Chapter 13: Knight of illusions

How long had he been waiting for this day? How long had he been planning and scheming so that the woman in his arms right now would be his? How long had it taken him since the day he laid his eyes on her under the sakura trees as it bloomed? Tonight she would know the whole truth after he had his fun with her. He truly did not wish to make her his wife. That would mean she would be the next leader of The White Dragons. No! He would have her like he always wanted to and then he would get rid of her. It will be a long and fun night.

Thank goodness his plans had succeeded. Battousai would be running after the wrong man while he taste the forbidden fruit infront of him. She was a tease, he noted as he blended into the night and made his way to Arashi's house. That old man wanted to see Kaoru first. After that, Illusion was given the permission to do as he liked.

Permission! Hah!

Like he actually needed the old man's permission. After tonight, the heir of the yakuza and Arashi Sawamura would be dead and he would be the next leader. It had been so simple to take care of Saito. The old man was loosing his touch. A simple poison that took its time to work was all Illusion needed. Everyday, without fail he poured a small amount of poison. So small and undetected that when Saito died, no one suspected foul play. The Mibu Wolf was not a man Illusion was worried about so he didn't mind that man taking over the old man's place. For now.

Grinning at the once struggling bundle in his arms Illusion slipped into a dark room in the house. It was so quiet. He smiled at his own plan. Tonight he had arranged for Kumiko to stay over at a friend's house so that the night would pass without a hitch. Most of Arashi's henchmen were at the Kamiya Dojo leaving only one or two for him to take care of when he decided to kill the old man.

Kaoru glared at the man carrying her. He looked so much like Shuichi that it was scary but deep inside, she knew that he wasn't Shuichi. This would explain why Misao thought Shuichi is the one who attacked her. Kaoru was convinced that this guy was an enemy mainly because of the tattoo on his arm. The twisted journey had given her time to think and clear her head. She needed to get away from here. If this man wanted to kill her, she was sure he would have done that the first opportunity he got which was in the dojo. Since he brought her here, he was not going to kill her first. Fear filled her heart but she kept her face free of emotions.

She had no idea where she was and the pain in her body had receded giving her a chance to think of an escape plan. Whoever this guy was he was holding her so tightly so that she doesn't escape. Although he grip on her right arm had slackened a bit, he held the rest of her body tightly making it harder for Kaoru to escape. Her only chance was to get away when he sets her down.

Illusion dropped Kaoru unceremoniously on a futon, which was laid out on the floor. Squatting down, he tied her hands behind her back and her legs tightly. Deciding against gagging her, he simply walked out of the door leaving her alone in the room. He needed to get the old man to see her before he could do anything. Arashi needs to know the only reliable one in his team was Illusion.

Misao gritted her teeth against the pain as she slowly made her way to Kamiya dojo. A nagging fear left her feeling restless and she just felt as though it was important for her to head towards the dojo. Just as she limped past the doctor's house, she felt a strong ki and hid in shadows only to see Kaoru being carried away by the same man who attacked her that night. Knowing she wasn't in any condition to save her friend and something was wrong if no one was going after Kaoru, Misao quicken her pace.

Cursing at the sight of the white smoke emitted from the dojo, she realised no one would be able to go after Kaoru just yet. The smoke was too thick and the Kenshin-gumi was most probably holding back from hitting one of their own. Just then, she heard a gasp and turned to see young Tsubame with a young man standing beside her. Grinning, Misao instantly thought of a plan.

"Tsubame-chan!"

Tsubame turned to Misao and hurried towards her. She was just coming back when the sight of the dojo puzzled her.

"Misao-san, what's going on?"

"I need you and your friend here to do me a favour, Tsubame-chan. I need you to help me put out the fire as soon as you can."

"But how...?"

The young man spoke up. "The well. I am sure that can help us."

Misao nodded. "You have to hurry."

The youngsters nodded as they rushed away. Misao leaned against the wall, tired. She could feel the strain of the trip on her weak body but refused to give in. She was probably Kaoru's last chance.

"Well, well, well...look what we have here. An unfinished business."

Misao turned to face the man but didn't recognize him with the mask on his face but she sensed trouble. Cursing silently, she wondered if her kunai throwing skills were good under the circumstances. Well, it would not hurt to try.

