D/C: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Hello! I'm back, and much earlier this time! Okay, I want to thank you all for the reviews; they made me really happy, all of 'em! Anyway, I haven't got much more to say other than…ENJOY! (I think I should come up with another word).

CHAPTER 4: Battousai Surfaces

I have to get out. I need to get out.

Watching that bastard Battousai standing there, getting close to my wife, touching her…kissing her…makes me boil with rage. I want him to stop. I have to make him stop…but day by day, I feel like I can't. He's too strong…and I'm not just talking about physical strength here, he's also mentally strong. I'm not able to fight him. He keeps on taunting me and teasing me, but all I can seem to do is watch.

I watch as he takes over my life bit by bit. My work…my relations…my family… He's simply taking over everything.

In the few days that passed, he had stopped going to work, he had been harsh and mean towards Kenji, he had touched Kaoru a lot…he had even kissed her. He's feeding on my memory, and he's planning to use it in order to get his sword back.

And Kaoru hadn't noticed anything yet…or maybe she did…Kenshin didn't know what hurt him more; being trapped in his own body, or Kaoru not noticing that there was something wrong with her husband…

I feel him going through all the stuff in my brain, searching for locations and guards to his sword. He's found out about the alarm systems and is analyzing them now. Much as I hate to admit it, he's smart, even though he came from a place where there was simply no technology.

Soon, I'm going to become a thief…and possibly a murderer later…and there's nothing I can do about it.

I can't believe I ever thought highly of this bastard…

-

'Kaoru, who's that girl you left Kenji with?'

It had been a while since they had left Kenji back at the apartment with that teenager…what was her name again? Oh, yeah. Battousai remembered Kaoru calling her Kim. What mattered was that he found it really annoying that he should leave her alone with Kenji. Why? It was just he couldn't trust a complete stranger with his property. He couldn't believe that Kaoru had invited her to stay there while they were away. What if she stole something? What if she destroyed the house? And what if…she did something to Kenji?

Not that he cared or anything…or did he? The other day when Kenji had come up to him, laughing, and went and hugged him…Battousai had felt something towards the little boy. It was something like…fondness. But no; the only reason he cared why that Kim would harm Kenji was that it would hurt Kaoru…and he didn't want her to be hurt. Much as he hated to admit it, he really liked Kaoru…she was the only person he had liked this much since…

'I don't recall seeing her before,' he went on. 'So who is she?'

Kaoru stared at him and then laughed. 'Kenshin, what's wrong with you? Have you got some sort of amnesia or something?' she demanded.

'No…' he muttered. 'Should I know her?'

'Kenshin! Kim baby-sits for Kenji every time we go out; she's like our regular babysitter!' she told him, sounding aghast. 'Honestly! Sometimes I think that you're a stranger who came and switched places with my husband!'

Battousai was caught by surprise. He laughed uneasily. 'Switched places?' he repeated. 'Honestly, Kaoru, where do you come up with these things?'

'I dunno, you tell me,' she said dryly, gazing outside her window.

Battousai smirked. 'So…we're going to meet Sano and Megumi at a club tonight?' he asked casually. Who were they, anyway?

He had gone back in Kenshin's memory and found out that Sano was supposed to be something like his best friend, and that Megumi was Sano's fiancé. He and Kaoru were supposed to be close friends with this couple. He secretly hoped that Sano would be the kind of man he would enjoy being around. Kaoru was fun, but she wasn't a man.

Kaoru turned around and looked at him. 'Yeah, I told you before, didn't I?' she said.

'Yeah, well, I was just asking to see if someone else's tagging along,' he told her.

'No, it's just the four of us,' Kaoru assured him. 'Sano says it's been a long time since the four of us hung out together.'

'I guess,' he murmured.

'We'll have fun!' Kaoru said happily, and he involuntarily smiled at her.

Kaoru was something special, he'd be damned if he ever had to give her up. He was actually considering living with her and not abandoning her as he had planned to do before.

