Notes- Your author has snapped, bit the bucket, and came to her senses. I have finally deleted the chapters I had completed for this fic, but I am keeping the ones already posted up, even if it conflicts with my better judgement. Therefore, I lied about this chapters contents, it will be different because the original chapter I deleted is gone, I say! The past chapters were written months ago and I only had time to put them through a simple grammar check, and after finally reading them again, I decided they sucked. So, I'm starting from scratch, and one day I will go back and revise the previous six. This chapter might not be spectacularly better, but it's a slight improvement on the original. So, this is my explanation on why I was late in posting, so do not hit me too hard, please… It's only because of your nice reviews that I did not trash this fic completely, really it is…

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Chapter Summary- Questions answered by an unexpected guest, and a dojo girl's folly resulting in some R&R…

IMPORTANT- The story's plot is based on the MANGA, not that sometimes times scary anime version.

Disclaimer- My parents bought me a pony for my birthday instead of RuoKen, therefore, I'm stuck with the pony I wanted when I was eight, and I don't own Kenshin… *Sniffle*

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"You are the one who deserves the symbol for Aku on your back… or, no. That dishonor should belong to patriots like myself."

-Himura Kenshin to Hiruma Kihei - Manga Volume II, Chapter VII

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Chapter Seven- Uchiagehanabi

The under kimono and binding bandages were the first to go on, next the light coloured gi, threadbare from years of wear and numerous tangos with the wash. The hakama was then stepped into; tying the obi around, making sure it was securely in place, dark blue material fitting tightly against the waist. White tabi socks were slipped into place, along with a quick brush and flip of the hair, pitch tresses set to the normal high fashion. Training gear, bundle the night before, snuggly tied to a boken, was hoisted over a shoulder. Kamiya Kaoru glanced in the mirror, and nodded --she was ready for a day of practice.

She stepped out into the quiet Dojo's grounds, everything thing still and waiting with nervous anticipation. The last exciting thing had happened only days ago and they seemed to be waiting for more, welcoming any disturbance. For normal Tokyo dwellers it would have been enough ruckus to last a decade, but for someone who housed interesting guests, it was almost normal. Ever since Kenshin had arrived at the dojo, odd occurrences had taken place --almost a normal routine was set for the bizarre. First the fake Battousai incident, then the real hitokiri materializes, the arm forces threatens them on the street, a Yakuza pickpocket manages to sneak in, and the last scene, the odd man at the Akabeko knocking out a man with the flick of his finger. Since then, all had been quiet at the Kamiya dojo.

Kaoru sighed when she walked out into the late morning heat, the air with a hint of humidity, reminding her the summer months were soon approaching. Practices in such weather was always difficult --she glanced at her only student who was crouched on the engawa, Yahiko would only complain more in the months to come, summer would be another obstacle of patients.

The floorboards beneath her creaked, followed by a dull thump, and out of the corner of her eye she could see Yahiko fiddling, getting more aggravated by the second. She shook her head, closing the distance between the two silently, and dropped her training bag to the ground, creating a similar thunderclap to Yahiko's pounding.

The boy jumped. Startled, he looked up to see his instructor, donned and dressed for a sparring match. "You scared me, busu!"

Kaoru smirked and plopped down next to the boy, pleased she managed to get a jump out of the brash student. "What's the problem?"

The descendent samurai snorted. "You!"

"Not me, you baka!" The somber morning mood was loosing fast to irritation, and she raised a hand to rub at her temples, willing away the troubles. Today was definitely going to be a good day to practice, the poor, unsuspecting students at neighboring dojos would never know what hit them when she took out her stress that afternoon. "What are you messing with?"

"Nothing." The glare the older women shot, told him he should redirect his thinking pattern and he sheepishly handed her the source of his worries, looking rather defeated. "It's broke."

Kaoru turned and inspected the marred sandal in her hand, wondering how so much noise could be caused over such a little, harmless thing. "Were you trying to fix it, or break down my house?"

"I tried, but nothin's workin'."

The poor, mauled shoe had definitely seen better days, and there was no way she would be able to fix it either. She turned and shrugged. "Maybe Kenshin can fix it."

