Disclaimer : I do not and will never own Rurouni Kenshin. >:( Oh well.


A Twist of Fate - Chapter 2

Battousai turned just in time to catch the girl, and he breathed a sigh of relief. For now, he couldn't bring himself to kill her. Jasmine... this girl... Battousai shook his head. I'm going mad.

After he reached the Madori-ya, Battousai laid the girl onto his own futon while he sat by the corner. She's only drunk... was his last thought as he drifted into an uneasy sleep about blood...

Sunlight shone through the shouji and Battousai awakened. He found that his futon had been neatly folded and stacked into the corner next to him. Bakana ! I was too careless !

After checking the whole perimeter of Kohagiya, Battousai went out into the garden, which was the last place which he hadn't looked yet. There, under the shade of the sakura tree, he found the girl practicing her kata. He slowly walked over to her.

Even thought he was trying to keep as quiet as possible, the girl heard him, stopped in mid-stance and turned to face him, sheathing the katana at the same time. "Ohayo Battousai." she said, abit coldly.

Battousai smiled and nodded. "Ohayo..."

"You wanna know my name ?" He nodded. "Watashi wa Kamiya Kaoru, I'm from Tokyo."

Battousai nodded again. "Watashi wa Himura Kenshin, but they call me Hitokiri Battousai out there." he said and pointed toward the wall.

Kaoru shrugged and took out her katana, and continued practicing her kata. Kenshin proceeded to sit under the sakura tree, and watched her.

After a while of observing Kaoru, Kenshin stood up. "There's something wrong with your kata... if you don't mind me saying."

"What was that ?" she replied, without stopping. "What's wrong with it ?"

Kenshin thought for awhile before replying, furrowing his brow and scrunching up his expression. Kaoru laughed inwardly. This guy can be quite cute when he's not killing. Just then the mistake struck him. "Its your grip. You're holding you katana too tightly."

Kaoru frowned suspiciously and looked at her hands, still gripping the katana. "See ? You're holding it so hard your knuckles turned white. " Kenshin laughed. "Relax ! The way you grip can also affect you slashing speed. Let me show you." he went over to Kaoru and took the katana from her hands. "Ok... I'll hold the katana the same as you do, and then later I'll show you how I hold it." His hands gripped the katana tightly, and he slashed the air. To Kaoru it just seemed like a normal movement, but Kenshin felt it differently. Then, he showed Kaoru how he held the katana normally. She nodded, and Kenshin performed the same slash he did earlier. This time, the movement was so powerful it create a small gust of wind.

"Hey you're right... thanks." Kaoru said as she took the katana back from Kenshin. He laughed. "Trust me. I know." he said and winked at her, which made her cheeks turn slightly pink. Baka ! I am not falling for the Hitokiri Battousai. she scolded herself harshly.

Kenshin also noticed it, and out of concern, asked her, "Oi, you ok ?"

Kaoru shook her head slightly. "Iya, I'm fine. Its probably just hot, that's all, and besides, I've been training for 2 hours already." On hearing that, Kenshin nodded and smiled. "Then we'd better go in."


Once they steped inside, Kaoru went to the room, and Iizuka approached Kenshin. "Oi Himura. Cute girl. Where'd you pick her up, huh ?" he grinned slyly and nudged Kenshin.

Kenshin glared at him and his hand strayed to the hilt of his katana. "Whoa ! Whoa ! Take it easy Himura. Just joking." Jeez, touchy fella that Katsura brought in. Almost forgot he was Battousai. Could've gotten killed !

"You were looking for me for some reason I assume." Kenshin was still pissed that Iizuka made fun of him, as his hand drew away from the hilt of his katana. "Yeah." Iizuka took out a black envelope, which meant Kenshin had to go to the city that night to make a killing. "Tonight. Its all up to you now, Himura." Kenshin grunted in reply and walked away.


Author's Ramblings : Whew, finally thought of something. I've got lotsa fic ideas for 2002 lined up now ! Mind's refreshed. I got 3 reviews the day after this fic was posted ! Arigato minna !! I'll try my best.

Jo : Oi ! Don't be so mean to me !!! >=( I came up with this idea all by myself and no one helped me ok ! The reason why you felt it was familiar is probably because those scenes are scenes from the manga. Baka ! Wahahahaha !!!!! I just translated the damn thing directly.

A/N : I don't know if anyone's ever written this type of fic before, the only knowledge that I do have is that there are two fics that have Kaoru transported to Bakumatsu on her wedding day. If you've written a fic like this before, don't blame me for stealing your idea because I didn't know there was such a thing. Ok ? ^^x Arigato Gozaimasu !