The next days went on without any apparent change; the interaction between people was little different. But the atmosphere had a definite stuffy air behind it. Everyone noticed the interaction between Kenshin and Kaoru to be very stiff. There was a nervousness on Kenshin's side and almost a.. fear radiating from Kaoru.

Of all the people that noted this… Enishi could easily be named as the most interested. Considering what had transpired between Kaoru and him a few days prior, he'd expected some sort of reaction from her towards him later, but it hadn't come. And Kenshin, there was defiantly something up with the former hitokiri, his brother in law. Kenshin was even more sickeningly sweet, more demeaning to himself with gozaru yo's and donos… he'd even caught Kenshin calling him Enishi dono once, causing the red-haired vagabond to stutter and wander off afterwards. It was rather disconcerting.

He'd been trying to figure out the big secret that he was sure was there, but as he'd surmised, it was almost obvious that they'd agreed to leave him out of it. Luckily those two facts narrowed it down a bit. It was likely something directly related to Kaoru and Kenshin (as if that had even been a question.) and definitely something that he could exploit as a weakness between the two, otherwise the "Kenshin-gumi" wouldn't be trying so hard to keep him in the dark.

Aoshi's appearance was also a mystery, why the Okashira had shown up now, of all times was curious. It could easily be just a coincidence, but it could just as easily have something to do with the concealed incident. Kenshin had been spending a lot of time around Aoshi, always talking seriously in low murmurs. And with Aoshi's skills, Enishi could never get close enough to listen without being detected.

Misao, the weasel wench, actually seemed fine with letting Aoshi wander off without her, which signified the seriousness of the situation.

* * * *

Jin stared at his teacher of two weeks curiously; the man had a definite quirk to the corner of his mouth, as if he was thinking something amusing. Jin thought he saw an opening made from Enishi's supposed distraction, but as soon as he tried to take it his fist was caught easily by Enishi's hand. Enishi then easily forced Jin to his knees, and flooped down lazily in front of the boy, same amused expression still written on his face.

"So" he said, resting his face on his hand and elbow on his knee. "What's your opinion?" he asked, gaining a dumfounded look from Jin. That's not at all what Jin had been expecting. Jin stayed silent, still wondering if he was allowed to speak.

"Ah, don't worry about that, I did say you could talk if I asked you questions." Enishi stared at the boy. "I know your mind has devious analytical workings, what's your take on the way people have been acting the last few days." Jin cocked his head to the side a moment in thought.

"I would say something is definitely going on." He mumbled as if to fill in the silence as he thought of an exact answer. Enishi waited, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose with a finger.

While earlier I had thought the violent wench definitely would belong to you, There's something in the air that suggests some sort of previous relationship between her and Kenshin that would seem to be holding it back." Enishi nodded slightly, waiting for Jin to go on "And from recent events, Kenshin did something to jeopardize that relationship, or so I've gathered from bits and pieces of what people say." Jin shrugged "I'm not quite sure what sort of thing happened, but the wench seems to be really jumpy around Kenshin, and avoids ever being alone with him like the plague. Everyone seems to be supporting her in that… especially Aneka…." Jin trailed off

"Now that I think of it, she most definitely knows something. If you need any information, it would be a simple thing to blackmail it out of her" Jin smiled. Enishi shook his head as he stood up.

"That won't be necessary." He lightly cuffed Jin on the head as he walked off "You've got potential kid. Keep your eyes open." Jin grinned happily as he watched Enishi leave. He'd just bought some respect at the price of just being himself. It was a good feeling. Most of the time he had to work at giving an appearance of whatever other people wanted to see.

* * * *

He'd noticed it. And damn had he noticed it. She wasn't very obvious about it, but Sanosuke knew an infatuated look when he saw it. He really didn't think she'd jeopardize their plans just because of an infatuation, but every time he caught Aneka slipping a wistful glance over in Enishi's direction, he got really angry for some reason.

He figured it was because Enishi was such a bastard, and he didn't want anything to happen to Aneka. No doubt the maniac would use the naive girl in a second if given the chance. He'd have to warn her away from him, maybe even threaten her away if he had to.

Sano looked down at his clenched fist, and then over at Aneka. Aneka was looking at him, a slight confused maybe even worried expression crossing her face. Sano relaxed his hand forcibly. What was he thinking, threaten her not to look at someone? What kind of a doofus did things like that? Sano shrugged at Aneka and sighed. At least his fears that she'd fall for Kenshin were for nothing. But this really would complicate things. He felt that uncomfortable knot in his stomach twist. Life for him would probably be a lot easier if he didn't jump into other people's problems so easily.

Well damn him for caring. Because of that one time he failed to help someone he loved… would he really spend the rest of his life atoning for it? It wasn't something he wanted to let go. If he let go, who else would remember? He unconsciously flexed the muscles of his back, feeling the weight of the symbol marked on his shirt bearing down into him.