AN: Hello again! I have returned! Sorry this took so long, I really wanted to perfect this chapter (even though it's far from perfect ) .It seemed a lot longer than my others, but I think that was just due to the amount of stuff I crammed into it, its more action and less description.

Thank you SO much for all the reviews, -sniffsniff- I FEEL SO LOVED!

scythe195: I actually continued!

Theghostsliveon: thank-you cabin boy

Himura Arashi: Hopefully this chapter is as interesting as you had hoped

Birdy06: Thanks for pointing those out, feel free to spell check this chapter (god knows I need it u)

Alatril Carnesr: Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? (see, I'm in Spanish 2 in school). But don't we all wish we were in Kumi's shoes

Blu Rose: Thank you! Also I will try and check my spelling more often (I now have 1-9 in the manga… that should help a little)

Anyway, I decided to make this chapter a little darker, but it was needed for things to come. Also to warn you, there is some attempted rape here (I needed it for the storyline), so be aware.

XxXxXxX

Kumi found herself along a street of a strange town, it definitely wasn't Tokyo. It was the dead of night and it seemed to be deserted. She walked along what appeared to be the main street of town. As she turned a corner she was met with the sight of a dozen dead bodies lying on the ground, blood staining the ground. In the middle of it all was a red haired boy carrying a sword still dripping with blood.

"What…? Who… who are you?" She said almost afraid of the answer she would get.

The boy remained silent, turning around to face her. The left side of his face was bleeding and his amber eyes were set into a stony glare. Then without warning he charged at Kumi, his sword raised to kill her.

Just as he was about cut her in half, Kumi found herself screaming and waking up in a cold sweat.

XxXxXxX

The quiet peace of the morning crept into the dojo. Kumi slowly awoke as the sunlight that poured on her from the crack in the door. She slowly got up, a little sore from sleeping so soundly. She quickly dressed into her jeans and t-shirt and put her hair in its usual braid. After getting ready, Kumi wandered around the dojo, pausing every now and then to look in rooms. The events of yesterday and the night before were still sinking in, she was in the Meiji era and she had met her great-great something grandfather. As she walked out she was so lost in her thoughts that she ran into Kenshin who was making breakfast.

"Sorry, I'm a bit of a klutz" she said after getting her balance back and trying not to fall onto the bowl of soup the rurouni was cooking.

"It's okay; we all have our klutzy moments, that we do"

"Hey! Seems like someone is finally awake" Kumi said, beaming at Beth, Kaoru, and Yahiko who all three looked like they were still half asleep

"Yeah and this coming from the girl who usually has to be pried out of bed with a crow bar?" Beth said glaring as best she could in the bright morning light, leaving Kumi smoldering slightly

"Any way, I was hoping that we could take a trip into town today…" Kaoru interrupted "I need to pick up a few things and we could stop by the Akabeko for lunch. What do you say?" All four of them nodded

"But were going to need to get you two some different clothes" Kaoru added, pointing to Beth and Kumi, who were still in there modern day clothes "Beth, you should be able to wear the same size as me, but Kumi I may have to find an old one for you, I don't think your tall enough for my other ones"

"I hate being short." Kumi added under her breath "Oh well, as long as it isn't falling apart at the seams or something"

After they ate, Kaoru gave Kumi and Beth their kimonos. Beth had received a pink kimono with a blue sash and Kumi been given a purple one with yellow sash.

"Okay Kumi, I have seen you wear one of these things before, so how on earth do you get this on?" Beth said, trying to figure out how to even start to put it on. After a few tries and curse words, the three of them were ready to go.

"Finally, took you guys long enough" Yahiko said as the girls came outside

"Looking beautiful takes time Yahiko" Kaoru said, glaring at him

"Well it seems that you guys didn't spend enough time then" he said laughing as the three girls veins popped

"Knock off the laughing ya midget" WHAM! Yahiko received a lump on the head, not from Kaoru, but from Kumi, who however had the same expression Kaoru usually had.

"Hey! I'm no midget! Besides, you are the second shortest" Yahiko said, returning Kumi's expression

"Oro? Shouldn't we stop them?" Kenshin said to Beth and Kaoru. WHACK!

"Too late" the girls replied together, as Yahiko was KOd by Kumi's bokken (AN: angry girl + bokken pain for Yahiko)

"Now shall we get going?" Kumi said in an all to cheery tone, while everyone else sweat dropped

XxXxXxX

The five of them eventually made it to town with only a few minor incidents. First stop, getting groceries. Kaoru some how had decided that since there were more people to carry the food, that she could buy almost everything she could afford. After weighing down the rest of the group with her purchases, Kaoru decided it was time for lunch.

