I don't own Ruroni Kenshin!

The Reluctant Half-Sibling

Part 4

"Um, Kenshin… I'm sorry," Ureshii whispered softly.

"I accept your apology, but I'm not going to trust you until you prove that you can be trusted."

"Um, Kenshin, how am I supposed to convince the monk to look at my sister and get rid of the demon?" Ureshii bit her lip worriedly. "I mean, she'll act nice around you and everyone else because the demon doesn't want their fear, terror, sadness, or broken soul. The demon wants mine..."

"We will ask the monk to visit the prison with us, and hopefully he will agree," Kenshin continued to glare at the road, until they stood in front of the shrine steps. "We are here."

"Oh no…" Ureshii's eyes widened as she spied an old woman sweeping the steps.

"What's wrong, Ureshii?" Kenshin's glare softened a bit as he glanced at the young girl worriedly.

"I recognize that lady; she's the one who put that curse on my sister!" Ureshii ran behind Kenshin and grabbed a hold of the back of his kimono, cowering in fear.

"Then we will find another shrine," Kenshin tried to soothe the younger girl, but she was too tense and refused to let go of Kenshin's kimono.

"BABA! The master would like a word with you!" a young man called to the old hag, who quickly went off towards the farthest side of the shrine, leaving the young man to finish her job. The young man, however, paid apt attention to his surroundings, "Hello! Have you come to visit the shrine?"

"We've come in need of a monk, young sir," Kenshin replied politely as he calmly walked up the stairs with Ureshii still clinging to his kimono.

"Well, I guess you'll be wanting my grandpa," the young man grinned politely. "I'm Shin Hikari, and I just help my grandpa keep the place running, I'm not a monk."

"I'm Kenshin Himura, and this young lady behind me is Ureshii Kamiya," Kenshin was pleased to find that once Ureshii knew that the old woman had left, that he had been released from her tight hold on his kimono.

"Himura-sama, Kamiya-sama, it is a pleasure to meet the both of you," Shin bowed. "If you'll follow me, I'll lead you to my grandfather."

"Hikari-sama, is it possible that we avoid that old woman from earlier at all costs?" Ureshii bit her lip, "I do not mean to seem rude, but she has done some bad things, in the past, to my family."

"Oh, you mean Baba? Well, she just comes around to see if gramps will fall for her 'charms'. Truthfully, I think my grandpa would rather kiss his boots," Shin smiled openly at Ureshii as they came upon the old man sitting near a tree.

"Shin, what have I told you about interrupting me while I'm meditating?" the old man grumbled.

"I'm sorry grandfather, but these people have a need for your services."

"Sir, my sister needs your help…" Ureshii began.

"I'm no longer as young as I used to be! I don't need pranks from you whippersnappers!"

"But this is no prank!" Kenshin pushed his way into the conversation.

"No! I will not help you, I'm far too busy! Yes, far too busy!" the old man crowed, "Now leave my Shrine!"

Shin sighed sadly as he led Kenshin and Ureshii down the steps, "I am sorry my grandfather would not help you. Perhaps if you tell me what it is you need a monk for, I may be of some assistance?"

"My sister is possessed by a demon that is intent upon my spirit and soul breaking to the point of never being able to repair," Ureshii held back her tears of hope.

One look at the young girl set Shin's mind, "I'll help you. For, though I am not a monk, I do have the spells, spiritual power, and incantations."

"Thank you, Hikari-sama!" Ureshii could no longer contain herself and wrapped Shin into a hug.

"K-Kamiya-san…"

"My name is Ureshii," the girl whispered into his ear.

"Then you may call me Shin, Ureshii-sama," Shin hugged the girl back lightly. "Where is your sister, Ureshii-sama?"

"At the police station for trying to kill me," Ureshii seemed to shrink a bit.

"A demon has possessed your sister?!" Shin frowned in concentration.

"The Baba or witch did it to her," Ureshii stared at the ground.

"Then we shall go there immediately!" Shin frowned and motioned for them to lead the way.

Once they had reached the station, Ureshii explained to the officer in charge that she wished her sister to be cleansed from her madness by a monk, and then she would drop all charges. The officers shrugged and allowed the monk into the cell with Karou. It was then that Shin began chanting, allowing his power to purify the demon from Karou. The demon shrieked savagely as it was cast out of Karou and into an abyss of darkness that appeared beneath it.

"What's going on? Why am I in jail Kenshin?" Karou frowned.

"Karou-dono, sesha is glad to see you are well!"

"Karou-oneesan…" Ureshii poked her head cautiously into the cell.

"Ureshii-chan!" Karou shrieked happily as she threw her arms around her sister, "Where have you been? Why did you run off?"

"It's a long story oneesan, but can we go home and invite Shin-san?" Ureshii pleaded.

"Of course, Ureshii-chan! Maybe I'll even cook!" Karou grinned.

"Um, oneesan, could I have the honor of cooking a snack? I know I'm not the best cook, but maybe Kenshin can watch me to make sure I do everything correctly. Please oneesan?!" Ureshii blinked adoringly up at her older sister.

"Alright, but who is Shin?" Karou frowned.

"That will all be explained when we get home, Karou-dono. Ne, Ureshii-chan?" Kenshin asked.

"Hai!" Ureshii nodded quickly and they all made their way to the Kamiya home.

Sorry this has taken so long to finish, but it has taken some time for me to see where and how to end this.