A/N: Wow. 62 reviews. And I thought 50 was special! Thanks to all you readers who enjoy this story! I just need to keep up the suspense to at least 80 reviews then I can end it! ALSO, 10 CHAPTERS! YATTA! *evil cat ears pop up and laughs like Azumi from Real Bout High School* AHAHAHAHA!
*AHEM!* Anyway, this chapter is going to be promising! Minor K&K in the beginning of course! Then, in the second half, A&M shall take the spotlight just because it's an adorable pairing. Warning, this is my first attempt at A&M so please tell me how I do. ^^;;
Now you may read...



Chapter 10



As I stood in front of Past, who was clearly my enemy now, I quickly got used to the weight of the Sakabatou. I was so angry that it felt not more then a feather. I unsheathed it and pointed it in the direction of my opponent.
They stared at it in utter shock.

"You wouldn't dare, Kaoru." They whispered to me, their voices a faint echo. Their shapes were waving, I could see they were frightened of me.

I raised it higher, somehow I knew exactly what I wanted to do. "OH, WATCH ME THEN!" I let out a battle cry and charged towards them.

Once I got to them I lunged to sword towards them. It weakened them a little, but they shot out power to make my attack weaker. I kept pushing the sword further if my strength would allow it.

I could feel Kenshin's worried gaze on me. I could also feel my attack getting weaker.
I blinked and realized. It was the sakabatou itself. The reversed-blade on it made them stronger, while me weaker. Finally past was beginning to get the better side of the attack.
I turned to Kenshin, although my might was still focused on keeping them within the barrier between the sword and I.
"Kenshin!" I yelled to him and spoke to him through my eyes.
He got the message and his eyes grew wide, "No way Kaoru. I won't let you do that!"
"I can't KILL them! I just need to get them to temporarily retreat Kenshin!"
Kenshin sighed, a worried look on his face. He sighed and nodded at me.
I smiled, but at that momnt the past got around the barrier and threw me backwards a few feet. Perfect. I wouldn't waste time. I could go right into the attack.
I stood, blood trickling from the edge of my mouth, since I had landed on my front side.
I lifted Kenshin's sword in front of me, and I reversed the blade.


"YAAAA!!!!!" I yelled out as I charged at past, while Sano and Megumi stared in shock.
Past was also obviously quite shocked because just as the blade hit them, and since it was crossed with my anger, the middle one yelled out "RETREAT QUICKLY!"
They disappeared like they normally did, and I dropped Kenshin's sword. It disappeared on impact with the ground.
I fell backwards, but Kenshin was there to catch me.
I could feel his warn gaze on me, and I opened my eyes.
He smiled at me, and I smiled in return.



***



I sat by Misao's bed, as she groaned and refused to open her eyes.

I sighed, although sighing owuldn't do me any good, it felt good to release a slight bit on tension.
I looked at Aoshi, who could obviously not be more tense then he was right there. I could see it in his eyes, and in his actions.
He was kneeling at the foot of her hospital bed, holding her left hand firmly yet gently in his hands, with his lips silently rested on the visible part of her palm.

I could see more worry gow inside him, and I stood up. "I'll leave you alone now."

Suddenly Misao's right hand came up and grabbed my wrist. I turned to her, shocked.
Her eyes were still closed and she choked out, "Please Kaoru. Stay here."
I could feel myself almost cry. I swore right then and there that I wouldn't let anyone else get hurt.
Aoshi blinked and sighed, a bit of relief flowing out of him as well.
I smiled at the two. "You really want me to stay Misao?"
Misao coughed and nodded, keeping her eyes shut tight, as if there was a healing vision in the darkness under her eyelids.
"Then I'll be in the corner of the room. Aoshi needs to talk to you."
Aoshi blinked at me. He wasn't smiling, but I could tell he was a bit happy.

I went over to the corner by the door and I lay down. The floor was unusually comfortable. I kept one watchful eye open, just in case there was something I didn't want to miss. Darn, I was basically eavesdropping again. Oh, well. Just this one last time...

I saw Misao's eyes flutter open, and her weight shifted to where Aoshi was sitting.

"Aoshi...I'm sorry. I wanted to fight so badly..."

Aoshi sighed, "Don't worry." He said. Even he wouldn't say much to HER, but those two words were full with sentances. Sentances of feeling, that is.

"I have to. I just have to worry about you. It might just be part of love, you know." She said, resting her hand on his cheek. He blinked a few times, then he finally abandoned his own personality. Just for a small moment. A small moment he had with Misao.
As he kissed her, I saw her eyes close again, full of tears of joy.

And then my own eyes fluttered shut.

I was tired, and I had seen enough to make me smile.



A/N: You like? Yeah it was kind of short, but the next chapter is so cool! PLUS, there's a little more Yahiko.
I have the next chapter right here *ponts to head*. Yessiree.
And I can't wait to publish it so you can read it!
And that'll happen faster if you review you know!
So, anyway, here's my thanks:

Naomi=Actually, I quite like your reviews. I hope you review quickly again soon! Then I can write more to this story. Arigatou!!

amakasu toko=yay! Finally another review from you! And another entertaining one none-the-less! I hope you read 9 and 10 really soon! And dun ferget to review because I love your reviews you know!

Prudence-chan=You love every man in RK? Even Udo Jin-eh? Okay okay maybe that's going a little *TOO* far heheh. Thanks for another fine review! Keep reading!

Eliz=Yeah! Way to go cheering Kaoru on! Worked didn't it? Thanks again.

omochi=Ah, yes. The smart reviewer returns! But past probably doesn't kill Misao and they can probably still change her heheh.

Midori Natari Himura=Heehee. Thanks a lot. Yatta! Oh, and I DID get your card, just to let you know. AND....Keep up the reviews!!! Please!!!!