Encounter with Past Friends and The Two punks!

[reikawa]

~*~(Sanosuke/Kenshin/Keiko/Reikawa)~*~

Reikawa began to dream about the most random things. She would never remember them when she woke up though. But she did begin to have a nightmare develop in her head. She was standing there smiling at her mom and she was smiling back at her. Suddenly her brother appeared above her mom though and he had a knife. She flinched when she saw her brother. He swung the knife down and striked her mother in the head killing her. Reikawa stared at them and watched as they disappeared and watched as he mother fell and hit the ground. Then she disappeared as well. Reikawa fell to her knees and then leaned over and cried in her hands. Suddenly the light changed to a bright white light and Sanosuke was standing in front of her. She looked up to see him smiling at her and extended his hand to help her up. She grabbed his hand and pulled herself up. She hugged him and he returned it. He loosened his grip on her and they began to lean in for a kiss until she thought she had heard his voice. Her eyes popped open and she noticed she was on Sanosuke's back. She was a bit confused but finally she remembered. "Oh yeah I fell asleep on your back...sorry about that. I should have been talking to you instead." She sat there in silence for a minute and then started to make a conversation again. "So what is this dojo like? Is is like one of those traditional Japanese dojos?" She waited for his response and then smiled. "Well in case you haven't noticed I'm really into the Japanese side, I figured me telling you about me reading up on the Sekiho Army and the Shinsengumi whould be a dead give-away." She looked up at the sky and looked at all the stars. "Time really passes when you fall asleep doesn't it?"

She looked forward as a dojo seemed to come into sight. She jumped off of him and turned to smile at him. "Thanks for the ride, but I think I can manage it from here...oh but this is still a date!" She grabbed his hand and held it once more. Since we didn't really get the chance to this earlier and you won't rip my arm apart this seems like a good time right?" She finally came up upon the dojo and looked at it. "Is all of this property your private property? Must be nice!" She began to walk toward the entrance and looked at Sanosuke to make sure it was alright for her to enter.

(Sorry if i basically just invited myself in there)
She walked into the dojo and looked around. No lights..this is kinda nice. She looked around and saw how big it was. "Wow this place is big. You are lucky to have found a place like this." She looked around more and walked around examining everything. She felt like a burglar but turned to face him. She sat down and put her leg over the other one out straight. She looked over at him and chuckled a bit. "It's dark in here...and we're all alone.......so what we gonna do huh?" She said that a bit jokingly but she really hoped that he might acknowledge her feelings for him a bit more. She stood up and walked over to him and put her head on his shoulder. She enjoyed being close to him. He was very warm and she felt safe around him. She wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him. "If this is making you feel awkward at all, please tell me.." She was hoping he would say no though. She moved just a bit closer to him feeling almost invincible, that is until her stomach growled. "Eh......uh............a bit awkward there....." She backed away from him and looked the other way. She folded her arms across her chest and looked to the side. She could feel the heat emanating off of her body as she knew her face had turned a very very deep red. AND RIGHT WHEN I WAS GETTING REALLY CLOSE TO HIM!! She took in a breath still looking the other way. "I forgot I didn't eat, so I guess I'm pretty hungry.."

She finally got the courage to turn around to face him. She knew her face was still red but in the dark she knew he probably couldn't see it. "So do you got any fish around here? Sorry I'm asking for food.....but I'm ve--" her stomach growled again even louder. Now she was really blushing. Her whole body was red. She punched her stomach a few times. She mumbled under her breath to enough where Sanosuke probably couldn't hear it. "Damn stomach not now!! Shut up you're ruining the moment!" She sighed and began to pick up on where she had cut off "I'm very hungry as you probably can already tell..so I guess this can be a romantic dinner if you got anything?" She looked over at him waiting for a response. She felt as though he was probably still to awkward to speak to her. She looked down and then looked in the other direction. "Can I ask where the restroom is? I wanna go get washed up if you don't mind.."

She went down the hall and finally found the restroom. When she walked in there was already a candle lit. She looked into the mirror and noticed that she was as red as could be. She widened her eyes and slammed her head on the counter top. She was glad that Sanosuke hadn't seen her or at least she hoped he didn't. She looked back up and noticed she had reddened a bit more. She took some of the water in a bucket and splashed it on her face. She finally calmed herself and cooled down. She sighed and then threw fist up in the air. "I GOTTA MAKE THIS NIGHT HAPPEN WITH ME AND SANO!! TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT THAT HE KNOWS MY FEELINGS FOR HIM AND ACCEPTS!!!!" She gave herself confidence then burst out the door toward Sanosuke.

[sanosuke]

Sanosuke walked down the street, now finally realizing Reikawa fell asleep on his back. Great, I get to carry her around now.. What is she, my five year old child? He asked in his mind as he looked tot eh side, seeing a sleeping Reikawa. A little pink tint came to his face as he looked away. Then again, I guess it's not so bad.. At least it's a cute girl and not someone ugly-lookin' one.. He sighed as he heard his stomach growl. Kenshin better have made dinner and laid some out for me, if he's not there cooking it now. I want a fish bone to chew on too.. Wonder if we have any left.. May just have to get one myself. Things aren't exactly goin' my way today. Almost got arrested, may be out of fish bones, got cups and bottles chucked at me, Starving, don't know where the hell Kenshin is.. Hm, guess the only good thing is meeting the lug on my back. He chuckled a bit. Wonder what she would do if she heard me say that.. Get angry? Slap me like she did? Laugh? He shook his head, then noticed he began to get weird looks. He just gave them a look in return that was either pissy or that said "I didn't knock her out and kidnap her, I swear!". Which didn't usually help, so he often gave them the pissy look. Well damn, I hope she's happy! Makin' me look like some weirdo.. He sighed in relief as he exited the town and wasn't so far from the dojo. At least I won't get stared at and won't get things thrown at me. Only then, something dropped on his head as he stopped and looked at what hit him. It was a pine-cone. He glared at it as he growled a bit at it. Dammit! He yelled in his mind as he stomped on it and smashed it, then continued on his way.

