Chapter Fifteen: Killers, Kabuki, and...Riceballs?

"No need to worry about the future of the nation... not if you're going to be dead!" Seta Soujirou, Rurouni Kenshin Volume 7

Kenshin stirred, opening his violet eyes sleepily. He blinked in the morning light, his ears adjusting to the sound of soft voices. Kenshin shifted silently under his covers, turning his head to the left, to where the voices were originating.

Megumi was sitting on a stool, next to Sanosuke's bed. Kaoru stood next to her, holding a tray of towels, bandages, and a small bowl of water. Their backs were turned to Kenshin, so the wanderer took to listening them talk quietly while tending the sleeping Sanosuke.

"What will you say when he wakes up?" Kaoru whispered to Megumi softly.

Megumi was silent for a moment, reaching up to dunk the corner of the cloth she held into the water bowl. She squeezed it, and ran it over Sanosuke's blazing forehead a few times before replying. The young man gasped in his sleep, but Megumi showed no sign of worry.

"I'm not exactly sure," Megumi murmured. "I suppose I'll just have to see what's inside his eyes."

"Ah," replied Kaoru, understanding. "I see."

Kaoru sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at Megumi curiously. Megumi didn't return Kaoru's gaze, but instead said quietly, "No. I'm not going to tell him."

"Why?"

"Because...he's not ready for me to show affection to him," Megumi said.

Kaoru's face contorted in surprise. "Not ready?" she repeated. "What do you mean...? He's been jealous and heartbroken enough. Are you going to make him suffer more?"

"That's not what I mean," Megumi said. "I'm not going to tell Sanosuke I care for him, because I believe he needs to tell me his feelings first, because then I'll know he's grown and can handle responsibility. I'm not going to play mommy for him, otherwise...but I think, that once this is cleared up, he will understand..." Megumi pursed her lips. "...that I am there for him. Maybe, then, he'll be a bit more mature."

Kaoru smiled. "I understand, Megumi," Kaoru whispered. "You feel that it's going to be a part of Sano's healing that he begins to search his heart for answers, and if he finds his feelings true, he'll tell you...and then you'll know he's ready to be a man, right?"

Megumi paused. "Yes, I suppose...in a sense. But I'm not sure what exactly is going on in either of us right now. I feel like I want to hate him..." Megumi's eyes darkened, and her grip on the washcloth tightened violently. A bit of water spattered the carpet below. "...I really don't understand how he can be so dense..."

"He's a 'baka rooster-head,'" Kaoru giggled, quoting Megumi.

The lady doctor smiled. "He's unspeakable," Megumi corrected, even so. "I'll be sure to give him a good beating... I really need to talk to him. Idiot." She scowled. "If he doesn't wake up soon, I'm going to shave off all that rooster hair as revenge for when he wakes up. Though, it'll probably grow back by then."

Kaoru smiled, but then her face twitched into a rather glum expression. "Megumi..." she said slowly."...from...I mean, when we found them...they both looked like they had been fighting. What do you think...?"

Megumi paused. "Sir Ken is a very delicate soul," she said finally. "Interference with the wrong things can cause him to lose control. Sanosuke met him, obviously upset, and they fought one another."

"Why?" Kaoru sputtered. "They've always gotten along fine before..."

Megumi sighed. "Kaoru, we've all been together for a week or two. We're still getting to know one another, though...we have befriended everyone a bit faster than normal. That can be dangerous." The lady doctor looked up at Kaoru. "Kaoru, have you ever thought about the behavior of a wolf pack?"

"Not really," Kaoru admitted. "But with Yahiko as a brother, I can understand some of the behavior." Kaoru quieted after this. Yahiko had told her that he was sleeping on the roof that night, so that he could keep a lookout for government officials trying to sneak into the building.

"Well, we are all like a wolf pack," Megumi explained. "As it stands, Ken-san is the alpha male. He is strong, wise, and caring. Anji-san is more of the informational wolf, the one who is wiser but weaker than Kenshin. Yahiko-kun is more of a cub, but one who promises a lot in the future, and will make maybe even a better leader than Sir Ken. We are the ones who take care of the injured, and defend what is left to be defended, and we are the support for those in need. "

Megumi ran the washcloth over Sanosuke's face again, continuing, "Aoshi and Misao-chan are new, and from this point seem to only be visitors and momentary aid. They don't have much standing, but pose no threat to Sir Ken and his leadership."

