DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor will I ever own Rurouni Kenshin. I am making no profit from this and I will remove this if requested to do so for any legitimate reason.

WARNING: This story is rated R for violence, so if you do not like graphic depictions of people dying I suggest you find something else to read.

The Last Battle of the Bakumatsu

Chapter 2

Kenshin softly paces around the dojo in the morning light. He quietly opens a shoji to reveal his wife and son asleep in their futon. Stepping inside the room he smiles as he tucks their blanket around them and then goes to the closet to retrieve a second blanket. He closes the door and moves onto the next opening it and peaking in on the occupant. Misao is tightly wrapped in her blanket, as she lays curled in a ball soundly sleeping. Kenshin smiles again and then hesitantly moves onto the third door, opening it cautiously to view the sleeping figure. Fujita Tokio lays still and had not regained consciousness since she had fainted that night. Megumi had attended to her leg after she had spent most of the night stitching up Sanosuke. Kenshin closes the door and moves onto the last room.

He opens and then enters the room without a noise. Not that it would have mattered to either of the two sleeping people that were there. Sano is lying on his back, a blanket covering his completely bandaged chest. Megumi was slumped in the corner having insisted on watching over him even after she had spent nearly all night attending the two injured people. Kenshin drapes the blanket he was carrying over Megumi. She doesn't seem to notice and continues to sleep peacefully. Kenshin smiles at the woman but then frowns as he turns to the unconscious street fighter.

Kenshin had spent the night helping Megumi as she worked on Sanosuke but he was never really worried for him. Kenshin knew better than most the unbelievable stamina that Sano possessed and to his eyes the wounds were bloody but not deep. What had worried Kenshin was what he and Megumi had discovered when they had removed the remaining bandages that were around his stomach. He heard Megumi gasp as she wiped away some blood to reveal scars that Megumi said were probably gunshot wounds. There was one either side of his stomach and they passed through to his back where there was two ugly scars that were either side of his spine. Kenshin had seen the sadness in Megumi's eyes but that quickly disappeared as she got back to work.

It was another question that Kenshin could add to a long list that he would like to ask his best friend. Although he could remember one pleasing thing about the night and that was Megumi checking over Sano for any other injuries he might have. She came to his right hand and smiled as she found that had healed quite well even after all the abuse that Sano had inflicted upon it. She had lingered there, tenderly holding the hand as she stared at his face only releasing it when she noticed Kenshin watching her. Kenshin left the room as silently as he entered feeling some comfort after the evenings troubling events. Tired and without the strength of his youth, Kenshin slipped back into his own room taking his place beside his wife and their child. It may have already been morning but he doubted that anyone would be awake soon so he could have at least a few hours sleep.

Kenshin opened his eyes when he felt his son tugging on his hair. The light was blinding at first but his eyes quickly adjusted to show Kenji sitting next to him with a few locks of hair held tightly in his fist. Kenshin smiled despite his discomfort and sat up thankful that Kenji let his hair go. Kaoru's absence in the room gave him a slight tinge of guilt at having slept too much, although Kaoru would insist that he probably hadn't slept enough. Kenji protested as Kenshin picked him up and the carried the disgruntled child towards the female voices emanating from the kitchen.

Misao, although she could only cook a few things, could cook them well. Thus Kaoru had been trying to pick up a few hints and tips at any opportunity they had to cook together. Now was one such time, the two women bustled around the kitchen trying to organize everybody's lunch. Misao seemed to be handling it with ease while Kaoru continually rushed and seemed overwhelmed by it. This prompted a few giggles from Kenji as he watched his mother frantically trying to make an edible lunch.

"Kaoru if you need any help I can…" Kenshin stopped as Misao whirled around and gave him a stern look.

"No Himura, if Kaoru is to learn then she must do everything herself, otherwise she'll never be able to cook a decent meal," Misao's words were not lost on Kaoru.

"Misao right Kenshin, I need to do this by myself. Although I believe I can still make a decent meal without your help Misao," Kaoru playfully bopped Misao on the head as she passed. Kenshin could feel Kenji reaching out for Kaoru as she moved around the kitchen but he stopped when Misao stepped closer.