Finally the dojo came into view, and for a little while Sano just stared at it. The candles are off.. Kenshin's not home. Well damn.. Then again, I did say dates were meant for people to be ALONE. So I guess if Kenshin were here that wouldn't exactly help..Then again, We are a bit from town... He put his head down. No wonder I was getting weird looks.. Taking a girl, sleeping but looks knocked out on my back out of town.. UGH! Sighing a bit, he looked at Reikawa. "Hey, Reikawa, wake up, we're here."

"Oh yeah I fell asleep on your back...sorry about that. I should have been talking to you instead."[/u]

"Don't worry about it, it's fine." Sano said. "I'm just glad you didn't end up dying on my back for some unknown reason." He told her.. She then asked about the dojo. "Yeah. Well, since it's not from Japan, I wouldn't say it's original, but it's a nice replica of one.. Kenshin and I found it by chance and since it was abandoned we just took it and fixed it up. Now it's our house." He said as he examined it. She then told him how she liked the Japanese and hence why she read up on the Shinsengumi and the Sekiho Army. He just smiled. "Yeah, time does pass.." He said as he looked up with her. she then jumped off his back and he looked at her.

"Thanks for the ride, but I think I can manage it from here...oh but this is still a date!"[/u]

Reikawa grabbed his hand, and he folded his around hers. Sano smiled a bit as they walked inside. "Yeah, it is pretty nice..." He said as they walked into the dojo. "I wouldn't say it's all private property, but no one really comes around here, so I guess you could say that.."

"It's dark in here...and we're all alone.......so what we gonna do huh?"[/u]

Sano looked at her and smirked a bit. He walked over as he was untying his ribbon. When he was over to her he wrapped it around her and pulled her up, still having a smirk on his face. "Why don't you tell me?" He asked as he ruffled her hair and put his headband back on. He froze though when he felt her hands around his neck as she hugged him, then told him if this made it awkward for him, to tell her. He couldn't think of anything to say, so stood then, that was, until her stomach growled. She folded her arms and looked the other way and he was trying not to laugh. She told him she was still pretty hungry. "Uh, well, to tell you the truth, I'm not the one that cooks, Kenshin is.. So if you can hang around until he gets his ass back here.." He said as he walked over to look out the window, searching for Kenshin.

"So do you got any fish around here? Sorry I'm asking for food.....but I'm ve--"[/u]

Sano grabbed her fist as she began to punch herself as he gave her a weird look. "Sorry, we don't have anything.. Well, we might have a bit of some leftovers.." He said as he listened to her speak., looking towards the kitchen. "Romantic dinner? Sounds nice, too bad we don't have anything.." She asked where the restroom is, and he pointed her the way.

Sanosuke cursed at Kenshin silently. "Dammit Kenshin, why didn't you at least make something to eat before you left? You shoulda known I was gonna be hungry when I came home! I'm soo gonna get on your ass when you get back! You better prepare yourself, or your in for a world of hurt Kenshin!!" He said out the window as he waited for him to come in view. He turned to look at Reikawa though when she headed towards him. "Done?"

[kenshin]

Kenshin looked over at Keiko while they were walking. He couldn't help but smile seeing her eyes. Those eyes seem to sparkle with hope and love, that they do. He looked over and kept smiling at her not sure whether or not she was going to look back at him. He looked up at the sky and noticed that it was starting to become night once more. "Keiko-dono, I hope you don't mind but we are going to have to go through a little bit of town. The way to my house on the outside of town consists of forest and a large stream, and I don't want you getting wet and then getting sick, that I don't." He smiled at her and hoped she understood. "I know we have already eaten, but if you want to we can stop by a restaurant on the way and talk a while. Surprisingly this one actually has some money on me at the moment, that I do." He looked over at her waiting to see what her response would be. He grinned and then looked back forward again. He decided that he'd try to take things a bit further and reached over and grabbed her hand. Of course he was trying to hold it. A bit of a pink tint came to his face but he was happy to hold her hand.

"So Keiko-dono, maybe when we get to the dojo you can play some of the beautiful music from your violin for Sano to hear, that you can." He was hoping to hear her play it again. Maybe even this time be able to dance with her, despite really having no music in the background. Sanosuke could play the violin for us, but then again......if his singing is like that, I imagine that his talent at the violin is no different, that it probably isn't. He looked over at her again. Then almost froze in his tracks. "Speaking of dinner...Sano probably is at home waiting for me to make him some dinner, that he is. Normally I'd say staying away from him wouldn't be so wise but this time this one chooses to live." He sort of laughed at that and then looked back over at Keiko again. "So what do you say Keiko-dono? Do you want to stop and eat somewhere?"

When they reached town, Kenshin made sure to stay on the lighted paths of the streets. Even though there were many shortcuts, he knew better than to go down any alleys, especially at night. He didn't want to have his other shoe broken considering that his other shoe was still broken. "Maybe we should stop by a shoe store while we are here. I need a new shoe, that I do." He looked around at all the people who were passing. Being so late you'd think that everyone would be home in bed asleep, but not in this case. There were all sorts of people out that night. They bumped into him quite a few times as well. He had to hold on tighter to Keiko's hand so that they wouldn't get separated, but not too hard so he didn't hurt her. He looked up and saw a bunch of restaurants down the lane they were heading. "Alright Keiko-dono, these are all the places we can go to. I know you probably haven't been down in the city before, that you haven't. So this might be all new to you, but these are really good places that are affordable to this one's change on me. Go ahead and take your choice Keiko-dono. Tonight is your special night, that it is!" He pulled her a bit closer and was almost hugging her showing that this was her special night. He waited to hear her decision.

