To Be Free
Part Ten
Fighers Among Us
By Maria Cline
"Where is he?" Kaoru wondered as she marched through the halls. Yahiko was well enough to start training and already he was nowhere to be seen. She wanted to do the daily warm-ups before Kenshin had to leave for work. A part of her was happy that Kenshin was starting to become more independent. He had changed from the intimidated slave to a confident free man. However, there was a part of her that was getting worried that she may never see Kenshin after he leaves. She shook her head. /I can't be greedy. If I force Kenshin to stay here, I won't be any better than those slavers. When he wants to leave, I will let him go./
She looked out at the yard to see a patch of familiar hair. At lightning speed, she ran up to the hair and grabbed it. "Hold it right there, Yahi-" She stopped when she realized the hair she was holding did not belong to a twelve-year-old's. "Sanosuke!"
"Let go, Jou-chan! Can't you see that I'm eating breakfast?" Sano said as he pulled away.
"Is it my fault that you and Yahiko have the same hair? Have you seen him?" Kaoru asked as she looked around.
"No."
"Kaoru-dono, is something wrong?" Kenshin asked as he came into the yard dressed in a light blue gi with white hakama.
"Yahiko disappeared on me and it's almost time for the warm-ups." Kaoru muttered as she pounded her hand. "Are you ready for your first day at work?"
"I'm a little nervous but I will deal with it." Kenshin said as he smiled slightly.
"It's okay to be nervous. Sano will get you there and back. I'm just worried that someone might take advantage of you while you are there." Kaoru confessed.
"He doesn't need a babysitter." Yahiko said as he came up from behind. "Geesh."
"Yahiko-chan! Where were you?" Kaoru demanded as she glared at him.
"Around." The boy looked away and frowned.
Sanosuke smirked. "You were trying to get to that circus girl didn't you?"
"NO!" Yahiko's face turned bright red. /It's not like that./
"Sano, we better go." Kenshin said as he pointed to the sun. "I don't want to be late."
"All right." Sano took one last
bite and got up. "Just stay with me and
everything will be fine."
"Good, I have some errands to run.
Kenshin, you be careful okay? I don't want you to get hurt."
"I will." Kenshin nodded.
*****
The buildings burned as a lone figure ran through the streets slashing through many men. His amber eyes looked up to see a man standing in front of him with his katana out. They were enemies because of their ideas. Without words, they ran at each other expecting the other to fall. They slashed and dodged and when they were finished. One man's headband was cut off and the amber eyed man's shirt was slashed.
They turned to see no other injuries. Without words, they both know that they were equal in skill.
"Hey! Sensei!"
Sensei looked up to see Kudo smiling down again. "Chief."
"You're dazing off again.
Are you okay?"
"Yeah!" Fudo exclaimed as he looked up, "It's not like
you to be daydreaming in the middle of work.
Unless…" He gasped, "You finally found a lover!"
"Is it true." Muso asked as he came up. "Sensei found a girl! She must be hot to distract his like that."
Sensei blinked and the others laughed. "It's not like that!" He screamed.
"Ummm… am I late?" Kenshin asked as he climbed up the ladder.
"Ah! Kenshin! You're right on time. Guys! This is Kenshin, he's going to be working with us today." Kudo said as he patted Kenshin on the back.
"He's kinda small isn't he?" A rough looking man whispered to another.
"He won't last a week." Another man whispered back.
Sensei shook his head. /None of them have any idea who is standing here. I just hope that he doesn't recognize me. I don't want to fight him./
"Kenshin, why don't you work with Sensei for today? He's a good worker and a skilled teacher." Kudo suggested.
"Oh no." Sensei gasped as he rubbed his head. /I don't believe this./
"Are you okay, Sensei?" Kenshin asked worried, "I promise I will not try to get in the way of your work."
"No, I am just having a headache. It will pass." Sensei grinned as he looked away. /I wonder if he can really read my mind./
"Oh." Kenshin smiled at him. /I know him somewhere. He looks so familiar and he seems so uneasy around me./ /He knows. That old guy knows./
"Why don't we get to work, Kenshin? I'll show you where the tools are at. If you have any questions, just ask." Sensei advised as he tried not to look uncomfortable. /This will be a long day./
*****
In the shadows, a figure lurked. Ever since he met him, he could not get him out of his mind. It had been ten years since the war ended and the usefulness of the ninja had vanished. The infamous Obiwaban Group had become circus performers to get pay. None of them could blend into normal society. The other Obiwaban group is content with retirement and running a restaurant but his group could not do that.
