Disclaimer:  Kaoru, Kenshin, Sano, Yahiko, and all the rest belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki.  I am merely borrowing them.

A Dance Woven Upon The Soul

Chapter Two:  Grand entrances galore

Kaoru plopped down into the chair she had in her yard and yawned.  She was exhausted.  It had been a little over a week since she'd learned her father had died.  The funeral had been two days earlier, but people had kept coming to offer their condolences.  Some even thought they could get free food if they came!

She smiled as she thought of Kyoko and her mother.  They had both stayed with her throughout the whole week.  Kyoko understood what Kaoru was going through.  She had lost her father and her brother.  Oddly enough, they had both had 'mysterious deaths', just like her father's had been dubbed.  She was grateful for their help and their company, but tonight she had asked to be alone -- to say goodbye. 

Kaoru slumped down further into the chair.  She had to leave her home, her school, and her friends.  It was all because she was now under the care of Hiko Seijuro.  She had never really wondered before who would take care of her if something happened to her father.  She'd never wanted to think anything COULD happen to him.  She had no other relatives that she knew of, but she hadn't thought her father would place her in the care of some stranger. 

But he hadn't been a stranger to her father.  That had been on her thoughts a lot lately.  That and the fact that her father had been hiding something.  She didn't know exactly what it was, but she knew it had something to do with his murder.  Her hands clenched into fists.  His murder…

The two policeman had come back to question her.  She hadn't really picked up on the fact that her father had been 'found in an alley' the first time they had confronted her.  All she had picked up on was that he was dead.  But the second time, she had wanted to know how, why, and who had done it.  From the body, they could tell that a sword had killed him.  But as to whom, the policeman had hoped she could help them. 

But she didn't know a thing.  How she wished she did!  If she knew who had murdered him, she would…

Kaoru shook herself mentally.  She couldn't think that way!  Her father had often quoted Gandhi saying, "An eye for an eye would make the whole world blind."  The Kamiya Kasshin style was taught to protect people.  Her father believed in that ideal.  Revenge was no way to solve her problems but still it was very hard not to want it.

She sighed.  Her last night here and she definitely didn't have a peaceful mind.  Maybe she could barricade the doors and refuse to leave.  Kaoru laughed a little.  That would be REALLY mature.  She supposed she would just have trust Hiko Seijuro.  Her father evidently did and when he had come to give his condolences and tell her the 'news', she hadn't gotten a bad impression of him.  He had seemed somewhat…full of himself.  But for someone who was as old as her father and still had a face that good looking, she could see why he acted like that.

Kaoru yawned again.  She supposed she should be getting to bed.  She shivered a little.  The weather just didn't want to make up its mind.  First it was warm then cold.  She picked up the red coat she'd brought out with her.  She put it on, even though it was a little too big for her.

It was, after all, Himura Kenshin's.  She reddened a bit, but smiled fondly.  He had saved her more than he knew.  After the incident in the hallway, he had stayed with her and had lunch.  Talking with him had calmed her nerves and her troubled heart.  When she'd casually asked him where he had gotten the coat because she wanted to get one like it, he had looked thoughtful for a moment.  Then he simply took it off and said she could have it.

She'd been sad to let him go.  Looking up at the sky, Kaoru wondered where her red haired rescuer was.  He was definitely something else.  Not many people would have put their life in danger to save some stranger.  But he had seemed…Kaoru couldn't think of a word for it.  When he smiled, it had seemed as though it was forced.  It wasn't a REAL smile.  And his eyes seemed so sad.  His purple eyes…

"Kaoru, you big dummy!"  She was acting like some lovesick girl again!

With a sigh she got up and headed into the house.  She felt that tomorrow would be a very LONG day.

*  *  *

"Call me all the time and come visit!"  Kaoru felt tears forming as she was engulfed in Kyoko's bone crushing hug.

"Of course I will!  I'm only moving a couple of hours away."  Kyoko only hugged tighter and when they parted, both girls had wet faces and were sniffling.  Kaoru turned to Kyoko's mother.  After another session of a bone-crushing hug, she smiled sadly at the two and got into the car that would take her to her new home.

It seemed unreal that she could be leaving the home that she had grown up in.  It was the only home she had ever known.  The car began to drive and her home was getting further and further away.  Kaoru turned around and tried to focus on anything but the home and the life that was being left behind.  She saw the driver glance at her through the mirror and smile kindly.

