Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Arrival of the Maiden

Chapter Two

A bright cylindrical shape of red light shot out from the evening sky. This only meant one thing after three thousand years of waiting.

"The chosen one has now arrived," an old woman whispered. She clasped her hands together, thanking the dragon. She quickly got to her feet to head to the conference room.

A beautiful tall lady was already on her seat near the head of the table waiting. Beside her sat Amber, a sixteen year-old French with curly layered hazel hair; and next to her was an auburn haired girl the same age as her. On the opposite side were two young sixteen year-old boys.

The old woman smiled. "So everyone has seen the light of the dragon." She went to the head of the table and sat. She studied their young faces.

No one spoke. They waited for the Ancient One to continue.

Breaking the silence, the old woman said quietly, "It's time to summon The Heart of Sword."

The boy with hazel hair said, in a heavy French accent, askance, "The Maiden's protector?"

"Yes, Paul. I want all of you to go to the Shrine of the Dragon."

"But I want to fetch the Maiden, Miriam," Amber protested.

"Sis, are you out of your mind? You are just a warrior," Paul said.

Amber glared at her twin brother. "I know that! I just want to accompany Kenshin because I have waited for the Maiden for three thousand years." She looked away, hurt. "People are becoming traitors right in this world. We can't do anything about it because our powers are weak. It's a shame that we are powerless even though we are gods," she said in a choked voice.

Paul bowed his head. He didn't answer. To be honest, he wanted to fetch the Maiden too. The Maiden was their only hope.

The tall lady beside Amber spoke up, "I think we should all go with Kenshin, Miriam."

Miriam gazed at Ayu.

"I agree with my sister," the boy with dark hair next to Paul said.

"Thank you, Nokoru." Ayu smiled fondly at her brother.

"Oh well. Fine, do as you wish. Now where is that annoying wandering swordsman? Can anyone tell me?"

As if he heard her, he appeared in front of the doorway, smiling. "Right here, madam!" he said cheerily.

Amber sighed, her painful expression now gone. "Do you always have to look cheerful? You look more sexy and handsome when you are Battousai." She smirked at him.

Ayu elbowed her hard.

Kenshin ignored her comment. "Shall we get going?"

Kaoru slowly opened her eyes. Only wearing her school uniform, she felt cold as the cool breeze greeted her.

It was dark, but Kaoru knew she was in the woods. She sat up. Where am I? Kaoru wondered. "Great, I'm in the middle of nowhere."

In deep thought, she recalled that she was in the storage room and found a book lying on the floor. The next thing she knew there was this bright shining red light that enveloped her. Realizing this, she sprang up. "There is no way that I'm inside a book. There is no such thing. It must be a dream." She shook her head. She didn't want to believe it.

Something cracked. There were footsteps coming her way.

Kaoru stopped, fear evident in her eyes. She stayed rooted in her spot. She couldn't move. Suddenly a wave of wind sent her head spinning and her back aching as she hit the trunk of the tree. She cried out in pain; she brought her hand to her forehead, which was bleeding. She tried to see what or who did it. Her vision was blurred, but she could see someone dressed in a dark cloak, the hood covering the face.

Kaoru could sense that the person in the dark cloak was female. She could feel the dark energy coming from her. Then she fell unconscious.

The attacker raised her hand to strike, but before she could strike, a man grabbed Kaoru, carrying her. A barrier was formed.

"I won't allow you to hurt her, Aoi," the man said, his tone hard.

Aoi just grunted in disgust. "Looks like I will have to do it another time. See you around, Yuji." She vanished into thin air.

Within the barrier, Yuji placed his hand on Kaoru's forehead, releasing his healing powers. Then he removed his cloak and covered Kaoru with it.

Kaoru slowly regained her consciousness. She saw the most beautiful soft brown eyes. She touched his face, feeling the warmth.

He held her hand in response and forced himself to let it go. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Disappointed that he had let go of her hand, she said sincerely, "Thank you."

He just smiled. "Your friends will be here any minute. They will bring you home."

"Friends? I don't have friends. Maki is my only family, but I have no friends," Kaoru said, her bangs covering her eyes.

"You will have friends who are loyal and kind. They will love you and be there for you." With that he disappeared.

"Wait!" Kaoru called out loudly. "I didn't get your name," she murmured. Hugging herself with the cloak, she smelled his scent. He smelled like the woods. She liked it. It made her feel safe and protected.

She heard footsteps again. Alert, she got up.

Kenshin and the others froze in their tracks when they saw Kaoru covered in a navy cloak.

Astounded by her beauty, Kenshin was lost for words. Not only him but so did the others.

Kaoru looked warily at them. She couldn't quite explain why she could sense people's energy. "Who are you?"

"Don't worry, we won't harm you," Ayu said, giving her a relaxed smile.

Kaoru relaxed herself and took a deep breath. Somehow she knew that these people won't harm her.

Kenshin walked to her until he was a few feet away from her. He held out his hand.

Kaoru looked at him. He had red hair and purple eyes. He was handsome and lean. He had a sword in his side. He made her feel safe.

She held his hand. As they linked their hands, they all disappeared in a flash.

A figure in a dark cloak saw it all and smiled evilly. "The time has come, my Maiden."

Kaoru looked around her, surprised. She wasn't in the woods anymore. She was in what appeared to be a temple.

Still linked with Kenshin's hand, her eyes landed on the golden statue of a dragon facing her. In front of the gigantic statue stood an old woman with snow white hair, clad in a beautiful robe made of red satin Kaoru had ever seen in her life.

"Welcome, my Maiden," the Ancient One greeted.

Author's note: I would like to thank all those who reviewed. I really was happy to receive your reviews. Thank you so much. I hope that you will continue to read my story.