Warnings: AU. Unbeta-ed. Battle scenes.

It was almost noon when Takeda showed up, flanked by Okura, Michiko, and Kenshin. Sano was lounging on the engawa, half-listening to Kaoru's quiet instructions to Yahiko. Megumi, who had cooked breakfast for everyone once she found out about Kaoru's cooking skills (or rather, lack thereof), was in the house somewhere, preparing her medical supplies for the injured.

Sano knew the doctor held no illusions about the results of today's near inevitable fight. Still, perhaps as a kind gesture that she couldn't voice, she stayed on. He felt oddly touched by it since she had never paid much attention to him in the first place.

When he had casually mentioned it to her, Megumi brushed his thanks aside brusquely. "Don't be ridiculous, it's impractical for me to walk back to camp only to come back again. This way, at least I can get your death bed ready."

Despite her sharp tone, Sano could detect a hint of worry in her dark eyes. So he only smiled and left her alone to do her work.

Now he watched as the four men strode inside through the open front gate and glance around the courtyard. Sano sat up from his slouched position and made eye contact with Kenshin briefly. As usual, his friend's expression remained blank.

The street fighter took a deep breath, feeling his heart pump faster as anticipation coursed through his veins. "Missy, they're here," he called out, glancing over at the other men.

Takeda snarled at him. "What are you doing here, Zanza? And where's Takani?"

Sano shrugged. "She's in the house." The shoji slid open and both Kaoru and Yahiko stepped out of the practice room. They were both dressed in a training gi, armed with their respective weapons. He could tell from their set shoulders tension was running down their spine. Both were scowling at Takeda. Sano almost shivered at the fiery glares; if looks could kill, Takeda would have been dead at least twenty times over.

"That's them, boss. The girl we spoke to," Okura said, jabbing a blunt finger in Kaoru's direction. He smirked at her. "You're gonna git it now, girly."

Kaoru raised her bokken defensively. "You can try," she challenged, hoping no one could hear how hard her heart was hammering. This would be the first time she would be fighting in a real battle where the outcome was too important to lose. To distract herself from the added pressure, she skimmed over the rest of the group, glaring pointedly at the spindly figure that could only be Takeda. He flinched at the hard gaze trained on him and Kaoru smiled in satisfaction. She then continued on until she met the eyes of the man she only knew by his reputation. Her amusement faded as she locked gazes with him.

Himura Kenshin was smaller than she thought he would be. From the distance, he looked only to be a few inches taller than her and a leaner frame that seemed barely strong enough to hold a sword, let alone wield it. Nothing detracted from the delicate build, not even the faint marks on his left cheek that she assumed was a scar. But looking into his molten gold eyes, she realized his frailty was merely an illusion. He exuded power and a barely contained aura of danger that had her body stiffening in alarm, even this far away. She instantly labeled him a predator of the worst sort, the kind that wouldn't give in until his opponent was dead. He was that certain of his skill and victory.

Kaoru swallowed hard but refused to avert her eyes from his measuring look. Now was not the time to show weakness, even if every nerve in her body screamed to throw Yahiko and herself into the deepest, darkest corner of the house. Instead, just to defy him, she narrowed her eyes and glared.

A small smile slowly curved his lips as he held her stare. Kaoru felt her temper beginning to boil as she saw his amusement flickering in his bold eyes. How dare he take her so lightly? She was a swordsman to be respected! Her hand itched to smack her bokken down on his ridiculous red hair and wipe that smirk off his face.

"Uh, Missy? You might want to stop drooling over there." Sano's voice broke into her thoughts. Startled, Kaoru glanced at him before his words sank into her mind. Immediately she flushed and glared at him.

"I was not drooling at him, I was plotting ways to use his head for my practice swings," she said coolly, trying to regain her composure. Sure, he was exotically handsome and all, but he was far too arrogant for her tastes.

Sano eyed her skeptically. "Kenshin has that kind of affect on women. You wouldn't be the first to be attracted to him." He shrugged. "Something about his power and all that drives the females crazy."

"I am not like those 'females', thank you," Kaoru said stiffly. "In fact, after you're through with him, I have a few choice words of my own that I'd like to express."

The street fighter had to grin at that. "I'll be sure to send him your way once we're done." Climbing to his feet, Sano stretched his arms out and stepped onto the ground, sauntering forward until he was only a few feet away from his boss. "Well, now that you've seen the dojo, maybe we can get back to camp and get some lunch," he said cheerfully. "Who's ready for some gray slop?"

Michiko opened his mouth as if to answer him but shut it quickly, glancing at his companions uneasily. No one else moved.

Then Takeda spoke. "You've been a thorn in my side for too long, Zanza. You're not going to stand aside, are you? You're going to fight with them!"

"If that's what it takes for you to leave them alone," Sano said. "I never liked you, Takeda but ever since you started this idea of yours, it's come down to downright hate." He fisted his hands and pounded them together. "Now I have an excuse to get rid of your slimy ass."

Takeda glanced at Yahiko and Kaoru. "This pathetic little dojo isn't worth the trouble but if you want a fight, you got one. Okura, Michiko, Himura, go!" He gestured at the men and took a step away to avoid the battlefield.

