[M&M] Hi guys! This isn't really my first fic, my Inuyasha one (that I'm still working on) is, but this is my first Rurouni Kenshin fic ^_^ I am sort of bashful about posting this considering Rurouni Kenshin is a really old anime 1990 something (I think). I'm so slow T_T Anyhow; I remember that my cousins used to be obsessed with this anime. I always made fun of them saying that it was a boy's thing, but now I totally take that back. Rurouni Kenshin is awesome for girls and boys!

I don't know if this anime would be considered AU because it is in the Bosshin War era, so it technically follows the anime 0-0 But Kaoru is there. So it's like half-AU =_=; I have no idea what else to call it. Also this story is currently rated T. Most likely it will go up to M later in the chapters for blood, language...and you know the other one ;)

Please enjoy. I tried to make this chapter enjoyable as I could, but my first chapters usually tend to set the scene so it could be boring as well Review if you feel compelled, and if you can critique me, that would be awesome as well. I try to be as welcome to them as I can ^3^ I want to get better at writing~

Summary: Kenshin, the cold-hearted and infamous Hitokiri Battōsai, is assigned to get Kamiya Kaoru, a brilliant swordsman in defending, for the good of Ishin Shishi. However will Kaoru's stay in the group be beneficial or dangerous to him? Battosai/Kaoru fic

Disclaimer: I do not own this. Rurouni Kenshin belongs to the brilliant Nobuhiro Watsuki (I swear I learned so much about swords from this anime!)

Chapter 1: Kamiya, What?

Pit, pat, pit, pat

A small shadow detached itself from the larger shadow of the moon. With an agile grace that could only be appropriate for an assassin, the figure jumped across the kawara roofs of the homes with ease and precision. The moonlight glinted off the polished wooden scabbard held at the man's waist and his oddly colored hair—red—flowed behind him with the breeze that formed from his running. Hardened amber eyes stared straight ahead as his lips were pressed into a thin line. This was a night for another death. Hitokiri Battōsai was coming!

A wreath of smoke curled in the air before dissipating from thin air. The smell of smoke was heavy in the cramped room of the Japanese home. A group of men was sitting together, and the turquoise colors of the Bakofu were a stark contrast against the wooden panels of the walls. "Are the plans ready?" a deep voice growled.

"Yes," another man answered. Gulping down a cup of sake in a shot, he nervously tucked his hands into the sleeves of his kimono. "Will the Captain be here?"

The man who had spoken first shrugged. "I don't know, but this was the rendezvous point of our plan; time can only tell."

"Too bad you'll all be dead."

The men in the room froze in fear at the quiet, yet dangerous voice. They slowly turned around to the doorway to see Battōsai there. Kenshin stared calmly back, his hand curled at the hilt of his sword. "I bear no grudge to you, but your deaths are necessary in bringing peace."

The reaction was immediate. Several men tried to pull out their katanas from their sheath, while others tried to scurry for safety. However, before the men could attack, they were felled quickly.

It took only a few seconds as Kenshin literally became a blur in the small room. The men were nothing but cornered rats that would be killed mercilessly. Dark red blood splattered against the walls and screams of pain rang through the quiet night air. The flames of the candles placed in the room flickered before going out. The room was plunged into darkness.

Kenshin's breathing was steady as he calmly sheathed his bloodied sword. His amber eyes were glowing in the darkness as he straightened up from his offensive stance. His lips curled in distaste as he gazed at the corpses strewn across the floor. They had been weak—powerless against his sword. He walked across the room to the man who had been the leader of the group. Taking a piece of paper from within the folds of the man's kimono, he left the bloodied room. Tenshuu had been completed.

"Yo, Battōsai! How did the mission go?" Iizuka inquired cheerfully as he watched the red-head washing his hands.

"I killed them," Kenshin replied flatly. He was furiously scrubbing at his hands to wash away the odor of blood. However, the scent didn't seem to fade at all.

"A little touchy now, aren't we?" Iizuka retorted, tapping on his chin and closing an eye.

