Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is copyrighted and owned by its respective owner(s), of which I am not one.


Warnings: AU


"Tell me more about this Shinomori Aoshi."

Kaoru shrugged, fingers unconsciously fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "I really don't know much about him. I've only seen him two or three times with Ken—I mean Battousai and usually when he's leaving the apartment."

"Did you get the sense that he was involved with Battousai's escapades?"

Escapades? Is that what the police call murders these days? Kaoru wondered. Out loud, she said, "I thought they were rather close. Their words to one another were very cordial and familiar."

Saitou regarded her with a speculative expression. "I see. Do you recall anything they spoke of?"

Kaoru took a moment to think about it before grimacing and shaking her head. "No, nothing in particular. I mean, they always parted with words like 'See you later' or 'I'll contact you afterwards' or something."

"Describe him."

She shivered, remembering Aoshi's cold eyes assessing her as they were first introduced. "He's quite tall, maybe about your height. Dark hair cut short but with bangs past his forehead. Blue eyes. I've always seen him dressed in some sort of white and yellow trench coat. Emotionless." Kaoru frowned as a sudden thought occurred to her. "Odd that Kenshin would have a friend so opposite of him."

Saitou snorted. "Perhaps they're not as opposite as you think they are."


Despite Megumi's repeated protests and efforts to bribe her with really expensive tea, Kaoru refused to move into her friend's apartment, even for a little while. After all, a simple change of location wouldn't stop Kenshin from coming after her, if he decided to live up to his promise. And anyway, she was sure he had better things to do than to stalk her. Kaoru figured he was intelligent enough to realize that she knew too little about him to constitute a threat. As for the kiss, well … he had probably kissed quite a few girls in his lifetime and no doubt promised them the same thing.

Besides, even if he did decide to return, it didn't really sound like Kenshin was going to hurt her. Just ravish her or something.

Not that she wanted to be ravished. Of course she didn't.

She really, really didn't feel anything for Battousai. Honest.

Now if only she believed herself.

Kaoru did, however, promise the reluctantly departing Megumi that she would lock all her doors and windows, look through the peephole before opening the door to anyone, and slide money through the mail slot when ordering her meals. As soon as the delivery guy left, she could crack her door open and snatch the food left behind.

Okay, maybe she went too far in promising the last part. But it was kinda funny seeing the reaction of the pizza guy as he dropped off her food.

Alone with her lunch, Kaoru flopped onto the couch and began to methodically chew on a slice of pizza as she considered the direction her life had taken with the last forty-eight hours. Had it been only two days ago when she had first seen Battousai at his most menacing? She hadn't told her friends about the nightmares plaguing her for the past couple of nights. Instead, she brushed the exhaustion off as something caused by the long interrogation with Saitou and trying to cooperate with the police in every way.

No matter how much she trusted Sano, Kaoru couldn't understand why he would defend Battousai so vigorously. But she couldn't completely accept that he was also the devil on earth, either, as Megumi had claimed. Although she did note the doctor picked on Sano more than the manslayer.

Hmm, interesting. It was something to ponder later.

Taking the last bite of her pizza, Kaoru set the plate aside and took a drink from her glass. Taking the dishes to the kitchen, she set them in the sink, rinsed them off, and headed to her room. It was time to go a-hunting for her old sword.

It only took her twenty-some minutes before Kaoru found the bokken shoved deep in the back of her closet, buried under some hideous lime green shirt she had bought while she had been attending the university. She vaguely remembered going through a make-your-own-fashion-statement stage which lasted all of two days and resulted in her buying all sorts of things she would never dream of wearing now.

How times have changed.

In any case, she had found what she was looking for. Taking the bokken out to her living room, Kaoru looked it over carefully to check for damage on the simple wood sword. Satisfied it would live for another round of practice sessions, she shoved the coffee table against the wall to make more space before standing in the middle of the room, weapon up.

