Chosha's Notes

CK:(Peers out from the protection of her bedroom) Uh…hey everyone. Right, now before you kill me, let me explain. I have been a very busy person lately, what with my new job and also starting university soon, I haven't had much time to spend on my stories. But, as you can see, I'm still alive-

Shinya (leaning against the door): for the moment, anyway.

CK: Oi, oi, oi, you can't kill me! Who'll finish the story off then?

Shinya: oops. Didn't think of that.

CK: (sighs and puts head in hands) Baka.

Anyway, thank you for being so patient. But, you know what, I realised something. WHERE THE HELL HAS TSUBAME GONE! I mean, she was on the boat and then…Agh! I've made her vanish! Um…just pretend she was there, all right? She's appearing again soon. Anyways, I won't keep you, so thank you to everyone that reviewed and lets get on with the show!

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is Copyright © Nobuhiro Watsuki. Fading Futures is a Fanfiction, and not intended as infringement on any of those copyrights.

Last time on Fading Futures:

Shinya, Misao, Aoshi and the Kenshin-Gumi are shocked when they received an invitation to Yoake's mansion. But while everyone seem to be enjoying the visit, Shinya and Kenshin have their own suspicions about this mysterious woman Yoake…

Chapter Nineteen

Midnight Fight!

Isuzu mansion, in Shinya's honest opinion, had to be one of the grandest buildings that this time period had to offer. He was sure that it would even outmatch that of some of the government buildings, such as the department of internal affairs back in Tokyo. As Yoake gave them the guided tour of what she had referred to as her 'Humble abode'; the Kenshin-Gumi couldn't help but stare. Each and every room from the library, furnished with it's dark oak shelves and filled with volumes old and (for this time, anyway) new, smelling of new leather, to the highest room of the astrology tower complemented the extravagant entrance hall to perfection. Although he couldn't say that he actually liked the owner, he couldn't help but be held in awe of such a place.

It must have taken them at least an hour before they came to the last room. The large double-doors – western in style – stood towering above them so that at least six Sanosukes would have to stand on each other's shoulders to reach the top. The doors were a gleaming dark oak with the Isuzu family crest carved into the wood. The doorknobs were a polished bronze, shaped like curled up dragons, their teeth bared in an eternal snarl.

Yoake smiled at them as she gestured to the new door with a graceful hand. "Lastly, this is the dining hall, which is used for banquets here at the mansion. Since Hayao died, it hasn't been used much. However, I do hope you will enjoy our hospitality by dining with me for lunch today. Follow me."

The two servants who had been tailing them throughout the tour immediately hurried over to Yoake's side and with no little effort pushed the doors open wide.

To say it was impressive would have been the understatement of the century.

The room almost reminded Shinya of Hogwarts great hall in the movies – except without the enchanted ceiling, of course. Above them stood the stain-glass window of the rampant dragon that they had seen outside, but as the sun shone it bathed the room in rainbow colours. The white-washed walls were pale as ivory, with pillars that stood straight and tall, caved into angel-like figures with wings furled and their hands raised, holding up the rest of the pillar, their faces soft and their eyes staring blankly to the heavens. They stood evenly placed all down the hall until the end wall, where a giant fireplace stood baring the family symbol, while the grate held the fire that burned merrily behind the guard. High above them was a chandelier supporting the most crystal that Shinya had ever seen in one sitting. The floor was decorated with an intricate designed carpet, while in the room's centre stood a dark oak table that stretched down the hall, surrounded by wooden, high-backed chairs padded with a rich crimson velvet. An array of silverware had already been placed at the table and you could already smell the mouth-watering dishes that were hidden beneath the domes of silver.

"SUGOI!" Sanosuke and Yahiko gasped, their eyes widening to the size of plates. Shinya was tempted to roll his eyes, but even he couldn't take his eyes off the scene.

