A/N: Cool People! Cool people! Yay! You likie. ( Throws cookies) Enjoy! This chapter dedicated to my faithful reviewer alwyzme!

Plot

The young warriors footsteps clanged through the meeting hall pumping as hard as he could seeing the doors in front of him only get large and bounce with each step he took. All the others milling about after hard training looked at him without enough time to salute their superior. The brown-headed boy stopped momentarily to put his hands on his knees and catch his breath before he rose fully to the two armed guards vbefore the meeting hall doors.

" Your buisness?" One said flatly. Akira, clearing his throat, looked them straight in the eyes and answered.

" I must get in there." He told, just as flatly as the guard had asked.

" Permission not granted." The other said, ever just as flat. Akira scowled and brought forward his hand.

" I have an urgant message to deliver to Hiko-sama" he annouced. The two gave each other equally puzzling looks, but when they each thought it over grabbed a handle and pulled the doors open.

" Akira-san for you Hiko-sama!" One said to his right.

Hiko, sat the far edge of a long table looked up from his map of the three countries and pulled his hands behind his back ina formal manner. Each of his other generals stared rather blankly upon the subordinate knowing that he was out of place. Akira bowed at the waist, though unformal and looked back up to an angered Hiko.

" Hiko-sama,"

" What is so important to interrupt me in the middle of battle plans?" Hiko demanded in an ever strong voice. Akira gazed around the room at the other men and one woman that glared upon him just as Hiko did. He noticed only momentarily that one of the chairs closest to Hiko was empty, only making his news far more grave.

Akira, once again, cleared his throat to face Hiko and pulled out the scroll he brought tossing it to Hiko. All eyes turned to the general as he scanned the parchment very thoroughly. Though he thought he could do better things with his time, he suddenly realized that this was definately as important as it seemed.

" Are you so certain that this is true?" he asked trying to sound calm. The other generals whipsered amongst themselves, the closest spreading the word of what he saw to the rest.

Akira nodded. " I am afraid it is, sir. I checked. I saw Tiger-Lily-sama heading to the stables with Her Grace in tow. I don't know what their plan may be, or even his. But she did not seem the slightest bit pleased with the fact that he was practically dragging her. " Akira had this worried look on his face, and Hiko could only wonder what was running through his mind at that present moment. He dropped his head for a moment in thought about the contents of what Akira had read. That Kenshin had ran off again, though he always did, with Princess Kaoru whom he was dragging along with him to the stables.

" Is there anything else Kiyosato-san?" Hiko asked still remaining very chill.

" If you are wanting total conformation..."

" Hai Kiyosato-san. One of my generals and my deshi is missing! You find me unconcerned?" Akira's attitude was making it hard for Hiko to hold back his temper. Akira nerely shook his head and continued on.

" I checked in the stables as well. His long distance horse has also been found gone."

Hiko simmered down, he was not used to this. He had to turn around very casually and look out the window for a moment to the sky above. With that moment of thought he was talking with himself.

I know my naka deshi, he's not that much of an idiot to try and kidnap some of high royalty. Kaoru nust have excepted an offer to come with him. He lowered his head. But then again, Kaoru is a stubborn one and Kenshin may have more or less forced her into coming with him. It wouldn't be my surprise. he looked over his shoulder to Akira's very steady face. This almost smug lost was pressed upon it. Only enough so that Hiko was able to notice. He turned back to the window and stroked his chin for a moment thinking ever harder. Why of all people would Akira report to me? Why not Soujiro? Why not Kamatari? But, Akira would be the last person to seem to care. I know where Kenshin is going and why he took Kaoru, but...

" Hiko-sama?" One of the generals spoke up. " How much of a dilemma that Tiger-Lily-sama is not around?" The man was old, but he understood that Kenshin always went missing now and again to do his own work. There was even a time, right when the war broke out, the he had disappeared for what could have been months on end. Hiko lowered his head, is dark eyes looking at the map of the three countries. Antholl was at a disadvantage, though hid it well. Half the country had been invaded and taken from Sanosuke's grip.

" At this point," Hiko began looking to them all," I believe that Kenshin would have been one of our most crucial elements. Enishi believes he's dead therefore we would have gained advantage. The reason being, and I mean no offense, that they would be hardly frighrened if it was anyone other than my baka deshi. And with that playing in our hands, we could have pushed them farther away from the capital," he put his hands on the edge of the table letting his temper flare once again. " Dammit!"

" Hiko-sama?" the lady of the group, Shura, who commanded any sea fairing attack but was also a good on groud leader as well, spoke to the almost down trodden Hiko.

" Yes Shura?"

" How about we let Akira take his place. Surely Akira could be of our use. " Shura looked over to Akira who closed his eyes and leaned his head to the ground. She looked back to her leader. " Hiko?"

With a sigh and pulling himself together, Hiko straightened his back making him reach his full height and open his eyes. Though he seemed to have a second thought about letting Akira take Kenshin's place in both the meeting and on the battlefield, it was his only possible option at the very point.

