[Megumi couldn't help her short, bitter laugh. Of course. It was a message that even Kenshin had repeated to her, albeit in his own, rurouni way.]

"A painful life or an easy death."

[She squared her shoulders, balling her hands into fists in momentary anger. Anger at herself, at Kanryuu, at everything that had happened. And then she lets it all out in a tired, pursed breath.]

I've already made my choice.

[Of course she did - Ken-san, Kaoru, Sanosuke, Yahiko - they all depended on her. But it was one thing to fight against death, and another to accept one's fate.]

I will pay for what I'd done in whatever way I can. The police said that if Ken-san didn't take care of Shishio, they'd try me for my crimes. I said that I'd rather face the noose.

If the end of the road has come for me, I'll accept it. In the meantime, I won't forget what I have to do.

[She hoped Aoshi understood.]