AN: ::blushes the color of Kenshin's hair:: Ororororororo! So many wonderful reviews! ::passes out for shear excitement:: Thank you! Thank YOU! THANK YOU! You guys are so awesome! By reviewing like the last chapter it got me all inspired to write more! ^-^ So here is a really rough chapter (it hasn't gone through beta reading! YIKES!) ^^;; *sigh* Where would I be without you guys? Likely still on the 1st Chapter! So review! Reviews make me happy and inspired! \^0^/
Disclaimers: So I don't own Kenshin… SO I can't take him home with me. I understand! I get the idea! But heck I can dream can't I? ^^''
Heart of a Wolf
Ch.6
Pink sakura trees danced with the wind against a clear azure sky. The sun sent its rays out touching each petal making them shine softly in the light of the afternoon. Birds sang on the branches talking to each other, telling of their day so far. It was such a beautiful day than to be behind a wooden desk, however Saitou had no choice.
Saitou Hajime sighed as he continued to watch the limbs dance across his vision. He had opened his window to get some fresh air but as soon as he did he just sat in his chair and stared outside. The soft sent of the blossoms filtered into his office and his senses easing away tense muscles. Several petals had already flown in and littered the floor at his feet like a childish painting with rough strokes.
Light brown eyes soften as he thought of the one person who often smelled like those flowers. 'Shiori.' The name flittered by his thoughts bringing with them a small giggle, a small smile, a dance, sparkling honey colored eyes… a memories of a time before. In his gloved hand was a letter that was lovingly and adoringly written with careful, smooth strokes though they still barely resembled the actual characters. Saitou looked down at the wrinkled paper and unfolded once again. The birds played a sweet melody while he re-read the contents in the letter adding to the moment as he savored the few words written.
Dear Father,
I made these onegari for you to eat along your trip to Osaka. Don't forget to share! Have a safe trip papa and come back quickly!
I love you Daddy!
Shiori
Saitou traced the child's signature softly, a soft smile touching his lips. It had been written a few years ago when the child was learning to write. The onegari that the tiny girl had made did not resemble to food nor tasted as such. Saitou had to through them to the horses that refused to eat them as well. But Saitou had kept the note with him, pulling it out ever so often, which was why it was so wrinkled, reading and re-reading its contents over and over again. It gave him comfort and eased away the anxiety that filled him when he was too immersed within his work.
How he missed her tiny face. Saitou closed his eyes for a few moments. Behind his lids he could see her clearly. Small heart shaped face with his sharp features rounded by the baby fat that still clung to her cheeks. Large, almond shaped light brown eyes that sparkled with an intensity he knew was just for him. Those eyes were framed by full, dark lashes that only made her eyes seem larger and more beautiful. A pert, little nose that often wrinkled when she laughed at some bizarre comment he made. Two full, pink lips that could pout and make him give in or that could smile brightly filling his heart. Dark ebony hair framed her face with uneven bangs drawing the viewer back to the beautiful golden tanned face. She laughed at him behind his closed eyes, laughed at something that he didn't know about but didn't care to know about. The corners of her eyes crinkled with her smile taking up her face.
Saitou's heart fluttered within his chest as a gust of wind brought the smell of the cherry blossoms to his nose. Saitou opened his eyes his eyes resting on the trees outside. His three biological sons had all taken after himself but Shiori… she had ended up with all her mother's features though she kept his eyes and spirit. It was wild and untamable and could be clearly seen through her bright eyes… rather it used to be that way.
Saitou frowned as he looked back down at the note. It had been his fault. He had failed Tokio… again. "Koshii…" He whispered slowly as he retraced the four words above the name. "I broke my promise to you, my darling." Saitou looked back to the trees his golden eyes suddenly very sad and clouded.
The wind brushed past the trees again this time causing the birds to flutter and fly to other more stable perches. Saitou continued to shift between the trees and letter through out the afternoon his mind not here in the present but in the past… to a fateful day that changed his life forever.
Saitou nervously paced outside his bedroom waiting for the doctor to finally come out with the diagnosis though he could tell what it was going to be. He told the children to go outside and play, the older ones understanding the situation and taking with them the younger ones distracting them from the tension. Saitou's hand twitched slightly aching for a slim cigarette to calm his nerves. No, he had to control himself and Tokio would kill him if he smoked inside the house. 'Breathe Hajime. Breathe.'
