Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ To Love You Again ❯ A lost girl ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Author's note (read and be warned!): This story is set on present time. OOC is something that will happen a lot (if you already know one of my fanfictions, you will see that I usually take care to not make the characters too much OOC, but for this fic I'm not taking it into consideration). Why? Two reasons. First: it's the present, so we can't expect them to act as if they did more than 1 hundred years ago. Second: the characters didn't go through the things that they did at that time, so there will be differences on their personalities.

I decided to write this down after reading some fanfictions set in the present (I really like those). It's worth mentioning: Kori Suketchi's 'Society vs. Eternal Love', Kage-sama's 'A new Life', Gypsy-chan's 'Fatal Love' and Koneko-dono's 'Aishitteiru Forever'. They are all great stories and available on fanfiction.net . I just noticed that my title turned out too similar one of Midori Natari Himura's fanfiction (I haven't read her fanfiction, I don't like the idea of Tomoe and Kenshin together... But Midori-san is a great writer, I know because I read some of her other stories. So, check out her stories too). I think I'm done with advertising now...

Disclaimer: If you want me to say that I own Rurouni Kenshin, all you have to do is tickle me until I can't breath from laughing. Since no one is tickling me right now, I don't own it!!!!!!!!!!!

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"dialogs"
thoughts
*** change of scene
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To Love you Again

By Hana Himura

Edited by Kayjuli

1. A lost girl

It was almost dawn. The girl hugged her old backpack, her grip unbelievable tight. I'm so tired... I can't go on anymore. She had nowhere to go. No one she could rely. Her eyes filled with tears. She felt scared, maybe for the first time on her young life. Her feet were sour. Her eyes were red from crying.

I've been walking nonstop for hours. I don't sleep in two days. I'm exhausted... She looked around just to find out that she didn't know where she was. But when you don't know where to go, why should you feel concerned that you don't know where you are? I must think. But I'm just so tired... I couldn't go to 'cousin', even if I knew where he was... She tripped, almost falling down. Mou! I'm just too tired! I want to sleep.

She sat down on the doorsteps of a café. It was still too soon for it to be open. This seems like a nice neighborhood. I wished I could live around here... Maybe someday. The girl smacked her forehead with her hand. Stop this stupid dreams! If you live you can't think about that. Right now, you must find a way to be out of the streets, little missy. Great! Now I'm talking to myself... And calling me little missy, just like cousin does... I'm crazy. No, I'm not crazy, just tired. Maybe I could sleep just a little bit. She put her backpack on the floor and lied, using it as a pillow. Just a little bit...

"Wake up, girl!"

I'm too tired, grandpa... Let me sleep a little longer. A hand shook her shoulder.

"Wake up." The voice repeated.

Wait a second... Grandpa doesn't sound like a lady. Shit! I feel asleep on the street! She opened her eyes. There was a short woman, brown hair and eyes, staring at her with a concerned look on her eyes.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep here..." She said, getting up.

"Did you run away from home?" The woman asked.

Sorta...

"No..." The girl's stomach roared.

"Are you hungry? I was about to have breakfast. Do you want to join me?" The woman asked.

Why is she being so nice? Is she just toying with me? It doesn't seem so. She looks... Like someone I've known before. Someone nice. The girl nodded.

The woman opened the door of the café and let them in. She took the girl to a counter.

"What's your name?" The woman asked.

"Kaoru..." She opened her mouth to say her last name, but changed her mind. I don't want this lady for getting in trouble because of me.

"I'm Tae. Sekihara Tae. Do you know how to make coffee?"

Yeah, but it tastes bad. Not even grandfather would drink it.

"No." Kaoru answered instead.

"Do you want me to show you? It's pretty easy with these coffee machines."

"Okay."

"You don't talk much, do you?" Tae smiled.

"I do. It's just that I'm very tired."

"I have a small room on the back. I use it when I have to stay late working. It's not very safe to be walking on the street on late hours. If you want to, you can take a nap while I make coffee."

This is strange. Why is she being so nice to me? She doesn't know me. I could be a thief.

"Why are you being nice to me?" Did I say that out loud?

"I don't know. You look like you had a rough time. I'm not the kind of person that turns her back on people." Tae said walking toward the back and motioning Kaoru to follow her.

