Kenshin and Tomoe were back at the Choushu headquarters, namely, the Ohagi inn, when the landlady told them to exit the back door after giving Tomoe a bag of food and supplies. Still, something was amiss; there was no sign of Miryu anywhere. Not even the bell on her katana could be heard.

"Okami-san, did you see Miryu?" Kenshin asked in a troubled tone, his amber eyes softening into their lavender hue. He unsheathed his katana, waiting for her answer, which came in the form of her shaking head.

"The last time I saw her was when she left with the both of you" Okami said, "Even Nagasaki Hiryuko came to look for her when news of Katsura-san being in danger arrived here"

"It would be comforting to think that she was with Miryu" Tomoe said. She didn't know why she was so relieved that there was a huge possibility that Miryu could be with one of Japan's most powerful and famous sword-bearing women (complete with eloquent literacy, too) when it was her mission to kill the younger woman along with Kenshin, but she knew that if anything happened to Miryu, Kenshin would not be pleased.

Kenshin sighed, and ran out, still holding Tomoe's hand, into the dead of the night. Okay, he didn't know where they were supposed to run to, but in his heart, he wanted to find where Miryu was and at least persuade her to come with them, but due to the circumstances, it would be better if he and Tomoe found a place to hide for a while.

"Himura" came a distinctly familiar voice. It was Katsura; the expression on his face was filled with grief and anger, which made Kenshin even more worried. "They've taken the headquarters, and I've lost everything… Nevertheless, we must focus on merely staying alive, given our circumstances. I've prepared a house for both of you in Otsu, pretend to be newlyweds and stay there"

Kenshin and Tomoe gave him a look of surprise, and were immediately tongue-tied. Neither of them wanted to be stuck to each other, but somehow, they knew that Katsura was right. "You'll be less suspicious if you're married" he continued, "I'll call on Iizuka to seek you to bring the latest information, until then, you are to wait for my word"

He started to walk away from them, "I'm counting on you, Tomoe-san"

"Katsura-san, where is Miryu?" Kenshin asked him, as far as he knew, she could still be trapped in the chaos surrounding the streets of Kyoto.

"She is in good hands, Nagasaki Hiryuko is with her as we speak" Katsura said without looking at him, "Do not worry about her, Himura, she is a strong woman, and she has the protection of the Iron Wolf-Maiden of Mibu"

The Iron Wolf-Maiden of Mibu, wasn't she the long-gone daughter of Reiyama Reiji? Tomoe asked herself, wasn't she part of the Shinsen-Gumi? Why would she protect Miryu?

"So, we go to Otsu as newlyweds" Kenshin said, his words almost unheard. Marriage, it had never occurred to his mind before. Even though it was a façade with Tomoe, he still felt that it was a big step to take. Even though he couldn't care less about Tomoe, he felt that they should follow Katsura's instructions in order to survive…

Thus, the two of them set out into the wilderness in the dark of the night, unknowing about the future, but sure that their lives would be spared if they went through the façade. But what will happen if the façade comes true? What if the both of them harbored love towards one another in their hearts?

That will never happen… Tomoe thought, but who was she to be the judge of that matter?