It's All Right...

"It's all right, Captain Watanabe..."

Yukina watched Watanabe Kenshin walk out through the front door, looking somewhat lost and dejected, and could not help speaking up.

His back looked so forlorn, almost pitiful, that she could not help but call out to him.

"Thank you..."

Hearing Yukina's words, Watanabe Kenshin turned around, gave a bitter smile, and nodded. "I'm fine. This was a request to begin with. Since Chiba has no intention of accepting it, then I suppose..."

"Chiba must have his reasons for doing this. I have never seen him refuse a request concerning the village's safety. If he is refusing you now, he must have a reason. Please believe in him."

Before Watanabe Kenshin could finish, Yukina interrupted, "Chiba is not the kind of person who would disregard the village's safety. Please do not doubt that. Nor would he let his personal feelings affect his judgment regarding the village."

Clearly, Yukina had heard the earlier conversation between Chiba and Watanabe Kenshin, as well as Watanabe Kenshin's apology. She believed there must be some lingering grievance between them, so she deliberately added those words to keep Watanabe Kenshin from thinking that Chiba had refused because of a personal grudge.

"Please, you must believe this much. Chiba is absolutely not that kind of person."

Yukina added another sentence as she looked at Watanabe Kenshin.

Chiba... must have his reasons...

He would never disregard the village's safety...

Hearing Yukina's words, Watanabe Kenshin's eyes widened slightly. His whole body trembled, and only after a long while did he bow slightly and offer his thanks solemnly. "Thank you, Lady Yukina."

"No, it was only what I should do."

Seeing his reaction, Yukina smiled faintly and shook her head. There was a natural elegance in her every gesture.

"Then, farewell."

Watanabe Kenshin gave another