Chapter 14 – Cries of the Lost Ones

Tomoe was in good spirits when she was walking home that night. She had finally shown Kiyosato that she did care, that she had wanted to be with him, and no one but them knew of it. She knew Megumi would not approve, but ultimately, she would cover her. As her thoughts raced through her mind, she entered the front of the teahouse and made her way through the empty entertainment room to the women's quarters. That's where she saw all the women gathered around the side doorway.

"What's going on here?" she asked, but no one paid any mind to her as they were too engulfed in the sight before them.

The event seemed to register slowly in my mind, but I remember seeing Tomoe slowly emerging from the crowd. She pushed her way through, only to freeze when she saw Aoshi's back to her. Aoshi was crouched on the ground, hovering above the body that lay on the ground, covered in a white sheet. Over the body's face, a separate white sheet covered it as if to protect the victim's identity.

"Aoshi."

Tomoe's voice cut through the hushed conversations, and everyone became silent. I was in the corner with my legs folded to my chest and my hands covering my mouth. I was still in shock. My cheeks were stained with tears I had been crying since I saw the body hanging in the side street. I was still taking in the death. I had screamed, and I remembered all the ladies had rushed to the doorway. I believe one of them dragged me inside, trying to calm me as Aoshi rushed past me. With raging eyes, he jumped and slashed the rope to get the body down. He grabbed the body with care and took it inside, laying it down carefully while placing a blanket over the victim's body. I collapsed to the ground in a nearby corner and watched as Aoshi calmly covered the face. That's when Tomoe came.

"Who is this?" she inquired firmly.

I saw her ball up her fists at her sides with her hand bag hanging by its drawstring. Aoshi calmly looked up to her and gave her a glacial expression. His eyes silently spoke the name with the sorrow embedded within, but Tomoe didn't want to believe it.

"Aoshi, who is this?" she demanded angrily.

He turned away and looked at the covered face. Tomoe took a step forward and crouched. One hand shakily reached for the blank sheet and in a slow gesture, she removed it, only to drop her handbag onto the ground.

"Me-Megumi..."

Tomoe swallowed the lump in her throat and tears threatened to form. Megumi lay dead before her with a slit across her throat. Megumi's once ruby red lips were cold and pale. Her eyelids were closed by Aoshi when she was laid, letting the soft ebony eye lashes rest on her porcelain skin. Her hair was partly fanned out on the floor like broken black wings. She was an image of beauty even in death.

Tomoe gathered her bearings and remained strong as she replaced the cloth.

"Kanryu is returning. All the women go to their rooms and stay there until tomorrow. You will need your rest for the next night." Aoshi stated.

No one moved and just stared at the body before them. Aoshi looked at all their faces and practically barked at the crowd.

"Go to your rooms now!"

Everyone scattered and ran up the stairs to the women's quarters, everyone but me and Tomoe. Tomoe was rooted to the spot, staring at Megumi's body. Aoshi stood up and walked over to me. I was still staring at Megumi and Tomoe when Aoshi crouched before me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"You must leave now, Kaoru." he said softly, "Kanryu is coming."

I looked to him and nodded wordlessly.

"Megumi would not have wanted you to see her this way."

But nothing he said would erase the memory of her blank eyes and her limp head.

"Kaoru."

His voice kept me in the present, but my mind was in the past. I stood up and went on numbly. But once I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and cried myself to sleep.

"Who did this, Aoshi?"

Kanryu's steel voice came directly for the silent right-hand man as the two men stood over Megumi's body. Tomoe was still seated beside Megumi with her hands folded in her lap. This was her sister in the teahouse. She would stay until she was no longer allowed. Megumi had revealed once that she didn't like to be alone – not even if she had died. The business tycoon was a stir in his emotions as well. He had lost an important asset – his opium maker.

"Iizuka had her tonight. I heard that he has been playing both sides, but there wasn't an evidence on the rumors. I believe this was a declaration of his loyalty to Shishio." Aoshi informed him.

