Disclaimer: once again, I do not own RK. This fanfic is for your enjoyment, not my profit.

Author's note: I hope you like this chapter, please review, I love hearing from you!

As Kenshin helped with breakfast he rolled over the memories of the day before. The man he had thought was burned into his memory. Those eyes...

"Kenshin"

"Oro" the rurouni exclaimed, blinking slightly. Kaoru was staring at him, a lopsided grin spreading across her face.

"I asked if you were paying attention Kenshin" she giggled. Miss Megumi was also chuckling softly. Sanosuke and Yahiko had went outside to do who knows what, leaving Kenshin with the girls.

"I'm sorry that I am Miss Kaoru. I was just daydreaming I guess" he apologized. "What can I help you with" Kaoru smiled.

"Nothing really. Just that it's time to eat" she teased. Kenshin gave his famous rurouni smile and helped the ladies set the table.

When Yahiko and Sano had found their ways to the kitchen the Kenshin-gumi prepared to sit and enjoy their meal, which would be rather eventful...

"Hey Kenshin" Megumi said as she set aside her chopsticks. The rurouni looked up. "Kaoru tells me that you lost to a couple of thugs in town yesterday" the female doctor said. Kenshin hid his eyes hastily.

"I was distracted that I was" he said quickly. Kaoru gazed at him thoughtfully.

"But you've been distracted before and you haven't lost. Something's wrong Kenshin, and we want you to tell us what," she murmured. Kenshin blinked at her.

"Nothings wrong Miss Kaoru," he assured her. "You can be sure of that."

The assistant master of the dojo wasn't entirely convinced. She stood and started to clear the table when there was a crash from above them all. Just as Kenshin looked up the leader of the gang fell through the ceiling, grabbing Kaoru around the waist and Megumi around the wrist. Sano, Yahiko and Kenshin all jumped to their feet, Kenshin grabbing his sakabatou and Yahiko his bamboo sword. The gang leader merely laughed.

"Don't even think about it Battousai!" he chortled. "I've got the girls!" he said as he pulled the women closer to him. Kaoru twisted and Megumi squirmed, both trying to get away to no avail.

"Let them go and I'll let you leave peacefully," Kenshin said, his eyes hidden. Sanosuke cracked his knuckles threateningly.

"I won't be so friendly," he growled. As the ex-fighter for higher stepped forward Kenshin held up a hand to keep him back.

"Please stand back Sano," the rurouni said. Sanosuke grumbled something but held his ground. The gang leader laughed ruthlessly.

"Afraid of anyone getting hurt Battousai?" he sneered. Kenshin's right eye twitched ever so slightly. "Heh, come on in boys!" the thug called. Instantly Kenshin, Yahiko and Sano were surrounded by the gang that they had confronted the day before.

'It's always the hard way with these people isn't it rurouni,' the voice in the back of Kenshin's mind sighed. As the gangsters started to attack Kenshin commanded the Battousai to stay hidden in his mind.

'Always thinking about yourself aren't you rurouni?' the amber-eyed fighter chuckled. Kenshin ground his teeth together and beat down another opponent.

'I fight for those that I love,' he said, 'You fight for vengeance.'

'You're wrong rurouni,' the Battousai whispered. Kenshin pushed off when of the attackers and tried to move closer to the girls.

'Then for whom do you fight?' he inquired.

'Kaoru…'

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter was so very short but I was pushed for time. Very pushed for time. With school and tests and such I didn't have much time to write and with all the wonderful reviews I've gotten I had to give you all what you wanted! I promise that I'm working on chapter 3!