Head over heels and Rivalry

"Again Xien." Kenshin called quietly.
Xien took a deep breath and got into stance. A whirring sound rose as her katana whipped through the air. A deeper sound followed as her sheath followed.
"You're closer than before. Now, watch again." He executed a perfect Battou Jutsu and then stepped back.
Kaoru's class filed into the dojo as she performed one last attack.
"That's enough Xien. Go finish your form now" Kaoru called as she came out from the dojo.
Xien bowed and went inside.
"Alright students, warm up!" Kaoru called out.
Class was slow to get going though. Many boys peeked at least once into the dojo to see Xien's blade flash in and out on intricate patterns. A crash resounded, interrupting her focus. She smiled, then rushed out the door muttering, "Finally got you Sano."
The boys gathered to gossip.
"Did you see the way she handles a sword?"
"How come she doesn't use a shinai or a bokken?"
"Because she doesn't study Kamiya Kassin Ryu, dummy."
"Well then what style?"
"I heard Hitten Mitsurugi, like the Battousai from the revolution."
"Here comes Kaoru!"
The boys quickly formed lines and warmed up. Kaoru smiled in satisfaction, then moved down the line.
"Wonder who got caught?"
"I heard Rian did."
"Kenji's friend?"
"Yeah."
A boy sighed. "Man, if Xien'd pay that kind of attention to me, I'd be happy for the rest of my life."
"Me too."
Most of the boys stared off into space at the thought.

**..**..

"Got ya, huh? Rian?"
"Who do you think it was!" he exclaimed sarcastically.
Xien smiled guiltily. "I actually thought you were Sano."
"Well, I'm not, so can I come down and be right side up again?"
Xien untied his feet, so that he fell.
"Ouch!!"
"Sorry. Sano's tall, so I had to put the trap higher."
Rian sat up, rubbing the bump on his head. "It's ok as long as it wasn't for me."
A knock echoed through the hallway.
Xien opened the door to find a man standing beside a delicate thirteen year old.
"Is this where I can find the Battousai?"
Xien's eyes narrowed. "What if it is?"
"I'm afraid it's none of your business."
"If it involves the Hitokiri known as Battousai, then it is."
"So, then you're Himura Kenshin."
"Maybe."
The man chuckled slightly. "Well Mr. Himura, I purpose a challenge to settle an old score."
Xien paused.
"I accept."
"Let's begin, shall we?"
"Be careful Soujiro." The girl whispered.
Xien drew her sword.

A clang of metal on metal followed by screams vibrated through the air.
Kenshin turned. That sounded like katanas. Xien!!
He turned and sprinted from the kitchen to the door.
Soujiro?
People watched, horrified, then started to call out, "It's the Battousai!!"
"A new war's upon us!!"
"Run!!"
People tried to leave, but all the exits were blocked by curious onlookers. (sounds like the typical redneck, huh)
Kenshin stepped forward just as Rian pulled him back.
"Kenshin, don't!!"
Kenshin looked back, flecks of amber in his eyes.
"And why should I listen?"
"Because that guy thinks Xien's you!! If you try to stop them, she might be put into more danger!!"
Kenshin relaxed at his words.

Xien dodged another blow. Ok, right diagonal to vertical slash. Here's my chance.
She drew the flat of her blade back, then forward along her wrist.
"Ryu Sho Sen." She breathed.
The Tenken pulled to the side. She twisted and brought her blade along the earth.
"Dou Ryu Sen."
This confirms my suspicions. This girl has similar style, but is not the same. She's like a mirror image of the real thing. She merely breathes the attacks, unlike Mr. Himura. And she has almost no battle experience what so ever.
Soujiro withdrew slightly. "So, do you want to try one last attack?"
"Fine." Xien just kneeled, leaning against her katana. She looked at the ground, resting. Sweat rolled down her face and her breath came in short bursts.
"You know, you held up pretty well for not being the Battousai. Are you related?"
Xien looked up and smiled. "Couldn't fool you, could I?"
"Nope, now could you answer my question?"
"Sure. I'm his daughter, Xien. I also study Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu."
"Well, that explains it all. How about the Battou jutsu?"
Xien got up and into stance.
"Let's dance."
The blades met with a loud clang in the silence. They held for a little while, then Xien hooked her's around Soujiro's and brought it toward the ground.
Her sheath struck Soujiro in the cheek as Xien sand into peaceful oblivion.
FINALLY!!!! I can sleep!! Up since before dawn, and now.

