Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Searching, Watching, Waiting, Finding ❯ Searching ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1

 

 

 

 

A female inu hanyou bounded through the forest after her prey. She stopped at a boulder by the river and smelled it. She looked around. They had gone through the water so it would be usless to find them now. She sighed, “What'll you do now Kikio. You have to find Kenshin and help him get through Tomoe's death and get him to fall in love again. But where is he?”

 

~flashback~

 

“Shinta? I had a student of that name. He said that his family was dead. He had been taken in by some slave traders. One night they were all killed and he buried each vicitim with his own hands then I renamed him Kenshin. I have only heard the name Shinta once and only once and he was my first pupil.” Kikio looked up at the moon,

 

“Hiko-sama. What did the boy look like?”

 

“He looked sort of like you. Except that he had red hair, same build, just different hair. Except you look like you've had a rougher time than he did.” Kikio nodded sadly and got up,

 

“Arigato, Hiko-sama. I thank you for caring for my older brother.” Hiko got up and handed Kikio some paper,

 

“Find this man. He should know where your Kenshin is. Or if you do not find him there. Look for him in the town. Or for a woman named Tomoe. She'll be in the inn located around the middle of town.” Kikio nodded and headed off to town.

 

 

 

She arrived in town, soaking wet. People were hurrying around trying to salvage their belongings from the rain. She saw two children get seperated from their mother. They began looking wildly for her. “Mama?! MAMA!!!” Kikio ran over to them an opened up the first layer of her haori. She picked up the children and placed them under her coat. They struggled to get out but Kikio calmed them,

 

“Shhh. I'm going to help you. Just stay there and keep warm.” The two children snuggled and stayed dry.

 

Soon Kikio found their mother and tapped her on the back. The mother stumbled back, accustom to seeing half demons but not a female one such as Kikio's nature, “I found your daughter and your son. They were cold.” She withdrew them from her haori and closed up her haori. The mother smiled and bowed low as she held her children close,

 

“Why don't you come and get warm by my mother's fire. She owns this inn.” Kikio looked around, `I'm in the center of town. Great just my luck.' Kikio bowed,

 

“Thank you very much.” The mother led Kikio inside.

 

 

 

Kikio set her sword on the ground as she took off her outer haori and placed it infront of the fire. The mother, who's name was Asayuki, went to find another change of clothes for Kikio. Kikio pulled off her inner haori and winced. The bandages covering her wounds had gotten wet and the blood had soaked through. Kikio griminced as she pulled clean, dry, wrap out of her bag and began to rewrap her wounds. Kikio pulled back on her inner and outer haori and closed it up. Asayuki came back and looked at her dry clothes, “Oh! I see your clothes dryed. While you are here do you mind if you help with the chores?” Kikio shook her head and smiled,

 

“Not at all.” She got up and picked up her sword, “You don't mind if I carry this, do you?” Asayuki shook her head,

 

“Not at all.” Kikio laughed and followed Asayuki out to where the men were eating.

 

 

 

Kikio helped the other women serve rice as the men talked. Kikio could not help but notice that one boy was watching her with uneasiness. She looked at him as she served him more rice and felt a familiar warmth spread to her heart. Kikio smiled and noticed that he also watched another young woman. A man sat next to the teenaged boy and looked at both Kikio and the woman. He nudged the boy with his elbow, “I see you've got your eyes set on two women, ey, Kenshin.” Kikio's eyes shot open, `KENSHIN?!' Kikio looked up at Kenshin,

 

“Excuse me?” The man who had talked to Kenshin looked at her with greed evident in his eyes,

 

“Yes?” Kikio growled,

 

“Sorry, to dissapoint you but, I was hoping to talk to him.” Kenshin looked up,

 

“Ye-yes?”

 

“May we speak outside?” Kenshin nodded,

 

“Of course.” She got up and placed the empty bucket of rice by the kitchen door. She stuck her head in,

 

“I'm gonna go and take a walk outside.” Asayuki nodded,

 

“Don't be out too late. The drunks come out at night.” Kikio smiled and followed Kenshin outside.

 

Kenshin looked at Kikio, “Who are you and what do you want?” He drew his sword, “You're an assassin aren't you?!” He came at Kikio. Kikio moved out of the way with her half demon speed,

 

“You baka. Why would I kill my older brother?” Kenshin looked at Kikio through the rain,

 

“Kikio?” Kikio smiled and nodded,

 

“Gee as stubborn as ever aren't you Kenshin. You should be discret when watching someone behind their back.” Kenshin blushed and Kikio smiled. She hugged her brother. Kenshin held onto her tightly.

