ARGH! It's taken so long because I had writer's block and my computer decided to crash and burn. But it's finally up and running again. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

(Kenshin)

I had been discovered. My wings had been seen, and no doubt I was going to be turned in to men for money.

I kept my wings as close to myself as I could, crouching on the ground in front of Tomoe. I didn't know why she was here, but that was the last thing on my mind.

I kept my eyes down, afraid of what she was going to say. I was utterly shocked when I felt gentle fingers slip under my chin, raising my face to her smiling one. I looked up at her with wide eyes.

"I wouldn't turn you in Kenshin," she murmured, helping me to stand. "Not for any amount of money. That's not what friends do."

I blinked. "Friends?" I whispered in disbelief.

She nodded with another smile. "Hai, friends. You can trust me Kenshin." She grinned. "I think they're beautiful, and they make you cuter."

For the first time in over a year I felt my cheeks burn as I flushed deeply. She laughed lightly, a beautiful sound to my ears, her dark eyes sparkling. My stomach felt all tingly and I gulped slightly. "Um, a-arigatou Tomoe…" I stammered. I smacked myself mentally. I was being stupid.

She put out a hand hesitantly. "Can I touch?" I nodded shakily and she began to stoke my feathers gently. As her slender fingers went through my feathers I felt a sense of lethargy and peace creep over me. My eyelids grew heavy and felt my entire body relax. If felt so good…

I sighed in pleasure as she continued to play with my feathers and I suddenly started mentally as a full throaty hum sounded in the room. It was me! I was…purring? 'I can purr?' I thought, but I was distracted as Tomoe removed her fingers from my wings. I had to restrain a whimper of protest.

She was smiling with laughter in her eyes, and I grinned sheepishly, my cheeks flushing for the second time in less than 10 minutes. "You'd better hid those pretty wings of yours," she said. I whistled and they faded, and she turned to leave. "I'll see you around Kenshin. I work here now."

Well, that solved the mystery of why she was here. I nodded to her. "Arigatou Tomoe, for understanding."

She waved it off with a gentle smile. "Goodbye Kenshin."

I grinned when she left. I had a friend.

(Tomoe)

Over the next few weeks I got to know Kenshin very well, but one thing was worrying me. I didn't know what he did. I at first thought he was just a soldier, but something was telling me otherwise. I couldn't work up the courage to ask him either.

He was young, but he had wisdom beyond his years and I found myself easily getting along with him. He was easy to connect with, and when I was with him he usually released the illusion on his wings. They were beautiful, and I still found myself in awe of them.

After nearly a month and a half I finally got the courage to ask him about himself. I found Katsura-san and asked him to give Kenshin the day off. He gave me a knowing smile and a nod. I bowed to him with a happy 'Arigatou!'

I found Kenshin resting in his room. He had been out late the night before, so he had been getting some well earned sleep. I walked closer to him; though I stayed back a little.

"Kenshin." I called. The instant his name left my lips his eyes snapped open, one hand shooting for his sword. I spoke again. "It's me Kenshin."

He blinked, and then re-sheathed the sword. "Forgive me Tomoe. I was startled."

I smiled, now venturing closer. I had expected that, so I had been standing farther back for a reason. "It's alright, I expected that. Katsura-san has given you the day off Kenshin."

His violet tinged eyes lit up. "Really? Well, I've got somewhere I want to take you, let's go!"

I was a bit shocked when he took a hold of my hand, leading me from the inn. We walked away from the town, and after a while we ended up walking hand in hand. I was happier than I had been in a while, just being with Kenshin.

I looked over and giggled when I saw a blush dusting his cheeks. He looked at me. "What? Why are you laughing?"
I laughed out loud then. "You're blushing."

The blush deepened and he looked away. I squeezed his hand gently. "Tomoe…" he said softly. "Today is my birthday. I turn 18 today. It's kind of strange the way Katsura-san gave me this day off."

