Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Never for the Public... ❯ An Archrival’s Return ( Epilogue )

Never for the public…

Epilogue - An Archrival's Return

Chapter Summary - Aku Soku Zan.

 

I do not have a beta, and I do attempt to quadruple-beta all of my work both on paper and on screen, however I'm human and sure that there will still be minor grammatical errors…

 

Summary: Kaoru's suffered a traumatic experience resulting in anxiety attacks. How does Kenshin plan to cure her? This story is based on the manga and anime up to the end of the Kyoto Arc, and ignores the Jinchuu Arc. However, sometime before this story, Kenshin does confide his past to his friends (same roundtable as in manga, different reasons irrelevant to this story)…

 

Note: The Japanese language is highly flexible and very beautiful. Although I do love mixing Japanese with English to try to keep the story true, I believe there is a limit which can severely decrease a story's enjoyment factor. I decided to ignore Kenshin's changes between his use of “sessha” versus “ore,” although I felt it necessary to keep “de gozaru.” Nevertheless, this story does contain MANY Japanese phrases. I've included a glossary at the end for reference.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim to own, any part of Watsuki Nobuhiro-dono's creations.

Rated: X

 

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Kisho (new character): name translation “one whom knows his own mind”

Shinpachi (real-life historical character): name translation “New Eight” per his name in Kanji, so I'm not sure what his name is really supposed to signify?

 

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May1879

 

Himura Kenshin and Kaoru boarded the train utterly exhausted. They followed the steward to their seat, where Kenshin bent over to settle their numerous bags under their bench…

 

“It's too bad we couldn't get a completely private booth,” Kaoru whispered suggestively, knowing only Kenshin could hear her. Keeping in mind the other passengers, she subtlety eyed his muscle-toned form delectably as he finished packing their items and innocently turned towards her. He blinked in surprise at her predatory ogling of his body; she looked like she was about to eat him alive…

 

“Maa maa, Koishii, behave yourself!” he chuckled surprised, her constant desire for him filling him with masculine pride. Since they had conceived, Kaoru grew more and more lustful as her pregnancy progressed, not that Kenshin was complaining; any chance to pleasure his beautiful wife, and lovingly caress her swollen belly at the same time, was always quite welcome by him. Masterfully controlling his emotions, he removed his sakabatou and sat on the bench beside the window. He settled his katana against his chest and loosely draped his left arm over its sheath, allowing it to prop comfortably between his legs on the floor. Kaoru awkwardly eased herself down next to him and hugged his left arm. Kenshin untangled his arm to hold his six-month pregnant wife closer, switching the sakabatou to his right arm.

 

“It's not my fault you're so dashingly handsome, Anata!” she giggled, whispering back to him.

 

“Mou, I've unleashed a monster!” he joked bashfully, blushing heatedly. They looked out the window as the train started to move. The couple serenely enjoyed the sight of Yokohama's buildings flying past them until trees became the complete landscape. Kaoru yawned and laid her head on his shoulder. Kenshin scooted forward a bit and laid his cheek on her head, holding her closer in his embrace. Excursions of the day aside, the newlyweds happily napped to the soothing rocking of locomotion.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Nagakura Shinpachi, and his younger brother, Nagakura Kisho, peacefully stared out at the rolling scenery as they left Yokohama. They were standing outside on the last car of the train, silently taking comfort in each other's presence. Shinpachi stood straight with his arms and legs crossed, leaning against the car's wall. Kisho was bent over, leaning on his forearms on the balcony's hand-rails.

 

“Yokohama is thriving,” Kisho said.

 

“Aa,” agreed Shinpachi.

 

“Must you continue to fight, Niisan?” Kisho asked quietly.

 

“Aku Soku Zan. That is all I know,” Shinpachi answered as quietly.

 

“Hahaue and Chichiue will be happy to see you back in Tokyo,” Kisho sighed.

 

“Aa.”

 

“Doushita no, Niisan? You've been wary since we boarded this train?”

 

“It's nothing.”

 

Kisho glanced back at Shinpachi. “You sensing something… or someone?”

 

“ … “

 

“Niisan?”

 

Shinpachi took a deep breath, letting it go in a long-suffering sigh. “I sensed something earlier before we left Yokohama, a brief surge of kenki, but since we've left the city's limits… whatever or whoever it was, it's back in Yokohama and none of my business,” Shinpachi said.

 

“Now I'm worried,” whispered Kisho. Shinpachi's eyes questioned Kisho.

 

“I know my senses are nowhere near as keen as yours, Niisan, but I also sensed a kenki before we left… it was strong… inconceivably strong… like nothing I'd ever felt before…”

 

“… Regardless, we have not sensed that kenki for a while. It's safe to say that that person is not on this train. Let's retire inside. We still have a long walk from the train station to our house--”

 

“-- And who's the one whom didn't want to rent horses?” Kisho joked, smiling wickedly as he taunted his older brother.

 

“Hurry up, baka-chan,” Shinpachi finally cracked a smile on his way inside, Kisho's sharp retorts fading in the wind.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Why is it we couldn't just rent horses and ride all the way to Tokyo again?” Kisho continued to taunt Shinpachi as they walked through passenger cars towards theirs.

 

“I have no patience for being social with anyone right now. This way is quick and efficient for getting us home,” Shinpachi snapped, mocking annoyance. Kisho laughed.

 

“You're being social with me,” Kisho pointed out.

 

“As if I have a choice, ahou,” Shinpachi wittily remarked. Kisho laughed out loud and slid open the door to their passenger car, looking at their tickets.

 

“We should be this last bench here on the right…” Kisho said, seeing the empty bench. He walked up first to their bench, taking note of their seatmates. He examined the cute, little couple napping against each other… The man looked to be a gaijin, his red hair far too exotic to be a native Nipponjin, not to mention what Japanese man would be caught dead wearing a pink kimono? The gaijin's katana caught his eye... This is the twelfth year of the Meiji Era, yet this kenkaku chooses to publicly disobey the law by carrying his weapon in plain sight. He must be quite the kenkaku to travel so arrogantly with his sword, especially considering how weak he looks from his short stature and delicate frame... The young beauty napping in his arms is very pregnant; she looks perhaps a month or two shy of giving birth. Too bad… he definitely wouldn't have minded courting her, and he hadn't even seen her eyes yet, such an exquisite beauty. He examined their personal space; they must've traveled to Yokohama for a tourist day, judging by all the bags underneath their bench... innocent enough. Kisho removed his katana and settled himself quietly opposite them.

 

“Nii--“ Kisho stopped, looking bemusedly up at his elder brother. Shinpachi was still standing, staring in frozen shock at the sleeping couple. He tugged on his brother's pants, urging him to sit down. Shinpachi viciously slapped his hand away, stunning Kisho.

 

Shinpachi's kenki suddenly skyrocketed, and the red-haired man snapped wide awake, staring horrified at Shinpachi. Movements too fast for Kisho to follow, he never saw the gaijin rise… one moment, the man was sitting and napping on his wife, the next he was on his feet in a… battoujutsu stance?... against Shinpachi, whom had unsheathed his sword and held it in front of himself defensively. The woman awoke a mere instant after her husband. Kisho was buffeted by the strange kenkaku's terrible kenki as a ferocious rage steeled his previously angelic features. The red-head glared menacingly at Shinpachi; his woman seemed completely confused…

 

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Kenshin thought to himself that he must indeed be getting as old as everyone teases him to be... One moment, he was peacefully napping with Kaoru, the next he was in a stare-off with one of his worst archrivals from the Bakumatsu! He was outraged at himself that he hadn't sensed Nagakura Shinpachi enter their passenger car... Kaoru and their baby could've been killed!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“It IS you Batt--“ Shinpachi began to snarl when Kaoru shot up to her feet and launched herself at him. Stunned by the pregnant woman's bold actions, he didn't have a chance to think of using his sword before she pressed her index finger against his lips, shushing him. Shinpachi blinked at her aggressive, beyond inappropriate actions.

 

“Gomen nasai for my rudeness. Your assumption is correct, however, I demand you to please address us properly and put away your weapon,” Kaoru quickly removed her hand and stepped back from him bowing slightly in respect.

 

“This is my husband, Himura Kenshin… I am his wife, Himura Kaoru. We will be your seatmates until we reach Tokyo. We are pleased to make your peaceful acquaintance,” she snarled politely, lingering purposefully on Kenshin's name and `peaceful'. The blazing fire in her eyes belittled her outwardly-perfect politeness. Kisho grinned incredulously, then laughed at her brazen audacity.

 

“By the gods, woman, you are magnificent!” he complimented Kaoru, earning a true Battousai glare from Kenshin as Kaoru blushed highly embarrassed.

 

“Maa maa, Himura-san [Kenshin], I'm just stating the truth. Gomen nasai for my lack of tact,” Kisho grinned and held up his hands, palms out, in peace, “I apologize for my Niisan's behaviour, but then again it seems you both know each other well enough to forgive and forget as such, especially since we're gathering a crowd,” he nodded his head around them at all of the gaping mouths and fear-filled eyes. “I am Nagakura Kisho, oto no Shinpachi.” Kisho looked up at Shinpachi.

 

“Niisan, let's show our civil side today, shall we?” he stated, unusually brooking no room for argument. Shinpachi glowered at Kisho, sheathed his katana, and sat down, warily scrutinizing Kenshin's every move. Kenshin, equally wary, reseated himself in his previous position.

 

“Kisho no baka,” Shinpachi cursed vehemently under his breath. Kisho raised an eyebrow in amusement.

 

Sighing heavily in relief, Kaoru almost fainted as she sat back down. Kenshin unthinkingly shoved his katana into the corner where the bench met the window's wall, and quickly caught her into his arms. He gently lowered her to the bench. Hugging her waist, he turned her to face him. Kenshin laid his chin on her left shoulder, slightly covering her body protectively with his own, and held her close to him as he tried to calm his racing heart. He leerily analyzed every wave and crest of Shinpachi's kenki, adrenaline maxed and ready for any form of attack...

 

“Give us a moment,” Kenshin commanded stiffly to Kisho, rudely ignoring Shinpachi on purpose. Kisho nodded his head in guarded acceptance. Kenshin leaned back and massaged his right hand over Kaoru's stomach. Kaoru took a few more calming breaths and laid her left hand over his. He worriedly nuzzled his forehead to hers.

 

“Daijoubu, Kenshin, we're both fine,” she smiled at him, then down at her stomach.