"Oh dear, watch out, Yoake-san – Sanosuke and Yahiko-kun over here might just eat this all for you," Megumi chuckled, causing Sanosuke to glare daggers at her, while Yahiko growled and proceeded to stick out his tongue. Tsubame blushed a little, trying to hide. Kenshin just sighed.

"Maa, maa, can't we please not argue? (For once…)" he added under his breath. Shinya couldn't help but snicker a little at that.

Yoake laughed softly. "Oh, there's no need to worry. I'm quite sure that there is enough to go around. Please, take a seat."

Sanosuke and Yahiko didn't need telling twice. They immediately dashed over to the table and were seated before Shinya could even blink. Now if Yahiko was just that fast with his training, thought Shinya impishly, then he might even beat Kenshin and that was saying something.

Beside him, Kaoru just put a hand to her head and sighed. "Boys." She grumbled.

Megumi shook her head. "Tell me about it…"

Misao looked as if she was about to say something, when she looked over at the table again and realised that Okina was now there, looking ready to bang his knife and fork on the table. She crashed to the ground.

"GRAMPS!"

For the first time, Shinya saw Aoshi do something close to a sweat-drop…almost.

However, they were not to be put off and got to their seats as well. Kenshin quickly stood behind Kaoru, adjusting her seat for her. Kaoru beamed up at him. "Arigato, Kenshin," she said softly, blushing a little. Kenshin just smiled and took the seat beside her. Yoake took the chair at the head of the table and sat down elegantly, one of the servants adjusting her chair for her before backing away with a bow. The woman snapped her fingers and more servants came and removed the silver domes from the plates. Everyone gasped in delight.

If they had thought it had smelled good, it was nothing compared to how everything looked. There were dishes from all over Japan, from spiced miso soup to the most tender and delicious Fish they had ever laid eyes on. It took up almost all of the large oval plate that stood in the centre of the table. As they looked over it, there were also some foreign dishes too, some that the Kenshin-Gumi recognised, such as Sukiyaki (aka beef-pot), but there were also some that only Shinya would be likely to have identified.

Yoake spread her arms with a wide smile. "Please, help yourselves."

"Oh Yes, Oh yes!" Sanosuke grinned, knife and fork in hand, almost drooling over the food. "Itadakimasu!"

The others hurriedly followed suit (before Sanosuke ate it all). "Itadakimasu!" and began to dish out everything they wanted onto their silver plates and started to eat.

Shinya took a little of the food doubtfully. Apart from the fact that for some reason he just did not feel all that hungry – damn that stupid fading! – He was also wasn't convinced that it wasn't poisoned or something.

Yoake must have seen Shinya's hesitation, or read his mind, for she laughed her silvery laugh. "Come, Harada-san, it's not poisoned or anything."

Shinya blushed furiously. "I-I know that!" he retorted as politely as one could and shoved some fish in his mouth to cover up his embarrassment. Yoake just laughed once more

Kenshin, however, looked up at Shinya through his bangs. It had been bothering him for a while – he was certain that there was something not quite right about Shinya, either, as if he were suffering from some sort of illness, but Kenshin just couldn't place what it might be. Instead, he studied Shinya intently for the first time in days. Despite the fact that Shinya seemed to be acting fairly normally – except for being suspicious of Yoake – that was plain to read – Shinya's skin had a faint greyish tinge to it, and he seemed to be thinner than Kenshin remembered. However, Shinya was just picking at what little food he had put on his plate, as if he weren't hungry at all. He remembered how Shinya had acted just before they had run into Yoake and her pursuers. The way he had seemed so weak, and had to grip the wall as if he would just topple over. Remembered the flicker of fear in his eyes. Out of curiosity, he read Shinya's ki.

He almost dropped his fork at what he read.

Shinya's ki! It was fading…but that couldn't be right! Unnerved, Kenshin read Shinya's ki once more. Yes, there was no doubt about it. Shinya's ki was not as strong as it had been when Kenshin had first met. But how could that be possible?

