Disclaimer: *is busy being hot but is sure everyone knows by now that she does not currently own RK*

Warning: While I was sitting around planning the monster chapter, his one managed to wheedle its way in between it and the last one... *sighs* So the monster will be tomorrow.

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Souken no Shibun

Possibilities

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The Kyoto incident was summarized and told. Kyouki listened with the calm of a person who had never been in that type of situation and knew nothing of the pain such things brought. To her credit, she never flinched, even when Kaoru made mention of the wounds Kenshin received. She did glare darkly at Kenshin though. That protective sense she seemed to have developed for him since he saved her was radiating off her in waves, causing the poor man to cringe in fear.

Kaoru snickered, then waved the subject away. "Anyways, that was how we met Misao. We've kept in contact with her and the Oniwabanshuu since, and they've helped us out on occasion." Everyone seemed content to leave it at that.

Kyouki picked the list up from where it lay on the table and stared at it, trying to picture the people behind the names. "So... do you know any of these people? That's what I wanted to know in the first place. If you knew them, then you could so kindly point me in the right direction, saving me a hell of a lot of time."

Kenshin nodded. "As a matter of fact, we do know most of those names, de gozaru. Most would be able to more than protect themselves, too... Even so, sessha thinks it would be best to warn them."

Kaoru arched an eyebrow. "Even Hiko?"

Kenshin smiled uncomfortably. "Sessha thinks that perhaps it is best to just have Misao-dono send Shishou a note by carrier pigeon, de gozaru yo..."

Kyouki blinked. "Shishou?"

Kaoru nodded. "Hiko Seijuro is the man who raised Kenshin and taught him Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu."

Kyouki face broke out into a big grin. "Really...? I bet he's got some stories to tell." She snickered, looking over at Kenshin. "Maybe like... the first time Kenshin-san got drunk?" Both girls laughed as Kenshin nearly choked on his tea.

Kaoru chuckled. "I definitely think I'd like to hear that one... perhaps we could go visit him." Kenshin's face became stricken with horror as the two continued discussing their evil plans. After a few minutes, Kenshin quietly snuck off to the kitchen to do the dishes, much to the girls' amusement.

Returning the original topic, Kyouki decided to at least make a check of all the people they knew on the list that weren't already aware of the situation. "Shinomori Aoshi, Makimachi Misao, Saito Hajime," here she paused long enough to stick her tongue out at the paper, " Kenshin Himura, Sagara Sanosuke, Kamiya Kaoru, and Myoujin Yahiko... warned." She tapped her chin. "So that leave Seta Soujiro, Hiko Seijuro, Tsukioka Katsuhiro, Sawagejou Chou, and a couple of others."

Kaoru shook her head. "Chou works with Saito so he'd already know." She tapped the table with a finger, the sound of flesh connecting with the wood somewhat relaxing to her. "Katsu, Sano's friend, doesn't live too far from here so it shouldn't be a problem getting word to him. We've already made our plans for Hiko... As for Soujiro the Tenken..." She shrugged. "Nobody knows what happened to him after the Kyoto incident."

"Well, if he's on this list, then either he's suddenly become a rather loud peace activist or he's foiled more than one of the Nentou's plans. Either way, they're going to send someone after him." Kyouki stuffed the list back in her sleeve. "The Nentou does have a good idea of these people's strengths and will send a strong enough assassin after each of them, respectively. In fact, according to Misao, they had someone in their employ a few months back that could've taken on Kenshin easily. She didn't say that, of course, but I assumed it from the way she even avoided saying this man's name." Kyouki yawned. "I'm not terribly worried about that 'assassin', though. Nentou rarely keeps freelancers around for more than a month."

Kaoru looked a little unsettled at the revelation, but allowed herself to be reassured by Kyouki's lack of concern. However, she found the yawn rather contagious and found that she was rather tired. It was going to be hell trying to stay awake in her dark room long enough to retrieve that knife from the kitchen ceiling. "Well," she started, stretching a bit, "I'm think I'm going to head to bed." Kyouki nodded as Kaoru stood and waved goodnight.

