Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively. FF is non-profit, meant for entertainment only.

Please send no flames, I’m sensitive. For all other comments 0_o you may contact me at kaoru_koishii@yahoo.com

That’s It

By JouChan

Chapter One

Kaoru was walking down the road slowly, swinging the bucket in her hand. Kenshin had been with her for almost three yrs now or at least it would be in one month, two weeks and one day. She Loved Kenshin dearly, but the man she decided was either slow. Or very good a pretending, she believed it was the later. Whenever she was in danger, his whole demeanor changed and although she was of afraid of him becoming the battoussai, he was the only one that showed her he cared not with words but with his actions. His need for wanting to protect her were so great, he'd kill for her. But then this is where she usually stopped because she got confused. It was Kenshin's' need to protect, which brought the battoussai out. And she was back to square one. Did Kenshin love her?

Hmm, she hadn't realized she had stopped walking. Seems she had gone through the forest instead of keeping to the road.

"Kaoru-chan........ With out her battoussai, This must be my lucky day." The voice was bitter. "Hiruma", was all she got to say before she felt something connect with her head and then all went black. Her last thought............."Kenshin".

*************

Thump. Crack.

Hiruma Gohei's eyes widened. He had seen her fall but had not expected for her to hit her head on the side of the tree trunk. He'd always been fascinated with blood, but he knew what the meaning of hers had. He was going to die. And he knew it was going to be painful. The battoussai, he knew would slash him and bleed him before he allowed death to come. He knelt down to feel for a pulse but he felt none. He swallowed hard. He had meant to knock her out, only. Hold her hostage, so he could have the upper hand and kill the battoussai. Slowly he straightened up. Transfixed by the site of her bleeding form never felt the note slip out of his pocket. He was going to have to leave Tokyo maybe even Japan. Yes, maybe got to China. Just hide out for a couple of years, maybe till the battoussai cooled off. With that he ran off the other way.

*************

“Yahiko! Did you guys eat already", Sano asked coming in to the dojo."

"Sano!" " Have you seen Kaoru today?"

"No why, Where's Kenshin?"

"She's been gone since right after breakfast. She offered to go get the Tofu for Kenshin so he could continue his chores. But she never came home. Now Kenshin's out looking for her. I have a bad feeling Sano".

"Me too, kid. I'm going to go out and search for her too. I'll come back later and see if you guys have had any luck.", with that Sano spit his fish bone out and ran out the gates."

*************

Kenshin was frantic. The sun had set and the afternoon was turning to night. He had looked everywhere. People had seen her early in the morning. The last person he asked had seen her headed home. On the road. Where was she? His eyes were a steel blue. Shinny, like a blade. His senses were on alert. He had sensed danger earlier on in the day while doing the laundry. He had thought himself paranoid. He should have known. Someone had taken her. Who ever it was, they were going to be sorry. With that final thought he raced home, in hopes that she had gotten home, safely.

*************

Yahiko and Sano where waiting for Kenshin at the door. He could tell they hadn't had much luck. But still, he asked. "Is she here?" The tone was curt and cold. Something, which didn’t go, unnoticed by two in front of him. The battoussai was close to the surface.

"No, Kenshin. I got the cops looking out for her. Tae and Tsubame are keeping and eye out for anything suspicious. Megumi, Dr. Genzai and the girls are here. Just in case Jou-chan needs a doctor when she turns up." Sano didn't have to wait long to see the reaction his report caused Kenshin's, though his expression didn't change. He did see golden specks appear in his eyes. Not good, thought Sano.

"I will search door to door. Give me a lantern"

"Hold on Kenshin, I'll go with you", there was no way he was going to let Kenshin out like this. Anyone who didn't cooperate would get beaten to an inch of their life if they were lucky. And Jou-chan wouldn't like Kenshin acting this way.

*************

"Any change Yume", the concerned voice belonged to and older man early fifties, strong build, and whitening hair with kind chocolate brown eyes.

He addressed a petite woman about the same age. Her face held a small poutty mouth and a lot of laugh lines, dark brown hair with streaks of white on the sides, eyes of the same shade of brown, a beauty in her day.

Her face was now, all full of concern. "Tsutomu, I think it will be a while before she wakes. She lost a lot of blood. She's very weak. She was hardly alive when you brought her."

"Yume I want to take her into town as soon as she's able to travel. There was a note by her body. I don’t want this battoussai thinking that it was us, who took his woman, or that we were the ones that harmed her. Besides, I'm sure someone in town will recognize her. Don't worry Yume I'll leave her with a doctor, all right.

She simply nodded, and went back to tending the young woman in the bed.

*************

Morning found Kenshin and Sano in the bad part of town looking for anyone who might have seen Kaoru. Kenshin stood silently next to Sano while he asked these people if they had any information. This was the last house. Now they would search the woods.

*************

"Dr Genzai, what if......... what if they don't find her? What will happen to us? The dojo, Sano Kenshin and me? All of us." Yahiko wore a grin look that did not suit a child of his age. It was obvious he hadn't slept much.

"Yahiko, I don't know what will happen. But I can assure you that Kenshin will do all he can to find her. Come now lets eat. Don't shake your head at me Yahiko. I know how much you care for Kaoru-chan. We all love her. But she wouldn't want to see anyone getting sick on her account and you know that. Now come along Yahiko, and at least try to eat a bit".

Reluctantly, Yahiko agreed, " Hai, Dr. Genzai"

Despite his positive out view, Dr Genzai feared them not finding her. Not only for her sake, he loved her like a daughter after all. But for the boy and Kenshin’s sake. The boy loved her like a sister. And Kenshin, he was sure loved her too. He was very protective of her to say the least and he was afraid that Kenshin with out Kaoru would leave only the Hitokiri behind. Of one thing he was certain, if Kaoru was not found alive, the battoussai would make the heavens cry blood.

