Disclaimer: I don't own anything already owned.

Chapter 1: A Katana and a Thief

It was an abnormal day at the dojo. Just kidding, it was a normal day at the dojo before Saitou Hajime arrived...

"Kenshin, come here please!" Kaoru yelled. Kenshin got up from doing the laundry and started out toward the gate to the dojo. When he got there he saw Saitou, Yahiko, and Kaoru standing there.

"Why have you come here? Has something happened?"

"Something has happened and it's not for the better." Saitou replied.

"Spit it out already!" Yahiko was a bit frustrated. Saitou glared at Yahiko who was now cowering in fear. "Never mind..."

"There is word in the underground that a new enemy has made himself known. He goes by Phantom, but his real name is..."

"Hey everyone. Just thought I might drop by and see how it's goin'... What the hell is the wolf doing here?"

"Roster head."

"Why I oughtta..." Sano starts at Saitou, but Kenshin steps in the way.

"Sano, please calm down. Saitou-san came here to tell us of a new threat to Japan."

"As I was saying, the man's real name is Matsuno Kazuya. No one has heard of him before now, so his past is unknown to us, and so are his skills with a sword."

"So, what do you want with us?" Kaoru asked.

"All I need right now is for someone to hold on to this katana." He pulls out a katana and hands it to Kenshin. "I can't think of a safer place to put it so I'm leaving it here. The police station would be too much of an obvious place to keep it, and I have work to do so I can't guard it either."

"So you want us to hide it here until you get back?" Kaoru questioned.

"Yes, I don't think anyone would look for it here."

"What's so damn special about this katana?" asked Sano.

"All we know is someone wants it, and until we can find out why, the sword needs to be kept safe."

"We will keep the sword for you until it's mysteries are solved." Kenshin said.

"I thank you." Saito leave through the gate with Kaoru closing the doors behind him.

"Kenshin, what do you think?" Yahiko asked.

"I'm not sure what to think, ...but something about this does not seem right."

I looked down at the group of people from my perch in a tree. The man who had the sword had just left, but not before leaving it with them. I need that sword. I'll sneak in tonight and steal it then, but for now I'm goin t sleep... I got comfortable and closed my eyes. Sleeping in a tree isn't the easiest thing to do, but I've had worse.

Just before dawn, I snuck into the dojo. They had probably expected me around midnight. Well too bad for them, right now they're most likely tired and sleeping from being up all night. This should be an easy steal. Now where would they put the sword? I'll check in here first. I looked into the room and saw no one, but I did see the sword propped up against the wall. Next to it was a blanket. Odd, I wander why no one is here. It's probably a trap. Aww HELL! I don't have time for this. Whether it is a trap or not, I need that damn katana. I ran to the sword and picked it up. "Hey, where do ya think yer goin with that sword?"

Bloody hell! I turned around to see a tall man with black spiked hair and a bandana across his forehead. He was wearing a white gi. (I hope that was right.) I tucked the sword into my sash and started running. Too late. He caught me with a left hook to my head. I stumbled a bit, my eyesight becoming blurry. Before I could turn around to face the man, I was bombarded with so many punches I lost track after the first 10. With a final blow I was sent flying into the wall. Blood started to trickle down from my head. I think I may have coughed up some blood by this point, but I can't remember. The last thing I recall was being lifted up and thrown through the screen door and landing on my stomach. I think something cracked...

"Kenshin, come here!" Sano yelled. Kenshin came running into the room followed by Kaoru and Yahiko.

"What is it?" Kenshin asked.

" I caught that thief. He is unconscious I believe. Just a sec. I'll go get him." Sano ran outside. "Dammitt!!!" He yelled. " Kenshin help me here!"

Kenshin ran out side and came back with Sano who was now holding a limp form in his arms. "Yahiko, go get Megumi! Hurry!" Kenshin turned to Kaoru. "Kaoru-donno, can you bring me a mattress and some blankets?" Kaoru and Yahiko both ran out of the room.

"Kenshin, I didn't know I did this much damage."

"Sano, it's going to be ok, that it is."

"I wonder why this jo-chan wanted the sword. I thought it would be some guy coming after it."

"I don't know. The best thing to do is wait until she can tell us herself." Kaoru came in with the bedding materials Kenshin asked for. Sano laid the girl down on them. Yahiko came back 30 minutes later with Megumi.

"What happened to her?" Megumi asked.

"She tried to steal a katana that Saitou Hajime left here for us to protect, and I misjudged my strength."

"Sano, it wasn't completely you. She is suffering from a high fever and some previous wounds that have not been treated."

"How long do you think she will be out?" questioned Kaoru.

"It's hard to say, but maybe 2 days at the most."