Subject: [kenshinfanfics] (fic) Star- Chapter Seven Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 18:58:04 EDT From: Reply-To: kenshinfanfics@makelist.com To: kenshinfanfics@makelist.com ^_^ Ah I have finally fixed my dear PC... it took SOOO long.. I missed SOOO much stuff!!! AHHH!!!! Hmm... I have continued my fanfic Star though I'm unsure if anyone's read it.. (sweatdrop) Anyhow chapter seven is attached, I can't paste it since it's too long... Oh.. I begun another fic.. (baka me..) It's a crossover between RK, Gundam Wing, Yu YuHakusho and probably one character from Fushigi Yuugi... I'm not sure if I should continue.. well, when I complete the first chapter... ^_^ I'll post it... Kawaii san --------------------------------------------------------------------- Arigato Minna-san for reading this far in my fic... I admire your courage and everlasting patience! ^_^ I just want to thank all who have gave me such wonderful comments! I'm sorry for taking so long but my computer broke down... wretched thing.. I think I fixed it though... Enjoy! And of course... comments will be greatly appreciated... Chapter Seven Kuanja frowned as he watched over the unconscious girl chained to the bed. Her red-black hair covered her eyes in her recent state. "Any change yet?" Ryuji asked as he opened the door to the private chamber. "No, still asleep. I think Yuuri made her inhale a bit too much of the drug." Ryuji frowned. "I think she's sick. She looks sort of pale and a little on the thin side." Kuanja snorted. "What do you expect from a person like Battousai?" Ryuji shook his head. "You still blame him don't you?" "Of course!!! Do you know how much he injured her by loving another woman? My lord! I have never seen her cry, not from wounds nor sickness but for Battousai, she weeps until exhaustion." "Well, you know Sabishi Kuanja. If she loves him, there must be something good in his heart." Kuanja refuses to answer. "Or is it, you just feel guilty and you're taking it out on Battousai?" Ryuji inquires. "Shut up Ryuji!" Kuanja fumes. "I see... Well, I will leave you now. Inform me when Sabishi wakes up." Ryuji says as he leaves, his voice fading with distance. Kuanja sits quietly in his chair for a moment before hesitantly he gets up and walks toward Sabishi. He peers into her face for a moment as she shifts slightly in her sleep. ["Sabishi? Why are you here? Why aren't you with Battousai?" Kuanja looks up in surprise. Sabishi stays silent. "Sabishi?" Ryuji asks softly. "Ken-kenshin... he-he loves another..." Sabishi answers softly she collapses onto her knees in front of the two shadows. "What?" Kuanja exclaims. Ryuji stared impassively at the kneeling hitokiri in front of them. "Why????!!!!?????" Sabishi sobs as she lifts her exquisite face to the sky. "Dooshite?????!!!???" A scream echoes through the air.] Kuanja sweeps Sabishi's hair from her eyes as he watches over her like a brother, his eyes glossed over in sadness. "Gomen nai.. Sabishi." ... ... Sano shakes his head slightly as he slides shut the door to the ex hitokiri's room. "How's Ken san?" Megumi asked anxiously. "He still seems slightly miffed over something but he's fine now." "Sa-Sanosuke?" Kaoru asks in a quiet voice. Sano claps a gentle hand onto Kaoru's shoulder. "Iie Kaoru. He needs some time alone I think. I think that would be best for now." Kaoru nods and whispers, "I understand." "Get some sleep ojouchan. It wouldn't do for you to exhaust yourself. Don't worry too much. First thing tomorrow, we are going to get Sabishi back." Kaoru nodded numbly as she slowly moves off to her room. When Kaoru was out of earshot, Megumi turned to face Sanosuke. "Okay Sano, what did you talk to Ken san about for so long?" Megumi had an insisting tone of voice, a tone that obviously would not take no for an answer. "Well, I decided that I needed some loose ends tied up." "Lo-loose ends?" Megumi asked in surprise. "Yeah, for one thing, I wondered how Kenshin knew Sabishi was alive after all these years. 