Here is the fight between Kenshin and Sano Cardcaptor Style and the resolution to Sakura's troubles concerning her feelings about being trapped in this time. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Rurouni Kenshin or Cardcaptor Sakura series or their characters.

CHAPTER THREE

Cardcaptor Sakura Bursts Forth!

Peering into the dojo, Sakura watched the two figures in the dojo, trying her best to remain unseen.

"For the thousandth time, raise your arms!"

"I don't want to! It makes me look like a retard!"

"You do not look like a retard." A pause. Then Kaoru muttered, "Most of the time anyway."

"Busu!"

"I am the master, you are the student and you listen to me!" Kaoru cried, all but stomping her foot in anger.

"No." Yahiko crossed his arms.

"Grrargh!" With a wave of her hand, Kaoru said, "Do another hundred swings and I don't want to hear another protest from you for the rest of the day!" When Kaoru began to walk towards Sakura's hiding spot, Sakura gave a small cry and scurried back to Kenshin's side. Kaoru exited the dojo and sat on the engawa, facing Kenshin, who was in the middle of hanging laundry and Sakura who had just returned to the task.

Sakura had been watching Kaoru teach Yahiko (or the two of them arguing) for the past hour as she helped Kenshin with the various chores. She was fascinated by the whole concept of swordsmanship. The shinai reminded her of the sword Syaoran would always carry, but never use as a real sword was intended to be wielded. This, then, was the first time she had ever seen anything like sword fighting, aside from the few times she saw Kenshin use the sakabatō on their travels. But he was so fast, she could never make out individual moves.

Sakura glanced up at Kenshin, hoping to gage by his reaction whether or not she should try to help smooth matters over between Kaoru and Yahiko. A small smile was on Kenshin's face as he hung a gi on the line. Sakura shrugged. Maybe this sort of thing was commonplace between Kaoru and Yahiko. She didn't know. Or maybe Kenshin was just smiling because he liked doing the laundry. Sakura giggled. Nii-chan is so funny and weird.

"Thank you, Kenshin, Sakura-chan."

Kenshin nodded and replied, "It's the least this one can do for you, Kaoru-dono."

Sakura looked up to see Kaoru smiling at her. Earlier this morning, Kaoru hadn't questioned why Sakura had returned last night in such a disheveled state. Although Sakura felt Kaoru should have, considering Sakura had clearly ignored Kaoru's advice. Kaoru only asked if there was something she could do for Sakura. Kaoru onee-san is so nice! thought Sakura, her heart filling with warmth that replaced the last bits of sadness from yesterday. Moved with joy Sakura spun in a circle with another gi in her hands, before handing it to Kenshin. "You're very welcome!" she cried while spinning. Kenshin and Kaoru laughed at Sakura's behavior.

In between scrubbing the clothes, Sakura continued to peer at Yahiko training. After handing a hakama to Kenshin, Sakura secretly mimicked Yahiko's movements, but she didn't go unnoticed.

Yahiko grinned and asked, "Do you want to try, Sakura?"

Kaoru's face lit up. She clapped her hands and invited, "That's a great idea! Why don't I give you a lesson?"

"Really? You will?" Sakura gasped, surprised. "Yes, please!" She shouted as she jumped up and ran into the dojo.

Kaoru handed Sakura a shinai and taught her the proper way of holding it. "Now try an overhanded swing while stepping forward. Like this." Kaoru demonstrated the simple technique.

Sakura memorized the way Kaoru had moved and swung the shinai. She stared at her own hands gripped in the shinai, deep in concentration. She knew this. Sure, it had been a while, but could still do it. She would get this right and prove it to everyone that she was a capable and dependable person. Sakura raised the shinai and brought it down.

"Release!"

"Re… what?" Yahiko asked, confused by Sakura's use of English.

"No, Sakura-chan, you got the form all wrong," Kaoru lightly corrected. "And you didn't step forward."

Sakura's cheeks flushed as she realized her mistake. She glanced over to Kenshin, who knew exactly what had happened. Instead of preforming the move Kaoru wanted, she said the chant for releasing her wand from its key pendant form. Kenshin shook his head, greatly amused. Kero popped out his hair just so Sakura could see him face palm.

"Hoe…" Sakura muttered to herself, embarrassed.

All of sudden, Kenshin's head jerked up, looking towards the gates of the property. He dropped the kimono he was holding and ran towards the gates.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried, chasing after him. She stopped at the dojo doors and turned around. "The two of you stay here. Yahiko, do a hundred swings!" With that order she dashed after Kenshin.

Sakura and Yahiko shared a glance, unsure of what to do. Then Yahiko began to swing his shinai extremely fast as he counted to a hundred. "One, two, three, four, five…"

When Yahiko had counted to a hundred, Sakura and Yahiko ran outside. They halted in their tracks in shock when they beheld the young man from the Akabeko standing outside the open gates. Resting upon his shoulders was something large and long wrapped up in bandages. Kenshin faced the young man. Sakura noted Kenshin's hand crept closer to his sakabatō. Kaoru, who was still a little behind Kenshin, seemed to have noticed as well.

Another fight… Sakura thought, dismal. Then she froze as she sensed something.

