Sorry it's been so long. A some time ago I had to say goodbye to someone dear to me. I hoped that I could start writing to help me with the loss. It's hard watching someone you love die slowly. As they suffered I saw again the cruelty of life. But opening my laptop and writing eases my pain a little. I promise the chapter won't be full of long monologue or tears. I simply felt those who have waited deserved to know why. I hope you enjoy this chapter and those to come.

Akira

I don't think there is a word to describe how i feel. It's too many jumbled into on for me to focus on one to name it. There sitting on the floor is the love of my life but she feels different somone. Before I know it I've brought her to my arms and feel her body for any harm done.

For some reason unknown to me she cries. Maybe it's because she is reunited with me but I am not so vain to believe such a thing.

"My love I don't know if they've told you why I have not been killed but I will tell you. I...that is we are having a baby."

Breath stops in my lungs and I can't seem to call it forth so I can breathe. She is still alive because she is having a baby. I will be a father. But.

Now my mind runs with fear. This isn't the life for a child.

Megumi

Sitting in the yard I was surprised to see my love rooster running up to me with Yahiko. I didn't know much about the boy but from what my love has told me he is smitten with a little mouse of a girl. She sounds adorable but from the family she is from he has little to no chance of gained rights to marry her.

"Rooster you better not be running in here looking for dinner."

"No fox the kid needs help and I for once will admit when I'm in over my head."

"Oh, so what's seems to be the problem I need to fix."

"The girl he's crushing on. I don't know how to go about asking someone for his kids hand. So I thought seeing as you came from a up town family you could help."

"Yes that seems to be right. Give me a brush some ink and paper. I have a letter to write."

"What? Who could you be writing that could help us now. Everyone is either killing or dying some place."

"I didn't ask you all that I ask you to go fetch me a few things and the sooner you do the sooner I will tell you my plan."

"Ugh fine you crazy fox"

"I'd have to be to put up with you."

As I continued fighting with Sano, I could feel young Yahiko's eyes on me. I know he doesn't like me with Sano leaving Kaoru unguarded for me. But I think in time he will see me in a new light. I can't blame him for his idea of me. I just hope with my help I can give him hope and make him smile a little.

Aoshi

Everything seemed to be calming down now that this mad man had his wife. It angered me that I had to leave Misao behind but I didn't want her anywhere near this mess. I hope she has found something to do with her self that isn't her getting into trouble.

Once I have located her we will leave for a time. I want us to try to be together because this life and world we live in won't last forever. One day there will no longer be people to watch or kill. One day everyone will be dead or retired.

I can't wait to ask her to be with me. I want her to be sure she wants me and the life I plan on living. There is no telling how much time we have left. I don't want to end my days with regret that I never started anything with her.

Search the room for her I hurry to her side to start back where we left off.

Hiko

I can't rewind time but I can start by doing better. Runa I pray you know that I never stopped loving you. I always wanted you happy with me. But now you have a grandchild and I want to help them grow.

I want to spoil them and go against their parents. I want to watch me walk and talk because I missed that with our little flower. I guess she's your little flower now.

Still I took away their grandparents so why not be one in your absence. I'll tell them of your adventures and even how you met that wuss of a husband of yours.

Maybe one day I'll forgive myself for all this hell I helped cause. I know you already forgave me. The new you has anyway the old you would have skinned my hide.

With this sake that I stole from someone's stash I vow to love, protect, and teach your grandchild like their were my own.

Third person

Megumi begin to write having excellent handwriting and before long she told the boys to stay while she went into town before it become dark. Sano not being one to take orders ready to follow behind her until she reminded him of what he'd be missing should he disobey her.

In her hand she wrote a letter addressed to the father of Yahiko's intendent. To simply remind the man that he was in no position to deny her request. If he wanted to ensure no one found out how me made his fortune in the village.

It was dirty yes but after everything this family did to gain her freedom she would to this and more. It's not like he'd be missing anything in their little bargain. The little mouse was his youngest child and should he give the boy four years to prove himself worthy he would have one less girl child to worry about.

Sliping the letter into a servants hand she relayed it was for the master of the house only. He would contact them in a if not that very night. In a weeks time everything would fall into place. She hope Kaoru wouldn't be too mad at her for her ways of gaining what she wanted. This was her family too after all.

Kenshin

With my love finally asleep call out to Maiso for her to come out of her hiding place. I smile as she pouty of her being discovered but I wasn't given the title of manslayer for nothing.

"What are you planning to do now. I don't want her to have the baby surrounded by snakes."

"You are right she will not agree to that as well. But his is my home and soon everyone will be gone. With nobody to oppose us we shall be comfortable here hidden from the world."

"What about her family and the dojo. WIll you make her give up everything she hold dear simply to play house wife for you?"

"No I wouldn't ever dream of taking away her family. I simply want some time alone with my beloved before I have to share her with them. The boys will not want her out of their sight and I can't have them sleeping in our room with us. However they can move in with us if they wish.

"Aoshi it's not nice to ease drop. If you are ready to leave them we can go as soon as Kaoru wakes up."

"I wasn't trying I simply wanted to wait until you were done. I know how important she is and would not take you way until you were sure of her happiness here."

"I am afraid I can't let you wake her. But I can allow you to watch over her while I finish some business. I swear Aoshi when this is done you two are free to go."

"Very well."

I hope everyone liked it. I promise to add another sometime this month. Until next time!