Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: Yep! I know Kenshin doesn't belong to me. *sigh*

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

An Alternate Place and Time

Chapter 19: What now?!

"So my baka deshi has come to visit," Hiko looked over at Kaoru who was trying to cover herself up, "and you brought a woman with you too."

"Shishou you live here?"

"Have you become dumber since the last time we talked?" Hiko asked.

"Hey! Stop insulting Kenshin," Kaoru said angrily.

Hiko's gaze traveled over to Kaoru, "You have very fine…"

"Shishou," Kenshin interrupted angrily.

Hiko smiled at how easy it was to anger Kenshin.

"Well, are you going to sit there all day, or are you going to get out of MY bed?" Hiko asked.

Kaoru's face turned red holding the blanket closer. Kenshin reluctantly stood up to get his clothes allowing Kaoru to retain some of her modesty with the blanket. She got up holding the blanket and walking over to her clothes.

"Why are you here?" Hiko asked abruptly.

"There was a really bad storm. This was the only shelter I could find." Kaoru explained.

Kenshin finished getting dressed while Hiko went to go sit on the trunk in the room. Kaoru still held the blanket close. Hiko watched with a raised eyebrow as Kenshin stood in front of Kaoru taking the blanket and holding it up, so Kaoru could get dressed.

"Are you still with those fools?" Hiko asked.

Kenshin knew he meant the Ishin shishi. When Kenshin first met Hiko, it was with the Ishin shishi. Kenshin had joined, and was being trained by Hiko. The leader of the Ishin shishi, Katsura, had made a decision to act and use Hiko and Kenshin's blades to assassinate those that stood in their way. Hiko opposed the idea, but Kenshin agreed to it. After an argument with Kenshin, Hiko simply left without a trace.

"Yes," Kenshin replied.

"Then you still don't understand."

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Sano, Megumi, and Misao had left in search of Kaoru and Kenshin once the storm subsided. Based on rumors they found the now abandoned base of the Juppon Gatana. There were signs of a recent battle, but the three found no trace of Kenshin or Kaoru.

"We've searched everywhere! Where could they have gone? And where is my Aoshi-sama?" Misao yelled loudly causing several people to turn and look.

"Aosh…" Misao started to say but was cut off by Sano's hand.

"Would you shut up, Itachi?" Sano said.

She took a big bite of his hand making him yelp in surprise, "Stop calling me that!"

Megumi sighed, "Am I the only mature one here?"

Misao frowned and started walking away.

"The snow storm is gone now. I am sure they went somewhere for shelter." Megumi said.

"Well, they said there is an hermit that lives in the woods. Maybe they found shelter there. I mean it is in the forest next to that building, right?" Sano said.

"For once you are using your brain," Megumi said.

"Thanks… oi wait a second."

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"Shishou?"

Hiko shook his head, "Hurry and leave. I want nothing to do with your problems."

Kaoru finished dressing, and went and grabbed her sakabatou placing it at her side.

"Where did you get that sword girl?" Hiko asked.

"I have a name! Kamiya," she glanced at Kenshin, "No, Himura Kaoru."

Hiko merely smiled, "Where did you get that sword my baka deshi's wife."

Kaoru was about to get really pissed when she felt Kenshin's hand on her shoulder.

"Don't let him bait you Kaoru," he said looking at her warmly.

Sighing Kaoru decided to answer him, "I received the sword from Amakusa Shougo."

Hiko's eyes narrowed, "That fool is still alive?"

"No," Kaoru replied.

"Hah! I wonder who was able to kill him before I got the chance?"

"…I did," Kaoru said calmly.

Hiko's eyebrows raised, "Did you now? Taught you the succession technique."

"No," Kaoru said.

"He wouldn't. Enough of this talk. Leave," Hiko said dismissing them.

The door was swung open suddenly. Standing outside was Misao, Megumi, and Sano.

"Kaoru-san!" Misao exclaimed happily jumping inside and crashing into Kaoru with a firm hug.

"More guests?"

"We've been looking all over for you two," Sano said.

"As I was saying, you can leave now," Hiko said still sitting there.

"You don't look like a hermit," Misao said.

"Shishou," Kenshin started saying.

"Shishou? You mean this guy…" Sano said trailing off.

"Enough leave me to my sake! I don't want to see your face again, baka deshi. Until you understand the principles of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu." Hiko stated.

Kenshin made no reply as Hiko stood and walked out the door. The rest of the group followed him outside, but started down the trail they had come from. Kenshin glanced back toward Hiko.

