A.N. I know it has been a while, but I am not dead! I'm swamped with school work and personal matters, but writing has always been my way to escape reality, and at the moment – that's what I desperately need. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Twenty One

Kaoru felt as if her world was ripping at the seams, again. Her own beloved brothers had lied to her; repeatedly in fact. She didn't know who to trust anymore. She didn't know what to believe. What else had been lies? Where else had she been betrayed? She felt as if the walls of her room were closing in on her, and knew that she had to leave this place - immediately.

Her gaze focused in on a large balcony window, and she let out a sigh.

"I'm sorry, Nii-chan, Eni-kun," she said softly as she changed into a more suitable outfit of casual jeans and a snug knit top.

Gripping the railing of the balcony Kaoru deftly tied a knot with her bed sheets and tossed the expanse of fabric over the side, effectively making a make-shift rope.

She was cautious as she went down, but she had felt a rush while doing. She felt free at last. She didn't have to rely on Kenshin anymore. She didn't have to rely on her brothers. She, for once, was no longer a burden to any of the people she loved.

Knowing that both Soujiro and Enishi would be quick to catch on about her disappearance she swiftly began to run, relishing the feel of the wind against her creamy skin.

Unknown to her though, a pair of crazed eyes watch her from afar, a wild smile gracing his lips as he watched her escape her haven.

"Run, little bird, make it interesting," the man sang out mockingly as he began his hunt…

With Kenshin

His thoughts were jumbled. All those years, he had always believed that he had wanted to be with Tomoe. He had thought that she was the love of his life, but after that meeting he knew he had truly made the wrong decision. All those years, he had had the perfect woman standing by him, and he had shunned her like she was nothing more than the filth beneath his shoe.

"Kaoru," he murmured softly, letting her name roll off his tongue with ease. Closing his eyes he could easily picture her small petite form against his. Her soft feminine curves to match with his own muscular physique, and he let out a rugged sigh.

His little fantasy was interrupted as Aoshi stormed into his inner office with an urgent look not common on the stoic man.

"What is it, Shinomori?" Kenshin snapped angrily, not sparing a glance.

"Yukishiro has been seen in contact with Jin-e," Aoshi informed, his voice was low. He knew that his employer would figure out what he had meant instantly.

Kenshin didn't reply back, but Aoshi caught his small movements of rage. His hands had tightened instantly into fists so tight; his knuckles appeared to be snow white.

"Bring her in, Shinomori," Kenshin ordered, his voice well contained but Aoshi could hear the underlying fury with ease, "Immediately, and see to Jin-e. Discreetly, of course."

He merely nodded.

"Aoshi, have you found the six perpetrators?"

Aoshi hesitated slightly.

"Yukishiro's involvement in the incident has been confirmed. I've found 3 of the perpetrators. They claim they have no idea of the whereabouts of the others."

"Tomoe was involved?" Kenshin asked, but he knew it was a stupid question. It was obvious that Tomoe had been the mastermind behind it all. He felt as if he were the biggest fool ever. He had been denying that fact just because of his memories of her, the memories where she had been the innocent kind-hearted beauty. Though the shock at discovering this bit of information didn't lessen his fury any bit.

"I want to speak to the three personally," Kenshin ordered, rising up from his desk swiftly.

"They're in the detention center," Aoshi stated simply before turning back to complete his prior order.

At the Kamiya Mansion

Shishio had arrived at the house and been informed of the current situation.

Enishi was able to convince Soujiro that he should be the one to speak to Kaoru first. She was obviously distraught over the news about her father, but he was sure that once she understood the intention behind their deceit she would forgive them. Kaoru was never one to hold grudges, and he could only hope that that would apply in this case.

His heart still ached at the memory of the look she had shot at him after she had found the folder. It was one of pure betrayal, and he really couldn't blame her.

"Kao-chan?" Enishi ventured, knocking the smooth maple wood of her bedroom door softly, "It's me."

There was no reply, and Enishi let out a sigh.

"Shishio-sama has arrived, and wishes to speak to you,"

He tried again, but had the same result. Pressing his ear against the door he could make out no sounds of sobbing or crying which was a relatively good sign. As he continued to listen he could make out a soft creaking noise.

Brows furrowing slightly, Enishi announced loudly that he was coming in.

"Kaoru?" Enishi called out as he glanced around the empty room. His eyes widened in horror as he spotted the knotted bed sheets hanging from the large balcony window whose doors were creaking slightly due to the moderate breezes. Rushing over to it Enishi glanced down at the three story drop and quickly drew conclusions as to what had happened.

Pulling out his cell phone, Enishi deftly dialed Soujiro's number.

"She's gone," Enishi said, anxiety lacing his voice.

"WHAT?!?" Soujiro's yelled in an uncharacteristic manner, "Crap, this is bad, Enishi. Shishio just informed me; one of our guys has seen Yukishiro in contact with Jin-e…."

Enishi dropped his phone in horror.

All that ran through his mind at that moment was Kaoru was in danger – real, mortal, danger, and she had no one to protect her.

"Damn," Enishi let out a string of curses as he quickly rushed down to the study where he was sure Soujiro and Shishio would already be prepping a retrieval team. Kaoru was not only their precious princess, but the heir to Sojishiro-sama's empire. If Jin-e had touched even a strand of hair on her head there would be hell to pay, Enishi vowed silently as he let off a silent prayer for the sapphire eyed girl who had since long ago stolen his heart.

"Be safe, Kaoru," Enishi hoped fervently as he slammed opened the doors to the study where Soujiro and Shishio were waiting with murderous intent in their eyes.

With Kaoru

Kaoru was able to make her way to the road with relative ease. She was certainly surprised that her neither brothers nor Enishi had sent someone after her yet.

"Maybe they've finally thought to give me some space," Kaoru muttered with a frown. She still felt guilty for running out on her brothers. They'd probably be sick with worry when they discovered that she was no longer in her room.

"It's their fault for being such bakas," Kaoru said as she continued to walk along the side of the road.

Lost in her own world, Kaoru didn't notice the lone taxi cab until its fifth honk.

Shaking her head slightly, Kaoru smiled sheepishly.

"What's a pretty young lady doing out here by yourself?" the elderly cab driver asked kindly.

Kaoru only smiled, "I'm not sure myself. I think I'm a tad bit lost."

"Would you like a ride?"

Kaoru grinned, surprised that she had such luck. Normally it'd be impossible to hail a cab so far out in the country, but unfortunately she had no cash on her.

"I'm terribly sorry, sir. But I'm afraid I have no cash on me at the moment."

The taxi cab driver only shook his head.

"I don't mind, I'd be glad to give you a ride for free. It seems you're going through a tough time."

Kaoru smiled brightly, and couldn't believe her luck at finding such a kind hearted man.

"Thank you so much, sir," Kaoru said sincerely, "I'm so grateful for your generosity."

Little did she know what danger she had unknowingly walked into as she accepted the seemingly kind man's generous offer.

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