Kamiya Kaoru, dead at the
age of seventeen. At her funeral, many showed up to mourn
and give their sympathies, but one familiar face was not
seen upon the crowd. Kenshin had disappeared. No one had
seen him since the day of his battle with Enishi.
Yahiko recalls the events
that had happened while he was peacefully unconscious.
Sanosuke's friends had begun their search for Kenshin,
while Enishi and Gein's whereabouts remain unknown as
well. Kujiranami, who was defeated by Saitou, is still
in a half mad stage. The other three comrades, Inui, Otowa,
and Yatsume, were all arrested. Enishi's headquarters
were discovered after some questioning, but nothing of
importance was found there. Suddenly, one of Sanosuke's
friends busts into the scene, interrupting Yahiko, Sanosuke,
Megumi, and Tsubame's quiet thoughts. He brings good news.
Kenshin has been located, but he warns the women and children
to stay before, for the rurouni was found in the Rakuninmura.
The Rakuninmura is the
home of the fallen. Those who have turned their backs
on the Meiji Era and those who have had the era turn their
back on them reside in the rundown area. Ignoring Sanosuke's
friend's warning, all four visit the Rakuninmura. They
find Kenshin in terrible condition. It looks as though
his soul has been completely sucked out of him. There
is no expression on his face. Most notable is his Sakabatou,
which remains wrapped up in chains.
Sanosuke urges Kenshin
to assist them in avenging Kaoru's death. When the rurouni
gives no response, Sanosuke grows angry. He grabs Kenshin
by the collar and demands that he speak. At last, Kenshin
talks, but all he asks for is that everyone to leave him
alone because he's tired. In response, Sanosuke slams
Kenshin to the ground and cusses him out at the top of
his lungs. Quickly, the residents of the Rakuninmura gather
surround the group. They all threaten to give Sanosuke
a beating, showing that Kenshin is now amongst them, the
outcasts and forgotten of society.
Everyone left the Rakuninmura
afterwards without exchanging words of parting. Yahiko
heads back home to the Kamiya Dojo by himself. As he crosses
the bridge where he first met both Kenshin and Kaoru,
memories slowly bring tears to his eyes. His thoughts
of the past are soon interrupted when he hears his name
being called from behind. Yahiko turns around, only to
that see Misao and Aoshi have finally arrived from Kyoto.
