Eternal Bonds of Fate

Chapter 4: Homecoming

"How much further do we have to go?" Sano wheezed as he sat down on a step. They were already in Fukushima, they had been traveling for at least a week. First by train, by boat and now by foot. Along the way, they had the chance to know Kaoru's cousin. The young kenjutsu shihondai, re-acquainting herself with her long lost relative. During their travel, Kenshin had also told them when he had first met with Gentatsu… ten years ago to be precise, just as the end of the war and the beginning of the Meiji government.

Kaoru chuckled as she eyed her friend, holding out her hand to help him up, she hauled him to his feet when he grasped her hand. "Just a few more to go and we're there."

Megumi gasped. "A few more to go!" she asked as she balefully eyed the remaining steps towards the shrine. Yahiko merely groaned and flopped down to the spot that Sano has just vacated. He looked at the two men before him, "Why the heck did you have to choose a location this high!"

Gentatsu chuckled and helped the kid up to his feet. "Helps us train." Was all the response he gave as they continued with their trek, Kenshin following behind him in suit.

When they all reached the shrine, the rest of them couldn't help but stare in awe at the grand temple. Gentatsu smiled at their reactions and moved ahead of them, stopping before the temple, he grinned at his visitors. "As head and master of this clan, I would like to welcome you to our sanctuary."

"Wow… and you grew up here, Kaoru!" Yahiko whispered in awe.

Kaoru merely nodded and bit her lip to fight the onslaught of memories… painful memories. Breathing deeply to regain her control, she turned her head and saw Kenshin looking at her worriedly, she smiled reassuringly at him and flushed a bit when she felt his hand close over hers in warm comfort. Looking back at the temple at the sound of a soft gentle voice, her eyes widened when she recognized the beautiful woman who came to stand beside her cousin… well, he was more of a brother to her.

"Itsuki?" she whispered in surprise

Itsuki had heard Gentatsu's voice outside and came to check whether it was really him, she smiled in greeting down at the silver eyed sorcerer. Her brows furrowed in question when she heard a soft voice utter her name. Looking at the new comers, her eyes settled to a raven haired blue eyed young woman. Her own hands covered her mouth as she gasped, her crystalline Prussian eyes widening as she stared at the woman. Turning to the man standing beside her, she held her breath until he gave a nod of approval. She blinked and grinned widely as she ran forwards and envelop the other girl in a tight embrace.

"Sakura-chan!" laughing out loud, she hugged the young girl tightly and was surprised when another set of arms wrapped around them. When they released each other, she chuckled when she saw a chocolate haired woman grinning down at them.

Kaoru blinked and chocked back as sob as she watched two of her closest friends. The only friends she ever had. Itsuki Minamori, the Prussian eyed priestess was included in their clan when she was discovered to have the elemental insignia of wind shining on her right wrist, and Reika Hikawa, an emerald eyed priestess from Shizuoka was rescued by Kaoru's mother before she could be killed by the towns people who blamed her for the misfortunes in their land. She was included in the clan and it was only a while later that the elemental symbol of earth appeared on her left wrist. The three girls have been together since childhood and it was these same girls that had been vocal with their displeasure with Kaoru's assignation as clan assassin.

Reika grinned widely as she eyed the youngest member of their clan. Being as tall as Sanosuke, she grinned down at the water priestess and ruffled her hair affectionately. Itsuki on the other hand couldn't help stare at their former assassin, being sent away from the clan definitely agreed to the young woman. The dark aura that had hung around her during her childhood had disappeared, only to be replaced by light air of gentleness.

"I never thought I'd see the day that we'd be able to see you right here in Fukushima…" Reika told the sapphire eyed girl as she slowly shook her head and grinned down at her.

Kaoru smiled sadly at their two friends. "You know that I won't step foot on this place if Gentatsu didn't tell me so…" she whispered

Itsuki and Reika exchanged glances, "So, what brings you back here, Sakura-chan?" Itsuki asked her

A slight flush colored her cheeks as she shook her head slowly, "Please… call me Kaoru. I don't use Sakura anymore…and we came back here because troubles brewing and I need to brush up on old skills."

The two girls exchanged worried glances and nodded. Looking back towards the temple, Reika grinned and smiled at Kenshin. "Nice to see you again, Battousai. One would wonder what you're doing here?"

Kenshin sweat dropped and chuckled as Reika thumped him on the back. Sano raised an eyebrow at him and he merely shrugged. Itsuki eyed him critically, as if reading him. He looked at her, giving her a curious look. The wind priestess merely shook her head and smiled at him before she held Kaoru's hand.

Tilting her head in question, she was surprised when she nodded to Gentatsu's direction. All of them turned to the leader of the Hizuchi clan, Itsuki moved forward and faced all of them. "I haven't introduced myself to all of you, my name is Itsuki Minamori, wind priestess of the Hizuchi clan and this," motioning to Reika to stand by her side, "is Reika Hikawa, our earth priestess."

Kaoru smiled at her two friends and moved forward. "Noticing that you already know Kenshin here, I'll introduce you to the others… the tall rooster head over there is Sanosuke Sagara, the long midnight haired woman is Megumi Takani, she's also a great doctor. The little brat beside Kenshin is Yahiko Myojin, he's a student of mine."