The rice door opened and out stepped a middle aged man who was starting to grow bald in the front. Saitou stopped to face him face like stone, unemotional, cold. The doctor looked him in his amber eyes without fear but rather with sadness, pity, and guilt. Saitou felt his knees weaken and the world begin to spin before the doctor even spoke.
"I am sorry Fujita-san but your wife," The doctor paused noticing the pale look the taller man had. "She will not survive the night."
Saitou groped the wall he was next to in hopes of somehow steadying the world that had shattered beneath his feet. "Can't you do anything?" He had said the words but knew there was nothing that could be done.
"I am sorry." The doctor said while shaking his head. "You should have your children say their goodbyes now and send them to someone's house."
Saitou shook his head. "No."
"It would not be well if they stay here while she… struggled in the night." The doctor turned to stare out the open door that lead to the yard with the children running back and forth in a game.
"If you wish I may take them with me. I have a son and a daughter that they could distract themselves with. My wife would not mind." He spoke before turning to face the broken man.
"I do not trust anyone." Saitou tried to lift his heavy head to glare at the man but found the weight almost unbearable. His voice had cracked almost coming out somewhat as a sob.
The doctor looked at him curiously. "I understand that in your line of business there would be many enemies a few allies however…Children should not have to witness that." He said softly his brown eyes explaining he understood the man more than he thought.
It took Saitou a while but he finally conceded to the doctor's request to keep his children with him. The old man called in the children explaining to them that they would be staying with him and that they should tell their mother goodbye. The younger ones did not understand the gravity of the situation but the older ones knew better. They all filled in one by one, the smaller ones telling their mother that they'd see her tomorrow. The older ones spoke their goodbyes with tears and silent promises to honor her.
They left him alone with her so that he could share her suffering. Saitou felt childish momentarily wanting to leave to not bare witness to this. But his heart and soul could not leave her like this, alone and dying. The dark haired man pushed the door between them open and stepped through the doors.
Saitou was startled out of his reverie with a loud pounding on his western door. The thin police captain wipes away the stray tear and composing himself before facing the dark oak door. "What?" Saitou growled out roughly. The head of raven haired woman came through the door. Saitou cursed.
"Nice to see you too Saitou-san." Jade green eyes twinkled with mirth as thin pink lips quirked into a smirk.
"What do you want weasel girl?" Saitou pretended that the papers on his desk were more interesting than the young woman with the bulging stomach.
Misao chuckled, her voice a deeper richer tone that came with womanhood. "I brought you your lunch you sour puss." Misao waddled over in her dark green kimono. Saitou looked up raising an eyebrow noticing that koi fish swam against the green fabric. He winced and Misao noticed. She however said nothing.
"Did you cook it? How do I know it's not poisoned?" Saitou said staring at the bento wearily. "I never ordered lunch." He murmured quietly.
Misao rolled her eyes. "Honestly Saitou-san! Here take it you ingrate!" Misao threw it onto the desk, her green eyes blazing. "It's little wonder anyone can stand you." She waddled over to one of the chairs across from him sitting down in it.
"I don't remember offering you a seat."
"I don't remember caring." Misao gave a great full sigh as soon as she was off her feet. The two sat in silence for a while the only sound being Saitou as he shuffled the papers around. "Well are you going to tell me?"
"Excuse me?" Saitou asked looking up from a rather lengthy document. Oh he wasn't going to like this.
Misao gave him a look that she had developed in all her years of marriage with Aoshi. It was one that made the ex-okashira squirm in his seat. It was having the similar effect on the rude ookami. Misao smiled sweetly, she finally got the upper hand on the idiot. "You seem troubled and since I am no going anywhere soon…" She trailed off letting him take the hint that she was here to listen.
Saitou snorted. "As if you had any experience in this area." He made the mistake of looking at her stomach.
Misao smiled. The look she had given him earlier caused him to be careless. It took everything in her being to keep the ninja from giggling out loud. She'd send the wolf back into his shell if she did that! "Any day now and Aoshi will have another little 'Misao-chan' to look after."
That took Saitou by surprise somewhat. "I wasn't aware that you had reproduced more weasels."
Misao bristled at the comment and bit her tongue keeping in mind her goal. "I have a young daughter, Kumiko. She's about 12 summers old now. Looks a lot like her father, acts like me and she's quite the handful!" She smiled laughing at something Saito wasn't privy to.