"On the other hand," Megumi continued, "Sanosuke is determined to avenge his family, which makes him hasty and out of place. Rather than focusing on the main goal--which is to perhaps defeat Shishio, since Sir Ken seems to be drawn more and more to the idea--Sanosuke is more determined on his own personal needs. That makes him selfish, and dangerous at times.

"By putting the wrong impression on the alpha male, Sanosuke has angered Kenshin and has been taught a lesson about working together and being family. It's a rough lesson in Sanosuke's case, since it's obvious he felt that his old family was being cruelly replaced; but the outcome of it shall determine whether Sanosuke will survive this journey, or whether he will die alone and forsaken. It's up to him, whether he insists on running away, or rejoining us and starting from the beginning."

Kaoru looked at Megumi, astonished. "I've never thought of it like that before."

"Actually, neither have I," Megumi smirked. "I made it up as I went along--funny, it makes sense!"

"Megumi!" Kaoru laughed, rolling her eyes.

Silencing Kaoru, Megumi gave her a look that told her to be quieter. Kaoru nodded sheepishly, mumbling apologies.

Kenshin lie in his bed, closing his eyes so he could think. They see me as the leader? Odd. I feel no more in charge than anyone else...I've always thought Anji was more the leader of the expedition. But... everyone does treat me with respect, and...maybe I should start thinking things a bit more thoroughly than what I have. It seems a lot more rests on me than I first thought. And that Kamatari man...he recognized me as Shinta! Shishio... he thinks I am Shinta, too, and is now on the hunt for me? Could I really be this... long-lost prince? My dream...I...

A low mumble caused Kenshin to open his eyes. Looking over at Sanosuke, Kenshin found that the young man was stirring. Kaoru put a hand on Megumi shoulder, whispering, "I'll leave now."

Turning around, Kaoru jumped when she found Kenshin's eyes open. "Kenshin," she whispered. Megumi looked back to see as well, and both women gave him an affectionate smile. Kenshin nodded, sitting up and getting to his feet. His muscles twanged as he moved, but Kenshin didn't complain as he followed Kaoru out into the hall of the inn. Kenshin hoped that this would go well, that he did.

Megumi swept the damp cloth over Sano's brow again, watching him wince at the cold contact. After a moment, Sanosuke twitched a bit, and then opened his tired brown eyes. Everything was fuzzy in his vision, but the image of an expressionless Megumi came to his sight as he blinked the sleepiness away.

Terror and guilt immediately grasped Sano like ice, and he took in a sharp breath as Megumi looked over into his chocolate orbs. Sanosuke looked away, afraid he was to be caught with the bitter resentment inside his eyes that betrayed his hurt.

"Look at me, Rooster-Head," Megumi said firmly, her gaze turning into a glower. Sano winced, but then looked at Megumi in fear. When she wanted to, Megumi could be even more frightening than Saitou. "Sanosuke."

He succumbed to the dominant tone in her voice, knowing very well that he was as good as dead. "Megumi..." Sanosuke said softly, hoping his voice wouldn't crack. "Uhm... about what happened... I..."

"Do tell," Megumi interrupted, pretending like she didn't know she was torturing the poor boy.

Sanosuke gave her a rather pained look, and stammered, "I wasn't... erm, S-Saitou... he was questioning m-me... I escaped, but these women c-caught me and tried to... ya know... I didn't know I was in a g-geisha house... I didn't want to hurt them since they were girls, b-but... I didn't like it, if that's what ya wanna hear! Y-You can even ask Kenshin or Ice--I mean, A-Aoshi..."

"I don't want to hear it from Sir Ken or Aoshi-san," Megumi said, fixing her sharp gaze on Sanosuke again. "I want to hear it from you, idiot. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here asking for an explanation."

