* Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki. The Wheel of Time is the property of Robert Jordan.

* Words with (*) are explained in the glossary.

The Dragon Reborn
Chapter 3: A Shattered Dream

Kaoru gulped. She kept watching Kenshin nervously as she said, "It was as if… somebody had tried to…"

"To what?" The older woman kept pressing her.

"It was as if somebody had tried to burn him." Kaoru finished in a rush while Kenshin's eyes widened in shock.

***

"Kaoru-dono…" Kenshin's soft voice broke the silence after a moment. "Did it really happen?"

"I don't know, Kenshin… I really don't…" was all Kaoru could say while she squeezed Kenshin's arm gently.

Tomoe, who had been watching with slightly narrowed eyes, realized immediately that there's more to this. They are hiding something… She kept that serene look on her face and popped another question. "Is there something else I should know?"

The younger woman threw her an exasperated glare. Why does this woman want to know everything? She's so---

"I've been getting dreams these past four months…" Kenshin finally decided to comply with her wish, earning him a startled look from Kaoru. "It's all right, Kaoru-dono…" He gave her an assuring smile. "Maybe they know something…" The redhead took a deep breath and related the events that happened in his dreams.

"I see…" Tomoe nodded her head slowly after Kenshin finished his story. "So you think your dreams are forgotten memories that really happened in your past?"

"It is possible, but I'm not sure…"

"And aside from that, you remember nothing about… some strange occurrences?"

Kenshin looked at Tomoe with a puzzled look. "I don't know what you mean with 'strange occurrences', but really, I remember nothing of my past. It was a miracle that I remember my own name…"

No one said anything for a while. Everyone was busy with his or her own thoughts. From her face it was apparent that Kaoru was worried about Kenshin. Kenshin's troubled look let the others see that he was thinking about his dreams. Tomoe's face betrayed nothing of her thoughts, and the same could be said of her companion. The silence was just too awkward.

Finally the older woman broke the silence by saying, "Then I believe you are not the one we're looking for." She sighed deeply. "My apologies for bothering you. If you would excuse us, Kamiya-san, and thank you for your time, Himura-san." Then she stood up and addressed the man beside her. "Aoshi, let's go."

"Now wait a second!" Kaoru stood also and placed her hands on her hips. "It seems to me that you know something we don't. Would you mind---"

"Like I said, Girl…" Tomoe cut the younger woman off and fixed her gaze on her, all the warmth and friendliness gone from her face. It wasn't only Aoshi that demanded respect from other people toward her. Those brown eyes were so cold that it sent chills through Kaoru's backbone. "…this Himura Kenshin is not the one we're looking for. Good day." With that she strode leisurely but graciously out of the room. Shinomori Aoshi followed her right on her heels. That left two confused people in the living room of Kamiya dojo.

***

"What was that all about?" Aoshi shot the woman beside him a look as soon as they were out of the dojo.

Tomoe replied absentmindedly. "What do you mean?"

"The 'I-would-rather-speak-to-Himura-personally' thing." The tall man sniffed. "I almost believed that you tried to flirt with that young man."

"Now, now… don't jump into conclusion. He is indeed a handsome young lad." Her lips curved into a thin smile. "But I only wanted to know the girl's feeling for him…"

"Trying to make her jealous, eh?" The way his partner tried to suppress a grin told him enough. "Women…" The barest trace of smile appeared on his lips, but it vanished as soon as it came. "By the way, Aes Sedai aren't capable of lying, are they?"

"No. Why did you ask?"

"Then why did you say that Himura was not the one we're looking for?"

"Aoshi, Aoshi…" The woman chuckled. "I didn't lie when I said that. You should know me better than that… The Himura Kenshin who knows nothing of his past is of no use to us…"

Both fell silent as they headed to Aoiya, the biggest inn at Akita. Then Aoshi said, "You're not planning to tell Himura the truth about his past, are you?"

