This takes place around the Meiji era of Japan. Not in the real world. Ah well, it's mostly like the Meiji era, but.......you have to remember. The Meiji era was supposedly an era of peace. But you saw in the show/manga that there was a lot of *stuff* that wasn't so 'peaceful'. Regular villages want to look good for tourists and prospective residents. Having a homeless person hanging around might make them look bad. -_-*

Rated PG-13 for LIFE

Little Is Much:: Chapter 2- A Spy?

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Sunlight filtered in through the long grass around her. It fell over her eyelids, but it was still difficult for her to open her eyes. The minute she succumbed to the daylight- reality- she regretted it.

In her dreams, she was a child again. Her mother was carrying a bundle of blue-her baby brother- and she was helping her mother with dinner. The family dog sat curled up in the corner in front of the fire, and her father kneeled on the ground beside the dog reading the paper.

There was a reason they were called dreams, after all.

When she opened her eyes, the pain washed over her like a broken dam. She would have gasped, but her throat was partially swollen shut. She struggled to sit up, and she felt a tugging sensation in her back. She heard a slight ripping noise, and blood soaked through her clothes.

They really had hit her with the shovel. She cringed and stood on her one good leg- which wasn't so good. The bottom of her foot was cracked, bruised, and had water blisters on it as well, but it was still better off than her leg.

Dry grass stuck in the blood of the wound on her leg. She looked tiredly at the ground and limped off towards destiny.

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The river was just ahead. She half-smiled. She wasn't glad that the river was ahead, but rather that she could clean out her wounds. She needed cloth to bandage them. Sighing, she ripped off the only remaining sleeve on her shirt set it aside.

After she'd pulled the grass from her wound, she'd dunked her leg in the icy river water. She pulled the dried blood from the wound deftly, though it hurt terribly. She rinsed the make-shift bandage and wrapped it around her leg tightly.

She couldn't reach her back, so she left it the way it was. Her hair was dirty, so she let it free of its braid. The gold-colored tie-off had belonged to her mother, and it was the only reminder she had left of her. She set it carefully in the grass beside her. After rinsing out her hair and washing her face, she re-braided her hair and tied it off again.

No, she wasn't in a condition to travel, but nevertheless, she didn't have a choice.

She wouldn't take the road. She'd follow close, but not directly. She didn't want to make the roads look bad as well.......

She would go through the thick woodland instead.

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On the other side of the thick forest area was a road. Right or left? She started to the right. Who knew what lay ahead?

Minutes after she stepped out onto the road, a rider came galloping by on a horse. The driver didn't see her, but the horse did. The horse turned just enough so it wouldn't crush her, but she was still knocked onto the ground rather forcefully.

He whirled his horse around and turned to confront her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he yelled, face red with fury. "I have an important errand to run, and you get in my way!"

She didn't move from her position on the ground. She just stared down at her bandaged leg that was now throbbing evenly.

"When I ask you a question, you answer it!"

When she didn't answer, he strode forward and grabbed her up by the collar to shake her.

"Answer me wench!"

Once again, she didn't speak. Her eyes spoke volumes however. If you looked into the wide ocean-sprayed depths, you would see the terror that she felt. Men scared her. They were always violent, and never nice.

He slapped her across the face and threw her to the ground.

"Stupid bitch can't speak," he growled, kicking her side. "Stay out of the road girl. You're making the road look bad."

He spat on her and kicked her one last time before mounting his horse. His steed looked back to her as if to say, 'I'm sorry', but.......he was being controlled as well.

Great, now she was in trouble. Not only did her leg hurt worse, now she had a bruised side. She looked down at her side, but only saw a tear in the fabric. She couldn't check for injuries here.

The pounding of hoof beats sent her limping into the woods again. A man in a strange white coat flew past her line of sight. She sighed with relief. She didn't want to have to deal with another man.

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Even now, there was bruising. Only minutes after retreating into the woods, she'd pulled up her shirt to reveal a badly-bruised side. There was a little bit of blood where a metal piece in the man's boot had scraped her, but it wasn't so bad otherwise.

She tucked her shirt back in place and tied off the faded pink bow that kept her shirt together. She'd taken this outfit from a pile of trash somewhere. But it was bordering on four years of wear and tear.

She needed something new. But that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. She sighed and hauled herself rather painfully to her feet. She might as well just wander around in the woods for awhile......

