Rurouni Kenshin is the properties of Nobuhiro Watsuki-dono not mine. So please don't sue.

This is an A/U. In a time when power hunger men and women trade lives for riches Himura Kenshin stumbles upon Kaoru a woman scared by these demons and pledges to help her break their cycle of death and destruction while finding that they can heal each others hearts.

Authors Notes: In the third book there is the first attempt that Nobuhiro Watsuki created, where Kaoru, Yahiko, and Megumi were siblings. I'm keeping the blood relation between Yahiko and Kaoru but not Megumi. Thanks and good reads!

Exile

Chapter 1

Kenshin walked placidly through the crowed streets, not really noticing anything, until a bone thin boy ran head long into him. He looked up at the rurouni, surprised that he hadn't shoved him aside. Kenshin, as well, was amazed at the strength the boy held in his dark brown eyes. They seemed to burn and Kenshin wondered what could have made this very breakable boy so enraged.

"Hey! Boy get the hell back here!" yelled a tall man who stalked towards them. The boy, startled, tripped and threw a basket that had been hidden under his yukata, which was filled with bread. Kenshin grabbed it in mid air as the boy stumbled to his feet, fire in his eyes. Kenshin simply looked bewildered, he had no idea what the boy had done, the bread was old and stale, it would last no more then a few more days then even the birds would not eat it. So he could not have stolen it.

"I'm sorry sir" whispered the boy and grabbing the basket, fled. Kenshin continued to stare as the tall man and a hand full of other questionable fellows walked by him, muttering curses. Kenshin was more then intrigued; he wanted to help the young lad. There was something there that spoke a language that only the truly deprived knew, and so he flowed.

Yahiko ran for all he was worth. When he had run into that man he had expected him to shove him aside, like the dirt that everyone thought he was, but he didn't. He had calmly held him while he regained his balance; he even saved the precious bread that he had worked so hard for. He was thankful and that was why he had run.

To everyone around the boy, he seemed to run blindly in any direction that seemed fit, but Yahiko had other plans, he knew all the side streets and was slowly working his way back to the entrance of the town. Once there he was free, outside the city limits the guards had no jurisdiction. And Yahiko ran for all he was worth, but soon found that they had anticipated his moves and had blocked off one of his favourite routes. Yahiko kicked himself for taking a route that he had so many times before. He was cornered and there was nothing he could do to stop it. His bokken was not going to stand up to the punishment that they intended to inflict on him, and he silently prayed that his sister was not aware that he had left and so would not come looking for him.

"Got you, you little punk!" said Kentaro the tall man from the street. He stood blocking the only exit from the alley his men surrounding him all with smug grins on their faces.

Yahiko licked his lips; if all else failed he was going to at least maim them. He set the basket down gently desperately trying to keep his cool. He then slid, slowly and with precise movements, the bokken from his side. "My sister needs the bread, please let me pass." He could feel the tremor in his voice and prayed that no one else heard, but in the end he greatly doubted that they didn't.

Just then the man from the street jumped down from the hut above them, his blade at the ready. "Leave the boy alone. He has done nothing to you."

"Stay out of this Rurouni, it's none of you're business. It's between me and the brat."

"Please sir." Said Yahiko his courage returning his grip on the bokken tightening. "It is between him and I. Please don't interfere."

Kenshin had to admire the kid's strength. Even though the odds were against him he was still willing to fight alone. "Sorry kid I can't do that."

"I think it best if you did sir." Came a strong commanding voice. There in the direct path of the setting sun stood a vision. A woman tall yet slight stood rock still, a katana held loosely in her hand. She slowly stepped out of the shadows and held her katana high, taking her pose. "Yahiko, leave - let me finish this."

Kenshin could only stare, this woman fascinated him, and the drawn katana in her hands with not a single qualm with what she had accepted was her fate.

"Kaoru nee-san…" whispered Yahiko his courage finally failing.