A/N wow! It's been a long time. Well college has been very demanding and finals are coming up but I managed to find some time to update. I think I'll be posting two chapters this week. Anyway I hope everyone was paying attention the last chapter because what happened in chapter 2 will effect the entire story. I'm going to stop rambling though and get to the fanfiction. I think you all have waited long enough for it. Hmm I think Mew should do the disclaimer today.

Mew: ^. ^ Mew! Mew! Mew! Mew!

Crystalia: That translates to Crystalia doesn't own anything so don't even think about suing her! Now on to the fic!

Chapter 3

First Encounter

"No matter." Hajime Soitoh said reaching for his own sword. "Now that I've found you…I can kill you!"

Kaoru gasped as the man moved with god like speed prepared to slit Kenshin's throat. Kenshin's eyes flashed dangerously before he brought his sheathed sword up to his throat, deflecting the attack.

"What reason do you have to attack me?" he asked.

Soitoh didn't reply. Instead he swiftly backed away. Glaring at Kenshin trough fox-like eyes. "Your technique hasn't changed. What I wonder is why the Battousia is hiding behind such menial defenses?" he said, bringing his sword level with his eyes. "In a moment though I will force you to stop playing and to take this fight seriously."

Kaoru watched as the man suddenly sprinted forward, his eyes intent one Kenshin, who in return stood his ground.

'Is he going to attack from the left or the right?' Kenshin asked himself, as Hajime grew nearer. 'No. He's going to attack head on!' Kenshin realized before quickly unsheathing his sword and parrying Hajime's sword, which was once again aimed for his throat. The two broke apart and Hajime resumed the same stance once again, diving forward. Kenshin was only barely able to block the attack, which came from the left this time and was aimed for his heart. Again Hajime backed away before taking the same stance and sprinting forward, this time clearly headed for Kenshin's right. Kenshin prepared to block again, but at the last moment Hajime turned and attacked Kenshin's upper left. Unprepared for the speed and viciousness of the attack Kenshin was unable to block as Soitoh's sword grazed his neck.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted, ready to step into the fight, but Sanosuke held her back.

Hajime chuckled slightly as he returned his sword to its sheath, taking them all by surprise. "I did not come all this way to fight with some weak wanderer. If you continue to ignore your Battousia self it will lead to your death." He said grimly. "The next time we meet I won't hold back. Battousia or wanderer I will kill you."

Kenshin only frowned as he replaced his sword. "You still haven't told me what reason you have to fight me."

"If you don't know, then the Battousia is truly dead and if that is so I will do his memory some justice by destroying the weakling which has replaced him." Hajime spat. He smiled as the whistles of approaching officers grew louder. "Until next time."

With that the man known as Hajime Soitoh turned and calmly walked away. Sano released his hold on Kaoru and began to walk after Hajime but Kenshin stopped him.

"Let him go Sano. No harm was done." Kenshin said softly.

"No harm? Kenshin you're bleeding! That guy nearly killed you!" Sano shouted.

"You can't just let him walk away and get away with attacking you Kenshin!" Yahiko added heatedly.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru whispered, not caring about revenge. All she wanted to know was whether he was all right or not. There was a gash on the side of his neck, which didn't look life threatening, but still needed looking at.

Kenshin sighed before calmly picking up the barrel he had been carrying. "Let's go home before it gets too late." He said, walking away. "Maybe we could have some nice fish with tonight's dinner."

Sano growled softly before following after Kenshin. Kaoru and he both knew that Kenshin would not go after Hajime. He would wait until he returned and then the score would be settled. What worried Kaoru though was that it almost seemed as if Hajime was stronger then Kenshin. Almost.

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"Just come 'er girlie. We ain't gonna hurt you none." A shabby man with a grubby beard and thick accent said.

"No. Go away!" a young girl with long, braided black hair spat from her hiding place behind a large barrel.

"Come on Misao. I don't have time for this!" the man spat. Despite his attempts to reach her she was able to stay crouched behind the barrel just out of his grip. "When I get me hands on you I'll tear that pretty throat of yours right out!"

The man stood as the door to the inn opened. "Oh good, Rio. Do you think you can move this barrel for me? It seems the little miss has decided she doesn't want to do no more work around here."

The young girl shuddered at this. Misao knew Rio would not be happy to find that she was disobeying orders, but if her plan worked she's never have to be a slave to this family again.

