Disclaimer:I do not own RuroKen, so please don't sue me.

Kojiro

Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko and their newly aquired friend were starting off towards the Akabeko. As they walked Kojiro told the others that he just came back from China and that he lived there for most of the revolution, so he didn't know much about what happened in Japan, except that the shogunate lost. That's why he doesn't know about me, about my part in the war, thought Kenshin, It's probably better that way, but i admit it is annoying how he keeps bringing up my weakness. Koji was just talking about their childhood and how he and Kenshin's father and other brother would always work in the fields, while little Shinta would stay inside with his mother.

"Well, that was only when sessha was young, later I helped with the farming that I did." Said Kenshin defending himself.

Koji laughed at his younger brother, "You don't have to be embarrassed Shinta, there are alot of people like you." Kenshin was starting to fume but before anyone could notice Kaoru spoke up. "Kojiro-san, I would like to know why you call Kenshin, Shinta."

"That's because Shinta is the name he was born with, I didn't know it was changed." Kojiro stated, "That reminds me, what's been going on since our parents died, I've heard you were given to some slave traders, but other then that, I have no idea what you've been doing all these years." There was a long silence after that. Kenshin thought hard on how he should answer this question, should he tell him the whole truth about his career during the revolution? "W-"

"You could tell him later Kenshin, were here." Yahiko cut in. Sure enough, they were now before the Akabeko, so they all walked in and Tae showed them to their table. Of course pouring over them with questions about the mysterious man with them. They all simply answered that it was a friend of theirs because each one of them knew if they had said it was Kenshin's brother that they would have to face another wave of questions.

Kojiro was just about to return to the subject about Kenshins past when they suddenly heard a familiar voice. "Come on Tae, just this one last time, I promise I'll pay back, please!" "This restaurant was't made for free-laoders, if you want to eat here, get a job!" The tall man sulked and started walking out of the Akabeko, but then some red hair caught his eye. "Oi, Kenshin!"

Kenshin had already known Sanosuke was from his little ecsapade, but took on a look of surprise anyway and called him over. "How are you doing Sano?" Kenshin asked, even though he knew the answer. "Not good Kenshin, I'm hungry, do you mind if I join your little party?"

"Yes!" Kaoru exclaimed, "You excpect me to pay for your food!" "Yes." A few minutes later Sanosuke finaly recovered from the many bruises and bumps he got from Kaoru and noticed the stranger sitting amongst his friends. "Who are you?" "Sanosuke! Show some more respect to Kenshin's brother!" Kaoru scolded.Sano's eyes widened at that, "I didn't know you had a brother Kenshin. I guess there is some resemblance." Kenshin and Kojiro looked at eachother, not convinced.

Sanosuke and Koji spent the rest of the time in the Akabeko discussing gambling for they both seemed to have a interest in it. By the time they were making their way back to the dojo, leaving Sano at the Akabeko fighting with Tae, they had completely forgoten about mentioning Kenshin's past.

It was dark now, and their was a new moon, so there was little light. Kenshin started feeling a little uneasy, thinking that the food wasn't agreeing with him he brushed the thought away. But soon the feeling started getting worse, and he realized someone was watching them, someone with bad intentions. All of the sudden he heard a whistle, but not the type a human makes but a..."Kojiro! Watch out!" Kenshin pushed his brother aside pulled his sword out and cut the arrow in two.

"Wow brother, where did you learn that?" But Kenshin couldn't answer because suddenly two figures in black came out of the bushes and one in regular japanese clothes. Kojiro recognized the common looking one and quickly stood before Kenshin and the others. He pulled out his sword that he bought the day he came back to Japan. "Stay back Shinta, Kaoru-san, Yahiko. This man is dangerous." Kojiro spoke quietly and boldly, but Kensin could see Kojiro's hands shaking at the hilt of his sword.

It seems my brother is not the most skilled swordsman that it does, but it also seems that this is his fight. Kenshin thought. He slid the sword back into the sheath, but kept his hands on it just in case it got ugly. The two black figures went towards his brother, they were shinobi, and skilled ones too. His brother tried to fight back, but before long one of the ninja slashed him across the shoulder. Kojiro fell to his knees, clutching the spot.

That was ugly enough for Kenshin, he charged towards the two assasins. "No Shinta don't, you'll get killed!!" Kenshin wasn't listening, one ninja was going toward his neck and the other for his legs. Kenshin dodged the man aiming for his neck with such speed that Kojiro suddenly lost sight of his brother. And before he knew it the man near Kenshin's legs was uncosious. Shinta must have hit him on the way down from dodging the other ninja.

The still consious ninja looked surprised and then stared at Kenshin horrified, for he had suddenly recognized him. "Hitokiri Battousai!!!!" The ninja fell to his knees and started pleading for his life. Kenshin put his sword back into its sheath and the ninja thanked him and ran away as fast as his legs could carry him. The man in Japanese clothing stared after him in disgust, and then looked at Koji. "You passed my first test, or at least your friend did." He said looking at Kenshin. "Now I think I'll target you and your friends, you will pay for your crime, I'll make sure of it."

Koji lowered is head while Kaoru ran over to to check his wounds. He had alot of explaining to do...

A/N Hehe how'd you like it, i tried hard. Pleeze R/R!