A/N: Okay, so the first chapter was kind of lame – and mushy…anyway…in this chapter, Kaoru thought she found at last, "the one", (although she is not really sure about her feelings for him, you know, some kind of like she's just grown fond of him?) though they just met, when suddenly news about Battousai wandering in their town and Kaoru's having doubts about the swordsman/wanderer. What if that kind and warm-hearted swordsman/wanderer happens to be Battousai himself? Somehow Battousai's traits and newly found friend Kenshin Himura's seem to match, but there's only one way to find out. By the way, thanks to those who reviewed my first chappie. I promise I'll do this better.

p.s. My summary sucked.

It was a nice and sunny morning. As Kaoru woke up, she found herself a bit peaceful. Usually, she feels a bit stressed and is isn't quite looking forward to the day. But today was an exception. She had a really nice dream. No, it wasn't the one where she would catch butterflies happily with her father over and over again, but it was the one where she met a kind wanderer/swordsman and had a really good time.

No, Kaoru, it wasn't a dream.

"Silly me," she murmured as she rolled to the other side of the bed.

But it was too good to be true. He somehow inspired me.

She tried to reminisce that event and smiled. If only she could see his calm face again then her day would be complete.

To start the day right, she quickly got up and fixed her beddings. She was humming a sweet and joyful melody on her way to the bathroom that somebody smiled upon hearing it.

"I see somebody seem so happy today. What seems to be the cause?"

Kaoru stopped and turned around.

"Oh, Dr. Gensai! You seem so early."

"Well, I decided that maybe I could catch a glimpse of the sunrise to start the day right. It seems so inspiring."

"You always find things inspiring, Dr. Gensai."

"You know me, have to be always inspired to keep youth alive. That's why I can't understand why you youngsters tend to keep so morose and secretive all the time. Why don't you be like me? Healthy and good-looking."

"Uh, I don't think I can handle it," teased Kaoru.

"Maybe not now, but you'll realize it as you get older," laughed Dr. Gensai.

"Where are Suzi and Yumi?"

"They're still asleep."

"Oh I see," said Kaoru, "well, I need to get going now. If there's anyone looking for me, I'm taking a bath, okay?"

Just as Kaoru was closing the door, Dr. Gensai suddenly called her attention.

"Uh, Kaoru?"

"Yes, doctor?"

"If you're going out, please be careful."

Kaoru was startled. "Why?"

"It's because a slasher is said to be out there."

"What about him?"

"He's a legendary swordsman who is feared for his said to be dreadful sword techniques. He was an assassin, dreadful one."

"Oh, don't worry, Dr. Gensai. I'm sure to kicjk his ass before he can even draw out his sword," winked Kaoru.

"Just be careful, Kaoru. You'll never know what might happen."

"Oh I will. But thank you for the concern though."

"By the way, he is known as Battousai."

Kaoru closed the bathroom door.

"Battousai?" she thought for a while, "Could he really be that dreadful?"

When Kaoru arrived at the marketplace, she saw a group of people talking about something that seems so controversial.

"Ah! Kaoru! I see you're here to pick up your radishes. Couldn't have known better, it's been two days since you last ordered it!"

"Mr. Sakuragi, what seems to be the problem? What are they talking about? It seems so serious…"

"Just a bunch of snooty ladies who can't do anything but to gossip all day!" he said out aloud.

"I beg your pardon but we're not snooty as you think!" cried one of the ladies.

"Oh, sorry. What I meant was gossip-hungry."

"How dare you!"

"Madame, I'm sorry to interrupt but may I know what seems to be the problem there when you were talking a moment ago?" asked Kaoru politely.

"Oh, Kamiya Kaoru. I didn't notice you were here."

"I think she ought to know what's happening," pointed out one of the ladies.

"I think everybody should know," said the other.

"Very well, then. Kaoru, a maniac is out there on the loose!"

"A maniac who is said to be horrible!" said the other.

"Fearful more likely!"

"A slasher!"

"Well, he's not really a maniac," said Mr. Sakuragi.

"How would you know? Have you actually seen him?" sneered the lady.

