Sync*in: Don't worry, this fic isn't ending soon. Nothing has really happened yet.

MaraJadeBlu: Thank you so much for pointing out the "brag/bribe" confusion. That was pretty embarrassing, I changed it immediately. At first, I was clueless on what you were talking about. I was like, what is she talking about?? LOL. I was so sure I wrote the word "bribe" and not brag. Then I thought, "Did I place percent marks instead of quotes?" Harhar, and so I reread the chapter again and found the word brag! My eyes are playing tricks on me! Thanks again. Also.. yup I'm making up the names of minor characters, people who will probably be present in only one or two chapters.

Selene: I just thought Kenshin looks best with a katana. Besides, Aya from Weiss Kreuz uses a katana doesn't he? Makoto from Love Hina uses one too, and both of those are set in modern times. Plus, there are still people who use and teach Japanese sword techniques today. My auntie is in Japan right now to take her test in sword. She uses a katana and a wakizashi. Hehe..enough about that. Bottom line, Kenshin just won't be Kenshin without a sword (for me that is).

Thank you so much to Chibigreenwizardmon, laine, Tan Kimiko, Gypsy-chan, omochi, SAGE, Rurouni Baka, Enigma, Lady Lightingblade, and Mistress of all Worlds. Your reviews really made me smile like an idiot. Hehe.

To all… Hello! As I expected, the sneak preview was a little too obvious. Yes it was Kenshin talking. I hope this chapter will answer all your questions. Enjoy reading!

Do you people remember the Saito-Kenshin fight? Episodes 29-30 I think. The fight was magnificent and to top it all, aaaaaah!! Kenshin was so gorgeous! You know, when his hair tie snapped and his hair was loose and swooshing in all the right places! ::drools:: Plus he was going all battousai..errr…::drools again:: Forgive my rants, I am just happy. I finally received the DVD containing those episodes. It's been more than a year since I saw Rurouni Kenshin so I kind of forgot the details already. And now, my newest craze is to collect RK DVDs.

OK and because RK DVDs cost so much and I'm just a poor student…I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. This fic is entirely fictional and Japan did not have a Project Messiah nor a Mission Messiah as far as I know.

Other Side of the Moon

Past Existence

Chapter 8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a journey, ill,

And over fields all withered, dreams

Go wandering still.

--Bansho (trans. Henderson)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ready for the big test Ryo?"

"I guess so, Misao."

"Why should you even bother asking him? He always gets an A+ in every single test and paper anyway. Jeez," Sano exclaimed.

"I think you're just jealous Sano. Maybe its about time you ask Ryo to help you." 'This guy's pride is sky-high I bet,' Misao thought.

"Nah I can handle it, I'm sure I got it this time."

"That's good to hear Sano. I'm sure you'll do better," Kenshin encouraged.

Shinomori-sensei stepped inside the room carrying a bundle of test papers. "Ok class, I want you to sit alphabetically starting from this side." The class started moving, talking, bumping into one another, and getting mixed up.

"The test will end in exactly one hour. Even if this is your last period for the day, I will not extend the time. The test is long if I may add, so I leave it up to you when you want to start," their teacher warned.

The class became quiet and quickly went to their respective places having momentary confusion once in a while.

"Ok, nobody talks until the bell rings." That was the last statement Shinomori-sensei said before he handed out the test papers.

When Ryo finished the test, he glanced at his watch and found out that he finished 10 minutes ahead of time. However, he can't just leave class because Shinomori-sensei said he'd collect all the papers at exactly 12 noon. So while, gazing out of the window waiting for the bell to ring, his mind started wandering.

'It has been more than seven months since I've been Hirameshi Ryo. It surprises me that whoever's responsible have not discovered me yet, or has not made a move. Is this identity really working or are they just waiting for the right time, when everybody's defenses are down?

Putting that aside, I am extremely happy that I've been actually normal for the past seven months, that is if you consider having someone to watch you 24/7 is what you call normal. At least, no one's abducting me or anything. When the time comes that they find me again, I would never see these guys again. No more bickering Sano and Misao, or an always calm Kenshin who breaks each and every fight. I've never been this close to anyone except with the Mission Messiah and my late parents. I will surely miss them, especially this clueless redhead who sits in front of me.