Kenshin felt a movement from close by and he looked up to meet the ice-blue eyes of Aoshi, who nodded slightly, his eyes flicking towards where the raven-haired boy was sitting. Kenshin nodded back. No, he couldn't have been wrong. Not when it was obvious that Aoshi had also noticed, despite not having known Shinya for long. Kenshin looked over at Shinya once more, worriedly.

Something was wrong with Shinya…but why was he going to such lengths to hide it from them?

It didn't seem like long until the meal had been devoured - mostly a certain rooster and young swordsman - and Yoake had once more snapped her fingers. The doors swung open once more and in marched several servants, all bearing silver platters of desert. Sanosuke and Yahiko immediately fell upon eating it t a ravenous pace, despite the yelling that Misao and Kaoru gave them, and the teasing from Megumi, while everyone else followed at a much more reasonable pace. It didn't help that the way the two were eating with next to no manners was highly off-putting, Tsubame blushed furiously at how they were acting in front of their hostess. The only thing that Sanosuke said, however, was that forks were much easier for eating with than chopsticks… Unfortunately with his mouth full, almost spraying poor Aoshi with food, causing Aoshi to have to wipe off his face, looking as though he wanted to shish-kabob a certain rooster on the end of his kodachi. Everyone pretty much lost their appetites after that.

To be honest, Shinya thought as he sipped on his tea, he had given up on them.

The doors opened unannounced and everyone paused as a large man stepped through. He was tall, but not gigantic, with long, neat, raven-black hair that reached his shoulders, but tied back at the nape of his neck. His face was handsome in a rugged sort of way, except for his eyes under thick black brows that were steel grey and hard as iron. His chest that could be seen over the 'v' of his black gi was muscular, reminding Shinya of some of those Roman gladiators that he had read about. He was certain that this man must be strong. But he didn't look as if he was going to fight, as he was wearing his most formal clothing. On the left breast, he bore a symbol of a tiger of some kind.

"Sumimasen, Yoake-sama," the man said in a deep voice. "I must apologise for the intrusion."

"Ah, Saburo-kun," Yoake said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. She turned to the Kenshin-Gumi. "This is Saburo Shinzo – he works as my deputy in the company. Saburo-kun, these are the people who saved by life the other day."

Shinzo's eyes flashed a little, before he bowed graciously before them. "I'm honoured to meet the people who would risk their lives for Yoake-sama."

Shinya blinked, having noticed the eyes flashing. Was this man also hiding something, along with this Yoake? Were they together on…whatever it was that was that Yoake was hiding? Shinya frowned. Damn…as if all this wasn't complicated enough…

Everyone acknowledged what the man said with embarrassment. Well, in most cases anyway. Yoake, however, turned to the man. "What is it you wanted?"

Shinzo bowed once more. "Preparations have been completed. We should be ready within the hour." Yoake smiled.

Sanosuke frowned. "Preparations?"

Yoake nodded. "Yes. You see my company is mostly based at the port in Osaka, and we are at the moment in the middle of building a new ship for exporting goods. The building is in its final stages, so I must leave soon to check if the building has gone as planned. Yes, thank you, Saburo-kun." She added to the large man, who bowed and turned to leave, although Shinya did see a slight smirk on his face. Shinya almost groaned. As if trying to figure out Yoake wasn't hard enough! "I must apologises for this," Yoake continued. "But it seems our time together has grown short. I hope you won't be offended if I leave now. However, Mazaki-kun will escort you home once you are finished. But please, take your time. I would enjoy meeting you all again at a more leisurely time. Unfortunately, with the festival approaching, I will be unavailable, but afterwards, I would be honoured to have you visit again."

"Uwaaa, really?" Ayame asked, her eyes shining happily. "Arigato, Yoake-san!"

"Arigato!" Suzume piped up.

Yoake smiled at them and rose from her seat. With a graceful bow she turned and left. They were silent for a moment.

"Well, she did say take your time," Sanosuke started slowly, then grinned, "So lets have some more of this great grub!"

