Encounter (Kenshin)

[Keiko Morigwa]

Keiko breathed in deeply as she smiled, smelling in the scent of wildflowers and nature. It truly was a beautiful sight to someone, mostly anyone period, like Keiko. She was in a specially good mood today. She felt like something good was going to happen. Then again, she mostly always had a good day. Okay, everyday was a good day for her, but today was different. Putting her violin case down, she pranced around in the flowers a bit, then laid down in them after placing her violin next to her. She then sighed happily and watched the clouds drift by. Beautiful... What is this feeling I have though? Why am I holding such anxiety? What for? What is coming? Hm.. Well, let's wait and see if the mystery resolves itself.

Keiko Suddenly sat up with her eyes bursting open as she realized she accidentally drifted to sleep. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around. Nothing has changed.. Hm.. Stretching, she stood up and picked up her violin, walking over to a stump and sitting on it. Opening the case up, she lifted the instrument out, placed it on her shoulder, leaned her head down and began to play. It was a soft, slow tune, but yet peaceful and relaxing. It really fit the mood. Well, her mood. She had a smile plastered on her face as she played, but sensed a being nearby. It did not alarm her, the sense was a peaceful one, but seemed to have a bit of evil deep inside. This seemed all too familiar, like the day she had met the red headed man. The memory of that made her tune change to a sweet, romantic tune that seemed like another chapter into the happy one. Or, in other words, it seemed to fit the tune she played a moment ago.

Still ignoring the presence, Keiko continued to play. Even began to hum along with it. she was getting very absorbed into it. This usually happened when she played. She actually began to feel like she was one with the instrument she played. The rhythm of the song, she felt like it matched the rhythm of how her heart was beating. Happy and energetic, she would play a swift tune, but happy. A little disappointed, she'd play a slower song. A Normal happy, not so energetic, a moderate, happy song. If she had a calm love, it would be a moderate tempo, but love-like. So in love she couldn't stand it, she'd play such a romantic, beautiful tune it'd make people make their hearts race and flood with love. Or, so she's been told. Right now though, it was a calm love and a calm happy, so it was a moderate, happy love song. As it ended though, she let the strings ring for a few moments more, then laid it in her lap. "There is no reason to be hiding. Why not come out and join me?" She asked whoever was there. "If you are hungry, I have some lunch I have not eaten yet. Would you care to partake?" She was being her usual, generous self and did hope that whoever was there would show them self and accompany her.

[kenshin]

Kenshin wandered around a bit in the meadow. He looked down at his feet and noticed that the shoe was starting to come apart again. "Well that's not good, that it isn't." He bent over and began to tie the shoe into place. "Well I think that will last for about an hour or so, that it will." He was glad to get away from the town for a while. He knew that Sanosuke would be angry at him for being away so long but he didn't want to stay in the dojo for long time periods. He stood back up and straighted his back to stretch. He thought he had been hearing music from a violin for a while but he thought it was just his imagination.

He looked up at the sky and listened to the birds singing their tunes. The relaxing moment was interrupted by the growl of his stomach and he held it. "I'm quite hungry, that I am. I wonder if Sano has started dinner yet? Then again he probably was expecting me to make dinner and decided to go out to eat without me." He began on his way again. I don't want to go back yet though. Maybe I should have invited Sano to come with me though, but I think he'd get bored with something like this. He moved on and began to hear the sound of a violin again. So I was right. There was a violin being played, it wasn't my imagination. He sighed a bit at that and was glad he wasn't going crazy. He peeked around the tree to see a girl playing a violin. I wonder who that girl is? She's very pretty though. He sat listening to her change the tempo and the sounds and then she finally stopped. He was a bit sad to hear the music stop but turned around to started heading back toward the town. Then his stomach growled again. "Kk....." He clutched it tight as though that were going to make it be quiet. "Shh!"
"There is no reason to be hiding. Why not come out and join me?"
He turned his head a bit and hesitated a bit whether or not he should speak any words. Finally he smiled and came out from behind the tree. "I wasn't hiding, that I wasn't. I had just arrived here and I heard you playing your violin. I'm sorry to have snuck up on you like that, that I am." He shrugged a bit when he apologized. He didn't want to make her feel violated.
"If you are hungry, I have some lunch I have not eaten yet. Would you care to partake?"

He looked at her with a bit of a surprised face. "Uh yeah sure, I mean if that's alright with you." Really he was starving and wanted to accept within seconds. Being rude and asking for food, like Sano in a way, was not the way he liked to do things though. He smiled at her eyes. It's not very often to see so much happiness and hope in one's eyes anymore, that it isn't. He walked over to her and sat down beside her. "So do you live around here somewhere?" He looked over at her and then broke out into a cold sweat. "I'm sorry if that frightened you! I'm not a kidnapper or anything, that I'm not! Hehe....." He sighed and then took a deep breath. "My name is Kenshin by the way. Kenshin Himura, and I don't know where my manners were just now."