"So how are you Kenji?" Misao asked the young boy tickling his nose and getting a playful laugh in reply. She took him from Kenshin's arms and twirled he around getting some more excited giggles and laughter from him. Kenshin had to smile at the joyful scene but still felt a little discontent. Kaoru, Megumi, Misao and even Tsubame all seemed to have a good rapport with his son while he did not. Of course he could draw some comfort from the fact that Kenji didn't particularly like Yahiko either. He smiled as he left the room with Kaoru still struggling over the food and Misao showing Kenji how it should be done.

Kenshin made his way towards the room where Sano was still laying. Megumi had shifted so that she was laying on the floor in the corner curled in a ball with the blanket over her. Kenshin placed over Sano's forehead testing his temperature through the bandage wrapped around his head. It seemed normal so Kenshin lifted the blanket to check to see if there was any new bleeding showing through Sano's bandages.

"Checking up on my work Ken-san?" Megumi shifted in to a sitting position, stroking her hair into place and smoothing out her kimono. "How is he doing?" she said after kneeling on the opposite side of Sano to Kenshin.

"His temperature looks to be normal and there doesn't seem to be anymore bleeding. I wouldn't worry, he is strong and he doesn't appear to be suffering, he probably just needs to rest." Megumi's lips held a faint smile at Kenshin's reassurance but she checked Sano over for herself to be sure.

"Well knowing him he has probably gotten himself into more trouble than he should have. Also with those gunshot wounds there could be some lasting effects and if he continues at this rate he'll end up in a similar situation to you. Of course he's such an idiot that he probably doesn't care," Megumi folded her blanket and used it as an extra cushion for Sano's head.

"Well at least now that he is back you can make sure that he gets the proper medical advice," Kenshin began to rise as he started to leave.

"What good is my advice if he never listens to me?" Megumi spoke quietly not quite hiding the hint of sadness in her voice.

"He must have listened to something, after all his hand has healed properly, has it not?" Kenshin saw the smile on Megumi's face after the realisation of the meaning of his comment had set in. He stood and left, closing the shoji behind him and then headed to the room where the other injured party lay. He knocked gently before entering and could see that Tokio was awake and looking around.

"Battousai," was the only sound that she made in a barely audible whisper.

"Not any more, now I am Himura Kenshin just like Saito Hajime is now Fujita Goro," Tokio smiled apologetically as she sat up. She needed to steady herself however as she sat up too quickly for weakened state.

"Are you okay, Tokio-dono?" Kenshin asked leaning forward ready to catch her if fainted again but she waved him away. "Would you like anything? If you need a doctor I can go and get Megumi-dono?"

"Yes, could you get me some water," Tokio whispered in a strained voice. Kenshin left only to return a few seconds later with a pitcher of water and a cup. Tokio drink deeply from the cup and held it out to Kenshin who quickly refilled it.

"Thank you," she spoke in a stronger, smoother voice. "If it's not too much trouble, may I ask where I am and what happened?" Kenshin smiled to indicate it was no trouble at all but his face became serious as he began to recount the previous nights events.

"You are at the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu dojo. After you fainted, Sano had some rather disturbing news that your husband needed to attend to. So he left you in my care and we brought you back here to have your wounds treated." Tokio listen impassively then she smiled in appreciation.

"I thank you again for all your help," Tokio emphasised her words with a slight bow that she held for a moment. "By the way, how is Sanosuke?" Kenshin felt a hint of surprise at her concern.

"He is fine, although he is still to regain consciousness. May I ask how you know Sano?" Tokio looked a little bewildered by the question before she answered.

"I met him in Osaka, my husband asked me to look after him before they went to Kyoto to see the Oniwabanshu. I thought that you would have known about it since they were talking about someone from this dojo meeting them as well." Kenshin eyes narrowed, annoyed at some his friends not telling him everything, mainly Misao.

