A/N: -groveling- this chapter is for all you loverly people who have been waiting patiently and/or impatiently. My only excuse for the delay is my comp. which caught a techy version of the "Mayan Apocalypse" and promptly died at midnight of the 21st. (T-T why me?) Anywho enjoy... (I claim no responsibility for the characters of Rurouni Kenshin. Mr. T's catchphrase is not mine either.)

Chapter 4

-IN TOKYO-

~~~~~ Kenshin-gumi assemble! ~~~~~~~~~

Sympathy Sano: "sorry 'bout that... (sucks to be you)"

Meddling Megumi: "come to Aizu with us... (I already got the muscle-head to do all the heavy lifting)"

Take-a-chance Tae: "I can't believe this... ( I had good money on those two getting together)"

Young Yahiko: (shakes his head and pities the fool cursed to eternal indigestion)

- IN KYOTO-

~~~~~~ GO Weasel-girl GO! ~~~~~~~~~~

Suddenly the light, the energy, all that is -Misao- flashes back into her eyes, a fist clenches and her battle cry resounds, "Time for Super Ninja Teleportation!"

White smoke envelops the girl's form. When the billowing, concealing mist clears, Misao has vanished.

~-~-~-~-~-Evening

The Akebeko was busy as usual; the wait staff expertly shuffles through the restaurant, carefully carrying orders through the mass. A red-haired samurai enters the fray, following close behind is a man considerably taller and a beautiful lady doctor.

Tae smiling greeted the group, "Kenshin-san, Megumi-sensei, Sanosuke, welcome, welcome," she gestures with her hand, "I've taken the liberty of reserving one of the more private booths."

The trio settles onto the cushions placed around the low table.

Tae dips into a half-bow, "I wasn't sure how many would be coming so please let me know if you needed more seats." She straightens, "Tea, sake, beef hot-pot?"

"Thank you for your hospitality," Kenshin smiles, "Tea will be fine for now Miss Tae that it will."

The owner of the Akebeko bows again then departs to relay the order to the kitchen.

"Dr. Gensai will be joining us after the girls are in bed." Megumi informed her seat-mates.

"Ayame-dono and Suzume-dono are growing up fast, that they are," Kenshin mused.

Sano's trademark fishbone was chewed in contemplation as the other two made small talk. Not long after a warm tea pot was set in the middle of the table and their server commandeered a seat.

"Thank goodness you guys came along when you did," Yahiko wiped his brow, "I could use a break."

"Has it been this busy all night?"

The fishbone rolled between teeth as the mundane conversation continued. Under a red bandana, brown eyes lazily observed his companions. Yahiko waved signaling the kitchen, hands pantomiming for food. Megumi's long hair rippled as she swept the dark length over a shoulder. Kenshin's purple eyes were shuttered, the swordsman hiding trepidation behind inane chatter. Sanosuke wasn't the smartest guy in Japan, (the fox-lady insists he is denser than rock) but even he could figure out what was troubling everyone so much.

He snorted mentally, where else in this wide world could you find an ex-manslayer, a former yakuza pick-pocket, a rescued opium maker and a reformed Zanza under one roof. Sure it might have been a reverse blade sword that opened the door, but it was the woman-warrior whose stubborn, angry, welcoming ways had shoved them all (willing or not) through that door. Her sword calloused hands and burnt meals, warm smile and naive eyes, had accepted each outcast, somehow turning the mismatched group into a family.

Unseen by those nearby, his hand tightens into a fist, his jaw clenches down on the bony remains between his teeth. His dark brown eyes settle on the rurouni smiling across the table. Kenshin Himura, the patriot, the manslayer, the wanderer...the coward.

'Give him a flammable maniac or a deranged ex-brother-in-law and he's fine.' Sanosuke contemplated, 'anyone that wanted to defeat the Battosai should have had a certain raccoon-girl as his opponent. Squared off against Jou-chan and the most feared swordman turns into a pansy.'

She was his strength and his weakness but that was true in reverse as well. Sano sighed and relaxed his battle-ready muscles, Jou-chan would either save the rurouni from himself or she would doom him to wander for the rest of his days. He shrugged wide shoulders and settled down to wait for Kaoru to arrive.

A steaming beef hot-pot was deposited by a shy teen girl.

"Thank you Tsubame-dono," Kenshin beams, "could this one request more tea and another hot-pot after everyone else arrives?"

