Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: RK does not belong to me.

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

----- indicates flashback

Facing Adversity

Chapter 15: Escape and After

Sano moved ahead first, carefully looking around the corner before signaling the others to follow. Kaoru realized now that they were in a big mansion. With the adrenaline rush before she hadn't even thought once about her surroundings in that way. They didn't have much time to get out of there either, but Sano seemed to know the way, and she would trust him for now. Her shoulder burned with each step she took, but she didn't complain, just held her hand over it to try and staunch the flow of blood. Shishio had dug his blade deep into her shoulder, and it would definitely need to be stitched. Ahead was Enishi with Akira, and to Kaoru's side was Tomoe. Kenshin brought up the rear, keeping his distance from Sano, his eyes showing no emotion.

Kaoru almost crashed into Enishi, who had stopped abruptly, so immersed in her thoughts was she. Looking up, she saw Sano had also stopped and had his gun pointed at someone ahead.

"You better get out of the way before I shoot," Sano threatened.

"If you go this way you will be caught."

Kaoru recognized that voice. It belonged to a woman she very much disliked, Takani Megumi.

"I don't need your advice," Sano said coldly. "You want to be in Shishio's good graces too, and what a better way to do it then get us all caught."

"Baka," Megumi frowned. "I could care less what happens to you, and I don't give a damn about Shishio. I want out, and I want your protection. Promise me that, and I'll get you out without any trouble."

Sano paused for a moment before lowering his gun. "Fine. But you'll be the first person I shoot if anything happens."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Let's go. We don't have time for this."

The group started out again. Kaoru had little faith in Megumi's word, but she wasn't going to argue. If Sano and Kenshin weren't objecting than neither would she. Megumi touched the wall and in a second there was another passageway, reminding Kaoru of something from a mystery novel, where the mansion was riddled with hidden passageways. Their pace was quickened, and Kaoru had to bite her lip to keep quiet. Each jolt brought fresh new pain. She hoped the injury she had given Shishio was causing him just as much pain. That thought brought on new energy.

No longer did she sense the presence of Shishio's men behind them, which was a relief, but it wouldn't last long. Once they left the mansion, there was sure to be trouble. If Megumi knew these passages so well, Shishio would too, and he would predict their movements. Kaoru could only pray they were faster than Shishio's men. It took only a few more minutes before Megumi stopped in front of another door.

"This leads straight outside. I suggest you go first just in case Shishio's men beat us here."

"How sweet of you," Sano replied, but still did as she said moving past her. "Be ready everyone."

"Once we leave here, we're going straight for the woods. I know a place to stay where they won't find us," Megumi whispered quietly.

Kenshin's whispered voice startled Kaoru, who realized how close he was behind her. "How can you be so sure?"

"I've been planning on leaving myself. Kanryu is a bit of a problem though, so I've been looking around. It's just a place to stop and regroup. Afterwards, wherever you want to go is fine. Now stop questioning me."

Seemingly satisfied with her answer, Kenshin took a step back, Kaoru giving a silent sigh of relief. Sano took a deep breath before slowly opening the door. He disappeared from sight. Everyone waited in tense silence for his return. All that was heard was a slight rustling sound.

"Okay, we should be good," Sano said poking his head back inside. "There were two of them, but they won't be troubling us anymore."

Everyone took off again, Megumi taking the lead. Enishi never seemed to tire of holding Akira as he jogged. Tomoe and Kaoru stuck close together, holding hands for reassurance. The sky was beginning to darken causing the surrounding area to become less visible. It was then Kaoru's foot caught onto something sending her crashing to the ground on her bad shoulder. She slapped a hand over her mouth and let out a muffled cry, tears stinging her eyes. Tomoe quickly helped her up.

"Come on. Just a little further," Tomoe whispered softly.

Kaoru nodded in reply. "I'm fine."

