Once in a lifetime an individual receives the opportunity to witness an event, or experience something that will change their life forever. The story I tell is about such an experience. You have probably heard in some way the tale of Romeo and Juliet by the famous William Shakespeare. An intriguing tale to be sure, however, I am here to tell the true story. The true story you ask? True as I stand before you, but whether you choose to believe it is a choice that is left to you- once you have heard my tale.

Our tale begins in the hearts of every potential lover that ever lived. It begins now and yet a thousand years ago. It is born anew in every act of love the world will ever witness.

It is a tale of two, whom against the fate that surely awaited them, courage took to follow their dreams. Our tale takes place in the center of a feud. One that no man can explain and yet it exists as surely as you and I. A feud between two families. That of the Himura's, and the Kamiya's. A feud that may destroy the very ones we may come to love though-out this story. And it all began with a single

"Hello."

That's all it took. A simple hello and a smile she could never forget. Although at the time, Kaoru had been promised to Haku, a noble youth who had sworn never to love another than his Kaoru. But Kaoru never forgot the kindness, the smiles and laughter that Kenshin had brought to her in just one short day.

Time continued to pass slowly until one fateful day, when three years had passed, the once noble Haku left his once beloved for another, and Kaoru swore to love ne'er again.

This is where the true tale begins.