Here's the low-down. I've been getting stuff about my story being derivative, so here it goes. If my story sounds like it came from somewhere, I didn't intend to copy any of the creative work done by my fellow authors. The fact is I wrote this story thinking and HOPING it would be original ^_^. Anyway, I would also like to say that I wrote this during my pre-Harry Potter days, so J.K. Rowling, please do not kill me. I have to admit that Ms. Ashley Auld's "Heavenly Incarnation" inspired it. That's where I got the idea of magic having an organized government and all that. I hope though, in the deepest recesses of my heart, that I do not turn it into a "Heavenly Incarnations II", although it would be great if Ashley-dono could make one, ne? Wherever you are, Ashley-dono, it would be great if you would take this glaringly obvious hint seriously.

For this chapter, there ain't going to be much action, but there will be lots of, well, I couldn't really say WAFF…maybe somewhere between WAFF and angst. You guys figure it out.

Standard disclaimers apply. "Rurouni Kenshin" (c) Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shuiesha, Shounen Jump, and Sony. I do not own RK, pray as I might, every night, it just wouldn't happen that way. No matter how many candles I light, no matter how many chickens I decapitate…

Kaoru's eyes did not welcome him. They were filled with dismay, tinged with a sense of wishing she were somewhere else, but trying to understanding the meaning behind the look of panic would have to be done at another time. Whether she wanted it or not, he had arrived, and he had to make sure she was safe.

With the golden glow still residing in his gaze, Kenshin went to her and knelt by her side, a growl almost rising in his throat at the sight of her broken body.

Blood trickled from her nose and mouth, and her face was bruised from eye to chin. He could tell one of her arms were broken, and the rasp in her breathing might be an indication that her ribs may be badly broken as well. He couldn't even see the rest of her injuries because she had hastened to cover herself after her initial terror at the sight of him. She managed a bit, but she was in too much pain to do anything more than drape one side of her kimono over her. After that, she stayed still, but her eyes were wide with fear.

He thought maybe her injuries had disoriented her, and that she did not recognize him. "It's me, Kaoru. Don't be frightened." He said in a steady voice. He struggled within himself to call back the rurouni. Battousai's gruff manner, though at this point showing as much tenderness as the hitokiri could muster, could not hope to match the easing presence of Himura Kenshin, the man who did laundry at the Kamiya dojo.

Kaoru's lip trembled then she began to cry, closing her eyes. It was the only part of her that did not hurt when she moved it.

The rurouni was winning. "Hush," he murmured, lowering his body and gently touching his scarred cheek against her bruised one. He did not want to move her just yet, not until he's splinted her arm and seen to her other injuries.

"Kenshin…" she whispered. Things were not quite clear to her. Had she been raped? It had seemed like a dream. A very vivid dream, come to that, and she had felt pain. Should she tell him? If she had been violated, he had every right to know, so that he could decide if he wanted her or not, even if his decision might hurt her, but does she have to tell him now? No. Maybe later. Maybe…

"Hush, dearest." The rurouni had returned. "Just relax. Let me try to fix you," he said gently, wiping the trail of blood from her mouth and nose with his sleeve.

Kenshin rose from the floor and picked up pieces of wood from a nearby pile. Looking around, he found the remnants of her obi. He briefly wondered why it had been so cleanly sliced off. A brief thought caused him to glare and order Battousai to stay down.

"You'll get her back, but maybe after I'm through with her, yes?" The man had said. Had he…?

He shook his head slightly, clearing him mind. They would deal with that later. Right now, Kaoru's in pain.

Skillfully, he used his materials to splint her arm, then every so delicately, he tried to check her ribs. He had seen people being splinted at the body, to avoid further damage.

Kaoru pulled away with an abrupt jerk, holding her clothing about her more tightly, as if to protect herself. She whimpered at the stabbing pain, but she stubbornly refused to be examined.

"Please, love," Kenshin said tenderly. "I can't make you comfortable if I don't know what hurts."

"P-Please," she whimpered in a weak voice. "J-just take me home, Kenshin. I -- I want to go home." Too much evidence too soon. She could not let him find out just yet.

