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An Inn in Hokkaido: Chapter 3

by Calger459

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life
Try to make ends meet
You're a slave to money, then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you the places where all the veins meet, yeah
No change, I can change, I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold
But I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mold, no, no, no….

--The Verve, "Bittersweet Symphony"

~***~

Hokkaido, Year 5 Meji

As night fell over Furano a cold breeze began to blow off the mountains, stirring the dry brown leaves in the streets and driving the residents hastily indoors. The center of town was soon deserted, save for one lone figure drifting slowly along the road where the market was set up every day.

For the past few hours Yan had tried several times to return to the inn, but every time his feet turned him away again. He couldn't yet face the man living there, the man who only a few hours before had lectured him like a concerned parent, lavender eyes gentle and his soft, almost feminine voice speaking with the wisdom of someone who'd seen life both at its best and absolute worst:

"Think about your own personality, Yan-dono. If handed the power to grant life or death at will, how would you react? What kind of swordsman would you be? Think about that, and then maybe you'll realize your father probably understands you better than you understand yourself. That's how it is between fathers and sons."

Yan cursed fiercely when he tripped over a stone lying in the road. Hopping over to the side he leaned heavily against a building, head resting dejectedly on his arm. "Damn him," he whispered, "talking like he knows everything. He's a cold-blooded murderer for gods' sake!" Yan remained that way for a long time, even after the throbbing in his toe went away. Lectured by a hitokiri, dressed in clothes the hitokiri made, sleeping the same room as him…the gods must hate me.

Feeling thoroughly sorry for himself, Yan lifted his head and smiled without humor. I landed against the tavern. How convenient. He wandered inside and sat himself at one of the tables, flashing a charming smile at a waitress he knew particularly well. She brought him sake immediately and he settled himself down to enjoy it, admiring the folds and pattern of her kimono as she bustled about the fairly crowded bar. His thoughts gradually became dulled with the sake and he closed his eyes, letting the voices of the other patrons wash over him. After awhile, he felt the air stir in front of him. He tried reading their ki the way he'd been taught but couldn't get a clear impression, except perhaps for some mild amusement.

"All right, I give up, who are you?"

The giggle gave her away. "You know very well, Yan-san! Open your eyes!"

He smiled and obeyed, looking into the cheerful face of the waitress. "And here I thought you were going to test me a little. Cheater!"

She playfully stuck her tongue out at him, then reached forward to tug on the sleeve of his yukata. "You're the one cheating! Walking in here in pink of all things!" She was laughing now, merriment sparkling in her dark eyes. "Wherever did you get that?"

"It was Yuuna-san's idea of course. Who else?" He fingered the sleeve of her kimono, meeting her eyes. "Of course, I never thought she'd ever actually find someone to *make* the damn things for her. Now I'm stuck with it." He winked slyly. "Wanna trade?"

She laughed and stood, deftly twisting the sleeve out of his grasp. "Gee thanks Yan-san, but I prefer you as you are." She smiled at him, then leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Of course if you'd like me to remove it for you in an hour or so…"

He pushed her away reluctantly. "Akari, you're such a naughty girl, you know that?"

She pouted. "Is that a no?"

He sighed and stood, putting a few coins down by the nearly empty sake bottle. "Yeah, I really should be getting back. Tomorrow, maybe?"

"You mean for Yuuna-san's anniversary?" She looked at him with hopeful eyes. "You mean it?"

Yan hesitated. Showing up with Akari meant his father might see her…and that would bring up the whole issue of Yuuna's granddaughter again…oh hell with it. To hell with him, and with Himura! "I mean it. Remember to wear your best kimono, alright?"

"As if I wouldn't! Go on, get to bed!" She shooed him out, face aglow in happiness. He sketched a bow in the doorway but found he had to force himself back onto the street.

"Oyasuminasai Akari-chan," he murmured. He felt a hand under his chin, lifting his eyes to hers.

"Hai, oyasumi," she whispered, "and be happy, okay? For me?"

He kissed her palm. "I'll try." He turned away and headed back towards the inn, a new confidence in his demeanor. It didn't matter what some hitokiri or his father thought; he was a grown man, free to make his own choices. Tomorrow he would change his life for the better, and set himself free. He would finally be happy. He found a genuine smile coming to his lips as he came within sight of the inn, its outside lanterns shining brightly in the darkness.

