Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Vengeance ❯ Hitokiri ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Another update! Hope everyone likes it!

Word list:

chibiri- method of removing matter and blood off a blade, usually done with a sharp flick to the side.

chochin- paper lanterns used for travel at night, carried with a short bamboo stick.

mushin- "no mind" A mind state absent of conscious thought or emotion.

sayabiki- shifting of the saya or scabbard with the left hand so as to perform faster battojutsu techniques.

ume- Japanese plum blossoms

Chapter 10- Hitokiri

First Year of the Genji Era Early March, 1864

Kenshin sat at the window sill of his room, staring up at the blue sky. The scent of plum flowers still lingered in the air though cherry blossoms would soon take their place, signaling spring's arrival. Childish laughter was heard and the hitokiri lowered his gaze to the street below, watching as two young children walked beside their parents, giggling as they made faces at each other, oblivious to the reality of death that hovered in the streets of Kyoto. His eyes followed as they passed, seeing the happiness of the mother and the father as they swept the two boys into their arms and hugged them.

They look happy... and loved... a good family. The redhead thought, his features falling as memories came back to him. His own family had been wiped out during a cholera epidemic, death cruel and merciless as it claimed his parents and brothers, leaving Kenshin an orphan at the age of seven. Kenshin felt the sudden weight of his sheathed katana resting against his small frame and he looked down, studying the saya with troubled eyes. How many families have I destroyed with this blade? How many lives have I taken in the name of justice? 50? A 100? The numbers and bodies continue to pile up and still nothing is affected. I've changed nothing in this past year. Not a damn thing!

He felt the darkness pressing down on him, reminding him that the world was a twisted mess. The screams of the men he killed haunted him every night, the smell of blood and death a constant companion to his misery and he felt tired all of the sudden. So very tired and weak. The fatigue adding to his depression and the lost little boy inside him cried out for comfort and love, to make the looming shadows that danced in his heart and mind go away. But there was no safety net for his emotions now, no one to tell him it would be alright, no one to guide him back to the light. His family was gone. His shishou, the personification of strength and wisdom, had let him go, the finality of their parting all the more painful now that he at last understood his master's words.

He lifted his right hand, resting it against his chest, feeling sick in the heart and part of him wanted to return to his shishou, to beg for forgiveness, to find the light that once filled him with hope and joy. But I can never go back to those days. I am weak and deserve no happiness in my life nor do I deserve forgiveness from my master. He lowered his hand, the images of the murders he committed flashing in his mind, reminding him of the cold and harsh truth of who and what he was. It seems I've turned into what you warned me of, shishou. I have become death itself... a killer of men... He thought in self-disgust, his malaise deepening as the shadows grew darker within him. A killer and nothing more.

"Himura! It's good to see you again!"

The hitokiri snapped his head in the direction of I'izuka's voice, features growing impassive, revealing none of his inner turmoil as he asked in low voice, "What is it?"

The thin mustached man sighed inwardly at the stern and impolite reaction from the boy. Must he be so serious all the time? "Well hello to you, too, Himura," I'izuka replied with a jovial enough smile before he answered, "I've brought you a present," He stopped a few feet from Kenshin, drawing out a black envelope from inside his kimono, holding it out for the red head to take, whispering in conspiratorial voice. "Your next assignment and target."

Kenshin pushed off the sill, keeping hold of the katana in his left hand as he walked over to the taller man. Of course that's what he's here for. Another assignment. Another murder to commit in the name of Tenchuu. Part of the hitokiri wanted to shout at the man to leave him alone and find somebody else to do the dirty work. But I cannot walk away from this mission. He countered silently. I must finish what I started. Even if it destroys me completely, I won't turn my back on Katsura-san or those who need me. Still, the red head was irritated at be assigned another assassination so soon and he reached out, voice low and distant, his words clipped and short to show his displeasure as he snatched the envelope out of the older man's hand. "It will be done." Now go away!

