I'm so sorry I haven't posted in so LONG!!!! I got busy with school, and all these after school things and lots of other things, which I'd rather not think about…

So I've gotten so many chapters recently that I thought it was deserving that I post a chapter so here you go. If you don't remember what happened last time, well then you better learn how to click that little back button and re-read it.

Anyway, Read Review and enjoy.

It was late when Hiraru lead Katsu back into the courtyard. Silently she untacked the bay and brushed him down, being sure to pay attention to his legs and making sure they weren't overheated. It was as she was picking up the saddle and bridle to put them away that Kenshin came out. "Hiraru-san, how was work?"

Hiraru smiled tiredly as she answered, "Hard work. Katsu and I were running around the city all day. I think I've come to know where just about every restaurant and fancy house in this city is." She sighed, hefting the saddle more securely onto her shoulder before continuing, "I'm going to take these to my room, then I'll change and come to dinner."

Kenshin smiled and offered, "If you'd like there's a bath waiting. This one is sure you'll feel better after you're clean."

Hiraru bowed out of habit. "Thank you Kenshin-san." Walking with a tired sort of stride she went to her room to set down her things and get a change of clothes.

In the bathing hut she took off her dirty clothes, leaving them in a pile, and then slowly removed her bandages, both on her arms and around her breasts. Those too she left on the clothing pile, before she began to scrub herself with soap and cold water. After that she slid into the blissfully warm tub of water. She was half asleep with warm water up past her shoulders when she heard the sliding of the door to the hut.

"Hiraru-san, It's me. This one thought you might like it if your clothes were cleaned," Kenshin's voice said from the other side of the screen hiding the tub.

"Thank you Kenshin-san," Hiraru said lazily.

"Hiraru-san? This one has been wondering . . ." Kenshin began, not entering the tub room.

"Wondering what, Kenshin-san?" Hiraru asked as she sank a little deeper into the water.

"What is your real name?"

Hiraru felt the water she sat in go instantly cold. "What are you talking about Kenshin-san?" Her voice sounded nervous despite how she laughed.

"When you told us your name you lied. I trust you because you've lied about little else, but if you lied about your name, what else will you lie to us about?" Kenshin's voice sounded different.

Hiraru sighed, "Kenshin, who else did you tell this to?"

"No one," was the reply. "I thought to hear your reasons before I brought this to the others."

"Kenshin . . ." Hiraru sighed, "I can't tell you my real name. There's somebody we both know that I don't want to know my own name. You're not a good liar either, so if I did tell you I don't think you'd be able to lie to this person. Trust me, please, I don't like lying to you, or the others, but this is a necessary evil. I promise I'll tell you my real name eventually. Before I leave."

"I do trust you, Hiraru-san," Kenshin said, his tone kind, "That is why I've not told anyone that you are not what you appear."

"Is this blackmail?"

Kenshin chuckled. "Only if you try to steal from us."

"I would never!!" Hiraru almost stood out of the water in shock, but thought better of it.

"We can discuss this later, Hiraru-san," Kenshin said; Hiraru could hear him moving around to leave. "Enjoy the rest of your bath."

Hiraru sank down as far into the water as she could without having both her mouth and nose in the water. Maybe I shouldn't have chosen to fix this particular dojo…she thought, trying to get her muscles to relax, again.

Don't you just love my cliffhangers? (Grins evilly) Just the other day one of my editors posted a new chapter, and it had the greatest cliffhanger I've ever seen. I wanted to shot her. Trust me I'm going to try for a shot-me cliffhanger, I just like to see reviews that say YOU MUST POST SOON!!!!

Anyway Reviews was what got me to post this chapter, so review and I might post because of you. I don't know. It depends on when I get the next edited chapter from my editors.

I love all my Reviewers, Now if you don't press the review button I will search you out and dig your eyes out of your sockets with a spoon (Gives the evil eyes).