Well, a little idea that had been hanging in my mind since the might vs.
right thread finally decided to creep out and get set down on phosphor, so I
took an hour to write it out.

     Disclaimer:    Ruroni Kenshin and the characters of that
series don't belong to me, although the storyline I'm using them
in does (in theory).  Anyway I'm really thankful they're around,
not making money on them, and it would be really mean to sue a
harmless fan.

Note:     This contains minor spoilers for the second season.  I
haven't seen all of it, so I can't say if this is anything like
what happens.  If it is, then I guess great minds think alike. 
For the same reason, this is probably and alternate-fic.

                              Right

     Kenshin stood with a hand on his sakaba sword.  His stance
was that of waiting.  On the other side of the room stood Shishio
Makoto, his charred skin peaking through the bandages that
covered his body.  He stood out of Kenshin's reach, his hand
close enough to draw his sword if needed, but not on the hilt. 
Shishio smiled.     "I see the Hitokiri Batosai has once again
answered the call of the Ishin-gumi," Shishio said sardonically.

     "I am no longer the Hitokiri Batosai," Kenshin answer
evenly.

     "And I am no longer the Hitokiri that replaced you," Shishio
answered, "we both left that position, and for the same reason." 
Kenshin's eyes narrowed.

     "I left because I would not kill.  The new Meiji era should
not be one of the sword.  You would still be with the Ishin-gumi
if they did not try to kill you.  Instead of trying to overthrow
the government, you would be killing people to become its
leader."  Shishio smiled.

     "All that you say is true, as is what I said.  We both are
no longer with the Ishin-gumi because they are no longer fighting
on the side of Right.  You learned of your deception and pledged
never to kill again for your role in their plans.  It took their
betrayal of me for me to realize how far the Ishin government
strayed from the light.  Now I seek to bring their sins back upon
them."

     "The Ishin government has made mistakes and had bad members,
but the spirit of safety for all in a nation-state still is among
them.  The ideal lives on.  It was your assassination of the
minister of defense that put that ideal in jeopardy."

     "Oh?  I'm sure your friend Sanuske doesn't think so.  Was
that betrayal by the Ishin-gumi right?  We both know that the
Ishin government is not on the side or right, or else we would be
with it even now.  Both of us stand here ready to fight for
Right.  Ask yourself, Kenshin, if, considering all the Ishin have
done and continue to do, if you are truly on the side of right."

     "I cannot say who is fighting for right."  Shishio smiled
with Kenshin's admission.  "But I can know that I am fighting
wrong.  The hope that the Ishin will live up to their ideals is
far better for the people of Japan than the fire and death you
would bring.  I will fight against what is wrong for the people
of Japan, and that is something that can only be recognized when
it is seen, not in some ideal principles."  Shishio's eyes
narrowed.

     "Very well," he said, and placed a hand to his hilt.


                              ("`-''-/").___..--''"`-._
      Bastet's Chosen          `6_ 6  )   `-.  (     ).`-.__.`)
   matthew.lewis@Yale.edu      (_Y_.)'  ._   )  `._ `. ``-..-'
                             _..`--'_..-_/  /--'_.' ,'
                           (il).-''  (li).'  ((!.-'

Beware of organizations that proclaim their devotion to the light without
embracing, bowing to the dark; for when they idealize half the world they
must devalue the rest.
                           -Miriam Simos