I'izuka shivered at the cold and hard tone in Kenshin's voice, instinctively backing away. This boy... this boy is turning into a monster for the Ishin Shishi. If he's not careful... he'll fall off the edge of a knife... into the abyss of madness. "Right... I'll leave you to it then." He replied hastily, turning around and leaving down the stairs and into the street. Kenshin kept his gaze on the open shoji door to his room, stalking over to close it before pivoting back and dropping down on the floor, laying his sword to the side as he rested against a stack of books. Lifting the envelope up, he opened it, unfolding the paper as he read the instructions:

Your target tonight is a high level Bakufu official by the name of Jubei Shigekura. Twice a week he takes his bodyguards out for food and drink as a reward for their protection. Though they are usually four in number, the bodyguards are weak and ineffective swordsmen. They should be easy to eliminate. Shigekura is a bit more skilled but is old and slow, growing fat off the backs of the peasants who toil and die in the fields. Now his life is forfeit. Shadow the target then deliver Tenchuu. Good luck, Battosai.

Kenshin looked at the map below the message, studying the twin red circles, one listing the official's home and the other an inn called the Okada, committing them to memory. He pulled the secondary note out from under the first, the vertical kanji spelling out Tenchuu and a list of grievances to the left visible and the red head folded the note, tucking it into the right side of his blue kimono. He closed his eyes, steeling his will, trying to forcing down all doubt and all emotion, preparing himself for what was to come as he always did before an assignment. He remained this way for several moments before his eyelids snapped open and he reached out to grab his katana, rising to his feet, tucking the saya under his obi before heading with purpose out of his room and down the stairs, exiting the inn and entereing the streets of Kyoto.

He blended in with the crowd and focused his gaze straight ahead, keeping with the flow of foot traffic as he gradually made his way to the target's house. He scouted the area as he passed, tracing the various paths that led to and from the Okada back to Shigekura's large homestead, looking for the most viable places to ambush his target. He then blended back in with the throng of people, the light of day dying, slowly consumed by the coming of night as the sky flared bright red, the sun settling low in the sky and the hitokiri returned to the the official's residence. Kenshin kept his cool, watching as Shigekura exited his home, bodyguards in tow.

The streets were still littered with people and their revelry was a distraction. I must not have witnesses. He thought, shadowing his mark before taking a shorter route, rounding a corner, coming to a stop opposite the Okada. The bakufu man entered the inn, bodyguards following and Kenshin staked the place, remaining hidden for several hours, slowing his breathing, watching and waiting for his prey to make for an escape as all light was drowned out by the darkness that descended from the sky above.

Path leading away from the Okada back towards Shigekura's residence

Akira lifted the small bamboo stick that held the chochin up as they navigated away from the Okada and through the many streets that weaved through the various bakufu households. The air was quiet, save for the boisterous laughter of his compatriots as they surrounded Shigekura. A breeze swirled around them, tugging at the overhanging branches of various ume trees, the petals falling like rain and the young samurai smiled at the pleasant scent that lingered, reminded of his beloved's favorite perfume. His smile fell, recalling the delay in his receiving her last letter. Through their written communication he began to understand his betrothed a bit better and wanted to ease any worry she might have felt. So he had penned a reply that same day, paying extra for a faster delivery, wanting to reassure her he was alright. Tomoe, I know you are far away now and worried about me as I am of you. But you always remain close to my heart. So do not fear my love, I will be coming home to you very soon, I promise. The wind suddenly died and Akira frowned, a sense of unease filling him and he stopped, studying the trees.

"Kiyosato?"

Akira blinked, lowering his gaze to his retainer who looked at him in concern. "Hai, Shigekura-san?"

"Is something wrong?"

"It's... nothing..." He replied with a shake of his head. Features turning a bit more serious as he lift the chochin up higher. "But we should hurry along... with the hitokiri stalking the streets at night, I fear we are not safe."

"You worry too much, Akira-san," Ishiji replied, the tallest and gruffest of the bodyguards. "Even if the one called Battosai is out tonight, we will crush him just like we'll crush the rebellion."

