Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively. FF is non-profit, meant for entertainment only.

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Chapter Ten

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

"Where have you been?"

The icy tone of his voice made her head snap back up. Her mouth moved soundlessly. The anger she'd felt outside was momentarily forgotten in the face of the current situation. Her startled eyes were wary of his ominous form. His amber eyes pinned her to her spot.

Silence filled the room.

He stalked closer to her. His hands fisted together in repressed anger. He'd come home to find her gone. He thought someone might have taken her. After all the stories and the way the times were. How could she be so stupid? "Where have you been?" He asked again. His eyes had narrowed to angry slits. He was livid.

"I was with Misao." She said a little shaky.

"Do you . . ." He stopped himself. "Anything could have happened to you." His tone had dropped several degrees.

"I asked you to come with me." She could tell it wasn't the right thing to say almost immediately. He advanced on her so quickly. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and brought his face down to hers. He silenced the rest of her words with a kiss. It was deep and hungry. One of his hands entwined into her hair roughly, bringing her closer to him. He pulled on her hair, tilting her head back. Her mouth opened in pain but the sound was muffled, swallowed by him and his wounding kisses. Suddenly he broke away leaving her woozy and wanting.

She stared at him with half lidded eyes. Her breathing was erratic and so was his. "Kenshin."

"You are NOT allowed to leave the inn without me" He stated having regained his control. Though his eyes still burned with the feeling to dispense punishment.

The words finally clicked in her mind. "Just a minute," she said standing up. With her hands on her hips and narrowed eyes she called out to him. "Kenshin."

"No." He hissed.

"Wait a minute you . . . " She bit off her tongue to keep herself from calling him a son-of a $%#@ "No one's attacked Kyoto. If I wait for you to take me over to the Aoiya I'll never get to go." She kept taking deep breaths she was hoping to appeal to his reasonable side.

"No."

"Kenshin-BAKA!" Her voice finally reached the familiar tone she used at the dojo. "I will do as I please. Do you hear me!!"

He realized this is what it must feel like to have a headache. He felt like shaking some sense into the little idiot. Turning his back to her, he knew exactly what to say to her. "Perhaps you should return to Tokyo then."

Her mouth opened in shock. Was he threatening to send her home? "That's not what I said you imbecile. I'm not leaving you alone." She stomped her foot to get the feeling across.

"These are house rules. You leave protected or you don't leave at all. Those who don't like the rules have been asked to leave. It's up to you koishii." Crossing the room in long strides as soon as he finished speaking. He left.

She fumed silently. 'Bastard,' she thought as she slumped back to the floor. Still she hadn't realized things were getting out of hand. She'd already had a talk with Yamagata about Kenshin's condition but maybe it was time she spoke to him again.

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

To say he'd been angry would diminish the whole of what he'd actually felt. She'd made him frantic maybe more than that. He'd been . . . . It had felt like . . . . Like he was deranged. Completely consumed by the feeling of loss and he'd felt the righteous anger numb his heart. The cold that'd taken hold of him, it'd steeled his nerves. Much like it had in Izu. He was so protective of her maybe even overprotective. But how could he not be. He . . . . . "I love her." He said in an inaudible whisper. Of course it came of no great surprise. He'd had a feeling since that first day he'd laid eyes on her. He still hadn't said the words to her, not in the same way she had even though she was infinitely precious to him. It was so odd for him to think like that but it was the truth. He spent the rest of his day out in the yard. The rain was still coming down though not heavy enough to hurt. He was free of patrol duty for tonight. But tomorrow and for the next three days it would be him going out at night.

Being out in the rain for so long did little to settle his anger but enough to settle his nerves.

Everyone in the dining room watched him a little apprehensively as he made his way up the stairs heading for his room. He'd almost killed the guard at the door for leaving his post. Because of the day's incident Yamagata had agreed with Himura on the lack of guards around the premises. So now there would be two men on active duty at all times. The shifts would rotate within all twenty-eight of them.