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Voices. There were men talking ahead. And a woman. A small group of people. Her eyes widened and she went to investigate. Hiding behind a tree, she saw an invisible road. You would only find it if you knew where to look. Two men and two women were talking excitedly.

"Well Tori-atama, I see you've finally returned!" one woman shouted. Her long deep brown hair fell to her waist loosely.

Misao cringed. She wondered if the woman would get slapped for that statement.

"Sorry kitsuné-sensei, we were held up at Hyoko."

Misao gaped. He was the same man from earlier! The one with the white coat that had passed her on the road soon after she'd dove into the forest. He didn't hit the other woman for making such a statement. How strange.......

"Kenshin!" another woman yelled, standing at the side of the horse. "Are you back for good?"

"No Miss Kaoru, I'm not......." the redhead on the deep brown horse said somewhat sadly. "We have a lot to do, that we do......." He shook his head and offered a hand to Kaoru.

Misao watched in wonder. Why did the man give the woman an honorific, but she did not do likewise?

Kaoru accepted his hand and he hauled her up onto the horse. She held onto Kenshin's waist with her hands, and the horse jumped forward at the man's command.

"Aren't you going to give me a ride back?" the one woman pouted.

"Well fox, I dunno......."

"Sanosake Sagara, if you don't, I'll tell Shinomori-san on you!"

"Fine, come on up," he grinned, and hauled her onto the horse. She had to ride sideways because of the restrictive kimono she was wearing. "Giddy up!" he yelled, and the horse took off.

Misao shook her head. What strange people....... She continued on her way through the woods. After limping around for several hours, she came upon a small pond in the middle of the woods. It was cool, and she rinsed her hands and face off.

A crashing through the underbrush startled her, and she turned slowly to see a dog standing in front of her. Her eyes widened for a moment, but the dog looked up at her cutely.

It was friendly.

She breathed a sigh of relief. This dog was hardly a dog. He looked almost a year old, but he had a puppy's eyes. He reminded her of Kiva, for they were of the same breed. Shouting could be heard in the distance, and she quickly pulled her hand away.

"Nova!" a voice shouted, and Misao rose. She had to leave. "Nova you bad dog! Get back here!"

Misao recognized the voice as male, and she turned to flee just as she left the clearing. She would watch him from a distance.

He saw her leave, and turned to see Nova standing with his nose faced in the fleeing girl's direction.

"Arigatou!" he called to her, but she didn't turn to acknowledge him. "Come on Nova," he smiled. "Let's get home." He clipped a lead onto the dog's collar and led him away. "We'll get you some dinner when we get back," he promised.

Misao felt her stomach clench. The man wasn't much older than herself, and he wore blue. He seemed the sort who always smiled. Dinner......it'd been a long time since she'd had dinner....... nine years in fact. Dinner wasn't dinner without food.

Sure, she'd had a scrap here and there all her life. But not dinner. Dinner was a full meal.......

She felt the empty hole in her stomach complain. It cried for food. Begged, pleaded. But she had none to give it. She walked the way the man had gone with the dog- Nova. Maybe she could steal some food from his house.......

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"Aoshi," Sanosake complained. "Can't we at least stay for a little while? We've been traveling for a week without a good rest."

The man in front of him paused. "Aa......." he agreed slowly."But you must leave to deliver this before the end of the week." His cold bluish grey-green eyes hardened. "We can't let their suspicions get any higher than they already are."

"Okay," Sano grinned. "Kenshin and I will be on the road before two days."

"Very well."

Sano exited the room.

"Aoshi-san!"

Aoshi turned to regard the young man that had just banged into his office.

"What is it Soujirou?" he asked boredly.

"Someone's hanging around here! I don't know who she is, but I saw her run away from Nova."

"Did you check Nova for anything.......strange?"

"Yes, I didn't find anything." He paused for a moment. "I don't think she is a threat. She looked to be about 14 or so. She's very short. I didn't get a good look at her, but she looked pretty messed up to me. I wonder if she ran away from someone?"

Aoshi shrugged, and Soujirou continued. "Maybe an arranged marriage or something? Maybe even a husband. People keep getting married younger and younger......."

"Is that all?" Aoshi asked the smiling young man. "Or did you have something else to say?"

"Oh yes, she was wearing the strangest clothes. I don't think I've seen a woman outside of the Aoiya wear something like that......." he commented. "She was wearing an onmitsu's uniform."

