DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or their likeness.

I want to apologize for my lack of updates. I can't believe it's been over 2 years! Are any of my original readers still around? Or is anyone still interested in this story?

This chapter was a hard one to write. This is my first time writing anything like this. I knew where this needed to go and what needed to happen but there were a few particulars I was caught up on. Not only that, but I've been away from the legal community for three years and I didn't feel I could do this story justice (no pun intended). I am still not sure I can, but I want to try. Hopefully since I've gone back to the legal office inspiration will kick in.

Side note: Just imagine me asking "hypothetical questions" to my former classmate/friend, soo . . . if you had a client like this? My friend always ended with, "are you in trouble?"

A special thank you to Anreg for all her help! More notes at the end.

"Welcome home baby," Takeda said as he stood with his back to the door, quietly smoking a cigar, completely satisfied with the turn of events. He turned around slowly for dramatic effect as he said, "I missed you so much." He stubbed out his cigar and held his arms out, welcoming his wife into a hug.

Megumi could barely keep from rolling her eyes as she walked into her husband's arms and let him pet her hair. "Right. Home," she said with ill-disguised sarcasm.

"Tsk tsk. My dear, I was so worried about you! I even sent Shinomori out to find you." He breathed in the scent of her hair; he felt his wife's body tense and he smiled in victory.

"I was fine. No reason to worry." Megumi's tone was flat and devoid of emotion. She could barely keep from recoiling away from her husband's touch. She couldn't believe she had once thought him charming. Then closing her eyes she thought, 'only a little while longer and this will all be over'.

Takeda pulled away, arms on his wife's shoulders, "The important thing is that you're home now. And we can get back to work."

Megumi's eyes flashed, this was her chance. "I didn't come back to help you." She pulled out the small handgun, a derringer, that she had carefully hidden in her coat pocket and said, "I came back to end this."

Takeda's eyes widened and he screamed, high and shrill, for help.

Megumi raised her arm, readying her aim, but Hannya, who had been watching the whole exchange from the door, grabbed hold of her wrist and threw her arm up so that she shot the ceiling. "I apologize miss," he said, "but I can't let you do that."

Megumi gasped as Hannya forced away her weapon and only defense. Takeda's eyes flashed in anger and he slapped Megumi as hard as he could, spitting out every ugly name he could think.

Kenshin turned to Sano, surprised to see anger on his face. "What do you mean she's not here?"

Sano un-balled his fist and began to read, "I decided that it was time to go back home. Don't worry about me. Takani Megumi."

Once he finished reading the short note, he once again crumpled it up. "Bull. That's what this is!"

Kenshin glared at the paper in Sano's hands. "Home?! She doesn't have a home. Or she wouldn't be here."

Sano snorted. "She doesn't even have a family anymore."

Kenshin nodded and started to head out. Sano yelled out after him, "Oy! Where do you think you're going?"

"I am going to pay Megumi-dono a visit," Kenshin said over his shoulder.

Sano stalked off after his landlord and best friend. "Well don't forget me."

As the two men stalked off to the Takeda household, Kaoru, who had just entered, watched wondering where they were off to.

"Oye Hannya, I see you brought her back." Shikijo was a large bulky man with scars that ran all along his body. His uniform shirt was stretched taut across his muscles.

Hannya sat down with his comrades and not afraid at showing his displeasure, took the orange Shikijo had just peeled. "I feel bad for the woman."

Beshimi, the shortest and smallest of the group, smiled at Hannya, "Aren't you sentimental. Did her pretty looks get to you too?"

Hyottoko gave out loud booming laughter while he held his large stomach. "Despite his face Hannya really is the kindest of us all."

Hannya glared at Beshimi and Hyottoko, throwing slices of orange at their heads. "She's a good woman caught up in a bad situation. There's nothing wrong with having some understanding."

"Maybe not," Beshimi said. "She thought he would save her and without knowing it she fell in with a shark."

"Hey you three," Shikijo said as he studied the surveillance cameras that showed the area around the mansion. "We have guests."

All three stood up and crowed around Shikijo. Hyottoko went as far as to lean on Shikijo's shoulders causing the bulky man to try and shake him off.

"That man," Hannya pointed to Kenshin, "there's something about him."

"The landlord of that boarding house?" Beshimi asked.