'You have finally returned Sabishi... Do you know how much I have missed you?' (chapter one) That was what Kenshin said when he found out who she was for the first time." "Wait, you mean Ken san knew she was alive for those ten years?" "Hai, he found out after he accidentally killed Tomoe." "How?" Megumi asked. "Tomoe kept a diary which Kenshin read after her death. Quite by accident he read an entry about a mysterious girl whose wise purple eyes reminded her of Kenshin's and black and red hair." "So Tomoe met Sabishi?" "Who else could have red and black hair along with violet eyes so much like Kenshin's?" Megumi nodded for Sano to go on. "Well, her entry spoke about this girl who 'supposedly' walked into Battousai's room by accident. Tomoe felt this girl was looking for Battousai but for some reason denied it. Kenshin was asleep at this time. Tomoe wrote that this girl, this girl with the old eyes pleaded her not to tell Kenshin." "Sabishi..." Megumi said softly. "At the end of the entry, Tomoe wrote, 'Whoever she was, I hope Sabishi finds happiness....' At this point, Kenshin realized that Sabishi never died..." "Oh my god..." Megumi whispered, her eyes filling with tears. Snao nodded sadly. "Kenshin knew Megumi. Kenshin knew since that time on till now, for ten long years that Sabishi was alive and had been carrying that guilt since then." ...... Kenshin stared at the lone candle that he had set in front of him, a flicker of orange-yellow light in the middle of a darkness that seemed to press into him. He closed his eyes sadly, his feelings in turmoil. Kenshin's eyes opened, his eyes gleaming dangerously golden for a moment as he thought back to that mocking letter. <'Well Battousai, how does it feel to be unable to protect a loved one?'> Kenshin closed his eyes. "How dare he...?" Kenshin whispered. <'You hurt her Battosai and made her cry... For this I will not forgive you. You may try to retrieve her, and that is when I will kill you and all your weak friends. There is nothing but punishment for one who rapes my sister.'> Kenshin clenched his hands. "You hurt Sabishi as well, Yuori. But perhaps... I..." Kenshin sighed, ten years it has been? But has it been so long? Was there such a thing as peace for an ex-hitokiri? Kenshin stood up, his eyes covered by the shadows of his hair. There was no answer, but he had expected that. Silence is the main company for those who desire to forget hidden memories, but could not... ... ... Sabishi opened her eyes and winced as light hit her eyes. After a moment she focused and found herself chained to a large bed. The room was nicely furnished with a clock to the far end of the room. "Where am I?" Sabishi thought before her head cleared. "Onesama..." Sabishi's eyes surveyed the room. "Who's there?" She called out. "Onesama, it's me, Yuori." A lone figure stepped into the light of the sun. Sabishi frowned, "Why am I here? And why have you chained me to the bed?" Yuori stepped closer until he was right next to her. "Onesama, you still trust that Battousai too much! You would go back to him and leave me again..." Yuori spoke in a sad tone as he laid his head near her hands. "Yuori, look, I am not your sister. Your sister is dead... Let me free Yuori. If you cared for me, let me free." Yuori looked up, his blue eyes flashing anger. "Yuori?" Sabishi asked. "Battousai has brain-washed you onesama! He caused you so many years of pain! I saw the tears that ran down your cheeks when he betrayed you! You will see onesama!" "Yuori!" Sabishi called out before the door to the chamber slammed shut. "Yuori..." Sabishi said sadly. <"He caused you so many years of pain onesama!"> "K..Ken..shin..." Sabishi whispered as tears trailed down her cheeks. ... ... Yuori stalked to his room in anger, slamming the iron doors and then knocking over the chairs in his room. He unsheathed his sword and ripped right through the iron door with just his right hand alone, so great was his anger. "What can I do to show onesama the true nature of Battousai? WHAT??" Yuori screamed. He whipped around and threw his sword to hit a painting of some man right through the forehead. "All those years of training, all those extra years of suffering... onesama, I did so I could revenge upon Battousai and show that I am stronger and better! SO I CAN BE WITH YOU!!!! WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND ONESAMA!!!!!!" Yuori screamed as he punched the walls. "Yu-Yuori sama?" Kuroi asked tentatively as he knocked on the doorframe. (There was basically no door left... ^_^x) "YES?" Yuori grated between clenched teeth. "I was going to ask about the plan... what are we going to do with Battousai's friends?" "WHAT ARE YOU ASK- wait, what did you say?" Yuori suddenly asked a plan forming into his mind. "Um... I was asking about Himura Battousai's friends..." "THAT IS IT!" Yuori shouted as he turned to Kuroi. "Get Yuuri here now! Order the mercenaries I hired to get ready." "YES SIR!" "I will get you back onesama... I vow... I will..." ... ... Kenshin sighed as he opened the door and stepped out into the yard. He had to go rescue Sabishi somehow but he couldn't do anything yet. The thought of being helpless grated at his nerves. The only thing that put his mind to ease was that Yuori would not kill her. But who knew what that crazed maniac would do to