A sunny morning in the streets of Aoiya gave Kaoru a light feeling. Random thoughts occupied her head as she and Kenshin walked side by side, looking for tea that they may serve that late afternoon. Above all the people back home, she knew she was the closest person to Misao because of the fact that they are both women. The girl was a couple of times younger than her age but they share the same insights most of the time. Therefore she felt responsible for her. Now that seta came, he just made her job harder.

"Is something on your mind? you've been thinking of something since morning.", Kenshin said, noticing her sudden silence.

Kaoru wondered to herself what she was thinking about anyway. She knew it was her responsibility as Misao's guide, but what is the real point? Was it her sudden weird actions? Or just the fact that she's hanging out with a boy her age? She sighed to herself.

You know I don't hide anything from you, Kenshin, well, except for my feelings. She smiled at the thought. Here goes.

"I was worried about Misao.", she began. Kenshin scratched his head.

"You know, playing detective was just for fun. Are you saying that you're serious about it?", Kenshin wondered.

Kaoru focused on the ground. She was pretty shy of what he might think. "You see, we're both girls, and being a guy that I barely know makes me feel uncomfortable. But Misao doesn't seem to mind that kind of feeling.", she paused, looking at the stupid face of her companion.

"You mean—you're feeling uncomfortable now?", he asked in a whisper.

"No, no!", she waved her hands in the air repeatedly. "I've known you long enough not to be shy around you. Don't you ever notice that?" Lies. Every time you come near me, I want the ground to swallow me in excitement.

"Okay.", he grinned. "So, as you were saying…"

"Didn't you know? They were by the river last night. Alone by themselves.", she said, grateful that they have changed the topic.

Kenshin rubbed his chin and tried to remember.

"Being alone with a boy you only knew for two days is quite uneasy. And not to mention—inappropriate.", she nodded.

Kenshin hesitantly shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

Kaoru clenched her fist "Oh, I'm actually forgetting you know nothing of these things!" She sighed and continued, "Misao isn't mature enough to control or even protect herself."

Now, as if understanding her situation, Kenshin nodded his head. Kaoru's problem is quite interesting. He wanted to help her, but he thought, Kaoru tends to worry too much. "It's about time she prepares for being a mature woman. Let her be."

Kaoru arched an eyebrow. "What I wanted to tell you is, if you want to guide or tell her the right thing, you may, but don't strangle her in the process.", Kenshin explained further.

"Yeah… maybe I'm becoming a bit overprotective.", Kaoru thought out loud. Somehow, sudden loud sounds before them caused the two of them to stop and take a look.

Before them was an inn that was raided, partly destroyed. Lots of townspeople hovered above something, or someone on the ground. Noise filled the whole area while the people tried to peek. Kenshin moved his way into the crowd, asking for information. Meanwhile, Kaoru simply watched.

Kenshin tapped a tall, bald guy by the shoulder. "What happened, sir?", he asked.

The bald guy shook his head in sadness. "The Meiji police came and shot the guy in the inn."

"For no reason at all?", Kenshin asked again.

"I don't really know. But I heard that the man helped a certain criminal that they have been looking for lately. I think the criminal stayed in his inn.", the bald man replied.

That sounds familiar. Kaoru thought. They both exchanged glances.

Suddenly at the corner of her eye, a dead body was lifted from the middle of the crowd. Kenshin looked up in shock.

"That guy… he's the innkeeper!"

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"I remember him clearly. His face, his features… he even scolded me the night I stayed there! He said I was noisy and I'm a disturbance. I cant believe this…".

The room was hot. Everyone was worried. Tea was served at the small table at the centre but nobody had touched it since they had their conversation. All ears listened to Soujiro as he spoke, a look of sadness in his face. To Misao's point of view, he looked rather scared.

"That man was so angry at Soujiro!", Yahiko protested. "How could Meiji kill someone who waned to help them?"

"Kenshin, didn't the tall guy said that Meiji believed that he helped Soujiro? Maybe it was a mistake that they didn't want to tolerate.", Kaoru suggested.

Soujiro sat frozen. Misao sat across him, watching him and kept silent for the entire conversation. She wanted to reach out and tell him not to worry, but it wouldn't change the situation. She wanted ot ease the tension in his face, but would it make him feel better?

"No. Meiji knows it's no mistake.", Kenshin said sternly.

"Then what did they thought it was?", Sano asked.

Kenshin stood up from his position, eyeing his companions. Soujiro remained rooted to the floor. "The man was probably spreading the news that Soujiro stayed in his inn. That would open the eyes of the people that Soujiro was in his inn when the crime was said to be committed."