 

“Yokatta!” he whispered fervently, sighing in relief. Blatantly ignoring their boothmates, Kenshin rushed his lips hastily across Kaoru's in an almost unseen kiss, needing an outlet for his worry over her safety. Kaoru looked shocked for a moment, raising a hand to her lips, then smiled knowingly up into his eyes. She moved her hand up to caress his cheek.

 

“I will protect you, both of you,” he vowed once again, looking deeply into her eyes.

 

“I know, Anata,” she smiled and laid her cheek on his shoulder, feeling safe in his arms. Kenshin breathed deeply, comforted by his wife's and child's brilliant kis. Disregarding public displays of affection taboos, he embraced her in his arms. Kisho watched in amazement, having rarely in his life observed a couple so unequivocally in love with each other. He smiled at the pretty picture they made…

 

“I don't know what all this hubbub is about, but either way, first off, it seems to be in the past, and second off, your kenki, as strong as it is, seems unbelievably resistant to fighting. That's good enough for me,” Kisho addressed Kenshin in a falsely bored manner.

 

“Baka, you wouldn't say that if you knew who he really was and--” Shinpachi snarled.

 

“-- and what he's probably more than capable of, I know, I know. It's the same old rhetoric, Niisan. Besides that, I know who you really are and what you are more than capable of, but somehow I can't seem to not forgive you of your sins, much less lose my concern over your welfare…” Kisho drawled lazily, “… so then, what brought you two to Yokohama?” he turned back to the couple conversationally, as if an intense bloodbath had not just been averted. Kenshin and Kaoru stared at him, stunned.

 

“We--“ Kenshin began.

 

“-- We needed baby items!” Kaoru exclaimed happily, instantly deciding she liked Kisho. Kenshin stared at her in shock, then settled back down beside her. He allowed her to take control as he continued to soothingly rub her stomach. Kisho noticed the tender gesture; it seemed her husband was unable to control himself when it came to her…

 

“Sou ka? How far along are you?”

 

“Our baby should be born in under three months,” she smiled.

 

“This is your first baby?”

 

“Aa, for both of us! We're excited!” Kaoru's smile glowed brightly.

 

“You're a lucky man, Himura-san, congratulations,” Kisho praised.

 

“Aa,” Kenshin agreed happily.

 

“I suppose you, of all people, think you deserve happiness, kono bakemono?!” Shinpachi snarled at Kenshin, the latter instantly glaring again…

 

“Everyone deserves happiness, otherwise what's the point of fighting to protect others?” Kaoru snapped viciously.

 

“And just whom was he ever trying to protec--?” Shinpachi started to argue.

 

“-- Well said, Himura-san [Kaoru]. So then, speaking of happiness, I don't suppose you have any sisters, do you?” Kisho smirked charmingly. Kenshin and Kaoru stared at him, shocked again. The two brothers were like night and day… Kenshin blinked owlishly, then suddenly laughed, finally somewhat relaxing. He decided he agreed with Kaoru's assessment of Kisho. Kaoru tilted her head, innocently confused by Kenshin's mirth and Kisho's question.

 

“Kaoru is an only-child… You'll have to look elsewhere for a wife, de gozaru yo, Nagakura-dono,” Kenshin smiled.

 

“Kenjougo language, Himura-san? So you're not samurai; you're a gaijin?” Kisho questioned surprised.

 

“Anoooo, Kenshin is Nipponjin, and he is samurai… it's a long story,” Kaoru intervened, saving Kenshin.

 

“Oooh? So, how did you find your lovely wife, Himura-san?”

 

Kaoru blushed deeply at this stranger's flirtatious compliments, right in front of her husband. She turned to look at Kenshin, only to find him smiling possessively at her. Recalling Kisho's question, Kenshin looked back to him.

 

“Actually, she found me by accident, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin blushed as he answered, considering where that conversation would go…

 

“By accident?”

 

The couple blushed more, if possible. “Ano, we don't mind answering all of your questions, but it's just a little too public here. Are you planning on staying in Tokyo?” Kaoru asked sweetly.

 

“Aa, we have a place to stay in Tokyo, why?” Kisho asked.

 

“In that case, you are invited to our home. You may feel free to question away over some tea and sweets… Oh! Speaking of sweets!...”

 

Kenshin instantly frowned and groaned. Kaoru smacked him hard upside his head.

 

“ORO!”

 

“Fine, why should I ask you when I can get it myself, Kenshin no baka!” she clipped out growlingly at Kenshin.

 

“Maa maa, Koishii…” Kenshin held up his hands placating her. Shinpachi's jaw dropped to the floor as Kisho looked on, also shocked by the display…

 

“Battousai was just successfully hit… on the head… by a woman…” Shinpachi thought in astonishment, stunning him into deep observation of the hitokiri...

 

“… I know the bag you want, de gozaru,” Kenshin continued meekly, bending over and searching through the various bags. He pulled out a large, white paper bag and placed it between them on the bench. Kaoru reached in and started removing the various colored, small boxes from within, laying them on her other side.

 

“Here it is!” she exclaimed happily. Kisho looked on, completely smitten with Kaoru, and Shinpachi glared at all three of them. Kaoru opened the little red box and showed its contents to the men.

 

“Chocolates!” Kenshin said.

 

“Better than just chocolates… these are called Cherry Bounces.*** They come from a country far to the West called America,” Kaoru said as she picked one up and gingerly bit it in half. She held up the other half to Kenshin. He accepted it from her, studying its contents. Turning it a moment in his fingers, he ate the cordial, then immediately glared at Kaoru…

 

“Kaoru, the liquid is alcohol,” he scowled warningly. Kisho noted the drop in Kenjougo use every time the strange samurai became upset or serious…

 

“I know, but I only ate half of one, Anata…” she smiled sweetly at Kenshin, “…the rest are for Sanosuke and Megumi-san.” She giggled at his over-protectiveness and winked at him.

 

“Oro? I'm not so sure that's a good idea, de gozaru yo?” he blinked concerned. Kaoru chuckled evilly causing Kenshin to gulp nervously.

 

“They won't know what hit them, trust me,” she smirked wickedly; Kisho shook his head side-to-side in amusement, smiling as he enjoyed listening to the close couple's banter. Kenshin looked on doubtfully as she repacked the red box and moved on to a white box.

 

“I love these,” Kaoru said as she took a toothpick from the box and speared a piece of the sliced, white cake. She took a bite and held it out the other half for Kenshin. He took the toothpick and ate the rest of the bite.

 

“Yummy!” he declared, his typical bright smile shining forth. Kisho carefully observed the strange kenkaku, noting the extreme difference between his frightening battle-glares and carefree, joyous smiles. He chanced a glance at Shinpachi, seeing that he had noticed the same thing… Kaoru speared another piece and held it out to Kisho.

 

“Arigatou,” he said surprised, accepting the confection. He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully, then blinked.

 

“This is tasty! What is it?” he asked.

 

“It's called arrowroot cake. It's sold in Tokyo and Kyoto as well, but the one in Yokohama tastes the best. It's one of my favorite desserts,” she replied delightfully. Kisho turned to Shinpachi.

 

“You should try one, Niisan, they're excellent. Besides, it would make up for your rudeness earlier, ne?” Kisho taunted his brother. Shinpachi huffed begrudgingly.

 

“Would you like one, Nagakura-san?” Kaoru asked politely, holding one out for Shinpachi. He looked at Kenshin, whom had retrieved his forgotten katana and rested it comfortably against himself. Kenshin immediately glared, meeting his harsh stare.

 

“Are you always so rude to women, Nagakura?” Kenshin clipped out pointedly; Kisho raised his eyebrows at the ominous rudeness towards Shinpachi… This samurai must've been with the Ishin Shishi faction, specifically, back during the war, which justifies the animosity between the two warriors since Shinpachi was Shinsengumi. Still, even that would not be enough to explain why Shinpachi would still desire to kill this man twelve years after the end of the war? Aku Soku Zan, but how could this normally mild-mannered, petite red-head be evil? “He looks every bit as feminine as his wife…” Kisho thought amusedly.

 

Shinpachi snapped his eyes back to Kaoru, whom was patiently holding out the piece of cake to him. “Arigatou,” he took the cake and ate it thoughtfully. Slowly, his eyes lit up at the unexpected sugary sweetness.

 

“Tasty aren't they?” Kisho asked, smiling jollily at his brother's reticence. Shinpachi darted his eyes to Kisho, then back to Kaoru.

 

“Aa. Arigatou, Himura-san [Kaoru],” he answered, crossing his arms and finally somewhat relaxing as well. Kaoru smiled elatedly and closed the box, packing the cakes away. She reached for another box…

 

“Mou, Kaoru, how many sweets did you buy, de gozaru na?” Kenshin asked grimacing. She glared menacingly at him; Kenshin instantly cringed under her scowl. Kisho covered his mouth, hiding his laughter with fake coughing fit.

 

“You two make the perfect couple,” he observed, highly entertained, once he'd composed himself. Kenshin smiled sheepishly and Kaoru's anger instantly dissipated. She excitedly opened the next box like a child in a candy store…

 

“These are called chocolate malt balls,” she chewed one, happily crunching away. She looked evilly at Kenshin, as he attempted to shrink into the bench. Kaoru held out a chocolate to him. He reached for it, but she pulled her hand back, then reached up as if to feed it to him…

 

“Orororo!” Kenshin's complexion quickly matched his hair's color. Kaoru and Kisho laughed wickedly as she dropped the chocolate into Kenshin's hand. Shinpachi's eyes widened in surprised amusement.

 

“MOU, Koishii!” Kenshin pouted blushingly as he ate the sweet.

 

“I never thought I'd live to see the day the Hitok--… Himura… whine petulantly like a woman,” Shinpachi chuckled amusedly, stalling from completing Kenshin's old name at Kaoru's sudden, withering glare. “It's easy to see who wears the pants,” he finished sarcastically.

 

“Ororoooooooooo…” Kenshin mourned sullenly, pouting further as the other three smirked at him. The late afternoon's sunlight suddenly disappeared, and they all looked out the windows to see the train enter downtown Tokyo. Kaoru quickly packed all of the small boxes back into the large bag, which Kenshin placed back on the ground.

 

“I'm so happy to be home!” she said, curling herself around Kenshin's left arm again. Shinpachi finally genuinely smirked as Kisho smiled. Kenshin smiled happily at Kaoru as she excitedly tugged on his arm.

 

“Aa,” Kenshin grinned happily. The train came to a halt, its passengers busy with disembarking…

 

“Oh yeah! It's easy to find where we live. Just look for the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu dojo just northeast of the downtown marketplace strip. We're only a few minutes away from the Akabeko restaurant and the Oguni Medical Clinic,” Kaoru said as she and Kenshin managed all of their parcels.

