Author's Notes: Well, what can I say? I am ashamed...But I can tell you that things have been awfully busy with me in the last few weeks. Homework is overwhelming and I'm currently stuck in all sorts of personal issues. It's not fun. So, I needed my escape, which is what my writing is, and here I am. I actually hope this is better than my other chapters, because as I was reading I didn't like how those turned out.

Anyway, enough rambling. Please enjoy!

The walk back to the dojo was quiet, but a good quiet. While the young red-head beside her remained silent she mused contentedly. So far she hadn't gotten to know him very well. He was either delusional with fever, impossibly silent or just not there.

One thing that still lingered on her mind was him with the child. For those moments, she hadn't even seen him as a famed manslayer. He was merely a boy helping a young girl find her mother. It had been one of the sweetest sights, watching him handle her with such care. His entire aura had been on of kindness and gentleness.

Apparently the girl's mother hadn't seen this.

Kaoru had wanted desperately to rush to his aid when he received the slap to the face. The woman had realized her mistake afterwards and Kaoru had almost been waiting for him to go off on her. But he had remained perfectly calm and polite simply walking away when she had glanced downwards.

"Kenshin," she finally spoke softly. He didn't even blink, but she knew he was listening. "Why didn't you say anything to defend yourself when she hit you?" It had been bothering her for too long.

He didn't answer.

"I mean, I could see that you were only helping. I don't see how she could've thought..." she trailed off, having no idea how she could explain herself from here.

"But you aren't her mother," he said softly almost shocking Kaoru. "Everything changes then."

She blinked and smiled softly. What he said did actually make a lot of sense. She didn't have much time to dwell on this though because they rounded the corner and the dojo came into view. It was then that she realized that she wasn't really leading the way. Honestly, she had been so wrapped up in her thoughts she had been absently following Kenshin. She gave him a puzzled look but realized he just had to be good at directions. It finally dawned on her that it might have something to do with his...occupation and she blushed slightly. She was glad she hadn't asked him about it.

She knocked on the dojo gate since they had locked it again after she left. A glance to the side let her know that Kenshin's face was completely stoic. His eyes showed he was recovering from a fever but she was sure that wasn't doing much to confuse him greatly anymore. There were voices on the other side and it suddenly swung open revealing the tall lanky gangster and short spiky-haired kid. No one said a word and it soon grew to an awkward silence. Finally Sano cleared his throat.

"I don't suppose you've brought back any food."

"No Sano, I didn't," she said finally pushing past him. She looked back to see Kenshin hadn't followed. "Well come on Kenshin, you're welcome in this dojo."

Welcome in the dojo. Those were words Kenshin hadn't even dreamt of hearing. Yet here was this woman that he hardly knew inviting him to stay with her friends. Didn't they know who he was? Didn't they fear their lives and reputation just as everyone else did?

It made absolutely no sense that someone would actually go out of their way to be nice to him and help him. He jerked suddenly.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru had her hand half-way up in the air from her reaction of pulling away from him. Her lightest touch had caused him to flinch and back away. The oddest thing was that he hadn't even been thinking about it. It was like it was an instinct of his.

Sano and Yahiko remained quiet just watching him now. The red-haired assassin had his head tipped low lacking the courage to look up at any of them again. His face burned with shame and even anger.

"Well, do you want to come inside," she questioned again softly.

With a sigh of resignation he looked up and nodded his head curtly as if he had been given an order. She smiled and turned again to walk inside this time followed by Kenshin, Yahiko, and then Sano. Ahead of him, Kaoru suddenly gave a pleased squeal when two young girls ran up to her, throwing their arms around her legs.

"Kaoru! Kaoru," they giggled happily.

"Ayame, Suzume," she giggled in return. "When did you two get here?"

Sano answered for them. "Dr. Gensai came by a little after you left. He said he'd be right back. He needed to check something in the clinic."

"Oh." She turned back to the girls and bent down to their level. "Behind me, that's Kenshin. He'll be with us for a little while." She glanced back at him and saw that he was paying attention. She gave a slight smile before looking back at the girls and leaning closer. "He's a little shy, so be nice."

Of course, unintended or not, Kenshin had heard and he turned slightly red at this. How ridiculous. He was being treated like a child, by children. Just how much lower was he going to fall? He resolved then and there that was it. No more humiliating situations for him. He didn't know if he could handle it.

The two girls nodded and looked almost shyly back at the man with the sword at his hip. They stared at this object for a moment before the gaze traveled up to his face. When their eyes met, they smiled and he blinked only once. Kaoru cleared her throat just then and stood up.