[Keiko Morigwa]

Keiko sat there for a few minutes, waiting for a reply. She finally gave up and was about to play some more until she heard something growl. "Eh?" She said blankly as she put down the violin and turned behind her, only to hear a "shh", which made her cock her head to the side. She felt no fear, just curiosity. She heard movement, and out came a red-headed, left sided scar faced man that was smiling. Her breath left her as her eyes widened. It's him!

"I wasn't hiding, that I wasn't. I had just arrived here and I heard you playing your violin. I'm sorry to have snuck up on you like that, that I am."[/u]

Keiko really wished he'd keep talking, but she snapped back to reality and realized his words finally. "OH! No, please don't be sorry! It's perfectly fine, I don't mind at all! I am sorry if my violin disturbed you in any way!" She told him frantically as she began to blush for some reason. Taking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly, trying to calm herself. I don't think he remembers me.. That sorta is sad, but I can't let it get to me! No! I can't let it get me down! She then quickly picked up her violin and began to play a swift but cheerful tune. Well if she didn't it would've got under her skin! When it was over, she just smiled at him. "Excuse me for doing that, I did not mean to be rude and ignore you." She bowed then. "Please, do forgive me."

"Uh yeah sure, I mean if that's alright with you."[/u]

Keiko just laughed. "Well of course it is alright! If it wasn't I would not have offered! I'd be delighted if you'd join me." She said as she rummaged through a bag she just remembered she had, taking out her lunch. Her heart began to race though when he sat next to her, and she could feel herself turning red again, but offered him a package of Sushi, rice and other food as well as chopsticks. She packed two, since she was not sure how long she would be there. "Ah! Wait! I'm sorry! I'm used to the Japanese food and whatnot! Please! If you don't like it tell me and I can go make you something else if you like!" She said as basically her head was spinning, but that calmed when he spoke again. "Do I live around here...? You could say that.. My house isn't too far away." She said a she sat on her knees and thought, but looked as he once again spoke. She just laughed again. "I did not think of you as a kidnapper. You are much too nice for that." She told him as she gave him a warm smile. "Trust me, I was not scared either. Believe it or not, but I am actually a very hard person to scare!" She said as she closed her eyes, still smiling and slammed her hand on her chest to try and prove her strength, but only opened her eyes and had a pained look on her face. "oow.." She whispered.

"My name is Kenshin by the way. Kenshin Himura, and I don't know where my manners were just now."[/u]

So that is his name! Such an adorable na-- FOCUS! Keiko stared at him, just examining him, then looked down immediately, now blushing like fire. "N-nice to meet you, Himura. I'm Keiko Sada, and no worries, I didn't have very many manners either here.. But.. But.. You don't, remember me, do you..?" She asked with a curious look in her eyes.

[kenshin]

As she began to play her violin again he smiled and closed his eyes. He swayed his head to the tune a bit until she stopped.
"Excuse me for doing that, I did not mean to be rude and ignore you."
He smiled at her and turned his head to the side a bit when she bowed and asked for his forgiveness. "No please don't worry about it. I like listening to your violin and you playing it. It's quite a lovely sound and talent you have there, that it is." As he sat down next to her he smiled and felt a cooling breeze. He closed his eyes and tilted his head up a bit. This girl is very nice and polite, that she is. She is also very pretty at that as well. Another breeze hit his face and he opened his eyes when he heard her finish rummaging through her bag. He looked down to see a whole buffet in front of him. "ORO!?" He looked over at the girl.
"Ah! Wait! I'm sorry! I'm used to the Japanese food and whatnot! Please! If you don't like it tell me and I can go make you something else if you like!"
He looked at her for another second and then smiled. "Don't worry about it! I love Japanese food, I just wasn't expecting this much in front of me in a moment's time, that I wasn't." He nodded as she said her house was around here somewhere. He picked up the chopsticks and began to eat some of the rice still listening to her explain.

He felt a bit of relief when she said that it's hard to make her scared and that she didn't think of him as anything bad. He turned to look at her as she hit herself on the chest.
"oow.."
He widened his eyes and almost dropped his bowl of rice but sat it down placing his hands on her shoulders. "Gah!! You shouldn't hurt yourself Miss, that you shouldn't! Are you alright?" He smiled at her and his face reddened a bit. He took his hands back off her and put them in his lap. Hm..I wonder if she has something to fix my shoe with her? He looked down at his shoe listening to her talk again.
"N-nice to meet you, Himura. I'm Keiko Sada, and no worries, I didn't have very many manners either here.. But.. But.. You don't, remember me, do you..?"
He looked up and looked over at her. "Oro?" He looked her over twice but couldn't figure out what she meant by that. "Uh...I'm sorry Miss Keiko, but I seem to be unable to recall." He looked down and tried to remember one more time. "Really I am very sorry. You might have me mixed up with someone else. Otherwise I'm sorry I can't say yes, that I can't." He looked down and let his bangs cover his face. He felt bad and he felt like he just broke her spirits. He looked back up and turned to face her. "I bet if you explain it over this lunch I might remember!" Trying to boost her spirits he said that. This one has met so many people in the past though. I'm not sure that I can remember her from everybody else, that I'm not.