Kaoru had no idea where they were going and felt like they had been running forever. If it had been her in the lead, she would have lost her way, but Megumi seemed sure of where she was going. It didn't please her to know that Megumi was the one that had helped them. Now Kaoru would be stuck with her for company. Thankfully up ahead, they slowed. Coming up to Megumi, they heard her whispering to Sano and pointing. He moved ahead, going to the base of a tree and feeling around before lifting up what looked to be a hidden door. They all quickly moved inside. It was silent as the door shut.

"Everyone stay put, while I get some light."

After a few seconds, the warm glow of several candles cast shadows on the people and walls of the place. Sano looked around his eyebrow raised.

"How the hell did you find a place like this?"

Setting a candle down on the single table in the large room, Megumi smiled. "Stumbled on it one day by accident. Ever since I've been fixing it up for myself."

Enishi lowered Akira onto the only chair in the room, taking a seat on the floor. Tomoe was by Akira. Kenshin stood to one side away from the others. Seeing Kaoru wince in pain, Megumi came over.

"The tanuki survives a bout with Shishio," Megumi said. "Impressive."

Kaoru jerked back, when Megumi reached for her shoulder, causing another flare of pain to ignite.

"I'm just trying to see your shoulder. Looks bad. I need to take care of it right away."

"I'd rather bleed to death," Kaoru retorted angrily.

"Still a little mad about our earlier encounters?" Megumi's smile turned to a frown. "Well grow up! Yeah, so I'm a bitch, and I really don't care if you die, but when we leave here, I don't need you dragging behind or leaving a fresh blood trail, so until we get to part ways you can either stay healthy or be left behind."

"Kaoru, let her take care of you," Tomoe urged softly.

"Fine."

"Good. Now I need a knife cause judging from the wound, you won't be able to lift your arm too well to get the shirt off," Megumi said squinting to see better.

"Here," Sano said tossing a small pocket knife to Megumi. "I'm going outside to make sure there isn't a fresh blood trail to follow."

Megumi caught the knife easily. "Make sure to get rid of your own trail. Now back to you."

Kaoru eyed her warily but said nothing, as she cut at her shirt near the wound. Megumi went to the side, where a bag of stuff was. Rummaging through she pulled out a needle to stitch with. Cooperating the whole time, Kaoru was surprised at how gentle and how easy Megumi took care of her wound, as if she had done this very thing plenty of times before. She probably had. Grudgingly Kaoru thanked her before moving away over to Akira and Tomoe, while Megumi made sure everyone else was not injured. Sano came back around the time Megumi finished, declaring they should be safe for the night. After a few seconds of silence he spoke again.

"So what's the plan?" Sano asked.

"Sit tight for a little bit. Try to get some rest. Then we'll talk," Megumi answered, moving away from the group and making herself comfortable.

There really was nothing left to do but what she said, so Kaoru made herself comfortable and before she even knew it, she had fallen asleep.

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Kenshin leaned against the wall refusing to go to sleep. He knew Megumi had other plans. She wasn't one to tell all her secrets. After all she knew who Kaoru was and exactly what she would do. He was pretty sure she would go to Saitoh right away. And why shouldn't she? It would definitely make her famous to have played a part in catching the infamous Battousai and Zanza. He could laugh if he wasn't so fed up with everything. Sano wisely kept his distance from Kenshin, but he also noticed the other man didn't approach Megumi either. Kaoru had long ago fallen asleep along with Tomoe and Akira. Only Enishi and Sano were awake. It was more like a standoff. Enishi didn't trust them so well either. He too must have thought of the implications, besides the fact that he would very much like to get his hands on Kenshin.

Right now was hardly the time though, and Kenshin considered Enishi a lot of things, but he wasn't stupid. The situation was too dangerous. They were both patient though. One day they would be able to fight uninterrupted. Kenshin slowly shut his eyes. Enishi and himself had been so easily caught when they arrived at Shishio's mansion. It made him wonder if Sano tipped him off. He had to forcibly push back the idea before his anger resurfaced. It would only drain his energy to mull over it. He really should try and get some sleep, but he knew that would be impossible. So instead he tried to blank out his mind and just relax. That was until he felt Sano approach.

