Good morning everyone (yes it's 4 am here Y.Y ) I can't believe I have finally managed to finish this chapter, you won't believe how hard it was to write it :S I did not think that two Kenshins in one story would be so complex, but I hope this chapter will be easy to follow for all the readers.

nijiryuu: Though your speculation about the ending is good, mine is nowhere near it. To be honest I have three endings for this story, one is happy, one is bitter-sweet and the other is so sad that even I cry when I think about it! But this sad ending is the original ending which I invented two years ago when I had first thought of this fic. However, I'm still debating which one to choose / But it's still too early to end this story.

About the fighting style of Kenshin, thanks for all those who answered my question, but I must admit I'm a total failure when it comes down to fighting techniques. I usually leave those things for my brother to explain! I prefer the normal sword fighting and that's the reason I resolved to it in this chapter.

For this chap I want everyone to keep in mind that even our kind and gentle rurouni has a Battousai side in him.

Edit: I'm not sure about the year in which the anime started but I think it's 1878, correct me if I'm wrong please.

Chapter 11: The beginning of the truth

Kaoru unconsciously dropped the bag, the items rolled on the ground, when she took in the looks of this man. A white hakama, a pink gi, long red hair tied in a low ponytail. Her legs moved on its own accord and took a single step forward.

"Kenshin"

The man, whom Kaoru recognised as Kenshin, smiled gently at her. "Kaoru-dono."

Just as her name left his mouth, Kaoru suddenly realised how much she missed him, how much she missed hearing him saying her name in the polite manner he always used. So she took another step toward him and another until she found herself running to him.

The rurouni strode to meet her with open arms and once she was close, he embraced her warmly. They stayed in each other arms for few moments before Kaoru spoke.

"How?...When?" Kaoru was now looking at him, her eyes glittering with tears.

"It's a long story, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin's voice was so warm that Kaoru felt it within her heart, "more importantly what about you..."

"Who is that man?" the young assassin, whose presence was momently forgotten by the two, spoke with cold voice that barely covered his shock. Yes he was shocked at the vast resemblance between himself and the man whose arms now lay casually around Kaoru's waist. "Who are you?" he repeated more firmly this time, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

Kaoru turned her head toward the younger Kenshin, "Kenshin this is..."

"I am not an enemy," the rurouni said in a loud voice.

The younger Kenshin was more shocked now. His voice...his voice is similar to mine. It was almost the same voice, but the rouroni's voice was deeper and calmer and did not possess the cold and indifferent tone which always accompanied his own voice.

"You did not answer my question!" the assassin retorted angrily.

The other Kenshin could see clearly why only the mention of Battousai's name could send wave of terror among many people. The aura around the young man, who stood few yards away, was dangerous. He could see confusion in his eyes, and though he tried to conceal it, shock was written on his features. It wasn't that the rurouni was in a better condition. Despite his calm appearance, his heart felt heavy at the sight of the amber-eyed man. It was like the man from his daily nightmares came to life. He felt as if he was living one of his nightmares, and he bitterly thought that it might not be far from the truth.

"Take me to Katsura-san," the rurouni said after a while, "you shall have your answers then."

The younger Kenshin, no longer capable of withstanding the confusion and pressure, charged suddenly toward the rurouni after unsheathing his sword.

The older Kenshin had foreseen this, so he gently pushed Kaoru to one side and ran to parry his attack.

"No Kenshin!" Kaoru herself did not know which one of the two she was calling. Her eyes were wide with terror as she observed the fight which was feebly lit by the pale light of the moon.

"How do you know Katsura-san?" the assassin barked as he delivered another strike at the rurouni's side. It was true that Katsura was well-known across Japan. But that stranger spoke his name as though he knew him personally. The younger Kenshin was no longer thinking clearly. Shock after shock was bestowed upon him in the last ten minutes. First was the appearance of this man, whose looks were similar to his. Then his acquaintance with Kaoru, who called him Kenshin and lastly his swordsmanship, which so much resembled his own, that the assassin thought this stranger could read his mind. This was too much for him to take, so he resolve to the only language by which he can freely express his feelings.

The language of the sword.

"I said," the rurouni replied firmly, "I will explain everything when..." he blocked another attack aimed at his right shoulder. All he could do now is block and parry the other man's wild strikes as he thought of what to do next. He couldn't simply say I am you, ten years from now that would make him more aggressive. Kenshin conclude that the best thing to do was to beat him in this fight so he could force him to submit to his request. So he gathered all his strength and charged. He delivered blow after another, which made the younger Kenshin take few steps backwards, awed by the force of the rurouni's strikes. But just then the younger Kenshin noted something.

