A/N: Thanks for sticking with me for so long!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

As always this chapter was beta read by Someone Really Special. Thank her. Aka at least visit her bio page. The link is in my bio page.

Claw & Fang

Chapter Four

Kenshin POV

As I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was pain, like claws trying to rip my skull apart. The bright lights weren't helping much; they were making it worse. I groaned and stood, stumbling my way into the kitchen for an aspirin.

I almost ran headlong into Hiko, who was just exiting said room. I could see amusement in his eyes as I nearly tripped over my own feet on my way to the cabinets.

After I had finally gotten the pills, I quickly swallowed them and sat at the table, glaring at my guardian. He only smirked at my expense and said, as loudly as possible, I'm sure; "Well, look who's finally up! I would hurry and change, if I were you. You have that party tonight, don't you?"

Oh, yeah. It was Friday, which meant that Sano's back-to-school party would be in action. I groaned and looked at the clock. It was already 8:00, which meant that I was an hour late. "I'm not going."

"Yes, you are. I don't want another word of excuse, your antisocial nature has to go."

"Look who's talking!" I shouted indignantly, which only served to worsen the headache, as the aspirin hadn't quite kicked in yet. "You, who used to live in the mountains where no one lived, so you could be alone!"

Hiko merely raised his eyebrows. "I'm not antisocial. I find that I get along with the women here quite well."

I nearly choked. I really didn't want to know the implications of that statement. I instead settled for yelling 'fine' and storming up to my room, the (admittedly) alcohol induced headache shortening my temper to about a third of its original size.

I snorted at the memory of that morning. Hiko had given me saké, and I had apparently had enough to pass out. I vaguely wondered why he was giving me alcohol when I was underage, but dismissed the thought, instead concentrating on hurrying to gather my stuff for the party before Hiko decided to spar with me.

I had a paper with Sano's address on it, and when I got to the correct house, I couldn't really believe that it was the ex-gangster's home. It was positively… cute. It was a modest house, but the flowerbeds in front of it were overflowing with sweet smelling combinations of contrasting colors.

I shook my head and continued up the driveway, stopping in front of the door. I rang the doorbell and waited. It didn't take long for someone to answer, and it just so happened to be Sano's dad, Sagara Sozo.

"Konnichiwa, Sagara-san," I said.

"Himura," he replied. "I was just leaving, and I trust that you'll help make sure Sano doesn't destroy the lower half of my home?"

"Uuhh, sure?"

He smiled. "There's no reason for you to be so nervous, you're here to have a good time." He stepped back, letting me inside and telling me where to go before heading outside.

I could hear blaring music coming from my left, and I headed toward the source of the noise, where Sagara-san had pointed to before. I walked down a set of stairs, hoping that my headache wouldn't come with the loud sound of music.

I sighed and called, "I'm here!"

Sano turned and hurriedly switched off the radio. Apparently, they had been having a dancing competition, getting up and showing off their moves with whatever song had been playing at the time. Even Aoshi had joined in, much to Misao's delight (and everyone else's amusement).

"Hey, buddy! We thought you weren't coming!"

I grunted noncommittally. I hadn't wanted to, but Hiko can be very convincing with the help of his bokken. Just the thought of it had made me move as fast as I could.

"Kenshin! Come on, don't be like that! We want to have fun!" Kaoru said, a cute little pout forming on her face.

I sighed resignedly and flashed them a bright smile before joining them in their competition.

Kaoru POV

I laughed at everyone's failed attempts at dancing. Sano, Megumi, Chou, Misao, Aoshi, Okita, Sojiro, Kenshin, and I looked like we were all having seizures rather than a competition. It really surprised me that Aoshi and Kenshin were so ungraceful; the way they normally were would have told anyone otherwise.

As I glanced at the redhead's latest unsuccessful move, I idly wondered why he was so late. For the short week that I had known him, he had always been perfectly adamant about being on time, and had never missed a single deadline. I called him over and said as much.

I had expected several different reactions, but embarrassment was not one of them. His face went slightly scarlet and he scratched the back of his head uncomfortably, apparently unsure of how to answer.

I raised one slender eyebrow, looking at him expectantly. He only seemed to grow more flustered, but somehow managed to make a coherent reply.

"I was… out."

"Whaddaya mean 'out'," asked Misao, deciding to join the conversation.

"I mean… asleep," he said, hesitating on the last word, as if it wasn't quite truthful.

