Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: RK does not belong to me.

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

------- indicates flashback

Okay! This chapter is dedicated to genocide ex-sync*in. ^_^ I know I said Monday and then I was so busy I completely forgot about uploading chap 12 at the time. So here's chapter 13 a bit early! Hope you enjoy!

Facing Adversity

Chapter 13: Shocking Revelations

Enishi's eyes calmly followed Kaoru as she paced back in forth in his living room, holding her head and muttering to herself.

"I can't believe…She was right there! Takani was right there, and I was too stupid to do anything about it."

Enishi sighed. Kaoru had been going on about the same thing since she had woken up, barely eating the breakfast Enishi had prepared for her. She stopped right in front of him.

"She can't be stupid enough to return to the club. Do you think?"

Enishi smiled. "That woman was never the brightest. I say you have some people out and waiting for her to make an appearance there. It's not the only place she goes though. Kenshin's apartment is another place she might be staying."

Kaoru flinched her eyes hardening. She shook her head walking away before another idea hit her.

"How do you know so much?"

"Suspicious of me now?" Enishi shrugged. "I've known Kenshin since we were kids, and Takani just as long. I visit the club a lot, and there's no doubt in my mind that the woman visits him. You might even want to check out Sagara's place. Ah yes, Kenshin friend. He's always had a soft spot for Takani, and the woman used him for all he was worth before tossing him to the side."

Kaoru was gazing out the window, so Enishi could not see her face. That morning Kaoru had told Enishi of Megumi but had said nothing about Kenshin being Battousai. Actually the first thing she did that morning was freak out, because she was late for practice, while contending with a pounding headache that had only lessened in intensity a little bit. Enishi had calmed her fear of being late, saying he had called to say Kaoru was too sick to come in. Saitoh, it seemed, wasn't there anyway and had left instructions for Kaoru to take a half-day. She had a sneaking suspicion that he wasn't there because he was with his wife. Kaoru smiled at the thought before snapping back to reality.

"Sorry to accuse you, I really didn't mean to," Kaoru said softly.

"That's no problem."

"Hey, do you think you could drop me off at the park? I'd really like to just relax there before going home," Kaoru turned to face him.

"Sure. Sorry I can't stay with you. Work calls," Enishi said getting up from the couch. "But I'm not letting you leave until you have a little bit of the breakfast I worked so hard on to make for you."

Kaoru grinned. "As long as you cook better than me."

"From what I've heard everyone cooks better than you."

Kaoru's mouth fell open as she gave an indignant glare. Stomping off to the dining room table, Enishi couldn't help but laugh at the comical sight.

"One of these days, I'll learn how to cook better than all of you!" Kaoru huffed out as she took a seat.

Enishi took a seat off to her side. "You need a teacher for that. I'll teach you."

Kaoru looked him over before taking a bite of the food. Her eyes widened at how good it tasted.

"Deal. But if I can't cook decently at the end of the month you owe me."

"What?" Enishi asked intrigued.

"I don't know yet, but I'll come up with something."

The sly expression that stole over Enishi's face was a sure sign he was about to say something perverted but in a subtle way.

"Don't even…" Kaoru pointed her finger straight at him.

Enishi held his hands up. "I wasn't going to say anything."

Kaoru gave him a warning glare before starting to devour the food in front of her.

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Kaoru stretched her arms back as she stared above her at the trees. Sunlight dappled through the swaying leaves. It was so utterly peaceful here. Sounds of children playing, couples talking, dogs barking, and everything else imaginable reached her. Kaoru felt lighter for some reason. Enishi had really helped her. She refused to stay depressed. No, she wasn't depressed. At least that's what she kept telling herself. As her feet took her on the path toward her house she thought things over, finally deciding that she would tell Saitoh about Kenshin. After all she owed him nothing. He had used her, working with Takani, and tagging her along for fun. Battousai was a dangerous person, and no one would benefit from her keeping her mouth shut just because of some misplaced feeling of loyalty.

