Hello again! Here's the next chapter! I just wanted to say thank you to all of the reviewers since I can't answer each of them indvidually or the guest reviews! Please keep the reviews coming! I do read them, I promise. They're usually the high light of my day! Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

Kaoru found she couldn't go back to sleep after talking with Tomoe. She wasn't sure how long she laid in the bed before deciding to get up and explore the house. Tomoe had told her she would be staying with her inevitably because of the damage done to the apartment. Kaoru found she couldn't care about what happened just as long as no one had gotten hurt.

It was her desire to explore the house, in the middle of the night, that had caused her to get lost. She had originally set out looking for the kitchen thinking a glass of warm milk would help her sleep. Instead she found herself in what she thought to be a study. She let out a sigh as she stared at the desk in front of her before turning to leave the room.

'Horrible sense of direction. It's something many Kamiyas have been cursed with, my dear daughter.' her father's voice echoed in her mind. She scowled at the memory as she realized he was right. She wasn't happy about the thought. She blinked as the door to the room opened before she reached it. Her mouth opened in surprise as Kenshin walked through with his head bent.

"Kenshin!" she whispered in surprise. She watched as his head snapped up at the sound of his name. Kaoru would have been amused at the expression on his face if she hadn't seen the lingering hurt in his eyes. She managed a gentle smile hoping it would comfort him. She had a feeling he didn't want her to know about his part nor what they were.

"Miss Kaoru, it's late. You should be asleep, that you should." he said. She laughed nervously while scratching the back of her head.

"About that. I was trying to get to the kitchen to get some warm milk and kinda got lost. I have no idea where I am nor how to get back to my room. I was going to try to wing it until you came through the door." she said brightly. She watched as he made a face at her before shaking his head. She continued to grin sheepishly as she waited for him to speak.

"I'll take you to the kitchen, Miss Kaoru. I will also take you to your room. But I must wonder how you got into my office which is on the other side of the house." he pointed out. She blinked before looking around the room they were in. It was only then it hit her Tomoe had told her this was her house.

"You live with Tomoe?" she asked. He blinked at her before finally laughing. Kaoru found it wasn't as joyful as she had wished but it warmed her heart to know he could make him laugh still. She decided as she watched him she wouldn't judge based on his past. Everyone had something to hide in their past and she had no desire to bring up bad memories once again.

"Indeed. This house…Tomoe bought it many years ago when many couldn't afford their own housing including us. She bought one big enough that we can all live here comfortably. Although, because I do operate more in Kyoto I rent an apartment there that we all have access to if we're in town. Except for Misao and Aoshi that is. They stay with the present day Oniwanbanshuu who run a restaurant there as a cover." he replied. Kaoru blinked before reaching up to scratch her forehead.

"Present-day? Does that mean they know about Aoshi and Misao's...well, how to put this? Ah, their circumstances?" Kaoru asked. Kenshin blinked at her as he ushered her out of his office. Kaoru wondered, briefly, if there was something there he didn't want her to see. She decided if there were she would just have to find at a later date. Preferably when he was busy in Kyoto.

"No. They've told those in Kyoto that many years ago one faction broke off to form in Tokyo. From what I've heard from Misao they were so impressed by Aoshi's skills they made him the Okashira. It is one of the reasons he also spends much of his time in Kyoto. Misao stays here to keep up the story of there being a Tokyo faction. However, before they…joined us, they were very accomplished in the Oniwanbanshuu of their era." he told her. She blinked before shrugging her shoulders.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I have a feeling you have all made sure to cover your tracks so no one wonders why none of you age." she said. He only nodded as he continued to lead her through the maze towards what she hoped was the kitchen. She could almost feel him withdrawing back into his shell. She swallowed as she wished she was able to draw him out and keep him talking to her. One of her pet peeves was being in an awkward silence with someone she was trying to befriend.

She paused as they passed a painting. She would judge it would have been painted a long time ago from the way the paint was chipping. In the dim lighting she was unable to make out the face of the individual who was the subject but she could tell it was a woman. A woman dressed in a very nice kimono from how it looked.

"Miss Kaoru?" she looked at Kenshin at his call of her name. He wasn't standing far from her but she realized his eyes were shadowed. She swallowed before turning back to the painting. She really wished she could see the face of the woman for some reason she was unable to explain.

