Author's Note: Yeah, yeah…here's the next chapter. sigh So, how are you peoples doing? Whatever…let's get to the disclaimer now, shall we? Aren't we excited? Yay.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. But I DO have Cinnamon Altoids. Yay. But my mommy took them. Boo.

Chapter 8

Light is will always be there

As hope will always be there

It only depends on whether

You can see it or not

Little did anyone know, Misao was contemplating on what she could do to be helpful. Despite the fact that her hands were tied together, with the addition of her being gagged and also her legs being tied together, she was confident that she could do at least SOMETHING to help Aoshi-sama.

Coughing lightly, Misao glanced at Keiichi, who had the pleasure of guarding her. She stared at him a moment, trying to figure out what he was thinking about. Keiichi seemed to keep his distance from her, not exactly enjoying the heart-warming greeting she had given him earlier. Misao rolled her eyes. What a loser…

"What are you looking at?" he snapped at Misao.

Misao glared. I can't answer you with this gag on, genius.

Keiichi seemed to realize his mistake and decided just to shut up. He resumed doing whatever he was doing before.

Misao stared at him for a second more, before turning her back to him.

Leaning over, Misao searched herself for any useful resource. It was harder, since she didn't have the use of her hands or foot.

Great…I don't have any kunai on me. Those would be very useful in a situation like this. In fact, I don't think I have anything that might serve as a weapon. This has got to be the most pathetic thing anybody has ever seen! Unless…

Twisting her head into an awkward position, Misao attempted to look at her hands. She saw what she needed to see.

Oh…that's good. I am SO glad that I was too lazy yesterday to cut my fingernails.

The day before, Misao had been debating whether she could get away with clipping her fingernails or not. Now, her laziness could be put into good use, or, you could say that her laziness had 'paid off'.

Okay…it looks like my fingernails are sharp enough to hurt. Anything else?

Misao sat there dumbly for a moment before she remembered. My teeth! OF COURSE!!! The problem was, how would she get the gag out?

I hate this…

Fragmented thoughts floated through her head. And they weren't even positive thoughts. The thing was, Misao didn't like being negative, but when she wasn't given the choice, well…that meant that she had no choice but to be negative, right?

Why me?

I hate thinking when there's no point in doing so.

Why did that Nakago guy have me gagged? Duh…of course because he didn't want to be bitten. But that's his punishment for kidnapping me!!!

Coward…

He kidnaps me, and he doesn't even want to face the consequences! That is really what I call cowardice.

Okay…maybe not…but…STILL!!! He deserves to be bitten…because…well…first of all, he DID kidnap me…and the second, HE IS TRYING TO HURT MY AOSHI-SAMA!!! Anyone doing so does not have much longer to live…

Then something very terrible hit her.

If Aoshi came after her, which she at least HOPED would happen, then…wouldn't he and this Nakago guy have to fight each other?

I wonder what the past is between these two…something bad must of happened. Why would Nakago seek vengeance on Aoshi-sama? Could it be that Aoshi-sama once betrayed him? Or…could it be that there is something else that I am missing?

Misao looked down, angry with herself for believing for even one moment that her Aoshi-sama had betrayed one of his friends. But he did almost betray Jiya and…Misao shook her head. That was different.

And Misao had realized that there was something fishy about Keiichi.

Maybe it's just because he's a freaking LOSER.

Misao shrugged her suspicions off, and instead, she decided to concentrate on more important things.

Trying for the umpteenth time to untie her hands, and then failing to do so made Misao very frustrated.

This is REALLY stupid…

Misao was angry, with the addition of being confused. I shouldn't try to think so much at one time… The confidence she had been trying to build up was beginning to dwindle away.

Why do I feel so useless?

It was morning. The day was going to be a beautiful one, the sun's rays bursting through the windows of the Aoiya.

This was the complete opposite of how Aoshi was feeling.

Aoshi scanned Misao's room one more time, and his gaze caught something on the table that was sparkling in the sunlight.

It was Misao's kunai. The sun still reflected on it, causing blinding light to bounce everywhere.

It's false. That was the thought that came into Aoshi's mind. But, he didn't exactly know WHAT was false.

That sparkling light is false. It is too happy.

