AN: How is everyone? I've finally updated~ I know most of you are like, get on with it already, so here it is:

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything that belongs to Watsuki-san.


Kaoru blinked her eyes open. She sat up slowly, wincing at the pain along her whole body. She was still outside, on the floor. She was covered in dirt and bruises. Standing up was a painful thing, but she managed to do so without a sound. She walked inside. In her condition, there would be no way to climb that fence now. The sword in her hand was also a burden she could not risk losing. She would just have to shower and rest as much as she can.

She stumbled into the room she'd been staying in. She locked the door behind her as she entered the bathroom. With the sword laid gently by the door she stripped off her dirty clothes and stepped into the warm spray of the shower.

She sighed and rubbed her neck. Her whole body was sore and tense from the bad treatment its been getting. Hopefully Gein will give her a day off. She really didn't know anything, especially not a Battousai. What kind of name was that anyway?

She sighed and turned off the water after scrubbing all the grime off her body. Its been so long and she still couldn't escape. Was she really this weak? No, she had to get out soon. If no one has been able to find her then there is definitely a problem. This place was probably not even on a map. The only thing she knew was that she was still in Japan. So if she headed west, she might be able to find civilization and get back home. But as she quickly glanced out the window, she knew that the idea was absurd. She would not last even a day in that forest. And even if she had the sense of direction, there was no way to grab food and run with a weapon at the same time. There would be several people on her immediately, and she would not be able to outrun them. She cursed and grabbed some clothes in the bedroom to change into. There had to be some way out of here.

Kenshin shot up from his lying position on the bed. "What?" he cried into the phone. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Do you not trust the word of the Oniwabanshu Okashira?"

"No, of course not. Gomen, Aoshi. I'm just in shock."

"Hn."

"So am I going alone, or is Hiko sending more?"

"Go talk to Hiko yourself." The line was cut off.

Kenshin was elated. The Oniwabanshu had finally been able to locate a house on the Eastern part of Japan. It was secluded, perfect for hiding out. The ninja's had seen many guards there just a few days ago. They definitely had to be guarding something or someone important. But that wasn't enough information for them to conclude it was Kaoru in there.

Then the guards had been released. The ninja followed them and heard talk of a girl who tried to escape everyday. When they finally captured one guard, he was quick to give up any information they wanted. A girl with blue black hair and blue eyes. Always trying to escape and always being asked for information. Even when she said nothing, they would interrogate her everyday for hours, until everyone got annoyed at the lack of response. They had been let off duty so that someone else could take the job of interrogating her.

Kenshin quickly dialed the number to his Shishou. "What is it Baka deshi?"

"Am I going alone?"

Hiko sighed. "Of course not. Even if it was you, no single man could take down a whole army of guards. If they replaced the guards there. If they didn't, then obviously someone much stronger than all those guards will be there. That will cause a problem if there is more than one too. So I'm sending Aoshi who will probably have the weasel follow him. That will be your team. I expect you to bring that girl home and coddle her until she is alright. No wondering off to kill people baka deshi."

"Shishou-"

"If you feel its your fault, then don't run away from your duty to make sure she is okay." With that, the line was cut off. Kenshin sighed. His master was always butting into his business.

A small smile silently crept onto his face. They had found Kaoru. He would finally be able to hold her in his arms again.

There it was, her best chance of escape. Kaoru knew it was suspicious, especially with everything that's been going on. But she saw Gein ship his "creation" out of the gate and she knew that there was an opportunity that she couldn't miss. She grabbed the shinai and tucked it into her belt loop. It hung by her side, ready if she needed to use it. She quickly scanned the hallway before making her way to the back door. There was no one there. She ran out and hid amongst the tall bushes. She watched the house for a moment to catch her breath. There was no movement inside. She took the chance to run out the open gate. She managed to run into the forest when the sound of rustling leaves made her pause. She looked up and instinct made her jump back in time.

A long clawed arm had struck the ground right where she had stood. It retracted back to the shadows of the trees. "Leaving the party early, my dear? That is not nice at all." She turned, hoping to find the owner of the voice. All she saw were the shadows of the forest.

"Show your face you coward" she said.

She dodged another strike from the long arm. "Watch your mouth. I am no coward. I live in shadows. I am simply living, not hiding."

"You hide from me and use an excuse. Are you unable to strike me if I can see your every movement?" There was a growl and she leapt from the attack. It made cracks in the ground. "Is that all you got? It isn't much" she taunted. The arm came out again and she leapt towards the source. She drew the shinai and prepared to strike. From the corner of her eye, she saw another arm shoot out towards her side. She changed her offense to defense, stopping the claw from digging into her side. But the momentum made her fly towards a tree. She hit it, and fell towards the ground. She got up and winced. That was going to leave a nasty bruise.

"How dare you insult me. I'll have you know that no one can defeat me. I am the last of my clan. I am the strongest. Do not think a girl like you will know how to defeat me." She stood, ready to attack again. She tensed. She heard the claw coming towards her. She jumped to dodge it, but the arm followed her. It wasn't aiming for the ground. She quickly brought the shinai up to protect her but it was too late. Blood spurted from her side, where the claws dug into her. She landed on the ground, gasping. The claws retracted and she heard crazed laughter. She shouldn't be this weak. She used to walk home with countless bruises and cuts without a sweat. But now, she was down with just a scratch. There was a faint rustle. Her attacker hissed. "It seems we have guests. Battousai is here to take you back, no doubt. As much as I would love to stay and kill all of you, the boss wants to be informed of anything that isn't planned accordingly. Until next time, Kamiya Kaoru."

The rustle of leaves indicated his absence. Feeling ashamed, she dug the sword into the ground and used it as leverage to help her up. She started towards where the man had taken off. "Come back here! I'm not done with you!" She stumbled and caught herself on a tree. "Bastard!"

"Kaoru?" she swung her shinai towards the voice. There was a clang of metal against metal. She turned and met amber eyes. Her sword fell out of her hands. For once, she didn't mind the red. She reached for it, to make sure it was real, to make sure he was real. She felt his soft hair, and skin, and rough feel of his cross shaped scar. "Kaoru! You're bleeding!"

She was suddenly aware of everything. The pain in her side. The exhaustion in her body. She reached for him, letting herself fall towards him. He was finally there to comfort her. Her nightmare was over for now. "Kenshin…"


Sorry this is really short! I just didn't know what else to write and I'm already so behind my schedule. I had been planning to update every other week, but we all see it isn't happening.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. More will come soon.

Tata for now~