Kaoru sat down next to her husband, who smiled at her. "Thank you, Kenshin. I don't know what would happen if I was still with those awful men." She shuddered and Kenshin hugged her comfortingly. "That man was so.I can't believe he dared to touch me that way," she whispered, sneeking a glance at her belly, but Kenshin noticed. He guessed what had happened and scowled, pulling her closer, protectively. She didn't notice, and if she did, she didn't make any comment. Kaoru reached up and caught Kenshin a firefly. Caught within her cupped hands, it glowed through her fingers. Suddenly, her hands went dim. Kenshin smiled softly. Kaoru opened her hands and freed the creature. It glowed through the night like a beacon as if in thanks, or perhaps in indignation at being captured so easily. The air around them was lit up by the tiny fireballs. The crickets sang, but the two were silent. Unexpectedly, Kenshin hugged Kaoru. She kissed him fiercely on the lips and he returned it with one of his own. She pulled away first and whispered, "Thank you Ken-koi." He smiled. "You-re welcome, Kao-koi," he whispered back, making her giggle.

Kaoru stepped up to the tofu stall and bought a tin for their dinner that night. "This should be good. Alright, I guess I'll head home now," she smiled cheerfully. The stalls became less and less as she left the market.

"They shall pay. All of them. Especially that cursed Battousai," whispered Jira to himself as he crouched in a tree, watching the market customers passing obliviously beneath, waiting for the right one to appear. Suddenly, they did and he jumped down, blocking their path. "Haha. I've got you. You shall pay. You and that wretched Battousai of yours," he sneered. Kaoru gasped. "You! What are you doing here, Jira?" she interrogated harshly, collecting herself and regaining her composure after the initial scare.

Kenshin heard the gate to the dojo open and he looked up to find Kaoru stagger in. Stagger? Since when did she stagger? "What happened, Kaoru?" he cried, rushing to her side and picking her up, "Who did this?" His eyes narrowed angrily and possessively. "I'm fine Kenshin. Really, I just.uh, tripped and rolled a couple times." Her husband clearly didn't buy this story but decided not to question further until she was ready to answer. Kenshin got up and left for Megumi's clinic, deciding against moving Kaoru any more. Shortly after his leave, Sano walked in. "Hey missy. Got any lunch to sp-What happened? Tanuki, who did this?" His eyes narrowed as angrily as Kenshin's had. "I'll kill whoever did this. I swear-" but he was cut off by Kaoru's next words. "It was Jira. He wants revenge on you guys. Mostly kenshin. He beat me hard. Please don't tell anyone. Especially kenshin. Say it was some drunk gamblers. We can't afford to let him go Battousai again." Sano nodded, understanding in his eyes. Suddenly, he lifted her into his arms, bridal style, "We're going to Megumi- koi's right now," he grinned, "You need help, and both you and I know it." Shortly after, they arrived at the clinic, where Megumi began treatment right away.

Kenshin refused to believe Kaoru and Sano's "drunk gambler gang" story. It was their explanation for his wife's injuries, but Kaoru seemed troubled. As if to add on to his confusion, Sano seemed to understand the situation. How was it that he, Kaoru's wife, had no clue what the matter was, and Sano did? It was all very puzzling and he was determined to figure it out.

"Sano, why was Kaoru hurt last night? Drunk gamblers couldn't do that much. She's lying to me, and she's never lied to me before. What's going on? As her husband, I deserve to know," demanded Kenshin firmly, slamming Sano against the wall, who only allowed himself to be pushed out of surprise. Sano remained silent. "Tell me now," Kenshin snarled. Sano's eyes widened in fear, "Ask Kaoru. I promised not to tell you. She doesn't want to worry you. If you want an answer, you'll want it from her. Trust me." Kenshin scowled, but left for Kaoru's room. Sano sighed in relief when he was out of earshot.

