The Wandering Girl,

The Wandering Girl, Enter Yume

By: Ashley Hall

The night sky was filled with the glow from a fire. It rages on in a small excluded village. The revolution will be deiced on this day; will it be changed? One man draws his sword and then hundreds of bodies lay on the blood stained dirt. He walks on, no one knows why he’s doing so, but he does. Several more men fall at the feet of this mysterious samurai. A figure runs at him from behind, he draws his sword and then, unable to avoid the attack, he receives a cross-shaped slash on the left side of his face that would soon leave a scar. His sword quickly plunges into the figure and then the body lies limp on the ground, the person lay dieing. The man holding the bloody sword looked down to see his victim was a woman. He stared in disbelief as he saw who this woman really was. From that day, Hitokiri Battosai became a wandering samurai.

* * * * *

Kenshin Himura woke suddenly, cold sweat slid down his face and neck as he took in sharp rapid breaths. He grabbed the hem of his covers and whipped his face. He decided to get up and walk off his dream.

He pulled on his kimono and opened the small sliding door of his small room that was provided by the assistant master of the dojo he was staying at. Kaoru Kamiya was kindly enough to let him self, the once feared Battosai, stay at the dojo for as long as he wished. He was not alone either, a small fourteen-year-old orphan stayed in the room down the hall from him. Yahiko Myojin, who wants to become as good of a samurai as his late father was, studies the Kamiya Kasshin sword style, known as the sword to protect people. Sanosuku Sagara, once known as Zanza, fighter for higher, comes by to eat and hang out with Kenshin and the gang. Dr. Gensai usually brings the two girls over, Ayame and Suzume. Sometimes Miss Megumi Takani would come over. She would stir trouble up between Kaoru and Kenshin with her antics to make Kaoru jealous, and it usually worked.

Kenshin walked out to the courtyard and stood there for a moment. He then turned his head to the sky. The cold crisp air felt nice rushing over his face and playing with his long red hair. The sun had decided to come out and dance across the yard as well as Kenshin. His shadow lay on the ground behind him as he walked to the storage room. There was some rice and fish in there. Kenshin decided to take his mind off things by cooking. He brought in the pail of rice and the package of fish to the cooking area and washed his hands. He rolled up his sleeves and grabbed a bowl and put some rice in it to begin to wash it.

* * * * *

In the other room, Yahiko began to stir. He stretched and yawned as he rubbed his eyes. He got up and put on his Kimono top and walked out of his room, he left his covers on the floor; as always. He knew that Kaoru would be up soon to give him his lesson. The lesson didn’t bother him, it was his master, and he had always considered her to be ugly. Despite the name she goes on about, what was it again, oh yes, the Roes of Martial Arts. Yahiko walked by the kitchen to see Kenshin was already up and making breakfast. He turned around and smiled.

“Good morning Yahiko.” He said as he turned back to cooking the meal.

“Good morning Kenshin, why are you up so early?” Yahiko asked as he walked over to the counter.

“I woke up and went outside a little while ago. I decided that I shouldn’t go back to bed so I decided to make breakfast for everyone. Why are you up so early?” Kenshin asked.

“I’m always up at the crack of dawn.” Yahiko said as he yawned.

“Well you missed the sun rise.” Kenshin said.

“Oh, well I guess I slept in a little bit then. Do you know when Kaoru will get up?” Yahiko asked as he turned and headed towards the door.

“I’m not sure. Why don’t you go check on her?” Kenshin said as he started a fire and put the rice in a pot.

“And wake up the ugly! No way!” Yahiko said as he walked towards the training part of the dojo.

Kenshin chuckled to himself and watched the fire.

* * * * *

Across town a girl walked into the gates. Her own blood stained the front of her Kimono as she supported herself on a staff. The staff that she was supporting herself on was about a foot taller then her self. She wore a light green Kimono top and white pants. Her left arm was hanging to her side; it had apparently been almost cut off at the shoulder. Blood ran down her arm and dripped off her fingertips to leave a trail of blood behind her. It was still dawn and hardly anyone was up. She stumbled and fell to the ground, exhausted, she sighed and closed her eyes.

* * * * *

Kaoru woke up slowly. She opened her eyes to the sun shinning into her eyes. She got up and got dressed into one of her pretty Kimonos. Yahiko was in the training dojo practicing and Kenshin was making breakfast. Rice balls and fish seemed like a nice breakfast as she sat down. She was a little upset with Kenshin and with his superior cooking.

Two little girls came running into the kitchen laughing and giggling about something as usual.

“Uncle Kenny!” The girls yelled as Ayame and Suzume ran towards Kenshin and gave him a big hug.

“Well hello there. How are you two this morning?” Kenshin asked as Dr. Gensai walked in.

“Oh, hello Dr. Gensai, what’s wrong?” Kaoru asked as she looked at her grandfather.

Dr. Gensai looked at them, “Can you watch Ayame and Suzume for me for a couple of hours; we have an emergency down at the clinic.”

“What happened?” Yahiko asked coming into the room and put a rice ball into his mouth.

