HELLO mena-san!! the 8th chapter is out. Thanks for all the reviewers, you made my day with your comments.

Warning: this chapter contains mature themes...so everyone REJOICE!!


Chapter 8: Love

The icy breeze blew in the late afternoon upon the wooden houses of Kyoto.

Among those houses Kaoru walked casually, inspecting.

I'm sure this is the right direction.

Kaoru had waited till Kenshin was out so she could sneak out of the inn.

Kenshin will kill me if he discovers my absence. But she had to make this little trip.

She hadn't seen him for more than two weeks and she was worried because their last meeting wasn't a pleasant one. Kaoru shook her head.

Kenshin.

Kenshin could be so cruel sometimes but despite that, Kaoru knew how kind he was in the inside.

Her thoughts travelled to the night when she confessed to him what had happened to her. Kaoru thought that he might be disgusted with her, but Kenshin only showed her care and kindness. She had been sleeping in his room since then, on his insistence. Well nothing happened between them apart from some kisses and innocent touches. Nonetheless, Kaoru found herself blushing as she remembered some of those touches. Fear still consumed her sometimes, however, Kenshin understood her situation and never went too far.

Kaoru smiled I never thought that the younger Kenshin, whom they called Battousai, was an understanding and considerate person.

Kaoru slowed down her pace when she neared a familiar house.

This is it. She thought happily.

This is Okita's house.

Kaoru stood in front of the gate.

"I'm sure this is his house" Kaoru spoke softly, her breath misting in the cold weather.

She knocked the door gently at first, then little bit louder when no response was heard.

Running out of patience, Kaoru pushed the wooden door, surprisingly, finding it opened.

"Hello" she called loudly, peering into the big yard

"Okita-san" her voice echoed across the empty yard, still there was no response.

I guess he is out. Kaoru sighed, reflecting that now Kenshin would be angry for nothing. But then, just as this thought crossed her mind, she heard something.

It was coming from the back yard and it was as if someone was struggling with a fight, though no clash of swords was heard.

Kaoru strode across the yard and made her way to the porch. Then slowly she walked along the open porch.

The voice was getting louder.

Okita's house was huge so it took longer than Kaoru wanted to cross the wooden porch which was located at the left side of the house. As she neared the end she slowed her pace and peered from behind the wall.

Finding the source of the voice, Kaoru just stood there staring.

There, in the middle of the yard, was Okita practising with his sword, oblivious to the world around him. He was stripped to the waste which made Kaoru wonder how he was not freezing in this cold weather. In her position, near the wall, Kaoru had sideway view of him. His arm protectors were on as he slashed and thrusted at invisible enemies. His brown hair was held in the usual high ponytail which was swaying with each strike and thrust he made.

"It is kind of rude to spy on people, Kaoru-chan"

Kaoru froze on her spot, Okita had not turned toward her nor had he halted his training.

Kaoru stepped out and smiled sheepishly, as if she was a child caught doing something she shouldn't.

Okita swept his thin blade in a great arch, and Kaoru thought if there was someone facing him he would be cut in half cleanly. Then Okita turned to face Kaoru, sword still in his hand, and smiled.

"I'm happy to see you, Kaoru-chan"

And for some reason, Kaoru could not take her eyes off his sword.


"I hadn't seen you in a while so I was worried" Kaoru said before bringing the cup to her mouth and sipping some of the warm liquid. They were perched in the same room which Okita had received Kaoru when her ankle was sprained. His gi was on now, probably he felt cold when he stopped training "besides, our last encounter wasn't ..." Kaoru paused, picking the word carefully "friendly, and you didn't seem well"

"Don't think too much about it Kaoru" Okita shrugged "it isn't something serious"

Kaoru stared at the cup in her hands, thinking of the blood that trickled down his chin after fighting with Kenshin. Despite wanting to ask him, she decided against it.

"I usually meet you in the town" Kaoru said raising her head "but in the last two weeks there was no sign of you"

"I was busy in the past week, so didn't have the chance to stop in town and..." his eyes looked directly onto hers "I thought you might be angry with me"

Kaoru looked at him questioningly "me angry? Why?"

"You know, after the fuss I caused in your inn" his eyes were locked with her soft gaze "with that man"

"No, no I'm not angry with you at all" Kaoru smiled.