Shikijo scoffed, "He doesn't look like much."

"At least he looks smarter than that bird head next to him." Even on the screens they could tell that Sano gave out a mighty sneeze.

Beshimi laughed and turned to look at Hyottoko, "You should talk!"

"Enough." Hannya stood up straight and crossed his arms; it was time for work. "Beshimi call Aoshi-sama, see if he's back. Hyottoko go and inform our boss." The last part was said mockingly.

Shikijo too stood up. "Right. You and I will go meet our guests."

Hannya nodded, taking a moment to look back at the screens. 'Who is that man?' he wondered.

"Sano. Do you notice anything strange?" Kenshin asked of his friend.

Sano looked around, noticing for the first time the cameras mounted on the roof of the mansion. He threw up the bird. "Are you talking about the lack of guards?"

Kenshin nodded as he knocked on the massive door. "I would have expected guards all over the property."

The door swung open to reveal Shikijo, "That's because Takeda is a very prudent man –"

"Or cheap," muttered Sano.

Shikijo grinned, "Oh no. Takeda is not afraid to flash around his money or use its power. With that power he bought himself the most powerful group of guards." Shikijo raised an arm and flexed, ripping the sleeve of his shirt.

"Whatever." Sano began picking his teeth with a toothpick, completely un-impressed. He had seen his fair share of overly confident muscle heads, what was one more?

Kenshin gripped the katana he brought with him, instinct told him to come armed. Instinct also told him they wouldn't be leaving without a fight. "We didn't come to cause trouble, that we didn't. We simply came for Megumi-dono. Where is she?"

It wasn't Shijiko that answered, though. It was Hannya, who had appeared beside his comrade. "You bring a very unusual hostess gift with you," holding up his hands to show that he was weaponless.

Kenshin tightened his grip, sensing the newcomer's strength. He knew from experience that a lack of weapon did not make someone harmless. Takeda seemed to have surrounded himself with interesting people. "Somehow I don't think you're harmless."

Sano punched his left palm with his right fist, drawing Shikijo's attention. "Enough chit chat. Where's Meg?"

"Aren't you cute." The larger man walked over to Sano, leaning over him. "I wouldn't worry about her if I were you. She's where she belongs, at home."

"That's bull and you know it." Sano growled as he walked an inch forward so that he was nose to nose with Shikijo. "Am I going to have to beat it out of you?"

"It's not much fun squashing ants."

"Funny. I don't particularly like punching slabs of meat."

Hannya and Kenshin turned their attention away from their friends and looked at one another, assessing each other. It was Hannya that broke the silence, "How about we settle this in a civilized manner."

"This one would like that very much. But . . . " despite his words Kenshin did not take his hand off his sword clearly suspicious. "What would you have to gain?"

Hannya looked into Kenshin's eyes, eyes that were starting to rim with gold. He didn't particularly care for this current assignment but that didn't mean he would jeopardize it either. He just needed a little more time. "Maybe I am worried about the woman," he said, shrugging.

Kenshin studied the other man, there had to be a trick. " . . . Alright." But arguing would only delay them further.

"Then reign in your rabid dog."

This Sano heard and he whirled on the other man. "Oy! I am not a dog! I am a –" He caught himself just as he was about to say rooster. He silently cursed Saitou.

Kenshin's eyes never left Hannya as he said, "Sano."

Shikijo stood up straight and crossed his arms. "I'd rather punch this out but if Hannya says we should do this in a gentlemanly manner then I'll obey."

"Good boy." Sano jeered.

Shikijo gave out a bark of laughter, "Boy? Shut up, boy."

Hannya really wanted to sigh and roll his eyes. "How about a board game?"

Kenshin blinked and Sano dropped his arms and together they said, "A board game?"

That was how the four of them found themselves in a room seated around a childish board game, one that had seen plenty of use.

"Chutes and ladders?" Kenshin laughed.

Sano fidgeted in his seat and snapped out, "This is a kid's game."

Hannya wasn't at all bothered as he set it up. "It is. It belongs to someone special."

Shikijo nodded, "So don't mess it up."

Kenshin and Sano exchanged a look.

-15 minutes later –

Sano growled and flipped the table over, "This is stupid!"

"Only because you were losing."

