Yeah, I'm back on track with chapter 6! Hopefully all updates from here on out will be somewhere on this line of quick.

Chapter 6

When Sano returned, laden with supplies, he found Kenshin still in the backyard, standing behind Shinta as he helped him perform some technique. Sano grinned at the sight. Kenshin may not be teaching anyone Mitsurugi Ryu but he couldn't deny that he liked to see kids get involved in kenjutsu. "Oi, Kenshin, food's here," Sano called, walking past them. "By the way, who're the kids?"

Absorbed in his task, Kenshin didn't look up until Shinta had completed the move he was working on. "Sano, back already?"

"Already? I've been gone for over an hour getting this!" Sano exclaimed. "Lemme tell ya, I feel sorry for you having to do this every day. I had had to visit five grocers, FIVE! And none of them were close to each other! You should tell Yahiko to move his lazy butt sometime." Sano let the poles slung over his shoulder crash to the ground, expelling his breath with a whoosh. He saw Yumiko looking at him.

"Are you Sagara-san?" She asked, lowering her wooden sword.

"Sagara-san, I like that," Sano mused thoughtfully. "Yeah, that's me. Who're you?"

"Katsura Yumiko," Yumiko introduced herself.

"Nice ta meetcha," Sano said lazily. "Who're the other two? Hey, he's pretty good," He observed as Kaiba went through another kata, having not noticed the newcomer.

"That's my brother, Kaiba," Yumiko said with no small trace of pride in her voice. "Tou-san's teaching him kenjutsu, he's really good."

"Who's the little one?" Sano cocked his head towards Shinta who was busy laughing as Kenshin showed him what would happen if he didn't keep his guard up.

"Shinta's my little brother, he's learning kenjutsu too but he's not so good yet. He thinks it's funny."

"Obviously," Sano remarked wryly. Shinta was rolling on the ground now as Kenshin tickled him. "Are you three visiting or what?"

"Kind of. We're staying here until tou-san brings us back. He said it's not safe to stay at home anymore, because they killed kaa-san."

"Killed–your mom's dead?" Sano asked, sitting up. "The Heaven's Judges," He muttered, clenching his fists. Whenever Kenshin asked him to pitch in, he was ready.

"We're going to kill them," Yumiko said with a fierceness that belied her age.

"That so?" Sano asked absently as he watched Kaiba. No doubt she had failed to mention that to Kenshin. Sano gave a loud sigh as Kenshin looked as if he were about to begin another lesson. "Kenshin! Come on I'm starved, where's Jou-chan and Yahiko?"

Kenshin paused his game with Shinta. "They're both resting. Megumi-dono had to see one of her patients, so I said I would take care of supper."

"Well get on with it, I'm about to fall over from hunger." Sano received a dark stare from Shinta. "What's with that?" He asked.

"You can't order Himura-san around," Shinta said as cold as a five year old could sound.

"Oh yeah?" Sano replied. "How about I order you around then? Why don't you cook us supper?"

Shinta became a kid again. "I can't cook," He said, eyes lowered as if he was ashamed of the fact.

"Jeez kid, don't look so serious, I was just kidding. You're Shinta, right?" The boy gave a nod. "Keep working on your sword technique, it's coming." Sano gave him a wink and received a smile in return.

Shinta ran off to play with his brother and sister and Kenshin watched for a second. "The oldest boy, Kaiba, he has skill," He commented, watching as Kaiba sparred his brother and sister together. He was winning.

"Yeah, he looked pretty good. Think he could give you a run for your money Kenshin?" Sano grinned.

"Maybe not that good yet, but he'll get there." Kenshin looked at the buckets Sano had dropped on the ground. "Oro? Sano, what's this?"

Sano followed Kenshin's eyes. "That? What the hell does it look like, fish!"

"It's carp," Kenshin said bluntly.

Sano did a double-take. "C-carp? But I–I could've sworn–I thought the guy at the stand–" Sano growled and lifted his fist. "Damnit! This is what you get for telling me to get the food! Why couldn't Jou-chan have sent you? Damnit!"

"It's not all that bad," Kenshin said, inspecting the rest of Sano's purchases. "We can make some miso to go with it."

