So Kenshin and group slowly made their way to the party. Kaoru walked slowly next to Kenshin at the back of the group. She didn't know what to say. This was certainly unexpected. It was like they were going out on a date. She blushed as she thought of this. He probably didn't consider it that at all though. She sighed and looked over at him walking next to her in the growing dimness. He looked so happy and contented it was hard to believe that he was the same man that had just fought Shishio. She had been so worried about him and now they finally had some time just to relax. It was nice.

Kenshin noticed her worried glance at him. He wondered what she was thinking about.

"Is everything alright, Miss Kaoru?" he said as he walked beside her.

She smiled at him. Kenshin smiled back. It had been such a long time since he had seen her smile like that. She looked so happy and he was glad. He would do anything for her happiness, even if that meant sacrificing his own.

"No, Kenshin. I'm fine. I'm glad that we can finally get out and do something." Kaoru said.

"It is nice isn't now, missy?" Sano said coming back to walk with them. Kaoru glared at the tall man. She was hoping for some time alone with Kenshin. He though did not notice her glare.

"I must ask this Sano, how in the world did Tae convince you to go to this party?" Kaoru said.

Sano grinned. "Well she said that if I agreed to go with Megumi that she'd let off on some of my debt at the Aekobeko. And well I have been buried a little deep for a while. My luck with the dice seems to be disappearing lately."

Soon they all got to building where the party was to be held. It was a huge mansion, built mostly in western style. It stood out from all the other buildings around it. A tall iron fence lined its boundaries and it seemed slightly forbidding. Kenshin had second thoughts about this building. He wished he had brought his reverse blade sword, but he hadn't had time to get ready before he left. Besides a sword was not something one brought to a party.

"So Miss Tae how did you get invited to such a party?" Kenshin said.

"Well Sir Ken, my recent boyfriend owns this mansion. He invited us here for a party to get to met you all." Tae said smiling.

Kaoru frowned. Who was this boyfriend of her's? "So Tae, who is this guy we are going to met?"

"Well his name is Kouji, and he's a really rich guy. He's traveled all around the world. I was surprised when he took an interest in someone like me. I was even more surprised when he arranged this party for all of us after I told him about all you guys." Tae said happily.

Kenshin narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "How long have you known this man?"

"Only a couple weeks, but he is really friendly. I just know you will like him."

Kenshin was slightly apprehensive about the whole situation now. He shook it off. Maybe he was just paranoid. Not everyone was after him after all.

As they approached the front gates there was a guard there to greet them. He didn't say anything, but led the group down a large front lawn. Kenshin felt even more uncomfortable, but he didn't want to say anything to upset Miss Kaoru. He glanced over at her. She seemed happy and excited about being in this new place.

"This way." The guard who had been leading them said. He opened a large front door made of what seemed to be some expensive kind of wood. He led them down a long hallway into a vast dining room. The room was decorated with the finest furniture and decorations that any of them had ever seen. Fancy artwork hung on the walls and everything seemed to have a gold tint to it. It seemed that Kouji lived well, very well. He also seemed to be very influenced with western customs. Many of the things in the room obviously were foreign.

Kenshin was surprised to see that no one else was there. Tae seemed surprised as well.

"Oh my, what is this?" she asked looking around at the empty room.

Kenshin knew that something was wrong as soon as the lock clicked shut behind them. He ran to the door, but it was too late. It wouldn't budge. Kenshin heard a scream from behind him, Kaoru's scream. He swerved around as he screamed out her name.

"Miss Kaoru!"

A man stood with a knife to Kaoru's slim neck. Kenshin felt the rage boil within him. How dare that man touch his Kaoru?!

~That was kind of a short chapter, but there will be more in the next one! Thank you for the reviews. Thank you Moondemon and Reine Keri! Reviews make me happy!~