I'm so sorry I didn't update soon. Our computer had to get some things
installed and then it had to get all these updates.
Sh?ki: You wouldn't have updated anyways. You told me at school.
Sango: Hehehe, never mind. I like being evil. It's fun.
Oh yeah. If anyone cares, I reloaded chapter 1 so it has italics for thoughts. This is how I had originally written it but I had trouble with using the correct type of document. Long story short, I had to change them all to the ' ' things. If you guys liked it better that way, just tell me and I'll change it again. I also made the paragraphs shorter in a way so they're easier to read (well, I guess I think it's easier to read.) . And I put more spaces in between them.
Disclaimer: I own Rurouni Kenshin just as much as any of you reading this. Unless of course you happen to be Nobuhiro Watsuki-san, Sony, Shonen Jump or anyone else lucky enough to own part of our beloved rurouni. Darn...
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------------------ "." = talking italics = thoughts or emphasis on certain words. I think you can tell the difference.
A History of Change
By: Sango Himura
Chapter 2: A Secret Learned
When they got back to Kaoru's dwelling place, she took a look at the man's wound, debating whether she should call Megumi, a doctor who was also helping those falsely accused by the police.
"Good news, the bullet went straight through, so all you'll need is bandages and some rest," she said to him. Megumi had also taught her some knowledge of how to treat wounds and this one didn't look to be very serious, it just needed to be cleaned and bandaged to stop the bleeding.
"Are you sure it's alright if I stay here, you don't even know who I am?" was his answer. He seemed to be using as little words as possible, as if talking too much would somehow betray him.
"Of course it's alright, I can't send you out there when they're still looking for you. I'm not that heartless. You can stay in the guest room. Hang on, I'll go get a spare futon."
Kaoru got up and was about to leave but stopped at the doorway and asked, "What is your name anyways?"
"It's Kenshin. Himura Kenshin."
She smiled slightly before she said, "Mine's Kamiya Kaoru." Then she turned and left leaving Kenshin to stare after her retreating form.
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Later that day, after Kaoru had illegally practiced her Kenjutsu techniques for a while, Kenshin joined her for a very late lunch as it was almost 3:00 already. He made no sound as he ate except the occasional click of chopsticks. Trying to start a conversation with him, Kaoru asked, "So, um, where do you live?"
"I am a wanderer," he replied with a sad tone. Kaoru got the impression that he disliked wandering but decided to say nothing about it.
"Oh, um," she paused, wondering how to get across what she was trying to say. "I don't mean to be rude but, I'm curious to know what excuse they gave to pursue an innocent person this time," she finished.
"And how do you know for sure that I'm as innocent as you claim Kaoru- dono," he said without looking up from his food and still using his polite yet icy tone that seemed to separate him from the rest of the world.
Taken slightly aback by his comment, she replied, "It's just that they've been arresting just about anyone these days and guess I just wanted to know why they picked you."
For a moment Kenshin got a sad look in his eyes as if he was thinking about something, or someone that depressed him, but quickly covered up his emotion again as he had once they had arrived at her house. For a second Kaoru thought she glimpsed a streak of gold in his eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. Suddenly he looked up, eyes narrowing, as if he had heard something. Almost right after that he said in a fast paced voice, "Hide all your training gear, hurry, they're coming."
Kaoru didn't move for a second, still startled and confused by what he had said. "Nani?" she managed to whisper. His reply was a short but simple, "Just do it and do it quickly." Then he donned his cape and disappeared out the back door before she could think up another reply.
Deciding to trust what he said, ('Better safe than sorry,' she thought to herself) and hid all her training items she had been practicing with under the floor of the main practice room. Then she quickly ran to her room to change into her regular yellow kimono.
It all took only about two minutes but as soon as she had finished tying her obi, a loud knock came from outside the ex-dojo.
"Open up, this is the police!"
