Author's Note: Here's your next chapter. Hope you all have a thrill reading it.

Disclaimer: Me no own RK.

LEMON WARNING! Don't flame, I know it's going to be terrible but it's my first time, and I did not make it graphic. It was meant only to show what the ritual did. You'll see what I mean.

COULD BE LAST CHAPTER! It all depends on you people.

Chapter Twelve: The Red Moon

Three weeks went by quickly, it was filled with training, plans, strategies on how to get to Shishio and Enishi, and a whole lot of name-calling. Everyone was ready to do their part, and the ones who weren't going, were going to go to a safe house in Kyoto.

"All right, everyone but Kaoru and Kenshin will leave today. Tonight is the Red Moon, it means that Shishio will be busy, it's the perfect time to attack him. You girls know where to go, and Okina will be waiting for you. Stay close, and make sure that you come out alive. No matter what, we have to get rid of Shishio and Enishi," said Aoshi as everyone but Kaoru and Kenshin were in their fighting outfits.

"When I get my power we meet up at the Kyoto capital," said Kenshin.

"Yes. Hopefully the Vampires will stall long enough for us to enter their hideout. Make it as quick and powerful as you can.

"Sano, Cho, Anji, Shura, and Yahiko, you guys lead the Vampires and cause a distraction while the rest of us will try and get Shishio and Enishi. We have to do this while the Red Moon powers us," said Aoshi seriously.

They all nodded.

"We meet at the safe house," said Aoshi.

More nods.

"Good. This might be the last time that we ever get to see each other. Finish all unfinished business now while we go to Kyoto," said Aoshi.

"Move out," said Saitoh as he hugged Tokio and left with his group.

"Have fun you two," said Sano giving his friend a friendly punch before leaving.

"Take care," said Kaoru as everyone left their own way.

When they left Kenshin turned to her and smiled weakly.

"It's going to be very fast, I'm sorry," said Kenshin as he took hold of her hands.

Kaoru wouldn't look him in the eyes, something just wasn't right. One day she was all in love with him, then hating him, and now this. This was just so fast.

"I promise, next time we'll have all the time in the world," said Kenshin as he kissed her knuckles and then led the way up to his room.

*~*~*~*~*

Sano, Soujiro, and Katsu led the way to the safe house. They were all by train, and they had to get there quickly. The three were with Megumi, Tae, and Shura. They were in a compartment together. It was still noon, but once the Red Moon was seen, it would be chaotic.

"... Tae, can I speak to you alone?" asked Katsu.

She nodded and the two left.

Soujiro looked at Shura who then left with him.

Sano sat across from Megumi, making sure that she could only hear him, he took her hands in his and looked her dead in the eye.

"What are you doing rooster head?" asked Megumi as she tried to pull away.

"Listen to me Megumi, whatever happens don't come after me. Don't say a word, but I couldn't bare it if you got hurt. You must stay there. Promise me," said Sano seriously.

"If you promise not to get yourself killed out there," said Megumi angrily, but then nodded.

"I promise. Will you wait for me?" asked Sanosuke.

"Depends if someone else doesn't sweep me off my feet first," said Megumi jokingly with a smile. She nodded when she saw him frown at her angrily. Megumi bit her lower lip, he had never been so serious around her.

"Promise me?" asked Sanosuke a bit softer.

"I will, until the end of time," said Megumi as she squeezed his hand with her own.

"There is some unfinished business that I plan to get back to once this is over. But I want to make sure that I come back to it," said Sanosuke not looking at her.

Megumi cocked an eyebrow at him, but stopped when he brushed his lips against hers.

She felt a shock of pleasure go through her and her senses revolving around him.

"I'm sorry, I went too fast," said Sanosuke, not daring to look up at her.

"No," said Megumi as she cupped his face with her hands. She moved him up to her, and kissed him. He was shocked, but kissed back.

Then there was a knock on their compartment door. Flushing the two pulled apart.

Soujiro and Shura walked in smiling more than usual.

Then Katsu and Tae came in flustered; and Tae was bright pink.

"Take care of business?" asked Sano.

The two men nodded while the girls looked away.

*~*~*~*~*

Kaoru was in her black robes and wasn't sure about this. She knew that she was suppose to, but maybe she wasn't ready. Her head was spinning.

