HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Er.......the reason that the animal's all have PEDIGREE names is.......^^ Because that's what they are. All Purebred dogs[and horses] have a pedigree name if they're for anything BUT being a pet. If all the dogs were PETS, they'd have a simple name. Like, for example, Souzou will call his horse Thunder, and Tae will call hers Lightening, but they'll still have a pedigree name. That's why. All pedigree animals are called something shorter though, cause if Aoshi wanted his dog, he wouldn't yell "The Fury Beating Round Us!! Come here boy!"

That would sound utterly stupid.

So.......yeah.


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Disclaimer:: Er.......no. It's probably a good thing.

Chapter 4- Poignant History and a Rescue

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The clamor and bustle of a morning at the Aoiya woke Soujirou the morning Mr. Houji was to come.

He didn't move from where he lay on the futon.

It just wasn't fair that one of the people he hated most in the world had to keep coming to torment him- even without looking at him.

And nobody understood.

Not even Kilika.

Aoshi-san didn't know, and Kilika wanted to know. He wouldn't tell her though. Not for anything would he let ANYONE know about his childhood.

Nobody would even believe him.

In a time of peace, nobody kept.......

Slaves.......

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Aoshi bid Kaoru a good-morning and walked down to the dog kennel to see who Soujirou had put in charge of feeding for the day.

He should've known.

Kilika.

Well, at least the animals would be well-taken care of. That was for sure. Houji was due to arrive in.......approximately one and a half hours.

That gave him enough time for a bath.

And, of course, he'd have to have a little talk with Kamatari and Sanosuke. They would accompany him during his talk with Houji- just in case.

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Soujirou shuddered. He could hear.......HIM. That bastard of a man. Hiding behind whoever his master was. And Yumi too. She acted like some common whore, the way she hung off of every man in sight.

Despicable.

He had the [mis]fortune of having his room be right next to where Aoshi's was. In fact, their rooms were back-to-back.

And Soujirou wasn't sure if staying in his room was such a great idea. But it still beat running around the Aoiya and having to SEE Houji. He could only hear the man's annoying voice from under his blanket.

He was embarrassed to admit it.......

.......but he was AFRAID of Houji. And Yumi was no better. She was worse- not better than- the man who was currently talking to Aoshi, Kamatari, and Sanosuke in the adjoining room.

He shook, just thinking about it.

Unless of course, his Okashira asked him face-to-face. Nobody could lie to Aoshi Shinomori and get away with it.

Not even when Soujirou plastered his happy-go-lucky grin on.

Autumn panted from beside him. Autumn was- obviously- born during the fall. She was a small border collie. She went most everywhere with Soujirou because, well, the young man felt safer with her beside him.

You could probably say that Soujirou was insecure about himself.

He was a strong fighter, and, the Tenken rarely lost a fight.......but still.......

~*~ FLASHBACK ~*~

"What?" a teary seven-year-old boy asked, peering up at a stern-looking woman. "What'd I do?"

"Just get out afore I change my damn mind and get the rifle from inside......." she growled irritably. "And put you outta your damn misery."

"B-but mama......."

"Scat! I ain't your momma any longer! Get outta my sight!"

He sniveled and looked up at the woman who he'd called 'mom' since he'd started to talk. "But you ARE my mama!" he insisted, planting his feet firmly on the ground.

"I ain't your mother! You don't have a mother! Your parents didn't want you boy! Don't you get it?! When you was just three days old, your real momma brought you here! My own son died, and she hadn't wanted you! Your real momma was a hoe boy! A whore, a prostitute! You were born out of wedlock, and your parents were both sinners! They'll rot in hell for what they've done!"

"B-but.......I always thought you were my mama......."

"Well I'm NOT! I can't feed you anymore! I ain't got no money. My Kyone is dead! And so is my REAL son! I've got three kids to feed, and you ain't my kid! You've got to go! I can't afford to keep you around any longer!"

"W-what'll I do?"

"I don't give a damn as to what you do. Just get offa my property and outta my sight!"

"Y-yes mama......."

"I'm not your god-forsaken mother! My name to you is Katashi-san, and nothing more! You should be grateful for the long years I've raised you, you worthless little kid! You don't ever do any work around this farm!"

"I woulda worked, but ya never asked......." he sniffled, holding back the tears that threatened to escape him.

"You're too skinny to do your share anyhow! Now git afore I take that rifle!"

Little Soujirou took one look at the stern expression on her face and took off. She turned around and went into the house. Soujirou turned around and followed her. He wanted to see what she would tell her other three kids.

Sure, her husband had died, her firstborn son had passed on before birth, and she had three little ones to support. But how exactly would she explain it to them that their oldest 'sibling' was gone?