He was still a ninja, he was still the Okishira of the Obiwaban Group and it was his duty to aid his group and help them regain their pride.
Then, he showed up. He was small and harmless looking yet he had the faint smell of blood around him. It was an instinct he had gained over the years, no matter how long it had been since a person had killed, if that person killed, he can smell it on him. The stranger had the smell of a manslayer. Maybe he was bored with his life as an entertainer or maybe he was curious, but he want to know what was going on with that redhead.
"A ninja belongs in the shadows watching the living." Aoshi said as he knelt down.
"True."
Aoshi's eyes widened as he looked to see a police officer hunching next to him staring at the building where the redhead entered. "Who are you?"
"Ichimura Tetsunosuke of the Shinsengumi." The man replied as he smiled slightly. "You are a good ninja, I had a hard time finding you. But, I had known my fair share of ninjas myself so I know a few secrets. Who are you?"
"If I tell you, I will have to kill you." Aoshi threatened.
"Oh." Tetsu blinked as he bowed his head down. "Well, I certainly don't want to die any time soon. So, Ninja-san, why are you stalking out here?"
"That is none of your business, what about you?" Aoshi glared at him again.
"That's classified information."
"I see."
The two stared at each other again. "Say, Ninja-san, do you want to join forces?" Tetsu asked as he grinned. "We must be watching the same man."
"How can you trust me? You don't know my name." Aoshi insisted.
Tetsu smirked. "You remind me of an old friend."
*****
Sensei watched Kenshin carefully as he put in shingles. If Kenshin was some other man, he would be watching him just to see if he was doing a good job. /His accuracy is still there. The way he swung his arm is consistent and forceful like me. He still had not lost his touch./ "You are doing good, Kenshin." Sensei said.
"I had a good teacher." Kenshin replied. /Will he ever stop watching me? It's getting creepy./ /He's observing our skills. That old guy is suspicious./
"Thank you." Sensei nodded as he started to work next to him, careful not to turn his back on the newcomer. /He is friendly if not quiet. Ten years had changed many things, I wonder if it changed him? I don't understand, why is he here? He could have had a much better position than as a roof worker. Wait a second, what if he is not really him but a younger brother or maybe even a son? Then, how does that explain the matching scar?/ "So, Kenshin… what did you do before you decide to work here?"
"Eh…" Kenshin frowned as he tried to think up a good answer. "I uh… was a…professional companion but I decided to do something else." /Professional companion?/ /It was half true./
"A professional companion?" Sensei repeated. /He was a prostitute? He does have feminine looks but I cannot believe he would sell himself like that./
"Do you have a problem with that?" Kenshin asked as his voice became hard and his eyes narrowed.
"No, I've heard of less honorable professions like… assassins."
"Yes, that is not an honorable profession. What about you?" Kenshin agreed. /Calm down, calm down. It was just a coincidence./ /Yeah right./
"Well, I was a fighter in my earlier days but I stopped and became a teacher. I teach poor kids how to read and write and other basic skills they cannot learn in other places." Sensei said carefully. /That should help ease the tension./
"He even taught some of us." Fudo yelled out. "That's why everyone around here calls him 'Sensei'."
"That's good. I wish I can do something like that." Kenshin gazed down sadly.
Sensei was taken back by this man. /He looks so sad, so torn up. I cannot believe he is really that man./ "That's okay. Let's keep on working."
"H-hai."
*****
"Why must there be so many Chinese symbols?" Megumi yawned as she leaned back in her chair. She had been looking over her special Japanese/Chinese dictionary and all she got was eyestrain.
"Hey, Kitsune." Sanosuke said as he came in.
"Well, Roosterhead, what brought you here?" Megumi asked as she opened her eyes.
"Oh, I was getting bored and Jou-chan and Yahiko went off to do some training. So, I thought that I might come here." The man shrugged as he sat in the chair.
"What about Ken-san? I haven't seen him lately."
"Oh, he got himself a construction job." Sano paused and said, "Did you know that he was really twenty-eight?"
"Oh really, I pegged him as someone who's at least twenty-five." Megumi chuckled as fox ears spouted from her head. "How old do you think he was when you first saw him?"
Sanosuke looked down and muttered, "Fifteen."
"OHOHOHOH!!!" Megumi laughed as she held her stomach.
"Hey! He's small and very shy! I thought he didn't go through puberty yet! How did you know he was that old?"