The wooden grip instantly felt comfortable in her hands as though she hadn't spent almost ten years away from it. Kaoru remembered all the lessons her father had drummed into her head, spending hours upon hours correcting her stance or critiquing her form. Later on, as the lessons grew harder and longer, she had lost more and more interest until her father gave up completely. Luckily, Yahiko had come into their lives by then and Kaoru was more than happy to relinquish her position as heir to the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu to him.

Speaking of which, she wondered when her father or Yahiko would call, asking about Battousai. After all, the media had informed the rest of the city exactly where the infamous manslayer had taken up residence. Surely they'd call and check to make sure she was all right?

Then again, knowing them, they were too caught up in training or practicing for competitions to even listen to the news. She had better call them first.

Kaoru swung the bokken a few times experimentally, relishing the simple power released from the smooth motion. All the hours of lessons came flooding back though she was a bit rusty from the lack of practice. Hmm, maybe she should restart lessons again. It would no doubt shock both Yahiko and her father but they would probably welcome the news. Swords and competition were their lives.

After considering that for a moment, Kaoru set the bokken down against one end of the couch and went over to her phone. Glancing at the clock, she plugged the disconnected phone line back in and dialed the dojo number, hoping to get someone. When they weren't teaching lessons, both Yahiko and her father spent time on their own training and didn't bother answering the phone. So it was rather surprising to hear a click before a deep tenor voice spoke.

"Kamiya Dojo, Yahiko speaking."

Kaoru blinked at the prompt response. "Yahiko? Why aren't you at school?"

"Busu? I've got time off to study for my exams. What, did you think I was skipping?"

She scowled at the phone even though the teenager couldn't see it. "Stop calling me names, Shorty. And yeah, I wouldn't put it pass you to skip your classes for the Junior League competition or something. Speaking of which, you're entering, right?"

"Sent in the registration form last week," Yahiko confirmed. "But I wouldn't skip school. Sensei would kick my rear if I did. He's always like 'You need to graduate with high grades so you can get into the university like Kaoru did and find a good job.'" Kaoru could almost imagine him rolling his eyes. "Like working at the dojo isn't good enough!"

"He's just looking out for you, kiddo. And he's right, school is very important. Who knows? You might change your mind about owning a dojo and without a degree these days, it'll be harder to find a job." Once those words were out of her mouth, Kaoru wondered when she had suddenly become her father. It was a disturbing thought.

Yahiko apparently agreed from his loud groan. "Okay, okay, I get it, Mom. Anyway, what's up? Didja need to talk to Sensei? Hey, how come you're not at work? Are you playing hooky?"

"I just wanted to see when was a good time to come by and maybe get started up on kendo lessons again. And no, I'm not skipping. I took some time off since I've got enough vacation time to last for a whole year."

Kaoru could almost hear his mouth dropping open in shock. "Did I hear you right? You decided to actually go on vacation? And you want to go back to taking kendo lessons again? Tell me the truth, Busu, is the world coming to an end!"

She tapped her foot impatiently, ignoring his teasing. "Why is that so hard to believe? It can't be that weird for me to get back into training."

Yahiko snorted inelegantly. "As I recall, when Sensei finally let you quit, you threw your bokken across the room and declared you'll burn the next piece of kendo equipment you touched."

Kaoru frowned. "I did? I don't remember that part."

"Well, I do. Sensei gave you a ten minute lecture on how expensive equipment was and that no daughter of his was going to turn into a pyromaniac."

Hmm, that did sound vaguely familiar. Kaoru just sighed. "Look, I was young and foolish, all right? Now tell me when the dojo is free so I can come over there and kick your butt."

"Yeah, right! I've gotten a lot better since we last sparred so don't get your hopes up. Be prepared to lose!" There was some rustling noise at the end of the line before Yahiko spoke again. "There's an intermediate and advanced class at seven and eight tonight. Wanna sit in on the intermediate? Sensei's been letting me teach some classes alone these days and it'll be a good way to gauge your pathetically rusty skills."

"You're on, Shorty. I'll see you then."

After saying their goodbyes, Kaoru hung up and wondered if she should have said something to Yahiko about what had happened yesterday. Both he and her father didn't really bother much with watching tv or reading the newspaper. But when classes started tonight, someone was bound to talk about it with Battousai being so famous and all. If she had told Yahiko, at least he would be calm enough to realize she was still alive and fine. And together they could break it to her father gently and in a way so he wouldn't be too alarmed.

