Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin

Warnings: This chapter might seem to go be a little fast pace. It's because I skipped the none important parts. So stick with me, kay?

Enjoy!

From Opposite Ends Of The Earth

Chapter 10: The Silence and The Snoring

Kenshin froze. "W-wh...?"

"I need to send a reply to him...and that reply will be you."

Kenshin couldn't seem to choose an expression. He was confused but excited that he'd get to see Kaoru again. His face suddenly broke out in laughter. He couldn't stop. He just kept laughing. Hiko stared at his aprentice and shook his head in chuckles. "You're hopless."

The younger boy eventually stopped laughing. He looked up at his sensei with excitement. "So when do I leave?" Seijuro thought to himself. "I don't know...it's an emergency to stop him..so I'd say you wait until next month."

Kenshin was too happy to even make an response to that ignorant statement. He ran past the older man. "Thank you sensei!", he yelled out cheerfully while climbing the stairs. When he arrived at his room, he rushed to his closet and packed as much stuff as he could. He didn't even care if they matched or not.

A maid walked in to find him throwing everything from his closet into a single suitcase. She crossed her arms. "Master Himura?"

He shook, frightened and looked at her. "Yes?"

"I will finish your packing. Sir. Hiko wishes to speak with you." Kenshin nodded and walked out of his room. He slowly jogged down the stairs, wondering what more his sensei needed to tell him. At the foot of the stars, Seijuro stood talking with two boys. Both looked around Kenshin's age.

One looked like a murderer with an eye patch over one of his eyes. His long black hair was in a high ponytail and was wrapped with a Blue and black bandana.He wore a navy blue t-shirt which seemed to have had the sleeves ripped off and greyish-white pants on. His eyes reminded Kenshin of himself when he looked in the miror with anger. A cold blue.

The other was slightly shorter and didn't look as stubborn. He was dressed in a yellow jacket with his muscles revealed. His belt was cloth-like and it wrapped around his waist very comfortably. He wore what looked like white slacks and kung-fu shoes. His eyes weren't cold but a darkish yellow color. Not yet a wolf...but close to it. And his blackish-brown hair was spiked up and he had the same bandana wrapped around his forhead as the other boy.

When Kenshin stepped down, the gaurds wore a surprised face. As if they expected someone more high in standard to approach them. Kenshin stared at them, confused. He then turned to Hiko. "You called for me, sensei?"

"Yes. I'd like you to meet Haku (boy in the blue) and Kiro (boy in the yellow). These boys will gaurd you to and from your journey in Japan. They aren't the only one's though. I've stationed the highest trained professionals in Japan to watch out for you during your stay there as well. So expect them."

The boys seemed to feel more disgusted now. Kenshin glared at them. "Wonderful. Why can't I just go by myself?"

"My step-brother may be a fool and a coward...but his partner's aren't, his henchman are much stronger than you think. Even with your skill...you can't do it alone. I have to stay here and gaurd that ornament. If something is descovered about it, I have to be here to know. And they'll be expecting you."

A maid then came upon them. She bowed to each of them and set Kenshin's stuff in a closet. She walked away soon after. Hiko turned back to them. "Alright brat, you're leaving on the 9:00 flight tomorrow. So I suggest you say your farwells to your friends. You realize that when you are in premisis of the Tokugawa Company of Japan, you mustn't make any phone calls unless to contact me, or another agent. The only way that you can be safe is if you don't risk them tracking you. And don't go calling Ms. Kamiya. She works there, in that Company as you said. They can easily track you down that way."

"But...what about if I call her at her house? Or a friend's? They can't track me down that way."

"Maybe not. But still...I don't want you taking any chances, you got that?" Kenshin glared at him. Why is it that just when something good happens, there's always something bad to go along? Kenshin dispised irony.

About three minutes later, Kenshin was getting ready for bed. Haku and Kiro were standing beside his bed. Haku stood still as if in a secret agency while Kiro walked over and sat on a beenbag chair near Kenshin's bed. He walked out of the bathroom in nothing but boxers. He looked over to see them and screamed.