"Probably." Hatefully, he eyed the cursed sandal, and sat with his legs dangling from the engawa as the heated wind pricked on his vexation more. "He does everything perfectly."

Kaoru could only agree, and nod. "Hai."

Pondering the rurouni, Yahiko kicked his legs a few times, and leaned back onto his palms. He had watched the man religiously since the day he arrived, and had never seen the red head falter once, not even when Busu was spitting fire and stone --That, had always intimidated him. "Ne, Kaoru?"

"Hmm?" Kaoru let the sandal drop to her side and land on the wood boards, until later there was no hope for the damages.

"Kenshin is good with the sword --well, everything he does-- but why?" Yahiko sat up and perched on his arms, resting in his lap. The question had bothered since the first day he met the man, but Kenshin was not the type who passed around answers like they were Ohagi. "He couldn't of been a rurouni all his life, and pick up all that skill, ya' know."

"…Uh." The little samurai was smarter than the average child was --she had to give him that for picking up on fine details. There was a very good explanation for Kenshin's abilities, but she knew very well that it was not her place to tell Yahiko that he was boarding with the legendary Hitokiri Battousai. It was a thought she had a hard time comprehending herself, and how in the world would a child take the situation, brat or not.

"You think maybe he's runnin' from the law?" The sparkle and gleam Yahiko's eyes glowed were a bit unnerving when associated with the words coming out of his mouth. Kaoru abruptly stood, and grabbed for her training gear --his inquisitive nature was starting to get a little too exact, and she decided to leave while she still had a chance. "Hey! Where ya' goin'?"

"I have to teach at another dojo today." Kaoru jumped to the ground, thudding lightly, and smiled back at the boy. "Make sure everything is clean when I get back."

Yahiko gaped slightly as his instructor exited the dojo …but if he knew better, it actually looked like she had bolted for dear life.

*

"Yahiko."

The said boy shifted to his side, rolling on the engawa's hard wood surface, wincing scantily when his joints did not agree with the sudden movement, and looked over to the accustomed voice. The rurouni was coming through gates, armed full of market supplies --he had been gone all day shopping again, like usual. "Hey, Kenshin."

Kenshin walked up to the porch, and placed the items on the ground, straightening again, he briefly stretched his joints from the previous weight. "You look a little bored, Yahiko."

He shrugged and placed himself into a sitting position, he did not need to tell the man he had been sleeping in that same spot since Busu had run off early in the afternoon. "No one was here all day."

"Kaoru-dono did not take you to the other dojo?"

"She kinda ran off in a hurry."

"Aa." The older man took a seat next to the younger, and leaned against a post. "Well then, you can come with me to pick Kaoru-dono up later."

"I thought you weren't gonna pick her up today?" Yahiko slumped back to the ground, spreading his arms and legs out along the timber surface. He was truly bored with the whole cycle, and as simple as it was, a walk through town to pick Busu up, was better than nothing.

Kenshin noted his anxious behavior for a few moments, and smiled slightly with knowledge. "Sessha thinks a change of plans is in order."

Sliding of the wood planks, he hoisted up the market items over his shoulder again, and headed for inside. Yahiko stifled a yawn, and slowly drew himself upright to follow the other, lazily stumbling behind.

The rest of the afternoon ticked by slowly as it had done in the past few weeks. Kenshin and Yahiko quickly cleared away the supplies and quietly waited before it was time for them to leave. Kenshin busied himself with mundane chores, sweeping the engawa, tidying the garden, checking the Dojo's ground, and others of the likes, including the repair of Yahiko's defective sandal. He had sent Yahiko to wipe down the Dojo's floors, a task that would be expected of Kaoru-dono to be complete. The boy, of course, moped a little, but completed it rather quickly so he could be done with the hated deed.

Before departing, Kenshin retreated for his room, and dug through his belongings. A tiny smile quirked his lips when he finally found the bundle containing his left over savings from wandering. He briskly counted the sen before shuffling the contents into his purse, and exited the room again, intent on making a small stop before picking up the kendo instructor.

