Memories

"Why do I always get stuck with the shopping?" Kenshin asked as he walked through the woods to the dojo. Kaoru had sent him out to fetch rice, vegetables, spices, and miso. It had always been a bad habit of hers to buy everything in one trip. "And why does she insist on buying so much of everything?" Her words echoed in his head.

"It's cheaper to buy things in huge quantities. It's nothing that will spoil, and we don't have much money. Save money where you can." This was true, but Kaoru wasn't putting up two boarders and a freeloader anymore. Yahiko usually bought his own food, and Sanosuke was gone. The only boarder they had was Misao, who was making more money then Kaoru ever had giving lessons. Kenshin often wondered what she did to earn so much.

"Timber!" was all Kenshin heard. When he looked up, he saw a tree coming down on him. There was no time for him to get out of the way with all the food he had. Lucky for him, someone jumped into the sky and kicked the tree away from Kenshin just in time. Kenshin looked to see who had just saved him only to find Misao landing in front of him.

"Hey, Kenshin! How's it going?" Kenshin could only look at her in awe. When he got over the shock, Misao helped him carry the groceries back to the dojo.

"So you work for the lumber company, Miss Misao?" Kenshin asked.

"Yeah, it's really fun. Everyone is so nice. It's a lot of work, but that's ok. I need to keep myself strong. It's a good way to train my body, and I can improve my ninja skills while doing good, honest work." Misao smiled as they walked into the dojo. Kenshin took the food to Kaoru so she could start dinner. Kenshin found Misao playing with Sazumi and Ayame. Both of them quickly ran to Kenshin and smiled.

"Uncle Kenny, look what aunty Misao made for us," Sazumi said as she stuck out her hand.

"Aunty Misao made this, Uncle Kenny," Ayame said and stuck her hand out as well. Both girls had paper cranes in their hands. Kenshin smiled and patted them on the head.

"That's cute," Kenshin said. "Can you go play with them while I talk with Misao?" Both nodded and ran off as Kenshin sat next to Misao. "That was really nice of you to do that, Miss Misao. Where did you learn to make paper cranes?" Misao leaned back and smiled.

"It's something that Lord Aoshi taught me." Kenshin was taken back by the answer. "When I was young, I trained really hard to become strong like Lord Aoshi, but I had time to play. I always begged him to play with me. No matter how annoying I got, he would always find something for me to do with him. I loved it when he would make these paper cranes for me."

"You miss him, don't you?" Misao nodded. "Do you think he will let you come back?"

"I can't be sure of that. Lord Aoshi said I need to learn maturity in order to return, but I don't exactly know what that means. I do know one thing. I will work hard to become stronger, and hopefully that makes him see that I've grown-up. When that day comes, I will make him a paper crane." Just as she said this, Kaoru came running to them.

"Kaoru, is dinner ready already?" Kenshin asked. Kaoru shook her head as she tried to catch her breath.

"Two women are here to see Miss Misao. They said they were from the Oniwanbanshu."

I know it was a little short. I've been having really bad writer's block, so I've tried to force myself to write. Please forgive me. Cya.