Chapter Two

*************

Light filtered into the room as the sun rose into the sky. Dawn had come and with it a sense of relief. He was glad there had been no unexpected visits. He stifled a yawn and moved his head to the sides. His muscled ached from having fallen asleep in a sitting up position. Still it was worth it. He turned his head and allowed his worried gaze to sweep over her sleeping form. She hadn’t stirred at all since Megumi had left. He should know. He’d snuck into her room once the doctor had left.

He rose and stretched his limbs. It was still early in the morning so he had plenty of time before he had to begin his chores or breakfast for that matter.

Years as an hitokiri had made his step light, walking within the shadows had taught him the importance of silence. Even now so many years later he moved without sound. If ever someone heard him coming it would be because he chose to let them hear him and not because they could detect them.

Just as quietly now he walked to her side and knelt down. She still looked pale to him; he felt her forehead, disturbed by the fact that she was still cold. His hand trailed over her cheek, loving the smoothness. He couldn’t help himself, stroking her skin, brushing his fingers over the high cheekbones to the curve of her jaw. He realized what he was doing and pulled his hand away. Frowning at his behavior, he quickly stood and moved away from her.

What he needed was some fresh air to help him clear his thoughts. He padded across the room, pausing at the door. He decided to leave her door open, just incase. Silently, he moved through the halls, noting and not for the first time, the utter silence of the house though rather than calming him today it seemed to unnerve him.

He slid the door open, inhaling the scent of the fading night. One murder and a near confrontation. His eyes skimmed over the yard as he thought about the current situation. All these happenings, the murder and the near confrontation, they were all leading to something, he could feel it. It’s why he wanted to go see the police chief. To see what they’d found out so far.

Was it someone from his past?

He was betting that it was. It always was. It was hard to understand how these other men thought sometimes. I mean why wait so long to get revenge? If he were the one with the grudge, he knew he wouldn’t have waited that long to settled his score. Kenshin frowned at his thoughts.

He walked across the yard and into the middle of the court. His eyes had picked out some rather large pebbles that had not been there the night before. He bent over and picked up one of the three. He gritted his teeth as he felt a stickiness rubbing onto his hand. He turned the pebble over, his eyes narrowing in anger as he saw the blood. Some word he could no longer make out had been written on the underside. He picked up the other two, noting the characters were still visible still he couldn’t read what they said. Though clearly written, the words were in another language. Something he didn’t understand. His frown deepened as he looked around the yard and felt the stirrings of anger when he found nothing else.

His head snapped up and for a moment he stilled, he sensed. His gaze was intent on a line of trees that ran along side the dojo walls. He walked over but there was nothing there. He saw nothing and sensed nothing. Though there had been -

“Kenshin.”

He turned at the whisper, startling her with his quickness. He caught her in his arms before she could fall. “Are you all right Kaoru-dono? Why are you up?” He was surprised to see her; he hadn’t sensed her at all.

Kaoru blinked at him slowly, feeling drowsy and cold. “You ran off.” She held out her hands and showed him the pebbles. He knocked them out of her hands hastily. “Why did you pick those up?” He asked as he studied her hands before he looked at her.

Her face crumpled in confusion. “You gave them to me.” She said looking at him strangely, “before you ran off.”

He looked past her to where he’d dropped the pebble before. He frowned when he saw they weren’t where he’d left them. They weren’t there at all. “Let’s go back inside.” He said as he led her back towards the house. Kaoru didn’t nod nor did she respond, instead she allowed herself to be guided into the house.

He settled her back into her bed, tucking the blankets around her chin. He looked at her a moment noting the expression on her pale face. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to be trying to regain her breath as if she’d over exerted herself. He half-rose only to have his wrist caught by her hand. “Kaoru-dono?”

“Békés természeténél fogva è tükörkép.” Her eyes seemed to glisten with unshed tears. “That’s what the pebbles say.” She said weakly as if speaking pained her. “Peace and shadow.” She closed her eyes tightly unable to continue. Her breath grew shallow but still she attempted to tell him again. She opened her mouth, choking on her words; she began clutching her throat.