[Keiko Morigwa]

Keiko smiled as she walked alongside Kenshin. She laced her fingers together as she closed her eyes, still smiling, giggling slightly. I'm so hope to be near him again! I feel so light and happy! Happier than usual! It feels so right to be walking next to Kenshin like this! I wish it wouldn't end anytime soon, or that'll it'll happen again! Oooo, Kenshin I love you so much! She giggled again, but a bit louder this time, but still smiled. When she opened her eyes, she saw out of the corner of her eye, Kenshin looking at her. She returned the look as she still smiled, and made a slight giggle at him too. "Something you need?" She asked him kindly. He then said he hoped she didn't mind if they walked through town, for he didn't want her to get wet and sick. "I don't mind, not at all! Anywhere you wish to go or do, I'm always happy to be by your side, no matter the situation!" She told him cheerfully. He then asked if she wanted to go and get something to eat. She gasped slowly and her eyes seemed to glow. "Really?? You and me, dinner?! I'd love to!" She told him as she blushed slightly, closed her eyes as she smiled, moved her fists side to side a bit in front of her as she giggled. "I mean, well, if it is alright with you, then I'd be delighted!" She said happily. She continued to walk happily, but was surprised when she saw Kenshin reach for her hand. This made her VERY happy! She gladly took it and smiled at a pink tinted Kenshin.((seeexxxyyyy....XD))

"So Keiko-dono, maybe when we get to the dojo you can play some of the beautiful music from your violin for Sano to hear, that you can."[/u]

Keiko grinned a large, wide grin. "I'd be delighted! If he wants to listen, that is.." She said as she pondered a bit. She sheepishly giggled a bit and rubbed the back of her head. Never met anyone though who hasn't liked it.. Oo.. I sound conceited there.. When he spoke about his friend being mad for not making him dinner, she gave him a confused look. She gave him a surprised look though when he said he wanted to live. She grabbed his arm, taking it literally. "No, Kenshin you can't die! I don't want you too! I'd be really upset if you did, so please, don't die!" She told him pleadingly. "So, yes! Let's eat somewhere!" She told him as she grabbed his hand and hurried to town. "Wait.. If we hurry to town it'll take longer.. Let's walk slowly!" she told him happily.

"You need a shoe..?" Keiko asked as she looked down at his feet. She noticed it was becoming broken. Bending down, she grabbed it right from under his foot as she looked at it. She grabbed her sleeve, bit it, and tore a thin piece off. She then took the cloth as she tied it around the broken part, making it more sturdy. She handed it back now. "Try it now?" Keiko asked.

As they walked down the street, people began to bump into Kenshin. This didn't make Keiko happy. "Hey! Excuse me!" She said as she chased after the last person who bumped into him, barely feeling Kenshin trying to tighten the grip of them holding hands. The lady turned around to look at her. "Yes, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I saw you bump into that man and didn't say sorry or excuse me.. I'd like it if you say it now.. It would be very polite of you.." The woman shot a nasty glare at her, then looked at Kenshin. It was apparent she was unhappy to be told what to do and to be disturbed. "Sorry." She told him coldly and bitterly as she turned back around, but this made Keiko even more unhappy. This was strange to her. She never got angry at people, and especially for something like that, but this was agitating her. She grabbed her shoulder again. "I'd appreciate it, if you said it nicely." This made the woman more angry as she smacked Keiko's hand off. "Don't tell me what to do! I said sorry! Be happy with what you got!" She told Keiko. Keiko wasn't feeling like herself. She was feeling much more, protective and angry that Kenshin was treated such a way. So she smiled. "Okay." She said cheerfully as she held her palms up. "Let's just see how you like it!" She told her as she shoved the woman to the ground and walked off. It then felt like she woke up. she gasped and covered her mouth as she ran back to the woman. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, I really didn't! I don't know what came ove--" Keiko then got a slap across the face as the woman walked off. She rubbed where she got slap. "Guess I deserved that.."

Keiko walked back to Kenshin and went back to holding his hand as he asked if there was anywhere specific she wanted to eat. "Oh, I'm not sure.. Anywhere will be fine, as long as I'm with you!" she told him happily. He then pulled her close, as if like a hug and she wrapped her arms around him as he said it was her special night. "This night couldn't get anymore special than it already is." she whispered as she smiled. Then looked up at him. "Make that our special night!"

[reikawa]

She looked over at Sanosuke as he untied his headband/ribbon and walked toward her. When he put it around her and pulled her in she had a bit of a pink tint come to her face.
"Why don't you tell me?"
She smirked to herself a bit as he said that. When he moved away and tied his headband back on she had hugged him. When he didn't say anything so she wasn't sure how he was reacting. When she leaned in and embarrassed herself with her growling stomach she heard his attempt when he tried to hold back a laugh. She felt a bit red to the face and looked back at him.
"Uh, well, to tell you the truth, I'm not the one that cooks, Kenshin is.. So if you can hang around until he gets his ass back here.."
She nodded when he said he wasn't much of a cook. "It's alright, and I can wait here as long as you don't get tired of me or I ware out my welcome." She watched him walk over to the window to look for his friend. So he has a friend that lives here with him, that means that our date will be over the time he gets here. I'm not sure we will ever see each other after this night. So I have to make it happen tonight. TONIGHT!! I HAVE TO TONIGHT!! She felt her heart beat speed up and her breathing intense a bit as she walked over to him. She placed her arms around him embracing him. "If it's alright, I don't want to invite myself..but I'm sorta known by people in town at night. I haven't gotten into any trouble I promise but if I go back tonight I might get jumped and my friend named Bena won't be there to kick their asses for me.." She paused when she mentioned him. I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST MENTIONED BENA TO HIM!! HOW CAN I BE THINKING OF HIM IN A TIME LIKE THIS!? She smiled and laughed a bit. "Bena is a guy that lives near me, we've been friends for quite a long time. He has stood up for me many times. Not only is he a pretty smart guy he is skilled in some martial arts.." She was about to put tape over her mouth and then sew it shut. She wasn't about to say another word about Bena.


