A/n Firstly, my husband and I are doing well. Tests came back negative but my man was still very sick. He's doing much better now and we are both back to work. I want to thank everyone who left us well wishes in the last chapter I posted.

Secondly, I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. I've slowed down in writing this story and didn't want to catch up to myself. So I waited until I got a few more chapters ahead. I'm trying not to get upset at the slow pace of my writing.

Anyways, enough of my chatter.

On to the story!

Chapter 26

Gasps rose up around them but Kaoru took a breath of relief.

"To be carried out at once." The Marshal stood, signaling the end of the trial. "Let's get this ugly matter over with."

Kaoru felt a hand wrap around her arm and she turned to find Kenshin standing beside her. His face looked grim but Kaoru could do nothing but smile at him even as Kokuei's rumbling growl echoed in the building. His wings rustled with unease as a guard stepped up and took Kaoru firmly but gently by the arm.

"Hush, Kokuei. I must be punished for breaking the rules." She said softly to the dragon, knowing he would hear her over the buzzing of the crowd. She spoke up, glancing over at Takeda. "What is ten lashes to a slave who has been beaten for ten years?"

Kenshin forced himself to let her go, looking surprised that he did so and troubled. Kaoru gave him a reassuring smile and allowed the guard to take her to the front of the semi-circle of the counsel. A second guard appeared, in his hand was a black dragon scale whip. Aigou, as well as the other council members stepped down from their podiums and stood to the side. The Marshal moved to Kenshin's side. Kaoru caught sight of Jacob, wide-eyed and stricken on Kenshin's other side.

They looked at her as if she was to lose her head. She laughed to herself. Did these men forget that she had been a slave to a cruel master? The only one that didn't look grim about the idea was Takeda. He was free to leave, but he, along with the rest of the crowd decided to stay and watch.

"I'm sorry." the guard at her arm muttered. "But I must remove your tunic"

"Oh!" Kaoru turned, showing her back to the room as she worked the belt from her hips. The guard took it and the tunic as she slipped it off. After a moment of hesitation she pulled at her undershirt. It would be a shame if the brand new clothing got ruined and she had little of a woman's body to need to hide. Half smothered gasps rose up from the crowd as she exposed her back to them. Her back was a mass of old scars. They crossed her skin in large X's. They were mostly smooth, pale, and flat. Old scars from her youth. She wasn't sure, as she couldn't really see her own back. She had inspected it once in Kenshin's room with his looking glass. She had seen worse on other slaves. Thick pink scars over masses of old scars. She only had one that was still pink and ugly, but otherwise she was not so bad.

Time stretched and nothing happened and she glanced over her shoulder to find the guard with the whip looking startled and unsure. He glanced over to the Marshal who for once had an emotionless mask identical to Kenshin's on his face. He gave the guard the barest of nods. The guard took both her wrists and tied them together before walking her over to the center podium. Kaoru noted a wooden bar that ran across it what she thought had been for decoration. It was obvious to her now that it had another function. The guards tied her hands to the bar so they were stretched over her head. She was very short compared to most they whipped she figured because she had to stand on her tiptoes, even with a hand span of slack in the ropes.

Once the guard stepped away she heard the Marshal command the one with the whip. She heard the whip roll out along the ground and she steeled herself. The first hit drew gasps from the crowd and she could hear Kokuei's grumbles growing louder. To her shock, it hurt more than she expected. Perhaps her skin had grown soft after going without lashes for so long. Perhaps it was because the whip was dragon scale and not plain leather.

She was glad there were only nine left. Already her legs were starting to shake from being up on her toes.

The rest of the lashings went quickly and quietly. And she was cut down. Kenshin was there at once, unclasping the chain of his cape and set the pristine white material around her bare shoulders.

"Oh, but you'll get blood on it." Kaoru protested as he pulled it around to cover her bare chest before setting the clasp.

"It'll wash out," Kenshin said in a hard tone.

She turned to watch a disgruntled Takeda stalk through the crowd. Perhaps he was disappointed that she didn't utter a sound through her beating. It didn't matter, she was glad he was gone. The crowd moved quickly and efficiently out of the building. Even so, Kenshin placed Kaoru beside Kokuei for the time being until the building emptied. She reached out to touch the warm scales of her friend and found the beast nearly vibrating.

"It's alright, my dear," Kaoru assured him. "See I'm fine."

"You're bleeding." The dragon countered.

