Disclaimer: You know the drill.

"Similar features"

If Momiji was a woman with a serious, regal and even somewhat cold character, Kaede was the complete opposite; Yumi, on the other hand, was a mix of both.

Of the three, the one who had caught the redhead's attention the most had been Kaede. Not because of her kind nature, nor because of her constant smile and understanding look, but because she looked so damn familiar.

"Where have I seen her?" The samurai asked himself for the umpteenth time as he watched the miko prepare for class.

9 days had passed since his arrival at the sanctuary, but no matter how much he analyzed her at every opportunity he had to see her, he couldn't figure out where he knew her from. It was quite disturbing to him because not only did he feel familiar with her, but it also caused him some suspicion, as if his subconscious was somewhat distrustful of the miko and forced him to become defensive.

"Kenshin, you're being rude again," Kaoru called his attention.

They were sitting in the training dojo. Finally, after days of prayers and religious orders, the time had come for the apprentices to practice with the sword. The redhead felt quite motivated; he had been curious from the beginning to know the kata they taught at the temple and if they would be as lethal as a normal kendo style. He became even more intrigued when he found out that Kaede was the teacher in charge of teaching the apprentices.

But once again, that feeling that worried him made him suspicious of the woman, and he couldn't help but look at her with a certain distrust.

"Sorry, Kaoru dono. -The boy apologized. -I don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't help but feel uneasy."

The girl looked at him with a frown, and then her expression changed to one of empathy.

"Maybe it has to do with the answer you're looking for," she suggested, taking his hand.

The redhead felt calm as soon as she gave him that gesture.

"Maybe..."

"Likewise, try to calm down a little," she asked him.

Class started just then. The katas seemed quite simple and, their focus was more on defense than attack. The demonstrations by Kaede were elegant in the way they flowed.

"You were right," Kenshin said, still sitting next to Kaoru, it hadn't been his turn yet. "It's more like a dance," he smiled.

...

And then he felt like the world froze around him.

Kaede's sword was pointed directly at Kenshin, the tip just at the height of his neck.

...

Kenshin swallowed hard. Kaede's expression had changed, and she seemed to be analyzing him.

"Would you like to have a duel with me, Himura kun? This way, you can know exactly if it is a dance or not."

'That look' He said to himself trembling a little, small chills that moved memories in his mind.

But before he could finally come up with the answer, the miko began a full demonstration, and then, her movements became ferocious and lethal. The ki it transmitted was powerful and heavy, like a cloak that covered them and threatened to bury them. It was so clear that even the others present could notice it. When he finished again, however, the posture was the same as before, but much more threatening.

"Hey, have you noticed that Himura kun always gets nervous in the presence of Kaede sama?" Yuta asked Kago in a low murmur.

The latter nodded.

"Un (yes) But it's more like he was wary of her." Said the brunette; his eyes did not miss any detail of the redhead's reactions.

Both boys shared a look before closing their eyes and considering the possible options in their minds.

"Mmmm" They both mumbled, before giving up.

But they were not the only ones who noticed the samurai's problem. Kaoru looked at him with obvious concern; after sharing space with him for the previous months, it was clear to her that what her partner felt was more than simple discomfort. And now, under that clear challenge...

"Kenshin." She murmured.

The samurai, for his part, after considering his options, ended up agreeing.

"Alright.".

Kaede's smile spread at both corners; she looked ecstatic. She lowered her sword and stepped back to allow space for the samurai, who entered the dueling area without problems. Kago gave him one of the swords they used to practice, it was almost as long as his own sword, but the edge was shorter.

Both opponents offered their respective respects and then took their positions to begin the duel.

...

Kaede took a step forward, and Kenshin took it as the start of the duel. Using his divine ability and his teaching in batou katas, he quickly drew and attacked after a leap. That was a surprise to those present who had lost sight of him in the first assault.

However, when Kenshin attacked, Kaede was smiling.

"Ah!?"

Kenshin fell to the ground.

One moment Kaede had been there, and the next, she had moved to another point.

"Did she dodge it?" The redhead mentally questioned himself. "How?!

"My turn," she said.

"AH!"

Kenshin barely had time to block her.

From there, it was a duel where the woman dedicated herself to tiring the poor boy; the samurai realized after a couple of deviated blows that he had to get out of such a "dance". He then decided on another approach, using his favorite technique and the one he mastered best. But although he hit his partner, Kaede managed to block the blow. Both opponents were separated after it, she standing, and he kneeling on the ground in front of her.

"You are amazing Himura kun." She told him smiling, showing the wound -the blow- that the redhead had managed to give to her left hand. "Without a doubt you are your teacher's student. And as such, you tend to give all your strength from the first hit."

After several deep breaths, Kenshin finally stood up.

Hands at his sides, he crouched in a bow.

"I appreciate the teaching." He told her, but it was obvious that he was frustrated.

Kaede smiled again.

"Whenever you want."

...

Kenshin had not returned to his place, at Kaoru's side, after his training. On the contrary, he had gone straight to the exit that led to the gardens. His companion had taken off after him as soon as he had passed by, managing to catch up with him before he even came out to the engawa.

"Are you OK?" she asked him, hand on his wrist.

"Aa (yes). Don't worry, Kaoru dono." He told her, without being able to look her in the eyes; he didn't know why, but he felt dazed. "I just need a break."