"Hey, Kenshin…who is this? The painting looks really old but…I feel as though the woman was very beautiful." she whispered. She glanced at Kenshin in alarm as she was sure she had heard him give a choking sound. When her eyes found his form, however, he looked exactly as he had only she was sure she saw pain in his eyes.

'Uh-oh, good going, Kamiya. You've brought up something painful just by noticing this thing! Why the hell was I drawn to it?' she asked herself. She held her breath as Kenshin moved closer to her and also looked at the portrait.

"She was, indeed. I believe Tomoe kept this particular piece for my sake. I come here when I'm stressed…it calms me. She was the only one who understood me for me. She saw past the barriers I had to see just me. Just Himura Kenshin." he whispered. Kaoru studied the profile of his face as she realized who he was talking about. She could see the sadness and the love reflected in his eyes. He had been holding onto the memory of the woman he had loved for a very long time.

"Considering the time era you must have met her during…sounds like she was something else." she whispered. He chuckled before turning and began walking in the direction they had originally been headed.

"She certainly was, Miss Kaoru. She certainly was. I protect this world in hopes of one day reaching the reality she wanted." he told her as she quickly caught up to him.

"That was?" she asked softly. She felt as though if she spoke any louder she would only break the spell and Kenshin was being awfully open. She wondered why because she was sure Tomoe had told her during their talk that Kenshin didn't like sharing his past. Kaoru assumed it was because of the death of the woman he loved along with the fact he couldn't die.

"A reality where peace is the rule not the exception. Above anything, she wanted peace for all. Looking back, she really didn't belong in the Bakumatsu or with me." he whispered. Kaoru made a sound in the back of her throat causing him to look at her.

"Don't assume that. This girl was with you because she wanted to be. You said she saw past your barriers…she obviously saw something she liked. Someone she wanted to be with. Don't dishonor her memory and her love by looking down on yourself. I doubt she would want that of you. As long as you remain Kenshin, only Kenshin, her spirit will be happy." Kaoru whispered.

"M-Miss Kaoru!" he cried She smiled at him before pointing to a door that was open and obviously led to the kitchen.

"I'm not the best cook on the planet but I know how to make warm milk. Would you like a cup?" she asked jovially before entering the room. She didn't see the stunned look the redhead gave her before also following her into the room.

"I see. Yes. Do so. Also, keep us update on Saito Hajime's movements." Misao watched as Aoshi hung up the phone on his desk. She sighed before shaking her head. She felt as though they were in a bigger mess than they had been earlier.

"What were they saying in Kyoto?" she finally asked. Aoshi looked up from the pile of papers he had been staring down at. Misao knew he hadn't been reading them because his eyes hadn't been moving.

"It was confirmed that one of Shishio's suppliers supplied large amounts of gasoline almost a week ago. I also managed to find the police report on the fire in the office building and there was gasoline present. Chances are Shishio knew what we were trying to do and hoped to burn the building down before we got in. It was only when he realize he was too late did he send Seta after Kamiya.

"Misao, we will need to set protection up for her. I have no doubt you'll be enough during the day but at night. Well, night is when Shishio prefers to strike." he told her. Misao blinked at how much he had said. She knew she shouldn't be surprised. He talked about work as much as he needed to. It was the feelings he had a problem with expressing. It drove Misao up the wall.

"Right. Well, I suppose we could get Sanosuke to help out until Kenshin decides to stop pouting." she agreed. She watched as a frown spread across Aoshi's face. She wondered what she had said to garner that expression.

"What makes you think Kenshin will agree?" he asked. Misao smiled before putting her hand over where her heart used to be.

"Even though, technically, there's nothing here something from this area is telling me he'll protect Kaoru. We might not know the whole story but something tells me Kaoru is the key to healing the lingering darkness in Kenshin's eyes. The darkness that comes back so strongly even when he wields that weird blade of his." she whispered. She watched as his face melted back to a more neutral expression.

"I can understand his reasoning by taking up the sakabatou but with the enemies we face it will do no good." he said. Misao let out a soft sigh before going over to the window and looking out on the ground the house stood on.

"If he takes up the katana again…we will never get the Kenshin we care about back again. He will revert back to the time and place he lost her. I'm afraid…I'm really afraid he's already on that path." Misao whispered. "Even with Kaoru here…I feel as though Kenshin has still been lost."