*

Yahiko frowned upon the man as they headed towards the neighboring dojo. Kenshin had stopped at the market and left Yahiko to wait on the outer skirts till he came back, and worst of all, he had not told him what for. When Kenshin came back, he was empty handed, with no explanation what so ever. He had just smiled the usual way, and carried on walking, disregarding the boys irritation.

The raspy, scrapping sound of Kenshin's sandals were the only movements heard as they walked through the streets, leaving Yahiko in almost silence as he contemplated. They moved their way through the residential streets, family houses, tiny huts, small stands and the occasional dojo that littered the way, all in a winding path to their destination. Although, most of the old Dojo's were transformed into homes, a need for the arts had dwindled away, just like the old era, making way for the new.

Somehow though, Yahiko had found himself living amongst the old, dwelling in a dojo that taught ancient sword arts, and coexisting with a man that was a mirror image of the previous era. But somehow that was wrong, the Kasshin Ryu was an art that instructed not to kill, and the rurouni carried a non killing Sakabatou, they were complete opposites of the previous era, but traditional in a since that made him feel proud all the same.

Traditional was a word that could describe Kenshin almost perfectly, if it were not for his choice weapon. The man did everything properly, acted accordingly right down to his speech patterns and mannerisms. Yahiko scuffed, and kicked a stone in front of him, if anything the traditional air to him had made him stubborn and anti-social. Which had brought Yahiko back to the reason of his griping, Kenshin had not budged on his resolve to tell him about what he bought at the market, and to a ten year old child it was annoying.

Yahiko's train of thought was disturbed when a hand clamped down on his shoulder. He looked up out of his hazy daydream to the impassive face of Kenshin, then slowly the man smiled down at him when he finally got his attention. "You are to young to be looking like that, Yahiko."

The boy shuffled his feet below him, giving the elder a bewildered look. "What do ya' mean?"

"You looked as if you were in deep thought, worrying about the end of the world." Kenshin removed his hand from the boys shoulder, and placed it back in its customary position, tucked in the folds of his navy gi. "Or, you were trying to figure out what I bought at the market."

Yahiko's mouth gapped open, as if he was partially disoriented. "But…"

"Anyway," Kenshin continued, an amused smile lighting his face, he knew it was bothering the boy, but he did not intend on revealing his little purchase just yet. After a quick nod, He turned and motioned to a building in front of them, that was vaguely familiar to the boy. "We are here."

Yahiko sheepishly nodded and dragged behind as they headed for the dojo, he was a fool if he thought Kenshin was oblivious to his seething --the man was smart and quick, simple as that.

The dojo was one Kaoru had brought him to shortly after he was under her care, he had simply watched and soaked up his future in sword arts that day. Now it had been over two weeks since he had started training, and despite the hostile instructor, he loved every minute of it. They entered quickly, paid their respects to the old building, and made way inside to look for Kaoru, tired from a day of teaching.

Kenshin frowned when they finally spotted Kaoru, as a member of the dojo led the way over to her for them. She was huddled on the ground, flushed from her obvious workout, but the feeble wince that crossed her face made him worry slightly. When she finally spotted the two, her features were a little surprised as expected, because she was meaning to return home on her own that day.

"Kenshin, what are you doing here?"

Kenshin briefly nodded his thanks to the boy who brought them inside, and turned his sights on the girl still sitting on the ground. "It looks like it was a good idea we decided to come today, Kaoru-dono."

Yahiko picked up on the words, and tore his sights of the Dojo's hall, and interesting weapons lining the walls. "Whatcha talkin' about?"

Kneeling to the ground, Kenshin looked over the dojo girl, trying to calculate the problem that was nagging his better instincts. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Kaoru felt a little uneasy over the intense stare the man was giving her, and looked at the ground to her ankle, seeking refuge. "Why do you ask?"

"Ah, Kaoru-chan, how's the injury?" A tall man --dressed as a dojo member-- walked up to the trio, obviously in concern as he crouched down to her level. Kenshin's frowned deepened, he had knew something was amiss the moment he saw her.

"It's better, Sensei." She smiled a little, but it was a little pathetic in her attempt to ward off the obvious. "Please, don't worry about it."

The man shook his with a rueful smile, and turned to Kenshin, the man he recognized as Kaoru's companion on previous visits. "Himura-san, our dear Kaoru-chan had a bit of an accident today, and as you can see --she's not taking it seriously."

