In Memories: Ko-To-Wa-Ri by: P.P.V.V.

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies...

AN: Self-Challenge: Man-Vs. Himself = complete. I hope I did it justice and did it well. A couple of notes:

1) In Memories: Ko-To-Wa-Ri from the Rurouni Kenshin Tsuiokuhen OST by Taku Iwasaki was named and produced in Romanized characters. I had the joys of a lifetime trying to translate it accurately. I didn't know if he wanted it as a verb, a noun, or an adjective. Sadly, I couldn't find one that actually made sense, but here you are:

断り: otherwise noted; disclaimer

事割：things crack

ことわり：disclaimer

断る：to politely refuse

2) The story is named thus, but honestly, I was listening to Eclipse from the Rurouni Kenshin Seisouhen Original Theatrical Soundtrack the whole time I was writing this. But I do so love both tracks. Go ahead and download them if ever!

3) We've come to the end, everyone. Without further ado, here is the last chapter.

Onward.

Epilogue:

Ko-To-Wa-Ri

He stumbled off the ship, feeling like his head was detached from his body.

The wharf was crowded with people, milling about, loading and carrying cargo. Encountering civilization so suddenly after experiencing solitude for so long frightened him; it was all he could do not to hide away.

People talked to him as he limped by, but he didn't notice. He must have seemed rude and crass when he did not respond, but his brain had only one thing in mind. He worked toward the goal with the remainder of his strength.

If he took the time to try and understand his surroundings, he knew he'd lose focus and everything would be lost.

Everything.

So, he let instinct take over. It was the easiest thing to do. Somehow, he knew that his feet were carrying him in the right direction. Vaguely, he registered his surroundings, the buildings, the roads, the colors and the sounds.

He grew tired quickly, and he began to lose hope that he'd ever reach his destination. More than once, he had to stop and take a seat, and more than once, he contemplated staying that way.

Rest.

I want to rest…

He did not want to fight any more. Was there no end to his struggle? When could he lie down? When could he claim more than a temporary victory?

Just a little further.

And up he'd get, to continue his journey, with those words ringing in his ears.

Slowly, he made his way through a town. He began to lose footing, exhaustion claiming the best of him. He hadn't pushed himself this hard since…

Since…

Well, he couldn't remember.

He longed for closure, but knew he would not have it until he reached the finish line.

Until he reached…

"Hey, watch where you're going!"

The snap made him flinch, but his apology came out unintelligible. Whoever it was he had bumped into probably thought he was drunk. Apparently, they didn't like his garbled sentence because he was shoved aside hard, causing him to stumble into a passing couple and making his wounds flare anew.

By the time his vision cleared, the man was gone and the couple was pushing past him, disgust clearly written on their faces.

No.

No…

They were not important.

Mentally, he urged himself forward.

Using the railing of the bridge he was on to push himself to his feet, he made sure he was steady enough before moving out again.

The pain became unbearable and he began to pant, mouth becoming as dry as dust.

That was minor.

The urgency in his heart increased and he forced himself to quicken his pace.

He was almost there.

Cherry blossoms fell like rain around him when he went around a bend. They clouded his sight momentarily, but he focused ahead, feet dragging, sandals snagging onto the dirt road.

In the distance, he could make out a figure, running down the same road, coming toward him, arms open wide to accept him as they always had in the past.

She was all energy.

All beauty.

His...

Heartbeat quickening, he pushed himself the last couple of steps, stumbling forward one last time, only to be caught up in her embrace.

Warmth enveloped him and he breathed in the scent of jasmine deeply.

Now.

Now, he could rest.

He held onto the memory of her so tightly, tighter than ever before, so that he could tell her that his journey – his battle - had come to a permanent end.

His voice rasped, but he had to say it. Had to let her know...

"I...I'm back...Kaoru..."

There were words.

And snippets of colors and places.

But mostly words.

Home.

Home was the word that came to mind most often.

At last.

He was home.

End

AN: To everyone who has supported me thus far, who have never failed to leave me reviews, who have read on despite the fact that Seisouhen is not dear to their hearts at all, I express my humblest thanks and gratitude. A special thanks to my best friend for encouraging me to finish and to write even though I was hesitant to post this story.

For the criticisms, suggestions, and the all-around awesome opinions and comments, I am so inspired. Please do so for me one last time. Thank you again for joining me on this journey and for reading,

-P.P.V.V.