A/n It's my birthday and so I'm posting a few chapters as a celebration!so you may see a few chapters for my other stories pop up as well. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things writing wise. This year has been crap, as you well know. Stress kills my muse. Anyways, I'm trying to work through it.

Happy reading!

Chapter 27

Kaoru had no idea how long they were flying. The moon was following them but was quickly gaining on them. But finally, Kokuei banked gently and the group spiraled toward the earth like vultures eyeing a carcass.

"Are we there!" Kaoru called, she looked around but couldn't see much in the dark.

"Almost," Kenshin called over his shoulder. "We reached a camp and we need sleep."

Sleep? How could she even sleep? She was wide awake with a heart that hadn't slowed in the slightest. But they landed with only a slight stumble in the dark and Kaoru slid carefully out of her saddle and fell back on her bottom. She sat there a moment, her legs were shaking, her whole body was shaking. Kokuei arched his neck around and nudged the girl with his massive snout.

"I'm fine." Kaoru huffed but was thankful that she could use his head to brace herself as she climbed back on her feet.

"Leave his tack on, we have to be ready to fly at any moment, that we do." She heard Kenshin say from the other side of the dragon.

"Alright." She answered back and watched as the rest of the group landed around them. There were many grunts, growls, and rumbling from the dragons. They gave their bodies a shake, plate armor, and chain mail ringing loudly in the silent darkness.

"No fire, Bast." She heard Sano say from her right. She could just make out the glowing light from between Bast's lips and he smiled. "We're tryin' to be all stealthy like," Sano added.

Kokuei scratched at the ground a few times before settling down and curling up for sleep. Around her, she could hear Asim speaking to Tsunan in a rough broken voice. Saitou's low tones were heard as he looked Ganz over. The glow of his cigarette giving him away. Soon all the dragons had settled down and the men were tucked up beside them. Kaoru turned to find Kenshin setting his swords against Kokuei's round belly and he sat.

"Kaoru, come." He said.

Kaoru carefully picked her way over. Even with her eyes long adjusted to the dark, she could hardly see the ground below her. It seemed like smooth ground but the grass was growing in large clumps that seemed determined to trip her. When she got close Kenshin reached out and caught her arm and pulled her down to sit in front of him and he drew her close until she settled between his legs and pulled her back until she was resting against his chest. His white cape rustled in the dark until it settled over her. He wrapped his arms across her chest and then he stilled.

How the Hell did he think she was going to sleep with her pressed against nearly every inch of his body? His head dipped, his chin coming to rest on her shoulder and suddenly he seemed asleep. Even so, his grip on her with his arms never relaxed. She was engulfed in his scent of woody earthiness and dragons. Even with him wearing armor his heat radiated outward and warmed her chilled body. She found herself nodding off within moments, her body and mind exhausted. Her head tipped back and she rested her cheek against Kenshin's cheek and there the pair of them slept.

… . . …

A deep rhythmic sound dragged Kaoru out of her dreams and she found herself curled up on the soft grass next to Kokuei. Kenshin was gone but his white cloak was still wrapped around her. Kaoru blinked, the sky above her was still filled with blinking stars but off the to the East the sky was starting to glow. She sat up and rubbed at her sleep crusty eyes. They were in an empty field surrounded by the forest. Above them was the source of the rhythmic sound. Farada was coming in for a tight and careful landing. The ground trembled as she touched down and a wave of men poured from her rigging. A small blue form jumped down from the ropes and made a beeline directly to her.

"Kaoru!" Misao called. "I can't believe you're here!" She girl nearly tackled her with a hug.

Kaoru could only nod and she struggled to stay on her feet. "Morning," Kaoru muttered.

Misao laughed. "I'm so glad you're here." She grew serious. "I'm surprised Kenshin let you come."

Kaoru shrugged. "I asked and he agreed. I guess he feels I'm ready."

Misao still looked serious as she hugged her a second time. "I hope so."

… . . ….

They ate a cold meal and Kaoru and Misao climbed up on Farada's head to watched the sunrise. The sky was a brilliant orange and red and muddy brown. As beautiful as it was, it only cemented the fact that nearby villages had been burned and were still burning. The smoke from them cast brilliant colors in the morning sky.

