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Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to it's respective owners. I'm not one 
of those owners *sigh*. Standard disclaimers apply. 
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c o h e s i o n*
prologue-w o r d s


			~w o r d s

Disbandment.

It was decided without much thought. Perhaps it was given thought, but the 
stem of the decision was convenience. With the flick of a wrist... the 
flux of a pen... he had been abandoned. Relocated by the one person he
would follow to hell and back. For his crimes he would probably go to
hell, but at 14 that wasn't important. It wasn't important because if hell
existed, it must have been here in Kyoto, the city once baptized in blood. 
 
"Shiro. Do you understand?"

The voice wasn't as strong as he remembered. This man wasn't the man he 
remembered nor was he worthy of respect and admiration. His okashira must 
have died leaving this... That pitiful shell which only resembled 
Shiratori Yuusuke. 

"Yes. I understand."

Shiro's reply was bitter. He refused to waste the energy it would take to
mask his outrage. This man wasn't even worthy of that. 

The next day, they had completely disbanded. This branch of Oniwaa Banshu 
was no more. This part of his life was over. And he never really 
understood why.

*********

He traveled alone, taking great care to hide his clothing and weapons with
a heavy, gray cloak.  Four days of travel had passed without anyone taking
notice of him--not that he was a noticeable person, but he had grown   
accustomed to 
        . As he reached the vicinity of Oniwaa Banshuu headquarters,
Shiro wondered if he even needed the dirty cloak. 



He wondered if he was worth anything in this world... But even
if he wasn't something special, he could always count on himself.

*********

It was two days since Misao had turned 11. Because she had grown a 
bit since last year, Jiya and the rest saw to it that clothes were the majority
of the gifts she received. Yet, though she had gotten most of the items
on her wishlist, she still was denied:

item # 4: Kunai

and

item # 1: AOSHI-SAMA

She sighed as she descended the main staircase-- It had been 3 whole years
since he left... it had been 3 whole years, and he still hadn't come back.

Misao stopped in mid-thought as a rush of panic washed over her.

::KNOCK KNOCK::

*could it be??* Misao gasped and bounded hurriedly to the door. If it was as
she anticipated, her okashira would be standing behind that door with opened 
arms.


 "..."
Misao stopped in disappointment.  A teenage boy stood in
the doorway. He wasn't short and he wasn't tall. Not skinny, nor overly
muscular. His hair was brown and so were his eyes... He was handsome in an
ordinary sort of way, but the fact remained that Misao had never seen this boy before
in her life.

She eyed him icily.
"You're not Aoshi-sama."

Shiro was taken aback by her actions. She was strange. Kinda cute, but 
strange. He suddenly felt awkward.

Suddenly a bearded man appeared. He literally flung the girl aside to approach
him.

"I'm sorry about that." He then bowed respectfully as Shiro removed
his cloak. "Would you like to come in?"

*********

"So you're not the Okashira?"

Jiya chuckled.

"No. Our Okashira is away with some of the other Oniwaa Banshuu."

Shiro suddenly brightened.
"Is he with anyone from my branch?"

Jiya set down his cup.
"I don't know... I doubt it. Have you spoken with Shiratori-san?"

Shiro's eyes darkened.
"He's dead."
  
Jiya froze.
"...  ... I'm sorry."

"Don't be."
Shiro replied evenly.

The door slid open. A girl balancing a tray entered the room. She hummed
sweetly as she approached the men, her eyes particularly fixed on Shiro.

"Are you both finished?"

Jiya eyed the girl and sighed. "No Omasu."

She continued towards Shiro, much to the dismay of the old man.
"Excuse me. I do believe we haven't met."

Shiro gulped.
"Are you addressing me?"

The girl grinned. 
"Yes you."

Jiya cleared his throat. "ahem, would you please excuse us Omasu. Shiro and I
 have important business to discuss."

Omasu's eyes never left Shiro's.
"Will you be staying very long."

Shiro gulped again.
"Hopefully."

Omasu smiled a dazzling smile.
"I hope so too--"
 
"OMASU!" Jiya towered over the girl who began to scuttle away.

When the door shut Shiro crumbled to the ground in relief.

Jiya smiled... it was the perfect opportunity to lighten the mood.
"She scares you ne?"

Shiro nodded.

"Don't let her frighten you... she attacks everything wearing pants. She's
a good girl though."


Shiro thought to himself.

Jiya smiled.
"Just how old are you?"

"14 years Old."

Jiya formed a mock frown.

"She's a little too old for you."

Shiro fumed.
"Who said I wanted her!?!"

Jiya laughed.
"Maybe you can get together with Misao."

Shiro calmed.

"Misao?"

Jiya nodded as he stroked his beard.
"The girl you saw at the entrance. She just turned 11."

Shiro crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
"Che... Who died and made you matchmaker? Besides, she's too
young for me." *plus she has an attitude*

Jiya chuckled.
"Too young? Then you prefer Omasu."

Shiro turned beet red.
"Have you no consideration?! I've been traveling for days!"

Jiya laughed heartily.
"You're blushing. How cute."

Shiro began to gather his belongings.

Jiya stopped laughing.
"Where are you going?"
 
