Survival of the Spirit Chapter 8

Kaoru had looked out of the window so often she decided to not even pretend anymore and sat down to wait. What if there was a riot? What if someone from his past recognized him and tried to take him out? She had never really seen Kenshin fight and wondered if his skills were still up to snuff after such a long lay off?

And then there'd been the calls from Megumi. Sano had been home with her all afternoon and now she was a total basket case, wanting to marry him and run away from all this political nonsense. Four phone calls and now Kaoru's nerves were more on edge than ever.

Yahiko had gone to sleep a couple of hours ago and the phone calls had not caused him to wake up.

So when she heard the knock on the door she thought it was Megumi coming over to just be with someone while she waited for Sano and Kaoru waited for Kenshin.

She opened the door and gasped.

"Did I frighten you? I'm so sorry."

"Who, who are you?" she asked the man.

"I'm a friend of Himura's. Is he here?"

"No. He went out."

"He called me and asked me to come by. Do you mind if I wait here?"

"I don't know how long he'll be…"

"I'm fine. I'm sure he will want to see me."

Shishio watched Kaoru as she prepared to make tea, a proper Japanese woman he thought to himself, his eyes lingering on her breasts and her small waist. Her hips were fuller than most Japanese women he thought to himself, but that could be due to Himura. She had been dressed in a kimono, which surprised him. She seemed totally at ease in it, and was not aware of how well it flattered her figure.

This place was modest, well taken care of, and old. The spirit of the place was strong and martial as it should be for a dojo he said to himself as she poured the water in the tea. Kenshin would kill him if he thought he had laid a finger on her, but just watching her he was getting aroused, not because she was his type, as if he had one, but because she was Kenshin's and despoiling anything of his would give him satisfaction.

The man's eyes were making Kaoru very nervous, and she felt as if he would assault her if she got too close. She couldn't stand the idea of another man's hands on her body, and she began to prepare her mind for self-defense. She was no pushover and hoped if he made a move she'd be able to defend herself.

"Kamiya-dono."

"Kenshin…oh, you're not Kenshin."

Kaoru had never been so happy to see anyone in her life. The old man's eyes were bright and he looked as if he hadn't been to bed yet.

"Are you a relative of Himura's?" he asked, sitting down and picking up the tea Kaoru had poured for him.

"An old friend."

"Ah. Kenshin doesn't get that many visitors and I'm sure he would've known if you were coming."

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

The two men regarded each other in silence, Shishio realizing that the man was more powerful than he wanted to appear. This must be the old goat Kenshin was talking to.

"Who are you?" the old man asked.

"MakotoShishio."

The old man nodded, filing the name away.

"You and Kenshin are similar."

The statement hung in the air and Kaoru looked down, knowing now that her fears were justified
Why had this man come here? Why tonight when she was alone? Why was he looking at her with intent as black as his heart?

"We are."

The man's eyes shifted ever so slightly and Kaoru felt her body shift to fight mode.

"Kenshin!!" she shouted in her brain.

"Please, please come home now!"

Kenshin felt a strong urge to hurry home and Saito was holding him up. He had not planned on being found once he left the rally and was annoyed that Saito had waited for him outside of his home. The door was ajar, and the lights were on inside. Something was very wrong, and he needed to go see what it was.

"Hajime…"

"You and I need to talk."

"Not tonight Hajime. I told you that already."

"I wanted to see if you had followed procedure in coming home."

"I did. Now…"

The sound of Kaoru's voice filtered out to where he was standing, and when he heard the other voice he froze, his blood running cold. Without a word he stepped inside.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" he said softly, his eyes beginning to shift in color. It was the first time Kaoru had seen the change take place in a combat situation, and his body became perfectly still. "Hello Kenshin. Hajime. Now why are you two together?"

"I asked why you are in my home?" Kenshin said again, continuing to stand still and yet radiating power.

"Nice place you have here," Shishio said, his eyes openly ogling Kaoru, who was too stunned to move. None of the adults had noticed Yahiko, who was standing in the doorway of his room, eyes wide. He wasn't as good as Kenshin, but he would be able to help out if need be. Hajime watched as Kenshin adjusted his stance, and knowing it, didn't have to see the color of Kenshin's eyes. Shishio saw it too, and smiled.

"So there is something you will kill for Battousai," Shishio said with a smile, standing up.

"Or should I say someone?" he said, turning his lascivious gaze back to Kaoru.

"Kenshin, no," Kaoru managed to say, moving to stand in front of him. She didn't know this man, and hoped enough of the Kenshin she knew was there to hear her.

"Your vow Kenshin. He didn't touch me. I would've been able to fight him off…"

"Move Kaoru," he said his voice hollow in her ears. Yahiko had moved into the room but the old man was holding him back with a strength the boy didn't know the geezer possessed.

"Kenshin…"

She put her hand on his chest and it seemed to awaken him, his eyes going back to their normal purple color as they turned to look down at her, surprise registered in their amethyst depths. He knew she would've fought, but her skills, good as they were, wouldn't allow her to defeat a man trained like Shishio was, like he was.

"Good night Battousai," Shishio said, walking around the tableau of Kenshin and Kaoru and out the door. Kenshin looked away from Kaoru and met Hajime's eyes.

"I don't know Kenshin. I don't know," Saito said his eyes hard.

"Know by tomorrow morning," Kenshin said harshly, looking down at Yahiko who had come to stand next to him. What Yahiko had seen tonight had changed his idea of who and what Kenshin was. But his reaction was nothing compared to Kaoru's. Kaoru knew the stance he had taken, had read about it and heard it discussed, but seeing it in person, seeing the man she slept with assume it as casually as he put on his clothing had shaken her to the core. Once launched the person struck with it would be dead. Shishio had assumed the counter move. The winner would've been the one who was faster.

Now she knew the source of Kenshin's anger, and that she would never have been able to fight the man off. He could have paralyzed her and used her body as he saw fit, leaving her for Kenshin to find.

"Kaoru. Go upstairs."

"No. I want to hear."

Kenshin looked down at her and then at Saito, his eyes hard.

