Disclaimer: I own none of the RK characters, so no suing allowed. I do own Sakura though, and would appreciate it if no one would use her without my permission.

Chapter 2: Nightmares

Kenshin lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling of the Kamyia dogo. His violet eyes were wide with fear and regret. His slender fingers were knotted into fists, knuckles white, gripping the covers.

"That dream…" he whispered to himself. "…I'll never forget that night…"

He tried closing his eyes again; he tried to block out the memory of his opponent. The dream continued in the darkness behind his eyelids. The clash of swords. The moonlight spilling over her face. Her eyes: pale, starry silver, piercing his with her melancholy gaze. The blood, glistening in the moonlight…red, deep red.

Kenshin sighed dismally, opening his lavender eyes once more. "Well, this is getting me nowhere fast…" he grumbled, his silky voice slurred with sleepiness.

He climbed out of bed, wrapping his robe tightly around his torso. Opening the door, he walked out into the deserted hallway. The young man made his way quietly to the room where Kaoru practiced the martial arts. His sword hung on the wall, partially obscured by shadows. He sat himself in front of the sword, thinking hard.

"It was so long ago…why am I still having this damn dream?" Kenshin asked himself quietly. He shook his head. "I haven't even seen her in years…why now?"

He stood, removing his sword from the wall. He stood in a fighting stance, holding the sword in both of his hands. "So many bad memories…" he whispered. He frowned slightly, fixing his eyes on the gleaming blade. He changed stances, slicing the still air with the blade.

He dropped his hands to his sides, peering out the window into the dark night. The stars sparkled brilliantly and the full moon flashed its light upon the cold earth. Kenshin sighed deeply, closing his brilliant violet eyes.

In the darkness of night, a young woman walked alone through the forest. Her silver eyes pierced the gloominess like daggers. A katana hung at her side, reflecting the moonlight. A breeze blew through the trees, tousling her jet-black hair.

The smell of cherry blossoms filled the night air, surrounding the woman. She walked out onto a high plateau overlooking a close by village. No lanterns were lit, and no one was out.

"I'm close." She stated. "So close…"

Darkness finds me…

Red, deep red…

Hatred binds me…

Red, deep red…

A late hour, now does chime…

Red, deep red…

Memories buried in the sands of time…

Red, deep red…

Red, deep red…