A/N: I know what happened was a little weird and/or scary...that was the intent. Well...the cliffhanger gave me what I wanted.

XI

Kaoru's eyes drew to the figure at the door staring into the abyss of the emperor's chamber. She managed to get her lips off Kenshin's but it was not at the right time. Kaoru nearly began to cry looking toward the figure swaying in the doorway. In his hand a goblet of red wine, which she only knew because it was spilled across the floor.

"How-how dare you?!" Sojiro screeched in hate. Kaoru cowered while Kenshin's grip on her just got harder. "His Majesty is sacred, you're-you're just an outsider!"Kaoru winced and tried to stand, still held down by Kenshin whom she realized had passed out again. "How dare you take advantage of him in such a state. A scholar such as yourself should know bett-"

"I didn't do it-"

"Blame it on him will you. I hold respect for this man, you however just lost it. When I tell High Priest about this I'll--!" Sojiro stopped when he felt the rough and slightly wet texture of the bandages gripping around his ankle as far as the hand would let it. Kenshin was propped up on his elbow, staring down Sojiro what wasn't exactly hate, rather, a small look that plead for mercy.

"Sojiro?" Kenshin asked, he looked up to Kaoru who was walking to find a safe wall that she could grip onto. Her entire body shook at such a quiet man's outrage. She really wasn't sure if Sojiro could get that angry or not; not with the smile that he always had on his face. Tears started to roll down Kaoru's face, her hand over her mouth as she hiccuped, trying to pray but finding it hard to get the words out. She glanced back down to Kenshin, working his way into a sitting position. Sojiro more than willingly helping him up.

"Nam Sojiro?" Kenshin asked. Kaoru realized that he was speaking toward Sojiro in Quian. "Nam Sojiro...I ask you not to tell."

"I have no choice! You've broken the code. And she must leave!"

"If you tell Shishio then we'll go into war, that we will."

"Then kill her!" Sojiro hissed toward the ruler. "That way, there will be no evidence."

Kaoru slid down the wall, covering her ears so she didn't have to hear this. She was trying to mouth a psalm, though much to her disappointment that she couldn't remember it all. She choke out a few pleading words.

"Stop this...Sopu Sher Humapk, Nam Sojiro," she was holding back as many tears as she could.

Kenshin let go of Sojiro and stumbled over toward Kaoru, kneeling to her and wiping away tears. "Don't cry; please don't cry."

Kaoru turned away from Kenshin, scared that her being so close to him might set Sojiro off again. "Someone has to find out soon Sher Humapk."

"Then let them," Kenshin rose, offering his weak hand to Kaoru. She still sat there, unsure of what the best thing to do was. so she sat there, looking toward Kenshin finally with shaky eyes, contemplating and hoping to herself that this was Kenshin in a blood lost state and that maybe he couldn't tell the difference of anything around him. "Because we'll fall into war, won't we?" Kenshin said to Sojiro without turning around to him. " An' tat's wat Shishio wants isn't et?" Kenshin closed his eyes and shook his head. "Why 'aven't you left yet Sojiro?"

"Because," he said. "I'm waiting."

"For wat?"

"For Sano to come back with High Priest. So that I can expose you for the fraud you are."

"I ne'er chose tis life Sojiro."

Kaoru settled her hand on the wall and picked herself up slowly, hoping all the while that her legs wouldn't give out on her. She held tight to her shirt, blinking away as many tears that she could when she watched Kenshin sway lightly.

"You...you should lay down Sher Humapk," Kaoru suggested. Her throat was raw from the crying. "If you don't then you'll pass out again..." Kenshin took hold of the chair he had nearly toppled over when he was leaning up against Kaoru. There was a smile on his face. A smile like he were sure of himself. A smile of innocence.

"You can tell 'im. Go a'ead. I won't leave. Ef tat es wat you are staying for."

Sojiro crept toward the door as Kenshin settled in the chair and crossed his legs. "I don't trust you."

"I can tell."

His eyes slid over to Kaoru watching this show like it were a tennis match. She went over to the bed and picked up the cover seeing Kenshin visibly shaking despite the heat. She felt his forehead, and though he was normal, he was paling. "Na Kaoru?" Sojiro asked. Kaoru settled the blanket over Kenshin before turning. She didn't make eye contact, for the fear of something uncertain.

"Why-why would you disgrace yourself in such a manner?"Sojiro said trying not to hiss out these words. Kaoru stood tall, trying still to compose herself as to think what just happened wasn't as serious as it actually was.