Kaoru rushed to the gate and opened the doors revealing a group of about twenty policemen. And they all have swords, too, she thought to herself. Why did they come here? She immediately thought of Kenshin and what he had said just moments before and how he had been chase the other day. She knew she could not give away any hint that he had been at her house. Though his injured arm was healing quickly and Kaoru didn't doubt that he could wield a sword if he wanted to, Kenshin could still hardly defend himself without his wound reopening and making his condition worse. Besides, the police had probably just been looking for someone to pick on. But then why would this many policemen be here just for him?
The police rushed forth into her yard and house before she could stop them; one of them stayed behind. Scanning his figure, she recognized him as the Chief of Police. He spoke to her in harsh tone. "Excuse me, Miss. We are on a mandatory search for Battousai the Manslayer. Is it possible you may have seen him? He has bright red hair and possibly a wounded arm. Battousai is needless to say, highly wanted by the police and we would appreciate you giving us any information you have on him. He was almost caught in the marketplace yesterday but it appears he had some outside help to escape so we are searching residential homes."
Kaoru didn't answer for a moment, so he continued, "He may go by the name Himura Kenshin. Refusing to give up any information about him would be a direct violation of the law. We could arrest you right now if we have any reason to suspect you."
Kaoru's head was buzzing. The Battousai, eh? That would explain why he seemed to look familiar before, one time he had worked with my father. I don't think he ever knew my father's name since there were no introductions between them. My father knew he was working with Battousai, but just about anyone knew who he was and Battousai didn't like to announce himself.
Kaoru's father had been a spy for the Imperialists and posed as a General for the Tokugawa Shogunate so Battousai and him couldn't be seen together. No wonder he didn't seem so eager to talk, his job as an assassin didn't exactly require talking to people, just taking orders and completing them. He didn't want to give away too much information about himself, either. Probably judging if it was safe to trust me, Kaoru thought to herself. The look that the Chief had described had also been what was on the many 'Wanted' posters that were hung all over the town, no wonder he looked familiar.
"I'm sorry you haven't seen anyone by that description," she managed to stammer, trying to keep the surprise out of her voice. Just realizing you had given the Battousai dinner and shelter without even knowing it tended to do that to you. For extra measure, she added, "I hope you catch him soon, after all the trouble he caused for the government during the revolution, it'd be nice to see him dead."
He stared at her intently, then his gaze drifted over to the sign in front of her house reading 'Kamiya Residence.' "Wait a minute," he said, "Kamiya, as in General Kamiya?"
"He was my father," Kaoru answered.
"You're father did a great service to his country and is deeply respected by us all." He reached into his jacket and blew a small, shrill note from the whistle he pulled out. Within thirty seconds, the entire search party was assembled in the front, ready to depart. The Chief of Police said, "I'm calling off the search. The reason is that this here is Miss Kaoru Kamiya, daughter of the General Kamiya you all know. I'm sure she would be one of the first to turn in any information on Battousai if there is any."
He nodded to his troops and Kaoru got a few strange looks as the troops headed out the door. From the way he spoke, she got the idea that her father was some sort of celebrity or something. "Kaoru-san," the Chief spoke again once the last of the police had filed out, "I just wanted to tell you that I respected your father very much as a General. Battousai was his worst enemy and I hope you think the same."
"Thank you Sir," she replied while silently thinking about just how wrong he was. I guess my father really played his part as a spy well. No one seems to have suspected him. Battousai was "her father's worst enemy"? She would have laughed if the Chief wasn't still there staring at her.
"Take care," he said simply and left her to her thoughts.
She couldn't help but wonder, Kenshin, the Battousai? I guess he does fit the description. As she walked back inside, she didn't notice the person in the shadows watching her and hanging on to every word she had said.
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Sorry this chapter is a little shorter than the first. To tell the truth, I didn't intend to make the first chapter that long. Anyways, I'm glad you liked it (you *are* reading the *second* chapter, so I figure if you absolutely hated it you wouldn't be reading this right now.) and if you're reading this out of boredom, that's okay, too. Yay! I actually got reviews!!! *does happy dance* And now to reply to the kind, grateful, inspiring (insert other nice words) reviewers:
koe760: You're my first reviewer! I'm really glad you like it.
