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gomen ne for the delay... here's episode 1...

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Episode 1 - Home is where...

Home is where the heart is... Your heart will lead you home...

"One-sama, there's a guy lying down on the road." a girl who had her azure hair on a pony tail asked her sister. "We've gotta help him." she insisted. "But Yuki-" "'Ne-sama, this guy needs our help. He might die here." she said, pleading. Her sister looked at her cherry pink eyes. "Oh, all right." she said, giving in. "But we must tell the others. You know I can't carry him all alone." "Oh, okay. Please do so, Misao-nesan. I think I'll just stay here to keep him company." Yuki answered. "Take care, Yuki." Misao said, rushing off with ninja-like speed.

"I wonder who this guy is. And whoever he is, he must be a swordsman." Yuki said to herself as she stole a quick glance at the stranger's sword.

The night fell on the Oni gang's dojo. "Yuki! Dinner time!" a voice called from the outside Yuki's room. "I'm gonna be late. Go on ahead!" she answered.

She turned back to tending the stranger's wounds. His legs and arms were badly injured. *He must've had some sort of battle, Yuki thought* She squeezed the excess water on the towel she was holding and placed it over the stranger's head. The candle that lit the room flickered as the breeze rustled through the trees outside the dojo.

The stranger groaned and his eyelids shot up. He sat bolt upright and looked straight at Yuki. "Who are you? Where am I?" he asked. "Oh, My name's Yuki. I - we found you unconscious in the woods near Edo, so... we took you in." she explained. "How long has it been since you found me?" he asked. "About 3 days." "I have to go now. Thank you for your kindness, Yuki." "But sir, your wounds haven't been fully healed yet. And I think you should stay." "I don't think I need to burden you any longer." he said, standing up and heading for the door. "But sir-" "Please call me-"

He stopped thinking of his words. If he told her his right name, he could be put to danger. He couldn't take any chances.

"Please call me Kenji." he whispered as Yuki caught a hold of the back of his hakama. "Sir Kenji, Do you have any place to stay?" "Unfortunately, no..." "Then there is no reason I have to let you go... Besides, the Juppon Gatana members are scattered everywhere. They're known for their merciless killing and murder... I don't think I can bear you to suffer those things... anyone would..." "Yuki..."

Tears fell silently to the floor. Shock was in his eyes as he heard the name of his gang. Yet still... no one... even his mentor... Cared for him like this...

"Is there something wrong?" "No, nothing's wrong, Yuki..." "I see..." "Are you sure it's okay for me to stay here for a while?" Yuki's face enlightened with his words. "Yes, Kenji." "Okay then..."

Yuki smiled. "Oh, Kenji." "And Yuki-" "Yes, Kenji?" He wrapped his arms around her as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Thank you." "Mm..." Yuki mumbled, shaking her head.

A burst of laughter came from near the door. Misao and the rest of the Oni gang were halfway down the floor holding their stomachs and laughing so hard.

"Nechan!" Yuki said, blushing as Kenji released his grasp. The others continued laughing as he smiled. Yes, he surely was home... Where everyone had love and trust for each other... Where he has found one himself... Yes, this is home... Unlike any other...

Yuki sighed as her head hit the pillow that night. Her elder sister and the other Oni gang members had been teasing them all night... *Oh well... she thought*

Her eyelids snapped open as she remembered what Kenji told her just before he left her in front of her bedroom door. "Yuki want to see you at the garden tonight at exactly 10 pm... I want to say something to you." "Kenji, why won't you just tell me now?" "Please, Yuki." she recalled his voice. What could Kenji want to tell her? At this time of the night?

A/N:

Waaahh!!! I was only able to do episode 1 of this... All my fics are like frozen... :( I'm stuck here battling pressure!!! Argh.. Anywayz, thanx 2 all those who reviewed... :) Aishiteru, minna! :) I think this chapter-- i mean episode is major crap... oh well...

later much!

--say