"Well it seems that they neglected to mention it," Kenshin comments crossly, momentarily forgetting that he is in Tokio's presence. "But that doesn't matter. Do you need anything else?" Kenshin returns to his usual pleasant manner.

"No thank you, I'd just like to get some more rest," Tokio lies down and Kenshin collects the used cup.

"Of course, if you do require something, don't hesitate to ask," Kenshin stood and moved to the shoji.

"Thank you," Tokio replied as she settled back onto the futon to sleep. Kenshin closed the shoji behind him and walked towards the female voices down the hall. He entered the room to see Megumi, Misao and Kaoru talking as they ate. Kenji was sitting next to his mother half asleep with a full bowl of rice in front of him. Megumi and Kaoru were doing most of the talking, mostly about Sano's injuries. Misao was eating furiously and was obviously in a hurry to go somewhere.

"Kenshin, how was Tokio-san doing?" Kaoru asked as Kenshin took his place amongst the group.

"She's doing fine, she just wanted to get some more rest," Kenshin took the bowl of food and noticed Kaoru waiting expectantly. As he chewed on a mouthful, slowly taking in the taste and how it compared with her previous efforts. Kaoru started to lose her patience in her wait for his opinion.

"Well Kenshin, what do you think of it?" a frustrated Kaoru demanded. She grabbed Kenshin by his clothes and shook him while he oroed out his reply.

"It's good," he stammered and a flattered Kaoru released him but before she could bask in the glory of her husbands praise Megumi spoke up.

"It's only just better than what she usually cooks, so you could hardly call it good." Kaoru's temper flared in the face of Megumi's condescending laugh. As the two squared off Misao finished her meal and bounced to her feet heading straight for the door.

"If you'll excuse me I think I'll go and find Aoshi and see what is happening," Misao was about to fly through the door when Kenshin's voice stopped her.

"No, I think it would be better if you told us what is going on before you go anywhere," Kenshin's stern voice made everybody stop. Both Megumi and Kaoru looked from Kenshin to Misao and could see something was going on.

"I don't know what you are talking about Kenshin. I really should go," Misao nervously fidgeted under Kenshin's stare. She opened the door and was about to flee when Kenshin spoke again.

"Tokio-dono mentioned a few things that you have failed to mention to us," Misao hung her head as she stood in the doorway. " She said that she meet Sano in Osaka before he and Saito went to Kyoto to meet the Oniwabanshu. She also thought I knew what was happening because someone from this dojo was going to that meeting. I can only assume that it was Yahiko she was referring to," Misao stood fearfully in the doorway knowing that everyone in the room was watching her.

"Saito said that we shouldn't tell you anything otherwise you might want to get involved." Misao stepped back into the room, closing the door behind her. She sat down heavily not lifting her eyes to avoid the disappointed looks of her friends.

"Well we are now involved so it would be helpful if you could tell us exactly what is happening." Everyone waited for her to start and several times she raised her face to look at them but quickly dropped her gaze again.

"It started about a month ago," Misao didn't look up but continued to look at her empty bowl. "Okina got a letter from Saito requesting a meeting, actually he just told us to be ready at a certain time. On that day Cho showed up with Yahiko earlier than the designated time and said that were going to wait for Saito. At the time he had given us, Saito walked in with Sano, which seemed to surprise everybody."

"When did Sano get back?" Kaoru asked and Misao looked up with out thinking feeling slightly guilty as they locked gazes.

"Umm, as far as I know he hadn't been back long. He came back when the Ishinshishi that he attacked died but he was still arrested at Osaka. I don't think he was helping Saito because he wanted to but I don't know the details." Misao lowered her eyes again, finding her uniform more interesting.

"Please continue, Misao-dono," Misao looked a little startled by Kenshin's voice but continued.

"Saito wanted us to investigate a rich business man who was supposed to be an arms dealer. Hasegawa Masamichi was his name. Saito wanted Sano and Yahiko to pose as brothers and get jobs as his bodyguards. The Oniwabanshu was to investigate him and his activities as well as keep an eye on the other two. With their skill they easily got the jobs, especially after they beat up the old bodyguards for harassing some waitresses. They spent a few days with Hasegawa in Kyoto, then they started to walk to Tokyo." Misao poured herself a drink to wet her dry though giving the others an opportunity to speak.

