Yegads, please forgive me kind folk! I have been uber busy and have had to sqeeze in time to work on my story! I hope I still have some readers left. Um, hopefully the long wait will be worth it but you can yell at me if not.

Chapter 5

As he neared the dojo, Kenshin could sense that something wasn't right. When he finally got to the gate he felt his pulse double. Both the gate and the house door were open and there were no voices coming from inside or the yard. Also, there was a distinct smell in the air, one he was quite familiar with–blood.

Kenshin raced to the door, berating himself for leaving without making sure someone was looking after Kaoru and Yahiko. How could he have been so stupid? The words Saitou had directed at him when he went to Kyoto to fight Shishio rang through Kenshin's head. You've gotten soft. You can't even protect the ones you love.

"Kaoru-dono! Yahiko!" Kenshin called as he raced through the door, dread speeding him. Although a response would have been nice, he wasn't expecting one. Where were they? Kenshin stopped dead as he walked in the door. There was blood all over the floor and on the wall as well. No one was there though. Surely he hadn't–? Kenshin clenched his fists, head lowered. "Yamamoto . . ." He said, voice dangerously soft. He continued to look through the house, growing more anxious as he saw plenty of blood but no sign of Kaoru or Yahiko. Finally, hurrying to the only place left to search, the dojo, Kenshin found them. They were outside, just in front of the porch, arranged side by side on the ground. They were dangerously still and liberal patches of dark red marked multiple injuries.

"KAORU-DONO!" Kenshin felt frozen. He didn't want to go over but somehow he made his feet move. "Kaoru-dono, Yahiko!" Kenshin nearly fell with relief when he saw them both stir. They weren't dead then. "Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin said again as Kaoru's eyes flickered open.

"K-Kenshin?"

"Kaoru-dono, are you okay? Yahiko?"

Kaoru gave a slow nod. "I think so. Just a little sore." Kaoru saw relief streak across Kenshin's face, and then his head fell.

"Sumanai. I've failed you, Kaoru-dono. I should never have–"

Kaoru raised a hand to Kenshin's lips, despite the ache it caused in her side. "Stop. If I hadn't been willing to face danger, I wouldn't have let you stay. Don't you get it Kenshin? We would do anything for you!"

"I don't deserve it," Kenshin muttered, making himself look at Kaoru's numerous injuries. "If I can't even protect you I have no right to stay here and put you in danger. Kaoru-dono–I'll leave now. You won't have to worry about Yamamoto again."

Kaoru saw he was dead serious. "Kenshin!" She somehow found the energy to sit up, grabbing Kenshin's hand as he turned. She didn't notice his sharp intake of breath or feel the slight tensing of his arm. "Stop being stupid and thinking you can run away from your problems! Do you think Yamamoto would stop just because you left? Of course not! The Heaven's Judges aren't going to quit if you go away! It's my fault that I couldn't protect myself and my student! So don't even think about leaving!"

Kenshin gingerly pulled his hand from her grasp. "Kaoru-dono–"

"Don't argue, she'll only get worse,"

Kenshin's relief doubled when he heard the new voice. "Yahiko! You're not too badly hurt?"

"Cheh, that guy at the Aoiya did worse than this," Yahiko scoffed. Still he winced considerably as he sat up.

"We need to get Megumi-dono," Kenshin said, brow furrowing as he realized he had a predicament. He didn't want to leave Kaoru and Yahiko alone like this but he had to get Megumi. If only he'd asked Sano to stay . . .

"Go Kenshin, we'll be fine," Kaoru said, knowing what he was thinking.

"Demo, Kaoru-dono–"

"Jou-chan! Kenshin! Yahiko!" The three of them looked at each other as an apprehensive voice floated through the house to the yard.

"Sano," Kenshin voiced the obvious.

"Jou-chan! What the hell happened here?" Sano burst onto the porch, face grim. "I saw all the blood in there. Is everyone okay?" Sano's gaze turned to Kenshin, searching for an explanation.

