Kenshin

It wasn't true. It couldn't be true. His legs shook as he took several agonizingly slow steps towards Kaoru. Kaoru. He had to protect Kaoru, Kenji, Yahiko… She rushed towards him, closing the door of the smoking car behind her. "That Saitou was just here!" she said. "He said-"

Kenshin met her eyes. "I saw him just now. He told me."

"Oh Kenshin…" she wrapped her arms around him. "…What do you think is going to happen?"

He took a deep breath. "It's not myself I am worried for as much as for you, Kenji and Yahiko." he shook his head. "But maybe I am getting ahead of myself." he said, trying to convince himself as well as Kaoru. "After all, Saitou could possibly be mistaken. His source of information may not be… Accurate."

Kaoru bit her lip. "Isn't it a bit too risky to just say that and ignore it, though?"

"I… Don't even know anymore…" he cleared his throat, looking down at the ground, getting his bearings, his strength (or at least an illusion of it) back. He smiled sadly, taking Kaoru's hand in both of his. "This one thought that my past was all behind me – that with you, Kaoru-dono – I could make a family in these seemingly peaceful times. But it seems we have chosen the wrong train to go and visit Shishou in New York, indeed we have."

Kaoru smiled back, trying to appear strong, for his sake – and it almost broke his heart. "…Kenshin. I… Only want the best for you. But as a mother to Kenji… As Yahiko's caregiver… I will protect them with everything I have. So you… Do your best." she looked down. "This Enishi… He's… Tomoe-san's younger brother and he wants revenge. His mind will be clouded and there will only be that one thing – revenge – driving him." Kaoru looked up into his eyes. "…You're not alone. You have me, Sano's going to join you as soon as he finds out, Yahiko's going to want to help, no way am I letting him, and this Saitou… He seems to be taking the debt to you very seriously."

"Kaoru…"

She pouted at him. "If you get hurt I won't forgive you." she said. "You're a father, a husband, a cherished friend and a good cook." she smiled. "So don't be all noble and whatever. Just be safe." and then she looked sternly at him. "And don't go climbing onto the roof again." she growled.

"O-oro?"

The couple almost jumped as they heard a bloodcurdling wail coming towards them, but it was only Kenji and a very pained-looking Yahiko trying to reason with the toddler. He looked up at Kaoru and Kenshin with a sigh of relief. "Aw thank god I found you two, this kid is driving me insa-" he paused. "Oh sorry, am I interrupting somethi-" he cut himself off again, his voice rising in pitch with surprise. "Holy shit, is that a gun?!" he yelped as his eyes fell on the handgun Kaoru had in her hand.

Kenji stopped screeching to giggle at the 'funny words Yahiko-nii was saying' and Kaoru glared at him. "You. Do not. Swear. In front. Of. Kenji!"

"Oi, Kenshin! Protect me! Kaoru's gonna kill me! …Aw shi-!"

Kenshin looked at his Kaoru-dono, his two sons. I will protect them. I may no longer be the Battousai, but I still know how to use a gun. I will not kill the boy if he comes after me. I do not know if I even have the right to blame him for wanting to kill me. But I swear to god – if he even touches my family…

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Kenshin did not smoke often. In fact, he was pretty sure he had quit when he moved in to Kaoru's place because she didn't like the smell. But it calmed him down, helped him think more clearly and he thought that in a time of stress, she wouldn't begrudge him if he did it outside, just like always. So he leaned against the railing with his elbows and puffed out thin streams of smoke that almost completely disappeared away from him as he watched the scenery speed by.

He had not taken the gun from Kaoru yet. He knew that she was wordlessly doubting his resolve, but she knew he needed time to strengthen it, so she gave him time and said nothing. The gun represented his resolve, he thought. While he still did not take it, his resolve was wavering. It would be when he took it with a firm hand, his tenacity would be confirmed.

Saitou's words still echoed in his mind. '…He'd set the world on fire if it meant you burned too.' Enishi sounded half-crazed with rage. He'd had ten years to cultivate it after all. There are some that forgive… Or at least forget over time. For others… Revenge is what they live for – every waking moment – they sharpen it, hone it until it is stronger than any humanity left in them.

