Ice Assassin

Chapter Ten: AHH! A Naked Man!

Author: Setzu

Rated: R

Hey, I've finally updated! The chapter is short and I apologize for that, but I am very busy lately with college stuff and have been gone A LOT this summer, not to mention school starts in about a month. Hopefully however, if I can keep my motivation and I'll be updating more often. Remember I always love reviews, and I hope you like the chapter!

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Kenshin ran as fast as he could towards the sound of Kaoru's scream. His mind was practically blank, the instinct to protect the only thing in his mind. Why had she screamed? Was she all right, hurt? He was ahead of the other two, his determination to reach Kaoru driving him to run as quickly as possible. This isn't to say that Sanosuke and Setzu were far behind, he could still hear the thudding of their own, running feet.

His face wasn't even flushed as he noticed Kaoru's figure up ahead in the shadows of dusk. She was standing right next to a small pond that had a dwarf waterfall flowing into it. His muscles relaxed as he realized she was all right. She seemed to be more in shock than anything, but over what? He halted next to her and grabbed her shoulders gently, forcing her to look at him. Her face was bright red and a hand covered her mouth.

"Kaoru, what's wrong? Why did you scream?" he asked confused. He didn't receive an answer, she just blushed deeper, befuddling the Battousai even more. Two pairs of feet skidded next to Kenshin, Sanosuke and Setzu had arrived.

"Kenshin, what's wrong with her!" Demanded Setzu as she glared at Kenshin. He shrugged his shoulders in defeat before shaking Kaoru gently.

"I do not know, that I do not. Kaoru won't say anything."

"Kaoru, snap out of it right now! You had us scared shitless!" Chastised Setzu with a sigh. She grew even more irritated when Sanosuke tapped her shoulder to grab her attention, but she brushed his hand away. "Not now Sanosuke, I'm trying to get Kaoru to talk!"

"Yea…But I think I know why she's like that."

"Eh?" At this both Setzu and Kenshin turned to look where Sanosuke was pointing. Violet and green eyes traveled to the tranquil waters where they wandered up to the small waterfall. There to the right, near the shadows stood a man with long, wet, black, hair cascading down his tan shoulders, and was staring back with his grey eyes and a raised eyebrow.

"AHH! Naked Man!" Cried Setzu before turning away quickly and blushing furiously. She had to admit though who ever it was rather…Well off…

"I'm sorry if I scared you, I was taking a bath when this young lady came and surprised me as well…" The man motioned to Kaoru who was finally coming out of her state of shock. Her face matched that of a Tomato and she waved her hand frantically.

"I'm so sorry about that! I didn't mean to!"

"It's fine, it was an honest mistake." Chuckled the man. He grabbed the clothes that were at his feet and quickly put them on before making his way towards the group. The group watched him curiously, all except for Setzu who stood stiff as a board and eyes turned away. It took a minute for Kaoru to notice her friends behavior and her brows knit together in concern.

"Setzu? Are you alright…?" she whispered to her friend, but it didn't seem to do much of anything as the man finally stood in front of them. He was about to say something, but Setzu beat him to it.

"Your dead, you aren't real." Her voice was low and unbelieving as she turned around slowly. "You were killed by Tatami Meimi four years ago. You, Kojiru, Hibiki are a dead man." She brought her eyes to really rest upon him now and her green eyes traveled all over him, much to Sanosukes dismay.

"I…Setzu? That's really you? I'm not dead…I never was." He told her softly, his eye's gentle as they as well looked upon her. His hair was now up in a high ponytail atop his head much like Kenshin's was and he was dressed in a black hakama and happi. He reached out to touch her face but Sanosuke shifted closer and coughed loudly, a glared aimed directly at Hibiki smoldering from his eyes.

"Who exactly are you now?"

"My name is Kojiru, Hibiki and I've been a wanderer for the past four years after my home was destroyed and I thought…The love of my life." He stated quietly, eyes still transfixed on Setzu. Kaoru was gapping in astonishment at him while Kenshin raised an eyebrow, Sanosuke on the other hand looked as if he was going to be sick and mad as hell at the same time.

"Um…Right…Setzu?" Sanosuke looked to her, hoping what the man was saying was a load of bull. However, he was disappointed as she shook her head, a small smile spreading across her face.

"No…This man his Hibiki…My Hibiki," she almost said it shly, which surprised them all since Setzu was not a shy person.

"Perhaps we should continue this reunion back at the cabin, it is getting late, that it is." Suggested Kenshin as he finally turned to look at the speckled, dark sky. Everyone agreed and Setzu went ahead with Hibiki right at her side, both were conversing to quietly to be heard. Sanosuke trailed back with Kaoru and Kenshin, mumbling to himself about stupid people and glaring a head at Hibiki. Both Kenshin and Kaoru merely rolled their eyes.

Eyes peered back from the foliage near the pond. She had taken a risk coming so close to the four, but considering the shock that they were in she hadn't worried too much about being found. She had to use all of her effort to keep from laughing at the shocked face of that bitch Setzu and embarrassed Kaoru, it really was priceless. She calmed down however as they began to talk, and she raised an eyebrow at Setzu. She had quite the little memory, being able to recognize Hibiki so quickly. To bad nothing would be like the past.

"That's right MY Hibiki," she whispered harshly to the still night as she watched them walk away. "Play with them while you can because soon both the little hoes will be dead once you give the signal…"