Me: Hello! Yeah, long update, sorry Drawkcab!

Drawkcab: O.O I can't be cooked! I'm not food! But if I had the chance to be one, I'd be a cookie! XD Cool song. Here's chapter 9, after some wait. Thanks for reviewing!

Half-breed-demon-fox: Yeah, well there will be more of those fights. Now here's chapter 9, and there's some fluffiness!

Sims are awsome: I didn't mean it that way! It's just that I want that game but I can't afford it, please forgive me! Oh and my birthday is on March XD You have a puppy! I have a kitty! Little brother running around… no thank you! I knew you wouldn't remember him; he's the really, and I mean REALLY bad guy. I wouldn't mind being Hamushi's adviser, but I wasn't talking about him, but about Hakkimaru. I'll give you a cookie for being so… creative. And yes, it does make me happy! You can say it all the times you want to

Evil Excalibur: You are hopeless. No, really, you are. I can't believe I have to see your face at school. Argh.

Yami Kikkay: Hey you kid! (Evil Excalibur)I am not a thing, but an alter ego; the much cooler, direct AND good looking (Me: I'm good looking? right…) of both of us.

Me: Yeah, well this chapter goes a little out of the plot, but is really important to it. It may be a little boring because there's no action in it, but bear with it please. I hope I don't disappoint you! Here's chapter 9!

Heart of a Demon

Chapter Nine: Paper Crane

"When the story of Destiny is told, it will be written in blood..."

Kenshin sighed as Yahiko inspected his burns. It had been a few hours since the dragons' incident and it was probably near midnight.

Yahiko: "Thank God that old man gave me these herbs."

Kenshin: "What else did he give you?"

Yahiko: "Some lotions, ointments, water bottles, some rags, bandages and the best food! Lots of food!" (Me: Yahiko has issues…)

Kaoru: "Hey guys! I found an exit!"

Kaoru had woken up in Kenshin's arms for her surprise. After hitting Yahiko for making fun of them, she had gone away looking for an exit. Apparently she had found one.

Yahiko: "How's your wound Kaoru?"

Kaoru: "Those herbs must be magical or something, it's completely healed!" (Me: I'm not that sure…)

Yahiko: "Cool! We'll wait for Kenshin's wounds to heal and then we can leave this place… wherever we are."

Kaoru: "We're underground. We just have to climb some rocks and we'll be in the outlines of the city."

The strangest thing was that Kaoru hadn't talked about what happened at all. 'I'll ask her when we get some time alone.'

Kenshin: "We don't need to wait for my wounds to heal. Let's get out now."

Yahiko: "Are you sure?"
Kenshin: "My wounds heal by themselves. Remember, I'm a demon."

Kaoru: "What about that scar on your cheek?"

Kenshin placed his hand on his left cheek, slowly tracing the cross-shaped scar with his fingers.

Kaoru: "Never mind. Let's go!"

But Kaoru had triggered a question on Kenshin's mind: how had he gotten that scar anyway? (Me: Nope, it wasn't Tomoe people.)

Lyhn watched as Hamushi limped through the room with a deep wound in his chest, blood dripping to the floor.

Lyhn: "Why have you returned Hamushi? Hakkimaru will probably kill you himself."

Hamushi: "I need to t-tell him about that other d-demon."

Lyhn: "What other demon?"
Hakkimaru: "Yes, what other demon?"

Hamushi bowed as low as he could, but he just collapsed in the floor. Haru ran over him and helped him.

Hamushi: "He had black hair… and red eyes m-master."

Haru: "Black hair and red eyes? Just like the guy in that picture Hamushi?"

Hamushi: "Now that you mention it, he d-does look like him…"

Hakkimaru kept silent, Lyhn eyeing him suspiciously. Her master rarely talked about that man, and he never told why he kept a picture of him.

Hakkimaru: "What happened to you Hamushi? Couldn't handle Himura?"

Haru: "You fought against Kenshin!"

Hamushi: "I failed m-master. Give me another ch-chance!"

Hakkimaru: "You are useless in the conditions you are now. Lyhn, Haru, please exit the room."

Lyhn and Haru left the room as they were told. Screams and cries for help echoed through the entire place (Me: Poor Hamushi! I really liked him!). Haru's eyes watered. Shimi was passing by and stopped.

Shimi: "Who's in there ladies?"

Lyhn: "Hamushi."

Haru: "What is he doing to him?"

Shimi: "Dear, we are human sins, in the form of demons. When we are useless, the lord simply turns us into what we really are; souls of the dead; and sends us to where we really belong…hell."

After hours of climbing and finding the right path, our heroes found the exit, and are now resting in a grass field, near what was left of the city. Yahiko secured all their new belongings to a tree, leaned against it and closed his eyes. Kenshin sat across him, he was too leaning against a tree, and Kaoru simply rested on the grass, looking at the full moon.

Kenshin: "Say Kaoru, thanks for saving me."

Kaoru: "Saving you?"

