Sumimasen!!! Yes, the phasing is indeed too fast but, I don't know, I'm a little jumpy writing this.

Chapter 7

The dojou bustled with activity as Yahiko and Yutarou started teaching the students, along with the young Kenji, Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. Kenshin and Soujirou washed the clothes while chatting with each other, sometimes bothered by some students who inquired about petty things like the location of the bathroom or a little chat with them or just tease them for doing housework.

Karu on the other hand, found a secluded place at the back of the doujo singing 4th Avenue Cafe softly as the discman played it. She concentrated for a moment...still singing...and did a handstand and did some acrobatics wincing occasionally at the pain on her side.

At noon, everyone at the doujo began to rest. Kaoru ordered Kenji to look for Karu. He went to the back of the doujo and found Karu sitting atop a branch singing a song (whichever you think is the wackiest song of RK, though I'd pick Kokoro no Hadaka^-^ because of the rap part) wildly though still in tune. Kenji looked at her with a puzzled expression then went out to get his mother, thinking Karu was possessed or something. The moment they got to where Karu was, she blinked twice then stopped singing and flashed a big smile to hide her embarrassment.

"Karu-nee, ue ga nani wo suru ka [what are you doing up there]?" asked Kenji.

"N-nande mo nai [n-nothing], Kenji-chan. I was just letting out all my anger." Karu said scratching her head.

"Ima shita ga kaeru [come back down now], Karu-dono." Kenshin called out, "Sono eda wa yowai [that branch is weak] de gozaru yo."

But, before she could get down, the branch gave way. Her wound caused her reflexes to slow down and she fell with it with closed eyes. Soujirou wasted no time with his Shukuchi and caught Karu before she could touch the ground. She reopened her eyes seeing his relieved face immediately.

"Daijoubu ka?" he asked putting her down.

"Un. Doumo, Soujirou." she answered not even bothering to stand up from her seated position.

"To-totte mo hayai [So fast]!" Yutarou exclaimed in disbelief. "Soujirou-san wa totte mo sassato [Soujirou-san is so fast]!"

"Are [huh]?!" Soujirou turned to look at him.

"Anata wa chiisa osokunai [you haven't slowed down one bit], Soujirou." Kenshin told Soujirou. "Zenzen de gazaru yo [not at all]."

"Hontou ka [really], Himura-san?" Soujirou blinked, "I thought I've gotten slower."

Karu sat on the floor dumbstruck. She read about how fast Shukuchi was in the history books, but, the speed he had shown just then was unimaginable! It was as if the wind itself caught her. She shook her head and helped herself up. The echoing air began to fill the area. Kaoru decided to break the silence by inviting them back in the doujo.

After the second half of the Kendo classes in the Kamiya doujo, Kaoru called Karu to her room as Yutarou cooked for them as it was his turn to do the chores as of that day. She literally dragged her younger companion with an excited look on her face. Kaoru then let out a sigh of relief as they got to their destination.

She then faced the clueless youngster. "Karu-chan, Are ga mite [look over there]." she said pointing to a beautiful blue kimono made especially from silk*.

"Ka-kaoru-san! Suge kirei [It's so beautiful]! Doko ga morau ka [where did you get this]? Mare na kimono [it's a rare kimono]!"

"Siruku Ro-do made [from the Silk Road]." Kaoru told her, "My grandmother gave it to my mother. She told her that it came from the empress of Chugoku [China] as a gift for aiding her throughout the war between the peasants and the royalty during her stay there in the Ming dynasty. My mother passed it to me before she died, but I'm afraid I can't use it like my mother because we're much too short for it. With your height, I think it's going to fit you perfectly."

"Demo, Kaoru-san," she looked at the now spread out outer layer of the kimono, "I can't accept a family heritage such as this! This is too worthy to be in my possession!" The design on the lower half of the kimono showed one of the most famous and beautiful ukio-e print...The Fugaku San Ju Rokkei (Thirty six Views of Mt. Fuji). The deep blue background highlighted its exquisite beauty.

"Karu-chan, I don't want this beautiful creation to be wasted away. I know that you wouldn't either. That's why I'm giving it to you. Besides," Kaoru pointed out, "It matches your eye color perfectly. I want you to wear it later when we get to the table. I'll help you so, don't worry. Come on, now."