 

“You're invited to dinner tonight, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin added, pointedly implicit, before they disappeared into the departing crowd. Kisho looked at Shinpachi.

 

“This should be interesting,” he chuckled.

 

“Aa.”

 

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“Excuse me, would you happen to know where the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu dojo is?” Kisho asked the two cute little girls whom greeted them outside the medical clinic.

 

“Hai!” Ayame and Suzume cheered.

 

“It's where Ken-niisan, Kaoru-neesan, and Yahiko-niisan live,” said Ayame.

 

“And sometimes Sano-niisan too!” Suzume chirped. Kisho smiled sweetly as Shinpachi looked on neutrally.

 

“Konbanwa, may I help you?” Kisho looked up at one of the most beautiful women he'd ever laid eyes upon. Sharp intelligence radiated brightly from her... perhaps keen wit as well?

 

“Hai, we're looking for the Kamiya dojo, Ojousan, perhaps you might be able to give us directions?” Kisho bowed slightly. Megumi smirked, her eyebrow quirking in amusement at the handsomely flirtatious gentleman addressing her as an ojousan…

 

“We're on our way over there now for dinner...” she replied nonchalantly, easily ignoring his charms, and turned back towards the clinic, “Oi, Gensai-sensei! We're leaving without you!”

 

“Jotto matte, Megumi-san, mou!” a kind, elderly man appeared rushing out of the clinic, hurriedly locking the door. He turned to look at Shinpachi and Kisho…

 

“Oh, do you need a doctor?” Gensai-sensei asked concerned.

 

“No, we're on our way to the Kamiya dojo,” Shinpachi replied.

 

“Oh! So are we! Come with us!“ Gensai-sensei invited. They all headed to the dojo.

 

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“So, you two are the `special guests' for dinner tonight, eh?”

 

Kisho and Shinpachi were greeted by Sanosuke at the front gate. The three men instantly sized up each others' strong fighting kis…

 

“Sano-nii!”

 

“Sano-niisan!”

 

“Hey you two,” he greeted. Ayame and Suzume each grabbed one of his hands. Sanosuke laughed as he bent down and picked both of them up, smiling at their happy cheers. He turned back to the brothers.

 

“Kenshin told me you two would probably need a guide. We're eating in the dojo and it's already locked up, so we're going in the side entrance from the residence… yo, Gensai-sensei, Kitsune...” Sanosuke said easily and turned towards the residence.

 

“Konbanwa to you too, rude Tori-Atama!” Megumi snapped icily at Sanosuke. Gensai-sensei smiled as Kisho's and Shinpachi's jaws dropped to gape in shock yet again for that day…

 

“We just walked in and they've already started,” Gensai-sensei whispered conspiratorially to the brothers, winking for effect. Kisho studied Megumi's acerbic, yet playful, banter with Sanosuke…

 

“Oi, Kitsune, don't you have a patient to torture?” Sanosuke threw lazily over his shoulder.

 

“Ara? I see a perfect patient to torture right in front of me!”

 

“Patient?” Kisho asked nonplussed.

 

“Maa maa, calm down…” Kenshin's voice greeted cheerily, but no one could see him… The brothers heads snapped up to the dark side of the residence's porch, both warily locking their sights in the direction of the disembodied voice. They became painfully aware of the deadly man lurking in the shadows, his lethal kenki completely masked as he had covertly tracked their every move all the way from the front gate. Shinpachi sucked in a breath, flashbacks of this perfect killer slowly stalking his doomed prey, nightmarishly clouded his vision. His breathing quickened in response to the deathly kenki he believed he perceived. None of them, not even the Battousai's friends, had sensed the hitokiri in stealth… Kenshin gracefully glided out from behind a porch beam and into the light, his opaquely-narrowed blue eyes gleamed hellishly from within as he willingly allowed his presence to be known, his footsteps silent as death …

 

“A hitokiri will always be a hitokiri…” Shinpachi thought affirmatively as the haunted, old chill shot up his spine. This is the man he knew from the Bakumatsu… this is the legendary Hitokiri Battousai…

 

“Yo, Kenshin! Whatcha doing over there in the dark?” Sanosuke called out companionably, a hint of suspicion in his tone...

 

“KEN-NII!”

 

“NIISAN!”

 

Ayame and Suzume jumped down from Sano's arms and happily ran to the now violet-eyed Kenshin, whom just barely had enough time to step down into his sandals as the little girls reached him. He crouched to grab them up in his arms, then swung them around delightfully in circles. Shinpachi and Kisho both noticed Kenshin had his katana securely tucked into his belt...

 

“Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan!” he greeted the little girls in his arms.

 

“What'd you cook tonight, Ken-nii?” Ayame asked.

 

“You'll see when you sit down, now go wash up!” Kaoru said, coming out of the residence behind Kenshin.

 

“Everything's setup,” Yahiko said as he followed Kaoru out, hands full of the rice bucket, and immediately turned to his left to enter the dojo's open side door. Kenshin kneeled and placed the girls back down on the ground.

 

“Go wash up and make sure you keep your sandals together at the front door this time, de gozaru yo,” he said to them.

 

“HAI!” they cheered and ran to the well. Kenshin smiled and stood up, facing the brothers.

 

“Konbanwa, de gozaru, Nagakura Shinpachi and Nagakura Kisho. Welcome to our home. Please come in, de gozaru na,” Kenshin formally greeted. After quite a bit of the usual family bickering and fussing, everyone was successfully guided into the dojo and seated in a large circle around the huge meal.

 

“Itadakimasu!”

 

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“That was delicious!” Kisho said, chugging down the plentiful sake after the delicious meal.

 

“Aa, it was an excellent meal. Arigatou, Himura-san,” Shinpachi thanked Kaoru.

 

“I only made the onigiri. Kenshin cooked everything else,” Kaoru smiled at Kenshin, whom blushed in return.

 

“Battousai cooked this meal?” Shinpachi sputtered unthinkingly; Kisho choked on his sake, stunned at his brother's revelation of Kenshin's true identity. Tension instantly filled the air as Kenshin's family furiously glared at Shinpachi and Kisho.

 

“So then, you two are here to pick a fight with Kenshin?” Sanosuke growled menacingly.

 

“No, no!” Kisho said appeasingly, holding his hands up with palms out, “we're here out of curiousity, actually.”

 

“That's good to hear, since you'd have to fight us first before you could even think of reaching Kenshin,” Yahiko declared fiercely.

 

“We are his family, and we will protect him with our lives,” Kaoru warned in dangerous tones.

 

“Curious… you all are obviously aware that he is the Hitokiri Battousai, and yet you protect and care for a merciless mass-murderer like him?” Shinpachi challenged.

 

“Before you judge Kenshin, why don't you tell us more about yourself, Nagakura Shinpachi, Captain of the Second Shinsengumi Division?” Kaoru answered his challenge. If Shinpachi was surprised, he didn't show it. Everyone on Kenshin's side acutely startled.

 

“Shinsengumi!!!” Yahiko cried out frightfully.

 

“So he's like that yarou, Saito?!!” Sanosuke snapped, angrily appalled. Shinpachi glared at Sanosuke as the latter jumped to his feet and stomped over to Kenshin.

 

“Kenshin no baka! Why the hell did you invite that kisama here?!” he roared at Kenshin, punching him into the dojo's wall.

 

“OROOOOOOOOOOOO!”

 

Shinpachi and Kisho watched in utter amazement as the most feared hitokiri in history slowly slid down the wall, swirly-eyed and oro'ing dazedly. He hadn't lift a finger in his defense…

 

“Sanosuke no baka!” Sanosuke's body joined Kenshin's on the dojo wall, sliding down after Kaoru's fist bashed into his skull.

 

“Kenshin!” she crouched down beside him, holding his head in her lap.

 

“Daiiiiii-jou-buuu, de gooozaruuu, Kaoru-donooooo” Kenshin stuttered out, slowly coming back to himself.

 

“Tanuki no baka! You're not supposed to be so active at this point in your pregnancy! On top of that, I just patched up Ken-san and this baka again! Don't give me double the work!” Megumi chastised Kaoru vehemently as she knelt down beside Sanosuke.

 

“You just patched them up? Again?” Kisho mumbled, completely lost.

 

“This sake tastes better than the last batch!” Yahiko praised, ignoring all the usual commotion.

 

“Are Ken-nii and Sano-nii ok, Neesan?” Ayame asked, running up to Megumi.

 

“Daijoubu, Ken-san will be fine as usual, and this ahou wouldn't feel a mountain if one fell on his head,” she snapped, helping Sanosuke to his feet. Kaoru helped Kenshin stand up, and all four resumed their seats.

 

“Megumi-dono's being rather mean tonight, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin teased.

 

“Urusai!” she snapped ferociously at Kenshin; he flinched, cringing behind Kaoru from her wrath.

 

“Maa, maa!” he begged placatingly. Shinpachi and Kisho carefully observed the entire scene, focusing on Kenshin's reactions to his `family'.

 

“Sou ka…” Kisho said, getting everyone's attention.

 

He looked at Kenshin, “You both killed in the Bakumatsu on opposite sides.” Kisho continued looking at Shinpachi, “Niisan, since you were a captain, you probably faced off against Himura-san, am I right?”

 

“A few times too many… I could never save my men in time from his demonic blade,” Shinpachi said hatefully towards Kenshin, “Battousai! Why are you still alive? How is it you've seen Saito-san and still live?!”

 

“Leave Kenshin alone! He's been through enough misery all these years!” Kaoru growled ominously at Shinpachi.

 

“You expect me to give that bakemono sympathy?!” he spat out disgustedly, “let me tell you all a nice bedtime story of your beloved Battousai…”

 

~ Flashback ~

 

The Shinsengumi troop of a dozen tired men marched heavily onward in the pouring rain. Lightning flashed above their heads, thunder shaking the ground below their feet. They trudged wearily along the muddy road, ignoring the calling shelter of the forest to either sides of them.

 

“Damn Ishin Shishi,” muttered Yoshida Taku, “How did they learn about our sneak attack?”

 

“Spies are all over the place, Yoshida-kun, no point in worrying needlessly. At least we made it out without any casualties on our side,” Shinpachi replied. Taku looked up to the raging night.

 

“When we get back to Kyoto, I can't wait to get home to Miya and Mura… I want to hold my loving wife in my arms and tuck my cute little baby girl into her bed. I wonder if Miya will bathe with me?” Taku smirked.

