A/N: I have nothing to say! That's a first!

REVIEWERS! YAY!

FairyMage - Eek! -hides from crazed reviewer-

lolo popoki - So many violent reviewers! -stays clear of your bat-

BakaBokken - I was guessing they would have had some sort of needles back then, but I wasn't sure if they did or not.

Insane Chipmunk - You'll have to keep reading to find out!

moeru himura - Yup! It's Kenshin's turn!

AekaAnime - There are 28 chapters. Sorry for the long wait, but I've been having personal problems that have slowed the updating. I think I have everything nearly smoothed out now plus I'm just about done with the other fanfic I've been writing and should be updating this every other day or so. So hopefully it won't be too much longer!

Hitokiri Musei - Yup! Kenshin's turn again. The chapters will be going Neko, Kenshin, Neko, Kenshin ect. for a bit.

Chapter 13 - Your Life In A Madman's Hands

Kenshin groaned as the effects of Hiroko's last concoction began to wear off. He found himself in his old cell; arms locked above his head. A vile taste was in his dry mouth. He ran his tongue along the top of his teeth trying to rid himself of the taste. It didn't help, the taste alone partly made him want to throw up again. He bristled at the thought. How dare Hiroko make a guinea pig out of him? His throat burned, begging him for water. He wasn't sure how long he had been here, but he knew he hadn't eaten or had any water since the breakfast he had with Neko. No wonder he hadn't had much to th-- no, he wasn't going to think about that right now.

Standing around, unable to move, alone in a dark room, gave one time to think. Kenshin found his mind drifting from his anger towards Muroi and Hiroko, to memories of the past, then to trying to figure out a way to escape, if Katsura had indeed made it to the safe house; Kenshin figured he had. After all, if the Shinsengumi had killed Katsura he probably wouldn't be alive right now. Unless Hiroko was just toying with him, which made Kenshin hate the man even more.

Hiroko was having troubles himself. "Saito-san!" He said startled, as he entered his room only to find a man waiting for him inside.

The third captain of the Shinsengumi leaned comfortably against the opposite wall of Hiroko's room, a cocky smile on his face at seeing the fear in the lower captain. "He hasn't spoken yet, has he?" Saito asked getting straight to the point.

"No, sir. But he will," Hiroko said, lowering his voice, hating Kenshin for not speaking sooner. "I'll make sure he tells us where Katsura is hiding."

"I'm sure you will." Saito said with a laugh, walking towards the desk in Hiroko's room. "You are very good at what you do." He picked up a stray needle that Hiroko had left on his desk. "Yet, I didn't think anyone could survive your medicine."

Hiroko growled. "He's stubborn, but I will crack him."

Saito laughed again. "I'm still curious." He said, twirling the needle in his hand. "As how you caught the Battousai. Alive at that. Where so many failed." He stopped twirling the needle and glared at Hiroko.

Hiroko gulped. "I had a special strategy that I used."

"Really, I'm curious." Saito placed the needle near Hiroko's neck and tapped it a little. "I really want to know."

Hiroko began to sweat. If Saito found out how he had captured the Battousai, he knew he wasn't going to be pleased. "I, I surrounded him after the battle. He didn't have much strength left so I knew we could take him."

"Uh-huh." Saito said, unbelieving. "Well, then. I better let you get back to work." Saito stood and removed the needle setting it back down on the desk. "No problem, then." He made to leave. "Just remember the Shinsengumi principles."

"Always act as a true samurai." Hiroko answered. Saito nodded and left the frightened man alone in his room. Hiroko yelled, aggravated; he needed a way to calm himself. He smiled; he knew the perfect way to control his anger. He needed to pay the Battousai a visit, he should be awake by now.

Hiroko walked down the halls, not paying too much attention to where he was going. He walked past a couple of his men in the hall but didn't think much of it until he caught a little of their conversation. "Why'd you even answer the Battousai? He's chained to the wall, what's he going to do to you?"

Hiroko stopped and turned to the two who had just come down the hall. "He talked to you?"

