Author's Note: Saturday is a prime day for my house, meaning that I might not be able to update at noon on Saturday, since my other siblings will be on. So I'll update at night, since that's the only time that I get it.
I do hope that you all keep liking and reviewing this story. Though I'm still not sure how I'll end it, but I'm very close to it, I think. Please forgive me if the ending is real quick like Eternity of Darkness, I really want to get some of the fics over with, so I can have more time for my just beginning fics. So do forgive me.
I want to at least finish this before finals, or I might not be able to. My teachers are already pushing us for that, so I'm up to my nose in books and homework. So sorry if my chapters are short.
NOTES:
~...~ These are Kanna and Shinta's thoughts. It depends on who's thinking in the head. Shinta is Kenshin's better half like Kanna is to Kaoru.
... These are Kirei and Battousai's thoughts. Depends on who's thinking.
{...} These are Kenshin, Kaoru, and everyone else's thoughts. Again, it depends on who's thinking.
Disclaimer: Me no own RK.
Chapter Twelve: A New Assignment
Kenshin watched as Kaoru was helped into a black mini van by her cousin and friend. He waited in his car until they left and slowly following them out of Midnight Street.
He couldn't help but go back and replaying what he did that night. Guilt threatened to swallow him whole, it was even worse than when he had accidentally killed Tomoe. He shook the thought out of his head as he rode back to the apartment building.
When he arrived at the apartment, he realized that the others had left. A note was hastily written and placed on the refrigerator. It read:
We've gone out to have some fun. Hiko wants you to call him back. Do you mind making breakfast, since it's practically morning?
Signed,
Sanosuke
Kenshin shook his head, the guy always thought about food. It surprised him that the man was able to become an assassin with that type of brain.
He walked back into his room and smiled as Kaoru's jasmine scent enveloped him.
A smile crawled on his lips as he saw Kaoru's clothes lying all over the floor. He walked over and neatly began to place away her clothing. She would need it for her next visit.
He couldn't help but smile out at the thought; he nearly forgot that Kaoru was yet to finish her lessons.
Then he remembered that he had to call his uncle. He placed away the last of the clothing before getting up and calling Hiko.
~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru woke up to the sun's rays in her eyes, and was shocked to find herself in a familiar room. She sat up immediately when she realized that she was at home, in her own room.
"Was it all a dream?" asked Kaoru in a whisper.
Suddenly pain soared through her, and her right hand instinctively grabbed onto her left shoulder.
"I guess not," said Kaoru as she laid back onto her bed.
It felt nice to be back here. Yet she still couldn't help but miss waking up to Enishi either telling her to get up to do breakfast, or Sano complaining that he was hungry or his snoring.
Kaoru smiled at that. She was with them for a short period of time, and she had grown attached to them.
"Well I'm glad to see you're finally awake. Everyone was worried about you," said a familiar voice.
She looked up to the door, and smiled at Dr. Genzai who had a food tray in his hands and a blue pill. He walked over and placed the tray on a table that was to the right of her bed before helping her sit up.
"I missed you caring for me," said Kaoru with a weak smile as she took her pill and downed it with a glass of water.
"Those Bafuko have some nerve hurting you. I guess they must have drugged you a lot; you have three needle holes in you arms," said Dr. Genzai shaking his head.
Kaoru nearly spit out her water, but forced it down; causing her to start choking a bit.
"Are you all right?" asked Dr. Genzai as he pat her back to help her down the water.
She only nodded.
"Do you remember what the men looked like?" asked Dr. Genzai.
Kaoru remembered, but shook her head. She wasn't going to have her family go against her friends, even though they did kidnap her.
"I was kind of groggily from all of the drugs," said Kaoru, well it was kind of true from the painkillers.
Dr. Genzai only nodded as he stood up.
"Well your cousins and Misao have been worried. Do you want to meet them now, or do you wish to wait until you finish breakfast?" asked Dr. Genzai.
"I've missed them," said Kaoru.
Dr. Genzai nodded and left to call them in.
Kaoru laid back against her pillows, that was made for her to lean on by Dr. Genzai. She really did miss this place. She smiled as she saw the sun's rays on her reverse blade sword.
Her attention flew to the door when Misao came in with get well cards, Soujiro with a big smile and balloons, as Aoshi came in with a dozen roses that he placed by her tray.
