Disclaimer: I'm tired of saying this- I do not own Rurouni Kenshin!!

Sky: You definitely should write a fanfic about the Meiji era!!:) You could elaborate on Tomoe and Kenshin's love story! I'm sure it'll be great as usual.

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"Oi, Busu! You're not yourself today!" Yahiko yelled as Kaoru dropped her wooden sword on the floor and squatted down.

Kaoru was giving Yahiko his usual daily lessons and sparring with him before she called for a five minute break. Even during the lesson her eyes seem to be averted somewhere else and Yahiko seemed to be the Master instead of her.

Sweat was dripping down Kaoru's forehead and it stained her clothes. Kaoru shut her eyes tight for a few seconds to relax and breathe, but Yahiko kept irritating her that it was almost impossible to find some peace.

"Will you just shut up, Yahiko?!" Kaoru retorted irritably.

"What did I do wrong? You're the one acting all weird since Kenshin left." Yahiko said annoyingly.

It only took a few seconds before Yahiko found Kaoru's bokken slammed onto the top of his head. He rubbed his head in pain, cursing Kaoru as she walked out of the dojo hall.

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"I wonder how Kaoru-dono and the others are…" Kenshin pondered to himself as he walked down the lonely road of Kyoto.

Fixing his eyes over the lush green scenery, Kenshin felt the breeze run through his hair and closed his eyes. He wished Kaoru could enjoy this moment too. All of a sudden, he felt someone tugging at his Sakabato. He turned around and saw a hooded figure trying to steal his precious sword.

"Oro!" Kenshin exclaimed as he tugged back the sword and jumped out of the person's way.

"What are you trying to do?!" Kenshin exclaimed as he examined the hooded figure. Was that person trying to attack him and steal his sword?

"Isn't it obvious..? I'm trying to steal your sword!" A voice emerged from the hooded figure that was sounded quite familiar.

The hooded figure stood properly and removed the cloak. A beautiful young woman with dark hair and sparkling green eyes stood before Kenshin.

"Misao-chan?! Oro? What are you doing here?" Kenshin questioned.

Misao gave a small chuckle and hit Kenshin on the shoulder;

"I was just at the nearby village gathering some information. Masters of our local dojos have been killed mysteriously these days. It's very odd since the masters of the dojos should be quite highly skilled. But this person actually killed all of the masters. As the head of the Oni gang, I must protect my town, yes?" Misao said and gave a weak smile.

Kenshin could tell that Misao was trying to pretend to be happy even though deep down in her heart she was gravely burdened. Kenshin smiled at Misao and looked away.

"So why are you headed for Kyoto this time?" Misao asked Kenshin as they walked together.

"I-I have to visit my late wife's tomb. It's her death anniversary." Kenshin replied tartly.

"Oh… That's nice, I guess. But what did Kaoru say? Wasn't she upset?" Misao questioned.

"She was… She refused to speak to me. But what can I do?" Kenshin responded.

"Sigh… I don't know, Kenshin… I really don't." Misao said sadly.

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"I'm going off to get some vegetables for dinner!" Kaoru yelled as she left the dojo.

Kaoru closed the gate and walked through the deserted street. She clasped her hands together and wondered where Kenshin was. Maybe she could have been more understanding and didn't kick up a big fuss. It was his late wife's death anniversary, after all. It's not like he's cheating on her or anything.

Kaoru stared at the half-blossomed sakura trees and sighed. She wished Kenshin hadn't left. She wished she was good enough to replace Tomoe in his heart. She was turning away when she saw a dark figure emerge from the trees. A big, burly man slowly walked towards her and signaled her to him. Kaoru squinted her eyes and walked towards him.

"Err… Yes? How can I help you?" Kaoru asked.

"You can help me by being my kidnapped hostage!" The man said and slapped Kaoru onto the ground.

Kaoru fell towards the ground and her head hit a rock. She tried to open her eyes but her head was spinning in all different directions. Finally, she blacked out.

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"Eh, why isn't Kaoru back yet? I'm hungry!" Yahiko complained incessantly.

"Like you even want to taste her cooking, but you're right. Where is she?" Sano answered.

"I heard her say she was going to the market but that was like three hours back. Do you think anything could've happened?" Yahiko asked.

"Nah, Kaoru's so fierce, anyone would pay her to stand ten feet away from her." Sano joked as he chuckled to himself.

"I still think something's not right." Yahiko affirmed.

All of a sudden, Yahiko noticed a tall and strong looking man running into the dojo frantically. Yahiko got up and walked towards him. The man was quite old and was panting as he squatted down.

"Who are you, Mister?" Yahiko asked.

"I'm Master Kamiya! Kaoru's father! Don't you even know?!" Kamiya said.

"HUH? Come to think of it, Kaoru never mentioned about her father! Oi, Sanosuke! Come over here!" Yahiko said.

Sano sprinted across the front yard and faced Kaoru's father.

"This man says he's Kaoru's father." Yahiko said.

"Eh? Are you sure? How come you suddenly appeared?" Sano questioned suspiciously.

Kamiya took out a piece of crumpled paper and read out loud;

"If you want to claim back your daughter, Kamiya Kaoru, you are to give up your title as Master of the Kamiya dojo and raise 1000 Yen! I give you a grace of three days before I send you the address to meet me. Till then, your daughter… might be safe." (A/N: In the past, 1000 Yen is worth a lot, right? Correct me if I'm wrong.)

"I was right! Something did happen to busu!" Yahiko exclaimed.

"Now's not the time to celebrate, Yahiko! We need to hatch up a plan and inform Kenshin! Master Kamiya, where have you been all these years?" Sano turned to Kamiya and asked.

"Save that for later! Get me a glass of water!" Kamiya demanded angrily.

"Geez, old man. Can't you have some patience here?" Sano said irritably and walked off to get the water.

"You're not the one who's daughter is kidnapped!" Kamiya yelled after Sano.

"So… Really, why didn't you appear for so long?" Yahiko asked quietly.

Kamiya heaved a sigh and darted his eyes far away. Maybe this was the time to tell the truth. Even Kaoru didn't know why he left.

"After my wife died… I became so engrossed in Kendo that I kept training Kaoru so she could be the master some day, and when the time finally came, I was still so grieved in my heart that I ran away to a temple and started living there and meditating there. Kaoru never knew…" Kamiya explained with agony in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry for you, Master Kamiya. I'm Yahiko! Disciple of Kaoru! I'm learning the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu right now!" Yahiko said proudly.

"That's good to hear! One of these days, I might teach you one of the secrets of our technique!" Kamiya said, favoring Yahiko.

"Here's your water. And I'm Sanosuke by the way." Sano said roughly.

"What a young man with an attitude!" Kamiya lectured as he sipped the water.

"Oi, Sano! Write to Misao now and ask her to look out for Kenshin! Tell Kenshin to come back immediately!" Yahiko said.

"Yeah, yeah." Sano said and rolled his eyes.

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End of Chapter!

I didn't know Kaoru's father's name so I just named him Kamiya. -.- Hope you guys don't blame me for that! Oh well, I'm starting to get discouraged… PRESS THAT REVIEW BUTTON IMMEDIATELY!!!!!! Arigato