A/N:

- First of all I must thank all those who reviewed, your comments are highly appreciated.

- Special thanks to hotaru, your comments were very helpful and hopefully I have improved a little, plz tell me what you think and of course constructive criticism is strongly welcomed.

- In this chapter i have resolved to fantasy element, I must say that this fic does not fall under the fantasy category but I had to use it for a small aspect in this fic.

- Final note, Please people bear with my grammer! English isn't my first language and i will try my best to reduce those errors. having said this, on with the story.

Chapter 2: Beyond Time

The noise was terrible.

She shook her head violently trying to clear it, but the sound went on.

She had never heard such a sound before. There was no way to describe it. Except that it was so sad.

The noise was all around her, making hear head spin. She tried to cover her ears but for some reasons she could not move.

Her eyes were closed.

She felt as though she was falling fast from a high cliff. And around her she heard the noise of battle, the cries of dying men and the clash of swords.

The strange sound kept going on, mingling with the voice of human conflicts. She felt as if she was in the heart of chaos and there was no way out

Then it was silent.

She was not falling anymore, she was floating.

The truth is nothing moved, nothing changed, nothing whatever appeared to happen and yet she experience a feeling of terror, as if she was being pulled inside out and being slammed against something that wasn't there.

She opened her eyes and there was nothing but a bright void and…

A sense of non-belonging.

Then darkness engulfed her.

Kaoru woke up feeling sick and dizzy, and as if these weren't bad enough, she had a terrible headache. Her body was sprawled on a hard wooden floor, not a futon as she expected.

Clutching her pounding head, she started to rise. Then she looked around examining her surroundings.

Immediately she sprang to her feet.

She was not in her room nor was this her dojo. Where am I ?

The last thing she remembered was deciding against sleeping after sitting on the porch watching the fireflies. So instead of retiring to her room she had gone to the dojo, practiced for a little while to ease her tension, then she settled there…thinking.

Had she fallen asleep in the dojo? Maybe she was still asleep…dreaming.

Yet everything felt so real.

She turned around examining the place in the faint light coming through the low windows. Dust covered the floor indicating that it hadn't been cleaned for a long time. Apart from the bokkens which lay in their racks against the wall the dojo was empty.

Kaoru made her way toward the door. Sliding the wooden door open, she stepped outside

The yard was empty, everything was silent and the full moon shone brightly in the dark sky.

It was a red full moon.

Fireflies were dancing in the yard. Everything was the same except that this was not her dojo.

Kaorus gaze traveled to the main house, no light, no voice, no sign of a living being. It must be a deserted dojo.

She walked slowly toward the main gate. She was not wearing her sandals; only thin pair of socks covered her feet. It is only a dream. She kept repeating this sentence to herself. But as she neared the gate and placed her shaking hand on its handle. The rough surface of the wood told her otherwise.

Closing her eyes, she hesitated before opening the gate.

Kaoru didnt know why; but she was afraid of what lied beyond this gate.

Everything will be alright, she told herself.

Kaoru took a deep breath and pushed the gate doors open.

The silence was suffocating.

Kaoru was walking in a town which was not Tokyo. The place seemed familiar somehow but she can't remember where and when she had seen it.

Cold wind was blowing, making Kaoru shiver in her light blue kimono. Wrapping her arms around herself against the bitter wind, she continued to walk in the strange town.

What time is it? She wondered silently. It must be sometimes after midnight judging from the empty streets and dark houses.

She wished she would encounter anyone to tell her where she was.

The wind continued to blow lifting Kaoru's loose hair. She flickered her black hair away from her face.

Suddenly, there was a far-off noise which she identified as someone talking. She couldn't make out the words but the sound was loud enough, suggesting they were near.

She walked through a dark, short alley. Heading toward the noise.

Upon reaching the mouth of the alley; the distraught girl hid behind the wall and took in the scene before her.

Three men were walking, a young man and two elderly men.

"….will soon be your wife, you are a lucky man," she heard the eldest.

"Thank you, though I feel badly about it. Why should I be this happy while other people are miserable?" The younger man replied.

As they walked past the alley she was hiding in, Kaoru pressed herself against the wall.

The shadows concealed her.

She was able to catch a glimpse of the young man face. He had a kind face and his hair was dark .

"What are you talking about, Kiyosato? The world is always in a terrible condition. That shouldn't stop a man from being happy, should it?"

Kiyosato? Kaoru had heard this name before but she couldn't remember by whom.

She was lost in her own thoughts when out of nowhere another figure appeared behind the three men.

"You are Jubei Shigekura of the Kyoto Shoshidai, are you not?" the new figure spoke.

Kaoru froze, a dreadful feeling settled in the bit of her stomach. This voice...a voice she could recognise anywhere. It belonged to….

The figure stepped out of the shadows into the moon light. His red hair shone under the silverly rays.

Kenshin.

"I have come to inflict the punishment you deserve, old man," he continued. His voice was soft but menacing nonetheless.

The three men turned to him, surprise and fear written on their startled faces.

The young man threw the lamp he was carrying. Jumping in front of the eldest, his hand went to his sword.

