Author's Worthless Ramblings; #1 (Yeah, that's right, with capitals!)

I'm sorry for the long delay! Please forgive me! Something seems to be sapping what little creative spirit I possess…maybe it's the weather. –shiver--SO COLD!

Mayu; Who do you think you're kidding? Creative spirit? Feh…

Disclaimer: My name is not Watsuki Nobuhiro. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that I definitely do not own R.K.

…such a tragedy…--sniff--

Anywho, as if I'm good at writing.

I realise that in the normal course of events I would have interjected 'that' into the middle of the sentence, but…

PLEASE REGARD ME KINDLY!

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'Kenshin…' whined Sanosuke. 'She might just be visiting Tae, you know.'

'Sanosuke, you really are stupid.' growled Yahiko, scowling.

Sanosuke, uncharacteristically, didn't hit him. Instead, he got up and walked moodily into the front garden. Picking up a stick, he chucked it hard into the fence. It splintered into pieces. He grabbed another.

In the living-room, Kenshin was sitting up against the wall, sword in hand, reflecting on his feelings.

When exactly did sessha begin to feel…so strongly for Kaoru-dono? When did sessha's feelings change from that of a brother to…this?

A while ago. said the Battousai simply.

But…it's nothing like what sessha felt for Tomoe. It's so…different. Stronger…

You felt for Tomoe because she was the first one to see you, the man behind the hitokiri, instead of just a tool, a pawn in the revolution. Even though you…we…even after what happened before, she still loved you genuinely. She found happiness in you…but she was never lonely as Kaoru is now. After all, Tomoe had her brother, and her father. Kaoru…she has nothing left…no father, no mother, no sisters or brothers…no one. I think you responded to that, unknowingly. In addition, Kaoru asked you to stay, despite your past…with no hidden motive.

Um…that was an out-of-character statement It even sounded like you were THINKING about this. …maybe Sanosuke's right. She could just be visiting Tae-dono…

I still have a bad feeling…but we should wait until sunset, just to be sure. Maybe she really is at the Akabeko… stupid rooster-head.

In the yard, Sanosuke picked up yet another stick. Drawing his arm back-

'Sanosuke! Don't throw it!'

Sanosuke looked around, puzzled, as Yahiko sprinted over to him and grabbed the stick.

'Um…you like the stick?' he asked, sweatdropping.

'Sanosuke, you baka! Take a closer look!'

Sanosuke took the stick and looked at it. After several minuets of staring at it, he said, 'It's…a stick. Made of wood.'

'It's a shinai!' yelled Yahiko. 'A broken shinai.' Kenshin looked up quickly, then hurried over to them and grabbed the wooden stick. After studying it for a moment, he released it.

'It's Kaoru-dono's.' he said.

'Oh, shit.' said Sanosuke.

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'I want you to work for me.' continued the grey-eyed man.

Kaoru glared at him with distaste. 'What makes you think I'd comply?' she spat.

'Because you're in my house. I have any number of men in my service, and you would eventually wear down after fighting such a long time. Then you would be sold into this man's brothel. I think the option that I suggested is rather better, hm?'

Kaoru glared at him, and then straightened up with a scowl. 'If I have no other choice, then fine. I warn you though; I will take every opportunity I get to run away.'

The man stared at her for a few seconds, and then laughed. 'I'd imagine you would.'

Kaoru glared at him. 'What is my job?' she asked, throwing away the sword.

'You will my body-guard…and you must also train my son in sword-arts.'

Kaoru snorted. 'Don't expect me to go easy on him. Where will I stay?'

The man smiled, and then snapped his fingers. A man in a butler's uniform appeared and beckoned to her. She followed at a distance, keeping an eye on the grey-eyed man.

'What is my employer's name?' she asked, over her shoulder.

'Shojo Kazumi.' The man told her, still in the same spot.

'Shojo Kazumi.' she repeated, stepping over one of the prone bodies of the unconscious guard. 'I'll remember.'

