(A/N: Yeah, it's been a while since the last update. I have made up my mind that I will only update this fanfic. Until this fanfic concludes, the rest of my fanfics will be put on hold. I will try my best to get these chapters out faster, in the mean time, those of you still left reading this fic…I sincerely thank you for your patience. Since there was only one reviewer this time, I'm putting the response up here.)

Reviewer Responses:

LittoGrrlStephie: Erm…sorry to make you wait, but he's already back in Nihon (Japan). There is more to why he's there and there was more to his promise that he will reveal later. Next chapter (9) will reveal some new characters. K/K fluff will come in the chapter with the Tanabata festival. Thank you for reviewing, I think I lost all my reviewers because they had to wait so long. Thanks for stick out with me, I admire your patience.

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Watsuki-sensei and others. I only claim the original characters I've created that are scattered everywhere in this fanfic.


A Reason to Live

Chapter 8: Destination Kyoto

Three months had elapsed since Jin had first taken up residence at the Kamiya dojo. Ever since his dark explanation of his troubled childhood several weeks ago, the atmosphere between Jin and the Kenshin-gumi had lightened up considerably. He was treated like family and he increasingly became much healthier under their nurturing ministrations.

When Jin had initially set foot on the dojo grounds, he had been so thin that the bones of his rib cage showed prominently under his tattered clothes. He was deathly pale and he seemed more like a ghost that could be blown away by the gentlest of breezes. Now, however, he had gained considerable weight so that his body was of a lean build suitable for young men of his age. Jin's hair was now a bright shade of yellow and his eyes had darkened to a deep blue hue. His pale skin had darkened a few shades after spending many days out in the sun helping Kenshin with the chores.

The sounds of a fierce sparring session, with a few indignant angry yells could be heard from the dojo practice room. Jin smiled slightly as he sat down on the steps of the dojo and sighed as he wiped the drops of trailing sweat from his face with the back of his right hand; putting the old broom he was sweeping with to the side. It had been a long hot day, which was to be expected since it was summertime now in Tokyo. He had decided since that night that he would keep his sword as a reminder of his past; to never forget what had happened and as inspiration to pick up the broken shards of his life and move on towards the future.

From time to time, he would just sit there content to bury himself in the happy memories of his childhood with his thoughts revolving around his lost siblings. And that was how Sanosuke found him as he walked on the dojo ground through the front door.

"Oi, Jin! What are you thinking about with your head in the clouds? Jou-chan won't be too happy to find you slacking off." Sanosuke walked in and sat next to him with a bright grin on his face.

Jin snapped out of his short reverie and looked at Sano with a raised eyebrow, "I think that comment applies more to you than me, Sano."

Sano face contorted into an expression of mock hurt, "Aww…that really hurts man. But seriously, where did your mind wander off to? This is the tenth time I've seen you staring at the sky like a lost dog."

"Eto…well…I was just thinking about my family…what's left of it at least. With these peaceful days of not having to scrounge for food or constantly struggling to survive, my thoughts wander quite often now to my brothers and sisters. It's been fourteen years, nearing fifteen, since we were all scattered around the world. I can't help but think how they are living their lives now…if they're still alive that is. It's not uncommon for children to die in a foreign land." Jin replied solemnly.

Sano felt sympathy for Jin, he could relate to losing loved ones…especially losing them through murderous bastards. He mentally scowled as he recalled the death of his beloved captain of the Sekihou-tai. Though, he no longer sought after vengeance, the anger had not quelled and he doubted that those old feelings would ever dissipate. However, he had found a much more constructive way of dealing with the injustice, by helping Kenshin fight off all of Japan's criminals and other forms of injustice with his own two fists.

"I'm pretty sure they're alive and have probably moved on to create better lives for themselves. You were strong enough to fight your way back to Japan and your brothers and sisters are just as strong as you are. Hell, they might even be looking for you!" Sano gave Jin an encouraging smile as he pat Jin rough on the back causing him to nearly fall forward towards the ground.

"Domo arigatou, Sano." Jin forced himself to smile.

'I really hope that you are right.' He thought to himself grimly, but was soon shaken out of his thoughts by Sano.

"Oi, did you hear me?" Sano chuckled at Jin's confused expression.

"Oh, gomenasai. What did you say?" Jin smiled sheepishly.

"Where's Kenshin?" Sano repeated his inquiry.

"Um…The last I recall, he was preparing lunch in the kitchen." Jin answered quickly.

"Alright then, I'm off to see the red head. Maybe I can sneak in a few snacks too. Don't work too hard." Sano got up and headed towards the kitchen with a silly smile on his face.

"Like you're really one to talk…you don't work at all." Jin muttered to himself, amusement evident on his face.