Kenshin came out in his own robes and took her hands in his and looked her in the eyes.

"I know this is sudden, but we have to," said Kenshin as he brushed his lips across the back of her hand, he really didn't want to push her, but they had no choice.

He planted a light kiss on her lips and then deepened it.

Kaoru pulled back and looked into his hurt face.

"I'm sorry, it's just that... I'm not sure. This is so sudden and I'm not sure that I'm ready for this. I know it's for the future of the world, but it's just that... This is all just so confusing to me," said Kaoru, she didn't know what she was even saying.

"I feel that way too, but we can do it the human way, or just go straight to the ritual," said Kenshin, he would hold back if she didn't want to go through all that.

"What's the difference?" asked Kaoru.

"I don't have to produce children. The Ritual is a simple thrust of me being inside you, you bite me and vice versa, then we get each other's memories. Our blood swarms together as one, and the Red Moon doubles our power because we have two sets of blood in us. It's just that we can't get each other's memories unless I'm inside you. I'll do it quick," said Kenshin.

Kaoru was still unsure.

"Though I can't do that until the Red Moon is in the sky. You still have time to keep your virginity," said Kenshin as he stood up and left the room for her to think.

What the hell are you thinking? Isn't this what you wanted before? Asked Kirei.

It's just so sudden and I don't know if I'll do it right. Said Kaoru concerned.

You are so weak. Just let him enter you, exchange bloods and get it over with. You can worry about all that the next time you two do it. Said Kirei.

This is serious, it's not a game. Said Kaoru.

Look, we need power and so do they. You'll have all of eternity to perfect this, but this is the Ritual, do it the human way next time. Vampires are depending on us and getting this power, so suck it up and go for it. It'll be over in like 30 minutes. Said Kirei.

(*I told you it would be short, and now you know why.*)

Kaoru thought about it.

*~*~*~*~*

Anji was meditating, Yahiko was talking to Tsubame quietly, Saitoh and Tokio were discussing matters, and Aoshi and Misao sat quietly.

Misao wanted to tell Aoshi how she felt, but just couldn't. How would he react? Would he still care for her if he knew how much she secretly loved him? She couldn't take it, she stood up and left the compartment to think on her own.

Misao walked to a corner of the train where no one else was. She just wanted to curl up into the ball and just be forgotten. He said finish unfinished business, and here she was with the chance, but she was too afraid to do it.

Why did today have to come so quick? If only there was more time.

"Why are you out here alone?" asked Aoshi as he walked over to her.

"Just thinking about things," said Misao, at least she wasn't lying.

"Here, this is yours," said Aoshi as he gave her the kunai.

"But it belongs to you," said Misao as she pushed it back to him.

"I want you to have it. You kept it better than I did," said Aoshi leaning against the wall.

Misao was close to tears as she took it back, at least she would always have a piece of him.

"No matter the outcome of this fight, I want you to promise me that you'll keep safe," said Aoshi suddenly, he still wasn't looking at her.

Misao only nodded.

"I plan to protect you like my parents did, but destiny has chose me to the battle field.

Make sure that you're still alive when we meet again," said Aoshi.

Misao smiled it was a promise that they would meet again.

Aoshi smiled at her for the first time and then went back into their compartment.

She let a tear fall down her cheek, she made a promise to see him again no matter what. It wasn't a commitment of love, but it would do.

I guess it's the best I can get out of him. Said Misao drying her tears and putting the kunai carefully away. She smiled and practically skipped back into the compartment.

*~*~*~*~*

Kenshin slouched down on the door outside of his room; his head bent.

I can't do this to her, she has no say in this. It's not right. Thought Kenshin

Will you stop complaining and go in their and take what is yours? Look, you said that she would be ours. Here's your chance, go in there and take it. You know that she wants this as well, it's just that her mind is in turmoil. Kick things up a notch and you two will be swarming in pleasure and forget all about the troubles. Focus on her. Said Battousai.

Focus. Focus. Thought Kenshin, he had to focus.

He stood up and slowly opened the door, he saw her still in the same position that he had left her. Quietly he came in and locked the door behind him.

"It's almost sunset," said Kenshin as he walked over to her.

"I know," said Kaoru, tears were threatening to fall.

Kenshin cupped her face and used his thumbs to wipe the tears away.

"Why are you crying?" asked Kenshin, he didn't want to see her cry. It tore at his soul.

