Author's note:

I don't own Ruruoni Kenshin, if I was I would tell you . Hello everyone this is the first fic I've written but second to be published. I hope you like it. Please don't forget to review so at least I know it's being read.

Chapter 1

As the white rain pour from the heavens I watched my footsteps disappear on the warm blanket of snow. As my heart shivers with the cruelty of the winter, a heart was warmed not a far. My stature brought delight to another, whom I may never know the name. I fear to glance back at him for he might leave and never come again, like a dream we try to take and grasp or like breath which we so long to breathe but we blew away. I wish I was in his place and not here and so I could admire him and his broad shoulders. To think that such warmth even existed would give me the slightest delight. In such a deserted walk of Tokyo one could really find the delights of the heart.

My heart beats to see his face; my soul craves to unmask this man who gives me joy. For one who finds worth in me something I cannot do for myself it was a dream come true.

If I just take the slightest chance and my soul would be at peace forever. I turned and saw nothing but my footsteps in the snow and another which has gone away all of a sudden. I gave out a sigh and continued my way and started to cry, I will never see him, never.

Why was fate so cruel to me? Why would it not give me my one heart's desire? But fate has been so kind to me and I have asked too much. I asked for love and here it was, I asked for warmth and it gave me a home. I have gone too far to want this dream. But there was no use to pursue this dream, for soon I would be another's then never his. There is no use to struggle with this truth.

My dark purple hair swayed along with the cold winter air as I made my way from that walk to the bustling roads of Tokyo. As I saw familiar lights, bamboo forest starting to clear I took a deep breath. The sky was unclear, misty with all the snow fall, like my heart who continues to weep.

As the lights closed on me and as I saw my world my tears stopped flowing. It was a time to play the game of pretend. It was my favorite game, being Lady Megumi of the Takani Clan I had been trained for such. Dealing with powerful and treacherous men I was to always regain composure. Never did I show signs of weakness; my father a great doctor taught me this. In order to live I must be strong.

This is one of the lessons I was forced to learn at a young age. As my father served for the Tokugawa as his medic, he was granted many armies at his disposal. This was rather the custom since; many were targeting him due to this special bond between my father and Lord Tokugawa. To dispose of my father, would mean a lot to those plotting to establish a new government and end the Tokugawa's reign. Yet this all I knew about the agreement, as he gives service we shall attain protection. My father wanted to live us out of this matter that is why none of us has even seen him for months now. But today my lady in waiting has called me and motioned me to go to my father's room.

As I walked through the passage, snow fell on the ground again, I walked slowly avoiding any sound and I continued to contemplate about the reason why he would want to see me.

I had never been to father's room but today I will. I never expected it to be this soon though. As heiress to our clan, I must marry in order to continue our heritage and to do so means entering the bonds of marriage. Marriage for me was such a trivial thing, without love. Without love one can be spared from pain of losing their life with the man they love. I usually laugh at this thought knowing nothing about it, till the day I met that man, the man who changed my life, the one whose footsteps lingered behind mine; marking his trail. As I brushed these thoughts from my head, I focused at the task before me, to meet the man my family chose for me and be his wife, forever. That was all that mattered, to be his wife, with or without love.

The room was beautiful, the swords of my forefathers hung on the wall. Scrolls and paper of every nature was on my father's desk. A beautiful painting of a flower was behind my father, who was seated at his desk. In front of him was my husband whose face I could not see yet. Normal couple's would usually fall in love first and muster the courage to ask for the woman's hand then seek the favor of the girl's parents. Yet our marriage wasn't that of a normal couple, it was more of the tying of two families as comrade at arms. One bond which must follow custom at all times and embed every aspect of tradition at all times this is my marriage. As custom dictates, he has come to formally meet me and ask my hand and be his wife.

I watched silently as he spoke with my father, he's movement was graceful and well-rehearsed as any man of good nature be. His voice was mellow and pleasant to hear, cool yet not forbidding. I was attracted at how he would speak to my father in a natural manner as if he was sincere with his intentions.

'A natural charmer, a dangerous man… No one can show such feelings without having met the one whom he is to love. He is just like me, a perfectionist's child, a person who wears a mask.'

I couldn't hate him but to love him was impossible. He was a rich businessman. He seemed gentle, wise and caring. His face was as bright as the sun and so lovely. His purplish hair gave an angel effect as the sun has kissed it and he turned his face towards me with a smile. "Hello, I am Aoshi." At this I couldn't help but blush.

Author's note: Well what do you think? I also will upload the next chapter right away. How did you find the lenght of the chapter by the way? Please don't forget to review so I won't forget to release... to tell the truth I've got five chapters up for editing. Your reviews will get them posted.

Oh and don't worry I'll add more fun things. Please review, flame or not rain or shine you get a reply. Don't forget to review and inform me about errors in names and such.