“A girl came in this morning, she was about your age Yahiko, she was found in the street this morning and she is in critical condition. We’re hoping that she will survive.” He said as the girls ran up to him and gave him a hug.

“How’d she get that way?” Kaoru asked.

“We don’t know, the only thing we do know is that she had cuts on her face, neck and her left arm was almost cut off.” He said as he turned around, “I wish I could talk more but I’m needed badly.”

“We understand.” Kenshin said as he grabbed two more plates for the two girls.

“Uncle Kenny, we saw her, she had this long tall stick looking thing and she had a lot of cuts!” Suzume said.

“Ya, lots of cuts!” Ayame said.

“A staff? Who would use a staff in combat?” Yahiko said.

“A staff can be very useful Yahiko, for instance, a staff can be longer then a sword so it is useful in long rage combat. Another reason is that you can attack people from both in front of you and behind you. I have battled many staff holders, and they can be troublesome.” Kenshin said as Suzume and Ayame sat down on both sides of him.

Yahiko sat there thinking, he decided that after his lesson he would go see the girl. That is if she is able to see people.

Yahiko left the dojo during the late afternoon and headed down to the clinic. He arrived and heard a lot of noise coming from one of the rooms. He walked by to see Miss Megumi with a female patient. He knocked on the door and the patient’s hand jerked.

“Yahiko? What are you doing here?” She asked.

“I came to see the girl, you know, the one that was found this morning.” Yahiko said as he walked in the room.

“Yes, well, this is she. She was attack by bandits, they seemed to have taken a lot of her things.” Megumi said as she finished tying a bandage around her left shoulder.

The girl turned her head to look at Yahiko. Her head was wrapped up so that you couldn’t see her head and most of her face. You could only see her eyes and nose. On the floor next to the bed was a puddle of blood and looked like they were her clothes. Megumi had gotten up and started to clean the mess up.

“She was lucky that Sanosuku found her.” Megumi said.

“Sano found her? How?” Yahiko asked.

“He said he was just out walking and came a crossed her on the ground. He brought her to me and I brought her to the clinic. Dr. Gensai had helped with removing some of her damaged tissue in her upper arm. She won’t ever have full use of it again. But at least she has her life. You would be surprised that she was in critical condition. She can talk and move, but she really shouldn’t though.” Miss Megumi said.

“I don’t even have that…a life of my own.” She said and Yahiko and Miss Megumi jumped.

“You shouldn’t be talking, you will lose all of your energy.” Miss Megumi said turning around to look up at her.

“I’ll be alright.” She said as she turned her head to Yahiko, “Why have you come to see me?”

“I-I just wanted to see if you were going to be alright. I also heard about the staff thing you own.” Yahiko said.

“My staff? Oh yes. What do you want to know?” She asked.

“It’s ok, you don’t have to tell me.” Yahiko said as he started to leave.

“Listen, you shouldn’t talk, you should be resting.” Miss Megumi said as she stood up after cleaning up the floor.

“I told you I would be alright. My life isn’t that important.” She said.

“My heavens, why do you say that?” Megumi asked.

“I don’t have any family left, I have one but he has been missing for fourteen years. He’s actually a family friend, but to me he seems like family.” She said.

“Fourteen years?” Megumi asked.

“My father died after he left, he was sick through the Meiji Revolution. My mother died after she gave birth to me and my mother’s best friend died at the feet of the one I seek.” She said.

“That’s terrible.” Yahiko said.

“It was an accident.” She said.

“Oh how horrible.” Miss Megumi said.

“I’ll be gone in about a day, I have to continue on my journey to find him.” She said.

“You will go nowhere till your wounds are healed.” Miss Megumi said as she got up and left the room.

“Do you want to know something? I’ll show you if you don’t snitch.” She said as Yahiko walked towards the bed.

“I won’t snitch, what is it?” He asked.

“Grab my staff over there on the floor. Bring it here please.” She asked.

Yahiko got up and retrieved the staff from the corner. He brought it over to the bedside and she lifted her right arm and something clicked.

“Hold on to the bottom of the staff and grab the top of it.” She said.

“Like this?” He asked as he did what she said.

“Yes, now pull up slowly.” She said as Yahiko did so.

Yahiko stared at it as the top of her staff slowly came off and revealed a sharp blade inside it.

“It’s a sakabato!” Yahiko said. (For Japanese words see the bottom of the fic)

“Yes, the bottom’s like that too. I don’t believe in killing so that’s why I have this.” She said.

“How’d you make this?” Yahiko asked.

“I first made the blades. It was tuff but I did it. The handle was the hardest. That double sided sword there weighs a lot huu?” She asked as Yahiko put it on the side of the bed.

“Ya.” He said as he stood up.

Will you do me a favor? Could you take these bandages off my head? I’m not bleeding.” She said. “I was earlier but now I’m not.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Yahiko said as he kneeled down and untied the bandage around her head.

It took him a while but he finally unraveled the bandage on her head. It revealed black, medium length hair that fell down to the middle of her back. Her gray eyes seemed to be a lot lighter now that her hair was let down. On her face were a couple of scratches but they were already covered over with dried blood.