 

“I thought you died with mother and father? When I couldn't find you I was terrified. You were only three years old.” Kikio nodded. “Come on. From now on I promise to protect you.” Kikio smiled and nuzzled farther down in Kenshin's arms. Kenshin stroked her damp hair, “Don't worry. I'll never let anyone take you away.”

 

There was a rustle and then no one was standing outside.

 

 

 

The men sitting around eating all stopped as they saw Kenshin come in holding the half demon girl. He sat down and set her in his lap. The girl was craddled carfully in his arms and she was hid deep in his arms. One of the men looked at Kenshin, “Who is she? Your girlfriend?” Kenshin growled,

 

“No, Asuka. She's not.” Asuka laughed,

 

“Then why the tender embrace?” He looked at the other men and quickly said, “If she's not yours can I have her?!” Kenshin and Kikio both growled, it sounded like one growl. Kenshin stroked Kikio's hair,

 

“NO! You. Will. Not. Touch. My. Sister.” The men gasped. Kikio looked at her brother,

 

“Shinta. You shouldn't of said that. If it gets out then I will be taken as your weakness and you as mine. I have many enemies.” Kenshin nodded and Kikio crawled, reluctanly, from the safety of his arms. A man came from behind Kikio and began stroking her neck and shoulders. In a split second she was behind the man with her sword to his throat. The man gulped,

 

“Uh…sorry?” Kikio bent down and whispered in the man's ear,

 

“Get away from me. You make me wretch.” The rest of the men gulped as a single drop of blood fell from Kikio's blade. The man had moved away too fast and slightly cut himself. Kikio smelled it, “Great now my sword will stink for ever and on. Shinta, I'm leaving.”

 

Asuka was puzzled, “Why does she call you that?”

 

“That is my real name. Come Kikio, we have a few visitors.”

 

~ end flashback~

 

 

 

Kikio arrived at a small town by the beach. She had asked many people before she found a man in a white fighting suit. She tappd him on the back, “Excuse me sir? Are you Sanoske?” The man turned around,

 

“Yeah. What of it?”

 

“Do you know a Kenshin Himura?”

 

“Yeah, Kenshin? He's like my best friend.”

 

“Good. Can you tell me where he is?”

 

“Hang around with me. We'll be seeing him tomarrow.”

 

Kikio smiled, “Thanks.”

 

A while later Sano and Kikio were sitting in the shade enjoying lunch.

 

“Why would a young, pretty girl like you want to see Kenshin. You do realize he was once the Battosai? How old are you?”

 

“Seventeen. Why can't a young girl see her brother.” Sanoske's jaw dropped,

 

“WHAT?! How about we leave today. Man, Kenshin is gonna be soooooooooo happy. What's your name?” Kikio cocked her head in confusion,

 

“Kikio.”

 

“Well Kikio you have just made me a very rich man.” Kikio rolled her eyes and crossed the bridge alongside Sano.

 

 

 

“Uncle Ken!!” Kenshin rolled with two little girls on the ground. Kaoru came out with a tray of food,

 

“Sazume, Ayame, Kenshin. What are you doing?” Kenshin looked up,

 

“Lookin' for worms.” Kaoru smiled,

 

“Here's some lunch.” Ayame looked up,

 

“Thanks, Miss Kaoru.” Kaoru smiled and went back inside. Yahiko came out a few minutes later carrying his `sword' and heading for the sunny grass by the creek. Kenshin watched his eyes as they laid to rest on the gates of the dojo. They went from bored to happy to `whatever' to `WOAH!'. Kenshin came over to see what was up. He waved to Sanoske and then looked at Yahiko, “What was the `wow!' expression for?” Yahiko blushed and pointed at Kikio. Kenshin's jaw dropped, “Kikio?” Kikio smiled and Yahiko's face fell. Yahiko looked at Kenshin,

 

“You know her?” Kenshin nodded as Kikio wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug, “She's my sister.” Kikio pecked him on the cheek.