"Kaoru!" Kenshin called and Frarada lowered her head to the ground so the two girls could jump down. "Time to go."

"Yes, Sir." Kaoru rushed after Kenshin's snapping cape and scrambled up on Kokuei. Once in the air, the sky took on a more disturbing sight. In the distance, she could see black smoke trailing up from charred remains that were once a village. Kaoru squinted in the red-orange glow of the sun through the smoke to see that the fires must have died away sometimes before they had arrived, but the skeletons of the homes still smoldered. As they flew over, Kaoru spied brick and stone fireplaces and chimneys where houses once stood. Burnt out gardens and work sheds. And worst of all, scattered in the streets and peaking out of ashes of the homes, were the burnt bodies of those who could not escape in time.

Kokuei arched his neck down as he flew, his head swiveled left and right. "Why would they kill the little ones?" He rumbled.

Kaoru's breath left her all at once.

She watched as Kenshin reached out and pet the creature on the neck. "They do not have it in them to show mercy." He said simply.

"But, they are children, what could they do to them?"

"I know, my dear. I know." Kenshin hushed as Kokuei lifted his gaze forward once more.

"I do not wish to see war again." Kokuei continued, a rumbling deep in his chest made his whole body vibrate. "I recall the fires we started, the men I hunted down and the little ones were so scared of me."

"Hush, dear. Do not think about it now. This is what we are trying to prevent, that we are. No one wants war, no one but these rebels."

Kaoru swallowed deeply. So they were on the front lines in the war. Kenshin nor Kokuei spoke much about their time in battle. Kenshin was an assassin after all. It was fair to believe they had seen many fights and seen many things they wished to forget.

"We are too late for this village," Kenshin called over his shoulder at her. "If we hurry, we might catch them at their next target." Kokuei beat his wings hard and fast and they left the pile of burning ashes far behind as they climbed higher. They rose above the smoke and even above the clouds until there was nothing but brilliant blue sky above them and a sea of white clouds below.

"I can't navigate up here!" She cried.

"Don't worry. The next village is near the river, Kokuei knows the way!"

Three bright and colorful dragons popped up from the milky clouds to flank him. Over her shoulder, Kaoru watched in amazement as Farada slowly rose up from the clouds. The white forms stuck to her like foam in a bath for a moment before dispersing around her wings and body. Her wings rarely flapped, instead, they remained flat, catching the wind and beating them perhaps once every minute just to keep herself above the clouds.

They were hiding of course. Kaoru should have known that. It seemed obvious that they would hide about the clouds so they could travel without being spotted. Kaoru peered out at the bright sea of clouds, wondering if the rebels had the same plan. Up here dragons would be spotted easily, even at a great distance. But all she could see was clouds and sky and the occasional pair of birds dipping in and out of the clouds like dolphins jumping from the sea.

The sun was on their backs but it was quickly rising. And soon Kenshin turned to her and signaled that they were on their way down. Kaoru nodded and bit down on her lip as she pulled her sling from her belt and took three stone bullets from her bag. She was unsure if she was going to be of any help. She was a sure shot in practice. But this was not like riding on the end of Farada's tail. She would be aiming for real people on other dragons. Could she hit them? Knowing how it would harm them, how they could fall? Kaoru bit down on her lip until she tasted blood. She thought back to the charred houses. And Kokuei mourning the loss of small children. She had to, for they would show no mercy to them.

Kokuei's wings froze, flat and straight and slowly they lowered into the clouds. There was nothing but damp whiteness all around them. Then it started to fade and Kaoru could see through the clouds to the brilliant green of land below and the glittering river that cut the land in two. Kaoru's heart launched to her throat as she noticed the start of a thin column of smoke to their right.

