Oh my goodness! I have over 500 reviews! I love you guys! Anywayz I love this next chapter, mainly because I introduce my biggest OC in it. Can't wait to see what you all think of Carter Blackshield. Well on with it then!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, but now I do own one thing that I made myself, Carter Blackshield!

Chapter 27: The Past and Present (another title that only kind of goes along with the chapter)

Carter Blackshield one of the richest, if not the richest individuals in the whole city leaned against the pillar nearest to the stairway waiting for Sayo's descent. He nodded politely to any woman that passed him smiling flirtatiously. No one could deny that he was perhaps one of the best looking men in town. His devilishly handsome form at 6'2, neatly cropped blonde hair and clean shaven face often caused the women to fall all over him. Not that he minded, his position made him a catch and he knew that all the mothers in the city were trying to get their daughters to catch his interest. He wasn't vain however, just cocky. He figured he could land about any woman he desired and the woman that had caught his interest of late was going to come down those stairs soon.

He snapped his pocket watch shut and closed his eyes. He had only moments ago sent his manservant to fetch Sayo. 'Ahhhh, Sayo,' He grinned to himself unconsciously. Never had he been so enthralled with one woman, but as time passed by he found himself taking fewer and fewer women out. The only feminine company he seemed to desire these days was hers.

"Not that she's hard to please." He thought with relish. He found out soon after meeting her, the only thing she desired was money, and he had loads of it. No matter what she wanted he had been able to provide it of course keeping her happy came with its benefits.

He smiled as he recalled the previous weekend at his estate. What a weekend it had been, they had had loads of fun together. He ran through his mental calendar to try and fix a date to do it again. He sighed with frustration as he remembered business meeting he had coming up. Not that it mattered, he did, after all, have to keep the money pouring in. It wasn't hard with his oil company doing so well.

At an early age his father had sent him to become an apprentice of a very wealthy welder and he had dedicated himself to making it rich some day. His master had realized soon after employing him that Carter had the makings of a fine business man, and made it his goal to teach him everything he knew. Old man Blackshield had become like a father to Carter and soon after his thirteenth birthday desired to adopt him. With no objections from Carter or his parents he had taken on the name Blackshield and all of the responsibilities that came with it.

Carter was, however, no sluggard and worked hard day and night to build up his'fathers' company, and he had done it. The Blackshield oil industry was facing its finest hours and Carter had found that in the past year he had more and more free time, which he dedicated to only the finest pleasures. Never had he in his entire life once found himself absolutely desiring anything but his work, but now it seemed that ever since he had met Sayo he was finding himself pushing away more and more of his work to find time to spend with her.

She was captivating, and he could still remember the first time he had seen her. She had been sitting on a bench outside of a convenience store and appeared as if she was waiting on someone. She hadn't been wearing anything necessarily attractive it was just the way she had a presence about her. Against all better judgment he had decided to talk to her, of course, talking to her led to a nice dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in town. It was that night he found out she had an appreciation for the finer things in life and as he walked her back to where she was staying he was appalled to see that she was in the poorer part of the city and had immediately hooked her up with the apartment she now stayed in.

The fact that it was closer to where he worked had been a nice bonus and he found himself often taking her out to lunch. He had made it a habit to provide her with fresh flowers every day and a new dress every other day. He loved taking her to business parties and showing her off. She had a way of coaxing each and every man into dancing with her and even helped her quite a bit with his business deals.

He smiled to himself, 'how did I ever manage without her.' Thanks to her he was making three times what he had expected this year and had a good feeling about the next arrangement. 'Perhaps I should make a point to introduce her to my next client.' He smirked to himself then shook his head. He knew it wasn't very genteel to use a woman to help in the business world, but why waste a good thing, besides it would help him to appease her in the end.

He figured he knew a great deal about her, all except her past. She never seemed to want to go into that topic. He decided it didn't really matter, after all, she was 'his' now.

