Kyaa Kyaff here! Hey! ^o^

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Kaoru, not me, sadly. (sigh)

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

An Alternate Place and Time

Chapter 7: The Mission

"It is time for you to meet Katsura."

Kaoru started at Kenshin's voice. He merely turned around expecting her to follow. Kaoru stood and did follow him. She watched him as he walked. He had a more confident graceful stride now. His hair swayed slightly back and forth making Kaoru want to pull on it like she used to do all the time when she was younger.

'Very mature of you Kaoru. … I wonder how he would react… on second thought he would probably turn around and give me a death stare or kill me. I doubt he does his little oro anymore either.'

They reached their destination. Kenshin told her to remain where she was. He entered the room, and she was left standing out there for a minute or two before Kenshin returned. He opened the door and she made her way inside. Looking around she saw a man a bit older looking then Kenshin seated in the middle of the room. He gestured for her to also take a seat. Kaoru sat across from the man. Kenshin took a seat beside her.

"Nice to finally meet you Kamiya-san." Katsura said.

"I cannot say the same," Kaoru said glaring at the man.

Instead of becoming angry, he laughed.

"You are very bold. But on to business. We have found the location of Myojin Yahiko. Himura is to finish the job tonight."

Kaoru quickly looked over at the impassive Kenshin before focusing on Katsura once again. He had her attention now.

"However, you can prevent this." Katsura said.

After a pause Kaoru asked, "How?"

"You can bring the Myojin boy here. After…"

"Never!" Kaoru interrupted.

"Then he will die." Katsura stated simply.

"I will not bring him here to be used as a tool by you people. He has had enough with the Shinsengumi. Do you have any idea what it does to him?" Kaoru shut herself up before she said any more. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"He will not be used. You did not let me finish. I am not interested in the boy. He is just in the way. What I want is you?"

"Me?" Kaoru said confused.

"Yes, I know of you. You have studied the same style as Himura. You are quite useful and you were a nuisance when you were with the Shinsengumi. If the Shinsengumi lose you and the Myojin boy, we will have an advantage. The Myojin kid's safety will be your incentive to cooperate."

"You lie. What stops you from using the boy? How can I trust your word? I am no assassin. I refuse to kill if that is what you are thinking." Kaoru stated angrily.

"I have no intention of using the boy as I said. You will not be an assassin. On my word." Katsura said patiently.

"Your word means nothing to me."

"The boy will be not be used. I will make sure of it." Kenshin said unexpectedly.

Kaoru turned, "Kenshin?"

Kaoru looked at him. She knew he was serious, and she could trust his word.

"Kenshin, …" Kaoru turned back to Katsura, "Fine, I will. Tell me the details."

"Interesting." Katsura said with a small smile on his face.

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Kaoru sat in her and Kenshin's room waiting for him to return. Kaoru was prepared to betray the Shinsengumi. That was what she told herself. She owed them nothing. Kaoru had not believed in their ideals and goals. She just did what she was told, because she was told to do it. Amakusa-sensei had trained her this way. A chance to get Yahiko free from all that he had to do was something she could not pass up. Kaoru remembered the nights she had comforted Yahiko. Being used for so long, seen as nothing but a tool, doing sometimes horrid things, this was not the life for a boy. It often had angered her. She had no say though. Her job was only to protect him from those that wished to kill him. She could not protect him from those that wished to use him. The only person she felt she was betraying was Soujiro. Soujiro believed in what he fought for, unlike Kaoru.

Katsura explained that after she retrieved Yahiko that she was to do assignments for the Ishin shishi. Kenshin and Kaoru would be working together some of the times. She would be labeled a traitor, she knew.

'Sou-chan, forgive me. I have to do this for Yahiko and for myself. I have to find something to believe in.'

Kenshin came into the room and threw something at her suddenly. She deftly caught it from the air realizing it was her sakabatou.

"It is time to go. Remember, if you fail or betray us, I will not hesitate to kill the boy or you."

