Argh, I'm sorry to anyone who was actually keeping up with this! I've been adding a lot to the story, just not where I should have been adding. But yeah, just when I was making it a point to work on my fics, college started. Dear Christ I'm in college! ACK! But yeah, here's the newest chapter and although it's short I've got lots of good stuff planned for the future.

THANKS GUYS!

Follow, follow, just keep following! Amaterasu Sorayookami was slightly worried that the beast of a man was behind her. He was much bigger, so his strides were longer, but she was much faster and able to keep a decent distance between them. She kept running, staff nicked carefully in her hand so as not to trip her as she ran. Smartest decision she had made all day was to keep her bandana around her hand, not her eyes. At the speed she was traveling, and with the weight of seriousness riding on the chase, having her eyes open was vital.

"COME BACK HERE!" the man bellowed. She almost laughed feeling the ground rumble under her fleetly passing feet. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Millions of thoughts ran through her head as she ran: would she keep all the citizens out of danger, could she re-defeat the zanbato, is the woman from the street alright, what friends did she mean, and why the hell was this city so damn big? Finally the end was in sight and she tossed a quick glance back making sure he was still pissed. However, her glance back caught something else: red hair and a white suit.

"Zanza and Kenshin?" she muttered. A few scant trees met her at the town's edge, but she had planned on this and moved through them remembering the clearing only a few meters away. As she broke through them she spun around in time to see the zanbato slamming towards her head. A nimble jump backwards and the roaring weapon crashed into the dirt causing her no harm. A booming growl followed by laughter met her as the sword was lifted and the false owner stepped into the clearing sporting it on his shoulder.

"Little missy thinks she can run away can she?" he leered.

"Little missy DID just run away," she corrected standing calmly in the center of the clearing, "if you would be so kind as to correct yourself."

The man growled hefting the mighty sword up for another attack. He smiled revealing the disgusting teeth Ama was starting to think she saw too much of. "Get ready to die."

"Been ready," she smirked leaning back onto her foot. As he swung downward, she shot into the air propelling herself with her staff and feet. She was still in the air when he looked around for her, confused as to where his prey disappeared.

"Mind your head!" she laughed landing on it. He stumbled forward as she pushed off him, landing in a tree branch. She spun around watching him with a gleam in her eye; finally things were getting interesting. She didn't really want to get involved in it, but now that she was, she was going to enjoy herself. The monstrosity picked himself off the ground shaking the dirt off his face and clothes. She stood tall in the leaves and shouted, "What's wrong, I thought you had good control of that weapon?"

He seethed with rage now. Instead of picking up the fallen sword, he rushed for the tree wrapping his bulking arms around it in rage. Ama tried to regain her balance, but ended up pitching forward, sliding down the massive back as he hefted the tree from its rooted spot in the ground. Hardly even a gasp broke forth from her lips as the tree came swinging for her.

The tree slammed into the ground, dust rising from the newly created trench. Rolling the massive arbor aside, he peered down to see if his prey was now a pile of broken bones. He was let down.

Before he even knew what hit him, Amaterasu slammed her feet into his head, knocking him aside. She had rolled away at the last instant, springing from the dust so she could see her opponent and prepping herself for a forceful attack the moment his guard was down. The large man fell to his side, melon like fingertips feeling his wounded face. She rested herself against the staff, shouting, "I'd advise you to stay down and explain why you were sent here."

"Ama!"

"Miss Sorayookami?" Her head spun to where the shouts came from. The same path she had led her opponent on! It was Kenshin and Sanosuke! Before she could do anything, she felt massive hands wrap about her. Lungs lost what little air was in them; her guard had been let go for mere moments and now she was paying for it. Kenshin and Sanosuke both ran into the clearing, both set for the impending fight.

"Stay back," the behemoth gripping the young woman hissed, "or she dies."

"You will let her go that you will," The samurai warned, hand clicking out the first inch of the reverse blade sword.

"Kenshin," Sanosuke called out, "you take him out and I'll get Ama!"

Attempting to pry off the heavy fingers about her, the raven-haired girl cried, "No! Sagara he has your sword!"