"…This one does not understand," said Kenshin. "Why do you, who can't stand to see those who oppress the weak, work as a professional fighter? And why do you wear the symbol for evil on your back? Your soul is straight and honest, that it is… but right now you've gone badly askew. What has turned you so out of line?"

The man's eyes widened in surprise, probably because of Kenshin's ability to perceive his character. After a moment he smiled, "If you really want to know, fight and beat me! But I'll say this at least, hitokiri Battōsai, I believe all revolutionary warriors are hypocrites, in the name of justice changing the world in ways that would benefit them and getting rid of those in the way. Even if that means twisting and hiding the truth. This 'equality' the talk about is all a lie. I want to crush the hitokiri whom the songs call the greatest of the Ishin Shishi!"

After a moment spent in silence, Kenshin turned to Yahiko. "Surprised, Yahiko?" he whispered.

"Hitokiri Battōsai…" muttered Yahiko to himself. "It's funny… I don't feel afraid knowing you were the hitokiri Battōsai. In fact… it makes more sense now why you're so good, with him carrying that sakabatō that can't kill."

Kenshin watched Yahiko before smiling sadly. Turning, Kenshin faced the man at the gates again. Sakura couldn't see Kenshin very well because she stood behind him, but she sensed how tense he was. Kenshin sighed and slumped his shoulders. "All right, then. It seems this one must fight you, that he does."

"Kenshin!" Kaoru gasped in surprise.

Wordlessly, Sakura walked up beside Kenshin. Kenshin looked down at her and smiled sadly. "This one knows that you don't want him to fight, Sakura-chan. But it can't be help-"

Sakura paused, saddened that yet again Kenshin would have to take up his sakabatō and fight because of his past, though it pained him so. However, now wasn't the time. Sakura made a circle with her fingers and then pointed at the young man. Kenshin's eyes widened in surprise. Growing serious, he nodded his understanding of the message conveyed by Sakura's signals.

A Clow Card. The man has it.

Everyone else completely missed their exchange. The young man said, "This place is too small for a fight. Let's go to the riverbank."

When everyone, including Kaoru and Yahiko, arrived at the slightly rocky riverbed, the man said, "Oh, yeah. I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Sagara Sanosuke. I'm known in the darker alleys as 'Zanza'." Sano began to rip the bandages off the large pole he carried. It revealed a long flattened blade. "This zanbatō is an antique. Even though the zanbatō is the largest and heaviest blades ever created, my zanbatō here has no edge at all. I can only use it to smash …and crush." He grinned. "Let's go, Battōsai."

Kenshin unsheathed the sakabatō, entering into a fighting position. "Himura 'Rurouni' Kenshin will face you with this."

Sakura folded her hands together, her hands clasping the key shaped pendant around her neck. She and Kenshin had discussed strategy on the way over to the river, but still… Sensing Sakura's distress, Kero whispered from underneath her school uniform hat, "It's just as I thought. Don't worry. We know the red head can take care of himself. When the time comes, we'll know what to do." Sakura nodded, but his words hadn't done much to ease her anxiety. It's a good thing Kero-chan is hiding in my hat now instead of with Ken-nii. He won't be in danger's way… at least for now.

"I've heard that you've grown soft and adopted the idea of not killing anyone, wielding a sakabatō that can't kill," said Sano, hoisting the zanbatō. "Let go of your vow. Or else…" Sano lunged at Kenshin, shouting, "…you'll die!"

Kaoru gasped, "He's fast! And with a weapon that heavy!" Her concern for Kenshin was clearly evident from the tone of her voice.

However, Sakura had witnessed Kenshin in action multiple times, and though she couldn't believe it, she knew Kenshin would have thought Sano's move was slow. Kenshin leapt up into the air, dodging's Sano strike at the ground with the zanbatō. Before Sano could lift the zanbatō again, Kenshin struck Sano's side with the sakabatō, knocking Sano into the dirt. Yahiko cheered, thinking Kenshin had already won. Sakura knew better and she gripped her pendant harder.

To Yahiko and Kaoru's surprise, Sano slowly rose and picked himself up off the ground, gripping the zanbatō in a reserve grip. "His real strength isn't the zanbatō," Kaoru marveled. "It isn't even the monstrous power that takes down a giant man in one flick. He didn't flinch when he got hit in the head with a suntetsu. His strength is his inhuman toughness!"

Sakura heard Kaoru's explanation, but she didn't digest it. She was too focused on Sano's glassy, blank eyes… eyes that she had seen before.

Instead of speaking a comeback, Sano adjusted the grip on his zanbatō and held the zanbatō over his shoulder, about to swing it at Kenshin. Before everyone's eyes Kenshin disappeared, reappearing on top of the zanbatō itself.

"Ken-nii, no!" Sakura shouted, knowing what was going to happen.

"The zanbatō-" started Kenshin, but his eyes widened in shock as the zanbatō moved as though it had a mind of its own. Almost faster than physically possible, the zanbatō swung, sending Kenshin speeding towards a large boulder. If Kenshin smashed into the boulder with that much force he would die instantly, his bones shattering.

"KENSHIN!" Kaoru screamed.

