Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Oh yeah, I really need an editor!

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

-dono- miss (like in a unmarried girl)
-sama- lord
danshi- young man

Osaka is a place I have never been to, and even though it is, or was, an actual city I do not know what actually takes place there nor what it is surrounded by, so please no one be offended. I just need material for my story.

Monastery of Dreams

Osaka, a place where she had not seen but at a strange distance. Osaka, the city which called out to the man beside her. Osaka, a foreign name to her tongue. Once, a while ago, she traveled past it viewing towers of ancient masons and builders, but nothing after that only a few meager farmers' plots poor and dirty. Yet in Osaka the sun had always shinned, never in the time she past did she see a cloud in the clear heaven.

Some women told stories about the hills and vales so plentiful with vegetation and mystery that many tales were born among them. The city Hanako had no wish to see. If she was a man, not a slave, she could have chosen her own path, but she was only a woman-- a slave woman she thought herself-- and was at the mercy of a stranger who held her during the cold night.

When she had awoken during the early house of the morning, far before the hour of the dragon, he was there waiting to care for her wounds with such care that he scared her into stiffness. Where was his cruelty? Would it show in time, or was Buddha playing games with her with his kindness and the clouded dream?

Later in the morning she ventured outside only to find him with a horse he assured was his own; a fine stallion of dark ebony, blinding with dark light, saying to her it was their departure time. With his words she left Edo uncomplaining and humble, it was not her place; she had to follow him for she held nothing else in life, and she shuddered at the notion for returning to the brothers, or slavery, no matter how much security she had know in habit.

"You are quite." Kiyoshi said with that honey voice he possessed driving all ponderings from her mind. She was settled in front of him, the horse trotting underneath her feeling the quick bounces it made with quick steps. Her back was pressed against his, but she would not admit that she was in the emotion of fear; never before she ridden a horse, always she had walked behind the creatures. The warmth pressed onto her emitting from him like the night before, Hanako retained her humility and looked forward facing the coming hills and forest beyond. It would be a long road to Osaka.

"Better to be quite then to be a heavier burden." Her words came with indifference; it had been his choice to take her. He gave a quite chuckle; warm and deep and powerful like the silent tors of Japan and for a moment she felt herself smirk; his laugh was contagious. Hanako, in habit, touched the covering of her hair making sure that it was still in place, no red was to ever been seen; she had made that mistake yesterday with Amon and Kiyoshi.

"Why do you do that?" He questioned. Hanako took on a queer face turning around to regard his face trying to see what he was referring to.

"Do what?" Came the quite reply afraid that she had committed a crime in his violet eyes that stared so powerfully into her own. He tugged on the hair covering pulling it off her hair, she tried to take it back but it was useless. Anger stirred in her blood, did he wish to make mockery of her features. If so then damn him into death. He smiled and whispered into her ear, sensing her anger and finding amusement in it.

"Why do you hide your hair?" She became rigid.

The girl could be the antithesis of herself at times, he knew at that moment, barely knowing her, that he was captured by her, enchanted for an unknown reason. Last night had proved that, the way she felt against him, in his arms, her peaceful sighs and stirrings strung into something deep within him. He could not put a name to it, but he knew only he wanted to find out more about the girl in front of him; what made her angry, what made her cry, what made her laugh, what made her scarred...well he already had an idea of that.

He met her last morning and now felt as if he met her lifetimes ago. Why did he feel this way? He was not a lad made of hormones; he was a grown man, disciplined his whole life to control his emotions by his father who told him that a man who acted on emotions was no man at all. His father, he knew, was ignorant and domineering. He was not.

She answered slowly, "I wish not to bring attention onto myself, this," she grabbed her hair, "is my curse. My old master told me that my family must have done something horrible so the gods cursed me with red hair. Marking me, he called it."

"You believed him?"

