Author's Notes: Persuasion is one of my favourite novels but my one complaint, and this is because I'm such a massive romantic with over-enthusiastic shipper tendencies, is that we never get any details on how Anne and Wentworth fell in love. It basically comes down to a few lines consisting of they met, they fell in love. That's it. This is unique in all of Austen's works because the rest of her stories are about how the characters fall in love and/or realize they love each other, usually following some sort of societal scandal.

Anyways the lack of detail about the "how" kind of always bugged me so when I started plotting this story out, I decided to take some creative liberties. Think of this as my homage to the manga "Remembrance " arc. I hope you enjoy these next couple of chapters because they have been my favourites so far. Dorky teenage Kenshin is just way too much fun.

And in case I'm not explicitly clear in this flashback, both Kenshin and Kaoru are 14. I also have to go back and fix the years on the previous chapters. Once I got my hands on a proper timeline (thanks to Animaniacal) I realized the math wasn't working My apologies. I'm trying to stick as close to the manga timeline as I can.

Beta: Sumiregusa (the one, the only, and soon to be published best beta out there!)
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Persuasion is in the public domain, but was written by Jane Austen.

Chapter 5

He was, at that time, a remarkably fine young man,
with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy; - Persuasion, Jane Austen

Edo, 1863

Himura Kenshin looked up at the gate, peering out from under the wide brim of his hat. He had been travelling with Katsura Kogoro for almost three weeks now. Katsura had said they would be going to Kyoto, but just before they had set out, their plans had changed and they had travelled to Edo instead.

"When the time is right, we will go to Kyoto," Katsura had told him. "And then, with the strength of your sword, we will bring about a new age for all of Japan."

Kenshin had nodded and followed Katsura. The journey had been un-eventful and at every village inn they had stopped at, it seemed Katsura would spend most of the evening talking to various people about the Ishin Shishi and their goals for restoring the Emperor to power.

"Kamiya-dojo," Kenshin read out loud. He looked over at Katsura, who had unfastened his hat and pulled it off his head.

"Come, Kamiya-san is an old friend," said Katsura. "We will spend part of the summer here before we travel to Kyoto." Katsura pushed open the gate and stepped inside. Kenshin followed.

The dojo grounds were tidy and were kept. The training hall was on the opposite side of the house. A separate bathhouse and storehouse filled the courtyard. Even though it was not as grand as some of the other dojo's they had passed, the dojo seemed to exude a sense of pride that Kenshin found oddly comforting. So much had changed for him in such a short time, he found himself actually looking forward to spending some time in one place before they left for Kyoto.

Before he would have to take up his sword for the Ishin Shishi.

Before he would become a hitokiri.

When Katsura had made him the offer to join their cause as an assassin, he had agreed without hesitation. Once he had been shown to his room in the inn, and the excitement of the day had worn off he realized what exactly he had agreed to. His hands had started to shake when he realized that soon those very hands would be taking lives in the name of the Ishin Shishi's punishment.

Kenshin was interrupted by his thoughts as a tall man exited the house, greeting Katsura by name. The two men embraced and Katsura had a rare smile on his face as they pulled apart.

"Kamiya, it has been far too long," said Katsura.

"It has. Welcome to my home. Please stay as long as you wish," Kamiya turned and looked past Katsura towards Kenshin.

"Who's the boy?" asked Kamiya, looking at the slight red-headed young man.

"Himura Kenshin," said Katsura and on hearing his name, Kenshin bowed deep. He could feel Kamiya staring at him. Kenshin knew that his small build and red hair made him stand out.

"He's just a child," said Kamiya coldly. "Katsura, what are you thinking?" He turned towards Katsura an angry look on his face.

"I am not a child," muttered Kenshin under his breath, before Katsura could reply. He knew he was small, and because of his short stature most people he had met mistook him for a child but he was almost a man. Apparently he wasn't quiet enough in his retort, as Kamiya stopped and turned towards him.

"What did you just say?" came the stern question from the much larger man. He came up to Kenshin, pulling himself up to his full height. It reminded Kenshin of how his Master would try to intimidate him with his height.

