Chapter 9

(Tomoe)

I became more worried when the man, no, boy I was holding up let out a moan and sagged against me, his weight bearing down on me. I nearly fell, but I braced myself and was able to remain standing.

I began to walk, doggedly pulling the boy with me. He was fairly light for someone his size, and I was grateful for that. I stumbled slightly and the boy let out another moan, his head lolling sideways to rest on my shoulder.

After only a few minutes I made it to the inn I was staying at. Luckily no one was currently at the front, so I was able to get the boy up to my room with no interference. I pushed open my door and walked inside, carefully laying the boy down while I lit some candles.

I brought my futon closer to where the boy was laying, pulling the unconscious form onto it. He made no more sounds even as I pulled off his gi and examined his pale chest. He was surprisingly thin, and I could see chain marks along his ribcage, stomach, and arms. I suspected the chains had broken a few ribs, explaining why he had passed out when I had tried to help him stand.

While I was bandaging him up I looked up just in time to see his eyes snap open. He began to sit up, but I held him down and he gave me a harsh look. "Who are you?"

"My name is Tomoe Yukishiro. I helped you after you passed out." I replied calmly finishing up my work.

He narrowed startling amber eyes. "You. You're the woman in the rain." His let hand flew to his side. "Where are my swords?"

I sighed inwardly and gestured vaguely to where I had put them, with his slightly bloodstained gi. "They're here, don't worry."

I took his moment of silence to study him a bit more. He was small, with naturally pale skin and a feminine frame. In the dim flickering light from the candles around us his hair shimmered with red and gold, tied in a high samurai topknot. His eyes though, they were what threw my senses. They were an intimidating yet beautiful amber, boring into my own eyes with a fierce intensity. I could see something there that was surprising. They were not the eyes of the boy he was, but ones of an older man. He had seen far more than someone his age should have.

"What is your name?" I asked him, breaking the quiet that had descended upon us.

He hesitated. "Himura. I am Kenshin Himura."

I handed him his navy gi, leaving the swords. He took it tentatively, pulling it on slowly, being careful of his torso. "Nice to meet you. You've got a few broken ribs, but I took care of that." I studied him in silence. "How old are you Kenshin?"

He seemed a bit thrown at my question, but he answered. "Seventeen."

I frowned. Still a boy, and obviously caught up in the revolution. He suddenly stood, grabbing his swords and shoving them through his belt. "Arigatou, for your help, but I must be going," he said, going to my door. He left without another word.

"Good-bye Kenshin." I murmured. "May Kami-sama keep you safe in these hard times."

(Kenshin)

Little did Tomoe know I had heard her final comment, and it confused me. Why would she worry about someone like me?

I made back to the inn with no more trouble, going straight to my room to rest. I sat by the window, my customary place. Staring out at the cloudy rainy sky I sighed, sad that I wouldn't be able to fly again for some time.

I stood and went to my door, telling one of the maids that I was not to be disturbed. I warned her easily enough with my voice, and she shakily nodded.

"Arigatou." I said softly, giving her a gentle smile. The men at the inn irritated me, but I tried to be kind to the women.

Her ki relaxed and she smiled. "I'll make sure no one bothers you Himura-san."

I nodded to her and returned to my room. I shut my door and sat by the window again, spreading out my senses. No men were near, and many were sleeping.

I decided to risk it. I removed my gi and snapped my fingers, sighing in relief as I stretched my wings. I settled down in my spot, wrapping my wings around myself for warmth. It felt good to have them out, even through there was a risk of being seen. As long as I remained awake I could sense anyone coming close.

I sat silently, closing my eyes. My torso was still throbbing slightly and I whistled lowly, sending my magic out through my ribs. I mended what turned out to be three broken ribs and the bruising along my chest, stomach, and arms. After this was finished I yawned. Using my magic had tired me out further. Before I could resist I drifted off into a deep healing sleep, not noticing one crucial thing: my wings were still visible.

(Tomoe)

After Kenshin left I changed my slightly bloody clothes and cleaned myself up some. I washed my umbrella and then headed out into the dying rain. I needed a job, and another place to stay, and I knew an inn nearby that make take me on.

The woman that owned the inn was named Okami, and she accepted me into her service. She showed me where I could stay and gave me an extra kimono. "So you'll match the other girls," she told me.

While I was going back to the main room to get my things where I had left them I noticed a sound through one of the door. I moved closer, pushing open the door a crack. I gasped. 'Kenshin?'

It was Kenshin, and he had wings! I moved into the room, shutting the door behind me. I walked closer to him, stepping lightly so I wouldn't wake him.

The wings were very large, covered in shining crystal feathers. They were wrapped around his thin body like sparkling blankets. I put out a tentative hand to touch them, stroking the feathers lightly.

His breath caught sharply and his amber eyes snapped open. He was on his feet in an instant, focused on me. His beautiful wings flared out on instinct, feathers puffing out in an attempt to make him look more intimidating. 'Almost like a bird….' I thought.

His eyes suddenly widened. "Tomoe…" he whispered. His wings suddenly wilted. "I've been found…" He fell to the floor, and I gasped as he brought his wings closer to his body, this time making himself smaller. "Are you going to turn me in?"