 

“You've changed your company since I last saw you.” Kenshin nodded sadly,

 

“Yeah.” Kikio lifted Kenshin's chin,

 

“I was there, I should have stopped you. But it was her fate, her destiny to die for you. She's in a better place now. One, where she doesn't need sake to be happy.” Sano looked up, `What is she talking about?' Kikio looked at Yahiko, “Who's this guy?” Yahiko blushed,

 

“I am Yahiko.” Kikio smiled and got her little kid face ready,

 

“You are now Yahiko the beaver samurai!!” Yahiko's face fell,

 

“WHAT?!” Kikio giggled and blushed,

 

“I like you, you're cute.” Kikio giggled some more and hid her face in Kenshin's kimono. Kenshin laughed as Kaoru came outside,

 

“What's all the comotion? Kenshin. Who's hiding her face in your kimono?” Kikio peeked out and went back to hidding. Kenshin hugged her,

 

“My sister. Remember Kikio, the one I told you about?” Kaoru smiled and Kikio smiled back.

 

“Hi Kaoru!” She looked at Yahiko. He was still looking at her, “Hi Yahiko. You're funny.” Kikio giggled and hid her face again. Sano, Kenshin, and Kaoru all looked at each other and laughed. Kikio looked up and Yahiko looked at Sano,

 

“What's so funny, tori atama?!” Sano growled,

 

“For your information, gaki, we were laughing at you and the cute little seventeen year old hiding in her older brother's arms. You also happen to like her.” Yahiko blushed and growled,

 

“NO I DON'T!!” Sano nodded matter-o-factly,

 

“Yes you do. Now go do your chores. You can flirt with Kikio later.” Yahiko's face turned red and he headed inside the dojo. Kikio came out of hiding and looked at Sano,

 

“Thank you for helping me find Kenshin.” Sano nodded,

 

“No problem, Kikio. Anything for Kenshin.” Kikio smiled and looked at Kaoru,

 

“Do you mind if I stay here with my brother.” Kaoru shook her head,

 

“No. Not at all.” Kikio bowed and hugged Kenshin,

 

“I won't leave this time.” Kenshin kissed his sister's forehead and stroked her hair,

 

“Good. I plan on not leaving you, for a long time.” Kaoru smiled and went back to doing the chores. Kikio walked up to Kaoru, who was doing the laundry, and bent down next to her,

 

“Here I'll help.” Kaoru smiled as she watched Kikio wash and hang the laundry.

 

 

 

 

A few says later Kikio was doing the laundry again. Kaoru came out of the dojo and handed some more of the dirty laundry to Kikio, who took it without a word. Kaoru went to stand by Kenshin,

 

“How old is she?” Kenshin thought for a second,

 

“Seventeen.” Kaoru smiled,

 

“We should get her and Yahiko together.” Kenshin nodded but you could not read his face. Kaoru smiled,

 

“She's sorta like your daughter isn't she?”

 

“In a way yes, Miss Koaru. I had to raise her. I found her when she was fifteen. I had to take care of her when she was hurt. During the war Kikio was the assassin for my old employer. Many of the men beat her after her jobs and then claimed she was no good when the master came to see. After a while Kikio fought back. She was let go, for her own good, when she killed one of the men as they tried to…yeah. She came to me and I took care of her in the shadows.” Kaoru put her arm around Kenshin and squeezed,

 

“You did a wonderful job raising your sister. She's grown up into a fine young woman. Come on, come help me train Yahiko.” Kenshin smiled,

 

“Lets see if Kikio would like to join. She has some secrets you know.” Kaoru looked around for Yahiko and found him talking to Kikio.

 

Kikio was hanging the laundry. Yahiko was hading her the wet clothes. Yahiko was passing her a sheet when he noticed the sword on her hips, “Can you use that sword.” Kikio took the sheet and hung it. She turned to Yahiko,

 

“Yes. And I've killed many a man with it.” Yahiko scoffed,

 

“No offence but, yeah right. The only woman for miles around with any swordsmanship skills is Kaoru. We would have heard if there was another around.” Kikio smirked,

 

“You will find out the hard way then, Yahiko.” Yahiko leaned up against the wall and looked Kikio up and down,

 

“Your not built for a swordsman.”

 

“I'm not a man, but a woman.” Kenshin came over,

 

“Yahiko go to the training dojo, Miss Kaoru and I will meet you there.” Yahiko headed for the dojo. Kenshin looked at his sister, “Do you wanna come and let off some steam?” Kikio nodded,

 

“Yeah but I need to change.” Kenshin nodded and left his sister to go and change. Kikio looked around and found a nice spot where she could go. She hid in the corner and pulled off her shirt.