Sakura ran towards Kenshin as she cried a magical incantation that Kero taught her long ago when they first meet. "O key that conceals the power of darkness reveal your true nature to me, by my power. I command you, RELEASE!" Sakura's key shaped pendant grew into the size of a large wand. "Card created by Clow, lend your powers to my Key!" A Clow Card appeared in between her fingers. "Transfer the magic dwelling within this card to my Key…" Sakura's school uniform transformed into her pink dress of the Cardcaptor. Without hesitation she threw the card into the air. "…and grant me your power! Windy!" She swung the wand into the Clow Card.

The Clow Card responded to its master's wish and gusts of wind blasted out of the card. With inches just to spare, the wind pushed Kenshin past the side of the boulder and into the river. A spray of water thirty feet high flew into the air.

"Hoe!" Sakura cried, horrified by her mistake. She ran to the riverbank, crying, "Don't drown, Kenshin nii-chan!" Kaoru and Yahiko followed Sakura, equally as terrified for Kenshin. They watched the river, waiting for any sign that Kenshin still lived.

Sakura's heart thudded in her chest, threatening to burst from stress, when Kenshin broke the water, gasping for breath. He swam to the riverbank where he was helped by Kaoru and Yahiko onto the shore. Kenshin coughed up water for several seconds before he said, "And here this one thought Sano had a card of 'Toughness', that he did. Guess not." He smiled at Sakura. "Thanks for the save, Sakura-chan."

Sakura wilted with relief. Kero popped out from underneath Sakura's hat and flew by her side. He pointed to Sano and warned, "It's not over yet, red head! Look, he's been standing there all this time, completely indifferent to the whole situation. A clear sign he's been possessed by a Clow Card!" As Kero spoke not even so much as a smirk graced Sano's face.

"Clow Card?" Yahiko asked, confused. Kaoru gaped at the sight of Kero flying, looking a little green.

Kenshin stood up and flicked his wet ponytail from the front to his back with a twist of his head. "The zanbatō, right?"

"The Sword Clow Card, to be precise," Kero corrected. He crossed his arms and frowned in thought. "It must love this era with all the different kinds of blades and weapons to control. And people, too," he added.

Sakura exhaled, blowing her fears away and becoming the determined Cardcaptor she had been so many times before. She turned to Sano and explained to Kenshin, "If you knock Sanosuke-san unconscious the Sword Clow Card should release him, either becoming its normal form, or possessing someone else who has a sword." She looked up into Kenshin's eyes and said, "Probably you. And with the sword giving Sanosuke-san magical speed and power, you can't defeat them on your own... We have to work together. We only have one chance."

Kenshin nodded at her. "This one understands." His hands played with the hilt of the sakabatō, then gripped it tightly as he crouched low to the ground. "Code bird then?" He grinned.

Well they had pretty much done it already, but Sakura couldn't think of any better options with so few cards at her disposable. She ran behind Kenshin, brandishing the wand in front of her in one hand and the Clow Card in between her fingers of the other hand. "Go!" she ordered.

Kenshin bolted forward, holding the sakabatō low to the ground as Sakura began to chant. "Wind become a binding chain, Windy!" She slammed her wand into the Windy card and a form of a female spirit with long hair materialized out of the card.

Kero shouted, "Red head, now!"

At Kero's signal, Kenshin jumped. The winds emitting from the spirit lifted him up and propelled him towards Sano at a rocket launching speed. Sano lifted the zanbatō off his shoulder and aimed it Kenshin, ready to skewer him. However the spirit rushed past Kenshin and wrapped herself around the zanbatō, effectively binding it. Kenshin swung the sakabatō with all his might at Sano's shoulder. Using the momentum of his swing and the wind, Kenshin flipped over Sano's head and landed on the ground behind Sano. Sano collapsed.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru gasped. "Are you okay?"

Kaoru was about to run to Kenshin's side, when Kero stopped her. "No, matte!" He pointed to the form of a glowing sword that appeared above Sano's form on the ground. It spun slowly in the air then pointed at Kenshin. It flew towards Kenshin aiming for his heart.

"Return to the form you were meant to be, Clow Card!" A blue rectangle materialized at the end of the wand Sakura held in her hands. In response to Sakura's magic, the sword slowly vanished just as it was about to plunge into Kenshin's chest. It reappeared as an image on the card by the end of the wand. Sakura grabbed the card and looked at it. "SWORD" was written at the bottom. Sakura smiled, satisfied that she had captured another Clow Card. She flipped the card to the back and, pulling out a pen she always had handy, wrote her name on the back of the card, officially bringing the card into her power.

Puzzled because neither Kenshin nor Kero shouted for joy at the capture of the card, Sakura glanced up. Much to her surprise, Sano was standing up, leaning on the zanbatō.

Kenshin slowly stood. "Any more fighting would be meaningless, that it would. Please, accept your defeat."

Clenching his fist, Sano bared his teeth and hissed, "I can't lose… not to the men who made my mentor Captain Sagara and the Sekihō army bear the symbol for evil like the one on my back. My friends and Captain Sagara died because the Ishin Shishi couldn't back up its own promises and chose to blame the innocent Sekihō army instead! I'll never lose to the hitokiri Battōsai, the greatest of those filthy, lying, backstabbing Ishin Shishi!"

