Author's Notes: Hello Minna-san yet again! I know that I promised you all two chapters this week, and you shall get them; this weekend that is. I have had slight problems with fan fiction lately. I know I posted last on Friday and got 10 more reviews! Wow! You guys rock! That made my day! However, Even on Thursday I only got 3 of the new 10. That and tonight, I couldn't even get the website to load let alone any story on my favorites list. So, there's the explanation for you. It's making me mad too. Just hope everything goes better for fan fic. . . you all know I would die without it! LOL!

Thursday's Note:

Well, Today is looking up. No homework, and plenty of time to both edit and post if I can log in that is. Wish me luck!

Friday's Note:

I am posting now as you can tell. Last night at midnight I still could not get logged in, but I can today so while I can I am posting! Here it is!

Thanks to all who reviewed! You gave me some great ideas, and while I didn't plan to include EVERYONE originally here, I have decided to since you all asked me so nicely! Like I promised, I am NEVER closed to your opinions; they're a lot of help! *smiles*

Review Replies are at the very bottom as always! Save the best for last! *wink*

Ok enough talk!

Disclaimer: I know, pointless, but oh so necessary to avoid getting sued or banned. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. They are just characters that I would have never thought of otherwise in order to write this fic! *bows to Watsuki-sama*

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By LadySword04

March 3, 2004

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Previously on Breaking That 'Sessha' Habit of His:

Kenshin now could feel a strange emotion now emanating from her ki, but before he could do or say anything to break their companionable silence, Megumi called.

"Lunch is ready Minna-san!" She raised her voice to be loud enough for all in a half mile radius to hear. (A/N uncharacteristic of her I know. . . had to do it!).

Kaoru swiftly came out of her reverie and walked at a brisk pace into the dojo. Kenshin was left to think his own thoughts, and allowing himself to recover from his mental bashing for a few minutes before he too bolted inside.

(A/N: I mean can you blame them for scurrying inside? I know I can't, what with Yahiko and Sano in there already probably halfway done with everything set before them!?! Hurry before they scarf it all!)

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Chapter 4: Lunch As Usual, But With A TwIsT

Kenshin strolled inside to see his friends seated and waiting for his arrival. To his surprise even Yahiko and Sano were patiently waiting, but with their chopsticks ready for action. That was shocking to say the very least; the two human eating machines that would usually by now have been halfway done with everything on the table were of all things actually waiting for him!

He quietly sat down next to Kaoru. Sano was on his other side while Megumi and Yahiko were across from them. Sitting down, Kenshin offered a soft greeting to them all, and immediately the sounds of munching and 'scarfing' could be heard. The remaining three politely served themselves and began to eat, clearly trying their best to tune out the noise the two freeloading bachelors made at every meal.

For the duration of the meal, tension could be felt in the air. No one talked at all during that time. Everyone simply occupied themselves with the task of eating; not that it was a task mind you as Megumi's cooking was ALWAYS a treat.

However, much to Kenshin's relief, as soon as everyone was done their usual talk began.

'They must have been hungry. Lunch was later than usual today.' Kenshin told himself. 'I must be making too much out of this whole situation. Though I want to know what on Kami's earth is going on with them all.'

With that final thought, Kenshin stood up and composed himself before he began his "ask questions and they answer" session. He wanted to know the real reason for their crazy behavior and what they were up to. It put him at odds with himself to not know what was going on.

True that while he was a hitokiri Kenshin killed without knowing why or of what importance his victims were to the 'cause'. He was told who to kill and when, and never so much as even questioned those facts. But this time was different; they were up to something, teasing him for no apparent reason, and refusing to let him in on their secret.

"Alright minna-san. I have noticed that you are acting in a peculiar manner today and are most definitely up to something, that I have. I want to know what it is and the reason behind it. Why are you referring to yourselves as 'Sessha'? It is terribly annoying that it is, and I wish that you would all stop that I do." He stated "matter of factly." His tone was serious, but not overly demanding and still friendly.

