Disclaimer : I do not own any of the Ruroni Kenshin characters, Nobuhiro Watsuki does, but all of the others are mine ;). Enjoy !!!

It was dark but she didn't notice. Lightening flashed but she didn't see it. It was raining but she didn't notice. Makiru is crying but no one notices. All they see is a frightened girl running to the same place she has ran to for the past few months. The place where she escaped to without the world staring at her, waiting for her spirit to finally break. Now because of that place she could no longer be pure according to the rumors but it did not matter to her. She still was but never said anything to clarify that. Every time she ran she remembered how it all started. How Gentatsu Takaski captured her heart and her love.

FLASHBACK

"Today is not my day," said Makiru was running.

She had been doing a lot of that lately since her dad killed her mom and was able to get away from it. She never wanted to be near him when he was drunk, and to make it worse he brought his also drunk friends with him. By societies standards Makiru is a beauty. Though she didn't have the powder pale skin all the other women desired, she possessed raven black hair which was usually kept in a bun but went to her knees when let loose. She is about 5'5'', has hazel eyes, and 18 years old but possessed a body that was a little more mature. This small fact made up for her tan skin, though if seen in the woods with her emerald green kimono she looked like an exotic beauty deciding weather or not to get up and do a seductive but elegant dance to welcome travels to her home of wonders. Makiru knew that she was beautiful but if complemented she would say she was nothing compared to her mother. Despite what one with her looks would think, she was actually a very timid girl who preferred to stay out of the spot light. Just like today, when her father came home, he would probably try to make her "entertain" his guests and unfortunately, mother isn't there to help her anymore. That's why she was out in the woods. Though the reason for her running was different. She had reached the woods unharmed and expecting to be graced by the silence and tranquility it bestows on her once she gets to her secret spot. As fate would have it Makiru was so engrossed in her thoughts that she completely missed the sounds of chatter and the rancid smell of sake as she boldly walked into a clearing by a calm stream. What she found there would forever be imprinted in her memory. What she saw were about twelve men sitting on the streambed, drinking and talking. What she didn't see were two other men sitting calmly and soberly off to the side watching her with a curious eye.

"What do you think you are doing?" Makiru roared out when she saw the damage they had done to her shrine of bliss and solitude. There were broken bottles scattered around them along with pieces of paper, vomit from drinking too much, along with the remains of what looked like what could have been food.

"Wha waz sat?" one of the men slurred while trying to get up and over to her. Still the quiet two had gone unnoticed by her.

"I said what do you think you are doing," she said again just this time with tears coming out of her eyes at the sight of her desecrated haven. She fell to her knees if sorrow but happened to forget that there were men there. When she fell one who was not about to faint grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. She froze.

"You're a pretty one, aren't you?" the vile man said in her face, "It has been such a while since I've really enjoyed any… company." he wiggled his eyes brows suggestively thinking that her loss for words was due to his proposition. (You may remember this man from the movie. He is the one with the green hair and lighting eyebrows. He is the one who betrayed Shigora.) He decided to kiss her and began to lover his face to hers.

"Since when did the men under my control take to raping young girls?" a smooth deep voice through and ending the oncoming kiss in it tracks. Out of shock the man dropped a shocked Makiru who was staring at the speaker in awe and surprise. 'When did they get there?' she thought while staring back and forth between the two men sitting at the base of the tree.

"And you miss, why didn't you defend yourself?" asked the same man again. That was a good question, why didn't she defend herself. She opened her mouth to say something only to shut it again so she didn't look like a gaping idiot. Makiru stared at the speaker, the younger of the two. Starting from the bottom she worked her eyes up his form. Hey eyes flitted his powerful legs, they were currently folded under him, and decided that they were long and slender. Her vision shifted over to his detailed arm since only one was out of his sleeves, then at his strong hands. Those were scarred and calloused from years of handling a sword. Makiru then shifter here eyes to his covered torso 'damn' she thought. Her eyes continued their ascent up his sturdy neck and stopped at his lips. After staring for about a minute she tore her eyes away but not before noticing them curve slightly into a small smirk.

"Like what you see?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his eyes and voice. She blushed furiously then wondered why. 'Why am I blushing? Father's friends tell me things like this all the time and I never blush, what's going on?' Someone clearing their throat and some snickering form behind her interrupted her thoughts. In an attempt to hide her embarrassment she shifter her vision to what she thought to be an extremely interesting piece of grass. Then the lips she had been so intently studying moved.

"What is your name?" the younger one asked. In a moment of unnatural bravery she asked," Tell me your name and I'll tell your mine." She said, never taking her eyes off the ground. A low chuckle and the rustle of grass was her answer. Makiru looked up and realized the younger one was walking towards her. She wanted to move but wasn't able to upon the realization that her legs had decided to become lead. He walked until he was about a food away, smirk still on his lips and amusement in his aqua marine eyes.

"My name is Gentatsu Takaski. I had heart that and exotic looking woman-child came here often. I wanted to see for myself if for once the rumors were true. He said while circling her ever so slowly. Makiru felt so small under his scrutiny. He continued this until she screamed.

"What were you a vulture in another life? I am not a piece of meat up for the taking. Wipe that smirk off your face!" she was beet red and her eyes had darkened with fury. Gentatsu was very shocked to say the least at her outburst.

"Hahahahahahah! That's the fire I saw in you when you first entered the clearing, he took another step closer then leaned towards her, gazing deep into her hazel eyes, "I like it." Makiru was completely lost in his eyes; so lost that she did not notice him gently slipping an arm around his waist nor exactly how close he was. What she did notice what the little freedom the wind gave her was how inviting his lips looked. Unconsciously she began to lean in and was snapped back to reality by a warm, strong, callused hand turning her face and the lips she was dreaming of seconds ago ever so slightly brushing against he cheek. Said lips hovered millimeters above her skin then traveled to her ear.

"They were tight, you truly are and exotic beauty and we are extremely sorry for desecrating your precious place; it is lovely." While he spoke she could feel his hot breath gently brush against her ear and neck, sending delightful shivers down her spine.

"You and your silent friend are welcome without the rest of your men anytime. I'll bring a friend with me to keep the company even." She barely whispered out. 'Damn, how is he doing this to me and why is he so how?'

"It is getting late and need to get home. Good bye," she said and fled the clearing. Gentatsu watched the quickly disappearing figure leaving his line of vision. He then took a good look around and realized two things. First the clearings really looked and smelled disgusting and second 'she never told me her name'. "sigh" The area really was a mess. With an exception to where he and Shigora was sitting had both pre-digested and uneaten food in various places. The steam was not as clear as it was about thirty minutes ago.

"Clean up this mess now." He commanded calmly. Gentatsu leaned back against a tree and closed his eyes. A soft chuckle was heard from his companion.

"What?" Gentatsu asked curious to found out what amused her friend so.

"It seems you made a friend." Shigora said while his green eyes took an a brighter shade of green with mirth.

"Yes I did." Gentatsu responded and with a slight smile on his lips finished, "a very interesting friend who knows someone you might like."