Michiko grinned evilly at Yahiko, slipping a pair of brass knuckles onto each hand. "You're mine, brat. You're gonna wish you never met me after I'm done with you!"
"I'm already regretting having met you," the boy retorted, stepping away from the others to gain more room. In one smooth motion, he slid the shinai off his back and stepped into defensive position. "Let's see if you're just all talk, Pig-Man!"

"Yahiko! Remember what I've taught you. And don't get hurt!" Kaoru called, facing her own opponent warily. Okura had drawn his short sword and was leering at her in the most disgusting way, licking his lips in anticipation. She grimaced at the confident gleam in his beady eyes. You were warned, she thought silently, watching his feet for signs of movement.

Sano glanced in Kaoru's direction briefly. "Remember, Missy, he's a thug, not a swordsman. Watch out for his tricks!" he warned. Movement caught the corner of his eye and he snapped his attention back to Kenshin who had merely drawn is sword. He frowned briefly at his friend. "I thought this was going to be a real battle, Kenshin."

"It is," he replied evenly, shifting into an attack stance.

"Then don't do me any favors. Use that super speed of yours and all your fancy tricks." Sano grinned at him. "Don't insult me by holding back."

Megumi peered out from the open shoji, wincing as she noticed the fighting had begun. Her dark eyes skimmed over the fighters as they began to clash, relieved to see no injuries thus far. Please, she prayed silently, don't die, Rooster-head. Despite her scorn and disdain for the street fighter, she was slowly realizing just how much he kept her life bearable as she worked for Takeda. Sano's smiles and teasing were a bright light in her dismal existence, working for a man she hated, ashamed at her own inability to follow her dreams to help people; instead, she was guilty of indirectly hurting them through Takeda. In a way, she admired the Kamiya girl for standing firm, even if the kendo instructor was so foolish as to take on a fight too large for her to handle.

Clutching the edge of the shoji so tightly her knuckles turned white, Megumi observed the fight from her position. Unconsciously, she cheered for Yahiko as he dodged several punches from Michiko. It was rather pitiful that a child half her age had more courage than she did but there he was, swinging his sword with a ferocious glint of determination in his eyes. She watched him dance away from the bronze knuckles swinging at him without faltering. When the fat man finally tired of the constant attacks and paused to take a breath, Yahiko took the opportunity to dart into the man's guard. But instead of leveling a downward thrust, he went in the opposite direction. He raised his shinai from the ground up and knocked the rounded end of the sword into Michiko's chin. That caused his head to jerk up in a jarring move from the sudden motion. But before Yahiko could celebrate, the fighter regained his senses and sneered at the boy.

"Is that the best you could do?"

"I'm doing nowhere near my best moves," Yahiko retorted, bringing his sword back into the ready position. "Don't worry, this is going to hurt a lot, Pig-Man."

Snarling at the insult, Michiko raised his fist and swung into a right hook aimed at the brash youth's cheek. Yahiko barely dodged the attack, realizing his opponent's movements had suddenly gotten a lot faster. "What the …"

Michiko smirked. "You think I stayed alive this long because I was lucky? I'll teach you a lesson never to assume things about your enemy, brat. Too bad it's the last thing you'll learn!" He lurched forward, attacking in a flurry of punches and kicks, causing Yahiko to pedal backwards faster, nearly unable to keep up with the speed of attacks.

How is he moving so fast? Yahiko thought, trying to watch his opponent's arms and legs for any sort of pattern. He's so … fat! He ducked a right punch but pain exploded in his stomach where a leg caught him in the mid-section. The youth tightened his grip on the shinai instinctively, fighting back a wave of nausea even as he was thrown back by the sheer power of the kick. Fat and muscle both, it seemed.

"Yahiko!" Kaoru gasped, glancing at her student briefly. She was about to make her way over to him when Okura thrust his sword forward. It was only her instincts and agility that saved her from being impaled as she jerked away from the attack.

"Worry about the brat later. You've got your own problems," Okura sneered, drawing his sword back.

Huffing in indignation, Kaoru glanced back one last time to see Yahiko struggling to her feet. Unfortunately, the scruffy man was right; she had to defeat Okura first before she could help her student. Just hold on a bit longer, Yahiko. I'm coming!

Turning to face him fully, Kaoru stepped into her two-handed attack stance. "All right, then. I'll show you what the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu teaches. Attack if you want."

Snarling, Okura rushed at her, raising his short sword to ready for an attack. Kaoru watched his form and waited until he was almost upon her before sweeping to the right and lowering her bokken on his thick head. But even as she moved, Okura turned in mid-dash and used his free hand to grab the end of the wooden sword before it hit him. She stared, astonished, as he yanked the weapon nearly out of her grasp. At the same time, his own sword moved to slash at her.

Kaoru reacted instinctively and actually jerked forward, closer to Okura. The bokken slid forward in his grasp and she was so close she could smell the sweat and excitement from her opponent. She winced as his blade bit into her left shoulder, though her quick move had saved her from a more damaging wound.

She abruptly tore the bokken from his hand and retreated back a few feet, glaring at Okura. "It's not legal to hold your opponent's sword," she informed him tersely.

