Author's Notes: Hey again so soon! What, can I say, I'm in a writing mood! Lol. Thanks so much to ALL of my reviewers. While I cannot respond to every single one, if you have a specific question I'll answer it. As a general information item, don't you all worry. This is not a fic where Kenshin will have multiple personalities. I hate those personally...
reyuka: Well, the only story that I wrote that I could think of was 'What's a Woman to Do?' which was written on my old account. It's about Kenshin leaving for a war but when he comes back, his old personality has resurfaced because of the killing. I had to get a new one because it wouldn't let me log in anymore. I don't know why. Lol, why do you need to know so bad.
Well, now onto chapter 3! Enjoy!
Kenshin sat with his back against the wall. Well, that hadn't been as bad as he had first thought. He just...he didn't like people touching him. In an odd mental way, it hurt him. He used to be okay with it, but as he came in contact with less and less living people he began to hate the feeling.
He let out a deep breath. This was his favorite time of the whole day, at least, on days he had no assignment. Those days were simply ruined. He had given up trying to make those seem worthwhile. They weren't. His life served no purpose except to take away others. Maybe...when it was all over he could end it all. He could find his own peace and rest, or maybe he would get killed in battle.
'I don't deserve such an honor,' he thought bitterly. 'Why would I die an honorable death when I have done nothing to deserve one. I don't deserve death, for death would be welcomed. It would be a mercy I am not worthy of.'
His own thoughts hit him hard. He was a stained man, undeserving to live...undeserving to die. What was left?
The sun was what woke Kaoru up. The streamed through the window without a care in the world. She rolled over to face the window the sun warmed her face and smiled. She laid on her back and stretched happily. When she opened her eyes she sat up quickly and her heart fell when she remembered where and when she was. For a moment, she had forgotten.
She gave a groan and flopped back onto her pillow, laying her arm across her forehead.
"You forgot too, hmm?" The voice came from the other side of them room. Kaoru sighed.
"For a moment," she said softly.
Both of the women continued to lay upon her backs, refusing to move and face the reality of their situation.
"Well," Kaoru spoke again. "I suppose we should stop lounging around now and get up. We can help Okami-san with breakfast."
At first, Megumi wished she hadn't said anything so that she could pretend to be asleep, but she realized that she couldn't just keep lounging around. Both of the women stood, took turns using the room to get dressed and then walked down the hall together. Kaoru and Megumi seemed to be getting along quite a bit better, though they still had their fusses.
Downstairs, Okami and her helpers were already busy in the kitchen. When she saw them she smiled.
"Well good morning Ms. Kaoru and Ms. Megumi. Sleep well?"
"Okay," was all Megumi said.
Kaoru just nodded and Okami gave a sympathetic smile.
"What's troubling you honey? You can talk to me."
Kaoru nodded. "I know Okami-san. Thank you."
Okami didn't say anything about her still not explaining her low spirits. She figured that if Kaoru wanted to talk later, she would. Okami never pushed people. She let them come to her on their own.
"Is Ken-san already up," Megumi asked, trying to keep her tone light.
Okami gave Megumi a confused look. "You mean Himura? Yes, he's up. He's been up for awhile. Last I saw of him he was outside in the back."
Megumi nodded and Kaoru gave her a look.
"I'm gonna...go try and talk to him," she said while turning. "Excuse me please Okami-san."
"Of course Kaoru, dear. You go right ahead."
She smiled and gave the inn keeper a slight bow before hurrying through the hallways. It took her a moment to find where the back was. She had forgot to ask but she got there eventually. The inn wasn't that large.
Outside there were many men, most lounging around while a few sparred. Kaoru stepped outside slowly. All heads turned in her direction. She looked through the group. She saw many men, but no Kenshin. But Okami had said-
"Hello there," a man said while wandering up to her.
She gave a polite smile and continued to scan the crowd with her eyes. Where was he?
"What're you doin' here?"
"Nothing," she said calmly. She tried to brush past him but he caught her arm.
"Where're you goin' so fast? Stick around for awhile," he said. His smile was anything but comforting. When she tried to jerk away, he only held her arm tighter.
"Let go," she shouted while slapping the large man upside the head.
All that she gained was a chuckle.