"Don't think like that." Misao whirled around to see Tomoe standing in the doorway to Aoshi's office. She had a sad smile on her face as well. It was only as Misao looked at the woman that she remembered Tomoe was also friends with the girl who had captured Kenshin's heart.

"It's true though…he's always had a mask in place that's so cheerful but now…he's not the same." Misao whispered. She watched Tomoe fold her arms and lean her head against the doorway.

"He's beginning to heal. I have prayed every day that at some point he would begin to heal. I would never ask he forget her but it is time for him to move on and live his life. Kaoru has started that process." she whispered. Misao sighed before looking at her feet.

"I guess. It's just…it seemed like it was so long for him to get the point to where he could just smile. I feel as though he's reverting back to that person. I don't want that. I like the Kenshin he was becoming. The one who could smile." Misao whispered. She looked up in surprise when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Tomoe was smiling down at her gently.

"He will be able to smile again and when he does…he'll truly mean it. It will be because he has finally found the answer to a question he has long been asking himself." Tomoe said softly. Misao blinked before tilting her head.

"What question?" she asked. It wasn't Tomoe who answered her.

"What do I live for? It is a question that many warriors who have lived through battle ask themselves. Even if the answer is obvious to us what he lives for he has to see the answer himself." Aoshi stated. She turned to look at the man sitting at the desk behind her. She smiled at him before nodding in understanding.

"As his friends, Misao, we need to help him see the answer. He must have it engraved in his mind and heart before he can hope to even face Shishio. If he doesn't…your fears may very well come true." Tomoe told her. Misao thought about her words before making a face.

"He doesn't have a heart." she pointed out. Tomoe sighed as she shook her head. She patted the younger girl on the head.

"It's an expression, Misao. It just means he must have his answer if there is to be any hope for him or us." she said. Misao nodded before looking down as worry began to grow in the pit of her stomach.

"We have to. I don't want to lose Kenshin to the Hitokiri Battousai. That part of him is also part of the past…that's where it should stay." Misao whispered.

"Agreed."

"Thank you for showing me where the kitchen is, Kenshin. I really appreciate it!" Kaoru said as she set a glass of warm milk in front of the man. After much badgering on her part she had convinced him to let her make him a glass. He picked it up and took a sip all the while not taking his eyes off of her.

"You're welcome, Miss Kaoru. We would have shown you earlier if we thought you were up to being out of the bed. Wait a minute. Are you supposed to be out of bed?" he asked as his brows furrowed. She laughed as she sat down.

"Megumi told me it would be fine. She said the headache was just a remnant from me hitting my head. There was no damage done…well to me. I've surmised there is probably quite a bit of damage to my apartment since Tomoe said she was having my things moved here." Kaoru said. She took a sip of her own milk only to sigh in pleasure. Warm milk had always made her feel better no matter how bad the previous day had been.

"Indeed. Tomoe feels as though you're safer when you're with one of us, that she does. I believe she's going to ask Misao to stay with you during the day to be on the safe side." he told her. Kaoru blinked before looking up from her milk to meet his amethyst orbs.

"And during the night?" she asked. She watched as his eyes narrowed and his eye color deepened to a dark blue. She swallowed. She had never known someone who's eye color responded to emotions. Of course, she had never known someone born in the 1800s either. There was something new to each and every day.

"I will be helping protect you at night, Miss Kaoru, that I will." he told her. She blinked before shaking her head.

"With what? Somehow, I don't think you're a fist fighter." she told him. He chuckled before standing up. She watched as he held up a finger.

"Give me just a moment, Miss Kaoru." she watched as he exited the Kenshin. She let out a sigh once she was sure he was out of hearing distance.

'What a weird day. When Tomoe told me, basically, they were all immortals because of some magic taking their hearts I was so confused and shocked. I think it shocked me even more that they needed my help. I guess, however, my biggest concern was Kenshin would treat me differently because I knew who he was. I'm relieved I was wrong.' she thought with a warm smile. She continued to sit there before finally wondering where he had gone. She felt annoyance began to creep up when she thought he might have just left her to find her own way back to her room.

She was about to stand up to either go find him to pummel him or locate her room. She would be happy with either one. The door to the kitchen opened as she had made to stand and she watched as Kenshin walked back in with a sword in hand. Her eyes went wide as he smiled at her. She should've know, deep inside, it was a sword he used. If he was, truly, Hitokiri Battousai it would only make sense.

