Well…two updates in one week. I feel so…busy.

Well here is the weekly update, a day early because I won't be at the dorms this weekend, and I won't have computer access tomorrow. I don't think you crazy people care that it's early however.

Till next week.

Ravyn

Remember I do not own the Kenshin-gumi.

There might be some nice…lime!?!, is this chapter.

So Ha.

Karou was sweeping the set of steps Yutaro had carved into the house. Tsubame had been very happy at that particular burst of power, but Kaoru worried.

Wasn't magic like that noticeable? And if it was…could her stepmother track it?

Frowning she clutched the broom close to her chest, her teeth worrying on her bottom lip.

Kaoru was suddenly aware she wasn't alone. The warning came in the small, fine hairs on the back of her neck rising. Her head jerked up and she went very still at the sight before her, suspicion pounding in her chest.

"Can I help you?" Kaoru's tone was hesitant.

The women before her looked anything but threatening. To be honest, she looked like someone Yahiko had described as a trader. The women's hair was touched with gray, the sable color rich even in her old age. But it was the pale, colorless eyes that brought forth the memory of who Yahiko had described.

The women smiled. "Actually I was looking for Tsubame? Did I miss them?"

Kaoru nodded slowly, some of the tension draining from her shoulders. "They left a little before dawn."

The women sighed. "Do you imagine when they will be back?"

Kaoru shrugged. "Its anyone's guess. Is there something I can help you with?" Kaoru wasn't sure it was a safe offer to make, but something urged her on, even as something whispered at the danger.

She grinned then. "Yes actually. A couple of months ago Yutaro, Yahiko, and Tsubame pulled my cart out of the river. I promised to do something for them, but I haven't been able to catch them."

Kaoru nodded her head in agreement. Something was still nagging the back of her head, as if something was wrong.

Tsubame had told her a story similar to the one the woman was telling her.

The women dug around in the basket in her hand, and Kaoru suddenly wondered where the women's cart was. Kaoru shrugged it off. The tree line was too thick to get it into the woods around the cottage.

"Here it is!" The women yanked out a long length of pale blue, it wasn't silk but pretty nonetheless.

"Miss Tsubame always admires my sashes you see, and I know she enjoys this color." She grimaced suddenly. "Do you think its possible that I use you as a mannequin of sorts? That way I can get a somewhat similar size. You're supposed to wear this particular fabric as a sash around your waist, and you and Tsubame are close enough to make it easier to cut down once she gets back."

Kaoru shrugged and then nodded. Turning she walked over to put the broom up and then invited the women in. Leading her into the small living area she sighed.

"If you could just stand right there, I will do most of the work." The woman promised cheerfully, already starting to wrap yards of pretty material around Kaoru's slender waist.

Kaoru frowned when the fabric became slightly uncomfortable. Shifting slightly, she pulled in a deep breath of air; and gave a startled gasp when the fabric tightened even more. To her utter surprise, it was almost impossible to retract her breath to let it out.

She turned wide eyes on the women, but was shocked to see her studying her breathless form with a touch of satisfaction. Karou attempted to draw in air to ask her what was going on, when the cloth seemed to twist around her ribcage like a living snake.

Kaoru panicked, her fingers pulling at the cloth even as her lungs labored to breath, leaving Kaoru unsure as to when she hit the floor, landing painfully on her knees. Black spots danced in her vision, and just before she lost grip on the sane world, she thought she heard the faintest sounds of laughter.

Then everything faded to black.

Kenshin went very, very still. The was a group of about twenty men in front of him, all demanding his attention. They were on the trail, slowly closing the gap between the Witch-Queen and himself, a blood oath almost complete.

His little bird had just dropped herself fully into his mind, and he had the peculiar sensation that she was in trouble.

The fact that it was daylight only fueled his agitation. He didn't have time to deal with this.

"OUT!" Kenshin barked the order out, uncaring what his captains thought of him. Uncaring of the rumors, all he could hear was the peculiar little gasping sound banging in his skull.