"Are you mocking me?" the assassin hissed as he narrowed his amber eyes at him, "fighting with such sword," he drew back and jerked his head toward the rurouni's sword.

"This might be a reversed edge sword," the older Kenshin stated in a steady voice, "but it's a weapon nonetheless," and he lunged at him before sweeping his sword toward his neck.

The rurouni thought that the younger Kenshin would avoid his slashing strike, and he did but was a moment too late. So the sharp point of the rurouni's sword slashed across his left cheek in a short cut as he duck low, this did not bother the young assassin, even as he felt the blood trickling down his cheek.

The rurouni drew back, shocked at the sight of the fresh scar he made.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried out and strode toward the younger Kenshin.

"Don't interfere!" he snapped angrily at her, making Kaoru freeze on her place.

"Don't talk to her like that," the rurouni recovered from his shock when he heard the tone in which the other Kenshin addressed Kaoru.

The younger Kenshin glared at him. "I can talk to her however I wish," and he charged more forcefully than before. The rurouni ward off each one of his attacks but was forced to move backwards by the sheer force of his strength. But then, seeing an opening at the left side of the assassin, he swiftly swept his sword, hoping to knock him over.

However, the younger Kenshin was ready for that. Instead of drawing back as the rurouni hoped, he braced his shoulders and swung his weight forward. He averted the sweeping strike and used the impetus of his charge to send a straight thrust at the rurouni's heart. The rurouni leaped backwards in the last minuet to avoid the fatal blow. Then he gathered himself and lunged again. They came together as the younger Kenshin blocked the rurouni's thrust.

Now being so close, the younger Kenshin could see clearly the features of the rurouni, more specifically he saw the scar which glazed his left cheek. And he realised with extreme shock that it was exactly the same scar as Kaoru's.

A cross shaped scar.

So for a brief moment, he stood staring at the scar, just for a moment. However, that short moment was all the rurouni could ask for in order to put an end to this fight. He moved down, almost kneeling, and with a loud cry, swept his sakabato in a great arch, striking the younger Kenshin on the abdomen.

The younger Kenshin gasped and doubled over before he fell on one knee. His left hand clutched his abdomen while the other still held the sword vertically to support himself. Still, he was not about to give up. So he raised his head and was about to stand but immediately checked himself, for he was staring directly at the point of the rurouni's sword.

"You've lost," the rurouni said sternly and, seeing the rebellious look in the assassin's eyes, added coldly, "I could have killed you just a moment ago by reversing my blade, but I didn't."

The younger Kenshin glared at him, his eyes flashed with fury. He could not believe that he had lost. Still, what the stranger was saying was fair and he had to consent to his demand. So, to show his defeat, he merely turned his head away, clenching his fists tightly.

Kaoru ran to the younger Kenshin's side and knelt beside him. "Kenshin, are you all right? Does your wound hurt?" she meant the wound which he received the week before "Kenshin?" she said when he did not answer.

Suddenly the assassin whipped his head toward her, and Kaoru was taken back by the intensity and hostility of his stare. His golden orbs glowed with anger, which she felt was directed at her, and maybe this was true because he suddenly pushed her roughly away from him and rose to his feet.

"I will take you to Katsura-san," and he started to walk.

The rurouni helped the shocked Kaoru to her feet. Even in her daze, Kaoru noted how hard his hold on her upper arms was. She saw that he was not looking at her, but was glaring after the retreating Kenshin.

Kaoru could not help but to shiver, though not from the cold, but from thel premonition of some awful events that will follow this fateful day.

"The future?" Katsura's voice was no more than a whisper, "you come from the future," he said each word ever so slowly, as if to allow his mind a much needed time to process the great meaning of these words.

Katsura was sitting on the head of the room behind a low table, while Kenshin was to his left and Kaoru and the man who looked like Kenshin were sitting next to each other to the right.

"I know it's hard to believe," the older Kenshin said in a calm and steady voice, "I did not believe it myself when I discovered I was in Bakumatsu 1864. Me and Kaoru-dono came from Tokyo the year 1878"

"Katsura-san," the other Kenshin protested, "don't believe his words, he must be an imposture."

"An imposture, you say?" Kenshin stared at his younger self, "you saw it yourself, wasn't my fighting style similar to yours? Or to Hiko Seijuro?"

