Kaoru groaned. Her head was splitting and she instantly felt like crying from the constant pain. 'Why is it that I keep waking up like this?' She winced inwardly.
Her eyes snapped open and she sat up immediately as the previous nights events came rushing back to her. Panic instantly swept over her. "Megumi!"
She whipped her head frantically, observing her surroundings. She was in a small room, with only a door and a small window with bars on it. There was straw on the ground and a bucket with tepid water in it. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Where the hell am I! In a jail cell?" Her voice echoed throughout the tiny stone room.
"You could say that."
Her eyes widened. She tried to stand, but her arms were bound, making it a bit difficult to push herself off the cold floor. She recognized the voice. "Gohei?" She ventured.
Her trainer peeked through the bars at her.
"Why are you here?" She asked, irritation evident in her voice.
He sighed. "I was assigned to watch over you here, that's why, stupid girl."
Her eyes narrowed. "Where is Megumi! What is he doing to her?" She all but yelled.
Gohei shook his head. "I really have no clue, Kaoru."
She searched his face. He wasn't lying. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the burning fear in her to subside. It did, but only barely. She felt as hot tears ran freely upon her face, unbidden.
Gohei stared at her. "Don't cry. He won't kill her. He needs her, remember?" He said in a gruff voice.
She opened her eyes, tears still falling, to give his a curious look. "Why are you saying this to me? Why do you even care?" She bit out. His face held no visible sentiment, but Kaoru blinked when she saw pity flash in his eyes. She stared for a bit, and then shook her head. 'That isn't the first time I have thought I saw that on his face…' "It couldn't be." She turned away from him.
"I'm not that cold hearted, Kaoru."
She whirled around, surprised after he spoke. "What exactly do you mean by that?" She ventured, her voice laden with suspicion. He didn't answer for a moment, his eyes staring down at his feet.
When he looked back up, she was taken aback. "I've been training you for more than ten years, girl. Don't think that I don't…" He trailed off.
Her eyes were as wide as saucers. "Care?" She finished for him slowly. He wrung his hands nervously and she was apprehensive of him. This was waaaay too out of character for Gohei. Still… 'He doesn't look like he's lying…' She faced him squarely. "So what exactly is the meaning of this?"
Gohei glanced from left to right, leaning into the bars. "What I am saying is, I don't know what I can do for Megumi. But I can make sure you are fed and don't freeze to death, ok?" He hissed. "I don't know how long he intends to keep you here. But I can at least keep you alive and pass any information I have about your sisters."
Kaoru's jaw dropped. "You would…do this for me? I just don't understand…"
Gohei sighed, shaking his head. "You are truly my baka deshi, aren't you? Who do you think has kept you alive all this time? I'm constantly spouting crap to Kanryu about how he still needs you, even when he thinks it's time to dispose of you. Stupid girl." His insult held no sting.
Her mouth opened wider to speak, but snapped shut when she realized that she didn't know what to say. She stared at him, searching his eyes. "You don't look like you are lying. But how do you expect me to just all of the sudden trust you when I thought you hated me all these years, Gohei?" She questioned him.
He shrugged. "I don't expect you to. I just wanted to tell you this. So you knew that you weren't always alone. I hate Kanryu almost as much as you do."
She shook her head. "Then why have you stayed here all these years? Why not leave this place for good?"
His answer was simple and straightforward. "To train you."
Her eyes widened. "Me?"
He nodded. "I saw your potential. I knew that you would be a master in a very short amount of time. Maybe then, you could take your revenge on Kanryu. He had no right to do what he did to you, Kaoru. I have never agreed with his motives. But, he holds a lot of my assets and I am not powerful enough to defeat him. Not after he had my hand crushed."
Just when she thought her eyes couldn't get any bigger, they widened. "He…was the cause of that? I had no idea…"
She trailed off and he shrugged. "I never told you, that's why. I loathe Takeda Kanryu and I wait for the day that he is done in. I have silently hoped that it would be by your hand."
