Spring was her favorite season, that is true, however, there was always something she loved about every season. Saya leaned back against the tree she was sitting under and breathed in the cool, crisp fall air and looked up. Saya smiled at the red leaves of the Japanese maple. They rustled and fell around her in the breeze. She leaned back and closed her eyes, just breathing. She folded her arms and stuck them up the sleeves of her light grey haori. The breeze gently pulled at her locks of her dark brown hair. Most of her hair down her back, but the strands that would have fallen on her sholders and around her face were pulled back by a maroon ribbon that matched her hakamas. She knew many would look at her strangely for wearing men's clothes, but she just could not get used to kimonos again, especially after the war. Besides, you could only tell if she was a woman is you looked lcosely. But at a passing glance, it would be easy to mistake her for a man. It made traveling safer, too.
Saya breathed through her nose, smiling softly, trying to relax. However, rustling bushes caught her attention as a small girl stumbled past and dropped her apples.
"Ena." Saya greeted and stood, dusting off her pants and walking forward, holding her staff, "Are you alright?" The little girl stood, gathering the three apples and nodded, smiling, before handing two to Saya. She smiled and took them. "Have you eaten more than just apples?" She asked and the small girl nodded vigorously. "Good, you haven't been eating much lately, I've started to worry." Saya teased. Ena giggled and followed Saya as she started to walk. Saya bit down on an apple and hummed. It was a yummy crisp apple that tasted delicious. The sun was setting, she would have to find them a place to stay tonight, she could smell the rain and dark clouds began to roll in, and she didn't want Ena catching a cold.
Saya stopped as she suddenly remembered something. She forgot to ask Ena for the change back. She stopped and the little one following her bumped into her leg, giggling. Saya turned to her little friend.
"Ena, may I have the change back?" Saya asked quietly. Ena's smile disappeared as she looked at the ground. Saya frowned, worried. "What's wrong, Ena?" She asked, kneeling down next to the child. Ena held out her hand and dropped the money in Saya's hand. Saya counted it. It was all there. She hadn't paid for the apples, or what other foods she had eaten. Saya sighed and Ena hugged her and hid her face in Saya's haori. "Ena, what have I told you? You can't steal anymore. You'll get into trouble. Besides, you don't need to worry about money, not while you're with me." She said, putting her hands on the child's shoulders and gently pushing her back so Ena could look at her. "You know what this means, don't you?" Ena scowled and Saya laughed. "You brought this on yourself, child."
Saya let Ena lead her through the small town by the hand. The town was queit, but a few people were still miling about when Ena stopped at a stall. Behind the counter was a grey haired woman. She leaned over the counter and looked at Ena.
"Oh, it's you." She stated. "I hope you aren't thinking about stealing more from here, little one." She said sternly.
"Go on, Ena." Saya urged gently. Ena stretched out her hand and she placed the money on the counter. The woman looked at it and took it, humming. "I apologize for any trouble we may have caused." Saya said cordially. "I have been trying to break her habit of theft for months now, but a habit learned from survival is a hard one to break."
"Is she your daughter?" The woman asked.
"In a sense." Saya said softly, not bothering to elaborate.
"I see." The woman nodded. "What brings you here?" She asked. Saya shrugged, her smile never leaving her face.
"We are just passing through." She answered. Out of habit, Saya kept things vague. "We are looking for a place to stay the night. Is there an inn around here you would suggest?" The woman hummed as she thought about this.
"At this hour, there is a good possibility of all the rooms being filled." She answered. "However, there is an inn at the other side of town that might still have space. It's a bit dingy though, and not the most popular, but the owner is very kind and is more than willing to offer a good price." Saya smiled.
"Thank you, ma'am." Saya told her. "I appreciate your time and patience. Come, Ena. Let's be going." Say said and gently tugged the child's hand. She didn't notice the look of shock on the older woman's face.
"Wait!" she called out, almost desperately. It startled Saya, and she turned to see the woman leaning across the counter. Saya frowned slightly.
"What is it?" Saya asked.
"Ena." She answered. "The child's name, you said it was Ena, yes?" Saya nodded. Ena, starting to worry, grabbed onto Saya's hakama's starting to hide behind them. Saya let a hand rest on her head, telling her she was safe.
"What of it?" Saya asked quietly. The woman looke around before signaling for them to stay for one moment. She disappeared behind a curtain and they could hear her rummaging around in the back. Saya looked at Ena who looked up at her with uncertainty. Saya looked back at the woman as she returned. The woman came around the counter and crouched next to Ena. She held a box in her hands.