He tried his best to cover himself with his arms. They just stared. "What's your freakin' problem! Your job isn't to spy on me when I'm dressing or undressing! What do you think your doing!" Haku looked away. Niko started laughing. "Oh please! We wouldn't wanna see you undressed if your sensei paid us! And we're more of the...girl type if ya know what I mean." Kenshin froze.

"...So what are you doing in here?" He stood up. "Master Hiko told us to watch over you. That means all the time. Including when you sleep. He wantted us to get practice before we enter Japanese terriroy. In Japan, they have some of the most strongest and slippery men in the world. Samurai's are still around you know. We have a job and we plan to do it. Whether we want to or not."

Boy, these gaurds were sure not afraid to speak their thoughts. Well not the patched one. He seemed to not care what we were saying. He merely stood there like a colored statue. Kenshin sighed a painful sigh and tucked himself in. He tried to go to sleep for a while but found himself too annoyed by the boys' very presence to do so. So he turned on his bed.

Haku was staring at the window from a chair and Kiro was fast asleep on the beenbag chair. Drooling and snoring...and everything. Kenshin's mouth formed a straight line and his eyes went along with it. How can such an idiotic teenage boy be trusted with his life? Did he make a mistake in agreeing to go to Japan. He wanted to help but didn't want to get caught. And with that Kiro guy...and his snoring...anyone could track them down.

--------------------------

Kenshin had woken up quickly the next morning. He'd gotten a head start in the shower and getting himself fixed up for the day. As well as Kiro and Haku. They had been given clothes that resembled Kenshin's to wear. They were undercover after all. They had to blend in with the crowd.

After breakfast and the usual greetings from maids and butlers, Kenshin and his body gaurds stepped into the waiting limo. It drove off in a pacey manner. They were at the school in no time at all.

Haku and Kiro curiously watched the people that walked past Kenshin. Checking everyone...every object they had or wore. Kiro seemed to be quite interested in the girls that walked by. Haku on the other hand...was silent and very observant. He didn't take anyone for granted.

Suddenly a car , followed by another approaches them. Instantly, Kiro and Haku's eyes study it. They didn't seem to blink. Just staring...watching... Two figures stepped out of one car. It was Sanosuke and Akira. The two boys examined each other silently. Sanosuke walked closer to Kenshin and got a glare from Haku.

"Woe...who're the tall, dark, and scaries?"

Kenshin looked at them. He gave them a back-off look. "It's okay you guys. These two are my friends. They won't hurt me." Kiro looked at him and then back at Sanosuke. "Whatever. But don't expect Haku here to lighten up." Akira turned his attention to him. Haku...that name...sounds so ...familiar. He jumped to find Sanosuke poking him on the shoulder.

"You alright?"

"Huh? Yeah..I'm fine." He glanced at Haku again who was staring an suspicious stare towards him. Now another car was in front of them. And as before, Haku and Kiro searched for any signs of danger as the girl stepped out and began to walk towards Kenshin. Her dark eyes fell on them. She stood beside Akira. "Who are they?" Kenshin sighed. "They are Haku and Kiro. They're my body gaurds until I am to return." They all stared at him.

"Return? Return from where?..."

0-0-0-0-0

Kaoru opened her eyes to the bright sun shining through her bedroom blinds. She sheepishly rubbed her eyes and got up off of the bed. She'd gotten so used to living so perfectly, that now when she awoken, it seemed to be in a different place. No more crystal clear windows, no sparkly mirors, no beautifull bedsheets, and definately no gorgous bathrooms with fresh towels every day. You'd think since you've lived like a certain way for a long time, that you wouldn't see it differently when you came back from loving in a different place for a shorter time.

But there was nothing she could do about that now. This is how she lives. Not everyone can have a Himura life.

Hmm...Himura...I wonder how their doing. I wonder if he's upset or sad...( she brushed her hair.)...yeah right. Kenshin wouldn't care. He probably didn't even notice the letter. And if he did...he should've forgotten me by now. I guess him and Tomoe are back on track again...Tomoe... She clenched the brush in her hands.

