I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters. Except the ones I made up, such as Tojai, Naijiro and Saigon.

Hey, thanks tocole! I'm glad to hear you remembered by email. I wanted to say that The Flower of Life was really a great fic. It inspired me to continue writing. Good to hear from you!

Well, now on to the story!

Chapter 4: Deception, Peril and Rebellion

Kaoru sat in the dark room. She could sense the presence of another. However that person was good enough, she could barely sense they were even there. She wiggled her wrists testing the knots, but they were tight. There was no hope of escape. She could only hope Kenshin would find her before it was too late.

--- Outside ---

Saito sat outside on a rock glowering. That Gohei, he doesn't know who he's messing with. I can't let him hurt the raccoon girl. But I can't stop him. Not with Naijiro and Saigon guarding him. I hate to admit it, but they are too strong for me.

Tojai walked up and stood beside Saito facing him. "Master Saito, what are you going to do? We can't let her be harmed. I promised the Battousai and Yahiko she wouldn't get hurt."

Saito glared into the darkness. "I know Tojai. But I… can't beat Naijiro

and Saigon. I didn't know there were any fighters like them left. I can tell how strong they are just by looking at them. And I'm sure they know how powerful you and I are as well."

Gripping his katana Tojai sneered. "There is only one guarding Kaoru now master."

Saito's eyes narrowed. "Which one?"

"Saigon." Tojai responded.

Saito rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Saigon, eh?"

Tojai nodded smiling. "You and I can take Saigon."

Saito grinned. "I will take Saigon, you free Kamiya. Where is Naijiro?"

"Gohei sent him to find more fire wood. He won't be back for a while."

Rising to his feet Saito turned to Tojai. "Alright, prepare the horse. We go in, I attack Saigon and you free Kamiya as fast as you can. As soon as you have her, get on the horse. Don't worry about her hands. Just get her to her feet and run. Saigon is going to be grumpy. Wait for me; I'll be right behind you."

Tojai nodded. "This should be interesting."

Saito and Tojai walked slowly up to the door. Saito walked in the door with Tojai following behind. "Hello, we came to take the Kamiya girl." Saito said casually.

Saigon's eyes narrowed from behind his black mask. "I figured you would try something like this. You may be able to trick that fool Hiruma, but not me."

"Back down Saigon, we are taking her." Saito declared.

Saigon unsheathed his sword. "You can't beat me Hajime Saito. You back down, and I will spare you."

Saito smirked mockingly at the ninja. "I should be saying the same to you. Tojai, get her out of here."

Tojai ran over to Kaoru and helped her to her feet, pulling her toward the door. "Let's go Miss Kamiya; we should get out of here."

Kaoru hurried to the door with Tojai. At that vary moment, a figure appeared in the doorway.

Grabbing his katana the figure spoke menacingly. "Stop right there boy! Back away and don't move! Saito, you are a fool! You thought you could betray us and live?!"

The stone glare on Saito's face did not diminish, and his gaze remained fixed on Saigon. But the man in the doorway was determined to stop them nonetheless.

Tojai was not about to let this guy get in the way of their plan. He jerked forward, and throwing the ninja outside, he grabbed Kaoru's hand and made a dash for the horse!

Saito and Saigon were prepared to fight. Their bodies remained stiff and ready to strike at any instant. Saigon was not about to let Saito know, but he was terrified. He had heard legends about how powerful Hajime Saito was. But he had never witnessed him fight a real battle. Saigon was fearful yet filled with excitement at the prospect of fighting someone so skilled.

However, Saigon was no fool. He was not about to under estimate his opponent.

Saigon stood ready to attack at an instant's notice. I don't know if I can win against Saito. Should I let him take her, or should I try to stall until Naijiro gets back?

He suddenly felt Saito's body shift slightly, and bringing his sword up as fast as he could attempted to block Saito's lightning quick attack. The sound of metal against metal rang throughout the forest.

--- Somewhere in the forest near the house ---

Naijiro bent down to pick up a potential piece of firewood as he heard the sound of a sword hitting another, far off in the distance. He dropped the firewood and began running for the house as fast as he could. What could be happening back at the house? Could someone have been following Tojai? Impossible, no ordinary man could sneak up on him! I wonder what's going on!

