Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is NOT MINE. This is obvious by now, but oh well. Also, 'Stolen' isn't mine either. It belongs to Shadow. (Thanks much Shadow, by the way.)

A/N: Alright, so I realize I was being stupid earlier…so I've decided…I'm not quitting RK fanfiction. Yes, you read right, I've decided not to quit RK fanfiction. I might be taking a break every once in a while from it (since I'm also writing Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean stuff), but I'm not quitting. I hope all of you people are happy. I feel happy with my decision.

By the way, this is OFFICIALLY MY MOST POPULAR STORY EVER! YAY! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

Anyway, on with the chapter.

Shifting in the Wind

By: Spellcastre

~*~*~*~*~*~

Pulled away from me

(A farewell kiss)

You've left me here alone

(Our warm embrace)

Cruelly robbed from my life

(One last caress)

~*~*~*~*~*~

Dread suddenly flooded into Kenshin as he saw the life flood out of Kaoru.

Her already pale face grew to the paleness that one would classify belonging to a ghost, and her hand that had held at least the flicker of warmth and strength a few moments ago fell limp in his own hand as the flicker went out.

He felt a slight tinge of hotness sting his eyes, and quickly closed them. He opened his eyes and brushed against his eyes, feeling just the slightest moist. Tears. He hadn't felt them on his own eyes for such a long time. He didn't want the tears of grief to come through…he didn't want to believe this happening.

"Kaoru…"

The name was a faint whisper off of his tongue as he gently hugged her lifeless body to his. Death seemed so cruel to him as he remembered how it was death of the ones close to him that had made him kill in the first place.

But if he hadn't taken that sword…then Kaoru might still be alive.

~*~*~*~*~*~

You've been stolen, darling

Wrongly snatched from my loving arms

Why, they've taken you away

Away from my sincere affection

They stole what should be mine

~*~*~*~*~*~

Why?

Kenshin's thoughts were jumbled as he gently ran his fingers through Kaoru's hair…something he wished he could've done when she was still alive.

And through his jumbled thoughts, that was the only word that came in front of all the others.

Why…

It truly explained everything. Every thought, every regret, every life he had taken, every mistake he made.

Why?

For hours, he sat there, in silent grief, pondering over it all.

Why?

He only wished he could get a second chance. He would do anything for a second chance.

Little did he know, a certain wind guardian had taken care of that…

~*~*~*~*~*~

I'll rescue you this time

(A second chance)

Make up for my failure from before

(Forgive my sins)

Your knight in shining armor

(Only for you)

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Kenshin…" came a familiar voice. The wind picked up in a circle and the form of Tomoe was standing above Kenshin's kneeling figure.

She knelt down beside him.

He said through gritted teeth,

"Do you think I want to see you right now? You? Who brought me the reason for her death in the first place?"

Tomoe sighed sadly. "I'm sorry about that…I really am. Which is why I have a proposition for you."

Kenshin didn't say anything, but it seemed to be enough to tell Tomoe to continue.

"I persuaded the high spirits to give her one last chance…I told them it was truly not her time. It took awhile, but I did it. However, you have to save her yourself."

Kenshin blinked. "What?"

~*~*~*~*~*~

They've stolen you, beloved

Just like you've stolen my heart

I'll win you back somehow

Even if costs me my life

~*~*~*~*~*~

"I have to lead you to the beginning of the realm of the spirits, and the realm of the dead at that. You have to find your way to her and take her back yourself."

He could not believe what she was saying.

"And you only have one week to do it. If you don't succeed in bringing her back within that time, depending where you are, you'll either be brought back here, or lost in darkness forever."

One week? Now it seemed impossible to succeed. He was just about to decline, but then he looked down at Kaoru's physical body…and he knew she deserved the chance.

"Will you do it, Kenshin?" He heard Tomoe's voice softly intruding his thoughts.

He looked up, determination in his formerly bloodthirsty eyes.

"Yes."

~*~*~*~*~*~

You've been stolen, darling

Wrongly snatched from my loving arms

Why, they've taken you away

Away from my sincere affection

I'll steal back what's rightfully mine

~*~*~*~*~*~

Tomoe and Kenshin appeared in a black tunnel. There was a purple fog swaying through it, and it had the strangest look to it. It looked as if it was a tired tunnel with tired fog slowly shifting through.

Tomoe turned to Kenshin.

"You have to make your way through these passages. There are many different ones to take, but you have to find the ones that will lead you to the soul of fire…"

"Your brother, if I'm correct."

Tomoe nodded, and Kenshin's eyes flickered with anger.

"You might need to use your sword to fend off some of my brother's demons, just to warn you. Now go, the hourglass has already begun to pour against you."

With that, she disappeared in a gust of wind.

Kenshin looked forward. There was no turning back now, and he didn't want to turn back.

He and Kaoru were both going to get the second chance they deserved.

And so he took one step into the fog, and then another…

~*~*~*~*~*~

My dearest

My love

My everything

~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. In my opinion it was really weird. But I enjoyed writing it. Thanks SO much to Shadow, for giving me an AWESOME song to work with! You rule forever! I especially hope you like this chapter!

Well, anyway…

**pulls out yo-yo** You will click on "submit review"…you will submit a review…you will click on "submit review"…you will submit a review…

(I love my yo-yo)

~Spellcastre~