Disclaimer: Stick to plain and simple. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Any of it. This includes characters, ideas, plot, nothing!

The Secret Kept From Yahiko

Chapter Eight

From last time:

"All right Kenshin. G' Night."

"Good night Yahiko."

I walked slowly back to my room and opened the door. I was about to climb back into bed, but I felt like something wasn't quite right. I couldn't remember leaving the window open; even if it was only a crack.

I was going over to close it when a familiarly cold voice welcomed me." It is nice to see you again Yahiko."

A hand clamped over my mouth as arms circled around me and a knife was pressed to my throat. Like it or not; my vision had come true. I was caught.

I awoke to the birds twittering outside my window, feeling very well rested, but from the position of the sun it looked like it was somewhere past eight o clock. This rarely happened! Now was why I still in bed? I should be making Kaoru-Dono her breakfast... 'Oh yes! Yahiko came to talk to me last night... He wants to start his training immediately and told me about his second vision. At least we seem to have a week to figure out what to do, and to start Yahiko's training.'

I climbed out of my nice warm futon and prepared to get dressed. After I was clad in my normal attire of my pink gi and white pants, I continued on to roll up my futon and place it neatly in the corner to be ready for the next time I used it.

As I walked down the hall towards the kitchen I could tell that Kaoru- Dono was already up. The smell of burning rice made my nose wrinkle in distaste. Walking into the kitchen, I saw that Kaoru-Dono was trying to cook both fish and rice at the same time and it seemed that she was failing at both.

"Kaoru-Dono?" I asked pleasantly, "would you care for some help?"

"Oh sure Kenshin," she responded through gritted teeth, "about time you showed up!"

"Seesha is sorry he is up late Kaoru-Dono. Yahiko came in and talked to me last night, that he did."

"Oh? And what could Yahiko want with you at two AM? Hmm?"

"You see Kaoru-Dono, Yahiko had another vision. He was taken again."

"Oh dear that isn't good at all."

"Yes, so he wanted to know if he could start his training today."

"Weeelll... I don't know Kenshin. He isn't exactly in the best of health if you know what I mean."

"I know Kaoru-Dono, but if Yahiko could just learn some basics..."

"Fine!" The young kendo instructor threw her hands in the air. "We'll start after breakfast. Kenshin could you recook?"

"Of course Kaoru-Dono. Why don't you go get Yahiko up? I'm sure that he will be hungry."

"All right. Be back in a little bit Kenshin. And please cook fast, I'm starving!"

Overall View

Kaoru walked down the hall to where her guest bedroom was located; now she guessed was going to be Yahiko's room for however long he stayed for. She slid open the door and walked in. "Come on Lazy Bones! Time to get up!"

Kaoru went over to the bed where the blankets were piled up. "Hiding I see? Or are you still sleeping?"

She crept over and flung the blankets wide so that they went sailing to the other side of the room. "Gotcha!" she yelled. There was no one in the futon. "Ha We must have walked right past each other. Back to the kitchen."

Kaoru skipped merrily back to the kitchen for the smell of frying fish, not burnt was leaving the room with a tantalizing smell. "I'm back Kenshin! Breakfast smells great!"

"Yes it does Kaoru-Dono. Where is Yahiko?"

"Isn't he with you? He wasn't in his room..."

"No Yahiko never came into the kitchen," the Rurouni said with a puzzled frown, "do you think he went to the training hall already?"

"No, I didn't hear anything when I walked by."

"Seesha will go take a look in his room," 'I hope nothing happened...'

"I'll come to Kenshin!" the raccoon girl smiled, jumped up, snagged a rice ball off the plate, and started to follow Kenshin out of the kitchen.

When Kenshin walked into Yahiko's room, he knew at once that there was something amiss. The window was open, the floor had scuff marks, and most of all, Yahiko wasn't there.

Kenshin walked over to the window and studied the lock. "Someone picked it and came in," he stated to Kaoru, "I'm guessing it was the Shuei Yakuza."

"But why," questioned the raven haired girl, "what do they want with him?"

"I'm not entirely sure Kaoru-Dono, but we have to find him and get him out of there before it's to late."

