Sabishi sighed as she sat on the cliff looking into the sky.  She was back where she first met Ayame and Suzume chan.  The night sky shone clearly with the stars glittering so brightly.

"So similar to... then..."

She hugged her knees closer to herself as though she was a child again, lost and lonely.  She chided herself for being so childish but she couldn't help it.

["Will I ever have a star... a star of my most cherished dream Kenshin?]

Sabishi buried her head into her arms.  She just wanted to feel wanted, to fit in and to lead the normal life of a person, yet her past would mock her from the shadows, calling back the pain and darkening her future.  Most of all, she wished that Kenshin would love her as he use to in the past.

<"Ken san loves you!">

Sabishi thought back to her exchange with Megumi just a few hours ago...
A quiet scornful voice leered at her inside her mind.
No, Kenshin did not love her.  He may love her as a friend for Kenshin is a caring soul, but his affection is out of friendship, not out of any true love.

"Kenshin... Kenshin loves Kaoru san..." Sabishi whispered.  She smiled sadly.
"Why do I continuously repeat this to myself? Is it so I could convince myself of this so... so I would be left with little hope in my heart of ever... No I won't think about this..."

She so yearned to be with Kenshin, as she had in the past.

"But I don't deserve this, I don't deserve to ever be happy or gain the peace I wanted for so long..."
Sabishi whispered in a soft tone.  No matter what anyone can say, the past still affects the future somewhat.  It follows a person like a shadow.

"Shadow..." Sabishi whispered as she closed her eyes.  She wished Ryuji and Kuanja wouldn't follow Yuori anymore.  The young boy she use to know had died and all that was left, a human shell who's only purpose was to avenge against Battousai.  Sabishi frowned.

"Why, Kuanja? Why, Ryuji?  Why do you dislike Kenshin so much?"
Sabishi sighed.

"You may seem so gruff and harsh on the exterior but in reality you were two of the most caring and loyal people I have ever met. "

She recalled the time where she was sent to the second main headquarters alone to serve under Sasaku sama for the first time.  She didn't want to leave Kenshin for those two weeks but he was busy either way with the numerous black envelopes he received.

Kuanja had appeared to be hostile and cold when she saw him for the first time.  He was grievously injured it appeared from an earlier battle.  Sabishi took him to an old shack and patched him up, bandaging his wounds and giving him food and medication.  It was on that same day, when bringing Kuanja water that she met Ryuji.  He had held his broad sword to her neck, telling her to bring him to Kuanja or he would kill her.  Sabishi smiled slightly and said that he was still injured but his wounds were healing nicely.  Ryuji had seemed surprised by her reaction and then winced, holding a hand to his chest.

["Oh my gosh! You are injured as well!" Sabishi said in a worried tone.]

Ryuji was even more shocked when she fussed over him like a sister, bandaging his wounds and helping him reach the small shack where Kuanja lay.

["Why are you doing this?" They asked.

 "Everyone deserves a chance..."]

Sabishi sighed, but that was the past.  She looked again into the sky, to calm herself it would seem and she momentarily thought about Yuori.   Her eyes narrowed in anger, "Why Yuori? Why do you allow vengeance to rule your soul?"

Sabishi sighed, she couldn't really blame Yuori though.  In fact, she felt sympathy for the swordsman.

"Yuori had such a terrible past... No one deserves such a appalling past...no one..."

Yet, he was the cause of her problems.  Sometimes she wished she had not been the one to save Yuori but Sabishi scolded herself with that selfish thought.

"I should feel badly for Yuori I suppose..." Sabishi said to no one in particular.  Her tone was one of regret and sadness.  She shivered and hugged herself tighter as though she could drive away the ache and coldness.

"Only a gentle hearted person like you could feel for a person like Yuori, Sabishi."
It was a soft voice, the voice she had longed to hear back ten years ago... Her eyes widened as she turned and saw the familiar silhouette in the light of the stars.

"Ken-kenshin..." She whispered.  Kenshin walked toward her then sat down.

As he stared into the sky he smiled gently.