"O-Oh..." Sanosuke muttered, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't make him look as much a dolt. "W-Well...uhm, I did say I didn't like it... they didn't do much to me, anyways...n-nothing serious...I'm still v--" He flushed scarlet, quickly amending, "I m-m-mean they didn't take my clothes o-off or anything... unless ya count my jacket, b-but... I r-really didn't like it, I mean... they bit me, and it hurt and... I think they were v-vampires, but Kenshin didn't believe me..."

Sanosuke flushed scarlet, disbelieving that he had just said all of that aloud.

Megumi didn't realize it until she saw the astonished look on Sano's face, but she began to smile. And then, to Sanosuke's greater confusion, Megumi began to laugh. "W-Whaddya laughin' at?" Sanosuke yelled, offended. "I...I'm serious, you bitch!"

Quickly regaining control of herself, Megumi resumed to snickering behind her hand. "I believe you," she said at last. "But I still think you're an idiot."

"Yer still a vixen," Sanosuke mumbled, squeezing his eyes shut and wincing as his stomach wound gave a terrible throb. "Damn..."

Megumi looked at him with a calculating look that only a doctor could have. "Your wound?" she asked. Leaning over, she tried to lift his blankets. "I'll check it for you, since Aoshi-san isn't here."

"NO!" Sanosuke shouted, seizing his covers and desperately holding them against his chest. "No..."

Looking at him, Megumi frowned. "What's the matter with you? Do you want to get infected and die of ...oh, I don't know... maybe I'll toss you out into the cold and see how fast it takes for you to get gangrene. It'll be an experiment...a contribution to medical science."

"No..." Sano repeated for the third time, holding his blankets all the tighter. "You can't."

Megumi rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a moron and let me see. I won't hurt you."

"It depends on what you wanna see," Sanosuke grumbled, blushing furiously. Growing impatient with the babbling Rooster, Megumi stood and jerked the blankets away from him and cast them at his feet.

Sanosuke covered his eyes with one hand, unable to bring himself to look at the utterly mortified and enraged expression on Megumi's face.

-

Kenshin and Kaoru stood in the hallway, looking at one another sheepishly. After a moment, Kaoru asked, "How are your wounds, Kenshin?"

"Fine enough," he replied, and that ensued into another awkward silence.

Gulping, Kaoru took a step closer to Kenshin. "Kenshin... I hope I don't upset you by asking... but what happened?" Seeing the grave expression that overtook Kenshin's face, Kaoru quickly backed down. "I-I mean, you don't have to talk about it..."

"No," Kenshin said. "It should be said."

Kaoru smiled, giggling. "In your pajamas?"

"Oro?" Looking down, Kenshin discovered that he indeed was in his sleeping pants and had a loose undershirt on as well. Blushing, Kenshin looked up awkwardly at the laughing Kaoru. "Yes...I suppose...in my pajamas..."

He blinked, looking at Kaoru with a more serious expression. "Miss Kaoru, please believe me when I say that I did not do anything inappropriate in that okiya, and that the only reason Aoshi and I entered the building was because we were sure Sanosuke was being kept captive inside."

Kaoru smiled in relief, signifying that she believed him. Kenshin felt a sweet fluttering in his stomach. He put a hand over it as though afraid it might flap away, and Kaoru looked at him curiously. "Are you hungry?" she questioned.

And then it hit him. Kenshin hadn't eaten every since yesterday, when at the ramen stand with Aoshi. Kenshin's stomach, instead of trying to flutter away like a butterfly, now growled menacingly like a lion. Kenshin had never heard of such a transformation.

"Yes, very much so, de gozaru yo," Kenshin said, smiling. "But I think I should wait until Aoshi and Anji awaken, that I do."

"Are you sure?" Kaoru asked, worried. A second later, she realized that she was speaking nonsense to Kenshin, like a fussy girlfriend. "I... I mean, Megumi-san would most definitely have you eat at this point! After being injured, your body needs protein and... stuff..."

Kenshin smiled at Kaoru's fretting, amused by her desperation to mellow the appearance of her concern. But then, Kenshin said, "I appreciate your worry, Miss Kaoru. It means a lot to me, that it does. But I think I should wait a while. I have something else very important to t--"

"SANOSUUKEEEEE, YOU PERVERRRRT!"