"Only a little. I've worse beating than this before. Don't worry." She kept petting his forearm. Watching him flex his claws over and over. But the dragon stayed still and calm until the crowd dispersed enough that the beast could turn around and leave. Jacob pressed into one side of her while Kenshin returned and took her other side.

"Really. You act like I'm going to faint." She sighed.

"Hush." Jacob hissed softly and Kaoru fell silent and allowed the two men to take her to the medic building. Kenshin talked the dragon into going to their quarters and waiting for them there as Jacob ushered Kaoru inside. She was set in a cot in a large room. Each cot was separated by curtains and as soon as she sat, Megumi appeared. She removed the cape without a word and got to work on her back. Kaoru clutched the cape to her front as Megumi inspected her back and made clicking sounds with her tongue.

"Kaoru!" Misao cried as she ran around the curtain.

"Misao!" Megumi hissed. "This is the medic ward, be quiet! Sit over there." the Lady doctor gestured to a small stool beside her cot. Misao took it and set it in front of Kaoru and sat. She took her hands in hers

"Are you alright Kaoru?" Misao asked in an indoor voice.

"Fine." Kaoru hissed as Megumi dabbed disinfectant on the wounds.

Misao looked unconvinced. "You didn't make a sound."

"I've been beaten for ten years. It hurts, yes, but,..." She shrugged her shoulders and gasped in pain.

"Don't do that." Megumi chastised as she set out a needle to stitch her back and started to dab numbing cream on each laceration.

Jacob came in at that moment and set her tunic and belt on the cot beside her. "Thank you." She said to him as he stepped over to the other side of Megumi and took his first good look at her back and whistled low.

"Looks like you'll have a nice new set to add to those others." He said, all humor gone from his voice. "Damn." He said under his breath.

"At least you don't have to give a hatchling to that man," Kaoru said over her shoulder, wincing as Megumi started to stitch her up. That, at least, was good news.

"Aye," Jacob said, slightly distracted as he watched Megumi work. "Too bad Takeda gets to stay in the military. But hopefully, things will work out and he'll take care of his dragon this time. With the threat of discharge hovering over him for the next fourteen years, he'll stay in line. I hope."

Kaoru nodded. "I wouldn't want him to harm another dragon, but it would mean he would be discharged and away from dragons forever." The four of them were silent for a long moment, thinking. Kenshin came in then, a dark force of Ki that rolled over all of them. His eyes were flashing and swirling with amber. The color startled Kaoru. No one said anything about it. Maybe it was something he developed after his time in the magic infested Swildish Forest. It made him look frightening and yet Kaoru felt only strange excitement as those eyes locked on her and stayed there. Her face turned hot as she felt his eyes on her bare back and shoulders.

He went to stand next to Jacob, his bangs had fallen forward, so she could no longer read his expression. Megumi kept turning her to face forward anyways so she and Misao chatted lightly until the lady doctor was done. She sent the men away and she and Misao helped her dress.

"Take care with those stitches. No training for at least a week. Then come to me and I'll take them out if they are ready."

Kaoru nodded as she tightened her belt and she thanked the pair before leaving. She met up with Kenshin and fell into step beside him. The crowd was mostly gone now. Everyone still had their duties and it was nearly time for the mid-day meal. Even so, those that were around gave Kaoru long looks. She didn't feel any malice, only curiosity. No one liked Takeda and she willingly took her punishment without argument.

"Are you hungry?" Kenshin asked when the paused at the main square.

Kaoru shook her head. "I'm suddenly very tired." She realized. Now that the trial was over and the adrenaline was gone, her back hurt and she just wanted rest. Kenshin didn't argue and quickly led her back to their quarters. Kokuei sat waiting for them and he inspected her carefully before Kenshin was able to pull her away. By then Kaoru could only fumble with her boots and belt and Kenshin had to help her pull off her tunic. She collapsed into Kenshin's bed with her under tunic and pants still on. But she was asleep at once.

… . . …

Once Kaoru's stitches came out, life had returned to normal around the Barracks. Kaoru returned to her training and Kenshin returned to his rounds. Some days, Kaoru joined Kenshin in his rounds. She practiced navigating, using signal flags, and watched as Kenshin kept the peace. She learned that the various towns and cities policed themselves but put out a signal of smoke or flares when a Knight flew by when they needed the King's justice, to transport prisoners, or if they just needed extra muscle. Kenshin was kind and gentle when he needed to be, and yet firm and fierce as well. He did not discriminate against the wealthy or even the lowest of slaves.

