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DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.

Author's Notes: Kaoru is pregnant. But by whom? Will their love be strong enough to survive the outcome? A Test of Love Fanfiction by Gypsy-chan Enjoy! (This story takes place after Jinchuu. It is definitely OOC and doesn't follow the manga.)

Late one evening at the Kamiya Dojo, Kenshin and Kaoru were busy cleaning up after dinner.

"I am surprised by the amount of food we have left over."

"That's because that little brat is spending the night in town with Tae-chan," replied Kaoru. "I'm sure Tae-chan will not have any leftovers tonight with Yahiko around."

Kenshin chuckled while thinking about Yahiko's hugh appetite.

"I think I will prepare for bed now," she said after letting out a big yawn. "Could you make sure the dojo gates are secure Kenshin."

"Hai. Oyasuminasai Kaoru-dono."

"Oyasumi Kenshin."

Kaoru sat in her room brushing her long silky black hair. Suddenly, she heard the shoji being slid opened softly. She could feel the rush of cool air upon her skin. A soft smile began to creep across her face as she felt his presence.

She kept her back to him, pretending that he wasn't there. With cat like steps, he slowly approached her. When she felt him upon her she glanced upward only to find herself staring into his ever glistening eyes. Kaoru smiled and asked, "Did you miss me?"

"Hai, my darling," he replied as he knelt behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Every moment away from you is pure torture," he said while turning her around to meet his gaze.

"My desires for you are like the fires of hell. Only you can extinguish the fire burning deeply inside of me." With that, he began nibbling at her ear.

Kaoru giggled and began playfully hitting him with her brush. "Kenshin no baka!" He chuckled.

Knowing that they had the house to themselves, Kenshin began to express his feelings more freely. He ripped off his gi and grabbed Kaoru around the waist again. They both fell backward on her futon. She screeched and then giggled.

"Kenshin! What are you doing?"

A wicked grin grew across his face as he replied, "I'm going to make love to you all night." He began bestowing soft kisses upon her neck.

"Making love all night with Kenshin... Ahhh... That would be great if only I knew for sure that Yahiko wouldn't come back and spoil things for us like he did three days ago."

While she relished all of his sweet kisses, she stopped him from kissing her by putting her fingers over his lips.

"Kenshin wait. I can't do this anymore." She sat up.

Concern grew upon his face. He sat up too and asked, "What's the matter darling? Did I hurt you?"

"No. It's just that I'm tired of sneaking around like this. We've been sneaking around for a month now. I want to know when are we going to get married."

Kenshin grew silent.

"Kenshin."

He sighed while taking his hand and gently removing the strands of hair that covered her face.

"I knew it would be a matter of time before you brought this subject up. I was hoping that we could wait a little while. We are at the beginning of our relationship."

"But we've know each other for two years."

"I know, but it's just that the thought of getting married again frightens me."

"Why?"

"My first marriage ended up in tragedy and I don't want that to happen to us. And what if we have children? It is not that I don't want them, I am just afraid that I will pass the evils of the Hitokiri Battousai on to our children."

"Kenshin just because something bad happened between you and Tomoe doesn't mean it will happen to us. Please give our love a chance. I know that we will have a good marriage and our children will come out fine. As long as we are together we can make it work."

She leaned over and pressed her lips against his while tenderly kissing him. "I love you Kenshin," she whispered ever so softly into his ears.

"I love you too my darling," he uttered while burying his head into her chest. "I don't know what I would do without you." Tears began to stream down his face. "Please give me a little more time. I promise that soon we will be married and have children."

As she continued cradling his head into her bosom, she smiled and replied, "I will give you all the time in the world as long as you promise never to leave me again."

Kenshin looked up into her loving eyes and answered, "I promise." She wiped away his tears as he began tenderly kissing her.

A MONTH LATER, Yahiko and Kaoru were sick with the flu. Kenshin was up early making breakfast and preparing the medicinal tea that Megumi sent for Yahiko and Kaoru.

Sano dropped by. "Hey Kenshin what's for breakfast?"

"Breakfast will be ready shortly," replied Kenshin. "But first I must prepare some medicinal tea Megumi-dono gave me for Kaoru-dono and Yahiko."

"Are they still sick?"

"No thanks to you," Kaoru replied as she walked into the kitchen.

"Eww.... You look pretty sick Jou-chan."

"This is all your fault! If you hadn't come over here spreading your germs we wouldn't have gotten your cold you big jerk." She sneezed, "Achoo!"

Yahiko came in and said, "Yeah you big chicken head!" Then he sneezed, "Achoo! Achoo!"

Sano started waving his hands saying, "Stay back! Stay back! I don't want to get sick again."

Yahiko started chasing Sano trying to sneeze on him. Kenshin and Kaoru just smiled.

Two days later, Yahiko was up and running around but Kaoru was still sick. Kenshin had prepared his usual breakfast. He noticed that Kaoru ate very little. Sano and Yahiko were fighting over the last bowl of rice.

Yahiko looked over at Kaoru's bowl and asked, "Hey ugly are you going to eat that?"

Kaoru shook her head. Kenshin noticed that Kaoru didn't look well. Kaoru stood up and then began to waver a little. She had gotten dizzy. Kenshin caught her before she fell. Kaoru weakly smiled and said, "Arigato Kenshin. I'm okay now. I can stand."

"No. I won't let you fall again," he said while lifting her up. "I think your cold has gotten worst. I'm taking you back to your room. You need to rest."

Kaoru was too weak to put up an argument. She leaned her head into Kenshin's chest as he carried her out of the kitchen back to her room.

Sano and Yahiko stopped their bickering long enough to stare at Kenshin and Kaoru leaving the kitchen.

"You think she's going to be alright?"

Sano arched his eyebrow at Yahiko and replied, "Hai. I think so." Then he snatched the last bowl of rice from Yahiko.

"Hey you big jerk! Give that back!" With that they started fighting again.

After placing Kaoru on her futon, Kenshin covered her up and gently kissed her forehead. "Please rest now darling," he whispered. "I will be back to check on you later." He smiled at her and then left the room.

Karou began to feel nauseous again. "What is wrong with me? Yahiko and I were sick at the same time but the sickness has left him. Why am I still so sick?" She turned over and tried to go to sleep.

Kenshin was in the kitchen thinking about Kaoru. He became worried and thought, "Why is Kaoru still sick? I better have Megumi-dono look over her." He sent Yahiko to get Megumi.

Megumi returned with Yahiko. Kenshin thanked her for coming so quickly. "Megumi-dono I think Kaoru's cold has gotten worst. Maybe she will need another type of medicine." Megumi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Ken-san I will look after her."

Megumi went into Kaoru's room. She could see that Kaoru was sick. She thoroughly examined her. Kaoru sat up and was anxiously awaiting Megumi's findings. Megumi began putting her medical instruments away ignoring Kaoru.

Kaoru couldn't wait any longer. "Megumi-dono what is wrong with me?"

Megumi seemed a little annoyed. "There isn't anything wrong with you," she responded.

Kaoru was confused. "Then why am I so sick?"

"You really don't know?" asked Megumi.

Kaoru shook her head. "No. I don't know. Megumi-dono, please tell me what is happening to me."

Megumi bluntly replied, "You're pregnant."

Kaoru put her hand over her mouth and gasped, "Pr…Pregnant? How can that be?"

"Well little girl, if you don't know the answer to that one then you shouldn't be sleeping with a man," retorted Megumi.

Kaoru started to cry, "What am I going to do?"

"That is something for you and Ken-san to decide. That is, if Ken-san is the father."

"Of course he is! Kenshin is the only one that I ever…" Kaoru quickly covered her hand mouth.

Megumi stared at her for a moment and then turned her back to Kaoru. A teardrop fell from her eye. "Why am I not surprised. Now I know I will never have a chance to.... "

"Megumi-dono promise me that you won't tell Kenshin," begged Kaoru. "I want to tell him myself."

"I promise that I will not say anything to Ken-san. But sooner or later he will have to know and I would suggest sooner." Kaoru nodded.

Megumi began packing up her medical bag. "I want to see you at the clinic in a week. You must get plenty of rest now."

"Hai," replied Kaoru.

"One more thing, you will have to cut down on your training with Yahiko."

"What!"

"No strenuous exercising in the first three months of your pregnancy, it may harm the baby," Megumi firmly stated.

Kaoru held her head down.

Megumi look toward her, "Kaoru-chan you are no longer a little girl. You are a woman now, and will be a mother soon. So you better get use to it." Megumi left the room as Kaoru cried silently.

Kenshin worriedly asked Megumi; "Is everything all right? Will she be okay?"

"She will be fine. She is resting now. If you will excuse me, I must return to the clinic. I have patients waiting for me."

"Arigato Megumi-dono for coming." Megumi smiled and then left.

Kenshin could sense something was wrong. He went in to check on Kaoru. She pretended to be sleep. He quietly left the room as not to disturb her.

When Kaoru was sure that he had left she turned over and began thinking, "I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby. Kenshin's baby." She cried softly, "What am I going to do?" 

....When Kaoru was sure that Kenshin had left the room she turned over and began thinking, "I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby. Kenshin's baby."

**********************

A frightening look crossed her face. "What will Kenshin think? He clearly said over a month ago that he wanted to wait. That he didn't want to have children or get married now. He was happy just the way things were. Now I have messed up everything. What will he do? Are we still going to get married or will he leave me?" Kaoru silently cried herself to sleep.

Later that night, after Yahiko had fallen asleep, Kenshin eased into Kaoru's room. He had prepared a small meal for her.

"Do you feel like eating now?"

She slowly sat up and responded to his question rather weakly. "H... Hai."

He began looking at her through concern eyes.

She quickly mustered up a smile for him so he wouldn't worry about her. "Hai. I would like something to eat. Arigato Kenshin."

He smiled and handed her the bowl of food. As she ate, he tried not to watched her but he couldn't help himself. "Her appetite seem to be returning to normal."

"Arigato for the food Kenshin," she said while handing him an empty bowl.

He smiled as he took the empty bowl from her hand. "You're welcome my darling. It pleases me to see you eating again."

"Hai, I guess all that resting was just what I needed."

Kenshin smiled and took the bowl back into the kitchen.

"Even though I am not feeling well, I must keep up this charade. I can't worry Kenshin or the others. I'm just not ready to tell anyone about my pregnancy yet."

Kenshin returned to her room. "Yahiko is sound alseep," he said while removing his gi and taking his place next to her.

He looked at her face. It seemed to glow slightly. "She must be getting better. The paleness in her face seem to be fading." He slowly put his arms around her saying, "I was so worried about you my darling. Megumi-dono said that you will be fine."

Kaoru smiled slightly and replied, "Hai. That's good."

"I love you so much," he said. "You must promise me that you will take better care of yourself."

"Hai, I promise."

Kenshin began passionately kissing her. As he eased his hand into her yukata he began to loosen it. She became frightened.

"Oh no! I can't let him see my stomach. I must stop him."

"I…I don't want you to catch my cold," she said while slowly moving back from him. "I just want to sleep tonight."

"Alright darling, if that is what you wish, we shall just sleep tonight." He gently pressed a kiss on her forehead.

She turned her back to him. Tears began rolling down her face. "What am I going to do?" She finally fell asleep.

A week had passed and Kaoru still hadn't told Kenshin that she was pregnant. After her visit with Megumi, Kaoru began walking home.

As she walked past a group of women she overheard them saying, "Isn't that the Kamiya girl?"

"Hai. She's the one that let a strange man move in with her," replied one woman. He's been staying there for a while."

Another woman responded, "Is that so? Well I hear that there's always men coming and going from her house. What kind of respectable woman would allow such a thing?"

An older woman added, "I've known the Kamiya family for years. They were an honorable family. But her conduct has brought much shame on her father's house in the way she has been living. She should be ashamed of herself."

Kaoru turned and glared at the women. They covered their mouths and then began to disperse. She started crying.

Kaoru finally arrived home. It seemed unusually quite. She went into her room and found a note from Kenshin on her dresser. It read, "Kaoru-dono, I've gone fishing with Yahiko. Will be back soon, Kenshin." Kaoru held the note in her hand. She took her fingers and lightly traced over the words on the note. She sighed, "Kenshin,"

Suddenly Kaoru heard the gates to the dojo rattle. "Kenshin and Yahiko must be back." She quickly wiped away her tears and headed toward the gate.

Upon reaching the gate, her eyes widened in surprise at the man standing before her.

"Surprised to see me?" asked Yukishiro Enishi.

Kaoru grew angry, "What do you want with Kenshin this time Enishi!"

"I did not come for the Battousai, I came to see you."

Kaoru was stunned. She began to stutter, "Wha... What do you want with me?"

"Please do not be frightened. I can assure you that I mean you no harm. I just dropped by to see how you were feeling."

"My health is none of your concern Enishi!"

"Oh but it is," he smirked. "Tell me now, during Jinchuu, do you recall waking up in my mansion dressed only in a bathrobe?"

"H... Hai," she nervously answered.

"Wouldn't you say that was about three months ago?"

Kaoru's face had grown pale as she clutched the top of her Kimono. "Wha... What are you trying to say?"

Enishi smiled and replied, "Like I said before, I stopped by to see how you were doing? It's only natural for me to be concerned about you since you are carrying my child."

"Nooooo!!" she shouted. "It's not true!!! How dare you come here and say such a horrible thing to me!!"

"Oh I'm sorry, did you not know that you were pregnant?"

"I don't need you to tell me what condition I'm in!" She retorted. Then she put her hand on her stomach and yelled, "This is not your baby, it's Kenshin's baby!"

"Hmmm.... I see that I have to convince you," Enishi said while smiling.

He tilted his head and began staring at her left leg. "Now, if my memory serves me right, I recall seeing a pretty little birthmark on the top of your left thigh. It is very close to your...."

"Stop!!!" she shouted while covering her ears. "I don't want to hear anymore!" She fell to her knees and began crying. "Please... just go away!!"

"I'm sorry to have caused you to become upset. Maybe I'll come back later so that we can break the joyous news to the Battousai." Enishi left while saying, "I'm going to be a father. How wonderful!!"

Kaoru continued sitting on the ground crying. She covered her mouth in disgust as she thought about Enishi.

"This can't be happening! It just can't be his baby! I don't remember him ever touching me. But how else could he have known of my birthmark! I can't believe that he violated me!!" She continued crying then she looked at her stomach.

"What will Kenshin think? He'll probably hate me and leave me forever! Oh Kami-sama! Why me! Why me!!" She continued crying.

Finally, Kaoru stood up and began pacing back and forth. "I can't tell Kenshin and I can't stay here any longer," she said as tears streamed down her face. "I have no other choice but to... leave. I must leave before Kenshin or Enishi returns."

Kaoru quickly went inside the house to gather up her things. She scibbled a brief note and left.

Kenshin and Yahiko had finally returned to the dojo. They had been out fishing most of the day.

"Gee Kenshin, it took all day just to catch one fish," complained Yahiko. "That ugly girl better appreciate it."

"I am sure Kaoru-dono will appreciate our hard efforts," replied Kenshin.

"If she doesn't then I know I will," said Sano as he hoped over the gate.

"Hey! We don't have enough food for jerks like you!"

"What did you say you little brat!!" Sano and Yahiko started fighting.

Kenshin chuckled at the sight of them fighting and thought, "It is a good thing that we caught a big fish. We will certainly need it judging from the way those two eat."

He took the fish into the kitchen. "I wonder if Kaoru has returned from the market yet. I think I will go check on her."

Kenshin went down the hallway to Kaoru's bedroom. He knocked lightly on her door while calling her name. "Kaoru-dono, I'm home. Kaoru-dono?"

He waited for a minute but didn't get a response. Kenshin carefully poked his head inside her room and saw that it was empty. His heart began to pound. "I sense that something is wrong."

As he looked around the room he found a note lying next to the window. He quickly read the note. Kenshin clutched the note to his chest and dropped to his knees in tears crying out, "She's gone! My Kaoru is gone!! Karrrooouuuu!!!!"

Kaoru was quickly making her way through the forest. "I have to move faster. I can't allow Kenshin to find me." She found herself tiring out. "Why can't I move any faster? I'm so tired."

She stopped for a moment to rest. As she leaned against a tree she became nauseous. "Oh no! Not again!" She began vomitting.

"I see that you are in need of assistance," said a voice coming from behind her. "Allow me to help you."

Kaoru looked up and saw that Enishi was now standing before her. "Leave me alone! Go a...." Before she could finish speaking, she became sick again. Enishi used the opportunity to pick her up.

"Put me down!" she screamed.

Enishi smiled and replied, "You must not get yourself so worked up. It's not good for our baby."

He continued carrying her. She was so exhausted that she couldn't fight against him. He looked down at her and said, "Don't worry my darling, I'll have you in a nice safe place soon. Just relax. I'm going to take care of you."

As she slumped down into his arms Kaoru silently sighed, "Kenshin" before passing out.

....As he looked around the room he found a note lying next to the window. He quickly read the note. Kenshin clutched the note to his chest and dropped to his knees in tears crying out, "She's gone! My Kaoru is gone!! Karrrooouuuu!!!!"

**********************

Sano and Yahiko quickly ran into Kaoru's bedroom after hearing Kenshin scream. They saw Kenshin on the floor clutching a note to his chest.

"Kenshin, what's the matter?"

"Kenshin!"

Kenshin remained silent not answering either one of them.

Sano bent down and carefully pried the note from out of Kenshin's hand. After reading the note, he crumbled it up and tossed it on the floor. He began uttering curses under his breath as he stuck his hand in his pockets while leaning against the wall.

Yahiko stood looking back and forth between Kenshin and Sano. Kenshin remained motionless on the floor while Sano was now gnawing on a fish bone.

"Would someone tell me what's going on around here!! Where's Kaoru?"

"She left."

Yahiko stared at Sano in disbelief. "But why?" Sano didn't answer.

He turned to Kenshin. "Kenshin, why would Kaoru leave us?"

Kenshin looked up into the young boys' worried eyes and answered, "I do not know. But I am going to find out."

He stood slowly and secured his Sakabatou. He rested his hand upon Yahiko's shoulder saying, "Yahiko, please stay here and…"

"No! I'm not staying! I'm going with you," stated Yahiko. "I want to find Kaoru too!'

Kenshin looked over at Sano. Sano smiled as he pounded his fists together. He spit the fish bone out of his mouth and said, "It's been a long time since I had a good work out. We better hurry if we want to find Jou-chan."

Kenshin knew he didn't have time to waste arguing with them so he looked at both of them and said, "Since I cannot convince you two to stay, then we must leave quickly to search for Kaoru-dono."

They all took off in search of Kaoru.

ELSEWHERE, Kaoru was slowly regaining conscientiousness.

"Wh… Where am I?" She asked while taking in her surroundings. "Somehow this room seems familiar to me."

Kaoru slowly stood up and made her way to the window. As she looked out the window she gasped, "Oh no! Not this place again!"

Then she looked down and noticed that she had a white bathrobe on. She cried as she clutched the top of the bathrobe together. "Oh Kami-sama! Not again!"

A figure began slowly approaching her from behind. "Did you sleep well?"

Enishi! What have you done to me! Why have you brought me back to this accursed island?"

"Why for nostalgic reasons," he smirked as he casually strolled over to her.

"Don't you know, this is where it all happened," he stated while slipping his arm around her shoulders. "Where you and I conceived our child."

"Stop it!" she shouted as she slapped his arm from off her shoulders.

"Where are my clothes? I want to go home!"

"Are you sure that is what you want to do?"

"Hai!"

"Then let us not delay. I can't wait to see the look on the Battousai's face when he hears of our joyous news."

Kaoru's face grew pale as she covered her mouth realizing that she hadn't told Kenshin of her pregnancy or about Enishi. Tears began streaming down her face.

"Why did you do this to me Enishi?" she cried while slumping down on the western-styled bed. "Why did you take me?"

"It wasn't my intention to take you," he answered as he sat next to her on the bed. "My earthly justice was directed only toward the Battousai. But after my first fight with the Battousai, I deemed it as a victory. You, my dear, were the spoils of war."

Kaoru slapped him in the face shouting, "You beast!"

Enishi just smiled as he rubbed his heated cheek.

"You call me a beast? Ha! I think you are sadly mistaken. Your precious Battousai is the real beast. It was he who took the innocence and purity away from my sister. It was also he who destroyed the only thing I ever loved in this world."

Kaoru held her head down remaining silent.

"Please, let us not fight now. It is not good for our baby."

Kaoru glared up at him.

"Are you hungry?"

"No!" she said. But her stomach betrayed her with several gurgling sounds. She glared down at her stomach mouthing the word, "traitor."

Enishi chuckled as he looked at her stomach and said, "Well, if you don't want to eat that is fine with me. However, I will not allow our baby to starve."

He stood up and headed toward the door. "Now you lie down and rest until I return with some food."

Before leaving he turned to her saying, "I am sure you recall the layout of my mansion. So it would be in the best interest of you and our baby if you stayed here where it is safe opposed to escaping. You don't want to become fish food for the sharks now do you."

Kaoru glared at him as he closed the door. She sunk deeper into the bed.

"Why does he have to make a mockery of my pregnancy? 'Our baby this and our baby that,' Arrgh… I hate him."

Tears began to stream down her face. "Oh Kenshin, will you come for me? Will you still love me even if this is not your baby?"

Enishi stood outside of the door thinking, "Don't worry my sister, your desire for me to be happy will be realized soon. I know that I will win her heart from the Battousai. Then Kaoru, the baby and me will be one big happy family. You won't have to worry for me anymore. You can rest peacefully."

MEANWHILE back in Tokyo, Kenshin, Sano and Yahiko had exhausted all means to find Kaoru. They were now back at the Kamiya Dojo.

"Do you think we should contact old icy blue eyes and weasel girl?"

Kenshin shook his head. "No, not yet. I am sure we will find Kaoru-dono soon."

Sano just shrugged his shoulders. Then he glanced over at Yahiko. Yahiko had fallen asleep sitting up with his shinai in hand. Sano smiled as he watched him sleep. "The little punk looks kind of cute when he's not running off that big mouth of his."

He turned back to Kenshin and said, "I'm going to put the kid to bed. We'll try again in the morning okay Kenshin."

Kenshin just sat staring at the floor.

As Sano picked up Yahiko he glanced down at Kenshin and said, "I think you should get some rest too. There's nothing else we can do right now."

Kenshin still didn't move. Sano turned down the hallway and put Yahiko into bed.

He glanced back down the hallway toward Kenshin. Kenshin was still sitting in the same spot not even blinking an eye. "He better not go Battousai yet. We need him to find Jou-chan."

Sano went into the spare bedroom and plopped down on the futon. "Geez Jou-chan! Why'd you have to up and leave like that? Don't you know you're worrying a lot of people?" He turned over and fell asleep.

After making sure that everyone had fallen asleep, Kenshin quietly left the dojo. He headed for the lake where he had said goodbye to Kaoru before leaving to Kyoto to fight Shishio.

Once at the lake, he looked around at all the fireflies. He sat quietly watching them float through the air. The fireflies seemed to be performing a dance.

"Can you see them Kaoru? They are dancing just for you tonight."

Tears streamed down his face. Finally, he closed his eyes and began leaning back against a tree. He sat recalling how beautiful Kaoru looked when the fireflies floated around her face. More tears streamed down his face as he sighed, "Kaoru, my love, where are you? Please come back to me."

Tears streamed down his face. Finally, he closed his eyes and began leaning back against a tree. He sat recalling how beautiful Kaoru looked when the fireflies floated around her face.

More tears streamed down his face as he sighed, "Kaoru, my love, where are you? Please come back to me. Kaoru."

**********************

The next morning Yahiko had woke up. As he lay staring at the ceiling he asked, "Was it all a dream?

Yahiko quickly got dressed and ran to Kaoru's bedroom. It was still empty. He pounded his fist against the wall in frustration. "Urgh..... Where can that ugly girl be! I better go check on Kenshin."

He ran down the hallway to Kenshin's room. Upon opening the door he found that Kenshin's futon was still rolled up. Yahiko began to worry. "Ma.... Maybe he's making breakfast. Yeah, that's right! He's always the first one up making breakfast."

Yahiko ran to the kitchen, but Kenshin wasn't there.

"What the heck is going on around here? First Kaoru disappears and now Kenshin. What's happening to my family?"

A tear rolled down his cheek. He looked down the hallway where Sano was suppose to be sleeping. "I hope that rooster head is still here. He better be!" Yahiko quickly ran toward his room.

Sano was lying on his futon having a dream. He began mumbling, "Snake eyes, I win."

Yahiko saw Sano in his room. He smiled whispering, "Good! The rooster head is still here."

He began shaking him hard while calling out to him. "Hey Sano! Wake up! Sano!"

"I won fair and square," shouted Sano. "Now pay up!"

Yahiko frowned at him and started yelling at him, "Hey you big chicken head! I'm not one of your gambling buddies! It's me, Yahiko! Wake up!!"

One of his eyes flickered opened. He caught a glimpse of Yahiko. "Go away kid, you're bugging me!" he said while turning over.

By this time Yahiko was thoroughly annoyed. He snatched the blanket from off of Sano while shouting, "Hey you big lazy jerk! Get up! Kenshin is missing!"

"What!" he shouted as he jumped up grabbing Yahiko by the gi, "Why didn't you say so you little punk! This is serious!"

Yahiko jerked back from him. "What do you think I've been talking about you big dumb jerk!!"

"Quit flapping your trap!" he yelled back as he headed for the door. "…and let's go find Kenshin!"

As he ran out of the house he bumped into Megumi.

"Idiot!!!" Megumi shouted while rubbing her head. "Why don't you watch where you are going you?"

"I don't have time to play around with you today fox," he smirked. "I got to find Kenshin."

"He's disappeared!" yelled Yahiko.

Megumi put her hand to her chest and gasped, "Ken-san? What has happened to Ken-san?"

"It's not just Kenshin, Jou-chan is missing too."

"What!!" she shrieked out as she stared at Sano.

"Yeah!" nodded Sano. "She ran away two days ago. I'm sure Kenshin is out looking for her. He should have waited for us. But then again, it's just like Kenshin to run off and leave us behind."

Megumi stood frozen thinking, "That silly girl! Why did she run away? Poor Ken-san."

"Come on Sano!" shouted Yahiko. "We're wasting time!"

"Right!"

"I'm coming too!" stated Megumi.

"Oh no you don't fox. I don't want anything to happen to you. This must be something really serious. Why else would Kenshin leave us behind?"

Megumi frowned and waved her fist at Sano. "…and just who do you think you are telling me to stay here? You don't own me you know."

Sano smiled and uttered, "not yet."

"What was that you big chicken head!"

"Hey you two! We don't have time for all this romantic stuff. Kaoru and Kenshin is missing, remember?"

Sano whacked Yahiko on the head saying, "Aw… pipe down you little punk."

"What did you call me!" They both started fighting.

"It doesn't matter what you say. I'm going with you two whether you like it or not. Ken-san and Kaoru-chan may need my help." She looked down thinking, "Especially Kaoru-chan."

They stopped fighting each other long enough to look at Megumi.

Megumi smiled and said, "Come on boys, you know you need me. Besides, someone has to make sure you two behave."

"Well you better not slow us down fox. We have to hurry."

The three left quickly in search of Kaoru and Kenshin.

Kenshin was already miles ahead of them. He sat on a rock to rest for a moment. He began thinking of Sano and Yahiko.

"I know that they will be angry at me for leaving them behind but I have no choice. I must not get anyone else involved. I know that Kaoru is in trouble. I can feel it. I only wished that I knew which one of my enemies has taken her away from me?"

He stood and looked into the blinding sun. "Hold on Kaoru, I will come for you soon." He resumed his search for Kaoru again.

Back at Enishi's hideout, Kaoru was slowly awakening from a long sleep. She could feel strong arms wrapped around her body. Without opening her eyes, she smiled and sighed, "Kenshin."

Kaoru began cuddling closer into the warmth of his chest while whispering, "I've missed you my darling."

He stroked her hair gently while responding, "I've missed you too."

Suddenly, an alarm went off in Kaoru's head. "That voice! It's not Kenshin! It's..." Her eyes flew opened only to confirm her worst suspicion. She was lying in the arms of Enishi.

"Enishi!!" she shrieked as she leapt out of bed. "Why do you keep doing this to me!!"

"Whatever do you mean? It's only natural for a man and his woman to sleep together. Especially since we've already made a child together."

"I told you before, this is not your baby! It's Kenshin's baby!"

"Are you sure?" he smirked.

"Just give me back my clothes!" she demanded. "I want to leave now!"

"And go where?" he asked. "Do you really think the Battousai will want you back after finding out you slept with the enemy?"

Kaoru sat on the floor crying.

Enishi walked over and sat next to her. "Please don't cry Kaoru. I want you to be happy. I love you."

"Stop saying that! You don't love me or anyone else! You only love hurting people!"

"Is that what you think?" he asked while sliding his dark glasses upon his nose. "If I really wanted to hurt you I would have killed you long ago. Your body is what the Battousai would have really seen in the dojo that day, not a decoy."

Kaoru looked at him in horror and then became angry. "Then why didn't you kill me? You had plenty of chances to do so once you had me here."

"Hai, I know, but I chose not to. You see, while recovering from my first fight with the Battousai, I was surprised by the way you treated me."

"What do you mean?" she asked while looking at him.

"Well think about it. There you were, locked in a room as my hostage. You could have escaped but you didn't."

"I did try to escape but I changed my mind. I decided to wait for Kenshin."

"But did you have to cook for me or show concern regarding my health? You even commented on my training. Why did you do all those things Kaoru?"

She bit her bottom lip and replied, "I... I don't know."

"At the end of Jinchuu, you came over and handed my sister's diary to me. Through your touch, I felt your compassion for me. At the time, I was too distraught to think about that. The Battousai had beaten me and I didn't get a chance to carry out my revenge.

But one day, while rotting away in Rakuminmura, my sister came to me and told me the good news. She told me that you were pregnant, that you were carrying my child. I was so happy and my sister was too. She really likes you. So, I quickly prepared a place for you and our baby. Look in the closet..." he pointed toward the closet.

"I have all the clothes you could ever want."

Kaoru saw many beautiful kimonos and western-styled dresses hanging in the closet.

"...And later, we can go and take a look at the baby's room. You'll love what I did with it. If you don't like it, we can always change it later."

Kaoru sat frozen. She was too overwhelmed by the things she saw and heard from Enishi to move.

Enishi took her hand and said, "Kaoru, you are the only woman who has ever cared for me. Please allow me to love you and our baby. I know that I will make a good father."

Kaoru began getting nauseous again. She grabbed her stomach in pain. Enishi quickly helped her up. Before they could reach the door, she vomitted on the floor. Kaoru was so embarrassed. She kept her head down not wanting to look at him.

Enishi gently lifted her chin toward his. He saw that her cheeks had redden from embarrassment. Without a word, he smiled and calmly grabbed a nearby cloth, wiping away the sweat from her brow and cleaning her mouth. Then he proceeded to lift her up and place her back on his bed.

As she lay in the bed, she watched him clean up the mess. Kaoru began to feel guilty. She sat up and said, "Enishi, you don't have to do that. Let me clean that up."

"No, it's not a bother. You see, when I was young, my mother was very ill. My sister and I had to clean up behind her every time she got sick. Finally, the sickness overtook her and she died."

"Enishi... I'm so sorry..."

"Don't be. Now you just lay there and get some rest. I'll bring you something to eat later." He left the room.

Kaoru lay flat on her back staring up at the ceiling.

"Somehow, Enishi seem to have changed from the way he was during Jinchuu. Is he really all that different from Kenshin? Kaoru no baka! Stop thinking like that! Of course Enishi and Kenshin are different!"

She turned over and began staring out the window. In a nearby tree, a bird had suddenly flown to its nest. Several little baby birds began chirping. Kaoru seemed to be in a daze as she watched the mother bird feed her babies.

She put her hand on her stomach and began thinking, "What if Kenshin doesn't take me back? And what if this baby really is Enishi's? Can I really love Enishi for the sake of my baby?"

"Somehow, Enishi seem to have changed from the way he was during Jinchuu. Is he really all that different from Kenshin?.....

She put her hand on her stomach and began thinking, "What if Kenshin doesn't take me back? And what if this really is Enishi's baby? Can I really love Enishi for the sake of my baby?"

**********************

Kaoru became restless, turning to and fro in the western-styled bed.

"Mou! I just can't get use to this bed. I want to be in my own futon."

She finally settled into the bed. As she thought on Kenshin, she rested her hand upon her stomach again.

"I wished I knew for sure whose baby I am carrying. I just knew that it had to be Kenshin's. I remember the first night we made love. It was a little after Jinchuu. Everyone seemed be so depressed. That's when I decided to throw a party at the dojo. There was plenty of food and drink. We all had so much fun that night. I guess we had a little too much fun, especially with the drinks.

Later that night, after everyone had fallen asleep, I heard shouting sounds coming from Kenshin's room. I sat up immediately, but the shouting had stopped. Everything had gotten quite. At first I thought I was imagining things, so I decided to lie back down. But then the shouting began again. It seemed to have gotten louder.

I softly padded to Kenshin's room. He was having a nightmare. I guess all that drinking had caught up to him too. I tried calming him down. He kept crying and calling my name. He seemed so distraught, acting as if I had died or something. At the time, no one had ever told me what really happened during Jinchuu. I shuddered when I found out later.

Anyway, I wrapped my arms around his body trying to comfort him, trying to let him know that I was alive. Whispering to him that I was okay. But nothing seemed to work. He just wouldn't calm down.

It was on that night that I decided to let him see how alive I really was. I took his face and gently cradled it between the palms of my hand. I began kissing his sweet lips ever so softly. He seemed to respond to my kisses. By then I knew that he had awaken from his nightmare, for his kisses had become more intense. That is when we first made love.

The next morning, when I had awakened, I was surprised to find myself lying in his strong arms. As he gazed into my eyes he gave me the most cutest smile that I have ever seen. I don't recall him ever smiling at me that way before.

At first I thought it was all a dream. I didn't want to wake up. I just wanted to lie there and gaze at his dreamy face, soaking up all the attention he was pouring on me.

Suddenly, my brain began to register the predicament I was in. I felt a scream coming on. Before it came out, I felt his gentle hand covering my mouth whispering, 'Shhh…. We don't want to wake the others.' I slowly nodded. From that day forward, Kenshin and I had been secretly sleeping together. Ahh... Kenshin."

Kaoru began to frown. She sat up and took one of the pillows from off the bed and threw it against the wall.

"Kenshin no baka!! This is all your fault! If you had just married me then none of this stuff would be happening now."

Then she looked around the room and sighed, "Enishi… What am I going to do about him?"

She suddenly began to get an itch. "I hate this cotton bathrobe! It's not like my silk one. This thing itches!" Kaoru said as she opened the bathrobe while scratching her shoulders.

"If you don't like that one, I can always give you another one," remarked Enishi as he walked into the room holding a tray of food.

Kaoru quickly closed her bathrobe. Her face had turned crimson in color as she screamed at him.

"ENISHI YOU PERVERT!!" she yelled before throwing a vase at him. "HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY ROOM WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!"

Enishi laughed while ducking the vase she had thrown at him. The vase had crashed and hit the wall.

"Your room?" he asked. "Hmm… Does this mean you have come to terms with our relationship?"

"NO!!!" she shouted as she grabbed the closet thing she could find to throw at him.

He chuckled again as he dodged a pillow saying, "I see you must be feeling better. Your ill temper has returned."

She glared at him and then folded her arms and turned her head toward the window.

"Well here's the food that I promised." He sat the tray of food next to her.

"I'm not hungry!"

"Suit yourself. I have some business to attend to, so if you will excuse me, I'll leave you to your meal." He backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Kaoru turned and looked toward the door. "The nerve of that pervert, coming in here like that! I don't care if it is his room. He should still knock before entering."

Her stomach started growling again. She looked toward the food he had left for her. She didn't want to partake of it but then she began getting a lot of hunger pains. "I guess eating his food is better than starving to death."

As she ate the food she began to frown. "I hate it when everyone else can cook better than me?! First Kenshin, now Enishi."

Enishi had been standing outside of the room listening to her. He chuckled softly before a more serious expression crossed his face.

"Hmm... I can see a slight change in her attitude toward me. I think I am slowly winning her over. That's good. Pretty soon my dear sister, everything will fall into place. I will realize my Earthly Justice again.

Now on to Phase II, the family reunion. No family reunion will be complete without the Battousai. I can't wait, I'm sure he can't either."

SIX WEEKS LATER, there was still no sign of Kaoru.

Kenshin stood high upon a grassy hill looking down over the next town.

I can't believe that I still haven't found her. During the days of the Bakumatsu I was able to track down anyone. Even the most experienced of my enemies, who hid in the shadows, could never escape my notice. I always found them.

But why can't I find you Kaoru?

Tears began to stream down his cheeks. "I know she is still alive, I can feel it. Please hold on just a little bit longer for me Kaoru. I promise that I will be there for you."

After reaching the bottom of the hill he looked around the area trying to determined which direction he would search next.

"I think I will stay close to the river. In that way, I can avoid as much contact with the police as possible. Too many questions about me carrying a sword will only slow me down."

As Kenshin headed toward the river, he heard some voices of a group of people coming into his direction. He ducked out of sight.

"I think we're lost. Maybe we should go back…"

"Listen fox, I told you before that I know what I am doing. Now just shut up and let me lead the way."

"Now let's see, I think we should go…. Ouch!!!"

Megumi whacked him on the head. "Don't tell me to shut up you big rooster head!"

"Geez fox!" he shouted while rubbing his head. "Did you you have to hit my head so hard!"

"Well that's the only way that I can get throught to that thick rooster skull of yours."

Kenshin chuckled lightly as he stood quitely in the background watching Sano and Megumi bickering with one another.

"I should have known that they would follow me. Just like the time when I left them behind to go to Kyoto."

Kenshin looked over to Yahiko. He was standing with his back toward Sano and Megumi crying. Kenshin felt bad for him. "He must miss Kaoru too."

Kenshing quietly approached Yahiko saying, "Don't worry Yahiko. Everything will be okay."

Yahiko looked up into Kenshin's face and hugged him as tight as he could. He buried his head into Kenshin's gi crying, "Kenshin!! I knew we would find you!! I knew it!!"

Sano and Megumi turned around and saw Yahiko and Kenshin.

"Kenshin?"

"Ken-san."

He looked at both of them and gave them his famous rurouni smile.

"Sano, Megumi-dono, it is good to see you two again."

Megumi ran to him saying, "We were so worried about you Ken-san? How have you…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Sano had punched Kenshin so hard that he flew up and landed against a tree.

"That's for leaving us behind," Sano said as he pretended to blow the dust of his fist.

As Kenshin's eyes swirled in his head he said, "It's… good… to… see… you… too…Sano. Orooo!"

"Ken-san?" Megumi quickly ran to his side. "Are you alright?"

"Hai," he answered while sitting up and smiling. "I will be fine. You do not have to worry about me Megumi-dono."

She glared up at Sano. "What did you do that for you big dumb jerk!"

"It's just my special way of greeting Kenshin whenever he leaves me behind," responded Sano with a smile.

"Kenshin, did you find Kaoru yet?"

Kenshin looked over to Yahiko and replied, "No Yahiko. But now that we are all together, the search will go much faster."

"I still can't believe that she is gone," said Yahiko. "It's been weeks now and…"

Kenshin could see Yahiko trying to fight the tears from forming in his eyes.

"I know that it seems like a long time since we have seen Kaoru-dono…" He cleared the knot that was developing in his throat. "But I know that she is alive and is waiting on us. We must not disappoint her. Shall we all begin our search?"

Sano and Yahiko shouted, "HAI!!!"

"And I'll lead the way!" shouted Sano.

Yahiko glared at him saying, "What do you mean you will lead the way? Aren't you the one who kept getting us lost over the past few weeks?"

"Oh shut up you little punk!"

"What did you call me rooster head!" They both started fighting.

Kenshin used that opportunity to quietly approach Megumi.

"Megumi-dono, before we start our search, I must ask you about Kaoru-dono."

Megumi knew what he was going to ask. "I know I promised Kaoru-chan not to tell Kenshin, but he has to know. I only wished I knew of a better way to break the news to him without hurting him more than he is now?"

"Megumi-dono please tell me, is there something that you know about Kaoru-dono that you have been keeping from me? I need to understand why she left all of us." "...and why she left me."

"Ken-san, I really hate to be the one to tell you but. I think Kaoru left because... She… She's pregnant."

Kenshin stood frozen thinking, "Pregnant? Kaoru's pregnant?"

"Megumi-dono please tell me, is there something that you know about Kaoru-dono that you have been keeping from me? I need to understand why she left all of us." .......and why she left me."

Kenshin stood frozen thinking, "Pregnant? Kaoru's pregnant?"