"Hmm......" Aoshi's eyebrows rose slightly.

"But it hung off her body like it was a hand-me-down or something. I don't think it's hers."

Aoshi nodded. "Fine. I'll have Saitou on the lookout."

"Okay," Soujirou answered. "What about-"

"And Souzou as well."

Soujirou nodded. "Very well Aoshi-san. I'll tell them to get into position." He thought for a minute. "Shall I inform the others of this? Just in case......."

"Aa. It would probably be best that way."

"Good." He turned and left the room, sliding the door shut.

Soujirou smiled grimly. If this girl was a spy for Shishio, then they were in trouble. They'd been hiding out here in their own little society for a long time. They didn't want to leave.

He stopped in every doorway to arrange a meeting in the training hall.

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The training hall buzzed with excitement. What did Soujirou Seta have to say now? Was it good news perhaps?

"Hey!" Soujirou yelled over the din. His voice didn't quite project like he'd have wanted it to.

"SHUT UP YOU IDIOTS!"

Everyone quieted.

"Thanks Sanosake!" Soujirou smiled. He looked out over the group assembled. There weren't a lot of people, but there was enough. The men sat on one side of the room, while the women all sat on the other.

(the women)

Tae Taika- the head cook. She cooked meals and was in charge of.......well....... everything. 25 years old and unmarried.

Tokio Hajime- Saitou Hajime's wife. Married for almost a year. The only married woman in the Aoiya. 24 years old.

Tsubame Taika- Tae's niece.  Assistant cook. 15 years old.

Kaoru Kamiya- A kendo instructor. Teaches kendo to the children and young adults. 18 years old and unmarried.

Megumi Takani- the Aoiya's physician. Nobody would hire her because she was a woman, but after she'd helped out Sanosake, he'd invited her to the Aoiya. 19 years old and unmarried.

Shura Yume- A female ninja. She's usually in charge of watching for visitors, but sometimes she is sent out on a mission. 21 and unmarried.

Okon Inami- Tae's helper. Omasu's sister. In charge of setting the table and serving. 28 and unmarried.

Omasu Inami - Tae's helper, Okon's sister. In charge of setting the table and getting everyone there for dinner. 27 and unmarried.

Ayame Genzai- A 9-year-old girl who lost her family in a fire. She lives at the Aoiya with her substitute grandfathers, Okina and Dr. Genzai.

Tsuzume Genzai- 5 years old, she's Ayame's younger sister. She also lives at the Aoiya with Okina and Dr. Genzai. They adopted Dr. Genzai's last name as their own.

Amaura Mizori- She cleans up after everyone. Housekeeper of the entire Aoiya. Sometimes Kamatari lends a hand to help. 23 and unmarried. Her nickname is Maura.

Kilika- Kaoru's younger sister. Sometimes helps with the spy work, but usually works around the Aoiya. She likes fixing things. 17 and unmarried

(the men)

Soujirou Seta- Serves alongside Souzou, Kenshin, Saitou, and Sano. A top spy and dog trainer. 19 years old and unmarried.

Souzo - A top spy, he trains the Aoiya's horses, and is frequently gone on business. 26 years old and unmarried.

Yahiko Myoujin- trains under Kaoru. Her first apprentice. Helps out with chores and such, and helps out Soujirou occasionally with the dogs. 16 and unmarried.

Kenshin Himura- A top spy, he is often away on business. He usually goes with Souzou or Sano. When home, he helps the women out by doing the laundry. 20 and unmarried.

Sanosake Sagara- Another top spy, and Kenshin's best friend. They both came to the Aoiya at approx. the same time. 22 years old and not married.

Saitou Hajime- The only married man at the Aoiya. 26 years old. He usually patrols the grounds, but also leaves on important business.

Katsu Tsukioka- a spy for the Aoiya. 23 years old and unmarried. He's sweet on Shura, and usually takes watch with her.

Kamatari- The flashy dresser. He's a spy, but usually sticks around the Aoiya to help with the regular work. He always wears at least one bright color- claiming that everyone needs a bright spot in their life. Helps Amaura when he can. 25 and unmarried.

Okina- Dr. Genzai's brother. Used to be a top spy, but now just helps Aoshi with the paperwork and tries to do a little work along the way.

Dr. Genzai- a retired physician. He is Okina's brother. He watches Ayame and Tsuzume and helps Megumi sometimes.

