AN: Kononichi wa! How are all of you mina-san? I'm good and still alive it seems... though sometimes... Sorry I took so long on this chapter! I just couldn't get it to work out. ;_;

Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin and since getting aired on Toonami all the prices have been jacked up at Anime Conventions much to the displeasure of this Anime Con Hopper (TM). -_- Grr... Stupid Toonami....

Sins of the Fathers

Ch.2

August 10th, Meiji 34 (1901)

Shinomori Misao. Still to this day the name seemed bizarre to her. As if it was almost too fantastic to be real, it held too much of a dream-like quality, yet it was a reality and reality was hardly fanciful. The dark haired woman, for that was what she now, a woman, no longer that child ninja chasing after her Aoshi-sama, but a woman. She had changed physically becoming womanlier after giving birth to two healthy children. Her voice had changed from that whimsical childlike tone to one that spoke volumes with just one word or glance. Her children had learned to respond to that quickly, her husband was still learning to this day. Misao snorted softly. 'Men.' Yet her mindset never changed too much during the years, she was naive at best but mature in the finest regards.

The dark haired woman lay on the white futon as the morning sun crept in through the panels of the sliding door, yet it failed to light the darkness that enshrouded her. Misao could have been claimed to be one of the seven wonders of the Eastern world for she was better at masking her emotions than those warriors around her. She sighed and rolled over to glare at the sunbeams that dared to disturb her sleepless tirade. Sunlight meant morning, morning meant getting up, and getting up meant she had to face the one person she could not.

Shinomori Aoshi. Misao was used to the uncommunicative man, silence was his nature just as cheerfulness was hers. It had not bothered her before their marriage and yet there was a glimmer of hope that once they were united in the bonds of common love that there would be a pathway opened between their souls. It did not happen rapidly, did not happen immediately, it didn't even start to happen until their first child was born. Aoshi never opened up to his wife and Misao was constantly frustrated with her one sided conversations.

When Kumiko appeared into the world she had taken the seal off her father's lips and Misao finally got to carry part of the burden that Aoshi insisted was his alone. It was small starting with memories of when Hannya used to do this, or Beishimi used to do that until the silent man finally broke the barriers that he had raised between him and his wife. Misao loved him for that and it had made her feel closer to the man she had loved.

Had loved. She chuckled darkly to herself as her thoughts carried her over to a snowy haired man with the most intense teal eyes she had ever seen. It wasn't until she met the white haired man that she realized what she was missing so much in her marriage, passion. Aoshi was romantic when he wanted to be and Misao was a practical girl to know the romance wasn't what made two people fall in love. Communication was what opened the road between souls, merging them as one, not that animalistic ritual of lust and want, but talking and sharing the things that made one similar and different from the next. However, passion was what drove these conversations to the most intimate of levels bonding souls for an eternity. Aoshi lacked passion as well as speaking skills.

Kaoru had explained to the younger woman that it had taken her a while to break the walls that Kenshin placed up, but everyday, when Kenshin felt like he could, she would learn something new that made her husband all the more beautiful in her eyes. Misao was envious of her, furiously so. She wanted that. She wanted to know what Aoshi thought about her, about her friends, about the business they ran, the children they raised, the marriage they lost. She wanted to know if he still loved her or if, like her, had forgotten what that love was. Misao wanted to see the beauty in the marriage that she had envisioned and dreamed about when she was young. Where was the passion so many that were married talked about?

She had tried to be patient about it, tried not to let it wear her down, but there was only so much a person could take. She was frustrated often with the blue eyed man to the point were she would just ignore his existence and continue on with life. She hated the fact that though they shared a room, a bed, a home, they were as far apart as the east was from the west. Where was the passion? The undying happiness? Had she waited so long for this disillusion of love?

The petite ninja bit back a groan as a knock was heard on the doors adjacent to the hall. Okon's soft voice wafted through, telling her that it was time for breakfast. Misao stilled her movements and her breathing, wanting to let the older ninja assume she was still asleep. Okon knocked again and waited for a response to her plea. She sighed when she received none and walked back down the hall, the tray in her hand shaking slightly with the frustration she held in.

