Hikari

By KCSobe

Disclaimer: ... Must we? Ok, ok already! We don't own RK, happy?

A/N: Ahhh! Sorry this chapter was so late! But we're making up for it, cause this is our longest chapter yet. Oh, and we're gonna thank some of the reivews now!

Kokakuisam- Yeah, we wanted to be a bit different, and still be true to RK, but we'll admit that we both think that we're sticking way to much with the real thing, so from this point on it's going to be a bit more different. But not too different!

tehyie- Well, we both hated having to make Aoshi seem weak, but if Kenshin could beat him as Rurouni, we both figured that Battousai wouldn't have much of a problem. But still... Aoshi is too cool to lose, but he'll be popping up later on!

Sakura Kamitsu- Well, one of us desided that their favorite chapter is the one that we are working on at that moment, if that makes any sence, and the other desided that their favorite chapters is the first chapter through last chapter, so to sum it all up, we're currently undesided!

kinaharo- Hey! Thanks! We'll definetly email you if we have any problems, and also feel free to email us if you have an suggestions! Remember that we won't know what you guys want us to change unless readers tell us

Triste1- Hope there was enough action last chapter! There will also be lots of action coming up, but hopefully not to much. It's hard to ballence it sometime, ne?

Canon- ...Riiiiiighhhtt... Okay then, not quite sure what your getting at there... Have a nice day!

We'd also like to thank all our other reviews! Your reviews mean the world to us! Thank you thank you thank you! Also, we'd like to thank everyone who has us on their favorites list! We're really touched! Now on with the story!

Unexpected Detour

Sanosuke slid the door of the dojo open. As he stepped in, he could hear faint voices echoing from the training room.

"Stop pulling your belly back, Hira! If you keep cringing like that, you really will get hit!" he could hear Kaoru's voice growl. Shrugging, he made his way out to the back porch, where he sat, chewing on his fishbone contemplatively.

The true problem with being a freeloader was that there were times when there was absolutely nothing to do. I'm so bored I almost wish Yahiko was here to talk to. Sano frowned, as he stared out over the rolling scenery. Wait… Did I just think that? Now I'm getting pathetic! I've got to find something to do before my sanity gives out completely…

Quickly glancing around, his gaze fell upon the full laundry bin where it lay, dirty and forgotten in the corner. Sano felt his resolution waver. Incredibly tough fighter-for-hire, Zanza, doing the laundry? Well, desperate times call for desperate measures.

As he plunged the first garment into the warm water, he remembered how many times he had come up the path only to find Kenshin in just such a position. Was it really only three days ago that he had left?

Sano listened tiredly to the rain beating down on the roof. He had come back early from a local tavern, his mind pleasantly fogged with clouds of intoxication. Now he lay on a couch, his eyes glazed over, wondering where Katsu was.

The sound of someone banging on the door pulled him out of his reverie. Staggering to his feet, Sano unsteadily made his way to the entrance. He opened the door.

A small figure, drenching wet, was leaning against the outside of the house. He looked up at the noise of the door scraping, and stepped forward into the light.

It was Kenshin, dripping from the torrential downpour, who stumbled forward. His skin was a pale ashen white, which contrasted starkly to the scarlet hair that had fallen forward over his face. His eyes were partially closed against the sudden brightness of the room, but Sano could see the golden irises staring out.

He turned to face Sano, and the man in question gasped in shock. A jagged gash of red ran down Kenshin's cheek, oozing dark blood. It was the sight of the blood dripping from his chin that shook off the last of Sano's alcohol induced stupor.

"Kenshin! What happened? Hold on, I'll get you a towel to dry off, and some bandages," he spoke hurriedly, already turning to get the items mentioned.

"Don't bother." It was the voice that made him freeze. It was a harsh jarring sound that seemed too strong to have emitted from the injured swordsman.

"I'm not staying. I just had to tell you that I'm leaving for Osaka. I don't know how long I'll be gone. But look after Kaoru and Yahiko," Kenshin continued, ignoring the perplexed look on Sano's face.

"Sure," he replied after a pause. "But what happened out there?"

