Kyaa Kyaff here! Once again!

Disclaimer: Nope, Rurouni Kenshin doesn't belong to me! He belongs to Kaoru!

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"…" dialogue

'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

An Alternate Place and Time

Chapter 5: My name is Kenshin.

"Fair enough," He raised his sword preparing to attack.

Kaoru's eyes narrowed. She could not see the man known as Battousai well in the darkness of the night. No matter, she calmed herself, and crouched into a defensive position. Without warning the Battousai charged forward and unexpectedly jumped into the air coming at her with a downward slash. She raised her sword to defend herself, but he merely changed the direction of the sword and used her upraised arm to propel himself behind her, throwing her off balance. Using her instincts she dropped to the ground just missing getting sliced in half as she felt the air rush over her head.

Countering she took a quick swing at his legs slicing through thin air. She growled in frustration.

"Bastard, I won't let you pass."

"You cannot stop me if you are dead," he retorted arrogantly.

This guy was getting on her nerves more and more. A loud crack of thunder was heard and it began to rain on the two. Each looked for an opening on the other. Kaoru pulled out the dagger Misao had given her and held it ready in her left hand. Seeing this he rushed at her swiftly with a forward thrust. She parried the attack and jumped in the air as he twisted low to attack her legs. She hastily brought her sword down as he came up with an upward swing. Slamming down hard with the block she took the opportunity to bring her dagger down, cutting his left cheek. He jumped back with a hiss.

Putting a hand to his bleeding cheek he stared at her coldly.

"You will pay for that," he snarled.

"You're threats don't scare me." Kaoru stated defiantly.

She was breathing heavily drenched with sweat and rain.

'I can't lose. I have to protect Yahiko.'

Once again he was the one to initiate the attack. He was faster than before coming from the right, no, now the left, block up, turn to the side, …

"Aaaa," Kaoru cried as she failed to block his attack to her shoulder.

The blade bit deep into her shoulder. He pulled it out viciously. Kaoru's dagger dropped from her hand as she went to grip her right shoulder. She held her sword up in much pain.

'I cannot give up. No!'

"You've lost." He stated.

"I have not lost. I will only lose when I am no longer living."

He shrugged and proceeded to come at her. Kaoru brought her sword up to defend the blow. They clashed causing her to cry out in pain from her wounded shoulder. Only by her strong will did she remain standing. Both stood there for a few seconds. Just then lightening lit the sky illuminating a face Kaoru thought to never see again. Battousai jumped back preparing another attack. Kaoru was too numb with shock to do anything though. Almost in a different state of mind Kaoru uttered one word:

"Shinta?"

The attack, which would have pierced through her throat, was cast to the side and she was slammed against the wall, his sword to her throat instead.

"How do you know that name?" he growled.

"Shinta," Kaoru said weakly her head spinning from the impact against the wall, "It's me, Kaoru."

Silence ensued for several seconds. He pulled back slightly. Kaoru's vision started to go and just as she passed out she heard him speak her name.

"…Kaoru?"

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The first thing Kaoru was aware of was her pounding head and aching shoulder. Her eyes slowly opened to look at an unfamiliar room. She started up real quick only to cry out in pain as she used her wounded shoulder. Looking at her shoulder she noticed it had been bandaged. Then everything that had happened last night came rushing back to her.

'Was that really Shinta? He looked so different. His eyes were so cold.'

Kaoru shuddered remembering his arrogant words of the other night. That was not the gentle Shinta she knew. He would never hurt a thing, never speak such harsh words. She began to feel sick. If he was here, where was Tomoe? What had happened? Kaoru closed her eyes to try and calm herself.

'Yahiko! I hope he made it. I don't remember anything after I passed out. I am so weak. What would Amakusa-sensei say? He would think me a disgrace to the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu style.'

Kaoru's thoughts were cut short as she heard voices approaching.

"So, Himura, you finally found yourself a woman to warm you at night."

Kaoru listened carefully, but was only rewarded with silence.

"Calm down there Himura. Don't have to give me that death stare. Don't forget the meeting tonight, all right. See you later."

Kaoru continued to stare at the door, and watched as Shinta opened it up. He walked across the room and leaned against the wall watching her. She took the time to note his hair, which was in a high ponytail. His eyes were a cold amber color, not the gentle violet ones she remembered. On his left cheek was the cut she had given him. She noticed another older scar beneath the new cut causing it to be cross-shaped. After several more minutes of silence Kaoru finally spoke up.

"You are Shinta, aren't you?"

"Don't call me by that name. My name is Kenshin."

"Shinta, what happen…"

"I said don't call me by that name. That was a weak fool's name. I am no longer he." Kenshin said angrily.

"Shinta, what happened to you?" She asked tears brimming in her eyes.

