Disclaimer: I do not own RK, as much as I do want Sano-san and Ken-san.
--

He strode straight ahead, not caring to stop and reminiscence on his childhood, not bothering about anyone in particular. His head was working non-stop like clockwork and his legs took him automatically somewhere he knew he could be save. Somewhere no one can find him. Somewhere he hasn't been for 3 years.

Keitaro pushed the bamboo leaves apart and strode further into the thicket of shoots around him. Further and further he went, the grass trampled under his feet.

Suddenly, he stopped and grabbed a full grown bamboo in front of him, his eyes fixated on a particular blade of grass on the ground. His hands clenching the shoot till his fists turned white.

If anyone were to be able to see his green eyes now, they are darkened and blazing with anger.

iWas I too late?/i

Kaoru's smile flashed across his mind. To his dismay Battousai's image came into his mind too. His hands tightened around the shoot and he leaned his forehead against it now, seemingly exhausted.

He closed his eyes and appeared to have some sort of control over himself before his eyes opened and flashed again. This time, they were eyes of a cold tiger.

"Never."

He released his hands from the bamboo and walked calmly out of the forest, leaving behind a broken bamboo shoot he had held upon just then.

--

Lunch was surprisingly quiet at the Kamiya Dojo. However, normal doesn't seem to be put to justice if one were to describe it.

Megumi was shooting daggers at Sanosuke, who was scoffing down food like the world's ending the next moment.

Yahiko was trying his best to keep up with Sano. The poor boy is also trying not to hurl everything back up again, his pride working against him as he fought not to display his discomfort.

Then in another corner Kaoru was calmly handing out refills to the two guys, choosing ignorance on the situation at hand.

Kenshin was entertaining the girls as usual while Genzai was staring at the whole scene in shock.

Well.

A knock of the door suddenly shocks everyone from their own individual reverie. Sano and Yahiko started choking, Megumi smirking, Kenshin and Genzai looking rather relieved to have a distraction and the girls getting overly excited upon the idea of a visitor.

Kaoru froze, though. Her gut feeling telling her it is not going to be good. She slowly rose and headed off to the door, with Kenshin following behind her.

"Kaoru-dono, let me…" Kenshin started as he held out a hand for the door, but Kaoru stopped him, her hands cover his.

He froze and stared at the hand, feeling the warmth in them, but sensing her tension through them as well. He looked at her, before nodding his head in agreement. Once her back was turned his defence stepped up and on guard. This didn't look too good…especially if Kaoru-dono is acting this way…

Kaoru took a deep breath, before opening the door, and gasped in shock.

Kenshin saw her face turn white and heard her gasp. He was ready to knock whoever who was behind the door then…when Kaoru allowed the mystery man through.

Nani….?!

His mind reeled was he registered who was it.

"Takura-san…" He was, for once thankful for Battousai's existence in him to aid him in such situations like this. His voice impassive as he looked up to the towering man.

Kenshin sensed Kaoru's questioning look but ignored it as he looked in that green eyes of his, as shock as he was to see him.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Niimi Takura spoke, his voice laced just a little bit with a sneer. He smirked down on the red-headed man. "Nice to meet you, Battousai-san."

"I've changed my name, if you would kindly please acknowledge me that, Takura-san." Kenshin replied, his eyes narrowing.

Kaoru watched from the sidelines of the exchange, her intuition kicking her head like a jackhammer. Once she saw Kenshin's eyes flashing a golden hue, warning bells sounded and she hurridly stepped in. Pushing Kenshin to the side, she put up her brightest smile.

"Well, I guess both of you have met before, so I don't have to do the introduction now, don't I?" she laughed nervously, trying to sooth the situation. "Takura-san, if you may?" she gestured towards the house. "I haven't seen you for a long time, would you care for a little chat?" she put up yet another winning smile.

Takura took his eyes off Kenshin, and smiled down to her.

Kaoru shivered under his smile. She had never liked Keitaro's father. He scared her. However to save everyone from an embarrassing moment she led him to the dojo, with Kenshin following up behind them.

--

Sano paced in the dining room, his frustrations evident from his mutterings. Kenshin had excused himself back to the kitchen and updated everyone upon the situation, with the exception of the girls taking their afternoon nap. Sano swore under his breath again as he paced around the dining room once more.

"Sanosuke, can you please stop that?" Megumi said from the table, sipping her tea calmly. "It's not going to help if you're walking around the place stomping like some spoiled brat.."

Sano ignored her comment and continued to pace.

His brown eyes narrowed further more and made to go around round before Yahiko tripped him.

"KUSO!!!" he yelled and as sprawled on the floor. Then a resounding crack was heard and he was out, with Yahiko standing triumphant behind him.

"That should do it." He said. Irritable he was with the given moment, he could not understand what was the fuss Sanosuke was making. Sure he maybe showing concern for Kaoru, but isn't he displaying too much than usual? Yahiko snorted down to the unconscious fellow.

"Arigatou Yahiko." Megumi sipped her tea again before standing up. "I really must go, Kenshin. Doctor Genzai and I have some appointments back at the clinic to fulfil…" She spoke to him at the basin where he was washing up the dishes.

"Kenshin?" There was no movement or acknowledgement from him. Megumi sighed. Probably worrying…another stab of jealousy coursed through her but she bit it down.

"I'll show you out.." Yahiko offered as he stood up.

She smiled at him. "Arigatou again." Yahiko puffed up, obviously basking in her gratefulness.

Helping Genzai with the sleeping girls she exited from the dojo. Looking back again, she sighed in frustration. There was no stopping of love, is there? She questioned herself sadly.

"I'm worried about Kaoru." Genzai suddenly spoke.

She looked at him in surprise. His eyes clouding with worry.

"You know, back 3 years ago, Takura-san had never visited the Kamiya Dojo. In fact, from what I hear he hated the dojo. It was only for his son that he allowed him to attend Kendo lessons there."

Megumi waited for him to continue, her mind half acknowledging how tired they were from carrying Suzume.

"I'm afriad for Kaoru. I'm afriad of what I know of Takura-san, Kaoru will be in deep trouble soon."

--

TBC