“Kaoru-dono.” He yelled in alarm as a small trickle of blood rolled from the corner of her mouth. His rurouni mask fell aside as he looked at her worriedly. Quickly he put his mouth over hers, breathing air back into her lungs.

She clutched at his neck even as he pulled back, watching her cough before she was able to breath on her own. Her hand seemed to grow limp as her eyes fluttered closed, still she didn’t relinquish hold of his hair.

He looked at her worriedly not understanding what any of it meant. He sat back down holding the hand that still clutched his hair. The pebbles, him running off; What did she mean to tell him? He looked at her again feeling his heart growing small. Just how sick was she?

*************

“Che, Kenshin.”

The redheaded man didn’t have to look to see who it was. Instead he continued washing the dishes.

“You’ve been moping around all day and I bet anything you haven’t eaten.” Sano leaned against the wall as he spoke. “You know Jou-chan would hate to find out about that.”

“How would she when no ones going to tell her.” Kenshin responded with his back to the ex-gangster.

“Right,” Sano smirked. “Kay, so what’s up? You said something about rocks before Dr. Genzai came over?”

“Aa,” Kenshin said as he piled the clean dishes into a stack. He walked past the brunet as he put them on the counter. “It was three river rocks, roughly the same size. Someone had written a word on each of the stones but only two were legible.” He hesitated sharing the last bit of info; he couldn’t be sure how accurate his source was considering she was sick and sleeping at the moment. “The words were written in blood.” He said in the end, deciding that Sano didn’t really need to know what the actual words were.

Sano’s left eyebrow rose. “Do you know who it is?”

“No.”

Sano noted the behavior of the rurouni. He seemed worried of course but there was something else too. Not frustration but a visible kind of anger, it lurked just beneath the surface. “Your worried they’ll come into the dojo.”

Kenshin turned at the statement, “Whoever it is won‘t get past me.” He said curtly, starring crossly at Sano for a split second before the look disappeared

Sano didn‘t comment on the response it was normal for the rurouni to suddenly go all dark on him, though it was worse on some days more than others. “I found out the details to that case you were interested in.” He said instead. Kenshin nodded and they walked back out to the dining area where they sat down.

“All right so it was an out of town woman, somewhere in her twenties. Black hair, brown eyes, found face down in the river. She was strangled to death.” Sano frowned then spoke again. “They also found some hair clutched in her hand.”

“They don’t have any leads,” Kenshin tone made the question sound like a statement. The kindness of his personality seemed absent in both his expression and tone.

“None,” the ex-gangster confirmed.

Kenshin nodded his head. “Are you staying?”

“Yeah, all right.” Sano said as they both rose. The rurouni only nodded again and walked away. Sano frowned once he was alone. Kenshin was acting strange. He had been ever since Kaoru had become ill.

Sano turned and headed for his usual room. Trying to think back to a time when Kenshin had acted that way but he couldn’t remember any. He slid the shoji open as he entered and closed it behind him once he was inside. He yawned and kicked the nicely folded futon to the middle of the floor. He kicked it again, this time it landed open. He smirked and did the same to the blanket.

Yeah he was tired but he could have walked home. He lay down and tossed the blanket over himself. He was staying so he could help Kenshin out. Though the way the rurouni was acting he didn’t seem like he needed any help at all. Sano yawned and closed his eyes. He was acting as cocky as Saitou. The thought held a moment before his eyes opened again. Now that he thought about it there was only one time he could think of when Kenshin had not acted like the rurouni. Hm, although reluctant he dismissed the thought and closed his eyes again. Still the thought lingered even as he fell asleep. Kenshin wasn’t acting like the rurouni.

*************

His bangs shaded his eyes from the soft candlelight as he took a seat in the same spot in which he had the previous night. He leaned against the wall as he placed the sakabatou on his shoulder, closing his eyes in an effort to sleep at least some tonight.

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

His head dipped below the surface from time to time as he swam in the murky waters, struggling to keep with the tide. The currents were strong and thrashed him against jagged rocks. Rocks he couldn’t see in the dead of night. He struggled trying to stay afloat. No matter how much he struggled though he was being dragged down. Regret, pain and loss. The swirling void seemed to grow deeper, drowning him in despair. He was helpless and for a fraction of a moment he felt like giving up, sinking into the depths.