~***~

"Himura-san!"

Kenshin turned and flashed Sakura a silly Rurouni smile. "Ah gomen, Sakura-dono…we'll get this hung right away."

"Not unless you grow a few more inches, Himura. I need someone taller to help me hang this, Yuuna-san."

Kenshin leveled a glare at Yan. "Your stature is also somewhat…modest Yan-dono."

Yan sighed in exasperation. "Whatever, just go get some stepstools and quit talking so much!"

Well, he's back to his old self it seems. "Whatever you say Yan-sama. Sessha will do whatever you say de gozaru."

Sakura groaned and shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. He can be so strange sometimes… "Stop with the sarcasm, both of you. I don't want another fight. Attempt to act like grown men please."

Kenshin actually looked a little guilty. Yan just glared stubbornly at Kenshin's back as he went to find stools, not bothering to hide his distaste of the red-haired swordsman. I'm getting a headache just watching this. Sakura thought mildly.

Since early morning she had been busy supervising the decoration of the inn for that evening, a celebration of the one hundred years her family had owned and operated the property. The place was literally covered in flowers and the pond area had been cleaned and decorated with paper lanterns. It was a rope of these lanterns the two young men had been attempting to hang. Sakura sighed. I should have known better than to pair those two. I must have taken leave of my senses this morning.

Yan put down the lanterns and stood scowling off to one side. Kenshin came back with the stools, a sunny smile on his face. Sakura murmured something to him with a smile and Kenshin laughed, tucking his arm behind his head the way he always did when embarrassed, hand buried in his unruly red hair. His violet eyes were warm with laughter, but all Yan could remember when he looked at Kenshin's face were icy blue eyes threatening him in a hallway. Who does he think he's fooling with that cute and innocent act he's always putting on? By now he was sure that Sakura knew that Kenshin was the legendary Hitokiri Battousai. She's been blinded by his charm, just like everyone else. Yan clenched his jaws until they ached, then relaxed as Akari's warm smile appeared before him. Calm down, Yanagi…it's only until tonight and then we're gone, come Hell or high water.

He heard Kenshin cough meaningfully. Yan slowly swiveled his gaze towards him. "What?"

Kenshin slowly counted to ten. There was something about Yan's personality that just rubbed him the wrong way…he found it very hard to keep the hitokiri's brash attitude restrained when talking with him. He only kept his Rurouni air firmly in place through sheer will. "We were helping Sakura-dono, remember?"

"Actually," Sakura said mildly, "that will have to wait a few minutes. Yan-kun, instead of complaining and insulting Himura-san, why don't you make yourself useful and go find your father for me."

Yan's face grew dark at the mention of his father. "What for?"

Sakura sighed. "Never you mind what for young man, just do it. I need to ask his advice on a few things before the party."

Yan was relieved despite himself. Well, it's an excuse to get away from Battousai, anyway. "Yeah, yeah, alright."

Kenshin watched the young man stalk angrily out the front gate, hands fisted at his sides and ki glowing in fury around him. So much pent-up frustration. I can see why his father tried to keep him away from swords. Kenshin climbed up on a stool and started hanging the lanterns himself. He slowly became aware of Sakura's gaze on his back. He decided he would be the first to speak this time. "Did you really need to see his father, or was that just to get him out of here?"

"Both." Kenshin turned at the note in her voice. The garden was deserted for the moment, everyone having gone inside for lunch. "I wanted to ask you before tonight…is it true?"

Kenshin's face darkened as he climbed back down to the ground. He could guess what she was referring to. "I thought you didn't care about who I was."

"I don't Himura-san, I know you're no threat to us, but Yan-kun's father won't see it that way. He may confront either you or me about Yan-kun's…activities and I wanted us both to be prepared."