Kenshin made his way to the familiar hall. He slid the door open and came in quietly. He felt anger bubble back to the surface when he saw she was gone again. He had to give her sometime though. He'd give her a bit. Since she could be taking a bath or getting something to eat. Any number of things. Fighting against the need to drag her back to the room he changed his clothes and sat down. He hadn't realized having a wife could make him so crazy. His eyes closed for a moment. The wind blew hard against the side of the house coming in through the window. He felt it on his face. He realized he was tired.

Kaoru walked back to her room more compliantly. Things were different, well now that she'd had a talk with Yamagata. She hadn't really understood the scope of things. But she'd listen, now. Though she hated to feel trapped. If it put Kenshin at ease. She would do it. She slid the door to her room quietly. The first thing she noticed was his hair was wet. Her eyes narrowed. The second thing was he was sitting right in front of the window. Think happy thoughts, she told herself. Think happy thoughts. Otherwise he'd be able to sense her anger and wake up. When she was close enough to him she smacked him right across the back of his head. Startled purple eyes blinked at her in confusion. "Kenshin-baka." She scolded. "You're going to get sick."

Pulling him on his high ponytail, she tried to get him to move. He rose and allowed himself to be guided. She sat him on the floor closer to where she lay the futon. She laid him into the warm bed despite his protest. She pushed on his shoulders till he settled down. He watched her walk to the candles in their room and blow them out, one at a time. Once the room was completely dark she began to change. That always amused him. She was shy, even though he'd seen it, touched it, and savored it all before. She padded over to the bed as graceful as she could in the dark. He felt her getting into bed. He'd bet anything she was blushing. He felt her snuggle into his warmth, his hands going around her ways in the usual manner. He froze at the feeling of bare skin where there should have been clothes. A feral smile curved his lips. Turning his body further into the embrace. He felt her breath on his chin. Her mouth was so close to his. 'She couldn't have been all that mad then,' he thought as he felt her hands searching his face. He laid a kiss on the palm of her hand as she looked for his mouth.

"Kenshin." She whispered in the dark. That's about all the incentive he needed. He knew she was sorry and she aught to have known he was to. He kissed her until he felt the last threat of fear leave him. She was here and she was safe. Nothing else really mattered. As long as everything stayed this way. Nothing else mattered.

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

Minami and two of his personal guards walked down the road. The morning air was freezing. He straightened his hat as he walked in the rain. The rest of his men rested outside in the outskirts of town hidden behind thick trees, deep within the forest.

The rain had started coming down harder. He sped up his pace and his guards matched it. Soon they would reach Kawaramachi Sanjo. They walked until they came upon a big house. He and his men stood outside for a moment. This house had once served as a meeting place for the Ishin Shishi.

"Minami-san."

His guard didn't have to tell him he knew. He sensed him too. They moved to hide within the shadow of the house. They crouched behind a small wall. They waited for the Ishin guard to move but he'd paused right in front of the house. Normally they would just kill him but he needed to get the rest of his men into Kyoto. If they killed the guard on patrol, it would alert Yamagata of their arrival. Which would be way to soon and so they waited. They felt him draw closer and they moved to another spot.

The guard stood there sure he could sense someone near by. He walked to the side of the house and looked along the wall. There was no one there. He frowned. He should have paid attention when his teacher had been teaching them the art of reading people's ki. He turned when he heard the sound of running footsteps coming closer. He ran in the direction of the footsteps. It'd been a while since he'd seen some action.

Minami and his men waited till the presence of the other man was completely gone before they rushed into the house. He hoped the rest of his men were as careful. They would arrive in pairs of three every half-day. So he expected three around mid-day and three more at midnight. It would be about five days before he had all his men with him. Shaking the rain of his coat he stepped into the house.

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

Kenshin sat in the dinning hall with the rest of the swords men. His mood was much brighter than it had been the previous day though you couldn't tell by just looking at him. He ate his breakfast quietly. The sound of the rain still persisted though today it was accompanied by the sound of thunder and flashes of lightening. He was aware of the other men starring at him though he didn't understand why they kept doing so. Finally he looked up and settled them with an icy glare. Suddenly something dawned on him. She'd bitten his neck last night. His first instinct was to touch the mark but he restrained himself from doing it. After glaring at the men one more time, he returned to his meal without any further acknowledgment.