(*Yes my vampires all have souls except for the crazy ones that are obsessed with power.*)

"I don't know," said Kaoru, for once she was truly lost as she searched his amber gaze for an answer that would clear this all up.

"Silence. Think of me, and only me. Then it'll all be over. Focus on me. Clear your thoughts, and think about me," said Kenshin as he kissed away all her tears and left her skin burning from his very touch.

Kaoru closed her eyes and let her sense grow and focus on him, on the one being that she could so deeply love and care for.

Kenshin moved his hands to her nape and back and gently moved her onto the bed. He easily took off her robe with the hand on her back and caught her before she fell.

He moved back enjoying the scenery, he sill had time for a few things. His eyes started to become red as his eyes moved across every curve and valley in that perfect body of hers.

Kaoru shivered as she felt his eyes on her.

He moved himself above her so that he cradled her.

If you don't want to do this, then let me do it. Said Kirei, she felt had felt Battousai and wanted to go head to head with him again.

Kaoru easily gave in and let her other side come out.

Kirei opened her eyes and watched as Battousai's eyes roamed her body.

As he looked on and settled on her woman hood he felt warm hands go to his slash, and in one quick movement he was visible to her. So little Kaoru had gotten more courageous, but when he looked her in the eyes his eyes blazed into a flame of red to match hers.

"She was complaining too much," said Kirei, answer his unasked question subconsciously as her eyes roamed his perfectly fit body. She let her hands moved down his chest and settle to his waist and watched as he moved down to kiss her but didn't allow him to kiss her.

"Tsked. Tsked. You must wait anata. Not until the Red Moon is out. You can only look, not touch," said Kirei, she was having fun teasing him.

He growled at her and moved his hands from her shoulder to her waist. Battousai stroked her erected nipples and made light circles with each one using his thumbs. He watched in delight as her body withered from his simple caresses and touch.

It was amazing the pleasure that went through her from just a simple thing as a touch.

She moved her hands up to untie his hair, and allowed her hands to go through his long red locks. Gods how she loved the feel of them against her skin as his mouth came down to take a peak into his mouth.

Kirei let out a scream of delight as his tongue swirled around on her already sensitive nipple.

She felt waves of pleasure pass through her as he did the same to her other one.

When she couldn't take it, she grabbed his face with her fingers spread out, and moved him up to her face. She eagerly took his lips, and was rewarded by his ravishing ones. The kisses became more urgent as Battousai began to move his one had to her opening.

She arched back when she felt his fingers enter her. Her body withered as he moved within her walls she never realized how good it felt until now, when sharing it with someone else. Not just anyone else, the one person she ever showed true emotions to.

Her neck was exposed to her and he hungrily kissed it.

That was when the sun was gone and the Red Moon began its course to the sky above.

"This is going to hurt," said Battousai as he pulled his fingers out of her. He had to get this over with before it was too late. Then he would go back to his ministration.

He grinned as Kirei pouted from the loss. She realized what he meant and allowed him to part her legs. Giving her one last kiss, he guided his manhood to her entrance. With one snap and thrust he entered her sweet warm body.

Kirei arched back was pleasure seared through her lithe body. Her neck was exposed and Battousai moved his face to her neck. He licked her neck like a doctor did before implying needles, and then letting his fangs come out again, he bit into her neck.

She screamed in pain and pleasure as he bit her.

Battousai's eyes became red all over, the white parts all red. He watched as her whole life went passed him. Her past became a part of him as he felt himself get stronger.

Kirei was panting when Battousai licked all of the blood away and used his ki to heal it.

Then he went on his back, still connected and guided her head to his neck.

"Bite love, you must take my blood," said Battousai.

Kirei was so intoxicated by him that she had no mind not to obey.

Licking the spot she let her fangs dig into his flesh.

Battousai bit his lower lip, causing blood to come out. He would not scream, he would be strong for her. His life was long, he knew that she would be too weak after she got it. It was a good thing the Red Moon was out, or she wouldn't wake up for some time.

Tears fell as Kirei saw Battousai's life, it was filled with more death, blood, and hatred then she could ever know. For the first time Kirei cried, not for herself but for someone else.

Her eyes was all red and she felt all of his sorrow, his pain, his losses. She hugged him to her, as she watched as he went through his lonely childhood and then deadly adulthood.