Kaoru smiled at them as they hugged her one by one.
"I missed you so much," said Misao as she finished hugging her friend.
"We've all been worried," said Soujiro with his regular smile on.
Aoshi only nodded, he wasn't the emotional type.
"We're going to make the Bafuko pay for their wrong doings," said Misao.
Kaoru only smiled.
"Aren't you suppose to be at Base 3?" asked Kaoru looking at Soujiro.
"Well my shoulder got hit, but it was thanks to Himura--the man who saved you-- I was able to come out of the battle against the Bafuko as well. We do owe the man a lot," said Soujiro.
Kaoru nodded.
"I'm going to have a talk with Saitoh and Jineh; you two can stay here and keep Kaoru company. Don't get up too soon, you'll reopen your wound," said Aoshi as he kissed her on the forehead and left.
Misao couldn't help but feel envious of Kaoru, she was the only person that could make Aoshi do something as emotional as that. Then again, if she were Kaoru, then she wouldn't be able to get with him.
"He was worried the most, even though he didn't show it," whispered Soujiro when Aoshi left.
"Why are you so quiet?" asked Misao as she sat to Kaoru's right on the bed.
"I'm not use to talking in the morning without brushing my teeth. Do you mind getting me my toothbrush, a bowl, and a cup of water?" asked Kaoru.
"I know, you need a lot of toothpaste too," said Misao teasingly as she ran to get it before Kaoru got her energy back to throw something at her.
Soujiro just shook his head as he sat in a chair to her left.
~*~*~*~*~
Sano kicked an empty can as he walked home. The three had split up to do their own thing and now after losing most of his money on gambling, he was walking back to the apartment for breakfast. He hoped that Kenshin had made breakfast as he asked.
He was so busy walking and thinking about what he would be eating, that he didn't notice the female around 20 rush right into him. Papers flew all over, as the suitcase in the girl's hands dropped to the ground from the impact.
Before he could yell at the person, he was eye to eye with the most stunning person he had ever seen.
"I'm so sorry sir," said the girl as she bowed to Sano.
"That's okay. What's your name, and why are you in such a rush?" asked Sano as he helped pick up her suitcase and the folders and papers that flew out when they bumped each other.
"I'm Sayo Amakusa, but my friends and family call me Magdaria. I was going to give this to my older brother, he forgot it at home again," said the girl as she collected all of the papers.
"Where does your brother work?" asked Sano as he helped her put the items away.
"A place called J.A.B., he never told me what he does though," said Magdaria, closing the suitcase.
Sanosuke was shocked.
"Is your brother by any chance Shougo Amakusa?" asked Sano.
"Yes, do you know him?" asked Magdaria.
"We work at the same building. I'm on my way there. Why don't I carry that for you?" asked Sano as he took the suitcase before she could protest.
Magdaria blushed as he smiled at her, and the two went back to the building. They were able to get tiny conversations in on their way there.
~*~*~*~*~
"Are you sure that you don't know what they looked like?" asked Misao, once Kaoru finished brushing her teeth, and had put the supplies away.
Kaoru nodded as she began to eat her pancakes, it was a good thing Kenshin didn't attack her right shoulder, or she would be really handicapped. No it was the past hating Battousai, she corrected herself.
She still didn't understand why Battousai just couldn't move on and allow her to help him. But she was determined to help him the next time they were to meet.
"That would mean that the only other person that could possibly know is Himura. Maybe we should have him be your personal bodyguard Kaoru. I think that the J.A.B. would allow us to have him as a protector. Then we can use him to communicate to the J.A.B.," said Soujiro.
Kaoru nearly choked on her hash brown.
"Then you and Aoshi can go to battle and not be afraid that Kaoru would get kidnapped again," said Misao happily.
"I really don't think that the J.A.B. would allow us to keep their best assassin," said Kaoru.
"It's not like he's Battousai or anything," said Misao.
Kaoru groaned inwardly; they had no idea.
"Well it wouldn't hurt to ask. I'll go see if Aoshi will comply with us," said Soujiro as he stood.
Before Kaoru could protest Soujiro was already out the door.
She sighed and went back to eating as Misao filled her in on what happened while she was 'away'.
~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin was finishing making breakfast and putting Kaoru's items away.
He was still thinking about his phone call.
