DISCLAIMER: SAMURAI X or RUROUNI KENSHIN is absolutely not mine.

What if Kaoru and Kenshin already met before when his name was still Shinta? Then they got separated on their journey to the next village. Then Shinta became the Battousai. Then he met Tomoe, got married and killed her (accidentally of course). Then decided to be a Rurounin. Then he accidentally met Kaoru. Would they remember the past they shared and the promise they made under the tree? KXK.

Hope you guys will enjoy my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. :D (PEACE OUT)

CHAPTER 1: Fireflies

The story begins in the Meiji Era with young Shinta and a unnamed girl, who travels with him to the next village for protection..

"Everyone! Please be quiet and let me talk. As we all know, are village is in danger and we are the bandit's next target. The reason I gathered you all here is to tell you all that some of the villagers have decided to leave the village and travel to the next village where it is safer. If anyone of you would like to come with us and leave the village, I suggest getting your things ready today." He said gazing at his people. A worried look on face that he knew everyone can see it.

There were whispers and arguments amongst the people.

"But what if we get attacked during our journey to the next village?" The man said. Afraid for his life and his family's safety.

Once again the village leader spoke, with determination in his voice this time.

"I have hired 20 swordsmen for our protection. But just to be sure, each and every one of us has to bring their own weapon. Whether you are old or young, girl or boy, everyone must have their own weapon for protection."

Everyone was quiet. Trying to thinking whether they should go or not. This was not a happy day at all. When the meeting was over, only a quarter of the villagers decided to go. Some say "If I'm going to die, might as well defend my village with honor and die." And some say

"If this is how it is going to happen then I will accept my fate."

Later that night, Shinta wanted some fresh air for he couldn't stand the tension that was flowing inside their house. His little feet took him to the nearby river just few meters away outside the village.

I hope everything will be alright tomorrow. I hate to see my mum so sa- his thoughts were cut off when he bumped into something.. or someone.

"Ouch! That hurts. Who's the idiot that hit my head?" a girl's irritated voice said while turning around to see who it was.

Shinta fall on the ground and was a bit surprised. He let out a small sigh then helped him self up and dusted his pants. When satisfied, he looked at the girl that was in front of him.

What is this little girl doing here in the middle of the night? By herself?

"I'm sorry I didn't see you there. I didn't think that anyone would be here at this hour." he said in a calm voice and then bowing his head down to her waist.

She looked at the cute red hair boy that was asking for her forgiveness. She has never seen this boy in the village before or anyone that has a hot red hair. She felt some jolt running to her veins at the thought that they live in the same village. She stared at his bowing figure and then a small smile formed in the corner of her lips.

He is definitely the cutest boy in the village and a gentle man is a plus or should I say a gentle boy? Anyway, I will make him my groom. BWAHAHA. She laughed mischievously to herself.

"Hmmm.. I guess I can forgive you.." still wearing the same mischievous smile on her face

He swiftly looked up at her with his eyes wide. "Really?! Thank y-" he was cut off again

"I wasn't finished yet!" she yelled as her azure sapphire eyes turned into golden orbs in irritation.

"Gomen" his right hand scratching his head and the other making a sign of peace.

What a weird girl. Wait, is she really a girl? He studied her face. Her big deep sapphire eyes were enchanting. ssSUGOI, he thought. Her hair was black as the night and the moon gave her hair the perfect glow. Although she was a bit shorter than him, she sure doesn't act like any girl. She was fierce – Definitely.

"Hey RED HAIR! Are you listening to me?" her hands were on her waist and she didn't sound happy either.

Shinta just nodded still caught in her spell.

"REALLY? You'll do it?" she beamed. Clasping her hands together as if she was praying that he won't take back what he said.

He absentmindedly nodded again. She was over the moon when he gave her a nod. Jumping up and down letting all her thrill wore off.

"Now we have to seal our deal" she grabbed his right hand intertwining her small soft fingers to his boyish fingers and pulled him under the tree where fireflies have been dancing around and was they're only witness of what was going to happen.

"What are we doing here?" Shinta was confused and feeling a tad tensed that there was something going to happen.

"This is where we are going to seal our deal!" a big grin on her face and slight flush on her cheeks.

"Pucker up!"

"Umm oka-"before he could register the words in his mind and say anything, his eyes went wide as she grab his neck and pressed her soft pinkish lips against his lips that was slightly parted. That shut him up, stunned, and lost in thought.

She kissed me… She.. KISSED.. me..

Finally gaining back his senses. He glared at the little girl.

"Ahhhhh! What do you think you're doing?" taking a few steps towards her, putting his hands on her shoulders and started shaking her hard. Well, there was no other way of releasing his fury. He couldn't possibly hurt the girl by struggling her on the neck or beat her up and ruin her beautiful face.

"Are you an idiot or something? This is like the third time you asked me that!" she barked at him. "And stop shaking me. It's making me sick!" her hands went to her shoulder and yanked his hands off.

"I'm sealing our deal with a kiss! And when we're all grown up we can get married!" she continued.

"Are you crazy?! I'm not marrying a crazy girl like you!" he snarled pointing at her.

"Well too bad. You can't do anything about it because we already kissed!" sticking her tongue out, crossed her arms in her chest and turned her back on him.

They stood there for a couple of seconds. Him starring at her back and her back on him. He couldn't understand the girl. She doesn't even know him. They just met like 10 minutes ago. She's acting so carefree towards him like they're some kind of close friend. The word marriage was ringing inside his head.

I think I'm going to pass out.

When everything was just so slow and quiet, he heard someone calling his name.

"Shinta! Shinta! Is that you under the tree?" seeing two little figures under the tree.

Recognizing his mum's voice, "Yes mum, it's me! I'll be there in a sec" he yelled back

"Well, hurry up. We're leaving early tomorrow!" she said still waiting for her son to come over so they can walk back together.

He turned around to see the girl smiling at him. It stopped him for a moment. No one has ever smiled to him like that. It was just a simple smile but he could see that there was happiness and it was genuine. The other children would tease him for having a red hair and that he looked like a girl. The girls would sometimes come up to him and ask him if he wants to play with them. He doesn't want to be rude so he would sometimes say yes. They always play with his hair and dress him up sometimes. They love his red hair and he hated it.

"I.. umm.. better get going now" lost for words, then he took off running not turning his head back. He ran as fast as he could, not wanting to let the girl see his bright red face.

"BYE SHINTA!" she yelled

She heard the girl saying good bye to him. How rude of him. He didn't even say goodbye. She stood there watching the young boy named Shinta run. She giggled.

He's so cute. I'm not sure if I'll ever see him again or if I'll live on our journey tomorrow. I have no regrets. At least… if I die on our way to the next village, I had my first kiss.

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Hi all! This is my first fanfic, so please leave me your comments. Let me know if you guys liked it or don't! hehe. R&R