Well here we are my lovely readers, the sequel to Renegade. This picks up one year after the end of the last fic and I most sincerely hope that everyone likes this story as much as you did the last one. It's ripe with adventure and intrigue, as well as misadventures with the Kenshin-gumi! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, but I own Akio. For now, that's good enough for me.

Chapter 1: Separation

The train whistle signaled that it was a few minutes from leaving the station. The station was surprisingly empty for this time of day in this type of town. It wasn't a large city, only a prosperous port town, but the train in the station was bound for Tokyo, one of the biggest cities in all of Japan. The lack of potential passengers could have been because of the lateness of the hour, but this train was more for hauling cargo then people.

Two figures stood alone to the side of the platform. A man and a woman. They both carried small bags over their shoulder's, holding the only meager possessions they owned. The woman also had a small sack slung over her shoulder, criss-crossing the strap that held the sword on her back. A wooden bokken was also at her hip. A similar weapon was on the hip of her male companion, those his was far better crafted. They huddled together in the corner of the platform, not wishing to be seen or heard by anyone else.

The woman was young, looking to be no older then eighteen. She was dressed as a man, the clothing accenting her slim waist. Her thick black hair was cut short, just above her chin, where it framed her face. And it was a pretty face indeed. Her eyes were large and deep green, set into an ivory complexion. But she despite the soft curves of her features and body, there was a stubborn set to her chin and she held herself with the aura of a warrior. Her name was Akio.

The man was also young, not much older then his female companion. But he had the advantage of being taller by several inches. His brown hair was grown out and shaggy, falling around the collar of his shirt. His skin was tanner then his companion's, but it made his dark brown eyes stand out in his face. Eyes that turned into an almost blue gray color whenever he felt an intense emotional surge. He was a handsome young man, a smile never far from his face, even if it was a fake one. One would not expect the skill and cunning he had with a blade from one such as he. His name was Soujiro

"Please Soujiro, don't make me leave..." Akio pleaded, holding on to the front of his shirt with both of her hands. "I don't want to go."

"Akio..." Soujiro leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers, bringing his arms around her. "We've been through this."

"But I don't want to go any more now then I did yesterday!" she replied stubbornly, tears forming in her emerald eyes. "You're incorrigible!"

"And you're pretty when you yell at me," he responded with his usual, lazy smile. Akio snorted and leaned into him, inhaling his scent and willing away the pain in her chest that burned hotter then any forge fire at the thought of leaving his side.

"Soujiro, don't change the subject," she whispered, meeting his dark gaze. The wane light made the tears in her eyes sparkle like diamonds. Soujiro reached up and brushed his thumb along her cheekbone, catching the first of her tears to fall.

"I'm sorry," he apologized in a soft voice. "But you know this is what we have to do."

"No, no it isn't," Akio protested. "I could stay here with you, we could face them together! Sending me to Tokyo will not stop him, or change what can happen. It'll only mean that we're apart and things will get worse."

"Akio, I can't let anything happen to you. You'll be safer in Tokyo--"

"I'm safe when I'm with you," she whispered, raising her hands to the sides of his face. "Can't you see that? You and me, we're stronger together then apart. We can face this!"

"No," he shook his head, covering her hands with his own. "Not this time. We're dealing with things far too dangerous."

"How is it possibly more dangerous now then it was back in Renko Village?" she hissed, pulling away from him and turning away. Akio hugged herself and bit her bottom lip to keep from crying harder. "It's still just Ryu."

"It's not just him anymore. This is bigger then just Ryu, and bigger then what happened in your village Akio. We don't know where he is, who he's working for or with...we don't even know where he is! All we know is that he knows where 'we' are."

"It doesn't matter," Akio said firmly. "I won't abandon your side."

Soujiro wrapped his arms around Akio's waist and pulled her against him, lending his warmth to the shivering girl. "I can't protect you if I'm worrying about you."

"So you expect me to run away and hide while you risk your life? Where's the fairness in that?"

"There isn't any," he said into her ear. His breath was warm against her cheek and Akio leaned back further into him, needing the feeling of his support. "If this was fair, you and me could travel anywhere we wanted without having to look over our shoulders and sleep with one eye open. We could stop running."

