The group was silent as they walked along, Maiso was in the lead with Sano and Kaoru close behind her. Kenshin walked slowly several paces behind them, his eyes hidden in a sea of hair. "Sends his regards," he thought solemnly. "Then… Saito was speaking the truth. Of course, he'd never lied to this one. That means…" His hand tightened on the branch it held. "He's still alive." A flare of anger bubbled up with in him. Kaoru watched Kenshin with worried deep blue eyes. He hadn't spoken since they'd left the clearing in the trees. He'd been hardly paying attention to where they were going. His expression focused inwards as he struggled to keep himself calm.

Maiso came to stop, pointing towards the large slide that sat in the middle of the playground. It had been sculpted into a large elephant. The slide designed to look like the elephant's trunk. It'd been painted a sky blue with four archways between the thing's feet that lead into a hollow underneath. It was impossible for them to see inside in the fading gloom of the evening. "She's under there." Maiso informed them, glancing over at Kenshin.

"How do we know you're not lying kid," growled Sano cracking his knuckles.

"Complain to lord Aoshi if you don't believe me," she snapped. She turned on her heels, sniffing loudly before making her way towards the pine trees where Aoshi waited.

Kenshin glanced at Sano who nodded and the two began approach the elephant slide with Kaoru trailing behind them. Kenshin suddenly stop raising a hand to warn Kaoru to stay back.

"Who's there?" demanded Sano clenching his fists. There was a rustle of clothing then the sound of shoes, sifting the small stones with each step. A young woman nervously stepped out from under the slide gazing at the three fearfully. She was wearing a simple red kimono with her brown hair done up in a bun. "Who are you?" She demanded her eyes falling onto Sano. "Are you with the Oniwaban group?"

Kaoru stepped forward beside Kenshin. "We're not. We came to find our friend Megumi. Is she here?"

The brunet shook her head sadly. "You're the first people I've seen since they grabbed me," she answered. "I'm sorry."

Sano slammed his fist into the palm of his hand. "Those bastards, I swear I'll tear them limb from limb."

"Calm down Sano," Kenshin said quietly. "The Oniwaban are not the ones holding Megumi."

"How do you know?" Sano snapped seething with anger.

"They wouldn't lie about this," replied Kenshin his violet eyes locked on the girl before them. "The Oniwaban aren't like that, that they are not."

"How can you be so sure Kenshin?" yelled Sano.

"Kenshin," exclaimed the girl with surprise. "You're Kenshin Himura."

Kenshin's eyes narrowed as he tensed slightly. "This one doesn't recognize you. Who are you?" demanded Kenshin.

"Yumi Komagata," she replied a smile forming on her lips.

"Kenshin-" Kaoru's voice caught in her throat. An expression of furry had appeared on his face, but what really unnerved her was the burning rage that flickered in his narrow violet eyes.

"Where is miss Megumi?" He growled in a sharp voice.

Yumi regarded him with an amused smile. "I don't know." Laughter danced in her words.

"Don't lie!" he yelled causing Kaoru to flinch and shrink away from him. Sano felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise his limbs freezing in place.

Yumi chuckled softly to herself, seemingly unaffected by his tone. "You still have a long way to go if you're trying to scare me." He growled raising the stick readying to strike. She regarded him passively. "I am merely a messenger, Himura th-"

"Then deliver your message and leave," he spat at her.

"Very well, the leader of the Juppongatanna wishes to settle the score."

"Then tell him to come himself, not to involve my friends." Kaoru eyes widened as she stared at Kenshin, her voice completely lost.

"You miss understand," she chuckled. "It's not with you, Kenshin Himura." His expression darkened. "He'll be holding onto your friend until then. Call the police if you wish, little good it'll do you though." She turned to leave.

"When?" demanded Kenshin. "When will this happen?" She smiled coldly at him. "Tell me!"

"You'll just have to wait," she answered. "Till then, Himura."

