Author's Notes:srry this is so ridiculously late i really have no explanation other than a mixture of business laziness and depression but im back now so let's go!

Chapter 26:

In the next room was another of Shishio's men. I frowned and began to step forward planning to end this quickly. Saito was quicker. "I'll take this one." I narrowed my eyes and frowned. He smirked at me. Shintah nodded curtly and ran on to the next room. Saito grabbed my shoulder before I left. "You need to go with him. He needs you," he whispered gruffly. I blushed. Was I that obvious that Saito noticed? I looked in his eyes. No he was looking at me as a warrior. Of course, he meant Shintah needed me to watch his back because I was one of the best. I nodded and mentally shook myself. I couldn't let my girly feelings get in the way. Not now.

I followed Shintah into the next room where he had stopped in front of a dark looking man with black hair covering his eyes. "Kenshin," the man growled. "Aoshi," Shintah returned. I looked between the two of them. "We met in Tokyo," Shintah explained for me. I nodded my understanding. So much had happened to him since he had left me. I spared myself a moment of pity then snapped back to attention.

"Tell the girl to step back," Aoshi demanded. I snapped out my whip, "Hey, I'm right here and I-" "Go Miss Mizuki," Shintah said softly. His eyes were focussed but still not nearly to the exent they had been during the revolution. I reluctantly stepped back. I asumed that this must be about some grudge that Shintah had given to him acidentally. Heh, he was good at that.

I noticed that we were in a library. They were gonna fight in a library. I raised an eyebrow and scooted away from the bookcases. I snuck up to the second floor of the library and leaned over the railing to watch. The two men were squaring off. Soon the battle started. I watched as the men exchanged blows once again awed by how well that they could handle their swords.

I was so engrossed in the battle that I failed to notice Sanoske when he came up to stand beside me. "Hn, Aoshi's back," Sanoske mused to himself. I jumped. "Warn me when you're here!" I cried. He laughed,"You're so into that fight I don't think it would matter if I warned you or not." I made a face at him and shrugged. I couldn't deny it because it was probably true. I would have jumped either way. I turned my attention back to the fighting men. Oh hey look, they already knocked down half of the bookshelves and covered most of the books in blood.

Evantually Shintah took the upperhand. I heard Sanoske make a small noise. I looked at Aoshi. I saw his stance. I didn't know much about swords, but it looked like a death stance and well he was barely standing so it was probably not a smart idea for him to be attempting something dangerous like that. But he seemed determind. He charged at Shintah. He had no choice but to take Aoshi down. Sano and I ran down to see the fallen man and Shintah, the victor.

Shintah was staring at the man with pity in his eyes. I had seen that expression more recently as of late and now I realized that half the time that expression was aimed at me. I wondered why. Oh well not the time. Sanoske volunteered to stay and watch Aoshi. Shintah and I went to the next room.

I saw kid no more than fourteen standing in the center of the dojo type room. "Soijiro," Shintah murmured. Once again someone he knew and I didn't. "Mr. Himura," the boy greeted happily. Shintah went to draw his sword. I put my hand on his arm. "This is my fight. I've been waiting for long enough." I snapped out my whip.