He he he… It's been almost two months ago. Sorry about the updates being so sporadic. Well, I'm guessing that this fic is going to be longer than I even thought. At least ten more chapters. I'm going to actually put more work into this, finish it then finish my Sesshoumaru fic.

Merry Christmas- Enjoy the story.

Reene.

Disclaimer: I do not own RK-

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Ch 7: An Endless Dream

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Shinta relaxed at home by sitting down on his couch and focusing on the TV. He had been home for only a few minutes and been out of the hospital for at least an hour. His face been sutured with black stitches and a few thin Band-Aids to keep the wound closed. It barely hurt thanks to his tolerance to pain.

Kaoru stood behind him, near the entrance of the bedroom; she was on the phone talking to her father.

"Is it all right?" She politely asked. She could sense his twitches of hostility over the receiver. After all, how many daughters ask their father if it's all right to stay at their boyfriend's home?

"Is it really serious?" Mr. Tsukino asked.

"Yes," Kaoru lied. She really wanted to stay because she didn't trust Shinta's personality.

"I trust you, Kaoru. But, I think it best you return home before eleven."

"But!" Kaoru hesitated.

"No buts," Mr. Tsukino replied. "By Eleven and no later, or you will be grounded!"

"Fine," She sadly replied.

He looked down at his watch, "I'll be home by nine, so I'll see you later tonight... Bye..."

They hung up.

Kaoru returned to Shinta's side, sitting down on the couch furthest from him. "Is there anything that I can do for you?"

"Nothing," He coldly responded.

She neatly folded her hands on her lap and watched her fingers weave together. "I just wish I knew what was bothering you?"

"I told you about it," He answered.

"The strange headaches?"

"Yes," He deeply groaned. "And strange dreams that I have, but, I forget the details."

Kaoru blinked, it was a familiar story. It reminded her of her own nightmare of the red-hair man whom she tried to save. She had forgotten most of the details, except for that small tidbit of information.

"Kaoru, I think maybe...you should go home," Shinta said, his tone almost frigid.

"If that is what you wish."

He nodded, "I just think I need some time alone."

The sun had not yet settled below the horizon, giving her ample time to walk home on her own. Kaoru sighed and looked away. "Are you saying that you don't want me around?"

"Kaoru," He murmured. "It's just not the right time."

"Not the right time; I see." She whispered. "You want us to break up."

"No," His eyes widened. "Just some time apart, until I can figure this out."

"What? A headache? Take two aspirin!" Kaoru angrily stood and clenched her hands into fist until her knuckles turned white. "You don't tell someone that you love them, and the next day you don't."

"I've been unfair to you," Shinta replied. "I do take full responsibility. I won't take forever, I promise."

Just then, there was a long knock at the door. Kaoru walked toward the exit and gripped the handle. On the other side stood Fujita Goro.

"Sensei Fujita," Kaoru replied. "What a surprise."

"I hope I'm not intruding," He leaned to peek at Shinta.

"Please come in, Sensei." Shinta walked toward the door.

Kaoru pushed by and ran down the hall, trying her best to hide the tears streaming down her face. She reached the elevator and quickly slammed the button with her hand. The doors opened and she went to the parking garage. As soon as she reached the sidewalk, her tears subsided and calmed.

Fujita entered and shut the door. He looked around the place and then turned to Shinta. "Looks like I came at a bad time."

"It's fine, actually," Shinta said. "I've just got a lot of things on my mind."

"A man with red-hair one of them?"

"What are you talking about? Battousai?"

Fujita shook his head slow in a negative manner, "We all have dreams, and some people say they are the mystery of the universe. Have you had dreams lately, Shinta?"

"You're acting insane, Fujita-sama."

"I have proof I'm not this Fujita Goro, but one of the past, Hajime Saitou." He flung a picture to the table. "Take a long look. That picture was taken during the meiji, over 125 years ago."

Shinta lifted the picture and took a long look. He couldn't believe his eyes, the man in the picture could have been Fujita's duplicate. Shinta's hand began to shake. "This can't be!"

"I found something else too," He placed the next picture into Shinta's hand.

