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DARK DESIGNS

A Ruroni Kenshin

Fanfic Crossover

(WARNING: This chapter contains many spoilers for the Ruroni Kenshin movie:
Ishinshishi no Requiem. So don't read on if don't want to know what
happened.)

Disclamer: Ruroni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki and Shueisha. Don't
sue me cause you won't get a penny. As for what the other series is. Tough
luck, I'm not telling anybody yet.


CHAPTER 1: The Englishman

Toki Takutsuki stared briefly out the window of her cabin, watching as the
city of Tokyo came into view. She then gave a relieved sigh, knowing her
long journey had come to an end. The trip to Okinawa had been uneventful.
Nothing really interesting came about when she arrived.

Still, it would have been impolite to her aunt Atsuko had she voiced her
boredom. Her husband, Toki's uncle, had just died suddenly. And her aunt
demanded that immediate family come to attend the funeral. The wake was
quiet and subdued, not even the children were allowed to run about lest they
feel her aunt's wrath.

Her aunt. Toki sighed. Though she was family, Toki thanked whomever watched
over her that she hadn't been cared for by that woman. She had met her and
her uncle briefly when she was nine, and found them very unlikable. They
requested, but as she now remembered more like demanded that the young girl
come live with them. Back then Toki could sense that her well being was the
least of their priorities. More likely they were to groom her to marry some
high political official to increase their standing and prestige. Her cousin
had said as much, as she was trapped in an unhappy union with some local
governor.

That too would have been her future, had Shigure not spoken on her behalf.

"Shigure-san." she said silently.

Instantly her eyes started to dew. Shigure could have easily given her to
them, but he didn't, stating that he was honor bound to care for her as was
his promise to her late brother, Gentatsu. At that moment, Toki thought that
his caring for her went deeper than that promise. She hoped, that maybe he
loved her as much as she had him.

The tears now flowed down her cheeks, and she wiped them away. It was silly,
feeling like this. After all, four years had passed since he died. Hadn't
she mourned enough?

Yet even now, she could still remember that night. Shigure had lost in his
duel with Himura-san, and would have continued the fight to the death had
she not interfered. She begged him to yield, and to stop the fighting, for
her sake. It was that and Himura's words that had finally convinced him to
throw down his sword. He was going to surrender to the authorities,
everything would be all right.

But fate had other plans, and she remembered with a pained heart, as the
bullets rained his body. She would never forget, looking at him with tears
in her eyes, as he recited the words her brother said to him long ago.

Oh Shigure-san, she thought sadly, If only.if only you'd hadn't done what
you did.maybe.maybe we'd be together.and.

Her thoughts were cut off however, by the ship's horn. The boat had finally
docked. Already she could hear the other passengers exiting from their
cabins.

Hastily she wiped off the last of her tears, and stood to get her bag from
the overhead cabinet. She then proceeded to drag it as she reached for the
cabin door. Opening it, she saw the passengers filing out and moving down
the causway to the dock.

As she turned to close her cabin door, a rushing body bumped her from the
side.

"Oh!" was all she could say as she and her luggage fell on the deck. The
contents of the latter were sprawled across the wood.

"Oh dear," she cried as she proceeded to pick up her clothes. But she
stopped as a huge shadow fell over her.

Looking up, she was surprised to see a giant of a man looking down at her.
As his back was to the sun, his features were not discernable. Yet from his
posture and the way he dressed, Toki could tell he was a gaijin. Before she
could make more observations, he spoke.

"Can I help you, Miss?" he said in accented yet otherwise flawless Japanese.

Toki blinked, she hadn't expected to him to offer assistance, let alone
speak her language. Toki had never trusted gaijin since the day she was
roughed up by those sailors in Yokohama. If not for Shigure's presence,
those men would have taken her with them. Idly she wondered if this man
would be like them, before she chided herself. Not all men were ruffians,
even gaijin. So she decided to answer him, so as not to be impolite.

"Um.no thank you," she answered with a tinge of nervousness. "Really. you
shouldn't trouble yoursel-"

She stopped as he bent down and picked up some of her clothes.

"Really, it's no trouble at all," he replied. "This is the least I can do
after

bumping into you like that."

Toki looked surprised. "That.that was you?"

He laughed. "My apologies. My attention was elsewhere when walked I down the
deck, unfortunately."