"This feels like that day again Sabishi." Kenshin said in a quiet voice.

Sabishi sighed.
"Perhaps."  Was her simple reply.

Kenshin turned to her, his eyes holding hers with some unseen magnetic force.

"Why? Why are you running away from me?"

Sabishi closed her eyes and looked away.

"Kenshin, time changes all.  Perhaps, perhaps for the best..."

Kenshin narrowed his eyes and used one hand to turn her.  He held on to her chin firmly, not allowing her to look away.  Sabishi tried to push away the ache at the very center of her soul as she held back tears.

"Would it be the best for you?" Kenshin whispered, his magnificent eyes glowing with sadness.

Sabishi felt her eyes fill with tears and she bit her lip to hold it back.

"Tell me Sabishi, would you like me to leave your side?"

It was a simple question yet...

"Sabishi?"

Sabishi closed her eyes but the gentle voice crept into her heart, into her very soul...

"Would it be best for you?" It was a whispered question but it seemed to echo through her mind.

Sabishi trembled under his gaze as she tried to move but his grip on her was firm, she could not overcome his strength.

"Why are you doing this to me Kenshin?" Sabishi whispered harshly.
        It hurts... it hurts so much...

Kenshin's expression was inscrutable as he watched Sabishi struggle under his gaze.  Finally he released his grip on her and stood up with his back to her.  After a moment of silence he spoke

"Let's go Sabishi."

Sabishi exhaled shakily as she replied.
"G-go?"

Kenshin turned to her smiled gently.
"Home Sabishi."

Sabishi's eyes widened at his words.  Kenshin held a hand out to her, which she took as she got up unsteadily.  As she got to her feet she almost stumbled and fell but Kenshin caught her and then picked her up suddenly.

"You are still ill Sabishi and it is so cold here."

Sabishi looked at him in surprise.

"It's too cold, we have to get back before you get sicker." Kenshin replied plainly, his explanation.

Sabishi settled against him with a sigh.  She didn't have enough energy to argue no longer.

Kenshin was silent as he carried her back to the dojo, a good way from that cliff.  He looked down at the girl in his arms and realized with a start that she had fallen asleep.

His expression softened as he gazed at her and then saddened, his violet eyes glowing with weariness.

"Sabishi, why won't you answer me?"

He sighed and resumed his constant pace.  Sabishi shifted then and Kenshin's eyes widened as he saw tears escape under her closed eyes.

"Never... never Kenshin... no..." Came a murmured answer.

"Yes Kuroi.  Where is Kuanja and Ryuji?"

"They should be here soon Yuori sama." Yuuri said in his pleasant alto voice.

"They know never to be late." Yuori snarled in an irritated voice.

"We are not later, Yuori sama," Came the simultaneous reply.  Yuori glanced briefly at the shadows on the west side and nodded.

"I have called you all here for it is time."

"Time?" Kurayami asked.

"Time to take revenge for my sister, to bring her back and most importantly to kill Battousai.  But we will not murder the cold-blooded killer so quickly.  That will make his end much too easy and simple."

"What are we going to do then?" Kuroi asked in an eager voice.

"Patience Kuroi, patience.  Battousai will pay in due time.  First, we have to separate my dear sister from Battousai.  She doesn't realize the true nature of Hitokiri Battousai but we will reveal that her soon enough. She can be quite stubborn so you probably will have to fight her.  Do not kill her! She is my sister and I do not want her dead."

"What is you plan already Yuori?" Kuanja asked in an impatient voice.

Yuori ignored his tone and continued.

"We will have to first capture Sabishi first.  She will fight back but in time she will understand why this is so necessary."

"You want us to kidnap Sabishi?" Yuuri asked.

"Yes.  She is a wonderful fighter, so you have to be careful.  Kurayami has prepared a drug for this though.  It is not poisonous but will merely cause her to lose consciousness for a few hours.  Try to force her to inhale it."

"What happens afterwards?" Kurayami asked.