His uncle only said that he would be getting a call about a suggestion and that he had to take the offer. He only shook his head; Hiko was confusing sometimes and it didn't help that he never told him exactly what to do.
Then he walked out into the living room just in time to see Sano and some other girl come in with him. He groaned inwardly; hopefully Sano wasn't planning on doing that in broad daylight while he was at home.
His eyes fell on the girls outfit; she had on platform shoes, a skirt, and a white top. The girl looked more like a school girl. He looked at Sano disgusted. The girl was nothing more than innocent, he saw it in the girls eyes and how weak her ki was.
"It's not like that man. This is Magdaria Amakusa. She's Shougo's little sister. We just stopped here for breakfast, and then we're going to go down to his apartment," said Sano knowingly, as he placed the suitcase on the counter.
Magdaria bowed to Kenshin as she took off her shoes and sat at the kitchen table with Sano; who had already begun to devour the food, only stopping for breaths.
Kenshin shook his head as he sat down in front of her and ate politely. He was like the exact opposite as Sano, yet they were still friends. It surprised him how serious, then delirious the taller man could get in less than a fraction of a second.
Sayo watched in amusement as Sano ate, she had never met anyone who at that much but her younger brother Yahiko who was now 13.
"Are you going to eat that?" asked Sano as he looked at her untouched food.
She blushed that she was staring and went back to eating. Her eyes went wide as she ate the food, it was absolutely delicious. She could only dream to cook this well.
"Good isn't it. My friend Kenshin here is a master chef," said Sano looking at Kenshin who had already finished and was putting his dishes away.
Magdaria nodded.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce him. He's Kenshin. The best of us all here," said Sano as he gulped down the last of his food.
Then the doors opened and Takasugi and Enishi walked in. The two seemed to have had a worse day than the other two. They grabbed the extra and the last of the food before Sano could eat it all.
"Who's the new chick?" asked Takasugi between bites.
"She's Magdaria, Shougo's younger sister. These two knuckleheads are Enishi and he's Takasugi. They work here too," said Sano.
Magdaria bowed to them politely.
"I can see why Shougo didn't allow you to stay with him. You're too innocent. Women like yourself shouldn't really be going here. He talks brightly of you and your younger brother, is the normal apartments better?" asked Enishi.
"Kaoru was innocent, yet we still brought her here," said Takasugi as he ate.
"Yes, but she could defend herself," said Enishi.
Takasugi agreed with that.
Kenshin sat back down with a hot cup of coffee.
"Well you do look much nicer than Missy though," said Sano.
He got glares from Enishi and Takasugi. They looked at Kenshin, who didn't seemed to be phased at all.
Sano remembered their night conversation and kept his mouth shut.
"Did it work out well?" asked Takasugi carefully, he didn't want to hit a anger point on the assassin.
Kenshin only nodded.
"Are you done? I think that we should be getting you to Shougo before he goes out for an assignment," said Sano standing after jugging down a glass of orange juice.
Magdaria finished and thanked Kenshin for the meal before leaving with Sano, who grabbed the suitcase and locked the door behind him.
~*~*~*~*~
"We're going to meet with Hiko and Katsura tonight at 8:00 at the Sakura Blossom. Would that be all right with you two? We all need to be there to give our point of view on the problem and how we're going to solve it," said Aoshi from his desk to the two men before him.
Hannya stood behind him. He was eyeing Saitoh and Jineh suspiciously; he still didn't like the two even if they were to work together. Those two weren't to be seen as easy prey.
"So those two still own that brothel. Oh well, at least it will be entertaining," said Jineh with a grin.
"As long as we make a plan to get rid of Shishio then I'm in," said Saitoh as he puffed on his cigarette.
"Good. You are allowed to leave now," said Aoshi just as Soujiro walked in with a smile.
The two men nodded and left.
"What is it Soujiro?" asked Aoshi as his brother sat down in front of him.
"I was wondering, since we'll be leaving to do battle soon, I think that our cousin will need protection," said Soujiro seriously.
Aoshi looked at Hannya.
"I was thinking more of having Himura as Kaoru's guard. He did help us, and I'm sure that the J.A.B. would allow us to use him," said Soujiro.
Aoshi thought about it.
"We know we can trust him," said Soujiro.
His brother seemed to be in deep thought.
"He'll be able to handle Kaoru and Misao," said Soujiro with a grin.
