The End of Dreams is the two hundred eighth chapter of the Rurouni Kenshin manga.
Synopsis[]
Kamiya Kaoru, dead at the age of seventeen. At her funeral, many showed up to mourn and give their sympathies, but one familiar face was not seen upon the crowd. Kenshin had disappeared and no one had seen him since that fateful battle .
Yahiko recalls the events that had happened while he was peacefully unconscious. Sanosuke's friends had begun their search for Kenshin, while Enishi and Gein's whereabouts remain unknown as well. Kujiranami in a half-mad state, was defeated and apprehended by Saitou, as well as Inui, Otowa, and Yatsume. Enishi's headquarters were discovered after some questioning, but nothing of importance was found there. Suddenly, one of Sanosuke's friends busts into the scene, interrupting Yahiko, Sanosuke, Megumi, and Tsubame's quiet thoughts. He brings good news. Kenshin has been located, but he warns the women and children to stay before, for the rurouni was found in the Rakuninmura.
The Rakuninmura is the home of the fallen. Those who have turned their backs on the Meiji Era and those who have had the era turn their back on them reside in the rundown area. Ignoring Sanosuke's friend's warning, all four visit the Rakuninmura and find Kenshin in terrible condition. It looks as though his soul has been completely sucked out of him, totally expressionless, and the most notable is his Sakabatou wrapped up in chains.
Sanosuke urges Kenshin to assist them in avenging Kaoru's death. When the rurouni gives no response, Sanosuke grows angry. He grabs Kenshin by the collar and demands that he speak. At last, Kenshin talks, but all he asks for is that everyone to leave him alone because he's tired. In response, Sanosuke slams Kenshin to the ground and cusses him out at the top of his lungs. Quickly, the residents of the Rakuninmura gather surround the group. They all threaten to give Sanosuke a beating, showing that Kenshin is now amongst them, the outcasts and forgotten of society.
Everyone left the Rakuninmura afterwards without exchanging parting words. Yahiko heads back home to the Kamiya Dojo by himself. As he crosses the bridge where he first met both Kenshin and Kaoru, memories slowly bring tears to his eyes. His thoughts of the past are soon interrupted when he hears his name being called from behind. Yahiko turns around, only to that see Misao and Aoshi have finally arrived from Kyoto.