Author's Note:…………………….Just read.

Broken

Chapter 3: Separated

"So what was it that you came for?"

Kaoru walked out of the kitchen, holding two cups of tea and handed one to Genma. They both sat around a small table across each other.

"Well, as I already said I've received information that Kenshin might be in danger. There was a battle not too far from here several days ago…"

Kaoru simply nodded, unsure if she should show interest or not. Interest she surely lacked.

"The guy killed 20 people, all decimated and reduced beyond recognition."

She seemed to be slightly worried.

"They were all members of the Okiba Gang, a clan of shinobi that specialized on information gathering and spying rather than assassination. I'm the only survivor. Right after the attack, I overheard him say that he was coming after the Man Slayer though I don't know the reason I thought I'd let you both know. Alas, he's not here."

"Wait." She spoke in disbelief. "How did you survive?"

"Well, we always left out a few members hiding just in case something happened. Their duties were to alert other members and summon back up if necessary. I was just one of the lucky one since I ran off as soon as the first one was killed."

"Then how do you know you're the only survivor?"

Genma sipped the last of his tea with a big gulp despite the heat.

Before he could answer a large thump came out of the front door. Apparently someone was struggling to get inside, but even so both Kaoru and Genma simply stared, the later one rather amused.

Yahiko burst in, groceries falling on the floor along with him. Although he got up as fast as he fell and walked toward Kaoru, his face flaring and leaving all the stuff behind him.

"I can't believe you made me carry all that stuff on my own. Seriously, next time…"

He stopped abruptly, eyes locked on Genma.

"YOU!!" His already loud voice turned into a yell as soon as he recognized the guy sitting next to him.

"You cost me more than a month's worth of grocery money!"

Genma's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Who the hell was this guy? More importantly, what the hell was his problem?

"And to top it off, you ruined my Bokken!"

He produced a wooden sword. It was beat up and cracked all over. Now THAT he recognized. Genma stood up with an expression that seemed more aroused than worried or guilty.

"You're that kid from the market aren't you? Thanks man, you were a ton of help."

"No, YOU owe me a ton of money, because I had to buy another one and these things aren't cheap you know!"

"Don't be a drama queen. Everything turned out fine."

With a grunt, Yahiko pulled out another Bokken and held it against Genma's neck, pressing slightly. The tall man's gaze shifted toward Kaoru as he pointed toward the weapon pressed against his skin. Apparently she got the hint, because as soon as she saw that rather unusual gesture she sprinted out into one of the back rooms and came back holding a Bokken of her own, which she gave to Genma.

"Listen kid." Genma said with a serious tone, almost out of character. He almost seemed like a different person, since he's most of the time friendly and kind of goofy.

"Better respect your elders kid, you might get burned."

In a swift move he placed a hand on Yahiko's chest and pushed hard, throwing him out of the building. The boy got up and charged at Genma, who was calmly stepping out of the building. There was something odd about him now. He stood with his back completely straight, one leg slightly lifted, as if it didn't serve any purpose at all in sustaining the whole body. He held the weapon casually. Even more strange, his eyes were closed and his breathing was very low, almost imperceptible.

Yahiko swung his sword hard toward Genma's mid section, but he parried easily with his leg, not his weapon. He attacked again but his opponent simply stepped aside. Then again, and again, and again but the result was always the same.

"What are you, afraid to fight back?"

But before he could notice Genma swung his sword hard. The swing didn't connect, but still Yahiko felt a heavy blow against his chest, probably the same technique he saw Genma use at the market earlier. He was sent flying and before he could do anything his opponent dashed at amazing speed and swung his sword just a wildly, only this time he hit Yahiko on his abdomen and sent him even higher. As he began to fall he felt yet another blow to his mid section, only this time he didn't even see Genma as he leapt over him and struck, sending him crashing toward the ground.

"You got potential kid, but still have a ways to go"

His vision blurred, his head felt light and the pain in his back seemed o recede ever so slightly.

"I can help, but you must do as I say."

He could still hear, but everybody seemed to be far away.

"You should take a break though".

He could now feel Genma's hand wrapped around his neck. He felt even farther, his eyes blurred further and then nothing but darkness.