her? Kenshin clenched his hands. How many times will Yuori take her away from him? Once was enough... "Oi, Kenshin." A deep voice called out. "Ah, Sano san." Kenshin replied back with a bright smile. "Don't give me one of those stupid smiles and expect me to believe all is right with you. Don't bullshit with me Kenshin." Kenshin dropped the smile on his face, his eyes narrowing in thought as he looked away. "Yuori took her away again..." Kenshin whispered. "Again?" Sano asked, his eyebrows arched in confusion. Kenshin refused to say more and Sano decided to drop the subject. ... ... "Oh, but Kenshin trusts Sabishi quite a bit Yuori sama. It will be difficult to carry out this plan." "Oh, I know Battousai well enough Kurayami. He will fall for this trap. Besides, he is a swordsman, not a doctor." "But what about Sabishi?" "The drug only has temporary effects." "Yuuri sure knows a lot about these concoctions." "I choose only the best." Yuori answered. "Of course Yuori sama. How will we administer it to her though?" "She has to eat or drink. All we have to do is slip it into her food. It will take some time before it takes effect." "Hai!" "Remember, you must get Kamiya Kaoru. The other that Battousai cherishes so much. Remember to make sure she's unconscious!" "YOSH!" ... ... Sabishi sighed as she peered out the barred windows to the sky. How long has it been? Her head was still fuzzy from that drug that Yuuri had forced into her body. "What does Yuori want with me?" Sabishi thought. Even after all these years since that fight... he still hasn't changed. "If I were his sister I would knock some sense into that insane mind of his..." Sabishi grumbled as she tugged again at the heavy iron chains. She winced as one chafed her right wrist and she felt her blood trickle from the wound. She gave up, she knew it would be impossible to break from these chains without her sword. The iron door to her room unlocked and opened. Sabishi's eyes snapped open. "Who is it?" She asked. Kuroi walked in carrying food and some tea. "You should eat something Sabishi sama." Kuroi said in a respectful tone. Sabishi stared suspiciously at the food and drink on the tray, which Kuroi caught. "No, there is no more of that sedative from before." "Why should I believe you?" Sabishi asked. "Is there a reason for me to lie? You know that you can't escape from those chains. What reason is there to continue dousing your food with the drug?" Sabishi sighed, "We'll see..." Kuroi hid his face as he poured out the hot tea. "Does she know?" Kuroi thought quietly. "Here Sabishi sama." Sabishi accepted it with her chained hands. "You don't have to choke with the sama's so just call me Sabishi." "Iie Sabishi sama. You are the sister to my master Yuori sama, that would be disrespectful." (actually, I'm not sure... ^.^x) Sabishi shook her head as she bought the tea to her lips. She took a very small sip and tasted the tea. She swallowed it when she did not taste the drug in her tea and took another sip. "Mmmm... this tea is nice..." Sabishi commented. "Thank you." Kuroi answered with a slight bow, "Is there anything else you need?" "No." Sabishi replied and Kuroi left quietly. "What a dear boy..." Sabishi murmured as she finished her tea. "If only, he hadn't become a shadow..." Sabishi clutched at her head. She felt really dizzy... Sabishi narrowed her eyes, something wasn't right... she felt... ... ... "I've been meaning to ask you something." Sanosuke said as he picked up a large stone. "Yes?" Kenshin answered as he sat down onto a porch. "The five shadows... Kenshin, they don't seem to... how should I put this, they don't seem evil." "That is because they are not." "So why do they follow Yuori? Chee, just leave the insane creep and go on with their lives." "Iie, that they can not do. Each one is very loyal and I think each made a bargain that if they lost to Yuori, they would have to serve him until he says they may leave." "So, they would actually do as he says?" "They are very loyal to their promises. What they say, they will do. It is quite simple actually, but so simple as to seem complex." "I see..." There was a moment of silence. "Kenshin, what is causing this anger?" "You seem very curious today Sanosuke." "You are trying to evade my question." Kenshin smiled for a moment. "Perhaps. The anger... maybe... maybe it is because I have not forgiven him since he ended my life with Hitokiri Sabishi. Or perhaps, out of human selfishness, I blame him for my loss, though I know it is as much my fault as his..." "Shut up Kenshin. Why don't you just admit it! This is not you at all, what is happening to the Himura Kenshin who first saved Kaoru? Has he disappeared?" Kenshin looked into the sky and old memories echoed through the air. <"I never want to cause Kenshin any pain... Never..." "Kenshin wa Kenshin! Not a hitokiri!" "Will I ever have a star?" "A hitokiri is a hitokiri to the end, ne, Battousai..." "KENSHIN!" "Don't cry... It's all okay... so please don't cry..." "Welcome home!" "Kenshin, the past is the past... leave what has ended years ago where it belongs..."