The two men stopped and faced their captain. "Yes sir." One answered.

Hiroko grew slightly curious. "About what?"

Kenshin sneezed. 'Great. A cold,' he thought bitterly. 'Just what I need.' Now his nosed itched. He wiggled it in a vain attempt to make that annoying feeling go away. Kenshin let out a small sigh, but it stung his parched throat. He moved on to chipping the dried blood away from his bottom lip with his teeth. A familiar ki came up to the door and Kenshin stopped and glared at the door.

Hiroko stepped inside, but stepped back slightly when he saw that Kenshin was glaring at him. 'I hate it when he does that,' he grumbled to himself angrily. Taking a quick breath, he stepped back inside and made his way to Kenshin. He came alone this time and his heart beat a little faster as the door was shut and locked behind him. He was alone with the Battousai.

Kenshin eyed Hiroko curiously. It was the first time the man had come alone. As he looked Hiroko over, his eyes stopped on the object in Hiroko's hand. It was a cup of water.

Hiroko saw Kenshin's eyes stopping on the cup. It had been days since they had brought him here, so he knew the Hitokiri had to be thirsty. He held the cup up. "Are you thirsty, Battousai?" He asked innocently. "Want some water?"

Kenshin grabbed at his chains. Yes! He wanted that water. His throat burned for it. His mouth yearned for it. His stomach begged for it. He wanted to reach out and snatch it but he wasn't going to let Hiroko win. He wasn't about to beg, especially not to that… that… mutt. The water glistened in its cup. Oh, how he wanted it.

Hiroko studied Kenshin carefully. The boy hadn't leapt at his offer of water like he had hoped. His face showed deep hatred toward his tormentor, but his eyes… Kenshin's eyes gave him away. Hiroko was able to pick up that small gleam in Kenshin's eyes that he badly wanted the water - however, Hiroko only found that small trace of emotion because he had been looking so hard for it. Anyone else could have missed it, but it didn't matter. He had seen that want in his eyes.

Hiroko placed the cup to his lips and took a long, slow sip. "Ah, that's good," he teased. "It's so cold and fresh." He brought the cup to Kenshin's nose and held it there. "Doesn't it smell good?"

Kenshin stomach turned as the scent of water rose up his nostrils. It was so close, so close. 'Damn you Hiroko.'

Hiroko lowered the cup and took another sip. "I'll give you the rest. All you have to do is tell me where Katsura is?" He said as he carefully began to shake the cup. He purposely spilled some of the water.

Kenshin watched as the water splattered onto Hiroko's hand and the floor. What a waste. His mouth seemed even drier as he watched Hiroko play with the water for a moment longer.

"Come on, Battousai. It's so simple. I'll trade you this water for Katsura's location."

Kenshin scowled at Hiroko. "Never." He growled his voice cracking slightly from being so dry and not using it for so long.

Hiroko's teeth clenched. "Never? Never you say!" He threw the water, splashing Kenshin's face. "You will tell me or I will kill you!" He looked down at the empty cup in his hand then threw that as well. It struck Kenshin's nose, causing him to cry out as blood began to pour from his nose. The cup fell to the ground and broke into five pieces.

Hiroko turned to leave the room and Kenshin tried to lick all the water he could off his face. As the droplets hit his tongue it was a sweet relief. It cooled his dry tongue, even if it was only a little. His eyes wandered toward the door where Hiroko stood talking to one of the guards. The guard nodded and ran off. Hiroko stood arms crossed, glaring at his prisoner as he awaited the guard's return.

Whatever the guard had been doing, he returned quickly and handed something to Hiroko. Kenshin almost moaned when he saw that what Hiroko held now was a wooden club. Hiroko walked up to Kenshin and glared daggers at him. Kenshin waited patiently waiting for the man to ask him about Katsura. "Why did you want to know where Muroi lives?" Kenshin was surprised by the question, so surprised in fact confusion was clearly visible on his face. "Why did you want to know where Muroi lives?" Hiroko asked again. When Kenshin kept his usual silence Hiroko forcefully rammed the club into Kenshin's stomach.

