Chapter seven is up! I know it's late, and I've got several excuses that no one wants to hear, least of all me. Anyways, last chapter I received a lot of reviews asking questions along similar lines. There was one review that pretty much summarized all of them, so here's a part of the reply to answer your questions:

Kenshin didn't realize Kaoru was a mage beforehand because in this universe mages are being persecuted, so they have learned to conceal their talents. I envisioned Kaoru as being more in control of her powers since her main element of magic is water; therefore, her abilities are harder to detect. I imagined Kenshin as more of a firecracker: since his main element is fire, his power is more raw and harder to control. As such, Kaoru was able to sense it. I also think that Kaoru, as a woman, would be more intuitive about those things. ;)

Yeah, I made Kaoru the one to talk herself out of relationships to show how serious her situation is with Shishio and how wary she's become. Also, I didn't want the two to hook up too quickly. Call me a pessimist, but I find it hard to believe in love at first sight. Maybe a strong initial attraction, but I think it's more of a steady growth, so that's the path Kenshin and Kaoru will be following in this story. Also, it's kinda fun to play around with the tension. Kaoru's cute when she's oblivious! But yeah, I do sympathize with Kenshin. But what can I say? Guys usually get the worst of it, and it's still funny.

So that's a short explanation for those questions. Hopefully it's cleared up some confusion about where this story's heading. If not, feel free to ask me something else.

As for a status update on this story: I've written a lot of it, but it's done in fragments depending on what part I felt like writing at a particular time. When it comes to piecing it together, I might find out that I didn't like what I previously wrote (hey, it's happened before). But we'll see.

Thanks for continuing to read. Enjoy the chapter!

"There was a commotion in the city today," said Shiro in lieu of an apology for tardiness as he placed an armload of supplies down onto the floorboards of their inner sitting room.

Okon, ever attentive, sat up straighter in interest. "What was it about?"

"Petty theft," he replied, and gratefully accepted a roll off a tray from Tae. "By the time I got there, whoever had caused the incident was gone, though the authorities were roughing up the unfortunate who dawdled too long."

Misao gave him a reproving stare. "You did smooth things over, did you?"

Clapping his buddy on the shoulder, Kuro grinned in a teasing manner. "Had to deal with the police and do a throughout search of the perimeters... What a way to start the day..."

Kaoru, who had been licking the powdery sugar from a pastry off her fingers, merely looked curious. "It seems the Oniwabanshu has its fingers in many pies."

"Yeah, but it's mostly simple things like keeping down the crime rates, overseeing fair trade transactions-" He was elbowed in a maneuver to pilfer the pastries.

"-And making sure the local government does what's best for the people."

Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "And how do you manage that? Helliron is vast; Shishio's army is bound to be stretched thin when maintaining civil order. This district is remote; I doubt Shishio's disciplinary influence could reach this far."

Kuro sighed resignedly. "The answer is really quite simple-"

Omasu scowled, quite an uncharacteristic behavior. "Blackmail."

"How the mighty have fallen," Shiro muttered. "It's for a good cause, but one can't help but feel some contempt when we have the power to bring about change, but are restricted from doing so."

"Well," Kaoru ventured, "at least you're able to do something worthwhile."

Misao, who had seemed a little remote the last few minutes, took over the conversation, raising her head away from her untouched plate. "It doesn't change the fact that we're a dying breed. As an underground organization, we haven't completely broken down, but we haven't exactly flourished, either."

She sighed, then continued. "Before the reign of Shishio, the Oniwabanshu had roots throughout the entire nation. Nothing was out of our grasp, nothing happened without our knowledge.

"We have dwindled, our numbers weeded by the order that keeps mages chained in Shishio's services or dead. You could say that this branch is probably all that's left of the elite force that was the Oniwabanshu."

Perturbed by Misao's dark tones, Kaoru asked, "Are you sure that this is the only remaining stronghold? I'm sure that there are still pockets of Oniwabanshu hidden."

Misao's body seemed to slump, although her spine was rigidly straight. "If there's anyone else, they're long gone. Just a part of the past."

He threw away the rinds of the fruit he had managed to nick before the vendor sounded the alarm and the police arrived. Unfortunately for him, the increased number of law enforcers patrolling the streets would make it even more difficult to steal another meal.

His stomach growled. Annoyed, he ignored its continued murmurs. He'd wait a while until the force dispersed, then he'd try to scrounge again. Thievery wasn't any easier in this town than the last, but at least this one had more accessible stuff and fatter purses for a young boy like himself to purloin.

He leaned his head against the wooden wall of the alley between two sturdy buildings. This would be a good spot to lie low and conserve energy until he could go out again. However, always cautious, he kept his eyes open and his ears pricked for the first sense of hostile company.

The crowds hurried past, intent on completing their errands for the day.

It was break time, and Kaoru was eager to practice.

"Misao, let's spar."

"Alright, but you're gonna regret it this time!"

