(Twilight-kun holds book above his head as Ruroni tries to grab it by jumping up and down)

Ruroni: GIVE IT BACK!!!!

Twilight-kun: Once you've put down a proper writer's note you can have all you want.

Ruroni (Suspicious look): You promise?

Twilight-kun (Crosses fingers behind his back): Of course.

Hey Guys… :Gerry-sama: Next chapters ready and the camera's rolling.

Ruroni (Rushes camera): Here's the next chapter of my story. I and my editors worked really hard on it… So Read, REVIEW and Enjoy. (Turns back to Twilight-kun) Now give me my book back…

Hiraru was one of the last ones to leave after dinner, only because of the fact that Takashie wouldn't stop making her ill while she was on the dance floor (A.K.A. Dancing with her). Finally Toshimi rescued her, and asked about the inn where she was staying. After just a few minutes, he had paled, "Akata-chan, I insist you spend the night here. No gentleman would allow a lady to stay in such a commoner's hotel."

Hiraru put a hand in front of her mouth, "Ikeda-sama, I could not impose on you. My inn is clean, warm, and in good repair. Besides, this is the last night I'm spending in it. I'm going home tomorrow."

"My Lady, I assure you it is no trouble," Toshimi insisted, "I have twenty-five rooms in my home, and they're empty half the time. I would be honored to have a lovely young lady staying in one of them. Come, you may write a letter to your inn explaining that you are remaining here, and one of my men can collect your things." He tucked her hand in his arm and led her to his office.

Hiraru wrote a short note to Korin telling her to have the messenger take Hiraru's already packed saddle bag, to hold on to Hiraru's other things, and to remember to send the addressed letter if Hiraru wasn't back in three days. She signed it with the kanji for enlightened, and sealed it with wax, used her thumb as the seal. Shortly after Hiraru handed the letter to a man on a horse, she was led to a fine large room with a western style bed. Hiraru was in the drawn out process of brushing her 'hair' for bed, when the messenger arrived back with only one, lightly packed shoulder bag. Toshimi was unhappy until Hiraru explained this was all she'd need for the night and the next day her lady would be waiting at the train station, with the luggage.

Hiraru slept lightly that night, never falling fully asleep. She was afraid suddenly, more afraid than she'd ever been. She was on the verge of claiming what were hers, and her family's. All that stood in the way was one older man, his stupid son, and forty well armed soldiers. Hiraru could just steal the swords, but that didn't suit her. What was worse was that when she acquired the swords, because it was just a matter of time, she'd be expected to go home and become the next priestess of the shrine. If she didn't there was no way she could ever go home, nor was there any way she could tell the others who or what she was; they'd hate her. She couldn't even go back to the dojo, she could never explain to Sano why she had his captain's swords and expect him to believe her.

She was up at dawn the next morning, cleaning her person up and putting on her two sided disguise. Closer to ten in the morning, and wearing a deep red Kimono with a simple black pattern on it, she came to the dining room. Toshimi was already there waiting, a tea cup in one hand and a newspaper in the other. He offered her a plate of gourmet breakfast. She ate it quietly and politely, and once finished turned to Toshimi, "Where is your son?"

Toshimi put down his newspaper, "Oh, him, his friends took him out drinking after you retired for the night. He hasn't made it back yet, but when he does I doubt he'll be in any condition to see you." He stood, walking around the table, watching Hiraru carefully, "Akata-chan, my son told me something interesting last night…would you come with me?"

Hiraru took his offered hand, something was up, but she wasn't sure what. Toshimi led her to the small, out of the way library. Hiraru's eyes flashed to the swords on the shelf, before she took a seat on the edge of a couch. She looked around the room as though it was the first time being in it. "So why did you bring me in here?" She asked as Toshimi closed the door.

"My son told me you took a special interest in these swords," He said, walking over to the glass case and opening it.

"I don't know why he would say that," Hiraru said innocently, "I just noticed the shiny case and came in to look at it. Ikeda-san just found me in here as I was about to leave."

Toshimi chuckled, "Really? You know my piece of shit son may not be good for much, but he doesn't lie to me. He told me you were so wrapped up in studying those swords you didn't even notice him until he said your name." His voice had darkened as he spoke, making her blood run cold. He pulled the katana out of the case, "Now, I want you to tell me, why is this so important to you?"

"It's not," She lied, knowing it might mean life or death.

Toshimi crossed the room, the katana still in its sheath thankfully, "I don't believe you." He whispered. He paused looking at Hiraru very closely, "Who did you say your father was? Your face is very familiar…"

Hiraru swallowed, "His name was Kojima Shiro, and he died ten years ago."

"I think that's a lie as well," He glared at her.

Hiraru stood, her heart pounding so loudly she thought he might be able to hear it, "My father was named Shiro, that is no lie. He was killed during the same war you fought in, that is no lie either. I'm insulted that you would suggest such a thing. I'm leaving now, I'll ask your men to bring the carriage around myself."

She started to walk away from him, but his hand came up and gripped her hair, "Wait."

