Sorry this took so long! I've been sooooo busy! Anyway, here we go.

My Note: YOU MUST READ THIS TO UNDERSTAND! Anyway, sorry, but I made a mistake in the first chapter. Shinka does NOT know her parents' names. She only knows that Ishi and his wife were NOT her parents. Sorry about that!

Chapter 3: Buried Secrets

Dinner was strangely subdued. Misao was chattering away, of course, a wide smile on her face. Aoshi was watching his finace with a small smile, but his mind was still churning. They didn't know each other... At least they said they didn't, but exactly what was going on he wasn't sure.

So, Shinka, what are you doing in town? he asked softly.

she answered. I have no home, so I am simply wandering.

I see you carry a sword, he said, and everyone realized how much Shinka really was like Kenshin.

It is for self-defense. I am a swordsman, or woman, I suppose, yes, and since I am a young woman travelling alone, I need some way to protect myself.

Kaoru wondered how a women who could fight the way Shinka could needed a sword to simply protect' herself. I don't mean to pry, Kaoru said quietly, But may I ask where your family is?

They're dead, she said flatly.

Everyone glanced at her, then at Kenshin.

What were your parents' names? Kenshin asked softly.

Gizaka Ishi and Tokie, she answered without hesitation. She had decided that she would always give her foster partent's names in response to this question.

To Yahiko, Misao, Sano, Megumi, and Kaoru, the name meant nothing, but Kenshi and Aoshi recognized it instantly... Gizaka Ishi... An important member of the Shogunate who had refused the high government positions offered to him. A master of Fukori Onri swordtechnique.

He was killed by his old ally Mori, Kenshin thought sadly, While protecting his family.

After he died his wife was killed, Aoshi thought with a frown. And his daughter disappered... Mori and all his men were found slaughtered.

But... Kenshin reasoned to himself, No one in the Gizaka family had purple eyes, or red hair... And rumor had it his daughter was adopted, but he had never confirmed these rumors.

I'm so sorry, Kaoru said softly, About your parents being killed. Mine died too, my mom when I was a little girl and my father when I was a little older... He died in war, far from here.

I'm sorry too, Sano said. Most of us here have lost people who are important to us, and we know how much that hurts.

Yes, my family is missing, and has been for many years, Megumi said.

Thank you, everyone, I'm.. sorry, Shinka said softly. Now... May I ask a question of you, Kenshin?



Why do you carry a sword?

Kenshin pulled his sword up and then put his hand on the handle. He pulled the blade out slightly.

Shinka stiffened as he reached for his sword... Then her eyes widened. A reverse-blade sword?

Yes, long ago... I swore I would never kill anyone, ever again.

Kenshin is so cool, Yahiko said, still admiring the older swordsman greatly.

I see... Shinka whispered.

***

The wind blew through the trees, the sky dark and brooding. Shinka stood on the porch, looking out into the dark sky. Kenshin... Kenshin and his reverse-blade sword... Kenshin... Kenshin... Who is he? Why does he look like me? Why doesn't he kill? He said kill so that means he's killed before... Who is he? Why doesn't he kill? I kill... I will not kill anyone while I am here, to honor him... Even though there are dirty Imperialists here who deserve death... But this Kenshin... He is not normal... He is a truly good man, but he carries a terrible pain on his heart...

 said a soft voice.

She turned to see Kenshin standing a few feet away from her. she whispered.

What is troubling you? he asked softly.

Nothing... It's just... You're different from anyone I've ever met... Very different... I don't think I understand you...

Kenshin smiled. Many people say that, that they do.

That they do? I suppose... The wind whispered through the trees.

***
Um, Kenshin? Can I come in? Kaoru said softly.



Kaoru slipped inside and closed the door. Ummmm, Kenshin? There's something I wanted to tell you.

What in the world is troubling you, Miss Kaoru?

It's Shinka. She protected me when I first met her. She fought with extreme skill... It sort of reminded me of you. She's... Not some average young girl.

I know.

Do you know who she is?

No, I was not lying when I said we do not know each other. I knew of her parents, however.

Kaoru asked.

Kenshin explained to Kaoru what had happened to Gizaka Ishi and his wife.

That's... that's horrible! cried Kaoru when he had finished. But who could have killed this Mori guy?

No idea, Kenshin said firmly, hiding his own speculations, and the fact that he knew of no one in the Gizaka family with red hair or purple eyes. But then again, Gizaka was not planning on training his daughter. This he knew... So she couldn't possibly have the strength to defeat all those skilled swordsmen. It just wasn't possible.

Kaoru saw that he was preoccupied with his thoughts, so she told him goodnight and went sadly back to her room.

Kenshin allowed his mind to wander to the other confusing aspect of Shinka's looks... How much she looked like Tomoe... Was it possible that Shinka was somehow related to the Yukishiro (spelling?) family? Not likely. Who was she? Was she really Gizaka's daughter? Somehow he didn't think so, but who else could she be?