 

 

 

Yahiko had forgoten his sword by where the laundry was. He picked up his sword and heard a rustle in the bushes. He went to investigate. He saw Kikio changing.

 

Her chest was covered with bandages and her stomach was in plain veiw. Her pants were still on and Kikio was bent down over a bag. Yahiko watched as Kikio pulled out a shorts sleeved eastern style shirt and pulled it on. She looked around again and pulled her hair down from the bunn she had her hair wrapped up in. She picked up her sword and placed her blelongings in her bag. She knew Yahiko was there but decided to say nothing. She walked past him and just before she rounded the corner she grabbed Yahiko's hand, “Come on we'll be late and Miss Kaoru will get mad.” Yahiko nodded and allowed himself to be pulled by Kikio.

 

 

 

Kenshin smiled as his sister and Yahiko appeared in the dojo. Kikio placed her bag by the door and unsheathed her sword with one hand, she let go of Yahiko and he ran towards Koaru and Kenshin. Kikio sheathed her sword and sat by the door. Yahiko looked at Kaoru and Kenshin, “What are we gonna do today?” Kaoru smiled,

 

“Your going to fight with a person and then Kenshin would like to show you something.” Yahiko nodded,

 

“Who am I gonna fight with?” Kenshin smiled,

 

“Kikio come here.” Kikio smiled and got up unsheathing her sword again, with one hand. Kikio walked towards the group and she stopped right infront of them. Kenshin looked at Yahiko, “Yahiko I would like you to meet the most skilled woman in Japan. She was an assassin, like me for a year. She won't kill you. She's gonna give you some tips and see how well you fight.” Yahiko and Kikio went to the middle and Yahiko drew his sword. Kikio stretched and looked at him. They met eyes and she winked.

 

“Ready, begin!” Kikio and Yahiko launched themselves at each other.

 

 

 

About two hours later. Yahiko beat Kikio. Kikio got up and sheathed her sword, “Next time I won't go so easy.” Yahiko's jaw dropped as Kikio pulled off her shirt and dropped it into a bucket of water. Kikio turned around, “I was easy on you, Yahiko. Usually you would have been dead in the first five minutes.” Yahiko wipped his brow and went and sat under a window. Kenshin walked up to Kikio,

 

“You did good. Now get your shirt on before Yahiko goes crazy.” Kikio blushed and pulled on a shirt. She turned to Kenshin,

 

“You ready.” Kenshin nodded and looked at Kaoru,

 

“Lets do this outside.” They nodded and Yahiko and Kikio led them outside. Yahiko looked at Kikio and blushed. She was sweating and she had changed her shirt to a half shirt that she owned. Kikio looked at him,

 

“See something that you like?” She looked him up and down. He had lost his shirt in the process of their fight. Kikio looked ahead, `Geez. He's enough to drive me crazy.' The four arrived in a medow with the river running through it. Kikio looked at Kenshin and Yahiko and Kaoru backed away.

 

“Ready. GO!” Kaoru and Yahiko had to sheild their eyes from the dust raised. Sano walked up and had to shield his eyes as well. When he saw the siblings fighting he looked,

 

“Wow. Hitokiri Battosai and- does she have a title?” Kaoru smiled,

 

“She's Kikio Himura younger sister of Hitokiri Battosai and the most skilled swordswoman in Japan.” Sano nodded,

 

“DAMN. Hitokiri battosai against his double, but the double is a woman.” Yahiko nodded and watched Kikio and her moves.

 

 

 

An hour later Kikio and Kenshin quit their fight and both looked at the river in longing. Kikio and Kenshin smiled at each other and ran towards the river. Kaoru, Sano, and Yahiko all stared in shock as Kenshin and Kikio quit their fight and ran for the river. Sano and Yahiko ran to join them.

 

Kikio placed her hands on top of Yahiko's head and dunked him under. Kikio soon found herself dragged under the water. When she resurfaced she found herself in a different place in the river.

 

Sano looked over to Kenshin, “Have you seen your sister and Yahiko?” Kenshin nodded,

 

“Yeah. They went over there.” Kenshin pointed towards the bushes. Kaoru smiled, she could hear soft laughing coming from their direction.

