Author's Notes: Wow, it's been awhile! I'm really sorry about the delay! Things have been really busy for me lately! Well, I hope you all had a good 4th of July. I know I did! Also, yes I did change my name. All I did was take out the numbers and add Hitokiri. It used to be Lady Battousai654, but I wanted a name without numbers. It seems more original, you know? I was surprised this one wasn't taken as well...lol. And now it matches my email address!

While Megumi worked, Sano kept a wary eye on the drugged hitokiri. His eyes just before he had been knocked out were almost eerie. So much pain had been in them. There was none of that wild rage that been there while outside.

"Move Sano," Megumi instructed. With a sigh, he obliged, moving around to sit on the other side of Kenshin.

Megumi removed the washcloth from the back of his neck, and replaced it with a cold one. She carefully felt his forehead and let out a sigh when she felt no improvement.

"I've never had to work this hard to get rid of a fever," she said, her tone exasperated. "I'll have to cool him off some more. Sano, get Kaoru to boil some tea. That should help too."

Sano stood up and found Kaoru, already in the kitchen. He told her what Megumi said, and while she hurried off to complete the task, he made his way back to the room. Just as he walked through the door, he caught sight of Megumi pulling open the young boy's Gi.

"Hey," he said looking worried.

"Don't worry Sano, he's not waking up."

Still, he watched the manslayer closely and looked startled when he shifted his head to the side, letting out a cut off moan. His lips were parted slightly, and if he listened closely, he could hear his breathing.

"Poor thing," Megumi said, shaking her head while she placed a cool cloth at his sides. At the cold contact, he only stirred slightly, but made no other move. Sano let out a relieved breath and looked at Megumi.

"You look tired," he observed. "Why don't you go drink some tea right now. I'll watch him, and if he does anything, I'll call you," he offered.

Megumi smiled, and opened her mouth, looking ready to protest.

"Look, you'd better take the offer now," he said before she could reply. "Because I'm about ready for a nap."

Megumi smiled and stood up, stretching slightly. "Alright Sano, I better take advantage of this then." She walked out the door and then paused before turning and looking back at him. "Thank you Sano," she said as she walked down the hallway. Ah, some tea sounded nice.

-

Sano sat against the wall, looking up at the ceiling.

"How long does it take a woman to drink a cup of tea," he grumbled. "Damn Sano, what did you volunteer for?"

He glanced down at the still form of Kenshin, before sighing and looking up again. A sudden noise from the futon made him look down again, curiously staring at the boy. He had uttered yet another cut-off groaning sound, his face looking pained.

"A-Ai shiteru," he muttered softly.

Sano blinked and looked at the kid in amazement. "Umm, no," he said holding up his hands, as if defending himself.

"Ai shiteru...Tomoe," he said softly.

Sano lowered his hands, and watched, still amazed as another tear slid down the young warrior's face. Who was this Tomoe and how could someone so young, already have loved? His gaze was drawn to his hands that were trembling at his side. Maybe he should go get Megumi...

He stood and debated whether he should leave or not. Deciding that he wouldn't go anywhere and that he wouldn't even be gone long himself, he hurried out of the room and towards the kitchen. When he finally reached it, he saw Megumi sitting on the floor, drinking her tea with Kaoru.

"Hey, Megumi, Kenshin's twitching or something."

"Twitching," she asked, a brow raising.

"Well, more like trembling I guess. At least his hands are," he said.

She rolled her eyes while brushing past him, carrying a cup of tea, no doubt for Kenshin. With her free hand, she smacked him in the back of the head.

He lifted his hand to the back of his head, and as soon as she left the room, let out a pained 'ow'. Behind him, Kaoru laughed and he spun around to glare at her before stalking out of the kitchen.

-

His hands had been lightly trembling when Megumi got back to the room, and Sano arrived just in time to see her remove the cloths from his neck and side. She once again felt his head, and this time seemed more satisfied with the results.

"See Sano? I am a good doctor," she said while giving one of her trademark laughs. She stilled seemed worried about him though and reached out a hand to grab onto his own hand. They were freezing cold! She pulled away at the slight shock of it.

"Yeah," he muttered, still sore about being smacked in the head. He didn't notice her expression after grabbing the boy's hand.

