A/N:: Okay. this piece of writing may seem abit random at first but I'm damn sure you'll get it. Its taking place in the Bakumatsu a year or so after Tomoe's death, which means Kenshin's not a shadow asssassin anymore. He's out in the open taking down those Shinsengumi (they're SO cool). One more thing you should know is in the manga if you compare ages Kaoru is 11 years younger.

Disclaimer:: As you already figured out(if u din't then hahaha BAKA!) I don't own RK or its characters because if I did I wouldn't be stuck here writing fanfics.

' ' character thoughts

" " Character speeches

Lamplighter's Strength

Chapter 1 : Refugee

Introduction

Kenshin's POV

I never believed in Fate just in consequences of action. Shishou tried to teach me otherwise but I had seen too much, suffered too many losses, too many deaths to mould his teachings into my innocence. I never knew what that word meant. This is because I dived into a pool of blackness drowning my heart and soul in steel to see the peace in others' eyes which I never reflected from mine, to feel the relief from constantly being on the run which I had felt before. I could not let those people die. I was stronger than them therefore more able to protect than them. Shishou tried to explain to me the consequences but I was too naïve, too immature to understand what I was taking on. Thus without fully comprehending my situation I left because I believed that back then I was doing the right thing.

You are wondering about my purpose. To bring peace? Only that? Nope. My purpose is to find and protect innocence from the rain of blood and rekindle flames of hopes in the eyes of the deluded and lost. I serve as Heaven's Justice. I kill to protect.

Doctor Gensai's POV

"But!"

"No buts child! You have to hurry! They'll reach the dojo soon. It's not safe any more."

Placing her on the horse the doctor quickly tied a bundle to the creature.

"What about you Gensai-sensei? They'll hurt you!"

"Don't worry I'm a strong doctor. They're probably afraid of injections."

The shouts of the shogun soldiers were nearing too fast accompanied by screams and pleas for mercy.

"Kaoru! You have no time to waste. Don't stop! Just get away from Edo. Promise you won't turn back no matter what! "

"Watashi-- "

"Promise! The letter is in your bag. Hold on tight!"

He slapped the behind of the horse causing it to let out a high pitched neigh.

"Be careful Gensai sensai!"

Her shout vanished at a distance as the horse dashed out through the back gate. This was replaced by the collision of men against wood as the dojo gates collapsed at the force of the Shogun warriors.

"Search the house! Find the girl! No blood relatives of the Ishin Shishi will live. "

Gensai braced himself for what was to come. His chances of survival were solely dependant on the fact that he was a doctor by profession and was not a blood relative of Koshijirou Kamiya.

"Suzaku-sama we found someone!"

Gensai looked at the men blankly, even though his mind was in turmoil. Sinful swords drenched in blood greeted him with the even more malevolent faces of the smirking men.

"I am just a doctor."

'Kami-sama be with Kaoru-chan.'

General POV

Fear drummed in Kaoru's ears. Her tiny hands had the firmest possible grip on the rein. She poured out her complete trust onto the horse. It fled away from the screams the clashes the clangs the pain the dancing embers that were eating up Edo. Her eyelids hid the fear stricken navy blue orbs. The scared horse sped on and the wind lashed against her face, her wrapped bokken beat in the wind held to Kaoru by the rope across her shoulders.

The screams echoed in her head, the collisions of metal against metal rang in her ears, her nose was clogged with the smell of blood, her lips just tasted salty prayers and her vision beheld death. She was strong she would not fail them! She could not fail them! This was her vow.

Without stopping to rest even once the duo sped on racing to get somewhere safe, to rest their tired limbs for three days. She clung on and the horse pushed onwards. They were both scared but they tried to make it. Many had sighted a sleeping child on horse back, stange but storylike.

Kaoru's POV

The sudden thud woke up Kaoru. Rubbing her eyes she absorbed her surroundings. A forest? Confused questioning eyes met that of the horse which replied with a soft neigh and collapsed. Its eyes almost told her 'Im' tired. Just let me sit down abit then we'll be off again.'

Footsteps alerted Kaoru as she tried to identify the source.

"Well well look what we have here." The lustful mocking eyes met her. Soon he was joined by many more.

"Just a kid, Kurei. They're no fun."

"Something's better than nothing. Guys?"

His dirty smile was met with similar ones of his comrades. His dirty unform could barely be seen.

"We can stop a while."

'Shogun's spies!' Kaoru's eyes widened at shock and realisation. 'Not good!'

cliffhanger

A/N:: hope you liked it. I know that the ending was abit abrupt . Sorry about that. Pleaze review!! Comments flames anything. Just review okay. Thanks for reading. Until next time.

KK's lil Chihahua