Author's note: This was harder to write than I thought it would be. Trying to set the scene right can be so difficult. It took me a few days to write the prologue and it took me even more days to write this….

Warning: Before anyone of you read ahead, please be warned that this chapter might not be a subsequent to prologue, in which you might find it rather confusing. Anyway, have patience with me and all will be revealed in later chapters.

Disclamer: I do not own any character in Rurouni Kenshin. I just borrowed them to improve my vocabulary and grammar.

Moving in

The school bell rang to indicate the customary five minute break between periods. However, minutes after the bell had rung, the corridors remained strangely silent, empty of the pattering of feet and the hustle and bustle that usually accompanied crowds of students and teachers rushing to their next lesson. The Internationl Shcool of Garden had been built to cater exclusively for children of the expatriates and the diplomats residing in Tokyo, and it was highly unusal for the school compound to look deserted on a normal school day.

Students and school's personnel did not just took a break for the day, but they were all found to be taken hostage in the assembly hall by a group of local thugs. Terrified hostages were sitting on the floor in front of the assembly while at least 10 heavily armed men were surrounding them. Students and the schools' personnel were holding on the each other in order to curb their fears. Their captors had made it clear that they would not hesitate to pull the trigger should there be any noise coming from their hostage.

All of a sudden, Bach Gammon melody broke the silence in the hall. The thugs turned the attention to the herd of hostage, focusing on the source of the melody.

All eyes set on the headmaster who was holding his ringing phone. He seemed to be caught in between answering or not answering his call. After having assessed his current situation in a split second, he quickly turned off his mobile phone.

"Sso-Sorry. I.I..I didn't mean it. I have turned it off," he trembled, stretching out his hand with his open palm, containing his phone. It could have been an amusing scene for the students as they watched their headmaster's cowardly behaviour - which was totally out of character - if they weren't in a life threatening situation. Then again, if weren't for circumstances, they would have never gotten an opportunity to see the other side their headmaster who looked as if he was going to pee in his pants.

"This is the final warning," the head of the thugs warned dangerously as he glared at the headmaster and then to the rest of the hostages with its guns pointing to them.

Hostages gulped and almost immediately they, except for the headmaster, took out their respective mobile phone and turned it off.

Unknowingly to the occupants in the hall, the Special Squad Unit was in their stand-by position - ready to move in. At a count to three, from their ear piece, the Special Squad Unit swiftly charged into the hall.

The thugs were startled by the abrupt attacked. Before they could even think of retaliating, Special Squad Team shot each of the thugs with transquilizer and pinned them down to the floor. The hostages cheered and some of them were beginning to cry in each others arm, relieve that they had been saved.

The Special Squad had beforehand, assessed the situation thoroughly and planned a strategic attack without any casualties. Those who were out cold on the floor were just some street thugs who thought that they could make it big by holding ransom on wealthy students. Because the thugs did not possess any professional skill in holding ransom or major crime act, for that matter, they weren't too difficult for the Special Squad to take down. In fact, the service of the Special Squad was not even required if not for involvement of the diplomats' kids.

Since the Special Squad Team had completed their assignment, they retreated back to their headquarters. The local police could take over from there.

"Man, what a tough assignment we had at the school a while ago, eh?" said one of the elite members sarcastically.

"I agreed and since we successfully completed our mission with no casualty, this call for a celebration. Let's hit the pub after shower," another team member suggested.

"Right on!" Sano was appealed by the suggestion. "Oi Kenshin," Sano kicked Kenshin's boot, bringing Kenshin's attention to him, "we are going happy hour after this." He noticed something was troubling Kenshin lately and he was betting that it had to do with a particular someone.

"Aaa" Kenshin nodded absentmindedly. He wasn't really interested in going out with the guys. He had another agenda in mind.

