My New Year's Resolution, I will update my stories more. I have no excuse to be lazy, even if life does get in the way. I just have to find a way to be more dedicated to my writings and my social life. I can do it, I will do it! Yay for Ymir-chan!

Disclaimer: In the year it's been since I have updated, I do not remember gaining ownership. Still, Rurouni Kenshin does not belong to me. Sad, so very, very, sad.

Past Person- Chapter Ten: Oroing All the Way

It was like sleeping for five minutes. No longer. She hated it when it happened. You know you've been asleep for hours, all night maybe, but your body is just so tired, its like you only took a small five minute nap. And damn those moments to hell. Kaoru wanted nothing more then to lay back down and sleep for another two days. Maybe then she would feel like she at least got a fifteen minute nap.

But a nagging poking feeling in her back was not letting her fade back into dreaming land.

'Kaoru, wake up! Kenshin will be here any minute, and he wont see you if you're sleeping!'

His name was like cold water and had Kaoru sitting up and licking at dry lips with a dry tongue. "Were's Kenshin? Is he back yet?"

'No Kaoru, he is not back. We are five years earlier, remember? Kenshin is only eleven years old!' Luna let out a sigh and rubbed her temples. It took an enormous amount of energy to transport a life form in time, and adding to the fact that Kaoru was not an easy person to wake up, then that just makes a great day bad. Luna already had a bruise on her arm where a well aimed sleepy kick had made contact.

Tired and fed up, Luna grabbed the still half asleep girl by her collar and hoisted her up to her feet. 'You have less then one minute to be ready before Kenshin see's you. You have to convince him to take you back with him, without telling him about me. Got that?' To cross her point, she gave one more shake, leaving Kaoru in mid air with a touch of drool to fall down her chin.

"Luna, stop shaking me or else I'll get brain damaged, and how will I be able to do what I have to if I'm mentally disabled?" Luna stopped her shaking and set Kaoru back on her feet with a sheepish look.

'Please forgive me. I guess you make me over exasperated. This is not like me.'

Kaoru smiled and straitened her gi. Luna stiffened just a bit, and took Kaoru's hand, putting a katana in her grip. 'He is coming now. The spell is still in effect, so don't worry about any thing. Also, remember not to mention me or any thing else about you and him. I will be back later. Good bye, Kaoru.'

Luna winked and faded away, leaving Kaoru, she noticed, in the middle of a vast forest. All alone.

"Hey, you, woman. What are you doing on my mountain?"

The small, child-like voice had Kaoru turning around right into the point of a blade. The owner of the sword was a small boy, about as tall as her stomach, with light lavender eyes and red hair in a high ponytail. He wore a light blue gi with gray hakama. Kaoru's first thought, while looking down at the chibi version of Kenshin, was...

"You are just adorable!" With a high squeal, Kaoru pulled Kenshin into her arms and swung him around like a doll. Kenshin's head flopped around and his sword flew from his grasp as Kaoru swung him around at a dizzying speed. With a last squeal and a crushing hug, she put the boy down and crouched down to his height. "What is a young kid doing out here in the forest by himself?"

It took a second or two for Kenshin to get his baring before he took an attacking position and faced the odd woman who had just crushed his body. "I am not a kid! I am Kenshin Himura, strongest man in the world! You will not hug me or ever call me adorable."

She looked at Kenshin as he fumed with his body erect and stance strong. 'He is only eleven, yet I can tell he is very skilled even at this point.' "I am Kaoru Kamiya. Forgive me for calling you a kid, but first impressions usually do involve a person's stature." She bowed as best she could crouched down. Kenshin relaxed just a bit and gave a half smile.

"Just don't do it again, woman." Kaoru almost smacked him, but refrained from doing so. She could smack him all she wanted when she had a place to stay and eat. The thought of food made an embarrassing sound in her stomach, and Kaoru guessed she was very hungry. "Why are you so far into the woods by yourself, and with no provisions?"

"I am not sure where I am right now. I lost my memory about five months ago, and since about a week ago, I have been looking for a home to call my own. I found a home before, but they left me. Now I have to find another one." Kaoru's voice was sad, and Kenshin found himself drawn to the sad older girl. He knew what it was like to be all alone with no family.

"If your hungry, you can come to my home to eat. You might be able to stay a while, till your ready to go, if you want." Kenshin had turned around while saying this, as he went to fetch his sword that was imbedded in a tree trunk. He wasn't sure if he master would welcome the girl, but maybe he would. The girl was sure beautiful, maybe Hiko would find it in his egotistical heart to feed and house her for a while.

