Sano woke with a snort as he fell in a heap on the floor. "Hey!" he shouted sitting up, glowering up at Hiko. The man held the tiltedchair Sano had been sleep in with an evil grin. "What the hell was that for?"

"Watch your tone buster," warned Hiko placing the chair back on the ground. "I'd thought I'd do everyone a favour, you snore louder then a fire truck."

"I do not!" yelled Sano a slight look of embarrassment on his face.

"You do, Sano," confirmed Kaoru appearing from behind Hiko. "Now come on, breakfast is ready."

Sano grumbled nastily as he pushed himself up off the carpet. He followed Hiko and Kaoru into the small kitchen. Kenshin glanced up at them, a large grin on his face as he finished flipping that last pancake. Sano's jaw dropped as he spotted the stack beside the stove. "You made these?" He asked with surprise.

"Of course he did," retorted Hiko. "He cooks way better then me."

"That's not something to be proud of," Sano shot back.

"Would you prefer to try my cooking then?" Hiko questioned in a deadly serious tone.

"You don't want to do that Sano," warned Kenshin. "That you most certainly do not."

"Sounds like you and the little missy would get along quite well, Hiko," grinned Sano evilly.

"What was that?" growled Kaoru glaring at Sano.

He swallowed nervously retreating to the far side of the kitchen table. "Pancakes will be fine," answered Sano, nervously glancing at her. Kaoru scowled at him, seating herself on the opposite side to him. Hiko sat down between them. Kenshin shook his head, placing the plate of pancakes down in the center of the table. He barely had time to pull his hands back as both Hiko and Sano launched themselves at the pile. The two began to duke it out for the first pancake. Kenshin sighed sadly as he sat down in the last spot of the four-sided table. Neither Sano nor Hiko noticed Kaoru's fork suddenly dart forwards snagging the first one.

She took a bit of hers. "This is delicious," she exclaimed.

"Hey!" shouted both Hiko and Sano noticing she'd gotten one. She spat her tongue out at them, a large grin on her face. "You'll have to teach me how to make them, Kenshin."

"It isn't hard," Kenshin answered snatching one for himself. "You just have to know when to flip them, that you do."

Sano grinned malevolently. "Then you haven't got a prayer Kaoru."

She glowered, "You'll regret that Sano."

"Oh really how?" He asked with no fear what so ever.

She tried to take a swipe at him but couldn't reach him. A victorious grin spread on his face as he rested his elbows on the far side of the table. She grumbled angrily for a moment until an idea suddenly came to her. She gave the table a shove, the legs screeching across the floor. The edge checked into Sano's side knocking the air out of him. Sano gasped grabbing his side, nearly toppling out of his chair.

"Mercy," he wheezed. Kaoru cheered triumphantly.

Hiko shook his head. "Never comment on a women's cooking, I always say," he took another bite of his pancake.

"Oro," agreed Kenshin. The phone suddenly began to ring.

Hiko rose to his feet answering it. "Hello?" he asked. "Yes…. now? …. Alright… yes, I'll be right over." He hung the phone up, turning to the three teens that were watching him intently. "They think they've got a lead on Megumi." He informed them. "They need me down there. I'll be gone for a while. Try not to wreak the place or do anything stupid." His eyes falling onto Sano.

"What are you looking at me for?" he snapped. "She's the most dangerous one here!" He pointed an accusing finger at Kaoru.

"Hey!" she yelled, causing Sano to wince.

"I'll be back hopefully by noon," Hiko gave a final wave before walking out of the kitchen. They heard him closed the door as he left the house, leaving them completely alone.

The clock ticked loudly filling the air. "Now what?" asked Kaoru pushing her plate away, breaking the unsettling silence that had fallen over them.

"We wait," answered Kenshin.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Time seemed to pass by slowly as they sat around the living room waiting for Hiko. The house was completely still around them as if it were holding it's breath. Kaoru lay slumped over the couch staring blankly at the ceiling. Kenshin sat quietly in a chair watching as Sano paced back and forth across the room.

"Any idea what time it is?" Sano asked as he turned marching across the room.

"I think we just passed eternity," answered Kaoru, stifling a yawn.

There was a click as the clock in Hiko's room struck out the time. Sano paused in his pacing counting out the strikes, eleven thirty. "What's taking him so long!" growled Sano cracking his knuckles. "I'm going to go crazy here!"

"I think you already have," Kaoru pointed out, not moving from where she sat.

"I can't stand just waiting here," he exclaimed. "I should be out there looking for one of those creeps, beating the crap out of them until they tell me where Megumi is."

"You don't even know where they hang out," pointed out Kaoru. "And Hiko said not to do anything stupid." Kenshin shifted uneasily in his chair.

Sano caught the movement glaring at the redhead. "You know where they hang out."

"What?" exclaimed Kenshin taken aback.