Kenshin glared at him before pushing the man to the side. He wanted to get to his room and rest. Iizuka, on the other hand, seemed to have another idea. "Hey! Where are you going?" the Ishin Shishi soldier called out as he followed him. "The other guys and I are heading out to the red-light district tonight. Want to come?"

Kenshin ignored the man's insistent prodding and questions as he continued to walk down the hallways of the inn. He had better things to do than go to a brothel house to warm the bed of a whore. Iizuka soon gave up at the assassin's lack of response. Sighing in disappointment, the man waved at Kenshin as he started walking the other way. "See you in the morning, Battōsai!"

Kenshin didn't wave back as he watched the man leave with impassive eyes. He turned around and slid the shoji to his room open. Sliding it back shut quietly, Kenshin wordlessly started undressing from the bloodied clothes he wore. He tossed the clothes to the corner of his room—clothes that would be washed in the morning. Changing into a clean set of a kimono, Kenshin made his way to the window seat of the room.

The view overlooked the wide yard of the inn, and the full moon was like a great silver eye looking over the building. It was here, next to the window that had been his sleeping place as of late. The futon was uncomfortable and it seemed to make Kenshin paranoid over many things. He had killed many people who had been sleeping in futons, blissfully unaware of their impending death through the blade of his sword. Kenshin had no desire to become one of those people.

Placing his sword comfortably across his body and against his shoulder, Kenshin hung his head and allowed his eyes to close. It was a long time before sleep overtook him. However, even then, he was plagued by fitful dreams. Corpses and fire dominated the night. Screams and pleads for mercy—and the unmistakable stench of blood.

Sunlight had just filtered through the dense mists when Kenshin woke up. His amber eyes narrowed at the pale rose color of dawn, and he rubbed his eyes tiredly. Slumber was no more the restful event that happened every night. Kenshin winced when he recounted yesterday's dream. He snorted at the irony of his life; he could kill countless of people, but at the very heart of his mind, he couldn't face the demons that lied coiled up within him.

Feeling as though he contemplated enough, Kenshin got up and stretched his cramped muscles. Another day had come, another routine to complete. Straightening the crinkles of his clothes, Kenshin slowly got up from his night's perch and made his way to the shoji. Who would be his victim today?

The same sunlight beamed down upon a large and beautiful manor that was hidden in the midst of a heavy forest. The building was of Japanese design with elegantly curved roofs and pagodas. Servants ran hither thither to perform their morning duties before their masters woke up.

Kaoru was meditating in the bliss of the early morning light. She loved waking up before everyone else as it was always quiet and peaceful; the birds were just beginning to sing their morning melodies. Kaoru's hair was pulled back into a high loose pony tail, and she was wearing her navy hakama. The bokken was lying behind her, well within her grasp if it was needed. Taking one last deep breath, Kaoru got up and took her sword. It was time to practice.

Sweat trickled from Kaoru's forehead, but she blinked back the annoyance. Her bokken faced straight ward as she moved gracefully from one form to the next. She performed her daily kata with a discipline that had been earned after many years of practicing with the wooden sword. Imaging an opponent in front of her, Kaoru brought the wooden sword in a slash that would have disarmed her enemy. He would still be alive as Kamiya Kasshin-ryū was a protecting sword-style. The motto of her teachings still held: never kill.

Smiling to herself, Kaoru was about to move onto the next step of her training when a servant came running through the patio. Kaoru kept her easy smile when the servant became recognizable as the distance shortened. "Ah! Tae, good morning!"

Tae returned the easy smile as she bowed in a polite greeting. "Tomoe-san asks of your presence for breakfast."

Kaoru wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of hand. "No problem. I'll just clean up a bit and I'll be there shortly." Tae bowed one more time before running back to relay the message to her mistress.

Kenshin tuned out the loud chatter of the men that were sitting around him. His eyes were closed as he sipped the miso soup. The warm soup relaxed him somewhat as the flavor of beef spread throughout his mouth. Food could bring out the simplest joy in things, and Kenshin enjoyed every bit of it. A nervous cough broke his mental quiescence, and Kenshin opened one eye blearily. An Ishin Shishi messenger stood in front of him.