--- Back at the house ---

Saigon blinked at the sword he blocked three inches from his face, and jumped back! "Saito, you're quick!"

Saying that he lunged at Saito, slicing at his right shoulder, and just before striking Saito's block, Saigon lunged at amazing speed and attempted to slice his side. Saito anticipated his attack, and stepped to the side attacking Saigon's unprotected back.

Saigon quickly spun, and blocking Saito's sword countered with a stab. Which was dodged easily and countered with a slice at Saigon's left shoulder. After blocking that, Saigon jumped back to catch his breath. Saito backed up a step or two.

"Saigon, you aren't that bad. But let's see if you can dodge my Gotatsu!" Saito half smirked, raising his sword up beside his head.

Saigon took a forward stance holding his katana out in front of him. After a moment, Saito launched himself at Saigon. After dodging the Gotatsu, He spun around to see that Saito never intended to actually hit his target. Just throw him off. Because Saito was now gone.

Saigon ran outside and looked in time to see Saito riding off with Tojai and Kaoru. Tojai turned around and thumbed his nose at Saigon, smiling.

Saigon stared at Tojai with a smile. Boys' got guts. That Saito is amazing! He maneuvered me so that I was facing away from the door, and then tricked me into dodging, and leaving him an escape route.

Naijiro ran up behind Saigon. "What happened?" He inquired urgently.

Saigon turned to face his partner. "Saito has taken the Kamiya girl. I guess that fool Gohei won't be getting revenge after all. He should have killed her when he had the chance."

Naijiro smiled at his friend. "That's a shame."

Saigon nodded smiling back at the road.

Puzzled at Saigon's reaction, Naijiro grunted inquiringly.

Saigon just shook his head. "That boy, Tojai is quite the character. He's got guts. He was thumbing his nose at me as they rode off."

Naijiro laughed walking back toward the house.

--- Half Hour Later ---

Saito, Tojai and Kaoru stopped and got off the horse. Kaoru walked over to a tree, and turned to face her kidnappers.

"I don't know weather to thank you or yell at you." Kaoru said sadly.

Tojai stepped forward. "Thanking us would be much more pleasant. For everyone." He said smiling.

Walking over to a tree, Saito leaned against it.

Tojai walked a few steps closer to Kaoru. "We are really sorry about getting you into this. If we had known he wanted to harm you. We wouldn't have brought you to him. We just wanted to find the treasure. However if it means you getting hurt we don't need it that bad, right master?"

Saito grunted unhappily.

Tojai laughed rubbing the nape of his neck. "I think he likes you Miss Kamiya."

"Shut up Tojai." Saito said impatiently. "It's not like that. I'm a police officer. I won't allow that moron Hiruma to harm someone for revenge, its illegal. And besides, if the Battousai found out I let Hiruma hurt Kaoru…"

"He would be vary grumpy." Tojai concluded.

Saito nodded in response.

Kaoru turned to the trees and found a good stick. "I guess this will have to work as a boken for now."

Tojai looked back up the road. "We should get going, who knows if we are being followed."

Saito hopped into the horse, and then Kaoru and Tojai got on as well. And they sped back toward Tokyo.

--- About an Hour Later ---

Kenshin and Yahiko padded down the road in silence. Kenshin had that determined look on his face. And Yahiko was trying to think of something funny to say. He wanted to make Kenshin happier. The man hadn't said anything for the past hour. They finally found a snake under a rock, while looking for food. So they were no longer famished.

Yahiko couldn't take the silence for any longer. "Kenshin. Shouldn't we be running if we want to catch the guy? He was on a horse. We are on foot."

Kenshin continued walking. "We must conserve our energy Yahiko, that we must. If we run, we might not have any strength left when we find him."

Yahiko understood why they couldn't run. But he was anxious to find Kaoru as soon as they could.

Kenshin suddenly stopped. "Someone is coming. Don't let your guard down."

Yahiko stood behind Kenshin and waited for the person to come around the corner.

Kenshin glanced at the bushes. "Eyes open."

A boy came around the corner on a horse. "Oh, hello there. Can I help you with any directions you two?"

Kenshin nodded. "Is there a house or something along this road anywhere?"

The boy got off his horse. "Yeah, up the road about 3 hours on foot."

The boy noticed the cross shaped scar on Kenshin's face. "Battousai?"