"If he had touched a hair on her head, if he had even looked like he was going to, you would've had to kill me because the killing wouldn't have stopped with him."

"Kenshin…"

He stepped forward, right into Saito's space.

"You make sure they know that the next time I won't ask any questions."

The eyes were flashing gold now, and his voice had an edge of softness that emphasized the danger of its speaker.

"Himura, I'll keep our meeting. And I'll have some answers for you."

Hajime left and the old man moved forward, mumbling an incantation as he approached the now amber-eyed man they knew as Kenshin. Kenshin closed his eyes and seemed to shudder. When he opened his eyes again he had gone back to himself.

"Good night all," the old man said, leaving and Kaoru looked at Kenshin, his eyes back to normal, a smile on his face.

"Enough for one night. Yahiko, back to bed."

"I can't sleep after something like that," Yahiko said, moving after being frozen in place for so long.

"Kenshin, you were awesome. They were gonna shit their…"

Kenshin backhanded Yahiko who went flying into the wall.

"Watch your mouth."

"Yes sir," Yahiko said, searching Kenshin's eyes for a trace of gold and being sorely disappointed when he didn't find any.

"Get your butt in gear Yahiko. You have school tomorrow."

Kaoru had never gone into the bedroom with Kenshin and Yahiko but tonight she was too shaky to wait upstairs alone so she went in with them and immediately regretted it.

"So, you really are some hot shot killer huh?"

Kenshin smiled wearily, rubbing his eyes.

"I was. I don't want to be that anymore, and I suggest that you don't tell any of your little friends how badly I'll kick their ass if they fuck with you."

"Why did you stop killing Kenshin? They gave you that really cool apartment…"

"That has cameras all around and lets them watch me twenty four/seven like a damn animal, which is all they want me to be."

"You didn't like it Kenshin? The killing?"

"It was a game at first. How much smarter was I than the person I was hunting. Then I got older, and I started to think about it, about what I was doing. The smell of blood was routine. The sounds and smells of death became routine. That's not right Yahiko."

"Did you ever tell them you didn't want to kill anymore?"
"The game isn't played that way Yahiko. If I told them that, they'd make me kill more. So I kept it up until my mind said enough."

"Are you afraid of it? Of starting to kill again?"

"Yes. What I said out there was true. If he had touched Kaoru…"

His voice trailed off and he looked over to where she stood in the shadows and then back at Yahiko.

"If you ever see a man here with that aura, go out the other way and get help."

"I can't leave Kaoru alone," Yahiko said, puffing out his chest and trying to sound brave.

"She can hold her own for a while," Kenshin smiled, looking over at her as he did.

Kaoru felt the gibbering voice of fear, fear that she would lose him to the killer that lived inside of him subside a bit.

"But in the end a man like Shishio would kill her. And you too making sure there are no witnesses. It's how we're trained"

He sighed, and mussed Yahiko's hair.

"To bed young man."

As if on cue Yahiko yawned and lay down. Kenshin covered him and put the light out.

"Good night Myonjin."

"Good night Himura."

He held out his hand for Kaoru and they headed upstairs, Kenshin holding her hand and leading her upstairs.

"Can I get you something Kenshin?"

"No. I'm fine. I wonder if there's any basketball on?" he asked, flipping on the television.

Kaoru let her hair down and took off the kimono she'd been wearing, pulling one of his undershirts over her torso and laying down next to him. The playoffs were going on and he was staring at the screen seeing what she didn't know. She yawned and rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes and losing herself in the world of sleep.

"Sano!!!! Sanosuke!!! Wait!!!"

Sano kept walking and Katsu stood still, watching as he disappeared around the corner. Sano had not said a word during the rally, had not clapped, had not cheered.

"Perhaps it was a mistake Katsu," the man said softly as he came to stand next to Katsu.

"I thought he would remember, would know how close we are."

"He's been away three years now, seeing a part of life we choose not to see."

Katsu listened to the words the man spoke but had a feeling it went past that.

"When we win, we'll see if he's happy with his choices."

Katsu looked at the man who had just been up on the stage.

"I've got work tomorrow. I'll see you."

"Sure Katsu. Good night."

It had been a huge mistake. From the minute he'd walked into the seedy hall to the end of the rally his mind had been numb, remembering another rally, another flag hoisted over a less than stellar gathering place, and another man, a man he'd called Daddy, on the stage using the same words the man they now called leader used. And he remembered nights with no food, when his mother would put together a miso and some tired vegetables she'd get from the market after it closed and call it dinner. Nights when he'd been alone in the house because his mother finally found a job, at night, in a factory, and his father was off somewhere rallying the troops. And he remembered the morning when his mother, barely home from work, had had to go to the morgue to identify his father's body. He looked as if he were asleep, there were no gaping wounds, but he was dead, killed by what he now knew as a hitokiri, a professional assassin, a group of men who'd fought for the Imperialists as they'd been called at the turn of the century, a man like Kenshin. Kenshin was twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but he looked like he was barely out of his teens. Had he been the one to kill his father? Or had it been some other shadow man? He'd been out in the streets acting as an enforcer for a small yakuza outfit when he'd started to hear the stories of the Battousai, the manslayer. Ironically the outfit he'd worked for was tied to the very people staging the rally tonight. Most of the faithful didn't know about the groups ties to organized crime, and that the yakuza would profit greatly if Japanese society took a great leap backwards towards a semi feudal state.

He walked unseeing to his home, wondering if the new leader had a family, a child at home who wondered where their father was, and if they'd eat tonight. He wondered how many young men, like him, would get caught up in the criminal world and end up in jail, not like him, with a friend bailing him out.

Home. He had a home. And a new job he'd be starting soon. It wasn't the greatest job, but if a man like Kenshin, a man who could live anywhere, pretend to be anything he wanted to be, chose to live humbly, to love a woman many had considered too rough for a wife, who was he to stand on ceremony? He had dropped out of school for the cause. Maybe it was time to think about going back. There had been no Kaoru and Kenshin for him like there was for Yahiko, but maybe it was time to stop feeling sorry for him self and start doing for himself. He was actually smiling when he got to the door, walking in, his eyes going right to Megumi.