There was something wrong though. Even as he was being pulled into the murky depths he could still feel a sense of wrongness. And now he struggled as anger flared into his soul. He would not give up. He would never give up. Not to any feeling or any danger. Not to an opponent or anything else. A surge of power flowed into his veins, as he swam up. Breaking through the surface, breathing the chilling air. He was free. Or would be soon enough.

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

Kenshin rocked forward, his eyes snapped open as he awoke. His breathing was shallow as if he’d been holding his breath. He rose and stretched his limbs. Not even half an hour. He hadn’t been able to sleep for more than an hour for the last two days ever since Kaoru had gotten sick.

He padded over to Kaoru’s bedside, taking a seat by her, much as he had for the last couple of days. She was still deadly pale. Weak from struggling against her ailment but she would be all right. That’s what Megumi-dono kept telling him in either case. He had this feeling though almost like she was lying to him. But why would she do that when she knew how much he worried over Kaoru.

His eyes skimmed over her face before he brushed her bangs aside, away from her forehead. He didn’t like her being sick; it made him feel helpless. It was hard not to despair. Especially when there was nothing he could do about it. He lay on his side, looking at her affectionately. ‘Kaoru-dono,’ he thought as he closed his eyes, resting his head against her shoulder. ‘What do I have to do to make you better?’ Being this close to her gave him a sort of peace and he was able to relax some of the tension her felt.

“Békés természeténél fogva őok vannak csalogató öné tükörkép.”

His eyes opened at the sound of her voice, pleased to see she was awake and smiling eve if it was faint. She’d slid onto the very edge of her futon in order to be closer to him. And so that they both could fit under her blanket. She lay on her side just like, watching him as he blinked sleep out of his eyes.

1. “What do you mean?” He figured he must have fallen asleep because his voice was coarse when he spoke.

Her browns knitted in confusion. “What do you mean? I haven’t said anything. I didn’t want to wake you.”

His mind flashed back to something he’d over heard Yahiko say. ‘I heard whispering and so I opened the door but she was still asleep.’ She couldn’t have been asleep though didn’t she just say she’d been watching him sleep.

“Do you feel better?” His voice rumbled softly in the quiet room.

“Some,” she yawned. “Thank you for staying, I don’t think I could have slept without you here.” She smiled again as she looked at him.

He controlled his reaction to her comment. He hadn’t been able to sleep since she’d become sick and only now when he’d been close enough to her had he actually been able to sleep. What is like that for her too? Had she been having nightmares that deprived her of rest? “Megumi-dono can give you something to help you sleep.”

He watched as her smile turned into a frown. He wasn’t sure what had upset her, the whole suggestion or the mention of the female doctor? His lips curved into the semblance of a smile.

“Kenshin.”

Sano’s voice broke them out of the pleasant silence they’d fallen into. At once, both turned their heads towards the door. “You’ll bring me breakfast,” she said when he turned his attention back to her.

“Aa,” he responded before he rose.

She watched him walk towards the door where he then paused, looking at her strangely for a second before he opened the door and slipped out. Kaoru took a deep breath and rolled back to the middle of her bed. The mention of Megumi’s name had caused a stirring of unprovoked anger much like it had the first time she’d met the female doctor. Kaoru sighed; she cared for Kenshin very much so much so she couldn’t help her outburst sometimes. She was possessive of him and her jealousy was easily provoked. Still she strove to hide that part of herself, so that she didn’t drive him away. Even so bits and pieces often seeped through.

Kenshin . . . . . .

*************

“Why did you make me come all the way out here?” She protested, stifling a yawn as she spoke. She was dead on her feet. She’d slept all morning and through midday. It was afternoon and though she’d finally bathed, it done nothing in reviving her senses. She was still sleepy.

An afternoon breeze swept through the yard, rustling leaves and even blowing a few onto the yard. He tipped her chin up so that she met his gaze. She looked at him in confusion, not understanding why they couldn’t talk inside, where it was warm. He took hold of her by the arms, bringing her closer to him.

