Disclaimer:.....you know that I don't own anyone right? RIGHT?! good. well except for a few people that I will make up in the beginning

Chapter 2: Realization, Oros, and Music Practice

Kenshin was speechless to say the least.

His mind blank with the exception of one thought, another..Himura Battousai? He shook his head. He thought that this sort of thing was impossible, time travel was a fantasy.

This red haired woman who now stood, had no proof of what she said was true.

Urako glanced at Kenshin, knowing all too well what he was thinking. Not that she was a telepath, oh no, you could see suspicion reflected in his eyes quite clearly. She gave him a ghost of a smile, blue eyes shining in understanding. She knew of a way to prove herself, something that every Himura had, something that this man, Kenshin, had started.

She walked towards the wary ex-Battousai, wind blowing in her hair, her blood red bangs getting in her eyes. She placed her hand inside her pouch again and retrieved a small hair tie, tying her short wild mane at the base of her neck, mirroring the look that Kenshin had. Everyone's eyes widened at her action, for she revealed the same cross-shaped scar on her left cheek.

Sano was about to comment, since he had been silenced by the aggravated woman, but was interrupted, again.

"Kenshin?" a sweet voice sang, bringing everyone's attention to the entrance of the Dojo.

Who is that woman? both Kaoru and Urako thought at the same time.

Though Urako was still a little confused, Kaoru's eyes widened in apparent recognition as she pointed a finger at Urako and uttered, "It's ..you."

Urako was utterly confused by this, her brows furrowing even more.

Wait a minute....she's the Kamiya girl isn't she? If she knows who I am..then..she must be experiencing a form of foresight!

"Um..Maybe we should discuss these matters over some tea, that we should," Kenshin broke in, fidgeting a little.

She looks exactly like me, well except for the eyes, but jeez! It is almost frightening that it is, Kenshin thought as he walked into the kitchen area to make the tea.

Sano, Kaoru, and Urako walked into the dining room and sat down, an uncomfortable silence fell upon them. Sano was still a little shaken up from his encounter with the strange woman, and so to save his skin from further marring, he whispered to Kaoru, "So, Missy....how do you know this..er..wild woman?"

"Silence Sanosuke, I can hear you. I was not trained by Hiko for no reason. So you if you want to keep your skin, shut-up!" snapped an irritated Urako.

Urako rubbed her temples and thought, Today is just not my day.

Sano immediately sat up straight with his mouth shut, with the thought, How is Yahiko gonna survive this woman?

Kaoru just looked at the woman in awe and felt an immense sadness emitting from her. Kaoru really couldn't blame her, after all she had heard, she must have some loved ones back in her own time.

Kenshin came back, holding a hot boiling pot of tea, and poured the concoction in the four cups on the table.

Urako snatched the steaming tea and downed it like it was a shot of sake. She barely even felt the substance burn her throat, since her mind was elsewhere. "I guess I should start on who I am and what I do and all that," she sighed, letting everyone else get comfortable, "My name is Urako Himura, my brother Shinta Himura and I are daughter and son to Fujio Himura and Ayame Gensai. My brother does not possess the cross-shaped scar, though has the blood-red mane. My hair is actually a raven black, but I had dyed it from a recent mission. I was trained to be an assassin and a thief by my master, Hiko Seijouro. Okina, the former leader of the Oniwaban group, trained Shinta. Shinta lives at the dojo with me, he is 17 and I am 20. A man named Shishio Makoto killed our parents when we were kids. Shishio also runs the Kyoto Organization; an Organization which specializes in the smuggling of illegal objects, which was lately smuggling in some scientists. Before I was transported here, master Hiko told me of some special technology that was being manufactured within the Kyoto's Warehouse. So one night I went out and retrieved it. I was supposed to meet up with my back-up team because I had encountered some.... interference, but they never met me. I slipped away within the sewer tunnels, which is why I smell so disgusting at the moment. After that night, I barged into Hiko's office and demanded to know what happened to my team and why the piece of technology that I stole was under heavy surveillance. He then proceeded to inform me that the piece of technology was actually a time machine. It was quite hard for me to fathom such knowledge and power to fit into a tiny box such as that. Though, when I held it in my hands before those traitors, a bright light engulfed my whole form, sending me into the tub of clothes," she gestured towards the mess outside and her slightly damp form.

Urako then leaned back on her hands, to let the others think on what she had just told them. Oh Shinta, I hope you're O.K. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you! Nor you, Hajime.

Urako then proceeded to take off her damp leather shirt, knowing that it would start to smell worse than rotten eggs. She had stripped off before in front of others, so she felt no discomfort while disrobing.

She knew that her action was noticed by the sudden silence that fell upon the group, and smiled. She knew as well that Sano guy was loving every moment of it.