Hanako did not respond, she only looked forward ignoring Kiyoshi's smiling face knowing that he took her for a fool. Well for all she cared he could think her the worst person possible. His opinions did not matter, not to her at least. She felt him discontinue his smile as he took on a more serious façade.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to sound belittling."

Hanako startled, she closed her eyes. No, he is a man, do not trust him all men are the same, rich or poor. Hanako steadily raised her eyes until she gazed right into his violet orbs, "You did not."

He sighed and faced forward again, his chest against her back, trying not to think about her warmth that she gave so freely.

"Sir!" A young lad came from behind them, panting a slightly red in the face. Hanako looked down at him from on top of the horse, but managed not to smile. He was just a couple of years younger than herself, or so he looked, but the teenager was different. He seemed so sure of himself, as if he knew what he had to do, what the gods had laid in store for him.

"May I help you?" Kiyoshi said smiling down towards the boy who held a dirt covered blanket and a small wooden sword at his side.

"I'm sorry to disrupt you, but you dropped this a while back." The black-haired teen with ruff hair, held up the blanket with a small smile. Hanako watched a small smile form on Kiyoshi's face, and could not help but notice how handsome it made her companion. She shook her head and looked once again in front of her, inching up just a bit so that she was no longer touching Kiyoshi who did not let it go unnoticed.

"Why thank you, danshi. May I inquire as to what your name is?" The young boy did not puff up his chest like other lads looking for respect, but bowed respectfully and shook his head.

"I just returned what was rightfully yours, but if you must know my name, please call me Kamiya Koshijirou." Kiyoshi nodded and grabbed the reins of the horse and depressed his head slightly.

"Thank you again, Kamiya-san. Say goodbye, Hanako."

Hanako could not help but frown to herself when she turned around and gave the young boy a small, dilapidated smile. He was handsome, but so were alot of men, and he had done nothing so great just by returning a blanket. And so with a few awkward steps of the horse they were off once again in search of the road to Osaka.

Hanako sighed deeply as the road darkened with night's presence, and her back ached from riding all day for she did not let herself fall against the man behind her. She would give him no sign of weakness or silliness as such; in fact she would have preferred to walk. Of course, she was use to treatment such as that, not kindness.

The horse slowed its pace as a dim light came into focus around the bend; it was a small inn.

"We'll be staying there for tonight, is that alright with you Hanako?" Kiyoshi's soft voice flowed into her ear letting the space between them lessen. She could smell his earthy scent which barely covered the smell of a mountain in the morning, and for a moment she was falling into pure bliss, and was lucky when Kiyoshi jumped down off the horse and grabbed her hand to help her down.

Without meaning to, Hanako quickly pulled free of his grip and jumped off the horse. She looked up at him startled, and blushed backing away as though he would hit her. Why was she being too stupid, he only touched her?

"Forgive me, I-I...you shouldn't get yourself dirty by just touching me."

He did not smile, those violet eyes of his only locked onto hers with tenseness she never before seen. He slowly lifted his head and shook it back and forth as if throwing away a thought.

"I'm already dirty, Hanako." And with that he walked inside leaving her alone.

Was he giving her permission to do as she pleased? To follow him or to go? Hanako felt frustration boil in her stomach-- why was he so different? Why could he not just pull her inside like all the other men? She was his, was she not? He bought her in the market from the brothers, it was not her choice. Never would she have one.

Looking towards the forest behind her, she mused with a guilty sensation to just run away, but then that would only lead to more problems. If she did she would probably be captured again by someone like the brothers, or even worst like Kiyoshi.

She was a woman with no skills to support herself, yet of course she could always sell herself at a tea house, but the notion ran like acid through her mouth. Hanako confessed that she would much rather be a slave than a whore.

That and she was not attractive enough to be accepted into the house.

Suddenly, something flickered in the darkness. The leaves seemed to shiver. Hanako blinked rapidly thinking it just a trick of the eyes, yet there was no mistaking the sound of soft footsteps through the forest. Aware of the inn behind her, Hanako looked back around to see Kiyoshi standing in front of the door with his sword drawn.