"Great another weasel girl… just what Japan needs." Saito returned to paying more attention to the documents than Misao.
Misao had the urge to smack him over the head but seeing as she was pregnant she was not going to be able to do that quickly enough to actually hit the older man. "Well are you going to tell me?"
"No."
"Don't be stubborn! I can probably help!"
"No."
"They won't stop climbing trees? They refuse to dress nice and keep it clean? Throw away the vegetables when you're not looking? What?"
"Mursame, I have no intention of telling you what is wrong with my children nor seeking out your advice on it."
Misao pursed her lips and was silent for a moment. She remembered receiving word from the Tokyo Oniwabanshu telling her of Tokio's death. She racked her brain with the details of it all; trying to figure out what it was that troubled the man so. After a few moments of silence she set her eyes on the growing pile of blossoms behind him.
It seemed like forever for Saitou and was having trouble concentrating his mind shifting back into memories he did not want to divulge into at the moment.
Tokio was a marvelous woman who had done the unthinkable, tame the wolf. Saitou would never have admitted it to anyone but he was nothing without her. She was his center, his balance that kept him stable, normal. Everything he had ever did was for her. Aku Soku Zan… he had kept this ideal for her, to protect her. He should have told her. The tall, lanky ex-Shinsengumi member had recalled several times where he had the opportunity but instead coward at the words.
Tokio smiled at him, she was still beautiful even now with her face deathly pale and her hair dull. He had never understood how that woman could take all that he was and always reduce him to a babbling idiot just by smiling at him. "Hajime." The voice was weak but was strong enough to make the man collapse to his knees beside her.
"It's not your fault you know." Saitou looked at the woman across from him with bewildered brown eyes. Misao faced him locking her eyes with his. "No one ever knows how it will all turn out."
"Wha-"
Misao threw up her hand stopping him. "As a parent all you can do is try your best. We are still human and make mistakes even ex-hitokiri's like yourself." Misao placed her hands in her lap before continuing. She knew she had hit the right topic. Shiori was his only daughter and had barely known her mother before she died. Saito was afraid. He was afraid that he had messed up and that he would continue to do so.
"You shouldn't be here. You should be with her."
"Musume-"
"No, Saitou. Listen to me for once. She is a fine young child but you have yet to realize this because half the time you are out doing this!" She waved her hand at his desk. "How can you learn about her? See that you have done well so far if all you do is brood in this hole? You can't!
You need to be with her. Talk to her! Tell her all about you without fear! She'll understand! She'll never turn out to be the way you want her to, but turn into something far better than you could have ever imagined! Do not crush the spirit she has within her Saitou-san. She is young and just like you in spirit but that doesn't mean that she'll turn out like you. You can't be afraid of your past. Honestly! You may hate Himura-san but you are just like him!"
Saitou stood stunned at Misao's words. They hit the mark of all his fears, of all his insecurities. Of course he would never admit that.
Misao took the silence as his acceptance of her words and decided it was best to leave him to mull over the words. She pushed herself out of the chair and waddled slowly to the door.
"Misao," The young girl would have given birth at that moment out of pure shock of hearing her name come out of the man's lips. She kept her face neutral and turned to face the sharp faced ookami. A note flew at her and she caught it easily looking at it curiously before blushing realizing what it was. "Tell Aoshi I thoroughly enjoyed eating his lunch." Misao groaned and smiled at Saitou as he chuckled before she walked out.
Saitou shook his head. Misao had changed. She no longer was the childish, little ninja that kept poking into everybody's business. She was now the pregnant ninja woman that poked into everybody's business, but he was grateful.
"Hajime, you can't be afraid of your past."
"I won't be Tokio darling. Just don't let it be too late." Saitou called one of his subordinates giving him orders to buy train tickets back to Tokyo.
Kenshin felt the world around him spin and clutched at the doorframe to steady himself. He felt so sick suddenly.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru called worriedly from their futon. "What it is? What is wrong with Kenji? Kenshin?"
The red haired man just shook his head. He didn't know why exactly but he could sort of guess what it was. Kenshin muttered out something to Kaoru before slowly walking towards the bathhouse where he felt Kenji's ki coming from.
Even from afar the pain was overwhelming. Kenshin winced as his sore muscles groaned against his movements. It was so different from when he had been with Kaoru. She had given his body so much energy, but now this hurt that crashed against his psyche drained him of all he had.