The younger Kenshin stared at him with disbelief how did he know?

"Do you need more proof? What about Sakura-san?"

Kaoru, whose head was bowed all this time, raised her head now. Kenshin's voice was different, it was not the usual kind rurouni's voice, his tone was cold and harsh.

The younger Kenshin could only stare at the man who looked just like him. That red head stranger knew things that he had not told anyone. Could it be that he is saying the truth? But Kenshin still refused to believe that this man was himself from the future.

"Himura-san," Katsura was addressing his assassin, "please just let us hear his story."

The younger Kenshin looked at Katsura for few moments before nodding curtly.

Kaoru was now looking at the younger Kenshin. She thought it must be hard for him, to come face to face with a man who claimed to be himself. Kaoru wanted him to look at her, to at least acknowledge her, but he totally ignored her presence, staring at the rurouni instead.

"How did you come to find yourself here?" Katsura asked.

"It would be better to start from the beginning," Kenshin said, shifting slightly, "about three months ago Kaoru-dono disappeared."

"If I recall rightly, Kamiya-san had been with us for three months. Isn't that right, Himura-san? You encountered her in one of your missions?"

Again the younger Kenshin only nodded.

"As I said she had disappeared one night and we had no idea where she went to, I asked the people in town if they had seen Kaoru-dono, I even informed the police and Sano, our friend, asked his many friends to lend a hand. Still all this was futile, days turned into weeks and weeks into months. And it was almost two months after, when despair was slowly creeping to my heart, that an idea sprung to my mind. The possibility that Eni..."

At that moment, the shoji door was slid open, cutting Kenshin off. All the occupants of the room turned toward the door to see a man, whom the younger Kenshin recognized as one of his comrades, standing by the door.

"I had specifically asked not to be interrupted," Katsura said with a deep frown.

"Pardon me, Katsura-sama," the man said with a bow, "but the prisoner had spoken." This prisoner was one of the masked men, whom the younger Kenshin was wise enough to drag for interrogation.

"What did he say?" Katsura asked.

"He said that they are not from Shinsengumi, but a mere band of outlaws," the man answered.

"A band of outlaws?" Katsura was surprised, "what would they gain by attacking Himura-san?"

"According the prisoner, the order to attack Battousai came from someone else. This order came from a man who called himself Enishi."

The older Kenshin felt Kaoru go tense beside him "Enishi?" this time it was Kaoru who spoke. "Ensihi?" she repeated, as if to make sure her ears did not deceive her. Her trembling hands clutched her kimono tightly and fear was written all over her face.

"Do you know him, Kamiya-san?" Katsura asked upon seeing her reaction.

Kaoru opened her mouth to speak but did not find the strength to answer.

The rurouni placed his hand over Kaoru's, wanting to reassure her, Kaoru looked at his calm violet eyes, he did not seem surprised at what they had just heard.

"Kaoru-dono it's all right," he nodded at her and squeezed her hand gently before he turned toward the man at door. "Did you get his last name? I mean this man Enishi."

"We tried to force the prisoner to admit, but he swore that he did not know his last name, because this Enishi refused to give them any," he paused, thinking, "though he described his appearance which is, according to him, peculiar."

"Continue," Katsura urged him when he stopped.

"He said that this Enishi was a very tall young man with broad shoulders, but what was strange was the fact that he had a silver hair, almost white, and wore small spectacles, even his clothes were different from ours," the man finished.

Kaoru shuddered when she heard these descriptions.

"What kind of man is that? A foreigner? " Katsura seemed suspicious, "are you sure the prisoner was not lying?"

"He's not lying" it was the older Kenshin who spoke, "I can guarantee that" and he turned to the man at the door "thank you for your help, Kawagami-san."

The man, whose name was not mentioned till now, looked puzzledly at the rorouni, "do I know you?" Kawagami had noticed the similarity between Battousai and this redhead man, but it did not occur to him they they were the same person.

The older Kenshin only smiled, a smile he gave when he did not want to answer.

Kawagami bowed and excused himself.

For a moment everyone was silent. The younger Kenshin's amber eyes were fixed on Kaoru, more precisely on her lab, where her hand was still covered by the rurouni's.

"I believe you know this man, whose name is Enishi?" Katsura asked.

"Yes," the older Kenshin said, "and it's not a surprise to me that he's here. If I'm not mistaken me and him were transferred to this time together."

Kaoru whipped her head toward him when he finished.

