A/N: This is a short series of three hundred word drabbles written for the LJ community fanfic_bakeoff - chapters over here will tend to be three of these drabbles, plus any additions I make once I'm free of word limits. I don't have a strict update schedule as this is just something to ease me back into writing, but I'll be trying my best to stick with it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin; all rights belong to the respective parties who are lucky enough to own them.

Infiltration/Calamity/Intervention

'One. Two. Three, and-'

The halls of the museum were finally thrown into total darkness as the red flash of the security beams deactivated. Huffing a sigh of relief, Kaoru stood from where she was crouched in a blind-spot. The cameras didn't follow her as she stretched out the cramps in her legs, the ache in her knees from almost an hour of enforced stillness finally lifting away. One tap to her earpiece put her in touch with her man on the outside.

"Took your sweet time, Sano!" Kaoru's voice was nothing more than a hiss as she started moving down the corridor. The crackle of static cut to Sano's breathing and the thud of running footsteps.

"It wasn't as quite easy as I thought, okay?" Sano sounded harried, but Kaoru couldn't help chuckling.

"When is it ever?"

Sano snorted. "I've got a lot of guards tailing me around back. No clue if they're all here, but you should be clear."

"Thanks, Sano. See you on the other side." The earpiece cut out. Kaoru almost missed his chatter as she eased into the last exhibit. A quick search-spell around the room confirmed that her partner had done his job; the guards thought they were chasing the real thief and she was free to nab the prize.

And what a prize it was. The central pedestal looked less imposing with its low-lighting removed, but the sword it displayed gleamed regardless. Even though the blade itself was hidden in the scabbard, Kaoru didn't need to look at the text to know how famous it was. Or how much their employer was willing to pay for its… acquisition.

Hiding a grin behind her mask, Kaoru got to work on breaking the shields.

A pair of gold eyes watched her progress from the shadows.

{}

Kaoru had to admit it. The museum staff were certainly clued up on their barrier spells. But she wasn't known for having one of the highest success rates in the city for nothing; although not the most powerful spell-weaver, Kaoru's tenacity eventually paid off. The barrier sputtered and died against the rosy glow of her magic. Feeling shaky but triumphant, she checked for any traps before grasping the sword and lifting it free.

A frisson of energy crackled along the sheath and up Kaoru's arm. Eying the sword critically, she tucked it carefully into her belt and crept back into the hall. Thoughts trained on escape, Kaoru started searching for the air vent.

Soundless footsteps padded after her.

She peered at the ceiling and grinned.

'Bingo.'

With a touch of magic to her palms, scaling the wall was simple. Static crackled in her ear again and she winced, not expecting the sudden buzz. Sano wasn't supposed to get in touch until they were both home and dry. Unless-

"Kaoru! Get moving, they've clocked you!"

She swore, forcing her fatigued limbs to move faster. "How many?"

"Most of the ones chasing me- I'm coming to help you."

The line cut off. Kaoru grimaced. She could hear footsteps along the corridor; her black-out charm was useless where she was, pressed against the white wall.

'Shit.'

"Hey- stop! Stop right there!"

Torches and spell circles flashed, blinding. Kaoru fought not to wince, frantically twisting the clasp holding her escape route shut.

'Come on, come on…'

She almost had it. But the impact of a charge spell hit her arm full-force, blasting away the scraps of magic holding her to the wall. Hitting the floor was agonising. She tried desperately to catch her breath, but her body wouldn't listen; the pain in her ribs was overwhelming.

'I'm done. Shit.'

{}

"Put the sword on the floor. Show us your hands."

Kaoru could hear the guards gathering around her. Handguns clicked off safety and the hum of building magic settled in the air, the jaws of a trap starting to close around her. The only hope now was that Sano didn't get himself caught too, the big oaf.

As she moved to relinquish the sword, the magic around her kept on growing.

'This is way beyond what they'd use for restraining a thief. Then again, considering exactly what I tried to steal…'

But the guards seemed just as clueless as she about the level of power crackling along the hall. Murmurs and quiet orders started circulating through the pack.

The ground beneath her rumbled. A tremble shuddered along the walls of the expansive corridor.

'Sano?'

No. The power seeping through the air wasn't Sano; he was strong, but this was another level entirely. The sword sitting on the floor thrummed as her fingers curled around its hilt.

She glanced down just a surge of magic roared down the hall, hurling the guards against the back wall. Hands grasped her arms from behind and pulled her easily to her feet, settling when she hissed at the pain in her ribs.

Half-turning, she got nothing more than a glimpse of red hair in a high ponytail and gleaming gold eyes – scarily intent on her face – before Sano, face masked, came barrelling down the corridor. She felt the presence at her back disappear.

"Kaoru!"

"Over here," she called shakily, turning around to confirm the newly empty space behind her. Only the steely tang of his magic remained, but she didn't have time to think about anything except escape right now. Especially not a mysterious saviour.

"Sano, get the vent."

"Kaoru, what happened-"

"Later. Come on. I've got the sword. Let's go."

Thanks for reading!