*************************

"Hai. She made me promise not to tell you Ken-san."

"Pregnant?" he asked out loud. "But why would she…"

"Leave?"

Kenshin nodded.

"Ken-san, she seemed very worried over your reaction. During her last visit to my office, I tried to tell her that you would understand but she was still too afraid to tell you. Had I known that she would run away I would have…"

Tears began to form in Megumi's eyes. Kenshin put his hand upon on her shoulder as to comfort her.

"Arigato for telling me Megumi-dono," he said in a somewhat uplifting way. "We will find Kaoru-dono soon, that we will."

Megumi watched as he turned aside from her. She closed her eyes briefly replaying the image of Kenshin as she told him about Kaoru's pregnancy. His eyes displayed a deep hurt and sorrow.

Normally, the rurouni could mask his feelings through a simple smile. But this time he was taken by surprise, allowing his true feelings to surface.

Megumi became angry as she thought on Kaoru.

"That little fool! How dare she give up on Ken-san! I told her before to never to give up on him!"

Tears streamed down her face as she turned and brought her hands up to her chest.

"It pains me deeply to see Ken-san hurting for her like this."

Kenshin called out to the two bickering boys. "Sano! Yahiko! We must hurry now to find Kaoru-dono!"

They both looked up upon hearing Kenshin's voice. Sano took note of Kenshin's demeanor.

"Something is wrong with Kenshin," he said while dropping Yahiko to the ground.

"He sounds so... different. Almost leaning toward the Battousai side. As a matter of fact, he doesn't look so hot either. I wonder what he and the fox was talking about over there. I better go check it out."

Sano ran over to Kenshin. "Hey Kenshin, buddy, are you all right?"

"I better not worry the others." Kenshin quickly put on his famous rurouni mask by smiling and saying, "Hai, sessha is fine. Shall we get started?"

"Sessha?" asked Sano. "Hey Kenshin, what's with this Sessha business. You haven't…"

Megumi tugged at his shirt, shook her head and whispered, "I'll explain later."

They all follwed Kenshin in search of Kaoru. As Kenshin walked ahead of them he thought,

"I must find Kaoru quickly, especially now that I know that she is pregnant. I will need more help in finding her. I think it is time to contact Misao-dono and Aoshi Shinomori."

BACK AT ENISHI'S HIDEOUT, Kaoru was ripping another page from off the calendar hanging on the wall.

"Mou! It's been over six weeks since I've been cooped up in this accursed place with Enishi!"

She plopped on the bed and took her face and cradled it into the palms of her hands while resting her elbows on the pillow. She began looking out the window at the birds again. The mother bird had returned to feed her babies. She smiled watching the little baby birds chirping for food from their mother.

She got up, walked over to the window and sat on the windowsill.

"I wonder where the father bird is?"

She put her hand on her ever-growing stomach and asked, "I wonder where the father of my baby is?"

A teardrop fell from her eye. "Kenshin, where are you? Why haven't you come for me?"

Enishi stood outside her door knocking. (After having Kaoru throw various pieces of furniture at him for entering her room without knocking, he learned to knock at her door.)

"Hai! What is it!" she yelled out in response.

"It's time for breakfast," answered Enishi.

Kaoru got up and opened the door. "Well it's about time! I'm starving!" she yelled as she snatched the tray of food from his hands.

"It seems like the birds around here eat before I do! What took you so long!" she shouted as she began woofing down her food.

Enishi smiled as he watched her eat. "Gomen Kaoru, but I had some business to attend to. I promise to have your next meal on time."

Kaoru ignored him and kept eating. But she couldn't help but wonder what he meant by "business."

"He seemed to be very busy lately with his "business." I wonder what he is really up to?"

Kaoru had finished eating. A piece of rice seemed to be plastered on her face. Enishi knelt down beside her and leaned as close as he could to her without raising her suspicion.

As he slowly inched his face ever so close to Kaoru's she became frightened. "Oh no! Is he trying to kiss me?"

Enishi looked in to her eyes thinking, "Just a little closer and her lips will be mine for the taking."

Suddenly Kaoru moved back shouting, "Enishi! What do you think you're doing!"

He sat up and smiled. "Why I was just trying to see what was on your face? That's all."

"Whatever is on my face is my business!"

"Fine, if you prefer to walk around with rice on your face then I guess that is your business," he retorted.

Kaoru glared at him and replied, "Speaking of business, don't you have some to attend to now?"

"Hai," he said while standing up. "As a matter of fact I do have something I must attend to."

He started for the door. But before leaving he turned to her and said, "Please remember my dear Kaoru, you are carrying my baby and have been living under my roof for the past two months. The Battousai clearly doesn't want you or else he would have come after you by now. So that means you belong to me and I can have you anytime I please."

"Enishi you pervert!!" yelled Kaoru while throwing a rice bowl at him. "I'll never let you touch me again!"

He smiled at her as he closed the door.

Kaoru screamed inwardly:"Aaaaaa!!! That pervert!! Everyday, he's been getting more and more aggressive with me!"

She rested her hand upon her stomach.

"At first I hated when he kept saying, "our baby this and our baby that." But during the earlier part of my pregnancy, he really helped me out alot, especially when I got sick.

But now, he's becoming absolutely obnoxious. Always trying to kiss me or grope me or do whatever else he can get away with. Uggghhh!!!

Kaoru walked back to the windowsill and looked out at the mother bird again. She smiled as the look of determination was now secured to her face.

"If that mother bird can take care of her babies without a father bird, then so can I. I know I can take care of my baby regardless of who the father is. I know that I left Kenshin, but if he really loved me he would have found me by now. I'm tired of waiting on Kenshin!!"

She quickly locked the door and reached under the bed for the broom she had taken from the closet. She broke the bristles at the end of the broom in order to fashion the broom handle after her bokken.

As she worked diligently on the broom she thought, "I'm not going to let that pervert touch me again! I have to hurry and finish this before he gets back!"

As Enishi stood down the hallway he began thinking of Kaoru's behaviour.

"Her temper seems to be getting out of hand lately. I know the doctor said that pregnant women have a wide range of mood swings, but she seems to always want to "swing" at me.

Well it doesn't matter now. Regardless of how strong she gets, I am much stronger than she will ever be. Besides, the Battousai will be here soon. I have sent him a personal invitation to our "baby shower." Then, our little family reunion will begin."

FOUR WEEKS LATER, after thoroughly searching three nearby villages, Kenshin, Sano and Megumi were all awaiting word about Kaoru at one of the Oniwabanshuu's contact points.

While sitting on the ground repairing his broken sandle Yahiko looked up to Kenshin saying, "It seems like we searched everywhere for Kaoru."

"Hai," replied Megumi. Even the Oniwabanshuu's been having a hard time finding her too."

"Why haven't we found her yet Kenshin?"

"Don't worry Yahiko, I am sure we will find her soon," replied Kenshin. "I know that Misao-dono and Aoshi are doing the best they can."

Suddenly Sano ran up with a piece of paper in his hand. "Hey Kenshin! I just got word from the weasel girl! I think they found Jou-chan."

Kenshin, Megumi and Yahiko quickly stood and turned toward Sano.

Sano handed the note to Kenshin. After quickly reading it he put his hand to the hilt of his sword saying, "Enishi!! He's got Kaoru-dono! We have no time to lose!!"

Everyone stared at Kenshin.

"What! You mean Jou-chan's been kidnapped again by Mr. Dark Glasses?"

Kenshin took off running.

"Hey Kenshin wait for us!" shouted Yahiko. They all ran as fast as they could to catch up with Kenshin.

BACK AT ENISHI'S HIDEOUT, Enishi sat out onto his balcony allowing the cool mist from the nearby waters to caress his face.

"Ahh…. nothing like a nice cool misty breeze when you're sitting on top of the world. Soon Battousai, we shall meet face to face again. I trust you have received my little invitation by now. When you come, you will truly be in your Battousai form, now that you know that I have your woman again.

He turned and stared down the hall where Kaoru's room was. A smile began to curl upon his face.

"In the meantime, while I wait on the Battouasi, I think I will go play with my little Kaoru kitten. She get's sooo frisky at night. It's no wonder the Battousai likes keeping her close."

He stood, pushed his dark glasses upon his nose and headed for her room.

Kaoru was in her room applying some finishing touches to her new makeshift bokken. She smiled as she firmly gripped her new bokken while thinking, "I'm ready for anything now!!"

He turned and stared down the hall where Kaoru's room was. A smile began to curl upon his face.

Kaoru....firmly gripped her new bokken while thinking, "I'm ready for anything now!!"

*************************

Enishi stood outside of Kaoru's door thinking about how much fun he would have with her. He knocked lightly on the door calling her name ever so softly. "Kaoru."

He smiled thinking that she was asleep. He quietly opened the door and crept across the floor until he neared her bed. Kaoru was lying down with her back to him. Enishi eased on the bed and watched her from behind. He assessed that she was asleep by the way she was softly breathing.

Just as he was about to touch her, Kaoru quickly turned and took her bokken and shoved it as hard as she could into his stomach. He fell to the floor while holding his stomach in pain.

Kaoru stood within a safe distance of him with her bokken in hand yelling, "Enishi you pervert!!! If you think you can take advantage of me just because I'm pregnant then you're wrong!"

While lying on the floor, he stared up to her and started laughing. HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!

Kaoru grew angry and shouted, "What's so funny?!"

"Do you honestly think you can beat me with a little broom stick? I'm sure if you were watching the battle during Jinchuu between the Battousai and me you would know what I am truly capable of. "

"Don't you think I know that!? she yelled back at him while she stood in her fighting stance firmly holding her bokken.

"I clearly remember the battle between you and Kenshin. I remember how Kenshin never gave up," she stated while still standing defensively.

"So even if you are stronger than me, it doesn't matter, I'll not let a pervert like you to touch me again!!"

"I see," he replied as he slowly sat up. He knew that any sudden moves would cause Kaoru to attack him again so remained cautious.

"I'm tired of being on this accursed island, locked up here with you!! I'm leaving and you're not going to stop me!!"

"So, is this the thanks I get for taking care of you and our baby all this time?"

"I didn't ask you too!" she yelled, "You brought me here remember? and it's MY BABY!! Not yours!!! You don't own me or my baby Enishi!! I'm in control of my own life!!

Enishi just sat quietly on the floor smiling at her.

Kaoru wasn't sure what he was up to but she decided to use the opportunity to leave the room.

She began slowly edging toward the door with her bokken still firmly in hand saying,

"Enishi, thank you for helping me when I was sick. But it is time for me to leave now. I don't know where I will go or what I will do. However, there is one thing I do know and that is that I have my baby's life to think about."

He smiled while making a casual gesture to her. "Well since you are so determined to leave then you may go, I will not stop you."

"However…."

She stopped for a moment. "I know he is up to something. But what?"

He smiled as he saw her stop moving. "However, I am sure your precious Battousai will be disappointed if you were to leave now."

"What do you mean? Kenshin doesn't know that I am here. I left without telling him where I was going."

Enishi stood slowly and chuckled, "Hai… I guessed that you hadn't told him of our baby so, I told him for you."

Kaoru's eyes widened at what Enishi had said. She began to stutter. "Wha… What? You told Kenshin that I was pregnant!"

"Hai! He should be here just in time for the baby shower I planned to have tomorrow. It will be a wonderful family reunion with you, me and the Battousai. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

Kaoru stood frozen thinking, "Kami-sama!! He told Kenshin that I was pregnant? Now my chances of ever getting back with Kenshin are ruined!"

She became so enraged that she lost all sense of reasoning. Kaoru charged at him while screaming out his name, "Eni...shiii!! I hate yooouuuu!!!"

As she neared him, Enishi could sense the strength in her attack.

"Hmm… this may hurt. I better protect myself this time."

He received a painful jab to his left side while grabbing her bokken preventing her from striking again. He used his long right arm to lift her up and toss her onto the bed. Enishi quickly pinned her down before Kaoru could move again.

"Get off of me you pervert!!" she screamed while struggling against him.

He chuckled and said, "You know you could have really hurt me with that attack."

"That's what I was trying to do, you pervert!! Now get off me!!"

He put his face close to hers whispering,

"Like I said before, I can have you anytime I want. But since the Battousai is coming in the morning I think we should both look our very best. So why don't you be a good girl and get some rest now. I have some last minute preparations to handle before he comes tomorrow."

He inched his face closer to her lips saying, "How about a little good night kiss?"

Kaoru had managed to get one of her hands free. She scratched him deeply across the left cheek shouting, "NO!!"

He felt a tinge of blood trickling down his cheek. He took his hand and traced the scar. The scar seemed to be diagonal in shape.

He laughed manically saying, "Oh how apropos, you're trying to turn me into the Battousai."

He grabbed her hand and put it up to his cheek. "Why not complete the scar? Then Battousai and I will be identical." He started laughing again.

"No! I'm not going to play your sick little game anymore Enishi," she hissed.

Enishi stopped smiling. He released her hand, stood up and said, "You're no fun anymore. It's time for me to leave." He headed toward the door.

As he turned back into her direction he saw that she had gotten back into her fighting stance again. She gripped the makeshift bokken as tightly as she could.

"You better not try anything again Enishi! This time, I won't lose my focus!!" she shouted more determinedly.

His eyes peered over his dark glasses at her as he backed out of the room closing the door.

Kaoru heard the door being locked from the outside.

"He's locked me in!!"

She ran to the door and started banging against it demanding that he let her out.

"Enishi!!" (bang, bang, bang) "Let me out of here!!!" (bang, bang, bang) "Enishi!!"

There was no sound. "He's gone!! Now I'm stuck in here!"

Kaoru went over and flopped down upon the bed thinking,

"Kaoru no baka!! Why did you have to lose your focus?"

Tears began to form in her eyes as she thought about Kenshin.

"We've been separated for so long. I wonder if he will accept me back? If he can love me again, even though I've been locked up with this creep. What about the baby? I wished I knew who….

She couldn't think anymore, her brain had fallen asleep.

As Enishi entered his bedroom he walked over and looked into the mirror. He chuckled while admiring his new scar.

"She should have completed the scar. Oh well, I guess there can really only be one Battousai in the family."

He sat down on the side of his bed thinking about Kaoru.

"She so uncouth and nothing like my sister. My sister had charm and finesse, whereas Kaoru is ill-mannered and violent.

But somehow... I find myself strangely attracted to her. No other woman would ever dare stand up to me like she did. She knew she couldn't beat me, but yet she still tried.

Now I see why the Battousai loves her. It's her compassion, strong will and determination that makes her so desirable. A man with his past needs someone like that. She could help him keep his resolve not to kill. That is why he keeps her so close.

Well, none of that really matters any more. My plan will finally be realized tomorrow when the Battousai arrives. I've already done what I wanted to with his woman and by tomorrow it will all be over."

He got up and started making final preparations for Kenshin's arrival.

".....My plan will finally be realized tomorrow when the Battousai arrives. I've already done what I wanted to with his woman and by tomorrow it will all be over."

He got up and started making final preparations for Kenshin's arrival.

*************************

The next morning Kaoru had awakened early.

"I wonder if Kenshin is really coming? It's been nearly five months since we have last seen each other. What do I say to him?"

She stood and looked into the western-styled mirror at her protruding belly. She quickly turned her head away as tears formed in her eyes.

Kaoru walked over to the window and stood watching the mother bird feed her little babies. This time, she saw a male bird fly into the nest. The mother bird and the baby birds seemed to cuddle up next to the male bird. They all began chirping.

"That must be the father bird," she utterd as tears trickled down her face. "He's finally returned to his family."

With all the emotions stirring inside of her, Kaoru suddenly felt the baby flutter inside her stomach. She took her hands and gently placed it upon her stomach enjoying the first feelings of movement. She hadn't noticed any movement before. Tears of joy streamed down her face.

"It must be a sign. Even the baby knows. Kenshin is coming for me!"

She quickly turned toward the closet opening it only to find her kimono inside. The day before, the closet had been filled with many western-styled dresses and fine kimonos. She grew angry.

"That pervert must have come in here while I was asleep and put my kimono in the closet."

She quickly slipped it on. Kaoru noticed how it didn't fit as it had before. She had gained weight and her pregnancy had become more obvious.

"I don't care whether it fits or not, I must hurry and get dressed. Kenshin is coming for me. I can feel it! Kenshin!!"

As Kenshin neared the island of Enishi's mansion, he immediate stood up in their boat.

"Hey Kenshin, what's the matter?" asked Sano.

"I heard Kaoru-dono call me. We must hurry to her."

Sano, Yahiko and Megumi all looked at him strangely because they hadn't heard a word.

"He's really wound up pretty tight there," quipped Sano. "I better keep a close eye on him."

They had finally reached the island. They saw balloons tied around many trees.

"What's this?" asked Sano. "Mr. Dark Glasses is throwing us a party?"

"Sano, we must keep our guard up," replied Kenshin.

Yahiko went over to one of the trees. He saw an invitation attached to the balloon tied to that tree.

"Hey Kenshin look at this!!" shouted Yahiko as he pointed toward the invitation. "I wonder what it is? It may be a clue or something."

"Yahiko! Don't touch it!"

Yahiko was a little startled by Kenshin's reaction.

"Why not? It just looks like an ordinary piece of paper."

Before Kenshin could respond to Yahiko, Sano had snatched the invitation off the tree and opened it.

After reading it he scratched his head saying, "Baby shower? What's that psycho up to now? Hey Kenshin..."

"Sorry Sano. But we don't have time to waste. We must hurry," responded Kenshin as he continued heading in the direction of the mansion.

Megumi whacked Sano on the back of the head as they followed Kenshin.

"Ouch! What'd you do that for fox!"

"Shhh…" she whispered while pulling him closer to her, "keep your voice down you idiot!"

"I just wanted to know why Mr. Dark Glasses would kidnap Jou-chan and drag all of us out here for a baby shower?"

Megumi squeezed her eyes closed in frustration.

"If I don't tell that rooster head about Kaoru-chan now, he'll blurt out something idiotic later."

"Listen you big rooster head, I'm going to tell you only once and you better pay attention."

She jerked his shirt toward her pulling him closer so she could whisper in his ear.

"Kaoru-chan is… is…"

"Is what?"

"Is Pregnant."

"PREGNANT!! JOU-CHAN'S PREGNANT???"

Yahiko ran back to them. "Hey! What are you two shouting about now?"

"Nothing," said Megumi while covering Sano's mouth.

"Well, Kenshin said we have to be quite. You two are making too much noise."

"Apologize to Ken-san for me Yahiko," responded Megumi. "Now please hurry up and catch up with Ken-san before you lose him."

"Yeah. Tell Kenshin that we are watching out for traps back here," said Sano. "You never know if he will attack us from behind."

Yahiko nodded and ran up to where Kenshin was.

Megumi whacked Sano in the head again. "What's the matter with you? Didn't I tell you to keep quite you big chicken head!!"

"Yeah, but you didn't say anything about Jou-chan being knocked up. Geez. Uhm... I wonder who the father is?"

Megumi glared at him.

Sano moved back waving his hands, "Hey don't look at me! I'm not the one who keeps catching her in the bathhouse with no clothes on. Go talk to Kenshin about that!"

"Would you just shut up and keep walking!" fumed Megumi. "We're going to lose Ken-san."

BACK AT THE MANSION, Enishi was resting out on his balcony.

"Ahh… anytime now… the Battousai will be here."

Suddenly Kenshin had arrived. He looked up and saw Enishi and called up to him.

"ENISHI!!! WHERE'S KAORU-DONO!!!"

Kaoru heard his voice. Her heart began to pound as beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. "Kenshin."

Enishi looked down at Kenshin and laughed saying,

"And the little boy grew up and decided to have a family. He took a woman for himself and made a baby."

"What the heck is that lunatic talking about?" asked Yahiko while scratching his head. "He gets weirder every time I see him."

Sano looked up toward Enishi and yelled, "Alright Mr. Dark Glasses, you've had your fun, now where's Jou-chan!"

"Oh, the fun has just begun," laughed Enishi. He leaned backward in his chair and said, "Kaoru darling, please hurry. We have guests."

Kenshin cringed at the very sound of Enishi referring to his Kaoru as darling. He could feel himself slowly losing control. He gripped his hand tighter around the hilt of his sword.

Enishi smiled as he noticed the way Kenshin was gripping his sword. "Good, good. Just a little bit more and the Battousai will emerge."

Finally Kaoru had appeared upon the balcony.

Everyone stared at her. They could see that she looked different.

When Kenshin met Kaoru's gaze he could see a sadness and other unspoken emotions within her eyes.

"What has he done to my Kaoru?"

Kaoru could see lavender eyes being replaced slowly by a glint of amber.

"Oh Kenshin, please don't fight for me. Each time you use Hiten Mitsurugi it takes so much out of you."

Yahiko noticed the Kaoru looked different. He tugged on Sano's shirt. "Hey Sano, why does Kaoru look so fat?"

"She's not fat you little punk, she's pregnant," responded Sano.

Megumi turned to the two trying to quiet them down. But before she could say anything, Yahiko blurted out:

PREGNANT?? KAORU'S PREGNANT!!??

Kaoru's cheeks had flushed from shame and embarrassment after hearing Yahiko shout out the word "pregnant." She bowed her head slightly while tears streamed down her face.

Kenshin turned and glared at him. Yahiko could see that the look in Kenshin's eyes were no longer that of the rurouni, rather it was of the Battousai's. Yahiko quickly hid behind Sano.

Enishi smiled and said, "What's the matter Battousai? Haven't you told them our little secret? Why else would I be having a baby shower? It's in celebration of our baby. Kamiya Kaoru and me."

They all stared at him in disbelief.

"That's not your baby you lunatic!" shouted Sano. "It's Kenshin's!!... I think."

Kenshin glared daggers at Sano and then turned his attention back toward Enishi.

Megumi whacked Sano hard in the back of the head saying, "Will you shut up you idiot!!"

Enishi laughed loudly and said,

"Think what you like, but I know the truth. During Jinchuu, while the Battousai was lying in Rakuminmura rotting away, I was lying in the arms of his woman enjoying the very essence of her innocence and purity."

"And all these months while you searched for her, we were having sooo much fun." He grabbed her from behind and put his arms around her stomach saying, "Isn't that right Kaoru darling."

"Stop it Enishi! Take your hands off me!!" she demanded as she struggled to free herself of his grasp.

By this time, the Battousai had completely surfaced. He had touched Kaoru, HIS woman. And now it was time for him to pay.

"ENISHI!! TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HER!!! shouted the Battousai. He rushed to the front door slashing it down while racing through the mansion to find them. The others followed after Kenshin.

Enishi laughed while still holding on to Kaoru.

"Hurry Battousai, come for you woman. The party will be over soon."

"ENISHI!! TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HER!!! shouted the Battousai....

Enishi laughed while still holding on to Kaoru.

"Hurry Battousai, come for you woman. The party will be over soon."

*************************

As Kaoru struggled against Enishi she shouted, "Enishi! Stop!"

"I will stop, it will all stop once the Battousai comes for you."

Kaoru became worried, "What does he mean by, 'it will all stop?'"

"Enishi, why are you doing this?"

He pulled out a dagger and put it to her throat. She gasped.

"Like I said, it will all stop soon. It's time we put an end to our little baby shower."

The Battousai had finally arrived breaking down the door to Enishi's bedroom. He saw Enishi standing out on the balcony holding a dagger against Kaoru's throat.

"Release her Enishi," he demanded as he slowly approached them.

"And what will you do if I don't, kill me?" replied Enishi as he lightly pressed the dagger against Kaoru's throat.

"Enishi, let Kaoru-dono go," scowled the Battousai.

"What's the matter Battousai? Can't reach me? Why don't you just slash right through her like you did my sister? You'll be sure to get me then," quipped Enishi.

The Battousai stood motionless while quickly developing his strategy.

"I need to bring them toward me and away from the balcony without harming Kaoru. But first I must get the others away from here. I don't know if all this is a trap."

He heard the others running up behind him. Without diverting his attention from Enishi, he yelled behind him, "Sano! Take Yahiko and Megumi-dono outside and wait for me there!"

At first Sano was going to protest, but he could sense the intensity of the situation. He knew that this was something personal, something that only Kenshin and Enishi would have to settle.

"Right Kenshin!" He turned to Megumi and Yahiko and said, "Let's go outside and wait for Kenshin."

"No way!" yelled Yahiko. "I'm not going to leave Kenshin and Kaoru alone with that psycho! I'm going to stay and fight!!"

Sano just looked at him and shook his head. "Come on kid," he said while grabbing Yahiko by the gi, "it's time to change your diapers."

He slung him over his shoulders and carried him out of the room.

"Put me down you big jerk!" he kicked and shouted. "I want to stay and fight!!"

Sano ignored his little tantrum and continued carrying him down the hallway.

"Put me dooowwwnnn!!!"

Kaoru smiled inwardly as she heard Yahiko's screams continuing to echo throughout the mansion as they were leaving. "I miss that little brat. But I am proud of him for wanting to stay and fight."

After they had left Enishi said, "Why did you send the others away Battousai? Afraid they will see a cold blooded murderer in action?"

"Enishi, unlike you I do not involve others in my fight. If you want to fight me then I accept. However, Kaoru-dono should not be involved. Release her now Enishi!"

While still within Enishi's stronghold, Kaoru thought,

"Why does he keep taunting Kenshin? And where is his sword? Enishi can't defend himself with only a dagger in the state Kenshin is in now. It's almost as if…."

Kaoru silently gasped. "That's it! I think he just wants to end his life. Why else would he not try and protect himself. The coward! He's using Kenshin to end his life! I've got to stop Kenshin before..."

Enishi pushed her aside while still standing out on the balcony. "All right Battousai, shall we begin our fight?"

The Battousai slowly walked toward Enishi. He remained cautious while Kaoru was still near Enishi out on the balcony.

Kaoru could see hurt and anger in the Battousai's eyes as he slowly neared them. "I must stop Kenshin from fighting. I will not allow him to return to his former self."

"Kenshin please don't fight him!" she shouted as she threw her body in front of Enishi.

Both Enishi and the Battousai were stunned by her action.

"Enishi has no intention of fighting against you! Can't you see?" she said while pointing to his hand, "He has no real weapon to fight with."

The Battousai looked at the little dagger in Enishi's hand. Then he looked back at Kaoru.

"Enishi is not prepared to fight, he is prepared to die," she said. "He only wants to die by your hand, just like Udo Jin-eh did!"

Enishi grabbed Kaoru and pressed the dagger against her throat again. She winced slightly in pain.

"Why do you care what happens to me Kaoru? Is it because you have fallen in love with me over these past few months?" he asked as he rubbed his cheek on hers.

"Stop it Enishi!" she yelled as she jerked her face away from his.

Suddenly Kaoru heard Kenshin flipping the blade of his Sakabatou.

"Let her go Enishi!"

Enishi smiled and said, "I see you are ready to fight. That's good."

"Kenshin don't do it!" pleaded Kaoru. "Don't break your vow because of me. Please don't go back to your former self." Tears streamed down her cheek. "I love you Kenshin. Please don't do this."

Enishi could see that he was hesitating. He tried provoking him again saying, "Don't listen to her Battousai. You know you want to kill me. I have taken your woman and stained her. She's even carrying my baby. I have completed my revenge against you through her. Now it's time for you to carry out revenge against me."

He felt the Battousai's ki getting stronger. He smiled and then released Kaoru saying, "Go to your precious Battousai. I don't need you anymore."

Kaoru stood motionless, with her head bowed and tears streaming down her face.

Enishi turned to Kenshin. "I have released her as you have asked. Now are you ready to fight?"

"I will not fight you without a sword. Where is your sword Enishi?"

"Does it really matter? The outcome will be the same. I will be dead and you will have your woman back. Isn't that what really matters in the end?"

The Battousai stood in deep thought for a moment and then resheathed his sword.

Kenshin looked up at Enishi and said, "If you want to fight me then you will have to draw your sword. I will not assist you in suicide. I've learned long ago how precious life truly is. No life is worth taking, not even yours Enishi."

"Why didn't you think about that before Battousai? Before you murdered my sister!"

"Enishi, I never meant to hurt Tomoe. I loved her. I didn't know she was going to be there. It never should have happened," Kenshin said while lowering his head.

Enishi looked at Kenshin and shouted, "You say that it should have never happened, but it did! I have suffered all my life for it! My sister was my only true happiness. She was everything to me until you took her away.

While wasting away in Rakuminmura I read her diary over and over again. I read how her hatred for you turned into love. After coming to love you her guilt of betrayal had become overbearing. She wanted to atone for her sins. So she sacrificed her life for you. You weren't worth it!" he screamed as tears poured down his face.

"I tried to start my life over but I couldn't. I want to be with my sister again. She's waiting on me."

Kenshin stared at him.

"I know that I could have taken my own life, but it wouldn't be the same. I want to die by the hand of the man who destroyed my family. By the same man who murdered my sister and her fiancé. Can't you see Battousai? You killing me would be the perfect ending."

Kenshin remained silent while absorbing all that Enishi had said.

As Kaoru watched Kenshin and Enishi tears streamed down her face.

"They carry so much pain and suffering within their hearts. They lost the one who provided them with the love and nuturing they both so desparately needed long ago.

It is unfortunate that Enishi has never opened his heart to be loved by anyone. As long as he keeps revenge and hatred in his heart he will always be lonely. That is why he wants to end his life. But...."

"Enishi, I will not take your life," said Kenshin as he removed his hand from the hilt of the sword. "I will not kill again."

"Then you leave me no choice." He quickly grabbed Kaoru again and pressed the dagger harder into her neck allowing it to pierce her flesh slightly. She grimaced in pain.

"Enishi stop it!!" yelled Kenshin

"Still can't make up your mind? Well then I'll give you two choices Battousai. You can either kill me or watch your woman die. Which will it be?"

"......Still can't make up your mind? ....Enishi grabbed Kaoru and pressed the dagger harder into Kaoru's neck allowing it to pierce her flesh. She grimaced in pain.

"Now Battousai, you can either kill me or watch your woman die. Which will it be?"

*************************

Kenshin remained motionless.

Enishi grew angry. He started hurling insults at Kenshin in order to provoke him into killing him.

"Why do you still hesitate Battousai? Is it because you are still holding on to that "non-killing" vow of yours? Is that vow of yours more precious than your woman? Don't you love her Battousai? Or, could it be that you don't want her anymore?"

The look of death was slowly creeping into Kenshin's eyes.

Enishi smiled and continued saying, "Ah yes. I think that is the answer. When you thought she was pure and innocent, you loved her, cherished her and even worshipped her. During Jinchuu, you nearly killed me for her. But now that you know that she's been sleeping with the enemy, she's too stained for you. So she's not worth fighting for now. Isn't that right Battousai?"

As Kenshin whipped his sword from out of it's sheathe Kaoru screamed, "STOP!!!" Kenshin stood frozen with his sword pointed towards Enishi.

"That's enough Enishi! I'm not going to let you use me to hurt Kenshin anymore!"

"Silly girl!" retorted Enishi while still holding the dagger to her neck. "You know that I could kill you at anytime but yet you still hold on to your love for him? How could you have love for a man who can't protect you?"

"My love for Kenshin is something you will never understand," she firmly responded. "It doesn't matter whether he can protect me or not. As I told you before, I am in control of my own life and I will never allow you to hurt me again!"

With that she slid the letter opener that she had carefully hidden in the sleeve of her kimono down and jabbed him in the thigh.

He shoved her to the floor while grabbing his leg in pain. With Kaoru out of Enishi's reach, Kenshin charged him shouting, "Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu Kuzuryusen!" He struck Enishi's nine vital points causing him to fall backward over the balcony.

Kaoru jumped up to the balcony screaming, "Enishi!! Nooo!!"

Enishi was now lying on the ground. Sano, Megumi and Yahiko hurried over to where he had fallen. They stared at him briefly. Megumi knelt down beside him to check his pulse.

"Is he.... dead?" asked Yahiko as his face paled in color.

"I don't know," responded Megumi. She quickly examined Enishi and said to them, "It appears that he has suffered several broken ribs and there are some obvious bruises. He will live but he won't be able to move for a while."

Sano looked up at Kenshin and yelled, "The jerk is still alive! Should I finish him off for you Kenshin!"

"No!" responded Kenshin. "Megumi-dono, please take care of him until Kaoru-dono and I join you."

Megumi nodded and continued administering to Enishi's wounds.

Sano shoved his hands into his pockets and kicked some rocks around saying, "Geez! I was really hoping to catch some action out here. I haven't used my Futae No Kiwami in a while."

"I'll need a few splints for the broken ribs and some fresh water," replied Megumi. "Go make yourself useful rooster head and find those things for me."

"Hey fox, I do have a name you know."

"So do I chicken head." He frowned at her.

Yahiko looked at them and said, "Are you two going to start that romantic stuff again. If so, I'm getting out of here."

Sano grabbed Yahiko by the gi again and slung him over his shoulders saying, "You're coming with me kid. I can use that big mouth of yours to hold the water in."

"Put me down you big jerk!!" Megumi smiled while she watched the two bickering boys leaving. Then she turned her attention back toward Enishi.

While still on the balcony Kenshin moved closer to Kaoru asking, "Are you okay?"

She kept her head down and nervously replied, "Hai… Hai. I am okay."

"We'll talk later when we get home," he said while smiling and extending his hand to her.

She stood frozen for a moment, not knowing what to do. Then her face softened and she took his hand.

"Oh how I've missed his touch. Kenshin."

LATER THAT NIGHT at the Kamiya Dojo, Sano and Kenshin were sitting outside on the porch discussing the day's events.

"Do you think that lunatic will try something again Kenshin?" asked Sano while leaning against the house gnawing on a fish bone.

"No," replied Kenshin. "He is safely locked away in a special place. The chief police officer said that they have doctors trained to help people like Enishi. I only hope that he will get the treatment that he deserves so that he can be at peace with himself."

"Yeah, right."

Kenshin just smiled at Sano's answer.

Sano began staring at Kenshin wondering whether or not to ask him about the baby.

"Is there something you wish to ask me Sano."

"Geez, how does he do that? Uhm... Hai," he replied while clearing his throat. "Well, what if Jou-chan is not carrying your baby? Suppose it really is his ba...."

Kenshin glared daggers at Sano.

Sano gulped and said, "Hey, but there's no doubt in my mind. I'm sure that its yours and Jou-chan's baby. You two were always sneaking arou....."

Kenshin glared even more daggers at him.

Sweatdrops appear on Sano's head. "This is not going to good." He cleared his throat again. "Uhm... uhm... what I'm trying to say is uhm.... that,"

Kenshin sighed as he cast his head downward ignoring Sano's silly way of showing concern.

"I know what you mean Sano. But the only thing that matters right now is that Kaoru-dono is home and is doing fine. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Uhm… yeah, right."

"I think I will go inside now." Kenshin smiled as he went passed Sano into the house.

Sano leaned back against the house and shoved his hands in his pockets. He started thinking about Kenshin.

"You may try to hide your true feelings from me, but deep down inside I know you are hurting Kenshin. I would be too, if the woman I loved were taken by a psycho like Enishi.

I just hope this incident doesn't break those two up. If that happens, not only will both of their lives be messed up but Enishi's Jinchuu will finally be realized."

Megumi was sitting down sipping a cup of tea when Kenshin entered the room.

"Ken-san, would you like a cup of tea?" she asked while pouring some tea.

"Arigato Megumi-dono for the tea." Kenshin took the tea and sat down across from her.

"You're welcome Ken-san," she replied while bowing her head. After taking another sip of tea she said, "I have put Kaoru in your room. I am sure both of you will rest easier knowing that you are near each other."

"Arigato Megumi-dono," he responded while trying to hide the blush that had flashed across his cheeks. Megumi giggled lightly.

"I am sure once Kaoru-dono has rested she will be back to her former self again."

"No Ken-san," replied Megumi as she put her tea down and became more serious. "Kaoru will not be back to her former self."

Kenshin stared at Megumi.

"Ken-san, you must understand that within the first few months of a woman's pregnancy, her body and mind goes through many changes. It's during that time that a woman needs to know that she is loved. Kaoru never had a chance to feel the love and security we could have given her.

On the day of her disapperance, Kaoru had come to my office earlier that day for a check up. She still seemed despondent over her pregnancy. It took hours convincing her to tell you about it. She said that she was going to tell you that day, but then Enishi showed up and began planting many seeds of doubts in her mind. Kaoru didn't know what to do, so she ran away."

Kenshin remained silent for a moment and then asked, "Is that what she told you Megumi-dono?"

"Hai and there is more. During the months that she was with Enishi, he constantly told her that you didn't love her. He tried to make her believe that nobody wanted her. At first she didn't want to believe him. But as time went on, she almost found herself believing everything he said, especially when we didn't come for her.

From my examination and from what Kaoru has told me, Enishi was never really intimate with her. However...."

Kenshin stared up at Megumi again.

"Over the past few weeks Enishi had became more aggressive. She had to fight him off day and night. She never knew when he would show up in her bed or…."

Kenshin stood suddenly saying, "Arigato Megumi-dono for looking after Kaoru-dono. I think I will go to my room now. You are welcomed to stay the night."

Megumi put her hand to her chest and softly uttered, "No. I.... I need to go home."

"Oyasumi nasai Megumi-dono."

"Oyasumi Ken-san."

Sano walked into the room and looked over to Megumi saying, "Hey fox, what'd you do to Kenshin? He walked out of here looking like...."

Suddenly he noticed tears had formed in her eyes. "What's the matter with you? Did something happen to Jou-chan? Is she alright?"

"Hai, she is fine. I really don't feel like talking anymore tonight. I want to go home."

"I'll walk you home Megumi," he replied as his strong arms lifted her from off the floor.

She was a little started by his gesture and by him finally using her first name. "Arigato Sanosuke," she smiled.

"Uhm... you're welcome Megumi." Sano also couldn't believe that Megumi had called him by his first name. "Would you like to stop by my place for a cup of tea?"

"No, let's go to my place instead," she replied while blushing slightly. He smiled, put his arm around her waist and left the room.

Kenshin sat quietly upon the roof while watching Sano and Megumi leave the dojo heading for town. He smiled as he noticed how the strong arms of the former ganster named Zanza was wrapped protectively around the lady doctor. Then he turned his attention to where Kaoru lie sleeping.

"What I feared the most has finally come to be a reality. One of my enemies has abused her just to get to me." Tears streamed down his face.

"Enishi!! How dare he touch my Kaoru! I should have granted him his death wish by killing him a thousand times over for what he put her through!" His eyes were bordering on lavender and amber.

"However, had it not been for her compassionate pleas, I would have returned to my former self."

He looked up into the stars and began thinking about the baby.

"What if... what if he really did stain her and she is too afraid to tell anyone? What if she really is carrying his baby? What if his abuse caused her to never want to be loved again?"

More tears streamed down his face.

"What does all this mean for us now Kaoru?"

As he sat upon the rooftop he wondered, "What if he really did stain her and she is too afraid to tell anyone? What if she really is carrying his baby? What if his abuse caused her to never want to be loved again?"

"What does all this mean for us now Kaoru?"

*************************************

Upon entering the house, he peeked in Yahiko's room. Yahiko was sound asleep. Kenshin softly padded down the hallway to his room. He quietly entered while sliding the shoji shut behind him. Kenshin cast his eyes toward his futon and saw Kaoru sleeping. He still couldn't believe that she was home.

Kenshin stood quietly watching her sleeping form. He so desparately wanted to touch her, hold her and smell her very essence. He needed to know that she was real and not just an illusion. So many nights he had envisioned holding her and loving her but upon awakening, he found that it was only a dream.

The longer he stood gazing upon the woman he loved, the more he desired to be with her. With stealth like moves, Kenshin had begun inching closer and closer to her until suddenly, "Take your hands off me Enish!!" Kaoru shouted as she shoved her bokken into his stomach. Kenshin tumbled backward while holding his stomach grimacing in pain.

"Get out of my room!!" she screamed as she charged toward him. This time Kenshin caught her bokken avoiding her attack. As he wrestled the bokken from her hand he called out to her.

"Kaoru-dono! Kaoru-dono! Please don't be afraid! I will not hurt you!"

"Kenshin?"

"Hai, it's me Kaoru."

She finally loosened her grip from the bokken. "I'm so sorry Kenshin, I thought you were…" Kaoru started crying.

"Shhh…" he whispered while wiping away her tears. "You don't have to apologize. I should not have disturbed your sleep," he said while pulling her into a warm embrace. She buried her head deeply into his chest and continued crying.

Kenshin tried consoling her by gently rocking her in his arms while stroking her hair. The more she cried the harder it was becoming for him to control his own emotions. He felt as though her tears had begun to seep into his heart stabbing it like wet daggers.

"This is all my fault. Kaoru suffered on account of me. She didn't deserve to be treated like that. She is so young and innocent. Why did he have to do that to her? If only I could have been there. I could have protected her. But once again, I have failed to protect the one who I truly love."

