Still I cried.I could hear a slight sound echoing in the background but could make no sense of it. I felt a hand on my left hand, but it felt cold and...uncomforting. I felt an intense heat deep within me radiating outwards spreading its warmth all around me. I tried to move my hand away from that cold touch but I could not make it move. I was frozen in place, awash in heat and tears.My crying sobs were soft but steady and rhythmic. I lost myself in that rhythm. I focused on that rhythm and. (Shishio shudders, then retches violently, throwing back his head in pain.)Sanosuke, Saitou, Aoshi: (thinking): Something's changed... !!Yumi (thinking): His limits... Houji: Wait, Yumi!(She throws her body between Shishio and Kenshin.)Yumi: Stop! He can't anymore! Because of his burns he can't fight for more than fifteen minutes. Look at his body. He's had enough. Don't hurt him any further! Please... (Kenshin lowers his sword.)Shishio: You're soft, Battousai. The fight's still on.(He drives. "I honestly did my best Mrs. Zimmerman but I just couldn't understand all the material. I promise you, I will do much better on the final." Mrs. Zimmerman gave me a serious look. "Luke, it's too late. Even if u pass that final, you still wouldn't be able to pass this class. The damage is done. You have to come back here over the summer to retake this course. I'm sorry." My heart sank. "Please, I'll do anything. Just pass me that's all I'm asking. I swear I'll pass that final. Just let me pass.". It was two weeks before graduation when I was sitting on my bed when my mom came into my room and asked me what was the matter. "Julie, is there a problem? You look like you've been crying."I wasn't sure how to tell her so I came out with it. "I'm sorry, Mom; I might have a big problem. I missed my period. I'm always on time and I'm past due by a couple of weeks."My mom gave me that look. You know, the one that said you had unprotected sex."Julie, God why? If you thought about having sex, why.