D/C: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Hello! I'm back! Thanks for all the reviews! I loved your ideas on the "merging the two characters together" thingy, but I dunno if I'll be writing the story that way. Maybe I'd do best sticking to my original plotline…

Anyway, I'll stop tattling now and let you get on with the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Suspicion and Worries

Battousai ran his fingers over the smooth surface of his blade. A smile touched his lips. It was long since he had last been able to touch his blade like this, and now he felt really ecstatic.

The cell phone suddenly rang. Grunting, he picked it up and answered it. 'Yes?' he said.

'Hi, Kenshin, it's me!' Kaoru's voice came from the other line.

'Uh…um, hi, Kaoru!' he said, nearly dropping his sword from surprise.

'Where are you? At work?' she asked.

'Um…sure, I mean, where else?' he lied, and smirked. poor, naïve Kaoru; still thinking I go to that dull job of her even more dull husband. 'Do you want something?'

'Oh, yeah,' she said. 'I wanted to remind you to pick Kenji up from school today…just in case you forget like the last time.'

'Hey, that's an offence!' he protested.

Kaoru laughed. 'I'm just being careful, sweetheart,' she said. 'I'm sorry. Don't be offended.'

'Okay,' he replied, grabbing a piece of cloth he had placed earlier next to him and starting to wipe his sword shiny clean. 'Don't worry. I won't forget to pick up Kenji.'

'I'll see you both at lunch, then, g'bye,' she said, and hung up.

Battousai put down the phone. Then he picked up the sword's sheath and slid the sword into it. No, I won't forget to pick Kenji up, but there's something I have to do first…

-

Kaoru put down the phone. She sat there at her desk, watching it for a few moments. It was strange, but she had a feeling that Kenshin wasn't really at work. It was bad that she was being suspicious, she shouldn't be suspecting her own husband…but lately, Kenshin had been acting rather strangely, and she just couldn't help it.

She chewed at her pen's cap. There was something wrong going on with Kenshin. It wasn't just "pressure" at work, there was something else too…she just couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Could it be really someone else…and not my own Kenshin? Could it…? Nah; it's not even possible.

But since she hadn't been able to find any other suitable explanation, this seemed the most fitting.

She sighed and tried to shake the thoughts she called silly, out of her head. She turned back to the newspaper article she had been reading. It was about a theft in a museum. Battousai's sword had been stolen.

Kaoru vaguely wondered if Kenshin had heard about this, but she giggled as she imagined what his reaction would be. If she didn't know better, she'd say he was possessed.

-

'Kenji, sweetie, are you okay?'

Kenji raised his big eyes from the paper he was drawing on, to his teacher. 'No, Ms. Jordan, I'm fine,' he replied.

Ms. Jordan smiled at him. 'If you say so, Kenji,' she said. 'But remember, if something's bothering you, you can always come and tell me, okay? I can help you.'

'Okay,' he agreed, and turned back to his drawing.

He was using dark colors; nave blue, black, dark green, brown, and…crimson. He was drawing people, three people, in fact. Two grown-ups and one small kid. The two grown-ups looked like they were shouting at each other, and the small kid was just standing between them, watching them. Kenji pressed the crimson pencil against the paper, and started coloring furiously. He colored the male grown-up's hair, and the kid's hair. Then he picked up the black coloring pencil and colored the woman's hair. Kenji was pouting the entire time, and he looked close to tears.

'Kenji…' Ms. Jordan had come back to check on him. She was looking at his drawing. '…is everything okay at home?'

Kenji's eyes instantly filled with tears. 'Mommy and Daddy are always fighting,' he choked. 'Daddy is hurting Mommy…'

-

With quick footsteps and long strides, Battousai made his way down the dark alleyway. His hands were shoved deep into the pockets of the long black leather jacket he was wearing. Behind it, he had his sword hidden. It was ridiculous to think that his sword would be of any use in these times were the word was for guns and bullets, but Battousai was sure he'd be able to put it to use anywhere…anytime.

But he needed a job for it right now, and he assumed that the best place to look for a job in the dark corners of the city.

Back in the time where he lived, people used to come to him, offering him jobs. But now he had to come look for a job, because no one knew about dull and good Kenshin. But they were soon going to know.

'Hey, you! What do yeh think you're doing here?'

Battousai looked around at the rough voice of the dark and dingy fellow who was leaning on the wall next to him. The man took the cigarette out of his mouth, which to Battousai didn't smell like any other kind of tobacco he knew, and strode forwards towards him.