The man looked agitated, but Kenshin ignored it. The guy was probably new as most newcomers were uncomfortable in his presence. Kenshin mentally scoffed at the thought but he didn't dwell on it. He was used to the stares he would receive outside and inside of the inn; it was better for them to fear him. "U-Uh Katsura-san would like to speak with you."

Kenshin wordlessly put the bowl of soup back onto the ground and stood up. He nodded to the messenger before going out and heading to the separate room of his leader. The messenger let out a held sigh of relief. The other men laughed.

Katsura was sipping a cup of hot green tea when a polite tap was heard. "Come in," he called out, knowing full well who it was. Kenshin closed the shoji behind him as he politely sat down in front of the man. "Ah. Good morning, Battōsai. How was your sleep?"

"Good, thank you," Kenshin replied calmly.

Silence stretched out between the two before Katsura smiled kindly. "That's good." He scrutinized Kenshin's slightly tensed position before saying, "I'm guessing that you want to know why I called you."

Kenshin bowed his head. "If you may."

"Always straight to the point," Katsura said somewhat affectionately. He cleared his throat before taking on a business-like tone. "I don't know if you've heard but there seems to be a certain swordsman out here in Kyoto who is causing us a bit of trouble."

Kenshin's face hardened. "The casualties?"

Katsura laughed. "That is the baffling part! None of our men have actually passed away…just broken jaws and ribs and the likes," he added dryly.

This caught Kenshin by surprise. His usually impassive face broke out in confusion. "No deaths? Then why…"

Katsura held up his hand for silence. "It is true that we have had no deaths yet, but that does not change the fact that our plans have been delayed because of it. This new swordsman, Kamiya, has been holding off many of my swordsmen from their target. I don't know how he does it, but it has gotten quite frustrating."

"Not if I can help it," Kenshin said with narrowed eyes.

Katsura clapped his hands as he beamed at his youngest assassin. "Exactly! I called you here for your latest mission." He passed a black envelope to Kenshin. "He is presiding in this location."

Kenshin silently opened up the sealed letter to read the details of the assassination. An eyebrow rose as he stared at Katsura questioningly. "I thought you said he was a nuisance…"

"Yes, but I'm sure you know why I am doing this," Katsura answered somewhat slyly. He waved off Kenshin. "Your mission will be at night so enjoy the rest of your day."

Kenshin pressed his lips into a thin line before stiffly bowing down. He opened the door and left the room.

Once the red-head left, Katsura gazed down at the paper below him. The Isshin Shishi leader sighed and proceeded to start writing. As he did, the man couldn't help but wonder what the mission might entail for the hot-blooded assassin.

Kaoru could not believe how hungry she was after training. That was the only problem with practicing so much, she thought musingly, was that you were constantly hungry in order to make up for the lost energy spent on training.

Kaoru's chopsticks hovered over a pickled radish when she heard a soft cough in front of her. The chopsticks paused in mid air as Kaoru looked up to the onyx colored eyes of Tomoe. Tomoe was smiling softly at Kaoru's rice covered face, before she said somewhat dryly, "Did you even hear what I just said right now, Kaoru-chan?"

Kaoru gulped down the rice nervously. "Ah…hahaha, I must have been too busy eating."

Tomoe sighed. "I said I wanted to tell you that my cousin says thank you for protecting him from that man yesterday."

Kaoru's azure eyes blinked in confusion before widening in comprehension. She laughed as she waved her hand modestly in front of her. "Hahaha! No need to thank me, Hime. I was just doing my job, you know."

Tomoe blinked at the nickname, but her face remained impassive. "That doesn't change the fact that you still saved his life."

"Awww. Glad to here there are some respectable people nowadays," Kaoru teased, "But really. It was nothing."

A hint of weariness was visible on Tomoe's face as she looked outside the window. Her friend, and guard's, indifference was sometimes very frustrating. "Well just know that he and I are grateful." Kaoru replied by flashing another one of her bright smiles.

