Twins
(A Side Story for "500 Years and Waiting")
By swirly87
Author's Notes: I'm well aware that I should finish "500 Years and Waiting" before I write anything else, but this story happens to be a side story for it. It will help explain how Kenshin came to be the Kenshin we know without the help of Tomoe. It will also help clarify some things in the later chapters of "500 Years and Waiting."
Disclaimer: Kenshin, Shinta, and all other characters of Rurouni Kenshin are the property of its original creator, Nobuhiro Watsuki. All characters that are mentioned in this story, but are not part of Inuyasha or Rurouni Kenshin are either my creations or are characters that have been changed a bit from their respected anime. This includes the characters of any other anime that is recognized.
Chapter One: Intro to the Yin and Yang Twins
Shinta and Kenshin were as different as day and night. At first glance, anyone could tell that the two were twins. Both shared the long blood red hair and adorable face. However, when looked at more closely, the two were easy to tell apart. Shinta's eyes were of an innocent amethyst or light purple color while Kenshin's eyes were more of mischievous amber. Their personalities were as different as their eye color. Shinta was often found helping the castle's servants, doing the laundry or helping with the cooking. He was polite, making sure to greet everyone properly and ending his words politely. While Shinta was the helpful and polite one, Kenshin was the troublemaker. Kenshin could always be found causing trouble and was often the first one thought of when any prank was played. He was the first one to be thought of when frogs were found in Hiko's throne and the first to be thought of when the kitchen exploded.
Their hobbies differed as much as their personalities. Kenshin lived up to his name, heart of the sword, by taking kendo lessons from the great Youkai lord himself, Lord Hiko. Besides kendo, Kenshin learned the martial arts and other fighting skills. Although he loved the fighting arts, Kenshin was not stupid. He knew how to read and write. He also had to learn about history and the arts just like any royal youkai, he just preferred the more violent parts of history. Shinta, on the other hand, lived up to his kind name by preferring the peace and quiet found in book learning. He enjoyed learning as well as taking care of the garden or doing the household chores. While he knew how to defend himself, Shinta much preferred to settle differences without violence. As different as the two boys were from each other, they cared a lot about the other. When Shinta was picked on, Kenshin was the first to defend him and the first to teach the bullies a lesson. When Kenshin was accused of doing something bad (which was often), Shinta was the first to defend him and stand by him. The two shared a deep bond like many twins did, but the bond between them was stronger than most…for the two were together even in death…