Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Seven:

Iwao smiled happily. Shinta was sleeping on one side and Lila was sleeping on the other.

"Who would have thought that you three would be reunited so soon and right in town too." Kaoru gleamed.

"Yes, I'm glad I decided to go to town with Miss Megumi." He looked down at his children. "Perhaps you could show me where their room is Miss Kaoru, it seems they fell asleep."

"Sure."

When they came back the mood was serious.

"I must really thank you and your friends Miss Kaoru. They seem very comforted."

"Oh it's our pleasure."

Iwao sipped his tea.

"Iwao, wasn't it?" Sano questioned. "I have a question."

"Yes that's right."

Kaoru glared at him. "Sanosuke."

"It's ok. I'll be happy to answer your question, Sanosuke Sagara."

He narrowed his eyes. "Your part of the former Heiwa group, from the Revolution, right?"

"You'd waste your question on an answer you already know?" He sighed. "But yes, I'm Iwao Eto, former leader of the former Heiwa group."

"May I ask you something?"

"You too, Kenshin?" Kaoru whispered.

"Yea, sure. I owe you guys a lot so be my guest."

"Your son mentioned something about your wife being asked to come to Tokyo. Why not yourself Mr. Eto?"

"My wife? She was asked to come to the city? So she didn't get caught up in the confusion?" He rubbed his chin. "I wondered where she ran off to that day."

"What?" Yahiko bursted. "You didn't know what your wife was doing? Man what kind of husband are you?"

"Yahiko." Kaoru smacked him.

Iwao grinned. "To be honest my wife has a very untamable spirit. She practically does what she pleases."

Kenshin and Sano looked at one another. Neither believe that Eto didn't know the truth of the situation.

Phoenix glanced up at the sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance. "Its going to rain tonight." She got up off the ground by the riverside. "I better go find a room."

//The winter rain was freezing. She sat shivering under a makeshift roof of a shopowner's marketplace.

"Hey you, unless your going to buy something, get out of here."

She looked up at the shopkeeper. "Please sir, may I come in. I won't be a bother."

"Do you have money, kid?" He glared at her. "No? Then no boarding."

"Please." She jumped up at him.

"Get out of here kid." He pushed her aside into a puddle. "Stupid kid."

"Oh my." Warm hands wrapped around her. "Are you ok." Her brown eyes were kind.

"Yes I'm alright." She sneezed.

"Here lets get you dry." She picked the child up. She carried her to a fancy hotel.

"Ah welcome back Miss Yukishiro. Your room's been prepared for you."

"Thank you. Could you please bring me another futon. I'll be having a small visitor tonight."

"Yes of course."

When they got to the room, Yukishiro put her down. "I'll get a warm bath going for you."

She sneezed again. "Who are you?"

"I'm Tomoe Yukishiro. You're an orphen, are you not? Do you have a name?" Her voice was quiet, straightfoward.

"I don't remember."

"I see." Tomoe began to gently wash her back. There were scratches and scars all over. "We can't have that." She hummed. "Do you like the name Yukishiro?"

"Yuki-shiro?" She asked while Tomoe wrapped her in soft cloth. "Isn't that your last name Miss Tomoe?"

"It is." She stood, going over to the folded blankets. "Why don't you try and get some sleep tonight. You don't have to sleep out in the cold anymore. Ok?"//

"Here you go Miss Hinageshi." The hotel attendent showed Phoenix to her room. "We're please to have you stay with us tonight."

Phoenix bowed. "Thank you."

Iwao yawned as he was walking to his room. "Hm, Miss Kaoru."

"Iwao?"

"Is something wrong?"

"No, not really." She looked up at him. "I was just wondering, I heard that all those people in your village were killed, is that true?"

"Killed?" He sighed. "Well that is the rumor, isnt' Miss Kaoru?" He saw the conflict within her eyes. "I think many of those people are doing well. So there's nothing really to worry about, Miss Kaoru."

"Oh really? They're all ok?"

"Yea. You have to understand something Miss Kaoru, our village was pretty strong. The people know how to protect themselves and how to survive." He bowed. "Well if you'd excuse me Miss Kaoru I'll go check on Shinta and Lila and then retire for the evening."

"Oh of course. You must be exhausted." She bowed. "Have a good night."

He returned her bow. "And yourself Miss Kaoru."