Both of them jumped, wide-eyed at the sudden scream from inside the room. Thumps and bangs resounded from the inn; probably from people awakening and hitting the ceiling in alarm. Kenshin half expected a few people to bust through the floor.

"Oh no," Kaoru mumbled, running to the door. "What did Sanosuke do now!"

"Miss Kaoru," Kenshin said, stopping her. "Let this one go in first, please."

Kaoru blinked, but then allowed Kenshin to open the door first. "ORO!" was his first word, and Kenshin quickly turned about, and shut the door behind him before Kaoru could glance inside.

Giving Kenshin a terrified look, Kaoru stammered, "W-What is he doing...?"

"Nothing whatsoever," Kenshin said, blushing like mad. "It's what Megumi-san has done, so it seems."

"YEEEEOOOOW! DAMNATION, WOMAN!"

"YOU DESERVED IT!"

"YOU'D DARE TO SLAP A MAN IN CRITICAL CONDITION, YOU WITCH?"

"I DOUBT YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!"

Kaoru and Kenshin looked at each other with very disturbed looks. To make matters worse, people were coming down the hallway, looking quite irritated due to the disturbance. Kenshin sweat-dropped, glancing at Kaoru with worry. She returned the glance, and promptly elbowed the door as loudly as she could.

All fell silent inside; apparently, Megumi and Sano had paused their arguing to see what had made the noise. "I think they're making out," came Sanosuke's opinion, causing Kaoru and Kenshin to flush scarlet. However, seconds later, there was a loud whack!, thanks to Megumi. "OUCH!"

"Uhm..." Kenshin began, facing the frustrated group of disturbed sleepers. "I apologize for the commotion... please return to your rooms, as we must calm down our friends, de gozaru..."

The only answer Kenshin received to that was a very, very jaded stare.

-

"You moron!" Megumi yelled at Sanosuke as they walked down the street. Aoshi was carrying Sanosuke bridal-style, much like he had before. "I can't believe you got us kicked out!"

Sano shot her an irritated look, squirming angrily. "What are you talking about? You're the one who screamed in the first place!"

"You're the one who flashed me!"

"You're the one who insisted on taking my blankets away!" Sanosuke shot back, grinning in triumph when he saw the cornered look on Megumi's face.

But then Megumi countered, "Well, if you had told me that you weren't wearing anything, I would have left you alone!"

Sanosuke had no answer to that, and resumed to scowling. "Vixen..." he muttered."...You prob'ly liked it, anyways...feh..." But Megumi didn't hear him.

Anji was carrying the majority of the luggage, while Kenshin lugged along a bit as well. Aoshi was too busy carrying Sano, and listening to Misao constantly chatter away. Oh well, at least he cared enough to listen. Kaoru walked beside Kenshin, her treasure pack slung over her arm.

Yahiko walked cautiously at Kaoru's side opposite to Kenshin, listening to every word spoken from the two, and watching every movement made. No public display of affection on Yahiko's watch, no sir.

They were walking along on the edge of town, looking for a new place to stay. It seemed that every other inn was small and tacky, and no one felt safe leaving their prized possessions all alone in the shady buildings.

"Figures that the Rooster would ruin everything," Megumi grumbled.

"Figures that the Fox would complain about everything," Sanosuke sneered, and Megumi elbowed the top of his head, which was resting in the crook of Aoshi's arm. He winced, sharing a few unpleasant words with the world.

"I'd rather not hear that sort of talk," Anji said in a low voice, cutting off Sanosuke's vulgar jabber. Then, smirking, Anji added, "Especially from a lovesick boy who's being carried like a woman."

"WHAT?" Sanosuke yelled, clenching his teeth and baring them angrily at Anji. "YOU WANNA FIGHT, BIBLE BOY?"

"You couldn't beat Anji-san even if he was a squirrel studying kung-fu," informed Megumi.

Sanosuke snapped her a look. "And you couldn't go five minutes without making a bitchy comment, even if your lips were melded together!"

"Now, now," Kenshin said, smiling sheepishly at the bickering group. "Let's be serious."