Kaoru looked up at the visitor standing in the doorway. "Kenshin!" she cried in delight. "Who attacked you? Drunk gamblers cannot inflict wounds this bad. Tell me the truth this time. I do not like being lied to, especially by the one I love most," he more demanded than requested, and though his voice was calm and slightly gentle, his tone was steely. Kaoru cowered slightly under his angry gaze and shook her head defiantly. "Tell me now or I'll be forced to make you tell me. I'll punish whoever hurt you, even if it was Sano. No one is allowed to touch you this way," he scowled. "I don't want to worry you," she confided. "You lying and refusing to tell me the truth is worrying me more than anything else. What's more, Sano knows. I'm your husband!" Kenshin accused. Kaoru looked away for a moment before answering, "I'm sorry Kenshin. You're right. It was.the same person as before. Please don't leave!" she confessed. "Why didn't you tell me before?" he asked. "I didn't want you to become Battousai again," she replied simply. "And?" he probed. "I.didn't want you to.to leave again. I didn't want to leave you. Please don't leave!" she cried, tears forming in her eyes. Kenshin was taken aback, "I'll never leave you, koishii. I promise," he reassured her, wiping away her tears with his fingers. She held his hand, silently telling him to stay, and he sat on the bed, next to her, and gazed at the smile stretching across her lips, unaware of the one creeping up upon his own.

"Megumi, kitsune. I.want to-to tell you something. I." Sano started, staring into Megumi's eyes and stuttering. "Yes?" inquired Megumi. "I.I.um, uh." he tried to continue. "Yes?" Megumi inquired again. "You see, uh, I.Damn! This is harder than I thought!" he exclaimed in discovery. "Look. I know what you're going to say. Would you like me to say it for you?" she teased. "You-you do?" he cried. "Of course," she scoffed, "You were going to say you love me." She smirked triumphantly. Sano stared, "How did you. How could you.? What?" He spluttered indignantly. "I knew because what else would make you so nervous? Oh, and same goes for me.koishii." Sano's mouth dropped at the last word. Megumi giggled, kissed him on the cheek, and walked out to begin dinner. Sano's hand slowly reached up to touch where Megumi had kissed him, as if in a daze. It rested there, and he smiled. The smile turned into a grin. He thrust his fist into the air, cheering. "Yeah!" Megumi, in the kitchen, heard him, and giggled, hand on cheek and fox ears in hair. "Finally, that's been cleared up," she whispered to herself.

Yahiko put down the bokken he was practicing with to acknowledge Tsubame's presence. He threw her a questioning look. "Yahiko? I, um, wanted to tell something. I like you very.much.and I, uh, hope you like me too," she stuttered, blushing furiously. "Tsubame.I, uh, I like you too. I like you a lot. I've always liked you, and you're a great friend, but I was afraid to tell you," he confessed, blushing, if possible, redder than Tsubame. "But Yahiko, you're so brave! I can't believe you're afraid of anything!" she exclaimed, eyes shining. He replied seriously, "I was afraid of losing you to that guy," he scowled momentarily, "You're one of my few good friends, and I thought you were gone. I was dead scared that day." "I was scared I'd never see YOU again," Tsubame answered softly, "When you came, it was like a dream. I thought you'd never come, and there you were, saving me. You were like a.a true samurai. You fought like one, too. You're so young, and yet so fearless. I'm glad to have a friend like you, Yahiko." He blushed as red as an apple, but glowed in pride. Tsubame left the room, but before, she stepped timidly to her saviour and kissed him lightly, like the beauty of a butterfly she was, on his cheek. "I'd rather have you save me even than Ken-san. Thank you." And she was gone. But her presence seemed to linger. Yahiko touched a finger to his lips silently, as if shushing someone, then smiled softly. "No, Tsubame, thank YOU," he whispered to himself.

Kaoru gasped and fell over. The effects of her second onslaught of pain were fading, but the pain, both mental and physical, remained as strong as ever. "Kaoru!" cried Kenshin frantically. She had been falling and collapsing frequently recently. He steered her to the mat by the wall and sat her down. "What did Jira do?" It pained Kaoru to speak of it, but for her husband's sake, she did. "He really hurt didn't he?" Kaoru nodded, "He grabbed me and beat me with his bare hands. Then he took a branch off the tree behind him and whipped my back." Kenshin opened the back of her kimono slightly to find long red gashes and streaks of dried blood criss-crossing each other in a spider web of whipmarks. After closing it again, Kaoru continued, "He seemed to find pleasure in beating me. But the worst was when he kicked me. It was only once, but it was the worst of the hits. He kicked me onto my back and stepped on my.," she placed her hands on her belly to indicate the place, "It hurt more than anything else. He could have hurt the baby! But I asked Megumi-san and she said he was fine." "It's a she," Kenshin smiled, but his eyes were hard and slowly turning lilac. Suddenly, they blazed amber. Kaoru gasped and hugged him around his middle. "Don't! Please, don't," she sobbed, "Kenshin!" Kenshin's eyes darkened to purple once more. "I won't. I promise. Not again," he replied, kissing her forehead.

