Kyaa Kyaff saying hi!

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine!

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" dialogue

An Alternate Place and Time

Chapter 9: What happened?

While Kenshin went to meet with Katsura, Kaoru waited for Yahiko to wake. Once he did she began to explain what had happened, starting with when they were separated. He understood her reasoning, and had no love for the Shinsengumi. Kaoru and Tsubame were the only two he had been close to. However Yahiko was also fond of Soujiro, who he met on several occasions. He couldn't help but ask Kaoru about Soujiro, a subject she wanted to avoid at the moment.

"What about Seta-san, Kaoru?" Yahiko asked.

"Yahiko, I…" Kaoru started but was unable to finish.

Sensing Kaoru's distress, Yahiko decided to change the subject.

"So busu, what am I supposed to do here then? I mean I can't leave, right?"

"busu! I thought you had gotten over that, Yahiko-chan!" Kaoru said emphasizing the chan.

Calming herself Kaoru answered his question as he bristled in anger, "I am sure you will be meeting with Katsura and he will fill us in on everything else. Just remember you do not have to do anything now. Okay. You are just a normal annoying brat."

"What was that hag?!" Yahiko sobered up real quick though, "Kaoru, what do they want from you?"

Surprised at Yahiko's quick change of attitude Kaoru did not answer right away.

"I am not sure, but do not worry about that."

"Kaoru, arigato." Yahiko said, "I was really worried about you."

"I was worried about you as well." Kaoru replied.

Kaoru stood, "Don't leave the room. I am going to go find Kenshin. I will be back. Explain everything to Tsubame when she wakes."

Yahiko nodded and Kaoru made her way out of the room. She looked around. He wasn't at the courtyard or the bar/restaurant that was at the hideout.

"Ohohohohohohohoho, Ken-san. I have missed you so."

Kaoru cringed at the voice. Turning the corner, sure enough there was Megumi her hands all over a thoroughly pissed looking Kenshin.

"Kenshin," Kaoru said trying not to sound angry, but in truth wanting to ring Megumi's neck.

Kenshin looked over. Megumi grabbed onto Kenshin tighter.

"Tanuki, can't you see my Ken-san is busy with me. Now run along." Megumi said.

'MY Ken-san!'

"Stop referring to me as yours. Get your hands off of me now," Kenshin spoke angrily.

"Ken-san you didn't seem to mind until Tanuki here showed up!" Megumi protested.

Kenshin glared at the woman while forcible removing her hands. Megumi pouted ignoring the death glare she was receiving.

"Well, Ken-san. I think you should come to my room tonight so I can give you a full check up just in case you were hurt on your last assignment," Megumi said slyly.

"Megumi-san," Kaoru growled out tired of the woman's flirting toward Kenshin.

"Calm down Tanuki. I better go find Dr. Gensai. See you Ken-san." Megumi said walking away.

Kaoru clenched her hands as she watched Megumi. Then remembering why she was searching for Kenshin she turned to him.

"Kenshin, does Katsura wish to see Yahiko?"

"Yes, he wants you the boy and girl to see him tonight to explain everything." Kenshin said.

With that said he turned to leave.

"Kenshin."

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Never mind," she said leaving quickly to go speak with Yahiko.

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The meeting with Katsura was uneventful. Yahiko and Tsubame were to stay at the hideout. They were not required to do anything, but Tsubame volunteered to work in the kitchen anyway. They were informed of restricted areas and what was allowed. Kaoru then decided that her and Tsubame could take the spare room and Yahiko could stay with Kenshin. Yahiko protested, but Kaoru gave him a good whack on the head causing Katsura to suppress a laugh.

"You are not staying in a room alone with Tsubame!" Kaoru stated.

Tsubame's face turned red. Yahiko glared at Kaoru.

"But you were staying in a room alone with that Kenshin guy!" Yahiko retorted.

Kaoru's face matched the color of Tsubame's face now. Yahiko was soon rubbing his head in pain again.

"We didn't do anything! He isn't a young hormone driven teenage boy!"

Before Yahiko could reply Katsura interrupted addressing Kaoru, "I wish to speak with you alone."

"See you later, busu!" Yahiko said leaving the room quickly.

Tsubame bowed her head respectfully to Katsura before getting up to leave.