"Let us not talk of such things," Jubei replied, strolling forward once more, the rest of the men following. "Now is the time to congratulate Kiyosato on his upcoming marriage," The Bakufu official added, looking over at the boy who had been an excellent and loyal bodyguard for him the past few months. "You must be very excited to have the love of such a fine lady. I bet she is eager to see you return."

Akira smiled shyly, voice soft. "I admit I am happy to finally be returning to Edo, Shigekura-san. I only wish..." He started then stopped.

Jubei's smile fell, worried over the boy. "What is it, Kiyosato? Are you feeling unwell?"

"It isn't that, sir. It is... It is that I feel guilty for having found happiness while so many others are suffering in this chaos."

"Nonsense," Jubei replied. "Everyone should seek out their own happiness, no matter what is going on in the world around them."

"That's right!" The bodyguard to his left said with a grin. "So cheer up! You're going home next week!"

"You really are a lucky guy, Akira-san," The man to his right added, eyes full of mirth as he studied the smaller man. "Marrying your childhood sweetheart! From what you described of her, this girl of yours must be a sight to see!"

Akira laughed softly, his features brightening, grinning from ear to ear once more, pride and emotion in his voice as he nodded. "She is... I love her very much..." He rounded the corner with the rest of the group as they entered into another street, still far from home. He saw a shadow move some distance up ahead and he stopped with the rest of the men. Who is that?

Kenshin had tracked the group from the time they left the Okada to the very street they now traveled on, using a secondary route to come back around, cutting them off as he stood at the opposite end. They have been drinking so their response time will be slow, easy to attack and kill. He observed, glad to have caught them in their current state. But the idea of slaughtering them brought no joy. Only more pain and disillusion. These deaths will change nothing. He spat inwardly, angry at himself and his situation. Still, duty dictated that Kenshin slay these men, even if he felt the death was unwarranted. I bear no grudge... but Tenchuu demands your lives for the sake of the new era. He tried to convince himself, going into a mushin state, his features a veil of nothingness, becoming dead on the surface even as the lost little boy inside his heart continued to scream underneath.

"Who goes there?!" Ishiji shouted, his beefy hand gripping the saya for his weapon as he took a protective stance in front of his retainer. "Identify yourself!"

The hitokiri gave no answer, gaze cast slightly downward, not wanting to look at them... not wanting to see what he was about to do, actions automatic as he reached up with his left hand to perform a sayabiki. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, giving strength and speed to his legs as he charged forward at full speed, wanting to end it quickly.

"It's the Battosai!" One of the guards shouted, dropping the chochin as he drew his katana, the rest of the guards following suit, forming a circle around their retainer.

Kenshin's right hand shifted at the last second,wrapping around the tsuba of his katana, drawing out his blade, performing the battojutsu, slicing upwards at the closest guard, his blade sinking deep into flesh, blood spurting from the lethal wound as he fell. The second guard was too slow to parry, wounded by the upward slash as he stumbled to a knee, using his katana to catch himself.

Ishiji-san! Akira cried silently, watching as the large samurai fell to a knee. He jumped into the fray, bringing his blade up at the same time as the guard closest to him, the pair blocking Battosai's initial attack.

Kenshin used his momentum to force the pair back and off balance and in a lightning quick motion slid his katana along his opponent blade, cutting Akira's shoulder, sending him to the side then shifted to his right, slashing downwards, blood spurting from the wound as steel sliced through flesh and bone, splitting the ineffective swordsman open from his neck to his rib cage, and the man collapsed into a heap, dead before he hit the ground.

Ishiji rose, growling out even as he was bleeding heavily. "You... damn.. spy..."

The hitokiri whirled around, leaping into the air, performing the Ryu Tsui Sen, the blade slicing down and into the larger man's head, and Ishiji dropped to the ground, killed instantly by the strike.

