Disclaimer: Well 'gulp' I don't know how to say this... I.... I...I... I CANT SAY IT! Will someone come to my aid and say these dreadful words. "Hardy does NOT own the characters in this fanfic." I just can't bring myself to say it. Though I don't wanna get sued. Oh and I changed the Nindo-Nika group to the Oniwaban group because I wanted Aoshi in the story.so there!

' Means their thinking " Means there talking * Means random things

'Again I am putting my friends in danger.I cant do this to them again. I will go tomorrow and then I will leave the dojo. That is the only thing I can do to protect all my friends. I must leave here that I must.' As Kenshin eyes wandered through the sky a shooting star crossed the moon and reflected in Kenshin's eyes. It reminded him of tomorrow, when he, like the star would leave his friends to protect them from the past of the Battosai.

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Kaoru woke the next morning to find Kenshin and Sano sitting in the kitchen sipping tea. Their eyes were narrowed in deep thought and they had strangely somber looks on their faces. "Hello Kenshin, Sano. What's the matter?" Kenshin and Sano continued to sip their tea paying no attention to Kaoru. "Kenshin? Sano?" Kenshin looked up at Kaoru and gave a soft smile. "Sorry Kaoru-Dono, we don't feel much like talking today, that we don't." Kaoru glanced from Kenshin to Sano worriedly. "Oh.. Ok I'll just leave then." Kaoru turned around with a hurt look in her eyes knowing that they were hiding stuff from her.

Sano looked over to Kenshin the glum look fading from his face, and furrowed his eyebrows. " Do you think we should have told the little missy what's going on?" Kenshin glared at Sano. "No Sano, its better off with her not knowing about this. She would want to come along and that's just to dangerous that it is." Kenshin put down his tea and walked outside looking at the sun. "Sano, it appears to be almost noon, we should go that we should." As Kenshin and Sano left Kaoru sat watching them. 'I wonder where they are going...'

The Oniwaban group assembled waiting for the Battosai to show, planning what they were going to do when he did. The leader Aoshi Shinomori sat patiently leaning up against a tree. 'Huh, after so long Battosai, we are finally going to meet again.' Aoshi's bright blue eyes looked up as he heard the sound of footsteps approaching them rapidly. 'Their here..' Kenshin and Sano reached the bridge just as Aoshi did; Kenshin put his arm out in front of Sano to tell him to stay back until he needed him. Sano backed away and Aoshi and Kenshin glared daggers into one another.

"Aoshi, we meet again." Aoshi put his hand on his hip standing casually and responded. "Yes Battosai, only this time, I WILL kill you!" Aoshi's ice blue eyes seemed to stare straight through Kenshin into his soul. Kenshin's hand grazed the sheath of his sword and grasped the sword firmly. Aoshi's hand went for his Kodachi at the same time. They both drew their swords; Kenshin had his blade side down. "Huh, so Battosai... you are not going to try to kill me are you? I suggest you flip the blade of your sword right now before I attack." Sano who had, as Kenshin said stood back until he needed him came forward. "KENSHIN! Flip the blade you know how strong Aoshi is!" Kenshin turned to his friend and made him jump back when he smiled. "I know Sano, I know." Kenshin refused to flip the blade. Aoshi just smirked and got into a fighting stance. "Well then... Prepare to die..BATTOSAI!"

Kenshin's foot slid back as Aoshi's Kadachi hit his reverse blade. Aoshi and Kenshin fought as a certain young girl praying for Kenshin to win hid in the bushes. Kenshin brought his sword up to strike Aoshi, but heard a familiar scream. The Oniwaban group had found Kaoru sitting in the bushes and now had her with a knife to her throat. Kenshin's eyes went wide. 'Kaoru...' This left Kenshin open enough to where the Kadachi sliced into his right shoulder. Kaoru's eyes filled with tears. "KENSHIN!" Kenshin fell to his knees clutching his shoulder. Sano ran to attack Aoshi but got a face full of dirt and a lot of pain as Aoshi's hand connected with his back. The Kadachi was poised over Kenshin's head, ready to kill him. " Now, you will die BATTOSAI THE MANSLAYER!" 'Kaoru...'

TBC.........

A.N: CLIFFHANGER!!! Don't you hate those things? Well I will have the other chappy up soon. I already started to write it so hopefully it will be up soon. Well, until then go enjoy my other stories. Oh yes...and don't forget to review this to. Go R&R my other fics to..mostly InuYasha fics.