Okay! the title is strange but i couldn't come up with anything better and i was listenning blues songs when i wrote this.I hope u enjoy it!

BLUES

The last time he had seen her, Kaoru had been a mere child. An outlaw, that is. She still was but her image had changed. She was no longer a teenager but a young woman and if he didn't know her real age, he would have fallen for her appearance. Unfortunately, he was in a much more familiar relationship with her and to him, it was no secret that her fake ID made her older than she was. The knowledge that she was still underage made him forget any ideas that had popped into his mind earlier when he had first seen her at the party. That, and the fact that she protected his archenemy.

He knew the message. She did it partially because she wanted to show him that she was not one to be tamed. True, they had tried it at the orphanage and the result? She had gotten out the first time she had the opportunity. Somehow she found his old friend who managed to do wonders and in a few months, from the wild and seemingly arrogant girl had changed into a teen with good humor and a great deal of critic. Sometimes he felt like he was the child beside her.

Unfortunately, he too became attached to the girl and after years, she had made her crazy with her stupid I- want-to-be- a- killer- attitude. And she really had grabbed every opportunity to learn. Of course, she had always shown her newest skills to him first after she mastered them. He hadn't been surprised by them for he had learnt them too, only in legal terms. The fact that she had managed to get them in months, however, had shown him that Kaoru had been really born to be a killer. So he had tried to seduce her to work with him as a cop and not as the opposite but it hadn't worked. He wondered how her huge sense of justice could make place for her activities but the answer was easy. The people at the orphanage and police had not shown her good examples so why should she follow them?! And he couldn't reply to that, just by trying to show her that not all cops are assholes. He screwed up and from one day to the other, they had a huge wall between them. Normally, Hiko , their friend, had solved their little debates but this time around he had been dead so the wall had remained. For almost a year.

Kaoru made a good picture in her dark blue dress only the man, Yukishiro Enishi, worsened the image. Well, to those, who knew about his little background behind that sugarcoated facade. Taking a sip from his juice, he made his way towards Kaoru.

"Hey, there! I guess you've really outdone yourself this time." He smirked though he sounded bitter.

"Hey to you too, Kenshin! You look like shit. Trouble at the so- called knights of justice?" Kaoru smirked. The man was thinner than he used to be, and could have used a few hour's sleep.

"Just the usual. Your nice client ruins my hard work but let's not talk about it, okay? Let's pretend that I don't know about all his shit and talk like two ordinary friends!" Kenshin tried. The girl-woman seemed to think about it then smiled and nodded.

"You look good, even if you're still underage." The cop tried a compliment but obviously, he failed. Kaoru sighed, he could see her body tensing. "Sorry, every time I promise myself that I try not to be rude, something comes up and it slips. So? How is it with killer's school? Did you get your PHD?"

"You're a royal ass, you know that?" Kaoru snorted but didn't take his words at heart. The truth was that she was getting fed up with that kind of life. Every now and then, she had thought about accepting Kenshin's offer and be hunter from prey. And those inner debates had ended up with her pride having the last word so she hadn't gone to the cop. However deep inside, her inner justice couldn't bear the pressure for long or she could go and say farewell to her sanity.

"Look at that, is it the cop's famous star?!" Yukishiro stepped up to the pair and placed an arm around Kaoru as a sign. "I hope you have enough sense and don't make a scene here or I'm afraid my best personal bodyguard would have the honor of throwing you out!"

Kaoru didn't say a word at that but her blue orbs showed that it wouldn't be to her liking. After all, Kenshin was still a kind of family. Well, if you can call that the man who had given you the first GOOD sexual experience in your life. Truly, Kenshin had been forced a little but after a point he hadn't needed anymore coaxing from her part. Kaoru had never regretted their little affair and she knew that she would be willing to continue that any time, for Kenshin was not just a one-nightstand but the love of her life, and there was no reason to deny it. Well, at least to herself. Obviously, a cop and an out-law couldn't have a normal relationship. And with his nature, Kenshin hadn't made their life easy.

"I'd like to see that, Yukishiro. Anyway, I'm talking to Kaoru and I believe that it's none of you business here so would you please leave us alone?" Kenshin was rather careful at expressing that desire of his, though he would've liked to send the idiot to Hell with the help of handcuffs and stuff.

Enishi smirked at the man. "Wouldn't you like that, Himura?"

"Enishi." Kaoru cut in. it showed to Kenshin that she still knew him and he was sure that she didn't do it because she was worried about Yukishiro's reputation.

"As my lady wishes. Be grateful to Kaoru because even when she shares my bed, she cares for your well-being!" it was a warning and only those who weren't aware of his nature took his words lightly.

Kaoru sighed after they were alone again and looked at her old mentor sadly. "I didn't know how to tell you…"

"Well, he did. I thought that he was lieing but now I know that he wasn't. Why are you doing this to yourself? You are young, you can start again! I would help you!" Kenshin hissed angrily. Then he turned away, giving up the hopeless battle and headed towards the exit. A few meters from Kaoru, he stopped and she could see his profile but not his eyes. "I guess I came for nothing. Good luck, Kaoru!"