Kenshin: "You don't remember what happened?"

Kaoru: "I just remember falling. Everything is a blur after that, until I woke up… What happened?"

Kenshin: "…"

Kaoru: "Kenshin how did I save you?"

Kenshin: "… you grabbed my hand and then we both fell, that's all."

Kaoru: "Oh, well then I didn't actually save you. We saved ourselves!"

Kenshin: "Yeah…"

Kaoru got up with a blush spread across her cheeks and sat besides him. She slowly leaned her head until it was resting on his shoulder. Sensing no rejection from him, she relaxed and closed her eyes. Oblivious to her, he was as nervous as she was. 'God, why do you do this to me? I can't keep falling for her, it's too dangerous. But…' Kenshin's eyelids slowly started to close, as he breathed in her intoxicating scent. 'I think I can't do anything about it now.'

Yahiko's loud yawn made Kenshin open his eyes. He rubbed his eyes, adjusting his sight to the surroundings. Kaoru was still asleep, her head resting on his shoulder as it had being the night before. All of the sudden, Yahiko screamed, and his left eye started twitching. Kaoru woke up, irritated.

Kenshin: "Yahiko, why are you screaming?"

Yahiko: "Everythingisgonekenshinicantbelieveit!"

Kaoru: "Yahiko! You better start talking seriously! You woke me up!"

Yahiko: "Everythingsgone!"

Kaoru: "I'm warning you…"
Yahiko: "Everything-is-gone!"

Kenshin: "What do you mean with everything?"

Yahiko: "Everything! The water, the clothes, the herbs, the food are all gone!"

Kaoru: "The food?"

Yahiko: "THE FOOD!"

Kenshin: "Calm down, it's not a big deal."

Kaoru & Yahiko: "THE FOOD!"

Kaoru: "We're doomed. The food is gone…"

Yahiko: "We have to find it!"

Kaoru: "Someone must have stolen it. Where's my sword!"
Yahiko: "In one of the bags…"

Kaoru: "WHAT?"

A skinny girl sat in the grass, laughing really hard. She had bright green eyes and messy black hair just over her shoulders that came out of a long braid. She wore ninja clothing (Me: Guess who!). She was staring at some bags in front of her, eyes shining as if they held gold.

Girl: "He he he, that was the easiest theft in the whole century! I can't believe they were actually sleeping, and not keeping an eye on their things! BWAHAHAHAHA! Now, let's see what they have here…"

After opening all the bags, she started separating them. All the food she had found would go into a bag she would keep for herself. All the other stuff would go on a bag that she would sell later. And lastly she found a pretty sword.

Girl: "A sword? I might sell it for a high price. But I could also keep it. Hmmm…"

Kaoru: "When I get my hands on that thief…"

Kenshin: "What if no one stole it?"

Yahiko: "They couldn't have just walked away on their own."

Kenshin: "Yeah, but they could have rolled all the way down that cliff."

Yahiko: "Oh, all the beautiful food!"

Kaoru: "Hey, let's ask that kid over there!"

Girl: "I'm keeping it! After all, I'll need all the weapons I can find. I'm in a very dangerous journey to find the love of my life! I wonder where he is now…"

The girl reached for a navy blue bag and opened it. She carefully got something made out of paper from the inside. She stared at it and sighed. It was a little paper crane. She smiled widely and stood abruptly.

Girl: "I'll find you! I've slain lots of demons and I've protected my little village, just like you told me to! I'm not a wimp anymore! Now I'm ready to travel with you, just like you promised me!" (Me: O.O I bet you know who she is by now…)

Kaoru, Kenshin and Yahiko stared at the girl talking, or screaming, to herself. They all wondered if she had gone mad.

Kaoru: "Excuse me miss, can you help us?"

The girl turned and stared back at Kaoru. Her eyes sparkled and her smile got even wider (if that's possible).

Girl: "Oh, people! I like people!" (Me: O.O)

Yahiko sweatdropped and looked past (sp?)the weird girl. He spotted their bags and started jumping up and down.

Yahiko: "Our bags! She's the thief!"

Kaoru almost choked when she saw her sword lying on the grass. She bent down and took it, holding it protectively. The girl blinked and shrugged.

Yahiko: "Hey you little weasel, that's ours!"
Girl: "You brat! I'm not a weasel! I'm Misao Makimachi, and I'm the greatest thief ever!" (Me: surprise, surprise!)

Kenshin: "So great you stayed a few feet from where we were?"

Misao: "Hey, I was tired! And you are a demon! I must slay you!"

Yahiko: "Here we go again. Do you know her Kaoru?"

Kaoru: "No and I'm glad."

Kaoru walked towards Misao, who was running and jumping in an effort to hit Kenshin. She placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

Kaoru: "Listen, we don't want any trouble. Just give us our things back."
Misao: "Whatever. Take them!"

Kaoru: O.O "What?"

Misao: "I just need to kill him!"

Kaoru: "Are you a demon hunter like me?"