"I'll get the little mouse old man. Then I'll teach her about laziness." Rio growled, easily lifting the barrel and tossing it aside, leaving her exposed and with nowhere to hide.

Before he could make a grab at her though Misao sprinted forward and made a mad dash for the door. 'Almost there.' Her mind screamed. She reached out her hand for the door handle but a sudden grip on her ankle sent her sprawling to the floor. She cried out in pain as rough hands pulled mercilessly on her hair.

"You want to run away?" Rio spat dangerously in her ear. "I'll show you what happens to runaways, little mouse!" With ease he lifted Misao off the floor and began dragging her upstairs towards his room.

"Hey Rio! What do you plan to do with 'er?" the old man asked, slightly concerned.

"I'm going to show her what happens to mice on the streets. Do you have any problems with that old man?" Rio asked dangerously as Misao squirmed in his arms.

"No." the man said quickly. "Just keep it down. We have a guest and I don't want to loose money because you have to have your fun."

"Whatever." Rio said, turning. He drug Misao up the stairs ignoring her shouts. Once in his room he roughly threw her to the floor.

"You bastard. One day I'm going to kill you!" Misao spat only to be roughly backhanded.

"Lesson number one. Know when to shut your mouth!" Rio spat slapping her again. "Lesson number two. Never disobey orders."

Misao was thrown back by another blow. Rio chuckled as she tried to crawl away. He roughly yanked her hair and threw her onto his bed. "Final lesson. Always obey your teacher!" he said before rough grabbing at her shirt. Misao screamed for help but Rio only slapped her again. "Scream one more time and I will kill you." He said.

Misao only screamed louder until he punched her roughly in the stomach. Her vision clouded and she fought the sensation to throw up. She tried to ignore Rio's roaming hands but soon found herself fighting back tears as he fondled her breasts. Suddenly there was a harsh knock at the door.

"Who the hell could that be?" Rio asked, disgusted. When there was no response he resumed pawing on Misao but soon there was another, more urgent knock.

"Damnnit." Rio spat. "All your damn screaming probably woke up the guest the old man was talking about. You better stay here and keep your mouth shut."

With that Rio lifted himself off of her and made his way to the door. "Listen. What's going on in here is none of your concern. Go back to your room and mind your own business!" Rio smiled to himself when he heard departing footsteps from beyond the door. He turned back to Misao who was trying to fix her shirt. "Now where were we?"

He hadn't taken two steps before the door was sliced into pieces and a very angry looking man was standing in the doorway, holding a short sword in his hand.

"What the hell?" Rio asked but was cut off when the man suddenly sprinted forward and brought the hilt of his sword into the man's jaw. Misao could hear Rio's jaw break from where she was. Without stopping the man turned and buried his fist into Rio's stomach. Rio fell to the floor, blood running from his mouth.

Misao watched with awe as the man replaced his sword back in the sheath on his hip. He slowly turned to her, his steel gray eyes examining her. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Er…yes. He didn't do anything to me, thanks to you." She said, blushing slightly.

"Good. If he had I would have killed him for sure." The man said coldly before turning to leave.

"Wait! Who are you?" Misao asked, not wanting to be left alone.

"My name is Aoshi." The man said simply. "If you leave now nobody will stop you."

"I don't have anywhere to go. My family was killed." Misao said sadly. "Where are you going? Surely you must be traveling to be staying in an inn."

Aoshi sighed. "I am on a journey. I have no room for companions, especially not children."

"I am not a child!" Misao shouted. "I'll have you know that I'm sixteen and very mature for my age."

"Is that so." Aoshi said, raising an eyebrow.

"Besides. I've already decided that I'm going with you. I owe you my life and I promise to repay you the favor." She said.

For a moment she thought she saw the man smile slightly, but it was quickly replaced by a stony, passive glare. "You may do whatever you wish. Just don't expect me to protect you again."

Misao smiled. "You won't have to because from this day forward I swear to fight and become as strong as you are."

Aoshi nodded slightly. "Hurry and get your stuff then. We'll be leaving in a few moments."

Misao almost shouted for joy. She was free all thanks to this stranger. "I swear to follow you Lord Aoshi. No matter where you may go." She whispered softly once she was sure he couldn't hear her. "I swear it."

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A/N Another fine chapter and look, no cliffhanger. Well I have to get to class so I'll post the next chapter sometime Friday maybe. So until then JA ne!