Kaoru was able to see how life was like in other places than her small farmlands. Many slaves were treated far better than she had ever seen a slave be treated. They were dressed well, in nice clothing. They were clean, well-fed, and happy. Many of the younger ones knew how to read and were being trained in valuable skills. It seemed Kaoru simply got unlucky with her master. How things could have been different if their farm had been given to a kind master instead? Would she still have her sisters? Her Mother? Kaoru knew she shouldn't dwell on such questions but once it was there, Kaoru found it impossible to ignore.

She scowled on the back of Kokuei as they were returning from a day of rounds. Things she had seen the past two weeks would not leave her. She was plagued by the thoughts and ideas of What If. What if they had a nice master? Would her sisters be simple housemaids and nannies to children? Would her mother be a plump rosy-faced cook, beloved in her advancing years? Would she have grown as a girl and not a boy? Never feeling the sting of a whip or face death by infection? Would she never know the constant fear of rape? Or instinctively cower when an angry voice rose up? Those thoughts led to other, more dangerous thoughts, thoughts that she dare not visit since the first few weeks at the barracks.

What if they had never been slaves? What if there was never a war? She would have her brothers back….her father. They would be happy farmers like they were before it all started. She was doted on by her older brothers. They would watch out and care for the family as they grew. Subject any young man who came calling for their sisters with distrust and intense scrutiny. Her father would have been a grandfather many times over by now. She would be an aunt to many small children. She would be getting ready to be married herself. A bittersweet moment for her mother and father, to watch their last child fly out on her own.

"Kaoru?"

Kaoru jerked out of her thoughts. Amazingly they had landed back at the barracks and were nearly to their quarters. She hadn't even realized it. Her face was wet, she discovered. Hot, angry tears had escaped without her knowledge and she scrubbed them away with angry, jerky movements. Kenshin had unclasped himself from his saddle and walked across Kokuei's back without her even noticing. Now he caught her in her darkest thoughts. Thoughts she never allowed herself to think about.

"What's the matter?" He asked, his tone soft as he sat in front of her. He moved and rocked with every sway of the dragon's body as if they were one being.

"Nothin'. I'm fine." Kaoru was surprised to find nothing but bitterness in her voice. Kenshin didn't deserve that. Yes he was a soldier for the North, but he was a kind man, and was very young during the war. He did not start it. She swallowed hard, and took a deep breath to push her feelings away. Kenshin looked troubled and unsure.

"Do you not wish to come with me on my rounds? I know police work is not the greatest-"

"No, it's not that." Kaoru interrupted.

Kenshin tipped his head. "What is it? Tell me."

His concern struck Kaoru like a thin blade in her chest. It made her heart hurt. Why did he have to be so kind and understanding with her? It would be easy to let the hate eat her away if he wasn't there to soothe her wounds. Wounds that stayed open and festered for so long had finally started to heal, only to be ripped open again. She thought she was finally free of the pain of loss. She had no family left to lose. But then Enok came and yes she helped him but he helped her more. He helped her feel again. To care for someone and open her mind and heart to caring for others. She felt the pain of Kenshin leaving for battle. And realizing she was falling back into the risky game of love and loss. And she felt the pain of her missing family all over again.

Her soul felt tremendous pain and she didn't know how she could possibly heal again. She opened her mouth to say as much, but her throat had closed tight. No sound would come out and no air would come in. Her vision blurred as hot tears refilled her eyes. Kenshin's face remained calm but he inched closer, his hand reached out and rested on her shoulder. They reached their quarters. Kokuei stopped at his sandpit like always and when they did not drop from his back he turned his great head around and arched his neck to look at them.

"What is wrong with Kaoru?" The beast asked, his voice low.

"M'fine!" Kaoru coughed out, she shrugged Kenshin's hand away and untied herself with record speed and dropped from the dragon. She tried to gather herself together as she distracted herself with the many buckles and leather straps. She heard Kenshin assuring Kokuei but she couldn't make out the words. She pulled the saddle free from the dragon and with eyes blinded by tears, hauled it into the tack room. Kenshin must have worked magic because he was directly behind her with his own saddle already. She tried to rush out to avoid being pinned in the small room but Kenshin kicked the door shut behind him and dropped the saddle at his feet.