"Damn you!" Akira snarled as he rushed forward, blinking when Jubei pushed him out of the way.

"It's me he wants!" The older man shouted, bringing up his blade to attack but the Battosai was quicker, stabbing his target in the forehead and slicing down, securing his death in one blow, blood and brain splattering as he retracted the katana.

Akira's eyes widened in shock as his retainer was struck down and he let out a war cry, lifting his blade to attack only to gasp at the stinging pain of his body being cut open by the lethal blade of the Battosai and he stumbled down to the ground, his life force bleeding out, staining the once blue fabric of his haori.

Killing complete, Kenshin stood over his work, the scent of blood and death overpowering the plum fragrance and he felt sick, inwardly disgusted with himself, even as his body continued to move. The hitokiri drew out the Tenchuu note, walking over to Jubei and dropped it next to his corpse. Whirling around, the red head executed a chiburi, blood and matter shooting off from his blade and he lowered his katana, moving forward, wanting to be far away from the grisly scene of his own making only to stop as he heard a groan.

Akira stirred, ignoring the pain that radiated in his chest. His friends and his retainer were dead. But I still have life in me. He thought, his will to live giving him strength as he pushed off the ground. I can't die! I can't die here! Tomoe is waiting for me to come home. I need to see her... I need to be with her! I refuse to die!

Kenshin turned around, his eyes falling on the rising form of the samurai, surprised to see him alive. I cut him deep enough to kill him and he's still able to move? How is this possible?

"I can't die!" Akira shouted out as he stumbled but remained standing, crouched over, eyes a bit unfocused as he turned in the direction of his enemy. "I have someone waiting for me that I can't abandon!" He lifted his blade, still willing to fight, wanting to stop the hitokiri from hurting anyone else.

Kenshin reacted on instinct, slashing out again with his katana, his heart weeping at his own actions, dying on the inside even as his body remained in control and untouched by battle. Please stay down! He wanted to scream at the man. Don't make me have to do this!

Akira fell, cut again by Battosai's blade. No! I can't let it end like this! I must stop him! I must return to Tomoe!

Kenshin turned around, making to leave, freezing at the garbled screams of the man, pivoting back to face him, shocked at his will to live.

"I can't... die... I must not... die... she needs me... to return.. to her..." Akira choked out.

The red head studied the young samurai's face, saw the sadness and the determination and the pain in his heart grew. This person that he loves... gives him his will to live and I have to kill him... I have to kill him and destroy that love. He lifted his blade, using more force, wanting to end it, close to breaking down as he sliced deep into the man's chest.

Akira cried out as he was struck and in one last desperate move he brought the blade up, slashing out even before he collapsed onto the ground.

A sharp sting of pain exploded on the hitokiri's left cheek and he stumbled a bit in surprise. Reaching up, Kenshin rubbed the back of his fingers then his fingertips against something warm and slick and he knew then he'd been cut. Lowering his hand, he turned back towards the crawling form of Akira and he shuffled slowly over to him, his ears picking up the man's last words.

"I was... going to marry her... I would have loved her forever..." His voice was faint, his heart rate slowing down, his vision fading and he wept, tears mingling with blood, his hand stretching out, seeing his beloved in his mind, calling out to her, "I'm... sorry... so... sorry... forgive me...To..."

Kenshin couldn't bear to hear anymore and he lifted his blade, stabbing down and through the neck of Akira, cutting off his voice. The hitokiri twisted the sword, severing the vertebrae, yanking out the katana as the young samurai gasped and grew still, the light of life fading from his eyes and he spoke no more. The wind picked up again, petals from the ume trees fluttering in the air and he stood still for a few seconds, shell shocked, his mind reeling at the reality of what he'd done. A sense of wrongness permeated his mind and his heart and he stared off, looking at nothing, the cries and words of the man he'd just murdered repeating themselves like a mantra and a crushing guilt stomped on his already broken heart.

