Kyaa Kyaff here! Sorry I didn't update as fast as I usually do but I got a ton of homework and I am sick now. O well. Here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine! (Sigh)

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

An Alternate Place and Time

Chapter 6: A Different Perspective

The next day Kaoru was supposed to meet Katsura, however, she was informed that he had to leave suddenly on urgent business. Kaoru didn't mind at all. She wasn't interested in meeting the man anyway. The next few days were uneventful. Kenshin continued to be cold and distant to her. Only some moments did she see the Kenshin, or rather Shinta, she had known. Such moments were when he took care of her shoulder, or was with the two girls Ayame and Suzume.

Kaoru had met Suzume, Ayame's younger sister. The girl was a little charmer and so innocent too. Despite Kenshin's attitude, the girls seemed to absolutely adore him. When they were around Kenshin cold emotionless façade fell a little. A small smile would appear on his face watching the girls play as they called him Ken-nii.

'I wish he would smile at me. I don't know what to expect from him. One moment he is cold and aloof and the next he seems to want to say something. At those times he quickly leaves though. He confuses me, and aggravates me.'

About two weeks after the night she was brought to this place she still hadn't met Katsura, but she did meet Dr. Gensai. Kaoru had been watching the girls play when she had heard their shout of glee at an approaching figure.

"Ojjisan!" the girls both shouted running toward a pleasant looking old man.

A distance away someone followed Dr. Gensai carrying a case. As the person approached Kaoru's jaw dropped open.

"Tanuki!" Megumi exclaimed in surprise.

"Megumi-san!" Kaoru said running over to the older woman, ignoring the fact she had been called Tanuki.

"What are you doing here, Tanuki?"

Kaoru fumed at this. Being called tanuki once was fine, but twice now!

"Couldn't you just call me Kaoru for once," Kaoru practically yelled in anger.

"Ohohohohohoho! Tanuki fits you better, …Tanuki." If Kaoru didn't know better she could have sworn she saw two little fox ears pop up from Megumi's head.

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Kenshin was looking for Kaoru. Katsura had come back and requested a meeting with her later tonight.

"Ohohohohohoho! Tanuki fits you better, …Tanuki." A voice Kenshin dreaded said.

Takani Megumi was one of the most irritating people Kenshin knew. No matter what he did she would try to cling onto him calling him her Ken-san. It made him so angry, he almost wished he hadn't saved her along with Dr. Gensai. He quietly changed direction deciding he would find Kaoru later when that woman wasn't around.

*Funny, I am feared by many, yet I am running from a woman.*

He could almost laugh, almost. Kenshin made his way to a secluded area where there was a little koi pond with trees surrounding it. He jumped up and sat on the branch of a tree, so as not to be seen. Reaching into a hidden pocket in his gi, he pulled out a beautiful ornamental comb with a delicate thread wrapped around it. He fingered the worn thread. The thought of Kaoru had been the only thing to keep him sane after what happened two days after the wedding ceremony. Unbidden thoughts and memories came to his mind.

_____________________________Flashback______________________________________

It was the night before the wedding ceremony and Shinta was nervous. He loved Kaoru as more than a sister, now that they were older, but did she feel the same way. After all it was an arranged marriage. Shinta heard someone approach and looked up. It was Tomoe her face full of sorrow.

"Tomoe," he said gently.

*If Akira did anything to hurt her…*

Tomoe bowed her head slightly and folded her hands in front of her. Wishing to comfort her he stepped closer and clasped her hands in his. Tomoe sniffled softly as she began to talk. It came out a whisper.

"Akira,… Akira is going away. I have a horrible feeling that I will never see him again. He promises to return but… but…" Tomoe could not continue.

"Shh, Tomoe it is okay," Shinta said reassuringly.

"His family hates me I…" Once again the usually composed Tomoe started to cry.

Shinta grabbed her up in a fierce hug, hating to see her cry.

"Don't cry, I will go speak with him," Shinta said earnestly.

Shinta pulled back to look at Tomoe. Leaning forward he place his forehead against hers.

Shinta thought he heard a noise from the direction of the house as he had leaned forward, but dismissed it as his imagination.

"Do not worry. He would never let his family get in the way. Besides I thought you two were meant for each other. Don't worry if he does leave he will come back. He loves you."

"Shinta you are always there for me. Here I am pouring out all my problems. What of you? What are you doing out here so late?" Tomoe asked composing herself.

"Well, umm." Shinta said putting a hand to the back of his head.

"Nervous are you?"

"Yes," he answered honestly, "Does she really want to marry me? I am not sure. I think she sees me as more of a big brother."

Tomoe laughed softly at this.

"No she doesn't. Trust me. You just better treat her right!" Tomoe said.

"Of course Tomoe. Now go to bed before you catch a cold."

"Alright Shinta. Goodnight and Arigato."

Shinta smiled as he headed off to go speak with Akira.

______________Wedding Day________________

Shinta had not been able to convince Akira to stay. The man was determined to help out in some conflicts within the country. Shinta had a bad feeling about this too. He tried to stay cheerful but could not. His fears for Tomoe, and his doubts about what Kaoru wanted lay heavily on his head.