Kaoru was taken aback and at a loss for words at his question. However, Megumi noticed this and came to her rescue.

"Why, whatever do you mean Sir Ken? You must be imagining things. No one that I have heard today has referred to themselves as 'Sessha' like you say they have."

That's when her doctor side came over her. She thought it would be a good cover considering that Kenshin's scowl told her that he did not believe her. Plus she was a doctor, and he was one of her patients; and a favorite one at that.

"Are you sure that you are feeling alright? No One here is up to anything. What ever would make you think such a thing?" She queried while nonchalantly flipping her hair over her shoulder with one hand.

She hoped that action would throw him off and convince him of everyone's innocence. It was something she always did whenever she had some important truth to tell, and it made her feel more relaxed. 'Hopefully my 'relaxation technique' worked a little considering he can read ki and must have picked up on my uneasiness.' She thought as she mentally crossed her fingers.

"I think that I must be going insane." Kenshin huffed before he gathered up his dishes and any other ones he could safely carry back to the kitchen with him. With a last sigh, he retreated to the kitchen to begin washing the lunch dishes.

The remaining friends at the table began to yet again talk about their plans in whispers.

"WOW Jou-chan! This is going GREAT! He's already annoyed at us for our little prank!" Sano remarked with a huge grin and a thumbs up.

"Yeah, maybe we won't have to keep this thing up much longer seeing as he isn't saying that darn word as much as he usually does!" Yahiko grinned too.

"I know!" Kaoru squealed while hopping up and down with excitement like Misao might have done had she been there. Sitting back down, she continued, "This is really working, and Well I might add."

Smirking at the group, she whispered arrogantly, "It's my plan after all! But if you all do not mind, could we all keep this up for a bit longer, that is until I give the word and then tell him myself? Is that alright with everyone?" With that she turned and faced Megumi, who was her toughest opponent, in her mind at least.

"Sure this is kind of fun you know Tanuki. I of course am willing to do anything that I can to help Sir Ken! OHOHOHOOH!" She laughed with that characteristic sideways hand crossing in front of her mouth while she laughed.

"Alright then, it's decided. Now, time for more mind games you guys! I have something for each of us to do okay?"

"Fine" Yahiko and Sano grumbled thinking she wanted them to clean the dojo again.

"Okay, Megumi, I want you to go and fill Saitou in on our plan and try to convince him to join in. Sano, I want you to drop off two letters at the post office that I am now going to write. Yahiko, I want you to go with Sano in case he gets lost. . ."

At that Sano interrupted her. "Hey! I don't get lost! My sense of direction is perfectly fine Jou-chan!"

"Yeah right idiot! What was that I heard earlier this morning when you to check how you looked? I mean you're lucky the mirror didn't break but that's beside the point. Come on Sano, WHAT sense of direction are you referring to? It's so pathetic that you can't even find yourself in a mirror!" Yahiko retorted.

With that comment, the two boys began to fight with one another until Kaoru began fuming. They failed to notice her presence and got a few good whacks of a bokken to their heads for their stupidity. 

 "Now, before I was so rudely interrupted, I am going to write and keep the act up while you all go complete your tasks. Agreed?" She asked while putting on a serious face that bordered on an angry one.

After not getting an immediate response she donned a face that told everyone that they better cooperate or they were going to face one heck of an evil and angry tanuki.

"Fine Fine! We'll do it no problem Jou-chan!" Sano said with a doofy grin on his face in an attempt to placate her, and prevent further bodily harm.

"Just write the thing, and let me have it!"

With that, Kaoru set about writing and addressing the letters. When she was done, everyone got set to go about their assigned tasks. Taking only a short time, all were soon back home. Yahiko had to lead the way both to and from the post office, as Sano couldn't remember where the darn thing was or even how to get back home.

Sure, he could get to and from the Akebeko (spelling?)  as it was only a few minutes down the road. He probably could go entirely by scent. Not to mention, how could he forget its location when he was a man governed by his stomach, and had a HUGE tab there already. He obviously had to know how to get there to eat when Jou-chan's cooking was awful, and how to run home to avoid paying his bill.

