Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin, nor do I own the show. The only things I own are the bad guys.

Author's Note: This story is rated "T" for some adult themes, battle scenes and one naughty word at the end.Thank you to all my reviewers and everyone who is waiting for this story to update. You guys are great. Thank you!

2

The strong smell of sake was almost overpowering as Kenshin opened the door to the bar.

The slightly smoky atmosphere dimmed the lanterns hanging from the ceiling though the late hour had allowed for the air to clear some.

Loud, raucous laughter drew his attention to a pair of men at a small table.

"I might go out to the Kamiya dojo tomorrow and see if she needs anymore help. The pay might be agreeable," the larger of the two choked out, sending the smaller one into a fresh wave of amusement.

The owner came over to their table, "You? Go work at that school instead of your own? That lady must be paying pretty good wages."

"She's not paying money, but she must have other things she can offer in return for work, at least enough to keep that little red-haired guy there for this long."

The owner grumbled something under his breath about their disrespectful comment and began to turn down some of the lanterns, "It's time for you two to leave."

After ushering them out of his establishment, he turned to where Kenshin had been but no one was there.

"Strange," he thought as he scratched his head, "I thought someone had been there."

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Kenshin leaned against the wall of the building as he watched the other two walk down the street, looking for a place to rest for a few hours.

He had left as the owner had prepared to close up.

Straightening up, he placed a hand on the handle of his sword and stepped into the street.

He took a few steps in the direction he had seen the two go when someone grabbed the back of his shirt in an attempt to turn him around.

Turning to face his attacker, he realized who it was, "I asked you to stay at the dojo Miss Kaoru, that I did."

Kaoru released his shirt, "You lied about having things to do in town."

As she spoke, she studied his slight flushed face and bright eyes.

Finally she realized what was going on, "You heard what those men said tonight, didn't you?" she whispered.

Kenshin nodded, "I was inside of the bar and I did hear what they said."

"And so now you're here to fight them, aren't you?"

"I do not want to, that I don't. But if I need to I will." Kenshin admitted.

Kaoru laid a hand on Kenshin's arm, stopping him from turning to follow the men, "Please Kenshin, don't get involved. This isn't your fight."

Kenshin shook her hand off and started to walk down the street when Kaoru's voice stopped him, "This is about honor, isn't it? Those men questioned yours and now you're going to fight them."

Kenshin turned around again and faced her, "This isn't about my honor, it's about yours."

He continued to go, but paused, "Please go back to the dojo, I do not want you getting hurt, Miss Kaoru, that I don't."

Kaoru stood with her mouth slightly open as she watched him walk away, what kind of man was Kenshin, who'd be willing to die for her honor?

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Kenshin found the two men standing by the river and he quietly walked up behind them and paused.

"When Kamiya Kaoru's few remaining supporters hear about what had been going on at that dojo they'll desert her and she'll be forced to leave Tokyo or be punished for her actions, leaving our dojo as one of the few schools left in the neighborhood." The larger of the two men were talking, still oblivious to Kenshin's presence.

The smaller man cleared his throat, "But Taro, how will we get the proof?"

"Don't worry Haru, proof is not needed. People belief everything they hear and if we say the right things people won't ask questions."

Haru laughed softly, "And once we've made an example of that woman, all the women will realize it's time they got back to their places in the kitchen."

Kenshin had heard enough and stepped into the open, "I can't allow you to do what you're planning, that I can't."

Taro's face changed into an expression of disgust as he spun around and saw who it was, "You!"

Kenshin stood a little straighter and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, "I respectfully ask you to stop spreading your lies and tarnishing the honor of the Kamiya family."

Suddenly Taro's expression changed to one of amusement, "Haru, did you hear that? He wants us to stop spreading the rumors!"

Haru joined in, "Who do you think you are that you can order us like that?"

"I am just a wander and a friend of Miss Kaoru, that I am. But I don't know who you are."

Taro puffed his chest out proudly, "I am the master of the Ito style of Martial arts, Ito Taro."

Kenshin nodded, "I have heard that you teach a very strong fighting style."

"Our family has always taught the most powerful style in Japan, and it is far better then the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu style or whatever style you use, wanderer."

"Really?" Kenshin asked mildly.

Taro reached a hand under his coat and pulled out his concealed sword, "If you doubt my words why don't you test me? I see you also are carrying a sword."

Reluctantly, Kenshin drew his sword, "I will fight you but under one condition, if you lose, you will leave Miss Kaoru and her school alone."

"Very well but I will kill you so don't waste your time stating conditions."

Haru backed away from the two men as Taro circled Kenshin looking for a weakness.

Suddenly he charged forward, intent on ending this fight with one blow but Kenshin was gone.

"Over here."

Taro turned towards the sound of the voice and found Kenshin standing a few feet away, waiting for Taro to charge again.

Twice more Taro attempted to attack Kenshin, only to run into empty air where the wanderer had been standing.

Finally he stopped running and faced Kenshin, "I'm growing tired of this game, why don't you just stand still and let me kill you? You're only delaying the inevitable."

Kenshin didn't see Taro's arm moving for the dagger in his belt until it was buried in his arm.

Grimacing in pain, Kenshin looked up in time to barely block Taro's sword as the man charged him again.

Twisting his blade off of Taro's he struck the man hard in the neck, stunning him into unconsciousness.

Turning slightly, he watched as Haru approached the fallen man.

"Take him and leave." Kenshin ordered quietly.

Nodding in terror, Haru pulled Taro up from the ground, supporting the man as he slowly regained his senses.

After Kenshin was sure they were gone he dropped his sword on the ground and sank to his knees, the dagger in his arm throbbing now that the battle was over.

With a sharp intake of breath, he pulled the knife from his arm and clumsily tore a piece of his shirt away to make a crude bandage.

After he had tended to his wound, he picked up the dagger and threw it into the river.

For several minutes he stood there watching the water until the bark of a dog roused him from his stupor.

He glanced towards the east and noted the sky was getting lighter.

It was time to go home.