Disclaimer:

Rurouni Kenshin and its characters do not belong to me. This story and the orginal characters however are mine AND mine alone.

This story takes place in an alternate universe, where Soujirou still met Shisio. But instead of killing his family, he was safed by Aoshi and Okina and brought up to be a member of the Oniwabanshuu.

This story is a Soujirou/Misao fic, with brotherly relationship between Soujirou and Aoshi as well as sibling relationship with Misao and Soujirou. Of course there will still be a phase of Misao's childhood infatuation for Aoshi. Hope you like it!!!!

Chapter 1: Soujirou's Salvation, Welcome to the Aoiya!

"Somebody, anyone please help me!!!!" the little 8 years old boy was screaming over and over again while running away from his so called 'brothers' fearing for his life as they pursued him with their katanas in their hands. Unlike the other times where he was 'merely' beaten up by them, they were seriously trying to kill him now. He had to escape them, because he wanted to live.

The rain started punding mercilessly and unfortunately he slipped due to the mud on the ground beneath his feet. Resigning himself to the fall the little boy closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.

'Oh no, now they will be able to catch me and kill me. I do not want to die yet, but I am simply too weak. Maybe Shisio-san was right:The strong live and the weak survive. Then again is it wrong to be weak and to still want to live? I know that I am weak but I do want to live. I don't know, is it wrong?' This is what the boy was thinking as he braced himself for the impact with the ground. To his surprise it never came and he felt himself being caught in two strong arms and felt himself being steadied on his own legs again. At first he thought that it was one of his brothers trying to hold him as the other one executed him but then the hands suddenly left him and he suddenly heard his brothers shouting and metal clanking against each other. So he slowly opened his eyes and what a surprise did he get this time.

The moment he opened his eyes he was greeted by the sight of his brothers trying to fight off two men, who were wearing navy blue ninja attires. One of the ninjas seemed to be around 18 whereas the other seemed to be pretty old and in his late 40s or so. The fight however ended in seconds and it was even easy for him to recognize that his brothers never stood a chance at all. It also surprised him that he did not see blood anywhere and before he knew it, the older ninja was suddenly by his side with a gentle smile on his face.

"Boy, daijoubu ka? Did they hurt you?"

"Ano, no they didn't I am alright really. Oji-san, domo arigatou for your and your friend's help but they will still kill me the moment they wake up. So… I… ano… it's okay. I just pack my things and wander off from here." Soujirou replied with his empty smile still plastered on his face.

Okina who looked into his eyes however knew that the boy was secretely wishing that he could have his and Aoshi's protection all the time, he also could see loneliness and fear in the boys eyes. That is why he gave Aoshi a questioning look only to see his Okashira walking towards the little boy, taking hold on one of his shoulders.

"Matte, what is your name little boy?" Aoshi asked. (REMEMBER AT THAT TIME AOSHI WAS NOT YET OBSESSED WITH BEING THE STRONGEST SO HE HASN'T BECOME AN ICICLE YET =D )

Soujirou was surprised to see concern and friendliness on the young ninja's voice so he answered him, "Watashi wa Seta Soujirou desu" he said this time with a genuine smile on his face. He also noticed that the young ninja has yet to remove his hand from his shoulder so Soujirou gave him a questioning look only to have Aoshi and Okina – who somehow managed to sneak next to Aoshi- smiling at him.

Aoshi then answered the boy with a reassuring smile before Okina finally answered, "Soujirou-chan, would you like to come and stay with us? I am Okina, but you can call me Jiya, and this young man next to you is Shinomori Aoshi, he is the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu"

"The Oniwabanshuu?" Soujirou asked with wide innocent eyes.

"Hai, the Oniwabanshuu – a large spying network in Japan. So Soujirou, do you want to come with Jiya and me? I would gladly be your aniki and we can be family – a real family." Aoshi answered letting go of Soujirou's shoulder.

"HONTO NI? YOU WANT TO BE MY FAMILY???" Soujirou exclaimed in joy.

"Hai" Aoshi answered, not managing to hide his grin.

"I do, I really wanna go with you. Demo… do you still want me to come eventhough I…" Soujirou suddenly lost all his cheerfulness and looked to the ground only to have Jiya lifting his chin up to look at the two elder men again.

"Eventhough what, Sou-chan?" Jiya said affectionately when he saw unshed tears in the young boy's eyes.

"Eventhough I am a bastard and my 'brother' said nobody would love or want or respect me for that." Soujirou finally managed to choke out.

Aoshi and Jiya were startled to hear this, not because they were disgusted by the fact but more because they simply could not comprehend how anyone could make the innocent and adorable young boy standing in front of them feel so inferior about being born out of wedlock. True it was rather disgraceful, but it was not the boy's fault and he certainly does not deserve to be treated the way he was only because of that background.

"Iie, Soujirou! What they said is wrong, you are not less than ANYONE else. Do you hear me? We will respect and love you. And we DO want you as a part of the family." Aoshi blurted out once again startling the young boy.

Smiling hopefully Soujirou finally answered, "Really? Then can I become your ototo (younger brother)?"

"Hai" Aoshi answered and smiled, taking hold of the younger boy's hand. He then continued, "Ah, and by the way Soujirou, you will even have an imoto back in Kyoto at the Aoiya – the place we are staying at. Her name is Makimachi Misao, I am sure she won't mind if you call her Misao-chan."

Soujirou nodded excitedly hearing the news and so he wandered off with Okina and Aoshi back to the Aoiya, readying himself to meet his new family.

**2 days later**

"Okon, Omasu. Where are you? We are home!" Jiya said when he entered the Aoiya at midnight together with Aoshi, who was carrying a sleeping Soujirou on his back.

Soon after noises could be heard and in a record time of seconds two yound ladies emerged from the staris looking sleepy with hairs sticking out in all possible directions. Their sleepiness however seemed to be dispelled instanteneously at the sight of the sleeping boy, aka Soujirou.

As if on cue, the two teenagers took the now half awake Soujirou from Aoshi's back and screamed "KAWAIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" waking up the entire neighbourhood except Misao – miraculously!- and startling poor Soujirou out of his sleep. Before he managed to take a hold of the situation his cheeks were already pinched maniacally by the two ladies and his hair was ruffled. In the meanwhile Aoshi sweatdropped at the sight of the scene whereas Okina only gave an amused laugh.

After both Okon and Omasu settled down, Okina then proceeded in introducing the boy to them as well as to Shiro, Hannya, Beshimi and the others who - after being woken up by the rucus made – proceeded to the dining hall of the Aoiya.

"Everybody! I want you to meet Seta Soujirou. He is going to be part of our family now and of course part of the Oniwabanshuu. I hope you will give him a warm welcome and teach him all there is to know. Now, good night. Ah and before I forget it, Soujirou-chan, your room will be on the upper floor just next to Aoshi's. Aoshi will take you there, now have a nice rest and sleep well. As we have told you everything on our way here, your training will begin tomorrow."

Soujirou nodded sleepily but he still had a contended smile plastered on his face despite of his tiredness and so he followed Aoshi to his room to retire for the day.

To be continued

A.N. Soooo people what do you think? Review!!! Review!!! Review!!!! Thank you =D