Kenshin was silent for a moment, head bowed. "Yes, it's true. I swear I mean harm to no one…"

"I know," Sakura's voice was gentle, sympathetic. She walked up to Kenshin and put a hand under his chin, lifting his eyes to meet hers. "I knew that from the moment you came. Everyone deserves peace, don't they? Especially you…"

"I deserve nothing." Kenshin's voice was low, filled with old pain. "Everywhere I go I bring misery, because of who and what I've been. Because of me that man is miserable, because of me your home has been thrown into chaos. I will leave before tonight, that way Yan-dono's father won't even have to deal with me—"

"Listen to yourself!" Sakura interrupted. "Yanagi's situation is not your fault! How can you blame yourself for something that began when he was a boy?" She stepped back to look at him. "Do you always blame yourself for everything?"

"Sessha…"

"Stop that, please." Sakura's face was sad. "What do you think I see when I look at you, Himura-san?"

Kenshin stared helplessly back at her, a pink lantern still held tightly in his fists. He shook his head slightly.

"I see a young man who has seen too much pain in his brief life, pain that should never have come to someone with such a good, strong heart. I see someone who selflessly takes others' suffering on his own shoulders, with nothing but the best of intentions. You've helped me more than you could know, and you've helped Yanagi as well."

"Have I?" Kenshin looked away. Yanagi. Willow. So that's his full name…how appropriate for him. "Helped him how?"

"By getting him to move," Sakura noted calmly. "Since you arrived there's been a new energy about him, a fresh desire to move against his father and find his own path in life. I'm not saying that Yan-kun will make the right choice or that I'll approve of his methods, but it's better than watching his soul rot away through inaction. As you said, he has skills besides gathering my well water. He deserves better, but the only one who can make that happen is him. If you leave now—" Sakura, her hand still under his chin, tilted his head, bringing his startled violet eyes around to meet her own "—Yan may lose the confidence and will to win this battle. He needs you here. I need you here. Please don't go."

Kenshin couldn't respond. "Please don't go." She…she needs my help. I… "Sessha…"

"Please." Sakura's voice now held a wry note of command. "Besides which, I haven't said you could leave yet. Look." she held up the sleeve of her new pink yukata. "I've torn the seam somehow. I need you to fix it. I also need your help with decorations and the food, particularly those onigirii you're so good at—"

"Oro!"

Sakura grinned. "You're not done here yet!" She winked at him and Kenshin couldn't help but smile back. "Ah, there's that beautiful smile. Much nicer than those sad eyes a moment ago. Come along Himura-no-baka, there's work to be done yet…"

"Ororoo…"

~***~

The evening sun's rays slanted across Furano's dry fields. Along the thin, winding dirt road leading into town a group of farmers marched, all armed with swords, hoes, whatever could be used as a weapon. As they traveled they picked up more and more men from the fields, their numbers swelling. The village to the north had had a successful revolt against the major landowners, lowering their taxes so they wouldn't starve that winter. Those peasants' success had given Furano's farmers new hope, and it was with a similar goal in mind that they now approached the town. Two men in front pulled a cart laden with bulging sacks. One of the men joining the group wondered aloud to his neighbor what they were. The man smiled back without humor. "Bombs."

~***~

Yan stood anxiously at the entrance of the inn. He could see Akari walking towards him, dressed in a beautiful maroon kimono patterned with green vines. She paused at the gate and looked uncertainly up at him. "Come on in," he mouthed, waving with his hand. She smiled shyly and came up the path, her zori clicking softly on the walkway. "You look beautiful," he murmured.

Akari smiled but her shoulders remained tense. "Your father's here, isn't he?"

"In the gardern out back." Yan almost asked her if she was sure she wanted to do this, but stopped himself. It's now or never, he told himself; he didn't know when he'd have the nerve to try this again. "Let's go."

They walked into the party arm in arm, Yan's head held high and Akari's bowed demurely. This was a moment they'd actually rehearsed for; although it wasn't her nature to be meek, submissive and proper Akari knew the performance was vital for both her and Yan's future. Please let his father accept us. She glanced at the young man beside her. She could feel his fear, but also his burning determination. It was that fiery strength that had attracted her to him years ago. He could be such a spoiled brat at times, and most people despised him for his arrogance, but she admired the strong spirit that created that defiant attitude. Despite everything and everyone she loved him. Please let tonight go well. The arm threaded through hers trembled slightly. Akari glanced upward and saw Sakura and Yan's father talking to a slight red-haired man dressed in the pink uniform of the inn. What an odd-looking person. I wonder who he is?