"I'll be back soon enough. In the mean time, keep an eye out for that monk of yours." Kenshin added, as if he had not heard the question. Then, abruptly, he turned and left the building, disappearing into the shadows.

Sano finished hanging up the last of the laundry to dry, and wiped his hands off on his jacket. Cheerful, animated voices in the training room indicated that Kaoru's lesson had just ended. Sure enough, a few boys could soon be spotted walking in the direction of the city.

"Sanosuke! Nice to see you!" Kaoru called brightly as she came over. "Wait, are you doing the laundry? Sano, maybe you should take a trip to see Megumi. I'm not sure you're feeling well," she teased.

Sano rolled his eyes. After Kaoru's giggling fit had subsided, she lapsed into silence, still staring at the clean sheets which billowed gently in the wind.

"Thank you Sano. I guess I've gotten kind of behind on the laundry," she smiled sadly. He again said nothing, but put his hand on her shoulder affectionately. He knew the real reason why she had been avoiding the household chores. Every time she saw the heap of dirty clothing, or heard the clanging of pots, she flinched. It was the most poignant reminder that there was somebody missing from their everyday routines.

Sano remembered breaking the news to her the morning after Kenshin had visited him, when the only reminder of his tavern visit was his throbbing head. She had listened to him quietly, her eyes rooted to the ground. He had told her of Kenshin's past, and she had nodded listlessly. He had told her of the assassin's current mission, and she had looked off into the distance. Finally, he revealed Kenshin's decision to go to Osaka. She had looked up at him then, her sky-blue eyes dull and empty.

That was when he could bear the stillness no longer, and reached forward to give her a hug. She had stood there rigidly, waiting for him to let go. Then she had turned, and walked back into the dojo.

Since then, she outwardly seemed to have recovered. Her temper, and deadly aim, still kept Yahiko and her other students in line. She still smiled, and she still laughed. Only Sano could see the truth; she was nothing more than a lifeless marionette going through the motions. Her smiles, although they came with as much frequency as before, were meaningless, betrayed by the overwhelming indifference of her eyes.

This shadow of a girl was not Kamiya Kaoru. The energy, the will to live, had faded, leaving nothing but an empty shell.

Sano clenched his hands, as he watched Kaoru staring blankly into the distance. He wished he knew what to say, what could bring back the little sister that he had found in Kaoru. If only he knew what had happened that night, between them. If only Kenshin had not left. Sometimes he wondered if he hadn't been drunk out of his mind, if things would have been different. He could imagine the scene: snapping out of his trance, and shutting the door before the hitokiri could leave. Insist that he hear the truth.

But Kenshin was gone. So Sano was left hoping, that for whatever reason the swordsman had left, he would come back soon.

Osaka was a bustling city, but compared to the ever-crowded streets of Kyoto, it resembled a peaceful village. As Kenshin quietly walked down the main street, he tried to shake his uneasiness at the lack of people.

Currently, he was looking for a hotel to stay at. Keeping his mind firmly fixed on this objective, he could block out any recent memories. Like the night that he had left.

After he had left Sagara's, Kenshin made his way to the police station. He had left this stop for last, in the subconscious hope that it would already have closed for the night. Unfortunately, there was no such luck. The very man he had been hoping to avoid was there, just coming out of the building.

"Battousai," the cop greeted him, seemingly unconcerned with his visitor's appearance or unusual timing.

"Saito. I found a lead in Osaka, and I'll be gone for a couple of days," he began. Saito raised an eyebrow.

"Really?" he replied, somewhat skeptically. "Surely this wouldn't have anything to do with the man who attacked you several hours ago?" Kenshin's eyes flashed.

"How did you know about that?"

"A few concerned citizens took it upon themselves to inform the police of the disturbance. I had to hush the whole thing up of course. The last thing we need is you leaving a paper trail in the police records."

"Surely those are confidential?" Kenshin sneered, refusing to let his opponent win the verbal battle. Saito only shrugged, a curious half-smile playing on his face.