Megumi had stopped bothering Kaoru when she realized Kenshin was out and Kaoru had no idea where he was. She knew Kenshin could have had a psychotic episode and maybe he was staying away from her. Maybe he'd killed, and he knew he could never go back to the peaceful man he really wanted to be.

It was almost eleven, and she should be asleep, but she had to see if he would come back to her, had to know if her love for him was strong enough to make him choose her and not the cause, the cause for which his father had died. He'd never gone into the details but she had put two and two together and figured out what had happened.

But Megumi had been thinking a lot too, and she realized that maybe she was fooling herself. She wanted to work to help the people her family created, the drug addicts, the prostitutes, and the petty thieves. And she had done so for a long time now. But if Sano didn't come back she was going to go home for a few months and just relax. Do nothing but get her nails and hair done, shop, and sunbathe. Her mother had surprised her by coming to see her, an expensive doll in this lower class apartment. That she had come so late at night was bitter confirmation that her mother was as deep into the underworld as her father was. No decent woman of her mother's age would be out this time of night.

"How are you Megumi?"

Her mother was not someone you could call warm, they'd never been close. Megumi had been closer to her grandmother.

"I'm okay mother. Tired but okay"

There had been an uncomfortable silence, and Megumi sighed.

"Why are you here Mother?"

"To invite you back home. Come and visit us."

"Why should I when you've made it clear you object to everything I'm doing, my choice of medical practice, everything."

"Your father is a very proud man."

"My father is a criminal."

Her mother had looked down.

"He saw to it that you and your brother got the education he didn't have, that your choices would be different. I think that's happened Megumi."

"He should come and see the fruits of his labor, the broken families, broken people, the men and women and children who suffer because of what he does. My friend has taken in a boy whose mother is a prostitute and has no time for him. Do you know the only reason she's starting to make noise about taking him back? Because they cut off her benefits that's why. So I should come home and live like you, ignoring what he does and spending the money. That's what you want?"

"I want you to come home and spend some time with me, with your family. Is that too much to ask?"

"I have someone Mother. Someone I love."

"How can you love him Megumi? What can he offer you? What if you want children? I don't think a Karate instructor is at the top of the earnings curve."

"Get out Mother. Just get out"

"I will Megumi. But mark my words…"

The sound of a key in the lock interrupted their conversation and Megumi stood, her heart pounding, as Sano came in. His eyes went right to her and he smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself. How are you?"

"Okay. Tired."

He saw the other woman and looked from her to Megumi.

"My mother. Mom, this is SagaraSanosuke."

Takani Sen bowed politely before turning back to her daughter without uttering a word.

"We will talk later. Good night."

She was barely out the door before she heard her daughters sigh as the man took her in his arms. A bitter smile formed on her lips as she walked downstairs to where her chauffeur waited.

"Is she all right?"

"Seems so. That bum came home."

Her chauffeur met her eyes in the rearview mirror.

"You tried."

"And I will keep trying. I want her home, away from these people."

"Where are you going now?"

"You know where."

He grinned and revved the engine, heading for the discreet home she kept just outside of the city. He got out of the car and held the door open for her, smiling as her hand brushed his crotch as she walked by. Following her inside he took his hat off, tossing the hated thing to the floor just before taking off his shoes and following her inside. Once there he shed the demeanor of a chauffeur, walking over to the bar and pouring them both a drink. Sen sat down on the American style sofa, her skirt now up around her hips exposing the delicate silk panties she was wearing. But Razan wasn't ready to give her what she wanted, not yet. At thirty he had found his way to the top of the criminal world the easy way. Takani Sen was in charge of the prostitution side of the Takani family business and he'd been a young pimp on the make when they'd met. She was fifteen years his senior, but appeared no more than ten years older, max. And in bed she was his equal. She and her husband had been married in name only for years, and he'd had a series of young women picked from her stable. That had been five years ago. At forty she'd born his child, a child that wore the Takani name, and she was being raised much like Megumi had been, away from the family business.

He looked at her over his glass as he sat down, at her still beautiful face, her firm lush body, and he felt himself becoming aroused. She had him, and he had her. This house was theirs, and was actually where Sen lived.

"You look beautiful tonight Sen," he said softly, his lips grazing hers.

"I just wish we could be together openly."

She ducked her head, her still jet black hair forming a curtain around her face.

"I know."

Their relationship was a secret from her children by Takani. Little Shiori loved her parents to death.

"This has to work. I have to get my daughter back here."

"She wants no part of our business Sen. Leave her there."

"With that bum?"

"You hate him because you can't control him. He's not a wimp like that Sojuro character."

"Sojuro's family and ours need to be linked. You know that. He's a psychiatrist, she's a medical doctor. Everything would look legit Razan."

"He's willing but Megumi…"

"I need something to make her come here so she can meet him."
"We'll think of something Sen. Wealways do."

His kiss told her he was tired of talking about her daughter and she fell into it, all thoughts of Megumi gone for now.

Megumi cried out in pleasure, her body arching as Sano quickened his pace, his breath coming in short gasps as he drove into her, filling her, making her body begin to buck as he poured himself into her, no condom tonight, nothing between them now. He had made his choice, he'd told her so before making love to her. She, who had berated Kaoru about the pill didn't use it, and now, for better or for worse, she was truly with Sano, truly his.

"Megumi…"

He collapsed on top of her, and she snaked her arms around his waist to hold him there for a few more minutes.

"I love you Sano."

"I love you Megumi."

They were both exhausted, and there was nothing more they could say for now. There would be time for talk tomorrow. Time for the morning after pills tomorrow. For now she had her man, and nothing else mattered.

Mieko heard the newspaper thump against her door and taking another sip of her coffee got up and went to pick it up. A few pages were turned down and she opened to them, reading the crossword puzzle clues.

"Shit. At least they could warn your ass before summoning you like some slave," she muttered under her breath as she gulped the last of her coffee and pulled on a light jacket, heading downstairs. She had half an hour to make it to the coffee shop.

ShinamoriAoshiwas as beautiful as he was deadly, something she always thought about when she saw him.

"You could at least cut a girl some slack," she bitched, sliding in across from him.