"Yan-san, who…?"

"Don't ask." His voice was tight with anger, and for once Akari didn't have the nerve to respond. They stopped outside the trio. Taking a deep breath, Yan centered himself. "Father."

"…don't care what you intended, this has been the result!" His father seemed to be talking to both Sakura and Kenshin. Yan scanned Kenshin's face for clues as to what the problem was. "If you've been putting these ideas in his head by the gods I'll—"

"I said nothing of consequence de gozaru," Kenshin replied calmly, his eyes meeting Yan's. "Just what I felt he needed to hear, especially considering the demands he was making of me."

Yan glared at him. Common sense told him to keep quiet, but he couldn't stop himself. "How dare you make this seem like it's my fault! I—"

"Yan-san!" Akari hissed in panic. This wasn't going how they'd planned at all!

Yan's father turned sharply to face his son, eyes flashing fire. "You demanded that this swordsman teach you his style? You actually threatened this swordsman?!" He pointed at Kenshin. "Do you have any idea who he is! And who the hell is this?" He glared at Akari. She forced herself to meet his eyes, her arm tightening on Yan's.

Sakura looked at his father in concern. "Gendo-kun, please…"

"No Sakura-san, I won't have this disobedience in my family! Who is this woman Yanagi?"

Like father like son, apparently, Kenshin thought wearily. He watched Yan carefully, curious as to how he would respond. The purpose and resolve on his face was surprising. He really is determined to win this.

"This," Yan said with deadly calm, "Is Shiiki Akari, my beloved; and I know perfectly well who he is, Father. You must admit I have a good choice in styles. His is supposed to be the most powerful in Japan."

Idiot! Kenshin stared at Yan in shock, the hitokiri in him burning with anger. He's putting us both in jeopardy! There are dozens of people here; I have to stop him before he says anything else! As Kenshin struggled with himself, he saw that Yan had noticed his anger; sweat had began to run down the sides of the young man's face. They had begun to attract a crowd of onlookers. Most were well-aquainted with Yanagi's family and were unsurprised by the family drama playing out in the garden. Nevertheless, this particular argument seemed different.

"Hey, Yan-kun might actually win this one," Kenshin heard someone whisper from the crowd.

"This," Yan's father said icily, "is unacceptable, on all fronts. You are betrothed to Sakura-san's granddaughter. I do not accept this girl."

"I really don't care if you accept her or not! What does it matter who I marry or what I do? My brother is carrying on your sword-making business; your future is already secure! It's time for me to make mine now!"

Oh Kami-sama. Part of Kenshin applauded Yan's efforts, but the other half of him wanted to bury his face in his hands. What is the fool hoping to accomplish with this? And of course now I'm in the middle of it, despite my efforts not to be…I guess it's my lot in life. Kenshin allowed himself a ghost of a smile. Next to him, Sakura was fuming. This was her party, her special evening, and it was being ruined. Dealing with Yan's father had been bad enough, but now that both father and son were going at it…

"Enough, both of you! If you're going to fight, do it at home!"

Gendo looked over at her in surprise. "Demo, Sakura-san, this involves you as well—"

Sakura gave an exasperated sigh. "Gendo-kun, for the love of the gods my granddaughter and your son hate one another, they always have. I really have ceased to care at this point whether she marries Yan-kun or some other man. All I know is that you are ruining my anniversary, now get out. And you!" She turned to glare at Yan. "I've had it with you! Don't you set foot in here again until this is resolved!"

If Kenshin hadn't known the motivations behind it, he would have thought Sakura's words overly cruel. As it was he knew she was pushing him in an effort to help. Kenshin glanced at the woman Yan had introduced as Akari. She was very pale, and seemed generally alarmed by the whole scene, nervously glancing back and forth between father and son. Poor girl. Kenshin was debating whether to say anything to her when his senses suddenly went on alert. The hairs rose on the back of his neck and he found himself looking towards the inn entrance. Something's wrong. Yan seemed to sense it too; he stepped away from Akari and towards the inn, the argument temporarily forgotten. "What's that?"

