Kyaa Kyaff here once again!!!!!!!!!!!! ^o^

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Saying it so much is making me accept the truth. (sigh)

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"…" dialogue

'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

An Alternate Place and Time

Chapter 8: I don't care.

"Who's there?" Soujiro said.

Kenshin stepped out of the shadows with a wide-eyed Yahiko and Tsubame.

"Kaoru, get rid of him and let's go, otherwise, I will be happy to get rid of him for you," Kenshin replied.

Soujiro turned his head to look at Kaoru, confusion written all over his face.

"Kao-chan?"

"Soujiro… I," Kaoru started.

Soujiro looked at her surprised by the fact she had called him Soujiro. Only at the worst of situations did she call him Soujiro. And now here was the Hitokiri Battousai holding Yahiko and addressing Kaoru as if he knew her. Soujiro looked distraught.

"Soujiro," Kaoru started again, caught herself, "Sou-chan, I have to take Yahiko…"

"What is happening? What are you thinking?" Soujiro asked wildly trying to understand the situation.

"We don't have time for this. Kaoru is with me. Step aside, you are in the way." Kenshin said.

Kenshin let go of Yahiko, giving the boy a rough command to stay where he was. A frightened Tsubame held onto Yahiko. Kenshin stepped forward pulling his sword free of its saiya.

"Kenshin, no please wait," Kaoru said grabbing onto Soujiro as he reached for his own weapon.

"I don't know what is happening Kaoru, but I will not allow you to leave with him. Once this is over you will explain this to me." Soujiro said removing Kaoru's hands.

Kaoru tried to move in front of Soujiro to speak with Kenshin, but he stopped her.

"Stay out of the way." Soujiro said.

"Kenshin, please listen to me." Kaoru pleaded.

Kenshin ignored her as he moved forward preparing to fight Soujiro. Kaoru didn't know what to do. She was near tears. Two of the most important men in her life were about to fight, and she knew if she didn't stop them one of them would end up dead.

'No, this can't be real. What am I supposed to do?'

Kenshin swiftly attacked Soujiro, who blocked him. Both men jumped apart for a second before engaging each other again. Blow for blow they matched each other. Kaoru grew more distraught. Yahiko held Tsubame, who was crying. He watched fascinated as the two fought.

"I will not allow you to take Kaoru or Yahiko." Soujiro yelled.

"You have no choice," Kenshin replied calmly.

'I must do something. Someone has heard their shouts by now, I…'

"Noooo!" Kaoru's hoarse cry rang out as Soujiro was stabbed in the side.

Before she could run to him Soujiro pulled away from Kenshin's blade and attacked again, ignoring the pain. Kaoru's whole body began to shake. Running forward she saw Soujiro trip holding his wounded side. Kenshin prepared to finish the man off. Faster than Kaoru ever moved before she pulled out her sakabatou and deflected the strike that would have killed Soujiro. Kenshin pulled back clearly livid with angry.

"I told you I would not hesitate to kill you or the boy." Kenshin said coldly readying his weapon to attack.

Kaoru's eyes widened in disbelief. She felt a hand on her shoulder as Soujiro stood.

"Move out of the way Kaoru." Soujiro said.

"I'm sorry Sou-chan," turning quickly she slammed Soujiro with the hilt of her sword.

He fell unconscious to the ground. Kaoru felt tears slip down her face. She leaned forward to check Soujiro's wound but was roughly grabbed by the arm and pulled away.

"Don't test my patience," Kenshin said.

A shout rose in the distance. There location had been discovered.

"You take the boy and his companion, I will distract them."

"But…" Kaoru started.

"Don't question me. I will catch up to you later," Kenshin replied cutting her off.

Kaoru composed herself going over to Yahiko.

"Follow me. We have to leave here right now." Kaoru said urgently.

"Kaoru, what is going on? Why did you…" Yahiko started.

"Please Yahiko. No questions, I'll explain everything later."

Yahiko looked at her for several seconds longer before nodding his head.

"This way," Kaoru said.

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Kenshin looked at the unconscious man. He wanted to kill him, but something was stopping him. This man was his enemy and clearly had some relationship with Kaoru. He would be a problem in the future.

*Kaoru cares for this man.*

He almost laughed at himself. Why should he care if she cared for the man? He had been prepared to kill her just a few seconds ago.

*Liar! You hesitated.*

He would have killed her if she had made the wrong move.

*You would never hurt her intentionally.*

"I would have killed her," Kenshin said out loud trying to reassure himself.

*Really?*

"Yes," he replied banishing the voice in his head.

Three men approached Kenshin.

*This is going to be easy*

Not waiting for the men to attack, he jumped in the air and slashed at the first man. The man blocked it, and Kenshin landed behind him striking quickly and went for the second man. The second man went offensive and struck at Kenshin, while the first man fell his body cut in half to the ground. Deflecting the blow of the second, Kenshin pierced his throat while dropping to the ground sensing the last one go for his back and missing, stabbing his already dead companion instead.

Kenshin pulled his sword from the second man. Before the last man could react Kenshin slid his sword into the man's stomach before changing the angle, and while standing up slicing the man's stomach open with his blade. Stepping back he surveyed the scene.

Blood not his own slowly slid down the side of his eerily calm face as he watched more men come.

