Disclaimer: Don't own Rurouni Kenshin characters...

Hey guys, well, I got my five reviews, so here's the next chapter like I promised! Hope ya'll like it! And now, on to...

Ch. 10

"Ooo, look at these. They're all so pretty!" Misao picked up a dragon pendant, then set it down to look at a jade necklace.

Spotting a necklace with a sapphire hanging from it, Sano somberly picked it up. "This one would match Kaoru's eyes perfectly."

Looking over, Misao gravely agreed. They were all pulled from their own thoughts when the red-headed man next to them turned to look at the group with something akin to shock and a bit of excitement in his eyes.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to intrude, but did you say Kaoru, by chance?"

"Depends on who's asking." Sano stepped up to intimidate the smaller man, ignoring the powerful ki radiating off of him.

"Well, it's just that I am here with a Kaoru, and her eyes are indeed the color of that necklace."

Knowing that getting his hopes up was not something he should do, Sano couldn't help it. "Kaoru? Kaoru Kamiya by chance?"

The red-head didn't even need to answer yes, they could tell by the widening of his eyes that it was her.

"Take us to her please!" Misao practically screamed in excitement.

Sensing the slight hesitation in the man, Sano hurried to make his relation to Kaoru known. "I'm her brother, Sanosuke, and this is Yahiko, her other brother. Please, take us to her, we've been looking for her for so long!"

Recognizing their names as the ones Kaoru had told him about, he took the now wrapped gift from the shopkeeper and rushed off towards where he had left Kaoru, the others following close behind.

No one could believe their luck! In a matter of moments they would be reunited with Kaoru!

When he reached the clearing around the pond, Kenshin halted. The bench he had left Kaoru on was empty. Looking around frantically, he didn't see the raven-haired woman anywhere.

"Well, where is she?" Sano demanded impatiently. He was in no mood to be made a fool of.

"I…she was suppose to stay on the bench. I told her to stay on the bench!" Kenshin tried to keep his cool as he searched the area around the bench he had left her on. Freezing, he picked up an indigo ribbon, half stained with mud.

"No." He whispered in despair.

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A few minutes ago…..

Kaoru was humming softly to herself, her eyes fixated on the ripples in the pond. 'I've got it bad,' she thought to herself. 'He's only gone a couple of minutes and I'm already missing him.' Pulling out her ribbon, she decided to take the time to redo her hair, as the breeze had caused several strands to loosen. Too wrapped up in her thoughts to notice her surroundings, she never saw the man approaching until his shadow fell upon her.

"That was fast," she looked up, expecting to see her beloved Kenshin standing beside her. Instead, she gasped in surprise. "Soujiro! You really shouldn't sneak up on people like that!"

"I apologize for startling you Miss Kaoru." He replied, that somewhat eerie smile plastered on his face as always.

"It's alright. Have a seat. Kenshin will be back in a moment."

"I'm afraid I do not have time for small talk." Looking around once more, he ensured that there were no witnesses nearby. The couples had all wandered back into the crowds, as it was becoming rather chilly. Meeting Kaoru's questioning eyes, he continued.

"I also apologize for this." Kaoru's widening eyes were the only reaction she had time to make, as Soujiro lifted his sword, and connected the hilt of it with Kaoru's head. The ribbon slowly fell to the ground as she slipped into darkness, with one remaining thought: 'Kenshin.'

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As Kenshin kneeled on the ground, clutching a ribbon, Sano was becoming more enraged every second. He stood over the redhead, demanding to know where his sister was. Yahiko was at his side in an instant, mimicking his brother's interrogation of the stranger. The redhead had yet to rise from his position, much less say anything. Aoshi and Misao stepped forward in an attempt to cool down the brothers, knowing they weren't going to get anywhere if they continued on like this.

Before they could do anything though, the stranger slowly rose from the ground, his bangs hiding his eyes. A silence fell over the group, as even the brothers were curious to see what the man would do now. When he finally lifted his head and looked at them, they froze as well. Molten amber mixed with violet as he met the gaze of the eldest brother.

'Weren't his eyes purple a minute ago,' Misao asked herself before focusing on what was happening before her.

"It seems that someone has taken Kaoru," the barely controlled fury in his voice sent chills down the group. "I plan on retrieving her, so if you want to help come with me. If not, get out of my way."

And with that he started moving towards the crowds. Kenshin knew that if he said anymore, he might not be able to control the deadly assassin fighting within him to be released. The rage he felt was only making it more difficult to keep the Battousai inside, and there was no way he was going to allow him to be set free. But each passing moment was becoming more and more of a struggle to keep the manslayer in check. Looking behind him, he saw that the others were following him.

