Author's Note: Hey you guys! Here's something I oddly dreamt of in a random moment of inspiration. You all know me, when I get any form of inspiration I have to run with it….or I don't get any other ideas and therefore can't continue with my story! Well anyway….I was watching the Kenshin/Battousai fight with Saito and couldn't help but think that Kaoru was not only out of character, but that she would not have cried and crumpled to the floor like she did. I kind of see her as a take charge girl that NO ONE messes with….and Saito should be no exception.

This is a side story to Breaking That 'Sessha' Habit of His, From Chapter 5. I hope you guys enjoy! This is also a REMAKE of the two episodes with Kaoru acting more like herself as I would see her doing….however, I have changed and added things here…so don't be surprised if there is are a few of similarities between the episodes and this fic.! You have been warned!

The episodes used are titled: The Strongest Opponent from the Past: Merciless Fangs Strike! And The Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio's Plot

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin other than the six volumes of manga and three bento boxes that I have purchased. I'm just desperately trying to be original with its characters!

LadySword04

August 8-11, 2004

Why Even Wolves NEVER Mess With An Angry Tanuki

Kenshin woke up and began his daily routine of greeting the coming dawn by silently watching the sunrise before getting breakfast ready for everyone. The morning went well, and everything was back to normal, including breakfast.

Kaoru and Yahiko were fighting as usual, Sano was stuffing his face, and Megumi was in the corner, trying to eat, while tuning out the noise that always made her stomach turn. Kenshin was just silently observing the group, feeling relieved that they were acting normally, that is as 'normal' as they got anyway.

The rest of the day was spent with some degree of normalcy as well. Kaoru and Yahiko were practicing for a few hours together, Sano just loafed around, and Megumi was now at the clinic in the center of town for her shift. Kenshin just went about doing his daily chores after washing the breakfast dishes.

When he heard Kaoru speaking in that specific tone of hers, he knew that practice was almost over, and went to heat a bath for her.

As he prepared, he couldn't help but think, 'I wonder, what's going on? Yesterday, they were all acting strange, and today it's as if nothing ever happened. Are they trying to get me to believe that their little act has ended, only to resume it later, or could it be that I was merely hearing things yesterday? I wonder about that, that I do. I do however hope that this whole charade ends soon.'

It was with a big smile that Kaoru thanked Kenshin for heating her bath for her before she headed in to soak and relax in the warm water.

While in there, she couldn't keep her mind off of what was to happen that evening, and what possibly could happen that afternoon shortly after lunch.

I wonder what Saitou will say though, whenever Saito is around both he and Kenshin are on edge. I just pray to Kami that nothing will start between the two. If it does, I guess I will have to stop it myself, though I pray that I will not have to. Once is more than enough for this lifetime.'

Flashback to the fight with Kenshin and Saito

The day had been sunny and warm with the occasional cool and gentle breeze. Not even a cloud dared to mar the beautiful azure color that was the sky. By Kaoru's definition, the day was perfect. Around mid-morning, Kenshin had gone out to take care of some business in town, though he did not say what.

'He probably went out to get something for dinner. Knowing him, even if there is enough for another meal or so, he still insists on going out and getting more supplies.' Kaoru thought with a sigh.

He had left her, Yahiko, Megumi and a wounded Sano alone. At the time she had thought nothing of it as no one in a long while had paid a 'visit' of any sort to her dojo.

Shortly after Sano had been patched up, assistant inspector Goro Fujita made his appearance wearing a police uniform. Being the ever-trusting girl she was, Kaoru allowed him to enter and wait for Kenshin in the dojo. She asked Yahiko to remain in the dojo with Saito to keep the officer company and finish his strokes for the day.

'That was my first mistake. People have always been threatening us, especially those bent on revenge. There really was no need for a police officer to be sent to the dojo. Not to mention that many of Kenshin's enemies could have stolen or fabricated one. I should have seen through the lie and not let him in.' Kaoru thought ruefully.