Phèdre Nó Delauney: Thanks for the compliments. As for whether I can actually finish my fanfiction... I'll try, but I (sadly) don't control the inspiration I live off of.
the sacred night: I don't get what's so bad about romance. I don't think this fic will be a romance one though; I really like romance, but I'm not great at writing it. I guess I could make it one if I wanted to, I'll just let it write itself and if it turns out to be romancy then blame the muses not me. I'm rambling now aren't I? Thanks for the email. ^_^x
Fflur: Thank you!
Tsugoi Kakarlena: *sweatdrop* I'll try to update soon... But like I said, I enjoy being EVIL!!! You should try it some time. Sh?ki: (points to Sango) Stop poisoning the minds of your readers! Sango: Too late!
Sh?ki de nai: You spelled review wrong. Twice. Why would you flame me anyways? I thought you hated fire. I'm glad you've decided to review every chapter, but don't you think you should READ IT FIRST!?! I changed a few things from the rough draft.
Kyande-chan: You spelled stuffs wrong 2. Just like Sh?ki. It's ok, i don't mind if u write in chat rm talk. Never mind. Glad you like it. (I think I said that to another person too, but I am glad.) Can I read your story?
Sheik83: Yay!!! I like nice reviewers. Since I'm telling other people I know personally what they spelled wrong. You spelled 'grammar' wrong. Yes, I know I'm being annoying by telling you this. (See note at the beginning about being evil.) I don't know if I can update as frequently as I would like to. I guess I could try. I SHALL MAKE YOU DANCE. MWAHAHAHAHA!!! I need to review your stories. I feel bad now.
Thank you all so much for reviewing. You have no idea how happy I am that people actually reviewed. *continues happy dance* I'm glad you think it's original enough, I wasn't sure if anyone else had already posted the idea or something. And PLEASE tell me if I'm spelling something wrong, because there are many different spellings on the fanfictions I read and different websites, I'm not sure of official spellings. Just out of curiosity. is anyone else irked by Toonami advertising for weeks that Kenshin would air at 9:30 and then unexpectedly changing it to 11:00?
Please Review!
~Sango
Sh?ki: You wouldn't have updated anyways. You told me at school.
Sango: Hehehe, never mind. I like being evil. It's fun.
Oh yeah. If anyone cares, I reloaded chapter 1 so it has italics for thoughts. This is how I had originally written it but I had trouble with using the correct type of document. Long story short, I had to change them all to the ' ' things. If you guys liked it better that way, just tell me and I'll change it again. I also made the paragraphs shorter in a way so they're easier to read (well, I guess I think it's easier to read.) . And I put more spaces in between them.
Disclaimer: I own Rurouni Kenshin just as much as any of you reading this. Unless of course you happen to be Nobuhiro Watsuki-san, Sony, Shonen Jump or anyone else lucky enough to own part of our beloved rurouni. Darn...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------ "." = talking italics = thoughts or emphasis on certain words. I think you can tell the difference.
A History of Change
By: Sango Himura
Chapter 2: A Secret Learned
When they got back to Kaoru's dwelling place, she took a look at the man's wound, debating whether she should call Megumi, a doctor who was also helping those falsely accused by the police.
"Good news, the bullet went straight through, so all you'll need is bandages and some rest," she said to him. Megumi had also taught her some knowledge of how to treat wounds and this one didn't look to be very serious, it just needed to be cleaned and bandaged to stop the bleeding.
"Are you sure it's alright if I stay here, you don't even know who I am?" was his answer. He seemed to be using as little words as possible, as if talking too much would somehow betray him.
"Of course it's alright, I can't send you out there when they're still looking for you. I'm not that heartless. You can stay in the guest room. Hang on, I'll go get a spare futon."
Kaoru got up and was about to leave but stopped at the doorway and asked, "What is your name anyways?"
"It's Kenshin. Himura Kenshin."
She smiled slightly before she said, "Mine's Kamiya Kaoru." Then she turned and left leaving Kenshin to stare after her retreating form.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------
Later that day, after Kaoru had illegally practiced her Kenjutsu techniques for a while, Kenshin joined her for a very late lunch as it was almost 3:00 already. He made no sound as he ate except the occasional click of chopsticks. Trying to start a conversation with him, Kaoru asked, "So, um, where do you live?"
