Well, it looks like you liked my first chapter, so I will give you all a second chapter. It might not be as long, but I hope it feeds your appetite. Enjoy.

The New Partner

Kaoru got home at about one o'clock after walking from the police station to her home. She didn't live that far away from the station, but she decided to take the scenic route, which meant walking six blocks out of her way. It was funny how she didn't even remember walking around. She didn't even remember unlocking her door or walking up the stairs to her apartment. She just found herself laying on her bed thinking to herself. She didn't even bother to take her work clothes off. Only her shoes and drench coat lied on the ground. She was usually a tidy person with everything in its proper place, but she didn't seem to care about any of that at the moment. She could only think of one thing.

"Tomoe," she whispered as she clung to her pillow. It had been three years since she had walked out on her sister. She had said such awful things to her, and she never got a chance to say she was sorry. She never would now. The thing that bothered her the most rung in her head.

"You keep serving drinks in that bar. I hope one night that one of those filthy drunks breaks your neck. We'll see who is sorry then." She couldn't get that last phrase out of her head. How could she have said that to the only family she had left? Of course she didn't get along with her sister the best, but whoever had a sister they completely liked? No, she thought. Family would never wish death on each other, not like I did. I don't deserve family. Tomoe, why did you have to leave me? Why?

Suddenly, the phone rang in Kaoru's room. She had cried herself to sleep thinking about Tomoe, which meant her sleep was not a pleasant one. When she answered the phone, her voice was hoarse and low. "Hello?"

"Jou-chan, where are you? The boss is going to be pissed off again because you're not here. Do you even know what time it is?" It was Sanosuke, Kaoru's rooster head ex-partner. Even though they didn't work together anymore, they were still on the best of terms. Sanosuke always looked out for her, especially when she was late for work.

"Sano, quit yelling. It's only…" Kaoru stopped when she looked at her clock on the bed stand. It was already 8:15 a.m. "Damn it! I'm going to be late!" Kaoru quickly hung up on the rooster head and started to get ready. She didn't bother to take a shower or change her clothes. She just grabbed her shoes and coat and ran out the door trying to put her hair in a messy ponytail. Even if she ran, it would take her fifteen minutes to get to the station. She was glad that she left her files and gun at the station last night, because there would be no way she could have gotten them together in time. "Damn it! Why didn't I set my alarm clock last night? Saitou-san is going to kill me!"

Kaoru finally ran to check in. She was already a half hour late. She had been late before, but not this late. Great, how can this get any worse?

"Yo, Jou-chan!" Kaoru turned around as she approached her desk. Sano was standing right behind her. He was probably the strangest police man she had ever seen. He never wore a uniform or a detective outfit. It was always jeans with a white tang top and jacket with the aku sign. Even though he was two years older than Kaoru, he still acted like a teenager. He drank way too much, gambled illegally (only known to Kaoru who never turned him in), and was always thinking something perverted. He was one of the best fighters on the streets, and he also knew where to get his information. The last thing Kaoru needed was this muscle head in her face, but he stared her down with an upset look on his face. "Why the hell did you hang up on me? You should have more manners than that?"

"Not now, Sano. I'm in a lot of trouble as it already is. Plus, last night wasn't the best either."

"What do you mean by that?" Sano asked. "Did some guy not put out for you?" If looks could kill, Sano would be cold dead. Kaoru gave him the nastiest look ever. Something must have happened to her, he thought. "Alright, I'm sorry. Look, Hajime wants you in his office. Think you can handle him?" Kaoru finally got up from her desk and walked towards Saitou's office. Sano couldn't believe how she was acting. She was being her usual cheerful, bossy self. What really happened to you last night, Kaoru?

Knock! Knock!

"Come in," Saitou's voice rang through the door. Kaoru slowly opened the door and stared at her boss. "Aw, Kamiya. Come in and have a seat." Kaoru nodded and walked in. When she closed the door behind her, she realized that she and Saitou were not alone. A man in a red drench coat turned around in his chair to look at her. "Oh, I would like to introduce you to Himura Kenshin. Himura, this is detective Kamiya Kaoru." Kaoru went to shake his hand, but she was surprised when he rose and bowed to her. No one bowed anymore.

"It's nice to meet you, Kaoru-dono." His voice was so gentle and cheerful, as if he enjoyed his work. Kaoru sized him up as he stood straight again. He wasn't much taller than she, and the way his red hair was tied back in a low ponytail made his face look girlish. She could tell he was older than him, but she didn't know by how much. His blue eyes were also gentle, but she could tell they held a certain sadness in them. She noticed that he wore a sword on his side. His most distinct feature was the cross-shaped scar on his face. He was kind of good-looking, but there wasn't much to him as far as strength.

"Thank you, Himura-san," Kaoru said as she sat down."

"He is a veteran detective with quite the record," Saitou continued. "His swordsmanship is even better. I've had the privilege of fighting him myself. That's one thing you two have in common. It would make more sense if he wore a regular katana instead of a sakabato." Why would anyone wear a sword that couldn't kill? Kaoru thought. Then something else hit her.

"Excuse me, sir, but why would I need to know what we have in common?" Saitou smiled as he lit a cigarette.

"You two are going to be working on the rose serial killer case together. As of now, you two are partners." Kaoru immediately stood up and slammed her hands on the desk.

"Are you serious, Saitou? You know very well that I work alone. Don't you remember what happened with Sano?"

"You will address me properly, Kamiya. I am well aware of your past partners. I know you want to work alone, but you need help with this one. This murderer goes after women only."

"Are you saying that this man is going to protect me?" Saitou then turned to Kenshin who nodded and left. When the door was closed, Saitou continued.

"Sit down, Kaoru." Kaoru quickly sat down in her chair. Whenever Saitou used her first name, she knew she better obey him. "I know this man may not look like much, but he is a lot stronger than he appears to be. When I fought him, we ended in a stalemate. You know how strong I am." Saitou sighed and let the smoke come out of his mouth. "Listen, I know this is hard for you. Your sister just died, and you've been looking for this guy for a long time. Himura is an expert. He will help you solve this without getting into sticky situations. You said you wanted something big, something to put you on top. Here is your chance, Kaoru. If you don't take it, I will understand." Kaoru looked at her boss. She hated working with partners, but she would be damned if she let this opportunity slip out of her reach.

"I will take the case, sir, and the partner." Saitou smiled and then walked to the door.

"Good girl. You don't have to start right away. You will probably want to set a funeral date for Tomoe."

"No, sir. I will start on this right away," Kaoru walked through the door and past Kenshin. She didn't even give him a glance as she sat down at her desk. Kenshin just sighed as he went back into Saitou's office.

"What do you think, Hajime?" Kenshin asked. "Can she handle this one?"

"I think she can hold her own. I trained her myself. She's a tough girl. Any other officer would have asked for a vacation in this case, but not her. She is too determined. This should be interesting." Saitou finally put out his cigarette and looked at Kenshin. "Has everything been taken care of?"

"Yes. Tomoe's funeral will be in two days. I wouldn't let her go without one." Kenshin turned around to leave, but he stopped before he opened the door. "You should take it easy on the girl. She just lost someone she loved."

"Maybe you should take it easy on yourself as well," Saitou said. Kenshin paused before walking out the door. Again, Saitou lit up another cigarette and puffed in the smoke. "This is going to be very interesting indeed.

Ok, it was longer than I thought it would be. I hope you guys still like it. If you have any ideas, let me know. I would be glad to read them. I'll try to update soon. Cya.