Kenshin and Kaoru had been… well making out like a couple of teenagers when he felt Kenji's ki approaching. Kenshin was trying to warn his wife, whom was unaware at the time, that it would be quite embarrassing to be caught like they were, groping at each other desperately. She had barely listened to him when he tried to be sweet about it and had opted for a more commanding tone.
"Koshii! I don't want Kenji!" The rest died on his lips as Kaoru took advantage of his flapping lips with her own. Kenshin was finally giving in his last thoughts being somewhere along the lines of 'aw, who cares?' when it hit him. It was like jumping into freezing cold water in the middle of winter. The shock had caused him to freeze for a few moments before he quickly parted from a bewildered Kaoru jumping to his feet and flinging the door open. What he saw there was a broken young man and that made his heart wrench at the sight. Kenshin had tried to ask what was wrong, what had happened to make his son feel that way. But he didn't even get through Kenji's entire name. Why were people constantly interrupting him today?
'Kenji… did you hear what I said? Is that it? Do you think that I don't want you? That I don't love you like my life? If only you knew my son! If only you could see into my heart! You are my life! Kaoru started it but you are it! All I live for now is you! You are the clean hands that I never had… Kenji, my son… Can't you see it?'
Kenshin paused at the door his breath was ragged. He tired to block out the pain his son stirred through the air but it was too much, way too much. He could feel it try and squeeze around his heart, trying to smother it still. "Kenji," Kenshin breathed out opening the door.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" The young Himura screeched. "Go away you bastard!" Kenji sobbed out the last part his strong frame shuddering with each breath.
Kenshin winced at the words flung at him as if they were sharp knives piercing at his skin. "Kenji, please let me explain."
"No!" Kenji turned his tear stained face towards Kenshin. His blue eyes were blood shot the skin around the lids swollen. His thin lips were bruised with faint teeth marks printed on the bottom lid.
Kenshin felt tears come to his violet eyes blurring his vision. His voice quivered as his heart raced in anxiety. "Please Kenji I just-"
"No!" Kenji covered his ears closing his eyes tightly. "I don't want to hear you! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kenji sobbed again as fresh tears spilled from his blue eyes. "Just go AWAY!"
Kenshin stumbled over to the young man reaching out a hand towards him but Kenji batted it away harshly quickly scurrying away from him. Kenshin felt the maternal instinct to sooth whatever was ailing his child and tired again to no avail. Kenji didn't want his comfort nor his words, he just wanted to be alone. But how could he show him if he wouldn't let him? Couldn't he see it? Couldn't he see how much pain Kenshin was in just for his sake?
"Kenji…" Kenshin murmured quietly as he brought both his hands towards his son's fallen form.
"I hate you!" Kenji blurted out through his hysterical crying scrunching up further into the curled position. "I hate you." He whispered out.
Kenshin felt his knees weaken at the words. Those words were worse then Saitou's gatotsu and far more deadly. Kenshin tried to speak but was only able to make his lips move as he fell down mere inches from his son.
What? How? Kenshin swore his heart stopped. Was he dead? Did those words kill him? Kenshin felt the tears slide down his warm face along with something else. He didn't need to touch it to know that somehow his scar was bleeding. It hadn't bleed in such a long time he thought it would never do so again. But here it was dripping dark droplets onto the wooden floorboards, mixing with his salty tears.
Kenji wanted to scream to shout a thousand things at the man next to him. He wanted him to go away. He wanted to tell him where to go to. But they never made it past his lips. He couldn't say them. Somehow when he was going to tell him what he thought, how much he really hated him they got caught in a sob and came out gurgled.
Kenji hurt. Hurt deep inside. He could barely feel his heart beat it hurt so much. Maybe he was dead. Maybe those words had killed him and he didn't realize it. It felt as if he died. Those words had killed him.
Koshii! I don't want Kenji!
It was one thing to believe it without real truth, but to have the words said and to hear them? There lied the pain, the knife that killed.
I don't want Kenji!
The words continued to torment him as they taunted and danced around his head leaving them as the only sounds he could hear.
I don't want Kenji!
Kenji felt strong arms wrap themselves around him in a tight embrace and he struggled to free himself from them. "NO!" He cried out pushing away from the chest that was in front of him. "NO! Leave me ALONE!"
I don't want him!
