The pen had gone deep enough that Kenshin wasn't as fast as he should have been. Instead of dodging and rolling like he normally would, he was forced to block Okita's attack with his sword, opening himself up to the kick to his stomach. His breath came in short gasps, and he had to fight to stay upright. He didn't hear Sano shouting, or his ensuing scuffle with Yuffie.

Kenshin did, however, hold onto his sword.

"Neither was I." He spat a little blood in Okita's direction. "I won't kill you, Okita. I won't sink to your level." Not yet.

"We all have to live in this world. Stop this idiocy."