Author's Notes: I hope everyone enjoyed those flashback chapters. We are now back to where the story started and this is the beginning of the "Uppercross Arc" for those of you who are already Persuasion fans. It's funny but the story sort of naturally spilt itself into different arcs and getting this deep into interpreting Persuasion has given me a whole new level of love for that novel.

Betas: I have two for these next chapters! Sumiregusa (*fist bump*) and Animaniacal (equally obsessed about Persuasion and RK as me, and has a pretty good story out there, Reasons to Smile, that everyone should be reading. We all need post-Jinchuu canon fluff!)
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Persuasion is in the public domain, but was written by Jane Austen.

Chapter 9

But a week must pass; only a week,
in Anne's reckoning, and then, she supposed, they must meet;
and soon she began to wish that she could feel secure even for a week. - Persuasion, Jane Austen

Tokyo, 1872

"Goodnight Yahiko." Kaoru slid the shoji door to his room shut.

"Night Kaoru." She heard him call a sleepy reply. Kaoru entered into her own room and pulled out the futon. After changing in to her yukata, she settled in to her bed and tried not to think about the man from so long ago.

Himura Battousai.

Kenshin.

Kaoru rolled on to her side, trying to get comfortable enough to fall asleep but it was no use. Her mind was swirling, thinking back to that summer seven years ago. She hadn't been able to think of anything else except him since Maekawa made the announcement earlier that day that he would soon be in the neighbourhood. Sleep would not be coming easily tonight.

Seven years, she thought. Does he still remember me? Is he still angry? Has he forgiven me?

Kaoru closed her eyes and instantly he appeared before her, the youthful red head who had stayed at the dojo. They had been close in age and finding much in common they had spent most of the summer together, her father not thinking that Kaoru was old enough to feel the faint stirrings of her heart.

But she had fallen in love with him. And he with her. They had promised themselves to each other and entered a secret engagement. Was that the last time she had been truly happy? That night when he had held her and they had whispered their love for each other, wishing the sun that would send him to Kyoto would never rise?

Ultimately Kaoru knew it was her fault. After he had left to return to Kyoto, she had lived on a cloud, so happy and young and in love. Tae had noticed the change and had teased her about having an admirer, an observation that Kaoru did not deny. Finally, after much teasing, Kaoru had let her in on the secret, wanting to finally tell someone how happy she was.

Tae's face had paled when Kaoru told her who her admirer was, and she had an even more shocked look when Kaoru revealed that they were engaged. Even though they had planned to spend the day together, Tae had excused herself, saying that she had to return to the restaurant.

The next day, when she went to join her father for breakfast, Tae had been there. Kaoru sat there numbly as her father told her that if she was to go through with this marriage, then she would be cut off from her dowry and inheritance, and that he would do nothing for the couple. Tae had followed with asking if she really wanted to go to Kyoto, where she would be in constant danger, having to live place to place and moving at a moment's notice as Kenshin fought in the revolution. Who knew how long the revolution would last or if it would even succeed. And what would happen if she had a child? Could she really live such an unstable life while also taking care of a child? What would happen if Kenshin died? She could be thrown out on the street with her child, with no money, no friends and little chance to survive.

Both Tae and her father told her not to throw away her life. That her love was a teenage infatuation, that she had been caught up in something that had no prospects, no future. Long into the day they had argued, Kaoru's protests strong at first but losing ground as the day wore on. However, it was Tae and her last argument against the marriage that finally convinced Kaoru. Tae pointed out that she would be placing Kenshin in danger, by making herself a weakness which his enemies could exploit. Not wanting to disappoint her father and one of her oldest friends, and not wanting to be a burden to Kenshin, Kaoru relented and agreed to break off the engagement.

Not knowing how to reach him with a letter, Kaoru had to wait for him to return. As the weeks stretched in to months, part of her hoped that he would never return, so that she could bear the burden of a broken heart on her own. Then he would be spared that pain, and if they never met again, at least he would remember her love and she hoped that would be enough for him.