"Coffee?"

She glared at him as he signaled the waiter and ordered them breakfast. While he spoke she studied him. As head of a rival branch of government intelligence, the youngest man in Japanever to hold the position, he was in direct conflict with the branch HajimeSaito, Ayame, and Hideki worked for. They were very interested in HimuraKenshin, having had use of his talents once or twice on joint ventures. She idly wondered where MakimachiMisaowas.

"You should know some things happened last night. There was a rally, and Himura came with Hajime."

"What? Is he working again?"

"That's what you have to find out."

"What…"

"There's a cell ready to become active in this area, and it seems that we're all looking at it. Shimazaki is on it, we're on it, they're on it. I think that's why they went after him even when it was clear he wasn't ready to go back into the field."

Mieko sipped at her coffee.

"What is it Mieko?"

"He's getting help for whatever it is that's bothering him, traditional and Western. If they know that maybe that's why he's back out."

"And?"

"I don't think he's working again."

"Mieko, how many red haired men with cross shaped birthmarks are there in Tokyo? Find out what happened."

They finished eating in silence and he walked out with her.

"I need a report in two days."

Mieko used the alley entrance to the dojo now and greeted everyone with a smile and a bow. When it seemed hers was the only sunny disposition in the place she put her things away and went to the fridge, taking out a carton of yogurt. Haru and Asako were already warming up, the soft thumps of their feet audible in the stillness. Traditional music was playing, and she figured Kenshin was around somewhere. But right now only Sano and Megumi sat at the table, their faces grim.

"Boy, did I miss the funeral?" Mieko said joining them.

"That's not funny Mieko," Sano snapped, and Megumi put her hand on his arm.

"She doesn't know Sano. Please."

He looked over at Megumi and Mieko hoped she hid her surprise. Something had changed between them since yesterday. More shit to find out.

"Someone came here last night and we think it was to kill or hurt Kaoru."

"What?????!!!!!!"

"Yeah. Kenshin isn't himself and Kaoru…"

"Who was this person? A local yakuza?"

"No. Someone from Kenshin's past, another…"

Mieko had had no idea they knew who and what Kenshin was and she covered up by eating some yogurt.

"Anyway, he hasn't come back from taking Yahiko to school yet, and Kaoru is beside herself with worry."

"I'm sure he'll be back soon," Mieko said, wishing she could get a name from them. The only person who would set Kenshin off like that would be the man who assumed his title, MakotoShishio. If he had come here…

Megumi stood up and grabbed her back pack.

"I have to go."

"I'll walk you," Sano said, getting up and following her out. Asako came in and frowned as she looked at Sano's back.

"Bright cheery day in the dojo isn't it?" she said, sitting down across from Mieko.

"Yeah. I thought somebody died or something."

"They think so too. They're worried about Kenshin."

"Why? He and Kaoru have a fight?"

"No. Kenshin has, well, I don't know exactly how to say this. It seems he was some kind of assassin and had a breakdown. He won't talk about it, and of course they won't. But sometimes his mind confuses who he is now with what he was. One time he and Kaoru were coming back from lunch. I was sitting in here and he just shoved her inside and went running down the street to the old man, who gave him some shit that put him on his ass. They also tied him up, tied his hands and feet. Tight. When he came to he was all right again, and no one ever mentioned it again. Until this morning."

"Oh. Where's Kaoru?"

"Inside warming up. With a vengeance."

"I see. This is gonna be a great day here."

"I know. Well, my old ladies will be here soon. Gotta go."

"Yeah. See ya."

Kenshin was sitting on the back of the park bench reading the newspaper report of the rally last night. One of the things they taught you was how to read the paper, something that sounded silly but for someone who had lived the way he had it was a life or death proposition. The first thing that he noticed was that it was on page three, not page four or five. And that while the article wasn't totally above the fold, the headline began above the fold, which would get your attention. The third thing was that it was reported as a rally of a group "deeply interested in the institutions that made Japan and the Japanese people into the great nation it is today, and who feel a deep understanding of these institutions will lead our society and culture back to stronger foundations. 'The economic malaise we are going through is partly because we've modeled ourselves after foreigners and not relied on what is truly Japanese' the young leader said. Many in the mostly young crowd agreed with him."

"Light reading?"

"Yeah," Kenshin said, folding the newspaper.

"What the fuck happened that Shishio knows where I am?"

"He's got top clearance…"
"And my shit is just lying around?"

"No Kenshin. He got into some files he shouldn't have been able to and pulled the information."

"And what is being done about it? He's being told to go to his room?"

Kenshin cursed, and Saito looked at him wanting to see his eyes.

"What Saito? You want to see my eyes? See if I'm back to being the Battousai?"

Kenshin looked up and met Saito's gaze, the purple eyes hard.

"You happy now?" he snapped, turning his gaze away from Saito.

"Kenshin, everyone knows you were at the rally last night. Everyone will now think you're back in play, and the world will be at the dojo's door. Are you ready for that?"

"Fuck off Saito. You don't have to draw me a map."

"They are very pleased."

"I bet they are. Tell them nothing has changed. I went because I was worried about my friend and for no other reason."

"Ah, good morning gentlemen. Am I interrupting something?"

Shimazaki sat down, turning his face to the sun and smiling broadly.

"Did you enjoy the rally Himura?"

"I was there for a friend, nothing more Niou."

"It was good to see you back in the field."

"Look, if you bastards want to jerk off to my picture or something go right ahead. I am going home, to my friends. See ya."

With that he hopped off the bench and walked away with that peculiar gait he had.

"So, he's not back in the fold yet huh?" Shimazaki said to Saito.

"No, and not too many people are going to believe that."

"No, they won't. Everyone wants him."

"And he wants to be left alone."

"What about Shishio?"

Saito was surprised they knew about the new Battousai.

"He's overstepped his bounds. I don't know what they're gonna do about him."

"And Himura's relationship with the girl?"

