Hey, thanks for all the reviews. Since you gave me your two cents, I've decided to update this story first. I hope you like it.

Compromise

There was a sudden explosion outside the manor. Everyone in the dungeon turned there heads to the sound of yelling men. "What was that?" Kenshin asked as he helped Kaoru off the ground.

"It sounds like the city is being attacked," Shishio said, but Katsura shook his head.

"No, the city is not under attack. We are under attack." Everyone gasped at Katsura's words. How could they be under attack? No one knew where they were. Unless…

"That means," Shiro started, "that the shogun's army has found us."

"But how? We were so well hidden," Shishio stated.

"Maybe," Shiro said, "the girl found a way to give our hiding place to them."

"That's absurd!" Kenshin yelled. "Miss Kaoru has been guarded by either me or Shishio the whole time she has been here. She hasn't been allowed to leave the grounds. How could she betray us?" Shiro pointed his sword at Kenshin.

"Maybe you are the one who betrayed us, Battousai."

"Never," Katsura said. "Kenshin would never betray us. He is a true samurai and would never hand over his colleagues. He is the most loyal among us."

"Let him prove it," Shiro said. "He shall be the one to face the intruders. I think that will prove his devotion to us."

"Well, Kenshin, do you accept this challenge?" Shishio asked. Kenshin looked Kaoru then his friends. He couldn't betray them. He had to live up to them. He started walking up the stairs, soon followed by Kaoru and the other samurais. He looked out the window of the grand hall, only to find that it was the Shinsengumi that had found them. The leader, Saitou, who Kenshin had fought before, addressed them.

"Rebels, unless you want us to show you no mercy, you will hand over the future Shogun Kyochi's fiancé. If you do not come out with her, we will burn your stronghold." Kenshin looked at Kaoru as she shook her head.

"No, Kenshin. You'll be killed. I've seen what the Shinsengumi has done to their victims. They completely tear them apart. You can't…" Kenshin stopped her by putting his finger on her lips.

"I can't put it off any longer. I must face them. It's my destiny." He opened the door and walked out. Kaoru watched through the crack in the door. She started crying when Katsura put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Miss Kaoru. He knows what he is doing."

Kenshin stopped a few feet away from them, careful not to show them his eyes or his emotion. "You will turn back now and pretend you never came here. The shogun has failed to adhere to our requests. We will not hand over the girl."

"We have been ordered to retrieve her at any cost," Saitou said as he drew his sword. "If that means killing a few rebels, I'll be glad to." Kenshin looked up. He now had his battle face on, his Battousai face. Saitou immediately recognized him. "I remember you. Red hair, cross-shaped scar, a stare of death, you are the Battousai. I will enjoy fighting you again. Only this time, I will defeat you." Kenshin drew his sword and pointed it at Saitou.

"I don't think so. I will not let you escape this time. This time, I will kill you." At these words, Kenshin completely disappeared. Saitou realized what he did and turned around, blocking Kenshin's attack. Kenshin stepped back and then advanced. Their swords met again and again. Both seemed to be equal rivals. It was until Saitou used his right-hand thrust that the action started. Saitou's sword managed to graze Kenshin's shoulder. But Kenshin then counterattacked with a dragon strike. Unfortunately, he missed Saitou, allowing Saitou to slice into Kenshin's side. Kenshin fell backwards as Saitou laughed.

"This is not the Battousai I fought before. He was a lot faster and more precise. Is it possible…that the great manslayer has become soft? If so, I will end this samurai's life and any chance of the rebellion to succeed."

"STOP!" Saitou looked over as Kaoru ran in front of Kenshin, shielding him from Saitou. "Stop this now! Do not hurt him anymore! I'm the one you want! Take me!" Saitou walked closer to Kaoru. Kenshin tried to stop her, but it took all his strength just to hold himself up on his sword.

"Kaoru, what are you doing?" Kenshin moaned. "You must stop."

"Do you mean to say that you are Miss Kaoru Kamiya, Kyochi's wife-to-be?" Kaoru nodded.

"I am. I have a deal for you. Kyochi wanted me back safe and sound, right? He made a promise to these men. He promised that the shogun and his army would leave if I was returned to him alive. If I come back with you, the shogun must leave Edo to the rebels. Furthermore, I will only leave with you if you promise not to hurt these men anymore."

"Kaoru, no," Kenshin yelled as he tried to stable himself on his sword.

"Do we have a deal?" Kaoru asked. Saitou smiled.

"Alright, we will make the compromise." Kaoru shook his hand in agreement and then turned to Kenshin.

"Kaoru, you mustn't," Kenshin gasped. Kaoru walked over to him and hugged him.

"You saved me once. It's my turn. Kenshin, listen to me. You have to stay alive. If you ever want the people to be equal, you must fight for the Meji and stay alive. That is the only way our country will be at peace. You will live to become a great legend if you go on. Everyone around the world will know you as the liberator of the Japanese people. But if you give your life away now, your name will be forgotten, and all your hard work will be for nothing. Please, you have to survive. Just remember one thing." She kissed him passionately. She always wanted to show her emotions to him. She wanted him to know how she felt. "I will always remember you and love you. Please, don't forget me." He looked down and saw that Kaoru had left her brush in his hands.

She got up and walked over to the Shinsengumi. "Better tie her up," one swordsman said as they tied her with ropes. "Her father taught her the Kamiya Kasshin style." The men led Kaoru away, but not before she could get one last glance at Kenshin's tears.

He couldn't believe it. She had given herself up so he could live. Why? Why would she do that? He should be the one to die, not her. He let the tears flow out of his eyes. He hadn't cried like this since Tomoe died. He couldn't take it anymore.

"KAORU!"

Yep, that's the end of this chapter. I hope it wasn't too short. I hope the fight scene was long enough. I suck at fight scenes. There will be more. I promise. It will be better.

Reviewers:

Here is my specially saved block for my few, yet very faithful, important reviewers. I would like to say thanks to all my reviewers. I also would like to answer some questions and comments.

Animelover: Hmm...That's a very good question. It could very well be Kami. Whenever I watch anime, they always have Buddhism as the main religion. You could be right though. I know a lot about Japan before WWI, but that is one of the few questions I can't answer. You stumped me.

Royal BlueKitsune: I love that song. Fallen is the first song I heard from Mya. I'm glad you compared my story to it. That's a neat habit. Thanks for reviewing.

Angel-of-dark-spirits: I'm not sure yet. I'm not planning to kill either of them. You'll just have to see. Can't wait to read more of your stories.

Larie-chan: You're welcome. I hate it when people make Kaoru sound wimpy. Unfortunately, I've probably done it too. They made her super wimpy in Reflection. All she did was get kidnapped and Kenshin would save her. I still loved the movie. Sorry about the cliffhanger.

KissKenshin7: Thanks. I'm glad someone likes my stories so much. (Unlike a certain someone that keeps flaming everyone. You know who you are so I won't say your name, GOBOND!) Did I say that out loud? But really. When people write nasty stuff about people for no reason at all, and everyone else likes the story, it tends to stick with that person. I'm glad that you don't flame.

Flamers: So far, no one has flamed me on this story. I love constructive criticism. I hate it when people yell, make threats, and curse you. We just had a shooting threat at our tiny, in-the-middle-of-nowhere school. So please don't. Flamers, BEWARE OF THE WRATH OF PATIENCE!

Thanks for reviewing. I won't harass you if you don't harass me. I love all reviewers and fan fiction is meant to express yourself and how you feel about certain stories. Thanks again. Cya.