Rurouni Kenshin is created by and the legal property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, so please don't sue me...I have NO money ;-;

" And when were movin' sets across the stage...do us all a favor and move you ass's out of the wings!!"

Stage Manager Sarah CCHS Production of "OKLAHOMA!" 2001-2002 Drama Dinner Improv "The Actor and the Techi should be Friends.

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Healer

Moaning, Kenshin turned over onto his back. ' Ugh...my body hasn't been in this much pain since Enishi....What happened? ' Violet eyes opened, and began trying to focus. He remembered running in the dark, and screaming...he was screaming something, and falling, yes... he remembered falling too. He was in an area with very dim lighting. Sitting up despite himself he looked around. ' This has got to be a dream...' Standing he brushed himself off and began to walk. Suddenly the sounds of fighting reached his ears. Taking a faster pace, he followed to sound to where is was coming from. Before he could walk any farther, he froze. "What!?" A deep voice from the dark arose, commanding him. "You will not be permitted to leave rurouni. I'm going to do what Tomoe wants...I'm going to get rid of her." Kenshin's eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen. He began to struggle against the force binding him. "NO!! You will not touch her Battousai!! I promised to protect her...even from you! Tomoe is not longer out present! Kaoru is....and if hurt her..." Battousai laughed. "You'll do what? Kill yourself? That's the only way you can stop me...but, I'm in control now. And you can't even due that!" Battousai's voice drifted off, and Kenshin knew he had lost. ' Kaoru...its up to you...fight him...please...'

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Kaoru opened her eyes slowly, body slick with sweat sticking to the futon. 'That dream...it was so...so..." Turning to her side, she noticed Kenshin was missing. "Kenshin?" Whispering his name, she stood looking around her. Putting on a robe she stepped outside. Standing in the middle of the Aoiya's small courtyard area was Kenshin. Spotting him, she moved closer, confused as to why he was out so late. Whispering his name again, he turned around slowly. Her breath caught, and her eyes widened, as her own blue eyes bore into the amber eyes of Battousai.

Battousai smirked at her confused expression. "Why...Kaoru, are you...surprised to see me?" He stepped toward her, hand on the hilt of his Sakabatou. Kaoru swallowed, but stood her ground. "What reason do you have for being here Battousai? There is no threat around." A laugh. "Oh, but my dear, there is a threat lurking around. That threat...is YOU" Without a second thought Battousai leapt forward drawing the sword. Kaoru instincts kicked in and she dodge the blade quickly. Rolling against the ground she watched as he jumped up above her. Kaoru quickly dashed to the side, barely avoiding the blade. "Why are you doing this!? This is not who you are!" Battousai smirked. "Oh...but this IS who I am. And why am I doing this? For Tomoe...she wants you out of the way..." Kaoru's eyes widened at the name. ' Tomoe...? " Battousai's attack came once again, but Kaoru, still in shock was too slow to dodge completely. The blade pierced through her shoulder, and she gave a painful cry.

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"WHAT'S GOING ON!?" Misao looked out onto the scene from the balcony and gasp. ' Battousai....Battousai's trying to kill Kaoru!' Misao looked around, and then settled for one other option. "AOSHI-SAMA!!" Aoshi ran in, kodachi's drawn. "Misao...what's going on?" Misao pointed down outside the balcony to the battle field below them. Aoshi looked upon the scene, and then calmly put away his weapons. "AOSHI-SAMA! What are you doing!?! You have to help Kaoru-san or she'll die!!!" Aoshi looked back out at the fight and closed his eyes. "No, Misao....there is nothing we can do. Kaoru must fight this battle alone. If she really wants to find the answers she's been searching for...she won't give up."

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Clutching her shoulder Kaoru looked around frantically. ' I need a weapon! Anything!! ' Battousai took small steps toward her. He inhaled deeply, memorizing the smell of her blood. He thirst for it...Tomoe would live off her spilled blood. Coming up behind her he dropped the sword and lifted his arms up. His and curled around the smooth ivory skin of her neck and Kaoru gasped. ' This is..!' She struggled against the hold so much like the one in her dream. She clawed at his hands and gasped for air. In the back of Battousai's mind a roar of hatred started. Slowly it grew louder. Battousai shook his head at the annoying roar that was slowly becoming a pain. He couldn't stop know....not when he was this close to Tomoe....

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Kenshin struggled against the hold on him. The bonds seem tighter that ever before, Battousai had never had such a strong will. He could see all that was happening and fought against it. "THIS ISN'T US!!!! STOP THIS! NO MORE!!! NO MORE!!! " He had to gain control, but it was hard. He clenched his eyes tight at the smell of blood.

' Anata.... '

"What? Tomoe...?" Kenshin looked around confused.

"Anata...listen to me. All that has happened to you ever since you have arrived in Kyoto has been my doing. The dreams, the illusions...its been a product of myself. Even this fight she is having with your other half. Kaoru-chan said she wanted you to have a new life, without the demons...THAT is what she is fighting for now."

Kenshin blinked confused. "So...all this. Is YOUR doing? Why?"

"She truly deserves you...and you deserve her. I've helped her, and she knows it. She now knows the true you. This test I put upon you two was to see how strong your love really is. She took in everything that happened, and used it to make her stronger. She is fighting for your love...she is fighting you."

Kenshin swallowed. "Why? Why must she fight him!? Us!?"

"Because...your other half still lingers on myself. In the back of your mind you have always wished for my return. All Kaoru-chan wants is for you to love her...She wants you to be happy and chase away your nightmares. Including me. Battousai is a nightmare in himself. If she wins this battle, Battousai will still be a part of you...but his nightmares, along with yours with no longer exist.."

"Kaoru-koishii...."

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"P-Please.....I-I...." Kaoru struggled against the hold Battousai had on her. ' I-I have to beat him...for Kenshin...for us...' Gathering all the strength she had left in her she brought her hands up to Battousai and began to pry them away from her neck. Battousai clenched harder, digging his nails into her skin and drawing blood. With all her strength she broke Battousai's hold and fell to the ground. Battousai's gold eyes looked upon her surprised. Growling her picked her up off the and held her against the Aoiya's outside wall. "You...bitch..." he hissed. He gathered his sword up and placed it against her bruised and bleeding neck. "Say good-bye..." "Never." He pushed the blade farther into her skin piercing the surface. Taking a deep breath Kaoru's blue eyes met his. "I will no longer be threatened by you! Let me help you! let me take away the pain you suffered all those years ago. I-I know I will never replace Tomoe-san in your heart...but...let me coincide with her. Let me be a part of your life like I a Kenshin's. Kenshin....Battousai, together you are one man." Slowly she brought her hand up to caress the cross-shaped scar on his cheek. "Aishiteru...anata.." Golden eyes widened as the loud roar reached and unbelievable volume. Battousai's mind shattered as the past swam in his head.

Kenshin screamed at the onslaught of memories and clutched his head. From his training with Hiko, to Tomoe's death, to Shishio and to Enishi. Blood fell from his scar staining the colorless ground below him. A voice in his mind whispered a few words before vanishing. The last thing he saw was an endless blue before his amber and lavender eyes shut...and he succumbed to darkness.

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A.N- Well, another chappie! With a slight cliffhanger I guess you could call it. Only a few more chapters to go! =^.^= Well...please be kind a leave a review and tell me what you this about this chapter!! PLEASE EXCUSE ALL SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ERRORS!! Till Next Time! Ja! =^.^=

~Kawaii Ayame~