"What happened?"

"During training she twisted her ankle." Kaoru pouted and looked off to the side, the sensei continued, amused by her brooding. "But, it's not that bad. Just make sure she stays off of it for a day or two."

Kaoru crossed her arms and huffed. "I'm fine already!"

"Right…" The man stood, as did Kenshin, while in the background Yahiko snickered over his instructor's fault. "I can trust you to see that she does as ordered, Himura-san."

A quick farewell and bow was exchanged between them, and the sensei went back to his class to teach. Kenshin turned, and stood silent for a few moments, trying to assess the situation. Kaoru was not going to go down with a fight, and she was going to make it hard on herself before she admitted help was needed, even if Kenshin was willing to do anything for her in a heartbeat.

"Yahiko." Kenshin had his mind set, and a little bit of plan was needed in order to get the girl to comply. "Carry Kaoru-dono's gear while sessha assist her."

Before Kaoru could budge, the rurouni was helping her to her feet. The remote injury was not going to get the best of her, scowling she pushed his hands away. "Kenshin, I'm fine!"

"Hai, Kaoru-dono." Kaoru was level to the ground, but once pressure was applied to the ankle, she winced when pain reverberated through her leg. Of course, Kenshin noticed her falter and steadied her, placing a light grip on her shoulder when she started to waver. "But you might need some help."

"Jeez, Kaoru, just let the poor man help you already!" Sighing irritably, Yahiko hoisted the girl's belongings over his shoulder, and finally shot the unruly girl a glare.

Kaoru glared right back, then sighed, letting the older man aid her by using him as support while she gimped her way out of the Dojo hall. It hurt, and walking all the way home was not going to be fun, but living with men she felt the need to impress so she would not be treated like a frangible porcelain doll, or give them an excuse to treat her in such a dainty way.

When they were out of the Dojo's gates, Kenshin confounded Kaoru when he detached her arm and walked in front of the girl, then he confused her more when he got to his knees, back facing her direction. "Sessha will carry you back, Kaoru-dono."

Frowning, she shifted her weight onto the better foot. "You're not serious."

"Very serious." Kenshin rested his chin on his palm that was hitched on his knee, looking back at Kaoru his frown curved upward into a half smirk of sorts. "Your not walking home on that foot, whether you like it or not."

Kaoru blinked --yes, he was very serious to take on that tone of manner. Her attempt to get out of the situation was going to be futile much to any embarrassment. Still, she was not going down without one more round. "You can't make me."

Yahiko rolled his eyes --honestly, his instructor could be more childish than he ever was sometimes. "Yes, we can --right, Kenshin?"

Agreeing, Kenshin nodded and Kaoru sighed disdainfully, throwing her arms up in the air --but that was a mistake. The action put a little too much weight onto the bad ankle, and she subsequently cringed while Yahiko grabbed her arm, saving her from falling in a very unladylike crash.

In the end, Kaoru was dejected to being carried home on Kenshin's back, good thing for her the dojo was not that far away --only being minutes away. Finally relaxing a little, she let her head drop on his shoulder and try to tolerate the ride home. It was easy for Kenshin to carry a small girl, her apologies and mild protest were brushed aside --just grateful his stern approach worked in the end.

*

Kaoru shifted her cushions on the porch, closely watching the rurouni and wondering what was the cause of his traipsing around in the herb garden. When they had gotten home, Kenshin placed her on engawa after Yahiko grumbled, getting her some sitting cushions to lie on. Since then, he had not let her move an inch, and padded over to the garden, plucking a few tiny plants here and there. The treatment he was bestowing was very amicable, but she was just not use to the attentive conduct, not even her father had been so kind --especially if it was an injury related to training.

Her eyes followed the man when he disappeared inside, only to come out twenty minutes later with a bowl of unidentifiable contents and other items in tow. Silently, he placed the items in front of her and kneeled behind them, raising his face to give her a pleasant smile. "This might help the pain, Kaoru-dono."

The smell of the goo in the bowl was not very charming, and Kaoru wrinkled her nose in distaste. "What is it?"