"I love you." The words were soft and warbled by tears. "I love you." Kenshin repeated in case the young man didn't hear. He never relinquished his hold on Kenji. He somehow found his strength again and tightened the embrace. "I love you." Kenshin repeated into the wet strands. "I love you." Tears caught in his throat as he said them making him sound choked. "I love you."
"No! Lair!"
I don't want him!
"I hate you! Let me go you bastard! Let me GO!"
"I love you."
I don't want you!
"Damn it! Let me go you lair! Lair! Lair! LAIR!"
"I love you."
I don't want you!
"I love you, Kenji."
Don't want you…
"You are my son. I love you."
Don't…want… you…
"I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!" With a final push Kenji shoved the older man away from the loosened grip. The auburn haired youth tried to sprint out of the bathhouse but found the doorway blocked by several still bodies. Yahiko looked at him with disappointed copper eyes. Tsubame let the tears flow freely from her blue ones while covering her mouth with a shaking, pale hand. His mother had already crumpled to the floor sobs racking her small frame her gaze not even on him. Outside there were several students that had come to see what the commotion was all about and once learning what it was stood stock still in silence. Shiori stood away from them all her demeanor calm, her lips drawn in a tight line. Her eyes were shaded and a dark rich brown.
Kenji stared into her dark eyes coming to a decision he didn't realize he was debating. He stumbled past Yahiko and Tsubame wobbled over towards Shiori. Once he reached her he bowed his head as he took her small hand in his and led her away from the scene, his back facing the four at the bathhouse. The crowd parted for the two silently not really knowing what to do but watch.
Yahiko had somehow separated from his own body and watched everything from a distant place. He couldn't believe what was happening! What in the world was happening?! Yahiko cursed as he snapped out of his shocked state his voice harsh and a bit raw. "Kenji! Kenji you idiot! Come back here and apologize!"
Yahiko felt so small suddenly. He wasn't the married man with a son standing in a doorway. He was six years old watching his father walk away to go join the war to die. He was watching his mother smile to him as she passed over, her tired body finally giving out. He was watching Kaoru wither away in her room and feeling empty because Kenshin wasn't there. He was watching Kenshin rot away in Rakuninmura as the Kaoru doll hung limply in the dojo. His family was walking away, destroying itself… No! He wasn't going to let them do this! Damn it! It was his family too! He didn't want to give it up!
"Kenji!" Yahiko growled out again this time taking a step forward but Kenji never stopped walking, never acknowledged that Yahiko had said something. He just kept walking right out the gates never once looking back. Shiori looked over her shoulder at the faces her eyes softly saying how sorry she was. She turned her attention back at the silent and calm Kenji who had stopped sobbing but watched in morbid fascination as clear tears trailed one right after another smearing the blood that had landed on his cheeks. They walked in silence leaving the Kamiya dojo behind them.
Shiori stayed quiet for quite some time as the two of them walked around aimlessly. She tried to formulate some words of comfort, of understanding, of anything to get him to talk to her! However, the words evaded her grasp and so she said nothing. What could she say? She couldn't understand his reasoning in this. Not that she understood to begin with but there was always something that she could say that would somehow draw him away from his dark mood. This time whatever had happened seemed to dig much deeper into his soul.
Shiori was hungry and faintly wondered where they were going and if there was going to be any food there. She did not mention this of course. After all a major fight just broke out an hour ago and that was just simply inappropriate at a time like this! But though her mind had made that distinction her stomach did not and rumbled loudly in protest of having missed lunch.
Shiori blushed profusely and was about to apologize when a hoarse chuckle stopped her. Worried brown eyes meet endlessly sad violet eyes. They were beautiful even in that state and they stole her breath away.
"Gomen. I didn't mean to take you away from lunch like that." Kenji gave her a soft smile that caused her heart to skip a beat.
"Kenji," She started and then stopped she didn't really know what to say. How could anyone now what to say? This wasn't something she could cover with a fake smile or teasing words, this was a wound deeper than she could fix, deeper than she knew how to.
Kenji shook his head dropping to his knees before her, the gate to her home behind her. The sun had begun it's decent a long time ago casting orange hues against their faces. The young Himura pulled her into a tight embrace burrowing his face in her black hair. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag you into this."
Shiori stood still momentarily letting the young man cry into her hair. She petted his back and whispered soft comforting words.
Saitou turned the corner to his home his stomach flopping slightly over the prospect of having to talk with his daughter. Saitou stopped in his tracks as he watched with wide eyes the scene before him. His daughter was standing before their door with some boy embracing her! Only one thing flittered through his mind: Aku Soku Zan.