'I shouldn't think otherwise.' he muttered as she walked out of the door.

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The next day, Kaoru was woken by loud knocking on her door.

'J'st a few m're min'ts, Ke'shin….' she mumbled, burying her face in a pillow.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

'B'gg'r 'f.'

'Miss…the young master would like to start training now...' an elderly voice quavered.

Kaoru frowned, still half asleep, then, as her memory gradually pulled itself together, she bolted upright. Then groaned. Walking over to the door, she pulled it open slightly to reveal an elderly woman carrying a bundle in her arms. On closer inspection, the bundle turned out to be a white training gi and red hakama..

'Are those for me?' she asked, pointing at them.

The old lady nodded, and then pushed the clothes into her hands. 'Dinner is after the training. I will be outside your door to show you to the training room when you've finished dressing.'

Kaoru raised an eyebrow. 'Dinner? But…isn't it breakfast time?'

'It is five'o'clock in the afternoon, miss. Kazumi-san told me not to wake you.'

After the woman had left, Kaoru slipped on the hakama and gi. The gi was a bit too loose, but, as Kaoru reflected, at least freedom of movement wasn't a problem.

As she opened the door and followed behind the lady, she asked, slightly timidly, 'Um…may I please know your name, ma'am?'

The woman seemed surprised at her politeness, and turned around to look at her. 'Um, yes…my name is Masumau Kagura.'

'I'm pleased to meet you, Masumau-san. My name is Kamiya Kaoru.'

'Pleased to meet you too, Kamiya-san.' the old woman replied, smiling for the first time. Her unusual light-blue eyes twinkled, emphasising the whiteness of her hair.

'Please call me Kaoru-san, Masumau-san. Kamiya san sounds so boring.' Kaoru grinned at her. 'If you don't mind me asking, what is Kazumi-' she paused for a second here. '-san's son like?'

'I am not suitable to give you my opinion…but he is somewhat…you will see soon.'

The old woman stopped outside a door and gestured towards it. 'Inside there, Kaoru-san. There are shinai in the cupboard in the corner. 'Umm…good luck.'

'Thanks.' smiled Kaoru, and then took a deep breath and opened the door.

The room inside was huge, the daylight shining brightly through large windows situated high up on the wall. On the far side of the hall was a young man, leaning casually against the wall. Kaoru shut the door quietly and hesitated, feeling nervous. The man at the end of the hall, however, had opened his eyes at the slight click of the closing door and was now staring at her.

'Who are you?' he asked rudely.

'Kamiya Kaoru.' said Kaoru automaticly. Then she scowled at him, resenting his rudeness.

'What do you want?' he asked, scowling right back at her. 'I'm waiting for my new instructor, and you are in the way.'

'For your information, I am your instructor, you jac-'she stopped her herself just in time.

'You?' asked the man, looking at her in disbelief.

'Yes me!' snapped Kaoru, striding up to the man and glowering up at him.

The man looked exasperated. 'I told my father I wanted to learn swordsmanship and he sends me a stupid woman!''

Kaoru clenched her fist, trying to resist the urge to punch the arrogant basterd in front of her on the nose. 'So what if I'm a woman? I bet that I could beat you, you stupid idiot!'

He grinned, then grabbed a shinai that was leaning against the wall. 'You're on, girly.'

Kaoru walked over to the storeroom, opened the door and grabbed a shinai for herself. Returning to opposite the man, she took a defensive stance.

The man eyed her for a moment, smirking condescendingly, and then lunged forward quickly, his shinai aimed at her own. She knocked it aside with a quick flick of her wrist and swung at his side. It connected with a dull thud, and, although Kaoru didn't show it, she was impressed with his lack of reaction. All he did was gasp slightly and jump back, shinai still held steady. He lunged forward again; this time aiming for her left shoulder. She ducked under his attack and hit him again, this time connecting with his other side with a little more power.