The rest of the day passed somewhat uneventfully as everyone did whatever they felt like doing. Kenshin began cleaning the porch, the task he left behind before lunch. The rest of the group had gone to the river to fish, and then lounge for a while.

When Kenshin finished his task, he went downtown to the market to get the necessary supplies for dinner. With Sano and Yahiko around, it was impossible to keep rice or food of any sort in the house for more than 24 hours. Not that he was complaining. There was no way to store food and if not eaten, it would spoil and have to be thrown out.

Arriving home shortly before everyone else, he set about cooking their dinner as the sun was just beginning to set. They promised to be home before sun down and would most definitely bring their appetites with them.

Half-an-hour later, they all came laughing up the street to the dojo gates. Opening them, Kenshin noticed the group that had left, came back with quite a few heavily laden shallow baskets and three other faces belonging to none other than Dr. Genzai, Ayame, and Suzume.

While at the river and even on the way back home, everyone had filled the three in on their plan and a few of the more comical moments from earlier causing quite a few laughs on the way. Dr. Genzai and his granddaughters had agreed to go along with their plan.

Yahiko had been the first to barge in through the dojo gates and yell, "Kenshin, We're back! Come and look at all the fish we got down at the river!"

"Yeah Ken-nii, look at all the fishies!" Exclaimed Ayame and Suzume with smiles on their faces as they pointed at the baskets; well, Ayame stated the facts, and Suzume being very young just tried to imitate her sister in her own cute way.

Humoring the two girls, Kenshin bent down and peered into the basket with them before stating, "Yes you two. My, there are certainly a lot of fish in there, that there are! Did you two catch all of them by yourselves?" He asked before giving them his famous Rurouni Grin.

Laughing the two replied, "No Ken-nii. Yahiko, Sano, and Kaoru caught them. Then Yahiko said something that made Kaoru mad. She chased him all over before he tripped and fell in!" Ayame squealed in delight at the funny memory.

"Yeah, and he scared the fishies off too!" Suzume said while pouting.

"My you two, sounds like you had a busy day that you did!" Kenshin said as he smiled. Yahiko was crossing his arms and sticking his tongue out at the two for telling on him.

"Well, what do you say we have them for dinner?" Kenshin asked.

Before they could answer however, Yahiko jumped in with, "Kami Kenshin! It's late, and of course we'd love to eat them! Sessha is hungry, and he's sure that everyone else is too!"

Just then Sano's stomach growled as if on cue, and also to make itself known, as well as Yahiko's point. All eyes then were focused on him.

"Nani you guys? So what if Sessha's stomach has a mind of its own! Sessha's just hungry that he is!" He said while smirking.

That remark earned a groan from Kenshin. 'Not THAT again! I can't stand this for too much longer!'

"Well, I have everything cooked except for these fish here, which will only take a few minutes to take care of. Sano would you help me carry the baskets of fish to the kitchen? I'll get started on cooking what's in them. Oh and Megumi, don't even think about helping me!" He said as he took two baskets and walked away with Sano to the kitchen.

Sano then promptly walked back to the group that was awaiting his return.

"It's working you guys!" Kaoru mouthed to her friends, which all gave her smiles. The two boys gave their ever present thumbs up sign.

"Yeah, he did sound rather perturbed to me!" Sano said. "Looks like Phase One or Day One I forget is a complete success Jou-chan! He's saying I and Me more!" *pats her on the back*

"I can't wait until dinner!" Kaoru said to Megumi while rubbing her palms together in a devious manner that showed she had a few tricks up the folds of her kimono. The others then walked back into the house to sit and talk while Kenshin finished up.

Kaoru went to help Kenshin as he finished up, using the Sessha line while asking if he needed anything. He responded that he needed the table to be set, which she set off to do.

When she finished, she asked if he needed anything else, while again using Sessha.

This time, her response was a small shake of the head indicating a "no" response, though she noticed he was clenching his jaw.