Bantering, the two of them made their way to the dojo. There, Misao ditched the waitress's uniform in favor of her ninja garb, a revealing outfit that bared her legs and arms and allowed her limbs to move about more freely. Kaoru preferred her training gi and hakama. There was no way Misao would ever be able to coerce, wheedle, beg, or blackmail her into one of those skimpy outfits.

While Misao took her hair out of its simple bun and braided it, Kaoru stretched her leg muscles, cramped from squatting to clean underneath mattresses. A slight shift in the air current was the only warning she had before a kunai lodged itself in the woodwork next to Kaoru's outstretched foot.

Her eyebrow twitched. It was on.

She released the kunai from its wooden embrace and hurled it back at Misao, who easily deflected it off her armband and launched herself forward with a flying kick. Kaoru rolled out of the way, a little off-balance, but she pulled a wooden sword off a nearby rack and regained her footing. She raised it up in a defensive block, and not a second too soon. Four shuriken were neatly wedged into the bamboo.

It was time to take the offensive. Whirling around, she took a diagonal slash at Misao, shuriken poised to rip and slash at their owner.

Like a breeze, Misao propelled herself up and back, but not fast enough to fully avoid a stab from Kaoru's wooden sword in her side. She winced, but shifted her weight back, pivoting smoothly on tiptoe, and prepared for a counterattack.

An unseen blade of air pushed against Kaoru, who had brought her sword horizontally in front of her torso. The current pushed the shuriken, dicing the sword into pieces. But before they could cut through her, they ricocheted noisily off a large boulder and clattered harmlessly to the floor.

Misao was geared up for the next round. In front of her were dozens of Animated kunai, ready for blood. With a Word of command, they launched themselves like a swarm of insects toward Kaoru.

Enveloped in a whirlwind of silvery blades, Kaoru envisioned a globe of water surrounding her and called for her sword. Instantly, she was surrounded on all sides by a dense wall of water, and she clasped the familiar hilt of her sword. The angles of the kunai had been deflected by the water wall, and the ones that got too close she easily flicked away with her sword.

Concentrating on the kunai scattered on the ground, she imagined them as rats with greedy glowing eyes. The point of each kunai tapered into a sleek tail and curved as the widest part of the mini-blade billowed outward, changing from steel to dark brown fur. Eyes and a snout followed, complete with yellow, gnawing teeth, and then the army of rats ran squeaking towards Misao's exposed legs.

"That illusion won't work on me, Kao-chan!" With a grand sweeping motion of her arm, the rats were blown across the dojo floor to pile up against a side wall. Kaoru braced herself through the gale and drove the point of her sword into the floorboards for stability. As the gust died down, she plucked up the sword and dove in for the kill. Fluid strokes, numerous and powerful, rained down upon Misao. For safety's sake, she was forced to pick up a scimitar, and used it to the best of her ability to block and parry the flurry of Kaoru's attacks. Gritting her teeth, she tensed her leg muscles and sprang up, forcing Kaoru's blade up and off, and creating distance between the two.

Both were breathing heavily. Misao relaxed her stance, and went to get a drink of water. Kaoru wiped the sweat off her forehead with her sleeve and waited patiently for a turn at the jug.

When they were refreshed and slightly rested, they took up their positions and began again.

"Whew. Well, that's enough for me for today," Misao said, dabbing at her forehead with a towel. She eyed Kaoru, who was in the motion of sheathing her blade.

"I think I'll stay here a little longer."

Misao gave per a pointed look, but whatever she might have said passed unspoken. She seemed to change her mind, and walked towards the exit.

"Okay, but don't get too carried away. Sae made those little dumplings you love so much."

As she walked away, Kaoru sank to the ground and closed her eyes. Meditation wasn't something she did often, but its soothing quality helped her sort out difficult issues.

Three meetings. That was the third of three meetings he had had the pleasure of spending with Kaoru. As he had felt after their trip through the markets, a warm feeling diffused through his body. Yes, things were progressing nicely.

He ambled through the streets, absorbing the sights and sounds. Everything felt so invigorating. He was never so happy to be alive as he was right now. It was a peculiar feeling.

The sun still hung quite a distance above the horizon, and the breeze was brisk and refreshing. There was nothing for him to do, and he did not want to return to his lodgings yet. So he followed his feet to the outskirts of town and settled down on the bank of a creek. To the left were washerwomen kneeling on the pebbly edges and hard at work scrubbing linens. Higher up and to the right was a gaggle of children playing a fast-paced game of tag, while a lazy teenager yelled at them to not stray too far from his resting place under the branches of a thick oak tree.

Three children, two young boys and a girl, probably tired from the chase, were ankle-deep in the creek squinting through the water. Every so often, one of them would reach a hand into the water and pull out a stone. They exclaimed over its color or smoothness, and continued to sift the creek for more treasures.

His presence was beginning to attract some attention in the form of two girls dressed in light colored yukata. The younger of the two wore her hair in two short pigtails and trailed shyly behind the other, who wore her hair straight. Curiously, the two neared the wanderer perched on a log. Kenshin watched their progress with mild curiousity and consented to stay still. However, the sword was quietly slipped from his waist into the grassy depths behind the log. He had no desire to scare the young girls, and the very last thing on his mind was to provide an outlet for awkward questions.