Megumi flashed a foxy smile. "I am a doctor remember? The human body speaks to me in a way that most normal people cannot comprehend!" She sighed as she sat down. "I hope that Kenshin could handle the strain. Say, do you know anyone who can read Chinese?"
Sanosuke frowned as he leaned back. "Hmmm… I know of this teacher who lives near me who's smart. But, I don't think he can read Chinese. I got it! There're these sailors I hang out sometimes when they come to port. They like to live on the sea and had been to many countries. They might know Chinese or at least know someone who does. I think they're due to come to port in a week. Why do you need someone who can read Chinese?"
"Oh… doctor/patient privilege." Megumi smirked.
*****
The sun rose high and beat down on the men mercilessly. Most of them had their shirts off as they work. Kenshin wiped the sweat off of his forehead. His long red hair burned against his shoulders. "Hey, Kenshin, you can take off your shirt if you want to." Fudo said as he waved.
The small man felt his shirt and shook his head. "No thank you! I'm fine!" He lied.
"Are you sure?" Sensei asked, "If you are hiding anything, there is no shame in letting us see."
"I will not take off my shirt." Kenshin growled and Sensei stepped back in shock. He blinked and then he bowed. "Gomen, I did not mean to snap, I just… don't want to that's all."
Before anyone could respond, a young woman called out, "Kenshin! Kenshin, are you up there?"
Kenshin looked down to see Kaoru dressed in her kimono with Yahiko at her side. "Kaoru-dono! Yahiko-chan! What are you two doing here?"
"Well, I was done with my teaching lessons so I'm going to do some shopping but I realized that you must be getting hungry so I packed some lunch for you." Kaoru replied as she held up a bundle.
"Hey! A looker and she can cook!" Fudo exclaimed as he and the other men ran to the side and gazed down at her.
"What a babe! She's even better looking than Ken-chan!" Another man said as the others whistled.
"I don't see what the big deal is." Yahiko muttered and then Kaoru glared at him.
Kenshin flipped off of the roof and landed in front of Kaoru. "You did not have to."
Kaoru gasped as she looked up at the roof and then at Kenshin. 'How did he do that? Was he an acrobat?' "Now, I don't want you to get hungry." Kaoru handed him the bundle. "I know it's not as good as Megumi's but you still need to eat."
"Oh. Thank you, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin bowed, "I'll keep it safe until I can eat it."
"Good."
"That's a lovely wife you got there." Kudo complimented.
Kenshin's eyes bulged. "Oro?"
"Wife?" Kaoru repeated. 'Mou, is that what they think?'
"I recognize you." Fudo said, "You're Sanosuke's woman."
Kaoru's face went from red with embarrassment to red with rage. "Sanosuke's woman?!"
"You mean that dojo master who had the Battousai as a student?" Muso asked as he scratched his head.
"He's not a student!" Kaoru screamed at the top of her lungs. "He was just a fake who wanted to ruin my dojo's reputation! I would never let the real Battousai set foot in my dojo!" She was angry. Why won't people believe that her father's style was not deadly? Why do people still fear her dojo's name?
Kenshin bowed his head down and his fists tightened. Kaoru's words cut through his heart. /Too late./ He thought sadly.
"Leave her alone. We all know that the Battousai who was murdering all those people a month ago was not real." Sensei advised as he came up. He looked down at Kenshin and saw nothing but shame in his stance. /That girl must not have known./
"I'm sorry, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin whispered as he put her hand on her shoulder.
"No, that's okay." Kaoru fought the urge to cry. 'I can't cry. I won't cry.' "We have to go and get something. You take care of yourself, Kenshin."
"I will." Kenshin grinned as he climbed up the ladder and set his lunch to the side.
Kaoru smiled back as she walked away. Yahiko followed her and then he asked, "Hey, Kaoru, what would you do if you saw the Battousai?"
"I don't know." Kaoru tensed as she stared at her fist. "Bash his brains out maybe. He let Gohei use his name so maybe he knew about this and let him do it. Oh well, it doesn't matter anyway."
"Are you sure?" Yahiko wondered as he looked up at the roof to see Kenshin working again. /He reacted to that statement with pain but the old hag didn't even notice. Could it be that… I have to ask Officer Jimi. Maybe, he can tell me./
The two walked down the street in silence. Kaoru looked around anxiously until she saw a store. "That must be it." She excitedly ran to the store and Yahiko followed her.
Arima looked up to see Kaoru and Yahiko there. "Ah, I remember you from the other day. How was the job search?" He asked.
