a/n: *sigh* I suppose I'd better update this incase anyone happens to still be reading this story. Seriously people! how hard is it to review! just a simple "hi, like your story" would be okay. im desperate for a review! without reviews this story is hopeless to continue. that is a warning! you must review if you want this story to go on!

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Chapter 14

Drowned in Sorrows

Kaiya twisted under the water, her lungs wanted to burst. The lake was considerably deeper than what she'd thought it was. With her hands bound behind her back it was useless to try to reach her dagger. She plunged deeper into the inky cold, the weight of many weapons weighing her down. Finally, her feet reached bottom. She looked up and saw an orb of light way above her on the surface.

She felt around and found that her sword had fallen close to her. She rubbed her wrists back and forth on the steel, cutting away at her ropes. Time was running out. She couldn't hold her breath much longer. Finally her hands were free. She reached for a dagger and began sawing at her feet.

It was taking to long. She must surface for air. She dropped all but one small knife that was on her and began pawing for the surface. It seemed that the more she worked at it the more it moved away from her. After what seemed like ages her head came clear of the water. Gasping for air she made her way to the shore where she clung unto the grass, letting her tired muscles relax and her lungs fill up with air.

After pulling herself up over the bank she laid down and breathed hard as she drifted off into a much needed rest.

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Kenshin slumped down into his train seat, Sano following closely after.

"What's wrong?" Karou asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Sano filled them in on the story, minus the part about Kaiya because he had not known it was she who they had captured. Kenshin sat to shocked to speak, his eyes searching out the window.

Kaiya, what has happened to you? He asked himself as pictures of his sister, happy and carefree, when she had been at the dojo floated through his mind. What has caused you to change so much? Why are you doing this? He could not get over the questions that plagued his mind. Questions that only Kaiya herself could answer, yet at the same time she could not tell him. This had left him very confused.

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Kaiya drew herself up off the ground. She tore a piece of cloth off of her red gi and wrapped it around her injured hand. Picking up her hat that bobbed on the surface of the water she placed it on her head, letting the water drip down her already wet and tear streaked face.

She pulled herself up the slope to the train tracks and stood in the middle, unsure of what direction to take.

She was free, for the moment, of her duty to Lord Toshi and had no desire to return to him. She could not return to Kenshin, not now, not after what she'd done. She did not feel she could return to her old school of ninja, for surely Lord Toshi would seek her out again. She did not know what to do. Her life had no direction. There was no place that she could run to. No place to call home.

So as the sun barreled down upon her from the noon day sky she plodded off in an unknown direction, following the rail road tracks to wherever they may take her.

a/n: yeah, yeah, short, I know. I don't feel like writing this story anymore. I've lost my motivation, I have no reviews. If you want it to continue then, you know what you should do.