"Yes, Kaoru-dono," he looked at her with kind eyes, "when you had disappeared the possibility that you were taken by Enishi, again, held some validity, so I searched for him and challenged him. He did not deny nor did he confirm my suspicion. And he came to your place where we fought again, this time inside the dojo. I admit, my actions were rash and unplanned. I was blinded by the thought of Enishi hurting you again, and this was reflected in my fighting. Enishi managed to wound me and it was at that moment strange things started to happen," he paused, trying to find the right words to describe what happened. "I can't say I remember much since I was slightly dizzy with blood loss, but the best way to describe it is as though I was falling through an endless pit, then colliding with an invisible thing. That is vaguely what I remember before finding myself in a deserted dojo."

Kaoru reflected silently how his description was similar to what she felt when she had reached this time.

"You said," the younger Kenshin, who was listening attentively to his story, pointed "that you challenged that man two months after her-" he gestured with his head towards Kaoru "-disappearance, so what were you doing during the remaining month?"

"As I said I was wounded," the rurouni stared directly into his eyes "and my wound was serious so after I left the dojo I collapsed on the road and was found by a man, who took care of my wound."

"So Enishi, is your enemy. What grudge does he hold against you?" Katsura asked.

"That is another long story, which I prefer not to talk about now," Kenshin smiled apologetically, "this subject is too painful for both me and Kaoru-dono."

Kaoru wanted to tell Kenshin about Akira, but she thought it would be better to leave it for later.

Katsura opened his mouth to ask something, but he hesitate at the last moment.

"I know what you're about to ask, Katsura-san," the older Kenshin smiled, "you want to know if Ishin shishi will win, if the emperor will be restored to power."

Katsura smiled, "you know me too well, Himura-san."

"All I can tell you that ten years from now, in the time where me and Kaoru-dono are living, Japan is a peaceful country, a place where people live happily, but" Kenshin paused, looking at Kaoru "you did change few things, right, Kaoru-dono?"

Kaoru hesitated for a moment before answering. "I only meant to help."

"I understand your motives, Kaoru-dono," he smiled gently at her before looking back at Katsura "During my stay with the old man, I asked him about Gion festival and what he told me was different from what I had lived through."

"What do you mean?" Katsura asked.

"What I mean is, during Gion festival Kyoto was supposed to be burned, many of Ishin shishi members were supposed to die during the attack on the previous inn," Katsura looked at Kenshin with shocked expression. "Yes Katsura-san you were to flee Kyoto temporarily and remain hidden for a while, and," now he looked at the younger Kenshin "I, which means you, was supposed to leave Kyoto."

"I would never leave Kyoto and abandon Katsura-san"

Kenshin shock his head with an ironic smile, "back then things were different," he thought of Tomoe but...he looked at Kaoru, whose eyes where fixed on the younger Kenshin, and noted the way she looked at him...but I can't say that things are much different.

Silence fell upon the room.

During the few moments of silence, Katsura was contemplating what to ask. So many questions raced across his mind that he did not know which one to ask. But then the rurouni's hand, which was still on Kaoru's, caught his attention "You and Kamiya-san are..."

The older Kenshin looked at his own hand before understanding Katsura's words. "I have been living with Kaoru-dono for more than a year. She accepted me in her dojo despite my past," he patted her soft hand before retreating his own.

At that moment, out of a sudden, the younger Kenshin stood abruptly. "Excuse me Katsura-san," he bowed curtly to Katsura, "I would like to retire for now," and not waiting for permission, he headed to the door.

"Kenshin," Kaoru called him, but he simply ignored her and stepped out of the room. She also rose to her feet and went after him.

"No doubts, things will be peculiar from now on," Katsura voiced his thoughts loudly "now that there are two Himuras."

The rurouni did not say anything, his eyes where sharply fixed on the door.

"Kenshin..." Kaoru had managed to catch up with Kenshin. She stood on the porch waiting for him to stop, but he Kept walking as though she had not called him at all. So she called again as she descended down the porch. "Kenshin."

Now he stopped, but did not turn to face her. Kaoru took few, slow steps toward him but stopped when he spoke.

"All this time," he spoke in low voice as the wind lifted his crimson hair, "I was some kind of an alternative, a substitute for that man."

"No," Kaoru shook her head although he could nor see her, "I did not think of you in that way."

"When did you plan to tell me the truth?" Kenshin snapped and span to face her, as though she had not spoken.

"I..." Kaoru felt unable to respond under his cold stare. She hadn't thought that he would ever direct such look at her, "I planned to tell you the truth, but..."