 

 

 

Kikio sat on a log and watched Yahiko float on his back. Yahiko smiled and tugged on Kikio's foot. Kikio smiled, “Yahiko you do realize I know you're flirting with me.” Yahiko blushed,

 

“Yeah so?” Kikio smiled,

 

“You're so weird.” Kikio dunked Yahiko. When he came up they found themselves pressed up against each other. Yahiko closed his eyes as he blushed, `Great. Just great. This isn't happening.' Kikio looked at Yahiko and found that she could move. She tripped and Yahiko opened his eyes just in time to watch Kikio fall on top of him and send them both falling for the bank of the river. Yahiko wrapped his arms around Kikio and turned so that his back would hit the ground. They landed on the squishy sand. When they stopped falling Kikio laid her head on Yahiko's chest. They bloth blushed and Kikio sat up. She sat down on the sand next to Yahiko and watched him as his eyes remained closed and he breathed in and out trying to process what just happened. Kikio's hand some how found her way into Yahiko's and she squeezed. Yahiko opened his eyes and he sat up. He looked at Kikio and blinked, she did the same. Their heads slowly inched closer to each other until their noses were touching. Yahiko swallowed and Kikio gulped. Yahiko looked into Kikio's amber eyes, `What the hell.' Quickly he closed the gap between the two. Yahiko broke the kiss and Kikio opened her eyes. Yahiko blushed as Kikio licked her lips,

 

“Wow.” Yahiko nodded,

 

“Yeah. Uh, what just happened?” Kikio smiled,

 

“You kissed me.”

 

“I kissed you.” Kikio nodded,

 

“Now I, kiss you.” Kikio looked at Yahiko and kissed him. Yahiko responded by making it deeper. Kikio broke away gasping for air.

 

“Wow.”

 

“I think we better go tell them we're ok.” Yahiko nodded and noticed that one of the bandages, tied to Kikio's arm, was red,

 

“Your arm's bleeding.” Kikio looked at it,

 

“It's ok. It's probably just opened up from all the activity I did today.” Yahiko blushed and grabbed Kikio's hand. Kikio hopped out of the river and pulled Yahiko with her. There was a rustle in the bushes and Yahiko jumped behind Kikio, scared. A rabbit poked its head out of the bushes and scuttled off. Kikio laughed as she picked up her sword. She and Yahiko ran towards the dojo.

 

 

 

A few months later Kikio was sitting in her room looking out the window. Kaoru came in the room and sat across from Kikio, “Is there anything you wanted to talk about?”

 

“I know about the guys.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“How the guys have to leave. All of them Yahiko, Sano, Kenshin. And I. I can't go with them. I promised I'd protect Kenshin and I also need to protect Yahiko.” Kikio smiled and blushed at the same time, “Yahiko. If something were to happen to them I don't know what I'd do.” Kaoru nodded,

 

“All we can do is wait for them. They're leaving early tomarrow. If you get up early you can catch them.” Kikio smiled,

 

“You're worried about Kenshin too. You're also in love with him. Aren't you?!” Kaoru blushed,

 

“Yes. Kenshin is a wonderful man with a troubled past. Without you in his life he would be very unhappy.” Kikio shook her head,

 

“But without you. He would have no one to come home to after the fight. I move around too much. I couldn't stay in one place. But since I have found the Kamiya Dojo I have found a new place to call home. Not just an abandoned hut.” Kaoru smiled,

 

“We're going out for dinner I think that you should get dressed up nice. It's very rare that we can afford going out to eat.” Kikio nodded happily but her mood soon changed,

 

“You want nice? The nicest my clothes will get are these. I have no women's clothes.” Kaoru nodded,

 

“Come to my room. You can have some of my old ones.” Kikio smiled,

 

“That's very nice. Thank you.” Kikio got up and both her and Kaoru walked to Kaoru's room.

 

 

 

Kikio walked out of the dojo, with her kimono on. She looked around. Though she held an umbrella, she had a sword attached to her waist. Kikio smiled as Kenshin hugged her, “You look really pretty Kikio.” Yahiko smiled at Kikio as well and Kikio smiled back. Yahiko drew up beside her,

 

“You look really nice, Kikio.” Kikio blushed,

 

“Thank's Yahiko. That's very nice of you.” Kikio opened up her umbrella and Kikio and Kaoru took their places in the back of the group. Kenshin, Sano, and Yahiko were all greeted by the towns people. Kikio looked around and Kaoru looked at Kenshin, `He's so happy with Kikio around. I'll make sure that when they come home. Both Yahiko and Kenshin have their Kikio.' Kikio looked at Kenshin as he looked back at Kaoru. He dropped back to walk beside her, `Kenshin really loves Kaoru. Hmmm. I'll talk to Yahiko and Sanoske later, maybe they have some ideas on how to get those two together.'