"Whatever." Sano grumbled. "If Jou-chan gets up let her know I'm taking a bath okay?"

Kenshin sweat-dropped. "Ano . . . the bath isn't prepared."

"What! I thought Jou-chan said she was–! DAMNIT! Fine then, I'll just be inside!" Sano stalked to the porch, trying not to think too hard about how nice a good hot soak would feel after he'd traipsed over half of Tokyo looking for the right food.

"Himura-san! Himura-san!" Yumiko had abandoned her brothers when she saw Kenshin lifting the buckets and heading towards the fire pit. "Can I help you cook? I'm good, I helped kaa-san a lot."

"You're probably more skilled than me," Kenshin said. Although his cooking was better than Kaoru's he was nowhere near achieving the title of master chef. "Come on, you can make the miso."

One hour later, as Kaoru came bleary-eyed from her room, Yumiko placed 7 bowls of miso on the table before running to get the fish-on-a-stick from the fire. Kenshin was busy slicing vegetables. "Supper?" Kaoru asked scratchily. Sano gave her a lazy "oi" and Kenshin smiled.

"Almost done, Kaoru-dono," He said, sweeping the chopped beets into separate bowls of rice. "How's your side?"

"Mm, still hurts a little," Kaoru admitted. "It's kind of stiff now."

"You should take a bath after supper." Kenshin advised. "I'll draw some water and start the fire."

"That would be nice," Kaoru said, sitting down.

"That would be great!" Sano added. "I could use a good bath."

"Kaiba-kun, you and Shinta can have a bath with Yahiko and Sano and Kenshin." Kaoru told the boy.

"What!" Sano protested. "How the hell are we all fitting in there?"

"It does seem a little cramped." Kenshin commented.

"Well I'm sorry I don't have the means to make everyone their own separate bath but you'll just have to get over it!" Kaoru snapped. "You can bathe with me Yumiko." She added kindly.

To Sano's consternation (and Yahiko's too when he finally woke up) the girls got in the bath first. Kenshin stoked the fire uncomplainingly as Sano and Yahiko argued off to the side while Kaiba watched. Shinta was eagerly helping Kenshin with the fire, gathering wood to put under the tub.

"No peeking," Kaiba said as Yahiko walked past the door with a scowl on his face and an armload of wood. Already he and Yahiko hadn't hit it off well. Both were too busy trying to convince the other of their superior knowledge of swordsmanship to engage in friendly conversation. Kaiba had told Yahiko that Kasshin ryu was inferior to his own style because it was only used to protect people and wasn't good for attacking.

"Like I'd wanna look at her?" Yahiko snorted. "She's too young for me." He glared icily as someone around the corner snorted with laughter.

"Yeah, someone his own age is more suited for his ego."

"Shut up Sano!" Yahiko snarled.

"You better not insult my sister." Kaiba told Yahiko with an edge of warning.

"Why, what're you gonna do about it?" Yahiko demanded.

"I'll challenge you." Kaiba stated flatly. "Tomorrow, before breakfast."

Yahiko recoiled and made a face. "Before breakfast? That's too early!"

"It's okay if you back out." Kaiba conceded with a mocking tone.

Yahiko tossed his load of wood at Kenshin. "Not on your life! You're on! Tomorrow before breakfast!"

Kenshin had considered stopping the two boy's bickering before it came to a challenge but had decided against it. It was natural for a boy to want to protect his sister albeit for a non-existent reason, and it would do Yahiko good to practice with someone using a completely different style. As a wielder of the sword that protected he should know how to defend against styles designed to annihilate life. So Kenshin simply listened as the challenge was issued and accepted, closing the door to the furnace as Kaoru shouted that the water temperature was good.

The five boys milled around until Kaoru and Yumiko emerged, talking animatedly and glancing at Kenshin. Sano watched them suspiciously. "Wonder what she's so excited about," He said suggestively to Kenshin, who shrugged with embarrassment. "What've you been up to, lover-boy?" Sano nudged Kenshin's arm, grinning at the rurouni's flustered look.

"I haven't been up to anything, most probably they're talking about-" Kenshin couldn't come up with anything acceptable so he just stopped, face flaming as he took Sano's continued ribbing silently.

