Hey everyone! Awfully sorry this took such a long time to get out, but I have had a busy summer. First there was a magic convention, then going to all sorts of places. My summer just got busier to. I started a Latin summer course a couple of days ago, and I don't know if I'll have a lot of time to work on this. But I promise from the bottom of my heart.

I am also really sorry for the last chapter. I know that went really fast, but it was the best I could come up with at the time. So, to make up for it, I worked extra, extra hard on this chapter. Also here is an update:

It's the event we've all been waiting for! Kenshin and Kaoru are indeed married! Yay! I have also decided that Kenji, their son, will play a significant part in this story. And now, the time when I respond to my reviewer. (Where did everyone go? I hope my last chapter didn't scare you off.)

Naomi: Of course Kenshin has something to do with this! I wouldn't have made it a Kenshin fanfic if he didn't! *giggles.* I do have a back story, and time will reveal parts of it as we go along, or I may just devote an entire chapter to the back story. I haven't decided yet. Don't worry about being sarcastic; I'm the same way with a lot of other stuff like that. By the way, thanks for telling me what a precog was. I'll have to go see Minority Report. Also, I want to thank you for being a faithful reader from the very start. Thank you!

And now, on with the story!

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Chapter 5

Two People's Past; One Dilemma

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*But, if I do tell him, will he think I'm nuts?*

Koji walked down the streets of Japan to the Kamyia dojo dressed in a purple kimono with a pattern of white flowers. Her long auburn hair was held up with a violet ribbon. The concern of the dreams had her mind spinning with thoughts and worries. On her back was a pack loaded with things she needed for her three week stay at the dojo. Her fears of the recurring dream, and the new one that included Kenshin were at the top of her mind. She resolved to tell Kenshin today, or early morning tomorrow. What ever happened though, she could not put it off any longer.

*Maybe I can finally find some answers. Answers of my past may be in this dream. So what is this dream anyway? Is it a curse or a blessing? Maybe I have lost my mind.*

As she walked past the shops and people among them, Koji noticed two men that seemed strangely familiar. But she couldn't put her finger on who they were. However, she felt it might be best that she didn't know. Their appearance were nothing like she had ever seen in Japan, and they scared her almost. They seemed to give of an evil aura. She shook her head, and continued walking to the dojo, oblivious to any other people on the street. But there were two people who didn't miss her.

"Oh! Hello, Koji!"

Koji, who's mind was spinning with the thoughts and worries, jumped very slightly at the voice. She turned around and saw a smiling Kenshin holding a bucket of tofu.

"Good afternoon, Kenshin!" Koji replied. "I didn't expect to see you here either!"

From behind Kenshin came a little boy that looked like a six year-old Kenshin, only without the scar and sword. "Don't forget me!" he squealed. Koji laughed. "Don't worry, Kenji," she said. "I haven't forgotten about you. I just didn't see you behind your dad!" Even though Kenji was clumsy, like his father, Koji could tell that when he grew up, he would be a strong swordsman.

"Are you on your way to the dojo?" Kenshin asked. Koji nodded. "Yeah, it feels like I haven't been there in forever! How about you Kenshin? You going there to?" Kenji jumped up and down. "Yep!" he squeaked. "Shall we walk together then?" Kenshin offered. Koji felt relieved at the offer. She could use some company right about now. "That sounds like a good idea. I would like that very much." So the three walked together down the streets of Tokyo towards the Kamyia Dojo.

For a while, none of them said anything. To her relief, Koji didn't find herself worrying about the dream, even though the person she needed to talk to was right next to her. However, Kenshin had something to say.

"Uh, Koji?" he began. "Can I ask you a question?" Koji laughed, she laughed so hard she startled Kenshin and Kenji. Then she jokingly wagged a finger at him and said, "I believe you just did, Kenshin." A second later, Kenshin and Kenji got the joke and they also burst out laughing. "Indeed I did," Kenshin replied. "In that case, may I ask you a couple more questions?" Still laughing, Koji said, "Now you've got it, Kenshin. So, go ahead and ask away."

Kenshin's face became stern suddenly, much different from the cheerful Kenshin Koji knew. It shocked her a bit.

"Takuro," he began, "told me that you have not been sleeping well lately. Is there something troubling you?"