"This isn't some sort of girly kendo competition," Okura said snidely. "This is a real fight and it's not my fault you decided to use a stupid wooden sword. I'll grab it all I want." He leered at her. "And then some."

Kaoru's stomach churned in revulsion at the lascivious stare and she narrowed her eyes at him. So Sano was right when street fighters played dirty. Fine, she would win honorably and show this jerk what it really meant to be a true swordsman!

"Missy, you all right?" Sano called without taking his eyes off of Kenshin.

Flexing her left arm carefully to see if she could still move it, Kaoru was relieved to find the stinging pain was bearable. "I'm fine," she replied, fixing a glare at Okura. "I'm just getting warmed up." She took a quick glance at Yahiko who had gotten to his feet and was engaging Michiko once more. She noticed the youth was a little stiff and was panting – no doubt his ribs were sore – but was doing well otherwise. Satisfied that he was safe for the moment, Kaoru turned back to Okura. "All right! Let's finish this. I have lunch to make soon."

Okura sneered. "You'll be lucky if you last that long!" He attacked with a diagonal slash across her midsection which Kaoru blocked. As she moved back, she brought her bokken up and down on her opponent's right thumb that was grasping the sword. Okura screamed shrilly as the knuckle broke, hand automatically losing grip on his weapon. But instead of giving up, the scruffy man lashed out with his foot in retaliation. Kaoru, anticipating such a move, turned her leg so the kick caught her squarely on the thigh. The sheer force of the attack and the sudden burst of pain was enough for her to lose her balance. She fell back onto the ground, landing hard on her rump as her teeth rattled in protest.

"You'll pay for that, wench" Okura snarled, cradling his injured thumb. He raised his foot to kick her again.

"Get out of the way!" Yahiko suddenly yelled, barreling between the two older fighters. A second later, Michiko lumbered by, stomping past them to chase after his opponent.

Okura dropped his left foot to keep his balance but by the time Michiko rumbled through. Kaoru was already taking advantage of the distraction to attack. She grasped her bokken with two hands and swung it at Okura's left knee with all her might. The resounding crack startled Kaoru as she connected with the targeted area, wincing at the near numbing sensation that ran up her arms. Another howl from Okura erupted and she took the moment to scramble to her feet. A quick check on her wooden sword revealed no obvious damage though Kaoru was certain her weapon hadn't gone unscathed from the fight.

Still, it would hold out enough for at least one more attack. Kaoru brought her bokken up and then down on Okura's head, cracking it against his skull cleanly. To her satisfaction, the scruffy man dropped like a deadweight to the ground.

"You lose," she told the unconscious man triumphantly. Kaoru glanced around to see how Yahiko and Sano were doing. She noticed Megumi was now at Takeda's side, looking decidedly contemptuous about it. They were on the fringes of the courtyard, watching the separate fights.

Sano had several cuts long cuts over his body and seemed to be favoring his ribs but seemed to be holding up against Kenshin. Kaoru didn't know how; the swordsman's moves were so fast he was more a blur than anything else. Hoping the street fighter could continue to hold his own, she looked for Yahiko to make sure he was all right.

Once back on his feet, Yahiko was in a deadlock against Michiko's metal fists, keeping his shinai between him and his opponent's brass knuckles that had been aimed for his head. Gritting his teeth against the pain of his muscles screaming for relief at the constant pressure, Yahiko felt the man's superior strength overcoming his own. He suddenly hopped back, hoping to get him off balance. Unfortunately, Michiko seemed to have anticipated that move and only took a step forward, grinning as he swung his fists once more.

Close as he was, Yahiko could only block the right-handed attack, grimacing as the other pair of brass knuckles slammed into his side. There was a slight crack from his ribs accompanied by a sharp pain and Yahiko stumbled, regaining his footing only to be hit again from the other side.

Michiko pummeled the youth repeatedly, aiming for the same spot on his ribs, grinning in malicious delight as his opponent grunted in pain. He then kicked Yahiko in the gut, catching him off-guard from the new attack.

Yahiko was thrown back again, wheezing for breath as he skidded against the ground and sloshed into one of the deeper mud puddles. He grimaced both in pain and from the seeping cold as his hakama soaked up the water. His ribs ached and every time he took a breath, his body shook from the sheer fire that flared up at his midsection. "Bastard," he bit out, glaring at Michiko who was sauntering over.

The pudgy man merely smirked. "Starting to learn your lesson, eh, brat?"

Yahiko struggled to his feet, using his shinai for support as he rose to his feet. He's fast. I need to slow him down and hit him with a hard thrust. But how can I do that?

A sudden thought flit through his mind as Yahiko felt his wet hakama stick to his leg. He glanced at the mud puddle behind him then looked at the geta Michiko was wearing. Straightening up as best he can, the youth grinned at his opponent. "This is going to hurt me but it'll hurt you more in the end. Catch me if you can, Pudgy!"

As an incentive, Yahiko raised his shinai and managed to whack Michiko with the tip of the bamboo sword before whirling around to run. Behind him, he heard the man curse at the affront before lumbering after him.