"You fought with their leader, where was that?"

"This one… doesn't remember," whispered Kenshin looking at the ground.

"Where are they?" Sano demanded advancing.

"This one doesn't know!"

"Kenshin!" shouted Sano, anger flashing in his eyes. Kenshin cringed, pulling away.

"Sano stop!" yelled Kaoru rising to her feet. "Stop it! Don't you dare take your anger out on Kenshin. If he says he doesn't, then he doesn't. Back off!" She glared at him with her fierce eyes. Sano stepped away, a shocked look on his face.

"This one doesn't remember what happened," Kenshin whispered. His head was bent forwards hidden behind a wall of fiery hair. His voice went lower as he continued. "There was fire all around me, that's all I recall. The glowing flames and the smell of burning flesh." Sano could only stand there silently, unsure of how to react.

A long moment passed. "Kenshin?" asked Kaoru quietly looking at him.

His head shot up suddenly, scaring them. He blinked a few times as if waking from a bad dream. Kaoru studied his expressionless face. "This one needs some air." He quickly rose from his chair walked out onto the front porch.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hiko slowly made his way up the stone walkway towards the front door. He was lost in deep thought as he reached the steps. He looked up, only half surprised to see Kenshin waiting there. The teen had always had this uncanny knack of knowing if Hiko was located near by. But what really impressed the raven haired man was the way Kenshin could vanish without a trace, only to appear out of nowhere when he was called.

"Hey Kenshin," Hiko greeted him as he came up the steps. "How are your injuries?" He'd forgotten to ask that morning and felt quite guilty about it. Kenshin was never the type to give any hint or expression that he was hurt, which exasperated Hiko to no end.

"Healing," He answered curtly, never being one to complain about pain.

Hiko raised an eyebrow, usually Kenshin would have changed the subject. Something was up. "What's going on?" Hiko questioned.

Kenshin hesitated, tapping his bare foot against the wooden porch. "It's nothing, that it is," he lied.

"Kenshin."

"Sano just-" BOOM! Kenshin jumped. "Oro!" he squeaked. It sounded as if the explosion had come from inside.

Hiko ran past the startled teen into the house. He turned into the hall; he could see smoke curling out from the kitchen. He came to a dead stop in the doorway. The room was filled with a thick haze, making it all but impossible to see. "What is going on here?" he demanded, choking slightly as he waved the fumes from his face.

He could just make out Kaoru and Sano on the far side of the room. "His fault," shouted Kaoru upon realizing Hiko was in the room. She pointed an accusing finger at Sano. "He did it."

"What are you talking about?" snapped Sano. "You're the idiot that put that in the microwave!"

"You're the one who set it too high, you idiot."

"Who are you calling an idiot?"

"You, if you can't figure it out, dummy."

"Moron!" he retorted.

"Rooster head!" she shouted, then instantly regretted it. A dead silence fell between them. Sano looked away. "Sorry…"

Hiko had, in the meantime, cranked open a window allowing the smoke to dispel. He walked over to his microwave, inspecting the damage. "Kenshin's going to have a fit," he muttered to himself. He shook his head sadly, glancing at the two teens standing guiltily behind him. "I'm going to open a few more windows around here to let some air in," Hiko told them. "Go wait outside on the porch with Kenshin."

Kaoru nodded her head leaving the room, Sano reluctantly following after her. She pushed the front door open a frown coming onto her face. "I thought Hiko said Kenshin was out here."

Sano gave a shrug. "Who knows." He sat down on the steps. Kaoru hopped out onto the yard plunking down with a large smile on her face. She tugged on the grass blades waiting for Hiko to show up. It wasn't long before he appeared glancing around.

"Where's Kenshin?" he asked as he sat down beside Sano.

"Great," grumbled Sano. "Now we're waiting on him."

Kaoru took a deep breath. "Kenshin!" she yelled, startling birds in the near by trees.

A moment later he appeared from behind the side of the house a smile that didn't reach his eyes, on his face. He sat down the grass beside Kaoru. "Sorry about that," he apologized. He could feel Kaoru's eyes gazing at him but didn't dare look at her.

"There you are, I was wondering where you'd slithered off to this time," Hiko commented. Kenshin stared silently down at the lawn before him, lost in his own thoughts. "I can't say entirely what's going on, but a large chunk of the Oniwaban has been arrested. We're questioning them now for information."

"What about Megumi?" asked Sano hopefully.

Hiko shook his head sadly. "Nothing yet." Sano felt his heart plummet. "But it's a step. Now that we've got the Oniwaban there's a chance we can catch the Juppongatanna as well. Those two groups work with each other, someone's going to squeal."

"Shishio is to smart for that. There's no way you'll get them to talk, that you won't." Kenshin replied shaking his head.

"How do you know?" barked Sano, feeling the last shred of hope being yanked away.

