The time has come to assail Kanryu's estate, I'm glad that so many people are enjoying my tale :)

Night settled over the Kanryu estate, as his sixty thugs patrolled the main gate, making sure no one entered…alive.

None of them suspected who was coming their way.

A single slash appeared across the main gate, catching their attention. In awe they watched as it sliced clean through, a second slash appearing seconds after, leaving a cross-shaped cut in the gate.

Before any of them could realize what was going on the gates blew open, Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Derek barreling through, knocking out the hired thugs standing closest to the now-ruined doorway, Yahiko and Kaoru close behind, knocking out any missed by the first three men's unbeatable assault.

"Megumi is somewhere in that mansion," Derek noted, pointed at the massive estate.

"Stick close together and let's rush our way to the entrance," Kenshin advised.

All at once the five of them started racing forward once again, more goons standing before them to block their path.

"Get out of our way!" Sanosuke shouted, landing blows so quickly the ill-trained men had no hope to defend themselves.

Kenshin leapt forward, using his reverse blade sword he bombarded men left and right, sending them flying into nearby bushes or simply collapsing unconscious from the sheer precision of his blows.

Derek raced directly behind his master, using both his sword and sheath he took care of anyone Kenshin missed, those staggering to their feet afterwards were swiftly knocked out once more by Yahiko and Kaoru.

Even Kanryu's artillery squad could do nothing against the approaching fighters, Sanosuke scattered their ranks by throwing a surprised Yahiko directly into the center of them. Kenshin and Derek made swift work of them while they were still getting to their feet, the front courtyard was clear.

"What was the big idea Sanosuke?!" Yahiko shouted, getting to his feet. "How could you just throw me like that?"

"I was setting the stage for you," Sanosuke calmly replied. "You should be thanking me."

Derek was simply snickering, remembering the look on Yahiko's face as Sano hoisted him into the air and tossed him at the line of men.

"Splendid, Himura Battousai, and your pupil," came a voice from a second floor window of the mansion. A rather thin man stood within, despite his slicked hair and official business suit, the very sound of his voice revealed his low-down nature, no doubt he was Kanryu Takeda. Though he spoke calmly, a single bead of sweat on his brow was noted by the master swordsman. "What an amazing task, taking care of every one of my guards in barely a single breath. If you joined me we could be unstoppable, in recognition of your skills I will pay you and your apprentice fifty times that of my normal guards, how does that sou..."

"Are you coming down or are we going up?" Kenshin shouted, interrupting Kanryu. Without hesitation he took a single step towards the mansion.

"All right then, 100 times normal."

Kenshin took a second step.

"200 times!"

A third step.

Kanryu seemed to learn his lesson, as he finally stopped shouting numbers, though he was too far to tell, Derek thought he heard Kanryu saying something in a low tone voice.

"Ok, ok," Kanryu shouted at length. "I'll release Megumi, just give me an hour to make the preparations!"

Derek's anger flared, his patience at its end. "What could possibly take you an hour, your house isn't that big!" With a single leap Derek made it up to the window Kanryu resided, causing the snake of a man to jump back in fear.

From a quick scan of the room Derek could see Megumi's unconscious form near the door on the other side of the desk, fortunately he could tell she was breathing.

"Megumi, I got you…" Before Derek could enter the room any further a single form appeared before him, blocking his path.

It was a tall man, his hair was black, a huge tan coat draped over his body, it had a large yellow collar turned upward covering his neck.

Derek, having just regained his balance from the leap knew he could not make a move faster than the man before him, whom he could tell was a superb fighter, thus forcing him to switch to his second idea.

"Hi there," he started, a huge grin forming on his face. "That's a REALLY nice coat, do you have one in blue?"

The man was not amused, he delivered a swift kick to Derek's abdomen, sending him flying out the window.

Derek flipped in mid-fall, landing squarely on his feet, as Kenshin and the others rushed to his side.

"Are you alright Derek?" Kenshin asked, looking him over for injuries.

"Who hit you?" Yahiko demanded.

"I am fine sensei, Megumi is inside though so is the Oniwaban. I believe that man was the commander Han'nya told me about.

"Aoishi Shinamori."

"Guess we're using the front door," Sanosuke noted, everyone else nodded in agreement as Kenshin threw them open, entering the darkened manor.

The main hall was massive, stretching on in all directions, however the Kenshin Group, as Yahiko had come to call them, was only interested in heading up, with all speed they made their way to the main staircase.

A new face stood at the base of the stairs, his face was covered in scars, his muscles were even bigger than Sanosuke's, and his crazed smile caused Derek to shiver.

"I am Shikijo of the Oniwaban group!" he shouted, pointing at the Kenshin Group. "To pass, you shall need to beat me!"

"Beat you? Please," Sanosuke grumbled, walking in front of the group. "If that's all then I'll fight you, the rest of you guys go get Megumi."

"Are you sure Sano?" Kenshin asked, taking a reassuring step towards the former sword for hire.

"Sure thing Kenshin," Sano noted, giving him a big thumbs up.

Hurriedly everyone rushed passed the two combatants, Shikijo was more than willing to let the rest pass so long as he got to fight someone.

Derek turned at the top of the stairs, cupping his hands he shouted back down.

"Try not to die Sano! I've been making something for you; you can't die before its ready!"

As he turned back to catch up to Kenshin, Yahiko and Kaoru he didn't hear Sanousuke shout back up.

"You had a present for me? Why the hell haven't you told me before now??"

Ahead of the Kenshin group only a single door separated them from the main hall of the second floor, no doubt they could find where Megumi was from there.

Once again Kenshin threw the doors open, only this time a long hallway greeted them, a single figure awaited within

"Greetings Battousai, young Apprentice," the demonic masked ninja greeted them. "It is about time we had that match…"

The wind howls fiercely, its cold felt by everyone. Derek is left to fight the Demon of the Oniwaban alone, trapped within his Shi-wan spell Next time on Rurouni Kenshin…..The Oniwaban's Final Stand, you wont want to miss it.

(if you like the "Next time on Rurouni Kenshin" style endings I'll keep doing them this way :)