A/N: Ish done guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I truly am sorry for the delay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, the teachers are being evil....sigh You would think they would get tired of essays after the billionth one...Same goes for tests.....ANYWHO, I would blab more.....but I truly think after that demon of a cliff hanger I left last time, you would kinda like to read this one........And thanks are also down at the bottom to all of you awesome reviewers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GUYS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 8, 2004 Data Log Entry: Okay. This chapter will now be edited with Ch. Numb in mind. That's all I have to say for now! starts laughing like a maniac again.

Disclaimer: (I know I said I would stop blabbing, but this is necessary!!!!!!!!!!) I do not own Kenshin and co.......BUT Kenshin Himura owns part of my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, credit goes where credit is due, THANK YOU SILVER ARCHER!!!!!!!!!!! HOPE YOU ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dancing in a Rain of Blood

It's My Life

"I would kill for you."

Kaoru bit her lower lip. This was not happening. What Kenshin said had double meaning, she knew it. How had they gotten so far from those happy days? She looked up, a smile hiding the despair consuming her. "But, Kenshin, I...you....you didn't break your vow. I...I ran in front of your attack to make sure you didn't break it! I was going to live!"

Kenshin briefly opened his eyes, caught a little off guard by the emotion registering in her eyes. Denial.

"I wasn't going to let you break your vow! I WAS GOING TO LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kaoru shrieked. She felt like she was being torn apart. She was going to lose him, she was going to lose Kenshin. Her hands clutched her head as she shook her head from side to side, wisps of raven hair clinging to her face. "No.no.no..no...no..NO!!!!!!" She let out another shriek. Memories were surfacing, unwanted memories. Memories of blood spraying across shiny dojo floors, dead eyes falling down to the earth, hitting the ground with sickening thumps. Kaoru felt numb, her mind's vision was in black and white. The memories wouldn't end, every time it seemed like it would, it repeated.

Kenshin was frozen. He couldn't understand her. He couldn't. She was calm and smiling one minute, her pretty eyes glazed over with unspoken sadness. And now, she was screaming. His eyes remained widened in shock at the scene playing out before him.

"Busu?" Yahiko asked, concerned for his teacher.

Kaoru looked up, her eyes wide. They were filled with intangible pain, she bit her lip again. A smooth trail of blood slid down her lower lip.

'Tomoe.' That face. The sadness and regret covering Ms.Kaoru's face was almost exactly the same as Tomoe's. The enthusiasm and joy that had once graced her features had died. "Ms.Kaoru." He breathed, his golden eyes flickering in the candlelight. He stepped forward and reached out a callused hand to her lip. He slowly wiped the blood away and licked it off the tip of his finger. He leaned into her and whispered something in her ear. "Sleep. You'll feel better in the morning."

Kaoru nodded, speechless. She couldn't place the fleeting memory of fear and pain anymore. She felt like a small child. Weak, defenseless, pathetic. She hated that word, pathetic. She slowly crawled into the covers, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Even though she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, the tears never ceased.

Megumi sighed, she had recovered somewhat from the outburst. She began once more wiping the wet cloth across the younger woman's pale face.

Kenshin straightened himself and slid outside onto the patio. He looked up and searched the sky. Tonight there was no moon. But that didn't keep old memories from flowing into his consciousness. He blinked and stars dripped with blood in his eyes.

"Yo, Kenshin." Sano leaned against a post, chewing on a fish bone. "Why do you think Jou-chan broke down like that?"

"I was wondering that too." Yahiko flopped down.

Kenshin heaved a sigh mentally, but managed to keep his iron façade on. "I don't know."

"Hey, Kenshin."

"Yes Yahiko?"

"I was thinking..."

"What is it?"

"Well, I never really found out why you came to Kyoto in the first place."

"It is not of your immediate concern." With that, Kenshin turned and started to slide the door open to Kaoru's room.

"Are you going to start killing again?" Sano raised an eyebrow.

Kenshin paused. "Sano, this Meiji era is crumbling. Of this I am now sure, so to answer your question I will start protecting the happiness of those who are weak." Kenshin disappeared through the door.

