Disclaimer:I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Author's notes:Hello again.I've just finished my final exams! Yeah!Anyway,what do you all think about Sohjiro's name? When I just know RK, I used to spell it Soujiro as well. But then, I saw this scanned pic of him in a website from a Japanese RK book and they spell his name: Seta Sohjiro. So I changed my way of spelling his name to Sohjiro. What do you guys think? Do you guys like Sohjiro OR Soujiro? Pick one! I will use the one most preferred, I don't mind using either!

Thank You All for reviewing!!!

Steelphoenix: haha! I am not a Kiwi! ) I am in staying in Malaysia right now,studying in an international school.Now I remember that I have this friend who is from NZ and we all call her Kiwi and now I know why! To think I am calling her Kiwi all the while when I don't even know what it mean!Haha! About the milo, I just really like to drink it in the mornings...haha!!!Thank you for reviewing!!

Emerald Genie: Hello! Thank you for reviewing and being so understanding.I actually can't wait to write the part where there is the most KK action! I can't wait!But I promise you that it'll be soon!!HAha!! I love Sohjiro so much as well!hehe Thank you again for for being so nice!Say hello for me to your sister Prince Aoshi!

Candycorn Anime: Thank you for reading my update and reviewing all this time. Thank you! Really appreciate it! Hope you like this chapter!!

Ariel: Hello!Yeah! Kenshin seemed like such a jerk right? I don't like him so much in Chapter 4 as well hehe!!( hey,I was the one who made him this way...what am I saying?)

Thank you for reading my fic and reviewing it! Thank you! )

Now on with the story!


Chapter 5

"I wonder Jou-chan has anything to eat around here?" Sano asked anxiously,his stomach growling.

Kenshin laughed.Sanosuke was always hungry.

"Oi, Kenshin help me ask her to get us something to eat...it's almost lunch time!"Sano said again.

"Isn't it kinda rude to ask her like this? I mean..."Sohjiro said.

"Why is it rude?"Sano shot back,he really don't see why it can be impolite.

Everyone needs to eat! This guy is freaking me out...what's with his always smiling face?

"Sohjiro, we can't get our meals outside as well. The Aorta is definitely still around. We have to stay out of sight as much as possible." Kenshin interrupted.

Suddenly, the door opened. Kaoru came in, wearing a blue kimono. The three men turned to look at her.They were mesmerized by the sight of her.She was so enchanting, standing there demurely in the beautifully-patterned kimono which drape across her slender body wonderfully. For a moment Kenshin was speechless. Something in him stirred. He gazed at her curiously.

"Yes, Kaoru-dono? " Kenshin managed to say.

"Eh, Jou-chan! I am starving! Got anything I can eat?"Sanosuke exclaimed before Kaoru could reply Kenshin.

"Actually, I was going to tell you that lunch is ready..."Kaoru laughed. This Sanosuke was so hyper and easy with his words. So straight-forward, just what she like in people.

"Himura-san and Seta-san knows where the dinning room is you can go with them."

"You're not joining us?"Sohjiro asked.

"No.I am not hungry yet."Kaoru replied simply. She walked further into the room, smiling at them, urging them to get out.

The three men got the hint and walked out of the training room quietly.

They looked back and saw her slam the door shut from the inside,locking herself inside the room. Kenshin's eyes glowed dangerously in amber.

What the hell is she doing in there?

He was reluctant to go, he looked at the other two and they don't seem to feel bothered by Kaoru-dono's actions. Sanosuke definitely can't wait to eat.


In the training room...

Kaoru took off her kimono,revealing herself to be dressed in a tight suit. She had always used this for training before. She had not hold a sword for so long. She pick up two samurai swords and felt her hands getting used to the weight again. Purple light glowed from her hands. And she let go of the two swords in panic.

Oh my god...I had forgotten that it happens every time I hold swords...

She picked up the sword again and clasped it much more tightly this time round. She begun to practice her skills. Slashing hard against near a thick wooden pole. All this while she didn't not directly hit the pole with her swords. The force she exerted into the air causes high air pressure to cut deeply into the wood. She slashed into the air again then decided that she'll need to practice her speed as well.She disappeared and reappeared near the door.

Ahh...I am still as fast as before...

She stopped quickly when she felt her heart burning.

I've to stop!

She slumped against the floor and begun gasping for breath. She stood up quickly and put her hands against her chest, bright purple light radiating from under her hands. She felt her heart rate calming down. She will need to leave soon...