'Kami-sama, they're driving me mad! Ah well, at least Dr. Genzai and his granddaughters aren't talking or acting strange. Thank Kami for that! But still, I hate being the odd man out. *screams ARGH mentally*'

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Author's End Ramblings: Okay, Chapter 4 done! Hey, this is by far the longest chapter I have written so far for you guys! Don't worry though. Next chapter the fur really starts to fly as three new guests arrive! The mystery people addressed in Kaoru's letters come for a visit and that's when the fun really starts. I do feel kinda bad for Kenshin though. Don't worry, things will get better soon. . .but they have to get worse before that! *evil grin*

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Personal Replies:

Alatril Carnesr: I am glad to have you join in on the reviews list! It makes me smile to know that you liked this story, think that it is funny, and that I did a good job with a KK moment there. I was worried no one would like it. I know I succumbed to the Waff or Fluff here. I Couldn't resist though. Yes, I have every intention of having her and that ice cube of hers join in on the fun. Thanks for the suggestion!

Luna: Thanks so much for the compliment! No question is EVER stupid in my book that is! I definitely will include more characters, even that smoke-stack of a human. Thanks for the idea! I agree, that would be so wrong to have an opponent helping out. I like it! *big smile* I definitely will have him say that sometime in the not so distant future! Look out for it!

MoonliteAssassin: *Huge grin* Thanks! Your review put a smile on my face for sure! Glad to know that this is somewhat realistic and you could see the KenshinGumi doing something like this. Lets me know I am doing a good job! However, losing the de gozaru thing would probably have to be done in another story that it would! I love it too much to get rid of it!

Lily of the Shadow: You thought it was cute? Awesome! Yeah, I like a bit of bitter sweetness as you say or angst maybe? I really don't think I am that funny, but I am glad that you think so! Hope you liked the few odd jokes here about Sano and Yahiko! The "They're taking all my favorite chores" thing was something I couldn't resist putting in there and I am glad you liked it too! Hope the update was fast enough!

Death is Illuminated in Darkness: Aww! I feel so special. Thanks a bunch! Yeah, I feel sorry for the poor guy too. He's been through enough already I know. But, this is for his own good, and things will work out in the end. . .or at least I hope. If not he'd be forced to become a wanderer again! *doom doom doom* However, I do agree that his habit is slightly annoying at times; that's where this idea came from! Glad to know you like my little random idea! I guess random thinking at ungodly hours does wonders! LOL. Thanks for the compliment and the encouragement to continue! Big grin and a thanks to you!

Akahana: Yepper. I definitely feel sorry for Kenshin too. But as the saying goes, it's darkest before dawn, and things usually get worse before they get better! I guess we have a bit in common, I end up saying ORO all the time at school, so you're not alone in the 'talking like the rurouni' complex thing. That's great to know that I'm not the only one who has taken something from the anime and incorporated it into her own life. It makes me happy to know that you like this fic. Oh no, PLEASE don't send Evil Neko of Fuzzy-cuteness on me! *hides in horror* Not, I love cats, but an evil one, I don't know is a different story!

Lanny: Don't feel dumb! I don't even take Japanese in real life, so I am sure you know more about their language then I ever will. We all have to learn from someone at some time or another! I learned from the people here on fan fic that were nice enough to provide a list of Japanese translations too. Ok, Sessha just means "This unworthy one." Hope it makes more sense now! You were right, it is in third person. Good job! Thanks for the compliment as to how I ended it for that chapter. Glad to know you like this fic. Tons more to come in the future! I hope to post again on either Friday or Saturday.

Valese: Yeay! I made someone say 'wow'! I love your stories too! You just totally made this week worthwhile; I was hoping that my idea was original, and the fact that you read tons of stories makes it even better! I am excited to hear that you love my fic. Hope you stay with me!

theWolf24: Hiya again! It makes me happy to know that I am updating fast enough so that you guys don't get bored or tired of waiting for me! I'm happy to see you return, and hope that you stay with me too, your opinions and encouragement keep me going! Thanks for your compliments! *likes the rurouni grin and the wave* See ya' next chapter!