A/N Thank you to all of you that are about to read this!!! Ive been slightly disillusioned because no-one has begun to read the sequel to my most popular fanfic, but I am hoping that this one might get some readers, especially if those readers wish to review. Anyways, I just finished reading the Rurouni Kenshin series and I am completely infatuated with every facet of it. I am hoping that I can do it justice in my story. I love these characters, and I don't want to ruin them for anyone and, as other writers on fanfiction will tell you, I am trying my best to bring out my favorite parts of them in a plotline that is my own. I really hope that you all enjoy it. I also want to throw in there that I am not an authority on Manga or Anime, so some things might not be that correct, but I am doing my best to make it as authentic (is that the right word?) as possible.

IIIII

The morning was crisp and cool. Barely anyone was on the streets, leaving the dew an untouched blanket, sunlight dancing off the tiny droplets. Tokyo was at its dawn, the time of day when all was still and quiet, when life was the most peaceful. Somewhere a cock crowed, signaling the transition from dawn into day.

Stupid bird, shut-up! A young man grunted, his legs flinging from their position on top of another body and stretching out, creating a straight line from toes to ruffled black hair.

Little Yahiko, you know that the rooster always comes the same time at dawn, and can you please try and sleep on your own pallet?. A girl, slightly older than the young man beside her, turned and smiled, brushing some thick locks of hair from Yahikos face.

Tsubame, he turned towards her, smiled, and brushed her hair back with his own hand, repeating her motions, how many times have I told you to stop calling me little! His voice rose, but it was in jest, unlike how it was when they were younger. Then, back over nine years ago, he was ashamed at his own weakness, at the idea he was always behind the men that he looked up to. Now, now that he was a married man and shared in the responsibility of family and of maintaining the Kamiya Dojo, he did not have to look behind their backs but fought beside them. He remembered the last time that they all fought together: Saito, Aoshi, Kaoru, Sanosuke and Kenshin. Though he would never be as good as Kenshin ever was, the type of strength that Kenshin fought with was passed down to him, down through the Sakabato. As Yahiko, now the first master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, began to get dressed he paid careful attention to attaching the Sakabato to his waist. Touching the reverse blade sword brought a flood of memories into his mind. All of them reminded him of the strength that it took to wield the blade, not only the physical power, but also the mind of the one who used it to protect the weak in atonement for the deaths of many. It also made him think of those whom he looked up too who had tasted the blade on their own flesh, wounded by the real power behind a sword that cannot kill.

Husband, you are deep in thought again? Tsubame asked as she stood up from her pallet and stretched, her arms lifted high above her head. Yahiko looked at her, seeing not only the woman that she was now, but the young girl whom was the first person to receive his protection with a shinai. She was the first person that he protected, and now she had grown into the woman he would love and protect until he no longer had breath. Yahiko smiled at his thoughts, and nodded as he walked over to Tsubame to help her wrap her kimono. While she spun her cropped silk hair danced around her face. As he tied the bow on the back he brushed his lips against her throat, taking in her scent. Yahiko, even as a child I had never pictured you as a romantic. Yet, here we are.

You are so innocent Tsubame. I am descended from a Samurai, we are ruthless on the outside but our honor makes us love profoundly. There is something about the power of the sword that must be balanced with sensitivity. Sensitivity to life and love is not weakness, it is one of the lessons that Kenshin learned from his former wife Tomoe, and one he continues to learn through Kaoru and Kenji.

And one you were way too thick headed to learn about until that man Enishi learned it, because of how Tomoe loved Kenshin. And now Kenshin and Kaoru are together, finally. And little Kenji looks like a little Kenshin with the brash attitude of Kaoru.

Yes, that is true. Yahiko turned her towards her and kissed her lips. With a yawn he moved to a tiny windowsill that he created in the back of the flat that Sanosuke had given to him when he ran to the continent. Though it looked out on nothing more than the rough street which housed all sorts of ruffians, it held memories of the last thing Sanosuke said to him before leaving, patting his head and saying, Kenshin isnt the only one looking forward to your future!

Yahiko, its time to go to the Akabeko. Tae wanted you to fetch the days water for me because I have been so exhausted lately. Working at the Akabeko and taking care of your stomach is an exhausting task. Youre a man now, you eat even more than you did when we were little, which is exhausting in itself. Tsubame received another kiss, stopping her condemnation of his eating habits.

As Tsubame and Yahiko finished getting their belongings and headed towards the Akabeko. The morning was beginning to liven as people came out to go to work and as venders opened their shops. There was nothing better than walking through the streets of Tokyo and seeing all of the happy faces of those living in the Meiji Era, a peace that Yahiko had helped Kenshin create. As they neared the Akabeko, they found that the door was open and people were conversing and moving inside and outside in a frantic mood.

Hey! Yahiko yelled at one of the men who looked as if he was about to collapse, What is all this noise about?! The man widened his eyes in surprise and thrust a newspaper into the hands of the young swordsman. As he looked at the front page his eyes widened and sweat began to bead from his forehead.

Yahiko, little Yahiko, what wrong? Tsubame asked, standing behind him and placing her hands on his shoulder.

Kanryu, Kanryu Takeda has escaped from prison. I have to tell Kaoru and Kenshin! Yahiko dropped the paper on the floor and sprinted off towards the Kamiya Dojo.

YahikoYahiko! Tsubame yelled and reached out towards her husband who was shrinking in the distance.

Tsubame? Tsubame whats all this yelling about? Tae asked as she came out of the Akabeko doors, rubbing her hands on a dirty washcloth.

Yahiko has gone to tell Kenshin and Kaoru that someone has escaped from prison.

Strange, Tae looked puzzled, and paused in her hand drying to place the towel into her apron, do you think he might have forgotten that they are in Kyoto

Tsubame folded her hands in front of her body and looked down towards the ground with a very characteristic innocent and sheepish glance.

IIIII

Thanks for reading you guys!!! Please, Please, Please review! I will try and get the next chapter up as soon as I have time, I promise!