" Very well Kiyosato-san. You will be Kenshin's replacement," the words burned at Hiko like acid as he sat once again prepared to speak. He was perplexed why Akira didn't make his attempt though. " Kiyosato-san?"

" I am afraid that I will have to dimiss myself Hiko-sama. I have things that I must attend to as well. I will take your commands as a subordinate. I dare not take Tiger-Lily-sama's place." He said bowing once more and turning to the door. Hiko raised a brow and scanned the room at the equally perpelxed group of people among him. But, with another quieting, Hiko got them back on track.

---

Akira walked with a bit of a skip in his step when he closed the door. His eyes closed and a smirk was on his lips. " This is just a little too easy."

When he made it back to his barrack, he opened a drawer and pulled out a piece of parchment starting to scratch on it with his quill. As he continued, his evil smile continued even more so to expand. He couldn't help but let out this vile laugh as he strapped it to one of the birds and send it on its way.

" When we are through, Antholl and dear Hiko will bow,"

--

Kenshin opened his eyes as light touched them from the canopy above. Kaoru was cuddling next to him, soft snores coming from her. Their bodies were covered to the neck with the blanket. If not, exposure was certain. He grabbed his vest, an appropriate magenta and crest for the Lotus and buttoned up white shirt underneath. He carefully slipped out of the cuddle, pulling the blanket up further on Kaoru.

He looked up at the snores that barely made it past all the limbs up. He picked up a small rock as well as his pants from the forest floor and tossed the rock up into the trees. They shook lightly at first, but them rattled with a soft scream of one girl being woken abruptly and beginning to crash through the many layers. After fully dressing himself, Kenshin stood beneathe the spot where the noise came and held out his arms as a small ninja dropped into them.

Misao rubbed the her and ridded it of leaves staring at Kenshin with a awestruck look. He merely smiled as he set her down and let her wake up, even though there was only a slim bit of sleep left in her. " A bit much, huh Himura?"

Kenshin only shrugged and turned back to look at Kaoru.

" Well, you two got...close." Misao said smiling almost pervertedly. Kenshin tried his best from blushing at Misao's statement. He picked up his ribbon laying haphazard in the dust and brushing it off before pulling back his crimson hair and steadying himself.

" It is not your concern Misao-dono, and I hope that you keep this between us and the forest." Kenshin said turning as leaves fell for what seemed to be no reason. He smiled at the sight of Aoshi landing gracefully on his feet and stepping to Misao.

" Ohayou Himura-san," he said calmy. Kenshin nodded back to man and turned back to Kaoru picking up a few of her loose garments before anyone else took the chance to see them. Aoshi watched Kenshin neatly fold the clothes and set them by the slumbering Kaoru. He resisted the urge to kiss her on the forehead as possible as it was. But, this was nothing more than a one night stand to Kenshin, and Kaoru agreed to this as well.

" Himura, you think that you would be able to get away with Kaoru without our knowledge?" Aoshi asked coolly. Kenshin lept his silence as there was nothing else to say at this point. When Kenshin hadn't said anything, Aoshi continued making the few insinuations that he found from this. " You and the princess are..." he jabbed his finger between the two. Kenshin gave him this look and then turned away when he heard Kaoru stir.

" Um..Kenshin?" she asked sleepily. Kenshin stepped over to her and picked up his belt strapping it on and putting the sword in it. Kaoru looked over tightening the blanket around her body.

" Ohayou Your Majesty." He said with a nod. Kaoru looked forward seeing her ' bodyguards ' looking at her.

" Ohayou to you to, Sir Kenshin." she said with a laugh. She sounded drunk.

She'd seen how he had strapped the sword in his belt and thought about how her hands wrapped around it and forced him to remove it. She was just as willing as he was. Kenshin stood to stop himself from resisting the urges to run kisses down her neck. Though, last nights chanannigans had been the same as the thoughts he was having. A small bruise like mark on the right side of her neck that she carefully hid with her cascading hair. The red headed warrior handed her her clothing and picked up the blanket summoning Misao over to hold up one end and he held up the other. They shielded the royal from exposure to the forest as she artfully clothed herself.

Kenshin dropped the blanket and Misao folded it while Kenshin handed Kaoru her cloak and bow. She gave him this smile and ran her fingers around her lips. Kenshin's hand shot up to his cheek and wiped the pinkish smear on it as she giggled.

Misao brought his horse over. " Now, Your Highness, no way your feet ought touch this ground." He said picking her up bridal style and putting her side-saddled on his horse. No doubt that her thoughts came to her terrible encounter with Enishi, but the bliss seemed to cover the pain. She held his waist that was in a non-seductive way as not to give anything away. Misao and Aoshi returned to the tree tops following them while Kenshin let them.

--

Magdaria held her hands in front of her as she walked down the corridor of the barracks. Shougo had been put in an empty one where she roomed with him. She'd been biting her lip all after she had found that Kaoru was indeed a royal that had a lot to do with the war. She was so down to earth though it seemed that she was more civilian even being that she was raised as a royal since birth.