The plan was working so far. Yahiko tried not to breathe too deeply as he sprinted across the courtyard with as much agility as he could muster. Searing pain burned a whole through his ribs but Yahiko ignored it, focusing instead on his plan. He glanced back to see where Michiko was and was pleased to note the man was right behind him. Phase one, he told himself, slowing down a notch. Once he was certain the man was close enough to almost touch him, the youth suddenly jerked into a different direction and dashed off again.

He could hear Michiko cursing as the man turned to chase after him. Smirking to himself, Yahiko did that a few more times until his breath grew too labored for him to run much further. Convinced his body was going to collapse any moment from the pain, Yahiko headed for the largest puddle in the courtyard, slowing his speed more deliberately as if he was getting tired. He leapt over the puddle and stopped, dropping his hands to his knees and bending over to pant. Yahiko angled himself until he could see Michiko laboring to reach him.

"You're dead meat, brat," the pudgy man snarled, and raised his fists to swing them. As he attacked, Yahiko summoned the last of his energy and sprang to the right a few feet away.

Catching air from the punch, Michiko stepped forward to keep his balance – right into the puddle. His geta sank into the soft mud and he teetered off-kilter for a moment. Finally righting himself, Michiko tugged his foot free and found himself shoe-less.

Yahiko had turned to face his opponent and now used the distraction to leap forward into an attack. "Yah!" he yelled, swinging his shinai to crack it against Michiko's head. Surprised by the sudden blow, the pudgy man stood there with one bare foot, stunned from the solid hit. But slowly he shook it off.

Yahiko stared, unable to believe that the attack did nothing more than phase him for a moment. Michiko was inhuman! He had to be demon or something. How could his plan fail?

The next moment, said inhuman Michiko suddenly fell forward preceding a loud crack. Yahiko skittered back a few feet and stared at the unconscious man before looking up at the woman that had been standing behind his opponent.

Megumi shrugged at Yahiko's stunned expression. "You're hurt and you need medical attention. He was preventing you from getting that so I thought I'd better intervene." The doctor tossed aside a large piece of pottery that Yahiko realized was Kaoru's favorite vase from the sitting room. "Sit down before you collapse. I'm guessing at least two ribs are broken."

Gratefully, Yahiko obeyed as his knees buckled and folded to the ground, exhausted from all the energy he spent on the fight. He scanned the area and noticed with a faint grin that Kaoru was chasing Takeda around with her bokken. Had they won?

Not quite yet. Yahiko looked at Sano who was panting, bent over slightly and holding his mid-section as if he, too, had been injured in the ribs. Kenshin, on the other hand, didn't even look the least bit winded, stalking his opponent with measured steps. There was a tinge of crimson on the shorter man's sword, visible even from the distance between them.

Megumi, Yahiko noticed, was trying not to look at the two remaining fighters but even as she probed Yahiko's chest with her fingers, she kept glancing back at them anxiously. "Two ribs broken, two more are bruised," she murmured. "I'll have to bandage you up but that'll take time. Can you survive until later?"

Knowing she meant until after the last fight, the youth grimaced. Only two? His whole chest felt like it was on fire from the inside out and even breathing shallowly hurt. But he needed to be a man about it; after all the injuries weren't life-threatening. So he nodded. "Yeah, I'll be okay. Come on, I want a piece of Takeda myself."

As Yahiko climbed to his feet and turned to head towards his teacher, Sano surged forward to attack Kenshin, fists extended. Megumi sighed as the street fighter was easily repelled by the red-headed swordsman and was driven to his knees. "That baka should have at least armed himself with another weapon," she muttered.

Yahiko glanced at her. "What weapon did he fight Himura with before?"

"He had a zanbatou. But Sir Ken broke it."

The news startled the youth. "He … broke a zanbatou? How the heck do you break the largest sword ever created by man? I heard that thing was as heavy as a horse!" Yahiko had heard about the legendary sword though he had never seen one before. Still, the way it was described to him was so astounding he was almost certain the doctor was tricking him.

Megumi shrugged. "I wasn't at the fight myself. But it ended up with the rooster-head having near-fatal injuries. Sir Ken is quite vicious in combat."

No sooner had she spoken Kenshin and Sano clashed again. But this time, Sano grunted in pain as Kenshin drove the dull edge of the blade directly into his midsection. The street fighter was shoved back and fell on the ground where he lay for a long moment, panting heavily. After a moment, he tried to get up only to collapse again.

"It's over, Sano," Kenshin informed him coolly, approaching the fallen man .

Sano tried to at least sit up but his body flared up in pain, refusing to obey orders. Trying to catch his breath despite the spasms of agony concentrated on his chest and stomach, he realized every movement caused fresh spurts of pain to course through every inch of him. "Dammit, I need to move," he muttered fiercely to himself. He couldn't afford to lose this battle. Not if it meant saving the Missy and the kid.

Kaoru had been chasing Takeda around the courtyard when she glanced over to realize Sanosuke was on the ground, barely twitching. Alarm rose in her throat and she instantly turned directions to intercept the stalking swordsman, all thoughts of whacking Takeda to submission gone. Her only intent now was to defend Sano from any threat. Apparently Kenshin had beaten the street fighter until he couldn't move.

She darted in front of Sano, her bokken held ready in front of her. The movement caused Kenshin to halt in mid-step. Raising an eyebrow, he said evenly, "You should move before you get hurt."

