Okay I'm sorry this chapter is going to be short. But I can't help it. I had a better chapter but my computer shut down and I lost it all. And I needed to get a chapter out soo.... Yea. Well here it is enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. (this gets old fast)

Chapter 4 : Hardship of a heart.

Kaoru's groin hurt immensely as she rode. The horse was too big for her to ride. She looked down at the light brown fur underneath her. She wished the horse would get skinnier so it would hurt less but that wish, of course, never came true. The horse flicked an annoyed ear back at her as if saying, "well if you don't like it you can walk." Kaoru could've sworn the horse did say that in fact.

Kaoru felt a shiver run down her spine. She looked around for what could be the reason, her search lead her eyes downward towards the ground. Where there had once been green lush, grass was now barren dirt.

Kaoru looked up in confusion. The trees were frightening. The bark was very dark, but not like the ones in Colekta's sanctuary where the trees glowed with life and that bark was rich and lively. The black bark of these trees were most definitely dead. Kaoru could feel it, or rather, the lack of life in these trees

The branches were thin like a malnourished, bony arm. The only reason the trees still grew upward, it seemed, was to escape their own roots that held them to the unforgiving land. The branches scraped pleadingly at the sky.

The ground was grey with death. And like the land nothing grew from it but death. This was indeed a frightening place. The land was littered with black stumps.

Kenshin noticed her questioning look and answered it, "The people in the villages near here cut down the trees, hoping they will burn. So they might cook what little food they have. But it never does burn. The very soul of the tree is dead so it cannot burn."

She looked at him. The creases on his face seemed less used now. That was good. Kenshin was happier she could tell. Simply by the way he breathed she could tell. Maybe it was this world or was it true. Kaoru felt that she had a connection with Kenshin, she was sure that he was happier than he had been in a long time.

Kaoru sighed.

His scar. Why did she feel she wanted to touch it? To caress it? When she was small her mom told her that sometimes scars stay behind to remind someone of something, Sometimes as a curse for actions. Kaoru believed this was one such scar. If he could move on, not necessarily forget, but move on and continue living his life the scar might fade...

"Kaoru, there's a town up ahead we can stop and eat." Kenshin said.

Kaoru nodded in response. Then realized that she was behind him and he couldn't see the motion. "Okay, that sounds nice."

Kaoru looked up to the dull sky. She closed her eyes. Sano was sitting on the couch. She was sitting beside him with the top of her head under his chin. Sanoji was groggily dragging his feet upstairs mumbling something about being sleepy. Kaoru remembered that night well.

Her stomach tore her away from reminiscing. It churned. Kaoru thought quickly as she jumped off her horse and landed on her feet safely. She ran behind a cluster of trees. Her last thought was. Great, morning sickness.

Kenshin acted quickly and grabbed the surprised horse's reins.

Kaoru heaved uncontrollably. Was there even anything in her stomach to come up? Another round came and sweat dripped down her temples soaking into her hair. Kaoru felt warm, gentle hands pull her long hair from her face. Taking special care in the single strands stuck to her face with sweat.

Her body finally gave up and she was free. She felt a terrible full emptiness that is usually there after vomiting. Even though there's nothing there your still not hungry. Kenshin's hand's left her. Well doesn't that seem nice, coming to hold back my hair then leaves. Kaoru thought bitterly.

The red-haired man was instantly back by her side holding a water skin to her. Kaoru's cheeks colored in shame. How could she think something like that from Kenshin? He held the water gingerly to her lips. He used the first few mouthfuls to wash everything out she spat it on the floor. The last she used to calm her burning throat.

"Thank you Kenshin." Kenshin only nodded as if there was no need for 'thank you's. It was just something you were supposed to do.

Kenshin bent his knees for extra strength. He put his hands together as a kind of stair. Kaoru put her foot on it and, with unexpected power, he boosted her onto the large horse.

Kenshin climbed onto his own horse gracefully. Jumping up high and swinging his leg over, barely touching the saddle until he finally sat down.

Kenshin sank into his own thoughts. He replayed what had just happened in his mind. Had Kaoru just jumped off the horse? Without thinking to add to that?! These were Karucian Horses. Thoroughbred warhorses that were large enough to kill a pony, not to mention a man or woman. Most people can't jump skillfully off these horses, for that was the only way to do it. Either jump and be hurt or learn how to jump off correctly. Colekta and Krakten gave them these fine beasts as an extra protection. They knew how to fight.

All of this brought up the question had the small, fragile Kaoru had any previous training? Whether it be in fighting, jumping, or running did she have training? This answer could be vital to their expedition. It would tell him what she was capable of.

Kaoru took in a sharp intake of breath. "Kenshin?"

Kenshin looked up from his horse's mane. "Yes?"

He noticed there was quite a bit of space between them, "Kaoru, please don't get too far ahead of me."

"I'm sorry Kenshin, but this horse just kind of feels what I want it to and it sped up. I've never ridden a horse and this was a surprise." Kaoru started to ramble until her eyes wandered back to over the hill. Kenshin urged his horse up further until he was next to her.

Kenshin was about to give her a small lecture but decided against it. He looked at her face. What was she looking at? He followed the direction of her eyes until he saw it. He only forced one pain strangled word, "How?"

Kaoru turned to him but was too slow, he and his horse were already down the hill in a blur. This was more than likely the town Kenshin had been talking about. Smoke rose in billows above the city and if Kaoru looked too close it almost rose into the sky and made a grinning skull.

She followed Kenshin's path. "Kenshin! Where are you?" she called.

She neared the center of the small village and was almost choked with the horrid smell of burning flesh. Then it struck her, this town had been attacked. Burned.

She trotted on looking for Kenshin. Tears fell from her eyes as she saw small, burnt hands that had tried to fight their way out but had no luck. Bloodied bodies lie around with stakes through them. Kaoru looked through her pack and found a handkerchief. She put it over her mouth and nose to ease the strain on her lungs. Her tears fell freely and were soaked up by the cloth.

She heard sobs and kneed her horse lightly to move on. Kenshin sat on the ground in front of a meager hut. His knees were pulled to his chest and his back was against the wall. His hands were around his knees and his head was raised to the sky. Tears streamed down his face making clean paths in the grime on his face.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru was scared for him. She felt sorry for him. She didn't know what had happened but ... but she knew these feelings were true.

His fist came down beside with too much power and a small trail of blood leaked from his clenched hand. "How could I have let this happen?"

"Kenshin there was nothing you could have done." Her voice was firm but her mind still questioned. How was she sure he couldn't have done anything? Everything was odd here maybe... NO! he surely couldn't have don't anything.

"This was Tomoe's mother's house. I promised I would take care of her. I visited her not too long ago and everything was fine. Dammit! I promised her."

Kaoru came off the horse. "Kenshin..."

Kenshin only shook his head.

Kaoru got them out of the city. She put one of Kenshin's hands over the horse and the rest of his weight she put onto herself.

She sat Kenshin down and pulled him close. He sobbed into her embrace. Kaoru rubbed his back slightly whispering soothing phrases into his ear.

"Kenshin it's alright I'm here for you."

Okay. There it is. Hope you like it. I was wondering, would anyone like to be my beta reader? If you'd notice I could use one badly. Anyone would help. Thanx!

Well thank you so much for your reviews! You guys keep me going. Gomen, gomen, gomen ! I'm sorry for how long this took. Please forgive me! Please review! Okay I'm going to write it bigger for dramatic purposes.

Please review!!