Chapter 1

"Suzume neechan! Look at the beautiful flower!" Ayame, a cute little girl
says.  Suzume, her sister laughs and agrees.

"I want the flower Suzume neechan!"  Ayame says with a pout.

"Iie, Ayame.  It's too dangerous to get it, it's too near the edge of the
cliff!" Suzume said holding a bunch of flowers in her arms.   Ayame would
not listen however for she wanted the pretty violet flower which grew on the
edge of that cliff.  As soon as Suzume turned her back Ayame ran to the tip
of that cliff and reached down for the flower.

"Ayame chan, come back here!" Suzume yelled.  Ayame reached down for the
flower and just when she pulled it off she slipped off the cliff.

"Ayame!!!" Suzume screamed.

"Wah! Neechan!" Ayame screamed as she fell over the cliff.  But she never
hit the bottom of the cliff for a strong but gentle hand caught Ayame's hand.

"Do not cry little girl.  I got you."  A soft voice said as she pulled Ayame
back onto the cliff.

"Ayame!" Suzume yelled as she ran to her younger sister.  Ayame was crying
in the arms of a pretty girl and Suzume hugged her sister with relief.

"Doomo arigato gozaimasu!" Suzume said with tears as she hugged her sister.
The pretty girl smiled gently at the two little girls.

"Dou itashimashite." The girl replied.  Ayame was still crying for she had
just received a nasty shock.

"It's okay now little girl, you're safe.  Dry those eyes and smile, ne?" The
girl said in her soothing voice.

Ayame sniffed a little more and stopped crying.
"Hai, onesama." Ayame replied and then smiled.

"Please call me Sabishi." The pretty girl said with a smile.

"Hai Sabishi neechan.  My name is Ayame and this is my sister Suzume
neechan."  Ayame said and noticed Sabishi for the first time.

"Sabishi neechan! You are very pretty!" Ayame pointed out.

"Hai, you are so very pretty Sabishi neechan!" Suzume said.

Sabishi laughed softly and hugged the two little girls.
"Arigato Ayame chan, Suzume chan."  Sabishi looked and saw that it was
getting late.

"Why don't I take you back?" Sabishi asked the two little girls.

"Yay!" Ayame cheered and Sabishi picked Ayame up while holding Szume's hand.

"Where should I bring you?"

"We're having dinner today at the Kamiya dojo!"

"Kamiya dojo?" Sabishi repeated with a smile and began her way toward the dojo.

"Man, are we going to eat or not?" Sano said as he pointed to his growling
stomach.

"Kaoru dono, where is Ayame chan and Suzume chan?  It is getting late and I
don't see them anywhere on the dojo."  A red haired man with a x-scar asked
the owner of the dojo.

"Nani? They should have arrived by now.  Genzai ojiisan said he bought them
into the dojo a while ago, Kenshin."  Kaoru wrung her hands in worry.
Kenshin walked over to her and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Do not worry yourself too much Kaoru dono.  I'm going out to look for them
right now."

"Kenshin san! Kaoru san! Ayame and Suzume aren't missing!" Yahiko yelled
from the main room.

Kenshin, Sano and Kaoru rushed to the room and saw Suzume putting flowers
into a vase and Ayame showing a purple flower to a pretty girl with long
black hair in a braid.

"Ken niichan! Look at the pretty flower I have!" Ayame said as she ran into
Kenshin's arms.  Suzume ran to his side also.   Sano stared at the sitting
girl, his eyes narrowed briefly.  When he looked into that girl's face he
thought he saw a flicker of grief and recognition run through her eyes.  But
it was so quick he was not sure if it was just his imagination.

"Ayame chan, Suzume chan, where have you two been?" Kenshin said in his soft
voice as he picked the little girl up gently.

Ayame sniffed the flower and answered, "We went to the little garden to pick
flowers and Sabishi neechan saved me!"

Kenshin's eyes widened, "Sa-Sabishi?"  That name...

"She saved you?"

Ayame smiled, "Yes, I almost fell off the cliff and she pulled me back up!"

Sabishi smiled gently, "I just happened to be walking by when I saw her slip."