Hiraru felt the slight tug on the wig, and stopped but it was too late. The wig slipped off her head and hung in Toshimi's hands. He stared at it for a moment until she turned around, her real hair around her shoulders and face. Her heart was doing a jig in her chest now. He looked up at her slowly, his eyes widened, "You…Sagara!" His face turned to anger, and he drew the katana clumsily.

Hiraru held up her head, and used one hand to pull her Kimono off, "Yes, Toshimi-san, I'm Sagara. I've come for my swords; you will give them to me." Hiraru now wore an exact duplicate of her father's uniform, everything except the head band. It was all exact, from the scarlet vest to the pure black shirt and pants; she even had the wooden insigina that had been on her father's arm.

"It can't be," Toshimi stuttered, "I killed you. I took your head. I took your swords. You're not here! I killed you!"

"Oh I'm here alright, and you're correct, you did kill Sagara Sozo," Hiraru said advancing on him.

His eyes widened again, "NO!" He shouted, charging her with the katana. Hiraru drew her rods quickly, using only three, two together and one in the other hand. She used the longer one to block the blade, and the other to send Toshimi to the ground. Adding the small rod to the longer on she picked up the katana and laid the rod on the back of Toshimi's neck, placing the blade under his chin.

She leaned down and whispered to him, "You may have killed Sagara Sozo, but his memory and his beliefs live on with these swords. You should have buried them with Sozo." Standing upright she found the sheath and slid the blade inside. Hiraru then put both the swords in her sash. "Now," she said looking down at the once great general who was on his knees, "I swore I wouldn't hurt you, but if you ever try to find me, I'll cut out your heart."

She turned away from him and headed for the door, planning to go upstairs and collect her kimono before leaving. As soon as she was out the door she heard Toshimi yell, "GUARDS!"

Hiraru looked to the door and then ran upstairs. No matter what she couldn't leave those kimono behind, they were Korin's and she had to return them. However, she'd been on the third floor, there was no way to escape without hurting herself. Hiraru paused in her room, the kimono were folded in her bag, which was on the bed. Instead she went to the table mirror and pulled her hair into a low tail.

She was standing with her father's ribbon around her head when the guards reached her room. She drew both rods, which she'd prepared to be three feet long in total. The men drew their swords and attacked. Within minutes she was overwhelmed, she recalled someone hitting her over the head before she was slammed to the ground, and tackled as her world went black.

Toshimi held a cloth to his head as his personal servant came in with medicine for the wound on his forehead. Two of his guards dragged in the unconscious figure that he thought had been that bastard he'd killed all those years ago. "Sir, what do you want us to do with this little shit?" The one to the left asked as the one on the right put Sagara's swords in front of Toshimi.

Toshimi looked the figure up and down, someone along the way had ripped open her shirt, and Toshimi could see the bandages that bound a young girl's breasts. Her hair was pulled back, and a red ribbon was around her forehead. "Kill her," He sneered, "Look at what she did to me!" He lifted the cloth, allowing some blood to run down from his self inflicted wound, his men didn't need to know that he'd hurt himself so he would have justification for killing the bitch.

Something occurred to him before they moved, "Wait…" He ordered, leaning forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "She said she was the granddaughter of Akira Tatsou, she may have been lying, but I doubt it. Take her down to the cellar, beat her, humiliate her, do what you like, just don't touch her face and don't take her. When she's finally given up, I'm going to make her marry my son, a woman with her name could bring us a lot of money. I want her to look nice and to be untainted, though. You understand? Make her your personal punching bag, but rape her and I'll have your head."

Both men nodded and took her away.

Ruroni (Trying to climb Twilight-kun): Why won't you give it back!!!

Twilight-kun (Pushing her back): Because you still have one more Writer's note to make!!!

Gerry-sama (low voice to the readers): I'm really enjoying this too much So I'm not going to stop it for a while…

Ruroni: HEY!!!! The record light is on… (Rushes camera again throwing Gerry-sama out of the way, knocking him out) readers I really want my book back so Review, Review, REVIEW NOW!!! (Turns back to Twilight) Can I have it back now?

Twilight (Drawing on Gerry-sama's face): NO. Do it right.

Ruroni (Sighs): Sorry about that readers… I know you've had about three or four chapters of just Hiraru, and you'd like me to get back to Kenshin and the gang… I will. Soon. Don't hate me for excluding them, I really do like all the RuroKen characters. I just thought these chapters would be better written without them. That and I'm trying to keep the number of chapters down. Any way hope you liked this chapter. Please Review.

Twilight-kun: Now that's much better. Here's you're stupid book.

Ruroni: OHMYGOD!!!! BOOK!!!! (Snatches book and runs off screen)

Twilight-kun: HEY!!! You don't need to worship the stupid thing!!!.... … AND YOU DON'T NEED TO TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES EITHER!!!!! (Drops Note and runs off screen after Ruroni)

Story readers… I've had very little sleep and… friends have been corrupting me. If this freaks anyone out tell me about it. And if it doesn't… Tell me about it. just REVIEW!!!!