"Fine, Kenshin got a job." Kaoru said as she bowed. "May I ask, how much is that katana in the window?"
"Oh? The one that is on sale?"
"Hai, it's for Kenshin. I know that he wants it, I can see it... but he just won't get it." Kaoru explained as she fidgeted.
"I understand." Arima got out his keys and unlocked it. "I had this sword for a long time but no one seemed to want it. Kenshin was the first one to want this sword so much. It's a shame for a fine katana like this to be nothing more than a decoration. Except for the reverse blade, this sword is finely crafted. I had seen many swords tossed away, neglected, and even get turned into decorations thanks to the new era. Kenshin... 'Heart of the Sword', it is a name fit for a swordsman and yet, I can sense that his state of mind is in chaos. Perhaps, this sword can help heal the wounds in his heart."
"Heal his wounds?"
"How can a sword heal?" Yahiko asked, "Aren't swords weapons to kill?"
"Yes, but the katana is also a samurai's soul and when a samurai wears one, they are endowed with abilities and confidence that others don't quite understand." Arima said as he put the sword into a cloth carrying case and held it out to Kaoru. "Kenshin has a great power within him but his soul is also torn. Help him heal with this sword and it is yours for free."
"FREE?!" Kaoru and Yahiko exclaimed.
"I may be a businessman now but I still have honor. I pray that this sword will help your friend." Arima explained as he kept it out.
Kaoru's hand shook as she accepted the sword. It was heavier than she expected and yet it felt light. "Thank you. I hope Kenshin likes it."
*****
Kenshin rubbed his chest as he paused in his work.
"Are you okay, Kenshin?" Sensei asked.
"I don't know why but I felt a strange lightness in my heart." Kenshin explained as he put his hand on his chest. "Odd."
"Break time!" Kudo announced as he banged a lunch box.
"Time to eat!" Muso sat down with his lunch. Kenshin got out his food and sat down to see Sensei just getting out a book.
"Sensei, aren't you hungry?"
"I'm fine." Sensei replied as he nodded at him. /I spent the last of my money yesterday. Heh, maybe I should try eating and running like Sano./
Kenshin frowned. He can sense Sensei's energy getting lower and his stomach was rumbling. He opened the box and handed him a couple of rice balls. "Want some?"
Sensei blinked. /He's offering me food? I don't believe it but... he did seem sincere./ "Okay." He accepted the rice balls and bit into one of them. He grimaced at the taste.
"Gomen, Kaoru-dono's cooking has an acquired taste." Kenshin grinned helplessly as he picked up a pair of chopsticks and started eating the rice.
"I see. Still, it is nice of your wife to bring you lunch." Sensei complimented as he ate again.
"She is not my wife." Kenshin smiled uncomfortably.
"Fiancé then?" Fudo asked.
"No, I just met her a few days ago."
"Then, how did you two meet?" Sensei asked. /How did a dojo girl like Kaoru meet the Battousai and not know it?/
Kenshin winced as he looked down. "Ummm..."
"Hey, ease up on his personal life." Kudo ordered, "Leave the kid alone."
"Kid?" Sensei repeated dumbfounded.
"I'm twenty-eight." Kenshin muttered feeling fairly stupid. /Again, people think that I'm a kid. This is getting strange./
There was a collective gasp. "TWENTY-EIGHT?!" Everyone except for Sensei exclaimed.
Fudo looked closely at Kenshin. "No way, I'm twenty-three."
Muso rose his hand. "I'm twenty."
"Twenty-two here." Another man announced.
"I'm thirty-three." Sensei said. /He was only fifteen at the time?!/
Kudo looked down at Kenshin. "Well, looks like that Kenshin here is one of
the seniors here."
"But, doesn't Sano call him 'Ken-chan'?" Fudo asked.
"Well, we all know that Sano is strong but…" Sensei winced, "He's not that sharp at times."
*****
*achoo* Sano sneezed as he ate in the Akabeko. He looked around. "Who insulted me?"
*****
The hours dragged by as the group worked. Kenshin's hands ached at the work but he smiled. He was actually enjoying working. He was doing something that would help others and it won't hurt anyone. It was also that didn't sacrifice his pride in any way.
The sun was setting and the crew was putting away their tools.
"Great job, guys!" Kudo grinned as he looked around. "Go ahead and go. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here."
"Bye! Hope you survived this day, Kenshin!" Muso waved goodbye as the other workers climbed down the ladder.