Neither man spoke, both aware that Kaoru and Kenshin were very much in love with each other, and that she would kill, something she'd never done, for him. Kenshin knew that, and he wanted nothing more than to keep that option closed for her. He would kill for her too, and that was an option they hoped they'd never have to exercise, no matter what the powers above them wanted. But if Shishio and his personal band of psychopaths got involved, neither Kenshin nor Kaoru would have any options but to fight for their lives.

Mieko thought she'd have to spend most of her day trying to figure out how to get a chance to talk to Kenshin alone so when she took advantage of a lull to take a break she was shocked to find him standing just outside the alley entrance to the dojo drinking a bottle of water. She took a minute to study him, deciding like everyone else that to look at him he was just a guy with red hair. Long, thick red hair that fell to the middle of his back. She expected to see Kaoru come out and join him but when she got up to him he was still standing alone.

"Nice day."

He looked at her rather sharply but then he smiled.

"Yes, it is."

"Look, I don't have time for pleasantries. What happened here last night?"

He finished off his water and looked at her.

"Is Aoshi losing his touch?"

"I want to hear it from you."

"What part of last night Mieko?"

"The rally, what else?"

He turned and looked at her, the smile gone.

"What do you want to know Mieko?"

"Are you back in play?"

"No."

"Then why…"

"A friend was getting caught up in something and I wanted to see if I lost him or not. I'm sure Aoshi knows that."

"You were with Hajime."

"He hangs around here sometimes. He was there, we went in together."

She nodded and turned to go back inside. Kenshin was on his way down to the old man when Mieko stopped and turned back to him.

"Were you looking for Shishio just now?"

Kenshin turned around and looked at her.

"I heard that someone was here last night while you were out, and that you were, how did he say it, 'not yourself'. No one would set you off like that except Shishio."

"Doesn't Kaoru pay you to do a job here?"

"Why? You gonna have your teeny bopper fire me Kenshin?"

Kaoru was standing just behind the door having heard Kenshin's voice, and she stood there, holding back her anger for now. Mieko knew she had gone too far and Kenshin turned and stepped back towards her, coming to rest with his face almost touching hers.

"Mieko, you're here because if I'm not here you can help repel an attack. Don't think I'm afraid of Aoshi and his shit. Do I make myself clear?"

Perfect stillness, water at rest before it began to overrun the land. That was what raced through Mieko's mind as she stared into Kenshin's eyes. He turned and continued on his way and Kaoru stepped back inside where Mieko found her digging a piece of fruit out of the fridge and mumbling to herself. Mieko took a few seconds to study her, to try and decide if she'd overheard the conversation. Kaoru was young, and from what Mieko had seen she flew off the handle easily. But if Kaoru knew Kenshin's history and had heard the conversation she would be doing exactly what she was doing now.

"Hey Kaoru."

"Mieko."

"I was just getting some air. I got two new people already today."

"I saw the paper work. That's really great," Kaoru said, the smile on her lips not getting anywhere near her eyes.

The two women stood staring at each other in silent understanding before Mieko broke eye contact.

"Gotta get back in there. My ten o'clockshould be here."

She took a step away from Kaoru before heading back outside and to the gym. Kaoru went to the door and watched her go into the gym. Glancing at the door to the old man's temple she went back to her office to continue her inventory.

Kenshin drank the tea and looked over at the man who had become a father figure to him, the first real one he'd ever had. Whatever was in the tea had kept the dark moods away and he didn't hesitate in drinking it.

"You and Kaoru seem to be doing well."

"We are."
"Even with your past rearing its head? That was a nasty piece of work last night and his intentions towards Kaoru were not honorable."

Kenshin looked down a the floor, rage threatening to take him over.

"Let it out Kenshin. Rage at someone attempting to harm your woman isn't wrong."

"It is if you were me and you know where that rage would lead."

"Is that what your enemy wants you to do?"

"He wants me to become the Battousai again, to come after him."

"And yet when I saw him, I saw you like you are now. You're alive now aren't you? Your power is still there and it makes you feel good doesn't it?"

Kenshin looked down.

"He and I are brothers. We've had the same training, we think the same way, and we react the same way."

"If the situation had been reversed and you were him what would you have done?"

The eyes that were turned on him made him flinch.

"The woman would've been dead."

The voice was not that of the Kenshin he knew and while he exulted that he'd finally gotten Kenshin to drop his guard he was also afraid that he wouldn't be able to get himself back under control.

"Even if someone had interfered?"

"They'd be dead to. It's what we're trained to do."

"Yet he didn't kill us."

"Because he wants me to know he's under control and I'm not."

"You're not? Did you go after him today?"
"Indirectly."

"And he will expect your move?"

"Yes. He's already taken action against it."

"But he is in trouble."

"Yes."

"I don't have to tell you about cornered rats since you've been there yourself?"

Kenshin looked over at him and the old man knew he was pressing his luck. Kenshin's body, which at been at ease, was now taut with an energy the old man had seen during the War, before the bomb.

"I don't know why I let you talk to me like you do," Kenshin said, the edges of his voice ragged and cold.

This was the Battousai now, and the old man knew he had to be careful, that he could be dead in a matter of minutes if he made a mistake. The change had been sudden, there had been no warning, and he knew the pressure Kenshin was under was starting to shatter the construct of his mind again.

"I want you to follow your dreams."

"My dreams? What do you know about my dreams old man?"

"I know there's someone who loves you very much waiting for you down the way, and you love her too."

Kenshin looked up at him from under his eyes and took a deep breath.

"You took a vow, a vow not to kill anymore. And you're here because you want to live like a normal man."

"Normal."

Kenshin stood up and looked around him as if seeing the place for the first time. The haughty look on his face told the old man that Kenshin was somewhere else, in a world of death and destruction.

"This is normal?" he sneered.

"No. What you have down there is normal. This is a temple, a place for healing."

"Healing. I need healing?"

"You need peace."

The tea he had given Kenshin was the one that fought psychosis he normally gave him but he'd added an ingredient that would act as a powerful sedative. It was his only hope now, the only way he would be able to control the killer who now stood before him.

"I need to…sleep. What did you give me old man?" he said softly, grabbing him around his collar even as he began to blink to try and clear his vision.