"Though I can't say that man shares this feeling"

"Please excuse Kenshin, he isn't always like that" Kaoru placed the cup on the tray "he is a kind and good man"

"And a good swordsman" Okita added as he eyed her movements "I wonder if he is a soldier"

Kaoru didn't say anything, she just stared at Okita and when it became apparent that he wanted her to say something, she averted her eyes and spoke softly "he..he is a guard..a personal guard for someone...I can't remember his name. Kenshin only lives temporarily in the inn" she lied.

"I see" he said briefly as he gazed at her bandaged neck. He seemed lost in his thoughts before he spoke again "he was very protective of you I must say. This leads me to think you and him are more than friends" a smile was formed on his lips.

Kaoru smiled nervously "ah..emm..as I said before, we are only friends" as Kaoru remembered his kisses and caresses she knew that friendship was the wrong word to describe their relationship. And in spite of herself, she could not stop the faint red colour which spread on her cheeks so she inclined her head sideways, hoping that Okita would not notice "and why are you..."

"Friends, eh?" Okita cut her off, the smile never left his lips "so he won't mind if I..."

Kaoru was not ready for what he did next, he suddenly reached out his right hand and pulled her toward him by her wrist so forcefully that she knocked the empty cup with her leg. His hand circled her waist "…kiss you" he breathed.

Kaoru found herself in a position where her upper half was so close to his chest and her lower one was on the wooden floor. His mouth was near hers and his brown eyes stared directly at her wide blue eyes.

"Okita..."

"You remember last time, Kaoru" Kaoru noted that he dropped the suffix "I wanted to kiss you but we were interrupted" he brought her closer so now their noses were almost touching.

Okita expected Kaoru to be scared, to push him. However, surprisingly, she smiled.

"You won't do it" her voice was calm.

"I won't?"

"Yes, you won't" she said confidently "it is not in you to do such thing, not in your nature"

Okita smiled "but I'm man Kaoru, a man with desires and you" his hand tightened around her "are a beautiful woman" his breath was warm against her lips.

"But I trust you, Okita" she replied firmly.

Okita did not say anything. An awkward silence fell upon the room where their breaths were the only sounds.

Okita's eyes did not leave hers, making Kaoru think he did not blink at all. Then she felt his hold around her waist slacken as his head moved up. She felt his lips on her forehead, kissing her softly.

"You trust people so easily, Kaoru"


Okita escorted her to the gate after Kaoru's insistence to leave.

"The sun will set soon Okita-san, I don't want to walk in the dark" Kaoru pointed out, as they walked side by side to the gate.

"That is the more reason why I should walk you to the inn"

"I will be fine if I take my leave now" Kaoru still felt awkward after what happened earlier, and that did not go unnoticed by Okita.

Stopping by the gate Okita smiled apologetically "I'm sorry about what happened Kaoru-chan, I did not mean it"

Kaoru shocked her head "I know you meant no harm" despite what she said, Kaoru wondered briefly what had driven him to do that.

"But I meant it when I said you are beautiful" he smiled brightly.

Kaoru blushed at his words "th…thank you, Okita-san"

A soft laugh escaped him, his warm breaths misted before him "and you are cute when you blush"

"Mou Okita stop it now, really" Kaoru furrowed her brows "it is almost as if you are mocking me" she hit him playfully on the shoulder, Okita kept laughing muttering small apologies under his breaths and Kaoru couldn't help but to laugh heartedly with him.

Kaoru reflected how she felt at ease around him. His aura glowed with kindness, and though she thought he was kind of weird today she knew that she could trust him.

"I hope to see you again Okita-san" Kaoru said after few moments.

Okita nodded "me too Kaoru-chan, maybe I will visit you someday"

Kaoru did not say anything, for she had changed the previous inn, so she only smiled and bowed slightly before turning around.

It is better if he doesn't know.

Okita watched her retreating form with unreadable expression. Three words hunted him.

I trust you

Okita.


The sun was setting as Kaoru made her way to the inn. A cold breeze caressed her face and lifted her hair. Kaoru instinctively pulled the shawl around her body more securely.

Not that it's doing any good. She thought miserably. Kaoru hated winter, it was a morbid season which made her want to sleep through it. But of course she knew it was impossible to do such thing.

Kaoru sighed, thinking of her other, more serious ordeal.

Kenshin.

She hoped he was not back yet, or else he would really be mad at her for going out alone.