The bath was cramped, no doubt about it. Sano was the first one in, spreading out as much as possible and warning everyone else not to get in his space. Yahiko had told him that he'd better leave room for everyone else then or someone was going to be sitting in Sano's lap. "And it ain't gonna be me," Yahiko said, making it look like an accident as he bumped into Kaiba while stepping into the furo. Kaiba threw a scowl at Yahiko and stepped on his outstretched arm. "Watch out clumsy!" Yahiko shouted, splashing water at the offender.

"Sorry, I couldn't see through the steam," Kaiba said apologetically.

"Yeah, right." Yahiko muttered, settling down.

Kenshin decided to get in then, as room in the tub was getting nonexistent.

"Where're we supposed to sit?" Kaiba asked, noting both Sano and Yahiko's attempt to monopolize as much of the tub as possible.

"No room left here," Yahiko said without remorse.

Sano gave a frustrated noise. He was supposed to be enjoying a hot bath all to himself. "Get in," He told Kaiba, lowering his arms. Shinta followed his brother in, standing on tiptoe when he stepped down. The water was up to his nose.

"Kaiba-nii,"

"Stand on my legs," Kaiba told him, sitting down.

"Hey! Look out where you're stretching!" Yahiko kicked at Kaiba's legs as they bumped him.

"Maybe if you were courteous to your guests there wouldn't be a problem," Kaiba said coolly. Yahiko seethed, unable to come up with a response. Kaiba was a lot quicker with his tongue than he was. He settled for turning his nose up and ignoring the two Katsuras. Nobody seemed to notice.

"Kenshin, you're acting all dark again," Sano said.

"Oh? Sorry, just thinking."

"Tomorrow night?" Sano asked, remembering about the attack Kenshin had told them about earlier that day.

"Aah. I don't want to leave Kaoru-dono and Yahiko alone, especially now that Katsura has entrusted me with his family." Kenshin hardly noticed as Yahiko and Kaiba got into a water fight over who was taking whose space. "And I haven't told Kawaji-dono yet, I need to go see him tomorrow morning."

Sano jabbed a thumb at his chest. "Leave it to me. You worry about telling Kawaji and I'll go over tomorrow night. Show those reformists my fists of judgment." Sano chuckled at his wit.

"I don't know how many men are being sent," Kenshin said. "There could be too many for you. I'm sending a message to Misao-dono tomorrow as well. Maybe the Oniwabanshuu can make it in six days time." Kenshin's face screwed up in thought. "Who else can I count on for tomorrow though?"

"Well, I can grab some guys from the joint," Sano offered. "I know I can at least count on–let's see, Chou, Sarutaro, Toma–oh, not Toma, that's right–at least two people anyways."

Kenshin nodded slowly. "It could work. I doubt there're going to be very many there. After all, it's only another murder from what I understand. It's good just to be prepared though." He leaned back against the side of the furo, relaxing. "We'll get it done tomorrow then. By the way Sano, have you heard from Saitou recently?"

Sano's face darkened. "Him? No, last I heard though he was still a dog for the Meiji." Sano looked at Kenshin with a sudden insight. "Yeah, he would probably be all set to help us wouldn't he?"

"That's what I was thinking." Kenshin nodded. "I assume he has already been informed of the Bright Revolution movement. After all, the Meiji wants to crush it and I'm sure they will be sending their best men. I expect Saitou will be coming into Tokyo soon. If you hear anything about it, let me know."

"Oh, you can bet on it," Sano said zealously. He still had a couple of bones to pick with Saitou Hajime, ex leader of the Shinsengumi's third squad.

"Kora! You're knocking all the water out!" Sano and Kenshin were jerked out of their conversation as a miniature tidal wave crashed over everyone's heads. "Stupid jerk!" Yahiko spluttered as soon as he'd wiped the water from his face.

"You're the one who tried to stop it. If you hadn't, the water would have just gone over," Kaiba said smugly.

"Gggrrrr! Kenshin, dou ryuu sen him outta here!" Yahiko said as he stabbed a finger at Kaiba.

