Authors note:

Gomen that it took so long to put the chapter up its just that I have been doing a lot lately but I really hope everyone will still be reading this story and all try to make this not to boring lol.

Thanks to: Ymir-chan, Tsugoi Kakerlena and ZSilver you guys are the best ^^x !!!!!!!

Well if anyone else reads this story please review thank you very much and now on with chapter 3 The past returns.

This chapter wont be as long and I'm sorry for that but I try at least and sorry again that it took so long I love you all and again thanks for reviewing! It means a lot to me and it keeps me going! Well before you get sick of me here goes the story!

(song by Lasgo "Something.") ++++++++++

Chapter 3 The past returns

++++++++++

I don't wanna say that I'm sorry

'Cause I know there is nothing wrong

Don't be afraid

There is no need to worry

'Cause my feelings for you are still strong

Hold me in your arms

And never let me go

Hold me in your arms

'Cause I need you so

I can see it in your eyes

There is something

Something you wanna tell me

I see it in your eyes

There is something

That you hide for me

Is there a reason why?

There is something

Something you wanna tell me

I see it in your eyes

There is something

That you hide for me

Kaoru, Kenshin, Megumi and Soujiro stud they're facing each other but only Kenshin and Kaoru could see each other.

The soft wind was picking up once again and Kaoru's kimono and hair danced with the wind slightly. Her cheeks where slightly flushed as she looked at the two.

' Kenshin.. Megumi. there here.he's here.' Kaoru looked at them no one moved it felt so weird but there was one who was not in this world. It was Soujiro he only looked over Kenshin and spotted the scar.

' He's the killer I was told of.' with that Soujiro was now on guard mode his hand ready to grab the katana he had at his waist. Kenshin took a step forward then he hear screams directed to him which took him out of his trance to the young women named Kaoru.

"Kenshin!" Sano and Yahiko ran up to him. In Yahiko's arms was a long object, which was wrapped with white cloth.

Sano moved to Kenshin's side Yahiko was next to Megumi. "That person is Seta Soujiro.he is a sword man that has beaten ALL his enemies." Sano clenched his fist.

"We saw him so we got the closest sword we could find." Yahiko held up the object. Kenshin took it and unraveled it to reveal a Sakabatou. Yahiko and Sano stared at the sword once Kenshin pulled the blade from the sheath. The blade was reversed.

"What the hell is that." Sano looked at the Sakabatou then to Kenshin but Kenshin's face was calm.

"Arigato Sano.Yahiko."

' This will have to do if I must result to fighting.'

Soujiro saw the blade. 'Will he try to fight me.I will have no problem but Kaoru-san is here and she could get hurt.I guess all have to avoid this fight.'

Soujiro grabbed Kaoru's arm and pulled her into a run. Kenshin immediately reacted.

"Megumi-dono." Before he could say more Megumi interrupted him. "Just go get Kaoru." She said with a rushed voice but not cruel at all. He did a slight nod and ran after Soujiro.

'He's fast.' Soujiro had no other chance even though he was very fast Kaoru was not as fast so he decided what he must do.

"Gomen Kaoru-san." Before she could say anything he picked her up and was carrying her to his surprise she was very light and he was very thank full for that.

Soujiro past the backs of the town and went to the forest. Soujiro knew everything well so he had the advantage when he turned around he made the mistake of turning around and stopping when he looked in front of himself there stud a slightly angry Kenshin other then that he looked deathly calm.

"Kaoru-san stand behind me." Soujiro put her down and placed her behind him.

Kenshin of course wasn't very pleased with the idea of her being protected by another. He felt a hint of Jealousy but he made himself stop and focus on the younger man in front of him.

+++++(Kaoru's point of view)+++++

My eyes widened at the seen before me. Kenshin stood only a couple feet away and I couldn't even go to him my voice wasn't working it felt like I wasn't even there like watching a dream that no one can see or hear you. If looks could kill Soujiro would be dead and six feet under.

My heart was pounding in my chest and would not stop but anger slowly came up. 'Why was I just standing here! I could fight for myself if needed but it was because I was female it was suddenly seen as wrong.baka!'

The clashes of blades snapped me back into reality and my head snapped up to the two fighters. Kenshin's eyes where full of emotions that I could not read. The thing that scared me was how Soujiro looked, he smiled as though it where only a child's game and what was even worse was that I could not read his moves.

Kenshin was fast but not faster then the smiling Soujiro. Soujiro leaped into the air and came down onto Kenshin with lightning speed crushing Kenshin's body to the ground but luckily Kenshin had moved his Sakabatou in time to avoid Soujiro's blade that would have cut Kenshin in half.

I looked at the two in horror until in the corner of my eyes I saw the two males Kenshin had with him earlier and behind them ran Megumi.

"Kaoru!" Megumi called out to me but I knew if she came any closer she might be hit.

"Megumi! Stay away! And keep the other two out of the way as well!" I said it a little to harshly but it was for the better of it at.

