Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. In a perfect world I would, but I live in the real world...and sadly I ain't got no money...so, it's utterly useless to sue me...but for good measure: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, but Nobuhiro Watsuki and a bunch of other people do...

Let the strangeness continue...

Promises from the Past

Cool green eyes assessed the occupants in the room and settled on Kaoru.

"Kamiya-san," the man acknowledged her.

"What are you doing here, Kobayashi-san?"

Remedies and Secrets

A split second before the attack, Sayuri questioned her sanity, wondering if she had a death wish.

But then, like always, she submitted herself to the moment and moved.

The first part of the Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki was easy to block, she did it with precision and skill. It was the second part that was trickier. Timing was everything.

She waited for the vortex to suck her back in and at the right moment, she twisted her body to block Hiko's attack. She felt her sword connect with Hiko's.

And then it was over.

Panting, Hiko was in a crouch, facing the waterfall.

"I've forgotten how beautiful this spot is," the random thought entered his mind.

He straightened and sheathed his sword, then turned to see what happened to Sayuri.

She was standing with her back to him, her drawn sword still in her hand. He took the few steps that separated them.

Slowly, she turned towards him.

When only two steps separated them, Hiko stopped and looked down at her. She lifted her face to look up at him.

And then it finally hit Kenshin. That certain something in Sayuri's ki that was so familiar, he knew now what it was.

For a few seconds, Hiko and Sayuri looked at each other. Then Sayuri spoke.

"It is done. The lesson is over. You are now Master of the Kage no Odori."

Hiko inclined his head in a solemn nod.

Sayuri smiled unsteadily.

"Excuse me," she whispered.

Then she fainted.

"I am looking for Sayuri-san," was Akira's reply to Kaoru's question.

"How did you know we would be here?" Kaoru asked.

Instead of replying, the man gave her a cool assessing look.

"He's almost like Aoshi," Misao thought, staring at the visitor.

"Look, we won't tell you anything if you don't tell us anything...for all we know you could be some mental case trying to kidnap Sayuri," Kaoru said tartly.

Akira hesitated for a second, but then replied, "I have my sources..."

Kaoru gave the man an assessing look. She remembered that Sayuri hadn't been exactly overjoyed when they'd bumped into each other back in Tokyo.

"And I'm not some mental case trying to kidnap Sayuri," he added.

"Says you," Kaoru retorted.

Incredulously, the man's lips twitched as if he was trying to suppress a smile.

"Believe me, if I'd ever kidnap somebody, Sayuri-san would be the last person I'd choose," he said.

Somehow, that sounded like an insult to Yahiko and so he tired to defend his new friend.

"Why wouldn't you kidnap Sayuri? What's wrong with her?"

The same twitching of the lips before Akira replied, "The woman's too much trouble."

What could Yahiko say in reply? The man did have a point. So the boy just shrugged his shoulders.

Kaoru felt that they were getting off the subject so she asked the man, "Why are you looking for Sayuri?"

"Kamiya-san, by now you must have figured out that trouble has a way of following Sayuri-san," he answered.

"That's not true!" Kaoru defended her new friend.

"She did get kidnapped on her way to Kyoto," Akira pointed out.

"You can hardly call that trouble following her," she retorted, "and by the way, how did you know that she got kidnapped?"

"My sources told me," was the reply.

"Wait!," she suddenly said, "You didn't answer my question!"

"I just did," was the reply.

Kaoru rolled her eyes, "Not that question, the other one: why are you looking for Sayuri?"

"Because she has a way of getting into trouble," Akira answered the question.

"You're concerned for her?" Kaoru asked him.

"Yes."

Kaoru looked at the man. His short answer spoke volumes.

"Tell me, what is Sayuri to you?" she had to ask.

A bittersweet smile touched his lips, "Sayuri is my fiancée."

Kenshin had loosened the sash wrapped around Sayuri's waist. With a wet handkerchief, he wiped Sayuri's face down to her neck, hoping the woman would come to very soon.

Luckily, Hiko had grabbed her before she'd fallen on the ground. At least, she hadn't hit her head.