Misao wanted to fade away forever, wanted a hole to open up underneath her and have it swallow her whole. Today, exactly one year today, the one connection she had with her husband disappeared. She hated him. Hated the way he just clamped up and told her everything would be all right. Hated it. She knew everything wasn't all right, but that there was hope. She knew that there was pain, but that could be eased. She hated his lies and false hope that he tried to fill her with. She just hated him.

Misao rolled onto her back again and stared at the wooden ceiling wishing slightly that one of the beams would break and pin her to the bed. Would he cry if she died? Did he even care about their son? How long could she stay in bed until Enishi would come and shake her till she screamed? How long indeed.

"Mommy?" A small child's voice asked from behind the rice doors. Misao closed her eyes before taking a deep breath. How could she have forgotten? Forgotten how much that small voice meant to her? How much it still needed her? 'I'm such a horrible mother.'

The door slide open and the sounds of two small feet padding their way towards her prone form tugged at her heart's strings. "Mommy? Are you asleep?" The soft voice asked whispering loudly just in case.

Misao smiled and rolled over to her side snoring loudly. This elicited a giggle from the young boy as he ran over to the other side of the futon to get a better look at her contoured face. Misao let out a special loud, throat-choking snore before snaking out one hand from under the covers to grab the laughing child. He squealed in surprise and moved to get away from the thin arms. However Misao sat up quickly reaching over for the dark haired boy and drawing him in for a fierce hug before lying back down onto the futon and resuming her mock snores.

"M-mommy!" The child laughed causing a laughing snore to rise from the delicate woman as brisk, tickling fingers covered whatever baby flesh was ticklish.

"Mm? Why is my pillow moving around?" Misao asked trying to sound sleepy and failing. The five-year-old boy laughed some more putting more force into getting away. Misao winced as he placed a particularly strong push on her stomach knocking the air out of her. He wiggled out of her loose grasp giggling and laughing running towards the open door. Misao regained her bearings and stretched across the futon to catch him once again. He cried out in delight and she opened eyes to look at him. "Why Touya-chan! Why are you my pillow?"

"I'm not mommy! You thought I was!" Touya giggled again before turning to the door. "Daddy!"

Misao was so surprised that she let the boy go without resistance. The young boy ran to the tall blue-eyed man, hiding behind his legs. Aoshi watched them impassively before bending down to his son's level.

"Daddy! Mommy thought I was her pillow!" Touya cried out laughing and looking at his mother incase she tried to get him again.

Aoshi smiled softly. "She did?" Touya give an energetic nod that nearly toppled the boy over. Aoshi patted his son's head and looked over towards Misao who was busy with the lint on the covers. "Touya, Omasu needs help doing the laundry why don't you help her?"

"Okay!" Touya cried out gleefully, fully unaware of the tension that was slowly building up between his parents. He fled the room with his arms spread out at his sides flapping them up and down like a bird's wings.

'I wish I could fly too…' Misao blinked back the tears that welled up in her jade eyes as she watched her son leave. Suddenly the walls seemed to close and the air too stiff. It was suddenly so hard to breath and move just right. Her wings had been clipped and she had been thrown into a cage forgotten and left to die.

"Misao?" Aoshi's face appeared suddenly before her, eliciting a small yelp of surprise. He reached out for her and she backed away flinching from him. Aoshi's heart cracked again. He hated that look of fear that crossed into her dark eyes and every time it did his heart would break just a little more. He was crouched before the petite woman resting his weight on the balls of his feet. He rested his hands back on his legs.

It wasn't as if she meant to hurt him with her reaction, it was just that from experience Aoshi's hands tended to be freezing. Misao was still feeling the lulling effects of the warm futon that she still had not abandoned and icy fingers would have caused morning to be even more of a reality. The dark haired woman frowned as she watched hurt flicker in and out of the dark eyes briefly like a light, yet he said nothing.

Misao sighed and turned her head to the side not wanting to stare at him any further. She was just so tired. Tired of waiting for him to take the initiative and try to talk to her. Their marriage was built upon piles and piles of misunderstandings, from icy hands to Enishi's role in Misao's life. They could easily be rectified with just a few words. But she was tired of being the one who cared enough to instigate the conversations that would save their marriage.

