Wow what a long period of silence. Guess I better hurry up with writing. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Six

(two days later)

"Something's bugging me."

"Hm, what is it Sano?"

"The kid said his mother was requested to Tokyo, but why. And more important, who are these kids parents anyway. What's so important that the government's after them?"

Kenshin sipped some tea. "By the looks of it, his father is a part of the Heiwa group."

"Right so why would the Imperialist Government want someone from a group that promoted peace during the Revolution, it just doesn't add up."

"Maybe the government wants to reward the group for a job well done?" Kaoru suggested.

"Ok but then why burn the town and kill the people in it?"

Kaoru sighed.

Kenshin glanced outside. /Perhaps it's not the government nor the Heiwa that are really involved here./

"Well I've got to go to town." Kaoru stood. "I'm going to see if Shinta and Lila want to come along."

//"Ahhhh." Shinta came down with his sword. The wood cracked against the stone opponent.

Lila clapped and smiled. "Yay Shinta."

"Hm?" He rubbed the back of his head, bowing.

"Wow son that was a pretty strong swing you just did."

He smiled. "Really dad, you mean that?"

"Sure do. Now how about some lunch. Your mother should be back from the main village any time so we should surprise her, ok." Iwao picked Lila up off the other bolder. They walked down to the stream to catch fish.

"Father, do you think I'll be able to hold a sword like you and mother one day?"

Iwao glanced at his son. "Maybe but listen to me Shinta, in this new era the way of the sword is disappearing. If you must pick one up it should be to protect those that are important to you.//

Shinta shifted to his other side. Lila was sleeping soundly next to him. "To protect those that are important to me."

Lila stirred. "Shinta."

"Oh Lila did I wake you?"

"No." She sat up. "Shinta are we going to find mother and father today?"

Kaoru paused outside their door.

"You bet. I, Shinta Eto, promise to search for mother and father

"Hey Shinta, Lila?" Kaoru slide open the door.

"Miss Kaoru?"

She smiled. "Would you children like to go with us into town?"

"Yes, thank you Miss Kaoru."

Phoenix stood outside the gates of the Embassy.

"Hey you."

There were many people on the streets, walking or carrying carts, so Phoenix ignored them.

"Hey you, girl there."

She cut her eyes toward the guard.

"Would you like a tour of the building?"

She pulled her kimono tighter. "Thanks but no." /So he reaches even into the high rank of the government. Somehow I manage to let my guard down just enough for someone like him to find a crack./

"Someone, please, stop that man!" A voice rose among the crowded market streets.

Many people stopped and moved out of the way. "Get out of my way!" He was charging right for her. Her eyes narrowed. Pulling out her hidden sword she knocked the man away with the hilt and with three shirukens she pinned him to the front of a shop.

"Oh wow, did you see that?"

"Where'd the girl go?'

Kenshin and the group hurried out of Akabeko when they heard the worry cry. Kenshin saw the quickness of the woman. She was the same one Sano, Yahiko, and him ran into several days ago. However she was gone now.

The crowd gathered around the man.

"Wow how'd he get pinned like that?

Shinta pushed through the crowd. Lila was behind him holding his hand. "Shinta, do you think...?"

"Shinta! Lila!" Kaoru's voice called to them. "There you are. I was worried that you got caught in that robbery."

Phoenix hid in the shadows of the buildings. Her eyes widened when she saw her children. "Shinta and Lila." She wanted to hurry to them but stopped. "Its...him. The Man Slayer."

"Well we should eat first, then we can ask around about your parents." Kaoru suggested.

/They're safe. That's all that matters./ She slipped away. /Of all the people, though, it had to be him./

Iwao hopped along. "Oh wow, check this out. And I thought the main city was dangerous."

Megumi laughed a bit. "My looks like someone just got beat up."

Iwao nodded, glancing around. He noticed some kids walking with a woman. "Lila? Shinta?"
He stepped forward.

"Hm, Iwao?"

"Miss Megumi, those two, those are my children, Shinta and Lila."

She looked toward where he was pointing. "Oh that's Sir Ken and his friends."

"So you know them Miss Megumi?"

She nodded. "Sure, they're heading to the Akabeko. Come I'll take you."