Disclaimer: Don't own Rurouni Kenshin characters.
Hey guys, here's the next chapter like I promised. And thanks for ya'lls feedback - it's nice to know that people enjoy your story. Now, without further ado, on to...
Ch. 11
"We need to move in before dawn approaches. At least we'll have some cover with the darkness," Misao suggested to the group. They were hidden in the shadows of the woods that surrounded half of the castle.
"Let's get moving then," Kenshin spoke in a low, commanding voice. He was anxious to get Kaoru to safety, and to punish those who dared to touch what was his.
"How many men were there the last time, Sano?" Aoshi quietly asked, ignoring Kenshin's command. He was referring to when Sano had returned a couple of years ago.
"A good thirty or forty. That was before though; who knows how many more hideout here now. I can say though that not all the men are here all of the time. A lot will be out, pillaging and robbing other villages before they return here. There's no telling how many will be in there though."
"As long as we can get into the tunnel that leads into the middle chambers, we should be able to avoid most of the men," Aoshi turned and began treading through the trees to get to the backside of the castle. The others followed, knowing they would be inside and to Kaoru soon.
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Kaoru did her best to drag behind, trying to delay getting to Shishio as best as she could. But no matter what she did, they were at the entrance of the throne room in a matter of minutes. The scoundrel in front gave the rope one good tug, sending her reeling into the room, stumbling as she tried to keep herself from meeting the marble floor.
A few dozen men lined the walls of the room, all grinning at her as she was jerked further into the room, but Kaoru hardly noticed them. Her eyes were narrowed and hard as she saw the man sitting on her father's throne.
His arms were covered with scars, suggesting that his entire body was as well, and his wicked leer contorted his face into a hideous and revolting display. He was lazily slouched in the throne, as his beady red eyes appraised Kaoru's situation with amusement.
Anger spread throughout Kaoru's entire being at the sight of him; it coursed through her veins until she thought she might explode with it. She now didn't care if she died – she would at least be with her family – but she knew she was going to take this bastard with her.
As she unwillingly approached him, Shishio could feel the anger radiating off her small, lithe body. Her eyes were glaring daggers at him the entire time. He was certainly entertained at her show of spirit despite her situation, and was now looking forward to breaking that spirit. 'Oh yes, she will certainly be a delight to break.'
Shishio stood up and slowly descended the steps to stand before Kaoru.
"Kaoru Kamiya, so good to finally meet you." She just continued to glare at him. "Now, now, that's no way to greet your king." Her eyes grew large with outrage at that statement, but she still refused to speak.
He reached out to stroke her cheek, knowing she would jerk away from him. She didn't let him down. Taking the end of the rope from Hino, he jerked her closer to him.
He grabbed her cheeks as she started to struggle against him, and brought his lips to hers, but only for a brief moment, as she bit him, then attempted to knee him in the groin.
His hand flew back so fast that she barely registered what he was doing until she was sprawled on the floor, her cheek throbbing from where he'd hit her.
"You need to learn some respect Kaoru." He strolled towards her and jerked her up by the rope to face him.
"I'll give it where it's deserved." She said in a low, barely controlled voice. Anger contorted Shishio's features as he punched her across the other cheek this time, sending her soaring in the other direction.
He pulled her up, then shoved her against the wall, following and using his own weight to keep her pinned there.
"You are too wild for your own good. Someone needs to teach you some manners, and that someone's gonna be me."
He punched her in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain, then pulled her face up towards him and roughly brought his lips to hers again, in a bruising kiss.
She had nowhere to move this time, the wall being behind her and his weight before her. She could only struggle pathetically as his other hand groped her body, from her backside to her breasts.
Shishio could tell that she was already weakening; he only had to keep this assault up a bit longer before he could really take pleasure in her soft body. A few more hits and she would be manageable. He was so looking forward to it.
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Getting in through the tunnel had been almost too easy. Thecriminals obviously didn't even know it was there, as there was no one anywhere near it. They had just walked right into it, which was certainly helpful to the group – they didn't have to waste anytime getting in. They followed Aoshi and Sano wordlessly, all wrapped up within their own thoughts.
As they neared the end of the tunnel, Sano whispered to be ready as he pushed the trapdoor open quickly, throwing off the carpet that had covered it as well. He managed to catch the door before it hit the floor though, and alerted everyone that they were there.
Surprised to find the room deserted, he stepped out and was met with an onslaught of memories, especially of the night that had separated his family completely. He shook his head to rid himself of the past, knowing he needed to focus on the present to save his sister.
Turning, he saw the others emerge from the trapdoor, then closed it and covered it back with the rug, in case it needed to be used as an escape route, like it had been on that night several years ago.
The laughter from the next room over caused the group to freeze in their tracks. They all looked to the double doors that led to the throne room, and listened for a clue as to if Kaoru was there or not.
Not a minute later, shouts of "Show her who's boss!" and "That's the way to tame a wildcat Shishio!" were heard, and Kenshin bolted towards the doors, the rest close behind. He didn't know what he would see when he threw open the doors, but he was already seething with rage.
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I think there's only going to betwo more chapters left to this story. And how about another 5 reviews for the next chapter to be up tomorrow? I hope everyone's having a great day: ) Until next time,
Western