'Enishi would've asked.' Misao thought bitterly as her husband sighed and stood up as if the event that took place never happened. The petite woman sucked in a shaky breath and blinked back the tears. It was always the same. The pain didn't exist, the hurt wasn't there, he just ignored her and her feelings, ignored the tension. Everyday the temptation to leave grew bigger and the reasons to stay smaller. 'Talk to me… Please.' Her thoughts went unheard.

Aoshi walked towards the door unable to bear the pain anymore. He stopped at the doorframe and spoke with his back to her. "Breakfast is ready." With that Aoshi stepped into the hallway closing the rice door behind him.

Misao's bottom lip quivered as she heard the door shut softly. She wanted to cry so badly, wanted it with all her might but she couldn't. It wasn't that there were no tears, because she could find them, it was the fact that so many people wanted her to smile. If she was sad then everyone worried and their own painful memories would resurface. It was something the small woman had learned long ago.

Misao threw back the covers forcibly. She needed to get out. Needed to get away for a few hours. Any thoughts of food were far from her mind but she just needed to get out, get some fresh air. She quickly made the futon, hiding it away from view before dressing herself in a nice, plain cream kimono. She hated wearing the silk things but she had learned that it just wasn't proper for a married woman with two children to go trekking around with shorts. However, she would have traded in her kimono for her ninja uniform since it was easier to sneak around with.

Misao passed as small pale hand across the soft material thoughtfully. It was a birthday present from Kumiko. The thought of her oldest daughter brought fresh tears to her eyes. So many thoughts ran through her head. Would she ever see her again? Was she alive? Dead? Lost? Was she happy? Sad? When was the last time she ate? Sleep? Was she warm? Cold? So many things plagued Misao's mind over the months since her daughter's disappearance. Why, if she was okay, didn't she contact them? Just where was she?

The sounds of laughter caused the older woman to pause before rounding the corner. She could clearly hear her young son's voice bubbling with laughter as it mingled with Omasu's cheerful tone. The sound of splashing and soft reprimands reminded Misao of the time when Kumiko used to help around the house…or rather destroy the house. The raven haired woman felt a smile tug at her face as she peeked over the corner, watching with large glassy eyes as her son folded the small pieces of cloth with perfection. Kumiko was never like that, as a matter of fact as much as the young girl resembled her father she wasn't anything like him. She was clumsy, loud and vivacious…tending to act before thinking. Misao shook her head softly. Kumiko was more like her than anyone else in the family.

Her smile wavered a bit. 'Maybe that is why…' Misao knew that being on your own was no easy task, yet she survived all those lonely nights alone searching for Aoshi. However, Misao had been more fully trained in the omitsu than Kumiko, or so she imagined. 'No… Kumiko was trained with Kenji-kun and—and Kenji was very, very good so they would've taken care of each other right? Right?'

Misao took a deep breath and waited as the two inhabitants of the backyard left with the dry laundry. So many of those questions ran through her mind everyday, every minute and she could share them with no one but Enishi. Enishi understood and worried too, he asked the same of her whenever they met. Were their children together or separated? Could they trust that they taught them all they knew? What about this or that? He asked her for comfort and she did the same. They both knew that dwelling in the doubts and fears would only lead them to exhaustion but then they would smile and remember small things about their children that let them know that they were safe. Why couldn't Aoshi do that with her? Worry and fret over them? Remember the special things about them? Why did he always act like it was already over and that they were only searching for the dead bodies?

Misao rubbed her eyes with the palms of her small hands. 'I need to stop doing this to myself.' She quickly rushed across the soft grass towards the back gate of the garden. She checked around and behind her incase of prying eyes that might stop her excursion. It seemed like an eternity before Misao reached the gate and as soon as she stepped out she let out the breath that she had unknowingly held. Gathering her kimono in one hand she trotted through the alleyway until she was on the main street that the front of the Aoiya faced. Fixing the kimono to look more presentable Misao held her head high checking to make sure her hair was still pinned back before stepping onto the cobbled street.

"Mou Kenshin!" Himura Kaoru frowned at her husband before smacking him lightly on the offending arm that dared to intercede between her and her prey.

"Maa, Maa, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin gently pried the white knuckled fingers from the their grip on the wooden sword. "I think he's had enough punishment for today."

Miyojin Yahiko may have grown in height and age but had managed to stunt his growth in maturity and his relentless teasing. The man, who inhabited his mid thirties, still insisted on calling his master and elder busu tanuki, which still earned him a nice bruising on the top of his head.

