"Kenshin?" Kaoru tried again. "Kenshin!" She'd been trying to get his attention for a while now. He didn't seem to even register her presence, let alone the world around him.

She took a deep breath. "KENSHIN!" she yelled in his ear.

"Oro!" he squeaked, stumbling a few paces away from her. He rubbed his tender ear. Kaoru was relieved to see his trance was broken. He blinked, looking at her with large innocent eyes.

"You alright?" she asked. "You just spaced out there for a moment."

"This one is fine, that I am," he smiled, trying to reassure her. But she could easily see that his mood was faked, nothing like the smile she'd seen only moments ago.

"Please… don't lie to me," she whispered, eyes downcast.

"Sorry Miss Kaoru-"

"It's Kaoru, no Miss," she interrupted. Kenshin turned away from her, staring down at his reflection in the still waters of the pond. "Won't you tell me?" She searched his back, holding her breath, waiting for a response.

He could feel her eyes pressing against him, even without looking. He knew the answer he gave would dictate the way things played out. He chanced a glance at her, meeting her sorrowful eyes and he realized from that expression, she wasn't expecting him to reply.

He turned away again, biting his lip. Why was he hesitating so much? Why couldn't things be easy and simple? Why was he so scared to tell her? But he already knew the answer to that, he cared about her, he didn't want anything to happen.

"Shishio is still loose." The words were blurted out of his mouth before he could stop them.

"What? Are you sure?" she asked, fear rising in her voice.

"Yahiko said-"

"He's still a child," she answered. "It's his dumb idea of a joke."

Kenshin shook his head. "He does not seem the type to joke over something like this, that he doesn't."

Kaoru was silent for a moment. "Well the only ones who'd know for sure would be Megumi, Sano or Hiko," she sighed, adding quickly. "Along with two Oniwaban members." A surprised look crossed Kenshin's face. "Apparently they're the ones we have to thank for saving us. They called the police, Megumi told me that they apparently don't want you to die." She shrugged her shoulders. "Not quite as chummy with the Juppongatanna as Sano thought." Kaoru cheered inwardly as a flicker of amusement flashed in Kenshin's eyes. They had started slowly making their way back towards the hospital, their hands clasped together tightly.

"Miss Kaoru…" began Kenshin. "Please be careful, this one… doesn't wish to… lose you."

"You mean, I don't wish to lose you," she teased, pushing the door open. They walked inside, making their way up the stairs to the fourth floor. They heard a door above them slam against the wall as Hiko dashed into the stairwell. He stopped when he spotted Kenshin.

"There you are!" he cried, he took a deep breath clearly relieved to see the teen. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I had all your friends tearing this place apart!"

"Sorry," apologized Kenshin. Hiko had been about to launch into a rant but completely forgot it at that single word. He stood there, an uncharacteristic look of shock on his face. "This one…" Kenshin hesitated, "I'm sorry?" It was posed as a question, testing how Hiko would react.

The man shook his head after a moment. "As long as you're alright," he sighed, glancing over at Kaoru. "It suits that you're the one who found him." Her cheeks turned pink and she shifted her feet nervously.

"Oro?" asked Kenshin with confusion.

"After you did that wonderful vanishing act on me," answered Hiko. "I ran into your friends and asked them to help me look for you."

"You mean Miss Megumi and… Sano," Kenshin swallowed nervously. Hiko nodded his head. The redhead bit his lip, fear flickering in his eyes.

Kaoru squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You'll have to face them at some point," she whispered. "He was helping look for you."

"This one knows that," he answered quietly. "I would have preferred Sano found out… a better way."

"You shouldn't be wandering the halls," commented Hiko. "Come on, back to your room." Hiko held the door open as the two slowly ascended the stairs towards the small room that Kenshin had woken up in.

"You can't change the fact Sano knows," Kaoru replied quietly. "Don't put it off for too long."

"This one will deal with Sano."

Once back inside the room, Kenshin settled himself back on the bed with Kaoru sitting beside him. Hiko leaned against the wall just beside the door.

