Wow, fastest update ever, right? For me at least. My muse is firing, I owe Althea M. :) I think it'll be pretty smooth sailing from here on out. Relatively, at least. And for anyone who actually reads these author preludes, a heads up about this chapter. Some mature themes are hinted at here, although there is nothing explicit. Just thought I'd throw that out there for any interested parties. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with this chapter, so I hope it doesn't disappoint. Read on!

Kenshin gave an unhappy sigh and looked longingly at the futon that lay neatly folded in a corner of the room. Fearful after the unintentional catnap he'd taken, he had decided against sitting on it, not trusting his body to stay awake when subjected to such comforts. Instead he'd propped himself stiffly against a wall. He was regretting his choice now. The wall didn't provide him any additional warmth and his back was aching from sitting so straight; even his legs were starting to get pins and needles. It felt as if he'd been sitting here for hours now. Surely his shishou would be coming back soon?

Trying to take his mind off his discomfort, Kenshin focused his attention on the sunlight that pierced the thin walls of the house. Judging from the angle of the beams it looked to be well past noon, so he'd been here for−he did a quick calculation−just under an hour now. Kenshin shifted, looked again at the futon, noticed how much more comfortable that padded mattress looked when compared to the flat, hard wood under him. Temptation tugged at him and he weighed the benefits. The futon would be so much softer, and warmer. Shishou would probably be back at any moment; he should be able to stay awake until then.

Successfully convincing himself, Kenshin stood his sword carefully against the wall, then tottered to the corner where the futon was. He didn't even try to unfold it, just slid it to the middle of the room as it was. It would offer more cushioning like that anyway.

Somewhere in between sitting vigilantly and arranging his new seat, Kenshin realized that the steady drone of voices he'd been half listening to outside had faded, and silence enveloped him now. Maybe Naosuke's men were all taking an afternoon nap. Kenshin frowned. That was ridiculous. The silence wasn't natural, it was stifling, and his kenki was tingling alarmingly. It was as if somebody−

Kenshin inhaled sharply as he heard what sounded like a cry of distress. It seemed to be coming from the general direction of Naosuke's house but Kenshin couldn't think of anyone who would be there. The cry certainly hadn't been that of a grown man, in fact the voice sounded distinctly feminine−

Haruko-san! The name came to Kenshin with a rush. The servant girl must still be in the house, cleaning. And Jisaemon had probably sent men to make sure Naosuke wasn't trying to avoid the meeting. And if the men found no one there but a lowly servant girl−Kenshin's hand clenched. He had to help.

But you'd be disobeying shishou's order to stay here. A cautionary voice in his head warned.

He didn't know someone would be in danger! Cried the other part of him, the boy who wanted with all his might to protect.

Naosuke-san said some of his men were here. They can help her.

But I don't hear or sense anybody, maybe they've been killed.

Maybe they'll kill you too.

They'll kill Haruko-san if I do nothing!

What could you actually do right now?

The internal war continued, with Kenshin unable to decide whether to follow his master's explicit instructions or to give in to what he felt was his responsibility and go to Haruko's aid. Maybe Haruko didn't need help but if she did could he live with himself, knowing that he'd been within walking distance but had done nothing?

No. I can't. And that decided it.

With as much speed as he could muster, Kenshin grabbed his sword and hastened to the door. He stopped dead as he slid the shoji open and looked towards Naosuke's. Several fallen bodies littered the ground, the glistening pools of red they lay in suggesting they weren't just unconscious. It was disturbing but Kenshin was more shaken by the fact that he had been unaware of what had happened. Granted, he was several hundred feet away but a good swordsman would have known something was wrong. Shishou would have known.

There were no more cries coming from Naosuke's and Kenshin wondered if Haruko was already dead as well. He started towards the house, swaying unsteadily, every step a chore. Hold on, Haruko-san. As Kenshin neared the house, he could hear faint scuffling noises, and then what sounded like a choked sob. Heartened, he clambered up the porch steps, trying to breathe as lightly as possible so as not to alert anyone to his presence. The front shoji was wide open and he could see no one in the main room. Down the hallway though he could hear noises, a low, snide-sounding voice murmuring steadily, broken every now and again by a higher pitched sob. They were in one of the bedrooms, then.

Kenshin stood at the entryway for a second, until the dizziness that the short walk had brought on faded, before sliding down the hallway. He made a concerted effort to keep his footsteps soft, going so far as to synchronize his breath with each step. Kenshin paused at the start of the hallway, stretching his senses out. There was a fighting ki in the room to his right. And also a much less powerful ki, one that trembled with fear.

