Himura_battousai
Copyright© 2011 by Murasame
Chapter 222: Truth
(Tsubame makes her appeal to the unresponsive Kenshin.)
Tsubame: ... One of the four men they arrested got out and started attacking people. Yahiko fought him to keep him from reaching the city ... But he's still not completely healed from before. And the other man is too strong and too big ... Kenshin ... Please. Help him.
(Kenshin doesn't move.)
Kuma: That's what I thought. You did what you came to do. Better get on home--
(Tsubame falls to her knees.)
Tsubame: Please. I beg you. Just stand up one more time ... Please!
(She says it over and over.)
Tsubame: Save Yahiko...
Oibore (patting her on the shoulder): That's enough, little one.
Kuma: Oibore!
Oibore: Kuma, could you see her out?
(Kuma takes her by the arm, not unkindly.)
Kuma: All right, guys, out of the way. Tsubame (as she walks away): Please...
(Oibore settles against the wall, beside Kenshin.)
(Tsubame's words echo in Kenshin's head. Save Yahiko. Save him. Save him... )
Oibore (after a pause): Now what was that all about.
(Kenshin's grip on the sword tightens.)
Kenshin: ... I told them to leave me alone. I told them I was tired. I told them.
(Another pause.)
Oibore: They call this place Rakuninmura. Saints or sinners, we don't turn anyone away. But to live here, you have to throw away everything you have. Not just lose it ... Everything you never gave up on comes back to you in the end. Even to you...
Kenshin: It's no use. I can't find it. The answer--how to atone for the crimes I committed as a hitokiri. I can't find it!
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