First off thanks for all the reviews, and advice.

Now I'm sure you've all been wondering what Kenshin is doing, while bloody heads are traumatizing Kaoru. So I figured that's where I would start this chapter.

The price of turmoil

Chapter three:

Kenshin had to bite his lip to keep from betraying his discomfiture. He hadn't been wounded this badly in a long time. (Obviously, who wants to be wounded?) He had to keep himself alert; Aoshi's last comment had unnerved him. Indeed the man had seemed slightly unhinged. Walking slightly behind the others, he kept his hands on the sakabato.

Further ahead Yahiko was chattering happily. "I sure hope ugly heated the bath; I'm so hungry I'll even eat her cooking." Sanosuke had to smile at the youngster's enthusiasm. It was nice to have a place to come home to. He knew that all of them appreciated it, although none would readily admit it. Up ahead the dojo became visible. Yahiko broke into a run he didn't know why; but he was looking forward to seeing Ugly. "Ugly were back" he called. That would get her. He was extremely shocked when he didn't receive an angry response, or a hard smack. He felt the others come up behind him. 'She's probably asleep', he thought. Shrugging off his uneasiness, he entered. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he could tell something was wrong. There was no smell of her awful food and he was hungry. Could she have not attempted to make them a meal? Behind him, an altercation began.

"You left her here alone", screeched Megumi. "Oro!" He turned just in time to see Kenshin fall to the floor with Megumi standing over him hand raised. 'Oh she probably fell asleep'. He began running through the dojo in search of Kaoru. "Ugly, Kaoru, Ugly…"

Several rooms later

"I can't find her" he exclaimed, panic in his voice.

"Oro?" "This one thinks that Miss Kaoru followed us".

"Ugh, she's so dumb", came the woman's voice. Truth be told, Kaoru's actions did not come as a surprise to her.

"We'll have to go after her", Yahiko stated.

"No", sighed Kenshin, "this one will go back to the mansion alone". Yahiko shrugged, unconcerned, and went to make something to eat.

Meanwhile

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" She couldn't stop screaming. It was too disgusting, she would have pushed them off; but the though of touching them nauseated her. Aoshi merely looked at her trying to figure out what on earth she was screaming about. It took him several seconds to have sense enough to remove the heads. (He would have done it sooner but blood loss and trauma; lets cut him some slack) Kaoru however couldn't stop. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A rough hand silenced her.

"What on earth is wrong with you?" The voice was deep she recognized it. That man from the ballroom her lips still hurt. She reached for her weapon but it was gone. He looked at her questioningly yet his eyes were still chips of ice. Terror shot through her, causing her to tremble. She had heard stories of girls that were taken; and after the ballroom, he could only want her for one purpose. However, some of her fears abated as he gently removed his hand.

She was afraid of him he could see it in her eyes. Even in the dark, he could see the red that had stained her kimono. She would have to be covered. He began to remove his coat and she tensed. Her eyes never left him as he leaned towards her.

"Women you should put this on". He threw her the coat and turned away. She caught it easily; it was torn and frayed.

"Why are you giving me this piece of crap?" She snapped. Part of her knew that she was pushing it. After all his intentions were still unclear; but come on if, you're going to kidnap someone, do it in style.

Slowly, he rounded on her "because it will be day soon and you will be walking, and I don't want anybody to see your bloody dress." "Besides that coat has more history than you probably do". She was shocked that he could utter such angry words without any emotion in his voice. (Naïve)

"I have a name", she informed him. He made no indication that he had heard. Swallowing her fear, she continued, "My name is Kamiya Kaoru." Still he ignored her

"When your done putting that coat on we'll begin walking." She looked at him without his coat he looked quite small almost frail. He wasn't well; she didn't have to be a doctor to see that. He swayed as he stood, and was unusually pale. Suddenly she heard a crash.

"KENSHIN" she screamed. Only to feel the rough hand on her mouth once more. Before she could blink, the scenery was flying by her.

Inside the ballroom, Kenshin was staring at Kaoru's sullied sword his eyes narrowing in a rage.

Thanks for reading please review. Whatever you want

P.S I know there's a bit of a time warp.