That night, Kenshin didn't go to bed. He left the dojo, and Kaoru didn't notice until she had searched the dojo twice over, calling his name. She knew where he had gone, but realized it was futile to follow. Yahiko stayed the night at the Akebeko and Sano was at the clinic. "Oh, I hate being alone. I wish Kenshin was here," she sighed, looking out the door of her bedroom. Behind her, a man crept up silently, sword in hand, and placed it around her neck. "Move and you die, sweetheart." Kaoru screamed, but no one heard.

Kenshin looked up. All was silent. The hut where he had rescued Kaoru was deserted save for some bloodstains on the floor and cut ropes around the pillar in the back. He sensed something. The Battousai within was telling him to go home right away. But why? All of a sudden, it clicked. "Kaoru!"

Kaoru didn't struggle, but the sword was pressing down her neck anyway. "Remember me?" asked a cold voice. "How could I forget someone like you?" Kaoru spat by way of reply, "What are you doing here, Jira?" He snickered, "I've come to kill you in front of the Battousai, but he isn't here. Where is he? Tell me, girl, or you'll regret it." She remained silent. "Tell me!" "No," she answered. "Why not?" he questioned. "Because.I don't know." "Surely you must. He's your husband." "Doesn't mean I keep tabs on him or something." "Do you know why he's gone?" "He went to look for you." "Oh really. He won't find me unless he comes back."

Kenshin ran back to the dojo. All was quiet. It seemed peaceful. He tip- toed to Kaoru's and his bedroom. Placing his ear against the door, he listened and his eyes widened, then narrowed in anger at the conversation going on within. "It seems you have helped as much as you can. I won't kill you after all. Instead, I'll marry you," he stated, smirking. "No! Never! I'll never marry you!" she cried. "Oh really? What if Kenshin died? Then you wouldn't have a husband to cheat on," he replied. "No, I still wouldn't. I'll stay loyal to Kenshin 'til the day I die," she said fiercely. "Ah, true love. How lovely. But you will marry me. It'll kill him to see his beloved wife married to her kidnapper. Mwahahaha!" he laughed.

Kenshin gasped. He yanked the door open and ran in. Jira had a sword around Kaoru's neck, and a drop of blood was sliding down her throat. His other hand was on her cheek, pulling her face to meet his. Her frightened eyes were wide, but defiant. He kissed her forehead lightly, like a father kissing his daughter good-night. Intruth, his lips never touched her for Kaoru had slapped him, right on the nose. He clutched it with his free hand, eyes watering in pain. Soon, the pain subsided and he was back to his marriage persuasion. "Come now, I'll be a good husband. Even better than firehead over there," he nodded his head in Kenshin's direction. "That may be true," Kaoru replied simply, and Kenshin looked unbelievingly at her. "BUT," she continued loudly, "Who ever said I wanted the better husband?" "Yes, but he's probably always out, trying to save everybody, and you're probably always being kidnapped or having to wait while he's gone, knowing he might never come back." Kaoru stared for a moment into space. "Kaoru, is this true?" Kenshin asked, his tone afraid of the answer. Kaoru bowed her head, then looked Jira right in the eye and answered firmly, "It's true, but I don't mind, because he always comes home." Jira scowled.