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On the way back Kaoru and Kenshin explained what had happened when they were separated from the group. They also had no idea what had happened to Aoshi. Kaoru withheld the fact that she was Saitoh's daughter at the moment. She didn't know if she truly believed it yet herself. The day was just beginning to sink into night, when the house came into view. As they neared the house, Yahiko dashed out followed by Tsubame.

"Busu!" Yahiko exclaimed happily running toward Kaoru.

Before he reached her she smacked him on the head with the sheath of her sakabatou.

"Yahiko-chan, I am so happy to see you too," Kaoru said.

"Do! Not! Call! Me! Chan!" Yahiko yelled.

"What's the matter Yahiko-chan?" Sano asked.

"Tori-atama!!!" he jumped at Sano.

Kaoru began to laugh. She found Kenshin's hand and held onto happily. This did not go unnoticed by the gang.

"So what did you guys do in there? Stuck all alone and cold." Sano asked.

Kaoru and Kenshin both began to blush fiercely.

Megumi's mouth dropped open, "No way! Ken-san you didn't…"

Kenshin smiled, "I would like to present Himura Kaoru. I plan on making it official in everyone's eyes as soon as this conflict is over."

Megumi was amazed at the transformation in Kenshin. He was no longer silent and moody. He seemed happy and almost at peace. Kaoru had that affect on people. Everyone laughed and began to congratulate them. Kaoru was so happy, but it wasn't meant to last long. An arrow came flying out of nowhere and stuck into the side of the house right above Tsubame's shoulder. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Walking over Kenshin grabbed the note that was tied to the arrow. As he read it his face darkened and he crumpled the paper in his hand.

"I have to go," he said simply.

"Kenshin, what does it say?" Kaoru asked.

"I don't want you involved this time Kaoru."

Kaoru became angry at this, "You are not leaving me behind."

"Kaoru I need you to stay here and protect Yahiko. They will most likely come after him now that they know our location."

"The Shinsengumi," Kaoru said.

Kenshin nodded.

"Kenshin what do they want?" Kaoru asked.

"The note is from Takasugi. He's taken Tomoe. I am going to get her back." Kenshin said.

"It has to be a trap," Sano said.

"That is why I am going alone. You need to be here to protect Yahiko."

Kaoru grabbed his gi, "Take Sano with you. I can take care of myself, and Misao is here too."

"Fine, Sano?"

"No problem!" Sano said.

"Hey! I can take care of myself," Yahiko complained.

"When are we leaving?" Sano asked.

"Now," Kenshin replied.

Kaoru stopped him again, "You can't leave until you kiss me."

"Oh, get a room you two," Yahiko groaned.

Kaoru chose to ignore him. Kenshin smiled at her before giving her a small but loving kiss. Kaoru gave him a tight hug not wanting to let go.

"Bring her back safe," Kaoru said.

"I will. Stay safe."

Kaoru promised she would. Megumi reluctantly approached Sano.

"Good luck, tori-atama."

"Don't worry Megitsune, I'll be back. How about a kiss?"

Megumi backed away from him, "I don't think so."

"It was worth a try," Sano said sighing.

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Kenshin and Sano left going up the road away from the house and the city. Everyone else went inside to wait. Yahiko and Tsubame were sitting by the wall talking to each other as usual. Misao and Megumi both crowded around Kaoru.

"So tell us what happened?" Megumi said.

"Yeah!" Misao urged.

"What are you talking about?" Kaoru said trying to feign ignorance.

"You know perfectly well. What did you two do while stuck in that cabin. I only saw one blanket," Megumi said.

"Umm…"

Before Kaoru could answer there was a polite knock on the door. Everyone stopped talking. Cautiously Kaoru got up and opened the door and gasped in shock.

"I have come to fight," Aoshi said.

"Aoshi-sama?!" Misao exclaimed.

He glanced at her for a second, but seemed to disregard her.

"Kenshin isn't here to fight!" Kaoru said.

"I wasn't looking for him. I have come for the title of strongest."

"What are you talking about?" Megumi asked.

"I came to fight you," Aoshi said looking straight at Kaoru.

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Kenshin walked quietly with Sano. They were making their way down a path in the forest.

"How do you know where to go?" Sano asked.

"The note said to follow the path of the arrow to where Tomoe is."

Kenshin didn't bother to mention that the letter was addressed to Kaoru, but he did not want her to come. He wanted her to be safe. Walking a little further Sano not liking the silence finally spoke up.

"So what happened between you and Jou-chan?" Sano asked.

"What do you think?" Kenshin said annoyed.

"Well, knowing Jou-chan she made the first move and…"

"That's enough!" Kenshin said, "we have to be quiet, or we'll attract attention."