Kanryu's mouth was set into a grim line. He was obviously upset.

"And where were you, Tomoe?"

Tomoe froze. She couldn't speak, so Aoshi spoke for her.

"She was with a customer. He wasn't a regular, but he paid quite a sum." Aoshi cut in.

Kanryu frowned and then it quickly became a smile.

"At least my precious woman was spared."

He crouched beside Tomoe with his pin-stripe suit rustling during his descent. Gently, he reached for her chin and made her face him. Her face was as demure as before, and her eyes spoke volumes of sorrow. Out of the corner of her eye, a single tear came down her pale cheek. He gave her a wry smile and brushed it away with his thumb.

"Don't cry, my love. Your life has not ended, and you are still my precious one. You still have a purpose." his voice was no longer gentle as he addressed Aoshi but he still was looking at Tomoe, "Iizuka will pay for his betrayal. I want you to find him and destroy him. He has killed my precious doctor, and for that, he shall not be allowed to live."

Tomoe closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of cognac and cigars. Kanryu was with a European business client. And in her mind, she was glad, and she hated herself for it. She hated herself for being glad that Kanryu was back to kill Iizuka. She wanted revenge for Megumi's death.

As she felt Kanryu's arm go around her, she resumed to the numb state of mind she went into whenever he was in her company.

"Aoshi, take her body and give her a proper burial."

Aoshi had buried her where Kanryu had instructed him to – outside of Kyoto in a cemetery. He had taken the proper preparations through his connections. There was an area for Megumi, and there were no questions asked. The man dressed in his usual black apparel was soiled in mud, and blood mixed with the dirt to fill the space underneath his fingernails.

Aoshi, I don't trust him.

He placed Megumi's limp body, that was wrapped in the white sheets from before, into the five foot deep hole. He was tall enough to get out, but as he placed her down, he removed the sheet one last time. Her face looked so peaceful. Who would have known that there was such turmoil before she disappeared.

He wants Kaoru. I have to do this...for her.

He kissed her cold forehead and covered her head once more.

"Goodbye, Megumi." he said softly and laid her head upon the soft soil.

Be my eyes, Aoshi. Tomoe and I aren't here to protect her.

He heaved himself out of the hole and let out a huge breath of relief once he sat on the ground. Reluctantly, he stood up and grabbed the shovel. With the dirt displaced, he put it back over her body.

I'll find out what's going on. I'll see ya later. Don't wait up.

She never came home, but Aoshi had a feeling that she had a double meaning. He wondered if she knew what Iizuka was up to. As he finished filling in the grave, he patted it and wiped off his sweat. He just couldn't believe it. This was the end of Megumi, and the beginning of the teahouse's downfall.

"Burying somebody, Shinomori?"

Aoshi did not tense up as he turned. Mibu's wolf, the captain of Kyoto police, was always one step behind him.

"And what do you want this time, Saitou?" Aoshi asked brusquely.

"You've been doing some late-night cover-ups?" the wolf countered smugly.

"So I've picked up a side job as a grave digger. What's it to you?"

"All these questions make me think we're beating around the bush."

"Why don't you go smelling around someone else because I don't have what you're looking for."

The police captain snorted and lit his cigarette in the dark.

"Really? Do you honestly think I'd follow you if I didn't have a motive? Your leader is into every dirt bit of laundry this city has to offer. Prostitution, drugs, gambling, you name it."

"And what of me?"

"You know exactly why I'm following you."

"Back off, wolf. I have no interesting in fighting you tonight. Maybe some other time."

"Let's make it a date."

"Well, if you're looking for a companion of the male nature, look no further than the brothel on the other end of town."

"You're a pretty cheeky fellow when you're not being quiet and dismissive." he said with an exhale of smoke.

"Just stay away, wolf. I'm too tired, and too pre-occupied. Please leave me be. Tomorrow, you can harass me all you want."