"Well, if you want to run away with your tail between your legs, I certainly don't care. But bandage your face before you go," Saito changed the subject abruptly. "That cut will probably scar, and distinguishing facial features are hardly a good quality for an assassin." Kenshin ignored him.

"Of course, that hair of yours is hardly a good quality either. And you're really rather short aren't you?" Saito added smirking.

"My height is far less of an impediment in my job than your lack of intelligence is," Kenshin retorted. After silently glaring at each other, Kenshin finally reached over and grabbed the proffered bandage. "Besides, it's not like I'm not coming back."

Suddenly, Kenshin became aware of the pounding footsteps behind him. Before his mind had time to process this information, somebody collided with his back at a high speed. Rebuking himself for his own inattention, he spun around. How many pickpockets was one man forced to endure?

Instead, he saw a young girl, around the age of thirteen, sprawled out on the street in a jumble of limbs. A steady stream of incoherent curses was spewing from her mouth. He backed up a step.

"Excuse me, miss? Are you all right?" There was no immediate response, as the girl pushed herself to her feet. She was now balefully glaring at him, while rubbing her injured rear. Kenshin opened his mouth for another attempt.

"HEY YOU!" A loud voice rang out across the narrow road. In the same direction that the girl had come from, five large men appeared. The leader took a few steps forward, and Kenshin walked past the girl to confront him.

"Wait! What do ya think yer doin'?" The man spat, his words slurred. He had obviously had too much to drink; his face was unnaturally flushed, and his breath putrid. Kenshin merely sneered.

"Look, just get out of the way!" Another of the group snapped, his words slightly more intelligible. "We're only here for the girl."

Kenshin turned his gaze to the speaker, deciding it was useless to try to communicate with the first man.

"May I ask what she did to warrant such a chase?" he asked mildly, still positioned between the band of aggressors and the young girl.

"This… bitch was bad mouthin' us!" The first spoke up, cutting through the other's explanation. "We were eatin' at this resteraunt, and she started screaming at us. Who does she think she is; tellin' us ta pay for what we eat?" The others snickered in approval.

Kenshin, who was already in a progressively darkening mood, could take it no longer. Not even bothering to draw his sword, he dropped to the ground, and pivoting on his hand, knocked the other man off his feet with a well placed kick. Another followed, accompanied by an audible snap.

His opponent howled in pain, clutching his now shattered kneecap. Kenshin turned to look at the audience, who were mute in astonishment.

"If I were you," he began, his voice dangerously quiet, "I would start running, before you make me really mad." He pointedly fingered his still sheathed sword. His eyes were flickering with a barely repressed amber rage.

Kenshin heard a small scuffle behind him, and barely had time to side-step as a fist lashed out. He was met by an angry scowl from the previously quiet girl.

"I don't need your help!" she yelled furiously. "I can take care of myself just fine!"

"In your situation, I might be inclined to be a bit more grateful." He regarded her coolly.

"I never asked you to butt into my business, okay?" she ground out, her fists clenching and unclenching.

Having watched the argument develop thus far in silence, the remaining drunks decided to take advantage of their enemies' distraction. They rushed forward as one, all managing to produce various weapons.

The girl seemed to have a similar idea, and threw herself at them before Kenshin could stop her.

Blinking at the sudden turn of events, he wondered idly if he should join the fray. But the girl had been looking for a fight, and she certainly had seemed to resent his earlier efforts.

In any case, she did not appear to be having a problem. A flying kick made contact with the jaw of the person wielding a small dagger. He staggered backwards, and then swung his dagger down towards her head. She rolled to the side and launched another kick upwards, this time at a more sensitive area. He collapsed, moaning in pain.

Kenshin noticed idly that she had left her back open to a man with a sword, who was now creeping up. So despite her obvious martial arts skills, she had little experience fighting against multiple opponents.

She was currently engaged in pummeling a shorter man with a series of roundhouse punches and elbow jabs. He waited until the sword wielder was about to strike before leaping at him, and disarming him with a simple flick of his katana. Trained professionals, these men were not. The battle officially ended when the final combatant's courage deserted him, and he sprinted away down the street.