Kenshin coughed and gagged. "TELL ME!" Hiroko shouted. "TELL ME WHY!" Kenshin, between trying to get his breath back, glared defiantly at Hiroko. Hiroko tightened his grip on the club and swung, connecting just above Kenshin's right knee. Kenshin yelled out in pain. Hiroko didn't stop, he brought the club up quickly and connected with Kenshin's chin. The lood 'click' that came from his jaws crashing together echoed in Kenshin's head.

Hiroko yelled angrily and grabbed Kenshin's mouth. He squeezed tightly. "You think you can save that girl, don't you?" Even if Kenshin wanted to answer he would have been unable to even mumble as Hiroko pressed even harder. "You're never going to leave here. You're never going to see that kid again. You should just give up because I'm not going to let you get anywhere near Muroi!" Hiroko removed his hand and Kenshin glared calmly back at him. Hiroko broke eye contact to look at his hand. Some of Kenshin's blood was on it. Hiroko snarled at it before he rubbed his hand clean on Kenshin's gi. "I'll kill you first."

Hiroko and Kenshin glared at each other. They stood there for a long time, neither speaking, neither blinking, but Hiroko started to crack. He suddenly lifted the club and swung wildly. Kenshin cried out as it struck his ribs on his right side yet he still held that malice in his eyes. Hiroko screamed at him before swinging again this time hitting Kenshin's right cheek. Kenshin's teeth cut the side of his gum and blood poured from the wound.

Hiroko grabbed Kenshin's throat and got right into his face. "I'm going to kill you and you're going to tell me where Katsura is! And the girl, Muroi will have his fun with her!" Kenshin's eyes narrowed and he spat the blood that had been collecting in his mouth at Hiroko's face. Most splattered in his right eye. Hiroko quickly released Kenshin throat and fell back hissing as if he had burned. He wiped the blood from his face before turning back to Kenshin with a snarl. He grabbed the club, which he had dropped, with both hands and with all his might swung for Kenshin's head.

The blow hit Kenshin's left arm first, softening it slightly, but a loud crack resounded in the small cell as wood connected with skull. Kenshin's body went slack; his head fell to his chest, his hands that had been clutching the chains loosened their grip, and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. Hiroko looked at the still form of his prisoner. He let the club fall to the ground as he searched for a pulse.

There it was. He could still feel blood pulsating through the Battousai's veins. He lowered his hand slowly, staring into Kenshin's bloody and bruised face. How calm and tired it looked when he was asleep. When he saw his face like this, Hiroko had a hard time believing this to be the same man who put so much fear into him when he was awake.

A twisted smile drew across Hiroko's face as he watched a new small stream of blood slowly flow down the Battousai's head. Hiroko reached up and pushed slightly along the ribs he had just struck a few moments ago. When there was no reaction to his prodding he pushed a little harder. Kenshin winced slightly. Hiroko pushed harder and harder, watching as Kenshin's unconscious body twisted in pain. After a while he finally stopped. He had other things that needed to be done. He also needed to wash.

'I'm so tired.' Kenshin's mind drifted as he begged his body not to wake up. He wanted to rest a little longer. When he felt someone gently brushing his bangs from his forehead and another voice humming a somewhat familiar tune he slowly let his eyes open.

"Ohayo Anata."

"Tomoe." Kenshin whispered as he looked around and saw that his head rested on her lap.

"You were asleep a long time. Did you have any good dreams?" She asked smiling at him.

Kenshin opened his mouth to answer but was slightly distracted by the constant humming that was coming from somewhere. He lifted his head slightly and saw a young girl humming and dancing with a small grass doll. "Neko."

Neko looked towards the sound of his voice and smiled. "You're awake!" She called out as she ran over to him. "Now you can play with me!"

