Author's Note: I still hope you guys are enjoying this! Let me know what you think of it….I promise I Do Not bite….! As is my standard, Personal Review Replies are at the end of the chapter…Thanks to all who reviewed! I would also LOVE to hear from some new reviewers too, don't be shy!

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…More take charge and no one had better even look at me funny if they want to live….however, I have changed and added things here…so don't be surprised if there 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: As always, I only own Rurouni Kenshin in my wildest dreams, and not in real life! Reality is ever so very CrUeL!! #goes back to sleep…the series is mine!#

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By LadySword04

August 14, 2004

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Previously on WEWNMWAAT:

Kenshin simply ducked and moved to the side as Saito's free hand balled up into a fist that moved swiftly behind Saito's shoulder, ready to strike like a coiled snake. However, Saito did that as a diversion; he really intended to swing his sword first. Thrown off slightly by the ruse, Kenshin moved to block the sword, only to get punched in the site of his most recent injury. The force of the swing from both the punch and the sword combined slammed Kenshin back into the wall clutching his side protectively. After the impact, our hero slumps to the floor in obvious agony.

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Chapter Three: Building Courage

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Saito merely looked on in satisfaction at the slumped mass of limbs he had sent flying into the wall moments earlier. In a monotone voice he spoke, "The sword that I carry even today, has kept me out of harm's way and prevented me from being on Death's door more times than I could attempt to count from the time of the revolution to the present. When combined with my superior fighting skills, it will send you into the afterlife this day. There's no way a washed up has-been swordsman like you could hope to beat me in a thousand years. Consider your fate sealed."

Saito was taunting him, trying to get the Battousai to break out of the iron grip Kenshin kept on him, and fight. Provoking him more would surely soon cause the demon's swift appearance.

'Even with the skills I have seen of Kenshin's, I am worried for him. Saito is playing on a much higher level than Kenshin appears capable of playing at in his current state. Kaoru better do something before one or both of them end up dead.' Yahiko thought with dread.

After failing to rise, Kaoru ran over to Kenshin's slumped over form. With a quaver in her voice caused by her fear for him, she asked, "Kenshin, are you alright?" When he failed to reply, she took a closer look and stepped back a few feet as what she saw alarmed her greatly.

Kenshin was peering through his bangs that hid his face from view. He was completely focused on his opponent, possessed by the need to defeat his opponent. He also appeared not to even have heard her question. Bending even further forward Kaoru caught a glimpse of his eyes, which were narrowed, harsh, and gleamed with the light that appeared in a wild animal's eyes as it hunted. His breathing was ragged, but sounded more like an angry rasping. Apparently, he was gathering strength before pouncing into action.

'I know what he's doing. As he is gathering strength, he is attempting to lure me closer to him, and then attack me when I am within range. He hopes to catch me off guard. That will never happen. I will have to get him to come to me.' Saito thought.

"Quit playing around. Get up on your feet Battousai, unless you have decided to forfeit right now. Since you are already hunched over, it will be easy for me to take your life, you nuisance. Nothing would please me more." Saito admonished.

'I have to do something to prevent this. I will not allow Kenshin to be killed!' Kaoru thought before doing the first thing that came to mind. She made a fist and set her features into an angry scowl at the officer before running in front of Kenshin with her arms out to the sides. "There's no way you're getting to him. This senseless fight has gone on long enough. You as a police officer should not be injuring, let alone killing anyone, especially if YOU started the fight." She calmly clipped with fire in her eyes.

"You're in the way you baka Tanuki." He sneered.

"That's the point, you meshii." Kaoru spat back, and finished the remark up with her look of doom (that had never before failed to intimidate anyone that knew her) for good measure.

Not put off or intimidated in the least, Saito began to lunge forward at her. Kaoru steeled herself for the inevitable searing pain of a sword running her through.

'I never intended to hurt her, though it looks like I may as the Battousai is reluctant to act….Oh, what's this?'

However, Saito stopped his attack nearly fifteen feet away, and looked on with amusement when he noticed a hand on her shoulder. Kaoru turned her head and shot Kenshin a worried look after feeling the contact.

"So then I guess our fight has yet to end then Battousai. I am glad you have not given up. I guess you are too stubborn to just hand over your life, and those of your friends. Come, let's begin again."

After hearing the remark, Kenshin merely nodded before gently pushing Kaoru off to the side and walking towards the wolf.

