// indicates thought!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the RK cast! (Although I wish I had Sou- Chan!!!!!!!!!)

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

The next day Sanouske came to pick up Yahiko for Kaoru.
"Please," Megumi begged as Sano took Yahiko from her arms,"be gentle. I don't want him to get hurt anymore. If anything happens, he could...die."
Sano looked down at the bundle in his arms. Megumi had wrapped Yahiko in a blanket so he wouln't attract to many stares. Only his head stuck out.
"I'll be careful," he said quietly. He would never admit to it, but even with all the teasing and insults, he loved Yahiko like a little brother. The brat at times reminded him of himself; stubborn and not knowing when to back down.
"Here," she said. Megumi thrust a bottle containing the green liquid into Sano's pocket. "He's having little seizures from the poisberry effects. When it happenes give him this. And I trust Kaoru has all the bandages and salve I gave her yesterday?"
"Yeah Fox. I'd better be going. Best get the kid to a bed." She nodded in understanding.
He then leaned over and kissed Megumi, much to his own surprise. Megumi put her hand to her cheek where she could still feel San's kiss. //Why did he do that?// she mused. //Maybe, he doesn't think of me as just a friend. Or maybe he was just being friendly...//
Sano walked up the path, wondering what he had just done. //Why did I kiss the Fox? Could I *blushes* like her?//

When Sano reached the Kamiya Dojo, he was greeted by a solemn looking Kaoru.
"How is he?" she asked looking at the sleeping Yahiko.
Sano told her all that Megumi had said as he walked down the hall to Yahiko's bedroom. " She said to change the bandages every 4 hours, but the ones by his shoulder and his heart need to be changed every 2."
He looked up and saw worry in her eyes. "Are you alright Jou-chan?" he asked with concern showing in his face.
"I'm alright Sano," Kaoru answered, a little surprised by how much he cared."But what frightens me the most," she continued,"is the scar. Why would anyone want to hurt an innocent child?" She then fell against Sano, crying into his jacket.
"It's alright Jou-chan. He'll be alright. Yahiko's a tough kid, he'll get through this, you'll see. // I hope.//

For the whole day, someone was always watching the boy, although he never moved, talked, or gave any sign he was alive. In fact, the only reason they could tell he was alive was by his shallow, ragged, breathing, as he fought for each breath of air.
Soon it was dark and Sano headed home.
Kenshin and Kaoru both sat by him, neither wanting to leave his side.
"Kaoru-Dono," Kenshin said interrupting the quietness of the night,"I have a question to ask you." When she didn't answer he continued on. "At the Yakuza house, after I had defeated Anohorea and Gasuke, Yahiko said to me, 'Kenshin...I'm sorry'. What does it mean?"
Kaoru sighed. "I'm not sure. But I think what he was trying to say, was that he's sorry to all of us, that we got mixed up in his life. I think he has always felt himself a burden, and just another problem." Here she paused for a breath of air and then burst out. "But he isn't Kenshin! He isn't a problem. He's not a hinderence. Sure, that's the way we treat him sometimes, but he should know that we love him.
But why? Why did they do this to him? Why? It's not fair! He isn't at fault for what his father did. And his father was only fighting for what he believed in." She errupted into sobs and fell against Kenshin
"Hush Kaoru-Dono," he said stroking her hair,"it'll be alright. He's a strong kid. And I think he'll make it through this, that I do."

The next day kenshin was cooking breakfast while Kaoru was with Yahiko. She had just finished rewrapping the wound on his shoulder, when she felt Yahiko stir. And he wasn't shaking and going stiff like a board, meaning it wasn't a seizure.
"Yahiko," she whispered,"Yahiko?"
She was amazed when he opened his eyes. Gazing into the deep brown orbs, she could see pain, as well as in his face.
"Kaoru," he muttered, just barely a whisper.
"Shh, Yahiko rest." She looked at him in concern. //He shouldn't over exert himself. And that means no talking.//
"No Kaoru. I need to tell you this." His breathing became more labored with each word he spoke, but he needed to tell her, incase he never got a chance to again.
"You're not ugly. Actually, you're kinda pretty. And I'm sorry I was so mean to you. I shouldn't have teased you and listened more." He gasped as the pain intensified.
"Yahiko stop-"
The look in his eyes told her he wanted to finish. "I hope you know, that Kenshin really likes you. So you'd better get married and have tons of kids."
With that he closed his eyes as he slipped back into a painfilled sleep.
"Yahiko!" Kaoru yelled, not wanting her student to leave her.
Kenshin came running, fearing the worst. But when he got to the room, he could still hear Yahiko's harsh breathing, but also Kaoru crying.
"Kaoru-dono?"
"He woke up Kenshin." She raised her tear stained face toward Kenshin. "He told me I wasn't ugly, and," she choked back a sob,"He wants us to be happy together." With that, she went back to crying, drowning out Yahiko.
"Kaoru-dono, you must get a hold on yourself, that you must. Yahiko would not like to see you like this."
"You're right. I have to be strong." With a calm expression on her face, she continued to sit next to her pupil, making sure to keep a hold on her emotions.

The next day, Kenshin was doing laundry when he head someone whistling and coming towards the dojo.
//Who could that be? No one we know would be so cheerful when Yahiko's on his deathbed.//
"Hiya Kenshin-San!" Kenshin looked up surprised. He knew that voice.
"Yutaro-San! Welcome back!"
Kaoru ran to the door. "Hello Yutaro," she said softly.
"Hi Kaoru-Sensei!" Yutaro exclaimed happily. "Is Yahiko around?"
Kenshin glanced at Kaoru, not knowing what to say.
"Yes, but he's sleeping. Speaking of which, I don't mean to be rude, but could we all keep it down? I don't want Yahiko to wake up."
Once Kaoru was out of earshot, Yutaro immediately turned to Kenshin. "When has she ever cared so much about Yahiko? And can I start on my lessons again? My arm is all healed!"
"Yahiko... isn't feeling well. And Kaoru will gladly start teaching you again. How about we go get some breakfast?"
"Alright! Let's go!"

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

A/N~ Yep, I updated pretty soon! :)

Plzz review (like normal :D) and thanx to all those of you who did!

I take back about what I said about GE (Great Expectations) It's confusing! Replay from last night...

*Me sitting at table reading Stage 3 chapter 39* Uhhhhh! How can I read this? I don't get it! *Rereads same line for 14th time* I hate you Barnes! (English teacher!) *Throws down book and jumps on it* I hate you! I hate you!

uhhhh... hehe! I got past that chapter, but still don't really get it.

As for the Sano/Megumi... I couldn't resist! I love the fox and rooster together! lol!

Well g2g! I have to go make out my Christmas/Birthday list! Presents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~IcyPanther