The adventure continues as the identity of the Mysterious woman is revealed, but can anyone make it through her presence unscathed? And what of the men after her…

Kenshin's pupil and the mystery froze several moments, before the woman saw that he too held a sword as well it appeared that she was preparing to strike him.

"A master and prentice swordsmen?" She pulled Kenshin into her left arm, still holding Derek in her right. The two swordsmen's eyes went large; their mouths hanging open as this strange woman held them both. "Please help me; I'm being chased by several men."

Two men appeared at the door, huffing and puffing as greatly as the woman was, they each carried a drawn sword.

"Megumi!" they shouted. "There's nowhere left to run, so come with us quietly now."

They advanced menacingly before one of Sanosuke's gambling friends piped up. "Who are you guys?"

"That's no concern of yours twerp! That woman is coming with us, and that's tha" before he could finish his sentence he was stopped dead in his tracks, as Sanouske's foot connected with his face, sending him sprawling backwards.

Sanosuke stood to his full height, the serious look still present on his face. "I am pissed off at the moment," he whispered harshly. "So watch what you say in front of my friends."

The second man rushed up, cradling his fallen comrade, "Don't you know who we are? We're the personal guards for Kanryu Takeda!"

"O man," Sanosuke's friends whispered. "That's a tough opponent even for you Sano."

"Huh? Who is this Kanryu Takeda?" Kenshin asked.

"I believe I heard that name in our travels sensei," Derek said, gently removing himself from the woman known as Megumi's grip. "Several years ago I believe."

Flashback……

Kenshin and a fourteen year old Derek walked the streets of a small town, simply stopping by for some supplies for their next journey across Japan.

"Derek," Kenshin started, turning to his teenage pupil. "I shall purchase some food with the money we have, please wait out here."

"Yes sensei!" Derek responded obediently, snapping to attention instantly.

As Kenshin entered the store Derek simply leaned against the wall of the nearby building, barely noticing a man walk down the nearby alleyway.

"Do you have the latest payment?" he heard a voice whisper from within the alley. Filled with curiosity Derek inched closer to the alley, leaning his ear as close as he could.

"Of course sir," a second voice responded. "So long as you have what we agreed on."

"The gatling gun will be Mr. Takeda's soon enough, so long as I am paid what we agreed upon."

"Of course, pleasure doing business with you Mr. Yukishiro."

The sound of approaching footsteps started Derek, as he quickly scuttled back towards his previous location of leaning against the building Kenshin had entered.

A single man exited the alley, at a quick glance Derek could make out his features. He wore a large black cloak, concealing most of his body though he appeared quite muscular. Short white hair protruded from the hood he wore, black sunglasses obscured his eyes, and for a brief moment Derek thought he saw a strange sword hilt at his side.

"Who is that…?" Derek whispered to himself.

"What was that pupil?" Kenshin asked, causing Derek to jump in surprise, not having sensed his teacher's presence behind him.

"I was just wondering who that man wa…" pointing to where the man had been previously standing revealed no one there, he was gone.

"Dwell not on the thought," Kenshin told him, patting Derek on the head. "Come, we have enough food to last us quite a while now that we do."

Smiling in expectation of some food after so long without Derek reached for Kenshin's bag, the two laughed as they walked down the street struggling for the groceries.

End Flashback…

"So he's some kind of black market kingpin?" Kenshin asked, Sanosuke's friends nodded in answer.

"Overall he has about a dozen personal bodyguards and is into some real shady business," Sanosuke answered. "But how are you related to him missy?" He turned to Megumi.

"I…I really don't know! She pleaded. "I really don-," she was cut off by eerie laughter.

"Lies don't fit you at all Megumi Takani."

Looking about to see where the voice had come from, the men in the room noticed a small man sitting beside the unconscious henchmen, none had seen him enter.

"Playing the role of an innocent woman like a little fox. Do not forget, though you may have escaped us Miss Megumi Takani, that I Beshimi am always watching you no matter where you go." He chuckled once more, not even having opened his eyes.

"Hmm," Megumi's look of ignorance towards the situation vanished; obstinately she flipped her hair before glaring at Beshimi. "You go back to Kanryu, and tell him that I shall escape him no matter what!" she shouted.

Beshimi chuckled again, his laughter echoing in the ears of everyone nearby. "How cute you believe you can get away from us," quickly he raised his hands, flicking his fingers towards Megumi.

Quick darts shot out from his sleeves, going around Megumi, and striking Sanosuke's two friends standing beside her. The two of them fell over in pain, Sanosuke caught the first, easing him to the ground, Derek did the same for the second.

"Ginji, Tomo!" he shouted, fearing for the safety of his friends.

"They appear to be alright Sano," Derek mentioned, removing the dart from Tomo's shoulder. "The wound isn't too deep, and they don't seem to be poisoned."

Beshimi cackled again, aiming his wrist darts now at Megumi, smiling insanely at her. "This time, my spiral darts shall take out both your legs, a fitting punishment I should think!" With a simple flick of the wrist two more darts sped towards Megumi.

Derek gasped, realizing these darts could easily blow out someone's legs if thrown correctly; he started to rush over to get between the darts and Megumi.

His worry was unnecessary, as in a flash Kenshin appeared before Megumi. With all his strength he hit the ground, causing the mat to fly up, acting as a shield as the darts struck it harmlessly.

"What the?" Beshimi gasped, hardly able to believe that his attack had been blocked.

"I do not understand this situation well," Kenshin muttered. "But I cannot allow you to harm others so enjoyably that I can't."

