A/N: Woo! An update! Whoa, the apocalypse is among us all... I can't believe I did it in such a short time! (feels accomplished for .25 seconds) Okay, now that that's over... enjoy the chapter! Happy R&Ring


Kaoru POV:

I'm weak… too weak. Why? Why did I let myself get captured by that? More importantly…how did it happen? I mean, I don't even remember what happened afterward. Forget afterward. I'm sure I lost consciousness during the encounter! Well…there's no use in contemplating about the past. I can't do anything about that. But what I can do is figure out why I'm here. And what someone apparently wants from me.

I try sitting myself up. I'm stuck. What the… oh no. My heart suddenly starts to pound. I must be bound to something. I can't see anything either. Am I blindfolded too? "Help," I cry out. Wait, I can speak? I'm not gagged? That's…interesting. No, foolish! Foolish of whoever did this to me in the first place! But I won't press charges against something that could possibly get me out of here. My eyebrows lower and my bound hands abruptly rub against something sharp. The pain is growing but…anything to free myself. I'd do anything to get these ropes undone.

I pause slightly from my fervent wrist motion. I know I heard a sound. Something's coming toward me. Or rather, someone… I would highly doubt my captor is a squirrel or some other kind of animal, so a someone it is. Okay. Not the point. But I was right about someone coming. The footsteps are growing louder, the echo is somehow ringing in my eardrums. It's coming closer and I begin to panic. And so, I remain lifeless as the person walks in the room. I'm praying he doesn't notice the movements I already made toward my escape. Praying is the key word.

"My, you must have had quite a night, my fair woman," came the voice of my captor. Male, definitely. His voice? Very, very soothing. This description is very misleading. Did he really capture me? "But don't fret," he continued, "I know you're awake. I could tell." I held in a sharp breath of air. How could he tell with such ease? If he's a swordsman, I wouldn't be surprised but there are so few left and it's been that way since the last decade. But he is. I know it.

If it weren't for the blindfold, I would have seen his hand caress my face rather than have felt it on my cheek. I winced naturally, like any person would. I hadn't known that he was going to touch me in that way. I now had a feeling of what he was sincerely after. "What are you doing with me?" I asked in a dangerously calm tone. There was no sense in hiding that I was in fact conscience. I had winced, after all.

"Kamiya Kaoru…my goodness. Has anyone told you that you're very beautiful?"

"Yes," I hissed through clenched teeth. "I believe that's my husband's job."

The man laughed. And for some reason, I got scared. The way he brushed off the fact that I was married in such a careless way certainly wouldn't bode well. "Ah yes, my mistake. It would be Himura Kaoru then, wouldn't it? I apologize. Truly, I do."

"And that's been my name for over fifteen years. I don't know what you're planning on doing with me but I'm happily married and will never be disloyal toward Kenshin," I said slowly. "Tell me what you plan on doing with me!"

"Tell me something first. Do you find your life…rather lonely? I know of your husband's reputation. He's a…" he paused and waved his hand around a bit, "wanderer of some sort. Even to this very day. Normally any woman of your caliber would surely forget about someone like him. Run back into someone else's arms for comfort and for pleasure."

I tried to shut him out. I swear I would if I got the chance. But I couldn't reach my ears. "Please, stop this," I begged softly.

"I don't know why you don't do the same, Kaoru," he whispered hotly in my ear. He was being…very passionate and unusually gentle. His hand still rested on my cheek as he spoke and his voice gave me chills for some reason. I knew it wasn't anything good but there was nothing that could be done. Kami-sama… I have no idea what he's going to do to me! "You're quite the woman. Any man would be a fool to pass someone like you up. You're a rare find, you really are. An exquisite diamond in the rough," he said again, but this time in a much deeper voice. I felt my toes curl up.

Why was he playing this game? He knew that he was trying to toy with me. That his voice made me shiver uneasily. "Why are you doing this to me? There are plenty of other women that you could take who aren't married! And who aren't dedicated to spending their entire lives with a certain man. I am devoted to my husband and my husband alone!"