The waitress bows at the waist, "of course Kenshin-san."

Chopsticks dig into the meal, Yahiko and Sano battling for the larger portions. Megumi scowls and whacks the rooster-haired street fighter, scolding both for their gluttony. Kenshin smiles at the usual antics, a sense of normalcy settling over the group.

"Kenshin my boy, I'm glad to see you in such good spirits."

The swordsman clasps hands with the elder, "Gensai-sensei, this one thanks you for coming on such short notice that I do."

"No trouble, no trouble at all," the aged doctor settles on a cushion, "I am happy that Kaoru-chan seems to have found some measure of happiness."

Kenshin nods, "Kaoru-dono deserves happiness that she does."

Dark knowing eyes scan his face, the elder hums agreement, "Little Kaoru has been so happy since your arrival Kenshin."

Oblivious mask in place, "ororo?"

"It's true my boy, she always speaks so well of her wanderer," a wrinkled hand lay on the tense forearm of the swordsman, "from the beginning, her words were always about you," he pats the magenta sleeved arm, "always such happy words."

A true smile softened the rurouni-mask, "this one thanks you for your consideration that I do."

Dr. Gensai nods and turns his attention to the rest of the gathered company, "where is Little Kaoru anyways. I was sure I'd be the last to arrive."

Sano replies around a mouth full of rice, "Dunno."

Yahiko uses the distraction to swipe a particularly juicy piece of beef from the rooster's plate. A bandaged fist pummels a spiky haired teen and the ever-hungry duo resumed their squabble over dinner portions.

Suddenly a hush fell over the diner, Tsubame and Tae rush to the group's table.

"She's here," the younger girl is sporting a fierce blush.

The restaurant manager's rare frown and warning, "and she's not alone."

Silence dominated the diner, patrons staring breathless at the vision entering the door. Long inky dark hair bound high with a deep indigo ribbon, eyes of the same blue hue swept the frozen scene finally settling on familiar purple. Her smile shone like the sun after rain, warm and welcoming. Kenshin drew in a shaky breath. The kimono was new, its white cloth dotted with both whole sakura flowers and small pink petals. The blossoms scattered across her shoulders as tiny pink slivers danced down the sleeves and throughout the skirt giving the illusion of a windy spring day. The obi was new as well, the striped material wrapped around her waist, defining her trim figure. She stood just outside the booth and gestured at the man standing in her shadow. (Sano's low murmur "it's Rich Guy")

Kaoru's smile filled with happiness, "I'd like everyone to meet Yamamoto-san."

"Welcome, please won't you join us?" Dr. Gensai replied, startling the others out of their shocked stupor.

"Ah, yes, thank you."

The fox-lady, rooster-head, and teenaged student changed seats, unconsciously moving closer to each other. Dr. Gensai offered his cushion to Kaoru placing her beside Kenshin and gently ushered the newcomer to the other side of the table. The males vying for the swordswoman's attention were now sitting face-to-face across the wooden expanse.

He breathed easier with her at his side, nodding at Tsubame and Tae who promptly placed two more settings for tea and a fresh hot-pot for the group. Kaoru thanked them for the service, cleared her throat, garnering everyone's gaze (their attention had been on her, their glances furtive, from the moment she sat.)

Kaoru beamed, "I decided to accept Yamamoto's proposal."

~-~-~-~-~-~'

A/N: SHE MADE ME DO IT! (points to Kaoru then runs away)

Kaoru: -_-'

Kenshin: (reading cue cards with obnoxious announcer voice) If you review today you get your choice of "ANGRY MOB IMPLEMENTS"
(curtain opens)

Yahiko holds a PITCHFORK.
Sanosuke wields a TORCH
Megumi offers a large sign "ANGY MOB MEMBER"

Kenshin: "Oro? Why the violence?" (reads chapter)

Dr. Gensai: (calmly walk onstage, pulls out a piece of paper) "From the Author: IF YOU KILL ME YOU WILL NEVER FIND OUT WHY….(also to any who faved/followed/reviewed/or read The Proposal "thank you!" Sorry no personal shout out as usual…I blame the 'Mayan Apocalypse' see beginning a/n)…WHATEVER YOU DO YOU ANGRY MOB MEMBERS DO NOT LOOK IN ANTARTICA FOR ME…I AM NOT HIDING IN THAT FROZEN WASTELAND!"

Kenshin: ( swirly-eyed ) "orororororo"