"I'm not going to let you touch him," Kaoru retorted.

Kenshin studied her, noticing the nervous grip on the hilt of her weapon and the sweat dripping down the side of her face. Her long pony-tail was now slightly skewed and several locks of hair had fallen from its position, framing her pale face. Despite her fear, she remained balanced on her feet, obviously too experienced to let her emotions override good training. Her wooden sword wavered only briefly but determination leapt up in her azure eyes, daring him to approach.

He had never been one to turn down a challenge and he was amused that this slip of a girl would have the gall to fight him. "I don't think you have the skills to defeat me," he said gently.

Kaoru swallowed hard. The certainty in his voice was rather disheartening to hear. She already knew she wasn't anywhere near his skill level but hearing it voiced definitely didn't help.

And perhaps it was true but that didn't mean she didn't have a duty to save Sano. After all, he had done so much for her and Yahiko already.

Behind Kaoru, Sano rolled over to see the fight, biting his lower lip savagely to stop the pained groan. "Missy, you had better get away," he croaked out. "I'm not worth the trouble."

"Why don't you let me decide that?" Kaoru snapped, keeping her eyes trained on her opponent. "You just lay there and concentrate on not dying."

Yahiko started forward to help his teacher but a hand grabbed his gi to yank him back. "Don't even think about it," Megumi hissed. "It's bad enough your so-called instructor thinks she can stand up to Sir Ken but you'll just be a nuisance. Let's see how this plays out first."

The youth turned to glare at the doctor but her eyes were already watching Kenshin. He scowled and reverted his attention back to the fighters, unable to do anything else. Megumi's grip was surprisingly strong and there was no way he could shake her off. Why was he always surrounded by women with unnatural strength?

Kenshin took a step forward but stopped as Kaoru shifted her bokken slightly in warning. "Are you certain you wish to fight me? You cannot win and I am known not to have mercy on anyone, even women."

"You just do what you need to do and leave me to do the same," Kaoru said steadily. Her hands were slick from sweat and nervousness but she didn't dare take the time to wipe them dry. If she faltered even for a second, it would be over for her.

Still, Kenshin didn't attack. He tilted his head slightly as he studied her. "You must know this is foolishness, yet you continue to stand in the way. Who is Sano to you that you would die for him?"

His deceptively casual pose didn't relieve Kaoru at all. She had heard rumors of his near preternatural speed and now that she had seen it, she wouldn't be caught off-guard. "He's a friend."

"A friend?" Kenshin echoed. "You don't even know him. How can you claim him as a friend?"

"You don't need to know everything about someone to be his friend." Sweat was slipping in her eye and she blinked her vision clear rapidly, praying he wouldn't attack just now. She was relieved to find he hadn't moved from his position yet. "He helped us when he didn't have to, twice."

"So if I helped you, you would consider me a friend?" Kenshin was even more amused.

Kaoru wondered what he was getting at. "In another time and place, I think we'd be very good friends." Maybe not, but it sounded good.

"But we are here now."

"Yes."

"So we are not friends?"

She eyed the sword in his hand, slick with Sano's blood. "Let's just put it this way. If we were friends, you wouldn't be pointing that thing at me."

Kenshin glanced down at the weapon. "So if we are not friends, does that make us enemies?"

"Only if you hurt those I care about." Her arms were beginning to ache from her past battle and continually holding the bokken up so steadily but Kaoru refused to give in. Behind her, she could hear Sano shifting and groaning in pain.

Kenshin continued to pin his gaze on her. "So if I hurt Sano, I will be your enemy."

"What are you waiting for, Himura! Kill the girl and Zanza already!" Takeda yelled from behind. "I'm not paying you to flirt with her! Himura, are you listening to me? Himura!"

Kaoru's eyes flickered to the Takeda but immediately drew her attention back to Kenshin, cursing her involuntary response. But still, there was no attack made.

"If I am your friend, would you defend me as you do Sano?" Kenshin asked suddenly.

Blinking at the unexpected question, Kaoru slanted him a puzzled look. "Of course. One should always defend their friends."

"No one but Sano has ever stood up for me," Kenshin said thoughtfully.

"Well, seeing as you'd hurt a friend so easily, I don't see why anyone else would," Kaoru snapped.

Kenshin shrugged his left shoulder, not at all offended by her snide remark. "I am doing my job. He knows this."

Kaoru stared at him, wondering if he really was that obtuse. "Shouldn't you find a job that doesn't force you to hurt your friend, much less anyone else?"

"I am a swordsman. I am trained to fight."

Kaoru shook her head slightly. "I am a swordsman, too. But I only defend."

"That is not practical. This world is far too deadly to be passive. One must strike before the enemy does."

It was the same argument people had made with her father when he insisted on teaching his students to protect instead of harm. Kaoru had a ready answer for him. "If everyone thought the way you did, there would never be any peace."

Something flickered in his gold eyes. "Peace is merely an illusion one can only hope to obtain," he said flatly. "In reality, there is no such thing. You must fight or be killed."