As Jin was about to pick up the broom to continue sweeping, a small pigeon flew into the yard circling around before flying straight into Jin's hands. Surprised that the bird would fly so willingly into the hands of a stranger, he looked around the area to see if the owner of the bird was nearby.

Upon closer examination of the small creature, he noticed a message tethered to one of its legs. Curious about the nature of the message, Jin detached it from the carrier pigeon. The pigeon cooed as it flew up to perch on his right shoulder. Jin smiled brightly at the creature before his eyes trailed down to the name of the sender of the letter. His eyes widened when he caught sight of some familiar kanji: Kyoto….


In the Dojo:

"Okay Yahiko, let's take break." Kaoru said to the beaten body on the floor while wiping the sweat off her brow.

"Thank Kami-sama…" Yahiko muttered under his breath. Training had been extra painful today; perhaps it was because of his antics earlier in the morning. It wasn't his fault that she wasn't smart enough to avoid the trap he set at her door. So what if he got her a little wet, it's not like it was the end of the world…in fact she should be thankful for that refreshing awakening.

"Come on Yahiko, Kenshin should be done making lunch now. I'm pretty sure Sano is already here lurking around the kitchen." Kaoru sighed as she put her bokken away on its designated rack.

"WHAT! I won't let that stupid rooster beat ME to the food again!" Yahiko took off running towards the dinning room.

"Chotto matte Yahiko! You need to put your shinai away, baka!" Kaoru yelled angrily as she chased after Yahiko leaving the afore mentioned shinai lying forgotten on the polished wood floor.


In the kitchen…

"Oi Kenshin, you there?" Sano hollered into the kitchen.

"Oro, Sano I'm in here. You're here early today, de gozaru yo." Kenshin said as he put the finishing touches on his entrees.

"Yeah, whatever. I saw Jin out there, he seems lot happier not to mention healthier." Sano commented as he eyed the food warily.

"Yes, his mood has definitely improved during these past months. It's as if he's returned to childhood. I can relate to Jin-dono. He suffered much like I did, but it's wonderful that he can act freely like a child again. Jin-dono has become much more open with his likes and dislikes." Kenshin took the food he prepared and set it down at the dining table just as Yahiko bounded into the room with Kaoru hot on his trail.

"Oro…Yahiko, Kaoru-dono…I was about to call you for lunch." Kenshin smiled at them.

"Thank you Kenshin." Kaoru smiled.

"The only one missing now is Jin-dono." Kenshin said as he prepared the table.

As he was doing so, Sano sat down in front of his bowl and snuck a hand out to grab some food off the table. Yahiko saw this and punched Sanosuke in the head.

"OI! What the hell did you do that for you brat!" Sano yelled at Yahiko as he clutched his head.

"I'm not a brat and you were trying to sneak some food off the table baka tori-atama!" Yahiko retorted vehemently.

A battle soon ensued afterwards causing Kenshin to sweatdrop and Kaoru to groan angrily at their childish antics. Before she could say anything to break up the fight, the shoji door leading to the front porch opened and Jin walked through carrying the letter in his right hand with a pigeon on his shoulder. Jin paused to watch Sano and Yahiko continue to fight and chuckled as he walked toward Kenshin and Kaoru.

"Anou…Himura-san, Kamiya-san…this carrier pigeon arrived with this letter. It says that it's from Kyoto." Jin handed the letter to Kaoru.

"Hontou? It must be from Misao-chan!" Kaoru squealed in delight as she quickly opened the letter and read it in silence while Kenshin read over her shoulder.

"The weasel girl?" Sano asked as he and Yahiko paused in their fight.

"It seems Misao-dono has invited us to stay at the Aoiya. She says that Kyoto is having a big festival for Tanabata and she would like us to join them from the festivities at the Aoiya." Kenshin replied.

"Alright! Vacation time!" Yahiko jumped up with a yell.

"That sounds very nice for all of you." Jin smiled.

"Jin-san, you're welcome to come with us. We wouldn't leave you to take care of the dojo all alone. It will be fun and you can meet our friends in Kyoto." Kaoru smiled.

"Ah! Domo arigatou Kamiya-san! I'm happy that you would take me with you on your trip. Actually, I have a few people that I know in Kyoto too. I'd like it if you all could meet them! I wonder if they still live in Kyoto…I hope they haven't moved out yet." Jin continued to rant happily.

"Then I guess this settles it! We're all going to Kyoto!" Sano announced as he thrust his fist up into the air.

Kenshin smiled as he watched the other inhabitants of the dojo chatter and fixed his gaze on Kaoru.

'Perhaps…I can tell her then…how much I love her…'


(A/N: I had planned to release this sooner, but things came up. Anyway, my apologies for I've been training for the martial arts competition that's coming up. Next update will be quite far away as well. Hopefully not too long away. Not much going on in this chapter, but next chapter, things will get interesting again.)