"Assassin!"

"Who are you?" the third man inquired angrily.

Kenshin was silent.

"Answer" the man screamed and lunged at Kenshin sliding the sword out of its scabbard. Kenshin caught and deflect the blow with the hilt of his sheathed sword. He pushed the older man and without unsheathing his sword plunged it at his eye… hard. Then, with incredible speed, Kenshin unsheathed his sword and slashed open the man's right side killing him instantly.

Kaoru watched with pure terror as Kenshin ran to the remaining men.

The older man pushed Kiyosato out of the way.

"Get away! You must not die now!" before he had the chance to drew his sword Kenshin drove his sword under the man's chin.

Wrenching his blade free horizontally; he lunged at Kiyosato without hesitation. Kiyosato parried the blow leaping away from Kenshin.

At that moment something clicked inside Kaorus head. It was as if the first piece of a puzzle was found.

"Do you know what day is today, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin's words rang in her mind.

The fight continued.

"Surrender," she heard Kenshin's voice. But it was not the same warm and kind voice in her mind.

"I will not!" the other man screamed as he lunged at Kenshin. Kenshin deflected the blow, slashing his blade at Kiyosato. He made a long cut along his side and fresh blood splattered from the wound.

"It is the day I killed Tomoe's fiancé."

"NO!" Kaoru screamed. "Kenshin stop, please!" She ran to them just as Kenshin was about to strike Akira's shoulder.

The blade connected with her right shoulder instead and Kaoru gasped in pain. Reflexly, her hand went to her bloody shoulder. She swayed a little but held her ground in front of Kenshin, who was looking at her with his eyes wide open.

"Kenshin don't kill him please…" She looked at his astonished amber eyes.

But at once Kenshin recovered and narrowed his eyes at her.

"Move, woman," he hissed at her.

Kaoru shook her head.

"I will not allow you to kill him," she looked at him defiantly but her heart was hammering against her ribcage. Although he was Kenshin, one only needed to look at his eyes to recoil in fear. She had no doubts that he would hurt her; possibly kill her if she continued to block his way.

Still she did not move a muscle.

Kenshin face was impassive though his grip on the sword tightened.

"If you don't move this instant…" he left the threat open taking a step forward to emphasize his point.

She had to act fast. The deep breathing of Akira could be heard behind her. He was badly injured.

There is no time for hesitation.

Kenshin took another step toward her and she did the first thing that came to her troubled mind.

She flung herself forward and hugged him. Arms tight around his neck; she winced as she moved her injured shoulder.

"You don't understand…" she said.

Kenshin was caught off guard; he certainly did not expect this.

Kaoru seized the opportunity and titled her head side way to address the injured man.

"Akira-san, please go."

He gazed at her with wide eyes. "How did you…."

"Please hurry!"

Akira regarded her for a moment. He did not want to leave her with that demon. But her pleading eyes made him obey. Leaning on his sword for support, he turned to the other direction and started to leave reluctantly.

Through this small conversation Kenshin remained still. He did not resist nor did he made it to push her away.

He was silent.

Those few moments of silent were broken when Kaoru heard the soft voice of metal hitting the ground. A rough hand gripped her injured shoulder; squeezing painfully.

She cried out in pain as the sudden violation shook her body.

"Who are you?" Kenshin growled at her, "How do you know my name?"

Although Kaoru opened her mouth to speak, no words came out. Her mouth was dry.

Tears clouded her vision but she could clearly make out his amber eyes, angry and dangerous.

What could she tell him? She was lost and confused. Countless questions ran through her troubled mind.

More pressure was applied to her already abused shoulder, cutting short her train of thoughts. Kaoru bit her lower lip to prevent herself from screaming in pain.

She was struggling to remain conscious. A fight which she was losing.

She gazed at his demanding eyes then, involuntarily, her eyes traveled to his lips and as her eyes settled on his smooth, unscarred left cheek her words from the previous night materialized before her eyes.

"I wish to share his burden."

But the throbbing pain on her bandaged neck conveyed another message.

The burden was hers to bear.

Kenshin felt her body go limp in his arm. He held her securely with both arms to prevent her from falling to the ground. Then lowering her carefully, he positioned her so that he could look at her face.

His amber eyes scanned her face, and his mind wondered who she was.

A spy possibly.

She was too young to be a spy. Nevertheless the possibility was still valid.

He himself became an assassin at a tender age.

He tucked a single strand of hair away from her face and studied her features. She had beautiful face with strong, sharp features. Previously he sensed her aura glowing with courage. But her eyes were weary, as if they had seen too much.

He inspected the wound on her shoulder. It was not a deep one, but blood was flowing freely and the faint red spot which appeared on her bandaged neck did not help either.

But she would live.

He gazed at the other direction where the injured man had gone.

He couldn't have gone far, he thought.

Kenshin could catch up easily and finish him if he wanted.

His gaze flickered back to the unconscious girl in his arms.

He will allow her this small victory over him, she had earned it. After all it took great courage for anyone to stand firmly and oppose him.

For he was an assassin.

