Hey! Kyaa Kyaff here!
Disclaimer: Rurouni kenshin is not mine! But I can always dream and write stories about 'em!
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An Alternate Place and Time
'…' Kaoru thoughts
"…" dialogue
Chapter: 3 Misao arrives
"Who… who's there?" Kaoru asked shakily putting her hand to her bokken.
"Makimachi Misao!" the figure shouted cheerfully.
A young girl stepped out of the shadows. Her hair was tied into a long braid, and she had two kunais on her belt. She began to frown.
"You weren't supposed to see me though! I am an Oniwabanshu ninja. I guess I still need practice, though."
Misao scrunched her nose, but then broke out with a smile. Kaoru was a little confused.
'This girl has to be seven or eight years old. What is she doing in the woods all alone?'
"Are you lost little girl?" Kaoru asked tentatively.
"LITTLE! I am thirteen years old!" Misao cried.
Kaoru could practically see the steam coming from Misao's ears. That was obviously the wrong thing to say.
'A year younger than me. She looks so much younger. Obviously a sore spot of hers.'
"Gomen Misao-chan, but why were you following me?" Kaoru said tactfully changing the subject.
Misao's face split into another grin as she took a dramatic stance with her hands on her hips.
"Makimachi Misao of the Oniwabanshu clan. I was practicing following without being detected," she frowned a little, "but like I said I think I need a little more practice."
Kaoru chuckled at the younger girl's antics. Misao seemed to be bursting with energy, and it was affecting Kaoru.
"Misao-chan, would you be able to tell me where this trail leads?" Kaoru asked.
"Yep, as long as you do something for me!" Misao replied.
"Nani?"
"Tell me your name!" Misao said.
"Kamiya Kaoru."
"Okay, Kaoru-san. This leads out to the main road. That road leads to Kyoto, which is where I am headed to see my Aoshi-sama! I'll come with you!"
'Who said I was going there? …Well, I guess I'm going to Kyoto.'
Misao grabbed Kaoru's hand and started dragging her along the trail, all the while chattering away about her Aoshi-sama.
^___________________________________________________________________________^
Misao continued to talk to Kaoru about anything. Sometimes the topic changed so quick that Kaoru would be wondering what had happened to the last subject. Kaoru was beginning to really like Misao with her energetic spirit. She was so deep in thought that she barely caught the question Misao addressed to her.
"Kaoru-san, why are you traveling alone?"
Kaoru stopped quickly. It was kind of odd for a girl to be traveling alone. She never really thought about what other people would think. Misao turned at Kaoru's abrupt stop.
"I was kicked out by my uncle," Kaoru finally replied.
"What a terrible relative. Who kicks their niece out of the house? He must be a horrible man!" Misao was full of indignant rage for Kaoru.
"No, he isn't horrible. I forgive him for kicking me out. I wanted to have an adventure anyway,"
'And I didn't want to face Tomoe or Shinta. I am such a coward.'
"You can stay with me!" Misao piped up.
Kaoru smiled at this.
"Arigato Misao-chan, if it is not to much trouble, I would love to stay with you for a little while."
^____________________________________________________________________________^
They arrived at Kyoto as night began to fall. Not the best time to be wandering around a big city, but Misao assured that her home was nearby.
"We should be there in another ten minutes or so." Misao said happily.
Misao and Kaoru continued making their way through the emptying streets of Kyoto. A shout disturbed the empty street, as Kaoru and Misao made their way around a corner.
"Hey! You come back here. Damn you! You owe me money you shameless bastard you can't run forever."
The tall guy the man must have been yelling at slammed into Kaoru. They ended in a tangled heap. The man stood up and brushed the dirt off himself.
"Oi! Watch where you are going Jou-chan." The man with the funny spiked hair said.
"What did you call me baka…" Kaoru trailed off as a feeling of déjà vu washed over her.
"Wish I could stay and chat but I am in a hurry." The man then took of running the way they had come.
Misao came over to Kaoru.
"Are you alright? That ahou, he could have hurt you!"
Kaoru went to stand up after assuring Misao that she was fine only to feel a sharp pain lance her ankle. With a cry she ended up seated on the road once again.
"I think I did something to my ankle."
Misao leaned over to inspect Kaoru's ankle in the dim light.
"It might be sprained. There is a clinic right near here. I'll take you there."
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After several minutes of hobbling through the streets leaning on Misao's shoulder, they made it to the little clinic. Misao knocked on the door. A few seconds later the door opened to reveal a beautiful woman with long dark hair.
"What brings you here today, Itachi. I thought you were training." The woman said.
"Megumi-san! My friend is hurt. She was run over by some baka and hurt her ankle." Misao explained gritting her teeth at being called a weasel.
"Misao-chan, She's a doctor? She looks to young, and I didn't know there were women doctors." Kaoru stated looking at the woman in front of her incredulously whose face took on an indignant look.
"Well," Megumi said looking Kaoru slowly up and down, "Tanuki here doesn't seem to want my help."