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Kaoru had reached the Ishin shishi hideout with Yahiko and Tsubame. It was almost morning and without questions asked she was led to her room by the guard on duty. A room was prepared for Yahiko, but she refused to let the boy out of her sight. When they arrived in her room she received futons for both Yahiko and Tsubame. All of them were physically drained from their flight back to the headquarters. Instead of asking questions Yahiko decided it would be best to wait until morning. He trusted Kaoru and knew he was safe with her. Yahiko placed his futon near a very distraught Tsubame.

Kaoru stayed up and watched them until they fell asleep. She was exhausted but could not sleep. Kenshin had not returned yet and she was in turmoil over what she had done to Soujiro.

"Sou-chan, forget about me." She said softly to herself.

Knowing Soujiro, he would look for her. He had fought and was hurt because of her. He would want answers from her. Remembering his hurt and confused expression made her want to cry. She hated crying. She knew he would be okay. His wound was not fatal.

Staring out the window she saw a little courtyard. In the center was a well. Further out there was a clump of trees surrounding something. She had not been over there yet to see what it was.

As she looked at the scenery another thought hit her suddenly. The Shinsengumi would not give Yahiko up so easily. He had been taken, not killed. They would send their best to get him back. There best was Soujiro. Kaoru looked down staring at the palms of her hands.

"No," Kaoru said softly to herself.

Hearing a noise she looked into the courtyard. There Kenshin stood throwing a pail of water over his head. Dropping it he looked at the sky. Kaoru was overjoyed to see him safe. She had been worried when he had not shown up. She got up and quietly but quickly made her way to the courtyard.

"Kenshin," she breathed looking at him in the predawn light.

His hair and clothes were wet. Water dripped off his face, some of it with a pinkish tint.

He turned to look at her. Unable to stop herself she ran at him and threw herself into his arms. She didn't care if he pushed her away.

"I was so worried about you," she exclaimed holding him tight pressing her face to his chest.

He did not push her off as she expected. He stood there for a few moments before he spoke.

"You are getting wet."

Kaoru shook her head, "I don't care."

After several more seconds of silence Kenshin slowly put his arms around her, firmly hugging her to him.

Kenshin spoke softly into her ear, "Don't ever get in my way again. If you do I will kill you."

"I don't care," Kaoru said content to have him hold her close.

His threat sounded more like a plea to her. Kaoru felt him tremble slightly as he held her.

"I don't want to hurt you," Kenshin said gently before releasing her abruptly and hastily walking away saying he needed to change and report to Katsura.

Kaoru stood where she was a little longer. A small smile crossed her face as she went to inside to change her clothes as well.

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Hiya! ^o^

I hoped you liked this chapter! I hope you guys liked the kxk moment. Sorry if Kenshin seems a bit mean but hey! And that was his conscious talking to him, when he was calling himself a liar and such!

Well Tomoe will be making an appearance eventually and I will explain what happened to Kenshin all in good time. So please be patient.

I would like to thank all who reviewed:

Crystal- Sorry about leaving you off like that before. But don't worry Sou-chan isn't going to be a bad guy. I promise! No cliffhanger this time!

Omochi- Yeah! Kaoru does care about her sensei too. I just had her more focused on Yahiko and Soujiro. I know I should have made her mention him though. (oops) Thanks for the review. I hope you liked the chapter.

Sano- Hi! I am glad you like my story! I know I was mean but I couldn't help it. I hoped you liked this chapter. Soujiro will be back.

Fudgieangel- I am happy you like my story. Don't worry I will tell you what happened to Kenshin, just not quite yet!

Aizel- I hope you aren't disappointed about the Kenshin and Soujiro fight, but I didn't want to focus on it and it couldn't be long cause other people were going to show up. O and Kenshin was getting jut a little jealous.

Stillbornangel- Well here's the next chapter, I hope you liked it!

Chri- Yes, I know Kenshin is a bit more aggressive than he was, but that is how I am portraying him. I am happy you like my story.

Ro-chan- I put the kxk action in there just for you! ^_^ I hope you liked it. I know Kenshin wasn't exactly prince charming but… And yeah, cliffhangers used to drive me nuts, but now that I am writing they keep jumping up out of nowhere. They are essential for suspense!

Gypsy-chan- I am glad you love my story. It makes me so happy! Sorry about the cliffhanger. I hope to hear from you again!

Bunny- I have a habit to do cliffhangers. I'm sorry! But I am glad you reviewed. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. No cliffhanger! Yay!

Void- Yay! You think I have a good story! Thank you! I hope you enjoyed this chapter too.

Chiki- Hiya ^o^! Sou-chan will definitely not die!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear from you again. I hope you liked this chapter as well! I can't wait to read the next chapter for your story!!!!!!!

Moonblossom- Hi! Yep, I will get to the part where Kaoru finds out about Kenshin and Tomoe. Tomoe will also make an appearance. I don't know when yet though! Keep reviewing I appreciate it!

Adeoo- Hope you liked what happened and continue to read!

Jim- Hi Jim! Well, I didn't leave a cliffhanger this time, but… keep reviewing, kay!

sTaR- Hi! I hope this chapter was a little longer. This story is going to be as long as it takes for me to have everything I want to happen, happen, so pleasecbear with me! And keep the reviews coming!

Yuki- Tomoe will be making an appearance later in the story. Please continue reading!

Marstanuki- Thanks for reviewing, hope you liked the chapter!

White plum- I tried to have a bit more action this time. Sorry I didn't go into his fight with Soujiro too much or with the other people but please continue reading. I am glad you like my fic!

Kyaa Kyaff saying goodbye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!