Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'm sorry to say that I will be gone for maybe five or six days because I'm going to visit some family in Dallas Tx. I'll be back by the end of this week. But do not worry! I'll be working on the next chapter while I am there. Thank you again. Please read and review! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Twelve: Learning a Truth That Was Long Forgotten pt II

They haven't stopped running since Hideki had found the dagger.

Misao was entirely confused and really wanted to know what was going on. "H-hey! Hideki, tell me how you know where Aoshi is." She said between breaths as they ran in the woods, dodging stray tree limbs that were in their way. A minute ago, she almost tripped over a large tree root, but she had quickly caught herself before she had fallen.

Hideki let thoughts enter his mind of the past, "My father, he had a dagger similar to this one long ago when I was a child. I remember… he was part of a clan called the Sendo Clan… and they had many weapons, this dagger being only one of them." He explained to her between breaths also and swallowed before he continued.

Misao spoke before he did, "So, your father was in the same clan that took Aoshi? Why? And…how do you know that this dagger just didn't come from any other clan?"

"The Sendo Clan was around for a long time, but they kept a low profile. I'll tell you why later. But yes, my father was apart of it for personal reasons that I'll tell you about later as well… The Sendo Clan is the only group that makes a dagger like this. That's why I recognized it. With any luck, their same hidden mansion is still standing."

Misao was about to ask more, but knew he'd have to tell her later like he said. She knew all will be revealed soon, but hell she wanted to know now. However, at the moment they didn't need any more explanations, they needed a plan.

"Ok, let's think of something on how to get Aoshi out of this mansion place." Misao breathed. "Yes, we will when we come to a stop." Was Hideki's response.

With nightfall quickly arriving, Misao was worried that they both wouldn't be able to see where they were going without the sun's light to guide them. The young ninja held one arm around her middle and winced. She hoped that her wound wouldn't reopen, especially in battle, but it was only to be expected.

Suddenly, many candles had been set ablaze inside of the training dojo against the walls on wooden shelves.

Aoshi looked in the large room and saw this man before him for the first time, which really wasn't what he was expecting. This man stood almost as tall as Aoshi, but just slightly shorter. He had emerald green eyes and smooth black hair. He had a katana at his waist, and judging by his confident stance and expression, he knew too damn well how to use it.

"You're probably wondering where you're kodachi are. They're over there." He made a gesture with his head to his right, and Aoshi looked at his two swords that were currently hanging on a far wall in an X position. Apparently he'd have to fight this guy to get to them.

How things had come to this, he did not know. Aoshi got an uncomfortable vibe from this man he was about to fight. The ninja leader felt this battle would be particularly hard for him. However, Aoshi did not know this reason was because Matsuo knew everything about him and Misao. And likeMatsuo had stated before, that fact alone would be the ultimate downfall of Shinomori Aoshi.

Matsuo smirked, "I see you understand the concept, ok then, let's go."

Misao stopped abruptly when she saw a steel fence that stood tall before her and Hideki. The fence was thick steel bars coming up straight and upright from the ground to the top. And at the very top were sharp ends which had old vines and other plants covering them and leading all the way down the entirety of the fence, encircling the bars.

He examined it from where he was in front of her, deciding on how to get over it, through it, or possibly around it. Even though his back was to her, Misao turned from him and opened the front part of the pink top of her kimono to check on her injury. Seeing that the bandage was clear of any blood she sighed in relief. She had feared that it reopened when she was running. Closing it once more, she turned to Hideko just as he looked at her.

From seeing her turn around, he knew she was checking on her injury. He looked immediately guilty, "Are you ok?"

Misao nodded, "Yes, I'm not bleeding at all so that's good."

He looked the same despite the news, "Are you sure? I know that you're in pain."

Misao nodded and smiled, "I am, but I know that this pain will be worth getting Aoshi back with your help. I can take it."

Hideki smiled and nodded to Misao. Once again he was admiring her courage and he found much delight in it. His heart would soar every time he heard her valiant words, because he knew she meant them.

Hideki then turned to the fence once again, which was about seven or eight feet tall, "I think the only way we're getting over this fence thing is to jump over it." He looked up and down the fence, "I don't see any other way, do you?" He asked and turned to look at Misao another time.

