A Beautiful Disaster Rated pg-13 RK/SM Disclaimer: Anything you recognize I do not own anything else is just coincidental.

The sun was shinning brightly as the clouds filtered the rays. Barely a hint of wind stirred the tree tops. The sound of the river lulled softly, relaxing the young woman who lay beside it. Her hand ran through the cool water, memorizing the feel of something so pure and untainted. She almost felt safe, right here on this sanctuary of lush green grass. She hadn't felt anything like this in so long it seemed like a dream. Yet she could not focus on her surroundings as the nightmares spun in her mind's eye; reminding her what she once had and will never have again.

She wasn't sure how long she had been in this place or even how she got there; but it had been anything but pleasant. 'I've been on survivor mode for too long. If it weren't for my fighting and senshi skills, I'm not sure I would be alive. I need to figure out a way to meld into this culture without drawing too much attention to myself. But, my powers have been anything but consistent since the last transformation.'

With that thought she looked at her reflection in the languid river. Her once childish features had matured, as well as her body. Her hair had changed from golden to silver with her transformation, but now caked with mud and other unknown substances, it looked dirty blonde, and hung limply down to her ankles. Her eyes were emotionless pools of steel, and if you looked hard enough you could barely make out the blue hue they once were hiding in the depths of concealed pain. Her clothes were torn, bloody, and filthy; not to mention they were from the 21st century. She was wearing a short, baby pink skirt over worn and tattered blue jeans. She was lucky she left a pair of pants in her subspace pocket or she would have froze to death by now. The once white tank top resembled a dirty old dish rag. She wondered what reaction she'd get this time when she encountered civilization again.

Her stomach growled again, as it had been growling for a few days. What little nutrition she got was from berries and such she found growing in this never ending forest. With what little strength she could muster, she got up to follow the river, with hopes for finding a town. Perhaps her luck would change and someone would hire her, and a new destiny of servitude would begin. Her stomach growled again. 'Some days I wish I believed in actual suicide.' She thought as she shook her head and continued on her path to a new way of life.

The sun had moved enough that the trees now cast a shadow, making the journey more enjoyable. Finally, at the end of the clearing she saw a crowd of people. Making her way to the front she noticed what looked like policemen with swords.

"What's going on here?" She whispered to a woman cowering in fear beside her.

"The police swordsmen are going to execute those innocent people as an example." She replied hastily as she turned to get away from the gaze of the 'captain'.

"Example of what?" But no one was there to answer her question. "You can't do this!"

She turned to the sound of a young boy's voice. He was against the wall waiting to be executed. Small in stature, but full of spirit. His pure heart cried out to her, she had to do something; but what?

A loud slap rang through the ears of the crowd, as the 'captain' backhanded the young boy. His lip was bleeding and his face was swelling.

She was finding it hard to breathe. 'How can they be so cruel. They are supposed to protect these people.' Her breathing was ragged and her heart constricted painfully in her chest. She found herself slowly walking closer to the child, and putting herself between him and the 'captain' who was ready to strike the lad again. At the same time, Kenshin had made his way into the ring of challenging swords. Kenshin turned to the maiden as she grabbed her head in pain.

"You are supposed to protect innocence, not end it prematurely. I will not stand for this injustice." She growled through her teeth at the captain who seemed interested in what he could gain from possessing her. She now stood with a regal air about her, with the defiance of the stars against a darkened sky.

"Bitch, you will be my prize before I kill you just for sport. I want to taste your blood!" He yelled as he raised his sword and licked the blade. Even before Kenshin had taken his first step, time seemed to freeze.

"Never…" She whispered as a wave of warmth passed over the crowd and the police swordsmen fell unconscious to the ground. She was breathing hard, drained of energy and lack of food and sleep; but she made the effort to see if the young boy was alright. She kept the crowd sustained in a hypnotic state; although one was able to fight her weak advances and watched silently.

She turned to Yahiko, "I am sorry you must see times as these. I wish I could take all your pain and burdens with me. You have touched my heart and you will always have a friend in me. Whenever you are in need your heart will call out to mine and I will come to your aide. Do not be afraid little one, you have a warrior's sprit and soul." With a labored breath she kissed his forehead as the insignia of her lineage blazed upon her own. He stood mouth agape at the slip of a woman who had saved him and the towns people. He had never felt so much love and warmth since his parents had died. He felt like he was in heaven. When he finally sorted through the fog, she was no where to be seen. A lone tear slipped down his sullied cheek, and he noticed for the first time that all his wounds were healed. His legs finally gave out, and he sat in the dirt and wept.

Kenshin saw and heard everything. He could feel no ill will coming from her, in fact he had never witnessed or felt anything of that magnitude before. She had saved someone special to him and he was grateful. He followed her as she walked slowly and staggered away from the scene. She went to the edge of town and collapsed under a tree.

Her breathing was shallow and she knew she was on the verge of blacking out any second. A shadow fell upon her and she looked up to see a man with hair as red as blood and alluring violet eyes. She didn't need to say anything because he spoke first.

"Thank you for saving Yahiko-chan. He means a lot to me, that he does." He smiled a small slip of a smile and sat down beside her. "You do not seem to be faring well, that you do not. Let me take you back to the Kamiya dojo and have Dr. Genzai take a look at you."

She looked over at him and the look in her eyes made him fear for her life. They were dull and lifeless, like a doll. The corners of her mouth began to lift into a smile, but this world had taken it's toll on her. Before she could reply, she drowned in the darkness of unconsciousness and fell unceremoniously in a heap onto Kenshin's lap. With urgency in his step, he made haste to the Kamiya dojo.