"You shouldn't have done that baby," he sneered.
"I'm gonna-Ow! Dammit! What the hell," he whirled around while rubbing the back of his head. He looked to the ground to see a large rock laying next to his foot. He picked it up. "Who threw this at me?"
"Let her go and don't touch her again," a voice sounded. Everyone's attention was drawn to a tree branch in a large tree overlooking the entire yard. There sat Kenshin, rather calmly, but anger showed in his eyes. In his hand he held another large rock.
Kaoru's "captor" immediately released her and backed away from her, but he kept his eyes trained on the younger man who had thrown the rock at him, with incredible force he might add. He laughed.
"Throwing rocks are we? How childish. Come down from your tree and fight like a man," he said, gaining a laugh from all the other men around him. The stupid ones at least. The smarter ones kept their mouths shut and continued to watch Kenshin.
He dropped his rock, letting it thud to the ground and he soon followed. The height was no issue for him. He jumped from it without fear and landed as though it was only one foot high. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and walked towards the larger man that was standing behind Kaoru. This was clearly not what the man intended for his eyes showed fear even though he was attempting to keep his knees from shaking. There was hatred in the hitokiri's eyes and he backed up even further unintentionally.
"How's this? Want to fight me now," Kenshin asked, staring him in the eyes.
"N-no. Sorry Himura I didn't mean it," he tried to hide a smile. "I didn't know you had already claimed her as yours."
His eyes blazed momentarily but he quickly composed himself. "I suggest you shut your mouth before I claim your very life as mine. Would that be better?"
"Himura," a deep voice said from inside. Katsura stepped outside to join his men. "What are you doing to my soldiers," he chuckled.
Kenshin didn't respond but merely brushed quickly past the man resisting the urge to elbow him in the side. He motioned for Kaoru to follow and she did, avoiding eye contact with the soldiers and Katsura. She didn't know how to acknowledge him, so she simply followed Kenshin. He knew what to do. He walked up to Katsura.
"I'm sorry Katsura-san."
Katsura sighed and smiled.
"What am Igoing todo with you? You scare my own men." Anotherchuckle."Well, don't let it happen to often."
Kenshin nodded. Katsura then looked to Kaoru who was keeping her eyes to the floor.
"Who's your friend," he said politely.
Kenshin looked to Kaoru.
"This is Kamiya Kaoru. She's just a friend."
Kaoru knew what he meant by that, and she appreciated him saying that so not everyone thought she was justsome prostitute...but his words hurt her. 'Just a friend.'
'Oh Kenshin, you're so much more to me than that,' she thought fighting back tears.
Sano rolled over roughly. He couldn't get back to sleep and he certainly didn't want to get up yet.
'Oof!'
The sound woke him from his half-sleep state and he looked to his side. Yahiko was underneath him, getting squished by Sano who had rolled over him in his sleep. What was Yahiko doing over here!
"Argh," Sano yelled. "Yahiko! What the hell are you doing on my side of the room," he said rolling off of the small boy. No response. Sano grinned and poked him in the side making the boy roll over and groan. Served him right.
Sano got up and rolled Yahiko onto his futon. How had he gotten over here? A glance over to Yahiko's own futon told him that answer to that. It was thrown all over the place and the pillow was in the middle of the floor.
"You need help kid," he said rolling his eyes. "Aww, was Yahiko having nightmares?" He snickered.
He looked at Yahiko sleeping in his futon. The nerve of him. He grinned once again and rolled Yahiko up in the futon so that he wouldn't be able to move. He looked around the room and found the blanket to his futon. He tied both of the blankets around the rolled up futon and stood to admire his work.
Yahiko looked like a rolled up pancake now and Sano laughed.
'He deserves it,' he thought proudly.
After getting dressed, he made his way downstairs for breakfast. The different time period wouldn't change his schedule, nope. He had it all planned out.
Katsura sat in his room, sipping at tea. He had seen Kenshin through the rock from the tree. His excellent aim wasn't what surprised him. It was the fact that Kenshin had actually thrown it. Either this was just Kenshin's normal way of wanting to protect the oppressed and weak, or there was something more. The anger in his eyes was apparent. Would someone that didn't mean anything to him cause that much anger?