"I don't know why I didn't recognize you before." She mumbled as she opened the box. She continued to speak as she unwrapped what was inside. "I saw you in a dream. I saw you afraid, alone. Your friends could not reach you." She explained. Saya frowned Perhaps she confused her for another child. The woman unwrapped a beautiful tama hair pin. It was black with a red bead near the end. On it, delicate white cranes were painted. "Years ago, I too was in danger. But a kind woman gifted me with this. It saved my life. I hope this will bring you protection." She explained and handed it to Ena who took it gently. "Take care of this, and it will one day take care of you." Ena nodded slowly. She was a little frightened of the woman now.
"Thank you again for your generosity." Saya said, bowing slightly. "We must get going." The woman stood and nodded.
"Be safe. I wish you the best." She told Saya. The two walked away and Ena looked over her shoulder once they were a good distance away. The old woman was looking at her and staring at her with pity. Ena tightened her grip on Saya's hand.
"Don't pay her any mind, Ena." Saya told her, sensing the child's unease. "She's just a superstitious woman." Saya offered her with a smile. Ena could smile. The woman had scared her, and Saya didn't blame her. She knelt down, holding Ena so she would have the child's attention. "Ena, do you trust me?" She asked. Ena nodded and Saya smiled. "Then you have nothing to fear. Nothing will happen to you as long as I am here. I promise." Saya tried her best to be comforting. Ena just nodded and Saya sighed. How could she cheer her up. "Tell you what, how about you go get us some sweets?" She asked, and she cold see Ena start to perk up. "You see that stall over there?" She aksed. Ena looked and nodded to where Saya was pointing. "Why don't you go get us something." She said and gave the child some money. "While you do this, I will be just down the street. I believe I see the inn keeper. I will meet you back at the sweets stall." Ena took the money and nodded. Saya smiled and tapped Ena's nose wih her finger, making the small child scowl and scrunch up her face. "Be sure to pay the man this time." She teased, earning a huff from the child. Saya smiled and stood. She began walking away and Ena watched her go. She huffed again and walked over to the stall.
Ena took her time looking at the sweets. Everything looked amazing. She briefly considered getting something for Saya. She looked at the money in her hand. She didn't want to waist it, but Saya had said not to worry about money.
"See something you like?" An older man asked as he smiled down at her. She closed her fist and looked up at him. He was the shop owner. She smiled and nodded. The man chuckled. "Well, what'll it be?" He asked as he walked behind the counter.
Yahiko kicked himself as he ran. He should have known better than to have run off like he did, especially after what Kenshin had done. They might have said he was free, but their words had no worth. He should have known they'd still be after him.
Yahiko turned down and alley and came out on a busy street. Maybe he'd lose them in the crowd, maybe his friends won't ever have to know about this! But his hopes were dashed when he say the storm was starting to chase away the crowd. It was going to rain any minute now, and he heard thunder roar over head.
Yahiko looked over his shoulder and his stomach plummeted when he saw they were getting closer. He pushed fasted, but when he looked in front of him again, he saw a small girl right in front of him and he didn't have time to stop. He crashed into her and heard her let out an oof. The two fell to the floor and Yahiko's breath was knocked out of him. It took him a few seconds to be able to get on his hands and knees, but it was too late. He was hoisted off the ground as a malicious laugh came from behind him.
"Though you could out run us, hu, ya little runt!" The man laughed as he brought yahiko up to eye level. The boy tried kicking and squirming, anything ot get free.
"Let go of you, you jerk!" He shouted. The man just aughed harder.
"You really think we'd let you go, just ike that?" he asked, mockingly. "Looks like he still hasn't learned, fellas!" The two men with him started to laugh.
"I say we teach him a lesson." One man suggested, cracking his knuckles. The man holding Yahiko was about to respond when someone kicked his shin. He shouted, but didn't drop Yahiko. He looked down to see a small girl in a green kimono with black hair glaring up at him as she began to strike his leg with her fists.
"Wht are you doing? Get out of here!" He yelled at her. The man holding him kicked her to the ground while the third man picked her up by the front of her kimono.
"Hey, boss. Looks like he got himself a friend." He said and began shaking her.