'Hnn…' he grunted, doubling over for a second. Kaoru smiled inadvertently at his bowed head, as another, much younger, equally stubborn boy came to mind. As he straightened again, the unconscious smile remained. He surveyed her with suspicion, obviously surprised at the expertise she showed in handling her shinai, and then, carefully this time, ran forward. He swung his stick at her side, and then, as Kaoru moved to block it, instead moved it to aim at her stomach. She grinned at his underhanded tactics, then easily blocked the swing with the hilt of her shinai, twisted to the side and brought it down hard on his head.

'OW! That hurt, woman!' he yelled, dropping the wooden sword and rubbing his temples.

'I'd say your thoroughly beat, boy.' said a loud and obviously amused voice from the sidelines. They both turned, Kaoru jumping slightly, and saw, sitting on a chair against the wall, Kazumi Shojo himself. He got up and walked over to the young man, patting him on the head.

…what hole in the ground did he crawl from?

'Dad! Did you really have to saddle me with this grumpy girl!' the boy groaned exaggeratedly. Now that Kaoru actually looked at his appearance for the first time, she noticed he really did bear a resemblance to Yahiko…older, taller admittedly, and with light-brown hair, but the expression in his eyes was identical. Pride, strength and…something else… she snapped out of her thoughts in time to hear the conversation.

'Hmm…she's a lot better than you, kid.' Kazumi commented, grinning parentally at his son.

'Ha!' The boy said, glowering at her. 'That was just a fluke.'

'Miss, this is my son, Yekano. Yekano, this is-' he looked at her suddenly. 'I forgot to ask you your name, miss.'

'Kamiya Kaoru.' muttered the girl, glaring at Yekano.

'Right, Kamiya-san.'

The boy sighed, and then rolled his eyes. 'Hello, Kaoru-san.' he muttered.

'Kaoru-SENSEI!' she emphasised, smirking. He simply glowered at her.

'So you will do what you're told, okay, Yekano?' Kazumi told him, staring at him sternly.

'Hmm.' Yekano muttered, folding his arms.

The old man sighed, then turned to Kaoru. 'A suitable kimono will be sent up for you; dinner is at six-thirty sharp.'

Eh?

'Daaaad! Since when do we eat with the servants?' Yekano whined.

'Kamiya-san is not a servant, Yekano. She is your instructor, and therefore is entitled to eat with us.'

'Fine…but she'll look even more masculine in a kimono.' he muttered, turning and stomping out of the training hall.

'Please come, Kamiya-san.' said Kazumi told her, turning to her briefly and smiling. As he turned and followed his son, she looked after him with narrowed eyes.

I'm a prisoner, aren't I? sheasked herself. So why is he treating me like an honoured guest, left unguarded? And that brat, Yekano! What a spoilt jerk! After thinking for a second, she grinned evilly to herself. Ooooh, I can't wait for the next training session!

She decided to train for a little longer, and, swinging the shinai over and over into thin air. After a while, when she had started to sweat slightly, she deposited her shinai, taking mental note of the Japanese swords standing in the corner, and then opened the door and-

-walked into a dwarf.

'Gaaah!' she yelled, backing away. The dwarf raised its head, revealing itself to be a very old man.

'Hello Yekano-chan!' said the old man, smiling.

'Umm…' said Kaoru, backing away even more.

'You've shrunk.' he remarked, then turned and walked away.

Kaoru stared after him. 'What the…?' she asked herself, sweatdropping. A cough from behind her made her spin around, and Masumau jumped slightly at her sudden movement. The old woman gave her a non-committal smile and gestured for Kaoru to follow her. Stopping finally outside what Kaoru recognised to be as her own new room, the old lady said softly; 'A kimono for dinner is inside. I will be back shortly to escort you to dinner, Kaoru-san.' and then turned and walked away with out another word.

She's a little cool… she thought as she entered the room. On her bed was a large parcel.

