Author's note: I have always thought of Kenshin as an earthly angel who had done some wrong in the past. I wondered what it would be like if he truly was one. I was really inspired when I thought about how scars can tell a story and what happens if an angel has some. I am very sure it is quite a story to tell. Shoutout to lossehelin, the writer of Offerings to the Forest God. The gentle tale was truly inspiring and I really love it. If there is a story that understood Kenshin's personality and used it for another tale, I would highly recommend this one. =)

Panting, the dark clouds swirled above him as lightning flashed in condemnation. He tried to sit up but every part of him burned as deep bloody cuts that lined his body bled. He moaned in agony, unable to thump his fist on the ground in anger. His bones were likely broken after being casted down and the blood on his hands carried the heart-wrenching memory of a beloved angel in his arms. His sides were punctuated as if spears had found their target. The broken being coughed up blood from his injuries, causing more pain to his chest and his upper body. She was gone now, her existence faded into light. Unable to do anything, he clenched his teeth as tears poured of his eyes as the pain overflowed from his long-standing endurance.

"Gasp!"

Kaoru spun towards a falling object from the sky as lightning flashed. The Gods were angry today. The storm trashed several trees near her temple and she was trying hard to catch the multiple droplets that dripped from the ceiling. The buckets did what they could to prevent the flooding of the run-down temple.

She swore something fell from the sky, and it looked like it had white wings. Was that a bird? The sight was indeed beautiful, white against the horrible grey background, wings twirling along with the flashes of lightning. Yet, it was petrifying at the same time as that meant death.

Her Ki tingled as if an omen had happened and her instinctive guts screamed at her to search for the fallen being from the sky. Despite the pouring rain, whipping winds and the frightening thunderstorm, she took an umbrella and set out on her nightly quest.

It took her a while as she squinted out over to the green hills, filled with trees and bushes. The umbrella was redundant as the whipping rain slapped her face relentlessly, rendering it hard to see before her. She noted a clearing in the middle of the lush forest, the broken branches and loosened leaves gave clear signs that something huge fell there.

Her eyes followed the broken trail until she gasped in disbelief and froze for a long moment as she took in the sight before her. The moonlight shone down on the ethereal being with his broken wings spread out on the ground, misshapen. White heavenly feathers scattered around the dirt ground, merging with the mud puddles and becoming smudged with brown. By his side lay a broken katana which was caked with blood. That did not look good at all.

Long brown hair was tangled and spread out in all direction as the apparent fallen angel groaned in pain. His body was bloody and she winced at the punctured holes along his torso. This being needed immediate help. She gulped and approached him cautiously, and kneeled beside him, trying to push her emotions aside and figure out a way to bring him back to the temple. Suddenly, bright golden eyes flashed at her and the being growled as he sat up quickly and took his broken sword and swung at her. Even at the brink of death, he was still fighting. Kaoru ducked easily at the weak strike and peered down at him. She winced as he groaned in pain from the sudden movement, empathizing with the pain his body inflicted. His body fell back to the dirt ground with a "Splat" as he peered at her.

"Tomoe?" The golden eyes widened. Kenshin stared at a feminine figure with dark hair, his vision blurred from his injuries. His face twisted in misery and agony, causing Kaoru's heart to twist along with him, her brows knitted together. The poor being. What happened?

"Let me help you," her eyes peered into his diluted golden eyes and travelled to the fresh red cross cuts in his cheeks.

Delirious with fever and hopeful that it was perhaps Tomoe who managed to survive, he decided to take his chances. He was near death any way. His eyes closed as he gave in to the darkness and all he could hear was Tomoe's soothing voice.

Fire crackled nearby him and the multiple water droplets dripped sporadically around him. Kenshin opened his eyes, taking in the surroundings around him before blushing. Sensing more movement from him, Kaoru looked up and saw his golden eyes before her face flushed alongside with him. She was scrubbing the grime and dirt from his wounds as his body was strung out heavily along the tub, submerged in lukewarm water. Kenshin's face got redder, taking in the situation. He wanted to get up and find some cover for his very naked body as the miko blushed further after seeing his reaction. However, his limp body disagreed as it laid there helplessly.