"I see I won't be able to stay here."

Jiya cleared his throat. The boy was more sensitive than he thought.   
"Hey sit down. I was only joking."

Shiro froze.

Jiya continued.
"It's all right. I won't give you too much trouble..."

********* 

About a month had passed. Jiya proved to be a demanding sensei; nonetheless,
the two had developed an easygoing friendship.  Shiro had begun 
training intensely. It was almost nightfall and he had just been released
from practice. Aching, sweating, and moaning, he headed straight towards the 
bath. It was then he heard the voice.

"Shiro."

He gulped then turned around to see Omasu in a bathrobe.

"N-nani?" He stuttered.
 
"Where are you going?"

"To take a bath."

Omasu grabbed the front of his gi.

"I was just heading towards the bath... I'm sure you'll let me go first."

"But--"

Omasu released the boy and smiled.
"Thank you! You're so sweet." With that she ran towards the low building.

Shiro muttered cuss words as he dusted his clothes. His muscles ached even
more as he walked towards nowhere in particular.

"I'll get you for that Omasu..."
He collapsed on a freshly cut patch of grass. Despite some friction,
he was starting to get used to Omasu. He was no longer *afraid* of her, 
and he was beginning to let go of the hatred he had for her-- oh
he did hate her at one point, but that was before he began to accept 
her ways.

"Shiro?"

Shiro turned towards the melodious voice. "Misao-chan!?"

Misao smiled at him. "What are you doing here by yourself?"
She began to walk towards him."

"Well, I was *going* to take a bath, but that darned Omasu!" 

Misao plopped down besides him as he continued to fume.

"She should be glad she's a girl, or else--"

Misao cut him off. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Shiro lost his train of thought. "What?"

"You think you can beat Omasu? She's been training since she was 7."

Shiro's eyes widened.
"Really. She doesn't seem like a fighter."

Misao smiled. "She does flirt a lot."

Shiro rolled his eyes. "You can say that again."

Misao laughed. Shiro laughed as well....
 This was why he liked Misao. He could feel completely at ease around her. 
He could be himself knowing that he wouldn't be judged ... knowing that somehow,
he deserved to be loved. 

Misao's eyes never left the stars. "But, Why don't you like her?"

"Eh?" Shiro lazily inquired.

"Omasu.-- She sure likes you a lot."

Shiro turned to Misao.
"Like Jiya says, she just wants me for my pants."

Misao scratched her head. "What's so special about your pants?"

Shiro sweatdropped.
"You don't get it do you."

Misao nodded.
"Do you know who has nice pants?"

Shiro decided to entertain her.
"Who?"

"Aoshi-sama." Misao's eyes became as starry as the evening skies.

"He's your okashira?"

Misao nodded.

"He's an amazing person. I believe in Aoshi-sama."

Shiro's eyes then darkened.
"You shouldn't trust him like that."

Misao listened surprisedly as he spoke.

"It's dangerous. Your okashira is still a person. Never forget that.
An Okashira is just a person. If you trust them too much, they'll just 
disappoint you."

Misao continued to listen in shock.

"I used to feel the same way when I was younger. But I don't trust anyone
anymore, much less someone who puts on airs and pretends to lead people."

Misao shook her head.
"Aoshi-sama's not like that! He doesn't put on air or pretend. He can
make miracles happen."

Shiro responded calmly.
"So why isn't he here? He's a coward, just like my okashira."

Misao shook her head.
"He's not a coward. I'll find him. I'll find him and i'll prove you wrong."  

Shiro smiled.
"Well, if you can Misao-chan, go find him. And I promise I will prove you 
wrong first."

Misao grinned devilishly.
"Is that a bet?"

Shiro grinned as well.
"You're on, Misao-chan."

Misao clutched his arm.
"If I win, will you buy me some kunai?"

Shiro smiled.
"I'll buy you 10 kunai if you win."

*********
 
That was 7 seven years ago. Those were words from 7 years ago. 7 summers
passed leaving trails of memory, loss, and love.

Shiro wondered why he still remembered that day. He walked past that very 
patch of grass. When he thought about it, he really had won that bet.
But Then again, Misao also won in her own way... 

He froze in front of the shin-Aoiya. He watched the door in horror.

A headless pigeon dangled by it's feet. A message was neatly attached to its
left leg. He carefully untied the bird and slowly opened the note.

The Kanji was written in blood. Shiro's eyes widened.

DISBAND.


			~to be started~
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NOTES:

1. Okay, I think I have the stage set.This has a glimpse of Shiro's
	 background and his relationship to the Oniwaa Banshuu and Misao.
	 It's just a draft... 
2. Here Are the ages:
Actual RK:
	Shiro: ?
	Misao: 16
	Aoshi: 24
The Beginning of this chapter:
	Shiro: 14
	Misao: 11
	Aoshi: 20
By the End of this chapter & age for the rest of the fic"
	Shiro: 21
	Misao: 18
	Aoshi: 27

3. Who's the young flirtatious onmitsu? Okon or Omasu?? I just put
 	the name Omasu but I meant the younger one. ^.^;;
4. The pigeon thing is bizarre, but I had to make it look like a 
	threat.