Sano's sudden disappearance and Kenshin's explanation left Yahiko with a tight, hollow feeling, but he was determined not to let it affect his concentration or ability. There were lots of people here who needed his help, and letting this get between him and his drive to protect people would go against all of his beliefs and training, against everything he'd spent the last five years becoming. He was Myoujin Yahiko, practitioner and teacher of the Kamiya Kasshin-Ryu--the sword which protects.

When the nurse led him back to his room, Yahiko's expression was firm. There were a lot of things that he believed strongly in, but his primary guiding light was the fact that if he worked hard enough and never lost sight of his goal, he could get through any darkness and make the future a brighter place.

He sat at the foot of his bed and shoved his fork into the slice of pie as if proving a very important point.