Megumi looked at me for a while her dark eyes burning into me. Then she made a slight nod and called to the other two to stay away but they protested at that. The tall one showed his fist ready to fight as the younger one growled and holding a long stick. I guess he had found on the way running here.

I looked again back at the two 'Kenshin..' but it had been so long.was he the same how did I know he hadn't come to kill ME. and what about Soujiro I hadn't known him for long just this day.'

Everything made no sense at all had the world gone crazy.

++++++(Author's point of view)+++++

The raven-haired maiden looked at the two fighting her blue orbed eyes showed deep pools of confusion. She had changed and she had grown up just like Kenshin had changed as well.

"Stop this now!" Everyone stopped and turned to Kaoru whose eyes burned into their very souls.

"Please.stop." It looked as though she was going to cry but she wouldn't let that happen Kenshin knew that about her.

Soujiro placed his Katana away and smiled at Kaoru. "Hai Kaoru-san."

Kenshin stood there and thought about it for a little while till he cout the pleading eyes of Kaoru then he placed the Sakabatou back into its sheath.

Sano and Yahiko stud they're waiting to see what would happen as Megumi watched nervously.

Kaoru gathered up all her courage and strength and moved forward.

"Kaoru-san." Kaoru could hear the worried tone in Soujiro's happy voice, which surprised her that he could feel anything other, then happiness. She smiled softly at Soujiro letting him know it was all right.

"Kenshin." She said a little louder then a whisper. Kenshin sensed the unsure in her voice.

Kaoru was now only inches away from him and she just wanted to hug him but it felt different she felt like she didn't know him as well. He was different then before his eyes seemed a little bit kinder even though he had just been in a fight. He had changed just like she had.a couple years can change so much about a person.

"So this is The Kaoru girl you two where talking about?" Sano's voice interrupted the dead silence that had been slowly eating at them all.

"Hai" Kenshin answered before Megumi could.

"This is Kaoru." He said again as though he was trying to reassure this was her and it wasn't just something fake.

"Soujiro would you please leave.I promise I will be back soon and do not tell anyone where I am.do you promise this." Kaoru looked at Soujiro who in return bowed and smiled at her.

"Yes Kaoru-san." Soujiro did not want to leave her there alone not at all first for her safely and also his master had ordered him but he had a feeling that she could take care of everything herself and she did not want to lose her trust.

Soujiro once again looked at the others and smiled then left in a hurry.

"Are you sure you can trust him." Megumi turned her attention back to Kaoru.

"Yes I kinda understand him." Kaoru looked in the direction he had left to.

"How do you know him.?" Kenshin asked a little suspicious of the young man.

"He works for the family of the man I'm going to merr." She cut herself off.

She thought about it. There Kenshin was he had come to her.and what was she supposed to say. ' Well I was betrothed to a man I do not even like the word is more like hate. That what I have to say don't I.'

"He works for the man I am forced to marry." Kaoru said not able to look up at Kenshin.

"What!" Megumi almost screamed out.

"To who!" her anger started up. Someone was forcing Kaoru to merry someone she doesn't want to.

"Makoto Shi." The name put poison into Kenshin.

"What." Kenshin's words where so cold it surprised everyone his eyes where now hidden behind his bangs.

"Him.out of all people." Kenshin held the hilt of the sword tightly his nucleus turning white.

Kaoru looked at Kenshin then to Megumi looking for something anything till she felt Kenshin grabs her shoulders.

"Are you being forced to merry him." Kenshin said through clenched teeth his eyes still not showing.

"Yes." Kaoru could barley even get the word out of her mouth.

"I won't let you not to that family not to that man. I do not want your name smothered in blood like that."

Kaoru felt slightly disappointed she didn't want him to protect her name and honor she wanted him to be mad because she was being taken away.

He let go of her shoulders and turned away. Megumi moved over and then walked to Kaoru and hugged her tightly.

"Kaoru I promise we wont let you be married unwillingly."

The way Megumi was holding Kaoru it made it fell like it was all right to cry but Kaoru couldn't she didn't know what the hell to feel. She couldn't feel anything anymore she felt num. Megumi ran her fingers through the younger girl's hair.

"We should be going it will be dark by the time we get home." Sano looked at the two who once he said that parted.

"That is true.well Kaoru you should be heading home as well." Megumi smiled down at Kaoru as Kaoru nodded then turned to leave but she was stopped by a hand.

"Kaoru-dono.I will come back again." Kenshin's eyes went to a soft shade of violet. Yet he looked kinda sad. She smiled.

"Till then I guess." Kaoru walked away when she was finally away from them she cried silently she couldn't stop herself from it she sat on a cold large rock.

"Kaoru-san." A soft sweet voice came from in front of her. There stud Soujiro who knelt down next to the sobbing Kaoru.

Kaoru looked up and wiped away the fresh tears that stained her soft pretty face.

"Let's go home now Kaoru-san." Soujiro helped her up.

' It's a good thing that I stayed behind for her.even though it was against her wishes.'

++++++++ End of chapter 3

Me have a head ace * sob* well I hoped you enjoyed that chapter! And please review ok! Love you all and I will try to write more and faster k! jaa!!!