There was only one more man left. Aoshi Shinomori. The leader of the whole Aoiya wasn't there. But that was fine, because he had a lot of paperwork to do. Aoshi was a cold man. Ever since forming the Aoiya, he hadn't spoken a lot to anyone.

But he was still a first-rate Okashira. He showed respect to his men, and everyone loved him for it. He even showed respect to the women, and he expected all of the men to do the same.

"I have an announcement......." Soujirou started. "We've spotted someone around the premises."

The training hall's noise level skyrocketed. If it was a spy, they could lose the Aoiya. They'd all have to go somewhere else. The Aoiya was their home. They'd created their own society. Men and women were equal. It was like a utopia- almost. Women and men both wore what they wanted, and the women weren't restricted to kimono's. Of course, they had to be at least decent.

"Though we're not sure whether or not she is a spy."

"A woman?" Sanosake asked, hand raised in the air.

Soujirou nodded. "I saw her while I was chasing Nova."

"Do you think she poses a threat?" Amaura asked softly.

"Yeah," Megumi spoke up. "Maybe she's just wandering around."

"In the woods?" Souzou spoke.

"Sure, why not?" Shura defended.

"That's right; it's probably safer than the road." Kaoru twisted her hands.

"Anyway," Soujirou continued. "I just thought I'd tell you all. You may go back to whatever it was you were doing. Saitou, Souzou, I'd like to speak with you."

The two indicated men came up and listened to their orders while everyone else filed from the room.

"What do you think Kenshin?" Kaoru asked the redhead.

"I'm not sure what to think Miss Kaoru, that I'm not....... She could just be a harmless passerby, but......."

"Yeah......." Kaoru hung her head.

"Tori-atama!" Megumi screamed, running past. Sanosake was running away from the angry fox.

Kaoru laughed a little. Those two fought so much....... "You guys are acting like a married couple!" she shouted. That got them to shut up.

"I'm not sure what to say......." Katsu mumbled, watching the ground as he walked. "I just hope she's not some kind of spy......."

"Same here......." Tae agreed. "I'd like to stay here, ya know......."

"You're not the only one......." Souzou frowned. "Hopefully, she'll just be someone who got lost or something."

"Maybe." Shura looked at her friends. "Just remember to keep an extra ear out for her. Just in case."

Souzou nodded. "I will," he said.

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Aoshi was tired. And the news that Soujirou had brought didn't help his nerves any. It just served to increase the tension in his back. He felt *old*. And he was only 24. He noticed a fluttering in the shadows around the dining hall.

In the Aoiya, there were a lot of buildings. There was the dining hall/kitchen, the training hall, the nursing and recovery building, the main office, the living quarters, and the kennels, stables, chicken coops, and the bathrooms. He was in the main office. At the front of the Aoiya and only a short walk from the kitchen/dining hall.

He focused tired eyes on the figure standing in the shadows. They waited for a few minutes before limping towards the kitchen. He narrowed his eyes. She wasn't from the Aoiya. She must have been the girl that Soujirou had seen earlier.

She stepped into the kitchen quickly, and came out a few seconds later. He squinted and focused on what she was carrying. Was that......pie?

His eyebrow raised in surprise. She was stealing.......pie. Wow. She looked pretty trashed. More than likely, he supposed, she was homeless. But what had happened to her leg and back? He wouldn't confront her today with questions about what she was doing at the Aoiya. But later.......

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"Aiiieee!"

"What is it Miss Tae?!" Souzou yelled, sliding into the kitchen.

Some of the men, especially Kenshin, called unmarried women "Miss".

"My pie!" she said wide-eyed. "I had a pie here, but there's a little chunk gone!"

Souzou rolled his eyes into his head. "So?" he asked. "Maybe Sano stole it."

"No, he went the other direction. I left this here while we were all at that meeting, and now it's gone."

Souzou leaned in to peer closer. There was a small piece cut out of the blueberry pie. "Maybe it was that girl that Soujirou told us about!" he grinned.

Tae gasped and glared at him. "That's not funny Souzou!" she pouted. "Now I have to make another pie."

"No you don't," he said. "Just give Sano a smaller piece."

"Why not you?"

"Because I never steal food."

"What about that one time?!" she yelled, but he'd disappeared.