 

“Humph, not all of us have those luxuries, ahou,” Shinpachi joked chummily. Three men's screams suddenly pierced the air, accentuated by a flash of lightning. The remaining men turned around to see the three furthest back from their group lying on the ground, blood quickly pooling around their lifeless corpses. Immediately, another flash of lightning added two more bodies to the swiftly growing count…

 

“NO! Come back! Don't separate from the group!” Shinpachi watched in horror as two more of his men broke formation and ran to the first set of corpses. He looked up just as another flash of lightning highlighted a red-haired demon descending from the heavens, amber eyes glowing hellishly with their promise of inescapable death. He stared helplessly as one man was cleaved down cleanly in half, the hitokiri viciously yanking out his katana before the corpse hit the ground. Losing no momentum, the bakemono spun on his feet, aided by the slippery mud, and jumped, horizontally slashing into the other man's neck, his blade slicing up through jaw and skull. Shinpachi and the remaining men watched in horror as the front half of the second man's head separated from his body and wetly slid to the ground face up, mouth still gaping in a silent scream. The hitokiri's one sword maneuver took all of ten seconds, killing the two men instantly, blood raining down over his tiny frame, branding him the same color as his flaming hair. The so-far survivors gaped in horror as the bakemono opened his freakishly golden, glowing eyes. Lightning flashed, highlighting the large cross-shaped scar on his left cheek…

 

“It's the Hitokiri Battousai! Kill him at all costs!” Taku yelled. The five men all charged the gore-covered demon, whom suddenly vanished from all of their sights, except Shinpachi's…

 

“Up above!” Shinpachi yelled too late. Battousai landed behind them…

 

“DO RYU SEN!”

 

“Shimatta!” Shinpachi instantly recognized the attack and grabbed Taku, tugging him to the ground. They landed on their stomachs, narrowly avoiding the viscous mud and sharp rocks erupting from the Battousai's savage attack. He looked up to see his three comrades knocked out, but at least Taku was still conscious.

 

“Nagakura-san, daijoubu ka?” Taku raised up on his elbows, turning to Shinpachi. Shinpachi's eyes widened as suddenly, a katana blade pierced through Taku's throat and violently twisted. Shinpachi jumped up and flipped backwards, barely avoiding the Battousai's wakizashi aimed for his throat. In the middle of his mid-air flip, Battousai turned from him and raced towards the three men slowly rising to their feet, viciously swiping his katana clean of blood and sheathing it in mid-run...

 

“WATCH OUT!” Shinpachi yelled from the air, still in the middle of his flip, far too late…

 

“HITEN MITSURUGI RYUU, RYU KAN SEN!”

 

Shinpachi landed and drew his sword as the inhuman attack fatally disemboweled all three men in one blow. Battousai swiped both swords clean of blood and swiftly resheathed only the katana. Holding the wakizashi backwards, he gripped the katana's sheath together with the short-sword's hilt as he raced back towards Shinpachi. He bent down low, his right hand poised over his katana, preparing another battoujutsu attack…

 

“DIE BATTOUSAI!” Shinpachi roared outraged and flew forward, his katana held high. Lightning flashed as their blades met, hatefully screeching against each other. They slashed and parried around each other violently, blood flying with almost fatal misses, neither able to get in a killing blow. Nature stepped in and decided to end their match by sending down a bolt of lightning, cutting the tree next to them in half. Shocking electricity spiked through the liquid mud, picking up the living and the dead, and tossed them away like rag dolls in the howling wind. Shinpachi was knocked unconscious as his body flew through the air…

 

He awoke groggily the next morning, sitting high up on a tree branch, his body's inertia halted by its trunk. Painfully coughing up blood, he fell the short six feet to the ground and limped out to the road. The muddy dirt was completely reddened, eleven haphazardly-strewn corpses washed cleaned from the torrential downpour of the night.

 

“Someday, Battousai… korosu!”

 

~ End Flashback ~

 

A horror-filled hush suffused the dojo. Kenshin sat forlornly, his head bowed down, eyes hidden by his bangs. Shinpachi smugly glared at them all; Kisho studied Kenshin, deep in thought.

 

“So then, minna-san, how do you love your precious Battousai now?” Shinpachi snarled, disgustingly spitting out Battousai's name for emphasis. He waited patiently, self-assured that they would cast out such a worthless man… then, he would finally have his revenge on that damnable red-haired beast. Suzume left Gensai-sensei's lap and walked over to Kenshin. She stepped up to stand on his lap and put her small arms around his neck, trying to comfort him in her tiny way.

 

“Suzume-chan?” Kenshin startled, fearfully raising his eyes to her.

 

“Niisan, did you really kill those people?” she asked innocently. Kenshin swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. Unable to trust his voice, he nodded. Ayame came over to him, climbed up on his other knee, and hugged him.

 

“Ken-nii, you fought in the war, ne?” she asked. Kenshin looked at Ayame, then nodded again.

 

“Wars are bad, they make people kill each other,” Ayame declared frowningly.

 

“Bad wars!” Suzume agreed vehemently. Both little girls squeezed their arms as hard as they could around Kenshin's shoulders.

 

“Suzume-chan, Ayame-chan,” Kenshin whispered hoarsely, his voice giving way as he snuggled the two precious gems in his arms.

 

“Our little girls are right… Killing is a part of all wars. Ken-san was on one side, and you [Shinpachi] were on the other. You hate him because he was the Battousai? How many people's lives has your blade taken? Twenty, fifty, one-hundred? Everyone in Japan fears the legendary Hitokiri Battousai, not because he slaughtered people, but because of how many people he killed so efficiently. That doesn't change the fact that whether you take one life, or one thousand, you've still taken a life,” Megumi explained. Contemplative silence followed her remark.

 

“Only one whom has blood on their hands would be able to sympathize such a sentiment,” Kisho observed, his sharp perception causing Megumi to visibly flinch. She swallowed in guilty shock, then looked sadly at Kenshin.

 

“Megumi-dono--“

 

“No, Ken-san, this is not your choice.” She faced off against the brothers. “I am a doctor, as you've guessed; however, unlike all other doctors, I have the blood of the innocent on my hands. I was once forced to make premium opium to be sold on the streets. One of Sanosuke's closest friends died because of the opium made by my hands. Countless others have died as well, but I will never know who they were… I should have taken my life, since I was the sole possessor of the knowledge of how to make the drug, but I was a coward until the end. Then, my soul was saved... by Ken-san.

 

“He told me that dying would not bring back any of the people that I've killed. Instead, living to save one more soul is repentance in the truest sense. That is how the Hitokiri Battousai continues to live to this day, in atonement for his sins, saving every soul that crosses his path with his one sword… just as I save every soul that crosses my path with my family's medical knowledge.”

 

Megumi then leveled a cold, harsh glare on Shinpachi…

 

“So go on, just try to lecture us, Ken-san's devoted family, on why we would ever begin to even think about abandoning the kindest, gentlest, most loving, most selfless man we've ever had the honor to meet?” she burned Shinpachi with her unwavering glare. Kenshin's tear-filled eyes snapped up to Megumi, startled at her ardent declaration.

 

“Megumi-san,” Kaoru breathlessly sighed in happy affirmation.

 

“That's right! We're all part of the Kenshin-gumi, ne Kenshin?!” Yahiko cheered.

 

“HAI! HAI!” Ayame and Suzume cheered excitedly in answer from Kenshin's arms.

 

“Aa, we're all in the Kenshin-gumi,” Gensai-sensei threw his smiling lot in…

 

“Humph, besides, if anyone's a yarou here, it's you, Nagakura Shinpachi, telling such a nightmarish memory in front of children,” Sanosuke grumbled. Kaoru scooted closer to Kenshin and rubbed his back, while Suzume and Ayame hugged him and patted his head. Kenshin atypically kissed both little girls' cheeks, silent tears sliding down his cheeks; they kissed his cheeks back and snuggled closer to him. His family sympathetically regarded him, concerned with his unusual display of emotion.

 

"First you almost battle Kenshin on the train…” Kaoru started to say.

 

“-- NANI?!” Sanosuke, Yahiko, Megumi, and Gensai-sensei all cried out.

 

“… then you try to destroy his heart in his own home?” Kaoru finished, thundering darkly, her outraged explosion imminent. Kenshin reached out a hand and placed it on her knee. He raised his head, his family shocked to see tears openly falling down both his cheeks.

 

“Maa, maa, Koishii. I deserve this--“

 

“NO, YOU DO NOT, KENSHIN!” Kaoru roared, tear-filled eyes aflamed in her fury. He grabbed the back of her obi and pulled her forward to himself over Suzume. Kaoru braced her arms around the girls to keep from falling forward, and then his mouth was on hers. The others looked on as he kissed her very sweetly, then gently let her go.

 

“Kenshin?” she questioned confused when he pulled away.

 

“You shouldn't get so excited, Koishii; it's not good for our baby and Megumi-dono will yell at you, de gozaru yo,” he said, smiling in his typical kindly fashion. Megumi gasped, stood up and walked over to the grouped-four. She kneeled down on his other side by Ayame.

 

“Here, Ken-san,” she took out her handkerchief and heart-achingly dabbed his tears away as her own fell freely. Kaoru righted herself, kneeled flush against his side, hugging both him and the little girls. Kenshin closed his eyes and allowed Megumi to carefully remove his signs of loving gratitude. He opened his eyes when she moved her hand away, locking eyes with her. Unable to help herself at the raw emotion flooding his eyes, she silently cried, hugging all four of them to herself, laying her head down on top of Kenshin's and Kaoru's. Yahiko stood up and walked over to behind Kenshin, stunning them all when he kneeled and hugged Kenshin from behind, laying his head on Kenshin's back. Their moment of closeness unexpectedly ended when Sanosuke kneeled behind Kenshin. He grabbed Kenshin's neck in a chokehold with his left arm, pulled him backwards out of everyone's but Yahiko's embrace (whom was consequently smooshed between the two men), and gave him a vicious noogie on top of his head.

 

“OROROOOOOOO!” Kenshin sputtered surprised, his watery eyes blinking widely in confusion. That broke the tension, and the unusual emotional outburst, causing them all to break out laughing comfortably, Kenshin smiling in relief. He looked around at his family surrounding him, knowing they understood his speechlessness. Smirking eyes went round-circle, and Kenshin was suddenly hugged, kissed, poked, and tickled, his hair and clothing completely disheveled.

 

“NO! Dame, dame! Oroooooooooooo!” Kenshin cried out until he was laughing uncontrollably in joy. They observed his reactions, pleased in their attempts to bring back his usual happy, carefree smile.

 

Shinpachi was lost for words, flabbergasted at their absolute devotion towards the hitokiri, but moreso at the obvious regret the hitokiri himself displayed. Kisho continued to quietly examine the strange people's actions.

