Before you read this story I just want to make one thing straight… I despise Karou… She is so annoying and I cannot stand her. She will play no part in this story. Misao and Kenshin are my favorite characters, so they are the stars of this fanfic and I do not want to hear anything else about how MY STORY should be about Kenshin and Karou. (Sorry, I hope I did not sound too bitchy but that's how I feel!) ENJOY the story!

Chapter Three

Misao had never been happier in her life. She and Kenshin sat together holding one another not wanting to separate. Misao heard Kenshin's stomach growl and giggles, "I guess you didn't eat lunch."

Kenshin blushed at his growling stomach, "I did not eat breakfast either, I was too preoccupied, that I was."

"Preoccupied with what?" Misao asked teasingly.

"Well some girl I know confessed her love for me, that she did," Kenshin returned as he gently tickled Misao.

Misao stood up smiling, "I'll go make you something to eat. What would you like?"

Kenshin put his arms around her and smiled, "Today is special, let's go out and get something."

Kenshin and Misao traveled to town, enjoying the nice weather and conversation.

Meanwhile, at Misao's home, Aoshi was receiving an unexpected guest. "Aoshi, my friend, how are you?"

"Takeda, you are no friend, I am not your friend, and you are not welcome here, please go," Aoshi stated.

"Oh, don't worry about it, I will only be staying here for a few days, just long enough to pick up my long awaited package," Takeda returned with a glint of laughter in his eye. "Now, where is she?"

"She is not an object and as long as I am here you will not have her." Aoshi readied himself for a fight.

"I thought you might say that, so I came prepared," Takeda said with a snap of his fingers. Five men came out from the shadows. "I guess I won't be staying here."

Aoshi took a deep breath and prayed that Misao would stay away. That she would only come back with Kenshin by her side.

Misao had dropped her tea all over herself at the restaurant. She had to talk Kenshin into staying behind while she ran home to change. She wanted to surprise Kenshin by coming back in one of her kimonos. Upon entering the house Misao heard a thumping noise coming from Aoshi's room. She walked over and listened for a minute and then she slid the door open. Shock came immediately to Misao's face for she saw a limp Aoshi lying on the floor with three men beating upon him. Misao screamed and ran towards the men to try and pry them off of Aoshi, but only made it about half way there. Two men came up from behind her and grabbed her placing a piece of cloth over her mouth. Misao fought the best she could but the best she could was just not good enough. Soon, reality started slipping away, and before she lost complete consciousness she could only think, "Sorry Kenshin." Misao then passed out and fell limp in her captor's arms.

Kenshin had been waiting at the restaurant for Misao's return. "She should have been back at least a half hour ago," Kenshin thought with worry. He decided to see what happened to keep his Misao from returning. He paid the waitress and headed off to his beloved's home. As soon as he arrived Kenshin knew something was wrong. He did not sense Misao anywhere but only sensed Aoshi's weak spirit. He rushed to Aoshi's room and saw him crawling towards him. Kenshin heard Aoshi say something but it was too soft to hear so he kneeled down in hopes of being able to understand. "They… took… Misao," Aoshi could barely get the words out before his eyes fluttered shut.

"Where am I?" was Misao's first thought when she woke up. The room she was in was different than any others she has seen. It was western style; she was even on a bed instead of a futon. She continued to glance around until she saw a small, circular window. Misao would never fit through it but she thought she might be able to get a sense of where she is. She got up and walked over to the window and looked out. All she could see was sky and ocean. Suddenly she realized that she might be in danger and then she remembered what happened. "Where's Aoshi? What happened to him? Where's Kenshin? What's going to happen to me?"

Misao was frightened and worried. She was worried mostly for Aoshi because she remembered him lying on the floor limp. She felt sick. She ran for the door but fell just before she could reach the handle. A chain running from the bed to her ankle was preventing her from going where she wished to go. The doorknob started turning and then the door opened slowly revealing a hall of darkness. Then Misao heard a voice come from the darkness, "Hello Misao."

Kenshin had tried to wake Aoshi up but it was no use, he was too badly injured. It had been a few days and Kenshin felt like he was going to go insane. He had tried to look for Misao but failed because he had no idea who had taken her or where they were going. "Misao," Aoshi groaned, "where's Misao?"

"That is what I would like to know." Kenshin walked towards Aoshi, "who took her?"

Aoshi tried to speak but failed many times. Finally he was able to spat out, "Takeda… Takeda Kanryu."

Kenshin's eyes flashed gold as he thought, "Takeda Kanryu."