Author's Notes: Thank you for your support. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. It is owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Fuji-TV and SPE Visual Works.

3. Unfamiliar Ceilings

Kaoru woke up with a start in the middle of the night. She blinked a few times to focus her vision and it took her a few minutes to realize that she was not in her own familiar room. Slowly, she raised herself on her good arm and looked at her surroundings. Taking a few minutes to get her eyes acclimated to the darkness until she could make out the rest of the room. There was a low cabinet at the far end of the room with a small stack of books. One side of her room had a painted screen depicting a willow and crane.

Carefully, she pulled aside her covers and grimaced as she tried to pull herself up to a standing position. After a few failed tries, she decided to crawl towards her goal. She hissed at the shooting pain as she got on all fours but she was determined to make it to the window. "Stupid rib. How the hell did I break it anyway?" Kaoru muttered to herself as she watched the window appear closer. "A little bit more, Kaoru" she willed herself to move even though the pain seemed to be excruciating. "Kuso Kaoru!" she berated herself angrily.

"Don't be such a little girl, Kaoru." Finally, she had made it to the window. "See, I knew you can do it."

Finally, leaning against the window frame, she took several deep breaths and steadied herself. She pushed the window open and took a deep breath. The clean night air filled her lungs and she closed her eyes to savor the moment. She opened her eyes and let her gaze wander up to the sky. In her mind's eye, just for a moment, she could almost see her friends back in Tokyo, or in this time, Edo.

Edo. Before it was called Tokyo, the capital of Japan was called Edo. How did I get here? And more importantly, how do I get back?

Feeling tired, she slid down against the window and rested her head against her knees. "What am I going to do?" she sighed in a quiet voice. Closing her eyes, she slowly drifted back to a fitful sleep.

Unknown to her, Okita and Harada had just gotten back into the dojo when she woke up. They had heard her when she got up and struggled towards the window. Okita had been tempted several times to go around and assist her but Harada had grabbed his arm and shook his head. He placed his finger on his lips to quiet Okita's protest. Together, they stayed quiet and stood on the other side of the wall.

They pictured her struggles and heard her muttered curses. At the sound of her curses, they both grinned at each other. It was Okita's turn to quiet his companion down when he let out a loud snort at her one-sided conversation with herself. They waited in silence until they had heard the faint steady breathing on the other side of the wall.

As soon as they were reassured that she had fallen asleep, Okita stepped away from Harada and nodded to him. Harada crooked his finger towards his friend and pointed to a nearby tree. They stepped away from the wall and walked together towards the tree.

"What do you think?"

"I think she's telling the truth."

"You really believe that she doesn't remember?"

"Yes," Okita replied without hesitation. "I also believe that if you wake up to an unfamiliar setting with so many strangers looking at you, you would be afraid too."

"I wouldn't."

"Of course, you wouldn't." Okita patted Harada's back and went towards the living quarters while Harada watched his progress and stifled a laugh. He shook his head as Okita disappeared around the corner and let out a sigh. "Ah, yare yare."

The second time Kaoru woke up, she found herself staring at the ceiling once again. Stretching her arm and her legs, she rubbed her eyes sleepily and focused on her surroundings again. The room looked cheerier and a pale sliver of sunlight was filtering through her window. Thinking about her window, she frowned as she remembered falling asleep next to the window.

But how did she end up in her futon?

Her musings were interrupted by a knock on her screen. "Come in," she called out as the door opened and a young woman had appeared bringing a breakfast tray. She smiled at the young woman as she set the tray inside the room before closing the door behind her.

"Ohayo gozaimasu!" she cheerfully greeted Kaoru as she approached her futon. "How are you feeling today?"

"I feel a little better." Kaoru said as the woman set down the breakfast tray next to her futon. "Thank you for taking care of me."

The girl took off the lid and was met with the delicious smell of miso soup. "It's no trouble at all," she smiled as she carefully blew on the soup. At least, cool enough for Kaoru to take a sip. "Oh I can do that. My left arm isn't broken and I'm sure you have other things to do."

