Note: Hello! wave I've been so eager to write another story to post up here! I read some really great RuroKen fanfics recently and was purely inspired. I tried to write one last summer, but I hated how it was going nowhere. Then it was lost on my old computer that stopped working anyway, so even if it was good, I wouldn't have it. (heh) I really have a lot in store for this story, so please stick around. This is my first real fanfic ever, so just cut me a little slack, huh:D I've been really inspired, so I'll definitely be continuing this story till the end. Thank you for reading, enjoy, and PLEASE review. Any feedback, comments, and suggestions will only make the story better! (The title of the story is taken from a U2 song. Just had to say that for reference.)

- Shizuka3

P.S. – The characters are OOC to my liking. The story of RK is skewed to my liking for this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rurouni Kenshin. That's Watsuki-san's business. Take it up with him.

Synopsis: Kamiya Kaoru is doing some work as a "law enforcer" that she believes will just help to catch and send criminals to jail. Her boss knew of her skills and trained her in the field after discovering her. Her boss, however, had far more lucrative plans than her innocent, initial thoughts. Who else will be involved?

Love and Peace or Else
By Shizuka3

Chapter 1: Blood-stained Flower

"Good work, Kamiya. He wasn't even able to catch a glance at you. But the important one got away. I trust that you'll get him next time," a voice said.

The young woman gave a bow of respect. "No. I won't let it happen again." A small bag was dropped into her palm as the coins inside clanged. "Thank you, sir."

"What?" Kaoru shot up from her bed in the middle of the night. Dreaming about what happened the night before was not her favorite thing.

The following morning would not be such an easy one.

The clock had yet to strike eight o'clock a.m. when Kaoru had decided to get up to do some chores and then cook lunch. The dojo was dead silent this early. That was unusual since Kenshin was always up early. She removed her yukata and dressed into a sky blue kimono with a royal blue obi, one of her favorites. Then she tied her hair up in her indigo ribbon as she fixed herself up. Kaoru shut her eyes and heaved a light sigh as she stretched her muscles. The muscles around her mouth contrived a small smile as she walked out of the bedroom.

Kaoru walked delicately past Kenshin's and Yahiko's bedrooms, careful not to wake anyone yet. Originally headed straight for the kitchen, she made a detour and reached the main doorway. She slid the outside shoji open, looked outside with her brilliant azure-colored eyes, and took in a breath of the fresh morning air.

"Refreshing," she spoke. She shivered outside on the cold winter morning.

Just as she turned to head into the kitchen, she noticed a large, brown envelope leaning against the post of the engawa. She curiously picked it up and read the address label. "Tsukayama Yutaro, Deutschland." "Myoujin Yahiko, Tokyo." Kaoru slivered open the package carefully and pulled out a letter.

Yahiko,

How has the Kamiya Dojo been these past couple years? I've been practicing Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu after I help to treat the patients that come by. I can defeat you just using my left hand! I wanted to see how you, Kaoru-san, Himura Kenshin, and everyone else have been doing in Japan all this time. I left one ticket for the ship that leaves Tokyo on Sunday afternoon. I could only buy one ticket. I was sure that Kaoru-san and Himura Kenshin would have other plans. And I'd like you to stay for a while, so I couldn't trouble everyone there. I'll see you at the port in Germany!

Yutaro

Kaoru folded up the letter to put back into the large envelope and looked inside to see the boarding ticket. She closed up the package with everything appropriately inside and took it into the dojo to place by the wall next to Yahiko's room. She finally made her way to the kitchen and started preparing lunch.

Kenshin awoke from his slumber on the beautiful, clear, winter day. Once he stood up from his sleeping position he smelled some kind of concoction of food being cooked. That could only be bad if it were Kaoru in the kitchen, but she was so caring. She goes through so much trouble to make people happy. Once he straightened out his gi he headed for the kitchen where he was met by Kaoru.

"Good afternoon, Kenshin! You're finally awake," Kaoru chirped seeing the late-riser as he knelt by his seat at the table. Yahiko walked into the dining area rubbing his eyes as he took his seat.

"'Afternoon."

Kaoru's head was turned while she talked to Kenshin and Yahiko, completely forgetting that she was chopping onions. She was about to drop the knife again to cut through the onions, while her left middle finger in its path. "OW!" yelped Kaoru, quickly turning back around, trying not to worry anyone. She looked at the broken skin on her finger that was dripping blood; her eyes not moving from their position on the flow of the blood. She was hypnotized. She blinked, and then squeezed the area of the cut.

"Is something wrong? Did you hurt yourself?" Kenshin questioned, confused about why she just yelped.

Kaoru moved the muscles in her face to make a smile. "It's nothing!" Then she directed her eyes to Yahiko as she brought a big plate with the meal on it and placed it on the table as she sat in her usual seat next to Kenshin. "Yahiko, you got a letter from Yutaro this morning."

"Oh yeah! I already read it. I get to go see Yutaro in Germany. I can finally show him how strong I am!" Yahiko posed as he flexed the "muscles" in his arms.

"You and Yutaro can finally have a true one on one battle," Kaoru stated with a tone that showed she was proud of her students.

The conversation continued, with small pauses every once in a while. Kaoru looked around the area, out the door, and then at Kenshin and Yahiko. She then moved her eyes towards her left hand in her lap as there was a large, red stain on her blue kimono. Her finger was still bleeding, but the large stain was on the opposite side of the smaller stain left by the cut on her finger. That's not good.

Kenshin, Yahiko, and Kaoru arrived at the port just as they were boarding the final straggling passengers. Yahiko held a great big suitcase in each of his hands.

"Remember, Yahiko. You carry a sword that protects under the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu name. Even if you're in Germany, don't do anything you will regret later," warned Kenshin as he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Don't forget the gifts for Yutaro and his family," Kaoru said as she handed him another small suitcase. "Take care of yourself!" she said optimistically and patted Yahiko on his head. The last whistle blew as the boarding guard called for the ship's departure. Yahiko ran up the ramp, was checked by the steward, and Yahiko waved his last good-bye. He turned and walked onto the ship's passenger deck as a large door shut behind him. The ship's horn blew and set sail towards the sun and its destination. Kenshin had his hand shielding his eyes from the sun like a visor when Kaoru spoke.

"We should head back now."

The two were walking down the path towards the dojo, Kaoru slightly behind Kenshin.

"Your kimono. How did you get that stain on it?" Kenshin pointed out without needing to glance at her kimono.

Kaoru looked down slightly puzzled. That's . . . "Oh, that? I just nicked my finger earlier when I was chopping onions. When I had my hand on my lap, the blood must've soaked through." The wind began to howl as the sun was beginning to set. Time had passed so fast and it was already dinnertime.

Author's Notes:
I have to admit, this chapter was a little hard to write and not the most fun. I needed something to happen while I was setting up the very basic structure of the story. Eh. So I think it turned out good. I even had a friend read it, and she liked it. This chapter gives you a small taste for what's in store, obviously. I was gathering my ideas. I hope it didn't drag on too much. Don't forget to tell me comments, questions, and suggestions. I'll try my best to reply to you at the end of the next chapter. Oh, and shoji are the doors that are in the Japanese-style buildings, not like the ones we have now, just in case someone didn't know. Hmm, I wonder what Kaoru's up to.

Thanks for reading!