"Why would a wealthy business man walk from Kyoto to Tokyo?" Kaoru aired her question not really expecting anyone to answer.

"Why would Saito ask you to investigate him, isn't that his job?" Megumi asked but Misao just placed her cup down calmly.

"I'm getting to that just wait," Misao took a deep breath to steady herself. "About two days out of Kyoto, they disappeared. Aoshi and myself were following them and they stopped in the forest for the night but in the morning they were gone. We searched a whole day but there were no clues. Aoshi decided it was worthless so we went back to Kyoto and found out what Okina discovered. He said that Hasegawa wasn't his real name, it was actually Takehashi Hitoshi." Misao had another drink. Both Megumi and Kaoru are confused thinking that it is a name that they should know.

"That explains why Saito didn't want to be directly involved," Kenshin states as he thinks through the situation. The two women who don't know the meaning of that name turn to Kenshin for answers but Misao continues her story.

"During the Bakumatsu, Takehashi Hitoshi was a rich merchant who supported the Shinsengumi. Saito knew this and so he couldn't investigate him without suspicions being raised. We followed all our leads in Kyoto and found that he had been using his money gained from weapon sales for some unknown purpose. We assumed it was some sort of private army but we didn't think he would resurrect the Shinsengumi. Without anything else to investigate in Kyoto, Saito summoned us to Tokyo to continue and that is all I know." The room was silent apart from the breathing sounds of the sleeping Kenji.

"We should be going then," everyone looked at Kenshin as he stood with a determined look on his face.

"But I wasn't supposed to get you involved and…" Misao started to plead but was cut off by Kenshin.

"I am now involved and we are going to see Saito and if Aoshi has nothing for you to do, you can help me." Kaoru quickly got up and blocked Kenshin's way, stopping him from leaving.

"Kenshin you know you can't use Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, what do you think you can do?" Kenshin just smile but it did little to reassure Kaoru.

"Don't worry Kaoru, I have no intention of getting involved in the fighting." Kenshin's voice was back to his usual tone but Kaoru was still a little bemused.

"Then why do you need to go and see Saito?" Kenshin just gave his wife a quick kiss and then started to move around her.

"If there were as many swordsman as Sano said, I doubt that he would have left Yahiko alone. So I am going to ask if he knows where Yahiko is and if he doesn't I was going to look for him." Kaoru held onto Kenshin as he tried to follow Misao out the door.

"Wait I'll come with you," Kaoru's grip was gently removed by Kenshin.

"No you should stay here in case Yahiko returns. Beside Sano and Tokio are still here and Megumi might have to go out for an emergency." Kaoru looked a little deflated but quickly cheered up.

"Okay but make sure you aren't out all night," Kenshin just smiled and followed Misao as they left the dojo.

"Don't worry Kaoru, I'm sure Ken-san won't do anything dangerous. After all he has you and Kenji to look after," Megumi offered the advice knowing full well that it wasn't true.

"You and I both know that if people were in danger Kenshin would try to help but I'm more worried about Yahiko. Sano looked like he had already been in a fight before we saw him and if it was as dangerous as he said why wasn't Yahiko fighting with him. Of course I still don't understand why Yahiko would do something like this in the first place." Kaoru started to clean up the dirty crockery aided by Megumi.

"I'm sure when Sano wakes up he could tell you something otherwise when Yahiko gets back you can beat it out of him." Megumi smiles as Kaoru instantly brightens up at the thought of punishing her student.

"Damn right," Kaoru chuckles as they enter the kitchen. Awakening on the floor alone Kenji rubs his eyes and looks around. Noticing the empty room he walks down the hall and into Sano's room. Crossing his legs as he sits down he studies the sleeping man. He slaps Sano's face looking for any reaction but getting none continues to stare at him. However he quickly tires and curls up next to him for another nap.