Ripples In Time

A/N- Yo! I'm back, sorry about the wait...took me a while, what with my computer dead and nothing I can use anymore...

Disclaimer- RK isn't mine, never was and never will be...I am merely using the characters for my own ideas!

Anywhoo, I'm trying to get enough money to buy myself another computer, but frankly...it's not turning out so well...

'Thoughts'

Whelp, onto the chapt...enjoy!

Chapter 9: Arrivals

There they were, all of them. Waiting, watching...

Before him stood all the members of his pack, it was as if they had known that he and Kaoru had left. Frankly, the looks they had were giving him the hebee-gebee's.

Taking a deep breath and ignoring Sano winking at him, Kenshin asked in a soft tone, "What are you all doing abed at this hour?"

"Isn't that obvious? Our leader leaves the house in the middle of the night and you expect us to just sit there and watch?" Megumi's tone was clearly condescending, but Kenshin could only smile. It was clear that the woman was feeling a lot better.

And if the look Sano was currently giving her anything to go by, she would be remaining that way for quite some time.

"Soon it will be time for Aoshi to set out, I suggest we all go to bed, now." Kenshin kept his tone clipped, warranting no complaints or excuses. Kaoru shifted in his arms as she nuzzled in closer to his chest, sighing, Kenshin ran a hand gently through her bangs.

"I see that the little missy is completely at home, I wonder...just what did you do to make her so tired Kenshin?" Sano's true thoughts on what happened were as plain as day and Kenshin could only shake his head as he walked over.

He stopped for a moment and watched as Megumi gave Kaoru a quick once over. It was clear that the vampire was worried about her and Kenshin couldn't help but smile at that.

Bit by bit, piece by piece. They were slowly making a true family together and Kenshin wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Is she going to be staying with you tonight?" Tsubame's voice was low as she spoke and if he'd been anything other than what he was, then he wouldn't have been able to hear her.

Looking down at her, Kenshin just smiled, "yes she is...we have an...arrangement. At least until she makes up her mind."

Smiling right back at him, Tsubame patted his arm, "don't worry, she'll say yes, she likes you."

Feeling his face darken a bit at Tsubame's words, Kenshin looked down on the bundle in his arms. He couldn't stop himself as he bent his head and nosed the top of her head, only to freeze when applause sounded behind him.

"It seems you haven't been completely slacking off while I've been gone, have you my boy?"

Whirling, Kenshin gaped in surprise and shock as his eyes fell upon the form of his greatest and oldest friend. His former master, Soujiro Hiko. "Hiko...what are you doing here? Why didn't you let me know you were going to visit, I would have made...arrangements..." 'Darn, I hope Megumi hid our alcohol well.'

Hiko just gave Kenshin a look, which clearly stated that he knew exactly what Kenshin was thinking and was offended by it. "Don't give me that, besides, you probably would have told me not to come. Now...what do we have here?"

As he spoke, Hiko had approached, coming to a stop before Kenshin even as he bent to take a better look at Kaoru's slumbering form. Kenshin had tensed at that, even going so far as to take a step back, the side of his mouth starting to curl back in warning.

Only to be stopped by a slap up-side his head, "shut up idiot. I'm not going to hurt the girl, I'm just looking." Stepping back, Hiko narrowed his eyes at Kenshin, "you do know who she is don't you?"

Gritting his teeth, Kenshin tightened his grip about the woman he held, "if you're referring to her being a hired killer, then yes, I know all about it." Hiko just shook his head at Kenshin's reply.

"No Kenshin, I'm referring to the fact that her mother was once under my protection. I thought you would remember, because you've met her yourself and her daughter looks just like her. Of course you were very young at the time, so you may not."

Still shaking his head, Hiko strode past Kenshin and into the house. Megumi followed close behind, to keep an eye on him and Sano was right on her tail. Leaving Kenshin with Tsubame, Aoshi, and Yahiko.

But Kenshin was still rather stunned as he gazed down at Kaoru's face. He didn't know how he hadn't seen it before; of course he'd remembered her mother. The woman had been so kind, so gentle.