"This, Miss Kaoru, is what I will use to protect you from Shishio." he told her. She looked up at him before swallowing.

"You're…going to kill them? I can't let you do that. I don't want any bloodshed because he's after me." she whispered. She was surprised when his smile didn't fade. Indeed, she was even more surprised when he held the sword out by the sheath so the handle was facing her.

"Go on. You can draw it." he told her. She hesitantly reached out and tugged. The blade easily slid out. She gasped once it was completely unsheathed and she could look at the blade.

"A sakabatou?" she whispered. She had only seen such things in the museum when her father would take her when she was little.

"I can't kill anyone with that blade, that I cannot. It has been my trusted companion since the Meiji era." he told her. She blinked before looking back at the blade. It certainly didn't look as old as what she had just told him.

"It looks unused. Indeed, it looks as though you've just bought this from the sword smith." she whispered. He chuckled as she handed him the blade back. She watched as he sheathed it before sitting down with it laying on his shoulder.

"The magic that keeps us from aging also seems to have an effect on our personal belongings as well. I still have the gi and hakama from when I was truly alive. They look as though they've never been worn. The weapons we all use are also from the times before we changed. That's the thing about this…curse…we're under, Kaoru. We live in both the present and the past." he told her. Kaoru clasped her hands together as a deep feeling of sadness entered her. She wished there was something she could do to help them other than just gathering information for them to take down a crooked man.

"I see. It must be hard." she whispered. She glanced back up at Kenshin to see him shrug with an emotionless expression on his face.

"We've learned to survive. We are part of the world but not part of the living. It is a strange existence but we have each other to rely on so we get by." he told her. She nodded before standing up. She sent him a gentle smile.

"All this talking has finally made me sleepy. Can you show me to my room? Oh, and one more thing…can you tell Tomoe I'm ready to talk some more? I have some questions I'd like some answers to." she said. He also stood up while sliding the sword into the belt of his pants. She decided not to comment on how odd it was to see a man in a button up shirt, a loosened tie, and slacks carrying a sword.

"Of course. Just follow me." he told her. She nodded before doing as he saw. She found she was unable to tear her gaze away from his back as they walked. He had certainly surprised her that night. She knew she had pegged him right as they type of person who didn't want to talk about his past. She wondered what it was about her that allowed him to feel comfortable to talk to her about it. She doubted even he knew the answer.

"Here we are. I would ask you not wander again, Miss Kaoru. This house is quite big and it would take us a long time to find you if you get lost again." he told her. She laughed as she scratched the back of her head.

"My sense of direction is absolutely terrible at any rate. I'd hate to think of what I can get into." she told him. 'I don't have to tell him that once you show me a path I never forget it, though. Bad direction I might have but I pay attention when someone is showing me how to go somewhere.'

"It certainly makes it worse. At any rate I will bid you goodnight, that I will." he told her gently. She blinked as he turned and began to walk away. She leaned against the door to her room as he walked away. She took a deep breath and hoped he wouldn't be mad at her asking.

"Hey, Kenshin?" she called. He turned to look at her, she could feel his gaze even though she was looking at the floor.

"Yes?" he finally asked.

"You loved her so…I know you wouldn't have forgotten her name. What was her name?" she asked. She glanced up at him to see he was staring at her with sad eyes. She knew she should have expected it but such pain…it didn't suit him.

"Miss Kaoru…I…" he was hesitant. She could sense it as much as she could see it, see it as much as she sensed it.

"Please, Kenshin. I know it's painful but I don't want to go around calling her 'the woman', she had a name. I should give her the respect she obviously deserves by calling her by her name." she implored. She wasn't sure herself why she was so insistent. She just knew she really wanted to know what the woman's name was. The woman who had given him a chance in a time when no one else had bothered to try to look passed the barriers.

"I…very well. She and I were married in the eyes of society so she had the same last name as me." Kaoru swallowed at the pain in his voice. She was beginning to berate herself from pressuring him. Hadn't he already given so much of himself without her even asking? What right did she have for asking for more?

"Her name was Himura Kaoru and she died by my blade."

'What? The…the same…name as me?'

Hope you enjoyed! Please review! I do read them even if I can't reply! Let me know what you think or just speculate!