Kaoru found it ironic that in this time she was afraid of Kenshin's wrath whereas, in her time, the situation was entirely the opposite. Kenshin, Yahiko and Sano were afraid of her temper. She could picture them all as pale as the snow whenever they did something wrong in her dojo. Kaoru laughed softly. Yahiko was the bravest, he would protest and shout his defiance, but in the end he would yield to her frightening temper. And Sano was the worst, he would sneak out of the dojo if he did something wrong. That leaves Kenshin. Well no matter how angry she was, Kenshin was always smiling at her which made Kaoru angrier.

A small sad smile formed on her lips.

I miss them all.

Not only she missed them, she missed her old self as well. But Kaoru was painfully aware that this part of her was gone, maybe forever.

And the cause of this is...

Just when this thought passed her mind, something nagged her to turn, to look behind her. Kaoru did not know why, but she submitted to that strange feeling and turned around.

Kaoru was walking to the east which made the west behind her so, as she turned around, she shielded her eyes from the setting sun to be able to take in what was in front of her. And there, in the middle of the road, stood a figure. The setting sun was directly behind him, outlining his tall body. He stood ten paces away from her, and Kaoru could see that he was clad in black. A black cloak and black hood which shadowed his face, making Kaoru unable to see his features. To her the only visible part of his face was his mouth, which was twisted in a smirk. Kaoru stood on her place, motionless. She did not like that smirk, she did not like it at all. It made her feel uneasy, it brought back awful memories.

The mysterious figure was as motionless as Kaoru. He remained on his position, and Kaoru was certain he was watching her.

A bird cried in the sky, making Kaoru raise her head instictively. She stared at the sky for few moments, forgetting about the black figure, and when she finally looked back,

He was gone.


When Kaoru reached the inn, the sky was almost dark. She asked one guard about Kenshin and he told her that he was not back yet. Kaoru sighed in relief and thanked him before making her way to Kenshin's room. After all, her wounds were still healing so she was excused of any duties and she needed sometime to think. Once in his room, Kaoru lit three candles and settled on the wooden floor against the wall.

When she closed her eyes an image of the black figure appeared in her mind. Kaoru shook her head and inhaled deeply.

I'm making such a big deal out of nothing.

Despite her words Kaoru brought her folded legs to her chest and buried her face in her knees.

Please Kenshin hurry up and come back already.


Kaoru was drifting in and out of sleep when she heard the door being slid open. She raised her head and looked toward the door. Kenshin paused at door looking at her. Of course, he was not surprised to see her here, he had seen the light through the shouji door.

"Kenshin..." Kaoru smiled warmly at him. However Kenshin did not return it. Closing the door behind him, he strode across the room and settled on his usual position against the wall of books next to the window.

Kaoru, puzzled at his behaviour, rose to her feet and walked to him.

"Kenshin is everything alright?" she inquired concernedly, as she knelt before him.

Still he ignored her. He was not looking at her, his eyes were looking downwards. His red bangs shadowing them.

Different thoughts raced in Kaoru's mind. Was he hurt anywhere? Or was he mad at me? Did he discover I was out today? Kaoru had no more time to dwell on her thoughts when Kenshin spoke in no more than a whisper.

"I killed a man today."

Kaoru remained silent. This was not the first time Kenshin kill someone this month and yet she felt there was something different this time and Kenshin's next words proved her right.

"His wife saw me," his voice was low as if he was ashamed "I could not leave any witnesses so I had to take her life."

Kaoru did not know what to say. He killed an innocent woman. Her mind screamed this thought at her.

But Kenshin was not done "they had a little girl..."

"No...please...no" Kaoru whispered in a choked voice, suddenly afraid to hear the rest.

"She woke up when I was about to leave, she saw me, she looked onto my face and saw her parents' blood dropping off my sword" Kenshin paused, clenching his teeth. Kaoru only stared at him, wide-eyed.

"But I did not kill her, although she saw me I could not bring myself to kill her" Kenshin clutch his sword tightly "however she is as good as dead. Nothing but pain is awaiting her now. She is alone in this harsh world. But I..." Kenshin raised his head, looking directly at Kaoru. She saw great pain in his amber eyes, he was suffering "I'm supposed to bring happiness to the common people, right?" he raised his hand now and looked down on them "that's why I kill, that is why I..."

Kenshin stopped when he felt a hand on his left cheek. His eyes gazed up.