The sparkling of the kunai caused it to look like it was winking and smiling at Aoshi. He found that the kunai seemed to mocking him with fake happiness, which Aoshi could not take.

Quickly and gracefully, Aoshi strode over to the table and put his hand over them. No more sparkling…He held them in his hand for a while, the metal cold against his warm skin. Why the hell was he standing here and holding Misao's kunai? What good did it do?

And then it hit him.

These may come in handy…

Misao is probably somewhere in the forest, weaponless. So, when I meet Nakago tonight, I could somehow give these to Misao before we fight each other. That way, I can be sure that she gets away safely.

Anyways…she is very skilled with the kunai…especially since I helped her a little. He couldn't help but feel at least just a little proud.

If you asked Aoshi if he felt better right now, he would lie to you. In fact, he probably wouldn't even ANSWER you.

But, as little as he liked to admit it, he felt a small spark of hope.

With that, Aoshi pulled out his kodachis. The only thing he could do now was to train.

And he was sure that Nakago was going to be as good as dead.

Nakago shivered, even though it wasn't cold. I think I'm…afraid. What if I get betrayed again?

He reassured himself, telling himself that he was being overly paranoid. But I don't think I'm being paranoid…I don't understand.

I just feel like I can't trust Keiichi. Perhaps it's because…every time he gets this odd gleam in his eyes whenever our conversation turn to the word 'power'. Or even if that particular word is mentioned. Sometimes he'll even change the subject to 'power'.

Why does he care of such things? I hate that word. It was because of that evil word that Shinomori betrayed me. He wanted this…'power'. But….what good does it do?

Nakago looked down at his hands. Maybe it's the experience I had with Shinomori…maybe it's because the fact that he betrayed me…it's that fact that causes me to mistrust everybody around me.

And there was also another thought that was nagging his brain.

I can't believe that I sunk so low to kidnap a girl that has done nothing to me…except bite me, of course…

He looked down at the little wound Misao had given him. I think it's going to leave a scar…can't say I didn't deserve it, though…

In stories, it's always the villains doing the kidnapping. So…does that mean that I am the villain? He shook his head. No…in my case, it is different. I am not the evil one…it is Shinomori. I will hurt no one…except for him.

And I swear I will not hurt the girl.

I will let her go afterwards…after Shinomori is dead.

He remembered that ever since Keiichi had told him about Aoshi's betrayal, he had wanted him dead. There had been this bubble of hatred that welled up inside him, nearly overwhelming him. And at that time, his hatred was threatening to burst.

For a long time, I have wanted Shinomori dead. And now, the time is nearly here. Soon, my wish will come true. I will be able to kill him with my own hands.

But now…but now…do I really want him dead?

He betrayed me…he left me to die…isn't that enough reason for me to kill him? Yes…it is…but…

Keiichi…may not be telling me all of the truth. I still think that in some way, Shinomori has betrayed me…but perhaps, Keiichi knows something that he is not telling me.

Misao looked off hopefully into the sky.

She remembered something her mother had always told her. It was the only thing that she remembered of her mother. Everything else seemed to be a blur.

Never lose hope, because that's the only way to live.

And those words were engraved in her mind.

Author's Note: I have a cold. My nosie is stuffed. You know what sucks? THIS sucks: you have just had a long, tiring day of school, and you have just finished your homework. You are ready for bed, but once you lay down, your nose gets stuffed, and you can't breathe. But when you sit back up, your nose clears up. So you lay back down, but then your nose gets clogged again. THAT sucks. It's a true story too.

Plus, my throat is sore. Great how stuffed noses, sneezes, and sore throats come together in a package, ne? Anyways, what did you think of this chappie? REVIEW!!!

And I know that this chapter was uneventful…it was just full of people's thoughts, but that's okay, right? Anyways…I can't think when my nose is all stuffed. sigh Please forgive me…but…you could do something to help…review and make me feel better, okies? :o)

Thanks to all who reviewed!!!!

NOTE: I don't know when I'll have the next chapter up. I DO have finals to study for…not doing homework is one thing, but finals? I really do have to study for that. sigh I feel so overworked… Anyways…till next time!!!

Oh, and I hope none of you people get sick!!! Wish me luck on my finals everyone!!!

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