Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I never will. That's just too bad.

Book of Knowledge

Chapter One

The bell rang. The students stood to bow before the teacher and said at the same time, "Goodbye, Ms. Fiji."

The English teacher bowed in response, giving a radiant smile. "Don't forget to choose a book for your book report," she reminded, while the students began rushing out of the classroom.

Now that everyone had left, a seventeen- year old girl walked to Ms. Fiji, with her books in her arms, carrying her sling bag.

"Ms. Fiji."

Ms. Fiji frowned. Though the young raven haired orphan was the brightest student and the only scholar in the private school, she was strange and quiet. There was sadness in her azure eyes, Ms. Fiji could not fathom. Always alone, Ms. Fiji thought.

"Yes, Kamiya?" Ms. Fiji asked gently.

She hesitated. "It's about the book report due in two weeks. I have read most of the books you mentioned related to Japanese literature. I was just wondering if you could recommend a book that is interesting. You see…" she broke off, wondering if she should continue.

"Go on, my dear," Ms. Fiji urged, giving her a soft smile.

"Although I have read most of them, they were of a bore to me. They're always about war and romance."

Surprised, Ms. Fiji raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you read them?"

"Reading has always been my passion. I go to the public library everyday. In my free time, I read and when I start reading a book, I always finish it. I don't stop when it's boring."

Amazing. No wonder she always gets perfect in her test. "Book of Knowledge," Ms. Fiji said in an impulse.

"Book of Knowledge?"

"Yes, Book of Knowledge." Ms. Fiji grinned. "I'm sure you will find it interesting. I read that book when I was your age. It was like a dream to read that book. I will never forget that book." She paused. "I would like you to read that book. You and I share the same love for books. Tell you what, I have a little secret to tell, my dear."

Kaoru Kamiya had never had anyone tell her a secret, least of all a teacher. She waited for her to continue.

Ms. Fiji leaned closer, and she whispered conspiratorially, "I, too, find most of the books in Japanese literature boring."

"Oh," was all Kaoru could say. Then she softly giggled.

Ms. Fiji smiled. "You should do that often, my dear." She brushed away Kaoru's bangs, tucking them behind her ear. She gazed at her as a mother would do to her daughter. "You have got beautiful yet sad eyes."

Kaoru just gave a small smile. "Thank you, Ms. Fiji. I must get going." With that, she bowed and left.

Kaoru Kamiya returned the books in their proper shelves. She had always worked hard. Being a librarian was something she loved to do. Especially helping with the elementary children find information pertaining to history. True that she was always sad, but she found joy in the public library. It was the only home she cherished. It was her heaven.

Slender and beautiful, she was like a young goddess. An artist would have loved to paint her just carrying her books. Orphaned at the age of five, she was raised in the orphanage. Being quiet, she had no friends. People thought of her as strange. And she didn't care what they thought because she loved being alone. She developed the hobby of reading books when she turned six. Every morning she would go to the small library the orphanage had; soon, the books in the small library was never enough. So she went to the public library habitually. It became her daily routine after school. She devoured books all her life. Books were her happiness just as typical teenagers loved parties.

She excelled in her academics. She was taunted at for being intelligent. A red haired girl mocked her, "Look what we have here. An ugly duckling that loves books than boys." She laughed together with her friends. "Strange, why don't you wear glasses so you can look like an old hag? That way, the guys will love you. So dorky."

Kaoru just stared at her coldly. "Books give knowledge. Knowledge is power. With knowledge, there is ignorance. It's time that you stop being ignorant. It will get you nowhere," she said coolly.

Ever since that day, nobody spoke to her. Not even one would dare provoke her. She was a girl to be feared and respected even though she didn't have wealth. Her knowledge was her only wealth. It was something no one could take away. It was much more important than money. Knowledge was the power she wielded.

Wise was one thing to describe her. She held the wisdom. With the gift of wisdom, she left the orphanage after graduating in elementary. Already on her own, she enrolled in a private school under a scholarship. To support herself, she assisted in the public library she had grown to love.

This bookworm dreamt to open up her own bookstore. This was her goal. She had every intention of opening up a business. But first she had to wait for the acceptance letter from Yale University, one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Her plan was to study there under a scholarship and take up marketing management. After college, she would work, save enough, buy a flat, and then put up her own business.

Her life centered on books and studies. She was content with her simple lifestyle. Kaoru Kamiya was a solitary figure. No family, no friends. But she had the valor and knowledge.

As she grew up, Maki the head librarian always assisted her in books. From then on, they became inseparable. Kaoru had found a friend she could trust. To Kaoru, Maki was like a grandmother she never had. She was the only one closest to Kaoru. It was because of her that she landed on a job.