Chapter Two

*************

The sun was beating down hard, drying up the bit of water from an earlier shower. Seemed like mid-day. And no trace what so ever...........

Sano's thoughts trailed off. His eyes had fallen to a particular spot on the ground. There was a blue ribbon that was stuck to a tree stump. There was blood all around the trunk; the rain hadn't washed all of it away. Stuck on a splinter, there it was, wet from the rain but free of the blood. He removed it carefully. It was deep blue like her eyes. It was her favorite ribbon because Kenshin had given it to her about two years back. His mouth was dry. He had to call Kenshin.

"Ken-shin", came the hoarse shout. He tried again louder this time. "KENSHIN!", he finally screamed out, a little stunned himself at how desperate he had sounded. He knew what was going to happen. This was going to break Kenshin. A man can only take so much..... Kenshin had been trough so much already. But this was it

*************

Kenshin arrived in less than a minute. He leapt from a tree down to where Sano stood. "Kenshin......." Sano started off

Kenshin was sniffing the air and he could smell blood. Kenshin felt his heart constrict and shoved Sano out of the way. Blood. So much blood..... NO. Too much blood. Kenshin's thought turned murderous the moment he saw the blood. Sano walked over to Kenshin and handed him the blue ribbon, "This was all I found". Sano saw the Ice blue eyes with yellow flecks go completely yellow.

Sano stepped back, Kenshin's growl was more like a howl, that of a wounded animal fighting for it’s live or its mate. He didn't know much about Kid's but he knew Kenshin's must have been going up. He felt the atmosphere change drastically. Where he once stood in the heat of the sun, now all he felt was an icy chill. The chill was the hand of death reaching out. And death would come to the streets of Tokyo, Kenshin's eyes promised it.

“Kenshin”, no response

"Kenshin".

Sano could help his stuttering, "There.... There was no body, maybe ........Maybe someone planted the blood, placed the ribbon on the trunk and is just holding her hostage, so you will come for her. Maybe they just want you to think she's dead to hurt you. To have you at a disadvantage, kind of like what Enishi did". Battoussai's eyes turned to Sano, who tried very hard not to squirm, assessing the situation before moving forward. "Kenshin, I think we should head back to the dojo and wait for word there", he really hoped that he wasn't giving his best friend false hope. He prayed to Kami that he was right, for everyone's sake.

*************

The hitokiri battoussai scanned the area, no visible footprints, no broken twigs, no indentations on the ground whatsoever.

No trace.

No clue.

There might have been last night, if only he had come here first instead of searching the town. It was too late for regret, What he needed to do now was avenge her. For all the rurouni cared he couldn't protect his woman. HIS woman. When Enishi took her, he had thought her dead. Too numb from the loss, all he could do was wait for death to claim him too.

But not this time.

He was going to go to hell anyways, he knew.

All those responsible for her death would soon know what hell was really like.

" To have you at a disadvantage, kind of like what Enishi did". Battoussai's eyes turned to Sano. He hadn't really been listening but he caught the sentence.

"Kenshin, I think we should head back to the dojo and wait for word there".

It was probable and more than likely, they had taken her and made him think she was dead, it certainly wouldn't be the first time but it would certainly be the last. Either way they were going to die.

"Let's go Sano", with that he walked off leaving a very confused man behind.

"I didn't really think that would work", the ex-gangster turned his head but there was no trace of Kenshin.

"Shit".

*************

"Sano, what happened?" Megumi asked from her spot near the doorway of the dojo

"Is Kenshin here?", he was heaving from having run the whole way here.

"Ken-san strode in a while ago. I tried to talk to him but he didn't even bother to look at me. He walked straight to Kaoru-chan's room and closed the door.

Sano had finally regained enough breath and straightened up, " Is Dr. Genzai here?"

"No, he's still at the clinic."

"Wait!"

“Chicken head, were are you going?"

*************

“Tsutomu.”, the older woman walked toward her husband.

“She’s still now. The bleeding has stopped but she will have a tough time getting trough this. I expect her to suffer from a fever, she‘s very weak. Will see if she makes it through the night.

“Yume”, he whispered coming closer to her.

He caressed her face slowly and bent down to kiss his wife.

He stepped back a bit and smiled at her, “Yume; you were a great nurse during the bakumutsu. You saved me, if anyone can help her it’ll be you.”.

*************

“Are you sure this will knock him out”, he asked while holding out a clear liquid in a small bottle? Sano turned his head to look at Dr. Genzai. “It has to be strong enough.”

“This, will knock any man unconscious for several days. I picked this one because it is colorless as well as flavorless. He wont be able to detect It.”, Dr Genzai looked up from some paperwork he had on his desk to face Sano.

“ I don’t see why you feel you need to this Sano”

“Doc, if I don’t Kenshin won’t rest. And if Jou-chan is fine then she’s going to be really pissed when she comes home to find Kenshin all skin and bones. She can be really scary”; Sano flashed the doctor a smile and walked off.

Dr. Genzai just chuckled at the comment and tried to get back to work.

*************

“Here Yahiko, why don’t you try to eat something. It won’t do you any good if you starve yourself.” Megumi smiled at the sad boy.

“All right, Megumi, I’ll eat a bit”. The boy rested his head on his hands. This is way worse than before he thought. When Enishi took her, there was at least a clue that the body of Kaoru left behind wasn’t Kaoru’s.

Sano walked though the door just then. “Fox”.