"Sano, would you get Megumi-dono please?" Kenshin asked as he moved towards the gate. "I'll explain everything when you get back."

Sano hesitated, eyes taking in Kenshin's left arm which had stayed at the rurouni's side as he moved. His sleeve was conveniently covering everything but his hand. "Sure you don't want me to stay here and get someone else to go?" He asked.

Kenshin smiled inwardly. Sano was a faithful friend. "Iya, we'll be fine. There won't be anyone else coming today."

Sano left without further argument. "Sure thing." He gave a backwards glance though as he walked to the door and Kenshin knew he was trying to picture what had gone on in his absence. Kenshin was itching to know as well but resigned himself to wait until Sano returned with the doctor Takani Megumi.

It didn't take long for Megumi to arrive. She was hardly ten minutes away as it was and when she heard the story from Sano she went as quickly as she could. "What did Ken-san say?" Megumi asked as they half walked, half jogged to the Kamiya dojo.

"Just said to get you and they'd be fine."

"That's it? No explanation?"

Sano shrugged. "Well, obviously Jou-chan and Yahiko got the shit beat out of 'em," He said angrily, "but except for that I don't know. Kenshin said he'd explain when you got there. I think he was kind of disappointed with himself though. Just a feeling," He added, and Megumi looked at him as if she could never imagine him thinking of another's feelings.

"Well, I'm sure Ken-san will enlighten us like he said. Here, get the door for me, why is it closed?" Megumi asked as they stopped in front of the gate.

"I thought I should lock it," Sano said shortly. "They're in the back," He added helpfully as Megumi entered.

Megumi lost no time in taking stock of her patients' injuries, although she was rather surprised to see them hurt so badly. "Kaoru-chan, what happened?" Megumi demanded as soon as she saw them.

"We were attacked by that man that came earlier today, Yamamoto. He's trying to threaten Kenshin into joining the Heaven's Judges."

"How dishonorable, avoiding a fight with Ken-san. Tell me how you got all of your wounds. Is anything broken or is it flesh wounds?"

"My stomach hurts a little," Kaoru admitted. "I don't know if anything's broken though." She glanced over to see how Kenshin was taking it. She had given him a broad picture of what had happened while they were waiting for Megumi to arrive but she had tried not to go into the finer details.

Megumi was feeling Kaoru's sides in a business-like manner. "No, you haven't broken anything but you may have a few fractures. I'm going to bind your side just in case. Hold still silly girl, otherwise it'll just hurt worse later." Kaoru had moved as Megumi began to wrap a strip of bandage across her stomach.

How does Kenshin sit so still when she treats him? Kaoru thought, sucking in a breath as Megumi made sure the bandage was wrapped snugly. "Sanosuke, go heat some water," Megumi ordered as she looked at Yahiko's head. "We need to clean this before it's infected. Kaoru-chan's face too, otherwise she'll never catch a man."

Megumi smiled at her and Kaoru realized that for once she was only making light of the situation so she didn't say anything. Twenty-four stitches later, Megumi turned her attention to Yahiko who was patiently waiting his turn, watching Megumi's every move with interest.

"So Yahiko-kun, Kaoru-chan tells me that you fought Yamamoto?" Megumi asked conversationally as she gently rubbed the dried blood off of Yahiko's face.
"Yeah, you shoulda seen me!" Yahiko enthused, forgetting about the pain he was going through. "I snuck up behind him he didn't even see me coming–OW!"

"Oops, sorry." Megumi apologized, squinting. "Yahiko, did you get a tooth knocked out?" She saw Yahiko's cheek bulge as he ran his tongue along the inside of his mouth.

"Un, ish 'ore."

"If you could get some ice it would feel a lot better."

"Maybe Tae can lend us some," Kaoru said, thinking with a twinge of guilt about all the money she owed the kindly waitress at the Akabeko.

"Well Yahiko, you should have some fine battle scars to show the girls," Megumi said as she handed Yahiko a glass of something that he made a face at. "Now Ken-san," She said briskly, "let me look at your arm."