Kenshin, after hearing her speech, was taken aback at how similar their lives had been. Even though this Urako had not stopped killing people, and just the way she acted was a little too familiar for his comfort. He knew how she worked, because that was how he functioned as an assassin for the Inshinshishi, cold and to the point. Her anger was also what unnerved him, sending chills of unwanted nostalgia, down his spine.

I know yet I don't know. I understand how she acts but not why or what drives her to kill and to carry out each mission. She is as familiar as she is an enigma. I wonder if she has found love like I have found. I hope that if she has, that she will accept it and love that person fully, that I do,

Kenshin snapped back into reality when he heard a rustling of cloth and looked towards Urako, who was taking her shirt off.

Oorororro! What is she doing??? Why is she doing that? Kenshin turned abruptly away, trying to stop the blood from his nose.

Kaoru was fuming, to say the least. How dare she unclothe herself in front of Kenshin and Sano!! Doesn't she have any respect? I'll show her!!!

Meanwhile, Sano was grinning like an idiot, enjoying the show, thinking, I wish Megumi would be this open when she is with me, heehee.

"Calm yourself Kaoru Kamiya," replied Urako, her eyes closed.

"I..I..I know that!! Wait!...How did you know my name?" Kaoru asked, her anger subsiding for a moment.

Urako cracked open an eye, and smiled at the nose-bleeding Kenshin and the smiling Sano.

My ancestors are so funny, she thought.

"Kaoru, that is like asking me how I know my parents. Stories of my family, the Himuras, have been passed down. Especially because of you," Urako answered and winked at Kaoru.

Kaoru was utterly confused by the last statement, "Huh?"

Urako, sighed, got up from her sitting position and walked over to Kaoru and whispered in her ear, "Your journal," Urako paused for a moment, "I'll tell you why you're having visions of me later, ok?"

Kaoru's eyes widened at that last statement, but silently nodded.

When Urako finally moved away from her, Kaoru's face burned red with embarrassment, which didn't go unnoticed by Kenshin or Sano.

Kenshin was about to ask about the recent secret between the two women, but was interrupted by Urako's question, "Kaoru, do you have an extra gi and hakama, my clothes are wet. We are about the same size, though I am taller than you,"

"Oh, how rude of me! Well, maybe you could use one of Kenshin's gi and hakamas, he is taller than me, and you'd be more comfortable," replied Kaoru shakily, a small blush tainting her cheeks.

"Ummm well...this unworthy one only has one other set, that he does," Kenshin replied, trying not to look at the revealing woman.

This woman is related to me? Oro!

"Well Kenshin, then we should buy you some clothes! Urako, you can take Kenshin's extra gi and hakama! Sano, you are to clean up the mess outside! Come on Kenshin!" burst Kaoru, grabbing an "Oroing!" Kenshin behind her.

"WHAT!?? Missy you know that I-" Sano began.

"SANO! JUST DO IT!" Kaoru and Urako shouted, as Kaoru continued to drag Kenshin out of the dojo yard.

"Ok, ok, just don't hurt me," he muttered as he went outside and gathered all the wet clothes.

Sano came back inside, anger apparent on his dopey face.

Urako, shook her head, and uttered, "Morons." as she strode to where now Sano stood.

Urako looked at Sano, quirking an eyebrow she asked, "So Sano, aren't you going to show me where Kenshin's room is?"

Just like my Sano, only slightly more moronic and egotistical, thought Urako.

"Oh, yea, um...over here," he answered, blushing slightly at his mistake, and lifted his weight off the wall and strode to where the sleeping quarters were located.

Urako, shook her head again and sighed as she followed him.

"Oro, Miss Kaoru, this unworthy one can walk on his own, that he can," stammered Kenshin as Kaoru rushed past the dojo gate, her hand securely latched on to his.

"Oh, sorry Kenshin, I guess that I just got caught up in the moment, hehehe," Kaoru nervously replied, heart sinking a little as she let go of Kenshin's hand.

Kenshin mentally smacked himself as he yelled, Kenshin you idiot!! What the HELL were thinking?? She was holding your hand!! What more do you want?

Kenshin sighed and knew he should take things into his own hands.

"It's alright Kaoru, I don't mind, that I don't. It's just that you startled me when we ran from the dojo," Kenshin replied, smiling at Kaoru, nervousness threatening to consume him.

Kaoru stopped in her tracks, her mind blank for a second before her heart surged, overflowing with happiness.

He didn't say the 'Miss' before my name!!! Could it be? her mind questioned. A smile spread across her face as she stared into Kenshin's purple orbs, full of..'love?'

Kenshin swallowed a tight knot that somehow lodge itself in his throat and shakily took her hand in his.

"Ohohohohoohhhoo, Ken-san and tanuki! What have we here?" bellowed a foxy voice from behind.

Blushing madly the two jumped far away from each other at the sudden voice of Megumi.