"But, Kenshin!" Kaoru sighed, as the group slowed to a halt. "What're we going to do? There's no place to stay, and we don't have any sort of plan!"

"Bad leadership," Yahiko sneered, but Kaoru looked at him with a disapproving look, and he was silenced.

"Let's look just a bit more," Misao voiced. "Maybe you'll find some luck!"

So, taking Misao's advice, the group progressed onwards. They searched the city through and through, until they came upon a rather exciting and surprising sight.

A wooden stage, generously surrounded by benches and chairs, was settled into place in a grassy garden. A collection of carts and wagons were hidden behind a green curtain, and to Kenshin's interest, there were people on the stage. A thin forest surrounded the scene, and a wide river stitched itself through the forest.

"Takusei!" a woman shouted, who was dressed in an elaborate green kimono. "How can you leave me like so, 'tis it not enough that I have given you my all and my fortune? What more can I give, won't you tell?"

The man the woman addressed as Takusei turned to look at the woman with a great flourish of his cloak. "Sorano, begone from me! I know your treachery, you demon woman! You have gone and betrayed me, you have given yourself to the wretched streets! How can I forgive you, you who has stained your honor as a noblewoman? For this fault, you shall commit seppuku and part from this world!"

"No! Lord Takusei, please!" Sorano gasped, with exaggerated but nevertheless splendid horror.

Kenshin, Anji, Kaoru, Sanosuke, Yahiko, Megumi, Aoshi, and Misao looked on with wonder. "Why, they...they're kabuki actors!" Megumi exclaimed. "They're not performing; they're practicing, but..."

"Then that means," Misao said, "that the woman isn't really a woman at all! They're not allowed on a kabuki stage, so--it's a guy?"

Kenshin shook his head in wonder. "It looks like a woman to me..."

"Not really," Sanosuke pointed out, "That Sorano person doesn't have any hips, and his butt is too flat."

"Sanosuke would know," Megumi muttered, and the group snickered. Aoshi remained expressionless, save for the brief rolling of his eyes. Looking cross and embarrassed, Sanosuke went back to scowling.

The actors had quit practicing, and were parting from the stage so that the other actors could try out their skits. "Let's go down there, and eat lunch," Kaoru suggested. "Then we can figure out what we're to do next, while watching the kabuki actors practice."

"Food!" Sanosuke yelled happily, voicing his agreement.

"Please," Aoshi and Kenshin said softly together, for they were both, indeed, extremely hungry.

"Yeah!" Misao added, and promptly bounced in the lead of the group, shepherding them down to a clear area between the kabuki stage and the river. Once there, they laid out their food after placing a blanket on the grassy turf. Sanosuke leaned against a tree at the edge of the blanket, since his spine was still aching from his injury.

After a while, Kenshin felt his lighthearted attitude melt away a bit. His dream was haunting him. Kenshin glanced over at Aoshi, who was quietly swallowing some ramen. The latter did not return Kenshin's gaze.

The Castle's Oniwabanshuu... Kenshin blinked. "I..." he began, and then stopped speaking. Everyone halted in their fun, to look at the wanderer expectantly. Kenshin paused, and then continued. "I had a dream last night."

"A dream?" Kaoru echoed.

"Of my past," Kenshin said softly. A tense atmosphere swelled into the air, as all eyes bored like nails into the redhead. "I...dreamt of a castle... with many servants, and dragons in the courtyard...and a small, redheaded boy. I dreamt of ninja, of a young man with icy blue eyes; with the goal to become Oniwabanshuu Okashira. I dreamt of my own tears."

Aoshi had gone very quiet. Unusually quiet, since the man was soft-voiced anyways. He stared down at his bowl, avoiding Misao's gasping gaze and Kenshin's solemn one.

"So..." Sanosuke voiced, breaking the silence. "You think...you're Shinta, or somethin'?"

Kenshin sighed. "I wouldn't know where else these memories would have come from, that I don't."

Anji sipped his tea, and then spoke up as well. "Kenshin-san, I have been rather quiet these days. I've spent some time in prayer, over you and Sanosuke. Perhaps you, indeed, are regaining your memories. There is almost no doubt now, that you are indeed the Prince Shinta."

