DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN RUROUNI KENSHIN.

A/N: okay, here's another new story by me! well, another BK story, at least. hope you enjoy it!

"No, father, please don't leave me!" Kaoru cried, trying very hard to blink her tears away.

"K-Kaoru, promise me..."

"What, father?" Kaoru whispered, holding onto her father's hand, never wanting to let go.

"...promise me you will carry on the Kamaiya Kasshin style."

She could not hold the tears in any longer. "Yes." She whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Good-bye, my beautiful, dear daughter." The king's hand went limp and his eyelids drooped.

"No!" Kaoru cried out in agony, still holding onto her father's hand. She bent her head, letting the silent tears stream down her delicate face.

"Princess, it is time to let go." Akane, her lady-in-waiting, whispered, gently prying Kaoru's hands off of the deceased king's hand.

Kaoru quietly obeyed, her tears still streaming. She sat back on her knees and stared at nothing in particular as the servants lifted the white sheet over her father's body.

"Come, Princess Kaoru." Akane gently helped Kaoru to her feet.

Kaoru let Akane walk her to her room. "Would you like a moment alone, highness?"

Kaoru gave a dazed nod, still staring at nothing in particular.

Akane closed the wooden door with a soft thud, leaving Kaoru with her own thoughts.

Kaoru, still in her shocked and dazed state, shuffled over to the little balcony facing out into the courtyard. She stared at the bright and shining sun until her eyes started to hurt. She then directed her gaze to the neighboring castle in the distance, the towers merely dots from where she stood.

A person rapped on her door.

Kaoru opened her mouth to call "Come in", but nothing came out. Her tongue was dry.

She slowly proceeded toward the door. She opened it just a small crack and there was the head castle guard, Takashi.

"Princess, may I please come in? There is something important that I think you should know."

"Sure." Kaoru opened the door wider.

"Thank you." Takashi closed the door.

Kaoru walked over to the balcony with him, then waited expectantly.

Takashi fidgeted with his helmet, which he had taken off.

"Well?" Kaoru asked, getting a little impatient.

"Um..." Takashi hesitated. "Well, you see, highness, when the king found out about his sickness..." He looked at Kaoru's reaction. "Perhaps I shouldn't tell you right now...you are still grieving." He turned to leave.

"No." Kaoru blocked his way with her arm, frowning. "What have you come to tell me?"

Takashi sighed. "Well, when the king found out about his sickness, he called for me. When I came, he told me that when he died, I was to find a bodyguard for you. A suitable one, he said."

Kaoru frowned again. "A bodyguard? For me?"

"Yes." Takashi sighed softly before continuing. "And he gave me a specific name, too."

"And that name is...?"

Takashi took a deep breath. "The king requested that your bodyguard be – "

An arrow whizzed from the forest and hit Takashi right in the neck, piercing right through to the other side.

"AH!" Kaoru shrieked, jumping down and hiding behind the safety of the balcony's stone wall.

She waited for a few moments, and when no more arrows were heard, slowly stood. Then, realizing that Takashi was lying at her feet, possibly dead by now, the princess fell to her knees and stared at him in horror, his blood flowing out and drenching her blue dress.

"Takashi! Please, tell me who my father requested as my bodyguard!" Kaoru cried out in desperation.

"He – "

She was losing him. "Takashi!"

But Takashi was gone.

A/N: aww, that's too bad! he died! but i think you can guess who the bodyguard is. anyway, plz R&R!