OOOKie... now that I've posted two spoofs... I thought maybe it was 
time for a real one :P  Thanks to everyone who sent me mail about the 
others :P  I'll try to get some more up there :P  hmm.. what else.  
This MIGHT be a spolier for you if you haven't seen/read AT LEAST til 
the end of the Kyoto saga (But it also has many elements of the 
Revenge Arc too)  I really only know the Kenshin manga (only a FEW 
anime eps) OH!  If anyone wants to trade whatever I have (It's a 
LOOONG list) So I can get some Kenshin, I'd much much abliged!  
Anyway, on with the story!

Insert standard disclaimer here

And now, on with the show!  C&C appreciated! (Need help with the title 
too ^^;)

*****************************

A chilly breeze swept through the catacombs with fierce demeanor.  It 
was swift and silent as it made the twists and turns through the 
tunnels with uncertain ease.  It suddenly stopped when it reached a 
weathered looking door, as if even the wind was afraid of it.  The air 
split in two and raced away from the door down two separate paths to 
the right and left.  

Behind the door lay a dark room, littered in sheets of yellowing paper 
and various other things.  The only light lay in the center of the 
room, coming from a perfect sphere that sat on an ancient pedestal 
with short, withering arms coming from it's four sides.  It's strange 
glow was captivating and terrifying all at once.

In the corner of the room stood a figure, immersed in shadow.  A 
figure that dare to enter the room where even the wind would not.  It 
had on a dark cloak with many deep folds, and a hood drawn over it's 
face, even though it had no one to hide from.  It approached the 
glowing ball silently and caressed it's surface with long, bony 
fingers and held it as gently as a mother would with a child.

Inside the sphere where the picture of a man and a woman, who looked 
as if they were in polite conversation.  The figure carefully ran it's 
finger of the outline of the man's face, as if in yearning, and 
snarled as the man leaned in closer to the woman ever so slightly. 

The figure threw the sphere with a large crash to the ground, only to 
pick it up immediately after, holding it against itself in remorse.  
It again eyed the two figures in the sphere again and a sneer spread 
over it's face.

**********************

The red-head leaned in a little closer to the raven-haired woman and 
tipped his head to the side, "Kaoru-dono?  Daijoubu desu ka?"

Kaoru snapped out of her trance, "Hmm?  Aa....gomen, Kenshin.  I'm a 
little tired."

Kenshin eyed her over worriedly, "Would you like to rest?"

Kaoru gave a perky smile and shook her head, "Iie, a little 
sleep-deprivation never hurts."

Kenshin visibly relaxed to her happy demeanor and went back to his 
laundry, content to once again to go about his domestic duties.

"I'll make some tea, okay?  It's about time my lazy student and that 
chicken-headed lay-about get to work on the dojou," she said while 
grinning maliciously.  She was just being far too lenient with Yahiko 
and Sanosuke since they got back from Kyoto.

Kenshin sweated, "Try to keep it down de gozaru."

Kaoru grinned again, "They'll be the one making noise... not me."

**********************


The shadowed figure was once again happy when the man was left to be 
by himself.  She ran her thumbs over the image of his face, ending off 
at his chest.  She smiled when he took pride that his chore was done.

Making a final decision the figure drew back it's hood to reveal a 
woman's face.  Her eyes were sad and looked as if they had seen too 
much.  Her black hair spilled down over her shoulders and ended at 
mid-back.  Her face was weathered and sunken-in, but if not for this, 
she would have been absolutely stunning.  

She reached into her cloak and pulled out a single, thin piece of 
rope, golden in colour.  It was made by 11 interlocking fibers, all 
slightly thick in nature.  She also drew out a small tant, with a pure 
black blade and intricate design on it's handle.

"Soon...," she whispered hoarsely, and cut through one of the fibers.

**********************

Kenshin perked up when he heard a crashing sound coming from inside 
the dojou.  He sweated, *Yahiko really shouldn't tease Kaoru-dono so 
much.  He'll wind up getting seriously hurt one of these days...*

Kenshin picked himself up and trotted into the dojou to play 
peacemaker.  He arrived just at the entrance to the house portion when 
a tea cup came to a rolling stop at his feet.  Curiously he bent over 
to pick it up when he saw a shocking sight.

Kaoru was wreathing on her knees.  Blood soaked the floor and a line 
of it drew down on her chin.  She let out a blood-curdling scream and 
grasped her stomach in pain.  Her body convulsed with great force.
       
Kenshin didn't need another reminder and he was soon at her side 
thanks to his god-like speed.

"Kaoru-DONO!" Kenshin shouted, trying to assess the situation.

Kaoru squeaked again and lurched forward into Kenshin, coughing up 
another mouthful of blood in the process.

**WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?!** The thought rang through Kaoru's mind 
over and over.    

Yahiko and Sano came speeding down the hall as soon as they heard 
Kaoru's scream and Kenshin's call.  The two stopped short when he saw 
the blood that stained the wood floor and now, Kenshin's hakama. 

Yahiko tensed, *Did Kenshin.. NO!  He'd never hurt her... then..* He 
was cut short by a cry from the door.

"J-Jou-chan!"  Sano said in shock. 

Kaoru whimpered as the pain subsided and the shudders came to an 
abrupt halt.  Weak from the strain, all she could do was breath 
heavily into Kenshin's chest and catch her breath.

The look of horror still lingered in Kenshin's eyes as Kaoru regrouped 
herself from the invisible attack.

"Kaoru-dono...wh..what happened?"  Kenshin said in concern.

Sanosuke and Yahiko were quickly at her sides when she caught her 
breath and spoke.

"I..I don't know.  I was just trying.... trying to bring tea and it... 
hurt so much.  There was a pain in my stomach and my body ached all 
over.  I thought I was going to die..." she said strenuously.

>From the looks on the others face's, it seemed they were thinking the 
same thing.

Kaoru raised herself slightly as saw the blood on Kenshin's chest and 
hakama, "G..gomen.. I stained your clothes..."

Kenshin shook his head, "They can be cleaned.  Are you alright de 
gozaru ka?"

Kaoru frowned, "I.. I feel fine now.  It only lasted a moment..."

"Jou-chan..." Sano said wearily.

Kaoru smiled weakly, "Really, I'm being honest.  I don't hurt at all. 
 I'm just tired.  Maybe it was heat stroke, I .. I think I'm going to 
go rest. "

Yahiko was first to offer her help and she smiled as she took his arm 
to go to her room.

"Arigatou, Yahiko-chan," she grinned.

Much to her surprise, he didn't even get upset at the �-chan' remark 
and they walked to Kaoru's room in silence.

As soon as they were out of hearing range Kenshin looked seriously 
toward Sanosuke, "Get Megumi-dono."

Sano didn't have to be asked twice as he was already half-way out of 
the door.

**********************

The cloaked woman laughed maliciously and counted up the rest of the 
fibers on the rope.

"Ten..." she spoke and looked away from her sphere.

"Ten more days, Kamiya Kaoru has to live."

**********************






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