Opening the paperbound package, she gasped as the rich, opulent fabric of a silken kimono was revealed, even more beautiful that the previous one. Instead of the light, girlish colours that she was used to wearing, the material was a beautiful dark blue. It was embroidered carefully with creamy white lily-like flowers, which were spread across the fabric as if blown by the wind. In the middle of each flower was a golden core, and radiating out from it there were three red threads, standing out vividly against the white. The obi was also white, with graceful spirals traced in gold and silver stitches.

It, overall, is much too beautiful for…someone like me.

She shook her head to clear it of the sudden, unexpected thought, and grabbed the under-robe that had come with the kimono. As she looked at it for the first time, she bit her lip. The under-robe was a beautiful, light coloured violet colour, a colour very familiar to Kaoru.

'Kenshin…' she whispered under her breath, hugging the fabric to her skin. She sighed, wondering if anyone had noticed that she was gone…and then frowned as she started to contemplate her situation. Why had they kidnapped her in the first place? Did it have something to do with Kenshin? If not, then what?

She scowled as she looked around her room. There were no windows; just an oil lamp hanging on the wall. The door wasn't locked; but she would bet that all of the doors that could possibly lead to an escape-root were. She made a mental note to check that out later. Her only reasonable hope was that either she could fight her way out with those Japanese swords in the storeroom, or that Kenshin would rescue her. She flopped back on the bed as a sudden surge of annoyance flooded through her.

Am I really so weak? I rely on him this much…what happened to my fighting spirit? Has it disappeared during the last year? I used…to be strong. By myself. Without anyone's help. But now…I just sit around waiting for other people to help me, instead of helping myself. When did I become so…totally dependant?

She sat up, biting her lip hard, and slipped the under-robe on, as well as the kimono and obi. Noticing a small box that she had disregarded before, she opened it carefully. It contained a beautiful black-jewelled hair slide with a ruby centrepiece. Sliding it into her loose hair carefully, she checked her appearance in the mirror hanging over the tiny dressing table. As she smoothed down a few errant strands of hair, someone knocked on the door. Checking her appearance over one last time, she hurried to the door and stepped out, surprising Masumau as she raised her hand to knock again.

'Thank-you, Masumau-san.' she said, smiling. She couldn't help liking the old woman, even in the circumstances she was in now.

'You're welcome. How are you?' the old lady, escorting her to the dining room, looked back for a second.

'I'm fine. Um…do I look okay?' Kaoru asked, stopping momentarily.

The old woman looked at her, and then smiled kindly. 'You look very beautiful, Kaoru-san. Almost like-' suddenly she cut herself off. As Kaoru looked curiously at her, she couldn't help noticing the fleeting expression of shame and grief that flickered over the old lady's features. Biting her lip, she asked 'what's wrong, Masumau-san?'

The old lady turned back to her with a forced smile. 'It doesn't matter, Kaoru-san. We should hurry, otherwise you will be late.' she said, and then hurried off down the corridor. Kaoru followed her at a slightly slower pace, pondering on the half-finished sentence. I look almost look like who? She groaned mentally. Why does everything have to be in riddles?

Suddenly, she walked headfirst into something. Rubbing her nose gingerly and growling, she glared at the offending object, which turned out to be a very solid mahogany door. Masumau's voice came from beside her.

'Um…that is the dining room door.' she told Kaoru, looking at her questioningly.

Kaoru gave a nervous laugh, thanked her, and cautiously opened the door. Immediately a petulant voice made itself heard.

'Your late, Kaoru.' Yekano huffed, arms crossed. He looked at her critically, then smirked. 'I was right; you do look like a guy.'

THOCK!

'KAORU-SENSEI!'

Yekano groaned, rubbing the large bump just above his temple that marked the spot where Kaoru's pegged apple had found its mark. 'Violent she-male.' he growled. Kaoru ignored him, scowling heavily, opting instead to examine the room.

The ceiling was very high, and, like the training hall, the windows were very high. There were only two doors; the one Kaoru had come out of, and one on the opposite side. In the centre of the room was a large table, set for four. She focused on the obscenity-mumbling man in front of her.