Standing by the priest waiting for Kaoru to appear, he stared in fascination as the girl he was to marry emerged from the now open doors. She wore a stunning wedding kimono that complemented her well. He had never seen her so beautiful. She approached with a big smile.

*Smile back at her! What is your problem Shinta!*

He gave her a small smile. Shinta was nervous and upset from the other night's talk with Akira. He needed to snap out of it before Kaoru took his sadness the wrong way. This was his wedding day. He need not dwell on such thoughts now. They turned toward the priest. The ceremony continued and the priest grasped both their hands, threading their fingers through the others. The priest than took a delicate thread and wrapped it around their joined hands. Shinta was angry with himself. Every time he was nervous he had a habit of becoming sullen looking.

*Snap out of it. You are about to marry the girl you love.*

The binding was almost complete when Kaoru put her hand over that of the aging priest. Shinta was shocked.

*What is she doing? …*

Shinta's thoughts were interrupted as she placed her hand on his cheek saying his name. Leaning forward she kissed him softly. He was so shocked he didn't react. Watching her as she pulled back she quickly undid the thread holding their hands together. He looked into her watery eyes.

"I am sorry. I cannot do this."

*No, no… what… what is she talking about?*

He watched her as she ran down the aisle. Stopping she placed the thread in Tomoe's hand. She turned one last time to look at him before running out of the building.

Once Shinta got over his initial shock he tried to go after her. He was stopped by the many people in the room. The rest of the day went in a blur. Finally getting free he went to go search for Kaoru. It was late but, he knew where she might have gone. Making his way to a lake that Kaoru liked to go to often, he arrived to find it empty. Looking down something caught his eye. The beautiful combs Kaoru had in her hair lie on the ground. He picked them up turning them over in his hand. With a sigh of defeat he put the combs in the pocket of his clothing sitting down on the fallen tree in the clearing.

Just two days later his life had changed drastically. He had been unable to find Kaoru, so he decided he would leave to go find her. He should of never left, maybe then he would have been able to protect Tomoe from…

____________________End Flashback_____________________________________________

"Himura, Himura ." A voice called jarring Kenshin from his thoughts.

Kenshin looked down from where he was hidden. Takasugi was looking for him. Kenshin Jumped down in front of the man.

"There you are Himura. I thought I would warn you that Takani woman is back."

"I know," Kenshin replied.

"I wanted to know if you wanted to go get some sake," Takasugi said.

"No," Kenshin replied deciding to go find Kaoru.

"Your loss. See you later Himura."

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Kaoru sighed. Finally some peace and quiet. Megumi had freaked when she had learned that Kaoru was staying in the same room as her Ken-san.

'Her Ken-san! Who does she think she is?'

Dr. Gensai on the other hand was a delightful old man. He looked at her shoulder and told her it was healing nicely. He seemed very paternal, and his presence calmed Kaoru. Kaoru had asked about Sano, but Megumi merely gave a snort saying she had no idea where that baka tori-atama had went after the last time Kaoru had visited, which Megumi had to mention, was awhile. The Oniwabanshu had gone to help fight the, what can now be considered a war in their own way. Kaoru hoped Misao was all right. It seemed though that everyone she knew was fighting against the people Kaoru worked with. Kaoru had never really thought about it. She was trained and informed later on as to why. She protected Yahiko, at first, because it was her job, and then cause she had grown to love the annoying brat. She never thought of the reasons why he was being used. How was she to return to the Shinsengumi? She felt her loyalty to them waver.

'No, stop it Kaoru. What about Sou-chan? He is your friend. He wouldn't be fighting for something that is wrong. It isn't wrong, is it? What am I fighting for? Do I even know? I have just followed orders, never second-guessing them. What do I believe?'

Kaoru's thoughts were in turmoil. She didn't know. There was only one thing she was sure, she must protect Yahiko. With that thought Kaoru came to a sudden realization. What Yahiko was being used for was horrid. She remembered the many nights she had comforted him. She needed to take him away from all this. Maybe, maybe she could bring him here. She could protect him; make sure he wasn't used as a tool anymore. He could be an ordinary boy.

'Stop thinking like that. They would use him just as the Shinsengumi do.'

So deep in thought Kaoru did not here Kenshin enter.

"It is time for you to meet Katsura."

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Yay, I wrote the next chapter!

I would like to thank Chiki, Aizel, Gypsy-chan, Star, Jim, marstanuki, Tan Kimiko, Vesca, Hitokiri chan, moonblossom, omochi, and kraci for reviewing chapter 5. There is the flashback for you Gypsy-chan! The older scar Kenshin has will be explained, I promise! As will what happened to him!

And I would like to recommend:

The Past is the Present and Distorted Intentions by Chiki! Very good stories.

Lost in Time by Gypsy-chan is really good too! Update it soon please it was left off at a really good spot! (sniffle, sniffle)

Love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kyaa Kyaff saying 'til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!