Akira finally found Mari and Haya in a back alley, wiping the blood from their faces and blades. He suppressed his nausea, but even then he couldn’t approach too close to the smell. "Did you…?"

"Naw, couldn’t find the little brats," Haya muttered, spitting. "But that’s fine. By the time that bastard figures out his son’s still alive, it’ll be too late."

"Too late? For what?"

"You didn’t hear Kagewara, did you? They set a trap for him." He laughed scornfully. "The wife thing was just to piss him off. Right now he’s probably on his way to the Night Wolf’s headquarters—everyone’s waiting. He’s gonna get his ass mangled!"

Akira shook his head, feeling weak from all this talk. "I thought they wanted him to join them. Now they’re just going to kill him?"

"Yeah. Deserves it, the traitor."

He turned to Mari, searching for her reaction to all this. She was sitting close to her brother, her head down and face devoid of emotion. She looked shaken. "Mari-san, are you all right?" he asked hesitantly.

Mari lowered her head further so that her hair hung over her eyes and obscured his view of her face. "I’m fine," she replied. "Just a bit tired. Let’s go home."

"We will in a while." Haya finished his rough cleaning job and stood. "Come on—I wanna see when they take Saitou down."

Mari climbed to her feet as well. Akira cringed; she looked disturbed and afraid, as if the blood covering her skin had leaked into it as well, contaminating her. "Go ahead," he told Haya. "I’ll take Mari home."

"No." She shook her head, refusing to meet his gaze. "I’m fine. I want to see."

"But…" Akira sighed, giving in once again. "Alright. I’ll go with you, I guess."

"Great," said Haya. "C’mon; let’s hurry."

They made their way through the city, traveling mostly through the back alleyways and deserted streets to avoid the police. Akira tried to keep up, but he was exhausted and weak from that night’s affairs. His eyes never left Mari. He knew she was just as frightened—she had never killed anyone like that before, and it was a strain on her conscience. But she didn’t complain, not in front of her brother. Several times Akira considered talking to her, but every time he backed down.

Finally they reached the address Kagewara had given them: a large inn near the lower-class section of town. "Hello?" Haya called as he entered. "Kagewara-san? Maeda-san? Aren’t you here?" He ventured inside further, but received no answer. "That’s funny. Maybe they’re meeting right now."

Mari glanced about, and her manner became more withdrawn. "I smell blood," she whispered.

Haya started down one of the halls, kodachi in hand. "Maeda-san?" he called, ducking into one of the rooms. Immediately he jumped back. "Shit! What the hell?"

Akira and Mari joined him, and the former turned away in disgust. Four men lay inside, freshly killed, their blood carpeting the tatami. Footprints of red led into the hall and to the next room. Further down the corridor were several more bodies, each butchered beyond recognition.

"There’s no way he could have done this," Haya murmured in disbelief. "They were supposed to know he was coming…it was supposed to be a trap. Isn’t that what Kagewara said?"

"He did," Mari affirmed quietly, drawing close to Akira. "But these men were all in their rooms…getting ready to sleep. Did…Kagewara lie to us?"

"Don’t know." He started down the hall, glancing briefly in the different rooms. "That shit."

Akira chased after him, Mari on his heels. "Wait! Saitou might still be here!"

Haya came to the last room and stopped at the broken entrance. His friends were close behind him, and they froze as the scene was made visible to them. More bodies were there, some still alive and moaning piteously as their life drained through their wounds. Maeda was among them, far beyond any medical help. And standing over the mess was their attacker, soiled nearly from head to toe. His police jacket was gone, leaving only the once white shirt, tattered and sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His eyes were blazing, cold orbs. "Run…" Maeda wheezed at the man’s feet. "Just…run…"

Saitou ended the man with a quick movement of his sword, then charged. Haya leapt back and was able to dodge before the blow hit. The opposite wall absorbed the force and was torn to splinters.

"Holy shit." Haya backed away, adjusting his stance as Saitou turned to face him. The man slid into his own posture.

"That’s it," Akira said, remembering from the day he’d spent at the dojo. "That’s the move I told you about: gatotsu."

Mari nodded, readying her staff. "Brother, let me." She stepped in front of him. "You can’t fight this guy. We’ll have to make a run for it."

"You cannot escape," Saitou hissed, eyes narrowing. "If you are with these men, I will cut you down."

"We’ll see." Her hands shifted around the wooden staff. "Come on," she taunted without emotion. "I’m the one that stabbed your wife in the back."

With a vengeful growl Saitou attacked. Mari had never fought this man before and she’d never seen gatotsu, but her quick mind and the information Akira had given her allowed a plan to swiftly form in her mind. She dodged to her left and pivoted on her left foot, just as Yahiko had done and Kenshin before him. Her staff slashed at her target’s neck. Saitou was ready. He snatched her wrist with his right hand and halted the move. But Mari wasn’t finished, shifting her weight to her right foot to complete another circle of movement. Her free hand, which had already disconnected her second kodachi during the rotation, dug a deep wound in his already injured right shoulder.