Kenshin's eyes narrowed and Yahiko scratched his head.

"And you must be Yahiko." The boy said pointing at Yahiko.

Kenshin stepped forward a step. "Who are you? How do you know Yahiko?"

Saito and Kaoru walked around the corner.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted running toward the man.

"Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin inquired.

Saito walked up to Kenshin. "Battousai, it's been a long time. What, three years?"

Kenshin smiled at Saito. "Yeah, I must say it's good to see you again, that it is."

"Listen carefully Battousai. You, Yahiko and the Kamiya girl are in danger, danger that could not have been prevented." Saito said gravely. "A man named…"

Before he could finish his sentence, a group of ninjas ran into the street behind him.

One of the ninjas pointed at Saito. "Hajime Saito! Give us back the girl!"

Saito turned his head slightly. "Tell Hiruma that he can forget about her. And he can forget about getting the treasure as well!"

Kenshin and Yahiko both spoke Gohei's name in unison.

Saigon and Naijiro walked around the corner with four others. "Oh, but he insists." Saigon stated, thumb pressed against the hand guard on his katana.

Of the four others one was a girl about sixteen years old. Her raven hair falling even with her shoulders was moving in the breeze. Her green eyes had a narrow menacing look. She was dressed in black, female ninja garb. Almost exactly like Misao's. There were red striped on the ends of the shorts, and the sleeves. She wielded a katana that was slipped through a black waist sash.

The rest were wearing black ninja suits. So their faces were not visible.

Yahiko walked to Kenshin's Side. "What's happening Kenshin?"

"I'm not sure. Stay back." Kenshin said in a serous tone.

Naijiro stepped forward. "Battousai! Well, this it just getting better! Now we can take all of you back to Hiruma!"

"I don't know who you are, but you should leave now, that you should." Kenshin declared angrily.

Naijiro smiled. "Battousai! I don't think you know what you are up against! If you did, then you would be begging us to spare you! And if you don't come quietly… we will have to hurt your little friend!"

Kenshin's face hardened. "Prepare yourself stranger!" Kenshin declared dashing toward Naijiro.

Naijiro stepped to the side and dashed past him kicking Yahiko to the ground! He quickly whipped his sword down to the boy's face.

"What did I tell you? Now, surrender Battousai!" Naijiro demanded impatiently.

Kenshin sheathed his sword slowly closing his eyes. "Vary well then."

Naijiro pulled the sword away from Yahiko's face and grinned manically. At that vary moment Kenshin charged with incredible speed. Naijiro saw Kenshin bolt and whipped his sword in a wide arc down past Yahiko's face and deflecting Kenshin's lightning quick attack by a narrow margin. And dashing past him, he stopped next to his partners.

Kenshin stood staring at the blood trickling down Yahiko's startled face. Kenshin's sword was slowly lowered to his side and he turned slowly to face his opponents. When the ninjas saw Kenshin's golden eyes staring back from behind the red hair, it was all they could do to keep themselves from running in fear.

Naijiro smiled looking at Yahiko's blood trickling down the edge of his sword. "I want some more! But if you surrender, I might spare the child!

Kenshin walked slowly up to Saitou's side, his sword reflecting the dim moonlight. "You will pay for the blood you have drawn with your own!" Kenshin said returning his sword to its place.

Saito smiled at Kenshin. "It's good to have you back Battousai."

Kenshin took his normal Hiten Mitsurugi stance, thumb ready and his hand resting in the air near the hilt. Saito drew his sword, and then prepared his Gotatsu.

"This should be interesting." Saito said smiling. "I hope you haven't gotten rusty Battousai, for both of our sakes."

Tojai stood ready, next to Kenshin and prepared his Gotatsu as well. "I'll do my best to keep the others off of you two."

Saitou nodded and prepared to strike.

"If you insist, however you will fail! And once you are defeated, you will live just long enough to watch your young friend die, vary painfully!" Naijiro said smiling coldly at his foes.

"Enough!" Kenshin shouted angrily.

"You will not get near him again! I underestimated you the last time! But not again!" Kenshin declared loudly.

"Prepare yourself." Kenshin ordered, his stance tightening.

The two sides tensed, readying for the fight to come!

Well, there's that chapter. Sorry it took so long. I'll try to get the next one up soon. Later!