Yuori attained a wicked grin, shaping his features to that of an evil demon.
"Battousai will pay for what he did to me... all those years... He will pay!"

"So, what do you think?" Kurayami asked Yuuri.

Yuuri sighed, "Yuori is plain demented. He still doesn't realize after all these years that his sister is dead."

Kuroi happened to be passing by.
"What are you saying?!? Yuori sama is not crazy! He just wants to get his sister back! What is so crazy about that?  And his sister is NOT dead! Sabishi is alive!"

Kurayami sighed while Yuuri shook his head.

"You were the latest to join us so you have not heard the entire story."

"Entire story? What story?" Kuroi snapped.

"The truth Kuroi.  The truth about Yuori, Sabishi and Battousai."

Kuroi stared suspiciously at the oldest of the five shadows.

Ryuji stepped into the light.

"Sabishi is not Yuori's sister.  Do you want to know what happened?"

Kuroi nodded numbly as he sunk into a chair and Ryuji leaned against the wall.
 

"Let me begin with this.  This story, you may believe or you may not but Sabishi told me."

"Nani?" Yuuri thought. "Sabishi told him?"

"When Yuori was a young boy, Sabishi found him, half dead in the forest with a wound to his head.  He was only a small boy then when Sabishi saved him.  She was not too much older then he, perhaps a couple of years but if you think about it in another sense, it is quite a difference.  Sabishi cared for him and when he woke, he began to cry.  Sabishi comforted him and somehow the strange notion came into his mind that she was his sister.  Perhaps she looked like Yuori's sister but..."

"Sabishi is not Yuori's sister." Kuanja finished. Ryuji looked up with slight shock registered in his eyes but motioned for him to continue.

"Sabishi decided to stay her tongue and comforted Yuori as best as she could.  She did not know what had happened to this poor little boy and all she could do was to be there for him.  Sabishi soon had to return to the Ishinshishi though, which she was a hitokiri of."

"What about Yuori sama?" Kuroi exclaimed.

"She told him that she had to return to her work.  Sabishi could not take Yuori in so she asked one of the widows around if they could care for him while she was gone.  Yuori didn't like this and asked why.  Sabishi had told him that where she worked was much too dangerous for him to go.  She told Yuori he was not strong enough to be with her."  Kuanja stopped for a moment as he shook his head. Ryuji took over and continued the story.

"Yuori would not stand for it and asked of it was because of Battousai.  He asked if it was Battousai's fault.  Sabishi was shocked asking how he knew Battousai.  Yuori would not listen and answered that he would get stronger than Battousai and punish him for not allowing Sabishi to stay with her little brother."

"That is pure nonsense!" Kuroi sputtered.

"No, this was what Yuori truly said.  He said vehemently that he would become stronger than Battousai and punish him. There were some other things Yuori spoke about which Sabishi did not fully understand.  He had said that Battousai had hurt her so badly, what they did to her and watching her cry... Sabishi did not understand entirely, but from what she heard she knew that Yuori must have went through a lot."

"What happened?" Kuroi asked in a quiet voice.

"Sabishi had to return to the Shishi, a direct order and told Yuori to stay with this widow.  As soon as she left though he ran away.  Apparently from what I can tell, he began training."

"How old was he then?" Kurayami asked.

"Hmm... I think about ten."

Kuroi sat in shock.

"Then Yuori..."

"Our leader has not been right in the head for the past ten years.  HE is crazy but he is also very, very strong.  This determination, this determination for revenge and punishment has ruled his life and right now I seriously doubt anyone can stand in his way.  Not even Battousai."

"That's it Yahiko." Kenshin replied as he casually blocked another swing of Yahiko's shinai.

"Am I doing better Kenshin?" Yahiko asked in an anxious voice.

"Yes Yahiko.  Definitely better.  Why don't you practice the swings a few more times."

"Hai Kenshin!"

Kenshin sat down on the porch as he watched the ten-year-old practice over and over.

From the doorway Sabishi watched with a small smile on her lips, hidden she had thought from everyone's view.  Unexpectedly Yahiko spotted her and grinned broadly.

