Author's Note's: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. It is owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Fuji-TV and SPE Visual Works.

2. The Awakening

"Has there been any change in her condition?" Harada asked as he leaned against the post and looked at his friend.

A week has passed since they had found the body of the unknown woman floating in the river. Yet they were no closer to finding answers to the mystery. Okita shook his head, sipped his tea quietly and stared out into the garden. A growl came from Harada as plopped himself down next to Okita.

"Argh! I can't take this anymore," he grabbed his hair in frustration.

The sounds of the katas the students were performing in the adjoining courtyard diverted Harada's rant briefly. From their vantage point, they could see Kondo sensei overseeing the afternoon class and senior students were putting their juniors through their paces. Okita smiled slightly as he sipped his tea and watched Kondo conduct his class – almost with the same enthusiasm as he remembered being taught. Laughing quietly to himself, he replaced his teacup back on its tray and watched them discreetly.

"Aren't you bothered by this not knowing?" Harada poked at Okita with his foot. "Oi! Okita, are you listening to me?"

Okita barely acknowledged his prodding and Harada started to get frustrated at his friend. He prodded more insistently and only got a slight reaction. "Hmm," Okita raised an eyebrow, which further irritated Harada.

"We still have no idea of her identity." Okita mentioned casually as he turned to Harada. "None of the surrounding families seem to know her."

Harada nodded in agreement. "So we can only conclude that she's not from around here." Both fell silent at this thought only to be broken by the sound of running feet. "She's awake! Okita-san, she's awake!" Okita turned at the sound of the little girl's voice. The little girl's excitement made her jumpy and Harada attempted to calm the girl down.

"Whoa, little missy." Harada laughed. "Settle down there." He caught Okita's eye and an invisible signal passed between them. Okita rose from his seat and patted the little girl's head. "So how about we go get Yamada sensei or his pretty assistant to come over and check over our guest?" Harada grinned at his own suggestion and rubbed his hands together in glee. He placed the little girl on his shoulders and the girl squealed in delight as they made their way out of the Shieikan dojo.

Okita watched their progress before making his way over to the stranger's room. He gently knocked at the door and heard a faint voice allowing him entry. He entered the room quietly and smiled at the young woman. She looked at him but didn't say a word. Instead, she just watched him as he stepped forward and sat at a respectful distance.

"How are you feeling today?" Okita asked her as he took in her appearance. She still looked pale and he noticed her favoring one side. The young woman automatically touched her rib and grimaced at the discomfort. "You have a broken right rib as well as your arm." Gingerly, she touched her bandages to confirm the stranger's words.

She nodded in understanding but frowned slightly as she struggled to remember how she got injured in the first place. It had been a little disconcerting to wake up and find a little girl watching her intently before rushing out of the room.

"The little girl?" she asked hesitantly. Okita grinned in return. "Nanami-chan? She went with Harada san to fetch the doctor. We thought it best that he examine you while you were conscious. Maybe answer a few questions of our own?"

She looked at him intently as if trying to discern his motives. Sensing her wariness, Okita tried to give her a reassuring smile. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Kaoru," the young woman whispered. "My name is Kaoru."

"Kaoru," Okita repeated her name and watched the young woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kaoru san. My name is Okita. Okita Souji."

Okita Souji. Shinsengumi? Wait! Didn't he die a long time ago? Consumption and at a young age. If I'm talking to dead man, does that mean I'm dead as well? Kaoru's mind was trying to explain the situation. "Where am I?" she asked, seeking further proof of her death or of her hallucinations.

"Shieikan dojo in western Edo," he answered as surprise registered in Kaoru's face before the hint of worry replaced it. Hallucinations, it is.

"Edo," she frowned slightly as she mumbled to herself. "I'm in Edo." It's a hallucination. I have hallucinations about a man that I have never met. She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. "Western Edo, is that correct?"

"Yes, Edo." Okita furrowed his eyebrows, watching the stress slowly become apparent in her features.

Kaoru's vision started to blur and she could feel her eyelids getting heavier. She swayed a little and startled when a strong shoulder appeared at her side. "I apologize for this familiar behavior. However, you would have fallen and possibly aggravate your wounds."

Her mind was still a little confused and could not see any fault in his logic. Before she could express her gratitude, the door opened again to admit a few more people in the room. She recognized the little girl, Nanami, along with an elderly man who appeared to be the doctor. Another swordsman walked slightly behind them and she frowned as she tried to focus on his identity.

Yamada sensei smiled as he greeted his patient. "We were beginning to worry about you," he sat down next to her injured side, replacing Okita who stood next to Harada and Nanami. "How are you feeling today?"

"A little dizzy and confused," Kaoru admitted as the doctor held her broken arm to examine it. "That is understandable, my dear." He moved to examine her ribcage as he continued. "You have a hairline cut on your forehead and suffered a mild concussion. That should make anybody dizzy and confused." He took out his stethoscope and directed Kaoru to take a deep breath.

It had been difficult to take a breath and pain blossomed on her right side as she dissolved in a coughing fit. Her cough wracked her small body and sharp shooting pains became more insistent. She fought down the urge to cry out and clamped down on her lip to prevent any sound from escaping. Both Okita and Harada had noticed this gesture.

Nanami bit her lip and whispered, "Is she going to die?"

The doctor shook his head and patted Kaoru on the back. "No, she isn't going to die if she follows our instructions and gets plenty of rest." He eyed his patient closely, "Nanami-chan, can you get our patient some water?" The little girl nodded and left the room.

"Well, young lady – "

"Kaoru," she smiled. "My name is Kaoru."

"Well, Kaoru-chan," the doctor smiled again. "Can you tell us what happened to you?"

"I can't remember," Kaoru shook her head. "When I close my eyes, I can't tell which memories are true and which are just hallucinations. Everything is so confusing." Her voice grew fainter as her body started to feel heavier.

"What about family?" Harada asked. "Do you remember them? Can you tell us anything about them?" Kaoru shook her head as the questions came and peered up at him with furrowed eyebrows. "My family?"

"Yes," The tall man nodded. "They must be worried about you."

His interrogation, however, was broken by the Nanami's return. Thanking the little girl, Kaoru smiled as she took the cup of water and drank from it. The little girl smiled and ran back to sit next to Okita, Meanwhile, Kaoru set the cup back on the floor and folded her hands on her lap. "You," she spoke to Harada. "You remind me of someone," she mumbled to herself. Careful Kaoru. Until you can figure out what is going on, be mindful of your answers.

"What are you saying?" Harada blurted out in surprise. "Are you saying you've met me before?"

"I don't know," Kaoru shook her head. "I can't remember," she opened her eyes and turned to the man that had addressed her.

Before anyone else could ask another question, Yamada sensei interrupted Harada. "I think she needs to get more rest." Yamada sensei patted her hand reassuringly and stood up. "Perhaps she'll be able to tell us more after a good night's sleep."

Harada mumbled something unintelligible as he walked away from her. Okita rose from his seat and eyed the young woman. He could see a great sadness reflected in Kaoru's eyes before being replaced by a marked tiredness. "Here, let me and Nanami-chan help you." The pair stepped forward and assisted Kaoru back on her futon. Nanami had made sure to tuck in the edges of Kaoru's blanket to preserve as much warmth as the blankets can provide.

Stepping away to inspect their efforts, Nanami proclaimed their success with a "thumbs up" signal to Okita that stood a few feet away. "Come, Nanami-chan," Okita called. "We should let her rest." Catching his eye, Kaoru mumbled a tired "thank you," before she closed her eyes and promptly fell asleep.