Authors Note: Sorry to say that this is the second-to-last chapter in this story unless I change my mind. I'm using some lyrics in this chapter, and they will be inside marks.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Rurouni Kenshin or Samurai X characters, but I do own Sazuma and Orune because I created them. The lyrics were composed by Ville Valo (lead singer in H.I.M.) and are copyrighted under Heartagram.

Over protection
Chapter 3

(Sazuma's point of view)

I woke up with a start in a bed that wasn't mine. I sat up and looked around at the bare walls of a Dojo I hadn't seem before. Where was I? Then it hit me: I was at Orune's apartment. I was trying to remember how I got here when I suddenly felt kind of cold, and that's when I realized that I was naked. I pulled the covers up over my chest. Why didn't I have any clothes on and where were my clothes? I dug around under the sheets and found them. They seemed kind of dirty, so I didn't put them back on just yet. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to remember what happened last night. I remembered Orune and I were making out and he took it too far but I let him continue…and…we…I guess…well I wasn't a virgin any more that's for sure. I smiled to myself happily. I had "given" myself to the man I loved, and there was no one I would rather have done so with. No wonder I was naked! Who the hell gets dressed after doing stuff like this? Speaking of that sexy bastard, where was he?

"Orune, sweetheart, where are you?"

"I'm in the kitchen dear. Do you feel ok?"

"Why would you ask that, of course I am."

"I was wondering when you would get up. After we…finished… you kind of passed out."

"Really?"

"Don't you remember? Did I do that badly of a job? I'm sorry! This is so disgraceful! I thought we had a good time…"

"No no no! I'm just a little worried about…you know…"

"Oh… You know I love you, right?"

"How could I not know?"

"I would die for you Sazuma"

"I would do the same for you"

"I just wanted to let you know"

"I knew before quite clearly"

"Why don't you get dressed and I'll walk you home."

"Not that I wouldn't enjoy your company, but aren't you forgetting my dad will KILL YOU?!"

"I'm not gonna let you go alone even if I die for it, and besides the streets have been dangerous lately."

"That's so sweet…really it is, but…you could…my dad wi-"

"I said I would die for you, didn't I?…please…it's the least I could do to make up of all of the pain I've caused…"

"Oh Orune, you didn't cause me pain…my dad…he…I'll go get dressed."

I took my clothes to the bathroom and put them on after washing up. The cold well water splashed my face and dripped down my chin. I looked at the reflection of a tired looking girl that needed a break. I had to get away, I had to. But I couldn't leave Orune, it would kill him. I heard a soft sound coming from the bedroom. It sounded like a puppy that had been kicked too many times whimpering. I walked into the bedroom and found Orune sitting on the bed with his knees pulled up to his chest and his face buried in his hands. I walked over to the bed, got on the floor, crawled up behind him and put my arms around his waist. I pulled him close to me and I could tell he had been crying.

"Don't beat yourself up about it. It's not your fault he's like that…" I whispered in his ear as I let go of him with one arm and began to stroke his auburn hair. He nodded, paused then turned around. He smiled weakly as silent tears streamed down his face. A wave of sadness crashed over me. I hurt him more than he though he'd hurt me…

"We'll find a place where we can get away from all this, even if we find it in death" I said as we held each other close for the moment, not knowing what would happen next.

We started walking to the one place I wanted to burn to the ground, hand in hand, heart to heart. The fog was thick and the streets were empty. It was like living in a dream that you could never wake from. It was too quiet and I couldn't help feel like something was wrong. There was more to what was about to happen than I expected. I could feel it in my bones. I heard the faint sound of a sandal kicking up a cloud of dirt behind us. I twirled around. No one was there.

"Sazuma, what's wrong? Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine, I just…heard…some one…behind us?"

"You're just nervous, that's all. Don't worry, it'll be ok. I'm here for you."

Orune held both my hands as he said this. Am I going insane? Was there really any one there? I heard it again, only louder this time, and I knew that it was not my imagination. I knew Orune had heard it too. We looked at each other, then looked behind us. A short man with long red hair that was tied back in a ponytail and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek was standing behind us smiling. I couldn't believe it! It was the one, the only, Battousai!

