I don't own any characters, places, and so one from Roruoni Kenshin. I own Lara and her family but that's it. I am making no money. I'm writing this for fun.

I promised you it would be longer. -_o

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To Move On

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Ch.2 A Women and a Will

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A couple weeks after the death of Misao a women came to the Aoyia looking for a place to stay. Okina welcomed her. She had now been there almost a month. Aoshi watched the girl whose name was Lara Shangon. 'How can someone be so happy,' he thought to himself. Yet, deep inside he smiled as the women dashed down the hall after a cat. She had long brown hair that had a tint of copper. Her eyes were a deep blue that seemed to change with her mood. A women so full of life. This women reminded him of a young girl that had past not so long ago and yet she didn't seem like that girl.

As Lara ran down the hall the cat turned and ran up the stairs with the fish in its mouth. She started up the stairs, but stopped short for Aoshi was standing before her. "I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't mean .."

"Its alright," interrupted Aoshi as he turned to go to his room.

By now she had no hope of getting the cat and returned to the kitchen to help with dinner. "Who is that man? The one that was on the stairway," she asked.

"That is Aoshi. He just lost someone dear to him. Its been very hard on him and the rest of us," answered Okina.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I never knew," she said as she looked back up the stairs. Despite his gaunt face she liked something about him. She sighed and turned back to her work.

Later the next day she tried sneaking out of the house. "Where are you going?" questioned Aoshi as he eyed a long, thin bundle she was carrying.

"Out. Why do you ask?"

"I was wondering why a young girl like you would be carrying a sword."

"Oh. Well before my mom died she taught me how to use one and this sword is a family heir loom." She didn't wait for him to answer she just slipped out the door.

The streets in Kyoto, like always, were crowed as she made her way out of the city. She found a clearing not far from the road and took out her sword. It wasn't a regular Japanese sword, though it was curved slightly. The engravings on the hilt ran along the blade as well. There were engravings of leaves running from the hilt to the tip of the sword and they were all gold. The silver of the sword no matter how tarnished it became shinned with the luster of a diamond.

She practiced the style her mother had taught her for a few hours then headed back. When she reached the Aoyia she could feel eyes on her. 'He's probably doesn't trust me though everyone else does,' she thought. She walked in and was greeted by the smell of food cooking. "Ah, Lara your back," greeted Okina. "Will you tell Aoshi we have guests. You're the only one he talks to. You probably remind him of Misao."

"Sure," she answered as she started up the stairs. She had heard a lot about the young girl and wished she could have met her. "Aoshi may I come in?" she asked when she reached his room.

The door opened and a stern faced Aoshi stood before her. He looked over her looking for some kind of injury that would give her away as someone wanted by the police. Yet, all he found was an irritated look in her now stormy grey eyes. He noticed he had been silent to long. "What do you want," he growled frustrated with himself.

Yet if she had been taken aback by his tone she didn't show it. "There are some guests here and Okina would like you to come down," she said sharply and turned on her heel. She set the sword on her bed before returning downstairs to greet the guest. Aoshi was already there. He looked at her as she came down.

"Kenshin this is Lara. She has been helping a lot around here," said Okina. "Lara this is Kenshin, Kauru, Yahiko, and Sano." Lara nodded politely to each of them before sitting down.

"She looks like a fox, even more than Megumi," laughed Sano.

"Whatever you say roster head," she said with a slight smile. Sano was about to say something, but Kauru slapped him over the head.

"Lara would you please get the rice cakes," demanded Okina. Lara nodded and started down the hall toward the kitchen. "Lara there is someone here for you," yelled Okina. She turned around and entered the room only to come face to face with her sister.

"This is from father," scuffed her sister Kara as she handed her a letter and left.

'A letter from father, that means,' she thought as she opened it. My dear Lara if you are reading this I'm dead. I am sorry we didn't spend much together and that we gave you up. Yet, that is in the past and all I have are regrets. I am very pleased on how fine a young women you are and I hope you will find someone to make you happy, but that is not the reason you have this letter. I leave you my largest horse farm outside of Kyoto. I know you will treat the horses as equals and they will trust you, but since I am giving you my largest and most profitable farm there will be bad blood
between you and most of your siblings. I love and always treasured you
greatly.
Love your father,
Kaman Shangon

Lara read it over at least twice and then looked up. All of the room looked at her, but only one could guess what the note had held. "What is it," asked Kauru.

Lara looked back down at the note before replying. "It is my fathers will," she said with defiance. No one spoke.

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Told you I would update within the week. Press that review button please. How do you spell the rest of the peoples names that live in the Aoyia. Thanks!