Seventeen year-old Shin'Ya watched as his father's prone form began to twitch slightly informing all those around him that he was still alive and in pain. 'Baka.' The young man idly wondered if it was possible to disinherit your father on the case of severe stupidity. "Oh father…" Shin'Ya muttered out before turning back to the two short adults whom were busy quarreling over whether or not Yahiko had enough sense beaten into him, before falling onto the man who watched the two with a bored expression on his handsome face… Yukishiro Enishi.

The two had done better recently under his constant care and threats, their sickness becoming more of an after thought than a prominent concern. Yet today, today they seemed slower to the young Miyojin, seemed a bit more easily upset and brought down. Enishi himself was berating them less and drifting off into his own little world.

It troubled the young man like nothing else. This mismatched family was his greatest treasure and he cared greatly for it. When they were in pain Shin'Ya was the first to sympathize and try to help them. Kenshin had once said that what differed the young man the most from his father was that he had inherited his mother's empathic nature.

"Lunch is ready!" Tsubame's soft voice filtered through the air and the squabble, causing them all to stop and head towards the main house of the dojo. Yahiko managed to peel himself off the floor and rush towards his wife's voice ignoring the black haired woman who commanded an apology. Shin'Ya shook his head as he leaned against the doorway of the dojo watching them enter the main gathering room.

Enishi however did no move from his spot in the sidelines. The white haired man just stared at the floorboards as if they held all the answers to the world within their grain. 'A year…An entire year and still no word from them. Is it time to just give up all hope?' He asked the wood internally. He imagined he could see his children's faces within the lines of the polished floor, he thought he heard their laughter for a brief moment before the heavy sounds of feet against the floor overpowered it.

"Enishi-san?" Shin'Ya's voice wavered a bit in uncertainty as dull teal eyes meet his. "Dai-Daijoubou?" Everything about the man screamed hopelessness, from the way his broad tan shoulders sagged to the wilting stalks of snowy hair. Enishi blinked and nodded before rising slowly, he patted the shorter boy on the head as he passed by silently to join the rest of the family in their meal.

Shin'Ya watched them his heart aching suddenly. They were dead, all of them. Kenshin, Kaoru, Enishi, his parents… ever since Kenji disappeared they had been dead. They walked around like zombies living within an empty hull of what they used to be. It hurt like a thousand beatings. Hurt deep within his soul. His family that was usually so lively was dead. The heaviness in the young man's soul bound him to the wooden floor as he wept.

There was a roar of sound as people moved to and fro with their daily routines ignoring the short woman who seemed to be in no hurry at all. She moved through them like a leaf floating down towards the ground moving gently with the flow but never in a rush. Merchants at their stands tried to get her attention shouting out their best deals and showing off their best wares, yet she eyed each item with disinterest as their sales pitches died on her ears.

The petite woman looked forlornly at the new Western style buildings that lined the streets and the lines of wire that ran along side the newly implemented sidewalks on tall polls before running into buildings or little free standing 'booths.' The telephone, as it was called, was said to be able to let two people talk to each other as if they were standing side by side. A telephone system had been discussed for the Oniwabanshuu but it was much too expensive to place into all their operations and in order to hide all the wires in a place like the Aoyia they would have to convert it into a Western style building. The pigeon system they had was just perfect for them.

Misao had never seen the streets of Kyoto so busy before, or maybe it was because she usually was in the hustle and bustle of the day that she never noticed. Either way she had never seen so many people on the streets, countrymen in traditional and Western clothing and Foreigners just walking about and doing business. Jade green eyes narrowed slightly in thought, maybe she had forgotten about something important today in national affairs.

"Miss! Miss! Buy some fresh fish miss? There's a two for one special today ma'am." Misao sighed. Whenever she was shopping she never got those deals she always had to hassle and threaten in order to get good prices. 'I really need to start doing this uncaring bit when I go out.'