Kenshin smiled as he sat up. Neko immediately crawled into his lap, and without hesitation, Kenshin hugged her to him. Tomoe rested her head against his shoulder and sighed happily. Kenshin looked around him. The three sat all alone in a grassy field filled with little yellow flowers. The wind blew gently, making their hair dance. He reached out an arm and hugged Tomoe to him as well. He wanted time to stop. He wanted them to stay like this forever.

"Chase me daddy!" Neko cried out, standing up and running a little bit away from him. "Chase me!"

Kenshin sat staring awkwardly at Neko. "I'm not …"

"Play with our daughter," Tomoe teased, pushing him to his feet. Suddenly everything felt so natural. Kenshin rose to his feet and with arms out he ran after Neko. Neko screamed and giggled with delight as he tried to catch her. For a while he let her escape him, but he finally grabbed her and lifted her into the air.

"Wheeeeeee!" Neko yelled out as Kenshin twirled her in the air. He could hear Tomoe laughing behind them at their foolishness. Kenshin set Neko on her back and began to tickle her all over. She squealed happily and laughed.

He eventually stopped his onslaught, but Neko continued to laugh as Tomoe walked up to them. Kenshin and Tomoe sat side by side, and when Neko finally stopped laughing she came up and laid her head on Kenshin's leg. "I love you, daddy." She said through a tired yawn.

Tomoe leaned closer and placed a kiss on his cheek. "And I love you, too."

Kenshin reached over and hugged Tomoe to him. This was all he ever wanted. A family; a family that loved him for who he was. They didn't care that he was stained or imperfect. They loved him. It was so peaceful here, he never wanted to leave. He placed a kiss on top of Tomoe's head, breathing her sweet scent in as he did so. Yes, this was all he wanted, all he needed. People who loved him.

Kenshin wasn't sure when the dream ended. At first the blue sky had darkened, then the grass had disappeared, and soon everything was dark. Pain quickly made itself known, and that was when Kenshin knew for sure that it had all been a dream. He would have laughed at the thought of Neko being his daughter if only his head didn't hurt so much.

A wave of nausea washed over him. He groaned and pulled his knees to his chest. That was when he realized that he was lying down. He was slightly startled by this new information, and slightly annoyed. He kept his eyes shut, hoping the guards outside would think he was still asleep. The last time he had been moved had resulted in Hiroko's little experiments. He didn't want to figure out what was to come from being moved this time.

Kenshin, now fully awake, quickly realized that his hands had been tied behind him, so tightly that his hands were ice cold, and his wrists burned from where the ropes were wound. His feet were also bound, but unlike his hands he could feel that they weren't tied together. Kenshin opened an eye just slightly to see how his feet were tied. They were, in fact, tied together, but there was a slack in the line that held his feet. Taking in a quick judge of measurement before closing his eye again, Kenshin guessed that the best he could do was waddle. He could also feel a rope tied around his neck; when he had his eyes open he had seen that he was on some sort of long leash. The other end of the rope rested just out of arm's reach.

Kenshin began working on freeing his hands. Going slow, trying to give the impression that he was still asleep. He stopped when he heard a voice behind the door. "So he hasn't woken up yet?" Kenshin bristled at the sound of Hiroko's voice.

"No, sir."

Kenshin heard Hiroko chuckle. "I guess I hit him a little too hard." Kenshin almost snarled. How he hated that man. "Open up." He forced his body to relax as he listened to the sound of footfalls entering the room. He thought of jumping up and making a bolt for the door even with his hands and feet tied, but that thought was quickly dismissed when he heard the door shut again.

Hiroko entered the cell with the four men he had chosen for this task, just in case the Battousai should get out of hand. His eyes took in the whole room. It was completely empty except for Battousai's still form, and a large pole in the middle with various arms sticking out of it. All were above his head.

Hiroko took a few steps towards Kenshin and squatted down. He gently slapped Kenshin's cheek. "Hey, time to wake up."

'Keep your face relaxed! Keep your face calm! Don't bunch up!" Kenshin's mind screamed orders to his muscles as Hiroko touched his face. If he tensed Hiroko would be able to tell he was awake. 'Don't move!'