Exhausted from the night, Aoshi brushed past Saitou and walked back towards Kyoto. Saitou remained there to smoke the rest of his cigarette over Megumi's grave.

"Is Tomoe in?"

I froze as I held the basket of laundry close to me. Kiyosato had come to see Tomoe and not at the best time. Kanryu was in his office. I shook my head naïvely.

"She is not seeing anyone right now. She's really busy." I replied.

"Could you tell Tomoe I came?"

"Sure."

I watched as the young restaurant owner retreated back into the streets, and then I glanced up to see Tomoe looking down at me. She had asked me to cover for her. She didn't want to see Akira – not now. It just hurt too much. And if Kanryu even knew about them, he would kill Kiyosato. She knew it was foolish to indulge in a relationship that could never be. She remembered when she last saw Megumi, just after the good doctor had delivered the letter from Kiyosato. Tomoe had come to help her make opium not long after.

"Tomoe, are you happy?" Megumi asked suddenly.

Tomoe stopped packaging to stare blankly at the female doctor. It was unexpected. She calmly placed her hands in her lap as usual, and inquired softly, "Why do you ask?"

"You know, you two could've been happy if your father hadn't taken these God awful drugs."

The silent beauty hung her her in sorrow as she saw the candlelight glowing upon the packages on the table.

"You two would've been quite a pair. You and him from a Samurai lineage-."

"I don't blame anyone. This is what fate brought us, now it is ours to do with."

Megumi looked to Tomoe with an unreadable expression.

"We make our own fate." Megumi said.

"I don't think I can, but I know you will break free one day." Tomoe said with a smile which Megumi reciprocated.

"Tomoe? Promise me you'll escape, too."

"Megumi-."

"We will fly from our cages - together."

Tomoe placed her brush down and blew on her journal to get the ink dry. It was another memory that she kept safe within her diary. But at seeing that last sentence, her eyes became blurry. The tears fell freely all over the page.

Through the streets of Kyoto, a man moved among the crowds towards a restaurant. His hair was tied back, and his outfit was feminine – at best – with a red kimono. He was in female attire with a black obi tied around his slender waist and a saccharine smile. With a mere push of his hand, the entrance of the restaurant slid open to reveal a bustling business within. The hostess rushed quickly to the front and bowed apologetically.

"I'm sorry that I didn't greet you automatically, miss." she said meekly.

"I'm looking for a man named Iizuka."

The hostess froze in shock but stood up with a nervous smile.

"Right this way."

The hostess led the cross-dressing man through the maze of excited customers and entertaining waitresses to a private room in the back. She slid open the door to reveal Iizuka calmly resting one hand on his knee while the other was supporting his lit pipe.

"I'll leave you two alone." she said softly as the effeminate man entered, and she closed the door behind him.

Iizuka scoffed.

"You're a woman today, I see." he said in a crass manner and shook his head, "Kamatari..."

The spy frowned and stepped forward.

"I don't need you to spread your morals. I'm hear to check up on you." he looked around suspiciously before saying, "So I hear Megumi is dead."

Iizuka puffed and exhaled the smoke into a ring.

"I did what I was told. I told you I was loyal to one client alone."

"Well, that was a nice touch. But Shishio is happy. You have gotten rid of an important asset to Kanryu."

"No, killing Tomoe would've been even better, but that damn woman was so persistent."

"Tell the truth. You were just looking for a body to warm you up that night. It had nothing to do with who was important to our enemy."

"Enough scrutinizing, he said angrily, "Where's my payment?"

The door slid open to Iizuka and Kamatari's surprise. There, in the doorway, was Soujirou with a clutch bag in hand. With a firm action, he slammed the door shut behind him and threw the bag atop the table in front of Iizuka.

"Shishio-sama always delivers when a task is completed. Your job here is done. He wishes you the best of luck, and suggests you leave Kyoto immediately. We cannot guard you from Kanryu here in Kyoto, but if you travel to Hiroshima, we have some agents that will establish a new life for you. Be careful. Kanryu's men are lurking in the shadows, and it is best that you do not contact us again. If you must, send word through our contacts." Soujirou said firmly without a bit of emotion in his face – just a smile.

