Author's note: Quick update! Yay! I'm surprised how fast the reviews came in! Domo Arigatou!

On another note, I've officially figured out that Saitou is Saitou's last name, which only helps me greatly in this fanfiction.

To Jadegoddess/Jisatsu: Saitou wasn't in a good mood because of all sorts of things, one particularly being Yamato.

To Rabid Turtle: I especially liked your review. Did Saitou and Yamato meet previously? Hm... good question.

Again, thank you to all the reviewers. You give me inspiration to write!

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Chapter 12: Swords and Secrets

"Kaoru!" The old man pokes around the corner of the dojo, calling for Eiji's teacher. His name is Gensei, and he's the family doctor. The two small girls are Ayame and Suzume, Gensei-san's grand daughters.

"I have a little girl about your age." I tell Suzume. "Maybe one day you two can meet."

Suzume and her sister smile at me. "You can bring her over!" Suzume calls. "What's her name?"

"Kari."

"Ah! Tokio-san!"

I turn to see Kaoru rushing over to me, smoothing her hair back as she came. She quickly bowed. "Ohayo gozaimasu!"

I return the gesture. "I'm sorry if this is late notice..."

Kaoru shakes her head. "Actually, it's perfect! I was about to get on Yahiko to practice." Her view changes to Eiji. "Eiji, right?"

"Yes." Eiji replies. "Is Kenshin here?"

Kaoru shakes her head. "I sent him out for tofu... again... but he'll be back soon if you want to see him." Her blue eyes refocus on me. "Tokio-san, are you staying too?"

I nod. "If it's not too much trouble. I can stay out here with Gensei-san if you like."

Kaoru shakes her hand at me. "Oh, it's no trouble."

"I have payment for you too..."

"Kaoru, what's the big idea?!" The tan boy, Yahiko, suddenly comes around the corner too. "I..." Yahiko spots me and quickly reforms himself, gawking at a stranger. His cheeks go red.

"Yahiko, we have guests." Kaoru says, indirectly scolding him. "This is Eiji, and this is Tokio. Eiji is our new student, the one I told you about."

Yahiko, who is holding a bamboo sword, shifts to Eiji. "New student? Alright!" He smashes his sword into his hand. "I could use something else to pummel on besides Kaoru."

"Yahiko!" Kaoru objects.

"Oh yeah?" Eiji asks in a challenge. "I'd like to see you try!"

"Eiji..."

Eiji rolls his eyes towards me and tucks his hands into his hakama pants.

"Well, let's go into the training hall. Would you like to come in, Tokio-san?" Kaoru questions.

I smile. "In a moment, thank you."

Kaoru tucks Eiji and Yahiko around the corner and out of sight. Before I can think of what to do next, I hear an unfamiliar voice call to me.

"Well, what do we have here, little missie?"

I turn around to see a very tall man walking casually towards me, dressed mostly in white, his brown hair tied up in a red sash. I know I've seen him before...

"Ohayo gozaimasu." I reply, bowing.

The man stops short, giving me a suspicious look. "You're not from the Akabeko or something comin' to collect tabs, are ya?"

Akabeko! I recognize the man as the one I had met at the Akabeko the last time I had come up here, the one who had dealt with the unruly drunks. "Iie." I reply.

He seems relieved. "Good. Here for Kenshin or Kaoru or somethin'?"

"I came here to enroll a student with Kaoru-san." I say.

The man snaps his fingers. "Oh, I heard about you... lesse, Eiji's the kid's name, right?"

I nod.

"And you're.... Toki...?"

"Tokio." I correct, smiling at his bluntness. "Fujita Tokio."

"Right. Well, Jo-chan is a good teacher, you did somethin' smart enrolling your son here." He says.

"Sano!" Ayame appears, grabbing the man's index and middle finger and tugging on it. "You said you would play with us!"

"Oh, he's not my son." I say.

"He's not?" the man was pulled over for a second my Ayame's tugs. He quickly stood up again. "Well in that case, I'm Sagara Sanosuke."

I smile. "Sagara-san, I met you at the Akabeko about a month ago."