"I am a wanderer," he replied with a sad tone. Kaoru got the impression that he disliked wandering but decided to say nothing about it.
"Oh, um," she paused, wondering how to get across what she was trying to say. "I don't mean to be rude but, I'm curious to know what excuse they gave to pursue an innocent person this time," she finished.
"And how do you know for sure that I'm as innocent as you claim Kaoru- dono," he said without looking up from his food and still using his polite yet icy tone that seemed to separate him from the rest of the world.
Taken slightly aback by his comment, she replied, "It's just that they've been arresting just about anyone these days and guess I just wanted to know why they picked you."
For a moment Kenshin got a sad look in his eyes as if he was thinking about something, or someone that depressed him, but quickly covered up his emotion again as he had once they had arrived at her house. For a second Kaoru thought she glimpsed a streak of gold in his eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. Suddenly he looked up, eyes narrowing, as if he had heard something. Almost right after that he said in a fast paced voice, "Hide all your training gear, hurry, they're coming."
Kaoru didn't move for a second, still startled and confused by what he had said. "Nani?" she managed to whisper. His reply was a short but simple, "Just do it and do it quickly." Then he donned his cape and disappeared out the back door before she could think up another reply.
Deciding to trust what he said, ('Better safe than sorry,' she thought to herself) and hid all her training items she had been practicing with under the floor of the main practice room. Then she quickly ran to her room to change into her regular yellow kimono.
It all took only about two minutes but as soon as she had finished tying her obi, a loud knock came from outside the ex-dojo.
"Open up, this is the police!"
Kaoru rushed to the gate and opened the doors revealing a group of about twenty policemen. And they all have swords, too, she thought to herself. Why did they come here? She immediately thought of Kenshin and what he had said just moments before and how he had been chase the other day. She knew she could not give away any hint that he had been at her house. Though his injured arm was healing quickly and Kaoru didn't doubt that he could wield a sword if he wanted to, Kenshin could still hardly defend himself without his wound reopening and making his condition worse. Besides, the police had probably just been looking for someone to pick on. But then why would this many policemen be here just for him?
The police rushed forth into her yard and house before she could stop them; one of them stayed behind. Scanning his figure, she recognized him as the Chief of Police. He spoke to her in harsh tone. "Excuse me, Miss. We are on a mandatory search for Battousai the Manslayer. Is it possible you may have seen him? He has bright red hair and possibly a wounded arm. Battousai is needless to say, highly wanted by the police and we would appreciate you giving us any information you have on him. He was almost caught in the marketplace yesterday but it appears he had some outside help to escape so we are searching residential homes."
Kaoru didn't answer for a moment, so he continued, "He may go by the name Himura Kenshin. Refusing to give up any information about him would be a direct violation of the law. We could arrest you right now if we have any reason to suspect you."
Kaoru's head was buzzing. The Battousai, eh? That would explain why he seemed to look familiar before, one time he had worked with my father. I don't think he ever knew my father's name since there were no introductions between them. My father knew he was working with Battousai, but just about anyone knew who he was and Battousai didn't like to announce himself.
Kaoru's father had been a spy for the Imperialists and posed as a General for the Tokugawa Shogunate so Battousai and him couldn't be seen together. No wonder he didn't seem so eager to talk, his job as an assassin didn't exactly require talking to people, just taking orders and completing them. He didn't want to give away too much information about himself, either. Probably judging if it was safe to trust me, Kaoru thought to herself. The look that the Chief had described had also been what was on the many 'Wanted' posters that were hung all over the town, no wonder he looked familiar.
"I'm sorry you haven't seen anyone by that description," she managed to stammer, trying to keep the surprise out of her voice. Just realizing you had given the Battousai dinner and shelter without even knowing it tended to do that to you. For extra measure, she added, "I hope you catch him soon, after all the trouble he caused for the government during the revolution, it'd be nice to see him dead."
