1 Separate Truths

2 A Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction

Happy Holidays to all!!

Author's Note: Well I finally brought back a familiar character though I am still not sure how much Kamatari will play into the fic. Thanks for having so much patience with me as I finally finished the rewriting for this part, there was actually a lot too, ^_^. Anyway, enough with the babbling and on with the fic!

Oh, one other thing, I've done a lot of research but I still haven't figured this out: Is "Seta" Soujirou's last name or first name? In this fic I made Seta his last name, if that is a mistake, please let me know. Thanks!

Spoilers: Almost all for the Kyoto Arc.

Thoughts: thought

Disclaimer: Rights to Rurouni Kenshin and all of its lovely characters belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro, etc. Original characters all belong to me, but you can probably use them if you ask, ^_^.

Chapter 3: Confrontation

"Sou-kun, I have no business with you. I'm here for her." Kamatari bestowed a beaming smile to Raiha.

"Who-, who are you?" Raiha felt even more confused. How do they know each other?

"She's just a country girl, what could you possibly want with her?"

"Private business. You'll have to come with me now Raiha-san." He grasped her arm and smiled at Soujirou.

"No! Let me go!" Raiha felt panic run through her. She struggled at the surprisingly strong grip of the hand at her arm.

"I'm afraid I can't let you take her Kamatari." Soujirou warned, his eyes beginning to show a hint of irritation.

"Oh you must think that I am going to harm her." Kamatari laughed delicately and released Raiha's arm. "Silly me, what else were you to think? I have no business with the lovely lady here but the government does."

"You Kamatari-san? I can't imagine you doing anything for the government."

"I have my reasons."

The government? What would they want with me? Raiha looked at both of them with disbelief. "What's going on!?"

Ignoring her comment, both men continued to assess each other.

"I'll make you a deal." Kamatari beamed, "I will leave now if you take her and the child to Tokyo safely."

"Why?"

"Nuh-uh, That's classified information." He said winking at Soujirou. "If it comforts you any, feel free to drop her off at the Kamiya Dojo, what do you say old friend?"

"You were never able to win against me, I can take you down right now."

"If you care, you'll take her to Tokyo." Kamatari was now serious, "Her enemies are coming for her and I doubt that you, even with your ability, will able to keep them at bay."

Although Soujirou and Kamatari were never friends and only occasional allies, he had spent enough time with the man to know that he was dead serious. Weighing the situation for several moments, Soujirou finally made a decision.

"You can tell your employer that I will take her to the Kamiya Dojo, but I expect answers when I get to Tokyo."

"I can't promise you all of the answers but I'm sure that you will get a satisfactory explanation." Kamatari smiled one more time at Raiha before leaping into the branches of the tree and disappearing from sight once more.

Soujirou stood there in silence he watched the slight man travel out of sight, Damn it, what does he want with the girl? "Well Raiha-san, it looks like you'll have to come with me." He spoke up with an almost forced cheerfulness.

Raiha still stood rooted to the ground in shock mixed with fear, Who are these people? A chill went down her spine as she considered how her instinct could be so wrong. Although she had minimal contact with kendo, what she could pry from her father was enough for her to judge Soujirou's skill with the sword. He was one of the best. There was no doubt that he could easily kill anyone with a deadly swipe. He can be even more dangerous than Keisuke. With that thought, Raiha wrapped her hands tightly on his discarded sword.

Calmly, without turning around, Soujirou spoke again, "Put the sword down please Raiha-san."

"I'm not going anywhere with you." Raiha said nervously, she clenched the sword with both hands. Although she stood straight, her hands were trembling slightly. "Thank you for all of your help but I have to ask you to leave."

"I can't do that Raiha-san. That drunk is coming back for you as soon as I am gone and I do not doubt that someone even worse is looking for you as well."

"I can take care of myself. Please."

"Can you really?" He looked at her with something akin to a challenge.

Before Raiha could reply, the sword held in her hand was knocked away gently to the ground. I didn't even see him move! She thought in a moment of amazement.

"You can't stay here Raiha-san. I am asking you to travel to Tokyo with Keiko and allow me to protect you if needed."