Koji stopped laughing almost immediately. Her voice lowered to a whisper. "Yes, something has been bothering me. I've been having these strange... dreams." It was only an instant, but Koji could've sworn she saw something flash in Kenshin's eyes. She disregarded it and continued. "I was going to tell you about it tonight, because they're beginning to scare me. I also think that they might mean something, that they have some hidden meaning." When he heard her say that, Kenshin knew something much more serious than simple dreams was amiss.

"Do you want to talk about it now?" Kenshin asked. Koji shook her head. "Not here, not now. I don't think this is something that needs to be discussed in front of Kenji."

"I understand," Kenshin said in a whisper. "In that case, this will have to wait until after dinner, that it will."

Koji nodded her approval and the three continued to walk towards the Kamyia Dojo.

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Meanwhile, back at the Kamyia Dojo:

"Get back here, Yahiko, and clean this floor!" Kaoru yelled. She was chasing Yahiko around the dojo waving her bokken around.

"No way, Ugly!" Yahiko yelled back. "No way I'm cleaning that floor anymore! I'm a swordsman, and swordsmen don't clean floors!" He ran around franticly trying to avoid his angry sensei.

Over the last six years, not much had changed with Yahiko. He was still an arrogant brat, but his heart still held his pride. However, there was one thing that had changed. Two years ago, Yahiko fell in love with Koji, and she returned the favor. Although no one could or would believe it, the truth was undeniable.

Yahiko almost ran into the gate, just as Kenshin, Kenji, and Koji came walking up. The moment Yahiko saw her, he totally forgot that Kaoru was pursuing him. Smiling like an idiot he said, "Hey, Koji! How are-"

BAM!

"Ha ha!" Kaoru teased. "I got you!" She had finally gained up on Yahiko, thanks to Koji, and whacked him on the head with her bokken. Everyone laughed, save Yahiko.

"What did you do this time, Yahiko?" Koji asked. Yahiko seemed at a loss for words. "I...uh..."

"It's more like what he didn't do, Koji," Kaoru said. "He refuses to help clean the dojo. Every time I ask him to help he puts up a fight."

Koji giggled a bit. "I'll tell you what, Yahiko," she said. "What if I helped clean the floor with you? Would that help?" Yahiko's cheeks blushed. "Uh, yeah. That'll be great!"

Kaoru put a hand on her forehead and sighed. "I don't know how you do it, Koji. I must learn your secret!"

"I guess it's just a natural gift!" Koji replied.

Only Kenshin knew that it was so much more.

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The day went by quickly, and everyone was busy. Kenshin did the laundry while little Kenji helped him, Kaoru cleaned up in the dojo, and Yahiko and Koji went about cleaning the floors. A little later, Sanosuke showed up, and for once, he actually helped to clean. Kaoru still believed that Koji was putting the charm on him to. She sometimes wished that Koji was around more often. It would really help a lot getting the freeloaders to actually do some chores for once.

Once all the chores were done, Koji and Kaoru set about making dinner. To everyone's delight, Koji was also gifted in the art of cooking and she helped Kaoru improve. So now Kaoru was a regular gourmet cook.

Everyone enjoyed themselves that night and Koji forgot all about her problems and worries. She felt that nothing could harm her while she was with friends.

After dinner, everyone went to bed and they were all sleeping in no time. However, Koji wasn't asleep for long after the dreams came to her again. She wandered outside and stared at the stars, much like she did last night. To her surprise, Kenshin was outside as well. He was sitting down on the grass with the reverse-blade sword leaning on his shoulder.

"Can't sleep either, Kenshin?" she asked. He turned his head to look at her. "No," he replied. "But I had a feeling you wouldn't. Care to inform me about these dreams you've been having." He gestured her to sit beside him, so she did. Slowly, she told him about the dream she had been having for the past month now, the one when she finds herself on a deserted street. Kenshin listened intently, his face almost showing no emotion. When she finished, she waited for his reply. When it didn't come, she asked, "Do you think that it means anything?"

Kenshin shook his head. "I don't know if it means anything important, but it may have a connection to your past. That is something you would ask Takuro. He knows more about your past than anyone. Now, is that your only concern?"

Koji didn't say anything for a few moments.