"All right," said Aoshi. He really didn't want Misao to join the battle. Women weren't meant to fight.
Soujiro grinned inwardly as Aoshi made a call to Hiko.
"Hello?" asked Hiko as he answered, but already knew who it was.
"This is the Aoshi of the Oniwanbanshu. I wanted to know if I could use Himura as a bodyguard for my cousin? He seems trustworthy," said Aoshi seriously.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" asked Hiko with a grin.
"His number is?" asked Aoshi.
Hiko knew that they would ask, and happily gave the man the number to his baka deshi's apartment.
~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin finished his drink and began to wash the dishes as the other two flopped onto the sofas and began to play a game of poker for the last bottle of beer in the apartment.
That was when the phone rang.
The others didn't bother to get it, so Kenshin whipped his and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Is this Himura?" asked the other person on the other line.
"Yes, and you are?" asked Kenshin, no one but Katsura and Hiko knew this number and his co-workers.
"I'm the Leader of the Oniwanbanshu, Aoshi. I was wondering if you would conceder working for me as my cousin's bodyguard," said Aoshi.
Kenshin's heart began to beat rapidly for some reason, but he suppressed the feeling. Maybe it was the thought of seeing Kaoru again. But why would he care?
"Would you?" asked Aoshi again.
He cursed himself for not paying attention.
"You'll have to ask the boss," said Kenshin.
"He said to ask you," said Aoshi.
"Then fine. Where and when do you want me to begin?" asked Kenshin.
"Today if you could at the Oniwanbanshu mansion. You can come by when you wish. The pay would also be profitable in your favor," said Aoshi.
"All right," said Kenshin.
"Good. See you later then," said Aoshi before he hung up.
Kenshin hung up as well.
~You don't care about the pay. You're as happy as I am to be able to be with and near her again.~ Came a voice that had been hidden from him for so long.
Be quiet. It's because Hiko told us too. Said Battousai angrily.
~You like her and you know it.~ Said the voice again.
Shut up you goody two shoes. I don't know how we ever started out as Shinta, and how you ended up so soft. Said Battousai disgusted.
{Be quiet you two. You're not suppose to be out here on the surface.} Said Kenshin angrily.
Then his other halves fell silent.
"What was that about?" asked Takasugi; not looking up.
"Are you okay?" asked Enishi, he saw the three different colors in his eyes; amber, red, and a few specks of a very dark violet that almost looked blue.
"I'm going to be Kaoru's new bodyguard," said Kenshin as he finished washing the dishes.
The other two exchanged glances.
~*~*~*~*~
"So?" asked Soujiro when Aoshi hung up.
Aoshi nodded and Soujiro smiled.
"I'll go tell Kaoru and Misao the news," said Soujiro with a smile before he left.
"I still don't trust Saitoh and Jineh my Lord," said Hannya once Soujiro left.
"We have no choice. They're going to be a big help to us when we bring down Shishio. We must put aside our differences. I'm sure that I can beat them again if they rebel," said Aoshi calmly.
"I'm not questioning your skill Leader, but what if they fight you together when no one else is around to help you. I wouldn't put anything past those two," said Hannya.
"I know," said Aoshi as they fell into silence.
~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru wasn't sure what to feel or say when Soujiro told her that Kenshin was to be her new bodyguard. A part of her was happy and thrilled to see the man again, but another part of her told her that something was bound to happen with him here.
"Well at least he's good to look at," said Misao.
That brought her back to life as she glared at the other woman. Soujiro began to twitch. He was beginning to have second thoughts about his suggestion.
"What? I'm telling the truth. Though I don't like him like him, he's just cute with his hair," said Misao.
The other two face faltered.
"Well I think that Himura will be able to help us greatly. Make sure that you treat him well Kaoru," said Soujiro with a grin.
Kaoru threw a pillow at him that he easily dodged.
"I'm afraid that he might be the one that needs to have the bodyguard from Kaoru," teased Misao, who got hit square in the face with one of Kaoru's beanie babies.
"You two are still the same," said Kaoru shaking her head.
"Well you haven't changed either," said Misao as she threw back the beanie baby at Kaoru.
Before it hit Kaoru, she knocked aside with the back of her hand easily; making it land on the mantle with a thump sound. It sat up next to her sword.
The other two stared a little dumbfounded at her.
