As I fell I heard the found sounds of children's laughter below me and twisted my body around in the sky to see. There was a fairly large group of people below me, eight people it looked like and I was heading right towards them.

I closed my eyes, trying to focus enoughto bring out the shieldthat Iused to slow myself but my head was pounding so much I couldn't concentrate. Instead I fell helplessly from the sky. I closed my eyes, feeling too weak to shout out a warning, and braced for impact.

Suddenly I felt arms closing around me and snapped my eyes open, finding my face buried in someone's robes. I blinked several times, trying to think straight over the aching of my head and slowly figured out we were still falling. The person held me tight so I couldn't struggle and I felt us hit the ground as lightly as if he had been floating.

He knelt down and released me gently, supporting me against him as I almost collapsed. "Miss Megumi, I think you should take a look at her." He said kindly. I could see his red hair pulled back into a ponytail and the cross shaped scar on his cheek.

A woman came forward from the group that had gathered together to stare at me and sat beside me as well. Tentatively she felt my forehead and nodded. "She has a fever. Bring her inside, sir Ken."

The man obeyed instantly, lifting me back up and carrying me inside after Megumi. The others all exchanged glances and then followed after.

They arrived to see me being laid out on a mat with a cold cloth placed on my forehead and Megumi looked me over. "So strange…" She murmured.

"What do you mean?" A girl with violet hair pulled back in a ponytail asked. "Is she very ill?"

Megumi shook her head. "She's just exhausted, but look at these." She said, pulling lightly at one of my ears.

The tallest man with spiky brown hair took several quick steps backwards at the sight. "A demon!" He cried fearfully, his back to the wall.

The red haired man laughed. "Well Sano, if she is a demon she's certainly prettier than I'd have imagined, that she is."

"What's that supposed to mean Kenshin?" The purple haired girl shouted, obviously growing jealous that Kenshin would say such of me.

"I'm sorry Miss Kaoru!" He stammered, holding his hands up defensively in front of himself. "It's just when I picture a demon, I imaginehorriblemonsters!"

Kaoru sighed, calming herself,and nodded. "I guess you're right." Kenshin relaxed.

"Yahiko, what do you think you're doing?" Kaoru shouted out again.

The boy with spiked black hair paused, caught in the act of pulling on my tail. "I was just seeing if it was real…" He muttered, poking it curiously.

"But that's rude." Kaoru commented. "Hey girls, not you too? See what example you're setting Yahiko!" She scolded.

Two young girls crowded on either side of Yahiko to assist in messing with my tail. All three leapt back in fear as I stirred, wincing as I forced myself to sit up.

I groaned, holding my head and looked around. Once my blurry vision cleared up I was able to see that I was in a wooden house surrounded by people. They all stared warily at me, backed almost to the wall. "I-I'm sorry." I whimpered with the pain in my head still very alive. "I'll l-leave now."

"No you won't." Megumi said, stepping forward and making me lay back down, her doctor's instinct overpowering her fear. "Not in this condition."

"But…" I started but was cut off.

"Miss Megumi's right you know." Kenshin nodded. "You should get some rest. You'll be safe here."

I smiled softly and allowed myself to relax and my eyes to close. In seconds I was out again.

Sano stepped hesitantly forward. "What? You're letting her stay here? We don't even know what she is!" His superstitious nature was acting up.

"We can't send her out like this. Look at her, she's still young." Kaoru sighed. "I wonder why she's all alone?"

"Because she's a demon!" Sano shouted.

"Oh be quiet, she's trying to rest." Kaoru shot back.

"Yeah, so she can kill us all when she gets up!" Sano retorted.

"You want to kill her now then?" Kaoru yelled.

Sano nodded, slamming a fist into his palm. He took a step towards me and looked down at my sleeping form. He let his hands unclench and turned silently to exit the room. Kenshin laughed. "See? Sano can't hurt a defenseless girl, even if she may be a demon."

A few hours later I finally opened my eyes once more and lifted a hand feebly to my head. It wasn't hurting nearly as bad anymore and I was easily able to force myself to a sitting position. I remained still, staring silently around the room until someone distracted me.

"Oh, you're awake!" Kaoru cried out happily as she came to sit on her knees by my side. I nodded dumbly and she smiled. "I'm glad you're ok. You scared us when you fell, we didn't know what was wrong."