When he grabbed her fist she sort of glared at him. She turned quickly pulling her hand away. As she headed for the restroom and walked in she looked at her face. She took in a few deep breaths. "Why am I getting this angry with him. Here I am saying that I want to be with him and now I'm angry at him. I can't allow this anger to get the best of me." As she gave herself the confidence and began to walk down the hall staring down at her feet.
"Done?"
She looked up at him and took in a breath to keep herself from getting angry at him again. "Yeah I'm finished, and I'm fine too so don't worry about it." She walked to the center of the room and sat down. She looked over at him through the corner of her eye to see if he was angry at her too. She sighed and then looked over at him. Suddenly she saw the face of her brother. She usually did when she was angry or upset, not in her positive mood. NOO!! BROTHER STAY AWAY!! The memories came back to her mind. They haven't been back in years. Her eyes widened remembering it. But Reikawa, I must show you that I love you...that I don't hate you. And I must show you how good it feels to love me back!! NO I DON'T WANNA GET AWAY FROM ME!!! GET AWAY!! She flung herself over and held her ears as though it would go away if she couldn't hear anything. She began to form tears in her eyes from the pain of those memories and images. She rocked a bit trying to get the painful memories away. "IT HURTS!! THE MEMORIES!! THEY HURT TOO MUCH TO REMEMBER!!" She was cracking and she was soaked in her tears. "GO AWAY!! GET AWAY FROM ME BROTHER!!" She held her head tighter as thought the pain would stop if she applied more pain. "WHY WON'T THEY GO AWAY!?!?" She thought she felt Sanosuke's hands but her body was so numb from the pain she couldn't tell. "Sano!! It hurts soo much!!! The memories...the pain...the things that were said.............they hurt!!!" She was on the verge of screaming and looked up to notice what seemed to be Sanosuke's face. Am I dreaming this, or is this really Sano? She turned and grabbed Sanosuke's arm and shoulder. "Sano..please help me..." She began to hug him tightly. "PLEASE HELP ME!!....I can't handle these feelings alone...please Sano..help me....."

The pain began to feel at ease. The images began to disappear and her body began to get feeling back again. She turned around again to see Sanosuke and could actually see his figure. "Sano...I'm sorry you had to see that, and deal with it." She began to come closer to him. "The fact I can't handle it by myself is kind of weak, but I'm not the strongest human in the world..." She moved closer to him again but a little bit faster this time. "I'm a normal human girl.....I feel pain, I keep memories, I have emotions, I do stuff that isn't the best thing to do,.......and I have feelings...like every other girl there is." She moved closer to him more beginning to close her eyes. "I have feelings....of pain, happiness, sadness,....and I have feelings for others as well......I have feelings for...y--" She cut herself off when she closed the gap between their lips. She placed her arms around him and pressed up against him. She almost had tears form in her eyes being that close to him. She had let herself get way too carried away, but she wanted to take a chance...and see what he did. She pushed up against him more and almost pushed him back, but she wasn't sure she did or not. She finally disconnected for a breath. "Sano.......I have feelings......for....." She looked up at his eyes. "I have feelings for...you, Sano. My feelings of love toward you. And my wish is that you return my feelings back to me. I...I've never felt this way with anyone.....not even Bena. There is something about you that puts you apart from the crowd. Not someone who likes to fit in...and like that....Sano..do you? Do you...return my feelings back to me?" She grabbed his hand and smiled at him....waiting for what seemed like it would be the best moment of her life.

[sanosuke]

Sanosuke stood there as Reikawa hugged him. Well, he patted her back in return. He's not mean! She certainly is someone that likes physical contact, isn't she? He looked up and around, but back down as she blushed, making him have to bite his lip to make sure he really didn't laugh. Hope Kenshin gets back soon.. Don't want her stomach to eat her or me..

"It's alright, and I can wait here as long as you don't get tired of me or I ware out my welcome."[/u]

Sano ruffled her hair. "Nah, I won't get bored. I'll have too much fun teasing ya.' " He said with a smile. As he looked out the window, he sighed. Does seem rather boring out here.. what to do, what to do.. Well, we shouldn't go out for a walk, for Kenshin could come back any minute.. Don't want to fight a girl...Hm... He froze but jolted slightly as Reikawa's arms went around his waist. "Man, what is with you and hug's? Is it hug day or somethin'?" He asked as he managed to maneuver himself to turn around and return the hug as she spoke. "Bena? Who's that?" He asked, kinda feeling a pang of envy. She then explained who he was. "Hm.. Kinda sounds like you like this Bena guy.." He said.

Sano just looked at her, but kinda was surprised when she just swiped it away from him. "Uhh.." He sorta mumbled as she walked away. He ran his hand through his hair. "What's her problem..?" He asked himself. Don't know, probably shouldn't ask.. Sometimes females have those moments.. Wonder if it's that time.. He shivered. He looked at her as she re-entered the room.

"Yeah I'm finished, and I'm fine too so don't worry about it."[/u]

Sano arched an eyebrow. "I wasn't going to.." He asked as he watched as she entered the room. Either she has a sudden change of mind of being here, being hungry makes her upset or |I somehow managed to piss her off without trying. He sighed and looked to the side. He didn't even notice anything was wrong until Reikawa began to yell and scream "get away from me." and what not. At first he thought she was yelling at him, which got him angry and was about to yell back, but then realized she wasn't even looking at him. He ran over to her. "Reikawa!" He said as he bent down on one knee. "Reikawa, you okay, what's going on?!" He asked, but hadn't gotten an answer from her. So, he just held onto her hands. When she would say his name or ask for help, so he would try and soothe her by saying he was here for her, or it's okay, rub her hair and whatnot.

