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A/N: I want to thank everybody who reviewed or even just read my story. You made me want to continue. This chapter doesn't really tell much about Battousai but it was needed to explain how he got there. Also, this story is not dark, it has humor in it and romance but that'll appear in the next chapter where everybody meets. Please forgive any typos and spelling mistakes.

Step by Step, Little by Little

Ch.1 The Choice Not Chosen

"Ugh!! He's too strong." The man moaned. He was lying on the ground covered with bruises and surrounded by two more guys lying on the ground next to him also hurt.

"Pathetic. Hmph, can't even fight." Said a boy with dark red hair tied up in a pony tail. In his dark violet eyes was a dangerous amber gleam. A cross shaped scar marked his left cheek. Suddenly a police siren ripped thru the silent cold night air.

The boy muttered a curse. Out of the police car came a tall man with yellow wolfish eyes. "So it's you again, Himura." The boy, Kenshin Himura, scowled.

"Lieutenant Gouro, what's going on here? What is this boy doing here?" A man with a police uniform asked. "This boy here is dancing." He replied sarcastically. "What do you think he is doing? He was in the fight which, by the looks of it, he won."

"That boy?!" the policeman nearly yelled." That boy beat three grown men with his bare hands?!"

Kenshin rolled his eyes. He was used to that comment. Very few people knew he was Battousai, the infamous street fighter.

Saito Hajime, a.k.a. Lieutenant Fujitaka Gouro, sighed. He hated the fools had to work with. "Yes I believe that's what I said." He turned to Kenshin. "Himura, this is your third offense. Since you're under 18 you can't go to jail and since I'm curious, I'll give you a choice."

Kenshin rolled his eyes again. "Ooh, I'm leaping with joy."  He muttered.

If Saitou heard him, he ignored it. "You can either do service work as in picking up trash on the highway, crushing boulders, etc. or you can be sort of a bodyguard to my niece. You know, stop bullies from hurting her, etc."

Kenshin took a moment to consider his choices. He could pick up trash and crush boulders but he would have to wear that hideous orange uniform and probably have to wear shackles or something. (A/N: Not really, but lets go with it for the story. =P ) Or he could babysit a little girl. He had little experience in child care.  Well, it was that or actual work.

"Niece." Kenshin said after a moment.

Saitou nodded. "Very well, though I must mention she's a bit naïve." Kenshin shrugged. "You will go to school with her, she's in your grade, junior (11) right?" Kenshin went to a small state of shock. He thought it was a little girl he had to protect not a girl around his age. Then he thought of something and grinned. If she needed protection that means that she must be very fat or ugly or both. That means he could tease her until she complained to get someone else. 

Saitou misread his grin and said. "If you hurt her in anyway, Himura, I will hurt you in a way you'll remember for the rest of your life, that is if you live." 

Kenshin smirked, "Well it looks like the officer has a soft side."  He thought, aloud he said "Don't worry, Lieutenant, any girl related to you must be trouble." "And ugly."  He added silently.

Saitou regarded him with unreadable eyes. "I'll come get you the day after tomorrow.  Be ready with everything you need. Just bring 2 changes of clothes. You'll be supplied with other clothes."

Kenshin nods and walks away.

"Sir, is it ok to let him walk away just like that? Should I follow him?" The other officer asked.

Saitou nods and says, "He won't go anywhere, besides you couldn't follow him if you wanted to." Saitou climbs into his car.

The other officer shakes his head and goes into his car with the three other men in tow.

A/N: What do you think? Please review and tell me. If you review I'll give you a Kenshin-shaped cookie. ^_^ . oh and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!