Kenshin was about to go after him when he noticed the sudden flash of metal in the girls hand. She lifted it up, and with a snap of her wrist, gracefully shot several kunai towards the running target. A screech of pain confirmed her successful hit, and she grinned in triumph.

"I told you I didn't need your help!" she smiled smugly as she collected the kunai from the now unconscious body. Kenshin ignored her, and instead carefully looked over the damage. Nobody was dead, and there was minimal blood. Now to make a quiet exit, before any more bystanders showed up.

"HEY! SWORDSMAN!" Kenshin winced. So much for the quiet exit. "Aren't you going to say anything!" The girl asked, her hands on her hips. He rolled his eyes, and continued walking.

An hour later, Kenshin was grinding his teeth with frustration. Was it really that hard to find an inexpensive hotel? He had not thought to grab any money when he left Kyoto, which now left him close to penniless. Still, how much could one room cost? He was really getting sick of sleeping in the woods…

Above him, on the rooftop of a nearby building, he heard a loud thump. How long was that ninja girl going to keep following him? He had thought she would have given up by now, but apparently not.

Another thump, this time followed by audible cursing. Enough is enough. Kenshin frowned. He bent his knees, and with a powerful push, landed on the tiled rooftop.

"WAAAAHHHH!" Ninja girl yelped in surprise, and tumbled backwards, landing on her rear end for the second time in so many hours.

"Now, Miss," Kenshin began politely, "If you're going to keep following me, I'm going to have to ask you to be a little quieter." The girl, instead of blowing up as she had earlier, beamed.

"You know, Mr. Samurai, you're pretty good. Not as good as the folks who raised me, but close!"

"Uh… Thanks?" Kenshin scratched the back of his head, bewildered by the sudden mood swing.

"I'm sorry about the way I acted back there with the fight. It's just I'm not a little girl, you know? But thanks anyway for helping me," she explained. Feeling slightly mollified by the semi-apology, Kenshin took a closer look at his stalker.

She was small, almost a head shorter than he was. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, although not as dark as Kaoru's. Her hair was cropped about chin length, and behind, a long black braid swung. Her clothing was slightly more unusual. It was clearly a shinobi outfit, complete with hand guards. What an odd girl, thought Kenshin, as he swung down from the roof.

"Wait! Aren't you going to accept my apology?" The girl yelled after him. He massaged his temples, trying to ignore the dull ache in his head.

"Yeah, whatever," he replied, distractedly. Why is she so loud? He inwardly moaned. Still, helping her with that fight had been entertaining at least, and it really was an excellent way to work out the frustration. Besides, he smiled nostalgically, helping those in need is why I got in this business in the first place. It felt good being able to finally do the right thing.

"You look lost!" The girl popped up again, this time from a side-street. "Do you need some help finding something?"

"Cheap lodging would be nice," Kenshin answered. Too late, he remembered that he really should not be encouraging her to keep talking.

"I can help you with that! So where are you from? Why are you in Osaka? My name's Makimachi Misao, by the way. What's your name?" There was a pause in the deluge of questions, as the ninja girl waited for an answer.

"My name is Himura Kenshin," he responded, hoping she would not press about the other details.

"Nice to meet you, Himura! You know you were something in that fight! Where'd you learn to handle a sword like that?"

"…" Kenshin remained quiet.

"Not much of a talker, are you Himura?" Pause, no response. "That's okay, I know a lot of people like that. Actually the person I'm looking for… He's even quieter than you are! The strong, silent type, I guess. And he is really strong. He would never lose to anybody, not even you, and I can tell you're really good." She chattered away.

Kenshin concealed a smile. This girl was not that bad. Overly energetic and loud, maybe, but not bad. As the one-sided monologue continued, he decided that there were certainly worse people he could spend the day with. There's just one thing…

"How did you learn to fight like that, Makimachi-dono?" He asked abruptly.

"I'm a member of the Oniwabanshu!" What? "My folks back home taught me a whole bunch of stuff about fighting, and how to use kunai. The Okashira himself gave me lessons!" Was this some sort of twisted coincidence? Or was it a trap? Wait, Okashira…

"Is the man you're looking Shinomori Aoshi, by any chance?" Instantly Makimachi froze, her mouth half-open. She turned to him, her eyes flashing with eagerness and hope.

