Clouds With a Silver Lining

Chapter 2

A Rurouni Kenshin fanfiction by

GirlWaterShaman

But first the reviews!

legolasEstelstar: k. thanks for the review! Yes, I can empathize with you.

len: thank you!

Spirit Demon: Okay, okay, I won't take a month. (laughs)

?: don't worry, it won't be all sad.

gaby (hyatt: thanks very much.

MysticSorceror: wow, u reviewed MY fic! I am honored…no really I kinda am. Thanks! And by format…what do you mean? Can u elaborate?

On to the story!

ON THE TRAIN…

While the Aoiya was busily preparing for the arrivals, the Sagara and Himura families were traveling by train to Kyoto. Sanosuke was in a corner seat by a window, only twitching a little bit. Megumi was sitting by him, asleep. Kome was playing with her little brother, Souzou. On the other side of their booth, Kaoru was holding Kenshin's hand, the other rubbing her large belly. Kenji was sitting next to Kenshin, watching the scenery go by. Yahiko was sitting near Kome, with Tsubame holding his hand. (A/N:Aww!)

All in all, it was quite peaceful. Until…

"KENJI, YOU BRAT!"

Megumi jerked awake as the families looked towards Kome Sagara. Her face was red and angry. Although the adults noticed the other passengers staring at the group, the children did not. Souzou immediately started to cry at the noise and whimpered as Megumi held him. Kaoru even felt the baby kick inside her. Kome and Kenji, however, were pitched in a fierce glaring match. Kome's long brown hair came out of it's pigtails, while Kenji's hair was already out.

"Mommy! Kenji pulled my HAAAAIR!" Kome whined to her mother.

Kenji blanched under the disapproving looks of his parents and surrogate aunt and uncle.

"But…but…she was bothering me! On PURPOSE!" the red-head retorted, putting emphasis on that last word in hope to salvage some type of excuse.

"I was NOT!"

"Was TOO!"

"Was not!"

"Was!"

"Was not!"

"Was!"

"Was Not!"

And so on. The parents had sweatdrops on their faces. Souzou had fallen asleep in Megumi's arms. Yahiko had taken Tsubame away so that they wouldn't be further embarrassed….and to catch up on some private time. Even though they had plenty as it was. ;

The passengers looked at the small group with bewildered looks on their faces. Obviously what they thought was that they should have caught the next, much quieter and more peaceful, train.

MEANWHILE….

Misao was too busy to go have one of her 'sessions' as she had taken to calling them. For now she, along with the rest of the Aoiya, was busy preparing for the families arrival. Usually this would have been an easy task, but this time Yahiko and one of his friends were coming. Also, before it was only the Himuras with a baby Kenji, and Sanosuke with a pregnant Megumi. Now there were a pregnant Kaoru, two Sagara kids…well, you know.

Aoshi was in the temple, meditating. All he did was write a response letter, saying how they would be looking forward to the visit, and that they could come anytime they liked. Of course, the two families left Tokyo immediately after receiving this.

The icicle pondered over the other day. Misao had confessed her feelings to him, and it was shocking to him. Yes, shocking. He, being dense in the area of love, had not realized how the itachi felt about him until she told him. The reason he rejected her was not because he didn't have any feelings for her. On the contrary, Aoshi was wild about the weasel girl. But he was too afraid that if he did love her, Misao would be placed in danger, considering his status with rivals and other martial artists.

Staying in thought, the man would not leave the temple until late that evening.

While this was happening, the train was heading closer to its destination…

TBC…..

A/N: Please R&R!