Hey everyone, long time no see. So...I have begun this story again. I was having so much trouble figuring out how to fit Rurouni Kenshin into Cinderella until I realized it would be way easier to fit Cinderella into Rurouni Kenshin! So here we go again, with another new beginning and hopefully a way better story this time around.

The standard disclaimer applies to both Rurouni Kenshin and all versions of Cinderella. Enjoy!

What do you know about yourself? What are your stories? The ones you tell yourself, and the ones told by others. Everyone begins somewhere, but not just once, we begin many times. Over and over, we start our own tales, write our own stories, whether our lives are long or short. Until at last all our beginnings come down to just one end and the tale of who we are is done.

This is the first story that Kaoru Kamiya ever heard about herself: that she came into the world before her time. And that her coming was so sudden and swift it carried everything before it away, including her mother's life.

Still, she had her father, a warrior turned successful merchant, who could afford the best teachers in all things. Even so, he felt she needed a mother's care. And so he married again, choosing for his second wife a woman of title, the Baroness Aiko Morine-Kamiya, with two daughters just Kaoru's age, by name, Takara and Hanako.

For a time they lived in relative peace and prosperity, "relative" because real peace and prosperity are not possible when you live under the rule of a tyrant who squanders his fortunes, looks to make war with his neighbors, and believes he is above the laws. Eventually, though, his nobles had enough and, led by Archduke Seijuro and his son, began to rebel. Emperor Shishio was furious that any would dare to oppose him, and rode out at the head of his army to meet the rebels. The battle of Toba-Fushimi was swift and decisive, for Emperor Shishio had over-estimated the loyalty of those who still followed him, but many good men lost their lives that day, including Koshijiro Kamiya.

It was upon the untimely death of her father that Kaoru's step-mother revealed her true nature. Cold, cruel, and bitterly jealous of Kaoru's charm and beauty, she was grimly determined to forward the interests of her own two daughters. Thus as time went by, their chateau fell into disrepair for the family fortunes were squandered on the vain and selfish step-sisters while Kaoru was abused, humiliated, and finally forced to become a servant in her own home.

Eight long years would pass before her circumstances would change in a most unusual way.

It began on an evening like any other. Kaoru and her fellow servant Tae Sekihara had finished serving dinner and were standing by in the servants' alcove should the family need anything, when Lady Aiko made an announcement.

"I was approached on my walk today by one of Lord Kanryu's retainers. In the course of our discussion he mentioned his need of a young vassal, and I told him I had just the boy for him."

In the alcove Tae's eyes widened as she realized the Lady's implication. Aiko was speaking of Tae's sister's son, Yahiko Myojin. After losing his father as a baby and his mother just a year ago, Yahiko had come to live with them. He was a quiet sort, hard-working and fiercely loyal, and had easily become the third member of Kaoru's little family. Now Lady Aiko meant to sell the boy to cover one of her many debts.

Kaoru grabbed Tae's arm to keep her from bursting into the dining room, then gave her a look that said she would find a way to handle it, later.

But it didn't turn out quite the way Kaoru was hoping.

"Please Stepmother, he's only a boy. There must be something…"

"It is too late Kaoru, the transaction has already been made. Yahiko belongs to Mr. Tanishi now."

"But-"

"Enough. I'll hear no more of this, do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Kaoru rose from her kneeling position, feeling utterly defeated. She had hoped that her asking for mercy on young Yahiko's behalf would be enough to change her stepmother's mind, but she had underestimated Lady Aiko's need for money and desire to see others suffer.

"May I at least see Yahiko into town tomorrow?" Kaoru questioned, keeping her head bowed and her hands properly clasped.

Her stepmother sighed. "I suppose, as long as you are back in a timely manner."

"Yes, ma'am."

The next day found the three of them in the kitchen, saying their goodbyes. Tae had packed a bag with Yahiko's extra clothes and some food, and was reminding him tearfully to be a good boy and mind his manners.

"Don't cry aunt Tae, I'll be alright." Yahiko said, hugging her. Tae just nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.

"I'll find a way to make this right." Kaoru said, unsure if she was talking to them or herself, but whichever it was, she meant it.

The walk into town was both too long and too short for Kaoru and Yahiko, but before they knew it they had arrived at Mr. Tanishi's residence. A short, squat man, Tanishi had the look of one who would do anything for money and probably enjoy it. Kaoru had a bad feeling about Yahiko being there.

"Thank you for seeing the boy to me." Tanishi's voice was oily smooth, and his face was anything but pleased to have her there.

"Mr. Tanishi," Kaoru strove for a polite tone, "May I have a word with you?"

Mr. Tanishi nodded, sending Yahiko off with another servant.

"What can I do for you, young lady?"

"I prefer honesty, so I'll just come right out and say it. Is there any way that you would release Yahiko from his obligation to you?"

Tanishi studied her, as if calculating the possibilities and advantages she might offer. "I might be persuaded to let the boy go, for the right price." His dark eyes traveled up and down her body, lingering on the curves concealed only by her plain dress.

"I don't deal in that kind of currency." Kaoru said, her skin crawling under his lingering gaze.

"Too bad, because I won't take less than 50 Ryō for the boy."

Kaoru sputtered. "50 Ryō!? You must be joking!" He was asking for a small fortune, but clearly didn't think it was funny. "Fine, I'll find a way to come up with the money. You just make sure nothing happens to Yahiko before I get it."

He smiled then, but it certainly didn't make Kaoru feel any better. "We'll take good care of little Yahiko, miss, don't you worry about that."

Kaoru made her solitary way home, walking slowly, because she was tired or because she didn't want to face Tae's sadness she couldn't decide. 'Otousan,' she prayed silently, 'I need your help, your guidance. Yahiko can't stay in that awful place, but how do I raise the money to get him back? Otousan, how I wish you were here to help me…'

Her thoughts were interrupted when someone called her name. "Mr. Maekawa. I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."

Miyauchi Maekawa was an old friend of Kaoru's father, who now owned and ran a popular local dojo. Kaoru had attended class there when she had free time since her father had passed away.

"That's alright. We haven't seen you at the dojo in some weeks, I was beginning to worry."

Kaoru smiled up at the man, always impressed by the kindness he showed her. "That's very kind of you, Mr. Maekawa, but as you can see I'm fine. I've simply been too busy to slip away."

"I'll bet you haven't heard then."

"Heard what?" Kaoru asked, curious now.

"About the tournament of swords; it's being hosted by the Crown Prince himself. Of course, it's nobility only, but perhaps a few of us might be able to sneak in and watch some of the bouts."

Kaoru laughed. Older than her father by a few years, but still acting the part of the adventurous teenager. His eyes twinkled as he reached into a pocket and handed her a folded paper, then he bid her good afternoon and continued on his way. Kaoru read the printed sheet, and then raced the rest of the way home.

"Tae! Tae!" she cried, skidding to a stop in the garden where Tae was weeding. "I know how to get Yahiko back!"

Kaoru handed her the flyer about the upcoming tournament, where the grand prize was listed as 100 Ryō.