Sanosuke lifts Ayame up by the two fingers she still had a grip on and swung her around, receiving a laugh in return. He grinned. "Though I'd seen you before. After all, I don't forget a pretty face like that."

I feel my cheeks get warm and I cover my mouth with my hand to hide an embarrassed smile.

"And it's just Sano." Sanosuke finally gives his attention to Ayame once her sister starts in on the tormenting as well. "Okay okay! Calm down!"

Dr. Gensei laughs and pats his knee, enjoying the show too much to stop his granddaughters. I take a seat on the porch with him, watching quietly as Sanosuke, Ayame, and Suzume play games with the bright red ball. I catch Sanosuke cheat once or twice, but Ayame notices as well and scolds him. He seems to fit in very well.

"Does Sanosuke-san live here with Kaoru?" I ask the doctor.

Gensei shakes his head as he straightens out his mustache. "No, but he's here just about every time I visit."

Every now and then Sanosuke looks up from his game and winks at me, and I think I'm the only one who notices. I'm not used to having men pay that kind of attention to me. I make a guess that Sanosuke is younger than me too, so perhaps that's why. Of course, it could all be in my head. I wonder how Saitou would react, meeting someone as vibrant as Sanosuke.

I stay outside for about 20 minutes before I feel a little hot, and I decide to see how Eiji's lesson is going. I had a kendo lesson myself when I was a bit younger than him, a neighbor of the family had taught me. However, my father didn't approve of it, and I could probably barely pick up a sword today. I get directions from Dr. Gensei and walk the porch around the large dojo until I find the wide doors to the training hall. They're open for light and for air. I peek in and see Kaoru's back to me, Yahiko and Eiji both with wooden bokkens. Kaoru is having them do an excersise with structure.

"Eiji, keep your left arm straight." Kaoru speaks out.

Eiji quickly fixes himself, glances over to Yahiko, and continues the chopping motion he was doing before. I know by the look on his face that he's taking this very seriously. I'm glad to see so much dedication in him.

Now, if he could apply that same dedication to his schoolwork, it would be wonderful.

I hear a pair of footsteps calmly approaching me, and I turn around to see who it is. It is a man I haven't met before. He has long red hair pulled in a tie behind him. I spot a bucket of tofu in his hand, and a sword on his left side. This must have been Kenshin.

He glances up and gets a surprised look on his face to see me here. I note that he is very handsome.

"Oro?" He asks.

I smile at him and bow. "Ohayo gozaimasu." I say as he comes to the same doors as me, standing on the ground.

Before he can reply, Kaoru's voice calls out from the dojo. "Kenshin! I've been waiting for you to get back!"

I turn my attention towards Kaoru, who lowers her practice sword and runs to the door of the dojo.

"Kenshin, my new student is here!" She says excitedly, grabbing onto the sleeve of Kenshin's gi and nearly dragging him onto the porch. Kenshin barely keeps hold of the tofu. I'm surprised at how aggressive... and strong... Kaoru is.

Kenshin stumbles into the practice hall, blinking confusion at what was going on. He spots Eiji and seems to recognize him.

"Kenshin!" Eiji shouts, running up to him.

"E-Eiji..." Kenshin speaks, stunned. However, from what I can see, his shocked expression quickly changes into a smile. "Eiji, it is good to see you again."

Eiji smirks and makes a fist. "You too, Kenshin. I'm one step closer to being a great sword master." He throws his bokken over his shoulder with a sense of pride. "Is weasel-girl with you?"

'Weasel-girl?' I think. Who is Eiji talking about?

Kenshin laughs. "Misao-dono lives in Kyoto, de gozaru na."

Eiji shrugs it off. "Too bad for her."

"Eiji..." Kenshin's voice seems curious. "You got here all by yourself?"

Eiji shakes his head. "Nah, Tokio brought me." Eiji points his thumb in my direction.

Kenshin suddenly stiffens up a bit, and as to why I don't know. "T-T-Tokio?" He repeats, slowly turning around to look at me. He acts like he's seen a ghost and drops the tofu in his hand.

