A Wanderer's Sword:

A Sequel to "Broken Hearts"

Ch. 7

A Weary Brother's Tears

"Is it really true?" Kaoru heard someone whisper behind her as she looked down the list of items she still needed to pick up while she was in town. "Is he really dead?"

"Yes, General Miyazowa was found dead just outside of town this morning." said another in a hushed and worried voice.

"But who killed him?" asked the first, who, as Kaoru glance behind her, turned out to be an older woman. "He was such a kind man, remembered what he did for Kenshin Himura last year?"

"Yes I know…rumor is that he was assassinated by that Sensei character." said the other elder woman.

"Sensei, where have I heard that name before? ...Isn't he that one who's been after strangers in town?"

"Yeah…my son told me he's been getting drunk every night…stumbling around town with his gang of rascals starting fights. He's been mumbling on about Miyazowa and some wanderer for days. I heard…"

But Kaoru had to quickly turn the other way as the two looked around nervously. Just as they continued Kenshin walked up beside her. "Got everything Kaoru?"

"Oh! Kenshin…huh? Oh yes, just fish left…" she said quickly scanning the list. As they walked down the street Kaoru suddenly remembered a conversation they had had months ago. "Remember a while ago when you asked about that Sensei character?" she asked him.

"Hmmm…" he said thinking hard.

"I just remembered where I've heard that name before. Wasn't J—"

"Kaoru! Kenshin!" came Yahiko's voice from behind them.

Sano and Yahiko came running up to them, Yahiko carrying two fish. "I've got dinner!"

"Did you catch those all on your own?" Kenshin asked.

"Hey, I helped!" Sano said indignantly.

"No way! You've never worked a minute in your life!" Kaoru said turning on him.

"I sure have, it's my money that bought that—"

"Sano!" Yahiko yelled stomping on his foot.

"It's not my fault you don't know how to fish!" Sano said as he messaged his toes.

"That boy can't do anything but eat." Kaoru said laughing.

"Way to talk Fat—" but Yahiko was stopped short as Kaoru hit him hard on the head.

"Kaoru is not fat, that she is not." Kenshin said lovingly looking at her swollen belly.

"Thank you Kenshin." Kaoru said shortly nodding her head approvingly.

"Wow Kaoru you sure can pack it in!" Sano said loudly through a mouthful of food as Kaoru took her third serving of dinner.

"Well you'd be hungry too if you were eating for two!" Kaoru said pausing shortly to drink some hot tea.

"I don't think I've ever seen her eat more than a nibble!" Yahiko whispered to Kenshin.

"Don't you think you should slow down Kaoru…" he said timidly.

But she wasn't listening. She finished her fourth plate of greens and sipped her green tea joyously. She seemed to have a "color of the day" in which she seemed to eat only foods of one color. Today she had a craving for green tea, seaweed, greens and other vegetables, as well as a bit of misoa soup.

"So what were you trying to tell me before?" Kenshin asked suddenly.

"What?"

"You said you remembered something about that Sensei character…"

"Hmmm….I don't remember that…"

"Who?" Sano asked.

"Sensei…" Kenshin responded.

"Sensei who?"

"I don't know…he's just known as Sensei…"

"You mean that drunk?" Sano laughed.

"Actually yes." Kenshin nodded. "Kaoru said she remembered something about him just a while ago. I can't help but think I've heard that name before."

"Well of course you have—"

"I know…it's just on the tip of my tongue, that it is."

"Wasn't Junpei's last name Sensei?" Yahiko said absentmindedly.

"YES!" Kenshin and Kaoru said as the same time.

A look of worry fell upon each face. There had been rumors that this Sensei character was out to get revenge for the death of his younger brother. They're had even been talk that he was after Kenshin himself. Kenshin had even met up with him in the street a few weeks ago, but he thought nothing of his drunkenness and crude behavior until this moment.

"Kenshin…" Kaoru said looking into his eyes worriedly. "I meant to tell you…I heard in town that Miyazowa was killed this morning…by Sensei."

"Isn't he that General or Colonel that helped you out of jail last year?" Sano asked curiously.

"Yes, yes." Kenshin said thinking hard. "If this Sensei character really is Junpei's older brother… than that would be why he killed Miyazowa…out of rage for letting me go free."

"But that doesn't make any sense…" Yahiko interrupted. "Junpei killed himself."

"Yes but I'm sure Sensei would blame him." Sano explained.

"But he was released before Junpei died…how could he possibly want revenge on Miyazowa?" Yahiko said looking questioningly into Kenshin's face.

But no one said anything more. Kenshin sat at the table silently for a long time, thinking intensely. Kaoru was silent as well watching him with fear once again taking her over. Sano left with Yahiko in order to avoid cleaning up but it didn't matter anyway because they went to bed without cleaning up anyway.

Late into the night Kaoru awoke to a cold breeze which drifting in through the open sliding door. Kaoru blinked and looked around the dark room. Kenshin was standing looking out the open door the night breeze dancing in his long red hair. The bright moonlight shown down on his pale face and the stars glittered in his eyes.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru asked as she stood up wrapping a blanket around her. "You okay?"

He looked around suddenly. "I'm sorry did I wake you?"

"I'm fine." Kaoru shivered as she stepped beside him. "Why are you awake at this hour?"

"Couldn't sleep." He said wrapping his arms around her. "I didn't realize it was so cool outside."

"It's barely spring…" Kaoru said wrapping her blanket around him as well.

Kenshin closed his eyes sleepily. "I know…I guess I just could not wait, that I could not."

"You're so silly Kenshin." she whispered softly. "What are you really awake for?"

"Thinking."

"About what?" she said curiously.

"Sensei."

"Really? It's not like you to worry…usually it's me who worries about things."

He placed his hand on her belly softly. "It's hard not to worry when I'm going to be a father in only a few short months."

They both smiled and exchanged a slow sweet kiss. "What do you have to worry about?" Kaoru said finally.

Kenshin looked off into the starry sky for a while. Then, "I just want the baby to have a normal life…"

"Why wouldn't it have a normal life?" she asked. "You're not thinking about that Sensei character are you? There's no way he could do anything to us."

"You seem so sure of that. But I'm not. They'll be other things Kaoru. I've got lots of enemies. I'll have to protect it just like I've had to protect you."

"I don't want you worrying yourself Kenshin. You may not be perfect, you've got enemies, and you stand up against anything that goes against your beliefs and that sometimes gets us into trouble but you always get us out. You stand up for what you believe in, you stand up for the weak, you're always here for me. What else could a woman ask for? I love you Kenshin, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Kenshin held her tightly. "You're right." he said softly but there was a hint of worry still in his voice.

TO BE CONTINUED