'Take that corner over there,' she instructed him, and he nodded, following the directions she gave him. 'Ah! Look! There it is! My, Sano does know how to pick, doesn't he?'

Yes, the club did seem really classy and sophisticated. It was like a huge beautiful manor turned into a casino and a club. Creepers dotted with bright red roses crawled all over the walls, and an amazing fountain graced the picturesque front yard. Battousai pulled up into the crowded parking lot.

'I'm worried, though,' Kaoru murmured.

Battousai frowned at her. 'About what?' he asked, curiously, for he simply saw nothing which required her to worry about.

'I mean, such places are supposed to be really expensive, right?' Kaoru told him, and although he didn't know for sure, Battousai nodded. 'I wonder how Sano will be able to afford this invitation…Kenshin, you don't suppose he's back to stealing again? It's only been two years since he was released…I know he's your best bud, but you know how Sano was like…'

No, actually, I don't know how Sano was like. But Battousai smiled despite himself; yes, Sano did seem like an interesting person to him…someone with a criminal record. That was just perfect.

'Kenshin, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything…Sano's my best friend, too, but…' Kaoru said quickly, as she had taken his silence for disapproval of what she had said.

'What? Oh, no, it's alright, Kaoru,' he assured her. 'I'll talk to Sano about it tonight, okay?'

Kaoru smiled. 'Okay,' she agreed. 'Shall we go in now?'

They both stepped out of the car. Battousai locked his car before moving around it to meet Kaoru at the other side, and he found himself marveling once again at how absolutely stunning Kaoru was looking tonight in her long, silky black dress, which was the absolute contrast of her creamy-white skin, and the diamonds which glittered around her neck made her look all the more beautiful.

Kaoru saw him watching her, and her cheeks became tinged with pink. 'Kenshin, stop staring at me like that,' she said, although she was smiling. 'I know I'm pretty and all, but it's not like you've never seen me like this before.'

'No, you're not pretty…you're gorgeous!' he said hoarsely.

Kaoru laughed. 'Kenshin, you're acting really weird today!' she wheezed. '…but thanks for the compliment.'

'Shall we go, then, Kaoru-dono?' he said, offering her his arm.

Kaoru, giggling, looped her arm around his. 'It's been ages since you called me that!' she told him, as she rested her head against his shoulder. 'It brings back a lot of memories…you continued to call me Kaoru-dono even after four months of being together!'

Four months? Man, that Kenshin is such a loser! 'Oh, come on, Kaoru…you know it was my way of showing respect!' he told her. 'You're not going to give me a hard time about it, are you?'

'Who said anything about giving you a hard time?' she said, raising her eyebrows at him. 'I liked it when you called me Kaoru-dono; it made me feel special.'

'Really?' Battousai asked, surprised.

'Kenshin, you baka, you don't think I'd have allowed you to call me that if I didn't like it, do you?' she said testily.

'No, of course not,' he replied, as he led the way to the main door of the club.

They walked towards the gate, and were stopped there by a guard in black sunglasses and a suit. 'You have an ID?' he asked.

'Er…yeah, here's mine,' Kaoru said, reaching into her purse and pulling out her ID. 'Kenshin?'

Battousai silently reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet and from that he took out the small card he had come to learn was known as the identity, or ID card.

The guard took a look at the cards and stepped aside to let them through. 'Have a good time,' he said, as he handed the cards back to them.

'Thanks, we will,' Kaoru said happily as she led Battousai inside. 'Come on, Sano said they'll be waiting for us at the bar.'

They managed to locate the bar in a short while, and Battousai cast a look down the polished bar and stools for a face which struck familiar in his…or rather, Kenshin's mind. His eyes fell on a lanky fellow with spiky brown hair next to which sat a pretty brunette, just as Kaoru cried, "Sano! Megumi!".

The lanky guy looked up and waved at them, as a huge grin came across his face. 'Hi, you guys! Glad you could make it!' he said to their approaching figures.

He hugged Kaoru. Battousai's eyes widened as he watched them, but his attention was snapped away from them by someone tugging on his shirt. He looked around and saw Megumi. She smiled brightly at him.