Sano growled. "Yo Kenshin!! That's not fair! You answered my question with a riddle!"

Kenshin ignored Sano's complaint and Megumi's hesitant glance as he strode out into the hall. He could hear small whispers coming from the room he was heading to. He needed the remaining details of tomorrow night from Katsura. Accompanying this midnight discussion now were small snores and sighs coming from the once vacant rooms. The Oniwabanshu were home. Kenshin briefly wondered how Misao was taking all of this.

"Katsura-san."

"Ah, Himura, we've been waiting."

Yahiko dangled his legs back and forth over the porch. "Tomorrow night there will be a crescent moon." He sighed. "Sano?"

"Yeah squirt?"

"What do you think Kenshin meant by what he said?"

"Who knows."

Megumi slid out of the room as quietly as a fox and joined the pair. She let out a large sigh.

Yahiko turned, an expectant look in his eyes. "How's busu?"

"She....She's stressed. She'll live, I think. This is only a prediction based on how stubborn she is though."

All of their heads drooped in dismay. A blanket of uncomfortable silence covered them.

"Did you see how odd Kenshin's acting? I've never seen him be so bold with Jou-chan." Sano switched the fish bone to the other side and began to grind at it.

Megumi and Yahiko nodded.

"Well." Megumi hesitated. "Now, I've only heard of this, but some people have been said to have alter egos or split personalities. I've never come into contact with a solid case, I think Sir Ken might be the first."

"Split personalities?!" Yahiko jumped up.

"What the heck does that mean Fox?!" Sano glared at the doctor in front of him.

"Calm down! A split personality is where a person has two personalities inhabiting one being. Sir Ken has two distinct ones: the wanderer and the manslayer. Though."

"Oh, I see now. So, what we're seeing now is the manslayer." Yahiko got down off his toes, suddenly calm.

Sano nodded. "But, what's the 'though' for?"

"I lived through the revolution, so did rooster boy over here. But, Yahiko hasn't."

"Yeah, so?" Sano leaned on the post again.

"I only thought Hitokiri Battousai was a legend, a myth. But, I have to wonder if Sir Ken wasn't a manslayer of the type we've been presuming due to the things I've heard."

"Woah! There were types?!"

"Yes Yahiko, some manslayers killed without worrying about their position being known. You could say they were a little too confident and they loved to show off, and who had already given into the blood lust. But, there was also another kind, a more dangerous kind."

Sano instantly caught on for once. "So, what you're saying is Kenshin was a shadow assassin?"

"Precisely, said to be working for the devil himself." This silenced all of them, they had a lot on their minds.

"Well, I'll see you two in the morning, you can sleep out here." Megumi stepped back into the room.

Yahiko and Sano nodded, too lost in their own thoughts to object.

Sunlight streamed in through the wooden barred windows. Kaoru fidgeted, the sun was too bright. Her head was throbbing, but then again so was her whole body. She gulped, her throat parched and dry. She tried to sit up, only to fall back with a yelp. She lifted up a finger and gingerly touched her shoulder. Tears blurred her vision again. She looked around and saw that her room was vacant save her.

Kenshin walked out onto the porch, watching the red sun rise into the sky, birds chirped and leaves rustled in the early morning breeze. But, he didn't seem to notice anything except what was going on inside of his head. He was reviewing last night's conversation, thinking about it, weighing it, memorizing it. He let out a small sigh and worked out the kinks in his neck. Then he went to see how Kaoru was doing.

Kaoru had finally managed to sit up, after numerous painful tries. She jumped a little as Kenshin stepped into the room suddenly. A fake smile stretched across her lips as she removed trails of tears from her face with the backs of her hands. "Morning Kenshin, did you get any sleep last night?"

Kenshin sighed, frustrated with her futile attempts at pretending things were normal. "No, did you?"

"I think, but I don't feel very rested." Kaoru sighed and looked down at her side. Another kimono that she had packed for their journey was resting by her futon. "I think I would like a bath." She thought out loud.

Before she realized she had said it aloud, Kenshin had her in his arms with the kimono clutched in one of his hands and new bandages in the other. Kaoru stuttered, protesting that she could of tried to walk on her own, only to be silenced by Kenshin's eyes.

