Author's Note: Okay, so what amazes me is that I got very few reviews but a tons of story alerts and author alerts. That just surprises me. Oh well, thank you all for being so incredibly patient. You are all amazing. I would love to hear more input this time around. Thank you all for sticking with me. I appreciate you.

ON TO THE STORY!!

Chapter 11: Broken Dreams

Planet Earth

Kenshin took his time getting to the wagon. He was pondering over all that had just been said, both by Kaoru and the inner struggles he was having with himself. Part of himself was telling him he could not trust Kaoru. But, why? He just didn't understand it. He had dreamed of marrying Kaoru for years. He had sworn to himself that he would always protect her. He had promised himself that she would consume his life--and if she would ever forgive him the horrors he placed upon her when he murdered her father, he would spend his life making things up to her.

Kenshin was young when he became an assassin. He felt he had no other choice. He was just 15 years old when he began taking lives. He was bitter then, so much in his life had gone wrong. All he had wanted was to grow up with loving parents and enjoy his youth. His father took that away from him. When Kenshin was just a boy--just a tiny child of eight years old, his father changed his life. He had been drinking as usual, but had gotten a little too drunk. His father and mother got into an argument, over something stupid, so stupid he didn't even remember what it was. His father went after his mom with his sword. Kenshin got in the way, he tried his best to shield her, and all he got in return was his infamous cross shaped scar as his father was drunkenly slashing his sword. He had also kicked Kenshin so hard he knocked him through a wall. When Kenshin woke, he found the bloodied and butchered body of his mother laying just a few feet from his own. He never saw his father again. He didn't understand why his father had spared his life, but took the life of his mother. He figured he was just too drunk to even realize he wasn't dead, just unconscious. He never forgave him for it, he swore he would find him and kill him...what better way than becoming an assassin?

Kenshin shook himself out of his revery as he stepped through the clearing and found Kaoru sitting in the wagon. She looked very upset and hurt. Why am I even listening to that voice? I promised myself I would protect her. I promised myself I would make things up to her, that I did. How could I not trust her? I promised myself that if she ever forgave me--No! I have to give her a chance. I have to push that voice away and just forget about those stupid pillars. I have to trust my wife, that I do. Kenshin lightened his step and quickly closed the distance between himself and the wagon. He climbed upon the seat beside Kaoru and turned to her. He pulled her hands into his own, caressing them with his thumbs.

"Kaoru...I'm sorry. You are right, that you are. I shouldn't be entertaining thoughts of what can't even be fixed. You mean the world to me. I am sorry to have upset you, that I am. I promise you, I will never think of those pillars again. From now on, it's just you Koishii. You are all that matters, that you are. Will you forgive me?" Kenshin looked at Kaoru with pleading eyes.

"Of course I will forgive you. I'm sorry too, for trying to force you to ignore your gut feelings. You can't help it that you felt that those pillars were more than they were. Thank you though, for understanding that those pillars were frightening to me and I didn't want to entertain thoughts of them by discussing them with you. I love you Kenshin. Let's just go home and forget about this silly little quarrel," Karou said. She smiled coyly, "I think I'm ready to take my husband up on his previous offer. I believe if my memory serves me correct, you were wanting to ravish me for 3 weeks? So what say you, darling? Would you like to go home and make some memories?"

Kenshin smirked and snapped the reins. "I believe I'd enjoy that very much Koishii, that I would." He set the horses for a swift pace heading home.

Planet Areth

Karou followed closely behind Battousai as they continued their journey back to the small cottage in the woods. She couldn't believe that Battousai had set his claim on her. Why her? She just couldn't understand it. Kaoru had dreamed of raising her daughter and one day 9 years from now, making her way back through the portal. Somehow, she was going to prove to her parents that she was the real Kaoru, and she would introduce them to their grandchild. She dreamed of her parents forgiving her insolence. She dreamed of them accepting her and Kaylynn back into their lives, and oh, how she dreamed of beating Kaoru within an inch of her life. How dare she trick her into taking her place in this wretched life. Though, she could hardly blame her. She would have done the very same thing. Who was she kidding, she did do the very same thing. She tricked Kaoru into taking her place in an arranged marriage. But still--this fate was far worse than the fate she was subject to now.

Flashback

"What can I say," Battousai smirked. "You've managed to change my mind. That girl couldn't even hold a candle to your flame. From the second I knew you were to mother me a child, I have been consumed with you. Let that stupid husband-to-be of yours keep that filth. You. Are. Mine."

End Flashback

Kaoru silently swallowed the lump in her throat. That was it for her. Her dreams were slipping away. Breaking before her very eyes. One Kaoru has already escaped him...he had vowed to get her back. Then, there's me...he wants me now. He doesn't even want anything to do with her anymore. He just wants me. It's not fair...he will never let me escape him. He won't make the same mistakes again. I will never see my parents again. My fiancé probably doesn't even know I'm missing. My dreams are over for me. All I can do now, is make new dreams. Kaylynn doesn't have much of a father, but she will have the best mother I can be for her. Kaoru sighed dejectedly. Sano...Megumi. Don't forget about me. By now, they've noticed I'm missing. They won't even think twice about it, I said I was leaving, how could they know Battousai has me in his clutches once more? Tears slipped unheeded down her soft cheeks.

