Author's note: I don't know if this is a Kaoru/Kenshin fic anywmore! Well, honestly, I prefer battousai rather than rurouni but some people prefer the rurouni. Oh well.. 

HoNeyZ-RiNoA: Hey guyz! I'm baacckkk~~~ Anyone miss me? Hehe.. Anyway, I just found out that Okita actually died because of tuberculosis, not heart disease. Sorry.

Chapter 8

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Then, out of the blue, Dr. Genzai came out of the room and shouted, "Koshijiro-san! He woke up!"

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Kaoru and little Kaoru ran into the room. Yes, he was awake but he seemed to be.. struggling in pain? Little Kaoru didn't notice this and hugged Koshijiro tightly. She let go immediately after Koshijiro didn't hug her back. Kaoru walked towards them and asked, "Koshijiro-san, what happened to you? We were worried. Who did this?"

"Batt.. Battousai.. I.. He..," With that, Koshijiro screamed in pain and went unconscious again. Kaoru gasped and Dr.Genzai rushed forward to check. He shook his head and said, "I'm afraid.. He went back to coma."

Little Kaoru cried and ran to her room. After taking in what Koshijiro had said, Kaoru clenched her fist and hissed, "Battousai did this. Battousai was the one who tried to kill him. Battousai.. He'll pay for this. I'll make sure of that!" Kaoru then ran out of the room. Dr. Genzai just sighed and do nothing as he thought Kaoru wouldn't dare to go to Battousai and fought him.

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Kaoru changed her cloth. She wore the black custome and put on her black veil once again. She walked to the dojo and took one bokken. But stopped when she saw.. a katana. She took it and tried to swing it. It was a little heavy for her but she decided to bring it along. Then, she went out and searched for Battousai.

Kaoru went to Battousai's house first. Even though she knew she may be killed by him, but her anger and pride kept her going. She arrived and kicked the front door. Tomoe was sitting there, sewing something. "It's you," Tomoe said without turning around to face her. Tomoe knew it was Kaoru because of her habit of kicking the front door and also because of Kaoru's ki.

"Where's Battousai?" Kaoru demanded. Tomoe was surprised by the anger in Kaoru's voice. She never heard Kaoru talking like this. She whispered, "Battousai is fighting. He'll be home in a few minutes. Miss, if you don't mind.." Before Tomoe could continue, Kaoru stormed out of the house.

She sprinted through the dirty road but halted when she sensed his ki. His image was getting closer and closer. "Battousai!" Battousai looked up at her and his eyes turning gold.

"You! What do you want from Tomoe, huh?! I'm not letting you go now!" Battousai scowled.

"Battousai! I'm here not to meet your wife. But to meet you.. to kill you! You have hurt and nearly kill my fath.. uncle! How can you be so heartless? You are a monster, you know that!" Kaoru exploded.

Battousai puzzled but smirked. So.. she was angry and she wanted to fight him. This was his chance to know how skillful she is. So, he just nodded even though he didn't do anything. "Yes. I tried to kill him. So, you're trying to kill me? That's a funny joke. Let me tell you one thing, missy. Even if you train yourself for another 1000 years, you still can't beat me."

Kaoru was enraged by his arrogant talk. Her ki flared and she charged towards Battousai. She used the bokken and aim it at Battousai shoulder. Battousai grinned and blocked her attack. And as fast as she could, she jumped back and attacked him again. She attacked him again and again but Battousai just blocked it easily. She stopped and Battousai thought she was tired. 'Tired? She's not so strong.. I can beat her up so easily,' Battousai thought.

But he was taken back when he saw her charged towards him again with more speed and strength. She now aim for his chest. Battousai recovered quickly and threw her bokken away with his katana. But what he didn't know was.. she had a katana. This was her chance. She was about to stab him with her katana when she suddenly remembered.. kenshin..

She stopped when the tip of her katana was about an inch away from Battousai's chest. Battousai thought he was gonna die and few memories flashed back in his mind. But he was shocked, though, to find Kaoru stopped. He took his chance to jump back. "Why didn't you kill me?" Battousai asked, curiously.

Kaoru shrugged, "I just wanna show you that I don't need to practice for another 1000 years to kick your ass," she continued, "I don't kill you.. because I can't or maybe I won't. Even to cut you is so hard for me." Battousai became more confused. 'What is she implying? Does this mean she likes me? That's funny..'

"What do you mean, woman?"

Kaoru uncovered her face and throw off her veil and said, "Because you're.. a dear person to me. You brought me happiness. I didn't have the chance to thank you before. Even so, I will never forgive you for hurting my fath.. uncle!"

She paused to take a breath and burst out without even realizing what she said, "Why?! Why did you this? Why did you hurt him? I didn't do anything to you or your wife! I've come this far just to help you and protect you. I've come to this time to make you have your happiness for today and for the future! I've come this far.. just for you! Only for you, Kenshin!"

Kaoru fell to her knees and cried, "Kenshin.." Battousai's eyes widen. How? How? How did she know his name? Who is she? Who? Why is she crying? Is she crying for him? There were so many questions in Battousai's mind. He walked towards Kaoru's crying form and knelt in front of her.

