Disclaimer: Not mine. Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony, Jump, etc. Dragon Ball Z belongs to Akira Toriyama and associated parties. I'm only borrowing and not making any money off this.


OOCness abound!


Kaoru...the Saiyan??

Chapter 14: A Glance and Gone Again


Kaoru waved as Trunks left the Room of Spirit and Time. Okay, I've gotten through half of my training. Just six more months to go and then I'll see everyone again.


Gohan turned and sighed as he looked at Kaoru. "Um, Kaoru we need to fix something. I don't know how you're going to react to this, but it needs to be done." The young Saiyan scratched at the back of his head, remembering Kaoru's temper. "I don't know if this is looked down upon in your world, so don't yell at me if this is out of the question."


Kaoru's nostrils flared. "What the hell are you getting at, baka?"


Gohan chuckled. "So much like Vegeta. Well, what I need to ask is, can we cut your hair?"


Kaoru felt like laughing. "How is cutting my hair inappropriate?!"


The Saiyan male blushed. "Hey! How am I supposed to know?!"


Kaoru shook her head, obviously amused at his discomfort. "My only question is, why do you need to cut my hair?"


Gohan flew at her and Kaoru fought back. She seemed to have the upper hand until Gohan got behind her and grabbed her ponytail, yanking her down with it. Kaoru felt tears sting her eyes. Sure, as a Saiyan warrior, it really didn't hurt but by physical nature your eyes will water if your hair is pulled. She rubbed her offended scalp as much to soothe as to make sure her hair was still there.


"What was that for?"


"Kaoru, with long hair I can grab it and put you into positions that benefit me for attacks. I could grab your hair, put you in front of me and hang on as I punch you. With your hair held captive, you can't escape unless you rip your hair out. And I would think it's best to just cut it now instead of letting Nakago rip it out."


Kaoru bit her lip. Sure it was a great idea. But she was also a woman and a woman with a love life in turmoil. Would she look alright with her hair shorter?


Kaoru nodded slowly. "If it will help me in my fight, go ahead."


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Trunks emerged from the chamber with his clothes ripped and hair disheveled. "Hey, guys!"


He was immediately bombarded with questions.


"Is Kaoru alright?"


"How did training go?"


"Is she stronger than ever before?"


"Are you stronger?"


"Did you get beat up by Kaoru?"


Trunks's eyes grew round and he held up his hands. "Whoa! Hang on. One at a time. First of all, Kaoru is fine. Training went well. She's much stronger." He paused to hold up two fingers to Goku and Vegeta to say 'Super Saiyan Two'. "I'm stronger and yes, she beat the pulp out of me just before I left. Which is why my clothes are in shreds."


Misao hid her eyes. "Um, Trunks maybe you should change before you tell us all what happened."

She wasn't really comfortable with his bare chest peeking through or the long slit in his pants that went almost from knee to hip.


Trunks looked at his clothes and blushed. "Piccolo, would you?"


Piccolo placed a hand on Trunks's head and his clothes were good as new.


"Okay, Kaoru has reached the second level of Super Saiyan. I'm confident that she'll be able to improve enough to take out Nakago. As long as she keeps training with the ferocity she has been, it will be plenty."


Kenshin breathed a sigh of relief. Just hearing that Kaoru could do this was a load off his mind. He went back to meditating, hoping the next twelve hours would pass quickly. He wanted to see Kaoru.


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Kaoru glared at Gohan. "This short?! You told me it would be shoulder length! I look like a boy! Gohan, I'll rip you apart, baka!" Kaoru fumed, her now extremely short hair turning blonde. (Think Videl's haircut.)


Gohan gulped as her eyes took on a feral gleam. She came at him and clocked him right in the side of the face. "I wasn't expecting that! That was too quick for me to even sense, Kaoru!"


Kaoru's face brightened. "Really? Then this is all paying off."


Gohan ran his hand through his hair, glad she had forgotten his haircut for now.


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The next six months were a blur for Kaoru. They were tough without her friends, but with all the training she didn't have much time to think about her friends. Gohan was relentless. They woke at what should be dawn, trained all day and continued on until neither one could move. Kaoru glanced at the humongous clock on the ceiling. "We have just one day left. Tomorrow we can see everyone."


Gohan grinned. "Yeah. I miss them all. Do you want to train today or use it to get cleaned up and rest?"


Kaoru looked up, considering. She had a choice? All through this ordeal, she had been ordered around constantly, nothing left up to her. She smirked at Gohan. "Let's use half of the day to train, the other to rest and make ourselves presentable."


Gohan nodded. "Agreed." Without further warning, Kaoru was knocked backwards and the training began.


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Kenshin looked at Dende, who checked his pocket watch again. "Not too much longer. Don't worry, Kenshin. They'll emerge when the time is right."


On cue, the door swung open and Gohan stepped through. He glanced around at everyone and smiled. Kaoru stepped out next to him and everyone's eyes went wide. Her hair that had been butchered had time to grow a bit and now hung just above her shoulders.


Misao gave a shriek. "Kaoru, you cut your hair! It looks so cute!"


Kaoru blushed and hugged everyone as they came up to her. It was so nice to see them all again. Kaoru stared as her brother stood before her. He patted her on the back. "Good job, Princess."


She laughed until her sides hurt. Vegeta...affectionate? Never. But, actually trying to be somewhat affectionate and patting her on the back was priceless. She stood straight again and watched as Kenshin made his way over. She was suddenly very self-conscious about her hair. She looked at the ground and watched as Kenshin's feet came into view.


He pulled her chin up gently and looked at her. "I like your hair, Kaoru."


She blushed again. "Thank you."