Toki by this time was overwhelmed. He was now apologizing to her! Perhaps he
was not a brute after all. "Well.thank you. And. I accept your apology."

He laughed again, as he handed some of her items. Toki reached for them, but
stopped. Before she could not make out his face, now she could, and she was
speechless. His skin was tanned, emitting a light brownish color. His dark
brown hair was long and unbound, and fell way past his shoulders. Yet her
eyes fell upon his handsome features, from his sharp nose which looked
chiseled from stone, to his long jaw which seemed to emit dignity and
character. Above his brow, a long faded scar was visible, yet Toki paid it
no mind. For her attention was caught by his sharp blue eyes. They were
intense, focused, and seemed to bore right into her soul.

He was the most handsome man she ever laid eyes on. A few moments passed,
but she could say nothing.

Had she taken notice, she would have seen his puzzled expression.

"Miss, is everything all right?" he asked with some concern.

Instantly, Toki blinked, and started to turn red. She had been staring!
Staring like some little girl! He must think she was some kind of queer by
now.

"I.I'm sorry," she stammered. "I.. I shouldn't have been.Please forgive me."

The man raised his eyebrow, but said nothing and gave a small smile as he
continued to hand over her things. Toki accepted them gratefully, yet a
slight blush was still evident on her cheeks. After shutting her bag, the
man stood up, and was going to offer his hand when Toki suddenly got on her
feet. Hastily smoothing out her kimono, she then bowed deeply in front of
him and spoke nervously.

"Arigatou, gaijin-sama. Your assistance was greatly appreciated. But please
excuse me."

The gaijin blinked, confused as to why the girl would be so nervous in
giving her thanks.

"Well, your welcome," he replied, yet still puzzled. "But why-"

He never finished, for Toki suddenly grabbed her bag and hurriedly brushed
past him. As she passed him, she let out the words: "Good day, gaijin-sama."

The man turned around, and watched as Toki hurry down the causeway and into
the dock. Idly he wondered, had he offended her in some way? He then thought
confronting her, to ask her what he had done, but thought better of it. She
might take it the wrong way.

Chuckling to himself, he then headed for the causeway.

Toki was still flushed as she approached portmaster's building. She had made
a fool of herself! In front of a gaijin no less! By now he must think all
Japanese women are so silly!

As she reached the building, Toki paused and sat herself on a bench near the
checkpoint. Inwardly she sighed, there was no excuse for her behavior. He
had been courteous and helpful, yet she dismissed him so quickly. But she'd
been so embarrassed by the way she stared at him.

Then again, she thought, it couldn't be helped. He was very handsome. His
face seemed to radiate a kindness and sincerity that eased her.

What am I thinking, she said to herself. I couldn't possibly be starstruck
over some gaijin. But no matter how she tried, Toki couldn't deny that for
one fleeting moment, attraction had taken a firm hold on her. Toki thought
of going back to him, and apologizing formally for her rudeness. She decided
against it though, no sense in making a fool of herself again.

Hefting her bag she proceeded to checkpoint where she handed her pass to the
portmaster. Disengaging herself from the throng of people streaming from the
exit, Toki prepared herself for what she knew would be a long walk.

She had just passed one of the portside warehouses when a noise caught her
ears. Turning around the corner of the warehouse, she found the source.
Three sailors, obviously foreigners from their height and their appearance,
were surrounding a young girl. She was pretty, probably in her late teens,
and from the tub she was carrying, Toki could see she was a street vendor.
There was also a terrified look on her face, as she eyed the three men who
were leering at her.

"Lookee 'ere missy," the first sailor, a balding fat man with a beard said
as he advanced. "Don get us all wrong. We jus wanna 'ave some fun."

The second sailor, a blond man moved behind her a grabbed her by the
shoulder. "Aye. So ye'd best shut yer hole if ye know what's good for ye."

As the man grabbed her, she screamed. "No! Please let me go!"

Before she could continue, the third of the bunch, a tall man with spiky
brown hair slapped her across the face and sent her sprawling to the ground.
The tub she'd been carrying, which had contained rice cakes, fell across her
and spilled its contents.

"Me mate told ye to shut up, wench," the third sailor spat out, as his
companions laughed. Before any of them could move though, Toki had rushed to
the girl's side. Gently she lifted the girl's face, which now sported
reddish mark on her right cheek. The girl looked surprised to say the least
at Toki's presence. But surprised turned to dread, knowing that Toki may
well be in danger as well.