"So Kenshin, are you hungry," she asked quietly.

He shook his head, earning a sigh for the woman who was trying hard to be a good host.

"Well you were sick and injured, you have to eat something." She thought a moment. "Rice?"

When she received no negative answer she assumed it was a yes and she turned on her heel to head to the kitchen. Suddenly behind him he heard a sigh. He looked behind him and saw Yahiko and Sano rolling their eyes, displeased about something. When they noticed his icy stare they straightened themselves.

"Um, excuse us," Sano finally voiced while they squeezed past Kenshin.

Now what was he to do? He didn't particularly want to go inside. Things would be far to tense. No, he would stay outside and try to relax before having to deal with them again. Luckily, the two small girls had been excited to help cook and had left as well.

-

"He gives me the creeps," Yahiko said in a whisper once in the kitchen. Sano rolled his eyes and looked as if he wanted to smack him over the head,

"What the hell did you expect Yahiko? He's an assassin."

"Former assassin," Kaoru interrupted. "Remember, he said he wasn't Battousai anymore."

"That coud be a lie," he argued back. "Besides, he was delusional! Not Battousai anymore...what is that supposed to mean?"

Yahiko jumped back in. "But he's so quiet and small and stuff. He doesn't look like a manslayer."

"Yeah, I bet that's what everyone else thought. Too bad they didn't live to prove us all wrong, "Sano retorted.

Yahiko, clearly annoyed with all of Sano's comments just rolled his eyes and concluded. "He still gives me the creeps."

"You know, I still don't know his last name," Kaoru mused. "I wish I knew it..."

They had all been so wrapped up in the conversation, they hadn't noticed a short, grey haired man enter the kitchen. Ayame and Suzume notified the rest of his arrival by squealing happily and darting over to him.

"Hello Dr. Gensai," Kaoru said cheerfully.

"Morning," he called back. "A fine day outside it is, I quite enjoyed my short little walk."

Kaoru smiled and stirred the rice in the pot. "It is a nice day. I was out earlier this morning."

"Yes, you weren't here when I came by earlier," he said while having a seat at the small table. "Say, is that your guest at there?"

"Kenshin? Yes."

He nodded his head and smiled, turning his attention back to his grand-daughters. "I have something for you for later."

Both girls clapped happily. "Yay!" They turned to Kaoru then. "Can we go outside and play," Ayame asked.

"Yeah, play," echoed her sister.

"Go ahead, but if you want some rice, come in soon, okay?"

They nodded enthusiastically before heading outside. Dr. Gensai followed to keep an eye on them.

-

Kenshin had settled with leaning up against the large tree and closing his eyes. The occasional breeze felt good and everything was completely quiet. He had rare silent moments during the Revolution. This was a welcomed change, yet also a frightening one. What was he going to do with his life now? What skills did he posses that would be of any use to anyone ever again?

He didn't have much time to think though. His eyes opened lazily when he heard the high-pitched voices. He wasn't feeling as well as he thought. They were standing right in front of him, and he hadn't even noticed. Kenshin straightened himself out and looked up at them. For a moment, the three just stared at each other before someone finally broke the silence.

"Do you want to play with us," Ayame finally voiced. Suzume watched with hopeful eyes.

Kenshin opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. "I-I'm not very good at playing," he finally tried to explain.

"That's okay," she answered.

He sighed, thinking they would leave now.

"We can teach you!"

"Yeah, teach you," said Suzume, throwing her hands up in the air.

He shook his head, his soft red bangs swishing back and forth.

They turned and ran off. Something told him they weren't that easy to get rid of and he was right. They soon returned, this time carrying a small ball. Ayame threw it at the man sitting at the base of the tree, who caught it and stared helplessly down at it.

An amused Dr. Gensai watched from the porch of the dojo. A smile was growing on his face.

"Now you throw it back," instructed their "leader".

"Throw it back," replied her sister.

Kenshin did as he was told, tossing it gently back to Ayame after hesitating a moment. She caught it with both hands and grinned, then threw it to her sister. Suzume then giggled and threw it back to Kenshin who caught it again, looking almost bewildered.

Their grandfather finally laughed out loud and shouted out the boy,

"Throw it back!" good-naturedly

Kenshin's looked to the side at the sound of his laugh and blinked at the doctor. He made a move to question the point of that, but decided against it. He simply tossed it back, much to the delight of Ayame. This time, she backed up a bit, as did her sister, making the game more difficult. The game continued this way, with Ayame backing up a bit further every time she received the ball. Eventually, the girls couldn't throw it quite far enough to reach each other, and ended up having to run to pick it up. After what seemed like forever, they were called inside for some food.