Without warning, Kokuei folded his wings against his body and dropped like a rock from the sky. Kaoru's eyes watered with the force of the wind and her stomach felt like it was going to float up out of her throat. But she could see Kokuei's target. A small gathering of what looked like birds kiting around the village was, in fact, not birds, but dragons. They were coming down directly above them and they did not seem to notice the approaching attackers. Larger and larger they grew as they fell, Kaoru could see their colors now. A red, a brown, two bright greens and one pale yellow with brilliant orange wings. They didn't seem to be of any specific breed, but Kaoru could not be sure. She could see their riders. They were shouting orders at each other. Kaoru didn't have time to dwell on their words, they were coming up fast and Kokuei had already picked his target, the large red that was breathing fire down on the village. Kaoru braced herself the way Kenshin had taught her, but nothing prepared her for the force of impact.

Kokuei hit claws first. His back legs tore into the red beast. Kaoru lurched almost out of her safety straps and slipped from her saddle. She nearly lost hold of her weapons but she quickly seated herself and looked to find Bast chewing on a green dragon, it's screamed at the assault on its neck. She could only just see Sano jump from his saddle to land on the back of the great beast and with a single punch, incapacitated the rider. The dragon gave a pained cry as Sano shouted orders at it. Bast let it go and defeated, head dropping from its long bleeding neck, the green turned away from the fight.

The red dragon below bellowed in furry. It was slightly smaller than Kokuei but its fire breath was a danger they had to avoid. Kenshin was up and out of his saddle and gone from sight. Kaoru leaned over and caught sight of him on the Red's back, his sword out and he clipped his tail on the crude-looking harness around the dragon. The red thrashed once it realized Kenshin was on his back.

"Domi!" The dragon cried, alarmed for his rider.

Kokuei gave the red dragon one more vicious bite before letting him go. Pushing him away, as if disgusted.

An explosion went off on her left and Kokuei folded his wings to fall away from the battle. Kaoru's ears rang and she jerked around to see a puff of white smoke coming off the Yellow dragon. Tsunan threw another bomb as Asim careened wildly into the yellow. The little yellow folded like a paper crane and even with her ears ringing could hear the crunch of bones snapping under the force. Kaoru winced as the dragon gave a pained warble before falling from the sky like a shot bird.

Kokuei arched his neck to spare her a look to reassure himself Kaoru was still there before banking sharply and returning to the fight. Kaoru swallowed hard and was ready this time. From the right, the big brown collided into Kokuei's side. It was half the size of Kokuei, with a large wedged shaped head with a crown of horns. It was built solidly and had short claws on large strong fingers. He slashed into Kokuei's hide, leaving gashes in his wake. The claws caught on one of the saddle straps and it was no match for the razor talons. Kaoru screamed as her saddle shifted on Kokuei's back. It was smothered by Kokuei roaring in anger and pain. Panic made Kaoru shake and she scrambled to unstrap herself from the sliding tack. She fell forward out of the saddle as the dragons fought. Kaoru scrambled for purchase on the smooth scales. How could this happen? Was this how she was fated to die? Falling from the clouds?

No. She had to remember her training. All the hours spent practicing for this very thing. She pulled herself upright and unclasped her tail and lunged across Kokuei's back to clasp it on his harness. The dragon must have felt her moving because he struggled to turn and look back.

"Kaoru!"

"I'm fine!" She shouted back. She was slapped by a giant brown wing. The force threw her forward and again she found herself scrambling. She caught Kenshin's saddle and climbed in it. It was far different in the front than in the back. The large muscles that controlled the wings made the saddle rock somewhat. She looked back to see her saddle had slipped loose and was tangled around Kokuei's back legs, preventing him from using them to fend off their attacker. Kaoru felt helpless. What should she do? Then suddenly from the brown dragon came a man. He was tall, his skin dark from the sun. He was perhaps a bit older than her and he stood rock steady on the swaying dragon.

"Hey there boy." He said with a smile. Kaoru blinked, recognizing the drawl of Southern farmworkers in his accent. Was he from her area? Kokuei gave a violent shove, pushing the brown dragon away.

"No! Kaoru!" The dragon cried, seeing the stranger on his back.

Before Kokuei could do anything though, the man lunged forward and grabbed Kaoru by her clothes and hauled her up out of the saddle.

