Disclaimer: I don't own RK. If I did, do you think I would be sitting around writing fanfics?

A/N: Thanks, kind reviewers!

StormHornet – Yay! I love Okita-sama! And I didn't want Sou-sama to leave either! But he had to! (sorta)

TinyTERI – Not fair indeed! LOL! Poor Sou… I will update, and thx for reviewing!

Rurouni-maxi – Well, I am! Don't worry! And, you see, Okita has tuberculosis, so he coughs… yeah… And I will read Complete Me!

Reignashii – OMG! -cry- That's such a good idea!

Recap –

"Sayonara, Seta Soujirou-kun," I whispered after him. "I will miss you." I took a deep breath, and turned to leave. But, I turned back to see him leaving my sight, but he was nowhere to be seen. I bowed my head, and walked home.

Before The Dawn – Chapter 9

My Father was waiting for me outside the gate. I could not tell him what happened! "Finally! I got a mail call from the Police force and they said that both you and Seta-san were in jail! Is this true?"

"Must have been a prank call," I lied, and pushed past him. "Oyasumi nasai, Otousan." I ran up to my room and was about to flop into bed when I realized it was not too late for my dinner with Kenshin. I couldn't help but groan. I was so tired! But I did not want to let Kenshin down. So I changed into a clean dress and ran downstairs, past my Father, who shouted at me to know where I was going. I did not answer him, I just ran out into the dark street, heading to the down square, where Kenshin, having forced a servant to give me his note, said we were to meet.

I shivered. The nights were getting colder. I ran as fast as I could in a dress to the square. It was really time to sew a shirt and pants. "Kenshin!" I cried, and looked around. No one was there. He said he would be here by now!

My mind started saying mean things, so I told it to be quiet, that he'd be here soon. I sat on a bench and waited.

Twenty minutes later I was cursing the man and running home. "He stood me up the little –"

I rushed in, and ignored my Father, who was shouting at me, saying where was I and just plain yelling. I ran upstairs and cursed Kenshin again, just before I fell into bed.

The next morning I walked out of the house without a hello to my family. I also went without breakfast. Then I turned around, ran back in, quickly ate some Miso soup and was about to leave but stopped myself again. I had to remind myself that the night before I had told myself I would make a pair of pants and a shirt, and I would. It would take some time, but I would start on it today all the same. Just not now. I would go and scream at Kenshin now.

I went out and, once again, headed toward the Town Square. On the way there Saito confronted me.

"What did you do with Seta?" he yelled. "Where is he?"

I blanched, but then replied weakly, "Nothing. I don't know where he is."

"Sure, Kamiya." His eyes narrowed. "You are under arrest for helping a murderer!"

Kami! Arrested twice in two days! Saito grabbed my arm. I shouted for him to get off. He pulled me toward the jail.

"Let go of her, Mibu Wolf," said a familiar voice.

Saito stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around. Yamagata Aritomo, the current leader of the police force, looked smug. "Yamagata-san. I am arresting this girl," he pointed to me, "she protected a dangerous murderer."

I was pretty surprised to see Yamagata-san here, I'll tell you that.

Yamagata lifted an eyebrow and looked at me. "Well, I'm sure she had good reason for it. Let her go, Saito."

Saito looked a bit miserable. "But, sir…"

"Saito. Let her go." Yamagata said firmly.

Muttering, Saito let me go. He saluted Yamagata-san and walked away.

Yamagata Aritomo stared down at me. "Kamiya-san." He said respectfully, bowing.

"Eeto… ano…" it was kind of awkward. I had never had some one of such high status bow to me before. Then I realized I was being rude, and quickly curtsied. "Konnichiwa, Yamagata-san."

"You have grown much since I last saw you," he spoke softly. "You were a little girl then. You look so much like your mother. Do you miss her?"

My face burned and I almost replied, "What do you think?" when I reminded myself that this was the Yamagata Aritomo and almost slapped myself. "Hai, Yamagata-san."

"I bet you do. And, please, call me Aritomo."

"Hai, Aritomo-san."

"Can you take me to see your father? I need to speak with him." Yamagata regarded me with stern eyes.

"Of course, Ya – Aritomo-san." I started to lead the way back to my house. Wouldn't I ever get to yell at Kenshin?

"So, what is this business of you defending a murderer?"

Oh, no. I flushed. "Um…" I decided to tell the truth. One lesson in life is, 'There is no use in lying to a police chief'. "My friend was being abused by the family who was taking care of him and he killed them so he would not have to suffer anymore."

"Are you talking about Seta Soujirou?"

I started in surprise. "Why yes –"

"We are here," Yamagata said suddenly. I looked up and we were, indeed, in front of my house.

"Ah… yes. Come in." I led the way in and my Father was working at the table. He started to yell at me but then noticed Yamagata.

"Yamagata-san!" he exclaimed. Throwing a quick glare in my direction, he motioned Yamagata to sit down.

Yamagata began to talk about the troubles in neighboring kingdoms and so I left the room, left the house to go try to find Kenshin and yell at him again.

I tramped outside and out into the square, lacking energy. I found him, leaning against the town hall. I marched right up to him and blew up in his face. "You stood me up you worthless little piece of –"

He held up his hands. "Kaoru!" he put them on my shoulders. "Hush, Kaoru. You are making a scene."

"Making a scene, am I? Oh I'll –"

"Hush, hush now." Kenshin led me away from the buildings. "Kaoru – it wasn't real!"

"What do you mean it wasn't real? You asked me to go to dinner with you and when I came you weren't there and I waited for you, and you stood me up you little -"

Kenshin was laughing. It sounded forced. "It was a dare, Kaoru."

"W-what?"

"Some of my friends dared me to ask you out. It was a whole set up. When I looked upset when Aoshi kissed you and when Enishi hugged you… that was all part of the plan."

My whole world fell apart. "Nani?" tears filled up in my eyes. "I – I can't believe I …" That was all I got out before I burst into tears. I turned on my heel and ran far, far away.

TBC…

A/N: Ooh… bad Kenshin, huh? Review please!