Disclaimer: Mine?…..Mine?……Mine?…….mine?........everything 'cept the Original cast of Rurouni Kenshin is ……MINE!!!!!!! Muwahahahahahha!!!!!::coughs-gags-gasps for air:: I'm good…..

Chapter 20:: Hidden Truth Crouching Secrets

"Urako.." Shinta barely whispered, grief choking him. He couldn't believe it, his sister dead, and Saitoh carrying her. Dead.. How…could she be..? No..this isn't true! None of it is! She can't be..

Shinta felt his stomach turning in sickly knots, his mind swirling to hold onto his sanity. What he saw couldn't be true, it just couldn't. He was just overexerting himself; too much stress. He lowered his head to try to reaffirm his surroundings, to make sure he was still in this world. His fingers curled and pressed into the wheelchair arm rest, his tears falling steadily from his reddened eyes.

The others, Kaoru and Enishi, stared incredulously at Urako's unmoving body. Both had known of her strength, though to see her finally dead, was shocking. She always seemed untouchable, impermissible to death itself. It wasn't something they could accept quickly, expecting Urako to get up and kill whoever she was pissed at. At least, that was what Enishi thought.

Enishi, though traitor to her and Hiko, always admired Urako for her enduring strength and preserverence in any battle she was engaged in. He saw her as almost a God, her resilliance to wounds were as if they were nothing. And that's why he hated her as well. He hated being in the shadows, always being overlooked and underestimated. His hate for her increased his need to get more powerful. For he saw it as, if he could defeat the God, Urako, then he'd gain her power and he'd be seen as the man he always deserved to be. One of strength, knowledge, and unsurpassed power.

But, looking at her defiled body now, he understood that she was a human just as much as he was. The anger that it wasn't him who took her life away tore at him. He'd never get a chance to kill her or to at least spar with her. Everyday he wondered if he'd get his chance, but now, he wouldn't even get to see her. The only thing that kept him going in this life was gone. The notion that he'd get another slice at her, was shredded before his eyes. What could he do now? Now that Urako Himura was finally dead? Go on with his life in the shadow of yet another super power; Shishio Makoto? No, he wouldn't stand for it. He wouldn't be in the shadow of him, his shadow being too dark and destructive to even be seen in.

Enishi, tensing his muscles in frustration, turned to look at Kaoru, Shishio's sister. She wouldn't give him any leeway because Shishio wanted her dead anyway. No, he wouldn't kill her. He'd deliver Shishio to those who would want him dead. And with Shishio gone, he'd take over the enormous estate, continuing Shishio's dream of controlling the whole of Japan, bringing forth a new age. And with Kaoru at his side, he would be unstoppable.

Kaoru, her form rigid and tense, found herself watching Saitoh carry Urako's body slowly to them. Feeling sick, she doubled over and threw up, unconcvinced that it was Urako's body that lay strewn across the man's arms. Shaking and shuddering with overwhelming amounts of grief and unplaced hatred, she gingerly wiped her mouth with her arm.

"Shinta.." she hoarsly whispered, holding her stomach. There was no way for her to be able to help him now, or his sister. He would most likely retreat far back into himself, drowning himself in misery over his sister's death. One in which he hadn't a chance to prevent. Helplessness was Shinta's nemises, and it looked like this time, it had won. Kaoru felt herself slump forward, dejection numbing her body to the world. She would share the burden of this irreplaceable loss with Shinta.

Saitoh stopped his slow pace a few feet from the company, his brow creased with anger. His cheeks were puffy from crying, it seemed and his clothes were tattered and blood-soaked, whether from his own wounds or Urako's, no one could really tell. Saitoh gazed at the company, assessing each one's mood carefully. He hadn't a clue, really, on how to go about telling them what had happened. Though, he supposed that he should just explain it all and await for swift death, bringing him out of his own hell.

He tentively looked down at Urako's corpse, feeling a new rush of tears brimming his eyes. The smell of blood overwhelmed everything near Saitoh, reminding him again what he had done. Holding himself against the onslaught of guilt, he fell to his knees, resting Urako's body on the grassy floor. Uncaring of the consequences, he buried his head on her bloody, torn, and naked body, his form shaking with sorrow.