[Keiko Morigwa]

"No please don't worry about it. I like listening to your violin and you playing it. It's quite a lovely sound and talent you have there, that it is."[/u]

Keiko gave him a blank stare for a minute, taking in his words, then began to take a breath as she smiled, closing her eyes as well. "Thank you so much! I am delighted you like my music! Then again, I haven't really met anyone that hasn't told me that.. Except my father.. Ahh! Wait!! I'm sorry, forgive me, I didn't mean to sound arrogant there.. But it is true though.." she told him as she looked up as the breeze went by, silently watching as the petals from flowers drifted down. When he said "oro" though real surprised like, she couldn't help but giggle. "Did I startle you?"

"Don't worry about it! I love Japanese food, I just wasn't expecting this much in front of me in a moment's time, that I wasn't."[/u]

Keiko laughed again. "I wouldn't say it is a lot. Just a mere package of some Sushi and rice." When she pulled hers out6 and looked at it though, she turned to him and gave him a sheepish look and smile. "Perhaps it is a bit more than I thought.." She said as she pulled out more stuff. "So, um, if you wish to have more when you are finished, you're more than welcome too. Plenty here and I couldn't finish it myself.." She said as she finally took out some water. I hope water is alright.. If I had sensed who and what was actually going to take place I would've brought tea or something.. I got lucky with the Sushi.. Kenshin's eyes then widened and she noticed he almost dropped his rice. She was about to laugh, but was taken by surprise when he placed his hands on her shoulders. She listened to his questions, but no mater how hard she swallowed, she couldn't bring herself to speak. She had to use all her strength not to hug him or anything like that. Kenshin began to blush himself and removed his hands from her shoulders, and she could finally speak. "I'm fine. Remember, I'm stronger than I look!" she told him cheerfully as she was about t punch herself in the chest again, but stopped halfway, thought for a moment, then just flexed her arm, trying to look strong. Nothing came up though, and she just stared for a moment, then began to laugh. "Well, that didn't work out very well."

"Uh...I'm sorry Miss Keiko, but I seem to be unable to recall.""Really I am very sorry. You might have me mixed up with someone else. Otherwise I'm sorry I can't say yes, that I can't."[/u]

Keiko was expecting this, so it didn't bother her. She just smiled at him. "Nope! I'm positive it is you! I could never forget that hair and scar of yours.!" She told him eagerly. She thought of multiple other things she could say, but decided it would be best not to. When Kenshin told her he might remember her if she explained it, but wasn't quite sure. "M.. Well, it's not that important.. That was two years ago at the least.. Then plus, I never did tell you my name.. But I was fifteen when I met you.. It had been about the.. I don't know.. Second year I had been on my own.. We just talked for awhile, nothing more.. You stayed for a it, but one morning you left.." She explained as she began to think. Few seconds later she looked at him and just smiled. "Even if that memory is forgotten, there is always time to make more! Tell me, do you plan to stay for awhile..?"

[kenshin]

He looked over at her as she began to speak again.
"Thank you so much! I am delighted you like my music! Then again, I haven't really met anyone that hasn't told me that.. Except my father.. Ahh! Wait!! I'm sorry, forgive me, I didn't mean to sound arrogant there.. But it is true though.."
He looked at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry if I brought up any memories, that I am." He looked down at his feet and smiled while he looked back up at her. "Well if it would make you any happier in a way, I would dance with you, that I would. But if I take you to dance, you can't play the beautiful music to dance to." He wasn't sure if that would make her feel any better but he topped it off with a smile on his face. "Maybe we could sometime though! You seem like a great dancing partner, that you do." He looked up at the sky while leaning back. He looked and watched as she looked at the food out of the corner of his eye.
"So, um, if you wish to have more when you are finished, you're more than welcome too. Plenty here and I couldn't finish it myself.."
He looked over at her and smiled a big smile. "I'd be delighted, that I would. I'll try not to eat so much, so you can have some too. I probably need to cut back anyway, that I do." He patted the back of his head and his stomach as he said that. He laughed at himself and looked over at her.