Kenshin smiled at Sabishi, his eyes full of gratitude.  "Thank you so much
Sabishi dono.  Thank you for saving Ayame and bringing them back."

Sabishi smiled at Kenshin warmly, "You do not have to thank me Kenshin san.
I'm just glad I was nearby to help them."

<That smile... that voice...>

Kenshin frowned slightly for she looked familiar to him but he couldn't
place his finger on it.
It was almost as though he didn't want to remember...

Kaoru interupted his thoughts briefly as she walked up to the short girl and
introduced herself.
"I'm Kaoru Sabishi san and please stay for dinner.  We can't thank you
enough for saving Ayame chan and Suzume chan."

Sabishi smiled at them all warmly, but shook her head.  "Thank you for such
a kind offer but I can not stay for dinner.  It was a pleasure meeting all
of you.  I'm sure I will see you again."  Sabishi, with another smile and
bow then left.  It was then that Kenshin noticed a long, thin wrapped bundle
on her back.

Kenshin watched as she left the dojo, his eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
Sano watched Kenshin's face, his own face etched with curiosity.

"Kenshin san?" Yahiko asked when he saw Kenshin's eyes.  Kenshin broke from
his trance and smiled gently.

"Let's go eat dinner minna san de gozaru ka."  Kenshin picked up Ayame again
and she laughed happily.

"Okay, as long as Kaoru didn't cook it." Yahiko said.  Kaoru turned around,
her eyes full of fire.

"YA-HI-KO-CHAN!!!!!" Kaoru said as she tried to punch him in the face.

"Don't call me CHAN!!!" Yahiko yelled back as he dodged her and ran for the
eating room.  Kenshin watched with a faint amused smile on his lips.

"Ken niichan, she has eyes just like yours!" Ayame said as she waved her
purple flower around.

"She?" Kenshin repeated as she looked down at the little girl in his arms.

"Hai! Sabishi neechan! She has these big pretty purple eyes just like yours!
I just noticed it!"
Ayame said with a happy squeal.

"Demo, Ken niichan, I wish she would be happy.  She is so nice, she deserves
to be happy..." Suzume replied quietly.

Ayame nodded, her face saddening slightly, "When she smiles, it seems so
sad! I wish I could make her smile real pretty!"

Kenshin frowned ever so slightly as a vague memory went through his mind.

[The flicker of a faint memory full of anguish and it was gone...]

"Kenshin!" Kaoru called from the eating room with an irritated glare and all
thoughts about this girl were thrown from his mind.

"Coming Kaoru dono de gozaru!"

Kenshin hung up the last of the laundry while Ayame and Suzume ran around
the yard.   Yahiko and Kaoru were practicing in the dojo.  He could hear the
faint sound of Kaoru's scolding voice and Yahiko practicing.  Kenshin looked
up into the blue sky and smiled.  It was such a nice day.  A nice normal day.

Sano came waltzing in interrupting his current peaceful musing.

"Oi Kenshin!"  The tall ex gangster said with a wave.

"Ah Sano san! How's everything?"

"Well, everything's fine but I heard that there has been fights around this
area.  Yesterday night three swordsman wearing almost all black went around
here.  It might be a coincidence to the fights but I wouldn't think so.
People say they appear to be looking for someone.  Do you know about this?"

Kenshin frowned, "They were wearing all black? Anything else that caught
your attention?"

Sano thought and said aloud, "No, they just wore all black and carried
regular swords."

Kenshin frowned as a memory went through his mind.  Sano narrowed his eyes
at the look of hatred in Kenshin's eyes.

"Those people in black, do you know them?"

Kenshin gritted his teeth as the memory of these people emerged from the
void he had cast his past into.  He had always desired for this memory to be
cast away and forgotten.  A memory which could not be forgotten that tore
into his heart everyday during those days...

The ex-hitokiri shook his head clear of these thoughts, he did not want to
think about those times.

"It was long ago Sano san during the time I was a hitokiri and in the
Shishi.  I remember a group during the time I was in the Ishinshishi called
the five shadows.  The leader was a young boy named Yuori."  Kenshin's voice
lowered at the mention of Yuori's name but continued.