"I must go too. I have lessons planned tomorrow." Sensei said as he bowed and followed Muso.
Kenshin was about to go when Kudo put his hand on his shoulder. "Could you wait for a moment, Kenshin? I need to speak to you." Kudo urged softly.
The smaller man nodded and they walked to the side. Kudo looked around carefully and said, "I wish to ask you something and I would appreciate an honest answer. Are you still a slave?"
"Oro?" Kenshin gasped as he stepped back and nearly fell off the roof. "No! Kaoru-dono bought me and then freed me. She allowed me to stay until I can be independent. How did you know?"
Unknown by anyone, under the roof on the rafters, Sensei sat listening intensely. /He was a slave? The Hitokiri Battousai, the most dangerous man in Japan, was a slave? How can that be? I thought I had it bad but…/ He winced at the thought.
Kudo sighed as he gazed up at the darkening sky. "I can see many things on the rooftops. No one really look up any more. I watched a slave auction several days ago and I saw the first one. I cannot forget his hair or his small stature."
Kenshin winced as he looked away. "Oh."
"I won't tell a soul about this. I had seen and known many people with strange pasts. You are one of them. You have great pain in your eyes. Don't worry about me. I just want to make sure that you are okay."
The man smiled as he nodded. "I'm fine. Really. Kaoru-dono and the others had been very kind to me." /But for how long? How long can I keep this secret? If they know the true side of me, the side that is unchained, would they still be that kind? /No./
"Good. You are an excellent worker and I hope you stay with us for a while." Kudo said firmly. /He's so tormented. It's sad./
"Arigato."
"Hey, Kenshin!" Sano called out as he came up. "You ready to leave?"
"Hai!" Kenshin bowed to Kudo and climbed down the ladder.
"Bye, Kenshin." Kudo waved as he watched the two walked off. He sighed as he went down the ladder. /I pray that he will find peace within himself./
Sensei stepped out from the building and watched Sano and Kenshin walked away. /We had both changed over the years. Maybe, in this cycle, we may end up friends. Be careful./
*****
Kaoru paced back and forth across the dojo with the sword in her arms. Ever since she came back to the dojo, she waited for Kenshin to come home. The sword was still heavy but she cannot let it go. It was heavier than any bokken she had ever held before. There was a mystical feeling to it, like it was sacred. Could this sword be that special or was it just the fact that it was the first real katana she had held?
"We're home!" Sano bellowed as he and Kenshin entered the dojo.
Kenshin felt strange hearing that phrase. Was this really his home? No, it was just a place that he was staying at until he can leave.
"Welcome home!" Kaoru said as she smiled. "How was your first day at work, Kenshin?"
"I'm tired and hungry but I feel good." Kenshin replied as he smiled back. "I never got to do anything like that before."
"Good, just try not to strain yourself. Did anyone pick on you or anything like that?" Kaoru asked concerned.
Kenshin frowned as he tried to think. "No. Everyone was very kind. Kudo-san knew that I was a slave but he promised not to tell anyone."
Sano nodded as he put a fishbone in his teeth. "I thought so. If anyone dared to hurt you in any way…" The man paused as he punched his fists.
Kenshin glanced around and asked, "Where's Yahiko-chan?"
"I don't know. He left to check out the Akabeko and he hadn't come home yet." Kaoru sighed as she shook her head. "I swear, that boy just disappears and I get worried about him."
"I'll look for him." Sano offered as he walked out. "Maybe I can get into a couple of quick fights tonight." He giggled.
"No fighting!" Kaoru screamed as she shoved Sano out of the door. "Idiot."
Kenshin sweatdropped as he watched the scene. "Yahiko-chan is quite a handful, that he is."
"Yeah. Kids these days." Kaoru sighed and then her face lit up. "Oh! Kenshin, I have a surprise for you!" She held up her hand which held the sword still in the cloth carrying case. "I know you want this."
Kenshin's face paled as he looked at the object. /Can it be? No! She wouldn't! She couldn't!/
With flair, she opened the cloth case and pulled out the reverse blade sword. "The shop owner gave it to me so I can give it to you. Isn't it great?!" The woman paused as she looked at Kenshin who was staring at it.
"No… no… I can't! NO!" Kenshin screamed as he ran out.
"Kenshin! Wait!" Kaoru dropped the sword onto the floor as she ran after him.
*****
"Kaoru is going to what?!" Tetsu exclaimed as he sat across from Yahiko.
"Give Kenshin that sword in the window." The boy finished.
