A/N: Well, I haven't updated in a little bit. I forgot to mention that this takes place after the Kyoto arc and we are pretending the Jinchuu Arc doesn't happen. There is a very large gap in the time space continuum between the Kyoto arc and Jinchuu arc so just be good readers and imagine that okay? Remember a long time ago in a chapter far, far away where Kenshin and Kaoru shared a bit of the same dream? That comes back here. Hope you like!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. (Gasp, that's the entire disclaimer!)

Chapter 7: The Truth

There had been many attempts at killing Mika but all had failed. The only person who Kenshin thought might be a threat was Akira. Since they hadn't seen him in a while Kenshin thought he had gone. Still, there was no way he was going to let his guard down…again. Winter had hit the dojo head on. The entire area was covered in a blanket of white fluffy snow. The trees were bare and the air was cold. There was something very beautiful about the winter though. It must have been the way everything seemed dormant and at peace, unlike the way Kenshin was feeling now.

Something had been bothering Kenshin for a few days. He wasn't sick and he felt perfectly normal. It must have been the fact that it was winter. There were so many horrible memories that came with winter every year. It would take Kenshin a few days to get out of the sad mood he was in but he eventually did. Presently, Kenshin was sitting in the kitchen drinking some tea. Sano walked in and sat down.

"Hey Kenshin, what's up?"

Kenshin seemed to come out of the daze he was in. "What? Did you say something Sano?"

"Kenshin you seem kinda…out of it. Is there something wrong?"

"No Sano. I'm just fine, that I am." Kenshin flashed his famous smile.

"Come on Kenshin, if it has to do with that fish guy I won't tell."

"Really Sano, I'm just fine. It has nothing to do with Miss Mika or Miss Kaoru or anything."

"Hey, I never mentioned the little missy. Is that what's bothering you?" Sano grinned.

"No! No Sano it's nothing like that, it has nothing to do with her!"

"Are you sure?"

"…Oro."

Sano got up from his seat. "Okay man but if you need anything or anyone to talk to, I'm here."

"Okay Sano."

Kenshin got up from the table and walked outside. It was near the end of the week so he figured he would go to the market and get some more food supplies. AHHH-CHOO! Maybe he'd buy another blanket while he was there as well. It was getting even colder. Just as he was about to leave Yahiko ran up to him.

"Hey Kenshin!"

"Yes Yahiko?"

"I think there is something wrong with Kaoru. Maybe you should go talk to her."

"Oh, is she sick?"

"No, I don't think that's it."

"Thank you for telling me Yahiko."

"Oh and Kenshin, I'm going to the Akebeko again today. I probably won't be back until later."

"You've been going over there a lot lately haven't you Yahiko. Are you helping Miss Tae and Tsubame?"

Yahiko blushed. "Well…yes," he said quietly.

"Okay then, have fun."

Although he didn't show it, Kenshin was worried. What was wrong? He walked quickly to Kaoru's room, stopped at the door, and listened. Kenshin could hear someone crying softly. He knocked on her door. No answer came so he cracked open the shoji. Kaoru was sitting with her back towards him apparently she hadn't heard anything. Kenshin walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She was slightly startled but looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Miss Kaoru, what's wrong?"

"Oh Kenshin it's…really kind of silly."

Kenshin looked at her with caring eyes. She knew he would sit there until the problem was solved. There was no use in trying to get around it. She got up and walked over to her window. She took a deep breath and then looked back to him.

"Well, I've been slightly frustrated lately, that's all."

"About what Miss Kaoru?"

"Just little things like cleaning the dojo and teaching Yahiko."

"But Miss Kaoru, I've been helping you and you seem to have been doing just find with lessons. Is that all?"

Kaoru shook her head. There was just no way of getting past him. "Um…well I…I"

"Yes Miss Kaoru?"

"I know this may sound selfish but Mika has been bothering me just a little."

Kenshin figured as much. "What about her Miss Kaoru?"

"Well, just with everything that has happened lately, I guess I got slightly tired of it. I mean it is enough with all the people who come after you isn't it?"