“What”, she snapped at him. Where did you take of to and what happened.”

“I’ll tell you in a bit Fox. Get me a tray with food to take to Kenshin.”

She went in to the kitchen and did as she was told; “ he’s not going to eat you know.”

“We’ve got to try Fox”, he said coming to her side and taking the tray.

He tried to walk to Jou-chan’s room as quietly as possible. But when he got to the front of the door he was stopped by the battoussai’s voice.

“Leave”.

Sano though opened the door and set the tray down along with a bottle of sake.

“You should try to eat”, was all he Sano said as he left and closed the door behind him.

The battoussai stared at the tray and took the sake. He finished it in three gulps. It burned his throat and felt the liquid warm his insides. He set the bottle down and settled down back into his sitting position on the floor where her futon usually lay. He closed his eyes, he could smell her here, felt her warmth, and he felt like he was being enveloped in it.

*************

“Chicken head are you going to tell us was happened or not.” Yahiko was being pushy he knew but he really felt he needed to know.

Megumi and Yahiko were sitting around the table while Sano ate, waiting for an explanation as to what had happened.

“We searched for her all night; we searched the bad part of town while the cops searched the rest. We finished searching the last house sometime after dawn. Some people were starting to protest but one look at Kenshin’s face and they would just step aside, I think that’s why we finished so quickly.” Sano took a drink of his sake and continued.

“We started to search the woods, we split up so we could cover more ground, it had been a while but I came across something.” The ex-gangster pushed the rest of his meal away, his expression becoming hard.

“I found her blue ribbon, the one she got from Kenshin a while back. It was stuck on this tree stump in a small clearing a bit of the road. There was blood all around the stump and the ground. Everywhere but the ribbon, the early shower in the morning had washed away some of the blood but not enough. I called for Kenshin; it took him less than a minute to reach me. I think he had thought that I’d found her.” Sano took another swig of his drink and looked out into the yard as he continued speaking.

“I think the sight of all that blood broke him. His expression didn’t change it remained unreadable, but his eyes changed. Since her disappearance they had turned the Icy blue he usually uses when he fights but at that moment they became golden”. Sano heard them gasp but continued on.

“I saw the moment the rurouni lost all hope and the battoussai came to get vengeance. I don’t think he will ever be the same again. When Enishi took her, he blamed himself. He wallowed in his pain; he just didn’t want to exist”. From the side of his eye he could see the other two nodding.

“He’s not going to do that this time though. I think he’s going to kill whomever took her. Even if they return her. Kenshin is broken and only Kaoru knows how to fix him.”

Sano turned to see Yahiko rubbing his eyes trying to erase his tears and Megumi trying to blink them back.

After a bit of silence though Megumi spoke, “How did you get Ken-san to come back? I would have thought that he’d run off and go looking for Kaoru-chan.”

“I told him, that maybe someone set all this up to make it seem like she was dead so they could have him at a disadvantage like Enishi did. I don’t think he was listening to me, not until I said that anyways. I told him we should head back and wait for word here.”

“He seemed to debate that thought over awhile but in the end he agreed and took off. When I turned around he was gone.”

“So that’s why Kenshin got here before you did.” Yahiko’s eyes were puffy but Sano chose not to say anything

“Yeah”, he said

“So where did you run off to then when I told you Ken-san had gotten here before you did?”

Sano let his gaze fall to Megumi before answering her and turning his gaze elsewhere. “I went to see Dr. Genzai. I asked him for something to knock out the battoussai. Kenshin is tired but he won’t let that stop him. If he’s left too long without her I don’t know what he will do. It’s best if he sleeps and maybe by the time he wakes up will have answer.” At that the other two nodded.

Chapter 3

“Tsutomu, I know her fevers gone but I still wish you wouldn’t take her yet,” Yume looked pleadingly at her husband. “Yume don’t be like this, I told you when I found her that it wouldn’t be safe for us to keep her here for too long just till she was well enough to be moved.” Tsutomu said while picking up the body all bundled up. “I know,” she said as the tears came down her cheeks. “ Don’t cry Yume, I’ll be back soon.”

Yume watched her husband mount the horse he had borrowed last night and ride off just as the sun was rising. “I wish you luck child,” she whispered as she turned around to enter her home.

*************

“How long has it been?” Tae had been worried since Kaoru’s disappearance.

“Two days, we’ve kept to this side of the dojo so that he won’t wake up,” Yahiko told Tae as Megumi served them tea.

“Thanks for brining lunch Tae-san;” Megumi smiled lightly at Kaoru’s friend.

Tae only nodded, “ Are any of you even eating or sleeping for that matter?”

Megumi just shook her head, “ I tried to get them to sleep and eat. They’ll do one or the other but not both. They’ll just barely eat and head of into town. Yahiko got in about an hour before sunrise.”

“I don’t see how you can think about resting when Kaoru’s out who knows where! She certainly wouldn’t rest if you were missing!”

“Yahiko, don’t say those things to Megumi she loves Kaoru-chan just as much as we do.” Tae said as she grabbed a hold of Yahiko.

Yahiko was crying, “ All I know is Megumi has never liked Kaoru because Kenshin loves her,” and with that he ran off through the yard and out the gates.

Tae took hold of Megumi hands trying to comfort her “don’t listen to him Megumi he’s just angry and sad. He’s just a child, one who’s lost all those he has loved and now Kaoru too. You must understand he was just saying those things because he’s afraid of being alone.”

Megumi looked into Tae’s eyes before she looked down to the floor. “Can I tell you something Tae?”

