Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Author's Note—My muse wouldn't leave me alone after I posted A Child's Perspective, but at the same time I couldn't think of how a relationship between these two characters could be explained in a believable manner. So I turned to themes for help. This story will be a series of mini-stories written in relation to one of the forty themes from 30 nights, which can be found on LJ. I am not doing a claim on these characters but I find that when my muse is being particularly evil that themes can help spin some creativity out of my head. Be aware that in this story Kenshin is a woman.

38. Alone at night

Himura Battousai walked through the night, arms folded inside her sleeves. She was quite aware of how exposed she was but at the moment she didn't care. She wore only the dark blue kimono part of her Ishin uniform, not even swords thrust through her obi for protection. Her hair tie had broke and so her red hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Gods, she was suicidal. But she couldn't help it; she couldn't stop thinking about what Miss Mae had said.

"There are those who fear you, but there are also those who wish to see you prosper in the era you will create."

Yes, hopeful inspirational words and she could very well be murdered on the streets this very night. The irony was not lost on Himura. Why had she left her swords in her room again? Because normal women don't carry swords. How many normal women had red hair and worked as secret assassins for a group of rebels? Himura forced these thoughts down as she noticed a man at the far end of the street. She knew by the way he carried himself that he was a skilled and experienced swordsman. She would have to be careful.

"There are those who fear you..."

No! She couldn't think about it now! Himura kept walking, head slightly down but secretly watching the man's every move. Himura mentally cursed when she noticed how he casually rested his hand on his swords as the distance between them grew shorter. She was careful to project the image of a harmless woman on her way home, hoping he would continue to ignore her as he had so far. Unfortunately for Himura, fate never really liked the her.

"Miss," said the man, stopping and facing her from across the street. Himura also momentarily paused in her walking. She had to blink her eyes a few a times. This was not a man, he couldn't be but a few years older than herself; but she would not let her guard down, she of all people knew how deceiving appearances could be. The man continued, "it is rather dangerous to be walking at night without an escort."

He had this odd look on his face, a rather... cheerful expression. What was there to be happy about in this time of war? Only little children who did not understand what death was smiled like that. Seeing this expression on the face of someone older than herself, and who must have killed in the past, unnerved Himura but she didn't show it. She raised her voice a pitch from the normal low tone she used.

"I am fine, thank you," she said with a neutral expression on her face. The man, no, boy-- no, the swordsman-- regarded her curiously for a moment before making up his mind about something.

"What if there is a robber in the next alley you pass? I cannot allow anything bad to happen to a beautiful young woman like yourself," said the swordsman, tilting his head slightly to one side.

Himura couldn't hide her blush. She had spent half her life pretending to be male; no one had ever tried to flatter her before. Her mind snapped back to reality when he took a small step towards her. Mentally recoiling she nearly snapped at him, repeating her words: "No thank you, I am fine."

The swordsman halted mid-step. "Very well," he said after observing her features. Himura felt like her face was the same color as her hair. "Do be careful, Miss," said the swordsman before slowly continuing on his way.

Himura didn't allow herself a sigh of relief. She began walking faster back to the inn. Alone.