"Haruko-san!" Without another thought Kenshin pulled his sword and rushed into the room, eyes blazing. It wasn't the smartest thing he'd ever done. His body chose that moment to betray him, the sudden dizziness making him lurch forward, sword clattering to the floor while he tried desperately to maintain his balance.

Kenshin winced at the sudden cacophony, winced more when he failed to catch himself, and felt his heart-rate climb through the roof when he saw he'd made a slight miscalculation. Two men were in the room, and they looked over at him now, expressions startled. Haruko was on the floor behind them, face stained with tears.

Shimatta, shimatta. Kenshin gritted his teeth and snatched his sword from the floor before bringing a knee to his chest. His body shook as he pulled himself to his feet but he forced himself to meet the men's stares. One of the men's faces was horribly disfigured, angry burn marks streaking from his hairline to his neck. Kenshin started and his eyes widened with recognition.

"I remember you." He exclaimed.

The man laughed but there was no joy behind it. "Oh, this is perfect. I remember you." He spat the last word. "I guess this is payback time." He pulled his sword and flipped it forward. "We're just here to make sure tairou-sanyo doesn't skip out on his important duty today but it looks like we get two treats thrown in!" The burned man nudged his companion as they both laughed. "Izuichi, you can have this cutie here," He indicated Haruko, "I want a taste of the boy." The burned man leered at him then, licking his lips, and Kenshin eyed him warily, disconcerted. He didn't think they meant to kill him−not yet at least−but he had only a vague idea of what they were speaking of. Grimly, he raised his sword, holding it squarely in front of him with his left hand. The weapon felt unusually heavy.

"Are you scared, brat?" Izuichi laughed. "Look, Akira, see how he shakes."

"I'm not scared." Kenshin retorted, hating that his feverish body was still wracked with chills.

Akira moved towards him, his burned face twisting into a hideous grin. "Ah, well in that case, you should be. How much of a fight do you think he's gonna put up when I stick him, Izuichi?"

"I don't know, but I bet he'll squeal enough!" Izuichi slapped his knee as he guffawed.

"I bet he bleeds a lot too."

Kenshin was lost in the exchange but he noticed Haruko's eyes widening with horror the more the men talked. Finally she spoke, grabbing at Izuichi desperately.

"Please, just leave the boy alone! He's already hurt, what can he do to you?"

Izuichi backhanded her. "Stay out of this. Akira deserves some payback for what happened to his face."

The sight of Haruko struck to the floor with Izuichi looming over her filled Kenshin with rage. Memories came rushing back to him, a night when three girls had been butchered in front of his eyes while he watched silently, ignored until last because he posed no threat. And although he'd lifted an abandoned sword with a valiant effort, in the end he could do nothing to stop it.

This time though, I'm stronger. This time I can protect someone!

"Let Haruko-san go." His voice was much weaker than it should have been.

"I think you should worry more about yourself right now." Akira laughed.

"Let her go, or I'll make you." Kenshin said, gathering his kenki and projecting it towards the man as he'd felt his shishou do. Akira took a step back, although the movement seemed to be more unconscious than a result of Kenshin's attempt at intimidation. So much for the idea of throwing his ki.

"What, are you gonna do, boy?" Akira sneered. "Fight me? I like a fighter, it's more exciting. But I'd like to see you try. You look like you're about dead."

"Just grab the runt, Akira." Izuichi yanked Haruko to her feet, pulling her against him as he spoke and running a hand down her back. "Does this bother you, boy? How about if I do this?" He grabbed Haruko's obi and yanked it off, causing the kimono to gape open. Haruko clutched at the edges with one hand, barely keeping the kimono closed.

"Please, don't put the boy through this." She pleaded.

Kenshin felt heat suffusing him, heat that wasn't from any fever. This was why he was learning Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, to help people who were unable to protect themselves. "Stop, or I will fight you!" He said, voice soft with fury.

"Cheh, why don't you just sit down and pass out." Izuichi grabbed Haruko's hands, yanking them from her kimono.

"I said stop!" Kenshin felt the strength of his ki that time, and he leapt at Akira with a scream of rage, sword swinging.

"Shit!" Akira floundered backwards, bowling over Izuichi who shouted and shoved him roughly. Haruko took the opportunity to rush to the far side of the room, pulling her kimono around her. Izuichi growled angrily.

"Can't you take care of this twit by yourself?" He snapped at Akira.

"I didn't think he'd actually be good." Akira muttered. The two of them stared at the enraged boy who now stood between them and Haruko.

