The Shinomori Family

Kenshin finally made it to Kyoto. It was early evening and the sun was starting to set. Even though he was extremely tired from walking all night and most of the day he didn't want to stop until he got to Shinomori's place.

When Kenshin arrived, the place seemed empty. All the windows were dark. He looked around and decided to let himself in.

"Hello! Is anyone here!" Kenshin knew better then to walk around on other people's property but he had to at least take a peek.

"Hello! Hel-"

"YEEAAAHHH!"

Kenshin looked up and saw two figures fly towards him. He grabbed his sakabatou and back flipped out the way. Just as fast as the two figures appeared, they disappeared again.

"Who's there!" Maybe someone attacked their house. I better find them. He thought as he cautiously continued through the property. Kenshin saw two figures move in the corner of his eyes but he didn't let on that he knew where they were. Then they jumped out again from behind Kenshin but he disappeared.

"Where-" "did he go?" The twins looked around.

"Who are you and where is Aoshi and Misao?" Kenshin was standing behind them with his sakabatou drawn.

"MESHI! ASAO! STOP PLAYING WITH HIMURA LIKE THAT BEFORE YOU GET HURT!"

A familiar voice came floating down from the shrine steps. Kenshin looked up and saw Misao walking towards him smiling. Kenshin then looked at his attackers and realized it was her twin daughters. He smiled and put his sakabatou back in the sheath.

"Sorry mom-" "we were just having-" "a little fun." The girls ran to their mother.

"Himura! It's been along time!" Misao laughed and hugged Kenshin.

"Yes it has been a long time that is has." He hugged her back. He stepped back to get a good look at her. It really HAS been a long time, he thought. Misao was still petite but she was no longer the scrawny little girl he knew a long time ago. She became very shapely after she had the twins and her long ebony hair was cut shoulder length. She finally looked like a woman.

Misao stood there smiling for a moment and then gave him a hard slap on the back of his head.

"ORO!"

"WHY HAS IT BEEN SO LONG!" Misao yelled in his face. Then she frowned, "What the hell is that in your hair, Himura?"

Kenshin just grinned and rubbed the back of his head but she didn't give him a chance to answer.

"Well you've obviously met my lovely daughters Meshi and Asao."

The girls apologized then said, "We've heard so-" "much about you." "Yeah you're a-" "hero."

Kenshin looked at Misao. His eyes saying, You told them about me. It was suppose to be a secret.

Misao put her hands on her hips and said, "You told me not to tell YOUR daughter! You said nothing about me tellin my children!"

Kenshin just shook his head. She was right.

"Himura Battousai."

The others looked up to see Aoshi descending the stairs.

Kenshin smiled and nodded, "Aoshi, it's been awhile."

Aoshi could see right through the pleasantries to Kenshin worry. "What's wrong Battousai? What brings you here?"

Kenshin chuckled he knew he couldn't keep his real purpose from him. "I guess I'm that obvious."

"Yes." Aoshi stood in front of Kenshin with his usual serious face.

Misao was confused but then she thought about it and realized something must have happened for Kenshin to come all the way out here by himself.

"Um…girls go inside the house and prepare dinner. The adults need to talk." Misao practically pushed them towards the house.

"Let's walk Battousai and tell us what is going on." Aoshi, Kenshin and Misao all walked back towards the shrine.

"So you're saying she could be in Kyoto right now? How do you know?" Misao asked.

"I don't actually know but I have this feeling she is here." Kenshin answered. Misao had never seen Kenshin like this. Even though he tried to hide it, which he was usually good at, Kenshin was really worried about Kiriko. I guess becoming a parent can break all boundaries, she thought. I think I would be the same way if it were my little girls. Aoshi remained silent through Kenshin's story. He kept his stern face and made no comments after he finished.

Finally he spoke up, "I had a feeling this would happen, Battousai. Holding in secrets are bad for the soul."

Kenshin didn't say anything he just nodded.

After a moments silence amongst the three, Kenshin finally spoke up, "Please, I need-"

"You need the Oniwaban group's help to search for Kiriko. Battousai, you already had our help before you even told us the problem. We'll start looking for her first thing in the morning"

Kenshin and Misao looked at Aoshi slightly stunned then they both smiled. Misao leaned over and hugged her husband. He just sat there just as stern faced as ever.

"Thank you so much, Aoshi. Thank you. But I must ask you for another favor."

Both Aoshi and Misao raised an eyebrow towards Kenshin.

"I need a piece of paper and pen. If I don't write back to Tokyo right now, Kaoru's gonna come hunt me down."

Misao laughed. Aoshi just shook his head but Kenshin could have sworn he saw a slight touch of a smile in his eyes.