“I’m sorry I didn’t know,” he said truthfully. “If I’d have known, maybe I could have helped.”She looked at him oddly. “I don’t thin... I needed any help. Buttercup seemed to be doing just fine.”He flushed again. “I didn’t mean that kind of help!” He tried to think of something to say, but couldn’t. “Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable to talk about this?”Brenda thought about that for a minute. While she had been horribly embarrassed in the beginning, to admit what had happened, his reaction to. He thought her eyes lingered on his shirtless chest for a moment, before flicking back to his face.That word tickled at him. Eruchen; he felt like he should know it. “Aran,” he replied, offering a hand.The gorgeous Elf studied him for a moment, then finally smiled and clasped his hand. “I am Liaren.”Aran half-expected the spiritual melding that had happened with Jeira, but this time, no such thing occurred. Releasing her hand, he asked; “you called me eruchen. I don’t recognise the word.”Liaren. ****** The ward was quiet when Albus woke up. It was completely dark outside, although Albus didn't have the slightest clue as to what day it was. John, Matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious or sound asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since Madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen. Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in chairs next to Matt's bed. It didn't look like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the. . Enishi (smiling): It's not quite that simple.Saitou: Of course not. That wouldn't be enough to climb to the top of a crime organization.Sanosuke: Yeah, but the whitehair knows his kenjutsu.Enishi: Warm-up is over. The time has come for the sword that soars the heavens, don't you think?Kenshin: Before that, you really should take off your dark glasses. One misstep and you could be blinded.Enishi: You think so little of me? Or is it you think so much of yourself?Kenshin: Neither. I'm not doing.