**..**..

"Shien. Shein, ge up!!" a small voice insisted.
Xien groaned, then sat up. She smiled down at her favorite little friend.
"Souzou. How'd you get here? And what time is it?"
Souzou tugged at her sleeve. "Com ha beakfas."
"Alright I'm coming. Let me get-"
Her words were cut off as the two year old pulled her out of bed and into the early morning sunlight.
She squinted until her eyes adjusted. And there she was. Xien stared. Everyone was here for their class, but they were all paying close attention!! It was all because of her.
"Amazing, isn't it?" A voice said as he came up behind him. "C'mere you little terror!" Sano exclaimed as he swept his son up into his arms.
Souzou got a pouty expression on his face. "Bu Shien has to eat." He replied indignantly.
"Fine, go then." Sano put Souzou down, and he immediately pulled Xien toward the kitchen.

"So, you're actually a girl. I wasn't sure with how you dress." Xien heard a voice call out behind her.
Xien whirled, her face turning crimson.
"What did you say?!"
The girl that was with Soujiro laughed haughtily. "I said I couldn't tell if you were a boy or a girl. By the way, the name's Yumi."
Silence fell suddenly. The boys had stopped to listen.
Xien took a breath and sighed. "Well, I guess you're pretty blind then." She pointed to her hair. "In this family, the red head girl has short hair. The boys have the long hair, and my mom has black. So, there's no mix up."
She waited for an answer. Yumi raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. " And I presume you study sword like a boy as well. That explains why you're a perfect barbarian."
Xien turned red again. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!!!!!"
Yumi flipped her black hair in Xien's direction. "I just called you uncivilized, that's all."
Xien's legendary temper got the better of her. "WHY YOU LITTLE__________!!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!! I SHOULD KILL YOU RIGHT NOW!! IF IT WEREN'T THAT YOU WERE WITH THE TENKEN, I'D HAVE KILLED YOU LONG AGO!!"
Suddenly a hand clamped over Xien's mouth. "No need to show your colorful language off now, is there little one?" Sano asked. He let go of her long enough so that she could answer.
"No, but I-"
"No buts. Go with Souzou, then get dressed. You're going into town with me.

**..**..

"I don't understand Sano. Why would she call me that?" Xien asked, taking a sip of her soup at the Akabeko.
"Some girls're just down right snobby. And that one definitely takes the cake."
"Ya, snoy girl!" Souzou exclaimed vehemently.
Sano laughed. "I agree, you lil' terror."

**..**..

"I'm home." Xien called.
As she came around the corner, she stopped dead. All the guys were still there!! And they all had the same, clueless, puppy dog eyed face on.
Man she's good. She even got Kenji. And. Rian?
Her lip trembled. "Rian."
Rian just happened to hear his name. He looked up to see Xien run the direction she came, crying.
Xien.

**..**..

I'm so stupid!! How could I ever compete with her!! She's pretty, smart.Everything I'm not. Why would Rian ever like me over her?
Tears filled her eyes at the thought.
"Xien, are you alright?" Rian asked.
Xien's eyes widened at the sound of his voice, then they narrowed again.
"Why aren't you with.her."
"I was being polite. Besides, you don't usually run off to cry."
He sat down and massaged her shoulders. Her lip trembled again.
"Why did you look like them then, if she doesn't enamor you in any way then?"
Rian chuckled. "You honestly think that snob could replace you in my heart?"
Xien looked at him. "And what do you mean by that?"
Rian chuckled again. "And it isn't obvious?"
"Xien blushed. "Well.I.uh.how am I supposed to know!!"
Rian just shook his head and smiled. "I like you Xien. More than you'll ever know. Ever since the day when I first saw you in a kimono a year ago. And I've whished to tell you every day since then. And I've always wondered, Does she feel the same way? Will she ever feel the way I do?"
Xien turned away slighty. "I.went through the same thing. When you caught me and we were."
Rian's eyes widened a bit. "You-you feel the same way?"
Xien turned back to him. "Yeah, I do alright!! I've liked you since that day too!!"
"Sorry little one. I didn't mean anything by it."
"I'm not little."
Rian layed down in the grass. He pulled Xien down beside him.
"Rian!!"
"What."
"You're an itiot."
"I try."
Xien snuggled up against him, head on his chest.
"Rian?"
"Yeah?"
"Let's get Yumi? Interested?"
A grin lit up his face. "Definitely."

AN/ there's the next chapter!! I hope it's to your liking!! I'm trying to get back to the humor, but I couldn't help but add this lil' scene at the end!!^,^. The next chapter's gonna be short and sweet, at Yumi's expense of course!!^,^ Tell me if you like Soujiro's lil' sis. She's adopted, but still a sis.(they're so annoying,) well, gotta go get started writing!! See ya!!
~destiny