Changing

By: Well, a new notice... I'm not going to put whom this fic is by, because frankly, you know who wrote this fic and I'm going to change my penname a lot. Hey! I'm a woman! I have that right!

Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to... I don't own RK. Or Kaoru. Or Kenshin. Or Sano. Or Saitou. ARGH, you get the point!

{Previously}

After a moment of silence, "How do you know I have a wife?"

"Ya see... I didn't... Until I found out I had a God-mother."

"A g-g-g-god mother?" Misao asked.

"Yup. And her name happens to be Saitou Tokio. Married to the wolf is my mother!"

"Okay... WHAT!?" Sano yelled.

Kaoru winced. "Well, Uhh... if I said I was just joking, would you drop it?" she asked weakly.

"Yes... we probably would drop it for the sake of you, if not for ourselves..." even the ever calm Aoshi was having problems digesting this.

"How do you know her?" Hajime Saitou asked quietly, his amber eyes gleaming surprise and possessiveness.

After a moment, Kaoru asked quietly, "Couldn't we go see her?"

"...No."

"Well, then fine! You know what? That's fine and dandy with me! I have to go kill a person, and when I finally find some family of mine, other than the ones here, you won't even let me see her! Fine!" Kaoru cried and ran to her room.

Saitou Hajime made movement to follow her when Kenshin spoke. "I dare you to follow her. I just dare you."

Saitou turned around and smirked and glanced into Kenshin's own golden eyes. "I'm glad you're thinking of continuing our battle."

"Be wise Saitou-san. You have Sagara-san, Battousai, and myself to fight against. Maybe even Yahiko and Misao." Aoshi said, rubbing his temples.

He huffed, not wanting to admit that he would lose, and turned on his heel and left without another word.

"I..." Misao began but Kenshin cut her off. "Later. You can talk to her when she has cooled."

Then he, too, left the room.

"Whoa. That was... odd." Yahiko commented.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Misao quickly snuck into the halls of the Kamiya dojo, her destination? Kaoru's room.

"Going somewhere, weasel?"

Misao let out a yelp and saw Yahiko, walking out from the shadows.

She huffed. "You know perfectly where I am going."

He grinned at her. "Yeah. I'm coming with you."

A few moments later:

"Ahhhhhhhhhh~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KENSHIN!! AOSHI!! SANO!! MEGUMI!!" Yahiko and Misao came screaming.

"What is it now, children," Sano smirked.

Yahiko started growling at Sano but Misao began to talk. Or at least tried.

"Kaoru... Missing... Not... Her... Room... Gone..." she heaved out.

Suddenly, everyone was on his or her feet.

"WHAT!?"

"Yeah... Well, I know Kenshin said not to go into her room but well,... I just wanted to check upon her!!" Misao raised her hands in her defense.

"Well, it's a good thing you did anyway..." Aoshi murmured.

"This is a note for us Kenshin... I couldn't get myself to read it." Yahiko whispered, handing him a note Kenshin picked up one that said, Kenshin-gumi.

The letter said the following:

My Beloved Kenshin-gumi and friends

Ahh... I'm not as helpless as you think, and yes. I can do this. Do what? Train of course! I... I discovered a technique called Neko Odoru Ryu in the diary. Which Yahiko referred to as the 'tree killing move.'

I think that's very funny.

Well, I hope you don't bother Saitou-san much, because he will not know where I am either. I decided to take up some private training with Tokio. If she allows it that is. If she doesn't, I just might go visit... Well, it wouldn't be all that good if I told you now, would it?

I love you all... I truly do... but please... don't try and follow me. I'm a big girl and I think I can handle this... Trust me... won't ya?

Kenshin: I just hope you will find peace for yourself. I've never been able to tell you this but I think I figured out the secret to the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu.

Yes... It's just like Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. To protect. But... With a price to pay. You have to carry their burden... For the rest of your life.

Kenshin choked back a sob and dropped the letter. Megumi picked it up and read it.

Megumi: Mou! I hope you keep your hands to yourself while I'm gone! There is no more raccoon girl to keep the fox to herself! Okay? I hope you go great with your studies. And... Just... Just take care of everyone... Won't ya? I never had and ever will have the grace and the touch of healing your hands have, so watch everyone for me. I'm sure you will do it just fine.

Megumi wiped a tear that traveled down her face and handed the letter to Yahiko.

Yahiko: Hey brat! I'll miss ya a lot too! Your busu teacher will be gone for a while and you better be training! I'll test ya for your worthy of the name successor of the Kamiya Kasshin. Kay? Love ya Yahiko... CHAN!

Yahiko refused to cry but his cheeks puffed and then handed the letter to Misao.

Misao-chan: I think it's funny how I'm a raccoon, you a weasel, and Megumi a fox. How come only the women have an animal symbol? Wait, Saitou and Sano has one too! Wolf and a rooster. When I get back, we simply must think of names for the rest. What about Kenshin, a hen? He's always worrying over me like a mother hen. Mou! Well... There's not much to say, except that you are like a little, wait. Scratch that. You ARE a little sister to me and I hope you end up happy. Always...

Misao handed the letter to Sano.

Sano-nee-chan: Yes... Call me weird but you have always been like a older brother to me. And yes, I grudgingly admit, you're VERY special to me. You recognized me for who I was... Not just an innocent little girl, but a young woman in love. I thank you deeply. And do NOT get your 'big brother' instinct going. I'll be okay. Since I'm your little sis from now on, take care of Yahiko for me. He's like my little brother. So now he's part of YOUR responsibility. When I'm gone, please act mature. When I come back, you can be a rooster again. Okay?

Sano looked at the next name carefully, then confusedly, handed the letter to Aoshi.

Aoshi-kun...: Well, it should be addressed to my Aoshi-nee-chan. Yes... I'm sorry. But you're my older brother!

Everyone stared in surprise.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: Yup! I think that's enough for today! Don't ya think? Now review!! If you want the next chappie!! ::raises eyebrow at the lack of enthusiasm:: you WANT it... don't ya!?