Title: My Imouto-chan

Author: Neko-Yasha Formally Known as Hikari-Chan

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Um... Not much romance envolved until the end, sort of depressing, kinda sucks royally. There is no Yaoi or Yuri so skidadal if thats what your looking for. Also more of an over-view of a character I role-play than a fanfic. Anything involving the other characters interaction was suggestion from friends. The story also hops around alot to explain her life quickly up to the point that Kenshin met Kaoru.

Pairings: Kaoru/Kenshin, Sannosuke/OC (sorta)

Disclaimer: I dont own Rurouni Kenshin, so all you lawyers can bite me ^ ^ *sweatdrops seeing a missing peice of her shirt sleeve was ripped by a lawyer bite* ... crap, now I gotta go get Immunized...

Inspiration: Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal, Samura X: Reflection, Suggestions from friends.

Category: Drama/Romance/Comedy-- not till close to the end though, you people should know I cant resist placing a comedic twist in my stories ^ ^

Cross-over of: er... none... ^ ^.^ ^

Ch4. Ani-san

If there was one thing she hated... it was lying bastards like him. Battousai, the man that had taken everything she had ever known from her eleven years ago. The smile that crossed her lips now was that of malice as she stood and touched her fingers to her chin in thought. "hmm.... a face to face battle would be in order... or shall I poison him... " Her arms crossed as she pondered the thought and began to walk towards the room she had been staying in.

Eyes starred at the girl who had been mulling over her thoughts. Yahiko watched as she wandered away and he moved from his place behind the tall tree back to the sliding doors of the Dojo where Kenshin and Sanosuke were speaking casually as most friends tend to do. 'I knew there was something up with that girl...' He slid the door open and looked at the two of them with a solmn expression. "I knew it... we can't trust that girl."

Sanosuke blinked at the kid as well as Kenshin both expressing," eh?"

" She's here seeking Battousai... she wants to kill you Kenshin." The Rurouni blinked a few times and scratched his head in an effort to remember the girls face now. And Sanosuke sighed some," What a shame... she she was so cute to boot too."

Yahiko wondered at Kenshin's seemingly nonchalant expression. The former battousai smiled, then turned on his way to retire for the night. Yahiko raised an eyebrow," arent you going to go after her Kenshin?"

He smiled over his shoulder at the younger boy," There is no need to worry, that there isnt... Go to bed Yahiko, everything will be fine." He blinked and watched as the door slid shut after the redhaired man... He sighed a bit, and Yahiko turned to go to bed... Sanosuke walking outside to stare up at the moon in thought... He knew that girl too... but from where?

An hour or so passed... maybe more, as Kenshin lay awake, starring at the abyss of cieling. His thoughts only one... 'I know that girl... But from where..." his senses tingled with excitement now and eyes glanced around... slowly, Kenshin brought himself to sit up, grasping the sakabatou. A shift in the wind and he turned quickly, pulling the reverse blade sword half out of the shieth and blocking the dagger that intended to take his life. A loud clang rang in the air and he starred at the face of one who intended to kill him. Her eyes the violet of spring flowers held a cold darkness of winter, teeth clenched in a half growl. She put her weight on the dagger, forcing sakabatou to move lower towards its masters neck.

"You... You took everything from me..." Her voice echoed rage from hell itself and fire like hair added to such an effect.

He responded to her in a calm tone, wrists shaking some from the pressure of holding back her strike. "No good can come of revenge, that it cant." He pushed back against her harshly, throwing the sakabatou into a swing towards her middle. She lept back into a flip and landed in a kneeling position across the floor from him, still glaring with utter hate. "Dont tell me something so foolish battousai... you hippocrit!" Suddenly she came at him at a speed greater from before and Kenshin barely had a moment to react... she was good. The sakabatou again blocked the dagger in one of her hands yet hidden from his eyes came her free hand with an acupunture needle. Not caring its specific destination, she thrust it into his side and He winced a bit. He lunged to throw her back and she stumbled. Kenshin took this chance as he turned the sword to the hilt and thrust it into the area just below her chest. Her eyes bulged and she coughed with a drop of blood, falling to her knees and holding her middle. Breathing a bit harshly, Kenshin shiethed his blade and looked as Chitosei brought herself to lay in a feetle position on the floor. When her bangs fell aside to reveal the virctical scar over her eye he blinked... then kneeled next to her, wincing from the needle in his side.

