Somewhere I Belong

A Brand New Ending

Author's notes:

1. This is mostly an exchange of dialogues between the master and his apprentice which was more like a father to a son. Inspired by The Legend Ends' Hiko-Kenshin scenes.

2. The quote (underlined in the text below) used by Hiko Seijuro is from Albert Schweitzer (1875~1965), Nobel Peace Prize Winner

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Hiko Seijuro was the one who wrote first. The visitors from Tokyo were staying at the Aoiya for two weeks already after the failed Shishio Makoto upheaval. The letter was addressed "to the young woman from Tokyo." It was an invitation for a tea. Kaoru felt somewhat honored and nervous at the same time. It was not usual for someone else's master to invite someone for a tea. But she came to the Shirobeko anyway, and on time. She found the sensei already seated in a private area.

"How's Kenshin doing?" Hiko asked after their formal greetings. He motioned her to sit on the opposite side.

"He is sleeping most of the time. It's the same for Aoshi and Sanosuke. I guess the battle with Shishio Makoto was really that tough to exhaust all their energies."

Hiko poured tea in her cup. "You were not bad yourself, young lady. You and your friends defeated three of the Juppongatana."

"Hiko-sensei, my name is Kaoru Kamiya."She said sternly. "Please call me by this name." She paused, hoping that the sensei would already address her properly. "But...thank you also for coming to our aid when the Aoiya was being attacked back then."

Hiko wore a smile on his face. He thought this young woman was feisty, enough for someone like his heedless disciple. She was strong-willed with a steady resolve and it was not ordinary for a woman to know kenjutsu, much more to use the skills in an actual combat. Kenshin was no ordinary swordsman and so was this young woman.

"Kaoru." He said, noting what she had just requested when addressing her." I invited you here to express how grateful I am for following Kenshin here all the way from Tokyo. Somehow, that made him go back to his senses and finally learned the final technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu."

There is nothing stronger than the will to live. Hiko knew in front of him was the person that kept Kenshin's heart beating.

"He may be a talented swordsman, but just like you and me, he is human. He could be hurt not by infliction of physical pain on him. That kind of pain, he could tolerate and survive."

Kaoru suddenly remembered what Megumi had said a few days ago. That was from a doctor's point of view. And this time it was Kenshin's master telling her.

The master continued. "But the pain of someone important to him...that would be unbearable for him." Hiko reached out to her and laid his hand on her shoulder. "Kaoru, you do understand what I'm saying, right?"

Kaoru nodded. She grasped what the sensei mean. I need to be stronger for Kenshin.

They talked for more than half an hour. It was mostly about the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu's final technique, its power and how the frequent execution of the technique would cause much stress on the wielder.

Hiko Seijuro, although most of the time would call Kenshin a baka deshi, actually cared for him so much that he called to meet her. The kenjutsu instructor did not ask why, but between them, they understood.

"Others know about this meeting...except him." Hiko said finally.

The sensei sent Kaoru off.

I will be stronger for Kenshin. It was so focused on Kaoru's mind that she already decided what to do next.