But Kaoru wasn't sure she wanted to tell the story twice to Yahiko and then her father. And there was that slight chance Yahiko would freak out as well and try to play the part of a protective, bratty brother. She wouldn't put it past both of them to stand guard outside her door for the next five years if it meant keeping her safe.

Trying to figure out a way to keep them from being too concerned, Kaoru headed back to her couch and curled up on one end, cupping her chin with one hand as she considered what she could say. She was so engrossed in her thoughts it took a moment for her to realize that she wasn't alone in her apartment anymore.

Gah! Not again!

Kaoru half-rose from her seat, locking gazes with a man whom she was quite, quite certain hadn't been there a minute ago. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized Shinomori Aoshi, only one of two people Kenshin had been seen with. Didn't she give his name to the police? Why wasn't he with Saitou, sitting on the Chair of Torture and being thoroughly interrogated until he felt the same urge to confess his childhood sins as Kaoru had? (Saitou had not been amused when she began babbling about how one time she was so angry at her friend that she had beheaded one of her dolls.)

Aoshi didn't speak but instead watched her with his piercing, cobalt eyes. Despite his relaxed stance, Kaoru could tell he was ready to react if necessary. She inched away from him and stopped, eying him to see his reaction. When he didn't stir, Kaoru figured that meant she was allowed to move so she did. Very slowly. She edged towards the other side of the couch, not only to escape but also to get her bokken back in her hands. After all, who knew what one of Battousai's friends would do? She had a feeling threatening Aoshi with a hanger wouldn't yield better results than it had with Kenshin.

It felt like hours instead of mere minutes when Kaoru was finally close enough to grasp her wooden sword. Almost breathing a sigh of relief once her hands closed over the familiar weapon, she hoisted it up and leapt off the couch to face Aoshi who merely turned slightly to keep her in full sight.

The sword settled comfortably in her hands and Kaoru was reassured by the familiar weight. Her body seemed to know exactly what to do as she stepped back with her left foot, feet far apart enough to find and maintain her sense of balance, and sword extended in a classic defensive position. She tensed, waiting for an attack or for him to sneer at her pathetic moves or something!

But Aoshi said nothing and Kaoru wasn't sure she could stand the tension any longer. She felt like she was forever trying to get rid of strange men in her apartment. "What do you want?" she asked, proud that her voice was so steady. Apparently, after having been interrogated by Saitou and confronting Battousai all in the space of one night, she could stand firm with the best of them.

Aoshi's eyes narrowed but he made no move to approach her. "What did you tell the police about Himura?"

Kaoru blinked at the unexpected question. Lovely. Kenshin's friend came here to get information from her. At the same time, just by the tone of his voice, he subtly conveyed that she was an idiot for practically turning Battousai in. She scowled, somehow feeling like she was being rebuked, and said defensively, "Just the truth."

"You do not know the truth," Aoshi returned evenly.

"Fine. The truth in my eyes, then. Which, I'm sure you know, is the only thing I can base it on," Kaoru snapped back. How did she turn into the bad guy? She hated how he was making her feel like she was three inches tall and without a clue on what was going on.

Which was true, she had no idea. But he didn't have to act like she was a troublesome child.

Aoshi actually seemed to consider about her words for a moment before inclining his head in agreement. "Very well. But I must insist you tell me what you told Saitou."

Kaoru sighed. She really was getting sick and tired of telling her story over and over again. "Like I said, the truth of what I know. I saw Kenshin killing a woman in the alley and I told the police about that. That's it. There's nothing more I know."

"Are you certain that is all you told him?" Aoshi pressed.

Are we back to this again? Why is it I'm always around people who question me and have the annoying tendency to repeat themselves over and over? She was also starting to feel ridiculous holding up her bokken since Aoshi didn't look like he was going to attack her. But what if he was just waiting for her to drop her guard? "Why am I even telling you this? Why don't you go ask Saitou himself?" Kaoru said, annoyed.