> Sano grinned. Kenshin eyes then narrowed. "Kenshin?" Sano asked puzzled at the sudden change. He was about to stand up when three figures appeared in front of him. "Long time no see, Battousai..." "KENSHIN!!!!!!!!" Yahiko yelled from the inside of the dojo. The wall burst off and Yuuri walked out with a slight mocking smile. "AH, Battosai, we won't bother you here much longer. Of course, we're taking something or rather I should say, someone with us." "Nani?" Kenshin thought. His eyes widened as Yuuri walked out from the shadows of dojo. "KAORU DONO!" He yelled as he stood to move. The sound of swords stopped him in his track. "Tsk tsk Battousai. Living as a rurouni has really softened you. You say you want to protect your loved ones? Hm, how well you're doing of it now..." Kenshin almost growled. "Ja, Battousai. You should know by now that you alone can not beat the five shadows." With that he disappeared with Kaoru slung over his shoulder. Kenshin stared with hating eyes ahead of him, focused on no one in particular. Kuanja sheathed his sword then. "I have no business here anymore." He suddenly declared as he began walking away. "Kuanja!" Kurayami yelled back. Kuanja refused to answer back. "What the hell is with Kuanja..." Kurayami thought before he returned his attention to Kenshin and them. "Well, I suppose it is time for us to leave now. Yuuri should be back at the hideout now. Why don't you come and save Kaoru? You don't have to worry about Sabishi sama now..." "What the heck do you mean by that?" Sanosuke yelled. Kurayami smirked at the look of fury on the ex-gangsters face. Kenshin's eyes widened. "If you hurt Sabishi..." "Hurt Sabishi sama? You must be out of your gourd." Kurayami answered. He began to move away as well. Sano growled low in his throat. The last shadow stepped from the shadows, his narrowed eyes flashing. "These past years have rotted your brains Battousai. Seeing that look of confusion on your face, I just want to inform you, Yuori did not order Kaoru's capture." "WHAT?" "Sabishi sama did. She, herself wanted Kaoru to be captured." "What the hell are you implying!?" Sano declared with a roar. "Hmph. Sabishi sama has been our ally all this time. I am surprised you did not notice." "You are lying to us." Kenshin stated simply. "Believe what you want to believe. I frankly don't give a damn. Demo, don't say no one warned you. Sabishi sama is still the same as she was when she was a hitokiri. She is the sister to my esteemed leader. So, what she orders, I obey. The facts are as simple as that. What you choose to believe is beneath my care or worries. If you want to save the girl here is the way to our base." He casually threw a paper at the group. "You lie..." Kenshin whispered harshly. "When the truth is revealed to you, I do hope I get to see your expression." Kuroi replied as he laughed evilly. His laughter faded as he faded into the shadows. "You lie..." Kenshin whispered with clench fists. ... ... Sabishi opened her eyes and darkness greeted her. "Where am I?" She thought and winced as she tried to sit up. "Why is it so dark?" Sabishi said aloud as she fell off the soft bed and landing on her knees. It was so dark... She couldn't even see the faint outline of anything. Sabishi groped around and found that the chains that had adorned her wrists were now gone. But that didn't help her at all, she felt so weak she probably could not even defend herself against a child. Sabishi tried to stand up and promptly fell down again. Unexpectantly, gentle hands encircled her arms and helped her onto the bed. Judging the light footsteps, she guessed that it has to be Kuanja. "Kuanja? Is that you?" There was a moment's silence before a deep voice answered her. "Yeah, it's me." Sabishi sighed, relaxing slightly. "Why is it so dark in here Kuanja? My eyes are wide open and I can't see a thing. Not even this bed..." "It's not dark in here Sabishi..." "It's... not... dark?" "You're blind..." "WHAT?" "It's only temporarily though. One of Yuuri's concoctions." Sabishi sighed and felt about the bed with her hands while bring her weary body to the bed. "Another drug... Kuroi lied..." "No, he didn't lie. He said that there was no more of that sedative type drug in the