The fled. Kenshin never barked, much less with his eyes blazing amber. Even Aoshi and Soujiro left, there movements more peaceful, less hurried.

As soon as they were gone Kenshin dropped into a cross-legged position and fell into his meditation.

It took a second to find her, but when he did something went and froze in his chest. She was on her hands and knees, her face tinged blue, a fine sheen of sweat on her face.

It appeared that she was having trouble breathing.

Walking forward he simple sat next to her, pulled her into his lap, and pressed his open mouth to hers. Her mouth was already parted, the faint little pants falling into his mouth as he pulled air into his lungs and then forced it into hers.

They sat there for long moments, his mouth warm against hers. He was aware of her small weight against his chest, the small press of her chest against his. He was conscious of the way her fingers fluttered helplessly at his tunic, as if asking for a way out of her currant predicament.

Kenshin became aware sometime later: a moment, an hour a day. It didn't matter, just that her breathing was slowly becoming easier. He knew then that she was fixing to fade from his mind so he decided to change the course of their innocent kiss.

His tongue slid into her open, waiting mouth and he was rewarded by the way she stiffened against him. He tightened his hold and explored the contours of her mouth, delighting in the way she went pliant against him. Her body was pressed firmly against his, and her hands were slowly tangling in his hair.

Then, she was simply gone. Kenshin sat there, the darkness of this part of himself easing away the need for her body. Easily he slipped back into the real world, a glimmer of gold darkening his gaze.

"Aoshi," He felt his friend's presence, knowing he would have come back in to check on him. "Find out if your source has anymore information about that girl. And call the Captains back in here. We are picking up the pace. I want to be in that capitol city in one week."

Aoshi raised a brow in surprise, but bowed low.

It seemed his hunch was right.

Kaoru came too with a burning fire in her veins and a gasp of air that sent her into a coughing fit. She hoped the hands pounding her back would take into account that lack of air had turned her face red, and not the memory of his mouth, his tongue, and whatever his hands had been doing to her body.

"Kaoru, are you alright?" There was Tsubame's panicked voice, with Yahiko swearing enough to color a sailors face.

Kaoru waved. "Fine." She managed, her ribs protesting the movement. Raising her eyes to her friends she grimaced. "What happened?"

Yutaro frowned. "We came back and saw you unconscious. You were breathing as if something was forcing you. Mage sight showed us that the cloth you wore was magically attempting to strangle you, so Yahiko cut it off."

Kaoru gingerly sat up, grunting with the effort. Slowly, her breathing evened out, and she managed to tell them what happened.

Yahiko scowled. "It had to be that Queen of yours."

Kaoru frowned. "But…"

Yutaro sighed. "She has many ways of gathering information. That fact that she was telling the honest truth must have just added to it."

"You can't trust anyone Kaoru." Yahiko growled. Tsubame smacked his arm, her eyes narrowed.

"You go cook something. Yutaro, go get some herbs so we can wrap her ribs. I plan on getting her settled in. Move boys." Tsubame rarely gave orders, so the boys starred for a moment before jumping to do her bidding.

The boys scowled but did as they had been ordered.

Tsubame helped her to a couch and sighed. "Listen Kaoru, be careful please. Don't except anything from anyone unless it's from us. We just don't know enough about the Queen to know what she capable of."

Kaoru nodded in agreement, her eyes dark with memory. "She killed my father."

Tsubame paled. "There were rumors of course…"

Kaoru shook her head. "No, she did the deed herself."

Tsubame was quite but then shook it off. "Listen, we are going to go back and trade more tomorrow. Is there anything you need?"

Kaoru looked thoughtful. She recognized the question for what it was. A distraction, and Karou didn't have the heart to tell her friend it wasn't going to work. So she said the first thing that came to mind. "A new set of combs would be nice."

Tsubame smiled in agreement. "That we can do. And please, stay in the house tomorrow. Yutaro has this place rather well warded, so she can't get in unless you invite her."

Kaoru didn't have time to responds, because Yahiko arrived with the soup he had tossed together and everyone sat quietly.

