Ai no Aji – Taste of Love
By Lady_Allure (Allure-chan)

 
You know I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or Sailor Moon, just the fic. ENJOY!


Note: Gomen ne for not updating my fics lately. I'm a college student, so studying takes up most of my time. In the meantime, I just had to go and get myself addicted to Rurouni Kenshin. This fic is based mostly on the RK OVA series, and it may be a little angsty.



Act 1: Protector?

Usagi gulped, aware that the sharp blade was now pressed against her skin, knowing that if she so much as moved, it would cut her. She had been told not to speak, but what outdated baka would actually use any kind of weapon against her, it something out of medieval Japan. 'If only I had paid more attention in history class.' she thought, ignoring the pain the stranger's grip was giving her. Her lips trembled, "O negai, let me go." she pleaded in a near whisper, fear in her eyes.

"Silence." It was a command, said in a serious deep voice, near her ear so only she could hear it. "If you want to stay alive, be quiet or the Shinsengumi will hear us."

'Shinsengumi?' Usagi voiced silently. Where had she heard that term before? This was confusing, was this person trying to protect her, or was it some kind of trick. She wanted to ask, but something told her not too question whoever it was.

The forest seemed to quiet for her taste, the last time she had been out doors, was when she went camping with her Senshi, and they had run into the Starlights. That was months ago. Now the forest seemed foreign to her. Especially since she had no idea as to how she got there in the first place.

It took forcing herself to be quiet, in order to hear the shouts that were no more than a few meters away. She inhaled deeply, pressing her lips together, listening to the footsteps that ran past them. What were they looking for? For that matter, who were they? Shinsengumi as her she had been told. Just what was going on? To her, it seemed like they were hiding, but why?

How long were they going to stay like this? She wondered just when she could no longer feel the cold sharp blade pressed against her thought, nor could she feel the feel tight grip. "It's safe now, they are gone." she heard the same deep voice, only it was not as harsh as it had been.

"They?" Usagi turned, coming face to face with an unusual sight. The male figure before stood almost a foot taller than her, dressed in gi shirt with hakama pants, fit for a swordsman, the kind that she had seen Aikido students wear during their lessons. His hair was flaming red, tied into a high ponytail, leaving bangs to cover his eyes, along with a physically fit body. She watched him sheath his katana. Not able to see his face due to the darkness, through the moonlight, she was able to make out a scar shaped like an x on his left cheek.

"Shinsengumi." he repeated, looking at her with a blank expression.

Usagi frowned. "What do you mean." she glared at him, folding her arms, "And what gave you the right to use a sharp weapon on me!"

The red haired man narrowed his eyes, scanning her from head to toe, ignoring her near shouts, "Why are you dressed like that?" he questioned, staring at her strange choice of clothing, which was a pair of navy blue shorts, and a peach mini-tee that read Yoshiki. "And what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

"I should be asking you the same thing." Usagi responded, arching an eyebrow.

"You talk with a strange accent." he noticed, not used to hearing a woman use such words.

Usagi didn't know what angered her the most, the fact that he was going completely off topic, and hadn't answered any of her questions, or that he made no sense at all. "I don't have time for this." she shook her head, turning away. Obviously she wasn't getting anywhere talking to someone who had nearly scared her stiff, and wouldn't talk on some normal plane with her. "Artemis!" her voice was loud as she called for the white cat, walking away from the so called swordsman.

"Matte!" he called after her.

"Leave me alone." she answered, searching for the guardian neko. After walking about two feet, she felt a hand grab he arm. "Let go!" she demanded, trying to pull her arm free.

"Iie, not until you answer my questions." The red haired swordsman said, loosening his hold when he saw the fear in her eyes, "I won't harm you, I just want to know why you are out here, it's too dangerous."

The blond haired girl bowed her head, sighing, "I don't know." she answered simply, "I don't know how I got here." he eyed her, unconvinced, "Really." she stated.

He sighed, releasing her, "Very well, do you have anywhere to go?" he asked.

Usagi titled her head to the side, staring at him with uncertainly, "Iie."

He blinked, thinking, "You may come with me if you wish, I will not force you, demo I can't protect you if you stay out here." he offered.

This was beyond confusing now, it was almost madness. What had happened, and where was she? What choice did she have, either except his offer, or stay out here and freeze. "Alright, but let me find my neko." she requested. He nodded in reply, and waited while she searched, "ARTEMIS!" she shouted, about to panic if she didn't find him, when a white furry figure came running up to her. A look of relief covered her face as she picked him up, hugging him close.

"This way." The red haired man spoke, gesturing for her to follow him.

Usagi and Artemis shared a look, and then began walking after him.




They must have walked for about a mile, and not a single road could be seen. Instead it was a path they followed, that had to lead somewhere. It was getting colder the later it got, how much longer would they have to walk. Usagi was getting tired, and her feet hurt.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Kyoto."

"Kyoto?"

"My clan resides there."

"Soo ka, how far is it?"

"About another two miles."

"Wouldn't it be easier to call a taxi?" she asked the young man in front of her, groaning from her sore body.

"A what?" The swordsman frowned, glancing at her, not understanding what she meant.

"Never mind." Usagi mumbled.

The red haired man shrugged and raised his eyebrows. The girl spoke with words he never heard of. She was not like any woman he had ever met.

The trio walked in silence for the next mile, until Usagi realized she didn't even know who the stranger was.

"Who are you by the way?" she asked, waiting for him to answer, which wasn't instantly.

It took a few moments for him to answer, "I'm known as Hitokiri Battousai." he said finally, not turning to look at her.

Her eyes widened at the name, she knew what it meant, and it made her feel uneasy, "Tsukino Usagi." she introduced herself when he didn't ask.

He nodded, but said nothing.

The rest of the walk was spent in silence, without anything to say to each other. Usagi wanted to ask him a lot of questions, but she was too exhausted too, all she wanted to do was sleep. Her body ached, and her eyes heavy, next thing she knew, she fainted.