4

Hello everyone!! How's it been? Ok first off, I would like to say that if you are one of those people who are totally for the whole Kenshin/Kaoru pairing and you really don't like anything else, then don't read this. They don't get together. Kaoru's great and everything but, I don't really like her that much, so Kenshin is going to pair up with my alter ego, Alex. She might even drop by to chat. And I will tell you now that the first few chapters will be a bit small at first, but hopefully they will get bigger. Oh quick off-the-subject note, for those of you who know about my LOTR story, I know I haven't updated. The reason: my story is gone. It died with my old computer all those years ago ( just kidding…about the years thing ). So I am going to rewrite it and then post it again. Ok back to the topic at hand. Don't worry if you are reading this and some stuff like were I got the name Shinta or Ken-san and Alex's whole past relationship thing confuses you. It will all be explained, and if I don't it is either cause I forgot or in just isn't in there yet. Some stuff you might be able to ask me and Imight tell you, but probably not . ok on with the story, ohand I don't own Ken-san or any other characters except Alex and Naomie and any others I come up with. Sure would love to own Ken-san though.

Promise

Chapter 1: The Legendary Battousai

Slowly Kenshin and Sanosuke walked through town on their way back to the dojo.

Kenshin: "…So, how is Tsukioka Tsunan doing these days?"

Sano: "Dunno."

Kenshin: "Oro?"

Sano's expression turned to gloom.

Sano: "After the way we parted I haven't been able to bring myself to see him.

They continued on their way until they came to the art stand from yesterday.

Sales Man: "Oh! It's you, from the other day!"

Sano: "Oh, yeah, sorry 'bout that. What's up?"

The man rustled through an assortment of papers until he came across the one he wanted.

Sales Man: "There's something Tsunan-san wanted me to give you…

He handed the painting to Sano who received quite a shock.

Sales Man: "He said it's his final Nishiki painting."

Sano and Kenshin both stared at the painting of Captain Sagara.

Sales Man: "I don't know what he's thinking. He says he's starting a newspaper to publicize the Government's wrongdoings. I told him he's only going to get himself into trouble… sigh… and he was such a popular artist too."

Sano only smiled.

Sano: "Ah, well… sorry 'bout that too, old man."

Sales Man: "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Sano looked up.

Sano: "Yeah I needed to get…" ( ha, on another errand for Tae-san )

But whatever Sano was about to ask for was never heard. He only stared straight ahead.

Kenshin: "Sano?"

Sano: "Hey what's that painting of, the one behind the guy with the two swords?"

The sales man gave him a puzzled look and turned around to look at the painting Sano was talking about. He moved the top one and immediately a small smile came to his face.

Sales Man: "Ah, you mean this one. Yes, this is my most expensive one."

Kenshin gave a curious expression.

Kenshin: "Why's that?"

The sales man considered them before answering.

Sales Man: "Well for one it's the only one that has been drawn of this particular person. And two…"

He handed them the painting. They looked down at it and instantly froze. The man in the painting was standing against a dark blue background with lightning. His legs were apart slightly with his sword in front of him and his left hand open with the sword end resting against it. He had red hair tied in a high ponytail with his bangs shadowing his right eye. But what made them both stare was what was on the man's left cheek: a scar shaped like a cross.

Sales Man: "…it's a painting of the Legendary Battousai. Believe me, there are plenty of people who would love to have a painting of the Famous Hitokiri Battousai hanging on their wall."

Sano: "Is that so?"

Sano looked over at Kenshin who was still staring at the painting.

Sano: "Who painted it?"

Sales Man: "A woman by the name of Alexia."

Kenshin blinked and briefly in his mind the picture of a woman with long blonde hair pulled high in a ponytail with beautiful green eyes appeared.

Sales Man: "She lives in the mansion on the top of that hill."

The sales man pointed to the left. There on the hill was a huge mansion. A small portion of a garden could be seen and they could just make out the people in it.

Sales Man: "She comes down every once in a while to get supplies and such. Very nice lady."

Sano gave the painting back and the man went to put it up. Slowly Kenshin and Sano started on their way back to the dojo.

Sano: "Well, it looks like someone has an admirer."

Sano teased.

Kenshin only smiled briefly.

Kenshin: "It would seem so."