Kaoru was just thankful she had gotten away without an explanation of just how she managed to breath.

Or the softly whispered word that he had breathed into her ear just before she was completely gone.

Mine.

Yumi all but danced around as she allowed the illusion so carefully crafted, so heavily researched, fall from her form.

Now all she had to worry about was that damn Battousai. Shrugging she headed to mirror, willing to wait a few moments before she began to plan on how to deal with him.

There was something she needed to hear first.

"Mirror, Mirror," Yumi all but sang. "Who is fairest of them all?" She was baring her teeth in feral manner, her joy such that she could barely get the words out.

"Queen, you are full fair, 'tis true, but snow white still fairer is than you."

Yumi actually lost her composure, her face contorting as she shriek her displeasure. A guard rushed in, worried about his mistress.

She spun, her eyes flashing flames. "I want the finest set of combs you can come by, something for a girl with taste and nothing gaudy. Silver if you have to. NOW!"

The man nodded frantically, wondering at his Queen's dictations. Turning her sprinted out of the room.

Yumi snarled to herself. She had once heard of an old wives tale about a poisoned comb. "Lets see how well you escape this trap my dear."

It would be harder to get it into her hands, but Yumi was capable of many things, and magic was certainly one of them.

A sudden thought occurred. "And someone had BETTER FIND THAT DAMN HUNTSMAN." She heard the sounds of more footsteps and smirked.

Her laughter bounced off the walls.

In her fury the Battousai's approaching army was forgotten.

Sano lay against the bed, his feet propped up on the wall, his expression both fierce and thoughtful as he examined the last few days in his mind.

Tanuki Megumi had a thing for him. Full, blown out lust if he would read the reaction in her eyes…but it was the fact that there might be something more that held him still.

He didn't think a full-blown courtship was going to work with her. She wasn't even the type of women to want a steady partnership.

It going to take some very subtle moves on his part to convince her of what he wanted.

But Megumi wasn't going to turn down a chance a pure physical relationship. Grinning wickedly he settled back down onto the comfortable mattress and tried to imagine all the things he could do to the fox lady in a secret, soundproof room.

He got his chance before he thought he would. Megumi walked in and set his tray down, her expression guarded. Sano was never good at anything but the direct approach. Kicking his foot out, he nudged the bookshelf back into place. Megumi glared at him and propped her hands on his hips.

There were stress lines on her face; he knew it was from the approaching armies she had been telling him about. Megumi was worried about exactly how many were going to die, and how many she was going to have to save.

He decided right then and there to do anything it took to take her mind off her problems.

Reaching up just as she attempted to berate him for shutting the door her grabbed her by the arm and dragged her onto the mattress.

It took some persuasion (hands and lips were great things) but eventually they were both so preoccupied they missed the way the air trembled with a Queen's rage.

And the way it twisted with her glee of revenge.

Tsubame grumbled to herself as she moved through the carts that the merchants had brought. She was just thankful that the cottage sat on the back end of a trade route and everything they bough was so cheap. Salt, cloth, and whatever food they couldn't grow themselves. A few pretty baubles now and then if they could afford it.

Today Tsubame could afford it. Kaoru had said she wanted combs, and she was going to get them. It had taken her a full week to find what she was looking for in the jewel caves but she had finally done so.

Sighing she continued to examine the carts, until a glint of blue silver caught her attention. Tsubame stared at the combs, for that is what they were, and felt a slow grin tug at her mouth.

Dark silver, they held a touch of blue to the edges, as if some mage had crafted them. They were simple, but what need for show was there out here?

The merchant, an older woman with missing teeth, noticed her want and her expression turned shrewd. Tsubame took a deep breath and went to ask the price.

Hopefully the stones she had called and hidden from Yahiko would be enough. Tsubame softly asked the price, and her eyes widened in shock at the outrageous cost. Narrowing her eyes, she began to barter.

Anything for her beloved Kaoru-chan.

Some time later, Tsubame was several precious stones shorter than when she started, but the combs were tucked in to her pocket, wrapped in soft silk to protect them from getting scratch.