"A salve that sessha used a long time ago." Kenshin stirred the ointment one more time, dipping a finger in to test the consistency, and nodded when assured it was correct. "Will you let me?"

Kaoru blinked, not really sure by what he meant, but then she saw him gesturing to her ankle, and nodded permission. Kenshin placed the affected foot on his knee and removed her tabi, sitting it on the side. For a few moments he inspected her swollen ankle, and concluded it was nothing serious but her slight cringes alerted him that she was in a little pain.

The cream Kenshin applied was cool and thick; almost immediately leaving a tingling feeling that gradually heated the skin. Kaoru was not in much discomfort, but the administrations were definitely relieving, dissolving any signs of irritation. "Kenshin, it's working rather well."

Setting the bowl aside, he smiled, and nodded once. "Good."

Kaoru offered a warm smile to match, leaning back on her palms. "Where did you learn to make such a thing?"

Kenshin slowly blinked once, then twice, forgetting Kaoru's ankle placed on his knee. Insinuating chords drawing to the forefront of his mind, slight glows of a very past story, everything hitting him very consciously and his hands stilled in reaction. Submerged memories became too alive at that simple question, flashes he usually tip toed around carefully to keep away the sting of the world.

They were glimpses of a remote, minuscule village, his former position there, and his former life with someone exceedingly dear. Thoughts a pained person does not wish to dwell upon to often, if not at all.

"Kenshin…" He blinked a few times out of his lapse, and returned to the worried Kaoru-dono. "Are you okay?"

Kaoru frowned at his half-hearted response, a slow nod of the head, and then taking up his task of her forgotten ankle. Sedulously, he massaged away the last of any pain, wishing away the troubles for her in a constant motion. She watched as he quietly continued --before for a few moments he had blurred away, and almost seemingly froze. Looking as if he had forgotten where he was, looking as if he was… sad.

"Sessha was a medicine man of sorts… an apothecary…"

Kaoru eyes flicked to his, jarring her out of her own lost thoughts, but he was continuing with the caressing, and avoiding her questioning stare completely. His hushed mumble was obviously an answer to her question of earlier, but it left her wanting to seek more answers, more details.

Kaoru took another long look at the rurouni and shook her head in defeat, even if she asked he would find a way to dance around the truth like usual. The occasional direct inquiry was always left tactfully unanswered, and the subject quickly changed when it came to him, especially about the past.

'Demo… Kenshin An apothecary?'

Biting her lip, she diverted her gaze to an uninteresting tree on the other side of the grounds. One would think they knew everything about the man when he was identified as Hitokiri Battousai, like that would solve the puzzle pieces of his life. But that was wrong, he had just admitted something that was completely opposite of his other undertakings before she had met him. A medicine man of all things, it was somehow ironic.

There was so much she did not know about him, he was truly an enigma once one took time to think about it, and now was the time she was realizing the mystery, only to desire the truths behind it.

'What other surprises do you have for me, Kenshin?'

*

Once again, Kaoru found herself as a prisoner on the engawa, lazing around on cushions that had been brought out for her. The previous night had been utterly quiet; Kenshin had finished with his attentions to her leg, and excused himself for dinner preparations. Silent as he was, Kenshin would not let her move around the dojo too much, and she found herself being carried a few times before bed. Very sweet, tender and all, but annoying when the man never said a word, and looked in a rather doleful mood.

She sighed, and rolled to the side, the man was so stubborn sometimes she wondered how she had even gotten him to agree on living with her in the first place. She knew it was not proper to be so curious about his private affairs, but Kenshin was somebody she viewed very differently, apart from everyone else. She recognized it herself, and sometimes pondered on the secret thought, wondering what it could lead too.

Muffled snickering drew Kaoru of her haze of musing, and she turned her head to the sound that distinctly reminded her of Yahiko. Sure enough, he was across the yard, hovering over the rurouni --both looking a little suspicious for her better judgment. 'What are they doing?'

The elder reached into his gi's pockets, and revealed a few interesting items in his hand. Kneeling to the ground, he quickly produced a spark, and threw one of the colourful trinkets into the air. Kaoru abruptly sat up, dumfounded, when the item popped and blew into tiny pieces.