Tomoe looked down sadly as she fingered the hem of her kimono. "Perhaps I should learn to fight as well, so I don't have to rely on you, my friend. After all they are my family."

"You don't need to learn how to fight," Kaoru pointed out, her sharp hearing catching the other female's mumbling. "You have me, and besides all your family lives in the same manor. It's not that big of a nuisance."

"But I feel so worthless!" Tomoe said, her usual masked face holding anguish.

Kaoru rolled her eyes as she ate a piece of dried fish. "Cut the melodrama, Tomoe-chan. You know you can't take the sight of blood."

Tomoe shifted nervously at the mention of blood, and she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Kaoru's eyes softened as she thought about her friend's phobia of blood. She slowly reached out and took her friend's hand that was lying on the top of the table. "It's better that you don't know how to fight, Tomoe," Kaoru gently said. "The life of a warrior is not the most merciful."

"But you…" Tomoe started.

Kaoru shook her head. "Tomoe, you know why I fight. People who don't have the resolve for the training cannot handle the pressure of being a swordsman. It's not for showing off one's skills or any other things. I fight because it is something that I must do."

Tomoe's eyes bore into Kaoru's; opaque black met bright blue. "Sometimes I think that fate can be so unjust, Kaoru-chan. I have to wonder why the gods are so cruel to give you a life as difficult and bloody as that of a warrior's, while I enjoy the simplicity and amiableness of it."

Kaoru smiled and her eyes lit up with humor. "And that gentle heart is exactly why you can't be a warrior."

"You're pretty gentle yourself," Tomoe answered as she squeezed Kaoru's hand comfortingly. "You never kill anyone."

Kaoru's eyes held sadness. "It is what my father taught me."

Tomoe didn't answer as she knew it was a touchy subject for Kaoru. Instead, the older female stood up from the mat and proceeded to clear the table. As Tomoe moved to the door, she turned around and gave Kaoru a rare smile. "I'm sure that your father would be proud of what you're doing, Kaoru-chan."

Night was beginning to fall and Kaoru sat outside of Tomoe's door. She shifted restlessly from the wooden post she was leaning on, but she forced herself to remain quiet. She was garbed in a black obi to blend into the darkness better. Her friend Misao, who was part of one of the most prestigious ninja organizations, had taught her some things about the art of camouflage. The mask was her idea, however.

She idly fingered the contours of the white mask she grew to be so familiar with. Kaoru didn't know why she wore it, but it gave her a sense of reassurance. Also, this allowed her enemies to not hold back when fighting her. If it was one thing Kaoru couldn't stand, it was when men fought easily against her just because she was a female!

Kaoru allowed her mind to wander, though a part of herself was aware to the things around her. Her days were always the same. Wake up, train, eat breakfast with Tomoe, go to the market with Tomoe to protect her from perverts and burglars, come back home with Tomoe and hang out with some of the servant girls, eat lunch, follow Tomoe, eat dinner, and proceed to protect Tomoe while she slept at night. Kaoru sighed. Any other person, man or woman, would give anything to be in her position but Kaoru couldn't help but feel a little bit bored. Tomoe was a nice lady who genuinely cared for the people, regardless of their status. Sure, Tomoe was not the most expressive, but not many people could boast in having a gentle lady as her. But Kaoru wanted to do something. It was hard to describe in words. Kaoru would sometimes brush off this feeling as anxiety, but who was she to say? She couldn't ask other people; they wouldn't understand.

Kaoru jumped down from the deck. Whatever, she thought bitterly, at least this week there's been some action. For some reason, unbeknownst to her, men were gradually attacking the manor at night. Kaoru frowned. It wasn't like they were a problem—in fact, Kaoru could proudly state that she was able to defend her mistress and mistress's family well from the attackers—but their insistent attacking was arousing her curiosity. There was nothing valuable in the manor, as far as she could tell, and that was saying a lot since she practically lived at the manor 90% of her life. The only thing Kaoru could conclude was that the men wanted Tomoe for some reason, perverts. But then again, they had attacked the girl's relatives, not her. At least, not yet. Kaoru chewed her lip as she grew pensive.