His master had carried her over to shadows by the trees where it was cooler. He had ordered Sano to spread his cape on the ground so he could put Sayuri on it.

And surprisingly, Saitou offered the handkerchief Kenshin was using to wipe her face with.

Maybe the wolf wasn't that much of an unfeeling, cold bastard. But that didn't mean he had to start liking the guy, Kenshin assured himself

Sano had been hovering over Sayuri, until Kenshin had told him that the woman needed some space. His friend had backed off, but gave Hiko accusing glares.

Kenshin ignored the other people and concentrated on Sayuri. Checking for injuries that he must have missed, he found some bruises and scratches but no major wounds.

That didn't mean that there wasn't anything wrong with Sayuri. The woman had fainted after all.

Something must be wrong. Or maybe he was worrying too much and she was just tired from the whole ordeal. He could understand that. Kenshin prayed that it was only the stress of the past few days that had finally caught up with her.

"Is she okay?" Sano asked him again.

"I'm not sure," Kenshin answered again. He glanced at his master, who was looking at the unconscious woman.

He saw in his master face that certain something about Sayuri that seemed so familiar.

A thought formed in his mind. Then he shook his head. His suspicions were too ludicrous to be true, he told himself. Yet still, he could not fully shake the thought.

He looked back at the unconscious woman. There was a possibility that it could be true.

"She's some kind of woman, isn't she?"

Kenshin was startled by Hiko's comment. His master was still staring at Sayuri's face.

"Hai, Sayuri-dono is remarkable. Just like her mother."

There was something wistful in his master's smile, "Ran was one hell of a woman."

"You know, Sayuri also reminds me of you," Hiko said, looking directly at Kenshin.

"She does?"

"Hm...same stubborn attitude, for one," his master grumbled.

Kenshin rolled his eyes. Here they go again.

"Arrogant too," Hiko added.

Kenshin scowled at his master.

"But in these flaws...an indomitable spirit that refuses to be defeated no matter how difficult the challenges."

Kenshin looked at his master. There was almost a hint of respect in his tone.

"She is like you...a true master of the sword..." Hiko said to his pupil.

And there it was. Respect in his master's eyes. He could not believe it!

"Shishou..."

But at that moment Sayuri groaned and mumbled something.

"No lemon grass..."

The men's attention was back on her. Placing a gentle hand on her cheek, Hiko softly said her name.

Her eyes flew open and for a moment looked at the two men in bewilderment. She closed her eyes again.

"Sayuri-dono..." Kenshin said softly.

"What happened?" she whispered, her eyes still closed.

"You fainted," was Hiko's blunt answer.

Her forehead creased as she frowned. Opening her eyes, she looked at Kenshin for confirmation. The rurouni smiled at her gently.

"I'm sorry," she said to him, noting the hint of worry in his amethyst eyes.

"It's okay, Sayuri-dono..." he assured her.

Sano and Saitou approached, having realized that Sayuri was awake.

"Are you all right?" Sano asked, concern in his voice.

Sayuri smiled up at him, "I didn't know you cared."

Instead of saying anything, he gently brushed the back of his hand across her cheek.

She looked up at him, startled by the gentle gesture. They looked at each other

And then Sano said, "Stubborn woman."

The spell was broken and Sayuri muttered, "Idiot."

Hiko spoke, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Sayuri moved to sit up, and Kenshin gently helped her by supporting her shoulders.

"I'm fine," she assured the man.

"Are you sure?" he asked, looking at her intensely.

"I am, I promise. I just fainted because I thought it would be a dramatic way to end the whole day," Sayuri said with a half smile.

But instead of a smile, Hiko gave her a scowl.

"Oh, relax, I was making a joke..." Sayuri said, smiling at him more brightly.

"Your fainting isn't a joke," Hiko told her somberly.

"I'm fine, really...the stress of the past week just caught up with me..." she assured him again.

"I have some medicine back at the cabin..."

Kenshin interrupted him, "You mean the one I gave you when I..."