"That's enough, Kenshin" Kaoru said gently as she caressed his cheek "please that is enough, you don't have to torment yourself like this."

Kenshin's gaze softened and he moved closer to her. Kaoru was kneeling on both knees and Kenshin wrapped his arms around her waist. His head rested on her chest and Kaoru touched his hair gently "at least you gave the child a chance to live, I'm sure everything will be fine for her...yes everything will be fine" Kaoru said trying to sound convincing, she did not believe her own words, after all she knew the hardships of growing up without parents. And it pained her to think of the fate waiting for that young girl. However, Kenshin needed her reassurance, he needed her. This was the first time she sees him so emotionally vulnerable and exposed. And a part of her was glad that he had opened to her and trusted her. So Kaoru kept whispering to him and stroking his back. He did not cry, only clung to her and tighten his arms around her.

Then she felt him shift slightly and he lifted his head up to meet her eyes. Emotions swirled around his amber orbs. And then slowly, so slowly, he closed the gap between their faces and pressed his lips on hers. Kaoru did not protest or pull away even when he deepened the kiss. This kiss was different from the other ones they had shared, it was desperate and forceful. He moved his hands behind her back and pressed her warm body against his. And before Kaoru registered what was happening he pushed her to the floor using his body. All this time without breaking the kiss. Kaoru gasped against his mouth as her back connected with the hard wood and Kenshin seized the opportunity to slide his tongue inside, tracing the insides of her mouth with wild passion and hunger.

Because of the sudden fall Kaoru's legs parted slightly, but enough to give Kenshin a room to settle between them while he deepened the kiss roughly. Kaoru wanted him to break the kiss, she needed to breathe. However she dared not to push him away and kept her hands motionless at both sides of her body.

This is a small sacrifice for Kenshin's sake. She squeezed her eyes shut, though not a single tear escaped them.

His right hand moved to her neck and fumbled with the white bandage before unbinding it.

Still Kaoru did not resist.

Kenshin chose that moment to break the kiss, which kept Kaoru panting for air. Surprisingly he seemed unaffected as he moved his head to her neck, sucking and kissing while his left hand found its way in the folds of her kimono. He stroked her smooth hip, moving his hand up and down. His other hand did not remain unmoving. It sneaked behind her back, forcing Kaoru to arch her back. He did a quick work with her obi, loosing it. Then his hand travelled from her back to the front of her kimono pushing apart to expose her full breasts.

Kaoru sensed that his movements were frantic, as if he was trying to relieve the pain in his soul with the pleasure of flesh.

All of that happened quickly, but, to Kaoru, it seemed that it took forever. It was not that she hated his touches, it was just that she felt Kenshin far way, not with her. He might be present in flesh, however he was emotionally absent. And as he moved his head to kiss her again, she saw it in his eyes. His usually golden eyes where dim and unfocused as though he was in another place. His lips captured hers in another rough kiss while his hand cupped her left breast squeezing slightly. Kaoru moaned against his mouth and arched her back.

She was torn between pleasure and fear.

Pleasure because the man on top of her was Kenshin. The one she cared about and loved. She wouldn't deny it any more, she loved Kenshin otherwise she wouldn't be doing this for him now.

And fear came from the memories of a certain night, in another place, in another time, with another man. It was a night of pain and screams. A night of savage kisses and bruising touches and while Kenshin elected from her soft moans and sighs, the other man made her cry in pain and scream in extreme agony.

Kaoru closed her eyes willing those images to disappear. She felt Kenshin move down and take her other breast in his mouth. She opened her eyes suddenly when she felt his knees push her legs further apart. Her sapphire eyes grew wide when he shifted his position between her legs.

Her heart raced and her breaths came in short pants.

I'm scared.

No matter how much she loved Kenshin, she was not ready for this. Her hands fisted painfully and her wounded palm must have hurt but Kaoru paid no mind to the pain, she was only aware of Kenshin's movements. He moved again to kiss her lips and Kaoru knew the moment he broke the kiss was the moment this whole thing would be taken to another level, he would remove his clothes and then...

She felt both his hands move to hers as he pulled them up and forced them on either side of her head. Their fingers entwined briefly before Kenshin seized her wrists harshly. His mouth was starting to trail soft kisses on her chin going down slowly while his right hand released her wrist and his fingers traced small circles on her still bandaged palm. Then he unconsciously pressed his fingers hard, too hard, on her injured palm making Kaoru cry in pain loudly, louder than she intended. It was more of a scream.