He leaned back on a tree after he took his hands off of her shoulders. He was still a bit pink in the face and turned his head to the side to smile. When he looked back over at her he saw she was about to hit herself in the chest again and tensed up a bit. He lifted his hands a little but put them back down when she stopped. When he saw her flex her arm, he blinked at her twice. He wasn't entirely sure what to say over that. When he saw her laugh and explain that didn't work out the way she wanted it, he smiled and laughed a bit as well. He didn't want to break out laughing so he wouldn't seem rude to her. "I'm probably no different, that I'm probably not." He rolled up his sleeve and flexed his arm only to see a muscle pop up. "Uh....looks like I do have something after all!" He chuckled a bit but knew it was more of a sheepish laugh. He took one last bite of his rice and kicked himself back up against the tree. Closing his eyes he listened to her explain how they had met each other. He was also hoping for her to possibly play her violin again.

"Nope! I'm positive it is you! I could never forget that hair and scar of yours.!"
He opened his eyes a bit to see the colors of the stuff around him, but not the shapes. "Yeah, it seems that my scar and hair color are staples of me. Everyone remembers that about me, just those things. And it's not just because we've met and/or talked, other things from the past is just a memory stitched into people's minds, that it is.." He felt bad to change the mood from happy to sad, but listened to everything else she had to say.
"We just talked for awhile, nothing more.. You stayed for a it, but one morning you left.."
That exact sentence, rattled in his mind. "Is that so, Keiko-dono?" He looked down and almost felt like tearing up. It's not the first time that this one, has left someone behind.. He looked down at the ground and covered his eyes with his bangs. Some of those people were very dear to me, and this one just up and left them. He remembered someone from the past at that. "Ken...Kenshin! Why? Why are you leaving? Did I do something wrong?"[i] I can't imagine how they felt after that. He looked over at her. I don't want to hurt another pretty face, that I don't. I don't want to make another pretty face be permanently ruined by tears.[/i] He sighed. This one gets too attached others. "Even if that memory is forgotten, there is always time to make more! Tell me, do you plan to stay for awhile..?"
At that he widened his eyes. "Oro..?" He looked at her with sad eyes. "Here, at this specific place, no. I live in the city though. I live with one of my friends named Sanosuke Sagara, if you've ever heard of him. We live somewhat around here. I am staying there though, that I am. So maybe I can still talk to you around this area, that I can!"

[Keiko Morigwa]

"I'm sorry if I brought up any memories, that I am."[/u]

Keiko looked at him. "Memories...?" She tilted her head, but then just gave him a big, warm smile. "Nope! No memories!" Her smile went back to a bit of a more normal smile as she looked forward, listening to the breeze as it went by. "There will always be people who like the sound of my violin, then there will be people who don't. It's a matter of opinion. there is no reason to be angry or hold a grudge against someone based upon how they think." She told him as she turned to him. Kenshin then said if it made her feel better, he'd dance with her and this made her face flush big time. She looked down and listened to the rest of his words. She laughed then. "Dancing does indeed sound fun, although I've never danced before. I'd be delighted to give it a try with you, though." Beautiful music.. She giggled as she repeated those words in her head. She looked down at her violin and ran her hand across it. I love your music! Me too! You're excellent at the violin, Keiko dear.. Don't give this up. Let people all around you listen to the wonderful music you make, it truly does make them happy. Gah! Would you cut out the horrible sound!? Damn, if you play the instrument sound good at it! Until then, knock it off! That was the first time she had been struck by her father. She flinched at this memory. That was just a few days I got my violin... So of course I wasn't very good.. Did he expect me to master it so soon..? She shook her head and wrapped her hand around the neck of the violin, picking it up and setting it on her shoulder as she began to play another song. This one was one of her own songs that had a story following the song. She made it a year or so ago, thinking of Kenshin, so she made it that it just basically followed her story. A bad past and was alone, until she met a man that soon turned to be her first love. They chatted and she gradually fell more for him, but then one day the man left, but she never forgot him and always hoped he would return, and in the end he did. The spent the rest of their life together afterward.

Keiko continued to play as she listened to Kenshin speak. "Oh, please, eat as much as you like. I couldn't eat hardly any of this..." The song ended right at the time he patted his stomach and said he needed to cut back anyway. She laughed along with him. Then, without thinking, she leaned over and put her hand on his stomach to feel the size, making her laugh more. "You're perfectly fine, there is no need for you to cut back." She told him happily, still not really realizing what she just did.

"Yeah, it seems that my scar and hair color are staples of me. Everyone remembers that about me, just those things. And it's not just because we've met and/or talked, other things from the past is just a memory stitched into people's minds, that it is.."[/u]

Keiko looked at him, now with sad eyes. This time, knowing every move she was making, she got closer to him and hugged him. "i am sorry, that isn't what I meant.. I mean, well, it was, but it wasn't only that.. I.. I memorized everything from that day.. What you wore, your eye color, how you spoke, everything! I know that sounds weird, but I did! I.. Couldn't help it.. I had felt so alone until the day you came.. I didn't want to forget you, so I polished that memory ever since.. The scar and hair seemed more natural to say, so I said it, but I'd go back and say something else if I knew it hurt you.." She told him as tears formed in her eyes as she shut them. She hated making people upset, and especially if it was Kenshin.

