Disclaimer: See first chapter.

I beg you all not to kill me. I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in a month but I've been lacking in motivation and have no time to write with school work on my hands. I have a life. So when I saw that last review I was like "Jeez, I really should get back to this." I have friends I know that really enjoy my writing and I really enjoy theirs so this is for them. And also, for my great reviewers and readers.

Rurouni Kenshin: The Whispers of Insanity

Chapter Ten: Burning Fires of Past

"A man cannot lay down the right of resisting them that assault him by force, to take away his life." - Thomas Hobbes

The collide of metal on metal rang through the air and suddenly, the two whose blades clashed together in a lethal dance of death were emerged in 4 four years past. Himura Kenshin wasn't Himura Kenshin. He was Hitokiri Battosai. Fujita Gorou wasn't Fujita Gorou. He was Saito Hajime. They were two of history's greatest figures, enticed into a battle of self-interest and zeal. And in flashes and rapid movements stalks of bamboo fell to the ground and blood sprayed through out the air.

They were not in some unknown village, but in the bloody streets of Bakumatsu's Kyoto. The living Hell that they had persevered through so many years ago. And not even the Gods could fathom the hate the bulged inside them as their metal blade clashes through the night.

'Dodge, sideslash, uppercut…' Battosai read.

"Ryu-tsui-sen!" He countered Saito's next move and the ex-Shinsengumimember slid across the ground. Saito pulled himself off the ground, spitting two teeth out in the process. They were letting the blood get to their brains.

"Let's finish this." Battosai looked at Saito. Why is he so eager? He thought. Saito went into the stance for his venerated gatotsu. Battosai pulled into his battoujitsu. Saito lurched forward, sword aimed straight for Battosai's chest. Battosai swirled, using center figural force aim for Saito's neck but before he could strike, Saito hit him on the head with the hilt of his katana. Battosai immediately fell forward.

"Bastard…" He growled before his control slipped away. Saito looked at the unconscious form of his enemy before him. He was one step closer to what he needed.

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Megumi's clinic, Tokyo

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Kaoru hugged her knees to her chest. She was sick of sitting around. Two weeks had already past since the incident with Kenshin and yet she still wasn't well enough to go back home. She gave a wistful sigh and stared at the ceiling for a few moments.

'Nothing's going to happen if I sit here and sulk all day long…' She sighed again and ran her fingers through her cascade of long black hair. She got off the futon she was lying on and winced, clutching her side.

'Knowing Kenshin, his wounds have probably already healed.' She bit her lip, and forced the pain aside. Walking into the main room the clinic she saw a note and some rice balls on the table.

Kaoru,

I've gone to the market and lunch with the roster-head. Be back later.

Megumi

'With Sano?' Kaoru thought, making sure she read the note correctly. She picked up one of the rice balls and bit into it. They tasted better then hers ever would.

'No wonder Kenshin insisted on cooking all the time…' She thought bitterly. She leaned back against the wall and finished off her rice ball. Kaoru into the other room to find something she wasn't expecting. Her kimono and her training clothes were spread out on a table along with another note.

Kaoru,

I knew you'd be board while I'm out all day. Go have some fun!

Megumi

Kaoru grinned a little. She went to one of Megumi's supply cabinets and pulled out a roll of bandages with which to bind her chest. Going back into the other room, she slid off her yukata and pulled the roll out with her teeth. Holding the end still in her mouth, she proceeded to wrap the bandages tightly around her breasts with her hands. She winced as she pulled hard as to tighten the bandages to tie them off. Holding one end tight and taking the other end from her mouth, she tied them then slid on her gi. She brought the hakama up to her waist and tied it in the same fashion as the bandages around her waist. Kaoru went back to her futon to retrieve her hair tie and put her hair up in a high ponytail.

For the first time in weeks, Kaoru was outside in the fresh air and city streets of Tokyo. She smiled at the bright sun. Soon, soon she would find him. But now, she must recover first. Maybe I could get some information from the townsfolk. Kaoru thought. So she started off west. But Kaoru's venture was not long. To burly drunken men approached her, the reddened face showed they were nowhere near sober.

"Hey pretty lady, wanna join us?" One laughed.

"Yeah, I'm in the mood for some fun." The other chortled. Kaoru's eyes narrowed. She may be sixteen, but she knew their intentions well.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to be one my way." Her voice had an edge to it, the kind that told you to back off. But the men, in their drunkenness, could barely tell what she was trying to communicate to them. All they knew is that they had been rejected.

"There's no other option, bitch!" She was slammed into an alleyway, crashing into a pile of boxes. Kaoru tried to get up, but her side split open at just that minute. If she was in perfect health, these guys would be dead.

"Shit!" She breathed. She clutched her side, panting for air. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. The lecherous men stood over her, devilish smirks upon their faces. Oh how Kaoru wished she could beat their asses right now. One ripped her gi off and was ready to force himself upon her when he cried in pain. The tip of a sword could be seen jutting from his chest. The blade ripped out, enlarging the wound.

'Kenshin?' Could it really be him? But as we, the reader and writer know, Kenshin is right now at Saito's mercy. So who? Who is daring enough to save Kaoru from these drunks?

"Who the hell are you?" The other man said to the figure holding the blade. The man flicked the blood off his blade and smirked.

"There is no need to know since you'll be dead soon." Kaoru's savior slit the man's throat from ear to ear. The body of Kaoru's attacker crumpled to the ground. Her savior turned to her.

"Kaoru-san, it's been a long time. Spring was the last time I saw you I think." Yukishiro Enishi stepped out of the shadows to reveal himself.

"What…what are you doing here?" Enishi sheathed his watou, still smirking none the less.

"I'm only here to ask you something. Why isn't he dead?" Enishi's smirk disappeared, replaced with a thin line. "Why didn't you finish him off? Why didn't you take the chance? Because, you fell in love! Love is the one thing that will bring all to their downfall!" Enishi grit his teeth, the rage obvious in his eyes. At he looked at the scared girl in front of him, her side bleeding profusely. He then stopped. There was no need to get mad at her here. "Pick up you gi, we can talk about this later." She looked him, surprised. She stood up weakly then bent over to pick up her gi.

That's when his hand clamped over her mouth. His other arm held her tight and close to his well-built chest. She struggled as he held the chloroform soaked cloth over her mouth and nose. She gave helpless glare into his cold eyes, screaming and struggling still. But her screams would go unheard, her struggling futile.

"I'm sorry." Enishi whispered in her ear. It was then she succumbed. Her limp form fell into his waiting arms. Enishi looked at her, a strange longing in his eyes.

'Why must it come to this…?'

Alright, short, I know. But hey, I updated! Anyway, I'm looking for someone to do fan art for this fic. Anyone whom wishes to, please just tell me so in a review. I'm sorry this took so long! Now review!