Assassination, Kidnapping, I Do It All

Kenshin returned to the old mansion where he was to meet Katsura in. The house looked like a ghost house. It was filled with cobwebs and covered in dust. There was also mold growing in the corners, and the furniture was rotting away. The only suitable area was in the underground dungeon. The house had been used as an old fortress to hold thieves and murderers. No one would have guessed that there was a prison underneath the amazing mansion.

Kenshin was to meet Katsura in the warden's quarters to report the news. He thought about if he should tell him about the girl that saw him. Would he send him back to kill her? Would he allow her to live? He was cut off when he heard a voice.

"What took you so long?" Shishio (1) asked with a smile.

"I had some troubles finding the place and taking down his guards."

"Nothing the great Battousai can't handle." Shishio looked up to the Battousai. He was, after all, suppose to follow his footsteps. He led Kenshin into the captain's quarters where Katsura and another man waited. "He has returned." Katsura smiled at Kenshin, who was staring at the other man.

"Kenshin, this is Shiro (2). He will be working with us from now on." Shiro bowed to Kenshin. He was a little taller than Kenshin, but not by much. He looked about ten years older than the eighteen year old. He had short black hair and cold black eyes. He carried what looked like a long sword. Kenshin had heard stories about him. He could take out ten men with one swing of his long sword. But he didn't let that intimidate him.

"Did you finish your task?" Kenshin handed the dead captain's papers to Katsura. He looked at the papers and looked into Kenshin's eyes. "Were there any problems?" Katsura asked. Kenshin tried to avoid his master's eyes, but he couldn't hide it anymore.

"A girl saw me kill the traitor. He called her father. She fainted at the scene, so I left." Shiro banged his fist on the desk.

"You fool, you were to kill everyone. She will go to the police and report you. You should be flogged for your carelessness." Katsura silenced the man. Kenshin could see the disappointment on his face. Shiro was right. He did deserve to be punished. He would gladly accept it.

"You said the girl called him father?" Katsura asked. Kenshin nodded. "Did you catch her name?"

"No," Kenshin answered.

"Hmm, this could work. The captain was working for the shogun. I think that she was supposed to marry his son. Maybe we could work something out. Kenshin, I want you to go back to the Kamiya dojo and bring the girl here…alive. Understood?" Kenshin nodded.

"Before I leave, I want you to know that whatever punishment you have for me I will accept."

"You may not have one. Now go. I don't want to waste time." Kenshin ran from the dungeon and left the house. Katsura sighed. "What do you think?"

"This could be the turning point of the war," Shishio stated. "We could have our freedom sooner than we think."

Kaoru was kneeling in front of her father's coffin praying. She wondered what she would do without her father. It was hard enough that he left her for so long. He had just returned from the war, and now he was dead. She was all alone in the world. She was interrupted by a man's voice.

"Kaoru, I am sorry for your lost." The man had his long black hair braided down his back. His brown eyes warmed her heart as he hugged her.

"Thank you, Kyochi (3). You shouldn't be here. The same men that did this to father could come after you." Kyochi smiled and drew Kaoru into a kiss.

"I don't care. I can't leave my bride-to-be alone in danger. Come back to the castle with me. My father will provide safety for you."

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to come to the castle," Kaoru stated. It was true that she was fond of the shogun's son. She was to marry him in two weeks. Her father had made the arrangement with the shogun so Kaoru could live a long and rich life. Kyochi did love Kaoru, but Kaoru was unsure about her feelings toward him.

"Please, Kaoru. You are not safe her. I know you want to mourn your father, but your father wouldn't want you to stay in danger for his sake. I will leave tomorrow. Send your answer then." Kyochi left her to herself. Kaoru knew he was right. Her father would want what was best for her.

She decided to go to bed early that night. She had just finished combing out her hair when she noticed the window open. She looked out into the sky. The stars were shining so brightly that night. Her father told her that when someone dies, they watch from the stars and guide them. He always told her that her mother was watching over her. Maybe her father was watching with his wife. The thought brought a smile to her face. She closed the window and put her mother's comb in her kimono. Just then, she felt someone grab her and put a knife against her throat.

"Don't move or scream, unless you do not value your life." The man's voice was cold. Had he come back to kill her, or did he want something else. "Are you the captain's daughter?"

"Yes, what do you want?" she asked. He said nothing. "If you have come her to take my life, then do it. I have no desire to live. Just do it quickly." She closed her eyes, waiting for him to pull the knife across her neck.

"I could do it in an instant. This is true. I could also make your suffering last. But for now…" Kenshin hit her in the neck and caused her to blackout. "I need you alive." He picked up the unconscious Kaoru and headed back to the fortress.

1. Shishio was supposed to follow in Kenshin's steps as a manslayer. His philosophy was an old shogun concept. "The strong shall live and the weak shall parish from this world."

2. Shiro is a new character that I added. He should be an interesting man with plenty of twists and temper tantrums.

3. Kyochi is also a made-up character. I have no idea if Tokugawa Yoshinobu had a son. Just a little angst I wanted to add.