Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Little Wind Can Fan A Single Spark Into A Bright Flame ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: None of the characters in Rurouni Kenshin have been created or owned by me. However, Riho happens to be mine and mine alone.

A/N- By now, you should know that italics are thoughts.

Chapter 3

Wow, it looks like there's a big event going on here. I've never seen so many people gathered at the market place. "Look at all of the goods! Excuse me, sir. How much is it for these eggs?"

"250 yen, Ma'am," the kindly shopkeeper said. He held the eggs out patiently as Riho rummaged through her bag looking for her money.

"I was sure I had the money with me… Oh, where is it?" Riho emptied the contents of her bag onto the tabletop, narrowly missing the eggs and drawing a curious crowd. She shifted through her belongings searching for the little purse with her money in it.

Suddenly a woman wearing a flower print kimono walked up beside Riho. "Miss, do you need some help?" She had blue eyes and black hair tied up in a ponytail.

Riho stared incredulously. "Kaoru? Is that you?"

"Why, yes, my name is Kaoru. I'm sorry, but have we met before?"

"Kaoru, don't you recognize me? I'm Riho Miyazaki, your friend from childhood!"

Sudden recognition dawned over Kaoru as memories of all the times they played together flooded through her mind. "Riho? Really? I didn't recognize you at first with short hair!"

Riho nodded her head in earnest to Kaoru's question. "It's been so long since the last time we talked! How have you been?"

"I've been just fine but the dojo lost most of its students…" Kaoru turned sad as she said the last part.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. What happened?" Riho laid a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.

"A murderer going around pretending to be the Battousai was framing the Kamiyaa Kashin style as the one that he used. The few remaining students in our dojo had to stop coming because of that. *Sigh,* we've only got one student enrolled in our dojo now. But let's not talk about that. How about you? Has everything been all right for you?"

"Everything's been great! And-"

"Excuse me, Ma'am? Are you going to be paying for these eggs?" The merchant was, by now, quite tired of holding the eggs and being ignored.

"I completely forgot about that! I was going to make fried eggs for my daughter tomorrow. But obviously, I can't do that if I don't have eggs… Just listen to me babble on! You should have stopped me!" Riho said indignantly.

"Yeah you should have…" the old shopkeeper muttered under his breath.

"Anyway, can I ask you for a favor, Kaoru? I need to borrow some money. I promise I'll return it to you the next time we meet!"

Kaoru giggled as a memory of how Riho was constantly forgetting her money and needing to borrow hers. "That's ok, you don't need to repay me. I don't mind." Kaoru handed Riho what she needed, then went on to ask, "You have a family?"

"Yes, I've found the man of my dreams! He's made me so happy and he's even given me a child." Riho handed the money to the merchant and took the eggs. "Have you found someone yet?"

Kaoru blushed deeply, "Yes, yes I have."

"I can't believe it! Describe him!"

Riho looks just as giddy as though she was still a child. Kaoru thought to herself. "Well, he's sweet, useful, talented, and he loves me very much. I don't know how I would live without him."

"Wow that sounds like the perfect guy. You said he was talented. Talented at what?"

"He's a swordsman from the revolution."

"Oh! My husband, Tatsuhiko, is too! Isn't that an uncanny coincidence? I think that we're both lucky because our men not only love us, but they can protect us as well! I'm happy for you, Kaoru. I really am," Riho said warmly.

"Thank you. I'm glad that you're happy as well." Then, more to herself than anyone else, Kaoru asked, "I wonder if I'll have a child. Oh, I do so hope that I will." Kaoru smiled at the thought of caring for a baby born of their love.

Riho stood uncomfortably for a moment, looking down at her hands and playing with a loose thread on her kimono.

Kaoru was still dreaming when she caught sight of Riho out of the corner of her eye. "What is it Riho?"

"Kaoru, if it's alright, I have to leave now. My family will be worried that I've been gone too long."

The sun had just about gone over the horizon, its last rays touching but a small portion of the land.

"Of course, Riho. Have a good night. It's getting colder so make sure you have plenty of blankets."

"Thanks Kaoru. It's been great talking to you again. Are you leaving as well?"

"Not yet, I still have a little shopping left to do."

"Okay, bye! Take care!"

"Bye!" Kaoru waved her friend good-bye and then turned back to the vendors. Business wasn't as bustling as before but there were still quite a few buyers. Kaoru sighed contentedly and then looked at the array of produce set out. What should I buy for dinner?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Yahiko opened an eye to look at Sanosuke, "Hey Sanosuke, don't you think we should go back now? Kenshin's probably done cleaning and it's getting kind of late. I don't want to miss supper." His stomach growled at the mention of food. Yahiko held his hand to his stomach. "I'm hungry, let's go back."

Sanosuke sat up from lying down on the grass. The quiet murmur of the nearby brook had lulled them both to sleep. "Alright, Yahiko. And besides, we have to get there before Missy gets backs. Otherwise she'll find out that we didn't do any cleaning."

"Yeah." Yahiko stood up and brushed a few blades of grass from his clothes and Sanosuke did the same. Then they started towards the dojo with a quick pace and thoughts of a free dinner on their minds.

They were greeted by Kenshin as they came into view of the gates of the dojo. He was sweeping the entrance with a broom. Clouds of dust were building up around him but he didn't seem to notice.

"So, did you get the things that Miss Kaoru asked for?" Kenshin asked cheerfully.

Sanosuke and Yahiko shared a worried look. Sanosuke quickly made up a lie, "Uh, yeah we did, Kenshin. We just have to bring it in immediately so that it doesn't get spoiled." Sanosuke smiled at his response. "So we have to go inside right now."

"Oh, why don't you just give it to me? I'm going to go inside soon anyway so I'll take it in for you."

"That's ok, Kenshin. I think we can handle it ourselves," Yahiko said hastily. He and Sanosuke then proceeded to step within the premises of the dojo awkwardly, all the time facing Kenshin with their hands behind their backs, trying to look like they had something to hide.

"By the way, is Kaoru here yet? I'm hungry," Yahiko asked while trying to suppress the growing growl of his empty stomach. He was still walking backwards toward the dojo.

"Not yet but I'm sure she'll be here soon." Kenshin gave them a quick smile and then turned around to finish sweeping.

The two rushed inside before he could turn around again.

"We need to make up better plans next time."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Hmm… I think I've got all the things that I need," Kaoru said as she looked at the goods and produce that she had bought. "I should get going now. It's starting to get dark out really quickly," Kaoru commented to herself and then hurried back along the road.

She was alone and it was silent save the rhythmic crunch of her own footsteps on fallen leaves and twigs. Suddenly, a man stepped onto the road a little ways ahead of her. He was swathed in black garbs with a cape draped lightly across his broad shoulders. Kaoru stopped abruptly, jostling the tofu that she had recently bought, but that wasn't her concern right now.

"Who are you? And what do you want with me?" Kaoru shouted across to the mysterious stranger. She looked around, trying to see if there were any others with him. I don't even have a weapon to defend myself with if he decides to attack me. But if I run now maybe I can make it back to the marketplace where I can find a police officer or something.

"My name and purpose are of no concern to you," the man said. Then he swept his cape away from his left side, revealing a hilt that was carefully concealed. He drew out the sword with the delicacy and skill of a true master of the art.

The blade gleamed wickedly in the harsh moonlight. Kaoru watched its movement in the air with a terrified thought running through her mind. Is he going to kill me?

A/N- Review and let me know your thoughts on what should happen in the next suspense-filled chapter of: Wind Can Fan a Single Spark into a Bright Flame.