Suddenly she wasn’t so sleepy.

He leaned close to her and nuzzled her neck, laying a soft kiss on the side of her throat. She could smell him standing this close. He smelled like steal and sweat, like nighttime when the earth was still wet. He pulled back watching her expression before he leaned in again this time with the intent of tasting her lips. Her eyes fluttered close as she leaned into him.

“Kaoru-dono!”

Kaoru opened her eyes and turned around.

“What are you doing?” The questions were asked simultaneously. “What do you mean?”

“You told me to come out here.” Kaoru said putting her hands on her hips. “So I follow you out here and then . . . . you know but then you move all the way back to the middle of the yard. Honestly Kenshin I don’t understand.” She finished in exasperation. “You’re going to drive me crazy the way you keep acting.”

Kenshin openly frowned. He hadn’t done anything. He’d been waiting for her to leave the bathhouse so he could walk her back to her room but she’d disappeared at the same time he’d felt a strange presence. “Kaoru-dono, you saw me, leading you out here?”

“Of course it was you.“ She snapped. “I don’t see another Kenshin around do you?”

He refrained from commenting. He nodded and walked closer to her. His eyes skimmed over the area of where she was, quickly looking to the floor but there were not tracks other than her own. Still her robe was rumpled, not enough to call attention but enough for him to notice. Had she been here alone? He looked at her, though pale from her illness she had a growing blush. “Let’s just go back inside, we’ll have an early dinner.” He took her by the arm and led her inside.

Kaoru frowned for a moment. Didn’t he usually ask what she wanted? She looked at the hand on her arm and noticed he was still wearing his bracelet. She smiled. She’d left hers in her room before she’d gone off to bathe but she’d put it on as soon as she went back into her room.

Five minutes later she found herself in her usual seat, next to him as they had an early dinner. She kept yawning through supper but she ate almost half her meal. She figured that was enough to make him happy. “Don’t you like the food?” His voice startled her out of her thoughts. “It’s not that Kenshin; I’m just tired.” She flashed him a small smile that ended with a yawn. Kenshin nodded and rose from his seat.

“I can make it on my own Kenshin.” Her protests really did nothing in dissuading him, since she leaned on him as they walked down the hall.

Again he found her door open. She seemed to be getting in the bad habit of doing that. He helped her down to her futon, laying thick covers over her form.

She laughed at his exaggerating gestures. “I don’t think it’ll get that cold.” She commented causing him to pause. “Just in case then.” He responded.

Kaoru shook her head in amusement, letting him buddle her up. She appreciated the gesture and so she would try and sleep with the mountain of blankets. “Oh, Kenshin before I forget can you get me the beads over there.” She pointed to her right.

He nodded, first tucking her in before he went over to her trunk where she’d laid them out. Kaoru managed to pull her left hand free out of the cocoon he’d made her. “Will you wrap it around my wrist please.”

He did, feeling her skin warm under his hands. She was always warm which is why he’d worried when she’d gotten sick. He finished tying the ends to the beads before he chanced a look at her face. “Why did you lead me into the yard?” She asked with a yawn.

He didn’t respond because he hadn’t.

“Did you want to kiss me under the trees?” Her voice was growing fainter. Still as close as he was, he could hear her and he gaped at her words. It hadn’t been him so who the hell was it? His eyes narrowed.

He didn’t look like everybody else so she couldn't confuse him with someone else so easily. She wouldn’t. But someone had drawn her out there away from him and with the intent to . . . . . He really didn’t want to finish that thought. He tucked her arm back into the blankets. Chiding himself for not doing it sooner, her arm had grown cold while he’d been busy thinking.

Kaoru yawned and clutched her blankets closer. Feeling like her energy had been drained. “Why did you kiss my neck?” She whispered fighting against sleep. “And not my lips?“ She finished just before a heavy sleep overcame her.

He felt anger bubbling in his veins and his restraints shook with such an overwhelming rage he thought he might loose himself. Someone had touched her. Kissed her, all the while he’d been some feet away.

Threatening him was one thing, even toying with him he could tolerate but he drew the line at Kaoru. There was no way they were getting close to her again. He’d strike them down first.