Here was the first and only man she had truly loved and now he was staring at her coldly. She hadn't seen him in ten years. He was now the Hitokiri Battousai it was almost unbelievable.

"What happened?" Kaoru said repeating the question as she continued to try and stay calm.

"I don't have time for this. You are to stay here. This will be your room until it is decided what is to be done with you. You won't be able to escape. I will be back later. Someone will bring you food. I repeat, do not leave this room." Kenshin looked agitated as he spoke.

Getting up he made his way to the door without looking back. Once gone, Kaoru began to cry softly. She was confused and hurt by his attitude toward her.

"Umm, excuse me Miss," A quiet voice said from the other side of the door a few minutes later.

Kaoru rapidly began composing herself. She hated to cry, but she just hadn't been able to stop herself.

"Yes?" Kaoru replied.

"I have your lunch for you."

"Oh, come in," Kaoru said, just now realizing how hungry she was.

A young girl with light brown hair styled with two braids in the front entered the room. She came silently to Kaoru's side and placed the tray of food next to her.

"What's your name?" Kaoru asked.

"Ayame," the young girl replied.

"My name is Kaoru. What are you doing in a place like this?"

"My Ojii-san is a doctor. When we were in trouble with some bad men Ken-nii saved us. Now my Ojii-san is the doctor for the people here. I have a sister named Suzume. She wants to see the girl Ken-nii brought here. So if she comes by you have been warned." Ayame explained smiling.

"Arigato, Ayame-chan."

Ayame continued smiling at Kaoru. She then got up and with a quick goodbye left the room.

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"What happened last night Himura? The boy is alive and you brought the Kamiya girl from the Shinsengumi here. You were supposed to kill her if you met with her. She has caused us quite a problem…, however, she could be useful. For now she will stay here. We have no rooms left so she will continue to stay in your room. I am putting you in charge of her. Understood? I would like to meet her tomorrow to give her some options." Katsura Kogoro stated.

"Hai," Kenshin replied.

"That is all. You may go. There is nothing for you tonight," Katsura said.

"Hai." Kenshin stood and left the room.

He looked at the night sky. He had not returned to his room since that afternoon.

*What is she doing here? Why is she working with the Shinsengumi?*

These thoughts continued to plague him greatly. He had left in a hurry when he saw her tears. He knew they were because of him. He had never wanted her to see him like this. It had been ten years. Kenshin had assumed she found someplace safe to stay. What shocked him most when he thought about it was not her appearance though.

*She uses the same style that I do. Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu.*

He remembered Kaoru when she was younger compared to the very grown up Kaoru now. He had no idea how to face her. How to tell her of his failure. To tell her about Tomoe. He did not know what to do, so as he approached the room he kept his expressionless face and abrupt manner. It seemed the only way he knew how to act now.

"Itai!" He heard Kaoru say.

He opened the door to see her leaning over holding her shoulder.

"Are you alright," Kenshin asked with little emotion.

"Hai," Kaoru said trying to hide the pain from her voice.

'My cut reopened. I am sure he doesn't want to hear about it.'

*She must have reopened that wound I gave her* At that thought Kenshin grimaced.

She had been a very important part of his life, and to tell the truth still was, knowing he had injured her was not helping him any.

"Come here," he said roughly.

Kaoru looked over at him.

"Let me see that wound."

Kaoru came over to him and he directed her to sit down. She pulled the side of her sleeping yukata down. She had bindings on her chest so she maintained some of her modesty, but could not stop the blush that formed on her face as he leaned closer to look at her shoulder.

"I am sure Dr. Gensai can take care of it." Kaoru said hurriedly.

"He is not here right now. I can take care of it."

He then proceeded to take off her bandages, clean her wound, and redress it.

"There, if it reopens tell me. I am sorry to have done this to you." He said suddenly while turning away.

"Kenshin," he turned, "Arigato. Gomen for cutting you."

He merely looked at her.

"It has been decided that you will stay here for now. This will be your room…"

"Nani?! Isn't this your room," Kaoru said alarmed.

"Hai, as I was saying, it has been decided that you will be of some use. Now get some rest, tomorrow you will meet Katsura."

Kenshin sat next to a pile of books pulling his sword out of his belt and leaning it against his shoulder. That done he closed his eyes to sleep.

Kaoru watched Kenshin a while longer before going to sleep herself.

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Hey! Everyone. See no cliffhanger this time!

Hey! I will probably give you Kenshin's perspective through a flashback on what happened in the prologue. Anybody interested. Oh and the other characters will be showing up soon!

Review and tell me your opinion! I hoped you liked this chapter.

Thank you to all who reviewed. I would thank you all right now but I am busy, and you know who all you wonderful people are. Send me a review to let me know how I am doing. Love you guys.

Kyaa Kyaff thanks you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!