Return to Kyoto

A man looked up into the pouring rain. Baka, when will you come home?

**..**..

Xien sighed as she watched Rian and Kenji's class practice. She hadn't been able to leave the dojo for weeks since her little escapade with Soujiro.

"Pretty good, aren't they." Yahiko stated as he walked up.

"Yeah, Every movement is synchronized. I've always wondered what' it's like to be in a class this big."

Yahiko chuckled. "Xien, you're lucky to study all alone. When you have a class this big, it's a mess most of the time. And you don't get the one on one time with your instructor like you do when you're alone."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

Kaoru glanced at her daughter just then. I think I know how to keep her busy.

"Xien, come here."

"Coming!!"

She got up and raced to where her mother was stood and bowed.

Kaoru bowed in return and addressed the class. "You will now try to get through Xien's defenses. I must warn you though, she is one of the best that I know."

She handed Xien a shinai and whispered, "Use only the basics and go easy on them."

Xien nodded in reply.

As Kaoru moved away, she grinned wickedly and went into a defensive stance.

A sixteen year old sighed irritably.

"That's all you can supply? She isn't even going to be a challenge."

Xien felt a familiar fury rising and she started to turn as red as her hair. She stood up and put her hands on her hips. "Are we gonna dance or what?"

"I'm not even gonna try." He smirked slightly as she turned even more red. That should strike a chord.

"You're just chicken."

Meanwhile, Rian and Kenji were placing bets on who would last the longest.

"I don't think that idiot knows who he's up against." Rian stated.

They were drawn back into reality as Kaoru yelled, "Begin!!"

"Get ready!! You're going down!!"

The sixteen year old charged, bokken held before him. Xien shifted her weight to her right foot and tripped him with her left, and rapped him sharply on the back as he whizzed past.

She stepped back into her defensive stance. "Next"

The rest of the class stood silently, not wanting to go next.

The sixteen year old slowly got up. "H-How did you beat me?"

Xien turned back to him and lowered her shinai. Looking into his eyes, she saw confusion and........hurt.

She smiled and held out her hand to help him up. He took her hand and stood up.

"When you live with a Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi for most of your life, you learn to be quick."

"You'll have to show me that move some time."

"No problem."

Pretty soon all but two were sent within the dojo with bumps and bruises, not one getting past Xien.

"Hey Xien, Rian wants to get pumm-er he wants to challenge you."

She looked at the sixteen year old and smirked. "Do you think he stands a chance?"

"Not if I didn't."

Rian trembled slightly as he assumed fighting stance. Xien assumed her stance as well.

"Begin!"

Rian charged off to the right, then dashed off to the left. Xien's eyes narrowed slightly as he did so.

I can't take him lightly anymore. He's too good.

She whirled as he aimed for her right shoulder. Bringing up her hilt, she rammed it into the side of his neck, then turned and did a quick arc to his chest.

He stumbled back, trying to regain lost wind. Another took his place in the blink of and eye.

The crimson haired blur hit her squarely under the jaw and forced her back.

Xien regained her composure to find Kenji standing between her and Rian, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"You heard mom. Only basic moves and no offensive, just defensive."

He charged and she parried.

Kenshin, Sano, and Aoshi came out just to witness what came next. Kenshin's eyes widened slightly as his children fought.

"Jeez Kenshin, your kids fight better than you did." Sano stated.

Aoshi's eyes narrowed. "Look at his eyes. He is the true son of the Battousai."

Sure enough, in the battle fury, Kenji's eyes had turned amber.

"Kenji, Xien, stop!!!" Kaoru yelled as she ran between them.

Kenji stood and stared at Xien, breathing heavily. He stood clutching his sword arm, blood seeping through his fingers. He had multiple scrapes and bruises all over his body as well.

Xien stood facing him too. She stood with a hand to the side of her neck as she labored to breathe slightly. Blood seemed to pulse slightly with every breath.

"You don't belong here anymore Xien. As far as I'm concerned, I have no sister."

Her breath caught slightly at his words. Everyone was silent.

"Don't even try to deny it Xien. You don't fit in here. You never did. Your expertise with the sword is knowing how to kill people!!! You're not afraid to kill if you have to. All you are is a cold blooded killer!!"

