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Bloody Roses

One

Crawling in my skin
These wounds, they will not heal
Fear is how I fall
Confusing what is real

-"Crawling" by Linkin Park

How long had it been since she had left? How long had it been since he saw the tears shining in her eyes and saw her walk out of the door? It had seemed like just yesterday though time told differently. Everywhere he went, he saw her. Just a glimpse of strands of black hair, a glimpse of ocean blue eyes. He hated it. Everyday in his mind was a replay of that day-of him, unable to stop her from leaving, feeling so pathetic. Day after day he saw her and wanted to reach out to her and bring her back. Everyday he told himself that he would, that one day he would bring her back home. But every single day, he saw himself-not moving, not doing anything to find her. He hated himself for it.

He knew he couldn't lie to himself anymore. He had to find her. He couldn't stand watching the memories of her dance around in his mind, taunting him of what he didn't have anymore. He picked up the phone and dialed.

"Katsura-san, I am sorry, but I need to request a leave from the job."

"Kenshin? It isn't like my best assassin to ask for a leave. It's for the girl, isn't it? The one who left?"

"Hai."

"Well then, I have good news. You have an assignment in Tokyo this coming week. Your target: Enishi Yukishiro, a famous drug lord and mafia leader. "

"But what does this have to do with…"

"Kaoru Kamiya….she's living in Tokyo too."

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"You whore!"

Kaoru felt herself slam against the floor as the man's leather boot came crashing down on her. She stared up at him, her eyes filled with hate.

"What? Who are you calling a whore? Shouldn't I be allowed to have some self-defense when some drunk homeless like you try to carry me off? Can't a girl sit at a bar in peace without getting hauled away by some stupid guy?"

The leather boot came at her again and she rolled to her side, barely dodging it.

"You little scum-you tried to kick me! I'll show you! Nobody messes with me!"

She kicked her foot out, tripping him. His head met the floor with a hard thunk and she left his unconscious body there, in the dark alley.

When had her life gotten this bad? Certainly not when she was with him, the one she refused to think about. She had come here to escape her old life, but the one she had exchanged for it was much worse. She was a maid-a maid living in a tiny apartment, a maid that couldn't help but think about him every single night.

When had she ever felt so lonely? She felt raindrops splatter down on her from the dark night sky and she began to cry. At least when she was with him, she could smile when he came home…. I'll do my crying in the rain…..