"Are you all right?" Toki asked her.

"Oneesan, please get away," the girl pleaded.

"No! I'll not sit here and let them to treat you like this!"

"Please! You must leave or they'll..." she never finished as she saw the men
eyeing them with evil grins on their faces.

"Well, well," the first sailor said. "Looks like we got another one!"

Suddenly Toki stood up and turned to face them. "Stop this right now! Can't
you see you're hurting her?"

"Awww. We don wanna hurt nobody," the third man said casually. "Like me mate
said, is all in fun."

Suddenly he grabbed her arm, and Toki tried in vain to free herself from his
grip. "Please! Don't do this!"

The girl now looked in horror, the young lady who helped her was now being
molested as well. Before she could move however, the second man grabbed her
from behind.

"Please! I'll do whatever you want!" the girl said desperately. "Just let
her go!"

The first man moved close to her and grabbed her chin. "Yer in no position
to ask fer favors."

Toki by now had lost all her initial bravery and was now shaking with fear
as the man pushed her against the wall. Silently she wished Shigure was
here, to protect her as he always had.

"Well mates," the third man spoke as he pressed his face close to Toki's.
"Looks like our lucky day!"

"Hardly," a new voice spoke voice up.

Surprised the men turned. Toki blinked in surprise, she knew that voice!
Hastily she turned her head as well, to confirm her suspicions.

It was him! The gaijin! The brown giant she met on the boat! Presently he
was standing at the mouth of the alley with a relaxed posture, yet his face
betrayed a look of cold fury. His eyes scanned the men who were now eyeing
him as well.

For a few moments none of those present spoke. Then the first sailor spoke
up in English. "Ey! Sod off ye fairy!"

"Yea," the second man spat out. "Take yuir fancy suit somewhere else! None
of yuir concern this is!"

The gaijin did not move, nor shirk his steady gaze.

It seemed to shake the first man, who was now thoroughly annoyed by the
gaijin's ignorance. "Ey! Ye deaf or somethin? I said sod off!"

"I am not deaf," the gaijin said in a cool voice. "Nor shall I leave. Not
until you've let these poor women go and apologized to them for your
rudeness."

The men laughed at his words. Toki however, was worried for the gaijin.
These men would hurt him if he stayed. She wanted him to run and maybe call
for help. Before she could think anymore, the first man walked up to him.

"Yuir pretty funny," the first man sneered. "But if ye don't get outta here
before I lose me cool, yuir gonna regret it."

To his surprise the gaijin merely smiled, and spoke in a amused tone. "Empty
threats, fat man."

The taunt had the desired effect, as the portly sailor's face twisted in
anger. He then reached behind him. From where she stood, Toki could see he
was pulling out a knife. Before she could cry out a warning, the fat sailor
whipped it out and tried to stab him.

The blow never struck, for he held the sailor's arm in an iron grip. The fat
man was stunned, and he tried in desperation to free himself. But the gaijin
was too strong, and with blinding speed his right arm shot out to grab the
fat man by the throat. The two sailors watched in numb shock, as the brown
giant lifted their companion off the ground with apparent ease. The fat
man's face had now turned green, and dropped his knife as a result of the
hand encircling his neck. Then before any of them could blink, he was thrown
against the wall, and slumped down unconscious.

The remaining two had recovered from their initial shock, and let go of Toki
and the girl to rush to the aid of their fallen comrade. Released from her
captor's hold, Toki went to the girl's side. The girl, though shaken from
the ordeal, rushed into Toki's arms and embraced her. Toki returned the
embrace, and comforted the weeping girl as she turned back to confrontation.

The two sailors surrounded the brown giant from both sides. But this hardly
mattered to him, as he continued to eye them with that cold look in his
eyes.

"Yuir not leavin in one piece ye bastard," the blond sailor growled, holding
the knife the fat man dropped. His companion meanwhile held an iron bar that
he kept hidden.

"And I grow tired of wasting my time with scum such as you," the gaijin shot
back coldly.

