Thanks for the review, watashi no baka! I really appreciate it. *cries* I hope more ppl will review in this chapter.

Anyways, no more homework for now, so you guys get another chapter.

Ch. 2- Feigned sweetness

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"Ta da! Mochi," Hotaru grinned as she placed a plate, laden with pink sweet cakes in the shape of oval balls, on the table.

Yahiko's mouth looked like a waterfall as he inhaled the sweet aroma. "MMMMMMMMMmmmmm." he sighed, his eyes dancing in bliss.

"Don't drool all over 'em, kid," Sano advised, scoffing. He sat at the table with everyone else, and his arms were crossed as usual. "We like DRY mochi."

The remainder three laughed as the boy shot a menacing glare at Sano, about to strangle the young man to death. However, Sano did not die a dishonorable death, as a conversation was struck up as the group ate the sweet cakes with delight. Just normal, daily conversation with some treats to be shared. It wasn't a long conversation, however, as the mochi soon disappeared from the plate, leaving a few sticky crumbs as its traces.

"Those were so good!" Yahiko beamed, although regretting they were all finished. "Too bad there's no more left." he voiced his thoughts aloud to everyone.

"Well, you did eat most of them with the way you gulp your food down without swallowing," Kenshin laughed good-naturedly.

Yahiko grumbled; everyone seemed to be picking on him. "You have to make them again sometime, Miss Kagero," he said, trying to be over-nice. He was convinced she would make more if he begged enough.

Hotaru seemed spaced for a moment, as if in thought, before blushing in realization and pulling out her fan. "If you like them so much, I'll make them whenever you like. I'm glad that you like my mochi. considering it's about the only thing I can cook," she smiled lightly behind her fan.

"If you make those mochi everyday, you're welcome to stay here forever!" Kaoru exclaimed, her violet eyes shining like stars as she grabbed the geisha's free hand pleadingly. Kaoru must love sugar, since she was acting a little strange.

"I'd like that. Thank you," Hotaru said humbly, replacing her fan back into her obi, smiling meekly.

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Hollow sleep engulfed Sanosuke, clouding his mind. He couldn't sleep, tossing and turning in his futon. Deciding fresh air might help, he left Kenshin and Yahiko to sleep away in their joint room. It didn't help that Yahiko kicked people in his sleep.

The panel slid gently closed as Sano put his slippers on. This being done, he sighed very deeply to imbibe the cool night air. He was careful to avoid making excessive sound, gliding alongside the dojo like a shadow. It was quite unwise to awake Kaoru. She would definitely have his head if her beauty sleep was disturbed. Yahiko quite agreed as well, once commenting that she needed all the beauty sleep she could get. XD

He stopped at the corner, where he was going to turn around to leave through the main gate. Hotaru was sitting there on the step, her back to him, ruminating and gazing at the yellow crescent moon in the night sky. She didn't notice Sano until he sat down on the other side of the step.

The young geisha nearly jumped up, startled at his unexpected appearance. "Oh, its just you, Sano," she whispered in a relieved tone. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"

Sano didn't seem to be listening. He was occupied with the twinkling of the stars. After a few tacit moments, he spoke (or rather whispered) back, "You shouldn't be up so late."

Hotaru turned her head to look at him, then down at the floor shyly. "I-I couldn't sleep," she replied, fumbling with her long hair. ".I'm assuming you can't either?"

Sano smirked as he closed his eyes. "I can never get sleep with Yahiko's snoring," he remarked dryly.

Hotaru smiled inwardly. "Do you. want some water or something? I think I remember where the kitchen is and."

"Don't bother. I was on my way out for a walk anyway," Sano answered, standing up and descending the last two steps.

".with a stop at the local sake joint?" Hotaru inquired after his retreating back. He stopped short in his tracks, taken aback.

Right on the mark.

Sano cast a side glance at her out of the corner of his eye before walking on, waving a hand in bidding farewell. He thrust his hands quietly in his pockets as he slipped out of the gate.

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"Leaving? Already?" Kaoru asked in disbelief, clutching the broom's handle tightly. It was late morning on a beautiful day, complete with a cloudless sky and chirping birds. They stood out in the front of the dojo, interrupted from their chores.

"Yes. I'm very sorry if I had caused you any trouble," Hotaru replied sullenly, unable to make eye contact with either Kaoru or Kenshin.

Yahiko paused from his daily chores as Sano paused from neglecting his.

"Don't be. You never caused any trouble at all," Kenshin stated, once again smiling.

'He's always smiling. Doesn't he have any other emotions?' Hotaru thought to herself in anxiety.

"But why so soon?" Yahiko interrupted, throwing down his floor-cleaning rug. "We'll never have those delicious mochi again!" he exclaimed as if doom was befalling the world.

Hotaru laughed as she shook her head. "Don't worry: I made some for you earlier this morning."

"Well then, goodbye!" Yahiko rushed off, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. Kaoru muttered something that distinctly sounded like "Greedy kid!"

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The servant walked nervously into the darkened room, bowing. "S-sir, Master Gohei is here to see you." he said to the shady man in an extravagant chair. His face could not be seen in the gloom of the dark room. He liked it dark. And he wore a very expensive English suit.

"Send him in," the man said, flicking his burnt cigar into an ashtray positioned on the glass coffee table at his side.

A few smoke rings were lazily blown, as if he was an expert at it. The servant, meanwhile, had backed out of the room and was soon replaced by a more confident man a moment later.

"Good evening, Smithers," Gohei said, closing the panel with a damaged left hand as he clutched a briefcase in the other. His eyes gleamed under the wide-brimmed hat he wore. "Has the operation been carried out yet?"

"Patience is a virtue, my friend," the shaded man smiled, offering a cigar to Gohei. "All is going as planned. His head will be on your doorstep in no less than two days."

"Good, good." Gohei grinned evilly as he sat and placed the briefcase on the coffee table. "I've brought half the payment with me," he began. "In yen, of course. British pounds are of no use here."

The Englishman lit himself another cigar. "Very well. Pay the rest whenever you like. And rest assured."

Gohei looked up at the glint in the other man's teeth, gleaming among the contrasting darkness in the room.

".my assassin never fails."

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Dun dun dunn!!

Sorry to leave ya'll on a cliffhanger.. if it IS a cliffhanger.. anyways, I didn't wanna make this chappy too long, so there ya are. And yes, what's REALLY going on will be revealed in the next chapter.

Please review! More reviews= more confidence in myself= more updates due to popular demand! Thanks and take a cookie on your way out!!! *offers plate of cookies. and mochi..* O_o