"He won't believe us anyway. He has to remember it himself…"

"Then what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing…" Tomoe sighed as she remembered seeing the fat and bald merchant from Yamaguchi*. Something terrible is going to happen… but it might be the only way…

The Warder glanced at her briefly. He saw past that serene mask of her that she was concerned about something. Probably about Himura, but I don't think she's gonna tell me. Then he said aloud, "You're just too secretive…" The rest of their ride to Aoiya went smoothly and quietly.

***

"I swear on my brother's grave that it's him!" A fat man slammed his fists on the table in front of him. He was not really old, but his head was bald. From his clothes people could see that he was a rich merchant.

"Now, now… please calm down a bit, Takeshi-san." Behind the table was an old man with thick mustache. His hair was all white. He smoked his old pipe while facing his frustrated guest. "Are you really sure? As far as I know, Himura is the least dangerous boy in this village. Why, he even does the laundry and cooking, since Kaoru couldn't---"

"Would you forget someone who ruined your village, Okina-san?" Takeshi's eyes were filled with hatred, not directed at the mayor of Akita that was sitting before him, but at a certain redhead he had bumped into earlier this day. "Have I mentioned that he could channel as well?"

Gasps came out from other people in that room. They were in the middle of an emergency meeting. Takeshi had come to Okina with some disturbing news, and the mayor had decided to gather the village's council to discuss the matter.

"He could channel? That's not good… Do all male channelers go mad eventually?"

"But we never see him channeling, do we?"

"They say that when a man who can channel goes mad, he destroys everything!"

"Oh no, he is the teacher of my sons! If he goes mad, my sons will get hurt…"

"But Kenshin-kun seems a very nice person! He saved my son's life once…"

Takeshi exclaimed angrily. "It is just façade! The truth is that he killed my brother eight years ago. Just think about it! He was just a little boy back then. If he was capable of a murderous act at such a young age, then what is he capable of doing at his adolescence?!!!" The man was actually shouting.

The room fell silent at Takeshi's outburst. Every member of the council stared at him in disbelief. They found it hard to believe, but Takeshi seemed to be telling the truth. There was no reason he would lie about such a thing, so they thought. Besides, Hideki Takeshi was a well-known merchant in Akita.

Kenshin had always been a mystery for the Akitans. No one had ever met someone with red hair and violet eyes before. They knew him as a kind and polite young man. Children liked him for some reason no one could explain; the lad was a magnet to little children. He was rather quiet compared to his loud-mouthed best friend Sanosuke. But his past was vague to them, as the redhead claimed to remember nothing of it, and he didn't seem eager to talk about it. Where he came from, who his parents were, how he got to live at the Kamiya dojo were all unanswered questions.

The fact that Takeshi's story happened before he lived at Akita troubled the council. What Takeshi said was not impossible. Doubts filled their minds and people began to talk at once.

"Kenshin actually killed someone? At such young age? I think he was 11 years old back then."

"I wonder if Koshijirou-san knew about it…"

"Come to think about it, the Kamiyas always say that they found him somewhere out of the town. They claim to know nothing of how Kenshin got there. And Kenshin says he remembers nothing of his past…"

"He's a liar then. A murderer! A Darkfriend*! Every man who could channel is…" was Takeshi's response. This raised another series of gasps around the room. Darkfriend. Someone who pledges their life for the Dark One. The council shuddered at the thought of having a Darkfriend in their village.

"A murderer walks around so freely in our village?!" A man in his mid 40 cried out incredulously. A woman with her eyes widened in fear cupped her face with her hands while panic crept into her mind. "Light, a murderer, no, a Darkfriend taught my son kenjutsu! I'm gonna pull him out from his classes immediately!"

Another council member clenched his fists. "We can't let this happen any longer! We have to do something!" Takeshi nodded his head vigorously. "I agree. Darkfriends should not be allowed to exist!" And soon chaos ensued in the room. Everyone was talking at the same time of how they should handle this matter.