"Well, it matches your eye color, too."

"But, your shade is different from mine."

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"Oi, Yutarou! Owaru ka [finished]?" Yahiko bellowed.

"Hotondo [almost]. Matte kudasai!" Yutarou then resumed to his mumbling.

"Mou, I wish Kaoru and Karu'd cook again." Yahiko pouted. "Aha! Daijoubu. Matte ashita [I'll wait for tomorow]."

Kenshin and Soujirou only giggled and then resumed their chat. Kenji, on the other hand, ran in and out of the kitchen trying to imitate Soujirou's speed to no avail.

"Kaoru-san, dame." came a voice from the the closed paper door behind the boys, "I don't think I can do this."

"Come on!" said an elderly voice, "You're not going to make a fool of yourself, anyway."

Everyone's heads, including Yutarou's who was now beginning to serve the dish he prepared, turned to the paper door.

"Shikashi [but]..."

"Shikashi nai yo [no buts], Karu. Ikou [let's go]." Kaoru slid the door open pulling Karu out of hiding from behind the wooden wall. She then revealed the beautiful kimono she wore as well as the hairstyle Kaoru fixed for her, removing her braided ponytails and combing it over and over to make it the straight hair she naturally had. Contrasting her skin color were her reddened cheeks showing embarrassment.

Everyone stared at her in awe. Yutarou's jaw dropped along with the dish he held spilling everything on the floor.

"Yutarou-san, daijoubu ka?" Karu asked concerned at his sudden action.

"Ara? A-aa, d-daijoubu, gomen ne Kaoru. There are still a lot left though." he said clearing up the mess.

"There better be." Kaoru scowled, "We're hungry." Changing her, expression, she turned to Karu, "Shall we sit down?"

Karu nodded and both took their side by side positions sitting between Kenshin and Soujirou.

"Kirei na [beautiful], Karu-chan." Soujirou told her.

"Kono kimono wa totte mo kirei, desu yo ne [this kimono is so beautiful, right]?" she stared down in answer.

"Hai, shikashi," Soujioru looked at her eyes, "I was saying it to you, not to the kimono."

"Eh?" Karu turned into a deeper shade of red and turned her attention more to her lap.

"Hontou da yo [that's right], Karu-san." Yutarou agreed with Soujirou as he came out from the kitchen.

"Hontou, hontou, nee-san." Kenji chimed in.

"Ara? Anou, doumo, minna ." Karu said biting her lower lip to add to her expression of embarrassment.

"See, Karu? What'd I tell ya? Wasn't I right?"she said holding the younger one's hand, making the latter look at her. "You should fix yourself up. You wouldn't make a fool of yourself at all." she winked.

"Doumo arigatou gozaimasu, Kaoru-san." she said gaining a little more confidence.

As soon as the food was on the table, everyone said their "Itadakimasu's" and ate. Soujirou and Karu talked about something in low tone as the others were talking about something else.

After the meal, Soujirou then decided that he would announce what he and Karu had talked about. "Anou minna, Karu and I have decided to leave."

"Nandato [what]?!" everyone gasped.

"Well, we think that we have stayed long enough and our deal is until my wound has healed. Thanks to your care, it has. It's already closed up." Karu pointed out.

"But, you can stay longer." Yahiko reasoned.

"No one's forcing you to go." Yutarou pleaded.

"We just wouldn't want to be a burden to you guys." Soujirou sighed, "As much as we want to stay."

"There are also some people who are after us." Karu added, "We wouldn't want to involve you in this anymore. Kaoru, Kenshin, you already have a child and the next is coming soon, as I have heard from Kaoru. Yahiko, we wouldn't want Tsubame to worry about you. And, Yutarou, a lot are expecting great things from you since you're a doctor. We wouldn't want things to get mixed-up for you."

"If that is your decision, we respect it." Kenshin smiled at them. "But we will always welcome you with open arms."

Kaoru shook her head. "As much as we hate it, we'll let you go. Just don't forget to visit and stay this one last night with us."

"Thank you, Kenshin-san, Kaoru-san. For understanding us." Karu and Soujirou chorused.

"Karu-nee, Soujirou-nii. Iku ja nai yo [don't go]!" Kenji pleaded hugging them both.