"It is going to be a long ride, so why don't you try and get some sleep." 

Kaoru thought that was a good idea and complied by leaning against the door.  The rocking of the car began to lull her to sleep and the next thing she knew, someone was calling her name.  Kaoru blinked and tried to focus on what was happening.  She looked to the front of the car.  "Excuse me, but how much longer until we get there?"

"We'll be there in a few minutes."  The driver said as he took a sharp turn to the right.

Kaoru felt her stomach turn uncomfortably.  She hadn't really had time to be nervous, but that particular feeling had just decided to make a grand entrance.  Hiko Seijuro was a very rich man.  He also had three heirs to his vast fortune and Kaoru supposed that she would make the fourth.  She bit the edge of her thumb as countless worrisome thoughts went through her head.  What if they disapproved of her?  Would they kick her out?  She looked down at her clothing.  She was wearing a pair of jeans, a simple white shirt, and Kenshin's red jacket.  Was she dressed too simply?

The car slowed down as they approached a gate.  Slowly the gate opened and Kaoru gulped.  Her mouth opened as she viewed the place that would now be her new home.  The place was huge!  The grounds were a fresh green, a sign that spring had arrived.  There were numerous trees and was that a lake!?  Kaoru's mouth only opened further at the size of the house.  Oh boy.  She was going to get lost.

The car came to a stop, but Kaoru remained seated.  She couldn't get out!  She wasn't…well bred or anything.  A huge mansion was NOT the place for her.  She just wanted to go back to her nice, small house.  She was contemplating on how long she could sit in the car, when the driver opened the door for her. 

She suppressed an urge to glare at him for ruining her plan of hiding forever.  He was smiling kindly at her and it wasn't really HIS fault that she was being cowardly.  As the thought that she was acting cowardly crossed her mind, her face grew determined and with a deep breath, she got out of the car.

She was led into the house and down a hallway to her left by what she guessed was the butler.  She was led through some oak doors and she gulped.  Everything was so intimidating.  She seemed to be in an office.  There was desk and surrounding it were big plush chairs.

"Hiko-sama will be here to see you shortly.  Please make yourself comfortable in the meantime."  Did the butler have to sound so…official?

Kaoru sat in one of the chairs and stared at the ceiling.  It had only been a few minutes when she heard the doors opening.  Glancing back she expected Hiko Seijuro to be standing in the doorway.  She DEFINITELY did not expect her self to be seeing red hair and a cross shaped scar.  "Kenshin?"

His eyes snapped up when she said his name and his face mirrored the puzzlement she felt.  "Kaoru-dono?  What are you-"

He was abruptly cut off as a fist connected with the top of his head.  Jumping up, she was prepared to yell at whoever had hit him, but stopped as Kenshin turned towards the man with amusement evident on his face. "It's nice to see you too, Sano."

"Where the hell did you disappear to for two weeks?"  Sano said, with a grin forming.

Kaoru blinked a few times as she took a look at 'Sano.'  He and Kenshin were obviously friends, so she knew he hadn't really attacked Kenshin.  He was incredibly tall which contrasted Kenshin's height, and his brown hair was somewhat unruly.  She couldn't help but think that she had just met ANOTHER cute guy.  She stopped her assessment of him when she realized that he was now looking at her. 

"So this is the newbie."  Kaoru didn't have time to debate whether or not that was an insult because he strode forward and stopped right in front of her.  "I'm Sagara Sanosuke.  That's Himura Kenshin"

"I'm Kamiya Kaoru."  She said somewhat stiffly.  Who was this guy?  And why was Kenshin here?  She didn't have time to ask the questions that were swimming in her mind because someone ELSE entered the room.  It was a boy with spiky brown hair and the look on his face was very angry.  

"Damn it Sano!  Why the heck do I have to clean up your-" He stopped when he caught sight of Kaoru.  He was looking her up and down as though to determine if she was a threat or not.  "Who the heck is she?"

He wasn't addressing her, which annoyed Kaoru slightly.  But as Kaoru looked into his eyes they seemed to look older somehow.  Those weren't the eyes a ten or eleven year old kid would be expected to have. 

"She," Sano answered him.  "is the old man's new heir, Kamiya Kaoru."

The boy seemed to be thinking for a moment and then comprehension dawned on his face.  "Oh.  Well I'm Myoujin Yahiko."

