Hello! Yes I can see that you're getting confused but then I'll answer them anyway! Just ask and I'll try to answer…except the questions which will lead to what's next! Anyway, thanks for the very nice review and I love you guys for that! Just tell me if you find in confusing and then ask ok? Thank you very much! Eekkk! A cockroach! Must…get…insecticide…wwaaahhh!

Disclaimer: I don't own RK and screwing some of their characters is part of the story! Also…please do enjoy!

Chapter 13: Your Back is Warm

Night.

Katsura Kogoro was informed about the coming troops of the other clan, the Shinsen-gumi. They were coming fast and according to Katusra's soldiers, the Shinsen-gumi could come in about an hour.

He walked in the room smartly, his soldier expecting him at that hour and a girl felt…disturbed. Due to the lack of time they have to plan, they believe Shinsem-gumi could come in fast. They mostly feared the two great swordsman in there. One of them is just a young kid and then the other an older man whose instincts were as sharp as a wolf.

Battousai was in that room, with Kamiya Kaoru on his side. They waited patiently and silently for Katsura to enter and as he did, they focused on his actions.

Calm and aware…mostly alert of anything to come.

"Himura."

Battousai sat straight upon hearing his name. Kaoru looked up, she might be included in this phrase or somewhat. "You and Yukishiro-kun must go somewhere far…away from danger." Katsura informed him. Battousai's eyebrow twitched at that, he wished to fight…to kill but not to run away. "But sir, you won't be fine. Now that the Shinsen-gumi has found out where we are hiding, you won't be able to defend yourself and this place…I expected them to bring more of their usual company." Kenshin protested calmly. Katsura snorted and smiled calmly. The youngest among the Ishinshishi was worried about the whole squad…and mostly him. "I know you're worried about me, Himura." Katsura smiled, "But I worry about you more. You have to go somewhere far." Kenshin didn't make another comment, he has decided to stay shut and follow the orders. "And where will be that far place, sir?" he asked, a grim line on his lips. Katsura stood silent, Kaoru waited for the answer. She quietly listened to and fro to the questions and answers the two exchanged. Katusra kept on thinking, then, Kaoru began to spoke. "Otsu." It alerted the two men, turning their attention to the girl who sat on the rear end of the room. Not too far but just a few meters behind Kenshin. "That would be a fine place." Katsura replied, standing. Kenshin looked up, is it over? "Oh yeah, Himura." Katusra added, "You and Yukishiro must disguise into something."


I heard some rapid footsteps among the place. The shadows that casted under the door of my room were running, as if there was something important. I know nothing of what's happening, and as of today, I think there was something bad going on. And I don't want to be part of that.

A soft knock on the door.

It took my senses away from what I could hear. A shadow casted under the door, must be Kaoru. Standing up, I picked up my foot to head towards the door and then opened it. I don't need any second thoughts right now, there are a lot of things in my mind and I want to know that right here and right now.

The door opened, and yes, it was Kamiya Kaoru herself. I looked at her with my angry eyes, I knew the truth right now and why would she lie? "Why Kaoru?" I asked her, "Why did you lie to me?" Kaoru looked at the floor, she felt sorry and also tired. Those callused hands from doing a lot of work in this place. Her eyes…were sorry. I could tell. "I feel jealous though." She replied, taking a step, invading the atmosphere of the room. Her hands were clasped, back straight and her hair was donned by the blue ribbon again. I was confused, jealous? Why would she be? "How come Kaoru?" I asked, "Why are you jealous? You already have the man you love and also…you're going to be a family." She was already ahead of me and then she paused, spinning on her heel, she faced me. "Even though I have a life inside of me…and even though I got the chance to love him." She replied, "He doesn't love me…still…" I began to feel sorry again for her…such a crappy idiot doing things to her. "You lied to me…I know that you knew at first who does he love and who he wishes to be." I cried out, my fists were balled up. "Tell me, Kamiya Kaoru. Who?" She fell silent, twisting her fingers as she sniffled. It must hurt inside and maybe it was her first time to love someone…but still…

"You."

"Huh?"

"Don't you see, Tomoe?" she cried out, "His reaction towards me has changed ever since he met you!" I was shocked, why me? "No way." I blankly replied.

"Tomoe…I feel envy cause he liked you! And I feel envy 'cause you and that Battousai are going to Otsu…" I looked at her, my head is going heavy again. I never expected that someone who killed my love one could love me back…I thought he hated me. I brought my hand up to my neck, to the spot where he bit me. "Kenshin…?" I asked myself, eyes closed. "You're such an idiot."

"And so are you."

My eyes opened wide, turning to face the door, I saw him. He was there, standing in front of me. Kaoru looked away, I could sense that and then she left the room. Himura looked at her and then stopped her by taking her forearm but she flinched that off and then she continued her way. I went outside, taking the last look of her face but then she ran away…with tears in her face. I faced the sprite, he was such an idiot and also a prefect in some way. "Why did you do this to her?" I asked him, "You hurt her feelings and now you're going to leave her like this?" He didn't give a reply, instead took me by my forearm and then dragged me out of his place. Then out of the huge hideout or somewhat.

