AN- To readers reading this, I have to let you know something. Just because Battousai feels emotions, doesn't make him weak. He could still have feelings for Kaoru and still be strong. It's just he'll only show his feelings to Kaoru in ahead of time. The plot of this story is Battousai, a cold-hearted killer who meets Kaoru, a young spirited, talented woman. Because of this meeting Battousai learns every aspect of life from Kaoru, just by observing her. She'll be the one to change him, bring out a Battousai with feelings, while she falls for him as a man who he really is. Sorry for so much explaining! If you have any question, comments, or suggestions, please leave them in your review. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin series. I wish I did, but I don't. : (

A Real Smile

Chapter 5

The next morning wasn't a bright morning. The clouds covered the sky, making the whole dojo look dark and gloomy. Yahiko sat down besides Soujiro talking about how bad the days were. Kaoru couldn't help, but look at them with a sad smile. She wished she could join them, but she couldn't. There were many chores to do, and on top of it, she had to cook for them. Kaoru felt a little bit safe now that her friend was here. One thing for sure, she knew Battousai watched her like hawk. Last night was the worst experience she ever faced. The man invaded her body, caressed every part of her, to show her he had the upper hand on her. She wished that man could at least have feelings. He was torturing her. She never could smile, knowing she was a real whore for him. He came as he pleased. When he left, he left her wanting more. Even though she worked in a bar and a restaurant, she never gave herself to any man. Heck, she was still a virgin. If Battousai didn't believe her to be a virgin, she could always prove it to him.

"Hey Kaoru come and join us, would you? We're missing you over here!" Yahiko shouted. Kaoru admitted to herself, Yahiko was a shocker. After his family's death, she thought it would take him a long time to heal instead he healed within days. She gave all the credit to Soujiro, because he was always good with kids.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I have a lot of work to do," said Kaoru sadly. She noticed Soujiro looked at her in an odd way. As he got up, Kaoru backed away with a large bundle of clothing in her hands. Soujiro gently went to her and took the large bundle.

"You know, you work yourself really hard. You ought to take a break once a while," said Soujiro smiling an innocent yet gentle smile.

"I guess your right," she whispered in defeat. Soujiro was right. She worried about others ever since her parent's death. Since she had more people staying in her home, it left her with more chores to do. She didn't want to ask for help because Yahiko lost his parents and Soujiro was a houseguest. She didn't know how long he was going to stay at the dojo.

Kaoru sat down next to Yahiko. A moment later Soujiro sat down next to them. They watched the dark cloudy sky for what seemed like hours, and then of all of a sudden out of nowhere the rain began to pour.

"Why don't you always do what makes you happy Kaoru?" asked Soujiro. Kaoru glanced over her shoulder to see him looking at her with concern in his eyes. "Why are you always so sad? The Kaoru I knew was never sad. She was always happy no matter what."

"That part of Kaoru died many years ago, after my parent's death. She faded and grew to a mature Kaoru you know now," she said sadly.

"Would this change your mind?" asked Soujiro. He handed her an old wooden flute he made a long time ago for her. Before he left to go to the war, she gave him the flute he made for her. She told him when he came back to return her flute or else she would never forgive him.

"You remembered," Kaoru whispered sadly. "I remember mom always drilling me with learning how to play the flute, to sing, and to dance. Don't you remember Soujiro? She wanted me to be so much like her, since I inherited her talents. She told me to never forget who I was as a person."

"She's right," replied Yahiko who sat quietly listening to both her and Soujiro speaking. "I believe no matter who you are, you should never be ashamed of it. Kaoru I know you lived a tough life. I know your reputation wasn't high enough but you should never let any of that get to you."

"It's not personality but more of who my family was and where they came from," Kaoru confessed quietly.

"What do you mean?" asked Yahiko. Soujiro continued to look at Kaoru with a concern look.

"What I mean is my mother was never Japanese," she whispered. Both Soujiro and Yahiko were astonished and confused by her words. "My mother carried gypsy blood in her. She came from India. Because of who she was, she was discriminated by many people. My mother was pale skin, not dark like them. Because she wasn't able to tell people's fortune, or didn't dress like them, they hated her. My mother had beauty. To make her even more beautiful, she had talent. No one could sing or dance to traditional Indian music like her."

Kaoru stopped for a moment to breathe. She thought she spoke a bit to fast for the others to understand her. Looking at the others for their reactions, she was disappointed to see them shocked and a bit puzzled. She continued speaking, while turning her gaze elsewhere. "Invaders from another country, invaded her homeland in India and she fled here. She worked as a slave who served other people. Because she had beauty, all the men continued to lust after her, until she met my father, who was a full-blooded Japanese. He married my mother, knowing her social class. People knowing how beautiful she was envied her because of it. From a slave she went to high class, being known as the wife of a politician. I was born with her same gifts and for thatmy mother never wanted me to forget I was part Indian, a half-blooded gypsy. She enhanced my talents. I loved it so much; it became a part of me. After her death, though I gave up on it."