The two men rushed at him from both sides. The blond sailor shot out with
his knife, hoping to stab the gaijin in the arm. But his attack was slow,
and before he knew it, the knife was slapped out from his hand. Before long,
the same hand that had denied him his weapon shot out to catch him across
the cheek. He fell instantly, blood oozing and teeth flying from his mouth.
The third sailor, heedless of his companion's fruitless effort, pressed on.
He swung the iron bar high, hoping to catch the brown giant across the head.
But it seemed as if the gaijin was quicker than lightning, catching the
sailor's arm in mid-swing. Then, with little effort, he threw the sailor to
the ground. His hold on the sailor's arm still secure, the gaijin held his
ground, and with a sharp pull, dislocated the bone from the shoulder joint.
The sailor screamed, writhing in pain as he held the lifeless mass that was
his right arm.

Toki watched in shock. The confrontation, which she thought would be a long
drawn out affair, had been over in less than five seconds. She looked at the
gaijin, who stood above his two victories with a detached expression. His
eyes then met hers, and Toki became nervous. She had seen him fight with
such violence, she fervently hoped she wasn't next.

She needn't have worried, for no sooner had he turned his eyes on her, his
face melted into an expression of kindness and reassurance. Relieved, Toki
smiled, only to look again in dread as she saw another form creeping behind
him. It was the fat man! He wasn't knocked senseless as she originally
thought. Instead he was sneaking behind the gaijin, in his hands was the
wooden tub the girl carried. He raised it above his head, ready to strike
her would be savior. Toki screamed out a warning, but it was too late.

Again the fat man stared in shock, he had smashed the tub on the back of the
giant's skull. Yet neither did he fall down or flinch, as if the blow was
nothing but a mosquito bite. The gaijin then turned on him, his face a
mixture of disgust and contempt as he eyed the fat man. The portly sailor
looked in fear, and wanted to put himself as far as possible from the brown
giant. He never got the chance, as the giant once again seized him by the
throat.

"Striking defenseless women," the gaijin growled. "Forcing yourselves upon
them without their consent. You sir, are of the lowest form of humanity I
have ever laid eyes on. For that, I should kill you."

The sailor eyes grew wide, and felt his throat tighten. He tried to plead
and beg, but the words died in his mouth. His vision started to dim, yet the
giant continued squeezing his larynx.

It would have been his end, had Toki not rushed to the gaijin's side.
Pulling on his sleeve, she spoke quickly. "Please! Don't kill him!"

The gaijin looked at her in surprise. "You wish him to live?"

Toki looked at him pleadingly. "I know he tried molest us," she said, as the
girl stood beside her. "But he doesn't deserve to die. And if you kill him,
you'll be arrested. I.I don't want that."

He seemed to consider this for a moment, then smiled. Turning back to the
sailor, he let go. The fat man fell down in a heap, clutching his throat,
and cowering in fear from the giant.

"It seems you should thank this lady for your life," he spat out while
scowling at the fat man. "However, if you do not wish to meet the fate you
so richly deserve, beg her forgiveness for your actions."

No sooner had he said those words, the fat man rushed to Toki's feet,
blubbering out incoherent apologies. Toki and the girl looked surprised. A
minute ago this man and his companions were about to rape them, now he was
on his knees begging for his life.


***********


The fat man's wailing had attracted the police, not to mention several
bystanders. After questioning all those involved, the three sailors were
placed under arrest. The fat man was still in a state of distress, begging
the police to take him away. The blond sailor was out cold, his jaw a bloody
mess. The third sailor was out as well, fainting from the shock of his
injury.

The girl on the other hand, though still shaken from the affair, was in
higher spirits. Happy that her ordeal had ended, she thanked Toki and the
gaijin for all their help, and accompanied the police to provide a
statement.

As they left Toki turned to look at her savior. It's amazing, she thought.
An hour before, this man had assisted in a simple matter, which was
gathering her belongings. He had been a complete gentleman. But later, he'd
changed, becoming some sort of demonic harbinger, striking down those
sailors like lightning.

After a moment he turned, and found her watching him. Toki blushed, thinking
again of how handsome he was.

He then spoke. "Strange, is it not?"

Toki blinked. "Hmm? What is?"

A smile tugged at his lips. "Already we've met twice and the day hasn't even
ended yet."

A small smile grew on Toki's face. After gathering which her bag, she turned
to him and bowed deeply. "Thank you again for your assistance."

"It was nothing," he replied.

"Iie. I'm glad you came. It gives me a chance to apologize."

He looked puzzled. "For what?"

"For my rudeness," she said. "I shouldn't have run off like that in such a
hurry. I hope you weren't offended."

"Actually," he said as he ran his hand through his long shaggy mane. "I was
hoping to apologize to you."