She smiled as Miss Megumi walked back into the room. “What are you doing! You can’t just take those bandages off!” She said as she rushed over to the girl.

“I’m ok, I’m not bleeding.” She said.

“Yahiko, how could you just let her do this?” She asked wrapping the bandage around her head once again.

“I helped her, I didn’t think it would hurt.” Yahiko said.

“Yahiko, I think you should leave, and before you go, please put this in the corner of the room.” Miss Megumi said as she handed Yahiko the staff.

He took it and put it in the corner of the room and then walked to the door. “Yahiko, I want you to know my name, it’s Yume.” She said as he left the room.

* * * * *

Kenshin had a small bowl and was carrying it to the market to buy some tofu for lunch and dinner. He ran into Yahiko on the way back.

“Well hello Yahiko, what have you been up to? You left the dojo as soon as your lesson was done.” Kenshin asked as one of those childish smiles crept up onto his face.

“I went to see Yume.” Yahiko said.

“Yume? Who’s that?” He asked.

“That’s the girl that Dr. Gensai was talking about this morning. Her staff is really a double sided sakabato.” Yahiko said.

“How do you know this?” Kenshin asked.

“She showed me, her staff is really long, and you can say it’s about as tall as you Kenshin.” Yahiko said.

“That’s interesting, how she can handle a weapon of such high standard. That weapon must weigh twice as much as my sword.” Kenshin said fiddling with the handle of his sword.

“It is heavy. I had to pick it up and bring it to her. It wasn’t hardly anything, those lessons that Kaoru’s been giving me are really are making me stronger. I’ll have to thank her, that is if I remember.” Yahiko said as he smirked.

“Be nice Yahiko, so, why aren’t you still at the clinic?” Kenshin asked.

“Miss Megumi kicked me out.” Yahiko said coldly.

“Why did she do that?” Kenshin asked as he turned his head to look at Yahiko.

“She asked me to take some of the bandages off of her head, so I did.” Yahiko said as he began to blush.

“Why are you blushing Yahiko, do you seem to like this girl too?” Kenshin teased.

“Shut up Kenshin, she’s pretty ok.” Yahiko said.

Kenshin looked up ahead to see a familiar face. “Ah Sano, what a surprise to see you here.”

“Hello Kenshin, hey Yahiko, what are you up to?” Sano asked as he began to walk beside them.

“Just buying tofu for lunch and dinner.” Kenshin said. “What are you doing?”

“I just went to see that girl I found this morning. She’s doing pretty well Miss Megumi said. She might be released soon. She has no money so she has to go to work to pay off her bill. She’s not happy about that either. She said she was going to participate in the weapons tournament that is being held at the end of the week.” Sanosuku said.

“A weapons tournament? Cool, I’ll go for it.” Yahiko said.

“You can’t just join, you have to have an invitation. She has one too, I also believe that you too have one Kenshin?” Sano said.

“Yes, but I have no interest in it. Since it doesn’t have my name particularly on it, I guess if you want to Yahiko, you can go in my place.” Kenshin said as he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Yahiko.

“Yeah! Sure I’ll go, I can finally see how strong I’ve become.” Yahiko said as he shoved the piece of paper into his pocket.

“You have to keep that and present it to the judges so you can participate.” Kenshin said.

“Ok, I guess I’ll tell Yume that I will be participating in the tournament.” Yahiko said as he darted back towards the town.

“Yahiko, make sure Miss Megumi doesn’t catch you.” Kenshin called after him.

“Yume? Who’s that?” Sano asked.

“That’s the girl you found, I think Yahiko has taken a liking to her.” Kenshin said.

“Ah, another girl friend huu.” Sano said as they walked into the Kamiya Dojo.

* * * * *

Yahiko had ran to the clinic and watched out for Megumi. The coast was clear and Yahiko had slipped into Yume’s room and closed the door. He looked up to see that she was fully dressed in her other clothes. They were still stained with her blood though and she had her left arm in a sling. Her staff was in her right hand.

“What are you doing?” Yahiko asked as she looked up to see him.

“I’m leaving, I don’t like clinics. All of my family died in one.” Yume said.

“Idiot, you’ll end up killing yourself this way.” Yahiko said as he walked over to her and pushed her towards the bed. “You have to rest, at least regain your strength.” Yahiko said.

“Fine then. I’ll stay, just one more day.” Yume said as she sat back down on the bed.

“Why do you want to leave so fast anyway?” Yahiko asked.

“I don’t want the bandits to find me.” Yume said.

“Don’t worry, this clinics pretty safe.” Yahiko said.

“Fine then.” Yume said as Yahiko sat down next to the bed. “So, why have you come back? I though the Doctor kicked you out?” She asked.

“Well, she did but I decided that I wanted to come back and tell you something.” Yahiko said.

“Tell me what then?” She asked.

“I’m going to be in the weapons tournament too.” Yahiko said.

“You’re lucky then, I can’t use my swords to fight, but did you know you also have to show your weapon and let them inspect it.” Yume said.

“Why do they have to inspect our weapons?” Yahiko asked.