"What?" asked Kaoru as she saw their faces.
"You use to never be able to dodge one of my throws, let alone make any of the items not fly around. I'm beginning to think that your skill got better," said Misao.
"Or you haven't been training," said Kaoru, not wanting them to know what she was truly doing in the time that they had been apart. Even if it was her herself, a part of her was learning.
Misao blushed at the statement.
"Well I think that you two need to keep training just in case the Bafuko decide to invade this place. You do know the escape routes, right?" asked Soujiro.
"Know it? We practically made them all," said Misao.
"I know a few good hiding spots, and plenty of ways to get from my room to the outside world. Though I think I'll be better at not getting caught," said Kaoru.
"Well that's good," said Soujiro.
"I'll train, but Kaoru still has to wait a week for her arm to heal," said Misao.
"Give me a day," said Kaoru.
The other two gave her quizzical looks.
"You both know that I'm a quick healer," said Kaoru.
The two remembered about what they had discussed about Kaoru and could only nod. They felt guilty for not telling her anything about herself.
"If you don't mind, I wish to go to sleep now," said Kaoru as she was helped to be laid on the bed.
Misao and Soujiro made sure that she was asleep before tip toeing out of the room.
Once they were gone, Kaoru opened her eyes and sighed.
Why so down? You should be happy that he's coming, and no one would suspect. That means that we can continue training. Said Kirei.
~Though I don't think that Kenshin teaching us would be so good, now that we're back at home.~ Said Kanna carefully.
{I thought you two weren't suppose to be so close when I take my medicine.} Said Kaoru.
We were on the surface for a while, so now we can. Maybe if we stay at the surface enough, then we'll be like Kenshin. We'd be able to switch whenever we want, with or without those pills.
~I'm pretty sure that our family will get suspicious.~
Who cares? We're here to help each other, aren't we? At least you didn't fall into the light or dark like us Kaoru, otherwise I'm not sure if you'd be able to take on three personnel's and not go insane.
~I'm sure that Kaoru is much stronger than that. Maybe we could go to Kyoto and visit Okina, and Tae's twin, Sae, if we ask Aoshi nicely.~
Like Aoshi would allow us out of his sight like before, you've got to be kidding.
~Well Kenshin would be with us.~
Battousai too.
~And his other personnel.~
The other two sides were confused about that.
~I know that he has another part, I felt it when I gathered his memory.~
Why don't we know then?
~I didn't give it all up.~
Here I thought you were the trustworthy one.
~I am!~
Kaoru shut her eyes and tried to get them back into the shadows of her mind. They were going to drive her insane if they kept arguing.
~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin rode in his black Porsche to the Oniwanbanshu mansion. He had on his normal assassin outfit, his swords hanging to each side of him.
When he drove up to the mansion, he was stopped at the large twin gates.
"Name?" asked a ninja that was posted for duty there.
Kenshin rolled down his window, and the man gulped when he was met by the most terrifying golden eyes.
"Himura," said Kenshin calmly, he kept in a grin, he loved it when people feared him. He got use to that reaction after his first few kills.
The man quickly ran to open the gates as Kenshin drove through it, and rolled back up his window.
He drove his car to the front of the mansion and got out of his car.
Many of the Oniwanbanshu members stopped to look over at him, his presence and dark aura sent chills down most of the members' spines. At the look of his weapons, they were all sure that he was quite good, if not perfect at swordsmanship.
A member walked over as Kenshin threw the man his car keys so he could drive it into the garage. He was then led by another member into the large mansion.
He remembered the place and wasn't surprised when he was led to Aoshi's office.
"My Lord, Himura is here," said the member as Kenshin stepped in.
Hannya looked at Kenshin in amazement as the red head walked in. The man might have been short, but his aura was enough to make up for that. He seemed like a larger than life kind of person.
Aoshi stood up and greeted Kenshin with a nod which he was returned.
"It's nice to see you again Himura. Since we work together now, I am sure that the signing of contracts is really not necessary. Hannya," said Aoshi.
"Yes Leader?" asked Hannya with a bow.
"Will you show Himura to Kaoru's room? Would you mind watching her tonight?" asked Aoshi looking at Kenshin.
Kenshin didn't say anything but follow Hannya when he left.
He might be more than he looks. I'm sure of it. Thought Aoshi as he watched them leave his office.