I know. I know. I should not be thinking of such things, especially in my situation. I tried to stop myself but he's just plain adorable. Plus we're always together, we hang out with the same group and we do every Physics assignment, report or whatever together. Am I actually falling for this guy?

I honestly don't know. I've never fallen in love before, not until now I guess. But this is wrong. I'll just put his life in danger if I let him through my barriers. It's enough that the family I consider right now is risking their lives every second, just for being part of the Mission. I am not that selfish to involve these innocent people. They're young, free, and careless. The future has so much in store for them.

Mou. Now I sound like an old person. I just envy them, I regret the teenage life I never experienced.'

In the meantime, while Ryo was pondering about things, Kenshin's thoughts weren't in the classroom either.

'The sky's clear. It makes it seem like everything is perfect. There's the catch, seems, but not really.

What does he have in store for us now? It must be something important, he wouldn't even give me a clue, not until the whole group's there. *Sigh* Just when I almost forgot who I really am, there just has to be a new assignment. Guess I have to hold my katana once again.'

*Bell rings*

"All right class. Please pass your paper to the aisle, then people on the aisle, please pass the papers to the front."

"How did you do Sano?" Misao asked, after passing the papers to the front.

"I told you I'll out do myself this time! I answered every problem. That increases my chances a lot, I usually skip a lot of numbers on math exams," bragged Sano.

"Good luck, Sano. I have a feeling, exam results will be great news for you," said Ryo.

Sano playfully slapped Ryo's back, which again, wasn't exactly what you call playful for Kaoru. "Thanks Ryo. At least some people have faith in me, not like others!" Sano fished.

Misao who got the hint, finally said, "All right Sano. I give you my support too."

"That's the spirit!" Sano replied then laughed maniacally to himself.

:: everybody sweat dropped ::

It didn't take long before the four students made their way home and reached the street where Misao and Sano turns to the right while Ryo turns left and Kenshin walks straight ahead. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow Ryo," Misao bid.

"Ok. Later, bye."

Kenshin smiled and waved, while Sano raised his eyebrows and grinned. Ryo started walking away while the other three watched him go.

"Tonight at 8," Kenshin said while still staring at their friend's retreating figure.

"Have any idea?" Misao asked.

"No."

"I see. Tonight then." And with that Kenshin started walking straight towards his street while the other two to their right.

**

It was 8 o'clock and all four of them were gathered inside Hiko and Kenshin's house.

"So who are we eliminating this time?" Sano inquired casually, as he draped one arm across the sofa.

"We are not killing anyone this time. We were supposed to kidnap someone," Hiko said then paused for a second as he observed the teenagers' reactions. The three remained passive so he continued, "Kanryu Takeda, of the Takeda Enterprise, proposed a business for us yesterday afternoon."

'Wait, "supposed to"?' Misao recalled. "So you didn't accept the proposal?"

"No I did not because they refused to give their intentions."

*Begin flashback*

"I want you to kidnap the boy and bring him to us unharmed, not even a scratch. The payment for that will be five million dollars. I think that will be enough," spoke Kanryu.

"Why are we doing this?" Hiko replied.

"That is none of your business. Your job is to get the boy and that's all you need to know."

"Then I refuse to accept your offer," he declined.

"Not even if I double, or…triple the payment? If you want, I'll even give you a generous down payment," Kanryu tempted as he reached for the checkbook in his jacket's inner pocket.

"Our agency refuses to do anything without having a purpose. I refuse to further stain my subordinates' hands for an unknown reason."

Kanryu's eyebrows furrowed, then snorted before bitterly saying, "Very well. You've just turned your back to probably one of your biggest deals ever."

"I have no regrets," answered Hiko.

*End flashback*

"If the deal's off then what are we doing here, right now?" Sano asked impatiently.

"You want us to find out their intentions. You want us to find out what they want with the boy you mentioned," Kenshin addressed Hiko flatly.

"You figured it out. You're not such a baka after all," his shishou taunted.

"What gave you the idea we'll accept the assignment??"

"Misao's right. Why would we do something out of your curiosity?" Sano added.

"Because I think you would be very interested with the person you're supposed to kidnap," the older man teased.

"Oh yeah? Who is it?" dared Sano.