Maki welcomed Kaoru to her home. Kaoru transferred to Maki's dojo from her rented flat. Now that Kaoru had a place that she could call her home, she and Maki became a family. Having inherited her late brother's dojo, Maki taught Kaoru swordsmanship using a bamboo stick. Kenjutsu was Kaoru's passion next to reading.

Kaoru put the last biology book on the shelf. She pushed the tray and left it in the side of the shelf. She went to her desk to do her assignments. In a span of one hour, she was through. She stretched and yawned.

A young adolescence came up to Kaoru.

"Kaoru, I need help. My mom is going to kill me if she finds out that my research paper is due TOMORROW," a boy with brown hair emphasized.

People looked up at him.

"Kaji!" Kaoru whispered quickly. "Not so loud."

He blushed. "Sorry."

Kaoru scowled at him. "How can I help you, Kaji? Don't tell me that Ms. Osaka assigned you to research about Henry VIII."

"Wait a minute! How did you know?"

"Ms. Osaka used to be my history teacher." She winked at him. "Let me show you a really good book that talks about his life. Tell me, Kaji, how many wives do you want to have?"

Kaji grinned. "One hundred."

"Wow! Will I be one of them?"

"No way, you are too old but beautiful. Sometimes I wonder if I were seventeen I would be your boyfriend. But too bad. It's fate that I'm three years younger than you. Fate is cruel."

There was something about what he said that struck her. Fate, Kaoru thought. There was something about fate that she couldn't put her finger on. What was it? Despite this, she just smiled, saying nothing as she was leading Kaji to the history section.

Kaoru glanced at the clock. It was eight o' clock. "Time to close." Kaoru got up to get the books from the table. As she was putting them in the tray, an older woman, who was the head librarian, said to Kaoru, "Do you need help, Kaoru?"

"It's fine, Maki. Just go ahead. You need to rest."

The old librarian hesitated. She didn't want to leave her alone in the large public library. What if something might happen?

As if reading her thoughts, "Don't worry about me. I always do this every night," Kaoru assured her.

Maki heaved a sigh. "Alright. Don't forget to lock the doors."

"Sure."

"Goodnight, Kaoru. Go home as soon as possible. I will be waiting. I will cook tempura."

Kaoru's eyes lit up. "Really?" She hugged her tightly. "I love you, Maki," she murmured.

"I love you too, dear."

They pulled back. "Now you should go home, Maki. I will catch up," Kaoru said.

Kaoru froze. The door was slightly ajar. "Why is the door open? That's supposed to be locked," she said, puzzled. As she reached for the knob, the door opened widely. She took small steps towards the door. There was something in her that urged her to enter. Without apprehension, she walked in.

The room was dark, but Kaoru could see that there were rows of shelves filled with books.

"Wow!" she said, breathless.

There were countless of books that were not in used and had been stored for years. Maki had once told her that this room was used to store books owned by the founder of the public library.

"I don't understand, Maki. Why can't they be used for the library?" Kaoru asked.

"Mr. Nokoru Mamiya wanted them to be kept until a chosen 'young goddess' can inherit them," Maki replied.

"A 'young goddess'?" Kaoru said, baffled.

"Let me show you something." Maki went to her desk, Kaoru following her.

Opening the drawer, the older woman said, "There is a poem made by the founder himself." She held the scroll and handed it to Kaoru. "Read it Kaoru."

Kaoru opened the scroll and read it out aloud.

A young goddess sheds a tear

Darkness is near

Her power causes sorrow and pain

A pool of blood will rain

Beauty, knowledge, valor are her gifts

With beauty there is ugliness

With knowledge there is ignorance

With valor there is cowardice

All these are the keys to a bright future

There is only one goddess who possesses these keys

Fate shall find her.

Kaoru remembered the beautiful poem. She closed her eyes, reciting it silently. She knew every word. The poem had touched her heart. She slowly opened her eyes. "Fate would find her," Kaoru said softly. Then the thought dawned on her. It was what Kaji had said to her. " 'Fate is cruel.'"

Then suddenly there was a sparkling red light. As if in a trance, Kaoru followed the source of light. She saw that it was coming from a book on the floor. She knelt down. Book of Knowledge, she read. The book Ms. Fiji recommended. Glitters of red light flowed around the book as she placed her palm on the cover of the book. It was worn out yet still in good condition. She picked it up and opened it. As soon as she opened it, the light shone with such intensity that Kaoru was blinded. The light enveloped her and she was brought inside the book.

Author's note: How was it? I hope you like it. Please review! Thank you for reading.