 

 

 

The next morning Kikio awoke in Kenshin's room. She looked to Kenshin's bed, `Good he's still there.' Kikio got up and went to her room. She rifled through her bag looking for a change of clothes. She sniffed, `There's some one in my room.' She unsheathed her sword and turned around quickly. Yahiko was standing at the door rubbing his eyes. He opened his eyes and saw the sword infront of him. Kikio looked at him, “Oh. Hello Yahiko.” Yahiko looked at the sword and then at Kikio,

 

“WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!?! WHY DID YOU PULL OUT YOUR SWORD, IT'S ONLY ME?!” Kikio sighed and sat down,

 

“Sorry. I'm just not used to your scent yet. Sorry. Please say you'll forgive me.” Yahiko nodded,

 

“I'll forgive you.” Kikio smiled and went back to looking for her clothes. Kikio found her clothes and went behind a screen to pull them on. She came round the screen and quickly bandaged a cut on her arm. Yahiko sat down and Kikio sat next to him. Kikio looked at Yahiko who soon found himself pulling Kikio into his lap. Kikio turned around,

 

“I know about today.” Yahiko looked at her,

 

“What do you mean.”

 

“In a bit you have to leave. You don't know when or if you're coming back.” Yahiko smiled,

 

“So you found out. Kenshin didn't want you finding out but you did.”

 

I heard you guys talking about it.” Kikio hugged Yahiko, “I don't want you guys to go. You guys are going where I can't help you. I stinks it really does.” Yahiko nodded,

 

“I bet it does. But Sanoske, Kenshin, and I will come back. When? I don't know. But we will come back. Kenshin will make sure of it.” Yahiko hugged Kikio and Kikio got up she watched as Yahiko walked out of her room and to his acoss the hall.

 

 

 

Kenshin walked up to Kaoru's door, `Here I go.' Kenshin called softly, “Miss Kaoru? Are you awake?”

 

“Yes. Come on in, Kenshin.” Kaoru called back. Kenshin opened the door and walked in, closing it behind him. Kenshin sat across from Kaoru. Kaoru smiled when she saw the blush painting Kenshin's face, “What's wrong?” Kenshin looked up, `She's beautiful.'

 

“Miss Kaoru..uh.” Kaoru got up and sat next to Kenshin,

 

“Kikio knows.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Kikio found out about you guys and how you have to leave.”

 

“Shit. Great. Just great.” Kaoru giggled,

 

“She doesn't know what to think. Her big brother is going somewhere where she can't follow. Have you seen her and Yahiko lately?” Kenshin smiled,

 

“Yeah I have. It's sorta cute seeing Yahiko get all flustered when she does something normal, like doing the dishes but he makes it seem like she just kissed him. He likes her a lot. `Just like I like you.' Uh, Miss Kaoru may I have some assistance on something?” Kaoru nodded,

 

“Yes, Kenshin you can ask me anything.” Kenshin sighed,

 

“Ok. I have a friend, that lives in a few towns away. He keeps asking me advice on a girl he likes BUT I don't know what to tell him cause I've never been in this perdiciment. See, he likes this girl and he's not to sure if she likes him. He wants to tell her, he realy loves her, but he's afraid of rejection. What should I do -I mean tell him?” Kaoru smiled and got closer to Kenshin,

 

“He should just tell the girl right out how he feels. I'm sure she likes him. Oh. I know who you're talking about. You're not very good at talking to people hypotheticly.” Kaoru's nose touched Kenshin's and she kissed him. Kenshin's eyes closed and he returned the favor. Kenshin broke the kiss just as Kaoru was running out of breath. Kaoru smiled as she pulled away, “I love you Kenshin.” Kenshin blushed,

 

“I-I love you too.” Kaoru smiled and hugged Kenshin. Kenshin held onto Kaoru as best as he could.

 

Kikio knocked on the door lightly,

 

“Sorry to disturb the very touching moment but I need to talk to Kenshin.” Kenshin looked at Kaoru,

 

“Sorry. Duty calls.” Kaoru kissed him lightly and Kenshin kissed back. What was meant to be a light kiss suddenly turned into one filled with passion. Kikio growled,

 

“Kenshin. I don't have all day and neither do you. Once we're done you can go back to what you're doin'.” Yahiko came behind Kikio and wrapped his arms around her waist. Kikio turned around quickly. “Don't scare me like that!” she whispered. Yahiko smiled.

