Away From Me

Disclaimer: I wish I did own Rurouni Kenshin, but alas I do not. But I'll settle for life-size cardboard replicas of Saitou, Aoshi and Enishi ...Title inspired by the song of the same name by Evanescence

Summary: Set during the Jinchuu arc , so in other words contains slight spoilers. I'm just embilishing exsisting content and changing a few things around..anyway, actual summary: Kenshin is their common bond. He just wants revenge, she just wants someone to love her. But with Kenshin out of the picture, where does that put their respective wants?

Notes: First, let me say that this is my first attempt at writing a Rurouni Kenshin based fic., I've been a fan of the t.v. series and before that the manga just now getting my feet wet in writing. I am aware that there are other fics. out there based on this idea or on similar ideas but I just had to write it.. It's just..re-reading the manga, watching the Seisouhen OVA, something just struck me about how Kaoru and Enishi just would work very well together. That and reading all of the E/K fics out there. Anyway, once you make it past all of this nonsensical rambling, I hope you enjoy the piece..reviews would be most lovely and constructive critsicm is appreciated.

Prologue: So It Begins

Kaoru looked on in disbelief at the scene manifesting itself in her home, as if previous events hadn't been enough, now here he was. The one behind the insanity, the one who was responsible for all of the chaos. The one whom had yet to set foot into the actual battle. The man that called himself: Yukishiro Enishi. While she did have some idea or at least as much as her mind would allow; nothing could prepare the kendo instructor for the white haired whirlwind that observed the chaos from the comfort of a hot air balloon. She bit her lip in frustration and thought, mentally calculating the amount of time and money the repairs would require. A scowl marred her features as she tipped her face upwards, curiousity and animosity getting the better of her. There he was, leaning forwards, dark glasses sheilding his eyes..the very window to the soul..but the calculated smile on his face; that very well was the doorway. By the looks of things it appeared that the men involved in the skirmish wouldn't be finished any time soon. She merely shook her head, exchanging a wary glance with Megumi as the two turned their attention to the fray. Kaoru and Megumi continued to look on, one woman's lips pursing in slight irritation and the others twisting in concern as Sanosuke addressed Enishi.

"We got all five, just like you wanted! Now it's your turn! Come on down from there!"

Kaoru bit her lip, suppressing the urge to laugh..not because of the situation unfolding but because of the sigh of aggitation emintating from the man standing to her left. Saitou Hajime, narrowed his eyes, puffing on his cigarette..as per usual. Keeping a lazy glance on the rougue and the rest of his attention on the threat that remained. No matter how dire nor how brutal the situation seemed..Saitou could always find fault or at least annoyance with Sanosuke around. A soft t'sk escaped her as she returned her attention to the scene before them. As Sanosuke had stated, the five were down..and yet Enishi had not moved. Kaoru had voiced her thoughts aloud..and Megumi had pointed out the obvious: with the height of the balloon, it would take a few moments for it to loose some of the gas. So, as the onlookers waited..and murmered words of encouragement to Kenshin, Kaoru closed her eyes. Her only acknowledgement to the impending arrival or at least the impending departure was to hand Kenshin his sword. When her eyes did flutter open, she found her gaze falling not on Kenshin, but on Enishi. As it were, the two were sizing each other up..Enishi's back was to her, but his height was blocking her view of Kenshin. From this brief moment that she had to gauge his form, her breath caught..Kenshin had been able to fend off many formidable foes in the past; but now? Hope began to fade as Enishi removed his jacket, his weapon of choice finally coming into view.

Megumi was the first to break the momentary silence of the four. "He's just back from China, so of course he'd have a Chinese sword "

"Pretty long, though." Sanosuke cocked his head to the side, eyeing the weapon in question.

Kaoru stiffened just slightly, her words audible to the three around her. "No . . . The workmanship is Chinese, but that's unmistakably a Japanese sword!"