She couldn't take it anymore and grabbed Kenshin around the neck, giving him a tight hug. Kenshin returned the embrace and watched her closely as she released him. "I'm sorry, Kenshin. I shouldn't have been so forward. It won't happen again."


She turned and Kenshin grabbed her hand. "I'm the one who should apologize. I need to talk to you, Kaoru-dono."


Kaoru nodded, a pit forming in her stomach. What did he want? She grabbed his waist and took off for the mountains.


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As they gazed off into the forest and at the tiny village below, Kaoru and Kenshin kept sneaking glances at each other. Finally, Kenshin broke the silence.


"I wanted to apologize for drawing my sword. It was wrong, but you need to understand my reasons for doing so."


Kaoru waited patiently for him to continue. He sighed and did so. "I do care deeply for you, Kaoru. And I wish more than anything that we could nurture that, but right now is not the time. You need to devote yourself entirely to your training. You can't be concerned with me or how we feel for each other."


Kaoru nodded, understanding him completely. "Kenshin, I do understand what you're saying and why you did what you did. But, I think about you whether we're working on a relationship or not. It's not like I forgot about you the minute you drew your sword. But, I do admit since I was mad at you, I was more aggressive in training. And I thank you for that."


Kenshin smiled warmly at her, a smile that Kaoru had been missing for more than a year. Kaoru was the only person he could pull a sword on and she'd thank him later. He shook his head slightly, a grin still in place. Kaoru stood there, hoping that wasn't the end. He could kiss her or something, or so she hoped. But, Kenshin merely cleared his throat. "We should head back. You have another year of training to go."


Kaoru grit her teeth, but took off with Kenshin for the Lookout.


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She landed roughly and stalked over to the other fighters. "All right, who's next up with me?"


There seemed to be some sort of dilemma they were going over. Goku rubbed his chin. "I've been in there for my two years."


Vegeta had his arms crossed, as usual. "Mine are up."


Gohan had used two, Trunks, Piccolo, everyone who had helped train her. Kaoru wrung her hands. "Well, I'm sure as heck not going in there alone! A year without any human contact would drive me mad."


They all stood, silently contemplating who it would be. Finally, Goku snapped his fingers and then transported. Everyone stared at the spot he had been in wondering where he was headed, when he returned. One small violet colored man in baggy clothes was thrashing about. "You young'uns need to respect your elders and a kai at that! What did you drag me here for?"


The old man stopped squirming and smoothed his white mohawk back when he saw Kaoru. "Hey, hey, cutie! What can this old man help you with?"


Kaoru didn't know whether to slap him or be nice so she just gave him a guarded smile and looked questioningly at Goku and his other companion. A large, young looking violet man who had long white hair and the same baggy clothes as the small older one.


Goku smiled. "This is Kobitoshin." He pointed at the young one, who smiled and gave Kaoru a nod.


"How are you?"


"And this is one of the Supreme Kai. We call him Old Kai." He pointed at the small old one.


Kaoru's gears started turning. Kai, Kai, Kai. I've heard that before. Where... She snapped her head up and flicked her tail. "The one who gave me my tail back?"


Vegeta shook his head. "No, that was King Kai. These two are the highest level of Kai there is."


Kaoru mouthed an 'oh' and wrapped her tail back around her waist.


Kobitoshin looked at Goku and cocked his head. "Why did you bring us here, Goku?"


Goku told them all about Nakago and how they found Kaoru and that now she's the one who will fight Nakago and that they needed someone to spend a year in the Room of Spirit and Time with her. "We've all used up our two years. None of us can accompany her."


The two kais nodded. Old Kai looked up. "Well, from what I understand you want us to go in with her."


Goku scratched at the back of his head. "I know back with Buu you did so much for us already, but I can't think of anyone else who can help us."


Kobitoshin nodded. "I'll go in with her. I have no problem with it."


The old kai shook his head. "I don't know if my old bones can take a whole year in there, but I will do with her as I did with Gohan. Sit in front of me, young lady." Kaoru placed herself in front of him and waited. "It takes twenty-four hours to do this. Are you up to it?"


Kaoru bit her lip. "What are we doing?"


"You just sit there. I will be doing the work. First, I stomp in circles around you for four hours, then for twenty we both meditate and it will bring out any hidden powers you have yet to unleash."


Kaoru nodded, warily. "Okay, will do. If it will help."


Kobitoshin smiled. "After you're done with that, we'll train."


Misao glanced at Dende. "Since they're doing that for twenty-four hours, why don't we do our training?"


Dende nodded. "Say your goodbyes. It won't be long for them, but a year will pass for you."


Misao jumped up and hugged all her friends, Aoshi being the last one. "I'll miss you, Aoshi-sama. I'll be back soon." She placed her lips against his and allowed Aoshi to lead her. He gave her a long and gentle kiss. Lips barely touching as he guided her through it. He released her and she walked into the chamber, blushing ten different shades of red.


Dende walked into the room, looking around. "I've never spent any time in here. It's quite eerie."


Misao sighed as she plopped down on the floor. "Let's start this thing. The harder we work, the less I'll think about everyone."


Dende nodded and stood near her. "Gather your ki and engulf your whole body with it, then channel it to flow from your hands."


Misao gaped at him. "All of that right now?"


"No. You'll get there. I just wanted you to know what your goal was. Alright, go ahead and start working on it. Healing is mainly gathering and channeling energy."


Misao closed her eyes and set about her task.


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A/N: Alright one down and one to go for Kaoru. Right now, Misao's working on her deal. Oh, I realize my fight scenes are all kinda...blah. But, that's because frankly, action isn't my thing and I want to save all my 'action ideas' for the final fight scene. It wouldn't do to have great training sequences and then a short final fight. Anyway, hope you guys liked and please keep reviewing. Hugs & Kisses!