A/N: Okay, sorry I took so long! Heh, I've had writer's block, but I'm almost over it! Writing some new fics has helped me with that!

Disclaimer: Does anyone out there really think that I own RK? Well, I don't.

oezi: Yes, Kenshin was back, but not for long!

S3r3nity: Thanks, I hope you like the new chapter!

reuka: Thanks for letting me use you suggestion! I hope I'm not taking to long with updates!

kimi.the.water.spirit: He doesn't think Sano likes Kaoru, but Sano was annoying him with always having to save her!

Surfing Aimlessly: ::blushes:: Masterpiece? Nah, but I'm glad you like it! If you like Battousai fics, then I suggest you read 'Descent into Madness', by Conspirator. It's been finished for awhile, but it is so good! I love it! It's about Kenshin turning into Battousai! Maybe you've read it, but if you haven't read it! It's so good!

When Kaoru woke up, she didn't smell Miso soup, which meant Kenshin was either still in bed, or gone. Would Battousai still cook breakfast? She didn't know. She walked by Kenshin's room, and he was still there, but he wasn't asleep. He was sitting near the window staring outside.

"You aren't thinking of leaving us are you?"

"No."

Kaoru walked over to him. "What's wrong then?"

He turned to look at her. She was shocked to see his eyes were amber again, but she didn't show anything. He might not even remember the event last night.

"Everything seemed so simple before this war started. I'm ruining our lives. Yesterday, you almost kicked Sano out of the dojo. I almost killed him, and Megumi and Yahiko are avoiding me."

"Kenshin, once this war is over, we can all forget about this. Everything will be back to normal."

"No. People will never look at me the same way again. That's why last time I disappeared."

"You promised you wouldn't leave!" Kaoru sounded panicked.

"I know that, and I never will leave you. I was just saying that I'll never be able to walk through Tokyo without people thinking, 'there goes Himura, the killer.'"

"No, you're not a killer."

"Yes I am! I've already killed 34 people since this damn war started."

Kaoru realized she had made a mistake. Technically, he was a killer, but not at heart.

"I'm sorry Kenshin, but I meant that at heart, you aren't. Sano wanted to apologize, and he's back in the dojo, Yahiko looks up to you like father, and Megumi understands what it feels like."

"And you?"

"Me? I will always love you no matter what."

Kenshin was still upset about the way his life was going, but Kaoru's words really helped him realize that his friends were loyal, and that he would always be their friend.

"Well, we're going to the Akabeko for breakfast, so get ready."

It took awhile for everyone to get ready to go, but they finally were on their way. Kaoru and Kenshin were holding hands, and Sano, Megumi, and Yahiko were walking behind them.

'Man I feel bad about telling Kenshin that he was going to hurt Kaoru. He would never hurt her. They love each other so much. Sometimes I wish I could tell Megumi that I love her, but she'd probably just laugh.' Sano was in his own thoughts, but so was everyone else.

'Kenshin and Kaoru look so happy. I feel bad that Kenshin has to go to war. I know that it's eating away at his soul. It would be awful if he reacted like he did last time, but of course, that was 10 years ago, teenage hormones.' Megumi thought.

Yahiko wasn't really thinking about much except for Tsubame. Sano had been right when he mentioned the cute waitresses. Sometime, he would tell her how he felt.

Breakfast at the Akabeko went better than last time. No one got pissed, and Yahiko didn't say something stupid. After breakfast, they all went down to the river to relax. Kenshin's eyes were weird. Like they couldn't decide if he was Battousai, or the Rurouni. They were swirling amber and violet. The trip down to the river was helpful. Everyone felt better after it. Things were less tense, and everyone noticed that Kenshin was happier. They went home and had stayed at the river so long it was already time for lunch. They ate leftover rice balls and Miso soup that Kaoru cooked. It was actually pretty good too.

"Kenshin, do you think that after lunch, you can show me some of your moves?"

Kenshin chuckled. "I guess we could back to the river and I'll teach you some basic ideas." He didn't Yahiko to go through the same thing he did. The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu would die along with him, unless Hiko had another apprentice.

"Cool!" Yahiko was clearly excited. He really did see Kenshin as a father.

Lunch passed with the women gossiping, and Yahiko and Sano trying to see who could finish their rice balls first. The mood was so much lighter than the past few days.

Yahiko followed Kenshin into the clearing near the river. Kenshin finally found a place that he liked and turned around to face Yahiko.

"Okay, what exactly do you want to learn?"

"I want to learn the Hiten Mitsurugi technique!"

"Yahiko, that technique takes years and years to perfect."

"Well, you did it!"

Kenshin laughed at his defensiveness. "I'm not saying you couldn't do it, I just think that it's best if I nobody ever uses it again. It's extremely deadly, and it's better if it stay unknown. And we don't have enough time. Besides, you're already learning the Kamiya Kasshin style."

"Well, then who taught you?"

"Yahiko."

"Well, then why did take me out here. You said you would teach me things!"

"I will, but things that your fighting can benefiet from."

"Like?"

"Like how to jump really high."

Yahiko's face lit up. He has always wanted to learn how Kenshin did that. Then he frowned. "Wait, how long will it take? You leave tomorrow morning."

"If you really concentrate, you can learn it fast."

Yahiko beamed. Finally, Kenshin would teach him.

They practiced all afternoon, and Yahiko was progressing. He wasn't getting frustrated, showing that he had a lot of patience, and he was trying his best. Soon though, it was time to go.

"Yahiko, you're doing great. Practice while I'm gone, and you can show me when I get back, all right?"

"Sure Kenshin. Thanks for showing me how."

"Your welcome."

On the way home, Yahiko had to fight back tears. Kenshin was leaving again. It wasn't right, but he didn't cry. He had to show he was strong.

They ate dinner and Megumi decided it was time to leave.

"Good-bye Kenshin. Good-luck."

"Thank you Megumi." She gave him a quick embrace and left. On the way home, she cried.

Sano left soon after.

"Bye Kenshin. We'll miss ya. Come home safe all right?"

"I will. Bye Sano." Sano clapped Kenshin on the back and headed home.(AN:I know that earlier, I said that Sano lived with Kaoru in the dojo, but he actually doesn't. She was basically saying he couldn't spend the night there anymore, and didn't care where he was going. Just had to clear that up!)

"I'm heading to bed too. I'll see you in the morning Kenshin," and he headed to his room. That left just Kenshin and Kaoru.

"Kenshin, how long will you be gone this time."

"I really don't know, but I'll come back."

"Don't forget us again."

"I won't, and if I do, you'll know what to do."

Kaoru looked at him. Once again, she felt that horrible pang of sadness. It was almost unbearable. There was no telling when he'd be back. She knew that she had to stay strong though.

"I'll miss you so much," she whispered.

"Me too."

There was silence after that. It was a good silence though. They were hugging each other and it seemed like time stopped. They had no clue how long they were down there, but it was late.

"We should probably get to bed. I wouldn't want you to be tired on your first day back."

"That doesn't matter. But I guess we can go to bed."

It was their last night together for awhile, and they decided to sleep in the same room.

A/N: Please forgive the shortness. I'm already writing the next chapter, and it'll be out shortly. I'm not exactly sure of how much longer it will be, but the next chappie's gonna take place 5 years later. Bad Kenshin! Lol! Also, the lines are in the story because I just figured out how to put them there! It's easier to tell when a lot of times goes by! Please review!