Standard Disclaimers Apply. The rights to Rurouni Kenshin are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Sony Entertainment, Shueisha, Jump Comics and other associated groups. Do not sue!!! I am writing this to satiate my urge to write.

Deadly Family Ties

Chapter Fourteen

Kenshin's employer gave him a day-off so he decided to do the chores he missed doing. He placed their used clothing on a empty tub and after that, he filled the other tub with water. He smiled with nostalgia as he started soaking the white garments. With that, he started doing laundry, humming songs Kaoru used to sing to him while she watched him wash their clothes. I miss those days…

Just then, somebody knocked on the door. Kenshin wiped the suds on his hands and asked himself, I wonder who could that be… Kaoru said she might go home late. When he opened the door, no one was there. He turned his head from side to side. Nothing. He was about to close the door when he saw a package on the floor. He picked it up and brought it inside. He stared at it curiously as he walked towards the porch. When he had opened it, he gasped. It's Miharu's Journal. How did it end up here? Kaoru must have dropped it somewhere. A note was inserted on the first page.

Don't you think it is wise to get to know the woman you are going to marry?

Kenshin crumpled the paper on his hand and snarled, "Whoever did this wants to ruin our marriage. I trust Kaoru. I am not  going to read this." Looking back at the diary, his mind contradicted, What if she is in trouble or something. I need to know. That's right. I can't let her face this alone. Pausing for a moment, he looked up at the sky, It wouldn't be wrong, right? Kaoru won't hide anything from me anyway. So I guess she wouldn't mind, would she?

~~~~~

Regan walked inside her house wearing a bright smile, she greeted, "Hi nana!"

"Hello Regan!" Yuku smiled back, noting the unusual sincerity of Regan's smile. I am glad she is truly happy now.

Regan walked towards her, arms outstretched. She gave her nanny a tight hug and announced, "I have good… no great news for you!"

"What is it dear?"

Regan pulled back and like an excited child, she clapped her hands and jumped up and down. "Kenshin and I are getting married in a two weeks!!" she exclaimed.

"That wonderful news, Regan! I am so happy for you!" Yuku said pulling her for another embrace.

Regan paced the hall back and forth as she yakked, "I wonder what I am going to wear. I am sure Kenshin and the others would expect me wear a traditional kimono but what I would really want to wear is a white Western gown. I had always dreaming of wearing those. You know, the ones we see in the dress shops in Spain." Regan suddenly stopped when she saw Yuku's passive demeanor. She raised her eyebrows in inquiry.

"Anything you want, Regan," she sighed.

"Nana what's wrong with you?" Regan frowned. "You don't seem excited at all to what I have to say…"

"I am just tired…" she  replied flatly.

Regan covered her mouth to muffle her giggles as she asked, "Why? Did my sister unceasingly bang on the door again last night?"

"No…"

She looked at her quizzically and asked, "Then what happened?"

"She tried to escape."

"Tried…" Regan glanced from side to side, allowing the information to sink in. "Tried… meaning she didn't succeed. Am I correct?"

Yuku nodded as she sat on the nearby chair. "Gohei was able to catch her in time," she explained.

"Hmmm… I guess, that imbecile served a purpose after all," Regan said while rubbing her chin. "It's good to know that the money we are paying him is not put to waste."

Yuku motioned Regan to sit beside her but she shook her head. Instead, she asked, "Where is my sister?"

"She is upstairs in the room we had prepared for her previously."

Regan nodded as she grinned sinisterly, "Did you follow the instructions I told you a few days ago?"

"Yes, I tied her up but I still haven't completed your orders."

Regan's smile grew wider as she said, "I see…" Regan turned around and said, "Come on, nana, accompany me while I talk to my sister."

Yuku nodded and followed her.

With graceful strides, Regan ascended the stairs smiling. Why does everything have to be so effortless? I didn't know my plans were so perfect! When she had reached the room Kaoru was kept, she flung the door open and greeted loudly, "Hi Kaoru!"

Kaoru turned around and glared at her.

"I heard that you had been a very naughty tanuki-chan. Tsk Tsk. If only you had followed what you had been told, you wouldn't be stuck on this mess." Regan walked closer towards Kaoru to caress her swollen cheek. She kneeled down to level with her sister's eyes and said, "I would have commended you for your bravery but there is this one itsy-bitsy flaw in your plan… you got yourself caught…"

Kaoru mumbled some incoherent words. Regan took the hint and took off the rag that covered her mouth. Kaoru immediately spat on Regan and yelled, "Untie me this instant!!!"

 Regan completely ignored her and continued with her babbles, "Oh well, no time for regrets. We have to move on." Suddenly, Regan took a closer look at Kaoru's face. With one finger, she poked the swollen bruise on her forehead causing Kaoru to cringe in pain. Regan said in a cheerful voice, "Ouch! That must've hurt sister! Shame on you!" she yelled pointing an accusing finger on her. "You've ruined our pretty face! How could you!" Shrugging, she continued, "Oh well, at least it's not mine and your face wouldn't matter anymore because no one will be able to see you and in the same way, you will never see your beloved Kenshin anymore. Ohohoho!!"

"What do you want, Regan!!?" she demanded through gritted teeth.

