Kenshin's eyes widened slightly. He shouldn't have been surprised by her selflessness, by her want and need to protect him even when she suffered so much at the hands of her husband. And yet he was. He had long since hated himself, and yet here she stood, loving him in spite of himself and what he had been. He drew her ever closer, so much as he could to feel her against him entirely.
"You need not fear for me, Sayuri-dono," he whispered, his lips brushing the side of her cheek as he held her. "For years, I have sought to repay my debt. I have hurt so many, been the cause of so much pain... I have cared not for my own life." Kenshin swallowed hard, contemplating himself for the moment. "But that had changed. I value my own life because I will not allow you to suffer any longer. I will assure that he does not hurt you anymore," he vowed, his voice confident and strong. "I understand what you say because my heart could not handle losing you either. So please remain strong, as you have for so long before this. I will not allow harm to come to you."