"Shut up!" Sano yelled at Shikijo. At that moment it became unclear who landed the first hit but pandemonium was unleashed. And maybe with this particular group of individuals there never was a chance for a civilized agreement.

- Meanwhile -

Tokio walked into the bar and scanned the crowd for a familiar face. She didn't have to look very hard because he was waving enthusiastically. With a warm smile, and a shake of her head, she made her way towards him, taking the seat next to him at the bar.

"Hello hot date," Okita said in greeting with his usual warm smile and a wink.

Tokio laughed, which only made Okita smile wider, "Hello old friend."

Okita looked properly offended with his hand over his heart, "Old? Me?! I am a young soul."

Tokio placed her elbow on the bar and her chin in the palm of her hand, her eyes twinkling with laughter all the while, "Okay maybe not old but you're definitely not a young soul."

"Eh. Maybe not." Okita agreed. "You don't hang around Saitou for any length of time and stay young." He took a drink and gave Tokio a sideways look, "Remember that if you decide to live your life with him."

Tokio, he was not surprised to see, completely missed his meaning. With a roll of her eyes she said, "Was he ever young? I imagine he was born smoking and glaring at the general population."

Okita chuckled, not so much at what Tokio said, but at Tokio herself. His friend had his work cut out for him that was for sure. Tokio was completely clueless. It was no wonder their "relationship" was moving at such a slow pace. "I know for a fact he was once a kid. I would know, I was there."

Tokio laughed, "Oh I am sure the two of you were nothing but trouble."

"We were adorable." Okita nodded once to punctuate his statement. "You would have loved us."

"Hm." Was all Tokio said as she took a drink. She was happy to see her friend in such an easy humour and grateful to not have to think about work. Even though it was past working hours she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on. "Well, tell me about it. Your childhood."

Okita looked up at the ceiling and scratched his nose. "We were typical kids . . ." Then he turned to Tokio with a wicked smile, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather hear about Saitou as a teenager? I have some good stories." He leaned in closer, "For example I can tell you all about his exes!"

Tokio blinked and then rolled her eyes before flicking Okita's nose. "Why would I want to hear about his exes? The last thing I care about is that man's romantic past."

Then turning to stare at ahead of her she quietly asked, " . . . were there a lot. Doesn't matter, tell me what you were like as a kid."

Okita rubbed his nose, "You didn't have to do that!" His eyes didn't miss the light blush or the way Tokio had quickly looked away. He also noticed the dark circles under her eyes and took pity. So he pouted. "They were good stories too."

"Souji . . ."

Okita laughed, "Okay okay, we drove our mothers crazy. Hajime was always bringing home pets."

Tokio gave Okita a disbelieving look. "Pets?" She was sure the man hated the animals.

Okita nodded, "Rhinoceros beetles, cats, dogs, fish, a rat." Then laughing he said, "We used to have a squad of beetles, and challenged the neighborhood kids." Then with a bright smile he said, "Our beetles were the best. That's how Hajime won a pet rat. His mother did not like that, she screamed when she saw it."

Tokio couldn't help but smile as Okita laughed, wondering what happy memories Okita was lost in. "It's hard to imagine." And it was, it was hard to imagine the tall intimidating man as a small child.

"Don't get me wrong, he was always a bastard," Okita said fondly. "But I couldn't ask for a better friend."

Tokio shook her head, taking a long sip from her glass. "Frenemies."

Okita chuckled, "I suppose so."

Megumi flinched away from Aoshi as he placed an ice pack on her face. "Don't move," he said in his usual emotionless voice.

Megumi glared through the pain and then grimaced, turning away from the man. "Don't pretend to care."

Aoshi was silent for a moment as he took in the beaten woman. He had returned only to find Takeda standing over a beaten Megumi. "You don't beat women, ever."

"No," she snapped. "You just watch." Megumi's pride wouldn't allow her to accept assistance from a man so connected to her tormentor and husband, and so she took the ice from Aoshi and held it to her face.

Aoshi didn't blame her. He couldn't. Megumi knew exactly what her husband had done and she knew Aoshi's job. She just didn't know the whole story but it didn't excuse anything. Aoshi stood up, "You're no one to judge. Keep that ice on your face, I'll be back with some food."

Megumi watched as Aoshi picked up his jacket and threw it over his shoulder. 'Bastard', she thought slumping to the floor. Megumi looked out the window, noticing that the sky was darkening.