"Actually, no, but from what I've heard he seemed to have reformed. Why, have you seen him?"

The old lady winced.

"Ha!" sniggered Mr. Sakuragi.

Suddenly, Kaoru remembered what Dr. Gensai had told her a while ago.

"A slasher is said to be out there. He goes by the name Battousai," she could still hear Dr. Gensai's voice telling her to be careful.

"Uh, Madame, what does this 'feared slasher' looks like?" asked Kaoru.

"I don't kno9w much but he is said to have a scar in his face that is shaped like an X!"

"An X?!?!?" Kaoru was shocked. Suddenly, the face of the swordsman/wanderer flashed back in her head: the man had a scar on his left cheek. What was worse was that it was shaped like an X.

There has to be some mistake! He can't be…

"And he carries a katana with him everywhere he goes like it was just a handbag. Can you believe that?" continued the snooty lady.

"Isn't there anymore description that you can tell to elaborate more?" asked Kaoru hopefully.

"Oh, there are more! I saw him with my very own eyes" came a voice out of nowhere. Then they saw a boy of thirteen approaching the group.

"Really? How else did he look like?"

"He was a red-haired guy with a cross mark on his left cheek. He carries with him a reversed-edged katana and is wearing a fuchsia-colored kimono and a white hakama."

"A reversed-edged sword? Why should I believe you?" stammered one of the snooty ladies.

"I saw it! He pulled it out once to scare away a gang of goons bullying an old man."

"Ha! Told you he reformed," claimed Mr. Sakuragi victoriously.

From how the boy described it, the traits seem to match.

No, Kenshin Himura can't be Battousai . He just can't, worried Kaoru. He can't be, of course, of how he treated Kaoru and of how he acted. But was that just a disguise to hide his real identity? She had to be sure.

"Do you know his real name, boy?"

"No, miss, but is known only as Battousai."

Kaoru's heart started to beat fast. What if he's really Battousai? What if he didn't really reformed and started making riot? Here? In Tokyo? What if he tracked Kaoru down and decided to kill her? What will happen to Suzi? Yumi? Or Dr. Gensai?

But what's really bugging her is that, what are the chances that she, Kaoru Kamiya, will be able to love again? Thinking that Kenshin Himura maybe "the one" who will take away all her misery and will love her for her is hope all gone? Is she going to be abandoned again like what she had feared before?

But what if he's really changed? What if he decided to leave the past and decided to move on? After all, that's what he told Kaoru when she was in a dilemma.

"For me, I think he should rot in jail for all the crimes that he committed. That should do the trick!" commented on of the snooty ladies.

"You should watch your words, Kameyama. He might be a slasher but what of he has a big heart for us people," defended Mr. Sakuragi.

"You'll never know, Sakuragi. That killer -."

"Ex-killer."

"Whatever he is, he might be as sly as a filthy snake!"

Mr. Sakuragi gave out a loud yelp. "The problem with you people, is that you never seem to give people like him a second chance!"

"OH YOU THINK SO? How about me? I gave my cat a second chance when it mercilessly destroyed my favorite ornament to pieces…"

While everybody was busy arguing, Kaoru was in deep thought to mind them. She has to do something, for the sake of the town, for the sake of her loved ones and also for the sake of her heart.

Suddenly, Kaoru thought of a great yet risk-taking idea.

"Young man, do you know where the swordsman usually passes?" asked Kaoru to the boy.

"Yes, miss. Battousai usually takes that bridge connecting the town to the forest out there. It is said that he always passes there before sundown, running errands. Quite odd for a slayer, isn't he, miss?" shrugged the boy.

"Really odd, indeed," agreed Kaoru and had no time to waste. Hurriedly, she made her way home, in deep thought, thinking about how to accomplish her scheme successfully. As she continued walking, she didn't notice a pair of malevolent eyes following her as she was disappearing out of the scene.

A/N: So how was it? Hope it wasn't that mushy…I'm still working on a good title for this one…I promise next time you'll really get the real deal. In chapter 3, the real story is about to start so please throw your criticisms and praises (if there are) at me now. Improvements, Anyone?