"Silence!!!" Okina's shout rang throughout the meeting room. Everyone stopped talking at once. The mayor was an old man, but he could be firm when it was needed. "People, calm down!" Then he gazed sharply at his guest. "Now, Takeshi-san, you don't just come into my village and stir up chaos. You will tell me exactly what happened eight years ago…"

***

The morning after …

Kenshin was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the empty classroom with his eyes closed. His arms rested on his thighs and his fingers were folded. He breathed slowly and regularly. It was a habit he picked up from Kamiya Koshijirou, Kaoru's father. Everyday before the crack of the dawn he got up and went to the dojo to meditate. It helped to calm his troubled soul, mainly because of their conversation with Tomoe and Aoshi the day before.

I shouldn't think about it any longer. He mentally scolded himself. I will only make Kaoru-dono worry… The first ray of sun hit his face. It was a signal for him to end his meditation. Time to prepare breakfast and get ready for the morning class…

Two hours later Kenshin and Kaoru were already on their training suits, white gi and dark gray hakama. They would be teaching the advanced class together.

It was time to begin the lesson, but not even the half of the students showed up. Kenshin and Kaoru looked at each other, a tad bit confused. Their students seldom came late, but even so, at most only two or three students. They could only shrug, and decided to begin the class anyway.

A few hours later when the class was finally over, one by one the students began to slowly shuffle out. The last to leave the dojo was a 13-year old boy named Ichiro. He stopped before he walked past the gate, and turned to Kaoru.

"Ano… Kaoru-sensei?" He greeted his sensei timidly.

Kaoru stopped rubbing her sweaty face when she heard the boy. "What is it Ichiro?"

The boy's eyes darted to search for Kenshin, but the redhead is nowhere to be found. "I don't know how to say this, but…" Ichiro hesitated for a while. "I won't be coming over again for classes. So… this is my last day…"

"WHAT???!!" Kaoru exclaimed. When she realized she had raised her volume, she apologized quickly. "I'm sorry about that… You just said you wanted to quit? But why?"

Ichiro kept his eyes to the ground. "I didn't want to quit, but my mother told me to and I couldn't argue…"

"What's the matter, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin emerged from the house. "I heard you yelling…"

Kaoru clutches Kenshin's gi. "Kenshin, Ichiro's gonna quit taking classes because his mother said so!"

Those violet eyes widened in shock. "Is that true, Ichiro-kun?"

The boy still didn't dare to look at his senseis. He only nodded.

"Is there any reason why your mother said so?" Kenshin asked further. "You're doing so well with Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu…"

"My mother said," Ichiro replied after a considerable period of silence, "…that she didn't want me to learn Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu anymore." He finally lifted up his head, only to find the shocked faces of his teachers. "I don't want to believe it, Kenshin-san, but they said you were a murderer… I'm sorry, Kaoru-san, Kenshin-san, but I must do what my mother said." He shook his head sadly and walked toward the gate.

"Ichiro, wait…" Kenshin's weak voice reached the boy's ears. "Is that why only the half of the class showed up today?"

Ichiro could only shrug. "Maybe…" He turned his head around, regret filled his eyes. "Thank you for everything. And I'm sorry…" With that the boy ran out of the dojo and slammed the gate close.

Kaoru was left speechless. She blinked her eyes several times to make sure that she wasn't dreaming. "What the hell was he talking about? I can't believe my ears. Kenshin, a murderer??" She snorted loudly. "Where did he get that joke?"

"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin placed a hand on her shoulder. "It might not be a joke…"

"What?!!!" The girl whirled around and faced the redhead. "Not you too, Kenshin! Don't tell me you believe---" Kenshin's serious expression brought her to a halt.

"I said it might." Kenshin motioned her to sit on the porch beside him. "There's something I haven't told you…" So he told her about his encounter with the fat man the day before, how he had glared at him with such hatred and rage and what he had said to him before he stomped away from him.

"But that's crazy! He could mistake you for someone else, couldn't he?"