I suppose I am no stranger to those wanting to take revenge on me, thought Kenshin. I was a killer among killers. But… As far as anyone knows, the Battousai is dead. I am simply Himura Kenshin. I do not kill. I will never kill again.

This one is simply a wanderer passing through… This one's name is Himura Kenshin, indeed it is. That is what he had said to countless. And who would believe that the best killer-for-hire of the 'war' was a small, slender, effeminate-looking man who managed to look barely twenty when he was already in his thirties. Kaoru… His wonderful Kaoru-dono had covered the scar that earned him so many odd and even angry looks on the streets.

The Battousai is dead. The 'war' is over. This is what he told himself, over and over again. But now he doubted it. After all it could be no coincidence that Shinomori Aoshi, Saitou Hajime, that Hong Kong weapons mogul Wu Heishin – and that strange and seemingly dangerous boy who knew his identity were all on this train. Will there be another gang war? he wondered. God forbid.

'You've been underground for far too long, Battousai. Rather, avoiding the underground for too long.' Saitou was right, yet again.

Where did Saitou get his information from, I wonder. Is it truly reliable? Saitou is an intelligent man – I know this better than most. But… Could he have been mistaken? Somehow. Please… Let him be mistaken.

The sky was darkening, the sun was the color of amber and sinking behind the horizon that was rushing by. Telegraph poles, trees, flat expanses of wheat fields… There was a church somewhere far away in the fields. It was white and the steeple was glinting gold and red from the setting sun. I will protect them. My family. I will protect everyone who cries out. But… If Enishi is truly so far gone, how will I be able to stop him without killing him, alone?

Kaoru will not shoot a person. She is a ridiculously good sharp-shooter, but she will never shoot a person. Saitou doesn't ask any questions and aims straight for the head. Sano… He may be one of the strongest and most reliable men I know, but hates having to kill and he wouldn't know how to use a gun. Shinomori… Can I even trust him? Will he attack Enishi? Enishi has his subordinates here too…

Kenshin tried to calm himself, but he could find no way out. Will I have to find him before he finds me? And what then? Will I shoot him? Push him from the train and hope he does not die? Somehow overpower him, tie him up and… What? …What the hell am I thinking…

He was jerked from his thoughts by a sharp sound – that of the window of someone's compartment being thrown open. An unfamiliar voice laughed, belonging to a man – a young one. "…I am only going to stick my head out to smoke." there was an audible smirk. "You won't be able to push me out the window, don't worry Gein." There was probably a response, as the voice laughed.

Kenshin peered over with curiosity, then jumped back before he could be seen, his eyes widening with shock.

A young man with striking white hair that stuck in all directions was leaning onto the windowsill with his head resting on his elbows, a cigarette between his teeth. As he took off his small round sunglasses to reveal cold turquoise eyes – there was no doubt about his identity.

It had been nine years since Kenshin had seen him last, but it was without a doubt, Yukishiro Enishi – the brother of Kenshin's late first wife. It became crystal clear for Kenshin in that moment. Yukishiro Enishi was indeed on the train – and he would exact revenge on Kenshin for the sake of his sister. Saitou was right. As always. God fucking damn it.

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Kenshin opened the door to the compartment and met Kaoru's eyes. Kenji was asleep and Yahiko was nodding off. He knelt before Kaoru, resting his elbows on her lap and looking up at her. "He really is here." he whispered. "Saitou was right."

Kaoru stroked his cheek, pushing his hair back from his face. "So what will you do?" she sighed.

He stood up and took her hand in his. He saw the gun's handle sticking out of Kaoru's handbag. "In your purse?" he asked in a low voice, a little amused.

She blushed a little. "Well it's not like I knew where else to put it!" she hissed.

Eyes narrowing, he reached out and took the gun into his hand. "What will I do?" he asked himself, repeating Kaoru's question. His knuckles tightened around the handle of a gun – something he was so used to, that he had not done for so, so long – automatically checking whether it was loaded or not. It was. Kenshin looked up and met Kaoru's eyes. "I will find him before he finds me, I will fight him, I will tell him what really happened and I will not kill him." The gun felt heavy inside the inner pocket of his jacket as he put it away. "I am going to protect everyone." he smiled grimly. "No. This one will protect everyone, indeed I will. No matter what happens – no matter what this one has to do."