"W-what?" Toki asked in astonishment.

He chuckled. "When you ran off like that, I thought I was the rude one."

Toki blinked once more, then giggled softly at his statement. "It seems we
were both wrong."

"Looks like it," he said, looking at her with amusement. Again it took Toki
all her willpower not to blush at those eyes.

"In any case, it was good fortune that I saw you turn in that alley."

Toki smiled again. "And again I am grateful, gaijin-sa-" she stopped
herself, turning red once more. "Gomen nasai. It's very rude to keep calling
you that."

He laughed. "Very well, allow me to introduce myself." Bowing low, he gave
his name. "I'm John Cadwell of England."

Returning the favor, Toki introduced herself as well. "Watashi wa Takutsuki
Toki desu. Dozo yorushiku onegaishimasu."

"A pleasure to finally meet you Toki-san," Cadwell said.

Toki smiled demurely at his response. "Arigato gozaimasu, Cadwell-san. But
you must excuse me once more. I really need to go."

Cadwell look confused. "Huh? Why is that?"

She sighed. "Please don't take it the wrong way. But I have to get going if
I want to reach home before dark."

"Is it far from here?" he inquired.

"A two hour walk to be exact," she answered.

"An alternative then perhaps?"

Toki blinked. "What do you mean?"

"A carriage is waiting for me," he said, gesturing at the front of the
portmaster building. Sure enough, there was a small carriage parked in
front, drawn by four horses. "If you wish, I can take you in half the time."

"Oh no!" Toki exclaimed, surprised that he would offer her a ride. "Please!
There's no need to trouble yourself!"

John Cadwell merely smiled. "Really, Toki-san. It's no trouble at all.
Besides, I don't mind having company."

Toki thought for a moment, it was a tempting offer. She really wasn't up to
walking home all the way. Yet she couldn't help but feel embarrassed. This
man had assisted her on more than one occasion this day. To ask him to do
more would be unthinkable. But then again, he was offering her. And
strangely enough, she found herself trusting the Englishman. There was no
hint of deceit or hidden malice in his temperament.

She decided she would accept his offer. If only to repay him for all his
service. "Very well Cadwell-san," she said a little hesitantly. "I accept
your offer."

***********


After placing her bag with his luggage and giving the driver directions,
Toki along with Cadwell boarded the carriage. Sure enough, they were making
good time. She could recognize some the areas they passed. She marveled at
how fast the carriage moved.

Cadwell then spoke. "I take it you've never ridden a carriage before?"

Toki turned to him. "Hmm? Oh! Yes These are a luxury not many people can
afford."

"It is that," Cadwell said, as he looked out the window.

A moment passed and neither of them spoke, when Toki began softly. "Umm."

Cadwell turned to her, wondering what she was going to say.

"I was .wondering," she said tentatively, as if trying to find the words.
"What were you .doing in Okinawa?"

Cadwell then grinned slightly. "A stopover from my trip. I really came from
Hong Kong."

"Hong Kong? Oh yes, the port in China controlled by the British."

Cadwell's eyes widened a bit in surprise. "You know a great deal."

Toki blushed at the compliment. "Oh, well. I studied a lot about China when
I was young."

"Ah, I see. So I assume you're a teacher then?"

"That's right," Toki said in amazement. "You could tell?"

"More of a guess actually," he said, resting his chin on his hand. "What do
you teach?"
"Mostly reading and writing. I teach history as well, but nothing
complicated. My students are children after all."

"Children, eh?" Cadwell grinned. "They're not a burden are they?"

"Oh, no!" Toki said, as she shook her head. "They're wonderful! Really! The
time I spend with them brings me great joy."

Cadwell's face assumed a somber expression. "They must really like you
then."

Toki felt her face redden once more at his comment.

"How about you?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Why were you in Okinawa?"

"Oh. Well, I was visiting my aunt. Her husband, my uncle, just died."

Cadwell face took on an expression of surprise, before looking apologetic.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to broach on such a sensitive subject."

"Iie, daijobu desu," Toki replied. "It's just that.well."

Cadwell listened as Toki explained to him of her strained relationship with
her relatives. She related in detail how much she disliked her aunt and
uncle on the few occasions she met them. Toki for one could not believe that
she was telling such thoughts to this gentleman. Despite that, he listened
attentively and politely.

After she'd finished, Cadwell spoke. "I take it then you were not very happy
at your uncle's funeral?"