He walked back to his room knowing she'd still be asleep. For some odd reason he enjoyed watching her sleep. He entered the room to see she'd rolled over to his side of the futon. He closed the door quietly and walked over to the window where he took a seat. The katana lay over his shoulder as he stared out. He wasn't sure what would happen. The turn out of this war the Minami-gumi had waged against them, against the people. The outcome . . . it was yet to be decided.

Glancing over at his wife he realized that when the time came he could get away from this and not miss it. He could lead a life without killing. He could be her rurouni. He hadn't known that when he'd first woken up. But now things were different now.

The country had enjoyed a peaceful era for over a decade. If only the Mimawari-gumi hadn't taken out their hate of the Meiji Ishin out on the innocent. He shook his head in disappointed maybe even bitterly. Still though he'd protect those who could not protect themselves and when it was all done he'd go back to the life created by his rurouni counter part. He'd live out the rest of his life with Himura Kaoru. He watched her little hands grasping the sheets. She was searching, reaching out to him. Without a second thought he went over to her. He removed his daisho and moved the covers aside so he could lay back. He brought her close to him and smelled her hair. It smelled like rain, it was the first time since he'd know her that it smelled differently. He ran his hand over the smoothness of her back. It was still hard to believe he was thirty-one. That's twice the age of what his mind insisted he was though he knew the truth. Her mumbling interrupted his thoughts.

'Kenshin the tofu,' she mumbled snuggling closer to him. Her hand found its way into his gi. She stopped when it finally rested over the plains of his bare chest. 'Never mind, stay her instead.' A little smile spread over her lips and her breathing evened as she fell into deep sleep.

He only held her closer to him. She had away about her, he just couldn't explain. He wasn't really sleepy and he wasn't the kind of person to take a nap during the day but to stay here while she dreamt of him. He couldn't think of a better reason not to try. Wrapping himself around her he let his mind drift. It would be so nice if he could join her in sleep then he'd never have to leave her.

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

The rain had thinned out as night took over and visibility was very poor. In this kind of weather he wouldn't be able to see his opponent until he was awfully close. Adjusting his hat he continued south tonight he'd walk in a circle. It was a good thing Kaoru had enough foresight to buy this thick Michiyuki back in Izu. His hand were hidden somewhere deep in the sleeve. His pace slowed as he reached the place she'd mentioned. The Aoiya.

There was someone standing out front. He squinted to get a better look at the individual. It looked like an old man. But his fighting 'ki' was strong. The battoussai would usually reach for the hilt of his sword just about now and though his hands itched to do it. He did not. He continued walking down the road just as he'd been. The man stepped away from the gate and stepped in front of him.

"Himura."

The battoussai stared at him for a moment trying to find a name for the face. Kaoru had told him about Kyoto when they were still in Izu. His man, he was . . . "Okina."

The man's eyes widened for a moment. "Do you remember me?" He asked hopefully.

The battoussai shook his head and tired to side step the old man but he moved.

"There are things that I'd like to discuss with you." Okina said having become serious.

"I am on patrol." Kenshin retorted

"Oh." Okina thought for a moment before he nodded. He moved aside and began walking with him. "Well." Okina wasn't quite sure how to start. "Kaoru's been here already."

Kenshin didn't acknowledge anything. He already knew this.

"She told us what happened." Okina paused again. Himura had spared him a side-glance. "We've been in contact with other clan's. They've sent us a report of what they've found out. I'm not sure if you know this or not but I figured the best person to share this is with you."

"Does your Okashira know you're out here sharing information?"

Okina looked at Kenshin for a long moment. "There are some things that Aoshi will always be left out of." He looked straight ahead for a moment. It was a bit more difficult to talk to the battoussai than to the rurouni still this was important. "The Mimawari-gumi stands at about two hundred men. Same as before, it's five captains are from the same families. Osaka suffers death on both sides and the Shinsegumi are active, there."