He stroked Kaoru's cheek, "You know you want to come with me. I'll give you a big house, lovely food, and anything else you could possibly want. I'll treat you like a queen and I'll never leave you, unlike the Battousai. You'll live a better life. Come with me." "Sounds nice," she murmured. Kenshin stared. "Yes it is. Come with me. I don't have a dirty past. We can live forever together." Kaoru smiled, "It sounds so lovely. Yes, I'll come with you." She swayed and her lids lowered. She moved gracefully, as if in a trance. "I'll never leave you. Kenshin left you because he thought his past would hurt you. My past is clean. He thought you were too fragile to handle what he brought with him. He didn't think he was worthy of you. He's right. He was too stupid to realize you could save him," he spoke softly, and persuasively. Kenshin gasped quietly, "No, Koaru, no." Kaoru's eyes snapped open, "Don't talk about Kenshin like that. He's not stupid and he's not unworthy. If you ever talk about him like that again, you'll live to regret it." Jira stroked her cheek once more. He snaked an arm around her enlarged waist, pulling her towards him. Whispering enticingly into her ear, he breathed, "You know you want to come with me. You know you do." He cast his charm once more. Kaoru sighed and her eyes fluttered in an effort to remain alert. "But.Kenshin.where's Kenshin? I want to see.Kenshin.," she breathed. "He doesn't love you anymore. Come to me instead." "Kenshin.will always love me.always." She smiled dreamily. "He doesn't," Jira insisted. "He does.You're.lying.it's not true!" "You're good. That's right, he loves you." Jira suddenly perked. He had a great new idea. Kenshin watched him, if possible, more suspiciously. The time to strike had not yet come. Jira let down the sword and hugged Kaoru gently. He kissed her cheek and rocked her back and forth slightly. "Kenshin?" she breathed, "Is that you?" "Yes," Jira murmured. She smiled, and sighing contentedly, she leaned into his embrace. Kenshin shook with rage. "Will you marry me?" "I've already said yes, but I'll say it again. Yes, I'll marry you!" "And do you admit you love me more than the Battousai?" "Of course. I love you much more than the Battousai. I always have and always will. I love you more than the Battousai and the rurouni put together." "Oh really. Then tell firehead over there that you love me more than him." Kaoru looked up quizzically, "But.Kenshin? But, you're behind me.aren't you?" "Tell him. He's the bad Kenshin. Go on, tell him." "How do I know which of you is MY Kenshin?" "I am because you are MY Kaoru." He kissed her neck softly and she giggled. He turned her face to the side and kissed her gently on the lips. Kaoru's eyes were closed so she didn't notice it was Jira. She smiled, pleased, and apparently quite comfortable. Kenshin shivered with fury. That was it. Throwing all caution to the winds, he stepped forward. "Hands off, Jira. She's mine." Kaoru and Jira looked up. Jira looked annoyed, but Kaou looked surprised and afraid. Suddenly, recognition flooded her eyes and she smiled joyfully. She turned around and frowned at Jira. "You're not Kenshin!" And with that she attempted to stand up to go to Kenshin, but Jira's strong arms held her down. "Remember, you were going to come with me and I was going to give you anything you wanted." "Anything?" "Anything." Kaoru shook her head, "You won't give me anything." "And why not?" "OK," challenged Kaoru, "I promise to come with you, now give me what I want." "Fine, what do you want?" "Something you won't give." "Says who?" "Says me." "Say it and I promise I'll give it to you." "And if you don't?" "I'll let Kenshin leave unscathed." "Fair enough, 'cause I've got something you won't give." "Spit it." "Give me Kenshin." Jira was silent for a moment, "No." "Alright. Now you have to let him leave unscathed. Touch him and I'll go with him. Then you won't be able to touch me. Kenshin will protect me until the day he dies, and I'll stay with him until that day and after. Do it. Now!" Jira smothered a chuckle. "What?" "You're quite the commander. One would think I was trying to defeat you, not the Battousai." She pouted for a moment, "I'm am NOT that bad. Now let him go or I'll follow." "Fine," Jira sighed dejectedly, "Battousai, you are free to go. I will not pursue you, nor will I fight you or block your path to the door." But Kenshin did not move. "I'm giving you free leave, a chance to escape unhurt. Won't you take it?" But he still didn't budge. "I refuse to leave without my wife. If that means I must wait until you die of old age, or kill you here and now, I shall do it. I will not leave without my wife." "Just go already," cried Jira impatiently. "I told you, I'm not leaving without my wife. Would you like me to spell it out for you?" he repeated in an icy tone. "No." He held Kaoru tighter still. She struggled to escape, but to no avail. Finally, she resorted to one of her born gifts: feminine charm. Using an age-old girl's technique, she kissed his softly and quickly on his lips. He shut up and his arms fell limply to his side in surprise. She scrambled up and ran into Kenshin's open arms. He embraced her for a moment, breathing in the jasmine smell that surrounded her, and then pushed her away. Her look of surprise and hurt pained him, but he offered no explanation. Instead, he turned to Jira. "Nobody touches Kaoru like that. NOBODY! Should've just let her go in the first place. It would've saved you a lot of time, energy, and breath. But you didn't, so that's your loss. You'll pay for your tricks and everything you've done to her," Kenshin threatened. His voice was quiet, but both Kaoru and Jira heard him clearly. His tone was so icy, Jira's spine shivered. "Draw your sword." Jira did so, and they fought. Swords blurring through the air, Kaoru could hardly follow them. Jira was a good enough swordsman, his speed could not even begin to compare to Kenshin's, but his skills were enough to rival the ex-hitokiri. The sounds of metal hitting metal and of metal hitting flesh, and of the two fighter's shouts echoed throughout the room. The two flew at eachother, as if levitating off the ground to fight in the air. Kaoru held her breath, and her heart rate quickened as Kenshin was hit. His shoulder bled freely, but either he didn't notice, or didn't care. Jira sported a long gash down his right arm, his sword arm, and the blade was slowly turning red with his blood.