***

Aoshi, where are you going? Misao said.

Huh? Uh, nowhere.

Oh, yes you are! We've got a wedding to plan and guests in the house and... You're going to try to find out information on Shinka, aren't you?

Aoshi was surprised by Misao's sharpness. Then he smiled. Let's go, he said.

***

Sano and Yahiko were walking down the street, side by side, watching the people all around them.

It's not like we're going to find out anything, Yahiko said.

Hey, I didn't say YOU had to come, you insisted. I just feel like walking around and thinking.

Yahiko said. Shouldn't you be with your wife anyway?

It's okay, my little fox understands these things.

Yahiko shook his head in annoyance.

***

Megumi, Kaoru, and Shinka were sitting quietly together, eating breakfast. Where is everybody? Megumi asked.

They're out, doing whatever. Say... Shinka, would you like to come see the sights of Kyoto with us?

Shinka said with a strange smile.

***
Kenshin was walking along the street, alone, wondering, wondering who Shinka was... A wanderer who was like him.. He could see the goodness in her... But there was pain also...

He was not sure where he was going. He was just walking... wandering... He didn't feel much like talking to anyone. Besides, he had more pressing concerns. The second Battousai was still out there... But who was the second Battousai? So many unanswered questions.... He was going to have to find some answers.

***

This is it, Aoshi said.

They were standing outside a small building in a rather decrepit part of town. He had already sent out messangers to check the old Oniwaban spy and information lines for thinks about Gizaka Shinka, and her relationship to Gizaka Ishi and Himura Kenshin.

Aoshi stepped forward and wrapped on the rotting wood door. It's me, Aoshi said softly.

Come in, Aoshi-dono.

Aoshi leaned forward and opened the door to reveal a small, neat, seemingly innocuous room. Aoshi and Misao both knew its walls and cupboards were jammed full of secrets... In one form or another. Misao had never known old Koishiba, but Aoshi had been good friends with him. He knew so many secrets, that he had had to go into hiding after the Bakumatsu... His continued exhistance was a threat to just about everyone involved in the Bakumatsu. He knew more secrets than anyone alive.

How are you doing, Koshiba-dono? Aoshi asked as he stepped inside, Misao beside him.

The old man was sitting in a chair, reading an old, dusty book, an eyepatch covering the left eye he had lost years before the Bakumatsu.

The same as always, Aoshi-dono. And you and Misao-dono?

We're well. Anyway, I came to ask you a few questions about someone named Gizaka Shinka. Koshiba always liked it when people came straight to the point.

I see... Ishi's daughter?

Then she is his daughter? Aoshi asked.

Koshiba chuckled his old, dry, laugh. Of course not. Come, Aoshi-dono, Misao-dono, sit down.

They sat in two chairs across from the old man. Now, tell me why you want to know about Gizaka Shinka.

She's staying with us, Misao supplied helpfully.

Koshiba raised his eyebrows in mock surprise, as if he did not already know this, which of course he did. Ahhhh, her and Himura Kenshin, yes?

Aoshi's eyes narrowed. Yes. What is their connection?

Koshiba looked at Aoshi carefully. I do not know. Gizaka Ishi's daughter was adopted, given to him by a friend who could not raise her child for one reason or other. However, to this day, no one knows who the women was. I do know she planned to retrieve her daughter, so it can be assumed she died a short time afterward.

Aoshi's eyes raised. It was extremely unusal for Koshiba to not know something. I see... Anything else I should know about her?

Koshiba considered a moment. She is suspected to be the second Battousai, but there is no proof. Whoever the second Battousai is covers their tracks much better than the first one did- But then again, Himura was involved in a war, and others had to know of his actions- his superiors and comrades, mainly. Anyway, I wouldn't throw that idea around, but I don't need to tell you that, Aoshi-dono. You should go now.

Aoshi knew he would get no more out of the old man, so she rose to leave, as did Misao.

***

Sano and Yahiko walked back into the house, annoyed that there search had been almost fruitless. All they had managed to dig up was one interesting fact on Kenshin. Two years into the Bakumatsu, Kenshin had left Kyoto to go to an unknown location. When he returned, he was no longer the Ishin Shishi's main assassin. But that was it... It had been a very useless day so far.

***

Megumi, Shinka, and Kaoru were sitting around a table at the Ohagi Inn. (Anyone recognize the name?)

Shinka, you have a very attractive face, Megumi was saying. Shinka was smiling faintly. No one had ever said anything like that before.

Say, where's the landlady? one of the waitresses said as she walked by.

Okami-san's in back, another said in response. (anyone recognize that name?)