Kenshin sighed. "Kaoru, I might have to carry you to some extent, at least until I find a carriage," he explained. "Until then…"

She shook her head as vehemently as she could. "I'll stand the pain," she said resolutely. "I just want to LEAVE this place. I -- I can't walk. He…he hit me one too many times on my legs." She almost blushed. She hated being helpless. Too much independence had taught her to rely on herself, but this time, she would have to swallow her pride.

Gold flashed briefly in his eyes again at her words, but for her sake, he struggled for control. He gave in to her plea and gingerly picked her up.

Kaoru bit her lip from the pain, but she said nothing.

It might be a long walk, but Kenshin thought nothing of it.

They met Yahiko and Sano along the riverbank with a hoard of police trailing behind them. The faint smell of cigarette smoke told Kenshin and Kaoru that Saitoh was abroad.

Sano was the first to spot them. "God! We've been looking forever! Where did you find her?"

"In a shanty, not very far away," Kenshin replied in a weary voice. He had been surprised at the short distance he had walked. Hours had passed since he had begun looking for her. He should have been halfway to Kyoto by the time he located her, and yet here they were, minutes from the Kamiya dojo. Apparently, whatever illusion had gotten him had gotten the whole police force as well.

"Kaoru!" Yahiko exclaimed in seeing her pitiful state.

Sano looked her over and his face crumpled. "Oh, Jou-chan…" he said with uncharacteristic tenderness.

Kaoru could not smile, even for the benefit of the others. There was too much…shame. Silently, she hid her face in the folds of Kenshin's gi.

Sano noticed the color of amber flash faintly in Kenshin's eyes. It was only momentary, but he understood Kenshin's rage. However Kaoru looked now, she must have been worse when he first found her.

"Sano, Kaoru needs a carriage," Kenshin said softly.

"Kamiya-san has a carriage," said an all too familiar voice in a billow of smoke. His smoke hit Sano and Yahiko's perimeter of air while he signaled his men to bring over the transport.

Sano and Yahiko coughed and complained in unison. "Hey!"

"Thank you, Saitoh," Kenshin said as the sound of hoof beats grew louder.

The carriage halted near them and Yahiko scrambled to open the door for Kenshin and Kaoru.

Kenshin stepped in and gently laid Kaoru on the cushioned seat.

Her eyes remained downcast, but her grip on the collar of his gi tightened. "D-don't leave me with him," she pleaded, her eyes briefly glancing at Saitoh then back to her hand. She cannot look Kenshin in the eyes. At this point, she only trusted three men. Kenshin, Sano and Yahiko. The rest are as capable of ravishing her as Desuke might have.

Kenshin could not understand her fear, but he nodded. "Just a moment, Kaoru. I must speak to Saitoh. I'll call Sano and Yahiko over."

She nodded and let him go. With one flick of Kenshin's head, Sano and Yahiko were by Kaoru's side in seconds. Kenshin stepped out of the coach moments after.

The young boy sat steadfastly on guard at the door of the carriage and Sano sat by her to comfort her as best he could.

"You're going to be all right, Jou-chan," Sano said, stroking her head tenderly, his brotherly affection growing at the sight of her so battered.

"I don't think so, Sano," she whimpered.

Sano was slightly shocked by her response. Was he hearing this from Kaoru? What happened to the forever optimistic, bright and shiny Jou-chan he knew and loved? "Jou-chan, don’t say that…"

"I-I'm sorry, Sano," she said, burying her face in her hand. "But you don't know what he did to me. You just don't know…"

Sano swallowed a lump in his throat, but he continued to comfort her. What could be that bad, Kaoru?

Kenshin described Kaoru's kidnapper to Saitoh and where he found her. His eyes regained their feral gaze as he spoke, and his face had become expressionless. He wasn't sure if it was Saitoh's presence combined with his testimony that brought it on, but somehow, through the course of their discussion, he had lost a great measure of control.

Saitoh nodded when Kenshin's version of the events was fully revealed. "So you found her, as usual," said the police officer.