He gently placed her back upon the futon saying, "You should get some rest now. I promise not to disturb you again. I'll go…"

"No!" she said while firmly latching onto his gi, "Please don't leave me Kenshin. I'm afraid of sleeping alone. I don't want him to touch me again. Please stay." She started crying again.

Kenshin didn't remove her hands from his gi, rather he laid down with her. "Shhh.... hush my darling," he said while drying her tears. "I promise that I will never allow him to touch you again. Try to get some rest now."

She cuddled up into his chest while still gripping his gi. His strong arms were wrapped securely around her body giving her a sense of security. He could feel her body finally relaxing.

"Kenshin, I'm sorry that I ran away. Are you angry with me?"

"No I am not angry with you. Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant? Why didn't you wait for me?"

"I was so scared. I thought that you wouldn't want me anymore."

Kenshin tilted her head back so that he was looking deeply into her eyes. "How could I not want the only woman I truly love. My life has no purpose or no meaning without you Kaoru."

"Then why didn't you come for me sooner? Do you know what it was like living with that pervert?"

"I'm sorry that you had to suffer for me Kaoru. Had I known that Enishi had taken you I would have come sooner. I searched everywhere for you. Finally, I asked for the assistance of Misao-dono and Aoshi. They had all of the Oniwabanshuu out searching for you. After months and months of searching they finally found you. I came as quickly as I could. I was so worried about you Kaoru. I love you darling."

"I love you too," she said as tears trickled down her face.

Kenshin wiped her tears and slowly inched his lips closer to hers. He hesistated for a moment and began wondering if she would reject him. She pressed her lips encouragingly against his allowing him to kiss her. As the kiss deepened, he knew she was real. He wasn't dreaming anymore. His Kaoru had returned to him.

After breaking the kiss Kaoru gazed into his eyes and said, "I knew you would come for me Kenshin. I tried to stay strong just like the mother bird did. She stayed strong and took care of her babies awaiting the return of the father bird. The day that the father bird returned to his family was the same day that I knew you were coming for me."

Kenshin was bewildered. "Mother bird? Father bird?"

Kaoru giggled. "It's a long story. I must tell you about that some time."

"Hai," he said while smiling, "I would love to hear it." Then he took his hand and cradled her left cheek in it saying, "It is good to see you smile and laugh again."

Suddenly Kaoru felt her baby move. "Kenshin, give me your hand quickly."

Upon giving her his hand, Kaoru took his hand and rested it upon her stomach. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel but he just liked the fact of touching her. Then he felt the baby kick. His eyes widened at the experience. Kaoru smiled. He didn't want to move his hand. He wanted to keep it there to feel the baby kick again.

After feeling another kick he said, "Our baby is a hard kicker, that he is."

Kaoru smiled and then suddenly turned her head.

"What's the matter darling?"

"Suppose… suppose this isn't our baby Kenshin. Suppose it really is…" tears began streaming down her face. She buried her head into his chest again.

Kenshin pressed a kiss on the top of her head and then lifted her face toward his.

"Kaoru please don't worry about that. I love you and our baby.

"But how do you know if…"

Kenshin took his hand and put it on her stomach saying, "The baby is a part of you and no matter whom the father is, I will always love you and the baby just the same."

She smiled while still having her head in his chest. Sleep had now caught up to her. "I love…. you... Ken…. shin," she yawned before falling alseep.

Kenshin pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered, "Oyasumi nasai koishii."

Her rhythmic breathing seemed to soothe him. A smile crossed his face as he felt the baby move under his hand.

"Its good to have you back home in my arms again, my darling. You may be too afraid to tell me what really happened between you and Enishi, but that doesn't matter. My love for you will never change. You and the baby will always be a part of my life."

Sleep had finally caught up to Kenshin too.

A week later, Kenshin and Kaoru discretely married and had a small celebration. They wanted to wait until after the baby was born before having a bigger celebration.

**On their wedding night, after everyone had left, Kenshin and Kaoru were finally alone. Kaoru was sitting up brushing her hair. She could feel Kenshin staring at her from behind. She smiled slightly.

Kenshin yawned loudly and said, "We had a busy day today. I am sure you are very tired. I'm going to sleep now. Oyasumi nasai koishii." He turned over to go to sleep.

After brushing her hair, Kaoru slid under the blankets with Kenshin. She could tell that he wasn't sleep. She smiled and whispered, "I spoke with Megumi-dono today. She said that we could still make love and that it won't harm the baby. I was hoping that we could....uhm.... never mind. I know that you are sleepy and I don't want to disturb you."

She gave him a little kiss on the cheek saying. "Oyasumi anata, I love you." Kaoru closed her eyes and pretended to fall asleep.

Kenshin's eyes popped opened as he asked, "Are you sure I won't hurt you or the baby?"

She giggled and replied, "Hai anata, I'm sure."

A big smile grew on Kenshin's face as traces of amber were now displaying in his eyes. He gently caressed her saying, "I love you Kaoru." He positioned her chin near his so that their lips could touch. Kenshin began passionately kissing her.

As they kissed Kaoru thought, "At last, I can enjoy making love with my husband, all night long without worrying about Yahiko catching us or what the others will think. Oh Kennnshinnn...."

They made love all night long.**

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, everyone had gathered at the Kamiya Dojo. Kaoru had gone into labor. Kenshin, Aoshi, Sano and Yahiko stayed on the outside awaiting the news. They were all in deep thought.

"Kaoru please be all right. I don't want to lose you again."

"Come on Jou-chan, you can do this. Please let it be Kenshin's baby."

"This just got to be Kenshin and Kaoru's baby!"

Aoshi glanced over at Kenshin and then quickly turned his head.

"I hope the child is yours Battousai. You and the Kamiya girl have fought too hard to keep your non-killing vow."

Kenshin walked over to Aoshi.

"I heard you have new of Enishi."

"Hai. He has been transferred to a correctional facility in China. The family that raised him after his sister's death lives nearby. I hear they regularly stop in to see him."

"That is good. Maybe they can help Enishi find peace."

Suddenly, Misao ran out into the yard yelling, "Hey Himura! We need you!"

Kenshin began to worry as he and the others ran inside the house. When they reached the bedroom, they saw Megumi, Tae and Tsubame all smiling as they sat around Kaoru. Kenshin saw a baby swaddled in Kaoru's arm.

"It's a boy!" shouted Misao.

Their eyes all widened in surprise at the baby's appearance. He had flaming red hair and lavender eyes.

"There's no mistaking whose kid that is," quipped Sano.

"Yeah. He's so cute," said Yahiko. "He looks just like a you Kenshin."

"Arigato Yahiko," beamed Kenshin.

"It's a good thing the baby didn't get his looks from that ugly girl. Then he really would be cursed," snickered Yahiko.

Kaoru frowned and shouted, "Kenshin! Hand me my shinai. I'm going to teach that little brat some manners!"

Megumi shook her head saying, "Oh no you don't. I told you before, no strenuous activities for the next six weeks."

Yahiko snickered, "Heh, heh, heh! I have six long weeks to torture you."

Kaoru became enraged, "I'll make you pay for all the torture you put me through once Megumi-dono say it is okay for me to train you again Yahiko."

Yahiko laughed and chanted, "Ugly! Ugly!"

"Ouch!!" he bellowed while holding his head. "What did you do that for weasel girl?"

"That's for Kaoru-chan. She may have to rest for six weeks, but I don't. So if it's okay with Kaoru-chan I'll be your teacher for the next six weeks."

"What! No way!!" shouted Yahiko.

"Sounds like a good idea Misao. Make sure you wake him early and train him hard. He's such a lazy student."

Yahiko turned to Kenshin. "Kenshin! Do something!"

"Gomen, but Kaoru is your teacher. You must listen to what she says."

"Geez, thanks a lot!!"

Everyone laughed at Yahiko.

Then the baby started to cry. Megumi smiled and said, "Everyone, I think it is time for the new parents to get to know their baby."

"Hai," replied Tae. "Why don't everyone come to the Akabeko."

"Yeah, that's a great idea," said Sano. "Nothing like a free meal at the Akabeko."

"Sagara-san, I didn't say anything about free meal," replied Tae.

"Aw… come on Tae," he begged.

Megumi grabbed him by the ear and said, "Come on rooster head, I'll pay."

They all left the dojo. As they walked along the way Sano said, "Yep, that's Kenshin's kid all right."

"Yeah, he looks like a miniature Kenshin, replied Yahiko.

Suddenly Sano stops walking and shuddered.

"What's the matter with you rooster head?"

He turned to Megumi and answered, "I just had an awful thought. Can you imagine the baby coming out looking like Enishi with that spiky white hair and dark glasses?"

Megumi dropped her head mumbling, "He's hopeless."

They all continued going into town.

After securing the gate, Kenshin re-entered their bedroom. He sat next to Kaoru as he watched her nursing the baby. Kaoru burped the baby and then laid him down. The baby fell asleep.

"I still can't believe I had a baby," she whispered.

"Hai," he whispered back in response. "Our son is truly a miracle."

"Kenshin, suppose he really was…"

"I would love him just the same Kaoru. However, I always knew that he was our son."

"How did you know?"

"Do you recall the first night we made love Kaoru?"

"Hai. It was a very special night. Something that I would never forget."

"It was very special for me too. That night I had nightmares of seeing you in the dojo with Enishi's sword…" Tears began to form in his eyes. Kaoru took his hand into hers and gently squeezed it.

"I remember feeling your presence in the room. You were trying to comfort me. For some reason, I just couldn't wake myself out of that nightmare. But then I felt your tender lips against mine. When I tasted the sweetness of your lips, I knew you were alive. That night I knew you had given me something very precious Kaoru. I will always love you for that."

**"But what about the birthmark?"

"Birthmark?"

"Hai. On the day that I had prepared to tell you about my pregancy, Enishi came to the dojo. He told me that he knew of my pregnancy and claimed that he was the father of my baby. I was totally shocked. I hadn't told anyone of the pregnancy. Only Megumi-dono knew.

At first, I didn't want to believe him. But I was convinced after he told me where my birthmark was. He said that he slept with me during Jinchuu. The only thing I remembered that day was waking up in a white bathrobe. I never remembered him touching me. However, because he knew exactly where my birthmark was, I was convinced that he was telling the truth. I actually believed that he was the father of my....." Tears began streaming down Kaoru's face.

Kenshin pulled her into a warm embrace to comfort her. Then he wiped away her tears and said, "During the time we searched for you, Megumi-dono told me that you were pregnant. As we continued the search, she began mentioning other things that didn't seem to make sense. Once we found out that Enishi had you then it all became clear."

Kaoru moved back slightly from the warmth of his chest and asked, "Kenshin, what do you mean? What did Megumi tell you?"

"Megumi-dono said that prior to your last office visit, it appeared that someone had tampered with your personal file. That file contained information on your pregancy and other personal notes that Megumi-dono and Dr. Genzai made over the years regarding your body and your health."

"So that means that Enishi couldn't have touched me. I remember how severly injured he was after his battle with you during Jinchuu. He could hardly stand. It all makes perfect sense now! Oh Kenshin, I'm so happy," she said as tears of joy streamed down her face.

Kenshin smiled and wiped away her tears and said, "I love you koishii." Then he took his hand and gently rubbed his sleeping baby's back saying, "This is our baby and don't ever let anyone tell you differently."**

She smiled and kissed him. He helped her lie down and then wrapped his arm around her and the baby. Kaoru fell asleep. Kenshin took one last look at both of them before drifting off to sleep.

"My woman, my son, the way it was meant to be."

BREAK IN

By Princess Destiny

[ princessdestiny@hotmail.com]

Chapter One

Kenshin and Kaoru were in the market, buying food for the coming week.

"Are we almost done, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, smiling slightly at his companion. It was times like this when he could have her to himself without Sanosuke and Yahiko fighting in the background or the boy calling Kaoru 'ugly'. More often than not, arguments broke out. In a strange way, it was wonderful. Yahiko was like a younger brother to them all, Sanosuke an older brother and Kaoru was the sister. The family that Kenshin had always dreamed about. Things were perfect...if only they would stay that way.

Kaoru turned from a stall as she heard Kenshin sigh in a melancholy way. "What's wrong?" she asked him gently, studying him in concern. As expected, her red-haired Rurouni gave her a cheerful smile, hiding his emotions. He did it often. Sometimes, she really wished that he would open up to her. But they had time. Kenshin wasn't going to leave her again. He'd promised her after Kyoto. And she'd make sure he kept it.

"Nothing is wrong, Miss Kaoru," he said softly, titling his head back to look up at the blue sky.

"Kenshin..." she murmured, blue eyes disappointed. If only he would open up to her!

"Yes, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, looking back at her in inquiry.

Kaoru sighed and shook her head, turning away. He wasn't ready to confide in her yet. Would he ever be? Suddenly, her eyes spotted something and widened in delight. "ROSES! Roses, Kenshin!" she cried, rushing over to a stall. An old lady was there, patiently sitting in a chair and waiting for her customers to come to her. There were flowers of all sorts there in a myriad of colors, but it was the red roses that had caught Kaoru's gaze. "Oh!" her hands fluttered over the roses, afraid to touch them. They were beautiful!

The old lady smiled warmly at Kaoru's delighted features, then her eyes went to the silent man standing behind her. He was smiling gently. "Would your lady like a rose?" she asked the red-haired Rurouni.

Kaoru's eyes widened. "Oh no, I'm not-" she began, flustered.

"Oh, no, she's not-" Kenshin said hastily at the same time, looking just as flustered. His violet gaze was stunned.

Kenshin and Kaoru gave the old woman mirroring expression of embarrassed amazement.

The old woman stared at Kaoru and then Kenshin for a long moment, then shook her head. "It's not nice to lie to an old woman" she said admonishingly, handing a perfect red rose to Kenshin to give to Kaoru.

"Oh, but, we're not..." Kaoru said in surprise, throwing a swift look at Kenshin from under her lashes and wondering what he was thinking. He looked as embarrassed and surprised as SHE did, but he also looked pensive. "How much do we owe you?" Kaoru asked the lady, reaching for her purse. She didn't care what it cost! She wanted the beautiful flower. If nothing else, to remind her that someone had thought that she and Kenshin were together. An impossibility. Kenshin would never make the first move. Kaoru wasn't even entirely sure what his feelings were to her. A sister? A friend? Or something more?

"It's a gift" The old woman shook her head again and turned away. "And it's quite obvious she's yours, young man." she threw over her shoulder. "Denying it won't change the truth"

Kenshin looked at Kaoru and she looked at him, then flushed brightly.

["Mine?"] Kenshin thought, as they turned to walk away. Was it so obvious that his Battousai side had claimed her?

They collected the tofu and then left the markets, heading back through town towards the Kamiya Dojo. Both were silent, lost in their own thoughts.

Kaoru's expression was wistful as she stared down at the rose in her hands. ["If only the old woman's words had been right. How I wish I WERE Kenshin's lady..."]

["I must be more careful"] Kenshin thought, eyes far away. He shifted the packages in his arms absently, walking slowly beside Kaoru. He threw her a curious look and noted that her eyes were fixed on the flower. What was she thinking? Was she embarrassed? He really had no idea how Kaoru felt for him. Yes, she was affectionate. Yes, she had come after him in Kyoto. Yes, she let him live with her and she enjoyed his company. But what did she REALLY think of him as? A brother? A friend? Perhaps...more? He sighed deeply. His Battousai side had claimed Kaoru from the moment Kenshin had set eyes on her. Something inside him had roared in triumph at their meeting and it had taken all the Rurouni's strength to keep the Battousai from KISSING her. For a few moments, there had been a silent struggle as he stared at the girl who had pointed her bokken at him, eyes flashing defiantly. She had been magnificent!

"Kenshin?" Kaoru said, turning her face to look at her companion. Her eyes widened a little at the look on his face. He was deeply troubled about something. There were also amber flecks swirling in the violet depths of his gaze that made her wonder exactly what he was thinking about. Kyoto? His life as a Rurouni? Did he regret coming back to the Dojo with her? She bit her lip. ["If only I could read his mind! But those eyes of his are deliberately deceptive!"] her blue eyes narrowed. He hid his emotions too well. Behind that gentle gaze, he could have been thinking anything. Anything at all.

"Yes, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin started, eyes clearing as he met her gaze. He blinked. She looked almost angry! "Are you alright?" he asked softly, wondering what was troubling her.

"I-why don't you ever talk to me?" she blurted out. She clapped a hand to her mouth in shock, eyes wide and startled.

"Talk to you?" Kenshin echoed. He paused on the bridge they were crossing and turned fully to face her. "I'm confused by your question, that I am." he admitted, freeing one hand from the packages to scratch at his head in bewilderment.

"About ANYTHING" she emphasized, deliberately turning and walking again so that he would be made to follow.

"Have I done something to offend you?" Kenshin asked her, hurrying to catch up. Kaoru was now angry, instead of wistful. Her emotions switched like lightening sometimes!

"Oh Kenshin!" she groaned, exasperated. Why was it whenever she tried to talk to him seriously, he thought he'd done something wrong! "Never mind" she told him, lowering her head and studying the road.

Kenshin fell behind a little and looked at her stiff back, wondering what had brought this on. She was upset and angry about something and he really had no clue what it was. It was frustrating. He sighed deeply. Perhaps he did not know Kaoru as well as he thought. She was not cheerful today, that she was not. And it had been since the rose. His head tilted to the side as he considered what had occurred. Kaoru must be upset that the old woman had said that Kaoru was his. That must be it.

"Kenshin..." Kaoru's voice was hushed.

The hair on the back of Kenshin's neck stirred as he felt something wrong and his head shot up. Kaoru was standing outside the Dojo gates, which were standing wide open. She too had sensed that something was wrong.

"Someone is inside" Kaoru whispered, stepping closer to the Rurouni. Her hands tightened on the rose, eyes firming. Someone had broken into her Dojo! How dare they! "Hold this!" she told Kenshin, tossing the rose at him.

Kenshin's eyes widened and he dropped the packages accidentally in order to rescue the rose she'd flung at him so haphazardly. Even if Kaoru thought him a brother, that rose meant something to him. A splash across his feet reminded him of the tofu and he groaned. That would leave a mess, that it would. But he didn't even spare a glance, mind going again to the raven-haired girl who had run so impetuously inside. "Miss Kaoru, wait!" he called out, placing the rose swiftly on top of the pile of packages and racing after the girl. It was dangerous! Why did she have to be so impetuous all the time? And why did he love her for it? He groaned to himself, running after her disappearing figure as she entered the house. ["Definitely not brotherly thoughts"] he entered seconds behind her and came face to face with four men, all heavily armed. Kaoru was struggling in the arms of one of them and Kenshin's eyes hardened. "Release Miss Kaoru." he demanded.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried out, trying to kick the man. Damn it! Why hadn't she been more careful! They'd taken her completely off guard.

He pinned her wrists together and leered at her. "Now, now cutie. Just stay quiet and me and my men here won't have to hurt you."

"I suggest you let her go, that I do." Kenshin said, hands out placatingly. He would not draw his sword unless he had to. These were obviously common robbers.

"There's nothing here to take!" Kaoru told them, still struggling futilely.

"Stop that!" The man growled, releasing one hand from her wrist to slap her sharply across the face.

Kaoru gasped. The slap had been more of a firm warning than meant to inflict pain.

Kenshin bit the inside of his lip, struggling with himself. Battousai wanted free! These men had dared to hurt Kaoru! "Release her," he repeated, his deepening slightly. His eyes became flecked with amber as the man holding Kaoru dragged her after him, past Kenshin. "Miss-" Kenshin began, turning.

Another robber thrust a knife at Kenshin's chest and rested the blade there threateningly. "Can I kill him, boss?" he called after the man with Kaoru.

"Not yet. Bring him." The Leader called out, dragging a struggling Kaoru across the courtyard and into the Dojo.

["What are they doing?"] Kaoru thought in astonishment as she was forced into the center of the room. She looked swiftly for Kenshin as she sensed more people enter the Dojo. The three robbers entered, flanking Kenshin.

"Hey, boss, he has a sword" One of the robbers said, squinting at Kenshin's hip.

["They only just noticed?"] Kaoru thought, gaping slightly. Idiots!

Kenshin stopped a few meters from Kaoru, when the robbers motioned for him to stop. "Are you alright, Miss Kaoru?" he asked her gently, a hand going to his sword hilt reflexively. His fingers clenched over it, wanting to draw the blade. No! These men had not endangered Kaoru's life yet. He suspected that they were all talk and that was all that saved them.

"I'm fine, Kenshin." She smiled at him bravely.

"Then take it off him, fool!" The Leader yelled at his men. "Give them your sword," he said to Kenshin, voice slightly whining.

"I would not recommend it, that I would not." Kenshin told the three robbers in a quiet voice. They hesitated as they sensed something about the red-haired man. Something dangerous, despite his calm expression.

"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Another robber said, glancing from one person to another. "No one was supposed to be here!"

"Give yourself up," Kenshin said helpfully, relaxing slightly. Were these men so new to robbing that they really had no idea what to do with hostages?

"Throw down your sword or we kill the girl." The Leader said nervously, trying to look serious. He'd obviously never killed before and had not expected Kenshin to resist when asked for his sword.

"Let her go." Kenshin almost pleaded, scared for Kaoru's life. These men were not too bright, but they would probably kill if put into that position. Cowards! Faint amber flickered into his eyes and his hand tightened around the sword.

"Don't do it, Kenshin!" Kaoru told him, biting down on the man's hand. He yelped and then smacked her across the face.

"Miss KAORU!" Kenshin growled, eyes bursting into golden fire. Her lip was bleeding. For the first time in years, he felt an overwhelming urge to flip the blade of his sword over and butcher every man there. How dare they hurt her!

The robber placed the point of his dagger in the hollow of her throat and pushed until a trickle of blood appeared and slid down her throat.

Kaoru gasped in pain.

That was IT! The Battousai completely emerged from inside Kenshin and he flipped the blade over, getting into an attack stance.

The robbers shifted in uneasily.

Battousai smiled. He could smell their fear; and it was delicious. "Are you ready to die?" he said silkily.

"Kenshin NO!" Kaoru cried out, seeing that her Rurouni's eyes were completely golden. And he'd flipped his sword over...which means he was intending to kill. "Don't do this!" her eyes filled with tears as Kenshin's amber eyes met hers. There was an animalistic hunger in their depths that both thrilled and frightened her. This was a side to Kenshin that she rarely saw. Even though she was being held captive, knife at her throat, she felt a curl of excitement zing through the pit of her stomach at the raw power Kenshin was radiating.

She was excited! Battousai's eyes narrowed into slits as he sniffed at the air, drawing it into his lungs. His nice sweet Kaoru was EXCITED. By HIM! He filed this away for future use and smiled slowly. "This won't take long, Kaoru."

He didn't call her 'miss' Kaoru, which they both noticed absently.

"Kenshin! Don't DO this!" She became desperate as Kenshin's sword went back into it's sheath and he prepared to attack.

"Smart move," The robbers snickered to themselves, thinking Kenshin had done as they said. They were too STUPID to notice the homicidal rage in the red-haired man's eyes, or note the possessiveness with which he gazed at the woman. "Now, throw the lot away." The robber added, nodding at the scabbard and sword at Kenshin's hip.

They had touched something that was HIS. And they would die for that. Battousai's smile grew. Fools. They would die and not even know WHY. His hand crept over to hover over the hilt, moving side-on to the robber that was holding Kaoru.

"Kenshin! KENSHIN!" Kaoru yelled, panicking. She wasn't getting through to him! "BATTOUSAI!" she shouted.

Battousai froze.

The robbers suddenly went deathly pale and the knife at Kaoru's neck faltered. "B-Battousai?" The main robber stuttered in horror.

"The MANSLAYER?" Another choked out, backing away.

"The very same," Battousai purred at them in vicious satisfaction. Their fear permeated the air. It was as intoxicating as Kaoru's desire for him. She would try to hide it once he had killed the men and freed her. Battousai threw Kaoru a heated look that made her flush brightly. He would not LET her hide it.

"Battousai-if you kill them, I'll never forgive you." Kaoru choked out, a tear running down her cheek. If he killed, her Kenshin would be gone! She wanted him and his dark side, but if he killed, he would be forever lost. Her gentle Rurouni would be gone forever. And he would leave her, she knew. Kaoru was not dark enough to be by Battousai's side. She shook her head, then focused on Kenshin and saw him regarding her with an indecipherable expression.

She would never forgive him. Battousai hesitated for the first time in his life and regarded her with mixed emotions. Was she worth betraying his very nature for? His eyes kindled as he stared intently into hers. Then, he nodded slowly. Yes, she was worth it. "Very well," he said, speaking to both Kaoru and the robbers, but on different levels. He smiled slightly as he pulled out the sword and scabbard from his waist and threw them far to the side. "But we will be finishing this...later."

Kaoru flushed brightly, even as she relaxed. Oh god! The way he was LOOKING at her! Like he'd like to DEVOUR her!

"Alright," said the incredibly afraid robber. He was glad that this woman had so much power over the Manslayer-or they would be laying on the floor dead right now. Gutted or be-headed. "Ah-okay!" his eyes brightened as he got an idea. "Strip." he told them.

Battousai's eyes flashed with rage and he growled low. They wanted his Kaoru naked? He'd rather rip their heads from their shoulder with his bare hands! He did not need a sword to kill!

"We won't look!" Another robber said hastily, covering his eyes.

"We just want you to strip so that we can tie you together," the first robber went on anxiously, afraid for his life. The way that red-haired Battousai was glaring at him was enough to give him nightmares for the remainder of him life...which he suspected would be exactly 10 minutes after the Battousai got free of the ropes. He was a dead man.

Chapter Two

"Very well" Battousai finally agreed, after thinking for a long moment. The sooner they were tied together, the sooner the robbers would leave and think themselves free men. He would be after them the moment the ropes dropped from him and he would hunt them down like the dogs they were. It had been 10 years since he hunted a man and he was looking forward to it. His eyes were bright and vicious as he began to strip.

Kaoru moaned in humiliation as the knife withdrew from her chin slightly. "Strip, cutie" she was told arrogantly.

Battousai's eyes shot up and the look he gave the Robber promised a long and painful death. "You...are...DEAD" he mouthed silently to the robbers, not wanting Kaoru to see and worry. She didn't want him to kill...so he would kill out of her sight. There was no way these vermin were going to live after assaulting his woman.

The robbers paled and they looked sickened as they realized the enormity of their situation. The only thing between them and this red-haired demon was his woman.

Kaoru stripped until she was naked. "Alright" she said in a small voice, not looking at anyone. She wanted to cry. She was so HUMILIATED! And in front of Kenshin no less!

The robbers began to look at her when she spoke, but Battousai's voice stopped them dead.

"Look at her and you will die right NOW!" he snarled possessively, eyes going to Kaoru. Gods she was BEAUTIFUL. He snarled and shot his golden gaze to the men again. "She is MINE"

"Yes! Of course" The Leader stammered, deathly afraid.

"Yes! Yes!" The other three agreed hastily, backs to Kaoru.

Kaoru gasped softly at Kenshin's words and her eyes went to his face, but he was not looking at her. Gods! HIS! He'd told these strangers that she was HIS! And in such a possessive tone too. She shivered in a mixture of excitement and desire, fear and embarrassment. What would it be like to be utterly possessed by a man? She looked down as Kenshin began to stalk over to her, his every movement like that of a hunter. Graceful, controlled, fluid. She blushed, seeing his form approaching from the corner of her eye.

"Keep your eyes on the far wall until I say," Kenshin told the robbers in a low, angry voice. Warning them.

The men were now too afraid to do anything but nod.

Battousai considered as he reached his Kaoru. The robbers were not holding a knife at her throat anymore and he could have easily disarmed them. However. A hungry smile spread over his face, which Kaoru thankfully did not see. If she had, she would have melted into a boneless puddle of goo at the absolute LUST and passion burning in his golden gaze. This would work out nicely.

Kaoru trembled as Kenshin's fingers touched her arms, then slid down to her elbows, then around her waist in a purely possessive gesture. His touch was like fire and she could do nothing but gasp as she was pulled into his arms firmly, her every curve pressed into his tightly. She flushed brightly, burying her face in his chest. Oh gods, this was not happening! She'd dreamed of being in his arms, but not like this! She moaned faintly as her heart sped up and her body began to respond to his without her conscious decision.

Battousai bit his lip hard as Kaoru's curves were crushed to his. And her moan of unwitting desire was almost his undoing! The need to take her was overwhelming, but he restrained himself. Maybe later... "You may turn now" he called out icily. They would see Kaoru's sweetly curved ass, but there was nothing he could do about that.

The robbers came up tentatively, one of them unfurling a rope from his waist. "Just hold still; no tricks now"

Battousai wanted to rip the man's head off as he came close and began to tie the rope about Kaoru and himself. It was only Kaoru's humiliated sob and the man's smell of overwhelming fear that stopped him. They would not get far.

The rope was wound about their knees, waists, arms and shoulder, hauling Kaoru even closer onto Kenshin. There was now absolutely no way even a sword could be inserted between them.

"Okay" The man stood back finally, satisfied that Kenshin and Kaoru couldn't get free for a long while. "We're leaving now. Thanks for the few valuables." he smirked.

"Please DO run" Battousai said silkily, eyes glowing golden from beneath his fiery bangs. "Run. Hide. I will be with you soon enough."

"No, Kenshin," Kaoru whispered, burying her face in the curve of his neck. He smelled so good! And gods he FELT so good too. That curl of excitement spiraled through her stomach again. She wasn't sure what exactly she was feeling, but it was wonderful.

Battousai was torn between continuing to threaten the robbers and the scent of Kaoru's arousal. He almost groaned as she buried her face in his neck and her lips touched his skin. "GO!" he snarled at the men, wanting them gone so that he could have his woman to himself.

The robbers didn't need to be told twice. They were gone in seconds.

Kaoru heard them leave and became abruptly filled with apprehension. She was tied naked, to the Battousai! The man who'd called her HIS. The man who'd looked at her with such hunger.

"Kaoru" Battousai said in a low voice, turning his head back to face her. She refused look up past his chest though, a flush of embarassment across her cheek bones.

"No" she murmured, refusing to look up. If she looked into his golden eyes, she'd be lost! Her desire for Battousai far outweighed that of her desire for the Rurouni and it's power was scaring her! She was attracted to his dark side! Even though she knew he was a blood-thirsty demon who reveled in the splash of red and the slaughter of men.

"Kaoru" Battousai's voice lowered, until he was purring. He lowered his mouth to her ear and nibbled on it lightly.

Kaoru shivered violently, a groan escaping her mouth. Oh gods! His mouth was on her! She groaned again as he ran his tongue around the curve of her ear. "What are you DOING to me?" she demanded, throwing back her head to stare into his eyes. She told herself it was to escape his mouth on her ear, but she was possessed by an almost overwhelming urge to look into his amber depths and see what lay there. But now that she did...Lust, hunger, possessiveness. Oh god, all for her!

"Mine," he murmured, mouth seeking out hers.

But Kaoru dodged his kiss, panicking. If he kissed her, she'd never be able to escape him! She couldn't let him. She wanted her gentle Rurouni back. Tears filled her eyes. "Kenshin, where are you?" she moaned despairingly, seeking his eyes.

Battousai's eyes widened for a moment in surprise, before he realized what was going through her head. She wanted the safe Rurouni. The one who would woo her and treat her gently and laugh with her. But she also wanted him, Battousai. She wanted to be possessed utterly, in the silence of her soul and was afraid of loosing those passions. "He's still here," he told her rather gently, eyes trailing over her face. "However," he abruptly threw himself forward, hurtling himself and Kaoru into a wall. They didn't hit it hard enough to hurt her, but it was hard enough to stun her and she gasped. He pinned her there with his body, her head unable to move backwards now. "I am here now and I want you. BADLY." his eyes burned into hers with a frightening hunger. His face moved forward until his lips brushed hers and he stilled. "I can smell your desire" he whispered against her lips.

Kaoru's eyes widened in horror and she stiffened, but it was too late. Kenshin's face moved too swiftly for her to follow and her lips were suddenly crushed under his.

Battousai devoured her lips with all his pent up passion from the last year he had stayed at the Dojo. He had wanted Kaoru ever since he'd laid eyes upon her-and now he was GOING to have her. His keep deepened as she hesitantly responded in her innocence. His. HIS! "Kaoru" he groaned into her mouth, tongue sliding over her bottom lip to urge her to open hers.

Kaoru complied when his tongue slid over hers and her mouth parted to let him inside. Oh gods! Her eyes fluttered shut and she surrendered to the sensations zinging through her with every moment. The excitement in her stomach had intensified and spread through her whole body, making it seem to hum. Kenshin...Battousai. Oh gods how long she'd wanted this!

Battousai suddenly pulled back, stiffening.

"What is it" Kaoru gasped out, throwing her head back and taking in long drags of cool air.

"Sanosuke and Yahiko" Came the amused reply.

Kaoru met his eyes, hers reflecting surprise. He wasn't angry that they had been interrupted.

Battousai's eyes gleamed and then he kissed her swiftly again. Deeply and passionately. And it left her no doubt about how he felt for her.

Kaoru moaned loudly, trying to arch her body into his...but she was already so close to him that the ropes were digging into her flesh.

Battousai pulled back, gasping. "We will...continue this later" he gave her a last hungry look before he closed his eyes and began to breath deeply and evenly.

"Oi! Ugly, where are you?" Yahiko's voice called out.

"Kenshin?" Sanosuke yelled, starting to sound concerned.

"Look at the place! We've been robbed!" Yahiko suddenly yelled.

The sound of running feet sounded.

Kaoru started to panic. "Oh god! I'm NAKED! Kenshin!"

Battousai's eyes opened, flecked with the familiar vioent. "Forgive me" he murmured, sinking his face against her neck.

Kaoru felt his lips and her eyes opened wide with astonishment. Then a dull pain exploded from her neck and she cried out. He'd bitten her!

Battousai bit her as gently as he could, hoping to channel all the passions and rage into it. The action of hurting her would clear his head...and it was also make her as HIS. He breathed through his nose, eyes now violet. "I'm sorry, Miss Kaoru" he breathed into her ear. "That I am"

"That I am?" Kaoru's eyes filled with tears of joy. Her Rurouni was back! She didn't quite understand why Battousai had bitten her, but she thought it had been done with equal parts of possession and a need to regain control. Therefore, she forgave him. "Kenshin!" she hissed as the footsteps approached them. Sanosuke and Yahiko had obviously not found them in the other room and were now checking the Dojo.

The Dojo door was ripped open and Sanosuke and Yahiko entered.

Kaoru buried her face into Kenshin's neck and wished the ground would open up and swallow her. "Oh god."

"It will be alright," he murmured back, then turned his head to look at a gaping Sanosuke and Yahiko.

"Oh god, I'm scarred for life!" Yahiko groaned, spinning around to stare at the door instead.

Sanosuke eyed them with amusement and leered at Kenshin. "Is there something that the two of you want to tell me?" His eyes trailed over Kaoru and rested on her ass. He could only see her side-on, but she was a babe!

"Sanosuke" Kenshin growled at him, flecks of gold forming in his eyes.

Sanosuke was startled at the reaction. Battousai was close to the surface today. He looked closer at Kenshin and Kaoru and noticed the ropes. Ooops. He'd been so stunned to see them both naked that he'd failed to see the obvious. "We got robbed," he said conversationally, walking over to the two and pulling out a dagger. He carefully slipped the dagger between Kenshin's flesh and the ropes and jerked. He had a feeling if he'd even NICKED Kaoru right now, Kenshin would kill him. He could sense the tension in the air. GOD! The sexual tension between these two was incredible! "But I'm guessing you already know that." he went on, stepping back.

"There were four. They escaped about 15 minutes ago." Kenshin informed him, voice lighter. His eyes had become a clear violet.

The ropes fell away from the two, but Kenshin didn't move.

"Would you two like a moment?" Sanosuke said, scratching at his in an awkward way. This was embarrassing for Kaoru, to say the least.

"Yes" Kenshin said hesitantly.

"NO!" Kaoru said violently, finally looking up. "Please hand me my kimono and turn your back"

Sanosuke walked over and picked up her discarded kimono, then walked back and handed it to her. He turned his back firmly and waited.

Kaoru stepped back from Kenshin, clutching the material to her front and covering up most of her skin. Her eyes rose and she saw that Kenshin was watching her lazily. Okay, that wasn't Battousai or Rurouni. It was a mixture of the two and she eyed him curiously. There was something different. "You turn away too, Kenshin," she said crossly, waiting.

"Why? I've already seen you" he fairly purred at her, eyes darkening to a deep purple with golden flecks.

Sanosuke snickered, but didn't turn.

"Because-because I said so!" Kaoru yelled at him, fury flooding her. Who did he think he WAS?

Kenshin felt an equal fury flooding her at her rejection of him. She was going to pretend that nothing happened! His eyes turned golden for a long moment and he regarded her with hungry eyes. He would seduce her. She wanted to be wooed, as much as possessed. "Very well." he said, eyes returning to normal. He smiled at her gently, all easy-going Rurouni, then turned his back to her respectfully.

Kaoru stared suspiciously at his back for a long moment, eyes not able to help themselves as they trailed down over his muscular back to his behind, then his legs. Oh god! He was beautiful! She stared to hastily pull her Kimono on, unable to look away from his body. And his hair, how she wished she could loosen it from it's binding and run her hands through it! As he bent over to put on his pants, her mouth fell open, her blue gazed resting on his muscular backside. GOD!

He had put his pants on and was pulling the gi up over his shoulders when something tantalizing reached his nostrils. Arousal. Kenshin sniffed the air and his eyes changed completely, becoming liquid pools of molten gold. "Kaoru." he said silently, eyes narrowing. She wouldn't know what hit her. She was his and he was going to claim her one way or another.

"Done!" Kaoru said with forced cheerfulness.

Kenshin turned about and gave her a narrowed-eyed look, then his face smoothed and his violet eyes twinkled at her. "How about some tea...Miss Kaoru?" he hesitated briefly over her name, letting her know that he no longer considered her a 'miss'.

Kaoru flushed, then turned away.

Yahiko and Sanosuke turned and walked over to them, wanting to hear what had happened.

"Okay what happened here? Why aren't there any unconscious bodies laying about? Why is your sword over there?" Sanosuke shot the questions out, his eyes going from Kenshin's smiling face to Kaoru's cheerful grin. Something had happened today. Other than the obvious.

"Why were you naked?" Yahiko blurted out, afire with curiosity.

Kaoru blushed bright red. Trust Yahiko to bring that touchy subject up.

Even as Kenshin spoke brightly to Sanosuke and Yahiko, his violet gaze was on her. And in their depths she saw promise that this was not over. Battousai was just beneath the surface and had claimed her. Soon, she would be his. His head tilted to the side consideringly. There were also those four men to take care of. Of course, his blood-lust had died now that he was the Rurouni again and he regretted letting his dark side take over. Perhaps he would let Sanosuke deal with them. Kaoru would not have him if he fully became Battousai again-and if he killed those men for touching her, he would lose her. Very well then. He would use everything in his power, as the Rurouni AND the Battousai, to possess her. Seduce her. Let the games begin.

He had that look again! But this time it was from the Rurouni. Kaoru shivered and looked away from the promise in his gaze. It wasn't over and the Battousai side of him would return. He probably already had something planed! But if he thought she was going to fall into his arms after a few bone-melting kisses...he had another thing coming.

The End

MINE

By Princess Destiny

[ princessdestiny@hotmail.com]

Chapter One

Going after the robbers wasn't an option, unfortunetly. Kenshin sighed deeply, staring up at the ceiling of his room. The night sounds aorund him were quite soothing, but inside, his mind was in chaos. If Kaoru had looked into the room, she would only have seen him laying on his palet, a blanket down to his waist, face seeminly peaceful. His purple eyes were tingled with slight amber, betraying the fac tthat the battousai was barely-hidden beneath the surface. Half of him wanted to track down the robbers that had dared to lay and hand on and threaten his Kaoru, but the other half could not contemplate it. The problem WAS that he was even THINKING about going after them. Since battousai emerging that afternoon, Kenshin had been in dilemna. Break his vow and destroy the scum that had encured his wrath...or keep his vow and always feel that he should have given into his insticts. Posessive insticts. Protective instics. Muderous instincts. Innocent Kaoru ahd no idea what had been released that day. And if she thought that things would just go back to the way they had been before, she was gravely mistaken. She was his now and he soon would claim her before the world. But he had to be cunning about it. Not scare her away.

But for the moment, he would see how the wind blew. If she gave into her passions, then she would be his. If she hid them, he would bring them to the fore and let them free. Yes, Kaoru was his...she just didn't know it yet.