Sakura watched the situation unfold before her, completely lost. Why was this man still so angry, even after the fighting spirit of the Clow Card left him?

Kenshin closed his eyes and lowered his head, thinking. "Sagara Sanosuke, survivor of the Sekihō army that was framed by the government although they were innocent…" He turned the sakabatō over so the sharp, deadly side was bared. "…Understood. We mustfinish this." Everyone gasped.

"You flipped the sakabatō over? But why, Kenshin!" Yahiko cried. "What about your vow not to kill?!"

Sano hefted the zanbatō above his head and began to swing in circles. "Let's finish this, magical, flying Battōsai!" He screamed.

Everyone paused, blinking. Sakura muttered a "Hoe…" embarrassed, knowing she was to blame. Kenshin shook his head and then grew serious, waiting for an opportunity.

Sano swung the zanbatō down in powerful and fast arc. Kenshin rose up to meet it with his deadly sakabatō in hand. "Hyaaaa!"

With the largest cracking sound that Sakura had ever heard in her life, the sakabatō cut the zanbatō into two. Taking advantage of everyone's shock, Kenshin jumped high in the air. "Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. Ryūtsuisen!" Kenshin let gravity overtake him and he slammed the sakabatō's dull side into Sano's head.

Sano stumbled backwards in a daze, completely taken aback. Kenshin landed lightly on his feet. "Truly amazing. You are the first to take a Ryūtsuisen and not fall. However, you are barely standing. Wait here while a doctor is called."

Sakura released a breath that she didn't know she was holding. She trusted Kenshin implicitly and knew he would never break his vow to never kill again, but he still gave her quite a scare fighting so dangerously! She ran to Kenshin's side and smiled up at him, glad he was safe. "Are you okay?"

Kenshin opened his mouth to respond, but closed it when Sano cried, "It's not over yet! I haven't fallen yet. I haven't lost!"

Sighing, Kenshin walked up to Sano. Without hesitation or mercy, Kenshin punched Sano in the face. "Did the Sekihō army teach you to kill Ishin Shishi? Or did it tell you to complete the revolution?!"

Disgusted, Sano spat some of his blood on the ground. "Don't you preach to me! You spoke of equality, but drowned it in your own greed! Don't speak of the revolution then create a world of lies and sleep easy in it!"

Furious herself, Kaoru snapped, "You're wrong! You see him only as hitokiri Battōsai but Kenshin isn't that anymore! He doesn't have a cushy position in the government. He travels as a rurouni using his sakabatō to defend the helpless." Yahiko nodded. He gripped his shinai in his hands, ready to back up Kaoru's words.

Sano stared at Kenshin in shock as Kenshin continued, "The revolution has not ended, that is hasn't. It's true that the fighting stopped ten years ago and a new order was installed. But those of us who desire a better world still find ourselves trapped in a land where the weak are exploited. So this one, though unworthy, wields this sakabatō and his vow never to kill again to offer some aid to the weak. This is this one's payment to those that this one has killed as hitokiri Battōsai-"

"Ken-nii!" Sakura snapped. Everyone jumped at her shout, surprised.

Seeing Sakura upset, Kenshin smiled his best rurouni smile. "Maa, Sakura-ch-"

"Why did you fight this man?" Sakura pouted, hands on her hips.

Kenshin raised a hand to the back of his head. "It's complicated… and he wouldn't listen to this one…"

"That's no excuse for punching a man you yourself said was barely standing!" Sakura cried, jabbing her finger into Sano's chest. As if to prove Sakura's point, Sano crumpled to the ground, dropping the zanbatō handle.

Kenshin blinked before laughing sheepishly, "Ahaha… it's been a long day and it just was the quickest way to wake him up…"

"Since when do you take the easy way out?!"

"Er…"

"We're Rurouni Cardcaptor, are we not? We work as a team, helping people. Not punching them in the face!"

"Well, uh, yes, maybe…"

"There is no 'maybe'! We are a team! We do not punch people! Repeat after me!"

Kaoru and Yahiko watched the exchange, stunned that the hitokiri Battōsai was being scolded by a little, pink girl.

"Ooh, you're never going to hear the end of this, red head!" Kero laughed. Kenshin sighed and nodding, knowing Kero was right.

Under the light of the shinning sun, Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko and Sakura walked the streets of Tokyo, on their way to Akabeko to celebrate yesterday's victory against Sano. Well, that is to say, Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko walked. Sakura skipped behind them, too joyful to walk the normal and boring way most people traveled. She was certain that the Clow Card she had sensed a few days back had really been the Sword Clow Card, and with that captured, she was one step closer to reclaiming all of the lost cards and returning home.

But right now… Sakura glanced up at her friends. Kaoru and Yahiko were arguing as usual and Kenshin was wearing his rurouni smile, trying to pacify them with his "Maa, maa…" Sakura smiled. Even if she was stuck in this time, the joy she felt in hearing her friends have fun was like no other. It was irreplaceable.

No, they're not my friends. Sakura corrected herself. They're my family. My older brother. The older sister I never had. My friend who is strangely very supportive of me. I want to be with them, to be there when they smile and laugh, and when they cry, so I can make them happy again. How can I return home and never see them again? Sakura stopped skipping, surprised to find herself thinking something she never would have expected.