"I guess we do need to fight the little bastard." Izuichi muttered. "Ah well, it'll just be that much more enjoyable afterwards." He blew a kiss towards Haruko. "Just stay there and wait for me, I'll be with you before you know it." He drew his sword carelessly and faced Kenshin but Akira lifted a hand to stop him.

"No. I want to fight him." Izuichi shrugged and stepped back, putting his sword away.

"Alright kid," Akira drew his own sword, "let's get this over with. Shall I attack first or you?"

Kenshin's mind was screaming at him, telling him to come up with a plan fast. He was at a horrible disadvantage, he realized. He was so overrun with fever he could hardly grip his sword, and it was a chore just to stand straight. Add to that that his right hand was useless. He could only hope that Akira was not a skilled swordsman. That being said, he needed Akira to attack first, so he could judge his strength. So he waited.

"Okay then, I guess I go first." Akira lunged towards Kenshin, sword going for his right side. Whether or not he was skilled, he certainly knew how to take advantage of his opponent. The move was slow though and Kenshin blocked it easily, pleased to find that his arm didn't crumble under the blow. Akira wasn't fast at all and his blows were nowhere near as strong as shishou's. Feeling more confident, Kenshin looked the man in the eyes.

"You think that was weak?" Akira asked with a smirk. Kenshin realized then that the man hadn't even been trying to deliver an incapacitating blow. He was just playing with him. "You don't need to answer, I can see it in your eyes. How about this, then?" The sword came for his head this time, a little faster than before. This time though the clash of swords left Kenshin's arm vibrating, and he slid back a step.

At this rate, the man was simply going to beat him back to the wall. He needed to counterattack. But how? One strike wouldn't' be enough and if he had to do more than that he was worried how his body would react. If he passed out he would be dead.

"Time to think? I guess I'm moving too slow." Akira struck again, a vicious stab that would have gutted him if he hadn't slammed his sword on top of Akira's, knocking the tip to the floor. Just that effort left him winded and he had to fight to keep his sword in guard.

"Ah, the boy can still fight, congratulations! Well then, let's turn this up a notch." Akira's katana whirled and his previous amateur display disappeared. Kenshin found himself having to defend on all sides, desperately moving a sword that was feeling more and more like a lead weight the longer he wielded it. On a normal day, this would be nothing. On a normal day, he could have knocked this man to the ground. Kenshin was tired and dizzy and shivering though and his sword arm wouldn't work the way he wanted it to. He was barely holding off Akira's attacks, and the man's sword was consistently nicking him with each strike. Kenshin found his back against the wall all too soon, Akira's sword in front of his face. The soft plip of blood falling to the floor and his own wheezing breath were loud in his ears. In the background, he could hear Haruko sobbing in earnest.

Attack! You have to attack! He could hear what shishou would be yelling at him.

I can't! It hurts too much! Kenshin argued.

Baka! Would you rather be in pain, or be dead?

Kenshin's internal battle came to a grinding halt as Akira's sword shoved closer to his neck. He swallowed, concentrating on keeping the tip from his throat. He couldn't shove Akira's sword away with brute force; even if he had the strength, it would leave him wide open.

"Sa, that wasn't as fun as I'd expected." Akira sighed with mock disappointment. "I tell you what, I'm going to give you a free shot." He stepped back, sword falling to his side. Kenshin stared, not knowing what to think. "Well?" Akira grinned. "Go ahead, try it."

The man was mocking him. But he was giving Kenshin the chance he'd needed. Any mistakes here would be deadly. Kenshin's head was spinning but he knew what he needed to do. The man was severely underestimating him and he had to use that to his advantage. The red-head sheathed his sword and dropped into a battoujutsu stance. His legs spasmed at the position, and his bandaged arm made the balance different, but he managed to stay upright.

This is going to really hurt. He put on the most fearsome expression he could muster and stared into Akira's eyes. "Come."

Akira blinked, then laughed loudly. "Oh, kami, this is too much. I almost can't bring myself to beat your scrawny ass into the ground." He reached for his sword. "Almost. Okay boy, free shot's gone!" With a roar, Akira rushed forward. Kenshin stood unflinching, waiting for the right moment.

Now. His left hand whipped the sword out in a low battoujutsu, aiming for Akira's stomach.

"Good try, but far too slow!" Akira crowed, blade whipping down to block Kenshin's strike.

"That's 'cause I wanted you to block it." Kenshin growled. Don't think, just do it. Inhaling deeply Kenshin slid his right arm from its sling and in one smooth motion pulled his saiya from his hakama, swinging the sheath into Akira's neck with a strength born of desperation.