"Hiko…" began Kaoru after a moment. "You've heard what happened at the warehouse right?" He gave a curt nod. "Was… the Juppongatanna caught?" Kenshin noticed the man's hands tighten on his arms.

"We managed to get most of them, we're in the process of rounding up the last few members." He rose off the wall before they could ask anything else. "I should go find everyone and tell them that Kenshin's been found before they do some real damage to this place." With out another word he left, closing the door behind him.

"Shishio's still out there," Kaoru turned to look at Kenshin. His voice was low, anger vibrating with every word. "He's not paying for what he's done."

"Kenshin… you don't know that," she began.

"Then why didn't Hiko say anything!" he yelled, startling her.

She took a deep breath, never turning her gaze away from his. It took him by surprise, when he felt her gentle hand against his bandaged one. "Even if it is true," she began in a level voice. Her sapphire eyes gazing into his deep lavender orbs. "Don't go after him. Please Kenshin, let someone else deal with this."

"Miss Kaoru…"

"I'm sick and tired of you fighting, of you taking everything on your shoulders. The world isn't your responsibility Kenshin, if Shishio is… still out there, let Hiko deal with it. Please, don't go yourself."

"I… want revenge against him, Miss Kaoru."

"I know."

"He's caused me nothing but pain. He tried to kill you and that…" he trailed off.

"I know Kenshin. You… hate what he's been able to get away with, I don't like it either."

"And you still insist this one shouldn't go?"

"Shishio's hurt me just as much as you, Kenshin. I have a right to get revenge on him as well." Kenshin stiffened, his hand curling into a fist, suddenly fearful of what she might do. Shishio was too powerful, the redhead couldn't bare to loose her again. "But do you see me going? While you were dead to the world, did I go searching for him? No, I stayed here. I was here, recovering from my injuries and also right by your side, even though you never knew I was even there."

He was silent for a long while before he dared speak. "Miss Kaoru listen, Shishio has at this moment a very strong advantage over us… over me. He'll find this place. It's only a matter of time…"

"If Hiko knew that Shishio was still out there, he'd tell us, I'm sure."

He shook his head sadly. "He doesn't… trust this one anymore. He broke my trust and this one broke his by facing Shishio. He's afraid that I'll go after him again."

"Will you?"

"This one is still recovering, that I am."

"What about after?" she pressed.

He couldn't help the small twitch of amusement that pulled his face into a smile. Kaoru was very perceptive sometimes, it was one of the things he loved about her.

As soon as the thought registered, his face immediately broke into a bright blush. She waited expectantly, a determined look in her eyes. There was no way that he was going to shake her off, he realized.

The look in her eyes told him, there was no way she was ever going to let him go again and that realization stirred something deep within him, an over powering feeling that he couldn't describe. It left the knowledge with him that, he didn't want to leave her side just like she didn't want to leave his.

"This one won't go after him, I swear."

She sighed, body relaxing. She let her head fall against him as she whispered, "thank you." She snuggled closer, letting his loose crimson hair tickle her face. They stayed silently like that for a while. "You'll have to talk to Sano at some point, Kenshin. You can't just avoid him forever."

"I know, but Sano will not forgive this one."

"What? Why not?"

He hesitated but spoke, "When I was under the gang name Battosai, this one did many horrible things. I led a small faction against… Sano's group the Sekihoutai. This one was there when they were destroyed. I'm responsible for what happened to Sano."

"Were they your orders?"

"No…"

"Then Kenshin, it wasn't your fault. You were just following orders."

"That's a hollow excuse Miss Kaoru."

"You can't keep punishing yourself for what happened."

"These are the facts of what happened Miss Kaoru, Sano knows them as well."

"But you're not the one responsible for-"

"I was given the name Shinta when this one first started attending Mizuki High. That was before I was pulled into the Juppongatanna. I was renamed to Battosai after that, most thinking Shinta was too wimpy for someone so… bloodthirsty. I could strike fear into anyone with just a glance. This one was considered a demon by most. I didn't follow anyone's command except for that of the leader of the Juppongatanna. This one never questioned an order given, never talked back and… that's why, Miss Kaoru, that's why I'm responsible for what happened. Sano lost everything because this one was nothing more then a weapon of the Juppongatanna. This one was never anything more then that."