I grinned as we stopped in a clearing by the river. "Well Happy Birthday Kenshin." I kissed his scarred cheek and blushed again to rival his hair. We sat together on the ground, and I leaned against him, setting my head on his shoulder. "Kenshin…" I murmured. "What happened to you?"

He looked at me in surprise. "Nani?"

"How did you get this scar?" I said, tracing it with a finger. "What is your past?"

He looked down, sighing. "I was wondering when you would ask me that." He sighed again heavily, and I started to tell him he didn't have to, but he cut me off. "It's fine Tomoe, you deserve to know. I grew up in the Kyoto Mountains in a little cabin with my father. When I was fifteen I gained my wings. About 3 months after that men attacked our mountain. I tried to lead them away from the cabin, away from my father, but they didn't take the bait. I was shot down, and when I woke I found my cabin burned to the ground, along with my father." His voice caught and he took in a shuddering breath. I laced my fingers in his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He smiled thankfully at me, and then continued. "I flew away, for how long I don't remember. I finally fell from the sky, breaking a wing, an ankle, and a wrist. I also got the scar then. A woman named Karei found me and nursed me back to health. I stayed with her for about a year, then I came here."

I was shocked. "What about your mother?"

"She died when I was four. I was raised by my father," he said softly.

I pulled at his gi, pulling the cloth from his thin body. "Let me see those wings of yours." He snapped his fingers and they appeared, shining in the sun. I ran my fingers through the feathers and saw him relax, the strange purring noise filling the air again.

"Kenshin?" I murmured. "What do you do for Katsura-san?"

His back immediately stiffened and he drew his wings away from me. "I…"

I hugged his shoulders from behind, setting my face in the crook of his neck. "You don't have to tell me. I wouldn't hate you for it. I could never hate you Kenshin."

He sighed. "Battousai…"

I paused. "Battousai? You?"

He nodded, his shoulders slumping. I squeezed him tightly. "I don't hate you Kenshin. I can tell you don't enjoy that."

"Tomoe…" he breathed, turning to look at me. I found myself pressed against his bare chest as his wings wrapped around me. "I love you…"

I gasped, looking up into his violet eyes. He closed the distance between us and took my lips with his. I closed my eyes, sinking into his kiss.

He pulled away a moment later. "Kenshin, aishiteru."

He smiled, the true joy on his face there for the first time. "Would you marry me Tomoe?"

I smiled and nodded happily. "Hai Kenshin."

He stood, offering me a hand. "Fly with me Tomoe."

I gasped. "Fly?"

He nodded as I took his hand and stood. "Join me in my second home." He lifted me into his arms. "Hold on to my neck, tightly." I wrapped my arms around his neck as his wings. Within a few strong strokes of his wings we were into the air.

I closed my eyes, then Kenshin's voice echoed in my ear. "Look Tomoe."

I looked down and gasped in awe. "It's beautiful!" The river stretched beneath us like a shining blue ribbon. Kenshin chuckled, swooping closer. I squealed, tightening my hold on his neck as he laughed.

He flew above the river, close enough that I could touch the surface. He flew higher after a moment, and I blinked as he sank again. "Kenshin?"

I looked at his face, shocked to see his face scrunched in pain. His chest began to heave beneath my side.

I looked down again. The water was getting closer. A whistling noise began to sound along with each of Kenshin's breaths. "Kenshin!" I said, fear beginning to flood through me. "What's wrong?"

"Can't…breathe…" he managed to whistle out. With that his eyes rolled up, his wings crumpled and we fell. I hit the water at a fairly quick speed, and I could hear the splash as Kenshin hit not far from me. I broke the surface, looking for Kenshin. I ducked under the water, seeing Kenshin sinking into the depths. I dove for him, grabbing hold of his arm and pulling him up.

I hauled him to the edge, pushing him onto the shore. My strength was fading quickly as I held on against the raging waters. I barely saw him breathing as my vision faded out and I knew no more.

Eee…. Hope you like it, please review!