I don't want to go home just yet.

"What do you think of that?" Sakura whispered to Kero, who was, also as usual, hiding in her hat.

"Of what?" Kero asked.

"Of staying here in this time period a little longer."

Kero waited a moment before he responded. "Whatever makes you happy, Sakura," he said, his voice carrying a bit of sadness.

Hearing Kero's answer, Sakura was reminded of her outburst when she was lost in the alleyways. How she believed she was all alone when she always had Kero by her side. She lowered her head, ashamed. "I'm so sorry, Kero-chan. Forgive me… I didn't mean…"

Kero sighed, "It's all right, kiddo." He rubbed Sakura's head, fondly. "I certainly didn't want to be transported to this time period, either. I've felt lonely, too. We just got to stick together like icing and cake. I'm just glad there are some candles too."

"Candles?" Sakura asked, unable to hide her grin. Kero-chan never stops thinking of candy does he?

"Aa, that red head over there. He's with us too. And some sprinkles and ice cream," Kero added, obviously referring to Kaoru and Yahiko.

Sakura giggled. "Who's the sprinkles and who's the ice cream?"

"Now that is a very good question…" Kero muttered. Even though she couldn't see him, Sakura could easily picture him in her mind. He had crossed his arms, apparently trying give the impression of being lost in deep thought, but the comical grin on his face proved otherwise. Sakura laughed at Kero's antics.

BAM!

Sakura froze in shock as a man flew out of the Akabeko restaurant and hit the ground with amazing force. She couldn't see the man who stepped out of the restaurant, because Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko blocked her view, but she knew who he was as soon as he spoke.

"I don't mind you getting drunk and starting another fight but could you at least train a bit before the next one?"

"Zanza!" Yahiko cried.

The man who hit the ground was joined by two of his other friends. Sakura could see now that they were the same people who had thrown a bottle at Kenshin's head. And just as before, they fled at the sight of Sano.

"Weren't you hospitalized?" Kaoru asked.

Sano shrugged. "All these bandages just prove how strong I am." He smiled slightly. "I owe you guys one for yesterday." Sighing, he looked up into the sky, gazing at the clouds above. "The Sekihō army is a past I won't forget. I can't take this symbol off my back. But I did like what you said yesterday, and yet words are cheap. And so…"

Sano turned to Kenshin and grinned, "To see if you really are different from the government with their empty ideals, I'm going to stick around you and see who you really are." Kenshin's eyes widened in surprise. Sano continued, "One more thing. I'm not 'Zanza' anymore. Now I'm just Sagara Sanosuke, fighting enthusiast. Just like you're not hitokiri Battōsai anymore. So don't start wandering again without my permission… Kenshin!"

Kenshin paused. Then like a rainbow after the storm, Kenshin smiled a genuine smile of peace and happiness. Sakura's heart warmed at the sight. I haven't seen Ken-nii smile like that in such a long time. I'm so glad he's so happy!

"And you!" Sano spat, jabbing a finger in Sakura's direction. "You!" Sakura shrank back, knowing just how hot his fiery anger burned. "I swear you did something strange yesterday while we were fighting. I saw it in a dream! There was a wand, a woman ghost spirit thing, a card, flying people, and you were pink! Your little pink girlieness ruined our manly fight!"

"Uh…" Sakura stammered. Kenshin looked as though he didn't know if he should burst out laughing or be horrified that Sano remembered Sakura's magic. Yahiko and Kaoru, who were told of Sakura's abilities the night before, nervously stared at Sano, afraid he might push the subject.

"I know you're the reason why my precious zanbatō broke. I swear if it takes the rest of my days I will discover your secret! And then you'll get me a new zanbatō!"

Sakura paused, having absolutely no idea how to proceed. Then a thought struck her. If it works for Kenshin, it should work for her as well, right? And if Tomoyo was right, she was so cute adults would bend over backwards for her so it had to be fool proof.

"Who me?" Sakura smiled her sweetest smile, clasping her hands behind her back and leaning forward. "I'm just a little girl who loves peace. I could never cause any trouble."

Kenshin snorted. Oh, so he won't laugh at Sanosuke-san, but he'll laugh at me?! Sakura thought, pouting. Indignant, she stamped on Kenshin's foot, crunching it. To Sakura's further annoyance, Kenshin didn't react at all.

Sano laughed, "Sure you are. Even your nii-chan knows better." Sakura sucked a breath in, angry. "Anyway, I got my eye on both of you, ya hear? You haven't seen the last of me!" Sano turned and with a hand raising in farewell, left. Everyone watched him go.

Sakura withdrew her foot from Kenshin's foot, reflecting about the strength and courage Sano had showed during the fight. He's actually kind of cool…

Kenshin exhaled, "Hooo… another weird one…"

"What do you mean another?" Yahiko cried, pulling on Kenshin's cheek.

"Yeah, you're the weirdest one of all," Kaoru agreed, yanking on Kenshin's other cheek.

"Oro?"

Sakura laughed, "Definitely. And you guys don't even know about the time Ken-nii was sick and threw up all over our waitress. Then he practically died of embarrassment! If Kenshin's face wasn't so gross, the waitress looked like she would have slapped him! It was kind of scary at the time but looking back it's really hilar-mmmph!"

