A/N: I can't wait to keep going! Here we go!

Grave Digging

Kamatari lazed in the grass, plucking a few of them as he watched Hiko keep persisting in pacing the grounds wondering what he needed to do. He would stop and look at Kamatari who offered no help other than a shrug in which Hiko would then turn away with digust stretching his face and continue to pace. There was a rut of large footsteps where Hiko had went to and fro. His thoughts on what he should do in all of this mess. Akira wouldn't contact and was most likely a traitor, his most trusted, yet stupidest general was missing, with the princess no less. He was at a loss. Finally, grabbing his cape, he turned to Kamatari one last time.

" You shrug and I slit your throat." Hiko said.

" What do you want me to tell you? That Kaoru will be alright? That you're doing fine job or something?"

" I just need advice for once."

Kamatari snorted at what Hiko said. The great general of Antholl in need of advice. Kamatari rose to his knees and dusted off his kimono.

" Well, if you really want to go, I see no objection. You didn't make your generals generals for nothing right?"

" Of course not. They are people I trust to do their jobs." Hiko stated firmly. Kamatari's shoulders drew up.

" Then why do you need to pace any longer?" he asked," you should know your answer with that." He crossed his arms and yawned. Hiko turned to the forest that held the Warrior's Pass into the Camill Road. He could get to the boarder quicker than anyone else. But to risk his post.

" Would Enishi suspect?"

" Hiko, will you please quit questioning everything? I know its your job to get things right and all, but you sometimes gotta go with your gut. I mean, look at Kenshin and Kaoru, they're going on gut alone. They could face fatal threat, yet they know they do what's best."

Hiko considered what he was hearing. He then thought that never in his life would he be taking advice from Kamatari. He plopped on the ground and looked out to the road, still quizzical.

" Hun, what's getting in your way? You didn't become what you were by doing what you were told, we all know that..." Kamatari whipsered in his ear. Hiko shuddered at Kamatari beign that close, fearing he was contagious, and stood again, finally deciding, almost regrettfully, that Kamatari was right.

" I want you to tell the generals that I will be gone. I want Saito in charge, Shura in second command. Am I understood?" Hiko asked ina strong sure voice. Kamatari jumped up, his arm snapping to a salute at a perfect angle, and with his feet together said:

" Sir, yes sir!" Hiko nodded his head and started to run into the forest, looking over his shoulder once as Kamatari began to the base. He always questioned whether Kamatari was a true soldier...it was no question now.

--

They all turned to look at the tall figure appear in the doorway, the moon against his back ever gently. The once white fabric that he wore was stained in red, his body lighly bandaged where need be. But, there was a smile erupting on a battered face and he walked in with a confident stride, men walking behind him, and a lady to his side. Kenshin untensed, his mind settled after the thought that there would be another battle.

" Kenshin, you did get my letter didn't you?" The emperor asked. Swallowing, the warrior nodded. " Glad you answered the call. And with guests I see."

" This is no victory, they know we are here." Kenshin stated, his voice slightly dry. Sanosuke nodded and looked to Megumi. Her eyes fixed on the blood that dripped in Kenshin's fist. She started over, her medical case in front of her and she kneeled to him. He didn't stop her, and watched her a moment when he opened to show her his palm. She clicked her tounge and unlocked a few drawers working quickly as her hands could take her.

" Hey, we got inside didn't we?" Sanosuke asked. His eyes went from his friend to around the room that was battered from battle.

" Are the holes from you or him or what...?"

" He dropped the floor. It's a long way down too..." Kenshin stated. He drew up his hand where Megumi had fixed it and gave her a nod as a thanks. She appreciated it, and walked to Sanosuke's side. Misao had a glitter in her eyes seeing how she had came to him and to his side almost automatically. It proved something that she had longed on proving. Proving that class didn't neccessarily make who had to love who.

" Where is jou-chan Kenshin?" Sanosuke asked. That was when Kenshin's head dropped. It was only ever so slightly that it did, proving that it was not at a complete failure, but that he felt a terrible guilt for whatever had occured. He drew it up once more, looking in Sanosuke's brown eyes and clearing his throat.

" She is with Enishi...safe I would hope, but I doubt." Kenshin said firmly. There was a strength to where he controlled the tears that wanted to flow. The thoughts that were raging in his head and he couldn't stop. The thought that he may lose another, and he taking part in helping by wanting her to come and helping him. He only risked her life even more. But, he then realized another thing that he probably didn't want to. The fact that what Kaoru and he had done was not just simply a one night stand, rather a road that had a very large block in it.

" Where do you think he could have taken her then?" Sanosuke questioned. He read the blankness in his friends' eyes, which gave no answer.

Sanosuke turned to the men, and looked up at the many floors in the palace. It's structure was well built, but it was centuries old, which gave the young emperor an idea.

" I want everyone to fan out. Do what it takes to get where you need to get, destroy anyone that gets in your way. But look for my young sister and bring her back safely." Sanosuke said. They looked upon each other.

" Go!"

And they didn't hesitate a second to do as they were told. They started running like chickens in all directions.