She suddenly felt very tired as she considered what he said, he was right. She couldn't possibly stay here anymore and going to a big city could be the only place she can find a job that will pay enough for her and Keiko to live comfortably. But there was no way that she could trust him with her and Keiko's life, she knew next to nothing about him, and today was proof enough of that.

"I'm sorry, but please." Raiha gave the gate a pointed glance. "I owe you more than I can repay you, don't let me be a burden to you anymore."

Soujirou looked into her determined eyes for a few moments before re- sheathing his sword. Hai, I got your point Raiha-san. But I helped you get into this mess in the first place and I will do my best to get you out of it. Feeling both amusement at her stubbornness against someone obviously stronger than her and the unfamiliar feeling of disappointment that she chose not to put her trust in him, Soujirou picked up his discarded belongings and walked out of the gate.

"Sayonara, Raiha-san." He spoke softly before walking down the dirt path again.

Raiha watched as he disappeared from view, her instincts were telling her not to let him go but her mind was congratulating her on a choice well made. Well, the decision was mine in the end after all. Lifting her gaze to the bright blue autumn sky, she watched a few fat white clouds drift by. How did my life get so complicated? She wondered, it seemed so long ago when all she worried about was what chores she had to do that day.

Squaring her shoulders, she took a deep breath. A lot is going to change but I am ready, I have to be. Walking to the kitchen, she saw a flash of black hair and a pair of hazel eyes peek over at her.

"Keiko! You can come out now." Raiha called out, putting a cheerful smile on her face.

With pigtails bouncing behind her, Keiko ran out glancing around the yard with a smile, "Nee-chan? Where is Seta-san?"

"Seta-san had to leave Keiko, he had a long way to travel."

Raiha stifled a laugh as the expression on the child's face went from sunny to a gloomy pout in a matter of seconds.

"Keiko, have you done your lessons for the day yet?" Raiha reminded her gently.

"No . . ." The child mumbled kicking her tiny feet into the dirt. "I'll go do them right now.

"That's a good girl." Raiha smiled at the little girl scuffled back to the bedroom to practice her calligraphy skills.

Now for the more pressing matters at hand. Raiha finally allowed herself to relax as she sank down on a small stool at the corner. What could the government possibly want with me? It was then that an awful thought crossed her mind, Could this be what Otou-san was talking about? I never though that it could actually be true . . . She shivered as she remembered the night her father had passed away.

********

"Raiha? Raiha? Are you there?" His voice had been feeble and his face was gaunt and pale from the disease that was killing him slowly.

"Hai, Otou-san. Do you want some water?" Raiha asked, her voice had an edge of desperation.

"Where is your mother?"

"She . . . She is with Keiko." Raiha bit her lip, hoping that he won't be able to see through her lie. She didn't have the courage to tell him that her mother was no longer able to discern reality from the dream world she had created. Even Raiha herself sometimes wished to disappear in that dream too.

"That's good, I don't want her to know what I am telling you. I know I won't be able to live through the nigh-" Harsh coughs racked his body as he struggled to finish the sentence.

"Otou-san! Don't say such things! Just rest, please!" Raiha laid her hands on his forehead and felt the high fever running through his body.

"No! This is my last chance to tell you the truth. My mistakes, they are coming back to haunt me. I thought that it could end with his death, but it won't." His eyes were tortured as he continued, "Raiha, if only I had taught you instead, I was so foolish. No, now is not the time to talk about that." He mumbled. "Its not too late, Raiha, you can still protect them. Marry Akito, right away, he may be strong enough to defeat them. Promise me you will Raiha. I know that your mother and I decided not to force you into anything but we have no choice. Promise me."

"Please, save your strength." She pushed on his shoulders to urge him back on the futon as he struggled to rise when she gave no reply.

"Just promise me, please, they are coming."

"I promise, Otou-san. I promise. But who? Who are you talking about?" Raiha whispered confused by her father's feverish words.

"They're shadows, demons, chasing, chasing, chasing . . ." He broke off before finishing the sentence. "Raiha, ask your mother to forgive me. I'm sorry little one, I never meant for this all to fall on your shoulders." The last part was spoken so softly that she almost couldn't hear it. It was the last thing he said before falling unconscious from the fever burning through his body.