“So that you don’t put poison on it. My weapon clicks open and shut when I want then to. Also, the latch is hidden so no one but myself knows where it is.” Yume said. “Now you know what my weapon is, so what’s yours going to be?”

“I’m going to use a wooden sword.” Yahiko said.

“You should bring a wooden sword that’s made of strong wood then, if it cracks or breaks in the tournament, then you are disqualified.” Yume said.

“Oh.” Yahiko said as he realized that he would be disqualified probably in the first round then.

“If you bring me a strong wood material and a knife, I would make you one for the tournament.” Yume said.

“You would do that? But we’re opponents?” Yahiko said in confusion.

“Well, if you must know one thing about me, it’s that I have to fight my opponents at there best.” Yume said as she smiled.

“Well ok then, I guess I’ll find myself the strongest wood material then. Be back in a while.” Yahiko said as he got up and left for the door.

* * * * *

That week, Yume stayed at the clinic and Yahiko visited her everyday. She was coming along nicely on Yahiko’s new, and improved wooden sword. Yahiko trained even harder, and also, Yahiko’s feelings for the girl grew stronger. Kenshin had noticed this, but decided not to tell Yahiko. He wanted him to see his weakness for himself.

That night, Yume lay asleep in the clinic bed as a man wandered into her room. In the hallway was one of the midnight nurses checking on the patients. She was gagged and unconscious. He walked over to the bed, Yume opened her eyes and was about to let out a scream but his hand covered her mouth.

“Listen here! You better come back to us, or the boy who always comes to see you will perish.” He said as she stared at him in shock. “Yes, Yume, we’ve been watching you. Now, if you don’t return, this is a sample of what we’ll do to him.” He said as he took out a knife. He ran it over her chin and right shoulder blade. No one could hear the whimpers of her cries that night.

* * * * *

Yahiko sat on the front steps of the dojo that night; he couldn’t sleep. Tomorrow was the weapons tournament and Yahiko has trained acceptably hard for this up coming event.

He looked up to hear a clicking sound on what seemed to be rocks. He got up and walked to the entrance of the dojo to see Yume. She was dripping in blood and was just supporting herself on her staff.

“Kenshin! Kaoru! Help me!” Yahiko yelled as he ran out to help Yume.

“Yahiko! What’s the matter?” Kaoru asked as she ran towards him.

“It’s Yume.” Yahiko said as he sat her down on the front steps of the dojo.

“Yahiko, you shouldn’t be around me…I have to find Reon. I have to return to him.” Yume said almost in tears.

“Who’s Reon?” Yahiko asked.

“Reon Tusuyu, is he the leader of the bandits who did this to you, am I right Miss Yume?” Kenshin asked as he walked out of the Dojo.

“Yes, but I have to go back to him.” Yume said trying to get back up.

“You can’t, look what they did to you.” Yahiko said.

“But if I don’t…if I don’t they’ll kill you Yahiko.” She said.

“Why me?” Yahiko said.

“I had never gotten close to anyone. Not since these bandits killed my foster parents. I have to go, they’ll kill you.” Yume got to her feet.

“Stop it! Do you know what sword style I use!?” Yahiko yelled.

“What does that have to do with this?” Yume asked.

“Everything, I study the Kamya Kasshin sword style,” Yahiko grabbed his sword from the step, “With this sword, I swear I’ll protect you from those bandits. Believe me they won’t ever hurt you again.” Yahiko said as he raised his sword.

Kenshin and Kaoru put Yume in Yahiko’s room. Yahiko watched over her while she slept. Yume tried not to think about what could happen, but she couldn’t help it. That night she dreamt of the bandits and Yahiko falling to there strength.

* * * * *

Yahiko got up early. He noticed that Yume wasn’t in her bed and ran out quickly because he thought she tried to go back to the bandits. He nearly tripped over something as he ran out the door. He looked back to see Yume leaning up against the wall with her staff on the ground. Yahiko sighed.

“Well, what’s your hurry? The tournament won’t start for another hour.” Yume said.

“I thought you left.” Yahiko said as he helped Yume up. “Ah, should you be fighting with those wounds?”

“I’ve had worse. I fought a lot of times with out a weapon at sometimes. So a few scratches won’t hurt.” Yume said as they walked into the kitchen to see Kenshin and Kaoru sitting down eating.

“Good morning Yahiko, good morning Miss Yume, how are you feeling this morning?” Kenshin asked.

“Uh, you don’t have to call me that Kenshin. Just call me Yume and I’m feeling fine.” She assured him.

“Sit down and have some breakfast. You’ll need it for the tournament.” Kaoru said as she gave them each a bowl of rice each.

A noise came from the courtyard as Miss Megumi’s voice was heard. “Sir Ken, Sir Ken, I need your help.” She yelled as she came into the kitchen.

“What is it that be the matter Miss Megumi?” Kenshin asked as he stood up.

“One of our patients are missing and I need your help finding her.” Megumi said; not noticing Yume standing up.

“Ah…Miss Megumi, I’m fine.” Yume said as she stood up.

“Miss Yume?!” Megumi said as she rushed over towards her. “Are you ok? You have new cuts on your arms and neck!” She said.