Hiroko eyes wandered to Kenshin's hands. Traces of fresh blood were on the ropes where Kenshin had rubbed his skin raw, trying to free himself. Hiroko smirked, and using two fingers, touched Kenshin's ribs once more.

Hot, fiery pain shot from the gentle touch. Kenshin couldn't help himself; his face scrunched in pain from Hiroko's prodding.

Hiroko chuckled slightly and removed his hand. That had been even softer then when he had poked Kenshin earlier and received no response. He rose and gave Kenshin a swift kick to his gut. "Nice try Battousai, but I know you're awake." Kenshin coughed and opened his eyes, as Hiroko bent over to pick up the limp end of the rope that was attached to Kenshin's neck. "Get up, Battousai."

Kenshin remained where he was on the ground, not about to listen to a command from Hiroko. Hiroko pulled the rope taunt. "I said get up." He pulled up on the rope yanking Kenshin to his feet by his neck. Kenshin stood unsteadily on his feet. He wanted to widen his stance as a wave of dizziness nearly made him fall over again. The world pitched and spun with each movement as he tried to find his balance.

"Where's Katsura?" Hiroko repeated the question for what seemed the thousandth time. When Kenshin didn't answer, he gave a quick jerk of the rope. The quick and unexpected yank sent Kenshin's head snapping backwards as he was pulled nearly half-way across the room. Bouncing on one foot and partly skidding, Kenshin managed to somehow keep his balance and didn't fall over. Now the room was spinning really fast. He couldn't even tell in which direction Hiroko stood. Hunger and dehydration were starting to take their toll.

"Where's Katsura?" Kenshin's mind hardly had time to even process that Hiroko had asked him a question, before there was another violent yank, and he was pulled forward once more. He tried to stay standing, but he got twisted on the rope connecting his ankles together and fell to the ground. Without his hands to catch himself he landed, face first.

Kenshin winced as he felt blood start to trickle down the new cut on his chin. He started to prop himself up on his elbow when the question came again. "Where's Katsura?" Kenshin choked as Hiroko pulled him backwards. His eyesight left him as the rope pressed his windpipe closed, and he was tossed across the room. Kenshin blinked his eyes as his vision started to come back.

"Where's Katsura?" The question was coming faster and faster. Each time Kenshin didn't answer there was a violent yank that sent him tumbling. Hiroko directed Kenshin into a wall and the manslayer cried out in agony as the side that Hiroko had hit with the club smashed into the hard stone wall. The question was asked again and he was pulled back and slammed into another wall; this time, his back hit first. He coughed as the wind was knocked out of him.

The world was spinning. Kenshin had no idea of where he was in the room. He had no idea where the five men were standing. It took him by complete surprise when two hands pinned his shoulders to the wall. "Where. Is. Katsura?" Hiroko got nose to nose with the unsteady man. He pronounced each word angrily. When Kenshin didn't answer he shook him, slamming his head into the wall over and over again. "TELL ME!"

Kenshin tightly shut his eyes as his head was rammed over and over against the wall. When Hiroko had finally stopped Kenshin opened them again. "I will never..." he began, surprised how weak his voice sounded. "…tell anything to a coward like you!"

Hiroko let out an angry yell and tossed Kenshin to the floor. "COWARD AM I?" He shouted kicking his injured side once more. "You call me a coward!" Hiroko pulled hard on the rope, only this time, he wasn't sent flying; this time, he was lifted into the air. Hiroko had tossed the loose end of the rope over one of the arms on the pole, and now he was hanging by his neck.

Kenshin's eyes widened, and he kicked his feet as his brain went into panic mode, desperately trying to find air. Hiroko stood and watched as his eyes watered and a small choking squeak escaped his mouth. At first, he violently kicked and wriggled, but his body was slowly shutting down. Unimportant functions started to cease as his body tried to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Black started to creep over his sight.

"Be careful with your words, boy." Hiroko sneered as Kenshin's thrashing became less and less violent, and his face more pale. "Your life is in my hands. Don't forget that." He let the rope go, and Kenshin crumpled to the ground.