"He was a cold-blooded killer.  The five shadows composed of five swordsman,
Ryuji, Kuroi, Kuanja, Kurayami and Yuuri each one equally powerful in
different fields.  Yuori is the leader though he is the youngest of them all
for he had bested them all in challenges. The name shadows come from their
ability of camouflage.  Few people have escaped this group of deadly samurais."
Kenshin frowned for he felt something, something not right.

Sano rubbed his head, "Well this has to be dealt with sooner or later. Since
we don't know much I guess-,"

Kenshin hissed then, interrupting the tall spiky headed boy.

"You can come out now.  Even if I can not see you I can feel you."  Kenshin
said in his low voice.  Sano's eyes narrowed to slits.  He could now feel a
slight presence.

"Ah, Battousai! What a long time it has been since I have last seen you."  A
man with long spiky bangs that covered half his face appeared from the
shadows of the dojo.  He wore clothes that were all black and attached to
his forearms were two long blades.  His visible eye was a piercing dark
blue, narrowed and evilly shaped.

Kenshin's eyes glinted gold for a fleeting second. "It has been a long time,
Kuroi..."
The look of pure hatred again crossed the kind rurouni's face.

Sanosuke's stepped back slightly at Kenshin's gaze.

Sano's eyes widened, "One of the five shadows?"

"I see you have not changed much in ten years.  What are you doing here?"

Kuroi smiled evilly, "You have not either Battousai.  Why do you insist on
keeping that long red hair?  You look like a girl."   Kuroi crossed his
arms, the blades gleaming dangerously in the light.

"As for why I'm here, that is none of your business but it wouldn't matter
if I told you something.  Yuori sama has sent the five shadows searching for
someone, a former hitokiri and after so many years of searching we have
finally found the person!"

Kenshin's expression darkened, "Why have you been searching for me?"

Kuroi laughed, "It's not you we're searching for Battousai.  But it would be
a wonderful announcement to my leader that Battousai is also here!  After
all, he deserves the title of the strongest, not you."

Sano's eyes narrowed at Kuroi, "If not Kenshin, who is it you're looking for
then? Saito?"

Kuroi observed the tall ex gangster with evil eyes.  A small smile tugged at
his lips.

"No, someone far better then Saito.  But while I'm here, I might as well
have some fun."

Kuroi suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind Sano and slashed him across
his chest.  He then knocked Sano to the ground with the flat of his blade.
Sano spat out blood, clutching his bleeding chest as he tried to get up.

Kenshin who had not expected this screamed with anger. He rushed over to
Sano and blocked the two blades with his sakabatou before it did Sano
anymore damage.  Kenshin then knocked Kuroi back with a swing to his
stomach.  Kuroi flew back before recovering his position.  He fingered the
rip on his shirt.

"Not bad Battousai, but not good enough!"  Kuroi roared.

At that moment Suzume and Ayame ran in laughing for their afternoon visit.

"Ken ne-." Ayame began when Kuroi reached out and grabbed her before anyone
could even blink.  Sano winced as he stood up.  "He is fast..." he thought.

"Let go of her Kuroi!" Kenshin yelled.  His eyes burned dangerously and
narrowed to the eyes of his former self, Battousai.

Kuroi laughed, "You must be joking.  I haven't killed anyone in three days.
Oh, why don't you come out already Kuanja?"

A tall man stepped out of the shadows with a sheathed sword at his waist.
"Having fun Kuroi?  We're suppose to be looking for that damn girl."

"Girl?" Kenshin thought but was distracted as Kuroi spoke.

"We can find her later, I want to kill... I haven't seen the spilling of
blood in HOW long?"  Kuroi laughed evilly.

Ayame began to cry, very afraid of the man who was holding her.

"Let go of my sister you mean man!" Suzume yelled as she ran over.  She
stopped though when she saw the long blades on Kuroi's arm.  Kuanja sighed
and unsheathed his sword, which had a cruel looking hooked end.

"I don't know how you can find this fun.  It's just wasting our time.  Fine,
then I'll have some fun with Battousai."

Kenshin gritted his teeth in anger when his eyes widened.  Kuroi swung his
blade down onto Suzume.

"Die, little girl!"

"No!" Kenshin screamed and ran though he knew he wouldn't get there in time.