The raven haired ninja placed a smile on her face and turned around to wave the man off, showing her disinterest, when she recognized the face. It was a new Oniwaban member, Souma Hatsuharu. Ever since Misao had taken brief leadership new ideas had been spinning in her head, ideas to expand the hotel to other areas of Kyoto and Japan. They now had two in Kyoto, the Aoiya and the Ginko while one in Tokyo, the Crane, and one in Osaka, the Tanoshii. Misao had also wanted to keep the Oniwabanshuu in tact with bodyguard offers to those select few that stayed in their hotels. However, the Oniwaban just could not stay out of political affairs and still gathered information.

"Fresh you say?" Misao wandered a bit closer to the stand looking down at the fish with a careful eye.

"Yes ma'am." Hatsuharu flashed her a smile that made the woman blush slightly. He was a young man around the age of twenty with a broad frame and laughing brown eyes. Short, spiky black hair reminded her of Yahiko or Sanosuke.

"How fresh?" She asked going back to looking at the fish.

"Just caught them this morn'."

Misao nodded and placed a finger to her chin. "How much are the fish?"

Hatsuharu pointed to two wooden boxes that held two varieties of fishes in them. "Well if you buy half a pound of the tuna then you can have half a pound of salmon for free."

Misao smiled and nodded. "That'll be perfect. I'll take this one," Misao pointed to one of the fishes. "And…this one."

Hatsuharu nodded and took the fishes to wrap them up for her. While he was doing that he asked. "Know what you're going to cook them like?"

At that moment Misao's stomach reminded her that she had not eaten breakfast and it was well past lunchtime. She gave the younger man a watery smile. "No, not really. Do you have any suggestions?"

Hatsuharu thought about it and gave her another large smile. "My wife makes the best fried fish with these and some Miso soup."

"Hum… that sounds quite delicious." Misao said again placing a finger on her chin.

Hatsuharu chuckled softly and gave the wrapped package to the shorter woman. "Down the street there should be a vegetable stand run by a portly ol' lady. She always has good deals and fresh stock."

Misao took the offered item and bowed to the man. "Thank you very much. I'll go there soon."

"You might want to hurry ma'am. It looks like it's going to rain." Hatsuharu warned.

Misao frowned and looked at the sky, it was a clear blue. She nodded her thanks and walked off in a trot. It was funny before getting to the fish stand she had forgotten that she was a ninja, but as soon as she left her senses were alert. How could she have been so stupid? Thankfully she had stayed in the busy streets all day if not then an attack would have been quite the surprise. She was being followed for how long she didn't know, if not for Hatsuharu's warning she would probably never even realized it.

Every instinct inside her small frame cried for her to run and attack, but Misao forced those emotions down concentrated on her goal. She had to pass on the information, if what Hatsuharu said was true then--then things were about to get very ugly. Misao's head swirled with all the topics of importance she had over heard during lunches and dinner with her family, things that she had never really paid too much attention to at the time. Her green eyes landed on the crowds of people in the city and she frowned. There were so many foreigners…

Misao let out a sigh of relief once she arrived at the vegetable stand were a plump, elderly sat under the shade of her parasol. Dark eyes wrinkled into a warm smile and for a moment Misao forgot what she was going to say. She took a deep breath and steeled her nerves.

"Konichiwa, Obaba-san." Bowing to the older woman she took a quick glance to her sides to see if she could spot her pursuer.

The older woman nodded and her old voice cracked with years of use. "Konichi wa. What can I do for you today?"

Misao looked at the vegetables that were collected together in the small tar sealed baskets. There were two types she was specifically looking for that the Oniwabanshuu used to mean weapons and diplomat. It was a hidden message she had received at Hatsuharu's fish stand and it was a hidden message she was to pass on. "May I please have some burdock and… some Misato Rose?"

The old woman waited for a second before nodding and standing up from her perch to wrap the two objects. Old wrinkled hands shook slightly as the grasped the thin paper firmly. "Ah, this is the best time to buy these."

Misao nodded looking around at the crowded streets. "Yes it is." 'A very good time to plan a killing.' "It looks like it might rain."

The old woman chuckled taking her sweet time in preparing Misao's purchases. "Yes, it does but I don't that will stop tonight's festivities."

Misao looked at the aged merchant with surprised jade eyes. "Festivities?"

The woman stopped her slow motions for a moment and looked up at the younger girl. "Didn't you know? There is going to be a big party tonight at Musabi's house. It supposed to be filled with foreign dignitaries and diplomats as well as those from high society."

