NOTE: Minor almost-rape thing. Nothing really R rated, this is as dark and perverse as this story goes. Seriously.

:: Chapter 4 : Juppon Gatana ::

"Wow, Kaoru-san, you look magnificent!"

Kaoru smiled, not agreeing but not disagreeing either. Okay, she agreed. In her lavender halter, low-rise navy slacks, and five-inch stiletto sandals, who could say anything otherwise? "Really, Soujiro?"

"Of course!" He smiled. "Shall we go?"

"Sure!"

Taking her hand, Soujiro lead her to his black Mercedes. Kaoru tried her hardest not to cringe: she would usually ride in a better car: this Mercedes was last year's model! Plastering a smile on her face, she tried to look pleased.

Sliding into the leather seat, she buckled up. Soujiro came in after her and smiled. "Sorry if it's a bit cramped, Kaoru-san."

"Oh, not problem, it's a . . . nice car."

If Soujiro noticed her thinly-veiled sarcasm, he didn't show it. Instead, he just continued smiling and started driving.

After about a half hour of silence, Soujiro stopped the car.

Kaoru snapped out of her sleep. " . . . thank you all for the Oscar . . . wait . . . Soujiro?"

He turned to her and smiled. "Yes?"

Kaoru rubbed her eyes, careful not to smear her purple eyeshadow. "We're there?"

"Yep!"

Kaoru stepped out of the car and looked around. No red carpet, no huge mansion, no glitz and glamour. They were in downtown Tokyo, parked on the side of a street next to a few dehydrated tufts of grass and trash. The sky had darkened, and the only light came from the sliver of moon, since the streetlights were all not operating. For a populated city, this street was strangely devoid of all people.

"Soujiro, are we in the right place?"

"Oh, yes!" He stepped out and took her arm into his. "Shall we go?"

Kaoru shivered and nodded. Walking along the street, for the first time in her life, she was afraid. This place simply scared her. "Uh . . . are you absolutely certain that this is the right place?"

"Kamiya-san, don't be afraid, nothing here can hurt you."

Kaoru turned back to the road, watching carefully where she stepped so that the tiny heel of her stilettos did not get stuck in a crack on the broken pavement.

"Wait . . . Soujiro?"

"Yes?"

" . . . did you just call me Kamiya-san?"

"Yes, he did."

Kaoru turned around quickly. A deep, menacing voice had just come from the shadows.

"Who . . . who's there?" Kaoru said, shakily.

A tall man stepped forward and snapped his fingers. Immediately, the streetlight next to him sprang on, enveloping him, Kaoru, and Soujiro in light. "I am."

Kaoru stared at him, dressed in a black trenchcoat, hat, and dark sunglasses. "Excuse me, but the Matrix look went out of style years ago."

"Silence, wench!" He snapped. From inside his trenchcoat, he drew out a long katana. He slowly drew it out of the sheath and pointed it at Kaoru. The point was a few mere inches away from her face.

Kaoru gulped.

The man laughed coldly. "Not so brave now, are you?"

Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Oh yeah? Well, guess who my date is? It's Seta Soujiro, the Tenken! You won't . . ." She stopped when the man started laughing. "What's so funny?"

"Soujiro, the Tenken?"

"Yes, he's my date, and he's right here! You're scared now, aren't you? Soujiro . . ." She turned around to where Soujiro stood. Or rather, was standing.

"Sou . . .?"

The man laughed again. "Oh, you're looking for Soujiro? Well, here he is." He snapped his fingers again, and Soujiro, smiling, stepped out from behind the man.

"SOUJIRO? How . . . are you okay?"

"I think you misunderstand, Kamiya-san," Soujiro said, still smiling. "It is I that should be asking that question."

"What . . . what do you mean?"

"Who do you think taught Soujiro kenjutsu to become the Tenken?" the man asked, a hint of humor in his voice.

"I . . . I . . ."

"And who brought him up when his parents died?"

"I . . ."

"And who used his sources to help him gain popularity in China?"

"It must be . . ."

"Yes, me!" The man said, laughing

Kaoru crossed her arms. "ExCUSE me," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm, "It can't be you because, obviously, you have NO social presence at all, no money as that that trench coat isn't a brand name, and is not famous at all!"

The point of the katana arrived once more at her throat. Kaoru gulped once more and fell silent.

"I don't need your arrogance, wench!" He snarled.

"At . . . at least tell me who you are?" Kaoru said timidly.

"Why, of course." The man chuckled deeply, and raised the brim of his hat. Kaoru gasped: his face and hand were all completely covered with bandages. "Shishio Makoto, wench."

Kaoru's eyes went wide. "Shi . . . Shishio Makoto?"

He laughed coldly. "Do you recognize me now?"

Despite trying to be brave, Kaoru's hands started trembling. "Of course . . . your name is in the papers everywhere."

"Oh? Describe what I did."

Kaoru raised her eyebrows. "What?"