Saitou didn’t even flinch, as if having not sensed the pain at all. He countered with startling speed, and a moment later Mari fell unconsciously to the floor from a fist to the side of her skull. Akira paled, horrified as the man lifted his sword to deliver the final blow. "W-Wait!" he cried without thinking. "Please—don’t kill her!"

Saitou merely snorted, and began to lower the blade. In a panic Akira ran forward, heart in his throat, and threw himself protectively over Mari. He was shaking and sobbing at once, but he didn’t care. For her, he didn’t care.

Akira almost felt the blade as it descended, missing his skin by scant centimeters as it plunged into the floor. It took him a moment to realize he was still alive. Bewildered, he lifted his gaze.

Saitou pulled his sword out of the floor, all the while watching the helpless boy with a frozen glare. "You’re the one that found me," he stated blandly. "You told me to go home."

Stunned, the boy nodded dumbly. "Y-Yes, sir."

"You knew."

"Saitou-san, please," Akira begged. "Please don’t kill them. They were fooled by Maeda-san and Kagewara-san. They’re not bad people. They—"

"Silence." He began to ready his weapon once more. "I won’t listen to excuses. You’ll all die for this evil."

Haya sprang forward and locked swords with the man. "Akira, get my sister out of here!" he shouted, able to fend Saitou off due to the weakness in the man’s right arm. "Take her and go—I’ll follow."

"But… but you can’t beat him," he stuttered. "You’ll be killed."

"You dumb shit! Get out of here or he’ll kill us all!"

Akira nodded, retrieving Mari’s weapon and tying the wire around his arm. Acting quickly he pulled her onto him piggy-back style and managed to climb to his feet. "I’m going." He turned and began to run the best he could with Mari’s weight.

"Shit. You damn ass," Haya growled. He lashed out and kicked Saitou’s injured leg, causing him to falter in his defense . With one more kick to the man’s gut he turned and bolted after his friend. "Keep running!" he shouted. "He’s right behind us!"

No, oh no. What can I do? Akira burst out of the inn and kept running, aimless in his goal but desperate for escape. Everything had gone too far too fast, and unless he could find someplace to hide they would all die. But where could they go where Saitou would not follow? There would be no one willing to protect them.

"Ken-san is very brave. He may seem like a normal, light-hearted man, but he’s stronger than he looks. He’s protected us many times."

"Akira, we need a plan," Haya said as he caught up. "Even busted up that bitch’s fast—he’ll catch up sooner or later."

"I know." Akira switched paths, heading into the city. "I think I can find someone to help. Can you make it to the south district?"

"Of course. Can you?"

"I’ll survive."

"Are you sure you’re okay, Kenshin?" Sanosuke asked with concern. "You were the last one out of the hut, so you got burned pretty bad. You should see the doc before you go back."

Kenshin nodded. He’d discarded his jacket and replaced it with one given to him by the fire patrol. Although he accepted gratefully, the material draped heavily over his shoulder and pressed unnecessary weight on his blistered flesh. Still, he didn’t want to walk back through town half naked. "I will do that. Thanks, Sano."

"I wonder where that bastard went," he grumbled. "Just ran off and let us deal with the rest. Shit."

"You mean Saitou?"

"Of course! You saw him take off."

Kenshin hummed thoughtfully, remembering that scene. "It certainly was strange."

A cry arose from behind them, and the pair stopped walking. What few people that were left on the streets were moving to either side now, staring in bewilderment and shock at something they couldn’t yet see. Kenshin was instantly put on edge by the smell of blood. As they watched, two young men, one carrying a woman, ran past. "Hey," Sanosuke said, "wasn’t that—"

A moment later a fourth figure rushed after them in pursuit. Kenshin stared in shock to see it was Saitou, bloodstained and mad with rage. By the time he had the sense to call the man’s name, he was already far out of range. "What on earth…" Sanosuke murmured, dumbfounded. "What happened?"

"Something terrible," Kenshin said, his eyes wide. "His spirit…it was in total disarray. As if he has lost his mind completely…"

"Well, come on then!" Sanosuke started after, and a moment later so did his friend. "We’ve gotta stop him before he kills something!"

Kenshin pushed his strength, overtaking Sanosuke’s pace as he raced after the bizarre procession. Saitou…what happened to you? he thought. I have never felt a spirit like that.

He nearly stopped running when the realization came to him at last. It may have been his intuition or maybe something more, but there was almost no mistaking the spirit he’d felt. It was one he himself had experienced, not unlike the madness of Battousai. And yet, even deeper than that. Good God…Tokio-dono… With renewed purpose he increased his pace. But how did Akira-dono…why did he come? What does he have to do with this?