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Kenshin hastily opened the door to his three bedroom apartment and rushed to his bedroom, checking for any new e-mail on his laptop. He had left his laptop turned on for twenty four hours because he never knew when he would be expecting an e-mail. It was silly thought as even if he was to shut down his laptop, he could still retrieve his email when he turned on his laptop. However, he felt more comfortable to have his laptop turned on at all time and to his disappointment, there was no new e-mail.

He sighed heavily and lazily walked to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he twisted open bottle cap and gulped the content down his throat.

'Why hasn't she reply my mail?' he thought. ' It would be the fifth day today.. with no news from her. Has something happen? Very unlikely of her to be this quiet. Hm… Maybe I should just give her call…'. With his last thought, he reached for his mobile phone in his pocket and speed dialed for her number.

"The number that you have dialed cannot be reached at the moment. Please try again later" was only response he received from the other line. 'Damn', he cursed inwardly.

Kenshin had always been known for his polite mannerism and it was very rare to hear him curse.

He closed his eyes, calming himself before he speed dialed for another number. The line had been connected and he waited patiently for his called to be answered.

"What do you want, baka deshi? I am in the middle of a meeting here," said the person on the other line.

"Hi. I just want to find out whether is everything alright?" Kenshin enquired out of the blue. Kenshin closed his eyes and bit his lips for sounding ridiculous.

"………. What do you mean, specifically? Is there something that you know, that I don't but I need to know?" The person enquired further with a slight concern laying in his voice.

"Is nothing, really. I am just wondering if there is anything that have happen and I need to be informed of," Kenshin tried to explain in a more casual way without causing any further suspicion and he was failing miserably. "Like if there is anything that had happen outside of Japan?"

"I have nothing to tell you." Hiko answered simply. He knew exactly what kind of answer Kenshin was seeking but he was not going to give Kenshin the benefit of answering with further details. For all that had happened, Kenshin brought upon himself. Hence, Hiko was in the opinion that Kenshin should seek his own answer and solve his own problem. Besides, Hiko had really nothing to tell him. He pondered what had caused this inquisitive phone call.

"I see. Good to know. Anyway, I should not waste anymore of you time. Bye," Kenshin abruptly ended the conversation, avoid having another earful from Hiko – for whatever reason that Hiko can think of.

'If he had nothing to tell me, then everything should be just fine. There is nothing to worry about…' Kenshin concluded.

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Kenshin was lounging at the sofa, watching the television when Sano popped his entire being into the apartment.

"Oi Kenshin! Why did you scram so quickly back at Headquarters. I told you that we were heading happy hour with the guys. What's your hurry?" Sano asked. Although he knew Kenshin was not one who enjoys going to the pub but he was in the opinion that Kenshin socialized a little more.

"I have some urgent matter to attend to," Keshin simply stated without removing his eyes from the television set.

"Urgent matter, huh? So, what so interesting on the tele that have you classify it as 'urgent matter'?" Sano smirked and sat next to Kenshin, trying to figure out what was so interesting about the series.

Kenshin ignored Sano and resumed his concentration on the re-run of CSI that was currently running on television.

"What's for dinner?" Sano asked, giving up waiting for an explanation from the red head.

"Dunno know. What do you feel like eating?"

"Dunno know. What do you feel like cooking?"

Kenshin rolled his eyes and upright himself from the sofa and headed to the kitchen.

'Why do I feel like I am the housewife?' Kenshin mused to himself. Sano had been living with Kenshin for as long as Kenshin can remember and it was Kenshin who did all the household work and picking after Sano's dirty habit. .

Sometimes, it amazed Kenshin how he managed to put up living with Sano. Kenshin was a neat and tidy person while Sano, on the contrary, was an unkempt person. Kenshin guessed it had become a routine since Kenshin had never live apart from Sano. Sano might be a pain, at times but Sano was his best mate, his brother.

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Like before, for the past few nights, dinner had been awfully quiet and Sano was getting uncomfortable with silent. While chewing on his food, Sano tried to get Kenshin to talk. Or perhaps get on Kenshin's nerve, he thought. 'That would be fun. Maybe he could just spill out what has been going on his mind. He has been like this his return from his short vacation.' For some reason, Kenshin went vacationing alone, forbidding Sano to join him.