Saitou merely nodded in confirmation, "That's right. It's too long to be one of the uchigatana they made in the Edo period. It's more like the tachi popular in Sengoku times."

Kaoru looked to her far right, the words from Sanosuke just registering "He's bluffing. Those other five were the fighters, not him."

Adimantly, she shook her head. "But that sword is too good to be a bluff . . ." Her voice faltered..since when did she start doubting Kenshin? What reason would she have to believe that he would fail against this opponent? Just because he had a different style sword? That was far from any logical reason to worry...still, she bit her lip in concern; worry marring her brows. But her thoughts were interrupted by the one voice of reason amongst them.

"Stop panicking. It's pathetic." Saitou spared a glance to the young woman to his right. "You never know what your opponent intends to do in a fight. It's a question of whether you have enough strength to win, whatever his intentions."

At that Kaoru frowned, but surprisingly the words uttered from the Wolf did put her at some ease..if only momentairly. At least for the moment, the two fighters were still engaged in the process of sizing each other up. It wasn't until they actually did something that the lingering doubt eased it's way back to her troubled mind. They all watched as the two exchanged strike for strike. To the naked eye, .it would appear that they were evenly matched. But, when the attacks slowed and Enishi began speaking; the doubt that Kaoru had desperately tried to push away was flooding her once more. A quick glance to her right alerted her that perhaps Megumi shared this doubt..Sanosuke perhaps, but he would never visibly show it. The four looked on, ears straining to catch the words dying on the wind. And just as the wind turn to their favor, Kaoru found herself captivated..not by the words that were spewing but by the speaker. It was really the first opportunity to see this new foe. However, this opportunity would be short lived as Enishi was now finishing his tale and had now struck Kenshin in the arm. Her eyes went wide as he stepped forward, his mouth was still moving, the words still flowing..but his focus was elsewhere. Wide sapphire eyes swirled with emotion as the speaker glared daggers behind the tinted frames, two words spoken..one step taken. With cold, calculated steps..Yukishiro Enishi was approaching her.

"So after ten years, the boy found the Hitokiri that had killed his sister. The Hitokiri had changed his name, and had found a new happiness. This, the boy could not bear." Enishi finally finshed his tale, standing a foot away from the object in his gaze.

But, though she ought to have felt fear..that was only secondary. Somehow, underneath the death glare from the white haired pyschopath, Kaoru felt something different. What exactly, she couldn't pinpoint..and at any rate, she didn't have the time to think on it further. Kenshin had stepped in between the two..or at least interjected his sword between the two..and Enishi's attention was averted from her. Kaoru was not so fortunate, since she didn't have to worry about a sword in front of her..her blue eyes remained on the taller of the two fighters. However, that too would be short lived. Either from the shock that he had actually addressed her first, or that he was showing..compassion? Saitou's word broke her from the lingering gaze.

"You. If you don't want anything to happen to you, get as far away from here as you can, now."

"I know." She closed her eyes momentairly, effectively clearing him from her mind. "When Yukishiro Enishi looked at me like that . . .that wasn't simple hostility. There was something more . . ."

Saitou raised a brow just slightly. "If he could say all that without words, that's all you need to know." His lips pressed into a firm line before he continued. "You're Himura Kenshin's greatest weakness. If things aren't going his way, he'll strike you down without mercy."

She nodded in response, opening her eyes once more..but averting her gaze from the two. "You're right . . .But I can't leave now. If I moved, Enishi would notice before Kenshin did. He'd do something then. However hard or painful it is for him, Kenshin can't avoid this fight." The corners of her mouth twitched just slightly, but she would not frown..instead her own lips pressed into a firm line, showing some sort of resolve in the faith she had nearly lost. "So now, when he's resolved to fight, I don't want to hold him back by trying to save myself. Now, they'll settle once and for all this fight that's spanned fifteen years--Kenshin, not to mention Yukishiro Enishi, can think of nothing else."