A couple of hours later, Kenshin returned home only to be brought into the dojo with the information that yet again, someone was after his life. And because of this, a police inspector was waiting to speak with him.

Upon sliding the solid wood shoji open, Kenshin's eyes narrowed in realization as a familiar voice from his past made itself known.

With an unpleasant tone dripping with animosity, Saito began "I can tell from your ki that Akamatsu gave you a rather difficult time. I expected someone of your talent to have easily beaten him, though it now appears that you have only grown weaker. Hard to believe you are the same man I fought ten years ago. You're pathetic as you are now. You're not worthy of holding a sword. A police saber or even better, a bokken or shinai would suit you far better in your present state." He sneered before standing up.

"Kenshin, how is it that you and Mr. Fujita know each other?" Kaoru asked uneasily after sensing the growing tension in the room.

Totally forgetting that anyone else but Saito was in the room, he unintentionally ignored her as he replied, "Hm, so you decided to change your name…Goro Fujita eh? Who are you to call me pathetic? You changed your name so your enemies wouldn't know who or where you were."

"Hmph. That only shows how little you truly know. I couldn't have secured a position working for the police with a record such as mine. Moving on to more pressing matters, those ten years were awfully long to live through. Only times of peace now eh? With no more exciting life or death situations like we faced in the Bakumatsu life has been rather long, drawn out, and boring."

"Even though ten years is a long time, the peace is not what made the time pass slowly. Although I do see that it was sufficient time for your mind to become corrupted." Kenshin remarked with a glare.

"What is going on in here you two?" Kaoru demanded with a glare, arms crossed, and the stomp of an impatient foot for good measure. Continuing in a threatening tone, "Fujita-san, I thought you were here to discuss what the threat to Kenshin's life was. There is no point in reminiscing if the matter is of the utmost importance, which it must be as you were sent over."

"Oh I am Kamiya-san, right now as a matter of fact." Saito snapped at her while he narrowed his eyes and put on a wolfish grin.

"Kurogasa was insane from the moment he began wielding a sword. You on the other hand have changed very much in your methods of attack. You have gone from intelligent and calculated to verging on the brink of madness to get revenge. Back ten years ago when we fought you were strong, and not only physically. Whenever I fought you, you were by the book, fair and square, no dirty tricks. Those with any contact with your opponent were never involved, and you certainly never sent a replacement in as a diversion while you took hostages. I can't believe you're the same man I fought and used to respect."

To that statement, Saito just gave an arrogant laugh. "Your respect means nothing to me, and neither do your insults. Save them for a weaker minded opponent in the future."

"You are no longer considered a true warrior by this one. What say you to that Hajime Saito!?"

"And who are you to judge?" Saito retorted.

"Hajime Saito? You mean he is the man who led the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi, and the Wolves of Mibu? So then as the strongest of the Shinsengumi, you've come to fight Kenshin, who was the strongest of the Choshu forces." Kaoru asked in disbelief.

"Very perceptive…took you long enough, Tanuki." Saito stated while giving her his characteristic wolfish grin once more.

"Who are you calling a raccoon you flea bitten, mangy, good for nothing Dog! You heard me, not a Wolf…but a Dog!" Kaoru spat back. At the remark, Saito visibly bristled.

Kenshin, after noticing the elevating level of tension in the room put a hand on her shoulder to prevent the two of them from fighting physically.

Calming down and regaining focus, Saito began with, "Well after your difficulty today on the battle field, I think it is safe to say that you are out of practice with a sword. So, you think the weakling Akamatsu was a replacement for me? How dare you compare that good for nothing idiot to someone like me. There is no comparison; he is in a much lower class of fighters than even Zanza is now, who I must admit didn't put up much of a fight today. You used to be strong Battousai; I should know, as we of the Shinsengumi made it a point to know just how strong you were at all times during the war. But now, it is painfully obvious that your time as a wanderer has only made you weak both physically and mentally. You have no chance against someone like me. You're in over your head."

