A little History/Geography lesson ahead, be ready to learn!

Chapter 3: Meiji Odysseys Begin.

Kyoto

"Alright oniwaban, let's move out! Shirojo, go east, Kurojio, go west, Omasu and Okon, go south, and I, shall go north. We meet back here at sunset, no later after that."

"HAI!" All at once, the oniwaban spread into separate groups from the Aioya, hoping to find what they were looking for, or at least, some evidence that Misao was still alive.

Aoshi watched them leave, 'If I can't find her, then they surely will come back with empty proof. I should go while they're gone now.' Aoshi subtly prepared for his departure, regardless with or without the rest of the onibawanshuu. North was his destination. North was the way, north was going to lead him past the Biwa Lake, and straight to the Wakasa Bay, hoping to find answers. Shinomori walked out of the Aoiya base, leaving no regrets and no second thoughts where he was heading. He carefully stroked the abhorrent note in his pocket, making no mistakes that his prediction was right.

Eleven years ago, a trading route opened between Echizen and the north bay. The minor stain of Chinese black tea on the edge of the note was barely visible, but the smell was unmistakable. Raw powdered tea was usually used, but since Aoshi had found no sign of dust-like substance, it had to be imported. The tea was made from the essence of tea leaves, not powder, therefore, had to be from the outmoded pass.

There could be no way the clue of foreign good would be from Yokohama or Nagoya. The stain was only a few days old, not a few weeks travel. The nearest pass was to the north. Even if Aoshi didn't find Misao there, there would be something he'd find; evidence, a trail, maybe even the abductor.

Tokyo

"Yahiko…Not you too." Sanosuke looked down to sympathize, "What the hell's wrong with them? Bastards."

Kenshin watched the Sano, worried as ever. "Sanosuke, ask Genzai-sensei to stay over a few nights, while we're gone."

"No, Kenshin." The young man stood up, outfacing Kenshin's proposal, "I'M going, not you. You can hardly walk a mile."

Kenshin lowly chuckled, "You know me better, Sano. Would I listen?"

He heard the man longingly sigh, somewhat frustrated from the disagreement. "No, 'fraid not. I guess….if leave you here, it'd be worse, right?"

"Himura!"

"What was that?" Sanosuke walked outside into the cold air, finding no sign of the man who called Kenshin, "The hell?"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Come back here!" Kenshin heard the distant sound of Sanosuke's yell. "Damn it!" The young man came back in, disappointed to have no suspect with him, "He got away. He only left me this note."

Kenshin accepted the note in his hands and read it aloud: "First instruction- Arrive at Kawasaki seven days from now. Otherwise, Megumi, Kaoru, and Mi-"

Sanosuke wondered about the sudden stop, "What is it?"

"…and Misao…They've taken her too! The Oniwabanshuu must be looking for her now, and Aoshi… We're bound to meet him on the way."

"Give me that note, Kenshin." The command continued: "…Otherwise Megumi, Kaoru, and Misao won't be guaranteed their physical safety. Many more will join the group of victims. If you follow our instructions, no harm will come of either of them."

"Many more? How many more…? This is all because of me."

"No! Kenshin! Keep your head up, we all know you'd give anything to save them, even yourself." Sanosuke wrinkled the paper, and threw it into the small blaze in the center of the room. "Remember, it's because of you why were all together. It's because of you that everyone can live happy again. Geez…I'm like repeating myself aren't I? Main point: We need you."

Sakamoto

"Misao! Misao-chan!" Kaoru harshly whispered, finally free from the tight fabric that bound her mouth, though her hands were still tied, "Wake up!" The weak girl looked up, and closed her eyes regarding the pain Kaoru was unacknowledged of, "What's wrong Misao? Are you okay?"

"She's been exposed to Chloroform and affected with Carbolic Acid." The tall man she'd seen before replied, "Don't be too haste, she won't be moving for a while."

"Why are you doing this? She doesn't deserve this! This is pretty low of you, you shouldn't drag innocent people into this!" Kaoru retorted, with all her rage.

"Neither should Himura…" he growled.

"What are you talking about? Kenshin would never do that! Even if he did in his past time, he didn't know better then! He's changed! He's not battousai anymore!-"

"Shut up. Kenshin is what he is, and no matter what he does, it can't change the past."

Kaoru's abductor stepped into the desolate room, "Well, mind if join the conversation?"

"Not at all." The tall one said, "In fact, it'd be better if you'd take action, as we planned."

"So soon? Alright then. In truth, I'm pretty anxious to try it myself, though it's a little strange and two-faced of me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not that kind of a pervert. But I wouldn't care that much if I changed my status." He stated lightly.

"There's always one kind of lecher, don't flatter yourself." He stepped outside and closed the door casually behind him, "Hurry, if you want to find this friend of yours. The journey north, to Wakasa bay is long ahead of us."

' Wakasa Bay? Why there? Who could he know there?'Kaoru thought. "What are you doing?"

"You'll see." He smiled, "Who should I start with first? Kaoru?"

Quickly, the taller man commanded him, "No-… Not her. Not yet, at least. Start with Misao, we'll slowly pain him."

"Right." He kneeled to Misao, and caressed her cheek unconcerned, "You'll be a fine witness, Kaoru–san."

"M-matte! What are you doing?"

The young man ignored her fidget, "Hm, I'll have something out of doing this." Cautiously, he positioned both her feet flat on the ground, and spoke to her while he was doing so, "Misao-san, Remember me? I know you hate me now. What you're going to feel will turn you into an addict, and you'll crave for it the rest of your life."

"Stop it! Y-you can't! NO!" Kaoru fell forward, unable to control her balance and excitement. "Don't! Please!" He lifted her skirt to reach the inner black loin, and carefully pulled it down, neglecting Kaoru's ongoing arguments. Exposed and pale, Misao couldn't do anything to stop him, she didn't shout, move, or tense when the boy opened his Kimono and showed her, once again, the indication of his manliness. "Yamate! Please!" Kaoru tried once more, having no luck, "You can't! That's rape!"

He smiled again, "Is it now? I say it's not because she isn't resisting. Besides, I'm not actually going to deflorate her, not there anyway."

Hearing this, Misao hardly opened her eyes into slits, and let out unwanted tears to streak down her cheeks. 'No…this is shame. Please, let me let die than to have this fate. ' Kaoru closed her eyes tightly, preventing the sound of Misao's piercing and painful scream have the best of her sanity.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Misao!" Okina stared to his right.

You had no IDEA how much research I had to do for this!...Anyway, I hope you realize who the "rapist" is now. I've been dropping plenty of hints, oh well you'll find out soon. I'm already almost done with the next, that's why I took so long for this chapter. Btw, this fiction is based on the manga versions, it's just slightly different from the T.V. series, I'd say a little more for mature readers.