"But it isn't fair," Akio whispered. "Because somehow, someway, Mori Ryu survived my attack. Because somehow, someway, he's following us with unseen eyes and I'm tried of it. He finally came into the open to us Soujiro, we finally know that it's him. Please, please don't send me away."

She turned in his arms, bringing up her fingers to run through his hair as she met his eyes. Soujiro was torn between the overwhelming desire to keep her at his side, and the desire to keep her safe. Now that the enemy had been identified--and revenge openly declared--Akio was in more danger then ever. There was no guarantee that he could protect her. And fighting for his life, while defending hers, would only kill them both. Soujiro had spent many long hours and thought out many plans, but this seemed to be the best--no, the 'only' way to ensure her safety. If they separated, then he could throw his life into risky situations without thinking about repercussions. He could risk his own life recklessly, in order to take out what was threatening hers.

"Akio...if there was any other way..." What else was there to say? His mind was drawing a blank. Here she was, this lost angel in his arms, looking at him with those emerald eyes that he loved so well. It hurt him deeper then she could ever know to force her away like this. 'But it's for her own good!' he told himself. And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that he would regret this decision once it was made.

Akio closed her eyes, silent tears running down her face, and nodded her head. "I'd get in the way, I know. I just...I can't..."

"What Akio?" Soujiro asked, tucking a strand of her short jet-black hair behind her ear and tilting her face up so he could meet her eyes. Her emerald eyes were darkened by stark sadness, and it reflected in a pale complexion of her skin. Soujiro had to stop himself from breaking down and begging her to stay when he looked into the face of the woman he loved.

"I don't want to be alone again," she whispered, eyes welling and spilling over. "I can't go back to the way I was."

Soujiro shook his head and hugged her to him as the train whistle sounded again. It was the last call. Akio had to get on the train, it was now or never. "You'll never have to be alone again Akio. No matter what, I'm here. And even though we're apart, you're with me and I'm with you. And I swear to you, I will find you before this is over."

Akio pulled back and was about to protest when he silenced her, covering her mouth with his own. The kissing was gentle, a haunting good-bye kiss. The lingering kind that stains the lips for hours, days, for years worth of memories. This was one of those kisses that was laced with emotions, good and bad. Akio's shed tears mingled with it as they were both reluctant to break apart.

Soujiro was the one to back away, leading her to the entrance of the train. Akio looked from him to the train and back again. Soujiro ushered her on to the first step. She turned back and pulled him to her again, kissing him possessively and passionately. It was a last plea to stay. And though Soujiro returned it just as fiercely as she had initiated it, he would not lessen his resolve.

"Stay in Tokyo and lay low," he told her, brushing a few tears from her face and the train whistled once last time. Now it was leaving.

"I will," she assured him, holding his hand to her face.

"It's a big city, easy to get lost, but I know you can handle yourself. I'll find you there as soon as I can, but don't get into trouble." The train had started pulling out now, so Soujiro moved to stay along with her.

"I won't get into trouble. I'm not like you," she said with a smile.

"That's my girl," he said, smiling back. She released his hand as he jogged alongside her now, almost to the end of the platform. "Once this is over, and we can find some place to settle, you'll have to marry me you know."

Akio smiled serenely at him, as if she had been waiting for such a remark, but was not at all surprised. "I'll think about it," she replied, but the train was moving faster now and Soujiro was getting left behind on the platform. "I love you," she called.

"I love you too. Don't worry, I'll see you soon!" He waved as the train left faster and Akio disappeared inside the car. Soujiro's arm fell to his side and his fist closed over the hilt of the wooden sword at his side.

Now the problem was simple. He had to find Mori Ryu, and whoever was helping him, and finish the job that Akio began in Renko Village one year ago. He'd kill that man for everything he had put the two wanderers through in the last few months. Oh yes, he'd pay dearly for their trouble. But most of all he'd pay for this, forcing him to do the one thing that Seta Soujiro vowed he would never do--force Akio from his side.

Okay, here we are! Remember, your reviews are always appreciated! I'll update later this week, promise!

~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~