A sharp sense of danger stabbed the back of his mind, spurring him forward. Before he even realized what he was doing, he was running out of the room, ready to meet the coming danger.

He ran fast, halting his sprint once he stood in the shadows behind copious trees. His hand was on his sakabatou as his eyes pierced the darkness. “What do you want?” He questioned angrily, his patience had worn thin and he was very angry at the day’s event. “Tell me.” He demanded.

The shadow of a man hidden well in the darkness stepped out. Thought not enough to discern his features. “Same as you.” His voice though cold was frightfully familiar.

Kenshin stood motionless, feeling the blood draining out of his face. This isn't what he'd expected. Not all who he'd expected. The reason he hadn’t been able to sense him, their ki had been the same. Though now the shadow’s was stronger, it was his battle ki.

“Your one job is to protect and you can’t even do that.” The stranger sneered. “You’re useless.”

Kenshin eyes narrowed. “Did you kill the woman by the river?”

“It’s embarrassing how slow you are.“ The man in the shadows shook his head in disgust. “No,” he drawled. “I haven’t strayed from the dojo.”

Kenshin blood burned at the mockery and at the meaning of those words. “You can’t have Kaoru-dono.”

There was a mirthless laugh before the shadowed man moved into the light. Kenshin didn’t have to see him though to know who it was. He unsheathed his sword, striking out with a battou jutsu. Quickly he jumped back, away from the trees. Raising his swords in a defensive move, though not fast enough. Metal pierced his skin, driving deep into his chest and stabbing his heart. He stumbled back, falling on the ground with the force of the blow.

His deep blue-violet eyes focused on the liquid-metal ones above him. Kenshin groaned as the blade was driven deeper into his heart.

“Kaoru is mine rurouni.”

Kenshin fought against the pain of his wound. Focusing on staying conscious. He gripped the handle of his sword with the last of his strength. Forcing his sakabatou upwards, in a quick stroke, driving the blade into the other man‘s chest. The pressure from the other man’s blade lessened for a moment before it was driven through harder, all the way into the ground beneath him. The rurouni swallowed his pain when the blade was pulled out of his chest and driven into his throat.

“I won’t be bound, rurouni. Never again.”

Kenshin lay on the floor feeling his heart slowing down. With a last surge of energy he turned the blade of his sakabatou. He lashed out violently, unleashing all his anger and hate. Using the last of his reserves to stand and fight, to kill his opponent.

He ran his arm over his brow wiping sweat out of his eyes, straightening as he looked around the deserted yard. His breathing slowed and evened out while his eye shone a dark gold under the moonlit sky. He was free.

A strong breeze descended on the Kamiya property stirring his wild mane. He stood in the middle of the yard, gazing at the darkened sky. Nostalgia crept into him and he decided that it was time to go inside.

Quietly he closed the door behind him as he entered the dojo. His face was blank of expression as he padded down the familiar halls. He paused in front of the room he was looking for, feeling the corners of his mouth turning up just the slightest. He slid the door open immediately feeling a change in the atmosphere. An unyielding warmth with a hint of jasmine a smell that would forever define Kamiya Kaoru.

He closed the door and walked into the room. He knelt down by her bedside, watching her angelic face before drawing closer. The paleness that had descended on her had nothing in obscuring her beauty. “Kaoru,” he said stroking her face. Leaning over her, he kissed her lids before he slipped under the blankets with her.

*************

The wind howled, rattling everything it touched. The day was oddly black with thunderous clouds and a sunless sky. The air reeked of foul, malevolent deeds. Vile killers and lifeless men.

He stood in the clearing, unaffected by the stench. He’d slain men in his youth, seen blood spilled on the earth, and had it splash against his face. He was oblivious now as he ran through his exercises with cutting precision. Breaking the earth into large portions, obliterating trees into nothing but fragments. Debris had no time to settle as his blade ran through a series of slashes and strokes, faster than lightning though with the same destructive nature. A nature he had once controlled.

His arms had protested at first, not used to the series of exercises. Lack of practice had made his muscles weak and his technique vulnerable. Time had indeed dulled his senses. He’d been hurt in just about every battle something that wouldn’t have occurred so easily during his youth, years ago. Not because he’d been young but rather because of the way he’d fought.