"Kaoru." He grabbed her when she tried to worm past him. "Talk to me."

"No, it's nothing." Kaoru cursed that her words came out as sobs. There was no point in stopping the tears now, he knew she was crying. He took her in both hands and held her in front of him and leveled his soul-piercing eyes on hers. Even though the tears she could see the soft comforting lavender swirl away as hard glittering amethyst replaced it. He was going to be firm with her. She already knew how to read his ever-changing eyes. Magical eyes.

"It is not nothing, Kaoru. I don't care what it is, you tell me." He bit out, then, in a voice so soft she wasn't sure she was supposed to hear it. "Tell me so I can help."

Kaoru shook her head until she was nearly dizzy. She didn't want to say it. She never ever allowed herself to even think the words. How could she say them out loud? But she wished. Oh, she wished Kenshin could make it all better, to make the pain go away. Her face twisted, she knew she was ugly when she cried, but she couldn't hold it in anymore. The tears gushed, no longer held at bay.

"I miss my Mama and ….Otosan!" The last time she had called her father by that name was the day he died. She had never allowed herself to utter it. And now she realized why. Something inside of her broke as Kenshin gathered her in his strong arms. She sagged, no longer able to hold herself up as she cried.

… . . …

Kenshin's heart pained him as he struggled to hold the girl. She was boneless in her grief and quickly he gathered her in his arms. She was still so small that he lifted her with ease and with one hand opened the tack room door and he crossed the courtyard. He shot Kokuei a glance and the dragon knew from the look of his face that things were fine. He didn't want the giant beast to be upset by Kaoru's crying. He would explain it to him later. Once inside his rooms he shut the door and dropped to his knees on the soft, plush rugs in front of the empty fireplace. The girl would have puddled into a heap on the floor if he let her go so he held her upright. He held her and rocked slightly as she sobbed into his chest. It was all he could do and he cursed himself for it.

Her pain hurt him like a knife, cold, icy. The pain of a blade to the chest. The poor thing just wanted her parents back. He recalled her asking about her brothers, the story of her sisters being sold. Her family was scattered and she was young, and alone and afraid. He didn't know what triggered this sudden upheaval of emotion but he was glad for it. Was she holding this in the entire time? She had been here nearly a year and never once did he see her fall apart. She cried in joy, and in anger but never the pain of loss for her family. Had she cried when he wasn't around? Alone in her room where no one could hear her?

The idea made him nearly ill. He'd give anything to give her back her mother and father. But it was impossible. He felt helpless. So he let her cry, and he was there for her. He wiped at her tears when she let him, he clutched her tightly and tried to soothe her with soft words and kisses on the soft raven black hair growing from her head. Lower and lower she sagged until she pillowed on his lap, her tears dried up and gone, and exhausted, fell to sleep. Kenshin sat there, still petting her, not daring to move. But it was growing dark and it was time for the evening meal.

Slowly he reached over to the padded chair and grabbed a pillow from it and replaced his legs with it. Once Kaoru was settled he stood, letting the blood return to his legs. Quickly he made a fire in the fireplace and once he was sure it was burning well, he gave Kaoru one last long look and then left.

At once Kokuei assaulted him with questions.

"Is Kaoru upset? Is she hurt? Did I do something wrong? Is she sick?"

Kenshin shushed the dragon, petting the tiny scales between his eyes. "No, Dear. She is fine. She is sad for her family is all. It happens. It's good for her to cry, if she did not, then she would get sick. Remember….when Tomoe and the baby first went away?"

The dragon's whole body seemed to sag. "Oh….Yes I remember."

Kenshin had wept for days.

"Are you hungry?" Kenshin asked.

"No." the dragon rumbled.

"Are you sure? You flew all day today, you didn't have any lunch?"

"No, I'm not hungry right now." the beast rumbled.

"I'm going to get some food for Kaoru. She's asleep right now. If she wakes and comes out, let her know I'll be right back. Keep her here." He ordered. "Understand?"

"Yes." The dragon settled down. His great big head resting at the bottom of the stairs and his great red eyes focused on the door.

"Do not worry, my dear." Kenshin gave the great beast a pat and then left. He made his way through the crowd to the commons where he gathered food for his page. In a few weeks she would be his Squire. He never thought he would ever have one. He never did like this title of Knight and never expected to raise one to follow him. It was strange to think Kaoru was one step closer to her goal.

He still couldn't help but wonder if it was still her goal.