Kaoru felt numb. How could this be possible? 'I thought he hated me and was only doing this for his money…' The information was having a hard time sinking in. She shook her head, a resolved look on her face. "Ok. I still don't know if I can trust you yet. But…maybe with time…"
He smiled and she blinked. She had never seen this kind of smile on his face before. He turned to leave and she called after him. "Can you at least cut these ropes? It's hurting my arms to be like this." She asked.
He shook his head apologetically. "I shouldn't yet, they might get suspicious. But give it a little time, and I will." She sighed as he left.
Kaoru looked sullenly around the room, and she felt her tears return. Walking to a wall, she leaned against it, sliding down to the floor as she buried her head in her knees, crying. 'What is he doing to Megumi? And what will he do to Tsubame?' She thought hopelessly. 'And now he knows about Kenshin and I…'
Her eyes snapped open and she lifted her head, dread pooling inside of her. "Oh Gods…what if he sends someone after him now? He's going to find out…" Her voice was barely a whisper and her eyebrows furrowed together in worry. "What if he doesn't come for me then?" She asked aloud fearfully. She shook her head. "No! Kenshin isn't like that! He loves me and will come. I know it." She said in determination. However, she began to falter as she continued to think. 'But will he still love me after he finds out I have been lying to him the entire time?'
Her tears fell to the stone floor and she buried her head in her knees again, sobs wracking her body. "Kenshin…"
Kaoru stared sullenly at the door, her eyes hazed over. Her mind was numb. How long had it been? Two days? Three? A week? She didn't know. So consumed with worry was she, that she barely noticed the food that Gohei stopped by to bring her. He had tried to get her to speak, but gave up when she didn't respond.
'If he doesn't have any news of my sisters, than I have nothing to say…' She thought numbly. She blinked. How was Kenshin? Was he wondering where she was? Did he miss her? Her face screwed in pain as her tears began. She had cried everyday and her eyes were itching from their salt.
The familiar sound of footsteps and the creaking of the door brought her attention to it. Gohei stepped inside and she stared at him.
He knelt down in front of her, a knife in his hand. "Can you stand up?"
She blinked at the knife and then to him. "Why?"
He snorted. "So I can stab you. Stupid girl. I want to cut your ropes."
She stared dumbly for a moment and then stood, struggling a bit to do so.
"Turn around." He commanded softly. She did and she felt the smooth cold steel on her wrists as the knife sliced through her bonds. When they were cut, they fell to the floor.
Kaoru brought her arms slowly in front of her, wincing in pain as she flexed her hands. "Owww, they are so stiff…" She complained as she tried to work her arms.
Gohei chuckled lightly. "I should think they would be after five days like that."
Her eyes flew open. "Five days? It's been that long?"
He nodded. "I'm afraid so." He was looking around the room, seeming a bit nervous.
"What is it?" She asked him.
He leaned in closer. "I have a plan to get you out of here."
She looked taken aback. "A plan?"
He nodded, speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "That brat that goes with you to work. I will give him a message to take to town to your friends. Maybe they can come to help you…"
Her eyes widened. "Why didn't I think of that?"
He chuckled. "Because you didn't trust me enough, probably."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I still don't know it I do. How do I know this isn't a trap of some sorts?" She asked.
He sighed, folding his arms. "Believe what you will, girl. Either you trust me or you don't. It's your choice. What do you want me to tell the kid?"
She brought her hand to her chin, contemplating this. "You're really going to talk to him?" Gohei nodded and she continued. "Tell him to find Sano and tell him what happened. Tell him I'm going for Tsubame. Sano can take it from there."
Her trainer nodded. "Ok. I don't know when I'll get a chance. I know Kanryu doesn't trust me that well. He has been keeping close watch on me as I've been watching over you. So it could be a few days."
Kaoru nodded as she watched him go. She rubbed her wrists absently, worry swelling up in her. "I hope this goes well…I should have just went with Kenshin's plan in the first place…"
Yahiko watched Megumi sleep, watching the rise and fall of her chest. For the last five days he had kept a quiet vigil over her, getting her food and water when she needed it. His eyes darkened as he watched her try to roll over, wincing in pain as she did so. She managed to roll away from him and his eyes narrowed.
