Changes

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I also don't own the 'Fish Song', if I made any big mistakes in the translation let me know. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 7: Battosai Contemplates Changes

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Kenshin stopped washing when Kaoru went to Aoshi. From the moment she heard her husbands voice, her whole attention was focused on him. His eyes locked with Aoshi who was glaring at him, again. He couldn't really blame him though. Aoshi was actually showing more restraint than he would have, if he found his wife's first love hugging her. But, this was Aoshi after all. He acted on complete information, not first appearances. Kenshin had wondered though, if Aoshi would act that way when it came to his wife. As the couple walked away, a thought suddenly entered his mind.

'Aoshi wouldn't blame Kaoru for what had happened would he?' Kenshin frowned into the water at the thought. Love could do strange things to a man. Quickly finishing the last of the wash, he walked to the front of the dojo. Sanosuke, Megumi and Yahiko sat on the dojo porch, the boys making facing at Yuki who sat laughing in Megumi's lap. Kenshin walked over to them and watched silently. A door opened and Aoshi and Kaoru appeared but took no notice of them as they headed to the gate. They spoke a moment and then Aoshi left. Turning, Kaoru spotted the group and walked over. Yuki cooed at his mother and leaned towards her, when she opened her arms.

"What's going on?" asked Megumi as she straightened her kimono.

"Saito has assigned Aoshi to a prisoner transfer. It is to the neighboring city. He hopes to be back early this evening," Kaoru looked at her son with a smile, "Your daddy asked me to give you this," she said placing a kiss on her son's head. "Megumi will you help me get lunch ready?"

"Of course," said Megumi rising, "Give Yuki to the boys, they can keep him entertained."

Kaoru handed Yuki to Sano, but the little boy decided that he had spent too little time with his mother, and began to cry the moment he was out of her arms. "Honey, I have to make lunch. You'll be fine with your uncles," she said patting his back. Yahiko took his nephew from Sano, and started to bounce him in his arms. Yuki soon quitted down and Yahiko waved Kaoru off to the kitchen.

"I'm going to finish the laundry, please call me when lunch is ready," said Kenshin as he headed back to hang the last of the clothes.

"You got it," called Sano as he stretched out for a nap on the deck.

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Aoshi watched silently from the forest, as the police transferred the prisoner. Watching the procession, Aoshi's thoughts traveled back to the dojo. He was just planning out how to start his conversation with Kaoru, when movement caught his eye. The whole incident took less than a few seconds, but Aoshi saw each moment in slow motion.

Kneeling suddenly the prisoner pulled a knife out of his boot, and with a snap broke the rope tied around his wrists. Then in one fluid movement the knife was going straight towards the heart of the policeman next to him. Aoshi knew there would not be enough time for him to push the policeman out of the way, and disarm the man. So, he did the only thing he could think of, he stepped in between the two. He brought up his katana sheath and blocked the dagger from going all the way through his upper arm. Half of the long blade sank in, causing him to give a painful hiss through his teeth. Using the sheath in his other hand he slammed it into the convict's neck. The man dropped like a stone.

"What is going on!" came Saito's angry shout.

"Prisoner broke his restraints, Sir," said the policeman Aoshi had stepped in front of.

"How are you?" Saito asked irritably, looking down at Aoshi who was kneeling on one knee.

"Fine," Aoshi grunted as he pulled the dagger from his arm, and handed it to Saito. In an uncharacteristic move, Saito cut off the ripped part of Aoshi's sleeve, and wrapped the wound.

"I suppose you want to go home now," said Saito pulling out a cigarette.

"Well, I don't want you to nurse me," said Aoshi with a smirk.

"You'll be useless to me anyway. Go home to my nephew; I don't want that wander close to him. And who knows if he is trying to get his woman back."

Aoshi glared at him, "How many times do I have to tell you. Do not call my wife, his woman!" This time it was Saito's turn to smirk.

"I still don't know why Kaoru wanted you to be my son's uncle," said Aoshi shaking his head.

"She is a wise woman," said Saito lighting his cigarette. "One uncle is a kid, the other a lazy Rooster Head. She knew her son needed someone with a more honorable background, to look up to."

Aoshi was about to respond, but Saito turned away from him and shouted orders at the policemen under him. He rose to his feet as the prisoner was put into metal restraints, and placed onto the back of a horse. The prisoner started to move, but Saito silently went up to him and stuck him on the back of the head, ensuring that he would be unconscious for the rest of the trip.