"Is food all you ever think about, rooster-head?" Misao growled.

Sanosuke clapped his hands over his ears. "Ugh! Weasel girl, turn it down!"

"I am NOT a weasel girl!"

Everyone winced at the fight that was insured.

Kenshin sighed beside a fuming Kaoru. "Here we go again. Yare, yare…"

o0o

It had taken them another good hour before they finally managed to drag Sanosuke away from the dining hall and made their way back to the carriage, which was waiting outside. Mazaki seemed disappointed that they were leaving so soon, but he had shrugged and opened the carriage door for them. The trip back was quite pleasant and relaxing, as the roads were quite smooth, so they made the most of this comfortable way of travelling. As Kenshin quietly reminded himself, it wasn't likely that they would get to travel in this style very often – especially with their merge savings.

When they had returned, the other four Onmitsu immediately bombarded them with questions, all of them feeling slightly envious that they had been unable to visit with them, so the rest of the afternoon was filled with excited and animated discussions about the Isuzu mansion. It had surprised Kenshin that they had managed to discus something for so long without it breaking into an argument. Of course, as soon as he thought that, there was a crashing sound as Yahiko, Misao and Sanosuke disappeared in a cloud of fists and dust. He sweat-dropped. So much for the peaceful afternoon…

Now, however, it had grown late. The sun had long since gone down on the horizon and the sky was now a deep, midnight blue. The stars were just beginning to become clear as diamonds and the moon was almost full. By Kenshin's calculations, it would become a full moon the night of the festival. Not that it was always full on the night of the star festivals, but the fact that it would be would certainly increase the mood of magic that the festival seemed to have. Everyone had retired to their rooms at the Aoiya for the night…all except Kenshin, that is, who was lying on the roof, his arm behind his head as he gazed up into the night sky, thinking over the events that had occurred that day.

There were a few things that were worrying him. First of all was Shinya's… condition, for lack of better words. He hadn't had much of a chance to talk with Aoshi about it yet, but he just couldn't understand what would make a person's ki fade like that, much less understand what it was that might actually be wrong with the boy. Yet there was still the fact that Shinya hadn't mentioned a word about it. Was it just because Shinya didn't realise it? No, that couldn't possibly be it. The emotion in his eyes after that strange 'fit' of his that he had the other day proved that. So, if he wasn't saying anything, could it be that Shinya was fine after all, but just a little tired? He just didn't know.

Then there was that man…Saburo Shinzo he believed his name was. That man also set the alarm bells ringing. He didn't know what it was exactly, but it wasn't unlike a sense of danger that he got from the man.

Kenshin sighed and sat up slightly to survey the darkening streets of Kyoto, deep in thought. He sighed again. Perhaps it was nothing at all. Although he was positively looking forward to the festival and was glad to meet up with Misao and Aoshi and the Oniwabanshu again, it still felt strange for him to be here in Kyoto once more. Perhaps it was that, with all its dark memories, that was setting his nerves on edge.

A flash of half-concealed ki suddenly came from close by, and Kenshin sat bolt upright, snatching up his sakabato, his eyes narrowing.

Or perhaps it wasn't the memories after all…

o0o

Shinya started at the slight noise within the darkness of the room, but remained as still as possible, wondering what it could have been that had awakened him. Keeping the appearance that he was asleep, he opened one eye a crack to take stock of the room he was sharing with the rest of the male Kenshin-Gumi. Yahiko was snoring loudly from somewhere near by, the form of Sanosuke could be seen out of the corner of his eye. However, he couldn't see where Kenshin was from his position.

He sighed a little and relaxed again. That was probably it. Kenshin occasionally went out at night for some reason or another, so perhaps it was him who had just left for a bit. Nothing to worry abou-

The sound of footsteps approaching cut off the line of thought and Shinya froze once more, listening. They didn't sound like Kenshin's – he barely made any noise when he moved. They seemed too heavy to be his anyway, yet at a slow pace, as if to make sure no one woke up from the sound. However, it didn't seem like any of the Onmitsu, nor the girls. Who on earth…?