Kaoru watched Kenshin carefully. He was intent on defeating and punishing Jira. Jira was apparently losing, and Kaoru thanked Kami for that. Kenshin wasn't unscathed either, but he clearly had the upper hand. Jira looked in her direction and winked. Kenshin watched Jira's every move and caught his wink. He stiffened and prepared to attack. Jira suddenly turned his back on Kenshin, and stretched his sword out in Kaoru's direction. Kenshin flung his sword out, ready to stop Jira from hurting his wife. With a quick flick of his wrist, he deftly sliced through the bandages Kenshin had dressed Kaoru's wound with and purged deeper into her arm. "Ow!" she yelped in pain. Kenshin stared at Jira for a moment, as if studying him, and then at Kaoru. She was clutching her arm, but blood seeped through her fingers. His eyes focused once again on Jira and blazed amber. "Get away from her, or die!" he shouted out in rage. "But she's hurt, I can't leave her!" Jira mocked. "I'm warning you, Jira. Get away from her. Now!" "No. Why should I?" "Because if you don't, it'll be the last thing you do." "No it won't. Killing me will be the last thing YOU do." "I'm counting to five." "Fine with me. They'll be my last five minutes with sweetie pie here." "One." Jira nicked her neck, but it didn't bleed. "Two." He nicked her wrist. It hardly left a mark. "Three." "Every number is a new cut for her." "Four." "Your fault if she dies. Might want to stop now." He sliced a thin red line down her left arm. She bit her lip and tears began to form at the corners of her eyes. "Five." Kenshin flipped his sword and charged Jira. "Haaaa!" he yelled. Jira's left arm began dripping blood slowly. "That was only a warning strike." "Was it?" "Surrender now or the next will be fatal." "Sorry. No can do." "So be it. It was your choice."

"No. It'll be you who dies." Kenshin charged Jira again. "Hiten Mitsurugi style.Ruishuisen! Haaaaaa!" Kaoru got up and pushed Jira out of the way and scrambled off to the side. Kenshin landed between them and sliced the floor. Scowling, he yanked out his sword and prepared to strike again. "This time, I will kill you. I swear it." Kaoru gasped. His vow! she thought, panicking, I must stop him!

Kenshin lifted his sword up in front of him. "This is for hurting Kaoru!" he shouted, infuriated.