"So you two really do love each other, that you do. In such cold times its nice to see some hope in the world…Oh, and my name's Kenshin. I didn't mean to scare you like that…you can shut your mouths now." He said kindly as we started walking again.

"I'm Sazuma and this is my boyfriend, Orune. We've been together for 3 years. It's nice to meet you Kenshin" I said to introduce us. I was still surprised that it was Battousai. God, this day was getting weirder by the second.

"So you're Battousai? I'm sorry but, my father fucking loathes you!" I know that's kind of mean to say, but hey! It was true and it kind of helped me loosen up a bit. Jeez I'm desperate.

"Yeah, my grandfather does too…sorry 'bout that" Orune added as Kenshin chuckled. It seemed like he got those kinds of questions a lot. Poor guy…

"I know who you are. Satio asked me to fetch you. You got into a fight at the worst time. We have a crisis on our hands and Sazuma here is grave danger…"

At this we stopped walking. Why had my father asked a former manslayer that was his mortal enemy to come get me and why was I in danger? Orune was in as much shock as I was. I mean seriously, my father hated Kenshin with al his heart and soul, he will always be his mortal enemy.

"Why am I in danger? From who? Shouldn't I just be worried about what my father will do to me? Why are you here? My father hates you! It's all going wrong…" Questions poured out of me and it was becoming too much for me to handle. I began to cry and Orune held me in his arms with one of his hands holding my head to his chest. I hate this, I hate it I hate it I hate it! Why did he have to get so worked up about kissing? I was never this emotional since mom died and Orune went off to war…

"Shh…it'll be ok…I'm here, I'm here…don't worry…" Orune whispered as he gently rocked me back and forth. He did the same thing when mom died for hours and didn't say a word.

"I'm sorry Kenshin, she's been though a lot lately…" Orune said to Kenshin as I sobbed into his chest. I just wished I didn't start crying in front of Kenshin. Some first impression this is. Jeez, why can't I stop bawling my eyes out? Crying only makes matters worse…

"I've never seen such caring for one another since before Kyoto…I can tell you really care for her," Kenshin said sadly " and I know your upset but we need to keep moving. As I said before you are, both of you, at serious risk."

"I'm sorry, it's just…I…I don't know what came over me…thanks Orune…" I said after I calmed down a bit. I kissed Orune on the cheek, but when I tried to walk again I kind of stumbled and before I knew it Orune had whisked me up into his arms. Why? Go figure.

"Oh, Orune you don't have to…I'm fine, you can put me down." I said as he carried me down the street. This was kind of weird…what's Kenshin thinking right now? I could walk, but wasn't I?

"I insist and if you're that upset than you need rest. Besides, I haven't carried you like this since we were kids. I think it's sexy, don't you?" Orune said happily as he smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile as I loosened my grip around his neck, pulled close to him and nestled my head in his chest. I felt tired…or was I depressed? I couldn't tell, I just felt this unnamable feeling that crashed down on me with no escape.

It was just like Orune, always thinking of others and forgetting himself. He stared ahead blankly as we walked, and Kenshin was pulling up the rear. We passed empty houses and shops as a cool wind blew through the silent air. I was glad I didn't have to walk, even though my pride would never let that stand. I drifted in and out of insanity and memories of what it was like before I met Orune and being happy, yet incomplete, flooded my mind. What would life be like without Orune? I don't think I could like without him. We walked silently for 5 more minutes and then we arrived at my Dojo. Taking a silent que from me and from just plain understanding, Orune gently stood me on my feet. I walked over and opened the gate.

"I'll go in first, than Sazuma should come in behind me, followed by Orune. I honestly think it would be best if Orune stayed outside and waited for me to fetch him, but it would be a crime to separate two who are in love." Kenshin said as we began to walk inside.

I began to shake and I wish Orune could carry me now when I most needed it. What would happen next? Would he be mad at me? Will he be happy to see me? What will he do? I couldn't stop thinking and before I knew it we were outside the practice room. Kenshin slid open the door. I saw my father sitting cross-legged facing the shrine of Buddha. He was…meditating? At a time like this? This was getting weirder and weirder by the second.