Sano listened as she would speak, and asked questions, but to him it almost sounded as if she was drunk. That was, until their lips met. "Mph?!" He grunted a bit in surprise. Wait! Okay, no, not so soon! I just met the girl! I, tight situation here! He put his hands on her shoulders and separated them. "Uh, listen, I, can;t give you an exact answer.. i just met you.. a-" When he looked at her and seemed to expect a happy moment, he looked down to the ground. She looks so, cute when she looks that happy.. And I want to keep seeing it.. I want to keep it being on her face because of me... Am I, selfish, or, do I return the feelings..?

[kenshin]

As she laced her fingers with his he smiled and felt really good. He laced his fingers back and held onto her so her would never let go. He closed his eyes and just let the sounds come to his ears as he smiled at it. When he heard her giggle he opened his eyes back up and looked over at her. He began to smile at her.
"Something you need?"
He smiled and shook his head. "No ma'am, I was just admiring your beautiful face." He blushed a bit and smiled. When she said yes to having dinner with him he nodded and tried to get an idea of where they could go that he could afford. He looked down at the bright lights of the city and looked for the closest and safest path to take. When he found one he held her hand and guided her down to it.

"I'd be delighted! If he wants to listen, that is.."
He smiled and chuckled a bit. "Well even if Sano isn't all that in to that stuff, even he would like to listen to you play." He smiled at her again. He looked forward and began to daze off until he felt her starting to slow them down. He guessed he didn't hear her when she told him they were going to slow down and decided to go along with it. When he felt her pull off his shoe right from underneath him he almost fell over. "Oro!!" He quickly gained his balance as he watched her repair his shoe. When she gave it back he tried it and it worked much better than it had before. He began to walk forward a bit and smiled happily. "Keiko-dono thank you very much, it works great, that it does." He would have said that a bit more happily but he felt a little bit weird. He was feeling some strange energies and senses. He was trying to grasp what it was but it was so far away that he couldn't tell.

"Hey! Excuse me!"
As Kenshin felt her leave his side he gasped and turned after her. "Keiko-dono!?"
"Yes, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I saw you bump into that man and didn't say sorry or excuse me.. I'd like it if you say it now.. It would be very polite of you.."
He sighed a bit and tried to get Keiko's attention. "Keiko-dono, it's really not all that necessary. It was just a bump, at least it wasn't a shove. There is no need in trying to mangle with this Miss's business, that it isn't." He saw the woman's face as she turned around coldly.
"Sorry."
He could hear and sense the cold and bitterness in her voice. He smiled and nodded back at her. "It's fine, that it i-" He was interrupted as Keiko got her attention again and directed her to say it nicely. He shook his head trying to get Keiko's attention but failing. He saw as the woman slapped Keiko's hand off her shoulder.
"Don't tell me what to do! I said sorry! Be happy with what you got!"
He shook his head more throwing his hands up toward Keiko. "Keiko-dono..you shouldn't worry about it any longer, that you shouldn't. She said she was sorry so we should just accept it and let it be." He watched as she pushed down the woman. "KEIKO-DONO!!"
"Let's just see how you like it!"
He began to run over toward her and the woman to help the woman up until he saw Keiko run back to the woman.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, I really didn't! I don't know what came ove--"
He saw as the woman slapped her across the face and walked off. He watched her walk away and saw Keiko rubbing where she got slapped.
"Guess I deserved that.."
He looked at her with a straight face. He didn't really want to say anything but agreed silently to himself. I never knew that Keiko-dono had a side like this to her. Maybe she isn't the girl I thought she was.. He sighed and turned back around.

He held back onto her hand and smiled down at her. They began to continue their walking as he listened to her as she said she didn't care where they went. He smiled as he heard her say that as long as they were together. He looked over to see that a Japanese restaurant was close and it was affordable -Surprisingly- as well.
"Make that our special night!"
He nodded and grinned. "Then allow me to rephrase that, this is our special night, that it is." He began to lead her into the restaurant and ordered a table for two. Luckily they only had to wait five minutes and then were seated. He looked down at the menu and began to read it while holding onto Keiko's hand across the table. After looking it over a few times he decided he would get a Shrimp and Beef Tempura Udong bowl and a little bit extra so he could bring some back home to Sanosuke so he wouldn't get chewed out for no dinner. He looked up at her when he placed his menu down and looked over. "Have you decided yet?"

When the waiter came to get the orders he ordered his meal with some hot green tea. He waited for her order and then the waiter left. He looked across at Keiko and smiled. He was happy to see her happy, but he couldn't seem to get all the happiness out of him. He still felt weird. He didn't feel like someone was staring at him or following him kind of feeling. It was a different stir up. It felt far away. Suddenly it changed and a sudden sadness fell over it. It was so far away he couldn't tell who it was. He had felt it before though. Then suddenly it hit him. It was Sanosuke, but he couldn't tell who the other feeling was. He almost jumped up kind of worried but wasn't even sure he was feeling it for sure. He sat down completely and calmed himself. There was no point in getting worked up. Sano is strong that he is, and if there is anyone else there I imagine Sano can protect them, that he can. Right now is not time to worry about that either. Tonight that Keiko-dono is important. I can't worry about anything else. She is having a special night so I don't want to ruin it, that I don't. He smiled over at her and made an attempt to start a conversation. "So, how'd you get your violin, and where'd you learn to play it so well?" He knew that that wasn't the best thing to talk about, but he wasn't sure what to talk about since nothing else would cross his mind.

[Keiko Morigwa]

"No ma'am, I was just admiring your beautiful face."[/u]

Keiko looked at him surprised for a minute, then smiled and turned a deep red. "Why thank you." she told him happily. As the city lights began to glow, she admired them. They're so pretty.. Like a bunch of fireflies. At that moment though she jumped as a little light landed on her noise, which was an actual firefly, making her laugh. "Speak of the devil!" She said as she laughed some more, picking it up off her nose and letting it fly away. Kenshin then began to take her down a path and she just simply followed after him. This is fun, I like being with Kenshin, I really do. Every moment is so much fun, even if it is just walking around in the woods!