'Ken-ny! It's been so long since I last saw you! You look a bit different; did you let your hair grow longer?' she exclaimed, and before he could stop her, she had stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

Battousai was shocked. Who was this woman to come and kiss me like that out of the bloom? And how dare that guy hug Kaoru in front of me? So what if he was supposed to be my best friend?

'Kenshin, mate, how are you?' Sano had now turned to him, his hand extended, while behind him Kaoru and that woman…Megumi, were talking happily amongst themselves.

Battousai forced a smile onto his face and shook the guy's hand. 'I'm doing great, Sano,' he assured him. 'What about you? I haven't heard from you in a while.'

'Ah, well, I've been busy,' he said, grinning sheepishly as he shot a glance at Megumi. 'You know how it is…Megumi wants everything to be perfect for the wedding.'

'Yeah, I know how it is,' Battousai replied. 'I'm married, aren't I?'

Sano chuckled. 'Yeah, you are,' he mused. 'How's the little guy, by the way?'

'Kenji? Oh, he's fine,' Battousai said, smiling.

'Good,' Sano said, nodding his head slightly. He turned around to Kaoru and Megumi. 'Hey, ladies! Should we go find a table or you prefer to stay here?'

'No, here's fine,' Megumi replied. 'We've got a good view of the dance floor from here, and it's fun to watch people dancing.'

Kaoru giggled. 'Yeah,' she agreed. 'Especially when you're watching a balding man who's doing something between a jig and a waltz.'

'You girls are mean,' Sano scolded them. 'It's not cute…making fun of people, that is.'

'Don't lecture us about ethics, Sano, please,' Kaoru retorted, faking a yawn. 'Oh, and by the way, I've been meaning to ask you…how where you able to afford inviting us to this place, eh?'

Sano scowled. 'I'm not back to stealing, if that's what you guys have in mind,' he muttered.

'No, Sano, I didn't mean…' Kaoru started.

'Chill, Kaoru, I know you didn't mean anything,' he said, smiling at her. 'As a matter of fact, I was planning to tell you tonight…why don't we get drinks first? Sake for three?'

'What about Kaoru?' Battousai said, surprised. Why was the jerk leaving his Kaoru out?

They all stared at him, and it was Kaoru spoke up. 'Kenshin, honey, I don't drink, remember? I'm allergic to alcohol,' she told him in a cool tone.

People can be allergic to alcohol? 'Yeah, sorry, it slipped my mind,' he mumbled.

'Obviously,' Kaoru said, sighing. 'Sano, I'll have a sherbet, please.'

Sano summoned the bartender and ordered the drinks. Minutes later, they were all sitting with their drinks in their hands. Sano drank a bit of Sake from his cup before setting it down.

'Alright, now to the awaited announcement,' he said dramatically.

'Just get it over with, Sano,' Megumi drawled.

'You just have to spoil my fun,' he protested. Then he grinned. 'Anyway, get this…I finally got a job!'

'You what?' Megumi cried, looking surprised.

Kaoru, however, laughed merrily and clapped her hands. 'Oh, Sano! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!' she exclaimed.

'Thanks, Kaoru,' he replied, grinning.

Megumi was tugging impatiently at his shirt. 'How come you never told me about this before?' she demanded angrily. 'And I'm supposed to be your fiancé!'

'Aw, c'mon, Megtsuni!' Sano whined. 'I just wanted to surprise you! I wanted it to be perfect! That's why I waited till we got here! I'm really sorry!'

Battousai, who had just been silently watching, nearly jumped when he felt a sharp nudge in his side. He whirled around to see Kaoru frowning at him.

'Kenshin, what's the matter with you? Aren't you going to say something to Sano?' she hissed. 'You know how important this is for him!'

Battousai realized she wanted him to comment on Sano getting a job, and he nodded. 'Hey, Sano,' he said, and the man stopped bickering with his fiancé to look at him. 'Congratulations, man…well done, I'm glad you got a job.'