When it ended, Kirei collapsed on top of him trying to regain herself.

Battousai licked away all the blood on his lips, luckily you only had to do the Ritual once, it took a toll on you. Even if it made you stronger, it took a lot of energy to get there.

He flipped them over so that she was on bottom. Groaning he pushed out of her and began to pant, he felt the effects of the Red Moon giving him more power. But for now, all he wanted to do was sleep and rest.

Battousai collapsed on top of his new mate.

*~*~*~*~*

The plan went into action once the others were dropped off at the safe house.

They spilt up and went to do as they were told.

Aoshi, Saitoh, Soujiro, and Katsu waited on the outside of the hideout. They were going to wait for the explosives and battle cries as the signal before attacking.

Saitoh made a movement for the other two to go in another direction. Katsu and Soujiro nodded and moved to the other side of the hideout.

Fireworks flew into the skies as homes along the capital were set on fire. Yells were heard and guards left the huge building.

Five minutes later the four entered the hideout.

"The problem now is finding where the hell the two are," said Saitoh as they raced through the hideout looking for the two's kis.

Suddenly Kamatari and Hoiji came out to greet them with their weapons.

"Move aside or die," said Saitoh unsheathing his sword.

"You will not get to Master Shishio," said Kamatari as he moved his weapon ready to attack.

"Then die," said Aoshi unsheathing his twin kodachis.

*~*~*~*~*

"This way," said Soujiro as the two raced to get to Enishi.

"Not so fast," came Takasugi's voice as he and his cousin stepped out of the shadow.

Katsu and Soujiro stopped and got out their weapons.

Takeda came out with a machine gun as Katsu got out his bombs.

Soujiro and Takasugi had their swords.

*~*~*~*~*

Sanosuke and the group of Vampires that he met up with charged at the Bafuko. He made sure to get each one in the heart. The risk of them getting back up wasn't a good thing.

Cho, Anji, Yahiko, and Shura attacked at different directions with their own groups.

There was no bloodshed though, since when a vampire dies, they become ash. No blood would be shed that day, only ashes covered the streets. As more vampires collided with one another. Only the blood of the wounded showed, but vanished when the vampire died.

"Attack anyone besides our men. There are no innocent people here, don't be afraid to kill at will. Attack! Kill them all!" yelled Sano as he pulled out a vampires heart.

You better get here quick Kenshin. Thought Sano as he charged forward toward the hideout, then he could help the others.

*~*~*~*~*

Kenshin sat up as he somehow heard the plea from Sano.

Then Kaoru woke up and covered herself with the blanket.

"Kenshin, your eyes are amethyst," said Kaoru in shock.

"These are my original eye color. You're one of the few apart the elder vampires that know what color they really are. The others need me. Forgive me," said Kenshin as his eyes turned amber as he kissed her before changing into his battle gear.

Kaoru got up as well and changed, she had to get to the hideout.

Kenshin pulled Kaoru into one last heated kiss before vanishing from sight. It would be faster for him to just run there than to use the train.

Kaoru stepped out of the mansion and felt a wave of new power wash over her. She understood now, that Kenshin must be really strong. The Red Moon increased her power with its rays on her skin.

Without a thought, she ran toward Kyoto and to the Aoiya.

*~*~*~*~*

Aoshi blocked Kamatari's weapon with his blades. The guy had become much stronger from the last time they met. He had to get to kill Shishio, and if it meant killing this crossed guy, then so be it. Summoning all of his power and feeding off the Red Moon's new energy, he was able to slash at Kamatari face.

"You scarred my beautiful face," said Kamatari angrily as he touched the wound.

He charged angrily at Aoshi, but suddenly fell to the ground. Aoshi had his heart in his hand, with one last squeeze the vampire vanished into ashes.

Saitoh walked over calmly, Hoiji wasn't exactly a real threat to him.

The two nodded at each other and ran toward Shishio.

*~*~*~*~*

Soujiro was having trouble holding off Takasugi, their skill were suddenly equal. The Red Moon's effect was very powerful, Soujiro was trying his hardest to block Takasugi and not get hit by his sword.

Katsu threw bombs at Takeda who easily dodged it, and used his gun to shoot at Katsu.

His arm got hit and then seeing no other choice he threw five bombs at the Takeda.