The girl understood; he wouldn't say anything else, and she wouldn't pressure him.

"I understand. Will I see you at dinner?

Such understanding made him smile despite his irritation; he felt relieved by his companion's response and finally looked at her.

"I'll be there." He promised.

Kaoru smiled back.

Kenshin had decided to go out to the courtyard where the water well was located. As soon as he reached it, he drew water and washed his face. The encounter had left him slightly conflicted; he couldn't say why, but crossing swords with Kaede had felt almost as if he were back on the mountain, fighting his master. The woman's skill was evident and formidable, and had left him almost breathless. He had needed those moments in private to calm down.

That was how Kago found him. The chokkai had left under Yumi's instruction after both noticing the exchange between the samurai and Kaoru dono. The latter's concern was evident, and Kago had not hesitated to go out to look for the boy, aware to a certain extent of what he might be feeling.

"So? What do you think of our sword master Kaede sama?" Kago asked him with interest standing behind him.

"She's amazing." Kenshin answered, turning to face his back to the well; he ended up leaning against it.

Kago nodded, walked to the well and pulled out a full bucket.

"She certainly is. She left you quite confused, as I see." The chokkai noted.

The redhead sighed; he finally knew who the miko reminded him of now after crossing swords.

"She reminds me of shisho." The samurai confessed. "They even seem to have the same way of moving."

"Well that's understandable." -Kago told him, while emptying the water from the well bucket into a larger one.

Kenshin considered it.

"I guess... they are both masters of the sword." He concluded at last.

Kago picked up the bucket and walked back to the main building.

"Yes, that too." He agreed.

Which confused the redhead.

"What do you mean 'that too'?" Kenshin looked at him then, finally out of the cloud of his thoughts.

Unless they were close to his teacher and knew his way of fighting and thinking, it would be somewhat difficult to make such a connection. But Kago's naturalness made it clear that the boy knew what he was talking about.

The brunette, for his part, continued with his dialogue without noticing the change in his partner, how he saw him confused. After noticing his silence, he glanced at him over his shoulder, seeing his expression, the chokkai hurried to complete.

"It's normal after all, right? That relatives such as them look like each other. After all they are brother and sister." The brunette pointed out.

Completely disorienting the redhead.

"WHAT?!" He exclaimed, while in his mind he shouted "Brother and sister!?"

"You didn't know?" Kago blinked in confusion and truly surprised. And then he started listing reasons on his fingers. "It's obvious! They have almost the same features, not to mention their character. Kaede sama may be the kindest of them all, but she is also undoubtedly the haughtest. Just between us, she holds herself in very high esteem."

'That smile' Kenshin thought. 'That cynical, calculating look' He considered in his mind, finally seeing the similarities for what they were...

"There is also their love for sake, which I suppose must run in the family. -Kago continued, oblivious to Kenshin. -You know what they say, 'traditions inherited from ancestors.' It is not surprising that she is always the one who prepares the sake that Master Hiko always consumes. Oh?! Himura kun, are you okay?"

The poor samurai had suddenly ended up with his forehead against the cold stone of the well.

"Brother and Sister..." He growled under his breath.

Kago couldn't help but smile understandingly.

The game was pretty close. There were almost the same number of white and black pieces on the board, and it was not entirely clear who was ahead. It was not often that both masters had the time to enjoy a game of shoji while enjoying a delicious cup of green tea. But given the events that had just occurred, Kaede had not been able to limit herself by not making the invitation, while Hiko had had no desire to resist it, even less so after learning of his disciple's confrontation with the main priestess of Inari.

"Your student turned out to be someone with a gentle heart," Kaede told him, her gaze serene as she moved a new piece that almost put her opponent in check.

Hiko snorted with a half smile.

"I assume that he remained ignorant of our relationship." The man deduced, responding with a move that saved the threatened piece.

The afternoon had fallen, the sunset was in all its splendor, and the heat had begun to dissolve into the cold of the night.

Kaede shook her head while smiling.

"It is normal." She told him. "Don't blame the poor boy for not seeing the connection between such a sad specimen as yourself and a figure of heavenly authority." She giggled, managing in her next move to end the game with a move that Hiko had miraculously not foreseen.

The man raised an eyebrow as he looked at her with irritation.

"Heavenly authority?" He inquired. Because no, he could never counterattack the miko in front of him with a lewd comment.

He had her in very high esteem, and respected her exceedingly.

Kaede spread her smile; there was a mischievous glint in her gaze.

"Anyone would say I'm quite divine," she told him before letting out a sing-song laugh.

His companion shook his head before finishing his tea.

"If only they truly knew you." He growled.

Kaede then left her gaze fixed on the board, on the pieces still arranged and on how other possible paths could be seen to have won such a game. It was noticeable in the position of Hiko's chips, who continued in his convictions of a fluid, fast and accurate attack. The woman understood that this was how his relationship with his now ex-disciple had been.

"You were quite hard on him." She repproached him, referring to Kenshin.

Hiko didn't deny it, but kept his gaze away from hers.

"He needs me to let him go. -He answered after a brief silence. -He needs to suffer firsthand the error of the naivety with which he sees the world."

Kaede considered it for a moment before sighing. She then began to pick up the pieces; it was clear that they would not have another game anytime soon.

"Really, Seijuuro... I hope you won't regret it."

A/N: Suggestions on what you would like to know about the three months Kenshin was at the shrine?