"Well even if Sano isn't all that in to that stuff, even he would like to listen to you play."[/u]

When Kenshin smiled Keiko returned the smile. "Alright then, I'll be happy to play for him then." She told him. When he said "oro" as she pulled off his shoe, she couldn't help but laugh a bit and help him stand back up properly before he fell over. "Sorry." She told him happily, still laughing a bit. She watched as he put his shoe back on, then walk a bit and thank her. "You're most welcome! I'm glad it works!" She said as she smiled, closed her eyes and folded her hands behind her back. She noticed though that he didn't sound as happy as he had been. "You okay, Kenshin?" She asked now becoming concerned.

"Keiko-dono, it's really not all that necessary. It was just a bump, at least it wasn't a shove. There is no need in trying to mangle with this Miss's business, that it isn't."[/u]

Keiko looked back at Kenshin. "But it wasn't nice.. She could've said excuse me or something.." She said. Hm.. Kenshin doesn't seem happy.. But it really was impolite for her to do that and the least she could do is say sorry politely. That's really all I am asking of her too. I do not see what is so difficult about that. If she said it politely I would have left her alone.. she really didn't pay much attention to either one who was talking, whether the woman or Kenshin. She felt as if she couldn't really hear them , she was so lost in her own little world.

"KEIKO-DONO!!"[/u]

Keiko looked at him, and then down at her hands. What... Did I just do..? Did I, really shove someone? How could I... I'd never do that.. That wasn't me.. I couldn't have done that, I would never! I mean, I never have before... She looked up at Kenshin as he sighed and turned around. She could sense doubt and awkwardness inside him, and she looked back down as tears began to fill her eyes. "Ke..Kenshin I.. I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean to.. I just felt, so upset and suddenly felt irritated as people just ran and bumped into you as if you were nothing.. That's not like me.. I don't get angry.. I've.. Never felt angry before. Honestly I've never done that before.. I'm not that kind of person.. I' not.. It didn't even feel like I was the one doing it.. I'm just.. Really sorry Kenshin.." she said as she covered her eyes with her arms as she tried to bring herself to stop crying.

As they walked again, Kenshin grabbed her hand again and smiled at her, but she didn't return the smile. She wasn't crying anymore and she just looked forward, but her bangs covered her eyes. as they walked she didn't attempt a conversation nor did she try to even move out of other people's ways as they walked, bumping into her a lot. She fell a few times, but still didn't do or say anything, or move the bangs from her eyes.

"Then allow me to rephrase that, this is our special night, that it is."[/u]

Keiko looked at him, and forced a smile. "Yup!" she told him. Can't ruin the night.. I could never bring myself to face him if I did that.. I'd be acting so childish... She simply followed as he brought her in a restraunt, was seated and ordered, now waiting for her. He asked if she had decided. "I'll just have some Soba with some water." she told him as she handed the waiter the menu.

"So, how'd you get your violin, and where'd you learn to play it so well?"[/u]

Keiko looked at Kenshin and folded her hands in front of her on the table. "I got it for my fourteenth birthday.. I'd been saving up, but I was still a hundred or so away and since my birthday was closing in, my mother pitched in that extra hundred for me and I was able to get it." She said with a smile. "As to how I got so well.. Um.. I practiced a lot, and took an extra class secretly at school. My teacher helped me out a lot. she's much better than I probably ever will be. I wish you could have heard her play.."

[reikawa]

"Nah, I won't get bored. I'll have too much fun teasing ya.' "
As he said that she smiled. She knew that he wasn't really joking but she laughed at it quietly. "Well I guess that's pretty good, that you won't get bored." Continuing to smile at him she turned the other way as she felt her heart rate increase more. She placed her hand on her chest as though she could calm it down. Just wait a while emotions, I can't just come over him all of a sudden. Ease into it. She turned back around and smiled at him again but was afraid she was smiling too much so it brightened less and became more of a grin.

"Man, what is with you and hug's? Is it hug day or somethin'?"
She giggled a bit trying to make it sound more like a joke when he turned around to hug her back. She put her head up against him still grinning. No it's not silly. It's just I like you a lot..
"Bena? Who's that?"
She froze in place and her grin turned to a frown. "Well he's.."
"Hm.. Kinda sounds like you like this Bena guy.."
She continued to frown but shook her head. "Bena's a cool guy, but I don't think he'd ever like me anyway. Besides, I can't see us as a couple.." She looked down and tried to change the subject by thinking of something else to say. The only person I can see in a relationship with me is you. She frowned again. She couldn't tell him that unless she wanted to freak him out. She sighed and hoped the conversation would just change on it's own. What's up with me? I've never thought about someone this much. Bena, I like him but....I've never thought of him like I do Sano...Why is it that I think of Sano in almost everything I say?...Is there some sort of fate we have together in the future?

As she flinched and twitched in pain from the images and memories and the repeating sound of her brother's voice and her screaming she was about ready to scream and just fall over dead. She felt as though her head would explode. When she felt Sanosuke's hands grab hers, she jumped a bit not expecting it. She almost flung her hand away thinking of her brother until when he screamed her name finally reached her head. She knew it was him at that moment. She was calming down more, knowing he was there. Right by her side, she knew she could make it through no matter how much pain there was.