Age did not affect skill perhaps speed thought he wasn’t so sure about that. If his shishou could still skin a bandit at age forty-six then he would have no trouble protecting his koibito.

He jumped into the air and flipped, diving into the earth with a shattering sound as his blade drove into a log, splitting it into two and breaking the earth underneath it. One more hour then he’d go back to the dojo.

*************

Kaoru sat on the floor of her room, running the comb through a waterfall of dark, damp locks. She’d gotten up early in the morning and found herself surprisingly alone. She’d taken a bath and made herself a snack, waiting for Kenshin to come home.

She‘d woken up oddly from a dream she couldn‘t remember. All she knew was that she’d woken up screaming the horror only made worse by a breaking sensation like something had snapped, something inside her. It must have been awful, she was glad she didn’t remember.

She sighed and ran her hand over her wrist, brushing her fingers over the colored beads. Today marked the fifth day since she’d fallen ill. All her symptoms had vanished and she was glad, finding herself strangely happy despite her morning rousing. She would get to spend sometime with Kenshin. Some alone time would be nice.

“Ken-san!”

The sound of the female voice grated on some nerve because immediately her ears warmed. Kaoru dropped her comb on the floor and rose to her feet. Quickly making her way outside, meeting the female doctor head on. “Megumi-san.” She addressed from the top step of the porch, making her way down to where the other woman stood.

“You look better.” Megumi said coming closer.

Kaoru stepped down, smiling lightly. “I feel better thanks you.” She walked around the dojo heading for the back. “So you were looking for Kenshin.” She said as they approached the water basin where the laundry was done.

“Yes, there was something I had to tell him.”

“Is it important?” Kaoru said coming to a stop in front of the large water basin. She turned and faced the doctor.

“I rather just tell Ken-san myself.” Megumi said as she looked at the blue-eyed girl.

“I‘m sorry,” Kaoru bowed in apology. “I didn’t know it was personal.”

Megumi frowned; it was very unlike Kaoru to be so . . . . . . docile. Unless there was something wrong. “Did you and Ken-san have a fight, tanuki?” She jeered. “Not keeping him happy.”

Kaoru’s head snapped up, paled faced and flashing eyes. She looked at the doctor with narrowed eyes, a dangerous glint in them that made the doctor laugh. “Oho ho ho ho,” She smiled behind her hand. “I would be more than happy to take him.” Her smile grew larger as Kaoru’s hands fisted together. It was all too easy to upset the girl. “I’ll show Ken-san a good-

Her words were cut off as her head was submerged into the water basin. She gurgled as water flowed into her lungs. The pressure on her neck increased as she was shoved further down, her nose grazing the bottom of the water basin with the force of the push. She felt the water soaking the front of her kimono and fear made her thrash against the hold. Her hands flayed around trying to grasp on to something, anything that would help her pull up. Her hands found the sides of the basin and she pushed on them trying to get up.

Her screams, muffled by the water, resonated strangely into her ears. She could feel her strength depleting. Too much water, she’d breathed too much water. Her arms loosened their death grip on the basin as she weakened. She was drowning. No, being drowned by a slip pf girl.

“Kaoru!”

The blue-eyed beauty turned at the sound of the male voice. Her eyes widened, releasing her hold on the woman in the basin just seconds before her wrists were caught in a vise like grip. “What are you doing?” He said yanking her back and helping the other woman out of the tub.

Kaoru struggled against her captor, anger flaring in the depths of her eyes. “Let me go!” She commanded, pulling with all her weight, it was useless. His small frame was deceiving hiding his real strength. “Let me GO!” Her command turned into a screech. “’KENSHIN!” She fell on her knees crying. “Let me go.”

The redheaded man quickly assured himself that the doctor was breathing before he turned his attention to the crying woman. He knelt in front of her, still holding her hands. “What where you doing?” He said in a softer tone. “You could have killed her.”

Kaoru’s tear stained face weakened his anger and he let go of her hands. Crushing her to his chest as he held her close. He rubbed her back soothingly while she clutched to the front of his gi.