"What happened, Wolf?" Enishi asked suddenly, breaking the deathly silence. He swallowed thickly, usure of what to expect, but understood the outcome. He just wanted to know how she was killed. Was it magic? Someone more powerful?

It took Saitoh a few moments to regain his composure and shattered pride as he slowly looked up from Urako's body.

"She was defeated in a battle that she was blind to," Saitoh responded, grinding his teeth together in an effort to thwart his guilt.

"Did you…?" a soft low voice questioned. Everyone turned to face Shinta, whose head was bowed. His red mane covered his eyes, though anyone with enough sense would know that he was shedding tears.

Saitoh swallowed thickly, eyes scattering in numerous directions to find a suitable explanation. Sighing dejectedly, Saitoh muttered, "Yes."

Shinta tensed up his wounded body at the answer, hatred flowing around him. He wished he could just get up and slice Saitoh in a million pieces. Though, by the looks of him, that's what Saitoh would want. He'd pray to be killed, to be released by whatever haunted him.

He had told Urako that the Wolf was bad news, though she merely shrugged and ignored him, continuing to be with Saitoh. Shinta supposed she never really cared, just as long as she was more powerful than he was. So, if this type of thing were to occur, she'd always have the upper hand.

But I guess, the Wolf had a more conniving plan in destroying Urako. I just don't understand why he would do it…

"So…you killed Urako Himura, did you?" Enishi repeated a loud, letting it sink in for everyone. Saitoh numbly nodded, looking back down to Urako's face. "Why?"

Kaoru and Shinta both looked expectantly at Saitoh's hunched form, wanting to hear the answer that would give them the excuse to lash out at him.

"I was assigned to, by Shishio Makoto," he replied lowly.

Aoshi rushed out of the Aoiya, fear that further injury or abduction had found Shinta and Kaoru first. Why did they think it all right for them to venture out to the Himura Dojo?

Aoshi grunted irritably as he pushed past traffic, cutting across the street at a brisk pace. Car horns blared in his ears, but he paid them no heed as he kept his gaze in front of him. The Himura Dojo was on the other side of this enormous park; roughly a few miles across both ways. If Aoshi quickened his pace, he'd be there under 20 minutes.

The sky growled above Aoshi, causing him to glance skyward briefly, catching a raindrop in his exposed eye. Blinking rapidly to get the momentary sting out of his eye, Aoshi tripped though caught himself against a thick limbed tree. Balancing himself there, Aoshi caught wind of familiar voices coming a little ways ahead of him. Peering silently through criss-crossed limbs, Aoshi caught sight of Shinta and Kaoru along with Enishi and Saitoh, who was bent over someone. Not wanting to attract anymore attention, Aoshi turned away, leaning his back against the tree. Sighing in slight relief, Aoshi concentrated on the conversation, however softly it was.

"I was assigned to, by Shishio Makoto," Saitoh's voice mummbled. Knotting his brow in confusion, Aoshi waited for the Wolf to continue, wondering what he was talking about. However, Saitoh had stopped speaking and electrified tension took over the air.

What is happening here? What's Saitoh talking about and why is there so much hatred filling the air? And who is that woman beneath Saitoh?

Who was that woman? Aoshi found he couldn't answer the question, so he slowly turned to look through the small spaces between the tree branches. All he could make out was blackish red hair and slightly bluish white skin which was torn and bloodied. Saitoh looked extremely saddened by her passing as he kept his head bowed down upon her body.

Deciding that now was as good a time as ever, Aoshi unsheathed his kodachies and easily stepped away from the thick tree, revealing himself to the engaged company.

"Shinta, Kaoru, what's going on here?" he asked softly, eying all persons in the close vicinity. His eyes narrowed angrily at Enishi, who reciprocated the gesture.

"Oh! It's you, Aoshi!" Kaoru exclaimed, sniffling as she got to her feet. She wobbled a little before she settled herself and ran half-heartedly towards Aoshi. Burying her head in his chest, her sobs became more apparent as she clutched feverently at his jacket.