"Hirameshi Ryo."

"You're kidding?!?" Misao said with incredibly huge eyes.

"What do they want with Ryo?" Sano muttered.

"That's what you're supposed to find out," Hiko answered the obvious. "So are you in?"

"Yes," Sano and Misao said simultaneously while Kenshin gave a small nod and remained silent.

**

"I can't believe they're after Ryo," Misao said softly as Sano pulled over in front of her house.

"Me neither. He doesn't seem like a bad guy, or maybe its pure acting."

"I hope not. I hope he just has information or something. They didn't want to kill him right? They probably want something from him."

"Maybe," Sano replied.

"I'm just glad Hiko didn't accept the job. It would have been difficult, especially for Kenshin," she said.

"You're right. Wait, why is it more difficult for Kenshin?" questioned Sano.

"The two have practically become best friends over the months. Wonder what he's thinking right now?" Misao thought further.

"I don't know either. Better go in Misao, it's late. You grandfather's probably waiting for you," he said as he opened the car door for her.

"Thanks for the ride Sano. Goodnight."

"Night Misao." After making sure Misao was already inside, Sano drove home.

*Dials phone*

"Hello?"

"Yo Kenshin, its me."

"Hey Sano," greeted Kenshin.

"You all right buddy?" Sano asked in a concerned tone.

"Of course I am. What made you think I'm not?"

"Nothing. Misao was kind of worried about you. You know, how you're dealing with the situation."

"What do you mean?" Kenshin asked innocently.

"Come on man, stop being your clueless old self, and help me out on this. Misao thinks you and Ryo are best friends."

"I'm ok. We don't know anything yet so, I'm not really thinking about anything."

"Yeah right man. How I wish you were like that, but you aren't. You're this worrywart who burns his brains worrying over nothing most of the time."

"Trust me, I'm ok, but I'm sleepy right now. So bye Sano."

"I'll let it go this time 'coz I'm sleepy too, but Kenshin, push the situation aside first ok?"

"Yes, bye Sano."

"Bye."

*Hangs up*

'Push the problem. Maybe for tonight, but the quest for answers begins tomorrow. Who really is Hirameshi Ryo? Or rather who is she?' Kenshin noted between his thoughts. 'I'm pretty sure the girl I saw that morning, and the Ryo I was with are the same person.' Kenshin confirmed as he recalled what happened that day.

*Flashback Begins*

"Is everything alright Ryo? I heard a loud crash. You ok…th..there?" Kenshin barely managed to finish his question when he heard the person speak as he looked through the window. There he saw a girl wearing a light nightgown, sprawled on the floor in a rather awkward position. The girl's gown was slightly disheveled and was pulled up to her mid-thigh, her creamy-white legs slightly apart. He could only see a profile of her face, which was turned towards the other side of the room. Her back, which was hooded by a pool of long black locks, was facing him as she lay on the floor. His eyes settled longer on her right arm, which was very red and had hints of blood from scratches, which were probably caused by the impact with the wooden floor. Gently she began to show signs of movement, obviously trying to stand up or maybe sit up. Quickly, Kenshin turned around and tried to hide his blush, that was when he heard a voice answer his inquiry.

*End of Flashback*

'What do they want with her? Is she just as tainted as I am or is there something more? I..I don't know if I want to know.' Kenshin thought as his mind began drifting to the little incident again. His curiosity was only heightened when he recalled the gashes and bruises he observed at Ryo's elbow at the mall.

'Just when I thought I knew everything I needed to know.' That was Kenshin's last thought, as his eyes slowly drifted to sleep.

A/n: Shakespeare's Hamlet influenced a part of this chapter.

In case you didn't notice, got confused or just forgot, the latter flashback supposedly happened in Chapter 5: Enjoyment. It was the chapter when they went to the mall and Kenshin had to pick up Ryo. Though, I chose not to include the actual event in Chapter 5. Instead I just left small hints like Kenshin barely finishing his question and releasing a suppressed "ok." Also, Kenshin's reckless driving was influenced by Ryo's inquiry. Remember, Ryo asked about Kenshin's part time job (Kenshin lied and said it was real estate) then Kenshin's mood suddenly changed?

I hope that cleared things up. I hope things tied all together too.

Please review! Thanks!