Sano and Kaoru were literally bouncing off the walls. They were excited to go on their vacation. Aoshi had made reservations at a hot spring in Hiroshima, where they would spend 3 nights there. " Come on granny!" Kaoru cried, pulling the old lady out the door. They caught the train there, it took about 4 and a half hours and the kids became restless with each minute. Once they arrived, Sano and Kaoru ran in and took the keys to their rooms. The old lady chuckle as she took the luggage in and signed up at the front desk with Kenshin and Aoshi right behind her.

They were split between boys and girls. When Sano heard that, he went into shock. Pointing a finger at the katana master, he cried, " I-I have to spend three nights with YOU?" Aoshi just turned at the flabergasted boy, " What of it? Scared that I might kill you in your sleep?" Aoshi smirked. Sano stumbled back and looked over at the old lady, " You hear that, granny? Aoshi just threatened me." The old lady just laughed. Sano hid behind Kenshin, " Hey, Kenshin. You're going to sleep next to me right? You'll protect me yea?" Sano cried. Kenshin sweatdropped, " I don't want to get involved. Do solve it yourself." " See, even Battosai wouldn't protect the likes of you." Aoshi replied.

" Stop being so mean, Aoshi. Stop scaring him." Kaoru butt in. Sano quickly turned her way. " What do you mean, Kaoru? That I'm just a little kid? I'm not scared of Aoshi. No way." Sano replied. " Hey! I'm just trying to help! Guess you don't need it." Kaoru replied ignoring him. Sano's eyes widen and threw himself on the floor before her, grabbing her legs in a begging gesture. " No, please! I didn't mean, it Kaoru." " Sano!" Kaoru cried, cheeks pink. " Please! Help!" Sano cried. Kaoru held in her laughter. " All right. Sleep with me and Granny." Kaoru replied. Sano was about to disagree with the arrangement and thought otherwise. " Okay! Anything to get away from Aoshi and his katanas." Sano cried desperately.

Kaoru laughed at the desperation appearing on the boy's face. " Then that's settles. Grandma, Aoshi is that all right with you?" Kaoru asked. Aoshi just rolled his eyes and the old lady said that it was ok. Sano jumped up in excitement and hugged Kaoru. " Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" Sano cried, not shameless at all by the intimate affection he shared with the raven haired girl. Kaoru bristled and blushed at the action. " SANO!!!" Kaoru cried. The others just laughed at the scene. " Get off, Sano or I'll hurt you so bad.." Kaoru growled. " Okay, Okay. So let's eat!" cried the rooster head.

Soon later, the maids brought in food and they all ate. " Mmm... This is so good!" Sano cried, stuffing his mouth with sushi. " I agree!" Kaoru cried, taking one of the shrimp tempura and pop it into her mouth.The others just laughed. " They look like a match in heaven, don't you think?" Aoshi replied emotionless. Sano and Kaoru froze, their food in mid air.

" WHAAAT!" they both screeched. Kenshin was on the floor Oroing... as he was sitting right between them and got the full blast of it. Kaoru notice and cried, " OMG! Kenshin, are you alright?"

" Bwahaha.." Sano laughed. " He's alright, Kaoru."

Patting her hand against his cheek, Kenshin stirred. " Oro?" Kenshin replied staring at the raven haired girl above him.

" Kaoru-chan..." Kenshin said. Realizing the position she was in, she drew back,face flushed and replied,

" Oops! Sorry, Kenii." Kaoru cried.

" It's okay."

The old lady went to take a bath and Kaoru tagged along. Getting into the hot spring, Kaoru replied sadly, " Why are you leaving us so soon? We just met recently and now you have to go... I don't want you to go!" Kaoru cried.

" It's the way how the world works, Kaoru-chan. People die. It's natural. Someday you too, will die." the old lady said.

" But I just wish that you could stay with us a little longer." Kaoru said, tears forming in her eyes.

" I"m sorry. It has to be this way. I do not want to go either. But if that's my destiny, then I am willing to follow it." the old lady replied,

" No matter how hard it is. It has to be done. Someday, you will understand that too when you live to be this old." the old lady got out and went to bed. Kaoru stayed in the water a little bit longer, thinking of what to do.