"I'm sorry but who are you?"  Kaoru asked.  She still had no idea why these three men had suddenly popped into Hiko Seijuro's office.

"Well," Sano replied, smirking, "like I said, I'm Sano.  That's Yahiko.  And the red head is Kenshin."

Kaoru felt her face flush as her annoyance rose.  "That's not what I-"

Kaoru stopped as she noticed that Sano was laughing.  He'd known what she had meant.  He'd just been pulling her leg! 

"You should have seen the look on your face."  Sano said, still chuckling.  He stopped when he noticed the death glare Kaoru was giving him.  "Alright, alright.  You're gonna kill me with that look.  We're Hiko's three other heirs."

Kaoru mentally hit herself.  Of course they would be his heirs.  Why else would three people just randomly walk into Hiko Seijuro's office?  How thickheaded was she anyway?  Before she could muse anymore on her own stupidity, it occurred to her that Sano had said 'we three.'  That meant him, Yahiko, and…

"Kenshin, you're one of his heirs?"  Kaoru asked the red head, who had remained strangely quiet throughout the whole ordeal.

Kenshin merely nodded at her and frowned slightly.  It seemed to Kaoru that he'd had no idea that she was going to be here or that Hiko had taken on a new charge.  Thinking back, Sano had said that Kenshin had disappeared for two weeks.  She wondered why he had just wandered away, but couldn't help but be thankful that he had.  After all, she'd be dead under some pile of rubble if he hadn't shown up.

Kaoru focused more on the present situation as she realized that Sano was staring at her yet again.  "Hey Kenshin?  Isn't that your jacket?"

Kaoru froze when he said that and felt her face redden.  Oh God.  Kenshin would probably think that she was some weirdo to still be wearing his clothing.  Sano and Yahiko were probably going to jump to conclusions.  Yahiko was glancing between her and Kenshin with an odd expression.  Sano was doing the same as Yahiko, but a mischievous grin had spread across his face.

Before anyone could say anything the door opened yet again.  Not sure whether to groan or sigh in relief at the interruption, Kaoru turned to see whom the new arrival was.  It turned out to be who she had been expected from the beginning.  Hiko Seijuro's eyes swept over the occupants in the room.

"Oi!  You three, out." He said abruptly to Kenshin, Sano, and Yahiko.  The three complied, but Kaoru noticed that Kenshin stopped to say something to Hiko before leaving.  She once again took her seat and as Hiko sat down, she looked at him expectantly.

"I take it you know who those idiots are now?"  He asked.  Kaoru nodded.

"Good.  Now, I know this is going to be difficult," Kaoru listened politely and she got the impression that Hiko seemed uncomfortable.  He didn't strike her as someone who thrived on speech making.  "but you'll have to adjust as well as you can to living here.  I've enrolled you into a local school and you'll start attendance in two days."

Kaoru nodded.  She looked at him and wondered what connection he had to her father.  Perhaps he knew something about her father's murder.  She would never know if she didn't ask.  "Hiko-san?  D-Do you know anything about my father's murder?"

Hiko surveyed her for a few moments and then sighed.  "I have my suspicions," He told her.  "But as to exactly what those are, I won't tell you."

Kaoru felt her temper stirring.  It was her father so why shouldn't he tell her!  "He's my father!  I deserve to know who killed him!"

"I won't tell you," He told her calmly.  "because it could endanger your life."

"What do you-"

"The same people responsible for your father's death could be after your life as well." His voice hinted that he was getting slightly annoyed.

Kaoru froze in her chair.  Her life was in danger now too?  Would she end up like her father, cold and alone in alley and then ruthlessly murdered?  She shuddered at the thought.  Hiko's face softened as he seemed to read her emotions.  "I can tell you, however, that you are under the protection of this family.  No harm will come to you.  If someone tries anything, they will regret it."

His last statement was said so strongly that Kaoru could not help but feel relieved.  Hiko Seijuro was definitely a powerful man.  Kaoru smiled at him gratefully. 

"My charm never fails to make a woman smile." He said, standing.  "Now, let's go to dinner."

Kaoru stood as well, chuckling slightly at his smug attitude.  Although she didn't like the fact that she had to leave her home, she had to admit that Hiko Seijuro wasn't that bad.  She just hoped that she managed to get along with everyone else.