"Here," said Saito extending the reigns of his horse to Aoshi. Before he could protest, Saito was already ordering another officer to give up his horse for himself. "Do not bleed on my saddle."

"Your getting soft, Wolf of Mibu," said Aoshi low enough so the others would not hear. He smiled openly at Saito's dark look, while he pulled himself into his saddle with his good arm.

"Walk the three hours back to Tokyo," said Saito as he went to take the reigns from Aoshi's hands, "Get off my horse. One of those farmers we passed can take care of you."

"My family is expecting me," said Aoshi keeping a tight grip on the reigns, "Are you going to be the one to explain to my son, why his father was left bleeding on the side of the road?" Saito simply snorted and mounted his new horse. Without looking back, he led his men away.

"When it comes to my son, you are turning soft, Wolf of Mibu," laughed Aoshi quietly. Turning his horse, he headed back down the road. When Aoshi shifted to try and get in a more comfortable possession, his wound protested painfully causing him to grit his teeth. 'Kaoru' was his last thought as he urged his horse forward.

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Kenshin looked worriedly at Kaoru, as everyone else ate lunch. She barely touched the food in front of her, and absently watched Yuki play with her hands, as he sat in her lap. He was just about to say something, but Yahiko stopped him.

"She always gets like this when he leaves. She won't let her health slid or anything. She did the first time he went away, but Aoshi made her promise not to do it again," he said quietly.

"Kaoru," said Megumi warningly from her place beside her, "You need to eat, not just for yourself but, for Yuki as well."

Kaoru only smiled in response and patted Megumi's hand, before picking up a rice ball and eating it. Kenshin tried to pull her into conversation, but the others always jumped in and spoke for her.

"Let her be with her thoughts," said Sano finally, while picking up another piece of fish. Kenshin nodded though he still looked at her from time to time.

When lunch was over, Megumi shooed the men out, so she could speak with Kaoru as they cleaned up.

"Sano, could you take Yuki, please?" asked Kaoru.

"I guess," mumble Sano though he smiled broadly when Yuki laid his little head on his shoulder.

"Don't get him riled up, ok?" warned Kaoru, "It's his nap time soon."

Sano gave her a mock salute before heading out the door. Yahiko shouted a good-bye as he headed out the gate, for the akabeko. Battosai stood in the shadow of the doorframe, and watched as Kaoru and Megumi cleaned up. Golden eyes watched intently as a discussion rose in his mind.

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'This life could have been ours,' said Battosai to the Rurouni. Watching Kaoru a few more minutes, he turned towards Sano and Yuki. 'We could have had this peaceful life. She would have been our wife. Sano could be holding our son right now.'

'We both know, we could not have loved her the way she deserved,' said the Rurouni calmly, 'Or given her this peaceful life. Someone would always be after us.'

'You couldn't but, I could have,' snapped Battosai, 'And don't think Aoshi has not made some enemies as well. It would not have mattered to her. She told us today she loved us first. You are just so stuck in the past. You wouldn't let her in.'

'Do not lie to yourself. Tomoyo will always have our heart.' The Battosai was silent to Kenshin's remark. 'That she is happy is enough. And you've seen how protective Aoshi is of her, how much he loves her,' said the Rurouni.

Kenshin walked to his room, 'He doesn't trust her,' the Battosai pointed out. 'I know you saw the same expression I did, by the laundry.'

'No, he doesn't trust you,' answered the Rurouni, 'Do not interfere with them. They have a family together, they are happy…she is happy.'

'I still think you are an idiot for not being with her, but since she is happy I will not take away that happiness. But, if Aoshi ever screws up, you will not be able to stop me from stepping in.' said the Battosai firmly.

'Agreed,' said the Rurouni, 'I am not sure if we should stay here. I am a wander after all.' Kenshin looked out at the dojo, as he contemplated what he should do. 'I will stay a while, but I will wander again,' he smiled knowingly, 'This will always be my home, and I will always return to it.'

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"Kaoru?" asked Megumi as the two of them carried dishes to the sink, "Are you all right? I haven't seen you this quite with Aoshi gone, since the first time he left."

Kaoru looked at Megumi in surprise for a moment.

"It's nothing," she said picking up the last of the dishes.

"Kaoru," pressed Megumi as she began to wash the dishes.

Kaoru said nothing for a few minutes, just drying the clean dishes Megumi handed her. Finally she turned to her, searching her face before speaking.