"This dragon is a bit much for a little guy like you." He said casually as he pulled out a wicked-looking curved dagger. "Okay big guy!" The man shouted. "Turn around and land over there by those hills."

Kaoru's eyes went wide. Taken prisoner? No, she couldn't let Kokuei be taken from Kenshin. "No!"

"Kaoru!" Kokuei struggled to find an angle where he could see her. He no longer cared about the fight or where he was flying.

"No! Don't you dare do it! Do you understand me, you don't listen to him!"

"Oh, he'll listen. Dragons become as obedient as a beat dog when their riders are threatened." He yanked Kaoru against him, placing the blade against her throat. "Don't you know that?"

"Yes," Kaoru grunted, her hand fumbling around her harness. "But he's not going to listen to you."

He gave a cocky if slightly confused grin. "What makes him so different? He doesn't seem spiced."

There! Kaoru's hand found the handle of her dagger and closed around it. "Because I'm not his rider." She hissed. She watched his eyes grow as the realization came over him. His grip on her loosened just enough for her to turn and slash at the man. She caught him across the chest and the arm that was holding her. Blood sprayed from the wound on his arm. He jumped back in surprise. She knew she should have plunged the knife into his chest or belly but she lost her nerve at the last moment. She wasn't ready to kill someone yet.

She wasn't ready.

She shouldn't have come.

At that moment Kokuei folded his wings and rolled over. The man, who had no means of security simply fell away. Kaoru screamed as she fell but her tail prevented her from falling more than a few feet. Kokuei turned upright and beat his wings to keep himself in the air. Kaoru landed against his back and hurried back into Kenshin's saddle. The turn had freed the saddle from Kokuei's legs and Kaoru watched as it fell to the earth, the straps waving like streamers.

Kaoru gasped for air as she forced her heart to slow. She could feel Kokuei's muscles straining as he all but scooped the air with his wings to gain altitude. She could hear his loud breathing, like a throbbing roar of ocean waves. She looked out into the field of battle and saw Ganz fighting with the last green dragon. The brown, unaware that its rider was gone, was coming up fast. Kokuei put on a burst of speed to intercept. Ganz and the smaller green had its claws deep into his side. Kaoru gasped upon seeing the blood streaming from Ganz's side.

The swamp dragon had enough when Saito hacked at the green dragon's talons with his sword. He opened his mouth and a stream of transparent yellow-green fluid shot from the glands on the side of his tongue. It splashed the dragon right in the face and the effect was instant. It screamed and thrashed, letting Ganz go at once. Ganz folded his wing and fell away just as Kokuei reached the scene and collided with the brown who was turning to go after him. Kaoru turned in her saddle in time to see the green dragon roaring out in agony as the acid started to eat at its face. She could see the scales curling up and falling away, she could see blood as it clawed at its own face. Then, in horror she watched the dragons' rider climb out of his saddle and plunge his sword into the back of his dragon's neck and twist. The great beast gave a shudder and he plunged his sword in again, his face contorted in pain as he twisted the sword again. The green fell silent and still, falling straight down, rider and all.

… . . …

Once the Brown realized his rider was dead, it wailed and called out for his dead rider. He abandoned the fight and circled the empty fields below until he found the body. Crushed, the dragon collapsed upon landing and curled around his rider, his cry was a terrible warble that caused all the other dragons, even their own to lower their heads in sympathy. They could see Farada in the distance. Megumi had landed her on the other side of the village to treat the villagers that had been harmed. They didn't have any emergencies so they left her alone for the time being until she was done.

Most of Farada's wingmen rushed over once the battle was over and assisted in securing the ones they were able to take as prisoners. They didn't have to worry about the dragons, they truly were like meek little puppies and followed orders to keep their rider safe and alive. Kaoru and a wingman were quickly packing bandages against Kokuei's wounds when Kenshin appeared. He had the rider of the red fire-breather they had attacked. Kaoru was shocked to see that it was a woman, not much older than herself. She had long dark hair, dark skin, and a bald patch on the side of her head where her brand was. She threw curses at them all but fell silent as she was placed with the others. Kenshin left her to listen to the cries of the brown dragon. He rushed over and took Kokuei's great head in his hands.