"Is that so, Keiko-dono?"[/u]

Keiko didn't let go of him. Instead, she hugged him tighter as she put her face in his chest as she began to cry herself. She could tell she upset him, so she decided she would either cry for him, or with him. She couldn't bring herself to say anything, she just sat there and cried. she was afraid she would put salt on an open wound. She felt him sigh, and couldn't help but cry more.

Keiko finally was able to let go as Kenshin told her he didn't live around here. She wiped her eyes and smiled. "Silly Kenshin! This meadow isn't far from town. I may live secluded from town, but it doesn't take long for me to get there.I can always come and visit." Her eyes then widened, for now she felt as if she was inviting herself. She out her hand in front of her knees as she looked down. More tears were forming. Dammit.. Now, Keiko didn't cuss often, so she was really upset with herself for that to happen. "But, meeting here is just as fine as well." She told him, trying her best to sound normal, but not looking up.

[kenshin]

"There will always be people who like the sound of my violin, then there will be people who don't. It's a matter of opinion. there is no reason to be angry or hold a grudge against someone based upon how they think."
He looked over at her and smiled a small warm smile. "Well I think that is very wise and mature to say. I understand why you would be upset or mad, but choosing to stay positive about it and believing in yourself is the most best thing to do in my opinion." He looked forward out to the rest of the meadow. She has quite a good attitude about it. I just hope that something doesn't happen to her to make her think otherwise. When he heard her giggle after he had complimented her violin music he smiled and closed his eyes. He was glad that he make her feel good about herself and be happy. She didn't want to see her face sad of all faces. He leaned back again and listened quietly to the breeze again but realized she had stopped talking. He opened his eyes to look at her and saw her flinch. "Are you alright?" He looked at her eyes to see if the emotions she was showing before were just a cover up. "Are you cold or something?" He looked at her and waited for the answer. He finally moved his eyes away from hers because he thought that it was rude to just pry it out of her. He watched as she picked up her violin again and began to play. He smiled and decided that she had gone back to her normal self for most of the part. He imagined them dancing to her song in the meadow. He could tell that most of her songs had a message or story behind it. He just couldn't figure out what each story was, including this one.

When she placed her hand on his stomach he blushed a bit. He wasn't expecting it so of course he would be blushing more than he normally would.
"You're perfectly fine, there is no need for you to cut back."
He smiled at her and chuckled a bit. "Guess I don't, must just be over exaggeration. But I haven't really been in action lately so I probably do need to watch myself just a bit.." He didn't exactly realize he said that last sentence. He looked up at the leaves of the tree above him. When she hugged him he got a pink tint to his face and looked down at her when she began to speak.
"i am sorry, that isn't what I meant.. I mean, well, it was, but it wasn't only that.. I.. I memorized everything from that day.. What you wore, your eye color, how you spoke, everything! I know that sounds weird, but I did! I.. Couldn't help it.. I had felt so alone until the day you came.. I didn't want to forget you, so I polished that memory ever since.. The scar and hair seemed more natural to say, so I said it, but I'd go back and say something else if I knew it hurt you.." He looked down at her the whole time she spoke. When she explained that she remembered everything about him, he felt bad that he didn't even remember that one time they had met. When she apologized her looked down at her head with sad eyes. He returned her hug trying to comfort her in a way that he could. As she moved her face to his chest and began to cry he hugged her tighter trying to comfort her more. "Keiko-dono....I didn't mean to make you cry, it just seems to follow me to a lot of places. I hurt almost everyone I meet whether it's physically or mentally," He moved his hand and put it on the back of her head trying to move it to rest on his shoulder. "I don't like to do it though. Even my friend Sano I have hurt in the past. So I just ask one thing of you, I don't want to see you hurt over me. I don't want to hurt you either." He hugged her tighter. "I don't want to see your fragile heart broken, and to see you crying, it's hard on me....that it is. So I promise I won't leave you or hurt you, that I promise to you." He knew he had made a huge promise to a girl he had just met, but they had met before in the past and he hurt her then. He wanted to make her feel happy though. He wanted to see the smile he saw on her face earlier. That I promise to you... those words repeated in his mind. He would keep those not only in his mind, but in his heart too.