Without knowing it, he had hit the machine gun and had it had blown Takeda through the wall.

One of the bullets hit Takasugi through the heart and the man became ashes.

"Thanks," said Soujiro.

Katsu only nodded and the two ran off for Enishi who was waiting with Shishio in a secret arena that they would soon find themselves in.

*~*~*~*~*

Kaoru arrived at the Aoiya and quickly went in, she found that the place was attacked.

She rushed in and found Misao's ki was missing. Using all of her senses she found the others huddled in a corner and ran to them.

They were trapped under a huge building concrete. Using her new found strength she easily lifted the concrete off of them.

Okina had used all of his strength to keep the concrete up, and his heart area was stabbed a few times. His will to protect was what kept him going. He smiled at them all and vanished, his ashes flying into the wind.

Kaoru counted them all, Tsubame was missing and so was Misao. Only Megumi, Tokio, and Tae were still breathing and cowering together.

"Where's Tsubame and Misao?" asked Kaoru.

"They took Misao and killed... and killed Tsubame," said Megumi crying.

"Damn it! Stay here and protect each other. I have to get Misao," said Kaoru.

"No, we must all stay here," said Tokio, she was shivering and as the oldest tried to be brave.

"Hide your ki, no one will come here anymore. I must save her," said Kaoru and left.

Please be all right Misao. Thought Kaoru as she tried to reach her friend through telepathy.

Kaoru! Came a quiet reply, that meant she was still conscious.

Where are you? Asked Kaoru looking around.

I'm in a hidden arena with Shishio and Enishi and a woman. I think she's Yumi. Said Misao.

Are you hurt? Asked Kaoru.

I'm fine, just tied up. Said Misao.

Where is the hidden arena? Asked Kaoru as she ran ahead.

The capitol hideout. Said Misao.

I'm coming. Said Kaoru as she raced forward.

No!} But Misao never finished.

Please don't die on me. Thought Kaoru picking up her pace.

*~*~*~*~*

Yahiko killed off more vampires and dropped to one knee. He had been killing not stop since sunset it was now so dark besides the Red Moon that he could barely see. His strength was leaving him, and he had used all the new strength that he got from the Red Moon, and he felt a knot in the pit of his stomach turn. Something bad has happened.

A sword came down on him, but was suddenly knocked away.

The remaining fifty Bafuko were turned into ashes.

Yahiko looked around, who was it? He couldn't think or even walk straight.

Suddenly the legendary Hitokiri himself was in front of him and helping him stand.

"You're here," said Yahiko relieved.

"The others are headed toward Shishio and Enishi, let's go. The rest of you go to the Aoiya and protect those there," said Kenshin as he picked Yahiko up easily and raced off toward the hideout and where the battle was beginning.

The rest of the Vampires did as they were told.

*~*~*~*~*

"So you all made it," said Shishio as Soujiro, Katsu, Saitoh, and Aoshi walked in at the same time but from different doors.

They were outside in the open as the Red Moon hit them all.

"Aoshi!" yelled Misao as she saw him, she was tied to a pole like.

"Misao! Let her go!" ordered Aoshi angrily.

"Why do you care for your enemy?" asked Enishi grinning.

"What!?" asked the four in union.

Then Shura, Cho, Sano, and Anji entered through different doors. They were all ready to fight, but realized that they had Misao and back down.

"For you see, Misao is my daughter," said Shishio calmly.

"What!?" asked all of the others, Battousai's prediction was right.

Misao was shaking her head, he was lying. She couldn't be his daughter.

"Your parents tried to take her from me and raise her to become good. You might have succeeded there, but soon she will be on my side once again. You would have killed her for revenge Aoshi Shinomori, but your old friend Okina saved her for me and that Anatra took away your memory. They ended up helping me. Though I have no clue why they did that, for their attempt to make her good will fail. Once she takes the blood from me, her true nature will be revealed and my family will be complete," said Shishio with an evil laugh that made everyone but his companions glare at him.

"Not if we kill you first," said Sano getting in a stance.

"My powers have increased. For I have the blood of more than just my mate in me. While you were all trying to get in, I got the blood of two more females. That means that my blood has quadrupled," said Shishio laughing again.

That made the others tense.

"Let's just kill them all and take over this world," said Enishi.