"Where are you bringing me?" I asked, flinching his hand but it won't budge. He paused, waiting for me to walk along but I didn't, I want to know first where we are going. "Otsu." He replied. I crossed my arms, I know Otsu is a far place and walking won't let me do that. "What do you think we're going to do there?" I asked.

"It's a long story."

"I insist to know, Himura Kenshin!"

"I told you, it's a long story." Then he dragged me again. Looking back, I saw the hideout and then saw someone near the gate of that place. A girl? I paused on my footsteps and then pulled Kenshin's gi to stop him. "What?" he growled. Then he finally caught where I was looking at. It was Kaoru, her face was tear-streaked and she was just there, standing…watching us leave. Kenshin let me go, and then walked towards the younger girl. I was shocked to see him move.

It was night. The moon was full and we were near a shallow river. The streets were dark just like the other day when I was drunk. I looked around and began to see little light around me…fireflies? I then looked at the two, Kaoru was crying and Kenshin was standing in front of her. Then, Kaoru took off her blue ribbon, giving it to Kenshin. The hitokiri kindly took the offer and then placed it inside his gi. He nodded to mean a simple thanks for the farewell gift…or something.

"Kenshin, please come back after…I love you." She whispered. I waited for Kenshin to speak. But he didn't. Then suddenly, he hugged her…the fireflies around us produced more light than the previous. It was beautiful…I wish Akira was with me…I shrugged that off me, I don't want to remember anymore. I heard a whisper…it was Kenshin's. "Kaoru, I've always liked you the way you are." He hushed her, rocking her head. "I'm going back…I promise…" Then they parted.

Kenshin walked towards me and took me by the forearm again, dragging me to the empty streets that may lead us the way to Otsu. I looked back, Kaoru fell on her knees…then she cried…crying hard as ever. I don't want to see her cry like that..i want to hug the poor girl and say goodbye. Trying to break free from Kenshin's grasp on my arm, he won't budge. "Kaoru's crying…I want to comfort her." I whispered to him. He didn't look at me and kept on going forward. "She loves you, Kenshin." I informed him, "Why can't you see that?" He continued his walk, ignoring what I said…but I could feel inside that he's hurt and unhappy.


Kaoru looked at the two's image as they disappeared in the darkness. Her hair was scattered on the floor and her hands were wet with her tears. She wasn't allowed go out of the base's premises but just to see her loved leave, she did so. It was painful…she couldn't take it anymore.

Then, she fainted.

Her limp body on the grassy floor and the fireflies approached her, coaxing her faint body and giving her light. Each bug kept her warm…each reminded her of Kenshin…and no one else.

Out there, someone came forward and then noticed the limp body of a girl on the floor. Wondering what could the girl be doing there, lying on the floor, he approached the body. His comrades followed, scanning the place as possible. This is the place they were going to attack…they were going to destroy. It only took them less an hour to get there and they even predicted the Ishinshishi was wrong…and yes they were. The youngest of them approached the fainted Kaoru and cleared to see if she was okay. But she wasn't. "Saitoh-san." He called one of his comrades, "Who is this girl?" A man taller than the boy came out of the crowd, sheathing his sword as he approached the boy. He observed the girl his student carried in his arms. Brushing off a hair Kaoru's face, he smirked. "Himura's girl." He told him. "What should we do with her?" the younger boy asked. The man thought and then announced to everyone silently his plan. The group retreated and instead of doing plan A, they did another plan…plan C.

Meanwhile…

Katsura Kogoro and their men waited for the encounter. An hour has passed and the group could invade their place anytime. He prepared for the final time and then expected it to be brutal and unforgiving. One of his soldiers approached him.

"What is it?" Katsura asked.

"Himura has left already…but there's a problem."

"Problem?" He asked, it looked serious. To him, a single problem could be an outrageous outbreak and it could break things…worse.

"Yes, sir." The soldier replied, "Kenshin's companion, Kamiya Kaoru is missing."

A pause. "Search for her."

The soldier nodded and quietly pounced out of the room and began rummaging through Himura's place. Katsura began to get worried…worried over Kaoru and at the same time, at Kenshin. He was thinking about Kaoru if she was fine…about some problem and maybe it couldn't be solved. He mumbled something for fate to come over the two…and fast.

Out of those conversations and happenings…a traitor…smiling inside knows the problem but someday, he'll fail and he really will.

He will…


Kenshin looked back, he thought he'd heard a voice somewhere around him but he didn't... so he continued his way. The white girl still in his grasp as they walked towards their destination. She struggled against his hawk-like hold on her forearm but it was no use, he was still holding one as if he doesn't want her to wander of somewhere.


"Hey!" I shouted, his grasp was so tough and so painful! "Could you be more careful on holding me or something?"

"No."

I gave out a heavy sigh. What an idiot, moron and also an impolite person. He was such a freak! "What are we going to do in Otsu anyway?" I asked, growling. He paused, yanking my clothes to stop me. His amber eyes looked straight at mines…and there he goes again. "I am to hide." He replied, "Now shut up." Then he pulled me again to walk, but then I won't budge.