Truth be told, Kaoru couldn't have been more correct. Both Kenshin and Enishi were too focused on their fight to acknowledge the presecnce of the four standing on the porch of the dojo. And since they had no idea of what was to come, they were lulled into believing that this fight would be the end..either of Kenshin or Enishi. However, they learned all too quickly when Enishi managed to not only dodge the Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki, but to counter it. While Saitou patiently ..or at least in his own style of patience..explained the reason behind the block, Kaoru shook her head. Her worst fear had come true..Kenshin had lost?!? But why didn't Enishi just finish the job? ... That thought did not sit well with her...Enishi could have killed Kenshin..but why didn't he?

Enishi's words would not only pull her from her current state of shock, but also answer the question lingering in her mind. "You're good. You figured it all out at a glance." He spared a glance to Saitou, acknowledging his assement of the Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki vs. Watoujutsu Zetsugi Kofuku Zettousei..that glance however was short lived. as he returned his attention to his greatest enemy. "But the important things isn't the details. The important thing is that my sister smiled for me. Does it hurt, Battousai? The same wound you gave my sister? But it hurt my sister far more. If you died now it would all be over. That's why I held back. Preparations are complete. Now we begin the true Earthly Justice."

Kaoru could barely repress the gasp when Enishi finished speaking. True Justice was just beginning..that's why he held back? But it didn't make sense. "Kenshin!" Kaoru squeezed her eyes shut, the smoke that had recently started preventing her from actually seeing the object of her beckoning.

"In the end . . in the end, death is only an instant of pain. That wouldn't appease my sister or my own hatred. You stole my sister's fiancé. You stole my sister from me. Now it's my turn." His voice was getting closer, but he was still not visible to them. " Now, I'll steal the one most precious to you! I'll thrust you into living hell! This is Yukishiro Enishi's ultimate Earthly Justice!"

If not for the wind change..and the fortunate fist of one red-haired wanderer, Kaoru would have been glued to the spot. However, Megumi's frantic shouting and Sanosuke's urgings did allow for her to move...at least for the moment. While Sanosuke and Saitou had stayed behind, Megumi and Kaoru had managed to at least start their escape. But, had it not been for the one prick at her heart..and the reminder that her prized (and only) student was still in the dojo, Kaoru may have had the chance to make a complete escape. Another change in the wind, prevented the two from finishing whatever conversation they had managed..but just as Kaoru made her attempt to resume the conversation, it was not Megumi who appeared before her.

"I bear you no ill-will, but for the sake of my Earthly Justice, I must take you victim here"

Kaoru blinked at the white-haired man in front of her, but her pride would not let her move. She was no one's victim . "I know I can't beat you, but I'm not going to just roll over and die. Kenshin told me that no matter how hard, he'd fight to the end to protect the present." She set her jaw, summoning the last drops of courage from her..and the last drops of faith in the red-haired swordsman. "So he'll be here as soon as he can, like always. As long as Kenshin won't give up, I can't either!"

Enishi raised a brow just briefly..this girl had spunk, but more than that she had an undying belief and faith in those around her. Admirable..perhaps. As long as it wasn't wasted on lost causes. "I see. But it won't matter." He shook his head, ridding himself of whatever shreads of sympathy he may have felt towards the girl. She was merely a pawn. "This may be rough," Not that it mattered, his hand clamped firmly over her mouth as he loomed behind her. ".. but bear with me."

That was the last thing that Kaoru heard..and the last thing that she remembered of that night. The night that she was separated from Kenshin, from her friends..and from her home. Little would she know that Enishi had left behind a present for Kenshin; more importantly she would never hear the word's uttered from Kenshin..the words she was waiting to hear.

".......the one I truly loved.....Miss . . . Kaoru . . . Kaoru."

Hope this isn't too confusing for the prologue..I have the jist of the story laid out in my mind and the first two chapters are nearly finished..just trying to look for anything I can add or take away. Anyway, this is the first of a few pieces swirling in my mind involving the cast of RK. A few like this one, based on actual things from the series and a few which are nice and A/U.