A/N: Short chapter. Sorry about that. Will try to get the next chapter to you guys sometime this weekend. Not promising anything though… kinda busy. Aikida was my beta again!

REVIEWERS!

ichigo-chan - Thanks for reading the first time and again!

AekaAnime - Sorry, but Violet Eyed Angel is on hold until this is up completely again. I just don't feel right updating the sequel when the original isn't up. If you want new stuff from me, I'm writing another Kenshin fic called Under The Weather.

WolfDaughter - Thanks for the review!

lolo popoki - I love picturing Kenshin playing tag too! I jus think it's sooooo cute!

FairyMage - I'm glad you like Neko's cuteness and didn't think I overdid it any.

Chapter 6 - Watchful Eyes

Katsura, Kenshin, and Neko sat in a privet room together. Neko's eyes gazed around at everything in the room in childish curiosity as Kenshin and Katsura spoke to each other. "Now, Himura, please explain to me what happened."

Kenshin cleared his throat. "It was right before we were suppose to leave for…" he took a glance down at Neko trying to decide if she was listening or not. "…battle." She wasn't and he continued. "I went out to walk the streets late that night when she came up to me. Her parents had been murdered and they were Ishin Shishi members. Obviously on a night before a battle I couldn't bring her back here with me but I couldn't just leave her there either. Desperate for a place for her to stay I paid an inn to keep her until I could get back and help her locate her family. As soon as we got back I went to the inn but the Innkeeper said that she had left with her uncle. So I left thinking she was safe but I was wrong. She had been sold to slave traders and then sold to a Master. When I saw her two nights ago I saw her Master beating on her so I intervened. She's been here ever since." He paused for a moment for what he had said to soak into Katsura's brain. "She has one living uncle. She said he is fighting for the patriots."

Katsura nodded slowly. "What's his name?"

"Midori, Ryuzo." Neko said answering the question.

Katsura nodded his head and smiled at the playful girl. "All right. Why don't you go outside to play?"

"Okay!" She said jumping up and practically running out the door. Katsura chuckled slightly at Neko's enthusiasm.

"Midori." Katsura repeated trying to think whether he had heard the name before. "I'll look for him but he might not be in this clan."

Kenshin nodded in agreement. "But what should we do about Neko in the meantime?"

"Well what have you been doing while I haven't been here?"

Kenshin's eyes found the floor. "She's been sleeping in my room."

Katsura smiled and gave a sigh as Kenshin's face turned red. He just couldn't believe a man like Himura being so shy. "Then that should do for now."

"But Katsura-san, shouldn't she stay somewhere else besides here? I mean, it's not the ideal place for children."

"I know, but until a place for her can be found she will stay with you." Katsura rose. "I have some other things that need to be taken care of. The Shinsengumi have started to get smarter. We have to be extra careful."

"Is that why you are late returning?"

"Yes, be careful Himura, you are no longer a nameless face. People hear the rumors and they know who you are. Be very careful."

Neko sat playing with her doll outside the front of the Inn. She was humming a made up tune her mother use to sing to her. She was playing happily clueless of the eyes that watched her every move.

Hironori Muroi, Neko's old Master, watched his property as she played. How dare that insolent boy steal what rightfully belonged to him! He watched her, ignoring the impulse of jumping out and grabbing her. Battòsai would come after him and this time he probably wouldn't live through it.

Muroi watched Neko and grew more angry. He had to get rid of the Battòsai but how? He wasn't a fighter and he could never grow to Battòsai's level. How? Who could he get to kill the Battòsai? Muroi watched Neko even longer, the impulse to walk up and snatch her becoming nearly uncontrollable. Maybe he could just walk up and grab her. The Battòsai must have left her with another innkeeper. He couldn't have any use for a slave like Neko. Yes, he could just walk and take her back.

Neko hummed away while making her doll dance oblivious to her old Master who was slowly making his way towards her. "Neko? Are you out here?" A voice called stopping Muroi in his tracks.

Neko looked towards the voice and smiled. "I'm here Himura!" She picked herself off the ground and ran over to a young man with red hair. Muroi cursed his luck. The Battòsai was still looking after her. He watched, anger welling up inside him as he watched the Battòsai take his property back inside.

"How dare he. She belongs to me!" He cursed Battòsai name under his breath. There had to be a way to beat him. He was going to need help. Muroi thought long and hard until a smile came to his face. He knew of someone who could help him and now that he knew where Battòsai was staying he was sure this man would help. He smiled at himself. "Enjoy yourself with her Battòsai. I'll take her back soon enough."

That night Neko stood out in the back yard and looked up at the stars. She felt so alone all of a sudden. She missed her home and her old life. She looked down at her doll. "What's going to happen to me?" The faceless doll was quiet as always but Neko nodded hearing the doll's voice. "That's right my angel will protect me." She hugged the doll closer and tried to think about how much fun it's been living with Kenshin but her thoughts wandered. They just couldn't leave the look in her mother's and father's eyes as they died. Neko shivered.

Kenshin found her stargazing and saw her sullen mood. He wanted to say something to her but he didn't know what. "Neko, come get ready for bed." Neko nodded her head slowly and came inside.

Neko still slept in Kenshin's bed and Kenshin leaned against the wall, sword propped up against his shoulder. He had his eyes closed and his head against the wall but he wasn't asleep. The two of them were still awake even though they had 'gone to bed' hours ago. Neko just wouldn't fall asleep. Slowly and quietly he could hear her, she was crying. "Kenshin? Are you awake?" He heard her whisper. Kenshin opened his eyes and saw a teary eyed Neko standing before him. When had she gotten out of bed? How long had she been standing there?

Timidly she tried to speak. "I miss mommy." Kenshin stared dumbly at her not knowing what to do or say. Neko knew what to do. Slowly she bent down and positioned herself into Kenshin lap. She gently placed her head on his chest and Kenshin was able to feel her head jiggle as she tried to hold back sobs. "Why did he kill my daddy?" She asked almost breaking down in tears. "Why did he…" She started to cry.

Not knowing what else to do Kenshin wrapped his arms around the shaking child and held her close. He softly placed his chin against her head and held her until she quieted. He remembered how much comfort this had brought him when he was a child. His mother would hold him just like this. "It's all right." He told her softly although he knew it wasn't.

"He killed them." She cried out. "He killed them and didn't care. What kind of person can do that? He took my family." Kenshin was silent. How many families had he ruined? How many children had he left without a father? How many women did he make widows? How many people had he hurt? "I wanna go home." Neko said when she finally got her sobbing under control.