*  *  *

Kaoru yawned as she plopped down onto her new bed.  Her new bedroom was huge!  She had a desk, a dresser, TV and stereo, and a closet.  She noticed that she would soon have her own bathroom, but it was still under construction at the moment.  Getting off the bed, she looked out the window to see the magnificent grounds bathed in moonlight.

Despite all the majesty, she had a sudden yearning to go back home.  The place may have been beautiful to look at, but it didn't have the warmth her own home had always contained.  She shut the shade and turned away from the window.  She didn't know how she was going to get to sleep.  The big house was a little creepy.

Her thoughts turned to her newly acquired family and she couldn't suppress the feelings of fondness.  She'd only had one night with them, but she couldn't help but like them.

Yahiko had been brash and temperamental in her opinion.  While it had set her teeth on edge half the time, she couldn't help but like the little brat.  He reminded her a little of herself.  It also turned out that she would be teaching him the Kamiya Kasshin style at Hiko's suggestion.  That was something that was familiar to her and she was thankful Hiko had thought of it.  Yahiko, however, seemed disinclined to be taught by her.  He didn't seem to think she was strong enough.  Kaoru smirked.  Oh, she'd show him all right.

Sano had teased her and Kenshin about the jacket.  But it had seemed to lighten the mood and she was grateful for it.  He reminded her of the students in her father's class that used to tease her.  And he had a mouth on him!  For some odd reason, Sano reminded her of someone who had lived out on the street.  He was definitely a fighter, she could tell just by looking at him.  He may have looked tough, but when he'd bickered with Yahiko, he'd seemed like a big brother.

As for Kenshin, he had again remained strangely quiet throughout the evening.  He and Hiko had talked privately and Kaoru had heard raised voices, but neither had seemed mad when they'd exited the room.  Thinking of Kenshin and the smile that never reached his eyes, she silently vowed to make him truly smile.  Someone as nice as him deserved to be happy.

But like all people, they had their secrets.  There was Yahiko and his eyes that seemed to have seen too much.  Perhaps Sano was in a gang?  Kenshin had his heartless smiles and sad eyes.  Plus there was the connection between Hiko and her father.  Biting the edge of her thumb, Kaoru wondered if she would ever be able to uncover what was behind this strangely formed family.

She jumped as a knock on the door penetrated the silence.  Warily she got up and walked to the door.  Slowly she creaked it open and then breathed a sigh of relief.  "Kenshin!  Come in."

He walked in and as he did so, he produced something from behind his back.  It turned out to be to be the red jacket.  She must've left it downstairs.  She wondered if Kenshin would want it back.  She hadn't really done anything to deserve getting something from him in the first place.  "Umm…if you want it back, I don't mind.  It is yours and it was rude of me to take it."   

Kenshin shook his head.  "It's yours now, Kaoru-dono.  Besides, it probably looks better on you than it does on me."

Kaoru tried to suppress a blush at his compliment.  She seemed to blush all the time around him.  He probably thought her natural skin color was red by now! 

She took the coat from him and placed it on her bed.  She turned around and noticed that Kenshin seemed to be hesitating.  She frowned.  Was something wrong?  "Kenshin?  Did you need something?"

He rubbed the back of his head as though he was a little nervous.  "I'm sorry."

Kaoru was taken aback.  "Sorry for what?"

He sighed.  "For leaving you alone that day.  I had no idea about…your father.  I thought you were in shock or something about that accident.  I shouldn't have left you."

Kaoru was slightly shocked.  THAT was what he was so sorry for?  Did he have any idea how much he had helped her that day?  "BAKA!!"

"Oro?"

Kaoru nearly burst out laughing at that surprised exclamation.  Oro?  She'd never heard that expression before.  She smiled inwardly and decided to think about it later.  She wasn't about to let him dwell on something he thought he'd done wrong. 

"Do you have any idea how much you helped me?  First of all, you saved me from being crushed by some rubble and secondly you helped me when I thought I was all alone.  I was angry and sad and upset.  Just you being there helped to lighten those feelings off."  Kaoru breathed in.  "You don't know how happy I am that I met you.  So don't you DARE be sorry for anything."

Kenshin's eyes widened somewhat and then his face seemed to soften.  "I wouldn't dream of it."

Kaoru smiled and said jokingly, "That's good, because otherwise I would've had to beat you up."