Kaoru, without speaking, reached up and, leaning on the wall, heaved herself up. She half-ran half-stumbled over to Kenshin and flung her arms around his waist. He struggled against her hold, but she refused to let go. Kenshin twisted and turned, but Kaoru held on tight. "Remember your vow," she said softly. He paused. "My vow to protect you is more important." He pulled free and again, poised to strike. Kaoru lunged to hold him back, but he was gone. He reappeared again and Jira fell, clutching his side. He had tried to dodge, and had therefore managed to avoid the blow head-on. Kenshin ran again, sword at the ready. Kaoru knelt down. "It's no use. His vow. I must stop him. But how?" It was all just so hopeless. Tears leaked out of her shining sapphire eyes, and streaked down in a race down her cheek. She shook her head, "No, no, no. He can't. He can't!" She sobbed and cried and finally broke down into an uncontrollable fit of hopeless tears, her voice rising with each word. Head in hands, she cried out her heart and soul, releasing the sadness she had held within her at the past events. Kenshin heard her mid-attack, and, sparing Jira, ran to her instead. "Koishii! Kaoru! What's the matter?" he instinctively looked towards Jira. "It's not him. It's you!" "Me?" "You can't kill him! Please! Don't!" "Why not? He's hurt you. You're not on his side, are you?" "No! But, your vow!" "That's not important right now." "Yes it is!" "No it isn't." "Fine, then remember the promise you made me. 'Never again,' you said. Please!" She grasped his robes and held to them tightly. Leaning her head on his chest, she thoroughly dampened his obi with her tears. "Don't," she sobbed. He put his arms around her comfortingly and pulled her close. "You're right. Never again." His eyes turned amythest once more and she collapsed with relief into his arms. "Thank you koishii. I'll always love you. Forever. Now let me finish what I started." He gently pried her fingers off his obi. She grasped it once more. "No." He looked quizzically down at her. "I won't let you. Stay with me. Please. I want to be with you, not on the sidelines, watching you kill someone or yourself." He smiled slightly and rocked her in his lap. "Alright. But you know, wherever you go, I'll always be with you. And you'll always be with me. Shhh." She laid her head on his knee and soon her eyes closed. Her breath became steady with sleep, though her clutching fingers remained as strong as ever. "That's my Kaoru," he smiled proudly, "When she wants something, she'll never let go. But this time she must." He gently tried to unclasp her fingers or loosen her grip, but it was impossible. "Kaoru."

"Look who's overprotective!" Jira chuckled mockingly, "Maybe you need her protection, instead of the other way 'round." "You stay out of this. Don't include her. I don't need her protection. I don't need her to protect me. She's fragile. She needs me." He believed her to be asleep, and Kenshin spoke his true feelings. Unnoticed, Kaoru was merely feigning sleep, and her alert ears caught every word. "Ah, but you do need her. She may need you to save her. But you need her to save you more. Her pure innocence chases away the demons of darkness within you like a light. Let her save you if you dare." Kenshin didn't speak. "But it's too late now, for I'm going to marry Kaoru." "Why do you want her?" he interrupted. "You, Battousai, killed my father. I loved him dearly and he loved me, but you took him away. I came to kill you for revenge. But you have cheated death and are not afraid of it. I decided to take your wife instead, so you'd feel the pain I went through. Then, I figured that a worse punishment would be if I married her instead. She'd still be there, but just out of reach, and you wouldn't be able to get her back unless you killed me, but that would be breaking your oath. That kid and his oaf friend got in the way so I took their girls, too. I saw the pain you went through. I decided to lead you closer, but you and your friends were too strong. I will now marry Kaoru and hurt you more! Mwahahaha!" he laughed evilly.

"You will not touch Kaoru," at this, Kaoru smiled, but Kenshin was looking in the other direction, glaring at Jira, "She's mine, not yours. I'm sure your father wouldn't mind seeing me suffer, but are you sure he wants you to be the one doing the torture? Does he really want you to be one who causes pain instead of trying to stop it, like he did when he left for the Revolution? Like I do now as repentenance for my sins. He doesn't want you to turn into the monster I became when you the most important thing in my life away from me. I tried to find you to kill you as revenge. That was wrong, but I couldn't help it. I love her too much. I know exactly how you feel. I've been where you are. Just don't walk down the path I took. Take the other one. It'll lead to a happier life. Trust me."

"Stay out of my business," Jira scowled. "Listen to me. Do you really love my wife?" "Her looks have entranced me. Yes, I have fallen in love with your wife." Kasoru barely restrained herself from jumping up in surprise. She took deep quiet breaths to calm herself and gripped harder. "One reason why marrying her does not bother me." He smiled mischievously.

