Heh. So it's been a super super long time since I've updated this story. Terribly sorry about that. But a few things have happened. The major factor is that I lost all interest in RK. I just wasn't motivated to update this story or my other RK fic. But I do not like to leave anything unfinished, so I will see this story to the end. Hopefully, I will become motivated once again, because I did have this great plot planned for this fic. We'll just hafta wait and see….

Disclaimer: Don't own RK.

Chapter 12: One Step Closer

Megumi was already beginning to get an uneasy feeling as she walked into the dimly lit bar. This was where she was supposed to meet Jin-eh, a man claiming to have worked with the woman codenamed Raven. She would not feel comfortable until she found out who that woman was.

In the darkest corner, a man sat with a hat hiding his face. Megumi slowly approached the man, her eyes darting around cautiously. It never hurt to be too careful.

"Jin-eh, I presume?"

The man gave a barely visible nod, "And you must be Megumi."

She nodded, sliding into a chair.

"I understand you are looking for some information concerning someone I once worked with."

"Correct," Megumi replied, "A woman, around my age, codenamed Raven by the police. I haven't been able to find out any information about her anywhere. The police files were of no help, and none of my sources could find anything out either."

Jin-eh nodded, "And they won't. This woman you seek, she's good. Very good. A real expert in this field. She's not one to let others get close to her."

Megumi smirked, "So you do know who I'm looking for?"
"Yes. But even I do not know that much. She kept me at a distance too, even though I was her partner. I'll tell you all I know, but it's going to cost you."

"I figured as much. Name your price."

Jin-eh smiled lazily, "Well my dear, I must say you are quite lovely. I should think that a night with you would be a fair trade."

Megumi mentally frowned; she had expected this to happen.

"Very well, as long as you tell me everything you know."

Jin-eh smiled with delight, "Of course my dear. The woman you seek, this Raven, is none other than the last of the greatest thieving family known to man. She is Kamiya. Kamiya Kaoru."

Megumi's eyes opened wide, "But…but I thought they were all killed in that massacre those many years ago…"

"That is what she wants you to believe. But she is very much alive, and active. She cares only for her own being. I found this out the hard way. Kamiya does everything to her advantage. She worked with me because I was the easiest way to get something she desired. After I had outlived my usefulness, she got rid of me. Well, she thought she got rid of me."

"What do you mean?"

Jin-eh held up his arms, "I am no longer able to wield a sword. See all these scars that cover my arms? Kamiya did that. I have many more scars spread across my entire body. It is a miracle I survived. And since I am still living today, it seems she thinks I am indeed dead."

Megumi nodded slowly, "She attempted to kill you to make sure nobody found out about her existence."

"Correct. I am a problem to her, for I know who she truly is."

"Where can I find her then?"

"That, my dear, I do not know. Like I said before, she kept me at a distance. The last piece of information that I can tell you is that she seemed to be looking for someone."

"Someone?"

"Yes. She never mentioned a name, but I could tell. We spent a lot of time breaking into places checking records, that sort of thing."

Megumi nodded, "Now if I only knew where to find her…"
Jin-eh shook his head, "It doesn't work that way."

"What way?"
"She'll only be found f she wants to be found. More than likely, she'll be the one to find you. You best be on your guard at all times. She'll strike at the most opportune moment. Especially since you've seen her face."

Megumi nodded, storing that information away.

Jin-eh stood up, "Now my dear, I believe we have a deal to finish up."

Megumi slowly rose; taking the hand he offered and let Jin-eh lead her to his nearby car. He went to open the door, and Megumi took this opportunity to pull out a dagger.

Jin-eh had no time to react as she plunged it straight through his heart.

"Sorry, but I can't have someone knowing about me as well," she said as she took one last look at the dying man, "This time you will die."

Megumi walked quickly away, her mind now elsewhere, trying to formulate a plan to find this mysterious Kamiya Kaoru.

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War.

A thieves war.

The thought scared Kenshin. Nothing good would come from it. A world ruled by thieves would be nothing but chaotic, and he knew that Hiko and himself would be right in the middle of it. Every day would be a fight to stay alive.

"Oh Ken-ii!"

Only the strong would survive.

"Ken-ii!"

Whack!

Kenshin was brought back to reality as his girlfriend latched onto him.

"About time! Jeez…Kaoru and I have been ready for half an hour. Come on, let's go!"

Upon receiving this information last night, Hiko had locked himself in his study, attempting to figure out what exactly Shishio was up to. In return, he had told the three thieves to relax, enjoy this break in the jobs, for it would be a long time before another one came.

In light of this, Sano had immediately set off for the beach, eager to check out the ladies. Kaoru had attempted to get a hold of her boyfriend, but had no such luck, as he appeared to be out of town again. She was about to take up Sano on his beach offer, but Tomoe had decided to stop by, and upon hearing Kaoru's news, decided that she would come with Kenshin and herself for a nice dinner out on the town.

Half an hour later, the three found themselves at a nice Italian restaurant, sitting at a table next to the windows. Kaoru and Tomoe were getting along fabulously, chatting about all kinds of things, from shoes, to the latest stories on the news. As their food came, Kenshin excused himself for a moment, heading off to use the bathroom.

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Soujiro sat in his car, closely watching Kaoru through a pair of binoculars. Tonight he was he was to carry out some important orders form Shishio. It really was a shame, he thought, having to do this, but it had to be done. Too much was at stake. He watched carefully as Kenshin got up from the table and left, most likely to use the bathroom. Now was the perfect time. Picking up the device that lay on the passenger seat, he pressed the red button and watched. Two seconds later, the carefully hidden bomb outside the restaurant went off, right by where Kaoru was sitting, there was a bright flash, followed by a ball of flames. He heard cries pierce the air. Without wasting a moment, Soujiro put the car into drive and speed off.

'It was fun while it lasted Kaoru, too bad you won't be around anymore.'

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Dun dun dun dun….

So yea. There ya go. The next chapter. Enjoy, or don't. Whatever. I'll try and update this story if anybody is still interested in reading it as soon as I can. The only way to know if ya want me to continue is to review, so lemme know!

-Les723