The back of her kimono was slightly down, exposing some of her shoulder. His eyes trailed the deep laceration that was in view, following it until it disappeared beneath her clothing.
Kanryu had come out of now where, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her screaming up the stairs. Yahiko had followed and he took her to the courtyard, where Cho was waiting. He had watched in horror as they bound her hands and feet, forcing her to kneel on the cold ground. Cho had struck her endlessly with a whip, her cries echoing throughout the yard at each strike.
Yahiko shook his head, the anger building quickly within him. "Those bastards! And where is Kaoru?" He asked aloud. He hadn't seen her for five full days now and his worry was eating at him.
"What are you doing down here?"
Yahiko's head whipped in the direction of Yumi's voice. When he saw her, his gaze followed her own until it came to rest on Hiruma Gohei. His eyes narrowed as he stood and glared at the man. "Yeah, what do you want, Gohei?"
The burly man shook his head, looking behind him. Yahiko watched in confusion as he carefully walked forward. When he got closer, he said in a soft voice "I have a message that you need to deliver."
Yahiko blinked. "From who?"
Gohei's eyes flitted about. "Kaoru." Everyone gasped as they closed in on him.
He held his hands up. "Shhh! I have to make this very quick! Kaoru wants you to run to Sano and tell him what's going on. She's going to get Tsubame out. She said he could take it from there. That's all."
He turned to go. "Why are you telling me this? Is she all right?" Yahiko stopped him.
He turned to look at them all. "Because I hate Kanryu as much as all of you do. And yes, she is all right. But I don't know for how much longer." And he disappeared up the stairs. Yahiko stared after him, still a little confused.
He looked to the others and indicated to Megumi. "Watch her for me."
The boy ran up the stairs and peeked around the corner. He didn't see anybody. Quietly, he tiptoed to the door. He opened it carefully and shut it behind him. When he noticed no one around, he sighed in relief and sprinted across the yard for town.
From the window in his study, Kanryu sneered. Without turning, he barked, "Follow him."
"Yes sir." Cho answered before he left.
Kanryu took a long drag of his cigarette. "I don't know what you all are up to, but I intend to put a stop to it."
Kaoru paced the cell, growing more impatient by the minute. "I can't just stay here! I need to get out!" Her attention snapped quickly to the door as it came open.
Her eyes widened as Kanryu stepped through the door. "Hello, my pet."
She clenched her jaw, eyes narrowing.
"I trust you have been behaving yourself in your time out."
She sneered. "Is that what you're calling this, you asshole?"
He chuckled. "Such language. And here I came to tell you that you could come out of your cage now, too…" She jolted, but remained still. Kanryu looked at her arms. "I see that someone cut your ties."
Her heart began to beat faster. "I cut them myself." She lied.
He shook his head. "It's not good to lie, Kaoru-chan." His voice held an edge to it, but it didn't faze her.
She smiled. "So. It looks as if your plans are foiled, Kanryu. What will you do now?" He grinned evilly. "Oh, I don't think they are foiled, my dear." His eyes darkened as he took a step towards her. "You will go through with the original plans. You will kill the Battosai or your sisters will die."
The Hitokiri laughed humorously. "Idle threats. They are always the same."
Kanryu grinned again. "Oh, you think so? Megumi didn't think so. She found that out first hand."
Kaoru was on him in an instant, hands fisting the front of his suit as she spat venomously "What the hell did you do to her? Tell me!"
He sneered. "Why don't you see for yourself?"
She let him go, glaring daggers at him. "Let me go see her."
He stepped aside, indicating to the door. "She is in the basement."
Kaoru bolted through the doorway. She was in a narrow hallway that she didn't recognize. Running forwards, she made one wrong turn after another.
"How do I get out of here?" She said in exasperation.
"Psst! Kaoru!"
Her head whipped to the side. Gohei was peeking from around the corner. "This way." He motioned for her to follow. She didn't think twice before taking off after him. He led her through the maze of hallways until they came to a set of stairs. He pointed down to them. "These lead to a hidden doorway in the basement. We will come out behind some shelves."
Her eyes widened. "I had no idea."