Meanwhile in his office, Saitou was busy at work, working overtime.

Saitou stared at the files before him, his eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration. Everything was coming together but still nothing that could implicate Takeda. The bastard had covered his ass well, no doubt flashing money under the right noses. It was probably money and charm that had roped Takani into marrying Takeda. There could be no other reason and it was no coincidence that the Takani family clinic had been close to bankruptcy only to turn around and make a profit upon their daughter's marriage. He couldn't help but silently wonder how much Tokio knew of her client. 'Or how much Takani knows herself . . .' Not that he was going to enlighten either of them. This was business.

Chou sat with his arms behind his head, legs crossed, and his foot tapping to some unknown rhythm in the air as he watched the intimidating prosecutor peruse the files he had brought. 'Psh, if he wants to play detective then he should have become one.' Not that he would ever dare to voice that particular thought. For the umpteenth time Chou wondered where Okita was and then with a touch of resentment he thought of how Saitou and Okita used him as their own personal lackey. 'Bastards always working me to the bone, just because they don't have a life doesn't mean I don't.'

"What?" Saitou practically growled without even looking at the man with the ridiculous blonde hair.

'He can't read my thoughts, can he?' Chou wondered.

Saitou put down the files and leveled his gaze on Chou, raising a single eyebrow in silent mockery. "If you have something to say, say it."

"Uh . . ."

"Nevermind, better to keep your mouth shut than prove you're a fool."

"Oy!" Chou stood up in indignation. "I slave around for you and that smiling idiot and this is how you treat me! I have half a mind to leave!"

Saitou leaned back in his chair and smirked, "Unhappy?" He lit a cigarette and took his time in continuing, "If you were smart you would leave but you enjoy your elevated status, don't deny it."

Chou raised a finger, ready to protest, but instead let it drop and dropped down into the chair grumbling. He couldn't deny it. Chou was well respected within the station and he enjoyed the cases he worked on. If that wasn't enough, he had mad bragging rights that always impressed the ladies. So in the end all he said was, "Feh."

With that the office fell into silence once more.

"So boss, what do you think?" Chou asked, referencing the files Saitou had gone back to.

Saitou frowned and threw the files aside, "I need more information. Bring me something more substantive."

"OY! I AM NOT SOME ERRAND BOY! I AM A RESPECTED MEMBER OF THIS –"

"And bring me dinner while you're out."

"HEY ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME AT ALL?"

"Soba will do."

Saitou wasn't listening at all, instead he was wondering what the wily defense attorney would bring him and what tactics she would use. He crushed his finished cigarette in the ashtray. There was nothing to do but wait.

Sano shook his hand out, "That man was more than flesh and bone."

Kenshin sheathed his sakabatou as he walked, glad he had the foresight to bring it along with him, "Ah. They were extraordinary."

"Ha!" Sano let out, "but we were better!" He punched his right fist into the palm of his left hand and immediately bent over in pain.

Kenshin shook his head at his friend and comrade. "Men like those used to be quite common, back in the day."

"Back in the day?" said a third voice, causing both men to halt and look down the hall.

Kenshin immediately went on the defensive, "And you are?"

Shinomori Aoshi bowed, "Takeda's attorney." It was at that moment that Sano saw that the tall man with an emotionless face was not alone; there were two others with him, one large man and a much shorter man. Hyottoko and Beshimi.

"I don't actually care who you are, just tell me where Meg is." Sano scratched his nose and gave the three an almost bored look.

Kenshin spared his young friend a look from the corner of his eye; Sano was far too young to be cautious.

"Of course," Aoshi said, crossing his arms. "She's here. Home."

Sano dropped his hand and glared, "That wasn't funny. You know what I meant."

"Shinomori . . ." Kenshin said out loud, trying to direct the conversation elsewhere before Sano started throwing punches before they could get any real answers. "That name sounds familiar . . ."

"Boss . . . a man with red hair and crossed shaped scar . . ." whispered Beshimi.

"Who would have thought we would cross paths . . ." muttered Hyottoko.

"Megumi has certainly made herself strange friends," was all that Aoshi said.

Kenshin's eyes widened, "Shinomori! You were intelligence back then . . . " Kenshin's voice trailed off in wonder.