If he was right in front of her at the moment she would deck him across the face. Her emotions were starting to become riled up again. Kaoru stopped in her tracks taking a calming breath. Glancing back toward the park, she saw a couple walking hand in hand with another man close by. She was about to turn around when she looked again.

'That's Yahiko and Tsubame-chan!'

Kaoru recognized the man with them as one of the ones that worked for Tae's place. Kaoru continued to spy on them from afar and smiled. Yahiko was definitely the kind of guy Tsubame needed. Instead of bothering them Kaoru continued on her way. Sunday she would have to tease Yahiko mercilessly. An evil grin crossed her face as she anticipated Yahiko's reaction. Tsubame would smile shyly, and Yahiko would probably start yelling at her, calling her busu.

'I've grown attached to that baka.'

Kaoru smiled.

"Hey watch it!"

Jumping off to the side just in time, Kaoru narrowly missed being run over by a bike. The guy peddled by not even bothering to see if she was okay or not. Kaoru felt a few curses bubble up to her lips, but she held it back. Let the guy be a jerk. She wouldn't let it bring her down from her relatively good mood at the moment. Enishi was a big part of why she was feeling better. A light blush crossed her cheeks as she remembered vaguely what had happened last night. Being so drunk was not a good thing, and Kaoru never planned to do it again, no matter how depressed she was.

She had made a complete idiot of herself, throwing herself at Enishi like that. Despite all his sly remarks and how he acted toward her, he had not taken advantage of her. Merely comforted her, took care of everything, and made her feel extremely better. He really was a sweet guy, when he wanted to be. He hadn't even once remarked jokingly about what she had did last night. She hadn't thanked him either. Kaoru resolved to do so later.

Her pace quickened as she caught sight of her house. She hoped Tomoe wasn't mad. Kaoru rarely disappeared like that, and Tomoe may have been worried. Enishi had told Kaoru he had called her last night. Still…Kaoru felt bad for acting irresponsibly. With her line of work, not calling or coming home meant she could possibly be in danger.

"I'm home!" Kaoru called opening the door.

Something wasn't right. It was unnaturally quiet. She looked in the living room and felt her breath catch in her throat. Akira's wheelchair was on its side the wheel slowly coming to a stop as blood dripped from it. Her horrible dream came crashing toward her almost sending her reeling with the terror of it. Her hand went to the umbrella stand where she had a hidden gun.

"Not there. I've already taken care of that."

Kaoru whirled around to see the smiling face of the man known as Soujiro. He held the gun she had been looking for up, tossing it to the side.

"Where are they?" Kaoru yelled her voice sounding strangled with fear. "If you've done anything to them, I'll kill you!"

Soujiro held his hands up. "They are alive if the thought comforts you."

"Where are they? What do you want?"

"Not me. Shishio-sama wishes to speak with you. My first orders were to get rid of you, but Shishio-sama has decided that he would very much like to meet you instead," Soujiro explained.

"Don't try anything now. If you come quietly your loved ones will not be further harmed."

Kaoru noticed the blood staining Soujiro's shoulder. A gunshot wound. Akira must of put up a fight. Her stomach fluttered with worry and fear. She was backed into a corner. She couldn't know if they were alive or not, but she couldn't take the chance.

"Fine, I'll go with you, but if I've found out you lied to me, I'll kill everyone one of you before you take me down," Kaoru threatened.

"Don't worry. For assurance you will be able to see them when I bring you to Shishio-sama's residence. Now if you could turn around and place your hands on the wall behind you."

Kaoru's hands clenched, her fingernails digging into the skin of her palms, as she acquiesced to the demands of the man before her. Pressing her hands to the wall, she felt a sharp hit to the back of her head before everything faded to black.

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Kaoru awoke her heading aching. She sat up disoriented for a moment when she couldn't see anything. Something was covering her eyes. She went to reach up and take it off, when she realized her hands were tied to something in front of her. Leaning forward she went to take it off.

"Better not do that," Soujiro's voice said slicing through the darkness.

Kaoru stopped her movements trying to figure out where she was. It took her a second to realize she was in the backseat of a car.

