Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Hello, I would just like to thank everyone who is taking the time to read this story. I thought it would be interesting if people could see what Kenshin's parents lives were like...I don't know what they were like, but hey, I'm trying!

:Japanese Words:
(If anyone sees any mistakes with these words please tell me, I don't want to offend anyone)

name-dono- miss (like in a unmarried girl)
name-sama- lord

Monastery of Dreams
The Dream of Red Roofs

"I'll be back shortly, Hanako-dono." Kiyoshi said. Hanako nodded resting herself in a corner; he looked at her with sad eyes, the same eyes that looked at her so compassionately during the earlier hours of the day. The ones which memorized her still, but Buddha forbid that he should ever know.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?"

Hanako did not reply for a moment, and when she did, she did so hesitantly, "Please call me Hanako, and yes, I will be fine."

He looked at her once more, but she did not see his expression that time for she turned her face and looked onto the distant wall. It was dark in the little house, but through the window and door frames spectra's of light came through shinning ever so lightly on the surface.

"As you wish, Hanako, I will return shortly." And with that he was gone, leaving her alone. Yet, Kiyoshi did not know the pain which across the girl's features when he left her with his parting words. It was all too sudden, all to quick that she was taken from being beaten and ignored to have him treat her with the kind words, 'As you wish,' and offering to know her feelings on his departure. What businesses was it of hers? Hanako gently made a fist, digging her hand into her brown kimono. Her wrists were bruised and bloody and though it burned to move them she had to relieve the stress; pain could be turned to pleasure it applied right.

Slowly she brought her hand up to the cloth covering her hair, tearing it off with disgust. Hanako felt red locks fall down her shoulders and back letting her see for the first time in days how long it had grown since the year before. It lay past her chest; heavy and warm and red, bright red. She pulled at it playfully, combing her fingers through her mane in boredom. Instinctively, she regarded the room in which she sat looking for anything to do; her slave habits not allowing her to rest in the middle of the day. But, alas, there was nothing to do, fix, or clean; everything was spotless and perfect. It was like no one had lived in the place for months.

Watching the door, Hanako rose and walked towards it, stretching out her hand to push it open. Where exactly was she? Covering her eyes to shield the light, Hanako saw some people look at her and her hair before turning away, getting back to what they were doing before. A couple of tea shops, and good stores, and market stalls crowded the busy street. The clopping of horses, wheels, and people's steps soon followed her vision, bringing the steady rhythm of the day to her ears. A child's wale, and mother's voice, a man's stern voice all fit in with the image that took shape in front of her. Never had she really noticed them before; never had she cared.

"You must be Hanako-dono?" She gave a little squeak turning around to see a medium sized man with long black hair, and green eyes; he gave a tight smile. She, on habit, bowed to him but said nothing; it was a rule she followed her whole life, never speak unless spoken to. Those among other rules were learned at an early age.

"Kiyoshi sent me to keep you company." He plainly stated regarding her red hair, but before he could stare longer, in a flush on modesty, Hanako pulled out her cloth and tried to tie it around her hair. "You don't have to do that, my apologizes for starring...it is just that it's a very unique color." Hanako nodded letting the cloth down again; she felt no ill will from him.

"If you wish not to stay you don't have to." Hanako quietly stated, unsure of what to do. Why did that man have to send him over? Frankly, Hanako would have been far more comfortable to not have a man with her, she was use to women.

He smiled and bowed, "No, Kiyoshi is an old friend on mine and I'm just doing him a favor. He is worried about you. Let's go inside." He added, pushing her gently. Hanako unswervingly walked faster not wanting him to touch her; it was awkward. She looked at him and he gave her an apologetic smile, as if he knew what she felt, but said nothing.

"He doesn't have to worry."

"Who?" The man laugh joyfully waving her statement, "Kiyoshi always worries for everyone." Hanako lowered her head letting bitter feelings wash over her. No matter how gentle or nice men were, even this one or Kiyoshi, they would always turn out to be the same. Don't trust; be careful, she said to herself.

The man slapped his knee as they both sat facing one another, "My I have not even told you my name, please forgive me, you may call me Amon...just Amon." Hanako gave a curt nod.

"Amon, nice to meet you." It was then her eyes were drawn to his side where a sword was perched innocently. He patted it, untying it to show her.

"I won't hurt you, see..." He handed it to her, or tried to at least, but she shook her head, and somewhat forcefully put said, "I'm not afraid."

He chuckled; Hanako blushed at her tone and flinched thinking she would be hurt. The room went quite, and the man sat stonily not saying anything, almost afraid that she would crack. He reached out to her and took her hand. Hanako looked up at him with honey eyes serenely, and accepting. "I won't hurt you."