Kaoru tossed and turned, her body feeling hot and bothered. She couldn't get the vision of Battousai's amber eyes staring at her with such hunger. Kenshin had NEVER looked at her in that manner and up till the robber, she'd despaired that he would ever see her as anything more than a friend or a little sister. No...She blushed a fiery red as she again felt the way his hands had moved over her skin, the way he'd kissed her. Kenshin didn't see her as a sister or a friend, no, not at ALL. "I must be crazy!" she whispered, running her hands over her lips as if searching for his. They were the swollen testament to his desire for her. And she wanted his tocuh again...but not the gentle Rurouni's. Battousai's. "HOw can that BE?" she demanded aloud, staring up at the ceiling as if it held the answered. And what on earth was she going to do in the morning when she would have to face him again? She sighed and tried to bury the memory to the back of her mind. There was only one thing she could do; forget it. Pretend it never happened. It wasn't likely to happen again, in any case. Kenshin kept Battousai far back into his psyche and only let him loose when he fought, or his friends were in danger. If SHE was in danger.

She sat up abruptly as a thought occured to her. Would the robbers come back? What if battousai was loosened again?

["Mine,"]

Kaoru felt a hot flush burn over her skin when she remembered his tone of voice. So possessive. So lustful.

["I am here now and I want you. BADLY."]

"No, no, no! Bad Kaoru!" she reached up with both hands and covered her hot cheeks. Thinking about Kenshin's words were just making it WORSE! And she hadn't said no either...one hand dropped to her lap, the other went to her neck. The bite-mark still hurt, but it was bearable. It had been so, so-primative of him to mark her that way! She knew he had been trying to regain control, but she wasn't stupid. She also knew that he had marked her as his. Battousai's woman. Not the Rurouni's-HIS. She flopped back down onto her futon, blue eyes going to the screen of her door. Would Battousai emerge one night-maybe tonight, for all she knew-and come for her? It wasn't over at all. But she oculd hope that the Rurouni maintained control over his emotions. If not...then how could she deny him?

The sun rose warmly over the Dojo as Kaoru emerged, determined to put the day before completely behind her. She padded down the hall and peeked into the kitchen, but Kenshin wasn't there. She gave a sigh of relief and continued down the hall and into the sunshine. And intimate breakfast with Kenshin would not be welcome right then! But where were Yahiko and Sanosuke? She looked around the yard and immediately spotted the person of her chaotic thoughts. Kenshin had his back to her, calmly washing clothes. "Oh no!" she whispered, heart dropping into her feet. If she and Kenshin were alone-

"Good morning, Miss kaoru" Kenshin's cheerful voice broke into her thoughts, making her start in shock. She should have KNOWN that he was already aware of her presence. Kaoru repeated the words inside her head several times over, searching for even the smallest hint that Battousai was near the surface. To her relief, it didn't. She stared hard at his back for a long moment until he paused and turned his head to look at her. For a long moment their eyes locked and she saw a hint of gold enter the violet depths of his eyes, but then it was gone and he turned away. Once again, she sighed in relief. And then it hit her. That mixture of Kenshin and Battousai, the gold on violet in his eyes, it was another personality! Her mouth fell open. Kenshin had more than just Battousai and Kenshin inside him.

["Why? I've already seen you"]

That was right! She'd seen this aspect of his personality before. Last night when he was watching her re-dress, but had not turned away, to her embarassment. Perhaps this personality was even more dangerous. It was...unpredictable and could turn to either the dark Battousai or the gentle Kensin easily. It was the Rurouni; mixture of both. She clasped her hands together to hid the trembling her thoughts had induced. "It's a normal morning, Kaoru. Act normal!" she hissed to herself, walking around the deck until she could step down to the grass.

Kenshin looked over his shoulder curiously. Kaoru had been very silent, but he could not really blame her for it. A part of thought that it was from the fear of yesterday's events with the robbers, but the Battousai in him knew that her behaviour stemed from him. His eyes glinted a hard purple as Kaoru approached him, her expression caught between apprehension and force cheerfulness. "Deny all you like, Kaoru" he whispered, eyes flashing hot amber.

Kaoru faltered a few meters from Kensin, caught by the gold in his eyes. Battousai! He was looking at her in a calculating manner that made her skin crawl. He said something low, which she was sure she was not meant to catch and then he smiled. But it wasn't a cheerful Kenshin-smile, oh no. It was the sort of smile a wolf would give to the lamb he was about to pounce on! "Kenshin?" she managed, licking her lips. His burning golden eyes followed the movement hungrily and she quickly withdrew her tongue.

"Kaoru" Battousai purred at her, dropping the dripping cloth that he had been washing. He got smoothly to his feet, eyes locked on hers.

"Oi! Kenshin!" Sanosuke said, strolling in the gate.

Kaoru started and her blue eyes skittered hurriedly away from Kenshin's.

Battousai frowned darkly at the interuption, then his softer side emerged and he turned with a smile. "Sanosuke! Good morning. Where have you been?" he asked politely, sinking back down before the wash tub.

Kaoru could only stand there frozen, mouth dry. Battousai had been there in broad daylight! With no bad-guys to provoke him. She swallowed hard, vering away from Kenshin and heading back to the deck. She sat on the edge, feet dangling and nervous eyes going from Kenshin to Sanosuke.

Sanosuke smiled and looked down at his newly-bandaged fists. "Oh, I just took care of some business last night and I needed Megumi to patch me up"

Kaoru's eyes widdened and she looked quickly at Kenshin to see his reaction. It was obvious that Sanosuke had gone after those robbers.

Kenshin's smile never slipped, but he threw a sidelong look at Kaoru to see her reaction. He could not have done after the robbers himself without killing them and Kaoru would not have forgiven him for breaking his vow. So, he had gotten out of bed, after his thoughts the night before and woken Sanosuke to do it for him. Kaoru looked startled, but not displeased. Kenshin nodded, hiding his violet eyes specled with gold beneath his red hair. His hair served a perpose. It could hide his expression at times, but also as Battousai, golden eyes gleaming at his enemies from the shadowed planes of his face struck fear into the hearts of men.

"Did you get hurt, Sanosuke?" Kaoru asked gently as the tall man walked over to her. She could not have stood the thought of him getting hurt because he had been defending her honor. She had no doubt that Sanosuke would have stuck out after dark anyway, if it had not been for her vehemance at dinner the night before.

["I don't want you to go after them for me!"]

["I'd kill them for you, Kaoru. You know that. You're like the sister I never had"]

["I know...but still. Let the police handle them"]

Sanosuke grinned at her wryly, aware that she wasn't too happy with him from the look on her face. He knew she was remembering their conversation from dinner. "You mad, Missy?" he teased, peering at her from under his brows.

Kaoru turned her face away, crossing her arms. She wasn't happy with him...but she WAS happy all the same. "Don't you use that puppy-dog look with me, Sanosuke!" she ordered. Then she turned back to him and grinned. "Did you hurt them bad?" They deserved what they had gotten from her 'older brother' for the indignity they had put her through!

"Oh yeah. They cried like baby's" he rolled his eyes, grin widdening viciously. "And bled like stuck pigs!"

"Good!" kaoru said in satisfaction. "Where are they now?"

"With Sitou in a nice filthy jail cell"

"Very good" Battousai said quietly, face still hiden from their's. He rinsed out the cloth he was washing, keeping his glowing golden eyes from them. In thier depths was a fierce, animal viciousness and satisfaction that would have scared Kaoru. Sanosuke knew how badly Kenshin had wanted to go after those men and gut them, so he would not have been terribly surprised to see Battousai's expression.

"Yeah, well it was fun anyway" Sanosuke yawned widely and leapt onto the deck. "I think I'll get some shut-eye. Wake me for lunch, Missy"

"Of course" Karou said, smiling at him proudly. He wasn't a bad guy, he just lacked direction adn he had some bad habits. But he really was the brother she had always wanted. "You've earned it-for once!"

"Hey!" came the indignant yelp from inside.

Kaoru heard and screen open and close and then there was silence. To her shock, she found herself alone with Kenshin. Again. Would be go all battousai on her again? He turned to look at her as he sensed her eyes on him, giving her a warm gentle smile.

"Would you like some breakfast, Miss Kaoru?" he asked her, keeping his voice light. He knew that the Battousai had scared her minutes before and realised that he had pushed it to fast. Kaoru needed to be seduced, not run-over. She needed to be treated gently, then with passion, not rail-roaded by her unpredictable house-guest. No, he would go slow and surprise her. Take her off-guard. His smile widdened in genuine happiness as she stared at him warily. "I am almost finished with the washing, that I am"

That I am? Ah! kaoru relaxed when she saw that nothing was going to happen. Perhaps it had been a fluke, with both of them too raw from the events of the day before when they had met a few minutes ago. She smiled tentatively, then genuinely as he continued to watch her with open, gentle eyes. "I'd love some!"

Kenshin nodded and got to his feet, but his gi caught on the basket of clean washing and it tipped, spilling a few items into the dirt. "That will need washing again, that it will" he sighed and sat back down again, putting the dirty cloths back into the wash-tub.

Kaoru giggled as she watched all of that, knowing that her clumbsy Kenshin was back. Battousai would never have been so careless! "Kenshin" she said coaxingly. "Leave those till after breakfast? I'm hungry" she really was!

Kenshin stopped what he was doing, eyes considering. If he made breakfast, then Kaoru would be next to him at the table. He smiled. Perfect.

Chapter Two

Kenshin hid a smile as he entered the kitchen. Sanosuke was still in bed, but Yahiko was there at the table, yawning. "Good morning, Yahiko," he greeted cheerfully.

"G'morning, Kenshin," The boy said, yawning again. "Boy, I had a rough night. I had nightmares that those guys came back and I couldn't find my bokken!"

Kenshin frowned, purple eyes darkening. "I am sorry, that I am. Perhaps I should have dealt with them myself," he mused, eyes flashing briefly amber. The boy was under his protection and meant as much to him as Kaoru did. In different ways, of course.

"It's okay, Yahiko!" Kaoru said wickedly. "Sanosuke took care of them last night!"

"What?! And he didn't invite me?" Yahiko jumped up from the table, eyes disappointed and angry. "Sanosuke you jerk!" he shouted, heading for the door.

"He's asleep. Let him get some rest," Kaoru, put her arm out to stop the young boy, pressing her hand against his chest to hold him back.

Yahiko stared at Kaoru as if she'd lost her marbles. "Excuse me? Are you actually LETTING Sanosuke sleep and not yell at him?"

"He did us a service last night, that he did," Kenshin's voice was rougher as he fought to keep him emotions under control. He was extremely pleased with Sanosuke for beating the hell out of those robbers! But he certainly would have loved to have done it himself. Battousai grinned as he walked up to the counter, eyes going to the vegetables arranged there.

Kaoru shot the red-haired man an uncertain look, her heart beating faster at the sound of his voice. That was Battousai speaking! "Yes, well, we all wish we could have been there to beat the crap out of them, but Sanosuke did it for us," her blue eyes swept over Battousai's back, noting that the muscles beneath his gi were taut. "And that's that," she continued in a harder tone.

Kenshin turned his head and gave her an amused look from his golden eyes, hair falling into them and giving him a wicked look. He saw Kaoru shiver under his look and smiled in satisfaction. Kaoru was SO very responsive. He was going to have a lot of fun seducing her. "As you wish," he said mildly, turning back to the counter. He reached for a potato with one hand, a knife with the other. He raised the knife to his face and stared at the blade for a moment, then deftly flipped it up and balanced it on his index finger. He heard Kaoru gasp and glanced at her sideways to see her wide-eyed stare. Mmm, she didn't look frightened, just startled. Good. He flipped the knife up again and caught it with his hand, then proceeded to peel the potato he was holding.

Kaoru felt how wide her eyes were and blinked a few times. Was it her or was Kenshin acting more and more Battousai by the hour? "And is that a good or bad thing?" she wondered under her breath, turning back to Yahiko, who had watched Kenshin with fascination.

"Hey, Kenshin! Can you show me how to do that?" Yahiko said eagerly, eyes bright. He could impress Tsubamae with that move! He grinned.

"Absolutely NOT!" Kaoru said, frowning heavily. "Kenshin is skilled with many weapons but you're learning the Kamiya Kassin style and you're sticking with the bokken!" What was Kenshin THINKING doing that sort of trick in front of Yahiko when he knew the young boy saw him as his role-model!

"Really...Kenshin," she admonished, hesitating over the name. Both she and HE knew that she was really admonishing Battousai.

"Sorry about that, Miss Kaoru," Kenshin murmured, his eyes returning to purple. Maybe he was taking it a bit fast. He frowned thoughtfully, putting down the peeled potato and placing the skin to the side. He wanted Kaoru used to Battousai, but he didn't want to harm an impressionable boy's mind. Kaoru was right; he shouldn't have done that when Yahiko was there. He smiled slightly. It didn't mean that he couldn't DO it-just not with Yahiko around. He began to hum under his breath, reaching for another potato.

"Awww!" Yahiko whined, scuffing his feet. Of all the rotten luck for Kaoru to be there! He was sure Kenshin would have taught him if she hadn't been.

"When pigs fly, Yahiko!" Kaoru growled at him, looking un-amused.

Yahiko gaped in dismay as he realized that he had spoken aloud without realizing it.

"Miss Kaoru is right," Kenshin said firmly, but gently, throwing Yahiko a concerned look. "That is not the sort of thing you should be learning, that it isn't."

"I can handle it!" The boy protested, looking from Kaoru's face to Kenshin's. Neither looked as if they were going to give in.

"You can HANDLE the broom and go and sweep the courtyard, Yahiko!" Kaoru told him smugly, walking over to the counter to help Kenshin. Battousai might regard such a thing as balancing a knife on his finger commonplace, but he certainly wasn't irresponsible!

Yahiko grumbled under his breath and shot Kaoru a dirty look. "Ugly!" he yelled, running from the room.

"YAHIKO! You clean the deck too!" she shouted after him, steaming. She grabbed a potato from the pile and grabbed a knife. She accidentally grabbed at the blade and realized at the last second, but a hand suddenly appeared from thin air and grabbed hers centimeters from the sharp blade.

"You should be careful, Miss Kaoru," Kenshin admonished gently, in the same tone as he had admonished Yahiko.

Kaoru flushed brightly under the scolding and tried to yank her hand from Kenshin's grip, but his fingers suddenly tightened around hers and she was yanked towards him. She fell against his chest, their joined hands crushed between them. Her blue eyes grew wide and her flush brightened as she felt the warmth of his bare skin under their hands, which he had turned so that the back of hers was pressed into the opening of hi gi.

"Would you like me to teach YOU?" Battousai murmured from above, chin brushing against the hairs of her fringe. He looked down when he felt her look up and their eyes met, his a lazy gold.

Kaoru's blush brightened even MORE if possible under that dead-sexy look Battousai was giving her. His golden eyes looked almost sleepy, lids half-lowered like that as he regarded her. Their faces were so close and she felt his breath warmly over her face, making her stomach tingle. He had made no other move to hold her, but instead kept her there only by pressing her hand against him. She could have moved away-at least the length of her arm-but she was mesmerized by him and his amber gaze. The way he was looking at her was filled with desire, yes, but it was also without that burning lust he had shown her over the last two days. It was almost as if he were keeping her pressed close to him for the sheer pleasure it brought him! And that bewildered her. "Teach me?" She said in a dazed way, licking her lips. Battousai's eyes kindled and her heart leapt into her throat as his eyes opened fully and he stared intently at her lips.

"With the knife...or any other way you see fit," Battousai purred. His free hand, which had been resting at his side till then, rose to touch her hair lightly. He brushed his fingers over the smoothness of her head and then swept down its length till he reached the base of her back.

"Any other way?" Kaoru said dumbly, unable to think from his touch and his burning gaze. OH! He meant THAT! Her stomach began to flutter as if filled with butterflies and she felt her body swaying helplessly closer to his, breasts pressing into their hands. She shouldn't have licked her lips!

Until then, he'd been happy to just have her standing there, but now his hands were on the move and he was looking at her as if he'd like to devour her! She blinked and then gasped as Battousai's hand swept over her rear end firmly, then pressed her intimately into his groin, letting her know how she was affecting him. She gasped again, free hand shooting up to push at his shoulder ineffectually. "Battousai! Stop that!" she hissed, throwing a hunted look around the kitchen. If Yahiko were to walk in right then-!

"That's the first time you've addressed me as such," Battousai noted, curiosity touching his amber eyes. Kaoru was so red with embarrassment that she almost resembled a tomato! He smiled in amusement as her eyes skittered away from his. She looked like a hunted rabbit, and rightly so! He was most certainly a wolf who wanted nothing more than to devour her body and soul and her nervous expression confirmed that she KNEW it also. She could be so adorable sometimes; but first and foremost, she was a beautiful desirable woman. And she was his. His hand swept over her back, moving in soothing circles to calm her nervousness. "Open your mouth," he suddenly commanded her, eyes going to her lips.

Kaoru's lips were tightly pressed together to stop the moan that was trying to break free under Battousai's roving hands. Her eyes, which had started to drift close, suddenly opened wide as his words penetrated her dazed, pleasure-filled mind. Open her MOUTH?! Her blue eyes flew to his, filled with incredulity, but then she realized what he was up to and she stubbornly clamped her mouth tighter. Battousai's face moved closer to hers until his lips barely touched hers and his scent assaulted her senses. Battousai's scent was uniquely comprised of sweat and steel and night-time. And it was as heady as the most potent of aphrodisiacs on her!

Battousai smiled against her lips, making sure that they were only touching hers with the barest hint. Beneath his hands, she started to tremble ever-so-slightly and his smile widened mockingly. She thought that she could resist him? Very well. The hand on her back slid down abruptly, cupping her ass. Beneath his lips, she uttered a startled squeak, giving him the opportunity he had been waiting for. Even as he moved in to kiss her properly, he abruptly spun her and pressed her into the counter, pinning her against him. Then he released the hand between them and both of his went about her back and waist, holding her still as he kissed her thoroughly.

Kaoru's gasp was swallowed beneath Battousai's lips as he suddenly deepened the kiss, head tilted slightly to the side so that he could take hers hungrily. She realized vaguely that he was kissing her like a starving man-and then his tongue was sweeping past her teeth and tangling erotically with hers. Her eyes closed and she sagged into his arms, letting him have his way. She wasn't going to protest! Her whole body began to warm and she felt tingling all through her, arousal occasionally zinging in her stomach. OH god how she'd wanted him to kiss her again! As much as she dreaded it. Dreaded it because she was afraid she would give herself fully to Battousai and not Kenshin. His dark side made her forget everything and she wanted nothing else to exist when his lips were moving over hers.

Battousai heard something faint and the hairs on the back of his neck rose slightly to alert him that someone was approaching. He swiftly put his hand on the back of her head to keep her still and then deepened the kiss passionately before drawing completely back from her with his god-like speed. He picked up the half-peeled potato and the knife he had dropped when Kaoru had almost cut herself and calmly went back to the job just as Sanosuke walked into the kitchen.

Kaoru found herself alone, her back still pressed bruisingly into the counter; her cheeks flushed, eyes wide and mouth still gaping as if Battousai's lips were still devouring hers hungrily.

Sanosuke wiped the sleep from his eyes and looked blearily at Kenshin at the counter, then Kaoru standing next to him. "Morning," he said in a gravely tone, still sleep-deprived. He did a double-take at Kaoru's expression. Her blue eyes were wide and dazed, her kimono slightly rumbled and her mouth was parted and wet as if she just been-his tiredness went right out the window as he put two and two together. Well damn! That sly dog! He felt a silly grin starting on his face and quickly hid it as Kaoru regained her wits and stared around in a rather poleaxed way. "Mind telling me what all that yelling was?" Sanosuke said, giving Kenshin's back a sly look. Just how long had this been going on? Or was Kenshin finally getting the balls after the night before, being pressed against Kaoru like that? Good for him!

"Yelling?" Kaoru said, feeling as if her mind had been packed in wool. Battousai had overwhelmed her! And he'd...he'd KISSED her like there was no tomorrow in the KITCHEN! Anger started to fill her and she threw a murderous look at Kenshin, who turned just in time to catch it.

Kenshin's purple eyes widened as he saw her death-glare and he swallowed. If looks could kill, he'd be a smudge on the ground right about then. "Are you alright, Miss Kaoru?" He said in concern.

"Grrr," Kaoru spun around and grabbed the handle of the knife she had been aiming for a few minutes earlier when he'd gone all Battousai on her. She snatched up a potato and began furiously peeling it, bits flying everywhere in her fury. How dare he kiss her like that when those two free-loaders could have walked in any minute?! Just who did he think he WAS kissing her like that? Taking liberties with her body like that? Grabbing her BACKSIDE like that!

Oooh, she was STEAMED! Kenshin winced and turned back to the vegetables, ignoring the bits of peel that occasionally hit his gi. Keep calm. Keep Battousai down! He was letting his dark side WAY to much leeway where Kaoru was concerned. But then felt a purely-male smile spread over his lips suddenly as he realized what had her so steamed. Well, well! She was angry at how she'd responded to him, but she was trying to convince herself that it was his high-handed manner! His violet eyes, flecked with amber, began to gleam knowingly. And how responsive she'd been too! He chuckled. "Yahiko was shouting because I wouldn't show him how to use a knife," he said calmly to Sanosuke, as if there were nothing more on his mind.

"Well, good," Sanosuke nodded, sinking down at the table. "I still didn't get enough sleep, but I've gotten by one worse," he went on, picking up the chopsticks at his place at the table and fiddling with them. Boy, the tension in the room could almost explode it! Kaoru seemed steamed over something and if what he thought had happened HAD happened, then he couldn't see the reason why. Everyone but Kenshin seemed to know that Missy was head-over-heels in love with him. And if he'd kissed her, then so what? He scratched at the back of head, perplexed. That's what a guy did when he saw a woman he wanted; kiss her within an inch of her life! He chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Kaoru growled at him, spinning around. She stared suspiciously at Sanosuke's knowing grin and wondered if Battousai had left a trace of their kissing for the rooster-head to see. She swiftly looked down and blushed as she saw her kimono was slightly rumpled. Damn it! Did Sanosuke know that they'd been up to? She glanced back at him warily to see that his grin had widened wickedly and he threw her a wink. Her face turned the color of the reddest rose and she spun back to the potato's with a gasp. Oh no! HE KNEW!

Kenshin wasn't as clueless as some people took him for, not seeing past the mild smile and gentle eyes. He'd noticed Kaoru as she spun to look at Sanosuke, his chuckle, her gasp. And most of all, he'd noticed when Kaoru fidgeted with her potato, fiddling nervously, with cheeks blazing. And all this without even looking. And it could only mean one thing; Sanosuke knew. He was ALSO not as clueless as people thought him and had no doubt put two and two together, given certain facts. Yahiko couldn't have understood what it had felt like to be tied naked to someone like Kaoru. He couldn't even begin to fathom the raging desire and hunger it had awoken inside Battousai-but Sanosuke could. His purple-gold eyes narrowed slightly and he gave a purely-Rurouni smile of mischief. Alright then, if Sanosuke was getting a clue, then HE would just have to be more...cunning. He carefully tossed the knife to the hand holding the potato and then used his god-like speed. He was out to seduce Kaoru-and seduce her he would, even with witnesses! Just nothing that THEY could see.

Kaoru's blue eyes abruptly went wide in shock and color flooded her cheeks. She spun to face Kenshin, who was smiling in satisfaction, studiously cutting the vegetables as if nothing had happened. He'd just-just-felt her up! Damn it! That was the damn Rurouni doing that! His eyes were still violet, she could see from her position, but there were definite swirls of amber in their amused depths. How dare he use his god-like speed to grab her backside!

Sanosuke watched in interest as Kaoru stared daggers at the Kenshin, who had not moved from his spot in over five minutes. All of a sudden, his little 'sister' had whirled to face the Rurouni, flags of color flying in her cheeks, shock in her eyes. And then her eyes had narrowed and she was giving Kenshin the 'look of death'. What on earth had he missed when he'd been watching the whole show avidly since he realized that they'd been up to 'naughty things' whilst he was in bed and Yahiko off somewhere?

"Pass the carrots please, Miss Kaoru," Kenshin said softly, not looking at her.

Kaoru grabbed up a bunch of carrots from the bench and was tempted for a few crazy seconds to throw them at him. She looked down at the long orange vegetables consideringly, picturing shoving one up his nose. Just to see how ridiculous the smug Rurouni would look.

"I would not recommend it, that I would not," Kenshin said out of the blue, giving Kaoru a side-long glance. He could tell what she had been thinking by the way her eyes had stared at the carrots and then his face. His smile widened wickedly. It had been much too easy to use his god-like speed and the guilty pleasure of feeling her ass under his hands for a moment. His fingers had slid across the silk of her kimono easily, feeling the warmth beneath. Kaoru had NOT expected him to do that in front of everyone. No, she had not. And now she was furious! "Let the games begin," he murmured to himself.

"Recommend what?" Sanosuke said, eyes going quickly from Kenshin to Kaoru and back. "What did I miss?" He couldn't have kissed her, because Sanosuke had been watching the whole time! What was that sly dog up to now?

Chapter Three

To Kaoru's eternal relief, Kenshin's eyes remained a soft purple for the remainder of their making the breakfast. But she DID eye him carefully every few seconds, just to make sure. He sure was surprising her! He'd shocked her with his hand on her backside and she was pretty sure it had been that damn Rurouni that had done it, rather than Battousai. It was hard to believe that those robbers had freed his emotions, when it could have been done in the many battles that Kenshin had been in since arriving at her Dojo. Kaoru sighed, eyes darkening. She still couldn't figure out why he was acting that way. Had seeing her in danger permanently unlocked his darker side? Or had it been their being tied together naked that had done the deed? Either way, she had Kenshin's FULL attention and she didn't know whether to enjoy his seduction or run for the hills. Yes, she knew he was trying to seduce her; she wasn't dumb!

Kenshin's head turned and he looked at Kaoru carefully. He had been perhaps too forward with his caresses. She didn't look scared, but she DID look rather nervous. He hadn't decided whether she was open to his seduction, or just plain bewildered by it. She had to know by now what he was up to, especially after that kiss and his hand on her backside! Kenshin sighed. What was he doing? Was it really wise to unleash Battousai on Miss Kaoru when it was blatantly obvious that his dark side was just DYING to claim her as his own?

"Oi! Is breakfast ready yet?" Sanosuke said, drumming his fingers on the table. There had been no further incidents over the last half hour while Kenshin and Kaoru had cooked breakfast. Missy had relaxed gradually and stopped throwing Kenshin guarded looks and Kenshin had barely glanced her way as he cooked. Whatever had been going on between the two had been either left for later, or faded beneath the iron wills of both. Kaoru wasn't the sort to let Kenshin try and seduce her without a fight! And Kenshin...well, it was good to see he was finally getting some guts! Sanosuke grinned.

"What are you grinning at?" Yahiko demanded, staring hard at the older man.

Sanosuke had been watching Kenshin and Kaoru like a hawk for the last half-hour and he had a sneaking suspicion something was going on. But what it was escaped him! He didn't see anything wrong with Kenshin and Kaoru. It was just a normal morning. "So," he said suddenly, remembering what Kaoru had said earlier. "I hear you chased those bad guys down and beat the crap out of them!"

"Yahiko! Mind your manners!" Kaoru exclaimed, turning to throw him a warning look.

"You're too young to swear, that you are," Kenshin said quietly, also giving Yahiko a warning look. Perhaps Sano wasn't the best role-model a young boy could have and Kenshin knew that both of them had a strong influence on Yahiko.

"Yeah," Sanosuke grinned viciously. "I made 'em bleed good! It wasn't much of a fight though," he pondered.

"Here we go!" Kaoru announced, turning with a bowl in each hand. She walked over and placed them in the center of the table. She turned and almost crashed into Kenshin, who was right behind her with a few bowls of food also. Her stomach jumped at his proximity and her eyes flew to his. Kenshin's purple eyes met hers for a long moment, gentleness and something more in his gaze. His eyes never changed color, but she was sure she had seen possessiveness in his gaze, quickly hidden behind his congenial smile.

"Watch out. You don't want to ruin that lovely kimono, Miss Kaoru," Kenshin murmured, eyes skimming down over her young body. He felt a thrill of possessiveness go through him, but quickly squelched it, meeting her eyes again with a gentle expression. He would not embarrass her in front of Sanosuke and Yahiko! He stepped around her frozen form and continued to the table, placing the bowls next to hers.

Kaoru stood there, gaping. Kenshin HAD looked at her that way! And he'd given her a once-over before that possession had flittered through his violet gaze again, making her stomach do flip-flops. God, the reaction he had on her! And he hadn't even TOUCHED her! She licked her lips and turned quickly, avoiding Kenshin's gaze as she deliberately took her place at the opposite end of the table from him.

Sanosuke's eyebrows rose as he watched the two. How Kenshin's eyes had flashed gold for a moment, as if infuriated with Kaoru over something. He switched his gaze to Kaoru and saw that she was not looking at Kenshin, but was fiddling with her chopsticks. And what was with her changing seating arrangements like that? She usually sat to Kenshin's left as he sat at the end of the table!

"Why are you sitting there, Ugly?" Yahiko demanded.

Sano felt like patting the boy on the back for asking what he couldn't!

"Yeah," he said quietly, eyes going from Kenshin to Kaoru with avid interest.

"I FELT like it," Kaoru said through gritted teeth, not looking at Kenshin. Oooh, he was furious at her! She'd felt it in his amber gaze when she'd looked at him and she could feel it now, even at the other end of the table.

Battousai didn't like to be ignored, especially when he was trying to seduce her! Kaoru smiled and flashed Kenshin a triumphant smile. A BIG mistake! She realized a moment too late that it was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Before her eyes, his eyes changed into a blazing amber, kindling with an inner fire that made her heart leap into her throat. She literally FELT as the tension in the room became palatable, the air almost crackling about Battousai's form.

"MISS Kaoru, can sit where she feels like, Yahiko. It's her home," Battousai said in hard tones, voice several octaves lower than usual. His amber eyes burned into Kaoru's lowered face, as her hair shielded her face from them all. Challenge him would she? She thought that she could ignore him and be smug about it? Kaoru was about to get a dose of what it was like to be under his power.

What could he do to her with Yahiko and Sanosuke there? Kaoru tried to keep her smile in place and also tried desperately to rip her eyes from Battousai's...but she could do neither. Her mouth parted and her heart began to thunder in her ears as his golden gaze pinned her to the spot.

Sanosuke's eyes widened in shock and his mouth gaped as he noticed Kenshin's golden eyes, fixed on Kaoru with a restrained fury. What the HELL had she done to get that reaction? He started to sweat lightly, feeling the tension in the air.

"Hey, what's going on?" Yahiko asked nervously, feeling the air in the room change drastically. Kenshin was staring at Kaoru with a hard amber gaze that was frightening in it's intensity. "Kenshin?" he whispered nervously, licking his lips. Kenshin was SCARY!

Battousai's eyes moved from Kaoru's, releasing her. He saw her slump from the corner of his gaze as he focused on Yahiko's freaked-out face. Immediately, he calmed, all fury going out of him as he saw how scared the boy was. Kenshin looked at Sanosuke as his eyes returned to soft violet and saw that the man ALSO looked apprehensive.

"Whew! Kenshin, you're really freaky-assed when you go Battousai!" Sanosuke breathed, running a hand over his sweating forehead. Boy, was he damn glad he hadn't been the one that gaze had been directed at! Come to think of it, what DID Kaoru do to get that reaction? He was dying to ask, but for once, he decided to be prudent. This was between Kenshin and Kaoru-whatever the outcome.

"I am sorry about that, that I am," Kenshin murmured, sighing deeply to calm himself. How could he have let Kaoru's taunting go that far? Was he not the famous ex-manslayer, Battousai? Did he not have iron control and an unbendable will? Kaoru could bring out his dark side so easily, it was scaring him also. His eyes went to her face and saw that she was rather pale, but she managed to give him a slight smile to say that she understood.

"What made you go like that?!" Yahiko demanded, sweating also. He looked around hurriedly for any bad-guys, but didn't see any. "Were you remembering the robbers?" he said, as a possible explanation popped into his head.

"Yes!" Kaoru, Kenshin and Sanosuke said in relief. All three exchanged a speaking glance and then they looked away. It was also quite clear to Kenshin and Kaoru in that moment that Sanosuke KNEW what was going on and that their games were going too far.

Battousai had almost exploded out of him and he had barely held the amber-eyed demon back from leaping across the table and forcefully taking Kaoru. He had been so centered on teaching Kaoru a lesson in possession, that he had completely forgotten Yahiko and Sanosuke and had not cared about the consequences! Damn. Kenshin closed his eyes for a long moment, trying to regain complete control as the other three talked about the robbers. It was getting out of hand and his control was slipping. Battousai wanted Kaoru NOW and Kenshin was in the most exquisite pain in trying to hold his emotions back. He wanted Kaoru, he admitted it now. Yes, the mild-mannered man who had tried to treat Kaoru like his sister, was finally admitting that he loved her and lusted after her as much as his dark side. Therefore, there would have to be a compromise. A balance.

Kaoru watched Kenshin closely as he sat there with closed eyes, chest rising and falling evenly. He was obviously regretting his rage of a minute before and was having some kind of inner struggle. She felt sorry for taunting him in that way. She shouldn't have done it! But god, what WAS it about that red-haired man that tempted her to provoke his dark side? She knew, the moment she gave him that triumphant look, that Battousai would break loose. She could only be grateful that he had had enough presence of mind to not move. Who knew what Battousai would have done to her? Leapt over the table and kissed her senseless? Ripped her clothes off and taken her to prove whose she was? Maybe...something worse? She flushed slowly, heart beginning to beat faster again as she remembered his thrilling touch. Gods she wanted him, no matter the consequences.

Kenshin's eyes opened and he gazed at Kaoru softly. This woman could send him over the edge with only an expression. It was amazing really. All his control went right out the window and she tempted him like an angel before the devil. His eyes locked on hers, lips moving without sound as he conveyed a message to her.

Consequences. Kaoru got his message loud and clear, his lips forming the word so that Yahiko and Sanosuke could not see. Her actions would be met with raw passion from the man sitting across her from her. And one day, she would go too far and she would be left with whatever he decided to do. She nodded slightly, but couldn't contain the passionate look that crossed her face as her eyes clung to his. She wanted Battousai to lose control deep inside. She found his every movement mesmerizing and tantalizing. She wanted to be kissed with his darkness and burn beneath his caress-and in that moment when that all crossed her face, she knew she was lost. It was only a matter of time before he claimed her as his and was as inevitable as the rising sun.

Kenshin fought Battousai as he rose to the surface under Kaoru's heated look. Did she have any IDEA of how she looked right then? Like a woman who wanted to be claimed? To be kissed and caressed? To be HIS? It was for him, that look. He and he alone. His eyes kindled into golden fire and he swiftly lowered his head, shielding his face with his long red hair. In the shadows of his face, his eyes burnt demonically. Under the table, his fists clenched, nails digging hard into his skin. He would be calm! He would NOT do ANYTHING! God, what was she trying to DO to him!

"Lets eat-" Sanosuke said, looking up from an argument with Yahiko over his technique in beating up the bad-guys. He broke off when he saw Kenshin's lowered head and the tense shoulders under the gi. The way he seemed like a taut bow about to break. Shit! What did she do NOW? He quickly looked at Kaoru and saw her wide blue eyes, resting on Kenshin with apprehension. Obviously, she once again knew what she'd done. "Let's EAT," he said again, tone harder. Honestly! Those two should go to her room and get it over with! The sexual tension in the room was just EMBARASSING with it's thickness!

"Yes! Let's eat!" Kaoru and Yahiko said at the same time, her tone noticeably more eager.

"Eat. Yes!" Kenshin said, voice strained. He looked up at the three, wondering what Sano and Yahiko thought of his rapidly-changing emotions. Sanosuke certainly knew that it was sexual tension causing the trouble and thank god Yahiko was too young to realize what was going on. He felt sweat trickle down his back and knew his forehead was also beaded. If Kaoru continued to do this to him, he would NOT be responsible for his actions! His violet eyes hardened slightly as he looked at her. Fine; if Kaoru wanted to play that way, then so would he by god! She was a grown woman and knew exactly what she was doing!

"Right!" Kaoru said with forced brightness, apprehensive when she saw Kenshin's hard gaze resting on her face. She didn't like the look on his face. No, not at ALL.

"I will get this, everyone," Kenshin said, forcing a smile to his face. Kaoru wanted to play? Well, she could have it then! His purple eyes became speckled with gold and his smile widened devilishly. He picked up his chop-sticks...and then his hand vanished. The other three watched with wide eyes as their plates were filled rapidly with food from the god-like speed of the Rurouni.

Kaoru glanced down at her place and then gave Kenshin a strange smile. It was his own mischievous smile that alerted her, seconds before the tightness around her waist disappeared and something pooled around her legs and the ground. She looked down swiftly in shock to see her obi laying there, unbound.

"Er...missy? You have a-umm...draft," Sanosuke managed, eyes wide and fixed in the general direction of Kaoru's chest. How the hell had her tightly-bound obi come undone so swiftly? His eyes turned to Kenshin's and he stared at the man incredulously. There was just NO other explanation! Kenshin had used his god-like speed to undress Missy!

Kaoru looked up further along her body to see her kimono gaping wide, showing the curves of her bandaged chest. "Arrgggh!" she screamed, hands flying up to cover her indecently-exposed body. Her head jerked up as she clutched the two halves of her kimono together, giving Kenshin a death-glare. His expression was innocent, but his violent eyes were swirling with golden specs and contained a wicked gleam. "Why you-!" she gasped, impotent with rage and mortification.

Sanosuke looked from one to the other, eyes narrowing in speculation. Had Kenshin just DONE that?!

"Hey, Kaoru. You don't know how to dress yourself proper?" Yahiko taunted, smirking.

Damned Rurouni! Battousai was dark and sexy, Kenshin was mild and gentle-but the Rurouni was downright mischievous! He was PLAYING with her! And she knew damn well it was in response to her taunting. Kaoru glared at Yahiko and then the Rurouni, whose face was no longer fixed in an innocent expression, but was smirking openly, purple eyes flecked with gold. She growled low at him, unable to accuse him openly with Yahiko and Sanosuke present.

Rurouni's eyes widened in pleasure at her growl. My, what a fierce wolf she was sometimes! Which suited Battousai perfectly. The wolf and the she-wolf. More amber appeared in his eyes, his smirk fading into a more wicked grin. "Perhaps you should excuse yourself?" he suggested silkily, eyes giving her a silent message.

"She obviously needs someone to show her how to dress!" Yahiko snickered.

Sanosuke hit the boy over the head. "You're on the talk! I've seen you struggling to get your belt on in the morning!"

"WHEN?!" Yahiko shouted, incensed.

Kaoru gaped at Rurouni, then her mouth snapped shut and she flushed lightly. She had NO doubt that Battousai would appear in her room to help her if she excused herself to re-wrap the yards of material that made up her obi. So instead, she shot him a narrow-eyed glare that said 'no on your LIFE, buddy!' and began to tirelessly wrap her obi around her waist, while the two men and the boy watched with avid interest. Yahiko had probably never seen a woman get dressed, Sanosuke had probably UN-DRESSED a woman and left before they dressed and Kenshin...well, who knew if Kenshin had seen a woman get dressed before? She frowned, looking down at the obi as she wrapped it easily about her. Battousai seemed to show a great deal of experience with women, by the way he had been seducing Kaoru so expertly. Her flush deepened at her train of thought and she looked up, directly into Battousai's gleaming golden eyes. He was enjoying this! Kaoru growled at him low and was shocked when he growled back just as low, so that only she could hear him over Sanosuke and Yahiko's argument.

Chapter Four

Battousai and Kaoru stared at each other for a long moment and then Kaoru shook her head slightly. She didn't want to do this now. Not after he'd almost lost control of himself right in front of Yahiko and Sanosuke.

Battousai's brow rose. No? Clearly Kaoru was wary of playing with him after his near-loss of control. He nodded back slightly, calming. He adjusted his chopsticks and began to eat from his bowl, eyes returning to a gentle purple. He regretted going so far and wondered how one small woman could make bring out his dark side so easily, when he had never showed it to his wife, Tomoe. Tomoe had met him when he was still Battousai and her gentle way had made him rethink his life. And when she had died...his eyes closed in remembered grief. No, he would go slower with Kaoru, no matter the provocation.

"So, can we EAT now?" Yahiko said snidely, rolling his eyes. Kenshin seemed very relaxed now and the room seemed a lot less tense than it had been. The robbers had been damn lucky that Battousai had not gone after them if Kenshin was still that furious over the incident, even after Sanosuke had taken care of them!