'I'm coming Kaoru, wherever you are, just hold on.'

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Kaoru's eyes slowly fluttered open as she let out a groan. Her head was throbbing. It was then that she noticed the dreary walls and cool floor that surrounded her. With one hand on the back of her head, she slowly sat up to take in her surroundings. It was dark in the room, the only light filtering in through the bars of the small window in the door. The bleak realization that she was in a cell brought no comfort to her.

"Soujiro!" She suddenly remembered what had happened.

'That traitor. How could he. And after I gave him water too.'

Using the wall for support, she managed to stand up and slowly move towards the door. After confirming that the door was indeed locked, she stood on her toes to peek through the window. It seemed that the area was deserted. All she could see were a few doors similar to her own on the opposite side of the dungeon. Not sure if she should be glad that no one was there or not, she slumped back down against the wall and decided she would just have to wait. But in the meantime, she filled her thoughts and restored some hope in her situation with Kenshin.

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Once Kenshin was able to get a better hold on the Battousai, he knew he needed to talk to Kaoru's brothers and friends now, as they would only want to ask him questions later, wasting precious time. They had stopped by the inn so the others could get their stuff, then dropped Yahiko off with Tae at the Akabeko. Kenshin was now leading them to the cottage, not only to figure out who took her and why, but so he could collect all of his swords, knowing he would need them.

He stopped so the others could catch up with him. Introductions were made, and Sano and Kenshin briefly relayed what had happened over the last several years. It was obvious to everyone that Kenshin was in love with Kaoru. It was in his voice, his eyes, and his expressions every time he mentioned her. It was comforting to know they had an ally who would fight his hardest, and maybe even die for Kaoru.

Once they reached the cottage, as Kenshin was gathering his swords and some food to take, Sano, knowing the Kenshin was truly a friend now, continuously discussed with the others the possibility of who took her and why.

"It wasn't a random kidnapping," Aoshi announced. "He or she was obviously following her, and then waited for a chance to get her alone. It was planned from the start."

Hearing this comment, Kenshin froze.

"Soujiro," he whispered. It hadn't occurred to him before, but now it made perfect sense. How Soujiro appeared only once he was gone and Kaoru was alone. And their secluded cottage was far from any path between two towns; he would have had to go out of his way to get their. He quickly relayed the event to the others, and they all agreed that it was their best lead.

"Wait, Soujiro Seta?" Misao asked in an excited voice.

"Yes, that's him. Do you know him?" Kenshin pressed her to continue.

"I know of him, or at least I've heard him being discussed. The other day in town two men were talking about him, and how he's Shishio's top assassin. He apparently does all of Shishio's dirty work. The two men sounded afraid of him."

"Oh God," Sano sounded frightened. "That must mean Shishio has her then." His face paled drastically.

"Fill me in on this Shishio character on the way. We have to get to her." Kenshin was already out the door as he made this command.

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Kaoru scrambled to her feet at the sound of approaching voices. She winced as a pain erupted from the back of her head. Grimacing, she tried to focus on the voices drawing nearer to her. She could tell that there were three, maybe four, men moving towards her cell. She heard keys jangle as they stopped outside the door. Holding her breath, the door swung open, revealing three of the ugliest men she had ever seen. They leered at her as they all stepped into the room, forming a semi-circle around her.

Trying to convince herself that she was not afraid of these disgusting men was easier said then done.

"Who are you? What do you want?" She tried to keep the quiver out of her voice as she stood as tall as she could.

The one in between the others stepped forward. "Master Shishio would like a…..word with you," his grin implying that this Shishio character would want much more than a word.

Kaoru saw him reach for a rope coiled at his side. She instinctively backed up until she hit the wall. The other two men leaped into action and grabbed her arms, effectively holding her in place despite her struggles. The third man used the rope to lash her wrists together in front of her, then used the leftover rope to jerk her forward. She stumbled as she was pulled from the cell, down the dark corridor and up the stairs, all the while hearing the men's amusement at her predicament.

She was led out the heavy wooden door at the top of the stairs, and into a bright hallway. While the decoration was a bit faded and dusty, you could still tell the elegance and beauty it once held.

Kaoru took this all in with absolute horror. She knew this hall; knew the paintings hanging on the walls by heart, as she used to admire them for hours at a time. Her eyes misted as she realized exactly where they were. 'Oh please no.'

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Well, there's chapter 10. Only a few more chapters left with this story.How about the same deal - just 5 more reviews, and I'll post the next chapter tomorrow! I really do love getting feedback from you guys! Until next time (possibly tomorrow),

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