food. There wasn't anymore of that. This is different drug. You know very well that none of us lie." "Are you trying to be funny Kuanja?" Sabishi asked dryly. Kuanja remained silent. "Good luck..." He whispered as he left the room. Sabishi frowned as she fell asleep. "What did that mean?" ... ... "I tell you Kenshin, there is no way that Sabishi betrayed us. I mean come on, she outright hates Yuori." Kenshin nods. "I know, she would never do that, but..." He turned to look at the piece of paper in his hand. "But the shadows don't lie, they may conceal the truth but they do not lie." "Please, don't tell me that you believe that sorry-excuse-for-a-man?" Kenshin smiled. "You're right. How could I ever doubt her? I guess I have a very suspicious nature." "Now let's go kick some shadow butt..." "Ah.. I prefer shadow rear... Children... children..." Kenshin replied as he pointed to Ayame and Suzume along with Yahiko behind them. "Ah yeah sure..." Sano answered. "Let's go!" "HAI!!!!!!" ... ... "They're here Yuori sama..." Kuroi informed with a slight bow. "Now it shall begin..." ... ... "Where am I?" Sabishi thought. As her eyes opened, she could just barely manage to make out some faint wavering figures. "Is there... some sort of strange fog outside today or something?" Sabishi thought as she tried to focus her weak eyes. "Damn this... the drug STILL hasn't worn off yet?" Sabishi thought. The door opened and someone entered. By the steps she guessed it would have to be Yuuri, the most graceful of the five. "Ah, Sabishi sama, I see you are up and moving around as well. I must compliment you, I expect normal people would still be paralyzed in bed." "Hmmm." Sabishi answered as she again tried to focus her eyes. Yuuri smiled slightly, knowing exactly what she had been trying to do. "I see. Your eyes won't focus no matter how hard you try Sabishi sama." "What is with the sama's Yuuri?" Yuuri didn't answer but helped the ex hitokiri to her feet. "I think there is something you would like to see." "Hmmm?" Yuuri guided Sabishi outside, the fog surrounding them. "Strange... there seems to be a queer scent in the air..." Sabishi thought as she lifted her head slightly. But Yuuri continued walking through the fog for about a minute before they reached a clearing. "Sabishi sama, why don't you look ahead?" "What?" She thought as she looked ahead. All she could see however was a blur of purple and blue and black and...? Sabishi shook her head as she walked over, allowing her other senses to guide her. She reached out a hand and touched against something soft and silky, black... "Hair?" She thought as she trailed her hand down. Her eyes widened. "Kaoru san!" Sabishi exclaimed as she felt the strong girl's face. ... ... "What the hell is this strange fog?" Sano cursed as he wagged his finger at the annoyingly increasing fog. "Hmm.. this can't be right... The weathers not right for fog. And... and... there seems to be some sort of queer scent in the air..." Kenshin said as he closed his eyes. "Well, I can't find my way if this fog increases anymore." "Shh..." Kenshin said quietly, his eyes still closed. "I hear movement... I feel the movement of air... Someone's here... YUORI!" Kenshin suddenly spun around, his eyes blazing. "Ah! Very good Battousai... I always knew your senses were very sharp. But this time, this time we will not need to fight and I will win!" "Why? If you care so much for Sabishi why do you constantly take away her happiness? Why won't you leave her to her own peaceful life?" "Take away her happiness? Peaceful life? You have no rights to say that! You are the one who took away her happiness in the first place! Raping her... leaving her and breaking her heart... Breaking her heart so those tears must flow from her beautiful eyes... Nothing will ever return those tears to her eyes! Nothing will take away the pain she felt during that time!" Kenshin clenched his fists. "I never raped her and you KNOW that! As for her tears, yes, I must claim fault for that but YOU took a hand in forcing her tears to come forth! You who would go so to separate her from me so you would injure her!!!" Yuori's face grew livid with anger and it was only his plan that kept him from killing Battousai then and there. "You may say whatever you want but my sister has returned to me. She has always been on my side, even from the beginning. Which is why she ordered the capture of Kamiya Kaoru." Yuori's face melted into a horrible grin. "YOU ORDERED HER CAPTURE!" Sano screamed. "Iie. I wouldn't lie about something like that." Yuori smirked. "Sabishi is a good friend of Kaoru dono. She would never hurt Kaoru dono." Yuori smirked. "You must be getting senile Battousai. Sabishi, do not forget, was your lover once. Why she chose you of all men I do not understand but that is beside the point right now. The main thing is that she loved you before, what makes you think that she doesn't hold these same emotions she had for you ten years ago?" Kenshin's eyes widened in surprise as the words rang in his mind. <"I could never hurt Kenshin... Never..."