 

“Sorry.” He whispered back, “I can get Kaoru out of there.” He knocked on the door, “Kaoru, Sano got into your clothes again.”

 

Kaoru was out of the room like a flash. She looked at Yahiko, “Where is he?!” Yahiko laughed,

 

“Not really. Kikio really needs to talk to Kenshin and you two were in there sucking face.” Kaoru hit him over the head, “Ouch! Kikio she hit me.” Kikio smiled,

 

“You probably deserved it.” Yahiko looked at Kikio and growled,

 

“You're mean.” He walked away snickering. Kikio just looked at him and then looked at Kaoru,

 

“Do you mind if I talk with Kenshin in here?” Kaoru shook her head,

 

“Nope. See ya later. I've got to go pull Sanoske out of-“

 

“COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE BRAT!!!”

 

“I'M NOT LITTLE!!!!”

 

“Never mind. See ya Kikio.”

 

“Bye Kaoru.” Kikio waved and walked into the room. Kenshin was just getting up when he was knocked over by Kikio hugging him. Kenshin sat up and craddled Kikio,

 

“What's wrong.”

 

“I want to go.”

 

“But you can't. IF you came the guys and I would be too preoccupied with taking care of you then doing our jobs.”

 

“I can take care of myself. What do you mean. The `guys'?”

 

“Sanoske and Yahiko.”

 

“Why Sanoske?”

 

“He thinks of you as a little sister.”

 

“Oh. Come on let me come, please!!!” Kenshin shook his head,

 

“No, Kikio. I will not put you in this sort of danger.” Kikio's lip quivered,

 

“But what if you don't come back?” Kenshin looked at his baby sister,

 

“I will come back. We'll all come back. Now up you get. I've got to get going and I have some unfinished business to attend to.” Kikio smirked,

 

“You just want to go make out with Kaoru a little more before you go.” Kenshin blushed he placed his finger over his lips,

 

“Shhhhhh!!” Kikio smiled as Kenshin walked out the door. Kikio headed to her room where she found Yahiko trying to get in.

 

 

Kikio looked at Yahiko, “Try as you might, Yahiko. You won't get in.” Yahiko looked at Kikio,

 

“Please Kikio. Sano is gonna kill me!” Kikio let Yahiko in her room and quickly closed the door. Sano opened Kikio's door and Kikio looked at him,

 

“Yes.”

 

“I know you're little boyfriend is in here. SO don't deny it.”

 

“I'm not denying anything just you were inturupting.” Sano's face turned pale,

 

“Sorry Kikio. Just don't go too far.” Kikio smiled and gave him a thumbs up,

 

“Just don't tell my brother.” She winked and Sano left closing the door. Yahiko came out from behind the screen and looked at Kikio,

 

“What was he inturupting?” Kikio shrugged,

 

“Oh I don't know. You decide.” Yahiko smiled evily,

 

“Can it be…this?” Yahiko kissed Kikio. Kikio broke the kiss,

 

“Oh I guess.” Yahiko smiled and kissed Kikio. Kikio kissed back. Somehow Yahiko lost his shirt. Kikio stopped and looked at Yahiko, “Yahiko.” Yahiko was still in a daze,

 

“Hmmm?” Kikio's hand touched his chest,

 

“Where's your shirt.” Yahiko shivered

 

“Dunno.” Kikio found it laying by the door.

 

“Oh ok.” Yahiko kissed Kikio again and Kikio rolled onto her bed, “Try to catch me.” Yahiko came out of his daze and he grabbed Kikio. He placed her arms at her side,

 

“Did you think you were gonna get away?” Kikio shrugged as best as she could,

 

“Oh I don't know. I didn' thi-“ The door opened and Kenshin was standing at the door. Kenshin growled,

 

“Yahiko lets go.” Yahiko nodded and looked around for his shirt. Kenshin kicked it to Yahiko and Yahiko ran out of the room pulling on his shirt as he went. Kenshin closed the door and looked at Kikio, “What do you think you were doing?!” Kikio sighed,

 

“Playing.” Kenshin tapped his foot,

 

“And?” Kikio blushed and said very quietly,

 

“And kissing.” Kenshin nodded and sat down next to Kikio,

 

“Sorry for getting mad. When Sano came in and told me why his face was pale I blew my top.” Kikio looked at him,

 

“I know you mean well. I'm sorry Kenshin. You better get going.” Kenshin got up and walked out the door.