"You old bastard……"

Kenshin fell to his knees and swayed, shaking his head side to side. The grip he had on the old man's neck hadn't lessened and didn't until unable to stay upright he fell over in a dead sleep. Assured that he was asleep the old man stood up and looked at Ayame as she entered the room. She looked down at the now prostrate man and back at the healer.

"You took a big risk old man."

"I know."

"How long will he be out?"

"He'll be awake to pick up Yahiko from school."

Ayame sighed.

"We need to work together. I see that now. He trusts you."

"Yes, but he would've snapped my neck without a second thought."

"The girl is very important to him."

"She's a good girl, and she loves him deeply."

"I got off on the wrong foot with her. I need to talk to her again."

"There's no need. He wouldn't harm her."

"I beg to differ old man. The deeper he loves her the more dangerous he is to her."

KamiyaAkihad not seen her cousin Kaoru in a few weeks and despite the fact that her mother told her not to she took the train into the city and then took the bus that would take her to her uncle's dojo. The alley seemed its usual self, young children playing happily, old people sitting and talking, and the Akabeko restaurant full of people whose occupations she probably didn't want to know. She planned to stay over night and go back in the morning. Kaoru had that attic room she could sleep in for one night.

When she walked in she saw Sano and Megumi, who stared at her wide eyed.

"Are my tits hanging out? What is it?" she asked with a smile.

"Sorry. We just weren't expecting you," Megumi said, greeting her properly. Sano was still looking at her like she had two heads.

"What makes you come here today Aki?"

"I came to see my cousin."

"More like coming to report her to your mother," he said bitterly.

"Gosh Sano, I'm so happy to see you too. Where is Kaoru?"

"She went out," Megumi said before Sano could say anything.

"Well, let me surprise her and cook. At least you guys will have something edible to eat."

"Aki… why don't you go into the office and wait for her…"

"Nonsense. Let's see what's here to cook."

Kenshin lay in the dark, keeping his eyes closed. He knew the door was locked, and he felt the restraints on his arms and legs.

"Kaoru."

He said her name into the darkness, hoping that he hadn't done her any harm. The last thing he remembered was rage, rage at Shishio for invading his home, for threatening the one person he needed to survive as a human being in this world. And rage meant Battousai had shown up again. That could be the only reason he was tied to a bed in the sick room of the temple.

"She's just outside Kenshin," an old man's voice said to him out of the darkness.

"Did I hurt her?" he asked softly.

"No. You put a good bruise on my neck though," the old man chuckled.

"I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted. Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

He listened as the old man stood up and came over to stand over him.

"You were under control this time Kenshin. It was better."

With that he left and Kenshin sighed. Kaoru was all right and he had stopped short of killing the old man.

"Kenshin?"

"Kaoru."

She lit the lamp by the door and came in, putting it down on the night stand next to where he lay and he looked into her eyes reaching up to touch her hair and failing. She leaned over and kissed him deeply before untying his hands.

"You need to forget me Kaoru. It's better that I leave before I hurt you, or someone else."

Kaoru ignored his words and offered him soup, which felt like balm going down. He finished eating and she stood up.

"You have to go get Yahiko. Now."

"You didn't untie my legs Kaoru."

"Oh."

She undid the restraints and he sat up.

"Your hair is a mess Kenshin," she said softly, gathering the red mass into her hands and fishing for his rubber band and finding it next to the pillow.

"What time is it Kaoru? I don't want to be late."

"It's one. You have time. Come on. You can wash up and get over there."

He stood up slowly using the wall as a support until his head cleared. They left and walked the short distance to the dojo where the smell of food almost bowled them over.

"Who…"

"Hey cous. What's up?"

"Aki? What are you doing here?"

"Oh I'm so glad to see you too…" Her voice trailed off when she saw Kenshin and she looked from him to Kaoru.

"Kenshin, this is my cousin KamiyaAki. Aki, this is Himura Kenshin, my fiancé."

"Fiancé???!!!"

"Hello," Kenshin said. "Nice to meet you."

She stared at him.

"Himura. Where are you from?"

"Aki…"

"I saw you when, two months ago and you were a, a virgin and now you've got a fiancé? You're gonna have to explain this Kaoru."

"Kaoru, I have to go get him, now?"

Kenshin disappeared up the stairs and Aki stared after him.

"Pick who up Kaoru?"

"Let's go into my office Aki. We can talk there."

"I'm staying right here. Where is he from?"

"We can talk tonight."
"What?"

"Look, let me help you cook…"

"No. I'll cook and you do what you usually do. But I want an explanation, tonight."

Kenshin had come back downstairs with his jacket on and waved at Kaoru as he headed out.

"He's sure in a hurry."

"Yeah. Well, I've got work to do too."

"Kaoru!! Wait."

Aki ran after her cousin following her into her office.

"Come on. Tell me about him. Kenshin is his name? Red hair huh? Is he from the north? Come on."

"I've known him for awhile. We just got together recently."

"He's cute. How old is he?"

"Old enough," Kaoru said, feeling her anger rising. Cute? Why did every female think Kenshin was cute? Did the woman exist who thought he was okay?

"Calm down Kaoru. I was just making a comment. He works around here and gets paid by screwing you huh? He looks like a bum to me."

"Aki, get out! Get out of here now."

Aki giggled and left, going back to cooking. Once everything was started she sat down at the Western style table and called home.

"Aki. How is Kaoru?"

"She's doing quite well Mom. She's got this place on its feet, and she's got a fiancé."

"A fiancé? Kaoru? Who would put up with her?"

"Some guy, a red head…"
"White?"

"No, Japanese. Must be from the north."

"What is he like?"

"I don't know he looks like a bum to me but so does everyone who works here. I'll talk to you later tonight after dinner."

She hung up and Mieko, who had been waiting for Aki to get off the phone, entered the room.

"Hi. Who are you?" Aki asked.

"Mieko. I work in the gym. I'm the personal trainer."

"Personal trainer? What?"

"Who the hell are you?"

"Kaoru's cousin KamiyaAki."

"Oh. Well, food smells good. Gotta run."

Kaoru was making enough money to hire a personal trainer for the gym? The man had been right. Maybe it was time the Kamiya's got involved in the running of this place.