Akira fell to the floor, mouth open in disbelief. His last utterance was drowned out by Kenshin's agonized scream as the boy fell beside him, clutching at his wounded arm.

He'd done it. One down. He didn't know how he was going to fight Izuichi though.

Kenshin became aware of clapping, saw through vision blurred by spontaneous tears that Izuichi was grinning at him. Kenshin staggered to his feet, weaving unsteadily. Oh, his body did not like him for this. His stomach was threatening to rebel violently.

"I'm surprised you even managed to knock him out, kid!" Izuichi pulled his sword. "I guess it's my turn now. I know you can't handle both of us."

It was annoying, how these two men underestimated him, and he was tired of it. Yes, he could hardly stand and he could only use one hand but that didn't take away the years of training he'd had. He was going to attack first this time, even though he knew it might prove to be foolhardy.

Kenshin sprang towards Izuichi, taking a gamble that he wouldn't be expecting that. From the surprised expression on his face, he wasn't. Kenshin swung upwards, going for the man's unguarded chin. Izuichi barely managed to block in time.

Thinking quick−he couldn't allow Izuichi time to think and retaliate or he'd find himself losing again−Kenshin ducked behind the man, aiming a blow for the small of his back. The strike connected, and Izuichi roared with pain, spinning around and swinging his sword wildly. Kenshin slid out of the way clumsily, already beginning his next attack, a powerful downwards swing to the collarbone. He was expecting Izuichi to block with his sword or move aside, and was therefore caught unawares when the man lifted a leg and slammed his foot into Kenshin's stomach.

Kenshin's vision broke into colorful shards and he felt himself flying backwards, crashing into one of the thin paper walls with enough force to break through it and continue skidding across the floor into the next room for several feet. Sheer stubbornness kept him awake, and he rolled gracelessly to his feet, refusing to give up. A sharp pain lanced through his abdomen at the movement and he hunched forward automatically, promptly throwing up. It left him drained and he stayed hunched for a moment, face puckering from the horrible blood-tinged taste that stung his mouth.

He thought he heard Haruko sobbing but he couldn't be sure because sounds had suddenly become muffled, matching the blackness that threatened to completely obscure his vision. Kenshin fought against it, blinking rapidly and gasping at the new burning sensation that accompanied every breath he took. Raising his head, he saw several Izuichi's walking slowly towards him. Agonizingly, he lifted his sword.

"I'm amazed you can still move, kid." Izuichi spun his sword slowly, the motion confusing Kenshin's already unbalanced body. As the distance between the two was closed Izuichi put his sword away, and putting on a burst of speed he reached out swiftly. Kenshin's reaction time had slowed pitifully. He had hardly begun to swing when Izuichi grabbed him by his gi and yanked his sword away as easily as if he were taking a toy from a child. He threw the sword to the ground and looked at Kenshin with a wounded expression. "Come on, you don't want to kill me, do you?" Izuichi caressed Kenshin's face, then slid his hand down to the boy's chest.

Kenshin wanted to struggle but he was still almost breathless from the kick, and the world was spinning alarmingly. Then Izuichi's hand fell away and his expression changed, his mocking smile replaced by a grimace of pain and suddenly Kenshin was falling to the ground. He was unconscious before he landed.

"Come, boy, open your eyes, please open your eyes."

He didn't recognize the pleading voice but he knew he had to wake up. There was something he had to do . . . Kenshin's eyes snapped open as he recalled what had happened just before he passed out. Heart pounding, he sat up. It was too much, and nausea overwhelmed him, causing him to retch dryly.

"Oh, thank goodness! I was praying you weren't dead." Haruko was kneeling next to him, her obi retied carelessly around her kimono. "Thank you, for fighting for me."

Kenshin nodded, not trusting himself to speak just yet. He saw Izuichi lying on the floor in front of him, saw the knife hilt sticking out from his neck. Knife hilt? Kenshin looked over to Akira, saw a bloody wound encircling his neck that he kenw his saiya hadn't made. He looked back to Haruko, surprise in his eyes.

"They would have killed us both after they'd had their way." She said softly, matter-of-factly. Haruko must have come behind Izuichi when he'd picked Kenshin up, then moved on to Akira after Kenshin had passed out.

"Thank you." Kenshin said hoarsely. Even those two words caused a line of fire to trace down his side.

"Iie." Haruko rested a hand on his arm. "You should lie down now, and I'll get you something to drink." Kenshin shook his head stubbornly.