"Hey man, where's your shadow?"

Kenshin turned, his tray piled with food to find Sano and Megumi behind him. "Oro? Hello Sanosuke, Megumi." He nodded at them. He could already see Megumi eyeing his tray.

"You and Kaoru going to eat alone?" She asked. She shared a look with Sano and Kenshin huffed.

"Kaoru had a bit of a breakdown today. She's asleep right now so I'm getting her dinner for when she wakes up, that I am."

At this the pair turned serious. "What kind of breakdown, Kenshin?" Megumi pressed.

Kenshin paused, unsure if he should share something that was obviously a private matter. "You'll not breathe a word of it to her? I don't think she would be happy if others knew."

The pair gave a hard nod.

"Kaoru misses her parents. She had a good cry about it. I don't know what happened. We just came back from rounds and she was holding back sobs. I nearly had to demand her tell me what was wrong. I felt helpless, that I did." He still felt helpless. Both Sano and Megumi looked sympathetic.

"It was bound to happen." Sano offered.

"It's good she cried, people need to cry." Megumi offered.

"I know, I hope she'll feel better and not sink into more sadness."

"Does she have any of her family around?" Sanosuke asked.

Kenshin shook his head. "Her mother died just before I found her, her sisters had been sold off years ago and her brothers were taken as prisoners during the war. She never spoke to me about her father. I assumed he's dead as well."

"Perhaps you should find out for sure," Megumi said. "If her father is still alive then maybe it might bring some peace to her. Maybe you could take her to see him. I'm sure that would make her happy. At least to know he was alive."

Kenshin nodded. He had flirted with the idea of flying down to her farm and get the records of her sisters and who the hell her master sold them too. He'd gut that bastard wide open if he had to. He never wanted to see her cry like that again.

… . . …

Kaoru woke to her head pounding. She looked up to find a bright fire crackling happily. Did Kenshin build a fire? Wasn't that her job? Oh no! Kaoru covered her face. What had she done? Did she really break into a blubbering mess in front of her Master? There was a sound and Kaoru jerked her head around to see Kenshin in his small eating space. The sound was a glass clinking against a glass pitcher. He turned at her movement.

"Here, drink." He stepped over and handed her a glass of water.

Kaoru took it, refusing to catch his gaze and drank the water as quickly as she could. He set a large tray down in front of her loaded with enough food for four people. He sat cross-legged in front of her and took up a chicken thigh and started eating.

Kaoru wasn't sure she could eat, but she wasn't going to sit there and watch Kenshin eat. She didn't want to think about her moment of weakness and picked at a bowl of bright chopped fruit. She didn't expect to taste anything but tart-sweet flavor exploded on her tongue and Kaoru picked up the bowl and set it in her lap and ate piece after piece. Kenshin watched her from under his bangs which caused all sorts of feelings to bubble up inside of her. She never dared show weakness in front of someone, much less a man. And here she had and she didn't feel vulnerable about it. Kenshin made her feel like an equal, he made her feel safe and cared for and about.

But still

"I'm sorry,"

"No. I don't want to hear an apology from you about this. You've nothing to be sorry for. I'd rather you come to me with your problems than to bottle it up inside or suffer them alone, that I do."

Even though he was stern, Kaoru felt nothing but warmth at his words. She set the fruit down and nodded silently at his words. Then it was over, Kenshin offered her a plate loaded with buttered vegetables, sweet bread rolls and chunks of stewed beef in a thick dark gravy. Kaoru dove into it, suddenly starving. "Thank you, Kenshin." She said, not just for the food, but for being there. She didn't say it, but she could tell from the look on his face that he knew.

"Kaoru, about-"

But just then a loud knocking on his door interrupted him. With a sigh Kenshin climbed to his feet and answered the door.

"Aoshi." Kenshin stepped back to let the taller man inside. Kaoru looked up from her meal to find the stoic Aoshi standing there.

"Urgent news," Aoshi stated. "We received a cry for help from a Messenger just now. Seems village after village to the West of here is falling under attack by rebels on dragons."

Kaoru jerked up on alert and set her plate down.

"Orders?" Kenshin asked.

"To fly out right away. The villages are raided and then burned."

Kenshin looked grim. "Go alert the others. I'll meet them in the field in half an hour."

"Yes, Sir." Aoshi rushed off and Kaoru scrambled to her feet. "You're leaving again?" Of course he was, she heard the order just as easily as he did. But she ached at the thought of being left behind again.