Aoshi, Saitoh, Soujiro, and Cho rushed forward at Shishio, while Shura, Katsu, Sano, and Anji charged at Enishi.

"No! You're my mother, let me go," said Misao as tears fell as her 'father' attacked Aoshi and her friends. Though Enishi was having difficulty.

"I can't. Your father won't allow it," said Yumi as she looked away.

"Please!" said Misao as Shura was thrown back into a wall of scorching flames. She got out with burnt marks but luckily didn't die.

Enishi used all of his strength to push all of the others into rocks and causing them to go unconscious from the impact. He was getting weak, but at least he managed to survive.

One by one Shishio threw them all aside. Only Saitoh and Aoshi remained, and they were hurt pretty badly. They were panting while Shishio only laughed darkly.

(*Shishio has no time limit in this since the guy is my vampire. So unless someone destroys his black heart, then he won't die. Wanted to clear that up.*)

Aoshi and Saitoh attacked together but a wall of flame encircled Shishio as he made his moved and caused both fighters to go into flames and be thrown into the flaming walls.

They were injured bad, but still living. He picked them up and threw them to the others.

"You are no match for me," said Shishio as he bellowed out a deadly laughter.

He turned to his daughter as Enishi laughed with him.

"Now it's time for you to change and rule this world with us," said Shishio as he walked over to her shivering form.

He couldn't be her father, her father wouldn't be so cruel.

"You'll have to go through me first," said a darker voice.

Kenshin stepped out as Yahiko ran over to his wounded brother.

"Bastard. What took you?" asked Sano weakly.

"Do you really think you can defeat me? Your friends all failed easily, you should back down right now," said Shishio.

"That's the Hitokiri Battousai. Though from his ki is pretty weak now," said Enishi.

Suddenly Enishi was thrown through a boulder and fainted.

Kenshin waved off his hand that had hit Enishi, he was so fast that it looked like he never moved at all. It left them all speechless.

"You little devil. So you can hide your ki," said Shishio narrowing his eyes at him.

He unsheathed his sword and was ready to attack.

Kenshin didn't move into a stance or anything.

Shishio attacked and suddenly was met by Kenshin's katana. Using all of his ability the two pushed each other with their swords connected. They seemed equally matched, but then Shishio's ki rose again and managed to punch Kenshin back.

Kenshin stopped himself and wiped the blood that came out of the corner of his mouth.

"So you're stronger than I thought. I guess I underestimated you," said Shishio as he got ready.

"I guess I can't win you like this," said Kenshin as he got into a battou-jutsu stance. His eyes became red as he got ready to attack.

Shishio charged at him full force, and they clashed and pulled back.

To the untrained eye it looked like blurs, but even to the trained eye, you couldn't see them.

They all stared on in awe as the two men battled each other. Occasional blood would spill out onto the floor. Showing them that one of them got cut.

Then the two became visible and were panting.

"Time to show my real power," said Shishio as he summoned the power from the other two vampires that he took that night.

Battousai's eyes went wide, his power was incredible. He closed his eyes, about ready to give up when his power went up a bit. His eyes shot open confused. Why was his power going up, he had taken all of the power from the Red Moon already. This didn't make sense.

Shishio charged at him and they were at it again. Suddenly Battousai was thrown to the now flaming walls. He fell to the floor panting.

"Now it ends," said Shishio ready to send the last blow.

"NO!" yelled Misao, she didn't want any of her friends to die.

Yumi was beside her when Aoshi charged at her.

If he couldn't get Shishio, he would get the next best thing.

Suddenly he staggered back, he had gotten Misao and Yumi right in the heart.

Misao smiled up at him, she gave him the Oniwanbanshu kunai. She had used it to get out of her bounds.

Even if she didn't know Yumi, she didn't want her own mother to die. Yet her actions were futile, her mother had gotten attacked too.

Shishio was shocked and roared in anger.

"No! Misao!" yelled Aoshi as he caught her.

"Aoshi... I..." started Misao weakly.

"Don't speak, you're wasting energy," said Aoshi as he held her to him.

"I... love you," said Misao with one last weak smile before she became ashes with her mom.

Aoshi stared shock, what had he done?

Shishio roared in rage again and turned to Battousai. He raised his sword and came down, but he didn't connect with Battousai's heart. But with another and a sword hit his own heart.