 

“Only Gensai-sensei and the two girls are related by blood; the rest of you are not… And yet, you are all every bit as close as a family should be…” Kisho remarked softly, “Niisan, you've met him in the past, and now in the present… can you honestly look at him and say that he is the same man he was the last time you saw him?”

 

Shinpachi stared at Kenshin. Kenshin resignedly met his eyes.

 

“You really don't want to kill anyone, Battousai?” Shinpachi whispered disbelievingly. Kenshin nodded and smiled.

 

“I never wanted to kill anyone… from the beginning,” Kenshin stated softly.

 

“Aku Soku Zan, isn't that right, Niisan? If he's still evil, why are you hesitating to draw your sword?” Kisho asked delicately. Shinpachi turned to Kisho, shocked. Why hadn't he drawn his katana yet? He looked back to the Battousai… rather… to Himura Kenshin, re-evaluating everything he's observed and comparing it to his memories. After a long pause, he huffed annoyed at Kisho.

 

“Blast you and your silent extrospection, ahou-chan,” Shinpachi sighed out gruffly, “I suppose this explains how it is that you've seen Saito-san and are still alive?”

 

“Saito and I had to work together to bring down Shishio Makoto and the Juppongatana, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin answered.

 

“You actually expect me to believe Saito-san worked with you to bring down your own successor?! Uso!” Shinpachi snarled.

 

“It's true. We didn't work too well together, but with all of us in this room fighting as one, we barely averted Japan from another war,” Sanosuke said ominously.

 

“And where is Saito-san now?” Shinpachi asked snidely.

 

“We don't know. He works for the police doing undercover work,” Sanosuke said. Shinpachi's eyes narrowed.

 

“I thought you hated him?”

 

Sanosuke laughed, “I can't stand that arrogant, cynical yarou… but that doesn't mean he isn't a worthy fighter,” Sanosuke said.

 

“What Sano's trying to say is that although Saito will never get along with us, we finally came to somewhat of a semi-coexisting resolution,” Kenshin added.

 

“Oi, Kenshin, you make it sound like that yarou is a good guy?” Yahiko frowned intensely.

 

“Ya-hi-ko! Watch your mouth! You've been hanging around with Sanosuke too much!” Kaoru snapped at him.

 

“What other language can you expect from an uncouth tori-atama?” Megumi smiled wittily.

 

“OI!” Sanosuke roared, getting up on one knee and shaking a fist at Megumi.

 

“Oh ho ho ho ho hooooooo!” she chortled maliciously at Sanosuke.

 

“Maa maa, everyone calm down!” Kenshin smiled, uselessly trying to cajole his family. Gensai-sensei, Ayame, Suzume, and Yahiko burst out into laughter; Kaoru suddenly hitched and put her hand to her mouth, catching everyone's attention. Unfazed by Kaoru's approaching repetitious performance, Yahiko rose and returned to his seat, grabbing a cup of sake. He wisely sipped slowly, keeping his eyes fastened on Shinpachi and Kisho…

 

“Kaoru?” Kenshin asked, paling quickly as he watched her body dry wretch once before she rushed to her feet and dashed outside.

 

“Kaoru!”

 

“Kaoru-chan!”

 

Kenshin quickly released the children as he and Megumi raced outside out after her. They all stared at the dojo door, hearing Kaoru mournfully give up her previously enjoyed dinner as Kenshin and Megumi tried to comfort her.

 

Sanosuke smiled as he moved to sit beside Yahiko, grabbed up the sake jug, and refilled a sake pouring-pitcher. Yahiko respectfully poured some sake for Sanosuke.

 

“Man, I'm glad guys can't get pregnant!” Yahiko declared and sipped more of his sake. Sanosuke whacked Yahiko upside his head.

 

“What was that for, Tori-Atama?!” Yahiko snarled ferociously.

 

Sanosuke smiled, “Yahiko's got the right idea! We can't let all this sake go to waste… LET'S PARTY!”

 

“PARTY! PARTY!” Ayame, Suzume, and Gensai-sensei cried out. Kenshin, Kaoru, and Megumi returned to the party cheers.

 

“Kenshin--!” Sanosuke held up a jug.

 

“No, no, de gozaru na, Sano!” Kenshin held up his hands, already begging to be let off…

 

“Aaaah, c'mon Kenshin! You never back down from a drinking challenge!” Sanosuke threw a jug at Kenshin, whom caught it by reflex. He looked at Kaoru as she laughed at his pitiful expression.

 

“Go ahead, Anata; you boys have fun. I'm heading to bed.” Kaoru encouraged him. Sanosuke threw two jugs at Shinpachi and Kisho.

 

“The more the merrier!” Sanosuke cheered, not really giving them a choice…

 

“Let me help Kaoru to bed,” Kenshin said. Kaoru stopped momentarily, pulling Kenshin down to kiss his cheek lingeringly. She seductively darted the tip of her tongue out against his skin, hidden by her lips' sucking motion, for but a moment. Satisfied with her love-mark on his cheek, she turned to head towards the residence.

 

“OROOOOOOOOO!” he swooned on his feet, blushingly registering his family's amused laughter.

 

“I'll help Kaoru-chan to bed, Ken-san; go ahead and play with the infantile baka,” Megumi smirked, taunting Sanosuke on her way into the residence with Kaoru.

 

“Saucy kitsune,” he growled.

 

“Maa maa--“ Kenshin tried to calm Sanosuke down as he walked over. Sanosuke kicked his leg out and tripped Kenshin, whom luckily landed on a floor seating-cushion, sake jug safe in his hands.

 

“Four jugs, Kenshin! You two kisama as well!” Sanosuke challenged, then started chugging. Kenshin sighed amusedly, opened his sake, and joined Sanosuke. Yahiko guffawed, falling on his back as he held his stomach.

 

“Kenshin's gonna pass out way before the fourth jug!” he snickered loudly, getting up to walk over to Gensai-sensei. Kenshin opened one eye at Yahiko's back in challenging amusement, quickly closing it again.

 

“The more the merrier…” Kisho smiled, and looked pointedly at Shinpachi. He rose to his feet, walked over to the chugging men, and plopped down on a floor cushion. He opened his jug, heartily taking part in the chug-fest. Shinpachi followed him and completed the chugging circle of four.

 

He looked around the room, observing the apparently commonplace chaos. Somehow in the middle of all the excitement, Yahiko and Gensai-sensei began a game of shogi. Ayame and Suzume were running around the dojo, squealing happily, trying to catch each other. Megumi returned from within the residence with a book and sat beside the shogi board, settling herself for a good story amidst all the noise. Kisho was enjoying himself with Sanosuke's drinking game. Most surprising was the Battousai, chugging along with them, as if this is what he normally does everyday… just living as a normal person…

 

How had Saito Hajime, Battousai's fiercest rival in the Bakumatsu, come to a resolution with this man? Many of Saito's men had also fallen to this hitokiri's ruthless carnage. Everyone in the country knew the infamous story of how the Battousai slew one-hundred men in one night, but they didn't actually see him do it... Shinpachi witnessed that particularly hellish battle in person, barely making it out alive after facing the Battousai, the latter having left the former to bleed to death on the gory battlefield. And yet…

 

He stared, silently observing the soft-spoken, reticent man in front of him. It was as if he was staring at a completely different person. From what he'd witnessed for most of the day, the difference between his memories of the terrifyingly nightmarish demon and this man were like Yin and Yang.

 

“Baka, they are one in the same person. Do not be fooled,” Shinpachi chastised himself, and yet, there were physical differences in addition to the obvious gulf of separation in personality. Most notably were the large, dark, violet eyes utterly filled with humility, gentleness, and kindness, versus the Battousai's piercingly gleaming, amber pinpoints of light, devoid of all emotion.

 

Sanosuke finished his jug, and grabbed three more, noticing Shinpachi was merely staring at them. He looked subtlety at Kenshin, noticing him behaving slightly uninhibited and complacently ignoring the typical threat on his life. Figuring someone had to keep an eye on Kenshin, Sanosuke surreptitiously watched Shinpachi. Seeing that Kenshin and Kisho finished their jugs, he threw the new, full ones at them. They started on their second run, Sanosuke drinking a bit slower than he was before. Lost in deliberation, Shinpachi finally opened his first jug and drank slowly.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“OROOOOOOOOOO!” Kenshin hiccupped and fell over swirly-eyed, his empty fourth jug of sake rolling over to a jovially guffawing Kisho. An only-slightly buzzed Sanosuke roared with laughter, taking cautious sips halfway through his second jug. On the other side of the dojo, Gensai-sensei, Ayame, Suzume, Yahiko, and Megumi, all lay blissfully sleeping through the noisy, drunken ruckus.

 

“Alright Kenshin, off to bed with you before Jou-chan chops my head off!” Sanosuke chuckled amusedly.

 

“Orooo… hiccup!... ororororoooooo…”

 

“I don't think he's going to make it, Sano-san!” Kisho amiably observed. Sanosuke mockingly sighed.

 

“Chikuso… you light-weight, Kenshin no baka, I'm forever having to take care of you!” Sanosuke grumbled goofily, easily hefting Kenshin up over one shoulder.

 

“Hiccup! I'm the one always saving your ass, temee…” Kenshin mumbled, sloppily inebriated.

 

“I am so gonna kick his ass for that comment in the morning,” Sanosuke laughed raucously, “Lemme drop him off...”

 

“Hurry back, otherwise I'll run off with all your money,” Kisho chuckled evilly.

 

“Temee,” Sanosuke mockingly growled, heading to Kenshin's and Kaoru's bedroom. Kisho got up and sat against the dojo wall, pleasantly buzzed and rolling Sanosuke's gambling dice in his hand.

 

“This was fun! I've gotta hang out with that guy more often,” Kisho remarked.

 

“Aa,” Shinpachi agreed, almost done with his second jug of sake.

 

“You still planning to kill him?” Kisho asked casually.

 

“ … “

 

Kisho sighed, “It's obvious that ex-fighter-for-hire would be the most difficult opponent in the way, but it seems each of these people are all strong in some fashion. Though pregnant, his wife is strong enough… rather, she's bull-headed enough, in her own right as this kenjutsu dojo's master. Her deshi is very strong for his age, perhaps almost as strong as Battousai was at the same age. That female doctor is both cunning and conniving; with her dangerous knowledge of chemistry, she could easily poison a person in any number of ways. Battousai has made many powerful companions since he came out of hiding.

 

“One thing is very clear, although he obviously is still as strong as he was ten years ago, he is clearly not the same person. Having thought through all of that, do you still plan to kill him?” Kisho patiently questioned Shinpachi.

