Author's Note: This is the Kyoto arc part. In the manga about volume 10-11.

Chapter 2

Kyoto forest, ten years later

"Misao, don't tell us we are lost!" Yahiko said unpleased.

"We aren't, we are just... um somewhere in the forest." Kaoru-san sighed and continued to hope that they would soon find a way to Kenshin.

"Misao, you better find a way out of this soon!" Yahiko screamed

"Wait, I have to think you know!"

"Well I don't care, hurry up!" Yahiko was about to continue was a small yellow streak flashed by his arm. Yahiko quickly took out his wooden sword.

"Hold it, shortie. I'll take care of this." Misao put out her arm in front of Yahiko.

"Who are you?" A voice replied from the direction of the bird's landing spot. A small shadow crouched in one of the tree branches. It was a silhouette of a girl with a small bird on her shoulder.

"I'm Makimachi Misao of the Oniwabanshu. My mission is to find Aoshi. I am a Kyoto ninja and you are?" The shadow jumped down from the tree and smiled slightly. A girl with short black hair appeared and her eyes of purple gazed humbly. A small, yet deep cut had made its mark on her neck.

"I'm Hotaru, spirit of the forest. My mission is a secret only I may know of it. I'm protector of this forest. And it is good to see you again, Misao."

"Hotaru, it has been ages!" Misao quickly hugged Hotaru and then let go.

"Well you have been searching for Aoshi, and something tells me that isn't easy." Hotaru smiled and whistled. "Tochi, you remember Misao don't you?" A small yellow and black bird landed on Hotaru's shoulder.

"Ahem, but your bird just attacked us!" Yahiko grumbled angrily and stared hard at Tochi. Hotaru stared for a moment Yahiko. 'I don't know him... but I'm responsible for his cut... Oh well, I might as well trust Misao on her choice of friends.'

"Sorry about that, Tochi is very territorial. It is also kind of my fault, I shouldn't have told it to attack you. Too many strange things have been happening around here, no one can be too cautious anymore." Hotaru walked up to Yahiko and started to examine Yahiko's left arm. "Minor cut, shouldn't do any harm. Just in case though..." Hotaru untied her head band and started to roll up Yahiko's sleeve. Hotaru then tied her head band exactly where the cut was. "There, that should do it." Yahiko slightly blushed, but no one seemed to notice.

"Hey, Hotaru you must know this forest well and all, right?" Kaoru asked hopefully.

"Misao, who are these people?" Hotaru whispered.

"Silly me, this is Kaoru and Yahiko. We are looking for Kenshin's master, Hiko, I believe."

"Silly you alright, you got us lost!"

"Shuddap, Yahiko!"

"Is it my fault that you can't remember anything?"

"Well, we aren't getting like this." Hotaru and Kaoru sighed.

"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP! I can't get you guys anywhere if all you guys want to do is fight! If you wanna get to Master's house then quit fighting and follow me." Hotaru started to walk and the rest followed.

"Can we trust her, Misao? I mean, it is strange just seeing a girl randomly pop out of nowhere." Kaoru said.

"We can trust her; Hotaru has been a great training partner when we were younger. I always got the best of her, but sometimes she can really amaze me." Misao smiled and started to remember how they use to train.

"We're here." Hotaru said pointing at a small house. "I have to get going I promised Hiko that I would get him some fish. Bye!" Dust started to form a cloud as Hotaru started to run to her near by training area. note: if you notice, Kenshin and Hiko practiced near a waterfall

"Darn, Hotaru runs fast." Yahiko said coughing between every word.

"She should, she loves to race against her bird. Well, Kaoru this is it." Misao said as she opens the door. Kenshin turned at the sound of the door opening and saw Kaoru slightly smiling. 'Her eyes,' Kenshin thought. 'Her eyes they look happy, but there is surely a trace of depression within them.'

"Kenshin, get some water."

"But master-"

"We can't have children and this lady stay without water. Get some." Kenshin hesitated for a moment and then walked out. Kaoru wanted to say something but she froze, unsure of what to say.

"Kenshin..." Kaoru said ever so softly. Kenshin walked out of the room in silence and continued without looking back.

"I THOUGHT YOU CAME HERE TO TALK TO KENSHIN YOU BAKA!"

"Yahiko is right; we didn't do this for fun, WE DID THIS FOR YOU!" Misao screamed into Kaoru's ear.

"Gezz..." Kaoru rubbed her ear caringly. "No need to scream."

"Sorry to interrupt your very important conversation, but why are you here?" Hiko said sipping his sake

"To bring Kaoru to Kenshin." Yahiko said into a spoon.

"To bring Kaoru to Kenshin." Misao said after stealing the spoon from Yahiko. "And you miss. Why did you come?"

"To see Kenshin..."

"Get out of your trance and start being you normal self, this is getting annoying-" Yahiko was going to continue, but a sudden silence went through the room when each of them heard a scream.

"DIE, BATTOSAI!"

"I should have known..." Hiko said. He got up and started to run to where the scream seemed to be coming form.

"Come back here! We aren't finish talking to you!" Misao started to chase Hiko.

"Yeah! We still need to ask your age!" Yahiko bellowed. He and Kaoru ran as fast as they could.

AN: I think I'll stop here. Just cause my hands are tired.