'Where's your father?' she asked, wandering over to the sideboard. She quickly wandered away again, after coming face to face with a rather horrible bore's head hanging above it.

'He's late too.' Yekano grumbled. Sighing exasperatedly, he got up, walked over to the sideboard with the boar's head, and opened the door, revealing rows and rows of bottles. Picking up one marked 'Goldwasser' he poured a tiny amount into one of the wine-glasses standing on the dresser.

Kaoru looked at him quizzically. 'Aren't you a little young for drinking?' she asked.

'I'm twenty-two, you know.' he said, smirking at her.

'Really? I thought you were about eighteen.' she told him, glowering up at him, annoyed.

The damn guy's the same height as Sanosuke!

Yekano preened a little. 'It must have been my youthful charm that misled you-'

Kaoru cut him off. '-after all, you act like a spoilt brat all the time. It must just be your infantile mentality.'

Yekano choked on his liquor. 'Oi!' he said, glaring at her. Kaoru stifled a snigger and turned her back, just as Kazumi entered the room, escorting the same old man that Kaoru had bumped into earlier that day.

'Sorry I'm late.' he said quietly, escorting the old man to a chair. He turned back, and as Kaoru twisted to face him, his eyes widened momentarily. He stared at her, obviously shocked for some reason, then, as Kaoru looked back at him curiously, he turned to his son.

'You can pour me one to, Yekano.' he said, rubbing his temples and sitting down at the table.

As Yekano gave him his glass and sat down himself, the moustached man gestured for Kaoru to sit as well. She sat, opposite from Yekano, feeling self-conscious. As a maid walked in, carrying a large bowl of soup, she looked at the large array of cutlery with apprehension. Glancing furtively at Yekano, she copied him as he chose a round, flat spoon from the ten or so other implements. She looked at it suspiciously, then dipped it into the green, unappetizing-looking soup. Raising it awkwardly, she sipped the green…stuff… To her surprise, it didn't taste all that bad. She kept on eating.

Meanwhile, at the end of the table, Kazumi was stirring his soup repeatedly, eyes blank, obviously deep in his thoughts.

'Hey, Dad, could you pass the salt?' Yekano asked.

'Hnn…' muttered Kazumi. Then he barked; 'What did you say, boy?'

Yekano stared at him questioningly for a second, and then said meekly, 'Nothing.'

'If it's nothing, don't disturb me.' he snapped.

Kaoru stared at him. He didn't seem like this before…

He caught her watching him. 'What is it, miss?' he snapped. Kaoru guiltily lowered her gaze to her half-empty soup-bowl. 'I'm sorry…' she mumbled.

Kaoru could feel the tension inside the room thickening. Even the boar head's glassy eyes seemed to be glaring at her contemptuously. It was building…building…building…

'Isn't this steak nice?' asked the old man suddenly. Kaoru jumped at the sudden comment, Kazumi ignored it, and Yekano said resignedly, 'It's soup, grandpa. Spinach soup.'

Kaoru clenched her fists nervously. She searched for something to say that would dispel the rising tension.

'Spinach is nice, don't you think?' she asked, smiling brightly. Inwardly, she cursed herself into a ball of slime.

'Girl.' the voice of Kazumi said in a cold voice from the end of the table. 'Kindly keep your inane remarks to yourself.'

Kaoru narrowed her eyes at his tone. Flushing with anger, she rose out of her chair and said in a coldly civil voice, 'Please forgive me, Kazumi-san. I did not mean to offend you. I think I will go to my…room…'she said this last word cynically. 'now.'

Kazumi made no response as Kaoru strode from the room. Once the door had closed behind her, she started to mutter the foulest of the curses she had picked up from Sanosuke, only stopping once she had reached her "room".

Flinging herself down on the bed, she stared up at the ceiling.

What do you expect anyway, you idiot? You are a prisoner!