"I am sorry what sorrow I have caused you... And I have yet to seek attonement for my actions... but I am no longer Battousai... I am but a Rurouni."

She coughed again, wincing some from the pain in her chest as she forced herself to sit up," ... coward...."

"Nani?"

"Your a coward... you think you can run from the past... things like that cant be changed or erased by a name or profession. Your the same dirty, guilty, disgusting soul that destroyed the lives of people like me... You seek your attonement by living out your guilt... " Her gaze turned to him, a narrowed stare of hatred.

He shook his head lightly with a soft smile," ... Perhaps I am a coward to not face death and punishment... But I have my reasons to live and until I find the answer for my attonement, I cannot die... "

"Feh... there is no attonement for people like you and I. Your past will always haunt you... " She forced herself to stand," ... just as I am haunted by my own..." As she exited his room, a whispered sigh escaped her as the door slid. "... Just as Shinta haunts me." She walked away down the hall back to her room as Kaoru came running down and stopped her.

"Whats going on, what was that noise?"

"Go see for yourself.." A half snarl at the girl as she walked in her room and shut the door. With confusion, Kaoru ran to Kenshin's door and slid it open. "...Kenshin..." He looked up with a blink, blushing some as his Kimono had been half way off him already. Her cheeks reddened as well and Karou let out an 'ACK!' slamming the door and stepping away.

"Ah! Kaoru-dono! Gomen Nasai!"

"Ieeya, Baka!" Sighing some, the Dojo's mistress placed her hand on her forehead.

"Eh... K-Karou-dono..."

"Nani!?" She grumbled back through the door.

".. Could I have some bandages... " Again Kaoru sighed and made her way to get a box full of ointments and bandages Megumi-san had left for her. When she returned and slid the door open, Kenshin wore only pants. Her face flushed some when stepping over to him and she quickly warded it away, kneeling. "Where?" She asked, beginning to take the ointment from its jar. He motioned some to the needle that had punctured his abdomen and Kaoru winced from the sight. She gulped a bit before wrapping her hands on the needle," .. this is going to sting..."

He nodded... In one swift motion, she yanked it out, trying to ignore the grunt of pain from Kenshin's throat as a thick red liquid coated her finger tips. For now, she lay the needle aside and rubbed the medicine over his wound to stop the bleeding. "... Isnt this Chitosei's?" Indicating to the needle.

Kenshin nodded and winced a little when Kaoru was a little rough in wrapping his wound. She scowled slightly," Im kicking her out right as soon as im through with you."

But he blinked and shook his head. "No dont.."

"But Kenshin she-"

"She has good reason to... Though I dont remember how I did it... her life was destroyed by Battousai... and her face is very familiar to me..." Slowly the memory returned to him of the time in Kyoto," ... I met her once before... she attacked me for the same reason she did tonight... " He smiled slightly at the thought that crossed his mind back then as it did now... 'could she be Saori...?'

***

"Ani-san--"

"Shhh! Quiet... " The older boy hushed the child behind him as he tugged her along by the hand to the door of the poor excuse of living quarters. "Listen to me... " He turned and kneeled holding her arms as she stood slightly taller than him now. "When I open this door were going to run as far as we possibly can... "

"But, the war gaurds--"

"No, dont even look at them, dont even look back, just run."

Her voice shook slightly on the verge of tears," But, what if we get lost!?"

"Hush! .... If that happens we'll meet again... you dont want to be a slave the rest of your life do you?" The little girl shook her head, short red hair flying in the wind around her. "Good... the count of three, I'll open the door and we'll run... What ever you do Imouto-chan... dont look back." Again she nodded... He had never steered her wrong before in her 3 years of life.

The door flew open and in a rush both children leapt from it way, taking off like the wind. "Faster! Run faster!"

"Im trying!" The little girl, picking up more speed as her brother fell slightly behind. Voices of men called out in the night and more foot steps came chasing. She did as she was told, she didnt look back and just kept running as far as possible to the woods. The little girl ducked under logs and leaped over small puddles of mud, diving through the bushes and feeling the wind brush past her, heart pounding in her ears.