> "Wha- what?" Sano cursed aloud. His mind was beginning to fuzz for some reason. The strange smell of the fog was getting sickening as well... Glancing over at Kenshin, he didn't seem affected at all. His eyes were wide with shock. Strange images flashed before Sano's eyes. Pictures of his past... everyone dying... His vow to become strong and his hatred for the Ishin Shishi... "Kaoru dono... Sabishi dono..." Kenshin said softly. Sano shook his head and his mind began to focus again on the present though his mind was still a welter of confusion and blurred... and for some reason... he felt an intense anger... "Sabishi she..." Kenshin began and his mind whirred as images swept through his mind... The killing... the screaming... the dying... the blood... the promises... <"We'll always stay together...Sabishi..." The first promise made under a starry night where a girl hitokiri first holds his love...> <"I want to always protect your happiness... Tomoe..." A promise that brings a smile to his first wife...> <"I have finally returned home..."> Yuori watched the expression on Kenshin's face. "I think I have finally succeeded in breaking his mind..." Yuori thought with a grim smile of satisfaction. Yet... a part of him felt... He pushed that part of his mind away. "I have to keep my sister from this bad person who has hurt her... Time to start the second part of the plan... the fog has done it's job... I just have to wait for the full effects to kick in..." Yuori thought and tugged on a long string tied to a branch. Kuroi and Yuuri had to be in position now. "Battousai, your mind has become truly dull. How could you miss the tender feelings my sister feels for you? I don't know whether I should laugh at you or be disgusted at you for your stupidity. Either way, Sabishi is mine now. She is not yours or shall she ever be again. Hurting her the way you have, I'm surprised she hasn't kill you yet." Kenshin could only stare blankly at the figure in the bushes as past memories washed over him. Sano was shaking his head trying to clear his mind but it was too late. "I have to wake Kenshin up... this is bad... the fog, there has to be something Yuori put in it that's affecting my mind along with Kenshin's... but why isn't Yuori affected?" Sano cursed and then he screamed in frustration. Kenshin's eyes focused then, the scream shocking him out of his overwhelming guilt. "Kenshin, goddammit! WAKE UP!" Sano bellowed, though his mind was increasing getting blurred. "Sa-Sano?" Kenshin said quietly shaking his head. "Hmph, waking up finally Battousai? Well, all I can say is that your dear Sabishi has betrayed you all. Right now she is with Kaoru, the dojo owner. She will kill this girl and when you see Kamiya Kaoru's dead body you will see! You will see that all I say is in truth!" "Kaoru dono!" Kenshin said in a dazed voice. "Shit, Kenshin, my heads messed up!" Sano said. Kenshin tried to focus his eyes and saw that his sight had begun to waver. "For all the pain you have bought her... she is now getting revenge! And most of all she will inflict her anger on your beloved Kaoru dono.." Yuori said in a scorning voice. His voice disappeared as he flickered away. "You will see..." "Sano, let's get out of here... we have to find Kaoru dono." Kenshin hissed, for some reason feeling quite irritated. "Let's... Kenshin... I think this fog..." Sano shook his head as his thoughts jumbled up. He needed to warn Kenshin about something... something important but he couldn't for some reason... "Sano, let's find Kaoru dono now." "What about Sabishi?" Sanosuke asked and to his horror he found that he felt this gratuitous anger toward her. "We'll find her when we find Kaoru..." Kenshin grated. Yuuri watched from the treetops. "No matter how strong a person you are Battousai, you have fallen under my spell..." ... ... "Kaoru san!" Sabishi called to the pretty dojo owner again. She felt no movement. "ARGH!!!" Sabishi screamed as she felt around for the bonds tying Kaoru up. She felt hard links of chain and she realized she couldn't free Kaoru. Biting her lip in frustration she tried to focus her other senses. Moving around Kaoru's immobile body slowly she tried to find something... anything... It was then that her foot nudged against