Sano positively beamed at him. 'Thanks, Kenshin,' he said. 'It means a lot coming from you.' He held his friend's eye for a moment before turning back to Megumi. 'Now, it's your turn.'

'Huh?' she said, confused.

'C'mon, don't I get something from you?' he protested. 'Don't tell me you're not happy for me!'

'I am happy for you, Sanosuke,' she assured him. 'But I'm just annoyed you didn't tell me about this sooner enough.'

'I'm sorry, okay?' he said softly.

'Yeah, okay,' she replied, and as confirmation, she leaned forward and kissed him. 'Congratulations.'

Battousai raised his cup. 'To Sano,' he said. 'Welcome to the world of business.'

Sano grinned as everyone raised a toast to him.

'What are you doing, then?' Kaoru asked him.

'A software company,' he answered. 'Finally, my game-designing talents will be appreciated.'

'That's really wonderful!' Kaoru chirped.

Sano smiled at Kaoru. 'Hey, Jou-chan, how about a dance?' he asked. 'Megumi pre-warned me that she won't be able to dance tonight because her shoes are killing her.'

'Okay,' she agreed, sliding off her stool. She took Sano's arm and they both went over to the dance floor.

Battousai stared after her. That's it? She's going to dance with him without even asking me? Didn't she even consider the fact that I do not allow it?

'They look so cute together, don't they?' Megumi, who was watching them dance to a slow tune, suddenly remarked.

Battousai tore his eyes away from them and turned to Megumi. 'Huh?' he said, confused.

'Can you keep a secret?' she asked him, watching him closely with those dark eyes of hers.

'Um…sure,' he said, puzzled.

'I feel a bit insecure around Kaoru,' Megumi murmured, as she sipped from her cup. 'Even though it's been eight years since she and Sano stopped seeing each other, and even though she's married to you now…I still feel a bit…jealous.'

Battousai didn't say anything, but the emotions were churning within him. Kaoru and Sano used to have an affair? The two of them…together?

Even as he watched, he thought he saw Sano holding Kaoru more tightly than needed, and his fists clenched. And then, when the dance ended, Sano bent down and kissed Kaoru on the cheek.

Battousai slammed his cup down on the bar, and Megumi jumped. 'Kenshin, what…?' she demanded.

But Battousai walked right past her and made his way to the dance floor. He crossed over to Sano and Kaoru. Kaoru stared at him as she approached.

'What's wro…?' she started.

But she wasn't allowed to continue with her sentence as Battousai gave Sano a hard blow in the face, sending the later crashing to the ground. Kaoru screamed, and so did some other people who had jumped out of the way when Sano fell.

'You bastard! How dare you kiss her?' Battousai spat, towering over Sano, who was trying to sit up against his daze.

'Kenshin! Stop! What are you doing?' Kaoru cried.

Kenshin rounded on her. 'And you! Letting him kiss you like that! What, you're thinking of going cozy back with him?' he snapped, oblivious to all the on-lookers around them.

'Cozy…what?' Kaoru cried, her eyes wide with shock. 'Kenshin! You know there's nothing between me and Sano now! I can't believe you actually thought I was trying to get back together with Sano! Kenshin, how could you?'

'Kenshin, you jackass,' Sano hissed from behind him. Battousai looked around at him, and saw that he was on his feet, and that Megumi was standing beside him, glaring at him. 'How dare you accuse me of something so low? I'd never betray you for any girl, and if you were my friend, you'd have known that pretty damn well!'

And before Battousai was able to react, Sano had thrown a rough punch at his face. Battousai stumbled back and would've nearly fallen back if he hadn't held on to the chair next to him for balance. He heard someone shout, "Call the manager!", but he took no heed of it as he readied himself to attack Sano again.

'You asked for this, Sano,' Battousai hissed.

He lunged forward and gave Sano a hard blow in the stomach. ('Sano!' Megumi screamed). Sano staggered but managed to retain his balance this time.

'No! Please! Stop!' Kaoru cried, tears welling in her eyes.

