Beginning of a New Journey

I came all this way just to go back again……Oh well….I'm really starting to miss everyone. I hope their not too mad.. Kiriko was sitting amongst the branches of a cherry blossom tree deep in the forest by a stream. She decided to use another route to get home. She found a road on her map that looked a little easier than the Tokaido Trail, plus any route that would avoid her from bumping into Jenji again was a good idea.

Since she didn't get any sleep the night before she decided to rest in a tree instead of the ground. The one she found looked almost exactly like her 'secret spot' back home. It even had the same opening where she usually sat in her tree.

She stayed there for a couple of minutes watching the water. I wish I could apologize to Shio, she thought sadly, he was so sweet to me and I was such a brat. Kiriko sighed and started to doze off until she heard some rustling in the brush below. She peaked through the branches and saw a tall shadow coming through the bushes. Kiriko gasped when she recognized the figure. It was Shio.

Kiriko couldn't believe her eyes. Here she was just thinking about him a few minutes ago. She watched him collect some water in his jug then he placed it to the side and took his sword off his back. Next he took off his gi and walked into the shallow water. He started to practice his swordsmanship. Kiriko watched in amazement at the way he moved and sliced at the open air. He was so elegant yet his movements looked deadly. She had a feeling that he wasn't just practicing to become better but it looked more like he was practicing with a purpose in mind. She stayed in the tree and gazed at his marvellous sweaty arms, chest, back, and stomach. But even though all those things were wonderful she couldn't seem to take her eyes away from those focused ruby orbs. Finally, he sheathed his sword and looked at the forest.

"I hope you enjoyed that show, who ever you are, because you won't live to see another!"

Kiriko gasped then started to laugh a little, I should have known he would have felt my presence by now.

"Who are you! Come out and show yourself!" Shio looked around the forest. He was trying to pen point his watcher's location.

"I enjoy the show immensely." A female's voice floated from the trees.

Shio looked to see a figure come jumping out of a tree. He narrowed his eyes to get a better look.

"Oh…its you." He walked to the shore and stood in front of her. "Now the question is, are you following me?"

Kiriko stepped back then bowed her head. "I………I would like to apologize for the way I acted and the way I treated you the other day…. I know my father didn't hire you. I don't know why I acted the way I did especially after you had been so kind to me. You were right. I was being very bratty and I'm sorry…….I-I also want to say thank you again for everything you did for me." She looked up at him.

His facial expression was still hard and serious. She bit her lower lip and looked at her hands. "Um…..well I better get going. Sorry for bothering you. Goodbye, Shio." She turned to leave.

As her small form started to disappear amongst the dense forest, he decided to suck up his pride and stop her from leaving. He sighed, "Kiriko, wait!"

She stopped in her tracks but didn't turn around. Shio walked up behind her. Her eyes widened slightly as his shadow started to loom over her.

He stood there for a moment not knowing what to say then he blurted, "Did you eat?" What! Why the hell did I just say something so stupid! He wanted to slap himself but managed to keep his cool.

Kiriko turn her head slightly, "What?"

Since he couldn't take it back he just decided to go along with his stupid out burst. "I asked if you ate yet."

She turned around to face him. Kiriko gasped a little not realizing he was standing so close. She took a step back. "Um no. I haven't."

Shio turned away from her and started to walk back towards the stream. "Come. Have lunch with me."

She smiled.

He had some rice balls and fruit. She had some leftovers from her dinner with Hiko. They ate in silence. Kiriko kept her eyes on her food but every now and then she would look up to see what Shio was doing. He was staring at the water every time she looked. Finally her curiosity got the best of her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Shio kept his eyes on the water and bit into his apple. He was silent for a while then he answered. "I was actually wondering where you were heading next?"

Kiriko was a little taken aback by this. Why would he care where she was going? Yet she answered him, "I'm going home…. To Tokyo."

He looked over at her. "Tokyo?……That's where I'm heading too."

Kiriko gave him a bewildered look. "I thought you lived in Kyoto. Why are you going to Tokyo?"

Shio narrowed his eyes a little.

"Um… never mind it's none of my busi-"

"I'm looking for someone."

"Oh." Was all she said. She turned to look at the water.

Shio spoke up again. "You know…Since we're going the same way and all… maybe we should travel together.. But just to Tokyo's border. From there we go our separate ways. What do you think?" Why did I just say that?…..I should be travelling alone but I don't want her to get lost…….Wait a minute! Who cares if she gets lost! What's wrong with you Shio? He was about to take back the offer until the small smile on her face.

Kiriko blushed slightly and nibbled at her rice ball. "Sure, if you don't mind having a little brat travelling along side you."

Shio chuckled slightly and a small smile etched its way across his handsome lips. "Do you think I would have suggested it if you really bothered me that much?"

Kiriko looked up at him with a large smile. Shio marvelled at how beautiful her indigo eyes radiated in the bright sunlight. They were filled with knowledge however they made her look young and innocent.

"How old are you?" He asked out of the blue.

Kiriko wrinkled up her eyebrows. "Oro!" She started to giggle. I can't believe I just said that.

Shio raised his eyebrow. He had no idea what the giggling was about.

"Um…I just turned eighteen yesterday. Why do you ask?"

He got up and dusted the dirt off his hakama then put his gi back on. "I was just wondering. That's all."

She watched him get dressed for a moment then she got up herself. She packed away the food and picked up the rest of her things. Shio was ready to go by the time she finished gathering her stuff.

"Well are you ready?"

Kiriko looked around to make sure she didn't leave anything behind. "Yes…..I think I got every thing."