"Arm?" Kaoru echoed. "Kenshin, are you hurt?" She turned to look at Kenshin, who had stayed silent for most of the time Megumi was working. She noticed that the sleeve of Kenshin's gi was soaked in blood and wondered guiltily why Megumi had noticed and she hadn't. Probably–she thought back–because Kenshin had pointedly kept his left hand drawn inside his sleeve when he had returned. That was just like him. "What happened?" Kaoru asked as Kenshin obediently pulled the left side of his gi down so Megumi could tend to his arm.

"Yamamoto's men. They weren't too skilled but my mind was elsewhere." Kenshin's mind had been working at top neuron-firing speed for the past half an hour, and he was wondering now if Katsura had anything to do with either of the attacks. Katsura would have known that Kenshin wasn't at the dojo and could have sent some signal to Yamamoto that a quick visit to the Kamiya dojo was safe. Also, Katsura had left before Kenshin. He could easily have given the six assassins a heads up that Kenshin would be coming out shortly. Megumi's voice broke into Kenshin's train of thought and he tried to look like he was giving her his attention.

"So Ken-san, Sanosuke says you promised to tell us what went on when I got here, and I've been here quite a while now," Megumi prompted, looking intently at Kenshin's hair. She would have looked into his eyes except that Kenshin was quite conveniently keeping his head lowered. Megumi had learned this was a sign that Kenshin didn't want to divulge anything. She wasn't going to give up though. Sano had told her about the group that called themselves Heaven's Judges and she had as much a right as Sano did to know what was going on.

"As I told Kaoru-dono, I have no wish to involve you in this," Kenshin said.

Megumi tossed her hair. "Hmph, I believe I'm already involved Ken-san, although I would like to know just what it is I'm involved with, so if you could enlighten me . . .?"

So heaving a defeated sigh, Kenshin started at the beginning, with Kawaji's unexpected entrance, and went through the day's happenings, stopping after he got to when he returned to the dojo.

"Yamamoto?" Megumi said as she put a final stitch in Kenshin's arm. Kaoru watched jealously, annoyed that Kenshin hadn't flinched once the entire time. "I think I've heard the name. When I was in Aizu there was a man who came for treatment once, his side had been sliced open. My father treated him because he seemed like a dangerous man. He wouldn't allow anyone else near him."

Kenshin nodded as he pulled his gi back on his shoulder. "Aah. He was a hitokiri for the Ishin Shishi. He went to Aizu to help set the fires."

"You mean the ones that burned Aizu to the ground?" Kaoru asked to clarify.

"Yes, those," Megumi answered tightly. "Well Ken-san, it seems there's not just one person here who has good reason for hating him."

Sano knocked his hands together. "Oh, Kenshin, that reminds me, I got some news for you. That's what I was coming over for, just forgot when I saw what had happened. I went to the gambling joint today like you said."

"Didja lose?" Yahiko chortled, picturing an empty-pocketed Sano in his head.

"Brat, I didn't go there to play," Sano said as he whacked Yahiko lightly. "Although I did lose a few sen," He mumbled almost incoherently.

"And whose sen did you lose?" Kaoru demanded. She'd been listening intently since Sano had mentioned the word "gambling."

"No matter, that's not the point," Sano said, expertly evading the question. "I said a few choice words about a new revolution to get the ball rolling and one of the guys told me that his brother had joined. They meet every other night, at this place." Sano whipped a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Kenshin. "I hear something's going on night after next," Sano said. "Katsura tell ya anything about that?"

Kenshin nodded. "He did. I told him that I would make sure all the places I knew of were secure. Can I count on you Sano?"

"Cheh, hell yeah. I'd be there even if you didn't ask. I bet ten ryu that Genma couldn't make it into the building. Gotta make sure he doesn't back out on his end of the bargain." Sano winked, suggesting that wasn't all he was going to do. "How about you Kenshin, staying here?"

"Aah. For the first attack anyway. Next week though I may have to go help."

"Wha' abou' me? I'm par' of the Kenshin-gumi oo!" Yahiko said through swollen lips.

