Just to Clear things up I intended to put this up later but the now prequel in which Kenshin and Tomoe reunite is taking longer than I thought it would. It may no longer be just a one shot.

I'm also simultaneously working on Constellations which is a series of my own spin offs on the events during and before the Forest of Barriers (manga verse) and the OVA Trust and Betrayal

disclaimer- Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Watsuki. I simply enjoy reading it.

summary- Yukishiro Enishi contemplates on the many things that is his sister's husband

To say Yukishiro Enshi was displeased was an understatement. A rather large understatement.

from the corner of his eyes he observed his sister, now Himura Tomoe he reminded himself, busy herself with the motherly duties of getting her two year old daughter to fall asleep. A task that, as of right now, was proving difficult.

Himura. Three years ago the name sounded like poison to him. Poison that robbed his sister of all she had and the future she wanted.

Now that same name brought a indescribable warmth to his sister's heart.

Within a week of finding Himura, her Kenshin as she would sometimes call him, once more the two had been married; now officially husband and wife. The next few days were calm and peaceful. It was not too long after that the arguments had begun.

Himura once again had requested they return to Edo, away from the city filled with chaos and violence. Tomoe of course, refused, despite her husband's persistence, saying she would not return without her full family. And so here they were, hidden away once again, waiting and hoping, for him to return.

He had stayed with them at Himura's request, as the redhead could not split in his duties to his family and his cause to the Choshu. Naturally he had stayed to be near his sister and not because her husband had ….. he didn't want to think about it.

Himura Kenshin, or Shinta, as his sister had told him was the true name her husband, and his accursed ideals.

What sort of man ignores his family when they need him most?

She had not told him more that day, claiming her husband's past was his own and he would share it with them when he was ready.

He did not argue with her on the matter, instead silently berating Himura for his decisions.

Though Kenshin could not get away from the war for long he was present at the birth of his daughter. He had spent a full day simply watch his wife as she slept, a smile on his face. Enishi's own however was adorned with a scowl.

The very next day though the young man had returned to the war. Tomoe despite, being saddened, was understanding. He was not.

It's been over two years since then. More than Two years since Kenshin's last visit.

Enishi had offered, when they had left Kyoto, to make trips back and forth and bear messages but both Himura and Tomoe said no. Instead, Tomoe had settled for Kenshin's top leaving him her purple shawl in exchange.

He, of course, stayed to watch over them in Kenshin's absence. His promise to Kenshin: a promise between men.

Kenshin. Himura Kenshin. Shinta. Battousai.

Other than names, Enishi realized he knew next to nothing of his sister's husband. She had often times told him there was more to the man, than the assassin persona, the cruelest of killers as portrayed by the Shogunate. She herself had been shocked to learn that Himura Battousai, the so-called feared demon of Kyoto had been nothing more than a child.

A Child. He scoffed. If Himura truly had been a child, he most certainly did not see it. Or was it Battousai that he had seen all that time, not even giving a thought to Himura's existence?

Of all things that redhead was or could be, he was definitely, a hard man to read.

When the last of the ninja lay dead, overpowered by his murderous blade, and he made his way slowly to Tomoe, Enishi's first thought was the redhead would kill her. Instead he forced the katana into her own hand and, with a swift pull, added yet one more scar on his body, one directly over his heart, telling them to return to the cottage where they should be safe.

Upon Tomoe's request to have her treat his wounds, he showed them a sad smile asking whether his death were to be such a tragedy.

He did not speak of the plot at Katsura's arrival but rather a cleverly bought ruse that they had been found and he was concerned more might show. Leaving them the next day, taking less than a day's worth of provisions … from his words and his actions it was like he hated himself most all. How can such a person exist, especially one who was a killer?

"Enishi?"

His sister's voice snapped him back into reality. She kneeled down by his side, wrapping a blanket around him. "It's late. You shouldn't be up." she chastised.

"I gave my word to Himura." He replied stubbornly. If that man had stayed with sister, as a husband should …..

Not knowing what else to do Tomoe hugged her younger brother. "He will come back Enishi. I know he will." what else could say?

"You should sleep neesan. I'll watch over you two for a while."

Tomoe nodded and went to her futon, giving one last smile as she did.

Leaning back against the wall, Enishi once again returned his musings; his newest attempt at staying awake. It was going to be another long night.

His eyes snapped open. He had dozed off. And with Tomoe and her daughter, his niece, both fast asleep no less. If something had happened Kenshin would-

Wait. Kenshin.

Glancing back to the opposite corner of the small room he noticed the redhead, sitting on the floor, with both arms wrapped protectively around Tomoe, and her resting against him.

His brother-in-law silently pressed a finger against his own lips a sign to keep quiet .

Too late he mouthed.

Kenshin looked at him questioningly. If there were no sleepers around Enishi might have laughed. Instead he chose to forgo laughter, and directed his head at the object of his amusement. Kenshin looked down to see a pair of brown eyes looking at him.

"Kenshin … anata?" Tomoe asked disbelieving, as if this a dream.

Kenshin placed a quick kiss on her lips. "I'm back Tomoe, this time for good. I won't leave you again. Ever."

The smile on his wife's faced matched the one she had given when he asked her to marry him. He returned the smile with his own. Both fell asleep almost instantly Kenshin in a sitting position and Tomoe leaning against him.

Unbeknownst to the happy couple Enishi, for his reasons, had a smile on his face as well

If you watch the OVA closely there's a scene in which Tomoe slips her robe off her shoulders. In that instance you could see the sides of one of her breasts. Also because of Kenshin's height, or lack thereof (or based on their positions) his face was level with her bosom. So that's where I got the idea of the child.

As for Enishi in general, I feel there wasn't really much to his character than an intense hatred of Kenshin and a strong sense of devotion to and love for his sister. Since there was no other emotional display and this AU wise I figured he would try to understand Kenshin if only for his sister's sake. (should be made more clear in the prequel)

translations (for those who don't know)

neesan – older sister

anata- dear or beloved (as said by a woman to her husband)