Katsura hardly knew the mystery woman. Only her name. Kamiya Kaoru. She seemed rather quiet, but he sensed a strong ki coming from her. Was she a swordswoman? Katsura had heard of such things before but she hadn't been stained with blood. However, there was something about her. Maybe, just maybe, she could help Kenshin. He set down his teacup to go and find her.
Kaoru was in her room, folding up her and Megumi's futon. Megumi was out shopping. Kaoru had wanted to go shopping, to get away and get a chance to clear her mind but instead was stuck here. Megumi had gone when Kaoru went outside to search for Kenshin. That hadn't gone well. She had wanted to only talk to him but instead had shown him how weak she looked. She wasn't normally like that! For a moment, she felt a little bit angry that Kenshin hadn't given her a chance to fight him off herself, but in her mind, she knew that wasn't possible. His grip was strong and unbreakable and she had no weapon except for her own hands. That wouldn't have done much, considering the fact that the large man could have held her hands together with only one of his.
The anger disappeared almost instantly and she realized how happy she had been when he had come to her rescue. Maybe...maybe there was still hope that her love for him could pull through and he would by some miracle know who they were. It was a childish hope, but she clung to it like a child would hang onto it's blanket for protection.
She was so deep in thought that she barely heard the knock on her door. Her spirits soared. She jumped up and quickly slid the door open. Katsura's form nearly made her jump backwards. She really had not expected to see him. She didn't know what exactly had caused her to think it would be Kenshin, but she had been sure of it. Now she just felt like a fool.
The disappointment on her face was painfully clear to Katsura. Had he done something? He cleared his throat.
"Um, I'm sorry if I disappointed you, but may I have a word with you?"
She nodded and opened the door further allowing him entry. He walked in and looked around the room. It was nice and neat and he turned to watch her slid the door shut behind her while facing him. She walked over to him and gave him a bow. He laughed.
"Please, there's no need for that. Come, sit."
He walked over to the middle of the room and motioned for her to sit. Once she was seated he seated himself and watched her fold her hands in her lap.
"Ms. Kamiya, was it?"
She nodded.
"I wonder, may I talk to you about Himura?"
This caught her attention.
"Is he okay," he said, failing to hide the worry from her face.
"Yes...he's fine, at least I think," he continued before she had a chance to panic, the worry in her eyes increasing. "He's always been withdrawn, everyone knows that, but I'm afraid, lately it's been worse than usual. His actions outside with the men show he must have some sort of attachment to you."
She smiled. Maybe it was possible.
"How long have you known Himura, if I may ask?"
Kaoru stopped herself from answering what she really wanted to say.
"Well, since...last night," she said feeling rather foolish. She didn't know why either, but she felt like she knew to much for only knowing him since last night.
"Wow, such a short time, but it seems that Himura has a soft-spot of you, whatever the reason may be. I won't pry."
She nodded her thanks.
"What I came here to ask you though is, would you mind protecting him?"
"Protecting him. Katsura-san, I believe it's the other way around. You saw outside today. I was-"
"Ms. Kamiya, I think you know what I mean. This morning I was surprised at how well he controlled himself. Somehow, your being here has eased him. It must be you. He hasn't really spoken to any other of your friends, has he?"
She shook her head. He hadn't really...
"Be his sheath Kaoru," he said sincerely.
"His sheath?"
"Every sword needs a sheath," he explained softly, his eyes locked on Kaoru's innocent ones.
"Yes. Yes, I can do that," she said with a smile.
"Good. I hope it will do him some good."
As he did, so did Kaoru and she walked to the door with him, opening it for him. Once outside he turned to her again and gave her a smile.
"Thank you."
She gave another nod of her head and a bow. When she looked up she saw him smile and shake his head politely.
"Sorry, I'll remember not to bow next time."
He laughed and turned down the hallway. Yes, he was confident he had made the right decision. She would definitely be good for Kenshin.
A/N: Well, I don' think that was to shabby eh? But that's not for me to say. Please review! No sneaking away! Yeah, that means you. I saw that!
NOTE TO RUROUNI KENSHIN WATCHERS ON CARTOON NETWORK! How many of you knew that this is the last episode they were airing! I didn't know until they told me on my Rurouni Kenshin forum! Anyone else freaking out here!