~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin made a note of everything in the mansion, and easily noticed all of the escape routes. It never hurt to have a back up plan.
Hannya for some reason didn't like Himura. The man was just too mysterious and didn't very well treat the Leader with much respect. Though this man seemed just as strong and equal as Lord Aoshi was. That made him go on edge.
He reached Kaoru's room and knocked on it just in case she was doing anything private.
"Come in," said Kaoru's cheerful voice.
Kenshin seemed to have lost his deadly aura when he walked into the room and saw Kaoru who blinked at him and only smiled at the two; not wanting to give anything away.
She had to smile at his familiar presence.
Hannya noticed the change in ki, and was having second thoughts on leaving this Kaoru alone. Then again, he could have just done it since he saw that she was injured or didn't want to scare her. He did have to be with her for long period of time.
"If you need anything, feel free to call for a servant," said Hannya with a bow to her and then he left them alone.
When Hannya left, Kenshin locked the door and walked over to Kaoru to see her wound. He hoped that it had healed.
"I'm fine," said Kaoru before he could ask.
He looked at her concerned still and helped her sit up.
"I need to ask you. Kanna says that you have three personnel as well. You're Kenshin, the one with red eyes is Battousai, and the one with dark violet eyes is...?" asked Kaoru.
Kenshin was a bit taken aback at the question; he wasn't expecting that.
"Who is he?" asked Kaoru again.
He looked at her straight in the eyes dangerously, hoping she would give up, but he should have known better and that she would just stare back at him expectantly.
"He's Shinta," said Kenshin as he took a seat to her right.
"Kenshin, Shinta, and Battousai," said Kaoru.
"Kaoru, Kanna, and Kirei," said Kenshin mockingly.
Kaoru wrinkled her nose at him.
Kenshin smiled inwardly and then allowed his eyes to wonder the room and take in every detail.
His eyes stopped on the mantle. He knew that the people that Kaoru was with had to be her parents, she had her mother's eyes, father's determined look, and most certainly her mother's body.
But that wasn't what caught his eye. The reverse blade that hung on a rack was beautiful.
"It's a reverse blade. Aoshi gave it to me for training. He doesn't want me to kill and says that I should live by my father's words of that the sword is used to protect. Even if I say that I want to help him and Soujiro, he won't allow me to," said Kaoru as she saw his eyes rest on the sword.
"Then me training you how to kill wouldn't be right," said Kenshin as he looked at her with guilt.
"Well I have to learn to protect myself before I can protect others. Anyways, it wasn't your fault. It was more of Battousai's guilt and me prying into your past that caused you to do this. I forgive you," said Kaoru with a smile, she knew that he had to have been thinking about that.
Kenshin could only smile weakly at her.
"It's 6:00, have you had dinner yet?" asked Kaoru.
He only shook his head.
"Good, now we can eat together," said Kaoru as she pressed a button that was to her left with her right hand.
Kenshin only smiled when she couldn't reach it that well, he pressed it for her.
"Thanks," said Kaoru happily. She only wanted him to act normal.
Then a young girl with short brown hair walked in. She bowed to Kaoru and Kenshin.
"You called my Lady?" asked the girl, she seemed to be only 13.
"Just call me Kaoru, Tsubame. Do you think you can bring up two trays of dinner? Can you ask Tae if she can make something that will go down my throat easier?" asked Kaoru.
Tsubame bowed and left to do her orders.
Kaoru smiled at Kenshin who blinked at her.
"Tae's my personal chef. She cooks great, though I think I'll miss your cooking," said Kaoru with a smile.
Kenshin only chuckled at that.
~*~*~*~*~
"Can I please go with you Lord Aoshi?" asked Misao in his office.
He had just discussed that they were going to meet Hiko and Katsura for their plan against Shishio.
"No. Women aren't not to go there. Especially descent ones," said Aoshi.
"Especially young girls," said Hannya, who had entered just minutes ago.
"I'm 20-years-old. I am not a child anymore," stated Misao.
"You sure act like one at times," said Soujiro under his breath.
"I heard that Sou! Why can't I go? Sakura Blossom seems like a nice place," said Misao.
The guys all looked at the table at that. They all knew what place the Sakura Blossom was really like, and they didn't want Misao to know exactly what type of place that they were going to.
"It's a gentlemen's place," said Hannya.