"I can't. I told shishou I wouldn't. I have to stay awake. I have to go back to Honmaru-san's and wait for him."

"Surely he didn't mean-"

"He's probably almost back already." Kenshin said. "I don't want him to think I can't follow one simple order." At that moment he heard the sound of tramping feet coming from outside. "See, that's probably him now!" He knew it wasn't though even as he spoke. That wasn't his master's ki.

"I'll go see who it is." Haruko said quickly, standing.

Kenshin frowned as she left. It wasn't a fighting ki, so it couldn't be one of Jisaemon's men. Who was it then? His question was answered soon enough. Haruko came back into the room accompanied by a disheveled and panicked looking man who wore the gray uniform of the castle guards. He winced when he saw the two men lying on the floor, then looked at Kenshin. Kenshin's stomach twisted inexplicably and he wondered what the guard had come for.

"The tairou has been attacked," The man finally announced, and Kenshin heard Haruko gasp. "And Hiko Seijuurou has fallen."

The words hit him like a punch and Kenshin started visibly, staring at the man. "I don't believe you." They were the first words that came to mind.

The man shrugged. "Believe what you want, the truth is the truth." He reached for something at his side and Kenshin noticed the empty saiya there for the first time. "I brought this to show you." The man held out what was, without a doubt, the sheath for Hiko's nihontou.

Kenshin took it, shock lining his face. "But−how? Jisaemon's not better than shishou, I know it!"

The man shrugged again. "I didn't see what happened, all I know is that I was told to bring this to you in case you doubted me."

Kenshin's mind was in too much of a whirl to think anything through. All he knew was that he was holding his master's saiya, and Hiko Seijuurou would never let anyone take a part of his sword from him. Kenshin swallowed the lump in his throat and forced himself to his feet. He didn't want to see his master defeated−the word sounded horribly wrong in his head−but he needed to, if only to prove this man wrong.

"I want to see." He said heavily.

The guard nodded and Kenshin followed him slowly, clutching Hiko's saiya in his hand. Pain radiated through him with every step but he willfully ignored it. It didn't matter. Head bowed, he walked outside and followed the guard down the well-trodden path towards Edo castle.

Behind him, on the bloodstained floorboards he'd just left, his sword lay forgotten.

Whew. No breaks for Kenshin. He's like . . . the Energizer bunny or something. Utter respite is in the near future though! Next chapter: What the hell's going on with Hiko and Naosuke?

Random vocab - If you're unfamiliar with the term "saiya," it simply means "sheath." I just like how saiya sounds. As for nihontou: it's stated in the manga that Hiko's sword is a nihontou (Japanese sword) so I thought I would refer to it as that at least once. Just for kicks. Ah, and I threw in a "shimatta" didn't I? This is really a mild expletive (although my Japanese teacher at school freaked out when someone used it for class presentation), which is why I have Kenshin use it. I think it's better than writing "dang it" or such.

Pay attention guys, this is important! Has anyone heard about the live-action RK movie that's in the works? I AM STOKED! I'm just curious what, if anything, any of you has heard. Go watch Kamen Rider Den-O (incredibly cheesy power-ranger style series) if you wanna see the dude they're casting as Kenshin.

Love to the reviewers! Kansha suru! (Or if you're a fan of reading Japanese, 感謝する！)

ZukoFlame: He stayed awake! I guess he had a little help with the defending though. But all things considered, it was probably necessary. Oh, and your action scenes = not fail. I'm on the edge of my seat now!

Althea M: Kenshin just attracts misery. He can't avoid it. You know, originally I had written in what Hiko "should have" done but then I decided to leave it to the reader's imagination. So much more fun that way. Okay, no more teasing about not finishing. That is cruel.

one-who-loves-sessy: I was just kidding about the not finishing, no worries. As for mushy scenes . . . I'm not a fan of them unless the characters' personalities call for it and it is legitimate. I do think I pushed the envelope a little on the last chapter, but felt it wasn't too overt on Hiko's part and also justified. You can keep me in line though. :)

t42n24t: Tension is certainly thick. And Hiko is all set for some serious ass-kicking. Kenshin . . . he's just trying to make it through the day.

Szahara again: Ah, I just realized I was not very clear in writing that scene. It's actually not Jisaemon who is dressed as a guard (I'm sure you figured that out reading this chapter), just one of his henchmen. And the kago guy is just clumsy. Probably having a hard time with Hiko's weight. I mean, Hiko's pushing 200 pounds and he's got an extra 83 extra from that cloak. Whew. *Sidenote*: Wow, three times? *beams*