"Coward."

He paused, looking back at me with those angry eyes. "Coward?" he asked, "You think you know everything do you?"

"No, but I think I know why you look at me with those eyes!"

He rolled his eyes in confusion…whatever. "This was an order by my boss." He replied, pushing me to walk again. I then stopped and then heard him make a growl on his throat. "Do have to do what Katsura-san has to say?" I asked, beaming at him. An eyebrow went up, "So you know who my boss is. Who told you?" he asked. "Your accomplice…Kamiya Kaoru." I answered, smugging my face just like that. He then continued his way, walking past the dark and quiet streets. I wonder why he never got the chance to be tired…and that is just surprising.

My knees began to get weak, I don't have that much energy anymore. So I paused walking to take a rest. Himura looked back and saw me panting to regain all of my energy. Remember that he said he's a nice man? No, he really is not a nice person. Instead of letting me rest, he pulled me and then forced my feet to walk. I really can't take it anymore, my feet were tired and I was loosing breathe. He was ahead of me by inches so I grasped on his clothes to gain my balance. But he flinched my fingers, feeling irritated on the way I felt like…tired. "Could we rest even for one bit?" I asked, wiping a sweat from my brow. He didn't reply but instead walked ahead of me and now we were meters apart. Finally, my knees gave up…I fell to the ground. I don't care if he leaves me…he's not a nice person after all. My cheek was flat to the ground and then my hands were resting on the floor. I panted as I lied down, closing my eyes so I could rest peacefully. To what I think that he was not a nice person, I was wrong there…

He looked back and saw my body sprawled on the floor. He ran to approach me and see if I was alright, but I wasn't. "Are you okay?" he asked. And for the first time, I heard him say something right…finally.

"No." I replied, speaking in the same calm and kind tone. "My knees hurt." He observed me and then nodded. The helped me stand up, what is he doing? I can't walk anymore! He then turned around to face his back and then offered his hands behind him. What is this? "Are you going to offer me a piggybank ride?" I asked, looking at the way he looked silly…darn silly. He leaned back, and then waited for my nest move. "If you don't want then I could go ahead and meet you at Otsu…crawling." He replied. He was back to his bad attitudes again, I don't like it…neither does anyone. I have no choice but to follow him instead, so I rode his back. My hands wrapped on his neck and then his hands on my upper legs. I feel so comfortable. His back was warm, making me feel warm throughout the night. Then I began to feel strange towards him. "Himura, I'm sorry for letting you do this." I apologized, doing my best to let him give back another good reply. "No, it's fine." He replied as he started to walk. "You'll go down when everything is okay." He's kind again…I like it…I really do.

"Your back is warm, Himura." I told him, my head resting on his back. I was about do doze off but then he stepped into something somewhat steep so my sleepiness snapped. He kept on walking but then I could feel the heat go stronger. Kaoru told me that this killer liked me. I'm nothing but ugly and Kaoru was pregnant…he should've taken her instead. Oh yeah…Katsura's orders…it's one thing he won't disobey. "Thank you, Yukishiro-kun." He replied, his face was emotionless and so was the tone of his voice.

"I like it when you talk this way." I commented, "It's easier for us to talk…you know."

"Really?"

"Yeah…just like Kaoru."

He snorted and then went back to his emotionless masks. I wish we could talk longer. I have to think of a topic so that he'll keep on talking to me that way…I like it better. "Umm…Himura?" I asked, hoping that this will work. "May I ask you something?"

"Sure." He croaked, "What is it that you want to ask?"

"…Umm…" I was getting nervous. "Do you…like…I mean…love Kaoru?"

He froze, stopping on his steps and then settled me down. He faced me with those eyes again, back to usual angry masks, I don't like it I tell you. "Did I say something wrong?" I asked innocently. He was about to glare but then he just spun on his heel, turning on his back. As I was standing, I was amazed at his sudden reaction. "Just walk with me now. I know that your feet are better." Then he went first…leaving me back there.

"Umm…Himura!" I shouted at him. He paused and then turned around. Trying to catch up, I walked as fast as I could. "What?" he asked. I sighed and then hugged myself as I fought the bitter cold. "I'm sorry about that." I replied.

"Nevermind that."

"Ok…"

"Just walk with me…but in front of me."

"But what if-"

"Don't worry." He replied, looking at my eyes. "I'll protect you as I can."


Hey! You like this? Hehe! Hope you do! Anyway, thanks for the review and I am pleased to announce that the story will be longer due to the…problem here! Anyway, thanks for the support you give me and to those who love KK…I'm now creating a KK AU fanfic! Hope you guys love this! Hey! Here's a big guess…who do you think will end up in the…end? Hehe! Who will belong to Kenshin? I'll announce the scores on the 15th chapter! And I'll reminding you guys of this….so…..bye bye! And see you at the next chapter! Hey! The reviews please!…the cockroach's dead…sigh!