Disclaimer: I do not own RK in any forms possible, except for the fanfics that I will submit.

Chapter Two

Friend?

Dawn arrived at the Kamiya Dojo with the chirping of birds. Kenji stirred from his sleep just to find a young boy sleeping next to him. Who is this boy? He doesn't look familiar…Kenji thought. Kenji leaned over and shook the boy.

"Hey boy! Hey! Wake up!" shouted Kenji. The boy slowly opened his eyes, stifled a yawn and said groggily, "Hmm? You are that boy I saw yesterday, isn't it? Pleased to meet you. My name is—"

Sadly, his sentence was interrupted by the opening of the room door. "Good morning kids. This one just decided to wake you up before making breakfast. By the way, breakfast is miso soup and onigiri." The red-haired swordsman or more accurately, wandering swordsman smilingly said. He left the door open behind him.

After barely a minute, Misao poked her head in and grinned. She walked away saying, "Better come to breakfast now, Yahiko is coming together with his family, Dr. Gensai may be coming with Ayame and Suzume too, so you guys better hurry if you all want to get something to eat."

Kenji said with a grin, "Race you to the dojo! Last one is to give up one of his onigiri to the winner!" Kenji sped off, leaving the other boy in bed.

Ah, what a shock Kenji got when he saw the other boy waiting for him on the corridor outside the dojo. The young boy held out his hand for the prize. Lucky for him, Kenji wasn't a bad loser. Kenji accepted his defeat graciously. The two boys ate their breakfast in silence, until—

"Introduction time kid. Kenji, into the dojo." Yahiko led the two children into the dojo.

After everyone had settled down, the introduction started. It was then decided, that youngest should go first.

"I am Myojin Shinya, four."

"Himura Kenji. Six years old."

"We are Suzume and Ayame. I am fourteen, and Suzume is twelve."

"Myojin Yahiko and my wife, Tsubame. Nineteen and eighteen respectively."

"Himura Kenshin and this one's wife, Kaoru. This one is thirty-seven and Kaoru is twenty-six."

"Kokuni Gensai. Seventy-five this year."

"I guess it's my turn now." the boy said. Kenshin nodded, and motioned him to go on.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the boy was actually taller than Kenji. He grew his black hair like Aoshi, except that his fringe is shorter, and revealed his green eyes. It was no wonder that on a dark night like yesterday, one could be mistaken that this boy is Aoshi's son.

"My name is Shio Tensho." His voice is light, yet commands authority…That thought ran through Kaoru's mind throughout the introduction. But she was not the only one, as almost everyone in that room thought the same. "I turned six yesterday." Yesterday? October 15th, I see… Kenji thought. "I am pleased to meet all of you. It really is an honor."

Kenshin smiled. He then said, "Tensho. This one discussed matters over with Aoshi and Misao-dono. It seems to me that they want you to stay here, until your father returns from China."

Misao opened her mouth to argue, but was silenced by a glare from Aoshi. Aoshi then continued to say, "Very well, we will leave now. Tensho, stay here and be friends with Kenji. We must get going." They got up and prepared to leave.

"Wait, Shinomori-san."

Aoshi stopped and took something out from his pocket and tossed it to Tensho over his shoulder. Tensho caught it and said, "Thanks. I thought you forgot. Sorry for doubting you."

"It's alright." The main door was shut.

Tensho sighed, and then looked at Kenji. "I guess I'd better unpack." The boys left the dojo. Only a single origami swan was left in Tensho's place.

While Tensho unpacked, Kenji looked at Tensho's luggage. It consisted of two new pairs of gi. One light green, the other a darker shade of green. The one that Tensho was wearing is light blue.

"Tensho, can we be best friends? As in inseparable, since we're living together?" Kenji then turned round to find Tensho in deep thought. No problem, since I can read ki. Kenji concentrated, but couldn't sense nor read Tensho's ki. Kenji's immediate thought was No ki? Is he a friend or foe?

Ki Reading

Chapter Two: Friend?

Plot: The mystery of Shio Tensho.

Thoughts: The caring side of Aoshi must be shown at all cost! Hence the origami part.

Feelings: Sad, why must Aoshi be let off in this chapter? Anyway, he can appear again…

Preview:

Chapter Three: River.

Plot: Can the two newfound friends swim?