"What do you want?" Kenshin asked quietly before Sano could get any closer.

The effect wanted was achieved, as Sano paused in his step. "To talk. Can we do that?"

"I don't think now is a good time."

"There can't be a better time. We're stuck here, and you can't storm out in anger, which means you have to listen to me," Sano replied hesitantly stepping forward.

"So what was the plan? Use me for all I'm worth then kill me."

Sano leaned against the wall adjacent to the one Kenshin was against. "Something like that."

"Is this where you tell me you gradually became friends with me and changed your mind?"

"Something like that," Sano repeated. "Except instead of killing you I was going to have you join me with Shishio. I thought…maybe…I could get you to change your mind about him."

"I hate him. You don't know why or how much, only that I do," Kenshin said coldly, his eyes taking on a dangerous glint. "I would rather die than work for that man. The very thought that I was helping him in whatever sick twisted goal he wants to achieve…I could kill you right now."

"But you won't."

"Are you so sure?" Kenshin asked quietly and quite seriously.

"Killing me right now wouldn't be a good idea. Now if we were somewhere else I wouldn't be so confidant," Sano said with a smile. "Course I know you and I know how you work. So maybe you would consider killing me justified. On the other hand, it would probably…"

"Sano," Kenshin interrupted. "Shut up."

"Can do."

Kenshin lowered himself to the floor, resting his hands on his upraised knees. Sano moved away back to where he had been before. At least he had made a little progress. When he was talking to Kenshin, he had seen the anger fade from his eyes ever so slowly. He looked more tired than anything. Sano would prove to Kenshin that he could trust him again. He now felt confidant that he could do that. It made him feel a little better knowing that. With a sigh, he sat down, leaning his gun against the wall beside him, deciding it would be best to try and get some sleep.

______________________Three Weeks Later_______________________________________

Kaoru leaned back in her chair, throwing her feet onto the desk in front of her. Balancing a pencil on her nose, she frowned, lost deep in thought. A whole three weeks had passed since they had escaped Shishio. Kaoru went immediately to Saitoh, but by the time they got there, there was no trace of anything or anybody, anywhere. It had aggravated Kaoru to no end. After staying in Megumi's hideout for the night, they had woken early and left. Halfway back to the city the group had split. Megumi, Sano, and Kenshin headed in a different direction. Kaoru wasn't thrilled with the idea, but she knew there was no way to stop them, and her main concern was her sister and Akira.

With Tomoe and Akira living at Tae's place, upon Kaoru's insistence, she stayed at the house by herself. That was until Enishi deemed it unsafe for her to be alone and moved in with her. Saitoh had told her to take some time off, but she refused. There was no way she could relax when Shishio, Zanza, Battousai, or that bitch were running around free. Tomoe was not safe either. The pencil suddenly dropped to the floor. Tomoe did not know the truth. Shishio had been after her. His daughter. Shishio, the man responsible for both her parents' deaths, and even Maya's death. Kaoru didn't say anything to her though. She hadn't said anything to anybody for that matter. She didn't care if Tomoe wasn't her sister by blood. That didn't matter at all, but the danger she was in did. Another reason Kaoru was so determined to find and take out Shishio. A hand on her shoulder startled her, and she would have fallen backwards if the person hadn't stopped the chair from leaning back.

"Tokio-san! You scared me."

Tokio smiled. "Gomen ne. I tried calling your name, but you must have been so lost in thought you didn't hear me."

Feeling a little embarrassed Kaoru also smiled. "Yeah, I was really dazing off. Was there something you needed?"

"Actually yes. I wanted to talk with you," Tokio said sitting in a nearby chair. "You seem quite focused on finding Shishio Makoto."

Kaoru frowned. "I'm just doing my job."

"You can't do it alone."