Sano laughed, "Guess I was right."

The snow crunching under their feet was the only noise they heard for a little while. Kenshin and Sano stopped suddenly sensing someone near. Stepping out from behind a tree, a big man approached them. He had a bandana wrapped around his head and his eyes were shadowed black.

"Where's the girl?" the man asked

"He is not a member of the Shinsengumi," Kenshin said.

"You are correct," the man replied.

"Something is wrong," Kenshin said.

"Let me take care of this one Kenshin. You go on ahead. There's no time to waste," Sano said cracking his knuckles.

Kenshin nodded.

*He's a member of the Juppon Gatana. Takasugi, what are you up to? *

The man turned to stop Kenshin.

"Oi! You're opponent is me!" Sano yelled swinging a punch at him.

The man caught it with his fist and struck Sano in the ribs with an uppercut, throwing him aside. Sano jumped right back up smiling.

"Yes, finally a challenge!" Sano said as Kenshin slipped past.

Facing off Sano lunged forward connecting with the other man's face, and giving him a good shot to the stomach with his other hand before jumping back. The man didn't look fazed at all. Sano smiled at this.

"Come on, guy!"

"Anji," the man replied.

"???" Sano watched him with a clueless expression.

"My name is Anji and I accept your challenge."

Anji set his feet apart, readying himself.

"Heh! Heh, this is going to be fun," Sano said.

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Kenshin cautiously continued along the trail. His senses were fully alert. Ducking low, he jumped back as a large scythe was swung right where he had been standing. He saw a large metal ball connected to the scythe by a chain seconds later, dodging it as well.

Again the same question, "Where's the girl?"

Kenshin did not reply, instead he came at Kamatari. Just as he went to attack another person appeared and he had to quickly jump out of the way as a huge man slashed at him with fingers that had sharpened metal claws on them.

"Iwanbo! Do not interrupt my fight!" Kamatari said.

With a huge scary smile Iwanbo scratched his head dumbly.

"Where's the girl that killed my Shishio-sama!? I must exact my revenge." Kamatari said with hatred.

"Sorry to disappoint you. I am your opponent," Kenshin replied.

Kamatari's eyes narrowed. Pulling back the scythe he swung it at Kenshin again. His other weapon came flying out to counter Kenshin's attack. Kenshin slid to the side quickly changing direction before going for Kamatari's unprotected side. Just as Kenshin was about to kill him Iwanbo plunged his fingers into Kenshin's shoulder from behind. Deftly pivoting around he swung his sword at Iwanbo. To his amazement in sunk right in before coming back out. He was then slammed in the back to the ground. Standing up, he shook his head free of the snow trapping itself in his hair.

Just as he was about to attack Kamatari, a small object came hurtling toward him. A small explosion went off throwing Kenshin off his feet and into a tree. He grabbed his head groggily trying to focus his vision and get rid of the ringing in his ears. Kenshin looked up vaguely seeing a man in the trees. Readying his sword he shot forward slicing right through the tree. A shout was heard. Kenshin then went right after Kamatari, placing Kamatari in between him and Iwanbo.

"You think you can beat me," Kamatari laughed, "Once I finish with you I will find that woman and make her pay!"

Kenshin focused fully. He sprinted forward ducking the scythe and avoiding the chain, he got behind Kamatari's defense and right in his face.

"How will you do that when you are dead?" Kenshin asked before slicing the man's throat open.

Iwanbo watched with wide eyes. Scratching his head again, he smiled then waved goodbye before leaving quicker then Kenshin thought was possible for his huge size. He tried focusing his eyesight again. He stumbled slightly at another injury he had received from his last attack. Kenshin could not sense the other man that had been in the trees. Placing his sword back in its sheath, he continued down the trail, drops of blood glistening in the snow.

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Hiya Everyone! Well here's the next chapter! hope you liked it ^_^ ! Uh oh! Aoshi's back! He! he! Takasugi too! And I plan on having Hiko come back!!!

Thanks to Lina, Chiki, Laie Himura de Fanel, A., Shunu no Miko, Vesca, Blue Moon, Jim, Apple, Crystal, Ro-chan, Kawaii sakura-chan, Shizuka, Isis 13, Lizzie, omochi, Haruko, Tan Kimiko, me me me and only me, marstanuki, Icegal, Naomi, Joey, Gina, Aya Chan, and Demon Wolf!

I'll try to do individual responses next time cause I love to!!! but I am really busy with that annoying but necessary thing called homework! But I want you to know I appreciate all your reviews. they motivate me lots!

Kyaa Kyaff saying hope to hear from you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!