Kaoru-chan was going to be so pleased.

Kaoru hummed as she finished cleaning the small place she called home. Sighing she ran a hand over her sweat slick forehead and suddenly grinned.

Yutaro had left that morning to explore some new caves with the other two –leaving her alone again- and the summer had warmed the frigid river enough to be bearable.

Kaoru giddily ran back inside and grabbed her present from Tsubame. It had been a few days since the girl had shyly handed her the package, and Karou couldn't remember seeing anything so pretty.

She had hugged Tsubame to the point were the girl managed to squeak something out about her ribs. Kaoru couldn't wait to brush her hair out before she slide into the water.

Kaoru hummed as she dropped cross-legged next to a still spot in the stream, the water pooling and moving so slow that it worked almost like a mirror.

Humming Kaoru grabbed the comb and blinked at how warm it was, but shook it off. It had been sitting in the sun. Admiring the surroundings she let he hair down and brushed it free.

Kaoru then used the comb to pin the heavy tresses off her neck and rose to strip from her heavy clothing. A pair of pants she had snitched from Yahiko and a shirt she had found in the attic.

Kaoru cursed – a word she had picked up from Yahiko- when something bit into her skin. Kaoru adjusted the comb, frowning as she attempted to remember if there had been a sharp point.

She had just move to start the five or six paces to the steam when the world tilted. Kaoru froze, and then moved again, and almost stumbled into the water when her legs went gave out.

"Oh shit." Kaoru breathed, the familiar sensation of falling off a cliff hitting her in the midsection just before her world danced black.

Kaoru stumbled hard. Looking around she began a series of swear words that would have made Sano proud. This place was were she did –not- want to be.

"Dammit! Fuck!" Kaoru slowed her tirade, aware she was loosing her creativity and she was simple muttering.

"What a mouth you have on you." His voice was rich, silky, and promised her a touch of darkness if she let it.

Kaoru twisted and froze when she could see him. All of him. She had never been able to see him.

He went still as well. Something on his face told her he to realized that she was anchored a bit to solid to be out of danger.

"You're here." It was a statement, and Kaoru felt her temper rise even as she gawked at him.

He was taller than her, by only a few inches. His face was chiseled shadow and flame, and his hair twisted tendrils of scarlet. His eyes were that brilliant amber-gold that terrified her.

"Not on purpose I promise." Kaoru spit, the shock of being locked into his mind spurring her temper.

He smirked then.

"Good."

Koru yelped when she was yanked against a rock hard chest. Kaoru shoved against his chest but he caught her wrists.

"You going to explain to me exactly what is going on. This is twice you shown up in my mind during daylight, and I want answers."

Kaoru looked up and narrowed her eyes. "No."

A brow rose. "No?"

Kaoru shoved against at his chest, but once again got nothing. "Like hell. I don't want anything to do with you."

He tilted his head, hair sliding down his shoulders onto her face. "I can prove that little statement wrong without trying."

Kaoru growled at him. "What?"

His lips met hers then. It was just as fierce and molten as the last time, and her body melted into his. There was nothing else to hang onto in the darkness, nothing but the broad reach of his shoulders and the deft splay of muscles under her hands.

Kaoru had no idea how long he held her, of how many times he came up for air only to resume the assault. Kaoru gave up her hold on her own sanity and clung to his.

Apparently being proven wrong wasn't always a painful experience. He was lighting a fire in her blood stream, and Kaoru was helpless to do anything but be swept away.

Makimichi Misao was in a very bad mood. This mage-child with blue eyes by the name of Kaoru was a bitch to get a hold of.

In fact it was impossible. There was no trace of anyone like that around the places she had looked and she was at a dead end.

Again.

Misao twisted through the waters, her body completely dissolved into the brightly colored specks of blue, when she felt it.

A disturbance. A dark spell of binding twisted into a slow spell of decay. Not on her watch Dammit. Twisting out of the water she caught site of the sprawled form.

Looking around she wondered exactly who would take the energy to harm someone way out in the sticks. Shrugging she pin pointed the exact location of the spell and tore the comb from her dark hair.