"Otou-san? Otou-san?" Raiha cried out. Her head fell back as tears slowly began to roll down her face. There was no use, the doctor had long told them to prepare for the worst. Consumption allowed for no survivors, it was a miracle that no one else in the family contracted it too. But it was a miracle wasted. Her mother couldn't live without her husband, she was slowly dying a different kind of death. Her mind was already gone, it was only a matter of time before her body followed.

Raiha held his hand all through the night, but he never awoke again. When the morning sun peeked through the window, he was gone.

In the end, she wasn't even able to carry through with his last wish. A week later she received a letter informing her that Akito had died in a cholera outbreak in Kyoto.

******

Is this what Otou-san meant? She wondered, at the time she had chosen to believe that his warning was the nonsense talk induced by his fever, now she was no longer sure. Well, it doesn't matter now does it? She laughed almost bitterly, fate had left her no choice but to leave the home that she had grown up in. She didn't know who or even what this enemy that the woman earlier had spoken of but the threat of Keisuke was enough to force her to leave. Well, that's that huh? Now all I have to do is break the news to Keiko, I wonder how well she will take it? Pushing herself back on her feet, she sighed before leaving the room to talk to the little girl.

"Really?! I want to go!" Keiko beamed, her pigtails danced merrily as she jumped up and down. Raiha felt relief course through her when Keiko did not make a fuss about leaving.

"Then why don't you gather the things you want to take so we can leave tomorrow morning." There was nobody to say goodbye to anyway, it was probably best if they left as soon as possible, Raiha reasoned with herself.

Walking to her bedroom, Raiha slowly packed her meager belongings.

As she looked through the items, her hand brushed over the small wooden box that was her inheritance from by her parents.

Picking up the box, she lifted the lid to reveal a beautiful jade pendant. It was intricately crafted in the shape of a fierce dragon but unfortunately only half of the pendant remained. When she had asked what happened to the other half, her father had told her that it had been stolen long before. She still remembered his cold expression when she asked, it was the first and last time she inquired about the other half of the dragon pendant. That night she could hear her parents' raised voices arguing in their bedroom.

Tucking the pendant within a pocket hidden in her kimono, she despaired at the thought of selling the heirloom. But for travel she had to find some source of money and the only thing she had of value was the pendant. Just as she began to close the cover, Raiha noticed a small tear at the corner of the red lining at the bottom of the box. Curious, she lifted the velvet lining and drew out a small fold of money. This must be the money Okaa-san and Otou-san had saved throughout the years. She realized. Thank Kami- sama. It wasn't much but it would get them to the closest city and feed them while she searched for employment.

The next morning, Raiha held Keiko's hand and closed the gate to the rundown cottage that had served as her home for the past 19 years for the last time. She shifted the pack that held their meager possessions onto her shoulder and pushed closed the old iron lock. All of the wonderful memories of her childhood flashed before her eyes as they grew slightly misty. No, don't think about that. She chided herself.

Keiko, who didn't realize the importance of this occasion, tugged at her sister's hand. "Nee-chan! Which big city are we going to?"

Raiha's smiled at the irony, the closest city was Tokyo.

"To Tokyo."

She could see the little girl's eyes light up as she imagined all of the sights to greet her in the huge city.

"Lets go, Nee-chan!" Keiko pulled Raiha forward.

"Yes, its time to go. Sayonara." Raiha whispered before she walked with Keiko to the main road.

The morning sun shined upon the cottage and the autumn leaves whispered in the wind.

As much as she wanted to look back, Raiha didn't turn around, she could only walk forward.

Japanese Glossary: I am not by any means fluent in Japanese so forgive me if I make any grammar mistakes and please point it out to me. But I will occasionally use Japanese words, mainly because it makes the story sound better in my opinion. So here's a short glossary for the few words I used in this chapter.

Hai- Yes

Kami-sama- an equivalent to God

Nee-chan- Sister

Okaa-san- Mother

Otou-san- Father

Sayonara- Goodbye or Farewell

Author's Notes (Part 2): Well what did you think? I hope I have not rushed the plot over much and that I actually have a plot . . . thanks all for reading again. Chapter 4 should be up in a week or so, Happy Holidays to all again!