"Back then?" Sano turned to his friend and landlord, curious. He knew Kenshin had been military prior to becoming a landlord but the man was frustratingly tightlipped about the whole thing.

Kenshin ignored him. It would have taken too long to explain and he wanted to find Megumi sooner rather than later. His eyes became hard and he looked upon the three without mercy. "You used to be honorable men but you've lowered yourself to helping the likes of Takeda and forcing Megumi-dono to an unhappy situation. What else have you allowed!?"

Aoshi wasn't fazed by the sudden change in the red-headed man. "Do you know how hard it is to find respectable work for those with only one skill? Even as talented as they are, men must eat."

"So you sided with scum like Takeda for money?!" Kenshin could hardly believe it.

"Watch your tone!" Hyottoko took a step forward.

Aoshi held up his hand, "You wouldn't understand."

"Aoshi-sama gave us the chance to use our skills and we'll follow him anywhere!" Beshimi too took a step forward.

"There are more important things than improving one's talents." Kenshin glared. He could hardly believe it.

At that moment clapping could be heard, Takeda who had seemingly been observing the debate from a safe distance made his appearance. "You see the power of money? Money turns honorable men into lackeys!"

"I don't care about any of this!" Sano shouted. He was more than a little confused but with Takeda's appearance he finally understood one thing. This bastard knew where Megumi was and he would beat it out of him if need be. "Where's Megumi?!"

"Get off my property." Takeda said cooly. Then turning to Aoshi and Beshimi and Hyottoko said, "Aoshi, have those two," pointing to Beshimi and Hyottoko, "remove the trash. That is what I pay you all for."

Kenshin had to bodily restrain Sano who was shouting, "Who are you calling trash?!"

Beshimi nodded. "You can either leave peacefully or," and his voice wavered slightly, "we'll make you."

Hyottoko pushed back his shoulders, "I don't know how you got past Hannya and Shikijo, but you won't get past us."

"Bring it on you ol' windbag!"

Kenshin sighed and then locked eyes with Aoshi and was surprised to see the hesitation there and inward battle.

As though making up his mind Aoshi turned to Takeda, "I advise against this. Allow them to leave with Megumi."

Beshimi turned to Aoshi, "Aoshi-sama! We can take them down!"

"No. Go tend to Hannya and Shikijo."

It was now Hyottoko who turned, "What? We can –"

This time Aoshi was firm and resolute, there would be no arguing against him, "GO."

Takeda watched in disbelief but it didn't last long before anger overtook him. "I pay you and those freaks a substantial sum of money do to as I say!"

"And I said this was not in your best interest. They only want the woman, you will only complicate matters by engaging them."

Takeda saw red, "I will not turn over what is mine!"

"She is not yours!" Kenshin shouted back.

Takeda shook with anger at being disobeyed, at the prospect of losing what was his. He ran to a door, pushed it aside to reveal a large Gatling gun. "I don't need any of you! I just need my money! You'll see!"

"Oh shit . . ." Sano muttered and Kenshin couldn't help agree with him.

After the first few rounds of gunfire Hannya, Shikijo, Beshimi, and Hyottoko rushed back to aid their respected leader.

For the second time that night chaos reigned free and it took all their skills to dodge the rapid fire.

Okita looked at his phone and suddenly the mirth disappeared from his face. "I am sorry Tokio-chan. I have to go."

Tokio looked at her friend with sisterly concern, "Work?"

Okita debated how much to tell Tokio. In the end he saw no harm in telling her the truth, even if she was technically the enemy. "There have been reports of gunfire over at Takeda's mansion."

Tokio's eyes grew wide. By now she knew Takeda was Megumi's married name but at this time she had no way of knowing that her client and friends were at the mansion.

Neither did Okita, he simply knew that the name Takeda was of interest to both of them. He bid his adieus, dialing a number as he left.

Tokio was left wondering and hoping that whatever was happening had nothing to do with Megumi or Sano for that matter. That man always found himself in trouble.

The rapid fire ended suddenly with a loud clank, causing Megumi to look up and stare at the door, wide eyed and sore. She strained her ears only to hear quick steps coming to the door, Takeda. She let her chin drop to her chest, too beat to care. Only misery awaited her once he walked in. Her husband was mad and all she had were bitter regrets and guilt. She'd be lucky if he just had her killed but there was no chance of that.