“I’ll be fine, ah Yahiko, we should leave if we want to be there in time.” Yume said.

“Ya, you’re right, wish us luck.” Yahiko said as Yume pulled away form Megumi and left to gather their weapons.

“Where are you going? I have to look at your injuries.” Megumi said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine and I don’t need anymore doctor bills. I just want to pay my bill and then be on my way to find Reon.” Yume said.

“Why would you look for him? Look what he’s done to you?” Yahiko yelled.

“Silence,” Yume looked down at her feet, “Sorry Yahiko, remember that one person I’m looking for? Well I gave up on him! Remember that I said I have no life? Well Reon gave me a life, a painful one but at least I know I’m alive.” Yume said.

“Who is this person your looking for?” Kenshin asked.

“My foster parents said that Mabisho, my father said something about a samurai.” Yume said.

“Did you say Mabisho? Mabisho the sword smith?” Kenshin asked.

“I believe he was a sword smith, why?” Yume asked.

“Because I was a friend of his. I also now believe that I know who you are searching for, but do tell me, when you find this person, what do you plan to do?” Kenshin asked.

“I just want to talk to someone about my father. I don’t need anyone to look after me, so I won’t ask him if I could live with him, then I would be on my way.” Yume said.

“Tell me, is the person your searching for the Battosai?” Kenshin asked.

The others stared at them.

“Yes, how did you know that?” Yume said.

“Because I’m him, but I’m no longer the Battosai I was a long time ago. I’m sorry to hear your father died and I wish I was there to take care of you, but I wasn’t.” Kenshin said.

“I-I had no idea you were him? I have so many questions to ask you but I have to go, Yahiko you coming?” Yume asked.

“Ya.” Yahiko said as he finished off his bowl of rice and got up to grab his new wooden sword.

“Yahiko, what’s that?” Kaoru asked pointing to the wrapped up sword on his back.

Yahiko pulled it out and showed then the new sword. “It’s my new wooden sword.

“Who ever made this sword must have really good craftsman ship. Who made it, it almost looks like a real sword.” Kenshin asked.

“It’s almost as shard too.” Yume said.

“How would you know this?” Kaoru asked.

“Because I’m the one who made it, now we need to go.” Yume said.

Yahiko turned and walked towards her, “Ok, wish us luck.”

“We’ll be down to watch in a while ok.” Kaoru said as the two waved to them and left.

“Where are they going?” Miss Megumi asked.

“To the weapons tournament in the square.” Kenshin said.

“But Miss Yume is hurt?” Miss Megumi said in confusion.

“She’s determined to show herself that she is strong. Women weren’t aloud to fight in the tournaments a couple of years ago.” Kenshin said.

“But she can be furthered injured.” Megumi said as she began to walk after them.

“Miss Megumi, I think that she’ll be ok. Why don’t you come and watch with us?” Kaoru asked.

“I’m not sure, if I can, I’ll meet you there.” She said as she walked out the door.

* * * * *

Yume and Yahiko walked along side each other to the square. They saw about ten people standing around waiting and talking. They walked between them and found a man. He was wearing long black pants and a black shirt. He looked up to see Yahiko and Yume.

“Did you two just arrive?” He asked.

Yume and Yahiko nodded.

“Ok then,” He said as he quieted everyone else down, “I have news that we have to postpone the tournament…” He said as the crowd began to yell.

“What do you mean it’s postponed!” A man yelled.

“I’ve traveled far just to get here! Why the hell are they postponing it!” A woman yelled.

“Ladies and gentle men, we have to because of the bandits, they attack the clinic last night and we have to find them. We don’t want to put you in any danger.” The man yelled. “You twelve our are only fighters left.” He said.

“Why did the others chicken out?” A man joked.

“No, they were killed.” He said.

The others quieted down. Yume jumped up on the platform and grabbed the man’s shirt caller. “Tell me, what did this killer look like!”

“He had a katana, dark short hair, and people said he had gray eyes.” He said, “Now can you put me down.” He asked.

Yume put him down as she clenched her fist. Yahiko walked towards her, “What’s wrong Yume?”

“It’s Reon. He’s the one who’s killing the fighters cause he knows I’m participating.” Yume said as she dashed off the platform.

“Yume wait, where are you going?” Yahiko asked.

“To find Reon, he’s not going to get away with this!” She yelled back.

“Wait, I’m coming with you.” Yahiko said as he dashed after her.

* * * * *

Kaoru and Kenshin were on their way to the square when they saw Yahiko and Yume run past them in the opposite direction. They passed two other people talking.

“I can’t believe they postpone the tournament.” A man said.

“I know, and now I have to wait till those bandits are caught. I don’t think I can stay that long. I hope those two kids can find those bandits, but I don’t think it will do any good. They’ll probably kill them too. At least two less opponents to face.” The two laughed as they continued walking.

“Kenshin, do you think they were talking about Yahiko and Yume?” Kaoru asked.

“I think they were, I’m going after them. Find Sano and tell him to head out of town in the direction I’m going in. I’ll leave a trail so he can find us easily.” Kenshin said as he took off running.