Just then, Kenshin stirred again. Briefly, his eyes flickered open, but they didn't seem aware of his surroundings. He closed his eyes again, but he wasn't unconscious. He was struggling to wake up, and Megumi quickly got Sano to help her get some more tea in him. He was a bit uptight about it, since when Sano moved his hands near him, Kenshin's hand lifted to try and swat Sano's away, but other than that, he made no other show of resistance.

"Are we druggin' him again," Sano asked.

Megumi rolled her eyes at his choice of words.

"No, I'm going to try not to."

"What! What if he goes nuts again?"

"Then we will "drug him", but not if that doesn't happen," she answered.

Again, Kenshin began to cough and tried to sit up as a reaction of tea going down his throat. Sano pushed him down, a reaction of his own, but it only managed to make things worse.

"Sano, let him sit," Megumi nearly shouted.

Sano pulled his hands away, watching as the boy scrambled to sit up and rolled over on his side facing away from Sano and Megumi. He was caught up in a fit of rather violent coughing.

"What did you do to him," Sano asked quietly.

Megumi only glared at him a moment before moving around to the other side of Kenshin, in an attempt to soothe him. She stroked his head softly, still earning a flinch. He didn't pull away though and Megumi kept her hand where it was. His coughing soon ceased, and he seemed to calm down.

He remained where he was though, on his side and facing downward. When he didn't move, she removed her hand and she carefully rolled him over again onto his back. He watched her with glassy, unfocused eyes. Sano caught the look of pity in her eye.

"Megumi, he'll get better. There's nothing else you can do for him."

"No Sano, I don't know what's wrong. I don't know how else to help him."

"It's not your fault. Just let him rest," he said. He stood and pulled Megumi up by the arm. "He'll be fine alone for awhile."

Reluctantly, she followed him, sliding the door shut behind her as they walked out. She gave a sigh and smiled up at Sano, once again shifting her mood.

"Thanks Sano."

She walked away in the direction of the kitchen and Sano rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, feeling rather baffled. Women...

-

With a soft grunt, the young hitokiri rolled over onto his side, facing the sliding door. His glazed eyes stared at it. The room was empty, as Sano had left when the hitokiri seemed to fall asleep. He felt trapped in here. His limbs hurt, and his body had that annoying feeling, where no matter what you were either too hot or too cold. In general, he was suffering from overall aches and not feeling well at all.

Finally having enough of the feeling, he pushed himself up on his elbows, and removed the covers from himself. Issuing another soft grunt, he pulled himself into a standing position, not at all comfortable with the wobbly feeling standing brought to his legs. He leaned against the wall, and rested his head against it too, only for a moment, trying desperately regain his senses.

Suddenly the door slid open, and he looked to the one standing in the doorway.

"Oh, Ken-san! I didn't expect to see you standing!"

The voice belonged to none other than the lady doctor, Megumi. He was relieved, but also slightly worried with her presence. Shaking off the surprise, she stepped all the way in, and his gaze fell to the various objects she carried in her arms. The hallway outside of the room was dark, signaling that night had fallen. Losing track of time was unlike him, and he didn't believe he liked the thought.

"So, how are you feeling Ken-san? Any better? I must say you look better! I was worried about you for awhile there!"

He didn't answer at first. Finally looking back at the doctor he just nodded his head in assurance that he was fine. Megumi nodded her head back, a cheerful smile on her face.

Kenshin eyed the things she had brought with her closely, searching for anything he might not want to see. She had set them down on the floor near the door.

She glanced up at him again, and noted how he was standing. His back was pushed up against the wall, and his hands were at his side, seeming to hold onto it as well. Letting out a laugh, she stepped closer to Kenshin. "Look at you, holding onto that wall! Why don't you let go and come sit down over here," she said cheerfully, gesturing to the futon a few feet from him.

He began judging the distance, and wondering if he would make it without looking like a fool. Just as he figured he could, she bent down and tugged his target towards the middle of the room.

"We have more room this way," she explained.

Not only did her moving of the futon discourage him, but his eyes narrowed slightly at her reason for the action. Room for what? When she only offered another smile, he finally stepped away from the wall and walked over towards her as smoothly as he could. Luckily he didn't stumble and land on his face. This was a relief.

She turned her back again to organize her various bandages and ointments. Eying them again carefully, he sat perfectly still with his legs crossed.

