Standard Disclaimer: *sniffles* I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I am merely using its characters for my story.

Author's notes: Ok all, this is my second try at fanfiction. I will try not to start every sentence with the same word this time. ^_^;; Hopefully this one will be better. Review and tell me what you think! Also, I did not come up with Hiten Mitsurugi Inc. Its been used in a few stories, so I don't really know who to give it credit too, so if it goes to you, well, I don't claim I own it! No lawsuits please! ^_^

On with the story!

Things to know:

*Thoughts*

Arigatou: thank you

Gomen: sorry

Dajibou: Is everything alright

Ganbatte: Good luck (correct me if I'm wrong)

Chapter 1: Fate is not a pretty thing.

"ARGH! I'm going to be late for work! AGAIN!" Kaoru sighed, exasperated. This was the third time that week that she would be late for work. She had even gotten up 30 minutes earlier for Kami-sama's sake! Fate appeared to have other plans for her. It was winter in Tokyo, and the roads were covered in snow and ice. An accident had just occurred. Normally, she would have stayed to help, but since it didn't appear that the people were injured in anyway, she decided to go the back way. It was longer than the route she was on, but the accident would take at least two hours to clear up, so by the time she got to work, they would still be working on the job at hand. Slipping the car onto a narrow street, she headed towards work.

"Dum de dum dum de d dum!" (pathetic noise, I know. ^_^;;)

Kenshin's cell phone rang. *Great, that's probably Uncle Hiko now, calling because I'm not at work*. Sighing, he answered the phone, keeping it a good distance from his ear.

"Hello?"

"Where ARE you?!! You were supposed to be here THIRTY MINUTES ago!" Hiko roared. Kenshin heard him perfectly well from where he was. "There was an accident at the last minute. I had to take the back route. Sheesh, don't get your panties up in a bunch." Hiko growled. "Watch your mouth, ungrateful brat. Just get your ass at work, and soon! I want you in my office in fifteen! Got it?!" Kenshin sighed. "Fine fine. I'll be in your office in fifteen Uncle Hiko." "You'd better be!"

*click* He shook his head. Hiko never was one for good-byes, and he always had to get the last word in. What had made him like that, he wasn't sure. It could have just been his character. Before Kenshin could ponder about this longer, his car lurched forward, increasing speed every second. *Great! I hit a patch of ice!* Both hands on the steering wheel, he attempted to regain control of the car. It wasn't working, and he was headed strait for the river, over the railing! Panic was settling in, and quickly. The car slammed full force into the hard metal. Kenshin's head slammed against the steering wheel, rendering him unconscious as the car plunged into the icy water.

*Kuso!* Kaoru gasped, slamming on the brakes, narrowly missing the car that flew by. *Oh no….*She watched in horror as the car plunged through the railing and into the murky depths of freezing temperatures. *Oh NO! Not again! Not again, dear kami-sama, not again! What have I done to deserve this?!* Swerving the car to the side, she exited, leaving the heat on full blast. The driver would need it, once he was free. She scrambled to the water's edge, hesitating only once, to take a deep breath, before diving into the icy liquid after him.

Floating. That was what he was feeling. As if he were floating. And yet, now he felt as if he were drowning as well. Pressure was building up, the walls caving in on him, preventing him from breathing. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't move. It was scary, and he wanted out.

*YES! Finally!* Kaoru had finally managed to get the seatbelt unclasped. As her hands snaked up under his arms, she pulled him up, dragging him to the surface as quickly as possible. She wouldn't be able to hold her breath much longer. *Just a little bit further! Come on now, Kaoru, you can do it!* Breaking the surface, she exhaled sharply, her breathing erratic. Her limbs were slowly numbing, unable to feel anything thing at all due to the freezing temperatures. After pulling him to the bank, she heaved him up, struggling for a little while before succeeding, sending them both flying backwards. Upon reaching the car, she leaned his weight on one arm, while throwing the door open with the other. Setting him in the driver's seat, she quickly made her way to the passenger's side, climbing in and shutting the door. One glance at the man and she knew what she had to do. Actually, she had known before, as her past could contribute to that. Oh kami-sama, I get it now. This is karma for not thanking that man for saving my life, isn't it? I swear I will thank him for this afterwards!* She opened his mouth and pinched his nose together gently, before following through with the steps of CPR. Suddenly, the man sputtered, rolling to his side and coughing up water previously swallowed. Rolling back into his previous position, the man momentarily opened his eyes. Hazy lavender met with concerned sapphire, and the man was unconscious once more. Kaoru sighed peeling off his wet clothing, leaving only his boxers. The way she saw it was this: at least allow the man some dignity for when he wakes up. She reached into the back seat and pulled out three of the blankets she kept there, wrapping 2 around the man and 1 around herself. Pulling out her cell phone, she automatically dialed 911, explained the situation and then hung up. As she awaited the arrival of an ambulance, she watched the man with concerned and curious eyes. *He only opened his eyes for a second, but I could have sworn they were lavender! I've never seen eyes like his! Not only that, but he has red hair. I would say that he dyed it, but it's just too natural looking! But, then, maybe he's not from Japan?…..* Her eyes traveled to the scar on his cheek, intrigued. It scarred his face, true, but it made him look more masculine and handsome. *Who IS this guy?!* The ambulance sirens were blaring, racing to the scene…..

Author's Notes: So, what did you guys think? Should I continue on with the story? Is it any good? I was tired of Kenshin always being the hero, so I let Kaoru be the hero this time. But don't worry, Kenshin gets to be the hero too, quite soon actually. Please review! Thanks minna!