The silence deepened. Almost everyone agreed with Kenji. Almost.

The sixteen year old cursed under his breath. Dang, it wasn't supposed to go this way.

"Rian, you don't believe this, do you?"

His eyes narrowed as he clenched his fists. "I'm sorry Xien. Don't bother to come around to look after Sai tomorrow."

**..**..

Thunder crashed, taking no effect on her. Staring out into the rain from under the bridge, she reflected on what everyone had said, what Rian had said after everyone had left.

*Flashback*

"Rian, we need to talk."

"No Xien, we don't."

"But why do you think that way?"

"You're not the same as you used to be. You've changed."

*end Flashback*

She squeezed her eyes shut at the thought of his last words. How have I changed?

She felt a hand on her shoulder just then. Looking up, she came face to face with a sopping wet sixteen year old.

"What're you doing out here in the rain?"

She sighed and looked away.

He noticed the bandage on her neck just then. "So, I see you got that stitched up."

"Yeah."

Silence.

"Thinking about what Kenji said?"

She nodded as he sat down next to her.

"How could they have said that? How have I changed?" She squeezed her eyes shut again. "'Cause I don't think I have."

"You're not a killer."

She looked up. "What?"

"I said you're not a killer. Rian and Kenji don't understand, but your heart is the sword. You put your very soul into all you do with swordfighting. I should know. Living with Hiko Seijuro does that to you."

"How do you know I lived with Seijuro Hiko!?"

He chuckled as she stared at him in alarm.

"You remember a certain bully when you were about six or seven?"

"Of course I-"

She stopped as she turned as crimson as her hair.

"YOU MEAN THAT WAS YOU!!!!! WHY I OUTTA-"

He silenced her by putting a finger to her lips.

"Glad to see you remember."

"H-How did you find me?"

He looked at her again. Only a light pink dusted her cheeks now.

"I didn't find you. You found me."

She crossed her arms and looked away sarcastically.

"Yeah right. First you pick on me, then you won't leave me alone, then you save me, you wouldn't let anybody else pick on me......."

He chuckled again. "You never could finish a sentence around me."

He brushed a strand of hair off her forehead.

"What're you do-"

"Ssh. You were my pride and joy. I taught you all I know when it comes to living on the streets, and you learned it well. You're still the spitfire that I remember. Don't ever change Xien, I love you the way you are."

He place his hand in the crook of her neck, leaned in, and gently placed his lips on hers.

Her eyes flew open, then slowly closed as she enjoyed the warmth that swept through her.

"He pulled away slightly and looked into her eyes. "return to Kyoto, where you belong. But first, let me hear my name again."

She smiled.

"What's up Eren?"

**..**..

Eren handed her her things as she boarded the train. It was about 9:00 pm and nobody knew where they were.

He held her chin in his hand and looked into her eyes.

"Have a safe trip. I'll take care of everything else, k?"

"You bet. I'll give Hiko the scare of his life!!"

She quieted down. "Follow as soon as you can, k?"

You know I will."

And with that, the train took off in to the night.

**..**..

Hiko woke to the smell of fire and tea. He got up as fast as his age and ego would allow, got dressed, and opened the door. He stared at the sight before him.

A fire was going merrily in the morning sunlight. A frying pan lay next to two steaming cups of tea and a bottle of sake. A katana lay next to that, and next to that, a certain lovable red head. (guess who.^,^)

"Baka?!"

She looked up at Hiko and smiled.

"I'm home Hiko, now have some tea with me on the eve of my birthday."

Her eyes clouded over slightly with some memory. Happy birthday Kenji.

He smirked and sat down.

"Welcome home baka."

AN/ Oh my gosh!!!!!! Finally another chapter!!!!!! And I have all of spring break to finish two chapters!!!! Yay!!!!!! I just loooooovvvvveeeee spring break. Get to sleep in, gon on dates with my boyfriend, get to sleep in, no homework, get to sleep in, finish drivers ed, get to sleep in, and get to hang out with friends!!! And did I mention that I get to sleep in? Thanx for reviewing lady!!!! I now have another guess. Some of the time it's sarah's yami, the rest of the time it's sarah!!!! I think I finally have it!!!! YaY!!!!!^,^ Well, I gots ta go!!!

Luvs ya lots!!

Destiny