4

Alex: " Now Naomie…"

Slowly Alex's voice trailed off into a whisper. Her expression turned to surprise as she stared at the man in front of her. Kaoru and the others looked from Kenshin to Alex, puzzled.

Alex: " …Shinta…"

Chapter 3: In Your Heart

Kaoru looked from Alex to Kenshin.

Shinta?

Kaoru: " Kenshin, do you know her?"

Kenshin, however, didn't seem to hear her. But his expression told her everything. He did know her and whatever it was, she could tell that it was painful.

Megumi: " I think we should go in the other room."

The others nodded and Naomie showed them to the room adjacent to the one they were in. Once the door shut there was only quiet.

Alex: " Shinta?"

Alex took a step toward Kenshin, but when he started and backed up against the wall, she stopped.

Alex: " Shinta, it's me. I promise."

Kenshin's expression became even more pained as he slowly slid down the length of the wall. His right leg was bent up and he used his left hand to keep himself steady. He bent his head and brought his right hand up to it as if it hurt him. Alex could hear his breathing become heavy. She stood there not sure of what to do when suddenly an idea came to her. Slowly she took a step forward and when Kenshin didn't move she continued. She kneeled down directly in front of him and placed her left hand on his chest, directly over his heart.

Alex: " Shinta, it's me. Remember what I said to you that day. I told you that no matter what, somehow, we would see each other again. I told you until that day came that I would always be here, in your heart."

Slowly Kenshin brought his right hand down and took hers. He looked up into her face with the same pained expression. Alex saw a tear come down his cheek. She smiled slightly and with her right hand she placed it on his cheek, over the scar.

Alex: " I made a promise to you Shinta, and I would never break that promise."

Slowly she leaned her head down to rest on his chest and closed her eyes. She brought her right hand down and gripped his haori. She stayed that way for a few seconds when she felt Kenshin wrap his arms around her. He closed his eyes and slowly bent his head to rest against hers.

Kenshin: " Alex."

Alex smiled against him and kept her hold on him. Kenshin's grip on her tightened as well, as if he thought she would disappear the moment he opened his eyes. They stayed that way for a few minutes when Alex finally pulled back slightly to look at Kenshin's face. She smiled; the pained look in his eyes seemed to have lessened. She slowly brought her right hand up and with the back of her fingers touched his cheek. Kenshin closed his eyes again, as if to savor the touch.

Kenshin: " Alex, how…"

But before he could continue, Alex shook her head and placed her finger over his lips.

Alex: " I'll explain everything soon, I promise, but first I just want to stay like this, just a little longer."

Kenshin smiled as she leaned her head back down to lie on his chest. He took his right hand and gently laid it behind her head. He leaned his head back against the wall and looked up at the ceiling. His mind was still racing. Images of that day 10 years ago flashed before him. He remembered the events that had taken place, remembered the words she had barely been able to get out. Kenshin had always wanted to believe her but, as the years had gone by, he had slowly given up hope of ever seeing Alex again. And yet, here she was, as real and solid as any other human being. He was almost afraid to believe it, afraid that he would wake up tomorrow to find that it had all been a dream. Slowly he closed his eyes, wanting to think of nothing but Alex.

The others followed Naomie, who had thought it better if they have their own rooms.

Naomie: " It looks like you might be here for a little while."

So Kaoru and Megumi stayed in one room while Sano and Yahiko were in another.

Naomie: " I will have someone bring you some food and tea."

Once the door had shut, kaoru went over to the window and sat down in the chair in front of it. She looked out at the mountains that over looked the mansion and sighed. This woman, Alexia, obviously meant something to Kenshin.

I guess we were never meant to be.

Megumi watched Kaoru by the window. She had known for a while that Kaoru was starting to have feelings for Ken-san, and she also knew that as much as he cared for Kaoru that he didn't share the same feelings.

Knock, knock

Megumi: " Yes?"

Servant: " I have food and tea for you."

Megumi: " Thank you."

The servant sent the tray on a table next to the door.

Servant: " If you need anything, just let us know."

Megumi: " Thank you. We will"

Quietly the servant bowed and then made her way out of the door. Megumi got up and poured both her and Kaoru some tea.

Megumi: " Here, why don't you have some tea? Then maybe we can see if there is a library here."

Kaoru took the cup and drank some of the tea.

Kaoru: " Alright. That sounds fun."

Wow three chapies already. Ok so it's not that big a deal, but hey, what can I say. E-N-Ways, plez R/R, I could use the comments, I'm not sure how this is gonna go and if I don't get enough good reviews, I don't know if I will continue or not. Oh and no flames, I mean if you didn't like the story, just don't review, I mean think about it, it's just one less bottom to push and less to write, right? Ok, I think that's all. Until the next chapie.

Burning Phoenix