That was really a small room. The only thing that seemed to fit there was a bed. Better this than the sidewalk. Actually, this is so much better!

"You can rest here. I'll call you when breakfast is ready." Tae blinked to her.

"Thank you, Tae-san."

"Don't mention it." Tae said, leaving back to the front of the store. 'Why do I want to help this girl? Maybe it's because she seems helpless. When she wakes up I'll have to ask her about her family. I'm almost sure she ran away from home. Her parents must be worrying about her.' Tae thought.

Kaoru lied, hugging her backpack like it was a teddy bear. I wished I was home... Mom, dad... I miss you. She closed her eyes and it wasn't long before the drifted to the land of dreams.

***

That was a strange dream. I want to remember it, before it slips away. There was this guy that fought with a sword and wore a magenta gi. He looked just like me. He was walking down a dark street and some guys with western clothes and guns showed up. They were firing at the guy... But no one was able to hit him. He was just too fast. No, wait, the cowboys were in the movie I was watching before I fell asleep. The swordsman was actually helping a girl to clean a dojo. Great! I dreamt I was a maid!

But that was a nice dream. Peaceful. There is a long time since I felt this peace inside. That was a weird dream, but it made me feel good. I hope I dream that again sometime... But with a feel changes maybe... No cleaning... Just the girl and I on a empty dojo. That's a better dream.

He opened his eyes, trying to guess what time was it. Too late. I over slept. The TV was still on. He changed the channel to watch the news while making the bed. Did I forget something? I feel like I forgot something.

The phone rang. That's it. She is going to kill me. I forgot to call this morning.

"Hello."

"You said you were going to call." Her voice sounded angry.

"I'm so sorry, Tomoe. I just woke up." It's true.

"Sure. You must have been out late on a date and forgot you were supposed to call home this morning."

"Actually, I stayed up watching a movie. One of those cowboys movies." That's true too.

"You never liked cowboy movies, Kenshin. But you don't have to tell a lame excuse like that to me. Tell that to your son. He loves you and admires you. You told him that you would call this morning."

She over reacts all the time. But she is a mom, what can I do about that? She is just protective of her son.

"Tomoe, I promise I'll make it up to him."

"You better. You are taking him today. I'll have dinner with Akira. You know how our little boy is about baby sitters." Her voice changed into an amused tone.

Kenshin chuckled. He remembered an incident with a baby-sitter long ago. She only turned her back on him for two minutes, while cooking his dinner.

"Remember when he set the kitchen's curtains on fire?" Kenshin asked.

"Poor girl. He scared her so much that she never will baby-sit again. And we had to pay for her therapy sessions afterwards!" Tomoe laughed.

"That's some boy we have."

There was silence for a moment. She must have remembered something. Maybe something we all did together. I miss that. I miss having a family to do things with.

"So... You have to tell me why you aren't seeing someone." Her voice finally came from the other end of the line.

"How do you know that?" She always knew more about me than anyone. I can't lie to Tomoe she always saw right through me. That's why I never bother to come with excuses for something I forgot.

"You wouldn't be watching TV late at night if you had a girlfriend."

"I never seem to find someone like you."

"Quit trying. At this time and age, you wouldn't be with someone like me for more than three days. I don't regret being married to you. But at some point we had to grow up, ne?"

"You are right. We were just too young and foolish."

"And now we have our responsibilities." Her voice got back at a resentful tone. She just remembered that I forgot to call. I know our son's feelings are not as fragile as she try to make them seem. He is a strong boy. But for her, he'll always be a baby.

"Don't be angry with me. I'll make it up for him today." Kenshin repeated.

"You know I can't be angry with you for too long. Pick him up at seven. Don't be late, because I need to talk to you about something."

"I don't know if I'll have a meeting." It would be terrible to break my word twice in one day.

"I called your secretary. You are free. Don't be late!"

"Okay, ma'am."

"And don't spoil him!"

"Right. Bye, Tomoe. See you later."

Past eight o'clock. I'll be late for everything today. No time for breakfast.

Kenshin got in the shower. I must get a haircut. I'm beginning to look like a hippie. Though it wouldn't be bad, just quit the job and wander around the world.

***

Gods... I slept too much... She said she would wake me up.

Kaoru stretched her limbs. What time is it? Judging for my hunger, it must be noon.

