Author's Notes: Hey Minna-san! Glad to hear that you like this story! I want to give a BIG Thank-you to Invader Zim, tigerrelly, luna, and The evil witch for their reviews! Thanks to them, the second chapter is getting posted. . .I got what I wanted ne, so I am posting again for you all! Look at the bottom for individual replies. Now, On with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of the characters as you all well know. I do own the plot, so you know whose fault it is if this story doesn't turn out well! LOL.

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By Ladysword04

February 21, 2004

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Chapter 2: The Plan

"Just trust me you guys. I know this plan of mine will work." Kaoru said confidently.

"Oh yeah, and why's that Jou-chan?" Sano questioned her.

"Because I came up with it, that's why!" Kaoru indignantly spat at him. "I have every intention of breaking him of his bad habit with your help no matter what, even if it takes a Whole Year!" Kaoru was boiling with anger now.

"Oh kami guys! Here it comes now! She's on her soap box again!" Megumi whispered to the boys.

"I can't believe he still refers to himself as 'sessha!' He has practically saved ALL of Japan numerous times. He's helped out the police, and the government in so many ways that I have lost count, even in the short time since he's been with us. I mean, everyone here absolutely loves him. He's polite and helps out wherever he is needed or feels he can be of service, and he's the kindest person I have ever met! This is why our plan has to work! He's blinded by his guilt and can't see past his misdeeds, so he needs us to help him see everything clearly again and begin living with us in the present! He doesn't realize that he does so much good in this world, and that in our eyes he has more than repented for the 'crimes' he committed in his past. Kenshin needs to know also that what he did what, ten years ago means absolutely nothing to us here, and he need not continue to think of himself as an outcast from the human race, or that his sins make him sub-human. It's killing me to see him behave in such a manner and I for one am not going to tolerate it any longer! So you see? This is why our 'plan' has to work, and we have to go through with this no matter what. It HAS TO WORK! I mean, not just for his sake and wellbeing, but ours and our sanity as well. I swear, if he says it for too much longer I am gonna' have to hurt him!" Kaoru stated with a passion and fire as she roared in anger. After she had finished, Kaoru was panting from lack of oxygen during her speech.

"Jeez Kaoru! I don't think you took a single breath during your whole speech! Breathe Busu!" Yahiko remarked with a smirk.

Sano, upon hearing that her rant was now over, took his fingers out of his ears and looked seriously at her. Megumi was the only one truly paying any sort of attention.

"Whoa, easy there Kaoru. You can step off of your soap box there before you hurt yourself! And, for Kami's sake, don't step on it again until you can learn to Breathe while you ramble on and on like that!" Sano said, earning him a death glare from the still somewhat recovering Kaoru, and an elbow in his side from Megumi.

"What was that for Kitsune?" He screamed at her.

"Well, Tori-no-atama, Kaoru over here couldn't hit you, so I took her place!" Megumi slyly remarked with a huge grin on her face.

Kaoru, having fully recovered said enthusiastically, "Okay, are you guys ready?" she innocently asked with those puppy dog eyes of hers.

"Yeah, as ready as we're ever going to get!" Megumi replied with fervor.

With that last statement, the plans were finalized in secret among the three in whispers so Kenshin wouldn't hear them. Kenshin had decided to leave them all alone for the time being and go do something useful. The laundry pile was getting larger by the minute he told himself as he headed out to do his favorite chore.

By the time the little 'pow-wow' in Kaoru's room had ended, Kenshin was more than halfway done with the laundry, and a good bit of it was hanging on the poles used to dry them in the wind. The three slipped out of the room and went their separate ways. Sano approached Kenshin as Kaoru and Yahiko went to change for practice, and Megumi just went to the kitchen to read her latest book on herbal remedies.

"Hey Buddy! How's it going?" Sano asked Kenshin with a grin plastered on his face.

"Just fine, that it is. Sessha was just doing the laundry and the dishes while you all were chatting that he was. If you're here to help me, sessha is just fine. He can manage on his own, and is almost finished anyway that he is." Kenshin said while turning to face Sano.

'Jeeze, Jou-chan was right. His usage of the word 'sessha' has really picked up since I was gone. He's at an all time peak, and really is getting worse.' Sano thought before replying.

"Oh, sounds like fun. No Kenshin. Me? Do laundry? Kami! That would be the day. You know me. I HATE chores! Hey, maybe you should go and watch Kaoru and Yahiko practice! Kaoru did think something was wrong with one of her katas when we were talking. And, since you're a swordsman, unlike myself, maybe you could point something out to her. I'm sure she'd appreciate the help Kenshin." Sano said innocently.

'Okay. Something is definitely up. I wonder what it is.'  Kenshin pondered before responding.

"Well, if she needs help with something, I'm glad to be of assistance. Just let me finish up here Sano."

"No, no Kenshin. I know I detest chores, but you had better hurry before their practice ends. Don't worry about the last few articles of clothing. Megumi and *next word spoken at light speed* Sessha will finish up here. Go have fun now okay?" Sano calmly stated to his friend.

'Did Sano just say what I think he said? Sessha? Kami-sama. Wait, maybe I just heard him wrong, but still, if he said it, that was rather odd, that it was.' He thought to himself.

"Oro? Well, if you insist. Thank-you Sano."

"Hurry up and go NOW, or I am gonna' POUND YOU!" Sano roared.

"Alright, alright! I'll go!" Kenshin squeaked while waving his hands in front of his face with that loveable rurouni grin on in an attempt to placate his now fuming friend.