The congenial-looking man placed his calloused fingers upon Kamatari's slender elbow, and he turned cautiously to his companion.

"We must take our leave."

Kamatari knew what that meant. Shishio had his hands clean of Iizuka, and they would be caught in the remnants of an already lost cause. With a slight nod of understanding, Kamatari followed Soujirou out of the room into the busy restaurant, leaving Iizuka to count his money.

As they made their way across the street, a carriage was waiting nearby. Kamatari instinctively smiled, knowing it was none other than his master. Soujirou opened the door to see his master, and Shishio smiled through his bandages. Shishio and Yumi were seated within the carriage with their attire loose and Yumi's hair a bit out of place. Soujirou turned a bit to see Kamatari, who was unhappy at the blatant display of affection. Yumi squeezed her master's arm with a smug smile.

"Your plan is in action, Shishio-sama." she said huskily.

Shishio placed his right hand on his knee and sat back, closing his eyes to rest.

"Now all we need is a sign."

Kiyosato returned to the teahouse that night, but for a change, he tried to come in through the back way. Night had fallen, and he did not want to look obvious that the reason he was there was for Tomoe. He was dressed in his plain blue gi and his gray hakama to see her, nothing truly special. But that night, he would talk to her. Megumi had died. It was spread all over town, and had he known, he would have tried to be more committed to seeing her than usual.

With a resolute sigh, he reached the door. As his hand pushed, a blade was placed to his throat. He froze in utter terror and turned to see Saitoh beside the doorway.

"Kiyosato...long time, no see." he said sardonically.

"Saitoh Hajime..." the young man said with unease.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm going in through the backway. I don't want everyone seeing me every night-."

"You came for her? Am I right?"

Akira's jaw clenched at those words, and his eyes gave an obstinate look.

"Kiyosato, you need to get out of here." Saitoh commanded.

"Not just yet."

"What did I tell you? I told you to stay away from the girl! Never fall in love with a woman who sells herself because it always ends bad! Why don't you see that?"

Kiyosato looked into his eyes and saw a general concern. It was unlike the wolf to show mercy on a silly man such as himself.

"Why are you telling me this? You never cared before about what happened to me or my family."

"Innocent lives are at stake – you and your mother being the 'innocents.' It's usually not the governments' policy to let you die."

"Well, just leave your concerns to yourself."

"Do you not see your own downfall? Your weakness will kill your mother!"

"Listen, Saitou-!"

"No, you listen, boy! You think you know everything just because you're some love-sick business owner of Samurai lineage, but the world isn't as lightly colored as you'd like it to be! Inform me of the next bust, then cut all ties or die."

And like that, Saitoh was gone as quickly as he appeared. The young man raised his hand to push open the door, but his better judgment decided against it. His mother was very important, and maybe Saitoh was right. But that night, he walked home with Tomoe's mourning eyes etched in his mind.

That night, the teahouse was booming with business. But unfortunately for the men, half of the women were kept from the main entertainment room. The half on inactive duty, including Tomoe, were kept in their quarters until the next night. It was then that the half on active duty would become inactive for the next night. But still, Tomoe was to sit out both of them. She was Kanryu's precious posession.

For my shift, I entertained as usual with a quiet visage and polite giggles here and there. I had expected it to be busy. What I had not expected was to see Tsunan. I was seated at a table with some old politicians, and I hadn't noticed he was seated on the far side of the table until I had to speak to the man beside him. My heart stopped, and I waited for him to make a sign of acknowledgement. But the young artist wouldn't even look at me. He was ashamed.

I was so distraught, but I hid it well like Tomoe taught me. I would not let him touch me or even feel the pain. I had to be numb to all percepted actions.