Kenshin gasped for air, gratefully. He couldn't move his body, but he didn't care. In, out, in, out. His lungs filled with the cool, damp air in the cell. He coughed as he tried to take too big of gulps of air.

Hiroko reached down and grabbed the top of Kenshin's pony tail, and yanked him to his feet. His body was still coming out of shock, so he wasn't able to hold himself up. Hiroko pushed him up against the wall furthest from the door. "Where's Katsura?" Kenshin's head drooped, too heavy for him to hold up. Hiroko pushed hard against his forehead and slammed him into the wall. "Where is Katsura?" Hiroko let Kenshin's head go again. When it fell forward, Hiroko scoffed and gave him one last push against the wall.

Kenshin sank slowly to the ground. His body still wasn't responding to his commands. He felt so heavy and gravity was pulling him down so hard. He hardly registered that Hiroko and the men that had entered with him had left.

Slowly, he got his breathing under control, but his body wouldn't stop shaking. His ears were ringing and he ached all over. 'How many others did Hiroko do this to?' he wondered. He was weak and lightheaded. 'I have to get out of here. I have to get back to Katsura and find Neko.' He began to work on freeing his hands when the door flew open.

Kenshin squinted slightly from the light that shown through the open door. There was a man standing in the doorway holding a tray, but it couldn't be Hiroko. No, this man was much taller then Hiroko and his shoulders were broader. The big man stepped inside and the door was quickly shut behind him. Kenshin blinked a few more times after the door was shut to clear his vision.

Opening his eyes again, Kenshin looked at this new man. He had black hair that was tied up in a topknot, and a small scar across his right cheek. He stared at Kenshin with cold brown eyes. It was clear to see that this man was strong. The muscles on his arms looked like he could bend a man in half. 'Maybe that's what he's going to do.' Kenshin half joked.

The man snarled at Kenshin and set down the tray as he knelt down in front of him. Kenshin's eyes wandered over to the tray and his heart leapt. On it was a cup of water, a small bowl of rice, and something that could have been called soup. 'He's probably here to eat it in front of me,' he rationalized. 'Either that, or the food is poisoned.' He watched as the man picked up the rice and smirked. Kenshin had a good feeling there was something wrong with that food.

The man reached into the bowl and after grabbing some rice he shoved it forcefully into Kenshin's mouth. "Eat this." He grunted and removed his hand.

Kenshin's anger spiked, and he spat the rice out of his mouth. He wasn't going to be forcefed tainted food.

The man growled slightly as he wiped the rice Kenshin had spat back off him. He glared angrily at Kenshin as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a needle and held it in front of Kenshin's face. "Hiroko-san gave me this to make you more cooperative," he threatened. He set the needle onto the tray and picked up the bowl. "Now, lets try this again." He shoved more food into Kenshin's mouth.

Kenshin sat there with the rice in his mouth. He didn't want to swallow, but he really didn't want to find out what was in that needle. The man waited and arched a dark eyebrow as if daring him to spit it out again. "Swallow it." Kenshin sighed and swallowed the rice, hoping it was the less of two evils. The man smiled as he shoved more into Kenshin's mouth. "If you're going to be sick don't throw up on me."

The food felt good lying at the bottom of his empty stomach. He had gone hungry before, but never this hungry. He kept trying to free his hands as he was force fed, there had to be some way he could escape. Kenshin eyed the door; there just had to be a way.

"Don't even think about it," the man snorted, catching Kenshin's eyes and shoving more of the rice into his mouth. "The door is only unlocked when someone is coming in or leaving. There's a little window on the door that we can open up and see who wants to come out. So even if you did get loose, we'd never open the door for you." He paused to scrape out the rest of the rice. "That, and Hiroko-san is too smart to have you awake whenever he has to move you." He set the empty bowl on the tray and picked up the one Kenshin guessed to be soup.