Kenshin walked down the porch to the bathhouse. He slid the door open and gently set Kaoru, the clothes, and the bandages down. He then retreated back out the door and was soon heard heating up the bath.

Kaoru groaned. How long was it going to take to get used to this stone statue that was once Kenshin? She began to strip herself, wincing, but being careful not to make a noise. She felt the water with her index finger as her other hand undid the tie that held her hair together messily. She eased herself into the steaming water, perfect as usual. The raven locks weaved in and out on the template of steaming water, creating an intricate pattern. She sighed and let the water soothe her wounds. After she had finished cleaning up her body, she submerged her whole head under. She held it for as long as she could, then jerked up gasping for air. Her weak arms trembled as she supported herself lifting her body from the bath. Her exit was clumsy and water slopped over the edges, she almost tripped when she saw what color the water was. A light red. She had bled in the bath, the water dissolving the thin scab. 'This is not happening.' She thought as she began the messy and painful job of bandaging her open wounds. Even though the stitches prevented most of the blood from spilling, at the top of the gash the wound had not been deep enough for stitches. She slipped on the black kimono with beautiful blue lilies, she barely ever wore this one. But, somehow she felt tonight might be special. She pulled her hair up and took her favorite indigo ribbon, Kenshin's blood stains still on it. She realized it fit after staring at it, the dried blood made swirls across the blue, fitting everything about her life now. She tied it in and began the long trek to the door of the bathhouse.

Once she finally completed the journey she took a deep breath and couldn't help smiling at her small triumph. As she slid the door open she froze. A man she had never seen before was standing on the porch of the Aoiya. He had a regal, dignified appearance. Her eyes narrowed in apprehension as she timidly limped forward.

The man turned his head toward her and smiled, his eyes warm. "Oh, hello. You must be Kaoru Kamiya, Himura's girl."

Kaoru nodded. "Who are you?"

"Katsura Kogoro. Himura used to work for me, back in the revolution."

"Oh."

"I would really like to get to know you more, to speak with you about some things. But, business calls me to go elsewhere, I'll see you soon."

Kaoru nodded again not being able to find another reply.

Kenshin appeared from the doorway also. "Done?"

Kaoru nodded, and giggled realizing that she had now nodded three times in a row. The bath had renewed her strength to some degree and had refreshed her. She chose not to even think about the color of the water or her condition or how long it would take until she could swing a bokken again.

"What's so funny?" Kenshin's voice had not changed, ice still drenched it and frost still covered his once friendly aura.

"Nothing." She began to get down when Kenshin appeared right beside her to help. "Kenshin! I'm fine!"

Kenshin gave her a look that clearly stated, 'I don't believe you.'

Kaoru pouted and let him help her to the porch and then into the Aoiya. "Kenshin, what time is it?" Kaoru's mind had just processed that the sun had just finished sinking into the horizon, darkness consuming the last traces of day.

"Close to nine."

"That late already?"

Now it was Kenshin's turn to nod. Kaoru sighed in response, a cool breeze whispering across the yard. She paused before giving into Kenshin's guiding arm to let it softly tousle her hair.

Kenshin stared at her through blood red bangs, she was so beautiful. And that's why he had to protect her, to keep her safe and make sure she never went through another revolution. That was the only hope he could cling to now, that there was the slightest chance for peace again. Then he guided her into the warm air of the Aoiya.

As soon as the door clicked shut, yells erupted from the direction of the dining area. The inevitable had happened, Yahiko Myojin had met Misao Makimachi Okina. Kaoru followed the noise curious, supporting herself by the wall. Meanwhile, Kenshin had been reluctantly waved away by a certain police officer into a dark room.

Kenshin shut the door and then kneeled down in front of a low table. Saito leaned against the back wall, taking a long drawl from his cigarette. A lumpy bag was carefully set in the middle of the table.

"What's this?" Kenshin looked up, his golden eyes gleaming blankly in the last few streams of orange-red light coming from the small window.

"Along with your long sword, which I can see you have already become quite attached with once more, we found some other belongings in the temple. This makes me think even more, along with Katsura, that this event was staged."