A silence fell between them. Kaoru sat quietly, gazing out the window, watching the two birds that rested there. "You have to tell that to Sano."

"What?"

"You said you'd deal with him, don't let him keep hating you. You two were great friends until-" she faltered, realizing the implications of her words.

He looked away, eyes hidden from sight. "Then Sano really does loathe me now, that he does."

"Kenshin…"

"You can't speak on his behalf Miss Kaoru, that you cannot."

"Then what are you going to do? Just sit back silently as he yells at you until he turns blue?" He didn't give any answer. "Oh gods… that's what you're going to do, isn't it. Just sit back and let him use you as a punching bag."

"Miss Kaoru-"

"Well are you?" Silence was her only answer. "How can you do that Kenshin? How can you let that happen? Don't you care that if you don't act that you're going to lose your friend?"

"Sano doesn't consider himself my friend anymore, that he does not."

"And you're going to just except it? Kenshin Himura! I'm not going to just sit by and watch this happen!"

"What can you do? Sano has made up his mind about this one, that he has. There's nothing you can do or say that will change it."

"How do you know? How can you be so darn sure of that?"

"Because I've seen it before. I've been living with Hiko for six months before I appeared at your school, Miss Kaoru, did you ever think about where this one was before? This one has seen many people in my life, and when someone has created an image of who they think you are, you can never change it. It's a fact of life Miss Kaoru, neither you nor this one can change what Sano thinks."

"This is how you plan to deal with Sano? That's just pathetic Kenshin. 'It's the way life is', 'nothing you can do about it', those are excuses! You're just throwing out reasons so you don't have to act. You know what I think? Despite everything you say, you don't want anyone to forgive you for being Battosai."

"This one never asked for forgiveness. I have to pay for what I've done."

"By punishing yourself and letting others beat you into the ground?" She stopped as realization struck her. "That's why… you never fought back when we first met. Those Oniwaban members, who pulled the knife on you, you never even made an attempt to save yourself. The only time you've… ever acted was to protect us…"

"This one only wishes to protect my friends."

"And what about yourself? What about your own well being? What happens if your right and Shishio is coming after you, what then?"

"This one will not let him get near you."

"That's not what I'm worried about Kenshin. He's after you and you alone. He isn't concerned about me."

"Don't think for a moment that means you're safe. He'll be desperate at this point. Everything he had is gone. He won't care about anything, himself or anyone that gets in his way."

"That means you as well."

"I can look after myself Miss Kaoru."

"Like you have been this entire time? Look at you, you nearly died Kenshin don't you understand that?"

"I understand that better then you Miss Kaoru. You can't get involved in this."

"Involved? I already am, if you hadn't noticed. There's no way I'm going to sit back and do nothing Kenshin!"

"Miss Kaoru, he's a killer."

"So? And you're going to just go against him again?"

"Kaoru listen to me!" he shouted, startling her into silence. "Shishio is deadly. He's Battosai's successor." Kaoru gave a shocked gasp. "I taught him everything he knows, but even then, he took those arts and refined them into his own style. His moves, the way he works, is like an assassin in the shadows. No one will be able to find him unless he wants to be found."

She was silent for a long moment, digesting the information. "What's that suppose to mean?" she asked slowly after a while.

"He can sneak in here Miss Kaoru."

"What?" her face had gone deathly pale. "But he can't… find us here, he doesn't know we're even here."

"He's had time to prepare Miss Kaoru, how long have we been here?"

"I… think something like two months."

"Two months?"

"Kenshin?" He'd gone rigid, his eyes staring into nothing. "Kenshin!" He wasn't responding to her, causing her to panic.

"He's… he's planning something big."

"Kenshin, you don't even know if he's still out there."

"He is Miss Kaoru. I know him too well, he's still out there."

She suddenly rose from the bed, going for the door. "We have to tell Hiko."

"No!" He grabbed hold of her, preventing her from leaving. "We can't!"

"We can't handle this Kenshin! Shishio is too dangerous, you said so yourself!"

