Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews. I know that I left it at a cliffy so here is the next chapter. I hope that you guys like it. And do not worry things will get better for Kaoru soon. Oh and I also mad this chapter a little longer.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or its characters.

Chapter 4

Magumi rushed to Kaoru's side, worried at the sight of blood pouring from the girls head. Magumi took action immediately, barking orders out at Misao and Sae. "Boil some water and get me some fresh towels." Misao hopped up and obeyed instantly as Magumi continued with her directions. "Sae, I will need some bandages."

Kenshin leaned against the wall watching everything proceed. He was interested about the situation but he stayed out of the way so the doctor could work. Magumi had been one of the doctors of the revolution. She had healed many of Kenshin's wounds when he had been an assassin. Other than his late wife Tomoe, Magumi was the only woman that knew of him and his profession.

Kenshin examined the state of the girls being. Her clothes were torn and muddy. She looked to be a child in his eyes. 'Why would some one want to hurt someone like her? What could she have done to deserve this kind of life,' he thought. 'The poor girl.'

As the doctor examined the girl's body something caught her eye. A small tattoo was visible through the torn and shredded kimono. She pulled the material away from it so she could see what exactly it was. It was on her left shoulder, very small but still readable.

Kamiya Kaoru

Assistant Master

Kamiya Kashine Ryu

Kenshin saw this as well and became confused. He was too far away to read it but he knew what it was. Samurai families followed a tradition of tattoos once a sword style had been passed on. Stating their name, rank, and style, the tattoo shows pride and honor in being a samurai. In all his years Kenshin had never seen this type of mark on a female before. Normally only males trained in swords. Kenshin definitely wanted to know of this girl's origins now, seeing as how they were unusual.

Misao and Sae returned with fresh supplies. Magumi worked quickly and removed the wooden sword from her back. After cleaning the head wound she sighed. It was not as bad as she had first thought. Kenshin was deep in thought by this time and was caught off guard when three rather brutish men came barreling straight into the Shirobeko. This did not look good. 'She must be running from these guys' Kenshin thought placing a hand on the hilt of his sakabato.

"There she is, get her," the largest of the three men pointed over to were the collapsed girl was. Magumi's eyes were filled with fear as the three started towards them.

Kenshin stepped in front of the women, keeping his hand over the hilt of his sword. "I would suggest that you move on and leave the lady be." He stated this firmly so the men would get the point.

"Move aside samurai boy, unless you want to die young." The man took a step forward as if to scare Kenshin off but he didn't move. Kenshin was not a boy at all, but 28 to be exact. "I'm warning you boy, move aside."

The man growled at Kenshin, frustrated by the opposition. "She got away from me earlier with only that little scratch on her head. This time she is coming with us and she won't be so lucky." He ran toward Kenshin, lunging at him with a hidden dagger.

Kenshin dodged only to have one of the others grab at him. He ducked and swept the man off his feet. As quick as lightning the largest man was on the ground clutching his side and shoulder in pain. Kenshin stood over the man with his sword down at his side. No one had even seen him draw it out. He raised his sakabato up in the air and flipped it over. He was slipping back into the realm of a manslayer over a small female child.

Kaoru could hear voices and movements coming from somewhere. A sharp pain hit her and she groaned. Slowly Kaoru opened her eyes, her head aching in protest. Light bombarded her and everything was blurry. After blinking a couple of times things came into focus. The first thing she saw was a red haired man holding up a sakabato. The blade was flipped, ready to carve up whatever lay in its path, the two men by the door scampered out in fear.

Finally her eyes rested on the large man on the floor. Kenshin brought his sword down in a mighty swing. Suddenly Kaoru saw her father before her with the killer standing over him like Kenshin was doing.

"No!" she cried out, startling Magumi, who was closest to her.

Kenshin paused in mid swing as the scream pierced his ears. He looked over his shoulder letting his burning golden eyes come to rest on the small girl. Kaoru got up and rushed toward him, staggering this way and that. Magumi had made a small protest but could do nothing to stop her. She clutched at his gi and she pleaded to him with tears rolling down her perfect porcelain cheeks.

Kenshin watched her closely, not understanding why she had cried out. Theses men hurt her and yet she still wished to protect them? He stared into her eyes trying to find some meaning or reason to her actions.

"Please, I don't want anyone to get hurt," Kaoru put her forehead on the red head's shoulder. "Just let them go." She looked back up at Kenshin with deep grief and pain etched on her face.

Kenshin lowered his sword and sheathed it. His eyes returned to a rich lavender as he continued to watch the girl. Turning his attention back on the man in front of them and he spoke loudly. "Leave now!" The man scrambled to his feet and ran out the door as quickly as he could.

Kenshin felt Kaoru go limp and he turned to catch her gently. She was uttering things to him and he had to strain to make out exactly what it was. "Thank you, thank you so much. I just don't want any more blood no more…" She trailed off and wrapped her arms around Kenshin's chest.

"Magumi-dono," Kenshin said looking up at the woman. There was a small smile on his lips, the first real smile in a long while.