It had been five days since the baby was delivered. Megumi awoke and gazed around. Nobody was there, save the father. Sano held her newborn daughter in his strong arms.

"You're awake," he said gently.

"Mmm. How is she?" she asked, a note of concern in her fatigued voice.

"She's weak in the body, but she has a fighting spirit. When she grows up, I'm going to train her to fight!" he said, looking down at her in excitement.

"Not with me around. She'll be a great doctor-"

"Who can fight! And dress her own wounds!" he interrupted.

"But what about the boys? She'll need to find somebody," Megumi laughed.

"If they bug her, she can beat them up!" he kidded, putting his arm around her. He placed the baby in her arms. "She needs a name, you know."

Megumi looked at her baby. Small and weak, but a soft smiled came from her face. Deep jade eyes looked up at her, as though they knew no fear.

"Her eyes, they're so beautiful. Jade, we'll call her Jade," she whispered.

Sano kissed her, "Jade it is."

Outside, Yahiko had been watching. "Jade? Why even name something that will be underground in no time anyways? Well, they can have their little dreams!" He hopped from the tree and walked down the path, laughing as he went.

"We need to call everyone! We have to celebrate!" Megumi said, trying to stand up. Sano stopped her and hugged her.

"You're still weak as well, darling," he said. "I'll get everybody. You don't have to do anything." He began to walk out the door when Megumi's stern voice stopped him.

"Remember, you're to invite everyone. That means Yahiko, Sanosuke!" she warned.

"Fine. But I have a bad feeling about that," he mumbled. "A really bad feeling."

He gathered up Kaoru, Kenshin, Tae, and Yahiko. A small party, but they were a fun group of people.

"Just don't get too loud," he warned them.

Tae had volunteered to cook, and Yahiko wanted to help out. As they worked in the kitchen, Yahiko withdrew a small vile from his yukata and smiled wryly. His plan was unfolding better than he had ever believed.

Tae had gone out to join the others and chat, while Yahiko put the food on the plates. He brought them out, and handed each person a plate. He gazed around at his unsuspecting victims, nobody knew. He took a large bite from his food, and tried not to laugh. It was the calm before the storm.