* Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki. The Wheel of Time is the property of Robert Jordan.

* Words with (*) are explained in the glossary.

The Dragon Reborn
Chapter 1: The Lad without a Past

He opened his eyes and found himself standing at that square again, with his hands bounded at his back to a wooden pole. Firewood was spread around his feet. It was a small village, and that's all he knew of the place. The surroundings seemed familiar to him, yet he couldn't quite remember where or when or how…

Angry villagers with burning torches in their hands surrounded him and shouted at him. But he didn't hear them. His eyes were focused on the other wooden poles that stood not very far from him where two other people, a man and a woman, were also bounded. His throat went dry and his eyes widened in horror as he saw the villagers ignited the fire around them. He didn't know who they were, but his heart cried out for them and he knew that somehow, he cared about them. The little boy could only watch helplessly and cried as they were being burned to death. He screamed and begged the townspeople to stop it, to no avail. Instead, they began to ignite the fire at his feet as well.

The smell of smoke invaded his senses. He saw the fire dancing around his feet and felt the terrible heat it radiated. When the fire began to touch his skin, he closed his eyes and screamed painfully even louder than before…

…and found himself sitting on his futon, sweating all over his body. He panted and looked at his surroundings warily. It was raining outside, and the thunder roared wildly. The redhead heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed a bit when he realized that it was just a dream. Still a feeling of eeriness crept upon his heart. Relax… it was just a dream… So he told himself. But he couldn't help but wondering. I've been getting the same dream lately… With his palms he wiped the sweat off his face. What is the meaning of those dreams…?

Seconds later the shouji screen to his room was slammed open. A raven-haired girl rushed to his side. Worry was written all over her face. "Kenshin, are you all right? I heard you screaming just a few seconds ago…"

Himura Kenshin lifted up his head and met her gaze. Then he shook his head slowly. "It's just a dream…"

"The same dream?" Her face showed concern as she sat next to him and squeezed his arm gently.

"Yeah… The same place, the same people, the same…" Kenshin trailed off. He couldn't understand why it pained his heart so to watch two strangers dying like that, even if it was only in dreams. Somehow he felt that they weren't complete strangers to him. Those faces seemed familiar to him, but whenever he tried to recall something of his past it was as if he was looking at a blank page of a book.

"Oh Kenshin…" The girl put a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. After Kenshin's breathing was back to normal she asked quietly, "Do you think it might be a clue to what happened in your past?"

"I don't know…" The 19-years old boy replied slowly as he tried to push away the thought that something so terrible had really happened. Then he clenched his fists in frustration. "I have no memories of my childhood. I don't know where I lived. I don't even know my parents' names or what they looked like… I guess it was pure luck that I still remember my own name." A bitter smile appeared at his lips. "Sometimes I don't know who I really am…"

"Kenshin, look at me…" Her stern voice forced him to look at those blue-sapphire eyes. "Whoever you were doesn't matter to me, nor did it matter to my father. You are who you are, and you are Kenshin. That's all I need to know. Do you understand that?" He nodded meekly as she continued, "Now you'd better go get some sleep. We have classes to teach tomorrow. Good night, Kenshin." She pinched his cheek as she stood up and flashed a sweet smile at him.

"Good night to you too, Kaoru-dono…" He rubbed his reddened cheek. She used to do that a lot when she was a little girl. Kenshin stared at Kamiya Kaoru's retreating figure. What did I ever do to deserve such an angel…?

Kaoru was just about to close the shouji screen to Kenshin's room when she heard him calling her name. "Yes Kenshin?" She was startled when suddenly Kenshin stood right in front of her. Damn him, he's so fast… But she didn't show it.

"Thank you… for caring about me." His violet eyes gazed at her gently.

"Don't mention it… Well, then I'll see you in the morning." With that she turned around and headed to her own room, which was only 10 meters away from Kenshin's.

He kept standing outside his room and watching her until she entered her room. Only then did he reenter his room and close the shouji screen. Once settled on his futon properly he began to think about the past eight years he had been staying at Kamiya household. Again he tried to remember his past, but it was in vain. And sleep began to claim him…

***

Akita, a small village situated at the northern coast of Japan, Tohoku region. Most of the villagers were farmers, but there were also a few merchants among them. The village had a mayor named Okina. He was a wise and stern old man, although a bit of a pervert. There were sayings that he was a ninja when he was young, but no one knew the truth.

People of Akita never went very far from their hometown. Aside from the fact that Akita was surrounded by thick forests that were quite scary at night, only a few people felt the need to do that. Yes, they lived in a secluded area, but they were happy and content with the way they were living.

Strangers were not unusual in Akita, though they didn't come very frequently. Most of the guests were merchants. However, the two strangers that had just arrived at dawn were no traders judging from their clothes.

The woman rode a white mare. The front part of her hair was cut in layers that covered her ears. The rest was tied at the back of her neck with a purple ribbon. Her dress was of lavender color decorated with sakura flowers. There was an air of coldness around her. Nevertheless she was beautiful.

But it was the protectiveness of the man that rode after her that stunned most of the villagers. Everyone who dared to whistle at the sight of the woman received a death glare from those icy blue eyes. His garment was all of black; even his stallion was black too. Some whispered that it was the uniform of a ninja, but then again, Akita people have never seen a ninja. He was handsome, but his stony face and sharp gaze would make a woman think twice before trying to make a move on him. A very long sword that hung at his back added the deadly impression about him.

The woman stopped before Tsukioka Katsuhiro's house, the only blacksmith in town. The villagers saw her talking with the blacksmith, but they couldn't hear what they were talking about. They could only catch phrases like 'red hair' and 'Kamiya dojo'. It left them wondering what two strange people could possible want from a small dojo. They just shrugged their shoulders and resumed their daily work…

***

The smell of breakfast being prepared spread from the kitchen. Minutes later Kaoru entered the kitchen and greeted the cook cheerfully. "Good morning, Kenshin!" She sniffed the pan above the fire. "Hm… it smells delicious!"

