Author's Notes: Well, a fast update, yes

Author's Notes: Well, a fast update, yes? It's only because I have so much time on my hands before summer school starts. Yuck. School.

Summary: While settling down after two long years, will the return of an enemy force Kenshin to go insane? Or will the power of love rescue him?

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, K&K will never be mine. :(

Chapter Two: The Search

Kenshin's POV

After a tiring night and day of wandering, like the way my life used to be before I met Kaoru-dono, I found a small inn that was beckoning for me to stay. I was too afraid that if I didn't make it in time, Kaoru-dono would be injured. Or worse. I shook the feeling off and ignored my indulgence of sleep. I couldn't sleep on an empty stomach, anyways. My brain had shut down ever since I read the note from… him. Just when I thought life was beginning to turn for the better, he comes back from the dead. Literally.

"Excuse me, Sir. Could I bother you for a second? I know it seems selfish of me to ask you, but…can…you…" The young lady asking for my help slowed her speech down, as if she was scared of me. It took me a few seconds to register that my eyes were as cold as ice, and as hot as the raging fires of hell. I squeezed my eyes shut and they turned back to their normal, vibrant violet. The lady stumbled back a few paces as if she had seen a ghost. Or worst. A killer. I smiled and gave her my famous rurouni smile, but it wasn't enough for her unsteady nerves to calm down. She continued to pace backwards as I gave her a dumb expression on my face.

'Nice one, Kenshin. You really know how to steal a woman's heart, don't ya?' I could hear my other half speaking to me.

'That is enough, Battousai. I have only called on you for one reason, and until that particular time comes, I will not allow you roam around Kyoto. Scaring people can actually land you in jail these days.'

I closed my eyes and continued my brisk pace down the street. My patience was getting thinner, and I could tell Battousai was itching to get out. I brought the note out, and looked at it again. The seal on top of the envelope had a snake on it, with two flames attached to its body. I recognized it, but I couldn't remember where it came from. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, I decided to call on a friend to help me.

'I do believe I haven't seen this man in quite some time. I'm sure he will be happy to see me.'

Wrong. He was sitting by the fire, drinking a whole jug of sake as usual. My presence only two feet away from didn't seem obvious enough to him, so I sat down on the stub next to his.

"Hello, master. It has been a while, has it not?" I looked up and I waited until he finished the last of his sake.

Normal POV

The old man of about 40 years of age put down his empty jug on the floor, and lazily looked down at a young man who happened to find himself next to him. The man blinked a couple times before he suddenly felt an urge to sleep. Right in front of Kenshin.

"Oro?" A non-word escaped from Kenshin's mouth. "Master!" He shook the man's chiseled shoulders, trying to knock some sense into him.

After a few hours of splashing water, and a couple of dunks in the river, Kenshin's master finally awoke with a splintering headache.

"It's nice to see you aren't dead, Hiko." Kenshin smiled.

Hiko's POV

I gave my stupid apprentice one look and snorted.

"Why are you here? I thought I got rid of you years ago." I looked down at the ground and drew circles in the dirt.

"Are you not happy to see that I am alive and well?" Kenshin questioned me.

"That has no relevance to what you are really here for, is it?" I looked up with lazy eyes. "Don't tell me you've found another one of your enemies again." I cocked one eyebrow up at him.

"That is precisely why I'm here. I need to know if you know anything about…" Kenshin stopped to catch his breath before uttering his name, "about… Shishio." His eyes narrowed into amber slits.

I could tell the Battousai in him was surfacing, so I decided to get up and walk back to my house.

"Where are you going, master?" Kenshin's question was cold, and edgy.

"We need to discuss this at my house. I wouldn't exactly call this one of the more private areas in the city." I continued to walk on the path, with Kenshin following right behind me. Ten minutes later, both of us were sitting around the fire, not saying a word. I decided to break the ice.

"So, are you going to tell me the real reason why you're here, or are you just going to sit there and stare at the ground all night?" My voice boomed, breaking the silence.

"Master," Kenshin looked up with those same angry slits, "it is extremely important that you tell me anything you know about his whereabouts."

My instincts were telling me that he was not only back for the return of Shishio, but another life as well. "Could you tell me a little more about the reason you are here? Or do I have to beat it out of you?" I reached for another jug of sake.