Tae nodded and waited for Megumi to continue. Megumi continued to stare at the floor,” I...... when Ken-san left the first time I was so angry that he hadn’t said goodbye. I was jealous of Kaoru; he cared enough but only for her. I hated her. Even now they care so much for her. None of them have slept since she disappeared. I..... I haven’t even been able to cry for her. What kind of a person does that make me?”

“Megumi, I don’t,” Tae never got to finish because Yahiko rushed in through the doors tripping over the first step in the process.

*************

“Doushte?” The deep voice came from behind the women.

Yahiko’s face was off the floor in a heartbeat. “She’s at the clinic.” And it was all he got to say because the battoussai was out the gate before Yahiko finished his sentence, “someone found her.” That being said Yahiko ran out the door and headed towards the clinic followed closely behind two panting women.

The doors to the clinic were throne open, scaring Dr. Genzai half to death. “I should have known,” he muttered while he finished up with the girl being ever so gently. “Next time I’ll leave the doors open.” Dr. Genzai stepped back so Kenshin could have a look.

*************

Kenshin stepped closer to the body. She was so pale; her lips were a bit blue. His right hand reached out to stroke her cheek; it was, as he feared. She was dead. “No.” came the hoarse cry. He held her close to him and was surprised by the muffled sound he heard when he had squeezed her. He was bewildered to say the least. He lay her back gently and put his ear over her breast so he could confirm what he hoped for the most. It took him a bit and he had to strain to hear it but there it was beating its rhythm and suddenly he was able to breathe once more. His reason for being had been returned. He stepped back just enough so he could have a good look at her all the while holding her hand. “Why does she appear dead?”

Dr Genzai had been expecting that question; he himself had thought her dead when he had found her here on the bed of the clinic. “She has a pretty big cut on the left side of her head; she lost a lot of blood from that wound. She’s very weak from the blood loss but she will be fine.”

Kenshin had his back to the doctor, but he was still able to see him nod so he continued.

“In time, at least physically, I don’t exactly know how she was injured but from the type of wound and its location,“ the doctor trailed off as three people came in. “There might be complications when she wakes up.”

Kenshin turned still holding her hand in his, his eyes bore into the doctors.

“She might not know who you are when she wakes up or worse. I’m not saying it’s a definite but it something you need to be aware of.” The doctor turned once more to see Sanosuke walk in.

Kenshin looked down at the bundled up woman on the bed and gently picked her up. “She’s coming home with me.” With that said he walked out of the clinic. It wasn’t like they could stop him.

“Megumi you stay here and watch the clinic,” The doctor rushed out of the clinic and headed for the Kamiya Dojo.

The doctor walked along side, Sanosuke, Tae and Yahiko, each filling in the bit of info the other was missing.

“So you just came in and found her there,” Tae turned to the doctor. The doctor simply nodded and finally voiced his worry. Someone placed her there and I think that same someone took care of her shortly after she was injured.” The doctor glanced at everyone and continued.

“I found two notes with her”

“What! Why didn’t you say anything to Kenshin?” The doctor turned to Yahiko.

Sanosuke answered for him though; “ the way Kenshin is I don’t think it would be wise to tell him just yet. He’s still the battoussai, even after finding her he didn’t go back to being the rurouni. I think he still feels threatened.” They all nodded and the doctor continued.

“The first note is of the someone who took care of her.” The others looked puzzled so the doctor brought out the note. He cleared his throat.

This letter is addressed to the Hitokiri Battoussai.

I came across your lady friend in the forest, I noted she was injured and tried to assist her by stopping the blood loss. She suffered from a high fever since her stay here but that is all. I’ve turned her over to a doctor in town who can do more for her. I chose to leave a note as to inform you of her whereabouts while she was injured. I don’t wish any sort of trouble so please know I didn’t harm her. I took care of her as best as I could. And moved her only when it was deemed fit for her to travel. I included the note I found by her body.

“Is that it?” The doctor nodded towards Tae.

“What does the other note say?” The doctor looked at Sanosuke for a bit before handing him the second note.

Sano stopped by a tree and began reading out loud.

Battoussai,

How I wish I could see your face when you read this letter. I’ve taken you’re woman, she’s grown. Not kaoru-chan anymore. Have you taught her much in the ways of life? I bet you have, must have been nice breaking her in. You really shouldn’t let such a pretty thing walk all alone. It was all too easy to grab her; she’s nothing without her battoussai after all. I will see you down by the river where you fought that Sanza-baka, in three days at 10:00 am, if you don’t show up I will break her hands like you did mine and she wont ever be able to hold a shinai again.

“Gohei, that son of a Bitch,” I should have known. Sano shook his head in disbelief.

Yahiko looked confused; “there’s something I don’t get, if he had planned on taking Kaoru why didn’t he take her?”

They thought about it as they kept walking.

“Maybe something went wrong with his plan,” Tae offered.

“I think you’re right Tae, I think he only meant to kidnap Jou-chan. She must have struggled and fell or maybe he hit her too hard on the head and cut her. Either way, the bastard is a coward; he must have taken of as soon as he saw all the blood. He knew what he had done and what Kenshin would do in return.”

They stopped in front of the dojo. “We don’t mention anything about the notes understood,” Sano waited for their answer but it didn’t come. They weren’t looking at him but behind him. He felt sick all of a sudden

“What notes?” The tone was chilling in its intensity

Chapter Four

*************

Sano didn’t want to turn around, what the hell was he going to say.

“ Kenshin, why don’t we talk about this inside over tea, a lot of us haven’t eaten since she disappeared.” Kenshin regarded Dr. Genzai with a suspicious glance but stepped aside nonetheless.

Tae served the men their tea and went of to prepare lunch. It had been a long day. Now, that kaoru-chan was back they would all surely eat. She’d get the details later.

