Disclaimer: I own nothing… Blah blah blah… None of it is mine, I tell you! I swear! But if you want to give it to me, I'd be a very happy girl…

All right, I just got back from Japan, so sorry if it's not all that great. My sister gently informed me that my Japanese is comparable to that of a dead ox, so I used a little more than I normally would have. With out further ado, here it is!

Oh, wait, I lied once again. I always forget this: Rated PG-13 for langue, violence and lemony situations.

And now, with out further ado:

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"The Ryuu Inn? But that's half way across Tokyo!" Sano yelled.

"Yes, Sano, we know that. But right now, all that matters is getting Miss Kaoru back. Will you help us?" Kenshin almost begged.

"Well, of course! What do you think I am, some kinda drunken looser who steals money from his friends and sleeps all day when he's supposed to help people?" Yahiko and Kenshin just stared. "OK, forget that. But honesty, do you really think I would leave Kaoru in the hands of some… Some evil guy like him? Hell no, let's get going." He stormed off down the street outside the dojo.

Yahiko and Kenshin exchanged worried glances. Sano came back up the street with his hand behind his head.

"Uhh, guys? I know the Ryuu Inn is on the other side of Tokyo, but which other side?"

"Urgg! Come on Baka. Golly, what a great rescuing party we make. A swordsman who can't kill, a little kid, and some drunk we picked off up the street." Yahiko stormed off down the street in the other direction.

"Hey, you better watch your mouth, Yahiko-chan." Sano said, walking after him.

The boy clenched his teeth, but said, "Yep. All we need now is-"

" Miss Megumi?" Kenshin asked, looking at the doctor who walked their way.

"A outlandish doctor, gone mad with love for our swordsman." Yahiko finished as the doctor approached.

"Hello Ken-san, Yahiko, Sano. I heard Kaoru might be in a little trouble, so I came up here as fast as I could." She said.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, we were just on our way to go get her." Kenshin said gloomily. " She was kidnapped and at the moment, I think we might be stalling too much. If you'd like to come, please do."

"Thank you Ken-san. I think I will." She fell into step just behind Sano.

"Hey Sanosuke! Don't you think it might be a lot faster if we took a train?" Yahiko watched as the man went pale as a ghost.

"N-n-n-no, that's OK. We really, really don't need to do that." He shuddered slightly, but even Yahiko was now too worried to even laugh at his own prank.

"You baka! The train station is the other way, now shut up, you chicken head!" Megumi's tone was harsh. Right now, they were all concerned too much about Kaoru to even care as Sano mumbled about demons in cameras and trains.

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Soon, the foursome had made their way to the forest. The sun was setting a fiery blaze in the West, staining the clouds blood red. Megumi, not normally one to be frightened, walked closer to Sano, almost tripping on his feet. Even Kenshin noticed the shadows looked more menacing than they should. Perhaps it's only because we're all so worried about Kaoru. He thought.

He noticed Yahiko trembling and put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It will be alright, Yahiko. There's nothing to fear." He said kindly.

Yahiko nodded, glancing around nervously.

"I think I've seen that tree before. About three times already. Kenshin, are you sure we're not going in circles?" Sanosuke pointed to a twisted tree that threw a particularly frightening shadow.

Kenshin rubbed his forehead. "To tell the truth, I have no idea where we are." The other three glared at their red-haired leader. "I have only gone to this Inn once, and that was through the forest, but it was also during the day. I think we would have a better chance of finding Miss Kaoru if we spent the night here and carried on in the morning."

"Sleep here? Kenshin, are you insane?" Sano looked at his surroundings.

"Yeah Kenshin! Who knows what could be out there?" Yahiko added.

"I'm sorry. I should have thought to bring a lantern, but I was so anxious to find Miss Kaoru that I wasn't thinking straightly." Sano grinned lopsidedly at Kenshin's 'worry', but Megumi elbowed him in the ribs with a look that clearly said: Not now.

A spike of lightening shot through the air, followed by a clap of thunder. Megumi put her head in her hands and Sano kicked at a rock. "Well, this has just gone from bad to worse." He said, putting a hand behind his head. "Alright Kenshin, we'll spend the night here, on the wonderfully soggy ground, unless some compelling reason tells us we should keep going."

Megumi wrung her hands, droplets of water flying off her kimono. "Wonderful. Do you think we might be able to find a tree to sleep under? One that has more than two or three leaves?"

"Sure, fox. You go looking that way, we'll go this way, and we'll meet you back here." Sano said as she glared at him "You know, you look funny when you're mad, and you look good wet. It's a nice combination."

"Aww, look at Sanosuke! Flirting with Megumi. Poor guy, doesn't stand half a chance." Yahiko laughed. "Hey, where did Kenshin go?"

"Over there, look!" Megumi pointed to where Kenshin stood, talking to a man on horseback. He rushed over to them, trying to shake some of the water off his clothing. It wasn't working.

"This man says he is staying at the Ryuu Inn, but his wife has taken ill, and he was going into Tokyo to find a doctor. I hope you don't mind, Miss Megumi, but I offered your services to him." He looked at her with his big, violet eyes and she smiled.

"Of course, Ken-san! But I hope they have the right materials for whatever her illness might be, if not… Well, I suppose I'll have to make do! C'mon, let's go!" She hiked up her kimono and plodded over the mucky ground.

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Well, how do you like it? Is it long enough for you? ^_^ I know the way Megumi came in was, well, a little off, but I'm so tired, I think I'm gonna pass out. I figured out what to do with Kaoru. *Laughs evilly* Oh well, give me a good number of reviews, and I'll let you find out what happens to her!

Oh, also note to Ambergirl: I accidentily deleted your review! Sorry about that, but in regards to it, you read my mind. Well, sorta… Review and read on, my friend!