"That's better. We are almost there. You have been out for quite some time."

"What does he want from me?" Kaoru asked suddenly facing the source of Soujiro's voice.

"Shishio-sama…that is his business. I'm sure he will tell you," Soujiro answered.

The car shifted. Kaoru heard the tires crunched against gravel now. Coming to a complete stop, she heard the window open and Soujiro speak.

"Tenken."

"Go right in," another voice replied.

The car lurched forward. Too concerned about her sister and Akira, she didn't even feel any fear for her own safety. She had to see them. She had to know they were alive. The car stopped again, and she heard Soujiro open the door and get out. A few seconds later the back door was opened, and her hands were being untied.

"Don't attempt to take that blindfold off yet."

She was helped from the car, Soujiro keeping a good grip on her upper arm. Kaoru was dragged inside. Listening to her surroundings, as she was pulled along, Kaoru couldn't pick up much. It seemed abnormally quiet. Soujiro unexpectedly stopped almost causing her to trip. The sound of a lock opening was followed by the screech of a heavy door. She was taken inside, the door closed and locked behind her.

The blindfold was lifted from her eyes, and she had to blink a few times to clear her vision. She was standing in front of an oak door that looked very solid.

"Five minutes. Do not try anything, or they will suffer for it."

Kaoru nodded. Soujiro produced a key from his shirt placing it in the lock. The door was opened and Kaoru stepped inside, Soujiro immediately shutting it behind her. Her eyes swept the barely furnished room before landing on two figures huddled in the corner. Kaoru's eyes widened as she recognized Akira and Tomoe. Her chest constricted at the sight before her. Tomoe held Akira in her arms, leaning over him as if protecting him. Neither had moved since she had entered the room. Kaoru stumbled toward them.

"Nee-san? Akira?"

She kneeled beside them touching her sister's shoulder. Tomoe sat straight up her eyes wide and frightened. She must have been sleeping. Tomoe's eyes went from fear to shock to relief then back to fear. Before she could speak Kaoru was talking.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry. They want me. They shouldn't have involved you. Are you okay? What about Akira? They haven't harmed you further have they?"

Tomoe slowly shook her head. "I'm fine."

Tomoe looked down brushing a hand over Akira's bloodstained hair.

"He hasn't woken up yet," Tomoe said softly.

Kaoru looked him over. Everything seemed fine except the blow to his head.

"When he wakes up, keep him awake. Don't let him fall back to sleep. Nee-san…?"

Tomoe nodded absently. "Try and get away, Kaoru. Don't let them use us against you."

Kaoru grabbed her sister's shoulders, giving her a gentle shake. "Listen to me. I'm not leaving. How could you think I would? They want me. I'm going to cooperate. I'll try and figure some way to get you out of here."

"What do they want?"

"I don't know," Kaoru replied concerned about her sister's detached attitude.

She was always calm in the strangest of situations. Freaking out wouldn't exactly get them anywhere at the moment anyway.

"I should have been there."

"No," Tomoe shook her head. "There was nothing you could have done."

Kaoru leaned over hugging her sister close. "We'll get through this."

Tomoe's arms slowly came around Kaoru. Pulling back Kaoru finally took note of what Tomoe was wearing. A thin night shift was all she had. Akira was also in his pajamas. Kaoru pulled off Enishi's shirt, having borrowed it before she left earlier, her own shirt underneath it.

"Wear this. It's freezing in here," Kaoru said handing it over.

"Kaoru…"

"No. Take it," Kaoru insisted waiting for Tomoe to pull it on.

Noticing the bruise on the right side of Tomoe's face, Kaoru felt her fury rise. Her hand came up to lightly touch it. Tomoe winced slightly.

"I will get them back for this," Kaoru hissed out.

Before Tomoe could reply the door opened.

"Time's up," Soujiro said.

Kaoru leaned toward Tomoe. "Don't give up. I'll find a way back."

Tomoe nodded as Kaoru stood to leave. Tomoe's hand on her wrist stopped her though.

"Be careful."