Another person who didn't believe in dreams anymore. First it was Megumi and now Kenshin. And perhaps even Sano as well? Kaoru was beginning to think Takeda's only other qualification to join his team of thugs was that they had to be cynical about the world around them. "If you truly believe that then you really do have nothing to live for," she said quietly.

Any trace of warmth or bemusement vanished at her words. Kenshin lifted his sword up in a ready position. "You are correct, Miss Kaoru. There is nothing left for me to live for."

That was the only warning she had before the famed swordsman attacked. Kaoru blinked and suddenly realized a red and magenta blur was headed straight for her, bright metal glinting in the sunlight. She barely had time to firm her grip on the bokken before the two weapons met in a dull clang. Without thinking, Kaoru jerked to the right side, trying to keep her sword in place even as Kenshin's metal blade broke through the wood, splintering it to pieces. Time slowed and she could almost see her parts of her broken bokken sail into the air and scatter around them, so close that a large chunk scraped her cheek. It was amazing that the sheer ferocity of his attack didn't cause him to follow through the momentum but as the last of the wood clattered to the ground, Kaoru could see Kenshin remained in his position with his sword outstretched and still in place upon contact with her weapon.

Long silence stretched out in the courtyard until Kenshin finally moved to retract his weapon down to his side. He turned to face Kaoru, close enough so she could see the swirling of his gold eyes that carefully hid any emotion from her and the rest of the world. "Yield. You have no chance of winning here."

Kaoru glanced at the remains of her bokken, realizing there was only an inch or so left above the hilt. Nevertheless, she lifted it until it was horizontal, her other hand raised, palm out, as if touching the imaginary blade that had just shattered. Her hands shook, partly from the power of the attack and partly from the fact that the fight was nearly over. "The Kamiya Kasshin Ryu makes use of any weapon. I don't need a full sword to continue to fight," she said quietly.

"Busu! Don't do it!" Yahiko's panicked voice almost caused Kaoru's resolve to waver but she firmly shoved any doubt aside. This was what her father would have done and she would not dishonor his memory.

"Missy, stop. Just give up. It's not worth your life," Sano croaked behind her. "I can still … fight. Kenshin, don't you dare harm her!" He tried to move but pain exploded in his battered body once more and he groaned through it.

Kaoru had to fight the urge to look back but she kept her eyes trained on Kenshin. There was a whisper of movement before hearing Megumi's voice scolding Sano for being such a baka.

"So much for analyzing Sir Ken's moves," the doctor said sarcastically, opening her medical kit to treat his wounds.

Sano offered her a pained smile. "Hey, I didn't say I was any good at it." He bit back another moan as Megumi skimmed her hands over his body briskly and efficiently. "A little gentler, Megitsune. You've got the tenderness of a rock."

"Be quiet if you don't want me to poison you," she said though with far less animosity than she usually displayed. "Stay still, I need to assess your wounds." As she checked on his condition, she was relieved to find that it wasn't as bad as she had originally thought. Long, furrows were all over the lanky body though it looked as though the cuts would sting more than be dangerous. While Sano would have some bad bruises and sore ribs for a few weeks, nothing had broken and none of the injuries were life-threatening, merely painful. Every wound was inflicted intentionally and with careful precision that would make a surgeon envious - but they would eventually heal. Megumi glanced up at the two fighters still standing motionless as they watched each other. Sir Ken, I knew you wouldn't hurt Sano, she thought gratefully. Please, be careful with Kaoru.

"You will not yield?" Kenshin asked, his voice still flat and devoid of emotion.

Kaoru shook her head slightly. "I cannot." Her stomach had tightened to the point where she felt almost nauseous. It took an effort to remember how to breathe as she eyed his sword, wary of where it would end up next. His speed alone was incredible, not to mention his deadly precision and reflexes. She didn't think even her father would be able to stand up to him.

Himura Kenshin was the best swordsman she had ever seen in her life and she was awed by his skill.

But awe wasn't enough. She had a duty to protect her friend and she would do so. Even at the cost of her life. Just as her father had taught her and just as he had done.

"Yaaaaaaaaaaah!"

There was a yellow and white blur that streaked towards Kenshin. Kaoru flicked her eyes in that direction, alarmed by the familiar yell that filled the courtyard. She realized who it was and she screamed, "Yahiko!"

Kenshin turned and easily deflected the simple downward thrust the youth was attempting to attack him with. Using the flat of his blade to catch the shinai, he turned it aside and flung both sword and boy away.

Yahiko bit back a pained yelp as he hit the ground and skidded a few feet away. "Busu! Do it now!" he yelled, ignoring the burns as grass and dirt rubbed against him while sliding from the sheer force of the throw. His chest throbbed so much it was hard to talk but he forced himself to finish. "Get Himura!"

Realizing Yahiko had almost sacrificed himself to distract Kenshin for her, Kaoru reacted a split second later and darted forward, extending the broken bokken out in front of her. As she moved, she thrust the wooden sword forward, aimed at his shoulder. With a yell, she plunged it into his body.

A dull thud shocked her to a stop from all movement. Kaoru blinked back the tears of sweat and dust biting into her eyes, wondering what happened. The impact was too hard to have been his shoulder unless Kenshin had bones of steel. And then she realized what it was.