"Well. This is really good."

Yahiko was beaming as Kenshin looked at his writing. It was his first "A", and Kenshin mussed his hair.

"This goes on the fridge I think. I think MyonjinYahikois gonna be a scholar. Maybe you'll study Japanese history."

"Come on Kenshin. I'm just ten years old. I don't even know if I'll be going to high school yet."

"I think Kaoru and I will find a way to send you. Of course you have to pass the exams."

"I'll pass them."

"Good. You're a true young samurai."

"You think so Kenshin?"

"Yes I do."

"I think you're a samurai too Kenshin, but I'm just a kid so maybe that doesn't matter."

"It matters to me what you think of me Yahiko. I know I'm not your father but I'd like to show you what a man can be even if I have serious flaws."

"Everybody does Kenshin. All the guys say I'm lucky to be with you and Kaoru. I think I am too."

They walked in silence for awhile, and then Kenshin remembered Kaoru's cousin.

"Why'd she come now?" Yahiko asked when Kenshin had finished talking.

"You think she's spying on us?"

"Could be. Kaoru didn't seem to be too happy to see her. I guess she wanted to decide what to tell them and when."

"I wonder what she'll think of me."

"You're our son," Kenshin teased.

They both laughed and turned into the alley, greeting everyone as they walked by.

"Wow, something smells good Kenshin," Yahiko said. "I wonder who's cooking?"

"It seems to be coming from the dojo," Kenshin said.

"Then we know who it isn't," Yahiko said drolly, and Kenshin lightly punched him.

"She tries Yahiko. She's a business woman don't forget."

"You must really love her to make apologies for her cooking," Yahiko said taking off so Kenshin couldn't punch him in the head. They were both laughing when they barreled into the dojo.

"Well, who are you young man?"

"Myonjin Yahiko," he said politely, bowing properly under Kenshin's watchful eyes.

"And you live here too?" Aki asked eyes wide.

"Yes ma'am. I was adopted by Kaoru-san and Kenshin-san."

"But they're not married…"

Yahiko shrugged, heading for the stove.

"What's for dinner? I'm starved."

Yahiko ate enough for two people and when he finished Kenshin sent him upstairs to bathe and get ready to do his homework.

"Hey Ken," Asako smiled, coming in and sitting down, helping herself to food.

"How'd he do?"

"Look at the fridge."

"Wow. That is really great. Kaoru will be really pleased."

"I know. He's talking about high school."

"You two should be proud Kenshin."

"Thank you Asako. Things with you and Michikogoing well?"

"Yeah, we're fine. She got her promotion at work."

"Good."

"We're having a little get together, so if you and Kaoru don't mind being around a lot of dykes…"

"The question is will they want to be around me?"

They laughed, looking up as Yahiko came downstairs.

"Hey creep," Yahiko said as Sano came in.

"I hope everyone ate already 'cause say goodbye to the food."

"Wanna go one on one with me?"

"I can whip your butt anytime."

Kenshin laughed and finished his food, put the dishes in the sink.

"Let's go Yahiko."

"Yes sir," the boy said, immediately calming down and going into his room. Kenshin slid the screen closed and Aki looked appreciatively at Sano, who accepted her look with a smile.

"He seems afraid of Kenshin," Aki said.

"We all are," Sano said calmly, sitting down and digging in.

"Why?"

"Kenshin is a kendo expert. He can beat all of us."

"Oh."

"He makes sure Yahiko knows his boundaries, and enforces them. Kids need that."

"Oh. Well, Kaoru seems to have a nice little family and a successful business. No wonder she doesn't want us around."

"I don't remember you helping her out when she needed it."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I remember when we ate rice and were happy. When we didn't know how we were going to pay the rent. And you people would come in, look down your noses and tell her she should come back to the country and marry some sot you had set up for her. I don't think she owes you anything."

Aki didn't know what to say.

"You are so rude."

Sano shrugged and continued eating.

"At least you have no say in what happens," Aki said heatedly, not liking Sano's attitude.

Sano looked at Aki with barely contained contempt, finished eating and got up, going back to the dojo to prepare for his next class. Aki, left alone in the kitchen sighed. Apparently Kaoru didn't need her family at all.

Kenshin worked out with Yahiko during the afternoon lull between those who took classes in the day and in the night. Kaoru rarely sat in but today she found her way there, sitting quietly against the wall watching as they went through their warm ups. She knew Kenshin did his real warm up in the temple and that he was bringing the boy along slowly. She watched as he reviewed with Yahiko, going through basic movements and working up to the true combat stances. But instead of going into true kendo he began teaching what she taught, disable, maim, but not to kill. And Yahiko was good. Kenshin wore a simple black belt, totally undecorated but to the trained eye it was obvious he was no simple practioner. But he didn't go easy on Yahiko, and actually let him score a few takedowns and direct hits. Haru and Asako usually watched these sessions and found they had nothing to say. But when Kenshin felt Yahiko was ready he would up the ante, leaving the boy with a challenge for the next day. When they finished Kenshin looked over at Kaoru and flashed her a smile, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel.

"Ken. Got a few?"

Kenshin turned away from Kaoru and looked at Haru, who bowed to him.

"Master, may I show you a move I'm working on?"

"You want to spar with me Haru?" Kenshin asked, rephrasing the question the man was really asking.

"Yes."

Yahiko sat down between Asako and Kaoru, who put her arm around him half expecting him to shrug her off, but his eyes were glued to the action in front of him and he barely noticed the gesture. Both Kaoru and Asako gasped when they saw the stance Haru assumed. It was a ninja stance, a stance used to disable as a prelude to kill.

"Are you sue you want to do this Haru?" Kenshin asked even as he assumed the counter stance, causing mouths to drop.

"Yes."

Haru had taken the offensive stance and began, coming at Kenshin. Before he could think he found himself on the matte with no feeling on his right side.

"How…"

"Come Haru. Let's finish. You know this has to finish."

Haru struggled to his feet and began again only to find himself in the same situation.

"What are you?"

"Someone you don't want to face Haru. But let's finish."

