Disclaimer:  Unfortunately, I don't own Kenshin. But one can always dream, ne? As for anyone not belonging to the original RK universe, they're mine! Mind, body, and soul! And I can make them do tricks! Whee!

Warning:  This is not only my first RK fanfic, it's my first fanfic. Be prepared for bad humor, bad grammar, bad spelling, and worse plot ideas! Mwahahahaha! None shall escape my evil!

Souken no Shibun

Prologue

Time.

It kept slipping away.

Away from her.

She didn't know how or why.

It just did.

Seconds into minutes.

Minutes into hours.

Hours into days.

And always without her noticing.

She sat down to breakfast sometimes to find the food had long since gone cold. It seemed today would be no exception.

Half the day had already passed.

She sighed, annoyed with the increasing frequency and length of these episodes. Thankfully, she lived in the middle of a forest where no one was around to speculate on her strange behavior. Due to how rarely the incidences had occurred before, she had simply ignored them, assuming to be moments that her mind had wondered. Yet, she could never recall what she'd been thinking.

Now though, in light of recent events, she began to wonder. On a recent trip into town for supplies, she had come across some disturbing news. Her 'other half' was on the move. She didn't know why she called him that or even why she felt compelled to keep tabs on him. She couldn't explain it and she didn't care enough to try. Perhaps it was the latest developments with 'him' that was the cause behind her increasing episodes. The timing seemed right.

'Timing…' She growled at her mind's attempt to make light of the situation. She picked up her chopsticks and poked at her food, re-focusing her mind on the matter at hand. The information she'd gathered from her various contacts was sketchy at best, but it was nevertheless important. Some seemingly random events had been occurring across Japan for the past 6 years, but when using her 'other half' as a center for it all, a pattern emerged.

And it wasn't a pretty picture.

If she was right, the government was in danger and lots of important people were about to end up dead. Very dead. And more than likely no one would put all the information together in time to stop him. Which, of course, meant it was up to her to play hero and save the day. She wrinkled her nose at the thought as she shoved some rice in her mouth. For some reason, the idea of purposely getting herself mixed up in the whole sordid affair seemed less the appealing. Possibly facing off with that man made it even more so. Yet another in a long list of things she didn't understand.

Her mind rejected the very idea of revealing herself to him. In fact, it even rebelled against her weekly supply runs, but she ignored the warnings. Considering the strength of her feelings in this case, perhaps it was best they were heeded. And yet, there was this nagging sense of responsibility. 'Perhaps I can get off by simply warning those targeted,' she mused, clearing the remains of her breakfast. 'Surely they could take it from there, right?'

Decision made, she proceeded to pack a few changes of clothes and what little money she had. Grabbing the paper the informant had slipped her, she headed out the door. Of course, now she had to decide where to go first. Might as well start at the top of the list, as the saying went. 'Literally,' she thought dryly, scanning over the names scribbled onto the crinkled rice paper. Turning south, she stuffed it into the pocket of her sleeve.

First stop: one Himura Kenshin.

Japanese terms

Souken no Shibun:  The Four Parts of Creation/ Creation's Four Parts (something like that)

A/N:  *giggling insanely* Yes, this is indeed the fruit of too much sugar and too little sleep… but I will persevere and create a plot, not just nameless people out to maul poor Kenshin! Anyways…

*anxiously chews on her lip* So… what do you think? Is it worth continuing? Or should I give it up and go back to drooling over everyone else's writing?

And before anybody asks (not saying they will, but just in case), the girl and her 'other half' were meant to remain nameless. This is so that later on when they do come in, I might be rewarded with pandemonium as I confuse and delight you! Mwahaha!

Review and I'll give you this imaginary cookie and a pat on the back for being so magnanimous and kind! Flame me if you must, but let me warn you… fire is my friend. *smiles sweetly*

And thanks go out to Hazu for pre-reading! You have my eternal gratitude, even if I myself am not!