"My Dear, are you alright? Forgive me for being gone so long. The woman put up a fight I was not expecting."

Kokuei rumbled in answer, his eyes bright in both happiness and pain. Kaoru and the wingman continued to work.

"Kenshin, I almost lost Kaoru." He sighed.

Kenshin looked up at her, alarmed.

"I'm fine," Kaoru called over.

"The brown cut her saddle and she almost fell." Kokuei continued.

"I said I was fine." Kaoru countered.

"Then her rider jumped on me and he had a blade to her throat."

So the brown was a female. "Nothing happened. See." Kaoru stepped away from her work and held out her blood-soaked hands. "I'm fine." She rushed back to stem the bleeding from his side.

"I'm sorry." Kokuei gave a high pitched whine.

"Oh, my Dear." Kenshin pet the beast on his snout. "You've never had to worry about anyone other than myself. I know it was hard to have your attention on me, the battle, and Kaoru as well. I'm sorry I didn't train you for that."

Kaoru blocked the conversation, it was private, and it was upsetting to see the large dragon so disturbed. Megumi had finished with her work on Ganz. The puncture wounds were not as bad as they looked but the smaller dragon would not be able to fly for a few weeks until they healed. Kaoru could hear Saitou as he tried to convince the acid spitter to ride on Farada for the trip home. Megumi hurried over to Kokuei, took one look at the wounds, and clicked her tongue.

"Here." Megumi shoved a large curved needle in her hand. "Watch me." She took a needle for herself and removed the bandages from one of the slashes and started to sew the edges shut. Kaoru winced, looking over the Kokuei but the beast was purring contently as Kenshin continued to stoke the scales on his face. He didn't seem to be in much pain. His side twitched every now and then otherwise he held still. Kaoru stepped up beside Megumi and picked a different gash and proceeded to copy her. The pair of them stood in silence with only the wingman to help pinch the edges of the wound together when it became too much for them to do with one hand.

Megumi tackled the last and most difficult spot where she had to maneuver the needle under the large scales. Kaoru turned white as a ghost as she watched her pry away scales that were too damaged. To Kaoru, it was almost like ripping off fingernails. She staggered away and turned from the sight. She looked down at her bloody hands and found herself wandering over to the river. She stopped and glanced at the prisoners. One woman and two men. The others had died. Three prisoners, four dragons. She looked over at the village. Only a handful of homes had been burned. Their attack gave the villagers time to put out the fires and drag out anyone who was caught in the flames. A few had died, but most had been spared. Ganz and Kokuei suffered only superficial wounds. The riders were all fine.

It was a stunning victory.

It didn't feel that way to Kaoru. She had lost her weapons right at the start. She didn't even get a chance to use them. She fell to her knees at the bank of the lazy river and she used the sand to scrub the blood away. Dark dragon blood left trails in the water that the river carried away. She heard the Brown beg as someone was trying to take the body of her rider away. The pleas hurt Kaoru deep inside. She didn't dare close her eyes because all she could see was the green dragon having its face eaten away by acid and the face of the rider trying desperately to put it out of its pain. The sound of roars, cries, and crunching bones echoed in her ears. This was just a small, tiny battle. What was a full out war going to be like? They had never fought dragon to dragon before.

It was such a waste of life. Those skilled riders, those beautiful dragons.

Kaoru fell forward on her hands and gagged as her stomach clenched painfully. Her whole body shook from the force of her heaves. Her stomach was empty though, but that didn't stop it from wringing every last drop of stomach acid from it. Tears streamed down her face from the force. She heaved until she thought she would never catch her breath again. And then they stopped, leaving Kaoru weak, shaking and her stomach sore.

That was how Kenshin found her. Kaoru was embarrassed but Kenshin said nothing as he cupped water in his hands for her to drink. He said nothing when he dipped his hands in the river to pour water on her face to wash the dirt and blood from it. His wet hands smoothed over every inch of her face and he shushed her every time she tried to speak. She watched as if detached from her body as he pulled away the layers of clothes to make sure the blood on them was not from her. He ran his hands over every inch of her body, leaving her trembling and red until he was satisfied that she had little more than a single scratch. A hard look came over him when he found it. It was a tiny cut, just at the base of her throat where the Brown's rider had pressed the blade.

