Note: I just got finished writing out my whole story! Now I just have to type it ^_^;;;;;! We're already on chapter 10 out of 14! Time sure has gone by! There are 14 chapters plus the epilogue so if you count that, that's 15 chapters.

Chapter 10: Let's Begin

"So what's the plan?" asked Yahiko as they stood outside the castle doors. The policemen and guards at the gate had let them in easily so they weren't sure if it was just a trap or if the leader was just stupid.

"Well I say we go inside and see what's there. We may have to split up. This is a very big place and the girls could be anywhere!" replied Sano as he chewed on a fishbone.

"Sano's right that he is," started Kenshin, "We have no idea if this is a trap or if they just really don't care. Once inside we'll see what happens."

"Right," murmured Aoshi. Sano stepped forward and opened the large doors. They slowly opened. Once inside, Kenshin, Sano, Yahiko, and Aoshi looked around. Doors were on either side of them and a large staircase in front that led up to another pair of large doors. Standing in the middle of the staircase was Jin'eh.

"Welcome gentlemen. Welcome to Lord Ausklang's castle. What business are you here for?" he asked in his cold voice (In case you were thinking: Hey Jineh's dead! well I've got something to say. This is my story and he can be alive if I want him to!)

"We are here to take back Kaoru, Megumi, Miaso, and Tsubame that we are," replied Kenshin.

"Oh is that so? Well I'm afraid you can't. No one is allowed to see the girl's unless they are a servant or a maid. That is, if you can't beat me. If you can, you may search the first level of the castle. To continue upward, you must fight a warrior for each level. Now what will it be? Fight or flee?"

"Fight!" cried Yahiko as he marched forward, "Don't worry guys, I can handle this goon!"

"I'm afraid you can't," said Kenshin as he grabbed the back of Yahiko's gi to stop him from going up the stairs, "Let Sano take this one. We'll need you later."

"Fine," grumbled Yahiko as he stepped back and let Sano ahead of him.

"Alright Jin'eh," started Sano, cracking his knuckles, "Let's get this over with!"

"Man versus sword? I highly doubt you'll beat me like that."

"We'll see!" cried Sano as he jumped up the stairs and threw a punch at Jineh. Jineh quickly pulled out his sword. But Sano was quicker. He landed a punch to the gut and then a kick that sent him flying across the room. Jineh slowly got up. He used his godlike speed to sneak up behind him and just as he was about it bring the sword down on Sano's head, Sano vanished.

To be continued...

Sakura G.

FF,SMFA,&A

***If you have any questions, comments, or flames (but none of you should give me any of those!), please feel free to email me at: sailor_ivy_girl@mail.com or post up a review. Tanks!