"Yes, as usual," Kenshin said, the sarcastic tone in his voice implying that he always did a better job than the police. Battousai was never as polite as the rurouni.

"What was she like when you found her?" Saitoh asked.

"Bruised. Battered," Kenshin replied icily.

"Raped?" Saitoh suddenly interjected.

A dangerous leer crossed Kenshin's face. "I couldn't tell," he growled. It was almost a lie. There were…indications, but he wasn't about to volunteer that to Saitoh.

"Let me know when you find out," Saitoh said, puffing at his cigarette.

"I'll do no such thing, Saitoh," Kensin said, annoyed. "Whatever Kaoru experienced back there, it has to come from her. Understand?"

Saitoh shrugged. "Whatever. I really should be asking her question now, but I'm fairly certain you won't let me, and I am in no mood to fight you at this late hour. I'll come by when she's better. Maybe tomorrow."

Kenshin swore. Inconsiderate bastard!

"Well?" Janek Malfid asked Nania Faye expectantly.

Nania tapped her finger against the crystal ball thoughtfully. "Smart witch, that Yasanari," she said as she watched the brutal scene in the shanty. "Well, the kidnapping still remains to be the affair of the Walkers, and from what I gather from you, kidnapping isn't exactly enough to put Yasanari away for very long, hmm?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

Janek cleared his throat, turning a bit red. "There isn't really enough evidence to support her masterminding of the crime to begin with. What we have isn't enough to even arrest her, and you know how we are not suppose to consider Seeing Spheres as reliable evidence. It's too easy to fake. I'll need more to have a case on her."

Nania suppressed a smile. "In your own time, Janek, but the potion and the, well, delicate surgery certainly warrants a revelation. Can't help her with the potion though. Looks like a False Memory brew. That info might help when you consult with the DWA."

Janek sighed in relief. "Thank you, Nania! Thank you!"

Nania finally let go of the smile she had been trying to hold back. "I'll serve the revelation myself. She is, after all, an Elemental Mage."

Megumi spoke a litany of Kaoru's injuries: Broken ribs…broken arm…cracked shoulder blade…fractured shins…bruises all over…scratched and bleeding…

Kenshin could barely listen. It was too horrible. Who would do such a thing to a sweet and kind woman like Kaoru? Even Enishi had given her the treatment she deserved.

"And…Ken-san…" Megumi said, her eyes suddenly filling. "There's something else…"

Kenshin's attention perked in response. "What?"

In a sudden burst of despair, Megumi began to cry in her hands.

"Megumi!" Yahiko gasped, wondering about what could be so horrible that the great Megumi-sensei would succumb to emotions.

"Hey! Get a grip, fox-lady!" Sano scolded brutally. "If there's something wrong with Jou-chan that you can't fix--"

Megumi's palm connected with Sano's cheek with a loud crack. "Shut up, Sano!" she cried angrily. "Just shut-up! How dare you…you can't possibly…" She fell to crying again, even harder than a while ago.

Sano stared in astonishment, silenced by her outburst and the broken words hampered by her sobbing. It spoke more eloquently than any rebuke he had dealt her.

Kenshin was now thoroughly alarmed. He wanted to grab Megumi by her shoulders and shake it out of her, but he surmised that it would only make the situation worse, so he kept his peace.

After a prolonged silence, disturbed only by Megumi's whimpers, she finally composed herself enough to speak again. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "There were…lacerations on her…damn!" she swore, frustrated by her own lack of strength. "Ken-san…I think…she may have been…raped."

Yahiko sank to his knees in a sudden wave of weakness.

Sano, for once, did not have the sense to curse. His jaw dropped and he curled a fist menacingly.

Kenshin simply looked at Megumi, his eyes flashing amber and filling with unstoppable tears.

"N-Not Kaoru!" Yahiko said with conviction. "There must be some mistake…"

Megumi shook her head. "Oh, I've never wanted to be so wrong in my entire life! But the indications…"

"I hate you!" Yahiko yelled at Megumi. He sprang to his feet and ran out of the dojo.

"Yahiko!" Sano cried a bit angrily.