He stared at her intently, then his gaze drifted over to the sign in front of her house reading 'Kamiya Residence.' "Wait a minute," he said, "Kamiya, as in General Kamiya?"
"He was my father," Kaoru answered.
"You're father did a great service to his country and is deeply respected by us all." He reached into his jacket and blew a small, shrill note from the whistle he pulled out. Within thirty seconds, the entire search party was assembled in the front, ready to depart. The Chief of Police said, "I'm calling off the search. The reason is that this here is Miss Kaoru Kamiya, daughter of the General Kamiya you all know. I'm sure she would be one of the first to turn in any information on Battousai if there is any."
He nodded to his troops and Kaoru got a few strange looks as the troops headed out the door. From the way he spoke, she got the idea that her father was some sort of celebrity or something. "Kaoru-san," the Chief spoke again once the last of the police had filed out, "I just wanted to tell you that I respected your father very much as a General. Battousai was his worst enemy and I hope you think the same."
"Thank you Sir," she replied while silently thinking about just how wrong he was. I guess my father really played his part as a spy well. No one seems to have suspected him. Battousai was "her father's worst enemy"? She would have laughed if the Chief wasn't still there staring at her.
"Take care," he said simply and left her to her thoughts.
She couldn't help but wonder, Kenshin, the Battousai? I guess he does fit the description. As she walked back inside, she didn't notice the person in the shadows watching her and hanging on to every word she had said.
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Sorry this chapter is a little shorter than the first. To tell the truth, I didn't intend to make the first chapter that long. Anyways, I'm glad you liked it (you *are* reading the *second* chapter, so I figure if you absolutely hated it you wouldn't be reading this right now.) and if you're reading this out of boredom, that's okay, too. Yay! I actually got reviews!!! *does happy dance* And now to reply to the kind, grateful, inspiring (insert other nice words) reviewers:
koe760: You're my first reviewer! I'm really glad you like it.
Phèdre Nó Delauney: Thanks for the compliments. As for whether I can actually finish my fanfiction... I'll try, but I (sadly) don't control the inspiration I live off of.
the sacred night: I don't get what's so bad about romance. I don't think this fic will be a romance one though; I really like romance, but I'm not great at writing it. I guess I could make it one if I wanted to, I'll just let it write itself and if it turns out to be romancy then blame the muses not me. I'm rambling now aren't I? Thanks for the email. ^_^x
Fflur: Thank you!
Tsugoi Kakarlena: *sweatdrop* I'll try to update soon... But like I said, I enjoy being EVIL!!! You should try it some time. Sh?ki: (points to Sango) Stop poisoning the minds of your readers! Sango: Too late!
Sh?ki de nai: You spelled review wrong. Twice. Why would you flame me anyways? I thought you hated fire. I'm glad you've decided to review every chapter, but don't you think you should READ IT FIRST!?! I changed a few things from the rough draft.
Kyande-chan: You spelled stuffs wrong 2. Just like Sh?ki. It's ok, i don't mind if u write in chat rm talk. Never mind. Glad you like it. (I think I said that to another person too, but I am glad.) Can I read your story?
Sheik83: Yay!!! I like nice reviewers. Since I'm telling other people I know personally what they spelled wrong. You spelled 'grammar' wrong. Yes, I know I'm being annoying by telling you this. (See note at the beginning about being evil.) I don't know if I can update as frequently as I would like to. I guess I could try. I SHALL MAKE YOU DANCE. MWAHAHAHAHA!!! I need to review your stories. I feel bad now.
Thank you all so much for reviewing. You have no idea how happy I am that people actually reviewed. *continues happy dance* I'm glad you think it's original enough, I wasn't sure if anyone else had already posted the idea or something. And PLEASE tell me if I'm spelling something wrong, because there are many different spellings on the fanfictions I read and different websites, I'm not sure of official spellings. Just out of curiosity. is anyone else irked by Toonami advertising for weeks that Kenshin would air at 9:30 and then unexpectedly changing it to 11:00?
Please Review!
~Sango