Eyes still half closed, he moved ever so slightly so the he could see the door, from which the sound was coming from. The moonlight was coming from somewhere behind, illuminating the paper of the shoji. Behind it, a shadow moved quietly. Shinya frowned a little, trying to work out the form, but it was a complete mystery to him. Maybe…it was another guest? He thought hopefully. After all, they were staying at an inn, even if it was one run by ninja. But a strange nervousness crawled through his skin, making it unable for him to relax.

Damn it, he was going paranoid! And it's that Yoake's entire fault!

Wait

The figure paused outside of the room, the footsteps coming to a halt. Shinya kept still, barely breathing as he watched. What on earth… Why was he stopping?

Shinya mentally slapped himself. Oh this is stupid!

Using his rather limited ki sense, Shinya stretched it out towards the figure, brushing the edge of the figure's ki with his own. His eyes widened and he almost let out a yell, but forced himself to stay silent. There was a deep intent in that ki, and one that was far from benevolent or harmless. The feeling he got from it made him realise that if he made one move to let the figure know he was awake before the time was right, Shinya would probably find himself waking up in a morgue.

…Scratch that. He wouldn't be waking up at all!

Was this figure the reason why Kenshin wasn't here? They hadn't got him, had they? Shinya immediately shook the thought from his head. No, that was impossible. Kenshin wouldn't be beaten that easily, despite the murderous intent of this person. He was just too good for that. No one who could become a hitokiri at 14 and survive for as long as Kenshin did could be beaten that easily. Plus there was the fact that Kenshin was a far better reader of Ki than Shinya was, and Shinya himself had felt the man coming, even if the ki was half-concealed.

Besides, if something had happened to him, Shinya would definitely be the first to know about it!

The figure in the door approached the shoji and carefully began to prise it open slowly, so the movement wouldn't make the usual loud 'clack' as it opened. Shinya quickly took stock of himself. He was wearing nothing but a sleeping yukata, but that didn't put him off. With the way his grandpa trained him, Shinya had often had to evade surprise strikes from his own bed. He lay in a position that would be easy to manoeuvre from. Unfortunately, his bokken was lying just out of arms reach. Shinya kept deathly still. The good news was that he had thrown off the cover in the night because of the summer heat, so his arms and legs were free. If he were going to beat this man, he would have to rely on his martial arts until he could get his bokken.

For a moment, a panic set in - What about Yahiko and Sanosuke? Neither was awake (unless, of course, they were pretending, too…) so what if the figure headed for them instead. As ruthlessly as he could, he pushed away the thought. No, out of all of them, Shinya was the closest to the door, so it was more than likely that Shinya would be their first target.

Shinya mentally grimaced. Not that that made him feel any better…

The door was now opened – no sound had been made. Whoever it was definitely didn't want to be heard. Shinya kept still, listening as the footsteps drew close, and stopped right next to him. He kept his ki fixed on him as something scraped – a sound he recognised as that almost similar to Kenshin's Sakabato as it was drawn – the sound of a blade coming to life. Shinya's eyes opened a little to see the blade hovering over his form. It paused a moment, then it plunged down.

Shinya's eyes snapped open as his hands shot up and caught the blade, twisting it as hard as he could as he pulled himself on all fours, sending the blade plunging into the tatami mat with a loud thunk. The would-be assassin let out a strangled cry as he was sent over Shinya's lithe form into the set of draws behind with a loud crash. The boy hissed slightly at the dull pain in his hand, where the blade had cut him, but he ignored it as he rolled to his feet, snatching up his bokken in one swift movement.

Well, at least the noise served to wake the other two. Sanosuke scrambled to his feet, staring over between Shinya, the sword vibrating slightly from the impact, to the figure lying in a heap on the damaged furniture. Yahiko sat up with a snort, blinking round in surprise.