"Thank you, Kenshin. This means so much to me." He turned to see the most serine look on a woman he had ever seen. Sure, she was beautiful before, but the soft look and dreamy blue eyes made his heart stop, or beat faster. He couldn't tell.

He turned back around and started walking back to the house. "It's nothing. Just don't listen to any thing Hiko says. Just a warning, he is mean and likes to throw insults. Just do well not to be to offended, and not to talk back to him."

"Is Hiko your dad?"

"No. My family was killed long ago. Hiko took me in, trained me and changed my name. He's like a father to me, or an Uncle." Kenshin still walked, but the tension in his back told Kaoru it still hurt. The pain of losing a family, a life. But he wasn't a sad and depressed boy.

"You are very strong, Kenshin. Losing everything at such a young age, yet you are still living happily, still walking. A strength like that will carry you a long ways. I bet it was you strength, just as much as it was the strength of Hiko." She put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her with his dark lavender eyes. 'His eyes change with his emotions.' "You will be a great man, some day. Even greater then you are now." A small tear escaped the boy's eyes. He had a big smile though.

"Thank you, Miss Kaoru. I don't see very many people, but you're the only one who ever said I was strong. I know it, but it feels so much better to have some one tell you."

Kenshin and Kaoru continued walking. Both feeling lighter.

XxX

Kenshin looked around the drafty hut in contempt. This was not a place he himself would pick to take a woman. Tomoe had been quiet the whole time. Not saying a thing except to answer him.

'She must still be in shock. All the running and killings. Any woman would be frightened.'

A small voice denied that. That dangerous feeling was back again. The feeling that promised death to him or some one close to him. He looked out to the dark sky. Not a moon or star in sight. Black as death. He shook his head and moved about the hut looking for anything usable.

Tomoe watched the man she thinks she loves open doors and cupboards. A cold feeling fell over her. Did she love him? Or was she trying to hard, and making the love into hate?

In the week that the two had been traveling, Tomoe had come to the decision that she could not forget the blood. The killings. The Battousai. It was all she saw when she looked upon her once beloved. It didn't matter how much he tried to be a better man, the fact stands that he had murdered fellow men.

"I think we will have enough here to hold us off till tomorrow. I'll go buy what ever you need then."

She nodded absently. Kenshin's blue eyes narrowed at her disinterest. How stable was she? Her profile looked fine, but her removed attitude worried him. Would she accept his proposal? He had to try.

Kenshin kneeled down next to Tomoe, who didn't spare him a glance. He took a breath and gently picked up his love's tender hands. She still did not even look at him.

"Tomoe, I am so very sorry for the trouble I caused. But now that we are away from the war, I would like to ask you something." He paused and took another breath. Tomoe still didn't look to him. "You are the only woman that I have ever cared about that has ever truly loved me back. I know my sins are much, but it brings me great joy that you have looked past my faults and to try to accept me for me. That inspires me to change, to try harder to make a new life, one with peace and love." He paused again to pull out a gold and pearl hair barrette. The pearl was fashioned into a flowered sakura blossom. The gold was plaited into the comb and teeth. It was an expensive comb, but Kenshin spent all his money for this bob. He wanted his wife to have the finest.

Tomoe had looked to Kenshin while he had talked with tears in her eyes. Did he really believe that she accepted his bloody hands? He really loved her. And she loved this Kenshin. The one who was kind and generous. Blue eyes and soft voice. It was the Battousai she hated, but Kenshin was the one offering marriage, not the acclaimed killer.

The comb caught the light from a nearby lamp. Her eyes lit up and a true smile lit her face. It really was beautiful.

"Tomoe Yukoshiro, will you marry me, Kenshin Himura? I promise to love and protect you, if you would be mine."

His eyes were alight with happiness. The reaction he saw in her eyes had his hopes up and blood pumping. Her dark brown eyes caught his and he saw the tears. Her smile though, had him stilled. He had never saw her smile the way she was now. She had a dimple on her left cheek, and both rows of pearly white teeth were visible. The smile itself was the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed.

"Kenshin Himura, I would be honored to marry you. I promise to love and cherish you, if you will be mine."

Kenshin didn't smile. He was over come with a lust, and need to hold the woman that was his. Slowly, he leaned forwards and claimed her lips as his. The need doubled and a growl left his throat. He looked to the corner of the room and noticed an old futon that he had found. He picked his new wife up from the floor and carried her to the futon.