Before Megumi could fully prepare for his arrival the door brutally kicked in. Megumi's eyes widened even more in shock; it wasn't her husband at all but Sano. Sano stood in the door way with Kenshin, also wide eyed, right behind him.

"Oro, Sano . . ."

Sano shrugged, "It was taking too long."

Kenshin sighed and shook his head and then turned to Megumi with an apologetic smile, "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Megumi-dono."

Megumi couldn't believe they were here. Kenshin and Sano were here, for her. But all she felt was shame. "No. I am sorry for involving you."

Sano stormed over to her and hauled her up off the floor, "Shut up."

Megumi's eyes snapped to the taller man that held her arm. "You don't know what I've done! I am a criminal!"

Sano, annoyed looked down into her eyes, and snapped, "We came for you. Kenshin risked his life for you. I don't want to hear it."

"Megumi-dono," Kenshin's softer voice cut in. "What Sano is trying to say is that nothing is hopeless. You have so much to offer and I am sure there's more to your story than that."

"Don't worry so much." Sano draped his coat over Megumi's shoulders, "You're not alone."

Kenshin smiled. "Ah. Kaoru-dono and Yahiko are waiting for you at home."

Megumi looked from Kenshin to Sano and she couldn't keep the tears from falling. Before she could say anything all three turned to look out the window where police sirens could be heard.

"Shit! Taka-san will have my head if we're caught."

"They must have heard the noise," said Kenshin. He turned to Megumi and took in her battered state and asked, "Megumi-dono can you walk?"

Megumi nodded. "I am fine, just a little bruised."

Sano grabbed her wrist and said, "Let's go then."

The three of them made their way as stealthily as possible through the mansion. Unfortunately there were too many police officers around.

"Chief, we found a Gatling gun!" said a police officer.

"That must have been the noise people complained about. Don't let anyone escape! I want everyone detained!" ordered Chief Uramura. He couldn't believe their luck. They had been waiting for an excuse to investigate and several calls about gunfire had given them the perfect opportunity.

"Oy, I can pay you. I have money, just let me go!" Takeda whined despite his injured jaw.

Uramura shook his head. It was just then that he saw an unfamiliar woman turn the corner flanked by two very familiar men.

"HIMURA-SAN!" Uramura shouted out in surprise. What could he be doing here?

Takeda looked to where the trio stood, and fought against the officer to reach them. "That's her! She made the opium! She's my accomplice!" He was not going to go down on his own. No, he would drag that woman with him.

Uramura turned to Megumi, "Is this true?"

Megumi opened her mouth to speak but before she could speak Kenshin pulled her behind him, and smiled his disarming smile. "Nope! It's not."

"SHE"S MY ACCOMPLICE I TELL YOU!" Screamed Takeda but he quickly began to wimper under Kenshin's glare.

"Shut up," snapped the usually gentle Kenshin. Turning his eyes back onto the Chief, he plastered his best smile on. "What do you say Chief?"

Chief Uramura smiled prepared to allow Kenshin, Sano, and Megumi to go. That was how much he respected Kenshin's judgment. He would have let them go. Except . . .

"That you're about to be arrested."

Everyone turned to the newcomers. Sano cursed, Kenshin's silly smile left his face, and Megumi stared.

Okita smiled, "It's quite a night for arrests, wouldn't you say?" He looked completely at peace and out of place in the ruined mansion.

"Tch. Idiot." Saitou ground out his cigarette into the marble floor.

Uramura breathed in and let it out. Saitou's presence complicated things. The two men looked at one another, Saitou quietly challenging him. "We don't have a reason to arrest them."

Saitou smirked and raised an eyebrow, "Is that right?" he drawled.

Okita looked around, "This all looks like very suspicious circumstances to me and I do believe Takani-san, or do you prefer Takeda-san?, is out on bail. Not to mention Kenshin's sword . . ." He trailed off suggestively.

Saitou's smirk was dangerous, his eyes darting straight into Kenshin's. "We can't afford any loose ends on this."

Uramura pushed his shoulders back and gnawed on the inside of his lip. Saitou was right. They had waited too long to investigate Takeda, they couldn't allow anything to slip through. He finally sighed, letting go of some of the tension that Saitou's presence brought, and said, "Arrest them."