something... Sabishi bent down and felt around. It was then that she brushed against something slim and cold. It was a sword? "What is a sword doing here?" Sabishi exclaimed but she decided that wouldn't matter. Her mind was still fuzzy from whatever she had digested as well as that strange fog... Sabishi opened her eyes and found that she could faintly see light but nothing else. The drug was finally wearing off. With her mind still confused by the combined drugs she felt for the chains when she heard footsteps. "WHO'S THERE?" Sabishi asked as she unsheathed her sword in challenge. "Ah, Sabishi sama, I see that the drug is finally beginning to wear off. But don't get your hopes up. The lasting effects won't disappear till tomorrow evening so you won't have your sight." Sabishi frowned, she couldn't fight on this condition especially with Kaoru's life in danger. She felt others presence. "Why have you captured Kaoru san?" Sabishi asked. "Why Sabishi sama, you asked us to!" Sabishi narrowed her eyes in anger. "What kind of crap is that?" "You told us to. Don't tell us you don't remember?" "What are you talking about?" Sabishi asked in confusion. "Tsk tsk. You can't even remember your hatred for the one woman who has taken away the man you love." Sabishi blinked, "Nani?" She couldn't focus her mind for some reason... "Sabishi sama... if Kaoru never existed, you could be with your beloved Battousai." "I could... be... with... Kenshin?" "Kenshin loves Kaoru Sabishi..." Another voice said quietly... Sabishi felt her eyes fill with tears but she blinked them away. "It doesn't matter now." Sabishi said sadly, her lips moving slowly as her hair covered her eyes from view. "It doesn't matter anymore..." It was then that she blinked from view and rushed toward then. "Shit!" Kurayami exclaimed as he barely dodged her sword. "The drug was suppose to slow her down Yuuri!" He yelled. "It did." Was Yuuri's quick reply. "You have to remember who she is." Kuroi walked quite a distance from Kaoru, standing still while holding two darts in his hand. "Do not worry Sabishi. I will now kill Kaoru. This will rid her from your life!" Kuroi yelled as he threw the two darts. Sabishi's eyes widened as she felt the darts rush through the air, heading straight for Kaoru. "No!" Sabishi screamed as she rushed to Kaoru. ... ... "Kenshin, do you have any idea where we are?" Sano grated angrily. "No... I think we're going in circles." Kenshin replied in a strangely quiet voice. Even in his bemused state, Sano could feel the tension in Kenshin's body. "Sabishi wouldn't hurt Kaoru..." Strangely he found that he himself was questioning himself. This statement... did he say it to comfort himself or Kenshin? Kenshin looked up. "Kenshin?" Sano asked then quieted as Kenshin shushed him. Then they heard the clanging of blades and scream. "It's that way!" Kenshin exclaimed pointing to his left and they ran. Yuori watched them from another treetop, his eyes full of an intense joy. Yuuri was right... Yuuri's statement echoed through his mind. <"Even the strongest of warriors will fall under our spell..."> Yuori nodded with satisfaction as he sped away again to where his sister would be... "Onesama..." ... ... "Kaoru san!" Sabishi yelled as she ran between Kaoru and Kuroi. She broke the first dart and was surprised when she heard liquid splatter onto the ground. Then she felt the second dart as it whizzed past her shoulder, nicking her and continuing toward Kaoru. Sabishi felt a stabbing pain thread through her arm to her chest but she ignored it as she made a desperate attempt to stop the dart by throwing her sword but missed, only managing to alter the course. She heard the loud thwack as the dart imbedded itself in the tree right. Sabishi sprinted over to Kaoru and saw that the dart had only scratched her right thigh. Sabishi frowned, something wasn't right. Her eyes widened as she inhaled a soft acrid smell and saw the dark stain on Kaoru's leg and clothes. "The dart! It was anointed with poison!" Sabishi thought. She knew this deadly poison; Yuuri had created it. There was no antidote to it as well. Her eyes widened as she remembered that Kaoru had been hit. Sabishi bit her lip as she thought back... There was no time to waste. She picked her sword and with a deadly determination drove it into Kaoru's leg. Sabishi bit her lip as she watched the blood wash out the black poison. As she picked up her sword again she heard a yell. ... ... "No..." Kenshin whispered as he watched the horrifying scene in front of him. "This... this can't be happening..." He thought, his mind whirling as memories flashed through his mind... echoes of Yuori's voice... <"She betrayed you..."