"Aoshi-sama! You know him? Where is he? Tell me!" She gasped, shaking Kenshin by the shoulders. Kenshin's mouth felt dry, and he could not seem to form any words.

Is this girl really connected to Shinomori? The way she describes him, he seems like a completely different person. Maybe he was one, before the Kanryuu incident. What should I say? It's clear that he means a great deal to her but what does she mean to him?

"Why do you want to find him?" His voice rang out, unexpectedly cold. If the girl noticed, she did not show it.

"I traveled with him when I was younger, him and Hannya-kun and Shikijo, Hyottoko, Beshimi… Then he left me at the main headquarters in Kyoto. He thought that the people there could do a better job than he could of raising me," her voice dropped to a whisper. "He told me to forget about him. I tried, but I can't, and I have to keep looking… I have to find him, Himura."

She seemed so lost that for a moment he felt tempted to tell her. But what good would it do? She had no idea of the mental state that Shinomori was in, and no doubt she would end up seriously hurt.

"I'm sorry, I can't help you," he said at length, turning his face away. Then he began to walk down the street. For what seemed like an eternity she did not respond.

Slam! A foot collided with the back of his head. He turned around to see her there, glaring.

"Don't give me that! I know you've seen him somewhere! You're not getting rid of me that easily, and I'm not going to leave you alone until I get some information!" She shouted.

It's going to be a looong day…Kenshin rubbed his injured head ruefully.

"Or, if you tell me where Aoshi is, I'll treat you to an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Shirobeko!" Misao suggested hopefully.

"I'll pass."

"You know, that gi looks kind of old. If you want a new one, I can buy you one, as long as you tell me what Aoshi's doing right now!"

"No thanks."

"Thirsty?"

"Not really."

"Tired?"

"Nope."

"Need a haircut?"

"You're getting desperate, aren't you?"

"I'll quit bugging you if you tell me where…"

"Sorry," Kenshin closed his eyes, fighting back a smirk. This girl just did not give up. He looked down at the stall he was passing. Various trinkets of jewelry were displayed, along with some ribbons. He remembered the ribbon that Kaoru always wore in her hair. Blue, like her eyes. He fingered a silky specimen of a slightly darker shade. She probably hated him now, never wanted to see him again. He could not blame her either. He had left her alone, crying in the darkness. He did not deserve her, and never would.

"Himura, I'll give you the money to buy that if you tell me what Aoshi's doing right now!" Misao bounced up. He put the ribbon back. Just then, a strange wave of stillness came over the haggling shoppers. Kenshin felt a powerful ki approaching. He turned.

A large cone-headed man was stalking through the streets. On either side of him people parted to form a path. He continued to ignore them, striding on purposefully. He was easily twice Kenshin's size and incredibly muscular. The amber-eyed assassin quickly noted the ease with which the man moved, despite his immense bulk. The gait was one of an experienced fighter. His instincts were going haywire, screaming out against this passerby.

He had come to Osaka to distance himself from the events that were rapidly spiraling out of control in Kyoto. A new lead in his mission had merely been a convenient excuse. Still, it appeared that Osaka had trouble of its own, and he had nothing better to do.

The main problem was that he could not afford to waste the time needed to check the man's background. However… an idea presented itself to his calculating mind.

"Makimachi-dono, I have a proposition for you."

"Huh?" She looked up curiously. He paused for a moment, weighing the options one last time. As a member of the Oniwabanshu she had a hoard of information within easy access. Information that he could use. In return, he had something she wanted- Shinomori's whereabouts. Not that he could actually give her those; the last thing Kenshin needed was one more innocent life hanging over his head. Instead, he would give her a harmless misdirection, Hokkaido perhaps. With Makimachi safely out of trouble, he would be killing two birds with one stone.

"I might be willing to give you information about where I last saw Shinomori," he began, keeping his face perfectly blank.

"Really? Himura, you're the BEST!" She clapped her hands gleefully, and flung herself on him in a warm embrace. A slight feeling of guilt washed over him, as he tried to untangle himself from her arms.