Without a backward glance she left the park leaving a heavy silence behind her. Kaoru gazed at Kenshin's back not daring to speak. He stood there staring out at the far of sky seemingly oblivious to all around him. She swallowed nervously. "Ken...shin?" she asked after a long time. Her voice, seem to break the trance he was under. A small sob escaped him as he collapsed to his knees, his long red hair hiding his face. "Kenshin!" She rushed forwards kneeling down beside him.

"This one will be alright in a moment." He whispered tears falling down his face. He was shaking violently, Kaoru noticed. The anger was all gone from his eyes. They entranced her for a moment the seemingly deep lavenders hiding all expression from sight.

"I think it's time you told us what's going on Kenshin," Sano stated in a gruff tone.

Kenshin shook his head vigorously. "This one can't," he answered.

"Why not!" yelled Sano.

"It is this ones problem and only his!" stated Kenshin turning to face his friend. Sano's temper got the better of him. He clenched his right hand striking Kenshin across the cheek with his fist. Kenshin had seen it coming but didn't have the will to dodge it.

"Sano!" shouted Kaoru angrily as she rose to her feet. She stood between them glaring at Sano. "How could you do that!"

"It's not only his problem anymore!" snapped Sano glowering down at the red head. "Those bastards have Megumi and don't you think for a second, Kenshin that you're the only one she's friend's with."

"This one will never let anyone else get involved," murmured Kenshin pushing himself to his feet. "That he will not."

"Are you planning on facing the Juppongatanna by yourself? I won't let you do that Kenshin. You're no were good enough to do that, you need our help."

"This one will not except your help."

"Then we'll go ourselves, I'll even go alone if I have to. I'll make them pay for kidnapping Megumi."

"Sano!" snapped Kenshin angrily tears running freely from his deep violet eyes. "Do you see this?" He pulled the hair back from his left cheek, revealing to them the cross-shaped scar. A small gasped escaped Kaoru as she stared at it. "This is what happens when people cross them, this is all that's left of-" His voice broke with emotion his eyes drifting briefly to Kaoru. It was a long moment before he had enough control over his voice to speak again. "This one will deal with Shishio alone, that he will."

Sano started. "Shishio!" He exclaimed. "You've run into the leader of the Juppongatanna before. Was it when you were at Mizuki High? I want answers Kenshin."

The crimson haired teen hesitated staring down at his feet. "Please Kenshin," begged Kaoru. He started looking up at her, their eyes meeting. Her expression was asking for an answer but he could tell if he didn't wish to speak, she wouldn't press him.

He turned away from her gaze. "Very well," He whispered. The words had escaped his mouth without him even realizing. He tossed the stick away watching it clatter against the ground. "Though, not here." Kaoru nodded in agreement. The three began making their way slowly along the sidewalk away from the park. Kenshin gazed up at the setting sun, lost in thought. It was a while before he decided to speak. "This one was... like Sano." He began his violet eyes fixed on the golden sunset. His lavender orbs reflecting the twilight. "He had strong ties to gangs before this one came to school here. He was considered a fearsome fighter with no hint of remorse. That is how this one was at Mizuki High. Believing strongly in his own skills, that he did. Shishio was... a rival wishing to be called the strongest. This one was challenged to a fight and he excepted." Kenshin paused struggling against tears that had appeared in his eyes. They'd reached the school and now stood just outside the grounds. Kenshin watched as Kaoru knelt down unlocking her bike. "This one-"

"Kenshin!" They glanced up to see who had shouted. Hiko ran towards them. "Thank goodn-" He stopped dead when he saw the bloody cut on Kenshin's left arm. His eyes quickly surveyed the crimson haired teen before him. "What happened?" Hiko demanded moving towards them, they all looked away. "Kenshin?" The red head glanced up at Hiko, trying to retreat several steps as the man came towards him. Hiko placed his hands on Kenshin's shoulders preventing the teen from escaping. Hiko didn't miss the wince of pain that Kenshin gave as the large hand clapped down on his right shoulder. "Kenshin tell me what's going on." Hiko ordered forcing the boy to make eye contact.