"A picture of Kamiya Kaoru and Himura Kenshin. The others include Kamiya Kaoru's apprentice; Myojin Yahiko, Megumi Takani and Sagara Sanosuke."

"Megan and Daisuke too," Shinta whispered. His lips parted and he released a dry gasp.

"I'm sure those two do not remember the past, they lived full lives. Unfortunately, we did not. I was framed for your murder, Battousai."

"Stop it!" Shinta growled. "Are you insane? Do you expect me to believe this?"

"Don't you find it strange that your body is branded with the cross shape scar of the Battousai? Better yet, what caused the two slashes? Tomoe and Akira? Take a long look at Kamiya Kaoru, Doesn't she look familiar?"

"Kaoru Tsukino, is that what you are hinting at?"

"You found each other again after all these years."

"Coincidence," Shinta spat. "Pure and simple!"

"Hnnn… Life is hardly pure and never simple." Fujita-sensei grinned like a wolf, "And Shishio is here too. Makoto Shishiro, even his name is close to the original, Battousai."

Shinta hissed like venomous snake, "Stop calling me that!"

Fujita opened his coat, "I went to the temple and found this locked up in a secret passage."

"Sakabatou," Shinta sighed. "How?"

"Don't you feel a connection with it?" Fujita grimly laughed. "Take it into your hand and remember your past, Himura!"

Shinta reached for the reverse bladed weapon, his hand shook upon contact and flashes of light passed before his eyes. So many images were over-whelming his nervous system. He knew it must be true. He was Kenshin Himura and there was no denying it.

"What do you want from me?" Shinta angrily growled.

"I want my name cleared so I can live this life in peace."

"Even so, how do you expect to prove it?" His breathing grew short and shallow.

"You will provide me with clues to the truth and in turn, I will provide them to the Japanese Historical Association."

Shinta gasped again and then the unexpected; he passed out cold.

"Damn it!" Fujita cursed, "I wasn't expecting this, Himura!" He removed the Sakabatou from Shinta's hand and placed it under the couch. Afterward, he called for an ambulance.

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"Stand up, Battousai!" A woman's voice brought the redheads attention to a full salute.

"Excuse me?" He stood up and dusted himself off. "What makes you think I am Battousai?"

The young woman spat, "Red hair... cross shape scar. You also have a sword...."

"Could I kill anything with this?" The wanderer allowed her to draw the blade.

The woman looked and gasped, "This is like new and the blade is reversed." She grinned, "Well, you look weak." She laughed a little, "You also look a bit womanly, so I guess you're innocent."

The man nearly fell over from the verbal bashings of the slender and very petite woman.

"He's over here, the Battousai is over here!" The young woman's head turned toward the battle cries. "I have no time to mess with you." She fled the scene.

The redhead's attention also turned to the crowd. It wasn't everyday he heard that name used. He walked by the row houses and turned the corner. There he stood, a massive man claiming he were Battousai. This scene was all too familiar. A man claims to be the legendary Battousai in order to create mass hysteria. It was sickening.

The man lowered his sword, but before the blade cut the girl, the wanderer had her a safe distance away.

"Wanderer..." The ebony hair beauty chimed. "What do you think you are doing? You are no match for him."

Before Battousai could attack the man, the assailant had taken off down the street. "I am Battousai and I use the Kamiya Kasshin method of sword fighting."

Battousai's eyes narrowed, it was up to him to take care of this menace.

"Why do you put yourself in danger?" The wanderer asked.

"Because he... he is disgracing my family's name." With those words, the girl passed out in his arms.

The wanderer walked down the street, carrying the woman and received many glares from the town's people. He rounded the next corner and stopped by another young woman, "Miss Kaoru!"

"Do you know this woman?" The wanderer asked.

"My name is Tae, I operate the Akebeko restaurant," Tae took a closer look at Kaoru. "She is Kamiya Kaoru, a friend of mine."

"Where does she live?"

"Follow the main road to the outer edge of town, you will run into a dojo. It belongs to her." Tae graciously bowed. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"

"She fainted after a battle with a man claiming to be the Battousai. She will be fine, that she most certainly will." He gave a smile and started on his way.