It was a kick in the stomach to Misao. She hadn't known! The need to be urgent resurfaced and she suddenly wished the woman wasn't taking her time in wrapping the two bundles of vegetables. "I see… That explains all the foreigners out and about today."

A white head bobbed in agreement before pausing again to hand the petite woman her purchases. "There you go, dear. Speaking of foreigners," Obaba-san leaned in close resting her withered hand on Misao's young one. "Have you tasted some of their fruits?"

Misao shook her head sending her black bangs flying about her heart shaped face. "Not that many actually."

"My dear, old friend and I have tasted 'peach' and 'strawberries.' They are both very sweet in flavor." The old woman nodded her eyes glazing over as if she were reliving the taste. "You have not lived until you tried one of them."

Misao smiled warmly down at her and squeezed the hand tenderly. "I'll make sure to try them both one day. Thank you very much for all your help. Have a good day, Obaba-san." Once again the tiny ninja bowed to her elder before making her way back onto the streets.

She clutched the packages close to her self her nerves slowly liquefying. She wasn't going back to the Aoiya, not with the foreigner following her. Misao smiled softly to herself remembering the old woman she had left behind. The way she had told her to not give up on this upcoming fight was heart warming to say the least, especially since they could not out loud worry for the other. Pride seeped into her step as she though more about how far the Oniwabanshuu had come from its demise at the beginning of the Meiji. They were few but growing, small but powerful, old but wise. So many that had joined for various reasons, loyalty to her father, to the old ways, to the new future, it made her proud and she knew that she could not be happy without physically passing it to her son, Touya.

'I can't give up before the fight! I have to beat this man and live to go home tonight.' With a new resolve and her kunai in check, Misao stepped out of the busy streets and into the dark alleyways.

It was dark when Shin'Ya woke up, the cold of the polished floor seeped into his bones waking him from his dreamless sleep. He rubbed a large, calloused hand across his droopy eyelids before looking around the darkened dojo. 'Huh? When did I fall asleep?' The young man stretched lazily yawning as his eyes adjusted to the nightfall.

Shin'Ya stood up slowly letting the small popping sounds of his joints fill the empty silence that permeated the air. It was so strange for him to see the dojo so dark… so empty… usually it was filled with light from lanterns and the voices of other people. He shivered slightly as the silence raised the fine hairs on the back of his neck. It was unnerving the way the dojo just seemed so still.

"Shin'Ya?" At the sound of the soft voice the young man nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned quickly his senses alert and pupils dilated. The bokken that had previously been at his feet was now in his tight grip. Standing at the entrance with a surprised look was Kenshin his short hair moving with the cool breeze. As Shin'Ya slowly recognized the figure all his screaming senses calmed and relief flooded through him.

"Hi-himura-san, you startled me." The young boy let out a soft chuckle as he relaxed his hold on his weapon.

Kenshin nodded slightly. "Ah, gomen, de gozaru." A part of the red head's heart ached as he watched the young man before him. 'Kenji… where are you?' "You are getting better." Kenshin commented quietly motioning to the wooden sword within Shin'Ya's hands.

The youngest Miyojin looked down at his weapon as if noticing that he was holding it for the first time and gave a small non-committal grunt. "I still have a lot to learn. Dad is going too easy on me."

Kenshin chuckled as he remembered when Kenji said the same thing about his mother years ago.

"Mou! Otousan! Tell Okasaan to stop going so easy on me! At this rate I'll never master the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu!"

"Himura-san?" Shin'Ya peered into the pale face a few inches below him. He had grown much in the last few years and still had much more to go.

Kenshin blinked the far off look falling from his face as he returned his attention to Shin'Ya. "Ah, I'm sorry. I was just remembering something."

The dark haired boy nodded. "About Kenji right?" Kenshin nodded slowly and gave him a watery smile. Shin'Ya shook his head before shouldering his bokken. "You shouldn't worry so much." Kenshin blinked confused violet eyes at the blue-eyed boy. Shin'Ya smiled warmly touching something inside the red head. "Kenji is alright and one day he'll come bounding through the gates demanding for some good food. Have more faith in your son, Himura-san. You taught him well."