Kenshin smirked. "I guess you do deserve a break, that you do. Would you like to come with me to the market?"

"Okay Kenshin. Maybe if I take a walk I can sort things out."

At least Kenshin wasn't the only one feeling distraught. The thought of walking with Kaoru in the snow put him in a better mood. Her skin looked so flawless next to snow. Her hair was so black and silky, a perfect contrast to the white. His favorite things of all though were her eyes, those gorgeous sapphire blue eyes. Kenshin smiled as he watched her walk up ahead of him to the gate. He wasn't the only one watching her though. There was another.

Akira chuckled to himself. He couldn't quite understand how the greatest assassin who ever lived couldn't sense his presence. He was only about twenty feet away. Maybe his senses had been getting dull over the years. Akira also didn't understand how it was possible for such a beautiful girl to still be single. If he were in the samurai's position, he would have claimed her long ago. He wasn't going to blow his cover just yet. He knew if he were any lower in that tree that he would be easily detected. It was too soon for anther attack. So in the meantime, he was going to sit in that tree and observe.

Kenshin and Kaoru made it down to the market. As they passed different people they exchanged greetings and some even stopped to talk to them. Kenshin picked up a few whispers of what a nice "couple" they were. He really liked the thought of them being together. He was going to make that happen soon enough. Kenshin turned and looked at Kaoru. After he got over how wonderful she looked he decided to say something.

"Miss Kaoru, would you want to eat outside today?"

"In the snow Kenshin?"

"I know it would be cold but everything is so beautiful today."

Kaoru thought for a moment but then smiled. "Okay Kenshin, I'd like that."

They went around to the different booths and bought more food. They stopped by one booth and bought some more tea. This particular booth belonged to the old woman Kaoru had helped before during the fish incident. Because of this the old lady gave them all of their tea for free. Both Kenshin and Kaoru tried to protest to this but the old woman wouldn't agree. She also told them that there were rumors going around of another attack happening. Kenshin asked her where she had heard such a thing. The woman said that was what lots of people were saying. They thanked the woman and walked back to the dojo. Kenshin felt slightly uneasy about what the woman said but he let the thought drift to the back of his mind. It had begun to snow.

Mika ran out to help Kenshin and Kaoru with their bags. "Hey you guys, how was shopping?"

"Oh, it was nice, that it was." Kenshin smiled at Kaoru who smiled back. "We were going to eat lunch outside today Miss Mika. Would you like to join us?" Kenshin felt Kaoru tense up slightly but she quickly relaxed.

"Oh sure, that would be great! I know the perfect spot too."

"Okay Mika, after Kenshin is done making lunch you can take us there," said Kaoru.

The three of them walked inside. Kaoru and Mika stayed outside while Kenshin went in to put away the supplies and start making lunch. After about thirty minutes the three of them set off again.

"So where exactly are you taking us Mika?" asked Kaoru.

"It's a lovely little spot I found when I was walking the other day."

"Is it far from here Miss Mika? I don't want the food to get too cold."

"Don't worry Kenshin, we're almost there."

The trio walked along the river for a while until Mika went up a path into the woods. Kenshin couldn't believe how bare the trees were. It seemed like just the other day when he and Kaoru were walking down the side of the river and the leaves were just starting to change. Mika ran up ahead into an open area with no trees. When Kenshin and Kaoru got there they both stopped dead in their tracks. There in the middle of the clearing was a lake, completely frozen over. The snow covered the entire area. Kenshin thought it must have been just some weird coincidence that Mika would a pick a place like this. Opposite to Kenshin, Kaoru's mind was running. If things went like her dream Kenshin would…was he going to confess his feelings? This was all too weird.

"Hey you guys! What is taking you so long?" shouted Mika.

"We're coming Miss Mika."

