Author's Note: What exactly am I supposed to say in these? Does anybody actually care what I'm saying? Are any of you actually reading this? Oh well, whatever…

Disclaimer: Wouldn't it be so nice if I could buy Rurouni Kenshin? Unfortunately, I'm broke, so I can't afford to buy it or get sued…so don't sue me!!!

Chapter 2

Destiny brings two people

Together as friends

Together as enemies

Aoshi stood up. A million thoughts were running through his head. Nakago…what is it that you want?

All these years, Aoshi had thought that he was…dead. He wasn't happy about it. Nakago had once been a good friend of his, and he was actually once part of the Oniwabanshu…until he 'died.' Why would Nakago try to kill me? And why would he fake his death? Is there something that I don't know about?

A flashback:

"Nakago!? Where are you?!" Aoshi yelled. He was getting frantic, something he usually never did. Most people knew that when Aoshi was worried, they also had a reason to worry also.

There was no answer.

"NAKAGO!!!!" Aoshi called again. He could not sense his ki anywhere.

"Aoshi…it's no use…he's gone. We all saw it happen…we all saw him…die," a man named Keiichi said sadly. He bowed his head.

"No…it can't be…"

"It's true. I saw him get stabbed. I'm sorry, Okashira," Keiichi said again. There was something in his voice. It didn't seem sincere enough…almost as if he was…lying…

But Aoshi was too devastated at the moment to sense it. "Nakago…you will be honored…I swear it," he whispered.

End of flashback

Aoshi thought for a moment, and then realized something. That man, Keiichi… he never appeared again afterwards. He had disappeared. What if…? Aoshi shook his head. Keiichi had probably gotten killed. He continued towards his room, and changed into his training clothes. Picking up his weapons, he headed toward the training area.

He unsheathed his kodachis, the blades flashing dangerously in the light. Time to brush up a little on his skills. After all, who knew when he would need them?

Misao stretched her aching fingers lazily. She looked down at her fingers, which had become wrinkled and pruny from all the dishwashing. How many more dishes did she need to wash? She believed that she only had thirty-thousand left to go. Misao glanced around the kitchen, and noticed that neither Okon nor Omasu was in sight.

How would they know if she snuck off? She hadn't trained all day today, and doing so would probably be a good idea.

Anyways, it was not like they REALLY needed help taking meal orders…

Misao fingered her set of kunai, and smiled evilly.

Nakago sat down, his head in his hands. I…just…killed my…brother…He hadn't exactly meant to, but…his brother had revealed his plans…and anyone who did so had to be disposed of. But Nakago couldn't help but feel a little guilty for what he did.

Shinomori will PAY for putting me through this pain…he ABANDONED me! That day…

A flashback:

"Nakago," Aoshi looked down at him, his ice-blue eyes giving a special touch to his orders. They seemed to say, 'obey me or die.'

"Yes, Okashira?" Despite the fact that Nakago was good friends with Aoshi, he still showed respect out in public. In private, Aoshi had actually forbidden him to call him 'Okashira.'

"I want you to scout out the area. This is dangerous, but I think you are the man for it," Aoshi replied sternly.

"Yes sir." Nakago turned to leave.

"Oh, and Nakago?" Aoshi said.

Nakago turned around. "Yes?"

"Be careful, will you?"

"Okay…Aoshi…"

Aoshi raised an eyebrow. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that, and make an exception for you...once..."

Nakago gave a small laugh, and then darted away.

Three Hours Later

Nakago was in a dangerous situation. They knew that he was here, but how? The enemies were running though the hallways in search of him.

Four men spotted him. "THERE HE IS!!!"

Nakago looked up in alarm. This would be a good time to…RUN!!!!

"GET HIM!!!!" They chased after him.

Nakago ran out just in time to see the Oniwabanshu leave him behind. He blinked in disbelief. "WAIT!!!! NO!!!! COME BACK!!!!" Either they didn't hear him, or they didn't WANT to hear him. "NO!!!! OKASHIRA!!!!"

A hand pulled him into the bushes, as the men who were chasing him ran out, their eyes frantically searching for him. Nakago opened his mouth to say something, but the man put his finger to his lips, and shook his head.

When the men left, Nakago immediately said, "Keiichi!?"

Keiichi winced. "Yes, it is me."

"What are you doing here?" Nakago asked.

"I couldn't…leave you behind…" Keiichi answered.

"What do you mean?"

"The Okashira…he…well, after you had left, he informed all of us that he intended for you to…die…"

"WHAT!? No…that is not possible…Aoshi…he wouldn't…"

"That is why he left…he left YOU behind, Nakago." Keiichi said.

"B-but…he's my…friend…" Nakago looked sadly at the disappearing figures of the Oniwabanshu.

"He said that you were a risk."

"A risk? What could he mean?"

"I believe that he saw you as a risk to his spot of 'Okashira'," Keiichi answered.

"But—no…it can't be…"

"It's true."

End of flashback

Nakago balled his hands into fists. Oh yes, Shinomori would pay. He would make sure of it, or he would die trying.

Misao walked into the training room, humming happily. She had just escaped washing thirty-thousand dishes, so she wasn't about to complain or anything. Misao stopped a moment, and fumbled with her training gear. She strode toward her usual corner, and aimed for each target with her kunai.

And she missed. Misao pulled the kunai from the wall, and tried again. She still missed. And missed. And missed again.

"These have GOT to be rigged!!!" Misao said in frustration as she yanked the kunai from the wall.

"No…it is your throwing position," said an oddly familiar voice.

Misao froze. Finally, when her arms and legs started working again, she turned to see Aoshi's tall form leaning against the doorway. "A-Aoshi-sama?"

"Aa…"

Misao blushed. She had just looked stupid in front of Aoshi! (again…)

"Here, let me show you." Aoshi took the kunai out of Misao's grasp, his fingers gently brushing against her knuckles. Misao trembled at his touch, and time stood still as she again looked into the icy void of Aoshi's eyes, their hands still linked by the kunai. Then the moment was broken when Aoshi turned toward the target.

In one fluid movement, Aoshi gracefully flung the kunai at the target, hitting them dead in the center. Aoshi pulled the kunai from the wall.

Misao looked down at her feet. How come Aoshi made it look so damn EASY?

"Let me SEE that!" She took the kunai from Aoshi's hands, and tried again, but to no avail. Misao cursed loudly.

"All you have to do is flick your wrist more towards that direction," Aoshi said patiently.

Misao tried again, and this time, the kunai landed very close to the center of the target. "ALRIGHT!!!! Thanks a bunch, Aoshi-sama!!!" Misaocried happily. Not only was he talking more than usual, but he had even helped her get better at kunai-throwing!!!

"Good. Now try again," Aoshi said. He had a bad feeling that those kunai would be needed for defense… and soon.

Author's Note: Hmmm…well…chapter 2 is done…so. What did you think? Did any of y'all like it? Was it at least OKAY? Oh well, REVIEW!!!!

Thanks to all who reviewed!