"I'll stop by later," Tae waved.

"I'm sure she will be counting on that," The wanderer answered.

The two arrived at the run down dojo. Battousai carried her inside and found a room to lay her down. His tabi clad feet shuffled over the floor until he found a cabinet with some bandages, and then returned to the young woman's side.

"I'm sorry, Miss, but I need to look at your wound." He opened the front of her training gi and pushed it down her frame until it hung around her waist.

"Beautiful..." he thoughtfully gave a small smile and went to cleaning the gash across her outer bicep. He wrapped the cut and straightened her clothes.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door. The Wanderer stood and slid the door open, "Can I help you?"

"I'm Dr. Gensai; I was told Miss Kaoru was hurt."

"It's all right Dr. Gensai," The Wanderer replied. "I've taken care of her injury. It was really superficial, that it was."

The good doctor pushed his way pass the wanderer and settled by Kaoru's side. He quickly took her vitals and determined the man knew what he was doing.

"Who's the stranger?" The older man asked while trying to make sure the Redhead swordsman couldn't hear. "Does Makoto know he's here?"

Kaoru shook her head no. "I will let Makoto know. He won't mind as long as he's helping out around the dojo."

"As long as you are sure," Dr. Gensai replied.

"I am," Kaoru said as she sat up.

Dr. Gensai gave Kaoru a quick hug, as a grandfather would a small child. "You know where I am if you need me."

Kaoru nodded. The Doctor left as quickly as he had arrived.

Kaoru got up to her feet, she wobbled and the wanderer was quick to catch her. "You shouldn't be up yet, Kaoru-dono."

"I have to; my husband will be home tonight."

"Husband?"

"Yes," Kaoru replied. "He's really my fiancée, we're to be married in the Fall. If I had my way, we would never be either of the two."

"You don't marry for love?" The wander asked.

Kaoru began to laugh, "I can't believe I'm telling a man I barely know about my problems."

"Its fine, that it is." The swordsman replied. "You can tell me anything you want. It will stay a secret."

She sat back down and patted the floor beside her, "It's not a long story, Mister."

"Kenshin... My name is Himura Kenshin."

"Ken...shin," She said with a gentle smile. "It all started when I was just a child. My father barrowed money from a samurai, a wealthy hitokiri for hire. It was to pay for my mother's medicine. Dr. Gensai was here, but there wasn't much he could do, so father sent for a western doctor who lived near Kyoto. Mother died and Father couldn't afford to pay the hitokiri off, so he agreed to give him my hand in marriage as payment. This is a prime piece of land, worth its weight in gold, meaning I'm worth my weight in yen to Makoto Shishio."

"Why do you stay?" Kenshin asked.

"I have no choice," Kaoru replied. "I have to carry on the Kamiya Kasshin style, I promised I would."

"You're father gave you away, yet you remain faithful," Kenshin replied. "Why?"

"He begged for forgiveness on his death bed six months ago."

Kaoru lifted her eyes and met Kenshin's gaze. "Makoto is rarely around and when he is, well it's awkward. He has never laid a hand on me; he rarely talks. It's not as bad as it seems. Really. Most women would love to be married to a wealthy man who can take care of them."

Kenshin stood back up and offered Kaoru a hand. "Do you need help around the dojo?"

"Are you willing to help me?"

"As long as I have a place to stay," Kenshin replied.

"I have an extra room at the dojo," Kaoru replied. "You can stay there."

"Arigato, Kaoru-dono," He smiled.

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The night came and there was still no sign of Makoto. He was as elusive as Kaoru had made him out to be. Kenshin had just finished cooking when he heard three voices in the distant room. One of them was Kaoru, the others were two men.

"I heard the news," Makoto replied. "It's all over town that you were chasing Battousai again."

"Yes," Kaoru replied. "But, a wanderer saved me."

"Is that who is in the other room?"

Kaoru nodded, "I hope you're not mad. I offered him a place to stay as long as he helps with chores."

"I'm fine with it," Makoto replied. He knew of Kaoru's devotion to her father's memory. No matter how she may feel about the stranger, she would never cheat.