The man placed the bowl to Kenshin's mouth and poured it slowly, and he drank it with only a little spilling from the corners of his mouth. It was bitter and tasted horrible, but the thick liquid soothed his burning throat. When it was nearly gone, the man tipped it a bit more making it pour too fast into Kenshin's mouth. He coughed and gagged as the man laughed. If only his hands weren't tied!

The man set the bowl down and picked up the cup of water. Kenshin drank it greedily. It splashed down into his stomach and finally washed the taste of blood and bile out of his mouth. His only disappointment was when the cup was emptied. The man smiled when his work was done, and picked up the tray. Kenshin suddenly felt very tried as the man stood up. Before he turned to leave the man snickered. "Have pleasant dreams."

'So the food was drugged,' he thought as his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

Hiroko stood outside staring up at the gathering clouds in the sky. It felt like it was going to be a cold rain tonight. He smirked as the first few drops began to fall from the sky.

"Hiroko-san." A rough voice called to him.

"Did he drink the soup?" Hiroko asked, eyes never leaving the darkening sky.

"Hai, and he is already out." He waited a moment for Hiroko to say something, before continuing. "Are you done with him tonight?"

Hiroko shook his head. "I have one more method to try tonight. Besides, the luxury of food should have a price to it." Hiroko smiled as the rain came pouring down.

The clattering of his teeth was the first thing he recognized when he started to wake up. Kenshin shivered as he felt his wet and soggy clothes hanging off his body. His hands were shackled above his head again but this room was different. This room had a leaky roof, and on the other side of the room there were two sets of identical chains. They were arm restraints, one for each arm. There was also a large pot boiling water off to the side. 'What are they going to do now? Cook me?'

Not having much else to look at Kenshin studied the other set of chains. The design was simple enough. Two round ends to shackle the wrists in with a long chain attached to the shackles then to the wall. The slack in the chain would allow someone to sleep on their back and have full use of their arms, but they would still be chained to the wall.

As time moved forward slowly and Kenshin began to shake even more, he noticed that the whole roof wasn't leaky, just the small section he was chained under. A drop fell and ran down his back, sending more chills down his spine. He could slowly feel his fingers, toes, lips and the tip of his nose start to freeze. The fire that blazed not too far away mocked him, not giving him any heat.

The door swung open, and Hiroko walked in with two men following him. One held some more logs and the other carried a weirdly shaped metal bucket. It had a handle at the top and bottom of it. Hiroko smiled at his shivering and clattering prisoner. "Hello, Battousai. You look cold." Kenshin tried hard to stop shivering, but he just couldn't do it. He tried biting down as hard as he could to stop his teeth, but that only made them louder.

"If you tell me where Katsura is, I'll get you a blanket and move you out of that water." Kenshin shivered, but the warmth of a blanket would be so good right now. "I didn't think so." Hiroko said, when he didn't answer. He walked over the bubbling pot. "But I'm really a nice guy, really I am, Battousai." He leaned down and picked something up that had been lying with the fiery logs. "So I'm going to help you get warm anyway." He turned and Kenshin saw that he had a red hot metal rod in his hand.

Kenshin's eyes widened a bit. He couldn't help but be afraid as Hiroko took another step towards him. "Yes, this will warm you up." Hiroko teased as he pushed the glowing end next to Kenshin's cheek. Kenshin could feel the heat radiating off the hot metal. His heart was racing. "I bet I could burn all the way through your cheek. I even have a target," he said, moving the pole so it hovered just above the crossing point's of Kenshin's scar. "Shall we test that, or will you tell me where Katsura is?"

Kenshin's eyes were locked on the soft orange glow. His insides were churning as he thought about a hole in the side of his face. Hiroko smirked and let the poker fall, and rested it on Kenshin's left shoulder. Kenshin screamed louder then he ever thought he was capable of.

Hiroko watched him as he yelled out in pain, his eyes wide with terror. Oh, how he loved that hissing sound. Carefully he pulled the poker back. "Are you warm now?"

