Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, characters, manga, anime, or related work.

*Warnings: veers sharply into AU-verse (timeline: post-Shishio/pre-Enishi) then plunges off a steep incline into drunken shenanigans then crashes into a scene involving blood/death...oh, also slight mentions of cursing.

Chapter One: Fateful meeting

Coming back from teaching, Kaoru confidently strolled through the deepening twilight, treading a familiar path. Passing through the city's center with taverns and bars already in full swing, a myriad of boisterous drunken voices rising with anger or laughter. Suddenly a human missile crashes in front of her, a jug drenching her with sake, blue eyes blink in startled surprise.

"Ah, sorry Jou-chan, didn't see ya there," Sano poked his head out the bar's door.

Kaoru helps the intoxicated man upright, scolding the streetfighter, "what are you doing, Rooster?"

A careless shrug in reply, "working to earn some cash. The old man there ain't got none, so he's got to go."

Futilely shaking sake from her sleeves, the kenjustsu teacher grimaces, "well, next time check before you launch someone into the street."

"Yeah, yeah," Sano waved a bandaged hand dismissively.

She glanced at the drunk meandering away.

"Don't worry so much," the streetfighter scoffed, "the old man will either pass out or wander into another bar soon enough. You're probably wanting a bath after that sake-shower, so head on home."

With another glance at the inebriated man, who seemed to be happily singing to himself, she sighed, "yeah, you're right," bidding her friend goodnight, Kaoru resumed her journey homeward.

Wandering aimlessly, Geezer sang to the rising moon, "one is left, the other right, the path will change tonight. Find your place, challenge fate or be trapped forever beyond time's gate."

Crossing the river, a gentle layer of mist rose to swirl around her feet. Stepping from the bridge to the path, Kaoru's foot twisted slightly, and she stumbled forward, muttering curses as she regained her balance. Then she froze, stunned at the bright red color splashed so liberally, blue eyes rise to see a familiar figure, she hesitated...confused by the drawn blade, alarmed with the carnage, stricken by his golden gaze.

Alert to the faint footsteps scuffing the ground behind him, his hand clenched the sword hilt convulsively. He hated killing unarmed opponents, 'I can't let anyone know of the Battosai's existence…'

He glanced over his shoulder at the unwanted presence...surprised when she said that name, his name, perplexed when her hand hesitantly reached toward him, he warily asks, "how do you know me?"

Bit of a mystery/cliffhanger to get you hooked (mwahahah). Let me know what you think with a review (anon reviews welcome!) or just hit that *Fave*/*Follow* to give me a morale boost! There is a quote/scene taken from the manga (chapter 167) so full props and copyrights, trademarks and anything else legal-ish belong to the rightful owners and not me.

~MantaRae