"No. Listen, he has classes tonight Kenshin." Kaoru didn't want Haru hurt and unable to teach tonight.

Both men looked at her.

"This has to finish Kaoru. If necessary I'll teach his classes," Kenshin said, causing Haru to become enraged because it presumed the end of the fight.

"Kaoru-san, I will teach my own classes tonight."

Kenshin said nothing, taking a deep breath. This was the first way he'd learned to fight, and he'd spent time in the infirmary while he was learning it. Haru had to know how difficult the moves were and how the loser would end up. He felt a gleeful laugh starting to form and he forced it back, not wanting that personality to come out twice in one day. Haru was fast and good, but he was faster, and the session ended quickly, Haru on the floor grabbing his side, a trickle of blood running down the side of his mouth.

"When do his classes start?" Kenshin asked calmly, glancing over at Haru who had dropped his mask and was now showing his true face.

"His advanced class is at seven."

Asako volunteered to take the beginners and Kenshin walked out of the room, followed by Yahiko. Kaoru stayed and looked at Haru, who did not expect her to be so calm.

"What is it Kao? Gloating over your lover beating me?"

"No, just surprised that you would pull a stunt like this. Why?"
"He's not what he seems Kao, and you know it. All the drama, the self-effacing attitude is an act."

"As a martial artist you should know the mark of a master is the ability to be humble…"

"Bullshit Kao. A master is a master, and should act as such. The reason Japan is in trouble is because we want to show this humble face to the world as if we have something to be ashamed about. I tell you Kao, men like Kenshin had better wake up and smell the coffee. They'll be called on to do or die."

"By people like you?" Kaoru said softly, looking at the man she had called friend with new eyes.

"I'm not saying that Kaoru. I'm just saying that whoever or whatever he is, he can't run from it. I just wanted you to see what I see."

"I see it Haru, more than you'll ever know."

She turned and left Haru staring after her.

"Kaoru, I'm sorry I let you down."

"Go home and feel better. See you next week."

Kenshin sat in the corner, his head down. He'd changed the way he wore his hair, setting the ponytail high on his head as opposed to lower down, the way the samurai's wore it way back when. He had spent the past two hours in the temple where the old man had guided his spirit to a place of peace and calm, not the clashing warring place of the Battousai. He was going to teach for the first time in almost ten years, and he wanted to be Kenshin Shinta, not the Battousai.

The first students started to arrive and he lifted his head, watching as they filed in and began their warm-ups. There were ten students, seven men and three women, and he took a minute to study each one of them hoping that what he suspected wasn't true. But he saw two men and one of the women huddle together away from the others, their spirits different from the others.

At seven on the dot he stood up and walked into the center of the room, bowing to the class.

"I am Kenshin. Haru has asked me to take over the class for a few days. I don't pretend to be him, and our styles may be different. So what I'm going to ask you to do is present yourself to me."
"I've seen you around here. Aren't you the owner's boyfriend?" one of the three, a male asked with a sneer.

"Fine. You start."

The man scowled but did as he was told going through a series of moves that Kenshin knew he was using to hide his true skills. For now he would leave the man alone. Each person in the class went through their presentations and giving their names. For the next hour and a half Kenshin worked with each person, changing a movement here, changing emphasis there, but not tinkering with what Haru was teaching. At the end of the scheduled time the only ones he hadn't worked with were the three who had caught his eye and the one who had challenged him.

With no preamble Kenshin launched an attack on the one who had challenged him, an attack that in theory he shouldn't be able to react to.

There was no surprise on Kenshin's face when the man countered, and very well. Kenshin dodged that attack tumbling on the floor to his feet and setting himself for the attack he knew was coming. The other two watched with their mouths open as the two went at it, Kenshin feeling himself change, rise to the challenge that was being presented to him. The two battled silently, the only sound that of their feet and the kicks that they were landing on each other. Later the man remembered seeing a shift in Kenshin's eyes, seeing a hard gleam where none had been before, and a blur as Kenshin launched himself into the air, arcing up and then down, delivering a blow that rendered him unconscious. Sano and Kaoru had been watching from the back, Sano holding Kaoru back from entering the room.

"What…"

"How often do you train?" Kenshin asked the other two, his eyes the harsh, cold eyes of a master.

"We come here…"

"Cut the bullshit. Kaoru-san doesn't teach Kendo like that here. Again, how often do you train?"

"The other two days we're not here," the woman said defiantly.

"Are they paying you yet?"

The woman glanced at the man, who stepped forward.

"What we don't do here is not your, or Kaoru-san's concern."

"It is her concern when you will bring your enemies to her door."

"We're not the first. We're very careful."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Kenshin said, circling the trio. Their friend was coming around now and they visibly relaxed.

"I want you to leave."

"You can't make us…"

Kenshin looked down at their fallen comrade.

"You're professional assassins now. Let your bosses pay you and train you. You don't belong here with people trying to learn self defense."

They packed and left without a look back and Kenshin was about to go and do the meditation the old man had suggested he do after the class when he heard the front door open.

"Himura Kenshin."

He knew the voice, and knew he shouldn't be hearing it here, turning to face the man who should've taken his place.

"Shinamori."

"Not glad to see me Himura? I'm hurt."

"What are you doing here?"

"Let me see, you met with Hajime and Shimazaki this morning and I feel left out. If you're back in play…"

"I'm not back in play. I was there last night because of a friend."

"Sagara? They want him back desperately, but trust me, they're being told to go after him."

"Why?"

"The Tanaki family's tentacles reach into a lot of places."

Sano almost burst into the room but Kaoru pushed him back.

"Felt good didn't it Himura, being back in the hunt. I want you to know that if you decide to come back, I can pay you double what they pay you and keep your cover."

"It's been a long day Aoshi."

"Think about it Himura. You know how to reach me."

Aoshi slipped back into the shadows and Kenshin sighed.

"Thank you for holding Sano back Kaoru," he said, turning around as he let his hair down.

"You know what he meant?"

"Ask Megumi Sano. Ask her what her family would do to make her come back into the fold."

With that Kenshin went upstairs and closed the door. Sano's students were arriving and he gave Kaoru a pained glance before going in and starting his class.