Sanosuke smacked Yahiko over the back of the head for his tactlessness. He shook his head. The boy had NO idea what was going on around him! And luckily too. Yahiko wouldn't understand why Kenshin was trying to seduce Kaoru. "Just eat, you little monster," he said under his breath, smiling fondly.

"I have classes this afternoon," Kaoru suddenly said, breaking the small silence that had built while they ate.

Kenshin looked up from his bowl inquiringly. "Will you be home for dinner, Miss Kaoru?" he asked inquiringly.

Kaoru gave Kenshin a strange look. How this man could go from passionate to gentle in minutes was just SCARY! She'd need to talk to him; and soon. Could she really LET him seduce her? And unmarried girl with no father and mother to protect her? Most of the town knew them and were aware that the man living with her and the freeloader who hung out there, were only friends...but still, they DID talk. It would be pretty obvious, if she let Battousai go ahead with his plan, that something had changed between them. She should make Kenshin MARRY her! She smiled evilly. Wouldn't THAT make him blush! Or maybe he would say yes? She looked up to the man of her thoughts and met his curious gaze. "Yes, I'll be home for dinner," she said quickly, flushing.

"I'll send Yahiko for tofu then," Kenshin said quietly, eyes narrowing on Kaoru's red face. What on earth had she been thinking? About him? About THEM? Perhaps, then, he had not been pushing her too much. Kaoru was very passionate and he was quite aware that she had feelings for him that went beyond mere lust. Perhaps it was love? He should ask her to marry him.

Kenshin looked down at his chopsticks pensively. Yes, perhaps he should ask her to marry him before he went further with her-

"What are you thinking about, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked abruptly, wondering why he seemed so deep in thought.

"Just considering something, that I was," Kenshin replied with a secretive smile, eyes moving over her form. Kaoru would make a beautiful bride.

Kaoru bit her lip at his once-over. But his eyes remained purple, so she was sure it wasn't lustful thoughts.

"What about?" Sanosuke asked around a mouthful. His brown eyes went from Kenshin to Kaoru and back. It was hard to believe, seeing them now, that only minutes before Battousai had broken free. Kenshin was apparently back in full control.

"The washing," Kenshin blurted out the first thing that came to mind. The three gave him a weird look and he sighed. They would never understand that when he washed, he was actually cleaning his hands of all the blood from his past. He felt...cleaner when he did the clothing and is was also very soothing.

"That's stupid!" Yahiko said, groaning. "You have to be the only guy alive who likes women's work!"

"YAHIKO!" Kaoru growled, anger filling her. That boy was so ANNOYING! "If you're finished with breakfast, then you can do two hundred strokes!"

Yahiko stuck his tongue out, sniffing. He pushed his empty bowl away and stood. "I was going to anyway, Ugly!"

"Three hundred," Kaoru said sweetly.

"You old HAG!" Yahiko shouted, glaring at her.

"FIVE hundred," Kenshin said, raising his calm eyes to the boy's face. He did not like the way Yahiko addressed Kaoru, that he did not!

Yahiko gaped at the red-haired man, then groaned and stomped from the room. "Now Kenshin's ganging up on me!"

Sanosuke grinned at them both. "Nice going Kenshin," he approved.

Kenshin turned his eyes to the taller man. "And you can clean the deck," he said quietly.

Sanosuke and Kaoru gaped in shock.

"Huh?" Kaoru said intelligently, blue eyes wide. Was Kenshin SERIOUS? That free-loader cleaning?

"Kenshin!" Sanosuke yelped, eyes boggling. "You can't be SERIOUS!"

"Oh, I'm serious alright," Kenshin said, purple eyes glinting with a hint of gold. Rurouni was dead serious. "You don't do anything around here and Miss Kaoru goes out to work so that we can all eat, that she does," he said firmly. He placed his chopsticks on the table and pushed away his empty bowl. Both Yahiko and Sanosuke would be helping around, as of then. He would NOT have his future wife doing all the work!

Sanosuke saw how serious Kenshin was by both his expression and the hint Battousai in his eyes. What the hell had brought this on? He glanced at Kaoru to see her pole-axed expression. She obviously had NO idea what Kenshin was up to either! "Alight," he said grudgingly, getting to his feet. "Thanks for the food," he added as an after-thought, backing away from the table. One just didn't mess with Kenshin when he was in this mood!

"There's a bucket and mop in the Dojo," Kaoru said faintly, still staring at Kenshin in incredulity. What on earth was her Rurouni up to now? It was clearly him from the gold-flecked eyes. HER Rurouni. She blinked several times and then smiled. Yes, he was hers. Battousai had stacked a claim on her, so she could do the same! And if another woman even looked at him, she'd have her eyes scratched out! Her expression darkened. That included Megumi too!

Rurouni's eyes widened in surprise at the possessive look Kaoru had on her face. She was looking at him, but her eyes were distant, as if she were thinking of something that angered her greatly. Kaoru--possessive? He smiled mischievously as Sanosuke left the room without another word. "What are you thinking, Kaoru?" he said silkily, forgetting to add the 'Miss' before her name. She just wasn't a 'Miss' any more to him.

Kaoru blinked rapidly, focusing on the red-haired man's face. Oh no, he must have seen some of her thoughts on her face! She turned slowly red and his mischievous smile widened. "N-nothing!" she stammered, reaching out to collect the bowls from the table. Rurouni's hand reached out and captured hers swiftly, a finger stroking over her palm.

"What were you thinking?" he prompted quietly, curious about what she'd been thinking. What could have caused her to look so possessive of him? Him with another woman? He frowned lightly. "You don't have to worry," he murmured, eyes gentling into a soft purple.

"What?" Kaoru gasped, eyes locking on his. Did he mean...? His finger stroking her skin was very distracting and she swallowed.

"About other women," Kenshin said, not beating around the bush. As she gasped, he released her hand and began to gather the bowls for her. She sat there frozen with a stunned look in her eyes as he rose with the bowls and took them over to the counter to clean.

She didn't have to worry about other women? Was he serious? Had her face been that transparent? Kaoru blushed bright red in embarrassment, rising swiftly to her feet. "I have to go change and leave!" she blurted out, rushing from the room and leaving him with the cleaning. She had to think about this! Kenshin saying baldly that she didn't need to worry about his interest going to other women hinted at something deeper than lust. Was it possible that he...wanted to MARRY her too?

It began to rain furiously during Kaoru's last session with a student. She said her good-bye's and walked out into the wet and was drenched in seconds from the deluge. "Damn! I should have brought an umbrella!" she said angrily, beginning to run. Of course, it had not looked as if it was going to rain that morning, so she couldn't have done anything anyway! She ran through the town, feeling miserable. She was soaking and wanted a bath more than anything. Why hadn't Kenshin come with an umbrella as he had in the past when it rained? She ground her teeth. Maybe he was angry with her for the incident at breakfast? Kenshin wouldn't have been, but Battousai was another matter altogether. He wouldn't intentionally hurt her, but he would let her get a little wet to teach her a lesson. She groaned, turning the corner and spotting the Dojo. Almost there!

As she reached the gates, they opened and Kenshin stood there, an umbrella over his head. He didn't look angry; just concerned. Kaoru sighed in relief. Battousai hadn't been out to teach her a lesson after all. How could she had thought her gentle Kenshin would ever do that to her? "Stupid, Kaoru," she muttered, stepping closer to him.

"I sent Yahiko after you with an umbrella," Kenshin said sheepishly, a hand to the back of his head.

Kaoru grinned at him, shaking the drops of water from her head. "Well, I guess he went the wrong way. An besides, I should have checked to see if the sky had any rain-clouds when I left," she said just as sheepishly.

Kenshin's eyes inevitably slid down Kaoru's soaking wet form. He had promised himself that he would go more gently towards her, since the incident at the breakfast table, but he honestly couldn't stop himself! His purple eyes swept over her damp form from head to toe and then back again with excruciating inch by inch. He smiled slowly. "You're wet."

"Yes, Kenshin! How observant!" Kaoru snapped in exasperation, rolling her eyes. But then her eyes met his and she actually SAW the gold as it appeared in the violet depths. She hastily looked down at herself and gasped. Her gi was almost transparent! "Kenshin!" she yelped, hastily covering her chest with her arms. Against her will, her body began to respond to his lascivious expression and his tone of voice.

Kenshin's smile widened into a Rurouni smile of mischief and appreciation as he smelt her sudden arousal. "Veeeeeery wet," he purred in satisfaction, amused at his double entendre. He suddenly stepped closer to her and threw the umbrella negligently over his shoulder. He too was wet in seconds, but ignored it. His full attention was now on the very wet, almost-naked form of the girl before him. Her gi was white and was almost see-through on her chest! Her legs too were visible, but to his disappointment, he could not see from her stomach to her upper thigh's because of the double-thickness of her overlapping gi and pants. What a pity--he would have dearly loved to see her completely naked in all her glory once again. "And transparent too," he added in amusement, stepping even closer so that he was standing right over her form, his chest brushing her hands which were held protectively over her chest.

"Kenshin," Kaoru said uncertainly, taking a step backward. She had not expected to have a transparent outfit on around him! Damn the rain! His eyes went over her form again, pausing on her hands. She shifted nervously and took another step backward, which he matched without lifting his head. His face and eyes were hidden by his wet red hair and she suddenly had the urge to bolt.

"Guess again," Battousai murmured, raising full golden eyes to her startled face. He saw her swallow and he smiled wolfishly.

"I er-" she stammered shyly, feeling as if she WERE completely naked under his gaze. Their eyes locked and she licked her lips, taking an hasty step backward when his eyes kindled. Her arms flew out to ward him off, fingertips pressing against his chest. "Stop right there!" She warned, eyes unable to leave his.

Battousai grinned at her wickedly, then dropped his amber eyes with great deliberation to her chest. "Beautiful," he said huskily.

Kaoru abruptly remembered her chest and her hands flew up again to cover her breasts, which were very apparent through the wet material, the rosy nipples erect from the cold. But before they could shield her from his burning gaze, they were caught in both of his. Too late! Why hadn't she left when she'd found out she was naked to his gaze? Because on some level, she liked to taunt him. That was why. Somewhere inside, she was excited to see him so lustful over her! Bad Kaoru. Bad-

Battousai stepped closer, at the same time, pulling her hands over his shoulders. He let them go and pressed himself against her, hands sliding possessively around her waist and back. "You don't need to hide yourself from me, Kaoru," he murmured to her, rubbing his chest against her cold one.

The rain fell lightly about them, ignored by both. Sanosuke paused on his way out the door to find Kenshin, his mouth falling open as he saw the two wrapped in each other's arms. Even as he watched, Kenshin's mouth came down on Kaoru's hard, smothering her audible gasp. He rolled his eyes, then carefully backed up and re-entered the house to head off Yahiko. Dinner could wait.

Battousai was fully aware that Sanosuke had been there for a few moments, but he had luckily retreated. Luckily for HIM. Kaoru was his and their encounters were private. His lips moved over Kaoru's hard, feeling a need to punish her on some level for worrying him by being out while it rained. He soon softened the kiss, leaving his lips to trail over her face.

Kaoru was lost in the sensation, not minding in the slightest when Battousai gave her the punishing kiss. She was aware that he had been worried about her getting wet. But then to stand there in front of him in a transparent gi when she knew he wanted her so much, was just insane! She groaned as his warm lips burned a trail over her cold eyelids. His hands moved in caresses over her back and waist, molding her form to his. Kaoru suddenly pressed herself hard against him, wanting to feel every inch of his lightly-muscled body against her. She wanted him so much! His hands, his lips, his eyes. Oh god, his EYES. That molten gold stare filled with such lust and passion and darkness. When had she started wanting the Battousai more than gentle Kenshin? With this thought, her senses came back to her and she pulled back violently.

She was so passionate! He groaned against her forehead as she pressed hard against him, every inch of him against her body. His loins exploded into fire as she ground against him mindlessly, seemingly wanting to enjoy his body pressed to hers in that way. And then she was pushing back!

Battousai was so surprised by her withdrawal from his embrace that his arms slid away from her and she was running towards the house like the hounds of hell were after her, before he could even open his mouth. His golden eyes narrowed. She was going to tease him like that and then LEAVE? NO, she was NOT!

Sanosuke was absently drinking some sake, straight from the jug, when Yahiko wandered in, two umbrellas in his hands. "Hey, is Kaoru here? I couldn't find her!" he said, frowning in worry.

"Yeah," Sanosuke said, gulping down his sake and pouring some more. That had been some heated kiss he'd witnessed between Kenshin and Kaoru! His brows creased pensively. Maybe he should have a talk to Kenshin and find out what his intentions were? Kaoru was as close to a sister as he'd ever had and seduction was all well and good, but this was Missy he was talking about here.

"Well?" Yahiko said angrily. He threw the umbrellas into a corner and flopped down on the mat next to the older man. He'd searched all over town for her!

"She's home," Sano murmured, drumming his fingers on his knee. Yes, he would talk to Kenshin. If the guy was going to marry Kaoru, then it was okay. Generally, he didn't think much about propriety where women were concerned. They were there for food and comfort right? His eyes rolled. Yeah, well, that's what he USED to think. Sure, he was polite and he treated women with respect, but the women HE usually associated with were the loose kind. Since coming to town, he'd become friends with Kaoru and Tae and a few other women who were respectable and he treated them as such. Now Kenshin...he didn't look the kind to mess around. So? Why was he suddenly treating Kaoru like a tasty-treat when he'd acted like the brother before? Surely, it COULDN'T be the robbers!

"I found another umbrella in the courtyard," Yahiko said, looking at Sanosuke expectantly.

"Kenshin must have used it," Sano said, keeping his thoughts to himself. Yahiko didn't need to know the manner that umbrella had been discarded and what reason!

"I'm hungry," the boy moaned, rubbing at his stomach. "Is dinner ready?"

"Nope."

"What?" Yahiko leapt to his feet. "I've been cleaning this place and practicing all DAY and Kenshin hasn't done the dinner?"

"He washed...then washed some more and then made Kaoru's bath," Sanosuke said, gulping down his sake again. Yep, Kenshin and he needed to have a man to man talk. He looked at the grumbling boy, who was heading for the door. "Where are you going?" He said sharply.

Yahiko's eyes rolled skyward. "To find Kenshin of course!" he said, as if it were obvious.

Sano's eyes narrowed and he tossed the sake jug to the side. "I'll do it. You stay here," he ordered, getting to his feet.

Yahiko stared at him as if he were nuts. "Why would I do THAT?!" he demanded. Was something going on?

Because there might be something going on that a young boy shouldn't SEE! Sano rolled his eyes and grinned. Kenshin sure was a sly dog!

Before he could stop Yahiko, the boy stuck out his tongue and ran out of the room. "Try and stop me!" He shouted.

"I'll stop you AND give you a hiding!" Sanosuke muttered, running after the boy before he burst in on something he was too young to witness!

Kaoru had fled into the changing room off of the bath, stripping her wet clothes off and panting hard. God! How could she have done that to him? Teasing him like that. Taunting him. She wasn't going to get away with that and she knew it. Battousai wasn't one to fool with, no matter how far their games might go--but to do THAT in the courtyard when Sanosuke or Yahiko could have walked out any minute? What had she been THINKING? She grabbed a towel and wrapped it about her form. Kaoru shook her wet hair back, then grabbed a washcloth from the shelf and headed for the door. Kenshin would be cooking dinner by then and who knew what he would try at the dinner table? She flushed, eyes becoming glazed as she remembered a minute ago, pressed against him. Her body had felt like it was on fire and she wanted...wanted HIM so much. Whatever her body wanted, even though she was not quite sure how IT was done. "Megumi. I have to talk to Megumi!" she said under her breath, opening the screen to the bath.

As soon as she left the change-room, she felt herself grabbed about the waist and swung around dizzyingly. She saw a blur of red as she passed and then there was abruptly a solid wall behind her back, a wet gi pressed hard onto her body. Before she could do more than gasp, a pair of hungry lips descended onto hers and blazing golden eyes were centimeters from her own. Battousai!

"Battousai no!" she said, struggling to keep her lips from his. Damn! She hadn't thought that he'd FOLLOW her! But she should have. Yes, she should have known that Battousai wouldn't leave it like that after desire had burned so hotly between them in the courtyard.

"YES," he growled at her. She was going to deny him after that taunt in the courtyard? NO.

"No! Not like this damn it!" Kaoru cried, thrusting at his chest ineffectually. Hot kisses were pressed all over her face as Battousai frantically kissed her. He seemed almost in a frenzy, determined to touch her and kiss her everywhere! His hands skimmed down over her scantily-clad body, burning easily through the towel.

"You started it," Battousai breathed into her ear, nibbling on the lobe. He pressed her further into the wall so that she was crushed against him, her breasts flattened. He ground himself intimately into her, feeling as if he were in a fever.

Kaoru moaned, unable to stop his hands on her. Gods, she wanted this so much! She wanted to burn in his fire. She felt his hands tearing at her towel and her eyes shot open in panic. No, she wasn't ready for this! "Battousai NO!" she slapped him hard, his head whipped to the side. For a moment, there was a long silence and then he turned his face back, his eyes so dark a gold that they appeared to belong to a feral animal.

"Kaoru-if you had been a man, you would be dead right now," he said quietly, voice hard and certain. He deliberately ran his hand up her thighs to where the towel started, his fingers sliding under the wool.

Kaoru's blue eyes widened in shock as his hands moved up over her hip to cup her bottom and thrust her into his hardness. "If I was a man, you wouldn't be doing this!" she responded, fury filling her. He was touching her now as if she was a whore!

"True," The gold in Battousai's eyes softened slightly. "You knew what I would do when you taunted me a few minutes ago."

"Yes," she acknowledged, groaning slightly as he ground himself into her again. Then he hands were sliding away from her bottom and down her thighs.

"I'm not ready," Kaoru said baldly to him, meeting his eyes head-on.

"I know," Battousai murmured almost soothingly, hands leaving her thighs and sliding up over her towel. They moved over her stomach and then up to cup her breasts through the towel. "But you make it so damned HARD, Kaoru," he growled, leaning in to kiss her hard. "Very," he stroked her left nipple. "Very," he stroked her right nipple. "HARD." he ground himself into her, moving his hips in a circular motion.

Kaoru's eyes widened at his movement, feeling as if her legs were going to collapse from under her. She felt as if she were on fire, the feeling centered between her legs where he was pressing. "Oh god!" she groaned, head falling back from him, leaving her throat bare.

Battousai immediately pressed his lips to the pulse beating at her throat, tongue coming out to lathe it. "Give in to me, Kaoru," he purred, biting lightly, then soothing it with his tongue.

"Kenshin! Where are you?!" Yahiko's voice was like a bucket of cold water. "I want dinner!"

"Maybe now isn't a good time," Sanosuke's said from close-by, as he tried to head Yahiko off.

Battousai drew back from Kaoru swiftly, looking over his shoulder. His golden eyes narrowed. Yahiko would not dare to enter when Kaoru was bathing, would he? He would never let anyone but himself see his Kaoru naked. But no one entered and he smiled. He'd have to thank Sanosuke later.

Kaoru gasped like a beached whale, feeling all hot and bothered and unsatisfied. God! If Yahiko hadn't called out just then! "Please leave," she said with difficulty, eyes huge. She couldn't think right now! And she wanted him to leave as badly as she wanted him doing to her what he had been. She felt strange between the legs, like a burning and she wasn't sure what was happening. She'd never had a mother around to tell her these things. Maybe she should talk to Megumi? As much as they disliked each other, the lady Doctor would not turn Kaoru down, she was sure.

"Mmm," Battousai murmured, breathing hard through his nose. He would have liked to have strangled Yahiko, but Kaoru HAD said that she wasn't ready, even though he'd pushed and she'd responded beautifully. He smiled predatorily. "See you at dinner, Kaoru."

"Y-yes. Right, Kenshin," Kaoru said warily, wondering why he was giving up so easily. She had a feeling that he still had a few tricks up her sleeve and unfortunately, there were many, MANY places during the course of the day that he could corner her. What if he was planning something at dinner like he had at breakfast? Her heart began to beat louder in her ears in anticipation. Battousai walked calmly from the bathroom without a backward glance and for that she was grateful. If he'd looked at her with those eyes, she would have folded like a deck of cards!

Chapter Six

Kaoru stared at the door for a long moment, still pressed against the wall where Battousai had left her. Her heart was racing, her body tingling with excitement and her legs felt weak. She shakily reached up and touched a finger to her lips, noticing absently that they were bruised and swollen from the attentions of the red-haired demon. Demon...Kaoru's lips curved slightly, as she relaxed. Yes, that word was apt! Battousai was a demon when it came right down to it. His eyes a flashing gold, his every movement graceful, controlled and seductive and his words that could fill a person with terror or desire. The breath whooshed out of her and she almost slid to the floor. She hastily straightened herself and headed for the furo on almost-boneless legs. "He's going to be the death of me!" she said, her voice thready. She reached the furo and unwound the towel from the rest of her body, staring down at the bruises she could see forming. But she didn't regret it; not for one moment. He had scared her for a second-he was so intense-but when she had tried to stop him, he had obeyed. Kaoru stepped into the furo and sank into the water with a grateful sigh.

A quick look towards the door showed her that it was still closed. Battousai could come back, she was sure. But his words...'see you at dinner', had been a promise. He was giving her space to relax then, but not later. "Kenshin, I just don't understand you," she sighed, running her hands over her face, leaving trails of water behind. Her blue eyes stared at the wall in bewilderment. The emotions he raised in her were just scary. She wanted him SO very much, even if she didn't quite understand WHAT she wanted. She just...YEARNED. So very much. She loved everything about him. His ever-changing eyes, his beautiful red hair, his body, the way he gave that quirky half-smile, his endearing 'oro's', his gentleness and kindness and the way he protected those he loved. There was so much more that she could have listed, but instead she let her mind wander. Absently, her hand drifted over her breasts, touching the nipples that still felt so tender from his touch. Down, over her stomach and between her legs. Her finger brushed the flesh down there that she had never touched but to clean and an electric shock shot up through her stomach. Kaoru gasped and jerked her hand away, flushing brightly. "GOD!" she breathed, staring down into the water at her own body, which lately seemed to belong to a stranger. "What WAS that?" she whispered, hand hesitating over her stomach. She bit her lip, then jerked her hand out of the water.

She didn't know what that was, but it had felt SO good. Like when Battousai touched her, kissed her. "I've GOT to talk to Megumi!" Kaoru cried out, eyes wide and startled. She just didn't understand her own body, but she would as soon a she could talk to the lady doctor. Kaoru wasn't a girl of the world, but she knew what was happening easily enough. She knew that it had to do with her desire for Kenshin. But she'd never felt these things before and they were as exciting as they were frightening. But she also had no idea what to DO with those feelings.

He'd gone too damned FAR! Battousai stepped away from the bathhouse when he heard Kaoru enter the water. Kaoru in the furo, with no clothes on, was entirely TOO tempting. His fists clenched as he made his way across the yard into the main house. "How could I have pressed her like that? Touched her that way?" he murmured furiously, golden eyes blazing beneath the cover of his red hair. He didn't want Sano and Yahiko to see him that way, so he instead headed into the Dojo. "DAMN!" he snarled, his fist shooting up. He impacted with wood and the beams shattered, leaving a sizable hole in the Dojo wall. Battousai never noticed, still lost in his own hell. He had pushed her too far and she had been afraid. If Kaoru hadn't slapped him, god knew what he would have done to her. Battousai was lost in self-loathing for many minutes, mind replaying the scene with Kaoru over and over. She was just a young girl and he had run his hands over her body was as if she were a woman of loose morals. He should have known better!

"Damn it to HELL!" he roared, first crashing into the Dojo wall again. And then again. Suddenly he sensed Yahiko approaching and turned his face that way as the boy and Sanosuke appeared in the doorway.

Sanosuke took one look at the decimated wall, the blazing golden eyes and the tenseness in Kenshin's body and knew that their presence would NOT be appreciated.

"Woah, Kenshin-eep!" Yahiko broke off his gawking and his stammered words as Sano grabbed him under the arms and hauled him away.

"Lets go peel some potatoes, Yahiko," Sano's voice drifted back to Battousai.

Sano and Yahiko's presence had been like an ice-cold bucket of water thrown over Battousai’s rage and anguish. He blinked and turned his head back to the wall, his haze of anger and loathing receding. "Oro!" the man-slayer said, sounding very Kenshin-like in his mortification. Kaoru would have gaped at him if she could have seen the mighty Battousai with such an expression on his face, his golden eyes rather sheepish. Kaoru was going to MURDER him when she saw what he'd done to her Dojo! Half the wall was gone and there were splinters of wood and beams all over the floor. Absently, he raised his fist and stared at the red flesh. Amber eyes returning swiftly to purple, Kenshin shook his head. He had, once again, let his dark side take over. Both with Kaoru and with the Dojo wall. Rage and desire were very strong emotions and they belonged solely to Battousai. "What have I done?" he whispered, thoughts reaching out longingly to where Kaoru was; as if he could feel the presence of her mind across the yard. He could have hurt her. Could have...raped her. His eyes closed in regret. Kaoru was such a child still and she had been no match for Battousai. He could not let this happen again.

Kenshin's eyes opened and he stared at nothing for a long moment. He had forced her and she had slapped him. Thank god she had! He sighed deeply, very troubled. Was ever a man more cursed? He was fighting himself! Darkness verses light.

["I'm not ready."]

Of course she wasn't! She was only a young girl, who thought she knew her mind and didn't understand her body at all. He doubted she knew what her body was really telling her when she reacted to his every touch. Lavender eyes became gold-flecked as his body temperature began to rise in remembrance. Her eyes so dazed and filled with startled desire. Her body writhing under his. God how he WANTED her! He could almost taste it. Taste her. He loved everything about her. Her beautiful hair, her eyes, the smile, the way she smelled like flowers, her kind nature. So much...and he wanted MORE. The longing was almost overwhelming and he was starting to give into Battousai. The very person that he should have been keeping from his beloved Kaoru. The problem was...Battousai was HIM. How the HELL could be fight HIMSELF?

["I'm not ready."]

Kenshin's head rose, a frown between his brow as he turned and headed for the Dojo door. He kicked wood to the side, stepping over the mess. She wasn't ready. But...she hadn't said NO. She hadn't said never. She had just said, not NOW. Kenshin exited the building and he walked slowly across the yard, lost in thought. Perhaps he was looking at this whole situation from the wrong angle. Kaoru did want him as much as he wanted her and he HAD stopped when she requested. So, the problem was not so much stopping himself from seducing her, as she was a willing victim. He grinned suddenly, amused. Victim. Was there ever a more WILLING victim? Kaoru's moans filled his mind and his body tensed in remembrance. And such a RESPONSIVE victim she had been. He sighed, deflating once more and becoming depressed. No, it wasn't so much keeping his hands off her, as it was stopping himself from HURTING her. Battousai was a killer and willing or not, Kaoru now had his full attention. But could he ever really let himself go? Could he...ever trust himself with her?

Sano heard him approaching and appeared in the doorway as Kenshin walked along the deck in his direction. "So-Kenshin..." the man said, peering at Kenshin's face to assess who he was addressing.

"It's me, Sano," Kenshin said wearily, summoning a faint smile.

"Did you let out all that you needed to?" Sano said carefully, hands slipping into his pants-pockets. Kenshin looked as if his best friend had just died! What on earth had cause such a rage in his friend? "Want to talk about it?"

"No," Kenshin said shortly, eyes lowering to the deck. He couldn't talk about that sort of thing with Sano! He'd be embarrassed for Kaoru's sake.

"Okay," the taller man sighed, saddened to see his friend this way. He had an idea that something had happened between Kenshin and Kaoru and it had not gone very well. But what could it have been after such a heated kiss? The way those two had melded together in the yard had been enough sexual energy to power every light in Tokyo!

Kenshin stiffened as he suddenly sensed Kaoru's presence. He turned his head to see her exiting the bath-house, hair damp. She looked beautiful in her dry kimono, face flushed from the heat of furo.

Kaoru froze, sensing Kenshin. She looked up at him on the deck, paused half-way across the yard. She saw Sano there from the corner of her eye, but her whole being was focused on Kenshin. His face showed regret and depression, as well as a heart-breaking longing. For a long moment, their eyes met and they came to an understanding. Her blue eyes showed forgiveness and his showed relief.

Sanosuke coughed, looking away from his two friends, whose hearts were showing starkly in their eyes. Whatever was going on between those two, it was their business. He would only interfere if Kenshin over-stepped his bounds and did something he shouldn't.

"K-Kenshin, is dinner ready?" Kaoru said, a blush starting on her cheeks. She finally dragged her eyes from Kenshin's as his began to wander downwards in an absent manner. He was blatantly sorry for what had transpired between them, but he was just as blatantly unable to keep his eyes from her body! She could see what he was thinking. He wanted her to know how he regretted their last encounter, but at the same time, let her know that he still wanted her just as much as was not going to give up. And by god, she wanted him that much too! They could move past the incident in the bathroom. She knew what Battousai was like and she could deal with his passions. He just needed to understand that she needed TIME.

Purple eyes flecked with amber slid over Kaoru's body, the longing inside him rising again. Rurouni knew Sano was there, but he WANTED to show Kaoru how much he still wanted her. They were still playing a game and he fully intended to win. But he would down-play it now. He didn't want to scare her or push her again, but he would not let her slip away either.

Sanosuke glanced back at Kenshin to see if their meaningful looks were done with-and he encountered a lust-filled gaze! Good god, would those two never cease?! He coughed again and looked to Kaoru to see that her own expression was filled with desire, but also embarrassment. "Kenshin-dinner?" he prodded his friend slightly with his elbow, wishing he could escape this embarrassing scene.

Rurouni felt a prod in the side and threw an annoyed look at Sanosuke. Did the man not know that it was polite to leave when one inadvertently witnessed a private moment? "What?" he said crossly, eyes narrowing. Then Sano's words connected and he sighed, gold leaving his eyes. "Dinner; right."

"Dinner! Yes!" Kaoru gasped out, released from Rurouni's heated gaze. He had not become Battousai, but those half-gold, half-purple eyes had been enough! She began walking towards the two, studiously avoiding Kenshin's now-calm eyes. Her emotions were still too raw right then. "Is dinner done or do you-" she choked at the thought of being so close to him. "-need a hand to peel vegetables?"

Kenshin smiled gently at her as she stepped onto the deck and headed towards them. Kaoru was clearly nervous at the thought of helping him. His smile widened, as again Rurouni emerged and gazed at his beloved mischievously. The temptation to play with her more was almost overwhelming. He sighed, eyes resting on her lovely face pensively now. No, he would not do anything more that night. He would give her a respite till morning. She was clearly nervous and on edge and he would not take advantage of that. Perhaps...Kaoru passed him, heading into the house and he inhaled her warm scent. His eyes closed longingly. God she smelled good! He licked his lips. "Mmm," he purred, following her. Who was he KIDDING? He could no sooner keep his hands from that beautiful woman, than he could cut off his own arm! Good lord, was he in trouble.

Sanosuke rolled his eyes.

Was that a noise? Kaoru shot up in bed, eyes wide in her face. She looked towards her screen door, ears strained. No. It had just been the wind. She flopped back onto her pallet. Dinner had gone off without a hitch and it had made Kaoru even MORE acutely aware of Kenshin. He hadn't touched her, looked at her with his golden eyes or even flirted slightly. She frowned. He was up to something! A man just didn't have a heated encounter in a bathroom, practically devouring you on the spot and then blow cold the rest of the evening! But that was exactly what had happened. Kaoru had left the bathroom, dressed in a comfortable kimono. She'd even tied her obi with a double knot in case he tried his little unraveling trick again.

Upon entering the kitchen, she saw that dinner had not even been begun. What had he been up to while she'd been in the furo? She'd warily asked to help with dinner and the two of them had worked together silently, while Sano and Yahiko sat at the table talking. Kenshin tried absolutely NOTHING during the dinner preparation! And so she had expected something during their meal-but nothing! Polite conversation flowed between them, continuing on to the washing of the dishes and then to bed-time. Nothing had happened! Absolutely NOTHING! Kaoru growled under her breath and glared at the wall. And what was WORSE-Kenshin had KNOWN that she had been prepared for his advances and therefore had tried nothing. "He's driving me CRAZY!" she said angrily, hands winding into her blanket as if she had them about Kenshin's neck.

What was going ON here? Was he trying to send her around the bend? And that slight smile he'd given her before she went to her bed! He was perfectly aware that she had expected him to try something and was frustrated because he hadn't! "Damn him!" she growled, glare intensifying. If a guy was seducing a girl, he just didn't blow hot and cold like that. It wasn't done that way! "Go to sleep, Kaoru!" she berated herself, turning onto her side and yanking the blanket under her armpit. Kenshin wasn't coming. He wasn't going to open her door and come in from under cover of shadows and kiss her senseless. "I'm going to kill him!" she whined, deflating. Okay, so she wanted him to do all those things to her. Especially under cover of night. Was she a loose woman? She bit her lip, tiredness stealing over her. What kind of girl dreamed of Battousai coming into her room in the dead of night and ravishing her?

Kaoru shifted, trying to get comfortable, her eyes falling shut. "I want...him," she whispered longingly. As her mind drifted off towards sleep, she thought she heard her door slide open, but she was just too tired to care.

Battousai stole quietly into Kaoru's room, hearing her last comment. He HAD intended to leave her for the night, but had found himself in a losing battle. He had been absolutely right when he had thought that he could not stay away from her. Lying alone in his room, all he could think of was her. As much as he regretted the incident in the bath-house, she had forgiven him and they could move on. But he would have to be careful, so very careful not to hurt her or force her in any way. He had pondered over what was happening between them and wondered if he was really good enough for her. Did she really want a man with so much blood on his hands? But the question was, could he keep his hands off what was his?

He padded across the floor on bare feet, dressed only in pants slung low about his hips. Battousai’s golden eyes caressed Kaoru's sleeping face and drooping mouth. How tempting. She was so precious to him. He crouched at her side and bent over her, breathing in her flowery scent. His fingers reached out to tentatively brush the strands of midnight hair from her face, brushing her cheek. "So beautiful, my Kaoru," he murmured, smiling gently.

Her sleeping yakuta gaped open slightly as she stirred under his touch and rolled onto her back. Battousai's smile widened lasciviously. "Very beautiful. Very desirable and touchable," he said silkily, moving closer. His head dipped until his breath wafted over her face, lips almost touching hers. She did not wake and he was somewhat disappointed. "Kaoru," he breathed, his tongue emerging from his mouth. He touched it lightly to her top lip, tasting her. Battousai groaned and Kaoru echoed it, stirring in her sleep. So responsive, even unknowingly! He briefly gave into his desires and pressed his lips against hers. God, how he wanted to deepen that kiss! Reluctantly, he drew back, face hovering over hers. His amber eyes slid down the curve of her neck, lustfully, and paused over the curve of her breasts. She was almost spilling from her gaping yakuta! He groaned. This woman was HAUNTING him! Every single thing about her made him want her more-and she wasn't even doing anything!

"Mine. Always MINE." Battousai growled, his hand reaching for her. His palm slid over the curve of her right breast and then into her yakuta, flesh sliding over the nipple and the smooth globe. He cupped her warm skin for a long moment, tempted to taste her, but then he realized what he was doing. He reluctantly withdrew his hand and closed her top, drawing back from her to sit against the wall. He had given her this night and he would keep that promise. However, come morning...she was all his. Battousai settled back more comfortably in an upright position against the wall and closed his eyes to wait for the dawn. Briefly, his eyes flashed open as he recalled something. He would have to ask Sanosuke to repair the Dojo walls in the morning, before Kaoru could see the mess he had left!

Kaoru's eyes opened and she yawned, stretching. It was then that she sensed someone very close and her head jerked to the side, eyes colliding with lazy golden one's. "Kenshin!" she gasped, reaching down to jerk her blanket up to her chin. There was really no point, since he'd seen her naked and he'd touched all those places, but she'd feel safer if he couldn't see her! Kenshin was laying on his side, right next to her, head propped up casually on one elbow.  He was bare from the waist up, his warm chest pressed into her forearm.

Battousai smiled, face centimeters from her own. "Good morning, Kaoru," he murmured.

"What are you DOING?!" she hissed at him, mortified that he'd seen her asleep. What if she drooled? And GOD his chest was magnificent.  A petite, slender man he was, but he was a beautifully-toned body beneath his clothes that just made her want to run her hands over him.

"Watching you sleep. You look beautiful with your face so relaxed and open," he murmured idly, enjoying her flushed, sleepy look.

"Get out!" she snapped, eyes blazing.

"Make me," he retorted, grinning mockingly. A morning tussle with her would be VERY welcome!

"I'll MAKE you, alright-!" she began, but broke off when Battousai abruptly disappeared from sight. He just...vanished.

Seconds later, her screen crashed open and Yahiko stood there, frowning. "Get up, Ugly!" he yelled, then slammed the screen closed again.

"That boy has NO manners!" Kaoru glared darkly at her door. She sat up, letting the blanket fall to her waist and then she remembered Battousai. She hurriedly looked around and spotted him in the far corner of her room, pressed against the wall. He was so still that Yahiko hadn't spotted him, thankfully! It was scary the way that man could blend into any given scenery! "I'm going to have a bath now," she announced haughtily, deciding to ignore his presence.

"Would you like me to wash your back?" he offered, voice filled with insinuation and mockery.  His tone was so smooth and husky that Kaoru involuntarily shivered in anticipation.

"KENSHIN! Where's breakfast! I'm starving here!" Yahiko bellowed from outside, apparently looking for the red-haired man.

"You haven't cooked breakfast?" Kaoru demanded, standing up and rounding on the man. "Just how long have you been in here?"

"Most of the night." Battousai said easily, amber eyes raking over her form from head to toe and back.

"You hentai!" Kaoru gasped in outrage, arms coming up to cover her chest.  The way he had just been looking at her had been as if her yakuta wasn't there.  How dare he look at her as if she were a tasty-treat and make her want to throw herself into his arms?  Her blue eyes glazed slightly.  And just why exactly was she resisting that urge?!  Wait, wasn't she was angry with him?

"No, I would be hentai if I touched you while you slept. Merely sitting beside you is hardly perverted," he said in amusement, walking towards to her. She didn't need to know what he'd done during the night. Her body had known his touch, even while she slept and that fact made him even more possessive of her. Kaoru truly was HIS.

Kaoru eyed the red-haired man, who seemed to be stalking her yet again. His every movement was graceful and reminded her sharply of a large cat. "Of COURSE it's hentai!" she protested, backing away as he reached her. "You just spent the night in the room of an unmarried girl!"

"It wasn't the first time."

"You've been in other unmarried girl's rooms at night?!"

"No, just yours."

"Arrggggh!" she shrieked in mortification, stumbling over her blanket. Her arms wind-milled as she struggled to regain balance.

"Let me help you with that," he murmured. Battousai grinned as he reached for her arms, yanking her to his chest swiftly, then moving backwards with his god-like speed to pin her to the wall.

Before Kaoru could even blink, his arms were tight about her waist and back and she found herself pressed into the wall beyond her pallet. "Hey! HEY!" she gasped, looking up to his amber eyes, which were staring right into hers wickedly. "You were just WAITING all night to do this, weren't you?!" she yelled at him. Why was it that she constantly found herself pressed between some unyielding object and his body?

"I cannot tell a lie," he murmured with a lascivious grin. "And you give me SO many opportunities too."

"I don't do it on purpose!" she protested.

"Don't you?" he said, watching her. His face moved closer and his lips pressed to her left cheek, trailing a burning path down to her chin. "Don't you just-" his lips pressed against hers hungrily for a moment before trailing over to her right cheek. "-long for my touch, Kaoru?" he questioned huskily into her ear.

"K-Kenshin," she stammered, eyes huge. When he was like this, her heart almost stopped and she felt like giving herself fully to him to do whatever he wanted.

"KENSHIN!" Yahiko bellowed from outside Kaoru's room.

Kaoru pushed against Battousai's chest in panic, convinced that Yahiko would come bursting into her room any moment, to ask her where Kenshin was. Surprisingly, Battousai backed off when her hands shoved at his chest.

"Maybe we should send those two off for the day," he murmured wickedly, amber eyes gleaming at her.

Kaoru's blue eyes widened in shock. Send them AWAY? But that would leave her alone with Battousai! "No!" she gasped at him, pushing him further away from her so that she could step past him. As she stepped over her pallet, she hear him draw in a deep breath and she flushed brightly. He was smelling her! Oh god, that was so erotic!

"No?" Battousai said, not surprised. He tended to forget that Kaoru was an innocent girl, because her will was so strong and she often appeared older and more worldly than her years. He straightened and turned to face her, smiling. "Alight," he murmured.

"Alright?" Kaoru glanced over her shoulder in astonishment. He wasn't going to insist? This WAS the man who had just pinned her to the wall, right? Her eyes narrowed as he walked towards her. "What are you up to, Battousai?"