I bowed my head slightly. "Sorry…" I whispered weakly.

She shook her head. "No need to be. Wait here while I get you something to eat." I nodded once more and she smiled and then stood, heading into another room. Soon she returned, setting a bowl of steaming stew in front of me.

Not even caring what was in it, I accepted it and ate quickly, trying to force myself to slow down as I felt her eyes on me. I finished and she took the bowl back. "Thank you…" I whispered again, and she smiled before leaving with the bowl. I clenched a fist, slowly feeling my strength beginning to return.

I gazed straight ahead at the wall as if in a trance so when Megumi appeared and pressed her hand to my forehead I jumped badly. She jumped as well and then laughed. "Calm down, I'm just feeling your temperature." I nodded and allowed her to continue. "Well you feel back to normal." She smiled. "Do you feel better?"

I nodded slightly. "Yes, thank you." She offered me a hand and helped me to my feet, asking me my name. "Kira." I replied softly. She smiled and led me out the door.

In the yard in front of the building the rest of the people had gathered and now all ceased what they were doing to stare as I was led wobbling across the ground. We reached them and I stood in front, aware of them all looking me over. Finally Kenshin stepped forward, holding out a hand. "My name is Kenshin." He said casually. "What is yours miss?"

"Kira." I said simply, taking his hand and shaking it softly.

He smiled and introduced me to the others and I greeted them all cheerfully, my strength returning along with my happy nature. I paused, watching Sano as he refused to look at me. "What's… wrong?" I started.

He glanced at me, making eye contact and froze. His mouth opened to speak but no sound came out.

I tilted my head to the side curiously. Is he that scared of me? I wondered and then repeated my question, "what's wrong?"

He shook his head. "N-nothing." He stammered, crossing his arms and trying to remain tough looking through his obvious fear.

I smiled harmlessly. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything. Except… could I have a picture of you all and maybe me in it with you?" I asked.

After a quick explanation they agreed and made Sano stay by force as I set up the camera. The technology did nothing to help Sano's superstitious, paranoid mind as he assume it was evil, bent on stealing all of our souls. Finally the picture took with a flash and I smiled as I placed it back in my bag that hung on my shoulder.

Kenshin stepped forward. "Why is it you carry a sword?"

I shrugged. "For protection." Was my simple reply and they all easily accepted it.

After some coaxing they got me to reenter the house with them and tell of my reasons for falling out of the sky. I told them everything starting at the abduction by Akumei and ending on the visit with Gohan and the others. Some of them believed, some didn't but I didn't mind. They could think what they wanted, I would be gone soon. I was almost comforted by that thought. Nothing was happening here. In the show, Rurouni Kenshin, there seemed to almost always be something going on. I must've come during a short period of peace. It was very boring compared to what had happened everywhere else I had been.

Akumei's voice could not have come soon enough. When it finally did we were all gathered around a small table, girls on their knees and guys sitting cross legged, Indian style. Having eaten earlier that day I didn't partake in the meal with the rest.

Kira? Akumei sounded suddenly in my mind and I froze, pressing both hands to my head, aware of the headache suddenly returning.

Yes?

I heard him laugh at my simple reply. Are you ready to try again?

Of course, I smiled.

Ok, prepare yourself. He said simply and then he left.

I glanced up at the others, realizing they were all staring at me and smiled weakly through the eye watering headache. "That was Akumei, it's time for me to go now." I said.

"What?" They all exclaimed.

"You don't look too good, are you ok?" Kenshin asked.

I nodded, one hand on my head, the other in my lap and smiled slightly. "Yes, just another headache." I saw them jump back as I began to glow softly. "It's alright." I laughed. "I won't forget you guys… Bye!" I called as I disappeared for good.

They remained silent and staring in shock at where I had been until Yahiko broke the tension by stealing the last piece of food from a bowl. Kaoru turned on him. "Hey Yahiko, I was going to take that one!" Yahiko popped it promptly into his mouth and as Kaoru glared at him, he gave a content smile.

They returned to normal almost as if I had never been there at all.


Akumei smiled and leaned back against a tree. "She didn't talk much but she seemed perfectly fine." He announced before closing his eyes. Everyone stared at him but no one spoke.