Chapter 7:

They stayed at the house for longer than a few days…a month to be exact. Mariko looked at Sanosuke chopping up the firewood and sighed…it was time to get back home. "Sano, lets leave today. We need to get back to Kyoto." Sanosuke smiled at her.

"I thought you were having fun here with me…why return to Kyoto anyway?" he cupped her face in his hand kissing her before she could answer. She smiled at him, but there was a weird emotion in her eyes. "I need to finish what I came to Kyoto for and leave for my dojo. And well I left the restaurant for too long." Sanosuke nodded but looked at her worriedly. He'd been hoping she'd give up on that hair brained notion of killing Kenshin.

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"Lady Mariko! There were some men here to see you! They said they'll come back after a week or so!" Akiko rushed out looking worried. Mariko smiled at her. "it's alright Akiko I'll see them when they come again."

"Mariko-san!" Mariko looked up to see Kaoru smiling at her. She looked around to see Sanosuke on the ground with Yahiko sitting on him. "Baka ero! Why didn't you tell us where you were? You've been gone for a month…we were worried." Yahiko hit Sanosuke on the head again.

"Um…I am really sorry but Sanosuke was just escorting me out of town on some business. I'm sorry he didn't tell you, I wouldn't have taken him along if I'd known. Its nice to finally see you again Kaoru-san." Mariko bowed slightly. "Yahiko-kun, please get off Sanosuke-san. I need him to take all these things inside for me." Yahiko blushed when she smiled at him, she really was beautiful! Sanosuke picked up her bag and left.

"Mariko-san, please join us for lunch…" Mariko agreed and they all left for the dojo. Mariko suddenly stopped when she came face to face with Kenshin…she'd forgotten about the last time they'd met. "Himura-san. It's nice to see you again." Kenshin smiled. "Yes, I haven't seen you in a while Mariko-san."

"Sanosuke-san and I were out for a while. I had some business elsewhere." Lunch progressed fine, she didn't talk to much to Kenshin and Sanosuke seemed to be at her beck and call.

Kenshin watched the two. Yes, Yahiko was right, they were hopelessly in love with each other. He should back off, but he couldn't forget the kiss he had given her the last time they'd met…suddenly a hand touched his. "They look very sweet together don't they Kenshin?" Kaoru was smiling at him. he smiled back and nodded when suddenly Sano and Yahiko were rolling around pummeling each other. Mariko watched them smiling.

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Mariko chopped the vegetables and sighed, she was feeling so tired lately. Maybe she should eat more. She looked outside watching life go on at the dojo…she was getting too involved, but with Sanosuke around it wasn't that hard. Pain yanked her out of her reverie. She had cut her finger…damn she should watch it. Serves her right for zoning out when she had work.

"Mariko-san? She looked up to see Megumi and suddenly the world started to fade…she grabbed the counter to keep standing and Megumi caught her. "Mariko-san are you alright?" Mariko's world slid back into focus. "I'm fine I was just dizzy back there for a second." She let Megumi bind up her finger and give her a quick check up. Suddenly Megumi smiled…"Mariko-san! Why didn't you tell us?"

Mariko blinked at her. "Tell you what?" Megumi looked at her and smiled once more. "That you're having a baby?" Mariko jerked back. She'd suspected it, but then just thought that her period was late. No…she couldn't have Sanosuke's baby now…she paled. "Mariko-san? You don't look good…" Megumi's eyes widened as the woman caught hold of her hands.

"Megumi-sensei…please doesn't reveal this to anyone! Please!" she looked so scared and helpless that Megumi was very worried. "Alright I won't Mariko-san. But you have to tell me, whose is it? Is it Sanosuke's?" Mariko nodded soundlessly. Megumi didn't press for more details but just told Mariko what she needed to eat and that she needed to eat a lot more.

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Mariko sat in her room at the restaurant and covered her face. She couldn't live here with Sanosuke…she had her dojo to take care off, but if she lost against Battousai…who could she trust? Suddenly she realized and quickly scribbled a note. She went out and looked for Akiko, her most trustworthy maid…who was also a ninja. "Akiko! I need you to go and find Shinomori Aoshi as fast as possible, he is somewhere in the north of this city. Give him this note." She turned back and hoped Aoshi would find it.

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Sanosuke smiled at his love from across the table. "Why the glum face? You've been smiling so much lately, it's funny to see you all quiet!" she looked up at him and smiled. "I'm just not feeling very well Sano. But everything will be alright. Lets go to sleep neh?" she walked up to him and hugged him tight before leading him to the futon and pushing him down on it.

Sanosuke gasped as she almost ripped the clothes off him. She had a desperate look in her eyes. He pulled her down next to him. They made love until the wee hours of the morning. She slipped her am around him. "I love you Sanosuke." Sano's eyes widened, she'd never said that before. He hugged her closer, almost protectively. "I love you too, I'll never let you go!" she smiled at him sadly and closed her eyes falling asleep on his chest.

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A/N: god I've never written such short chapters before! Neways the rest is for another chapter!

Taka