"I will."

Kaoru forced herself to walk away. Once back outside Soujiro held the blindfold up again.

"Time to meet Shishio-sama."

Kaoru allowed him to blindfold her again, an obvious safety measure, so she couldn't find her way around if she did get loose. She tried to keep the sense of direction they were going, as she was once again dragged along. If she could remember the direction in which her sister was that would help. Not that she knew how, but knowing where Tomoe was happened to be a small comfort. Going upstairs and to the left they reached another door. She was taken inside.

"Shishio-sama, I have brought the girl as you requested."

"You may leave," A gravely voice replied.

"Yes Shishio-sama."

The hand on her arm disappeared, the doors closed behind her.

"You may take that piece of cloth off."

Kaoru complied lifting it from her eyes. She took a step back at the sight of the man sitting on a reclining chair before her.

He raised his hand in a sweeping gesture. "Does my appearance surprise you? It was your father who did this to me?"

Bandaged from head to toe, the flesh that was exposed was a ghastly sight. A horrible grin distorted the already gruesome features that were presented. He stood walking over to her as if hunting down his prey.

"My…my father?"

"Ah yes. Your father. He was killed when you were young, wasn't he?" Shishio said coming right up to her.

He circled her. Kaoru stiffened as he faced her again.

"Did you know that it was I who killed your father? You were nowhere in sight, otherwise I would have killed you along with him."

Kaoru felt her face flush with anger, but she refused to be baited.

"Let Tomoe and Akira go. If it's revenge you want then have it, but let them go," Kaoru stated calmly.

A soft laugh sounded from his scarred lips. "You still don't understand do you? Of course not."

"Just let them go."

"Oh I can't do that," Shishio said. "I admit that man is alive on a whim of mine, but Tomoe is here for other reasons than leverage against you."

He gestured a bandaged hand toward the couch in the room. "Take a seat."

Kaoru continued to stand where she was.

"Or stand if you wish."

Shishio sat back down on the chair he had been first sitting in.

"Before I kill you I wish to enlighten you."

Kaoru frowned. "What do you want with Tomoe?"

"Patience. I will get there."

Kaoru's fists clenched as she slowly moved over to the couch. She saw a smile light on Shishio's face.

"Did you know Tomoe is not your sister? Don't interrupt. You don't share the same father. Yukishiro Maya was already pregnant, when she married your father. A big society type she couldn't possibly have her image marred."

"That's a lie," Kaoru said.

"It's all true. What reason do I have to lie to a woman who will be dead soon?"

Kaoru unconsciously gripped the arm of the couch tighter.

"Maya was carrying my child, but I was simply not good enough for her. Did you know your father has quite a temper? Even after marrying him, Maya continued to see me. My present state is due to his jealousy, but let's not go into details. I assume your father took a mistress, who had you three years later. I watched from afar, recovering slowly from my injuries. Your father believed me dead. I killed him and his whore."

"Bastard!"

"Do not interrupt me again," Shishio said with a deadly glint in his eye. "Good. I approached Maya again. It was many years later. She scoffed at me. Laughing, telling me how hideous I was, how stupid for thinking she'd still want me. So I killed her as well."

Kaoru tried to stay calm.

"I've been extremely busy as of late. I've finally gotten the chance to pick up my daughter. It was my luck that I found you. Kiyosato is of no consequence. Don't worry. Tomoe will be receiving better accommodations soon. The man that bruised her is already dead. She will bare a healthy grandson for me. I figured she might prefer that man. Afterwards her value to me will expire."

"I won't let you!" Kaoru exclaimed jumping up.

"You'll be dead."

Kaoru debated on whether to believe his story was true but realized he had told her his plans purposely to anger and upset her, to let her now she was helpless to stop it.

"Don't worry. I won't kill you right away," Shishio stood. "A fair fight between us will be your end. And don't try anything. Your behavior determines the life expectancy of Kiyosato."

Kaoru watched him walk across the plush carpet and knock lightly on the door. It was opened by Soujiro.

"Take her."