"Who said I was going to do anything alone?" Kaoru demanded defensively.

"I've talked to Hajime and the others. I was a little worried about you. The way you have been acting since you returned three weeks ago."

"I'm not acting any different. How would you know anyway?"

"Because I became obsessed with finding that man and killing him myself. My brother was murdered when I was younger. He was my whole world, and I was devastated. In an effort to find his killer I came here. I met Hajime here," Tokio said after pausing a moment. "Shishio covered his tracks well. He didn't have the power he has now, so he had to be careful. I found out later that he had horrific injuries that caused him to slowly deteriorate and die. I was disappointed that I couldn't take care of him myself but happy to know he no longer lived. For awhile everything was peaceful, and Hajime and I married, but I found out six years ago that Shishio was still alive. My husband tried to calm me down, to think rationally, but I wouldn't. I can be very stubborn. I wanted so desperately to find the man that killed my brother. My anger and hatred were renewed as if the incident had just occurred. I was so focused on it that I didn't have room for anything else. I got a lead, and I left."

"You just left? What…what about Saitoh-san?"

"I left him a letter. For six years I searched for Shishio. I kept in contact with Hajime to let him know I was safe. My searching has brought me back to the very beginning though. I realized how stupid it was for me to try and take down Shishio on my own."

Kaoru switched her gaze to the wall.

"Because no matter how hard I trained and worked, it isn't just Shishio. Yes, he is the lead of all this trouble, but he has many people under him. I spent six years chasing decoys around. He's not one man. Take him down, there are still others that need to be taken care of."

"I wasn't going to take him on myself," Kaoru said. "He's not the only one I'm after."

"That's not the point. You can't do everything yourself. You have important people to take care of and protect here, don't you?" Tokio stood. "Don't forget about them. Shishio has destroyed the lives of many people. You are not the only one who wishes to get him."

Tokio picked up Kaoru's pencil, handing it to her. "Oh and Hajime wanted me to tell you to take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow he wants you here bright and early."

Kaoru watched Tokio disappear into Saitoh's office, while thinking about what Tokio had told her. Straightening up everything on her desk, she grabbed her purse and decided to do as Saitoh ordered. It wasn't like she was figuring anything out anyway. Saitoh would inform her of any new developments, she was sure, and if he didn't, well…she may not be able to beat him in a fight, but she could sure make things a lot harder on him. Without much thought Kaoru already knew she'd be heading to Tae's place. She hadn't seen much of Tsubame, and she wanted to see Tomoe and Akira. Security had been increased at Tae's place, and Tae was discussing whether they should switch location or not. After all, that was normal procedure, except that no major problems had occurred there, so they had not relocated. Tae thought it best to start planning for a second place to stay, considering things had become more dangerous.

Kaoru climbed into her car with a sigh. Maybe she was being a bit obsessive with the case, but there was no way she could take an objective viewpoint. At that thought an image of Kenshin flashed in her mind. With a groan she leaned back in the car seat.

'How many times is he going to plague my thoughts?'

Until she caught him and arrested him. Then she would never have to worry about seeing his face again. Shishio was the most important thing though, so Kenshin would have to wait. But was it really because he was Battousai? Kaoru could answer that herself. Partly, but also because he had lied and used her. It would give her great satisfaction to catch him and make him pay. Her hand touched the scar on her cheek. He had been the one to give it to her. Kaoru resolutely pushed him out of her mind and started the car, heading for Tae's place.

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Kaoru looked around the area with Tae at her side. The place had about twice as many guards as usual, due to earlier events with Shishio. There were at least four more people there, hiding away from Shishio. Not so much as hiding away, if Shishio wanted he could find them, but they were all being highly protected in a very crowded area. Starting trouble would definitely attract a lot of attention, and the person starting it would be caught.

"Thanks for squeezing them in here. I know it's a bit crowded at the moment. The place is big but not that big."

"I don't think I could turn away a request from you, Kaoru-san," Tae replied with a smile.