*Should I tell him? Yes, I should.*

"I have had a new dream," she said, "one that I've never had before. It came to me just last night, but I feel that it is more urgent than the other one." Then, she preceded to tell Kenshin about the dream which included Kenshin himself, and the young boy he tried to save. Koji got to the part when everyone realized that the boy couldn't be saved, and she choked on the words. She looked at Kenshin, and it was almost frightening. His body was tense, his hands were clenched into fists, and his face was twisted in raw anger. Koji saw something in his eyes that she had never seen before, and it scared her.

"Are you alright, Kenshin?" Koji asked in a quivering voice. "I'm fine," came the reply. "Continue your story, Koji." Koji nodded and finished the dream.

"It seems," Kenshin said when she finished, "that this is more serious than anticipated. Koji's heart leaped in fear. That was not the answer she was hoping for. Kenshin continued. "Tomorrow, no one will be at the dojo except you and me, and Kenji will be with his mother. It is an ideal time to inform you of a part of your past. You know what I always say. Memories must be remembered. They cannot be told. You've remembered it, now I can tell you."

"You mean you can tell me about who I am and where I came from?" Koji asked excitedly. Kenshin shook his head. "No," he said. "That is something Takuro must inform you about, not me. Your new dream has a dark meaning, and the truth behind it won't be pleasant or kind. For, not only does it reveal a part of who you are, it also reveals a dark piece of my past."

Koji looked back at the stars if what Kenshin had just said didn't affect her at all. But deep down inside she was terrified.

*What have I gotten myself into?*

A second later, a sleepy Kaoru came outside and approached them. "What is going on out here?" she asked in a sleepy manner. "Is everything alright?" Kenshin didn't turn to look at his wife, but only said, "It is a matter that Koji must take care of herself first. You will learn soon enough."

Kaoru didn't ask anything else. During all the years she knew Kenshin, she learned that it was impossible to pry secrets from him. If it was Koji's business, than Kaoru didn't need to know anyway. "Well," she said, "get to sleep soon. It's almost dawn." Kenshin looked at her smiling. Koji noticed whatever anger was in his face had gone completely. "Do not worry," he said. "It won't take long to fall asleep in such nice weather." Kaoru nodded and went back to bed.

"Kenshin," Koji said timidly, "I don't think I can go back to sleep." Kenshin looked at her with soft violet eyes. "Why is that?" he asked gently. "Well," she began, "the dreams have scared me so much that I'm afraid to sleep. I've been losing sleep because of this for a week now." Kenshin closed his eyes and nodded thoughtfully. "Do the best you can to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow will bring answers and well needed rest for you."

Koji smiled. She threw her arms around the swordsman and gave him a big hug. "Thank you, Kenshin," she said. Then, she stood up and walked to the door of the dojo.

"Oh, Koji," called Kenshin. Koji turned with a , "Yes?"

"Thank you for telling me," Kenshin said in a strange voice. "I feel that you may have a key to the door that reveals a part of you. All we need to do is decipher it and unlock the door. Goodnight, and sweet dreams."

The teenager nodded and went to her sleeping quarters. She quickly fell asleep thanks to her conversation with Kenshin, and didn't even worry about the dream.

That night, the two dreams Koji had the night before came to her again. Just as she reached the middle of the second dream, just before she ran into Takuro, it all fluttered away into the darkness. She drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Koji woke suddenly the next morning, and found that her head was in Kenshin's lap.

*He must of come while I was dreaming, and somehow chased the dreams away. He's sleeping, so he must have been there all night.*

Koji stood up carefully so not to wake him and uttered a very quiet "Thank you." Then, she put her futon away and went outside to help with getting the chores done.

After she left, Kenshin, who was really awake, stood up.

*You're welcome, Koji. However, if my technique chased away your dreams...*

A memory rocked Kenshin. He remembered the ways the Imperialists forced the Bettos to fight by haunting their nights with nightmares. Kenshin could chase away those types of dreams. But that was the only kind of dream he could get rid of.

*If I could chase your dream away, then that means you are in serious danger. I will do all that I can to protect you, Koji.*

Kenshin walked outside and found that the other members of the Kenshin-gumi had not yet left. Koji was playing a game of hide and seek with Kenji before everyone left.

*I will protect you, Koji. I swear it.*

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How was that chapter everyone? I really hope it was better than the last chapter. Please review, and tell me what you think. I hate to say this, but I'm not sure when the next one will come out. But I bet if more people review, the faster I get it out. See ya next chapter!

Soul Flyer