"This one… knows how Shishio's mind works," answered Kenshin quietly, hands tightening into fists. Sano regarded his friend a moment not saying anything.

"Don't worry, we'll find someone who'll talk," Hiko told them, Kenshin wasn't convinced. Kaoru sighed gazing at her watch; it was almost noon. "Will you two be hanging around for lunch?" asked Hiko as he stood up, stretching.

"No," answered Sano getting up. "I've hung around here long enough. I'll see you guys on Monday then, bye." He gave a wave with his hand, wandered off.

"I should go as well," Kaoru said standing up. She bowed as she spoke. "Thank you for letting me stay the night, Mr. Hiko." She smiled turning to Kenshin. "And thank you Kenshin for the wonderful breakfast. " She bowed again.

"N-no problem," he stammered with embarrassment. "You don't have to bow to this one miss Kaoru, that you don't."

She gave a light laugh. "You know what? My Kendo tournament's on Monday." A grin appeared on her face. "And you promised to be there."

Kenshin nodded his head, his face expressionless. "This one will be there, that he will."

"See you then!" she exclaimed waving a hand as she turned heading down the driveway towards her bike.

"Kaoru, hold on a moment," called Hiko running up towards her. He glanced over his shoulder at Kenshin. The redhead sensing that they didn't want him to hear, walked into the house. "Did something happen? Kenshin's acting a little off."

Kaoru looked away her hands gripping her bike. "You didn't seem pleased last night when I mention Kenshin had referred to himself as 'me' instead of this one. I'd think that it shows he's recovering."

"Hardly," replied Hiko seriously. He then added with a sigh, "I wish it were though."

"I don't know him as well as you do." She continued looking him in the face. "I'm not asking you tell me why it has you so scared." Hiko was surprised that she could read his face so well. "I'm worried about him. I know I haven't been friends with him very long but…" She trailed off, searching for the right words. Clouds slipped over head, blocking out the sun. The wind stopped, the world around them falling into a hush. "Sano asked… where Kenshin fought the leader of the Juppongatanna. He got… this really distant look on his face and he slipped into saying 'I'."

"Kaoru, in my experience it's bad news if you hear him say that. I know it must sound strange, but it is. If he does… please, keep an eye on him. Don't let him wander off on his own."

Kaoru nodded her head, not quite understanding. "Alright, I will." Hiko was silent, watching the clouds pass. Sunshine broke free of the steel-grey barrier, defining clear shadows across the ground. A warm breeze picked up brushing through the tree branches, shifting the leaves. "I should go," she gave a final nod before hopping onto her bike, and rode off.

Hiko watched her go before turning and heading back into his house. "Hey Kenshin," he called turning the corner to the small hallway. The redhead stood staring in horror at the kitchen. "Oh boy."

"This one's… kitchen," stammered Kenshin gazing in shock at the strange substance that covered the walls. His head slumped forwards. "Oro…"

Hiko patted the teen gently on the shoulder. Kenshin winced at the contact. "Sorry," muttered Hiko, realizing it was Kenshin's hurt shoulder. "Tell you what, I'll clean up this mess for you."

"Why?" asked Kenshin suspiciously.

"Do I need a reason to keep my own home clean?" asked Hiko innocently.

"Yes," stated Kenshin bluntly.

"I haven't had lunch yet," answered Hiko with a sheepish grin on his face.

"Knew it." Kenshin shook his head. "Alright, but this one expects his kitchen to be spotless, that he does." He pulled out a frying pan.

It took Kenshin only a few minutes to prepare lunch. While, to Hiko's dismay, he discovered how hard it was to remove the sticky substance that had attached itself to the walls. It was well past midnight by the time he'd finished. Kenshin had long since gone to bed. Hiko sighed as he flopped down at the table relaxing for the first time that evening. He stared silently at the glass of sake before him. He'd hoped that, Kenshin would speak up about what was troubling him. Hiko had noticed something was bothering the teen deeply but Kenshin had kept his mouth shut, lost deep in thought. Hiko closed his tired eyes for a moment listening to the sounds of the quite house. Creak, sang out one of the wooden floorboards. His dark eyes popped opened a frown forming on his face. "Kenshin, is that you?" He called. Kenshin walked passed the kitchen doorway. He was swaying slightly, his eyes seeming unfocused gazing at something before him. "Oh no," Hiko breathed. He was on his feet in seconds. He tried to grab hold of the teen but Kenshin with fluid quickness slipped from the man's grasp.

"I… need to do this," murmured Kenshin in an icy voice. "You know this as well as me, this can't be left alone any longer."

"Kenshin," Hiko nearly shouted trying to get the redheads attention. Hiko made another lunged at Kenshin managing to catch the teen's left wrist. "Kenshin wake up!"

"Let go of me, I won't let you stop me," Kenshin growled striking out with his free hand at Hiko, aiming for the man's nose. Hiko only just managed to grab hold of the hand before it made contact.