"Leave her alone!" Yahiko yelled as he kept trying to get free. HE didn't have to protest much. The man holding the girl shouted out in pain and dropped her. She landed with an oof and scrambled off, running as fast as she could, leaving behind a small tama pin.
"She bit me! The little animal bit me!" The man shouted.
"Go get her." The leader ordered. "We don't need anyone ratting us out." The man nodded and ran after her.
"Leave her alone!" Yahiko shouted, "she has nothing to do with you!" He argue as they stepped into a vacant alley. The man tossed him onto the cement wall and Yahiko winced. He didn't have time to recover as the man kicked him in the stomach.
Ena ran as fast as her legs cold carry her. She shouldn't have wandered off, but she got bored waiting for Saya. She hoped Saya wouldn't be mad, but she didn't want the boy to get hurt. The men were big and mean, and she knew someone who could help.
Hope flooded her heart when she saw Saya talking to a man at the inn. She pushed faster towards her friend and crashed into Saya, nearly knocking her over. Immediately, she begn tuggin on the woman's hakamas.
"Ena, what's wrong?" She asked, seeing the fear on the girl's face. Ena began pulling her in the direction of the men. She looked at the man. "I'm sorry, please excuse me. I will be right back." The older man looked at her sadly.
"I cannot promise the room will still be here when you return." He told her. Saya sighed and nodded. Better make this quick. Saya let Ena lead her quickly down the street until They came to a halt with Ena shrieking and hiding behind Saya. The man who had grabbed her had just come around the corner and was making a beeline for the child. He reminded Saya of a raging bull.
"You little brat!" He shouted and started to reach for her. Saya grabbed his wrist and twisted it, bending his arm to force him on his knees. He shouted out in pain before looking at Saya with hatred. He was about to open his mouth to yell at her, but Saya stomped on his face, kicking him into the dirt. Ena began to pull on her again, and the two ran. Ena ran ahead and Saya kept up, concerned as to what she had gotten herself into this time.
Saya frowned when they turned the corner into an alley to see two men kicking and stomping on a boy. Ena hugged the corner and Saya passed her. He left her staff and bag next to Ena and got ready to step in. She quietly stepped up behind one man and threw him back, headfirst into a wall and then addressed the second man. He had turned to her and was about to punch her, but she deflected it and struck him in the face. He reeled back, shouting, and holding his nose. He couldn't see with all of the tears and blood from his broken nose.
Saya felt a hand from the other man on her shoulder and she grabbed it and twisted it, while pulling and using her weight to flip him over her, getting him on his back in front of her, and twisted his arm sharply, breaking it. He too howled in pain, and she ignored him, looking at the boy. He was sitting up and grabbing his stomach, looking at her in shock. Her eyebrows raised a bit.
"Are you alright?" She asked. He started to nod but his eyes widened and Saya knew why. She felt a hand yank her hair sharply, but she grabbed his wrist and she turned, delivering a roundhouse kick first to his torso, then to his face, knocking him out. He fell, but pulled out some strands of hair and her ribbon, making her hiss. She huffed and crouched down to get her ribbon before turning to the boy. She knelt in front of him. "Are you able to stand?" She asked. He nodded and she offered him a hand which he took. He was too stunned to argue.
"You took them all out without breaking a sweat." He told her. She nodded.
"Yes," She answered. "I do remember that." She told him as she looked at the men on the ground before looking at the boy. "What's your name?"
"Yahiko." He told her, still awetruck by her skill and speed. She reminded him of someone. "Who are you?" He asked suddenly.
"Saya." She answered with a smile. "I'm Saya. And this little one is Ena." She said and held out an arm, beckoning for Ena to come closer. The small girl ran to her leg and hung on, making Saya laugh. She rested her hand on the girl's shoulder. "She came and got me when you two were in trouble."
"Sorry about that." He said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's no trouble." She answered. "I'm sure this little one would have managed to get into some form of trouble on her own." Ena frowned at Saya. "Where are your parents?"
"What makes you think I need any?!" Yahiko shouted, defensive.
"Well, you are still young." She pointed out and Yahiko crossed his arms, huffing.
"They're dead! Besides, I can take care of myself!" He argued. Saya smiled and pat his head.
"I'm sure you can, but everyone needs help every once in a while." She told him. "So are you alone, then?" She asked. He frowned at her and she just laughed. "Let's go find your group."
"Hey! How do you know I have a group?" He asked, flustered and angry. Saya just smiled at him.