"Silly Kenshin! This meadow isn't far from town. I may live secluded from town, but it doesn't take long for me to get there.I can always come and visit."
He smiled as she said that. He was looking forward to see her all over again. As she seemed to get more upset and moved her eyes from his sight, he frowned a bit. He felt as though he had hurt again. He sighed and then began. "Miss Keiko, you can come visit whenever you want. Don't feel as though you are not allowed to. The only thing I'd say you'd have to be careful about is Sano, he would more than likely flirt with any pretty girl who walked into the dojo. In fact I wouldn't mind if you wanted to come tonight." He closed his eyes and tilted his head while smiling at her. "So please don't hide your eyes. I'm not worthy of being treated like a king, that I'm not. I'm just Kenshin Himura. Call me whatever you like, Keiko-dono!" He looked up at the sky and noticed the sun was starting to set. Uh-oh.....Sano will be angry....very angry when I'm back so late. He'll probably think that I went off wandering again. I hope he doesn't come out searching for me, that I don't. I'm afraid to see his face when I get home..
"But, meeting here is just as fine as well."
He turned to face her when she said that. He smiled and nodded his head. "Anywhere would be fine, you just name it and I'll be there!" He nodded at her and then sighed and looked down. I feel bad to leave her all alone though. "I'm sorry to say this Miss Keiko, but I really need to be getting home before my skin his going to be a animal jacket soon, that it will..." He shook a bit at that thought. "I must be going now, that I must..."

[Keiko Morigwa]

"Well I think that is very wise and mature to say. I understand why you would be upset or mad, but choosing to stay positive about it and believing in yourself is the most best thing to do in my opinion."[/u]

Keiko smiled. "That's me, Keiko the optimist!" She told him eagerly. When he closed his eyes, she did the same. Only, she felt as if now the darkness was clutching her, not letting her open her eyes or move. "Nnh.." She grunted slightly as she tried to open her eyes. Finally, she pried them open but realized she was no longer in the meadow, she was in her old home. Her parents were fighting in front of her. The usual scenario that went on in the house. She would sit there and listen to them. She found it better to listen and know what's going on than to hide and not know. "I say we put her up for adoption! She's nothing but trouble!" Yelled her father. She remembered this day as if it happened yesterday. She had accidentally tripped and fell on the TV, getting injured and breaking the TV. "She's not any trouble at all! She's a child and it was an accident!" Yelled her mother in her defense. "She's just one more mouth to feed that we can't afford! If we put her up for adoption we can get the money and get out of this rut!" What if she gets adopted into a bad home?!" "She already lives in a bad home! Besides, what if she gets adopted into a better family?! She could go on to do great things. We'd get rid of her and she'd be great. Works out for both of us." Her mother gasped and Keiko's eyes widened as tears formed in both their eyes. "I don't care what you say, she stays and that's final!" Her mother then left the room in tears. Her father then glared at her. "This is all your fault." He said in a whisper so her mother wouldn't hear . "Nana!" He said as he ran after her mother, leaving a young Keiko in tears.

"Are you alright?" [/u]

Keiko snapped back to reality as his words intervened with her memories. She then realized tears were rolling down her face as she wiped them away. "Yup, I'm fine." She told him normally, thankful her voice didn't crack. Why.. Why.. Why is it when, I'm around him all these memories come back to me...? I'm supposed to have forgotten all of this, so why..? "Am I cold..? No, I'm fine, thank you." She told him as she smiled.

Keiko saw him blush, and just looked at him. "You're cute when you blush!" She told him happily, but this time she realized what she said and turned a deep red. She put her hands on her face and just looked at him between her fingers. "I hear that Jump City has great gyms and aren't that expensive either.. But those are rumors, so I don't know.. I've never entered them myself.. Maybe I should.."

Keiko continued to hold him as he hugged her back. She felt a bit better already. She sat silently as she listened to Kenshin speak. He then said he hurt almost everyone her met. She hugged him tighter and closer. "Don't say that! That's not true! Even so, I'm sure they forgive you! You're too nice to not be! You're a good person Kenshin, and if they don't see that then...then..!" Keiko said, but she couldn't finish. She couldn't bring herself to speak ill of anyone. She just put her head on his shoulder as he put his hand on her head. She cried a bit more. She continued to listen as he spoke. "I'm sure your friend forgives you.. No, I know he does.." She told him silently as she continued to listen. She then looked up at him. "I...I am sorry, I can't do that.. I can't not hurt over you.. You're not the only one I hurt for the.. I hurt for everyone.." she told him. Why do I do this though..? What purpose..? Keiko then froze as she felt like she just fell into an endless dark pit. "I.. I'm a horrible person.." She whispered. All this time.... I've been deluding myself with these fake images that I was a good person.. But I'm not.. I.. I feel so alone.. I feel like I did when Kenshin left.. Maybe I need to be alone.. When he hugged her tighter, she just sat there this time.