They never really liked him anyway.

He was the only child in the house with blue eyes and black hair. All of the other children had black hair and BROWN eyes. 'You must be adopted!' they always teased. Of course, they hadn't liked him all that much anyway.

He never played with them. Instead, all he did was clean- just like he was ordered. His 'mother' ran the farm, and he watched the children and cleaned the house. He'd even made dinner and lunch.

And the other kids didn't like him because he ordered them around. Of course, they always lied to their mother and said he'd done something 'bad' when he hadn't done anything at all.

He pressed his small hands against the windowpane and stared in through the cool glass, ignoring the cold wind against his back.

"What were ya doin' momma?" the youngest girl asked, clutching her mother's skirts.

"Just taking out the garbage......."

Soujirou's eyes welled up and he dashed off to he knew not where. Nobody wanted him. Nobody.......

He ran until he found a little stone bridge, and, finding shelter on a little ledge on one side, he curled up in a shivering ball clutching the only thing he owned.

A small glass ball where there was a cabin and two little people. A man and a woman stood outside of the cabin with smiles etched onto their happy faces. And when you shook the little globe, snow sparkled and fell from above, making them look all the happier.

He'd saved up for two and a half years for it. It came directly from a place called.......England. He thought that....... maybe the people in England were always happy.

But he wasn't happy.

And he fell asleep under the cold bridge with the little snow globe tucked in his arms, safe and warm.

~*~ END FLASHBACK ~*~

And that was the easiest time he had for a long time. After his 'mother' had kicked him out, not wanting to feed him anymore, he'd had a much worse life. But he tried not to think about it, because it only made him act strange.

He didn't want to go into convulsions like the last time.

And nobody had known why they'd happened.

Except him.

But if he told them about what had happened, everyone would want to know everything. And he couldn't bear to deal with that.

Just then, he heard Houji and Yumi talking from Aoshi's room.

Nobody else was in the other room. Why had Aoshi left those two alone? Autumn pressed her warm body against his and licked his cheek. She wagged her tail encouragingly, and he decided to see what the two people were talking about.

He pressed his ear against the wall and hugged Autumn with one arm for support.

"Did you see that girl Houji?" Yumi asked slyly from the other side of the wall.

Houji smirked. "Of course I did Yumi dear......."

"I'm taken Houji," Yumi purred. "You can't have me......."

"Of course not Yumi. Now, what about the girl?"

"We sure could use some kitchen help.......right?"

"Always Yumi. Shall we give her the offer?"

"Well......." Yumi sounded thoughtful. "She looked rather beaten up. Perhaps we should offer medical services. She won't be awake yet, of course. Maybe after we talk with Aoshi-san she'll wake up."

"We can always wake her up ourselves Yumi......."

"Yes, I know that! But we'd best hurry! She's lying all.......helpless next to the side of the road. We don't want Kenshin-san or someone to claim her first, do we?"

Houji nodded. "What if she's dead?"

"She's not. I could see her breathing. She is nearly dead though....... But I think we can get a few good.......days or maybe a week of work out of her. What do you think Houji?"

"What if she's.......well....... retarded?" he asked. "She's so.......nasty."

"I don't care how nasty she is. We'll toss her into some water and clean her up or something. Then we'll have her clean that kitchen a bit. I don't think Marino and Yutaro are doing a good enough job......."

"Don't worry Yumi dear. I punished them accordingly."

"Good. Now, how are we going to convince her to come with us? I think we should tell her that we've been looking for someone to clean, and that we're......."

"Taking 'pity' on her....... And then WHAM! We take her with us."

"Great. She's so scrawny, I'll bet she'll accept if we offer her a piece of chicken."

"You're probably right."

Soujirou didn't miss the sarcastic sound of Houji's voice when he suggested 'taking pity' on her. Now, who could she be?

Then it hit him.

She was scrawny, and a girl. Around here....... She was dirty, looked messed up....... Yep, it had to be that girl that he'd seen just the other day.

He pulled away quickly. "Autumn," he told his dog. "I hafta do something....... But what if Houji sees me?"

Autumn's ear twitched lightly and her tongue flapped out of her mouth in a pant. She cocked her head and looked at him with her dark brown eyes questioningly.

"Yeah.......I've gotta do something.......without dropping any hints about myself....... I know!" he whispered loudly. "I'll tell Kamatari! He'll know what to do!"

He jumped up and rushed out of his room. Now, where was Kamatari at?

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"That's disgusting!" Kamatari protested.

"What a revolting idea!" Sanosuke yelled. "Who does he think he is?!"

Aoshi shook his head. "Didn't I tell you?"