Battousai didn't flinch or even move an inch. 'I'm looking for a job,' he said calmly.

'Ohyeah?' he snorted, sounding rather incredulous. 'What kinda job?'

'I think you know what I mean,' Battousai said quietly. 'I know what kind of jobs this place offers…if I didn't know, I wouldn't have come here, now, would I?'

The man scowled at him. 'I don't like yeh,' he growled.

'The feeling's mutual,' Battousai said, smiling pleasantly. 'Now take me to your boss, because I don't think someone like you is fit to be more than a lackey.'

'Why, yeh son of a…' the man spat, and stopped dead.

Battousai smirked and pressed his blade against the man's throat. 'You should mind your language, mate,' he told him. 'If you don't, it might get you killed…now, you'll take me to your boss, won't you?'

'Yeah, yeah, I will,' the man croaked, watching the blade.

'Good,' Battousai said softly, and returned the sword to its sheath. 'I knew we'd eventually reach to an understanding.'

The man nodded. 'Th-this way,' he stammered, leading Battousai further down the alley.

Battousai smiled, and hid the sword again. He followed the man till they reached a small pub at the end of the alleyway. The man pushed the door open, and beckoned Battousai to follow him inside. Battousai walked inside, and then he and the man started down a small flight of steps.

'What's your boss like?' Battousai asked conversationally.

'Uh…yeh'll see him in a moment,' the man answered.

'Well, then, what kind of jobs does he offer? I don't want to be wasting my time here,' he said.

'With that sword of yers, I bet he'll find yeh a good job,' the man assured him. He still looked afraid of him, and that greatly pleased Battousai.

They stepped into a small area, which was crowded with people similar to the likes of the man who had led him here. A bar was stashed against the wall, around which people were swigging large tankards of beer and other liquor. This place was nothing like the other two pubs he had been to so far.

The man headed to a table in the corner, and Battousai went after him. A large man wearing a crimson suit was seated at the table. Beside him sat three other men, sallow-faced and suspicious-looking. In fact, looking around the place, he found that he was the only one who could walk in the streets without having any questioning looks shot in his direction.

'Boss,' the man said. 'I have something fer yeh.'

The boss looked up at him, and his eyes flicked to Battousai. 'Yeah?' he said, squinting at Battousai. 'What?'

'This man is looking for a job,' he told him.

'Really?' the boss sneered. 'What's your name, mate?'

'Battousai,' he told him.

'Battousai, eh?' he said, roaring with laughter. 'What kinda name is that? Y'hear that, did y'hear what he said his name is? Battousai!'

The other three men joined the laughter as well. The first man, on the contrary, stayed silent, since he had already learned what might happen to him if he crossed the crimson-haired guy. Battousai just stood there and watched them, a small smile on his lips.

'Hey, Battousai,' the boss wheezed. 'Did you hear? Your sword was stolen from the museum a couple o' nights ago!'

Battousai set the sword on the table before them. 'You mean this one?' he asked softly.

The boss was obviously trying hard to contain his surprise, but the other four sat goggling at the sword. Battousai pulled a chair from the next table and sat down, facing the boss. 'Well?' he said.

'So, it was you, then?' the boss asked, and Battousai nodded. 'Are you planning to put it to use, then?'

'I was hoping you'd help me put it to use,' he replied.

'Did you ever use it before?' the boss asked. He lit up a cigarette, and stuck it in his mouth. 'Ever stuck that blade in someone's gut?'

'Yeah, I did,' he admitted.

'Funny, how come I never heard of any such murders before, then?' he demanded, narrowing his eyes at him.

'You wouldn't,' Battousai told him. 'Not if you weren't living in Japan, you wouldn't.'

'So you're Japanese, then?' the boss asked. 'You don't look Japanese; I don't think I ever heard of a red-haired Japanese.'

Battousai shrugged. 'I can't control the way I look,' he replied.

'I guess not,' he agreed. 'So, what kinda job are you looking for, exactly?'

-

'Daddy!'

'Hey there, little mate!' Battousai exclaimed, bending down to pick Kenji up. 'How was your day?'

'It was okay,' Kenji told him, putting his arms around his father's neck.

'Did you have fun?' he asked him.

'Yup!' Kenji told him.

'That's good, that's really good,' Battousai said, smiling. Much as he hated to admit it, he was becoming really fond of the boy, even though he had been determined to get rid of him at the beginning.

'Mr. Himura, good evening,'

Battousai looked around, and saw a blond woman approaching him. 'Hello, Ms. Jordan,' he replied, recalling her name from Kenshin's memory.