Rage blazed in Sano's eyes. 'You know what you are?' he hissed. 'You're stupid! I feel I must knock some sense into you!'

This time Battousai was ready; he managed to avoid Sano's next punch with total ease. 'You're too slow,' he sneered. He was about to punch Sano, when he saw Kaoru running past him to the exit. 'Kaoru! Wait!'

He paid for this moment of distraction when Sano landed a hard punch in his stomach. Battousai stumbled back to the floor, but immediately jumped back up to his feet.

People were grouped around them, watching them and muttering amongst themselves. Battousai saw Sano watching them warily.

'Kenshin, listen…' Sano said, panting slightly. 'This is really stupid, I think we should…'

'Later, alright?' Battousai snapped, pushing him out of his way. 'Save your breath! I'm going after Kaoru! At least she's worth the trouble!'

He stormed away before Sano got the chance to say anything else, and people moved out of his way to let him pass. He hurried towards the exit after Kaoru, hoping that he'd be able to catch her. She had seemed really upset.

He stepped out of the club and made his way to where he had parked his car. He was greatly relieved when he saw Kaoru standing there against the car, her face in her hands. The slight shaking of her shoulders told him she was crying.

'Kaoru…' he said softly.

Kaoru looked up at him. Her sapphire-blue eyes glared at him from her tear-stained face. 'Go away, Kenshin, leave me alone,' she snapped.

But Battousai just moved closer to her. 'Kaoru, please, listen to me…' he pleaded.

He just couldn't have her angry at him like that; he really did care about her. He knew that he barely knew her, but he knew just enough to make him rather attached to her.

'Why? So I'd hear more of your crap?' she said angrily.

'No, Kaoru, listen…I'm really sorry, alright?' he said earnestly.

'You just can't do what you did and think that a simple apology would fix everything!' she said. 'That's not how things work!'

'I screwed up, I know,' he admitted. 'But I'm really sorry now…I don't know what's gotten into me, I shouldn't have done what I did.'

'Oh, really?' she said, coldly. 'Well, it's too late now, isn't it? You've done it and it's over…I doubt you and Sano will ever be the same after this.'

Battousai sighed. 'I know, and it hurts me too,' he lied. 'But when I saw him kissing you, I just flipped.'

'Kenshin, there's nothing going on between me and Sano!' she said angrily. 'I'm married to you now…and in case you haven't noticed, Sano's happily engaged to Megumi! God! I can't believe you thought we were having an affair!'

'I'm sorry, I really am,' he persisted, reaching out for her.

Kaoru brushed his hand away and folded her arms against her chest. 'You know, Kenshin…in the last few days you've been acting so strangely, I'm having a hard time believing it's the Kenshin I loved and married.'

Uh-oh, she's getting suspicious. 'I know I've been such a jerk, Kaoru, and I'm really sorry, but I'm going under a lot of pressure nowadays and it made me kinda edgy,' he told her.

'Pressure?' she repeated. 'At work, you mean?'

Yeah, right…work; as if I seen that place ever since day one. 'Yeah,' he lied. 'I'm being really overworked…some companies are just too picky, there was one company who had us remake their toothpaste ad six times!'

Kaoru sighed. 'But even so, you mustn't take your frustration out on us, Kenshin,' she said softly. 'You might not realize it, but it really hurts.'

Battousai saw the tears forming at her eyes and he reached out and brushed them away gently with his finger. 'I'm sorry, Kaoru, I really didn't intend to hurt you,' he whispered, and he meant it. 'I was just drunk, and when Sano kissed you, I just snapped.'

Kaoru managed a small smile. 'Jealous, are we?' she teased him.

'What? No!' he cried, but stopped when he saw that she was laughing. He smiled. 'Are we cool now?'

'Yeah, we're cool,' she agreed, allowing him to pull her into a hug.

'So, what do you want to do now?' he asked after he had released her. 'Should we go back inside?'

'I don't think the manager will even allow us inside,' she murmured. 'No, let's call it a night and head back home.'

'If you say so,' he agreed.