 

“ … “

 

“Yo Kisho, Nagakura, I'm gonna call it a night with the rest of these guys,” Sanosuke said, coming back into the dojo, ”There's two spare rooms inside the residence if you guys don't want to sleep on the dojo floor with us?”

 

“Nah, we have a place to stay here in Tokyo; we'll be on our way,” Kisho replied as he stood up and dusted himself off. Shinpachi stood, nodded to Sanosuke in parting, and waited for Kisho.

 

“Don't mind him, he's always like that,” Kisho smiled at Sanosuke. Shinpachi frowned at Kisho.

 

“He doesn't bother me… don't get me wrong, he is irritating, but he doesn't get under your nerves so much as Saito no yarou,” Sanosuke laughed heartily.

 

“Ja, we'll be on our way,” Kisho smiled as he bowed slightly in parting.

 

“Oi, you owe me another round, buddy!” Sanosuke walked them out to the front gate. Kisho threw Sanosuke's dice, which Sanosuke easily caught.

 

“Aa,” Kisho answered good-naturedly. They exited the premises, Sanosuke locking the gate behind them. The two brothers walked silently side-by-side towards their home.

 

“Niisan?”

 

Shinpachi huffed, dramatically annoyed, “You're just infatuated with his wife.”

 

“That's not true. I like all them, including Kenshin. He seems to be a good man,” Kisho remarked, amused at how easily his brother always read through him, “… though I do wish I had met Kaoru before he did…

 

“Niisan, how many people did you kill whom had families to whom they were supposed to return? That female doctor is extremely sharp-minded, and she's very correct. It's true that while Battousai was the single, strongest hitokiri in history, with the all-time high for body counts, he was just doing his job every bit as much as you were doing yours. However, unlike all of the other powerful hitokiri at his level of fighting, he is one of the handful whom both didn't fall to the madness AND is no longer taking lives. Keeping that thought in mind, can you honestly kill a hitokiri whom is a hitokiri no longer?”

 

“Do not be fooled! Have you forgotten the little greeting he gave us earlier this evening?” Shinpachi snarled bluntly.

 

“That was just his way of showing that he wasn't letting his guard down; he fiercely protects his family every bit as much as they shield him!” Kisho replied, exasperated with Shinpachi's continued stubbornness.

 

“A hitokiri will always be a hitokiri. THAT is the truth.”

 

Kisho snorted disgustedly and sped up his pace, putting distance between them. Shinpachi looked at Kisho surprised. Kisho doesn't usually devote himself to any one side unless he's truly passionate about his own stance… and, his little brother's intuition is rather uncanny when it comes to people…

 

“I'll go to the police station in the morning… you should come with me,” Shinpachi finally yielded, sighing heavily. Kisho stopped and looked back at Shinpachi.

 

“Doushite?”

 

“I want to see for myself what Battousai has been up to…”

 

The younger of the two brothers smiled inwardly as the late night fog enveloped their exodus.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Is the Shochou-san in?” Shinpachi asked the young officer at the front desk.

 

“Hai, do you have an appointment with Uramura no Shochou?” the officer looked between Shinpachi and Kisho.

 

“No, just tell him I found the Hitokiri Battousai,” Shinpachi replied and moved to stand by the front door's window, Kisho following. They didn't have to wait long. Uramura came out from the inner office and gestured for them to follow him. The brothers followed the police chief down the long hallways to his office. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Uramura faced them.

 

“How do I know you've found the Battousai?” Uramura asked point blank.

 

“Red hair… cross-shaped scar on his left cheek… residing at the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu dojo with his pregnant wife and two freeloaders… how's that sound?” Shinpachi answered.

 

“What business do you have with him?” the shochou asked guardedly.

 

“Before I answer that, let me first ask if you've ever heard of a Saito Hajime?” Shinpachi countered.

 

“Of course he has, ahou, I'm standing right here,” Saito answered in a bored voice, entering the office behind the brothers and closing the door behind himself. Shinpachi's eyes bulged and Kisho startled.

 

“You… YOU are a police officer, Saito-san?” Shinpachi stuttered.

 

“You have a wonderful propensity for stating the obvious, Nagakura no ahou,” Saito droned sarcastically. He pulled out a cigarette, lighting it as he asked, “What business have you with Battousai?”

 

“So, you still refer to him as Battousai after all this time? You haven't forgiven him either,” Shinpachi tried again.

 

“I refer to him as Battousai because he still is, and always will be, the Battousai… just as you will always be an ahou,” Saito grimaced, clipping out ending insult in thorough annoyance.

 

“You haven't changed, Saito-san,” Shinpachi finally smiled.

 

“Neither have you... this one looks like you, no doubt, Nagakura Kisho?” Saito stated more than asked. Kisho nodded.

 

“I've heard a great deal about you; It's an honor to meet you, Saito-san,” Kisho replied politely.

 

“Che, drop the pleasantries, Nagakura no baka,” Saito huffed, “Hurry up, you're both wasting my time…”

 

“Why haven't you killed him yet?” Shinpachi got to the point.

 

“There's no thrill at all in establishing a settlement with a hitokiri that doesn't kill anymore. That's all there is to it.”

 

“So he really hasn't killed anyone since the end of the war?” Shinpachi stressed.

 

“Don't make me repeat myself, ahou. Besides that, you two just waltzed in here, interrupting police business…” Saito frowned, signaling his emphasized dismissal of them with a puff of smoke.

 

“One last question Saito-san…” Shinpachi requested. Saito quirked an eyebrow.

 

“If Battousai no longer kills, why is he allowed to carry a katana? Why, of all people, is he allowed special violation of the Sword Ban?”

 

Saito laughed derisively, “You call that toy a katana?”

 

Shinpachi was taken aback, “What do you mean?”

 

“Sou ka… you haven't fought against the current Battousai yet… Why don't you ask that no-killing nonsense baka to show you the toy he calls a katana, then you'll see why the government officials long ago turned a blind eye to his activities. By the way, don't bother challenging him to a fight unless you're willing to kill all his baka friends first, there's quite a number of them, including the entire Oniwabanshu clan spanning the whole country… Now get out and go play with your new friends. If you haven't already noticed, you'll soon find out Battousai's family becomes a permanent thorn in your side,” Saito said nonchalantly, walking over to the windows behind the shochou's desk.

 

“And you, Shochou-san, what is your opinion of the Battousai?” Kisho questioned curiously.

 

“Himura-san has been most helpful to us, directly and indirectly, ever since he appeared here in Tokyo over one year ago as a rurouni. It is my family's pleasure to be friends with his family; our families sometimes share tea at each other's homes,” Uramura said, “Himura-san is a very kind and humble man whom selflessly protects everyone that crosses his path with his sword. It is very difficult for me to keep in mind that he was once the legendary hitokiri… And now I ask, how do you both know Fujita-kun?”

 

“Who?” Shinpachi asked.

 

“Me… after the Bakumatsu, I married and took my wife's family name,” Saito stated, “Shochou, this is Nagakura Shinpachi, previous Captain of the Second Shinsengumi Division back then.”

 

Uramura startled and turned an angry eye on Shinpachi, “Are you planning to fight Himura-san?”

 

Kisho smirked, chuckling at the question, noticing the police chief exhibited the same fierce protective reaction as Himura's family had the night before. Shinpachi's eyes left Uramura's and met Saito's. Saito nodded affirmatively to his silent question.

 

“Sou ka, the demon really did bewitch the police as well?” Kisho joked, highly amused, keeping up with Shinpachi's and Saito's silent conversation.

 

“Who are you calling a demon?!” Uramura ground out angrily at Kisho.

 

“Just a joke, just a joke!” Kisho held up his two hands, palms out in peace to the Police Chief.

 

“So then, what will you do, Nagakura?” Saito smirked wickedly.

 

“Mou Saito-san, you're still as coldly precise as ever,” Shinpachi sulked, heaving a great sigh. “As you say, there is no point killing a hitokiri that doesn't kill anymore. I'll just have to live without a resolution with that man,” Shinpachi finished sullenly, looking down.

 

“As do I… but the man we both want a resolution with died twelve years ago at Toba-Fushimi. You had best keep that thought in mind.”

 

Shinpachi's eyes snapped up to Saito's.

 

“… but Battousai is alive?”

 

“No, the Hitokiri Battousai died when the Ishin Shishi won at Toba-Fushimi; his katana was shamefully abandoned in the middle of the battlefield. The dishonorable corpse was never found.”

 

“Himura Kenshin--“

 

“--is not a hitokiri. He is still a powerful force to be reckoned with, and he recently mastered the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. Regardless, although he has become far stronger than the Hitokiri Battousai, as he is now, that baka couldn't hurt a fly.”

 

Shinpachi and Kisho stared at Saito, shocked speechless by his blunt appraisal. Saito took a long drag of his cigarette.

 

“Nagakura, never forget, Aku Soku Zan,” Saito said seriously. Shinpachi gazed a moment longer, then bowed.

 

“I understand. Domo for your time, Saito-san, Shochou-san,” Shinpachi said in parting.

 

“Arigatou yo,” Kisho said bowing, then followed his brother out.

 

“So then, what will you do now?” Kisho asked.

 

“A hitokiri will always be a hitokiri… This is what I was taught back during the war; however, for a man like Saito-san to so drastically change his mind…” Shinpachi mumbled as they walked towards the Kamiya dojo. He met Kisho's eyes.

 

“I need to see his katana.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“You two still looking for Kenshin?” Sanosuke asked irritably, meeting them coincidentally in front of the dojo's gate.

 

“How did you know we were coming?” Shinpachi asked suspiciously.

 

“I didn't, I came to mooch some of Kenshin's cooking, as usual,” Sanosuke replied icily.

 

“So the Battousai truly does the cooking? Next, you'll tell me he does all the cleaning and laundry as well?” Shinpachi asked sarcastically.

 

“Actually, yeah, he does,” Sanosuke answered point blank, expressionlessly.

 

Shinpachi and Kisho choked. Kisho stuttered, “Uso! Himura-san does all the women's work?”

 

“Kenshin doesn't look at it that way, and definitely don't say it that way to him. That man's overly cunning when it comes to tactics of any kind, including revenge,” Sanosuke said in all seriousness, raising his index finger up in the air to make his point.

 

“Reeeeeeeaaaaaally?! The Hitokiri Battousai getting revenge, go figure? And pray tell, how does he pull that off without breaking his supposed `no-killing' vow?” Shinpachi drawled sarcastically like a wolf that had cornered its prey…

 

Sanosuke smirked wickedly, “I'll give ya an example… doing the laundry just happens to be Kenshin's favorite hobby, and if you make fun of that, he won't let you eat any of his onigiri for a month.”