"Kenshin?" Grinning, the said man turned to her, and nodded, starting to get off the ground. 'Why are they playing with fire crackers?'

Standing, Kenshin reached into his gi again, and handed Yahiko the rest of the fire hazards. After relaying a few quick instructions, and a wink, he walked over to the waiting Kaoru. "Hai, Kaoru-dono?"

"What in the world are you doing?"

"It's not really the season for fire works right now." Kenshin shrugged, taking a seat next to the curious girl. "But he looked very bored yesterday, so sessha bought some for him on the way to pick you up."

"But why fire crackers?"

The bearer of exploding balls of fire shrugged again. "All boys like fire works, do they not?"

"All boys like anything do with fire." Kaoru nodded, smiling as Yahiko lit another cracker, and tried throwing it up into the sky as high as he could --not as high as Kenshin did, but amusing enough. Anxiously, she clasped her hands together, trying to move closer to the fun. "I want to try one."

"Wait." Kenshin lightly clasped her arm, before she could get away, and Kaoru smiled sheepishly, knowing better than trying to escape the wrath of Kenshin. "Let me have a look at your ankle first, Kaoru-dono."

"Fine." The dojo girl sighed, and plopped back on the engawa.

Tilted his head this way and that, Kenshin inspected the ankle for a few moments, after thoroughly assured the dainty leg was good enough to walk upon, he lifted his head, giving her an affirmed smile. "It's better --just take it easy."

Kaoru went for the 'feign shock' approach. "You mean you're actually going to let me move off this cursed porch?"

"It was not that bad, was it?" Kaoru shot him a halfhearted glare, and he chuckled softly. "Hai, Kaoru-dono, but be careful."

With that approval, Kaoru leapt --cautiously-- off the mock prison to join Yahiko, and his new exploding toys, the read head soon to follow. In a way it astonished Kaoru, seeing the man allowing himself partake in a childish activity, and seemingly full heartily enjoying the banter.

The night before Kenshin had been very serious, and a bit gloomy after patching her up, not to mention keeping an eye on her every tick of the clock, making sure she did not damage her injury any further. It was a bit galling, but she allowed her houseguest to worry over her, and she knew better than to try and cross his stubborn ways. But know he seemed in better spirits, and she was elated about the small change.

She had grown to care for the man over a small months time, in a way she had not cared for someone in a long time, and last night showed her maybe he did too, in his own silent, little way.

One could never hope so much.

*

Yahiko was immensely enjoyed by Kenshin's purchase of firecrackers, he found out that had been the cause of the man's secretiveness the day before, and that is what the sneaky man bought at the market while he was made to wait. He was also delighted the rurouni turned out to be not so stern, and knew how to join in on the antics when deemed appropriate.

It was now approaching the mid-afternoon --Kaoru mewled over a kendo book, Yahiko snacked on onigiri, and Kenshin diligently sipped his tea-- everything very quiet and serene. As they sat in the sitting room, recovering from the day's earlier fun, the boys slipped the occasional grin and knowing chuckle at one another. Kaoru gently smiled while she read her book, aware of the twos gestures --she too, had relished in the game.

To the slight mockery of the perfect day, Kenshin pursed his lips together at the ominous feeling stabbing at the senses of training. With an inward sigh, he placed the teacup back on the chabudai, and lifted himself off the ground. "We have a guest."

"Huh?" Yahiko and Kaoru lifted their heads at the unexpected announcement, but the man was already walking past the shoji door, on to the engawa. "W-wait, Kenshin! What's wrong?"

"Sessha felt his ki radiating… it was radiating so brightly that it could not be hidden." Following the redhead, Kaoru blinked, not understanding his explanation, almost as if it was babble. Then he slid open the door to the dojo's entrance and continued. "An almost foolishly strong fighting spirit."

Kaoru stopped, and blinked again, Yahiko bumping into her from behind --now everything about Kenshin's odd behavior made sense. In the craning sun the man from the Akabeko stood at her entrance, armed with a suspicious bundle, complete with a smirk and a tone of confidence. "I came here to fight you."

The girl swallowed the lump in her throat as stark realization set in. "It's him!"