"He what?" both men gasped.

The enemy guffawed, "That stick carries a Zanbatou? No wonder he left it behind."

"You took my sword?" he seethed, wishing he were about a foot taller or closer to his old weapon.

"Sagara!" Amaterasu gaped sensing his want to attack. Rushing in now was the worst thing he could do. Then a plan began to form in her oxygen-deprived mind. Calmly, she said, "Why don't you prove you don't need it?"

"What do you mean?" he gaped.

"Prove your fists are weapon enough!" she shouted, getting pulled back and up from her new friends. "Show this fool how a real man uses the Zanbatou!"

"He did steal your weapon after all Sano," Kenshin offered. He saw logic in Ama's plan, but it was also illogical for him to fight the man when Sano was obviously more wronged by him. "I suggest he set down Miss Sorayookami and fight you."

Deep doe eyes lit up, the idea of a fight brooding deep within the fiery soul of the young fighter. "Sounds like a great idea."

"Me versus him?" the opponent chuckled. "Sounds like a slaughter." Instead of setting Ama down, he threw her over to Kenshin's feet. She stuck her staff to the ground, slowing her crash, but still getting scraped as she hit the dirt. Flexing some of his muscles, he growled, "Come on little man. Win back your sword."

"Careful!" Amaterasu gasped as Sano was hurled into the ground. Both she and Kenshin were waiting off to the side in apprehension.

"Maybe this wasn't the bet idea," the samurai whispered. He was extremely worried now for his friend; Sano had been dancing around the opponent for most of the fight, ad when the larger man ha become frustrated attacking him brutally. Yet Sano would rise up, smile, insult him, and receive the same treatment.

"No, it wasn't," the young woman sighed. As Kenshin began to move forward, she grabbed his arm to stop him. The red head turned, peering at her over his shoulder. Her face was set seriously, but her steel grey eyes were watching Sanosuke struggle to his feet. "It was his sword. I know that the man was after me, but I think Sano needs to let this out. It's been so quiet here I can only assume he's been itching for a fight. He was telling me about the sumo wrestlers that attacked you; he had this light in his eyes, he wanted to relive it. He likes fighting, especially for a cause.

"Look at him," she motioned with a nod. Violet eyes turned to watch as Sano nimbly dodged a powerful attack. Amaterasu repeated, "Look at him."

His eyes were bright. He was bleeding. He was smirking. He was happy. He was Zanza.

"He's doing better I suppose," Kenshin smiled sadly. Sanosuke tripped his opponent, not causing much damage, but slowing him down.

Sanosuke smiled brightly as he landed back on his feet, the bad sign on his back standing out sharply in their eyes. "Hey ugly! I've had enough playing with you. Gonna give me my Zanbatou now?"

"Son of a – " he growled, launching himself forward. His massive fist aimed straight for Sano's head. But he was used to it, so he settled into a fighting stance, catching the fist in his hand. He slid back a few feet, but still had a comfortable advantage.

"I tried to give you time," the brunette chuckle. He threw back the hand, sending the behemoth stumbling away. Sao held up his wrapped hand, smiling viciously. "No way I'll use the Futai no Kiwamae on you, but you'll feel this in the morning!"

Ama practically cheered, seeing the boy rush forward and slammed his fist into the other man's chest. The ground under them rattled slightly from the impact. A long silence settled on the quartet, nobody moving. Finally, Sanosuke moved back, shaking his hand slightly. Then the opponent fell.

"Good job Sanosuke," Ama laughed.

"You shouldn't have played around, that you shouldn't," Kenshin scolded, yet smiled as well.

Sanosuke grinned, pleased with himself as he lifted up the fallen Zanbatou. "That was a good workout, haven't fought like that in a while." He hitched the monster sword on his shoulder, approaching them.

So this is Zanza. This boy, young man, is the one who could take on a crowd without batting an eye. The sight made Amaterasu smile; she met him a few steps forward, grinning up at him. "We should get those cuts cleaned up you big ape," she teased in a friendly manner.

"Ape?" he blinked, feigning hurt. Pointing his finger at the fallen man he laughed, "That's the ape! If anything I'm a chimp!"