Yahiko and Soujiro both looked at Kaoru with comprehension. Yahiko now realized why Kaoru and her mother were hated so much. Her mother was a slave and a gypsy. Yahiko couldn't believe people would hate her for a reason as stupid like that. Kaoru had a compassionate nature. She was the type who would risk her life to help others. She would give everything she ever owned to save anyone she could save. All these long years she struggled. Knowing who she was never stopped her from living life. All the rumors people talked about her were not true. Deception gave her family a bad reputation and he was like a sick dog that assumed those rumors were exact. He hoped Kaoru could forgive him. Most likely, she forgave everyone already for the hell they put her through in her life.

Soujiro got up from his spot and went inside to get something. Yahiko stared into the dark cloudy sky. When Soujiro came back he handed Kaoru a few things. Very quietly he whispered to her. "Kaoru would you please dance for us. If you don't dance for us, please dance for yourself."

Soujiro continued to look at her, waiting for an answer. Finally without hesitation, he saw Kaoru put her bell anklets on both of her ankles. He saw her put on some golden bangles one her wrists. Slowly, but carefully she got up and went into the courtyard to start her dance. The raindrops fell on her one by one, getting her wet. She looked up into the cloudy sky, and closed her eyes. Before Yahiko could find out the next move, he saw Soujiro playing a flute all while Kaoru danced gracefully. It was so mysterious yet beautiful. Anyone could tell she put her heart and soul into her dancing. Besides hearing the flute play, the chime from her anklets could be heard, the hit of her bangles gently on her wrists made the same rhythm to the flute. Kaoru arms gracefully went above her head, to the side. Her hips swayed, her feet move in differentrhythms, her head moved side to side. To make a the final conclusion, she spun around in a circles, cascading her arms sideways, above her head, and down to the floor, until she fell to the floor, from dizziness.

For the first time, in a long time while staying at the Kamiya residence, Kaoru smiled. She smiled a real smile. Of all her memories, dancing was her favorite. She thought she could never dance again after her mother's death but she did. What made this smile special for her was it reached her eyes.

In the meantime, from the shadows of the dojo golden eyes watched all. Battousai heard everything she said, and watched her dance. For the first time in his life he saw his Kaoru smiled a real smile. He wished she could smile more like that often. Not only was he going to protect her from harm but he was going to make her smile more often. He wondered about the others who stayed at the dojo. He will protect Kaoru, but he wondered who'd protect the others. While watching Kaoru, Battousai noticed the changes in the atmosphere. Like nothing was the same. He knew the others didn't know that trouble was brewing for them all.

Out from the shadows, three men appeared. The trees hid the appearances. They covered their kid, so that no one could sense their hideout. A young man wearing all in black talked to the man covered in bandaged, and the man next to him who wore a trench coat.

"Shishio, how are we going to kill the young boy and his friends?" asked the tall man with silver hair and sunglasses on.

"Did you spy on them Aoshi like you were suppose to do?" Shishio asked looking at the man next to him. Black eyes stared into ice blue eyes.

"Yes I did, but what I found out might amaze you. Three of the people staying in the dojo have high ki. They are not ordinary people. I assume if we are going to kill them, we have to plan thoroughly or else one little mess up and is over for us," answered Aoshi in a cold voice.

"So they could fight. I have to say the boy is quite the clever one. But he still needs to learn not to mess with us assassins. He has to die no matter what. I don't care if the others die," said Shishio, his hand came under his chin, rubbing it thoughtfully, as though he was thinking.

"Shishio, if I may add, can we use Aoshi's woman to get to know the people who are staying with the boy better. In order to attack, we must know our enemies weakness right?" asked Enishi. He removed his glasses to look at Aoshi's cold blue eyes.

"Enishi I think you have a good point. Aoshi could you rearrange your woman's plans so she could do this mission for us. If you can I'll gladly appreciate it," said Shishio calmly.

"If you wish Shishio, I'll gladly do it. It's only if I could convince her. She could be very fastidious at times," said Aoshi giving Enishi a cold stare. Enishi did nothing but smirked. He loved to irate Aoshi, when it came to his woman. Aoshi was very protective over his Misao. But Enishi admitted he was shocked not to see Aoshi deny this future plan.

Shishio dismissed them all. Aoshi walked deeper into the forest where his koshii awaited him. She sat on a rock, humming a beautiful tune, while she was playing with a couple of the leaves. Aoshi hid himself in the shadows to watch his young beautiful woman. Her long raven hair was let down from her usual braid. Her greenish-bluish eyes lightened with happiness. She wore a pale green kimono with beautiful designs of butterflies embedded on it. Aoshi couldn't believe out of all the women in Japan, he fell for this young beauty. Her bright spirit and loyalty were the reasons he fell for her. Her happiness was his happiness. Unlike other women she was a strong fighter. He loved everything about her.

"Aoshi, are you there? I feel your ki. I know your somewhere around here," she sang in a childish voice. Her eyes lit up with laughter. Aoshi a man with cold emotions knew why he was like that. Even though he didn't show his emotions,Misao did. Whatever emotions he felt, Misao displayed it for him.

"You're right Misao. I'm here," he said a calm voice.

Misao greenish-bluish eyes looked up at him. The happiness he once saw was replaced by seriousness. Misao knew him so well, like no other could ever know him.

Did anything go wrong?" asked Misao with a serious tone.

"Don't worry. It's nothing we can't handle. Just pack your things because you have a mission to do," said Aoshi with a cold voice. With those words, he put his right arm around Misao's petite figure and led her out the forest.