"…. You're so right.", Sano nodded.

"Are you saying that they will wipe out any evidence that may prove Soujiro's innocence?", Yahiko asked in anger.

"Exactly. We've lost our only proof."

Misao tried hard to hide her angry feelings about the things she heard. Did I help Soujiro live only to know that it's all in vain..? She wanted to avoid asking herself that question since he came. But suddenly, as she recalled what happened last night, she knew she has to lei this out. She wanted Soujiro to let his feelings out. And, she thought, that if she would do the same thing, it would set things right.

"Soujiro,", Kenshin called. "I know things just got scarier and harder to solve. But it wouldn't change what you must do. You know you are innocent, so calm down and hush.".

Yahiko stared at the heavy rain pouring outside. "It's weird. A while ago it was bright and sunny. It looks so gloomy and cold now."

"Hey, Yahiko. Let's sleep in the dojo. The rain's barely heard there.", Sano said. Yahiko followed.

"Always remember what Kenshin said, okay? Let's pray that everything will be alright.", Kaoru said and left the room. Kenshin soon followed her, leaving Soujiro and Misao alone again.

All of a sudden, she stood up. "You stay here."

"Where will you go?", Soujiro asked softly.

".. Meiji had destroyed the only evidence that could prove you innocent. Am I supposed to sit here and watch?", she walked past the door and prepared to leave.

"Misao, remember the best way to end this. I don't want you getting into trouble because of me."

His voice was soft, pleasant to her ears as the heavy rain annoyed her. For about a minute, she stood there thinking about getting back inside as what he wanted. She turned around and watch his lips move.

"I don't want you to leave me here."

Her inner self was becoming calmer and calmer as her feet led her back inside the room. He smiled upon seeing her change her mind. He walked past her and closed the sliding door, blocking the cold air to enter. She looked around and found herself once again with him, all the windows closed and only her soft breathes echoed within the place.

"How long will you be hiding? Those men are after you and they will kill you! They will stalk you every where you go and would not give you a chance to explain yourself.", she explained furiously in a whisper. To her surprise, his face remained calm and cheery, as if nothing had happened.

"You said yourself that they will follow me wherever I go, neh? Tell me honestly, Misao- chan, do you think it's right if I stay here?"

Misao stood frozen. She began to speak. "Y-yes. But it doesn't mean that I'm not going to do anything. Sou-chan… I care."

"And I care more about you!"

She gasped from surprise. Her eyes seemed to ask him, is that true? As if he knew what her eyes meant, he gave a simple nod.

He came closer to her and tucked her bangs beneath her ear. He caressed her face and she closed her eyes, feeling safe. He raised her face by her chin and gently whispered to her, "… if you'll leave, we'll do it together."

With his arms, he drew her closer with a quick, tight embrace. She buried her head on his chest and smiled to herself when she heard his skipping heart beat. "We will.. we will…", she giggled.

"I love you."

Misao threw her head back and stared at him, completely surprised. "What did you say?", she stammered.

"I said nothing, you daydreaming witch.", he stuck his tongue out in denial. At the moment, he wanted to know how she would react to his true feelings.

Slowly, she returned her head back to his chest and poked at it lightly. "You liar.", she giggled. "Maybe I was daydreaming… but I'm not a witch."

He smiled at her face, seeing that she was feeling safe in his arms as he cuddled her close. He brought up a hand to play with her braided ponytail to and fro. He bit her earlobe and nibbled it while she shook her head playfully from the ticklish feeling.

Then he whispered to her ear so softly, " I really do."

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Hope you liked that! Here are the answers to the reviews! (If there is anyone not included, I'm really sorry. I must've posted this before you reviewed.. Obviously.) :

Charming Woman: Actually the first name that I though for Ch 8 was 'Angels By The River'. It's kinda long, though. Your suggestions are nice.

Anonymous Freak: Yeah, I should've made it longer! Don't worry; they're going to have a love scene.

Emerald Genie: Thanks so much. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

Anithene: You're happy! Me too, I actually had goose bumps while writing this.

Lady Luna: Not as cute as Sou- chan.

Cathy Mark: I don't know what degree of lime will be posted, but I'll try not to be so naughty. (unless Soujiro wants to)

Some Slut: I know wont allow lemon. Anyways, do you have Lemon fics? Send them to me so I'll have a clue on how to wrote them (though I still don't know if I'll do) Baka: bigger grin…. X)

KRN-Chan: it's ok, go ahead and send them! I just hope it'll be Sou and Mi. you, reviewers!