With a last shove from Sano, Kenshin headed out to the dojo to watch and comment during Kaoru's and Yahiko's practice session. Upon reaching the door to the dojo, he paused to watch for a minute before entering. That's when he heard Kaoru screaming in anger at a frustrated Yahiko who was now scowling at her with his tongue stuck out.

"NO NO NO Yahiko! What did Sessha show and tell you at the last practice? Sessha showed you the last time how to hold your bokken while doing this particular kata. You had better quit being lazy and fix what's incorrect before Sessha pounds you into the ground!" Kaoru was fuming. Her tone made even Kenshin cringe.

"Sorry busu! Sessha was being lazy that is all as he is still somewhat tired. He knows he must move his legs two inches further apart, sink his weight in his heels, and hold the bokken like this. Sessha will work harder and will fix it, don't you worry. Just sit back and watch me!" Yahiko said with a sigh in his defeat.

"And if you think that you're going to get off easy today, boy does Sessha have something planned and in store for you! After our sparring match, you are to do 200 extra strokes for your laziness. NO BUTS OR ELSE!" She finished up with an angry growl in an attempt to keep her anger/temper in check.

"Now, let's begin." With that, the match began until another loud *Whack* and a *Scream* could be heard.

"Sessha TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT YAHIKO! You let your guard down, ONCE AGAIN! Where is your head at? *notices dreamy look in his eyes* Snap out of it BRAT. Oh, Don't you dare tell me you're thinking about a certain waitress Yahiko. Yahiko likes TSUBAME eh? Well, never mind that. Pay attention! *grabs the collar of his gi and shakes him violently* If you ever get into a REAL swordfight and let your thoughts wander off and distract you like you just did, you going find yourself lacking one or more appendages, that is if you aren't already DEAD! NOW FOCUS! Try again!" Kaoru lectured. She was standing facing him a few feet away with one hand on her hip, and the other pointing the bokken at Yahiko. The whole time she had been giving him 'THE LOOK' that would make any man turn into a puddle of mindless mush that would obey her every command.

"Sessha is sorry, that he is." Yahiko heart fully apologized while hanging his head.

'Oh Kami! I must be going insane! First Sano says it, now Kaoru and Yahiko too!?! Who next? Why are they doing this to me?' Kenshin thought completely perplexed. Kenshin decided that a short nap would do him some good, and decided not to assist Kaoru with her kata today. He would do that some other time, when he was feeling better. 'Maybe I'm coming down with something' he mused.

Back in the dojo, both sparring partners sank back into their stances ready to begin again. From his futon, Kenshin could hear the occasional 'Sessha' remarks from either party during the remainder of their sparring match. Even when Yahiko went to do his 200 strokes, he still heard it as the boy was complaining, and Kaoru just added more to his sentence.

All Kenshin could do was shake his head and wonder what on Kami's earth was wrong with himself. Today was definitely a strange one. He got up and moved to the porch to watch for a signal that practice was over and he could go prepare her bath. Still lost in thought concerning his friends' strange behavior, he was interrupted with a loud

"What are you staring at me like that for Kenshin?" Kaoru demanded.

Trying hard not to be obvious or add to her already irritated state, he replied calmly, "I was lost in thought, that I was. Oh, that's right! Sessha must go and prepare your bath now Kaoru-dono! You must be tired after a long practice. Sessha will go now!" He said while then turning to leave to get everything ready for her.

"Kami-sama! He said I for a time, but then he said THAT Word again!" Kaoru angrily whispered to no one in particular.

Kaoru snickered as he turned to leave and said, "wait a second Kenshin. Sessha greatly appreciates your gesture that she does, and would like to thank-you. She is rather tired now that you mention it."

This caused his escape to be halted, and he turned around to face her. Next, he just muttered an "ORO? Oh, you're welcome Kaoru-dono!" before turning around once more to leave.

'I can't believe that this is happening! What's gotten into them?' Kenshin thought while a look of great agitation was clearly plastered on his face.

Kaoru's bath went uneventfully, other than the fact that Kenshin barely talked to her for fear of hearing that word again. When he did speak, he talked about the weather or other trivial matters that required no answer from her. You know, his usual banter. When Kaoru was satisfied with the temperature of the water, she told him without the 'sessha' added.

'Playing mind games is kinda fun. Make him think he's crazy, get him to recognize his bad habit, and drive him nuts so he stops!' Kaoru happily thought as she sank back into the water, allowing it to soothe her aching muscles.

'I knew it! My mind was playing tricks on me. No one said 'sessha' today, I'm just simply hearing things. What a relief.' He thought as he got up and dusted off his hakamas.

"Kaoru-dono, seeing as you are all set, Sessha is going to start preparing lunch, that he is."

Upon hearing a muffled 'um hmm' he turned and went to the kitchen to prepare the noon meal.

Author's End Notes: Well, that's a wrap for chapter two. I hoped you liked it. So, the plot thickens as they say, a little action and humor today! Don't worry though. More fun coming your way soon! Let me know if you loved it or hated it in a review, and if this story is living up to your expectations of it.

Reviews would be greatly appreciated to let me know what you think! ^_^

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Personal Replies:

Invader Zim: More chapters are coming out in the not so distant future. I have it all mapped out, just have to type it up, add detail here and there, and edit if. I hope you find it funny!

Tigerrelly: Thanks! I hope this fic. is original! Typing as fast as my fingers will allow to bring you the next chapter! *smiles*

Luna: I'm glad to hear that the characters are 'in character' and that you could see everyone doing something like they are in my fic. It makes me happy to hear that! *Big Grin* I'm also glad to hear that you like it, and I hope I updated fast enough! Lol.

The evil witch: I hope this made you laugh! I'm trying to be somewhat funny though you'll have to tell me or not if I have succeeded! Thanks for the compliment!