He opened his pocket watch again to check the time and smiled she should be descending in a matter of seconds. He soon found out that she made a point of making him wait five minutes to a tee of when he had arrived. Sure enough he caught sight of her in the burgundy dress that he had purchased for her only days ago. Her delicate figure descended the stairs with grace, and he began to smile in spite of himself. 'This is going to be a fun-filled evening indeed.'

Kaoru did all she could to keep from crying as she held the telegram in her hand. It was only ten words but Kaoru knew it was all they could have afforded anyway. It sated simply

I'm on the east coast STOP I'm fine STOP I love you STOP

However vague it was it didn't matter. It was like precious gold to Kaoru and she held it tightly against her chest. She never would have believed being separated from Kenshin for over a month would give her so much anxiety. She could sleep at ease for at least a week. Kenji's groan of impatience brought her back to the present and she quickly took his tiny hand in her own and led him from the post office.

There was still enough time left in the afternoon for her to finish shopping and perhaps visit Misao and the twins. She her tiny treasure into her skirt pocket and brought out her shopping list. She browsed over the items picking and choosing ones that could be left off, after all, it had cost a good deal of money for Kenshin to send that telegram and she knew they couldn't afford any extra expenses.

"Kenji, I hope you don't mind, but we're going to be eating a lot of green beans."

Kenji just gurgled as usual and Kaoru smiled in spite of herself. It wasn't like Kenji could understand her completelyanyway. She smiled slightly and proceeded to guide Kenji into the general store.

"Good morinin' Miz Himura wats you be needin' t'day?" Jesse smiled at Kaoru warmly. He didn't know all of the information regarding she and her husband, but he figured it wasn't any of his business anyway.

"Good morning Jesse. All I need is what's on this list. If you would be so kind as to get it together for me I was going to run by Misao's place for a while."

"Shore thing Miz. Himura nothin' ta worry bout. I get these here thin's for ya and you just come on by to pick 'em up a'for you head back home."

Kaoru smiled warmly at the store owner. She hadn't been able to get really close to Jesse, but his simple smile and easy way of talking helped ease the building strain of her situation. "Thank you Jesse I'll be by later. Come along Kenji."

Kenji reached up for Kaoru and she immediately picked him up and carried him out of the store where she collided into a tiny child and his mother. "Oh dear I'm so sorry I didn't- Lorie!"

Lorie O'Connell, not easily phased by anything, straightened her hat and smiled warmly at Kaoru, then frowned deeply. "Kaoru Himura I demand to know why you have completely quit visiting me." The creases vanished and Kaoru found herself wrapped in the slender arms of the young woman. "I've missed you so much! I've been so worried with all that's been going on, you've been missing church, and-" Lorie paused and backed away after spotting the ever present Kenji leaning his head on his mother's shoulder. "Well now, and who might you be little dear?"

Kenji smiled and giggled, while Kaoru with motherly pride displayed her son to Lorie O'Connell. The women chatted easily for a moment or two before the two of them had to part ways. Kaoru waved goodbye to Lorie and her youngest son Todd then proceeded down the road towards Misao's. There was little daylight left and Kaoru knew she wouldn't have much time, but she knew she needed to see Misao for at least a little while besides Kenji loved playing with the twins. So she hurried on with Kenji in tow.

Sano cracked his knuckles as he glared around the tiny saloon. He was getting nowhere fast. Even if any of these men had happened to see his wife. It was highly unlikely any of them would tell him. He frowned deeply. 'I'll find you Sayo . . .you just wait. I'll find you . . .', What he would do with her when he found her was another story. All he knew was he needed to find her. He had a feeling in his gut that he needed to hurry.

He slammed some money onto the counter for the clerk standing nearest to the counter. "I'll take a room."

The clerk looked at him for a minute before asking, "Want some company?"

Sano was so caught off guard for a moment he was a loss for what to say. "What do you mean?"