“Right.” Kaoru said, as she took off running in the opposite direction.

* * * * *

Yume and Yahiko ran till they reached a stream and a bunch of rocks. Yume sat down on one of the rocks to catch her breath. Yahiko sat beside her. “Yume?” He asked as she looked at him.

“I shouldn’t have let you follow me Yahiko, you’ll be killed.” Yume said.

“It’s ok, I had to, remember, I told you, I’ll protect you from them.” Yahiko said.

She smiled but they were startled by a noise, “Hehehe, how touching. ‘I told you, I’ll protect you from them.’ But little boy, who will protect you from us?” He said as he began to laugh.

“Reon! Why are you doing this? I said I’d be back.” Yume said.

“You told the police we were here. You are trying to run.” Reon said.

A few other men came out from behind some rocks and laughed at the two of them.

“Reon, let Yahiko go, he has nothing to do with us. I’ll come back now, I’ll take what I deserve.” Yume said.

“Oh how touching, but no, in order for you to listen to us, we have to take away someone who is dear to you, like the boy, or shall I say Yahiko.” Reon said as his henchmen walked towards them.

Yume took off her sheaths of her double-sided sword, Yahiko got back as she held it out with two hands.

“Look boss, she’s got a double sided sakabato. She can’t kill us with that.” One of them laughed.

“I don’t need to kill you to win. Yahiko, you take the ones over there.” Yume said as she dashed towards the first one.

“Got it.” Yahiko said as he took out his wooden sword and attacked the ones behind them.

Reon watched as his henchmen were being defeated. He laughed. Yume had attacked with full force. The last one fell as she looked up at Reon.

“Reon!” She stopped as she felt something pierce her chest. She looked up at Reon who had a bow in his hand.

Yahiko turned to see Yume wobble. She pulled a bundle of cloth off her back and undid it to reveal long katana blades. She put her staff blades on the ground and he heard something click. The two blades fell off and there was only the stick. Yahiko watched as she put two of the blades in and then he heard another click. He saw her double bladed sword become two separate swords. She then reached up to her chest and pulled out the arrow. She then looked back up and Reon who was watching her happily.

“Yahiko, leave, our fight will be to the death, I won’t win but I don’t want you caught up in this.” Yume said.

“Yume, I have to stay. I have to protect you. As long as I study the Kamiya Kasshin style, I have to protect you.” Yahiko said.

“Yahiko, even if I win I’ll die. That arrow, it was coated in poison.” Yume said.

“Why don’t you listen to her boy. She’s trying to save you.” Reon said as he laughed.

“Yahiko, don’t worry. I expected to die fighting.” Yume said.

* * * * *

Kenshin ran threw the forest trying to find Yahiko and Yume. He was worried because he had fought Reon in the revolution. He knew that Yahiko and Yume could not stack up in strength. He heard the clash of metal and ran towards that. He seen Yahiko and Yume were both attacking Reon. Reon had a bow hanging over his neck and two katanas, one in each hand. Yume also had two swords, but the ones she had in her hands were regular katanas.

“Yume, Yahiko, get away from him!” Kenshin said as he took out his sword.

“Kenshin!” Yahiko said as he was flung back.

“What are you doing here Battosai?” Yume yelled as she dodged his attack and then charged.

“Battosai; the legendary manslayer? Ah yes, it’s been a long time since we last seen each other. Tell me, what have you been up to?” Reon smiled as he pushed both Yume and Yahiko back and then jumped down to face Kenshin.

“I have no connection with that name, I left it behind twelve years ago. My name is Kenshin Himura and your killing spree will stop today.” Kenshin said as he raised his sakabato.

“So are you going to kill me with that thing, ha! You couldn’t even kill a fly with it.” He said.

“I have not come here to kill you but I must stop you. With this blade and the Hiten-Mitsurugi style, you’ll never be able to kill again.” Kenshin said.

“You make me laugh Himura, but today will be the day when you finally die.” Reon said as he ran towards him.

“Reon, I’m the one who’s fighting you. Have you no pride? You always told me to finish what you’ve started!” Yume yelled.

“Fine.” Reon said.

He quickly took the bow from around his head and then took an arrow and shot it. It was heading for Yume’s heart when Yahiko jumped in front of it. It stuck into Yahiko’s back as he stood there.

“You idiot! That could have killed you!” Yume yelled as she turned him around and pulled out the arrow, which made Yahiko yell in pain. “This is poison! Now we’ll both die!”

“No you won’t. Go see Miss Megumi, she’ll be able to make an antidote for you.” Sano said as he walked up from behind them. “That was pretty noble of you Yahiko…” Sano said as Yahiko smiled. Sano hit him over the head. “You idiot, you could have blocked that easily with your wooden sword. Now you two should hurry up and find Megumi before it’s too late.”

“Right!” They both said as they took off running towards town.

“Kenshin, you better beat him!” Yahiko said.

“Hey Kenshin, if you need help I’ll be up here.” Sanosuku said.

“Thank you Sano, but I think I can take him.” Kenshin said as he charged forward to attack.