As if he was struck by something, Kenshin ceased his movements.

He raised his head and stared down at Kaoru.

"Kaoru..." he whispered, wide-eyed.

Kaoru's breath came in painful gasps and her heart was beating wildly as she gazed at Kenshin. Her midnight tresses were fanned around her and her eyes were glistering with, what Kenshin assumed un-shed tears.

If Kenshin was not so shocked, he would notice how beautiful she looked.

Kenshin took in her state of undress as he slowly moved away and rose to his feet.

Not again. He thought, remembering the other night near the tree.

"Kaoru I..."

"No Kenshin" Kaoru cut him off. She moved her body to a sitting position while she clutched the front of her kimono to cover herself "you did not hurt me, don't bla...ahh" an unintentional soft cry escaped her lips when she was about to stand and unconsciously pressed her left palm to the wooden ground. Kaoru cursed herself for her weakness as she saw the guilt assailed Kenshin's face.

She forced herself to stand in front of Kenshin.

"I was going to...rape you...again" he whispered.

Kaoru shook her head "no you weren't, don't blame yourself" she moved closer to him "I did not stop you, I wanted you to touch me..." Kaoru trailed off when she noticed a small smile forming on his lips. She did not like that smile, it was sad and full of pain.

She wanted to take away his pain.

"No Kaoru you didn't" the sad smile was still there when he reached his hand and touch the scar on her neck "you were bleeding" when he withdrew his hand there was blood on two of his fingers.

Her blood.

Kaoru touched the scar herself and when she looked at her hand, she saw blood. It wasn't as much as last time, but it was there nonetheless.

Kaoru bowed her head "I'm sorry"

Kenshin walked past her, as though she had not spoken "your wounds must be treated"

His voice was cold.


No words were exchanged between Kenshin and Kaoru while he treated and bandaged her wounded palm. She was dressed in his sleeping yakuta for she could not tie her obi with her bleeding hand. The wound had been reopened when Kenshin dug his fingers in it, so he had to clean it or it would get infected. Her neck had already been bandaged because Kaoru insisted to cover it quickly.

Kenshin did not utter a single word and he did not even look at her. He only kept his eyes focused on her hand.

The silence was making Kaoru nervous.

After finishing the task, Kenshin rose to his feet and walked to the end of the room. He bent down to place the box, which contained his treatment supplies, on its usual place.

"You can go now," he said as he stood, his back to her "I won't force you to sleep here tonight."

Kaoru did not give any reply to that, though he heard her coming closer to him and stopping directly behind him.

"I won't be going any where," her voice was soft but firm, she moved closer and her hands circled his body from behind "I want to be here.." she rested her head on his back "with you"

Kenshin did not move, he did not even speak. Shock was written all over his handsome features.

This wasn't how she was supposed to react, she should be repulsed by him, she should desert him not hug him and snuggle to him the way she was doing now.

Kenshin stood still and unmoving. And as he heard her soft breaths and felt the rhythmic beatings of her heart, he realized something.

He was in love.


Next day.

As usual Kaoru had awakened to see that Kenshin wasn't there. So she folded the futon, changed into her kimono and went down stairs.

As she headed to the main building, she met Kenshin in the yard. Kaoru walked to him and smiled "Good morning, Kenshin"

His response was to nod briefly.

"Did you have your breakfast?" she asked, in attempt to start a normal conversation with him.

"Ah"

Kaoru sighed inwardly. This is more difficult than I've expected.

When she was about to speak again, she saw that Kenshin was looking past her so Kaoru turned around to see Katsura approaching them.

"Good morning Himura-san, Kamiya-san" he greeted them.

"Good morning Katsura-san" came Kaoru's cheerful reply. And Kenshin only bowed briefly as a reply.

"I'm glad to see you together" he smiled at Kenshin, remembering their previous conversation "eh…the weather is awful these days, winter is already here" he gazed up at the grey sky.

"It looks that it will rain soon," Kaoru added bleakly "I hate rain."

"I share your feelings, Kamiya-san" Katsura said, looking at Kenshin now "I need to talk to you"

Kenshin nodded toward Katsura, who suddenly looked too serious.

Katsura's calm eyes averted to Kaoru and he was going to say something before Kaoru cut him off.

"I'm going with you two" Kaoru said fiercely surprising the two men.