He looked out of the side of his eyes when he sensed the female doctor stirring. Kaoru pulled away immediately, her eyes narrowed when she looked at him. “Where did you go this morning?“

Kenshin’s blue-violet gaze narrowed into slit. That is not the first thing he had expected out of her mouth. “Why where you holding her down?”

Kaoru’s gaze hardened turning her beautiful blue orbs into chips of ice. “I- She made me mad.”

“Mad?” Megumi coughed. “You almost drowned me.” She accused, the words sending her into a coughing fit.

Kaoru bit her lip and turned away from the other female. Her eyes met Kenshin’s expecting gaze but she refrained from commenting. Her temper seemed to be on a short leash and she didn’t want to start an argument. She hadn’t actually drowned the other woman. Besides maybe now she would learn not to threaten her with taking Kenshin away.

Small Notes: You aught to remember that the beads they're wearing are cursed. The two sets though especially made, have the same curse. The curse will do it's job on those with blood on their hands but will have a uniquely different affect on an innocent, someone like Kaoru.

The story leads you along the path, showing you the slow deterioration of the rurouni.

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

Please remember that anything between these lines means dream sequence. In this chapter it was Kenshin who dreamt. A dream in which regret, pain and loss had been pulling him under, drowning him until he realized there something wrong. His will to defeat and overcome pumped his heart but it was anger that flowed through his veins. That part of him strengthen his resolve and he broke free.

I hate to make things obvious but still you should all be able to tell that it was the rurouni who was drowning and battoussai who emerged.

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

The fight.

Kenshin realizes who the the shadowed presence is just before the fight.

the blood draining out of his face. This isn't what he'd expected. Not all who he'd expected. The reason he hadn’t been able to sense him, their ki had been the same. Though now the shadow’s was stronger, it was his battle ki.

Though Kenshin can't fathom how it could be, it doesn't stop him from engaging battoussai. He knows what his darker half desires and he as the rurouni can't let battoussai win. So they fight but right away you can see the difference. The hitokiri battoussai was once the most feared man. His skill and speed, were unearthly. His attack on the rurouni was quick and precise, immediately going for the heart and throat.

The rurouni's will to protect, empowered him long enough to fight but battoussai was relentless and in the end it was he who won. Battoussai succeeded in making the rurouni mad and vulnerable, enough to turn the blade of his sakabatou over.

When Kenshin rose, his eyes were amber. He was free.

The pebbles.

Three smooth rivers rock, with Hungarian words written in blood. One word, written on each of the stones. "Békés természeténél fogva è tükörkép.” Roughly translates to Peaceful by nature and Shadow. There are things Kaoru can see and hear that no one else can. For her it's a sort of side affect from the curse.

“Békés természeténél fogva őok vannak csalogató öné tükörkép.”

Roughly translates: Peaceful by nature they are luring your shadow.

Together with the first phrase (ch01) it translates to Separate to begin, by luring your peaceful nature they are to unleash shadow.

The woman they found in the river, is the same woman from the beginning. The one who gave the beads to the little girl to sell. She was strangled to death some days ago. She died clutching her attackers hair.

Oddly enough, Kaoru suffered a chocking attack on the first day she became sick (Also the same day the other woman died.) and again when she tried to tell Kenshin about the meaning of the words.

The person that gave her the pebbles and the person that led her into the yards are both in fact Kenshin. Battoussai to be exact.

The day after Kenshin regresses back to battoussai Kaoru wakes up from a strange dream, screaming and crying, feeling like something inside her had snapped. Despite her strange rousing after she showers she seems to forget about the strange feelings.

Megumi's arrival at the the dojo sets of a stirring. When the lady doctor begins to make fun of Kaoru, she becomes angry but it's only when Megumi taunts her about sleeping with Kenshin, that her control actually snaps and she tries to drown lady doctor.

Kenshin's unexpected arrival was the only thing that saved Megumi from been drowned. Kaoru as you can see in the ending paragraph, feels no remorse.

That covers everything that happened but if you still have questions email me, just be sure to include your address. Thanks for reading and please be sure to review.