Author's Note: Thank you all for reviewing I love you! This chapter is just the reunion of their friends and everything like that. But dun dun dun! More action is to come in the next chapter and you're all going to love it! Please read and review! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Seven: A Memorable Reunion

While Aoshi and Misao walked to the kitchen, Misao just thought of something that had come to her mind before, and so turned to ask Aoshi about it, "Hey Aoshi, how come you still refer to Himura as Battousai sometimes? That's not who he is anymore." She had recalled a time not too long ago when Aoshi kept calling Kenshin, Battousai, and she had no idea why.

Aoshi looked at her with a slight shrug, "Old habits die hard, I suppose." He said quietly. He knew very well that Kenshin was no battousai anymore, but that's what he had always called him in the past. It was who Kenshin was all about, and still is, deep inside. And Aoshi would often forget that the past has changed.

Misao smiled nonetheless, "Oh, well it's alright. But I don't know if he'll be comfortable with you calling him that so I just wanted to make sure you call him by what he wishes to be called while he's here." Misao said politely.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." Aoshi looked ahead of himself again.

The two made it down the stairs and down that hallway, "Good morning everyone!" Misao announced as she entered the kitchen, leading Aoshi in as well.

Omasu turned around from stirring something in a pot, "Good morning Misao, Aoshi." She said sweetly and nodded to them. They nodded back as Okon came into the kitchen, "Morning." She said and stretched her arms over her head.

"Okon, why are you so tired? You were awake earlier." Misao said as she became confused. She remembered quite frequently Okon had been cleaning around the place like she always did.

"Yes I know, I just took a nap after I did the laundry is all." She said and walked to Omasu to see if she required help with anything.

Misao shrugged and looked for Shiro and Kuro, "Hey, where are the other guys?" She turned her head around to search the entire kitchen.

"They went to fish at the lake and bring us back some lunch." Said Omasu and wiped her hands on her apron that was around her waist.

Misao nodded in understanding, then she heard faint voices from the front of the Aoiya, well, more like yelling. First, it sounded like am angry young boy, and Misao smiled and shook her head once she discovered who the voice belonged to.

"Shut up Sano! That is not true! I do not wet the bed; I'm almost thirteen years old for heaven's sake! " Shouted a clearly upset young boy.

Misao gasped with delight, "They're here!" and ran to the entrance of the Aoiya. Aoshi followed slowly behind and smiled at the younger girl's enthusiasm. Her energy always, in a way, perked him up when he really needed it to.

Aoshi still looked after Misao as she ran ahead. She was really happy wasn't she? Well, he couldn't blame her; they haven't seen Kenshin and the others for nearly a year. Aoshi suddenly thought about Misao's new 'appearance' and knew the others would comment about it. He became somewhat nervous for the young woman; she wasn't really the kind of person to crave attention and be the center of it. That's when he felt the need to in a way protect her from it, but knew there was sort of nothing he could do about it, but just hope one of the guys didn't teaser her about anything. Oh well, he thought it wouldn't so much of a big deal as he was making it seem.

As Misao was on her way to welcome her friends, she all of a sudden remembered about Kenji, Kenshin and Kaoru's son. She saw the infant boy when he was born, but now she wondered how he looked now. She couldn't wait to see if he would look more like Kaoru or Kenshin.

Misao slowed down and started walking until she stopped as a thought came to her mind. Was she ever going to have a child of her own? Misao was now of the age to be married and start her own family. She wondered if it would be Aoshi who was to become the father of her child in the future.

Misao shook her head and ran again, she would think of this matter another time.

The young ninja girl burst through the doors and smiled as she saw her friends walking toward her. Aoshi stopped just behind her and watched also as Misao started waving to Kaoru.

"Kaoru! Himura!" Misao yelled excitedly and ran to them.