"If you're gonna be a member of the Kenshin-gumi ya gotta know when you're not in shape to fight," Sano said. "And you aren't in shape to fight. So just sit around 'til Kenshin gives us the next heads up."

Yahiko's speech suddenly improved. "Just sit around! What do you think I am, a doorpost? Kenshin never sits around when there's an important fight to be settled, even if he's hurt worse than this!" Yahiko pointed to his mouth a little too enthusiastically and muffled a scream as he poked his finger into his jaw.

"Yeah but Kenshin's had way more experience than you and he's not small enough to stop when he wants to do somethin'," Sano countered simply.

"Hmph. Well one of these days you're gonna find that I'm not so small either," Yahiko groused. "And just for the record, it's not like I'm much shorter than him!"

Sano rolled his eyes. "I wasn't talking about that kind of small."

"Megumi-dono, why don't you stay a while?" Kenshin said suddenly. Everyone turned to look at a flustered Megumi who had been forgotten as talk about the Akarubakumatsu had started.

Ken-san, always so observant. Kenshin had never failed to surprise her by his high level of attentiveness. Megumi had just been thinking about leaving. "Well, I suppose I do have time, and I wouldn't mind making sure my patients take care to follow their instructions," Megumi looked meaningfully at Kaoru and Yahiko. She knew Kenshin would do whatever he felt was necessary no matter her orders. "You shouldn't handle a sword for at least a week Kaoru-chan it could put more strain on your ribs. Yahiko, try not to annoy Sanosuke so much that he hits you," She said the last lightly, knowing it would get a rise out of Sano.

"Look here Kitsune-onna, I don't hit a guy when he's down!" Sano said heatedly. "Specially not Yahiko, geez, I'd probably kill 'em."

"Oh yeah! Thin' I'm tha' weak Sanosuke? Why on' you hry me!" Yahiko shouted to much comic effect.

"Yare yare, you're not worth my time," Sano waved his hand at Yahiko.

"Sanosuke, stop picking on him," Kaoru said tiredly. She turned to Megumi. "Feel free to stay, you can at least have supper on us. Don't worry, Kenshin's cooking." Kaoru snarled as Sano made a face.

"Ken-san shouldn't be lifting pots with his arm for at least a few days," Megumi said. "If you have the food, I'll cook."

Sano's eyes popped open. "That'd be great kitsune! Oi, Kenshin, are you gettin' the food?"

Megumi whapped Sano across the back of the head with her medical bag. "I said no heavy lifting. Why don't you go get the food, Sanosuke?"

"ME?" Sano pointed to his chest, incredulous that Megumi would suggest he do a task so beneath his capabilities. "I don't know what Jou-chan gets! I don't even know where everything is!"

"Now is a perfect time to learn," Megumi said briskly. "Kaoru and Yahiko shouldn't be moving around and you're the only one left, so either you get the food or I don't cook." She smiled sweetly as Sano stared at her with an open mouth.

"Taku, you really are a fox," He muttered but he got up anyway, still looking at Megumi. "Ya know, I'm kind of–broke." He stated. "And since I was helpin' Kenshin out earlier I think you could loan me the cash." Sano gave a wide smile as he held out his hand.

"Only since you agreed to go," Megumi consented, reaching into her pocket to get the money. "Don't expect me to be so generous next time, I don't make much you know."

"Hey, is there someone at the gate?" Kaoru spoke up, listening attentively. "I thought I heard someone knocking."

Kenshin glanced at her and listened in surprise. His kenki hadn't picked up the person, and that worried him somewhat but he could hear a faint knocking now that she mentioned it.

"I got it," Sanosuke said wearily. "Be back in a little while guys." A few seconds later, a desperate looking Katsura Kogoro walked into the back yard. The color in his face drained and his stressed look grew more severe when he saw the condition of the people he was visiting.

"Himura! How is everyone here?" His gaze passed over Kaoru and Yahiko before flicking back to Kenshin.

