I'm sooooooo sorry this took so long, but I have had pneumonia, so I haven't really been able to write. Anyway, here's Chapter 2!
*Disclaimer* If I owned Kenshin..... mmmmmmm.... let's just say I wouldn't be writing stories about him.
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The sun was sinking below the horizon, and Misao paused to watch the bright colors thrown across the sky. Then she turned back to the dinner she was preparing. Aoshi would be getting home soon.
Misao sighed as she thought of him. They had been living in the same house for several years, and Misao had no idea what their relationship really was. Sometimes Aoshi was open and loving (she blushed when she thought about his kisses), but at other times he was cold and they hardly even spoke. No matter what happened, she always felt that he was never completely with her.
She heard the door open, knowing that he was home. She listened with affection to his soft footsteps. He entered the kitchen, a small smile on his face.
What's going on? Misao asked, smiling not just because he was smiling, but because merely his presense made her happy. You look happy.
I've just sent a letter, Aoshi said.
To whom?
Himura and his friends.
At this Misao brightened even more. Really? What'd you say?
I asked them to come visit.
Really?! Oh, I'm so excited! She certainly looked it. She was surprised, too. After all, it was unusual for Aoshi to do anything like that. Since the battle with Shishio, Misao and Aoshi had seen Kenshin, Kaoru, and the others about seven times, which was not enough in anyone's mind.
Well, I was kind of hoping they would be coming for a certain occasion, Aoshi continued, his expression strange and slightly embarassed.
Huh? What occasion?
Aoshi took a deep breath, exhaled, and then smiled. Misao stared at him, very confused about what was going on.
Aoshi leaned forward and their lips met. They had kissed before, but nothing like this. Aoshi kissed her gently at first, but it built quickly into an explosion of emotion. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. Misao, will you marry me?
***
Kenshin! Yahiko! Come here! We've got a letter from Aoshi! They want us to come visit! Yahiko ran into the room. While Kenshin had changed very little over the past six years, Yahiko had transformed. He was taller now, about Kenshin's height, and very handsome. His sword skills had also improved drastically. He was probably better than Kaoru now, although neither of them mentioned it.
A letter from Aoshi?! Yahiko cried. They want us to visit! Awesome!
Where's Kenshin? asked Kaoru.
He was in the dojo, just kinda staring out the window. Yahiko paused. He's been doing that a lot now.
Kaoru knew that he had. Even though he had told her about the so-called Second Battousai, they had not spoken more on the matter and Kenshin had remained rather withdrawn.
Kaoru walked down the hall and into the dojo. She froze in the doorway. Kenshin's eyes seemed to be glowing with an almost green light, and he was studying his reverse-blade sword intently.
she said softly.
He looked up with a soft smile.
We, uh, just got a letter from Aoshi, inviting us to come to Kyoto.
Kenshin's eyes widened for an instant and then narrowed. The town north of there was the last place.
Huh? The last place what? Kaoru was very confused.
The last place the assassin struck.
Oh, well, I'm writing back to say we're coming.
Kenshin said.
***
Shinka walked along the road. Up ahead she could see the city. For as long as she could remember, she had always felt drawn to it. Perhaps her real parents had some connection to it. Or perhaps not. Either way she felt drawn to it. She would have to go there again, even though she might not find what it was she sought. What she sought she did not know, but she had no choice but to go there. To Kyoto.
***
The train pulled into the station. Aoshi and Misao were standing on the platform, smiling. When the train stopped, Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke, and Megumi (holding Sage) got off. She had gotten her assistant, a girl named Perrie, to take over her duties as a doctor so she could go on the trip.
Sanosuke leaped off the train, shuddering in fear. I still don't get how those big teapots can move! he cried.
You baka, Megumi said with a sweet smile to her husband.
Misao! Aoshi! It's so good to see you guys! Kaoru cried.
Yeah, it's been way too long! Misao said with a grin.