Karou heard a deeper feminine voice she barely recognized and looked to the woman who ran towards her. Kaoru only stood there as a smile appeared on her lips, "M-Misao? You look so different!" She exclaimed positively as Misao hugged her, being careful not to harm the baby in her arms. "Yeah, it's me alright." She giggled and she looked at Kenji. Kaoru went on, "You've changed so much! You look wonderful Misao." The older woman commented with a genuine smile.

Misao blushed, but then smiled at Kaoru, "Thanks, you do as well Kaoru."

Misao looked down at the little baby in Kaoru's arms, "Well hello little Kenji." She said and touched his small hand. Kenji screamed with excitement and took a hold of her hand. "Gosh Himura, he looks just like you." Said Misao and smiled at him. Kenshin smiled back. He had quite a hint of pride in his eyes. It seemed to Misao that Kenshin had heard this statement about Kenji many times before, and he loved it each time it was said to him. He smiled at her kindly, "It's great to see you all again, Misao."

"No way... Weasel?" Sano and Yahiko asked in disbelief. Megumi rolled her eyes, "They haven't grown up since the last time we all saw each other so don't be expecting any good manners from them quite yet." The doctor stated with a casual light flip of her hair.

The guys seemed to protest though, "We have too grown up!" Both Sano and Yahiko shouted back at her. Megumi laughed and suddenly stopped with a smirk, "Sure you have..."

Once Sano and Yahiko made sure they 'won' the fight, they looked at Misao once again. But seeing as there was already a woman next to Kaoru and looking at the baby, they could only assume it was the weasel herself.

Misao was making funny faces at the Kenji who was laughing and pointing at her. She stopped and frowned, "Stop staring guys, it's me." Misao said angrily as she released Kenji's hand gently. After Sano soon came out of his reverie he asked, "Geez Misao, when did you get so... so... womanly?" Megumi sighed and put a hand on her forehead. Oh, some things would never change.

"Wh-what!" Misao shouted and was about to attack him but Aoshi lay a hand on her shoulder, "Misao, I don't think Megumi would appreciate healing Sagara all through the night if you defeated him all too quickly right now." He said casually.

Misao looked up at him and smirked with delight, "Yeah, I guess you're right about that." She smirked at him as Aoshi smiled vaguely and he removed his hand from her.

Kaoru, Kenshin, and Megumi all agreed with a nod of their head, but the Sano soon caught on to what the ninja leader was talking about, "Hey what did you just say?" Sano asked threateningly. Megumi grabbed him by the shoulders, "Don't you start Sano, we just got here and I don't feel like treating your wounds just yet like he said."

Sano growled and just turned around to face the other way, muttering about how everyone is always against him, Yahiko chuckled. Kenshin smiled and looked at the Aoiya, "How have things been around here?"

"Oh it's been pretty much the same, Himura." Said Misao and continued to hug everyone as Sano cooled off.

When the hugs and greetings were all done and taken care of, Misao motioned for them all to follow her, "Well come on inside, I'm sure all of you are hungry." Sano and Yahiko paid attention at this, "Food!" They shouted and ran towards the Aoiya.

Kaoru sighed and switched Kenji from her left side to her right, "Those two will just never quit." Megumi nodded and walked to the Aoiya beside Misao and Kaoru.

Aoshi and Kenshin were left walking behind the girls on the way to the Aoiya at a slower pace. Kenshin knew all too well why he and the others were here and he didn't like it. He sighed now; it was déjà vu all over again. "I wish we were here under different circumstances. Isn't that right, Aoshi.." The former wanderer stated almost silently. Aoshi knew instantly what the man was talking about, and thought how Misao knew this as well.

"Yes, Himura." Aoshi replied with the same tone in his voice. He almost called him battousai but had quickly caught himself. He thought Kenshin knew he was about to say it too, but wasn't too sure.

Kenshin had in fact kept up with his training as he was bound to do as being a swordsman. It was in his blood, to just hold the hilt of his sword felt like an extension of his body. It was how every true swordsman felt. Nevertheless, Kenshin decided to change the subject, seeing as how no one grew happy at the thought of going into battle, "Misao has changed a lot, that she has."