All this he knew. Did the old man expect something of him in return?

"Himura we're both on the same side I though we could help each other out." Okina said a bit exasperated.

Kenshin thought for a moment. It really wasn't his place to share information. But the man had once offered shelter to his wife. His clan had protected her while he was off fighting. Only because of that. "They're rumored in Shiga." It was all he offered.

Okina stopped walking. 'Shiga.'

Kenshin felt the old man stop but he continued on. He still had to get all the way to Kawamarachi Sanjo and then back. He'd have to walk all night. If he was lucky he'd make it home just before dawn.

Okina watched him walk away for sometime. Until he could no longer see him. He turned back and headed for the Aoiya. 'Interesting,' he thought. She could fill him in on many things but would she be able to fill him in on his technique. The succession technique to be more precise. He really doubted it. Sooner or later Himura would have to see his Shishou. Otherwise Saitou Hajime would have his day.

Okina made his way through the back of the house, leaving his coat near the entrance of the kitchen right by the fire so it could dry. He made his way down the hall and stood in front of the last door on his right.

Okina was about to open the door when Misao stepped out.

"Hi Jiya." She said as she stepped out of the room. Her face was flushed.

"Misao-chan isn't it time for bed." He said to her with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yes, I was just going. Goodnight Jiya." She said at the door and turning back momentarily. "Goodnight Aoshi-sama." She said acknowledging him.

"Goodnight Misao." He called to her from his office.

She smiled brightly and walked away.

Okina entered the room suspiciously. He noticed Aoshi had everything in order so he couldn't have . . . . His eyes turned away from the room instead to look at his okashira but there was nothing different about him either. The only thing he saw . . . . Of course. She'd brought him tea. Feeling suddenly better he got right down to business.

"The Ishin Shishi have the same information we do. They have reason to believe the Mimawari-gumi is somewhere in Shiga." Okina sat down suddenly feeling tired.

"Is he different?"

"Yes, very much so." Okina responded as he stared at the treats Misao had brought for Aoshi along with the tea. "He seems more . . . detached."

"Do you confirm rumors in Izu?"

"I wouldn't say he did it all. And from what Kaoru said there had been reinforcements when they'd been attacked. He didn't actually start killing until she was injured."

"I see." Aoshi said as he pushed the tray in front of him so he could take some but Okina refused.

"I have to go to bed. I will see you tomorrow." Okina said leaving the room.

Aoshi's eyes drifted back to the treats she'd made him. She always thought about. . . . No, she always worried about him. He shook his head and began going over some paper work. Tomorrow he'd send word to one of a few clan members who lived in Shiga. He kept to his work only stopping from time to time to eat a bit of his snack and drinking his tea.

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

A lone figure emerged from shadows sometime before daybreak. He walked down the dirt road alone, stopping at the gate. He knocked on the door and waited for the door to open. The little window opened and closed almost immediately allowing him entrance. He continued his walk, making his way into the house silently.

Kenshin entered his room glad to be home. The last couple of hours are what seemed to have dragged on. He looked around his room until he found what he sought; a little bundle in the middle of the room with what looked like three blankets covering her. He changed his clothes and got into bed. He gathered her into his arms and allowed himself the comfort she provided.

Kaoru woke up bright and early the next morning. If she was going to be trapped in this place she might as well get something out of it. She dressed quickly. Tying her hair up in the usual way as she ran down the hall. She came to a halt when she got to the kitchen's entrance. She walked in a little nervously. "Umm." She began.

The landlady stopped what she was doing to look at the newcomer. "Child I swear you'll frighten me to death." She said with a kind smile on her face.

Kaoru smiled a little openly. "Umm, I was wondering. Well . . . I was wondering if I could help you out? In the kitchen."

The landlady stared at her for a moment.

Kaoru felt her face flush. "I'm not very good in the kitchen you see and I was hoping that maybe if I spent time with someone who can that maybe I'd learn to be a better cook."