"Hmph!" Kamatari snorted, closing his eyes. "What makes him think he can buy the Oniwabanshuu?!"

"Actually," Aoshi corrected. "He wanted to buy a member......."

"Did he say who?" Sano asked him.

Aoshi shook his head slightly, his dark hair swinging around. "No."

"For some reason, I really dislike Miss Yumi......." Kamatari scowled.

"I don't like her either. But I don't like that Houji character either......."

"They're trouble," Aoshi answered simply.

"Let's get rid of them!" Kamatari declared.

"Yeah, let's kick their sorry selves outta here!"

Just then Soujirou ran around the corner and nearly crashed into Aoshi and Kamatari.

Aoshi was surprised at Soujirou's entrance. He knew that the young man never left his room while Houji and Yumi were visiting. It was a rare thing indeed to see him out of his room.

He grabbed Kamatari's sleeve and hauled the other man away.

"What're they talkin' about?" Sano asked Aoshi.

Aoshi shrugged. How would he know?

"Kamatari, I've got a.......er......favor to ask of you," Soujirou told the older man.

"Well, what can I do for you?" he asked, smoothing out his green gi and white hakama. "Girl trouble?" he asked, winking at the younger man.

"Er.......no. Well.......in a way, but not really."

"Well, spit it out!"

"Well.......uhm....... Would you follow Houji and Yumi when they leave?"

"Why's that Soujirou?" Kamatari asked puzzled. "That's a strange request."

"Well....... do you remember that girl from the other day that I saw?"

"The homeless one?"

"Yeah, I'm positive she really is homeless. She's just too skinny not to be. Anyway, I heard Yumi and Houji talking about her. They want her to.......work for them."

"What's so bad about that?"

"Trust me. DO NOT let her go with them. Er....... Tell Aoshi-san to go along too. He might want to tag along. I know he doesn't trust Houji either."

"Well, neither do I. But I still don't see what's so terrible about them taking her in. She doesn't have anywhere to go, after all. And she's starving besides."

"Well......." Aoshi put in, stepping between them. "She's terrified of men."

"Pardon?" Kamatari asked, his composure back after his Okashira appeared out of nowhere.

"I saw her yesterday. She won't live for more than a few days- at the most- without medical treatment."

"Why didn't you bring her back here then?!" Soujirou asked him stunned.

"She was scared to death of Fury and me. The second I stepped back, she took off."

"Scared, or terrified?" Sanosuke asked, also coming in to the conversation.

"Terrified. She was trembling."

"Hmm....... but at least she'd have something to eat......." Kamatari argued.

"You don't get it, do you?" Soujirou ordered. "I said DON'T let them take her with them."

"I won't," Aoshi assured him. "But why?"

Soujirou shook his head. "I have my reasons."

Aoshi nodded. "Fine. I respect that."

Soujirou sighed in relief. "Thank you Aoshi-san."

"We should probably take her back here then," Kamatari told him.

"Yeah," Sano agreed. "You said she was near-death, didn't you Okashira?"

Aoshi nodded in conformation. "She's injured rather badly."

"Then we should have the kitsuné take a look at her, wouldn't you agree?"

"I suppose."

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Aoshi had a feeling that Soujirou knew something he didn't. And he intended to find out as soon as possible. In the meantime, he left Soujirou, Kamatari, and Sanosuke back at the Aoiya. He decided to follow Yumi and Houji alone.

It would be safer- not to mention quicker and more efficient- that way.

Up ahead, he saw the two black and brown horses that were Yumi and Houji's.

He started forward to observe what went on.

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Misao was shaken awake from her deep unconsciousness. Her wide ocean- sprayed eyes looked up to meet two strangers'. A man and a woman.......

The woman was dressed strangely, in a kimono.......but....... she wore it off her shoulders.

The man had narrowed eyes that made her cringe inwardly. He didn't look very nice. And the woman with him looked like a.......well.......she wasn't sure.

The man stepped forward, and her eyes widened fearfully. What did he want with her?!

"Houji, stop it!" the woman ordered. "She's afraid of you......." She pushed the man away and stepped forward, kneeling beside her. "Hello honey, my name is Yumi, and this is Houji."

Misao's gaze flicked fearfully from the woman to the man, and back again.

"Houji and I've been looking for someone to work at our place. We thought that you might want to apply for cleaning. We need someone new to clean up our kitchens. You'd get three meals a day, and a futon in your own room if you agree."

Misao looked down. The thought of having at least one meal a day sounded good to her, but.......she didn't really want to go with someone she didn't know.

Did she?

"Just think about it for a few minutes, okay dear?"

She reached out a hand and set it on Misao's shoulder. Misao though wasn't used to other people touching her- unless it was to hurt her- and she flinched back and started shaking.