"Who wants some beef stew?" She said

"Um Kaoru… I can't feel my shoulder anymore" Beth said trying to adjust the food that was slung over her shoulder

"Come on guys, it's not that bad. Anyway, with you and Kumi I have two more mouths to feed around here. Now hurry up I'm starving"

When they finally got to the Akebeko (AN: spelling? Come on give me a break I can barely spell in English) they all were starving. It was like a mad race to see who could shovel the most food in their mouth.

"More please!" Kumi said as Tae came by

"Nobody likes fat girls" Yahiko said (AN: That is actually a quote from the manga, I just couldn't help myself)

"Who asked you baka?" Kumi shot back

"Now, now, let's try not to fight" Kenshin said trying to make peace

"He/She started it!" Kumi and Yahiko said at the same time

"They're too much alike for their own good" Kenshin said under his breath

"Tru dat, tru dat" Beth said, earning her an odd look from everyone but Kumi

"What? It's slang…" Beth explained. As she started to explain, a sake cup came flying at the back of her head. However, just before it hit her Kumi snatched it out of the air.

"Okay, who was the wise ass who threw that?" She said, annoyance filling her voice. Spotting some drunks sitting a few tables down, she decided they were the most likely suspects. Storming up to them, she repeated her question, sounding even more annoyed.

"So, who which one of you thought it would be funny to start throwing things at my friend"

"Calm down girly -hic- we was just havin a little fun" the one closest to her said

"Yeah, why don't you -hic- join us?" Another said, grabbing her arm

"Get off me you creep!" She said, slapping his hand away

"Come on, don't you want to -hic- have some fun?" he said, a perverted glint in his eye

"Hmm, let me think about it… NO!" she said, slapping him in the face

"Hey, what the hell did you do that for? We was only asking you to join us" the first drunk said. Then with a swift movement grabbed her and putting her into a headlock

"Lemme GO!" Kumi said trying to free herself

"You should do as she says, or you might end up getting hurt" Kenshin said, walking up to the man, one hand on his sword

"I don't think so, one more step swordsman and the little girl is the one getting hurt" the drunk said pulling out a concealed dagger.

With his eyes off of her, Kumi saw her chance. With a swift movement, she was able to flip the drunk and throw him flat on his back against the floor.

"Who says this little girl couldn't be the one to hurt you?"

"Why you little…"

'Oh great, now I made the rest of them mad, great job Kumi' She thought to herself as the other half a dozen drunks stood up. One of them grabbed a little boy from a nearby table and held the dagger to his throat.

"Okay, you bitch… either come with us or the boy gets it" He said, holding up the struggling child

"No! Please! Don't hurt him!" The mother of the boy shouted, almost in hysterics

"Well if the little girl cooperates we won't" he said, turning his attention back to Kumi "Now if you would be so kind as to come with us…"

Kumi stepped forward

"Kumi, don't…" Kaoru said from behind her

"Well, what other choice do I have?" Kumi said walking up to the drunk

"That's a good girl" He said, motioning for the others to grab her and walk her outside. They walked out the side door and into the ally.

"Now, if you would be so kind as to "play" with us, we'll let the kid go"

"WHAT?" Kumi said, rage filling her. How dare they put this kid's life in danger, just so they could rape her.

"You heard me. Now take off your clothes"

"No"

"Okay, then the kid dies" he said, raising the dagger to the kid's throat. The boy was screaming and shouting, trying his best to get away.

With that, Kumi snapped. How could they do something like this, how dare they think they could threaten innocent peoples lives. She was not about to let them get away with it.

She closed her eyes took her stance, and in a flash seemed to disappear and reappear right next to one of the drunks. With out even hesitating, she hit him on the neck and he passed out. She picked up his sword, turning around to point it at the man holding the kid.

"Put him down" She said, her voice stony and threatening

The drunk seemed afraid, but tried to mask it "Well what are you guys waiting for, an invitation? Attack her!"

The group of drunks pulled our there respective weapons, and all ran at Kumi. With her inhuman speed, she took down each in turn, slicing her way through them easily. After the last of them fell, she turned to the drunk who was still clutching the kid.

"It's just you and me now. Hand him over and I may spare you"

"Nice try, but if you move I'll kill him"

"Good-bye then" she said. With a single movement, she hit the ground and sent a wave of earth at him. Then, as the dust settled she ran over and got the boy from the unconscious drunk.

"It's okay, you're safe now" But for some reason, the kid still seemed fearful

"E-eyes" He stuttered, pointing at her face

"What?" Kumi said. But then she caught a glimpse of herself in the well she was standing by.

"Oh my god" Her eyes were no longer their bright emerald green, but instead were a fiery amber. She also just realized what had happened in her fit of rage, looking at the bodies strewn about the ground

"What have I done?"

XxXxXxX

AN: Yay! I finished the chapter finally! Sorry it took so long, but I decided to bring the story in another direction, and it was harder to do. Also I know the whole amber-eye thing is done a lot in stories, but it just made sense because she is related to Kenshin and therefore Battosai. Please Review! I accept criticism!

Ja ne – the oro-ing elf