'Can I talk to you for a minute?' she asked, and shot a quick glance at Kenji.

Battousai got the hint. 'Oh, okay,' he said. He set Kenji down on the floor. 'Kenji, run along and play with your friends while I talk to your teacher, okay?'

'Okay!' Kenji agreed, and he hurried away.

Battousai put his hands in his pockets. 'Well, what's wrong?' he asked the teacher, and wondering how he's going to deal with whatever Kenji-related problems she might be wanting to discuss with him.

'Mr. Himura, Kenji told me that you are having problems with your wife,' she said quietly.

'Problems?' he repeated blankly.

'Yes, he told me that you and Mrs. Himura are arguing a lot,' she explained. 'And it's affecting your son, Mr. Himura, he's become extremely quiet and somber lately…and today he was even drawing a picture of you and your wife arguing.'

'Oh,' Battousai said, comprehension dawning upon him. He laughed nervously. 'It was only a couple of fights, that's all…Kaoru and I were just having some misunderstandings.'

'Really?' she asked, sounding doubtful.

'Yeah, everything's fine now, though,' he assured her.

'Good, because Kenji is such a happy kid normally, and it pains me to see him so upset,' she said, smiling.

'Yes, yes, I understand, Ms. Jordan,' he replied. 'Thanks for your concern.'

'It's my job to be concerned, Mr. Himura,' she told him.

'Yes,' he said, nodding his head. He waved for Kenji to come back, and Kenji ran towards him. 'Well, we'll be going now. Thank you, Ms. Jordan.'

'Your welcome,' she replied. 'Good bye, Kenji.'

'Bye!' Kenji chirped, holding on to his father's hand.

Battousai led Kenji out the school building and to the car. They both climbed in the car. Battousai started the engine and drove off.

'Today, the teacher made us draw,' Kenji said cheerfully, swinging his legs off his seat.

'And you drew a picture of you, me and you mother, didn't you?' Battousai said, keeping his eyes on the road.

Kenji looked up at him, his eyes wide. 'Oh! Ms. Jordan told you then?' he said happily. 'Yay! She did tell you then! She told me she'd help, and she did!'

'Kenji,' Battousai said, slowly, since he was trying to maintain his anger. 'You shouldn't tell your teacher about what happens between me and your mother, you know.'

'But…' Kenji started to protest.

'Kenji, such matters are private,' Battousai told him. 'None outside the house must know about stuff which happen at home. If you have any problems, you should tell me or your mother, okay?'

'But, you and Mommy were always fighting!' Kenji wailed.

'Kenji, that's the way grown-ups solve their problems,' Battousai explained.

Kenji looked confused. 'By fighting?' he asked.

Battousai laughed. 'No, Kenji, we raise our voices a little, but we don't fight,' he corrected him. 'And you saw us, we kissed and made up after we fought, didn't we?'

'Yeah,' Kenji said slowly, nodding his head.

'Your mom and I love each other, and our arguments would never be serious,' he said reassuringly.

'Do you love me, Daddy?' he asked him, his eyes as wide as ever.

Battousai paused for a while, staring straight ahead. He could still sense Kenji's eyes on him. 'Yes, of course I do,' he finally said.

-

'Kenshin! This is so amazing!'

Battousai walked up with Kaoru, arm in arm, further into the ballroom. Yes, it was definitely amazing, he admitted to himself. The whole place was draped in crimson and gold. Crimson roses, crimson and gold curtains, crimson and gold table cloth and table-ware, gold chandeliers…the place was magnificent. And in the middle of the ball room was the dance floor, where dancers in luxurious gowns and tuxedos were slow dancing to the music played by the live musical group on the stage.

Kaoru leaned against his arm. 'I'm so glad you brought me here, Kenshin,' she said. 'But why such a surprising gesture? I never thought you'd be interested in such…um, extravagant parties.'

'I brought you here because you I know you like it,' Battousai replied.

Kaoru beamed at him. 'Aw, Kenshin! That's so sweet!' she gushed, standing on tiptoe and kissing him on the cheek.

Battousai smiled. But that was not the truth. The truth was that he had come here on a mission. That boss, that beefy guy Battousai had no respect for, Rodriguez, had given him a target along with tickets for this ball. Of course, both items were related. His target was supposedly going to be at this ball, and that's when Battousai was going to kill him. He could already feel the old lust for blood being reborn in his chest.

But, to his extreme displeasure, he wasn't going to be using his sword. He slowly felt for the gun in his pocket. Yes, still there. Rodriguez had provided him was the gun with a sound muffler, saying that his sword would attract too much attention.