"Yahiko-chan's just worried that there's someone who might be better than him!" Sano taunted, whapping Yahiko on the head.

"Chan JA NAI! Don't touch me!" Yahiko threw Sano's hand off of him. "I'm leaving," He said disgustedly, sticking his tongue out at Kaiba as he left. Kaiba gave him the red-eye in return, although Yahiko didn't see because he had swiftly turned around and slammed the door, as much as a sliding door can slam, after him.

"Did we miss something?" Kenshin asked with a blank expression.

After the bath, Kaoru laid out extra futons for the Katsuras. The two boys, she said, giving Yahiko a complain-and-die look, were going to sleep in Yahiko's room. Yumiko was going to be in her room.

"Why do I have to be stuck with them?" Yahiko groused, disregarding Kaoru's look.

"Because it's safer!" Kaoru snapped. "Stop questioning me! If Kenshin told you that you wouldn't be whining!" Yahiko crossed his arms and glared at Kaiba but shut up nonetheless.

"Night Kenshin." Kaoru yawned as she plodded to her own room with Yumiko trailing behind her. It didn't quite register that Kenshin hadn't responded until she was already on her futon. Maybe he'd already gone to bed, she thought foggily. Then again, he was probably outside guarding. Kaoru considered going to keep him company but she really didn't want to drag herself onto the roof at the moment. She rolled on her back and sighed. She hadn't seen Kenshin this edgy in a while. It made her nervous. She could tell he was trying to hide it, but his whole attitude gave it away. He was quiet–not that he wasn't usually quiet–as if something was always on his mind, and Kaoru had noticed he kept his hands, more tense than usual, near his sakabatou. Little things hardly noticeable, but there all the same. Kaoru sighed again. It seemed Kenshin would never be able to have a stress-free life.

Up on the roof of the Kamiya dojo, Kenshin was thinking on the same line. One thing after another with not much respite in between. He was willing to endure it though, even if he could never fully atone for his crimes. Kenshin gazed at the starry sky. It was so peaceful. It reminded him of the times he had gone outside at night to train with his shishou. Shishou . . . A regretful smile flickered across Kenshin's face. He really had been a baka deshi.

And suddenly a thought occurred to Kenshin. Who better to ask for help with the defense next week than Hiko Seijurou the 13th? He was the strongest swordsman around, even if he had given up teaching to try his hand at pottery.

Kenshin frowned slightly as he recalled what his shishou had told him after the last time he'd helped Kenshin out. Don't come crawling to me next time you need help. Hiko being who he was, Kenshin wasn't too sure if his shishou had been serious or not. Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask him. Doubtless he was still sitting on his mountaintop, brooding about the state of Japan. A change would do him some good.

There was still the problem of someone staying to protect the dojo though. Kenshin wasn't about to leave Kaoru and Yahiko in their conditions, and that went doubly now that Katsura had entrusted him with his three children. Kenshin knew if he mentioned it to Misao she would be only too happy to ask his shishou for him but he seriously doubted anyone other than himself would be able to twist Hiko's arm to help out. Besides, it was Kenshin that Hiko liked to make fun of the most. Well, he would just put up with it if that's what it would take.

So who to watch the dojo . . .? He considered taking everyone with him and quickly banned that idea as he thought of his shishou's flirtatious habits. No, not a good idea at all. Katsura's children would slow them down anyway. There was just no way out of it, Kenshin would have to leave and trust that everything would be okay. Sano would be there after all, although not the next night. And Yahiko was getting to be a strong fighter. Kenshin would just go as fast as he could and hope that his shishou would agree to come with him.

Kenshin sat up straighter in an effort to keep his eyes open. He didn't think Yamamoto would try anything tonight but there was no harm in taking precautions. Kenshin knew Sano was sitting on the porch, guarding as well. He considered going to tell Sano what his plans were and get a head start that night. The Heaven's Judges wouldn't be expecting him to leave so soon after an attack. Then again, the train station wasn't open at this hour and the only way he would make it to Kyoto and back in time was by train. Nix that idea. He would just get an early start the next morning.