The landlady smiled reassuringly. "Of course you can. Here you can help me with the soup."

Kaoru ran over glad that the lady was so nice. She'd finally get to learn to cook. Ha, won't Yahiko be surprised. Rubbing her hands together she set off to work.

She was exhausted by the time she got back to her room. She was glad she was only helping with breakfast and dinner that way she still got to see Kenshin before he set off for work, though she did miss waking up with him. This morning she'd had to leave him. But just thought of Sano's eyes going wide when he first took a taste of her food was enough to keep her going. Both Yahiko and Sano would be begging for more. She grinned evilly for a moment before her smile softened. Her main reason for doing it though was so Kenshin could be happy. She wouldn't disappoint him by demonstrating her lack of skill in the kitchen. She didn't want him to ever regret marrying a tanuki like her. She would not disillusion him further.

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

"Ono" Kawamori said gesturing to a seat in front of his desk.

Ono sat down looking a bit uncomfortably.

"Are you up for a trip?" Kawamori asked with a small smile though very seriously.

Ono nodded.

"You've sat in on the meeting last night. You know what we're planning." Kawamori paused long enough to receive a nod from Ono. "All I need for you to do is deliver a letter to Minami. The letter will be written in code. If it should it be intercepted. None aside from a Mimawari captain would be able to decipher it. Just make sure he gets it." Kawamori said handing Ono a long envelope.

Ono took it and nodded. "I'll make sure he gets it." He placed the letter in his gi and made his way out.

Ono left the room quickly. If he hurried he could make it to Kyoto sometime before mid-day. He grabbed his coat and headed to the back of the house. He left through the back and walked six houses down. Stepping in quietly he removed one of the horses. Every other house down this street belonged to a Mimawari member. Removing the horse he mounted and set off to find Minami.

Kawamori waited some time before stepping into the large hall. He looked around the large empty hall. Just last night it had been filled with two hundred men, all fighting for the same cause. In five days the Meiji Ishin would suffer loss and grief. With all those guards in Kyoto it would be hard to attack directly. But what would happen if there were no guards? A vindictive smile came to his lips. The fates were with him. He would not lose. He refused to loose more than he already had. If only Kisho hadn't died. He shook his head not wanting to think about it. But he couldn't help it. If Kisho hadn't died then his sister would never have killed herself. This hate he had for the Meiji Ishin, it ran deeper than he led on. They killed Nozomi. They killed his sister. He fisted his hands in anger. He was going to attack on her birthday. He still wasn't sure if that was the right thing or not.

He sensed Masashiko enter the room, he perhaps was the only other person in this group who hated the Ishin Shishi as much as he did. They killed his father after all.

"Kawamori-san, Whenever you're ready. Kazuki and I are ready to leave." Masashiko said.

With out turning his back Kawamori spoke evenly. "Remember what I said last night. Different directions. And wait till I get there." Kawamori turned around to emphasize his point. "I will see you in five days."

"Understood." Masashiko said nodding his head once.

"May the fates watch over you." Kawamori said before Masashiko turned around.

He stood there a moment. It's what his mother had always said to him. Something she'd picked up from his late father. "May they watch over you as well Kawamori-san." He said before leaving the room.

The air grew colder Kawamori noticed. Soon it would start to snow. 'Nozomi,' he thought. His sister had died in the snow, right over Kisho's grave. Anyone else would hate the snow. But she'd loved it and because of that he still loved it. Turning around he left the empty hall.

There you guys go. You shouldn't be lost if you're reading the small notes. I write them out so that we're all on the same page.

Small Notes: The only thing that might make you wonder are the two people I mention at the end. Kisho who'd once been a member of the Mimawari-gumi had fought during the Bakumatsu. He'd lost his life in an ambush by one of the opposing parties. When Kawamori's sister Nozomi heard of Kisho's death she became distraught. She killed herself over his grave one snowy day shortly after

That was all for this chapter. Thanks for reading. Please remember to review.