The younger of the two spoke to her sister in what she clearly meant to be a conspiratorial whisper.

"His hair's still such a bright color!"

"Hush, Suzume, not so loud," shushed the elder of the two, then turned to face the redhead once more. "This is Suzume," she told him, "and I'm Ayame. What's your name?"

"My name is Kenshin," he said, slightly surprised at the young girl's boldness.

"Ken-nii, then!" Ayame said, nodding decisively. "Suzume has something she wants to ask you. What did you want to ask, Suzume-chan?"

Suzume cleared her throat. "Can Ken-nii play with us?"

From the tie of her yukata, she pulled three brightly colored sacks and tossed them at Kenshin.

"Oro?"

Fumbling for the sacks, he fell off the log. The girls giggled at his antics, and joined him by sitting on the grass beside him.

He juggled the sacks to the enjoyment of both Suzume and Ayame. Excited, they next wanted to join in too. He played catch with the young girls until they tired of the game and played hand games while he looked on.

The sun was starting to dip towards the horizon now, Kenshin noted. It was getting late, but the young girls seemed to be oblivious to everything except a caterpillar crawling up a blade of grass.

Meanwhile, the young teen had corralled his herd of young children and made to leave the creek. Kenshin cast a worried glance in his direction. He had assumed that the girls were under his supervision as well. But the boy, after a cursory check over the heads of his charges, led them back in the direction of the town.

"Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan, it's getting late. Let's get the two of you home," he urged gently. "Ayame-chan, do you know where you live?"

"At the Genzai Oguni Clinic," she responded. "Gramps should be home by now."

Careful to reclaim his sword and conceal it beneath his cloak, he stood and brushed off the clinging debris.

"Alright," Kenshin conceded. "I'll take you home."

Ayame squinted, then pointed. "There he is! Hello, Gramps!"

The girls ran forward towards a man who was slightly stooped with age. His beard, mustache, and hair were predominately gray, but going on white. His wrinkled face, anxious up until now, relaxed with relief, but froze once more once he laid eyes on the swordsman. He bent down to pat the heads of Suzume and Ayame who had instantly clung to his knees.

"Get inside the house, girls. Dinner's almost ready. Go and wash up."

Bidding Kenshin sunny good-byes, they withdrew into the clinic.

"I thank you for the safe return of my grandchildren, Himura-san," he bowed, but he did not take his eyes off the lone man in front of him.

Kenshin bowed as well, and smiled calmly. "They are a handful." I mean them and you no harm.

The old man relaxed slightly. "What brings you to this isolated town? Surely there is no threat of war."

"Genzai-sensei, is it? I am a wanderer now, but I will remain in Terretini for an undetermined amount of time."

Genzai gave him a sharp stare from below his long eyebrows. "You mean no trouble?"

"Oro?"

"I didn't get to be as old as I am by being careless, Himura-san. Even in a district as remote as this, whispers will spread of a man with red hair and a cross-shaped scar. How soon until the rumors start?"

He bowed his fiery head. "You are the only one who has recognized me."

Genzai-sensei sighed. "I will keep my silence, then. In return, however, I want your word to keep your head low. I may be old, but I have others to worry about besides myself now."

Kenshin nodded solemnly. "You have it."

"That's good then." He hesitated. "And again, my sincerest thanks for caring for my grandchildren."

The sound of shattering glass broke the mood of understanding. Genzai's accepting tone changed to one of exasperation.

"Excuse me," he said, and retreated back into his house.

"Is that a report on the background check of the redhead?"

"Yup! As this pertains to our little Kaoru-chan, I thought that was enough incentive to complete it as soon as possible. ….What?"

"Oh, nothing. Kaoru sure has exotic tastes, I'll give her that much…."

"I really don't want to hear this. Should I leave you to your perusal?"

"….Battousai, hm? This profile, it's …quite extensive. Detailed. And it's only been, what, three days since I gave this task to you?"

"It seems like there were files already amassed on him that I was able to dig up in the old archives. He must have been allied with part of a branch for some time for there to be this much information on him and not be eliminated…."

"…Or maybe he was just too strong to kill. It says here that the empire has made a few notable attempts. Most notable, in fact, are the ones in the year previous to Shishio's ascension."

"So, should we chase him out?"

"…No. Kaoru seems to be enjoying his company. As long as he behaves, we will overlook this. Spread the word to everyone else. I want to look at these files a little longer. The handwriting interests me."

"No small wonder. It does appear to be vaguely familiar. But, I can't imagine where I've seen such a fine hand before."

"Hmm…"

"I'll send Omasu up with some tea later. Don't stay up too late. Tomorrow's your day to work the morning shift."

"Yes, yes, now shoo."

End chapter seven. If there are any errors in spelling, grammar, or character names, let me know.

Leave a review! It makes me happy!

Jasmine blossom625