"But you didn't expect him to appear suddenly, thus exposing your lies so soon."

Kaoru was silent because there was some truth in his words.

"What's the matter? Can't you think of something to say?" he waited only a moment for her to reply, and when she didn't, he turned again and started to walk away, "as I thought you have no excuse."

"Are angry only because I lied?" Kaoru asked this because she felt he seemed mad for another reason, "if that so, then I'm sorry. I've never meant to lie to you."

"But you have," he said calmly as he continue to walk away.

"I...I love you" Kaoru said in a soft voice, hopping to reach his heart. And when she felt him stop, her eyes sparkled with renewed hope.

Although he halted, Kenshin did not turn to face her. "I don't love liars" his tone was empty of any kind of emotion.

Kaoru's eyes were wide and she reached her trembling hand towards him when he started to walk again, the pearl bracelet was shining in the moonlight "Kenshin..." she called again but he continue to walk without even a glance toward her.

Kaoru lowered her hand and stared sadly at the bracelet.

Then, she bowed her head and wept.

The next day.

Kenshin came to Kaoru's room late in the afternoon.

"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin called as he stood near her door, "may I come in?"

He heard some movements before she answered, "yes Kenshin come in."

Kenshin slid the door open and stepped in. He observed that Kaoru was still in her sleeping yakata and was sitting on her futon. Her raven tresses were free, falling to her back.

"Were you sleeping, Kaoru-dono?" asked Kenshin as he closed the door. A quick glance toward her made him aware of how different she was. she looked tired, as if she hadn't had enough sleep the night before.

"No, no, it's just that I feel so lazy today," she replied, watching Kenshin settling near her futon.

Kenshin smiled tenderly at her. "How was your life here? have you been comfortable?"

"Yes," she answered with a weak smile, "everyone was nice to me. The girls were all welcoming and friendly, specially Mizuki-san. Even Katsura-san was nice and treated me well, despite everything. And..." Kaoru paused, thinking for a moment, before she changed the subject, "how is Yahiko and Sano?" she asked with a forced smile.

Kenshin regarded her with sharp eyes, he was aware of her attempt to change the subject. "Yahiko-chan spent most of his time with Tsubame-chan and Tae-dono. He scarcely came to the dojo the last month I was there. Sano dropped by from time to time. And he helped me great deal in looking for you," he reached his hand placed it over hers "everyone is so worried about you, Kaoru-dono."

Kaoru stared at his violet eyes, and couldn't help but to feel guilty, so she averted her gaze. Her friends had been worried about her, and she had not made any effort to go back to her time. She even thought of settling here and spending her days with Kenshin.

How selfish I am. Kaoru thought bitterly.

"That's why," Kenshin continued in a firm voice, "we have to go back."

Kaoru looked at him quickly at the mention of going back.

"Go back?"

"Yes, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin eyes never left her azure orbs, "this is not our time nor our place. We don't know what consequences our presence will have on the future, so we have to go back to our time, to our friends," he squeezed her hand, "to your home."

"But how?" Kaoru asked, her heart racing, "do you know how to go back?"

"I don't know for sure, but I believe the dojo, in which I found myself, forms some kind of connection between this time and ours. So we will go there, and hopefully things will work out."

Kaoru bowed her head. She was shocked. The thought of going back suddenly seemed so painful and she felt an unbearable weight on her heart.

What about Kenshin? She meant the younger one. The thought of leaving him, never to see him again, made her heart ache.

Those painful thoughts were interrupted when she felt Kenshin's fingers under her chin, raising her head slowly.

"You understand, Kaoru," Kaoru did not even noticed that he dropped the -dono-, for she was looking into his eyes, which were no longer pure violet, she could see golden colour swilling with the violet as if battling to for domination. "You understand" he repeated "that we don't belong here, that you don't belong to this time. So we have to go back as soon as possible," as he said those words, Kenshin was edging closer to Kaoru until he was almost on the futon with her. His hand moved to her cheek, caressing it tenderly. Kaoru could feel his head leaning closer to her own until she felt his breath.

He was so close.

His mouth was so close to hers and Kaoru went rigid, she did not even blink. However, when his mouth was less than an inch away, she suddenly, almost reflexly, bowed her head.

Kenshin blinked rapidly "Kaoru..."

"I...I'm sorry Kenshin," Kaoru did not look at him.