Kenshin eyes glittered with amusement.  "Well now, I wouldn't dare to risk your wrath."

They both laughed a little and Kenshin turned to leave.  "Good night, Kaoru-dono.  If you need anything, all you need to do is ask."

"Kenshin?"  He turned around expectantly, but Kaoru hesitated.  He'd already been more than helpful so why should she bother him anymore?  But he was still waiting for her to elaborate so Kaoru took a deep breath. 

"Do you think its wrong to want some things when you shouldn't."  Kenshin clearly looked confused at the question and Kaoru didn't blame him.  It was awfully vague.  Kaoru looked at him and she didn't know why, but she felt she could trust him. 

"W-When I think about my father's murderer, I get so angry.  I want to hurt him for what he did to my father.  But that goes against what my father believed in.  He wouldn't want me to think like that, but I can't help it."  Kaoru threw her hands in the air in frustration.  "I hate this whole stupid revenge thing.  I-I feel horrible about myself when I even think of it!"

Kenshin was quiet for a few moments and then he looked into her eyes.  Kaoru blinked.  He somehow seemed to look sadder. 

"Revenge is something that everyone wants at least once in their life.  What you decide to do with that feeling is what's important.  Some may get what they want from it and to others, it could ruin their lives.  But to want revenge is a natural thing.  You shouldn't feel horrible about yourself for it." 

It suddenly stuck Kaoru that Kenshin was speaking from experience.  What could have happened to him?  Whatever his past was, he had helped to clear her mind.  "Thank you, Kenshin."   

She expected him to leave after that but was surprised when he asked, "Kaoru-dono, could you ever forgive your father's murderer?"

Kaoru thought about it.  Could she ever forgive the person who had ruthlessly taken away her happiness?  The person who had slaughtered her father?  Was it possible?

"I-I'm not sure Kenshin.  I'd have a hard time forgiving someone who could kill so viciously.  But… if the murderer was truly sorry for what he did, I might.  I don't think I'd ever forget… but if someone could learn to cherish and protect life, I could try to forgive.  Second chances are rarely given and if I were to help that person by giving him or her just that, I think my father would be proud of me."

Kaoru was surprised slightly at her own answer.  The words had seemed to form on their own.  Silence filled the room for a few moments and Kaoru fidgeted nervously.  Had she said something wrong?  After what seemed like forever, Kenshin finally looked up and Kaoru felt her eyes widen.  He was smiling at her.  But it was a REAL smile; one that reached his eyes and seemed to brighten up his face.  And for some odd reason, her stomach was doing flip-flops.

"Thank you."  He said almost inaudibly.  "Goodnight, Kaoru-dono."

He left and shut the door quietly.  Kaoru stared at it for a while, feeling confused.  Then she smiled and clapped her hands together.  She'd gotten him to smile!  Of course she didn't know how she had done it, but that was beside the point.  Pulling back the covers on her bed she burrowed into it and vowed to herself that she would get him to smile again.  It surprised her somewhat that she didn't have a hard time falling asleep that night.

*  *  *

Kaoru sighed in relaxation, as the warmth from the bath seemed to soak through her.  She welcomed the feeling because the familiar sense of dread at attending her new school the next day was increasing.

 Her first full day at her new home had seemed to go by in a blur.    Kenshin had shown her around the house and grounds.  Having lunch by the small lake was something that she wouldn't mind repeating.  Dinner had been less formal than the first night, but that was probably due to Yahiko's 'challenge.'

Grabbing some soap, Kaoru laughed at that thought.  At dinner the previous night, Yahiko had decided that he would fling a pea at her.  Kaoru knew that he had been testing her to see whether she had the nerve to retaliate.  She wasn't one to turn down a challenge and Yahiko had seemed quite surprised when he got a pea flung at his eye. 

The battle was going well into seven minutes, in which Kaoru grudgingly had to admit that she was having fun, when one of the peas somehow managed to hit Sano.  His eyes had narrowed and he'd held up a spoonful of mashed potatoes threateningly.  She was sure she would've been hit, but Hiko had threatened to dump bowls of mashed potatoes on their heads and stick peas up their noses if they didn't stop.  They'd complied, although Kenshin had seemed disappointed and later told her that it wasn't often he got have dinner AND a show.  But it was not long after that, that Kaoru was hit by a carrot that had been flung from Yahiko's direction…

 Speaking of Yahiko, Kaoru supposed that she should hurry.  It was around mid morning and she was supposed to give Yahiko his first lesson.  She grinned.  It was time to deflate the ego the little brat seemed to have going.  Taking a robe, she wrapped it around herself and stepped over the side of the tub. 