"You know Kenshin," Sano started, "after a hard day at work, I don't think it is too much to ask for if we indulge ourselves to a more variety of food. We practically eat the same thing everyday. Can't you cook something different?" Sano complained as he shoved a chopstick full of rice to his mouth.

"What do you take me for? Your mom or your girlfriend? I very much prefer the female over male. I am no good to you. So go get yourself a steady girlfriend and whine to her instead," Kenshin rebutted who looked slightly annoyed at the ungrateful Sano.

"You could have me fooled. You love doing the housework. I don't see you dating any girls since…. I can't even remember when. You hang around with this just one girl and you are not even dating her!"

"Sano, if you are bored with my cooking, perhaps you could offer yourself to cook for a change. I wouldn't mind taking a break from the kitchen. Actually, I wouldn't mind taking a break from all the household work for a change. What do you say?" Kenshin thoughtfully proposed.

"What?! Are you kidding me? I can't cook. I don't even know how the washing machine works! I can't do no housework!" Sano protested.

"My point Sano - If you can't do any better, then shut up." Kenshin scowled.

Sano was about to open his mouth to say something but decided not to and resumed eating his dinner. 'Perhaps a quiet dinner wasn't a bad idea. No point being on Kenshin's bad side is he is going to be asshole'

Kenshin smiled as he knew that he won and manage to keep Sano quiet…. But not for long

"Speaking of Jou Chan? Haven't seen her and that weasel girl around for sometime now. What happen to the both of them? They have graduated, have they?" Sano picked another topic to start a conversation with Kenshin. Both girls frequently spent the weekend over at their apartment as if it was their holiday villa of some sort. They had been giving the excuse the apartment was much closer to the city than their dormitory. It was true, though Sano had a feeling the reason behind it all more of someone wanted to be near to someone.

"Aaa.. Misao went back to Kyoto. Kaoru went to overseas," Kenshin answered while picking up his food.

"Where to?" Sano enquired.

There a long paused before Kenshin answered, "Australia."

"Australia? With whom? Boyfriend?" Sano trying to hit the nail on Kenshin.

"She's visiting relatives," Kenshin casually said instead.

"Relatives? Who's there? Didn't know that Jou Chan has anyone there?"

"Neither did I," Kenshin said softly.

"Is that why are you're being such jerk this few days? Because she went to Australia and you didn't know she has relatives in Australia?"

Kenshin stopped his eating and looked up at Sano. 'What on earth is he talking about?!'

"Kenshin, if you really like her, why don't you ask her out? I mean date her. You know, go out as a man and woman rather than just friends. What is taking you so long to make the next move? Oi Kenshin! What are you doing with MY fish?!" Sano chopstick clashed with Kenshin's over the fish.

Kenshin wasn't keen on having this discussion with Sano. Knowing how possessive Sano can be over what was his food, Kenshin came up with an idea to change the topic of conversation "Well, you seems to be more interested in talking rather then eating, so I thought that I might as well help you eat. No good having the food to waste."

As fast as Sano could with his chopstick, he picked up the fish and stuffed the entire fish in his mouth. As he chewed, he murmured something which sounded like a series of curse.

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"Buzzzz…….. Buzzzz………Buzzzzz……..Buzzzzzz"

Kenshin startled from his peaceful sleep by the sound of the door bell.

"What in the world…..?" he looked up at his wrist watch and it was indicating

four thirty in the morning. He grodily got up and walked out of his room to find who the heck would be at the door right at that time in the morning.

Kenshin met Sano half way through who looked really pissed in his boxer. They looked at each other for while trying to ascertain who was the nut behind the door might be looking for between the two of them.

"Sano, this has better not be one your girls that you hooked up in the bar?" Kenshin warned.

"Like hell I am going to let them know where I actually lived. No!"