"It is possible, but deep down, I know he didn't…"

Despite Kaoru's protests and arguments, Kenshin kept his doubt about that matter. The days that followed made it even worse. One by one their students came and said that they stopped taking classes until there were no students left to teach. Some showed regret for having to do so; some looked at Kenshin with disgust. Some said they wouldn't quit if Kaoru expelled Kenshin from the dojo, an idea that of course Kaoru refused fiercely. The ones who dared to suggest it got a mean whack and a shout from the angry sensei. And as days went by the rumors got worse and worse…

***

It was four days after the incident with Ichiro. The sky was already dark. Kaoru had just finished practicing her daily exercise. Well, even if there's no students to teach, I have to stay fit… But she couldn't keep the fake cheerfulness as her eyes wandered to the wooden nametags on the walls of the empty classroom. Kenshin's and her name were the only ones left.

The 16-year old girl fell on her knees, her wooden sword clattered to the floor. She was trying hard not to cry. Father worked so hard to make this school into what it was four days ago… It was his dream. Father, I'm sorry… What's left of it now is a shattered dream. I've done my best, and Kenshin too… As that name crossed her mind, a lone tear escaped her eyes. She recalled the fragments of her argument with Kenshin earlier that day.

***

"But Kaoru-dono, it is the only way!"

"The only way my ass!!" Kaoru was angry beyond words. "How could you say something like that?!!"

"I ruined our school… I am only a disgrace to Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu." Kenshin said with a sad tone. "I could never face your father again… it would be better if I just leave."

"Kenshin no baka!!!" Kaoru shouted at him furiously. "You think it will fix everything?!!!"

Kenshin snapped at her. "Can't you just see?! Our students left the school because of me! Koshijirou-san has done so much for me… and what did I do to repay him? I've ruined his hard work of years! I'm no good for Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu… I'm no good for you!!" The redhead was practically shouting at her, and immediately regretted his rash action the moment he stopped talking and saw her expression.

Kaoru was shocked beyond words. Never once in her whole life did Kenshin ever raise his voice at her. At everyone who tried to bully her, yes. But not to her. She blinked her eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Kaoru-dono… I'm… sorry…"

The girl turned around, trembling a bit. She didn't want him to see her crying. "Kenshin… my father left me. And so did my students… If you ever leave me… if I'm going to be left alone again…" Kenshin saw tears streaming down her face when she faced him again. "Tell me how am I supposed to live without you!!" Without waiting for his response she ran to her room.

***

After that incident Kenshin had gone after her and apologized. He said nothing about leaving, but he told her that he needed some time alone to think.

***

Kaoru pulled her indigo ribbon from her hair and handed it over to Kenshin. "Take it."

"Uhm… Kaoru-dono, that ribbon won't look good on me, will it?"

"Baka…" She muttered under her breath. "Just take it, will ya?"

Knowing full well that he shouldn't argue, he took the ribbon from her hand. "May I ask what it is for?"

She sighed deeply. "It's my favorite ribbon. You'd better give it back to me or I won't forgive you." A glance at Kenshin let her know that he didn't get what she meant. "You said you needed time to think, and to be away for a while from the dojo, right?" Kenshin nodded, so she continued, "Well, after you're done with your thinking, just make sure you come and give it back to me."

The redhead finally understood. She wasn't going to let him go no matter what. "I understand…" He smiled while he folded the ribbon neatly and tucked it under his sleeves. "Besides, I won't be gone that long. I promise I will return it to you when I come home tonight..."

***

Kaoru wiped the tear away from her cheek. Be strong, Kaoru! At least you still have Kenshin. He promised to return, didn't he? And Kenshin never breaks his promise… She heaved a heavy sigh and said to herself, "Well, Kenshin's gonna be home soon. I'd better go take a bath and prepare dinner."

***

Somewhere at Akita…

A crowd was gathering around a wooden platform. A tall man with long black hair was standing on it. He whispered to the fat and bald man who was standing beside him. "Hideki-san, are you really sure about this? What if Okina-san hears about this?"

