Disclaimer: Kenshin isn't mine. Must you people ruin a girl's dreams?!?!

Lady Battousai654: Hey people. Okay, this is a continuation of the flashback. Don't forget. I don't really have much to say, but I will at the end of the chappie! Lol, I hope you enjoy this one.

Vampire Demon666: Yeah, see you at the end of the chapter.

Kenshin sat down in a corner of the room and waited. He listened to the whisperings around him. The conversation that caught his attention just so happened to be taking place in front of him.

"Did you see that woman that came in last night?"

"Yeah, man I'd like to have a night with her."

"She has a kid."

"A kid? How old is she?"

"How am I supposed to know? I don't go around asking women how old they are. Ask Himura, he brought her in."

"Whoa! Himura's finally growin' up eh?"

Both men stopped when they saw Kenshin's death glare aimed at them. They turned away from each other and waited for breakfast in silence. Obviously both men hadn't realized that Kenshin was behind them. Kenshin stood up and took his place at the other end of the table.

Tomoe was helping with breakfast. The child was nowhere to be seen. She was probably with Okami outside playing. So, she had been following him the whole time? Why hadn't he sensed her? It scared him that he had let his guard down. If it had been an enemy, he could have been dead. But he hadn't been doing anything different. He had sensed the first man that attacked him. Was is the woman? Did she dull his senses? He was brought out of his thoughts by a bowl of rice being set in front of him.

-

Breakfast had continued with no more disturbances. No one brought up the woman that was there, but they all were trying to warm their ways up to her. She seemed oblivious to their flirtatious behavior, or she was just good at hiding it.

The inn had become unusually stuffy so he went outside. There were some other men out there practicing and he almost turned around but told himself that he had every right to stay.

"Hey Himura, how about a demonstration," one man that thought very highly of himself said.

As usual he received no reply and only watched as Kenshin jumped into a very large tree. From here he could simply watch what was going on below him and not have to be bothered by anyone. From the other side of the yard he heard a small childish giggle. He turned around in his seat to see Tomoe's daughter trying to catch a butterfly. She seemed fascinated with the small insects fancy swoops and dives to avoid her small hands.

It wasn't long before one of the men came over to her an knelt down. He still towered over her even when he was on his knees. He grabbed the young girl by the shoulders and her face changed from glee to fear. Kenshin's eyes narrowed. What did he think he was doing? The large man picked up the little girl and walked around the side of the tree.

Kenshin jumped down and landed directly in front of him.

"You're a sick man," he said in a deadly calm voice.

The man seemed only sightly surprised at Kenshin interruption.

"Put her down."

"Do you want to make me," he said while sneering.

"It's sad how you have to use a child to get to her mother. I didn't think you were that pathetic."

"Why you little bastard."

He put the girl on the ground and she ran to the base of the tree. She had tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'll teach you to call me pathetic."

"I will gladly defeat you."

"Not here Himura. Come, lets give a little show to the other men. Are you afraid of me?"

Kenshin narrowed his eyes into dangerous slits and watched the man turn his back. He reluctantly followed and as soon as he was out in the open the man turned around. His sword was drawn and he came flying towards him. Kenshin easily dodged and jumped behind him.

His opponent whipped around and once again threw himself towards at Kenshin. As easily as before Kenshin dodged and this time he was up in the air. Before he knew what was happening, he looked up to see Kenshin come from above him. He had his sword drawn and it connected with his shoulder. Kenshin landed next to the man that was now laying on the ground holding his shoulder and screaming in pain.

"We are on the same side. Don't make me kill you," he said while sheathing his sword.

The little girl was still at the tree and Kenshin walked over to her and bent down. He guessed she didn't seem so intimidated because Kenshin was only have the size of the man from earlier.

"It's okay now," he had to stop. His voice was different. It wasn't cold and deadly like usual.

"That man won't bother you again," he said again. His different tone of voice seemed to comfort the child, for her eyes lit up and she hugged him. Kenshin almost smiled. Almost ,but he didn't. He held it in and picked up the child. She buried her face in his neck and he walked past the men that were grouping around their fellow comrade. They stared as he walked by and Kenshin ignored them.

Once inside, he brought the girl into the kitchen where Okami was cleaning up breakfast. She didn't say a word when she saw the cold boy carrying a child so gently in his arms. Her face was buried in his neck and for the first time in a long time, Okami saw something besides pain in Kenshin's eyes.

-

Kenshin know knew why he hadn't sensed Tomoe's daughter's ki. When he had talked to the child, he had sensed no evil in her soul. Completely pure people like that weren't easy to find. The night he had brought Tomoe back to the inn, he had been so focused on ki's that wanted to do him harm that he overlooked her's.

Her name was Echiko. Ever since he had saved her from that bastard in the courtyard she seemed to take a liking to him. She had even taken up the habit of calling him her brother. She followed him around all day except of course when her mother was free. Then she was in her arms.

Currently though, Echiko was watching Kenshin intently as he stared out the window. He glanced over at her and she smiled. He looked away again and sighed. This girl's complete innocence was starting to have it's affect on him. Whether that was good or bad he had yet to find out. Since she started tagging along with him though he felt more at ease and not so stressed. It was a good feeling to have, but it also made him feel more vulnerable which wasn't so good.

Echiko stared at Kenshin, waiting for him to do something, anything and then she would copy his move. There was nothing else for her to do. When Kenshin stood up, she did the same and stood behind him. He walked outside and sat under a tree where she also did the same.

She looked at him and blinked her large brown eyes. She looked a lot like her mother. When she grew up Kenshin knew she would be beautiful just like her. Her hair was up in a pony tail and the length of her hair made it stick out. Suddenly, the small girl giggled. Kenshin looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Your eyes change colors. Can mine change colors too?"

