Woot! Timeliness! 8:58 PST

Chapter Six

"Allow me to guess the victim..."

Kaoru felt completely lost, standing there at the dojo gate. She was only vaguely aware that there was a conversation going on around her. It seemed impossible that he would be here now. The last time Saitoh had darkened their doorstep, very bad things began to happen.

"Hardly... as you think..."

"...you remember..."

Ah! A hand had come to rest firmly on her left shoulder, bringing Kaoru back to the current situation. Sanosuke had been standing a protective half step in front of her while dealing with Saitoh, but it seemed he had now moved back.

"It's your call Missy..."

Kaoru lowered her eyes and turned around, "Show him, Sanosuke... and escort Fujita-san to the kitchen when you have finished."

Sanosuke glowered and tramped off, leaving Saitoh to ungainly follow in his wake. Kaoru went straight to work preparing the chijo-gathering tea ware, making sweet snacks, and fetching water- but she felt herself going through the motions rather like a dead man walking. Was Saitoh truly managing his façade as a police officer? Or was he attempting to intimidate Kenshin into submission to Okubo's wishes. In all possibility he had arranged for Kenshin to be hurt and was now returning to exact his revenge.

If she knew one thing though, it was that Kenshin had earned the quiet life he led at her dojo. Anything he required, she would see to in an instant. Saitoh would not interfere.

After nearly an hour, the two returned, and Kaoru went about silently placing cups and starting the tea. In accordance with custom, no one said a word until after the first sup of tea. They then commenced to awkward and tense small talk until Saitoh put his cup down firmly on the table.

He looked meaningfully at the other two before beginning, "Kamiya-san... I know you have your misgivings about me, as well you should, but at this time it is best that you put aside all personal feelings and be pragmatic."

It's as if he can read my mind

"It is my opinion that what happened here last night was not a common offence, no isolated incident. Rather I think that the Battosai was a target of a crime ring, established by a radical group of ex-samurai out for Okubo's head. Led, of course, by our favourite friend..."

Sanosuke stood rapidly and leaned over the table to look straight into the face of the speaker, "What kind of person do you think you are... I may not be an expert on manners, but I know better than to raise such a sensitive subject in front of a lady! Why didn't you just tell me outside..."

"Have you ever held a real occupation Sagara-san? Do you know what it means to follow protocol? I have to inform her because she is the legal owner of this..."

"I do happen to know what protocol means in this society, I've sure as hell been screwed over by it enough times..."

Kaoru began to tune out again; the chaos surrounding her was again becoming too much. No one else seemed to understand what was really important in this affair. Neither man standing in front of her could put aside their dogmatic self-principals long enough to problem solve.

With a few frustrated tears in her eyes, Kaoru ran out of the kitchen and down the narrow hall leading to Kenshin's sickroom.

"Kaoru-dono... is something the matter?" Kenshin was trying quite comically trying to see where she was from his reclined position.

"I'm fine, it doesn't matter... are you comfortable?" kaoru began to blush furiously, realizing that she didn't actually have a reason for coming to this room in particular.

"Yes I'm fine, a little restless, but certainly comfortable."

"That's wonderful," Kaoru began to back toward the entrance, "If there's nothing I can get you, I suppose I shall..."

"I don't mean to impose on your day's plans Kaoru-dono... but I wouldn't mind some company if you could spare the time..."

Kaoru blushed stronger, "Of course, If I were alone in a room all day I'd get bored pretty fast... you must feel awful..."

"Not when you're here Kaoru-dono..."