Kenshin agreed silently and reached out to the bag, prepared for whatever he would find inside.

"LOUD STUPID WEASEL GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!" Insults flew from Yahiko's tongue in a tone that could at least be called a yell.

Misao's face turned red, her fists clenched, she countered his insults with her own roars. "YOU SHOULD TALK YOU STUPID LITTLE PIPSQUEAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"LITTLE?!!!!!!!!! OH, THAT IS SO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yahiko tackled Misao.

Misao quickly dodged to the side and stuck out her tongue. "Don't you ever think you can top me! I'm one of the strongest members of the Oniwabanshuu. So, if you wanna bring it on kid, just try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Misao brandished some kunais, holding them skillfully between her fingers.

Yahiko was about to make a second pounce when he processed one word from Misao's speech. He froze. "You're..part...of the....Oniwabanshuu?"

"Yeah! What did you think I said?!"

Yahiko got out his bokken and prepared a stance, "Then that's even more reason to fight you! Kenshin and I fought the Oniwabanshuu back in Tokyo and defeated them! They were all jerks! They tried to poison me and were working for some slime ball drug dealer named Kanryu as body guards or something!"

"What.THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!! LORD AOSHI WOULD NEVER WORK FOR SOMEONE LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kenshin fought your so called 'lord' Aoshi and won!"

Misao gasped and clamped her hands to her ears, stomping up and down. "I WON'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! I WON'T! I WON'T! I WON'T!"

"You will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kaoru finally cut in, sensing that things could only go down hill from this. "Yahiko! That's enough! We got a wrong first impression of the Oniwabanshuu, they're really very good people! That's why Kenshin and I are staying here!"

Yahiko snorted defiantly and turned his back on Misao. "Whatever."

"Hmph!" Misao copied him.

"I knew this was bound to happen." A chuckle startled them all as Saito appeared from the darkness of the hall. He sighed and took another drawl of his cigarette. "The carriage should be here by now."

"Carriage?" Everyone blinked and studied Saito's face, looking for a clue as to what was going on.

"Yes. Or is that too hard for you idiots to process? Moron, how is your brain faring?"

Sano jumped up and confronted his arch nemesis. "Oh yeah!? Well, my brain is handling it just fine thank you! But, your body won't be doing too good after I get done with you!!!!!!!!"

"Oh, really. I would like to see you try, moron." Saito seemed very amused by Sano's outburst.

"Sano please, now is not the time to fight."

Everyone jumped again, but when their heads turned to the familiar voice, their shock was even greater than before. All eyes in the room were now on Kenshin Himura.

'He just keeps on changing more and more.' Kaoru thought exhausted.

Kenshin stepped past them all to the front door. His wardrobe had changed drastically. He was now wearing a dark blue gi and dark gray hakamas. Adorning his hands were black hand guards, crawling up his forearms. At his hip were two sheathed swords. He fitted the last one and tilted his head to the side slightly.

"Ah. Now, don't get impatient Battousai, the carriage should be here now." Saito took a minute to look at his pocket watch.

"It's here." Kenshin quietly stated as he stepped into the darkness.

Nobody said or did anything, they were too shocked. Where could they possibly be going? What could they be hoping to accomplish tonight?

Only Okina spoke, but most of the people didn't hear him. "I can only hope there will only be a few to die by your sword tonight."

Kenshin stepped out into the darkness and looked up at the sky. A sliver of a moon hung over Kyoto, clouds dusting the almost black sky. A chilly wind continuously blew through the streets, making wind chimes play a haunting tune. Saito stepped out beside him and led the way to a small carriage. The horses in front stomped and snorted, the driver in front solemn, not saying a word, but obviously knowing of the events that would occur that night.

Kenshin was about to step into the carriage after Saito when the delayed reaction from the people inside the Aoiya finally came.

Yahiko came rushing out, barely raising his voice for fear he might wake someone. "Kenshin! I'm coming with you!"

Kenshin stepped back down and turned to face him. "No Yahiko, I want you to stay here."

"I don't care what you say, I'm coming with you!"

Kenshin was just about to speak again when Saito cut him off. "The boy's coming, Battousai."

