Protection

A/N: Was bored in study hall, felt like writing. It's a little rough, but whatever. Don't forget to review when you're done, and don't flame just 'cause it's (kinda) a Saito/Kaoru, or I will hunt you down and kill you. I'm serious.

.x.x.x.x.

The note on the package was short.

"Kamiya—

Meet me at the bridge in one hour. There are things we need to discuss.

—S.H."

She frowned. The initials…they were familiar, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why, or whom they belonged to. Gently she ripped the brown paper, putting it carefully aside of the beautiful kimono that was revealed. Kaoru reverently lifted the pale pink shimmering material, slightly in awe of its beauty. Whoever had sent it she would meet wearing it. Kamiya Kaoru was no coward.

.x.x.x.x.

The tall man casually lit another cigarette, nonchalantly glancing towards the small raven-haired woman walking towards him. A smirk spread onto his face, and a polished boot crushed the cigarette into the ground. "You're late, Kamiya."

Kaoru's eyes widened slightly.

Of course! S.H. …Saito Hajime!

Arms uncaringly crossed, he took a few steps forward. "New kimono, tanuki? It looks expensive. Did Battosai have to sell his so-called 'sword' to pay for that?"

She bristled. "It was a gift. From YOU, I believe."

An eyebrow rose. "And why would you think that?"

Kaoru glowered as she brandished the note at him. "Because you signed it!"

"I signed the note, yes. But I may have slipped it into a package that was already there. Did that occur to you?" He smirked. "It looks beautiful on you."

"LOOK, YOU INSUFFERABL—…what was that?"

"I won't repeat myself."

"WHY YOU…!"

In a flash his arms were around her, holding her more closely than she might otherwise have chosen. Another slow smirk made its lazy way over his face. "Even more when you're trying to kill me."

She pushed against him. "Look, you—"

"Afraid Battosai would see?"

Her silence was more than an answer. He let her go with a disgusted sigh. "Which brings me to what I wished to discuss."

Kaoru crossed her arms, slightly pink. "What?"

"Do you love Battosai?"

Large blue eyes became even larger. "Wh-what?"

"Look, tanuki, it's obvious he will never be man enough to tell you if he even has feelings for you. And what makes you so sure he won't just pack up and leave?"

"Because he l—"

"—Loves you? You live in a world of dreams, Kamiya. Battosai will never LET himself love again."

She began to tear. "You're such a jerk!"

His expression was serious. "I'm trying to protect you. If that's being a 'jerk', then so be it. Good evening, Kamiya."

"N-NO! Wait!" She grabbed his sleeve. "I'm sorry! You're saying…what I refuse to admit…"

He smirked imperceptibly. "Hn."

"But…" Kaoru lowered her head. "…Why? Why are you trying to protect me?"

Saito turned and ran a hand up her neck to her chin, clasping it lightly. "Because even if Battosai doesn't give a damn about you, I do."

She was stunned into silence.

He smirked wryly. "Surprised, tanuki?"

Kaoru barely found the strength to nod.

Slowly his arm found her waist and tugged her gently forward. His lips were a bare inch from hers when a length of cold steel separated them.

"Kaoru-dono, get away from that man."

Saito roughly released her and glared at the newcomer. "Battosai. What an unpleasant surprise."

Kenshin sheathed his sword and glared back, eyes glinting angrily. "What were you doing to her?"

"Only what you were too cowardly to do."

The redhead bristled. "I was protecting her!"

"So was I."

"You honorless bastard…" Kenshin hissed, gold swirling in his eyes. "YOU are married!"

"WAS, Battosai. I WAS married." Saito's voice was hard and cold. "Or do you not remember Yukishiro's plot?"

Kenshin remained thin-lipped and silent.

"The revenge taken on YOU cost ME my wife."

Kaoru nearly fell, but Kenshin's arm grabbed her waist.

"But that…" Saito flung off, "Has nothing to do with this."

Narrow, golden eyes burned with fury. "Hurting Kaoru-dono is no way to take revenge on revenge."

"You didn't listen to me, Battosai. This has nothing to do with that. Could any man stand idly by as a girl lost her spirit, day by day, because of an idiotic coward?"

"I was protecting her!"

"You were KILLING her, Battosai!"

Kaoru flinched as Kenshin's arm tightened. "What do YOU know?" he hissed.

"I saw how hurt her eyes were when you were mentioned. I saw her shoulders droop and her spirit dampen. I can tell."

Kenshin's hand found his sword hilt. "You—!"

Saito gave a mocking bow. "I hope you two are happy. After all, she loves you SO much, Battosai. You could never deserve her, but love is all that matters, ne?"

Kenshin gripped her almost painfully. "Saito…you…"

He bowed again, a coldly cheerful smile on his face. "Best of luck to you both. And Kamiya…" The smile faltered slightly. "I do believe I love you." He vanished into the darkness, the crushed cigarette on the bridge the only sign he had ever been there.

.x.x.x.x.