The masked assailant disappeared only to appear inches away from her. He brought down his sword with enough pressure that if Misao had not rolled away, she would have died with a single stroke. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she tried to get up but fell back down. Her eyes widen as he attacked once more and closed it immediately as her attacker came nearer.

Darn it! This can't be the end.

She waited for the sword to end her life but instead felt a pair of warm arms lifting her frail body. Misao opened her eyes in time to see a sword some down to end her attacker's life. Turning her head, her eyes clashed with deep gold ones.

"Saito..."

"Hmmp... what are you doing here instead of at the clinic, weasel-girl?" Saito asked as he placed her gently on the ground. Misao looked at him...stunned before gathering her scattered mind.

"Kaoru!"

"What?"

"I saw the guy that attacked me run off with Kaoru in that direction!" Misao yelled as she pointed towards the doctor's house.

Cursing, Saito contemplated what to do when the smoke cleared from the dojo grounds. An idea came to him as he watched Misao.

"Let Battousai take care of him. I'll take care of this pathetic mess."

He carried her carefully as he jumped into the compound in time to see the Kenshin-gumi fighting back more efficiently. As much as he would like to tease them, Kaoru was the main priority. Just then, he noticed an absence and smirked. Maybe Kenshin wasn't really needed after all.

The Kenshin-gumi cursed inwardly as the white smoke stopped them from going all out. Sano had to take care of Megumi and Yahiko while Kenshin and Aoshi fought in the middle of the yard. Even then, Kenshin did not dare to give it his all in case Kaoru might be caught up in his attack. Angrily, he tried hard to keep the hitokiri in him in place as he fought against the never-ending men around them. Speaking of which, he couldn't focus his ki with all these distractions to pinpoint her.

Just then, water splashed across the yard and the white smoke thinned. Kenshin felt grateful as he could see his enemies and friends better. Instantly, his attacks got faster and many more bodies dropped around them and came to a halt.

"Duck, Himura!"

The familiar voice had Kenshin turning before he quickly lowered his head as a kunai whizzed passed him and pinned a man in the bushes. He could not throw any more smoke bombs. Kenshin looked up to see Misao in Saito's arm.

So did everyone else.

Aoshi's heart nearly stopped at the sight of Misao in Saito's arms but his face did not betray any emotion. He looked coolly at them and watched as Saito carefully placed Misao down. She held on to him for stability and tried hard not to look at Aoshi. Just then, the shouts of Tsubame and her friend caused everyone to turn.

"Tsubame!"

"Misao-san, we did it!" The young girl cried out excitedly.

"Thank you, Tsubame-chan," Kenshin said gratefully as he noticed a very tense and angry ki radiating from the house. Without turning, he knew that it was Yahiko. They all had seen that boy with Tsubame in Akabeko but had no idea who he was.

"Tsubame, who is that boy?" Sano asked curiously as he kept a firm hold on Yahiko's gi. Tsubame looked at her companion in confusion and wondered what to say when Misao butted in.

"Hey! There's more pressing issues here!" Misao yelled painfully. Megumi instantly took note of her healing body and rushed towards her but Misao held out a hand to stop her.

"Missing somebody?" she hinted as she panted for air. The whole ordeal was exhausting and she barely could breath. Kenshin was the first to notice as a quick glance confirmed his worst nightmares.

"Where's Kaoru?"

They all took a quick look and Sano cursed openly. "Darn it! Haname is gone too!"

"Kenshin..."

The golden-eyed man infront of them caused most of them to back up. Misao gulped nervously. "I saw him taking her. They were going along Gensai-sensei's place."

With a blink of an eye, Kenshin disappeared.

"Well...what are we going to do now?" Sano asked rubbing a hand behind his head. Yahiko had quieted down and the lawn was filled with unconscious bodies. Saito took out a cigarette and lit it. Taking a long deep breath, he blew out the smoke. "We have got bodies to clean up. You don't want tanuki to return to such a mess now, do you?"

Aoshi took the hint just as soon as Megumi did. "You know something about Kaoru-san, don't you? You know who is after her and why."

Saito nodded after blowing out another smoke.

"I know."

"She is here."