Yahiko quickly skids across the floor and catches the pail before it hit, letting out a sigh of relief. "Oi, Kenshin! What's the deal?"

"Kenshin?" Kaoru asks.

Kenshin shakes his head and puts his hand behind his back, laughing the situation off. "G-gomen... I wasn't thinking..."

Kaoru smacks his shoulder and sighs. "Kenshin, don't be rude." She puts a smile on her face and trots over to my side, seeing my confusion. "Tokio-san, this is Kenshin, he lives with us at the dojo."

I bow again, this time getting the opportunity to properly introduce myself. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Kenshin-san. My name is Fujita Tokio. I've heard quite a bit about you from Eiji."

"Fujita..." He mumbles my last name, that same look of surprise still lingering on his features. "Tokio-dono, it is very good to meet you. And Eiji," He turns, "Kaoru-dono is a very good teacher, de gozaru na. You'll learn very quickly from her."

Kaoru beams with the compliment. "Ne, Tokio, would you and Eiji like to stay for lunch?"

"Lunch?" I say, "I don't want to be a bother..."

"Oh, don't worry about it!" Kaoru reaches for Yahiko and takes the tofu bucket from him, then places her hand on my back and guides me out of the room. "We can chat, and you can help me make it!"

-- -- -- --

I set the last bowl of rice down on Kaoru's dining table and take a seat beside her, Eiji to my left. Kenshin sits across from me by Sanosuke; Dr. Gensei and his grand daughters have left for their own home. Eiji and Yahiko are in the middle of a heated conversation, and I'm glad to see that they're getting along so well. Eiji has only lived with us for a little under four months, and he hasn't taken time to socialize much. There aren't any neighbors close to us that have boys his age either, but Eiji and Yahiko are talking as though they've grown up together.

I pick up my chopsticks once I see everyone starting to eat, and I glance up at Kenshin for a moment. I still wonder why he acted so oddly around me, but I drop it. Eiji told me he was an excellent sword man, and I wonder if he has a permit to carry a sword around him like that all the time. I'm pretty sure only policeman can. Kenshin is only a few inches taller than I am, and he doesn't look like a normal samurai, other than his long hair. I notice just how red his hair is, and he also has a cross-shaped scar on his cheek.

I feel my heart jolt and am grateful I didn't have any food in my mouth when the realization comes to me. Red hair and a scar on his left cheek, a great swordsman.... I remember hearing that description constantly back home during the revolution. Could he be the Hitokiri Battousai? Is he the one Saitou traveled with, the one who defeated Shishio Makoto?

"Wow, I can tell Kaoru didn't cook this, it's great!" Sanosuke's loud voice suddenly thuds into my wake. I see Kaoru fuming, and I'm not sure whether to thank him if it upsets Kaoru so much.

"Arigatou..." I say anyway.

"I told you a million times, Sano! You hate my cooking so much, then you can eat somewhere else!" Kaoru seems two seconds away from throwing something.

"Tokio's the best cook ever." Eiji adds on, swallowing a mouthful of rice. "She can make anything."

"Eiji..." I whisper, embarrassed.

Kenshin nods. "You do have quite a talent, de gozaru yo."

"Arigatou... demo, Kaoru made most of it." Actually, though Kaoru does know what she's doing, I could tell she was still inexperienced in the kitchen. I don't think I've ever seen someone come that close to burning rice... especially when it was still in the water. However, it's terribly rude for a guest to take credit for the host's generosity.

"Tokio lives on the other side of Tokyo, but comes all the way here for Eiji's lessons." Kaoru states, redeeming herself from the cooking insult.

"Ha, Tokio in Tokyo, that's funny." Yahiko says.

"Hm, I never noticed the coincidence." I say, smiling. "I suppose it does sound a little strange."

"So, little missie," Sanosuke joins in the conversation, "How old are ya? Eiji your brother?"

I'm not sure which question to answer, so I start with the first. "I'm 26, and Eiji is..."

"26?" Kaoru interrupts. "Wow, Tokio, I thought you were closer to my age."