Inwardly she was remembering the state Kenshin was in last night. She had no idea what exactly she could do, but she wanted to hear what Katsura had to say. "I want to hear what you have to say to Kenshin" she demanded.

"Kaoru" Kenshin hissed at her.

Kaoru ignored him keeping her eyes on Katsura.

Kenshin, angry at being ignored, reached his hand and seized Kaoru's wrist "stay out of this, Kaoru, it's none of your concern"

"What do you mean this is none of my concern?" she snapped at him "I don't want..." her words were interrupted when she heard the amused laughter of Katsura.

"My, my, Kamiya-san you are a fierce and brave girl," he smiled at her "I've never seen anyone talking to Himura like that and getting out of it unharmed," now he turned to Kenshin "you have really chosen well."

"Katsura-san!!"

Katsura laughed again at Kenshin's expression, then he walked to Kaoru and put one hand on her shoulder "before you...hmmm…unintentionally interrupted me I was going to invite to join us," he squeezed her shoulder lightly "this concerns you too."

Both of Kenshin and Kaoru were looking at him now, but Kaoru averted her eyes after few moments, feeling embarrassed.

"But of course we can't discuss it out here in this cold weather, let us go inside."


"I will do it!" Kaoru exclaimed.

"Katsura-san, she can't!" Kenshin protested.

Those were the two different reactions after Katsura had told them about what they needed to do the day after tomorrow. Katsura would have to attend a dinner party with one of the opposing parties and he needed Kenshin's protection. However, Kenshin must not act as a personal guard but as one of his minor supporters because this, according to Katsura, would take the attention away from Kenshin. It wasn't a dangerous mission; Katsura could have taken any other man instead of Kenshin. However, what he did not tell them that this was an attempt from Katsura to make Kenshin relax even for a day. It wasn't as though Katsura had no other matters to attend do, but things are quite these days and Katsura suspected that it was a calmness before the storm, so Kenshin needed some rest. And Kaoru's present was necessary.

"Kamiya-san will act as your fiancée or wife," he spoke to Kenshin "I will leave you to choose that yourself" he added with a smile.

"Katsura-san, I'm sure there are other ways to do this," Kenshin persisted "Kaoru can't come."

"Stop assuming what I can and can't do Kenshin" Kaoru snapped "I said I will do it."

Kenshin glared at her "what do you know, Kaoru? We are not going to have fun, this is a serious matter."

"I know that, that's why I want to go, I want to help."

"Your help is not needed" his angry glare did not falter, even when a look of hurt passed Kaoru's face briefly.

Katsura's loud sigh sounded in the room as he stood "you two sound like a married couple already," he smiled at their shocked faces "I will leave you to sort this out, and Kamiya-san if you manage to convince Himura-san, which I'm sure you will, speak to Ayami-san who will gladly assist you in the preparations."

"Thank you, Katsura-san" Katsura nodded as a reply before stepping out and closing the door behind him.

Once Katsura was out, an uncomfortable silence settled upon them.

"You won't be going, Kaoru" Kenshin's voice, which was colder than the wind outside, broke the silence.

"Stop telling me what to do" it was Kaoru's turn to glare at him "I want to go."

"You don't understand, it is dangerous."

"I do understand the risks, that's why I want to be with you. And I'm sure Katsura would not have asked me to come along if it was too dangerous."

"We could get attacked on the road."

"I will defend myself, I will find a way."

She is so stubborn. Kenshin gritted his teeth "listen, I want you to go to Katsura and tell him that your hands are hurting so you can't go."

"No I won't," Kaoru turned her head and crossed her hands over her chest.

Kenshin clenched his fists "Kaoru..." he warned. She was testing his patience and Kenshin couldn't recall the last time he was this angry.

Kaoru rose to her feet suddenly and walked past his sitting form "you won't scare me into changing my opinion, Kenshin," she stopped near the door her back to him "you once said that I'm your woman, so as your woman" she turned to him now "I will follow you and accept the risks. This means I will go whether you want it or not" with those words she trotted out of the room smiling triumphantly.

Maybe, just maybe, my old self is still alive within me.


So how was it?? please tell me if I'm moving too fast or slow? One reviewer asked me where I'm heading with this fic and about the end, well about the first question this a dark story and to be honest the real angst has yet to begin (laughs evilly) hehe I love angst fics. And about the ending, it is already planned out and this is all I'm going to say about it since it's toooooooo early