Kenshin was holding his blade in front of his body protectively, stopping her broken bokken from even touching him. Not only did he manage to block her attack but he did it while being distracted and he still managed to know exactly where she was aiming the thrust without even looking.

It was so incredible and so astounding Kaoru didn't know what to do. She admired Kenshin's skills even more so now. Only a master swordsman could manage to block simultaneous attacks from two different directions and not even move a step.

But that also meant she lost.

Jarring pain suddenly exploded on her right wrist, going numb from the sheer force of impact. Kaoru's nerveless fingers had no choice but to drop the hilt of her bokken from her grip. They both watched as it fell onto the ground and roll away, bumping Kenshin's feet gently. Slowly, she lifted her head up and met his gold eyes.

There wasn't any triumph or smugness in Kenshin's gaze. Only emptiness stared back at her, reflecting nothing but the bright sun. Kaoru couldn't look away from him even if she had wanted to; the sheer ache of loneliness in his eyes was so overpowering that she had to lock her knees in place lest she collapsed.

She didn't even flinch when he placed the sharp edge of his sword against her neck, resting the blade on her left shoulder. Kenshin spoke quietly. "Yield."

"Kenshin! Kenshin, you idiot, stop! Don't hurt her!" Sano tried to sit up and when he was restrained by Megumi, forcefully nudged her aside. Gritting his teeth against the wave of pain and nausea that emanated from his ribs and stomach, the street fighter tried to drag himself towards the two combatants. "Kenshin, don't!"

The red-head didn't even seem to hear his friend as he stared at Kaoru. She licked her chapped lips. "I can't," she said quietly.

The sword bit into the thin skin at her neck and she winced at the stinging cut. She could tell it was shallow but large enough for a bead of blood to run down her neck, disappearing into her gi. His eyes traced the journey of the crimson drop until it was hidden from view. "Why not?"

"Kenshin, you said you were waiting for something or someone to show you the way, right? Well, look at her! She's right there in front of you! How can you kill a girl when all she wants to do is keep her innocence the way she is? How she wants her student to never change into an embittered samurai?" Sano's desperate voice continued to plead though it seemed lost within the background of them.

Kaoru replied honestly. "I will never give up. While one is alive, there is still hope."

"Hope for what?"

"Himura, kill her already or I will!" Takeda's voice snarled. He hadn't appreciated being chased by an irate woman and was now coughing from the exertion. He wanted this finished.

"Hope to make things better. For yourself and others. My father believed that and died in defending his ideals. How can I do any less than he?"

Kenshin stepped closer, his sword sliding across her neck into a bigger cut. It stung but she barely flinched, too focused on the man wielding the weapon. Kaoru could feel the heat from his body, the sweat mixed with a warm gingery smell. It was almost intoxicating and she felt into a sort of daze, exhausted from her two battles. The rush of adrenaline was fading now and she was lulled into a semblance of peaceful acceptance. She would probably die here today but she did not regret her actions. She only hoped Sano or even Megumi would take care of Yahiko when she was gone.

Kenshin bent his head until his mouth was close to her left ear. "Give up and I'll let you live." His hot breath tickled her ear.

Kaoru offered him a slow smile, moving her head slightly so she could meet his gold eyes. "Takeda said for you to kill me. Aren't you going to obey him?"

The gleaming orbs turned slightly amused. "Do you want me to?"

"I want you to do what you think is right." Boldly, she raised a hand and touched his left cheek. The faint marks she had seen earlier were scars, two slashes that formed an X to mar the perfect skin. Kaoru ignored his flinch as he drew back slightly, using a finger to trace the scar gently. "But now I think I know what you're doing. You don't want to kill me and the only way you can't is by having me give up."

"Do you think I'm afraid to?" Kenshin asked, staring at her intently.

She met his gaze. "Yes."

"Kenshin, watch out!" Sano suddenly shouted, interrupting them.

The swordsman snapped his head up and noticed Takeda speeding towards them in a lurching gait, a dagger extended before him. Kenshin stepped in front of Kaoru and knocked the weapon away with the flat of his sword, causing the wielder of the small blade to stumble with it. Takeda fell to the ground as the dagger clattered away, wheezing from the effort.

"Did you just try to attack me?"

Kaoru blinked, amazed yet again at Kenshin's preternatural speed he employed with such ease, and the power he displayed with one swipe of his sword. Close as she was to him, she could feel his growing anger. His body had stiffened to the point where his spine was as rigid as a board. The aura of power around the swordsman flared up more violently until Kaoru had to step back lest she get affected by it.

Takeda stared at Kenshin in terror, easing away from him slowly. "N-no! I was aiming for the Kamiya woman!" he stuttered.

"Why? Because you think I couldn't take care of this myself?" Kenshin demanded, stepping forward to close the distance between him and the sniveling man.

"You – you were just standing there! I wanted to finish this off!" Between hacking coughs, Takeda began to crawl backwards, trying to distance himself from the irate swordsman.

"I will decide when the fight is finished," Kenshin growled. "For interfering, you must be punished."

"W-what? I'm your employer!" As if inspired by those words, Takeda grabbed onto that statement and reiterated more powerfully. "I hired you! Don't you dare question my actions!"