"Oh..." Kaoru clenched her fists. "But then, Kenshin will have to go away! He'll be king, and...and..." She silenced herself, looking down into her lap.

Kenshin forced himself to smile brightly. "But of course, I can't become king! After all, Shishio wouldn't simply let me barge in and kick him off his seat, that he wouldn't! Perhaps we should just leave things as they are, de gozaru ka?"

Silence. And then, via Sanosuke: "Damn, Kenshin. You really are a prissy pacifist."

"Oro..." Kenshin scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "But we really cannot wage war against Shishio, de gozaru yo!"

Anji sipped his tea. "Mm. Only if you think negatively." He opened his eyes, giving Kenshin a calculating look. "If word got out that Shinta was on the uprise, and actually stood some chance against Shishio, a revolt would be easier than in normality to begin. Especially, if you were to rally forces in person."

"I...I am no general!" Kenshin sputtered. "I'm just a--"

"--Wanderer, that I am!" Sanosuke finished, in an insultingly squeaky voice. Snickers flitted among the group, and Sano grinned, ignoring Kenshin's red face. "Kenshin, you're being a moron. You know you won't let yourself deny the people their right to happiness, and if you're serious about backin' down, you'd better make a 'lil grave for that Sakabatou right now. I say we should face Shishio head on, and kick his ass!"

"Yeah!" yelled Misao. "Aoshi-sama would help out too, I bet! With a couple o'sneaky ninja on your side, getting info and supplies would be a piece of cake!"

"And with a doctor present, injuries would be no worry," Megumi added.

Kaoru grinned. "Not to mention a thief and her brother, who can knock out guards, and carry messages easily! Kenshin, we could do this if we really put our minds to it! I mean, even if you're the prince and all, we're still your friends. And we have reason to fight, too, you know!"

Kenshin looked from one determined face to another, feeling his stamina leak. "Ah... well..." Kenshin hesitated, and then sputtered, "We will talk about this another time, de gozaru yo! I'm tired and don't want to think about it."

And that was that. Everyone seemed a little jaded at first, but soon the irritated air was disturbed by an argument, which ignited the happy spirit once more. A fight began between Misao and Sano, which had ensued over the question of who was to get the last riceball.

"Leggo of it, you ditzy weasel! Yer gonna squish it!" Sanosuke yelped, grabbing at the stolen riceball--or so it had been snatched, in his opinion.

"What are you talkin' about, stupid?" Misao barked, scowling as she tried to claim the treat. "If anyone's squishing the riceball, it's you and your dimwitted clumsiness, you fat idiot!"

Sano snarled. "Who ya callin' fat? I'm skinnier than you, ya bigheaded rodent girl!"

"WHY YOU--!"

At this point, Kaoru had stood. Her movement cut off the argument, as everyone turned to look at her. When he thought she wasn't looking, Sanosuke snatched the riceball out of Misao's hand and ate it in one gulp. Misao gasped, turning to murder him; but she was denied the right when Kaoru spoke.

"I'm going to take a walk," Kaoru said. Kenshin offered to accompany her, but she replied, "Uhm...thanks, Kenshin, but I'd rather go alone."

"Miss Kaoru," Kenshin said, looking concerned. "Is anything wrong, de gozaru ka?"

"No!" Kaoru replied, smiling convincingly. "I just need to have a few minutes... you know, alone time? My mother always said that every girl needs time by herself. Nothing's wrong." She smiled again, and Kenshin nodded, understanding.

After Kenshin bid her to be safe, Kaoru turned on her heel and walked away towards the kabuki camp. Yahiko looked like he wished to follow, but declined the idea, so not to anger Kaoru. He prayed that she would be okay.

A moment of silence followed, until Misao yelled at Sanosuke, "Look what you did, stupid! You and your big mouth gave Kaoru a headache!"

"What are ya talkin' about?" Sanosuke shouted in return. "I'm not the one who was yelling like a weasel high on helium over a damned riceball!"

"You're the one who made such a fuss over the dumb thing, anyways! Hmph! I hope it was poisoned!" Misao sneered, and promptly turned to Aoshi. "Aoshi-samaaa... Sanosuke's being a brat! Beat him up for me."