With Kaoru gone, the room's very aura seem to change. As Kyouki sat there by herself, the walls suddenly seemed too confining and the environment a little lifeless. She knew she was imagining things, that it was her and not the room, but that did nothing to soothe the urge to bolt outside as quickly as she could.

Finding that her courage had deserted her, Kyouki soon found herself outside, perched on top of the roof. The air was cool and the stars bright, as a slight breeze played through her hair. She pulled her hair from its high ponytail and felt herself relaxing, letting the tension drain away.

Again came the familiar need to melt into the darkness. For a moment she was tempted, but taking a walk to who knows where in the middle of the night might worry those in the house below. She certainly didn't think the neighbors would appreciate such an uproar when they trying to sleep. Not to mention, 'he' was still out there, looking for her... and now she knew why. The thought that she had killed so many people was unsettling, but that the Nentou might force her into doing it again was more disturbing. Self-defense was one thing and even that was pushing it. As far Kyouki was concerned, killing was a last resort. The more she learned about her keeper, the more she respected Kenshin for refraining from doing it. Kaoru as well, for the girl taught a style based on the concept.

A phrase ghosted across her mind, the whisper leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Remain of the flowers. A phrase pertaining to the innocence and beauty of people, so brightly colorful one day and a long forgotten memory the next. Who had said it to her and why, she couldn't remember. Trying only seemed to make her head hurt so she gave it up, deciding to let her mind go blank as she stared out at the stars.

"You're going to have to sleep, sometime, Kyouki-dono."

She cast Kenshin a veiled look before returning to the stars. "Don't."

Kenshin blinked as he sat down beside her. "Don't what, de gozaru ka?"

She sighed. "I have only two years worth of memories, but I know of the Hitokiri Battousai... and I've killed in cold blood, just as you have." Kenshin frowned, already preparing to say something before she cut him off. "It may not have been as many, but you were in the middle of a war. I, however, killed in a time of peace."

Kenshin shook his head. "Perhaps, but you don't remember any of that-"

Her head snapped around, her narrow eyes glaring at him from beneath the curtain of hair that settled over her face. "And that makes me any less guilty?" She rather reminded Kenshin of a caged animal at that moment, seemingly docile until they bit the hand that feeds. A person could only hope that showing enough kindness and understanding would tame the animal.

So Kenshin didn't respond, rather he looked up at the stars she had lost herself in. "All one can do is to make amends for what sins they have committed."

Her eyes softened, a shadow of defeat passing across them. "How can I when I can't even remember what they are?"

"Simply do what you can and continue living."

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Japanese Words

Shishou: Master

A/N: While this may not have been the planned monster chapter, I promise it'll be worth the wait... I hope... well, it's really funny in my head. *eyes get shifty*

To Cymberleah: Saito is coming... although... not exactly in the form you would expect... *looks over her blueprints again and cackles* I've had this planned almost since the beginning of the fic. As for more characters... although, they won't be in the actual storyline, those added charas will have speaking parts next chapter. How is it not part of the storyline? *shrugs* Eh...

To SMDSP: Maybe I should put the fact that I'm condensing on the summary... so people will be less confused. *sweatdrops* The KxK moment wasn't bad in your eyes? Wow... I must have done something good. Damn, if I could only remember what it was and employ it elsewhere... *sighs* *smiles* I'm pretty sure my fingers are bringing in Misao and Aoshi... and the list (now with names!) allows me to bring in others should I wish. As to the powder... Kyouki added it to the tea thinking it was sugar. That's why Kaoru was so graciously 'giving' her tea away. As to what exactly the powder, you'll find out next chapter! *cackles at upcoming insanity and torture*

Alrighty... I hate to drag Author Lady from her jigsaw puzzles... but I'm going to do it anyways. *smiles*