"Yes, yes! The same one!" Hiko glared at him.

"But I thought that was..." but Kenshin broke-off the sentence seeing the look in his master's eyes.

Hiko turned back to Sayuri and asked, "Are you hungry?"

"Yes!" Sano shouted.

Hiko turned to him, "I wasn't asking you!"

"Sorry..." Sano muttered.

Sayuri laughed, "Don't worry Sano, I'm hungry too..."

"Good, then we'll go back to the cabin and Kenshin here can cook something for us," Hiko said to her.

"Me? Why must I cook? It's your cabin...you cook!" Kenshin said to his master.

"Do you really want to eat my cooking, baka deishi?"

Kenshin paused for a second, remembering meals of the past, "No, not really. I will cook then."

"Okay, it's back to the cabin for some food," Hiko said to the group.

"I have a feeling that the invitation doesn't really include me, so I'll take my leave now," Saitou said.

He turned to Sayuri with a smile, "It's been a pleasure to watch you today. Your mother would have been proud."

Surprised by the compliment, all Sayuri could do was murmur, "Thank you...I think."

He turned to address Kenshin, "You can keep the handkerchief, Battousai."

And with that he straightened, gave Sano a smirk and walked away.

After a simple but satisfying meal, they sat outside, resting a bit before they would make their way back.

Hiko had brought out a bottle of the sake they had bought for him. He handed each of his guests a small cup. Sayuri had refused hers, but had offered to pour the sake for them.

With all the grace of a geisha, she filled each of the men's cups.

Hiko held up his cup to the others, "Kanpai!"

Kenshin and Sano did the same, "Kanpai!"

Then they took a sip from their cups. Hiko closed his eyes, savoring the delicious taste of the sake.

Hiko and Sayuri talked about her grandfather and her mother. It was a pleasant conversation filled with humorous anecdotes and wry observations.

Kenshin broke into the conversation, "Sayuri-dono...it's getting late. We should start making our way back."

"All right, Kenshin."

She turned to Hiko, "We really should be on our way."

Hiko looked at Sayuri, "I understand."

He stood up and the others followed suit. There was an awkward silence as the group searched for words to end the unusual visit.

It was Sayuri who spoke the first words, "I must say that it has been an interesting day."

Hiko smiled wryly, "That's a bit of an understatement."

Sayuri smiled up at him. They looked at each other for the longest moment.

And in that moment Kenshin knew without a doubt, even without any evidence to prove it, that his suspicion was true. And even how fantastical the notion seemed to be, it somehow made sense to him. He wondered if any of them knew.

"It's uncanny how much you look like your mother," Hiko said to Sayuri.

"Is that a bad thing?" Sayuri asked with a half smile.

"No," Hiko answered seriously.

Sayuri smile widened, "You know, Grandfather would love it if you'd come visit sometime."

Hiko hesitated for a moment, "We'll see."

Sayuri laughed, "Okay, then...well, thank you for today."

"No...thank you," Hiko said somberly.

There was another awkward pause.

And then because they didn't have anything else to say, they said goodbye.

"Come back to visit me anytime, baka deishi...and don't hesitate to bring a couple of bottles of that fine sake," Hiko said to Kenshin.

Kenshin half scowled at his master, "It was nice to see you too, Shishou."

Hiko turned to Sano, "Sorry about the gay thing."

Sano had almost forgotten about that.

He frowned but then shrugged his shoulders, "That's okay, as long as you know that I am not gay."

"Got that."

Then Hiko turned to Sayuri.

"Before you go, there's something I want to ask you about Ran," Hiko said to Sayuri.

"What is it?"

"Was she happy...I mean, with your father?"

"I don't know...I never saw her with my father," Sayuri answered.

Hiko frowned, then said, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

Hiko gave her a half smile, "You know, your mother once told me that she didn't think that she would ever want to get married."

Sayuri gave him such an intense look, as if she was memorizing his face.

And then she said very softly, "She never did."

And before Hiko or anyone else could say anything, Sayuri said, "Goodbye. Thank you for the lovely day."