Kaoru jumped slightly at his words. "Give her to me now. Or I shall have to use force." "Lay a finger on her and you die." Kenshin's voice was cold as ice, and Kaoru knew he meant every word he said. She heard Jira walk up to her and tightened her hold on Kenshin's obi, pulling herself closer in the process. Jira knelt down and brushed her hair out of her eyes. His fingers were cold, and she shivered visibly. Kenshin pulled her close. "That's it." He let her go and Kaoru, surprisingly let him, surprisingly. Kenshin stood up, stretched a little, and unsheathed his sakabatou. "Now you die. Prepare to lose, Jira." They each prepared their fighting stances and Jira drew his sword.

Kaoru knew it was the time to step in. She jumped up and stood in front of Jira, blocking Kenshin from view. "Touch him and you die. I mean it. I have no oath to follow. I mean it," she warned. Jira laughed, "You've never killed a man before. I can see it in your eyes." "There's a first time for everything," she replied. "You won't be able to kill me. You just won't be able to." "You won't be able to kill an innocent woman," she countered coolly. "I won't need to." "Oh yeah?" "Yeah." "I don't know." "OK, who?" "Me." "You?" "Yes. To kill or even just touch Kenshin, you're just going to have to kill me first." "Fine then, I'll kill you." "You won't be able to." "Watch me." Jira smirked. He swung his sword, just missing her neck. Her hair billowed slightly in the wind of its trail. Kaoru flinched. "Ha! You're afraid of death!" Kaoru didn't move. He swung his sword again, leaving a small scratch on her neck. She held her hand against it, her hand stiff with both the pain and the shock, but she did not flinch this time and did not move from her spot on the floor. He did not swing his sword this time, but instead kicked her hard in the knee. She collapsed on that side, but managed to remain standing, though just barely. "You don't know when to give up, do you?" He thrust his sword, not too deep, in the fleshy area right between her chest and shoulder. Blood pooled out and splashed onto the floor. She cried out in pain, and hot tears fell freely from her pain-filled eyes.

"Kaoru, koishii, please move," came Kenshin's voice from behind her. "No." "Kaoru," he said warningly. "No." "Kaoru, as your husband, I order you to move." "And as your wife, kenshin, I say no." "Kaoru, move. Now!" Kaoru stopped. Kenshin had never spoken to her that way. "No, Kenshin. Nothing will move me, save my own death." Kenshin gave up arguing and stepped in front of her. Kaoru merely paid him the same respect. Kenshin realized she wasn't about to give, so hestood behind her, sword at the ready, and prepared to jump in front of her. Jira smailed, showing his teeth, and he swung his katana. Kenshin jumped in front of kaoru, parrying the blow with his own sword. "Don't. Touch. Her," he said through clenched teeth.

Kaoru silently crept up behind Jira and kissed his neck lightly. He froze in surprise. Kenshin didn't stop to ask questions, but slashed him across his chest with his reverse-blade sword. Jira stumbled backward and Kaoru caught him. "Battousai, you're right. I understand now. I won't be a bringer of pain. Let me join my father. Please." He was slowly slipping in and out of consciousness. "Have courage. I will not kill you." "Please. I want to join my father." "Jira, anybody can die, but it takes true courage to live." "Don't be just anybody, be a man, be a true swordsman," said Kaoru quietly, "Live your life to the fullest. Be able to die an old man and be with your dad, both having lived your lives. Don't be with your dad, having found him through cowardice. Though quitting." Jira smiled at her. "I will." And her face swam before his eyes. He fainted and Kaoru placed him gently on the floor of her bedroom. Kenshin hugged her comfortingly.

"I'm sorry, Kenshin. I've made everything so difficult. I'm sorry for causing you so much worry." Kaoru hung her head. Kenshin lifted her face up gently. "If you hadn't caused me worry, I wouldn't love you any more than usual. The fact you did worry me hasn't made me love you any less. Koishii, it is my fault. I have been over-reacting a little recently." "A little?" Kenshin blushed. "It's alright. I don't blame you. I don't blame you at all." She hugged him back and he held her gently.