Battousai had gotten his strength back and had attacked Shishio but instead attacked Kaoru, who suddenly appeared before Battousai, arms spread out, she had taken his blows.

Battousai's eyes went wide as Kaoru's limp body fell down on him. He dropped the katana that he used that accidentally went through her and to Shishio who laughed before becoming ashes, and grabbed her to him.

What had he done?

"Koishii," said Battousai as he held her to him tightly.

Kaoru looked into his eyes as they became violet again for her. Tears filled his eyes as he watched the one thing that he loved most die by his hand and Shishio's. He was trembling crazily as he moved his head to the crook of her neck and allowed more tears to fall.

Not again! Thought Kenshin, it was what happened to Tomoe.

"Ken...shin. I... I forgive you," said Kaoru weakly as she touched his scarred cheek and smiled one last time before her hand dropped and fell to the floor before becoming ashes.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! KAORU!" Yelled Kenshin, he couldn't lose her, she was his life.

Kenshin hugged himself from how tightly he had held her to him. Tear fell down his eyes as he lost the most important being in life. He shook all over.

Aoshi fell to his knees in shock. The same question going through his mind. What had he done? He held the kunai close to his heart, what had he done?

The others slowly got back up and waked over to them.

Enishi had ran off, but no one paid attention to that. They were too worried about the two before them.

Then Tokio, Tae, and Tokio came in. They hugged the ones that they loved closely.

"Where's Tsubame?" asked Yahiko as he looked up at them.

"She... she... was... She's gone," said Megumi weakly as she sobbed, at all of the loses and had just found out that the other two were now gone as well, into Sano's tight grip; he was just so happy to have her with him that she was still with him.

"No. You're lying," said Yahiko as he shook his head in disbelief. No she wasn't gone, he wouldn't believe. They had to be bluffing.

He searched for her ki, but she was no where to be found. His face became just as shadowed as Aoshi and Kenshin's.

He had loved Tsubame so much that it hurt, yet now she was gone. He felt like his world just became ashes and tumbled down.

Yahiko took out his sword with a smile on his face and suddenly it came down to his heart.

Aoshi yelled and caught his brother as he fell.

"Yahiko! No why? You were all I had. Why?" asked Aoshi as he finally allowed the tears to fall down his face from what he had done. He had lost it all. All that he ever loved, that he ever cared for was gone from him.

"Good bye," said Yahiko smiling before blowing into the wind as ashes.

"NOOOOOO!" yelled Aoshi. Why was the world so cruel?

The girls sobbed into the guys tight embrace as they saw this.

"WHY?" asked Kenshin as he shook his head.

His eyes turned a permanent red, he had lost it all as well. But he knew that he couldn't die, no he would live for her and the new world.

Then rain came down and matched the mood perfectly as it melded with his tears, he looked into the sky and for one last time he saw her smiling back at him

He stood up determined to face the world and its cruel game. His heart became dark, and his only will to survive was to get back to at the heartless world.

That day, the world around him was destroyed, he would forever remain in his darkness. If this is what fate had for him, then so be it. He would show them.

Aoshi did the same, they would face the pitiless world and get through it. That was what the ones that they loved would have wanted.

Tears fell like river from the losses that day. Shishio had lost, but they all lost something. They had lost something that was irreplaceable to them.

All that survived that day were Kenshin, Aoshi, Saitoh, Tokio, Cho, Anji, Soujiro, Shura, Sanosuke, Megumi, Tae, Katsu, and Enishi who ran off. All the rest had become ashes.

Apart from Enishi, they would all decide the fate of the world. Yet from all that they went through, what was the point?

Aoshi and Kenshin wanted to do what Yahiko did, but they needed to survive for the others, to lead them.

The constant Darkness seemed darker and fuller now that it had ever been. Though, within it's furthest reaches, one could see a small flare of light, illuminating the faintest flicker of hope for their future. And that is what drove them, that is what made them live. To be with their loved ones once again, not in death, but in life eternal.

With one last look at the gray sky, they all left into the eternity of darkness.

*~*~*~*~*

A/N: *Sniff. Sniff.* I cried so many times writing this. Well please review. It depends on you guys whither or not I continue and make a happy ending. *Sniffle.*

Sequel or just continue?

PLEASE REVIEW DESPITE THE SADNESS OF THIS CHAPTER!