Gendo frowned. "What's what?" He looked over at Kenshin. "You too? What is it?"

"Something's happened." Kenshin's quiet statement cut through the crowd's chatter and there was sudden silence in the garden. "Sakura-dono, stay here."

"Himura-san!" Sakura moved to stop him but Kenshin was already gone, having run inside to get his sword. What's he talking about?

Yan's father turned back to his son, only to find that Yan had disappeared along with Akari. "What the—damn it!"

~***~

Inside, Kenshin grabbed his sakabatou where it was lying on his folded futon. The feeling of general unease was getting worse and worse. It was the same sensation he'd had during the war when a battle was imminent. It was just a feeling in the air—there were no words to describe it. Sprinting out past the gate of the inn, he could hear explosions going off up the street. Shimatta. Why now? It wasn't that he didn't feel ready for battle; he was confident in the abilities honed through long, hard experience during the Bakumatsu no Douran. It was general frustration over the fact that the harder he tried to live in peace, the more obstacles to that life were thrown in his path. It's always something, he thought grimly as he jogged towards the center of town, no matter where I go I can't escape a life of battle, be it swords or family squabbles.

He more than anyone else recognized the fact that the revolution was far from complete. Poverty and oppression were everywhere. While the main town of Furano was fairly prosperous, being located on a major trade route, he knew that the farmers surrounding the town weren't so fortunate. The uprisings Yan-dono mentioned the other day probably have something to do with this. He knew that when he arrived at the source of the explosions he would face people desperate for change and justice. They are the same way I was so many years ago when I left my shishou's mountain. I at least had my sword, but they have nothing besides whatever crude weapons they've gathered and the will to fight. These are the kind of people I swore I would defend without killing.

Kenshin made his way quickly up the street, which was filling with people despite the danger in the air. He saw a flash of pink out of the corner of his eye and turned his head in time to see Yan sprinting away down a sidestreet. Where is he going? Kenshin didn't see Akari anywhere around. Hopefully she had stayed at the inn. The crowd grew denser as he neared the building where the town council met. Smoke billowed from the building's roof and Kenshin could smell the acrid odor of gunpowder. They have guns? Or bombs? More likely bombs from the destruction. He hardly noticed the crowd parting for him, his sword and air of purpose causing them to clear a path for him. He felt his heart sink when he saw the crowd of peasant farmers in front of the building waving torches and farm tools, shouting angrily at a group of men cowering in the doorway.

"You landowners are all greedy, taking our rice for yourselves! My family hasn't had a good meal for months!"

"Quit cowering in there like mice! Come out here!" One of the taller farmers, apparently one of the leaders, stepped forward holding an old, battered katana out in front of him. He shook it at the men in the building. "I had to turn in almost my entire crop to you pigs! You've heard our demands, now answer!"

Kenshin's face was grim as he approached the leader. Some of the farmers made to stop him until they saw the look in his eyes. Kenshin noted their fear with some satisfaction. Good, it will make this easier. "That's enough, de gozaru yo."

The leader turned in surprise. "Who the hell are you?"

Kenshin silently assessed the situation while still meeting the leader's eyes. There were at least thirty armed men though nearly all were just farmers, completely unskilled. Meanwhile the council building was getting ready to burst into flame. There were five officials in the doorway, possibly more inside the building. There isn't much time. The crowd so far was keeping a safe distance, but Kenshin knew that could change in a heartbeat. It was insanely easy for a peaceful crowd to become a fighting mob, and if that happened it was possible that people could be killed. "It's not important who I am, however I intend to stop this attack. Violence is not the answer to your problem."

"You sure talk big for a little shrimp," the man snarled, turning to face Kenshin. "You asking for a fight, boy?"

Kenshin glanced at the men in the door. They were looking at him uncertainly. They were more afraid of the farmers than of the threat of fire. I have to get them to move. "I would rather not fight. I just want to get those men out of the building alive. You've bombed it I'm guessing?"

The man snorted rudely. "Well aren't you bright. When they agree to lower our taxes we'll let them go. Not before!"

