This chapter is out thanks to Naomi, (*smiles*) and therefore I dedicate this chapter as well as the rest of the story to her. Thanks for your support dear, it really helped me out.

Truly, Madly, Deeply

Leona Blake

Dedicated to: Naomi

For the first time in days, silence fell upon the calmed area neighboring an aged old dojo in the fringes of Tokyo, Japan. The sun had not yet touched the morning atmosphere with its rays of golden colors. Only the luminous cherry and buttery yellow had just begun their daily removal of the tranquil night. A bright star still shining in the sky, Venus, the first speck to come out at night, and the last to disappear in the morning stood out radiantly among the sullen blue and violet colors left of the still darkness.

Kamiya Kaoru slowly lifted herself from her futon; sore from the beating she had received the night before. It had been three days now since Yukio's arrival, and Kenshin's departure from the dojo. Yukio had kicked out Sano and Yahiko from her home, telling them that they were no longer welcome there. Tears filled her eyes at the memory, he had held her down to the floor with his foot and had hollered for them to leave. KUSO! If only I was stronger…I could have stopped him, I wouldn't be suck a mess…Kaoru thought to herself, loathing her weakness more and more.

Lost in her thoughts, Kaoru didn't notice her loose grip on the apple she was slicing for her breakfast. Yukio was in bed, and by the sound of his snoring was going to remain like that for at least another four or five hours. As another tear slid down her face, Kaoru's grip slipped and the apple fell to the floor and rolled to the door. Kaoru began to follow silently. Somehow, the apple managed to roll through the dojo, and into the courtyard before stopping in the dirt. As Kaoru bent to pick it up she realized that she was outside the building of her dojo, and ten more steps would have her outside the main gate.

Ten minutes a fearful Kaoru was halfway to the main part of the city, her destination; The Akabeko.

***

"Kaoru-chan!" Tai yelped as she opened the front door in surprise, "how did you run away? I thought you said he would track you down…"

"He's asleep Tai-san, I need your help, I can't take his beatings anymore, I have to find Kenshin, I'm just worried that I'll never get to Kyoto in time, Yukio was one of the best trackers before the war, I'm afraid to ask how good he is now. So I need to find Sano at least, throw Yukio off my tracks for a bit, just enough for me to get a head start to Kyoto."

"I'm sorry Kaoru, but, Yahiko and Sano left for Kyoto in search of Kenshin yesterday morning…" Tai opened the door more and let Kaoru in; Megumi was standing behind Tai already waiting with bandages and medicine to help her bruises go away.

"Kaoru, dear come here and let me see how bad it is, Tai darling go get some of your dads clothes, and get something old and worn. Now Kaoru, all you can do is catch up to Sano and Yahiko now, and with them by your side I'm sure you'll be better off then hiding here." Megumi stated as-a-matter-of-factly and began to bandage Kaoru professionally.

As soon as Tai came back they dressed Kaoru as a boy, and told her that she should travel quickly making as few stops and leaving behind as few things as she can. Packing her up with travel food the told her to run around aimlessly at first to loose her smell at first and then to hurry and catch up to Yahiko and Sano.

Quietly they said their good-byes and hugs Kaoru ran off towards the forest with a heavy heart full of fear.

Megumi turned to Tai, "We have to cover up her sent, start cooking things as fast as you can, we'll open two-three hours early today, and I'll go wash out the floors and tables with this special smelling soap." And thus the two set off to work.

~~~

"OI! BAKA! ARE YOU SURE THIS IS THE RIGHT DIRECTION?!" Yahiko bellowed at Sano for the tenth time in the past hour, they had been wandering around for several hours now and seemed to walk by the same tree each time the started off again.

"Yea, I'm sure kid. I wouldn't get lost at a time like this…" Sano said reassuring himself as well as his anxious companion….

~~~

Meanwhile Kenshin slowly made his way up to the dojo, traveling at a faster speed then when he had left he covered a four day distance in one night, with the thought that Kaoru was hurt…

As he walked up to the dojo, he decided not to go inside, simply look around make sure everything was peaceful. He smelled a familiar wafting smell of Kaoru's cooking. And telling by the silence and lack of Kaoru's sent from within the house she was out buying tofu. Kenshin shrugged to himself of course everything is fine, why wouldn't it be…since when do I listen to dreams in any case…Kenshin smiled at his thought and prepared to head off. One thing bothered him, the smell of blood seemed rather thick in the area, but then it could have been just another fight between Kaoru and Yahiko.

With those thoughts Kenshin took off at twice his previous speed towards his original destination I'll be home soon, I promise…

***

Kaoru had been running like crazy through the forest for hours now, and decidedly was about to head towards Kyoto herself when she heard a branch snap behind her. Kaoru began to run faster realizing her worst fear was inevitable now. A hand reached out and grabbed her around the stomach and immediately another hand covered her mouth to suffocate her screams.

A cool, melodious voice echoed through the forest, "Hello princess…"

TBC