"Don't flatter yourself. The time of war is over, as is the need for the strength required of a manslayer. The strength of a wanderer has been and will forever be enough for me to protect those in my day to day life, which is good enough for me." Kenshin replied in a cool monotone voice.

"And on top of being weak, you're also a complete idiot. While you were busy keeping Akamatsu amused with your lack of skills, I was here with your friends the entire time. They are too trusting. They permitted my entry into their home simply because I wore a uniform. You might not realize it, but had I wanted to, all of them could be dead right now, if not earlier. Earlier on, YOU left them all alone, and easy targets at that, in order to fight Jin-e and Kanryu. Not to mention that the pathetic excuse of a swordsman, Raijuta was able to wound you in your skirmish with him. Why is it then that the boy Yutaro was injured if it is your goal to protect others? If my memory serves me correctly, he lost the use of his sword arm. Some Great protector you proved to be."

"You mean to tell me that you have been stalking us this whole time? So not only are you insulting, conceited, annoying, and all talk no action, but you have an obsession with STALKING us? That's just plain sick! You should be put in a mental institution!" Kaoru fumed.

'I MUST remember not to kill anyone other than Kenshin here. I certainly don't want more paperwork. I will just simply ignore her.' Paying the barb no attention, he continued, "Your sub-ordinary strength as well as your talk and your so called oath mean nothing to me. You did kill Jin-e, and that is clearly in violation, you hypocrite."

After having been in with the officer observing him and listening to his mindless drivel for long enough, Yahiko could no longer control his tongue and began his own tirade on the former Wolf of Mibu.

"I am really sick of your pointless talk! What would you know? Kenshin has spent his time helping people with that strength. That's why in all the situations you spied on us, no one got seriously wounded. It's because Kenshin was there to protect people. If you were paying any sort of attention, he saved Yutaro from drowning after the boy was shoved off the ledge and pulled under by the under-tow. Or let me guess, you weren't watching that part. Kenshin has kept his oath to protect and not kill! Shows how little you know, you jerk." Yahiko spat.

"Not to mention inaccurate! Kenshin didn't kill Jin-e! That mad-man killed himself!" Kaoru stated. In a mocking tone she taunted, "Some Great Observer you are!"

Realizing that he was in fact losing the battle with Kenshin's annoying friends, he changed the subject rather quickly. Arching an eyebrow at her he turned back to Kenshin. "At any rate, I didn't see you trying to protect Zanza today during my battle with him. He would have been an easy kill you know. Had your skills not been so dull, you would have seen who the culprit was immediately. You have lived and continue to live a life of lies; one is your sense of justice, and another is your vow to never kill another living being. That's impossible for a manslayer like you to do. There is no way to protect without killing your opponent. Obviously you have forgotten the similar oath that every manslayer accepts, which also unites all of us. By slaying evil immediately we served our own form of justice. It is painful for me to see you as you are."

"That's incorrect Saito-san. The Kamiya Kasshin style is about protecting others without killing an opponent. In this day and age, there is no need for senseless murder. Besides, Kenshin is able to protect all of us here without killing anyone. Or have you not noticed the Sakabatou that he carries? You on the other hand are too weak to try and break your desire or habit of killing others. And unlike Kenshin, YOU have no control over your blood-lust. So if anyone here is to be considered weak, all fingers would be pointing at you!" Kaoru spat while moving closer to Kenshin.

"As you already know Saito, I have long ago given up the manslayer's oath and false sense of justice as you put it, for another. I am a wanderer that protects without killing. I will never take the life of another ever again. Insult me all you like. Your words mean nothing to me."

As if punctuating his speech, the sun gave up its final hold of the sky and sank below the clouds as it said its own silent goodnight.

'Well then, it appears that we will have to duel to prove whose ideals are correct and just.' Saito thought. "I have every intention of killing you and removing you from your life of lies. If you won't fight me, the Tanuki will taste my sword!"

With that final sentence….Kaoru backed a few steps away as the fight began……

To Be Continued

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Until next time, hugs and smiles Ja-ne minna-san!