Disclaimer: don't own them, wish I did.  Oh but I do own any mysterious characters that I made up.

AN:  Hi everyone.  Okay, so at least I got something out this week.  Btw, I like when authors leave messages for all their reviewers, so I've decided to do that at the bottom.  This way if you ask me questions, I can answer them, and sometimes I just want to tell people how much I appreciate their words.  So if you care to read, they will be at the bottom now.

Two Hitokiri – Making a Home

For weeks Katsura watched as his two prized assassins took new form.  Kaoru had been more careful with her words, quieter, but more expressive with her actions.  In response to his lover's new attitude, Kenshin became more watchful of her, hovering over the new aura she radiated.

It was amusing to watch the two lovers grow.  One particular morning he watched them talking at the gate, just before Kaoru was leaving for the market.

"Where are you going?"  Kenshin asked quietly looking past her beyond the gate. 

"The market place with Ayame.  She wants to pick up more bandages and salves."  She pulled her shawl tighter around her.

With one hand he rubbed her arm, trying to make her warmer in response.  "Would you like me to come with you?"

Kaoru shook her head.  "It's alright.  It will only be a quick trip to the local clinic.  Besides, you should stay and help the men with their training.  I will be back soon."  She touched his hand that was still running up and down her arm.

He nodded and remained there as she walked out of the gate, watching her and the other young woman fade into the crowds.

"How long to you plan to stand there?"

"Until she returns."

Katsura chuckled.  "Well why not have some tea with me, and then come back to this spot.  She will never know you left."


Kenshin craned his head back to look at his master.  His eyes seemed more serious than his voice had implied.  He nodded and followed the taller man into the house.

~

"How are the recruits looking?"  Katsura started their conversation once the waiting lady left, having poured their tea.

"They are progressing.  Much better that what they came here with.  Might be able to hold up against lower rank Shishengumi."  Kenshin replied in his flat voice.

Katsura nodded, taking a sip of his tea.  "Good.  Then we can commence with our plans soon.  I have learned of a night when the shoganate officials will be meeting.  There will be heavy security there.  The first and third squads are rumored to guarding that night.  More importantly though is that those officials will be in transit earlier that night, and each with at least half a squad each."  He took another sip of his tea.  "This night will mean the end of it.  The end of the revolution."

Kenshin's eyes seemed glaze over, absorbing Katsura's words without any emotional response.  After a long silence, Katsura spoke again, but his voice less formal.  "Have you thought of what you will do after this is over Himura?"

Kenshin eyes suddenly shifted.  Of course he had.  The problem was he never found an answer as to what. 

"Of course you realize that if we are successful, one of the movements I plan to take is abandonment of the sword, which inevitably would abandon the way of the samurai, and men like you."

Kenshin nodded but still no verbal response.

"However, I am not a man to abandon his people.  I assure you Himura that there will be a government job waiting for you in the new era.  Perhaps a military leader.  I will not leave you untended to."

Kenshin almost cringed at the thought of a government job.  He wasn't a well educated man; he hardly picked up a book in his life that wasn't meant to be a sleeping wall.  What would he do with a government job?  Even if that was the solution, what was to become of Kaoru?  She was an assassin just as he was, but he was more than sure that she wouldn't be given a job.  There may have been many changes planned, but putting a woman in a seat in government was surely not one that would be well received.

Almost as if Katsura had listened in on his thoughts he spoke her name.  "But what of Kamiya-san.  Surely she wouldn't be satisfied living in some western style house as the wife of a bureaucrat and nothing else."

Kenshin raised his eyebrows at the thought of Kaoru being a wife to someone stuffy westerner.

This gained a smirk from the IshinShishi leader.  "Surely you plan to marry Kamiya-san.  After all that the two of you have had, I would be disappointed in you if you never thought about it.  She has been under my care almost as long as you have.  I trust her heart to no one else but you."  Kenshin blinked a few times at the comment.  Marriage.  He couldn't say he never thought of it.  But it never seriously crossed his mind to have to plan for it.  He just assumed he would be with her forever.

"Well I wouldn't simply plan for just you and not her.  Kamiya-san will not settle for living in some enormous western house in Kyoto doing nothing but fraternizing with other ladies of high status.  Just as much as I could never see you in a foreign suit.  So instead I have already bought a piece of land in the country side for the both of you.  Not to far from a small town, but distant enough that you won't be bothered.  It has a nice little field for growing things that you could sell in the future, but surely you know that government will take care of your finances.  Like I said, I do not plan to leave you high and dry."  Katsura smiled again and took a sip of his tea.

"Katsura-san…"  Kenshin was finally able to find words, but was still in too much awe to speak them.

"All I ask Himura, is that you take care of her, and yourself.  You can finally put away your sword and live in peace."

In complete reverence for the man before him, Kenshin straightened his body and bent down, pressing his forehead to the ground.  "Thank you Katsura-san."

The older man leaned forward and pushed Kenshin upright by his arms.  "There is no need for that Kenshin.  I take care of my people, and I raised both you and Kaoru from youth.  You two are my most loyal company, and I am filled with pride for the both of you.  I just want you two to live happily together, and leave behind what you have seen these many years.  Leave the bloodshed behind in exchange for a new life."  Katsura paused for a moment as a sad shadow overwhelmed his face.  "I only wish I could grant you this new beginning now, but I must ask for your service for just a while longer."

Kenshin tilted his head and a smaller bow.  "We give it to you graciously."

~

Kenshin closed the shoji door behind him and returned to his post at the gate to wait for his partner.  All the while he walked, thoughts of his new life filled his head.  He dreamed of the quiet life he and Kaoru would live together, unbothered.  She would be his wife and out of danger for the rest of their days.  He even went as far as dreaming up little children running at their feet.

He reached his post and gazed at the horizon until Kaoru appeared.

"Tadaima."  Kaoru spoke as she neared the gate and him.

"Okaerinasai."  He responded then smiled.

Kaoru smiled in response.  "Why are you grinning like that?"  She asked as she walked beside him back into the house.

He took her hand in his and looked at her with gentle eyes.  "Just because." He answered and leaned in to give her a kiss before leading them into their room.

~

"Have your men ready. Tonight in front of the Abekeko.  After they do it, not before.  They will be all too ready to fight before, you must catch them after.  They have been distracted lately and will not think to stay on their toes after the job is completely.  You must do it tonight."

TBC

the squirrel – wow, that's quite a compliment!  Thanks!!!

Mishorou Mie – glad you love it, hope I don't let you down.

Mz. Amber Eyes- ruined…I wouldn't say she ruined him exactly.  *wink*

Zsilver-  good to know someone sees my point on the work and updating.  And I see your point on the homework too.  But you gotta do what you gotta do.  Oh and TBC = to be continued

Houndingwolf-  I love that saying "damn good"  Thanx

Crystal Renee- I'm gonna hold you up on that.  But I will also try my best not to do anything like make you abandon me.

Batoussai-Katana-  I was just trying to find an excuse to make them fight.  It just seemed like a battle that needed to happen.  Or else everyone will sit there wondering, 'well whose better'  not that I answered that question with the fight or anything.