Author's Note: Argh…I HATE selling raffle tickets…anyways…Yeah…I guess I have this chappie. Are you allHAPPY?! My hand hurts from writing all those raffle ticket thingies…poor me…ARGH!

Disclaimer: I HATE SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS!!!!! And I don't own Rurouni Kenshin…(sighs)

Pools of Emptiness

She aimed her fist at his stomach, expecting to make contact with it. His hand caught hers, and that plan failed. So Misao did the only thing she could do…it was the only weapon available to her at the moment. She opened her mouth to scream. But, before she could do so, something was pressed over her mouth and nose.

And everything went black.

Chapter 7

Light is your hope

Without it

You are nothing

Aoshi rolled over. This is stupid. I can't sleep. He rolled over again, hoping that sleep would come.

Unfortunately, this was going to be the most sleepless night he had ever experienced. And that was saying something.

Okina looked over at the pink bow on the table beside his futon. It had fallen to the floor. He shook his head while in bed, the blankets getting all the more ruffled. It was even worse luck to have the bow fall on the floor than to have it sag on his beard.

Somebody was definitely in trouble.

But he didn't exactly know WHO.

Aoshi shot up from his bed. Something is wrong. I can feel it. But what?

Resting his chin on his knees, he thought for a moment, waiting for the answer to come to him.

And then it felt as if somebody had poured ice down his throat and into his stomach. Nakago…

No…it can't be…

He hurriedly kicked off his blankets, and grabbed his kodachis on his way out of his room. Aoshi did not like the feeling that was welling up inside him. It was a mixture of fear, love, and hate. And he hated all these feelings. He hated the fact that fear had him in its icy grip and the fact that these feelings were so…confusing.

Because as little as he liked to admit it, he was afraid. Very afraid. Afraid that his one and only light would be taken from him.

Misao…

Moving as quietly as possible, Aoshi kicked Misao's bedroom door open.

The window had been opened, causing a few loose sheets of paper to flutter about. Aoshi's gaze turned to the futon. It was empty, the sheets ruffled. He quickly looked around the room, scanning for some type of clue.

Barely visible in the moonlight, there lay a small folded piece of paper on Misao's table. Aoshi snatched it from the table, and carefully unfolded it.

It read:

Shinomori:

Revenge. That is what this is. I know you saw this coming. But if you knew, why didn't you do something about it? I have taken what is most important to you, since you had done the exact thing to me so many years ago. You are a traitor, and there's nothing you can say about it. You betrayed me, and in turn, your punishment must come. So, this is what will happen: If you do not show up tomorrow night at the 'spot' of the forest (I am sure you know which one), this pretty thing will die. Simple enough? Oh, and, do not even THINK about coming after me now, Shinomori. It would be just so easy to kill her now, wouldn't it? Just one slice of a dagger, and it's all over. Just one slice of a dagger and your hope will be destroyed. By the way: look out the window. You might be lucky enough to even see me wave.

Until tomorrow then, traitor.

An Old Friend

Aoshi glared at the letter, the slightest hint of his emotions showing only through this and his shaking hand. Now one more feeling had been added into the mix: anger. And juggling anger, fear, love, and hate was not something Aoshi enjoyed doing.

Deftly, he ran to the window and peered out. He could make out a figure moving among the trees in the moonlight, and it was carrying someone. The figure stopped, and seemed to stare directly at Aoshi for a moment. And then it lifted up its hand, and gave a distinct, mocking wave before tearing off into the forest.

Aoshi narrowed his ice-blue eyes. Nakago…you will pay…

If there had been anyone in the room, they would not have realized that he was angry and upset. But the thing was: Aoshi was crying inside.

Misao…

Everything ached, whether it was her hand, foot, elbow, or any other part you could think of. Why the hell is everything so sore? And I don't remember my futon being so HARD…Misao attempted to open her eyes, but, to no avail.

I feel like my eyelids are glued shut…

She tried again, and was finally able to peel her eyes open. She peered at the unfamiliar surroundings. This looks like some type of forest surrounding…with a bunch of tents. Where the hell am I?