"Huh? Oh uh, no. Your way sounds good enough. I just want to get to that place quickly." She murmured that last part and walked toward the fence that became taller the closer she came to it. The bitter weather and intimidating scenery was what this whole fence needed to make it look scarier than it already did. There were cold breezes every now and then, the sun had already set and created a dark gold glow while the sky was still getting darker, and the completely leafless tress didn't help this sight at all either.

Hideki stepped back and, being the average yet skillful swordsman that he was, got down on one knee and jumped over the fence with ease. After landing, he dusted his hakama and turned back around to look at Misao, "Ok, your turn."

She only nodded and stepped back, a few steps further than Hideki did. She knew she was capable of making the jump, so why was she so afraid? Well, she didn't know, but ran to the fence anyway.

Misao successfully landed on the ground right next to Hideki. She stood straight, a little out of breath and looked at her friend next to her who touched her arm, "You ok? Your not bleeding now, are you?" She shook her head, "No, I'm fine."

He released his hand from her arm and smiled, "Great, let's go." And they both started running again.

Misao glanced at him, "Hey, do you know if we're getting any closer or what? Cause this forest is really creeping me out." She muttered.

They slowed their pace to a nice walk and he nodded as he glanced back at her, "Don't worry," he murmured just as quietly and crouched down. Misao did the same as he moved some leaves out of their way from a near flowering shrub to reveal the most enormous mansion Misao had ever seen, "We're already here."

Megumi ran into the main room where Sano and Kenshin were talking now. Kaoru had entered a while ago and was sitting next to her husband. Sano casually looked up and narrowed his eyes in concern toward Megumi, who at the present time had a very troubled expression upon her features. "What's wrong?" He asked and walked toward her.

"Misao is missing." She exclaimed and shook her head, "I should have known she would do something like this. I think she is out there trying to look for Aoshi." She stated seriously.

Kaoru gasped lightly, but then looked away, 'I can't blame her, but this wasn't the right action to take. Misao what were you thinking?' She shook her head, but then lowered it, knowing she most likely would have done the same thing had she been in Misao's position.

Sano swung an arm around the doctor's shoulders next to him, "Is that one guy gone too? What's his name…?" He trailed off, looking at the others for answers.

Megumi spoke up, "Hideki, yes he's gone too. And I can only guess that he has gone with Misao to help her." She said and rubbed her forehead to relieve the headache she felt coming on.

Sano nodded and looked at Kenshin who hadn't said a thing since Megumi arrived in the room, mainly because no one gave him the chance to, until now, "Yes, it's the only explanation." He said and stood up, startling Kaoru from her thoughts and looked at him worriedly. "Let's go Sano."

The tall brown haired man instantly nodded, "Yeah of course, but we have no idea where they could be."

"We'll find them; I'll make sure of it." Kenshin said. Sano just shrugged, "All right, whatever you say." He turned to his wife and kissed her, "Be back soon babe." He said just as Kenshin was giving his goodbyes to Kaoru.

Kaoru of course had wanted to go and help find her best friend, but Kenshin strongly suggested against it. So she finally gave up, understanding that she needed to take care of Kenji while he was gone anyway. Megumi would have taken care of Kenji, but the little boy would have been crying for his mother all night, so Kaoru somewhat reluctantly stayed behind.

Aoshi and Matsuo were in the standing in the middle of the large dojo now, and glared daggers at one another, waiting with anticipation for the other to make the first move.

Aoshi was a bit worried though, without his weapons, and this guy with weapons, he wasn't sure how long he would be able to hold up against his opponent. He inwardly shook his head, he couldn't think of such things at a time like this. He had to make sure for himself that Misao was alright and not trying to look for him. But somehow, feeling his heart sink, something inside him told him that she was in fact looking for him out there.

The ninja leader knew that Kenshin would be on his way. Kenshin, no matter the circumstances, would always fight for justice. And this was sure as hell good of a time as any to fight for justice.

Aoshi looked at his two swords that were neatly on the wall. How would he get past this guy to get them? Matsuo was surely stronger than the other guy, Musuko. Aoshi could feel it. And for now, he just needed to rely on his kenpo for the time being. Whether Kenshin and the others were on their way or not, Aoshi was going into this battle alone, and planned on coming out of it alone as well.