Kenshin sighed inwardly. Battousai had an obvious answer to this situation, but this was not the Bakumatsu. The assassin's killing sword had no place in the Meji and the rurouni would hear none of his logic. "Do you think they will listen to threats and fire? If you don't let them out now the building may collapse and then they will be dead. I won't allow that to happen." Kenshin had been moving as he spoke, edging forward to put himself between the leader and the building. "Nothing will change if they die, then you will be murderers as well as rebels. Think about this and reconsider."

The leader laughed cruelly and stepped forward. "Pretty words little boy, but useless. Kill him!"

If I had a few mon for every time someone had ordered that I'd be a very rich man, Kenshin thought ruefully as the farmers charged. Almost without thought Kenshin slipped mentally into the mindset of battle, reading his opponents' moves and using their inexperience to his advantage. They were coming from all sides but their movements were clumsy. He could see easily where and when they would strike; none were trained fighters, and besides that they were weak from lack of food. Kenshin went easy on them, his sakabatou sweeping in long arcs meant to stun but not seriously injure. The crowd gasped in awe at the red-haired swordsman's blinding speed and efficiency. He moved through the mob like lightning, his sword flashing constantly, throwing men left and right. In a few moments they were down and Kenshin was once again standing in front of the stunned leader, who now look a bit less confident than before. "Who…who are you?" he whispered.

"I told you, it doesn't matter." Kenshin, barely winded, turned slightly and spoke calmly to the men behind him. "Run, now!" The officials obeyed immediately, scattering among the crowd. The leader watched this, first with panic and then with anger. Kenshin glanced almost casually back at him. "It's just you and me now, it seems. I would ask that you come with me peacefully…or we can fight this out, it's your choice." Kenshin re-sheathed his sword and waited.

It was then that Kenshin heard running feet coming through the crowd. "Get out of my way people, move it!" Yan elbowed his way through and stopped panting a few feet away, a sword on his belt and fire in his eyes. "Himura-san, I'll handle this."

Kenshin almost laughed. Almost. "Yan-dono, what are you doing? You don't know how—"

Yan drew his katana with a sharp ringing sound and moved to stand by Kenshin. "You think you know so much. This isn't your problem, get out of the way."

Now the leader just looked confused. "What's going on here now? Who are you?"

"Shimizu Yanagi," he announced proudly, holding his weapon high.

Kenshin just stared at him in disbelief. "Why are you here? I thought you were leaving." He just told his father that he didn't care what he thought and that he was leaving with Akari. Why would he risk his life like this? Is he crazy? He certainly doesn't need to prove anything to me! Wait… "Yan-dono…"

"Just shut up and let me do this!" His voice was determined. "I know what I said," he continued, "but I need to do this." His hands trembled on the hilt; in truth, he really didn't know how to fight with it at all. Surely it couldn't be that hard, after all his opponent was just some half-starved farmer…

"Yan-dono, go with Akari-dono if that's what you want to do. What are you trying to prove?"

"I…" Yan heard the shake in his voice and mentally cursed. He stepped forward to challenge the leader. "I want to fight you!"

The farmer raised an eyebrow. "The little guy back there, I'll admit he's got skill. As for you, I don't think you want to do this, kid." He was still angry, but the easy defeat of his men and the escape of the officials had ruined any chance of accomplishing his goals that day. "There's really no point but I'm still kinda pissed so if you want to fight, I'll fight you." He pulled his old, rusty katana from its saya. "Come on."

Kenshin looked over at the anxious crowd. Many of them knew Yan and were watching with fear in their eyes. Where are the police? Doesn't anyone keep the peace in this town? Kenshin didn't see any law enforcement at all and suddenly the whole situation just seemed wrong. This isn't right, what have I missed about this place? There's something…

Twin shouts of anger and the ring of steel on steel pulled his attention back to the fight. It was painfully obvious that the farmer had the advantage; Kenshin could tell that he had had some kind of training in the past. Against him Yan was likely to lose. He had managed to block the leader's sword but only for a moment; in the next instant the farmer pushed through his defense to strike at Yan's unprotected side. Yan dodged but barely; when he stumbled back there was a long gash in his yukata and blood from a slash across his ribs. "Yan-dono!" Kenshin started forward but Yan waved him away. Behind them the building had caught on fire and was starting to collapse. "Yan-dono, there's no time! We have to go!"