Kenshin whirled around, "What?!"

"Katsura said if he asks, he comes. You have no say in the decision."

"All right!" Yahiko gulped and stepped into the carriage.

Kenshin grinded his teeth together in annoyance.

The grinding only increased as a familiar rooster head followed Yahiko's example. "If the brat gets to come, then so do I."

"Sano." Kenshin warned.

"Oh, so now the moron wants to come." Saito smirked.

"Yeah! I do, and if you got a problem let's settle it!"

"Quiet moron, and get in. The same deal goes for you."

"I don't see a reason why either of them need to be accompanying us." Kenshin snarled, desperately trying to gain control of the situation.

Saito's smirk only grew, he was immune, but could also tell what the red head was trying to accomplish. "Sorry Battousai, orders are orders."

Kenshin let out one more disapproving growl and turned to step into the shadowed carriage.

Saito paused for a half a second more as ordered, too short for Kenshin to notice so he could object or question the delay.

Saito's pause served it's purpose. A frantic cry came accompanied by a pattering of soft footsteps. Kenshin froze.

"Kenshin!!!!!!" Kaoru yelled, limp-running across the dirt street. "Kenshin! I'm coming too!!!!!!"

Kenshin turned around, exasperation showing in his eyes. "Ms.Kaoru, I would really rather you not."

"I'm not going to be bossed around any longer! I'm coming too and that's final!" Kaoru's eyes glistened with streams of moonlight and defiance.

"Kaoru." Kenshin's voice came out as a half plea, half groan. The tone sent shivers up and down Kaoru's spine. This was only the second time he had said her name without the 'Ms' and the first time he had used that tone.

Kaoru gulped.

"She's coming too." Saito added as he joined Sano and Yahiko. The two watched the interaction with great interest.

Clear irritation was now reflected in Kenshin's eyes and voice. "I forbid it."

"So, you defy Katsura's orders?"

Kenshin clamped his mouth shut. 'Damn him.' Kenshin reluctantly took Kaoru by the arm, guiding her into the carriage. "Sit beside Saito, Ms.Kaoru."

Kaoru nodded and plopped herself down on the seat beside Saito. She looked out the window and across the street to the Aoiya. She was right beside the window, Kenshin across from her. Yahiko sat beside him, Sano slumped beside Yahiko. With a squeak and a groan of the carriage it started down the street at a medium pace. The trip to wherever was silent and tense. Kaoru could sense everyone's aura was alert to the slightest sound or movement.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a building where the light had just flickered out. From the looks of it, it was another inn. Kenshin opened the door and quietly slid out.

"Yo Kenshin, where are you going?" Sano leaned into the middle.

"Shut up, moron." Saito coolly stated.

"I can talk whenever I want to Saito!!!!!!" Sano growled in challenge. "Right Kenshin?" Sano blinked, Kenshin had disappeared.

"Where'd he go????!!!!!!!" Sano and Yahiko exclaimed.

"Why do you think a shadow assassin is called a shadow assassin? Because they don't allow themselves to be seen, moron."

"We knew that."

Kaoru blocked their little argument completely from her mind. Her eyes and thoughts were plastered to the scene unfolding before her. As soon as voices cut through to them, everyone was also silenced. Two small lanterns dangled to and fro carried by two very big men. Their faces were hard, obviously body guards of sorts. Two more lanterns and bodyguards were a few feet behind. In the middle were two men, complete opposites. The first was skinny and gnarled, resembling a decrepit old tree. His thinning silver hair was tightly tied back into a stub of a ponytail. His eyes were sinister slits, his thin lips twisted into an ugly smirk. The other man was taller and bigger. He had a potbelly and squinty little eyes that had a mean look to them, his chubby cheeks were twisted into a similar smirk. As the lantern light washed over the area in front of them, the laughter coming from the two men stopped.

Kenshin, head bowed was standing in front of them.

"And who are you?" The elder man demanded in an amused and dusty tone.

"Yes, who are you and what business do you have with us?" The other man chuckled, his voice rich and deep.

"Kento Tachigawa. Reko Makuchi. Your lives now belong to me." Kenshin slid into a stance, his hand hovering over the hilt of his long sword.

