Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderfulness called Rurouni Kenshin. Neither do I own the other wonderfulness called the Dark Elf Trilogy.

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Memories of the Past and Friendships of the Future

Chapter 3: Feeling Helpless

Drizzt Do'Urden loped effortlessly down the snow-covered trail, inhaling the fresh and crisp air as the morning approached. Enjoying the feel of the cool wind blowing through his long mane of white hair, he leaped onward at an even quicker pace, until the objects around him transformed into nothing but blurs of washed out color.

The dark elf pulled the cowl of his cloak tighter about him. The sun would be rising in an hour or so. He felt as vulnerable in the sunlight as a human would in the dark of night. To this day, sunlight drained and dizzied him. He much preferred to travel by the sheltered darkness of night if he had a choice in the matter.

Eventually slowing down to a brisk walk, he removed from a pouch, hanging off of his belt, a small onyx statuette carved into the likeness of a hunting cat. Lovingly caressing its smoothness with his thumb, he couldn't help but think that it was such a shame to run alone at such a lovely time of night.

Now stopping his movement altogether, he gently placed the statuette on the ground before him.

"Guenhwyvar," he called softly.

A gray misty form appeared and solidified into the form of a large black panther. Stretching out her sleek and muscled body, Guenhwyvar growled playfully when she realized Drizzt's intent of summoning her. Then without so much as a warning of tensed muscles, she shot off into the night, with her good friend, Drizzt, racing behind her with a joyful smile as he ran free through the tundra, all thoughts and worries about his current lifestyle forgotten for the moment.

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It seemed to Kenshin that he had been waiting in his doorless prison for ages on end. With seemingly nothing better to do he had spend the first couple hours of his wakefulness attempting to discover a way out of his stone room. He had first tried to get his hands unbound, but the fact that the metal rings that were wrapped around his wrists were apparently seamless had made it more difficult than he had originally thought. After a long time of fruitless effort on his part, he had eventually given up for the time being.

Deciding that there was nothing more he could do until he found out more about his situation, he had propped his strangely clothed body against the wall and waited. He assumed that whoever had captured him would want him kept alive, so someone was bound to come along to drop off food and water.

'If only I could get my swords back,' he thought to himself as more time had passed. Finally getting too bored in his confined space he got to his feet and started to pace like a caged tiger beside the outer edges of his enclosure.

He stopped his pacing when he sensed that he was not alone. Tensing, he surveyed his empty appearing room, seeing nothing but still trusting his ki sensing ability. Narrowing his eyes, he looked closer at a particular spot near the wall as his vision barely managed to detect blurring movement.

He blinked and the next thing he sees is a robed man standing directly in front of him. Taking a small step back, he almost gasped in surprise, but barely managed to control himself and keep his face emotionless.

Although, he couldn't help but to shudder as he saw the expression on the man's face as they stared at each other. The stranger's eyes were bright and flashing with cruel delight as he stared hungrily at the redhead in front of him.

"Look what we managed to catch this time," the man drawled out as a smirk took over his facial features. Kenshin had a really bad feeling in the pit of his stomach as the strange man continued to study him as if he were some new tow to be played with, broken, and them forgotten amongst the other castaways.

"You are simply perfect for my master's plans," the stranger continued, slowly walking in circles around the increasingly tense Kenshin.

Unused to feeling this helpless, and not liking the new feeling, Kenshin hardened his face expression as he glowered at the greasy natured man. Not understanding why he was feeling these strong emotions towards him and his unpleasant presence.