She listened for noise behind her but the only sound was her feet patting against the forest floor. She stopped, collapsing at a tree, and sighing deeply with a smile. "We made it! Ani-san--" She turned to look for him... but no one was there. She looked side to side, frantically, searching the trees and back tracking a few steps. "Ani-san?" Panick insued into her and she ran around, searching bushes and running back a few more feet. But he was nowhere to be seen... He had been left behind... she'd saved herself and he had been left behind..."SHINTA!!" Tears spilled from her eyes and she fell to her knees. Her eyes became covered by her hands.

***

Kenshin's eyes snapped open, and ears listened for the shout that came from the next room over.

"AH!" The red haired woman jumped up slightly to sit up in her bed. Her face contorted to confusion. A pale hand reached up to hold her forehead and cold sweat was wipped away. "... nightmares again..." Her sigh was a heavy one as she shuffled some from her bed sheets and followed the rays of light that poured in the rooms window. Morning... Yawning a bit, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and pushed the covers back, standing and getting dressed. A knock suddenly came to her door and she blinked, walking over and sliding it open..

Standing before her was none other than the man in white who reveled in teasing her. "Hey!" He grinned. Her eyes narrowed into a scowl and she made it quite obvious she didnt like him," ... what do you want?"

He smirked and slapped her back making her jerk forward a bit," Oh dont be so pissy, Kaoru's about to cook breakfast-"

"I'LL COOK!" Chitosei leapt at the opportunity to actually make something edible. She bolted past Sannosuke and straight for the kitchen, immediatly digging through different supplies and foods to make a suitable meal before Kaoru could even set foot near the stove.

Moments later the newest addition to the house stepped from the kitchen, smiling as if nothing had happened the previous night. Kenshin and Kaoru did the same as their smiles greeted Chitosei and the meal she set before them. Though Yahiko eyed it suspiciously and glanced back at the smiling girl.

"Whats wrong young one?" She asked in a cheery tone.

The boy growled... oh how he loathed being called 'kid' or 'young one.' Just as Yahiko was about to tell everyone to be weary of their food, Sannosuke boomed out with a grin," Wow! This looks way better than Kaoru's cooking, Miso soup and Namasugiri? You mustive come from a wealthy place if you learned to cook this stuff!" Without thinking just who their guest was, he dug into the food... the other three awaited some sort of poison to kick in.... But Sannosuke was... fine. He kept eating with no problem at all. Kaoru blinked and picked a peice of her food sniffing it a bit... then took a careful bite discovering it was actually quite good. Chitosei watched them as a proud smile came over her face, she stood up and walked back towards the kitchen," I made some sushi too, I'll be right back." And she dissapeared behind the door.

Yahiko still starred at the food with a weary raised eyebrow. "Ne? Something wrong Yahiko-chan?" Kaoru asked as she sipped up a bit of the Miso soup. He groaned a bit and turned his head," Your all naieve... I dont trust that girl one bit."

Sanosuke rolled his eyes," Sheesh, kid you dont trust anybody."

"Don't call me kid you drunk."

"KID!"

"YOU WANNA START SOMETHIN!?" He jumped up, putting one foot on the table and grasping the wooden sword he carried, Sannosuke laughing as he stood up and also placed his foot on the table meeting and beating Yahiko's stare.

"Funny, I thought I just did!"

"BOYS!" Kaoru growled at the two of them standing up and grabbing each by the ear. "Not in this house!" Kenshin nodded at Kaoru's words. "Thats right, violence solves nothing that it doesnt nor does distrust..."

Yahiko snarled a bit," Oh distrust huh? Well if your so trusting Kenshin then how come you have yet to taste your soup and namasugiri?"

He blinked a bit at those words and smiled nervously. "This one's not hungry that he is not." Just as Chitosei stepped back into the room with a tray of sushi, Kenshins stomach betrayed him and let out a loud growl in protest of his not eating.

"I'd say that gut of yours says otherwise..." She smiled at him and placed a roll of sushi on his plate, as well as the others. Then she took a seat, closing her eyes and eating calmly with a gentle look about her. The other four starred momentarilly, before Kenshin went back to his plate... indeed he was hungry. Very hungry... and the meal did look appitizing. He glanced at Chitosei once more as she ate freely without hesitation of her own food. She glanced back at him and sighed some, placing her chop sticks down momentarilly." I didnt poison it..." At that, she stood, and picked up the dishes that had been emptied, carrying them to the kitchen.

Without a hint of suspicion in his face, Kenshin watched her then turned his attention back to his plate...