With her back still turned, Megumi again spoke to him. Thinking it would be easier the second time, she finally turned around, having prepared some sort of solution with her herbs.

"Ken-san, would you so kindly remove your Gi for me again?"

Immediately the hitokiri froze. Megumi stopped as well, just watching him closely.His eyes stared blankly ahead, and his only movement was a slight shift so that he could further close his Gi. Megumi sighed. That reaction was not only unexpected, but signaled a struggle up ahead. Hopefully she could convince him otherwise.

"Ken-san? Are you alright?" No response. "You know, we've gone through this before. I'm a professional doctor. I won't hurt you, I promise you that."

Still, he didn't budge, keeping his hand closed around the front of his Gi. Standing she opened the door and walked out of it quietly. Kenshin didn't let out his breath just yet, because he had a feeling she'd be back. Not long after, she returned, and this time kept the shoji open. In her right hand, she carried a sword-his sword. For a moment, he tensed, but she stood in front of him, looking him in the eye. She extended her arm, holding the weapon out in front of her

"Will this help?"

His eyes were slightly widened, and he blinked. He gave the slightest shake of his head, refusing to take the weapon. Megumi was patient with him.

"How about if I lay it right here, where you can see it? Does it help?"

Kenshin only watched her lay it down near him. She then stood up again, watching him almost hopefully. She was placing a huge amount of trust in him at the moment. How could she do that, even when she barely knew him? His gaze lingered on the sword before finally looking up at Megumi again. Finally, he gave a slight nod of his head and she grinned. This confused him slightly, though he decided not to show it.

With his shirt finally off, he looked down, avoiding her gaze. He felt terribly uncomfortable with this, more so than last time. Last time, he hadn't been thinking clearly. Again a blush crept to his otherwise smooth pale face and Megumi couldn't stifle a slight giggle. The poor boy.

She covered some of his wounds in a thin layer of her mixed herbs, finding none that needed bandaging. This was good, since she had been worried about an infection, since his fever had not broke. Even that had now seemed to clear up. His eyes weren't as glazed.

He put his Gi back on by now and she stood. "Well Ken-san, I do believe you're okay now!" She was clearly pleased. "You might want to take it easy for a little bit, but I'll leave the door open for you in case you want to come outside. It's a lovely day. Is that okay?"

He nodded, and she promptly exited the room, a satisfied smile still on her face. Kenshin glanced at the sword near the door. She had purposely left it, he knew by the way she had glanced at it before she left. Why though?

This room was beginning to grow old. He was sick of looking at it's walls, and out the tiny window that provided little sunlight. He wanted to go outside again. Slowly, he stood, having regained most of his balance by now. He picked up his sword, placing it at his side and wandered down the hallway, searching for a way to the backyard. He followed the happy voices that came from outside, and finally the group came into view.

His attention turned however to another option. He could slip out the front gate without being noticed. He wouldn't leave, but he wanted to be out on his own again for awhile. He took this option, turning sharply and heading outside. The streets grew more and more crowded as he neared the market stalls. Vendors called out to him, telling him to buy a painting, or some tofu. He ignored them all for the moment, and simply floated through the crowd, seemingly unrecognized. People brushed past the smaller man, not acknowledging his presence. Even though he was happy to get out the confining room, he felt odd being out in broad daylight with all these people.

He pushed the thoughts away. He didn't have to think like that anymore. No longer would be have to restrict himself to lurking in the shadows or late at night. In some way, he felt freed, but another, more powerful emotion gave him that feeling of uselessness. What would he do now? He received some funny looks, regarding his hair and the sword at his side, but he paid neither of them heed. Recognition flashed across some of their faces, a look he never missed. Each man who looked at him with that strange but all too familiar look in his eyes, each woman that hugged her child closer, or pulled them along by their hands hurt him deeply.

His trained ears suddenly picked up on a young voice, in a great deal of distress. Looking through the crowd of bustling people, he focused on a small child, her eyes wet with tears and her face red from the effort of her sobs. He watched for a moment, and then seemed to turn. The cries wouldn't leave him alone though as they seemed to grow louder and more urgent. He looked at the people passing by. Was no one going to help the child? He blinked, looking genuinely torn between leaving and helping her. He didn't want to touch her. He didn't want to soil her innocent soul with his bloodied and ruined hands. He stood completely still, one out of the dozens of people passing by.