"Are you mocking me?" The night was dark, but the torch Hideki Takeshi held in his right hand illuminated his angry face. "I could never forget those demon eyes! And I don't do something I'm not sure of, you understand?" The fat merchant grunted. "With all my respect, Okina-san is too soft... But you may go home if you wish, though, and miss the chance to punish a Darkfriend…"

"Darkfriend…" The tall man's face darkened. That was all he needed to strengthen his resolve. He took a deep breath and raised his voice. "People, we have come together here to make an end to evil in our village! I give you one last chance to retreat, because after this there is no turning back!" The man paused for a while, waiting for the reaction from the crowd. His smile was full of satisfaction, as he saw no one left. "Do not be afraid! Evil will not defeat we who walk in the Light! Harden your heart, for evil does not deserve mercy---"

***

A soft humming tune was heard from the bathhouse. Kaoru was preparing herself for a hot bath. She was about to take her training suit off when she heard someone banging the gate of the dojo loudly. Who the hell is that? I know it's not Kenshin. He has the key… Sighing exasperatedly, she straightened up herself and went to the gate. "I'm coming!!" The banging didn't stop. "Oh, for heaven's sake! Can't you just wait?!" The girl exclaimed exasperatedly as she slammed the gate open. Surprise replaced anger as she recognized the handsome face of a young boy around her age with short black hair. "Hiro? What is---" She never got to finish her sentence. Her mouth fell open as she stared past Hiro's shoulder.

A crowd gathered behind Hiro, each one of them had torches in their hands. All of them were her fellow villagers. Only they didn't look as friendly as they usually were. 'Not friendly' was an understatement. From the faces Kaoru could tell that they were pissed off. But she couldn't tell why or to whom.

"Hiro, step aside." A tall man with long black hair stepped forward and put his hand on Hiro's shoulder.

"Maeda-san, what's the matter?" Kaoru recognized the man as Hiro's father, the richest merchant in Akita. "For what reason have you all---"

"Kaoru," Maeda Tetsuya cut her off sharply. "Hand over Himura Kenshin to us."

"What????!!" Kaoru asked incredulously. She didn't believe her ears. "I beg your pardon, Mae---"

"You heard me, Kaoru." Tetsuya's voice was as cold as ice. "Hand over Himura Kenshin to us."

"Are you out of your mind?" The girl was extremely pissed off. First the rumors, and now this. Has everybody gone nuts? This village is going to drive me crazy! "What has Kenshin done this time? Wait, let met guess. Did he murder someone else?" Just leave it to Kaoru to be sarcastic.

"Watch your tongue, Girl!" Tetsuya gave her a warning.

"No, you watch your tongue!!" Kaoru glared at the tall man before her furiously. "I've had enough of this! My students left the school because of those completely idiotic rumors. Kenshin, a murderer? Hah, it's the funnies joke I've ever heard! You think you can just---"

"Kaoru-chan, please!" Hiro came to stand between Kaoru and Tetsuya. His eyes pleaded her silently. "Just do what they say, please?"

"Hiro…"

"He's a Darkfriend… Kaoru-chan, Kenshin's a Darkfriend! Is that no enough reason for you to turn him in?"

Those sapphire eyes widened in shock as a gasp came out of her mouth. "Darkfriend…? Kenshin's a Darkfriend?" She muttered with a blank look on her face. It was barely audible, but Hiro and a few others who were close enough to her heard it anyway. "Someone who gave up his soul to the Dark One for power… a man who would kill his mother just to keep it secret, the lowest of the low evil… Kenshin? No, it can't be true…" Kaoru shook her head slowly. No… They don't know Kenshin as well as I do… He can't be what they say… He just can't! He's too sweet of a soul to be a Darkfriend… Then she said aloud, her eyes full of determination. "No, I don't believe it… I won't believe it! Kenshin's not a Darkfriend. That I know for sure."

Hideki Takeshi was getting impatient. Seeing that the girl still wasn't convinced, he stepped forward from the crowd. "Kamiya-san, Himura Kenshin is a Darkfriend. Do you need any prove? He killed my brother eight years ago…" A look of pain and hatred flashed in his eyes. "And he can channel. Do you understand why we want him, Kamiya-san? He endangers everyone around him."