"Actually, I am a little worried about Aoshi. Ever since breakfast this morning he has been acting strange. I can't figure out what could be bothering him."

Megumi shook her head gently as she continued to wash. "You are so clueless sometimes Takani. It's Kenshin that has Aoshi acting strangely."

"But why?"

Megumi sighed and handed Kaoru a bowl to dry, "Think about it. Kenshin was your first love. Though I never would have thought it, Aoshi is feeling anxious about what that might mean for the two of you. It may seem irrational, but it may be that he thinks you will have second thoughts and will want to leave him."

"That is ridiculous!" cried Kaoru, "Aoshi knows by now that I love him completely. I would never leave him, ever."

"I told you it would seem irrational," said Megumi "but think about how you would feel if Misao showed up and wanted to live here. I know you would start to feel the same doubts he is, even though there would be no reason to feel them."

"Still," said Kaoru putting away the last of the dishes, "I feel hurt that he would doubt my feelings for him at all."

"And I'm sure he would feel the same way if the tables were turned. When he gets back the two of you need to talk. If I recall correctly, the two of you have never really talked about Kenshin seriously before."

Kaoru nodded handed Megumi a towel, to dry her hands on. "I was already planning on that. Thank you Nee-san for helping me figure things out."

Megumi gave her a hug before the two of them walked outside to find Sano. Over the last couple of years, the two women had dropped their petty fighting and had grown closer as sisters; roles they had always thought the other to be. There were still moments of teasing, and fighting, but they were few and far between. With Kaoru getting married and, especially with her pregnancy, Megumi had stepped into the role of guiding, older sister willingly. Megumi enjoyed this position, and was about to comment to Kaoru, when they both came upon a humorous sight.

Sano was sitting slouched against one of the dojo walls, one leg pulled up, Yuki head still resting on his shoulder. He was signing to the little boy, what Kaoru could only assume was meant to be a lullaby. Kaoru covered her mouth in an attempt to muffle her laughter, while Megumi could only cover her eyes, as the two listened to Sano's strong tenor voice, unnoticed.

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"Well, your mom said not to rile you up," said Sano to Yuki as the left the kitchen. Finding a shady spot on the dojo deck, he sat down rubbing Yuki's back when he started to fuss. "Take it easy kid," smiled Sano, "I know what you want but, I'm not your mom." He made some more shushing noises until Yuki quitted down. "Hmm… I know how about I sing you a song?" asked Sano looking down into Yuki's face. Yuki made a gurgling sound, which Sano took to mean yes. "Well, I only know one song really, but I think it will work," clearing his throat Sano began.

Sakana, Sakana, Sakana

(Fish, Fish, Fish)

Sakana O Taberu To

(You Eat Fish And)

Atama, Atama, Atama

(Your Head, Head, Head)

Atama Ga Yoku Naru

(Your Head Improves)

Sakana, Sakana, Sakana

(Fish, Fish, Fish)

Sakana O Taberu To

(You Eat Fish And)

Kachida, Kachida, Kachita

(Your Body, Body, Body)

Kachida Ga Yoku Naru

(Your Body Improves)

Sao Min De Sakana

(So Let's Eat Fish)

O Tabe You

(Together)

Sakana, Sakana, Sakana

(Fish, Fish, Fish)

Sakana Ga Bokuchi

(Fish is Waiting)

O Matsteru Hoi!

(For Us Hoi!)

He was just finishing his fourth time going through it, when light laughter broke into his singing. Looking up he saw Megumi laughing at him, her hand covering her eyes. Kaoru had her arms crossed over her chest, and raised one eyebrow at him.

"Sano, is this your idea of getting the baby ready for a nap?" she asked with a hint of a smile creeping across her face.

"Yuki," said Sano looking back to his nephew, "Your mother doesn't like my singing. But, you do, don't you?"

"Megumi is going to have to teach you some new lullabies for your children," smiled Kaoru taking her sleepy son from Sano.

"He liked it," said Sano blushing slightly, reaching out for Megumi's hand. "Fox Lady, I thought we were going to tell everyone about our engagement, at the same time."

"Baka," smiled Megumi, sitting next to him, "Kaoru is my sister, I told her the day you asked me."

"Don't worry Sano, I haven't told anyone," called Kaoru over her shoulder as she walked away.

Sano wrapped an arm around Megumi and the two sat in comfortable silence.

"Do you think we will be as happy as Kaoru and Aoshi?" Megumi asked laying her head on Sano's shoulder.

"Happier," said Sano kissing her forehead.