Arashi looked up at the handsome man before him. A man after his own heart. He wanted to laugh loud thinking about that. Illusion had played the game so good so far. Finally, he can lay his eyes on Naoko's daughter. A child that would have been and should have been his! Arashi nodded and stood up. He followed Illusion to his room. Victory songs filled his heart. This was the final bloodline of Obihiro. This would be his ultimate victory. By leaving the baby boy in the middle of the night in front of an abandoned house, it was a guarantee that that boy would be dead. By killing Kaoru, he would be the ultimate master and finally reign supreme!

Excitement filled him as Illusion pushed the shoji open loudly and Arashi walked in. As the light hit her features, Kaoru turned towards the doorway to see the man of her nightmares.

He stood, stunned. She was so much like her mother that he could barely breath. She was so beautiful. So exotic. Inheriting her father's dark mane, Kaoru black hair, untied fell to her waist. It was so thick and looked soft and smooth. Like silk. Her soft smooth ivory skin reminded him of her mother's. Her lips were parted and although free from any make-up, it looked smooth and slightly pink. His eyes trailed a feature he knew and dreamed of for a long time.

Kaoru's bright blue eyes clashed with his and both took deep breaths for different reasons. Kaoru knew it was him. The man in her nightmares.

"So alike..." Arashi muttered as he approached her. Kaoru tried hard to move behind with every step he took.

"I know you...I know you! You are the one who raped her!" Kaoru lashed out trying in vain to get away. Arashi stopped at her accusation. He shook his head.

"I knew you saw us that day. That was one of the reasons I had to make sure you were dead. Though admittedly I was also hoping that together with your memory loss you would not be able to remember me, Kaoru-chan," Arashi said, his voice fond as he stroked Kaoru's cheek. Kaoru turned away. "Don't touch me, you leech!" Kaoru yelled, pulling away. A thought struck her head.

Memory loss?

"Your mother said the same thing when I forced myself on her. But don't worry; I don't have the intention to sleep with you. I just want you dead. It was nice seeing you, Kaoru-chan." Arashi got up and left with a nod at Illusion. He would know what to do.

My mother? That woman was my mother?

Kaoru felt like a stone had been placed on her heart making it harder to breath. What did he mean? That woman in her dreams was her mother? That...that can't be possible! What the hell is going on around her?

Illusion walked slowly towards Kaoru, anticipation exciting him. He watched her beautiful body struggling on his futon, tied up like a gift to him. Kaoru looked up and glared at him. "Who are you? I know that although you look like Shuichi, you are not him! So who are you?" she demanded.

Illusion laughed. "Do you know that we are related, Kaoru?"

Kaoru snorted. "As if. There is no way I am related to a man like you. You make me sick. Who are you?"

"My real name?" Illusion asked with an evil grin. "Why don't we stick to what your friends believe? After all, to them Shuichi Haname is the one to be blamed."

"But he is innocent. He did not do the those vile things they accused him of." Kaoru stared at him; the need to know was a strong desire.

"Vile? My dear darling, those acts was a chance...a pathway for me to have you. Do you really think you are so innocent being a...yakuza leader's daughter?" Illusion asked circling Kaoru as his hands worked on her obi. Kaoru's struggles instantly died.

"What are you talking about? I am not a yakuza leader's daughter. How dare you accuse my father as a...yakuza? He was a kendo instructor." Kaoru struggled harder but the pressure he applied on her arm caused her to back down and cry out in pain. Illusion laughed. Placing a kiss on her exposed shoulder, he stood in front of her. Walking to a nearby table, he took a cloth and started cleaning his face. Then, he snapped his fingers and smoke covered him.

Kaoru only could stare in shook as finally a man emerged from the smoke. A very handsome yet evil looking man. His black eyes stared in amusement at Kaoru.

"I am known as Illusion for a simple fact. I can make people think what I want them to think. Just like I made your friends belief that I was Haname. However, you still managed to know that we are two different men. How very impressive, Kaoru-chan. I suppose now you want to know my name."

She only stared so he came closer and lifted her chin. "It's Hideo."

Before Kaoru could say anything, he kissed her. Long and hard. She was stunned for a moment before fighting back but he refused to let her go. Finally, Kaoru bit him and he pulled away before slapping her.