Kenshin clamped his mouth shut, the pain in his shoulder was excruciating. He hissed, tears of pain running down his face. He shut his eyes tight, trying to block out the pain. The cold dripping water, once annoying, now soothed his burning shoulder. "Tell me where Katsura is, or I'm going to cool you off." Kenshin opened his eyes and saw Hiroko standing with the strange bucket filled with steaming water. Fear gripped him as Hiroko smirked and tossed the contents at him.

He screamed. The scalding water had splashed all across his chest and stomach. The pain was so great that he thought he was going to die. Hiroko smiled, pleased with himself, as he watched Kenshin flail around. A drop of water fell from the leaky ceiling and dropped unnoticed by Kenshin on his head. Hiroko noticed it. 'That cold water will help his burns,' he mused as he signaled his men over to him. "Take him down and strap him in over there." He instructed as he pointed to the other restraints on the other side of the room.

One of the men nodded and fished out a white cloth from his pocket. "No!" Hiroko yelled over Kenshin. "I want him to feel all of this." The man paled slightly as Hiroko handed him a key. As the two fumbled with the locks Hiroko refilled the bucket. "Try anything stupid and I'll pour this on your head." He threatened holding up the steaming water. He thought for a moment and picked up the forgotten poker as well.

The locks pulled apart and Kenshin's arms were free. Each of the two men grabbed one of his wrists and started to drag him. He didn't realize how hard it was to stand without chains holding him up. He pulled against the two healthy men that were dragging him to more chains but he was so weak. As he vainly attempted to free himself from the two's strong hold, he could hear Hiroko chuckling. Kenshin became enraged; he would not let Hiroko get away with this.

With a determined yell that scared the two holding him, Kenshin was able to slip out of their grasp. He stumbled back a few steps then glared at Hiroko. Hiroko raised the hot iron in front of him as Kenshin ran at him. He swung, but Kenshin saw it coming and ducked under the swing. He jumped up and struck Hiroko's chin with his palm. As Hiroko reeled backwards Kenshin found his strength quickly draining, and they both fell.

Kenshin's vision was blurring, but he grabbed Hiroko's face, determined to break the man's neck. Hiroko screamed and swung the poker he still had in his hand without thinking. It came up and the middle of it struck Kenshin's injured ribs. Kenshin yelled out in pain, but was focused on what he was trying to do. Just a quick jerk and this man would be dead.

Unfortunately, the other two men had shaken off their shock, and came running up. They pulled Kenshin off their captain, grabbing his new burns. Kenshin kicked and yelled angrily as he lost his grip on Hiroko's head. They wrestled him to the wall and locked each of his arms in the chains.

Hiroko shakily rose from the ground as the two secured the locks. He grabbed the bucket of scalding water and poured it on Kenshin. "I see you still have some strength left," he snapped, and handed the bucket to one of his men. "Fill it." The man nodded and went back to the larger pot. "I told you. You're never leaving here." He placed his foot on top of Kenshin's chest and slowly applied weight. "You are going to die here." His lackey came up and handed him the bucket re-filled with steaming water. "And you're going to tell me where Katsura is." Kenshin held his breath as Hiroko carefully poured the water onto his chest and stomach a third time.

Kenshin yelled and clawed at the ground. He couldn't remember the last time he had been in this much pain. "Don't forget, Battousai. Your life is in my hands." He then turn to his men and they left together.

Kenshin clawed at his gi. The water was so hot that it had melted his clothing to his skin. Tears stung his eyes and he would have given anything to be back in the cold water. He removed his tattered gi as best he could; he had to get it off his skin. Kenshin winced as he saw how red his skin had gotten. It had a bit of a glossy coloring to it and it smelt awful. Kenshin closed his eyes, clenched his teeth, and yelled. The cool, damp air bit at him, but it was out of anger that he was yelling, not pain. He had been so close. An extra second and Hiroko would have been dead.

He put his hands over his eyes and dug his fingernails into his forehead. How much longer was this going to last? How much longer till Hiroko lost his temper or figured any information he had was useless? He hissed as pain rushed over him. It was unbearable. Kenshin eventually blacked out from the pain.