-

Kaoru had gone out looking for him. She had been hesitant on the action, but Megumi had assured her that he needed to be found. She didn't call his name, but scanned the crowd carefully, picking out each person. None of them were Kenshin.

With his vibrant red hair, he should stick out, if he was here at least. Of course, if the former assassin didn't want to be found, she may as well have given up already. She pressed on though, weaving her way through the busy market place.

Her gaze caught on a spot of red. She smiled lightly when she saw it was Kenshin. She took a step forward, but stopped abruptly when he didn't move. He stuck out quite a bit, standing stock still in the middle of a busy shopping pathway. Some people made an arc, hurrying past him, while others, not willing to waste any time at all brushed past him. It didn't seem to phase him though and he stared out in front of him.

Kaoru, following his gaze, finally noticed the young girl. Now that she saw her, her desperate cries became more noticeable. The young man seemed completely torn on what to do. He wanted to help her, but seemed to watch her as if he couldn't; as if something was blocking his path. Did he not like children? Now people bumped into her and she refrained from shoving them back as she watched intently. The small child had now stepped forward, in a desperate attempt to find her parents. When she was nearly knocked over by a large man, Kenshin took action. He moved forward, and reached her quickly. Gently, he grabbed her hand and pulled her off to the side. She went along with him, but once safely out of the way, she looked up at him, fright in her big brown eyes. Kenshin had kneeled down, so that he was at her level. Kaoru was surprised when she saw Kenshin's lips moving, he obviously saying something to her, and a faint smile crossed her face.

-

"I'm Kenshin, what's your name?" he then asked.

"Kasumi," she answered meekly.

"That's a pretty name, Kasumi-chan.Are you lost?"

Her lower lip trembled, and for a moment, Kenshin thought she was going to burst into tears.But she only nodded, holding her hand near her face, seeming to want to stick her small thumb in her mouth. A slight, gentle smile crossed the hitokiri's face

"What's your Okaa-san's name?"

The child looked upwards for a moment, and then back at the red-haired man.

"Okaa-san," she answered.

Kenshin yet again felt a smile creep onto his face. He looked behind him, satisfied that no one was staring at them. They may as well not have been there, as no attention was paid to them. He stood again, glancing briefly out the ground, in hopes that Kasumi's mother would have found her. Looking down again, he saw the little girl doing the same thing, only looking at the people's legs since she was far to short to see the tops of their heads.

"Where did you last see her?" he started. If he wanted to find this girl's mother, he needed an idea of where to look. She thrust a small finger towards a vendor who was selling small colorful fans, which fascinated all the younger shoppers. Parents who were pleased with their child's behavior, would sometimes reward them with a toy.

He felt something in his hand and looked down to see that Kasumi had slipped her hand inside of his, while she had the thumb of the other in her mouth. He blinked, but shook the awkward feeling away from him. He headed towards the vendor, letting Kasumi follow behind, her hand clutching his. When the child made no move to run to her mother, he figured she must not be there.

This search might prove difficult, since he had no idea what she looked like. It was hard to gather anything from Kasumi herself, since the child might have had little or no resemblance to her actual mother. Finally he made up his mind and bent down to her again.

"What if I lift you onto my shoulders and you look for her that way? Would that be alright?" His voice was soft and gentle. The child nodded her head and with a swift, ever so gentle motion, she sat on his sturdy shoulders, now able to see those who walked past her. Even if the child didn't spot her mother, the woman searching for her surely would, provided she was looking.

He headed up the side of the street, careful to watch where he was going, and to hold onto Kasumi's legs so she didn't fall.Above him, she searched frantically for her mother. Once he walked up one side, he headed down the other. Kasumi squirmed slightly, but he held her tight, knowing she wouldn't fall.

He wanted to find her mother, but wished he could just set her down and then let her run to her. What would she do if she saw a strange man, particularly a mass murderer carrying her child down the street on his shoulders? He winced slightly at the thought, the term ringing in this head. Mass Murderer.

"Kasumi-chan!"

He heard it, though the young girl did not.The voice sounded desperate and on the edge of heart-break if she didn't find her daughter. At least he knew the girl was missed. He had nearly feared that the girl had been abandoned, in which case he had no idea what he would do.