'Now this is interesting. I half expected him to stay down and let the girl taste my sword! Even more perplexing though is that even with the extensive injury in his side, his reactions to my attacks keep getting faster. All this taunting and fighting is finally causing the Rurouni side of him to loose control of the Battousai inside of him. Each time I force him to use his sword, the Battousai seems to shed a link of the chains that hold him prisoner in the confines of the Rurouni's mind. Kenshin Himura is unknowingly reverting back to his true form, Himura Battousai, the demon of a manslayer. This fight is about to get a whole lot more exciting soon. I can feel it.' Saito thought with a devious grin.

"Quit daydreaming Wolf. Let's finish this." Kenshin chided in a voice that was void of emotion, and almost an octave deeper than normal.

'I know that tone, Kenshin is turning back to the Battousai. All of us have to do something, and fast, but WHAT? I HATE feeling this helpless! I have been standing here FOREVER and not yet been able to do a thing….Patience….I must wait for the opportunity to present itself.' Kaoru thought though still clearly worried.

With that last statement, Kenshin charged forward as Saito took a step back.

'He's gotten one heck of a lot faster!' Saito thought as a twisted smirk graced his features.

Just as Saito was thinking, Kenshin disappeared, only to reappear on the ground in a crouched position. Saito drew his fist back in an attempt to hit Kenshin in the jaw with a jab like motion. Kenshin however, moved from left to right on the floor, and expertly avoided the blow.

To Saito's dismay, Kenshin disappeared from sight again, only to end up behind his somewhat "caught off guard" opponent. Saito however, was able at the last second to figure out what Kenshin was doing, as the sound of his hakamas swishing gave his position away, and spun around to deliver a kick to Kenshin's face.

Kenshin was somewhat surprised, and ended up doing a backwards somersault, then quickly recovered by doing a back-flip, gracefully landing on his feet in a crouched position, before his hair-tie broke.

'What the hell was that? He far exceeded my earlier expectations! It appears that I underestimated his abilities. His rurouni side is far too weak, though as he gets closer and closer to the edge of becoming the Battousai again, his level of skill also significantly improves. Seems I only need to push slightly harder to get the demon to resurface, and chain his pacifist Rurouni side where he belongs instead. This fight just may start to get interesting. I haven't had this much fun in years, my adrenaline is up.' Saito thought with a demonic smirk.

Meanwhile, Kenshin was on the ground, again holding his side and panting hard. This time he was down longer than the first time, which of course did not escape the watchful eyes of one Kamiya Kaoru.

"His breathing….Kenshin is pushing himself past his limits. His body does not have the strength to keep fighting like this, yet his mind is willing his body to obey and fight. He's not going to be able to keep this up for too much longer. His body is going to give out long before his mind will." Kaoru whispered fearfully to herself.

All eyes were locked on Kenshin, pondering what would happen in the next few minutes….Life or Death…for One or Both?

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To Be Continued

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Personal Replies:

Luna: Glad to have you with me! Exactly my idea….I swear you read my mind! LOL! I am glad you finally got rid of the darn hairball…I hope the last chapter didn't cause it! I would feel terrible! Hope this update was fast enough! Next week I hope to put up the next two chapters! Ja-ne and see you next chapter!

WhiteRabbit5: I am so glad you are staying with me! Thank-you for the compliments! #blushes# The fic. you told me about sounds awful….#cough Plagiarism cough#....let's not to one dimensional Mary-Sue characters! Thanks for the explanation too about Kaoru's dense behavior. Yepper…I did go back to change what you suggested I change. #Smiles# that was a big help…I didn't think of that! I am sorry to hear about your first fic being written without a critique...and you needing to go back and fix it. #tears…wishes she could have helped# I hope to see you next chapter! I love getting reviews from you! #grins from ear to ear as she waves# (Oh look…you get the longest response too! #celebrates#)

Nakashima-Michiyo: #Hugs back!# You're welcome! I am excited to hear you liked the last chapter…I hope this one was better though! #Smiles# I hope you continue to like my version of 'Kaoru' in this story! I hope I updated fast enough! See you next chapter! #Waves#

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Thanks to all who review! I hope a few more of you will join in on the fun! I promise I don't bite, and that even flames don't really bother me! I dare you…review!

Until Next Chapter….Ja-ne Minna-san!! -