He shooed her down and looking behind him, he followed.
Sure enough, the door at the bottom opened behind some shelves that were in the basement and Marimo yelped as Kaoru and Gohei stepped out from behind them. "What the..." Yumi piped up
"Kaoru-chan!" Kasumi rushed to her side. "Are you ok?" She asked in concern. Kaoru nodded but her mouth went dry when her eyes fell upon Megumi. She hurried to her side, falling to her knees, tears already beginning to spring to her eyes.
"What did they do to you?" She said in a small cracked voice.
"They whipped her within an inch of her life, Kaoru-chan." Yumi answered her gravely. Kaoru's eyes widened. "She has been in and out of consciousness now for five days." The plum haired girl continued.
Kaoru started in shock for a bit. She stood, eyes narrowing. Her resolve solidified as she clenched her fists, turning to Gohei. "I've had enough. He has gone to far."
Gohei opened his mouth but the words never came. Instead, a grunt of pain tore from him. Kaoru's eyes held shock as she viewed a katana protruding from his chest, the blood running down to the floor. Marimo screamed as the others gasped in surprise. The sword was ripped cruelly from his body as Sojiro and Kanryu stepped out from behind him. Gohei went crashing to the floor, his lifeless body making a sickening thud when it connected with the cold hard ground. Kaoru stood motionless, numb for a brief second.
Kanryu spoke, his voice full of malice. "That is what happens to traitors."
Kaoru began to slowly back up, eyes flitting from Kanryu to Sojiro. She wanted to bolt, but didn't trust leaving them here with the others. 'I need to get them to follow me...'She narrowed her eyes at Sojiro. "Catch me if you can, you bastard!"
With lightning speed, she grabbed her katana from the wall and bolted up the stairs, the boy close on her heels.
"Kaoru-san! Why don't you slow down and let's have a talk, shall we?" She heard him call to her.
She snorted. "Yeah right, you sick freak!"
She ran to the courtyard door and ripped it open. 'I need to loose him! I have to get to Tsubame! If they did something to her, she probably wouldn't survive!' She leapt to the courtyard wall and onto the rooftop. When she spotted the Eastern trail, she took off, looking back over her shoulder. The boy was still following, but was a considerable distance behind her. 'Good. Once in the forest, it's dark enough that I should loose him.'
Kaoru ran as fast as she could, putting all of her years of training to good use. She continued in desperation, trying to reach the mansion in Fushimi before Kanryu or Sojiro did. No doubt that Kanryu was on his way now via horse and carriage.
As she leapt through the vast forest, she felt her panic overtake her, her breath coming in short labored gasps. "Yahiko! Please find Sanosuke!" She said aloud to herself.
'Kenshin. Please forgive me…'
Yahiko had never run so fast in his life. Panting, his eyes lit up when he saw the lights of the city come into view. He put on an extra burst of speed, tearing towards the tofu stand, praying that Sanosuke would still be there. It was about six pm and he wouldn't be surprised if the ex-gangster had left for the day.
"Please be there please be there please be there!" He chanted to himself as he rounded the corner, seeing the stand come into view. He felt relief hit him when he saw Misao. "Misao!" He yelled.
The girl looked his way and smiled, waving. "Yahiko! What are you doing here?" Her smile faded when she saw the look on his face. "What's wrong?"
Yahiko opened his mouth, but was cut off as a deep voice echoed from above.
"Oh, there's plenty wrong, little girl."
They whipped their heads to the roof above the tofu stand.
Yahiko's eyes widened and a pang of fear struck him. "Cho!"
The blond haired man sneered as he leapt down, causing dust to rise where he landed. "Don't look so disappointed, kid."
Yahiko took a step back as Cho drew his sword, grinning menacingly. "I don't know what you're up to, but Kanryu's through playing games with all of you."
Yahiko jumped away as the man brought his sword crashing towards him. "Misao! I need to find Sano!" He yelled as he sprinted away.
Cho made to run after him, but Misao leapt in his way. "I don't know the whole situation, but I can't let you go!"
