Idiot: Sorry for the long wait but… ummm… (Has no real excuse)

Wasabi: just get on with it

Idiot: ok, ok. Here's the next chapter!

Last time:

- Kenshin:

His head finally stopped its drooping and lifted to the sky where his eyes met a brilliant sun. But night was approaching fast, soon it would be dark, soon he would fight.

-Sano:

"Name." It was not said as a question, more as a command or a statement.

"Fujita Goro is the name."

Battle Begins

Sano walked confidently through the woods. A smiling, or rather evilly grinning man walked behind him. Coming up to the gates of Kanryu's castle he ignored the yells and warnings of the weakling guards.

"Hey mister! Get out of here- this is private property of the great Kanryu! You know who you're dealing with? Hey! I'm talking to you!"

But Sanosuke just kept on walking. When his nose was barely an inch away from the guard, he let out a snicker. Before the guard could yell that there were intruders, the man was punched unconscious.

The second was dumfounded but only for a second. As he began to yell his signal, he felt a rush like no other. The cold steel of a blade glided cleanly through his neck and he was granted instantaneous relief from the troubles of the world as he fell to the ground with a soft thunk.

Sanosuke stared at his companion, who had just killed the innocent man simply defending something he could not comprehend. 'Fujita' lifted his sword to his lips and tasted the sweet crimson liquid that flowed slowly down the glinting blade. Much sweeter than sake.

Sanosuke felt a shudder travel down his spine as he watched the cold blooded murderer enjoy his reward. He stared down at the unconscious man at his feet, only to realize just how cruel his acquaintance was. Yet he, Sanosuke, had killed and still felt the chill and the very emptiness that was accompanied by guilt and dissatisfaction.

It had been that Ishin Shishi fighter, Obiwata. In his sadness and rage at the murder of his beloved Sehiko Army, and most importantly captain Sagara Sozo, the man had been killed mercilessly simply because of the side he had chosen, despite any personal beliefs. Sano glanced at his hands spread before his eyes only to peer again at his companion in disgust. Even in his blind sadness and anger, he had not killed as this man did now. Kenshin hadn't either- Kenshin had taught him better than that-

"Kenshin…" he murmured under his breath, hypnotic. No. He would not kill the man lying unconscious at his feet. Nor would he kill anyone inside. It was not necessary to defile the second chance life had given him. He looked again and was reminded of Udou Jin-E. Not by appearance, but the pleasure, the pure ecstasy Fujita seemed to experience in the piercing of flesh, breaking of bones, or agonizing screams of his victim.

Saito glanced at the fist fighter. "It seems this boy does not have what it takes. He has not seen the suffering I have gone through, or experienced true fear."

But both were silent. They walked on and opened the gates without one look back. It was not time to judge, it was time to fight.

Slowly walking from the shadows, the moon light revealed a lone Hitokiri hiding in the shadow of a tree. That man and… he was with Sanosuke!

He walked, eyes shadowed by his free-flowing hair. Sanosuke's guard was just coming to, and letting out a groan he opened his eyes, only to see the last sight he would ever see. With his sword high above his head, glinting in the moonlight, stood a man like none seen before. The blood lust made his eyes glisten and as the sword fell, the guard felt true horror as the empty soul of the man before him seemed to poison his heart. There was no scream, just one clean cut through the skull of a fallen warrior. He savored the man's last look of fright, slightly dismayed at the pitying look hidden deep in the nearly dead man's eyes as his sword ran down the track it had taken many times before. When he was done, the feeling gone, reality returned. He opened his eyes to stare at the man, not seeing the clean cut through the head or neck that he had once known, but two cuts intersecting to form a cross.

Plitt, Plitt

He ignored the bleeding of his cheek. This was his sign. This would be the symbol to bring fear to even the boldest and most experienced warriors. He thought back to the days when he had fought as a bringer of divine justice, Tenchu.

But he knew that it had never, nor could it have ever instilled such fear as he would do now. To be hunted- yes, be on the brink of death, evading time and time again as the police searched for the assassin with a cross shaped scar. The one who slashed that same guilty reminder on all his dead victims. That would be his life.

But first there is business I must attend to.

He walked as a spectator through the fallen men beyond the gate. Saito had done a good job. Trembling, he licked his lips in anticipation. I can't wait to fight him. Ten years seems enough to make a man rot and yet…

He stepped over the mangled corpses of gunmen.

…This wolf has yet to be house broken.

He smirked and continued to walk through the scene- so familiar like those during the Bakumatsu. He must bring it back, that time of chaos where people feared to leave there own homes, feared invading Shinsengumi or rampant assassins. Though this time, he alone would be a force feared by all, not just a hidden legend. He would…

A steady flow of crimson blood streamed from his cheek. It would be the price he paid. Guilt he could never forget, and never would.

A soft groan escaped her parted lips as she rose unsteadily from her uneasy sleep. Taking three steps, she stumbled and threw up- she had quite a hangover. Everything seemed blurred yet her thoughts were clear as daylight. She gazed around the familiar dojo, finding Yahiko unconscious in the corner.

Kaoru closed her eyes. He had left. Sanosuke had gone to fight without her- alone. He hadn't a chance in hell by himself. Straightening, she leaned heavily on her sword for balance. Taking several swings, with no form involved at all, she decided she was in condition to fight.

She would fight. She would find Sanosuke and pound his head in, and then take on Kenshin when she found him…

The hard, determined look in her eyes vanished, replaced by a soft longing as she stared, unseeing at the wooden floor. Kenshin. The name drifted like a distant memory through her head as she smiled sadly. She imagined his red hair waving in the wind, close so that she could reach out and touch it. Her hand reached out- slowly, tentatively. But the illusion vanished. A tear pricked the corner of her eyes as her face became solemn. She would find him, save him… save herself…

Slipping out the door her soft footfalls echoed through the night air as she ran through the empty town.

Cracking an eye open, Yahiko watched his master disappear into the night. A smile crossed his face as he sat up again, happy she hadn't noticed the water he had poured over her face to wake her. Perhaps she really is stupid?

She would need help, need support, no matter how determined she seemed. It had only been two, maybe three days since Kenshin had left. Yet Yahiko knew the sight of a man so closely wrapped around Kaoru's heart; despite the short time they had spent together, it would tear her apart. She was strong, but Kenshin was a god on earth. He rose slowly to his feet, quietly closing the dojo door behind him. He would protect her. He would beat Kenshin, taking whatever means necessary. That was his duty as her student, of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, as a samurai.

The child broke into a run, disappearing into darkness as he followed the soft, distant foot falls of his master. She may not know the direction of Kanryu's mansion, but her heart would lead her. Who knew, maybe she had done some snooping around…

He thought back to her sulking mood at the disappearance of Kenshin and her bedridden days of tears. He sighed, sweat-dropping. She has no idea where she's going.

To be continued…

Idiot: Sorry to stop so soon, I just can't seem to think of what to do with Han'nya, kill or keep… if you have a suggestion, please say so. And reviews help me update faster sooooo… please? Even though I don't deserve them they are my life force. See ya!

Editor: Psh, she lies. She never writes. And her life force is Gaia (or it should be).

Wasabi: She would also like to apologize about the long wait but she's too ashamed.

Idiot: (in denial) what long wait? They didn't have to wait that long. Heh, Heh (nervous laughter).

Editor: She also has to go over her grammar and spelling. (Goes into a long spiel over how she should know this crap.)