"Well done sensei," Derek praised his teacher; quickly he too took up a position before the small man.

"Shut up!" Beshimi shouted, glaring at Derek. "Next time I'll get you to…eh?"

Suddenly, he realized that Sanosuke had started to rush him, with such speed out of anger for the injuries of his friends. Before he could think up a counter attack, he noticed Kenshin as well was moving towards him swiftly, his reverse-blade sword drawn. To top off his fear for his life, Derek also had begun to run in his direction.

Beshimi screamed as Sanosuke's fist, Kenshin's sword, and Derek's foot all collided squarely in his face, sending him flying through the wall, across the street, and through the wall of the next door building…though he was kind enough to leave several teeth behind.

Derek turned around, his eyes falling on Megumi once again. "Are you alright ma'am?" he asked.

For a moment he thought that she was on the verge of tears before throwing herself at him, catching once more in a powerful hug.

"You and your master were brilliant," she cried, hugging him tighter.

Kenshin and Sanosuke sweat dropped at the sight of Derek being fully embraced by this woman, unable to make anything of the situation.

Without anyone noticing Megumi let out a small smile, as if she had finally found what she was after.

Later…

"Are you sure Miss Kaoru wont mind her staying at the dojo for a while?" Derek asked as they headed back after tending to Sanosuke's friends.

"I am sure she won't," Kenshin answered cheerily. "After all the woman was being chased by rude men that she was."

"We can't let her know about that," Sanosuke added, grabbing Derek and Kenshin's attention.

"Huh? Why not?"

"If she knows then the missy may be dragged into the situation we've all landed ourselves in, do you really want to do that Kenshin?"

Kenshin sighed heavily before answering. "No."

Finally having reached the dojo they were greeted by Yahiko and Miss Karoru, both appeared as if they had been training the whole time Kenshin and the others had been gone.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru smiled as she saw him enter. "Welcome ba…" Her smile instantly faded as she saw Megumi walking alongside them. "Who is she?"

"This is Miss Megumi Takani," Kenshin answered. "She was…uh…" he contemplated what to tell Kaoru to prevent her from finding out about Kanryu, unfortunately Sanosuke had it covered.

"Tomo couldn't pay his gambling debts so he gave us her instead," he quickly answered.

"WHAT?" echoed across the forest as Kaoru screamed in surprise, Kenshin and Derek also whispered it towards Sanosuke, wondering why he couldn't come up with less low down excuse. "Sanosuke, I could understand you doing this, but Kenshin, Derek…is this true?"

Derek and Kenshin glanced all around, avoiding eye contact with Kaoru; however after a brief moment the two of them bowed their heads in defeat, unable to think of anything else quickly enough.

"Yes," they answered simultaneously.

"I see…" she started, slowly balling her hands up into a fist.

Her first shot took out Derek, sending him flying to the ground a few feet behind Megumi, her eyes still white with rage she grabbed Kenshin and proceeded to beat him over the head with her wooden sword like a drum.

During this whole exchange Sanosuke simply stood to the side, looking up at the sky innocently.

"How could you do something so horrible Kenshin gambling was bad enough but now you take people as payment that's pretty terrible if you ask me and illegal I should have you thrown in jail Kenshin you're such a jerk!"

As she finished her long winded rant she finally calmed down, dropping Kenshin near his apprentice, many bumps now present on his head.

"Don't worry miss," Kaoru started, turning to Megumi. "You don't have to stay here, you can go now."

"O my," Megumi muttered, rushing to the swordsmen's sides. "I could never leave Sir Derek and Dear Ken."

"D-d-d-d-d-dear Ken??" Kaoru stuttered, her eyes becoming white from anger again.

"Well of course," Megumi responded, pulling Kenshin in closer. "I do believe I have fallen for this man, and in this day and age he can protect me, how are you related to Dear Ken?"

"U…um…"

"I don't believe you could be his lover," Megumi answered, looking Kaoru up and down. "I can see why his apprentice might be interested in you but there's no way a sweaty little girl could be what Dear Ken is looking for in a woman."

Kaoru beamed at Megumi, utter hate filling her eyes.

"Wow, so those two put the moves on her in the time it took to get back to the dojo," Yahiko muttered, a huge grin forming on his face. "I had no idea guys."

"Please Miss Megumi," Derek responded having finally recovered from Kaoru's blow. "I think of Miss Kaoru only as a friend only..."

As he was about to continue, both he and his teacher suddenly became still…for they both sensed a presence lurking outside the dojo…someone was watching them.

As he attempted to pinpoint the intruders exact location he was startled once more as Megumi pulled him into yet another strong embrace.

"Aw…so you have a thing for older women then? I'm flattered that both master and pupil find me so appealing"

That was the last straw as Kaoru's anger continued to swell…before exploding in a shout even louder than before.

"KENSHIN!! DEREK!!"

Yet another chapter completed, not too long at all this time, though it'll prob be a bit before I can update again, a month at the latest. It took me a bit to come up with what I thought was the perfect balance of humor between Megumi and Derek, while still keeping her flirtatious ways with Kenshin, I hope it was successful in making you all laugh. Review if possible, I need to know if I am still on the right track :)

Up to now I've almost perfectly followed the series/manga, however I assure all my loyal readers that that shall only last until at the latest the end of the Aoshi arc due to the fact I found that storyline...perfect in my opinion. New adventures surrounding Kenshin's apprentice shall form soon enough, and how shall he stand during the Kyoto arc...stay tuned.