Kenshin swatted Kaoru and Yahiko's hands off his face and clamped his hand over Sakura's mouth. "Don't mind her," he smiled at Kaoru and Yahiko, trying to portray an image of calmness, but his twitching eyebrow showed otherwise. "She has an active imagination, that she do-ouch!"

Kero popped out of Sakura's hat and bit Kenshin's finger. Then he disappeared underneath the hat with a wicked grin of happiness. Kenshin jerked his hand back and hissed, "Hotaru!"

"Baka!" The hat cried back.

"Child!"

"Womanizer!"

"Wha-Wha-What?!" Kenshin sputtered, his face turning as red as his hair. "This one is NOT!" Sakura's hat shook as Kero laughed.

Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sakura laughed so hard tears leaked out of the corner of their eyes. Sure, people in the street stopped to stare at the bizarre group that was making a ruckus, but Sakura didn't care.

Because for the first time in a long, long time, Sakura felt like she was home.

Japanese and RK/CCS Terms Dictionary (in the order they appear within chapter):

Kinomoto Sakura-Sakura is a fifth grader at Tomoeda Elementary and is eleven years old. Ever since she opened the Clow Book in her basement and released the Clow Cards into the world she became the Cardcaptor and, with help from Kero, Tomoyo, and Syaoran, captures the Clow Cards using magic. In her battles with the Clow Cards, Sakura uses other previously captured Clow Cards to fight the rampaging Clow Cards as well as her magic wand.

Busu-ugly, hag; Yahiko continuously calls Kaoru this in the beginning of the RK series

Himura Kenshin-Kenshin is rurouni, a wanderer, and the former hitokiri Battōsai. He has unusual red hair and violet eyes. On the shorter side, at a glance Kenshin is often mistaken to be a woman. In addition, though he is 28, he looks about ten years younger. He learned his sword style, Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, from his master. When he was fourteen, he ran away from his Master to fight in the civil war, during the Bakumatsu, hoping to defend the weak. Kenshin joined the Ishin Shishi, who were determined to topple the corrupt Japanese government and bring equality to Japan citizens. Because of Kenshin's great skills as a swordsman and Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, he became hitokiri Battōsai, the greatest assassin of the Ishin Shishi. Kenshin fought for five years. Afterwards he disappeared and traveled Japan, becoming a rurouni. As a rurouni, Kenshin protected people with his sakabatō, but because of his bloody past, he never stayed in one place for long. Two months before he entered Tokyo, Kenshin met Sakura and the two began to travel together. Kenshin is a fictional character, but the history of the Bakumatsu and the Ishin Shishi are real.

Engawa-wooden wraparound porch in old Japanese houses and dojos

Shinai-wooden stick that students use in dojos; very similar to bokken

Sakabatō-Kenshin's reverse blade sword. The dull side of the blade is where the sharp edge should be and vice versa. In this way, Kenshin can fight with a sword but not kill, only breaking bones instead. It is a symbol of Kenshin's vow never to kill again. Kenshin has carried the sakabatō for ten years as he traveled as a rurouni.

Gi-Japanese shirt that samurai wore. Kenshin, Yahiko, and Kaoru (when teaching at the dojo) all wear it. (I could go in more detail as a gi isn't really a shirt in the modern sense, but that's all you need to know.)

Nii-chan-older brother; can also say onii-san, which is more formal. Ken-nii is another way of Sakura calling Kenshin her older brother. I generally only have Sakura refer to Kenshin without the formal "o" of onii or and the "san" honorific instead of the "chan" honorific because she feels very close to Kenshin.

This one-this is an English translation of "sessha". Sessha literally means "this unworthy one" and is a very humble way to refer to oneself. I'm pretty sure that in Japanese sessha doesn't refer to the third person, but in English it does, so when Kenshin talks I replaced any first person pronouns Kenshin uses with third person. However, because sessha is what one calls oneself, I use first person pronouns in Kenshin's thoughts.

Onee-san-Older sister; the "o" attached to "nee" signals formality as well as the "san" honorific. Sakura refers to Kaoru in a more formal way because she doesn't know Kaoru as well.

Sakura's wand-Sakura uses a pink wand to direct her magic when capturing a Clow Card. When she is not using the wand, it transforms into a pendant that is shaped like a key. She must use a chant to release the wand from its key pendant form. When Sakura was transforming the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards, the wand also changed. It became a Star Wand. In the Meiji Era however, the wand is in its original state and not a Star Wand.

Kero-Kero's full name is Cerberus or Kerberos (depending on translation). He is one of the two magical guardians of the Clow Cards. He draws power from the sun. When Sakura has captured the Earthy and Fiery Clow Cards, he can transform into a large beast that resembles a lion with wings and can spit out fire. Because Sakura is the Cardcaptor, she is Kero's master, however they are friends first and foremost. He speaks in a Kansai accent, which I tried to replicate in English. The other guardian is Yue, but he does not appear in the story.

Hoe-Hoe is a made up word that is Sakura's trademark. She uses it when confused, embarrassed, or surprised. As far as I know it has no meaning other than conveying Sakura's feelings.