She felt his hands on her shoulder as he separated them. He seemed a bit surprised and she was just confused. She stared at him smiling at first but it began to turn into a straight face.
"Uh, listen, I, can;t give you an exact answer.. i just met you.. a-"
As he said that her straight face began to show pain. Her eyes were blazing from hotness swelling up. Everything just seemed to leave her at that moment. She was frozen. She didn't know what to say at that moment. She looked down at the ground holding back all of her negative feelings and then looked back up at him with a convincing enough smile she had forced on her face. "It's okay Sano. I understand, I pushed it way too fast. It's all my fault." She began to stand up and looked around to make sure she didn't drop anything or forget anything. "Well obviously this is an awkward presence in the room. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you. Your friend should be home soon so I bet he doesn't want to come home and see some stranger girl here." She began to walk toward the door, still smiling. "So if you don't mind, I think I might as well.." She was beginning to choke up. She could here her voice cracking and a bit of pink tint came to her face. She had blacked out eyes and she was staring forward toward the door and was just smiling when tears began rolling down her cheeks faster than she had wanted them to. "..Just be going now......." She took in a breath and noticed it was a bit choppy. "Sano, you should just for-get about this ni-ght. It'll probably help you out a lot..I kn-ow it'll pro-bab-ly help me..." She sorta froze and just kept smiling. She kept that smile the whole time even though she was torn in two. "Good-bye Sano....lets for-get tonight...ok--" She didn't even finish that sentence when she went out the door. She closed it behind her and took a few steps and it wasn't long before she broke down on her knees and began to cry.

She looked up and saw the closest tree and speed walked over to it. She slid down it and covered up her eyes and began to sob. No matter how much she made it seem like it wasn't, she was in pain. She was hurting bad. She didn't want to go home though. Bena was supposed to be home at any time soon. She didn't want him to see her crying and she didn't want him to go looking for Sanosuke. She continued to sob and was cracking each time she took in a breath. "I've never felt this before....I've never felt the pain of being hurt from sadness and loneliness. I...just forgot it all and distanced myself from it when my brother and father disappeared and my mother was killed....I've never felt this though. It feels like....my heart was ripped out and twisted, put back into me and stabbed twenty times......I've had many boyfriends before and many people I've liked but I've broken up with them and they've hurt me,.....but I've never cried. This is the first time I've cried......in a very long time......now I know...it hurts. It hurts feeling betrayed.......feeling lonley........feeling.....feeling...........rejected..." She smiled and laughed at herself. "I'm such a fool...SUCH A DAMN FOOL!! Love doesn't come that easily....love is something that is given to you in return.....it's not actual love if only one person gives it.....I've been in this little fantasy all this time. Making childish naive lies to sugar-coat things. I've...never wanted to know what true pain was.....but now....I know....." She smiled again and put her head in between her knees. "Now I know what the real world is like....what those sayings mean when people say love never exists.....love doesn't exist. Love is.....a lie to make people feel special.....love is nothing but a dream. Once you get twisted in it....once you think you've found it......it laughs at you....stops your dreams and leaves you on the ground broken....because....now I'm broken.....I'm nothing anymore......I'm just a child....who had a crush and allowed my emotions to get in the way....and now I just told him to forget it all..." Her smile finally turned into a frown as she clenched her teeth and her fists. "I told him to forget I exist...and I told myself to forget he exists......but it's hard to ever forget him. It's not possible........that feeling can never be forgotten....it just aches with my heart and mind and body. I......I HATE HIM!!!!!" She sat there in silence and wanted to kill herself for saying that. She could never take that back, she knew that was a complete lie. "I could never hate him...........love isn't real................love isn't real............love is.............real.............I just haven't found it yet..............and I still think he hasn't either.......I think......that I can't even think anymore........my whole world is so screwed up right now. I.......I'll never try to think of him again....I....I'll forget him like I did my family....I can forget him.....I can.....I ca-..........." She threw her head down in her knees again and began to sob harder than she was before.

[sanosuke]

"Well I guess that's pretty good, that you won't get bored."

Sano smiled at her as he ruffled her hair yet again. What took him by surprise though is when she turned away from him and put her hand over her chest. He got confused by this. "Uh, hey are you okay? Does.. Um.. Your.. Chest, hurt..?" He asked as a pink tint went across his face as he looked to the side. Hope she's okay.. Really hope she doesn't have some sort of medical problem, because we don't have a phone around here and I couldn't make it to the hospital as quickly with her on my back.. Not saying she's fat! I mean.. I'm already tired, so.. He looked at her as she turned back around and gave him a smile, then eased up on it. "You okay? Listen, you need to tell me if you have a medical problem, because we don't have a phone here." He told her.

"Well he's.." "Bena's a cool guy, but I don't think he'd ever like me anyway. Besides, I can't see us as a couple.."[/u]

Sano looked at her, then to the side again. "Don't say that about him when you don't know how he truly feels. Listen, you're an awesome girl and he's blind if he doesn't see that. He'd also be pretty stupid if he didn't take such an awesome girl that was right in front of him. Even so, I don't know the guy, so I'm in no place to judge" He said, not looking at her. Wonder what this "Bena" is like.. Yet, I think it'd probably be better if we didn't meet..

"Listen, I'm really so--" Sano began, but cut himself off as he saw the pain and tears she had. "Okay, um, listen, please don't cry.." He asked. He had to admit, to himself, he was a sucker for tears from a pretty girl. She then looked down. Dammit! Today was supposed to be fun! I'm just making her cry now! She then looked up at him and smiled, telling him it was okay. He didn't know what to say. She continued to speak, and he continued to listen, just watching her with a sad face. She walked towards the door, and her voice began cracking, but he still couldn't bring himself to say anything. Move stupid! Say something! Don't stand there like the dumbstruck idiot you are! You're letting her get away! C'mon!! Move! Say something, don't just STAND there! Before Sano could even come back to reality, she was gone. "Wait, what?!" He asked himself, like he just came out of a trance as he looked around frantically. "Reikawa?! Reikawa?!" He asked as if expecting her to come out of somewhere and give him a hug. Dammit! I'm being no better than Bena! the most awesome girl I met just got away from me dammit! He thought as he punched the wall, making a hole two times bigger than his fist. He slowly, but impatiently, slid the door open in case she was there. She wasn't, but he could hear her sobs behind a tree as she spoke to herself. He walked over silently as possible and put his back to the front side of the tree, listening.