"Tanuki!" Kaoru cried insulted.
"Calm down Kaoru-san. Don't let her get to you. Could you please look at Kaoru's ankle, Megumi-san?" Misao pleaded.
"Come on, Tanuki, let's see what is wrong."
Megumi took Kaoru over to a seat and began to inspect her ankle. Kaoru had sprained it and was told to stay off of it for a few weeks. Misao again said that Kaoru could stay at her place until she recovered. Kaoru agreed and Megumi got up to speak with Misao about something she needed to tell her. The two went off to a different room. Sitting there for several minutes, Kaoru decided to go over to her pack by the door, so she could pay Megumi. Just as she reached her pack with some hopping, the door swung open forcefully and smacked right into Kaoru, who landed on her butt.
"Oi! Megitsune, I need a place to stay tonight and…" he looked down at Kaoru, "What happened to you?"
'It's the same guy! Has he been sent to torture me or what!'
"You're that girl I ran over earlier today, aren't you?"
Kaoru pinned him with a glare.
"Gomen, Jou-chan." he said off handedly.
That was the least sincere apology she had heard in her life. And she was getting fed up with this Jou-chan business. Angry at this baka she practically shouted:
"My name is Kamiya Kaoru, you baka."
"Whatever you say Jou-chan." he replied much to her anger.
Misao and Megumi had come rushing in at the noise. Misao made her way to Kaoru. Seeing Megumi, the baka made his way over to her.
"Megitsune, it is so nice to see you," he said.
"What do you want, Sano?"
'Sano, isn't that… He does look like him.'
"To be in your lovely presence kitsune."
"No, you can't stay here. No, I am not lending you money. My advice to you, stop gambling, Tori-atama." Megumi said.
'Tori-atama. I like that. I will have to remember that one.'
Misao, who had about enough came behind Sano and gave him a good whack on the head. Rubbing where she had hit him he asked irritably:
"What did I do, Itachi?"
Misao became angrier.
"Why does everyone call me that!?" Misao looked like she was about to explode.
Megumi quickly interjected and told Sano, "You sprained that Tanuki's ankle earlier it seems."
"Stop calling me Tanuki!" Kaoru cried but was ignored.
"Well, I suggest that you help her to Itachi's," an indignant noise sounded from Misao, "house. You can stay there for the night. Can't he?" Megumi said.
"You just don't want him staying here!" Misao spoke up.
"Well, can't you carry Tanuki there," Megumi said stating the facts.
"I'll manage on my own," Kaoru said mad that they were talking about her as if she wasn't there.
"I will carry her home if I can have breakfast in the morning, too." Sano continued as if Kaoru had not spoken.
Misao thought it over and did not see any harm in letting him stay the night. Megumi was right. There was no way she would be able to get Kaoru home.
"Fine," Misao said.
Sano walked over to Kaoru.
"Okay, Jou-chan, come here. Kitsune, it was great seeing you again. We can have some private time later. So try not to be to disappointed."
"Tori-atama," Megumi fairly growled out. She then let out the most annoying laugh Kaoru had ever heard.
"I don't go for younger boys."
Sano ignored that comment as he picked Kaoru up. She began to squirm, trying to get out of his grasp.
"Behave Jou-chan." Kaoru acquiesced realizing there was no way to get out of the situation.
Misao picked up Kaoru's pack and opened the door for Sano. Although it was only a short distance, Kaoru fell asleep before they reached Misao's house.
^__________________________________________________________________________^
Kaoru awoke to the sound of voices. She was laying comfortably on a futon. She could smell the delicious smell of good food being cooked. Sitting up she found that someone had changed her into sleeping garments. Next to her was all her stuff and she carefully got up to change making sure not to put any pressure on her foot. Hobbling over to the door she opened it and saw Misao jumping up and down near a very tall guy who was looking down at her with a rather expressionless face.
"Kaoru-san," Misao said seeing Kaoru, "Come here. Oh yeah, I forgot here let me help you."
Misao helped Kaoru come over toward the tall man and started the introductions.
"Aoshi-sama I would like you to meet Kaoru-san. Kaoru-san, Aoshi-sama."
Aoshi looked at Kaoru.
"Kamiya Kaoru," she said sensing that this guy was not a great conversationalist and would not go around calling her by her first name.
"Kamiya-san," he said in greeting.
"I was just telling Aoshi-sama how we met!"
During the rest of the day Kaoru met Okina, Misao's grandfather. Breakfast was great, and Sano was there to eat most of it.
'This guy is definitely a freeloader.' Kaoru thought.
He introduced himself properly as Sagara Sanosuke, and much to her annoyance kept calling her Jou-chan. He didn't seem to remember her from when they were younger. Kaoru had come to the conclusion that he hadn't changed much.