" What now?" he asked, it directed to his red-headed friend.

" We look for Kaoru-dono, that we do." He said and turned to go to the stairs. Sanosuke followed him, and Megumi was beside. Aoshi and Misao jumped into a secret passage, one that ran all through the palace, and followed from above.

All were on guard though. Their apperance seemed slightly relaxed, but they were much on guard. Sanosuke's back couldn't get any straighter if he tried, and his fists were clenched so hard that he drew blood in his palms. Megumi's knuckles were white from holding her medical case so hard. Kenshin was the calmest though. His hands weren't too relaxed, but not in a tight fist either. His face was very nuetual, while his mind rummage in catacombs. Pictures of Tomoe flashed before him, the mistake that she had made. The blame that he put on himself everyday, and now really pondered whether it was intentional or not.

He hated killing, an awkward thing for a military man. But, the reason was he being plucked up from his family and trained like a robot to do what he had to do. His hand went to his sword as they rounded a corner in the never ending steps. His sword was not that that could kill. But there was a grim illusion to it that it could. That riot he tried to put down. Tomoe running into the crossfire. He told himself that in her hormonal state she must have made a misinterpretation of her own feelings, and it clouded her judgement. And he, he was a machine then. His eyes slit narrow and seeing red, his body moving robotically to do what he was suppose to do. But, he hadn't been that way since. Only another illusion. To make it seem that he was just as bad as he was. To make it seem that he was a tough opponent.

He opened his eyes and thought no more.

---

Kaoru sat on the bed in her room. Her body was tight, and closed of. Her arms were around her chest in a hug to herself. The expression on her face gave off that she could be bothered by no one. But on her cheek there formed a bruise where Enishi had hit her before they got up.

And Enishi paced with his hands behind his back, looking at his wife with a half annoyed and half pleased look in his eyes. The psychotic grin that crept on his lips that made Kaoru shudder, bumps on her skin forming as she tried to hide them.

" You thought that you could get away?" he asked, " you're a stupid little girl still. You're the worst escapee ever. To come back. You were doing good to make it to the army base. So why do you turn back?" He asked. There was no need for her to answer. If he knew that she was at the army base, then he must've known why she returned.

" You're a monster..." she said low.

" What was that my little caged rat?" he asked with a sing-song voice.

" You're a monster! You had no right to do what..."

" I have no right! I have no right! I am the king! I do what I want and when I want to. You have no say in any of this. Women need to keep their mouths closed." He was real near her face so she tried to back away.

" You had no consent." She said, but the force in her voice was draining.

" I had no consent? Hmmm..." his eyes stabbed her down. " You gave me your damn consent when you married me!" He grabbed her by her hair and shoved her closer to him. " You goddamned whore. You think you have the right to cavort around with other men? Your father would be so ashamed."

" So would yours. Rape? His son? Brutalizing? He would never imagine that of his son I'm sure. I knew him. You want to know the horrible truth?" The hairs were threatening to pull as he clenched them tighter. " You're the weak link of your line."

He dropped her, but not before lunging at her. She rolled off the bed and onto the floor scampering backwards to safety. Just as she felt him on her, the door burst open.

" Kenshin..." she said with relief.

" So, Battosai rears his ugly head does he? I was just getting to the best part..." Enishi said smoothly. He stepped more near to him, but his sword was out and tip was at at Enishi.

" Don't take one more step." He challenged.

" You're breaking my heart Battosai. Really, I thought that we were over all of this..."

" You will let her go."

Enishi crossed his arms and lolled his head to the side.

" And if I don't...? You really haven't much room to say anything...ah, Sagara..."

Enishi held open arms when Sanosuke looked in, but he saw Kaoru sitting on the ground frayed. He kneeled down to his sister, whispering in her ear then helping her to her feet. She leaned on him, her head into his chest. Sanosuke knew Kaoru almost a little too well. She was a strong and independent girl, ever since she was very small. Nothing ever scared her. But Enishi had her in his palm and could close it at any time. Enishi represented fear to her. He had so much control over her life that she was paralyzed at just the sight of him. At the aura of him around.

Sanosuke wrapped an arm around her waist to comfort her, and she continued to let the tears fall. Sanosuke, for a moment, passed his sister over to Megumi and Misao who were knowing exactly what to say. Sanosuke started to lung to Enishi, but Kenshin put his sword in the way of his path.

" This is a fight that I fight alone." He said.

" Kenshin, I do this for Kaoru."

Kenshin turned to look back at the emperor with clenched teeth.

" Comfort her like a brother would," he said, " like a brother should. I have that in heart, that I do. You fighting spirit is within me. I will not let you down." He whispered. Sanosuke let down his fists and looked back to Kaoru, then nodded to his friend as he stepped away. Kenshin was satsified and gazed back at Enishi his mind solely on this fight alone. He had so much to prove, and so much to clear up. So much was riding on the swing of a sword. He put it back in the sheath and bent his knees.

" Let's finish this fued Enishi."

A/N: Cliffie. Well, I hope that was long enough. Till next time, KenSan out!