'But you gotta go apologize to Sano and Megumi tomorrow,' she told him, and he nodded. Then she reached out and took the car keys out of his hand. 'No driving for you tonight; you're drunk.'

'Hey!' he protested. So what if he was drunk? He managed to drive the car when he was drunk before!

'No way am I allowing you to drive,' she said firmly. 'I can't have you losing your cool over other cars, can I?' She smiled.

Battousai sighed in defeat and trudged over to the passenger side of the car. Kaoru unlocked the car and he pulled open the door and went inside. It was a few moments before they had hit the road.

When he had been driving, Battousai had only paid attention to the road in front of him. But now, with Kaoru driving, he was able to observe his surroundings as they passed by. Tall sky-scrapers, malls…but one building in particular made him bolt up in his seat…the museum.

That's where they have my sword. Battousai's fists clenched as he watched the building pass by them. He had half a mind to tell Kaoru to stop and turn around to it, but then what? He couldn't tell her that he wanted to go in there and get his sword back; she would just think he had gone crazy…and besides, to her, he wasn't Battousai, he was Kenshin.

'Are you okay?' Kaoru, who seemed to have noticed how tense he was, asked.

Battousai smiled at her. 'Yes, I'm fine,' he assured her.

Kaoru nodded and returned back to her driving. Battousai, however, turned his head around to watch the museum disappear out of view. His face was grim with determination.

I'm going to get my sword back…tonight…

-

Battousai was totally obscured by the clump of bushes he was hiding behind; he was absolutely sure no one would see him unless they came really close. There were a couple of guards patrolling the grounds, and he really didn't want to risk being seen by them.

Almost automatically, he reached out to his side, as if to grab the hilt of his sword, and scowled when he didn't find it there. Soon…it will be mine soon enough, he thought darkly as he closely watched the museum building.

It was one past midnight now; he had to wait for Kaoru to fall asleep before he was able to leave the place. He had looked at her with a bit of distress before he had left, wondering what her opinion of him would be if she knew what he was about to do. He guessed that it would be more or less like Tomoe's.

Tomoe…

Even though that sword was the one which killed his Tomoe, and even though it was that sword was the one in which he had been trapped in for more than a century, he was determined to get it back. He felt incomplete without it.

He thought he knew enough about modern security to be able to break in and reclaim his sword undetected. From what he had found out by unlocking all the doors in Kenshin's mind, he just had to find the security room, knock the guard out and deactivate the security system, and since this wasn't such a big and important museum, the security inside was bound to be less.

Battousai slowly got out of his hiding place and made his way stealthily to the back of the museum. There was a door there, just as he had expected. He turned the knob; locked. He pulled the pin he had brought along with him from the pocket of his jacket, and started working on the lock. Back in his time, he could've easily broken the door down and walked in. But now was different; he knew there were a load of alarms to greet him if he did that.

The door swung open after a moment, and Battousai smiled appreciatively at his handiwork. He, then, cautiously walked inside. He looked around the wall, and saw an open door further ahead, through which pale blue light poured out. Battousai knew he had found the security room.

Quietly, he made his way across the dark corridor to the door. He paused by its side and peered inside. He saw at least twenty monitors, all propped up against the wall, in front of which was a desk full of buttons and blinking lights. Two guards sat on chairs in front of the monitors, talking together in low voices. Battousai pulled up his mask.

This is going to be soooo easy…

Battousai only hoped he still had his old skills as he walked into the room. The guards' reaction was so immediate it surprised him, but it didn't affect him.

'Hold it right there!' one of them shouted, as he and his comrade pulled out their guns.

'Chikusho,' Battousai muttered, suddenly aware that he was going to have to face two armed guards while he had no weapons. Damn Kenshin for being such a straight-arrow, not even recording that guards have guns in his mind!

But he knew it wasn't just Kenshin's fault; he should've figured it out himself. Baka. How could I have been such an idiot? But he wasn't going to let that put him down, not when he had come so close to getting his sword back. And after all, he was the fastest person ever known, wasn't he?