"We've been better but we've also been worse," Kenshin said, regarding Katsura with a wary expression.

"Ever the optimist," Katsura muttered. "Look Himura, I'm sorry I got you into all of this. You think I had something to do with the attack on your friends, am I right?"

"The thought had crossed my mind," Kenshin admitted. "But somehow, looking at you now, I don't think so anymore. What's happened?"

"They know Himura, the Heaven's Judges don't trust me. I got back from my meeting with you and I found my family–when I got here I couldn't believe it–someone came to my house too. My family is in bad shape, my children, my wife–fuck Himura, my wife she's–she's–dead. My wife was murdered." Katsura sank to the ground, shaking. He didn't try to hide the tears running down his face.

"Katsura-san . . ." Kaoru gasped, feeling sorry for the man. From what little Kenshin had said about him he wasn't bad. How he had managed so calmly to get out that his wife had been killed, Kaoru couldn't imagine.

"Katsura-dono," Kenshin said in sympathy. "I'm sorry, if I had known they were so suspicious about you-"

Katsura held his hand up. "No, it's not your fault." He gave a dead smile, getting control of himself. "You should stop blaming yourself for other's failures, Himura. I know you didn't fully realize my position and did what you could. I do have one more favor to ask of you though."

"Name it," Kenshin spoke up without delay.

"My three children, they have no one to watch them and I can't leave them alone, I know they would be killed. I've seen two little girls over here before and I thought that maybe–if it wasn't imposing too much–would you care strongly about watching my children?" Katsura turned and bowed to Kaoru.

"Well, I don't really mind," She began uncertainly, watching to see how Kenshin reacted. When he just gave a slight smile she continued without hesitation. "As long as they don't mind the meager meals (we're short on money) or helping occasionally with the housework they're welcome to stay for as long as you need."

Katsura pressed his forehead to the ground. "Thank you so much. And you don't need to worry about money, I'll compensate you." Katsura finished his bow but remained kneeling. "You have true friends Himura. I wish I could have found people like these. I guess my sins during the Bakumatsu must have been greater than yours."

"I hardly think so." Kenshin didn't have to elaborate.

"Katsura-san, do you want to bring your children over today?" Kaoru asked.

Katsura looked guiltily to the front. "Actually, I brought them with me. I didn't feel safe leaving them at home. I left them outside the gate."

Yahiko was getting excited thinking about the new kids. Someone I can show all my cool kenjutsu moves to! He thought with a touch of maliciousness. Wouldn't hurt to show them who was boss either every once in a while. "Well bring 'em in!" Yahiko exclaimed, already imagining the hours of fun he could have. He gnashed his teeth when Kaoru whacked him on the head. "Ow busu!"
"Show some respect Yahiko!" Kaoru snapped. "Go ahead and introduce your children Katsura-san," Kaoru said, starting to stand up. She grimaced and stopped. "Maybe we'll just wait here for you." She amended, holding her breath as her side throbbed again.

"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin murmured as Katsura hurried to get his children.

"Fine, I'm fine," Kaoru said through gritted teeth. "What about your arm Kenshin? I'm sorry I didn't notice it earlier."

"Iya, don't worry about it. Besides, I hadn't meant for you to see it."

So he had been hiding it on purpose, Kaoru thought triumphantly. She smiled as Katsura re-entered, three children all under ten clustered around him nervously. The oldest had a katana in his waistband. "Irasshaimase!" Kaoru greeted cheerfully.

"Osewa ni narimasu," The children mumbled in response.

"So, what are your names?" Kaoru asked, relaxing on her knees.

"My oldest, Kaiba, Yumiko and Shinta." Katsura placed his hand on each child's head as he said their name and when he did, the child bowed. How polite, Kaoru thought absently, wishing Yahiko could pick up half of their manners.

"I'm Kamiya Kaoru, assistant master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu," Kaoru began after Katsura had finished with his introductions, "this is my student, Yahiko," Yahiko puffed his chest out, "and this is Kenshin. Megumi-san over there is a doctor. Did you see a tall guy leaving when you came in?" The kids all gave some semblance of a nod. "That's Sanosuke, he visits every now and then." Kaoru looked at each of them, taking in the tear-stained faces and miserable looks.