"Tomoe...yeah...they've probably gotten practicaly married by now. Me and my kindness..." She set the brush downa and removed her shirt. She continued to undress until she was ready to step into the bathtub. She turned the Hot knob and let it fill the tub. Kaoru looked at her knees. "Yeah...they are meant for each other. I couldn't break that up."

Her head lifted itself.

"But I won't let that bring me down. Kenshin is my past now. Japan is my future. I have to consentrate on the important things. Like my job. I have that...Misao...my family...and hopefully Seta-san to keep my spirits up. I don't need him...never again."

She glanced down and the bath was filling up pretty quickly. She reached for a bottle of bubbles and poured some in. Soon the water began to suds itself. Kaoru stepped in and sat down. A deep sigh of relief came upon her. This is so relaxing, she thought. Just what she needed for a stress-filled morning.

----------------

A loud horn was heard and Kaoru picked up her purse. She quickly tied her hair up into a high ponytail and rushed out the door, locking it behind her.

When she got downstairs, Misao was waiting in her car. As she told her before, her car was broken so Misao drove her to work until it was fixed. She ran over to it and got in, grinning at her friend. "Konnichiwa!" Misao nodded. "Konnichiwa. So are you ready to get back to work?"

Kaoru sighed and nodded. "I don't really have a choice. But I guess I need something to do when I'm bored. And I don't get allouence anymore so...unfortunately...yes." Her friend broke out in giggles.

"True..." She started the car and the drove smoothly. Kaoru looked out the side window.

"Everything looks so... ... ...weird, now."

"Well you still need alittle time to get used to it again, I guess. After living the rich life, it is a drag to come back to something so less...but in some ways...this life is better. No stubborn rich folks tolook down on you." Kaoru frowned. "That is true."

---------(30 minutes later)

They arrived at what seemed like an old mansion. It kind of reminded Kaoru of the Hiko mansion just...rotten-looking. It was black in color with yellowish broken windows. Well two or three of them were. Sometimes you would wonder how that would be considered at factory when it looks lik a haunted mansion.

Misao stopped the car in front of it and waited for Kaoru to step out. When she did, Misao greeted her a good day and drove off. Kaoru turned to face the factory. Tall trees were set on each side of the place perfectly.

She walked toward the door and grabbed the handle, pulling it towards her.

0-0-0-0-0

Kenshin sighed. "I have to go to Japan." Tomoe was the first with fear in her voice to answer. "What! What do you mean...Japan...your moving?"

Kenshin shook his head. "No. I'm just going there to deliver a message to a client of my senseis. They stared with bewilderment. Sanosuke put his hands in his pockets and smirked. "Your're a copycat." Kenshin looked at him. At first with confusion but then he returned his smile and chuckled. "Yes, well...I'm not going there for that really. I mean that's what I had in mind but...I still have to do business for my sensei."

Tomoe ran up to him. "Kenshin...no...you can't leave. You can't! I won't let you!" She started to shake him, getting fierce grabs from Kiro and Haku. They held her back as she tried to get loose from them. Kenshin raise his hands in defense. "She alright, guys. Cool it, willya?"

Kiro laughed. "Yeah as mush as you need a beating...I have a job to do and unfortunately, your safety is in Haku and I's hands. And we won't take a chance in letting you get the slightest scratch or we're gonna get nailed by Mater Hiko...Literally." They shook at the thought. They released her any how. She straightened her skirt.

"Kenshin...why...is it to see Kamiya?"

Kenshin looked away. As did Tomoe. She pulled out a peice of paper from her sweatshirt pocket. She unfolded it and held it out to Kenshin. Akira stood silent and by Sanosuke. Kenshin took it an dheld it close to his face. It read:

Dear Tomoe,

I've been such a bother to everyone...but mostly a bother to you. I came here and tried to steal your boyfriend away from you.I didn't realize that I was doing it until you two got farther apart. I didn't know that I would cause such problems between you. I thought that me and Akira were going to be seperate from you and Kenshin. I couldn't be with Akira actually either. I was only there for a week. But don't worry. I won't be a bother to you anymore from now on. I'm leaving. It's the only thing I can do to get you and Kenshin's life back to the normal way it was. Have a good life and tell Sanosuke I said goodbye.