The blade struck but it never hit Suzume.

Kenshin eye's widened when he saw the girl who had saved Ayame a few days
before cover Suzume with her body.

"Sabishi onesama!"  She cried out as Sabishi held Suzume to her body..

The blade struck the long package on Sabishi's back and the sound of metal
clanging was heard.  The material around it ripped open to reveal an iron
sheath and sword as Sabishi kicked Kuroi hard in the leg and knocked him
down.  Kuroi released Ayame as he was falling and Sabishi quickly snatched
up Ayame from midair with a leap and carried both of them away.

"Sabishi dono?" Kenshin said aloud.  Sabishi jumped next to Kenshin and set
Suzume and Ayame, who looked shocked and dizzy, next to Kenshin.

"Are you okay Kenshin san?" She asked him, keeping her eyes on the two men.
Kenshin nodded still slightly stunned at the performance she had given.  A
detached part of his mind and soul was awakening though and the void of
memories had begun to tilt...

The bitter memories of the past were returning and the present recedes back
to the formers times of insanity...

"Ah! So we have finally found you after so many years of searching for you!"

Sabishi glared at Kuroi and walked toward him.

"What do you want Kuroi?  Why have you been searching for me?"

"Nani?!" Kenshin and Sano said aloud.

"Yuori sama wants to see you." Kuanja said calmly as he sheathed his sword,
his dark eyes glittering in the light.

Sabishi gave a small malicious smile, her violet eyes narrowing slightly.

"Tell him to go to hell."

Kuroi struck then, "Nobody says that about Yuori sama!"

"Sabishi dono!" Kenshin yelled but he had little to fear as with Sano and
the two little girls..

Sabishi smiled and reached behind her and grabbed her sword. At the last
moment possible she unsheathed the sword and blocked the blades.  The
clanging of metal could be heard as the two blades struck and sparks flew.

She growled low in her throat and slashed him across the chest.

Kuanja watched on, a grim frown on his lips.
"This is not good, we can't harm Sabishi yet she is too strong to disarm her
and knock her unconscious."  He thought quietly.  Kuanja then looked over to
the ex hitokiri who had made such a name in bringing the Meji era.  A small
idea formed in his mind.

Kuroi jumped back quickly, barely avoiding the blade.  He twisted in midair
and attacked with both blades one aimed at the sword in her hand and the
other at her legs.
 A small smile showed on Sabishi's lips as she blocked with her sword and
sheath, then knocking him back with a small twist of her wrist.  Kenshin
watched on, his mind a whirling of memories.  The insanity of the past never
leaves a person...

 A girl with beautiful violet eyes empty of heart and soul ...
  a charming smile, which is never seen...

Kenshin was sinking into old memories and did not realize that Kuanja was
sneaking behind him.

Sabishi looked up and saw Kuanja walking up behind Kenshin.  Her eyes widened.
"Kenshin!" Sabishi yelled as she pushed Kuroi back with renewed strength and
jumped in back of Kenshin.
The void of memories spilled and Kenshin felt the severe pain of the past.
She winced as the sword slashed her across the back, cutting the sash around
her hair.

 With lonely eyes of a hitokiri holding
   the blade of death, her hair will be
     forever streaked with blood...

Kenshin turned, his eyes widening as the blood spilled onto the ground.
Kenshin quickly caught Sabishi as she collapsed into his arms.  Kenshin held
her tenderly in his arms, one hand shaking while he ran it through her hair,
fingering the red streaks in her hair visible for the first time...

"Hitokiri Sabishi, it has been a long time!" Kuanja laughed as his sword
gleamed with her blood.  Suzume and Ayame screamed in terror and using one
hand, Kenshin pushed them behind him.

["Memories which wish to be buried deep and forgotten will always be
remembered..."]

Kenshin closed his eyes and then opened them with a small smile on his face.

"Ayame chan, Suzume chan stay here with Sabishi dono, okay?"

Sano winced as he walked over to Ayame and Suzume.   Kenshin nodded as Sano
stood in front of the girl's protectively.

The two little girls nodded as a reply as Kenshin stood up then disappeared.
Kuanja howled in pain as Kenshin's sword connected with his back and knocked
him across the yard.  Before Kuroi could react Kenshin had also slashed him.