"Good morning, Kaoru-dono!" was his reply while he kept adding spices to the cooking.

"How was your sleep?" Kaoru asked while she was preparing the tea for them. She frowned when she saw Kenshin tensed at her question.

The redhead sighed. "I had a dream again last night…"

"The usual dreams?"

"No…" Kaoru was a little bit relieved at hearing this. "It wasn't quite a nightmare, but it was… strange and kinda disturbing." Kenshin put out the fire and waited patiently while Kaoru arranged the bowls and the teacups on the table. "I saw a white haired man. He had that look of a madman, and all he did was watch me as if a hunter would watch his prey. I remember asking his name, but he didn't answer. Instead, he grinned at me…" Uneasiness crept upon him as he remembered that strange man. "I don't know, but there's something creepy about his smile…"

"Hm… that is indeed strange." Kaoru replied while she poured the tea for both of them. "I'm done! Have a seat, Kenshin…"

They ate in silence. Kaoru observed Kenshin's troubled expression all the time. Then she said, "You know what? You seem so troubled with those dreams. Why don't I teach the class today and you take a break? Go hang around with Sano, and you'll cheer up before you realize it."

"Oro! You don't have to…"

"I don't want to hear about it!" Kaoru covered her ears with both of her palms. "You are taking a break today, do you understand?"

When Kaoru used that tone, Kenshin knew better than to argue with her. Deep inside, he was very grateful to her. "Yes ma'am…"

"Besides…" Kaoru spooned the last drop of the miso soup and swallowed it. "I'm not gonna let you teach our students while you're not concentrated." She put the spoon on the table and smiled. "Who knows what kind of bad influence you would be to them?"

And for the first time in that morning the redhead smiled. "But our students were supposed to train their speed today…"

She raised her eyebrows. "And what are you implying by that, Himura-sensei?!"

"Nothing… ororo!!" He dodged the apple Kaoru threw at him easily and caught it with his left hand. Before Kaoru could launch another 'attack' Kenshin had already disappeared from the kitchen. But she heard his voice vaguely. "I'll wash the dishes later! Just go prepare yourself to teach, Kaoru-sensei!"

"Hmph!" The girl half slammed the teacup to the table. "Just because he's much faster than me doesn't mean he can mock me like that! I'll get you for that…" With that she stomped off to her room. The students would arrive soon…

Kamiya dojo was the only dojo in town. After all, what would a small village like Akita do with two dojos? One was obviously enough. Kaoru took turns with Kenshin in teaching the students of Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. Some people still thought it scandalous for a woman to master kenjutsu, but over the time Kaoru had learned to ignore such comments…

***

It was past noon already. Kenshin was walking down the road to the market, contemplating what he wanted to make for dinner. His feet stopped before an old woman who was selling tofu. Tofu for dinner would be great! It is Kaoru-dono's favorite dishes…

Kenshin had long since realized that his feeling toward Kaoru was more than just brotherly love. Kaoru's father knew it. That's why he entrusted Kaoru to his care at his deathbed three years ago. He remembered Kamiya Koshijirou putting his hand over hers, practically engaging them before he took his last breath.

He never brought that subject up with Kaoru again. Aside from the fear that he would cut open those emotional wounds, deep inside the redhead was afraid that Kaoru didn't share the same feelings. Of course, it would be easy to make her follow her father's last wish, but Kenshin would never do such a thing. He was willing to break the bond should Kaoru wish for it.

The lad was so deep in thought that he bumped into a fat man. Kenshin had never seen him before. He must be an outlander… The man was taller than him and bald though he wasn't that old. Judging from his elaborated kimono, he was a rich merchant. He looked up to the stranger and offered his apologies. "I'm sorry, Sir…"

"It's all…" The merchant stopped as he tried to remember where he had seen the face of the boy before him. Then his face twisted with rage and hatred as a realization struck him. "You… How come…" With that he turned around and stomped away from him.

Kenshin stood dumbfounded in the middle of the market, wondering what he had done to make him angry. I'm in trouble if he complained to Okina-san about this… But it wasn't that that troubled him. He had heard the fat man whispering something. Something that didn't sound pleasant at all. Murderer… That word kept drumming in his ears, even after the fat man was out of his sight…

***

"All right, that's it for today!" Kaoru's shout rang through the front yard of the dojo. "I guess I'll see you in three days. Keep practicing, okay?"

"Hai, Kaoru-sensei!" The students replied in unison.

"You are dismissed for now!" The sweaty girl watched her students going out from the dojo while acknowledging their goodbye greetings with a nod. After the last of her students was already gone she sighed deeply, and looked around her with a slight smile on her lips. Father would be proud if he saw how many students we have here…

Kaoru had just turned around to enter the dojo when she heard the gates creaked open, revealing a beautiful woman on a white mare. A tall man came right after her and closed the gates. In his right hand was a very long sword, while the other held the bridle of his horse. Icy blue eyes gazed sharply at her as she heard him saying, "Where is Himura Kenshin?"

- End of Chapter 1: The Lad without a Past -

Author's Note:

* Map op Japan: www.jinjapan.org /kidsweb/japan/map/j_regi.html
If you want to know the exact location of Akita, follow the link above, and click at Tohoku region (the brown area).

* I know the prologue was a bit confusing for non-WOT readers. But so was the prologue of book 1! Anyway, I think this chapter is a good deal clearer than the prologue. Hope you like it…

* Last but not least, thank you for reading (and reviewing!). Hope to see you again in the next update.