Disclaimer: Of course Ruroken don't belong to me. Watsuki is rightful god of this universe, that he is!

Note: In this story, Sano has come back from his travels and is married to Megumi.

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Chapter One: An unexpected Visitor

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"Tousan, Tousan!" a happy little voice called from the gates of the Kamiya dojo.

Kenshin smiled to himself as he wringed the water out of another piece of laundry. His three year old was finally back from his Uncle Sano's house. Kaoru had insisted on leaving Kenji there while she was renovating the inside of the dojo with Yahiko.

The sixteen year old had grumbled about being stuck inside with his 'busu' old Master, but a quick smack with a bokken had set him right, as it usually did. Kenshin had reassured his wife that Kenji would be perfectly fine with him while he did his laundry duties, but Kaoru had replied that Megumi insisted on babysitting their son, and was quite content he'd be alright with their doctor friend.

"Tousan!" squealed the boy as he came closer, his messy little ponytail flopping behind him as he ran. Kenshin wiped his hands on his old hakama (the one perfect for doing the laundry) and turned around, a ready smile on his face, when his mouth suddenly dropped open.

"Oro!"

His son wasn't wearing any clothes.

Kenshin hastily bent down to catch the joyful toddler, face paling as he thought about what Kaoru would look like if she saw him right now. She would be thunderous, to say the least. She had just bought Kenji that new green gi and the grey hakama, to look his best for Megumi... He felt like he was going to faint. Somehow it would end up his fault, even if it was Megumi's house that Kenji had been to.

"Tousan, I'm home now!" Kenji announced, burying his face in his father's trademark pink gi.

"...I can see that Kenji-chan, and I'm very happy to have you back but..."

He suddenly noticed the tall long haired man sheepishly standing in front of him.

"Sano! Where are his clothes!" Kenshin wailed. "Kaoru-dono will kill you! And then, she'll kill me!"

Kenshin glanced suspiciously at the dojo to make sure his wife hadn't accidentally overheard. But it seemed safe, she and Yahiko were currently on the other side----for now. He grabbed Sanosuke and the surprised Kenji, pulling them behind the wall.

"Well?" he hissed, while Kenji was occupied with giving a dragonfly a big sloppy smile. "Where are they!"

Sanosuke scratched his head, looking a little uncomfortable. "Well, you see Kenshin, this er...happens to be all Jo-chan's fault."

Kenshin stared at his friend. "And hy it is my wife's fault?"

Sanosuke rubbed the back of his neck. Hadn't he mentioned to Kenshin once that the hitokiri stare was not something he should use on his friends? He felt very indignant.

Kenji, suddenly restless in his father's arms, began wriggling. "Lemme down Tousan!" he whined. "Wanna play now!"

"Not just yet Kenji-chan."

Sanosuke took a deep breath, looking defiant. There was no way he was going to shrivel under Kenshin's stare. He was his best mate after all. Kenshin wouldn't hurt him or anything. Jo-chan maybe. But not good ole Kenshin. "Because Megumi told her to bring Kenji tomorrow. Today she happens to be visiting really sick and lazy patients who can't come to the clinic, and I was the only one home. Actually come to think of it, it's my wife's fault too. Jo-chan handed Kenji over, just before I woke up. You know, when I'm all dazed and can't think or anything. Then I get up and have your kid dumped on me while the fox goes out. Something about training for the future, whatever that means. I hope she's not implying..."

He suddenly stopped short, his brown eyes fearful. "She better not be implying..."

Kenshin was staring at him again. "Kenji was left with...you?"

"That's right." said Sanosuke, as he shoved his hands in his pockets, irritated. "I had to look after the little brat all by myself. The house is in ruins I tell you."

"And his clothes?"

"Couldn't be saved. It's a long story so don't make me tell it on an empty stomach." He looked around hopefully. "You got lunch ready?"

Kenshin was not looking pleased at all. "You mean to tell me, not only did you lose his clothes, but Kenji was naked all the way here?" Oh good grief.

As if on cue, the toddler, who had been listening to the conversation with great interest, reached up and grabbed a fistful of his father's bangs.

Kenshin yelped.

"Wanna play! Wanna put clothes on and play!"