The clerk rolled his eyes and jerked his head in the direction of a few of the by standing women. Realization smacked Sano in the face and he was reeled back into his younger days. Visages of women with fainted faces and false promises slipped in and out of his head. Memories of harsh voices coarse laughter and bubbling beer made him sick to his stomach. Horrible moments of desperation where he would have sold his soul had he been given the chance, for a moment he felt like he was rolling backwards down a hill. Back into the desolate situation all over again until he remembered Kenshin, he had pulled him out of the scum, set him up, and wouldn't let him stumble again.

"Hey buddy you gonna answer it's compliments of the house."

Sano simply shook his head and smiled. "Not tonight buddy, I've got to get up early and go looking for someone."

"You're lost." The clerk said with a shrug as he pocketed the money and went to wipe off tables. Sano turned and climbed up the rickety steps. 'I won't go back . . . I can't . . . not now, not ever.' For the first time in three weeks Sano slept soundly and at peace that night.

Well that wasn't too short was it? I believe my next chappie is much longer though. Anyway, on to my lovely reviewers! Because we reached over 500 reviews I made monkey bread for everyone! (It's brown cinnamon and lots of sugar on little pieces of bread!) It's soooo good! Enjoy!

My Reviewers

De Lazy Lime- Hahaha, yes that would be extremely funny! I can see it all now! Hope you had a great New Years!

Half-breed-demon-fox- He he! Hope you liked this chapter though!

Captain Stu- I did have an awesome Christmas! I got a book series that's absolutely amazing! Hope you liked this chapter!

Tintin-chan- Well, Kaoru's got a little more suffering to do! Hope you can bear it!

Erica6060- So glad you like it! Thanks for reviewing!

Brittanie Love- Hope you liked this chappie as well!

CrystalSea- Sigh, well the truth is I didn't expect the story to developitself as much as it has . . .so as I write more ideas and plot lines pop into my head, and well the story keeps growing. Though I know that I am definitely MORE than half way through and actually it should be drawing to a close pretty soon . . .that is unless more ideas come. puts hands on head NO brain stop thinking!

Ginny-cry- Hehehe! Oh just you wait! Muahahah! evil grin

Bradybunch4529- So glad you're enjoying it!

Midnite cherry blossomz- He he well I updated! How'd you like it?

Lily of the Shadow- He he well then this should be an even bigger surprise! I update really fast now! What do you think of this chappie?

Lyphta- Glad you liked it! Wonder what you're thinking now???

Shattered Sword- Yes ANOTHER update! Go Kairi Go Kairi! You see I need a cheering section to help me keep updating . . .so I cheer on myself . . .lol!

Rain Angst- It's funny . . . I just can SO see Kaoru doing something like this!

Ying Fa Li-15- Sorry bout that cliffie! I try to not do that too much because I hate it when I read them . . . but then again . . .it is fun to write them! Gald you're enjoying the story!

Lanse- He he he . . . yes a reality check for Kaoru and as for Kenshin . . . Looks at Kenshin well do you have an answer for yourself??? Kenshin: Oro? I um . . . wasn't thinking? Heheh well hope you liked it!

Kik-ting- Well, you have to remember this is Kaoru we're talking about . . . lol! She's a stubborn thing I'll give her that! Happy New Year to you too!

Kouga'sonlytruelove- Your welcome! : D I'm so glad you like it this way. And that's a really good idea! Thanks! sigh so much left to do on this fic though . . . and so little time! Thanks for reviewing!

Peachie-chan- Yay! I'm so glad! Hope you enjoyed this one!

Well that's it for the reviewers . . .now for those of you who are reading and have not left a review yet . . .um . . .I guess you guys can have a cookie . . . ,but if you want some monkey bread you can review! Yay!

Just a forewarning to you all . . .I was writing chapter 29 the other day and was finding myself at a loss . . .so um don't worry it's not writers block . . .it's more that I don't know just how I want to write something. . . . so that it's good enough. sigh I may end up re-writing the entire chapter. Have patience please. Hope you all liked this chapter! It should give you all something interesting to review about. Well, until next time!

Kairi7