I smirked and gave a soft laugh. "Don't lie, baka deshi," I replied, using my pet-name for him. "You can tell us."

I saw him frown and heard him grumble something that sounded suspiciously like '"If I want the whole school to hear about it"' and he better damn well have meant Misao. I wouldn't tell a secret! Blackmail with it, maybe, but not actually tell anyone!

"Fine!" he snapped. "I passed out!"

I blinked in surprise. Why would he think that to be embarrassing? But he answered my question for me with his next statement.

"Hiko gave me some saké and I had a little too much, OK?"

Misao snorted. "A little?"

I was torn between amusement and anger at his guardian's actions. What kind of parent would give their kid alcohol? But it was kind of funny…

An image of the normally immaculate Kenshin moving drunkenly and talking with slurred words came unbidden to my mind and I couldn't resist; I laughed.

Sano POV

I glanced at Kaoru, who was laughing so hard she looked like she was going to fall over. I wondered what had made her laugh like that. I smirked when I noticed Kenshin's red face, looking for all the world like a ripe tomato, and I immediately knew who had made Kaoru so giddy.

I was about to go and ask what was so stupid that the red-head had done when there was a knock at the door. We hadn't been expecting anyone else, so it was with a certain measure of confusion that I went to answer the insistent knocking.

Upon reaching the door, I opened it and looked into an empty yard. 'Damn doorbell ditchers.' I thought angrily, walking outside and glancing around for the culprits. I never noticed the three small shapes that slipped into my home.

I slammed the door shut and headed back toward the stairs when I heard a noise coming from my right. I looked over just in time to see a dark shape hurtling at me before everything went black.

Aoshi POV

I had stopped dancing a while ago. I was standing off to the side just watching… everything when I saw Sano head upstairs, presumably to answer the door. I could feel the confusion in his ki as he headed up, and, after a moment, annoyance.

I could hear the door slam, but it was my turn to be confused. I could feel three sets of ki enter the house, and Sano's spike once before dimming rather noticeably and remaining that way.

I frowned almost imperceptibly and glanced over at Kenshin, who seemed too preoccupied to notice what was going on. I went over to the staircase and flipped the upstairs light switch, which Sano hadn't bothered to turn on. I cast my senses out and easily located the three unidentified sets of ki, which were scattered about the room, never changing position, as if waiting for something, or rather, someone.

I silently made my way up the rest of the stairs, pulling my twin kodachi out from under the folds of my trench coat.

As soon as I reached the top of the stairs, I saw the source of the disturbance. The three forms launched at me with lightning speed, but they were no match for my kodachi. I started to move in a circling motion, quickening and slowing my speed as I went. My movements made my opponents pause, and in that moment, I struck out with both of my blades, felling two of my targets. Easy. Now, just one left. As I looked, I noticed my enemy for what it was.

It was a small green snake.

Misao POV

I had noticed Aoshi leave just a few moments ago, and I immediately knew something was up. Sure, Aoshi was antisocial and all, but he would never, ever abandon me in the middle of a party.

I started to follow when I thought better of it. I mean, what if he had just gone to the bathroom or something? I know he can sense ki, and I would feel like a total idiot if I followed him to the bathroom. I began my retreat into the middle of the still-ongoing dance competition when I heard the distinct sound of metal scraping metal.

'Yeah,' I thought, 'he's really going to need his kodachi in the bathroom.'

I looked around first to make sure no one was watching me, then I silently made my way up the stairs.

Aoshi POV

I hadn't noticed Misao's approach until now. She was standing at the top of the staircase, probably thinking I was afraid of snakes now.

In my slight moment of distraction, the snake had decided to strike. But, instead of launching itself at me, it streaked towards Misao, sinking its fangs into her leg.

She gave a shriek in surprise, and fell backwards, tumbling down the stairs.

I ran to help, glaring down at the creature that had dared to hurt my Misao.

I heard it give a slight hiss of laughter before launching into another attack, straight at me.

That was its last mistake.

I swung my kodachi in a down strike, beheading the idiot in one swift motion.

I rushed over to Misao, who looked sick. I glanced back over to the snake, finally noticing its breed.

It was a bush viper, and it had poisoned Misao.

A/N: Sorry this took so long and sorry that it's still shorter that we all would have liked, but please R&R! (I know, it's kinda crappy, but writer's block is a bitch, ne?)