Kenshin raised his chin defiantly at the older man. Whether it was his Master or someone else, Kenshin had vowed never to be intimidated by anyone ever again. He was his own man now, and was capable of making his own decisions and more than capable of backing them up. "I'm not a child. I'm almost fifteen."

"You think you are a man?" asked Kamiya. Kenshin narrowed his eyes and tensed, not knowing where this would go.

"I am," he said, not willing to back down. He felt like he was being tested, from the dark look in the much larger man's face. Katsura stood to the side, his face betraying nothing.

"You may think you are, boy," said Kamiya. "But you are far from it." Kamiya looked Kenshin over once more and turned towards Katsura.

"Come, let's go inside Kamiya. Let me explain this to you." Katsura suggested. Kamiya just crossed his arms and huffed. Together the two men walked towards an open room along the side of the house, leaving Kenshin in the courtyard.

"Himura, why don't you go to the dojo." Katsura turned to him. "We'll be here for a few weeks at least, and you might want to get acquainted with the training hall. It will give you space to practice." Kenshin nodded and turned the opposite way towards the dojo. His heart was racing and working through some kata would help to calm him down.

The doors were closed but Kenshin could hear noise inside coming from the gentle footfalls of someone moving through a kata. He quietly approached and opened the shoji to look inside. Inside was a small figure dressed in training armor, with the full face guard covering their face. They were working through a rather difficult kata, the bokken moving forward in a quick repeat of several forward slashes. The kata was quite complex and Kenshin stood in appreciation for a few moments before the other person noticed.

Kenshin stepped in to the training hall. He hadn't seen many other swordsmen in his travels with Katsura to Edo. The last time he had truly practiced against someone was the last few days with his Master. Kenshin didn't want to think about the last heated words with Hiko and quickly pushed those thoughts aside.

"That was well executed," said Kenshin. The kata wasn't complicated as the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu but it had a lot of variation and complex moves. Kenshin could tell that the person in front of him was well trained and proficient in their forms.

"Thank you," came the muffled voice from behind the face mask. Kenshin couldn't see his face, but from the body language he could tell the comment was appreciated.

"Would you like to spar a bit," Kenshin asked as he set his katana down and picked up a bokken. The armored figure nodded and made their way to the centre of the dojo. Kenshin moved opposite of them and they both bowed. The other figure stood centred with their bokken in front of them. Kenshin put his to his side, ready to draw quickly in the style that he favoured.

Moments passed as the two swordsmen sized each other. The mask over the other's face hid their expressions but Kenshin focused his senses, waiting for the inevitable tension that preceded an attack. A few more moments passed and suddenly the other person sprung at him, their bokken over their head head and coming down in a wide swing towards his shoulder. Kenshin moved slightly, and the strike missed his shoulder by fractions. Another swing towards his side quickly followed, forcing Kenshin to draw his bokken to block the attack. He kept on the defensive, as he quickly saw that this style did not lend itself easy to openings for attack.

Kenshin and the armored figure danced around each other, Kenshin still parrying the attacks. The other swordsman wasn't as fast as Kenshin, but their strikes were strong. Kenshin could feel his opponent getting frustrated that he wouldn't attack. They pressed their attack, letting the growing anger fuel their strikes.

Then, Kenshin saw an opening as the armored swordsman over extended on a strike, their left foot pivoting slightly too far. Kenshin ducked the attack and spun, his red hair whipping past his shoulder. So caught up in the fight he didn't realize how much strength and speed he had channelled into the attack. He was used to sparring with his Master and there had been very few times when Kenshin had produced enough force to even knock Hiko back slightly. The swordsman tried to block the attack but his bokken was shattered by the force of the blow, and threw him back towards the wall. The helmet fell to the floor and Kenshin's eyes widened in shock at his opponents face.