I couldn't see his reaction. But I felt his fingers graze my chin. I didn't want him. It hurt me. Not physically, but emotionally. I clenched my eyes shut as I felt him move again. His fingertips stopped on my blindfold and he carefully removed it. I didn't want to open my eyes. Even though he was allowing me to see, I didn't want to look. But as he took off the blindfold, I heard him. He let out a little whine of approval. "You're truly a goddess."

"I don't care what you say…"

He said nothing, but I finally opened my eyes when I felt something I knew I would not want to feel. His lips. They brushed casually against mine but pulled away just before I could react. "There, you see? I'm not bad at all."

I was shocked. Normally the stereotypical captor was a stuck up jerk and a fat bald guy to boot. But he was quite handsome. He had flaxen hair that ran down just above his shoulders with delicate blue eyes to match such an angular face. Oh, why do the handsome looking men have to be in league with the ultimate evil every time? It's getting old. I sucked my teeth and narrowed my eyes. He obviously could read my thoughts. Was I that much of an open book? He grinned slyly and touched my face again. Wait a second… he just kissed me! "Let me go! Get off!"

"Kaoru, don't lie to me. You liked that very much, didn't you?" I shook my head violently in hopes of getting my opinion across. Those large blue eyes stared me down. He smirked. "You have eyes like mine. Only yours are much more captivating, you know…"

"No! Stop this! I love Kenshin! He's the most handsome man I know! He's the kindest man I know…I love him more than anything so just stop…" I cried. My voice reduced to a faint whisper as he took his hand off my cheek and stared forlornly into my eyes. I stood my ground. "Tell me who you are and what you plan on doing with me! I don't doubt for two seconds that you're here to harm me. But if you're going to do that, keep away from my family!"

"My name is Hikojirou… and I was merely interested in a woman such as yourself. You have such siren-like features. That and you practice swordsmanship. Even Buddha himself could not top such a great catch."

"I am not some sort of catch! Nor a prize! And I--" I stopped short for a moment. I know that I heard that name before…but where?

"Wait, boy! It wasn't me…I swear. I was only hired to kidnap her. It's all Hikojirou's doing!"

"Who?" Kenji sneered.

"Tagansai Hikojirou. The leader of our group."

He…he's the head of the group that Kenji dueled with? How strong is he? "You're from that horrible yakuza that tried to hurt my son! Please…don't hurt my son, I beg of you…"

"He's only getting in the way. Because I know he's determined to protect you. Since you are the only person who matters in his eyes, he's willing to fight to the end to keep you in his life. He could care less about Himura Kenshin. He's grown up without a father to help him through the difficult times and ended up heavily relying on you. This is why…my yakuza was forced to fight your son."

"But I still don't understand why! Why did you kidnap me?"

"I need someone. I'm sick of all of the pathetic excuses for women. And I'm tired of the fact that you wait for a man who seldom returns to his beautiful wife. It's a complete waste and I'm here to see to it that…you remember how wonderful a man's touch can feel." I looked away from him. He disgusted me. I wanted no part of it. "But I'll strike a deal with you. Only because you send my heart spiraling into the nearest heaven whenever I look at you…Kaoru-dono."

I don't want him calling me that. I know he doesn't mean it…only Kenshin does. Only Kenshin. Kami-sama, I need him back. But I will wait…no matter how long he takes. And so I take in a sharp exasperated breath. "…What are your terms?"

"We fight. A bokken to bokken, one on one fight. If you win, I'll be glad to set you free…"


Kenshin had nearly rounded the corner of the doujo when he suddenly paused for a moment. The thought hadn't really gotten the chance to settle into his mind. That he was actually coming home for the final time. He was going to be welcomed home by his wife for the last time. It was plain and simple. He gradually started walking again at his pace prior to slowing down to contemplate. His face was already flushed from steadily walking for long periods of time without even taking the slightest bit of rest. Kenshin knew full well that he could rest at home if he deemed it necessary.