"But first, I need you to do something for me," He looked down at her sternly. Naïve, turquoise eyes met his gaze.

"Anything!"

Seta Soujirou hummed softly to himself as he navigated through the inner streets of Kyoto. As he immersed himself deeper into the maze, the city began to gradually change. The most obvious difference was the buildings. Where they had been spacious and bright, they slowly had devolved into dingy and sagging structures that could barely support their own weight.

The sea of people had gradually dispersed, until the only other pedestrians were feeble caricatures of humanity, huddled under their tattered blankets. Many had long ago lost their minds in the haze of opium, and others had the tell-tale cough of terminal disease. Most would be gone by this time next year.

Soujirou ignored them all. As Shishio-san said, this world was a hell not meant for the weak. The Meiji Government tried to paint it over with idealistic words, varnished by economic prosperity. But look too hard and you could still see the poverty. It was just hidden better now, wrapped under lies and deceit.

The road he was walking on ended in a small circle outside of a brothel. Like vultures, dozens of beggars had gathered to sit outside the entrance, ready to prey on passing customers. Sitting slightly apart from the rest was a man garbed in the ragged remnants of a uniform. His posture was erect, his military training not all together lost. Scarred and sightless eyes stared down the street, and his head was tilted to one side as if listening to a sound that none of the others could hear.

As Soujirou approached, he suddenly shifted positions, and shook a bowl at his feet, rattling the few coins inside.

"Some spare coins, young sir?" He called out, his voice taking on a thin whining tone. Soujirou's smile broadened, and he laughed.

"I'm looking for Senkaku, Usui-san. Shishio-san needs him for a brief mission." Usui smirked, and leaned back against the wall.

"Shishio may have some difficulty finding him," he answered, in a deeper and derisive voice. "The fool got tired of staying undercover. He went to Osaka, I believe, to have some fun." Soujirou shook his head.

"Shishio-san won't be happy. I hope he doesn't draw too much attention to himself, or I might have to go bring him back."

"Well, it's certainly not my problem. I almost hope he does try something, just so I never have to endure him again," Usui yawned. "Now is that all, or were you planning on talking to me for the rest of the day?" Soujirou nodded a polite farewell, and continued on his way. Usui turned his head to watch the boy go; a useless gesture left over from a time when he could still see. Instead, he listened until the footsteps died away completely, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Two days after meeting Makimachi Misao, Kenshin was dining at the Shirobeko, a sister restaurant of the Akabeko, run by Tae's twin sister. They were eerily similar in all that they did, and he could not shake the feeling that Kaoru and Yahiko would come walking in at any moment.

"Himura!" Makimachi waved her hand in front of his face. He turned to look at the girl, who was hopping from foot to foot excitedly.

"I've got the information you wanted!" She beamed, clutching a thick folder. "And it wasn't easy, let me tell you! For starters, it was classified, and I didn't have the clearance needed to get it, so I ended up having to climb in through a side window during the dead of night…"

"Makimachi-dono…"

"…with a candle, and then look through every recent record we've had in Osaka, while cross-referencing with…"

"Hello?"

"his physical description since I didn't know his name. And that took a long…"

"MISAO!" Kenshin finally broke through her rant. She glanced up, startled.

"Hey! You called me Misao! Finally. That –dono stuff really gets on my nerves, you know?" Kenshin gritted his teeth.

"Give…me…the…folder," he spoke slowly, enunciating each syllable as if dealing with a gajjin or a mentally deficient child. She rolled her eyes.

"Why didn't you just say so?" With a cry of frustration, he snatched it from her, and hastily opened it. A minute or two passed, as he shifted through the paperwork.

"It's finally starting to get interesting…" He whispered to himself, a cold, predatory smile lighting up his face.

A/N: Well, hope this made up for our lateness. Misao also made her appearence! Yay! Sorry if we made her alittle too annoying, but she'll get better! Review please! Ciao!

Next Time on Hikari:

As Kenshin gets closer to acompishing his mission, he starts to realize that work is not the only important thing in life.