"Are Tsubame-chan and Yahiko here? I saw Yutaro on my way in, but he said he didn't know where the two disappeared to."

Tae laughed. "Most likely sitting in the courtyard. Those two are quite close now."

"That brat better count himself lucky," Kaoru said jokingly while walking toward the garden.

Since Tomoe and Akira were at the therapy center, Kaoru decided to pay Yahiko and Tsubame a visit. It'd probably be another ten minutes before they got back. Opening the door to the courtyard, Kaoru visibly remembered when she had come out there to literally smack some sense into Akira, who had been hopelessly depressed. He had switched directions abruptly though and was making great progress. Kaoru truly believed he would be able to walk someday, even if he needed the aid of a walking stick. The doctor had said he would most likely never walk normally again, but that didn't get Akira down.

Eyes drifting around the area, Kaoru spotted the pair under the shade of a tree. Yahiko was saying something, while Tsubame smiled brightly.

"Hey lovebirds! How's it going?"

The shout echoed across the courtyard catching the attention of several other people. Yahiko's face instantly transformed into a scowl. Tsubame, on the other hand, lightly blushed before waving to Kaoru. With a grin Kaoru ignored the scowling Yahiko.

"How are you, Tsubame? Sorry I didn't come by this Sunday. I was real busy."

"You should have stayed real busy," Yahiko replied.

Kaoru leaned forward swiftly grabbing his cheek in a pinching grip that would make anyone's eyes water. "Aren't you as precious as always."

He went to slap her hand away but slapped the air, when she moved back unexpectedly. Tsubame shook her head at their antics. The two never seemed to get along. Yahiko would even grumble about Kaoru after she left, but Tsubame knew, despite the way he acted, he really respected and liked Kaoru. Having similar strong personalities caused them to clash a bit though.

"Next week, I'll try to be here for lessons."

"I realize your busy. I was speaking with Tomoe-san, and she told me some of what happened. Please be careful though," Tsubame said with concern.

Kaoru laughed. "Don't worry. I've worked in dangerous situations before."

After speaking with Tsubame and getting a little conversation out of Yahiko, Tomoe and Akira arrived. Talking with them consisted of making sure they were all right and comfortable, Tomoe expressing the same concern, since Kaoru had no one really watching her. The first week had been tight, and Kaoru hadn't been allowed to go anywhere by herself. Once she was sure everything was fine and safe, Kaoru decided to go home for rest, so she could think more clearly and work better.

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Returning home Kaoru was in the mood for a swim. She felt herself slowly drifting off to sleep. Floating on a raft in her pool was always so relaxing. She let her fingers trail in the water, swishing it around in an attempt to stay awake. It was just so peaceful, only distinct sounds of cars in the distance, and Enishi softly humming as he continued to write a paper he was working on. His humming really was making her more sleepy though.

"Hey Enishi. Something's been bothering me."

Putting his pencil down he directed his gaze toward her, waiting for her to continue.

"It's about something Shishio told me," Kaoru said moving her arm to block the sun from her eyes.

"You shouldn't believe anything he says."

"Yeah, but there really was no reason for him to lie, and I believe him. It's been bothering me the whole time."

Enishi completely turned to face her. "Care to enlighten me then?"

"Shishio kidnapped Tomoe and Akira. I thought it had something to do with me, and it did. My father was the man that gave him those horrific burns. I guess he won't be fully satisfied until he kills me off too…He killed my father, my mother, and Maya. I'm sure he's done worse to others…but he didn't take Tomoe to get me. He took Tomoe, because she's his daughter," she paused seeing a slight surprised look cross his face before disappearing. "It all makes sense. Everything he told me. I believe it's true. Which means Tomoe is in danger."

"Did you speak with Tomoe about it?"

"No," Kaoru replied immediately. "I wouldn't know how to bring it up, and I was wondering if it really was that important to tell her. I know it is important, but…ack! I don't know."

