The longest chapter thus far. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kaoru was in the training room when Shinta and Lila peeked in. "Hm?" She glanced over to the door. "Oh, good morning."

"Good morning, miss Kaoru."

"Are you parents still sleeping?"

Shinta nodded. "Are you practicing the style of your dojo?"

"I am. Would you like to learn." Kaoru held up the wooden sword. "This is a style of protection."

"Then yes, I would like to learn." Shinta knelt. "Please teach me Miss Kaoru."

"Shinta." Lila tightened her grip on his tunic.

"I must learn so I can protect those who are important to me."

Kaoru looked at them with soft eyes.

Iwao woke to an empty futon beside him. Sitting up he realized it was the children's. Lina was behind him sleeping. He touched her forehead. Getting up he left the room quietly.

"Good morning." Kenshin said from the kitchen. He was preparing breakfast.

"Hm? Oh good morning Kenshin."

"Is Lina still sleeping?" Kenshin stopped and turn to face the man in the doorway. He noted Iwao's hesitation.

"Yes, she is."

"Is something wrong?"

Iwao lowered his eyes. "No. I just have to go see Miss Megumi today." He nodded his head. "If you'll excuse me I'll return later."

Kenshin put the food down and went to Lina's room. He slid open the door slightly. Though she was sleeping, he noticed that her breathing was labored. /Her body's overcompensating for her wounds./ He closed the door. /She still hasn't healed from that first night when Kogoro attacked her./ He walked back to the kichen. /I haven't been able to find anything about who Kogoro really is. And Lina, we still haven't been able to sit and talk seriously. If we wait any longer, it'll be too late./

"Miss Megumi?" Iwao entered her dojo office

"Iwao, how are you?"

"I'm good. I apologize if I'm interfering with anything."

She smiled. "No it's good. What can I help you with today? Are you wounds healing properly?"

"Yes most of them are healed. Dr. Gensai has been generous to look them over when he visits with his granddaughters."

"I see. That's good."

"Yes, but today I come for my wife."

"Oh? Has something come up?"

"She seems to be in a lot of pain."

Megumi went to her medicine cabinet. "Knowing her she problem wouldn't tell anyone and suffer through this." She pulled down a jar of powder. "Give her some of this in her drink. Her pain should subside gradually." Megumi dropped a tablespoon size into a vile. "A small amount, a pinch, should do. Twice a day." She handed him the vile. "I'll be sure to stop by and check her out."

"Thank you Miss Megumi. How much do I owe..."

She held up her hand. "Don't worry about that now. Just make sure she takes it."

The town seemed busy with people. Lina stumbled through them. When she woke up, she had been alone. The smell of food was going through the dojo. But instead of seeing what was going on she dressed quickly and left.

She went to the edge of town and over the bridge. The field where the old man's hut use to be was empty. "Figures."

A dark cloud passed overhead; lingering, covering the sun.

Lina looked up.

"Well you look healthy enough."

She turned around to find nothing. "What the?"

"Don't worry, your not imagining it. I only have a little bit of time."

"Is that all?"

"What a smart mouth, like usual. What did you come here for?"

She smirked. "I needed a change of scenery."

"Did you now?"

She felt a presence behind her.

"Do you plan on going on?"

"I do. I plan to fight him until the end."

"That's a shame." He moved closer. "Tell me, why do you feel you have to fight alone?"

"Because I am alone."

"You're not a good liar."

She growled. "Then you tell me why I do it?"

"Simple, you're frightened."

She swung around but he was gone.

"Don't be so hasty. Didn't my brother teach you anything?" Her body froze. He smirked. "Do I have your attention now?"

The cloud overhead began to move.

"Hm, I better hurry. Listen to me child. Do you remember the words my brother spoke to you when he gave you the name Phoenix? He put all his trust in you. He knew when he got the call to go and fight that he wouldn't return."

Her fists were in tight balls at her side.

"You who have lost and gained time and time again; a suitable name, he knew what he was doing." His lips came to her ear. "But you've long since been fight, well before you entered the Shogunate. You remember Masanori's final lesson, don't you?"

She breathed. "It is not the name that decides a person, it is the person themselves." She whispered, her eyes closed.

The sky began to brighten.

"Then I ask you one last time, what are you doing here?" His voice faded out."

When Lina opened her eyes, the sky was back to it's blue. "Master Masanori...Master Takeo...thank you." She turned to leave. Sitting in a tree over by the forest a familar hawk caught her attention. "Kem?" She called him over. The bird lifted to the sky and descend softly on her arm. He called out. She patted his chest. "Forgive me Kem. I've imprisoned you for too long." She looked into his eye that was looking at her. "Thank you. When this is over, I'll treat you to all the fish you can eat." She jerked her arm and Kem took to the sky. He called out again and headed toward the dojo.

"The next time we meet Kogoro, will be our last." Lina smirked.

Kogoro sat in his room. He shivered and began to laugh.

Shadow was bringing in lunch. "My lord?"

"Oh that woman, such defiance." He controlled himself. "Her body will make for a suitable decoration."

"Mama!" Lila ran to Lina when she entered the courtyard. Lina picked her up and swung her around. "Mama you and papa missed breakfast."

"Oh? I'm sorry sweetheart. But you're father too?"

"Umhm."

The main door opened and Iwao entered. He paused seeing Lina there. "Oh, good morning." Lina eyed him. He smiled innocently.

"Oh come look mama, papa." Lila squirmed out of her arms and took them to the practice room.

Yahiko and Shinta were at a standoff. "Begin." Kaoru moved from between them. Shinta went on the attack first.

Lina grinned.

"What is it?"

"What his feet. He used to watch me when I practiced in the mountains." She glanced at Iwao. "And here I thought you were keeping and eye on them during those times.

The swords cracked. Yahiko's landing on Shinta's shoulder. Shinta's landing in Yahiko's side. Lila and Sanosuke clapped. Kenshin knew that attack, the attack of an assasin. Yahiko and Shinta bowed. Shinta hurried over to Lina and Iwao. "Mama how'd I do?"

She picked him up. "You did well, Shinta, very well."

Kaoru packed up her swords. "That was great you two. Now I'm going out to give lessons. I'll be back to do dinner later."

"Kaoru, I can do dinner. I picked up some things when I was coming back this morning."

"Oh? That'll be great Lina, thank you."

"Hm, that's going to be one tough kid when he gets older." Sano said to Kenshin.

Yahiko rubbed his side. "Tell me about it. Even though we barely touched each other his hit still hurts."

Kenshin gazed over to Lina. She looked amused but not pleased. "Well now that that's over, let's get to work, that we should."