They all sat quietly around the table waiting for the inevitable. The battoussai’s voice broke the silence. “I want answers.”

Sano and Yahiko looked into their tea, like it was the most interesting thing. Dr. Genzai met the battoussai’s eyes. “Kenshin, I have some notes I’ve received.” Dr Genzai stopped because Yahiko and Sano were choking on their tea.

“ I didn’t want to tell you about them because you’ve had too much to deal with already. I just didn’t want to add.”

“As you know, with Kaoru recovering from her injury and all, she won’t be able to work for a while. I would say at least a month if there are no complications. The notes I have received are tax notes. You know the ones she pays every six months.”

Kenshin nodded.

“As far as I’m aware of Kaoru-chan doesn’t have anything saved up and while she’s recovering she will need to eat well and you or someone else will have to watch her constantly to avoid an miss-haps.”

“When will she wake up?” The three stared at the battoussai in confusion. Why was he asking that?

“She will wake through out the day for a couple of minutes at a time, not enough to know where she is or who we are. Kind of like when you suffer from a fever and are delirious, you’re awake for a while but anything said to you during those elusive times, won’t become part of your regular memory. You won’t remember. Do all of you understand?” Dr. Genzai finished, explaining it in the simplest way he knew how.”

The battoussai got up from the table and walked to Kaoru’s room. He knelt down by her futon, caressed her hair and cupped her cheek.

“Kaoru, I’m going leave tonight.” He stopped. She was whimpering in her sleep. “Sshhh, let me finish,” he continued trying to settle her. “There are some things I need to take care of but I will come back in a couple of days. I’ll take care of you.” He bent over her form and kissed her lids. He moved soundlessly out of her room and into the kitchen.

“Tae-dono”

Tae turned at the sound of her name, “Hai.” She said taking a good look at Kenshin; his eyes were back to blue. He seemed a bit calmer not so crazy.

“There are some things I need to take care of; I have to leave for a couple of days. Will you take care of her for me?”

“Of course, you know I will. I love Kaoru. You go do what you need to do, just don’t be gone too long. You know how she worries.”

“I know.” He turned and left.

*************

“Oi Tae, Where’s Kenshin’s plate.” Sano was already eating his food. He was starved but paused long enough to ask about his friend.

“He left, said he’d be back in a couple of days. Yahiko you want more.” Tae said offering him more fish.

“WHAT!!” Rice flew out of his mouth at his outburst.

“Calm down, he said he’d be back. Do you want more rice Dr. Genzai?”

Dr Genzai nodded.

“Has everyone forgotten that he’s the Hitokiri Battoussai right now? And that the reason he’s here is because he wants to kill whom ever took Kaoru.” Sano slapped his hand down on the table.

“Sano, he doesn’t know who it was.” Dr. Genzai said trying to ease his tension.

“Besides his eyes were blue when he came and talked to me. Doesn’t that mean something?” She said as she sipped her soup.

Maybe.” Despite what they said Sano had an uneasy feeling.

*************

“Himura. What are you doing in Yokohama?” Yamagata Aritomo was surprised to see his old friend.

“I need work.”

“Work?” He thought Himura didn’t want anything to do with the government. Something must have happened.

“Is everything all right? I thought you had settled down in Tokyo?” Yamagata couldn’t help but notice Himura’s eyes. They were the same eyes from all those years ago.

“I need work that pays.” The battoussai really didn’t feel he needed to elaborate. He needed money and he needed it now.

“I see. Well, there is someone in need of a body guard and old Ishin shishi member. He would be more than happy to acquire your services. The job will require you to say here in Yokohama for three or so days. There is to be a lunch meeting tomorrow which he will attend and a party at night, from there he will go to his quarters at the inn. The following morning you will escort him home. He lives in the far outskirts of Kyoto.” Yamagata searched for the papers with the instructions and directions mailed to him. “Do you accept?”

“Hai.”

“All right, then you will stay here tonight. I will have someone show you to a room but first do you want to join me in a late dinner?”

The battoussai nodded and followed his old friend. Dinner was eaten in silence. Only addressing them selves when they bid each other good night.

The battoussai was not impressed with the size of the room nor its grandeur presence. The bed was a western comfort. He took his place by the fireplace and slept in the sitting position he was so accustomed to.

*************

Morning found the hitokiri battoussai at the dining table with Yamagata having breakfast.

Yamagata was happy to see Himura in new clothes even if they did resemble the ones he wore of years ago. What he wasn’t so sure about was the katana and wakazashi (it’s smaller counter part). It was odd, to see him like this, it was just like before. As if time had not intruded, the war raging outside while they took their meal and waited for their next assignment.

“Himura, why aren’t you married yet?”

Yamagata saw surprise come over his friends’ expression before it was hidden.

“The time had not been right. I thought I wasn’t ready. Now there are circumstances that keep me from getting married.”

“To the Kamiya girl in Tokyo?” The one everyone referred to as his woman, Yamagata thought but didn’t voice out loud. He didn’t want to be the first one to taste Himura’s old katana.

He nodded.

Yamagata knew that sometimes he was too curious for his own good, “What happened to her?” He knew he’d crossed the line. Himura’s eyes had become the amber men still had nightmares about.

The battoussai tried desperately to control his anger. He blinked several times trying to rid himself of the anger that showed in his eyes. It took him a bit but he was able to do it.

Yamagata watched as his friend left the table. Himura paused momentarily by the door.

“She was hurt because of me.” He then continued walking.

Yamagata realized the anger Himura felt had been at himself and not directed at him personally.