Aoshi smiled inwardly, "Yes, and I'm very proud of her." Kenshin smiled brightly at this. He knew that Aoshi had always been proud of her. He just didn't show it very often until recently. Kenshin in a way felt honored to be told this so clearly from Aoshi, who does not speak of praise about anyone close to him so often, but surely felt it everyday for Misao. It was in his own silent way of confirming that he and Kenshin were becoming better comrades.

Megumi glared at the boys, "Will you two try to refrain from eating everything in sight? Misao has been very courteous to you and now this is how you repay her, by eating nearly all her food?" Megumi asked furiously to Sano and Yahiko as they now started to feel guilty. Food was almost covered the entire table. Have they really not learned anything about proper table manners since the last time they last visited their friends at the Aoiya?

Misao raised an eyebrow at the scene and merely shrugged it off, "Oh you two are definitely the same I see." She commented in a murmur as she looked at them.

Aoshi and Kenshin walked in the Aoiya to see food all over the table and Megumi threatening the boys who were looking slightly guilty for their actions. Kenshin sighed and put a hand to his forehead, "How did they manage to make such a big mess in such a short time?" He asked primarily to himself.

Okon and Omasu had said their greetings to their guests and now just watched the scene with slight interest. Everyone calmed down at this and laughed. Misao laughed and playfully hit Yahiko on the shoulder, "Yeah, you can stop hiding behind me now."

Yahiko stopped laughing, not because of what Misao said, when he really looked at her, more intently now, there was something he noticed, "Hold on..." Yahiko trailed off quietly and stood in front of her. Everyone quitted down to see what the boy was going to do or say to Misao. The eighteen year old grew nervous. What the hell was he going to do?

Yahiko slowly brought a flat hand to the top of her head and slowly moved it to his own; Yahiko's smile grew each time he brought his hand from his head to hers.

"HA! I'm taller than you now!"

Everyone sweatdropped except for Kaoru and Aoshi, who just shook their heads and hung them down sadly.

Misao was enraged, "What! No you're not, that's.. that's a lie! I'm taller!" She pointed to herself to accent her point. Misao couldn't believe this. How could this little kid have grown so fast? Damn these young teenage boys and their growth spurts. Misao had always been taller than Yahiko a few years ago. And as a result, bullied him around and called him little. Now she feared that it was going to be the other way around. But hey, then again maybe she could be wrong. The boy is growing up, maybe he's matured just a little bit inside there somewhere.

Misao took her own hand to his and her head rapidly, "See? We're the same height! So get over it!" She shouted and turned around to face the opposite direction in annoyance. Everyone just stood and watched the two bicker as they all sighed.

Yahiko only grinned, "Say whatever you want Misao, I'm still taller than you by a centimeter and damn proud of it." Said the young boy as he crossed his arms over his chest and smirked in victory.

"Yeah, I think Yahiko is right, Misao." Sano said casually and double-checked to see if Yahiko was in fact really taller than her. He came and stood Yahiko closer to Misao, all the while putting a hand on their heads to measure.

Misao turned around angrily and was about to punch them but just let her fist fall carelessly by her side and hung her head sown sadly. 'No. Now everyone is taller than me now.' She thought helplessly as Sano and Yahiko began laughing to Misao's dismay. Oh who was she kidding? Misao could not be angry for so long at these people who had become her family. And so she only laughed along with them. After all, it was funny. Even if she was the main reason why.

It was a long time since this building has been filled with pure laughter and it made Aoshi happy.

Aoshi smiled at Misao who was now laughing quieter as Yahiko playfully hit her shoulder and then hugged her afterwards. Misao had smiled as well and gratefully hugged back. This is how life should be. Aoshi wished it were this way forever, but knew it would not be as such. He might as well enjoy this peace he had now, things would be very different, soon enough.