Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. So there.

Author's Rant: This fic has no point. It's morbid. It's strange. It takes place after no exact series or situation. It's random. Deal with it. Either read, or don't read. :P

Advanced Warning: Again, the spacing is screwed. As in, everything's too closely spaced together. Ugh, you'll see what I mean. Friggin' ...oh wait, it's rated PG-13... Damn computer! Anyhoo... Enjoy, I suppose.

In this Chapter::

// ... // = Either replayed past conversations or... something else, which will not be mentioned as of yet...

:: ... :: = Thoughts

--- = Breaks for flashbacks/locations

+ + +

// Things will never be the same. //

Shut up...

// How much longer will you run, vagabond? How much farther will you go? //

I said, shut up...

// You can't run from me. I am you. You are me. Stop turning from me, Himura Kenshin... //

+ + +

Rurouni Kenshin

~ Shattered Memories ~

---

+ Prologue +

"Kenshin!"

The sun glistened over the Kamiya Kasshin household as Kaoru made way for the red-haired wanderer, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. Kenshin, standing rather uncomfortably over a spilt basin of laundry and soap suds, barely turned his head while she addressed him. Distant vibrations of a swinging shinai could be heard from the dojo as she slowly walked towards him.

"I don't think Kaoru-dono would be pleased with such a mess, that I do." Kenshin spoke intently to himself, quickly picking up the collapsed basin of soapy water and clothing.

"Kenshin!" she repeated, placing her bokken over her right arm. "What happened?"

"Oro?"

"Ugh... Kenshin, you spilled the basin! Baka! Now it's all over the place..."

"I can be quite clumsy, that I can. Please don't worry, Kaoru-dono. I'll clean it up..."

Caught off guard by his kind behavior, the young assistant master paused, a small blush tinting her face. Kenshin simply smiled back, not noticing Kaoru's sudden uneasiness.

"Huh? Oh, well... make sure you do." She replied, tucking a lose strand of dark ebony hair behind an ear.

"KAORU!"

Kaoru's lips twitched as Yahiko suddenly peered out of the dojo, face struck with boredom. "Hey! Busu! Quit flirting with Kenshin and let's keep going!!!"

Almost immediately, Kaoru's face went through five different stages of crimson red, her hands seizing the bokken propped against her arm. "YAHIKO!!! Make that FIFTY more swings! And clean the FLOOR while you're at it!"

Kenshin chuckled slightly as the younger boy cursed creatively, running back into the dojo as his sensei charged at him.

"And don't swear! You've been around Sanosuke enough for one day!!!"

"AAAAGHHH!!! BUSU!!! BUUUSUUUU!!!!"

Shaking his head in amusement, Kenshin returned to the laundry, slowly turning over the small barrel. His violet eyes glazed over as the soapy water flowed beneath his feet.

// ...stop turning from me... //

"Yo, Kenshin!"

Blinking, the red-haired wander glanced upwards, quirking a confused brow. A towering figure with spiky hair stood before him, their features somewhat blocked against the sunlight. Kenshin tilted his head.

"Sano?"

The six foot brawler smirked. "Yeah, that's my name. What's up?"

"What's up?" Kenshin repeated, utterly confused.

Sanosuke rolled his dark eyes heavenward, sighing heavily. "Yeah, what's up- what's wrong- what happened? You know, it's a question..."

"Oh. Nothing at all."

Sanosuke frowned, chewing absentmindedly on a raw fish bone, leaning downwards so the two starred face to face.

"Oro?"

"You just had a disturbed look on your face five minutes ago. Then you dropped the bucket. Care to explain?"

// Things will never be the same. //

Again, the former assassin's eyes deepened in thought, casting past Sanosuke's cocky gaze and into the heavens beyond.

---

The blade thrashed against its victim, cleanly cutting through their flesh with morbid skill. The man lurched forwards, lips quivering as a mouthful of blood erupted in response to the blow. Death was evident. Crudely, the sword's wielder tore its position from the man's stomach, wrenching forth further access of crimson red fluid.

Shaking, the man glanced upwards, dark eyes wide in perplexed fear.

"Why?" he spoke through choked gasps and splutters, collapsing to his knees.

Battousai's amber eyes narrowed, paying little heed to the pleading creature. His crimson stained hands quickly placed the katana back into its scabbard, his victim reaching out for him while he did so.

"Why, Battousai... why must you kill? How... can you..." the man coughed. Blood trickled down his chin, over the earth... onto Battousai's feet. He was dead.

---

"Hello? Kenshin? Whoa... wake up there, buddy!"

Kenshin's eyes widened, automatically wincing as the sun greeted his vision. His mind reeled, disoriented and confused.

:: But, wasn't I...? ::

Sanosuke just starred back at him, clearly concerned.

"...Uh..." Kenshin mumbled, glancing about aimlessly.

"Hah! You look horrible. Did you get any sleep last night?"

:: Sleep...? ::

// How much longer will you run? //

"...apparently not enough. But do not be so concerned, Sanosuke. I will be fine, that I will."

Sanosuke scoffed in response, straightening his posture and walking into the lively dojo. "Sure, whatever. Just don't forget... tonight we're all going out for dinner."

Kenshin only nodded his head in response, watching the water continuing to flow beneath his feet. His heart began to quicken its pace as the foamy liquid rippled. Nearly resembling a metallic substance, the ripples began to shift, circling around his feet. Why was it moving?

:: There's no breeze... It's... what is that? It's... ::

The wanderer's heart stopped. The whole atmosphere shifted upon itself, right there... right in front of him. There was no longer a peaceful Tokyo; a sunny filled day; a content, humble dojo with spilt water beneath him. He was somewhere else.

:: ...blood. ::

For the first time in months, Himura Kenshin felt his heart stop, his eyes widening in absolute shock.

:: I'm standing in blood. ::

An unnatural breeze radiated about him then, his hair swaying wildly against his back.

:: Something isn't right... :: Kenshin thought, his distraught eyes narrowing as darkness consumed him.

"What's happening to me..."

+ + +

Naomi: Hmmf. A rather short start. Eh, oh well, most prologues are. I just saw an episode of RK on Toonami today, so I was in the mood to type something up. But why, WHY must they edit RK so HORRIBLY on the Cartoon Network?! Sure, the dubbing is all good, but... there's barely any BLOOD... DBZ is one thing (no offense DBZ fans): Rurouni Kenshin isn't! YAAAARGHHH!!!

Chibi Kenshin: Oro?

Naomi: *sighs* Well, whatever. Please either review or don't review. And I know it's short.

Chibi Kaoru: Did you know that the chapter's reallllyyyy sh---

Naomi: _; *implodes herself*

Chibi Kenshin & Kaoru: NAAAAANI?!?!?!

Naomi: ^.^'