"Kaoru, stop your wretched sulking. It's slowing our pace, and I am not going to let you waste my precious time. Now, keep up," Battousai growled.

Sano smiled lazily at the sleeping form of his fiancé. They never did make it to the village priest the night before. Somehow, they got preoccupied. Sano smiled at the memories. He stretched and got out of the bed, careful not to wake Megumi. I wonder what Jou-chan, and the little princess are up to? Sano thought to himself. Sano stretched lazily and walked into the room where Kaoru was residing.

"MEGUMI!! GET UP NOW!!" Sano shouted in alarm.

"What IS it Sano? Geeze, you sure know how to rob someone of their beauty rest. Now what is--KAORU! KAYLYNN!!" Megumi's voice changed to one of fear as she walked into the room where Sano was, noticing the missing girl and child.

"Where could they be Sano?" Megumi shrieked.

"Battousai!" Sano growled in anger. "It had to have been him! Who else would steal them in the dead of night. I'll KILL him for this!"

"Sano, LOOK!" Megumi said, pointing at a letter propped up on the desk. "It has our names on it. That's Kaoru's handwriting."

"Well, open it already," Sano said, handing the letter to Megumi.

Megumi tore the letter open quickly scanning the contents. Her face was masked with concentration.

"Would you mind reading that aloud kitsune? Geeze, way to be rude!" Sano muttered.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Sano. Of course!

'Dear Megumi and Sano,

First of all, I must say how sorry I am for just deserting you in the middle of the night. I am sure you must be frightened beyond belief. But, I had no other choice. Secondly, might I just congratulate you...I overheard Sano's heartfelt proposal. It was extremely touching. Megumi, you are definitely one lucky lady, to have someone who cares so much about you.

Needless to say, with the upcoming nuptials, surely it would be better if Kaylynn and I found our own place. Don't worry you two, there is no chance in hell that I would ever go to Battousai to seek shelter, I want him as far away from Kaylynn as possible. I truly hope he won't give you any problems trying to seek me out, as I don't plan on telling him where I am going. Speaking of which, I don't plan on telling you where I am either. To do so will just make it easier for Battousai to manipulate you into gaining the information he desires. I'm sorry. It's safer this way—for all of us. You won't be able to give information that you don't know firsthand yourself.

I think this will be best for all of us. I want to give you your privacy. You should be allowed to christen every room of the house once you are wed, and I'm afraid that you won't feel free to (which you are right in that!) if we were still residing here. So, I bid you farewell. Don't worry, we will keep in touch, after all, Kaylynn needs her Auntie Megumi and Uncle Sano. We'll come visit soon!

We love you both, immensely.

Love,

Kaoru and baby Kaylynn'

Sano stared off into space, consumed by his own thoughts. "She left, because of us?" Sano questioned.

"She wanted us to have the privacy a newlywed couple would crave. But, she's being reckless. She has nowhere to go, how stupid could she be. She doesn't know Battousai like I do. He will hunt her down. He will find her, no matter what...if he hasn't already," Megumi stated despondently.

"Well, then I guess we'll just have to find her first. She can't go back to that life. She can't bring a child into that home. I'll kill him if I have to," Sano spoke the threat coldly. He went back to the bedroom and began dressing.

Megumi followed closely behind Sano. She put her hand on his arm, ceasing his movements. "Sano, I know you care for Kaoru, so do I. But you must not interfere. Battousai is dangerous. He will not hesitate in ending your life. He is a very jealous man when it comes to his women. And by the look on his face the other night, he has fully claimed Kaoru and wants her alone. Let me talk to him first, warn him that she's gone so he doesn't come here and tear the place apart looking for her," Megumi spoke convincingly. Sano looked at Megumi very uneasily. She could tell he was about to object. Megumi held up her hand to stop any interuptions, "Please Sano, let me finish. While I'm talking to Battousai, you go look for Kaoru. If you find her, bring her back here and we will figure out what to do. Battousai knows me well, I don't think he would harm me unless I provoked it. Just let me speak with him, can you do that? If Battousai gets his hands on her...he will thoroughly enjoy his sadistic pleasures with her over and over. Every minute is of the essence."

"Alright. Fine. Let's get going," Sano said reluctantly. They both began to dress swiftly so they could go about their tasks.

Author's Note: Okay, so I know this chapter was not only short but it also didn't really have a lot of Battousai/Kaoru, Kenshin/Kaoru conversation in it so it wasn't as good. But hopefully it still kept your attention. Well, I'll update again soon. Love ya'll!

Ja-ne!

Videl621