Yahiko smirked," ... well? Do you trust her word?"

Kenshin gave a confused innocent sort of look. Then picked up his chop sticks and poked at his food. Slowly they picked up a peice of namasugiri... and nervously with a silent prayer he took his first bite. His eyes widened and he gulped loudly, the other three poised to run for help. A long pause... Then suddenly Kenshin smiled and dug into his dish," It's Delichious that it is!" The suspected assasin, Chitosei, stepped back in with a cheerful smile. "i'm glad you like my cooking." With a new found confidence Kenshin ate without worry... until he hit the Sushi. Suddenly he jerked back and twiched a bit on the floor, unable to move by the affect of the parylisis powder she had slipped into his sushi's rice.

Panick ensued from Kaoru, and she jumped from her seat," WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!?"

Chitosei sweatdropped a bit," ... woops, mustive slipped." A nervouse grin crossed through her emotion... Kaoru glared obviously angry and she waved her hands a bit," Dont worry! It wont kill him." She backed up slightly.. then bowed in appology.

Truthfully since that dream this morning... Kurunai could not kill Himura yet... There was something strange about her having those dreams recently. And she damn well intedned to find out just what the reason was.

***

Night fall... Kaoru gave that girl one more chance and she hadnt pulled anything since the morning a few days ago. As she was shutting the windows and closing up the Dojo, her eyes drifted to the trail where Kenshin sat by the well, starring off into the night... as if in deep thought. She blinked a bit and walked on a careful and quiet step. He stirred slightly at the sound of shifting grass and dirt, slowly glancing over his shoulder. "Kaoru-dono...."

She smiled at him. "Kenshin, it's cold... come inside." Her hand extended out in a friendly gesture for him to join her. But Kenshin shook his head, smiling a bit as his gentle violet eyes moved back to the stars. "... Kaoru-dono... do you believe in destiny? And Foresight in dreams?"

Her eyebrow reaised... destiny? "Well... yes, in a way I suppose..."

He turned to face her. "Then... would you believe me if I said... I know that girl from somewhere? Long ago..."

Kaoru blinked her face tilting a bit with a confused look. Then her lips parted to speak," What do you mean? Kenshin, I shall believe your word..."

He nodded, that smile he carried of a Rurouni never fading throughout their conversation. "Kurunai Chitosei... She had a different name when I knew her long ago... She is my close blood..."

Her eyes widened a bit," You mean?"

He nodded. "Yes..."

Far from where they stood, a shadowed figure with glowing evil eyes smiled at the information revealed to his ears, " ... heh, Kurunai Chitosei, the grand daughter of Sagaso... we've found you little girl." And he dashed from the brush, lacing the air with a slight rustle of leaves in the wind. Kenshin's eyes snapped in the direction of the sound. He starred a bit with suspicion as to what it could have been... perhaps just an animal. "Kenshin?" He looked over his shoulder to find Kaoru had already made her way towards the door. "Lets go inside." Her smile warm and welcoming.

He nodded, returning the smile and thinking nothing of the dreading feeling that clouded his senses.

***

Drunken howls of laughter echoed in the forest shack, merry men singing bard songs and throwing knives at each other for entertainment while the weaker ones dodged... or took the slice in their flesh with a scream of agony. The door of the shack was suddenly kicked open and the other men paused in their festivities, glaring at the one who interrupted them... A man dressed in black, the shadow of the very night. He moved quickly through the cloud to the one clear mind in the room. He bowed in respect and kneeled with a report of just what he had seen.

"Master... I've found the Kurunai girl... she resides at the Kamiya Dojo in Tokyo..."

The man assumed to be the leader of the drunken bandits, stood with a smile. His form and face was aged though strong, hair brown and shagged to his shoulders, eyes the black of the dead and sin. He smirked a bit," ... the child that escaped my sword long ago... then stole from my clan. She will pay tonight... " He let one hand drift to his hip withdrawing the blade from its sheith," we take her at dawn! Battousai will have his revenge!" The drunks raised their cups in cheer, returning to their festivities. While the man with glass evil eyes returned to his seat, half-naked girls weilding to his every whim. 'The girl who escaped my sword... refused my hand... and stole my wealth... she will pay dearly not only by her life....'

***

Ok, finally a little more backround on Chitosei but not quite. Im hoping to wrap this up in the next chapter soo... whew! ^ ^ R&R please.