Kenshin stared at her before pressing his lips on her forehead, in a swift kiss. Then he wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace, "never mind, Kaoru-dono," he murmured against her forehead.

Kaoru thought that she was supposed to feel warm, to feel happy and joyful, because this was the Kenshin she cared for and held dear to her heart. So why did she feel as though she was immersed in a fog of loneliness?

She felt empty.

As for Kenshin, he could feel the girl in his arm as still as a marble statue. And he was not surprised by her reaction.

After all Kenshin had seen everything.

He had seen her in town, hugging the younger Kenshin, had seen the way he looked at her and above all he had seen their passionate kiss near the river, before the attack of the masked men.

I will not allow it.

Yes he will not allow Kaoru fall in love with the younger Kenshin and end up like Tomoe. His mind was set.

He would take her out of this time very soon.

Just as the sun was setting in the western horizon, Kaoru made her way to younger Kenshin's room. Her mind was occupied with what the rurouni had told her.

We have to go back.

Kaoru wasn't sure why she wanted to see the younger Kenshin, but she felt that talking to him would help her to decide what to do next. More precisely, what answer to give the rurouni. As much as she felt guilty and selfish, if the younger Kenshin forgave her, she would consider staying here with him. After all she loved him and she was ready to accept the consequences which will inevitably follow her decision. So when she reached his room, she stopped by the door "Kenshin" she called in a determined voice "I want to speak to you" she assumed that he was in, for the room was lit from the inside "Kenshin" she called again, but no reply came. So Kaoru slid the door open and saw that the room was vacant.

Is he in a mission?

Kaoru entered and closed the door behind her. Then, she crossed the room and settled near the window, where Kenshin usually sat.

Kaoru was so lost in her thoughts that she did know how much time had passed when she felt movement outside the room and the door was slid open abruptly. Kenshin stood by the door glaring at her. And from his angry glare Kaoru could tell he wasn't surprise to find her here.

"What do you want?" he asked, still standing by the door.

For a moment, Kaoru felt uneasy under the intensity of his harsh glare, but she shook this uneasy feeling out of her mind.

Come one Kaoru, he is still the same Kenshin, who showed kindness and gentleness just the day before. Kaoru touched the pearl bracelet briefly, for reassurance before she rose to her feet with renewed determination. "I'm here to talk to you."

"I have nothing to say to you," his amber eyes, she saw, were fixed on her face.

"You don't have to say anything," his coldness did not waver her determination, "I will do all the talking."

"You mean all the lying," he snapped suddenly, glaring directly at her startled sapphire orbs, "so you have come to weary my ears with more lies," he continued as he stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him.

"Enough, Kenshin" Kaoru said, "I have only concealed the truth about the circumstances by which I'd found myself here. No one would have believed me even if I had told the truth."

"Why not?" Kenshin asked harshly, "after all Katsura-san believes that man," he said the last two words with evident disgust.

"That is different, and besides I did not expect to stay here for this long, I did not expect to..." she was about to say -fall in love with you- but Kenshin cut her off.

"What else did you lie about?" he glowered at her, "did you lie about those scars which are burnt on your body?"

Kaoru crossed the room in few strides and came almost face to face with him. "I would never lie about such thing," she hissed angrily, but not without shock at the extent of his distrust.

"Then maybe you lied about the story behind it," he took a step closer to her, "maybe you deserved the torture and the ra..." he did not finish, for Kaoru raised her hand and was about to slap him, but he gripped her wrist painfully. And his hold did not loosen even when he saw her sapphire eyes glistering with unshed tears.

"Don't," his voice was colder than the icy weather outside, "you remember what happened last time you slapped me, and believe me I'm capable of doing much worse."

Kaoru tried to pry her hand free, but he kept a vice grip on her wrist, "what are going to do?" she could not stop the tears from trickling down her cheeks, "are you going to force yourself on me? Rape me?"

Kaoru would never believe that Kenshin, who had shown her passion like she had never known before, would hurt her in any way. However, had she known what emotional trauma he would put her through, she would have fled the room that instance.

"Force you? I don't think that would be necessary," he tighten his grip around her wrist painfully, "so accustomed you are to the world of men that I'm sure you will come to me yourself, after all you have lived with one for more than a year."

Kaoru looked puzzledly at Kenshin, not getting his meaning, and maybe that what made him lose his temper. He suddenly let go of her hand and grabbed her by her upper arms.

"You lived with that man for a year!" he dug his fingers in her flesh "for a year!" he repeated loudly, "don't feign innocence. Can you tell me that, during that time, nothing happened between you and him?"