"It's alright, Sano," Megumi said in a calm voice. "Let him deal with it his way. We have bigger problems."

"Jou-chan," he responded, a teardrop rolling down his face. For a person like Sano, that was a complete release of emotion. An ex-gangster like him shouldn't cry, but God, this time, he couldn't help it. This was his Jou-chan they were talking about. "Kenshin?"

Kenshin said nothing. He simply walked to Kaoru's room and closed himself in before he faced her.

She was not asleep. Clean and bandaged, she stared at the ceiling with an expressionless look in her eyes.

"Kaoru…" he called out to her in a soft voice.

Instead of looking at him, she turned her face away. That was her only response.

Unable to contain himself, he fell to his knees beside her, clutched her hand in both of his and lowered his face over it. He was silent at first, and it almost seemed as if that was all he was going to do, but a few seconds later, Kaoru felt something wet dripping on her fingers. Once in a while, he would let out a strangled sob.

They stayed that way for several minutes until Kaoru stretched out the fingers of her bound and bandaged arm to touch it to his head.

"Kenshin," she began in a quiet voice, refusing to look at him even as his face stayed hidden. "Do you know?"

"Yes," he replied, not leaving the solace of his hands. "Please. I am sorry. So very sorry. This unworthy one did not find you sooner."

"It's not your fault," she said. Perhaps it's mine, she thought sadly. "I tried to stop him, but he was too strong," she continued, as if to explain.

Kenshin lifted his head and observed her apparent refusal to make eye contact with him. "Love, look at me," he pleaded.

She refused by staying still.

"Kaoru, please," he said, gently taking her chin to coax her.

Kaoru turned her head, but her eyes would not meet with his.

Pain crossed his face. "Kaoru, why won't you look at me?" he implored.

"B-Because…I am not worthy of you anymore," she said, almost in a whisper, tears overflowing from her sapphire pools. She hadn't been sure earlier that…it had happened, but when she saw the expression of Megumi's face, the way the doctor's lips had gone ashen when the examination was complete, Kaoru became certain that she hadn't dreamed it. It had been real, and now she had to face Kenshin with it.

Kenshin shook his head while his heart wrenched like never before. Not worthy of me? Kaoru, you've never been more wrong! Was this what she felt when he told her that he wasn't worthy of her? Had he known that it caused her this much pain, he would not have said such things to her so casually. Strange how a turning of the tables can change ones perception so quickly. "Don’t say that!" he said a bit forcefully.

"I'm sorry…"

"Stop," he sighed in slight frustration. "You haven't done anything to apologize for. Kaoru, what happened cannot make you less worthy of anybody, least of all me. You are the most precious person in my life, and I'll be damned if I let anybody else convince me otherwise. Understand?"

She said nothing in response at first, and just when Kenshin thought he should ask her again, she replied in a very weak voice. "I understand."

Kenshin felt her tone pulling at his heart. She did not believe him, but he refused to give it up. He would have to tell her again, next time. Right now, she needed to rest. Carefully, he settled himself beside her and took her hand more comfortably into his. He wanted to put his arms around her, but he did not want to hurt her. "Sleep, love. I'll stay right here."

"Th-Thank you," she said in a whisper.

It hurt him to hear her thanking him. She shouldn't have to. She didn't have to.

This was going to take some time.

"I love you, Kaoru," he said, kissing her shoulder.

She wept.

"That witch is certainly getting her way," Ludlow said in extreme annoyance. "She'll draw out the dragon for sure! The beating was bad enough, but the False Memory of rape? Too much! Much too much!"

Janek gave a slight nod in agreement. "Yes. Overkill, I think, is the right word. And Kaoru being such a kind soul…the poor woman."

"At least the revelation is underway," Ludlow said wearily. "Will her trainer be introduced to her soon?"

"Not exactly," Janek said with a thoughtful look about him. "He'll teach her, but he's not ready to show himself just yet. I think he's holding back for some sort of private joke."

Ludlow gave a grin. "Sounds like him."

"Ludlow?"

"Yes?"

"Any opportunity to meddle yet?" Janek asked.

