Just so you know, I've sort of picked up this story from where "Heart's Ease" and "Kimi Wa Dare Wo Mamotte Iru" left off. Lemons, but two of the best I've read. You fans should check it out. This is, by no means, a continuation of the two, but there is a reference to them. So in case you missed it, you must know that in my story, Kaoru and Kenshin have already, well…made love. Hope you don't find that offensive.

Standard disclaimers apply. "Rurouni Kenshin" (c) Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shuiesha, Shounen Jump, and Sony. I do not own RK, pray as I might, every night, it just wouldn't happen that way. No matter how many candles I light, no matter how many chickens I decapitate…

Ludlow entered the edifice of Celestine, home of the Department of Walker Affairs, otherwise known as the Department of Meddlers. The government agency is in charge of the welfare of Walkers in relation to Mages, and they worked independently of mage governance to be effective in their duties. Though meddling was common, it had to be authorized and in accordance with law, mostly to prevent chaos and abuse.

Ludlow's mission was to seek Rodren Helinwart's help.

Rodren, head of the DWA, was a decent Mage whose concern for the race of Walkers bordered on godlike compassion.

Ludlow, famed assistant to Janek Malfid, was immediately ushered into Rodren's office.

"What can I do you for, Ludlow?" asked Rodren with an accommodating smile.

Ludlow immediately stated his purpose. "I need a meddling."

Rodren laughed at the straightforward approach. "Who is the unfortunate Walker to be used?"

Ludlow grinned, his tension easing at the Mage's candid manner. "We're not certain yet, but I want to be authorized to meddle as soon as a particular revelation takes place."

Rodren sat back on his chair, an amused smile on his face. "You know the rules. A Walker must 'ask' for the meddling, usually extracted in the form of prayers or bouts of exasperation, and that same Walker must have circumstantial right to do so."

Ludlow knew the drill. Walkers who "asked" for meddles usually had no idea that "someone" was listening and often attributed the sudden appearance of help to luck or coincidence. The DWA only answered Walker prayers when it involved a worthy cause to aid a Mage in trouble. Furthermore, a Walker can apply the aid only if he or she has a capacity to do so. For instance, a Walker who does not know how to swim cannot possibly hope to rescue a drowning Mage by jumping into the water with the hopes of suddenly learning buoyancy.

Ludlow gave a nod. "I understand that, but I know you can issue me a surveillance team, can't you?"

Rodren shrugged. "It depends. The purpose must be vital to a Walker's well-being in relation to Mage Policy."

Ludlow smiled in relief. "Leave that to me."

Himura Kenshin watched Kamiya Kaoru, his fiancée, in awe as she emerged from the house, purse and parasol in hand.

Thank you, Kami-sama. He thought, sighing in contentment. His beautiful Kaoru was safe, safe from Enishi's Revenge; safe from all the other perils that came before. The dangers he had caused her would have driven any other woman away from him, but she was so special. She had stood her ground without fear or hate. She loved him in spite of all that, and he loved her all the more for it.

The night before Enishi's attack, she had been the light in the darkness. Only she can create the love they shared in such chaos. Until now, he could not explain how they had made passionate love amidst the tumult of fear, how they had eased each other's hearts by a mere touch of their finger tips. Then after they got her back, when he was so full of the guilt and the pain at the thought that he had failed her, she had comforted him again with her heart, soul and body. He didn’t deserve her, but she thought otherwise.

"Where are you going, Kaoru?" he asked, his arms elbow-deep in soapsuds.

She smiled at him and affectionately rapped his head with her parasol. He was still a bit too protective of her, still trying to shadow her every move. It was endearing, but that endearment would transform into irritation if he did not let up. "Just the market. We're running low on tofu."

"I'm just about done with the laundry. If you wait a little I can come with you," Kenshin said, staring up at her with rurouni innocence.

"Mou!" Kaoru sighed, rapping him again. "You're such a horrible liar, Kenshin. You didn't even bother to hide the laundry pile," she said, pointing to the telltale stack of dirty clothes beside him.

Kenshin gave a chuckle, caught. "Ah, silly me," he said, chastising himself. "Very well, Kaoru. I will stay, but I think Yahiko's been wanting to go into town. Perhaps you should ask him to go with you."