"Sabishi san! Kenshin says I am improving!"

Kenshin turned around and Sabishi flushed slightly under his gaze.

"Uh.. That's wonderful Yahiko.  Keep practicing." Sabishi stuttered as she went into the dojo again.

"Hai!" Yahiko answered even as he trained.

Kenshin watched her as she hurried back into the dojo, his look indecipherable.

"She trying to avoid you Kenshin."  Sano said as he popped out of nowhere.

"I know..." Kenshin replied quietly.

Yahiko's grunts and yells could be heard in the background.

"Know why Kenshin?"

Kenshin was quiet.

"What did you say to her?  I mean you bought her home in your arms, STILL wondering how you knew where she was, and she was already asleep.  I mean she couldn't had fallen asleep before you bought her back."

Yahiko listened quietly.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?!?" Sano exclaimed.

"Sabishi's sad.  Something is bothering her." A voice suddenly spoke up.

"Huh?" Sano looked up.

"Oro?"

Yahiko had stopped his training.

"Something is bothering Sabishi san right now.  I may still be a little child but I can still observe what is happening."

"How would you know Yahiko?" Sanosuke asked.

Yahiko shrugged but his eyes were dead serious.

"I am not sure, but I think it has to do with you, Kenshin."

Kenshin looked into Yahiko's eyes.

"Do you know about Sabishi?" Kenshin said in a quiet tone.

Yahiko raised his shinai once more in practice.
"I know that she is not some weak helpless woman.  Her eyes Kenshin, they are much like yours..."

Kenshin suddenly stood up. "I think it's time for me to make some lunch."

Sano watched as Kenshin disappeared from view as he turned the corner.

"Sanosuke, do you know about Sabishi san?" Yahiko asked the ex gangster.

"Sigh, yes I do Yahiko.  I think you are ready to know something, being the observant person you are."

"I know she use to be a samurai."

"You knew she was a hitokiri?"

"Yep, I saw her with a sword.  It's just like Kenshin's too! It's a sakabatou, I think."

"And you kept quiet all this time?"

"Yeah, I know she won't harm anyone.  I mean if she did, she would have by now.  She's so nice under that quiet exterior. I wish she was happier though."

"I do also..."

"Anyway, she helped train with me a few times."

"What?"

Yahiko smirked.

"How else could I have improved so much?"

"Yes Kaoru?" Megumi answered as she placed the medicine into her cabinet.

"Tell me.  Tell me what is going on.  I know that Kenshin is hiding a lot from me and he will not tell me.  Sabishi as well.  I know you know what is going on.  Even Yahiko knows but he is too busy training to really care much now.  Please Megumi, tell me!"

"There isn't really much to this Kaoru.  It doesn't involve us as of yet."

"Megumi! I know this has to involve us in some way! We are family after all!"

"Kaoru, I can not tell you for it is a very personal matter.  You have to realize though that Sabishi is not what she seems to be."

"I know she is not a normal girl Megumi.  I know she once use to be a hitokiri but it is the same as when I first spoke to Kenshin.  The past is the past and I will judge her not by her past but by the present her.  Do not treat me like some young foolish girl.  You should not underestimate me."

"Nor should you overestimate yourself Kaoru.  All this, you will know when the time is ready."

"Why? Why am I kept from all this?" Kaoru insisted in an urgent voice.

Megumi froze in the midair for a second before placing another jar into her cabinet of medicines.  She then turned to stare at Kaoru before her.

"First answer me this question Kaoru.  Do you love Kenshin?"

Kaoru flushed under the doctor's steady gaze.

"Tell me Kaoru.  You MUST answer me if you want to know and truthfully as well."

"I- well... um... I..." Kaoru flustered.

"Kaoru, you have to realize this is not like all those other times with Kenshin's past.  Through what you already know, this may be one of Kenshin's painfullest memories. To unbury them without knowing exactly what it is that we are revealing may hurt dear ones."