* * * * *

Yahiko and Yume ran towards town to find Miss Megumi. Yume began to feel light headed and they knew Yahiko would soon feel the same way. They reached the town and ran into Kaoru.

“Yahiko, Yume, you’re all right!” She said as she wrapped her arms around them.

“Miss Kaoru, we have to find Miss Megumi fast, we’ve been poisoned.” Yume said as Kaoru let go of them.

“She’s at the clinic working today. We have to hurry and get there.” Kaoru said.

The three of them ran towards the clinic to find Miss Megumi.

* * * * *

Kenshin and Reon’s swords clashed together as they fought. Kenshin had to doge a lot of his attacks and there fore his shirt was almost in shreds. Reon’s shirt was the same. Reon laughed as he stepped back.

“I see your skills are still as sharp as ever Himura. Let’s finish our fight here and now, with one final attack.” Reon said.

“Ok then, one final attack then it is.” Kenshin said as bent his knees and brought his sword to his right side, the blade was still facing Reon.

Reon smiled and then crossed his arms with his blades facing out. Kenshin smiled, “Your Tusuyu-nojitsu style has some new moves as I can see.” Kenshin said.

“I’ve been conjuring up a lot of new moves over the years, I call this one tsuki blade. Hardly anyone has ever evaded this attack.” Reon said as the two stood quietly then charged.

They met and swung their swords. A couple of yards away from each other they stood standing with their swords outstretched. The both stood still as they waited for the other to collapse.

“Heh, I see you’ve gotten good Himura.” Reon said.

“You’ve also improved Tusuyu.” Kenshin said as he stuck his sword into the ground and kneeled. He was cut. Blood dripped to the ground as Reon laughed.

“I’ve seen that you almost evaded my attack.” Reon laughed as he fell forward.

“Kenshin!” Sano said as he jumped down from the rock and ran towards Kenshin. “Are you alright?”

“I’ll be fine Sano. We need to get Reon and Yume’s other blades.” Kenshin said as he walked over to the unconscious Reon and lifted him onto his back. Kenshin began to bleed more as he tried to walk towards Tokyo.

Sano grabbed the blades and turned to look at Kenshin. “Kenshin, I’ll trade you, the blades for Reon.” Sano joked.

“I’ll be fine.” Kenshin said.

“You idiot, your guts are going to fall out if you keep carrying him like that.” Sano said as he dropped the blades and took Reon from Kenshin.

“Have it your way.” Kenshin put on one of those childish smiles.

* * * * *

Yahiko and Yume lay in the clinics beds and waited for Miss Megumi and Dr. Gensai to get done with an antidote. Yahiko was still awake but Yume had lost consciousness. Moments latter Megumi and Dr. Gensai came in and made them drink the antidote.

“This will take a while to take affect but it should kill the poison.” Miss Megumi said.

“What about Yume? Will she be ok?” Yahiko asked.

“Yes, she’ll be fine.” Megumi said.

They heard a noise and looked to the door. They saw Kenshin walk in. “Kenshin!” Yahiko said as he tried to sit up but failed.

“Come here Sir Ken, I have to treat you.” Megumi said as she rushed over and directed him to another bed that was in the same room. She took Kenshin’s shirt off and looked at the wound. She quickly cleaned it and wrapped it up in bandages and told him to get some rest.

* * * *

“Yaa!” A girl yelled as she attacked her opponent with a staff.

“Haa!” A boy said as he blocked it from hitting him and brought down his wooden sword on her shoulder to knock her out.

It failed. They jumped apart to catch a breath and then charged each other.

“I see you are strong.” The girl said.

“I see you’re also strong.” The boy said.

“I guess this is what we’ve been waiting for, you know since those bandits were caught three weeks ago.” The girl said.

“Ya. But we did promise ourselves that we’d make it this far.” He said.

“Ya, ok! I’m going to win this tournament Yahiko Myojin, and I want you to give me your all.” The girl said.

“Ya, I will Yume Ai. So prepare yourself for the fight of your life!” Yahiko said as he turned his sword to thrust it at Yume.

She dodged and swung her staff around.

In the crowd were Kaoru, Kenshin, Ayame, Suzume, Sanosuku, Megumi, and Dr. Gensai cheering the two on in the final match to determine the victor of the weapons tournament.

Yahiko swung his sword and Yume’s staff hit the ground as it was hit out of her hands. She looked at Yahiko as he laughed. She smiled and began to laugh too. He quickly stopped and charged at her. She grabbed his sword and threw him to the ground. She ran to her side and grabbed her staff and turned to face Yahiko. They both were out of breath and need to rest but they kept going.

“Yahiko, one final strike?” She asked.

“Heh, you bet.” He said as he held the sword in front of him.

Yume put her staff to her side and they stood still. People around them cheered them on as they charged. They met and attacked. They both stopped several feet away and stood up to face each other.

“You put up a good fight.” Yahiko said as he smiled.

“You did to, I tried my best but I now see that the stronger man won.” Yume said as she fell to her knees for a knock out.

