I staggered across the training hall, my eldest brother Aoshi following. "Mou! Aoshi...take an easy... Ive only been back for a few days and I'm out of practice..." I wheezed, leaning on my katana. He scowled at me before sheathing his kodachi, his favorite weapon.

"Even so, you should have practiced while you were staying in America." As are argument continued, my other two brothers Sano, (short for Sanosuke,) and Soujiro walked through the door.

"Hey Kaoru, can you and Aoshi quiet down some? Some of us actually are trying to sleep." Sano yawned. "Oh, shut it you drunk tori-atama. Only you would be trying to sleep in the middle of the afternoon! Another hangover from a wild party with a little too much sake?" I retorted. He grumbled something about having to cook breakfast, before quickly exiting our small dojo.

If you could call it that.

Our "dojo" was pretty much just a room in the house we had converted to a training hall. Mirrors lined one wall, and on the opposite wall were wide windows which let in the warm sunlight from outside. In one corner stood a fleet of equipment, some punchingbags pouring out stuffing from Sano's Futae no Kawami. But on the opposite wall was the pride and joys of our family. Littered with trophys, medals, and ribbons near the top and every kind of weapon from swords, to bow, to axes even, lined the wall beneath. I guess a little explanation is needed.

The Kamiya family's pride is in its love of war artsandweaponry. Each generation is trained to uphold the tradition, not to mention to keep the arts from dying. I myself had been trained in everything from archery, to using kunai (little throwing daggers), to using martial arts. But my favorite is swordsmanship. Ever since I was four,I had had an undying love for swords, mastering as many techniques as I could. Of course,I was looked down upon by the other kids for being a tomboy, but it didn't matter. My joy was in the blade. In truth, our family is famous for its skills. We get students from miles around, teaching them their desired art at the school we owned down the road. But I preferred training here at home away from the gaping stares.

After Sano had left the room, Sejuiro came up to me with a towel in one hand, smiling. In fact he's always smiling. Its a little unnerving if your not used to it, but it also makes him incredibly hard to predict in battle. "Calm down Kaoru. You'll tire yourself out even more." Sejuiro said calmly. Suddenly Aoshi patted me on the shoulder. "I almost forgot. Were having a party to celebrate your return, and inviting some friends over. Do you remember Megumi?" A vague picture of a woman with fox-ears came to my mind. " I think so."

"She's dating Sano."

I nearly fell over. "Don't they HATE each other though? I remember when I left when I was fourteen, they kept fighting all the way to the airport!" I mutter. "True, but I guess that's what they like in each other. Do remember anyone else?" Aoshi asked. A host of people swept through my mind. "Hmmm... Let's see... There was Tae, (Family friend, who owns a little cafe,), Yahiko, (I used to babysit him,)

Tsubame, (Tae's younger sister,), Misao, (A hyper active friend of mine,),... Saito's not coming, is he?" I scowl. Aoshi grins, (OMG a miracle!) "Who, the wolf? Yeah, he's coming with Tokio." I sigh before putting my katana back up on the rack. Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind and I spin around. "The kendo club members aren't coming are they?" I whisper fearfully. Aoshi's grin vanishes instantly.

"Sorry, sis. Sano invited them. After all, they are are teamates."

I moan and sit down with a thump. They're coming. The boys who made my life (besides my three brothers), absolutely miserable, just because I was the only girl. I grit my teeth, and my hands clench into fists. Especially that red-head, Kenshin, I think his name was. Just because he was one of the richest kids in school, just because he was one of the best swordsman in the entire club, just because... I sigh. Just because he had once been my best friend...