Kenshin could only hold the man's gaze for a moment. His violet eyes fell to the ground as he answered. "Shishio has Megumi."

Hiko went pale, glancing at Sano and Kaoru who shifted nervously. "Is she a friend of yours?" Hiko asked them

"She's a friend of all of us," answered Kaoru sensing an under current to Hiko's words.

"We have to do something!" shouted Sano angrily. "I won't just sit by while those bastards have Megumi."

"Don't be rash kid," snapped Hiko.

"I'm not going to take this lying down!" Sano retorted. "I have to do something."

"The police can handle this," answered Hiko.

"The police what can they do?"

Hiko regarded the spiky haired teen a moment. "I'm a police officer," he stated.

Sano was stunned for a moment. "What good will you do?"

Hiko was about to retort when he felt a light tug on his arm. He glanced down at Kenshin. The crimson haired boy looked up at him with silent lavender eyes. Hiko released his hold on Kenshin allowing the teen to slip past him towards Sano.

"Shishio is not someone you should mess with Sano, that he most certainly is not." Kenshin warned Sano in a dead serious tone. "He is a cold blooded killer, even the police can't get their hands on him."

"I won't stand by, Kenshin!" shouted Sano.

"And tracking him down to face him yourself would most certainly be foolish, that it is."

"What do you know?" Sano sneered glaring at Kenshin with contempt.

"Sanosuke!" shouted Kaoru. "You've gone to far!"

"It's alright miss Kaoru," interjected Kenshin calmly. "Sano, the Juppongatanna are a group of skilled fighters beyond you're level. They have most likely gathered information on you already, that they have."

"Yah right," laughed Sano.

Kenshin sighed shaking his head sadly. He took a deep breath looking right into Sano's eyes. "Sanosuke Sagara former member of the Sekihoutai, believe it when this one says you are no match for the Juppongatanna."

Sanosuke was stunned for a few seconds. "How'd you know that?" yelled Sano anger flashing in his eyes. "How the hell did you know I was a member of the Sekihoutai?"

"You're bandanna," answered Kenshin quietly. "You're a very easy person to figure out. This one has merely gained this knowledge though observation, the Juppongatanna have gained information on you then…" he trailed off glancing hesitantly at Hiko.

Before Sano could say anything, Hiko spoke up. "I'm going to call the station about this. They'll probably want a statement from you guys as well. We'll go to my place, you guys can call your parents from there." Hiko beckoned for the small group to follow. Sano was hesitant at first to go, but not wanting to be left behind began to stomp after them. They made their way along the sidewalk heading towards the small white house that was Hiko's home. "Hey Kenshin come here a moment." The red head quickened his pace coming up beside Hiko. Kenshin walked along side the older man easily keeping up with his large strides. "How much did you tell them?" Hiko asked in a low voice so they couldn't hear.

"Just some basics," answered Kenshin. "This one can't tell them everything."

"Are you sure about doing that?" asked Hiko with concern. "What about the Sano kid?"

Kenshin shook his head sadly. "It's better to tell them as little as possible, that it is." He turned his head, staring up at the fading light. "This one couldn't say everything… even if he wished."

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Wow, that took me much longer to correct then I excepted. I can't believe how much I changed from the original version! That and the weekend shrunk before disappearing right before my eyes. This due to the fact, I have recently gotten my hands on the wonderful anime called Twelve Kingdoms and have been burning through the episodes like mad. I'm official hooked.

Thanks to Summer Star for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying it! It's great hearing that you're enjoying it. It's funny, when I first joined the site my plan was NEVER to do an AU and what do you know! Here I am doing just that! Lol, oh well. I'm very trilled to hear that you like it.

Anyway over shot my deadline just by a little, not much in my opinion. The next chapter probably won't be up till next week since I'm officially drowned this week with school projects, directing a play that I also wrote and I'm going to a giant Fencing tournament! Weee! I think there's going to be something like over 20000 people there. Scary thought… (gulps). With that I'm off on my busy seclude until next week! …hopefully.