They didn't know it but at that moment Kenshin, Sano, and Megumi shared one thought. "Shit."

Sano grabbed Megumi's arm and pulled her towards him whispering, "Don't say anything until Taka-san arrives." He let her go as officers came, handcuffing the three, and leading them out.

It was once she was out of the mansion that she noticed Aoshi and his friends. The four security guards were injured, not fatally, and being wheeled into waiting ambulances. As for Aoshi, his eyes never left his comrades as medics tended to him and officers stood by.

Megumi's attention was drawn away from Aoshi and his friends when Saitou came to stand by the trio in handcuffs.

"This one believes you are enjoying this," Kenshin ground out, watching Saitou light a cigarette out of the corner of his eye.

"Enjoy the sight of you in handcuffs? Unable to talk your way out of being arrested?" Saitou's grin was wolfish. "Not at all."

Kenshin glared at the taller man but Saitou was no longer paying him attention. Earlier, Kenshin had blocked his view of Megumi but now Saitou could see that the woman was bruised and battered. He frowned.

The group blinked as one when Saitou suddenly called over a medic and instructed him to tend to Megumi. "I am fine." She insisted.

"Hm. Then there's no harm in letting him look you over," was Saitou's reply.

Megumi couldn't help but glare and push back her shoulders but before she could say anything the medic began asking her questions and quietly led her to one of the waiting cars where he could tend to her.

Saitou watched the scene before him, "What's the matter? Quiet life not to your taste, is that why you surround yourself with such . . . interesting people?"

"Tokio-chan knows she can count on me to help," was all Kenshin said but he knew it was enough to get under the other's skin.

Saitou glared at the shorter man and flicked ash off his cigarette in his direction. So Kenshin would use the woman against him. "Hm. That or she knows you'll never turn away a pathetic case." With that Saitou glanced over at Sano.

Sano, who up to that point been preoccupied with everything that was going on around him, had paid little attention to Saitou and Kenshin now turned to them.

"What I miss?"

"Nothing Sano."

"Go back to pecking corn."

" . . .OY!"

Before things could become heated and Sano said something that could be used against him, Okita showed up.

"Himura- san! Say cheese!" Kenshin and Sano turned simultaneously, as Okita threw himself in between the two, one arm going around Kenshin's neck and the other holding his phone out before him.

"Okita!" Saitou snapped at his friend, leave it to the idiot to do something so unprofessional. "What are you doing?!"

"It's called a selfie," was Okita's snarky reply. "Look," then moving to stand next to Saitou he once more brought his phone up, "I'll demonstrate."

Saitou glared at the shorter man and snarled, "Okita put that away and get back to work."

"Eh! You ruined the picture!"

Several hours later that night.

Tokio looked at her buzzing phone through heavy eyes and hoped it wasn't Sano. Ten missed calls, two voicemails, and two text messages. She sighed, "Please don't let it be Sano." But before she could check her messages, a call came in.

"Hel-"

"Tokio-san, they've been arrested!"

Tokio sighed, luck was not on her side. "Kaoru-san, when you say they do you mean Sano and –

"And Kenshin and Megumi."

Tokio rolled onto her back and sighed, "Don't worry about them. I'll head over there as soon as I can." Then because she knew how worried the younger woman was she said, "I'll call you with any updates, try and get some sleep."

It would be a few minutes more before Tokio could check her messages. She would find a missed call from Megumi and Sano each, eight from Kaoru, and two pictures sent from Okita.

Tokio couldn't help but laugh, despite the work that awaited her, at one of the pictures Okita had sent. Okita was smiling at the camera and Saitou looked dangerous. Even in the picture it was obvious that Saitou was yelling at his friend.

Phew! One more chapter and I can wrap up Megumi's arc and I can go back to one-shots, I hope. Thank you for reading!

Did you know that I actually had half this chapter written for a year? And the scene where Uramura is about to let Megumi and Kenshin go (and he does in the anime and manga) was the inspiration behind this entire universe.

So no one dies, why? Because I don't need Aoshi to go through in this universe. And yes, Okita was Tokio's hot date. He will use any chance he can to tease Saitou even if it's stretch the truth.

Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.

Please go read my co-write with FallenAngelItachi. And stay tuned for more stories! I am hoping to write something for my Meet Cute collection.