Cho blinked at her a moment, then burst out laughing. "You? A mere girl? Stop me? Now that's funny!" He laughed harder.
She held her ground, falling back into a fighting stance, kunais in between her fingers. "Why don't you quit talking and fight?" The ninja said in a rather monotone voice.
He stopped laughing and stared at her. "Ok, if you want to die young, I would be happy to help you with that."
He pointed his sword at her as she continued to stare at him. "Did you know that your hair looks like a broom?"
He face faulted, snarling at her. "You bitch!"
She chuckled. "Hit a nerve, did I?"
He raised his sword, yelling as he charged. "I've had enough!"
"Sano! Sanosuke! Where are you!" Yahiko shouted loudly as he approached the ex-gangster's house.
The shoji door slammed open and a perturbed Sano stepped out. "Oi! What the hell are you yelling so loudly for brat? I'm right here!" He crossed his arms as he pinned Yahiko with a glare.
"It's Kaoru! She needs you! Now!"
Sanosuke's eyes snapped open and he grabbed Yahiko by the shoulders shaking him. "What happened? What has he done to her?"
Yahiko was heaving from exertion. "Kanryu found out about her and Kenshin! He beat up Megumi and had Kaoru locked up somewhere! I don't know what's happening, but she said she's going for Tsubame!"
"Is Megumi ok?"
Sanosuke shook him again and Yahiko's eyebrows furrowed together. "She is alive, if that's what you mean…"
Sanosuke shoved away from him, turning and taking off in a dead run.
Yahiko took off after him, yelling, "Where are you going?"
"To get Kenshin!"
"Kenshin! Kenshin!" Sano slammed into his door, nearly taking it out. He thrust it open, looking for the red haired man.
Kenshin poked his head from his room, concern on his face. "Sano? Yahiko? What is it?" He looked from one to the other. They were both heaving.
"It's Jou-chan! She's in trouble!"
Kenshin was immedialty in his face. "What do you mean? In trouble how? Where is she? I haven't seen her for five days!"
Sano answered, "I'm not to sure, but I think she's headed to the mansion in Fushimi. She's going to get her sister!"
Kenshin was grabbed his katana from it's place on the wall and was out the door in the blink of an eye, the other two close behind.
He leapt to the roofs, jumping fluidly from one to the next and came to a screeching halt when he neared the tofu stand. The Hitokiri's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene before him. Misao was fighting with a blond haired man. He observed as she threw a kunai at Cho, who easily dodged, swinging his huge sword at her. She flipped backwards, only to throw another kunai in his direction.
Misao glanced to Kenshin. "What's going on, Kenshin?" She yelled as she dodged a thrust by Cho.
Cho looked to whom she was speaking and stopped dead. "Hitokiri Battosai!" He said as he smiled evilly. "You're going to be too late. They will all be dead soon."
Kenshin leapt down, drawing his katana, a cold gleam in his eyes. Misao watched in fascination as Kenshin's eyes took on a golden hue, his voice calm and lethal as he spoke. "I don't know who you are. And I don't care. Step aside or you will die."
Cho chuckled. "I have heard that a lot lately."
Kenshin fell back into a Battojutsu, ready to strike with one blow. Sano and Yahiko finally came running up, both much slower than the Hitokiri.
"Kenshin!" Sano heaved. "Let me handle this bastard! Go to her!"
Kenshin blinked in his direction, questioning in his voice. "Sano?"
Sanosuke nodded, smiling menacingly at Cho. "Don't worry. I don't know who this broom head is, but I can handle him." Kenshin looked at him gratefully and sheathed his sword.
Misao hurried him along, saying, "Go! We will catch up!"
The Hitokiri nodded once and took off, leaping once again to the roofs.
He looked to the sky, the bright stars twinkling brilliantly as he ran. All of his fears were confirmed the minute Sanosuke had come pounding upon his door. He hadn't seen her for five days; Tae had no knowledge of her or Yahiko's whereabouts. "Kenshin no baka! I should have gone earlier!" He berated himself. He should have known that something was wrong sooner…
"Kaoru, please be ok…"
'I won't let you die. This time, I will protect the one I love.'