His expression was different now. It was sharper, more focused than usual. It was because he was getting closer and closer to home. Kenshin's heart began to pound. He hadn't seen Kaoru in over five months and he hadn't spent any time with her the last time he came home due to his next pressing, long voyage. "I'm coming home for you, Kenji and Kaoru," he thought happily as he suddenly found himself in front of those familiar doujo gates.

Kenshin slowly walked toward said gates and pressed an open palm on the door. Much to his surprise, the door gave way to the slight force and was pushed ajar. The redhead's eyes widened. He knew that Kaoru never left the gate unlocked. Even if she was at home. Thoughts flooded his conscience. What if she--? Was she going to be all right? Was she all alone? He wasted no time in rushing inside, naturally worried that something was wrong with his wife.

Rushing in dramatically, ready to defend Kaoru with everything he had, he stopped short in shock and his round eyes widened. No soon after he paused in running did a smile spread across his features. He had expected merely Kaoru to be at home. However, the sight that he took in when he rushed into the training hall was Chizuru leaning on Kenji, the two of them sleeping peacefully. He recalled a slight recollection of Kaoru mentioning that they liked each other. Kenshin was sure that their relationship would blossom into an indescribable love, as his own with Kaoru had. "They're getting older," he said to himself as he continued to watch. He took note that Kenji firmly grasped her hand in his, his left limb wrapped gently around her waist. The sight simply reminded him of his younger days with Kaoru.

Just as Kenshin was about to head into the kitchen did he suddenly hear someone speak, "N-No, Chizuru-san. Not the kimono." Kenshin raised his eyebrow with mild interest. He wasn't sure he really wanted to know what Kenji was dreaming of. "Please don't dress me up in that…(snort) p-please…" the boy muttered as he tightened his grip around her waist and fidgeted slightly, lapsing back into his reverie. He hardly even moved at all…

…It was apparently enough to stir Chizuru out of her stupor. She groaned in discomfort and realized that she had been sleeping on Kenji for some ungodly span of time. A fierce blush spread across her cheeks but she was…stuck at the moment. Kenji's arm was still protectively wrapped around her so that she could hardly stand. "K-Kenji?" Chizuru asked uncomfortably. She would have completely missed the fact that Kenshin was watching the entire spectacle if it hadn't been for her embarrassment as her eyes nervously darted around the room.

Her child-like eyes widened suddenly. And her reaction was quite the loud one, at that…

"HIMURA-SAN!"

She broke free from Kenji's embrace, the boy landing on the ground with an unpleasant 'thud' as Chizuru stood up. She looked back at Kenji for a brief moment before focusing her attention on his father. "How? I thought…I thought you were still wandering, Himura-san! This is incredible! Welcome back," she added, bowing sincerely before him.

"There's no need to bow, Chizuru-dono. I'm happy to have returned."

"Are you leaving again soon or--"

"Ow! Itaaaaaiiiiii…Chizuru-san," Kenji winced as he held his head. "Did you really have to leap up like that?" came the joking question. Chizuru laughed nervously. "But hey, why'd you do that in the first place? Is something the mat--"

Kenji froze. That was all his body allowed him to do. He was sure that he wasn't dreaming, preferably because he had just woken up. But he knew. Kenshin was standing before him. The man whom he loathed with his every being was no less than ten feet from him. And all Kenshin did was smile. Smile that sweet and sickening smile that only made Kenji more confused than he already was. He hated it. He hated how his father just showed up out of nowhere.

But his face wouldn't allow him to show such emotion. Beaded sweat rolled down the back of his neck and he swallowed hard. Kenji was certain that Kaoru would be ecstatic. But himself? He was hardly sure to say the least. "…Father…you're home…"


A/N: Insert maniacal laughter here. Err...just kidding. But yeah, another cliffhanger... I had a lot more fun with this chapter though than the last, that much, I know for sure! Well, I hope you liked this chapter...Kenshin's finally back! Woo hoo, everybody's favorite rurouni is in the plotline! So, yeah, obviously there's some side Kenji/Chizuru pairing...ness going on. ffnet is lacking it so I decided to take matters into my own hands and write about it! Thanks for sticking by, please review! (and see? it didn't take a month this time!)

Son Christine