She turned abruptly and walked away.

Startled by her behavior, her two companions hastily said their goodbyes and hurried after her.

Hiko stood there in watching his guest walk down the forest path. His mind took him back to a night more than twenty years ago.

"I'm sorry...we shouldn't have..." he said to the woman lying next to him on the futon.

"Don't tell me you regret this," she said to him, looking affronted.

"I don't...but we shouldn't have..." he said, trying to make her understand.

"Is this because of my father?" she asked accusingly.

"No...it's because of you."

"Me? I wanted this!" she said as she sat up, covering her nakedness with the sheets.

"You don't understand...I feel like I failed you," he said, sitting up as well.

"How have you failed me?"

"I treated you like a common..."

"No you did not!" she interrupted, glaring at him.

"Yes I did. You are a lady and I should have respected and treated you like a lady...instead I..." he said, shaking his head.

"I am not a lady."

"Yes you are," he said looking at her.

"No I'm not. No lady would have done the things that I have done..."

"I never said you were a conventional lady..." he said with a wry smile.

"You're making a joke?" she asked, looking at him incredulously.

"Marry me," he said, looking completely serious.

"That's really not funny," she said scowling at him.

"That wasn't a joke," he said with the same serious look.

"What?"

"Marry me."

"No," she said, forcefully.

"What?"

"I said no."

"Why?" he asked, incredulously.

"Because I don't want to get married. I don't think you want to get married," she explained, gesturing with her one hand, while holding the sheets up with her other.

"I just asked you!" he shouted at her.

"Only because you think it's the honorable thing to do!" she yelled back.

"It is the honorable thing to do!"

"Well, I appreciate the gesture but I don't think we would get married just because we..." she made a vague gesture with her free hand.

"Maybe that's not the only reason why I asked you," he said in a slightly hurt tone.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you've fallen in love with me..." she said, half jokingly.

"Well, maybe I have!"

She scowled, "Get real! We haven't seen each other for years. Three days ago we bumped into each other and sparks flew and we ended up here. Granted, I felt the connection between us but that is not love...that's lust!"

"You don't believe that I've fallen in love with you?"

She looked at him pleadingly, "Don't do this. Don't pretend that you've fallen in love with me so that I will reconsider. Because I wouldn't even marry you if you were in love with me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, glaring at her.

"I don't think I will ever want to get married. Besides, can you honestly imagine the two of us being married? We'd be at each other's throats by the end of the first day!"

"We could make it work."

"But we don't have to make it work...because we don't have to get married," she said, willing him to understand.

"But there could be consequences from what we've just done..." he argued.

"Like what? My father finding out? You're worried about that? Believe me, I won't tell him...we're not exactly father and daughter of the year."

"It's not your father I am worried about," he said quietly.

"Then what consequences?"

He looked at her so that she could see the weight of what he was about to say, "You could have conceived."

"What?" she whispered.

"There could be a child. I didn't take the precautions I usually do..."

There was a brief silence before she said, "There's no worry for that. Because I did."

"Did what?"

"Take precautions," she said looking at him.

"You did?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes."

Then the silence descended upon them. It filled the room, where passion had resides just a few hours ago.

There were no more arguments, no more words that he could think of. It had come to this.

"So this is it?" he said, suddenly feeling like he'd lost a precious thing.

"Yes," she whispered.

"And what do we do now?" he asked

"We go back to our lives."

"Isn't that a little sad?" he asked, because the thought of going back to what he had been doing for so long left him a little empty.

"It's who we are. You, the master of the Hiten Mitsurugi, and I, the master of the Kage no Odori."

"So our lives will be defined by our swords?" he had to ask, because he thought it a sad thing to say.

"I hope that someday they won't," she said, looking at him with resigned eyes.

"You're one hell of a woman Ran," he said, because he knew it was goodbye.

"You're one hell of a man, Hiko."

To be continued...

So what do you think? Let me know in a review.

I think it's pretty obvious by now what Kenshin's suspicions are...

Anyway, looking forward to find out what you think.

Lillienne

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