"Poor thing." Misao muttered. Turning back to the water she weaved a fast pattern with her hands and water was slung over both of them.

The girl –once the restorative properties of the water hit her form- rolled over and coughed. There was a dazed look that seemed to have more to do than the simple dunking in water.

Misao's thoughts were conformed when her fingertips reached up to trace her bottom lip. There was no sign of any type of kissing, but if it had been in her magic 'self' there would have been no physical sign.

Wait one second…

"Hi!

Kaoru yelped and turned to see a girl standing there, her eyes wide and blue. A nymph. Kaoru had only heard of them, but the girl's manner of dress and magical flare seemed to prove her words.

"Well I guess your going to be all better now," Misao mused as if talking to herself. All the time she was looking at the large, sapphire toned gaze starring at her.

"Are you named Karou?"

Kaoru jerked backwards in surprise. The girl shrieked happily at that. "Yes! Kenshin is going to be happy. And Aoshi is going to be even happier."

Kaoru gawked, wondering exactly who this Kenshin was. She really hoped it wasn't who she thought it was.

"Now, make sure you stay away from any more magical traps until they get here. We don't need you dead. That would only piss him off." She gave a little wave, a spurt of magic hitting Kaoru, wrapping around her protectively, and then jumped back into the water disappearing.

Kaoru couldn't figure out who 'they' or 'he' were, but she decided that the other three didn't need to know about it.

They would only worry.

Kaoru stripped out of under-things and dunked herself in the river, deciding a fast, cold bath would be perfect; she was already soaked to the bone.

Anything to lessen the heat still washing through her blood; she had to stop this madness.

Yumi brushed out her waist length locks, her eyes dark with delight. The trigger spell had gone off, and she had watched the light turn from green to black, signaling that the poison had been released.

The girl had better be dead this time. It was a fact-acting spell meant to separate the magic and the human and then destroy the physical body.

The girls magical 'being' –assuming she had one as most born of magic did- then she was currently in some small hell.

The only way she could have survived was if she had a magic link to another. But that was impossible.

Heading towards her mirror she began to plan how she was going to throw the Battousai off her land. Monarchy ties were so useful.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"

"Queen, you are full fair, 'tis true, but snow white still fairer is than you."

Yumi threw the brush at the mirror, but it bounced off.

The protective spells had been weaved properly and with the intent to last thousands of years.

"I will kill that bitch with my own hands!" Yumi ragged, forgetting about the threat to her kingdom. She –at that point- didn't care.

If she went down, so be it. But that brat would go with her. She all but ran down the icy steps to her 'lair', uncaring of the chill.

"There has to be something!" She screamed…turning, twisting through her collection of black magic. There was a pile of books littering the floor.

Suddenly she froze, and then laughed. "So simple." Yumi mused, her face twisting into a snarl. "So simple."

A poisoned apple.

Loves true kiss.

Princess Kamiya Kaoru was going to fall into a death sleep and never wake up. Buried alive.

Her laughter startled the crows picking at the flesh of the cook who had cooked her the wrong heart.

Kenshin stood watching the city as it began to loom in front of him. He patted the neck of his stallion thoughtfully, watching the way eyes full of wonder and fear starred at him.

Yumi's castle sat in the middle of one of the only cities. A large wall that the first monarch had constructed with his mage talent surrounded it, and simply stood now as a reminder.

The lands around and in the kingdom were simple, farm bred villages or vast woods. The wealth came in the mines, the trades, and the wood that they produced.

His eyes glittered with golden rage, his mouth twisted into a snarl. Yumi had broken five different oaths and was going to be stripped of her entire royal right.

A right she stole.

Kenshin had been hearing soft mummers since his arrival. Apparently there was a Princess. An heir hidden in the woods.

Kenshin grimaced. While it would make handing over the reigns to someone else easier, he could only imagine teaching and training some country wench the right to rule a country.

He would do whatever it took, however, to take Yumi's power away from her.

He would.

And then he would find her.

Because what was his did not escape. Ever.