Kaoru remembered little more after that. Kenshin took her in his arms, small as she was. And Kaoru knew nothing more.

… . . …

Kaoru woke, feeling strange and disoriented. It was dark, but lights danced. She was outside, but the ground upon which she lay was soft and warm. She was on her belly, her face on a pillow. Kaoru blinked a few times and slowly sat up. A warm blanket had been thrown on her. Even though Summer was near, it was not yet warm at night in these parts. Kaoru glanced around to find Megumi sleeping on her right and Misao sleeping on her left. Beside them, Farada lay like a large hill. Her breathing almost silent in the dark. A great wing was resting on the ground, giving them cover. Her wingman slept, scattered all around. Kaoru glanced down at the soft pad that was her bed. What else was packed away on the massive dragon?

Out in the distance, Kaoru could see the village. They had moved closer to it and a great fire was burning on the ground. There she could easily see Bast, looking happily at the dancing light and the at the ever-growing pile of foodstuffs being brought to him by the villagers. He looked very much like a panting, content dog. Saitou was talking with the villagers that came out. She could see Tsunan sitting beside the fire he looked lost in his thoughts as his hands worked on something. Sano and the other two dragons were asleep nearby. The light of the fire highlighting their forms in the darkness.

Kaoru carefully got to her feet. She picked her way around the two females beside her and headed for the fire. Once out from under the cover of Farada's wing, a chill settled over her. Yes, it was still cold in this part of the land. Kaoru paused and looked back at the welcoming bed near the warmth of the dragon. But she wrapped her arms around herself and continued. Saitou caught sight of her instantly when the small group of villagers said goodbye. He watched her, his cigarette flaring to life. Before he pulled it from his mouth and tossed it into the fire. He blew out smoke as he shoved his hands in his pockets and picked his way around the pile of delights in front of Bast. He reached out and plucked a bowl-sized bit of bread that was shaped like a strange muffin.

"You're awake." He drawled as he shoved the bread into her hands.

Kaoru fumbled with the soft loaf until she was sure she had a hold on it.

"Eat. You worried Kenshin to death."

"M' Sorry," Kaoru muttered. She ripped at the bread, popping the piece in her mouth. Buttery soft bread all but melted on her tongue. "This is great." She said as she shoved another bite in her mouth as quickly as she could.

Saitou smirked at her. He held his body like a marionette with loose strings. But Kaoru wasn't fooled by the thin arms and legs. She had seen him in practice, he was on par with Kenshin. And his ki radiated out like the heat from the fire.

"Where is Kenshin?" She asked, realizing he was nowhere around.

"Watching the prisoners. Don't worry, a handful of villagers and some of Megumi's wingmen are with him." He turned back around and sauntered back to the fire dragon's side. He gave the happy beast a pat.

"How is Ganz?" She asked, coming closer to them.

Saitou paused and looked over his shoulder. "Sleeping hard. Megumi gave him some drink for the pain. Knocked him right out. With any luck, he'll sleep right through to morning and we can haul his butt on Farada to get him out of here."

Kaoru sat on a flat rock by the fire. Bast turned and looked at her. "Oh, the bread is yummy," Bast said as if seeing her for the first time. He head-butted the pile of bread and cake in her direction. "Have some, I'm full."

Saitou scoffed. "He'll be hungry again within the hour."

"Will not." Bast countered.

Kaoru smiled at their banter as she turned to Tsunan. In his hands was a type of folder made of wood. He sketched away on a sheet of paper with a charcoal stick. A dark smudge on his chin and cheek. He glanced up and smiled at her. Tusnan was a handsome man, Kaoru realized. His dark hair reached just past his chin, framing his angular features. But in his eyes was a sadness. Kaoru had seen the look before, and she wondered if he had seen too much in the war. He was Sanosuke's age, so he was two years older than her. She didn't know much about his story. Was he a Northerner? Or from the South? Had he been a slave? The way his hair grew could hide the spot a brand would be and Kaoru didn't want to pry.