Kaoru sighed.  "I just want to know what is bothering Kenshin and Sabishi so much. They may act as though everything is fine, especially Kenshin but I can see the pain in their eyes.  Especially Sabishi's."

"And what can you accomplish knowing everything?"

"I can at least understand what is going on! I don't know exactly but this does involve me in SOME way.  I- I just don't want to see my close friends hurting so badly."

<"KENSHIN JUST WANTS PEACE!!"

"I am not worthy of being loved.  My crimes, my sins, the guilt and dirt I carry in my soul, in my heart, I am not worthy of his love!"

"I could not reveal my existence to Kenshin, it would make him ridden with guilt as well as a heavy decision of choosing.  I can never bring such problems to Kenshin. Never...">

The echoing of Sabishi's voice goes through her mind.  The tears of a bitter hitokiri who has never rid of her suffering, no matter where she runs to...

<"I just wished things could be as they were before but I knew it would be impossible...">

Megumi straightened as she turned to face Kaoru.  It was about time.

Megumi gazed at the young dojo owner for a moment before she returned to her medicines.  After a moment she casually spoke.

"Kaoru, Sabishi was once Kenshin's lover."

"Wh-what?" Kaoru whispered.

Megumi turned and the eyes which bore into Kaoru's were hard and cold.

"You heard me Kaoru.  Sabishi was once Kenshin's lover."

"She wa-was his lover?" Kaoru said in a soft voice.  Megumi nodded.

"Megumi, does Kenshin still-," Kaoru began but her voice faded.

"Kaoru, do you not see what the problem is now?" Megumi asked with dull eyes.  Her voice sounded wary.

"Kenshin loves Sabishi?" Kaoru whispered, her voice strangely choked.

"Kaoru, if Kenshin knew, should Sabishi not be happy? Why would she have reason to suffer?"

Kaoru sat down, her mind in turmoil as the events of the past few months came together.

"Yes Kaoru.  A choice must be made and rather than cause Kenshin heedless pain, Sabishi tried to avoid the inevitable.  Do you want to hear Sabishi's story?" Megumi asked.

Kaoru nodded.

"Sabishi told me a few parts, some vague, I suppose she could not think too long on these old memories or- well the main thing is she is much like Kenshin.  She lost her family at a young age and began training when she was taken in by a woman name Takani Yui, her master as well as family.  Takani san was a brilliant swordsman or woman and taught Sabishi well.  Something happened to her and she died, Sabishi would not go in to detail over what happened, I guess it was too painful for her... Anyhow she joined the ShiShi like Kenshin to help bring the new era where there would be peace.  Sabishi met Kenshin about a year after he joined the IshinShishi I think."

Megumi stopped for a moment to take a breath.

"Sabishi saved Kenshin, Kaoru.  They became close friends at first, too shy to admit their true feelings to each other until they both returned to the ShiShi for it was then that Sabishi thought she was going to lose him."

"Wait, Megumi, if they once loved each other, why are they not together now?"

"I am getting to that.  They were lovers, so close and understood each other very well, perhaps too well... After all they came from similar backgrounds.  But, misfortune struck and Kenshin was told that Sabishi died.   In truth, she was missing.  She had been severely injured in battle and was in hiding until she could fight again.  However, when she returned to the ShiShi, when she returned Kenshin had found another..."

"Tomoe san?" Kaoru inquired.

Megumi nodded, "Yes Kaoru.  Sabishi thought, rather than reappear and cause Kenshin the agonizing decision of choosing, she decided to stay in the shadows."

"But- but didn't that-that-that... hurt?"

"Hurt, Kaoru?"

"Sabishi loved- iie loves Kenshin and if she were forced to only allow herself to watch over Kenshin-,"
Kaoru began but Megumi interrupted her.

"Kaoru, she didn't want Kenshin ever to have to make that kind of decision.  Sabishi would rather suffer silently then ever cause Kenshin pain."

"She really loves Kenshin doesn't she?" Kaoru whispered.

Megumi nodded.

"Does Kenshin love her?" Kaoru asked after a moment of silence, as she got up to leave.

"Kaoru, it is up to Kenshin now."

