Disclaimer: I don't own anything of importance in this story.

Chapter 28

Kenshin followed the security guard out of the park and to a waiting limo. The man opened the door for Kenshin, and motioned for him to get in. Kenshin did so, only hesitating slightly. After he was in, the man closed the door, went up and spoke briefly with the driver before walking back towards the park. The driver started the limo, and began driving to their destination.

After a few minutes, the limo pulled up in front of a large mansion. The driver got out and walked over to Kenshin's door, opening it for him. Kenshin got out and was escorted into the mansion. Once inside, he was led up a staircase and down a hallway with several doors leading off of it. His guide stopped in front of one door, and knocked.

"Mr. Kaiba? Your guest has arrived," he said, after he knocked.

"Show him in."

The guide opened the door and stepped back, allowing Kenshin to enter. Kenshin walked into the room. There were a few bookshelves along the wall, filled with all sorts of different books. At the far side of the room there were two massive windows that gave a magnificent view of the city beyond them. In front of that, sitting at a large mahogany desk, was Seto Kaiba. He had a sling on his arm, but that obviously wasn't stopping him from working. Kenshin walked up to the front of the desk.

"Hello, Kenshin. I'm so glad you could make it," Kaiba said, looking up from the papers on his desk.

"I didn't have much of a choice," Kenshin replied, a bit dryly.

"Yes, my employees can be a bit--pushy," Kaiba said. "I hope you enjoyed my amusement park? I built that right after I took over the company from my father."

//Kaiba owns that?!// Battousai asked, surprised.

Kenshin was also a little surprised, but then he remembered what Yugi had told him. /Well, he does own Kaiba Corp./ Kenshin turned his attention back to Kaiba. "In all honesty no, I did not enjoy your amusement park," Kenshin stated.

Kaiba was a bit surprised at Kenshin's statement. "Why not?" he asked, curiously. He was always looking for ways to improve his creations.

"Well, for one thing some of your rides are liable to break at any time. One particular wood roller coaster needs to be rebuilt soon. And on the water slides, it's a little too easy to slip over the edge of the slide on some of the sharper turns," Kenshin said, remembering his experiences all too clearly.

Kaiba thought about it for a minute. Kenshin didn't seem like the type to shy away from a little danger, so Kaiba valued his opinion about the rides. After all, it had been almost a year since the last inspection was done... "I'll have someone look into it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention," Kaiba said.

Kenshin was surprised at Kaiba's response. He hadn't expected Kaiba to do anything about it. Before he was given a chance to respond, Kaiba continued.

"Well, Kenshin, I'm sure you're wondering why I invited you here today," Kaiba said, smiling broadly. He was obviously very pleased about something.

"The question had crossed my mind," Kenshin replied, a little sarcastically.

"Well, I would like to have a rematch."

Kaiba was just full of surprises today. "I don't think you're in any condition to fight me," Kenshin said, looking pointedly at the sling on Kaiba's arm. Kaiba laughed, and stood up.

"I'd didn't mean physically. I still have two more weeks before my collarbone heals completely, and even longer after that before the muscles regain their strength. No, Kenshin, the reason I've invited you here was because I've just completed my newest invention. I'd like you to come and see it," he said, walking around the desk and leading Kenshin back out into the hallway.

They walked down to the end of the corridor to two closed doors. Kaiba pushed a button on the wall and the doors opened. They walked inside the small compartment, the doors closing behind them. Kaiba pressed another button on an inside panel. Kenshin was about to ask Kaiba what they were doing in the small room with no other exit, when there was a slight lurch and Kenshin felt them start to move downward. He managed to hide his surprise from Kaiba, and they continued downward for about a minute or so. They came to a stop and the doors opened, much to Kenshin's relief. They stepped out into a different hallway, and Kaiba led Kenshin to his laboratory.

It was a small room, with two people currently working on some computers along one wall. On the other side of the room, there were two tables set up next to a rather large machine. There were all sorts of wires and whatnot hanging from the sides of the machine, right next to the tables. The tables looked to be about the right size for someone to lie on top of them. Kenshin was starting to get a little nervous.

"Welcome to one of my laboratories, Kenshin," Kaiba said, sweeping his arm around the room. He pointed to the large machine. "This is my latest creation. Virtual reality."

Kenshin had no clue what Kaiba was talking about. /Virtual reality? What's that?/

//I don't know, Kenshin, and I'm not sure I want to find out.//

Kaiba led Kenshin over to the tables, sitting on the one on the right. "Get up on the table, Kenshin. Go ahead and lay down, this may take awhile," Kaiba said, laying down himself.