The two priestesses smiled and bowed in greeting. Itsuki stepped aside and motioned with her hand, "Please follow me, I'll show you to your rooms." As she moved towards the in houses, she stopped and turned towards Kaoru. "Oh… Saku… I mean, Kaoru-chan, Reika will show you to your old room. Is that acceptable to you?"

A gentle chuckle and she merely moved towards the forest at the right side of the temple with Reika right by her side, after a while, the two exchanged amused glances. "You can still make this work, little priestess?"

She raised her eyebrow in sardonic amusement and waved her arm until the entire forest cleared leaving a small clearing with a small pond in the middle and a small hut beside it. Jaws dropped when they saw the small clearing, slowly turning to all of her friends she gave them a wink before she entered the clearing. Another wave of her hand and the forest reappeared, hiding the clearing once again.

Yahiko ran to follow but Gentatsu's words stopped him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Everyone turned to look at him, "From the beginning, we have called that the Forbidden Forest. Every one that enters there never finds their way out."

"No one gets in and no one gets out." Kenshin said out loud.

"Exactly. But it was Kaoru who created that forest. It was her private sanctuary. Ever since she left, no one has been able to enter that forest, not even me. The only ones who can enter are those whom she has given permission to enter."

"Man… cool." Sano whispered in awe as they all turned to follow Itsuki as she led them all to their rooms.

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Ducking at the swift kick to her head, her raven hair snapped with the wind as she turned to face her opponent. Silver eyes glinting and she stood, ready for battle. Crouching low, she pushed herself up and disappeared before her opponent. Just as he turned she appeared behind him and swiped her arm to his face, bringing his arm to defend his face, he failed to anticipate the kick that she threw right at his abdomen. Grunting in pain as he was thrown backward with the force of her kick, he held his stomach as he raised his face to glare up at her.

Kaoru pushed her long raven hair back behind her. Sliding her feet before her, she lowered herself with one knee bended and the other stretched out before her. Gentatsu stared at his sister, her long raven hair held up at her head with a crystal clasp and cascades down her back. Her silver eyes glinting with fury, and her arms raised before her in an offensive position. He stood up and shook his head.

"You know, Kaoru-chan, you with that uniform of yours is a threat to the rest of the male species."

Silver eyes dissolved into blue sapphire gems twinkling with amusement. Chuckling as she stood up, she playfully glared at her brother and pouted playfully. "What's wrong with my uniform?" she asked as she twirled around. Her uniform was styled that of a kimono minus the sleeves and the obi a thin strip of cloth that can be turned into a whip. The sides of the kimono had been slashed open to allow her free movement.

Gentatsu chuckled and motioned his head towards the sides. Kaoru blinked and looked at the direction to which he motioned and saw both Sano and Yahiko staring at her with their jaws practically falling to the floor. Megumi leaned on one side with Kenshin on the other, Itsuki and Reika was grinning widely behind them. Chuckling uncontrollably, Kaoru turned yet again, this time her eyes focusing on the red head former assassin who has been staring at her heatedly from the minute he saw them training.

"What do you think, Kenshin?" she asked him for the second time, enjoying the heated look in his eyes that turned his normal violet eyes to amber.

Gritting his teeth, he stared at her before he fell into his usual rurouni mask and smiled at her. "You look good in that… that you do, Kaoru-dono."

Gentatsu smiled as he eyed his former comrade and his sister. He shook his head and started up the steps to the house with Kaoru right behind him when one of his men ran up to him. Looking down at his subordinate, the young sorcerer breathing heavily as he kneeled before him.

"Lord Gentatsu, I'm sorry to disturb you but we have a major situation in our hands." He reported in a rush

He frowned and looked at his companions, "Report, now."

"Yes, sir. Our spies have reported that the Sawane Clan have joined forces with the Takeguchi Clan."

Gentatsu motioned with a wave of a hand for him to stop. "Wait. Are you telling me that those fools have teamed up?"

The spy nodded and continued with his report. "Reports have shown that they're planning to overthrow the current government and place the Takeguchi Clan on top."

"What do they get from all of these?" Kaoru asked him

"They plan to help the Takeguchi's get the government in exchange for them helping to eliminate our clan. Their combined numbers have reached up to more than ten thousand, we have also received the report that Amano Yuchimiko is with the Sawane Clan. We now await for your orders, my lord."

Gentatsu gritted his teeth and looked at his sister. Nodding to all of them, he then turned to Reika, "Send word to the government about our information, send it as well to Aoshi Shinomori of the Oniwabanshuu. His onmitsu team is one of the best and I'm sure of their loyalty."

As Reika turned to do as she was told, he turned to face the clearing. "Looks like his thirst for revenge has just fueled a war…" Kaoru whispered, "I'm sorry, brother…"

The elder Kamiya placed his hand on the top of her head. "Daijobou. It's not your fault. No matter what happens, we're all in this together." He gritted his teeth, "It looks like we're going into battle, little one…"

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AN: Sorry to have taken this long for an update! Can't use the computer! Sorry! Might take me some time before I get the next update... hope you like this one! Ja ne! Remember, reviews are very much appreciated and thank you very much to those who reviewed!

Aoi-chan