The Summer of Fireflies

Chapter 1: Back to Kyoto?

"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled.

Kenshin was in the back cleaning and folding clothes.

"Yes Miss Kaoru. Right away." He said scrambling to his feet and nearly knocking the tub of water over. He ran to Kaoru and slid to a stop.

"Kenshin. You need to go to town and get some more tofu." She ordered.

Kenshin sighed.

"Yes ma'am." He said as he picked up the tofu container and began to walk off.

He was half the way there when someone stepped out of the shadows and blocked his path.

"Excuse me sir. I'm in a bit of a hurry." Kenshin said politely.

But the figure didn't budge.

It spoke and moved into the light a bit more.

"Kenshin Himura. You're needed in Kyoto once again."

"What is it this time?" Kenshin asked. He voice had become more cold than the first time he had spoken to the man.

"One of Shishio's followers. When you destroyed him, this follower rose in power. If he is not destroyed, he will surely become more powerful than us all." The man said.

Kenshin shifted a bit.

"Who are you? I can tell you're no older than 17 years old." Kenshin asked.

"I….am Utaru." He stated.

"I am Misao's twin brother." Utaru said.

"Misao….I didn't know she had a twin brother." Kenshin said.

There was a small pause.

"Neither does she." Utaru said. And he walked off into the midst of the morning fog.

Kenshin stood there for a second.

//She doesn't know.// he thought to himself. Suddenly, he had a bit of sympathy for Utaru.

//I wonder why she doesn't know.//

~*~

Kenshin reached town and bought the tofu.

//Well. I might as well get something to eat while I'm here.// he thought as he walked into the AKA BEKO

He took a seat and his waitress appeared.

"Why hello Subame." He said kindly.

Subame wasn't much older than 10 or 11.

"Hello Kenshin-sama." She said meekly.

Kenshin smiled.

"Next time I'll be sure to bring Yahiko with me." Kenshin said.

Subame smiled and went off to get Kenshin's breakfast he had ordered.

//If there is a next time.// Kenshin thought to himself.

He ate hastily and hurried back off to the dojo.

Kaoru was waiting for him by the front gate. She tapped her foot impatiently.

"What took you so long Kenshin?" she asked.

"I uh…just got a little lost, that I did." Kenshin said nervously.

Kaoru didn't believe him. She sensed something was wrong in his voice.

Kenshin returned to his cleaning.

~Ok…review and tell me if you like it so far. I only did this one because so many people wanted me to continue it. ^.~ Enjoy ~