"Who is this stranger?" Makoto replied.

"His name is Kenshin," Kaoru replied. "He's a wanderer."

"So, he may not even be here long?" Makoto asked.

"I don't know. I gave him permission to stay for as long as he needs to. He did save my life."

Kenshin entered the room carrying a steaming bowl of rice and a bowl of beef stew. He returned to the kitchen and came back with vegetables and fish. Everyone sat down at the table. Kenshin sat next to Kaoru, Makoto at the far end and the unknown man sat near Shishio.

Kenshin lifted his eyes toward the unknown man," Have we met before?"

"I don't think so," The stranger replied.

"His name is Taku Moriyama, Makoto's friend." Kaoru whispered.

Makoto slightly smirked; it went noticed by Kenshin and unnoticed by everyone else. Makoto seemed like the type who had no friends. He seemed like the type who only had acquaintances and advisors at his disposal.

"You really know how to cook," Taku replied. "It's been a long time since I've tasted something this good."

"Arigato," Kenshin replied.

Makoto smirked again; Kenshin caught him off guard with an amber glance. Makoto still smirked with a laughing grin. He wasn't the least bit afraid, Kenshin was curious. It was obvious that the man had realized who he was the moment he laid eyes on him. What made it odd, Makoto did not care that Battousai was living under his future wife's roof.

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Dinner went rather quickly and afterward Kaoru and Makoto went for a walk. Taku stayed behind with Kenshin.

Kenshin stayed in the kitchen area, washing dishes and putting left over food away. Taku watched from the doorway.

"So you are the one," He started and Kenshin knew exactly what he was getting at. Everyone who knew his identity seemed to start with those same words.

"The one what?" Kenshin asked.

"The Battousai," Taku replied.

Kenshin glared at the man. He held up his hands in defense. "Don't worry, if it's some sort of secret, I won't tell."

"Don't," Kenshin replied with a raised brow. "You could put your life, Kaoru's life in danger."

"Wouldn't it put Makoto's life in danger?" Taku asked.

"You know Makoto better than I do," Kenshin replied. "I think we both know what he is capable of."

Taku began to laugh, "You do have a point. His once being a hitokiri, maybe as strong as you once were, might set fear in most men."

Kenshin simply frowned, "I'm stronger than I've ever been."

"You will be able to protect Kaoru while Makoto and I attend to business in Kobe." Taku walked toward Kenshin and gave him a pat on the back. Kenshin shrugged away from the arrogant man.

"You would best remember I don't like being touched," His glare flashed amber.

Taku grinned again, "Of course, Mr. Himura." He backed away and left the room, headed down the hall. Kenshin listened as a shoji door slid open and closed.

Kenshin tossed the washrag into the basin shaped sink and released a deep breath. It was better than releasing the deep growl that he swallowed. He needed to keep the facade going just until he caught the Battousai impersonator.

Kaoru and Makoto walked along the creek, He walked ahead of her by nearly three feet. Almost like in tradition of forcing the woman to walk behind in a way to suppress independence.

"Our wedding is still several months away," Makoto said. He sat down near the creek. Kaoru sat down beside him but not close. They looked like two strangers sharing a fishing spot.

Fireflies skimmed across the creek, with moonlight yellow lights causing the water to sparkle. They drifted like tiny ghosts, trailing flashes behind them, until they landed upon the cattails, where the lights dimmed to a steady blink.

"The fall," She sadly smiled. Makoto couldn't see the sadness on her face, but he could sense it in her voice.

"You will be happy, Kaoru." Makoto sneered. "Remember... If I can't have you no one will."

She stiffened.

"This Kenshin- You will not let him touch you, hold your hand, kiss you, or make any physical contact."

"Suppose I trip and he catches me," Kaoru mocked.

"You heard what I said," Makoto replied with a sneer.

Kaoru lowered her eyes, "Nothing will happen. You are going to be my husband, no one else."

"I'm glad you're being so compliant." He leaned forward, tilted her head back and sealed the moment with a rough passionate kiss.

Tbc…