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…

OK, I meant to get this chapter up a long time ago, but I was gone for three days unexpectedly, and I got to see 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and gawk at Orlando Bloom... OK, sorry to those of you that don't think he's hot, I'll just give everyone cookies 'cause you waited so long for me to put this up! *Hands out cookies*

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Min had led them back up the staircase, leaving them at their rooms with a meaningful glance at Megumi.

Kenshin sat at the table, a blank look in his eyes, Toshiro's letter in his hands. Megumi had disappeared, saying she wanted to go for a walk. Yahiko and Sano looked at Kenshin as though he had just heard his death sentence.

"Kenshin?" Yahiko whispered, his voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Kenshin, can you hear me? Open his letter, stupid! Ow!" Sano's fist had managed to find its way to the boy's head. "What was that for?"

"Think Yahiko. Pretend the one person you love most in this world told you that you were a bastard, that they hated you and that they loved the person you hate?" He hissed.

"Yeah, but Kaoru is under some kind of hypnotizing thing and we have to save her!" Yahiko insisted.

"But they guy said the only way to save her was to kill her, so that doesn't seem to be an option."

"Well, maybe we can convince her to come back with us? I mean, she loves Kenshin, that much we know, but she thinks she doesn't now. If we could just convince her that she still loves Kenshin... You never know, it might work!"

"I doubt it. It looked like she was a believer of whatever Toshiro told her. I don't think it'll happen, kid." Sano glanced at Kenshin, who still had the crestfallen look on his face.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Megumi stood with a piece of paper crumpled in her hand and an angry look on her face.

"What the-" Sano started.

"Shut up. You all need to come with me, and fast. Kenshin, get up." She pulled his arm and the red haired man seemed to snap back to life.

"Yes, Miss Megumi?" He blinked a few times and stood.

"Alright, I need you all to come with me." The three followed her out to the small garden in back.

"Hello," Said a voice.

"Min, stop fooling around! Hurry and tell them what you told me." Min walked out from behind a clump of bamboo holding a broom.

"I wasn't, Miss Megumi. All right. Toshiro took up his father's work after you killed his family, Kenshin-san. After many years, he found discovered a poison that would not kill, but hypnotize its user. That is what he has done to Miss Kaoru, I'm afraid. I have already given Miss Megumi a list of its ingredients; in hopes that she might be able make an antidote. However, he still wants to avenge his family, so I know will either try to kill Miss Kaoru or You, Kenshin-san." She sighed. "I think it will be both, but his plan is in that letter he gave to you."

Sano rolled his eyes slightly, noting Kenshin had not brought the letter. But before he could say anything, Kenshin was running back to his room faster than a speeding bullet. Kaoru's life is in danger! Hurry, faster Kenshin, run you idiot! Why were you so stupid; why didn't you listen to Yahiko before? He grabbed the letter and ripped it open, hands shaking. He read it quietly to himself.

HImura. You came here thinking I wished you to kill me after so long. You of course, refused. I knew you would; I have heard of your oath to never kill again. I would have thought after so long you would see this isn't possible. But even as you read this, your woman is in danger. Do you care about her, after she told you she hated you? Of course you do. You are a fool. There is no way to break her spell, so you really should just go. Unfortunately that will not be the case. As you are reading this, I am preparing for my entrance to the afterlife. I think I shall take your woman with me, just out of spite. Do you even think you can save her, Himura? I would like you to try. We are in the room you met us in yesterday. Please, come down if you think you can find us, or if you think you can save her.

Toshiro

Kenshin looked up. Tomorrow night he was going to do this. That meant they would have to get Kaoru out if here and now. He rested a hand on his sword and his eyes were a steel-blue color, flecked with amber. He had a plan, but they had to act fast.

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Hahaha!! What an evil author I am, to leave you hanging like that and with such a short chapter! Mwahahaha! Please, just review and avoid throwing pointy objects at me!