Kaoru wiped her sweat away carefully and dressed herself in the kimono. She cleaned the swords quickly and slid them into her kimono. She adjusted them cautiously so that no one will be able to see. She unlocked the door and walk out slowly, as cool as cucumber.


The three men finished their meals and sat their quietly. Sanosuke, too full to say anything. Sohjiro, smiling to himself and Kenshin, quiet and looking rather serious. His eyes amber again. Sanosuke noticed this.

"Eh, Kenshin! What's with your eyes? It's sometimes purple and sometimes that colour..I dunno...what's that colour?" Sanosuke asked and glanced at Sohjiro for help.

"Yellow?" Sohjiro offered.

"No, no... it's the same colour as a wolf's eyes..." Sanosuke said, and suddered when he looked at Kenshin again.

Kenshin remained silent and continued on with his thoughts. The Aorta will find them very soon. They will have to leave tomorrow the latest. Or maybe tonight will be better...

A ring tone was heard and Sanosuke picked up his handphone hastily.

"Ahh, Yahiko....Oh yeah! I forgot!...don't you have anywhere else to go? I'm really busy right now...you what? ...Okay! Fine! I won't be going home soon. Come to The Witch's House...ahh..no, I am not joking. Just come...okay..I will wait outside for you..just come okay?"

Then Sanosuke hung up, very annoyed.

"Who's that Sano?" Kenshin asked.

"Yahiko...his uncle is out of town and I am suppose to take care of him today...that brat!" Sanosuke said. "So I told him to come here. Do you think Jou-chan will mind?"

"I don't know. You should ask her first..." Kenshin replied.

"Eh, but where is she? This house is so big. I can't find my way around here..." Sano sighed. He stood up and walked out of the dinning room.

"Jou-chan! Oi, Jou-chan!" Sanosuke called.

"Do you think she'll answer to that? She might not even know that you meant her..." Sohjiro said softly.

"Oh yeah." Sanosuke said. "Eh, Kamiya-san! Kamiya-san! Where are you?"

All of a sudden, Kaoru appeared infront of him. Standing very still. Like she had just teleported here or something. Sanosuke moved back in shock and Kenshin narrowed his eyes, looking at Kaoru suspiously. She was standing there, so still and quiet. Her face very pale and her breathing low.

"Kamiya-san? Are you all right?" Sohjiro asked caringly.

"Hai, Seta-san." Kaoru answered weakly. She turned to look at Sanosuke. "Yes?"

"Ermm...I am suppose to look after this boy. But because I want to stay with Kenshin for a while... is it okay if he comes here for a while?" Sanosuke asked catiously.

Kaoru nodded, and disappeared.

"What's with her?" Sanosuke exclaimed. The other two did not reply him. Kenshin was staring at the floor. Deep in thought.

Something is terribly wrong with Kamiya Kaoru...


Sanosuke walked out and waited patiently for Yahiko to show up. Yahiko was walking very slowly towards The Witch's House, as though he was sleep walking. Sanosuke couldn't stand waiting in the cold any longer and shouted to him.

"Yahiko! Will you PLEASE hurry up!"

Yahiko blinked and continued walking in a slow pase. Suddenly, his eyes closed and his whole body slumped against the groud of the snow. Sanosuke ran out and picked up Yahiko.

"Yahiko! Yahiko!" Yahiko didn't respond, Sanosuke shook him again. Yahiko was unconscious again...just like the last time he walked near this house. Sanosuke sighed and carried Yahiko into the house.

"Jou-chan! Jou-chan! Do you have medicine around here somewhere?" Sanosuke called loudly. The house was quiet, too quiet. Even Kenshin and Sohjiro weren't making any noise at all.

"Jou-chan!" Sanosuke shouted again impatiently. Yahiko's body was very cold. Sanosuke was beginning to worry.

He walked towards the dinning room, carrying Yahiko with him and saw that the other two had gone somewhere else.

"Sano! We're in here." Kenshin's voice called from the training room.

Sano hurried to the room and saw that the two men were observing a wooden pole closely. Sanosuke walked nearer and his eyes widened in fear to see what was wrong with the thick pole. The wooden pole was severely damaged, like as if someone had just taken out all the anger and hatred at it. The slashes on it were deep but clean and thin. They were executed by a very skilled swordsman. Sanosuke shuddered and looked at Kenshin and Sohjiro anxiously. Kenshin was studying the slashes, a dark frown on his face while Sohjiro wasn't smiling anymore.

"Kenshin, I don't remember seeing this slashes here when we left the room for lunch." Sanosuke said.