Kenshin narrowed his eyes and extended his sword forward until the tip came to rest against Takeda's nose. "Consider this my resignation."

The crime lord blanched more from the words than the weapon hovering so close to his face. "Bu-but you can't! I own you! You are supposed to obey me!"

The steel under Kenshin's voice was unmistakable as he spoke. "No one owns Himura Kenshin. Especially not a weak-hearted fool like you. I should kill you here and do the world a favor."

"Kenshin, no!"

Not surprisingly, it was Kaoru who spoke, startled out of her stupor as the swordsman's last sentence sank into her head. She stepped up next to the red-head and looked down at Takeda. Her features twisted into one of disgust as the so-called crime lord bent into another coughing. "Please don't kill him. He should be given the authorities for proper punishment."

Kenshin glanced at her, eyes still flared with anger. "People like him are always worth killing."

"You don't have to." Megumi and Yahiko supported Sano between them as they drew closer. "Takeda doesn't have long to live anyway."

Kaoru's brow furrowed in confusion and looked down at the pitiful man still hacking, hand covering his mouth. "What do you mean?"

Megumi cast Takeda a scornful look. "He has tuberculosis. It's a disease of the lungs, incurable at this advanced stage. I estimate he has maybe another six months left to live."

"Good riddance," Yahiko muttered, glowering at Takeda. He wanted to kick the guy for causing them so much trouble but that would require moving and moving caused pain.

Bracing himself against her left side, Sano frowned. "But what about those herbs you were giving him?"

The doctor shrugged her free shoulder. "They only suppressed the coughing and allowed him to breathe more freely. It was never intended to cure him. There's nothing anyone can do to help him."

"Not true!" Takeda wheezed. "I'm going to live forever!" He then went into another coughing fit, occasionally spitting out dark red blood from the force of his racking body.

"He was always in denial." Megumi stared at her employee indifferently. "I suppose it's a fitting way for a coward to die. I heard it's rather painful in the end."

Kenshin hadn't moved the sword away from him but now Kaoru laid a hand on his arm. "Please, Kenshin," she said softly. "Don't do it. Let him live out his days with regret that he was nothing but a petty bully who couldn't stand up to anyone by himself."

The redhead looked at the hand resting so casually on his sword arm. Normally, anyone who had the nerve to touch Kenshin knew within the next two seconds never to occupy his right side. It would leave him too vulnerable to enemies and he wouldn't be able to attack or defend himself. But Kaoru's hand … it was small and white and looked deceptively delicate – yet he could feel her calluses from long hours of training on the bokken and the gentle warmth seeping through his gi. He realized with puzzlement that he didn't mind her touching him.

So slowly, Kenshin pulled his sword back and lowered it to his side. Kaoru's hand fell away and he felt strangely bereft. "I'll escort him and his men back to camp and inform them that the guild has been dissolved," he said in clipped tones. "Whatever money is left over will be returned to its rightful owners."

Kaoru flashed him a startled look that melted into an approving smile. "I'm sure everyone in the City would appreciate that."

"In the meantime, I suppose I'll fix up this rooster-head and the brat," Megumi said with a sigh. "I already checked on Okura and Michiko. They'll have a large headache when they wake up but will be fine."

Sano grinned weakly at Kaoru. "The Sword that Gives Life, eh? You did it, Missy. You stood up to a group of bullies and won."

Kaoru smiled back. "I guess we did." Realizing that it was indeed over, exhaustion fell on her like a heavy cloak. "All I want to do now is take a nice, hot bath and then sleep until next week." Nevertheless, she shooed Yahiko from his place in supporting Sano. "Come on, let's get the injured boys to bed so you can look at them, Miss Megumi."

Megumi nodded. "Then I'll tend to your arm. It looks like that cut went into the muscle so it'll have to be bandaged properly." She shot Kenshin a disapproving scowl. "Not to mention that wound on your neck. Really, Sir Ken, what were you thinking?"

Kenshin sheathed his sword with a fluid motion. "Take care of them, Megumi. Let's go, Takeda." He didn't bother threatening the other man as if his compliance was expected.

Kaoru watched the redhead for a moment before stepping forward, nearly yanking Sano off-balance from her sudden move. "Kenshin?" she called out, ignoring the street fighter groan in pain.

The swordsman stopped and glanced back. "Yes?"

The kendo instructor met his gaze which was once more his expressionless mask. Swallowing nervously, Kaoru wished she wouldn't have been so impulsive. But it was too late now so she said softly, "Will you come back to the dojo afterwards?"

Kenshin was silent for a moment as if considering the question before he finally nodded. "I will." He turned, missing her relieved expression and bent down to collect both Michiko and Okura. Holding them both by their gi, he dragged the two large men out of the dojo without any apparent effort.

Takeda stared at Kenshin before looking at the remaining four people. Receiving identical glares that held no compassion, he squeaked in fear and scrambled to his feet before stumbling after the swordsman.

AN: I apologize for the lameness of the battles. I've struggled with this part for nearly a month (fight scenes, gah!) and I still don't think it's as good as it can be. If anyone has suggestions to improve them, do let me know (you have no idea how grateful I'd be). The epilogue will be up soon. Updated posting schedule is in my profile.