**Pechan still owns no Rurouni Kenshin characters.

~Ryu and Mina~

"Hey, there you are Ryu!'

He nearly choked on his soba. He coughed, and turned, finding his sister dressed in a forest green kimono. "Yes? What is it?"

"What do you mean, 'What is it'? I just wanted to be with you."

He wiped his mouth, "Whatever."

"'Whatever'," she said, imitating his serious voice and sulky look. He narrowed his eyes, "Now what?"

"You're worrying mom. She noticed your being really umm, serious lately. What's up with that?"

"Training's getting hard for me."

"That's not it."

"No, it isn't, but it's one of the things." He set down his chopsticks, looking at her, "I'm not as good a swordsman, but I am really good with my hands. And as mother said, fists are no match for a blade."

Mina nodded. "That's true. Hey, wanna go help me find Kenji?"

"For what? He's an idiot."

She frowned,. "Gee, I dunno. Because I like idiots." She slapped his back, "He was really nice!! And did you see the way his form was? His legs were tensed, ready to spring, and his eyes kept reading your face, not just watching your blade."

Ryu nodded, slurping some noodles. "I did notice that," he said, after eating them. "I also almost mistook him for a girl."

She giggled, "Yeah, me too. But, I kinda like him!! He's the first boy I met that tried to make it an effort to keep watching my body."

Ryu nodded, "You're right. As village flirt, that is an achievement."

She growled, "You know, just because you're my twin doesn't mean I can't kill you......"

Ryu paid and got up, leaving. Mina followed. "Are you gonna be like this the whole day?"

"What do you want me to do? Jump for joy all day?"

She grinned, "It wouldn't hurt."

"It wouldn't happen, either-"

She grabbed his elbow, and pointed, "There he is!!"

Kenji was leaving a store, a bucket of tofu in his hands. Mina giggled, "Hey, Kenji!!" when he didn't turn, she cupped her hand around her mouth, "HEY, KEEENJIIIII!!"

Ryu smacked her upside the head, "Idiot!! Not so loud!"

She was about to retort, when Kenji waved back, "Ah, hello! How are you?"

Mina ran up to him, and Ryu sighed, following.

"Oooh, watcha got there? Tofu? Do you cook?"

Kenji smiled, "Ah heh heh, I can't cook. My father's going to prepare this."

"Oh, he's a cook? Cool! My dad can't cook, as far as we know. We never saw him cook, either. But, my mom used to be a cook at the Shirobeko!"

Kenji smiled, "Oh, really? I love that place!"

"Me too!"

Ryu rolled his eyes.

Mina walked next to Kenji, "So, how long have you lived in Kyoto?"

"To be honest, we just moved in. for a while though. See, there's this doctor here that my mom really trusts, so-"

"Oh, I see what you mean," Mina poked Ryu, "Hey, when does mom want us back home?"

"She didn't care. So long as we don't cause any trouble."

"Oh," laughed Kenji, "You guys get into trouble a lot?"

Mina giggled, "Mostly just me. Or I make Ryu get into trouble." She looked at the kendo stick straped to this back, "so! What kind of style do you use?"

"Kamiya Kasshin style. It focuses on defeating the opponent. Not killing them," he smiled at her," what do you use, Miss Mina?"

Bubbles floated about her, "Gee, I dunno, I like it when you call me Miss Mina!"

"We practice basic kendo," said Ryu. "My father once told me he used a different style, be he never shows it to us. Or tells us about it."

Kenji nodded. Ryu looked down at him, "Kamiya Kasshin...... is it any good?"

"Well, I should say it is," he answered, "I mastered it, by the way."

Mina beamed, "Seriously? Alright! I can't wait to take you on!"

Kenji nearly tripped, "T-Take me on?"

"Sure! I always wanted to beat a master."

He sweated, "Ah heh heh, don't we all?" he looked at his tofu, "Well, it was really nice to see you again Miss Mina, but my father needs this right away-"

"Oh, of course! How silly of me!! You better run along now!"

Kenji bowed, "I hope to see you two again."

Mina bowed, "Sure thing!"

Ryu bowed. He was rude, but only to an extent. "Perhaps next time we could spar."

Kenji waved good bye, as he went home.

Ryu turned, and began to walk home, when he noticed Mina wasn't next to him. He turned. And frowned.

Mina was standing in the same spot, watching him go.

Ryu sighed, and yanked her braids. She yelped, and punched his shoulder, "What was that for?"

"We should get going. Besides, someone had to put your tongue back in your mouth."

She blushed, "H-Huh?"

"You were panting after him like some kinda dog, or something-"

Her eyes glowed, and she pounced on his back, "Yeah?! Well, you look like a dog!!"

Ryu growled, trying to shove her off, "You smell like one!!"

"Oh yeah?!!" she giggled, and grinded her knuckles into scalp. "You eat like one!!"

He reached up, and gave her an Indian burn on her left arm. She yipped, and fell off.

Ryu brushed the dust off his shoulders, "You give dogs a bad name."

Mina grinned, and swung a kick at him. He dodged out of the way, and ran, smirking.

She chased after him, giggling.

Ryu had to stop from hitting a carriage. Mina laughed triumphantly, and tackled him to the floor.

He shoved her off. He smiled, she always played too rough. Even in public, where it wasn't ladylike. He had always wondered if she was a boy born into a woman's body.

Before he could ponder that, She got up, "Oh, I forgot to tell you! Mom wanted you to pick up some soba. We're all out."

Ryu dusted his pants, "Again? I swear, fahter's addicted to soba more than cigarettes....."