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Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you so much for letting me get something to eat at last. I feel bad for taking this from the kitchen, but I was so hungry. Please help the members of the group not to hate for eating a piece of their dessert. Give my mother a hug, and my brother some candy. Give Fuuso a carrot and Kiva a hambone. Please....... Lead me where you will Lord, and I will follow. Thy will be mine Jesus, Amen.

She slowly ate the homemade blueberry pie, and memories flooded her head as she chewed slowly on the delectable treat.

~*~

"Okaa-san?" a little girl asked. "Do you need help making the pie?"

"Thank you Misao-chan......." her mother sighed tiredly. Her stomach was rounded, and she was sick. "Mama's just very tired today."

"Misao-chan understands Okaa-san," Misao smiled at her mother. "Mama's sick, and she's trying to take care of my baby brother or sister."

"A boy," Mrs. Makimachi sighed. "I just *know* he is. He'll grow up to look just like your Tou-san."

"I hope so Okaa-san. That would be nice......." She kneaded the pie dough and started rolling it out on the table.

"I'm so glad that your father planted those blueberry bushes....... This pie will certainly be a treat."

Misao nodded. "Yes mama, it will be. You just sit back and tell Misao- chan what to do, and I'll make the pie for you."

"Thank you Misao-chan. You're a big help."

"You're welcome Okaa-san."

"One day Misao, you're going to make someone a wonderful wife."

"You think so?" Misao beamed.

"Yes my Misao-chan. You're a very hard worker. You can clean, cook, and run a farm."

Misao blushed. "Thank you mama. But before I go off and marry, I hafta finish this pie for you and my brother."

"So you agree?"

"Yes." Misao walked over to her mother and put her hand on the rounded area. She pressed her ear against it. "He'll be a boy for sure mama. I just know it."

Mrs. Makimachi beamed. "I always wanted two children. A boy and a girl. A boy to help your Tou-san, and a little girl in the kitchen who could help me."

"But I won't be little forever mama," Misao answered.

"To me, you'll always be my Misao-chan," she smiled at her daughter. "Even on your wedding day."

"But Mama, that'd be embarrassing," Misao pouted. "How long should I cook this for Okaa-san?"

"Thirty minutes Misao-chan, but remember, you have to check on it. When the crust is golden and the filling is hot, it's finished."

"Yes Mama."

**AFTER THE PIE IS DONE**

"Mama, the pie's done......." Misao whispered lightly.

"Hm? Oh good. I'm hungry again. Thank you so much for helping me Misao- chan."

The pie was imperfect and lopsided, but to Misao's mother, it was perfect. "What a beautiful pie Misao-chan. Blueberry's my favorite. I think that it's his too......." she smiled.

"What makes you think that Okaa-san?" Misao asked curiously.

"Well Misao-chan......." she beamed."He just kicked."

~*~

Misao frowned slightly and folded her hands.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please send Okaa-san and Nee-chan a blueberry pie for me too....... Amen.

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^___^ Okay, now I need to explain some things.

This WILL BE a MISAOSHI fic!! ^_^ AHHHH! Drill it into your head!! ^.^ Soujirou's not going to be paired with Misao. *shakes head* I've got everyone paired up. Heh, heh, heh. That's why I made up two characters. Here are the parings.......

Tae/Souzou, Tokio/Saitou, Tsubame/Yahiko, Kaoru/Kenshin, Megumi/Sanosake, Shura/Katsu, Misao/Aoshi, Amaura/Kamatari, Kilika/Soujirou.

No, Kamatari's not gay, and not a cross dresser. He just dresses brightly. Kilika is going to be a shy kind of girl. Just the opposite of her sister. Did you notice that no one in Kenshin seems to have any family? Souzou and Sano don't share last names.......There won't be a lot of all of the couples, but there will be a lot of K/K, A/M and M/S. All of the rest of the pairings will be slighter. Oh yeah, there'll be a little Kilika/Soujirou.......^^;;

I felt bad leaving Soujirou all by himself.

Reviewer Responses

Sakura Star: I'm posting up the first chapters for the people who haven't read the story. Yes there will be some changes. ^__^ not too many though. Thanx for reviewing.

Ikhny87: Thanx for reviewing, is this soon enough for you?

one black tear: I'm glad people are happy that I'm continuing. I hope I don't disappoint you all.
Lady Naria: Thanx for reviewing. It'll get happier in later chapters.

What do u think? Tell me in a review, please. Also if you have any questions feel free to ask them. ^___^