As long as she lived, she would never forget the look in Kenshin's eyes as she rejected him, renounced his love and told him to leave. The pain and hurt in his eyes would haunt her forever. After he left, she had cried for days, barely eating and not leaving her room. Tae had stayed with her, helping her to mend the pieces of her broken heart and telling her that she was still young and lovely and one day she would find love when the time was right.

How he lived these last seven years, Kaoru was uncertain. Rumors of a ruthless assassin working for the Ishin Shishi had reached them from Kyoto, but Kaoru would never have guessed at his true identity. It wasn't until after the war was over and the Emperor was restored to power, that the Ishin Shishi, who now made up the majority of the government, revealed Kenshin as the Hitokiri Battousai. He was the most powerful swordsman in all of Japan, and over time an aura of mystery had built up around him. He had a prominent role in the government but rumors swirled about that he was still carrying out the governments darkest deeds.

And now he was coming to Tokyo. To stay at the Kamiya dojo.

Kaoru rolled onto her back, trying to slow her spinning mind. Maybe they wouldn't run in to each other. She had no reason to return to the dojo, and doubted that he had any reason to visit the Maekawa-dojo. She would be busy with teaching and have no time for going out to eat, or to any plays or festivals. Her life would one of teaching and training, with no time for the frivolous pursuits of the young.

No, she thought. She would not see him and he would hardly be one to seek her out. Even staying at the Kamiya-dojo, so much time had passed that he would not think fondly of her or even want to see her again. It had been too long a time, and too painful. She had moved on, and Kaoru was sure that he had too.

oooooo

"Misao, it doesn't help if you cheer every time I land a strike," Kaoru told the younger women, as she walked over. Sayuri, Misao and Akiko had decided to watch Kaoru teach today. The weather had turned hot and humid, and the ladies had decided that venturing out of the house was not worth the effort. Normally Kaoru would welcome the audience, but her students kept getting distracted by the three women and weren't paying as much attention as they should.

"Ah Kaoru, you know I cheer because you are so good!" Misao had arrived a few days ago, in her typical energetic fashion. Not five minutes after her arrival, she had dragged Kaoru and Akiko out to her favourite Tokyo ramen stand and then to some shops since the selection in Tokyo was so much better than that in Kyoto. It had been exhausting trying to keep up with her but Misao's energy was infectious. Kaoru found herself finally pulled out of her dark thoughts about the past and had managed to relax for the first time since she had heard that Kenshin would soon be returning.

"Kaoru is the best!" agreed Akiko. Misao and Akiko had always been close, even though the two 17 year old girls couldn't less alike. Where Misao was brash and tomboyish, Akiko was refined and cultured. Both girls were outspoken and in the few days since her arrival, Kaoru had been forced to listen to Sayuri criticizing their youthful antics.

Kaoru sat down and took a drink of water offered by Akiko. The ladies had brought in drinks and snacks for the students. Kaoru watched her students for a while as they went through several drills, led by Yahiko. Since they had started teaching here, she had seen a noticeable improvement in the students and their skill level. Yahiko had also taken on his new responsibilities as an assistant teacher with full enthusiasm and Kaoru was quite proud of how he was handling himself.

"I hope this heat stops soon," said Sayuri, fanning herself. "I don't know what sort of company we will be tonight at Tokio-san's dinner if we are all wilting."

The Maekawa family had been invited over for dinner by Tokio. Kaoru hadn't met Saitou or Tokio yet, and even though most commented that Saitou was a harsh and stern man, they had nothing but praise for his wife. She had instantly become a darling of the neighbourhood and had organized several dinners for her new neighbours. Tonight would be the first dinner between the two families, and anticipation was high. Especially since Maekawa had heard that Himura Battousai had arrived a few days ago and would be there tonight too, along with some other government officials.

"It could be hot enough to melt steel," said Akiko, "and I am still going to enjoy myself. I can't believe we are going to meet actual heroes from the revolution tonight! True patriots!"

"Hopefully you girls can make a good first impression," Sayuri looked crossly at Misao, who was picking at the hem of her shorts. "There will be a lot of important people there tonight. Having a husband who works in the government would be the best thing for you girls."

"I don't want a boring government guy as a husband," Misao grumbled. Since Sayuri now had three single women living under her roof she had redoubled her efforts in to finding suitable matches for all of them.