"I don't wanna stay here," Yumiko muttered just loud enough for Kaoru to hear. She reached out a hand to clutch her father's hakama.

"You'll like it Yumi-chan, Kaoru-san teaches kenjutsu," Katsura said enticingly.

"I like you teaching me," Yumiko insisted.

"I want to go home with you!" Shinta bawled suddenly, throwing his face against Katsura's leg. Katsura looked embarrassed and reached down to rub his son's back.

"Shin-chan, it's only for a while. You know it's too dangerous at home. This man," He pointed to Kenshin, "is going to protect you while you're here and I want you to treat him as you would me."

Kaiba stepped forward, face serious. "Thank you Himura-san," He said. "Don't worry about my brother and sister, they won't be any trouble. I'll help them get used to it."

Katsura looked relieved. At least one of his children could understand and except what the circumstances called for. "See, Kaiba will look out for you, so go with him." Katsura gave Yumiko and Shinta an encouraging shove. "Go on, I have to leave now." The two younger children didn't budge as Katsura took his leave but just stood and stared, Shinta still crying, Yumiko looking at Kaoru stonily although her lip was trembling. Even Kaiba looked like he was trying hard not to cry.

"Well," Kaoru said. "Kaiba-kun, your father taught you kenjutsu?"

Kaiba's face lost some of its seriousness. "Yes. He was a warrior during the Bakumatsu," He added proudly.

Yahiko made a disdainful noise. "Cheh, Kenshin was too, he was one of the Ishin."

Kaiba's eyes widened as he turned to look at Kenshin. "Really? You fought for my dad?" He frowned doubtfully though after he had given Kenshin a thorough once-over. "You don't look very old though and the revolution was ten years ago."

"I was young when I joined," Kenshin replied with a trace of shortness.

"How about you Shinta?" Kaoru said quickly, turning to the still-crying boy. He could hardly have been more than five. "Are you a master swordsman too?" Shinta just sobbed louder. Kaiba walked over to his brother.

"Shin-chan," He said sternly, "Would you cry like this in front of kaa-san?" Sniffing loudly, Shinta shook his head. "You better stop, or her spirit will be sad," Kaiba said, giving Shinta a light slap.

Shinta nodded and rubbed his eyes, sniffing again before turning to Kaoru with a smile on his face. "I'm not a master swordsman but my brother is," He said proudly.

Kaoru recovered from her shock at Shinta's sudden transformation and said, "Why don't we go practice? We can have supper afterwards." She grabbed Kenshin's arm as he started to leave. "Kenshin is pretty good, do you want to practice with him?"

"Kaoru-dono, I don't think-" Kenshin began as Yahiko shouted indignantly at the same time.

"Hey! Are you forgetting your number one student!"

"You need to rest." Kaoru told him before facing Kenshin, ticking off on her fingers an alternate list of things he could do. "Okay then, you can get the bath ready and help Sano with supper when he gets back and get some water-"

Kenshin grabbed her hand. "On second thought, sessha will watch you teach," He said.

"Help me you mean." Kaoru corrected. "I know you're not teaching Mitsurugi Ryu to anyone but you can still show techniques. Besides," She added, glancing sidelong at her "number one" student who was still throwing a fit, "Maybe it would deflate Yahiko's head a bit." Kaoru bit her lip as her side began to ache again.

"Kaoru-dono, maybe you should wait a few days until you've healed some before you start kenjutsu again." Kenshin suggested. "Go take a rest, I'll watch the children."

Kaoru wanted badly to argue with him but her side was getting worse and her head was painful too. "Just a short one then," Kaoru said reluctantly. "Yahiko, let's go." She ordered, pulling a protesting Yahiko into the house with her. The three Katsuras watched them go then turned to stare at Kenshin.

