Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin

Arriving at the building where they worked, Sano quickly parked and got out. Grimacing, he stretched and felt his back pop several times. His tall frame was not meant to be squished into small cars, but he'd been in a hurry and that was the only one available. Shrugging it off as unimportant, he swiftly strode inside.

Waiting for the elevator, he frowned. He hoped that Kaoru was okay. There had been something off in her voice when she'd called, a breathless, pained undertone. Still, he could possibly attribute it to her worry for Kenshin and Tomoe. If there was one trait that she had in spades, it was her loyalty to those she considered hers.

His lips quirking up slightly in a grin, he thought back to when they first met. He'd never could have guessed how important Kaoru would become to their circle of friends. That day, he, Kenshin, and Aoshi, had just wrapped up a tough case and were drained. They'd gone to a club for a few drinks, hoping to unwind enough to the point they could sleep. They were all still running on adrenaline and caffeine.

X

(Flashback)

Music thrummed through the air, causing Sano's shoulders to relax, the tight knot right between his shoulder blades finally starting to ease. It'd been a nightmarish case from start to finish, but they'd finally wrapped it up just that afternoon. Now it was time to relax and have fun, they'd definitely earned it.

Knowing that Aoshi would be back any minute now with their drinks, he glanced at Kenshin and groaned. The redhead was still amber eyed, a scowl seeming to be permanently etched on his face as he tapped his fingers impatiently on the table. "C'mon Ken man. We're supposed to be relaxing and having fun. You'll scare all the cute chicks away if you keep looking like that."

His tone frosty, Kenshin didn't even bother to glance at him as he answered, "I just want a few drinks then I'm headed out. You want a girl? Go find one and leave me in peace."

"Ouch, man. That hurts. You're sounding like the Ice man. You know, that is if he ever deigned to speak more'n a few words."

Right then, Aoshi returned with the drinks and directed an icy glare at Sano. "Just because I do not babble endlessly…."

The rest of whatever he was going to say was lost in the sound of bright feminine laughter and a woman calling, "Slow down, Misao, you're going to run someone over." Her warning came too late, however, and Aoshi was forced to drop the drinks and catch her when she tripped and almost fell into him. Her friend arrived a moment later, only to sigh and start picking up the glass shards.

Sano slid off his chair and started to help, watching the woman who'd run into Aoshi in disbelief. She was the tiniest woman Sano had ever seen, but her personality seemed to make up for her lack of height. He watched in amazement as she apologized profusely to Aoshi, not letting him get a word in edgewise. He was even more astonished when Aoshi allowed himself to be dragged off to fetch more drinks, the woman bouncing along effortlessly in impossibly high heels.

Satisfied that they'd gotten most of the glass, he stood and offered his hand to the kneeling. She took it and he pulled her easily to her feet, her frame almost as slight as her friend's. Dumping his handful of shards on the table, he motioned for her to do the same.

"Sano."

Laughing blue eyes met his and she grinned. "Kaoru. Mind if I wait here until my friend returns?"

"Sure, grab a seat. Don't worry about Kenshin, he doesn't bite." Kenshin shot Sano a brief glare then returned his scrutiny to the table.

Sitting, Kaoru eyed Kenshin curiously for a moment, then her eyes softened with compassion. Reaching out, she laid her hand gently over his. She didn't even flinch when his head jerked up, his hot amber gaze boring into hers. Shadows entered her eyes, even as she spoke softly, "My father had a saying. 'Any day you can look back at at the end of the day and say "I'm still here" is a win.' It looks like you've had a rough day, but you're still here. So despite everything, you've won today." Smiling gently, she released his hand and turned away, scanning the crowd for her friend.

Sano held his breath as he watched Kenshin, worried about how he'd react. He was both relieved and astonished when he saw his friend's shoulders relaxing, his eyes fading from amber back into their normal purplish color.

Right then, Kaoru groaned, causing both men to focus on her. "It looks like you guys won't be getting your drinks anytime soon. Misao's dragged your friend out to dance. Let me see if I can go get him loose." Standing abruptly, she started working her way through the crowd.

Sano scanned the dance floor and felt his jaw drop when he saw Aoshi, the Ice man himself, actually dancing looking slightly bemused. A quiet chuckle made him snap back around to where Kenshin was sitting. Grinning slightly at Sano, he stood. "I'll see if I can't help as well." He followed after her, sliding easily through the crowd.

Forcing his jaw shut, he watched in wonder as Kenshin turned on the charm, coaxing Kaoru away from Misao and Aoshi and into dancing with him. He shook his head in amusement. He'd been friends with Aoshi and Kenshin for over five years and had never seen either man dance. And man could they dance! They both had some serious moves, it just wasn't fair.

Shrugging slightly, he stood and went in search of a partner for himself.

X

The ding of the elevator signaling his floor drew him from his memories. Shaking his head slightly to clear it, Sano sighed and pulled himself together. He'd have to check on Jou-chan later, right now, he was on a mission from Kenshin.

Striding into the bustling office, he scanned the room, quickly locating the two agents he needed. He bellowed, "Misao, Aoshi, conference room."

They nodded and swiftly made their way over to where he was holding the door open. Motioning them in, he shut the door firmly and turned to face them. "We have a problem."

X

The ambulance screamed into the emergency bay where hospital staff were ready and waiting. Within moments, they had Kaoru unloaded and wheeled into the building.

Yahiko stood helplessly as he watched her disappear through the glass doors, at a loss for what to do next. Thankfully a kind nurse saw him and quickly walked over. "Are you with the patient that just came in?"

He choked out, "Yes, my sister."

The nurse's eyes softened and she placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "We have excellent doctors here, your sister couldn't be in better hands. Follow me and I'll show you to the waiting room."

"But…."

"As soon as we know more, I'll make sure that someone keeps you up to date, ok?"

Nodding reluctantly, he followed her.

X

Tomoe opened her eyes groggily, feeling like her head was stuffed with cotton. It was silent and she wondered vaguely what she was doing in an office. Suddenly, she stiffened. The men outside the restaurant waiting for her, she'd been kidnapped! She bit back a moan as her head suddenly throbbed, protesting her abrupt movement. Deciding to let whatever they'd drugged her with wear off a little more so she could think straight, she settled in to wait.

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