She sighed, then started to mutter obscenities under her breath. She sat up angrily and looked around, but there was nothing to throw. She sighed again. So much for anger management…

Someone knocked on the door. Kaoru glared at it. Whoever it was knocked again, louder this time.

'Come in.' she groaned. The door opened slowly and Yekano entered.

Kaoru looked at him with suspicion. 'What are you doing here?' she snarled.

The reply was even more out of character than the visitation. 'I just wanted to apologise for my father.'

Kaoru looked at him warily, then her gaze softened slightly, and she looked at the ceiling. 'Why was he so snappy? Did I say something wrong?'

The young man sighed, and then poked her.

'What NOW!' she yelled.

'Budge over, she-male. I want to sit.'

As he sat, she kicked him off the bed. Literally.

'Oi! What was that for?' he got to his feet again, rubbing his backside.

'Your last comment.'

'Violent grumpy woman.' muttered Yekano. He sat down again, gingerly this time, and eyed her feet warily. 'Are you going to kick me off again, or do you want to know?'

Kaoru looked at him in mock disappointment for a moment. 'You mean I can't do both?'

'NO!'

She sighed. 'It's a tough choice…but tell me why your dad's so upset.'

The young man shifted position. 'Well…I think it's because you look a bit like my sister, Kiore.'

She sat up. 'I haven't seen your sister. Does she live here?' she asked interestedly.

He turned to her, with a curiously neutral expression on his face. 'My sister died fifteen years ago.'

She threw a startled glance in his direction, and then put her hand over his, sympathetic tears coming to her eyes.

'I'm so sorry…' she said.

He looked at her, obviously surprised at her empathy. 'You don't need to be sorry.' he said, impulsively covering her small hand with his own. He then blushed bright red and removed his hand. 'Sorry.' he mumbled.

She grinned at him in amusement, but then her expression became sober. 'If you don't mind me asking…how…?'

Yekano flumped back on the bed. 'No, I don't mind. After all, I was seven at the time…I really don't remember much about her. There was a gunfight when some people attacked the house. Their target was my father, but in the confusion, Kiore…got injured by a stray bullet.' he moodily brushed the bangs on his forehead back out of his eyes.

'My father did everything he could to save her, but she died the next day. I think my father blames himself.'

Kaoru bit her lip, and then said. 'I'm really sorry if I bought up anything painful.'

Yekano looked at her for a second, then grinned. 'Do you know, I think that that's the longest amount of time that we've spent together while not insulting each other?'

Kaoru grinned back. 'You are such a pompous ass. There, does that fix it?'

'…You really need to break that habit you have about spoiling the mood.'

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Back in the alleyways of Tokyo… (Finally, after about 3,600 words)

'I told you he didn't tell me his name!'

'Are you absolutely certain?' growled Sanosuke. He was holding the unfortunate man up to his face. Considering his height, that meant that the man's feet were dangling about a foot off the ground.

'Yes! Please let me go now!'

Sanosuke glared at him. 'You'd better be tellin' the truth, mister, or I'll find you-' here he released the man. '-and eat-' the man, wide-eyed, let out a whimper and scurried off. '-your DAIKON'S!'

Sanosuke turned to Megumi. 'That's all of them.' he said.

'There must be someone who knows who he was!' she yelled exasperatedly. Sanosuke cringed slightly as she started to advance. 'SANOSUKE!' she screeched. 'THIS IS ALL ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT!'

'Well, well, well…if it isn't the fox-lady attempting to murder the rooster-head.' an impersonal voice commented.

Both Sanosuke and Megumi slowly turned around, Megumi releasing her hold on his throat with obvious reluctance.

Behind them, smoking his customary cigarette and surrounded by his usual cloud of smoke stood Saito, leaning against the alley wall. Catching their expressions, he said, 'Oh, did I interrupt something? But you know, if you want privacy, you really shouldn't…do stuff in alleys like this. Anyone could see you.'

Sanosuke and Megumi both blushed a deep red and jumped away from each other.

