A/n Whoo the last chapter always gives me issues. But…I did it!! yay!! Last chapter. Now I can finally close this story and not have to worry about it. (not to mention edit my profile lol) Hugs to all the great reviewers out there. You know how you are. All the fans that stuck around for over a year of my writer's block. You guys are awesome. I do it for you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin or Phantom of the Opera

Kaoru didn't think she was going to make it through the thick, hot smoke. But after finding a trap door to the underground cave, both girls threw themselves into the darkness and sucked in a couple breaths of cool, clean air; only then did she know that they were going to be okay.

"That was pretty close." Misao said between her hacking coughs, she was doubled over with her hands on her knees. Kaoru quickly shut the trap door to keep any smoke from filling their clean cave air.

"I hope Kenshin's alright." Kaoru mumbled as Misao quickly helped her undo the leather straps of her stage uniform. The armor slid off and landed heavily at Kaoru's feet.

"Don't worry, Kenshin will be fine. I don't think even Saitou is stupid enough to stick around up there." The whole place seemed to become one giant fire. Misao couldn't help but worry for her mother and for Sano. Did they get out alright? Was anyone hurt? Koru seemed to read the worry on her face for she gave her friend a soft smile.

"I think everyone will be alright." The heat from the dojo just over their heads was started to radiate down to them. "I think we had better get moving."

"Yeah it's like an oven right here." Misao agreed, wiping her sweat and soot covered face. "I want to take a look at that wound though.

Kaoru waved away Misao's fretting. "Later Misao, look it's hardly bleeding. Wait until we get to Kenshin's home then you can look all you want." Sighing, the two girls turned and started walking deeper into the cave. The further they got the darker it became and soon Misao glued herself to Kaoru's side.

"I hope you know where you're going Kaoru."

"I do." Kaoru lied. She was sure of her direction but not completely. Kenshin's warning suddenly came back to her. The memories of the skeletons and the whispers of traps nagged at the back of her mind. Though the pain was making her head swim she had to pay close attention.

… . .

Kenshin crashed through the trap door, a shower of embers following him. His hair was singed and his gi was burned but otherwise he was unharmed by the close call. Directly on his heels though, was Saitou, and he burst through what was left of the door. Kenshin backed up a step, only to snag his foot on something. The red-head went crashing to the ground and had to lift his sword to block an attack from Saitou.

"Very brave to attack when your enemy is on the floor." Kenshin spat, looking to see what tripped him. It was Kaoru's armor. Kenshin pushed Saitou away and looked into the darkness of the cave. He couldn't hear or see them. They were already deep in the labyrinth. Kenshin could only pray that Kaoru remembered the way back to his dojo. He had the whole place rigged and one wrong move….

Unable to think about the dangers, Kenshin darted further into the cave, hopping to catch up with the girls. If anything happened to them he would never forgive himself. "Don't follow me Saitou." He warned over his shoulder upon hearing the other man hot on his trail.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight, you coward. I'm not going to let you get away." Saitou called back. His long legs pushing him closer and closer to Kenshin. Kenshin swore and turned his gaze back to the cave. He forced his legs to go faster, making him just a blur as he darted through the cave.

"Damn he's fast." Saitou had to stop him somehow before he got too far ahead of him and he lost him to the darkness. Thinking fast, Saitou scooped up a rock from the cave floor and without slowing down, launched the rock right at Kenshin.

Kenshin wasn't a fool, he spotted the rock from the corner of his eye and he came to a skidding stop, his sandals digging into the pebbles that covered the floor. He swiveled, brining his sword up to cut the stone him half. The two pieces fell harmlessly at his sides. But Saitou was in the air right behind the rock and Kenshin had just enough time to chance his stance before Saitou hit him.

… . .

Kaoru paused, causing Misao to slam into her back.

"Geez Kaoru, let me know before you do-"

"Shh." Kaoru interrupted. "Do you hear that?" Both girls held their breath as the strained to listen. There was a soft ringing echoing off the cave walls. "It's sword fighting. Kenshin and Saitou must be down here." Kaoru wanted to turn around and run to Kenshin but Misao held on to her tightly.

"We need to get someplace safe Kaoru. Kenshin can handle Saitou, this is his home." She pulled the girl by the arm. "Come on Kaoru, you said we were almost there."

They were almost there. Kaoru was afraid that they had wandered off the path but then things started to look familiar. Already she could see a soft glow reflecting off the rock walls. Kenshin's home was just around the corner. The girls carefully shuffled forward until they came to the steps that lead down to Kenshin's dojo. The paper lanterns overhead gave off such a welcoming warm glow that Kaoru wanted to drop to her keens in relief.