A man dressed in white with a white headband ran out onto the arena and checked Yume. He stood up and everyone became quite. He smiled and walked towards Yahiko and raised his right arm with his sword in it. “Yume is knocked out. Yahiko Myojin wins the tournament!” He yelled as everyone cheered.

* * * * *

Later a feast was prepared for Yahiko for him winning the tournament. Yahiko had a grin from ear to ear as they ate and ate yummy rice balls made by Kenshin. He was still in his bandages from the fight against Reon three weeks ago. He was better and almost healed.

“Yahiko! You’re the best!” The Ayame and Suzume yelled as they clapped their hands.

Yume ate quietly as she watched Yahiko get all of the attention. She smiled as she finished her bowl of rice and got up. Kenshin saw her and followed. She walked out to the front gate and stood there watching the cherry blossom leaves float down to Earth. She smiled and began to walk out of the gate.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Kenshin asked.

Yume turned around to his goofy smile and smiled herself; “I wanted to say a silent goodbye, if no one heard it, then that means I’ll be coming back. I didn’t want you guys to get all sappy and make me cry in the process.” Yume said.

From behind them Yahiko, Sanosuku, and Kaoru walked out to stand by Kenshin. Yahiko walked forward and stood in front of Yume. He smiled, “You’re not leaving yet are you?” He asked.

“I was planning on to.” She said.

“Hey, you shouldn’t leave without saying goodbye. You can make people worry.” Yahiko said.

“I wasn’t planning on being gone forever.” Yume said. “I don’t want to be a burden so I’m going to search for a nice new home.” Yume said.

“Is that all you’re worried about? You can stay here in one of the spare rooms. At least you can help me bring in some money for this place unlike some men I know who are still just free loaders who don’t do an ounce of work around here!” Kaoru said as she glared at Sano, Kenshin, and Yahiko.

“It’s not only that, when I come back I’ll stay here with you and help with the work, but I want to perfect my sword style, the Ai-chikara style.” Yume said.

“Well I want you to hurry and do that. I can’t protect you if you’re away.” Yahiko said.

“Oh Yahiko…” Yume said as she leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “I’ll be back, I don’t know when but I will be.” She said as she turned around and walked out the gate and towards the mountains.

Yahiko stood their watching after her. Blushing and stunned; he finally regained his speech and yelled, “Yume, I’ll be waiting for you to come back, and I want you to become stronger so we can have another match again, ok?” Yahiko said.

Yume turned around to see Yahiko waving to her and the others walk out of the Kamiya Dojo. Ayame and Suzume waved franticly and yelled, “Bye bye Miss Yume!”

Yahiko smiled as he turned to his friends and they went back into the dojo to continue their party. Sano and Kaoru teased Yahiko about his goodbye kiss, as he blushed and yelled at them. Kenshin happily smiled as he sipped some tea and ate his rice balls.

Owari

(the end)

-----------------------------------------------

Hey, thanks for reading. It took me a while to type this. I couldn’t stop till I finished it. This is my longest fanfic yet. Exactly 22 pages on my computer at size twelve-point font. This will probably be my only fanfic that is this long. I’ll have a better shorter one for you readers out there latter, when I want to that is. Yes, I’m getting tired, 1:28 AM. Ok, if you guys are wandering about the first paragraph, well that’s what I believe happened cause I read on a site that Kenshin killed his wife on accident and received that crossed shape scar on his left cheek. Oh yaya, I made them two years older for the fic because I didn’t thin Yahiko would be permitted to go into a tournament at that age so I upped him two years. Ok I’m going to end my ramblings so I’ll just cut to the chase.

Please e-mail me at [email protected] or [email protected]. I’ll get it either way. Please send your fanfics, fanart, wallpapers…you name it k.

The words Yume means dream. Ai means love. Reon means lion. Katana is a Japanese sword. Sakabato is a reveres blade sword. The Tusuyu-nojitsu sword style is the sword style I made up. When you would make a your own traditional sword style you would name it with your last name and I don’t know what the last part of the name means. I just made up the whole word. The Ai-chikara sword style is the same way but Ai means love and chikara means strength or power, whichever one you want it to be called. The tsuki blade is an attack I made up for Reon to have. Tsuki means moon. So the attack means moon blade. Ok I think I got them all but if I didn’t, sorry, but I tried, hey I’m tired it’s now 1:41 AM.

Well thanks again for reading. I don’t know if I’ll add Yume back in to any of my other fics. If so, they’ll be shorter. Oh yes, I had difficulty writing this because I wanted to make some (R) between Yahiko and Yume. And no (R) doesn’t R rated. What it means is Romance. I am a RN at hear and I don’t mean a Registered Nurse, I’m a Romance Novelist at heart. Ok, in my stories you will see some slip ups, and I will not do anything between Sanosuku and Miss Megumi, I don’t support that couple and I don’t see how they seem to fit together.

*YAWN*

I do not own Kenshin or his gang of friends. I do own this story, Reon, and Yume. I will never own Rurouni Kenshin and I wish I did own it so I wouldn’t have to write the copyright stuff up there. Anyways, I believe that nobody would want to watch it I made it, I’m not good at on going stories.

- Yarou -