Battousai smirked inwardly. Now you see me…He kicked back against the floor, jumped up in the air, did a quick somersault and landed lightly on his feet behind the two guards. He did it so quickly they barely had time to react. Yes; he still had his old moves.

'What the…?' one of them said hoarsely.

Battousai gave each one of them a hard blow on the back of their necks, and they crumpled down to the ground at his feet. Their guns dropped from their hands and clattered across the floor.

'Now you don't,' he whispered, bending down and picking up the two guns. 'You don't mind, do you? Guess not.'

He chuckled at his own joke, and then stepped over them and crossed over to the board of keys. 'Let's see,' he murmured. 'All I have to do is switch all of this crap off.'

Swiftly, as if had done it before loads of times, he switched off all the switches on the board. It wasn't long before every single switch on the board was reading "OFF" and was blinking red. Battousai smiled.

'Dear sword, here I come,' he said softly.

He stepped over the two guards again and left the room. His feet guided him down the corridor to the door at the end which opened onto the gallery. Shoving one gun into his pocket, he walked into the spacious hall.

Different paintings lined the wall, and ancient relics filled the glass cabinets around him, but none of those interested him. He was here for his sword.

He made his way to the hall where the Japanese exhibition was being held, and nothing crossed him while he walked. Not even a patrolling guard.

'C'mon, people, give me some sorta challenge,' he said irritably.

He reached the Japanese exhibition without any trouble. His eyes quickly scanned the room and stopped as they fell over his long, thin sword.

'Finally,' he breathed.

It was all he could do not to run towards the sword. He reached out to it with trembling hands, and gently lifted it away from the two knobs which held it on the wall. Battousai felt ecstatic as his eyes traveled over the sword. He unsheathed it and held it up in the air, where it glinted against the moonlight poring from the glass which made the ceiling. He grinned and returned it to its sheath.

Battousai was now complete.

-

God, I stole the sword! It wasn't technically me, but I felt it…

I felt the rush, the exhilaration, the excitement and the tension…and the worse part is it appealed to me! I actually enjoyed all those emotions! I felt elated to be doing this…and that really doesn't make me proud of myself…

Never in my life would I have imagined myself having such thoughts. I was against crime in any form. I didn't approve of Sano when he used to be a thief, and I never will…but somehow, I'm finding that, now, I'm actually approving of this; I'm liking the fact that I'm actually taking something which doesn't belong to me…

It gives me a real rush…and now I feel that I shouldn't have been that harsh with Sano…

…if only Kaoru knew what I was thinking at the moment, would she still consider me as the Kenshin she loved and married? Or would I be as dirty as Battousai…?

I had, honestly, hoped that Battousai would fail in his mission. I knew I'd have been put into prison, I knew that Kaoru would be miserable…but I wanted to put a stop for myself…or rather, for Battousai…

I feel so pathetic…

Times like this I almost give up, but then I see Kaoru's beautiful smile and hear Kenji's sweet voice, and realize what life I'll be giving up, and that gives me some sort of strength…

No matter how much Battousai thinks he's become attached to Kaoru, she is never going to be his…

The question which repeats itself in my mind day and night is: How? How will I get out?

-

A/N: Ah! I'm done! I'm proud of this chapter! I think it's really cool, innit? I had trouble with it, though, I kept mixing up between Kenshin and Battousai, writing Kenshin's name when it's supposed to be Battousai's, but I think I've managed to correct all my mistakes. Please tell me if you find any, won't you? And did the fight between Sano and Battousai seem lame? I liked it, but I'm not sure…and what about the museum scene? Did I do the security system justice? I've never broken into a museum so I really don't know…hehe…

Oh, and btw, I might not be able to update for a while since my midterms are coming up, but I assure you that I will try…and I've got an idea about what would make me try harder; REVIEWS! Now, c'mon, people, cough up; don't be cheap!

-ZEN.

P.S. Btw, can you believe I've never been to a bar or such clubs before in my life? Weird, huh?

P.P.S. Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS, y'all! And a HAPPY NEW YEAR!