"What makes you think I'm up to anything, my sweet?" Battousai said silkily. He stopped in front of her and leant in close, till his lips brushed hers.

Kaoru stood still as his lips touched hers with the barest hint. Was he going to kiss her or not? His golden eyes studied her own for a long moment, his nose pressing into hers. From that angle, she could see all the emotions in his eyes. Lust, hunger and...love? Her eyes widened.

Battousai smiled in satisfaction. Kaoru had seen the love in his eyes, which had been his intention. Now, to throw her off again. His lips pressed against hers hard, for a long moment and then he pulled back and moved past her. "I'll have breakfast ready in 10 minutes. Why don't you...freshen up?" he said casually.

Kaoru gaped at his back as he stopped at the screen door of her room and listened for a moment, before opening it. He took a step forward, then halted. "By the way, Kaoru," he purred, turning his head to throw her a heated look, "You smell delicious." And then he was through the doorway and the screen was pulled shut behind him.

Kaoru continued gaping at her screen, eyes wide. Then she flushed slowly and smiled. "I smell delicious," she whispered, reaching up to touch her lips with a finger.

This was originally suppose to be a little one shot story I came up with in the middle of the night. (Yes, again!) But I have got such a wonderful response and had so many good ideas that there are 17 more chapters ahead, even having some fun with other couples and characters. I will try to keep Kenshin & Kaoru in it the most though because it did start in response to the all the Kenshin & Kaoru lemons I keep finding everywhere I turn. Very few people, if any, ever seems to say what happens AFTER their little night of bliss is over, hehehe…

Author’s notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

Disclaimer: I don’t own Rurouni Kenshin and I can’t control my mind when it gets like this, so deal with it. The story plot and idea’s belong to me though, so please don’t steal!

Chapter 1

"Heaven and Hell"

Morning sunshine was filtering through the thin rice paper walls as consciousness seeped into Kaoru’s fuzzy brain. Opening one eye, she scanned the room, confused as to where she was. {This isn’t my room! Where the heck am I?!?!} As her mind began to become more focused, she noticed another human presence at her back, and an arm around her waist. Her back stiffening, she prepared to scream. {Wait! I remember now! It’s only Kenshin you baka! I can’t believe I forgot!} At this thought Kaoru at least had the good grace to blush.

{Oh, this is so embarrassing! I have got to go to the bathroom REALLY bad!} Kaoru began to quietly edge off the futon, trying not to wake the still sleeping Kenshin. With a soft sigh he tightened his grip around her waist and began to snore softly. {Kenshin…SNORES? I can’t believe I never knew! Well, we can fix that really quick!} Turning, Kaoru picked up her pillow, preparing to smother the poor, innocent rurouni, when she stopped dead at what she saw. One of Kenshin’s arms was still around her waist, but the other was coddling his Sakabatou close to his chest.

This set Kaoru into one of her usual furies, Kenshin her unwitting target. Prepared to strike, she suddenly remembered why she was in such a hurry to leave in the first place (Lucky Kenshin!). With muttered threats she decided revenge could wait till later. {I’ll let him get away with it this time, but things are gonna change!}

Finally deciding to just remove his arm and get up, she manages to make a little progress when Kenshin wakes without her noticing. In a very sleepy but playful mood, he moves to put his face in hers, not realizing what kind of mood SHE is in. Poor Kenshin! "Ohayou, de goza-"

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Kenshin no baka!" She shrieked is his face. With a very powerful right hook she sends him flying against the wall! "Oroorororo…" Running out of the room for the bathroom, she left a swirly-eyed Kenshin wondering what the heck he did wrong. If he was even able to think, that is. Probably not!


* * * *

Kaoru was returning across the yard from her pit stop when a very unwelcome voice calls out from the porch. "Oi, Jo-Chan!" greeted Sano cheerfully. He and Yahiko were both outside, Sano lounging while Yahiko strangely enough was sweeping quietly, his back to Sano and Kaoru. He continued with an evil grin. "You were in such a hurry a while ago you didn’t even see me! What were you doing in Kenshin’s room so early in the morning? About time you two finally figured out how…" BAM! A bokken, amazingly pulled out of nowhere, was broken over the top of his head, the owner of the wooden sword seething. "What are you doing here anyway? If you came by just for breakfast, forget it!"

"Of course not, Jo-chan, would I do that? Wait, don’t answer that! Anyway, I didn’t come by this morning, I’ve been here since last night." Kaoru stared at him in horror. "You…you…you mean you were here? Last night?" Sano rolled his eyes, which then took on a devilish gleam. "Can I say it any plainer? I know EVERYTHING!" (A flash of light, and we then find Sano laying outside the dojo wall, a huge lump on his head, possibly a few broken bones)

Dusting off her hands, Kaoru turns to find Yahiko’s back still to her, not taking any part in the teasing and the following fight. Realizing how strange this behavior is, she walked over to him. "Yahiko? Is something wrong? Why won’t you look at me or talk to me? Call me busu? SOMETHING!" Yahiko continued to sweep. "TALK TO ME WHY DON’T YOU!" She screamed in frustration at his silence.

Yahiko finally turned around, revealing a VERY red face and a guilty statement. Stuttering, he answered "I…that is…you know that…THE WALLS ARE ONLY MADE OF STUPID RICE PAPER YOU KNOW! I HEARD EVERYTHING! Jeez, I’ve never been so embarrassed in my entire life!" He once again turned his back to Kaoru, who looked like she had been carved of stone.

"Mou! Everyone around here is out to get me!" She muttered once she could move again. "Maybe I would be better off getting out of here for a while. Away from these…these…MEN!" With more carefully edited out exclamations, she stomps out of the dojo and past Sano who was still hanging around, waiting for her to leave. She was so angry she didn’t even see him, to his vast relief.

"Oi, Yahiko! Have you seen Kenshin? We ought to congratulate him for finally being a man! I was beginning to wonder about him. After all, he does like to do laundry." Still laughing, he walked to the door of Kenshin’s room and listened, but heard nothing. "What’s he doing in there?" Yahiko joined him in listening and still nothing. Carefully they slid open the door and peeked in, collapsing at what they saw. Kenshin was sitting in front of a mirror talking to himself and peering closely at his face. His violet eyes were wide with concern and worry. "What could have scared Kaoru so much? Is it my messy hair in the morning? Iie, it’s always messy. Does sessha have bad morning breath?" Recovering, the pair closed the door and looked at each other, sweatdrops and all. Sano looked grim. "Love does strange things to a man…"

* * * *

After much deliberation and even more fuming, Kaoru had finally calmed down and was headed to see Tae at the restaurant. She wanted to talk to someone about what had happened, and that someone HAD to be a woman. And she knew, after all the times Tae had tried to set her up with Kenshin, she would be ecstatic. "She’ll probably be patting herself on the back for a job well done, like any of her schemes actually WORKED…"

She was so deep in thought she failed to notice Megumi on the other side of the bridge she was crossing. "Kaoru-san! Just the person I wanted to see!" Yelled the lady doctor gleefully. Never a good sign. "Ohayou, Megumi-san." Kaoru greeted politely. "What did you want to see me for?"

Fox ears immediately popped up on top of Megumi’s head, and she laughed like no one else ever could. An even worse sign. "Oh-hohohoho! Did you know I talked to Sano-san last night?" At this point Kaoru was praying for the end of the world, ANYTHING, because she just knew where this conversation was going. "No, I didn’t know, but I am not surprised either!" She gritted out from teeth clenched close to breaking point.

One of Megumi’s telling smiles appeared, fox ears still firmly in place. "If I had only known, Kaoru-san, I would have been more than happy to give you some advice. There are certain things I am sure you didn’t know." Turning very red, Kaoru stammered "We…well, its such an embarrassing topic, and…and its true I never really knew what that was for, demo…" She came to a sudden, grinding halt, looking very shocked. "MEGUMI-SAN! You shouldn’t know about such stuff either! How could you give me advice?!?!"

"Oh-hohohoho! I am a doctor, and everyone knows a doctor should know the male and female anatomy thoroughly! But I suppose it’s too late now for any advice. I am just relieved you two finally got somewhere! I was really beginning to worry about Kenshin…" With a shrug and a quick goodbye to a rarely silent (and still very red) Kaoru, Megumi went on her merry way, as always leaving destruction in her wake.

* * * *

Kaoru had never felt so paranoid in her entire life. No bad guy could ever strike fear into her heart and send cold chills down her spine like the looks she has been receiving ever since her conversation with Megumi. Everywhere she turned, people would stop and whisper when she passed. Some would even smile and wink. Did the WHOLE TOWN know about this? She knew Sano loved to torture her, but this was too much. The man was worse about gossiping than any woman could ever be! She was on the verge of turning around and heading back to the dojo when a familiar voice stopped her. {This is MUCH worse than Megumi-san!}

"Kamiya-san." The smell of cigarette smoke burned her nose. "Strange seeing you here. I thought you’d still be at home with your little Battousai." Kaoru turned to see Saitou leaning against a wall, the ever-present cigarette in his mouth. {Correction, his BIG mouth.}

Plastering a very insincere smile on her face, she responded "I suppose you talked to Sano too? I thought you two hated each other." He shrugged and flicked some ashes to the ground. "No, I haven’t talked to him. Tokio heard from a friend who’s uncle learned it from a cousin who's mother is good friends with a girl who works with a friend of yours at a restaurant who talked to Sagara-san. I forget the details." Kaoru sweatdropped. "I never pegged you as the gossiping type."


"I don’t gossip. It is just my business to learn all I can about my enemy, even about his boring little not-so-private life. You realize the Battousai is so well known and so many people take and interest that even the weasel girl in Kyoto has probably heard by now." He smirked. "I guess it is a good thing. I was beginning to wonder about him. Tokio and I will be sure to send you a wedding gift – if he lives that long."

New gossip was started that day when for the first time ever, people found Saitou lying unconscious in the middle of the street, beaten to a pulp by a woman. Isn’t life ironic? I guess Kaoru will have to protect Kenshin from Saitou now, if he ever manages to get back on his feet. His last words before he passed out were "Tokio will avenge me…" ^_^ (I have nothing against Saitou, but the image of her getting the better of him is very hilarious to me)

* * * *

"Mou! What a horrible, horrible day. I never even got to talk to Tae! I could really use a hot bath." A very defeated Kaoru had arrived back at the dojo, after finally giving up on her mission. Everyone seemed to know anyway, so what was the point? {Still, after everything that’s happened, Kenshin is worth it.} With that one thought perking her up, she yelled out a greeting as she entered the gate. Yahiko, Sano, and Kenshin were all on the porch. But Kenshin was acting a little funny. He came up to her with a normal greeting, seemingly happy to see her, but…the whole time he kept one hand covering his mouth. Sano and Yahiko were doubled over laughing, obviously knowing something she didn’t.

"Ano, Kenshin? Is something wrong? Why do you have your hand like that?" Was even he out to drive her crazy today? "Iie, sessha is fine. I prepared a hot bath for you while you were gone." Still the same cheerful, smiling rurouni he always was. Well, at least she thought he was smiling. It was kind of hard to say with the hand blocking his mouth. "KENSHIN NO BAKA, tell me the truth! What are you doing?!?!" With a half fearful, half-embarrassed look, he finally decides it would be best to answer. "Well, sessha thought maybe you ran out so fast this morning because of my bad breath."

Not expecting that answer, Kaoru busts out laughing as well, joining the two who were still laughing on the porch. "Of course not! I just had to go to the bathroom! (BAM!) Not that that is any of your business!" Swirly eyed again, all he could manage was a simple "Hai!"

"You know, I needed that laugh. I have had a really awful day, but who cares anymore. So everyone knows every single little private thing we do! I still finally got Kenshin in the bargain didn’t I? Maybe I will take that hot bath." She got a sly look in her eyes. "Do you want to join me Kenshin?"

(Gulp!) "Oro?!?!" Happily dragging Kenshin off to the bath, Sano and Yahiko manage to catch one last comment as her voice faded. "I let you get away with it once, but tonight I have OTHER idea’s about what your gonna do with that sakabatou of yours…" With shocked looks at each other, (Yay! Someone actually shocked Sano!) they both said at the same time, "I don’t think I want to know!"

Thanks to Sherah, my cousin (you and your caffeine highs) for ideas for this chapter! I hope I can do your ideas justice! I am certainly not out to write a lemon, so don’t expect anything more than some joking around. ^_^

Author’s note are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters, and I don’t take responsibility for this chapter, my cousin does, hehe! She even told me to blame it on her! But the story is mine so please don’t steal ideas!

Chapter 2

"The Bath Scene"

"Oro? Do you think this is a good idea? After all, Sano and Yahiko are still here de gozaru yo." Kenshin was outside heating up the promised bath from the last chapter (don’t get your hopes up people, I don’t do hentai, hehe) while she was testing the water temperature. Sighing dreamily, she completely ignored his protests. {So what if everyone knows anymore? I’m tired from all the problems today and just want to relax!}

"Kenshin! The water temperature is great, come in!" Hurriedly pulling off her kimono and underclothes, she leaves them hastily scattered and climbs into the water, giggling nervously. She could hear the door slide open as Kenshin entered but she couldn’t see him from her spot in the water. (You have to remember how the bath is laid out in the series with two little rooms) There was some quiet shuffling and then a muttered exclamation. {What the heck is he doing in there?} "Kenshin?"

"Gomenasai, Kaoru! But did you know how dirty you got your clothes today de gozaru? Did you get in a fight or something?" Blushing, she decides to ignore this. "Forget that you baka and get yourself in here before I have to hurt you!" A hurried scrambling. "Demo, your clothes…"

"NOW!!!!!" The scrambling was frantic then as Kenshin rushes to do her bidding. But old habits die hard, and he decides to compromise, bringing the clothes with him into the bath! "Sessha doesn’t want to see your beautiful clothes so dirty. We can wash them in the tub!" Happily climbing in with the clothes, he fails to notice that the water was beginning to boil. I mean REALLY boil! (Anyone for rurouni soup?) Oblivious to her anger, he begins to scrub the clothes, only trying to make her happy but obviously not succeeding. "KEN…SHIN!"

"Oro? Is something wrong?" Turning to her, he suddenly gasps and stares. Kaoru felt a little better at this reaction and began to preen a bit. "What’s the matter Kenshin?" She asked slyly. "Finally remember why we are in here in the first place?" He reached out his hand to her head and slowly pulled out the ribbon that holds up her hair in its customary fashion. Closing her eyes and sighing, she waits for him to do something else, and becomes confused when he doesn’t continue. Finally, her curiosity getting the better of her, she opens one eye.

"KENSHIN NO BAKA!" Still oblivious, he was happily washing her hair ribbon, which had gotten covered with dust in the fight with Saitou. {He is gonna pay for this one!} Reaching out a hand to the top of his head, the poor rurouni finds his head under water, being pushed down by a very strong Kaoru! Trying to oro, nothing but bubbles came up. Fury spent she finally lets him come up for air, which he promptly does, still clutching the ribbon!

(Cough, gasp, choke!) "Gomen Kaoru! Sessha was only trying to make you happy, but it wasn’t working de gozaru. Well, I suppose there is another thing…" Finally getting a clue and looking very sly himself, he continues, "We will be in here a while now though since your clothes are all wet and you have nothing to wear, so sessha can make it up to you!" (Hmmm, is he more of a plotter than we all think? I’ll never tell!)

We leave them there for now, everyone happy in the knowledge that they got the bath scene they so longingly asked for! (You didn’t say what you wanted in it, so take what you can get!) I am sure anyone with enough imagination can decide what happens next for themselves. Does Kenshin finally have a sex drive? Or does he still have a clothing fetish? I guess the world will never know! HEHE!

* * * *

Later that evening, with dinner made and eaten, everything was quiet. Sano was still hanging around, alternately pondering and laughing at everything he "accidentally" overheard in the bath, and Yahiko trying his hardest to ignore Kenshin and Kaoru, embarrassed over how cozy they were. (Makes you think something really did happen, ne?) After about an hour of this, with many gagging sounds, he goes outside to practice alone in the dark.

"Busu and Kenshin, who would have thought?" he muttered. "Well, I admit it was pretty obvious to everyone but them…" Not paying attention to anything around him the but feel of his sword slashing through the air, he doesn’t hear Sano approach. "Oi, Yahiko!" He whispered. "Wanna have some fun? I got thrown out by the love birds. Even Kenshin was less than polite when he asked me to leave! This has gotta mean something! Let’s go listen!" Without giving Yahiko a chance to protest, he grabbed him by the arm and drug him to the door of Kenshin’s room. There was a faint light glowing through the rice paper wall and low voices. Without a second thought to how rude he was being, Sano placed his ear on the door. Yahiko was being gagged by Sano’s hand so he wouldn’t scream. He REALLY didn’t wanna be there. {I don’t wann hear this! I feel sick…}

(Through the door) "Iie Kenshin! You can’t have it in bed!" Kaoru muttered through gritted teeth. She sounded slightly out of breath. A slight scuffling could be heard, followed by Kenshin’s voice. "Demo, Kaoru! You know how much I love it!" Sano and Yahiko sweat dropped. "I said NO! I’m surprised you didn’t want to have it in the bath too!" There was more thumping and a triumphant yell, when a very sharp sakabatou pierced through the paper wall, less than an inch from Sano’s nose! "AAAGGHHHH!!! I only just stopped having nightmare’s of Jo-Chan throwing knives at me!" (Think circus episode)

Running as fast as he could, Sano broke the land speed record headed for home, with plans for getting as drunk as he possibly could before he had to face Kaoru tomorrow to get breakfast. Unlucky Yahiko was dumped in the dust and left to face Kaoru’s wrath. Could things get any worse than that for him? They could, and they will. "Yahiko! Were you and Sanosuke spying on us?!?!"

A very fierce Kaoru was standing on the porch, still breathless over her tug-of-war with Kenshin for the sword and where it was going to spend the night. Kenshin was a few steps behind, cuddling his poor abused sword. "I didn’t want to! He made me! Why would I spy on a busu like you!" Making evil faces he began to back away. "Not so fast Yahiko-CHAN! If this is going to keep up, I think Kenshin needs to have a talk with you!" Shoving a very confused Kenshin forward, she explained. "If you are so curious about us you should just ask instead of spying. You’re a growing boy and old enough that you should know some of these things. So tell him Kenshin. I will just listen."

"ORO? Demo…" Kaoru looked at him expectantly. "Well, uhhh, you see….when a man and a woman…if they like each other…" He was looking very panicked by this point. "They like to sleep together…and take baths together. And, ummm…"

All this time Yahiko was about to die of embarrassment, but do we detect a hint of evil smile? Nah, probably just imagining things. But then, being around Sano so much we wouldn't be surprised "Uhh, what do you DO in the bath and stuff anyway?" Could our little rurouni actually answer this? "Sessha and Kaoru…we…SESSHA WASHES KAORU’S CLOTHES!"

"KENSHIN NO BAKA!" Kaoru yelled! "Can’t you do better than that? Yahiko is gonna be scarred for life! What kind of parents are we going to make if we can’t even handle this!"

Finally not being able to hold back any longer, Yahiko starts to laugh. "Never mind that busu, I already know everything! Sano took me down too…umm, this place and told me all about it! I probably know more than you do!" Kenshin had almost fainted with relief at this admission till he saw Kaoru’s face. He didn’t know which was worse! "Sano…took you…WHERE?!?!"

"None of your business busu! They wouldn’t let you down there anyway with a face like that!" Kaoru was torn between who she wanted to kill first, Yahiko or Sano. Unfortunately for Yahiko, she settled for the one within reach. Snatching Kenshin’s sheathed sakabatou, the race began. Knowing better than to step in, he stood back to watch. He was worried for his sword, and of course for Yahiko, but he was much more scared of Kaoru. (Smart man) In the mist of the chaos, a goofy smile formed on his lips. {Sessha loves Kaoru anyway, and she can play with my sword anytime she wants.}

* * * *

Meanwhile, in a house somewhere else in Tokyo, there is a man lying in bed, a woman sitting in a chair next to him. He is in a lot of pain, and whispers every now and then in an agonized voice, "Tokio…must take…revenge…" Silence. Then, "I want…revenge…but first…where are my cigarettes?"

The woman would just pat him on the hand; giving him comfort when needed, and every now and then, assure him that tomorrow she would go and see her husband’s assailant to see that they got what they deserved. She would say nor promise anymore than that. What would the next day bring?

Thanks again to my cousin and sister for the wonderful ideas! This story wouldn’t have gotten half so far as it did without you! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter as well!

Author’s notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. And I only make fun of them so much because I love ‘em! But the story is mine, so please don’t steal idea’s or I will be forced to sic my relatives on you. I won’t be a pretty sight!

This chapter is not quite as lemony as usual, just finishing up business with Saitou and Tokio…Well, buisness with Saitou never actually finishes up, hehe, I like making fun of him too much!

Chapter 3

"A Visit from Tokio"

Poor Saitou, his whole life had been ruined by one small woman! How could he have let it happen? It was the next day and he was up out of bed, despite his wife’s protests. Determination was strong to see his own idea of justice done (Isn’t that was he says he always fights for? hehe) and Tokio was going to be the one to carry it out. If there was anyone in this world he could trust with the job, it was his wife.

"Yes dear, I PROMISE I will go see Kamiya-san if you will just get back in bed and quit hunting for your cigarettes! I told you those things are bad for you, and if you don’t quit, if they don’t kill you I will!" Hands on her hips, she glared at him. He glared back. What a loving couple! It just brings tears to your eyes.

Saitou’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and he limped painfully back to bed. Not that he was really giving in of course. He just knew better than to try and stare down he wife. Switching tactics, he chose to be meek, accepting help and eating his lunch like a good little boy. Finally satisfied with her husband’s behavior, she left for the Kamiya dojo, promising to be back in time to fix dinner.

"Good! Now I can follow her!" Leaping out of bed and cringing with pain, the beaten and bruised cop dressed, coving up the bandages the best he could. There was really nothing he could do about the ones wrapped around his head, but people were so scared of him, its not like anyone would dare ask.

Leaving his house, he limped up the deserted little street and into an open, much busier avenue. Ignoring everyone and intent on his mission, he was surprised when he heard someone calling to him. "Hey look! It’s that rude cop that got beaten up by a girl!" Whipping around, he came face to face with…A KID?!?! No, several kids, and each one was giggling and pointing. What happened to everyone being so scared of him?

"Go away brats!" He growled. One little boy made a face. "You can’t tell us what to do. If you try, I’ll call my mommy and she’ll beat you up!" One very cute little girl, trying to make him feel better added "Does your head hurt mister? I bet my daddy knows how you feel, he gets that from mommy all the time." The other children began laughing hysterically at this, especially when Saitou emitted a low snarl and stomped (or limped as the case may be) off. The small kids ran down the street after him, singing a silly rhyme made up just for him. And about him. (Sorry, I can’t come up with one myself; anyone else is free to try!)

Knowing he couldn’t exactly attack the kids, but dearly wanting to, he ignored them and continued on. The whole way, any adults they passed by would join in the teasing, adding their own stinging remarks. But since he ignored them, thankfully the kids grew tired of this and left to pursue other misfortunates, leaving Saitou to finally spy in peace.

Arriving at the dojo, he considered how to best observe the occupants inside. It was obvious by the sounds coming from within that Tokio had not arrived yet, possibly running other errands first. He finally settled on a tall tree outside but right next to the wall, and climbing to the top despite the pain he was in, settled in for what promised to be a good show. An hour passed. Then two. When hour number three passed, he was ready to scream.

Not only had Tokio not kept her promise, the mind numbing activity in the dojo could put anyone to sleep! {How do they stand it, day after day, the Battousai washing his precious clothes and the girl and young boy brainlessly fighting each other with little wooden swords? The Battousai even COOKED! He would never stoop so low. And that free-loading Sanosuke, showing up at mealtimes and begging for money shamelessly.} Saitou couldn’t really hear anything from his position except for low murmurs, but knew he was begging for money when Kaoru began to scream and yell over it, chasing Sano out of the dojo gate, brandishing a broom.

Just when Saitou was about to give up and head home, he heard a familiar voice announce themself at the gate. "Hello, is anyone home?" It was Tokio at last! Now the fun would begin! Leaning precariously forward in his high perch, he strained to hear what was being said.

Kaoru ran to the gate to greet her guest. It was a small woman, very unassuming in appearance. With a sweet smile she introduced herself. "Kamiya-san! I am Tokio, here as promised to give you exactly what you deserve for beating my poor husband."

"ORO!" A very shocked Kenshin had followed Kaoru. Not knowing about the incident from the day before, all he could do was stare. {My Kaoru beat Saitou? When I never could? Oro, this is looking very bad! Where can sessha find a place to hide!} Yahiko had also followed. "Wow, busu beat up that evil cop? Cool! I wish I could have seen that!"

"Yahiko! Hush!" Commanded a worried Kaoru. "Gomenasai, Tokio-san, I really shouldn’t have done that, I hope you can forgive me!" She bowed to her guest. Rising, she gasped in shock when Tokio stepped forward and HUGGED her! "I promised him I would come and give you what you deserve, and you deserve my thanks! He had such a big head before all this it could barely fit in the house anymore! Arigato Kaoru-san, you have made my day! I will never forget what you have done for me!"

Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko could do nothing but stare at Tokio. This was the last thing they had expected. Everything was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Or a cop fall out of a tree, which is exactly what happened! Saitou was so shocked at his wife’s behavior he leaned much too far out of his hiding place and fell to the ground inside the dojo. Thump! Everyone jumped in surprise at the sound and turned to find Saitou, still staring in shock at his wife. Not even the fall and resulting pain could snap him out of it!

"Tokio! Why? How could you? I never knew…" He looked at the ground, unable to face her anymore. "I…I…I wish you had told me you felt that way! I would have behaved better, I swear!" Tokio ran over to her repentant husband and hugged him, while he groaned because of he cracked ribs. "Oh darling, I am so glad! Now we can be happy again since you have seen the error of your ways!"

Saitou coughed and looked at the ground again. "Does this mean I can’t hunt down the Battousai anymore?" Tokio considered. "Well, as long as you are humble about it I really don’t care what you do!" Grinning happily, everyone’s favorite cop hugged his understanding wife while the dojo occupants around them sweat dropped and stared. Poor Kenshin hopes were so high, only to get shot down once again! Oh well, as I said before, Kaoru will protect him!

Tokio and Saitou stood up and prepared to leave. "So Battousai, sessha will hunt you down and kill you one day if this poor, humble man should be so fortunate." Tokio giggled happily. Kenshin gawked. "Demo, that’s sessha’s word!" Completely ignoring Kenshin’s protests, Saitou turned to Kaoru. A very unwelcome ripple of fear ran through him. Hiding it, he addressed her. "Thank you so much for teaching sessha a lesson in humility, but please stay away from my wife because I really don’t want her taking lessons from you. I really pity the Battousai and can just hope you don’t get him before I do with your superior skills."

"Arigato, Saitou-san…I think." Turning, with a last wave of goodbye from Tokio, the pair left. "BUT THAT’S MY WORD!" Kenshin yelled after them, seething. When they were out of hearing range, Kenshin perked up and turned to Kaoru. "Did you really beat him up de gozaru?" When she nodded in agreement, he stared at her in awe, secretly happy that the copycat, err, wolf, got what he deserved. "Sessha needs to take lessons from you!"

Kaoru grinned. "Well, not fighting lessons but maybe another kind, ne?" (Gulp) "After sessha finishes the laundry de gozaru yo!" He yelled as he turned to run. "Maybe by then sessha won’t be so scared of you anymore!" Laughing for once instead of angry, Kaoru let him go, just glad that the day wasn’t a total disaster. For her anyway. Saitou was another matter all together.

Sighing in contentment she joined Kenshin and his laundry, wondering lazily what the next day would bring. {I can face anything with Kenshin by my side. It couldn’t really get much worse anyway. Everyone in town is laughing at Saitou now and has completely forgotten us!} Everyone in town she says. (Evil grin)

I am back again to torment and entertain you with more tales about your favorite anime characters in the world! What would the world be like without them? Very boring cause then I wouldn’t have anything to write about!

Thanks to my sister for the idea for Misao!

Author’s notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters I make fun of. If I did, the characters would all be attempting suicide on a daily basis, so be glad. But I do own the story, so that might make them try anyway. So no one steal it or they will!

Chapter 4

"Misao’s Problem"

Kyoto

"OH MY GOD!" Shrieked Misao, also affectionately know as the weasel girl to friends and enemies alike. "I just got a letter from Sano in Tokyo!" she announced, turning to Jiya with a look of pure shock. Jiya sat, waiting a few moments for her to go on, but she just sat there in stunned silence. Becoming impatient, he ripped the letter from her limp hands and proceeded to read. Perverted mind that he has, he really enjoyed the contents.

"Ohhh, I see what shocked you so much Misao-chan. So Himura-kun finally made a move! That is pretty shocking! Look how old I am, and I still get more women! Hehe! At least he has good taste and goes for the young ones!" Preening a bit and looking very self-satisfied, he didn’t see the pillow/missile aimed for his head.

"I didn’t even read that far you perverted old man!" Misao seethed. "I really don’t care what Kaoru-san and Himura do with their private lives." She perked up some. "In fact, I’m happy for them! It gives me hope for Aoshi-sama and myself, and proves Himura isn’t gay!" Realizing her slip, she slaps a hand over her mouth. {I really hope that doesn’t get back around to them! Kaoru-san, Iie, KENSHIN would kill me for that one!}

Jiya was too baffled over her first reaction to the letter to notice the slip. "Demo, if you didn’t read that, then what were you so shocked over?" he asked. Relieved, she settled down and told him the truth. "I was surprised that baka knows how to write! Maybe he got someone intelligent like Megumi-san to write the letter for him! Even weirder, where did he get the money to send a letter? Probably borrowed that from Kaoru-san."

{Hey, maybe its time I go visit them. It might be a good idea to get some advice from Kaoru-san. Himura must have been just as stubborn as Aoshi-sama if not more so when it comes to this stuff! If I could only get him to come with me! But how?} Misao spent the rest of the afternoon plotting her course of action. {Kidnapping? No good, I tried that already. Bribery? Blackmail? What else is there? Hmmmm…I HAVE IT!}

The next day Misao decided to approach Aoshi. He was as usual, wearing a robe and sitting on the floor, doing nothing. I would call it meditating, but no, I think maybe he was asleep. "Aoshi-sama?" Misao asked tentatively, poking his arm. Aoshi snorted lightly and opened his eyes (AH! He was sleeping!). "Nani?"

"Do you think…could we maybe…" She couldn’t seem to just spit it out! Shall we get in Aoshi’s head a minute? {Oh no…she isn’t actually asking me to sleep with her is she? Again?} He waited patiently. If she only knew what he was thinking. "Would you please, pretty please…GO WITH ME TO TOKYO?" (What, you were expecting, some complicated plot? Remember, this is Misao we are talking about!)

{Whew! Is that all?} "Ah." Misao pounced on him with glee! "Oh Aoshi-sama! It will be so much fun! We can leave tomorrow morning!" Her hold was so tight around his neck it was amazing he hadn’t passed out yet. Oh wait, I think he did. It’s just so hard to tell with him! Oh well, back to Tokyo everyone!

* * * *

Tokyo

It was late morning, and the dojo was deserted except for Kenshin & Kaoru. Yahiko was out practicing, and Sano was who knows where, since Kaoru was planning on cooking lunch that day. They had the place to themselves for the rest of the afternoon at least, and Kaoru planned on making the best of it.

Slipping out of her room, she sneaked up behind Kenshin, who was, as usual, bent over the little tub of laundry. He was oblivious, scrubbing one her kimonos happily and humming to himself. It would have been a perfectly normal scene, but…what WAS she wearing?

"Ken…shin!" She said in the most seductive tone she could muster without laughing. He turned and "Oro’ed" right on cue! "Wh…what are you doing wearing sessha’s gi?" Kaoru laughed. "What, you don’t want me wearing it or something?" She was wearing one of his pink, excuse me, FUSCHIA gi’s and well, nothing else! Pretty daring!

Eyes still wide and innocent, or at least seemingly so, he considers what she said. "That is one of sessha’s dirty gi’s and needs to be washed. Since the laundry is being done now, you can give it to me." Laughing, she refused, and they started a gentle tug of war over the clothes. Needless to say his eyes were looking a lot less clueless now. (Hehe!)

During this little moment in time, what do you think is the worst thing that could possibly happen? That someone might walk in on them? Nope! More like that Kenshin would win and someone walk in on them! (Evil laugh!) Kaoru had forgotten to shut the gate, shame on her, and guess who should arrive but Misao and Aoshi from their long, grueling travels! Right on time!

Standing in shock, the four just looked at each other, not moving. Three, wait, FOUR red faces! Even Aoshi was blushing! Misao was about to open her mouth to laugh or scream, whatever could come out first, when the most unexpected sound in the world met her ears. Aoshi was…laughing? He was bent at the waist, guffawing loudly (can you picture this? LOL!) tears running down his face. {Oh…my…god! He’s laughing! AND crying! I always wanted my Aoshi-sama to smile, but this…this is just scary!} Everyone else forgot their embarrassment and sweat dropped.

"Ummm, Aoshi-sama? Are you okay?" Misao’s frightened voice seemed to bring him back to earth and he abruptly quit laughing and straitened up. The same statement was back on his face. "Ah." Back on the other side of the yard, Kenshin whispered to Kaoru. "Did we really see that de gozaru?" She shook her head violently in response and continued to stare.

Finally coming to his senses, Kenshin realized the state Kaoru was still in and without a word to either guest, grabbed her by the arm and drug her back inside to change clothes. He didn’t care if it had caused a miracle; no one was suppose to see that but him! Muttering under his breath, our adorably peeved Kenshin helped her change clothes, purposely picking out the most conservative outfit he could find. Even his precious sakabatou, in a compromising position with Kaoru’s bokken (LMAO! Next thing you know there are going to be little reversed blade knives with wooden handles running around!), could not drag his attention away this time. ^_^;

Meanwhile, back outside, things were very quiet. Aoshi stared blankly. Misao’s mouth was hanging open. Bird’s made nests in it, and still no one moved. When Kaoru and Kenshin finally came out (poor little Kaoru looked like a mummy) everything was exactly how they left it. Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Kenshin finally decided he couldn’t hold a grudge forever. {At least not to their faces.}

"Would you like to come in and have some tea de gozaru yo? You must have had a long trip." Ushering them inside, he made Kaoru get the tea, while he sat and glared with a friendly little rurouni smile in place the whole time. (A jealous Kenshin is way too funny!) Finally gathering her wits after Kaoru had to drag her into the house, Misao manages to shut her mouth. When Kaoru got back with some tea, she had found her voice too.

"I got a letter from Sano-san not long ago. He told me some very interesting stuff!" Before she could go on, a voice yelled from outside. "SESSHA TOLD YOU KAMIYA-SAN! THE WEASEL GIRL KNEW TOO!" Kenshin and Kaoru both turned beet red. Furious, Kenshin of all people beat Kaoru to it this time and stomped outside. "SAITOU-SAN, FOR THE LAST TIME, GET OUT OF THAT TREE AND STAY OUT!" There was a bash and a thump, a loud groan, and then a very grumpy Kenshin came back in and sat down. {Even he saw too? I am gonna tell Tokio-dono on him…} This was just not his day.

Once things had settled down and everyone was back to normal, Kaoru having made several threats against Sano and Saitou, she became the polite hostess, offering to let them stay as long as they want. Aoshi "Ah’ed" and Misao shrieked happily. Without wasting anymore time, she pounced on Kaoru and drug her to another room to interrogate, leaving Kenshin to entertain Aoshi. One stared. One glared. This is gonna be FUN! Break out the popcorn and sleeping bags girls, we may be here a while…

* * * *

(Sweeping up stale popcorn and crumbs from Midori’s cookies while Kenshin washes sleeping bags -_-; …I know you wanna stay there and stare at them, but we have to move on for the sake of the story!) Anyways…

"That was no help at all! Kaoru-san couldn’t give me any decent advice. ‘Don’t let him do laundry in the bath tub’ or ‘make sure there is no one around when you actually do manage to get somewhere with him’ is not exactly what I was looking for!" Disappointed, she was wondering around the yard of the dojo by herself later that afternoon. Kenshin had finished his laundry and the clean clothes were snapping in the breeze, and now no one was around. Aoshi was inside staring at the wall, and Kaoru & Kenshin were who knows where. Staring at the clean clothes, she contemplated her foremost worry.

{My chest is so flat! It’s no wonder he doesn’t look at me like I’m a woman, just a kid. Will I ever fill out? Is there another way to get his attention?} A devious idea began to dawn in her mind while staring at those clothes. It was faint at first, barely grazing the edges of her mind, but the harder she stared, the more appealing the idea became. {Why not? It couldn’t hurt! Even if they weren’t real, it would get him pointed in the right direction!}

Without another moment’s hesitation, she pulls the lowest bamboo pole down and removes all the clothes. Not even bothering to find privacy anywhere, she proceeds to stuff different articles of clothing down her shirt. Everything from obis to Kenshin’s underwear made the trip there and back, nothing really working right. Everything was too lumpy or wouldn’t fit! In the end, everything was lying crumpled in the dust, thrown there in a fit of temper. As she was trying the last article in her shirt, Kenshin comes out of the kitchen and finds his laundry totaled.

"Sessha’s underwear! Kaoru’s clothes! What did you do that for Misao-dono?" Kenshin wailed. Red faced, she couldn’t bring herself to answer. He had observed her pulling the pair of socks (or whatever they called them back then) out of her shirt and the answer dawned on him. See, he really is sharper than he looks!

"Are you trying to get Aoshi-san’s attention de gozaru?" With a miserable nod, she wailed "Hai! But nothing fits right! It all looks so lumpy and deformed! What do I do Himura? Give me an idea!" She grabbed the front of his gi and shook him fiercely. Recovering, he was ready to tell her for starters she could rewash the clothes, but she looked so miserable, he decided to help.

"Alright Misao-dono. Sessha will help if you will help wash the clothes and promise NEVER to touch them again!" {And it will get Aoshi’s attention of my Kaoru!} With a joyful shout, she willingly helped him gather and wash every article of clothing till they were as good as new. Once that was done, Kenshin whispered something in her ear. She glanced at him doubtfully, but desperate, she would do anything at this point! With an innocent smile, he pointed her towards the kitchen and went to look for Kaoru, so they could enjoy the coming show together.

It’s the next chapter of the most pointless RK fanfic of them all! (You do notice don’t you that I am going absolutely nowhere with this and just writing whatever happens to pop into my mind?) But hey, it’s funny anyway! Actually I will have something of a plot later, but till then I will just keep having some mindless fun! Everyone likes mindless stuff, right? Great! Now that that is settled…

Thanks again to my sister and cousin! My sister came up with the idea for what Misao does. ^_^

Author’s notes are in ( )

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Disclaimer: I don’t own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters I use to cure my (and everyone else’s) boredom. But the story ideas are mine, so no stealing please or Saitou will arrest you. He doesn’t like the idea of anyone else using such horrible ideas as mine against him!

Chapter 5

"Problem Solved!"

Misao entered the kitchen with doubt. Would Kenshin’s plan really work, or would it only embarrass her further? Oh well, she would do anything to get Aoshi-sama’s attention! And if it didn’t work, she could just kill Kenshin! That would be a great stress reliever, plus it would give her the title of strongest so at least Aoshi would admire her for something! With renewed determination, she went to one of the cabinets and began to search. After several attempts at locating them, she found the items she is looking for and went to work with her shirt again. Giggling nervously, she looks down at her chest. {This really might work! They do look real! Thank you Himura!} With one last adjustment, she ran outside, calling Aoshi’s name.

Meanwhile, Yahiko was headed home around the same time Misao had been demolishing the laundry. Before he could make it all the way, he met up with Sano and Megumi, and the two little girls, Ayame and Suzume. They were headed for the dojo as well, although I can’t come up with a reason why. Just because I said so!

Entering the gate, Sano was about to call out a greeting when of all people, Misao walks out of the kitchen! Umm, more like Misao and two unexplainable somethings. Without even glancing towards the stunned group, she continues to call for her beloved Aoshi-sama. A door slid open, revealing the stoic man. "Nani?" With that one question he stopped dead, looking as stunned as the group standing at the gate.

While all this is going on, where are Kenshin and Kaoru? Watching the show, of course! Peeking through a crack in one of the sliding doors, they both saw everything. One looked stunned, and the other as always, very innocent. When Kaoru questioned him, Kenshin whispered a very dangerous explanation to his suddenly enraged girlfriend. With unequaled fury, she chokes the poor little rurouni, giving him no chance to explain how he knew too much for his own good. "Oroooooo!" But wide-eyed and innocent or swirly-eyed and unconscious, we love him anyway! (You notice no one hears anything when they aren’t doing anything questionable.)