"I will take care of your things Kaoru-san." Tsubame said.

"Arigato Tsubame-chan."

After she left Katsura began to speak.

"I am glad the boy is here. I personally did not wish his death. This scenario is much better. There will be a meeting tomorrow night and I wish for you to attend."

Kaoru nodded wondering what it would be about.

"Let me tell you once again. If you plan on betraying us the boy's life will be at stake," Katsura's voice held a deadly threat.

"I understand. I have no intention of doing so."

"Good, tomorrow then," Katsura replied dismissing her.

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Kaoru decided to find Kenshin, but he was nowhere to be found. Kaoru halted her search to stop and think. When they were younger and she couldn't find him he could be found sitting up on the roof.

'Maybe…'

Kaoru went back to the building that was used as an inn of sorts. Passing Kenshin's room she found one of the women working there and asked if there was any way to get on the roof. The woman gave her a strange look but told her there was a little latter leading to the roof. Kaoru made her way up there. Careful, so as not to fall off, she found Kenshin sitting gazing at the sky. He did not turn at her approach.

"What do you want?" Kenshin asked.

Kaoru merely sat next to him gazing at the night sky.

"I was looking for you. Then I remembered you always loved sitting up on the roof. And here you are."

"And?"

"I wanted to talk to you." Kaoru said.

"I have nothing to say," Kenshin replied.

"Kenshin, do you ever wish you could change the past?"

"You can't so why bother wishing for it."

"Kenshin," Kaoru paused, "I have been wondering. What happened? After I left, I mean."

Kenshin visibly stiffened at her question.

"Nothing that concerns you." Kenshin said sharply.

Kaoru turned to look at Kenshin, who continued to look at the sky.

"It does concern me! What happened? Where is Tomoe? Is she okay? Why are you here? What happened to you?" Kaoru asked all the questions rapidly becoming angry.

"You don't want to know," Kenshin replied almost inaudibly.

"If you can't tell me what happened, at least tell me if Tomoe is all right," Kaoru said with a desperate cry.

Kenshin finally looked at her, "Tomoe is alive."

"What does that mean? Where is she?" Kaoru said grabbing Kenshin's gi.

"If you really wish to find out. I will bring you to see her tomorrow."

"Really?" Kaoru asked hopefully.

Kenshin nodded.

"But Kenshin, why? Why can't you tell me what happened?"

With an unusual amount of emotion Kenshin countered her question with another, "Why did you leave?"

Kaoru was stunned speechless. She had not been expecting this. Kaoru let go of his gi.

"If I tell you, will you tell me what happened?" Kaoru asked tentatively.

Kenshin did not answer right away. He seemed to be having an inner struggle with himself.

*If you tell her, she will be disgusted by you. *

"Kenshin?"

*She has a right to know. *

Kaoru became concerned.

"Fine," Kenshin said.

Kaoru took a deep breath.

'I can do this.'

"I left because I couldn't face you or Tomoe. I saw you two together before the wedding night, and I realized that you two were in love. I couldn't marry you knowing that. I just wanted you two to be happy." Kaoru said in a great rush.

Kenshin gave no outward reaction to her declaration.

"The night before the wedding?" Kenshin seemed to think on this, "Tomoe and I…She was upset, because Akira had decided to leave. She was in love with him."

"Akira!" Kaoru exclaimed.

'Akira! Why didn't I think of him before? Why didn't she tell me?'

"She was in love with Akira," Kaoru said in wonder, "I am such a baka. … Kenshin did you want to marry me then?"

"It is in the past, no use discussing it now," he said abruptly avoiding Kaoru's question.

*Does this mean…*

'Did he really want to…'

"It is better that you left." Kenshin said unexpectedly.

"Kenshin…you don't have to tell…" Kaoru trailed off.

"I will tell you," Kenshin said finally looking at her, "Maybe then you will leave me alone."

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Kyaa Kyaff peeks around the corner Hiya everyone! I know a lot of you were wondering what happened to Kenshin and how he got the first scar so it is coming up!

I had to stop it there though! Don't hate me! J Looks around making sure it is safe

I will update fast I swear!

I would like to thank all of my reviewers! *Big smile* You guys are great. Motivate me to get the next chapter out by leaving a review!

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