> Kenshin clenched his teeth as he saw Sabishi pull the sword out, the blood trickling down Kaoru's leg... <"Sabishi ordered us to capture Kaoru."> Kenshin's eyes flashed golden as anger welled up through his body. "Get away from her!!!" Kenshin screamed as he charged. Sabishi turned, her eyes registering shock as she saw something streak past her and then felt the presence of Kenshin. But something was different... "Kenshin!" Sabishi said in relief. Kenshin cut the chains around Kaoru's body and Kaoru fell limply into his arms, the wound still bleeding profusely. "Kenshin-," Sabishi began as she reached toward him, her eyes still weak from the drug. "Shut up!" Kenshin yelled, his violet eyes narrowed, hard and cold. "Ken-Kenshin?" Sabishi repeated, startled. "I never want to see you again..." Kenshin answered as he walked away swiftly, carrying Kaoru's limp body in his arms. "K-Ken-Kenshin?" Sabishi whispered, her eyes widened in shock. She turned and saw Sanosuke watching, his face displaying the same anger. "How could you?" He asked accusingly. His sight wavered slightly but he walked past her, following Kenshin's footsteps. Sabishi blinked, not understanding what has happened. "Sano san...?" She asked tentatively but received no reply, the ex-gangster ignoring her as he walked away. She felt another presence behind her and she turned, seeing Yuori's face, his eyes glittering satisfaction and a small contented smile graced his lips. Sabishi's eyes widened. "You..." Sabishi whispered, directing her voice at Yuori. "Masaka..." Sabishi thought as she turned to only catch the glimpse of her friend's backs before they disappeared into the forest and the fog. Yuori walked over to Sabishi, her eyes exhibiting her disbelief. "Onesama, how can you still care for them? They betrayed you." Sabishi's mind broke free then. "NO!" She sobbed as all the suppressed pain she had held in... everything she had blocked broke loose as she crumpled to the floor. Her beautiful violet eyes filled with tears of despair, streaming down her cheeks. "Onesama, you are mine... I won't share you with anyone." Yuori stated plainly. Sabishi glanced up at Yuori, her eyes a flickering of insanity as her hitokiri side took over. "You did this to me..." Sabishi accused in a low voice, her violet eyes flickering between golden and purple. Yuori stepped back slightly, unsure of himself after seeing the great fury mirrored in Sabishi's eyes. She stood up slowly, ignoring the pain lacing through her body as she reached for her sword. A voice woke her up though as a clear voice echoed through her mind from the very recesses of her broken mind. <"Little sister... I'll always be in your heart... live..."> With a clatter she dropped the sword back onto the ground sobbing hysterically. "Why Yuori? Why must you do this to me?" "Gomen onesama, but Battousai will not care for you as I would. I won't allow anyone to hurt you." "YOU HURT ME YUORI!" Sabishi said harshly. "Iie Onesama. This is for the best. Either way, if you didn't want them to get hurt you should have left. You should know staying with them would bring them danger." Sabishi's eyes flew open before she bowed slightly over, a small self-mocking smile on her mouth. "So I deserve this do I no? I suppose the past stays with a person no matter what he or she does... Once a hitokiri... always will be..." Yuori shook his head, his eyes returning to those of the past, where he was a young boy. "I won't share my sister." He said in an obstinate voice. Sabishi looked up and walked calmly over to him. "Perhaps this is a fitting outcome for a person such as I, but no one else deserves this sort of punishment." Sabishi raised her hand and slapped Yuori in the face. "Grow up Yuori. Revenge has eaten you alive. Release the past and live in the present. The new era has begun, it's not too late to change." Yuori frowned as Sabishi wearily moved past him. "You won't see me again Yuori." Sabishi answered in a tired voice and she flickered away. Yuori ground his teeth in frustration. Kuroi approached him carefully. "Yuori sama..." Kuroi began in a soft voice. "Let's move to our other hideout..." Yuori interrupted in a bland voice. His eyes were ice cold as he flickered away into the forest. Yuuri, Kuroi and Kurayami followed immediately. "Ryuiji." Kuanja stated. "No, it's better to leave her alone for a while..." Kuanja sighed sadly. "Her pain will end soon though..." Ryuji's eyes closed momentarily. "Sabishi will find peace... She will get to see her sister again..." Kuanja clenched his hands but his face registered none of his frustration. "But it will be such a painful end..."