From the corner of her eyes, Kaoru saw a shadow stir. The girl drew her bokken quickly and warily approached the wall. Her body was tense and her muscles bunched in preparation to defend or attack. A form moved toward her, and in panic at the sudden movement, Kaoru swung her sword around. A mockingbird squawked in fear before flying away.

Shit, Kaoru thought. Someone could have heard that bird's shriek, and everyone knew hitting a mockingbird was bad luck. Before she could dwell on her mistakes any further, something flung itself at Kaoru.

Reflexively, Kaoru swung her bokken to defend herself. A loud clang was heard as wood met metal. Kaoru found herself staring into the eyes of a man garbed in black. Assassin! Her eyes hardening with a will to survive as well as protect, Kaoru brought the kata she practiced so much into play.

Thrust! Parry! Slash! Everything blurred into one as Kaoru furiously attacked her enemy. The man seemed to be surprised at her skill, and Kaoru mentally smirked. His underestimating of her would be his fatal mistake. In one fluid underhanded stroke, Kaoru disarmed the man of his weapon. Never hesitating, Kaoru swung her bokken into his stomach hard and hit his head simultaneously. The man let out a choked cry before passing out on the ground.

Kaoru didn't have a chance to catch her breath before several other men garbed in black attacked her. Where are the guards, Kaoru thought wildly as she defended herself. The manor was oddly silent. Fear filled Kaoru.

This siege was different than the others. Whereas the others had been a hit-and-run, this was a well orchestrated plan. Kaoru bared her teeth in anger when she saw some dark shapes move toward Tomoe's room. With a newfound strength that surged through her veins, Kaoru attacked fiercely. No one would hurt Tomoe!

Moving like water between the assassins, Kaoru went through the men like they were nothing. Panting a little from the exertion, Kaoru ran toward the manor again. A shrill scream tore through the night, and Kaoru felt her heart stop. NO! she screamed, both verbally and mentally.

Kaoru tore the shoji of Tomoe's room open as she ran inside. Kaoru paused when she saw Tomoe struggling feebly in the arms of a man—a man with piercing amber eyes and dark red hair. He had a sword pressed to Tomoe's throat.

Burning white, hot anger spread through Kaoru and she felt herself trembling. She gripped her bokken tightly as she growled. Her voice came out several octaves lower in her fury. "Let her go!"

Kenshin raised one eyebrow as he stared at his opponent in front of him. Kamiya didn't look anything like how he would've imagined him to be. For one thing, he was small, smaller than even him and lean. But then again the black clothes could be one thing. Kamiya's hair, pulled into a high ponytail like his, was an ebony color and a white mask obscured his face. But what intrigued Kenshin the most was those piercing blue eyes that stared back at him from the holes of the mask. They were a smoky blue, like that of an ocean during a storm that stared challengingly at him, clear and devoid of fear. Interesting, he thought. His eyes traveled to the bokken in Kamiya's hand. "A bokken?" he heard himself speak in the silent room.

Kaoru didn't answer the question as she brought the tip of her sword toward Kenshin. "Let her go, I said."

"And if I don't?" Kenshin replied somewhat mockingly.

Tomoe's eyes widened in fear as she stared at Kaoru. Kaoru growled again as she placed one foot back. Noticing this, Kenshin spoke. "Don't," he commanded coldly. "You attack, and this woman dies."

Kaoru felt herself freeze. She cursed mentally as she stared at the man before her with cool eyes. His eyes, the hue of molten gold, were narrowed dangerously. He wasn't fibbing in his threat. Damn…

Straightening herself but not letting go of her bokken, Kaoru paced across the room, maintaining her eye contact with him. "What do you want from us?" Kaoru asked, never breaking eye contact with him during her pacing. She was trying to find a break in his hold where she could possibly attack.

Kenshin moved to the side as Kaoru came closer to him. "I do not need to answer," he replied coolly.