He lifted her lithe body from the ground. One hand under her knees, the other around her shoulders. Her soft black hair fell like a cascade in the air.

He was a manslayer.

Without looking back at the bloody scene he made, he disappeared into the shadows of the sleeping city.

He was Battousai.

Kaoru stirred in her sleep opening her eyes slowly.

Her first reaction was to cover her eyes with her left hand. Protecting them against the blinding light.

What a terrible dream.

It seemed so real. With a soft sigh she made it to sit. But as she applied small pressure on her right hand to support her weight; a sharp pain shoot through her arm to her shoulder making her draw a deep breath.

Her shoulder was bandaged.

Dreadfully, she realized that it had not been a dream.

Remembering last night events, she managed to rise from the futon without worsening the condition of her injured shoulder.

Kenshin caused this injury, she remembered bitterly.

Shaking her head, she tried to dismiss this thought from her head. This wasn't the point.

The important matter was that she was somehow stuck in the past with no idea where she was and how to go back to her time.

Without any warning the door was slid open making Kaoru jump in surprise.

Kenshin stepped into the room.

Kaorus heart started to beat so fast that she thought he could hear it.

He narrowed his eyes at her. Kaoru wanted to withdraw and hide herself with the blanket just to escape those eyes. They were intriguing yet dangerous. His wild red bangs framed his handsome face, the red color made his eyes look menacing. Under his intense scrutiny she was suddenly aware of the fact that she was only wearing a sleeping yukata.

Did he change my kimono? Fury overwhelmed her, making her clinched her fists.

Her old self was still there, lurking somewhere.

She was about to give him a piece of her mind when he spoke.

"How do you know my name?" he demanded coldly.

Kaoru blinked taken aback by his direct question.

This Kenshin was straight to the point.

Her Kenshin was different.

Their demeanour wasnt the only distinguishable feature between them. Their look was different as well. This –younger- Kenshin wears his hair on a high ponytail unlike the low one Kenshin preferred to wear. The clothes, their aura, the look on their faces, all these were different. But most important of all…

"Speak!" he snapped impatiently at her. Taking a step forward.

Kaoru didn't know what to say. Everything had happened so quickly that she did not have the chance to device a palatable lie. So she muttered the first lie that crossed her confused mind.

"It was…it was a mistake" she muttered.

Everything was still. To Kaoru It seemed as if time had stopped. She held her breath as she waited for his reply.

"What fool do you take me for?" Kenshin hissed at her.

He was angry.

"No its the truth, I was lost and injured," she ushered to her still bandaged neck. "Things got mixed up in my mind. Please believe me."

Kenshin shot her a look that told her he did not believe her pathetic lie. Who would? She thought.

"What is your name?" he asked impassively, after few moments of silence.

"What does it matter, I told…."

"Answer!" her ordered.

Kaoru stared at him debating whether to give him her true name. Deciding that it wouldn't possibly do her harm, she answered.

"Kamiya Kaoru."

Without uttering another word he spun on his heels and headed for the door.

"Wait!" Kaoru said.

He ignored her.

Kaoru sprang to her feet and went to him.

Just as she was about to touch his shoulder he turned abruptly, seized her uninjured upper arm and pushed her roughly against the nearest wall, knocking the breath out of her lungs.

He pinned her to the wall with his body, his right hand around her waist and the other lay flat against the wall next to her head. His mouth near her ear. Kaoru could feel his warm breath tickling her ear lobe.

"Don't act as if you are familiar with me, girl," he whispered softly near her ear."Last night's event was something I had allowed to happen. I advice you against testing my limits."

Kaoru stood unmoving against his body, alarmed by their closeness.

Kenshin remained in that position for few moments, inhaling her sweet scent.

Jasmine

He pulled away slowly gazing at her astonished face.

His eyes traveled from her trembling lips to her delicate throat, then down to the gapping cleavage of her yukata. His eyes lingered there before looking at her face again.

He could practically feel the wild beating of her heart against his chest. She was scared but her eyes held a faraway look. They were dazed and unfocused as if she was somewhere else.

Suddenly, just as he had seized her, he released her.

Turning around, he walked to the door without looking back.

This is how it supposed to be.

Fear.

People who know him only look at him with pure fear in their eyes.

This girl shouldn't be any different.

The way she had defied him last night was a challenge to him, he wanted to break her. He wanted to see fear in her eyes. And he achieved what he desired.

But what he didn't know was that Kaoru's fear was for an entirely different reason….

Caused by an entirely different person.

Ah! this chapter was very long, but i enjoyed writing it.

and yes time-travel fic! I dont know how many of you predicted this but hopefully this wont put anyone off.

An important thing to note that this is not Reminiscence OVA fic, I just had to borrow the fighting scence in order to establish the base of Kaoru's and Kenshin's meeting. Kenshin personality is not exactly the same as in the OVAs, I think it became appearant in this chapter. and Kaoru will NOT be Tomoes substitute, Tomoe will have her unique rule in this story.

So overall, The only common thing between this fic and the OVAs -apart from the fighting scene- is the angst...and blood. .

Thanks for reading.