Shinya couldn't help but feel a slight stab of annoyance. So now they wake up? "Nice of you to join me," he said a little scathingly.

"What's going on?" Yahiko asked a little stupidly.

Shinya shrugged. "Apart from the fact that this guy just tried to kill us, I don't have a clue."

Yahiko's eyes widened to the size of plates. "Kill?"

However, nothing else could be said as the window burst open and in jumped two more men, their faces covered except for their eyes, their blades drawn as the charged. Yahiko leapt for his Shinai as Shinya dashed forward, bringing up his bokken to halt the first man's swing with a grunt, the sword biting deep into the bokuto wood. The man's eyes narrowed angrily and he pushed hard, aiming a knife at Shinya's feet. Shinya yelped as he moved his foot to avoid a skewering, but it forced him to fall out of stance, sending Shinya stumbling backward with the force of the assassin's push. Seeing the boy off balance, the man thrust forwards with his blade. Unable to dodge properly, Shinya did the only thing he could think of. He let himself fall to the floor and lashed out with his leg at the man's kneecap. Unfortunately, the man managed to twist out of his thrust, though Shinya's kick landed hard on the man's ankle, causing him to his with pain as he limped back. Yahiko saw his moment and struck down hard on the man's wrist, causing the blade to fall from the man's hand.

The second dashed towards Sanosuke, who dodged out of the way, snatching the man's wrist as he spun. The man's sword was forced into the wall, where it buried itself into the thick wood of the doorframe. The man attempted to tug it out to no avail. Sanosuke cracked his knuckles as he advanced. The man's eyes narrowed as he whipped round, having been unable to free the sword from the frame. A faint growl could be heard under the cloth and the man 's hand twitched, a kunai knife appearing in his hand from up his sleeve. He barely held it there before he threw it at Sanosuke, who managed to duck out the way just in time. Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one in the kunai's path.

Well, unlucky if you were the other assassin, who was just recovering from Yahiko's strike. The blade hit him in the back, dead centre, causing the man to stiffen with a gasp, falling forward. There was a bang as he landed flat on his face, with Yahiko, who had been ready to strike again, gasping a little at what had happened, while Shinya levered himself from the floor, his eyes wide in shock. Sanosuke growled slightly as he snapped round to look at the second assassin once more.

"Getting' your friend with the attack? That don't impress me much!" he growled, bringing up his fist as he stood, landing a hard blow to the man's chin that literally lifted him from the floor. His head snapped back, smacking into the doorframe with a sickening crack. He slumped to the floor, unconscious.

Everyone was still for a moment, before Shinya shakily stood up again, his eyes fixed on the knifed man. "He…he hit the other guy…" he managed, shocked by what had occurred. Of course, it was better than the alternative, but it made Shinya feel cold inside. If that had been one of them…

A slight shifting behind him caused everyone to spin round in shock at the first man, the one who almost turned Shinya into a kabob, was rising to his feet. His head looking a little bloody from a cut made when his head had connected with the corner of the draws. He snarled behind the mask, lifting up the sword that he had managed to tug out from the tatami.

Shinya glared. He really wasn't in the mood for this…

Shinya twisted his body and lashed out in a vicious 'Ushiro-geri' back kick into the man's abdomen, just as Yahiko struck him hard with his Shinai. The man choked, unable to breathe from the impact of Shinya's foot and Yahiko's bamboo sword. He definitely was unable to dodge Sanosuke as he planted his fist in the bridge of the man's nose. He slumped, bonelessly, to the floor.

They stood there, panting a moment.

"D…do you think there are more?" Yahiko panted, his shinai at the ready.

A horrified yell and the sound o fighting reached their ears, making them freeze.