That night, I entered my room to retire for the night. As I closed the door shut behind me, I felt that bit of darkness creep into my soul. That bit of darkness you don't feel until you're alone late at night. I bit my lip and took out the tanto tucked in my obi. Maybe if I died, everything would go away. My father wouldn't be ashamed of the tomboy that abandoned him to turn into a whore. I wouldn't cry anymore because of Megumi. I wouldn't see Anji panting in the back of my mind or Tsunan's disapproving glance. It would all be over.

I walked across the room and plopped down into the middle of the space. Night after night, this was my ritual after Megumi. Life had changed, and I always wished that she'd leave me alone. I hated that my wish came true. I began crying uncontrollably, but it didn't matter anymore. I was too consumed in grief and self-pity. And then I turned to the tanto, the gift Tomoe gave me. I wondered for a second if it had a purpose, and that second stretched to a couple minutes. I pierced my wrist's skin lightly, and a drop of blood came out to trail down my arm. For some reason, I felt better and dragged the blade across. The line was unmistakable. I placed the tanto quickly back into its sheath, but I felt that I wasn't done yet.

That's when Aoshi made his rounds to check up on all the girls for the night. I was the last room on the floor.

Cautiously, I saw him open the door and freeze when he saw my wrist. He slammed the door shut behind him.

I sniffled as I heard his footsteps near me. I was afraid. His gaze was intense and focused, something he could corner me with in just a simple gesture. I unconsciously sucked in my breath when he stopped before me, and I heard silence.

"You shouldn't hide in your room."

"Megumi-san...she knew I was hurting. She knew I didn't ever want to do something that dirty again! So she took my place – and now she's dead!" I shouted as I clutched my head.

The memories of that night still plagued me, and to add to it, Megumi's face before she left me was caught in between. I could see the comfort she tried to give me in that one look, a look meant for sentimentality or protection as if it were the last time she would see me. It was like she was trying to convey what she felt towards me without alarming. I felt so guilty and foolish. I was supposed to be just like all the girls and be professional, but Megumi-san had covered for me – kept me untainted. I was a coward. I felt that I shouldn't have lived. It was all my fault.

Aoshi became alarmed as I began to cry and rock myself back and forth.

"I was a coward, Aoshi! She's dead because of me!" I cried.

I unsheathed it in one quick fluid movement and tried to slash my wrist, but Aoshi sprang forward and grabbed my hands. I started panicking, and I could hear Anji's voice crying out in ecstasy once more. I shuddered and started screaming instantly.

"GET OFF ME!" I shouted and with tremendous force, I pushed Aoshi away from me.

He fell back with his eyes wide.

"Kaoru..." he murmured hoarsely as he saw me raise the tanto up in the air, as if to stab him in protection.

While I knelt with my labored breathing, I froze. I had just became offensive with Aoshi. I couldn't understand what was wrong with me. I hated men – all of them – and yet I couldn't hate the one man who has protected me through it all. He was the only man I couldn't hate, and yet, I was just as cruel as if he were Anji. My tanto lowered until it was in front of me.

"Forgive me, Aoshi." I said softly, and let the blade hover near my wrist, ready to penetrate the skin I loathed.

"Kaoru, stop it!" he commanded angrily and pounced upon me.

I fell back upon the hardwood floors with Aoshi pinning all my limbs down. I struggled as he eased the tanto from my hands, sliding his calloused hands over mine to let the tanto slide across my sweaty palms. When it fell to the ground, I tried to reach for it once more, but he pushed it away from us. It slid all the way near the corner, far from my reach, and I cursed under my breath.

"Kaoru, don't ever do that again!" he ordered in an angry whisper.

My eyes narrowed with anger and resentment. I wanted to die. The world didn't need a coward and a failure in the world, there were enough to go around.

"Why won't you just let me die?!" I inquired with rancor in my harsh phrasing.

"Because I didn't bring you here to do so!"

"Then why did you bring me?! You pitied me! I reminded you of your former female companion! Don't try to make up for the mistakes you made with that girl with me! I am not Misao!"

He clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. I had hit home, and as much as it hurt him to even speak at the moment, he parted his lips to speak.

"No. You're not Misao, Kaoru. You are that damn tanuki who thinks she's an adult now just because she had some traumatic experience!" he shouted as he shook my wrists in frustration, "Well, let me tell you something, Kaoru! People grow up through experiences, may they be bad or good, but what shows your maturity is how you deal with them. Committing suicide is selfish and cowardly, you should think about the others who have risked their life for you day in and day out in ways you don't even know! Therefore, you aren't an adult at all if you won't even think about that!"

I lay lifelessly as I watched him. He was so full of life on the contrary of what he wanted people to know. And even in anger, his eyes were still there – full of emotions and just as sensitive as to who he was speaking to. But when I saw him, I saw the pain reflected. He was hurt that I would even consider it, and on some level, I knew it was because I was going to leave him alone.

"Have you ever been a child, Aoshi?" I asked almost in an inaudible whisper.

He calmed at the question and stared at me with a blank expression. He was silent. He couldn't come up with an answer.

"You have to be selfish to be a child. You have to be selfish in order to survive, Aoshi, it's human nature. You strive to live. That is selfish all in itself."

"What are you saying?"

I wanted to know. Why was he so passionate about me? Was I really just a sister to him? Or was I a friend? A co-worker? A love interest? A mother? I needed to know.

"I think you're being selfish with me. You don't want me to leave you." I stated simply.

"What?" he seemed outraged.

"If you don't want me to leave. Then tell me."

"Kaoru, I-."

"Then let me go, Aoshi-san." I said softly.

"Kaoru-."

"Please." I pleaded softly.

His grip eased on my wrists, and I could feel his weight removed from my body. My heart broke.

So I was just a replacement for Misao...

He sat back on his heels, and I pushed myself off the ground. I looked at the corner of the room where the tanto lay abandoned, ready to be used. I turned my body and began to crawl towards it. That was the end of the line for me, the end of the insanity before me. I reached for the tanto, but automatically, a hand grabbed my wrist. I turned but before I could see Aoshi, I was on the ground once more, and he was atop me.

"Aoshi-san..." I murmured in shock.

His face lowered to mine and capture my lips with his in an almost desperate yet passionate way. He nipped and caressed my bottom lip with much care, and my head felt lighter with each soft pressure of his doting gesture. After much time, his lips released their hold, but his affection did not stop. He brushed his lips against mine, and I parted my lips awaiting for him to once again take possession of my mouth. But only my breath managed to escape as I felt his lips brush against my forehead. I felt him take a deep, heated breath before he returned to my mouth. I raised my head this time, eager to taste him once more, and he granted my request ardently.

Author's Note: What a nice summer! I hope you all liked that! K/A action as promised. Happy, now?! Well, I've been trying to write my own personal novel, but my editor said it was too bland. I gotta get back in the groove. I've been spending a lot of time studying for Calculus, and I've been either working or going out – back to my school schedule... I saw Garden State (which took place in my old home state), and it's a fricken' awesome movie! Y'all should see it! I've been listening to the Garden State soundtrack a lot. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. More heartbreak and turmoil to come. Plus, there's another fight scene (or a few to come)!

Reviewer's Response:

BelleDayNight – You're right! Aoshi should kill Kanryu, but the story won't exactly fold out that way. As you know, I'm planning something big for the ending, and everything will fall into place soon enough. It's funny how this fic has brought about so many changes of how people perceive couples! I got a lot of messages where people say that Sano and Misao would be cute! Hee hee... I think if they had more together time in the series, people would see that they could be very good friends. I feel sorry for the Aoshi/Kaoru supporters...they're begging for fluff... Well, you got it! And yes, Megumi is dead. Sorry! Thank you for your review.