She couldn't control it.

She didn't want to go with this Yumi character. She just didn't.......seem right.

A few minutes later, Yumi returned with Houji. "Have you decided yet dear?" she asked.

Misao couldn't answer. She hadn't spoken in a long time, and even if she wanted to speak her opinion, she couldn't. She didn't even have the energy to shake her head. And her leg burned like a hot poker in the flames.

"I just knew you'd want to help us!" Houji exclaimed.

"Thank you so much dear. Now, come along."

"I think she's mute Yumi dear," Houji told her.

"Who cares?" she shrugged. "Just pick her up and put her on my horse. She'll ride back with me."

She whined pathetically when Houji picked her up rather roughly and started walking away- not even giving note to her injured back or leg. In fact, his arm was pressed against her messed up back.

"Don't worry darling!" Yumi told her. "We'll get you all fixed up!"

She wanted to scream, to bite them, to run away. These people just didn't seem right! Her eyes welled up with tears and she jerked her head away once. That was all she could manage.

"Don't be so immature girl," Yumi muttered. "Act like a woman, not like a baby. A little pain never hurt anyone......."

The tears in her eyes spilled over and ran down her face, leaving a dirty smudged trail.

"Give her to me."

Houji turned around abruptly, swinging Misao around so her braid whipped around them. "What do YOU want?" Yumi asked irritably. "Do you want her for yourself? I thought you were dirty, but my goodness. I USED to have a slightly better opinion."

Misao's eyes focused on the tall man standing before them. He was the same man as the day before, only he didn't have the trenchcoat. His German shepherd stood by his side, growling at Houji.

She shook harder. She wanted away from everyone and everything. Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone?

She didn't want to go with either of them. What if what Yumi said was true?! Maybe this tall man wanted her for some reason. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

Houji stepped towards the black and brown horse standing in the near- invisible road.

"Houji......." the tall man threatened.

He stopped.

"Shut up Aoshi-san. You're just trying to use an innocent girl for bad purposes," Yumi told him haughtily.

"Look at her. By the time you get her to your home, she'll be dead."

"Maybe," Houji shrugged. "We're just trying to be good citizens."

"Bull."

Yumi shrugged. "Believe what you want," she told him. "Come along Houji. We have places to be."

"Give her to me NOW," Aoshi commanded.

"And what are you gonna do about it?"

He unsheathed both of his kodachi's and held them up in the air. "I'll kill the both of you." He lowered them and looked down at the dog panting at his side. "Actually, I think Fury could take care of the both of you alone."

"Awww......a little doggy?"

Misao winced at the deep growling emitting from the crouched dog.

"Get ready," Aoshi told the dog.

"For what?" Houji asked him. "For a treat?"

"Don't be stupid Houji."

"Go!"

Fury leapt forward and bit down hard on Houji's leg. Yumi gasped and jumped on her horse as quickly as she could.

"You're worse than I thought Aoshi-san! Attacking people who are just trying to help others!"

Houji yelped and flung Misao away from him. She wasn't worth THIS.

"Don't be so immature Houji," Aoshi mocked, catching Misao neatly with one arm. "Act like a man, not a baby. A little pain never hurt anyone......."

He shifted Misao in his arms so he wasn't touching her wounds at all. "You show your faces here one more time, and I WILL kill you both. I won't hesitate. Come Fury," he ordered, snapping his fingers.

Fury trotted alongside his master and looked up at Misao as if to say, "Yay! You're with us now!"

Misao watched Yumi and Houji gallop away at full speed.

"I wanted more kitchen help!" Yumi whined when they were out of hearing range.

"Don't worry dear. Shishio's woman gets whatever she wishes......." Houji muttered.

Misao felt her eyelids get heavy, and she felt Fury nudge her arm that hung down. Then she realized something.

What was this Aoshi guy going to do with her?

She started shaking again in fear- and anxiety. She wanted to get away from everyone so she could just sleep for a long, long time.......just like she wanted to do.

"I won't hurt you," he said, startling her and making her wince.

Was he supposed to sound reassuring?

She stopped shaking, just a little bit. He did sound truthful in his statement.

Her eyelids fell shut and she allowed herself to sleep in this strange man's arms. She had a feeling that he could be trusted- at least- a little bit.

But she couldn't sleep without praying first.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for sending this man to help me get away from Houji and Yumi. I don't like them. I don't think they're trustworthy. Please help me on the road ahead of me, because I don't know what will happen, or what I should do. Say hello to my family, and tell Kiva I've found her a dog friend. Fury seems nice, so long as he's not attacking. But I think he'll only listen to his master. Thy will be mine also. Amen.

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