Forever

He smiled softly at her eyes half open from the strain of standing "Miss Kaoru please don't cry" he whispered than closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist.

But still she cried, but the tears slowed and, she stood in silence, arms hanging at her side. The rain only a light whisper of what it was now, her tears completely stopped. "Kenshin…can you…"kenshin looked up "pardon Miss Kaoru, can this one what?" kaoru looked him in the eye "Can you promise me that you wont die?" he paused and looked away water still dripping down his face, they seemed to turn red just before they fell from his chin. His eyes drained themselves of emotion and he pulled back, only far enough to where his arms dangled at her waist barely clinging on. "…..kenshin?..Please promise me..."only to wait in vain for a reply. She looks at the ground, trying, hoping not to cry anymore. She steps back and moves to walk away. A firm grip oh her wrist and she's pinned to a tree. His face was inches from her own, eyes perfectly open a deep purple hue. Piercing deep into her soul, he smiled, one that finally reached his eyes, then bent forward "this one promises," he says in almost a whisper her eyes are wide as she realizes the little amount of space in between them "I promise" ever closer.

Listen, listen

Kenshin wiped a single tear from her face with his thumb "no more tears miss kaoru"

His eyes so gentle, the scar seemed to disappear.

Listen, listen

His hand gently rested on her cheek, trying to calm her in its presence, the rain seeming to flow away from them.

Listen to each drop of rain (listen, listen)

Whispering secrets in rain (listen, listen)

Magically searching for someone to hear

That story be more than it hides

Please don't let go

Can't we stay for a while?

It's just too hard to say goodbye

Listen to the rain

"Th…..this one is very sorry Miss Kaoru" kenshin backed away "let us find a nice inn to stay at" he said as he turned and walked off. Kaoru quickly nodded and fallowed just behind him.

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"you two are soaked!" A friendly looking inn keeper practically shrieked as they walked up to the counter to check in "well we can't have you catch a cold now can we?" she shock her head mumbling something under the lines of 'poor darlings' as she reached under the counter. "Here have these, there yours to keep" she set a plain white kimono on the counter along with a white gi and bottoms. "I'll show you poor things to your room"

After grabbing the pieces of cloth she led them up a pair of gracefully curved stairs and down the hall to a room second to the last in its hall. "Thank you miss……"kenshin started "My names Tae and don't worry about it" with a smile she handed the clothes to kenshin and walked back down the hall. Kaoru looked at kenshin for a second then walked into the room, momentarily fallowed by kenshin. The room was a simple room which held a single bed an oil lamp and a small tub for bathing. "This one will wait outside for you to change please let this one know when you are done" and with handing her the kimono and swiftly walking out of the room. With the click of the door kaoru quickly changed out of her dripping wet one. Cold metal hits her chest and she remembers the locket and smiled softly.

After she finished changing she slowly walked out and swept her eyes over to kenshin "kenshin you can change now" she says quietly and stepped outside. Kenshin looked up and nodded and walked into the room. When the door clicked shut she looked around at the empty hallway. She took a step and looked back at the door then made her way down the hall towards were they first came in. When she reaches the bottom of the steps a rough hand grabbed her arm "Look what 'e 'ave ear!" a slurred masculine voice behind her said rather loudly, the room erupted with laughter. "C'mere miss c'mon and play wit us!" another one said from the corner a result of more laughter and jeering. "No" she whispered and tried to yank her arm away, with no luck. More men grabbed her and backed her into a wall. She struggled to get free but the adding men were more then she could manage. The stench of alcohol all around, suffocating her. She tries to scream, but as she tried a knife was pressed at her throat "c'mon miss scream and we cut your head off, just have a little fun with us" the owner of the knife whispers into her ear. "Drop the knife" the words cut threw the noise as a hot knife would butter. Instantly all was silent and men began to drift away from her as a single man walked threw them. His yellow, icy eyes making them all cringe.

The man with the knife's eyes widened as the demon came closer. Kaoru stared at them "kenshin……" the knife almost fell but then it cut deeper into her throat. Kenshin swiftly withdrew a hidden katana and flicked the blade to point at the drunken mans throat. "Drop the knife" Kenshin repeated, the words dripping with venom. The man didn't move but replied by cutting deeper into kaoru's neck. "If you wish to keep your life you will release Miss Kaoru, that you will" his eyes seemed to illuminate as he watched the drunk. Finally with a whimper the drunk dropped the knife and ran away. Kaoru stood straight for a moment watching kenshin then closed her eyes and fell forward. Kenshin rushed forward sheathing the sword and caught kaoru. "Miss Kaoru are you alright?" his face instantly turned into that of one concerned. She slowly opened her eyes and peered into the now violet eyes of the samurai beside her. She nodded slightly and shakily stood up "let's return to our room miss kaoru, please do not wander off again tonight" with that he wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders and lead her back upstairs.

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Kaoru lay in the room's bed wide awake, but eyes closed as kenshin remained asleep on the floor. She opened her eyes and silently got out of bed making her way towards kenshin, gazing upon his frozen looking face. She kneeled beside him as he shivered and tightened his eye and turned his face away. She smiled and reached a hand to wipe a strand of hair from his eyes, but in an instant her wrist was twisted by a powerful grasp. She cried out in pain as twin golden eyes bore into her. With the sound of her voice the eyes turn violet in an instant and her wrist was released "Miss Kaoru, Why are you still wake?" she gripped her wrist and looked at the ground "I'm sorry I couldn't sleep with you forced to sleep on the floor" she muttered. He gently grabbed her arm and pulled her to the floor beside him "is that all?" he asked and she nodded "don't lie to me Miss Kaoru" she remained silent "Please tell this one what troubles you?" he asks leaning forward and placing his hand on her cheek to turn her face to look at him "How do I know you wont get angry?" she asked with a smile he said "will this prove it?"

Within seconds his kissed her.

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HALLOOO! Please forgive me for the slow update! For an apology I made this chappie extra long! I hope you enjoyed it! Well I wish more of you would review! Ah well till next time robin out!

Sou-chans' gurl 4-ever: Thanx again for reviewing! And heres another fluffy chap!

forever kira: heh heh hey kira! Thanx for reviewing!

I do not own the wonderful Nobuhiro Watsuki's work no matter how many times I dream it...