Kaoru had made extra for their company. There were several bowls on the table and some tofu that Dr. Gensai had brought with him. Ayame and Suzume sat on both sides of Kenshin and Dr. Gensai finally commented.

"Well Kenshin, it certainly looks like you've made some friends!" He didn't realize he was making the former assassin quite uncomfortable. "Don't worry, they'll teach you all kinds of games!"

Kenshin knew his intentions were good, but he simply didn't like all of the attention. He sat with his head tilted downwards, few if any, words passing his lips. An occasional "Hai", or "Iie" was pretty much it. Their lunch continued with the group chatting happily about simple things that Kenshin couldn't even understand. Why were these things important to these people.

Eventually, all of the food was gone, but Kenshin hadn't eaten much. Kaoru frowned slightly.

"Weren't you hungry Kenshin?"

He shook his head politely. "Not very."

Another frown. "Was my cooking not good enough for you?" She sounded offended.

The red-head looked up quickly now, his eyes widened to show his slight surprise. "Iie Kaoru-dono, it's not that at all."

She smiled after a moment of considering this. "Very well then. If you get hungry later, tell me?"

"Hai," he said, and finished it off with an incline of his head.

It was then that the two girls sprang up, and were ready to drag Kenshin off outside again when they're grandfather stopped them.

"Now hold on girls, I thought you wanted your surprise."

The both stopped and whirled around, running quickly back for their treats. Dr. Gensai grinned and instructed them to close their eyes and hold out the hands. They're small fingers soon enclosed around two small candies. They squealed with delight at their treasure, popped one into their mouth, and saved the other to enjoy for later. After shouting their thanks, they were outside once again, leaving the adults alone in the kitchen. Kaoru laughed softly.

"Would you like some," he asked her.

"Well, if you don't mind...it's been so long!" She held out her hand and was rewarded with two small candies as well. She put them both in her mouth and smiled happily. "I forgot how much I love these."

As it turned out, he had brought enough for everyone to have two of the childish treats. Everyone loved them, despite their age. The doctor then turned to their only silent companion.

"You too Kenshin-san. Hold out your hand?" He said it as more of a question, to see how the boy would respond.

He clearly hesitated, before finally raising his hand and watching as he dropped two pieces of the hard candy into his palm. Slender fingers closed around them for a moment before he examined them further. When he glanced up, he found everyone starting at him and he turned slightly red.

He doesn't know what to do with it...

Kaoru genuinely felt sorry for him, and kept her eyes trained on him until he finally just closed his fingers around them again and dropped his hand to his side. What he would do with them now was his business she supposed. Had he never had candy as a child? That idea sounded far too insane, even for her own mind. She shook the thought away, but couldn't help but let it linger.

She blinked when he suddenly stood and excused himself from the kitchen to go back outside. Once sure he was completely out of hearing range, Sano gave his thoughts.

"You think we stared at him too much? Scared him off?"

"Could be..." Kaoru said absently.

"Doesn't he like candy," Yahiko interjected.

"He's still so young, and I doubt he had much of a child-hood. He probably grew up without it," Dr. Gensai voiced.

The group nodded in agreement.

-

Being outside again was a relief. All those eyes, they just bore into him and were beginning to be more than he could handle. Going outside was starting to become his escape, and he didn't even mind so much when the two girls came back over to him, giggling more than ever.

They tugged at his hakama, until he finally bent down to their level. He even offered a slight smile, and then unclenched the hand that held his candy from Dr. Gensai. Their eyes glowed at the sight of it. He smiled a little wider, it becoming faintly noticeable.

"One for each of you," he asked quietly.

"Hai," they responded. They turned up their own hands and he dropped one in each of them. He felt satisfied when he saw their faces as they ate them happily.

"Come play with us Ken-ni," Ayame called.

"Yeah, come play Ken-ni," Suzume stated again.

He faltered for a moment and blinked. Ken-ni? Well, he supposed he could live with that. So far, things weren't going terribly, but there was of course, much more trouble up ahead. The young swordsman would soon find that his life hadn't escaped his own war yet.

Author's Notes: Well, I tried, and I'm still not pleased with that chapter. You'll have to please forgive me. I wanted to get this out so you all knew I was still alive, and I really, really felt like writing. It should hold you guys though until I can get a decent chapter up here. Thanks for your patience guys! I really appreciate it!

I also didn't have much time to proofread this, so please be gentle when pointing out idiotic mistakes. I probably didn't mean it...Lol. Thanks again.