"What is it, Miss Makoto? What's happened here?" Aoshi asked worridly, eyes scanning each person's face.

Kaoru slowly pulled away from Aoshi's embrace, her watery eyes searching his own before gingerly looking away towards the rest of the group. Aoshi followed her gaze to Saitoh and the dead woman beneath him.

"Urako….," Kaoru sniffled.

No…..Not…Urako….not her….. No!!! Oh anscestors….I've failed you… In failing to protect Urako….I've allowed Evil passage through our lands…please….please forgive me…. Aoshi thought, staring wide eyed at the cold corpse of Urako.

"And this bastard," Shinta's voice rasped furiously, "Killed her!" Shinta jabbed a finger at Saitoh, his ferocity apparent in his eyes.

Snapping his head towards Saitoh, Aoshi narrowed his eyes as he asked sharply, "What?!"

"The Wolf took his prey, Shinnomori. Plain and simple," Enishi explained, swallowing his formerly dry throat.

"Don't give me any more reason to slit your throat, Enishi," Aoshi spat enraged.

Muttering under his breath, Enishi backed away from the group slightly.

"Now," Aoshi said slowly, "Let's head back to the compound before any more tradgedies befall us." Pointing his left-handed kodachi at Enishi, he added, "You, move. You try anything other than what I instruct and I promise you that searing pain will flow slowly through your body." Nodding gingerly, Enishi agreed and sheathed his sword, his jaw clenching in suppressed fury.

Kaoru willed herself to gradually lift from the ground and go to Shinta's wheel chair. She knelt before his chair, slowly placing a shakey hand on his forehead. His temple was soaked in sweat and heat. Fever.

"Shinta…?" Kaoru lightly questioned. No answer followed her query. "It's going to be all right, don't worry," She heard herself say.

It's going to be all right? Who am I kidding here? His life is pretty much messed up. Now he is totally alone, albeit some friends as well as myself, Kaoru thought as she lightly rubbed her thumb on his cheek in small circles.

Comforting him as well as herself somewhat, Kaoru stood up and walked behind Shinta's chair. Kaoru looked over to Aoshi, who was making sure Enishi wouldn't hurt or run away. Enishi, however, was too accepting to Aoshi's demands for Kaoru's comfort. It seemed as if he was planning on something.

"Saitoh…," Kaoru whispered hoarsly, turning to his general direction. She looked to where he now stood, with the deceased Urako Himura in his arms, ready to go wherever he was directed.

I wonder…can I give things life as well as take it away? Kaoru thought as her eyes stayed focused on Urako's lifeless body.

"Kaoru," Aoshi's voice cut through her thoughts. "Call the Oniwaban. There's a transmitter inside Shinta's clothes. I placed it there after he came back from Shishio's so he wouldn't be without help."

Nodding, Kaoru quickly searched Shinta's coat pocket, finding a small flat round-edged device. Turning it around in her hands, she found a series of gray and blue buttons.

"Push the two blue on the left and the large gray one on the right. That should send an emergency message to all within the Oniwaban," Aoshi explained, pushing the point of his kodachi into Enishi's back.

Kaoru complied and sent the message, placing the transmitter back in Shinta's coat pocket once she was done.

I must ask Hiko about my thoughts, as well as tell him the horrible news, Kaoru thought as she began to push Shinta back to the compound, the others soon following.

A/N:: What do you think, ya'll?? Ya like it??? ……::takes out shotgun and points it at you::…I'm glad you like it so much……muwahaha!! ::coughs and puts gun away:: ummm yea… ok ok ok—it's not as good and it IS a filler….as is much of it!—but it's still important to the story!!! Damnit!—hah! Ok—It's been over a year since I started this fic and A LOT has changed—in both our lives!!! Heh! Much love to loyal year-longreviewers!!! many hugs

The next chappie should be out before I start my second semester at the Academy of Art University!! Wootage peoples!! Oo—Check out Pinay Tiger's newest ficcie!! As well as Linay's new fic!!—you guys should definitely check out her old one—Broken Pieces—it's a classic KenshinBattousaiKaoru ficcie!! Much love! See you next update!!