Shinka's ears filtered the background noise as she listened to Megumi and Kaoru. Both were warm and kind to her, but she sensed that they suspected her of something- probably lying about her sword or her family.

Oh there you are Okami-san!

Now Yanui-san, you know how busy I am and I- oh goodness gracious me!

Shinka, Megumi, and Kaoru looked at the old land lady in surprise as they realized she was staring at Shinka.

Is something wrong? Shinka asked.

No, nothing at all, dear, Okami said as she continued to stare at the girl's face. It's just... You look exactly like someone I knew, long ago.

Who's that? Shinka said carefully.

Oh, during the Bakumatsu. Katsura was looking after-

Kaoru asked. The Katsura? Kogoro Katsura? He was staying here?

Oh yes dear, and he was looking after a young boy- fourteen or fifteen he was. Now, what was his name again? Oh, that's right. Himura. You wouldn't happen to be related to anyone named Himura, would you?

Shinka said, her brow furrowed slightly. But I've been told that before.

Oh, I see, well that's a pity. I've always wondered what happened to that boy. He was always kind, but he was so serious, so cold. So quiet, so alone. I did worry about him. But I haven't seen him since the Ishin Shishi, Katsura, Himura, and that girl fled Kyoto. And then-

Okami-san! Are you coming?

Yes, yes dear. Well, it's good to meet you three. Let me know if you need anything.

Wait, Okami-san! Kaoru cried. If you want to see... Himura Kenshin... If you want to see him, I know where he is. I'll have him come here tommorrow.

Okami said. That's, that's wonderful! I would so love to see him again.

The table was silent. Each women was in her own thoughts.

Who is this Himura Kenshin? Why does his name always seem to come up? Why was he here? Why was he with Katsura? With the Ishin Shishi? Is he one of the people I hate?... Am I related to him?... Shinka was utterly confused.

Kaoru's mind was spinning with just as many questions. Kenshin was here with Katsura? Kenshin left here? Why? With what woman? And is he related to Shinka? Who is Shinka?

Megumi could not help asking herself similar question. Who is Shinka? Is she related to Ken-san? What does my husband know about this? Why did Kenshin leave here and never return? And with what woman?'

The rest of lunch was strangely silent. The three women agreed to go home, but Kaoru said she would be along shortly and that they should go ahead without her. After Shinka and Megumi were gone, Kaoru went looking for Okami. Excuse me, Okami-san. Can I talk to you a moment?

Certainly dear.

What more can you tell me about... About Himura?

He was a very gentle boy, but he seemed to carry a great sadness in his heart, I think. And there was something else about him. The other Ishin Shishi showed a strange emotion toward him... Fear. I saw him get angry a few times, and his hand would go to his sword, and everyone would back off. Strange it was indeed.

Kaoru's heart ached. She felt so bad for the young Kenshin whom she knew killed in the service of the Ishin Shishi. And she knew why the others were afraid of him... And you say he left. Why?

There was great confusion. I don't really know what happened, but he left to go into hiding, I believe.

And who was this... woman?

Okami was so caught up in her memories that she didn't notice Kaoru's nervous tone. Himura brought her in one night. She was drunk and her clothes bloodsplattered. Then I gave her a job, and she left with the others. I think she and Himura left together, but I'm not sure. Tomoe was her name.

Kaoru closed her eyes, and then opened them, preparing to ask what hurt her the most. Were they lovers?

Not to my knowledge. They grew very close, however. She lifted some of the sadness from his eyes.

I see. And, just one more question, so sorry about all this. Where did they go?

I don't really know, but I did hear rumors several years later that young Himura had gone to Osaka, but that's all I know. (I think that's where Tomoe and Kenshin went. *sweatdrops*)

Kaoru left after promising to bring him back. Her mind was reeling for a moment, but then she zeroed in on something and couldn't get it out of her head. Why had Kenshin stopped being an assassin? And what was he like when he was Battousai? Kaoru had never thought about it much, she realized. During the fights with Jinei and Saito, Kaoru had seen Battousai resurface inside Kenshin. However.... He was angry, and always fighting. What was Battousai like when he wasn't fighting? Either way, later she would go to Osaka, even though she knew in her heart it wasn't any of her business, and that she probably wouldn't like what she found.

***

Kenshin walked slowly up the door, and knocked. A women appeared in the doorway, her pretty teal eyes glimmering and her deep black hair shining. May I help you? she asked kindly.

I was wondering if I could talk to someone, if he's at home. Gizaka Makie.

_________________________
Well, what did you think? Did you like it? I hope nobody found out too much in one chapter, but if you think about it they learned very little. Aoshi just learned that Shinka wasn't Gizaka's daughter, and Kaoru just learned a little about Kenshin as Battousai. And she learned he left for Osaka with a women. But that's it. Hope to see you next time. I won't take so much time to update, at least I HOPE I won't.