"I never said you would." Hanako countered. "Where did Kiyoshi go to?" Hanako blushed, why did she ask that. Amon smiled back.

"He had to talk to someone, it seemed very important." Hanako nodded uncaringly, trying to get violet eyes out of her mind. The man named Amon stayed until she fell asleep; she did not trust him, but her body ached too much to stay awake any longer, so near the time of sunset her eyes finally closed in sleep.

She was dreaming, she knew she was because never had she stepped foot into a monastery. It was high above in forest covered hills, resting in heavenly clouds. At the beginning of the dream she had been standing on the road at the bottom seeing far off in the distance a huge monastery of crimson beams and golden and green roof tops. Many hills surrounded the huge monastery like earthy sentinels, and the clouds floated ghostly around the tops. Gently behind her a little village rested, abundant with rice farms, and a river and forest that rose gently in smaller hills.

The dream had taken her up to small stone steps leading through thick forest; on trees she made out white prayer scrolls in small wooden houses, and white ribbons hugging wet bark. It was quite, not a sound was to be heard, in the distance the monastery loomed; towered, many pillars, floors on top of red floors, getting closer and closer as stone steps spread out and railings ran along. She remembered it getting colder as she made her way up, the fog becoming denser; the trees crowding around her rising far above her head. Then suddenly they opened up like a mouth to reveal the monastery in all its rich glory. Far in the distance her ears picked up the music of a waterfall, its place still unknown. A massive stone court yard decorated with statues of Buddha and other importance figures were placed around the court. Shrubberies were planted in small gardens, and a single fountain stood in the middle spurting crystal water.

Further, the monastery's main steps could be seen rising to the main shrine, and after that through open doors she knew there was another smaller court yard. But the monastery itself was composed of many towering buildings showing the might of heaven. For a moment, Hanako remembered feeling completely at ease, at peace. Monks chanted in the distance, walking from a forest trail into the court yard, making intricate patterns while in deep prayer.

But one man caught her attention, he was not dressed as the other monks; in fact, he was not a monk at all, but he prayed with them looking as holy as any of them. It seemed as if he finally felt her gaze for a moment later he looked at her...her breath stopped. The same violet eyes looked at her...

"Kiyoshi..." With the power of the name the enchanted monastery vanished and once again she was in the dark.

Amon startled at the sound of the swigging door, immediately standing his full height only to be greeted by his friend's warm violet eyes. The man quickly, after nodded toward Amon, gazed at the sleeping girl; his eyes widening at what he viewed.

"Yes, red hair." Amon stated with awe and amusement alike. "Never have I seen such color."

Kiyoshi nodded readjusting the bundle he carried under his able arms; Hanako would need the material later when she awoke from sleep. He could not pull his eyes away from her; she was so young, much too for himself, but nonetheless through all the mud and dirt there was a rare look about her- not just the hair.

"How did it go?" Amon's voice carried no humor only serious contempt. Amon laid the bundle down near Hanako and sat to rest near her removing a lump of hair from her face and sighed.

"I must not stay here, especially now that I have the girl to think about." Kiyoshi sadly put, anger vanished long ago, dissipating with the mist of the monastery. His place of solace, his faith, and his love; nothing had taken it place.

"You cannot keep up this charade, he will find you, the man does not yield is his quest."

Amon stated strongly knowing that his words were useless; Kiyoshi was always the stubborn one, never wanting to fight unless it was unavoidable...especially against the man in question. No, he was not a coward, Amon had seen his friend far too many times risk his life; a factor he disliked for it was always he whom Kiyoshi dragged along.

"I wish not to fight him." It was simple to his mind; avoid at all cost, wish not to fight nor hurt the man; Kiyoshi wanted none of the foolishness' of the fight and battle which he father, and grandfather, and grandfather's before him craved and lived for. The life of the samurai which was his birth right, a linage he scorned in the place of a holy life up in the clouded mountains.

"I'm a dishonored man; he has no need to fight me." Amon cringed at his words; pity coming over his friends situation- dishonor was the gift he received for following Buddha.

"Yet he wishes for nothing more than to see your head." Kiyoshi closed his eyes leaning back against the wall. He could not deny the facts; the sinister man wanted his blood out of him, wanted every last trace of his earthy body out of the world. Slightly, he touched the sword at his side; never had it left him, a habit acquired from years of training and discipline. The sin was hard to ride him of.