"Yes, Kaoru-dono went in there and locked herself in there when we went for lunch. She was in here for a while..." Kenshin replied gloomily, his eyes burning.

"Jou-chan! You don't think she can possibly be able to do something like this do you? I mean, she looked so weak... especially today." Sanosuke exclaimed.

"I do not know..." Kenshin said uneasily. He touched the slashes on the pole slowly. "Judging from these clean and thin slashes, the weapon that person was using didn't come in direct contact with the pole itself."

"What do you mean?" Sanosuke asked, confused.

"That person did not exert the weapon's force onto the pole. He or she was using the air pressure which was created by the force he or she had used on the weapon to cut into the pole." Kenshin explained.

"What?! I wonder what would happen if whoever this person uses this force directly!" Sanosuke said, shuddering again.

Kenshin and Sohjiro remained silent.

"Sanosuke, is that the boy? He is very ill, isn't he?" Kaoru said, standing at the door.

The four men turned around and Sanosuke looked at her, almost dropping Yahiko in shock.

"Yes...do you have medicine or something?" Sanosuke finally managed to say, they have been caught off guard by her again.

"I do. Please follow me. "Kaoru said gently and she turned and walked away.

Kaoru brought Yahiko to the room where Kenshin was staying and asked Sano to put him on the other bed. Sanosuke noticed the portrait of himself and gasped. It was exquisite.

Kaoru covered Yahiko with blankets and touch him lightly on the shoulder. Sanosuke was still staring at the painting with his mouth hanging opened.

"This boy may have fainted because of shock or because of hunger...he doesn't need medicine but just rest..." Kaoru said, touching Yahiko's head tenderly. "I'll go get some food for him when he wakes up." She walked out of the room.

The three man looked at each other awkwardly. Everything was in utter confusion. They did not know what was going on in each other's minds, they were hesitant to say anything. Unsure of their thoughts.

"Eh...Kenshin..." Sanosuke finally blurted, still staring unbelievingly at the painting. The man in the painting looked exactly like him, and was wearing his clothes. The red bandana, the white coat...and everything! "Who is this?"

"It's you!" Kenshin exclaimed. "Everyone could see that it's you!"

"Yeah...but I don't know...in this painting, I don't look like myself. Shouldn't I be more rough looking and...I dunno. This man isn't me! He is too gentle-looking and elegant. Plus, I don't ever remember posing for her or any other people! I've never seen her before! It's ridiculous!" Sanosuke grumbled loudly, gazing at the painting with narrowed eyes, trying very hard to identify the man in the painting as someone else.

Kaoru walked into the room with a tray of food. She laud down the tray carefully on the table and walked towards Yahiko, completely ignoring the presence of the other three men.

The delicious smell of the hot milo filled the room and Sanosuke begun to water.

"Jou-chan, can you make me a cup as well?" Sanosuke asked. Kaoru smilingly nodded and walked out swiftly again.

"Are you going to ask her about the painting?" Sohjiro asked carefully, very curious about why Kaoru seemed to act like she knew Sano. Somehow, he felt a tenderness towards Kamiya-san. He felt that she was like him, and that she was brave and determined. And so enchanting too...

"Yeah, as soon as she comes back..." Sanosuke said solemnly, he turned to look out the window. The sun was setting in the sky, it was getting dark. The sunset was beautiful, a mixture of orange and red, like as if blood had been splashed all over the sky.

Kaoru came back with three mugs on a tray, all steaming hot with milo. She smiled welcoming at them to drink up as she put down the tray. Sanosuke gulped it down so violently and choked in process. Kaoru rushed over and begun to help him with tissues.

They were a queer sight, like a mother tending her child. Sanosuke was embarrassed and coughed nervously.

"Jou-chan..." he said quietly.

"Hmm..?" Kaoru replied, gazing at him right in the eyes. Sanosuke looked into her deep blue eyes., and fell into them completely, drowning in them, unable to look away.

"I... wonder..." Sanosuke mumbled. Kaoru nodded kindly, urging him to go on.

"Is that me in the painting?"

Kaoru turned to look at the painting and laughed softly.

"Yes, it's you..."

"But, I've never met you before! I mean..."

"We've met...very briefly. You probably don't remember anymore..."

"Really? Where?"

"It was about two years ago...in winter. I was walking along a snowy path...I slipped but you were near by and caught me just in time before I hit the ground."

Sanosuke closed his eyes, trying very hard to remember.

"Oh! I remember now! That was you?"

Kaoru nodded happily. Sanosuke laughed heartily.

