Chapter 2

(Kyla)

There he was right in front of me. I had been searching for years looking for my younger brother, and I had finally found him.

When I told him my name his face was a mask of pure shock. I scanned his features, noting the cross scar. His hair was longer, and it had grown brighter as he aged. The last time I had seen him had been 12 years ago, when he was still the Battousai. His eyes were no longer that cold amber, but a soft violet. He was about an inch shorter than me, so I knew we both had problems with height.

He took that moment to speak. "My sister?" His voice was gentle, yet it conveyed strength and peace.

I nodded. "You don't know me because I was kidnapped 2 months before you were born. That's the only thing I remember from my childhood. When our mother told me I was going to be a big sister."

"Why don't you come in," he murmured. "And you can tell sessha more."

I stepped inside the gate, moving behind him after he closed the gate. I spotted Kaoru leaning against a pole on the porch and nodded to her. Her eyes were suspicious, but she tilted her chin down in return.

Kenshin sat down, hanging his legs over the porch. "Tell sessha, you are the Hitokiri Musei are you not?"
I nodded, noting his use of 'sessha.' I understood his feelings; I had felt the same way after….I shook my head mentally. "I was Kenshin. Just as you were once Battousai."

His eyes hardened at my use of that name, yet he said nothing of it. He suddenly hesitated. "Could, could you tell sessha of our mother? If you remember….."

I sat beside him. "All I can remember is that she had a soft voice, and gentle hands." I closed my eyes, remembering days I had vowed to never forget, the days of hugging my mother, of feeling my baby brother move beneath her skin. "You look so much like her Kenshin. She had violet eyes, and long red hair. She was always hugging and talking. Always so cheerful."

I opened my eyes to look at him, surprised to see tears glistening in his eyes. "Do I really have a sister?" he whispered. "Are you telling sessha the truth?"
I put one hand on his, which rested in his lap. "I'm telling the truth….Shinta."

His eyes grew wide and he stared at me. I felt his hand grasp mine, and then he threw himself at me in a hug. I held him, burying my nose in his fire-red hair. "I never thought I'd find you," I whispered. "I thought you were gone for good."

I heard his startled voice from my shoulder, full of joy and surprise. "Sessha has a family. A sister…."

Kaoru suddenly spoke. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but what's going on?"

I pulled back from my brother and he wiped hurriedly at his eyes. I smiled at Kaoru. "Sorry. As I told you before, my name is Kyla. My last name is Himura. I'm 4 years older than Kenshin. He's my little brother."

Kaoru looked at me, and then smirked. "I knew you two looked too much alike to not be related. I mean, gosh Kyla, you're like a female version of Kenshin! The only differences I can see are Kyla's hair is longer, darker, and thicker, and she got green eyes. And the scar."

"I'm also taller." I pointed out. Kaoru giggled and nodded.

"Oro?" Kenshin said from beside me. I chuckled.

"So Kyla, how did you get kidnapped? If you don't mind me asking." Kaoru said uncomfortably.

I held up a hand. "That's perfectly alright Kaoru. You have a right to know."

Kenshin stopped me. "Perhaps we should wait for Sano and Yahiko Kaoru-dono."

She nodded. "Good idea Kenshin. They should be back soon."

Kenshin stood, going to a door. "Sessha will start dinner."

"Otouto-chan?" I said. Kenshin started at the use of the endearment, but looked at me. "Can I join you?"

He smiled. "Of course Kyla." I stood and followed him, leaving Kaoru on the porch. Once we were inside he turned towards me. "Kyla, I haven't heard that name in so many years, and it proves that you are my sister. Yet, there is one thing that confuses sessha. You said that you were kidnapped two months before sessha was born. How is it that you know my original name?"
I smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I can remember our parents talking over names before you were born. Shinta was one they used a lot. So I took a chance and hoped that it was your true name. It's good to know that you are alive and well Shinta. I'm glad to see you." I smiled again. "Now, why don't we get that dinner started?"

(2 hours later)

"This is certainly a shock." Sano said, rubbing his head. The street-fighter was till in a bit of a daze from learning of me, and the young boy Yahiko still seemed skeptical.

"I don't know about this," he said, eyeing me as I sat beside my brother.

"She tells the truth." Kenshin said softly. "I am sure of it, that I am."

Kaoru looked at me expectantly. "Kyla?"
I nodded. "Right, you wished to know of my past." I closed my eyes, then began to tell my tale.

Shinta – Kenshin's birth name

Sessha – This unworthy one, Kenshin's name for himself

Otouto-chan – younger brother (I think. Let me know if it's wrong)

Hitokiri Musei – Silent Assassin, Kyla's name in the Bakumatsu

Oro – No one knows…….. Just a really cute word Kenshin says a lot