"Just a moment longer Kenji-chan!"

Sanosuke looked puzzled. "Of course he came here naked. Isn't that obvious? Now where's the food..." He started off towards the porch. Kenshin sighed as he hefted under his other arm and started towards the side entrance to the house, so that Kaoru wouldn't see them.

When suddenly...

"Come out here, Battousai, we need to speak," called an irritated, and very familiar voice from the gates.

Kenshin froze. Kenji poked his little face out of his father's arms to see who it was. From underneath his long bangs, his eyes sparkled with delight. This was someone he hadn't seen before? Another uncle to babysit him? Would this one also have a hot red plaything? Kenji considered this.

No. Hot red plaything bad. Not play thing. Not good. Hurt clothes. He remembered the red hot thing eating his clothes. Before His Uncle Sano came running with a bucket of water and splashed it all over him. Uncle Sano got very upset... No. Kenji decided firmly. Red hot thing bad.

He touched his head uncertainly, remembering it was also red. No...red hair good. He grinned another sloppy grin as he patted his father's own red bangs.

Tousan good...red hair good!

Puzzled, Kenshin glanced at him for a moment, before looking back at the gates and squinting. Perhaps it was just a mirage, perhaps he was just really tired and stressed out...but if it were a mirage, why, of all people, would this certain person be standing there? Wasn't he supposed to be in Hokkaido? Hadn't Aoshi told him that, just a few weeks ago?

"Well, Battousai? What's wrong? You look like a rabbit cornered by a wolf. Heh heh!" jested the confident, self assured voice.

Kenshin groaned in frustration as he realised that the mirage, or really bad day-mare, was not going away.Oh no, no, no... Not now. Please tell me this isn't happening.

Hajime Saitou took another puff of his cigarette as he leaned against the gate, watching his red haired foe with an amused look. Noticing this red haired foe was looking as though someone had announced Armageddon, his amber eyes gleamed.

"Or should I invite myself in?"

"No, no, I'm coming," Kenshin muttered, just as the former Miburo expected.

The rurouni was definitely not happy. What is he doing here? Of all days, why? why, why, why... He felt like bashing his head against a brick wall.

"When do I get down Tousan?" Kenji complained as his father moved towards the gates, but was surprisingly still.

He must be hungry by now. I should probably go fix him some lunch...

Saitou straightened as Kenshin approached. "So, Battousai," he remarked. "Long time, no see eh? Have you missed me?" His voice oozed sarcasm.

Kenshin scowled. "What do you want Saitou?"

Kenji suddenly fell silent, regarding the tall man in the blue uniform with curious blue eyes. He can't be a new Uncle...Tousan not like him...but...

The ex-Shinsengumi captain stared back at him too, but with a great smirk.

"This must be your spawn."

Kenshin's scowl deepened. "You heard me Saitou."

"Hmmpff. He's just as scrawny as you are. Do you realise he is not wearing any clothes?"

'Answer the question."

"I suppose you can't afford it. The times are tough eh?"

Kenshin's eyes flashed amber, and a low growl came from his throat.

"Hmmpff." Saitou snorted, dropping his cigarette and crushing it beneath his foot. "Still as rude as always. Anyway, I suppose I better get to the point, since I don't want to be standing here any longer than I am paid to. Let's see, where to begin."

"Pleese-man!" Kenji suddenly exclaimed, happy that he had finally figured out who the man in the uniform was, even if his father disliked him. Saitou's eyes flicked back to the naked child, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement then back to Kenshin, who was fuming.

"Just tell me why you're here!" Kenshin's patience wearing thin.

Saitou's face hardened. "Very well," he stated simply. "I won't explain it to you first then, if you're so impatient."

Kenshin stared at him.

What is he playing at? Did he come here just to spite me? If it had been something serious, he surely wouldn't be acting like this. Then, what does he want? Does he want me to kill him or something? Did he just automatically assume I'm having a really bad day and come back to make me break my vow? Because I sure do feel like killing him right now, that I most certainly do.

"Well you see Battousai, I'm basically here because you are under arrest."

He held up a set of handcuffs matter-of-factly.

"I'm expecting you to come along quietly. That is, if you know what's good for you."

Kenshin's jaw went slack. What on earth?

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