Chapter 2

Homecomings and Pain

(Kenshin)

My sight remained blurry, but it didn't get any worse. It stayed steady, turning everything around me into a fuzzy blur that I soon grew used to. Kaoru didn't notice, much to my relief.

My fever had left fairly quickly, and Megumi had declared me healthy only a week after my fall. Kenji, observant child that he is, wouldn't let me play that game with him for nearly another week. "No more warm!" he would say firmly.

I watched my son grow with loving eyes, and not long after his sixth birthday we got a visit from Sano, who had left a while ago to travel. It was a day that none of us were bound to forget.

I was just finishing the laundry when Kenji came running up to me. "Daddy! Daddy!"

I looked up as he skidded to a stop in front of me. "What is it Kenji?"

He tugged lightly on my sleeve. "There's a big man at the gate Daddy!"

I blinked; dropping the gi I was currently washing and standing. "Really now Kenji." I murmured. I picked him up, swinging him up into his favorite position, on my shoulders. He was small for a six-year-old, and I could easily carry him like that.

I felt his hands patting my hair. "Hai Daddy. He's really tall."

I walked to the gate, confusion flitting into my mind. Who could it possibly be? I spotted the man Kenji was talking about standing just outside the gate. I couldn't tell much about him with my limited sight, but he had long brown hair, a kind smile, and what looked like a short beard. "Can I help you?" I asked pleasantly.

The man laughed. "Do I really look that different Kenshin?"

It was the voice that got me, and my eyes widened. "Sanosuke?" I found myself in a tight hug, and I heard Kenji squeal in protest. "Sanosuke, you're back!"

He released me, grinning widely. "Hai, I am." His gaze traveled to Kenji. "Well who's this little guy?"

I smiled, tickling Kenji's foot. Sano had left before Kaoru's pregnancy, so he had no idea that we now had a son. Kenji's feet kicked against my chest and his hands patted my hair. "This is my son, Kenji."

"Oh really," Sano said jokingly. "He looks just like you Kenshin." He put out a hand to Kenji. "Hello Kenji. I'm your uncle Sano."

Kenji giggled, wrapping both of his hands around Sano's much larger one. "Hiya!"

Sano grinned. "So how old are you Kenji?"

"I'm six!" Kenji said, proudly brandishing six little fingers.

Sano laughed. "Smart kid Kenshin. So where's Jou-chan?"

I turned. "Why don't you come share some lunch with us? Kaoru's just finished cooking."

He hesitated. "Jou-chan's cooking?"

That brought a laugh from me. "She's gotten much better Sano. I've been teaching her. However, there are still some things to improve on."

Sano fell into step beside me. "If that's the case, I think I'll risk it. I'm starving!"

Kenji tugged on my bangs gently. "Put me down Daddy!" I lifted him from my shoulders and set him gently on the ground. He took off at a run for the dojo. "Mommy! Mommy!"

Sano chuckled. "He sure is a hyper kid. Reminds me a lot of Jou-chan." He breathed deep of the air. "I've missed this place."

"We've missed you Sano." I murmured.

Kaoru came out at that moment, being pulled by Kenji's hold on her fingers. She recognized Sano instantly. "Sano! You're back!"

Sano grinned. "Sure am. So what's to eat, I'm starved!"

She laughed. "Always thinking about your stomach. Well, come on in, we're just about to eat." She walked to me, kissing my scarred cheek gently. "I think I've got it right this time."

We sat down to warm rice balls, steaming fish, and tofu. Sano licked his lips, sitting and dishing up. He took a bite of his rice ball, and then grinned. "This is pretty good Jou-chan, you are getting better!"

Kaoru blushed faintly. "Arigatou Sano."

We ate in silence, Kenji sitting in between Kaoru and I. I tasted the fish slowly. "Better Kaoru, but a bit less spices."

She nodded. "Alright." She wiped Kenji's face clean as he finished, and then continued her own meal.

I set my chopsticks down and placed my hands in my lap, looking to Sano. "So why did you come back Sano?"
He grinned. "Got tired of being away for so long."

We continued to talk, and I was suddenly interrupted as Kenji climbed into my lap, snuggling close to my stomach. I smile, patting his hair. "Are you tired Kenji?"

He yawned in response, closing his eyes. He had been up late the night before because of a nightmare, and none of us had gotten much sleep. Kaoru smiled. "Why don't you go put him in his futon for a little while? It couldn't hurt."

I nodded, lifting Kenji from my lap and walking towards his room. "I'll be right back."

I settled Kenji in his futon, covering him with a light blanket. He was already dozing snuggling into his soft futon. I kissed his forehead gently. "Sleep well Kenji. I love you aisoku(beloved son)."

"Love you…Daddy…" he murmured back, rolling over in his blankets.

I smiled, standing and walking to the door. I slid the shoji shut, and then put my forehead against the wooden frame. The floor beneath my feet was tilting, threatening to dump me off my feet. I panted, trying to clear my head.

Pain suddenly shot through my skull, and I gasped, my teeth clicking together with force. Another piercing pain shot through me, and I coughed. Blood spattered the paper in front of me, dripping down the door. Blood was filling my mouth, and I realized that I'd bitten my tongue. My vision blurred further, and then the world faded as I slipped to my knees, and then to the floor.

(Kaoru)

Sano and I talked pleasantly for a few minutes, and then I got the feeling that something was wrong. "It shouldn't take this long, not with how tired Kenji was." I murmured, standing.

Sano followed me slowly. "You're right Jou-chan."

We walked into the hall, and I saw the pale hand lying limply near us. I screamed, running forward. "Kenshin!"

I rolled his still body over, fearfully noticing the blood trailing from the corner of his mouth. I wiped it away, sweeping his red bangs away from his closed eyes. "Sano, we need to get him to Megumi."

He nodded, lifting Kenshin quickly. "Get the kid, let's go."

I nodded, going into Kenji's bedroom. I was loathing waking my peacefully sleeping son, but my worry for Kenshin overrode it. I shook his shoulder gently. "Kenji. Wake up sweetie."

He yawned, blinking sleepily at me. "Mommy?"

I picked him up, settling him on my hip. "Come on Kenji, you need to wake up okay?"

He rubbed at one eye with a hand. "Why Mommy? I was sleeping…"

I silenced him, going out to follow Sano. The taller man had wrapped Kenshin in a blanket, knowing that the sight of Kenshin like this would frighten Kenji. My husband's still body was cradled close to his chest, and I could see the tenderness in his embrace.

We walked fairly quickly through the streets, getting both curious and worried looks. Sano suddenly swore and took off at a run.

I picked up the pace with him, confused. "Sano!"

He swore again. "His breathing is acting funny, we need to hurry!"

Megumi's clinic was in front of us before I knew it, and Sano burst in yelling our friend's name.

"What the devil is all this yelling about!" Megumi called, coming out of the back room. She spotted Sano and gasped. "Sanosuke!"

"In the back kitsune, now!" Sano said, pushing her in front of him. "Go! Now!"

"Sano! What…" she was cut off as Sano accidentally jostled Kenshin and a single pale hand flopped out to hang limply from the bundle of blankets.

Megumi instantly shut her mouth, turning and rushing into the back room. I remained out front, holding Kenji silently.

Kenji had by now figured out that something was wrong, and his fingers clenched in my kimono, his eyes wide. "Mommy?"

"Shh Kenji, it's okay." I murmured absently. "It's okay…" But in the back of my mind, I heard the faint response from myself. 'I hope…'