"Wow, it's like…a whole dojo down here." Misao said in awe as they slowly made there way down the steps and to the waters edge.

Kaoru grabbed a handful of Misao's gi and held her back as the girl was about to hop on the stepping stones. "No, we have to keep off the rocks." She pulled the girl back to her side.

"Eh? Why?"

"I don't know, Kenshin always warned me to keep off the stones" Her blue eyes darted upward into the dark void above them.

"Well how do you expect to get across then? Swim?" Misao planted her hands on her hips.

"Yes." And before Misao could voice her outrage. Kaoru quickly stepped into the inky black water. For some reason the water felt colder than she remembered, and it wasn't long before her teeth started to rattle. Misao followed, helping Kaoru along. It was hard to swim without the use of one shoulder. The cold water numbed the pain though, and for that Kaoru was thankful. The short swim seemed to last forever, and Kaoru thought she would never get to the other side. But they did and Misao helped pull her from the water. Her shoulder started to throb again but they were safe in Kenshin's home. Kaoru wandered over to the dojo mats and fell to her knees.

"Alright, you promised I could take a look at that wound when we got here." Misao kneeled down next to Kaoru. The girl didn't argue as Misao peeled back her soaked gi and tossed it to the side. Her chest bindings were stained with her blood but Kaoru hardly cared. The bullet hole was red and angry looking, but otherwise was fine. There was very little bleeding but the pain was starting to set in now that Kaoru was finally starting to calm down. She bit down on her bottom lip as Misao poked and prodded.

"Hmm." Misao said, sounding almost like Megumi. "The bullet didn't come out the other side. It must still be in your shoulder." Misao's hands roamed her shoulder again sending pain shooting through her whole body. "But I can't feel where it is." She added.

Kaoru was white as a ghost from the pain and she leaned away from her younger friend. "It's alright Misao; we can wait until Megumi can take a look at it. She can get it out."

"Yeah." Misao agreed, sitting back on her heels. "I guess everything is fine as long as it's not bleeding.

… . .

Kenshin rammed Saitou against the cave wall with his shoulder, momentarily pinning the taller man. Fighting with the stubborn fool was costing him precious time. Kaoru was hurt and needed his help. But he did want to lead Saitou to his home where he could possibly attack him or the girls. Kenshin took advantage of Saitou's momentary daze to knock the sword from his hand and kick it into the darkness. Then Kenshin bolted into the maze of tunnels.

Swearing, Saitou lunged for his sword and followed. He was behind now, he couldn't see the monster, only hear his footfalls. But Saitou was not going to give up. Setting his jaw, the man plunged deeper into the unknown. He was not going to lose after coming so far. Saitou was going to be known as the man who killed the dojo monster. Pish, some monster he turned out to be. Just a man who ran from fights. It was different when you weren't attacking people in their beds in the middle of the night. This red-headed coward was going to get what was coming to him.

… . .

Kenshin came to a stop at the top of the stairs. The sight of the two girls alive and well was enough to make him fall to his knees. "Kaoru!" he called, taking the steps down two at a time. Misao whirled around and Kaoru looked up from her kneeling position.

"Kenshin!" her whole face came alive and all his worries flowed out of him. His hard eyes instantly went to the wound on her shoulder and then he noticed the paleness of her face. His eyes darkened as he reached the water's edge. He wanted Aoshi to pay for what he did. If the bullet hit him, then fine, they were even. But Kaoru was an innocent; she should not have been involved. Even if it was just an accident, Kenshin was going to get revenge. Kenshin was only on the fourth stone when the girls cried out, pointing behind him. Kenshin turned on his heals and saw Saitou at the top of the stairs.

"So this is where you've been dragging Kamiya all this time." He said breathlessly. Kenshin could hardly believe that the man was able to keep up with him. "I've got to hand it to you…this is quite a sight." He made his way slowly down the steps. Kenshin growled, falling into stance on the stone. "I mean, look at this place." Saitou raised one arm. "This huge cave and maze of tunnels under the dojo. Who would have thought." He laughed without amusement. "What are the odds?"

"Saitou. If you wish to finish this fight, then so be it. However, we will do so at another time. Kaoru is hurt and I wish to have her treated. You have my word that we'll finish this however you desire."

