Hi everyone!

First of all I want to thank everyone who take some time to leave a comment to last chapter, and by that I mean: Kenkaofan; Ihaine 07; Taishou and Lydia the tygeropean - your reviews make me want to write more and more. Thank you so much!

Also those who favorited and added my story to their alert subscription - Oh My God! I am so happy to have 47 people follwing this story! I know it must be a small number for some people here who have the ability to write amazing stories, as I already had the chance to read, But for an "outsider" like me, this number makes me happy!

I started this chapter with a Linkin Park's song - The Final Masquerade - I heard it first time this weak and I felt that it had a good connection to the events of this story. - I hope you to enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 13 – Dangerous Love

Final Masquerade

Tearing me apart with words you wouldn't say

And suddenly tomorrow's moment washed away

Cuz I don't have a reason and you don't have the time

But we both keep on waiting

For something we won't find

The light on the horizon was brighter yesterday

With shadows floating over, the scars begin to fade

We said it was forever

But then it slipped away

Standing at the end of the final masquerade

The final masquerade

All I ever wanted, the secrets that you keep

All you've ever wanted

The truth I couldn't speak

Cuz I can't see forgiveness, and you can't see the crime

And we both keep on waiting for

What we left behind

::

The first thing that caught his attention as he saw her was the blood on her clothes. As he stepped inside she took a step back and he closed the door behind them. He stared at her with worry written all over his face. Only when he turned his attention to her face he saw something he failed to notice before. There was fear on her eyes, and her hands were shaking. Was she afraid of him? "Who did that to you?"

::

When she saw him on the other side of the door, Kaoru didn't know what to feel… She was still afraid because of what happened minutes ago, and when he made his way into her room forcing her to step back she felt anger rising inside of her. She was angry that all this was happening because of him, because her love for him was slowly killing her, and he was the only one that didn't seemed to mind.

So when she heard him asking who did that to her, Kaoru knew she could take that chance to speak her mind and maybe try to clear things between them. But she couldn't. She was too nervous and angry to talk to him now. "Why do you care?"

The change on her eyes from fear to determination made him blink in admiration. "I can see you were attacked." – he pointed to the blood stains on her kimono.

"I was attacked before and you didn't care, so why would you now?" – She was trying to keep her voice down because she didn't want to disturb no one else, but it was being difficult.

She doesn't know I was there. He thought. Of course no one told her.

His lack of answer only angrier her more. She sighed heavily: "Also, I thought you said we had nothing to talk about." She passed him by ready to leave the room when he grabbed her fist and they stare back at each other: "What changed from two days ago Mr. Himura?" – she asked harshly.

The use of his family name instead his first name shocked him. But he didn't let that stop him. "Are you afraid of me, Kaoru?" – he asked without taking his eyes away from hers. "Should I?" – Evasive. Kaoru was being evasive, but he could see she was hurt. The happiness he noticed two days ago when she first saw him was transformed into angry and distance. She was hurt by his actions. He could tell that. But he wanted her to talk; he wanted her to give him hope that everything was a misunderstanding… "Uh.." – she complained: "You're hurting my fist."

Kenshin released her immediately. "I am sorry." – he didn't noticed the strength he was using on her. Kaoru gently massaged the red area on her fist: "I am tired of this." – she sighed fighting the tears.

Kenshin fought with himself not to comfort her. It was painful to see her like this. But he also was in a difficult situation. "Please tell me the truth."

Kaoru glanced at him. "The truth? Do you want to know the truth?" – her hands went to her hips as she answered defiantly: "The truth is that Everyone cares except you." – she pointed her finger to him – "Aoshi saved me from the attack, Yumi came to see me when I was recovering even Katsura came to talk to me! But you…" – Kaoru was spilling out everything she held inside for the last weeks. "Where were you? Oh, I remember, you went to Otsu with Tomoe."

Katsura came to see her? Kenshin had never seen her this angry. She had never talked to him like that before.

So, seems like he was the bad guy on this story. "I was sent to Otsu!" - It was all he could say in his defense, because he was too confused to say anything else. Why Katsura came to talk to her?