"There will mostly be only men there but the waitresses," said Soujiro quickly.
"I think that Kaoru will need your company. She might not really like staying with a 24-year-old guy all night long, it would be uncomfortable," said Soujiro.
"I'm sure Kaoru will like your energetic spirit," said Aoshi.
Misao pouted and left to Kaoru's room. She wanted to see how Himura was in close range anyhow.
The three sighed and then called for a limo to drive them to Sakura Blossom.
~*~*~*~*~
Sano knocked on Shougo's door which was on the floor underneath his own. Though this floor had a smaller place since only one person lived in it. Five other apartment rooms were on that floor.
The door opened to reveal a man that was Sano's age. Then Magdaria hugged her older brother who was shocked to see her with Sanosuke.
"Come in," said Shougo with a polite bow to Sano who had the suitcase.
Sano smiled as he stepped into the place. It was like his own, just that the man only had one arm chair, and one long chair, where as he had two. Shougo had a smaller kitchen, one bathroom and one room in the back. It was plain, since assassins didn't have a lot of time to bother in decorating.
"Where's Yahiko?" asked Shougo after he locked the door.
"He's staying at a friend's house. You forgot your suitcase at our place," said Magdaria when Sano handed his fellow co-worker his suitcase.
"Thanks. Thank you Sano for helping my little sister," said Shougo. He knew his place, and knew that Sano was partnered up with the best assassins. Getting on the guys wrong side wasn't a good idea.
"It's okay. Does your phone work? I mean does it go out, or just in?" asked Sano.
"Both," said Shougo.
"Can I use it?" asked Sano.
Shougo nodded and pointed to the phone that was on a table beside the long sofa.
"You're just as clean as Enishi and Kenshin," said Sano as he looked at the clean home.
Shougo went a bit pink at that, being compared to the Battousai like that was an honor. If you were in any way the same as Battousai, it was a miracle. Everyone in the building looked up to him, and the fact that his uncle owned the J.A.B. made him even more important.
Sano picked up the phone and dialed in Kenshin's cell phone. He needed to ask the man something.
Shougo looked at his sister as he opened the suitcase and thanked her. He went to place the suitcase in his room as Magdaria sat on the sofa across from Sano.
"Hey Kenshin," said Sano in his annoying loud voice.
"I'm not deaf you know. What do you want?" asked Kenshin coldly.
"Can you do me a favor?" asked Sano.
"Do it yourself," said a familiar voice.
Sano smiled when he heard Kaoru's voice, that meant he was with her and she was happy again.
"Hey Missy. How's your shoulder?" asked Sano a bit concerned.
"Fine. You better hurry up, it's almost dinner and you called just after I told my servant to go get it. I don't want her to hear you. So hurry up and tell us what you want," said Kaoru.
"Oh yeah. Give it back to Kenshin," said Sano.
"Yes?"
"Do you think you can ask your uncle to give me the night off? I need to do something at the Sakura Blossom," said Sanosuke almost pleadingly.
"Why in the world would you want to go there again? You're so lazy you rooster head," said Kaoru from the background. She was able to hear the conversation.
"I need to meet up with Katsu. We were going to exchange information," said Sano.
"I do think that my uncle will be there himself," said Kenshin.
"Really?" asked Sano in utter shock.
"So why go when you'll be seeing him there anyways," said Kaoru.
"Do you think you can?" asked Sano begging.
"All right. But I can't guarantee you'll get the night off," said Kenshin.
"Thanks man. I'm at Shougo's apartment," said Sano as he hung up.
Sano grinned widely at that.
"Why don't you just go across the hall and talk to Katsu?" asked Shougo. He had walked out and was able to hear his conversation.
"We're going their together. It's much better down there anyway, and we don't have cameras watching and hearing our every move and word," pointed Sano.
"Then talk in your apartment," said Shougo.
"I'm sure that the boss wired the place. Though I do believe Kenshin's room isn't, but I don't want to face him when he knows that I've been in there. The guy is obsessed with things clean and neat, and you know I'm not like that," said Sano.
Shougo only nodded.
"Well I better get home," said Magdaria as she stood up.
"I don't think that you should go today. It's pretty dark," said Shougo.
"Don't you have an assignment today though?" asked Sano.
"It would be safer to stay here though," said Shougo.
"Katsu and I will take her home if I get the day off," said Sano with a smile.