The blank look from her face disappeared, replaced by anger. "What are you talking about?!" Kaoru snapped at the bald merchant. "Kenshin would never endanger everyone around him! He would leave before placing this village in danger! Besides, Kenshin has lived here for eight years and he has never channeled, not even once! He can't channel and that's the end of it!" She slammed the gate with her bare hand in exasperation and snorted. "You are all nuts! I thought you knew him better than that… A murderer, a Darkfriend, a male channeler… What nonsense!! I bet after this you'll say that he's the Dark One---"

Hiro stepped closer to her and took her hands in his as he begged her openly. Desperation was obvious in his voice. "Kaoru-chan, please! You must believe us!"

But she snatched her hands away from him. "Who are you to decide who I should believe in?" The girl gazed at Hiro icily. "I believe in the one I love, Hiro. Would you not do the same if you were me?"

It was the final blow to the boy. He had had a crush on her for the longest time. Though she always rejected his advances, Hiro still had hope that someday she would give him permission to court her. But now his dream of Kaoru's hand in marriage was shattered in pieces. He shook his head sadly and vanished to the crowd.

Tetsuya watched the retreating back of his son. It's better this way. This girl is no good for my son… Time will heal his broken heart. Then he gazed at Kaoru sharply and warned her for the last time. "Kaoru, this is your last chance. Will you surrender Himura Kenshin to us?"

"I thought I said it loud and clear, Maeda-san." Kaoru met Tetsuya's sharp gaze levelly. "Kenshin is not a Darkfriend. I do not and will never believe it!" Then she proceeded in quieter yet firm voice. "If he's a Darkfriend, then so am I…"

The crowd fell silent at what her last line. Everyone was unsure of what to do. But Takeshi never hesitated for a moment. "You heard her. She just confessed that she's a Darkfriend! Seize her!"

Kaoru was a skilled swordswoman. She was not the master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu for nothing. But she was overwhelmed by the crowd. Soon she was struggling uselessly while two big men held her either arm. Maeda Tetsuya stood right in front of her. His sad eyes were met by her defiant stare. "Kaoru, as much as I hate to do this, a Darkfriend can not be tolerated… You know the punishment for being a Darkfriend…" And darkness overcame her.

***

The streets of Akita were already empty except for one person. Kenshin was walking through the familiar path that led to the Kamiya dojo. It's almost midnight… I hope Kaoru-dono will not be angry… He fingered the indigo ribbon that was tucked safely under his sleeves. A smile appeared on his face. She wouldn't let me go no matter what, would she? And I still haven't asked her to go to Natsumatsuri with me. Sano would be very angry with me… His smile turned into sad smile as he recalled the events these past few days. But it may be too late now… I wonder whether I'm still welcome at the festival…

Not long after that the redhead arrived at his destination. "Home at last…" He heaved a sigh of relief and flung the gate open. "Kaoru-dono, I'm---"

The scene that greeted him stopped him dead in his track while his eyes widened in horror.

- End of Chapter 3: A Shattered Dream -

Glossary:

Glossary is (partly) quoted from (www.angelfire.com /ca7/ewot/index.html) and Wheel of Time.

Darkfriends: Those who follow the Dark One and believe they will gain great power and rewards when he is freed from his prison.

Yamaguchi: a village located at Chugoku region, the southwestern coast of Japan. Go the link above and you'll find the map of Japan. Click on Chugoku region (purple area).

channeling: (verb) To control the flow of the One Power.
(noun) The act of controlling the flow of the One Power.

Warder: a warrior bonded to an Aes Sedai.

Author's Note:

* Map op Japan: www.jinjapan.org /kidsweb/japan/map/j_regi.html

* Well… how do you think of it? Got a picture of Kenshin's past, or instead, more questions? All will be revealed in the next chapter!

* A lots of thanks to NightRain, my beta-reader, for her suggestions en helps with this chapter!

* Nicky: if you know me then you'll have no doubt about the pairings I approve of… :-)

* myvan: not every character from WoT will make appearance in this fic. Well, can't have it as complicated as the real WoT, can I? About Nynaeve, as much as I think she's very cool, no one from RK world really fits to be her. Hope you're not disappointed…

* link-no-miko: I'm still considering whether or not I will make any use of wolves in my fic… so I can't decide yet if I'll have Perrin-type in this.

* Thanks for reading (and reviewing ^_^x)! See you at the next update!