---- tsudzuku ----
AN: This is the longest chapter I have written for this story to this date! Finally Saitou appears! Tension between Saitou and Kenji! Why Saitou leaves Shiori alone is kinda explained! (I'm working on it! ^^;;) Yes I know I'm probably over doing the whole Kenji vs Kenshin thing but I wanted to make a big mess that gets cleaned up! Hopefully the next chapter will be finished soon! Yay I can almost see the end of this story!! ::looks into the far future:: Oro!
Arrigato Gozaimasu Mina-san! All your reviews have made me extremely happy! I can't thank all of you enough! ^-^ Total number of reviews for last chapter: 16! That is the most I have ever received!
Jason M. Lee- ::blushes:: Thank you for looking at my drawings! ^-^ I really appreciate that! I'm an artist before a writer so that means a lot to me. ^-^ I'm glad you like my story so much! Zoscrowe-san's stories were what inspired me to write this story! Yeah I wish she'd finish them they were such wonderful stories to read. Oh don't worry about Shiori! She'll get Kenji good! Kenshin and Kenji will come to terms with each other and they'll bond over the topic of love! Hee hee! Oh just wait... I have big plans for those two!
Pia-san- Thank you! I know! I was so surprised to hear that Kenji hated his father! But I understand why he does. I'm glad that I was able to give you a Kenji that you could like. ^-^ THANK YOU! With reviews like these it's hard to not get inspired!
Eliz- I'm sorry that I had to leave you waiting but I had to update my Inuyasha fic To Be Human just like yuo are reading this fic I have people reading that one. *sigh* They don't review as much as I'd like them too but I still like that story. I hope I answered your questions with this chapter! ^-^ And you're right Kenshin just can't hate his own child! ^-^ Thank you for your review!
okashira- Kenji and Kenshin have a very strained relationship and yes they misunderstand each other all the time! I love Kenshin and I'd never want him to loose his happiness. You're right he deserves it! Thank you very much!
dementedchris- GAH! I warned you! My grammar is awful! You'd never think I was a college bum with the way I write! ;_; K&K waffiness? You are a K&K fan? (Stupid question I know! Hee hee! :B) Next time I do some K&K action (looks to the next chapter) I'll make sure to do it for you! Good! I'm glad it's not too far off from the plot! I'm getting terrified to write this story! I never finish my stories but I can actually see the ending of this story and I know what I want to happen!
fujifunmum- Yay! No OOC! \^0^/ ::Ro-Chan does a little jig:: Yeah I wanted to begin the reconstruction era...er... yeah. Thank you for emailing me too! I was so surprised to get that and a review! I hate to say it but it's true... my Inuyasha stories aren't as good as this one (in the way of writing). Yes! More K&K! I'll try and be patient and wait for it! Yum... Enishi....
yuki- Thank you for your review! Yes I can finally admit (though it wasn't a big secret) that Shiori is Saitou's daughter!
suiren- Yeah Kenji is pretty much like his father, but I wouldn't have it any other way! ::blushes:: Thank you for your comments! ^-^
Marta- Yes! You are correct! Shiori IS Saitou's daughter! Glad you liked the K&K action! Oh I'll keep writing all right! Thank you! ^^
nymph- Ah! Don't be upset! ;_; Don't worry everything will be fixed! Happier chapters are bound to come along right? As to the why? Ah that will be explained in the next chapter. ^-^ Thank you for reviewing!
J. Liha- Yeah he shouldn't! Yes and even more trouble this time around! Arrigato for the review!
Dragon_0f_Darkness- I luv you too! ^-^ Yes Kenshin will live... or at least as long as I need him to. BWAHAHAHAHA *cough cough wheeze*
Aiko_chan- ::gets excited:: Yay! I'm glad you like it too! Here you go the next chapter!
sweetaznpnai4eva- Yeah that would have been funny unfortunately Shiori hadn't gotten into the bath house yet. But I do promise a funny bath room scene and probably not the way you think either!
Emerald - GOMEN NASI! I always like to leave cliff hangers I'm horrible I know! Kenshin die? Er... well... you see... I'd never put you guys through that again (at least not have to read about it) There will be a great happy ending for everybody except two people who will remain nameless. ::mysterious smile::
Shadow_Flame- Here you are a new chapter! Thanks for reviewing!