"What sort of move was that?" gasped the girl. She winced in pain as she tried to stand up. Finally coming to his senses Kenshin dropped his bokken and ran over to help her up.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry," Kenshin apologized over and over again, as he helped the girl to her feet. Not even a few weeks away from his Master and he had already broken one of the earliest lessons that had been drilled in to him. Never use your sword against those weaker than you. Kenshin could hear Hiko's chiding voice in his head.

"I know how to take a hit," came the annoyed reply, as the girl pushed him away slightly. Her blue eyes met his and Kenshin could see she was trying to hold back tears from the pain. Kenshin stepped back and watched as she stretched slightly trying trying to find some relief.

"Kaoru?" came a panicked voice from outside of the dojo. Kamiya came rushing in to the dojo with Katsura by his side. "We heard a crash. What's going on in here?" Kamiya's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene with the broken bokken and the wincing girl.

"We were sparring," Kaoru reassured Kamiya. "He caught me and I took a hit."

"Are you okay?" Kamiya took the girl, Kaoru's shoulders in his hands. Seeing them together Kenshin could see the resemblance and his mind clicked, as he realized that she was Kamiya's daughter. Oh no, thought Kenshin, as he could feel himself growing nervous at the thought of having caused harm to the much larger man's daughter.

"Yes, I'm fine. Really, Father. It's okay." Kaoru smiled slightly at her father, who was still checking her over for any other injuries and batted his hands away. Kenshin glanced at Katsura who had an amused expression on his face. Katsura coughed slightly and Kamiya introduced him to his daughter.

"This is Katsura Kogoro, an old friend." Kamiya indicated Katsura, who bowed to the young woman. "And this," Kamiya paused and frowned as he motioned towards Kenshin, "is Himura Kenshin. They are travelling to Kyoto, but will be staying with us a few weeks."

"I see," said Kaoru, regarding both Kenshin and Katsura. "Please excuse me." Kaoru bowed stiffly and made her way out of the dojo. As soon as she left, Kenshin could feel Kamiya's glare on him.

"What were you thinking," Kamiya stated harshly. "From what Katsura tells me of your sword style she is no where near your level and yet you spar with her? I should throw you out on to the street, boy!"

"I'm deeply sorry," said Kenshin, not needing Kamiya to berate him for his actions. Kenshin was already doing a grand job himself. "She was dressed in full training armor and I didn't know she was your daughter. I thought she was a student in the dojo."

"That is no excuse," said Kamiya.

"Please, Kamiya," Katsura stepped forward. "It was an honest mistake. Did we not ever lose ourselves sparring when we were youths?"

"Yes, but I never threw you in to a wall."

"See Kamiya. This is what I meant. Himura is unlike any swordsman I've ever seen and his is the strength that we need to win our revolution," Katsura stated. "He did this with a wooden sword. When he wields an actual blade he is un-matched."

"I don't know who is the bigger fool. That boy for not knowing his own strength or you for pulling him in to your revolution. One day you will have to face the consequences of using children to do your dirty work." The two men glared at each other, Kenshin forgotten at the side.

"Do you wish for us to leave," Katsura challenged. Katsura may have resigned himself to becoming a figurehead for the Ishin Shishi, but he was still an accomplished samurai and warrior. He projected calmness but underneath it was a will of iron, which was difficult for most men to resist. Kenshin stood in awe as the two men engaged in a silent battle of wills, but after a tense few moments, Kamiya relented.

"I promised you a safe house for the summer, Katsura." Kamiya sighed and gestured towards Katsura. "And I will honor my word. Come my old friend, it's too late in the day to be arguing philosophy. Let's go find some sake and food and speak of easier things."

"You don't have to agree with my methods, Kamiya," Katsura stated. "But my reasons are just. People like Himura are going to help us achieve a new era in Japan." The two men stepped out of the dojo and made their way to the main house, leaving Kenshin behind.

Not knowing what else to do Kenshin set about tidying up the dojo from the fight, gathering up the broken pieces of the shattered bokken. After the floor was swept clear, he sat in the middle of the dojo, trying to calm his thoughts. Hiko's voice in his head still raged, unrelenting. Closing his eyes he was instantly back at that mountain hut, with Hiko's voice as sharp as the sword that attacked him, drilling in the teachings of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. Protect those that you love. Never use the sword for personal gain. A swordsman is selfless. Knowing that only one thing would truly quiet his mind, Kenshin got up and grabbed his katana.