Her hands wrapped around her cross as she passed rooms. Several had the soldiers singing, them there was loud snoring. She looked to see which doors were ajar which was barely any. That was why one specifically stuck out. She walked past it like it was nothing, but she heard the meniacle laughter sending a chill down her spine. She back-tracked and peered in the ajar door.

" Now Himura, all your work to waste.." she heard. Kenshin came to her mind. Her fingers wrapped around the wooden frame, her head sliding forward to hear better. She was feeling bad for eaves-dropping, but it might save lives.

" Missing, the idiots. Now I can lead these fools off course. Kill the lot of them. Eviary deserves this power. " He laughed again. Magdaria felt a cough rising in her throat but forced it down letting it bounce around her chest. She focused her sights on him. He had brown hair and it was tied in a a top-knot. He had this smirk on his face and his brows were furrowed. In his hands he held a bow that he was restringing tighter and arching his arrows in it. There was a few times that he even had two or three in his hand at a time. He laughed; still testing the bow.

" But you'll suffer. Dammit if Hiko doesn't know I look at the mail. To Eviary you go Himura. You won't get there. You'll be sliced in the back just like Tomoe..." he laughed.

Magdaria couldn't resist herself and put her hand to her mouth as she let out a cough, blood sputtering on her hand and down her poncho. The man, Magdaria now recognized as Akira, shot his head up giving Magdaria a heavy scowl as he rose.

Magdaria already began to turn and run, a coughing fit ensuing in her chest but she forced herself onward. She slammed into the wall several times, her shoulder scrapping. Akira had his bow in hand as he chased her down.

" You little wench!" he roared plucking an arrow from his sack and arching it, standing unanimated as he pulled the arrow back as far as he could without breaking the string.

All the while, Magdaria ran yelling between coughs: " Shougo! Brother!" she had tears falling down her cheeks and stopped as the arrow flung past her ear catching hairs and knicking the lobe. She stopped and turned looking forward to she her brother coming to her rescue. His sword glinted, but Akira was nothing of afraid. He drew back another arrow and shot. At that time, Shougo wrapped his left arm around Magdaria to shield her as the arrow struck his shoulder. He fell to a knee and pulled out the arrow as he pushed his brown headed sister behind him. With senses aware, he cut the arrows as they hurled toward him. Akira clenched his teeth and ran closer.

" Damn you meddling pests!" he roared again. He shot another arrow at Shougo who deflected it and took a swing at Akira. It ripped the material of his crested vest, but he jumped back in enough time to not be cut. They gave each other stern looks in the eyes and locked on their targets. They both ran as Magdaria scooted to the side of the corridor holding her poncho closed and shaking at the battle. Arrows stormed past Shougo as he moved masterfully in the blink of an eye. His sword glinted powerfully catching the Lotus warrior off his guard. But then something occured that made Magdaria give a blood-curdling scream. Akira reached at the end of his bow. It was an unusal one. The arch straight rather than arched. He, in one quick move, pulled out his own blade and sliced down hitting Shougo's sword arm. He fell to a knee again, the blood falling between his fingers and staining the green fabric he wore. It dropped in heavy amounts to the ground, staining the grey floor.

Akira walked over picking up the sword to keep Shougo from attacking again. He kneeled to look at the struggling Jubyen warrior.

" Trash like you does not deserve the honor you are recieving. But Himura didn't either. You will get a front row seat to his death. He's walking right into the guillitine(sp?)" Shougo's eyes glinted. " And your precious little sister...Well, she can prove useful to m..."

A sharp pain penetrated Akira's muscle in his thigh. Though wounded, Shougo managed to quietly pull out a dagger from his robes and hit Akira.

" You devil. You'll go to Hell..." blood fell over his lips as the flow in his shoulder worsened. Akira forced Shougo's weak hand from the dagger as he pulled it out of his thigh flinging it far down the hall.

" Your not in the position to make threats you Christian trash!" He grabbed Shougo by the collar of his robes and forced him off his knees. " You come with me...or you see your sister lose her virginity..."

Shougo saw Magdaria crying her eyes out at What Akira was saying. When he turned her way, as of needing guidance, she shook her head to him. He lowered his head. It was hard to except the defeat, but he managed as he was dropped to the floor.

He turned to retrieve all the weapons and as he did, Shougo managed to sit and look at Magdaria saying...

" Sayo, run as far as you can. I don't want you to see what I'm about to do. Ask God forgiveness," he wasn't stupid. He grabbed the second dagger from his robes and stood, shaking from the blood loss.

" Shougo, you're.."

" I'm fine Sayo..go, find Hiko...no find HImura. Find him fast." Magdaria stood and started running, not even questioning what her brother was doing.

Magdaria saw her brother advancing near Akira with the dagger held behind his back. The blood still fell to the floor, but Akira turned to see Magdaria running and pushing out the door to get away from Akira. She heard a scream that scared her pretty bad, but she dare not look back. She just continued to run.

A/N: So...now we're getting somewhere. Akira's plans? And who died? You'll have to wait. Till next time. KenSan out!