"You know why I'm here, Master. Don't tell me your informants haven't given you a clue as to why I'm here. Tell me all that you know about him. Now." His voice was more demanding, as if the world was about to end.

"Alright, my stupid apprentice. I guess it is about time you heard the real story." I stopped to take a sip of my sake, and then I put my jug down. "As you know, a couple of years ago you came here to defeat Shishio. What you didn't know was that he survived the burning fires of hell that surrounded him at the pinnacle of his own death. Shishio made sure that if the time came for his destruction, it would not be at that time. Although he may have told you that that particular battle was going to be the end, he was surely lying. About a month before the battle, his soldiers constructed together something more powerful than any human could possess. The technology used on this "iron suit" was far beyond Japanese technology. He went to the West to find a scientist to construct something we like to call "Hell on Earth."" I paused for dramatic effect. "Unfortunately he could not unleash something like that so late in the game, and he instead risked his life to protect his secrets by battling with you. I've heard of rumors of the powers it possesses. Not even guns of our modern age can stand up to it. It's something the devil he himself created. I assume he's ready to test it out on you. He's had plenty of time to work out all the mishaps it could possibly get into." I paused again to gulp down my sake. "As much as I hate to admit it, this iron suit could possibly kill you. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into this time. Technology is advancing at a fast rate. You won't be able to withstand everything they throw at you sooner or later."

I looked at Kenshin and he was still in his sitting position with his eyes locked on mine. I waited for him to say something, but all he could do was gaze at the floor. Suddenly, something wet hit the ground. I tried to find the source, only to discover that it was Kenshin that was the one with flowing tears. Tears of fear. I could tell they were stinging his eyes, making it hard for him to look up at me. I left the hut to attend to some of my chores and wait for Kenshin to finish.

The sun had sunk below the horizon a long, long time ago and I was still sitting outside waiting for Kenshin. The sight of him crying like that made me really sad. Of course I would never admit it.

Kenshin's POV

After I cried out all the energy I had in me, I grabbed a cup from the table and poured water into it. I drank some of it, relieving my dry lips of its thirst, and splashed some of it onto my face. I felt strength returning into my body, so I walked outside. There, my master was making another one of his pots. I stared at his craftsmanship and admired it for a few minutes. I was interrupted from my reverie when Hiko spoke up.

"Are you ready for this battle, Kenshin?" Emotions were masked behind his boring façade.

"Yes, master. I'm prepared for anything at this point. Take care, and thank you for everything." I ended my conversation with him by turning on my heels and dashing off into the night.

I walked back into the city. It was still nighttime yet there were so many people out and about. I thought to myself if everything was going to be all right.

Meanwhile…

Normal POV

Sano and Yahiko woke up the next morning finding no Kenshin or Kaoru in the Kamiya dojo.

"Dammit!" Sano punched the wall. "I knew we should have stayed up! Now that Kenshin's gone, how are we going to find him?" He stared at Yahiko.

"Don't blame me! I didn't do anything!" Yahiko put one hand on his hips and the other hand pointed a finger at Sano.

"Well, there's no point in blaming each other. We should go check with Megumi before we head out and try to find Kenshin and Kaoru." Sano pursed his lips together.

Yahiko nodded and ran to the training room to find his bokken. It was leaning on the wall next to the door. He left it there for the morning when him and Kaoru usually practiced. This was no usual day, and certainly no usual situation.

Sano grabbed a few of his belongings before calling to Yahiko and sprinting out the door.

"Do you have any clue as to where they might be, Sano?" Yahiko questioned.

Sano scrunched his eyebrows together in deep thought. "Well, the last battle I can remember is from that snake, Shishio." He stopped to think about any other enemies before he went on. "But, that's impossible. We know he died." Sano had a feeling that it might've been Shishio that kidnapped Kaoru, but brushed it off.

Yahiko stared up at Sano as they were sprinting to Megumi's. He could sense something wasn't wrong, but he decided not to speak up.

'Kaoru, Kenshin, where are you?' Yahiko squeezed his eyes together, hoping that when he opened his eyes they would pop out right in front of them. Unfortunately, no one did. He heavily sighed and continued to run with Sano. "After Megumi's, we should head over to Dr. Genzai's and maybe even the Akabeko just to make sure, Sano."

"Mmm…" Was all Sano could say at the moment.

OK, seriously? I suck at writing long chapters.

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