 

The brothers stared flabbergasted at him, obviously having expected a completely different answer. Kisho broke down into laughter. “You sound like you're speaking from experience, Sano-san? How are you today?” he asked chummily.

 

“I'm good, and you Kisho-san?” Sanosuke smiled heartily at Kisho.

 

“Good, good, so then, where's Himura-san?” Kisho asked.

 

“Are you planning on fighting him?” Sanosuke looked pointedly at Shinpachi.

 

“No. Now where is Battousai?” Shinpachi answered rudely, patience gone.

 

“Sano-san, we just want to speak with him. Trust me, I won't let my brother fight Himura-san, how's that?” Kisho cajoled.

 

“I'm not really sure I can trust you either, smooth-talker, but I'll take you to where Kenshin is… follow me,” Sanosuke smirked. He led them down to Kenshin's favorite fishing spot at the river. Sure enough, there sat Kenshin, by himself, peacefully fishing under the shade of a huge tree. He looked up from his private musings to smile at them.

 

“Oi Sano-- OROOOOOOOOO!!!” Kenshin suddenly lay sideways on the ground, swirly-eyed, where Sanosuke's kick dropped him. Shinpachi and Kisho looked on in utter shock that the Battousai was felled so easily… yet again…

 

“Now we're even for last night, Kenshin!” Sanosuke gloated gleefully.

 

“Oro?!”

 

“I owed you for your cocky little comment before you passed out last night, temee. So, what's in the bento box?”

 

“I cooked onigiri this morning to snack on, de gozaru yo… help yourself, though I didn't make enough for four, de gozaru na,” Kenshin said sitting upright, rubbing his typically sore head.

 

“It's alright, we ate before we came looking for you,” Shinpachi said. Kenshin stared up at Shinpachi a moment, distinctly noticing the extreme reduction of his killing kenki, not to mention his more pleasant countenance. He wondered what had changed man's mind overnight about him…

 

“Demo, Sano, it's mean to kick me when I have no clue what it was I said last night, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin pouted, his bottom-lip jutting out cutely. The brothers both smirked… surprise had become such a normalcy, especially where the Battousai's submissive personality and hilarious reactions were concerned, they couldn't help but relax around the ex-hitokiri…

 

“”I'm the one always saving your ass, temee…”, ring a bell?” Sanosuke mockingly sulked, plopping down next to Kenshin and digging into the onigiri. Shinpachi and Kisho sat on the other side of Kenshin.

 

“I said that, de gozaru yo?” Kenshin laughed incredulously.

 

“Urusai, unless you want another lesson in humility, Rurouni!” Sanosuke's eyes flared.

 

“Hai, hai,” Kenshin chuckled.

 

“Don't worry about it, you were totally wasted, baka,” Sanosuke huffed teasingly.

 

“Mou! You're telling me not to worry about it, but I'm the one that just got kicked in the head, de gozaru na,” Kenshin mocked sullenly with a huge smile on his face.

 

“What? You wanna get kicked again?” Sanosuke, sitting cross-legged, easily flexed a knee to his shoulder, foot ready to slam Kenshin again...

 

“No, no, once was enough, de gozaru yo!” Kenshin laughed, raising one hand meekly, palm out to Sano, the other hand still on his fishing pole.

 

“Oi you two! Try some onigiri… Kenshin makes the best onigiri,” Sanosuke held out the bento box to the brothers. Kenshin sighed amusedly as his snack grew smaller in quantity. Shinpachi and Kisho looked at each other baffled, then both took an onigiri.

 

“So Battousai really cooked these?” Shinpachi asked dubiously.

 

“Stop calling him that, yarou! That hasn't been his name in over a decade! Besides like I said before, Kenshin does most of the cooking, thank Kami. Jou-chan can't cook to save her life,” Sanosuke laughed.

 

“That's rude, de gozaru yo, Sano. Kaoru's cooking skills are slowly improving,” Kenshin smiled banteringly.

 

“This is delicious, Himura-san,” Kisho complimented, finishing up his onigiri.

 

“Arigatou, de gozaru yo, Kisho-dono,” Kenshin said.

 

“No no, you were too drunk last night to remember, use -san,” Kisho corrected.

 

“Sumanai, Kisho-san, but then you'll have to call me Kenshin,” Kenshin smiled.

 

“Kenshin-san then!” Kisho smiled in return

 

“That makes me sound old, de gozaru yo, Kisho-san!” Kenshin chortled.

 

“Too bad, Kenshin, cause you are old!” Sanosuke mercilessly went in for the kill, grinning at his accomplishment.

 

“Masaka, Sano, I suppose you must really hate my onigiri to want to go another month without any, de gozaru?” Kenshin simpered slyly, leaving Sanosuke sputtering weak apologies. The brothers laughed heartily at Sanosuke's dilemma.

 

“Kenshin, as you know, we are not here to fight you, but we are curious. May we see your katana?” Kisho asked politely.

 

“Aa,” Kenshin picked up his weapon and handed it without hesitation to a surprised Kisho; Shinpachi looking on in shock. Kisho unsheathed the sword…

 

“What is this? The blade is on the wrong side!” he exclaimed.

 

“A sakabatou…” Kisho looked to Shinpachi for further explanation. “… These swords are extremely rare; I've never seen one, only heard of them. They're considered useless since they can't kill anyone…

 

“However, in your hands, Battousai, I'm sure that still wouldn't be a problem,” Shinpachi finished, staring harshly at Kenshin.

 

“I remember… when I first received the sakabatou as I escaped Toba-Fushimi and Kyoto. I spent a month by myself up in the mountains re-training, adjusting how I wielded the sword using the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, for exactly that reason,” Kenshin gazed introspectively at Shinpachi, “There is no doubt whatsoever… that I can still kill just as easily with the sakabatou as I could with any katana. Regardless, I have successfully held to my oath to never kill again.”

 

Shinpachi stared at Kenshin, for once in a non-challenging manner. He carefully studied this… man… the complete opposite of the demon he had been as a boy. Perhaps, a hitokiri will not…

 

He looked back to the blade, continuing, “Strangely though, it looks like it was made by Shakku Arai, but that can't be?” Shinpachi asked doubtfully.

 

“Hai, you are correct, de gozaru yo. This is the final sword Shakku-san crafted in this life,” Kenshin confirmed.

 

“Ne Kenshin, who's this Shakku guy?” Sanosuke asked.

 

“Long story, I'll tell you another time,” Kenshin answered evasively. He turned back to Shinpachi. “It is the Sakabatou Shinuchi, de gozaru yo.”

 

“What happened to its mate?” Kisho asked.

 

“The second-forged sakabatou snapped in half when I first battled against Seta Soujirou, previously known as Soujirou no Tenken,” Kenshin answered.

 

“Previously?” Shinpachi grunted.

 

“After Shishio Makoto's defeat, Soujirou disappeared and the police can't locate him. I doubt they ever will… since they could never locate me either when I had disappeared…” Kenshin answered cryptically.

 

“Eh, what's that supposed to mean, Kenshin?” Sanosuke asked puzzled.

 

“It means there's another Rurouni on the loose, roaming the countryside somewhere,” Shinpachi shared a secretive smile with Kenshin.

 

“That brat turned into a Rurouni, like you, Kenshin?” Sanosuke asked incredulously. Kenshin evaded answering, grabbing up an onigiri and munched away serenely.

 

“It looks well cared for,” Kisho admired.

 

“Katajikenai, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin replied happily. Kisho sheathed the sakabatou and handed it back to Kenshin, whom laid it back by his side. Sanosuke swiped another onigiri from the bento box, and Kenshin grabbed up another one to hold on his lap as the snack quickly disappeared into Sanosuke's bottomless stomach. The four men sat in a peaceful silence.

 

“Why did you stop killing?” Shinpachi asked, staring at the river.

 

“I made a vow to someone special,” Kenshin answered softly. Shinpachi and Kisho both turned to look at him.

 

“Who? Kaoru?” Kisho asked curiously.

 

“Does it matter?” Sanosuke answered, deterring the conversation.

 

“You're protecting him again?” Kisho countered amusedly. Kenshin sighed sadly.

 

“It was--“ he wearily began.

 

“Urusai, Kenshin! Telling your private life to the world is not a part of your atonement!” Sanosuke harshly criticized Kenshin.

 

“Demo Sano--“

 

“URUSAI!” Sanosuke snapped, ending that conversation. Shinpachi and Kisho smiled; they were growing used to the overly-protective behaviour of Kenshin's family. Kenshin smiled gratefully as Sanosuke pointedly ignored him, looking instead into the fish bucket. His eyes widened in pure joy.

 

“We're gonna eat well tonight!” Sanosuke exclaimed, lifting the large catfish Kenshin had caught earlier in the day.

 

“Aa!” Kenshin laughed.

 

“Ne Kenshin, since you caught this sucker, why're you still fishing?”

 

“Oro? You know Kaoru hates catfish… I need to catch something she'll eat too,” Kenshin answered factually.

 

“Hmmm, you know, pregnant Jou-chan's been eating all sorts of disgusting stuff, maybe she'll eat the catfish now?” Sanosuke suggested.

 

“Maybe?” Kenshin frowned thoughtfully.

 

“Kenshin! Sanosuke!”

 

“Speak of the devil,” Sanosuke smirked, relinquishing his spot beside Kenshin as Kaoru made her way down the hill.

 

“Konnichiwa, Nagakura-san, Kisho-san,” she greeted as she gingerly kneeled next to Kenshin, instantly attaching herself to his right arm.

 

“Daijoubu, de gozaru ka, Kaoru?” Kenshin asked, smiling genuinely at her. She leaned against him, carefully slipping down to rest on her haunches, and laid her head on his shoulder.

 

“I'm tired, Kenshin,” she pouted adorably. Kenshin's smile widened. He raised his hand and tweaked her nose, causing her to giggle. She gazed up starry-eyed into his eyes…

 

“Blech! You two are too disgustingly cute,” Sanosuke teased. Kaoru instantly flared up.

 

“Sa-no-suke!” she growled out his name.

 

“Maa maa! Look what I've caught so far, de gozaru yo, Koishii!” Kenshin laughingly refereed them, showing the catfish to Kaoru, “Don't worry, I hope to catch a nicer fish just for you, de gozaru.”