He turned the wooden holder around and Kaoru saw that the sketch was of the brown dragon, flying low to the ground, searching for her dead rider. The treetops scraped her belly as they had in real life. Kaoru could see the anguish on her reptilian features. Kaoru struggled to swallow her bite of bread around the lump in her throat.

"T-Tusnan, that's really good." She said softly.

"Thank you." He smiled softly at the compliment and went back to the drawing. "It will look better once I ink it."

"Tsunan draws illustrations for books. Dragon books, history books." Saitou rambled. "His goal is to get every type of dragon in ink."

"Amazing." Kaoru breathed. "Tsunan I think that's a great life goal. And to think, how many people will learn about dragons seeing your drawing in their books." She had learned so much from the books, sometimes the drawings were the only thing that helped her understand.

The man blushed a bit and gave her a half-smile. "I just like dragons." Was all he said.

… . . …

Sometime later, Kenshin finally wandered into camp. As his red hair caught the light of the fire, Saitou pushed away from his perch on Bast and headed out.

"Looks like it's my turn." He said with a nod at Tsunan and Kaoru. Kaoru watched Kenshin closely as he spoke softly to the man before he moved on. Then he turned his eyes back on Kaoru and walked over to sit next to her.

Kaoru knew the look he wore. His bangs were forward and his mouth was pressed into a line. He was stressed, in deep thought. Kaoru didn't know what to say to him. What could she say to him? 'Sorry I didn't have the balls to do anything in the battle. Sorry, I lost my sling, Sorry I almost got Kokuei taken as prisoner.'

"I'm sorry, that I am."

Kaoru blinked wildly for a moment and turned her head. "Eh?" was all she could manage.

"I'm sorry I brought you into this battle. I should have known better. You were not ready for the death, the sounds, that you were not." His face turned downward, his hands resting on his knees but the knuckles of his fingers were white.

Kaoru took a moment to processes all he had said. "I-I don't think there was any way for me to be ready for that." She said finally. "I'm sure your first real battle opened your eyes."

Kenshin scoffed but then fell silent for a long moment. "It did."

Tsunan looked enthralled at his artwork and Kaoru felt guilty about talking about such things in front of him. She shoved the giant round loaf of bread at Kenshin she had only been able to eat half of it. "Eat this, it's great."

Kenshin jerked his head up as if waking from a dream and took the bread from her and ripped into it. He chewed and swallowed and ripped off another bite. "It is good." He said around his mouthful and turned what remained of the bread in his hands.

"Where's Kokuei?"

"He's hunting, he should be back soon," Kenshin replied.

"Oh." The poor beast must have been starving. She looked at the pile of food near Bast. She wondered why he didn't eat that. Perhaps he didn't like such things. Or maybe he wanted some time by himself. Kaoru hoped he didn't worry about her when Kenshin returned with her in a less than conscious state.

"We should rest." He said, once he was done eating, and climbed to his feet.

Kaoru winced. "I slept for hours. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep more."

Kenshin nodded. "You should still try. We have an early day in the morning." Right then, Kokuei landed in the field and walked over to them. He silently gave Kaoru a good hard nudge and sniff before doing the same to Kenshin and then he turned around to collapse with the other dragons. At once he was asleep. Kaoru noted the white bandages on his side. They looked strange and out of place on such a dark and smooth hide.

She turned to Kenshin, with a questioning look on her face. "Was it alright for him to be off hunting with that wound?"

Kenshin took Kaoru by the upper arm and the pair of them pick their way across the dark ground. "That's hardly much of a wound for him," Kenshin answered. In a few days, you won't even know he was hurt."

"But...those scales Megumi pulled out."

"Those will grow back. He won't even scar, that he won't."

She wished the same could be said about people. She may have been unharmed, but what she had seen scared her.

A/n Poor Kaoru. It was a sudden and jarring introduction to battle, but that's how it often is. Now she needs to work through and see if this is the life she REALLY wants.

Thank you for reading! Reviews are loved.