Kaoru sighed again, rolling her eyes around in exasperation. "Give it up, Kenshin. You've already used that tactic. I see right through it. I'm going alone."

"But--"

"I'll be back before you know it. Don't worry," she said, giving him a placating kiss on the lips.

"Oro?" Kenshin responded, blinking in confusion.

She was gone in a flash.

He sighed and went back to his laundry. Kaoru was an amazingly stubborn woman. At that thought, he smiled. The Hitokiri Battousai wouldn't have his woman any other way.

Ludlow perched himself on a nearby tree, this time as a parrot. He peered at Kamiya Kaoru as she purchased the tofu. Even in the brightness of the sun, her aura flared radiantly.

She's a powerful mage, this one. If only she knew it. Her trainer would have to be just as powerful to be able to teach her the proper use of it, but that was of little concern. He already knew who her trainer would be if the Department of Revelations decides to let her know her capabilities.

Ludlow gave an amused squawk at the prospect of her meeting with her trainer. That would be a sight to see. He'd have to be there. He wouldn't miss it for the world!

His light thoughts were disturbed by the sight of Yasanari's ghoul walking casually through the crowd.

Ludlow cursed loudly, earning him an odd look from a Walker below.

"What are you looking at?" Ludlow squawked in Japanese.

The Walker fled in fear.

What can he do? He couldn't meddle just yet. Unauthorized meddling carried heavy sanctions. They can revoke his license to practice magic indefinitely, and for a Shape Shifter like him, which meant no more flying, ocean swimming or thousands of other delights, he couldn't do without the stress relief. His work in the Ithenea would be punishment if he couldn't unwind the way he usually does.

Kaoru was extraordinary however. He wouldn't put it past her that she could take care of herself. Her purity wasn't even marred by the fact that she and Himura had already slept together. Several times, in fact. Perhaps it had much to do with Himura's deep love for her. Nevertheless, it took a very innocent soul to stay so pure in spite of the loss of maidenhood. At least Ludlow knew Yasanari couldn't harm her in that aspect. If she had that idiot Desuke rape her, she'd lose her Maiden's Blood. Dragons did not take kindly to tainted offerings. What was Yasanari going to do?

He'd have to keep a close watch. Yasanari was resourceful. Very dangerous.

Damn witch. Ludlow thought.

Kaoru looked over her shoulder. There he was again.

A young man with black hair and brown eyes seemed to be following her in the last half- hour. It was beginning to make her nervous. Handsome though he was, he had a glint in his eyes that overshadowed the flattery she would have felt.

She was suddenly sorry that she had not heeded Kenshin's offer of accompaniment.

Kaoru shook off her paranoid thoughts and scolded herself. Stupid! Those days of danger are over! The man wasn't following her, she convinced herself. He just happened to have the same route as she did. Nothing to worry about.

Clutching her tofu bucket more firmly in her hand, she quickened her pace as she headed home. Why was she so afraid anyway? She was the adjutant master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. She could take anybody on, even with a sorry excuse for a weapon in the form of a parasol.

She noticed that the man equaled his pace with hers.

"Calm down," she grumbled under her breath. "Get a grip, Kamiya!"

In spite of her brave words, she started to run.

The man followed suit.

God! He was after her.

Her warrior instincts took root. She turned around, parasol in hand, and made a swing for her pursuer's head.

The man absorbed the hit of the umbrella with barely a flinch. She followed it up with the bucket and made no difference.

Damn! She thought. Why does he have to be so strong?

She felt the full force of his bulk on her midsection and the scream she had been intending to belt out was knocked from her breath.

They fell to the ground in a heap, and in spite of the shouts from the crowd, no one helped her.

The man smiled as he pinned her beneath him. He was too heavy and strong. Her struggles were futile.

Catching her breath, she screamed, but he swung his fist at her head, slamming consciousness from her.

To be continued…

Terms:

1. "Rurouni" - according to the creator of RK, this means "wanderer". I think he made it up, but I dunno.
2. "Mou!" - Kaoru's expression of exasperation.
3. "Oro!" - Kenshin's expression of surprise, wonder, clueless-ness, etc.