Author's Note I really don't like typing these all the time. Just review and check out my other stories. I decided to keep the powers! LOL! I know some people wanted me to take it out because it was confusing, but I was an idea just hit me… and I assure you it hurt like *beep*! LOL! Potty mouth… -_- Any who… what do you want me to type here? C'mon just review telling me what you want up here! Advice column… funny junk… riddles… jokes… stupid things… quotes… fortune cookies… you get the idea! LOL! Power to the reviewers! O.o

Summary Amber eyes glowed eerily in the dark surrounding them. All he knew was that a soft heart wasn't a heart at all. It must be of stone, so as to carve the law of living: The strongest survives. Will a light pierce the dark abyss they call insanity?

Disclaimer I don't own Rurouni Kenshin so don't sue me.

King's Box

Chapter Sixteen: Happiness

I'm walking away,

From the troubles in my life.

I'm walking away,

Oh to find a better day.

I'm walking away.

Sometimes some people get me wrong,

When it's something I've said or done.

Sometimes you feel there is no fun,

That's why you turn and run.

-Craig David

Kaoru was so melancholy the next few days. She was supposed to return to Shishio… but, without the box? What will he do to Hiko-sama? That was the only thing she wanted to worry about. She knew that she could not just sneak him out. There would probably be thousands of guards. Soujiro was more distant now. Kaoru didn't know what happened, but his smile had slipped from his face and in its place was a frown. What was he thinking? Kaoru needed to know.

Kenshin also seemed to drift farther away from her… but, whenever she was alone, she could have sworn she felt his ki somewhere near her. It didn't matter. She would be leaving in a few days. She wouldn't have to worry about this anymore. All she would have to worry about is the box and the death that would come if she didn't find it. She didn't want to die… she didn't want Hiko-sama to die. She didn't want anyone to die. So… her powers could be used to heal and to kill. Kaoru picked up a small flower in her hand and willed it to grow. She imagined a beautiful flower, with blood red petals and leaves that were so green it made the grass envious. It happened. In her hand was that beautiful rose she imagined.

She willed the flower to die… to be burned and never be able to heal again. Fire burst from the palm of her hand and traveled up the rose, burning slowly like an old sadistic torture. The flower writhed in her hands and slowly collapsed in ashes. Kaoru felt tears sting her eyes. Why couldn't someone else be cursed with this power?

She was an instrument of healing… but, at the same time she could be an instrument of war. Kaoru closed her eyes and breathed in slowly. It didn't matter! As long as Hiko-sama lived, nothing mattered. Her own life was piteous to that of Hiko-sama. He had taken her in when he knew nothing of her. He had fed her although she never talked. He taught her how to fight when she in return brought danger on him. How she missed him! Her Hiko-sama… her father. She needed him safe. She wanted to be free of this worry and guilt.

********

Soujiro wandered aimlessly around the castle. The whole place was simply and elegantly decorated. It was elegance simply done. He lazily traced the long tapestry pattern with his finger.

Why did Shishio send him to kill Kaoru-chan if he needed her? Could he have changed his mind…? Poor Kaoru-chan. She loved Kenshin… He could tell. She was just too nervous to really tell him. She was too afraid of rejection. Kaoru was a loveable person, but she didn't know if someone would love her. Soujiro wandered around the castle and walked outside. He was so deep in thought; he didn't know where he was going.

"Himura-san…"

Soujiro stopped. There was Kenshin with Tomoe… again. They seemed inseparable. Although all they seemed to do was enjoy each other's silence… they looked content with each other.

But, Soujiro had a nagging feeling telling him that he has seen Tomoe before. He felt like he had met her and knew her… but, that couldn't be. He's never been here before, so how would he have met her? Something was telling him that she was bad.

******

Saito Hajime sat with his wife at home. Tokio was a lovely woman. The couple wasn't that old. They didn't have a child. No matter how they wished they did, they would never have one. Tokio was infertile. Saito held Tokio's hand and smiled in contentment. Tokio grinned up at him.

She was so different from other women. She had a mind of her own. She wouldn't let people push her around, not even him. He smiled as he remembered the first day they met. It was hate at first sight. Sure she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, but she didn't have the personality to fit it. She was so obnoxious and stubborn. That was when it started. Her unusual acts got him more and more intrigued with this lovely swan.

She insulted him at every turn and he turned his tongue against her too, but to every remark he made she had a smarter come back. It got him frustrated to the end of his limits and all he wanted to do was strangle her… but, that white neck in his hands… Although she acted tough, she still looked like a fragile beauty.

He was walking into water and soon he was in deep.

He started to want her… to want to know all about her. He found himself wondering how she was doing, what she was doing, and who she was with.

She had a mind… She talked and spoke about what she was thinking. Most of her ideas were great… some of them were not. But, at least she had the courage to talk about these things. Then a war broke out. The king wanted to know who had killed his mistress. This was only a year after Kaoru was born. His king suspected the Battousai, so Saito was sent to capture him… but, on the night of his departure Tokio came.

She fell to her knees and pleaded him not to go… He remembered it as if it was just yesterday…

Flashback

"Saito!"

Saito turned and saw Tokio running down the road in a beautiful black kimono. He was surprised she could run so fast in it… But, she always seemed to surprise him.

She collapsed in front of him and buried her hands into his shirt.

"Don't go!"

"Why?"

Tokio looked up at him with those beautiful, big, brown eyes. She looked ready to hit him, but decided against it.

"Baka! Don't you see…? I love… I love you." She shivered and Saito grew warm inside. He gathered her into his arms and held her close. His comrades in arms watched with growing snickers.


Saito threw them a glare and they all rode away, but he could tell that they were still watching.

"Baka… baka… baka…" Tokio wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shirt.

Saito smiled.

"Since when?"

"What?"

"Since when have you started loving me?"

"Since I first met you."

Saito smiled.

"Me too… me too, my love."

"Baka, what are you thinking?"

"After years of marriage, you still call me that?"

"It suits you."

Saito shook his head.

"I was thinking about that time when you stopped me from going after the Battousai."

Tokio blushed. "That…"

"Yes… Tokio, why exactly did you fall in love with me?"

"Honestly, it was because you never seemed disgusted with my attitude and you didn't woo me because of my beauty."

"Tokio…"

"Saito, I love you."

"Me too… me too, my love."

TO BE CONTINUED…

I hope you're not mad that this chapter is really short… It's just that I didn't know what to write… Any ideas? LOL! I wanted to put a little Saito and Tokio… I didn't really know how Tokio acts so I just put what I think she acted like. LOL! Oh well… -_- Happy days! =^.^=

Thank you my loyal reviewers!

Now for the dynamic duo!

Rie {That was way too short!)

^_^ {Then why don't you make it longer?)

Rie {I don't know… hey! Why don't you do the writing and I sit around doing nothing?!)

^_^ {Hey! I resent that! Sitting around doing nothing is work!)

Rie {Liar!)

^_^ {So what was the topic we're discussing today…?)

Rie {This is a random thingy!)

^_^ {I think someone needs a nap… or some tranquilizers…)

Rie *grabs ^_^ and tries to strangle her* {DIE! DAMN YOU DIE!)

Rie *stops and calms down* {I hope you enjoyed the story and I hope you to see your review!)

*dun dun dun dun*

LOL! Great job crew! We'll knock them out next time!