"You mean-,"

"Kaoru, Kenshin cares about two people right now.  These two are too evenly matched..."

"Could this other person..." Kaoru began as she opened the clinic's door and left.

"Kaoru, this other person... it is you..." Megumi whispered as Kaoru left her clinic.

Sanosuke looked around the table and frowned.  Something was not right here, what he could not place a finger on it.  He watched the two little girls chat gaily with Kenshin while Sabishi was preparing dinner with Kaoru.  Yahiko was still outside practicing, as usual.

Still something was bothering Sanosuke.

Sabishi set out the dishes as Yahiko came in.

"Been practicing I see Yahiko." She said in her usual soft tone.

Yahiko smiled.
"Yup! As you know I hope to be as strong a swordsman as Kenshin san."

Sabishi smiled sweetly, "Of course."

She sat down as she passed around the rice.  Ayame was showing Kenshin something she had been making and Suzume was waving her hands around as she laughed cheerfully. Then, Sano saw what had been nagging at him.  Kaoru.  She was staring at Sabishi with a sad expression with on her face, a melancholy expression mixed with a hint of... regret?

Sanosuke thought, "Something is bothering ojouchan... could it be that Megumi..."

His eyes narrowed as he watched her struggle in hiding her emotions and trying to act normally.

Sabishi felt eyes on her and as she looked up she saw Kaoru's beautiful blue eyes on her.  Her deep eyes, the window to the soul were what eyes were said to be, were a collaboration of ambivalent feelings.

Sabishi lowered her eyes, she knew then that someone had told Kaoru about her. She had a strong suspicion to who it was as well.

"I will have to speak with Kaoru san later..." Sabishi thought in her mind.

Kenshin watched from the corner of his eyes.

"Kaoru dono is acting very strangely," Were Kenshin's silent thoughts as he gazed at the attractive dojo owner.

"Kaoru san, would you wish to speak with me?"

Kaoru looked up in surprise as she met a pair of deep purple eyes so like the eyes of the rurouni whom she held affection toward.

"Kaoru san?" Sabishi asked gently.

"Umm.. yes Sabishi..." Kaoru managed to stammer out.  Sabishi smiled at her sadly.

"Kaoru san, we are close friends.  I would not wish for you to hide anything from me, as I would not desire to hide anything from you.  I have kept you in the dark too long, for this I must apologize.  I will clear anything you want to know of tonight."

"Sabishi dono..." Kenshin began.  Sabishi refused to look into his eyes.

"I'm retiring to my room... gomen minna san." Sabishi said softly as she left the room.

Kenshin watched her, his expression strangely shielded.

"Ken niichan?" Ayame asked in a worried tone.

Kenshin turned back with a bright smile on his face.

"Nothing's wrong Ayame chan."  Kenshin replied soothingly.

"Why is Sabishi neechan so sad?"  Ayame asked worriedly.

"She's just um... tired Ayame.  Don't worry, ne?  Smile for niichan." Kenshin smiled.

"Hai!" Suzume and Ayame chorused.

Kaoru shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she watched Sabishi.

"Kaoru, Megumi told you most of my story, my past and... the relationship Kenshin and I use to have."

"Hai Sabishi."

"Kaoru san, what is it that you need me to answer for you?"

"Sabishi, do you- do you still lo-love Kenshin?" Kaoru managed to say.

Sabishi was quiet, her hair shielding her eyes from view.

"I will not lie to you Kaoru san, for you are such a dear friend to me..." Sabishi began.

Kaoru nodded.

"I love Kenshin... just as I had ten years ago..." Sabishi finally whispered.

There was a sharp intake of air.

"I see..." Kaoru finally answered.

"Kaoru, I know of your feelings toward Kenshin." Sabishi stated.

"Huh?" Kaoru said as she blushed a crimson red.

Sabishi smiled sadly.

"Kaoru san, why don't you tell Kenshin how you feel?  He does love you..." Sabishi said before she could change her mind.

Kaoru looks up in shock.  Sabishi was no longer looking at her, but out the window into the sky.

