AN: I realize that I accidentally posted the same chapter as two different ones, and I apologize. This is my first time actually submitting something, so that was an oopsie.

EmpressKona: Thank you so much for your review! I realize that this chapter is kinda short, but I'll have the next one up soon.

Stella - neko: Thank you for reviewing my story, and sorry about posting the same chapter twice. Kaoru is kinda bold in this story - I just kinda thought she might be getting tired of being so ... passive. :) Anyway, thank you and I hope you keep reading!

Kaouru:

I can't remember the last time I was this angry. My body is shaking with the anger I'm fighting to control - how dare you speak to me that way, Kenshin, how dare you!

Fuming, I completely pass my room and stride purposefully toward the dojo. I'm so angry I could explode, and if I don't find a way to let it out soon I will.

I pay no attention to the fact that it's raining, or that I'm wearing nothing but my night gown. I cross the courtyard, the rain drops soothing my heated skin. Maybe I will forgive you for your words, but right now I hate you.

I slide the open the dojo door and step inside, not bothering to close the door. I grab a bokken and stand in the middle of the empty room, focusing all my anger into practicing.

My anger had clouded my senses; I felt his presence a moment too late.

A strong hand covers my mouth before I can even think of screaming, and I'm being dragged backward toward the dark corner. My anger has fuses with my fear and fuels my adrenaline as I begin to fight to struggle. My bokken, which I stupidly dropped, is laying several feet away against the opposite wall.

"Don't make a sound," My captor whispers menacingly, "Do as I say and I promise your death will be quick. Where is he?"

I should have known he'd be after you - they always are. How long has he been here, I wonder, scoping you out? What does he hope to accomplish by taking me?

"Scream and I'll cut your throat," He warns me

Just to let me know he's serious he flashes the blade of his sword in my face, then holds it to the base of my throat. The blade is sharp, and he presses it to me tightly as he removes his hand. I can feel the first drops of my blood trickling down my chest. He really wants to find you, doesn't he?

"Now tell me where he is."

You really think I'm going to tell you, buddy? I think to myself. You'll kill me either way, whether I tell you or not - that's not a very good bargaining chip, you know that?

I may be seriously angry with you, Kenshin, but I'm certainly not going to hand you over to some guy who wants you dead. I'm not that vindictive.

"I'm sorry, who are you looking for again?" I query, my voice surprisingly steady

"You know who," He replies, "Battousai. I have a score to settle with him."

I am out of my damn mind.

"Let me settle it for you."

The heel of my foot swiftly and firmly connects with his balls, an unexpected attack that sends him to his knees. I frantically race toward my bokken - if I can just get my hands on it ...

A hand snakes out and wraps around my ankle, catapulting me toward the ground. I hear a sickening crack as my left shoulder is dislocated, a sharp pain coursing through my veins. I have to fight to keep my head from swimming and my vision from clouding over; I really can't afford to black out now. I'm fighting for my life - and yours, Kenshin.

Fate must be on my side, because my bokken is barely three inches away from my head. My attacker is pulling me back, his fingers digging painfully into my ankle. Fighting the pain in my left arm, I throw my right arm above my head and firmly grasp my bokken. My only option is going to cause me great pain, but I can't think of anything else to do. Besides, what difference is my arm going to make once this man kills me? I'll have to scream - I don't think my attack will be enough to stop him, and I have to warn you.

Clenching my teeth against the pain that I know is coming, I lash out strongly with my free leg and hear the sound of breaking bones as it connects with his face. With a painful yelp he lets go of my ankle and I flip myself over onto my back, wasting no time in again getting to my feet. My weapon held tightly in my good hand, I watch as the burly man recovers and gets to his feet. His nose is bleeding and he snarls feriouciously at me, wielding his sword. He advances toward me and I take a few steps back only to find myself boxed into a corner. So this is where I'm going to die- in my own dojo. I am strangely calm; the fear and the anger I felt earlier are gone. Perhaps I have accepted death - it doesn't really matter now anyway.

He strikes swiftly, surprisingly agile despite his size. I deflect his first swing and hear several pieces of wood splinter off my bokken. He wastes no time in striking again, raising his sword high in the air and then angling it in a manner no doubt intended to decapitate me. I shy away in the last second, pushing myself even farther into the corner. The thunder roars, accompanied by the first bolt of lightning. In the few seconds of light I can clearly see the rage in this man's eyes. This is it, this is the end of the line for me. My bokken is broken where it had met his sword, leaving only a sharp spike at the end.

Kenshin, I pray, forgive me.

And I screamed.