"I think marrying a patriot who fought for the country would be wonderful," sighed Akiko. In the few short years since the end of the war, stories about the men who fought in the Bakumatsu had been romanticized in novels and local theatres, with tales told about brave samurai fighting fierce battles in the streets of Kyoto, and their forbidden romances with beautiful geisha. Meeting a living legend like the Battousai was beyond anything she had ever imagined.

"And you may have your chance," Maekawa laughed as he came up. "I heard that none of the men tonight, besides Saitou-san, are married! This is your chance."

Akiko giggled and swatted playfully at her uncle. Being so lovely and with such a large dowry, Akiko had numerous suitors and could pick anyone she chose. But like many young women, Akiko wanted a whirlwind romance with a brave hero like in the stories she read almost every night.

"Don't tease me so!"

"But you ladies might want to start getting ready soon," Maekawa pulled out a pocket watch out of his gi and looked at it. "We have to leave in a few hours."

Akiko shrieked and jumped to her feet, pulling Misao up with her. "Why didn't you tell me it was so late?!"

The two girls ran towards the house to get ready, with Misao yelling about how she wasn't going to be caught dead in a kimono. Sayuri gathered up the drinks and snacks and headed back to the kitchen, leaving Kaoru with Maekawa.

"You should go get changed too, Kaoru," Maekawa indicated the class. "I can finish up with Yahiko here."

"But the students..." Kaoru started but Maekawa held up his hands, shaking his head. Knowing that it was useless to argue, Kaoru stood up and left, heading to her room. She pulled out a dark blue kimono printed with soft pink petals along the edges and hung it up. It was her favourite kimono and even if she didn't want to admit it to herself, she wanted to look her best tonight.

Kaoru was halfway through dressing when she heard a sharp cry come from the dojo. Quickly throwing on a yukata over her under-kimono she ran down the hall and into the training room. Maekawa and Yahiko were standing over Shinichi, one of their newer students, who was clutching his arm.

"What happened?" asked Kaoru. Out of the corner of her eye she say Sayuri and Hiroki also run in to the dojo.

"I think he dislocated a shoulder," said Maekawa. Kaoru leaned down and as she touched Shinichi's shoulder he hissed in pain.

"We should move him in to one of the rooms." Kaoru motioned to several of the students to help her carry him. Shinichi cried out in pain as they lifted him and moved him to a spare room in the students quarters. Kaoru busied herself getting Shinichi settled while the others watched.

"Someone should go fetch Dr. Genzai," Kaoru stuffed some blankets underneath Shinichi to brace his shoulder. Maekawa asked one of the students to go and seeing that Shinichi was settled, he dismissed the rest of them for the day.

"We can't just leave him here," said Sayuri, watching from the doorway.

"No we shouldn't," Hiroki replied, "and as lady of the house it's your duty to stay with him."

"Me?," Sayuri turned to her husband in a fury, "and miss out on finally meeting Tokio-san?"

"Well someone has to stay," Hiroki argued back, "and it can't be me or Father. This dinner could open us up to a lot of business with the government."

"Just typical," Sayuri complained. "We finally get some new neighbours and I have to stay here while you men go off and enjoy yourselves! Both you and your father are always quick to push me aside when…"

"I'll stay," Kaoru interrupted. "He's my student. I'll stay."

Sayuri stopped mid-tirade and looked at Kaoru.

"Yes, Kaoru should stay. Who better to stay than his instructor." And without giving her husband a chance to argue, Sayuri turned and left, off to finish getting ready.

Hiroki sighed at his wife. "Are you sure it's okay? Maybe we can get one of the students to stay instead?"

"It's fine. Go and enjoy yourself."

"Thanks, Kaoru." Hiroki left leaving Kaoru alone with Shinichi. Kaoru released a breath and turned to her student. Deep down, a small part of her desperately wanted to see Kenshin again. However, a larger, more rational part of herself was relieved that she had avoided seeing him, and that at least for tonight, she wouldn't have to face the mistakes of her past.

Glossary

Yukata - a casual summer kimono usually made out of cotton worn by both men and women