"How dare you, you wench! You will pay for that!" Instantly he slapped Kaoru again across her face until blood seeped onto her lip. However Kaoru did not react knowing full well what a man was capable of when he is angry. Instead, she tried backing away hoping someone would come for her.

Kenshin...

Even now her thoughts were filled by him. Kaoru felt as though fate was playing a cruel game with her by making her choose between two men she had come to love and care for even if one of them had hurt her deeply. Unfortunately, now was not the time for her to contemplate such thoughts except for thinking how to escape the madman in front of her. Hideo had planned everything so well so she expected that there was a reason to this...something he would gain. What would he get by killing her?

"What do you want from me? Even if you kill me, it is not as though you would be...in power?" Kaoru asked trying to buy time as well as figuring a way out of this mess. Hideo only watched her before shrugging his shoulders non-committed. It doesn't matter if he told her anyway. "Simple, really. That old idiot thinks he has it all under control. After I am done with you, I can easily get rid of him. I have already got rid of both his favourite students. They do pose some threat after all," he replied without a care as he grabbed her chin.

Kaoru only looked up at him defiantly but the slight tremble of her lips and the tinge of fear in her eyes made it all to clear that she was frightened. This was not how she envisioned things to go for her. Suddenly, she wished she had given Kenshin, Sano and Yahiko another chance. A proper chance. She loved them. For the life of her, she loved and cared for them. As much as she was angry with her friends, they were her family and always had been. She just couldn't hate them for betraying her like that. Especially not when they had come back for caring and worrying about her. Even though they did go overboard by trying to make Shuichi look like a villain. She had been angry but couldn't hate them.

In one smooth move, Hideo pinned her to the futon. With her hands tied behind her and the weight of both their bodies on her still healing arm, Kaoru let out a shriek of pain, which was cut off by his rough kiss. Tears trailed the sides of her face as she struggled against him. Just when she expected that this was the end for her, Hideo's weight lifted from her body and she was pulled up.

Kaoru took deep breaths before turning to face her saviour. Her heart nearly burst with relief and joy at seeing him there.

"Shuichi..."

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his eyes never leaving Hideo who just stood up and dusted the back of his pants. Kaoru nodded when Shuichi just lifted his sword. With two graceful swings, both the ties of her hands and feet were cut loose. Rubbing her sore arm, she watched in horror as he stood to face Hideo.

"Leave at once, hime-chan. This might take a while." It was a clear order and Kaoru knew it was foolish to disobey it but fear for him kept her standing rooted at her spot.

"You can try to leave, Kaoru darling but let me assure you, you won't get far," Hideo said with a knowing, confident grin. He took out a sword and pulled it out from its sheath. With a cat-like grin, he stood facing Shuichi. "I have always envied you for grabbing her attention but seriously, Haname, how could you resist her body?"

The coarseness of his words and its implications set Shuichi on edge. This was a woman he loved beyond reason and lust. It wasn't her body that caught his child attention but her soul. She was the reason he gave up his life and joined the yakuza. He wanted to be by her side then and he was willing to protect her from this lunatic now.

"Go."

Kaoru shook her head. "Not without you, Shuichi. I can't leave without you." He cursed softly but didn't have the time to say a word as Hideo's sword came down upon him. Growling, he blocked his attack and launched one of his own. The two men struggled with each other, enjoying the feeling of a good fight. Yet the triumph on Hideo's face as he cut a clean line on Shuichi's shoulder made the latter worried. Just a cut shouldn't make a man smug. However, he realised why.

As understanding dawned on him, Shuichi twisted his body and launched an attack from above. The sudden move surprised Hideo and he slumped unconscious as Shuichi's hilt struck his head. Instantly, Shuichi grabbed Kaoru's good arm and made a run for it.

Kaoru only watched the fight with admiration and fear. The anticipations kept the blood rushing through her veins. They were both good. Much better than her in so many levels that it was frightening. She knew she could not handle Hideo in a one-to-one match. However, even she sensed that something was bothering Shuichi and gasped as he suddenly pulled her away.

"Why are we running?" she asked as he pulled her away from the house. Shuichi didn't say anything at first but dashed forward.

"We have got to get away. If more arrive, I won't be able to handle it. Worse, if he wakes up when there are reinforcements, we are doomed."