"I can barely see your face that time! But you seemed to remember me really well.."

"Yes, indeed. I started working on your portrait straight away once I got home that day."

"It sure look like me, but don't you think I look too soft in that painting?"

"Well, you helped me and was concerned. I believe that is who who are despite your frankness and roughness sometimes. I imagined you to be this way..."

Sanosuke was about to retort a comment but stopped when he saw the tender way she was looking at him.

"So Kaoru-dono, you paint people you've seen briefly?" Kenshin asked. The question came out to be very sarcastic, but Kenshin winced when he said those words. He never meant to let it come out this way.

"Yes, I do. In fact, I've been working on a painting of you after I saw you at the grocery shop." Kaoru replied sweetly.

"What?!" Kenshin exclaimed.

"I'll show it to you after it's done..." Kaoru said.


Yahiko woke up and found himself looking at three pairs of curious eyes.

"Ah!" he screamed.

"Hey, you stupid! Jou-chan is fast asleep already! Keep quiet!" Sanosuke hissed.

Yahiko sat up in the bed and saw that a woman with long, lustrous black hair was asleep at the table.A cheeky smile spread across Yahiko's face and he stared enquiringly at Sanosuke, he chuckled evilly.

"What are you laughing at?" Sanosuke demanded, advancing towards Yahiko dangerously.

"Is that your girlfriend?" Yahiko said mockingly, pointing at Kaoru.

Sanosuke opened his mouth in surprise at such a suggestion.

"No, she is Kamiya Kaoru. We've all just got to know her last night..." Sohjiro explained. Yahiko looked at him cautiously.

"I'm Seta Sohjiro." Sohjiro added.

"And I'm Himura Kenshin. Here you must be hungry..." Kenshin said, bringing the tray towards Yahiko. "Kaoru-dono made these for you."

Yahiko gulped down the sandwiched and milo as fast as he could.

"Wow, I guess jou-chan was right about your hunger." Sanosuke laughed.

"She said what?" Yahiko asked with his mouth full.

"Nevermind..."Sanosuke said. "She is a witch by the way..."

Yahiko's eyes widened in horror and looked at Kaoru with angry eyes.

"A witch?!" he screamed.

Kaoru stirred a little, obviously affected by the noise around her. Sano and Sohjiro looked at Yahiko irritably.

"Shh!" they whispered loudly.

But the damage was done and Kaoru awoke with a start. She walked towards Yahiko, smiling.

"I see that you're finally awake..." Kaoru said.

Yahiko thrust his hands into the air, gesturing her not to come any closer.

"I'm Kamiya Koaru." Kaoru said , bowing.

"I know! Now don't come any closer to me!" Yahiko warned.

Kaoru smiled and moved away.

"Jou-chan, can Yahiko and I spend the night here?" Sanosuke asked. "I still have some things that I need to clarify with Kenshin."

"Sure." Kaoru said. "I'll go see what we can have for dinner."


"Yahiko, you should rest and get some sleep before dinner." Sano said. "We'll leave you here, okay?"

Yahiko nodded, his body still ached.


In the training room...

"Jou-chan is smarter than you think, Kenshin." Sano said. The three of them sitting on the floor.

"Yeah, I can see that now. But I still don't think she is the one who slashed the poles...but yet it should be her..." Kenshin replied.

"We should leave soon. I feel that The Aorta is nearer." Sohjiro said seriously.

"Yes,we'll leave tonight. When Kaoru-dono isn't aware, it'll be safer for her and us..." Kenshin said, he turned to look at Sanosuke. "Do you have anything against me, now that you know who I used to be?"

"No, things in the past are meant to be forgotten. I used to be in no-good myself. But it's good that we're honest with each other now." Sano said .

Kenshin smiled, then...his eyes turned amber. He got up quickly and with a push of his thumb, he was ready to unsheath his sword.

Someone is out there...many of them...

Sohjiro sensed it too and stood up quickly.

"Himura-san, The Aorta is here..." he warned quietly.

"Yes, there are many of them. All outside the windows..." Kenshin replied. "Sano, get ready to fight. And be on your guard, the Aorta is very dangerous."

Sano laughed. "They should be the ones on guard! I haven't had one of these good fights in a while..."

The glass windows broke, shattering all over the floor and the sound of it stung Kenshin's ears badly. All the men in black jumped in like a swarm of violent bees, all screaming in anger. "Ah!"

The three men formed a protective circle. Each of them facing their massive enemy.

"The Aorta sure make sure they got us dead this time round..." Kenshin murmured, unsheathing his sword...