"Sessha thought it would be you." Kenshin stood ground, calmly as ever, even with a trivial smile worn on his features. "But sessha believes that this fight has been declined."

"I don't have a choice. I was hired this time around, so I can't back out. Besides…" The aku clad man stepped forward, not worrying the rurouni in the slightest. "It should be fun to fight against Himura Battousai."

Kenshin tensed with battle anticipation, the others froze at the man's words.

With the knowledge of the Himura Kenshin's biggest secret, Sagara Sanosuke stepped into their lives with a precursor of an unstoppable fight.

*

To be continued…

*

Next Chapter- Sagara Sanosuke pounds his way into the Kamiya dojo.

Author's Notes- Hmm… the only difference between the manga and the anime I can think about for this chapter is a little bit of a time change, well actually, it was big time change. Between the time they first saw Sano and when he came to the dojo for a fight was two weeks, yep, that's right, two weeks --not a day. In that time, Sano was researching Kenshin and he even went all the way to Kyoto to dig up some facts on Battousai. He gives some big speech about how he knows about his career and blah, blah, but he does not know why Ken is a now a rurouni. This is also when Yahiko finally learns Kenshin is Hitokiri Battousai.

This fight is ten times better in the manga, folks. I recommend you snatch up the first two volumes to read it, or even look at the pictures. The anime butchered this fight, along with Aoshi's too --Heck, the first season's fights were awful. I might be harsh, but this what I believe, sorry. Although, the fight between Battousai and Saitou is completely awesome! I love those episodes --yes, I own every single animated version of RuoKen except for the very last episode. Oh well. *Sniffs at the memory of the Greek tragedy OAV* I'm so glad that's how RuoKen did not end in the manga...

Thank you all for reading this far, and bearing with your disgruntle author. Please review, good or bad…

*

Glossary-

Hai- 'Yes', also said when agreeing with something.

Kaoru-dono- 'Miss Kaoru', more polite and outdated version of 'Kaoru-san/sama', only Kenshin uses this.

Sessha- Kenshin's archaic way of saying 'I', instead of using 'Watashi', 'Ore' and so on.

Aa- It's kind of like 'yes', men usually say it when they are agreeing with something. Kenshin says it a lot.

Ohagi- Fine read bean paste covered with glutinous rice, shaped to be round when done. It is an old Japanese confectionery of sort --it's sweet.

Chabudai- Japanese low table; think of the one the Saotomes and Tendos are always eating at/hitting each other with/breaking in two…

Apothecary- One that prepares and sells drugs and other medicines; a pharmacist. This is what Himura did as a cover for when he was hiding in Otsu with Tomoe.

Engawa- Porch like structure surrounding the Kamiya residence --again, think of the Tendo dojo.

Uchiagehanabi- Sky rocket (firework).

*

Review Peoples --Thank you all!

MysticPrincessMoonlight- Sorry about the lack of fluff, and making you wait. But, I'd say around the Kyoto arc is when there will be a whole bunch of fluffiness to pass around. ^^

bonessasan- Aren't we all hopeless romantics? *School girl giggle*

vindemon64- As always, thank you for your review. *Sigh* this one did not have enough "action", but I think it was better than the last. This chapter was bit more of a… introspective one, maybe? *Shrug*

Lady Kei- Thank you for reviewing, I like to know somebody is at least reading it *grin* Anyway, I'm glad you think I'm keeping them in character, I try very hard at that aspect, at least. Ah, and you also got what I was doing too, the whole 'tempting' you with bits of tiny fluff thing. Ken and Kao have only known each other for a month so far in the story, so it's not like they can be all huggin' all over each other yet. So I throw in bits of fun, but not too much.

KatsyKat- *Giddiness* I'm tickled you actually liked the last chapter, yah! I hated it… *Cough* Ahem, anyway, you picked up on what I was trying to create in the last chapters plot, so that's very cool. *Gives you cyber candy* Thanx for the reviews!

Andreyla Dragon- Ah, 'Kiff' --I remember that word from England when I lived there, the Brits did not use it, but another transfer student did. I thought it was nifty. Glad you enjoy my little project and hope you can get your hands on some Kenshin stuff, believe it or not, it's really hard to get it here too. It sucks.

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Thanx!