Kaoru got up. She felt dizzy and fell back on the bed.

It was Thursday. She was supposed to be at school. But she missed classes on the last few days. For the first time Kaoru thought that she wouldn't go back to school. Staying alive was more important then that. Of course, her grandfather wouldn't agree. Education was very important for him. Grandpa... I hope you are alive... Who am I kidding? He's probably dead by now. They shot him. I don't want him to be dead...

Once again she was crying. Stop being weak, Kaoru. Stop crying...

"Are you okay?" Kaoru didn't notice Tae entering the room.

Kaoru tried to dry her tears, but they just kept falling on her face.

"Talk to me, please." Tae asked, hugging the girl. "Maybe I can help."

"You can't help... He is dead."

"Who is dead?" Tae asked softly. "Your father?"

"No... Yes..."

"What?"

"Both my parents are dead. They died two years ago."

Tae stroke the girl's hair gently. Mom used to do this when I felt down. I miss her so much. Kaoru cried even harder than before.

"It's okay..." Tae said. "Cry."

"My grandfather... He was the one..." Kaoru said, between sobs. "I'm alone..."

Why am I telling her this? She will only pity me.

"Do you have somewhere to go? Do you have any family left?"

Kaoru just shook her head.

"Do you want to work for me?"

Kaoru looked at the older woman.

"I can't pay you much, but you'll have food and a place to sleep." Tae said.

Today must be my lucky day. I can't believe this. Do I want to stay here? I'm out of the streets and that's what matters. Besides, this is a nice neighborhood, they won't look for me here.

"So, what do you say?" Tae asked.

"Yes. Thank you." Kaoru smiled.

"Now wash your pretty face. You need to eat something. Then I'll show you how to make coffee. Do you know how to balance a tray?"

"I think so..." But then... I'm famous for being clumsy.

"I can teach you that too. You just need to practice a bit and you'll be great."

She is really nice. I wonder why she is doing all this for me.

"And I need to get you an apron. And I'll introduce you to the rest of the staff. Well... Three people isn't exactly a large staff, but we don't need too much help here. What I do need is someone to work the last shift, from five to eleven." Tae was excited. "The rest of the day you can do whatever you want."

***

Kenshin stopped in front of the door. I almost made it in time. Just ten minutes late. For some reason, he couldn't help but to think that house was just too big for just two people to live in. Even when he still lived there, it was still too big. That was the house where he had grown up. There were lots of fond memories there. And there were memories he just wanted to forget. He finally knocked the door.

A boy, by the age of ten, opened the door.

"Hi, otou-san. Mom is upstairs getting ready. She wants you to go there." The boy said.

"Hey. Did you grow up from last week until today?" It's not hard to make peace with him. You just have to know what to say.

"Really?" He was excited.

"Of course." Kenshin smiled. "Hey, are you angry because I didn't call you this morning?"

"No. I forgot about that when I went to school. Did you over sleep again? I know! You had a date!"

"Oro! I didn't!"

"Okay... I must have more social life than you."

"I'll go see your okaa-san, before she decides that she wants to kill me for making her late for her date."

"She won't leave..." The boy looked at his wristwatch. "In another 45 minutes. She told you to be here earlier because she knew you'd be late."

"So, go gather your things while I talk to your 'kaa-san."

Kenshin climbed the stairs. This house is still the same. Except that I don't live here anymore. He knocked on her door.

"You are late!" Her voice called from inside the room.

Kenshin opened the door. Tomoe facing the mirror, finishing her makeup, before turning to him with a smile on her face. She was wearing a long black dress. She looks beautiful. She always looks beautiful with her hair up like that.

"I'm not late. I'm early. Did you forget?" He smiled.

"Oh! I see someone told you my little trick..."

"You wanted to see me and now here I am." Just like a little dog. If you tell me roll over and play dead, that's what I'll do. No one can deny you anything. Good thing we are not married anymore.

"Akira will propose to me tonight." There. She said it. Simple and nice. I feel happy for her. A bit jealous for him, maybe. But she deserves happiness more than anyone. He will have to treat her right, otherwise I'll kill him...

"Did he tell you?" Kenshin asked.

"No. But being married to you made me learn that is important to have a good relationship with the loved one's secretaries."

"You can learn a man's live trough his secretary, right?"