It was a second too late when she noticed that her foot hadn't connected with the floor.  Instead, it seemed to be a slippery, wet lump.  Soap.

That was as much as she was able to derive from the situation before she slipped.

She was falling toward her right and Kaoru reached out to grab the shelves that were there.  As she seemed to stable herself somewhat, she couldn't help but be thankful that she was lucky enough not to have fallen.  At least she thought she was lucky until she heard a menacing crack and fell to the floor along with the shelves.

Kaoru groaned and rubbed her back.  So much for the relaxation she'd attained just moments before.  Now her back and arms were aching and her butt was sore.  And for some reason the side of her head was itchy.  She looked around to survey what damage she had caused.  The shelves were obviously ruined, but so too were the pots that had been on them.  Kaoru scowled.  Great.  It had been less than two days and she was already destroying Hiko's property.

She jumped when she heard pounding on the door and raised voices.   "Kaoru-dono!  Are you alright?"

"Oi!  You OK in there?"

She recognized the voices as Kenshin and Sano.  Itching the side of her head, she was surprised at how worried they actually sounded.  She raised her voice to answer them.  "I'm alright you guys.  I just sli-" 

Kaoru froze as she stared down at her hand and she realized why her head had been itching.  The answer was the large black spider, which was currently trying to crawl up her arm.  "Yeeeeeek!"

She flung her arm out to get the creature off and at the same time she heard Sano's voice saying, "To hell with this!"

The next thing she knew, there was a loud noise and the door was shattered.  Sano and Kenshin stood there, both with worried expressions.  Kaoru looked at Sano in confusion.  How had he done that?  The door was all but demolished, however Sano was in a stance that showed he had punched the door.  She didn't have long to ponder it because Kenshin was speaking to her.

"Kaoru-dono, what happ…ened…" His voice trailed off as he looked at her and he turned pink.  Kaoru's eyes widened.  Kenshin was BLUSHING?  She looked at Sano and he seemed to be containing the urge to laugh.  Kaoru looked down and wondered why.  Then she realized that during the fall, her robe had come somewhat undone.  Oh no…

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

At the other end of the house, Hiko Seijuro lurched forward and his attempt at pottery was once again thwarted.

*  *  *

Kaoru all but stomped to the dojo hall where she would be giving Yahiko his first lesson.  Stupid, stupid, stupid men!  Didn't they know better than to walk in on someone when they were in the bathroom?  She ignored the tiny part of her mind that reminded her that they had only been worried.  At the moment, she was too angry and embarrassed.  At least she didn't have to worry about meeting Kenshin or Sano for a while because she'd be training Yahiko.  She was sure that she'd turn red at the sight of them.  Maybe she could skip dinner tonight…

Coward.  Kaoru stopped walking as she reached the hall.  What was with her lately?  She wasn't usually one to run away from her problems and here she was thinking of doing just that.  Her face set determinately.  She wouldn't run away anymore.  Kaoru reached out to slide open the door to the hall but froze as she heard Kenshin's voice from inside it.

"She was really upset.  We should do something to make her feel better."  Kaoru seemed to know he was talking about her and despite what her conscience told her, she leaned forward to listen.  Yahiko's voice answered and Kaoru inwardly groaned.  How had he found out?

"Give her a present or somethin'.  Don't girls like dolls?"  She heard Sano's voice answer him and she frowned.  They all seemed to be having a wonderful time discussing her!

"Nah, she's too old for that.  Besides, I know the perfect way to make her stop worrying about it." 

"Really?  How?"  Yahiko asked, his voice distinctly curious.  Kaoru would have liked to know as well, but the floor under her creaked loudly and by the lack of Sano's answer, she knew her only choice was to either run or enter.  Taking a deep breath she slid open the door.

The three inhabitants snapped their heads in her direction as she opened the door.  Yahiko scowled as he realized it was her.  Clearly, he still didn't think that she was good enough to teach him.  She'd make sure he wouldn't think that for much longer!   Sano and Kenshin were both sporting similar looks of wariness in her direction.  The reason, she supposed, were the bruises they had on their heads.  After her very loud outburst in the bathroom, Kaoru had started throwing the pieces of the shelf at them and they hadn't escaped unscathed.  Looking at the bruises, Kaoru felt a surge of guilt.