'Buzz…buzz….buzz…' the door bell rang again. The late night visitor was getting impatience

Kenshin put up a very annoyed look before opening the door to greet whoever that is behind the door.

"God! Finally… What took you guys so long to open the door?" a pale and tired looking girl with large sapphire eyes scolded both the guys in front of her.

"Kaoru?" "Jou Chan?" Both Kenshin and Sano questioned simultaneously, now fully wide awake. Their annoyed expression was replaced by shocked looking ones.

"Yes. I am me. SO, do we all need to stand here all night or are you going to invite me in? I am dead tired you know." She hinted.

Both the guys make way for her come in but they were in for a further surprise when there were two other men making their way into the living room carrying cartons of boxes. Kaoru was busy instructing the movers to put those boxes in the unoccupied guest room.

Both Kenshin and Sano stared bewilderedly at the scene playing before their eyes.

"Don't just stand there, you two! Come help us with my luggage. I have more downstairs," she said snapping both Kenshin and Sano out of their reverie.

More luggage? Both men thought at the same time. Nevertheless, they obliged to her demand. Kenshin went downstairs in his matching light blue night T-shirt and pants while Sano put on a white T-shirt before joining force with Kenshin.

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Kaoru paid and thanked the movers before closing the door behind her. She turned to the living room and herself being stared at by two very confused looking men resting on the sofa..

"What's with the look on your face?" she asked as she walked towards them.

"Kaoru, what are you doing here with all this boxes at this time in the morning?" Kenshin asked softly.

"What does it look like I am doing? I am moving in with you guys? Isn't that obvious?" She stated as a matter of fact.

"WHAT?!" both men jumped up from the sofa.

"Is that how you welcome your new flatmate?" she pouted.

Sano said nothing. He was scratching his head with one hand while the other hanging on his hip.

"Kaoru, you are not seriously about it, are you?" Kenshin managed calmly.

"What do you think? Having the movers to move my things at wee hour in the morning was some kind of joke? Of course I am serious about it." She looked at the two guys for some kind of welcoming response.

When she realized neither of them was going to response to her, she continued, "Look, I know that you guys are in shocked. And I am sorry that I did not bother to inform ….. or discuss or seek permission beforehand before I moved in. But I have no choice. I just graduated without a job, I need a place to stay and this happens to be the best choice. It is not like you don't have any room for me here. And this is a cool place to stay. I cannot afford to here on my own. So, pleaseeeee….. can I stay?" She pleaded with the puppy dog eyes.

Kenshin just shocked his head lightly and smile to her –signifying his consent.

"Well, what's done is done. Since Kenshin consented, I have no reason to object." Sano finally voiced with a smile and rougly ruffle Kaoru's hair.

"Hey, watch it!" Kaoru whined before she continued, "Trust me. You guys are going enjoy my stay. Kenshin, I can share some of the housework with you, knowing that someone would never offer to help you ease your workload and I could prepare meal…."

"NO!!!" snapped both the men before she could finish. And she was pouting with her arm crossed

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Author's note: Phew! Finally got it out. Notice how I sucks at writing action scene and so carelessly ended it? Hm… give me some I shall improved – I am reading more of action packed material to improve my imagination. I know that this chapter can be rather confusing at some point of time but bear with me, somehow things will explain further in later stage. Thank you for reading. Really appreciate it. Kindly R&R, if you may.

And I thanked :

Erica6060 You are first my reviewer. Thank you. Thank you. It was very kind of you to drop a review for me. As much as I would like to disclose to you who is 'he' but my hands a tight. 'He' should not come into the picture not till later. And it wouldn't be any fun if I give in to his identity. So, it is for me to know and for you to find out – later in my coming chapter….  Sorry about that. So, do stick around and find out more.

Battosaifreak Thank you. Thank you. I need that sort of encouragement. I just hope that I do not disappoint you.

Wolf( ) Sorry to confuse you with my story. Care to tell which part of it that is confusing to you if you are still reading. Perhaps I can look again and try to be not so confusing.