“ I hope she gets better,” he said to no one in particular.

*************

“Mizu Ishida.” The battoussai looks at the lean man before him, average height, and early sixties. Weak. Nothing more than a government official.

“Aa, Himura Battoussai.”

“I mean Himura-san” the older man bowed and so did the battoussai.

“I will be your escort through your stay here and will take you home when you are done.” The battoussai’s voice was just as expected cold and curt.

The battoussai stiffened; there was something wrong.

There were about twenty men around them in less than a minute. One of the men stepped forward and pointed his sword at Mizu. “Old man today, you die.”

Mizu smirked, “ I don’t think so. Not sure if you noticed but this man”, he said pointing at Himura, “Is the Hitokiri Battoussai.”

The mans sword dropped slightly but then raised again, “Old man, I think you’re senile. The Hitokiri Battoussai is just a legend and nothing more.” He stepped back and ordered the men to attack.

His men were hesitant and in a flash of silver before they could move forward they dropped to the floor.

The battoussai walked from behind the only man standing, re-sheath his sword once he was in front of him and took his stance.

The other man coward back and threw his sword at his feet. Raised his hands and stepped back. “I give up.”

From the sides he saw the cops, they weren’t moving to arrest the men though so he turned to them and commanded them. “You will arrest these men.”

The police seemed afraid and stepped slowly towards the bodies on the floor and to get the one still standing. They avoided eye contact with battoussai and became more at ease when he finally left with the old man.

There are some notes I forgot to post last chapter.

In the RK movie the Kenshin gumi go to Yokohama for a visit, there we see Yamagata Aritomo, secretary of the Meiji Government. Kenshin’s friend from way back. I think most of you remember him from the anime. Episode # 04

He tries to bring Kenshin back with him but Kenshin refuses. Ok I think that was it.

Chapter Five

*************

“Ease her down carefully,” Tae moved around Sano to make sure Kaoru was all right.

“Are you sure, you can do this by yourself?” Sano asked stepping back.

“Hai.”

“Arigato for your help. I’ll call you when I finish.” She said turning to him with a smile.

Sano nodded and left the bathhouse.

“Kaoru-chan try to stay awake. Come on, just for a little while. I’m trying to make you all nice and clean. Don’t you want to smell nice?” Tae smiled at kaoru, whose eyes were closed.

Kaoru whimpered when Tae washed her hair.

“It’s ok; I’m almost done.”

“Just stay still” Tae said as she propped her into a sitting position and ran out the door. “Sanosuke!”

She ran back in, “Kaoru we’re going to get you out of the water, all right.”

Kaoru’s eyes opened a fraction before they closed

“Bring her out the way you put her in, slowly though. Slowly.”

“All right, now just try to hold her up from under her arms so I can get her out of the wet yukata. Close your eyes.” Tae said holding out the clean one.

“What?” Sano gave a nervous laugh.

“Close your eyes.” This time Sano did as he was told, he held Jou-chan at arms length and waited for Tae to finish.

“Ok, now let’s go set her down for her nap. She had very little breakfast but it’s a start.” Tae continued to talk but Sano slowed down his pace.

“Jou-chan, if you remember this, don’t tell Kenshin I was present when you were stripped. I like my limbs were they are, Ok?”

Kaoru murmured something intangible; Sano took that as an ok.

*************

The battoussai saw the scenery change out of his window. Changing faster as the train picked up speed. He was on his way home now, but it would still be hours before he got there.

The job he took had been uneventful. There had been no more incidents since the train station when he met Mizu. He hadn’t killed anyone. It was something he didn’t know how to feel about. He felt deep anger inside, anger that could only be pacified with someone’s death. No, that’s not true either. Not just anyone’s death. Who ever took Kaoru didn’t know who they were fucking with.

The battoussai’s eyes turned amber and felt the corner of his mouth turn up slightly.

His smile turned to a frown. He wondered how Kaoru was doing. Had she woken up? Was she still just sleeping? Was she dreaming? He hoped she wasn’t having nightmares.

Kenshin patted the packages next to him, closed his eyes and decided to rest for a while

*************

“There’s a package here for Himura,”

Yahiko stared cop before taking the package; “I’ll take it.”

The cop didn’t say anything else and handed Yahiko a long thick package.

Yahiko tried to balance the package as he made his way to Kenshin's room.

“What’s that?” Sano’s voice came off to the right.

“Something for Kenshin, Open his door.”

Sano watched him struggle with the package. He could always help he’d suppose but that wouldn’t be as much fun.

Sano looked at the package closely, wondering what could be inside.

“Come on chicken-head let’s go out side.” They both walked out side and sat on the steps of the dojo looking out into the yard.

“When are we going to tell Kenshin about the other notes, Sano?”

Sano looked around nervously, “I don’t think we should talk about that, here. Kenshin could just walk in.”

“But he’s not here.”

“I think the rurouni can handle reading them. But the battoussai can see them only when Kaoru’s one hundred percent better. Despite his anger, I think she might be able to persuade him to settle down. Or at least not kill. So we have to wait.” Sano continued to look around, he didn’t want to talk about this here.

“What if Dr. Genzai decides to tell him before she’s all better?”

“Kid, I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t think it would be wise but he did find them so I guess in the end it is up to him.”

They both continued to look out the yard in silence for the next half-hour till they got called in for lunch.

*************

“She’s doing so much better, I think. She has a bit more color and she’s eating. Well sipping but that’s a sign that’s she’s getting better.” Tae was very excited.

“Did she know who you were Tae? Sano did mean to bring her down.

Tae’s face fell a little, “well, not really but I think that’s only because she can’t stay awake for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Today at lunch has been the longest she’s been awake.” She nodded re-affirming herself.