Kaoru gritted her teeth in frustration. "We have nothing that would interest you. If it's money, there are some chests in the main house." If money was something that could be given to save her mistress, then so be it.

"Interesting to know, but money isn't why I've come here," Kenshin replied.

His stance was somewhat relaxed, Kaoru noticed. He shifted a bit when she moved toward the left. Hnn…so his left side is his weaker side? There! Eyes glowing with delight, Kaoru immediately launched herself at Kenshin.

Kenshin snorted at his opponent's directness. He moved forward to meet her, but his eyes widened, when Kaoru suddenly shifted to his left side while attacking his right. His hand automatically moved to defend, which loosened his hold on Tomoe.

Kaoru snatched Tomoe from his arms and placed her behind her. Panting from the adrenaline rush, Kaoru felt her lips twist in a smirk. "A bit slow, aren't we?"

Kenshin's eyes flashed in fury at Kaoru's taunting. Kaoru felt herself tensing at the dark aura emitting from the man. Maybe she shouldn't have teased him?

"You have no idea who you are messing with!" Kenshin snarled.

"Care to enlighten me, then?" Kaoru shot back.

Kenshin's eyes widened in shock. He seriously didn't know? Kenshin was contemplating now; tell or don't tell? Tomoe clutched the back of Kaoru's gi tightly. Though she tried to keep her voice level, it shook slightly. "He is Battōsai; the man to be feared of the Ishin Shishi."

Aw, shit no, Kaoru mentally groaned. I just had to go and taunt one of Meiji's dangerous swordsmen. I am so screwed!

Kenshin felt himself smirk as he noticed the tense shoulders of Kaoru at Tomoe's words. Kaoru's eyes widened before disappearing as fast it came. "Heh. Well that means nothing to me!" Kaoru gruffly answered back. She was putting on a mask of bravado, and she knew it, but it helped alleviate the sense of fear within her a little bit.

"Really?" Kenshin asked with a tilt of his head. In the back of his mind, Kenshin idly wondered why he was striking a conversation with his adversary. He was never one to bait his victims with words. Kenshin frowned slightly. This guy was making him act weird.

"Leave!" Kaoru snapped back at him, ignoring his frown. "We have nothing to give you, or reason to harm us!" Tomoe walked back a little to give Kaoru more room. Her eyes never left the two.

Kenshin didn't answer as he moved to attack. Words would come later; attack and get him first, his swordsman instincts screamed. Kaoru barely had time to raise her sword when Kenshin's sword came at her.

She gasped at the tingling sensation in her arms as she deflected his blow. This man was strong; definitely stronger than the ones she fought before. So this is why the Battōsai is so feared, Kaoru thought wryly.

Kaoru's eyes widened when she saw Kenshin disappear. Kaoru let out a shriek as she felt herself being flung through the air. She crashed against the wooden wall, and she gave out a choked gasp. Feeling winded, Kaoru started coughing from the floor. Blinking back the stars and holding her stomach, Kaoru shakily got up.

Kenshin watched her impassively. "I have come for you, Kamiya. There is no other reason why I'm here."

Time seemed to freeze as Kaoru's mind tried to comprehend Kenshin's words. "What?" Her voice was raspy.

"You heard me," Kenshin answered back coolly. "My master seems to have taken an interest in your abilities."

Kaoru coughed, but she managed to glare at Kenshin for all she was worth. "Well, tell him I'm not interested." She answered, hissing, "I'd rather die than join with whoever you're working for."

"Failure of my mission is not an option," Kenshin replied with narrowed eyes. He turned to Tomoe, who had been watching them from the corner. Tomoe's eyes met his. "If this is the reason why you said no, I'll erase it for you," he said quietly. That had been his original plan after all; hold the lady hostage while persuading Kamiya.

Tomoe felt her throat constrict in panic when she saw Kenshin's amber eyes turn to her and finger his sword. However, she didn't scream. Instead she tightened her light purple shawl around her. Tomoe curled slightly into the corner as she closed her eyes. She felt tears prick on the corner of her eyes. She didn't want to die. She had so much to live for: like her fiancée she was supposed to wed this spring, or her warm family and the servants living here!

