Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively.



Chapter Four

*************

Sano didn't want to turn around, what the hell was he going to say.

"Kenshin, why don't we talk about this inside over tea. A lot of us haven't eaten since she disappeared." Kenshin regarded Dr. Genzai with a suspicious glance but stepped aside nonetheless.

Tae served the men their tea and went of to prepare lunch. It had been a long day. Now, that kaoru-chan was back they would all surely eat. She'd get the details later.

They all sat quietly around the table waiting for the inevitable. The battoussai's voice broke the silence. "I want answers."

Sano and Yahiko looked into their tea, like it was the most interesting thing. Dr. Genzai met the battoussai's eyes. "Kenshin, I have some notes I've received." Dr Genzai stopped because Yahiko and Sano were choking on their tea. " I didn't want to tell you about them because you've had too much to deal with already. I just didn't want to add to your problems." He paused.

"As you know, with Kaoru recovering from her injury and all, she won't be able to work for a while. I would say at least a month if there are no complications. The notes I have received are tax notes. You know the ones she pays every six months."

Kenshin nodded.

"As far as I'm aware of Kaoru-chan doesn't have anything saved up and while she's recovering she will need to eat well and you or someone else will have to watch her constantly to avoid any miss-haps."

"When will she wake up?" The three stared at the battoussai in confusion. Why was he asking that?

"She will wake through out the day for a couple of minutes at a time, not enough to know where she is or who we are. Kind of like when you suffer from a fever and are delirious, you're awake for a while but anything said to you during those elusive times, won't become part of your regular memory. Something one, won't remember. Do all of you understand?" Dr. Genzai finished, explaining it in the simplest way he knew how.

The battoussai got up from the table and walked to Kaoru's room. He knelt down by her futon, caressed her hair and cupped her cheek. "Kaoru, I'm going leave tonight." He stopped. She was whimpering in her sleep. "Sshhh, let me finish," he continued trying to settle her. "There are some things I need to take care of but I will come back in a couple of days. I'll take care of you." He bent over her form and kissed her lids. He moved soundlessly out of her room and into the kitchen.

"Tae-dono" Tae turned at the sound of her name, "Hai." She said taking a good look at Kenshin, his eyes were back to blue. He seemed a bit calmer not so crazy.

"There are some things I need to take care of, I have to leave for a couple of days, will you take care of her for me."

"Of course, you know I will. I love Kaoru. You go do what you need to do, just don't be gone too long. You know how she worries." "I know." He turned and left.

*************

"Oi Tae, Where's Kenshin's plate." Sano was already eating his food. He was starved but paused long enough to ask about his friend.

"He left, said he'd be back in a couple of days. Yahiko you want more." Tae said offering him more fish.

"WHAT!!" Rice flew out of his mouth at his outburst.

"Calm down, he said he'd be back. Do you want more rice Dr. Genzai." Dr Genzai nodded.

"Has everyone forgotten that he's the Hitokiri Battoussai right now. And that the reason he's here is because he wants to kill whom ever took Kaoru." Sano slapped his hand down on the table.

"Sano, he doesn't know who it was." Dr. Genzai said trying to ease his tension.

"Besides his eyes were blue when he came and talked to me. Doesn't that mean something." She said as she sipped her soup.

Maybe." Despite what they said Sano had an uneasy feeling.

*************

"Himura. What are you doing in Yokohama?" Yamagata Aritomo was surprised to see his old friend.

"I need work."

"Work?" He thought Himura didn't want anything to do with the government. Something must have happened.

"Is everything alright? I thought you had settled down in Tokyo?" Yamagata couldn't help but notice Himura's eyes. They were the same eyes from all those years ago.

"I need work that pays well." The battoussai really didn't feel he needed to elaborate. He needed money and he needed it now.

"I see. Well, there is someone in need of a body guard and old Ishin shishi member. He would be more than happy to acquire your services. The job will require you to say here in Yokohama for three or so days. There is to be a lunch meeting tomorrow which he will attend and a party at night, from there he will go to his quarters at the inn. The following morning you will escort him home. He lives in the far outskirts of Kyoto." Yamagata searched for the papers with the instructions and directions mailed to him. "Do you accept?"

"Hai."

"Alright, then you will stay here tonight. I will have someone show you to a room but first do you want to join me in a late dinner?"

The battoussai nodded and followed his old friend. Dinner was eaten in silence. Only addressing them selves when they bid each other good night.

The battoussai was not impressed with the size of the room nor its grandeur presence. The bed was a western comfort. He took his place by the fireplace and slept in the sitting position he was so accustomed to.

*************

Morning found the hitokiri battoussai at the dining table with Yamagata having breakfast.

Yamagata was happy to see Himura in new clothes even if they did resemble the ones he wore of years ago. What he wasn't so sure about was the katana and wakazashi (it's smaller counter part). It was odd, to see him like this, it was just like before. As if time had not intruded, the war raging outside while they took their meal and waited for their next assignment. "Himura, why aren't you married yet?"

Yamagata saw surprise come over his friends expression before it was hidden.

"The time had not been right. I thought I wasn't ready. Now there are circumstances which keep me from getting married."

"To the Kamiya girl in Tokyo?" The one everyone referred to as his woman, Yamagata thought but didn't voice out loud. He didn't want to be the first one to taste Himura's old katana.

He nodded.

Yamagata knew that sometimes he was too curious for his own good, "What happened to her?" He knew he'd crossed the line. Himura's eyes had become the amber men still had nightmares about.

The battoussai tried desperately to control his anger. He blinked several times trying to rid himself of the anger that showed in his eyes. It took him a bit but he was able to do it.

Yamagata watched as his friend left the table. Himura paused momentarily by the door. "She was hurt because of me." He then continued walking.

Yamagata realized the anger Himura felt had been at himself and not directed at him personally. " I hope she gets better," he said to no one in particular.

*************

"Mizu Ishida." The battoussai looks at the lean man before him, average height, and early sixties. Weak. Nothing more than a government official.

"Aah, Himura Battoussai." "I mean Himura-san" The older man bowed and so did the battoussai.

"I will be your escort while you're here and will take you home when you are done." The battoussai's voice was just as expected cold and curt.

The battoussai stiffened, there was something wrong. There were about twenty men around them in less than a minute. One of the men stepped forward and pointed his sword at Mizu, "old man today, you die."

Mizu smirked, " I don't think so. Not sure if you noticed but this man", he said pointing at Himura, "Is the Hitokiri Battoussai."

The mans sword dropped slightly but then raised it again, "Old man, I think you're senile. The Hitokiri Battoussai is just a legend and nothing more." He stepped back and ordered the men to attack.

His men were hesitant and in a flash of silver before they could move forward they dropped to the floor.

The battoussai walked from behind the only man standing, re-sheath his sword once he was in front of him and took his stance. The other man coward back and threw his sword at his feet. Raised his hands and stepped back. "I give."

With his peripheral vision he could see cops on the sidelines. But they weren't moving to arrest these men. So he turned to them and in a commanding voice ordered them. "Arrest them."

The police seemed afraid and stepped cautiously towards the bodies on the floor. They avoid eye contact with the battoussai and became more at ease only when he left with the old man.


Well everyone I hope that was enough. I've noticed the first chapters have a lot of typ-os, I apologize. I hope the story keeps you interested. Kenshin is going to read Gohei's note in the next chapter. We'll see how that turns out.

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Special Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. Sorry if I forgot someone.

Melyan, Gypsy-Chan, Leigh and Digimonrule