Enishi seemed to think on it for a moment before replying. "I suppose that's up to you."

Kaoru let out a frustrated sigh, rolling over and splashing into the water before swimming over to the edge. The outside light illuminating the pool area flickered, while Kaoru rested her head on her arms.

"I knew you might say something like that."

"I can't decide for you."

Kaoru let go of the edge floating backwards. "Yeah. Yeah. That means you don't know what to say or how to answer cause you don't know either."

"That may be."

Kaoru let herself sink underwater, releasing air slowly so she would sink to the bottom and stay. She loved the feeling of just barely drifting there. It was quiet and peaceful, but the need for air always made her come back up sooner than she wanted to. Coming back up, she touched her healing but still sore shoulder, a reminder of Shishio.

"I can't protect anyone," Kaoru muttered out, wading over to the stairs to get out of the pool.

Catching what she said Enishi frowned. "What about Tsubame, Yahiko, and all the others? What did you do for them?"

Kaoru shook her head. "I've never taken on a case of this caliber. I'm pathetic compared to Shishio. I couldn't protect Tomoe. He was going to kill me. I knew it, but I wasn't going to give up. I couldn't. I thought that I could somehow injure him critically…if I could just do that…then maybe…"

"You were so ready and willing to give your life for them. You are ready and willing to give your life for strangers. I've spoken with Tomoe and Akira before," Enishi sighed. "You can protect people. You have protected people. So stop the self-pity already. It won't get you anywhere."

"Self-pity!" Kaoru cried out. "You bastard…"

Enishi stood abruptly, going over to her. She took a step back startled at the expression on his face.

"You always put yourself down!" Enishi grabbed her wrists, as she raised her hands. "Always…you say you can't. Stop looking for pity. Stop putting yourself down."

"Let go off me!" Kaoru said angrily, trying to pull away.

Enishi released her. Kaoru stumbled back, glaring at him.

Picking up his things, he moved to go back inside. "Maya is no longer here. You are a grown adult. Stop holding onto the image of yourself she created for you. There are people around you, who think so much more of you, but you only hold onto what that woman said to you and thought of you. You can't protect anyone if you don't think you can, and you won't advance any further with that attitude. I'm going back inside. If you need anything I'll be in the kitchen."

Kaoru watched silently, as he opened the door and went inside. Numbly she moved over to the chair he had been sitting in. Taking a seat herself she stared down at the white plastic table in front of her.

'The image Maya created…'

She grabbed her towel off the nearby chair, hugging it to herself.

'Self-pity, huh…I guess I really am pathetic. Ha…there I go again. Enishi's right. I always tell myself I will never reach Saitoh's level of skill. I'll never be as smart and kind as Tomoe. I'm not as pretty as Megumi. I can't cook… I pretend to be confidant around people, so they don't know how weak I really am. I always call myself weak, pathetic, useless...'

Kaoru stood, wrapping the towel around her waist, a small smile gracing her face, and a new resolve taking hold of her.

'I'm so used to thinking that way…it's going to be hard to change the image I have of myself. I will though, because next time we meet, Shishio will learn I'm not as weak as he thinks.'

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Late update.. Arghh! I'm sorry. Hopefully I'll pick up my pace again, but I can't make any promises. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. And again, I will try to get the chaps out a bit quicker. Love you guys!

Thanks goes out to Ame Kurayami, JML, The Girl Who Cried Oro, donna8157, flyinangel777, CharlieTheOtakuNymph, Gypsy-chan, EEevee, Leigh4, redroseprincess678, Briar, silky3, Aryana1, omochi, aglaia102, Ruriko2, lyd, genocide ex-sync*in, I won't tell, Luraia Soul, icebluedragon, Ikhny87, Indygodusk, Inuyashachic515, SoonChaos, April, Hannah, and Apple for reviewing and letting me know what you think.

Welcome back Apple! It's nice to hear from you again!

Til next time,

Kyaa ^o^