'This isn't happening... It's an illusion...'


"Kaoru...?"


Kenshin could make out Megumi's cracked voice, Yahiko's horror... Sanosuke's confusion. He could feel his own pain seeping into his body, overwhelming any control he had had for his emotions. His felt himself swallow. Once. Twice.


The need to vomit was unbelievable. The scene he had witnessed replayed in his mind over and over. So many emotions and urges... And he merely stood there, watching what was displayed before him with wide violet eyes.


Yahiko was the first to break, as he collapsed to his knees in a nearly weeping heap, banging a wrathful fist against the floor and snarling like a vicious dog.


Kaoru had been killed. Not the sweet, innocent death she was intended to have, but a brutal, slow murder... Although there wasn't a trace of pain shown on her features, Kenshin already knew she had gone through intense pain before death could claim her youth.


There wasn't a noise to be heard. Yahiko's outburst had ceased, and he was kneeling, staring at the fallen dojo owner. Megumi's breaths had grown rapid, even hoarse, as she tried to stop the tears.


The scent of slaughter clogged Kenshin's nostrils as the numerous flashbacks began to fire through his thoughts.


"Kamiya Kaoru!"


Kaoru twisted around, a look of confusion written on her face. "Hai, Misuta?"


Kenshin, Sanosuke, Megumi, and Yahiko turned around to face a young man, a cold grin playing his lips. His messy hair was a dark shade of chestnut, the bangs covering the majority of his blue eyes. He remained silent.


Kaoru's smile altered into a frown at the sight of him. "You said my name?"


"Kaoru," he repeated huskily. "I am here to put an end to your kind. I will destroy the name of Kamiya!"


Kaoru, bold as she was, remained impassive. Kenshin could see, in her eyes, that she wasn't the least bit afraid. She stepped forwards almost immediately, her footfalls soft and refined. "It is what you wish? To kill off the remaining of Kamiya?" Her voice became stern. "I accept."


"Kaoru! Who is this man?" Megumi demanded with a scowl. "I don't like the way he threatens."


The man licked his lips and ignored the doctor. "Reijou, are you prepared to die? I will have your head." His expression flickered with amusement as he withdrew a long, gleaming sword.


"You're pathetic," Kaoru spat, anger rapidly increasing. "How dare you say such nonsense... Unforgivable!"


"Stop," Kenshin said quietly, stepping in front of Kaoru. His arm outstretched, protectively shielding the man from her. "I will fight."


"So will I," Yahiko announced, pacing at her side with his bokken at ready. His eyes were narrowed with unhidden concentration. "And I won't go easy on you."


"Count me in," Sanosuke cracked his knuckles. "I'll beat you to a pulp."


Megumi tugged Kaoru beside her. "This man is dangerous. You shouldn't fight him. Go back to the dojo right away." Her hand pushed against her back, forcing her away. "Go!"

Author's Comments: I know, I know, that's pretty badly written, I apologize… I truthfully didn't work on it hard enough… At least my English is gradually getting better! ^_^;; Gomen.