Hello everyone,

this is the first story I try to write in English. I really hope there are not to many mistakes in it, so you can enjoy reading this fic.

Please excuse the bad grammar and don't be to rude with me ;)

I do not own Rurouni Kenshin ;)

Kaoru was shivering in the light summer breeze around her. She sighed. It had been a horrible day at work. Her feet were hurting in her silly pumps and her only wish now was to be at home soon.

She had missed the subway and the bus and had decided to walk instead and had regretted it directly. Maybe it would be better to call for a taxi?

She took out her smartphone and was scrolling down the contact list. She was sure she had saved the number of the taxi center...

She was walking around the corner, not paying much attention at her surroundings, when she felt something wet at her feet.

„What the...", she cursed and took her look from the display to the street.

Then, she froze.

„...hell", she whispered quietly. Slowly bending down to her knees, she touched the red liquid on the street with her fingertips. Her eyes were following the drops to a near alley.

Could this be blood? It can't be. And if it was...she would be better calling for the police.

She was holding on tightly to the phone in her hand. She took her fingers to her nose and was smelling the typical metallic scent of blood.

Slowly she stood up again and followed the blood to the little side street at her side.

„Hello?", her voice was trembling. Again she stopped and was scolding herself. She undid the key lock of the phone and typed the emergency call.

She paused when she heard a small sound from the dark alley. „Hello?", she called again.

The sound stopped immediately, but Kaoru was sure there was someone. Or something. „Maybe just a cat...", she said to herself, taking in a deep breath.

A little voice inside her head seemed to laugh... If it was just a cat why was she so afraid?

„Don't be silly Kamiya.", she grumbled and walked straight into the alley. Her shoulders were scratching against the houses on bose sides so small was it. Her shadow took the last light of the streetlamp behind her.

„Is someone here?", her voice was trembling again. Slowly she could see more in the darkness.

There was a lot of rubbish on the little street, paper boxes, condoms, cigarettes... but nothing that gives little painful noises. And nothing bleeding. She shook her head and turned.

„Please...Stop.".

She frozed dead.

„Hello?", she asked again, looking over her shoulder. Careful she turned around again.

And there he stood. Right before her. Out of nowhere.

He was small, just a little bit taller than her. He was wearing a black jeans and a black shirt. Under the fabric she could see his muscles clearly. His face was fine and small, surrounded by the bangs of his long red hair which he was wearing in a high ponytail. His amber eyes were pleading.

And he was covered in blood.

„Please...", his voice was nearly inaudible.

„What...", Kaoru started.

„Help me.", the stranger was falling to his knees.

Later Kaoru could not tell why she was running towards him. Why she had done what he wanted. Why she had helped him.

„Are you okay?", she yelled. Panic was rising in her.

She was sitting down beside him: „What happened? What the hell happened to you? Who... Who did this?", she was almost screaming at him.

He didn't answer. He was just kneeling there, using the last of his strength to stay awake.

„I will call the police. They will take you to the hospital. A doctor must take care of your wounds."

She reached out to touch his shoulder with her left hand, just wanting to help him keep himself upright. Her right hand was shaking while using her mobile phone again.

„NO!", Kaoru was startled at his scream.

She looked up confused and locked her eyes with his. His gaze was intense.

„No...", he repeated softer, „Not... not the police. Not the hospital. Just... help me to get away. I have to get away from here."

His voice broke. Then he collapsed, sinking down to the ground. Kaoru reached out for him and he slumped down in her arms.

Not knowing what to do she held him close and tears were falling down her cheeks.

After a while she called for the emergency. She looked down to the stranger in her lap. His countless wounds were still bleeding. It was a wonder he had been able to speak to her, to ask her for help. What had happened to him? Had someone tried to kill him? He looked mysterious.

A little voice spoke inside her... What if he was the bad one?

For a small moment she was sure. She was sure he was evil. That it would be better to be afraid of him.

„Hello, Tokio Emergency call. How can I help you?", a friendly female voice at her ear ripped her out of her thoughts. She couldn't answer.

„Hello?", the voice called again, louder this time. „Hello?"

His deep voice was ringing in her mind: „No...not... not the police. Not the hospital. Just... help me to get away. I have to get away from here."

She rang off the phone and swallowed.

After a few moments she used the phone again. It rang.

„Kaoru?" a female voice answered.

„Megumi", Kaoru sobbed into the phone, „Megumi. I need your help."