There was an enormous tree with huge branches and roots on the other side of the lake. This seemed to be the place Mika was heading to. The roots were so large that you could sit in between them, almost like a natural chair. Kenshin took out the food but then realized he forgot another bowl of soup. He offered to just eat the rice he had brought but of course Kaoru wouldn't stand for that so they shared. Kaoru thought the whole situation was very strange. Why did Mika have to pick to eat lunch here and how in the world did Kenshin forget the third bowl of soup? Were the cosmic forces playing with her?

"Kaoru you seem quiet today, are you okay?" asked Mika.

"Oh yes I am just a little tired that's all."

"You do seem quiet Miss Kaoru, that you do." Kenshin looked her straight in the eyes, which was wonderful but unsettling all at the same time. She nodded at him and he dropped the subject.

"It's okay, I'm fine."

"I'm going to go by the lake and see if you can still see the fish," said Mika. "I think it would do me some good to know the fish are trapped down there." Mika got up and ran over to the side of the lake.

"Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin slowly took hold of her hand.

"Kenshin I promise I'm all right. You don't have to worry about me."

"I know but I just want to be sure you are okay."

"Kenshin, are you okay? Are you having any problems right now?"

Kenshin closed his eyes for a moment and then turned his gaze to the sky. "Well Miss Kaoru, there have been many things that have happened to me. It just so happens that the worst of these things occurred around this time. So when winter comes I become slightly saddened."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Just being with you makes me happy…Kaoru."

Kaoru's eyes widened and she gave Kenshin a look of confusion. There was just no way. "Kenshin?"

"Yes Kaoru?"

"You didn't call me "Miss."

"Does that bother you?"

"No it's just…do you…um…" Kaoru was unaware that they were slowly getting closer to each other.

"I love saying your name. I've always wanted to say it without the "Miss" for a long time now. It feels nice to finally do it."

Kaoru blushed. "Kenshin…I"

Mika was standing on the edge of the lake. Just as she thought there were still fish in the water, they were just all trapped. It was a reassuring thought to know Kenshin and the others were there to help her through this. That someone as strong as Kenshin was there to protect her. Just the thought of him put a smile on her face. Mika turned around to call out to the other two when she saw them getting very close together. All her hard work was going to be ruined in a few seconds. She prayed to God something would happen to stop them. Her prayers were answered but not at all in the way she wanted. Just then, she felt a presence behind her. She looked up to see a tall man with long black hair and a threatening smile. She recognized him from that other night when those people had come to get her.

"Kenshin!" she yelled.

Kenshin and Kaoru's faces were about two inches away form each other when they heard Mika's cry for help. Kenshin looked over and realized he had done the one thing he was trying to prevent this entire time. He had let his guard down just because he was actually trying to put his happiness first. He mentally cursed at himself and would rather die than see Mika be slain in front of him. Kenshin just hoped that Akira would have some mercy on Mika's soul.

"Hello samurai! It's been a while," said Akira very causally.

"Please let her go," said Kenshin. He stood up and put his hand on his sheath.

Akira quickly whipped out a dagger and pressed it against Mika's neck. It was the coldest thing she had ever felt in her life.

Kenshin would have run over with his god-like speed but it would have been too risky. Instead he stood still, waiting to see what Akira would do.

"Well I must be going now. My boss decided he wanted to kill her himself. Maybe I will see you again sometime," said Akira.

"I cannot allow you to take Miss Mika, that I can't."

"You seem to be just fine with the other girl. Why can't I have this one?"

Kaoru's eyes widened at that comment. She seemed to realize for the first time just how close her and Kenshin had been.

"I still cannot allow you to take her," said Kenshin.

"Well, that's too bad because if you move I will kill her right now."

Kenshin did not want to take that chance. He just stood there and waited. If Akira did end up taking Mika he would follow her and get her back before anything could happen. Akira suddenly took one of his daggers and threw it at Kaoru. It sliced the side of her arm and she winced in pain. He then grabbed Mika and started running across the lake. Kenshin had to choose whom to save first. It was either Mika or Kaoru and he had no time.

A/N: YAY WAFF! I love WAFF don't you? Sorry about the cliffhanger but you are going to have to keep reading to find out what happens. There's the connection to the dream. It did mean something. What do you think?