"Lucky guess." She told him shrugging. "But you do have a group yes? I would feel more comfortable sticking with you until we found your group, just in case anyone else tried to pick a fight."
"I told you, I can take care of myself!" He shouted at her.
"Please, indulge an old, worrying woman." She sked with a soft smile. Yahiko agreed with a huff and followed them out of the alley, refusing any help, even though he was quite sore. As the two girls walked head of him, he spotted something on the ground. It was Ena's tama pin. He picked it up.
"Ena." He called gently, stopping the two women. "You dropped this earlier." He handed it to her and she took it, smiling. She startled him by hugging him around his chest. She was a few inches shorter than him and came right under his chin. She released him quickly and grabbed Saya's hand. Yahiko followed them as they walked down the street. He kept his pain to himself, but Saya knew he was hurting and slowed her pace.
"If you don't mind, I need to stop by the inn." She said over her shoulder and Yahiko just grunted. Thunder rumbled over head and Saya looked up. The storm clouds had darkened and Saya sighed as she felt a few raindrops fall. "Oh dear." She sighed. It started to mist, but she never picked up her speed. Instead, she shook off her outer haori and let Yahiko and Ena hide underneath it in an attempt to keep them dry. They arrived at the inn and Ena and Yahiko hid under an awning as Saya spoke with the inn keeper.
Yahiko kept Ena close and kept saya's haori around her and his shoulders. He winced and grabbed his side. It hurt to breathe but he didn't want to let them know he was hurt. He looked at the odd woman. She was short and dressed in men's clothes. Her hair was long and brown with slight waves to it. It fell around her shoulders now that the ribbon was out. She hadn't bothered to put it back in and as she walked, she seemed to use her staff to lean on, and it almost looked as if she had a limp, yet she fought with no issue at all. But there was one thing that really stood out. She had a scar. It was thin and long, stretching from between her eye and ear, all the way down to her jaw. And if he wasn't mistaken, it looked as if it started again on her clavicle, but maybe it was just a trick of the light.
Yahiko watched as she spoke with the man who looked at her sadly. It was pouring by now and getting darker by the second. It looked as if she had lost her room at the inn. Yahiko felt a pang of guilt. She would probably have that room if it wasn't for him. He put the haori back over him and Ena and walked the two of them over to her.
"Miss, do you need a place to stay?" He asked her. Saya looked at him, curious.
"Yes, but don't worry." She told him with a smile. "I will find a place for us to stay."
"I can help." He told her confidently. "You can stay with my friends and I!" He told her firmly. She waved her hand and led the two back over to the awning.
"Yahiko, that's very kind but-" He cut her off.
"Let me help! It's my fault you lost your room!" He argued, determined. "Besides, didn't you say it's ok to ask for help?" Saya smiled at him and almost laughed. She looked at Ena. Ena's safety and comfort came first. Yahiko was offering a chance of a roof to sleep under, and Ena seemed comfortable with him. In fact, the way she was grabbing onto his sleeve leet her know Ena had gotten quite attatched to the boy.
"Very well," Saya said. "Why don't you take me there, and we will speak with your friends." She told him and Yahiko grinned before grabbing her arm and pulling her into a small jog. "Come on!" he told her excitedly.
"Yahiko still isn't back yet." Kaoru said. "I looked everywhere and I can't find him."
"I'm sure he's fine." Sanosuke offered, leaning back against the wall. "Probably still blowing off steam."
"But if he's out too long, he'll catch a cold." Kaoru voiced her concern. It had been raining for a while. "I thought when he ran off he'd come home. Do you think something could have happened?" Kenshin stood and addressed her.
"Would you feel better if I went out and looked for him?" Kenshin offered. Kaoru hummed.
"I would." She told him. "Thank you kenshin." She said and the two started to walk toward's the front door.
"It's no trouble." Kenshin told her with a smile. "besides, it is getting late. If he is still blowing off steam, perhaps someone should bring him home." He told her and opened the front door. Kaoru looked out and gasped. Kenshin looked as well and almost froze. He frowned at the tallest figure in the group.
Three people were walking up the walkway towards the door. It was yahiko, a small girl, and a short woman. One look at Yahiko and Kaoru was running off the front porch and into the rain. He was bruised and bloodied.
"Yahiko!" she called out and ran to them. "Yahiko, what happened?" She asked as she reached them. Yahiko came out from under the haori.
"I'm fine Kaoru." He told her.