"I don't want to see your fragile heart broken, and to see you crying, it's hard on me....that it is. So I promise I won't leave you or hurt you, that I promise to you."[/u]

This made Keiko's eyes pop open as she looked at him. More tears fell down, but they were more happy tears than sad. She then got carried away, and made lip contact with Kenshin. In other words, she was kissing him. Well, he was her first love and she had been waiting for a while to be reunited with him, she couldn't help it. She truly did love him more than anything. More than her violin, more than her life.

"Miss Keiko, you can come visit whenever you want. Don't feel as though you are not allowed to. The only thing I'd say you'd have to be careful about is Sano, he would more than likely flirt with any pretty girl who walked into the dojo. In fact I wouldn't mind if you wanted to come tonight."[/u]

Keiko laughed at the Sano comment. "Are you sure though..? I'm not, being a burden, am I..?" She asked as she looked up at him. "I do not wish to be of any trouble.." She said as she looked to the side. She didn't say anything at his next comment, just continued to look to the side. You're wrong, Kenshin, you're the king of my whole world.. I'd do anything for you.. I.. I truly do love you, Kenshin.. Can't you see this?

"Anywhere would be fine, you just name it and I'll be there!"[/u]

Keiko swallowed. She still couldn't bring herself to speak. Honestly, she wanted to be with him wherever he went. To always be with him. I..I wish I was born as Kenshin's heart.. Then I could share his pain.. His fears.. And his happiness..Then I'd truly always be with Kenshin.. She looked up at him as he said he really needed to get going otherwise he'd be skinned. He shivered, then said he must go. She quickly stood up and slammed herself into him, gripping his shirt. "Please.. Please don't leave me behind again.." She told him as she gripped his shirt/kimono thing tighter.

[kenshin]

He watched her as though she were dreaming of something important. He wanted to jump into her mind and save her from the pain she showed on her face. When she finally opened her eyes and was crying. "Please don't cry Keiko-dono, I'm here, that I am." He smiled at her trying to make her feel better. When she said she wasn't cold he smiled at her. When she smiled he almost frowned a bit. That isn't a true smile, at least from you, that it isn't. When she said he was cute when he blushed he turned to smile at her. "Pink is a good color on me isn't it? Goes great with my hair, that it does?" He watched as she covered up her face with her hands and then smiled at her. "There is no need to hide your face from me, that there isn't. I like to see your face. In fact you're very pretty when you blush too, that you are."
"I hear that Jump City has great gyms and aren't that expensive either.. But those are rumors, so I don't know.. I've never entered them myself.. Maybe I should.."
He looked over at her. "No you don't need to go to the gym. You don't need to gain muscles just to be strong. Actions are stronger than words, that they are, but emotions and desires are most of the time the strongest of all weapons or strength, that I believe." He smiled at her again. She's putting herself down too much. She doesn't need to do that, that she doesn't. Everything bad she says about herself is the exact opposite in my eyes, that they are.

"I...I am sorry, I can't do that.. I can't not hurt over you.. You're not the only one I hurt for the.. I hurt for everyone.."
He looked down at her sympathetically. "It's alright to have a gentle heart. Not everyone has a heart of stone. Having feelings like that just shows that you are someone who feels for others. It is not a bad thing to have, that it isn't. I believe it is a blessing, that I do."
"I.. I'm a horrible person.."
When she said that he widened his eyes. He wanted to yell at her to not think that, but he could never yell at her. "No, no you're not a horrible person at all. Like I said, it's just your feelings. Just because you have those feelings, it doesn't make you a bad person, that it doesn't. Please don't talk so ill of yourself, because it's not true, that it isn't." He looked down at her and when he made that promise to her, her eyes popped open. He looked at her as tears still fell from her face. When she started to lean into a kiss he was kind of shocked at first. When her lips touched his, he was trying to get a word out. "Ke..Keiko-dono.." He then returned the kiss and held her tightly. He didn't want to let go. He hadn't kissed anyone for a long time. It almost made him think of Tomo, but he couldn't think of her. He was too caught up in the moment with Keiko. No one else crossed his mind but Keiko's face, her smiling face. He finally released from the kiss to get a breath and then held her closer and tighter again. "I promise Keiko-dono....I promise to you I will never leave you, I swear that on my life. I will do anything for you, that I will. Keiko-dono, I almost feel like saying something, even though we've just met.....but I can't get myself to say it." He looked down at her. "But I can tell you, I won't ever let you out of my reach. You will always be within my reach. I won't let you down, I promise....that I do."