The katana pressed into her neck, just short of drawing blood. Kaoru drew her breath in sharply.

"You heard me, girl. Tell me what you know."

Kaoru tried to get her voice to come out strong. "You are the leader of the Juppon Gatana, the mafia organization. Your men are all trained in martial arts, and you prefer to use katanas instead of guns. Your victim list stands at 27 murders, not counting the 14 kidnappings. Your mafia also attacked the entire police force near Guangzhou, China, wiping out most of the people living there."

"And?"

Kaoru racked her brain. "That's all I know."

He laughed. "Did you know that we were the ones who kidnapped and killed Rikku?"

Kaoru's already wide eyes widened even more. Rikku had been a famous pop star, the only one who managed to upstage herself. Had.

A year ago, Rikku had mysteriously been kidnapped. Her kidnappers demanded five million dollars, and they were given the amount. So, of course, Rikku was returned to her family in Aizu. In a plastic bag. Even today, no one knew who were the kidnappers.

No one except Kamiya Kaoru.

"Oh . . . my . . . god . . ."

The man laughed again, and this time, Kamiya Kaoru felt chilled to the bone. "Shishio . . . what are you . . . trying . . . to do to me?"

"Oh, I have plans for you."

"Plans?"

"I demand ten million dollars for your return. I know your brother, Sanosuke, will obviously pay. I'll pass you around my men, let them have their fun. And then, I'll send you back home, nice and safe."

"Really? Safely?"

"Yes, safely . . . but in halves."

The tears that Kaoru had held in for so long erupted.

As if pleased, Shishio laughed. "Yes, cry, wench. Cry . . . because soon, you'd wish you could still manage to." He waved from behind. "Take her, Usui."

A tall, imposing man in dark black sunglasses stepped forward. "Ah, Kamiya . . . Shishio, if you don't mind, I'd like to have her first. You know, break into the barrier."

"Go ahead," Shishio said, as if amused. "I take it she's still a virgin, then?"

Kaoru started backing away, but the man named Usui grabbed her by the wrist. Despite her screams, he slung her easily over the shoulder. "You and me, Kamiya. You and me."

Kaoru screamed again. Shishio laughed. "Scream all you want, girl. This is Juppon Gatana territory. Everyone knows better than to get on our bad side."

Usui smirked. "Right. Get ready to have the time of your life, little girl."

In pure desperation, Kaoru kicked out. And with pure luck, her sharp stiletto heels connected with Usui's groin. He dropped her and collapsed, clutching himself in pain.

Shishio laughed. "Spoiled princess is a tough one, eh?" He took his katana and sliced through the neck strap of her halter with extreme precision, making it fall to her waist. "I changed my mind. We'll all have you. Right here. Starting with me."

Kaoru tried to back away, but was instantly cornered. Shishio's hands grabbed her. "The last woman begged me to spare her. And you know what I did?"

Kaoru shook her head. "N . . . no . . ."

"I speared her." And with that, his bandaged hands tore off her slacks.

One sharp scream broke the air.

~~ End Chapter ~~

Oh, I'm so sorry, Kaoru fans! I swear, her life will get MUCH better. This is probably the lowest moment of her life! And I know you all are waiting for one chapter . . . ^^ Or at least, I hope you are waiting for a certain chapter. * coff red hair coff* That chapter is coming REALLY soon! Next chapter, I promise!

FireKitsune: Soon, I promise!

Setine: * Munches on cookie * Yummie! Cookie = good. Milk, please?

IceBlueDragon: Wait no more, this chapter is here! ^^ Maybe this will help me escape from the puppy eyes?

Missaw: Yeah, I know, Sou-chan is cute. ^^ Somewhat evil in my story. Hey, evil people are cute too! And Kenshin will be here soon!

Falconess106: It was kind of hard for me to imagine Kaoru so stuck up at first! But, I managed . . . filthy rich people always get me riled up . . . that is, until I eventually become one. ^^ Or not . . .

Curls of Serenity: Yep, and it turns out our Tenken was an evil un. ^^ The smiley ones are always the one to look out for XD

Midnight Dreams: Hehe, then I guess my whole shortness-thing threw you off track, I succeeded! =)

Flyinangel777: Ken-san in next chappie. How will they meet? You make your own conclusions. ^.~

Iced flame: once again, next chapter.

Gurl2000: I dunno if Kenshin's in the movie, maybe. And Tomoe was a good idea . . . maybe I'll have her want the part and not get it. Because I like Kaoru. ^^

MP1: Hope I'm keeping it up. ^^

Ashcandy: I tried on some really high heels the other day. Can people even WALK in them? O.o I tripped. XD

Fan4000: Thanks!

Roses in bloom: YES I DO WANT YOU TO DIE IN SUSPENSE!!! MWAHAHA! ^^;;; No, just kidding. =)

AND EVERYBODY: please check out my new story. It's an AU with . . . TADA! Kenshin and Kaoru. It's called Everything Dearest. Please take a look!