Shougo looked at his younger sister who smiled at that. She wanted to get home so that she could go to work the next morning at Star Bucks. It was enough for her to support her and Yahiko, and Shougo's money, which he gave them once a month helped them a lot. She didn't know what he did, but he sure got paid a lot.
"So now we wait," said Sano as he sat by the phone.
~*~*~*~*~
"That rooster head has got to be the laziest person I know, and he eats a lot too," said Kaoru when Kenshin hung up with his conversation with Sanosuke.
He only shook his head as he dialed his uncle's cell.
Kaoru waited for the answer and for some reason hoped that his uncle would allow Sano the night off. He was like a brother to her, and he was pretty neat when he wanted to be.
When Kenshin got his answer, Misao strolled in happily. They had forgotten to lock the door once Tsubame left.
"Hello Kaoru, Himura," said Misao with a big smile. She sat on Kaoru left on the bed.
"Why are you here Misao?" asked Kaoru, she really didn't think that they needed Misao here to hear their conversations.
"Aoshi won't let me go to the Sakura Blossom with him," pouted Misao angrily.
Kenshin and Kaoru looked shocked at that.
"Why in the world would he go there?" asked Kaoru; hoping her ears were playing a trick on her.
"He's going there to discuss business with the J.A.B.," said Misao.
The other two nodded at that. For a minute they thought that Aoshi snapped or something.
"I don't see why I can't go," said Misao angrily.
"I think that Aoshi was only trying to protect you. What if that place is attacked? I don't think that he wants you to get hurt," said Kaoru.
Kenshin cocked an eyebrow at her, the Sakura Blossom belonged to J.A.B., who in their right mind would attack a place full of assassins and a building full of weapons?
"What if some drunk people attack you?" asked Kaoru, and then got a nod of understanding from Kenshin. She looked at Misao seriously, she didn't think that Misao could handle a creep like Gohei like Kirei.
Misao nodded at that.
"I can call Tsubame to get you dinner if you wish," said Kaoru.
"It's okay, I'll go eat dinner with the other women of the Oniwanbanshu group. I'll leave you two alone. I think that you have the problem under control," said Misao with a wink as she got up and left her alone in confusion.
When realization hit her, she blushed furiously. Kenshin only looked at her confused.
"Don't you have to tell Sano?" asked Kaoru, as she tried to knock the idea out of her head.
Kenshin took out his cell phone and punched in Shougo's number that showed up on his cell phone; it was suppose to be private caller but his cell phone was made to get any number of people who called him.
"Hello?" answered an anxious Sano.
Kaoru listened intently as well.
"My uncle said all right," said Kenshin.
"YES!"
Kaoru pulled back and tried to regain her hearing. Sano sure had a set of lungs.
Kenshin moved the cell phone away from his ear before Sano yelled. He had a gut feeling Sano would yell.
"Thanks man," said Sano happily.
"Just don't ask for any more favors in the next week," said Kenshin.
"Okay," said Sano happily as he hung up.
Kenshin turned off his cell phone and pocketed it.
Before Kaoru could respond to anything, Tsubame and an elder woman in her 20s walked in with two trays and placed them on Kaoru's table, that was able to be moved in front of both of them.
"Thanks Tsubame, Tae," said Kaoru with a smile.
They both bowed as Kenshin only nodded at them in thanks.
"Who's this?" asked Tae as she looked at Kenshin with a polite smile.
"This is Kenshin, my new bodyguard. These two are Tsubame and Tae," said Kaoru with a bright smile.
The three nodded at each other. It was the best they were going to get out of him for now.
Then they bowed before leaving; they made sure to lock the door on their way out.
"Sit on the bed with me," said Kaoru as she scooted to her left so he could get on.
He cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Eating to the side isn't comfortable. Come on. It's not like I could do anything to you, or is Battousai getting afraid of a girl who's only 20?" asked Kaoru teasingly.
Kenshin glared at her before getting up and sitting beside her and they ate dinner in a comfortable silence.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N: I hope that this chapter was long enough and that you all enjoyed it. About my lemon, I'm not that sure when I'll be doing that. Though I think soon since Kenshin and Kaoru have more time together, but then again they have people around them. I'll think of a way to get them to do that. So be patient.
PLEASE REVIEW! Even a simple smiley face would do!