"How do you know my name?" Battousai asked softly. He didn't know why but being close to her made him feel.... calm. Not like the way Tomoe made him feel. He respected Kaoru for her bravery, strength and loyalty. Anyway, Kaoru never answer him.

Kaoru wiped her tears and looked Battousai in the eyes. 'I will never see this guy again. The only guy who can make me feel happy and safe. The only guy.. I love,' Kaoru thought sadly. "Can I.. I.. hug you?" Kaoru asked. Battousai nearly jumped at this question. What the hell.. Seeing Battousai's puzzled face, Kaoru laughed. She stood up as well as Battousai.

"I was just kidding, Battousai," said Kaoru. 'I really wished I can hug you,' she thought otherwise. Kaoru smiled, "Battousai, I only wish that the present will stand still.. so I can stay here with you. I guess I'm too selfish. The future has yet to come and I want you to promise me that you will protect and live happily with Tomoe."

Battousai nodded. He already forgotten about the name thing and the fight before. Kaoru bowed and took off. Battousai was going back to his house. He opened the door and Tomoe greeted him. Battousai sat next to her and after a few seconds he shrieked, "Aaahh!! She didn't answer me!! How did she know my name?!!"

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Kaoru sobbed quietly on her way back to her house. She passed the river once again but stopped when she saw.. fireflies. She remembered the time when Kenshin said goodbye to her when he was going to Kyoto to fight Shishio. Fireflies..

Then, a small voice startled her, "Hey! It's you!"

Kaoru turned to see Sanosuke and Captain Sagara stood there. "Sanosuke.. Sagara-san.. What are you guys doing here?"

Captain Sagara (Oh man.. Hey guys, from now on, I'll just write his name as Souzou) flashed his dazzling smile and answered, "Myojin-san, we are going home from our group meeting. What are you doing here.. with black custome? Are you a ninja or something?"

Kaoru chuckled and punched him playfully, "No, silly. I was.. I just have something to do and this something needs me to wear this custome. By the way, where's Katsu, Sagara-san?"

"He's somewhere. By the way, call me Souzou. Umm.. Myojin-san, do you mind if I walk you home?" Souzou offered. Just then, Katsu showed up. Sanosuke then dragged Katsu and whispered, "Hey, remember our plan? Now is the time! Taichou will be sending her home. Let them be together." Katsu nodded in understanding.

They both then said, "Umm.. Taichou.. Myojin-san. Sorry, but we both have to go home quickly. See you guys later." With that, they both ran away. Kaoru looked at Souzou but he appeared to be confused as well. They started to walk quietly.

"Umm.. Souzou, you said you come back from your group meeting. What's your group, anyway?" Kaoru asked, even though she knew a little bit of it.

"Ohh.. It's a rebel group. It's called Sekihoutai. Maybe you don't like me if you know this, but our group is an anti-government type. I'm the one who lead this rebel," he admitted. He frowned a bit as he thought Kaoru won't like him anymore.

"No no! It's okay. Honestly, I don't like the government, either. They kill just whenever they want. And they don't respect women too! If I am the empress, I'll change the system," Kaoru stated proudly. Souzou grinned at her cute face.

"Glad you said that. I lead this group as I want to build a new era, anew government, a new life for the people of Japan. I hope there will be no more suffering and war. I hope people will live peacefully. I hope I will not die before I can finish my job," he wished.

Kaoru really admired and respect Souzou. He was an honorable man. Changing the subject, Kaoru asked, "So.. are you married yet?"

Souzou looked at her, confused. Kaoru then realized what he was thinking, she waved her hand and said "No.. I don't mean that.. that I want to marry you or something.. Just curious. It's okay if you don't want to tell me."

Souzou giggled and replied, "No. I don't have any wife." But Kaoru was still blushing.

Souzou saw her adorable face, decided to tease her more, "Unless, you want to marry me." Kaoru looked at him and blushed even more. Souzou had a good laugh, then.

Kaoru exclaimed, "Mou! Stop teasing me! I'm gonna get you back!" Souzou smiled at her. They finally arrived at her house. Kaoru thanked him. Souzou leaned his face closer to her. "Myojin-san, do you want to marry me?" he asked. Kaoru blushed madly again. Her heart beat so fast. Souzou then backed away and giggled once again. He was playing with her again!

Kaoru yelled, "Souzou! You're so mean! I hate you!" Souzou still giggled but he managed to say, "Sorry, Myojin-san. You just blush so easily. And you're so cute when you blush. Sorry again."

Kaoru smiled at him and waved him goodnight and he said goodnight at her as well. Then, Kaoru walked into the house and he left.

Kaoru changed her cloth and laid in her futon. She smiled to herself and thought, 'Oh.. Souzou is so gorgeous! I wonder if he's gonna live through this era?' She was dazing off to sleep but opened her eyes suddenly when she remembered something,
"Damn it! I left father's bokken and katana!"

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HoNeyZ_RiNoA: Hellew! So, how is it? Okay? I'm still having my exam but I'm too dizzy just staring at the words in the books. Hehehe.. Anyway, what character do you want me to put in? Hmmm…. AAHHHH!!! I forgot to put 2 cool characters! You have to read the next chapters to find out who they are.. Gotta go! Ja ne~ v(^o^)v