"Tell Kenshin Kaoru.  Ne?" Sabishi said in a gentle tone as she turned back toward her with a smile.
(Think cute little smile with upside down U's as eyes  ^_^)

Sabishi turns back toward the window, still keeping the smile on her lips.

"Kaoru san, could you leave me alone for now? I'm... a little tired just now..." Sabishi whispered, barely keeping her voice from breaking.

"I-I understand..." Kaoru said softly as she got up to leave.

"Oyasumi nasi..." Sabishi said as she smiled once again at Kaoru.

"Oyasumi nasi Sabishi..." Kaoru managed to call back after her before she closed the door.

Sabishi sighs and her smile drops away as she looks out the window.  As she opens her eyes, suppressed tears trickle down her pale cheeks as she sobbed quietly.

Kaoru walked out into the night air and took deep breaths.

<"I love Kenshin...">

Her eyes dimmed and she sighed sadly.  She understood now and for one fleeting moment she wished, she wished she had never forced Megumi to tell her.  Kaoru sat onto the porch, her deep blue eyes locking onto the sky, watching the shiny specks light that sprinkled the dark night in patterns of light.

Why was life so unfair?

Kaoru felt her sight blur as she continued to watch the star in the night.
"No," Kaoru thought adamantly, "I am not going to cry."

Kaoru stiffened suddenly as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Kaoru dono?" A soft voice asked, "Are you alright?"

Kaoru relaxed and motioned for the rurouni to sit down next to her.

"I'm fine Kenshin. I just wanted to sit out here and think for a moment or two."

Kenshin nodded, "I see, but you should be careful.  It is quite cold and you may catch cold."

Kaoru nodded numbly.

Kenshin watched her for a moment, his eyes registering worry.

"Kaoru dono, what is bothering you?"

Kaoru sighed but did not tell of her problems.

"Kaoru dono, do you wish to speak to me about it?"

Kaoru turned toward Kenshin her eyes boring into Kenshin's, startling him slightly.

"Kenshin, Megumi told me about Sabishi."

Kenshin's eyes lowered slightly.

"I see..."

Kenshin looked away.  Even now, he did not know, he did not know whom he loved.  He had thought perhaps it would be better if he just left quietly but he realized running away would not be an answer.  Also, Sabishi could follow him either way so...

Kaoru turned away.

"Kenshin, do you love Sabishi?"

Kenshin look up in surprise and then his eyes widened.

"Kaoru dono, are you crying?"

Kaoru rotated in her seat, hiding her face.

"No Kenshin, I just have something in my eyes."

Kenshin turned Kaoru to face him.

"Kaoru dono..." Kenshin whispered which made Kaoru's pretty eyes widen in shock.

Kenshin wiped away her tears gently with his fingers as he gazed into Kaoru's eyes.

"Ken-ken shin..." Kaoru began.  She swallowed nervously.

"Yes Kaoru dono?" Kenshin inquired as he smiled gently at her.

"Ken-kenshin... I- I..." Kaoru began.

"What is it you want to say Kaoru dono?" Kenshin asked in a puzzled tone.

"Kenshin, I-I lo-," Kaoru began.

Kenshin suddenly looked up, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru asked in a confused tone.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Came a loud scream.

"What?" Kaoru thought.

Kenshin's eyes widened.

"SABISHI!"  Kenshin thought as he stood up.

"Sabishi!" Kenshin yelled as he charged into the dojo but he knew it would be too late.

Kenshin looked at the room, seeing the disheveled futon and clothing scattered around the room.  He bent down to pick up something as Yahiko and Sanosuke ran in with Kaoru trailing.

"What- What happened?" Yahiko asked as he viewed the mess.

Kenshin stood still, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he held the white sheet of rice paper with writing, as well as a sword with a black ribbon wrapped loosely around it in his hands.

"Ken-kenshin?" Kaoru inquired in a soft tone as she watched Kenshin's hands shake from anger.

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Kenshin screamed as he crushed the letter in his hands.