"Oh god. I don't believe this." The man muttered as sweat came down his face. /The Battousai and a real katana, what a dangerous combination. It is a reverse blade sword but it still a deadly weapon./
"What's the big deal?" Yahiko asked, "Those guys I'm staying with are hiding something but I don't know what. Is Kenshin a wanted criminal because your creepy partner won't say anything?"
"No, not exactly. Trust me on this, the less you know, the better you are." Tetsu advised as he walked back and forth. "Just keep an eye on Kenshin and be careful. I-" His body tensed up and he calmed down. "And I hope you stay out of the streets at night, young man, it's still dangerous times."
"There you are, you little brat." Sano said as he came up. "Hey, Jimi."
"Sano, I trust he is yours?" Tetsu said as he
adjusted his hat. /That was close./
"Yeah. Come on, Yahiko-chan, Jou-chan's worried about you. Thanks for the help." Sano picked up Yahiko and walked away.
The officer nodded and then looked into the shadows. "You heard that, Saitou-san?"
"Every word. I heard about what you did with that ninja. Nice tatics. Hijikata would have been proud of you."
"Thank you. I had learned a great deal over the years." Tetsu smiled slightly and then frowned. "More people are becoming aware of his presence. War veterans are having their instincts awaken. So far, they had been harmless but what happens the darker ones come out?"
"Slay evil quickly." Saitou whispered as he vanished.
"I hate it when he does that."
*****
Kaoru ran through the dojo. "Kenshin!" 'I never saw Kenshin so scared in my life. What was the deal with that sword? Maybe I should not have got that thing but he seemed to need it.' She stopped when she entered Kenshin's room to see him sitting against the wall shivering. "Kenshin, are you okay?"
The man gasped as he gazed up at her. "Kaoru-dono! Gomen, I did not mean to…" He sobbed as he buried his hands into his face. "I can't accept your gift. I can't."
"Why? It's just a sword. It's only as deadly as the person who wields it. You were staring at it like a lost boy. I thought you might be happy." Kaoru comforted as she gently put her hand on Kenshin's back.
"I do want it but I can't hold it. I can't. I can't or…" Kenshin gasped as he held his stomach. "Please, I beg of you, don't let me near that sword!" /I am a deadly person with that sword on. I cannot hold it./
"Why? That sword is not even a danger, it has a reversed blade! Let me help you." Kaoru was confused. She wanted to help him but she couldn't. It was as if, Kenshin had reverted to his weaker state of mind.
"How can you help me?" Kenshin pleaded as he looked up at her with frightened eyes.
The woman tensed up. How can she help this man? She barely knew him. "I don't know but I will try. I'll keep the sword and when you are ready, you can have it."
"You are a very good person, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin reached out and hugged her. /Please, please, if you see my true side, run away. I cannot stand the thought of killing another I care about./
Karou gasped at the physical contact. 'He is scared but of what? Slavers? Swords? Oh, Kenshin, I wish you can let me help you.'
*****
"I'm glad we finally got out. That jail cell was getting cramped." A tall brawny man grunted as he rubbed his shoulders. "I can't wait to get that Zanza for beating me up like that!"
"All in due time, dear brother." A smaller but older looking man said as he looked around. "We will have our revenge. When we are done, Kaoru will wish that she had given us that dojo!"
To Be Continued…
*****
Wow! I can't believe all the reviews I got!
Invader Zim- Well, Yahiko does know Kenshin's name but he didn't know what Kenshin really was.
Sailor-Earth13- Good question… him… Yahiko is an informant but more will be revealed.
Zxully- Yeah, Kenshin is gaining more confidence under Kaoru's care but it's still shaky as you noticed in this chapter. ;)
Lilly of the Shadow- Yeah, Yahiko is too curious but he's a kid!
Luna699- Really?! I thought oro was a variation off of ara based off a Japanese comedian's routine.
Silent Tears of Agony- I'm glad you think it's different. I like original fics.
Eeevee- Hee hee… I know. Sano's a likeable guy so he has lots of friends to mooch from.
Kenshin's angel- Yes! Kenshin does have a job and it's not with laundry. LOL
TYDYE Girl- Don't worry, they will find out in like a couple of chapters. Keep reading!
Kaoru Girl- I can't believe it either. The nausea is stress related and can happen.
Somewei- Yes, the infamous reverse blade sword is back in the dojo but not quite into Kenshin's hands. There will be scenes with the sword.
Bob-san- Thanks. I appreciate it.