I think the better question is: WHY THE HELL ARE MY HAND TIED TOGETHER?!?!?

Misao felt like breaking something, but unfortunately, things like that were more enjoyable with the use of one's hand.

She didn't happen to have that luxury at the moment, since they WERE tied up to begin with.

And that was the sad thing: When you're angry and you want to do something, it makes you even angrier because you couldn't actually DO what you wanted to do, which means that you're more worse off than before.

"So, you're awake now?" a Thing in the shadows said, the tone in his/its voice almost mocking.

Misao jumped, her angry thoughts interrupted. She looked angrily in the general direction of The Thing. (Her vision wasn't exactly the BEST yet.)

"Who the hell are you? And why the hell am I here?" she snapped at The Thing.

The Thing opened his mouth to answer. "The first question is none of your business, but, I'll tell you anyways. My name is Nakago. And as for the second question? Well, you are my captive or hostage. Whichever word you would like to use." Nakago stroked his chin thoughtfully. "And you probably want to know the reason for your capture, correct?" Nakago said, and then, not waiting for an answer, he began to explain. "It is for revenge against Shinomori."

Misao's eyes widened in shock, and then immediately afterwards, they narrowed in anger and annoyance. That was when Misao did something that she considered one of the most stupidest things she had done in her life: She bit him. Before Nakago could react, she had lunged at him (with her hands still tied). She then dug her teeth into a surprised Nakago's arm.

"You BITCH!!!" Nakago screamed, pressing his finger down on the hole that Misao had punctured in his arm to stop the bleeding.

Misao smirked. That's what you get for trying to hurt my Aoshi-sama. Hang on…trying to hurt him with ME? Is that some kind of JOKE?

Trying his best to ignore the pain that had exploded in his right arm (who would have thought that one could BITE so hard?), he almost pulled out his katana. Wait…I can't kill her…at least not YET…I have to kill Shinomori first…

Nakago glared at her for a moment more, and then yelled at the top of his lungs, "KEIICHI!!!"

Dropping whatever he was doing, Keiichi scrambled up to Nakago. "Yes, Nakago-sama?"

"Get a gag. I don't need her biting me AGAIN. And after that, it is YOUR duty to watch her, and you will have the privilege of being kicked, bitten, slapped, etc. by her." Nakago replied grumpily.

Misao glared again at Nakago. How dare you…Hang on. I feel like getting acquainted with this 'Keiichi' person. She aimed a kick at Keiichi's shins, causing him to fall over backwards.

"And get some rope for her legs too," Nakago added.

Keiichi nodded, and then left in search of a gag and some rope, while stooping down to nurse and rub his newly bruised shins.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'MISAO IS GONE'???!" Okon screamed. "WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE HER??!"

Okina put a hand on Okon's shoulder, and then said to Okon quietly in her ear, "Okon. Be careful of what you are saying. You must keep in mind that Aoshi blames himself very easily. You are not making things any easier."

Omasu stared down at her feet. "I do hope that Misao is okay…"

Looking up at Aoshi, Okina said, "Will you find her?"

The room was silent for a moment.

"I will," Aoshi said simply, as he looked off into the starry sky. "Or I will die trying."

Okina nearly took a step backward. Those words coming from Aoshi were very strong words. He looked down at his pink bow, and almost smiled despite the circumstance. His bow wasn't sagging as much as before. Aoshi will find her…I have to trust him. And the good news is that my bow seems to agree…

Staring out the window, Aoshi resolved to save Misao. Misao…it is my fault that you are gone…I promise that I will come for you…Not only for the good of you, but also for the good of me. I must find you, for you are my only hope.

And without hope, I will die.

That is why I must get you back, no matter how high the cost…

Author's Note: YAY FOR ME!!! I finished this chapter. Isn't that just AWESOME? Anywho, I am really tired! Not that you people actually care! Oh well…please leave me a review!!!! THANKS!!!!

Thanks to all who reviewed!!!