Yan ignored him and charged the farmer with as fierce a battle cry as he could muster. Back at the inn he'd been prepared to just drop everything and leave with Akari. However, running off wouldn't change the fact that no one respected him, or even liked him enough to honor his decision. I'm still unworthy in their eyes, an impulsive arrogant fool they can order about as they please. Both Yunna-san and my father would keep me chained and helpless forever. I've done nothing in my life worth speaking of, and they've done nothing to help, not even Akari. If I can just do this one thing, all on my own… It was a desperate gamble, and he knew it was crazy. But he could feel the weight and power of the sword in his hands, one of his father's latest weapons, and knew he had to go through with it. I will defeat him! If I stop this my father will have to respect my decision, everything will be alright…

The leader brought his sword up to block as the building started to collapse, raining burning debris down on the street and all over the unconscious farmers. Kenshin stared in horror. "Yan-dono, we have to move them, they'll be killed! Stop this and help me!" The rurouni ran forward and grabbed the two closest men, draping them over his shoulders. Some men in the crowd came out to help, much to Kenshin's relief.

Yan and the farmer locked gazes, their swords braced against each other. "We should help," the farmer said quietly, "I've already drawn first blood."

"Which would mean I've lost, and I won't lose." Yan glared at him stubbornly. "They're taking care of the problem for us." He tried to break contact but the farmer held firm, his eyes serious.

"Kid, stop. There's no point to fighting now. We need to go help them."

"There is a point!" Yan felt his temper flaring out of control. "There's always a reason, dammit! I need to win this, I need to win something."

"Fine, but not this, not today." The leader stepped back and sheathed his katana. "I'm going to help. If you want to win so much then join me."

Yan stared after him, hands shaking on the hilt. He watched helplessly as people ran about, frantically trying to clear the bodies before the building completely fell. It was already well on its way, flaming roof tiles falling on the crowd. And among them, carrying two and three men at once, was Kenshin. Yan watched in a haze of disbelief as the former hitokiri risked himself for complete strangers, men who had just tried to kill him a few minutes earlier.

"While it's true that being a fighter means being able to protect yourself and others, it also means that you face the possibility of having to kill to protect those you care about. This is not a burden you should accept lightly… If handed the power to grant life or death at will, how would you react? What kind of swordsman would you be?"

"I…" Yan's voice shook as he remembered Kenshin's words. He had rushed into the fight with the farmer fully intending to kill him…why? Was it to protect Furano? No, he realized, I was doing it for myself. I just tried to use that sword for my own gain, not for anyone else. Was Himura right about me? Was my father right about me? There was only one man left now. Kenshin ran back for him and knelt to pick him up; as he did the building finally gave way, the front half falling forward onto the street.

"Himura-san!" Yan found himself running forward, time slowing to a crawl. Fire rained around him as he reached Kenshin. "Let me—" The building fell around the three of them and for an instant he could see nothing but dust. He felt around in front of him and touched the farmer's arm. The heat was unbearable; he was dimly aware of holding one side of the unconscious farmer. Kenshin supported the other side and they ran together through the burning dust, both their yukata burning from the debris. I think we're almost there, I can see people— Something struck his back and Yan found himself on the ground, pinned under a board. "Himura!" Yan looked around frantically for the swordsman but he had disappeared. Am I going to die? Yan lay still, wrapped in pain. Gods Akari, I'm such a fool. Why am I such an idiot? He closed his eyes and felt strangely calm. So this is death…

Strong arms were suddenly around him, lifting him up. Surprised, Yan looked up into dark violet eyes full of pain, guilt and a deep, heart-rending sorrow. The Battousai is saving…me? Kenshin was carrying him, his own yukata in tatters, pulling him clear of the fire. The air cleared and he coughed, pulling fresh air into his lungs. He clung tightly to the swordsman. He heard Kenshin's voice as if from a great distance. "Yan-dono, daijoubu? Yan-dono!" He couldn't answer; the world was spinning around him and growing darker. He had only one thought before losing consciousness completely.

I'm sorry...Akari…