"You put Himura in grave danger by putting the Wolf on his trail," Aoshi said, slanting a hard look in her direction.

"As far as I know, Kenshin's a killer. Why shouldn't I tell the police what I know?" she shot back.

"Aoshi! Leave her alone!"

Two heads swung in the direction of Kaoru's balcony as Sano squeezed in between her bookcase and the balcony entrance. The door was already ajar, indicating that was how Aoshi got in. Sheesh, were the guys skinny enough to get between it? Kaoru eyed both men's figure. Yep, they were rather slender. Perhaps even thinner than her.

What a depressing thought.

"Sagara. What are you doing here?" Aoshi asked.

Sano looked between Kaoru and Aoshi and decided he had impeccable timing in coming to the apartment. The tension between them could be cut with a knife. "Trying to find you. The Missy said she gave our names to Saitou. You'll need to vanish for a while."

Aoshi turned censorious eyes in Kaoru's direction who had to fight the unwelcome urge to squirm uncomfortably. She refused to believe she did anything wrong. "I see," he said slowly. "Himura would want me to extend protection to you in return for the help you've given him. You may stay with us until the situation has resolved."

"Great, thanks." Trying not to look too relieved, Sano glanced at Kaoru who still hadn't put down her bokken. He raised his eyebrows at the sight of the wooden sword. Since when did she decide to start training again? "Are you all right, Missy?"

Kaoru glared at Aoshi who returned her look with an impassive one of his own. "I'm fine. Just trying to get used to unexpected visitors in my living room," she said pointedly. "You do realize breaking and entering is against the law, right?"

"You have inadequate locks. Anyone would be able to enter without difficulty," Aoshi said calmly.

"From the second floor?" Kaoru's strangled voice rose in volume at his disapproving tone.

"All you need is one intrepid and determined thief."

His self-righteous comment pushed her barely restrained temper over the edge. She didn't care if he was Battousai's friend and probably the second most dangerous criminal in the world. Kaoru's hands twitched with the effort not to club Aoshi over the head with her bokken. Repeatedly. "Argh! Sano, get him out of my apartment! I don't want to hear or talk about Battousai anymore until the day I die! And maybe not even then!" She could feel her head start to throb in pain. How did her life turn so complicated?

Sano looked pained. "Yeah, all right, Missy. Just calm down. Aoshi, we had better go. Saitou probably has her apartment watched in case one of us comes back."

Aoshi nodded as a phone rang. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his cellular and flipped it open. "Shinomori," he said.

Kaoru finally lowered her weapon, feeling safer now that Sano was here. He wouldn't let Aoshi attack her. Unfortunately, he probably wouldn't let her attack the so-called ice block, either. She tapped her foot and glared at the tall, dark-haired man as he nonchalantly carried out a monosyllabic conversation with whoever was on the other end. Couldn't he do that outside?

Aoshi finally closed the phone and looked over at Sano. "New orders from Hiko. We're to bring the Kamiya woman with us."

"What?" Two shocked and disbelieving voices rang out in unison.

Of course, Aoshi didn't react to the twin shouts. "It's for her own safety. Our enemies have tracked her down and will want to question her. Even if she knows nothing, they will take whatever information they can get."

Enemies? She wasn't surprised that not very many people liked Aoshi but that had nothing to do with her, thank you very much. "I'm not going anywhere with you. I refuse to get tangled up in this whole mess!" Kaoru said loudly.

"If you do not come with us, they will find you and kill you," Aoshi said blandly.

"You don't know that!"

"I do."

The quiet assurance in his voice didn't relieve Kaoru any. She swung her gaze to Sano who was grimacing. He met her eyes and nodded. "He's right, Missy. These people are ruthless. They'll torture you to get information and when they're done, they'll kill you and toss you aside like yesterday's trash. It's safer if you come with us."

"But Sano," she started when she was interrupted by a noise at the door. The locks tumbled open and the bolt slid free before the door swung inward.

