"I live only because of the man that stopped me. Sanosuke." He told the uneasy man. "He told me something that i find to be very true, my friend. We must also fake your death, and Megumi-dono's as well. Do you know who he has targeted next?"

Jinko thought to himself for a moment. Trying to recall the conversations he had overheard.

"We must attack while she still mourns for her lover and her friends. I say we take out Aoushi." The voice was high pitched and squeaky.

"Nay. THe doctor, megumi. Then old man and the boy. Leave the girls alone. I may have a use for them later. Then we shall take out the ex leader of the Oniwabanshuu." Yuushi's soft voice was barely audible. "I trust you will take care of them, Jinko." He said to the crazed fighter.

"Aye. It will be my pleasure." Jinko had said. Leaving to take out his assigned targets.

"I'm supposed to kill the old man and the boy." Jinko told them. staring at the capitain. Tien.

"Very good. Stay out for a few hours more. I want you to go back to my nephew and tell him that the job is done. Do not leave his side. You are my eyes and ears, my friend." Tien said, glancing at the doctor who was still standing, clenching the sword.

"Who did you study under when you were a child, Megumi-dono?" Jinko asked, turning to her.

"The Lee-Shinko Ryu. Why?" She was puzzled for a moment, the the image of a scraggly brown headed boy came into her image. "Wait. Hirusume Jinko? I can't belive it's you. It's me, You guys used to call me Crazy Kitsune."

Jinko's eyes lit up with amusement. "You used to beat me up every time i would ambush you. Why did you leave the dojo?" He asked, curious.

"My father died and i was sent to Tokyo to live with his family. That's when i really began to study medicine. How'd you get hung up with Yuushi?" She asked, confused.

"Actually, i'm only with Tien. When i was about thirteen, he saved me from being killed by the Yakuza, so i trailed after him and Yuushi."

"It's amazing. I've been friends with Kenshin for only a few years. It's so nice to see you again." She said, grinning.

Sanosuke watched all of this with a shocked expression.

First they were fighting, and then they were old friends? Groaning, he flopped back onto the floor, his head banging loudly.

Megumi stopped her conversation to check on him again before walking with Jinko into the yard.

"She's safe with him, that she is." Tien said, nodding as he helped Sano back to the wall.

Kenshin stared down at Aoushi, who was staring up at him. "Come on down, Himura, We have who Yuushi is attacking next and we need to get them out of sight." He yelled up.

Kenshin sighed. Closing his eyes. So much for thinking time.

He nodded his goodbye to Saito before leaping down.

"WHo?" Kenshin's question was simple, but it belied the battosai that lingered so close to the surface.

"Gensai. Then Yahiko." Aoshi said, staring up at Saitou.

"Let's go." Kenshin brushed past him, his eyes flashing golden.

Something had snapped within the ruroni. Something vital to his sanity. Aoshi shuddered, but the chill wind that signaled more rain wasn't the cause.

"What are you planning, Kenshin?" Aoshi demanded, taking up Kenshin's brisque stride.

"You will see." He said, speeding up.

Aoshi grabbed his arm, stopping them. Kenshin didn't look back, but Aoushi could feel the feral glare in the ruroni's eyes. "Tell me, Kenshin." Aoushi's voice took on an air of authority.

Kenshin turned and his blade was at Aoshi's throat. "Don't touch." The command was only a hoarse growl.

Aoushi knocked the sword away, then felt the ruroni's forehead. The burning hot flesh startled him. Cursing, Aoushi let go.

"You're sick. Let's get back to the dojo." Aoshi said, looking past him at the ruffians creeping up the road behind the ronin. They didn't look like the normal hired hands. They were experts. And their eyes were only on him.

"No." Kenshin said, his eyes flashing.

Aoushi tried to lead him away from the stalking men toward the dojo. He sensed Saitou jump down from behind him.

Aoushi caught Kenshin's fist. And though the blow was sluggish for Himura, it was almost too quick to see. "If you wish to fight, fight later. In the meantime, don't you suggest we get rid of the fools behind you." Aoshi said, his voice cold.

"Fine." Kenshin growled, turning toward the fourty or fifty men that had snuck up on him. He flashed out of sight only to reappear to the left, his sakabatou back in his hands.

Saitou was beside him, his aura flashed with fighting spirit. "He's got a fever. I've been trying to talk him down, trying to get him to go to the dojo and rest but he won't. He want's to kill Yuushi."

"I know." Aoshi said, drawing his own sakabatou.

"Nice, It's new. Where did you get it?" Saitou asked, pointing out the sword, ignoring the oncoming hands.

"I got an old friend to make it for me. It's great." Aoshi said, charging forward.

Saitou shrugged and joined the fray.

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Kenshin's muscles were sore and strained when he moved, but he kept moving. Slashing down enemies without blood.

His own blood pounded loudly in his own ears and he felt his aura flicker down.

He tackled the last man that stood near him and forced him against the wall, holding him by the throat.

"Where's Yuushi?" His voice was a deep growl.

"I don't know who that is! I swear! We were hired in the dark, we never saw the guys face. We were only told to get Shinomori. We don't even know who you are!" The big man stammered, blubbering like a baby. "Please don't kill me!"

Kenshin growled, tossing the man aside. "Run away. Don't come back. If i find you after anyone i'll rip out your intestines and force feed them to you."

The man scrambled away. Not looking back.

Kenshin turned to the two men left standing. He dimly noted them as allies.

He walked toward the center of the city, the ground tilting to the left. The world swirled violently and went blank.

"Kenshin!" The muffled yell was dimly heard and the gritty dust bit into his cheek.

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Kagome looked up as Aoshi carried the ruroni in the door.

She scrambled over as Aoshi laid the red headed man down gently.

"Kenshin?" She braced his hot face in her chill hands. "What happened?" She looked up at him, the battosai's feral glare eminated from her once blue eyes.

"Don't blame me, jou-chan, he got sick and wouldn't come back." Aoshi said, backing up.

"Why didn't you make him?" Her eyes reverted slightly. "And where did all of these bruises come from?" They turned full golden as her aura flared drastically.

"He wouldn't let me lay a hand on him. And we got in a fight with some hired goons. He's fine. Is Gensai here?" He asked, looking around.

"Aye." The old man said coming from the hallway. "Oh." The man raced to help Kenshin. "I need some cool water. It's only a slight fever from being out in the rain." He lied. "And some Ginsing and Chamomile for tea."

He studied the feverish face of the ruroni he had come to adopt as another grandson, worry creasing his face.

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Yup, i'm leaving it off there. Don't you hate me? Well, i have to get ready for school and stuff. Bye.

Your shirt says princess, but your face says troll. -a t-shirt i found.