Kenshin shook himself as his eyelids drooped, shivering slightly as a cold breeze that heralded winter blew across the roof. It would have been nice to have a blanket but maybe this way the cold would keep him awake. Just as that thought passed through his head he felt something soft fall around his shoulders.

"It's cold out Kenshin, you should have a cover."

"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin turned. "What are you doing out here?"

"I couldn't sleep. I figured you'd be out here so I decided to keep you company. Is that okay?" Kaoru came to sit down beside him.

"Of course." Kenshin shrugged the blanket off of his shoulders. "You should take this though, you're the one who should be keeping warm."

Kaoru whipped another blanket from her yukata, proud of her foresight. She'd known if she only brought one Kenshin wouldn't take it. "Nope, I brought another, so you keep it."

"Arigatou, Kaoru-dono." There were several seconds of silence as both of them looked at the sky.

"The stars are so beautiful tonight,' Kaoru said dreamily, hands on her chin.

"Aah." More silence but it wasn't uncomfortable. "Kaoru-dono,"

"Nani?"

"I wasn't going to tell anyone but since you're up here," The inflection in his voice got Kaoru's attention and she stared at him, worry beginning to fill her mind. Kenshin wasn't thinking of . . .? "I'm going to go to Kyoto tomorrow,"

"Oh, Kyoto?" Kaoru said, feeling vastly relieved. It didn't last for long though. "Kyoto?" She echoed apprehensively. "For what? Kenshin, you're not–"

"I'm not leaving," Kenshin assured her. "I'm going to talk to shishou. We need someone to help us fend off the attack next week and I've been trying to think of as many people as possible to help. I'm sending a letter to Misao-dono and Aoshi as well."

"Oh," Kaoru said, thinking absently that all these surprises at once wasn't good for her heart.

"I've thought about it for a while," Kenshin continued. "I don't want to leave you here alone but there's no other alternative. I would bring you with me except you shouldn't be traveling right now and someone needs to look after Katsura's children. I'm going to take the train, it will be quicker. I should be back in two days," Kenshin stopped, and Kaoru saw he was waiting for something. When it finally hit her she could hardly believe it.

He's actually waiting for my approval? "It's something that needs to be done," Kaoru said brightly. "We'll wait for you. And you don't need to worry about us, I saw Kaiba-kun practicing, between him and the Kasshin ryu we can take on anything!"

"Glad to see you're so positive," Kenshin laughed. "Oh, Sano will be here too. He'll be out tomorrow night but I asked him to watch out for you when I was gone. So just let him know tomorrow."

"Sano won't be happy that you've left without him," Kaoru said.

Kenshin nodded. "I know but he understands. There're only so many things a person can do at once. I'll be back as soon as possible,"

"What about Yamamoto?" Kaoru asked worriedly. "Do you think he'll try and attack you when he finds out you've gone by yourself?"

"No and I'm more than a match for him if he does."

It was one of the few times Kaoru heard Kenshin acknowledging his skill. "You're right. Just–come back Kenshin. Promise me."

"I promise," Kenshin said, resting a hand on her shoulder with a fwap. "After all, I did say tadaima,"

Kaoru smiled, putting her hand up to Kenshin's. "I know." They stayed like that for a few minutes before Kenshin moved his hand.

"You should go to bed Kaoru-dono," He said, settling down with his sakabatou.

"I am pretty tired. I think I could fall asleep now." Kaoru stood up slowly, favoring her side. "Night Kenshin."

"Good night, Kaoru-dono."

A quick noteon thecarp . . . well, it's just not a fish delicacy. I suppose you could compare it to eating catfish (I personally have always hated catfish). On another note, I realize that the size of Kaoru's furo is not suited for more than two people at most.Does Kaoru really want to draw enough water for seven baths though? Of course not so I fudged a little.

furo - hot tub/bath

ja nai -this negates an aforementioned word

miso - a watery soup

shishou - master

tadaima - I'm back/home

yukata - a kimono for sleeping in

I haven't been putting any of the words in which I've already mentioned in previous chapters but if anyone is having problems or this annoys you, let me know and I'll make amends. There'll be some action coming up, I promise. Next chapter . . . everyone's favorite (second favorite?) master of Mitsurugi Ryu!