"Kenshin wake up!" snapped Hiko grabbing the boy by the shoulders. Hiko squeezed the wound on Kenshin's left shoulder harder than he meant to. The redhead started, his large lavender eyes sifting wildly in confusion. His gaze, finally falling onto Hiko. "You were sleep walking again," Hiko informed, releasing his grip.

Kenshin quickly pulled away, gaze glued to the ground. "Sorry," he said.

Hiko sighed inwardly. "It's alright, no harm done." This had become a scripted conversation that they went through every time. Next followed the awkward silence before Hiko asked, "you wanna talk about it?" which was instantly followed by Kenshin shaking his head.

"Night," he answered retreating to his room.

"Good night then," called Hiko as the redhead disappeared behind his shut door.

Kenshin sighed as he stood just behind the door in the dark of his bedroom. He quietly listened through the door as Hiko wandered back into the kitchen. Kenshin shook his head pulling away. He made his way across the room navigating easily to the window on the far side. He sat down pulling the blinds away so he could see the night sky. The stars gleamed down brightly, the crescent moon casting pale light onto his bedroom floor. He silently tried to recall the dream but like always, most had faded from his mind. "It's that one memory again," he thought. "When Shishio challenged this one… no, that's not true, when he challenged… Battosai. Why can't this one remember what happened? It was late fall at the time… as this one made his way to where Shishio waited… then this one…" A frown formed on his face as his mind drew a complete blank. He raised a hand against the glass tracing the constellations together with a finger. "It doesn't matter now, it's all in the past." His let his hand fall away from the window. "But the past has a way of catching up, Soujiro's visit is proof of that." Kenshin closed his eyes pulling the memory up from earlier.

There'd been a loud BANG from the house and Hiko had run to investigate. Kenshin had been about to follow when he felt it, a single pair of eyes watching him. "Who's there?" he demanded narrowing his gaze. He whirled around to face the yard. There came no to answer to his question. He slowly made his way down the steps around the side of the house. He was just about to the corner of the backyard when he felt the presence behind him.

"Hi there," greeted a beyond cheerful voice. Kenshin froze for a half second, trying to understand how the intruder got behind him. He twisted around to see a boy a few years younger then himself watching him with a large smile.

"Who are you?" demanded Kenshin.

"That's not a very nice greeting, Mr Himura," laughed the boy.

Kenshin felt his muscles tense, his body going cold. He struggled to keep it from showing on his face. "Are you one of Shishio's underlings?" he asked.

"I wouldn't exactly say that," answered the boy the smile still plastered on his face. "But yah, I guess. I'm Soujiro Seta, it's finally a pleasure to meet you, Mr Himura the Battosai." Kenshin felt his eye twitch slightly. "I've heard so much about you from Lord Shishio, frankly I thought you'd be tougher." Before Kenshin could react Soujiro was beside him a knife placed against his throat. "You've clearly become weak Mr Himura." The child whispered in Kenshin's ear.

The redhead pulled away, jumping back several feet to put distance between them. A jolt of pain ran up from his right knee, but he ignored it, focusing his attention on the boy before him. His heart pounded in his throat. "Couldn't even read his movement," thought Kenshin.

Soujiro laughed heartily, twiddling the knife playfully between his fingers. "Don't worry I'm not here to kill you. Lord Shishio pacifically ordered me not to. I'll have to put that pleasure for a later date." He grinned childishly.

"Tell this one what your business here is," growled Kenshin.

"An exchange must be made for Megumi's return." Kenshin felt his blood go cold.

"Kenshin!" yelled Kaoru suddenly from the front yard, startling the redhead. He broke eye contact with Soujiro and when he looked back the boy was gone.

Kenshin opened his eyes staring out at the dark lawn that stretched out before him. His fingers ran nervously over his throat. "Soujiro was just toying," he thought. "That meeting was nothing more then Shishio showing this one he is no match for them." His hand tightened slightly on his neck, feeling the pulsethat beat within him. "And he's right, this one would be dead if Shishio hadn't ordered that boy not to harm this one. How… much more time does this one even have?" He stared up at the black sky. "Perhaps excepting death wouldn't b-" A sudden jolt went through his system at that thought, his heart pounding wildly.

"Promise me."

"What?" he whispered.

"Please, just this one thing."

"I… don't understand."

"Promise me that you'll-"

His eyes snapped open as he sat bolt up right. He was lying under his window, early afternoon sun pouring in. He'd fallen asleep without even realizing it.

-----------------------------

In celebration of 10 reviews, I give you chapter 7 that's 10 pages… that is according to my computer. I've gone through this chapter sooo many times trying to get the mistakes out, hopefully I got them all.

Thank you summerstar for the review; I was always told write what you know and since I know my sword fighting, the up coming chapters are going to be great! (Grins)