Back outside, Misao was still standing with her newly acquired womanly figure. After a few moments of silence, Suzume couldn’t resist any longer and ran up to Misao. She was completely oblivious to the tension, and decided she wanted to hug her old friend! Clothes being tugged on, Misao kneeled down in front of the little girl who promptly put her arms around her.

Pulling back quickly, she gasped and stared at Misao. Everyone was watching REALLY closely now! Especially Misao, whose face was a bright red. She watched in horror as the little girl reached up and tapped her chest, suddenly giggling in delight. "They’re hard!" She squealed and tapped again. Ayame was curious now and had to try too! Tap, giggle!

Megumi was close on the little girls’ heels. Leaning forward, she tapped as well, much to Misao’s dismay. Fox ears immediately popped up. "Care to explain this odd medical condition? Oh hohohoho!" Ignoring the fox lady, she scanned all the other faces surrounding her, finally settling on one, Aoshi’s. He was still standing in the doorway watching, his face once again an impassive mask. {What can he be thinking of me now?}

Before she could gather her wits enough to respond to Megumi’s question, Aoshi moved. Walking towards her slowly, he stared at her with his unnerving, heated gaze. {Has he finally noticed me? Will this be my moment of triumph? I think I am gonna pass out!} Standing in front of Misao who was still kneeling on the ground, he leaned over, his eyes still holding hers. Everyone watched without breathing for fear of ruining the moment. His hand reached out towards her ever so slowly…she closed her eyes and waited.

Tap tap! Eyes snapping open in horror at the sound, she saw Aoshi, now staring at her chest after having tapped it too! "Your correct. They are hard." He looked back up and into her eyes. "What are they?" All of this was said in his normal tone of voice. Still staring, she answered him before she thought. "R…rice bowls!"

There was complete silence for several seconds before the loud roar of Sano’s laugh broke through. He ran forward, shoving Aoshi out of the way and bending down in front of Misao. "The weasel girl is wearing rice bowls?!?! How do you get them to stay there? Suction? I have gotta see this!"

Misao got back on her feet from where she had been sitting on the ground, steam coming out her ears and her face ten times redder than before. "You wanna see, huh? Here, HAVE A CLOSER LOOK!" She grabbed him by the head and the next thing he knew was darkness when she rammed his head into her chest. Calming down, she admired her handiwork as Sano slumped to the ground, swirly-eyed. "Hey, that works pretty well! Maybe I should wear them all the time!" (Megumi was laughing psychotically in the background of course)

Misao turned her attention back to Aoshi with large, teary eyes. "Aoshi-sama, it was all Himura’s idea, I swear! But I was just doing it for you! If you would only see how I feel then you would understand! I know you will probably tell me that I am just a little girl and stupid tricks like this aren’t going to get your attention, demo…" Before she could get any further with her babbling, Aoshi intervened. "Misao, your chest looks great, kiss me!" (LMAO, there is the kiss you asked me for Sasura! Regret it yet? I bet!)

Yahiko and Megumi sweat drop as Aoshi and Misao lock in a passionate embrace. Megumi looked at the very, VERY strange Aoshi and then down at the ground to Sano. {Rice bowls turn him on? The pervert! He is making rooster head look better all the time! Or maybe I should just move to England and become a nun…} (Megumi a nun? Very scary thought!)

Meanwhile, Misao was in heaven! She didn’t care what had possessed him to act like this and wasn’t about to ask either. But I know everyone else wants to know, so shall we take a peek inside his mind once again? Okay! {Everyone else around here is so screwy that I might as well join in…and anyway, they DO look good enough to eat!} (LOL! Rice bowls, eat…good grief, if anyone is screwy around here, its ME -_-;)

Ahhh, romance, isn’t it wonderful? But such things do come at a price. Example: The door concealing Kaoru and Kenshin slid open and Kaoru stepped out, dragging an unconscious Kenshin behind her. She dumped him on the ground next to Sano and dusted off her hands. After Aoshi and Misao came up for air, she said "Well, this has been an exciting day for everyone! How about I fix dinner to celebrate?" Sano was off the ground in a flash. "Are you kidding? I’d rather eat frogs! In fact, I think I’ll go catch some!" Running out of the dojo at top speed, he was followed by a panickedYahiko, who said Tsubame was going to cook him dinner. Megumi excused herself in a big hurry as well, claiming Dr. Genzai wanted the girls home for dinner. Picking the children up, she ran, screaming for Sano to save some of those frogs for her! As for Aoshi & Misao, they had other ideas and wanted a private room. (Do you get the feeling this is some sort of setup for the next chapter? You bet it is!) Finally, all that was left were Kenshin and Kaoru.

"Kenshin, you won’t run off too will you?" She asked with tears and clenched fist ready to strike. Gathering his wits just in time, he said "Sessha will stay and eat whatever you cook as long as you promise not to hurt me de gozaru!" She ran off to the kitchen happily, leaving Kenshin still sitting in the dust. When she came back, he had moved to the porch and was nursing his wounds. "Ta da!" She presented him with an unidentifiable lump of something, which could have been anything from burned rice to burned rubber.

"On second thought, sessha has always wanted to try frog de gozaru ca!" He squeaked and stumbled as fast as he could out the gate of the dojo and into the gathering dusk. Shaking a fist at his retreating figure, she yelled something about him being the next to croak, but it seemed a bit more half-hearted than usual. Suddenly smiling in contentment, she turned and went back inside, locking the dojo gate. {So half the town knew what Kenshin and I did. I can at least help give Misao some privacy, even if I did have to run off Kenshin to do it!}

* * * *

About four hours later, Kaoru was walking around the dojo grounds before seeking her own rest. Kenshin had returned not long before, begging for forgiveness, which he promptly received, since she had meant to run him off anyway. She turned one corner of her home and froze at what she saw. Sano was crouched near the wall of the room occupied by Misao and Aoshi, trying to listen. At first she was angry and was ready to send him flying over the wall, but then, she got a MUCH better idea! Creeping up behind him, she pounced, grabbing him by the ear and dragging him out of hearing range.

"You are really pathetic! I know your relationship with Megumi-san is the only one that isn’t getting anywhere, and you are desperate for whatever tidbits you can get," she said slyly, "But listening at the door? That really is sad! It’s no wonder she laughs in your face all the time. I bet you couldn’t get her to go out with you if you tried!"

At this, Sano began to fume! Not only because he actually got caught spying on the weasel girl, although that was a big part of it. He shuddered to think of what she would do to him if she found out. Or even, GULP, Aoshi! But anyway, he was also offended that anyone would accuse him of failing where women were concerned! A sex symbol such as himself should not have to endure such accusations! With his temper raging, and being forever the hot-tempered betting man, he immediately took up the challenge. "FINE! The fox lady wouldn’t reject someone like me! If I can get her to go out with me, you pay for the dinner. If I can’t, I’ll…I’ll…"

"I"LL get to tell Misao-chan exactly what you were up to, and then she will get to deal with you however she sees fit. And if she chooses to throw her kunai at you, then you have to stand still!" A cold chill of fear shot down his spine followed by a rush of adrenaline. "You’re On Jo-chan!"

After a bit more arguing, they finally determined the details. Kaoru laid down the rules. "You get all of tomorrow to at least get her to agree, but it must be done by sunset! And I am gonna follow you EVERYWHERE all day so I will know what happens for myself!"

Kaoru, with a look of triumph, and Sano, with a VERY grim but determined face, shook hands on the deal. Something big was gonna happen tomorrow, he just knew it. He also just hoped it would end with Megumi going out with him and not her taking care of his wounds!

I hope this chapter has turned out well! At least, I like it so far cause I got in some more Saitou & Kenshin jabs. I think I have the most fun with those. ^_^ Poor, poor Saitou…NOT!

Author’s notes are in ( )

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Disclaimer: I own Rurouni Kenshin, and I am also very delusional…well, really, all I own is the ideas for this story and the story itself, so please don’t steal! I will send Kenshin after you if you do!

Chapter 6

"Kenshin’s Bad Day"

The next morning dawned bright and sunny, a perfect day to mark the start of a very (cough) interesting romance. Kaoru and Kenshin were sharing a futon, and before the sun could do more than peek inside the room, Kaoru’s eyes popped open, a wicked gleam shining in them. She could barely sleep all night at the thought of the fun she was gonna have, playing matchmaker with Sanosuke and Megumi, although that wasn’t the only reason she couldn’t sleep. ANYWAY, we won’t go there…

As we all know, Kaoru isn’t exactly generous and doing this just for the sake of romance. More like she wants Sano to go freeload on someone else and stop insulting her cooking, and keep Megumi away from Kenshin. But motives aren’t a problem. If they were, we would really wonder about Aoshi and those rice bowls! (Okay, so you wonder anyway, but that’s not the point!)

Kaoru slipped as quietly off the futon as she could manage, trying not to wake Kenshin. She didn’t succeed to well though and he stirred, patting her side of the bed in search of her, still mostly asleep. Quickly improvising, she grabbed his sakabatou and thrust it into his searching hands. Half hoping it wouldn’t work, (cause well, that’s just sick) it annoyed her to no end when he actually seemed content with it, cuddling it to his chest like that first morning.

"It’s really too bad that it’s still sheathed…" she muttered to herself as she dressed. After she was finished, she headed to the kitchen to see about getting herself some breakfast, since she really couldn’t afford to waste time and wait for Kenshin to wake up and cook. And she didn’t want him knowing what she was up to, sure she would get scolded for interfering. Concentrating hard to do her best, she didn’t realize that Kenshin had finally woken up and was at the moment wondering why she was always gone. "It has just got to be sessha’s morning breath…"

He got up and dressed quickly, then hurried out of his room just in time to see Kaoru sneaking out the dojo gate. {Where is she going, and why would she be sneaking around like that? she couldn’t be interested in another man, could she?}Telling himself there was really no reason at all to worry, he decided it would still be best to follow her, just in case. With a half guilty, half-worried look on his face, he shadowed her all the way to…Sano’s house? If he had been confused before, it was nothing compared to now!

Never knowing she was being followed and watched, Kaoru went to Sano’s door, expecting to find him ready and eager to face her challenge. After receiving no answer to her knock and call, she decides to just go in. If he was still there and ignoring her, she would kill him for not answering, and if he had already gone without her, she calmly planned to destroy his house. Sliding open the door, she let out an annoyed yell at what she saw and stomped inside!

"SAGARA SANOSUKE, GET YOUR LAZY BUTT OUT OF BED NOW!" With a forceful blow that could put any body builder to shame, Sano went "SPLAT!" against the wall! Ahh, what a satisfying sound! But do you know what? He slept through the WHOLE thing! The night before, after leaving the dojo, he had been so fearful of the task he was to face that he went out and got drunk, and was now passed out cold. Or knocked out cold. He might have been able to get up before she clobbered him, but we will never know for sure now. Oh well, the point is that he unconscious.

With many muttered curses and threats, Kaoru went outside to get some cold water, hoping to shock him out of his stupor and give him a bath at the same time. After last nights drinking, he reeked, and no woman in her right mind would have him like that.

Kenshin watched the woman he loved as she went to the well outside to draw water while he hide around the corner of a building, out of sight. The longer he watched, the more baffled he felt. {Do Sano and Kaoru have something going on? Is she going to give him a bath or something? I know she can’t be planning on cooking for him! So what else could it be?} The more he thought about it, the more panicked he became. She had reentered the house now and just as he had decided to confront them, they came out. Sano was dripping wet {And still fully clothed, THANK GOD!} and had a large lump on his head. Kaoru followed him, looking furious. The scene calmed Kenshin’s fears somewhat, and he decided to just keep watching.

Still hiding, he could hear a snatch of their conversation as they passed. "I can’t believe you would still be asleep, today of all days! Don’t you have a romantic bone in your body? (Smirking) Oh wait, I forgot. You’ve broken them all. Anyway, we have to get over to…" Kaoru’s voice faded to where he could hear nothing else, but what he had heard alarmed him all over again. Moving to follow them at a safe distance, he stopped when a familiar voice spoke to him from behind.

"Battousai. Have you stooped to stalking people now? As a humble cop just doing his duty, sessha will have to arrest you." Kenshin turned with an annoyed look, ready to tell Saitou to drop dead and blinked in surprise. *Sweat drop* Saitou was holding out his sword in his favorite stance, but…it wasn’t his usual sword. It was a sakabatou! Kenshin was officially ticked! In a hurry and mad as heck, he ignored the battle stance and went strait for Saitou’s neck, taking him completely off guard.

"Listen Saitou!" Kenshin ranted, hands wrapped tight around the cop’s neck. "I am having a bad day! I wake up with only my sword in bed with me, I have no time for breakfast because I am too busy following my girlfriend who is with another guy, no time to do my laundry besides, and now I have to deal with you and you identity crisis! You do NOT want to mess with me right now!" All the while Kenshin said these things, he was shaking Saitou, who was "Orooing" in a very dead pan manner.

Once his rage was spent, Kenshin let go of Saitou’s neck and he fell to the ground. I think he is immune to swirly eyes, cause his eyes are just too evil. ^_^ Picking himself up in a dignified manner and dusting his clothes off, he then calmly put his sword away. To everyone within the vicinity's shock, he then reached out and put his hand on Kenshin’s shoulder. "Your right. You really DO have problems. My sympathies, battousai." (What Saitou is really thinking when he says that is "You’re upset over the laundry and you woke up with a sword in bed with you?!?! It’s too creepy trying to act like you any longer, cause you really DO have problems!") Giving up and leaving a stunned Kenshin, Saitou goes home to plot once more!

After his strange little encounter with Saitou, Kenshin panicked when he couldn’t find Sano and Kaoru anywhere! While he was distracted, they had unwittingly managed to elude him, and he had no clue where he might possibly find them. Running down the street in the direction they had been heading, he came to a small market place. After carefully searching the crowd, he spotted Sano’s spiky head of hair. Moving quickly and carefully, he found himself a good vantagepoint, only for his heart to drop to his feet at what he sees. Sano was buying Kaoru flowers! Admittedly she was picking them out and loaning him the money to pay for them, but it was still horrible! What kind of best friend was he to do that to Kenshin?

Feeling upset again, he decides to foil Sano’s plans. Eyes turning to a cold amber, he slid his sword out of its sheath and flipping it to the sharp side, moving toward his target with legendary speed! SLASH! Moving so fast that the eye couldn’t follow, neither Sano nor Kaoru noticed him pass by like a flash of lightning. They only felt the whoosh of air as he went by. So it was really shocking to them when those flowers, so painstakingly chosen and paid for with scarce money, all split in half at once, falling to the ground in a messy, unsalvageable heap.

"AAAGGGHHH!!" Kaoru screeched, halting most of the traffic on the street. "What happened to the flowers? Those beautiful, expensive flowers!" Sano just stood with the cropped stems in his hands, staring down at them with a stupefied statement. I don’t think he was quite recovered from his hangover yet.

Out of sight once again, but out of hearing distance also, Kenshin watched, half hopeful that this would get Sano clobbered again. Amazingly enough, it didn’t happen.

With a resigned sigh, Kaoru took Sano’s arm and steered him in a different direction a little out of town, where there were some fields. A lot of nice wildflowers grew there, and they stopped and picked a wide array of them to Kenshin’s growing dismay. After finishing this task and making sure Sano was holding these flowers more protectively, (Kenshin can’t get them this time without getting a few fingers, although he was tempted, hehe) Kaoru turned Sano back towards Dr. Genzai’s home, aware that it was almost noon now. Worried over the late hour, she now practically dragged Sano behind her at a fast pace. No longer thinking of this as a bet, it had become her mission. And she was giving it everything she had even if it killed her!

Writing this fic is so much fun! Anyway, here is the next installment of Sano abuse, LOL…Poor guy, who knows what will happen to him next! Anyone want to take bets? No, you can’t place a bet on yourself Sano, go away! No wait, don’t go away, I need you for my story!

Author’s notes are in ( )

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Disclaimer: I don’t own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its wonderful characters as much as I would love too. But I can make fun of them all I want, so that makes me feel better. But please don’t steal my story or any ideas from it or I will sic all my fans on you! (Crickets chirping) Well, wherever they are…

Chapter 7

"Old Habits Die Hard"

"You want me to do WHAT?!?!" Asked a very horrified Sano. They were not far from Dr. Genzai’s now, and Kaoru was coaching him on what to do and say. Kenshin was still following them, but far enough away that he couldn’t hear what was being said. If only he could have, his fears would have been put to rest immediately. But that just wouldn’t be good for the plot of the story, so no mercy! LOL!

"All I am asking you to do is actually act like a gentleman! How hard is that? Compliment her hair or something! Tell her that her skin is fair, her eyes are evil, err, beautiful! That is the kind of thing women love, and I am sure Megumi-san is no different." Kaoru was getting more exasperated as Sano’s face got more stubborn. Pushing away the temptation to slug him, she continued making suggestions.

"What about just saying the clothes she is wearing are nice?" She tried hopefully. Sano scowled and answered. "She always wears the same thing, remember?" Kaoru couldn’t resist a small punch for that one. "Well then what do you suggest, if you’re so smart?"

"My lady-killer ways are all it will take. One smile from me and she’ll be lost, guaranteed!" At this rate, Sano was going to be too injured to go on any kind of date. Regaining control of her temper, Kaoru decides another approach would probably be best. Stopping on the street a few houses down from their destination, she told him to practice what he was going to say to Megumi on her first.

Meanwhile, Kenshin was able to get within hearing, but only AFTER Kaoru said that. Isn’t it just amazing how these things work out just right? Anyway, all Kenshin heard was Sano trying to pick-up HIS girlfriend! Eyes still glowing a bright golden color, he forced himself to stay hidden and listen.

Face serious with concentration, Sano gave it his best shot. "Um…I picked these flowers for you because…uh…they reminded me of you! You’re almost as pretty as they are. WAIT! I mean, they are almost as pretty as you are! And well…they smell nice like you too, NOT that I have ever tried to smell you or anything! And I was hoping maybe you and I could go somewhere tonight and…"

Kenshin couldn’t stand it anymore! So maybe it was the most pathetic excuse for a romantic speech he had ever heard! It didn’t make him any less angry about whom it was being said to. He didn’t take time to note exactly how annoyed and angry Kaoru herself was looking, or the fact that she was about to attack Sano too. So with an angry yell out of both parties, Kaoru and Kenshin attacked poor Sano at the same time! As good a fighter as he is, there is no way he was getting out that one!

Hearing the yelling and loud thuds, Megumi ran outside too see what was happening, and found Kenshin and Kaoru staring at each other over the unconscious body of Sano, slumped on the street. What a sight! With an angry exclamation as she ran to Sano, Megumi demanded to know what was happening. There was no answer out of the two that were still staring at each other, dumbfounded.

"Oh forget it!" Megumi snapped. "You two are useless! Just help me get him inside! I know whatever he did he probably deserved it, but he needs to be treated anyway." With sheepish looks, Kaoru and Kenshin helped Megumi carry Sano inside the doctor’s home. After getting him settled, Megumi promptly threw Kenshin and Kaoru out so they wouldn’t get in the way while Sano was being treated. He had a dent from Kenshin’s sakabatou in the back of his head, and not a hair out of place. How much gel does that man use, anyway? Kaoru didn’t do nearly as much damage, but his left cheek would probably stay swollen a while.

Outside and far enough away where Megumi couldn’t hear, all hell broke loose. Awww, their first lover’s quarrel! Well, at least the first where Kenshin actually fought back! ^_^ "What do you think you were doing, Kenshin no baka! You could have killed Sano and ruined all my plans!" seethed Kaoru, hands in a position that clearly said she was ready to strangle him.

An equally angry Kenshin responded. "Me? I wasn’t the one trying to run off with someone else! So yes, I was trying to ruin your plans! Do you think I was just going to sit by and watch you run off him like that? I’d rather let Saitou do my laundry!!!!"

Kaoru was astounded. "Are you really that serious? I know how much you love your laundry…Oh Kenshin! I would have never run off like that! I was just trying to help set Sano up with Megumi-san, but I didn’t want to tell you because you would have kept me from interfering! Can you ever forgive me?"

"Are you kidding?" a now violet eyed Kenshin responded. "I wouldn’t have stopped you, I would have helped! Anything to get Megumi-dono out of my hair de gozaru yo!" (Author wipes tears from her eyes…after laughing so hard) The happy little couple was once again on good terms, and not long later you could see them with heads close together, plotting what to do next for the good of Sano and Megumi and making goo goo eyes at each other. Don’t you love happy endings? Well tough, it’s not over yet!

Inside the house, Sano was just waking up and boy, was he in a ton of pain! It felt like he had been rammed in the back of the head with a train going at full speed. Opening one eye and waiting for the little stars to clear up, he sees his angel of mercy bending over him with…were those really tears in her eyes? For him? He was very surprised and a little touched. Trying to get his thoughts back in order inside his scrambled brain, he realized something was nagging at him. What was it? Oh yeah, wasn’t he supposed to ask her something? He thought so, but his head hurt so much that he couldn’t remember what is was. "Megumi…" he croaked. {Huh? He didn’t call me fox lady? His head must have been hit harder than I thought!}

Leaning over him still and looking very worried and upset, she asked him what he wanted. "Thank you for helping me." He whispered. Then reaching out, he grabbed her hand. Megumi blushed and looked down at him, wondering if he would finally admit how he felt. She has had feelings for him for a long time now, but would never be the first to admit it. She was just way too stubborn.

Darn, he still couldn’t remember what he wanted to ask! "I wanted to know if maybe…" He paused. It felt like he was on the right track, but was else was he supposed to say? Wracking his bashed brain, he tried again. "Would you please…" AARRGGHH! He was so close, he could feel it! A little farther…then it popped into is brain. Duh! "Could you please…loan me some money?"

WHAM! Some doctors just aren’t gentle at all with their patients. This particular one plastered her patient on the wall. Red with anger she stomped out, leaving poor Sano after she had finally knocked some sense into him…or did she? Can Sano finally remember what he was really planning to ask, or did she impair his memory further? Can things really get any worse? Falling to the floor with a thump and once again in a daze, he wondered vaguely if maybe he was supposed to ask her something else. About lunch maybe? Or was it even more important than that? With this thought nagging him in the back of his in mind, he once again fell unconscious.

Hearing the loud noise outside, Kenshin and Kaoru go to check, only to find Sano with more bumps and bruises than he started out with before getting treated. They sweat dropped. "Remind me to never go to Megumi-dono if I need help, even if I am dying de gozaru ca!" Kenshin squeaked in fright. Kaoru just nodded silently in agreement, lost in thought. {Looks like I am gonna have to try harder to get those two together. I obviously can’t depend on Sano to do it himself if he is going to spend most of the day knocked out cold!} She refused to remember the fact that some of it was her fault.

Determination returning with double the force as before, Kaoru grabbed Kenshin and both began to get Sano back in bed. He was gonna need a lot of care to see that he snapped out of it, and she was going to make sure that he got it. After he was awake, it would be time to have a council of war. Megumi would never know what hit her! (Then I guess she and Sano will finally have something in common, ROFL!)

Fearing the determined look on Kaoru’s face, Kenshin helped her without question. Despite himself, he was really rather curious about how the rest of the day would go. Would Kaoru succeed? If anyone could do it, he knew she could. He just wondered, with slowly growing dread, exactly how.

Hi Everyone! I know, poor Sano barely survived the last chapter, but it will get better for him, honest! (Don’t look at me like that! I really, really mean it!) Okay, so you know me too well already.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, just Sano’s bruises. Although I’d rather own Kenshin! ;-) But I also own the story and plot, after all I did work my fingers to the bone writing it, no one else did, so please don’t steal!

Chapter 8

"Memory Loss"



Everything was dark. Dark and painful. Try as he might, he couldn’t seem to break free from the darkness. He could feel his body, but couldn’t seem to move anything. With one last, major effort, he finally managed to open one of his eyes, but even that was excruciating. He saw a wooden ceiling, clouded by a haze of bright stars. Stars? Indoors?

With a muttered oath, he squeezed his eye shut and then opened them both, finding his vision to be a little clearer. MUCH better! Now he surveyed his surroundings. Where was he? More importantly, WHO was he? He couldn’t remember a thing! He finally managed to gain control of his body and sat up. Looking around, he spotted a bucket of water and looked into it. {Well, whoever I am, at least I am good looking. A little scruffy perhaps, but nothing that can’t be fixed.}

Sniffing the air, he wrinkled his nose. {And what is that horrible smell? Its…its…ME! How uncouth! I must have been knocked out a really long time cause that is the only way I would ever let myself get so disgusting!} Making a face, he managed by sheer force of will to get on his feet. He didn’t know where he was, but surely someone would let him take a bath! He didn’t think he could stand his own company anymore.

Spotting a door, he slid it open and found it led outside. Squinting against the fading sunlight, he made out three figures standing around and talking. Pulling himself together, he approached them. Noticing him, the three stopped talking and turned towards him.

"Good evening! Who knew I would be so fortunate as to have the company of three very lovely ladies after my little nap! If one of you would be so kind, could you assist me in getting a bath? I just can’t stand to be dirty you know." All three of the "ladies" just stood and stared. Especially the red haired one with the scars!

*Sweat drop* "Sa-Sano?" Kenshin stuttered. Looking horrified, he backed up a few paces and hid behind Kaoru. "Have you lost your mind de gozaru?"

"I am sorry." Sano apologized. "I guess you are a little shy. I know I shouldn’t be so forward with women. Where are my manners?" Shaking his head, he turns to what is in his opinion, the most beautiful of the group, Megumi. No fox ears have popped up yet, so you can see why he still thinks that. "If you would be so kind, do you think I could have a bath? I wouldn’t want to offend someone as beautiful as you are with my stench."

Megumi was amazed. She didn’t know what happened to Sano, but it was for the better! With an amused statement, she pointed the way to the bath and got it across that she would follow shortly. Being polite, he took his leave of a stunned Kaoru and terrified Kenshin, and left. Megumi had some last parting words, fox ears and all. "Oh hohohoho! Even as a gentleman, he will still hit on anything with too legs! Especially if they are a shapely as yours, Ken-san! Oh hohohoho…"

"What just happened?" Asked Kaoru to herself more than Kenshin after Megumi left. "Sano has manners? And better grooming habits? What have we done to him? Is this some kind of sick joke?" Frustrated and confused, she failed to notice Kenshin. He was slumped on the ground, staring at nothing.

Finally, she did take note of him muttering something to himself. Leaning down, she heard. "My pride as a man has been ruined de gozaru ca." She got down on the ground and gave him a hug. "Don’t feel that way Kenshin. I mean, it’s not the first time someone has mistaken you for a girl. The author’s brother-in-law thought you were a girl the first time he saw you."

Kenshin looked up, feeling even worse now. "Where did you learn how to comfort people de gozaru yo?" Kaoru finally saw her mistake and quickly tried to recover. "Never mind that! I am the only one that really matters, right? And I don’t care if you do look like a girl, as long as you are not as pretty as I am. You can cook better than me, but you aren’t going to look better than me!"

With that she grabbed Kenshin by his collar and headed for home. She figured now that Sano has had a personality transplant, he could win over Megumi on his own. And she also remembered that she and Kenshin had neglected Misao, Aoshi, and Yahiko all day long! Some hosts they were!

With a purposeful step, she headed for home, dragging the still depressed Kenshin behind her. He was very morose and thinking that no real man like Sano or even Saitou would act like him. He was a lost cause. Kenshin was so deep in his misery, he didn’t hear what Kaoru heard. Passing one house, she would have sworn she heard a familiar voice. Deciding to look for herself, she went behind the house and into the yard, Kenshin’s gi still clutched in her fist.

"SAITOU!" Kaoru shrieked. That got Kenshin’s attention and he leapt to his feet, only to fall over again at what he saw. Saitou, the man’s man of Japan, was bent over a laundry tub. True to his nature though, he still had on his gloves and long sleeves, both soaking wet, and a very soggy, limp cigarette clutched between his teeth. Children were everywhere, laughing and playing and pulling on his clothes, and Tokio was happily sweeping the porch. It was like something out of the twilight zone to Kenshin and Kaoru.

Saitou just glared at them with his evil eyes. "Are these ALL your kids?" Asked a flabbergasted Kaoru. Tokio answered. "No, some of them are neighbor’s children, some are ours, and some are adopted. But they all love it here. Children just aren’t afraid of him anymore since you beat him up. Would you two like to say for dinner? It’s his turn to cook tonight."

Kenshin jumped to his feet and grabbed Kaoru’s arm. "No thank you! We have guests waiting for us at home and have to be going do gozaru!" With that he took off, this time dragging Kaoru. He wanted to get out of there in a hurry. The way Saitou had been looking at them, any food he cooked was sure to be poisoned. Although now he did feel better! He might do laundry and cook and take care of kids, but at least he wasn’t a jerk who could cook, do laundry, and take care of kids! The world looked much brighter now!

* * * *

Back at Dr. Genzai’s home, we find a clean Sano and a very enchanted Megumi eating dinner with old doctor and the two little girls. Dr. Genzai was fascinated with the memory loss, but the girls wanted their old Sano back. This one was just too weird. Later, when they were alone with their grandfather, they demanded to know what had happened to him.

"Well," mused the old doctor. "When he was hit on the head really hard, it seems he lost his memory, so now he isn’t acting like himself. Either he will be able to remember on his own, or else he will remember if he gets hit on the head hard enough again."

The older girl understood, but the smaller one didn’t. And you know children, when they want something bad enough, they are going to make it happen. Poor Sano!

* * * *

It was later that evening and Sano and Megumi were sitting under the stars on the roof. Megumi had never seen him so romantic! Not only the sky had stars that night, but her eyes as well. Things were really heating up, and they were only moments away from kissing! So it was a great annoyance to both when Ayame and Suzume managed to struggle up onto the roof. Sano stood up, planning to take them back down to the ground.

Running and squealing towards the now standing Sano, with all the power they could muster, they pushed him off the roof! He tumbled with a polite yell to the ground, hitting his head hard, just as the two little girls had hoped. Suzume knelt on the edge of the roof and giggled. "Sano fall down, go boom!"

Taking the little girls back with her, Megumi scrambled down and to Sano’s side. He was barely conscious and trying to say something. She leaned in close and tried to listen. "Where…is…they money I asked for?" He then fell back unconscious before she could hit him herself.

Sighing, she knew she had her old Sano back. "Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. But I think I kind of like the defective model better anyway, as long as it gets a bath every now and then. At least this one doesn’t hit on

Ken-san!" With another sigh, she drug the unconscious man inside and into bed, and then went to bed herself.

* * * *

It was the middle of the night, and Sano had finally woken up. He was excited, because he finally remembered what he wanted to ask Megumi! He had no memory of any of the events that day where he wasn’t acting like himself. He knew it was too late to win the bet, be he didn’t care about that anymore.

Moving silently into the hall, he looks at his choices of doors. If memory serves (Which is HASN’T lately! Kind of like his luck gambling I suppose…) her room was the second door on the left! Sliding open the door, he crept into the dark room. It was so dark he couldn’t make out anything except the outline of the futon. But he could hear the quiet breathing of someone sleeping.

Settling down on the edge of the bed, he whispered. "Hey, you awake?" They stirred, and he didn’t wait for them to respond before he plunged it. If he waited, he knew he’d lose his nerve. "Good! Listen, I really need to talk to you! You and I both know I don’t treat you that well and we don’t get along most of the time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like you. To tell you the truth, I have feelings for you, and I was hoping maybe you had some for me too." He took another deep breath and kept going. "I was wondering if maybe we could try to get to know each other better. Maybe a date! What do you say?"

Wow. The most honest Sano has ever been with anyone before. How…sweet. -_-; He waited for her answer, holding his breath. The occupant of the bed sat up. "I am flattered you feel that way Sano-san, but I really don’t think it is meant to be. We can just be friends." Answered an amused voice.

"AAAAGGGGHHHHH!!! DR. GENZAI!" Yelled a horrified Sano. Without pausing he ran, busting through the rice paper wall and crashing into someone standing outside.

"Get off of me you big jerk!" Cried a muffled female voice. He felt like he just wanted to die. If she was out here, then she must have heard everything! Backing off and helping her up, he waited for the fox ears and laughing, but they didn’t come. Daring a look, he found her staring at him with a pointed look.

"It took you long enough you big ninny! I heard every word you said! Like you discovered with Ken-san and Kaoru-chan, VERY interesting things can be heard through rice paper walls!" She then grinned evilly. "I’m sorry he doesn’t return your feelings, but I can console you, OH HOHOHOHO!" Pop! There go those fox ears again! But for once, Sano didn’t mind at all…

Well, a new character gets thrown into the mix, and Misao and Aoshi are in for it! The rest of my plot (if you can call it that) will focus on playing an evil cupid, trying to get all our favorite couples engaged and making fun of them all the way! YAY!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters, but I do own my warped ideas about their private lives, much to their annoyance. So the story in mine, please do not steal it!

Chapter 9

"Domestic Bliss"



The next morning dawned dark and cloudy for once. But as cloudy as it was, it didn’t seem to want to rain. There was occasional thunder, but not a drop came from the sky. So to the occupants of the dojo, the day was very stifling and depressing. Kenshin couldn’t get is laundry done AGAIN today, so he was upset, and Kaoru and Yahiko couldn’t go to the shrine to practice like they had intended. Misao was the only lively one of the group, clinging to Aoshi like a barnacle. He was beginning to feel like he had grown another head. And everyone was looking at him like he had, too.

Eventually though, perky little Misao was bound to get tired of everyone’s gloomy attitude, and she did. After trying everything she knew to create some excitement (including parading around with the rice bowls again) she was praying for a miracle. If something exciting didn’t happen soon, she was going to go mad! (I personally believe it is really too late for that. LOL!)

Just when she was about to give up, God answered her prayers in the form of a guest. There was a knock on the dojo gate and then the visitor called out. No one could identify the voice. Of course, with all the energy she has, Misao was the first one to the gate, leaving everyone else eating dust. Standing in the shadows was a cute boy of indeterminable age wearing blue clothing, and he was smiling brightly.

"Finally!" she shrieked gleefully. "Someone who doesn’t look like their dog just died! Come in!" Practically pushing him into the yard and around the corner of the dojo where everyone else was standing, she was shocked to see the suddenly fierce looks from both Aoshi and Kenshin. They were on their feet in an instant, Kenshin with his hand of the hilt of his sword.

"Greetings, Himura-san. I know you must be surprised to see me this soon after defeating me, but I decided wondering for 10 years was a bit long. To find the truth I am seeking, it would be much simpler to just follow you around for a while and try to be like you. I want to learn to be a normal person and have friends like you do!" He even pulled out a skabatou to prove it, all the while a smile was forever plastered on his face. Kenshin, stuttering, asked where he got it.

"Oh, I got it from that evil cop friend of yours. He said he didn’t want it anymore because being like you was much too scary, and sold it to me." Everyone face-faulted. What was it with his enemies trying to act like him? Kenshin looked as uneasy as he felt and began to argue.

"I don’t think you are going to be able to find what you are looking for by following sessha around." Kenshin protested. He was about to elaborate when Soujirou cut him off. "You don’t know that. At least allow me to try! Please allow this poor rurouni a place to rest." Well, that was certainly the right thing to say, everyone who lives there is a sucker for a stray.

Kenshin was at a loss. He didn’t feel Soujiro was dangerous, but still, did he really want someone like him hanging around all the time? The thought of seeing that smile day in and day out gave him the creeps. But being the nice person he is, he finally agreed to him staying a few days after consulting with Kaoru. I mean, it IS her home after all. (Not exactly a Kenshin-like thing to do, but he got to stay didn’t he? So don’t complain!)

Misao was extremely excited! A new person to liven things up was just what they needed! She didn’t seem to notice the glare Aoshi was giving the dojo’s newest guest. I know, I know, everyone wants to know what Aoshi is thinking again! I’ll be nice and give in. {how dare he waltz in here and steal Misao’s attention! So maybe it was getting annoying having a second head, but it’s MY second head and no one else can have it! There he goes again, smiling at her! Ughh, now he’s smiling at me! That is really creepy…} Okay, maybe we really didn’t need to know that after all. -_-;

The group spent the whole afternoon learning of Kenshin’s fight with Soujirou, and what he had been doing during his travels. No amount of pleading on Kenshin’s part would deter him from his quest to be normal, just like Kenshin. (Considering Kenshin, that really is an impossible goal.) The group got along well for the most part, and nothing too significant happened, so I won’t go into detail. The fun doesn’t really start until the next day anyway!

***

The morning was bright with not a cloud in the sky today, and Kenshin woke up first. He was in a good mood today because for once he woke up and Kaoru was still in bed. That helped to sooth his wounded male ego a bit after the whole Sano bit, and he decided to be nice and go ahead and cook breakfast for everyone. He entered the Kitchen and his heart plummeted. He had completely forgotten about their guess for a very short but blissful time. Soujirou was standing in the kitchen waiting for him, wearing an apron and everything!

"Good morning Himura-san! I am starting my quest for truth, and since you like to cook and cook well, that is where I will start too. It is a very normal thing to do, and people like you for it. Shall we begin?" Kenshin couldn’t believe his bad luck. Why would Soujirou want to learn to cook? Then he wondered…Kaoru had cooked the night before and almost poisoned everyone. Maybe that was why he suddenly wanted to know how to cook. If so, Kenshin couldn’t blame him.

Resigning himself to the inevitable, he began to teach Soujirou how to cook the rice, chop the vegetables, and even how to make cute little animal rice balls. Behind Kenshin’s back, Soujirou put fangs and claws on them, and behind Soujirou’s back, Kenshin took them off. Despite the problems though, by the end of the lesson, Soujirou proved himself to be a very decent cook. Kenshin was impressed, but he decided to try once more to reason with him. "You could have learned how to cook from almost anybody, and it certainly isn’t any kind of great lesson or truth."

Soujirou just smiled as always. "Oh, but I did find a truth in this! Cooking well is a very important thing you need to know to keep friends." Kenshin was confused. "How does knowing how to cook help you?" Again with the scary smile. "As I learned last night, if you kill off your friends with bad cooking, you won’t have any!" (My goodness, isn’t he brilliant?) Kenshin fell over. He had to admit that was very true! Poor Kaoru.

Anyway, after everyone was woken up and gathered, a very triumphant (yet of course humble) Soujirou served his very first meal to his new friends. Misao was very impressed in her usual hyper manner, and Kaoru was annoyed because he could cook better than her too! Yahiko really didn’t care as long as it was edible, and Aoshi? He was jealous! {Now he is trying to cook to impress her! I can’t let him get away with this! It’s time to make an effort myself. Now what can I do…I have it! I will lose the little pride I have left, but I can’t let him win!}

After everyone finished the meal, it was time for Kenshin to do his laundry. It had really piled up the past several days and he went to work with relish. He had barely gotten started though when Soujirou came up, followed closely by Aoshi of all people. Wondering what they could want, he soon found out!

"I want to help with the laundry!" Both declared at once, then turned to stare at one another. Aoshi’s looks was challenging, while Soujirou smiled and looked politely questioning. Kenshin looked like he were about to faint at the thought of anyone else daring to touch his precious laundry! Misao happened to overhear this too, and was shocked speechless for once in her life. She thought about asking him what was going on, but finally decided she probably didn’t want to know, and just sat back to watch.

Without waiting for an answer, Aoshi bent down over the tub and stared into the water with everyone watching. After sitting like that for several moments, he asked "Now what do I do?" Kenshin really did faint this time! The thought of someone so unskilled handling his laundry was just too much for him. Unfortunately, it left his laundry as fair game. Soujirou bent over the tub and they both stared together. Finally getting brave, Aoshi plunged one hand in and pulled something that was probably women’s undergarments out. He turned beet red. Now that he had the clothes, what was he supposed to DO with them?

It seemed Soujirou was in something of the same predicament. He had pulled out one of Kenshin’s bright pink gi’s and smiled at it, not knowing what else to do. Finally deciding it was probably clean after sitting in the soapy water, he pulled it out and slung it, sopping wet, over one of the bamboo poles. Not wanting to be outdone, Aoshi starting doing it too! What a mess! Kenshin is going to have a heart attack when he wakes up! After all was said and done, each bamboo pole was covered with dripping wet, wrinkled lumps of clothing. It was a very sorry sight, and Misao had long since recovered from her shock and had laughed till she was in tears. {Too bad Kaoru-san and Yahiko went to the shrine today, they would love this!}

When Kenshin woke up and saw his laundry, he took all the rest of the morning having to get it to right and teach the two how to do it RIGHT! He can be a scary taskmaster if he is crossed! Poor Aoshi had never had to work so hard in his life! Muscles burning from the long hours spent bending over the tub, he was more than ready for some simple cooking lessons to make lunch. At least he THOUGHT they would be simple.