She was out of breath. A hunger flooded her and made her hot and anxious. When she found herself on a futon, her mind blanked and all she focused on was quelling the hunger that was eating at her stomach.

Kenshin was all to willing to feed himself and his wife. He needed it, and so did Tomoe.

XxX

Even at a young age, Kenshin could cook better then her! Kaoru leaned back on her hands and patter her full stomach of fish and rice. Never had she eaten so well. Must have been the time traveling that made her so hungry.

Kenshin had his chopsticks paused in mid bite as he watched her scarf down the meal. He laughed out loud as she burped happily.

"Now that was a meal! Thanks again for feeding me."

"And I want to know why my baka deshi would feed a strange girl in the first place without confirming with me first." The voice boomed and felt like it shook her whole body. Kenshin had gone ramrod strait. Kaoru looked behind her and saw the largest and meanest looking man she had ever seen. Not to mention good looking.

His hair was long and black, the tan mantle hung over his shoulders while his gi looked tight and form fitting across his muscled torso. His hakama seemed to be just as fitted across his bulging thighs and calves. All in all, he was a giant man of muscle.

Kaoru's mouth was open wide enough a frog could hop down her throat unnoticed.

Kenshin was the first to recover. "Shishou, this is Kaoru Kamiya. She had a loss of memory not to long ago and is searching for a place to stay." Hiko didn't spare the boy a glance as he pinned the girl with an icy glare.

"And does this, Kaoru think she is going to be staying with me? I have enough idiots around me, I don't need another."

Her jaw snapped shut and her anger filled her veins. What kind of jerk was he? She was only eating. Of course, she was planning on staying here, but he didn't need to know that. Her vision turned red and she stood and poked her finger hard into the chest of steel. "Do not presume me an idiot. I had traveled and gotten lost in the woods. I was hungry and Kenshin was kind enough to give me food and water. I would never want to stay with a heartless, egotistical, selfish, and know-it-all bastard even if I was forced to!"

Kenshin just stared at her, not knowing what to do. If Hiko were to strike her, he would save her. Though, what she said was true, she didn't have to say it. "Now, Miss Kaoru, you shouldn't jump to conclusions. My shishou isn't that bad."

"Quiet baka. Let the adults talk." He studied the young girl in front of him. She was trying to secretly rub her sore finger. He let a grin come to his lips as he pulled his katana from it's wooden sheath. "I don't think you know what you have gotten yourself into, little girl. I could kill you faster then you could take a breath. Do you really want to challenge me?"

Kaoru had to stop herself from hitting him. She couldn't win in a fight with Kenshin, and here is his master. She could get killed.

'He can not hurt you either. I have cast the same spell to him. But do not exploit it till I tell you to.' Luna's voice in her head had her grinning. That sneaky witch. If Kaoru didn't know better, she would have guessed that Luna did this out of fun. Not only for her safety. 'Who knows. I could just love to see you guys beat each other up.' Kaoru snickered and Hiko looked at her weirdly.

Never has a woman laugh at him. He was serious. He would bend the girl over his knee if he had to. His thoughts ended when he saw the girl kick at his shin. He was surprised when he felt nothing. Not even the touch of her foot. I must be even stronger then I thought, or she is just very, very weak. Hiko thought.

Kaoru kicked his shin as hard as she could. Being discrete of course. She loved the color of green that shined on the spot she struck him. Kenshin gasped behind her. He feared for her life now.

Hiko grinned and hoisted the sword above his head to strike her with the back of the sword. Just a small smack should shut her up.

'Please do not strike the girl. You would not want to start the relationship off so sour, would you?' The trio all turned to see Luna gently stirring the forgotten rice. Kenshin scurried away from the woman and Hiko looked like he was about to faint.

"How the hell did you get in here, woman?" Hiko was standing in front of the only door. There was no way for her to get into the hut without him noticing. But somehow, she had, and it made him nervous.

'I am Luna, Goddess of Time. I am putting Kaoru in your protection for a while. I need you to help the girl in her skills. She will need them in the future.' Luna bowed and continued stirring the rice.

"Like I would take in a slip of a girl. I already have on kid to take care of. You are out of line ordering me around like that." Hiko sheathed his katana and crossed his arms. Who did the wench think she was? She was insane to call herself a goddess. "Goddess my ass. Your just some freaky looking woman."