Toki looked apprehensive for a moment. "No. My aunt wasn't exactly much of a
good host either." At that she stopped, tilting her head to hide her
embarrassed features. After a moment she spoke softly. "I'm sorry."

Cadwell looked confused. "What for?"

She tentatively raised her eyes to look at him. "You must think I'm a
horrible person, speaking of her family in such a manner."

At that he laughed, and Toki looked puzzled at his reaction. "Toki-san. You
needn't be ashamed. The fact you've related such thoughts about your family
means you're an honest person. Not someone horrible."

Toki still looked perplexed. "But.it's impolite to."

Cadwell interrupted her. "Toki-san, just because an individual is of blood
to you, it doesn't mean he or she will do anything for your benefit." He
paused briefly, before continuing. "I had an acquaintance once. She was
happily married to a man who loved her. But someone threatened to ruin that
happiness for his own selfish needs. That person .was her brother."

"How horrible," Toki said in alarm. "But how could he? I mean.why do such a
thing to her? His own sister?"

"Why?" Cadwell said, shrugging. "Who knows? Her brother was a twisted
fellow. Luckily for her, he left some time ago. And never bothered her
again."

Toki's arched an eyebrow at his statement, before her lips curved into a
smile. "I take it Cadwell-san had a hand in his departure?"

Cadwell laughed again. "Perhaps."

They continued on, as the carriage rode through the streets of Tokyo. Toki,
for her part, found conversing with the Englishman to be a pleasant
experience. He was good company, listening attentively as she told him,
though omitting some details, of her own life. He in turn, would tell her
about himself. She'd found that he was a former soldier, serving time for
her Majesty in Africa. After leaving the army, he inherited his father's
merchant business, which was primarily trading spice. His frequent visits to
the Orient required him to speak the language of his business associates,
such as Cantonese and Mandarin. The opening of trade in Japan however,
presented him with the opportunity of visiting the country and learning the
language. Toki smiled as he told her of his experiences, relating them in a
manner that was neither arrogant nor aloof.

The talk would end however, as the carriage approached Toki's home. The two
then disengaged as their ride stopped in front of the gate.

Cadwell stood, admiring the Takutsuki mansion from outside. "It's
impressive," he said in appreciation.

"Thank you," Toki replied, standing beside him. "It was my parent's home
before they died."

"Shall I deliver your things inside?"

"Oh no!" she exclaimed. "Please don't. You've done more than enough. I can
take it from here."

Cadwell smiled. "Very well. If you so wish."

After the driver handed him Toki's bag, Cadwell then stood before her.

"I can't thank you enough, Cadwell-san," she said, bowing deeply. "You've
been so kind and helpful."

"The pleasure was all mine," he said, returning her bow. He then handed Toki
her bag. "Well, I think I should be off now."

As he turned to board the carriage, Toki called to him. "Wait."

Cadwell turned back to her in surprise.

"I'd forgotten to ask you," she said. "When you saved me from those men.
Were you, really intent on.killing them?"

He then gave simple short reply. "Yes."

Toki looked surprised. "Why?"

He smiled at her. "Because they were harming a lady."

Toki was shocked that this gentleman would do such a thing on her behalf.
"Cadwell-san, I really am grateful for what you've done. But, had you killed
those men-"

Cadwell took her hand gently, effectively silencing her. "Toki-san. I am
happy at your concern on my behalf. But you needn't worry for me." With that
he kissed her hand.

Toki still looked stunned from his action. She hadn't noticed that he
boarded the carriage and was calling out to her. "Sayonara, Toki-san. If the
fates are kind, perhaps we shall meet again."

Toki looked up as the carriage bounded away. She wanted to call out, but the
carriage was too far by then. Rubbing the spot on her hand where he kissed
her, Toki sighed. She never thought that the gaijin Englishman would be such
good and kind company. A part of herself was hoping to see him again
sometime in the future.

Sighing to herself, she picked up her bag and headed inside.


End of Chapter one.

Haha! Finally done! This took quite awhile, but finally it's finished. Oh,
if you're folks are asking, this is a Ruroni Kenshin crossover. I can't tell
you with what yet, it'll ruin the surprise. But if you really want to know,
here's a hint. John Cadwell is a character of popular fiction. And he
recently made a lot of money for a certain rat. Til then, hope you enjoy the
fic.


-Jedi Brother Horace