Disclaimer: I own nothing Ruroken.

Set during the Kyoto arc, after the firefly scene, but before Kenshin meets Misao.

You can't understand why I had to leave, can you? Do you think that I wanted to go? Wanted to return to my wandering?

The time is long past when I could have pretended I'd always planned on leaving. If I'd ever truly felt the need, you'd have awoken, and I'd have been gone. Simple. Without tears.

Because I never wanted to make you cry.

But it no longer matters what I want. I leave for your protection.

Maybe you know that.

Still... I don't think you understand that I'm protecting you not from Shishio...

But from Battousai...

From myself.