"Ha!" Saitou's eyes narrowed even more as he crouched into a low stance. "The dojo is ruined, its star is maimed." He glanced at Kaoru. "do you think she'll be as good a swordfighter with that shoulder? No, you red dojo monster. We finish this now while I have my eyes on you. I will not let you melt into the darkness again. You'll pay for all that you have ruined." He leapt forward, clearing almost a dozen steps. Cursing, Kenshin jumped back, landing on another stone. Saitou followed.

"Saitou, now isn't the time, listen to me…stay off the stepping stones." But Kenshin knew Saitou wouldn't hear him. He had death in his eyes; even he knew that Saitou wasn't going to give up. Kenshin watched him closely, and when the taller man stepped on a stone that sank into the water just an inch, Kenshin knew it was too late.

Instantly there was a rumble over head. Both men paused and glanced upward into the dark cavern that stretched overhead. The rumble grew and then out of the darkness came a rain of small boulders and rocks. Kenshin, who was already more than halfway across the water turned and jumped for safety.

"Kenshin!!" He heard Kaoru scream as he turned to see Saitou frozen in shock, his eyes rooted to the shower of stone. He couldn't look away from his own death. Kenshin jerked his gaze away as the avalanche of stone hit the ground. Quickly he struggled up the bank and was instantly embraced by Kaoru. "Kenshin! What's happening?!" she called over the roar of rock.

Kenshin quickly lead Kaoru and Misao to the very back of the dojo. Small fist sized rocks bounced across the water and came alarmingly close to hitting them. The three friends ducked into Kenshin's room where they would be safe from the stray rocks. Kenshin wrapped his arms around Kaoru and held her tightly. When the deafening sound finally ended the three of them cautiously made there way back out into the dojo.

"I had the stones rigged as a trap incase anyone should find me here." Kenshin said softly as they gazed up at the mountain of rock that filled the pool of water. The stream that fed the pool was also blocked by the ton of stone. "I've forgotten how much stone I set up there…"His voice trailed off as his attention turned to Kaoru. Quickly he examined her wound. It was a simple bullet wound, but the bullet was still in her shoulder; they had to remove it before infection set in. "We need to get out of here and find Megumi."

Misao, who was stunned into silence, darted back into Kenshin's room a returned with one of his gi's and helped Kaoru dress. Kenshin felt pain just looking at their bewildered faces. He was sure they had no idea that he was possible of creating such a thing. He felt shame as he fashioned a temporary sling for Kaoru to rest her arm in.

"Saitou…" Kaoru whispered as Kenshin slipped the sling over her head. "Is Saitou dead?"

Kenshin was silent for a moment. "Yes, I warned him." He couldn't help but feel responsible. It was his creation that killed Saitou. "I promised you I would never kill again. I'm sorry Kaoru." He bowed his head, his sooty and tangled hair fell across his face.

"Kenshin, you tried to warn him. This isn't your fault." Kaoru protested, wrapping her one good arm around him. "His stubbornness killed him, not you."

"Come on you two. I wanna get out of here." Misao called, her arms wrapped around her. She was spooked and worried about her mother. Kenshin could hear the fear in the girl's voice and stood up straight again. He picked up his sword where he had dropped it and sheathed it.

"We'll have to climb over the rocks, let me go first and find a safe way, then I'll carry each of you one at a time. It's safer this way."

…. . . . . . ……

The trapdoor rattled under the debris before flying open. Kenshin kicked it out of the way and pulled himself from the darkness of the cave to the suddenly light of the dawn. Red and orange morning light bathed what was left of the dojo. He pulled Kaoru and Misao from the darkness and watched as they blinked in the sudden light.

"Oh Kenshin." Kaoru covered her mouth as she gazed about the ruins. The thick wooden beams seemed to be all that was left standing. The rest of the dojo was a pile of burned wood and ashes. The roof was gone, whole walls were gone in some places.

"Wow." Was all Misao could say as she kicked at a pile of clay roof tiles. "The whole dojo is gone."

Kaoru blinked away tears. This was her home. But it was just a building. She was more worried about the students, Megumi and Sano. Did everyone make it out in time? She glanced over at Kenshin, his body was ridged, his hands balled into fists as he gazed about his ruined dojo.

"I'm sorry Kenshin." Kaoru whispered. "I know how much the dojo meant to you." But the girl was silenced by one glaring look by the red-head.