"I thought I had better get you some food while you're in hol—" Megumi paused as she realized her friend wasn't alone. She stood at the threshold, arms full of groceries as she looked back and forth between the three people. Her gaze finally landed on Sano and her dark eyes narrowed. "You," she hissed.

Sano put a hand behind his head nervously, feeling her fury even over the distance between them. Unfortunately, he had a vague idea of why Megumi was so upset. His name, after all, was now connected to Battousai, thanks to Saitou. "Uh, heya, fox lady. So nice of you to bring some food for the Missy."

Megumi opened her mouth to say something before deciding it wasn't worth the effort. Instead, she carefully set the grocery bags on the floor before glancing at Aoshi. "The police are looking for you both," she said evenly. "Tell me why I shouldn't call them right now?"

"Because that would be too mean?" Sano said helpfully.

"We don't have time for this," Aoshi said curtly. "One of Shishio's men could arrive any minute. We should leave while we can."

"I'm not going!" Kaoru protested.

"Where are you taking her?" Megumi asked sharply. "Kaoru, what's going on?"

Sano walked over to the balcony door and peered down below. The crowd of reporters, off to one side and nearly obscured by the corner of the building, was still there, huddling together as they watched the entrance of the apartment complex. As he looked on, a car pulled up to the front door. He focused on it as two doors opened and a pair of familiar figures emerged from the vehicle. Cursing under his breath, Sano glanced over at his friend. "Too late, Ice Man. They're here."

Aoshi remained silent for a moment as if assessing the situation. "We cannot leave Dr. Takani here. It won't be safe for her, either. Bring her and I'll take care of Kamiya."

"What?" Kaoru asked before her equilibrium up-ended and she found herself slung over Aoshi's shoulder. "Hey, put me down you … you … cave man!"

He ignored the unimpressive insult and the futile kicks and punches. Aoshi glanced at Sano who was struggling with Megumi. "Sagara, we don't have time for this. Knock her unconscious if you need to but we have to leave. The emergency stairs have a door leading to the back of the building where my car is parked."

Megumi was beating Sano with her purse. "Don't touch me, you rooster-head!" she shouted.

His chocolate eyes were filled with regret. "I'm sorry about this, Megitsune," he murmured. Dodging another swing aimed for his face, Sano stepped closer and snatched the offending weapon from her hands. He was still smarting over his bruises left by her purse (the bag must hold bricks, he decided; there was nothing else that could make a bag so heavy). Tossing it on the couch, Sano grabbed her wrist, restraining her arms to keep from scratching him further and followed Aoshi through the front door.


Saitou reread the sheet of paper in his hand for the fourteenth time, his brow furrowed into a deep frown. He seemed so engrossed in it that when someone entered the office, he didn't even look up.

"Something troubling you, Hajime?"

The low, husky voice washed over him like a cleansing rain, as familiar as his own right hand. Still, Saitou continued to concentrate on the paper, merely motioning for his wife to sit down on one of the visitor chairs.

Saitou Tokio hid a wry smile as she obeyed his unspoken command. She knew better than to think her husband had been so distracted that he didn't sense her presence. Rather, he knew and trusted her like no other, demonstrating that faith by not coming to alert as he normally would. She waited patiently for him to finish perusing the document, taking the time to mentally compose the grocery list for the house.

Finally, Saitou set the paper down and leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "Is this possible?" he wondered out loud.

Tokio added 'lettuce' to the list. "What is?"

He reached over to tap a finger on the paper lying on his desk. "Shinomori Aoshi is the leader of the Oniwabanshu. Somehow, he and his organization are involved with Battousai."

Tokio made a noncommittal sound that would encourage her husband to continue thinking out loud. It was routine for them to discuss ideas back and forth as they often caught what the other might miss.

"The Oniwabanshu had government ties which, as far as research can tell, have never been severed. But why would they work with Battousai? What is their goal in all of this?"

"What did the Oniwabanshu do for the government?" Tokio asked.

Saitou frowned. "I'm not quite sure. That information is classified, according to my contact in the government bureau. In the meantime, he's warned me that I should be careful with Shinomori. Not only does he lead the Oniwabanshu but his advisor is Kashiwazaki Nenji who is, apparently, very influential in the inner political circles and virtually untouchable." He shook his head. "I don't understand how Battousai can be connected with them."