Kenshin did as he was instructed, gingerly laying himself down on the table. He watched as one of the two scientists in the room came over and started pushing buttons on the machine, while the first stayed at the computers. Occasionally, they would make comments to each other that Kenshin did not understand. After a few minutes, Kenshin became bored and began conversing with Battousai.

/What do you suppose this 'virtual reality' is?/ Kenshin asked.

//I have no idea. Maybe it's something similar to those rides he built at the amusement park,// Battousai suggested.

Kenshin shuddered mentally. /I hope not. Those-/ Kenshin suddenly felt a sharp prick in his neck. So preoccupied was he talking to Battousai, that he didn't notice the scientist had come over to him until he felt the needle enter his neck. He tried to bring up his hand, but the drug they had given him was fast acting and his hand only got as far as his chest before falling back limply. His vision started to blur, and his eyelids felt heavy. The last thing Kenshin heard before he succumbed to the darkness was Battousai desperately calling his name.

~*~

When Kenshin awoke, he was lying on the ground. He stood up, and surveyed himself and his surroundings. First, he noticed that he was back in his old Ishin Shishi uniform, complete with arm guards, but missing the swords. Looking up, he noticed that he was in a dojo of some sort with swords of every shape and size lining two of the walls. He ran his eyes over them, surprised at all the different types. His eyes fell upon the familiar shape of two katanas and a wakizashi. Not having anything better to do, he walked over and picked one up, intent on inspecting the blade. As he reached toward it, he realized that he could see through it. Not only that, but he could see through the wall, as well, to the darkness beyond. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that his clothes were also transparent, although they still covered his body, keeping him decently dressed. Not sure what to make of that strange phenomenon, he ignored it for the time being and picked up the sword, trying to ignore the strangeness of being able to see it through his hand. He pulled it out of its sheath.

"Oro?!" The blade was reversed. The sharp side pointed towards the user while the dull side pointed toward the opponent, "Sakabato," Kenshin murmured to himself, before replacing it in its sheath and on the wall. He picked up the second katana and pulled it out of its sheath. This was a true katana, and expertly made by the looks of it. Kenshin swung it a few times, testing it out. The blade sliced through the air, feeling as though it had been made to fit Kenshin's hand. Suddenly, a voice cut through the air.

"So you've chosen your weapon already, have you?"

Kenshin whirled around to see Kaiba standing across the dojo. Kenshin had not heard him come in. Kenshin also noticed that Kaiba was also transparent, and the sling was absent from his arm. Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "Where have you taken me, Kaiba? Why have you brought me here?" he demanded.

Kaiba laughed. "Well, Kenshin, to be truthful, you are still in my laboratory, as am I. As for why we're here, I told you. I want a rematch. Although, I have no idea why you would prefer to dress like that," Kaiba said, referring to Kenshin's uniform. Kenshin ignored the remark about his clothes, and considered Kaiba's story.

Noticing he didn't look convinced, Kaiba elaborated. "Obviously, you don't know what virtual reality is. Simply put, this world does not exist outside of my computer. Due to some glitches in the system that I have not yet been able to perfect, only the unconscious mind can enter here. Hence, the sedative you were given. Sorry I didn't warn you about that--it wears off in a few minutes," Kaiba explained.

Since he seemed to be in the mood to explain things, Kenshin decided to clarify some of his questions. "So, basically, our minds are inside of your computer while our bodies are--for all intents and purposes--sleeping on the tables in your laboratory." Kaiba nodded, and Kenshin continued. "Why is everything transparent here?"

"Well, that goes into how this system works. Basically, your head is hooked up to several wires, which my employees did after administering the sedative, which monitors everything that goes on inside your brain. Since your mind knows that you are not really here, you do not appear as solid. It is the same for everything. It is not really here, so it appears as being transparent. But it is solid enough if you touch it. That's another glitch that I haven't had time to work out. Don't worry, you'll get used to seeing through things as opposed to looking right at them," Kaiba explained.

Kenshin wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation. Kaiba walked over to the wall opposite of Kenshin, and picked up a katana that was a twin to the Kenshin held in his hand. "I always have preferred the katana. Now, we shall have a rematch--only this time it will be with real swords, virtually speaking, and it will be to the death; again, virtually speaking," Kaiba continued.

Kenshin didn't like the sound of that. "I will not fight you to the death, Kaiba," he said, sheathing the katana he'd been holding since Kaiba had arrived.

Kaiba shook his head. "You still don't understand, do you? Any wounds we receive here will not be transferred to our bodies. Similarly, any death that occurs here will not cause us to die in reality. If one of us dies here, his mind will go back to his body. So, this is really a much safer way to do it. I'd much prefer a real fight, but my recent injuries, thanks to you, makes that impossible for several weeks yet. I cannot wait that long, so I came up with an alternate method in the meantime. This world is governed by your subconscious mind. For example, if you tried to fly, my computer would register how your mind reacted to that and respond accordingly. Your mind knows that you will fall, and the computer will make that happen. It's all rather simple, really," Kaiba said, grinning. He was obviously very pleased with his latest creation.