"Sorry…" She spoke shyly, "I had to clean you before your wounds get infected. Though, cleaning an ethereal being is the first time for me."

Kenshin smiled wryly at her, "It is okay, I know you did it with good intentions," his gentle voice felt like melody in her ears. His blush faded and he tried to relax himself. Kaoru, with her tomato face resumed cleaning his wounds, wincing with him as she cleaned along the edges of the punctured wounds on his sides. "We might have to disinfect that later…" She said regrettably, knowing hot metal was not a fun experience.

Kenshin's golden eyes softened as he looked away, "That's alright. An angel is not the same as humans. This one's kind do not get infected easily," came his quiet reply. He sounded a little sad.

Kaoru knew that the current time was not the time for questions. She made a small noise of acknowledgement as she moved on to his long brown hair.

She rubbed soap off the bar soap and rubbed her hands together to make the soap lather. Lifting his head up from the tub gently, her legs slipped into the tub, her hakama was rolled up to prevent getting wet. Kenshin's head was placed against her soft lap as she gently started scrubbing his scalp first. She massaged his head, removing grime and sweat from his scalp. Kenshin relaxed into her lap, breathing deeply, indicating he fell asleep while she was massaging. Satisfied at his trust towards her, she smiled a little as her fingers went on to untangle the muddy long tresses. His wings were mostly gone now, indicating they had been severely fractured and broken, leaving behind 2 nubs, each on his shoulder blades, serving as a remembrance to those majestic white wings. Sunlight flooded into the window, announcing that dawn has arrived. Kaoru's eyes widened, along with the sun rays, this strange being's hair shone crimson red. She observed his features in the newly given light and she blushed. He was indeed beautiful. His lashes cast shadows along his fair cheeks. His features were soft, with his nose tilting upwards and his lips opened a little as if to breathe in more air. His red protruding scar on his cheek did nothing to mar his handsome features. Kaoru cups her hand and scooped some water to wash off the suds in his hair. It took her a while to clean off all the suds as his red luscious hair was very thick. The beautiful angel's eyes fluttered open at the new sensation. He looked at her, observing her moves quietly.

"I haven't got your name," Kaoru breathed, blushing at the half-lidded eyes which she came to really like.

"Kenshin," came the quiet reply. She lifted his head gently and place him back on the side of the tub.

"Kenshin-sama, I hope you don't get alarmed but I will need some help lifting you up and carrying you to the futon." Kaoru stood up, picking up her staff leaning on the wall nearby. She chanted and tapped the staff onto the floor, causing ripples along the wooden floor. Kenshin's eyes widened. Wooden floors most certainly do not ripple. A huge bear emerged out of the ripples, it wore a vest with the word "Bravery" written behind it. Raising tall on its two hind legs, the bear approached Kenshin and the crimsoned haired angel tensed.

Kaoru placed a comforting hand on Kenshin's shoulder, "It's alright, Kenshin-sama. The bear was the same one which helped me bring you here. It won't harm you," She reassured in a soothing voice. Kenshin, feeling frustrated that he was unable to move, felt the bear's fuzzy paws slipped under him. It lifted him gently out of the tub and placed him onto soft fluffy towels laid out on the floor. Kaoru quickly ruffled the towel along his body, drying the injured angel as both of them blushed at her current activity.

"All done!" Kaoru smiled shyly at the cleaned angel, her eyes were shining proudly that she had completed her task. "Kuma-sama," She bowed respectfully, "It would be greatly appreciated if you can carry Kenshin-sama to the futon in the other room,". The bear snorted out a fishy breath as it lifted Kenshin, causing him to wince a little at the smell and it followed Kaoru to the guest room in the temple. It laid him out on a fluffy white futon and Kenshin was being tucked in by Kaoru who grinned warmly at him. She made a low respectful bow to the bear and the bear tapped the wooden floor to make same ripples and disappear into it. The warmth and softness of the futon wrapped around him, causing his body to relax and get some much needed rest. Kenshin's eyes grew heavy and the last thing he saw was Kaoru kneeling beside him as he drifted off.

A/N: And this is how Angel Kenshin meets Miko Kaoru. Well, I hope you really like the start of this little tale. I can't wait to see where this goes. Feel free to let me know what you think in the reviews =). I look forward to reading them.