The Answer:

"Can I stay with you?"

~*~

Can I stay with you?

.....

Please....

Kenshin froze. Her yearning for him to say yes was revealed completely in her eyes. He hadn't expected this to happen.

You can ask me anything.

Kenshin cursed himself. You were asking for trouble when you said that, he thought to himself, angry. He wasn't angry at her. No, never. He was angry at himself for saying the statement that led to this important question. He was angry at himself, because he did not know a way to say no to her gently.

He had been Hitokiri Battousai, the Legendary Manslayer. This nickname was still well known through out Japan. He tried to stay inconspicuous because of this, and if he were to take this girl along, she might be curious of why he stayed away from social contact. Not to mention, it was bad for children to wander around the whole day and sleep outside in the cold at night.

Though, he thought, it seems she already lives a rough lifestyle like this. He saw the scrapes on her knees, the calluses on her feet, the fingers with small cuts on them. But, it's still out of the question. He couldn't afford to take care of her. Being near him was dangerous. He tried to find trouble, so he could help correct it. His way of living was no way for a child...

Demo...what would've happened to her if I hadn't come along? She may be in more danger without protection. But I...I am...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ami watched him. He had stiffened, and all the teasing had gone out of his face. She felt miserable. She shouldn't have asked. It was enough to have been saved and taken cared of by him. She shouldn't have forced herself onto him so selfishly. She might be a burden to him. Even now, just spending less than half a day with him... she already knew that...

All I want is his happiness and his comfort. If he does not want me, I won't argue. I have no right to be that selfish.

Her eyes watered, threatening tears again. Ami clenched her fists into her clothing, angry with her lack of control. If she cried, it would make Kenshin feel guilty. She let out a breath.

"It's all right," she said softly. His face snapped up from his brooding and looked at her in surprise. "If you don't want me, I can go away."

She watched him carefully. Deep in his eyes his emotions were tumbling. She didn't want to cause him any discomfort. She looked away, hoping he would be able to make a decision more clearly without her eyes begging him to accept.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kenshin was startled by her voice breaking into his thoughts. Her eyes were in turmoil, but slowly they straightened out into a calm stare, trying to hide the quiet grief behind them.

"It's all right. If you don't want me, I can go away."

Those words pierced his heart like a dagger. If you don't want me...

Kami-sama! How could he accept? He didn't know anything about her, only hints and clues at what she could stand. Could she keep up with him? How about in the under brush? The woods? Could she go for days without food? He sighed inwardly, and tried to think of it in a new approach.

What would her life be like if I refused? She would be alone in that forest......by herself. Anything could happen to her... he remembered her panicked face at the drunk's house. She could not protect herself again men like him. But he could. Kenshin knew that he was a superior swordsman. He knew he could defeat the common thief or fighter. As long as no one from the old Bakumatsu days came along, he was quite sure he'd be able to win. But there was always that if. He could fail at protecting her. Tomoe's death had taught him that. But wasn't it better...to try and protect her, rather then leave her here to fend for herself? He would accept the responsibilities, and try his absoloute best.

Yes....

"Ami," he said. She looked up, trying to hide her nervousness. Kenshin's heart throbbed at her helpless looking expression. "Ami, are you sure that you have no family here to take care of you? No one in the village?"

He saw the flicker in her eyes. She hadn't mentioned what happened to her brother. But Kenshin already suspected.

She paused, then answered slowly, "No. I lived in another village pretty far from here. I came here after the house was burnt down. I only know a few people in this village, but none of them would be willing to take me in. They do not have the money or time, I think."

Kenshin sat there, contemplating. No one to take care of her? Then perhaps...he could. For a while, at least. If they ever met anyone trust worthy enough, he could leave her there feeling satisfied.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Ami."

Ami looked up quickly, putting her worries of pressuring him and denial in the back of her mind.

"Ami, are you sure that you have no family here to take care of you? No one in the village?"

So...that was how it was going to be. He would take her if no one else would. Perhaps out of guilt at the chance of leaving her to be alone. If that was the case...and he did say yes...Ami's heart rose at the thought. If he did say yes, she would have to prove herself to him, and not be a burden. She would make him happy to have her as a companion. She would make him glad of his decision. She thought of his question. Hiro... Hiro wasn't here. So that was a no. Someday, maybe she'd see him again, but for now....

"No. I lived in another village pretty far from here. I came here after the house was burnt down. I only know a few people in this village, but none of them would be willing to take me in. They do not have the money or time, I think."

