CHAPTER 10

AUTHOR NOTE - I know all of you were like yelling, "KYOTO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! NANI?????????" (LOL)

And thanks for saying cool hair!!! My hair is kinda like that, cept mine is up to my shoulders (maybe a bit longer...) and it's black but has red highlights!!!!!!!! (LOL) It's posted on my profile on FF.net.

Disclaimer - Do I even have to say????????? -.-

"Kyoto! But...... Keiko......why? Why?" Botan shrieked, stammering.

Keiko looked down, her eyes filling with tears, "Botan.... I'm sorry... Gomen......gomen na san..... but ... I need to do this... I need... I need to leave. To forget......."

Botan's eyes burned anger, "Tokyo's big enough! Why can't you just stay here?!"

"I'm sorry Botan.... I ....... I just.... have to!" Keiko shrieked. Tears fell, her cheeks dampening.

Botan glared, her eyes filling with tears as well, with a last look, Botan pushed past Keiko, making her stumble back word and hitting the floor. "Bo....tan....." Keiko mumbled.... Her head down..... tears falling once again.

+ *Week Later*

Botan knocked on Keiko's door, her head down. Her blue hair was in her normal high ponytail, wearing a white and purple jumper with white sneakers.

Keiko opened the door, her hair tucked behind her ears. Wearing a long pale dress with white slippers on. Keiko wiped her mouth once more, surprised Botan was even looking at her. She opened the door wider, her suitcases packed, bags next to it. Her bullet train to Kyoto left tomorrow morning. "Botan....."

"Keiko. Listen. I'm sorry... I just......don't want things to be different...... I want everything to be the same again......."

"Botan.....I ...... know how you feel.....but I have to do this......." Botan nodded, hugging her tightly and coming in.

*HOUR LATER*

Keiko chuckled slightly, her stomach churning. "Time flies, don't it?"

"Yeah...."

Keiko got up form her bed, looking at her full length mirror. "Am I getting fat?"

"hmmmm...... your stomach seems ever so slightly out ...... but the rest is fine. Have you been eating a lot?"

"I'm eating the same as usual......"

"Oh, well, maybe it's your time of the month..."

"Yeah.....but I haven't had mine for a month.... Oh my GOD! It can't be?"

Botan looked shocked, her eyes widening, "It's Hiei's ne?"

Keiko nodded, her face blushing.

"You have to tell him. You must!"

Keiko shook her head, "No! I can't..... I can't face him..."

"But that.....that person in you......is also Hiei's child.."

"I just can't...." Keiko stammered..

* Tomorrow*

Keiko wore a pink turtleneck tank top, a pink and a light blue skirt with pink boots. Her hair tucked behind with a white hat on her head. Blue earrings shimmered on her ears. One big and one medium size suitcases were next to her. With a duffel bag and her white purse.

Botan behind her, eyes filling with tears once again. Keiko turned around and face Botan. "Botan. I have one favor to ask of you. Please. Please don't tell Hiei about .....about me being pregnet."

"I won't... I promise.."

Keiko's brown eyes filled with tears, hugging Botan tightly. "I'll never have a best friend like you. A cool, perky and funky person like you. I love you. I love you as my own sister."

Botan nodded, her body shaking. Her knees buckled against her jeans, her body trembling from sadness.

Keiko's tears fell, "I'll call you as soon as I get to my new apartment." Botan nodded once more, biting her lip, Keiko turned back as workers took her suitcases and loaded them on the train.

Keiko turned back the last time, walking away. Leaving her old life behind, her old self behind.

"Please board the bullet train now. It will be departing soon." A pleasant woman's voice rang through the crowd.

Keiko walked in, her eyes flooding with tears. 'Goodbye.....' Keiko silently thought. 'Goodbye Botan. Goodbye, Hiei.'

Author Note - HEY! Hope you like so far!!!!! I'm planning to end this story with maybe 2 more chapters.. I already have the lay out and I'm eager to write it down on words before I forget! (LOL) Any ways, if this isn't Romance/Angst, then I'm changing it to that cause the final chapters will be VERY sad. Or maybe, the last chapter will be VERY sad....... *thinks* (LOL) but the last will be long I'm guessing.... (LOL)

Well, Hope you enjoyed!!!!!!!!! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!

JA FOR NOW!!!!!!!!! ^.~

HEY! A special surprise! Parts of my new fic Tragic Past!

~ If your strong, you live, If your weak, you die ~

Soujiro flew past the trees, the wind brushing against his face, his hair following the currents.

Even though weeks had past since his battle with Kenshin Himura, they still flew through his mind. Pictures of their battle entered in and out of his mind. The clash of swords rang in his ears. The smell of blood entering his senses.

And yet, the words Mr. Shishio told him, engraved in him still haunted him. "If your strong, you live, if your weak, you die."

Flashes of a sake bottle smashing on his head when little entered his mind as he flew past the scenery. His so-called family beating him endless, their rough hands slapping and punching him. His blood soaking his ragged clothes.

And yet, another flash back filled his head. A picture of a beautiful woman dressed in a crimson kimono. Her brown hair billowed out, held loosely with a white ribbon. Her dark olive green eyes pierced your soul. They were the eyes of a swordsman. Her pale neck had a silver pendant with the engravings of a word that could not be read... Miyoko...... her name was Miyoko.

His mind whirled him into his past. Into the time he was but a young teenager, learning how to master the training Mr. Shishio gave him.

He had met her in Tokyo. The towns people had been bustling with gossip at the new arriver. It was Miyoko. She was in some sort, a wanderer, with hidden talents of swordsmanship. A long Japanese sword was belted around her slender waist. Her uniform, the color white was what she had worn. Her eyes had a foreboding look to them, daring the people to directly stare at her.

Bad or good? I know I ended it kinda bed but oh well. (LOL) Hope it's good!!!! PLEASE REVIEW THAT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!