"But...why?"

"Kaoru...I have been poisoned." The simple sentence made her pale instantly and she nearly stopped but he tugged hard on her hand forcing her to follow him. "But if we keep running, the poison will travel faster in your veins. We have to stop!"

"It's too late for that. My priority is you. I have to get you to Saito-san as soon as possible. I cannot fight him in this state. Not with you nearby. It is dangerous." Kaoru didn't know what to say. It was dangerous for him to fight Hideo in that state whether or not she was around. "Shuichi..."

"You are an important person," Shuichi said as they ran. He wondered if it was proper telling her the truth now but realised she most probably had a hundred questions with no answers after tonight. He has to tell her. There is no point keeping the truth from her now. "Your father isn't Kamiya Koshijiro as you thought but Obihiro-sama, a leader of the yakuza I am involved with. The White Dragons. You are his only daughter."

Kaoru felt her body turn cold as she heard him speak. That was not true. She shook her head; tears running freely down her face. That was just a lie Hideo told to shake her. "You are lying..." He heard her tears and sensed her confusion. He wanted nothing more than to hold her and comfort her at that moment. "I have so much to tell you but if I don't make it, my father will give you a gift I bought for you some time back. You can ask him about me." Coughing suddenly, he stopped to take a breath. Forgetting her confusion, Kaoru rubbed his back in fear. "Shuichi...you are in a bad condition..."

"Forget about me...go!" he urged but before Kaoru could say another word, laughter made them turn behind. This time shivers of fear traveled up her spine. Kaoru felt Shuichi pushing her behind him as he stood up. Knowing for his sake rather than her own that she had to leave, Kaoru turned and ran hoping to bump into Saito.

"Not so fast, my pretty," Hideo cried out as he made after her but Shuichi stopped him at once. "You have to get past me first." With a battle cry, Hideo attacked Shuichi who refused to give up. Kaoru stopped and turned to see both of them fighting and realised that unlike before, Shuichi wasn't holding back this time. He gave the fight his all and Hideo was having a hard time.

"Darn you, Haname! I will kill you and that girl if that's the last thing I will do!" Shuichi growled. "It will not be!" With a speed that would have matched Kenshin's he flipped his sword and slashed through Hideo. Hideo went down with a thud. Shuichi looked up and saw Kaoru staring at him in both fear and relief. Tears streaming down her face, she ran to him. He smiled then, a happy smile. It was all finally over. He reached out a hand towards her when his eyes suddenly went wide and he slumped to the ground.

Kaoru stopped instantly as Shuichi's body fell down, blood splashing from his back. The relief at seeing him was replaced by horror and she was about to go to him when a familiar face stared at her.

"Oh my God, oh no!" It can't be happening! It just can't!

Arashi stood over Shuichi's body and approached Kaoru with a predatory glint in his eyes. She backed away. Would this night ever end, she wondered and her eyes flew to Shuichi. She prayed that he wasn't dead. She looked up at Arashi and he stared at her.

"Why?" her voice had lost its strength and she felt weak and useless. He only looked at her coldly. "I wanted power and I wanted your mother. When I can't have something, no one can." She didn't understand his logic and didn't care to. "You killed him..." she couldn't belief it. She just couldn't. "What did I ever do to you? Why do want to kill me? Why?" Kaoru cried out.

With a swift move, he hit her hard enough for her to be lifted of the ground and hit her head on the wall. Kaoru groaned, trying hard to focus. She saw Arashi glance in distaste at Hideo. "Useless bum. I gave him a simple job and he screws it. Kids now a days have no class." He turned his attention on her as she struggled to her feet. "You have your father's determination. I am not surprised. That stupid determination factor runs in our family. Its too bad I have to kill my own next of kin." That comment surprised her more than ever. Hideo wasn't kidding. They were related but how come...Who is she? Nothing seems to make any sense!

Arashi flipped his sword and stood over Kaoru. He threw the sheath carelessly on the ground. "Let's finish this. I don't want to see your face anymore." With a great force, he flung his sword down. Instead of hitting her, he heard a crack and saw Kaoru nursing her arm, his sword being blocked by the sheath. Laughing at the irony of it, he smiled at her. "At least you didn't underestimate me like that idiot. He thinks I am 60 instead of over 40." He shook his head in amusement at that thought. Realising that even now her blue eyes reminded him of his lost love, Arashi took a deep breath and hit the side of Kaoru's head.