Kaoru sighed tired. She had said everything she wanted to him, she had destroyed his defenses, she could see he was confused, And two days ago that would be enough to make her happy because he was trying to trust her again, but Kaoru realized she too hurt to make peace with him now. Maybe…

Maybe this will never end… Maybe we are not meant to be. "Soon I will have evidences that prove my innocence. At least that's what I hope."

"How?" – he asked not because he was doubting her, but he knew that if that so-called evidence existed would also expose the real traitor.

Is that concern on your voice, Kenshin? "Don't worry. I have help."

He took a step closer: "That evidence… can get you killed."

Kaoru stepped back and her back was leaning against door: "It's the only thing they can do to me."

"Tell me how I am going to help you?" – he asked still puzzled with the changes he found on her.

"You weren't there when I needed more, so why should I ask your help when I know you won't come?" – Tears rolled down her cheeks. Kaoru couldn't hold them anymore. He was… to close and all she wanted to do was to be held in his arms... that idea sounded so comfortable now.

"Do you trust him that much? Only because Shinomori saved you once doesn't mean you should trust him your life!" – this conversation was running away from its original purpose, but he couldn't help thinking that her distance towards him was related to her intimacy with the Okashira.

"It wasn't his name that I called when Udo's sword was slashing my flesh. It wasn't Aoshi that I wanted by my side when I couldn't hold the pain of the injuries after the attack…"

Kenshin approached her and hugged her. At the begging she tried to get away from his embrace but as he tightened his arms around her she gave up and let her head rest on his chest: "It was you." – she finally said. Kenshin's fingers tangled in Kaoru's hair as he allowed himself to inhale that sweet scent of jasmine that only she had. "I would give everything to get back in time and change that…" – he spoke.

What I am going to do with you? You refuse to help me and refuse to accept my help...

After a while Kaoru broke the embrace and Kenshin knew by the look on her eyes she was putting an end to their conversation: "I hope to have your evidences soon. Until then, please, don't look for me." – she slide the door to open.

"Why?" – it was all he could say before a girl appeared with a huge bouquet on her hands.

She seemed surprised to see Kaoru: "Where have you been? I've been looking for you all around the place! It as mess downstairs."

Kaoru nod: "I am sorry Yumiko... I just had a small problem."

Why is Kaoru working at night? Kenshin wondered as he gave a suspicious look at the red flowers on the girl's hands.

"God! What happened to your clothes? Are you ok?" – The girl asked as she noticed Kaoru's kimono.

"I am ok Yumiko. Please don't worry." - Kaoru couldn't help but look at the bouquet in her hands it was enormous. "Are those for Yumi?"

Kenshin didn't knew why he was still there but his curiosity stopped him from leaving and the girl's answer totally blown him away. "No actually a guest sent those for you." - she said giving them to Kaoru.

Kaoru widened her eyes in shock: "For… me?"

::::

Saito was a wolf, he was sure that if this didn't end up soon, his neck would be the next one on the table.

Saotome used to be one of the Shinsen members but as years passed by, he lost his faith on their purpose.

Defeating the evil ones – It was one of the ideals of Shinsen. He thought as he saw Iizuka approaching.

As the other man seated Saotome started:" I now understand that there is no such thing as good or evil… We are domed in here, so I am decided to get as much as I can from this life, because death is sure for us all. But I also understand, that if we don't close this matter quickly, It will come for me sooner than what I thought."

"Are you saying that Kojiro failed?"

"Saito killed him before he got to her." - he answered

Iizuka punched the table: "Stupid woman, she just refuses to die!"

Saotome ignored his action: "They want to attack Katsura tomorrow night."

"At the meeting?"

"Yes."

"It might be a good idea. He will be only with a few men…" – Iizuka knew Katsura and Okubo called only the closest friends to their meeting. He wanted to reassure them that they would carry with their purpose even without Saigo.

"What about the girl?"

"I will have to make a move Saotome… she will literally burn in hell."

::::

As Tomoe saw Iizuka leaving, she knew he was meeting someone to continue with the plot. She didn't knew what to do and end up following him and hearing part of their conversation. "Saotome…"

They were plotting against Kaoru again… If something happened to her with her knowledge she would have to add guilty to her regret. She couldn't live with that.