Sanosuke, perking up, cried, "Say what? If that iceberg lays one finger on me, I'll Futae No Kiwami him until he's an ice cube!"

"Not likely," Anji muttered.

"You could never defeat Aoshi-sama in a fight! Any fight!" Misao yelled valiantly, standing and pointing at Sanosuke rudely. "Aoshi-sama would kick your ass even if it was in rock-paper-scissors!"

"WHAT!"

"Misao-dono!" Kenshin yelped, wide-eyed. "You should not use such awful language, that you most certainly should not!"

Misao pointed at Sanosuke once more. "It's his fault. He taught me it. He's the one with the potty mouth. Kill him instead."

"EXCUSE ME! I HAVE A PERFECTLY CLEAN MOUTH, THANK YOU!"

Aoshi sipped his green tea. No, Kaoru did not have a headache...but Aoshi certainly did.

-

Kaoru wandered around the edge of the cluster of carts, listening to the kabuki actors practice their lines and inspect costumes. It was quite fascinating, to see them fuss over the smallest detail or speak their lines with such expression.

Unfortunately, Kaoru was not watching where she was going. Moments after spotting a young man with midnight hair pulling off a fake hairpiece, Kaoru heard the familiar swish of a sword.

Twirling around, Kaoru saw a flash of black, yellow and white as a perfect Nihon-tou katana flew directly at her throat. Her life flashed before her eyes as death came upon her in nanoseconds, but her fate was abruptly interrupted when someone tackled her.

"Oof!" Kaoru cried, as a not-so-heavy body fell atop her own. Kaoru's savior quickly got off her and to his feet, facing her attacker. Kaoru looked up, shocked to find that her rescuer was a young boy, some years younger than her; perhaps fifteen or fourteen.

His scruffy midnight hair hung around his ears in a sleek fashion, riveted with the flashes of sunlight reflecting off his bangs. Two sparkling blue eyes peeked out from the locks of raven, surrounded by pale skin and a perky little nose. A smiling, sweet mouth displayed what seemed to be undeniable confidence.

Kaoru's attacker; the tall wolfish man who Sanosuke had ran into on the first day upon entering the town, glowered at the young boy. "What do you think you're doing?" Saitou hissed angrily.

"I could ask Saitou-san the same question," the boy said, his expression unchanged. "Attacking a poor girl in broad daylight, right in front of my very eyes!"

Saitou narrowed his yellow orbs. "Shishio was a fool to let you roam freely. You've just deprived me of a quick and simple assassination."

"Oh," the boy said, smiling continuously. "It was an assassination? To think Saitou-san would take up such a job. I had thought he would rather be a TSC member, no?"

"Hn. Seta." Saitou smirked, pulling out a cigarette. "Why would I want to be a part of such a piggish group. They don't do much besides play cops and robbers, and no one interesting ever battles them."

"What about the Battousai we've been hearing so much about?" the boy named Seta grinned. "He beat Kamatari-san so easily..."

Saitou snorted. "Killing Kamatari a hundred times would be proof only that the idiot he-she is too stubborn to recognize defeat. Now, move, Seta. I don't want the girl screaming for help, it'll only complicate things."

"Please, call me Soujirou," Seta beamed, moving out of the way, exposing Kaoru to the menacing assassin. "Seta sounds ever so boring and unlike me."

Ignoring Soujirou, Saitou stepped up and raised his blade.

"Ken...shin..." Kaoru tried to yell. Her arms wouldn't move, her legs would not run, her lips would not scream, her brain would not think. The only thing Kaoru could do, is watch the sunlight flicker behind Saitou's blade as it was raised towards the treetops. She observed in horrified fascination, as the katana swung down with light reflecting all around in effect, down towards her heart.

"Aku. Soku. Zan."

End of Chapter Fifteen

MadiSano: Oops...did I really end it here? Looks like it. I'm sorry! (Not really, but hey, it was the thought that counted.) I know it was a little lacking in detail, but I wanted to update badly. I said I'd maintain a better updating rythm, but it's difficult to do so in the weekdays. I'm sorry.

