Kenshin's stint as the Hitokiri Battousai seems to have been singularly unrewarding for our favourite rurouni. Why doesn't something like this ever happen? Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Watsuki-san. --- Kyoto Blues A Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic By Kagami --- "Ah, when will Jo-chan and Yahiko get back with the food?" Sanosuke asked, rubbing his belly in distress. "I'm sure Kaoru-dono will return home soon, Sano," Kenshin replied as he hung up the day's washing. As if in answer, the front gate of the Kamiya Dojo swung open. Kenshin turned with a happy smile to greet the returning duo. "Welcome back, Kao--" The large man who entered wasn't anyone he knew. The sheathed katana by the figure's side also suggested trouble. The absolute clincher was the four other male warrior's who came in behind the first. They bore a miscellany of deadly weaponry as well as cloth-wrapped bundles in their hands. Kenshin's hand dropped to the hilt of his sakaba-to. "Sano," he said, voice low in warning. Sanosuke jumped to his feet, and moved up to stand beside him. "Red hair, with a cross-scar on his cheek. There's no mistake," the man said, grinning widely. It wasn't a pleasant sight. "Hitokiri Battousai, I've found you at last." "So, what are you guys here for?" Sanosuke snapped, cracking his knuckles ominously. "If you're looking for a--" "Battousai, ten years ago, you killed my older brother in Kyoto. Since that time, I swore to repay you for that deed. Now that I've found you - Koji, Goto!" The two named men moved out, pulling out the bundles they carried. "All right," Sanosuke said, eager to start fighting. "Let's go-- Eh?" He stopped and stared. "Oro?" Kenshin asked, dropping his hand from his sword in surprise. "There! Please help yourselves," the leader said as he sat down on the prepared cloth. Koji and Goto finished laying out the rest of the boxed sushi. "I hated my brother. He was a cruel soul who always used to torment me when we were younger. Thanks to you, Battousai, I inherited the family estates. I swore I'd find you and thank you for what you did. So, please eat as much as you like." ---