Suddenly, Kenshin felt--empty. This is how I felt when I took off the Mask! Kenshin thought in sudden realization. He searched, but he could not sense his yami. Maybe it's just because my mind is in this virtual reality of Kaiba's, Kenshin thought to himself. He didn't have much time to dwell on it as Kaiba turned around and fell into a ready stance, failing to notice through his excitement that Kenshin's form had become solid.

"Begin."

~*~

Battousai fumed as he felt those people attaching small, round strips of metal to Kenshin's head. He longed to take his hikari away from this place, but the shot they had given Kenshin had numbed his whole body. Battousai was concerned about what it had done to Kenshin as he had not been able to talk with Kenshin since. He hadn't worried about it too much, until they had finished placing the wires on his head. They then typed something on the computer, and Kenshin's body twitched once. Battousai had tried to sense his hikari to see if any damage had been done, but he could not find Kenshin's ki. It had disappeared. Battousai had then tried to enter his soul room, but the door was locked. So, he could do nothing but wait, and think of horrible ways to make those people pay for what they had done to Kenshin. After a few minutes spent in said contemplation, Battousai felt feeling starting to return slowly to Kenshin's body. Once he was sure the drug had worn off enough to allow him to move around, he took control of the body.

Battousai opened his eyes, feeling very weak. The two scientists were working on the computers across the room with their backs to him. Battousai sat up, and was assaulted by a wave of dizziness. After waiting for it to pass, he started removing all the wires on his head. He did so noiselessly--he wasn't even sure if he could stand, let alone fight off those two if they decided to repeat the procedure. Fortunately, they did not notice. After he was done, he failed to notice the feeling of emptiness as he swung his legs over the side of the table, and slowly stood up, holding on to the table for support. After waiting to make sure that he wouldn't fall, he took a few tentative steps forward, and then a few more. As he walked behind them, he happened to glance at one of the screens, over one scientist's shoulder. He saw Kaiba, holding a katana and in a battle stance. Confused, Battousai looked back at the other table. Kaiba was lying on it, wires attached to his head as they had been to Kenshin's. Battousai didn't know what to make of it, but he continued walking to the door.

He managed to get outside of the room without anyone noticing. Now, if he could remember how to get out of the house. He walked back the way they had come, eventually reaching the elevator. He pressed the button on the wall, as Kaiba had done, and the doors opened. He stepped inside, the doors closing behind him, and waited. Nothing happened. He was starting to get frustrated, when he remembered that Kaiba had pushed another button once they were inside. He walked over to the panel. There were several buttons, labeled: B4, B3, B2, B1, 1, 2, 3. B2 was highlighted. Battousai hit two and waited. He felt a slight jerk as the elevator began moving in an upward direction. After about a minute or so, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Battousai stepped out, and started walking down the corridor. As he was walking, he realized that he was in a different hallway than the one Kaiba had led them down. Oh, well, he thought to himself, I suppose one way is as good as another.

As he walked, Battousai started to feel stronger as the drug wore off. Rounding one corner, he almost ran into Mokuba. He had to bite back on a sharp remark about watching where he was walking. He was, after all, suppose to be Kenshin. He remembered just in time to lower his head, allowing his bangs to fall forward and hide his amber eyes.

"Gomen, Mokuba, but I seem to be lost. Could you perchance show me the way out of here?" Battousai asked, trying his best to sound like Kenshin.

Mokuba was a little surprised. "Kenshin, what are you doi--Oh, I remember! Seto said he was gonna invite you over to try out his new virtual reality system! Did you like it?" Mokuba asked, as energetically as usual.

Battousai forced himself to remain calm. He did not want to chitchat. "It was... an experience," Battousai stated, truthfully. "But I really do need to be getting home. Grandpa will be worried," Battousai said, adding on that last part as an after-thought.

Mokuba nodded. "Right. I'm sorry, Kenshin, this way," he said, leading the red head down the hall and to a set of stairs. He pointed down the staircase to a down that could be seen at the bottom. "That's the front door," Mokuba said, pointing.

Battousai nodded. "Arigatou, Mokuba," he said as he began to walk down the stairs.

Mokuba watched him leave. That was weird he thought to himself, as he turned and continued to where he was going before Battousai had interrupted him. Kenshin didn't look at me once. I wonder why?

Battousai arrived at the bottom of the stairs, walked over to the door, and exited the Kaiba mansion.

~*~