She watched him leave but couldn't go after him or call him back. When she could no longer see the half- long red hair, she went back to Enishi's side. He had even cut his hair short, knowing that she loved his strands. When they had practically lived together and had warmed up to each other, she had often played with his waist long hair. He must've known that when he had gone and cut it.

Sighing, she made her way back to Enishi but her mood was really bad, she just couldn't concentrate. Normally Kaoru wasn't one to skip work but now, she felt tired and knew that she was pale. So she used that as an excuse, though it had nothing to do with her health.

"Enishi, I'm not feeling good, I'm going home now, okay? I will send in Derekai, he will guard you!" she told him and without further explanation, left the room.

A few weeks later she was fed up. For days, she didn't left her flat. Meeting with Kenshin had made her realize a few things. Well, more like acknowledge, even if it took a long time to admit that. She didn't want to do that anymore. Didn't want to be a killer, nor a bouncer. At least not an illegal one. What she wanted was going to Kenshin and tell him that she needs his help. But she had much more pride and dignity than that, or so she thought that it was the matter of those. She was in deep shit!

She crawled out of her bed and went to the bathroom. After long hours of darkness—she had all her blinds down—she saw a ghost in the mirror, looking back at her. The image's hair was long but tangled and lost its shine. It was only a dull black color. Her skin was whiter than it should have been and empty blue orbs gazed back at her. She shrugged, not planning to leave her sanctuary soon. She wished Hiko was there and gave her some advice but he wasn't. Neither was Kenshin.

Enishi had tried to pull her out of her misery but she had sent him away, probably for forever. What could he do for her when he was everything that she wanted to leave behind? Groaning, Kaoru dropped herself down onto her couch and slept. Or at least tried to when the door broke in with a loud bang.

There stood Himura. Who knew that even in a few weeks a man could change so much?! His eyes had that familiar glint that had had her want to rip off his head or jump onto him. Back then, it had taken her months to figure out why he could make her feel crazy. And that had gone backwards too… So that glint was there again, as well as his frown which she was familiar with.

"I'm quoting: you look like shit! Has a bulldozer run you over?" he made his way through the mess of clothes, bottles and tissues.

"Leave me alone… I'm dying." She muttered and pulled the blanket from beside her, covering her head. She made a funny picture but Kenshin didn't find it in himself to laugh. The woman was in serious trouble. He stood over her.

"Would you just quit staring?" she snapped, feeling his heavy gaze on her through the material.

"Have I called you to be a cop?"

"Not now!"

As an answer, the man reached for the girl and easily lifted her from the couch. Then, ignoring her kicks, he threw her over a shoulder and walked into the bathroom. There he put her into the bathtub.

"Clean up, then we'll talk!" he shut the door behind himself.

After about forty minutes, Kaoru emerged from the bathroom. She only had panties and a blue shirt on—which had been, in fact, his.

"Now I can shout at you without regretting it later." The cop stated and did just that. "What the heck do you think, you're doing? Last time I was foolish enough to let you get away but maybe I should have had this talk with you in front of everybody, so your future would not be among those bastards!"

"Can you shout a little less loudly? My ears are hurting." Kaoru asked.

"I'm losing my mind! Are you happy with the way you live? Are you? Because it doesn't look like that. I'm here because I was worried but I can see that it was worthless… what happened to you?"

"My sense of justice, as you used to put it. I'm sick of my job, my self… I hate to admit it but you were right, all along… I want to quit." The girl managed to surprise him. He had expected everything but that. For a while, he just gaped at her.

"Well, aren't you going to say something?" she demanded, seeing that he's out of it.

"You make me want to dance around from joy." Kenshin snorted at her finally getting over his blankness. "You can start by getting back into your old shape!"

Kaoru groaned at that and cursed when her visitor pulled up the blinds. The light hurt her eyes and the blanket beside her was a good enough shield until her sight returned. "Did you have to do that?!"

"Sorry. Now, you have a lot of things to do. First, you dress up and go to your boss to announce your decision. Then you also visit your darling teacher at the bouncer's school that he has to forget about you. Or else… lastly, Yukishiro."

Kaoru didn't like the idea but she had no other choice. Then again, she could ask for support. At her question, Kenshin shook his head. "It's your fucked up business, babe. I will help you in every other thing. I know for a fact that you go to university. Have I mentioned that I'm a private now? You could help me, be my partner if you want but you have to study things about my work too. I know you like what you're doing, but you should do that legally from now on. What do you say?" He offered.

"That would be good."

"Okay. Do what you have to, and call me when you're finished!" The cop stood up to leave but her next question stopped him on his tracks.

"What about us?"

Kenshin shrugged and gave her a half- smile. "I've fought my battles with myself but I have a feeling that you are just halfway through them. Tell me when you are ready, little girl. I can wait, after all, I'm a patient man. Or I'd like to believe that about myself."

Again, she watched him leave but this time, she knew that he'd be back. And this time, she could've called after him but he was right. She had a lot to do!

I plan to do a prequel to it...well, it's half finished but since it will be explicit, you'd have to go to my lj to read it if u're interested. i'll tell u when it's finished at my profile. I hope u liked this shot!