"Don't be rude, Kaoru. I am here in a civilized manner to ask you," she said giving much formality to her speech.

"Do you call kidnapping me and bounding me civil!? You disgust me," Kaoru yelled as she looked at her with piercing eyes.

** "Reiko, I told you not to ride that horse, didn't I?"

"Sorry, father. It won't happen again."

"I know, dear. But you need to learn your lesson."

"Aaaaiiieeee!!!! Father! Don't lock me in this cabinet! Please father! I am afraid of the dark!! Aaaaiieee!!!"

**

Regan's musings were cut short when she noticed Kaoru looking at her in bewilderment. "Well, that word is quite relative, my dear sister," she said, looking far away. Sighing, she continued, "Anyway, time is gold. Let's make this quick. What are the names of your Kyoto friends?"

Kaoru rolled her eyes and replied, "Like I'd really tell you."

"Oh course you're going to tell me. Everybody said you were this nice girl!" Regan stood up and winked at Yuku gleefully.

"Never!!!" Kaoru replied contemptuously.

Regan tapped her foot impatiently as she twitched her lips. "I'm waiting…"

Deciding to change tactics, Kaoru smiled at her mischievously, raising one eyebrow. "Even if I tell you, how would you know I am telling the truth?"

"Kaoru," she said as she placed a hand on Kaoru's shoulders. "I trust that you will tell the truth because you wouldn't want your precious student will suffer now, would you?" she asked with an evil glint on her eyes.

"Yahiko?!!" Kaoru asked in panic. She narrowed her eyes and warned, "If you hurt even one strand of Yahiko's hair, I'll make you pay."

Regan grabbed Kaoru's hair violently and quipped in an amused tone. "Tsk! Tsk! Kaoru, I don't think you are in the position to threaten anyone."

Kaoru pursed her lips and remained silent.

"Alright, if you won't help me, I'll just ask the brat," she announced, letting go of her hair. She placed her hand to her mouth, feigning surprise and smiled. "Oops! I forgot I couldn't ask him because he is still unconscious from the discipline I gave him."

"What did you do to him!!!?" Kaoru demanded as tears welled up in her eyes. This is all my fault. If anything happened to Yahiko, I would never forgive myself. Kenshin? Why didn't Kenshin help him? Has Regan completely manipulated Kenshin to believe that I am her? "What did you do to him!!?" she repeated as tears began to stream from her eyes.

"Just something my surrogate father would do to me if I disobeyed or disrespected him," she replied matter-of-factly. Smiling at her sister wickedly, she whispered to her ears, "Don't worry. It's nothing compared to what I will do to you."

"I swear when I— "

Kaoru's cursed were cut off when Regan turned around and called out, "Nana!"

"Yes, Regan?"

"Has Gohei finished Kaoru's new bed?"

"Yes, he has," she answered, nodding her head slightly.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Ask Gohei to bring it here. I want to witness this before I leave…" Regan ordered.

"As you wish." Yuku gave a slight curtsy before leaving.

Regan approached Kaoru again and put back the rag she had removed a while ago. She said as she patted her head, "Sorry, sis. I want silence when the show starts. Besides, I don't really need you to talk because it won't matter anyway. You are just going to create noise pollution."

Minutes later, Yuku entered the door with Gohei Himura. He brought along a barred enclosure creating a loud noise as he dragged it upstairs to Kaoru's room.

Kaoru stared at it in horror as she awaited her fate.

Yuku smiled at Regan faintly and said, "Regan, I am so sorry but I can't stay. I forgot that I have to go to the market today. Our supplies have already ran out."

"Can't you do it later?" Regan asked, disappointed.

"I'm afraid not. Are you going to have dinner here?"

"No,  I can't stay for too long. Kenshin is waiting for me."

"Alright, dear. I understand." After bowing to Regan, she turned to leave.

"Take care of yourself and make sure that nobody follows you," Regan called out after her. Regan gave one final shrug then she turned to Kaoru. 'Remember when Megumi said that "Secrets are best kept when brought to the grave?' Well, it goes something like that. Anyway, since then, I had kept it as a motto."

Kaoru looked back at her wide-eyed as her mind screamed on terror.

"Well, sis. Congratulate me! This is the first day I am actually living that philosophy," she announced proudly. She faced Gohei and nodded.

With that, Gohei carried Kaoru and placed her inside the box. No matter how much Kaoru tried to resist, it was no use. Gohei was too strong for her and her hands and feet were bound. Tears streamed on her eyes but she didn't want to give up. Kenshin, no matter how hopeless this is. I won't give up. I promise you… I will fight until my last breath.

"Enjoy your trip to the after life, Kaoru!" she giggled. "By the way, before I forget, Kenshin and I are getting married. I would like to invite you on our wedding but, oh shucks! It's a shame you couldn't come." She waved her hand mockingly on her as she let out a loud guffaw of victory. "Lock up the box!"

Kaoru looked horrified as Gohei picked up the pile of wood that would seal her up. Despite her wounded wrists and ankles, she thrashed inside the makeshift "coffin", hoping that it might break. Kaoru screamed on top of her lungs even though she knew that it would be of little help because of the rag on her mouth. I will fight 'til the end, Kenshin. I love you…

The only thing that Kaoru heard aside from the heavy beating of her heart were Regan's crazed laughter and the sound of hammer against nail.

All of a sudden, Regan's laughter was cut short. "What the— "

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