"Orune, stay outside the door in the shadows for now" I whispered in Orune's ear. He nodded in understanding. I wanted him to lay low until everything was worked out. If it ever got worked out. I would be happy if Orune and I walked out of here alive, but then again death didn't seem so bad…

"Satio I have found Sazuma. Now that's she's here I believe we have a matter to discus?" Kenshin said as dad slowly turned around. His expression was blank; his cold eyes met mine without the slightest hint of remorse. Was he serious? What the fucking hell was going on?

"Correct. Now would you mind telling me why we are in such danger Battousai?" I couldn't believe that my father just asked a question that didn't even acknowledge my presence! I'm not saying that I want to be the center of attention, but he was avoiding me completely. It was as if he didn't think that there was any problem. How could he forget what he did? How? And to think I thought he loved me?

"It seems that Shishio has returned, Satio, and is out for revenge"

"WHAT?!?! I SAW HIM BURN, I SAW HIM BURN!!! How is this possible, how is this possible…"

He was frantic now but what bothered me most was not the threat presented by Shishio, but my father. He was acting as if…as if nothing had ever happened, as if he never tried to kill my boyfriend and threw me against a concrete wall. To him I wasn't even there. Had he forgotten me too?

"D-daddy, I'm…I'm here…don't you…don't you love me…please…please…say something…" I said shaking in disbelief as I inched forward. Why was he doing this to me? I wish mom were here, I wish mom were here…

Heartache's knocking on our door,

He just turned and stared at me with those cold eyes. I could see the pain he felt for hurting me, but the pride that wouldn't allow him to admit it. No, he felt no pain. He's incapable of feeling, a cold heartless wolf whose hands are stained with the blood of many. All those years of "I love you" down the drain, washing my happiness away. Happiness…such and unfamiliar feeling, a word that rarely crossed my lips. Where could I truly be happy? Where…

Shadows dance outside our window.

"Please daddy, don't do this to me…no more…no more…" I stared sobbing as ran to him, I couldn't take it. I threw myself on the ground and clung to his shirt, crying into his lap. Why is he doing this to me? Out of the corner of my eye I say Orune peering out of the safety of the shadows, his eyes were full of worry. I silently begged him not to do anything rash. I didn't need him here to make things worse, but this was bad enough. Could it get worse?

"I never again want to associated with the likes of you" He answered coldly with no sign of sympathy. He thrust me aside and at that Orune ran out to me. He sat me up as I let the river of tears come, and he cradled me in his arms.

Tears keep falling on the floor,

My father did nothing. He sat there and stared at us like we were some kind of poison, polluting the air in which he breathed.

While the world around her crumbles

"Satio, how could you be so cold? Don't you see how much pain you've put her through? Show some mercy and reach out to the only family you have left!" Kenshin cried as he stood up and came to me. My vision was blurring because of the tears, but the blob of red told me it was him. He put his hand on my shoulder, but it all seemed so far away, yet too real…where was mom? I needed her now more than ever. She was the only family that loved me, even my own brother felt nothing and took after dad.

If you want to save her than first you have to save yourself.

If you want to free her from the hurt, don't do it with your pain.

If you want to se her smile again don't show her your afraid,

"Oh how sweet! Too bad I have to break up this wonderful reunion…" A cold voice boomed as a huge hole was blasted through the wall. Pieces of concrete and wood were spread across the floor. Who did this? The explosion was the least of my worries. I couldn't feel anything now; it was like I was numb. Pain and heartache my only friend. Why did he make me feel this way? I don't think I can take this, I just want to get away. It seems the world has cast me aside, like a pawn lost in a chess game. My soul was on fire, slowly burning in the black flames of hell. Endless torture, first mom died. Then my brother. Now dad has thrown me away. Nothing can help me now. No one can save me, not even Orune. He's as afraid as I am. Once the cloud of smoke settled I looked at my father's strongest enemy straight in the eye, but felt no fear:

Because your circle of fear is the same.

Shishio