Kaoru's embarrassment quickly turned into anger, as she stomped over to the woman and shouted, "Megumi! Why don't you check on her your beloved Rooster-head, hmm? I'm sure that you'll love the position that you will find him in!"

Megumi looked at her shocked, face turning red at the mention of a certain Rooster-head, though still a little confused. What is the Tanuki talking about? she thought.

"What are you getting at Tanuki? I don't care what Rooster-head is up to," she turned up her nose.

"Sure...Well, why don't you just humor me and go check on him?" Kaoru smirked, knowing that the fox would surely take her bait.

"Whatever Tanuki...Have fun and play nice," she added as she winked, making Kaoru blush even more.

Kaoru watched Megumi as she walked into the dojo, a smile a mile wide on her face.

Urako smiled as she donned the magenta gi and white hakama. She threw her dirty clothes in a bin nearby and tied her katana in the same fashion that Kenshin had.

She looked at Sano, when she exited the room, her blue eyes swirling with amber.

She waited until Megumi was at the entrance of the kitchen before asking loudly, "So Sano, how does look on me? Does it fit?"

Megumi halted in her tracks when she heard a female voice ask Sano, "So Sano, how does look on me? Does it fit?" And immediately started to fume.

But when she went in there, she wasn't prepared for what greeted her.

Sano appeared to be in deep thought as he looked down on a short redheaded warrior, who was-twirling? What is going on here? Is that Ken-san? But didn't I just see him. with Kaoru?

"Ahem!" Megumi gurgled, rather loudly.

Sano snapped his attention towards the fox-lady standing in the kitchen entrance, and turned red.

"Ah..Megumi, umm..this is Urako," Sano stammered, fearing for his life.

Urako turned around slowly, eyes lidded seductively as she winked at Megumi.

"Well, well Sano-care to explain yourself?" Megumi tapped her foot on the ground.

Urako interrupted, "Why, are you his mother? A big boy like this can look after himself, it looks, without your supervision."

Megumi had never felt so embarrassed in her entire life nor had she disliked Sano so much as she did now, as well as his companion.

Why is she wearing Ken-san's gi and hakama? Megumi thought absently.

Urako then walked over to Megumi's fuming form and whispered, "You'd better keep a hold of this one, he's special; a rare find. As well as his love for you." she paused, then turned to look at Sano and said, "I'll be in the dojo, training. If you get bored of this one, you know where to find me." She disappeared into the dojo entrance.

Megumi felt a sort of liking to this woman, she reminded her of herself, when she taunted Kaoru. She smiled and knew that Urako's words were true.

But why does she look exactly like Ken-san? I'll have to ask Sano, she thought.

Oh my GOD! She looks identical to Kenshin! With the exception of the eyes, why, they'd be like twins! People would mistaking her for.. Kaoru's eyes widened in slight horror...Battousai. she thought, her throat dry.

Kenshin immediately sensed Kaoru's ki change and looked over to her as they walked over the bridge.

"Miss Kaoru? Are you alright?" Kenshin asked, thinking that her ki might have something to do with the events of that morning.

Kaoru snapped back into reality when Kenshin asked her something.

"Ummm..Kenshin?"she hardened her face for her question, "Do you think Urako will be OK without us there to tell her things of this day and age...and what people call you?"

"I think that she will be alright for a hour or so, that she will. I hope she won't leave the dojo for any reason unless it is an absolute emergency, that I do," he answered, hoping that Saito would not grace the dojo with his appearance.

"Oh Kenshin!! Come here and look at the new gi and hakamas on display!!" Kaoru gushed, as she bounded off to the new shop.

"Oro..W-wait Miss Kaoru, this unworthy one is coming, that he is!" Kenshin replied a bit belatedly as he rushed back to Kaoru.

"Lord Shishio, she is gone."

"How, Hoji?"

"By the time machine, my lord,"

"Hmmm..does she know how to work it?"

"The men say that she was just as confused as they were,"

"Perfect, time to put Phase 3 into action!"

"As you wish Lord Shishio, should I advise Kaoru that her ministrations are not to be needed any longer?"

"Yes of course,"

Urako inhaled through her nose and closed her eyes. She reached into her new gi and pulled out her portable stereo.

She smiled to herself and thought, This is gonna be loud, but hey, I gotta train right?

She put it in front of her, turned the volume all the way up and turned it on.

The musical talents of Britney Spears blasted through the dojo walls with 'Oops I did it again', as Urako began to dance.

Dancing was her way of warming up for her practices. She sprang out her kunai with her right hand and threw them in sync with the beat, then repeated the process with the other hand. During the little dialogue within the song she slowly unsheathed her katana, thrusting and slashed in sync with each beat, all the while shaking her hips while she walked towards her invisible opponent.

She sidestepped and twirled, dodging her invisible opponent's thrusts. However, whenever fighters would stop to just advance again, she would always be moving to the beat of the music, making her movements hard to predict. Of course, she'd always have the music going on during battle, making the other person unable to concentrate.