"Kuso, why the hell is he so fast all of a sudden?" Kuroi thought.

"It's like he is a different person." Kuanja said as he read the thought in
Kuroi's eyes..

Kuroi motioned for Kuanja and they retreated into the shadows, but not
without leaving a threat.

"We will be back to get her! Then YOU Battousai!"

Kenshin walked back silently over to Sabishi's body and picked her up
tenderly.  He shook off the haze of memories and his eyes returned back to
his gentle violet eyes.  He told Ayame and Suzme to quickly run into the
dojo and get Kaoru, Megumi and Genzai sempai.

Sano had stood silently watching this the entire time.  Kenshin turned to
him.  Sano did not say a word but the stare he gave Kenshin was all he
needed to say.  No words were needed anymore.  Words are never really
necessary for words are only a channel for comprehension.

Kenshin paid little attention to the unspoken question however.  He
concentrated on the face of the girl in his arms and his eyes see to sparkle
with invisible tears and the glint of gold.

"You have finally returned Sabishi... Do you know how much I have missed
you?"  Kenshin whispered sadly.  He held her tightly to his body, almost as
though he was afraid of losing her...
He then looked up and walked calmly into the dojo where Megumi and Genzai
sempai would treat her wounds.  Sano wasn't sure but he was almost sure the
look Kenshin gave her was one of a deep sorrow... one that never heals no
matter how much time is given...

Sano stood silently in the yard watching the retreating figure of Kenshin
carrying the mysterious girl in his arms.  Sano's eyes seem to reveal
sadness in them.  He wondered why the past always would haunt the souls of
those who have done sin but want forgiveness... they never are forgiven...
will they be?

["Memories that desire to be buried deep and forgotten will always be
remembered..."]

On the ground in small puddles of deep red liquid lay a sword, a sword with
a reversed blade...

***Flashback Two: Second Meeting...***

"Why do I have to kill?" A young figure thought solemnly as he wandered
through the lonely alleys of the town.  His red bangs hung in his face as
his vision blurred both from the sake and a developing fever.  He stumbled
and reached out to the wall for support.  The two swords at his waist
clanged as the metal sheaths hit each other.

"Why do I have to kill? No... I have to kill... to bring the new era..." He
covered his eyes with his hands.  He felt lost and tired...

"Ah, what do we have here?"  A low raspy voice said aloud.  A group of
government officials come into view each holding gleaming swords.   The
young boy looked up, his deep violet eyes full of sorrow and hatred.

The officials caught sight of the swords at his waist as the young boy stood
up, his long red hair, which was tied up in a high ponytail gleaming like
blood.  They sneered at him.

"Such a short pretty boy you are.  Why don't you hand over your swords and
we might not hurt you too much."

The young man glared at the officials and said coldly, "Iie."

Before anyone else could say another word the young boy unsheathed his sword
and cut down two men.  The sky turned gray and the rain began to fall
heavily soaking them all in less then a minute.  Another rushed at him,
splashing water as he tried fruitlessly to stab at the red headed young man.
He dodged easily and cut down the official with one swing.  His eyes
narrowed dangerously at the rest of the men, his red hair hanging annoyingly
in his eyes.  As he was about to cut down the rest of the men a surge of
dizziness went through him.  He collapsed onto one knee as his vision
blurred.  His strength seemed to leave him entirely and he could hardly
stand back up without wobbling.  He felt burning hot and freezing cold at
the same time.  It was a battle just to hold onto his sword.   The officials
laughed.

At that moment a girl was walking by the alley.

"Hmm?" This girl said aloud and surveyed the area.

She felt sword ki and blood and her eyes dimmed. She went into the alley and
saw a young man with red hair being attacked by officials of the current
hated government.

"What is happening?"  She thought as a gust of wind swept strings of silky
dark hair from her face revealing violet eyes.  Without another thought she
ran past the officials and stood in front of the young boy.

"What are you doing? Why are you hurting this boy?" She said in a soft
voice.  The officials looked at the attractive girl, about the age of 14-15
with long black hair and large violet eyes.  She looked so small and
defenseless.