Battousai looked around the extremely spacious ballroom. All he had to do know was find his target: Michael Franklin. A large man, with a curled up moustache, and enough cash to fill a large bathtub.

'What do you want to do first?' Kaoru suddenly asked him.

'Eh?' he said, brought back to focus by her voice.

'Well, you aren't planning to just stand here and watch, are you?' she said, laughing. 'Should we dance, then?'

'Dance?' he repeated blankly, but Kaoru didn't leave him a chance to argue as she grabbed his hand and dragged him to the dance floor. 'B-but…' I don't know how to dance!

'C'mon,' she said, giggling. 'What are you afraid of? It's not like you don't know how to dance!'

They got to the dance floor, and Kaoru placed his arms around her. And then, Battousai found himself able to dance. His feet and hands seemed to move automatically. Kaoru danced with him, a huge smile plastered upon her face. It wasn't really bad…this dancing…

He spun her around, and while he did, his eyes fell on something…someone…his target. He was leaving through a glass door…he was going to lose him. Battousai's expression changed. He stopped dancing. Kaoru stopped, too, and she frowned at him.

'Kenshin? What's wrong?' she asked, sounding anxious.

'Wait here…' he said softly, detaching himself from her.

'Kenshin! Where are you going?' she demanded.

Battousai made his way stealthily between the dancers and the crowds. He hurried to the glass door through which the man had left. He walked through it and stepped out onto a large balcony. He looked around, and spotted the man. He started to pull out his gun, and stopped.

He looked closely at the man. Where was the curled up moustache? Rodriguez told me Franklin would never shave off his moustache…could that be someone else? He squinted at him. No, that wasn't him. Damn it!

'Kenshin!'

Battousai looked around. Kaoru was standing there in the doorway, watching him with a concerned expression on her face. 'Kenshin, are you okay?' she asked, approaching him. 'What happened? Why did you run off like that?'

Battousai tensed. Now what? How am I going to explain this?

He slid his arms around her when she stepped up close to him. 'Nothing, really, I just thought I saw an old friend,' he told her.

'But…' she started.

He raised his finger to her lips. 'Shhh,' he whispered. 'Look around you…the moon is full, and we're all alone here…except for that man over there…and it's really dark…'

Kaoru smiled. 'Oh, Kenshin,' she said softly, leaning against him.

'What do you think we should do?' he said playfully, running his hands over her bare back.

Kaoru's hands snaked up his chest and around his neck and up to the back of his head. She smiled seductively at him and pulled him down to her. 'I think I have a perfect idea of what we should do…' she whispered, pronouncing each word at a time.

Battousai smiled. 'Kaoru, dear, I think you might just be able to read my mind after all,' he said softly, before closing his lips on hers.

-

'You, bastard, you…'

'What? What was that, Kenshin? You want me to kiss her more? You want me to touch her? You want me to run my hands all over her body?'

Kenshin clenched his fists while Battousai burst out with laughter. Red hot anger surged through him. First he tries to kill a man, and now he stands there, kissing his wife…and in public too! But maybe…maybe if he got angry enough…maybe he'll be able to break free again…like the last time?

'Nah-ah-ah,' Battousai suddenly said. 'Don't try anything naughty, Kenshin, my lad…or else, I might do something naughty untoward your dear Kaoru…how does that sound?'

'Shut up!' Kenshin roared.

'You should be grateful I haven't tried to sleep with your wife, Kenshin!' Battousai shot back at him.

'What's stopping you, then, you son of a bitch?' Kenshin said angrily.

'Nothing's stopping me,' Battousai replied. 'I'm just heating things up a bit before the big night…there's nothing wrong with a bit of a…'

'Shut up!' Kenshin snapped again.

Battousai laughed again. 'Yes, I'll shut up…but not because you told me to,' he said. 'But because I've got a hot woman I've got to romance…gotta give her my full attention now, don't I? It wouldn't be polite if I didn't…right?'

One day…one day he was going to pay for all of this…

And Kaoru…I'm really sorry for having you go through this…and without even knowing…

I'm so sorry…

-

A/N: Well, people, how did chapter grab you? Was it good? Did you like it? Was it exaggerated in any way? Please don't hesitate to tell me, because if you do, I won't be able to improve. So…c'mon, press that little purple button and submit a review! I'm waiting!

Ooh, ooh, and I hope no one reading the chapter is of the name Rodriguez, Michael or Franklin. I really wouldn't want to be offending anyone!

-Zen.