 

“Hmmm… catfish and green tea ice cream sounds delicious!” Kaoru chirped happily. All four men's faces turned green…

 

“H-hai,” Kenshin queasily covered up with a smile as Sanosuke burst out into laughter. “I'm not quite done fishing yet, so you should head back to the dojo and rest, de gozaru yo.”

 

“You don't want me here?” Kaoru turned big, shiny puppy-dog eyes on him. Kenshin grimaced and cringed, knowing no matter how he answered he was doomed…

 

“Ororo--“

 

“Muah ha ha ha haaaaa!” Sanosuke guffawed at Kenshin's usual predicament of being cornered by Kaoru. Kaoru turned up her bottom lip at Sanosuke's laughter, her eyes now tearing up, puppy-dog look in full effect…

 

“No, No, Kaoru! It's a long walk back to the dojo, de gozaru yo; why don't you rest here… uuuuh, with me for a bit, de gozaru na?” Kenshin consoled her, throwing a hinting glare Sanosuke's way; Sanosuke grimaced at the silent chiding. He scooted up to Kaoru and put an arm around her shoulders.

 

“I didn't mean it, Jou-chan. You know Sano-nii was just teasing you,” Sanosuke smiled charmingly at her. She stared disbelievingly at him, twisting her nose, then hid her face in Kenshin's kimono. Kenshin and Sanosuke chuckled at her hormonal antics. Sanosuke removed his arm from Kaoru as Kenshin's arm took his place, holding Kaoru close. She hugged Kenshin's waist, still hiding in his kimono. Kenshin handed the fishing pole to Sanosuke, uncrossing his right leg to lay flat on the ground. He pulled Kaoru down, laying her head on his lap.

 

“Kenshin!” she exclaimed, highly embarrassed.

 

“Shhhh, keep me company and rest now, Koishii,” he charmed her, calmly caressing her cheek. She kept her eyes locked on his until hers soon began to droop sleepily. She reached up and took his hand in hers, kissed his palm, and held his hand to her chest. Kenshin twined their fingers together and stroked her hair with his other hand. Kaoru's eyes slid shut as she quickly drifted to sleep.

 

“You won't be able to catch any fish that way, Kenshin,” Sanosuke chuckled softly.

 

“You'll just have to catch them for me, de gozaru yo, Sano,” Kenshin teased quietly in return, unable to pull his eyes away from Kaoru. He only looked up when Shinpachi moved to stand, Kisho following him.

 

“You owe me another match, temee,” Kisho goaded Sanosuke.

 

“Anytime!” Sanosuke smiled gruffly.

 

“Arigatou for your pleasant company today, and last night,” Kisho said.

 

“It was our pleasure. Will we see you again, de gozaru?” Kenshin asked.

 

“Actually, our home is here in Tokyo as well, so you'll definitely see us again,” Kisho answered, smiling easily at his new friends.

 

“Battousai.”

 

Kisho and Sanosuke frowned at Shinpachi, Kenshin calmly met his eyes.

 

“You and your family are welcome at our home,” Shinpachi said, then turned away from Kenshin, “It would seem once a hitokiri is not always a hitokiri.”

 

Without looking back, Shinpachi wordlessly walked up the bank. Kenshin and Sanosuke smiled; Kisho stood still, stunned in place. Slowly, he grinned, shaking his head in amusement.

 

“Will wonders never cease?” he asked softly, walking up the bank, proud to follow his honorable elder brother into the forgiving sun's light…

 

~ Owari ~

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Author's Note:

 

1) I've been asked why is it I choose to use the English word for “no” instead of the Japanese word “iya”… This might sound silly, but since my native language is English, and I personally believe the word `No' has 10x more power than the word `Yes', I have a tendency to try to lend that strength to my writing. If I started to use `iya', then I would also need `yamero', `dame', etc to show all of the different strengths the Japanese have for saying the same thing that can be said with one English word. That may sound like the lazy way out, but my intent is to keep the strength of the word, in one word. I hope that makes sense… anyway, katijikenai minna-san! De wa matta!

2) Kenshin's attacks used in the flashback in order: Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji, Ryu Kan Sen, Ryu Tsui Sen, Ryu Shou Sen, Do Ryu Sen, normal downward thrust combined with normal slash attack, Ryu Kan Sen, normal battou attack. Yup, I can see the battle play-for-play inside my head. ;P

 

Glossary:

 

-chan = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to someone whom is younger, or equal to, in age, or for friends

-dono = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to someone of important standing… Kenshin uses this over-excessively in connection with his Kenjougo (polite) language use

-gumi = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to indicate a group or community

-kun = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed used by seniors, or schoolteachers, to address junior-aged males, and is still rarely used for females

-san = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to someone whom is older, or is a stranger

Aa = an exclamation made in agreement or acknowledgement of the previous statement or gesture

Ahou = Moron

Aku Soku Zan = Slay Evil Immediately… the slogan of the Shinsengumi

Anata = in this story, a term of endearment usually used by the wife

Ano = an exclamation, “Ummm”

Ara = an exclamation, only slightly similar to the English “huh?”, usually used by females, rarely by males

Arigatou = Thank you

Baka = idiot

Bakemono = monster

Bakufu = the opposing war faction, the Tokugawa regime

Bakumatsu = The Late Tokugawa Shogunate period in Japan's history from 1853-1867, ending with the Boshin War of 1868 and the final battle at Toba-Fushimi

Battou-jutsu = (Quick Draw Technique) by whipping the sword out of its sheath, one can increase its speed twice- or three-fold, which can kill with one blow without taking a single blow from one's opponent. This is a real-life kenjutsu technique.

Battousai = Kenshin's name during the Bakumatsu Revolutionary War per his sword-fighting specialty, Battoujutsu… the -sai at the end designates him as a Battoujutsu Master, having perfected every Battou-technique possible

Che = curse for “Shit!”

Chichiue = father (term used in samurai families prior to the Meiji period)

Chikuso = curse for Damn, Damnit

Daijoubu = “It's ok.”, “Are you ok?”, “Everything will be alright.”

Daisho = The daisho, lit. "big and small", is a Japanese term referring to the traditional weapons of the samurai. The daisho is composed of the katana and the wakizashi. The etymology of this word becomes apparent when the terms daito, meaning big sword, and shoto, meaning small sword, are used; daito + shoto = daisho. The katana, the longer of the two swords, was typically employed in man-to-man combat. The wakizashi made an effective main-gauche or close-combat weapon.

De gozaru = an obsolete phrase of extreme politeness added to the end of sentences, roughly translated to “that it is”, a form of “to be”… (I only use one conjugation of de gozaru to keep things simple.)

Deshi = apprentice

Do Ryu Sen = (Earth Dragon Strike) Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu technique. "Doryusen" is a range technique that sends debris flying at the enemy from a powerful sword strike to the ground.

Doushita = What's wrong?

Doushite? = why?; for what reason?; how?; in what way?; for what purpose?; what for?

Gaijin = foreigner

Gomen nasai = I'm very sorry

Hai = Yes

Hahaue = mother (term used in samurai families prior to the Meiji period)

Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu = the killing style of swordsmanship that Kenshin fights with, allowing him to swiftly slaughter a multitude of opponents at one time

Hitokiri = Assassin

Ishin Shishi = the war faction Kenshin was a shadow-assassin for during the Bakumatsu Revolutionary War

Itadakimasu = expression of gratitude before meals

Ja = See you later, So then

Jotto Matte! = Wait a minute!, jotto can be used for short

Jou-chan = Sanosuke's nickname for Kaoru, a shortened form of ojou-chan, or young woman

Kami = God

Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu = the style of swordsmanship Kaoru's father created which practices the “sword that protects”

Katajikenai = Old Samurai language, now obsolete… Thank You formally; grateful; indebted

Katana = Japanese sword

Kenjougo = Japanese Humble Language

Ken-jutsu = swordsmanship, sword-play

Kenkaku = swordsman

Kenki = “the air of a sword”… not the kind of air you breathe, but a swordsman's physical spirit, the source of his power projected outwardly into a physical appearance and/or manifestation

Kimono = traditional full-length garment of Japan

Kisama = the most vulgar curse for “you” in the second person, most typically used as Bastard or Asshole, or against an enemy you're about to/are in the middle of fight/ing

Kitsune = Fox

Koishii = a term of endearment usually used by the husband

Konbanwa = Good Evening

Kono = difficult to translate to English, slightly similar to “very”

Korosu = to kill… typically means “I will kill you.”

Maa = an exclamation to soothe a conversation, or calm someone down

Masaka! = Unbelievable!

Minna = Everyone

Mou = geez

Nani? = What?

Ne = equivalent to a softly spoken English “hey” or “is that right?”

Neesan, -nee = older sister, does not have to be blood-related

Nipponjin = Japanese person; Japanese people

Niisan, -nii = older brother, does not have to be blood-related

Obi = Japanese belt which holds kimonos closed

Oi = Hey!

Ore = “ I “ (typical brash male pronoun)

Oro = an exclamation, only slightly similar to the English “huh?”

Oto = younger brother

Owari = Japanese traditional way of ending stories, “The End”

Rurouni = homeless wanderer, vagabond

Ryu Kan Sen = (Dragon Spiral Strike) Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu technique. The "Dragon Spiral" is a move which takes advantage of centrifugal force to accelerate the force of blade while simultaneously avoiding the adversary's assault, shifting directly into a counterattack.

Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji = (Dragon Flash Spiral) Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu technique. Differs from the normal Ryukansen in that the swordsman is in motion (and in one particular case in midair) while spinning. This causes the user to use the force of the spinning to draw the sword at lightning speed.

Ryu Tsui Sen = (Dragon Hammer Strike) Kenshin's favorite Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu technique, a sword-drop technique delivered from above, targeting the crown of the head or the shoulder of the adversary... the key to the technique lays in the height gained from the user's jump and the free-fall, which is applied to multiply the force of the sword's strike

Sakabatou = Kenshin's reversed-blade sword

Sake = Japanese wine

Sessha = this humbled one, this unworthy one… Kenshin uses this over-excessively in connection with his Kenjougo (polite) language use

Shimatta = curse for “shit!”

Shinsengumi (aka Wolves of Mibu) = the war faction fighting to keep the current power in reign

Shogi = Japanese Chess board game

Shochou = Police Chief

Sou ka = “Is that so?” or “I see”

Sumanai = I'm sorry

Tanuki = Raccoon

Temee = “You”, said in a vulgar way, usually used by males, very rarely by females

Tori-atama = Rooster-head

Urusai = Shut up!

Uso! = No way! Impossible! It can't be!

Yarou = a “catch-all” curse with many uses such as asshole, bastard, jerk, son-of-a-bitch, etc.

Yokatta = I'm glad!