'Do stuff with this idiot? No chance. I, unlike some, prefer intelligence in a man instead of brawn.' Megumi sniffed, flicking her hair back.

'WHAT? With kitsune here? You must be joking! Jou-chan may like older partners, but I like 'em young. She's way too old for me.'

They glared at each other. 'WHAT WAS THAT?' they yelled at the same time.

Saito smirked, then coughed to get their attention. When they both glared at him, he raised an eyebrow.

'Sorry to interrupt your "lovers tiff" but I'm going to the Kamiya dojo.' Ignoring the dual screech of 'LOVER'S TIFF!' he turned and started walking, taking a long drag on his cigarette. Behind him, Sanosuke and Megumi glared at one another, and then hurried after the 'Mibu Wolf".

'Oi, Saito! Why're you visiting us?' Sanosuke asked, ignoring the irate woman beside him.

Saito gave him a blank look and flicked away his half-finished cigarette. Ignoring Sanosuke's slowly clenching fist and twitching eye, he stuck another in his mouth and lit it. Finally, after taking a long pull on his second cigarette, he gave the steaming Sanosuke a blank look.

'Why would I tell you?' he asked, raising an eyebrow again.

Sanosuke twitched. 'SAI-TO! I'M GOING TO-'

THOCK!

Megumi lowered her omnipresent medical suitcase and glared at the now-prostrate young man.

'You idiot, that was a taunt!' she growled. Turning to Saito, she asked, 'Have you come to see Ken-san?'

Saito glanced at her briefly. 'I repeat; why would I tell you?'

Megumi's eyebrow started to twitch uncontrollably. 'WHAT?! SAITO HAJIME, I AM GOING T-' Sanosuke, miraculously recovered, glowered at the smirking Saito as he held the enraged woman back.

'Let me GO, Rooster-head!'

'He's MINE to kill, Kitsune!'

Saito looked at both of them, and removed the cigarette for a second. 'Idiots.' he muttered, exhaling a large plume of smoke.

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'Amazing. You're even stupider that I thought.' Saito commented, stubbing out his fourth cigarette on his boot. He lit another instantly.

Sanosuke glowered at him. Kenshin, meanwhile, was staring at something in his hand. Yahiko caught sight of a blue gleam, and leaned forward curiously. However, before he could catch a peek of whatever was in the red-head's hand, he closed it and dropped whatever it was into the sleeve of his gi.

'Did Moustache-glasses know anything, Kenshin?' asked Sanosuke, producing a fish-bone and starting to chew. Catching Saito's look, he said defensively, 'You've got your cigarettes; I've got my trusty fish-bone. What's wrong with that?'

'Maybe it's the fact that that disgusting…thing that might, once, have belonged to a fish is turning green.' Megumi asserted, sipping her tea with a disgusted face.

'No, Uramura-san didn't. There haven't been any unusual incidents, no reported kidnappings…nothing.' Kenshin's voice was surprisingly calm.

Sanosuke, meanwhile, was looking at Saito critically. 'Saito…would you be able to find out?'

'Probably.' he said casually, blowing out yet another stream of smoke.

'Will you do me this one favour?' asked Sanosuke pleadingly. 'I'll do anything.'

Saito paused, mid-inhalation, and smirked. '…Anything?' he asked, turning his head slightly to look at the young man out of the corner of his eye.

'Anything.' confirmed Sanosuke.

Saito's smirk grew wider, and he twisted the cigarette between his fingers. 'Very well then…I would be willing to help you if-'

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As Doctor Gensai passed the Kamiya dojo he smiled, thinking how wonderful spring was. The warm sun, the gentle breeze, the silence in the air, and, except for the chirping of tiny birds, the overall peace and serenity-

'EXCEPT THAT!' roared a very familiar voice, startling the little birds and fracturing the silence into tiny, irretrievable pieces.

Gensai sighed and continued on his way, mentally making a note to himself to give Megumi-san the powerful new sedative he had received in the mail. She had asked for an extra-large bottle. Doctor Gensai wondered why.