A frown erased any trace of Ludlow's previous smile. "Not yet. I've been given a surveillance team by the DWA. They're watching out for openings."

"Good, good, because I have an inkling."

Ludlow screwed up his face. "An inkling?" Sometimes his boss can be very odd.

"A hunch," Janek supplemented. "Keep your eye on the doctor. Megumi, isn't it? If she expresses a willingness, she'll be able to help."

Ludlow gave Janek a suspicious look. "What do you have in mind?"

Janek smiled placidly and sat back on his swinging chair. "If things go the way I think it will, this is how we're going to fix it…"

Tea was ready in just a few minutes. Somehow, the water boiled faster than expected. Well, dreams do have a tendency to defy reality, Kaoru thought.

Kaoru smiled sadly. What a strange, strange dream. She shook her head. "Practically nothing. She died when I was very young. I can only remember what she looked like, but the rest of her I learned from father."

Kaoru suppressed a smile. Definitely a dream for the books. Magic wielder? What kind of yarn was that? She briefly wondered what could have induced such a dream as this. "Is this a joke?"

Nania laughed. "He refuses to be revealed until such time he decides to tell you himself, but he will train you, albeit anonymously at first. That, my dear, will be the main proof of my words. In the meantime, you'll have some proof in the morning."

When Kaoru awoke the next morning, Kenshin was already gone, most likely to make breakfast.

A dream. Just a dream. She thought, remembering her nighttime visitor.

She shifted on her futon to stare at her ceiling. Strangely, it was comforting, the blankness of it. She can clear her mind of unpleasant memories.

Kaoru remembered Kenshin's words the previous night. It had been a balm to the sting of her emotions, but how quickly the effects of it dissipate. Maybe Kenshin had not yet realized his disgust of her, of being used by another man.

Her door slid open and she saw Kenshin with a tray of food in his hands.

"Good morning, Kaoru," Kenshin said with a smile. "I've brought you breakfast."

"Good morning, Kenshin," she said, lowering her gaze. "Thank you, but I am not very hungry."

His smile persisted. "We'll try to eat this anyway, yes? It's just soup. You'll need it to get better," he said, laying the tray beside her and smoothing a tender hand on her forehead. "Besides, Megumi-dono will be by to see you. She will hurt me if she examines you and finds out you are un-fed. So do it for me, alright?"

With downcast eyes, she nodded. She didn't feel particularly rebellious at this point. Perhaps she should be thankful that Kenshin was still speaking to her.

Kenshin watched her and suppressed a sigh. She was still not looking at him. He wanted to plead for her not to be like this, but he supposed now was not the time. He realized that it would take infinite patience to get her back to her old self. It would be too much to ask for it too soon.

With the most unwavering care, he assisted her into a sitting position.

Kaoru braced herself for some pain but amazingly felt nothing, even on her ribs, which had been the sorest spot of all.

Kenshin looked at her intently and noticed that the bruises on her face had all but disappeared. Megumi must have used very good medicine. "You're already looking better. I could hardly make out the bruises on your face," he said in all sincerity. He scooted over behind her to support her body as she bent up.

"K-Kenshin, you don't have to…"

"Let me, love," he interrupted gently, kissing her temple and pressing his nose momentarily in her hair. "I want to. I need to."

She nodded silently, loathed on denying him anything.

Reaching out from behind her, he easily pulled the tray and laid it across her, it's legs resting at the side of her hips.

To oblige him, she gingerly partook of the soup.

Seeing that she was managing well by herself, Kenshin occupied himself with sweet ministrations. Stroking her cheek, or planting soft kisses on her head.

Kaoru could not help but feel so loved. It felt wonderful, but it also gave a slight pang.

Halfway through the meal, she could not take it anymore. She began to cry in her hands.

"Kaoru?" Kenshin asked in alarm. "Is there something wrong? Am I hurting you?"

Sniffling, she tried to control her sobs to reply. "H-How can you still love me? I'm…dirty! Don’t I disgust you at all?"