Kenshin stood in the center of the dojo, sword at the ready. He closed his eyes, taking several deep breathes. Like a spring tightly coiled he moved forward suddenly, working through the movements that had been drilled repeatedly into him by his Master.

As his muscles warmed up, he increased the complexity and speed. Soon he was moving back and forth across the dojo, and with the movements, he felt his mind finally quieting. His guilt from hitting Kaoru finally relented, and for the first time in a long time he felt relaxed.

So caught up with his practice, he didn't realize he wasn't alone until he heard a slight feminine cough from the doorway.

"Hi." Kaoru said. She stepped in to the dojo She was dressed in a kimono and had her hair up in a ponytail, a brightly coloured ribbon hanging down beside her dark ebony locks. Kenshin bowed deep, the manners drilled in to him by Hiko finally kicking in to place.

"Kaoru-san, please accept my most humble apology for my actions during our match. If I had known that you were a girl," he began as he straightened up but Kaoru interrupted him with a raised hand.

"You wouldn't have sparred with me?" Kaoru said, a slight smirk on her face. Then she broke out into a large grin. "That was the best fight I've ever been in. You have to teach me that move!"

"Oro?"

Kaoru waved off his confused expression and continued on. "Most men I spar with go easy on me. What was it? How did you find an opening?"

"You're not upset?" Kenshin was very confused.

"About what? That you treated me like a real opponent? Never! So tell me!" Kaoru looked at him expectantly.

"Tell you what?"

"How you broke my attack?"

Kenshin blinked and scratched his head. "Well, on that last sword strike you overextended your reach and that caused you to pivot your left foot out of form."

"I knew it!" Kaoru said. Kenshin could only stand there stunned as Kaoru continued pacing around the dojo. "I figured that the step was too much but Father wouldn't listen to me. Of course it was, I don't have his reach. Oh, I can't wait to tell him I was right. You have to adjust the form to fit the size of the person, not the other way around. Of course I overextended myself!"

"I still can't believe you aren't mad" asked Kenshin. "I threw you into a wall."

"Of course not," she replied. "I knew something was out of sync with that form but I couldn't figure it out. Tomorrow, we'll spar again and this time I won't lose."

Kenshin held up his hands, a shocked look on his face. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"What?" asked Kaoru. "You have to! No one else will spar with me!"

"But what if I hit you again?"

"I should hope you do!" said Kaoru boldy. "I can't train properly if no one is going to hit me." She got up close in Kenshin's face, a fiery expression on her face. Kenshin swallowed nervously at how close she was. Kaoru picked up on it and blushed, stepping back. An awkward silence fell between them.

"So, uhm," Kaoru started. "Father said you are staying here for a while before you go to Kyoto?"

Kenshin nodded. "Katsura said we will be here for a few weeks at least. Maybe even the summer."

"Well," said Kaoru, looking Kenshin up and down. He tried not to fidget at her gaze but she was making him increasingly nervous. "Maybe we should re-introduce ourselves." Noticing Kenshin's confused expression she continued.

"We didn't really get off on the right foot." Kaoru stepped up to him and bowed.

"My name is Kamiya Kaoru. Pleased to meet you."

Finally clueing in, Kenshin repeated her movement, bowing deep.

"I am Himura Kenshin. Pleased to meet you too."

Kaoru giggled as he stood up, his bow low and formal. As he raised his eyes, Kenshin felt his breath leave his body in an audible whoosh, as he was greeted by a huge smile on Kaoru's face. It was like the sun shining down after a long grey winter and he couldn't name the feelings that it brought forward suddenly from deep inside him.

This summer, he mused, as Kaoru grabbed his hand and tugged him out of dojo laughing, is going to be interesting.

Glossary

Hitokiri - translates to "manslayer", also used to indicate an assassin

Ishin Shihi - group of political activists in the late Edo period