"Hanako, please come over here."

For a moment she hesitated, but when she looked into his eyes once more fear took a hold of her. There was something so fierce in his eyes; they were ablaze with a type of fire only arisen from anger, and it was with that reflection Hanako calmly walked back to stand behind him. Whatever was going on, she told herself, was of no concern to her.

So what if the fool of a samurai got into a fight and was killed, Hanako told herself. It would be her lucky day. But when a chilly voice spoke out against the night, all for her thoughts vanished, and she once again prayed to the gods that Kiyoshi would be alright.

Why? Was she starting to feel for her strange master?

No, Hanako. Do not think anymore. You merely will have no where to go.

"So, Kiyoshi-sama, where are you headed?" A man fell from the forest, a silver blade twisted in his hand. The man's gray eyes flickered towards her for an instant before licking his lips.

Sama...Hanako thought distantly. She shook her head; it was none of her business.

"I see you have a companion." He clicked his tongue, "not a very pretty one. I guess I expected too much of you."

Kiyoshi never once moved, nor defended her honor--it was just beauty not virtue, though she had neither. But Hanako still felt the weight of disappointment on her chest, but quickly re-focused on the man who stood before them.

He did not seem that tough. She was almost positive that Kiyoshi could take him on and win.

"What do you want, Fukashi?" Kiyoshi moved in front of Hanako blocking her view.

She heard the man laugh as Kiyoshi was slowly backing her inside of the inn. She wanted to push against him, to see what was going on, but he offered no room for resistance. Hanako let a small smile cross her lips. It seemed now he was finally acting as her master, not the friendly man. Though it never once occurred to her that he was trying to protect her, and Kiyoshi thought as much.

If she wanted to be stubborn about his true characteristics then he would let her be.

"Nothing, nothing, my old friend. Your brother was just wandering where you're going next, you know, he misses you."

Hanako heard the icicles in his voice and could tell that every vile word that came out of his mouth was a lie. She had seen too many men just like him--heard too many men--to trust them.

"Then tell him that I'm sorry. You see, I don't know where my next stop is." Kiyoshi bowed his head a little, and took her arm before leading her inside.

"So you may tell him that I will send a message whenever I get there."

The inn door closed but not before she heard the other's laugh. It sent chills up her spine, and they did not go away even when Kiyoshi brushed his knuckled against her face. Hanako did wish to be near this lord, so instead she bowed.

"Kiyoshi-sama, I will slept outside and wait for you."

There was a moment of hesitation.

"No." His voice was harsh as he pulled her to the rented room and shut the rice door behind them.

"Don't you call me -sama. I'm not your lord nor do I ever wish to be. I relinquished the title years ago, and you..."

He turned his back towards her and weaved his hands through his ebony hair settling him somewhat. "Please, get ready for bed."

Hanako's eyes were wide, but she did not utter a single word. This man in front of her...what was it about him that made him different. Any man that she had previously known would have loved the title of -sama. Men loved power and respect, but not Kiyoshi; he did not want her to call him -sama. And furthermore, what had happened to have him relinquish the title as though it had poison to it?

Hanako's thoughts were in turmoil as she looked over to where Kiyoshi stood so that he was not able to peek at her. She said that she did not care about him, but did that also mean she could not be curious. As long as she traveled with him, Hanako swore to herself, she would have to be apart of his problems. Was that good or not?

Kiyoshi looked so tense, and for a moment she felt concerned for him. He could deal with his own problems, right? He did not need her-- men, she was once told, never liked help. But then again, Hanako was starting to realize that Kiyoshi was different more so than she ever perceived, and maybe he did need some sort of comfort. She owed him that much, that she did.

Cautiously, Hanako walked over to him and placed and hand on his shoulder. She could not tell if he was surprised or not, but before she could do anything more she was pulled down into his arms.

