Translations :I think :-):

Baka-idiot

busu-ugly

Sessha-:something like..umm :unworthy one

Kaoru-dono - Miss Kaoru

Ojousama-miss

Osama-miss

sakabatou- Kenshin's reverse blade sword

kodachi-short blade

Oni-demon

Prologue

Kaoru's POV

Reading the letter Kaoru's eyes turned tearful as sorrow and rage grasped her. Crumpling the paper in her fist she slumped down on the dojo's steps.

"Kenshin...BAKA!"

The paper slipped onto the floor.

"Why do you do this to me? Why!"

Burying her face in her hands she sat there, deep in thought. Until...

"BUSU!"

She would not let herself go astray, not this time. She had to go to Makeawa dojo with Yahiko and was determined to stay in control. Kenshin or no Kenshin.

"BUSU!" The irritating noise rang from the backyard.

"Coming BRAT!"

Sighing, Kaoru mumbled, "Please Kenshin...Please..."

As a tired Kaoru walked away, the crumpled letter with the familiar messy handwriting remained on the floor, just where she left it.

Dear Kaoru-dono,

Sessha has gone away for some time. Please do not follow. I need some time alone. Don't worry about me. I shall return soon.

Kenshin.

The wind rustled in the leaves and carried the letter off with her. As the silence hung in air the only noise was that of the creaking storeroom door.

General POV

Some where towards the outskirts of Tokyo wandered a rurouni, sword jingling and red mane dancing with the wind. His eyes were hidden by his long bangs and the expression on his face was undecipherable. It was getting late. The sun was setting. Silhouetted against the red sky the sober wanderer looked like the fire god himself.

Sighing Kenshin sat down under a tree to rest awhile. He had walked the whole day. The smell of jasmines drifted to his nose.

"Kaoru.."

Looking at the sky Kenshin started off once more heading towards the town in view.

"I'll have to find a place for the night." Fingering his sakabatou he wondered, "Kaoru-dono, hope you notice this sunset. It's so much like you."

Kaoru did notice.

Trudging down the dark streets Kenshin stopped at the sound coming from the alley. Narrowing his eyes, listening more intently he released it was the muffled cry of a girl and clanging of metal against metal.

"Huh!'

Hand on his sakabatou, Kenshin sped off in the direction of the noise. No one else on the road only the enveloping dark abyss.

The girl stared at the blade of the dagger.

"Come on Ojousama. You give us your cash and get the police off our trail then we'll leave you alone. After that we'll think think about your precious land."

"..."

"Oh! don't be stubborn like your old man. Be a good girl why don't you."

As the girl backed away into the corner of the alley the gangsters closed in on her.

"Aww, stupid hag can't talk. We'll teach her won't we guys."

When one of the gangsters unsheathed his sword everyone turned to face the new voice.

"Leave her alone."

All eyes stared at Kenshin who was emerging, hand resting beside him. A large burly man stepped away from the girl and towards him.

"Hey! Looks like another lass wants to play. Sorry osama we don't have your dolls." All the gangsters burst out guffawing. The girl quivered in her corner as she realised who the stranger was. Annoyed at Kenshin's silence two thugs lunged forward swords gleaming in the moon.

"Fall at the mercy of the Oni Clan"

"..."

As the thugs charged, Kenshin crept into his Battou-jutsu stance. With a flip of his left foot he appeared behind his opponents. Two immobile bodies dropped to the ground as Kenshin's blade whipped out of the sheath. Sheathing his sword the rurouni faced the others.

A short muscular man with chains nudged the scythe bearer beside him.