"Good." He started to walk off. "Let's go and don't dilly dally. I like to walk at a fast pace. So you better-"

"What were you saying?" Kiriko had already caught up and was walking beside him.

"Um….never mind."

They walked off into the forest together.

The twins were in the front of the house practicing their martial arts while Kenshin came walking up towards the gate. Asao was the first to spot Kenshin. She ducked under her sister's punch and ran to the gate.

"Mr. Himura what are you doing back so soon?"

Meshi joined her sister, "We thought you left yesterday to go home with Kiriko."

Kenshin smiled, "Yes….well, something came up. Are your parents home?"

"Yes, we'll go get them for you." They answered in their usual manner.

Kenshin watched the girls run off towards the shrine. Kenshin stood patiently by the gate and waited for either Aoshi or Misao to arrive. Misao came out first. The expression on her face made Kenshin laugh inwardly. He spoke up before she could bombard him with questions.

"Yes I know. I know Mrs. Misao. I'll explain everything to you and Aoshi. Okay?"

To Kenshin's surprise she didn't speak but just nodded in compliance.

When Aoshi finally came out, Kenshin and Misao were sitting on the front steps drinking tea. Aoshi joined them and Kenshin began his story. He told them how he got there and she had already left. He talked about what Master Hiko had told him about Kiriko. He didn't go into as much detail as Hiko did but gave them a general idea. He also didn't mention the born Battousai theory. Finally he told them about Kiriko infatuation with some guy.

"Now this is the part where I need your help. Hiko told me that the name sounded familiar to him. He also told me that he believes he heard the name from someone that was in the Juppengatana. I was hoping the Oniwaban group could look into a guy. Hiko didn't get his last name but he told me what Kiriko told him. She said he had black-blue hair was as tall as you, Aoshi and had red eyes."

"Red eyes?" Misao blurted out. Who in the world has red eyes? She thought

"Yes I thought that was kind of particular too but not many people have violet eyes Mrs. Misao." Kenshin looked at her and smiled.

"Battousai, I'll have my men look into it right away." Aoshi spoke up for the first time.

Kenshin smiled. "Thank you, Aoshi."

Misao gasped, " Oh no! I already sent the letter you wanted me to send to Kaoru this morning. What do you want to do about that?"

"Well I can't do anything about that now. I'll just have to send Kaoru another letter ….Thanks again for everything."

The sun was starting to set. To Kiriko dismay, they hadn't started up a conversation since they left the stream. She was having a hard time of thinking of things to say to him. She wanted to know more about him but the look on his face was just so intimidating she kept her mouth shut. Finally she thought of something to say. She hoped it wouldn't sound too lame.

"I've been meaning to thank you for the compliment you gave me."

Shio looked down at her. "What compliment?"

"Well…" she thought about it for a moment. "You told me I looked beautiful in kimonos."

"I don't remember saying beautiful cause you're far from that. Actually it's kind of hard remembering anything after you tried to knock my head off."

Kiriko gasped. She looked up at him. "You said beautiful and I already apologized about that!" She yelled.

Shio snickered. "If I said any thing like that then I must have been delirious."

Kiriko put her hand on her hip. "So what are you trying to say? That you're taking the compliment back."

"No. What I'm saying IS, I never said that in the first place. Why would I tell a spoiled little brat that she's beautiful?"

Kiriko's face turned bright red with anger.

She looks so cute when she's angry, he thought. Shio smirked and continued his teasing. "Actually I think I said you look like a boy in a dress."

"YOU are such a JERK! Why did I agree to travel with you! All I wanted to do was spark up a conversation with you and look what happens! I get insulted!" Kiriko hollered at him.

Shio looked down at her with a huge grin on his face. "We're talking, aren't we?"

"…" She blinked. All the anger vanished from Kiriko's body as she looked at him with wide eyes.

Shio started chuckling softly. "Hey, I figured it's better to have you yelling at me then have that silence between us."

Kiriko opened her mouth then closed it and smiled. He was right. It was better then having the silence. She looked up at him. He was still smiling. "You jerk." She said poking his head playfully.

Shio stopped walking and touched the spot where she poked him. "I know you didn't just touch me."

Kiriko stood exactly in front of him then she placed her hands on her hips and spoke directly in his face. "Yes I did and what are you going to do about it?" I can't believe I'm flirting with him like this! Her thoughts screamed at her but she didn't move from where she stood.

Shio stared into her unwavering eyes. Hhmmm…… he thought, oh she thinks she's a big girl. He gave her a half smirk then licked his lips and leaned in close to her face.

This startled Kiriko. She stepped back but he moved in closer and spoke very softly into her ear. "Little girl……. Don't ever start a challenge that you can't finish." Then he walked around her slightly brushing her shoulder as he pasted.

Kiriko watched him walk away. Her face flushed immensely from such a statement. First she calmed herself down then ran to catch up with him. "What did you mean by that?"

"Take it how you want it. I'm not explaining." He kept his eyes in front of him.

"Why do you keep calling me 'little'?"

"Oh, besides the fact that you are?" He commented.

Kiriko glared at him. "ha, ha that's really funny." She answered dryly. "You know what I mean. You think I'm so young when you're not that much older than I am."

Shio looked down at her again. "You don't know my age."

Kiriko nodded. "Yes I do. You're twenty-three."

"Humph………good guess." He didn't say anything after that.

Kiriko didn't want it to become silent again, so she quickly thought of something else to talk about.

"Um it's really starting to get dark now. Don't you think we should start settling down for the night?"

"I can walk all night."

Kiriko slowed down a little then stopped. "Well I'm sorry to say I can't. I didn't get much sleep the night before."