Wow, I hadn't known the last chapter was so short. I'll try and make this one longer. Thanks for all the reviewers: battosaichick, sorry about the long periods of non-updation (that even a word. I don't think it is), Brittanie Love, peeps, Universal Fighter:-) feel free to tell me anything I do wrong (otherwise I'll keep doing it.)

Though he had tried, Kenshin couldn't sleep. Whenever he closed his eyes, he kept seeing visions of a murder he knew he didn't commit. Monkusai's face came to him, over and over again, and all he could do was watch as he saw the look of terror on his face, followed by his own quickly retreating back. He knew that it was ridiculous though. There was no way he had killed him. He wasn't that kind of person anymore. The visions, however wouldn't go away.

He was saved from his waking nightmare by the sound of Yahiko's careful footsteps across the dojo. Looking out his window, he saw that it had gotten quite light outside. He must be hungry Kenshin decided, getting up and straightening his clothes. Opening his door, he walked toward the cooking area to find that the youg boy standing there, looking into space.

"Good morning," the red head said, coming into the room. Though he had spoken softly, Yahiko jumped in surprise and spun around to see who had spoken. Seeing that it was only Kenshin, he visibly relaxed.

"Oh hey Kenshin," the brunette said.

The older man moved around until he could get to the items he would need to make breakfast. "I will make us some food," he said, seeing a smile grace Yahiko's face. He turned around and set to work, hearing Yahiko's slow footsteps as he exited the room.

The rountine was set in his mind now and as he worked, he allowed his mind to drift. I will have to check on Miss Kaoru soon. She will need to eat, he thought, keeping his mind on Kaoru and off the visions that he had kept having throughout the night.

Soon, everything was ready and Kenshin sat the food in bowls and set off in search of Yahiko. Checking outside of the dojo first, he then walked to the young boys room hoping he was in there. Seeing that it too was empty, he hesitated only slightly and started to walk toward Kaoru's room. When he stood just outside the door, he pushed it open slightly, not making any noise. When he peeked inside, the saw the small figure sitting beside a still sleeping Kaoru. Even from his place outside the room, he could hear the sound of chocked sobs.

Shutting the door he walked quiet back down the hall. Turning around he started to make his way back to Kaoru's room, this time making enough noise for Yahiko to hear him and have time to compose himself. When he was once again at the door, it was opened before he could even reach for it. Though his eyes were slightly swollen, there was no other sign that the boy on the other side had been crying.

"Breakfast is now ready if you would like to eat," he said, saving them from an awkward silence.

"Yeah!" he said happily, but Kenshin knew better than most the sound of false joy. Either way, before he coudl respond, Yahiko was racing toward the food.

The small red head stepped through the open door and took only a few steps forward. Kaoru was once again recovering and he didn't want anything to stop that. He had already asked Sano to keep what was happening between the two of them until he could figure something out. As he turned to exit the room, he heard the voice that he loved so much but far weaker than he liked to hear it.

"Kenshin?" Turning around he pasted a smile on his face.

"Yes Miss Kaoru?"

"How is Yahiko?" she asked, concern etched in her face.

He is getting better quickly," he said , strecthing the truth only lightly. Though he wouldn't be very comfortable for a few days now, he didn't have any serious injuries.

A small smile graced her face. It was probably all she had the energy for now. Before she had time to say anything else, Kenshin added quickly. "As will you if you continue to rest, Miss Kaoru. Miss Megumi will be by later and I will bring you something to eat in just a few moments."

"Okay," she said, her voice still soft. Not waiting for another word to be said, he left the room. When he got outside he leaned against the dojo walls. He hated to see her in pain and it hurt all the more that he hadn't been able to stop it.

He had returned early this morning, watching from his place in the shadows that the trees so kindly formed. Though he couldn't see the Battousai's window from his hiding place, he knew that he had little sleep the night before. The evidence was right in front of his eyes. His whole body spoke of exhaustion and though it was obvious to the casual observer, his eyes looked just as tired as his body was.

His face broke out in a wide smile. It was time to see just how tired the Battousai really was.

He had just decided that he go inside to get Kaoru's food when he heard a loud noise followed by the sound of a swrod being drawn. Turning quickly, he ran to the place where he thought the sound had come from and arrived just in time to see a shadow disappear into the trees.

Perhaps it's a trap to draw me away from Kaoru, Kenshin thought but quickly discarded the thought. The one person that was after here was now dead. So putting all other thoughts out of his head, Kenshin ran quickly into the woods, giving chase to a shadow.