"That answer your question, Yahiko?" Sanosuke growled out. "Come on!"

o0o

Kaoru sighed as she snuggled deeper into her futon with contentment. Although it couldn't be much passed midnight, she had had the most wonderful dream, although it was also a little sad as well. She had dreamed that Koshijiro Kamiya, her father, hadn't died in the Seinan war, but was alive and well. He was smiling at her as he complemented her sword work. She had dreamed that her mother (though she couldn't quite make out her face) was also alive, smiling near by as she joked with Koshijiro about being so rough. She had dreamed that all of her new family – Dr Gensai and the girls, Yahiko, Sanosuke, Megumi, Shinya and Kenshin were also there. She remembered how Koshijiro had got on well with the boys and Kenshin and her mother also seemed to be on good terms with each other. It had felt so, well, normal, and yet made her feel so warm in side at the thought. It was a shame it had to end.

Now she thought about it…why did she wake up?

A slight shifting of cloth caused her to change her mind. It couldn't be from one of the others in the room? Her eyes fluttered open as she turned in her bed to try and look where the sound had come from. Her eyes widened and she gasped in shock. There, standing straddled above her was a man, his face covered in a cloth so only his eyes could be seen. They crinkled slightly as he grinned, his arms that held a spear-like weapon about a foot or so in length that glinted in the moonlight that flooded through the open bedroom window pulling back, ready to strike.

The blade plunged down.

Kaoru rolled away, jumping to her feet with a yell. Megumi, Tsubame and the girls woke up at the sound of her scream. Megumi looked round and grabbed a vase from the dresser, Staying in front of the younger girls, who were trembling.

"W-who are you!" she demanded. "What do you want!"

The man straightened, his eyes glinting. However, he ignored Megumi's question, turning to look at Kaoru once more, spear ready to hurl. "Heh, heh – for such a sleepy-head, you're damn quick on your feet!"

He got ready to throw the spear again.

"Kaoru!" Megumi yelled.

Kaoru's heart pounded. "D-damn…" she darted forward, flinging the discarded bed sheet over the assassin'' head, causing him to struggle as she attempted to back away. "Megumi-san run!"

But before they could do anything, the spear shot in Kaoru's direction. She yelled and ducked, the spear snagging on the neck of her yukata and throwing her against the wall. She grabbed it, trying to tug it out, but it was firmly planted, making her unable to move. The Ayame and Suzume screamed. Kaoru didn't look over at them though; her eyes fixed on the man with desperation as he threw the sheet from over his head. The man chuckled as he advanced.

"So you have some fight in you. Good." He slipped his hand into the neck of his dark gi, drawing out a tanto. "Its more fun when they try to fight back!" he lurched forward, intending to drive the blade into her. Kaoru's eyes widened. Was that it?

A sudden thought flashed through her mind. Something her father had said to her years ago.

"Kaoru…if you ever find yourself cornered and fighting a foe without a weapon, then fight with your feet first. The leg has a much longer reach than the arm, and as the sword is of about arm length itself, using your feet could be the one thing that saves your life…"

It only took half a second for it to flash through her mind, and she knew what to do. With a cry, she brought up her leg viciously – right between the man's legs. His eyes bulged, sweat poring down his face as he stumbled backwards, the tanto falling from his hands. He glared up at her with bloodshot eyes.

"You…you bitch!" he roared, but before he could even attempted to advance again, Megumi dashed forward and swung the vase hard. It smashed against the back of the man's head, causing him to pause, his body frozen. His eyes rolled back and he fell to the floor with a muffled 'phwump'.

"Th-thanks Megumi-san," Kaoru panted, as Megumi, followed by the girls and Tsubame attempted to tug the spear that trapped her. It took five strong tugs before they wrestled it free. Kaoru swallowed hard. "What the hell was that about?"