When Kenshin found out Aoshi wanted to learn to cook as well, he obliged. What could it hurt? Soujirou had done well. But as he soon learned, not everyone has natural talent, and Kaoru wasn’t just a fluke of nature. By the end of the lesson, Kenshin was convinced Aoshi and Kaoru must be related somehow! The rice was burned and the rice animals were falling apart. Even the face of the burned fish looked scared, and Kenshin didn’t know whom to feel sorrier for, Aoshi or the fish!

By the end of the day, Aoshi seemed a little depressed. No matter what he did, he just couldn’t seem to show up Soujirou! He had tried cooking, laundry, cleaning (he broke three dishes while washing them, and almost knocked himself out by running into the wall while cleaning the floor.) Aoshi just wasn’t cut out of that sort of thing, and he knew it. He was down to one last idea to get Misao’s attention, and he just hoped it would work!

Approaching her that evening when she was alone, he decided to pop the question. Looking nervous (wow, the man is learning to show emotion!) he cleared his throat. "Misao…will you…please…"

Misao was drooling. {YES! This is it! Just spit it out!} Practically hopping up and down while he stumbled over his words, or lack of them, she finally couldn’t stand it any longer. "Will I marry you? YES!" Screaming in delight, she once again clung to him like a barnacle. And he was worried? Silly man! I think he has a lot more to worry about now, don’t you agree? (Mental image pops up of one big Aoshi surrounded by a bunch of little ones, all sitting and staring at the wall. In runs a bunch of hyper little Misaos, and they all pounce on the big Aoshi, crawling all over him like fleas on a dog. I think the big Misao is in there somewhere, but she’s so little I can’t say for sure.)

Aoshi did look worried, especially after that mental image. What had he gotten himself into? Only the future will tell!

On to the next chapter loaded with insanity and all you’re favorite RK characters! People just seem to really love Sou-chan and the response to him being in the last chapter was great! But, don’t worry Aoshi/Misao fans, I started with them, so that is how it is going to stay.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin and fans would probably hate me if I did anyway, so it’s a good thing. But, I do own this story so that makes me feel better, as long as no one tries to steal it or my ideas.

Chapter 10

"Lessons of Love"

It was late morning of the next day, and everyone in our little group was gathered in the Kamiya dojo, called together by Misao. Aoshi would take none of the blame for it because he was against the idea. He is not exactly the kind of guy who goes around telling what he feels is private to large groups. He just sat in the corner, wondering to himself exactly how much it would cost to hire a housekeeper.

When the whole group was gathered together, it consisted of Kaoru, Kenshin, Aoshi, Misao, Yahiko, Tsubame, Tae, Sano, Megumi, Dr. Genzai, Ayame, Suzume, Soujirou, and even Saitou and Tokio. Misao got the last two on the list to come for some strange reason of her own, which we will probably never know. Maybe she felt he would quit calling her an annoying weasel girl if he knew she was mature enough to become a married woman.

When everyone was settled, she stood in the middle of the group with the smuggest look they had ever seen. Glaring at Saitou and Sano in case they make any smart remarks, she began her speech. "Thank you everybody for coming! The most wonderful thing in the world happened yesterday and…" of course Sano interrupted. "The most wonderful thing in the world happened? You’ve decided your leaving and never coming back!"

WHAM! She regained her composer and tried again. "AS I WAS SAYING! The most wonderful thing has happened and I wanted you to all be the first to know that Aoshi-sama…I mean Aoshi…" She started giggling and hopping around the room with a bright red face. "Oh, I just can’t say it! Its so embarrassing!"

Everyone looked at each other. The answer was pretty obvious to all of them, but with Misao, it was dangerous to assume anything, so they waited for her to confirm their suspicions. After she kept this up a few minutes, they finally got fed up with waiting and turned to Aoshi. "Well? What is she trying to say?" asked a very annoyed Megumi.

"She is trying to announce my demise." Answered Aoshi absentmindedly. Then out of nowhere, "Would any of you happen to know what the average cost of a maid is these days?" Everyone fell over except Saitou, who actually had a horrified statement on his face! The cigarette fell out of his open mouth, and he began to stutter. "You…you mean…someone actually…no way, no one is sick enough…" The poor guy was distraught. He couldn’t seem to grasp the concept of anyone wanting to tie themselves to the weasel girl for the rest of their lives, much less sleep with her and have children with her. He was turning a little green.

All the while Misao had stopped bouncing around and was glaring at the cop, who was staring into to space like someone scarred for life by something they know or saw. And he really was! ^_^

"SHUT UP YOU JERK!" Misao screamed and then lunged at him. Thankfully, Tokio had enough presence of mind to pull the defenseless man out of her way, and not a moment too soon! If not, he would have had a few kunai in place of some missing fingers! Kaoru and Kenshin did their best to subdue Misao, but they weren’t doing very well. So they decided it was best if Saitou and Tokio leave, which they promptly did, Tokio dragging Saitou behind her. It was a sight no one in that little group would soon forget! Too bad Sano missed it, but after all, he was still out cold.

* * * *

Later that day, everything was fairly normal around the dojo except for one small thing. Kenshin and Kaoru were nowhere to be seen, and Soujirou was looking everywhere for his teacher! He wanted to learn how to prepare baths for people without boiling them for dinner, but Kenshin was nowhere.

"How does he expect me to learn from him if he disappears like that!" Muttered the smiling boy. With a happy look on his face that said there was nothing wrong at all, he decides to check Kaoru’s room. It was the only place he hadn’t looked yet. Listening at the door he hears some (cough) certain things, and his face lit up even more! So this was the next lesson Kenshin was going to teach him! Well, he was up for it! But to be like Kenshin, that would mean finding him a girlfriend. But who? Of all the girls around, they were either taken or too young or too old. And he needed one right now! Who else is there?

Walking away from the room with a look of concentration on his face, he went over the list in his mind. There was Tsubame, but she was much to young. Tae, but she was too old for him. (I really don’t know that for sure, just my guess and reasoning, LOL) "Well," He finally murmured to himself. "Does it really matter if they are taken or not? Misao is cute and very perky. What would she want with a man like Aoshi-san anyway? And anyway, she must be around here somewhere!"

Oh, this is going to be fun to watch! Our happy little anti-hero went off in search of Misao, who he found once again digging though the cabinets in the kitchen. Well, we all know what she’s after! I guess she was trying to pull Aoshi out of his engagement-induced stupor. Entering the kitchen, he dodged flying dishes and food, trying to get her attention.

She finally stopped digging when it was apparent they just weren’t there anymore. It seems someone hide them, or possibly was off using the rice bowls themselves. I wonder…anyway! "Aoshi-sama!" She wailed miserably. "Why aren’t you paying me attention anymore! So you don’t know how to cook or clean or do laundry! It’s not like I can either! Isn’t our love enough?"

Soujirou stopped and listened in fascination. Did she really love a man with no personality that much? If she liked him so much, maybe Soujirou had a chance! He decided to give it a try. "If he isn’t paying any attention to you, then you should try finding someone better. He is not worthy of you anyway. He can’t cook like I can and he NEVER smiles!"

Misao turned and stared at Soujirou in surprise. And then, out of the blue, started wailing, beating the floor, and yelling at the same time! Where she got those lungs, God only knows. "What are you talking about! Maybe he doesn’t smile, but you smile too much! If we mixed the two of you together, maybe we would have a normal human being!" She then stopped her ranting and smiled, throwing even Soujirou for a loop. "But thank you for saying that anyway! How sweet!" The girl has scary mood swings!

Humming happily at the compliment, she runs off to find her dear Aoshi, leaving a slightly frightened Soujirou. Fear, it was a new feeling for him! It was that kind that only a very angry woman could strike deep into your heart. And then the mood swing, that was scary in itself! His knees were even shaking! He decided he should really ask Kenshin about it the next chance he got.

* * * *

"Himura-san, may I speak with you?" It was the next morning, and Soujirou finally had his chance. They were cooking breakfast and Soujirou was putting beady, evil little eyes on the rice animals. It was great fun!

Kenshin was distracted, but still managed to hold a conversation. "What about de gozaru?" He was busy replacing Soujirou’s work with slightly less menacing looks. He didn’t want anyone scared of their food. He felt bad enough yesterday seeing the food scared of the cook. Soujirou asked his question. "When you know a girl and she causes your knees to shake and your heart to beat fast, what does it mean?"

Kenshin stopped to contemplate. "Well, when sessha is around Kaoru, it can mean one of two things. Either you love her very much and just looking at her makes you go weak, or else you are shaking in fear. Most of the time though it is a mix of both de gozaru ca." He planted little leaf ears.

"Ahhh, I see! So fear and love are a lot like each other!" Soujirou exclaimed. Kenshin shook his head. "Iiya. It’s just when you love someone, you let them have the power to hurt you. Mostly because you can’t fight back de gozaru na." Soujirou laughed. You know the way his mind works. Well, maybe you don’t, so I’ll explain. Now he thinks if Misao hits him, she loves him and he loves her because, and I quote from thoughts running through is mind "She has the power to hurt him." -_-;

After lunch, Soujirou decided it was time to test the lesson Kenshin taught him. Walking outside where Misao and Kaoru were talking, he walked up behind her and…pinched her butt! Brave man! With a scream of rage, Misao twisted around and hit him with every ounce of strength she possessed, and Soujirou just rubbed the sore spot on his face and…laughed? She couldn’t believe it! Standing and watching him with her mouth open, she became even more shocked when he spoke. "Misao-chan, you do really love me! I love you too! This means your wedding to Aoshi-san is off, correct?"

No one said a word and the quiet was almost deafening. What is Misao gonna do? Did her darling Aoshi overhear what was said? And is the author ever going to quit with these horrible cliffhangers? Stay tuned to find out!

I plan to keep it Aoshi/Misao because that is the way I began this. And I decided I would rather keep Soujirou around a while to drive everyone else crazy! He’s too much fun to tie down and get rid of now! LOL! Plus, there are a lot of comical possibilities to Aoshi and Misao being paired. They are just so much UNlike each other that is presents many interesting scenarios.

Author’s notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}



Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. The real people who own them just didn’t tell the whole truth of the kinds of things that go on when the characters are sitting around at home, so I chose to enlighten everyone at my own personal risk. Even if I am too poor to sue, it’s still a risk. Really! Just don’t steal any of my crazy little ideas please!

Chapter 11

"The Strongest"



The whole Dojo was deathly still. Not a sound could be heard from anywhere in the vicinity. Misao was in a state of shock and couldn’t seem to make her brain function. {Did Soujirou just say what I think he said? No, he couldn’t have! But what if he did? What are you going to do? I don’t know!} Her brain cells were at war with themselves. Some probably even had little picket signs with "Aoshi" & "Soujirou" written on them, beating each other! I hope they’re careful, she probably doesn’t have many to spare.

All the while Misao just stood there with a blank look on her face. Behind her, Kaoru was staring with equal shock. But, slowly, that look turned suspicious. {Where could he have gotten such an idea? Or better yet, WHO could have given him that idea? It couldn’t be my rice-bowl-brained little rurouni by any chance…He does seem to be in the middle of anything bad that happens lately…} But then a much worse thought occurred to her. {Or maybe…Aoshi has changed his mind and is trying to get rid of her on someone else! Poor Misao!}

Soujirou was beginning to feel confused. Misao was still standing there without speaking and he didn’t know what to do next! {I don’t know how these things work! Shouldn’t she be happy and kissing me by now or something? Maybe I’m supposed to kiss her! That’s it! She is probably waiting for it!}

Feeling less confused and more confident, he took a step forward to the point of being right in her face. Misao was still too stunned to react or even figure out what was going on. Since most of her brain cells has beaten each other to death by this point, she was in something of a daze. When Soujirou finally leaned in to kiss her, she didn’t even bother to fight back!

Aoshi was standing in the doorway of the dojo, watching the whole scene unfold with stunned horror. {Doesn’t she love me? What happened to our engagement? Doesn’t she realize how scary any children she might have if she married Soujirou would be?} Pause for a mental image. A bunch of little Soujirou’s and Misao’s who are very hyper, very loud, AND have that horrific smile at all times, eating rice animals with scary faces on them. What a family that would make! Can we say human zoo boys and girls?

Aoshi shook his head quickly to dispel the image planted in his mind. He HAD to stop them for the good of the country! No, the good of the entire WORLD! No one could possibly survive a family like that! He must stop them at all costs, not that the cost would be all that great. He kind of liked the thought of little Aoshi’s to stare at the wall with, and even little Misao’s sounded like fun, as long as he could afford an army of nannies.

After Aoshi finally came back to the present after these thoughts, he noticed Soujirou hadn’t come up for air yet! Getting fed up with the whole scene, he finally stalked over to the pair. Kaoru was still standing behind them, watching the kiss with fascination and counting like a referee, waiting to see who would pass out first! She looked a little frightened though when she saw Aoshi headed their way and backed off quickly.

Grabbing Soujirou by the collar, he picked him up off the ground and away from Misao, preparing to strangle him. Soujirou was still smiling, and if possible, it was even wider and creepier than before! But before Aoshi could do anything, Misao started to speak. With the dazed look still firmly in place, she said "Soujirou is a better kisser than my Aoshi-sama, but nobody could beat Aoshi-sama when he…"

To the man in question’s utter relief, Kaoru had panicked and clamped a hand over Misao’s mouth just in time, stopping her from saying something Aoshi would regret. To my relief also! This is only rated PG-13 you know! ^_^ Turning back to Soujirou, who had looked very interested in what Misao was saying, Aoshi glared at him and gave him a shake. "What do you think you were doing?" And then without waiting for an answer he went on "If I ever see you touching Misao again, I’ll do much worse than just kill you. I’ll…I’ll…" The poor man was at a loss of what to threaten. He picked the scariest thing that had been on his mind lately. "I’ll make you baby-sit our future children for the rest of your life!" With a final shake, he dropped the smiling boy onto the ground and picked up his second head (Misao) and reattached it. Both parties looking satisfied with this arrangement, he stalked back inside the dojo, leaving Soujirou on the ground and a confused Kaoru.

Gathering her wits, she helped the boy up and couldn’t resist being nosey. "What DID posses you to do that anyway?" Both moving to sit on the porch, Soujirou explained his conversation with Kenshin (which of course caused Kaoru to become furious) and then explained what he thought Kenshin meant by the whole thing. After Kaoru calmed down, she tried to reason with him.

"You know, just because a girl can hurt you doesn’t mean anything!" To make her point, she reached out and whacked him with her bokken, which she pulled out of nowhere. The girl should start a magic act. Then maybe she wouldn’t be so poor anymore! A look of instant comprehension came over his features when she whacked him, and she sighed with relief. "Now you see? Just because I can hurt you doesn’t mean that…" She came to a halt when he tackled her. "Kaoru-san, you love me too? I am the luckiest man alive!"

CRASH! And then "WHAAAAT?" yelled a third voice. Both turned from their little heap on the porch to see Kenshin watching the whole scene, an armful of dishes shattered on the ground at his feet. Kaoru hastily explained about everything, including the conversation and then her hitting Soujirou to prove her point, but it had the opposite effect from what she had intended. He looked heartbroken.

"I thought I was the only one you hit like that!" He wailed. (What was it with these men and their insecurities?) "I always understood you hitting Yahiko and Sano, they are like brothers to you! But HIM?" Kenshin jabbed a finger in Soujirou’s face, whose smile looked very smug but cheerful. "Forgive me Himura-san, but I can’t help being born such a popular ladies man. Maybe I can give you a few helpful tips? Its very nice having two beautiful women in love with you."

"I am not in love with you!" Kaoru shrieked. She refrained from hitting him though this time. It wouldn’t help her any, the way things were going. Kenshin had no such qualms though, and a fight began! A rematch between two of the greatest fighters in Japan, and possibly the world! They are moving so fast that all you can see are two blurs! Wait, I think Kenshin just pulled out his Sakabatou! And Soujirou…reversed blade knives? Whoops, he must have found those in Kenshin’s room, hehe…And suddenly, without warning, the fight was over. Who won you ask? Kaoru, of course. Yes, her! Isn’t she something? She beat up the powerful and frightening Saitou. She clobbers the legendary Battousai on a daily basis. And now she defeats someone who was once Shishio’s right-hand man, Seta Soujirou AND the Battousai TOGETHER! Who around there should be named the strongest? Aoshi should have gone after her, LOL, not Kenshin!

With exasperation, Kaoru tossed down her broken bokken and took both swirly-eyed men by their collars, then proceeded to drag them to Dr. Genzai’s. She hoped Soujirou would leave soon, because at this rate, it was beginning to feel like she had TWO Kenshin’s. And one was far more than enough!

* * * *

Don’t worry everyone, they will both be fine, and will live for me to entertain you with again. Soujirou and Kenshin will be laid up for at least a week, staying in separate rooms at Dr. Genzai’s office, of course. Soujirou is spending the whole time he there hitting on Megumi, who is "The third lovely lady who has fallen in love with him" because her doctoring hurts. If Kaoru or Misao visits, he of course declares his love for them as well.

But, all good things must come to an end, and Soujirou had to say goodbye to Misao only a few days into his convalescence. Aoshi had decided they had better leave for Kyoto while Soujirou couldn’t follow them. They were going to go back to see Jiya and have a quiet, inexpensive wedding. Aoshi has become obsessed over the nanny idea, and was determined to afford a few to save his future sanity.

It was a very warm, fuzzy, fluffy, and heartfelt goodbye. Misao appreciated what Soujirou had done for her (he had succeeded in making Aoshi jealous, AND he was kind of cute so his crush on her was very flattering). And Soujirou of course would remember her as his first love. They had a few private moments and she came out, looking suspiciously dazed again. (There, chibi-angel, you can fill in the blanks! ;-)

"Do you really have to leave?" asked Kaoru. She was going to miss them, even though she would be happy to have the peace back around her home. But then, she had no idea how long Soujirou planned to stay. Misao just wailed in response and clung to all her sad faced friends. I guess that means she didn’t hug Sano, cause he looked really, really happy to see her go home. ^_^

"I promise after I get married and I have lots of kids, we will ALL come back to see you as often as we can!" Cried Misao. Sano cringed and didn’t look quite so happy anymore. The rest of the group looked uneasy as well. With many more tears (mostly on Misao’s part) and hugs goodbye, the two departed to travel back home.

So one couple is happily established! But as for the other couples, who knows what will happen! Soujirou has women on the brain, Kenshin is plotting how to run off Soujirou, and Kaoru is wondering if she is gonna have to get rid of them BOTH! The relationship between Sano and Megumi is quite smooth and calm though at the moment, both very happy and content with each other. But will it stay that way?

Well, here starts the next installment of insanity! My first of little scenes for Aoshi and Misao start here as well. For every couple I finish dealing with, they will get these little scenes at the beginning. More often than not they are my favorite part of the chapter, just because they are so mindless! ^_^

Author’s notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

Disclaimer: I am not as crazy as you think I am. Oh yeah, and I don’t own Rurouni Kenshin. This story is mine, although I doubt anyone else would be crazy enough to steal it anyway. But if you happen to be, go get help instead.

Chapter 12

"A New Kind of House Pest"



(Aoshi and Misao traveling to Kyoto)

"Are we there YET?"

"Iiya."

A few moments pass.

"Are we there NOW?"

"Iiya."

Misao waits another few moments.

"How much LONGER?"

Aoshi grits his teeth. {Is it too late to turn around and leave her with Soujirou? I could just have one of them sterilized so they can’t have kids…}

****

(Tokyo – Kamiya Dojo)

"It is so nice and quiet around here for once. I miss Kenshin, but his absence is a small price to pay to get rid of Soujirou. Too bad they both have to come back in a few days." Soujirou and Kenshin had only been staying at Dr. Genzai’s for four days, and Kaoru was already talking to herself. Maybe they do both drive her crazy, but their help obviously isn’t necessary to accomplish the task either.

Yahiko was off somewhere with Tusbame, and Kaoru was making lunch. With Kenshin laid up, she had to do the cooking, so Yahiko was suspiciously absent during meal times. She had just managed to burn the rice to perfection and was working on the fish, when a huge shadow fell over her from the doorway of the kitchen. Feeling a stab of fear she turned to face her visitor, and nearly passed out in surprise.

"Don’t tell me my baka deshi isn’t here. And I came all this way just to see him, too. Judging by the smell of your cooking though, I can understand why he left. HAHAHA!" Standing in the doorway was Hiko Sejirou, Kenshin’s sword master, huge white cape and all. Kaoru immediately bristled at the insult to her cooking and for calling Kenshin baka deshi, but even she wasn’t stupid enough to try to hit him. She may have attacked and defeated some of the most powerful men in Japan, but in his own way, Hiko was much more dangerous than any and all of them! His ego alone could make the bravest warrior cower in fear.

Trying very hard to control her temper, she gave him a tight smile and he smirked in response. Feeling her anger rise another degree, she tamped it down harder and tried distracting herself by asking a question. "What brings you here?" She gritted her teeth to stop herself from adding that she hoped he didn’t plan to stay.

He raised an eyebrow, noticing her obvious annoyance and enjoying it immensely. "Do I really need a reason to visit my baka deshi? And anyway, since my house in the mountains burned down and I need a place to stay until a new one is built, I thought it would be a good time to visit. Do you have any sake?"

All this was said as if it was the most normal thing in the world and he thought it odd that he should have to explain anything. Kaoru just stood with her mouth hanging open, galled at the thought that he could just waltz in and stay like he thought he owned the place. She finally gathered her wits enough to bite out "Isn’t there anyone ELSE that you can stay with?" And then before he could answer she continued in her most sarcastic tone of voice. "Oh wait, I forgot, your such a jerk that nobody else would have you."

His eyebrow rose a fraction of an inch higher in annoyance. He finally decided though to let it pass just this once, because he needed a place to stay so badly. That, and the fact that it IS the truth. Not that he would ever admit it, of course. "Where is my baka deshi anyway? He does still live here, doesn’t he?"

Kaoru thought about what she should answer. If she tells him Kenshin doesn’t live at the dojo anymore, he might go away. But if she did that, Kenshin could get upset with her. But she told him he does still live there, he will stay and make her life miserable! What’s a girl to do! A devious little voice in the back of her head said to invite him to lunch and poison him with her cooking, but she always refuses to listen to any voice that says her cooking is bad, even if it is her own, so that idea is out!

Finally, after considering her options, she decides to let Kenshin handle it. She would take Hiko to see him at Dr. Genzai’s and just hope for the best. The thought of having Hiko around was making Soujirou look better and better by the moment! Comparing the two, Soujirou was by far the lesser of two evils!

* * * *

Kenshin was so sick of staying in bed. He wanted to go back home and be with Kaoru and do his laundry! He wanted things back to normal! But to have that, he had to think of a way to get Soujirou to leave, but he couldn’t seem to come up with anything. He had even asked Sano’s opinion, but that was no help. He was too busy following around Megumi and staring at her butt to be of any use. ^_^

He was so wrapped up in these thoughts that he didn’t hear the voices outside until Kaoru called his name from outside the door. He brightened up immediately, heart jumping for joy over her visit. So you can image how far it had to fall when her heard the OTHER voice with her. He felt his forehead. He must have a fever causing him to hallucinate, or at the very least he was having a nightmare! His hermit of a sword master just couldn’t be here!

Watching with fear and dread as the door slid open, he saw Kaoru enter first, and then the one face he never thought he would see in Tokyo. "Please let this be some kind of nightmare de gozaru!" he muttered out loud, just to hear his master laugh loudly in response.

"I’m happy to see you too baka deshi!" said Hiko, followed by more laughter. He was enjoying himself immensely, and the reaction from Kenshin was priceless! He made a mental note to visit more often, all the while grinning at his student, who had pulled the covers over his head while he groaned.

Kaoru was beside him in an instant, worried. "Are you in pain Kenshin?" The groaning got louder and Kaoru became more worried. "Kenshin, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt? I’ll get some medicine from Megumi-san." She started to get up when he began shaking his head under the covers, and then she heard his muffled voice. "Iiya, Megumi-dono can’t get rid of this pain, unless she can cure a pain in the butt de gozaru na."

There goes Hiko’s eyebrow again. "Oi! I heard that baka deshi!" Kenshin came out from under the covers and glared at him. (I love the reactions Hiko can get out of Kenshin! No one can irritate our little rurouni like he can!) "What are you doing here? If you’re just trying to make me miserable, get in line de gozaru."

Hiko grinned widely and explained his presence in Tokyo, while Kenshin silently cursed whatever had caused Hiko’s house to burn down. Kaoru’s thoughts were somewhere along the same line, although she decided not to comment and just wait and see what Kenshin decides. She wasn’t gonna like it either.

Kenshin knew they were stuck. It would just be too rude to throw out the man that took him in and raised him. It wasn’t his home, be he could tell from the way she was glaring at him that Kaoru was expecting him to make the decision. {Maybe if I’m lucky, she’ll hit me hard enough that I’ll be bed ridden till after he leaves.} No such luck! When he finally said his master could stay, something MUCH worse happened. She got up and stalked out of the room to see Soujirou. His girlfriend was fraternizing with the enemy, while he was stuck with Hiko. Could his life get any worse?

* * * *

Megumi was very interested in this new turn of events. "So THAT’S Ken-san’s legendary sword master! Not at all bad looking. My rooster-head could take a few lessons from him! Oh hohohoho!" She and Kaoru were sitting and whispering to each other while nearby Hiko and Sano were drinking together. Sano wasn’t exactly the type of person Hiko got along with, but then, does he really get along with anyway? Besides, he’d put up with anybody for some sake.

Kaoru glared at the broad back covered with the white cape. Mentally she painted some red circles on it and her hands itched for a weapon. (LOL, that red and white cape is just asking for it!) Hearing what Megumi said, she responded. "If you like him so much, invite him to stay with you!"

Fox ears pop up. "Oh hohohoho! I wouldn’t want to deprive you of his charming company! Just think of him as your future father-in-law!" At this suggestion Kaoru turned a little green. The thought of living with this man was bad enough, but the thought of being related to him in anyway made her physically ill.

With a stiff back showing her annoyance, Kaoru rose and told everyone they must be getting back to the dojo for dinner. Megumi was looking VERY amused. But it was her turn to be annoyed when, without missing a beat, Hiko declared he was going to eat dinner THERE that night! He hadn’t even asked! Curse Kaoru and her awful cooking!

Looking more than eager to be rid of him, Kaoru took off for home before Megumi had the chance to object. Glaring at her unwanted guest, Megumi stomped off to get dinner. She had to quell the rising desire to put something "unusual" in the contents of the dinner and consoled herself with one thought. She didn’t care if they were better or not! Tomorrow Kenshin & Soujirou were getting tossed out on their butts, and Kenshin could take his annoying master with him! "Enjoy the peace while you can, tanuki-chan! Oh hohoho!" Oh, if Megumi could only know what is gonna happen, she would never THINK of putting Hiko and Soujirou in the same house together, hehehe…

I try to write a good author note at the beginning of every chapter, but sometimes I am just at a loss for words. Being in the presence of such greatness can do that to a person, and I have to live with myself everyday! ROFL! Okay, okay, I was talking about Hiko. He forced me to say it! I take no responsibility for it!

Author’s notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

Disclaimer: And I don’t own Rurouni Kenshin or Tylenol, but those are just minor details…Oh, but since I own this story, if you try to steal it, I promise you are gonna need some tylenol REALLY bad before long…

Chapter 13

"Hiko's New Student"

(Kyoto)

"If you say ‘are we there yet’ one more time, I am going to leave."

Misao looked repentant. "I’m sorry. I know we are back home and everything, but I said it so much I just can’t seem to stop!"

Aoshi sweat dropped. {This is going to be a LONG life…what year do they invent Extra Strength Tylenol?}

****

(Tokyo)

The happy little family is about to be together again at last! It was the next morning after breakfast, and as promised, Kenshin and Soujirou had promptly been thrown out of Dr. Genzai’s home. Megumi hoped the faster she got rid of them, the less of a chance there was that freeloading Hiko would come back.

Back at the dojo, Kenshin entered the gate several steps behind Soujirou, afraid of what he would find. The house in ruins, or maybe his master’s dead body after a few insults over breakfast. He steeled his resolve and looked around, trying to be prepared for anything. But some things are just impossible to prepare for…

There, leaning over Kenshin’s laundry tub was the great Hiko, muttering as he tried to wash what looked like red paint off his precious white cape. Seeing the two enter the gate, he looked up and glared at Kenshin. "Your little girlfriend is evil, baka deshi! Look what she did to my cape!" Lifting it out of the soapy water, he showed where big red circles had been painted on it to resemble a target. Kenshin sweat dropped and turned toward Kaoru who was standing on the porch, doing her imitation Megumi laugh.

"Oh hohoho! That will teach you to get drunk in MY home!" When he growled she just waved it off. "Anyway, now we know where Kenshin gets his laundry skills from!" She walked off laughing again, obviously proud over her revenge, and Kenshin couldn’t blame her. Only Kaoru could get away with something like that!

After washing out his cape and regaining his now bruised male ego, Hiko turned his attention to the other houseguest with interest. After being introduced and recognizing the name, his interest doubled. And after he noticed Kenshin’s dislike of Soujirou, his interest went through the roof!

Kenshin abandoned the two as soon as he could manage and went off to find Kaoru. NOT a smart thing to do as we are going to find out! With Kenshin gone, Hiko was free to question Soujirou, who smiled and answered everything he was asked. Hiko became aquatinted with all the events after Soujirou’s arrival, as well as why Kenshin seemed to dislike the boy so much.

In return for this information, Hiko was more than happy to regale Soujirou with accounts of the many women in his life, and the boy was very impressed. That really fed Hiko’s bruised ego after the cape incident, and caused him to come to an interesting decision, which he planned to announce later at dinner. Curious? I bet!

****

Soujirou cooked dinner that night, much to Hiko’s secret relief. He would never admit to anyone that eating the breakfast cooked by Kaoru that morning had been the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. He would rather eat some of his pottery than go through that again!

Everyone was peacefully eating, including Yahiko, who was back now that someone else was cooking. So when Hiko made his announcement, the evil little rice animals that had tasted so good before suddenly stuck in everyone’s throats. "Your going to WHAT?" choked out an amazed Kaoru.

"I have decided to take on a new student! HAHAHA!" Repeated an amused Hiko. Everyone was staring at him is shock, especially Kenshin. "Why would you do that for? I am your only student de gozaru!" He was starting to look a bit hurt, but Hiko just laughed and waved it off. "I have decided to teach Soujirou here all my most secret and powerful techniques. He has what it takes, and I am going to make a man out of him, just like myself! HAHA!"

Kenshin was bewildered. "What other techniques could you have that you haven’t taught me do gozaru na!" Hiko grinned with that irritatingly amused look. "Don’t look at me like that, baka deshi! I am a master of many other things than just the sword! In fact, my skills with women are even greater than that of the sword!"

Everyone fell over except for Soujirou, who looked excited. "Eh? Are you really going to teach me your ways master Hiko? I admire Himura-san, but he sadly lacks in that department. He can cook and wash laundry with the best of them, but it was much to easy to steal Kaoru-chan’s love from him."

That had Kenshin up in a flash trying to choke Soujirou, but Hiko held him back. "Sorry baka deshi, but you can’t kill him. I must have a worthy student to pass down my greatest skills to, and I have finally found him! Our lessons will begin first thing tomorrow! HAHA!"

****

Bright and early the next morning, the lessons started just as promised. Kenshin made a hasty exit, forcing a surprisingly uncomplaining Kaoru with him so they wouldn’t be able to practice on her. Yahiko tried to stay and watch, but after just a few minutes, he ran off in disgust. What COULD Hiko be teaching Soujirou?

"Okay, lesson one. Always have a good pick-up line prepared. I find classic ones always work the best, although women are so taken with my looks they can rarely hear or even care what I say." He flashed his most conceited grin, and his teeth gleamed. Soujirou was in awe of this great master. "My personal favorite is ‘Buy me a drink?’ or another good one is ‘Hands that can tie an obi like that must be good for something! Buy me a drink?’! Women always go for that one! HAHAHA!"

Soujirou listened with fascination, taking in every word. Finally, after Hiko had spouted off every pick-up line he could think of that ended with buying him a drink, it was Soujirou’s turn to come up with a few of his own. He thought very carefully. "Are you tired? You’ve been running through my head all night!" Hiko glared at him and pointedly cleared his throat. Soujirou got the hint. "Running like that, you must be thirsty, so buy us both a drink?" Hiko happily patted Soujirou on the back. The boy was a genius! (Well, now we know who invented that terrible pick-up line! ROFL!)

After Hiko felt they had practiced sufficiently, it was time for the true test. But WHOM could they test it on? "We can’t use baka deshi’s girlfriend. He would be furious and despite his size, he is dangerous. After all, I DID train him!" They both considered their problem until Soujirou respectfully suggested Megumi. "Brilliant idea!" agreed Hiko. Soujirou was a boy after his own heart!

****

Megumi was performing a very delicate operation. She needed complete silence so she could concentrate. Sweat beads were forming on her brow, but the needle in her hand was steady as she worked. One slip though and it would be all over.

She was close to finishing when out of nowhere, the last voice she wanted to hear boomed loudly, making his presence known. He hand jerked violently is response. RIP! Megumi began to cry. "All that hard work, and now look what happened!" she wailed. Ayame, who was standing next to her, patted her arm in a comforting manor. "It’s all right. Grandpa will get you another dress." This was no help though, and Megumi was unable to be consoled. "But I loved this dress! Where am I ever going to be able to find another one like it?"

Ayame looked confused. "What do you mean? You have two more just like it!" Megumi stopped crying suddenly. "You’re right? How silly of me! Oh hohoho!" (Uh oh, sounds suspiciously like PMS…Soujirou better run while he can!) But no, everyone’s favorite boy was oblivious to the time of month it was, and entered the house with Hiko trailing behind.

Without the usual polite greetings, Soujirou walked right up to Megumi and smiled suggestively. Before she could ask him what his problem was, he tried out his first pick-up line ever! "What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?" Megumi sweat dropped and answered. "I LIVE here!"

Soujirou just kept smiling, and with a nod from Hiko he tried again. "Haven’t we met somewhere before? I would never forget a face as beautiful as that!" Hiko cleared his throat and Soujirou hastily added, "Buy me a drink?" Megumi had a sweat drop bigger than her head by the time she managed to answer. "Yes, we have met somewhere before. YOU LIVED HERE A WEEK WITH ME AND ONLY LEFT JUST THIS MORNING YOU BAKA!"

This was obviously not going well. Megumi was starting to fume alarmingly and Soujirou was getting another taste of that thing called fear. But as suddenly as it appeared, Megumi’s anger was gone. It had finally dawned in her exactly what was going on, and she decided to take full advantage of the situation. Soujirou was going to learn a valuable lesson that day about women with PMS. Don’t go near them!

Fox ears popped up. "Oh hohohoho! You want a drink? I don’t need to buy you anything! I’ll prepare something myself! Oh hohohoho…"

****

"What happened to you two?" Asked Yahiko as they stumbled in the dojo gate. They both looked more than a little sick, although Soujirou was still smiling as always. Hiko didn’t bother to answer. He just ran for the very rustic bathroom facilities as fast as he could. Understanding dawned quickly on Yahiko’s face and he grinned evilly.

"You went to see the fox lady and made her mad, didn’t you?" Yahiko asked, although he was pretty sure of the answer. Soujirou just nodded wordlessly. After a while Hiko came back, looking a little better, but very, very angry and determined! "No woman makes a fool of the great Hiko Sejirou or his brilliant student! Tomorrow we will have lesson number two, and I promise she won’t be able to resist you!"

Soujirou smiled and nodded in agreement, before running for his turn in the bathroom. He will do whatever his great master tells him to, AFTER he didn’t feel like he had just eaten something cooked by Kaoru anymore! But as bad as he felt, he was excited about what the next day might bring!

Thanks to my cousin for her help in coming up with the next lesson plan! I was stuck! I mean, once you make fun pick up lines, nothing else seems quite as good. But she did have a good idea! I hope everyone enjoys it!

Author’s notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

Disclaimer: I have no life so I write about characters from an anime I do not own. But at least its entertaining, even if the characters hate me for it! So don’t steal my story unless you want them to hate you too. Scratch that, don’t even steal it for that! Go write your own mindless story about them…

Chapter 14

"A Second Try"

(Kyoto)

"You want HOW much per week?"

"I won’t take any less. It would be reasonable to ask for more to deal with a girl like that and possibly her children, but I pity you too greatly. After all, I can just quit. You however, are stuck with her forever."

Aoshi nodded wordlessly. The woman was right. {Is it too late to become a monk?}

****

(Tokyo)

It was early afternoon a few days later, and the dojo was unusually quiet. Hiko and Soujirou had taken off to work on lesson two some more, and Yahiko was making himself scarce again, so Kenshin and Kaoru had the place to themselves. They were enjoying the peace until a certain visitor showed up at the gate. Even from a distance they could smell that awful cigarette smoke.

Without being nice and properly greeting the two dojo occupants, he immediately stated why he was there. "I have had reports of two men disturbing ladies around town. I was told to check it out." He seemed like his normal self for once, and Saitou acting like himself lately is a rare thing. Kenshin was relieved until Saitou opened his big mouth again. "People say those two men live HERE. One of them you, Battousai? Finally getting tired of your violent girlfriend?"

Kenshin was annoyed about the remarks about himself and Kaoru, but was quickly distracted when the implications of what the cop said sunk into his mind. Kaoru, on the other hand, wouldn’t be distracted, and an interesting pursuit began! Picture this. Kaoru and her bokken, chasing an amazingly frightened Saitou around the dojo. I guess his memories were still fresh from the last beating she gave him! From Saitou’s mouth and cigarette came a trail that resembled smoke coming from a train he was puffing so hard. ^_^ And Kenshin was oblivious to it all! The chase finally ended when Saitou escaped up his favorite tree.

"Mou! I can’t climb up there in my Kimono! KENSHIN!" She turned around to send Kenshin after him, but to her surprise he was gone! Furious at being abandoned like that, she settled down under the tree to wait, and the stalemate began! Will poor Saitou ever be able to come back down?

****

Soujirou was enthralled with the second lesson! Master Hiko was amazing and could make even the stupidest compliment seem natural and sincere. (If it’s about himself anyway! Now you see why Hiko doesn’t like me. I know him too well!) Soujirou was confident that with this training, soon no woman could resist him, or would even want to!

"Master Hiko, what if the woman has no good traits to compliment her on? What then?" Hiko sweat dropped. "If she has no good features, why would you be going after her in the first place?" Soujirou just smiled and nodded at the great Hiko’s wisdom.

At that moment, another woman was passing by on the little road leading by the water. Without a command by Hiko, Soujirou jumped up and ran over to her, smiling happily. She was a nice looking woman in almost every way, except for her nose. It was HUGE! So of course, Soujirou automatically focused in on that feature without giving it a second thought. "Good afternoon! I have never seen a nose that size that could look so lovely!"

Hiko, who had been listening, put his head in his hands, so all he heard was the loud splash when Soujirou got pushed in the water. Not for a moment did he believe it was his pathetic teaching that was the cause of Soujirou’s failure, but the student.

"That went over very well!" Announced Soujirou as he climbed from the water. "I actually got hurt this time!" After despairing for a few more moments, Hiko’s determination rebounded. There is nothing he couldn’t do, and teaching this boy how to be a man is one of them!

"Enough practice! It’s time we test this out on the fox woman. Just don’t drink anything this time if she offers it." With this, the two marched off towards Dr. Genzai’s, unaware that a red haired swordsman was following them. A PLOTTING one at that! Oh, this should be fun!

****

Kenshin knew he had to stop those two somehow. But how? Following them isn’t going to do a bit of good. He needed a plan, and possibly some help. With one last glance at his master to make sure he knew where they were headed, he took a detour into Sano’s little neighborhood. Without pausing to knock or call out, he slid open the door and found a very grumpy, hung over Sano crouched on his futon, clutching his aching head.

"What do you want?" He growled, but Kenshin wasn’t phased a bit. He knew exactly how to get Sano up and to Dr. Genzai’s. Keeping the normal, innocent look on his face, he told Sano…the truth! What could be worse than the truth? With muttered curses Sano crawled off his bed and out the door. He knew the fox lady could more than take care of herself, but that Soujirou character was just way too…nice! What if she started to like him?

Kenshin smiled in relief as Sano left, knowing he wouldn’t have to interfere now. But he decided to follow him anyway, just to be sure.

****

"Oh hohoho! You two are back again?" Megumi was actually enjoying this now! Soujirou smiled, fully believing she was just happy to see him. "Hai, Megumi-san. Has anyone ever told you that you have lovely ears?" She laughed again, and fox ears popped up. "Which ones?"

For the first time in his life, Soujirou sweat dropped. "The…uhh…pointed ones are especially nice!" (You have to give the boy credit, at least he wasn’t insulting this time!) We will never know what Megumi might have respond