Soujiro bowed his head as Shishio left. Kaoru could do nothing but allow herself to be blindfolded and taken away to another unknown location.

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Kenshin sat by the counter quietly polishing the sword Kaoru had been so fascinated with, when she had first visited the store. He didn't know why, but it was a small comfort for him to do such. His mind was still in turmoil over last night's events.

*It doesn't matter anyway.*

Sano, as usual, was in the back playing with his guns. No matter what he did or how hard he tried his mind continuously drifted back to Kaoru. He wondered what she was doing right now, wondered if she was alright. The thought of Enishi near her made his skin crawl, but there was nothing he could say or do. He wasn't a part of her life anymore. He had to remind himself of that. Enishi better not cross his path though. Kenshin was likely to kill him if he did. He remembered the gloating triumph in Enishi's eyes as he held Kaoru in his arms. Had he taken advantage of her in her drunken state? Knowing Enishi he had. Was she okay then? Or maybe that was what she wanted? Maybe she had been interested in Enishi the whole time? After all she was with him at the club. Kenshin shook his head to banish his thoughts.

Putting the cloth down, he stood unlocking the display cabinet and placing the sword back up. It was almost midnight, and he wanted to go home. Closing the glass case he stared at the sword. He considered putting it in the back, so it wouldn't be sold. What would he do with it anyway?

The door was suddenly slammed open with such force it shook some of the nearby shelves. Kenshin's eyes widened as he recognized Enishi.

"What the hell are you…"

But he didn't get to finish as Enishi quickly grabbed him by his shirt and slammed him into the glass display behind him. Glass shattered around them, and Kenshin grit his teeth against the pain of the glass that now bit into his back. He had never seen Enishi move so fast before. He didn't even have time to react.

"Tell me where to find Shishio, you son of a bitch!"

Enishi shook him roughly.

"You tell me where to find Shishio before I kill you. I know you work for him you bastard. I've been watching you!"

"I don't work for him!" Kenshin shouted back. "Get the hell off of me."

"You lying mother fuc…"

"Back off Yukishiro," Sano said gun pointed at him, having heard the commotion in the back. "He doesn't know."

"Sagara," Enishi growled out keeping a tight grip on Kenshin.

"Let him go, or I'll shoot you," Sano's finger started to squeeze the trigger.

Enishi whipped Kenshin around in front of him spurred on by his rage.

"Want to test how good of a shot you are?" Enishi asked.

"He doesn't know anything, Yukishiro," Sano's eyes narrowed. "Nothing about what happened today."

"What the hell are you talking about, Sano?" Kenshin asked not even trying to get away from Enishi now.

"If Kaoru or Tomoe is hurt in anyway, I'll kill you bastards. Just tell me where to find him."

"Kaoru! What happened?" Kenshin started to struggle.

Enishi jerked back on Kenshin's arm causing him to cry out in pain. "Don't play innocent with me. I know you work for him!"

"Yukishiro!" Sano shouted. "I already told you he knows nothing. I've kept him in the dark. You wanna know where Kamiya is then release him."

Enishi roughly shoved Kenshin away after a few seconds. Sano would have shot Enishi right then and there but Kenshin blocked his path.

"What's this all about Sano?" Kenshin felt dread take hold of him, adding as if to reassure himself. "We don't work for Shishio."

Sano closed his eyes for a moment before looking directly at Kenshin.

"Yes…we do."

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Hi all. That seemed like a good place to end it. Whaddya think? Hope to hear from everyone again. Ah, I feel more back in the swing of things now. The writer's block I've been experiencing has banished!

Thanks goes out to NightRain, JML, Nicky, Aino Saori, Lolly, flyinangel777, Azura Dea, tanukichan, d-lolo, DespitefulSaint, Leigh, Gypsy-chan, AutumnFire, Briar, lil-miss-kitsune, EEevee, genocide ex-sync*in, I won't tell, Clemen, SansCorpus, and Sarah!

I used to email updates for this, so if you'd like me to email you about an update just tell me. ^_^

Kyaa Kyaff saying til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!