"Excuse me?" Kento's old voice squeaked.

The four bodyguards sent up a roar of laughter accompanied by the two men, but tightened the circle none the less.

"You! You resemble a girl!" The first bodyguard grinned. "You have no strength!!!!! I could crush you with my bare hands!!!!" This elicited more laughter from the group.

Kenshin grinded his teeth together, blinked for a second and then sprung forward unsheathing the deadly silver from it's hiding place. 'These years of peace have made people careless with their tongues and lives.'

The first body guard's eyes widened in amusement as he drew his sword to parry Kenshin's strike, succeeding. "Oh, I'm sorry, are you serious?"

The rest of the bodyguards drew their swords while Reko and Kento watched the entertainment being provided for them.

Kenshin grinded his teeth more as he took a small step back. He couldn't help it. He was holding back. A part of him was still clinging desperately to what remained of his torn vow. He went to defense, parrying blow after blow easily. The former man slayer had yet to break a sweat while the bodyguard's foreheads had begun to drip and their breathing harder.

"Fast little thing, aren't you?" One of them heaved.

Kenshin didn't even acknowledge the man as he continued to try and attack, holding back at the last second, and parrying. Kenshin bit his lip and narrowed his eye's further. This could not go on. If he didn't carry out the plan quickly, Saito would yell to him to 'hurry up'. He couldn't let that happen. That would reveal their hiding place. Yahiko and Sano's hiding place. Ms.Kaoru's hiding place. Kenshin pulled back, loading the spring that was his body and let go. His mind cleared as a thought and roar resounded in his mind and through the haunted streets of Kyoto. "FOR KAORU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He flew through the air toward the first bodyguard. The body guard attempted to stop the attack, only to fail.

Kenshin thrusted the sword into the man's gut, then with barely a heave tore it up through the chest to the neck. He flipped the blade and ripped it out of the flesh, snapping the spinal cord. The first man slumped to the ground in a bloody heap, the lantern shattering to the ground. The light flickering out along with part of the vow. The other men let out angered and worried yells, the bodyguards finally taking things seriously. One of them lunged forward, swinging his sword wildly. Kenshin ducked and before the man could swing another time, he was behind him. The man's head soon rolled across the dirty street. Another light flickered out. Before the next man could react he was in half, staining the streets further, the last bodyguard died in a similar fashion. Now, all of the light was gone and darkness reigned in Kyoto and in Kenshin Himura. The two main targets backed up, fear shuddering through them.

Battousai walked two steps forward then sprinted to Reko. He shoved the mirror red blade into the big man's neck then twirled around while driving the sword upwards, splitting the skull. The last man cowered in fear on the wet, sticky ground. His eyes locked onto the dead man in front of him. He looked up suddenly, feeling cold metal resting on his forehead. Battousai's amber eyes glinted menacingly in the darkness.

"Y-y-yo-you're Hi-hito-hito-kiri B-ba-ttousai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Yes."

With a quick flick of the wrist, the man's head was also split open. Blood gushed from the body onto Battousai. He swung the sword, blood spraying from it. He quickly sheathed it and left the gory scene to decay in the night.

Saito watched as the man slayer in his view was reborn. 'Battousai, you have now been fully awakened. Now, I can fight you.'

Sano gulped. 'Man, I never knew Kenshin was this good at what he did. I'll have to keep in mind not to fight him when he's like this.'

Yahiko was too speechless to talk and so much that he could barely think. He had never seen something like this. 'Is this what the revolution was like? How often did Kenshin brutally kill people? Why did he start doing this in the first place?!'

Silver tears blurred Kaoru's vision. "All of this..for me? Why Kenshin? You were fine. You had kept your vow. And yet, you still agree to start killing people once more for me? What do you think it'll accomplish now? I'm scared. But, I've always wanted to stay by your side. I've never been afraid of you, until now. You're scary when you're like this. What are you going to do now? What's going to happen to you? To me? To us-" Kaoru's thoughts were cut off as Kenshin climbed into the carriage, dripping blood everywhere. It was like he had been caught in a rain of blood, he was drenched. He sat down in the same place, his eyes tightly shut.