Sighing, Kenshin shifted Kaoru a little before returning inside the house. He couldn't just stand there and let her catch a cold or something. The least he could do was get her to someplace warm and soft, and then he could freak out.

And it was with that thought that Kenshin made his way past everyone and to his bedroom. It had been a long, long night after all. He was just so tired, too tired. 'But I still have a long ways to go; she has shared herself with me, now I must return the favor.'

Walking over to his bed, he laid her down upon the bed, or at least, he tried to. Kaoru's grip about him was strong, she wouldn't release him. Chuckling a bit at that, Kenshin did the only other thing he could do.

Getting into the bed as well he allowed Kaoru to curl against him more and he couldn't help but enjoy it, 'it feels so good to have another person lying against me like this.'

Closing his eyes he pulled her closer, just for now, he would relax. Just for now, he would take what he wanted. And he wanted to be with Kaoru.

As soon as Kenshin had disappeared into the house, Aoshi looked down at his watch. It was now 5:40am.

Looking to Yahiko and Tsubame, he saw that the girl was about to tip over in exhaustion. After all, they had all remained awake this whole while. But things had finally settled down, at least, enough that they could all finally have a good rest.

"Yahiko, take Tsubame inside. I want both of you to get some sleep." Turning Aoshi started walking towards the gates; it would take him a good hour to get into town if he left now. So he knew it would be best if he started on his way now.

"Hey wait! Why can't I go too?" Narrowing his eyes at Yahiko's pleading voice, Aoshi turned his head to glare at the boy. "You are barely staying awake as is Yahiko. Now get in the house."

Having said his piece, Aoshi took off at a run. Behind him he heard a grumbled, "stupid ice-block!" Rolling his eyes, Aoshi continued on his way, remembering the description that Kenshin had given him. 'Hopefully she'll not be in a talking mood.'

"How long are they going to make me wait here? Darn it, when I get my hands on that blasted red-headed jerk, he's gonna regret ever messing with my friend!"

A growling Misao stomped back and forth, kicking at the rocks about her feet. She'd been waiting for what seemed like forever, although, it had only been more like two minutes. And she was early, but that didn't matter, all that mattered was that Himura had promised someone would be here to meet her and no one had shown up yet.

Sighing, after her third pass, Misao plopped down onto a nearby bench. Leaning back against it, she looked up to the sky, wondering just what had happened to Kaoru to make her change her mind so much.

The sound of a throat clearing made her jump to her feet, her hands at the ready. "Miss. Machimaki, I presume?"

When her eyes landed on the source of that voice, Misao felt her world tilt. There before her stood the coolest looking guy she'd ever seen, his strong chin and lean but muscular body took her breath away. But in the end, it was his eyes, those twin spheres of blue ice that truly mesmerized her.

'Good Kami, I think I'm in love!' Feeling a blush burn her cheeks, Misao straightened herself and found that it didn't do much good. This guy was nearly twice her height alone and if that wasn't intimidating enough, then the fact that he was sporting a sleek black tail was.

This guy was a Lycan. 'Figures, I finally meet the man of my dreams only to find out he's a monster. The Kami's must really have it in for me.' Sighing to herself, Misao mustered the best smile she could, considering.

"Yes, I am Misao Machimaki. And you are?" The man bowed low and deep, before deftly reaching down to pick up the little overnight case Misao had packed. "Aoshi Shinomori, Himura-san is awaiting your arrival. So if you would follow me, we shall be on our way."

Not even waiting for a response, the man, Aoshi turned and started walking off. Narrowing her eyes a little in annoyance, Misao hurried after him. If this was how things were going to be, then she'd be damned if she'd let Kaoru spend one more second with these freaks.

A/N- Well, that's a good a place as any to end this chapt.

If anything, if I kept on going we'd have half a chapt of nothing but Misao rants. But I suppose that would be fun in its own way, right?

Anywhoo, I'm happy I got this much written; I've really been worried about myself and my stories. I don't know why, but I can hardly write anymore and it really doesn't make me very happy.

Here are the Jap words for this chapt.

Kami- God

And if you can believe it, that's it for this chapt. Weird huh?

Whelp, until next time everybody!

Ja Ne! =^..^=