Chapter 2-Another Revolution?

The next afternoon everyone was outside doing their usual chores. Yahiko and Sanosuke were sweeping, Kenshin was out back doing laundry and Kaoru was reading the paper. After reading the first page she let out a gasp, "Oh my… have any of you read the paper today?"

"No what does is say," Yahiko asked as he and Sanosuke came to stand beside her.

"It says here that there's another rebellion starting up in Kyoto."

"Another rebellion?"

"Yes, it says that three government officials were assassinated last night."

"Does it say who did it?"

Kaoru shook her head, "No, they don't know who did it but they say that it may be the start of another revolution."

"Another revolution? That's not good." Sanosuke said quietly

"Does Kenshin know," Yahiko asked

"No, I don't think we should tell him either it may just worry him… we're not going to tell him."

"Tell who what Kaoru," Kenshin asked as he rounded the corner

Kaoru let out a cry of surprise and hid the paper behind her back as Kenshin came to stand next to her, "Oh Kenshin! Um… nothing at all… hey listen can you go into town and get something for dinner tonight?"

Kenshin smiled, "Sure that's no problem that it isn't, I'll be right back that I will."

"Thank you."

Kenshin left the dojo and everyone let out a sigh of relief before Sanosuke poked Kaoru in the shoulder, "I think we should tell him, Missy."

"Not now… let's just wait and see what happens later on then we'll tell him if it gets any worse."

"Hey I just thought of something guys."

"What's that, Yahiko," Sanosuke asked

"If the revolution does start up again does that mean that they'll come and ask Kenshin to fight?"

"I seriously hope not…" Kaoru muttered softly

Sanosuke laughed lightly, "Hey don't worry about it, Missy. Even if they do come for him we won't let him go and besides you know Kenshin he'd never break his vow for anything, especially not for another war."

"I hope you're right."

Yahiko nudged Sanosuke and chuckled, "And besides we've got enough of a revolution right here with ugly."

"What was that!"

"Nothing Kaoru!" both men answered quickly, trying to avoid a flying shoe as they took off down the hall to get away from a fuming Kaoru.

MEANWHILE

Kenshin had just gotten some tofu for dinner and was musing over the day's events as he walked back to the dojo. Things were so strange today, that morning when he had gone out to get the paper it was gone and he couldn't find it anywhere in the dojo. At first he thought that Kaoru had beat him to it, which wasn't unusual but she normally gave it to him once she was finished but she hadn't even hinted that she had even seen the paper at all.

What was even stranger was how Kaoru was acting, like she was trying to hide something from him. She was really wound up today about something, true Kaoru was always cheerful and full of energy but she was exceptionally hyper for some reason today and he just couldn't figure out why.

As he came around the corner he passed by an ally and stopped where he was, sensing a familiar presence nearby, "What do you want, Saito?"

The former Shinsengumi leader stepped out of the shadows, cigarette in hand as chuckled at the red head, "You're as polite as ever I see, have you heard the news?"

"What news?"

"About Kyoto."

"No, is it important?"

"You should read the morning paper more often, Himura, there's another rebellion starting up."

"What!" Kenshin spun around to face him at this comment, "another rebellion!"

Saito nodded, "Yes."

"What happened?"

"Three officials were murdered last night."

"Who did it?"

"I'm not sure all that's really known is that it was done by the rebel forces. You do know that this means another revolution, don't you?"

Kenshin looked to the ground, his voice soft but firm, "It's not my concern anymore."

Saito chuckled, "Oh? You know they're going to come looking for you to fight."

"I won't do it, Saito. What about you?"

"If I'm called to duty then I'll go fight," Saito smirked

Kenshin snorted in slight disgust, "Figures, I should've known you wouldn't change your ways."

"I enjoy a good fight. I'm surprised you don't anymore."

Kenshin's eyes narrowed dangerously, "I've never enjoyed fighting Saito, ever!"

Saito chuckled and tossed his cigarette down, "Just keep your guard up because they will be coming for you sooner or later. Have a nice day, Battousai."

Saito walked off without another word, leaving Kenshin to glare after him. After a moment Kenshin started off towards home once more, his mind racing, "Another revolution…what if they do want me to fight again? Does that mean that I'll have to become Battousai once more? No! I can't do that! I will never go back to being a manslayer… not for anything. If there is another revolution I will not be part of it… they can fight without me."

Kenshin arrived at the dojo a short time later and took the tofu to the kitchen, calling out for his wife, "Kaoru I'm home that I am."

Kaoru came into the kitchen and smiled brightly at him before going up to him and kissing his cheek, "Welcome home Kenshin, you have a visitor waiting for you on the front porch."

Kenshin arched an eyebrow at this, "A visitor… who is it?"

"I'm not sure he said he's an old friend of yours."

"An old friend huh… well let's go see who it is shall we?"

They headed to the front porch and Kenshin could see a man sitting there with his arms crossed over his chest as he looked to the ground. Kenshin couldn't see the man's face but he could see the stranger's long black hair that was pulled up into a tight ponytail on top of his head and the sword at his side. Kenshin instinctively grasped his sword and stepped up to the stranger, "Who are you and what business do you have here?"

The man looked up and smiled, his voice soft and friendly, "Hello again Kenshin."

Kenshin let out a gasp of surprise upon seeing his face, instantly recognizing his visitor, "It's you… you're alive…"