Tokio hmmed as she considered the situation. "Do you think the Oniwabanshu are changing alliances?"

"It seems unlikely but any other scenario is even more so." Saitou glanced at his wife before looking at his watch. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be teaching your class?"

"I'm on my lunch break. I just stopped by to drop off some lunch because I know you're going to forget to eat while you're chasing after Battousai." Tokio stood and pulled a brown bag from her purse. "Please make sure to take the time to eat it, Hajime. I assume you'll be home late tonight?"

Saitou pursed his lips and glanced down at the paper again. There was always so much work to do when it came to hunting the manslayer. Still … "I'll be home before the boys go to bed," he said at last.

Tokio smiled and glanced at the door before going around to the desk to press a gentle kiss on her husband's head. "All right. Be careful," she murmured before heading out.

He watched her leave and waited until the gentle tapping of her shoes faded from his hearing. Saitou then reached for the bag and began to pull out a pair of wooden chopsticks and a covered plastic bowl of plain soba noodles, still hot. Peeling off the plastic, he picked up the chopsticks and began to eat, all the while keeping his eyes on the paper.

What did the Oniwabanshu have to do with Battousai?


Sanosuke tried really hard to ignore the twin glares boring holes into his head. But five minutes into the drive, he finally gave up. Turning around in his seat up front, he said, "Okay, look, I get that Megumi's mad. She always is about something that I do. But why are you so ticked with me, Missy? It's not like I wanted to take you with us!"

Kaoru narrowed her eyes murderously at her idiot friend. "You said you weren't involved with this Battousai thing but you lied to me!"

"I'm not!" Sano protested. He turned to Aoshi for help. "Tell her, Aoshi! Tell her that I really don't know anything!"

"Sagara doesn't know anything," the taller man said promptly, keeping his eyes on the road.

"See?" Sano said triumphantly. Then realizing what Aoshi said, he glared at his friend. "That wasn't funny!"

Kaoru wasn't amused in the least. She folded her arms across her chest. "Fine. Then you don't know who this Hiko person is?"

At the name, Sano shifted uncomfortably. "Well, sorta."

"Forget it, Kaoru," Megumi cut in. "I told you he couldn't be trusted. Next time, I'm going to go with my instincts and poison his food."

"Missy," Sano pleaded. "I'm not lying to you! I really don't know much. I just know some of the people involved in this thing, that's all. They wouldn't be allowed to tell me anything, anyway." Seeing the glares not lessening in ferocity, he turned to the driver again. "Come on, Shinomori, say something!"

"Sagara is right," Aoshi said, finally coming to the defense of his friend. "He is not involved in our operations. What he knows is purely from his own experience or speculation on his part."

"Experience?" Kaoru echoed.

"He must have told you how Himura rescued him from a second-rate loan shark. He, too, had to be taken to meet with Hiko."

"Why?"

Aoshi actually glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Normally, anyone who witnesses Himura kill must also die. Obviously he did not kill Sagara so Himura brought him to Hiko so that he could make a decision on what to do with him."

Kaoru fell silent as she thought about it. Sano grimaced, not noticing Megumi staring at him strangely. "Did you have to make me sound like a helpless idiot, Aoshi?"

"I merely speak the truth. We are being followed."

Kaoru furrowed her brow. "I thought we snuck past those two from the white car."

"He is not from Shishio. He is most likely from Saitou."

Sano glanced into the sideview mirror. "It's probably Chou. That broom-head was sniffing around the Underground this morning asking about me. Can you lose him?"

"I will attempt to do so. However, there might be a problem up ahead. There is construction work coming up in a few miles." Aoshi signaled to change lanes and moved the car smoothly. "Do you see him?"

Still watching the mirror, Sano nodded as he noted a car copying the movement. "He's in that red sporty thing." The street fighter whistled in appreciation. "Apparently fighting crime pays more these days. That is one sweet ride."

"Concentrate, Sagara."

"Sorry."