"Umm…Kaoru-dono…sorry about…aah…" Kenshin was rubbing the back of his head. It was a habit which Kaoru now recognized he did when he was nervous.

For some reason, she didn't feel so angry anymore. She smiled.  "Don't worry about.  You guys were just trying to help me.  But," her eyes narrowed, "it won't happen again, right?"

Sano and Kenshin both nodded their heads quickly.  Kaoru stretched her arms and picked up one of the shinais that had been resting on the wall.  She noticed Yahiko already had one.  "Yahiko, have you had any other training?"

He shrugged his shoulders and with an air of confidence answered, "I know some moves."

Kaoru raised an eybrow.  "All right then.  Come at me and attack."

He looked a little taken aback, but he soon complied while grinning.  Kaoru sighed as she saw him get into a stance.  He must of seen it on some TV show or in a magazine.  However, things like that were mostly flashy and just to make money.  He'd have to learn that the hard way.  He came at her quickly and Kaoru had to admit that he had awesome speed.  But…

He was aiming for her shoulder, but she deftly avoided it.  She flung out her shinai and hit him on the back.  Her hit and the momentum at which he'd come at her were enough to cause him to go crashing to the ground. 

Kaoru turned to Yahiko as he sat up, rubbing his back.  "Your form has many holes in it.  Some TV show or article won't help you to learn." 

Yahiko looked slightly surprised.  She gathered it was from the fact that she knew where he had gotten the stance.  "However, all you need is training and determination, and I think you'll do fine.  That is, if you're up to it."

His eyes widened and then he grinned at her.  "I just hope YOU'RE up to it."

Kaoru smiled.  He would make am interesting pupil.  She proceeded to show him how to do practice strokes with the shinai and then had him do forty by himself.  He'd complained loudly, but Kaoru couldn't help but feel proud that he hadn't stopped until he'd done them all.

"You're a good teacher, jou-chan."  Kaoru looked over at Sano in surprise as he said that.  She hadn't realized Kenshin and Sano were still there.   And what was with 'Jou-chan?'  Jou-chan meant little girl or little missie, so why would he be calling her that?

"Sano, you didn't forget my name did you?  Its KAORU." 

Sano grinned mischievously.  She didn't like that look.  "Well Jou-chan suits you better."

Kaoru just looked at him, feeling more confused.  Kenshin was also looking at him with a similar look of puzzlement.  Sano just continued to grin until he finally decided to elaborate.  "Well, from what I saw earlier, you're still somewhat undeveloped so-"

He didn't get much further as Kaoru's shinai connected with his head.  Her eyes shooting daggers, she turned to Yahiko.  "Yahiko, you saw that move I just made, correct?"

He nodded his head cautiously.  "Well, your next assignment is to complete the move I just made on Sano as many times as I do."

With that Kaoru raised her the shinai, while Sano turned to run.  Yahiko just smiled evilly and chased after him along with Kaoru.  Kenshin managed to stay out of the line of fire until Sano decided to run straight at him.  With an 'oro' (Kaoru giggled when she heard it) he turned around and started running as well. 

When Hiko decided to check up on what was happening, he found it quite odd and humorous at the sight of his four heirs chasing one another around the dojo.

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It wasn't until later that night that Kaoru realized that Sano's answer to make her stop worrying had been to make her angry.  She laughed about as she climbed into bed and she couldn't but notice that she felt calmer about the bathroom incident and about her first day at her new school.  She fell asleep quickly, wondering what the next day would bring… 

Author's Notes:  Thanks for reading the second chapter!!!!  And thanks a bunch to Leigh, AngelsExist, bitchy brunette, Silver Running Water, Iron Mouse, Kyaa-Kyaff, Sango, SamuraiGirl, and LunaAngel for reviewing.  You guys are awesome!!!

I hope the weather cools down soon.  I'm dying!!!!!!!!!  Air conditioning…..

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Kyaaaaaaaaaa!

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No spiders were hurt while in the making of this chapter.  ^_^

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Next Chapter:  Kaoru's meets some interesting new people.  And look!  It's Misao!  But why is she attacking Kaoru…