Blonde B-Ball Star – Thank you! That's a wonderful compliment! I love Kenshin/Kaoru, too! But unfortunately, I didn't make that a pairing in this story. I wanted to try something new. I don't think Kenshin and Aoshi will ever confront – nonetheless meet – in this fic. Sorry! You can take Megumi's death however you wish. It is whatever the reader interprets. This fic was made for the people. Thanks for your review!

Tanukichan14 (formerly known as Catrina3) – Hi! Congratulations on your rebirth! Haha! I feel so left out...everyone's changing their name – maybe I should change mine! But I'm too lazy... :( I'm sorry that I killed off Megumi, but it had to be done. Thanks for your review!

Plumwarrior37 – I know! I finally updated! I'm bad... I love going to the movies though! What are you confused about? I can help you out! :) I will try to update before the new semester starts. But the thing is that my hours at work are crazy! One week, I'm 40 hours, the next, I'm 24! Grr!!! One day, I had to come in for a morning meeting...I was surprisingly energetic. But afterwards, I was grumpy... Well, thank you for your review!

aZnpRyD – Hi! It was a miracle it got updated! I was home on my day off, and I had nothing to do but dishes and laundry. So I said to myself, "Gosh darn it! I'll get that chapter out if it's the last thing I do!" Pure determination gets a lot done. I'm sorry I haven't been able to do anything! But I've got a while before school gets busy, so I'll get right to it! Never fear – Michi is here! (scratches head in embarrassment) I'm such a spaz! And yes, I did kill her off! Bwahahaha! ...Sorry.

Blue Jeans – Thank you!!!! GEEEEE!!!!! (Sorry! I watched Steel Angel Kurumi interviews on my brother's DVD, and I just couldn't resist! If anyone knows what I'm talking about, watch the director do his impression of Kurumi's squeal.) No, I haven't stopped writing. It's just I was on vacation in New Jersey/New York for a while, and I was touring America! Hee hee... It was fun!

Wistful-Eyes – Megumi didn't hang herself, Iizuka killed her and kind of hung it as proof of his betrayal. And yes, everything is coming to an end very soon. I was trying to keep Kaoru in character as young, naive, and still quick to have a temper. She was also being selfish by wanting more money. And as for Tomoe/Kiyosato...you'll just have to wait to see how their story will end.

C.G Forever is Now – Thank you!

Sekihoutai – You never know when Tsunan will pop up next. Keep your eyes posted. And Iizuka killed Megumi. Thank you for the nice review!

Flaming-amber – uh...I don't know what to say...

Licensed to Kill – Thank you! I have updated for you!

PhoebeOtaku – I'm sorry! But thank you for liking my story! I hope you like this installment!

Monou Hakkai – Thank you. Kaoru and Tomoe have a special relationship, more so that Tomoe empathizes with with Kaoru is going through while Kaoru has respect for her maturity. And I hope you're still not in the dark about how Aoshi feels for Kaoru... I love Sano and Misao! They are good friends and I tried to keep them as close to their characters as possible. Uki and Misao, I imagined, would be almost sisterly towards each other after a while. As for Tomoe/Akira, they still have that Kanryu factor. Big papa is back in town! Thank you for your review.

Kookey – I did. I killed Megumi. I'm sorry. Well, as for K/A, they got their deserved attention right. But K/Tomoe were intentionally supposed to be the main couple. OMG! You are – I believe – the only one to mention Enishi. But uh...yeah. He won't be in this story, but in the sequel, he is present. And that's all I'm saying.

The-Wolf-of-Stars – Yeah, I'm sorry about Megumi. Hee hee... I love K/K, too. But you'll just have to wait out the story. I'll tell you one thing, Kenshin does not ask her out or make moves on her in the whole story. Instead, he is just a steady side character. He has no real part in this story. But in the sequel, he definitely is the main character.

Maystrom – Hi! I'm glad you're diggin' the couple interaction. I think you can get a good response on who Kaoru is interested in right now. I can't wait for this to end either...unfortunately. I'm just so excited! Wai! Wai!