"Kaoru!" Kenshin said, shocked at such strong words. "No, you're not dirty! You're not! Don't ever think that. And how can I be disgusted of someone I love so much? Kaoru, you cannot let what happened to you rob you of your self-worth. Please…"

He wrapped his arms around her from behind as she wept, rocking her gently to soothe her battered feelings, but in spite of his own calming and reassuring words, the Hitokiri threatened to creep out, his rage for the one who violated her coming in waves. He did not know how he'd manage if he saw the bastard again. Kenshin was almost certain he would kill the man, but will the act lessen the rage, or fuel it?

Kenshin tried to control his own emotions, lest his amber-eyed gaze frighten Megumi when she arrives.

"Kenshin…" Kaoru called as she caught sight of the flecks of gold in his eyes for a second before she lowered her gaze again. She silently reprimanded herself for bringing out Battousai. If she was destroying herself, she should at least keep from dragging anyone down with her. "I think I'm done with breakfast."

His eyes fell almost disapprovingly at the half-full bowl but figured it would have to do for now. He'd have to coax her to take more later. He nodded and proceeded to lower her back on the futon.

Again, Kaoru felt no pain. A brief image of a small man named Treigan flashed in her mind. No, that was just a dream.

"Kenshin?" she suddenly called as he took the tray.

"Yes, Kaoru?"

"Was there…was there a tea set in the sitting room when you woke up?" she asked cautiously.

The surprise he felt for her inquiry erased all traces of the Hitokiri at the moment. "As a matter of fact, there was. It was set for two, actually. I thought maybe Yahiko and Sano had a late-night tea session. How did you know?"

Kaoru's heart beat faster. "…some proof in the morning," the woman named Nania had said. Just a dream. Kaoru told herself. Just a dream! "I just--" she began to explain. "--thought I heard voices last night. Yes, definitely Yahiko and Sano."

The explanation was lame, but Kenshin accepted it without a thought. He left her so he could finish up in the kitchen.

Kaoru's head was spinning. Yes, it could have been Sano and Yahiko. They were both inconsiderate enough to leave the tea tray out anyway, but…

With a trembling hand, she brought her fingers to her ribs, pressing gently on the places where it hurt the most. Nothing. She moved her broken arm to test it. There was no pain. Desperately, she sat up in bed.

"My God…" she whispered, feeling only sleep-kinks on her back. She was, in fact, healed!

She stood up and stretched. She was fine.

Kaoru steadied her nerves. What just happened here?

Last night, she couldn't even walk, now she was up, fully gaining the function of her arms and legs. No dream could do this.

She knelt on the floor, her mind in a jumble. Three words rang in her head as clear as day: It was real.

Megumi, Yahiko and Kenshin gasped in seeing Kaoru emerge from her room in her gi and hakama, bokken in hand.

"Kaoru, are you mad?!?" Megumi cried, going to her and gently taking her by the arm and elbow. "You shouldn't be up in your condition! Are you hoping to kill yourself?"

"But Megumi, I'm fine," Kaoru said, delicately pulling away.

Kenshin did not look at all pleased by her statement. "You're going back to bed, Kaoru. That's final," he said firmly.

"But--"

"You silly, stupid girl!" Megumi hissed. "I think Yahiko and your other pupils will understand if you can't train them for a while."

"Yeah, Kaoru. Get better first for God's sake!" Yahiko said with a serious frown. He was still refraining from calling her names. "Shiro and the others are really worried about you. D'you think they don't care enough to let you heal?"

Kaoru sighed. "I'm alright! See…"

Kenshin picked her up and paid no heed to her protests. Like a man carrying a child throwing a temper tantrum, he brought her back to bed and pulled the covers over her. "Kaoru, please. This is for your own good. You need rest. Don't be stubborn."

Kaoru gave up and said nothing. She'd let Megumi check her. The doctor would see she was healed.

After she promised to stay put, Kenshin and Yahiko left her with Megumi.

To be continued…

Terms:

I've left out some words because I've already given the translation in the other chapters. Sorry I'm lazy.

1. Jou-chan - Sano's pet name for Kaoru, translated as "Little Missy". Isn't that kawaii?
2. Maa..Maa… - words to calm down a fuss. Something like "Alright, settle down people."