I beg forgiveness from all my readers for taking so long. I never meant for this to take so long, but school is really biting me in the butt.

Okay, I'm about to do something really bad, but I need all of you readers to help me pull it off. I'll tell you what it is later, 'cause it would ruin the story now. Anyway, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Rurouni Kenshin series. Koji, Waotaka, and Takuro, however, are mine. So Hah!

Chapter 3: Return

Kenshin was burning with anger. Koji's dream should have put him on guard against any threats. He cursed himself for letting her leave the dojo.

He quickly walked to Takuro's home, where he found Takuro and Waotaka leaving for the shipyard. Takuro waved a greeting, but stopped when he saw the anger in Kenshin's eyes.

"Have you seen Koji?" demanded Kenshin. Takuro nodded.

"Yeah," he said. "She came by this morning in a really bad mood."

"Is she still here?" Kenshin asked, knowing full well that the question was pointless.

"No," said Waotaka. "She left around noon. She hasn't returned to the dojo?"

Kenshin showed them the note found on the dojo door.

"That's not Koji's handwriting," said Takuro. "And I should know. I taught her. Do you know who did write it?"

Kenshin shook his head. "This one was just confirming that this is not a note that Koji wrote. This one believes that Koji was kidnapped. She may have been taken back to America."

"Impossible!" said Takuro. "What would they want with her in America!"

"The same thing they wanted with her when they tried to kidnap her last time," said Kenshin.

"How can you be so sure that they took Koji to America?" asked Waotaka.

"It's where they wanted her in the first place. The men who have been following her were American, this one is sure."

"So what should we do?" asked Takuro, nearly frantic.

"Keep your voyage on schedule," said Kenshin. "And allow this one to come with you. If we have any hope of finding her, it will be in America."

Koji was frightened. When she awoke, she was blindfolded and her hands were tied in front of her. She was gagged as well so that she couldn't scream for help. Whoever had kidnapped her had done something to her that canceled out her powers, so she couldn't use them to escape.

Once, her gag had been removed, and food was given to her. Koji resolved the moment she could, she would scream. But the moment her sparse meal was finished, the gag was replaced, and that threw her idea out.

Koji felt helpless. She felt as though she was there for an eternity, with nothing to do but listen to the voices of her captors. They didn't speak Japanese, but English. Koji understood ever word, thanks to her being a Betto.

"Is our man in place?'

"Yes sir."

"Good. Are they loading the ship?"

Ship? Thought Koji.

"They are."

"Then let's get on her on board."

The voices stopped, and Koji could hear footsteps coming toward her. As she felt arms trying to pick her up, she tried to squirm out of their reach.

"So we're going to be difficult," said a voice. Koji felt a pair of hands grab her by the ankles, and another pair grab her by the arms and she was lifted off the ground. The hands threw her back down, and Koji could feel wooden walls around her. Then she heard loud banging noises above her.

They had just locked her in a crate.

Claustrophobia surrounding her, Koji used her feet to kick the sides of the crate. A loud pounding was her answer.

"If you pull that stunt," said a voice, "then you will never live to see the light of day again."

Koji was silent after that.

She resisted the urge to throw up as the crate lurched as it was picked up and loaded onto a ship. She came down with a loud thud, and hit her head. Then, she felt the crate being pushed along the floor. Obviously someone was trying to keep her out of sight.

"Cargo's all loaded, Captain," she heard a dim voice call.

Takuro!

Kenshin stood at the bow of the ship with Sanosuke and Yahiko standing on either side of him. When they had heard what happened to Koji, they would not allow Kenshin to tell them that they could not come and help. Yahiko had been very fierce in that regard. Even though the relationship he had with Koji dwindled away, he would always protect her, no matter what. Sanosuke had come along, saying he didn't want to be left out of such an interesting fight.

"Besides," he said, "You guys can always use my Mastery of Two Layers."

"True," said Kenshin. "But Megumi-dono would be very upset if you injured your hand again."

Takuro came up to them as the ship cast off.

"Kenshin," he said. "I want to help you look for Koji when we get to America."

"This one would have been surprised if you didn't, Takuro," said Kenshin. "Besides, you know the area, and this one would be very glad of your help."

Takuro nodded. "I'll be right back," he said. "I need to take inventory on the cargo." Then he went below.

Takuro wasn't sure about the crate he had found in the corner of the cargo hold. It was not identified, and looked very different from the rest of the cargo. He went to alert Waotaka.

"That is defiantly not part of our cargo," said Waotaka. "Get a crow bar."

As Takuro turned, a tall man in black intercepted him.

"If you know what's good for you," said the man in English, "I suggest you step away."

That was all Takuro needed to hear to know what, or rather who, was in the crate.

He lunged at the man, and was quickly joined by Waotaka.

Kenshin, who had come to investigate when he saw Takuro come to get Waotaka, joined the fray, and made quick work of the man with his sakabato.

As the man lay unconscious on the floor, Takuro had grabbed a crowbar and ran to open the crate.

Koji could hear a fight going on outside, and she hoped that it would turn out in her favor. She couldn't bare it if something happened to Takuro or Waotaka while she was unable to help them. Then, she heard the familiar sound of Kenshin's sword, and knew that everything would be okay.

At last, she could hear the lid of the crate being pried off, and three familiar and comforting voices cry, "Koji!"

She was gently lifted out from the crate and untied. The moment she was free, she flung her arms around Takuro.

"Thank you!" she cried. "Thank you! I was so afraid that I'd never see you again!"

Takuro put his strong arms around her. "I'm sorry we kept you waiting. It was by good fortune that we found you this soon."

Koji had settled into the sea life, helping out anyway she could. She found that her powers came in handy when the ship was intercepted by a storm. Though no one knew, she had saved the lives of several men.

All too quickly however, they had come upon their destination. America.

Koji knew there was no turning back.

Yay! I've got a chapter out! I hope you like it, and all that jazz. Next time, we find out just why Koji is needed, and meet some new characters!

Cool!

Peace out!