PSQUARE: I'm sorry about all of the grammar and tense mistakes. I wrote that chapter in the middle of the night, as a tired, devil-may-care 13-year-old. Sigh. I'd hoped to hear more encouragement from you, but I understand I wasn't the only tired one about.

SHAUNTELL: Sorry about the overly-Sanosuke-ish chapter! I think this one had a bit too much as well. Ooops.. As for Kenshin being happy about a dark past...heck, even I'd be glad if I regained a memory at ALL if I had no idea from where I've come from! At least it gave him a bit more connection, right? Heh. As for Sano's attacker...next chapter! Yay! And don't worry about your rambling. I do it all the time! Lol! Bye.

CREWEL: I hope to intensify Sano and Megumi's relationship soon enough, but I must try to be fair to the others who want interations between other pairings, too. I'm so glad you understand me so well! You're such a patient, faithful reader, and I appreciate everything you say. As to SanoMeg kissing scenes, I'm a little afraid to do so because I don't want to belittle the moment! I couldn't put much detail in Sano's dream because it wasn't a real kiss, so... I guess I'll just have to try it out and see, right? Heh. Thanks, Crewel! And see ya!

MISS TEAK: Hiiii! Lol! I'm so glad to find I'm not the only one who wants to pig out on holidays. Rather, I'd like to eat like crazy on ANY occassion, but...hey! Lol. Thanks for your support, and I completely and wholeheartedly look forward to hearing from you soon! Bye!

MACKENSHIN: ...First of all, my dear Broom-Head, how in the world can one be fat and skinny at the same time? I am medium sized and quite happy being so. And as for you-know-who being you-know-who, which I'm not saying he is Kiyosatou, I may do whatever I please. Hmph. And don't kill me. You've tried so many times that I've begun to think I'm un-killable. Lol. See you at school on Monday!

ANONYMOUS-CHAN: Don't worry about shorter reviews. Your comments are ALWAYS treasured. As for Shura/Kenshin... yeah, I guess she did have feelings for him. But it was so FAST...she, like, knew him for a day or two, I mean. But you're right. Sorry! (sighs in embarrassment) This is what happens when I get all caught up in being critical without even knowing what I'm talking about! Oops! Heh. As for Tomoe's evolution, I think she went from being a heartbroken woman out for revenge, to a steadily disintigrating cold person with the strong will to protect the one she loves. Though she at first wanted to kill Kenshin, she seemed to become less cold and emotionless as time went on. In the manga, I mean. The movies were sort of broadly placed, so... As for Tomoe/Akira, I think Tomoe didn't exactly love Kiyosatou. They were childhood friends, and I think Tomoe wanted someone with potential and a name to live up to. Kiyosatou saw her dissatisfaction, and went to Kyoto to prove himself worthy of her love.I hope I haven't made any huge mistakes, since I tried to speak more broadly to your questions this time, so to be more understandable. Well, see ya, and thanks very much!

BEANS: You reviewed! Yay! As forKKT, I'm still not quite sure if I'm going to do it. And Enishi, I... well, I have to say I actually like big Enishi a lot! (Forgive me, Kenshin!) Though he's a psycho, revenge-bent, white-haired guy who talks toghosts, I actually find him attractive in a twisted little way. Lol...I don't even understand it! But I think I might put him in as little Eni. Maybe! I'll consider it, and I suppose you'll find out in later chapters what my descision was! Hehe. Yay! I get Zoro! (dances) I think Kenshin would win against Zoro, though. The Hiten Mitsurugi final technique takes down all but the extremely powerful. I mean, Aoshi got his butt beat by it, and it injured the seemingly unbeatable Shishio! Hiko was nearly killed by it, and so...I think Zoro would lose. Well, I guess I'll hear from ya later! (Sano: ...how can you hear them if you're typing?) Um...because I'm the authoress and I can do all things! (Sano: ...you can't make me pay off my tab!) Ah well, he has a point there...lol, see ya!

And this is it. The end of the update. Oh no! Lol. Please review with constructive criticism, and encouragement it welcome with smiles and...COOKIES! Everyone loves cookies. Review and treat yourself! Yay! (...These sort of things really show off my young age, ne? Ah, the misery...) See ya!