Summary: Kaoru is infected with a mysterious life-threatening illness as an act of revenge against Kenshin. Can Kenshin find the antidote in time to save her? Or will he have to deal with losing someone he loves yet again? Your reviews and feedback much appreciated and needed, since I am new to this. Thanks!

Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter One: The Illness: Kaoru Is Infected

Kaoru Kamiya looked about in anticipation as she walked to the market place. The sun was warm on her face, but there was a slight breeze blowing. All in all, it was a perfect day for shopping. She had managed to pick up some extra students in the last two months and thought it would be nice to surprise Kenshin and the others with some fresh fish. It gave her a warm glow inside just to think about Kenshin. She had been so lonely before he'd arrived. Things had certainly changed in the last few months. Along with Kenshin there was Yahiko, who was living at the school. Then there was Sanosake, who didn't live at the dojo, but hung around there frequently at the chance he might receive a free meal. Karou smiled. Sanosake was a good friend, but he certainly was cheap! She paused in front of a fish stall and stopped to examine the variety of fish there, trying to decide between the tuna or the swordfish. As she was bent over it she felt a slight sting in her neck. She swatted at it absently, thinking the mosquitoes were earlier than usual this year.

"I'll take the sword fish, it looks really good today" she said, smiling brightly at the shopkeeper, handing him her money. He smiled back at her and wrapped her fish and handed it to her, wishing her a good day. Kaoru hurried home to give it to Kenshin to prepare for dinner. "This will go well with the eggplant we just picked fresh from the garden. Kenshin can make some rice balls, too, his come out so much better than mine". Kenshin usually did the cooking because he was much better at it than Karou, which was a real sore point with her. Though Kaoru was a good instructor, she was a terrible cook, a fact that she was very sensitive about.

The cloaked figure standing in the shadows tucked his blowpipe away in his robes and left the market place, satisfied his dart had found its target. Soon his revenge would be complete

A few days later it was laundry day at the Kamiya dojo. Kenshin held up the linen he had just washed and inspected it for stains. Satisfied it was clean he wrung it out and held it out to Kaoru to hang up to dry. Sanosake was lounging nearby watching Yahiko practice his sword training.

"Here is another one Miss Kaoru."

"Thank you Kenshin" she said as she took the sheet from him, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.

Kenshin looked at Kaoru and frowned slightly. He had noticed she seemed listless, not her usual energetic self.

"Is something wrong, Miss Kaoru? You look pale, that you do"

'Miss Kaoru doesn't look like she's been feeling well lately. She looks very pale and did not each much at dinner last night or at breakfast this morning. Perhaps we should have the doctor take a look at her.'

"I'm all right, Kenshin, but I am a little tired. I think I'll go inside ad lie down after we finish the laundry" replied Kaoru.

"Please go inside Miss Kaoru. I will finish the laundry for you."

'Thank you, Kenshin. I think I'll go inside and brew some of that herbal tea Miss Megumi left."

Kenshin turned back to the laundry and was reaching for another sheet when he heard a cry from Yahiko.

"KAORU!", Yahiko cried out in alarm, dropping his sword.

"What is it, Missy?" Sanosake said, jumping to his feet.

. Kenshin turned in time to see Kaoru leaning against the door, swaying slightly.

"Miss Kaoru, what's wrong!!!" Kenshin jumped to his feet, raced across the yard and leaped over the steps with astonishing speed in time to catch Kaoru before she fell to the floor of the porch. Yahiko and Sanosake raced over as well.

Kenshin placed a hand on Kaoru's forehead gasped in alarm. "She's burning up with fever! Quickly, Yahiko, run and get the doctor. Sanosake, please help me get Miss Kaoru inside and make her comfortable until the doctor gets here." Sanosake opened the door and Kenshin, with Karou in his arms, carried her to her room.