"Don't think its over," hissed a voice from behind and they spun round to find a new person advancing on them. They backed away, Kaoru snatching up her Bokken and jumping in front of them.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Why should I tell you that?" the assassin hissed and lurched forward –

Just as there was a yell from outside the door and it burst through as a man in the same uniform barrelled into it, thrown back by a powerful force. Everyone spun round, just as Kenshin dashed in, his sword drawn. Kaoru's eyes flickered from the man on the floor (who seemed to have been struck by a Battojutsu), back to the redhead at the door, who was glaring at the new man in the room. Kaoru felt herself beaming. Not for the first time did she think that that man had to have the most incredible timing in the world. It just had to be a gift.

Kenshin glared at the man, who obviously realised he was outmatched and backed away, before he turned and flung himself out of the window.

"No!" Kaoru gasped, dashing to the window, followed by a stunned Kenshin. However, there wasn't a mass of blood and the mashed remains of a body that she expected, but the man folded neatly to his knees, before sprinting away into the darkness. Despite herself, she sighed with relief. Even if the man was trying to kill them, she just didn't have it in her to see someone get killed or commit suicide.

Well, except maybe that Saito guy if he hadn't already died in the fire a year ago, like Sanosuke reported to them.

"Kaoru-dono? Megumi-dono? Minna…daijobu de gozaru ka?"

Kaoru glanced over at Kenshin, noticing the stressed look in his eye and she smiled. He relaxed a little, though still looked worried. "We're fine, Kenshin. Are you alright?" she added, as Kenshin swiftly sheathed his sword once more.

"Aa"

There was another bursting in at the door and everyone spun round at the ready. They nearly fainted in relief when they discovered it was only Sanosuke, Yahiko and Shinya bursting through the door, panting. Their yukata was rather ruffled, and Shinya's bokken was a little worse for wear – there was another notch in the wooden blade. Obviously they weren't the only ones to have been caught out by the assassins.

"Is everyone…okay?" Shinya gasped out.

"Yeah, we're alright," Kaoru said with a slight nod. "Just a little shaken."

"Was anyone hurt at all?" Megumi asked, instantly the doctor.

"Nah," Sanosuke said, flashing 5them a thumbs up. He looked round a little, his grin fading slightly. "Oi, where's weasel girl and icicle man?"

"You mean they weren't with you?" Kenshin asked.

"No, we didn't see anyone…" Yahiko said.

Everyone looked at each other, then bolted out the door (which was now lying in a rather sorry heap of trampled wood and paper on the floor) and dashed down the hall. Kenshin threw open the door.

Everyone nearly fell over at the sight that greeted them.

Aoshi was standing not far away, his face quite calm as he dropped the last man to the floor and sheathed his kodachi once more, while Misao, sat cross legged on the back of an unconscious man. Both wore nothing more that sleeping yukata. If it hadn't been for the fact that the situation was so serious, they probably would all be on the floor rolling about laughing. As it was, they simply crashed to the floor in shock and relief.

"Well?" Misao said, looking a little irritated. "What took you guys so long?"

The assassin beneath to her groaned slightly as he tried to move, but the vain throbbed and Misao smacked him hard over the head with her fist, sending him crashing to the floor again, a new lump forming on his head.

Shinya turned to Sanosuke from his position on the floor with a shudder. "Sano…remind me never to piss off Misao…ever."

Everyone was too inclined to agree.

To be continued…

Chosha's Notes

Well, that was a bloody long chapter! Got to be one of my longest I've done so far in Fading Futures. Twelve pages long! So, anyway, how was it? Was it good, bad, or just plain stupid? Please review. Also, I was wondering if anyone would like me to write a translation list for the Japanese that I have used in the story. To be honest, I didn't think of it before, so I'm asking now. Please tell me if you do in your review.

I don't think there is anything to comment on in this chapter, but if you see anything that needs explaining, just tell me and I'll do my best to get back to you on it.

Anyway, with that said, there's just one last thing for me to do!

Next time on Fading Futures:

Shinya and Misao team up to find out if the person they think might be behind those assassins is correct, while Kenshin and Aoshi head off to speak with Saito about the assassins. Next episode: Suspicions and discussions.

But, until then, Ja ne!

Chosha Kurenai xXx