Starting Over

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X... Actually... I don't own anything... please don't sue... just enjoy... and no stealing idea!!

Also, thanks to donna8157 for beta-reading the chapter!!

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Kaoru typed on the computer and rubbed her eyes sleepily. In the other room her friend and boss, Lila, was screaming into the phone.

"What the fuck do you mean you can't do it over the fax or the phone?? Face to face?! Do you know how busy I am, Shinomori?" Lila shouted.

Kaoru let out a tiresome sigh. It seemed that the transaction wit the Aoiya Inc. wasn't going all that well.

"Goddamn you and have a bright and happy morning, Mr. Aoshi." Lila said, changing her tone completely and slamming the phone down.

Kaoru sighed, "Lila... how many times did I tell you not to yell at other powerful people who can threaten our business?"

Lila giggled, "Aoiya Inc.? They have nothing on me!! I just want to take down Kanryuu Takeda. That's our common goal or I wouldn't have to work with Mr. Iceman over there who lives freakin' half-way across the world in Japan."

Lila sighed as her cell phone ringed. "I disconnected the phone so how the hell did Aoshi Shinomori get my cell number?"

"Who knows, who cares?" Kaoru mumbled under her breath.

Lila put her phone in the ear; opening her mouth, ready to scream except for the scream died down in her throat. She seemed to listen to him. A scheming grin lit up on her face as she began to nod and look at Kaoru once in a while. Kaoru did not like that look... she did not like it at all.

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"Please someone explain to me how only a day ago I was in California, enjoying myself in a secluded mansion near the beach and now I'm in Kyoto, Japan, waiting for Mr. Ice-Blue-Eyes to show up!?" Kaoru screamed. The people in the airport stared strangely at her and Kaoru just noticed how attention grabbing she was.

She growled at the people who dared to stare at her and went on her way. She carried only a light purse with her, for her makeup. Lila promised her many clothes and a lot of money for this job. And it wasn't even all that hard.

Just being in Japan made her insane. She felt cold and quickly ran to the driver who held the name, "Lila Johansson."

"Ms. Johansson?" the driver asked in accented English. Well, they had sent an English-speaking driver, now had they?

"Actually, I prefer Lila-san but if you wish to speak to me in English, that's fine." Kaoru spoke in perfect Japanese. Like a native.

The man made a surprised gesture and spoke, "I'm glad you speak Japanese... English is rather difficult for me."

Kaoru smiled warmly at him, "Yes. English is rather hard... So... are we leaving now?"

The driver smacked his forehead, "I'm sorry Lila-san. Right this way."

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"You what?!" Misao yelled.

"I invited Lila-san to stay with us. It seemed that the deal was not going very well, even with all the technology we had. It would just be better for us to talk face-to-face." Aoshi replied calmly.

"But, what about Kenshin and the rest?" Misao asked.

"What about them?"

"They're supposed to be here and stay in Kyoto with us!! Remember?" Misao reminded him.

"Yes... They are... They will have the pleasure of meeting Lila-san."

"You mean the screaming bitch you're always talking to on the phone?" A new voice added to the conversation. Aoshi felt the ki of Sano, Kenshin, Megumi and Yahiko.

"Oi!! Rooster head!! Not even a hi?" Misao berated as her eyes lit up at the sight of her friends.

"Rooster head? Why you weasel!" Sano countered back.

"Maa, maa... we shouldn't be fighting." Kenshin chided gently from behind.

"Why is Kanryuu so important?"

"Megumi-san asked the favor of me. Besides, wouldn't it be more polite to give my old... boss a warning before he starts anything dangerous?" Aoshi sipped his tea.

"He doesn't need the opium anymore but he might invent even more dangerous drugs," Megumi whispered from behind Sano.

"I bet Kenshin could just go in and kick his ass!" Yahiko shouted.

"No swearing, kid!" Misao scolded him.

"Don't call me a kid!!" he yelled at her.

The phone rang amidst this all. "Shut up," said Aoshi. It was so rare that Aoshi would give a direct order on them all that they just watched with wide eyes as Aoshi put the phone on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Yes, Beshimi. What is it?"

"I found Lila-san. She speaks Japanese perfectly! Almost as if she were a native. She's nothing like you described. First of all, she has black hair, blue eyes. The only thing that you said about her that fits is her temper. She can scream bloody murder. Let me tell you.  But if you talk to her a bit, she's rather nice."

"What color is her hair again?" Aoshi asked, his voice suddenly sharp.

"Black... did I say anything wrong?"

"Yes... Beshimi... The real Lila... her hair is blonde... she has brown eyes, too. And she's definitely not nice..."

"What should I do??"

Aoshi sighed. "Just bring her to my mansion... we'll figure something out."

As soon as he hung up the phone, it rang again, Aoshi putting it again on the speaker.

"Mr. Shinomori?" an English voice came.

"Ahh... yes, Ms. Lila. I'm sorry, it seems that someone played a cruel joke on us... Someone disguised herself as you and tricked our driver... I'll have another person get you right away..."

"Uhh... the person who disguised herself as me... She is me..."

"Excuse me?" Misao asked in thickly accented English.

"Exactly what I meant. I was too busy to be in Kyoto. I have my own business to run you know... That's why I sent my best friend and secretary. Kaoru Kamiya. I'm-"

The rest of her words were a blur as the people in the room blinked.

"Kaoru Kamiya?? Are you sure that's her name??" Aoshi yelled in to the phone.

"Yes... Kamiya Kaoru, to say it in the Japanese way... Well, I have to be going... Please give her the same respect you would give me..."

-beep-

"Oh gods..." Misao sobbed.

After all these years... they finally found her.

A/N: I'm almost close to finishing the other stories I thought I might post another one... you guys will have to wait for a while until I update on this... but you never know... please review!! I want to see if you guys like this story... PLEASE review!!

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