"Why are you doing this Kouji?" Tae said as though she had the knife against her own throat. Obviously the man holding Kaoru hostage was Kouji. He was a tall man dressed in rich clothes. He had dark black hair that was swept back in a short ponytail at the base of his neck. His eyes were a coal black.

Kouji laughed cruelly. "Do you think I was actually interested in you at all? I figured out that you had some connections with the battousai and I figured it would be the perfect way to lure him into my trap."

Kenshin felt rage boil within him. Tae was absolutely hysterical at this point. Megumi tried to calm her down a bit. Then Kouji turned to Kenshin the knife still pressed tight against her neck.

"This worked out better than I supposed Battousai. Not only do I have your woman here, but also it seems that you are without your sword today. How lucky for me." Kouji said as he slid the knife lightly against her throat leaving a small trail of blood. Kaoru whimpered and Kenshin felt his heart break into pieces. He had to stop this, but there was nothing he could do. As long as Kouji had Kaoru he was helpless. He didn't even have his sword.

"Why do you seem to hate me so much?" Kenshin said through gritted teeth.

"You of all people should know. I hate you so much because of who you are! You are an imperialist. I, Kouji Kawashiro have sworn to kill every imperialist and everyone close to them to gain my revenge!" Kouji said viciously.

Sano who stood next to Kenshin swore loudly. "Damn it. Why is it that everyone's after the bloody imperialists?!"

"The fighting is long over. What is done is done and there is nothing I can do to take it back, that I cannot. Taking the life of innocent people like that of Miss Kaoru is wrong. If you intend to kill anyone today, please let it be me. Leave Miss Kaoru alone for she has done nothing to earn your hate." Kenshin pleaded. He fell to his knees on the ground begging. He didn't know what else to do. All he could think of was that piece of cruel metal against Kaoru's neck. How many times had he done the same thing? How many times had he taken lives? He knew he had done this all in the past, but he could not let this happen. Not to Kaoru. Is that what they thought? His victims? Had they thought that if only happened to someone else? Anyone else? He knew that it wasn't fair, but he didn't care. He needed Kaoru to be alive even if it meant giving up his own life.

The whole room froze as though waiting for something else to happen. Kenshin's words hung in the air like shards of glass cutting at everyone's heart. It hurt Sano to look at Kenshin there on the ground begging like a dog for Kaoru's life.

The scene burned itself into Kaoru's mind even through her terror. She couldn't believe that Kenshin was actually on the floor. He was doing this all for her. He was sacrificing his honor for her even though it probably wouldn't work anyway. Kaoru felt tears slide down her cheeks. She wanted to speak out to him, but as long as Kouji held the knife to her throat she dared not to speak.

Kouji laughed. "You are so pathetic battousai. But no I will not spare her. Everyone in this room will die. Slowly one by one I will kill them as you watch me do it." He gazed around the room at all the frozen faces.

"I will not let you!" Kenshin screamed, but before he could stand up Kouji kicked him in the side sending him sprawling across the room. As Kenshin's body slammed against the wall blood spurted out his mouth. Kenshin gasped for breath as he stood up.

As Kouji kicked Kenshin, Sano saw the hand holding the knife lower for a second. In that split second he punched with all his strength sending Kouji sprawling. Sano grabbed Kaoru away from the man as quick as he could.

Kenshin quickly got up and charged at the man. The battled for a moment for possession of the knife, but it was obvious who the better fighter was. Within a few seconds Kenshin now held the knife in his own hand. Kouji backed slowly away from him, terror in his eyes.

Kaoru watched Kenshin. She could seem that gleam in his eyes, the one that meant that he was becoming the battousai. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let him kill again even if that man did deserve it. She was afraid that if he killed again, he wouldn't stop.

She ran as fast as she could towards Kenshin as he raised the knife towards Kouji. She gripped onto his right arm holding him back, holding him from striking.

"Please, Kenshin don't. Don't do it, not even for me."

Kenshin looked down at Kaoru with surprise. There were tears in her eyes. He lowered the knife.

"I'll take care of this one, Kenshin." Said Sano as he came up behind Kouji and smashed an expensive looking vase over his head. The man collapsed unconscious to the floor.

"Umm. There's one little problem you all forgot." Megumi said from the other side of the room. They all looked at her dumbly. She sighed exasperated.

"We are still locked in here, you know!"