Disclaimer: I do NOT own RK, although I wish I do... Rurouni Kenshin is copyrighted to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony, Shuiesha Jump.

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Kenshin

Kenshin found himself taking slow, reluctant steps towards the Kamiya dojo. The assassination of Minister Okubo shook him very much, considering that he spoke to the man only a few days before he died.

Dying in the hands of a man such as a consort of Shishio Makoto... Kenshin shook his head.

Should he help the Meiji government once again and stop this madman? Or should he decline the offer and stay with his surrogate family?

Family. Kenshin smiled. It's been so long since I had a family. I have Kaoru-dono to thank for that.

His instincts to protect her only added to the confusion to his mind. He wanted to stay by her side, protect her, cherish her.

Love her.

His smile turned rueful. He never thought he would love again. Not after Tomoe. But Kaoru managed to capture his heart somehow with her innocence and spirit.

Especially when she attacked him that day.

A new thought came unbidden into his mind. The one who slew Okubo knew who he was and told him to stay away. What if...? What if Shishio knows about them all as well? Especially Kaoru-dono?! What if he attacked her and...?

He couldn't let that happen. He swore to himself to protect her, even before Udo Jin'e kidnapped her before him. He would die before any harm would come to Kaoru.

"To protect Kaoru-dono, I'll risk becoming the hitokiri once more!" his words rang in his ears.

Even then, he was willing to sacrifice everything to protect her.

Why not now?

He made up his mind. He would go and fight Shishio. He can't risk all those possibilities of losing the one he loved all over again.

But leaving her... that was the hard part. He knew that was what he must do to protect her. But that didn't make it any less difficult.

He knew it would break her heart, just as much as it would shatter his.

But he had to.

Darkness had fallen even before he had noticed, and he looked up to see a most beautiful sight.

Kaoru was standing at the riverbank, her back to him and surrounded by glowing fireflies. He had hoped to see her in the dojo, but he didn't want to cause a confrontation with Yahiko and Sano as well.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the soft light cast by the fireflies.

"Those fireflies are beautiful tonight, aren't they?"

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A/N: Just thought I'd try my hand on this type of fic.

Anyway! Anyone want me to do a follow-up chapter, this time in Kaoru's POV? If so, review!!!! :P Onegai!!!