"We're sorry, Kenji-kun." Soujirou wiped away the tears that escaped Kenji's eyes.

"We promise we'll visit even if it will be the last I'll make. Be strong, now." Karu patted him on the head.

"Yakusoku [promise]?" Kenji held his pinky out.

"Yakusoku." Karu clasped her pinky with his and he did the same.

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Dawn broke at the Kamiya household which ment that their best meals would end right then and there. Kaoru made Karu promise that she would keep the kimono and use it whenever important occasions come along. They chatted a little longer and Kenshin gave some last minute advices before they continued on their journey. Kenji almost cried seeing his new found friends leave but held back the tears to show them that he was not a sissy.

They went through another forest to avoid the rows of police stations that might run after Soujirou for carrying an illegal weapon.

A clearing opened up for them as they went their way. Walking further, they realized it was a deep gorge at the end. Just as they decided to go back, a woman's voice stopped them.

"Soujirou...Doko e iku ka [where are you going]?" the voice echoed.

"Ano koe wa [that voice]...Kamatari?" Soujirou tried to sense where the voice was coming from.

"Sou, sou, Tenken. Dou hoshii shine ka [how would you want to die]?"

"Soujirou-kun, what's going on?" Karu asked looking around for any sign of life around.

"Hmm, it seems you brought someone with you. Omoshiroi [interesting]." Kamatari said appearing from behind a huge boulder. He snapped his fingers and, there, appeared the former soldiers of Shihio. "Hangyaku sha [traitor]!"

Soujirou became baffled, "Hangyaku sha?!"

"Aa [yes]. If you hadn't believed in Himura's words then you couldn't have lost and Shishio would've lived to reign right now!"

"Iie, Kamatari-kun. Chigau [that's wrong]!"

"Chigau ?!" Kamatari cried, "I've already been a slave to the government! And I know how that no good Chou tricked me into working for those dogs."

"Kamatari-san, if Shishio would've reigned, there would be no one left in the future with his principle." Karu cut in, "Tsuyo kereba iki, yowa kereba shine wa chigau yo [the strong shall live, the weak shall die, it's all wrong]! I know I shouldn't bother with your conflict, but, I want to let you know that because he's gone, the future is a better place to live in."

"Yamero! How the hell would you know?" Kamatari raged, "Soujirou, let's duel 'till one of us dies. That way, we'll know who's right.

Soujirou tried to reason, "Kamatari-kun, we don't need to die to show who's right or wrong..."

"Uruse [shut up]!" Kamatari cut him off before he could continue, "Get her! Kill her if you want to."

Soujirou pushed her away, "Karu, nigete [run away]! Ike [go]!"

"Kedo, Soujirou..." Karu stopped sensing that he meant what he said. "Hai." She ran as quickly as possible, her persuers not far behind.

"Kanojo wa nigeru ja nai no da [she can't run away]." Kamatari pointed toward the cliff.

"Akirameru [give up]." one of the soldiers said.

"Karu!" Soujirou exclaimed.

"Sa, Soujirou, tatakau yo [let's fight]!"

"Soujirou, akirameru nai [don't give up]! Atashi wa daijoubu [I will be fine]." Karu smiled. "Ganbatte kudasai [please do your best]. Korosute nai kudasai [please don't kill]."

"Karu...Arigatou [thanks]. Ore wa kereba ganbaru to korosute nai [I'll do my best and I won't kill]." Soujirou smiled back. "I'm going to attend to you as soon as possible. Ganbaru [hang on]. Ki-otsukeru [be careful]."

Karu brought out all her weapons and started to fend them off. Meanwhile, Soujirou and Kamatari took their stances and charged.

Author's notes: 'Ara' comes in diff styles be it 'oro' (Kenshin's) or 'are' (Soujirou's; look it up in the manga gosh! I was saying this even before I met Sou-kun!...and my classmates laugh.)
I know that this chapter is boring, 'coz I made this just to pass the day without any inspiration...sumimasen!
I'm getting tired of eriting translations for every Japanese word/phrase/sentence that I write, so I guess this will be the only fic with the deep Japanese language...unless I become very hardworking. (I wonder when that time will come)
*Kimonos are made from cotton, OK?
Silk Road? Ummm, history please. I've no space to explain this, nor the time.

Chapter 6

Chapter 8