"Tou-san said you're the hitokiri Battousai," Yumiko said in a conspiratory voice.

Kenshin laughed. "Was," He corrected. "I'm just a rurouni now."

Yumiko gave him a critical glance. "Doesn't look like you're doing much wandering."

"Oro?"

"Do you live here or something?" Yumiko leaned closer and asked seriously, "Is she your girlfriend?"

"Oro!"

"Are you gonna say something?" Shinta asked, keeping his distance as he looked at Kenshin's shocked face.

"You certainly are forward." Kenshin told Yumiko, putting a hand on her head.

"Mm-hm, is she?" Yumiko pressed as Kenshin sweat-dropped.

"Stop asking personal questions." Kaiba ordered. "It's not your business. Himura-san," He turned to Kenshin. "Could you practice with me? I know I'm nowhere near as skilled as you but will you?"

Kenshin looked at the pleading expression, saw it echoed in Yumiko and Shinta's eyes. "Sure, we'll practice and we can eat when Sano gets back. Do you all have shinai?" Kenshin wasn't too fond of wooden swords.

"I have a real sword," Kaiba said proudly. "But we all have bokken to practice with."

"Then let's get started. I'll watch your form."

Kaiba grinned, the first smile he had cracked since he'd arrived. "Ok, I'm doing ryuu no shippou." Kenshin was vaguely familiar with the form. It was from Katsura's style. Kaiba's face turned serious as he started, pulling his sword with slow grace and thrusting it behind him, using his left hand as a guide.

This boy has talent, Kenshin thought as he watched Kaiba move through the form, completely sure of himself. His kenki was strong.

Shinta watched his brother, mesmerized. His eyes followed every twitch of Kaiba's sword. A few minutes later, Kaiba finished with a twist and sideways slash that flowed into the sword's return to the saiya. Shinta clapped enthusiastically. Breathing hard, Kaiba looked at Kenshin. "Himura-san?"

"Well done Kaiba." Kenshin complemented, causing Kaiba's cheeks to flush with pride. "I think you'll find that if your stance isn't quite so wide at the start you'll be able to move quicker from the backward thrust into the turn." Kenshin gave a quick demonstration and the three children exchanged wide-eyed glances, the shared thought, he's good, passing through their heads.

"Hai." Kaiba nodded shortly and adjusted, surprising himself with the extra speed it gave him.

"Your stance tends to be over-wide throughout," Kenshin continued, "But very well executed overall."

Kaiba flushed again. "Thank you, Himura-san." He set to work practicing diligently and Kenshin turned to the two younger children. "Do you want to practice as well?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Yumiko enthused. Shinta was hesitant though, slightly intimidated by the two performances he'd just seen, and the fact that he was facing Battousai, a man he'd heard people tell horror stories about.

"Shinta?" Saying the name brought back almost forgotten memories. But this Shinta, Kenshin reflected, was so different from the Shinta he had been.

"Me too." Shinta nodded finally, trotting to fetch his bokken. Watching him run, Kenshin saw the peaceful future Japan was hopefully entering and he smiled, anticipating it.

irasshaimase - welcome

kaa-san - mom

kenjutsu - swordsmanship

kenki - swordsman's aura/spirit

kitsune-onna - Sano's nickname for Megumi, literally means fox-girl.

osewa ni narimasu - a humble expression: thank you for taking me in, basically

ryu - more currency

ryuu no shippou - tail of the dragon

sen - Japanese pre-Meiji currency that stuck arounda little into the Meiji

sumanai - I'm sorry

tou-san - dad

yare-yare - I think of this as a voiced exasperated sigh

Perhaps it's just me but I thought a couple of sections may be a little short. Please tell me if you concur and I'll do some editing on a later date.Chapter length was a little longer than normal as well but hey, I had to end on a good note this time. :)Obviously, I have invented a sword style for Katsura as I'm not sure which school he studied under. Ah well, artistic license and all . . .Thanks for everyone who has putup with my sporadic updatesand is still reading and reviewing! I shall strive to update relatively quickly for the next chapter!