"What are you talking about?" She shouted. "You're bruised all over and you have blood on your face!"
"I'm ok!" He assured her and pointed to the woman behind him. "She helped me out." Kaoru looked behind him and saw the woman for the first time.
"Oh! I'm sorry." Kaoru told her and bowed in greeting. "I didn't see you there. Thank you for watching out for him." She told the woman. "My name is Kaoru." The woman bowed slightly. "Please come in, we shouldn't be out in the rain for so long!" She stated and gently grabbed the woman's arm, leading them inside and out of the rain. Once out of the rain, Saya let her Haori hang by her side and Kaour could see her face. She saw the long scar but also saw the kind warmth in her brown eyes as she looked at the little girl. She was no older than the doctor's grandchildren. Kaoru looked at Kenshin who had been extremely quiet. She looked at him, worried about the look on his face. He looked surprised, but not alarmed or worried. Saya leaned her staff against the wall and was using her sleeve to help dry off the child's hair, but looked up to say something when her gaze landed on Kenshin. She seemed to freeze and Kaoru looked between the two. "I'm sorry." She spoke quietly. "Do you two know each other?" She asked. Saya stood slowly and stared at him. Yahiko looked on, confused as well.
"Kenshin Himura." The woman stated. Kenshin smiled softly at her.
"Saya." He answered. Ena looked up at her friend and tugged on her sleeve. Saya looked down at her and picked her up, resting her on her hip. Saya sniffed and turned to the group.
"Kenshin, Miss Kaoru, this is my ward, Ena." She introduced. "She was the one who alerted me to Yahiko's distress." Kenshin took a step forward and Saya had to resist the urge to step back. Kenshin smiled at the child.
"Thank you Miss Ena, for helping my friend." He told her and turned his attention to Saya. "Is this your daughter then, Saya? I have to say, it is difficult to see you as the motherly type." He teased. Saya pretended to pout but couldn't fight the smile.
"No," Saya told him quietly. "I found her abandonded and she seemed to take a liking to me." A clap of thunder shook the house, scaring the small child, who tightened her grip on the woman before them. Other than that, it was quiet and Kaoru and Yahiko could cut the tension with a knife.
"Ok, that's it." Yahiko shouted, startling everyone. "What's going on here? How do you two know each other? Was she your girlfriend, Kenshin?" Yahiko fired off question after question, the last one to embarrass Kenshin. Kenshin and Saya blushed and agressviely denied it, and Kaoru smacked him upside the head hard enough to shut him up.
"Yahiko, don't be so rude!" She shouted. Yahiko was about to shout back at her when another door slid open revealing Sanosuke.
"What's going on?" He asked and saw Saya and Ena. He nodded at them. "Who're they?"
"That's Saya and Ena, they're going to stay the night!" Yahiko announced.
"Excuse you, this isn't your house, you can't just offer rooms to strangers!" Sanosuke told him.
"And you can't kick them out." Yahiko shouted. "And they're not strangers, they helped me out today! Besides, what are you gonna do? Make them go sleep out in the rain?" He shouted at the taller man. Ena began to squirm and Saya set her down, only for the little one to run straight into Yahiko's back, hugging him tightly from behind and burying her face in his back. Saya chuckled to herself, as did the rest of the adults.
"Well, it seems like she's taken a liking to you, Yahiko, that she has." Kenshin told him.
"you're more than welcome to stay." Kaoru offered to Saya. "But we ate a small while ago. But if you're hungry, I'm sure we have something we can whip up for you real quick."
"That's very kind, but we already ate as well." Saya told her. Yahiko and Sanosuke kept shouting at each other in the background and Kenshin stepped closer to the two women. "We'll just be staying for the evening. Thank you very much for your hospitality, miss Kaoru."
"A friend of Kenshin and Yahiko is welcome here any time." Kaoru told her. Saya smiled at her and brushed some wet hair behind her hair. "Oh! You're soaked!" Kaoru announced and grabbed her arm. "you can borrow some of my clothes while we hang up yours to dry! And I'm sure Dr. Gensei's grand daughters have an extra kimono here Ena can borrow!" Saya tried to protest, but Kaoru had a good grip on her and pulled her down the hall. Kenshin watched her go with a smile on his face. It is good to see his old friend again.
Sorry this is so short, and shitty. Ive been writing this for a week and this is the best I got for the intro. Don't worry, it will get much better, ijust had to get this part out of the way. Please reveiw