Yahiko POV

I awoke to a horrible headache and utter darkness. When I tried to wave my hand in front of my face I realized with a jolt of panic that my hands were tied together behind my back. It wasn't a dream. It was a living nightmare. I had been taken again. But why?

I tried picking the knots that bound my hands together, but it was no use. The rope was too carefully and skillfully tied. I needed something sharp to rub them against if I was to get out of here. Problem was, since I couldn't see anything how was I supposed to find something sharp?

I tried moving my left leg and to my dismay found that my legs were tied together as well. At least it wasn't the worst that could happen; I wasn't tied up to the wall this time. I brought my knees up to my chest and tried to reach down with my bound hands to untie my feet. And I couldn't reach.

So now I was stuck in a room or someplace where I couldn't see, I was tied up, and though I hated to admit it, I was scared.

Since my untie the feet thing wasn't working, I switched to a new tactic. Bringing my arms above my head I felt for the wall. Maybe, just maybe, there would be a jut of rock or stone that I could rub myself free on. No such luck. Solid wood that was very smooth and hard. Wasn't getting out that way.

I half slid half crawled around the perimeter of my little prison looking for the door. I mean, there had to be one, I didn't just fall in from the ceiling. Halfway around the room (judging by the corners) I located a door, and just as I expected it was locked.

I slumped against the wall. I was trapped here. There was no escape. And I wanted out. I guess the only thing to do now was wait.

And wait I did, for hours, minutes, or years, I couldn't tell. No daylight, no sounds except my own breathing. And then all of a sudden, the door flew open cascading vibrant light into my holding area from whatever lay beyond. I let out a yell and tried to cover my eyes; it was too bright.

"Ah so the brat is up?" The leering face of Soji peered down at me and seemed to take that my shrink was from fear. Actually it was cause of that damn light. "The boss wants to see you."

He reached over and pulled me up by my hair with his filthy hand. I struggled to get out of his grasp, but I was still sick and still trying to adjust so his grip stayed firm.

Out of nowhere a rope appeared in his left hand while his right still held me. He took the rope and then looked at me. He dropped me back to the floor- hard, and preceded to tie the rope tightly around my neck leaving him with an end to hold.

"Ready to go Brat? Like the dog that you are?"

I, without my being aware of it, growled under my breath, but Soji heard.

"You agree with me Brat, good." He took his end of the rope and tugged. The rope rubbed and burned at my neck. "Come along now, the boss does not like to be kept waiting," he said and tugged harder.

I had no choice but to be dragged along, my neck aching in protest to the harsh treatment it was receiving. I was brought into the same room that I had seen in both my visions. And standing right where I had seen him last, was Gasuke.

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," Gasuke commented in the same tone someone would use about the weather. "Now what do you have to say for yourself Yahiko?"

"One thing. And I'll make it short and simple so all you dunces can understand," I spat from my position on the floor, "what the heck am I doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious Yahiko-Chan," said Gasuke emphasizing on the Chan, "that we want you dead."

My face reddened at the comment to my age and my gaze dropped to the floor. "And how are you planning on doing that?" I countered, "Kenshin will come. Just you wait."

"I don't think so Yahiko. Not when there are bigger problems going on back there. No one is going to miss one little street brat."

"W-what? He will come!"

"Such bravado Yahiko, but how can he once we send him on a wild goose chase?" My eyes widened. "Yes Yahiko, you are ours for the taking and there is nothing you can do about it."

Author's Notes:

Sorry it took me so long to update! I became obsessed with Font Contests on Neopets and couldn't seem to find the time to type! But now it is here!

Now, let's not get hasty! Chapter Nine will be up sooner if I have anything to do with it!

And please please please, REVIEW! Seeing reviews in my inbox makes me want to continue!

Reviewer's Comments:

Icypanther: You really liked the bokken didn't you? Kenshin will come, I hope!

Bloody Akiko Nagi the Insane: Glad you liked it! How about this one? See you next chapter!

Halownkougra: Kaoru got freaked, hehe. I loved my vacation although the roller coaster was scary. After the first time it wasn't so bad, but I did get a major headache!

StarofFoam: Go Yahiko!! Let's see if he can kick some Gasuke butt!