"I told him to forget I exist...and I told myself to forget he exists......but it's hard to ever forget him. It's not possible........that feeling can never be forgotten....it just aches with my heart and mind and body. I......I HATE HIM!!!!!"[/u]

Sano froze as it felt someone had just stuck the thickest sword possible in his heart and twisted it all the way around. He continued to listen as she said she couldn't hate him, which was relief to him, but it still hurt. she said love was real and neither of them had found it. You're wrong. She then said she would forget about him like she did her family, which was another jab to the heart. He even felt the air leave him from that blow. I'm not going to just stand here.. Not again. Taking in a deep, silent breath, he walked over to where Reikawa was and bent down as he lifted her chin, pressing his lips against hers. He stayed like that for awhile, taking in the moment. After a little while longer, he separated and let go of her chin. He then stood back up and walked back to the dojo. I did what I wanted and told her how I felt. If she truly wants to leave and forget me, she may. I won't stop her from what she wants to do, if it makes her happy. He sighed and closed his eyes as he continued walking.

[kenshin]

Kenshin looked over at Keiko as she turned red.

"Why thank you."

He grinned at her and nodded. "Of course Keiko-dono, I only speak the truth, that I do." He patted her on the shoulder and smiled softly at her. He looked over at her as she admired the city lights and then watched as a firefly landed on her nose. He smiled and watched as she laughed. It flew off and he watched it carefully as it began to gracefully soar. Suddenly he got a ting of Sanosuke. So there is another presence with him...I guess he can handle it whoever it is and we should probably stay away from the dojo as long as possible, that we should. Until then Keiko-dono and I will have to find a few ways to stay busy. I won't return to Sano unless it is absolutely necessary, that I won't.. He was still a bit unsure about the presence he felt with Sanosuke so it started to make him a bit uneasy and he began to allow his thoughts to take over his emotions.

"Alright then, I'll be happy to play for him then."

He smiled at her and nodded. "That would be very nice, that it would Keiko-dono." As she fixed his shoe he stared forward blankly almost completely spacing her out.

"You okay, Kenshin?"

He widened his eyes a bit and turned to face her. He was a bit confused about what has happened at that very moment. "Oro?" He then processed what she said and nodded slightly. "I'm fine Keiko-dono, sorry to have worried you. I guess I just have a lot on my mind, that I do.." He smiled but he didn't smile enough to probably convince her.

"But it wasn't nice.. She could've said excuse me or something.."

He looked at her a bit confused and irritated. Having his thoughts interfere with his emotions convey many things he would prefer not to be the truth. As he watched her shove the girl to the ground and scream out her name she suddenly stared at her hands. He watched as tears began to fall from her eyes and he clenched his teeth together. What had he done. He felt so horrible to have made her feel so horrible.

"Ke..Kenshin I.. I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean to.. I just felt, so upset and suddenly felt irritated as people just ran and bumped into you as if you were nothing.. That's not like me.. I don't get angry.. I've.. Never felt angry before. Honestly I've never done that before.. I'm not that kind of person.. I' not.. It didn't even feel like I was the one doing it.. I'm just.. Really sorry Kenshin.."

He listened to her and as she finished he looked down and covered his eyes. "To Keiko-dono I mean everything. Things happen because of this one that Keiko-dono finds very unreasonable, that she does. To people who have never met this one, this one has no meaning to them." He turned around and turned his head back to look at her. "Even this one does not Cherish everyone I see, that I don't. Please try to see where that woman was coming from Keiko-dono for this one didn't mean much within her eyes like this one does within yours." He watched as she tried to stop herself from crying. He felt bad that he had to give her a speech but he felt that was the only way he could try to get to understand what had just happened and why it did. As they began to walk along he looked over and smiled but she didn't return it. Instead her bangs covered her eyes from view and she allowed people to run into her. Kenshin stared at her with saddened eyes. He felt full responsibility for the way that Keiko was acting. He looked over and frowned. "Keiko-dono.." He whispered quietly to himself. He looked forward and sighed looked down slightly.

As he ordered and gave the menu to the waiter he listened to Keiko's order and watched as she handed to menu over. "Just soba? Not that hungry are you?" He waited for a response. "Keiko-dono?" He slumped back a bit and sighed. What is there I can do to make her feel somewhat better. He sighed lower again and then looked at her and decided to ask her about her violin. He listened as she explained how she got the violin and smiled along with her. Then she began on how she became so good.

"As to how I got so well.. Um.. I practiced a lot, and took an extra class secretly at school. My teacher helped me out a lot. she's much better than I probably ever will be. I wish you could have heard her play.."

He smiled at her and grabbed her hand across the table and began to caress it. "In this one's opinion, I can think of no other person who would be able to play as well as you do, that I cannot see." He smiled at her and he knew he had said that as sincerely as he could be. He smiled warmly at her and held her hand securely as though she was never allowed to let go again. He let the smile deceive what was really on his mind though. I hope Keiko-dono does feel better than she did earlier, I didn't mean to let my thoughts deceive my emotions but now I can hide it. What I don't understand is the constant change in the feelings of the presence with Sano. Even Sano's presence is changing dramatically. Should I go and figure out what's going on, but I don't want to leave Keiko-dono, much less do I want to get her involved with whatever is going on, that I don't. What is it this one will be returning to on my way home? He suddenly came back to reality as the waiter brought the food.

"Dinner is served!"

He placed the food in front of them and trotted off. Kenshin chuckled a bit noticing that the man had a French accent. "Strange for a French man to be in a Japanese restaurant.." He mumbled to himself and loud enough for Keiko to hear. He looked down at his dinner and began picking at it. I might have to cut dinner short, that I might have to..