"Kasumi-chan!" it rang again, even more desperate; louder this time.

This time Kasumi heard the voice and she bounced up and down on Kenshin's sore shoulders excitedly.

"That way," she said pointing happily. When the voice called again, Kenshin lifted her from his shoulders and held her against him, his arm supporting her weight. He wove through the crowd once again, using the sound as a guide on where to go since most people here were taller than him.

"Okaa-san!" she finally called out.

There was a slight pause and then her name was shouted again. Kenshin moved forward smoothly and quickly. All of a sudden, a woman appeared out of nowhere, nearly running into Kenshin. She stumbled and he caught her by the arm after recovering himself quickly. He still held onto Kasumi carefully and the child cried out.

"Okaa-san!"

The woman's gaze shifted to the child Kenshin carried in his arms and she smiled, the happiest smile that one could manage. She looked up at Kenshin, her eyes registering something.

Oh no...

Quickly, she snatched Kasumi from his arms and held her away from the red-haired man. She was looking in near shock at the sword he wore at his side. Finally she turned her gaze back up to the man that had previously been holding her child. She opened her mouth and Kenshin began to protest.

"Maa, maa," he was already saying to interrupt her.

She didn't let him explain though and had reached forward to slap him on the cheek. It was just then that she noticed the cross-shaped scar where she had hit him. Her eyes widened and she backed away, as if she had just given herself a death penalty. The terror in her eyes as she hugged Kasumi against her was so painful for him. He didn't move an inch though, not even to rub his now stinging cheek.

She only looked down when she felt a tug at her kimono sleeve.

"Okaa-san," Kasumi said quietly, but almost urgently. "That's Kenshin. He's really nice and found you for me."

Kenshin only blinked and kept his gaze trained downwardThe woman looked up at him then, an odd mixture of gratitude and regret on her face. There was still fear lurking in her eyes, but she was trying to hide it. He finally looked up, noticing that Kasumi indeed resembled her mother greatly.

"Gomen Nasai," she said softly. "I didn't know, and I was just so afraid that I'd lost her."

"It's alright. I'm glad I could help."

She smiled, slightly shocked by his politeness. Perhaps she had mistaken him...She had looked to Kasumi, who began waving suddenly. When she looked up again, the strange boy was gone.

-

Kaoru figured he hadn't been aware that she had been following him. She had been genuinely intrigued by his actions. He was great with young children. It was amazing! She almost couldn't believe how carefully he had handled the young girl. When he had received that slap on the face, she had nearly rushed out to his offense. But that would have both blown her cover and she saw that the matter was resolved.

She followed him again, andwhen he stopped suddenly, waiting for something, she realized that he knew she was there the entire time. With a sigh, she moved forward and came up beside him. This was the first time she'd really spoken to him, other than his half-delirious state where she'd sat with him until Megumi had arrived.

"I'm Kamiya Kaoru, just in case you didn't remember," she began.

The nod of his head told her that he did remember. Kenshin hardly ever forgot a name.

"I had no idea you were so good with kids," she then offered. "Perhaps Ayame and Suzume would like to play with you sometime, if you want to that it."

At his puzzled look, she explained further. "Oh, their Dr. Gensai's grand-daughters. They're the sweetest little girls ever!I'm sure they'd love you, and you probably wouldn't mind them either."

He let out a slight smile, which Kaoru found fit him well. "Well we should probably head home. Hopefully now that you're feeling better, you can meet everyone else. You are feeling better right?"

He nodded, but figured that he'd break his usual silence and offer her some of his usually rare words. "Hai, Megumi-dono is a good doctor."

The odd honorific at the end of her name didn't seem to bother her much. She smiled slightly at the sound of it, and at the irony that a man who had killed hundreds should be so polite. Perhaps this was his way of atoning. She also seemed to realize that his voice was rare and the fact that he spoke to her thrilled her. The two of them headed home then, and Kenshin mentally prepared himself for the entire group of dojo members.

Author's Notes: Make this authoress a happy one and review please? It encourages me to update faster! If there are mistakes in here, which I know there probably are, I plan on revising either tomorrow or the next day, since I'm busy again. Right now though it's nearly 3:30 AM and I got up early. The majority of this chapter was written in one sitting too, so I'm kinda out, lol. I need sleep!