"I want no harm on him, Amon, and I have very little faith that if I should come against him I will kill him." This was said in such a quite tone; harsh and breaking that Amon questioned no further aware of the truth. The sword that hung at his side, if pulled, would wreak evil for justice for the smell of supremacy reigned in all men's heart. It was a notion Kiyoshi smartly wanted to stay far from unlike the others he had known; now they had six feet of dirt upon them; in their bellies and their eyes.

"Then I must leave for now, Kiyoshi, my great uncle wishes me back as soon as possible." Amon bowed slightly about to take leave. His journey was a great one spanning to Kyoto days away in harsh, biting weather; Amon was eager to visit home and the Aiyoa.

"Send my best wishes to Makamachi-sama for his son's upcoming wedding, and everyone else of the Oniwaban clan."

Amon depressed his head thinking of his uncle, "Once my duties are fulfilled I will ask leave to join you again, and I will see to any extra information that I might receive from informants."

"You're actions are welcomed, Amon, take care of yourself." Kiyoshi stood and walked to the door patting his friends shoulder in a brotherly fashion. The blacked haired man nodded his face youthful and stern turned and walked across the alley into the coming darkness. Kiyoshi prayed for his safety.

Hanako awoke with sore pain screeching through her body; her arms hung limp at her side, her neck felt twisted and bruised, and the open cuts on her feet burned with the air. It was so dark in the little house Hanako could not see further then the wall she rested by. She shivered slightly, a blanket over her did nothing except itch her. She let out another shiver feeling the cold winter air on her cheek and then it was gone; warm arms enfolded her.

Hanako would have screamed if not for the voice speaking comforting words, "It's only me, Hanako, I'm sorry I have no other blankets."

She knew that he had nothing but his cloths for comfort, the same black hakama and gi worn in the earlier day, but the blush formed on her face could not have been extinguished. She wished he was not so close; he pulled her gently down with him, hugging her to keep her warm; she wished that his breathe would cease ticking her sensitive neck, and most of all she wished the flutter in her stomach to stop. He was but a stranger to her, yet he was the man who bought her fairly; he had every right for the law was on his side.

He must have felt her stiff form- she only had it for but a moment- and let his arms go lose around her, but still firm. "I ask you, Hanako, to please trust me. I give you my word that I will do no such dishonest act, you will be safe with me."

His voice soft and mellow as summer days past when she had been a little girl, the sun upon her face and a vague memory of her mother the voice brought to her. Kiyoshi pulled her closer and this time she did nothing but rest, not trusting him but accepting his actions for some thing of kindness that he may possess. Hanako could not fight him- he was stronger- she could not out run him- he was faster- she may have been able to outwit him- but he was too intelligent, different from the brothers, and the others. This Kiyoshi was different; carried himself modestly, humbling, and with a quite shame, and holiness.

The dream on the monastery sleeping with the clouds, had it been true? Did Buddha send her such a vision of a memory or was it a dream of her own fantasies of a confused mind that had been through fear and anger and loneliness in one day?

"Please sleep, Hanako, we must go in the morning." He whispered in her ear, his hot breath tickling her hair; she could have sworn he shyly touched it- she forgotten to cover it. Hanako closed her eyes and turned to face him; her chest pressed against his modestly.

"Yes." But could she ask where? He smiled in the darkness; Hanako saw his beautiful violet eyes light up where there had been sadness- or a emotion akin to it- before.

"Don't be afraid to ask me questions, Hanako; I'm not like your masters." He was smiling, but the beam was not in his voice; quick and calm.

Hanako swallowed, oh, how she wanted to ask, but when she opened her mouth no sound, no utterance came forth; she closed it and leaned her head against his chest not caring anymore. She was cold and he had warmth. He rubbed her back, the soreness had her stiffen for a moment but then his movements relaxed her.

"We are going to Osaka."

A/N: Hello again, minna-san, so how did you like this story. I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations and if you have any questions please just ask.

Okay, so did everyone get that Amon is like Misao's way older cousin (maybe more like second-cousin or something). If you are willing to actually think about it the please tell me what he would be to Misao. I know he would be related since Misao's grandfather is his uncle. And his son that is getting married is Misao's father...hey does anyone know if Aoshi would be like a little boy around this time...I think he would be around five or something...maybe not. I don't think he is older than Kenshin.

Okay and any comments about the man who wants to kill Kiyoshi? His part will be revealed later, I just want you to be in the dark for now. But I do promise this story actually will have ACTION and ADVENTURE in later parts.

So please again, if you have time, review and tell me what you think of Kiyoshi's character...I hope you don't think him a coward.

All of my reviewers will be thanked personally in the next chapter, so don't worry I did not forget you...next time personal commentary will be given in full to everyone who reviewed this chapter and the last!

Weather it's now or later, the kid inside will always return.
-S.J. Kidd