Kenshin clenched his hands into fists, until his knuckles turned white. He had forgotten what this felt like. The extreme feeling of blood lust that was overwhelming him, threatening to steal his sanity away. His mind threatening to pour out all the pain, sorrow, and regret from a life he now felt he was reliving.

The trip back to the Aoiya was one of tense silence. No one daring to speak, they could see from the expression on their friend's face anything could probably set him off. The Aoiya looked barren, but so did the faces of Sano and Yahiko as they climbed from the carriage as they immediately headed for bed. Kenshin got out, then reached out a hand to Kaoru.

Kaoru had begun to hold out her hand, then saw Kenshin's hand encrusted in blood. She snapped the hand back involuntarily and bit her lip. Bad move. She watched with sad eyes as she saw Kenshin's own cat-like eyes turn downcast. Kaoru feeling guilty thrust out her hand to him and a fake smile stretched across her face. Kenshin took it and helped her out.

"I'll see you tomorrow Battousai."

Kenshin gave a curt nod, sending the carriage on its way. He helped the limping Kaoru into the Aoiya and down the dark halls into her room. He gently put her down onto the futon with a tenderness that had never left despite his drastic change.

Kaoru thanked him. "Um, Kenshin?"

Kenshin paused at the door to the outside courtyard.

"Aren't you sleeping in here?"

"I'll be back soon."

Kaoru nodded and watched as he slid the shoji open, staining everything he touched with red blood.

As soon as he was out of sight, Kaoru crawled to the open door. She flopped down and leaned against the doorframe. The sight she saw was something she never expected or would ever forget.

Kenshin was leaning over the well pulling up a bucket of water. He heaved it over his head and dumped the cool water over himself. The water ran down his body, drenching his clothes, then splashed to the ground. Kaoru took a closer look at the water. It was now pink. Kenshin repeated this over and over, despite the sudden cold gust of wind.

A/N: thinks (last night's thoughts, finished this at 1:07am, so I fell dead asleep) I'm gonna get my head chopped off for this, aren't I? grinz This is probably one of my favorite chapters, don't ask me why...I just think I did a good job on it....OH! And thanks to Silver Archer I realized a time problem in the chapters..Yes, it would take Megumi a long time to get to Kyoto, my estimate is around six hours...though I'm not sure...twitch Okay, Kenshin was on his way to Aoiya at around 8pm(it was dark by then), Yahiko and Sano arrived at around 8:15pm.....they were knocking on doors for at least five hours....laughs You know how stubborn Sano and Yahiko can get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Megumi finally arrived at around 2:15am roughly..They all got to bed really late, thus Kaoru woke up around 7pm, took an hour bath, by then it was 8pm, time for night.....Kenshin had been either talking with Saito, Katsura(and or), or just sitting around pondering about what was going to happen..I'm just attempting to clear some things up.....Okay, just a little heads-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I take a long time to get a chapter out, think of it this way, if it takes me a long time, I guarantee you it's gonna be good and long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, for the thank yous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SilverArcher: Thankyous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I liked the twist in yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You keep going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linay: THANX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait till your next chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it's gonna get a lot more intense!!!!!!!!!!!! ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LostDarkness: I actually was on a caffeine high when I wrote this, but that was to keep me up.THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND YES, I WILL KEEP WRITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Um, just realizes who you are Um, Sango-chan? That you? I think this is your username that you told me at lunch, but I don't remember.....But, I'm almost positive you are....The Ranma ½ and David Edding's fanfics gave it away......Tee hee....

Ari and Kat: You review my first chapter, so THANKYOU! Okie dokies, I'm done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Till next time!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's My Life: I have a confession to make.....every chapter I've written so far, I've listened to this song....I watch the music video that goes with it, courtesy of , (GO CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!! TIS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) The song fits, everything about Kenshin is in the song...Kenshin's heart was broken when he killed Tomoe..reference to lyrics This song I have officially named Battousai's Songthough it fits Kenshin too There it is! By Bon Jovi!!!!!!!!!!!!! All hail to the music video "It's My Life"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Made with clips from the first OVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I think)

Next chapter(though it may change):
With You