 

 

 

Kaoru and Kikio watched as Sanoske, Kenshin, and Yahiko walked out of the dojo. Kaoru walked up to Yahiko and hugged him, “You better not die. Or I'll find you and bring you back to life and kill you for leaving Kikio alone.” Yahiko nodded,

 

“Whatever you ugly girl.” Kaoru smiled and punched him in the head. She walked over to Sano and handed him a bag,

 

“Here is some food for the road.” Sano hugged Kaoru,

 

“Gee thanks. I'm sure it's disgusting.” Kaoru hit him. Kaoru finally walked up to Kenshin. She kissed him and Sano and Yahiko both covered their eyes. Kaoru pulled away,

 

“You better come back. Or I' don't know what I'd do. When you come back I'll make sure that Kikio hasn't left.” Kenshin nodded,

 

“I promise I'll come back. And I'll be alive.” Kaoru smiled and hugged Kenshin.

 

 

 

Kikio punched Sanoske in the arm, “Come back, ya hear.” Sano punched Kikio back,

 

“Yes Ma'am.” Kikio smiled and went over to Yahiko. She hugged Yahiko,

 

“You better come back alive. I'll never forgive you if you don't.” Yahiko nodded and kissed Kikio's cheek,

 

“You better be here when I get back.” Kikio nodded and walked up to her brother,

 

“Since I can't go with you you have to promise me that you will come home, alive.” Kenshin nodded and hugged his sister.

 

 

 

Megumi ran into the dojo, she looked around wildly, “SANO?!”

 

 

 

Sanoske turned his head towards the enterance and saw Megumi. Megumi spotted Sanoske and ran towards him. She dropped her packages and ran to him. She got to him and hugged him, “Please don't go. What if you die?!” Sano looked at Megumi,

 

“What are you babbling about?”

 

“I love you!!!” Sano looked at her,

 

“You don't love me!!!!! YOU LOVE KENSHIN! BUT HA! YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM!!!” Megumi looked at Sano,

 

“Then I'll prove it to you!” Megumi kissed Sano and Sano pulled away,

 

“Are you crazy, bitch?” Megumi nodded her head,

 

“Crazy, maybe…” Sano looked at her and punched her in the head,

 

“I don't have time for this. Yahiko, Kenshin, Sano lets go.” Kaoru looked at Sano,

 

“Stop talking to yourself.” Megumi ran inside the dojo crying. Kenshin scowled at Sano,

 

“That was mean. Just like the time Kikio killed my goldfish and FED IT TO ME!!” Kikio smiled evily.

 

~flashback~

A two year old Kikio tries to drown the goldfish, it doesn't work. Kikio picked up a knife and chopped the fish into sashimi. She picked it up and put it on a tray. She feeds it to Shinta for lunch.

 

Several hours later…

 

“Kikio?”

 

“Yes Shinta?”

 

“Where's Kenji?”

 

“What's a Kenji?”

 

“My goldfish.”

 

“OH! Dat Kenji! You ate `im.”

 

“WHAT!!”

 

~end flashback~

 

Everyone looked at Kikio. Kikio shrugged,

 

“WHAT?!” Sano shook his head and headed out the dojo. Yahiko and Kenshin quickly followed him.

 

 

 

A few weeks later Megumi finally emerged from her room, “Doesn't he love me?” Kikio was leaning against a wall chewing on a stick of cinnamon,

 

“You've gone and flirted with Kenshin too many times and Sano thinks you're lying or on something. One or both. Oh there's a letter for you from Dr. Gensai he wants you to work at the clinic for a few weeks while he goes to a different town to work on a patient. You're supposed to be there in a few minutes. Better get going. You can come back at night.” Megumi scowled at Kikio, `Who is she? Thinking she can read my mail.' Kikio smiled at her and walked off. Megumi pulled on her coat and went to talk to Kaoru. She was in the kitchen reading a letter from Kenshin. Megumi walked up,

 

“Who is that girl?” Kaoru walked up,

 

“Oh, Kikio? She's Kenshin's baby sister and Yahiko's girlfriend.” Megumi looked suprised,

 

“Sir Ken has a sister. And since when did Yahiko have any luck with the girls?” Kaoru laughed,

 

“Since Kikio came along.” Megumi nodded and walked out of the dojo.