I thought I would update quickly so no one has to wonder what happens. I already have had one of my friends complain about leaving them hanging. (And it has only been out one day. Sigh.) Please read this and review it and tell me what you think. It is longer than the prologue don't worry. All right, on with the fan fiction.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin or any other characters related to this story.

Chapter 1 The Attack

"Miss Kaoru no!" He said running to her side. Kenshin shook her shoulders. "Kaoru! Kaoru!" Then he checked her pulse. It was still there, but she wasn't breathing.

He smiled with some relief. " There is still time. Hold on just a little longer Miss Kaoru. I apologize for what I am about to do. But I must." Kenshin said this aloud as if she could hear him. It made him feel a little better.

This is what made the rurouni nervous. Sword fighting is no problem. Talking is all right sometimes depending on the subject. Mouth to mouth . . . . that was a different story. What if Kaoru thought he was trying to put the moves on her? But, if he didn't . . . . . . . no, he couldn't think of that. There was no other choice. He would have to face her wrath later for this.

He tilted her head backwards. His lips touched hers and he felt how soft they were. Yet they were cold. Giving her the proper procedure over and over again he was becoming more stressed because it was not working. He was beginning to panic.

In his last attempt she choked when he was giving her breaths. Her eyes popped open and she saw and felt his lips on hers. She screamed and slapped him in confusion not realizing who he was.

"Orooo!" He screamed as he fell backwards. Kaoru realized then who he was and blushed. "Kenshin! I'm sorry! Are you okay? What the hell were you doing and what happened?" She was still confused and now quite angry to tell the truth. What had he been doing? How dare he take advantage of her while she was unconscious!

To her enragement he sat up with his Kenshin smile on and rubbing his cheek that she had slapped. "I am fine, that I am Miss Kaoru. You should be more worried about yourself that you should." She rubbed her chaffed neck and flinched in pain. Kenshin continued as she pondered. "As for what happened I do not know. I was about to ask you the same thing."

Kaoru looked up into his purple eyes and glared angrily. "Are you just trying to avoid my main question Kenshin?" She yelled.

He waved his arms and laughed nervously. "No! It's not what you think. You weren't breathing because of your injury and I was just helping you that I was. I promise you that that was all Miss Kaoru. Really."

She blushed again and sighed. Kenshin became serious then.

"Miss Kaoru? What can you remember?" He said changing the subject now that he knew it was safe. Kaoru rubbed her neck again and tried to remember.

"Well I-I remember hearing someone come in through the door . . . . . and then my neck hurt. I couldn't breathe. Then there was a whistle and whoever it was left. Then I don't remember."

"Someone is out to get you that is clear by your mark on your neck and the cord on the floor. Who they are though I do not know. Why they want you is not apparent either. I do promise you though that I will find out."

Kaoru smiled. "I know you'll find them Kenshin. I'll help you." As she stood up and tried to walk she fell.

Kenshin caught her and smiled. "Not right now. You are in no condition that you aren't. Tonight you shall stay in my room and I will watch over you. There is no way you can stay in this room when it is in this condition and they may come back for you. No harm shall come to you Miss Kaoru. I promise you. I will protect you."

Kaoru smiled and blushed even deeper. She knew Kenshin would keep his promise and she felt safe. Although she always wished he wasn't so sad at night and certain times. One thing she had learned about Kenshin was that he didn't like to talk about the past. She was glad because she didn't like to talk about Tomoe either. Sometimes though she wondered if it would be better for the both of them if they talked more about it.

He carried her to his room and set her down on his futon, which he never usually slept in anymore. Then he put the sheets over her and made her comfortable. It was so tempting to brush the hair out of her face and join her, but it was wrong and she was in danger. He instead walked to the window.

"Are you sure you want to do this Kenshin? You really don't have to. You look tired." She said this sincerely thinking the same thing that Kenshin was thinking about.

"I am sure Miss Kaoru. Don't worry about me. I can't seem to sleep anyway. I'll be fine."

Kenshin walked over to the door and stood guard then over back to the window. His left hand was always on his sword, ready. He was going to get these murderers for hurting Miss Kaoru if it was the last thing he ever did . . . . . .