"Yes. How do you think I know you are not seeing anyone?" Tomoe smiled.

"Well, congratulations, Tomoe. I wish you all the happiness in the world." I said it. And it's true. I'm really letting her go, now. This is good-bye to my first love. But I don't feel sad. She deserves happiness and so do I. I'll find my happiness too, someday.

"Thank you."

"I need to get going now." I thought that farewells were supposed to be sad.

"Oh! He already had dinner. Don't let him eat junk food! And make him sleep early. And don't get him late to school. If he pretends to be sick..." Tomoe said.

"I know. I already know all this. We'll be fine. I promise." Every time is like this. She just has to say all her motherly things, forgetting that he is my son too and that I know him. I know every scheme he has for skipping school. And how he hides sweets under his pillow to eat it at night. That she doesn't know about him.

"I'll pick him up at school on Monday."

"Good luck on... Being proposed?" Kenshin smiled.

"Oh! I just remembered! If your son starts talking about kendo, you know what to say, right?"

"What's wrong with him learning it? It could be useful in the future. For protection purposes only."

"What if he gets hurt during practice? No."

We are going to talk about this again. If he really wants to learn it, of course. There is nothing wrong if him learning a little discipline. Kendo could do him good. As long as he doesn't want to pick a bamboo sword to hit anyone on the head.

"Bye, Tomoe."

"Good luck with the little pest!" She smiled.

Kenshin went downstairs and headed to the door. The boy was nowhere to be found.

"Yahiko, let's go!" Kenshin opened the door and the boy was already standing outside.

"What took you so long?" Yahiko asked, he was obviously in a hurry. "Let's go."

"Why do you want to leave so badly?"

"Akira will be here in no time. I don't want to bump into him." The boy said, heading to the car.

What's with him? Is he jealous of his mother? He was never jealous of Akira before. They used to be in good terms. Except for all those tricks Yahiko tried on the beginning to chase his mother's boyfriend away. But after that they learned to stand each other. Maybe it's just too weird for a kid see his mom marry someone.

***

This is a dream. Of course this is a dream. All of this had already happened. I was sleeping on my bed on grandpa's house. I remember I was having one of those weird dreams. That kind of dream where you are someone else. I can't remember what I was dreaming, though.

Cousin walked in my room and shook me awake.

"Get up already, little missy. They are coming for you!" He was shoving some clothes into my backpack. "You must leave now. Don't come back. They'll kill you."

My sleepy brain took a while to register what he was saying. Cousin left to talk to grandpa, while I was changing clothes. Then I heard a loud noise at the gate. Someone was breaking in. I took a look through my window. That's when I saw grandpa being shot. I just stood there.

Cousin got back in the room.

"Fuck! You must hurry! Let's go!" He grabbed my arm, pulling me to the back of the house. He lifted me, so I could jump the fence.

"I'll delay them. Take care, little missy." That was the last thing he said.

I don't know if cousin is alive or not. He is a fighter. He's used to that kind of people. I think he must be okay. He is a survivor, just like me. I'll meet him again, when all this is over... But I don't know how long that will be. I could have to hide forever. I hate hiding. It makes me feel like a coward. But I just can't face them with my bare hands... I not even have a bokken with me, or a shinai... How would I fight them? With broomsticks? They have guns. I hate to state the obvious, but I'm not immortal. I'm not Supergirl. I'm just a regular girl.

I wished all this was just a nightmare, so that I could wake up... My mom would make me breakfast. Dad would walk me to school. Everybody would be alive and well. Grandpa too. I miss everybody, even that baka cousin. If I see him again, I'll never call him baka again. He saved my life.

I just want this nightmare to end. Why doesn't it just end?

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Hello, minna-san! For those that are used to my funny fics, sorry!!!!! I wanted to try something serious for a long time... But the good reviewers always got me going to funny again. Even though... I thought that Yahiko being Kenshin's son with Tomoe would be a good reason for laughs.

Oh! Kathie is the editor of this fanfiction. She is a great writer! So, if you like Card Captor Sakura... Or even if you don't, or if you haven't seen it before, her fanfiction is still worth reading. Take a look at her story: The Power of Two Hearts. It's really fantastic. My personal favorite.

Anyway, I ask you to be nice to me, since it's my first non funny fanfiction. So, no flames. And Review! Please! ^x^