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Sorry about this chapter, I don't think its good, but I just fell off my trampoline. I managed to hook my legs around the frame in time so I didn't whack my head but my whole upper back is black, blue and purple, with an interestingly colourful graze. This is slightly hampering my good mood. However, I suppose I should be grateful that I didn't get another concussion. That would have made it double figures.

Review responses! WOW…so many already…I'm stoked! Do you know there's been 149 hits to this page!

Flip-flop108: Hahahaha…to tell you the truth, I really didn't even expect to get ONE! Yay! So proud –sniff- I'm so glad you actually want me to update! P.S. Nice name, I love it! Thankyou for your review!

Jasmine blossom625: Heheh…THANKYOU SO MUCH! I like reading fictions in which Kaoru isn't the "damsel in distress" all the time. I like the other sorts too, lots, but sometimes it can just be so tiring when Kenshin saves the day by himself. I just don't think that Kaoru would be that sorta girl!

Arwey: Thanks so much! I'm so happy you liked it! This is my favourite story that I'm writing at the moment…mainly because the plot is FAIRLY original… (I think… it came out of my own head, anyway!) But I enjoy torturing Sanosuke! Who doesn't? P.S. The guy who is the voice actor for Sanosuke in the English-dubbed version is called Lex Lang. Did you know that 'Lang' means 'long' in German? –Sniggers-- Nice name, ne?

flaming-amber; --groans--since I am a complete moron, I had to look up tangent. THANK GOD FOR DICTIONARIES! Yes, I have never been good with fighting scenes…I'm a sort-of pacifist…except when I lose my temper…as annoying guys have found out! –evil smirk- yes it did get off track a bit…then again, my brain is so scrambled that I'm surprised I managed to get down anything coherent at all! How do you like this punishment? …but please tell me what you think! I not quite sure if you liked this, but I hope you do! Thankyou for reviewing!

Jade Lotus; Thanks for your review! It made me so happy that you enjoyed it! I really like writing, but I constantly worry if it is…well, frankly, just plain craptacular…THANKYOU! I made you laugh? I AM HAPPY! Next chappie…up! Hope you like it!

Thankyou so much to everyone who reviewed! Wow, I got eight exclamation marks! It really, really means a lot to me. I will continue to answer reviews individually, if you want, that is. Oh, and can you load pictures onto your profile page? I just wanted to know, because I drew a picture of the Kenshingumi's reactions on reading my story, just for fun…its not very good, but I think It's how they would react!

Mayu; God no! Don't tell her! It's a terrible, terrible picture! –looks at Kaiju- Okay, so you got five reviews. It was probably a fluke. I'd bet anything that you can't get another five!

Kaiju; -evil smirk- Anything?

Mayu; Yup!

Kaiju; --cackle—you heard the guy! Everyone, the two-review rule stands. Two reviews and I shall continue!

And what's a Mary-sue, a MPD and a sped?

P.S. Apparently, someone was hitting on me the other day. O.o I didn't notice tho, so don't expect heaps of mush from me, the naturally idiotic and oblivious one. However, I am a romantiac, so expect a little…

I've just realized that there is virtually no Kenshin or Yahiko in this story. SORRY! Next chappie there'll be more, promise! So what do you think I should make Saito make Sano do? I do have an idea, but I'm really open to suggestions!

Mayu; I've got one!

Me; --stuffs large red stress-ball into his mouth-- I know you do. Not that sort of suggestion! T.T Alright, this isn't a funny chapter, it's just to get the basics down.

Next chapter I promise there shall be Saito-bashing! YAY! By the way, are there any other characters you would like in this fic? Like Aoshi, or Misao maybe?

Oh, and does anyone know if Shura appears in the manga? I haven't got volume six or seven. Oh, and who is Kurogasa? I have really bad memory… I've read the name a few times tho, and its driving me nutso!

I really, sincerely hope Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama never reads this…