Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is copyrighted to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony, Shuiesha Jump... yadda yadda.....

Let's get on with the show!

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Kaoru

You're not getting away from me, rurouni.

Kaoru smiled to herself as she walked behind Makimachi Misao and Myoujin Yahiko, who were talking about Kenshin.

You are definitely not getting away from me, not ever.

She loved him. She loved him so much that even when Kenshin told her to stay for her own protection, she was willing to defy that.

She wanted to see Kenshin again, with all her heart.

But that wasn't all.

She wanted him to go back with her to Tokyo, to become the old baka rurouni she loved so much. She missed everything about him while she found herself in her futon, crying over him. She missed the sounds of splashing as he did the laundry, the smell of food from the kitchen while he cooked, the constant "maa maa...", complete with the hand gestures when Sano and Yahiko fought, and the way he played with Ayame and Suzume.

Heck, she even missed his "oro"-s.

Okina and Misao had asked her if she was willing to risk herself and her feelings for Kenshin, and she knew she was.

And if needed, she was willing to cast away her wishes for herself, to support Kenshin and the future of Japan.

She was so deep in thought she was shocked to find Misao and Yahiko breaking down Hiko Seijuro's door.

"Misao-dono. Yahiko!" she heard Kenshin exclaim. Then his amethyst hues turned to her. They widened in surprised.

"Kaoru...dono..."

Kaoru felt her knees begin to crumble. She loved him so much. Onegai... come home with me...

She barely heard Hiko telling Kenshin to go get some water, barely able to answer the questions Misao and Yahiko sent her way.

She wanted to see him again, to take him home.

But one look at Hiko told her it was impossible. He was needed in Kyoto, to stop Shishio. Why would he come all this way to see his master and learn the succession technique of Hiten Mitsurugi?

This matter was of great importance to him.

And because of that, it's important to her as well.

"So what has that idiot pupil of mine been doing with the skills I taught him?" Hiko huffed, drinking from his cup.

Kaoru raised her eyes to look at him. "He's been in Tokyo, protecting innocent people from oppression."

"He's still spewing out the same nonsense I heard him saying 14 years ago."

"But he's not the Hitokiri Battousai anymore."

Hiko drank again, then he grinned. "You love him, don't you?"

Kaoru was taken aback. Am I that obvious?

"Wonder why though, scrawny that he is, that he would manage to get a young lady like you to love him. But love blinds people."

Kaoru opened her mouth to protest. She's anything but blinded, she knows Kenshin as who and what he is. She could accept him, even Battousai.

"So he's going to fight Shishio not for his own glory, but to protect people," he continued, silencing her. "Especially you."

Kaoru looked at him, puzzled. She knew all that already. Why was he telling her this?

"He loves you too. Better remember that when trouble comes and he's not able to be there for you."

As if right on cue, Kenshin returned with the water.

"Baka deshi," Hiko said, standing up. "I have decided to teach you the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu succession technique." Kenshin's eyes widened again at that.

"Arigatou, Shishou!"

"Let's go and get started."

"Aa." Both men began to exit the cabin.

Kaoru couldn't stand not being able to talk to Kenshin, even once. She stood. "Kenshin?" He stopped, but he didn't turn around.

"Are you angry with me, for coming to Kyoto?" Onegai... Don't be...

He was silent for a moment. "Half of me is."

Oh no... Kenshin...

"But the other half of me is glad you came."

Nani...?

"Be careful. Shishio's men could be hiding anywhere. Take care of yourself. It's good to see you again." Kenshin began to walk away.

The wind gently blew at the strands of hair framing her face as she watched his back. Kenshin...

I won't ask you to come home... You need to do this...

Demo...

Demo...

I won't go back either...

I'll stay with you.

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A/N: Oh my goodness!!! Will any of Hiko's fans pummel me to death for this one? Ack! Don't kill me! I know he seems OOC but this is the first time I wrote about Hiko, ever.

Anyway... review please!!!

-runs and hides from rabid Hiko fans-

Chapter 6