The next few weeks at Misao's were wonderful. Sano and Megumi came to visit Kaoru frequently. Sano, Megumi, Okina, Misao, and even Aoshi became very dear to her. They were all wonderful in their own ways. Sano persisted in calling her Jou-chan. To tell the truth she began to like the little nickname. Megumi continued to call her tanuki much to her dismay. Aoshi continued to speak about as much as was expected. Knowing Aoshi that meant one to two word conversations. Misao was her cheerful self. She brightened Kaoru's day with her happiness and energy. Okina was a very funny old man. But as her ankle recovered she decided to travel again.
^_______________________________________________________________________^
"Are you sure Jou-chan. I could come along to protect you."
Kaoru laughed.
"I will be fine Sano. Besides I think Megumi would miss you too much."
"What was that Tanuki? Miss that Tori-atama, I don't think so." Megumi said
Sano laughed also, and moved closer to Megumi. She quickly backed away from him.
"Jou-chan has a point." Sano declared.
Okina smiled and wished Kaoru the best of luck.
Aoshi, who was standing next to Misao, nodded toward her.
"Be careful Kamiya-san."
Misao looked like she was near tears.
"Kaoru-san, promise to come back, okay. Don't stay away long. And be careful, cause if you aren't I will have to hunt you down. Here take this dagger so you can protect yourself. Please hurry back!"
Misao gave Kaoru a big hug and handed her the dagger.
"Misao-chan, I will come back. I'll be careful. I swear. Take care of yourself." Kaoru leaned closer and whispered in Misao's ear, "Aoshi-san will come around."
Misao turned a little red. Kaoru had found out the girl had a major crush on Aoshi. She wished the best for Misao. She hugged Kaoru one again. Kaoru said goodbye one last time before walking through the gates and onto the road that led out of the city.
^__________________________________________________________________________^
A few days later Kaoru ended up on another forest trail that looked promising. She had been walking for several days. She had run into one or two people on her way, merchants and the such. Remembering the incident with Misao, Kaoru made sure that she was aware of her surroundings. It didn't prepare her for what happened next, though.
"Hello there, Miss. Are you lost?" A man stepped from the forest. He was very scruffy looking.
Kaoru immediately became aware that she was surrounded.
'This is not good. Not good at all. Stay calm. Breathe.'
Her heart was racing. . She grabbed her bokken and held it in front of her, pointing it at the man.
"Come on Miss. I am just trying to help you. Don't you want to make friends?" The leader of the group said.
He reached his hand toward her only to recoil it in pain as she gave him a sound smack on the hand. He cursed quite fluently. Kaoru sensed someone was coming up behind her and quickly whirled around and with a great swing catching the unsuspecting man in the side.
"Get the Bitch," the leader growled.
Two men advanced on Kaoru. She sized both of them up and decided to go for the smaller one first. They both ran at her, she deftly moved to the side of the smaller man putting him between her and the bigger man. Ducking the wild swing of the smaller man, she slammed his knees hard with her bokken. He went down with a howl of pain. The bigger man began to move forward. He had a big heavy looking stick as a weapon. He swung it at her with a hefty swing, backing up quickly; she just missed getting her head knocked off. The force of the swing caused the man to take a moment to pull it back. Kaoru took the chance and dashed forward, and with a well-placed hit, the man lay moaning on the ground.
'There are too many!'
Six more men showed up. Kaoru was not going down without a fight. She managed to take two more down before they overpowered her. They held her up by her arms after they had beat her up. The leader began to approach her. Kaoru glared at him menacingly.
"Boss, she's got quite a bit of money on her," said one of the men going through her pack.
"Good! Men it seems we have caught a good catch today." He smiled at her lewdly and grabbed her face.
"I get her first…" his sentence was cut off and his eyes bulged. Blood bubbled up from his mouth as he was stabbed swiftly through the stomach. In quick flashes the other men were all dispatched. Kaoru could not see who it was, but took the opportunity to pick up her bokken to face whoever this new person was. She surveyed her surroundings, only to see the dead bodies of the men surround her. She felt nauseous. Scenes from when her parents were murdered rose fresh in her memory. Blood was everywhere.
"Put that silly piece of wood down, girl. It won't do you any good."
Kaoru turned toward the source of the new voice.
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Kyaa Kyaff here! Yes, I know another cliffhanger. Sorry Aizel. I really got to stop doing that. And I tried to make the chapter longer cause I know they are short and everyone has been asking for longer chapters.
Thanks again to all you who reviewed my story!
Sabrina-star, Marstanuki, Aizel, safd, mai, Crystal, Gypsy-chan, Luks, omochi, Vesca, Aku-sama, Sky Fire, Gara, Beverlyhighland, kenna-chan, Chiki, Madphilie, and Joey! I think that is everyone. You guys are all great.
Don't worry Kenshin will be making his appearance soon. I needed to get through this part though. I hoped you liked this chapter too. And yes Koaru has a little skill in using her bokken. About everyone's ages, just in case you are wondering, Kaoru- 14, Misao-13, Sano-16, Megumi-19, Aoshi-17.
Kyaa Kyaff thanks you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!