"Well, if you couldn't tell what just went on there then..."but Kaoru was cut off by the sound of footsteps outside of the room. Sojiro looked over his shoulder and back to Kenshin to make sure that the emperor hadn't risen from his seat. He then proceeded in walking backward before turning around and peaking out the door to see Shishio being escorted by a very uneasy Sano. The Zanza crossed his arms tightly as Sojiro once again regained his smile.

"Hello Nam Shishio. It's great to see you've arrived so quickly."

"Is something the matter Sojiro?" Shishio asked calmly. Sojiro's eyes slid over to Sano as though he were hearing something he shouldn't.

"Well Nam Shishio, you see..." Sojiro peaked into the room and started to gape in fear before returning his eyes to Shishio. The Priest crossed his arms and maneuvered to look in the room.

"What's wrong Sojiro?"

Shishio moved the boy out of the way to look at the empty chambers of the emperor's room. Sojiro came in starting to look in every lace he could think of where someone was capable of hiding. He was panicking with his heart beating painfully in his chest. He looked up to Shishio picking up the blanket and revealing a small splatter of blood on the floor.

"Where is he Sojiro?"

"Well, High Priest, they were just in here a moment ago..."

"They? Who's they?" Shishio nearly roared toward the frightened boy.

"Sher Humapk and Na Kaoru."

Shishio straightened his body out and dropped the blanket. He looked directly into a mirror, gazing at himself and unaware of what was able to be seen on the other side of the mirror. Kenshin was holding his hand at Kaoru's mouth as they watched the scene unfold like they were play goers. As Shishio came closer, Kenshin even held his breath, swaying in his weak form.

The Priest placed his hand on the mirror, and looked into Kenshin's eyes as though he could actually see him. But it was impossible because it was only Kenshin that knew of this place. He didn't take the time for himself to think on the matter and let Kaoru's mouth go while leading her to a set of old musty steps and starting her up.

"What's going on?"

"You need safer ground Na Kaoru."

"Won't this be suspicious?" she asked. Kenshin stopped. "Kenshin?"

"'E already 'ad figured things out," Kenshin looked down and took Kaoru's hand leading her back downstairs. But he didn't stop there, he continued down a set of steps, lights firing up to reveal their way.

"Where are we going now?"

"You are going to 'ide," Kenshin explained. "I want you wit Hiko at all times, yes?"

"But-"

"No buts. Until we can figure tings out, the only time I want to see you is when et es time for lessons and for dinner, understood?"

"My things?"

"I'll have Sano bring them down to you, yes? Now, come."

Kenshin started rapping his knuckles on walls, all sounding solid until he found the right one halfway down a set of steps. He stopped and pushed it open until their was dust in the air and they were looking into darkness. They could hear a ruffling of sheets, seeing no figure.

"Shishou?"

"What do you want?" Hiko asked sternly.

"Watch Na Kaoru."

"Is that some sort of joke."

"Please." The door closed again. Kaoru had her hand at her chest, looking down at the blood wiped across it. She closed her palm, looking into light when a small fire started up. She could see Hiko much more clearly. She took a tentative step forward, but then nearly stepped back when Hiko rose and started over her.

"So? It's begun?"

"What?"

"This mess," Hiko opened one of the curtains. "There's too much commotion."

"What do you want me to do?"

"What Kenshin told you to do. Stay here. It's the only possibility. He seems to know how to take this situation."

"He's out of his mind!" Kaoru argued, though she felt guilty. "Did you--"she thought about the words that she was choosing.

"He was bleeding right?" he asked. "I heard it drip on the floor. I know. He went through the ritual today, and that was exactly how Shishio planned it to work."

"So this is all a plot?" The blind man nodded.

"All we can do now is wait," he picked up his sword and leaned against the wall. "You can take my bed, you're no doubt tired."

Kaoru was careful to come over to where the sheets were sprayed. She sat down, looking toward Hiko who's ear was to the window.

"What will happen, if people find out?"

"What? Find out what?" Kaoru covered her mouth.

"I--he kissed me and--"

"War. A Holy war. The temple versus the gods. That's all that can happen." Kaoru clenched her fists into the blanket.

"Only?"

Hiko was silent, listening to the window for any sounds. "You just sleep. We'll get reports, or I'll find out myself alright?"

Kaoru nodded, half lidded her eyes and said: "Yeah. Pemtu ah Mr. Hiko."