"No, no..." Kaoru shook her head frantically, "nothing, we lived as a family, nothing more."

"Lies, more lies!" he was almost shouting now as he shook her form so roughly that her hair came loose and the ribbon fell to the floor, "all what you say are LIES" and he pushed her hard.

"Ahhh!" Kaoru cried out before she stumbled and lost her balance, falling on the hard floor. She would have fallen face first if she hadn't placed her hands to absorb the fall.

Kenshin was looking down on her with intense eyes and his breaths were short, loud gasps.

Kaoru looked up at him with astonished and wide eyes, surprised at the level of his anger.

"Tell me, for once in your life be truthful," he said in a harsh voice, "look into my eyes and tell me that during the year which you lived with him, you felt nothing toward him."

Kaoru remained silence, her mouth opened and closed but no words were formed, so she averted her gaze.

"Look at me!" Kenshin commanded angrily making Kaoru stare at him again, "I knew it," Kenshin spat, "at least you did not lie this time," and he took a couple of steps toward the window.

"No Kenshin," Kaoru said as she rose slowly to her feet, "it's different, what I feel toward you is different."

Kenshin ignored her, he was looking through the window, his back to her.

"I love you Kenshin, I've never lied about that," she said desperately, "please for the sake of our love, forgive."

"Our love?" Kenshin asked before he turned to face Kaoru with an impassive face, "did I ever mention love to you?" he asked coldly. "From the moment I met you all I felt towards you was lust, all I wanted was your body and you must be more naïve than I thought if you have mistaken my motives for love."

"But..." her eyes were wide with disbelieve and fear.

"But what?" Kenshin cut her off, "I was kind to you? I was very gentle? Well those approaches were necessary if I were to get what I wanted from you, because you were raped," he said the word -rape- so casually that one would think he was merely discussing the weather.

Kaoru shook her head refusing to believe that all this time his only desire was her body.

"Eventually I got what I wanted, and," he looked at her up and down, "believe me when I say that having sex with you once is more than enough," he emphasized the word -more- "after all, who would want to see that disfigured body of yours twice," it was not a question, he spoke it as a matter of a fact and stared at Kaoru directly in the eyes.

But as long as he lived he would never forget her expression after hearing his insult. The hurt which assailed her face and shadowed her bright features made him, unconsciously, take one step towards her. However he stopped himself and glared at her with cold and emotionless eyes, even as fresh tears started to flow down her cheeks.

He was hurt, and he wanted her to feel the same. Her weak point was known to him and he intended to make use of it.

Kaoru tried to speak, to say something, anything. She opened her mouth but all she uttered was a choked sob that was ignored, for Kenshin turned again toward the window.

"Get out," his tone was merciless.

Kaoru did not wait to be told twice and, as if a demon was on her heels, she slid the door open and fled the room. She only ran, not thinking where to go, only wanting to make as much distance as possible between her and Kenshin, as if the the longer the distance the less pain she would feel. So she kept running until she found herself outside, in the yard.

Kaoru stopped by a tree, gasping for air, and placed one hand on the trunk for support. He legs were trembling and her eyes were clouded with tears.

Finally her legs gave away under her and she slumped on the ground, sobbing her heart out. She rested her head on the trunk and placed one hand on her racing heart.

It hurts, it hurts so much.

Then she buried her face in her hands and wept like she had never done before. She kept crying and even when she felt warm liquid flowing down her neck she did not stop.

Her heart was broken.

Kenshin walked slowly to the door and closed it. He remained standing in his position for a while, head bowed. Then he glimpsed something blue on the floor.

Kaoru's ribbon.

Kenshin bent to pick it up and as he held it, Kaoru's sweet scent assaulted his senses.

Jasmine. He breathed deeply as he closed his eyes.

Then he opened his eyes and let the ribbon slip off his fingers before he crossed the room and settled against the books. His chest expanded in a heavy sigh and he closed his eyes again.

He tried to erase the image of Kaoru's hurt face, but it was in vain, for it kept reappearing whenever he closed his eyes.

His lids flattered open when he felt something warm trickling down his cheek. He touched his scared cheek and was shocked when he looked back at his hand.

Blood.

Kenshin touched the scar again to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him.

It was bleeding still.

Kenshin stared at his hand with wide eyes. This scar had stopped bleeding since yesterday, so why was it bleeding again? It was only a shallow wound, yet...

An image of a cross shaped scar appeared in his mind, but Kenshin shook his head to clear it away.