She back flipped and threw a short sword hidden within the sleeves of her gi, in mid air, out towards the dojo floor when the song ended.

Another song immediately took its place, and so she moved gracefully to the beat of 'Stronger'. She twirled for longer intervals, katana in hand, making her a deadly windmill. She stopped abruptly and back flipped, throwing ninja stars in a circle below her. She landed gracefully on the floor though immediately side stepped off to the left, jabbing her katana to the right and left of her. Rolling backwards, she reached behind her and pulled out three strands of her hair. Using her ki, she made them as sharp as needles, and threw them at the opposite wall as the song ended. Sweat trickled down her face as she closed her eyes and inhaled as she did in the beginning, calming herself.

"Wow, that was so cool! How did you do that Kenshin?" asked someone in the entrance of the dojo.

Urako's eyes snapped open and darted to the little form of a small boy in the entranceway.

Kenshin?...Ohhh, the clothes. Well, I don't know who he is, so I guess I'll just play the part, thought Urako hastily.

Urako smiled at the boy, her bangs thankfully covering the rest of her face, and the gi was big enough so that the kid wouldn't see any bust.

Urako turned her attention to the stereo that was about to blast another song, and turned it off.

"It's my secret," she said to the kid as she retrieved the ninja stars, her hair, kunai, and short sword from the dojo floor.

"Awe man! Please!!? Just this once? I swear that Ugly will never hear of it!" the little kid practically whined.

Ugly? Who is 'ugly'? she thought absently.

Well, this kid was ready and willing, who was she to dissuade him?

"Alright, but only this once, and we do it my way, alright?"Urako explained, trying to get her voice to be like Kenshin's.

"Kenshin, are you ok? Your voice is kinda weird," said the kid, though his happiness was seeping through.

"Sore throat," Urako explained quickly, and went over to the mini stereo. The kid nodded in understanding as he watched 'Kenshin' do something.

Urako decided on a slower song so that the kid wouldn't be lost in movements, and picked out 'White Flag' by Dido.

The kid was about to question the strange noise but Urako brought a finger up to her mouth and said,"Shhh, watch."

At the precise moment the artist started singing, Urako sprang out her kunai and moved her shoulders and her feet in sync with the beat. She twirled and threw one kunai at the boy's feet, one at his left side, another at his right side, and then one between his arm and torso, pinning him to the dojo wall. She could hear him gasp in surprise as she executed the same movements to the other side of the dojo. She stopped and turned to the boy, motioning him to join her.

Shakily, the boy pried himself from the wall, his eyes wide and his throat dry.

"Now, I want you to close your eyes and listen to the music. When you are familiar with the beats, then you will be able to fight," Urako explained as she restarted the song.

She stood away from the boy, knowing that he'd need his space, and promptly sat down. Confusion surrounded the boy's ki but he complied anyway, closing his eyes and listening to the music.

Urako looked again to the entranceway of the dojo, to see Sano's and Megumi's figures standing in confusion. They looked at the concentrating kid and then to Urako, both arching their eyebrows in amusement.

"Hey Yahiko! What are you doing? I thought you went to the Akabeko to help," Sano bellowed over the song.

Urako, shutting the stereo off, looked at Sano in utter amazement. What an idiot!

Doesn't he realize what 'Yahiko', is doing?

"SANO!!! I was trying to train!! You idiot Rooster-Head! And Tae and Tsubame don't need me anyway, they are closing up early to go on vacation!" Yahiko snapped.

"Hey kid, don't call me that! And what do you mean train? All I hear is noise!" Sano shouted back.

"It's a new technique that Kenshin is showing me," Yahiko said haughtily.

"Kenshin? That's not Kenshin kid," Sano said, a wide grin on his face.

"What are you talking about you idiot rooster-head? He is right here, standing on the dojo floor!"

"Are you sure little Yahiko?" Sano queried, eying 'Kenshin', all the while.

"Yes I am sure, you Rooster-Head! I'm not a kid! So quit CALLING ME THAT!" fumed Yahiko. He went up to 'Kenshin' to make Sano see that he was really there.

"Kenshin? That idiot said that you're not the real Kenshin, so can you just tell him that he is wrong?" Yahiko asked, gritting his teeth as he pointed to Sano.

"Kid, I am not Kenshin-though I look like him, huh?" smirked Urako, as she finally allowed him to look in her blue/amber orbs.

Yahiko's eyes widened in confusion and fear and boldly asked, "What have you done with Kenshin?"

"Kid, I haven't done anything with Kenshin, he's out with Miss Kaoru," Urako explained, as she cleaned up the dojo.

"Well, then who are you?" he asked bluntly, brown orbs searching her bluish amber ones.

"I am Urako Himura, I come from the future," Urako began.