Luna sighed and Kaoru giggled. Hiko acted just as Kenshin did when she told him she was a goddess. 'Then I guess I will have to prove to you that I am who I say I am.' She waved her hand and a bright green light took over Hiko's body. When it dispersed, Hiko looked like he aged many years. His hair was gray and stringy, his body had lost it's girth and he was wrinkled and bent over.

Kenshin's eyes bulged and he started to hyperventilate. His master looked old, very old. Like over a hundred. "Oro! Shishou, I think she is telling the truth. Look at yourself."

Hiko felt tired and worn. His hair, that he could see, was not his. Gray and stringy. His hands were old and wrinkled. His proud body was loose and flabby. Hiko panicked. "What did you do? I look old and decrepit!" His knees were too weak to hold him and he collapsed to the floor. Luna waved her hand again and Hiko was back to his original splendor.

Kaoru felt sorry for the man. She knew it was hard to believe a woman when she says she is a goddess, but the way Luna proved she was in fact a goddess, was humiliating.

'Please forgive me for that, but it is very hard to convince a man without going to extremes.'

Hiko stood up again, his breath back and strength returned. He glared at Luna. "Do not ever do that again."

'I wont have to if you believe me.'

"I believe you, but I don't want to. What has a goddess have for a girl like her." He pointed to Kaoru and she stuck her tongue at him.

'She is needed in my plans. For her to survive, I ask that you help train her, not in Mitsurigi, but just to strengthen her skills. She will not survive later on how she is now.'

"And what is it that she will be doing that could endanger her life?"

'A battle for a life.'

Kaoru gulped down air. She was to be fighting for her life later? Kenshin's life or her own? Could she be so weak that she needed the strength of this man to help her? She didn't think she wanted to know right now.

'Will you take the girl for me? Or will I have to find a more competent warrior?'

Hiko fumed slightly. Who was stronger then him? No one. It was alluring that the goddess came to him for help. Obviously the woman knew great strength. The girl, Kaoru, looked strong also. But not up to any battles. He felt, humbled slightly to be chosen to train the girl. If he declined, then what would the goddess do? Deciding not to find out after aging so fast in one day, he sighed and turned his back to the group.

"I don't care if the girl stays. I will not be going easy on her. You will have to do what I say and not talk back to me like before, got that girl?" Kaoru bowed and agreed. Hiko made to leave when Luna appeared before him.

'One more thing. I have put a spell on you three. Neither of you can hurt of maim the other. Even the sharpest of blades will not cut the skin on you. Not a bruise or a kick will be felt. You understand?'

Hiko grunted, not liking the concept of a spell on him. "I would not need to be protected from a wimp such as her. She on the other hand, is fortunate to have the protection." He left the hut and disappeared outside.

"I hope to never see my shishou like that ever again." Kenshin still looked rather white in the face. Kaoru laughed and patted his shoulder.

"I doubt you will ever have to see him like that. Luna was just trying to make a noticeable change in him. Right Luna?" Kaoru looked over to Luna hoping that what she said was the truth.

Luna gave a soft smile. 'She is right. Hiko will not look like that. He is far to strong to let his body age in such a way. In his late life, he will be old, yes, but he will not look so beaten. I suspect that he will age beautifully.'

Kenshin smiled and looked over to Kaoru. "I guess you'll be staying her after all. You have a home now."

Kaoru felt the tears coming, but held them back. Those words coming from Kenshin hit her hard. She had a home with him, and it made her happy. A flash of memory made her heart light.

She had a feeling that she would have a place, a home, with Kenshin even in the far future.

Were she belonged. Kenshin and her.

XxX

That is the end of that. I don't think I got Hiko right. Little Kenshin is going to be a bit of a brat. You know how little boys, when they have crushes, usually pick on the girls, right? Well Kaoru's going to be picked like a scab.

Kenshin, the one with Tomoe, will still be heard of. Only not so often. It might be a few chapters till you actually get to see Kenshin and Kaoru together. Also, the time thing, there is going to be a lot of back and forth going on.

And Kenshin and Tomoe are now married. Yes. It had to happen. Sorry. I really have no hate for her any more. She has done nothing wrong. Just her emotions are very strong. I feel she payed for her mistakes with her life. So I am not going to have Tomoe bashed evilly like I had intended to when I started this story.

Well enjoy the chapter. I had it done pretty early. Im still feeling kinda tired. Grr. O well. I hope to read some more wonderful reviews. I appreciate the fact that some people still remember me. Its been so very very long. Laters and happy new years!

Ymir-chan