Disclaimer: Of course Rurouni Kenshin don't belong to me. I just like to play! Watsuki is the rightful god of this universe.

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Runaway Groom, Vengeful Bride: Chapter One

"Oh, this is definitely not good."

Aoshi Shinomori peeked behind him and realised he was standing on a cliff.

Not just any old cliff, but one that happened to be situated right over a dangerous waterfall. The sound of rushing water filled his ears, and he found it drowned out the footsteps of his attacker. This didn't alarm him, he was an adept fighter after all---but it did annoy him, especially when he was trying so hard to calm his nerves.

(It wasn't like Aoshi to admit that he had any, but irritably enough, they were still there. "Only human, after all!" Okina had cackled to him last night, looking mighty pleased when Aoshi had tried to talk to him about marriage. Somehow the old man had gotten it into his head that the only time Aoshi ever asked questions was when he was unsure of himself.)

How did I let myself get cornered like this?

"This can't be happening," he murmured as he looked up to see his attacker, broadly silhoutted against the forest, come menacingly towards him.

Aoshi had been sure that he had gotten away from the enormous man whose face he hadn't even been able to see as he had come running towards him with such speed, the former Okashira leader could have sworn he was even faster than Battousai. (And that Soujiro kid from so long ago.)

Aoshi had used his ninja sills to swiftly disappear into the tree tops but when he landed on this patch of rocky ground, in his haste he hadn't realised that it was a cliff. He felt insulted. He couldn't believe he, of the highly respectable Oniwaban group, had been caught in such a situation.

He was already peeved at Kenshin and the others.

So he'd gone up the mountains of Kyoto trying to find a place to get away from everyone. Who wouldn't anyone just leave him alone? Alright, so it was the morning of his wedding day and he should probably be at the Aoiya like everyone believed him to be. That didn't mean people had any right to stick their noses into his business. (Sanosuke in particular, had been the last one to reluctantly retreat from blocking the doorway when Aoshi had made a move to leave.)

It's not like he was some brat child, to be supervised. He was going to turn up. He just needed some time is all...But now it looked like he was going to die, because the huge man in front of him had his sword raised and ready to strike.

Wonderful. It took Misao and myself so many years to-no wait, it took me so many years to finally get my act together and ask her to marry me, and now I'm going to die. Kami must really be enjoying the irony.

"Look kid, how about you just come with me and listen to what I have to say? I promise I won't hurt you." The man blocking his way snorted, sheathed his sword, then held out his hands in an exaggerated show of peace. "See?"

Aoshi kept his hands poised over the hilts of his kodachis, just to be on the safe side. "I thought you wanted to kill me. Is that not the reason you chased me here?"

"Nah. I've never cared about a person enough to want to kill them. But you kid, have to come with me."

Icy green eyes narrowed. "Who are you calling kid? You don't look any older than me."

This time the stranger let out a hearty chuckle. "Yeah, I get that often, the good looking man that I am. Can't help what I'm born with you know."

Aoshi was astonished, although his outward expression didn't change. I don't think I've ever met anyone so conceited.

"But actually, I happen to be in my fifties. And you happen to be in your thirties. So that makes you a kid next to me, Shinomori-chan."

Aoshi drew his kodachis. Itseemed as though "How do you know my name?" he demanded.

"Simple really. I'm cursed with an idiot apprentice that never leaves me alone no matter how many times I disown him. Ah well. I couldn't resist when I got the message. You know it's not every day I'm being told a runaway groom is hiding out on my mountain."

Aoshi's jaw went slack. Runaway groom?

"Excuse me?" he sputtered. "Are you implying that I am a runaway groom?"

'Nah then, I am.' The man sighed. "Just great. As if having a fugitive hiding out on my mountain wasn't bad enough, I have to deal with one in denial. Idiot Kenshin," he muttered, annoyed. He whipped out a jug of sake from under his huge red and white mantle, gulped some down, then put it back.

"Much better," he declared finally, looking visibly calmer.

Aoshi's eyes widened, before going back to their emotionless state. "Battousai?" Then, his forehead creased as realisation washed over him. Along with annoyance, as he realised what had happened. Does Battousai ever get any sleep? For Kami's sake, it must be five in the morning.

"So. You must be Seijuurou Hiko the Thirteenth Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi style. And Battousai's Master."

Hiko looked pleased. "That's right. Although you can forget about the latter part. Not something I'm proud of, mind."

Aoshi just watched him warily. "Would you mind letting me past, Seijurou? I am not a fugitive. Battousai and the others have their information wrong, which is understandable as they are not of the Oniwaban. I just came up here to get some fresh air and think, that is all..."

"I believe it is called meditation." He added sarcastically. "There is no need for them to be concerned. You can tell Battousai that. You can also tell him that if he ever sends you after me again, I'll battle him again...with a very, very strong will to live."

"Huh?" said Hiko, who didn't look as though he was listening. Then he cleared his throat. 'Sorry, Shinomori. You have to come with me right now. Back to my house where idiot apprentice, roosterhead, and the crazy old man are waiting. I've got to hand you over to them, see. Being a man of my word."

"No." Aoshi said vehemently. "I am not coming with you. I am not a child. I am the former Okashira of the--"

"Listen to me," Hiko interrupted dangerously. "If you don't come with me right now I'll amakakeru ryo no hiramaki your fancy Okashira ass right off the edge of this cliff. And let me tell you, that my execution of it happens to be far more superior than that idiot's. So you can either be delivered to your bride unharmed, or half dead. Your choice."

He gave him a sinister smile. "So. Are you coming with me?"

Aoshi suddenly stared at the man's huge muscles, as if seeing them for the first time.

Battousai's Master...He would not like to get into a fight with him. Something told him the man wouldn't hesitate to push him off the cliff. And he also remembered his resolution not to involve himself in any violence on his wedding day, as he promised his Misao.

"Yes, sir." he muttered grudgingly, lowering his kodachis in defeat.

"Good. Now start walking!" Hiko barked.

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