Most of the conversation ventures towards Eiji and I, though other things are discussed, mostly between Kaoru and Kenshin. I'm glad for that--I worry sometimes that questions towards me will get too personal, especially if I'm asked about my husband. I do enjoy it when I get an opportunity to talk about the preschool, and I remember that I have a class to teach there tomorrow. I look forward to it.

After lunch, Eiji stays for another hour to practice, then everyone at the dojo gives us a warm goodbye as we depart, Kaoru telling me to come again soon. I think it's because she doesn't have many female friends around her. I'm glad that Eiji chose this dojo, the people are friendly, the place is clean, and I get an overall good feeling about it. Instead of going out to eat, I take Eiji home, pick up Kari, and use the extra time I have to make tempora. Eiji is looking forward to his next lesson, and goes on and on in rants to Kari at the table about how great it was, though I'm sure she doesn't catch everything.

-- -- -- --

I found out later that night that Saitou has to go on leave for work again. It's business revolving around a locomotive and an infamous thief, other than that I don't know the details. It's on the other side of Tokyo, so he should only be gone three days. I attend my first class of preschool since my illness, and all the students make my return very welcome. They've learned two more letters and one new kanji, other than that, I think the school was a daycare for my absence. I show the children how to tie obis, using the basic knots for practice. I'm surprised out how much the students enjoy it, and a few of them try to tie them on each other.

Saitou returns after three days, stays home for one, and leaves again. I keep busy with Kari and the preschool, but in that time I discover something that makes me very anxious. This fact alone makes the hours go by slower and makes me wish Saitou were back all the more. When he returns a week later, I wait all morning, but never get an opening to speak with him. Nearly giving up, I make salmon and rice for dinner, and relish the idea of all four of us eating at one table.

"No Kari, like this." Eiji holds up his chopstick like a sword, his plate mostly cleared with the exception of rice that has been spread around the rim.

Kari's fists grip the wide end of a chopstick and she thrusts it up. "Like this?" She asks.

Saitou puts down his water glass quietly, his narrow eyes watching the two. "And what dojo is he attending?"

I have to think for a moment, but then the name comes back to me. "Kamiya, I believe."

Saitou glances back at his glass. "This will be interesting."

I would ask what he meant, but I think I know. After all, anyone who had lived in the revolution may be able to determine who Kenshin is, but I don't say anything to the matter.

"Come on, Kari-chan, I'll show you outside." Eiji leaps up from his spot and heads for the door.

"E-Eiji!" I call after him. "Don't let her use your sword..."

"I know, Tokio. I'll get her a stick." Eiji says calmly. Kari gets up and scurries after him, wiping her mouth on her forearm. The two disappear out the front door.

I watch after him for a minute. "I wonder if the Japanese use of the sword will ever be turned away, with all the westernization..." I fold the napkin on my lap. "I also wonder if Kari should really be learning how to senselessly beat others with sticks."

Saitou smirks. "At his level, she's a fair opponent." Saitou directs his chopsticks to finish off his fish.

I hesitate before my next question, but with the kids gone, it's the best time to ask.

"Saitou..." I say, running my nail over the edge of the table. "Have you ever given thought to having anymore children?"

Saitou stops the chopsticks halfway to his mouth and peers over at me. It's eerily silent for a moment, but then Saitou simply continues with what he was doing. "It's not something I give detail to."

I listen to Eiji and Kari running around outside, scuffing near the porch and then back again.

"I'm pregnant."

Saitou coughs slightly as he tries to swallow his fish, and I watch him for any sign that I could interpret. The noise Kari and Eiji are making fades out as I wait silently for a response.

"Are you sure?" He asks casually.

I'm a little taken back. "H-hai."

Saitou puts his chopsticks on his empty plate and searches for his cigarettes. "Well, it can only be expected."

I don't know why, but I'm a bit disappointed. I start to gather Eiji and Kari's plates on top of mine.

"Perhaps we'll have a son this time." He adds, cigarette between his lips.

A sudden smile spreads over my face at that remark. Living with Saitou for eight years, that was all I could hope to hear. I can tell he's watching me as he light up a match, most likely curious about the obnoxious grin on my face.

"Maybe," I say, "Maybe."