Are you still giving sword lessons, Aoshi? asked Yahiko.
the tall man responded. How have you been? And you, Himura?
Kenshin said. It is good to see you two again.
We have an announcement to make, Misao said, eager to get out the news. We're getting married!
Everyone stared at them for a moment, then rushed forward to congratulate them. Kenshin smiled and wished them luck, and no one except Aoshi noticed that his mind was elsewhere.
***
The next day, Kenshin said he wanted to visit a grave and left early in the morning. He seemed reluctant to say more and Kaoru didn't ask whose grave it was. She decided to take a walk and see the streets of Kyoto once more. Aoshi, Misao, Yahiko, Sanosuke, and Megumi were going to go out, but Kaoru decided she wanted to do a little exploring on her own.
She walked through the markets and bought a few things, then wandered aimlessly. At one point, she realized that the area she was in was almost completely deserted-and she was lost.
Up ahead, she saw a figure wearing a large hat (like Kenshin wore to shield his face from view in Samurai X) and a cloak. She was about to call out, when suddenly several men surrounded the figure.
Hello there, said one of the men with a sneer. Glad you decided to walk this way. But you see, this is our ally. But we don't want any trouble. Give us some money and we'll let you go.
Kaoru was about to step forward and help the traveler, when he spoke is a soft voice. The street belongs to no one. Let me pass and I will cause you no harm.
The voice surprised her. It was very familiar, somehow, yet it was cold, and for some reason sent a shiver up her spine. She quickly pressed her back against the wall so she wouldn't be spotted and waited to see what would happen.
Do us harm? one of the men said, but he looked slightly shaken. I don't think so. Come on guys, let's get this dude!
The men rushed forward- but the figure disappeared. Kaoru blinked. Huh? What's going on?! Suddenly the figure reappeared behind the men, striking two of them in the back of the neck with a sharp kick. They fell forward.
Kaoru realized the figure hadn't disappeared. He was just so fast that he had been able to get behind them. In fact, he was incredible. Almost as fast as Kenshin. Kaoru watched in amazement as the man easily took the criminals out. He moved with incredible speed, and his martial arts were amazing. As his cloak swung around his body, she saw that a sheathed sword hung at his side. In a matter of seconds, all of the men lay on the ground, unconscious.
Kaoru was so intent on the figure that she didn't notice the man who snuck up behind her and grabbed her. She screamed in surprise and fear, and the figure looked up sharply. He moved with god-like speed and knocked the man out. Her assailant sunk to the ground.
Thank you, Kaoru said softly. The man turned to look at her, and Kaoru gasped in surprise. It was not a man, but a woman, perhaps the most beautiful woman Kaoru had ever seen. But that was not what surprised her most. The large purple eyes and unusual hair were almost identical to Kenshin's. She looked to be about sixteen, but something about her bespoke a maturity beyond her years.
Something wrong? the girl asked, noticing Kaoru's shocked expression.
Er, no, um, I'm Kaoru.
I am Shinka. You should not walk here. It is dangerous. You should be more careful and stay out of these alleyways. Shinka turned to walk away.
Everything inside Kaoru screamed that she should not let this mysterious girl walk off. Whether or not she was connected to Kenshin was uncertain, but there was something about her. Wait! Do you live in Kyoto?
Shinka paused and turned around. No, I am just passing through. Why?
Where are you staying?
I don't know yet.
Well, um, as thanks for saving me, why don't you come stay with us?
I do not want to burden you, Shinka said.
It would not be a burden-It'd make me happy! Kaoru responded.
Shinka said, almost as if the word was foreign to her.
***
Shinka's serene face did not reveal her surprise. This girl did not even know her, nor anything about her. And yet, she was willing to welcome her into her home. Common sense told Shinka to refuse, but then again, she thought, why not? It is simply a place to stay. she said.
Kaoru's face lit up. She sure looks happy. To think that one can be made happy so easily.
Come on, it's just this way, I think. It'll be fun.
