Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of the characters, despite any delusional state I happen to be in.

*Lines with-in the stars (*) are thoughts.*

[ Author's notes ] In my last story, 'From the Shadows', I changed the 'timeline', creating my own Rurouni Kenshin 'world'. This story takes place in 'my world', not the offical Rurouni Kenshin world, though most of the history is still accurate. This story takes place at the end of the series and after the movie.[ /Author's notes ]

Shadow's return, Chapter 2: The morning after..

The sun was just rising over the horizon of rooftops around Sagara Sanosuke as he wanders down the street. The night had been a successful night for him. Not only had he tripled his money gambling, but he managed to, somehow, avoid his usual hang-over. He had won enough to, not only pay his tab off at the Akabeko, but enough for him to live on for a few weeks.

The rain was lightening up and people were starting their daily activities. Sano, on the other hand, had not yet been to bed. He decided that he would go see Kenshin this morning, or rather, see if Kaoru's cooking lessons were paying off.

*I doubt it.* Sanosuke thinks as he approaches the dojo. Something on the side street catches his attention, a strange colouration of the cobble stones near the side entrance. Walking over, he recognizes it instantly. *Blood!*

"Che... Kenshin!"

Not bothering with unlocking the gate, Sanosuke merely jumps over. Yelling for Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko, not knowing who would be at the dojo, the ex-gangster enters the main hall of the dojo.

"Kenshin..." His voice is soft as he sees his friend laying to the side, unmoving.

Running over, he checks to see if the rurouni is still alive. The shallow breath tells him that Kenshin is still alive. Kenshin's gi was off his left side, exposing that arm and side. His left arm was bandaged, and a strange salve was resting near him.

"Nani?" he looks around. "Jou-chan must have been here." He scratches his chin as he thinks.

"Sanosuke!" The voice comes from behind him. Kaoru enters the main hall. "What are you doing here so early?" Before the fighter can answer, though, she sees Kenshin. "Kenshin!" Running to his side, she practically falls on him as she comes down beside him. "What happened?" she asks.

"I was going to ask you that." Sanosuke says. "I thought you were the one that bandaged him. I was wondering why you didn't just put him in his room."

"What's wrong with him?"

"Don't know, Jou-chan. He only seems to have this one wound, and it's only a minor one." Sano shows Kaoru the small slash on Kenshin's left arm. "I also found this." He hands her the small container of salve he found.

"Get Megumi-san, please."

"Eh, hai." Sanosuke sprints out of the dojo, running Yahiko over in the process.

"Oi, Baka!" Yahiko yells, shaking his fist to Sano's back. "Kaoru," he says turning, "Did you see what that baka-yarou just did?"

"Yahiko-chan." she says softly. "Come here."

As Yahiko looks in, he sees Kenshin laying on the floor. "Nani!! What happened?"

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Takana Megumi arrived at the dojo out of breath and practically being carried by Sanosuke. Sano didn't give her any details, really, but he said enough.

As she kneels before Kenshin, she looks him over carefully. "Poison." she said softly. "He's been poisoned."

Kaoru gasps. Sanosuke, though, points to the small container of salve. "Is that the poison?"

"Iie." she says softly. "It's an antidote for pit viper venom." She points to the small wound on Kenshin's arm. "Who applied it?"

"Good question, fox-woman. I was the first here, and I found him like this."

Yahiko looks into the hall. "We have company."

"Now what?" Sano grumbles, turning to look.

Before them stands a tall man wearing a heavy, nondescript robe. His hair is blonde, and cropped short. His shoulders are broad and strong, his manner sure. He bows in their general direction.

"Ohayou." he says softly.

Kaoru, Sanosuke, and Megumi exchange looks. *He looks familiar,* Kaoru thinks, *demo...*

"Tengoku." Sanosuke says, recognizing the man. "I thought you left with your demon friend."

"Sanosuke!" Megumi yells at him. "Be a little more polite. Sometimes you can be a barbarian."

Seeing Kenshin laying motionless on the floor, he says softly, "Iie, Takana-dono. It's alright. What's wrong with Himura-san?"

"He's been poisoned." Kaoru says softly.

"Nani?" Tengoku moves to Kenshin's side, inspecting the wound and the container of medicine. "It looks like I'm too late."


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Shadows inhabit the interior of the small, isolated building. Every opening has been carefully boarded, preventing most of the sun light from entering. Movements with-in the building are subtle, as if quick movements might rend the building.

"Nani?" The voice was female, but that did nothing to soften it. Hard with displeasure, her voice sent shivers up the spine of the man she was speaking to.

"We had him beat." the man insisted. "He was poisoned and had collapsed..."

"And you still lost!" the woman yelled at him.

"He was aided, mistress." the man says quickly, dropping to the floor, forehead touching the rotting wood.

"By who?" she asks, suddenly interested. Her tone showed her caution at the thought of their target having help.

"Ano.... We don't know, mistress. Everyone close enough to see the helper died."

"What about the others?" she asks, her voice icy.

"Our spies say that Shinomori is still in Kyoto. Saitou is out of Tokyo. We still have spies following him."

"Your spies also said that those two were the only others that we would have to worry about. You have failed me."

The strange woman lashes out at the man, striking him across the neck, killing him immediately.

She turns to the rest of the unseen assembly. "I want him at my feet, begging for mercy. And. I. Want. Him. NOW!!"

"Mistress." The hidden woman turns in the direction of the fool brave enough to speak at the moment. "That might not be a good idea."

"Care to explain why not before I flay your skin from you while listening to you scream?"

"I think I know who helped the battousai...."