"Or a chump," she retorted.

"Or a champ," he added. Kenshin was wandering over to the other man, eyes curiously pouring over him to see if there was any sign he would be waking up soon.

Studying the man's breathing he shouted, "We should ask him why he attacked the village, that we should."

"Good idea Kenshin," Sanosuke nodded. Ama opened her mouth to speak, but fear kept her from saying anything. Should she stop them? Keep the secret a while longer? Make up an excuse? What could she do?

"Kenshin – " she began.

"Kenshin! Sanosuke!" a feminine voice cried out from within the woods. All three combatants turned to see who it was approaching them, only to find the raven-haired doctor.

"Miss Megumi," Kenshin gulped. "What are you doing here?"

She stomped her way into the clearing, glaring at both of them. "I followed you because wherever you two go, trouble follows. And with that other girl running by I thought for sure – " She stopped herself, gasping as she spotted the woman who had crashed into her not twenty minutes before. "You! How did you – who are you?"

"Sorry I couldn't introduce myself earlier," the grey-eyed woman sighed. "I was in such a hurry to stop this man," she gestured to the large man behind them, "that I couldn't spare a moment for proper courtesies."

"This is Miss Sorayookami," Kenshin introduced stepping toward the two women. "She's staying at the dojo with us. Amaterasu, this is Miss Megumi Takani."

"Local fox lady and doctor," Sanosuke smirked. Before Megumi could even respond, Ama had whacked him in the side with her staff. He winced, but kept smiling, "Sorry."

"I'm pleased to meet you," Megumi bowed slightly to the younger woman. Turning to add her own verbal attack to Sanosuke she started, "And you! You got beat up again didn't you? If it weren't for Kenshin you'd probably end up a pile of broken bones in the middle of some back alley!"

"Why you – " the ex-gang fighter snarled.

"Actually," Amaterasu interrupted as politely as she could. "Sanosuke was the one who took down the behemoth you see over there Miss Takani. He only received a few scrapes compared to the other man."

Megumi and Sanosuke both stared at her; both shocked to see why or how she had intervened so efficiently. She only smiled at them, reminding the gang fighter suspiciously of Kenshin. He shook his head, rubbing the back of it with his hand in confusion, "Uh yeah. That's pretty true actually. Hey, uh, Kenshin? what should we do with him?"

"We could wait until he wakes up that we could," the samurai nodded.

"Miss Takani?" Amaterasu asked curiously. "You are a doctor correct?"

"Yes, I am."

"Would you check on Sagara's scrapes while we wait? I'll remain here until you're done, then if you would be so kind as to see to a few of my bruises and cuts as well?"

"Not a problem," she bowed again, receiving one from the other woman. Gripping Sanosuke's elbow as tightly as possible, she began dragging him away. "To the clinic with you."

Kenshin and Ama stood beside one another, the red head feeling somewhat guilty about the condition of the younger woman. She looked quite roughed up, her hair sticking out in odd places from her braids, but the serene look on her face made him believe that she was fine. Her face had dirt on it from where she hit the ground, a slight brush-burn developing on the pale cheek. Cautiously, he stepped closer, "Are you alright Miss Sorayookami?"

"Hmm?" she piped up, realizing he had spoken to her. "Oh, I'm fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises." As if proving it, she took a long, deep breath, but when she released it, her breath hitched and she clutched her heart.

He rushed forward, "Miss Sora – "

"No, no," she whispered, standing up straight again. "It's just a little bruising from when he grabbed me. I'll be fine." Her eyes lowered to the ground, closing, "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" he repeated, his eyes studying her for any betrayal of her condition.

She only smiled, "I'm fine, really." She lifted her head to gaze at him with her deep grey eyes. "Believe me, this is nothing."

"If you're sure," the rurouni sighed. He walked over to the unconscious attacker and sat down on one of the extended legs. "Why don't we rest here?"

A slender black brow raised in suspicion. "On top of the man who just tried to kill me?"

PS: The title, err, I just thought it sounded funny. It doesn't make much sense now but it will later!