"That's why Hiko can't be told. He won't be able to handle Shishio, that he can't."

"And you think not telling him will keep him safe? Shishio can sneak in here, and kill you Kenshin!"

"If Hiko knew then he'll stand in Shishio's way. I won't let him put himself into danger."

"Then who the heck can deal with him?" The words had barely passed her lips when the answer came crashing into her mind. "NO!" she yelled. "You swore you won't. You swore to me that you won't face him again Kenshin. You said you'd let someone else deal with it. You promised me!"

His voice was low as he answered. "This one said I won't go after him, but he's the one coming after me. I never said this one would let someone else deal with it."

"You jerk! You're an absolute- Why do you have to do everything on your own! Why can't you just let someone else help for once? Why do you have to do everything yourself!" There were tears in her eyes, she hated them, she hated looking so weak. She tried to brush them away but they just kept coming. "You're an complete idiot."

The redhead guarded his look. He didn't dare move, his hand still holding onto her wrist. He wanted to comfort her, but his resolve would break if he did. He felt his stomach twist, he didn't want to see her like this and knowing he was the cause of those tears was almost too much for him to handle.

"Miss Kaoru," his voice was steady as always, sounding so calm despite everything. "This one cannot let someone else deal with this, that I can't. I trained Shishio, this one is responsible for what happens. I made him as deadly as he is and I have to pay for what this one has done."

"Responsible? Then you're being the mature adult, taking everything on yourself to fix. Do you even care what happens? He could kill you without so much as batting a lash. Did you even stop to think how I would feel?"

"Miss Kaoru-"

"Did you?"

There was a long silence, broken only by the hum of the lights above them.

"This one…" his voice was failing him again. There was a lump in his throat that sound just couldn't get past. "Who else… can stop him, Miss Kaoru? I've never met anyone who could stop him, this one has a chance though."

"A chance? What the hell are you talking about! You've fought him twice and both times ended up in the hospital. How the heck is that a chance! You could die! Do you-" she stopped abruptly for a moment, thinking over the words in her mind. "Do you… you even care if you live?"

Kenshin was stunned by her question. It wasn't so much that she had asked him, but the fact he couldn't find an answer. The words of Tomoe's last request echoed in his mind- the promise he had never made.

After everything else of his old life had dissolved and his world had changed, those words were the one thing he had been able to remember of her. Though she had never told him, she had cared for him deeply. It had been enough to share each other's company.The closest they'd ever come to admitting how they felt was when she lay dying in his arms. He'd never been able to keep his word, now he was being asked if he wanted to live, and he found he didn't know the answer.

He glanced at her, she stood there watching him intently. Waiting, for one answer he just didn't have.

It was such a simple little question, one he thought would be just as easy to reply to but he couldn't. He thought of lying, telling her what she wanted to hear, but one look into her deep sapphire eyes melted away any thought of doing so. In the end he had to look away, with nothing to say.

"Kenshin," there was fear in her voice.

He knew she was scared, thinking why he wasn't answering. It took everything he had, just to turn those few inches to meet her gaze. There was a look of utter terror on her face. A fear of what his lack of answer meant.

"You-" her voice broke, tears springing back into her eyes. "Y-you idiot!" She practically screamed the words as she yanked her hand free of his grasp.

Before he could do anything she'd dashed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

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Only two chapters left, whaaaaa! So far six people are interested in a sequel, if anyone else is drop me a message. On the last chapter I'll make my decision on weather or no the write one.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter, sorry it took so long. School's started up again so updating has become a little crazy. Hopefully I can get a routine started again.

Big thanks going out to my wonderful reviewers!

Summer Star: Nah, probably do something new for the sequel and finish up Shishio with in this one.

Kristy-chan: Thanks, very glad you're enjoying the story. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

CuteandPetie: Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter. I'm probably going to write a sequel already got a few ideas bouncing around in my head.

MikaylaMae: Poor Kenshin things are just getting worse for him again. Yahiko was just trying to help. Well, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Gabyhyatt: Thanks. ;)

Till next chapter! See ya!