I ran through the cherry trees, the blossoms getting trapped in my red hair. The bandage on my cheek than covered my cross-chaped birthmark iched. The kimono I wore was annoying, to loose and open. I couldn't stand it! I wiped sweat from my bruised forehead,droplets staining my white glove. My right arm felt heavier than usual, and my legs were murdering me. But I kept running, blood from the gun wound on my left shoulder dripped down my arm, staining the cherry blossoms that littered the ground.

It was spring time in Tokyo, Japan, the 12th year of the Meiji Era. It was different here. Different from my own home, where cars rumbled through the smog filled street as neon advertisements illuminated the night. Where people from all over crowded the streets, and when its rained, washing away the stress and pollution with the tears from above.

But no matter how much I missed it, I had to stay here, 148 years ago, in Meiji Japan. Where dreams of a more advanced future were only dreams, and were people knew their places. But this era of peace only lasts until 1912.

I stopped under a bridge, catching my breathe. I fingered my kimono, A purple top with a black, thin turtle neck under that with a slit in it where my breasts where. A black sash held up my white bottoms (because even though I'm Japanese, I never could remember the correct terms. I suck at history) tucked into black strapped boots. The turtle necks sleeves peaked out from under my kimono sleeve,where there was a hole to put my thumb through and had a pair of white gloves on under that. My long read hair was tied back in a ponytail, and a long sword was strapped to my hip.

"Where is she?" voices rang. "Find her!" Scurring feet went across the bridge. I waited 'til they disapeared. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Jeez," I steeped out from under the bridge and made my way up the slope, stopping at the base of a tree. "they're just to persistent. Kojo, ya need to learn when to give up."

I plopped down and untucked my pants from my boot, ripping a length of fabric. I checked my wound then wrapped it. When I was done, I leaned back and looked up and the stars. The night would have been pitch black, if it weren't for the silvery moonlight washing across the river, sparklets of water dancing and shimmering in the silvery light. Back at home, there was so much smog in the air, the stars were never visible. They air here was just so clean. The smell of river water and cherry blossoms filled my nose, relaxing me. I closed my eyes.

And before I knew it, I was out like a light.

-Yahiko-

I walked through the trees of cherry blossoms, coming back from late-night training. The sun was rising, and Kenshin and Kauru would be up soon.

Then I saw Kenshin. I freaked out for a second, then I reliezed he was laying face down on the ground, blood staining the unfamiliar kimono he was wearing on his shoulder.

"Kenshin!" I yelled. I fell to my knees and shook him. He didn't move. "Kenshin! Get up!"

Oh God, who could have done this to him? He's impossible to beat! Impossible! Not even Shishio stood a chance.

"I gotta get Kauru. She'll know what to do." I ran off towards the dojo.

_someone elses point of view, like 3rd person i think. i dont know. its confusing_

After Yahiko left, 'Kenshin' let out a snort and rolled over, having choked on 'his' own spit.

'He' sat up, revealing it wa clearly a she.

-Kyo-

I sat up coughing. "Damn." I coughed. Did I really just choke on my own spit?

"Whatever." I stood up and stretched, still to tired to actually wake up. The sun was rising, so I moved to a near-by tree , climbing up to a hidden branch and fell back to sleep there.

-Yahiko-

"Kauru! Kauru! Ugly!" I called. I ran through the dojo, panicked.

"What do you want Yahiko?" Kauru stuck came out of her room, fully dressed.

"It's Kenshin! I think he's hurt!"

"What?" her eyes widen in alarm. "Where is he?"

"Now what about who being hurt?" Of all people, Kenshin stepped out of his room.

My jaw dropped as Kauru hit me. "Lier!" she said.

"No! I'm serious! I saw Kenshin down by the river, unconcious and bleeding! Only in his shoulder but it was you! I swear!" I explained.

"But I'm right here, that I am." he said.

"Then who could have it been?" I asked.

"What were you doing there at this time, anyway?" Kauru asked.

"None of your business, ugly!" I snapped.

"Ooh! You take that back you pipsqueek!" she pushed up her sleeve, getting pissed.

"Wait, Kauru. Leave him be. He was probably out for a walk, that he was." Kenshin said.

"Well then who was there if Kenshin's here?" Kauru asked.

"Probably someone who happens to look like me. There's a possiblity, that there is." Kenshin said. "Whatever it is, let's go investigate."

We agreed and set off. When we got there, the person before wasn't there.

"But-but he was right here!" I said.

"Stupid," Kauru hit me.

"What was that for?" I held the lump on my head.

"For dragging us out for an imaginary person!"

"Wait, Miss Kauru, someone is here. . ." Kenshin said. He was tense, his face serious. He was listening to. . . something.

-Kenshin-

I tensed. Someone was here. Sleeping by the sound of there even, deep breathing. Close, but far. I looked up. And there, relaxed in the nest up branches not to high up, was a girl. Long red hair tied back, with a purple, black and white samurai kimono, the style I wore back in the Baklumatsu. Her face was serene and pretty, without a mark exept for a small scar on her chin and a bandage on her left cheek. A droplet of drool hung from her pale lips.

The braches swayed in the wind, ricking her like a babe in a cradle. A small bird rested on her knee.

"That's him! I mean her!" Yahiko exclaimed.

"Shh." I shushed. "She's sleeping, that one. And by the looks of it, she was shot. Only a few hours ago even."

"Should we wake her up?" Kauru asked.

"Let her wake up on her own. For know, let's get her down and let her rest at the dojo. She looks exhausted. I mean," i turned to Kauru and smiled, "if it's all right with you, Miss Kauru."

"Oh! It's alright. She doesn't look like she'll be much trouble."

(AN: YEAH RIGHT!)

A squirrel snapped a twig, trying to escape us. And that small snap awoke the sleeping girl.

"ARG!" Her eyes snapped open, revealing starting violet orbs. Her arms and legs spazzed for balance, only to loose to gravity and fall. The bird flew away in fright, twittering madly.

"Ow," she rubbed a spot on her back, having landed there first.

"Are you okay?" Kauru knelt down to the girls' level.

"I'm fine, just that my butt fell asleep. Dammit!" she stood up and brushed off dirt. At full height, she was just a couple inches shorter than me.

"Hey sorry for the intrusion, but I'll be going. Laters!" she turned and started walking down the slope to the river, not really in a straight line.

"Wait! You're hurt! At least let me take you to a doctor! I have and. . . acquaintance that's a doctor's apprentice." Kauru caught up to her.

"Nah. I don't have any money. Besides, I don't want to cause any trouble with you guys." she smiled.

"No no! It's no trouble! You're hurt!" Kauru said.

"I agree with Miss Kauru. you are injuried, and I know Megumi-dono will patch you up in no time." I said.

"Look, I apprieciate the help, but I'm sort of looking for someone and I only have a limited amount of time. Thanks for the offer though!" she started her way down along the river, at an uneven pase.

Kauru followed and grapped her right arm. "Come on! I'm not letting you go out without having something to eat at least! you said you don't have money, right? So I'll let you have breakfast at my place."

The girl stopped and considered. "Okay. But I'll tell you know, I'm bad with money and have a huge appitite."

"Good, now come on!" she pulled her along. "We're still going to get you're shoulder checked up."

"Fine, but you're paying."