"I'm sorry to see the dojo in ruins, that I am. But nothing means more to me than you Kaoru." He reached out and pulled her against his body and placed a light kiss on her startled lips. "A dojo is just a building, rock and wood and clay. It can be replaced; we can build another dojo somewhere. One just for us where we can teach our own students. I have enough wealth hidden under this place that we can build whatever you want." He paused, his arms holding ever tighter. "But if I lost you Kaoru."

Thinking she had been stabbed, and then seeing her get shot, right in his arms…nothing meant more to him than Kaoru. Not showing himself to the world, having dozens of eyes on him…not even the stupid dojo. All that mattered was that he had her by his side.

" 'Ello! Anyone there!?" Called a voice from the other side of a leaning stone wall.

"That's Sano!" Kaoru cried, pulling away from Kenshin. "Sano! Over here!" There was the sound of wood being kicked and tumbling stone before Sano's spiky brown hair was spotted.

"Boy, am I glad to see you Missy." Sano declared as he cleared a way for him to get through. "I was worried when we couldn't get back into the dojo to find you. Megumi's been worried sick all night."

Almost as if on cue, Megumi rushed past Sano, squeezing though his roughly made walk-way and nearly burst into tears when she spotted her daughter.

"Misao!" She cried, picking up her heels and quickly picking her way through the debris.

"Momma!" Misao sobbed in return and dashed to meet her mother halfway. They met in a hug and cried into each others arms.

"Are you hurt?" Megumi was able to ask between her tears of relief.

"No," Misao struggled to compose herself as she pulled away from her mother's arms. "But Kaoru is, she's been shot." She urgently tugged at Megumi's clothes. Her mother instantly went into doctor mode and quickly made her way to where Kenshin was helping Kaoru to stand, she was so exhausted. It only took Megumi a half minute of poking around the wound area to come to a conclusion.

"The wound isn't bad, but we need to get that bullet out and keep it clean or she'll get an infection."

Kenshin nodded in agreement and ignored Kaoru's weak protests as he scooped her up in his arms and followed Megumi out of the ruins.

……. .. . .. ……. Two Years Later ……. .. . ... …….

"Come on Yahiko, work on that stance." Kaoru called from the yard as she watched her student in the open air dojo.

"Stop yelling and let me think oiy." The boy muttered back, a scowl marring his youthfully handsome features. The boy was quickly growing into his teenage body. Though he was now almost as tall as Kaoru and lanky as a stick, he was rather graceful thanks to his years of swordsmanship.

Kaoru smiled at the boy as his shifted his stance and she let her eyes wander to the back of the dojo where Kenshin was solemnly gazing at his class…a group of six year olds. He wandered between the five of them, fixing their stance with a word or a tap of his hand. Their young faces pulled into serious gazes.

The old dojo had been destroyed. The star, Saitou was dead and the owner, Aoshi…had vanished. Other dojo's took in the children now homeless because of the fire. Kenshin packed up his wealth, his new wife and friends and left the big city for one not as large. He bought a quaint little dojo that was big enough for the both of them and Sano, Misao and Megumi. He was a stranger here in the new town and he didn't have to hide his face anymore. No one thought twice about the old faded x shaped scar on his face.

Kenshin watched Kaoru over the heads of the young children as they performed their various attacks. He smiled, his eyes growing soft and warm. He had gone from living in the shadows all alone to bight warm sunlight with children to teach and more importantly, a wife. He had her to thank. She dragged him from the darkest depths of hell and showed him heaven. A lump rose to his throat as his eyes glanced at her round abdomen. His child grew within her more and more each day. He could not wait until he could hold the creature he and Kaoru had created with their love. He no longer felt like a monster, a phantom ghost of the dojo.

His new obsession was Kaoru, keeping her happy, making her smile. He marveled at her beauty in the daylight. The way her hair reflected blue-black in the sun, how bright and clear her eyes really were now that she was out of the shadows of his seclusion. She was no longer pale, but a warm glowing radiance that sometimes left him breathless.

Kaoru caught him watching her and she blushed beautifully and smiled. Kenshin smiled too. "Now, now." He said softly as the children at his legs tugged at his clothing to get his attention. His was the kind of life he wanted, had dreamed of.

He was finally happy, and at peace.

A/n Sweet and Simple. I never know just how a story is going to end. Sometimes I just write until my gut says it's over. Like in this chapter. It was a wild ride, wasn't it? at first I never thought I would ever get over my writers block. But I would hate to remove a story that was already almost done, and I never want to leave a story unfinished. I'm glad I was able to share this story with all of you. Reviews are loved… and most of all…thank you for reading.