::::

He couldn't hold the commotion on his chest, so he walked and walked to the longest way to Katsura's house. He needed to think. Think about her attitude, about her words, and about… that gift. What was that suppose to mean?

When he saw the flowers were to her, he felt… jealous.

You have to admit it. He left right after the other girl gave them to Kaoru. I can't say if she is speaking the truth, because I can't trust myself in what concerns to Kaoru. He felt turmoil inside his chest. I am too implicated… I want too much to believe her to be able to distinguish right from wrong.

As he arrived Katsura's house he had already made up his mind. "She said you went to talk to her." – he went straight to the point.

"Yes I did." – Katsura was calm as ever. – "Sakura persuade me to go. "

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted you to go and talk to her without being influenced by my opinion." – he smiled – " Now, that you've talked to her what do you think?"

"She said she was going to prove her innocence." – And then she started crying and I couldn't stop myself from hugging her. And it has been the best moment of my life in a month.

"And what do you think?" – Katsura stared straight at him. "Maybe I am too close to the matter to be an impartial judge." – he said surprising Katsura. – "Just allow me to lay an eye on her."

"There's no need, I already have a man doing that." – Katsura answered quickly, ignoring the surprised look on Kenshin's face.

If you sent someone to look for her, it's because you want her to be safe, and that means, that you think she is innocent. Clearly that man failed last night. "Who is he?"- Kenshin demanded to know.

"Makoto Shishio."

::::::::::::::::::::

Tokyo, 23 October 1869

Things are getting worst.

Today I was attacked again. And It doesn't matter how many times I wash my face and hands, they're still with that strange smell… of blood. It's agonizing to know people are dying because of me, even if they are trying to kill me.

I am almost sure Iizuka has something to do with this. But, I have no proof.

In the last-minute Saito appeared and saved me. Apparently I lost the only leverage I had on him. But, he agreed to give me Tomoe's diary.

Oh my God! Kenshin appeared here in the end of the night.

When I first saw him I froze. But then, something took over me… I think I was keeping too many things on the inside and I end up shouting everything to him…

He acted different from two days ago. He seemed willingly to hear what I had to say.

Gosh… When he hugged me I felt so…so… protected….Anyway I stood strong and I asked him to keep his distance from me until I find the evidences I need.

Then, in the end Yumiko appeared with a bouquet of flowers and surprised me saying it was a gift to me. Kenshin left immediately. I am afraid he stood with the wrong idea.

I guess I have everything against me….

Kamyia Kaoru

:::::

Kenshin asked Saigoro about Shishio and as soon as he found him he said: "You're supposed to be looking for Miss Kamyia aren't you?"

The other samurai just nod. He felt the famous Battousai was angry about something, but he didn't really mind. They were meant to fight each other anyway, if Battousai wanted to be now, he didn't mind.

"Then, how come she was attacked last night while she was working and you know nothing of it?" – Kenshin asked staring straight at Shishio.

Shishio lifted his eyebrow: "It's impossible, she doesn't work at night."

"Apparently she does."

"Only if she became a geisha." – His answer made Kenshin even angrier. His feeling of possession around her made the red-haired man feel like someone was punching him on the stomach mentioning that his Kaoru could be object of want around other man. "Because you failed to do your job she end up being saved by Haijime Saito!"

Shishio wanted to laugh. Grown up men always act like children when women mess up their minds. "That's good. If she is alive, that's good. You should be glad."

Kenshin stared at him in disbelief: "I am saying that she could be dead because you failed to do your job!" – he pointed his finger blaming him. What kind of man was this?

"The weak die and the strong survive." – he glanced at Kenshin and grinned: "A good man is never far from his woman." – Then he pointed to Kenshin defiantly:

"She is your woman, don't blame me for your mistakes,Battousai."

:::::

Ohh... I just love Shishio.. I know he is the bad-guy but he is so cool... The last two senteces are originally his. He always knows what to say, doesn't he?

Anyway, Did you like the chapter?

Tell me what do you think! I am looking forward to read your opinions.

Kisses.

Jou-chan