She shook her head and held the spoon out for Kaoru. "I was tasked to make sure you ate, so you can get your strength back." Kaoru took a sip and smiled in return. "What is your name?"

"My name is Minako." Another spoonful of broth and before Kaoru could introduce herself. "You need to eat more, Kaoru-san." She held out the spoon to Kaoru's mouth.

"Call me Kaoru," she countered. "What part of Edo are we in?"

"We are in the Shieikan dojo in western Edo. The little ones found you in the river and, I believe, Kondo sensei and Okita sensei brought you back here." There is that name again – Okita Souji. She frowned as she let that name linger in her head a few minutes longer.

Distantly, she heard Minako's voice. "Kaoru-san, are you well? Would you like me to fetch the doctor?"

"I'm fine," Kaoru said as she shook her head. "I felt a little dizzy for a second."

Minako looked at her doubtfully. "Really, I'm fine." Kaoru smiled cheerfully, hoping to convince her that she was telling the truth.

"Well then," Minako smiled as Kaoru inwardly sighed in relief. "You need to eat more than three spoonfuls of broth to feel better. And you haven't even finished your bowl yet!"

Despite protestations of being full, Minako would not relent until Kaoru finished what was left of the broth. With Minako's help, Kaoru managed to lay back down on the futon. Kaoru was left trying to organize her thoughts when the young woman cleared away the breakfast dishes and left the room. Tokyo was called Edo before the Meiji. Okita Souji died before the Bakumatsu ended. He was one of the strongest Shinsengumi members. Could it mean that the war is still going?

Her eyes opened and she tried to recall other stories she had overheard from her own father. Otousan! Of course, he would still be alive and so would okaasan. Her excitement lagged when she noticed a flaw in her plan. How do I explain my sudden appearance at this time? Shifting her weight, a small stab of pain on her arm reminded her of her injuries. She growled in frustration at her current state and cursed at both her memory and injuries.

Stupid memory lapse. Stupid injuries.

Dejectedly, she sighed and heard faint giggling coming from the doorway. She turned and saw two little girls whispering to each other before dissolving in fits of giggle. "Nanami-chan?" she called out to one of the girls. "Hai," Nanami-chan responded as their combined efforts opened the door all the way through. As she walked in, Nanami pulled along another little girl who smiled shyly at Kaoru.

"Ohayo, Kaoru-neesan. I want you to meet my friend, Suzume-chan."

"Hajimemashite, Suzume-chan!" Kaoru nodded towards her.

"Hajimemashite, Kaoru-neesan," Suzume stammered out. Shyly, looked at Kaoru and was rewarded with an encouraging smile.

"What are you two up to today?"

"We thought you might want to sit outside today." Nanami offered excitedly. "You can watch us play while Suzume-chan's oneesan goes to the market." Her friend nodded happily to confirm Nanami's story. "Oneesan said that it would cheer you up to be out of this room and have visitors."

Kaoru laughed at their enthusiasm and good not help but smile at the girls. "Well, I'm convinced! Lead the way!" she moved to get up but gasped as her sudden movement induced a sharp pain on her side. Suddenly, the two girls were beside her as their little hands pushed Kaoru gently back on the futon.

"Kaoru-neesan," Suzume cried. "Don't try to get up by yourself."

"Suzume-chan is right, you know?" A masculine voice joined in and all three looked towards the door. Okita was leaning against the door with his arms crossed his chest. He smiled at the picture the three other occupants presented – a young woman being held down by small hands seemed funny to him. He entered the room and knelt beside Kaoru and Nanami.

"She said she would come out to watch us!" Suzume informed him excitedly. "We are going out to the courtyard to play."

Okita smiled at the young girls. "Here," he said. "I will help her if you two lead the way." The two girls cheered as they got up and fled the room. Kaoru and Okita shared a laugh as the excited chatter continued as the pair disappeared down the hallway. "Well," Okita said as the noise died down. Kaoru gazed at the door for a few minutes longer before turning her attention back to man beside her. Okita smiled as she nodded in determination.

"Are you ready?"