She watched his expression. Only after a while she had finished speaking, she realized a mistake.

Takaru Konure...the old woman who had been her friend those years ago...she had wanted to take her in. But Ami did not want to appear forgetful in front of Kenshin, as she had already given him an answer. And most of all, she wanted to be with him. Besides, she thought guiltily, Konure-san might have...passed away. She was quite old, after all... She felt shame at thinking the thought. Was she actually hoping Takaru had died? She was ashamed of herself. If Kenshin said no, it would serve her right.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Are you up to it?"

His voice broke her thoughts. She looked up, face flushed and startled.

"Nani?"

His face was warm. "I am a wanderer. It will be hard on your feet."

Her face broke into a shy smile. "I can do it."

"I don't have much money; we may go days without food."

Ami shook her head, determined. She didn't care about the obstacles.

"I don't care."

Kenshin paused, thinking of how to word his next sentence.

"As I said, I wander around helping people, which means we may encounter some trouble..."

Ami's eyes widened slightly. She remembered the man's leering face. Then, like her worries, she banished it from her mind. Kenshin would be there...and she would be by his side. And together, they would try their best to help.

"I don't care. I'll do whatever you say. I'll stand it without complaint." she said, eyes glinting. It was a challenge, to see if she was worthy. If she could live up to her words, then her being with Kenshin would not be a mistake. She would prove it...to both of them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The determination in her eyes made Kenshin smile. He wondered if he looked like that when he was young, training with his Shishou.

"All right," he said, smiling. "It's late, de gozaru. Please rest."

Ami's eyes sparkled. He could see the joy threatening to burst inside her. She nodded quickly, almost eagerly, and lay down to sleep.

Kenshin watched her. She had closed her eyes, then slowly, truly fell asleep. She looked so peaceful, and a small smile graced her lips. Kenshin felt a swell of protectiveness over her. From now on, she was his charge. He was actually looking forward to the future days, to see what his lifestyle would be like now, with this young girl. As he watched her sleep, the old doubts rose in his mind, but he brushed them off. If he found it was too dangerous for her, he would find someone trust worthy to leave her with. With the argument temporarily settled, he lay back against a tree, and looked up to the stars.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~+Owari+~

~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^

Author's Notes:

Kenshin looked up to the stars. Oooh! See the stars, Kenshin?

* * * * * * *

* * *

* * * * * * * * * See? There are the stars! X_X'

Okeydokey, that was random of me. 0_o' I'd try and make the Big Dipper, but oh well.

Hey! The next chapter came sooner then I thought! Know why? Cuz I cut it in half. ^_^ The next chapter and this chapter were supposed to be in just one chapter. But I decided to cut it in half, just to update the story! It's not that long, but it's an update, so no complaints, right? ^_^'

Review Replies:

AnimeAmba: Nah, of course you're not crazy. (backs away slowly)- Kidding! ^^' I'm really looking forward to your Sano fic, since your Aoshi/Misao fic is so good. ^_^ Yeah, reviews are just lovely. I used to read lots of RK fics but never reviewed, but ever since I started writing and saw how great reviews are, now I practically review for every story I read, except for the bad ones. 0_o' Cuz then I'd seem pretty mean. (Baka! Kaoru is spelled K-A-O-R-U, not K-A-U-R-O! X_X') Sometimes I see the most terrible spelling mistakes, not just names either. ^^'

Haruko: Yeah, school is a big fat bother. All that math...*shudders* Yes, continue your fic if you can! ^^' Your writing style is very.....(I have low vocabulary...).erm......X_X' poeticy? X_X'' Okay, I'll shut up now. Oh yeah, and about my fic idea for the afterlife...I didn't even think about Kaoru's dad! If it were a comedy fic, that'd be pretty funny. That's happened in one of....Anna-neko's fics. (I think that's her pen name,anyway) Except Kenshin wasn't dead. He was sleeping with Kaoru (not that way!) when her dad's ghost just popped up. It was pretty funny. Quote: "HOLY DE GOZARU!" :P I think the title is called "Heart of the Woman" or something like that.

Peeko: I'm glad to get a review from you! I'm also glad everyone seems to be liking Ami. ^_^ Please refrain from dying until this fic reaches it's end. :P (Its going to be really long though; I can tell already. Possibly around 150 chapters?!)

Anyway, as usual, I'll let you know in my Bio when I start writing the next chappy. Till Next Time!