Kamiya Kaoru

Kenshin's hands began to shiver, shake, and tremble. So she wrote a note to both of them. Appologizing for something they did. She blamed all of this on herself. He handed the note back to her. "And that's the reason I must leave as well."

"..." (from all of them)

"She blames our mistakes and problems on herself. I can't let her feel that way. It's our fault she's miserable. And I'm going to fix this. You mean a lot to me, Tomoe...but Kaoru...I need to tell her it's okay...that she doesn't have to blame herself. She's not responsible. I have to or I'll never forgive myself."

There was along silence after that but Akira spoke up with pride.

"Well then...I guess we better do something fun. You're leaving tonight for a vacation after all."

Sanosuke and Tomoe smiled. It brung a bit of sadness to all of their faces but Kenshin, Kiro and even Haku seemed to smile. He nodded. "Right."

-------------(After school, 3:20 p.m.)

Haku and Kiro stood beside Kenshin as he turned to his friends. He walked up to Akira and gave him a hug. "Be careful." He nodded. Next he went to Tomoe. She had tears in her eyes. "I don't understand why..." her tears choked her. It prevented her from speaking clearly. Kenshin just smiled. "I must, Tomoe. I'm coming back right after my goal is accomplished.

He hugged. She tightened her grip, almost not wanting to let go. "Tell that Kamiya..." They all looked at her.

"Tell her...thank you."

He smiled. "I will." And finally, he walked to Sanosuke's face. "You sure your ready for this, man?" Kenshin slightly nodded. "Yeah, I think I am." Sano shook his head. "No, man. No, you gotta be READY. Noe. You gottta KNOW, man!" Kenshin hugged his friend. Sanosuke tried to hold back his fears and worries. He hugged him back.

They released each other. Sanosuke smiled as if he'd just thought of something. "I'll see ya later." Kenshin didn't understand what he meant by that but he agreed anyway. "Yeah. Later." With that, he and his body gaurds hopped into the waiting limo and drove off towards the Hiko mansion.

When they arrived there, A lot more butlers and maids than ever before seen were waiting for them. They stepped out of the car and Kenshin looked in confusion. "Wowe.", he said.

Hiko suddenly approched him from the front of the crowd with two suitcases. He handed them to the younger boy. Kenshin took them and looked up. "Sensei...it's only 4:00. Why are you handing me my stuff five hours early?

Seijuro smirked. "The pilot of the plane you were supposed to be on, supposedly got ill. And there's another pilot willing to fly you. But he gets off tomorrow morning...so If you wanna get there by tonight, then I suggest you get going." Haku and Kiro looked at them. Kenshin thought to himself. "...I guess I better get this thing over with, ha?"

Hiko nodded, giving his apprentice a light nuggy. Kenshin playfully tried to get free. When his sensei let him go, his eyes started to water slightly. He pushed him towards Kiro. "Go now. Japan is waiting. And you better not be married when you come back here, you got that?" The younger boy glanced at him. He saw his sensei's watering eyes.

Hiko was a very strong man when it came tobeating the life out of people or giving them a hard time...but when it came on to saying goodbye...he couldn't hold his tears back. But he was fighting. Kenshin nodded. "I'll be single...maybe. The Tokugawa Company of Japan will change. I'll make sure of it, sensei." With that, He, followed by his two bodygaurds, stepped back into the limo.

After a two minute wait for the butlers to pack all of the boys' stuff, the limo drove off.

Kenshin stared out of the window as his home became smaller and smaller...more distant until he could no longer see it. He was leaving America...he's never left America. He's left the state...but never the nation. He opened his move and closed his eyes.

"You have my word, sensei."

To Be Continued...

A/N: Hiyas! Did ya like that? Yeah..again, it's pacey but...I skipped the none important parts so it seems that way. Seeya next chapter! And don't forget my weekly prize from you all...my REVIEW