People say that at the brink of death, your past will catch up on you. Just as Kaoru fell unconscious, images filled her mind. Images of a pretty brown-haired woman holding her tightly and laughing and of a handsome man with dark hair playfully tickling her. She knew now that they were her parents. Images of the man she had thought of as her father, teaching her to wield the sword as her mother and father stood and watched her. Just as she thought she was loosing it, an image of Shuichi appeared in her mind. He stood there, standing as he smiled at young Kaoru with a flower in his hands; he tugged it behind her ear affectionately. So...she had always known him. She had not managed to tell him that she cared.

Was this the end for her? Kaoru wondered at the brink of unconsciousness. Just as she felt her eyelids coming to a close, she saw a figure blocking Arashi's sword.

The only last thing she saw was dark hair.

Then, she was clothed in darkness.

Kenshin ran, following the route Misao pointed out. Fear of loosing Kaoru nearly sent him to the brink of insanity. Feeling her ki moving away from the original direction, he quicken his pace only to be blocked by a black figure emerging from the dark.

"I can't let you pass, Battousai. Your journey ends here." Ice stood his ground knowing full well his family was in danger if he did not keep Battousai away from Kaoru and Illusion. Kenshin growled menacingly, his eyes a molten gold. "Move, or you will regret it." Ice refused. Taking out his sword, Kenshin instantly fought with that guy with one goal; to reach Kaoru as quickly as possible.

Kenshin didn't know what it was. He was sure that he could easily beat Ice but that man had one too many tricks up his shoulders. He was a ninja. Kenshin was sure of that. Perhaps Aoshi would have more fun with this man but Kenshin knew he did not have time to play around. Kaoru was in trouble and he needed to find her. Cursing his luck as his opponent's ki suddenly disappeared along with him, he forced himself to focus and caught Ice as the man tried to attack him from behind.

Just as he blocked the attack, a strong ki passed him. A figure of a man he had not laid eyes on for quite some time turn to smile at him.

"Don't worry about Kaoru, Himura. I'll take care of her."

Kenshin stared for a moment before turning back to his fight. His mind reeled with questions. What the hell was this guy doing here?

Arashi saw her eyes close after he hit the side of her head. He didn't like to see the blue eyes staring at him as he was about to kill her. Feeling better now, he swung his sword down to finish the deed only for it to be blocked. Shocked, he stared at the dark-haired man in front of him.

Before Arashi Sawamura could utter a single word, he felt the young man's sword penetrate his body. Blood spurted out and he fell. Dead.

Slowly, the young man bent over Kaoru and searched for a pulse. There was one but it was very weak. Sighing in relief, he took deep breaths to calm his frantically beating heart. Never in his life did he want something so much and he knew that if he had arrived just a second later, she would have slipped from his grasp. As it is, blood from her head wound was trickling down and soaking her kimono. Her arm looked broken and she was barely breathing. The young man tore the sleeve of his gi and tied it around her head wound to stop the bleeding. There were two wounds and the first was deeper and more fatal. He gently carried her and turned to find Kenshin running towards them but stopping at Shuichi's body.

"Himura-san, is he alive?"

Kenshin nodded. He did not have any intention to kill Ice after the man in front of him had gone after Kaoru. She lay in the young man's arms looking so white that for a moment he was afraid he was too late. He immediately noticed the make shift bandage on her head. As he reached for her, the man pulled back. Instead, he indicated for Kenshin to take a look at Shuichi. Reluctantly, he looked at Shuichi's body and bent over to search for a pulse. It was barely there. The man had bled so much. Turning his gaze, he saw Arashi's lifeless body as well as that of another man. His eyes were a solid gold, rage clearly in them but he tried hard to control his fury.

"We have to get them to the hospital. I'll bring Kaoru. You can handle him," the young man said as he walked past Kenshin. Full of questions yet understanding the weight of the matter, he nodded.

Kenshin picked up Shuichi's body with some effort. He looked at the young man curiously.

"Tell me. What are you doing here?

Tell me...

...Soujiro."