-

Tomoe watched from inside the inn. Her daughter really liked Kenshin; she could tell by the way she looked at him and followed him and always asked where he was when he wasn't there. According to Okami-san, Kenshin was a cold person that didn't allow anyone to get emotionally close to him. So what was different about her daughter? Okami-san told her that since Echiko started hanging out with Kenshin he had been much different. Seemingly happier and not as distant. Something in his eyes made him look human again. Tomoe couldn't imagine what those eyes looked like at other items. Surely they were horrifying. Those stories that the men told about him made him sound like something not of this earth. A demon with no emotions except that of the joy of killing. But that couldn't be true could it? This man in front of her no actually only a boy; a boy that got sucked into the war by people only wishing to take advantage of him.

From what Okami-san said, Tomoe hoped that Echiko could help this man, even though he was the one that was said to have killed Kiyosato. She doubted that. His body had never been recovered, nor was his death certain. It was merely the assumption since he hadn't returned from his body guard assignment. Tomoe prayed and prayed that he was alive and would soon return to her, but she had left that hope alone when she realized she needed to get on with her life for Echiko's sake.

"Echiko," she called softly.

Her daughter moved her gaze from Kenshin to her mother. She stood up and ran over to her.

"Yes Mommy?"

"Would you like to come to the market with me?"

"Can I have some candy?"

Tomoe laughed.

"Well see. You'll have to be good though."

Echiko broke out into a grin.

"Okay Mommy, I'll be right back."

Tomoe watched as she ran back over to Kenshin and said something to him. He nodded and gave a small smile. She ran back over and grabbed her mother's hand. Tomoe glanced back at Kenshin who was watching the two of them. Was that envy on his face?

-

Kenshin set his face back as expressionless as he could right then. It was harder than usual because he had so many emotions flowing through his body. He felt overwhelmed by the sudden rush of thoughts and feelings. Suddenly, he felt angry at Echiko for making him this vulnerable. In his current state of him he would be dead within 1 minute of the battle. He pushed all thoughts of his mother, the child, Tomoe and anything else out of his mind while jumping the fence and heading towards the waterfall. That's where he needed to be, where everything was quiet and peaceful.

Lady Battousai654: ::smashes head into desk:: I'm so sorry about the length guys...and I lied. The flashback is going to be extended another chapter if not 2 more chapters. That/those chapters will be about Kenshin becoming a vampire and Tomoe's death plus how Kenshin decides to live out the rest of his eternal life. Good stuff... Hey, I need to keep you guys coming back right? One more question, does anyone know how to say big brother in Japanese? I have an idea, but I'm not entirely sure.

Vampire Demon666: Yeah so...glad to be out of school. Today is our first day of winter break so we're hoping to get chapters out more quickly. Happy Holidays.

rain angst: Thanks for your continuing support. Hope you enjoyed this chap...even with the incredible shortness. -Lady Battousai

Mironicka: Heh, sorry again. Would you like a cookie? Thanks for telling us and not hating us and leaving...lol. Glad you still like it. -Lady Battosai

legolasesteltar: Whoa, long review. Lol, but that's okay. I bought Reflections because even though Kenshin dies and even though it's not what Watsuki wanted it's nice to sort of see the ending and it's a beautiful movie. (Uh-oh. That's my fluffy side talking.) Yeah, I cry whenever I watch it, but I watch it a lot...lol, I'm saving up money for a boxed episode set. Thank you so much for telling us that we're good writers. It makes us feel special. No, I haven't seen Thirteen. Haven't really wanted to, but my mom kinda does. No no no, I don't cut myself or anything but I really feel sorry for people that do. It's really sad if they are so depressed they have to hurt themselves. That's not me, I assure you. I don't steal, go around sleeping with people, or anything of that nature. Lol, yay! Nope, I've never fought anyone. Yeah, it's cold here. It snowed yesterday but not today. Sure, I'll take a sandwich! Lol. -Lady Battousai

I know how you feel. I hate school in general. It's true what you said about wannabes...everyone's a wannabe of something if you ask me. I haven't seen Thirteen either. Not really my type of movie...seeing as how I'm a guy...whatever. I've never stolen, taken advantage of any girls or anything related to that...yeah. Anyway, I've been into one big fight, maybe another smaller one where all I got were some bruises. Break a nail...ha! I hate that. Lady Battousai's not like that which is why she's my friend. Hope to hear from ya soon. -Vampire Demon666

What a scene: Thanks! I haven't seen The Forgotten, but I've heard it's good. I will have to rent it some time. -Lady Battousai

Bradybunch4529: Well, at the end of chapter 9 I tried to tell people that the next chapter was gonna be a flashback, and I said it again at the top of chapter 10, but I guys it's my fault for not making it clear enough. Sorry! You could feel the tension? Lol, wow, that makes me feel special! Thanks again and sorry about the flashback confusion. -Lady Battousai

Racoongirl: I'm so sorry that we forgot you! Want a cookie? Thanks for telling us. We're also glad you still like it! -Lady Battousai

Rinao-Heartilly-666: Yeah, I really suck at math. I'm on the verge of failing. But writing is my thing. I have a 100 in my language arts class! Heh, I have to make the flashback longer only because I have a LOT of detail and I don't want it to seem rushed but hey! Let's look at the bright side, you get to read more about Battousai! You don't like Tomoe? I really like her. Without her there would be no Kenshin, but perhaps it would have been better if he stayed Battousai... -Lady Battousai

Angeliz: Sorry but this is sort of a short chapter. There's been a lot of things going on in my life, but I'm trying the best I can to get these chapters out. Thanks for reviewing! -Lady Battousai