Chapter 4

"...oro..." Kenshin was sprawled on the ground at the foot of the stairs, shakily trying to lift his head. A stiff gust of wind ruffled his hair and made ripples run across the back of his gi.

Hideki clattered down the steps. "Kenshin! Are you all right?"

Kenshin had gotten his knees under him and was leaning on both hands, head down, taking careful deep breaths. He blinked several times and raised his eyes from the ground. "S- sumimasen..."

Hideki had crouched down next to him. "Take it easy. What's wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?" He laid a steadying hand on Kenshin's shoulder and peered into his face.

"No..." Kenshin sat up, and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. He was still breathing in that odd controlled way. "I'll be... I'll be all right... that I will. Just... give me a minute, please."

Hideki was frowning. "You're shivering." He thought for a moment. "Look, I'm going to take you over to my sister's place, get you warmed up and give you a chance to rest a bit, okay? Do you think you can stand?"

Kenshin nodded.

Hideki turned to Eri, who was hovering uncertainly at the top of the stairs. "Eri, I'm taking him over to Akane's. Have a look at the cottons if you like; I'll be back in a few minutes." He helped Kenshin to his feet and caught him when he reeled, wrapping a strong arm around his shoulders.

o-o-o

Tobe Akane's restaurant was only a few blocks away, but Hideki was half-carrying Kenshin by the time he got there. He ducked through the back door into the kitchen, kicking off his sandals, then pausing while Kenshin did the same. "Nee-chan? Oi, nee-chan!"

The kitchen was warm and steamy and loud, seeming full of activity though there were only two people there -- a gangly young man frantically chopping root vegetables and a girl ladling soup into a series of bowls. A broad-shouldered woman bustled in through the other door.

"Eiko-chan! Miso and tea for five, third table on the left!"

"Hai!" The girl grabbed a tray and started loading bowls and cups onto it.

"Aki-kun, is that soba done yet? Don't overcook it. Oh, Hideki, didn't see you at first; and that wanderer from last night." She raised her black eyebrows in alarm. "What have you done to him?"

Kenshin was gazing around blearily, his eyes wide and a small frown on his face. Hideki was still holding him up, one of Kenshin's arms slung over his shoulder.

"He's wiped out. Can I leave him here to rest and get warmed up?" They lowered Kenshin into a corner, where he leaned gratefully against the wall.

"And try to get him to eat something," Hideki continued quietly to his sister. "I could feel his ribs right through his clothes."

o-o-o

Kenshin huddled in the corner of the kitchen, between the interior wall on one side and a large cupboard on the other. The stove radiated warmth four feet in front of him as Akane sauteed and shouted orders to her two assistants. He shifted his fingers on the half-empty bowl of miso soup that he held cupped in both hands, and sipped a little more of the hot liquid. He still felt cold, despite the stove, the hot soup and the blanket wrapped around him. Akane had sent the girl Eiko running upstairs for that when he'd still been shivering twenty minutes after Hideki had dropped him off.

Kenshin wasn't sure whether he'd actually passed out on the stairs at Hideki's warehouse. He didn't remember hitting the ground, though he could feel the bruises starting on his knees and shoulder and above his right eyebrow, and there were scratches on his left palm. For a few minutes after that everything had been strange, his vision washed out and spotted with black and his head ringing. Hideki had been talking to him and he'd replied; he hoped he hadn't said anything untoward. It was worrying. Could he be getting sick? Unlikely; it had happened only a few times in his life, although those times had been pretty bad. He hoped he wasn't. It would be awkward.

He shifted and re-crossed his legs, leaning his head against the wall. He was embarrassed that he'd been so weak, and that he hadn't finished the job of unloading Hideki's shipment, and that he was making these people worry about him. Akane had fussed over him when there'd been a lull in the stream of orders, exclaiming at his cold hands and spooning extra tofu from the bottom of the miso pot into the bowl she gave him. He'd accepted the soup gratefully and managed to drink about half of it by now, but he was far more tired than hungry. He laid the half-empty bowl on the floor in front of him and let his eyes drift closed. Just for a little while....