Kenshin gave her a curt nod. "Get Kokuei ready."

"Kenshin…can I come with you now? I know I'm not a Squire yet, but this is police work and not a government mission." She clasped her hands together and tried to school her face to not show disappointment. After that little display there was no way he was going to take her. But he gave her a long and thoughtful look.

"Very well. Grab your mission pack and then go get Kokuei ready."

"What? Really!" Kaoru gasped and then rushed passed him and into her small room. Weeks ago Misao had helped her pack what was called a mission pack. A survival bag filled with clothes, weapons, and various supplies. She didn't think she would be using it so soon. She grabbed her sling, her stone bullets, and a dagger on her way out. She set her things down on the flagstone. Kokuei was up and alert.

"We're on a mission?"

"No, Kokuei, just an urgent call for help," Kaoru said as she rushed by and into the tack room. She nearly tripped over Kenshin's saddle where he had dropped it in confronting her. She gathered it up and hurried to strap it on the dragon. She then retrieved her saddle. The beast nearly gasped.

"Kaoru, you are coming with us?"

"Yes," Kaoru confirmed as she threw her saddle on and started to fasten the buckles.

"Are you ready?" Kokuei sounded worried.

"Kenshin must think I am. What do you think?" Kaoru felt she was ready, but was she really? Her hands were shaking so much she could hardly do up the buckles.

"I am not sure. Will there be bad fighting?"

"It's a possibility," Kenshin said as he stepped out of his quarters. He had his armor on and two swords on his belt and one large dagger strapped to his leg. He vanished into the tack room and returned with three plates of armor for Kokuei. Kaoru rushed through her saddle and hurried back to the tack room and brought Kenshin more plates. She set the last plate by Kenshin's feet before running off to shoulder her pack and tuck her weapons away. She returned to help set the last plate in place and then scrambled into her saddle as Kenshin mounted his.

"A possibility? Will they let you take me if there could be battle?" Kaoru wondered as she climbed up the dragon. She didn't want to get Kenshin into any sort of trouble.

Kenshin didn't answer her and Kaoru clipped on her tail and did all her ties as quickly as she could as Kokuei was already up on his two hind legs. His giant wings flapped hard and he gave a little shake. He must have been satisfied with his armor and straps because he took to the air at once. They drifted over to the field where Saito, Sanosuke, and Tsunan waited with their dragons. They landed and the men dismounted to gather in the center to talk.

"I was just startn' ta get ta sleep." Bast rumbled. The inside of his mouth glowed in the darkness of night. It was as if a fire burned in his belly.

"I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat dinner Kokuei answered back sadly. "Now I wish I had." The other dragons made sounds of sympathy for him. Kaoru felt a pang of guilt. She fell apart before she could feed him. By the time she fell asleep the poor beast must have been too upset to eat. Kaoru swallowed hard. Never again would she let her emotions take over like that in front of Kokuei. She had to take care of his needs above all others.

Everyone returned to their dragons. Kenshin twisted in his seat. "Megumi will catch us up. It takes time to load that great animal of hers, that it does." And with that they were in the air again. Within moments they were so high that the lights of the barracks looked like stars in the inky black sky. The only way to tell what was sky and earth was the soft light of the half-moon reflecting off treetops and mountainsides.

Kaoru's hands cramped and she tried to loosen her grip on her saddle. She had never flown at night before and the feeling was strange and disorienting. Every inch of her body was tight and clenched as if being relaxed would cause her to float away into the darkness. Instead she focused in front of her at Kenshin's red hair peeking out from his helmet to the bob of Kokuei's head as he flew. His wingbeats were hard and fast at first until they climbed high enough to catch the wind current and then they slowed to a more leisurely pace. It was far colder up this high and Kaoru cursed herself for not grabbing her cloak. She wasn't sure how much time had passed but she finally started to relax in her saddle and she realized she never got to say goodbye to so many people. Kenshin felt she was ready for a simple rescue mission and he never would have allowed her to come if he really thought there would be bad fighting. But still, anything could happen. She hadn't seen Jacob since just after the trial. He had been far too busy getting the hatchlings ready for their riders. She never thanked Molli for the new clothes.

No matter, she would see them when she got back. Of that she was sure.

A/n oh boy, I hope Kenshin isn't dragging Kaoru into something she isn't ready for. And is a bit emotionally unstable at the moment.