It has nothing to do with it...

nothing at all.

The next day started with a scream.

The older Kenshin, who did not have much sleep last night, happened to be early that morning. He was heading to Katsura's quarters when the scream echoed in the cold, misty morning. So upon hearing the scream he ran toward the yard where the voice came from and saw a woman standing near a tree, her back was toward him so he could not see her face but he can tell she was looking at something by the tree.

"What's wrong?" Kenshin strode to her "are you..." his questioned remain unasked because, as he neared the woman, he saw what made her scream "Kaoru-dono!" and he ran toward the tree, where Kaoru was sitting, her body leant against the trunk, eyes closed.

What made the woman scream was the crimson colour which covered most of Kaoru's neck and the upper hem of her kimono.

"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin called her name again as he held her hands. Her skin was icy cold. He placed his hand on her heart and, to his relief, it was beating.

"Kaoru-chan was here when I came to take the clothes..." the woman said, "is she.." she placed her hand over her mouth, unable to voice her question.

"No, no," Kenshin answered quickly, "she is breathing." Kenshin heart was beating wildly as he held her icy hands in his.

How long has she been here? Did something happen? And why is she bleeding like this?

Kenshin was surprised at the amount of blood, even in their time, after saving her from Enishi, she had not bled so much.

Kenshin made it to carry her inside, but at that moment Kaoru's lids flattered open.

Kaoru blinked several times before staring at him with half opened eyes.

"Kaoru-dono..."

"Ken...shin?" Kaoru blinked again before looking around her, "this is..."

By now some members of Ishin shishi gathered in the yard as well, alarmed by the scream.

"Kaoru-dono why are you here? How long have you been in this freezing weather?"

Kaoru only closed her eyes, not wanting to answer.

"Kaoru-dono, please tell me. Did anyone hurt you?"

Kaoru opened her eyes again, "I feel so dizzy..."

"It's because you lost a considerable amount of blood," Kenshin said, "come, I will take you to your room. We can talk there," he hooked one arm under her knees and placed the other around her shoulder, holding her close to his chest. He carried her through the onlookers of men and woman, who parted to allow them passage. Among them was the younger Kenshin, who had been attracted by the commotion.

The assassin could see his lookalike carrying Kaoru in his arms, whose neck was covered with blood. To anyone, who did not know about her scar, it seemed as if her throat had been slit open, because the blood covered her neck entirely, even the white bandage was barely visible.

Kaoru was too dizzy to notice him, but the older Kenshin did see him and glared fiercely at him, before he carried her inside.

The younger Kenshin stared after them for a moment before he walked away.

He did not care about the fact that Kaoru was in another man's arms, he didn't care if she was alone with another man in one room, he already had her so it did not matter what happened to her now.

Kenshin clenched his fists.

But why did he have this desire to kill someone so badly?

Once in her room, Kenshin placed Kaoru slowly on one unrolled futon.

"Kaoru-dono, don't move. I will go and fetch some bandages," he was about to stand when he felt something tug at his hakama. He looked down and saw Kaoru's hand griping his hakama.

"Kenshin..." Kaoru's voice was almost a whisper and she tried to sit up but Kenshin immediately knelt beside her.

"Don't move, you can't," Kenshin tried to make her lay again but stopped immediately when he noticed the tears which streamed down her face, "Kaoru-dono! Does it hurt? Tell me I will fetch a physician now."

"Let's go back..." Kaoru said through her tears and Kenshin thought that he did not hear her right but she repeated, "let's return to our time."

This time Kenshin helped her to sit and he gathered her in his arms, not caring that her blood was staining his gi. "I will take you away, Kaoru," now he drew back and cradled her face in his hands, "and I will not let anyone hurt you, no one," and he brought her face closer to his, before he pressed his lips on hers.

Kaoru yielded her mouth to him. She did not respond to the kiss nor did she draw back.

It's for the best, it's for the best. She kept repeating in her mind.

Tears squeezed through her eyes as she closed them slowly.

Though this is my story, I can't help but to feel sorry for Kaoru!

And you won't believe how many days I've spent debating whether to make our rurouni all kind and fluffy or to make him possess a small dark side in him. Well I decided to spice things up and choose the latter! Well it not that he will be all mean and dark, no no, his kind and gentle side will always win.

Now, now, I hope this chapter wasn't confusing to anyone, for I'm sure it must be hard to follow the description of two Kenshins.

Finally, thanks for reading and see ya!