Kenshin just started in awe at the boy for a brief moment before smiling a truer smile and nodding. "Yes, you're right, de gozaru yo. I should have more faith in his abilities." The elder Himura lowered his head letting his jagged bangs cover his eyes. Had he always distrusted his son? Distrusted in the abilities that he had seen and watched grow within the boy? When had he felt that there was no hope? That Kenji was lost forever? When had he forgotten that Kenji was smart, resourceful and relentless?

Shin'Ya shifted from foot to foot before Kenshin looked back up an unreadable expression on his thin face. "Thank you Shin'Ya. Sessha had forgotten that Kenji is strong."

Shin'Ya nodded taking a step towards him. "No problem Himura-san. Everyone needs to be reminded about things every once in a while. Just don't give up hope. What do you think Kenji will say when he sees how you and Kaoru-san have just wasted away?"

Kenshin lowered his head again, guilt washing over him. He had never thought of that. All the time he had dwelled on the thought that he might never see his son again that the possibility of him returning seemed so impossible. What if he returned tomorrow and saw the sorry state that he had kept him and his wife in? What about the dreary mood of the dojo that had become a permanent fixture in every inch and grain of the wood? The poor conditions that everyone had left the dojo in, the leak in the kitchen roof, the broken tiles that needed to be changed. What would he say to all that?

"Maa, maa, Otousan. I'll take care of repairing it. You just keep Okasaan and Yahiko-niisan from breaking it again!"

Kenshin let out a small chuckle as the memory passed through his mind. How he missed his son and his cheerful smile. He even missed their arguments and Kenji's burning eyes. There were times where he dreamed that his son had returned to him and everything was all right. Then he would awaken to find the house empty of his boisterous laughter and fiery temper. Kenshin would give anything right now just to see his son again, to hold him in a tight embrace never letting him go.

Shin'Ya shivered as the night's cold air entered the dojo tickling his bare feet. The nights were getting colder as winter approached. Soon it would be too cold to go bare foot around. "Come on Himura-san. It's late and you shouldn't be out in the cold." Shin'Ya made his way over to the shorter man pulling him with him as he stepped out of the practice hall. "Besides I'm kinda hungry since I skipped lunch."

Kenshin laughed along with the young man beside him as he walked towards the warmth of his home. "Ah, well I do believe that is your fault for sleeping in the dojo, that it is."

Shin'Ya chuckled. "You are a funny man, Himura-san. A really funny man."

Kenshin was about to respond when the air around him cracked and the rush of wind sped across his face. Sleeping reflexes snapped awake and took hold of the offending object that was about to embed itself within the young flesh beside him Violet eyes quickly darted to the thin arrow that he held as the energy around him sparked to life. "Run!" He yelled as more thin shafts sliced through the still air towards the two uncovered victims.

Blood pumped in his ears as Kenshin shoved the younger boy ahead of him throwing him into the bushes and shielding him with his worn body. He yelled for help and groped blindly for the wooden sword he knew Shin'Ya had been carrying with him. Pain shot up his leg as an arrow sunk deep within his thigh. He bit back the urge to cry out and tumbled into the bushes with his charge.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru's voice rang clear through the air as two grunts were heard and several sounds of arrows impacting with wood mixed into the fray. He heard more screaming and cursed under his breath trying desperately to stand up. Kenshin had to admit that the worst thing about any fight was not being able to see what was going on.

"Kaoru!" Yahiko yelled desperation laced within his deep tones as the sound of flesh meeting flesh sounded nearby. Beside him Shin'Ya cradled his broken arm and tried to pull his sword free from the tangles of the foliage. He was finally able to pull in free with a strong tug but the sword followed his momentum and hit Kenshin in the face effectively breaking his nose.

Kenshin grunted in pain and rolled onto his side as a katana blade sliced through the air and landed in the ground between the two. Shin'Ya gasped but brought his bokken down on the offending weapon clumsily. His sword arm had been cracked with his and Kenshin's fall therefore leaving him with an arm he barely used to fight with.

"Kaoru! Karou! Open your eyes!" Tsubame pleading voice stung Kenshin's ears and pricked his eyes.

Kenshin screamed with something akin to rage and leapt at the cloth covered man momentarily forgetting his pain and more worried about the images that ran through his mind. However his attack was short lived as his wounded leg gave out on him and sent him sprawling to the dirt floor. Enishi had managed to avoid backing into the fallen swordsman and tripping over him but lost his balance anyway as the heavy set man swung his axe downwards.