"Understood," Kaoru replied getting up.

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Kaoru and Kenshin silently made their way along the empty streets of Kyoto. They were headed for the Shinsengumi complex Yahiko and she had left on the night she had met Kenshin. Kaoru wondered what Yahiko had been up to and hoped he was all right. She prayed that Soujiro was not there tonight. She knew he would feel betrayed if he knew. Kenshin signaled for her to follow him to the left. Kaoru calmed herself, as they got closer to their destination.

'You can do this. For Yahiko.'

Kaoru knew the place was heavily guarded, but she also knew a weak point in the guard. She signaled Kenshin to follow her. There stood a guard leaning against a wall. Gyo was not very competent and was probably drunk. She swiftly made her way up to him and pulled out her sword. Before he could say a word, he was falling to the ground unconscious. Kaoru proceeded to make her way to where Yahiko had previously stayed, Kenshin right behind her. Having a couple close encounters Kaoru finally made it to the room. Standing before the door Kenshin took guard as Kaoru slipped in.

Yahiko lie snoring loudly on the floor. No one was to be seen. Softly placing her hand over his mouth, she shook him gently. He woke up with a start and began to frantically struggle.

"Yahiko, it is me, Kaoru." Kaoru said in a whisper.

He stopped his violent struggling his eyes widening.

"Be very quiet. Whisper. Understood."

Yahiko nodded. Kaoru slowly removed her hand. Once she did she almost fell over as Yahiko lunged at her giving her a tight hug. She felt his muted tears moisten her shoulder.

"Shhh, you must come with me Yahiko. I have to take you away from here. Do not question, just trust me okay."

Yahiko pulled back wiping the tears from his face. He nodded. Kenshin entered the room suddenly. Kaoru looked at him expectantly. He placed a finger over his lips. A soft knock was heard at the door.

"Yahiko-kun, may I come in? Your presence is requested." The person outside the door said. After a minute of silence some mumbling could be heard before the door started to open. Kenshin grabbed the person and yanked them inside, sword to a very frightened Tsubame's throat.

"Tsubame," Kaoru gasped.

"Kaoru-san," Tsubame said.

Kenshin did not release her.

"Let her go." Kaoru said.

"She has seen us, she has to die."

Yahiko turned at this, "Don't you dare…"

"Stop this, she will come with us then." Kaoru said.

Kenshin stood for several moments before releasing the girl. Kaoru explained to Tsubame, who really had no choice but to come along. Now they were running out of time. Someone would come check on Yahiko, since he was not making an appearance for a meeting. They made their way back outside. Kaoru proceeded in front of the group. The group was almost free when a shout arose.

"Great." Kaoru said.

She turned a corner not seeing anyone, but before she could signal the others to follow a voice rang out.

"Kao-chan, is that you?" Soujiro said in disbelief.

'No… no, this can't be happening.'

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Kenshin waited for the signal. He saw Kaoru raise her hand to give it but stopped when a voice called out:

"Kao-chan, is that you?"

The man ran up to Kaoru with happy relief on his face.

"It is you. What happened? I was so worried. I…"

Without another word he grabbed Kaoru into a tight hug burying his face in her shoulder.

Kenshin's eyes narrowed.

*Who is this? Kao-chan? What is he to her? *

Yahiko looked alarmed as the hand that was holding him tightened.

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Soujiro released her.

"I knew you would be all right. You are a tough girl after all. Are you unharmed?"

"Sou-chan, please I…" Kaoru started.

Before she could finish Soujiro grabbed her placing himself in front of her.

"Who's there?" Soujiro said.

Kenshin stepped out of the shadows with a wide-eyed Yahiko and Tsubame.

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Hi!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, I used a cliffy again. Couldn't help myself. Sorry you guys! Well there's chapter seven for you! I hoped you enjoyed it.

Thanks to all those who reviewed you motivate me to write more. I love you guys~ and

Gina, hey! ^o^

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Kyaa Kyaff thanks you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!