguard. He didn't know for sure if Yamagata meant to arrest Avaron or not, but it wouldn't have been worth risking it for him. He also knew there were other reasons that Yamagata would cut his friendship with Avaron off. Soujiro would soon be cut off from everybody, starting with her. The thought suddenly struck him hard, as if he had just now been relayed the news of being cut off from her and eventually the others and it struck as hard as the disease first did. It felt as if a knife had literally struck his heart and he even clutched at it trying to bear the physical pain he felt. Even the sword he held started to become too heavy to hold to the point he almost just let it drop.
"Soujiro?" Kenshin risked reaching a supporting arm out towards Soujiro out of concern.
"I'm fine." He jerked out of Kenshin's reach and turned a cold shoulder to him. "I just need to rest.…" Without facing him directly, Soujiro managed to hold the sword out beside him towards Kenshin. "Please ...return this to her and only her.… She'll get in trouble if its discovered missing."
Kenshin took the sword as he continued to gaze at Soujiro with concern. He knew Soujiro was everything but fine. "Are you going to be all ri…." Kenshin's words fizzled out when Soujiro kept walking without interest in what he had to say.
"Wait, where are you going?" Koharu asked and started to follow him.
"My room. I wouldn't want Kenshin to have to report I'm not following the doctor's orders to rest," he said as he trudged passed the others to get back to his room.
" It's not like that-" Sanosuke started before Megumi silenced him again with an elbow nudge and shook her head. The tension was already becoming too much.
Koharu clutched at Soujiro's hand to make it apparent she was going to go with him. He immediately stopped and snatched his hand out of reach. "Not now, Koharu. …I just …want to be left alone." It really sounded like his heart had been broken.
Koharu had long learn the importance of giving Soujiro his space, but she could barely handle letting him depart from them in the emotional state he was in. It devastated her because the whole point of him staying was so he wouldn't be alone. That's what would kill him.
He had only walked a few steps passed her before she abruptly blocked him and without warning, lunged to wrap her arms tightly around his waist and set her head against his torso. "Koharu!" He started with an exasperated tone with her. Everyone else held their breath thinking he would lash out at her. However, Soujiro was never seen shoving or losing his temper with her. How could he? Last time he rejected her, he had nearly killed her. So Koharu only held on more tightly.
Now that Megumi had brought it to light, Koharu saw and even felt the weight he lost. She didn't understand how it was possible that it had happened in such a short period of time. Just a few days ago he seemed okay enough to fight the Meiji head-on. His body had deteriorated at an alarming rate since therm. Even Avaron had managed to grab and pin Soujiro down more easily than she should have. Koharu saw now Avaron had more than likely saved his life by doing so. Soujiro would not have survived a head-on fight with the Meiji that day.
Soujiro pulled away slightly when Koharu clutched at the loose fabric at his waist and knew what she thinking of him. He made her pull her arms down from him and backed away. He sighed despondently as he reached in his sleeve and pulled forth her music box and held it down to her. "Here."
Koharu's eyes widened anxiously at the sight and she backed away. "Why are you giving that back to me?"
"It's yours."
"Why are you giving it to me now?" She demanded to know. She thought there could only be one reason why he might be wanting to give it back to her.
For the first time, he smiled and said: "So you can come play it for me later. I just need to be alone for now. Please understand."
She reluctantly accepted it back but then snatched his wrist in her hold before he could pull it back. He then rolled his eyes when Koharu slipped the jade beads back on his wrist. He was just glad no one could see what she was really doing. When she met his gaze again, he managed to put his smile back on for her, which only encouraged her to fall back against him and pull him in a tight hold.
"…. All right.… " He managed to place his hand on the back of her head to try and return his affection for her. He had not come to mind her clinginess, but he usually didn't have an audience watching. It wasnt surprising he had to be the first to pull out of her embrace. "Just give me some time alone, okay?"
She nodded and stood in place when he continued his way back to his solitude. She turned to face down the hall when she heard his door shut behind him. I'll let him have this time alone just this once. But I won't allow him it anymore after that, she thought as she turned to face back towards the others, particularly Kenshin, who had started to follow after Soujiro as well, but second guessed his actions. If Soujiro wasn't welcoming Koharu's presence, he knew his presence certainly wouldn't be welcomed. It couldn't help but be noticed by all that Soujiro still might hold apathy towards Kenshin and it made the others question if it was really worth Kenshin putting his neck on the line for someone who might still see him as the enemy and have it lead to retaliation.
Certainly, Soujiro had no intentions of retaliating against Kenshin but what Koharu worried most about was Soujiro's actions being misunderstood. The others were without a doubt protective of Kenshin and anything Soujiro did against him could be considered a threat and the sanctuary granted to him be cut short in an effort to protect Kenshin, even if it was against his wishes. It wasn't his home, after all and by the look on all their faces, except Kenshin who was more calmed but concern, Koharu saw the need to further prove Soujiro was worth this second chance at life, even if it wasn't the one he had in mind.