"Get out the way girl, you're interfering in government business."  One of
the men said.
She frowned and then her eyes widened as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
She turned to the young boy as he almost stumbled trying to stand up.

"Miss, please get out of here quickly.  It's not safe here."  He looked up
and she found herself staring into a pair of deep violet eyes, the eyes of a
hitokiri yet so unlike the eyes of a killer.  She could drown in his eyes
forever...  He picked up his sword, "I will distract them, please run away
quickly."  She smiled then shocking the young boy with red hair.  For the
second time destiny has taken a hand and drawn two people together in a
fight for peace...

"Please call me Sabishi, and do not worry.  I will take care of them for you."

"She'll be fine.  The cut was deep but she didn't lose too much blood.  She
just needs to rest and to not move too much."

Kaoru nodded as she picked up the washcloths and basin.  She looked over to
where Kenshin sat in a dark corner.  He sat immobile on the floor, his back
against the wall with his sword against his shoulder.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru said in a soft voice.  Kenshin remained quiet however and
she sighed.  She motioned for Megumi to leave and they closed the door
quietly behind them, worry etched in their hearts.

Kenshin tried to fight the memories, threatening at every moment to overtake
him.  He could feel the insanity overtaking him... a haze of golden glinted
in his usually peaceful eyes and suddenly it was gone.

Kenshin quickly got up from his seat and walked over to the girl in the
futon now conscious.
She sat up and winced as pain went through her.

"Do not move, you are hurt... Sabishi..."

Sabishi's violet eyes widened at the emphasis in her name but resumed its
normal size as she saw her long hair glinting in the moonlight.  Red
streaked through her hair, her violet eyes showing an instant of remorse for
a fleeting second...

"It has been a long time Kenshin..."

Kenshin did not say anything though.  He was silent while he turned away
from her and stared into the night sky.  He finally turned back and his
violet eyes reflected the pain and loss he had experienced ten years ago...

Sabishi tried to fight the pain, both physical and mental but failed
miserably.  Tears streamed down her face as the events of over ten years
overtook her.  Kenshin turned to her and saw the glittering tears.

"Sabishi dono... I-I..."

Sabishi reached out to him and enfolded him in her arms tightly.  Kenshin's
eyes widen but he embraces her back.  As Kenshin sunk into her arms he felt
all the tension drain, the pain and regret of the past years... this single
touch healed all...

Kenshin closed his eyes thinking, "This feeling... this touch, this scent,
this warmth... it is only her... even after all these years nothing has
disappeared...nothing has changed..."

[Perhaps nothing shall change...]

Sabishi releases him and smiles gently at him as she looks him in the eyes.

[But never forget...]

Deep purple eyes stared with affection into her eyes.

[Time changes all...]

Kenshin, without thinking leans forward and touches his lips to her mouth...

***Flashback Three: The Story of Stars begins...***

"Do not worry, I will take care of them for you."  Sabishi stands up as the
young boy struggles to get up.

"Do not fight them Sabishi san, they are skilled swordsman and one pretty
girl like you..."

A small smile appears on her lips and she reaches in back of her and
unsheathes her sword.

She abruptly disappears to reappear behind two men whom she stabs.  The
officials are all shocked as she begins to brutally butcher the rest of the
men. One of the more skilled swordsmen manages to cut off her ribbon and a
small amount of her midnight hair.  Her hair flies loose as she stabs him
through the stomach then stabbing another with lightening speed.

"Her eyes... the eyes of a hitokiri, yet... yet it is almost as though there
is not the insanity of one who kills but a void of darkness..."

Sabishi slashes her sword up as she executes the last official, the rain
pouring down on her, her hair covering her eyes as she sighs in regret.  She
sheaths her sword after she wipes it clean, a look of pure sorrow crossing
her beautiful face.  The young boy tries to get up but falls back down on
his knee and she runs quickly to his side and supports him up.

"Hitokiri Sabishi? Of the Ishinshishi?"  He asks her questionably but he
knew the answer already as he saw the red streaks in her hair.

She smiles and nods, "And who are you?"  But she knew as well...

He smiles, "Kenshin.  Himura Kenshin."

And so our story begins finally...