"Kenshin!" Sanosuke muttered curses, finding him further and further behind. "Hey, slow down! Wait for me, you jerk!"

"Sanosuke?"

He stopped, catching his breath as he took note of who had called him. It was Megumi, staring at him from the door to the clinic. She looked exhausted. "Was that Ken-san who went by just now?" she asked briskly.

"Yeah," Sanosuke huffed. "Chasing Saitou. That bastard’s lost his mind."

"Saitou has? Dear God, I should have found you all sooner." She went back into the clinic. "Come help me."

He poked his head inside with annoyance. "I don’t have time. Kenshin’s—"

"Trust me, Sanosuke. Ken-san will be in trouble if we can’t stop Saitou from fighting. Now help me with this boy."

He frowned. "Boy?"

Saitou was only fifty meters behind them. Akira fantasized that he could hear the man’s pounding footfalls and ragged breath, like those of a pursuing demon. He felt weak with fear but he kept his pace strong. Surly Himura Kenshin would help them—if anything, convince Saitou to spare their lives. He was propelled by this last hope.

The gates of the dojo appeared before them, and Akira gathered what little breath he could. "Himura-san! Kaoru-sensei!" He nearly collapsed from exhaustion, but somehow his strength kept him upright. "Somebody, please help us!" He skidded to a halt, shifting Mari’s weight to allow for a free hand to pound the gate. "Himura-san!"

"No time," Haya snapped. He leapt easily onto the top of the wall, and took a moment to find his balance. He reached his hand down. "Pass her up here."

Akira let the woman slide off his back, and immediately his limbs complained stiffly. He tried to ignore the cramps as he lifted Mari up to her brother. Saitou was closing fast. Akira leapt and grabbed the wooden edge, beginning to hoist himself up, but he could tell he wouldn’t make it. Haya jumped to the other side with Mari, but Akira had barely pulled himself onto the wall when the man struck. Gatotsu shredded the wood like paper, sending the three teens tumbling.

"Hayato! Mari-san!" Akira had landed on the outside of the dojo gate, and he kicked boards aside to climb to his feet. He dashed through the new opening.

By now Kaoru and Yahiko had been alerted by the commotion, and were outside with their shinai held at their sides. "Akira-kun," the former sputtered incredulously. Her gaze skipped from him, to Saitou, to the siblings. "What’s going on?"

Saitou had paused to assess this new situation, and Akira took advantage of his distraction. "I cam to find Himura-san," he said, moving carefully to Haya and Mari’s side. The brother had both kodachi drawn and ready. "Please—I don’t want my friends to die."

Kaoru moved between Saitou and his targets, confused but determined. She held up her shinai in a protective stance. "No one’s going to die here," she replied firmly. "I’ll protect you until Kenshin gets back."

"Me too," said Yahiko, following suit.

Haya moved to the girl’s side. "Don’t worry about me. Please, just protect my sister and the kid."

Saitou slid into his Gatotsu stance, though his right arm was unable to lift high enough to guide the blade. "Kamiya girl," he warned harshly, "my fight is not with you, but I will do whatever I can to destroy those three."

"Leave them alone," she retorted, unfaltering even as her hands were shaking. "They’re just kids—they’re not worth your trouble, and you don’t have to kill them."

"You have no idea," he spat.

"I won’t let you hurt them."

Saitou began to attack, and Haya ran to oppose him. As the left-handed gatotsu came screaming at him the boy swung his arm in a circle, using his kodachi to bat the sword away. But Saitou kept coming, and his fist impacted brutally against the boy’s skull. Haya was thrown onto his back with the force, and was barely able to roll out of the way of another strike. He managed to stumble to his feet only to be knocked down once more; Saitou’s cold, rage-guided strength was too much for him to take. The further Haya retreated the more determined his pursuer became, until finally the katana’s steel bit into his right arm.

Yahiko ran forward, ready to interfere despite Kaoru’s warning cries. "You bastard!" he shouted angrily. "Leave us the hell—"

Saitou interrupted him by simply kicking the boy with the heel of his boot. Yahiko was sent tumbling into the dirt, gripping his injured gut. "Yahiko!" Kaoru cried, about to come to his aid when Saitou turned his sight on her and the two she protected. His expression tightened. His posture changed.

Kaoru adjusted her grip on her shinai, her mind whirling. She couldn’t fight Saitou—not even Kenshin had been able to stop him, so what chance did she have? None. She knew that very well, and the realization sent shivers up her arms. But then she heard Akira’s quick, frightened breath, and she knew that backing down was not an option. Just as her father had preached protecting life, and just as Kenshin had saved her time and time again, this was now her test. She would protect her student with all her strength.

Saitou could see in the girl’s eyes that she had no intention of moving aside. He never considered her presence; all that mattered was Mari, lying defenseless in the arms of her weak friend. Her sharp voice echoed tauntingly in his mind.

With an enraged growl he ran at them.

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