"I'm sorry." Was the only thing he said that night, and even though he did not tell her what he was sorry about, she knew.

He thought she was beautiful.

A/N: I'm sorry for the long delay, and for this chapter being so badly written. To tell you the truth, I just got out of the hospital because I had lower jaw surgery, so I look like a chipmunk, bored out of my mind, and have a splitting head ache, so please don't blame all the errors in this chapter on me. Lol.

Okay, well now I have to go. See you people later. Oh yeah, I really need a beta-reader!

Thank You

Sakura's Shadows- To your first review: I'm so happy you could spare my story the time, and don't worry I know the feeling of a busy life. Hope everything goes well. To your new review: He is younger than, that is what I suspected, but I was not for sure. And thanks to some other people I have found out that I was right, Amon is Misao's second cousin. Thanks for thinking Kiyoshi is not a coward, because he is not and I will show you it in later chapters. Also I tried to make Kenshin and his father the same, but I do hope his father is a little bit different...what do you think. Again I love how long your reviews are and your encouraging words. Thank you so very much for liking my story and reviewing it.

tatasumari- Thank you for the compliment, and I'm sorry if this chapter doesn't live up to your expectations. I must say it is kind of difficult to make all these new characters come to life and keep them as they are. Thank you again.

WhiteRabbit5- To your first review: Okay, why Hanako snapped at Kiyoshi I want to explain since you said it was a little OOC. We know that our Hanako is not a weak girl, just a dispirited one, but when fear took over her she snapped like we all would to try to protect ourselves, so that is why. Also about the non drama with the name...you see her sister and her mother were not slaves their whole lives; they were taken, and therefore they held their name for they stilled wished to keep that honor, so that is why she has the full name, but you are right it is a little strange. And thank you for thinking that their personalities clash great! So Kiyoshi is how you imagined him, is that a good or bad thing? Hehe. To your second review: Aww, I'm touched that your starting to get excited every time a new chapter is up, you make me blush. But really my writing is not all that to get excited about, I'm sure you could do a much better job! I thought people would like how I slipped the Oniwaban into her...I'm going to slip some other things and make the story line of their son and them intertwine a little but not much. Just hints every now and then. And yes I did get the name from Witch Hunter Robin...lol, how very astute of you. You know all my secrets. And thanks for telling me my mistakes...God knows I need it. Yes the enemy, hopefully you won't know who he is until I tell you, but I think the whole story behind it will be a little surprising...besides I have already mentioned it in chapter three if you wish to find it...something about dishonor..wink If you would like to guest then go on ahead, you might get it right. Anyway, I adore your long reviews, and just that you review, I always look forward to them. Thank you so much for being there.

gabyhatt- Thank you for telling me that for I did not know. And thank you so much for your reviews, I really appreciated them! Please keep on reading my stories and I hope that you like this one! Thanks.

DragonMasterofDaShadows- What do you mean, 'that it divulges in places most people don't go to.' And email me okay and we will talk about the beta-reader thing. I hope you mean my story is original by the way, just kidding. Thank you for the review, and please continue reading.

whitehaizea- I'm glad you said that because in the second chapter I thought I messed up my story with crappy writing and grammar. Thank you for your reviews and please continue to read, I would be honored. Thanks. Yes, that is true and a day after I wrote the last chapter the same thing came to me...and I was like, 'darn,' but everything is going to be alright because for one maybe Misao's parents were not able to have any kids until that time, or I can go back and change it. But let us just say that Misao's mother could not become pregnant until twelve years later...I should really sit down and do all of the math...too many people though...lol, thanks for bringing that up. Yes, it is a mess...lol. What do you think I should do, maybe change it to engagement?

If I have forgotten to thank anyone then please tell me so that I may do so in the next chapter!

S.J.Kidd

Again, because of my surgery I'm mostly likely going to redo this whole chapter. It probably sucks. Also I hope you caught Kaoru's father in this chapter! Please read and review!