Kimono-a long, loose robe with large sleeves that is tied by the waist with a sash, called an obi. Men and women can wear it. In this time, men can wear gis and hakamas instead if they were samurai, but women typically only wore kimonos.

Akabeko-Akabeko is a beef pot restaurant owned by Tae's father. In Meiji, beef pot was seen as a representative of European food, and, thanks to its cheap price, was available and popular among the general public.

"that it is", "that I am", etc.-This is the English translation of de gozaru, which is an archaic word for desu (it's archaic even in Kenshin's time or so I have heard). De gozaru and desu act to reaffirm what was said. (I don't think it has any other meaning than that…)

Hitokiri Battōsai- hitokiri means assassin or literally manslayer. Battōsai means master of the battōjutsu technique, Kenshin's trademark attack. According to the manga battōjutsu is when a swordsman "press[es] the blade's edge against the inside of the sheath, then draw[s] the sword quickly to increase the speed of the sword's swing by two or three times." During the Bakumatsu, Kenshin became an assassin for the Ishin Shishi. He was feared by all for his astounding swordsmanship abilities that allowed him to kill so many people. Many legends compare him to a demon. Kenshin fought for the Ishin Shishi for five years (ages 14 to 19).

Revolutionary warriors-another name for Ishin Shishi; In the manga Sano repeatedly talks of the revolutionary warriors, revolution, and patriots, but to make things clearer and more consistent I have taken the liberty to replace these terms with Ishin Shishi, which is who Sano is referring to.

Ishin Shishi-the side Kenshin fought with during the Bakumatsu. They were determined to overthrow the corrupt shogun, the Japanese government in order to make Japan a place of equality.

Clow Cards-Clow Cards are cards that contain magic. They represent and control different aspects of the environment. For example, the Sword Card is a sword. The Windy Card is a green female spirit that can control the winds. A long time ago they were created by Clow Reed, the most powerful magician of all time before Sakura had captured all of the cards and transformed them into Sakura Cards. The Clow Cards were released from the Clow Book when Sakura opened the Clow Book. They began to cause all sorts of havoc that Sakura had to put an end to.

Sakura's wand-Sakura uses a pink wand to direct her magic when capturing a Clow Card. When she is not using the wand, it transforms into a pendant that is shaped like a key. She must use a chant to release the wand from its key pendant form. When Sakura was transforming the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards, the wand also changed. It became a Star Wand. In the Meiji Era however, the wand is in its original state and not a Star Wand.

Zanbatō-Sano's weapon. According to the manga the zanbatō is, "a giant weapon… designed to take down horse and rider in one swing. It is the heaviest katana ever made. Because of its weight, it is said that no one has ever been able to weld it to its full capacity."

Rurouni-Rurouni is a made up term created from the words "ru" which means to wander and "ronin" or masterless samurai. (Note: Kenshin did have a Master, but he ran away to fight with the Ishin Shishi, cutting off all ties with him) After fighting for the Ishin Shishi, Kenshin traveled Japan for ten years as a rurouni. Carrying his sakabatō, Kenshin protected people, but he never stayed in any place for long. By helping as many people as possible as a wandering rurouni, Kenshin hoped to repent for the murders he committed as a hitokiri Battōsai. As a rurouni, Kenshin often masks his true feelings behind a smile and acting as though he is less skilled with a sword than he really is.

Suntetsu-A concealed weapon from the Meiji Era. It is meant to be palmed and has a sharp point at one end. The drunken man the fighter for hire was facing used a suntetsu on the fighter for hire, but the fighter for hire was unaffected.

Cardcaptor-Sakura is the Cardcaptor, meaning that it is her responsibility to recapture the freed Clow Cards and become their master.

Sword-One of the Clow Cards. It's normal form is a giant sword but it has also appeared as a sword pendant. Sword possesses its user, rendering them mute and unable to control or remember their actions. Glassy or empty eyes are a sign that a person has been possessed. Sword is said to be able to cut through anything. In battle, Sakura uses the Sword Card to cut things, including barriers.

Code Bird-A term I made that refers to a plan that Sakura and Kenshin created. Sakura using the Windy Clow Card to give temporary "flight" to Kenshin and he uses this "flight" to add to the force of the sakabatō's swing. Code Bird hints to the fact that Kenshin and Sakura created plans for using the Clow Cards in battle.

Matte-wait

Captain Sagara Sōzō-The idealist captain of the Sekihō army that Sano greatly respected. He was falsely accused by the Ishin Shishi of tricking the people of Japan into believing their taxes would be cut by half. He was beheaded and his head was displayed in Kyoto as a warning to traitors. Sano took the name of "Sagara" in the captain's honor. Captain Sagara is based on a real person. Following the death of the Captain, Sano began to hate the Ishin Shishi and the government they established after the Bakumatsu.

Sekihō Army- A military unit mostly comprised of farmers and merchants that was led by Captain Sagara that fought for the Ishin Shishi. The Ishin Shishi promised the people of Japan that they would cut taxes in half in an attempt to get more farmers from all over Japan to join the Ishin Shishi. However, the Ishin Shishi began to experience money problems and decided to blame the Sekihō army. By labeling them as the people who perpetrated a lie and then getting rid of them, the Ishin Shishi wouldn't have to back up its promise. They made the people of the army bear the symbol of evil on their back. It is controversial whether this event really occurred or not. Sano joined the army when he was nine.

Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū-This is Kenshin's sword style. It is a defensive style, focusing on fighting multiple opponents at once and legendary speed. It's symbol/mascot is a dragon. Because Kenshin used Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū during the Bakumatsu, he became the hitokiri Battōsai and feared to be a demon.

Ryūtsuisen-Dragon hammer strike. It is a move of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū that requires the user to jump high in the air. With gravity adding to the force, the user falls and strikes an opponent in the head or shoulder.

Revolution-another name for the Meiji Restoration, or the end of the Bakumatsu and the start of a new Meiji government

Maa, maa-Now, now; used to calm people down (In Kenshin's case usually unsuccessfully :) )

Aa-an informal yes

Tomoyo-Sakura's best friend in the present. She helps Sakura capture the Clow Cards, although she has no magic of her own. When the two of them chase down Clow Cards, Tomoyo records Sakura. She also creates a bunch of costumes for Sakura and Kero and encourages Sakura to pose after capturing cards, much to Sakura's embarrassment. Kero, however, loves being in the spotlight.

Oro/ororo-Kenshin's unique pronunciation of the Japanese word, "ara" which means huh. Kenshin uses the word liberally and in situations that "huh" doesn't always make perfect sense. Along with "this one" and "that it is", oro is Kenshin's trademark. He drops all of these when stressed or closer to becoming how he acted when he was a hitokiri.

Hotaru-firefly; Kenshin calls Kero this when Kero annoys Kenshin. It's intended as an insult, but Kero doesn't really care all that much.

Baka-idiot, dummy, stupid

When writing this chapter, I originally was going to include Gohei's return, but as the chapter was getting longer I decided to cut it. His appearance would have taken away the spotlight from the true focus of this chapter: the fight between Sano and Kenshin. Also, I didn't explain in detail about the Sekihō Army within the chapter for the same reason. It's not important within this story. However, it is explained in the dictionary.

Important note! I'm going to be very busy from this Monday to Friday so I'll post the next chapter next Saturday or Sunday. I probably won't be able to reply to PMs either. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

There are several things that I want to explain about the story. The Clow Card Sakura discovers while running through the city is Sano's Sword Card, which I stated in the chapter. However, I was concerned that the Akasaka ward would be far away from Gorotsuki Nagaya, the place where Sano said he would be waiting for Kenshin when they first met, so I did some research. Gorotsuki means ruffian or hooligan while Nagaya is row houses or dorms. Presumably then, it is a rough part of Tokyo. Meanwhile, Akasaka, in this time period was supposed to be a rich residential area. Assuming these two areas are far apart, it wouldn't make sense that Sakura would sense Sano's Clow Card in Akasaka ward. …Maybe Sano had bought a fight with someone in the Akasaka ward right after meeting with Kenshin and the others? Yeah, let's go with that. A comment about Sakura's "Cardcaptor outfit" and the Clow Cards. One thing I forgot to mention before was that I added the fact that Sakura's clothes transforms into what I dub the "Cardcaptor outfit" when she uses magic. This does not occur in the real CCS, and while I wanted to keep to the canon as closely as possible, it doesn't make sense that one of Sakura's outfits that Tomoyo made for her would have teleported back into time with her when she was wearing something else (namely her school outfit). I didn't want Sakura to fight the Clow Cards in her school uniform so I created the idea that her clothes transform. Speaking of things that I have changed, in the original Japanese manga/anime of CCS all of the Clow Cards' names are in English. While Sakura probably takes English classes and would understand the English names, Kenshin and everyone else in the Meiji Era wouldn't. So to keep from making a point of Sakura say within the story the names of Clow Cards in Japanese, Kenshin and co. from Meiji understand Sakura when she says the Clow Cards in English. I hope you understand.

Hello, Omasuoniwabanshi! Thank you for your review. I'm glad that you are able to follow the story despite not being familiar with the CCS universe. As for the Japanese within the story, I feel there are times when Japanese words express the meaning better, so I included it. I don't use Japanese at every opportunity available, because then there are other instances in which English is better. I have always envisioned the story starting with the beginning of the RK story, so explaining about how Kenshin and Sakura met had to be later. I want Sano to know how they met, so the explanation is placed after Sano is introduced. I'm so glad that you think that I have characterized the RK characters well! Being cheerful is definitely Sakura's natural disposition. In fact, when the CCS anime was being dubbed in English, the people in charge of the dubbing decided to make Sakura a little meaner, to make her be more like a realistic child. Even though Sakura has only known Kenshin for two months or so, Sakura clings to Kenshin because she's stuck all alone in an unfamiliar time, unsure if she'll ever return home. This has brought them closer together. At least, that's why I tried to convey. I'm glad you think it rang true.

Hello, James Birdsong! Thank you for your review. I'm glad you are enjoying the story! (As of the time of this posting, your review isn't up yet on ff. net, but I was alerted by email of your review which contains your review. It should appear in the next couple of days.)

Next chapter: What are Kaoru's and the other's reactions to learning about Sakura's magical abilities? How Kenshin and Sakura met is revealed!

As always, thank you for reading my story.