Misao: "Why yes. And if you are a hunter, why in hell isn't he dead!"

Yahiko: "Hey, look how pretty it is. Did you make it weasel?"

Misao ran and snatched the paper crane from Yahiko's hands. She glared at him.

Misao: "NEVER EVER touch this again! It's my treasure!"

Kenshin: "Why is that so important?"

Misao: "Because HE gave it to me, oh how I miss him!"

Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko and Misao were sitting around some wood, waiting for nightfall. They had enjoyed a well deserved meal, and Misao had decided to give their things back. She had also stopped trying to hit/kill Kenshin.

Kaoru: "So Misao, are you a hunter since very little?"

Misao: "Let's see. If I'm 16, and I was 9 when I met him… I've been a hunter for 6 years!"

Yahiko: "It's 7 you weasel."

Misao: "Oh shut up!"

Kaoru: "So meeting that 'him' made you become a hunter?"

Misao: "Yup."

Kenshin: "Why exactly are you traveling?"

Misao's eyes shone and she stood. Taking a few steps, she took her crane and held it tightly.

Misao: "It was 6, I mean, 7 years ago...

Flashback (Me: My first flashback!)

A tiny Misao ran crying desperately through a dark forest. Demons were preying her. It was hard for her to keep up running because her right leg was injured, and she had some pretty bad bruises and scratches all over her body. She was weakening, and she was slowing down. With a swift movement, she slipped around a corner and hid besides some trees. She could feel the demons sniffing her scent. Closing her eyes, she prayed to any god up there for Okina to show up and save her. It was when she saw a light. And the demons were scattered in the ground. She shut her eyes even tighter; perhaps an even bigger demon had eaten them, and it was ready to eat her as well. A human hand reached her shoulder and shook her. A calm, strong voice told her not to be afraid. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a young man staring down at her. He took her and started carrying her on his back. Misao started to cry. She was lost.

: "Don't worry, you're safe now. I'll carry you back to your parents."

Misao: "I don't' have any"

: "Oh I see. Just like me and my little sister."

Misao: "You have a sister?"

: "Yes."

Misao: "I'm Misao! Who are you?"

: "I'm a demon slayer."

Misao: "Wow, can I be one of those too?"

: "Of course. My sister is not much older than you, and she is one. You just have to promise that you won't get killed."

Misao: "I won't!"

: "And you have to promise to kill every one of them."

Misao: "Yes I will!"

They arrived at a village and old man came running over them. Thanking the young man, he hugged Misao tightly and told her to get inside, so she would get her wounds treated. Before leaving, Misao stared at the young man who had saved her short life.

Misao: "Will I ever see you again?"

: "If you become a hunter, you probably will."

Misao: "Then I'll become one!"

: "When you do, look for me. We'll hunt demons together."

Misao: "Really?"

: "Really."

The hunter took something out of his pocket and gave it to her. It was a little paper crane.

Misao: "Wow, it's beautiful! Thank you!"

Misao stared sadly at the spot where he had been standing. He had left and she never asked for his name.

End of flashback

Misao: "And that's about it! I've been looking for him ever since."

Yahiko: "You don't even know his name?"

Misao: "Yes I do! I asked my caretaker Okina and he knew about him. He's a well known hunter you know."

Kaoru: "Then who is he? Maybe I know him."

Misao: "Well, he has the most beautiful raven hair in the world. I don't know now, but he kept it in a ponytail, similar to your friend the demon. And he had a pair of icy blue eyes, and they were the most gorgeous eyes I've seen! (Me: I totally agree with you, but Kenshin's are prettier!). His voice was calm and cold and he never smiled, but I know there is a smile somewhere inside him. His name is Aoshi."

Kaoru: "You're kidding, right? My brother's name is Aoshi! And he fits to that description!"

Misao: "Really! WOW! You're my future sister-in-law! How is he? I must see him right away and tell him everything I've done in these past years!"

Kaoru's face fell. She couldn't just tell her the truth, she would be really disappointed.

Kenshin: "We're looking for him."

Misao: "Really? Where is he? Is he on a demon hunt!"
Kaoru: "Y-yes. He's been gone for a while and I'm a bit worried about him."

Misao: "OH! CAN I COME!"

Yahiko: "NO WAY!"

Kaoru: "S-sure you can. But it will be dangerous."

Misao: "I don't care! I've being though a lot just for him, and I'm not giving up!"

Kenshin sighed. 'And that's how Kenshin the babysitter ended with yet another baby to take care of… bummer.' But still, Kaoru wasn't really a baby, and he had realized that a long time ago. And she could take care of herself, unlike Yahiko, and this new addition to their party. 'Well, what more can I ask for? A dog?'.

Me: Well, that's that. Now Misao is going to travel with them. Now the plot will thicken a little. But where exactly are they going? Find out in the next chapter, titled 'Covenant'.

Yami Kikkay: Ooh, I like the next chapter. There's a peeping Tom…

Me: Hush hush! Well, any reviews? Pretty please! And no flames please!