In the backseat, Megumi squeezed Kaoru's hand tightly and leaned closer to whisper to her. "I told you Saitou was smart. He probably had your apartment watched so if Rooster-head or anyone else showed up, they could follow him back to their hideout. We'll be rescued soon, isn't that great?"

Kaoru smiled weakly. "Yeah, great," she said.

Megumi frowned, studying her face. "Are you all right? You sound a little odd."

"I'm fine. Just trying to take everything in, I guess." She gave the doctor her best reassuring smile but apparently failed. Megumi gave her a suspicious look but didn't press the issue, apparently realizing that she wanted time to think first. Kaoru shot her a grateful smile as she subsided into her thoughts.

Well, she tried to, at any rate. Sanosuke suddenly said, "Right before we hit traffic, Aoshi, let me out. I'll distract Chou and you get the girls out of here. I'll meet up with you later."

"What do you plan on doing?" Aoshi asked.

Sano grinned as he flexed his knuckles. "I want him to deliver a message to Saitou for me."

Kaoru frowned at the back of her friend's head, not liking the sound of that. "Sano, are you going to do something stupid?"

"No! Sheesh, can't you give me a little credit here?"

"Not if you're involved," Megumi said tartly, folding her arms across her chest. "You're going to get into a fight and probably get hurt. Then you'll come crying to me to patch you up for the five hundredth time."

Kaoru blinked in shock. Sano had been asking Megumi to help him? Kaoru knew he enjoyed getting into a scuffle now and again and she always scolded him for it. Come to think of it, he was always bandaged and patched up every time she had seen him after a fight. Who knew Megumi would find it in her heart to help Sano out? "You've been asking Megumi for help, Sano?"

Sano glanced back at her, seemingly surprised. "Well, she is the best doctor around. Who else would I go to?"

Kaoru's eyebrows shot up at the matter-of-fact response. It was rare to hear such a tone from her friend, as if it should be more than obvious. How odd that he had such complete confidence in a woman who seemed to treat him like dirt. But then again, Sano was rather oblivious to anything except what he wanted.

She glanced at Megumi who seemed just as startled. Kaoru leaned in a little closer and realized that there was also a hint of surprised pleasure lurking beneath her placid expression. Apparently the compliment meant something to her usually hard-to-impress friend.

Hmm, more and more interesting. Exactly what was going on between Sano and Megumi? Obviously, the doctor wasn't as disgusted with the rooster-head as she pretended to be.

The car slowed to a halt and Sano opened the door. Glancing back, he looked at the two women in the backseat. "You girls just do what Aoshi tells you to do. He'll keep you safe until you meet up with Hiko. I'll be back later, all right?"

"Sano!" Kaoru started to say but he hopped out of the car and slammed the door shut. Kaoru craned her neck, watching as he weaved back and forth between traffic, heading towards the red car.

Megumi rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, Kaoru, he'll be fine. That rooster has more lives than the luckiest cat in the world." She pursed her lips in thought. "Kind of like a persistent fungus you want to get rid of but it keeps coming back, no matter how strong of a cleanser you use to get rid of it."

Kaoru only turned back when she couldn't see Sano anymore. She shot her friend a look. "We're going to have a talk later, you and I," she said, clearly not buying Megumi's act any longer.

Aoshi somehow managed to navigate through the construction site and traffic with relative ease until they were able to break free from the jam. The car began to speed up, turning out of the city and towards the countryside. "It will be some time before we arrive. If you two wish to rest, you may," he said. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he caught Kaoru's eyes. "You especially may wish to take this time to sleep. You will need your strength."

Kaoru furrowed her brow in puzzlement. "What do you mean?"

A tiny, humorless smile touched the corner of Aoshi's lips. "You barely survived one meeting with Battousai. How do you think you're going to fare against the man who is his teacher?"


AN: A heart-felt thanks to my beta Laegdin for all her hard work and suggestions. She's the driving force behind the chapters in making them better! Update schedule is listed in my profile.

Next chapter: Kaoru finally meets up Kenshin again! But she's going to have to survive meeting Hiko first ...