Echo

A Wish Unrequited

Sitting on the tatami, I shifted uncomfortably, the fresh bandages wrapped around my shoulder and back pulling with every breath. Megumi had done her best to clean the wound Saito left behind, but the pain still throbbed beneath my skin. I glanced at Kenshin beside me—his face was calm again, the storm of Battosai long gone, though the tension still lingered in the air like a threat. Ōkubo sat across from us, his face grim as he started the meeting. "There's no easy way to say this," he began, voice steady but weighted. "Shishio Makoto has resurfaced in Kyoto."

The silence that followed his words was deafening. I could feel Sano stiffen beside me, his fists tightening, while Kaoru and Yahiko exchanged confused glances. But Kenshin and I... we knew. The name sent a shiver down my spine, a shadow from our past crawling back to life.
"Shishio Makoto?" Kaoru echoed, her brow furrowed. "Who is that?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before looking at Kenshin, who gave me a slight nod. I cleared my throat, the memories flooding back.
"He was Kenshin's successor as a hitokiri," I said quietly, glancing around the room. "When Kenshin was summoned to the front lines, Shishio was the one who carried on the assassinations in the shadows."

Sano's voice broke in, his confusion clear. "Wait, so this guy's another killer from the Bakumatsu? Why haven't we heard about him before?"

Ōkubo interjected, his voice low and serious. "Because we tried to erase him from history. Shishio was dangerous, more dangerous than anyone realized at first. Unlike Kenshin and Aka, he didn't care about the cause or the people—it was all about power for him. When he started using his position for extortion and blackmail, threatening to expose secrets that could destroy everything we fought for, we had no choice but to take him out. We tried to execute him, shot him and burned his body. But he survived. Now, he's built an empire of criminals, warlords, and killers... and he's planning to throw Japan into chaos."

Kaoru's eyes widened, her hand clutching at the sleeve of her kimono. "What... what are you asking Kenshin to do?"

Ōkubo didn't hesitate, his gaze falling on Kenshin. "We need him to stop Shishio. To kill him."

The words hung heavy in the room. Kaoru's gasp was soft but filled with horror, and Yahiko stared at Kenshin, his young face paling. Sano, however, let out a growl of frustration, slamming his fist into the floor.

"Is that it? You think Kenshin is still your damn hitokiri?" Sano spat, glaring at Ōkubo. "He's not your assassin anymore. You can't just pull him out whenever it's convenient for you!"

Ōkubo's expression softened, but Kawaji, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, his voice firm. "This isn't a threat. But it's true that if Kenshin refuses, the government may have to take... certain actions. Crimes from the past could be reconsidered."

"Past crimes?" Megumi's eyes flashed with anger. "Like my involvement in opium manufacturing, you mean? You'd really stoop that low to get what you want?"

I clenched my fists, biting back the fury rising in me. "I'd never let my brother become that man again."

Kenshin remained silent, his head lowered as he seemed to wrestle with the weight of the decision. But I knew him well enough to see the conflict—the responsibility he felt to protect Japan, even after all these years. Sano wasn't done. "And for what? To save the Meiji government?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "Maybe it deserves to fall if it's willing to use people like this."

Kawaji bristled, stepping closer, but Yahiko spoke up before he could escalate things. "What's the difference between this and what Shishio's doing?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with the innocent confusion of youth. "If Kenshin goes back to being a hitokiri... it's like Shishio won."