Shinka was nor sure whether this could be but she was not going to complain about a bed to sleep in.
When they got back to Aoshi and Misao's house, no one was home. Sit down, I'll make you a cup of tea, Kaoru said cheerfully.
Do not trouble yourself.
It's really nothing. I want to. Kaoru walked into the kitchen, thinking about how this girl reminded her of Kenshin. She was not silly and funny like Kenshin, but her quiet grace and serious nature reminded her of the more serious Kenshin she had seen a lot of lately. Who was this girl? And why was she in Kyoto?
***
Kaoru served the tea and asked Shinka to sit down. She had been studying a kodachi that was hung on the wall.
Kaoru sat down beside her and the two sat in silence.
So, what are you doing in Kyoto? Kaoru asked.
Wandering. I do a lot of that.
Kaoru could not help but be reminded of the fact that Kenshin had been a wanderer. Suddenly, the door opened, and many happy voices could be heard.
Shinka sat up stifly. It's alright, Kaoru said. Those are my friends.
Yahiko, Megumi, Misao, Aoshi, and Kenshin walked into the room, all talking rather happily and smiling. They all stopped both when they saw Shinka. Yahiko, Megumi, Misao, and Aoshi all stared in surprise, but Kenshin's eyes widened in shock.
Guys, I'd like you to meet Shinka. She saved me in an alley today, and I invited her to stay with us. I know there's plenty of room.
Shinka was staring at Kenshin with slightly wider-than-usual eyes. I am glad to meet you all, she said softly.
Well it's great to meet you too! cried Misao. I'm Misao, and this is my fiance Aoshi.
Aoshi said. His quick mind, meanwhile, was churning behind his calm face. Was this girl related to Kenshin? She looked so much like him, but in all his years of knowing Kenshin and before that being a member of the Oniwaban, he had never heard a whisper about Kenshin having any living relatives, and he certainly wasn't acting like he knew her.
This is Yahiko, my first apprentice in the Kamiya Kasshin stlyle, Kaoru said.
Uh, hi, said Yahiko. Yahiko was staring at Shinka, not just because she looked like Kenshin, but because Yahiko had never seen so beautiful a girl in his entire life.
And this is Sanosuke and his wife Megumi. This is there child, Sage.
Megumi said.
said Sano. You sure look like our Kenshin, he added.
As you've no doubt guessed, this is Kenshin.
Nice to meet you, Kenshin said.
Are you two related? asked Misao. You really do look alike.
Kenshin said. It must be coincidence.
***
Kenshin felt as though he were encased in ice. Everything around him seemed blurry, and the whole world looked unreal and strange. This girl looked like him, there was no doubt, but she also looked like someone else. The slant of her face, the shape of her eyes, the curve of her lips. They all looked exactly the same as someone who was dead. Kenshin had worked very hard to accept that death. Now, this girl appeared. She looked like him. But she also looked like Tomoe.
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Well, what'd you think? Remember to review. I'll try to update soon, but I'm REALLY BUSY. Sorry about this chapter. It didn't turn out quite the way I wanted it too.
Reviewer Respones:
Tomoe (evil_assassin@hotmail.com):
Sorry this took a while, but I hope you still love it! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter.
Kitty: I updated! But it did take a while. I don't really know of any other fics like this, but I don't know. I'll be on the lookout, though.
SailorLoneStar: I'm so glad you love the idea. Hope you loked this chapter. And try to see Inuyasha ASAP, it's an AWESOME anime! nonymous
FranceGamble: Now the next chapter's there. Sorry this took so long, but I have been really sick. Thanks so much for reviewing.
Shunu No Miko: Hope you like this chapter. It didn't turn out perfect, but I'm trying. Next chappie, several people are going to go digging into Kenshin and Shinka's past, trying to find some answers.
Emerald: Hope it's still interesting! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Kyaa-Kyaff: Sorry to keep you waiting. Do you like the new chapter?