Dr Genzai said he was coming over for dinner, he can look at her then,” Yahiko wasn’t fazed, kaoru was strong, she would be healthy all too soon and then was “Buso” gonna get it for scarring them. Yahiko smiled and continued on eating.

*************

The Battoussai walked through the gates of the dojo happy to be home. He stopped on the porch; this was usually where she stood to greet him.

“Okarei Nasai,” His mind supplied with a memory of her voice.

“Tadaima, de gozaru yo.” It’s what I would say.

His weak sentiments had gotten the better of him in the past. There was no point to the rurouni any longer; his purpose was to protect with a sword that didn’t kill and look where that had lead. Kaoru getting hurt. He knew why he became the rurouni just like he knew now, why he would remain the battoussai. He held his package a little closer to him and went inside, straight to Kaoru’s room, slightly nodding to the others drinking their tea on his way to there.

Yahiko’s teacup fell on the table, “That. Those, they were real swords. The kind they used during the Bakumatsu, Aren’t they?”

Tae’s cup was still in mid air, “His clothes. They’re new. The white hakama and blue Gi. It’s the color of her ribbon.”

“Shit,” was all Sano said.

Kaoru’s room had the door open.

“Dr Genzai?”

The doctor looked up, “Kenshin; you need to stop startling people. I just started, have a seat.”

The battoussai took a seat and noticed she looked a bit healthier.

The doctor shook her a bit. “Kaoru.”

She was slow to open her eyes. She felt groggy; her lids were heavy and the she felt disoriented. But she managed. She blinked once then twice trying to make things come into focus.

“Kaoru-chan.” Dr. Genzai sat back a bit trying to give her some breathing room.

She made a gurgling sound.

Dr. Genzai sat her up slowly and gave her a glass of water Kenshin had served. When he took the cup he asked her, “ Kaoru-chan, do you remember me?”

Kaoru looked at the older man; “Kind of everything seems weird.”

“But you remember me?”

“Yes, Dr. Genzai.”

“All right, do you remember how old you are?”

She thought for a bit but it was useless that answer was not in her memory, “No.”

“Do you know who you are?”

“Kind of, I know my name is Kaoru but I don’t recall my last name.”

“Do you remember your father?”

She thought and again she drew a blank. “No.”

“Hmmm, Will you come forward so she can take a closer look at you;” He motioned for Kenshin to come closer.

Kaoru had not been aware there was anyone else in the room but she saw someone step closer. The someone, was a he. She felt her heart speed up. He was beautiful, very long gorgeous red hair, and intense blue eyes. She had goose bumps.

“Do you know him?” The doctor watched her closely.

The battoussai sat right by her, affecting her ability to form coherent thoughts.

“Kaoru-chan, do you know him?” She turned to the doctor. “No I don’t.” Turning back to Kenshin she said, “but he feels familiar.”

The battoussai felt puzzled.

“Kaoru do you remember where you live?”

“Yes, at a dojo.”

“And do you live alone?” She thought and there was no memory.

“I can’t say.”

“There are things you ask me that I know the answer to, but there are some that I don’t know the answer to simply because their is no memory to draw an answer from.”

“I see, I think you have selective amnesia. In most cases patients will remember up to a certain section of their life. Your case seems a bit different though. Because your missing fragments from your whole memory, not just a certain section.”

The doctor saw kaoru yawn; “ you should go to sleep Kaoru. Tae will bring you something during dinner.”

“Tae’s here. Oh, send her in doctor, please. Wait a minute who else is here? And who’s he?” True she felt a little tired but sleep could wait.

“Himura Kenshin.” His voice sounded deep yet silky.

She got goose bumps, something the battoussai noted but not the doctor.

She was very interested but refused to show it, “Can I see Tae?”

“All right if you think you can handle it, I’ll send her in.” Dr Genzai rose to his feet and so did the battoussai. Both left her room.

The battoussai could feel her gaze on his form as he left; though he wanted to, he didn’t turn around.

“Kaoru-chan, How do you feel?” Tae was ecstatic.

“I feel like I’ve been asleep for days. Did Dr. Genzai tell you about my amnesia?” Kaoru was glad to see her long time friend.

“Tell me what happened, better yet tell me about my life?” Please, Kaoru made her eyes pleading something she knew Tae couldn’t resist.

“Kaoru I don’t know where to begin, you don’t have a certain year from where I should start.”

“Mou,” she sighed exasperated. “How about you give me a short summary on my life up to the point when I met the red head.” Kaoru smiled.

So did Tae, “Well, Kamiya Kaoru you have lived here at the Kamiya Dojo all your life. You’re mom past on when you were very young. Your father was the one to raise you; he was the instructor here. He taught you the ways of his budo, the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. He passed on when you were about sixteen yrs old. You have been the instructor here since then. Aside from your father no one else lived here with you till a bit after your seventeen birthday.

“Is that when I met him?”

Tae smiled, “Yes it is. I don’t know if you remember this but you are very impulsive.

Kaoru only smiled

“Well someone was going around killing people calling himself The Hitokiri Battoussai, he said he was using the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu to kill his victims. You became upset at that. You lost your students and felt he was ruining the schools name. So you set out to catch the guy, problem was that you didn’t know what he looked like. You ran into YOUR red head then accusing him of being the battoussai. While confronting him the bad guy showed up, you ran, confronted the bad guy, he cut your arm and before he could kill you, the red head saved you. He brought you back to the dojo. He told you he was a rurouni but you were thankful to him so you let him stay here. He kind of walked in on you while you were bathing though so you locked him in the shed to teach him a lesson.