When she said she didn't want to be a burden he turned to face her.
"I do not wish to be of any trouble.."
He came over and placed his finger over her mouth. "No more comments of being down on yourself, alright? I already told you, they aren't true, that they aren't. In my eyes, you are everything opposite of that. You are like a goddess. I have never met anything or anyone like you, that I haven't. You are much more special than what you put yourself out to be, that you are." He smiled at her when he said that. As he turned and began to walk away she ran over to grab him. He almost fell a bit but looked back at her.
Please.. Please don't leave me behind again.."
He looked back at her and frowned a bit. He grabbed her hands and kissed one of them. "I could never leave you, that I couldn't. Why don't you come back with me to my home, to the dojo? If that is alright with you?"

[Keiko Morigwa]

"Please don't cry Keiko-dono, I'm here, that I am."[/u]

Keiko looked at him, and smiled. "That you are Kenshin.. Thank you, for coming back.." Whether it was for me or not.. She then stood up and clenched her had in a fist. "I'm bringing myself down! That is strictly prohibited!" She told herself. she looked at him with her normal smile this time. "Forgive me, I did not mean to get all down, it actually doesn't happen often, if at all." She told him happily, shoving all negative things out of her mind and clouding them in with happy things.

"Pink is a good color on me isn't it? Goes great with my hair, that it does?"[/u]

Keiko laughed. "It certainly does!" She told him happily. She was glad she was becoming herself again. She hated being sad, if felt as if she brought a lot of others down with her. When Kenshin said she was pretty when she blushed, she blushed deeper, but put her hands down. "Thank you.." She told him with an embarrassed smile.

Kenshin told her she didn't need to go to the gym to gain muscles. Keiko tilted her head. "But I'm not going to gain muscle, I was going to go to stay in shape and not get bloated." She said as she held her hands in front of her stomach, making a large circle in front of her to emphasize how she would be. She then just smiled. "But yes, words, emotions and so on are the best, aren't they..?"

"It's alright to have a gentle heart. Not everyone has a heart of stone. Having feelings like that just shows that you are someone who feels for others. It is not a bad thing to have, that it isn't. I believe it is a blessing, that I do."[/u]

Keiko just looked at him, then smiled softly. Why does even the smallest things he say make me so happy? I know I love him, but I loved my mother too, and not every nice thing she said to me made me happy.. Hm.. He then told her she wasn't a bad person, and that is was just her feelings. That's when her smile faded. "But.. I only help people, because I learn their stories and compare them to myself.. Hearing their stories make me feel better about myself.. I feed off their pain in order to fill this void inside of me.. How can you say, that doesn't make me, a bad person..?" She asked as she looked at him.

"Ke..Keiko-dono.."[/u]

Keiko didn't move, and felt better when he returned the kiss and held her tightly. She honestly felt like flying.. This was her first time kissing anyone. Besides, she had been waiting for three years to do this with him, and now she was. Despite her being sad and all, she would have to say this was the best day of her life. They then separated from the kiss, and he held her tight and close. She returned the embrace and listened to his promise. when he said he couldn't bring himself to say something, she looked at him from the side of her eye and put her head a bit on the side of his neck. Let me say it for you.. "I... Love you Kenshin, and that's the stone-cold truth.. I've loved you since that day we met.." She told him sincerely.

When Kenshin walked back to her and put his finger on Keiko's mouth, she turned a light pink. She listened to his words and she practically glowed. she then wrapped her arms around his neck. "Why do you always know what to say?" She asked quietly. He then asked if she wanted to come back to the dojo with him. "I.. I don't mind.. If it is okay with you.."

[kenshin]

((Sorry this is so short, I can't really think of anything))


He was glad to see that she was starting to resort back to herself. He liked her better as herself. He smiled at her as she began to smile and started to lighten up on how much she blamed herself for and being down on herself. He listened to her when she said that the reason to go to the gym was to keep herself from getting fat. When she showed how big she would be he laughed. "I think you're over exaggerating just a bit there, that you are." He moved over and moved her head down to where it was a half inch from where she presently was. "That is the most I would say, that I would. But I seriously doubt that even that could appear on you, that I do." He smiled at her and patted her on the head. When she said she fed off of other people's pain, he didn't know how to reply without lying. He just sat there staring at her with a sympathetic look. He looked down. "I...I don't know Miss Keiko.." He felt bad to reply to her like that but he didn't know how to otherwise.

"I... Love you Kenshin, and that's the stone-cold truth.. I've loved you since that day we met.."
He listened to her and smiled when she finished. "Is that so Keiko-dono?" That time he didn't pause after the end. He was happy to hear it. He wanted to say the same thing. Still he couldn't get it out of his mouth though. When she said he always knew what to say he smiled. He didn't completely believe that though. There were some things that he could never find the answer to.
"I.. I don't mind.. If it is okay with you.."
He smiled and tilted his head. "No it's is perfectly fine. Remember you are always welcome, that you are. So don't forget that Keiko-dono." He reached out his hand for hers. "Grab my hand and I'll carry you if you want me to." Then he lead her to the dojo he called home.

[Kasumi]

(closed!}