Kenshin had never killed a conscious woman, but he braced himself to do it. This was for peace he said to himself. He brought his sword down in a downward stroke.

It was all in slow motion. Tomoe was finally able to scream at the same time Kaoru pushed herself from the wall toward her friend. The sound of something ripping was heard and a line of blood sprayed the air.

Tomoe felt her eyes dilating when she saw the blood. Kaoru coughed, a thin line of the red liquid trickling from her lips. She tried to smile in order to comfort her frightened looking friend. "D-Don't worry…I'll protect…y-you…" Before Kaoru could finish, she passed out cold. She landed with a thud against the hard floor.

"KAORU!" Tomoe grabbed her friend's shoulder, tears flowing freely from her face.

Kenshin froze in shock. Kamiya was a…girl? He had never expected Kamiya to move so fast as to use himself—herself—as a shield between his sword and her mistress. When she had fallen, her mask had slipped off, revealing the face underneath. The sword cut he had made created a slash mark from her shoulder blades to her back. The wound was forming a slow but steady pool of blood.

Kenshin looked down at the pale face of Kamiya, whose eyes were closed. Her dark hair lay spilled across her face, making her look like a corpse. His eyes flitted to Tomoe who looked lost as what to do. The woman's fingers kept trembling, as well as clenching and unclenching above her fallen guard. The woman had called the girl 'Kaoru'. Kenshin cursed himself and the informant of this mission. If he had known it was a female he was fighting, he would've gone easier on his attacks.

"Enough," he finally said. Tomoe looked up at him in alarm when she heard his voice. "She is not dead," he continued softly. Indeed Kaoru was not. He could make out the faint rise and fall of her back. It was weak, but there. He moved to take Kaoru in his arms. The girl was not dead, thankfully, and therefore his mission was still his primary purpose: bring back Kaoru Kamiya to the Ishin Shishi no matter what!

Tomoe reached out and took hold of his sleeve. Through her tears, she asked in panic, "Where are you taking her?"

Kenshin glanced at her. "That is none of your business," he said monotonously. He would need to kill this woman; she had witnessed him performing his mission.

Tomoe seemed to read his mind as she bowed suddenly in front of him. "Please! Take me with you as well!"

"And why would I do that?" Kenshin said. "The mission was the girl."

"If you take me, Kaoru would have no reason to come back. If I was there, Kaoru would definitely stay with you!"

"You have confidence in yourself, woman," Kenshin replied with a sneer. His eyes were cold.

"P-Please…I'll dress her wounds and convince her to stay!" Tomoe begged softly, still bowing.

Kenshin looked outside to Tomoe's window. Internally he was sighing in relief at one less death. Tomoe's suggestion was practical. The moon seemed to glow brighter and the stars seemed to twinkle less dully now. Kenshin felt himself give a curt nod. "Very well, follow me."

The three, two women and one man, left the manor quickly. The few assassins who were not unconscious hauled their teammates and left the silent house. The manor's guards, some dead some passed out, were left alone. The crickets continued to chirp, oblivious to the night's disturbances.

[M&M] I honestly cannot hate Tomoe. Initially when she came out in the manga, I was like 'Oh, damn. It's like Kikyo and Kagome all over again in Inuyasha!' (I don't hate Kikyo either). I just grew to accept her, because I really can't hate characters; though I felt sad that Kaoru wasn't Kenshin's first love. I want Tomoe and Kaoru to be friends so that's what I'm making them in this fic ^_^ Although, there could be some drama happening between the three if you know in the later chapters, if you know what I mean ;)

I hope this chapter was okay ;_; I am quite nervous ^.^; If there are some "unclear" parts, rest assure that they will be explained in the later chapters ;)

Review and I hope you look forward to the next chapter! Ah! Before I forget, if anyone is interested in being my beta reader for this story, don't hesitate to PM me. I shall love you forever and send you virtual cookies all the time ;_; My grammar, mainly commas, is horrible T.T