It was just chaos and it reminded Kenshin of his days during the Bakumatsu when fighting in the dark alleyways one never quite knew which way was up. Darkness started to spread through his vision and an arrow sunk into the earth beside his head. A wave of nausea swept through him as Yahiko's cries slowly faded out and silence consumed him. Kenshin barely registered the silver gleam of the sword that arced downward towards him.

"Otousan! Wait for me right here, I promise I'll be back."

Kenshin closed his heavy eyelids his son's smiling face radiating behind them with the old promise. 'Gomen Kenji… 'Tousan can't wait anymore…'

---- tsudzuku ----

Arrigato Gozaimasu Mina-san! I'd like to give a special Thank You to all the returning readers from Heart of a Wolf! As well as another special Thank You to all the new readers! So... THANK YOU!!! ^-^

Jason M. Lee- Hello again! ^-^ Hum... what's going on? Oh well you know the usual someone is trying to take over Japan and kill all of humanity so that they can rule the world. Typical megalomania... ^-^ As to where everyone is at? Sore wa Himtdesu. Hee hee ^-^

Firuze Khanume- Welcome back! ^-^ Ah... yes... cliffhangers... how I loath to read them but love to write them. ^-^ Looks like another cliffhanger here for you too... and quite possibly for the next few chapters as well Mwuahahahaha!

Sabbie- Yay! Hullo again fellow college art student! ^-^ How did your portfolio go? I hope it went well. ^-^ Animation has been my dream job with unfortunate reality results. -_- grr... stupid Universities... -_- Anyway I'm taking two painting classes and one figure drawing class this summer... more nude people. I wonder how many more years I'm going to have to draw the same freakin' people? -_- Anyway thanks for reviewing (I hope it'll be really good too! ^^;;) and good luck with classes! ^-^

Lady Felicity- Arrigato for reviewing my story! ^-^ Here's the next chapter for you!

Toki- Kenji? Erm... somewhere in *mutter mutter* Thank you for reviewing! ^-^

Leila Winters- HUGS! Hee hee Have I seen Fruits Basket? Oh girl I got hooked during Finals week and you know that is a bad thing! ^-^ ("Kyo-kun! Suki, suki WA!" My most favorite Kagura line. ^-^) I completely agree with you! Haru-kun and Enishi-san must be related in some weird anime realm! I took your advice about the break and moved the scenes around. I had originally broken it up but what I had there was moved further back into the story. I'll remember to do the same with Ch.3! Kissed by a cute assassin?! Do I get to keep this assassin? ^.~

darktenshi- Welcome back! ^-^ *blink blink* The fighter being Sano? Well [This answer has been censored due to being a spoiler for the rest of the story. Thank you and have a nice day.] You see? *^_^* Kenji and the others are *mumble mumble* And as far as Souzo being Shiori's stepbrother that well be explained more in the next chapter! But thanks for letting me know that because now I have a new scene! \ ^0^ / Yay!

shien- I'll keep on writing alright! So please continue reviewing! ^-^ Arrigato!

Ruki Lee/Rika Wong- Wai! Welcome back! Yes, nearly everyone wanted a sequel so I did this story. Personally, I think it was because people misunderstood Ten Days as far as the coupling went. Most thought Kenji was going to get with someone else other than Shiori! As if I could do that! ^-^ I was thinking of just going and publishing it anyway since I really do like that story. The only problem is if I don't concentrate on one at a time I'll never finish any of them. That and as long as I don't go watching other anime... like my newest obsession D.N.Angel... gah the guy is so hot. ^-^

Tanuki-dono- BIG HUGS!! Yay! LOL! Evil Naruto! Poor guy he hasn't even appeared yet and already he has enemies! Maybe I can sway everyone into liking him... and even for Shiori... ::evil grin:: Fufufufu... A definite challenge! Keep working on your wonderful story, art work, and website! I'm building a more complete RKen site and you'll be my first affiliate! ^-^ So please patience I'm still trying to get The Dynasty to work right! @,@x oro....

sawdust monster- Arrigato for reviewing my story! Hum... Kenji? Oh there's a good reason! (at least I hope so... ^^;;)