When my friends The Great ABC and Bethany find out about this, they’re gonna kill me. *shrug* Oh well. This is my first attempt at a Kenshin fic so don’t kill me if it’s bad. Please review and tell me how I do. I’m very obsessive about doing things as close to perfect as I can, so if something’s wrong (besides typos; these I know about... eventually...) you have to tell me!! Alright, here we go...

CHAPTER ONE: PRAY

As he finished the last of the outdoor chores, Kenshin glanced with weary eyes at the sky. Dark grey clouds loomed overhead, casting an unnatural darkness over the land. The swordsmen normally awaited storms with a great deal of yearning, for only their fury and power overwhelmed the killer he used to be, leaving only contentment and serenity in their wake. This night, however, he felt nothing but a growing anxiety. He knew this night would leave many things destroyed; many lives changed.

Finally done, the red-haired man hurried inside the dojo, away from the menacing darkness. Yahiko was on his 467 stroke, concentrating on each one as if his life depended on it. Kaoru sat to one side, seemingly watching him. It didn’t take much to notice her gaze went past the boy, to the nothingness beyond.
Studying her more closely, he noticed that her face seemed drained of color and her shoulders sagged in fatigue.

“Kaoru-dono,” he called gently, pulling her out of her daze. “I will prepare dinner now. Is there anything you would like this one to make?”
She looked at him blankly for a moment before replying, “No, thank you. I think I’ll pass tonight.”

With this said, she looked away, but not fast enough. Kenshin could see she was hiding something, deep in her sapphire eyes. The whole conversation worried the wanderer more than he liked.
“Are you not feeling well?” She shook her head slowly.
“I’m fine, really. It’s just that I’ve been training all day.”

“I could start a bath for you, that I could.”

A smile of thanks lit her face as she accepted this with a nod. All though she was still not acting normal, this small show of self eased Kenshin’s nerves just a bit. Just before he ventured back outside to start the bath, the steady stream of numbers came to an abrupt halt at 500.

“Hey, busu, I’m done!” he shouted, running over to where the couple sat. “Can I stop for the day?”

“Don’t call me busu,” she muttered darkly, but didn’t hit him. “Clean the dojo tomorrow. You’re done.”

“Do I have to? I was goin’ with Sano tomorrow to...” he stopped suddenly put his hand behind his head. “To go shopping.” He continued a moment later with a huge smile, all the while thinking of how busted he was.

“Alright. I’ll do it myself.” She said with a shrug. Her companion’s eyes seemed to double in size with this comment. It was than the first drops of rain began to fall. They dropped onto the roof with a soft ‘plop’, trying desperately to lure all within to a since of security before the real rain came.
“Ah, I’ll do it.” Yahiko muttered, looking down at the floor. “After today, I don’t think you shou-“
“I’m going to bed.” Kaoru announced, halting his words. Kenshin looked questioningly at the boy. Yahiko looked away, large brown eyes full of guilt and worry. The red-haired man knew he’d get the answer to his question as soon as he had the boy alone.
“What about your bath Kaoru-dono, this one can-“
“I changed my mind.” She cut him off and stood. She made it three steps before stumbling. The swordsman had her in his arms before she could even gasp.

“Kaoru-dono, you have a fever, that you do.” He told her softly as he steadied her.

“I’m fine, really.” She urged, pushing away. “I just need to go to sleep.”

“Yahiko, go make Kaoru-dono some tea.” Kenshin ordered. Knowing the tone in the wanderer’s voice, and acting on his own worry, Yahiko complied. Once the two were alone, Kenshin reached out to take her arm.

“I’m fine.” She said again, moving out of his reach.
“This one begs you, Kaoru-dono. Tell me the truth. How long have you been feeling ill?”

The silent pain in those violet eyes broke down the wall and she sighed.

“Since last night.” She said, turning to walk towards her room. Again she wavered. With no effort, Kenshin picked her up and carried her. He slid the door open with his foot and set her gently on the futon. Slowly, he pulled the blankets over her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

“I didn’t want you to worry. Besides, it’ll go away soon.”

“What do you-“

“I brought the tea!” Yahiko announced, carrying a tray into the room and unknowingly cutting off Kenshin’s words. After they had her propped up and sipping tea, the two men took the tray back to the kitchen.

“Yahiko, what happened today?” Kenshin asked as they walked.

“She fainted twice, Kenshin. She made me promise not to tell you!” he gushed apologetically.

“I fear she is very ill, that I do.” The redhead muttered, not noticing that the storm’s strength was increasing. Thunder boomed close by and a flash of lightning lit the sky. Kaoru’s scream echoed through the house. Later, Yahiko would wonder if he’d ever seen Kenshin run faster. The boy came in a few seconds behind his older friend. The woman he thought of as a sister was sobbing, burying her face in her hands. When he found no danger in the room, he decided to hand the situation over to Kenshin.

“I think I’ll go... clean something.” He said and left the room, closing the door behind him.

“Don’t leave me, please,” she sobbed, clutching at the swordsmen’s gi. Not knowing what else to do, he lifted her into his arms.

“This one will not leave you, that I will not.” He murmured.

“Everyone always leaves,” she said, resting her burning forehead against the side of his neck. Gentle arms encircled her waist, pulling her closer. Her fever was raising much too quickly, but at least her tears were slowing.

“What is it that is bothering you so?”

“My father died on a day like this. It was raining.” She sighed as her words slowed, exhaustion beginning to overtake her small form. “I hate the rain.” She added bitterly.

“I am sorry, Kaoru-dono, that I am. This one should have realized your illness sooner and than perhaps-“

“This isn’t your fault.” She whispered. “I’ll be fine.”

“Maybe this one should get Megumi-dono.”

“Don’t leave me,” she murmured, holding tighter. “It’s so strange. I feel my father close by. It’s like he’s waiting for me...” Her words stopped there, unconsciousness stealing her away from the waking world.

“Kaoru-dono?” he said her name and leaned back to gaze at her ashen face. He laid her back on her futon. Her breath was shallow and much to slow. “Kaoru-dono, wake up.” He said, shaking her gently. She did not stir. “Kaoru-dono!” he said more loudly this time. Another failed attempt. She would not wake.

“Yahiko!” he called. The boy rushed in a few moments later. “Stay with Karou-dono while I get Megumi-dono.”

“Is she that bad?” he questioned, fear overtaking his worry. He got no answer. Just before Kenshin slipped out the door, Yahiko grabbed his arm.

“You should stay with her. I can go get Megumi.”
“Yahiko-“
“She’d want you here with her. I’ll be quick, I promise.” The boy argued. Kenshin sighed, remembering his promise.
“Go.” The ten-year-old didn’t need another word. Once the swordsman was alone again, he kneeled by Kaoru’s side. Gently, he took her hand.
“Get better, Kaoru-dono, that you must.” He whispered and pressed a soft kiss to the back of her hand. With nothing else to do but wait, the former hitokiri closed his eyes to do the one thing he hadn’t done in a decade.

He prayed.

END OF CHAPTER ONE

So what’d you all think? PLEASE REVIEW AND TELL ME! Thanks for reading.

-Ahria