She looked to Kaoru who was beat red, obviously embarrassed.

“Well when you went back to let him out he was gone. By the time bad guy came to your home to kill you, you knew who it was.”

“Who was it?” Kaoru couldn’t believe it; her life was like a story from one of the books she likes to read.

“It was Hiruma Gohei, an ex student of your fathers, he was angry because your father had thrown him out. Gohei was a blood thirsty man he wanted to use your fathers budo to hurt people so our father dislocated the thumb on his right hand, so that he’d never be able to hurt anyone again.”

“Ok, now back to the red head.” Curiosity was maddening for kaoru.

“All right well he came when Gohei was going to kill you, seems he’d learned to use his budo with his left hand. The rurouni saved you again. Since he didn’t kill, he only broke Gohei’s left hand so that he couldn’t use any budo again. When he defeated Gohei, you learnt that he was the real Hitokiri Battoussai. He was going to leave then but you asked him to stay. He said the Battoussai living here would bring trouble. You told him you wanted the rurouni not the battoussai to stay.”

“I don’t remember any of that but it’s still embarrassing hear.” Kaoru had turned crimson from embarrassment.

“Well he stayed didn’t he? That was almost three years ago.”

“I need to go make dinner, why don’t you take a nap. I’ll tell you the rest later.” Tae was starting to standup.

Kaoru grabbed her though, “Wait, just tell me two things before you go.”

Tae nodded.

“Do I love him?”

Tae only nodded.

“Does he love me?”

Tae nodded again and was about to say something but kaoru waived her of.

“You’ll tell me the rest later.”

Tae nodded again and left, closing the door behind her quietly.

*************

“You didn’t ask her if she remembered who attacked her. I need to know who it was.” The battoussai tone was threatening.

“I can assure you she doesn’t know.” Despite the tone of the battoussai the doctor was at ease.

“You said she remembers fragments. She might be able to tell me something.”

“So what are you going to do if she does remember? If she tells you who it was, are you going to run off now that she’s awake?” The doctor was becoming angry.

The battoussai remained silent.

“Her amnesia is most likely temporary and if you go off and kill someone over her and then remembers, she won’t ever forgive you and she will blame herself.”

“I need to know. I can’t be sure she won’t get attacked again or that whom ever took her is just waiting for the right time to take her again or worse. I am protecting her safety.” The amber flecks crept into his eyes.

“If you knew who took her, would you let it rest?” The doctor met the battoussai’s eyes.

“Would you stay here and protect her or would you just run off in your search. Would you leave her here when she’s so vulnerable she can‘t even defend her self?”

Things clicked into place for the battoussai.

“Oi, what all the yelling about?” Sano said as he stood next to the doctor.

The battoussai studied their faces carefully and then Yahiko’s when he came in.

They all knew.

Yahiko wouldn’t meet his gaze.

They’ve been hiding information.

The battoussai cooled him self and tried very much for the rurouni tone; “ I would stay and protect Kaoru. Always. But I need peace of mind.”

He had been staring at the doctor calmly. Sanosuke and Yahiko looked confuse for a bit. But then he saw understanding cross their faces. Yeah, they knew.

The doctor reached into his pocket and brought out a note he extended it to Kenshin. “Read this one first.”

The Battoussai read the letter, so someone had found her. She was alive because of them or him do why would they think he’d hurt them for helping her.

“I don’t think this was a good idea Dr Genzai.” Sano was cut off though.

“Give me the other one.”

“I trust in your word Kenshin.” It was the doctors’ last attempt to persuade him.

The Battoussai stepped forward and the doctor handed him the note.

The three stepped back together and waited.

The battoussai looked at them for a moment curious at there actions but then went on to read his note.

Battoussai,

How I wish I could see your face when you read this letter. I’ve taken you’re woman, she’s grown. Not kaoru-chan anymore. Have you taught her much in the ways of life? I bet you have, must have been nice breaking her in. You really shouldn’t let such a pretty thing walk all alone. It was all too easy to grab her; she’s nothing without her battoussai after all. I will see you down by the river where you fought that Sanza-baka, in three days at 10:00 am, if you don’t show up I will break her hands like you did mine and she wont ever be able to hold a shinai again.

“Gohei.” He sneered.

“Fucking! I should have killed him the first time I set eyes on him.”

His amber eyes turned to the three who had stepped back closer to the door.

“When did you get this?”

“The NOTES. This is what you were talking about the other day?”

“When!” He growled.

The other three saw Tae come into the room and saw a good way out.

“How’s kaoru doing”, Yahiko asked a little too excited.

Tae had heard Kenshin mention the notes, he growled. “She’s doing better. She wants to have dinner out here with all of you. She was very happy.” She was lying but Kenshin didn’t have to know. So she continued. “She can’t remember much about her life so she asked me to fill her in, she was especially curious about you ken-san.”

The battoussai didn’t turn though; instead he stepped back put his hand on his katana and took his stance.

Sano was the first to answer; “ the notes were with her.”

The battoussai's eyes narrowed, all this time, he could have caught up with that bastard. They had purposely done this. He needed to leave before his anger clouded his judgment completely.

Small note: Ok, about Kenshin’s eye color. The rurouni has purple eyes, right? RIGHT. Ok. In the Anime (not OVA) during the flash backs of when he was the Hitokiri Battoussai we see that his eyes glow, the eerie blue. Icy blue. We also saw this in the fight against Saitou. When Kenshin’s already in this stage and further conflict will turn his eyes amber, as we have seen many times. I hope this clears things up. Kenshin has chosen to stay, as he once was, The Battoussai. So his eyes will remain blue, ok.