Someone... was waiting for him to come home.. his beloved... he would have had a family... he would have loved her and their children... and I have killed that love... I have killed the happiness she would have had with this man... almost as certainly as I've killed him. His body began to tremble, features twisting into a haunted look as he turned and began to stumble away. His conscious and his soul became overloaded with the burden of his actions and he broke down, clutching at the open part of his kimono, a choked sound of anguish escaping from his lips and he began to weep, body still shaking, the little boy in his heart crying out for his own family... and for his shishou... for someone to make the pain go away... to make the horror of what he'd done fade from his mind. But there was no relief and no comfort. Only death... blood and death... and he wandered away from the street without direction and would have been caught if one of the Ishin Shishi operatives hadn't noticed him.

Is that... Himura? A tall and lanky man named Junzo wondered, frowning at the way the hitokiri stumbled and he cautiously walked over, noting his drawn and bloodied katana, voice soft and non-threatening, "Himura?"

The red head stopped, slowly turning his head in the direction of the voice but gave no response or indication he knew who the man was, his mind far away, lost in a minefield of blood and screams and lost hopes and dreams.

The operative frowned at the distant and haunted look in the smaller man's eyes, recognizing the signs of trauma and his blinked at the sight of a cut along the boy's left cheek. Something bad happened to him. Something bad enough to rattle him. Katsura will need to know of this. "Come on, Himura. I'll get you home."

Kenshin's body complied, following the taller man, guided back to his own room and Junzo left him there, returning to his other duties. The hitokiri climbed up the stairs with unsteady legs, motions automatic as he slid open the shoji door then closed it. He shuffled over to the stack of books, dropping the katana as he slid down to his butt, bringing his knees up, wrapping his arms around them, burying his chin into his chest, shaking violently, body racked with grief and he cried silently until fatigue came and pulled him into an uneven sleep and he felt no more.

Outskirts of Kyoto before the break of dawn

Dark clouds hung low in the sky, greeting Tomoe as she entered the outskirts of Kyoto. The air was heavy and damp, signaling the coming of rain and Tomoe opened her umbrella, holding it over her head as the heavens began to weep, the soft plops of water splashing above brought a strange sense of comfort. The nearly two week journey had been frightening in parts. Between the inclement weather and the sneaking past and through the many guard stations, the lady was worn down and her body screamed for rest. But I cannot do that yet, I must find Akira first. She stepped into the streets of Kyoto, surprised at the number of people up and active so early in the morning and she weaved through the crowd, unfamiliar with the layout of the massive city and she peered around, trying to figure out which way led to Nijo Castle where the Mimawarigumi were headquartered.

Thirty minutes into her exploration of the city, the lady heard the rush of several feet, men shouting in outraged voices as they rushed towards then past her. "Please step to the side, Official Mimawarigumi business!"

At the mention of her betrothed's group, Tomoe turned and watched them pass. Maybe they can help me find Akira! Hope bloomed within her and she gave chase, calling out to them. "Please wait!"

The samurai to the rear of the group stopped and turned, recognizing the approaching woman's dress as one who was of the same class as him and he waited for her, asking, "What is it, my lady? Are you in some trouble?"

"No... but I am looking for my betrothed, Akira Kiyosato," She answered. "He joined your group last year, becoming a bodyguard for Jubei Shigekura and I have not heard from him in some time. I am desperate to see him," She kept her tone gentle and even as she asked, "Do you know where I can find Shigekura-san's house?"

The young man lowered his gaze at the mention of Shigekura, voice soft. "My lady... I do not know how to tell you this... but... Shigekura-san was assassinated late last night... Someone just found his body... along with all his bodyguards."

Tomoe's eyes widened and her heart screamed at the news, the vision from her nightmare flaring in her mind. No! It... It can't be! Her legs shook and her knees buckled and the lady fell towards the ground, only to stop as the samurai reached out to catch her.

"Miss? Are you alright?" He asked, looking down at her in concern.

She clung to the fabric of his arms, slowly rising, finding her voice though she wanted to cry. "Please... take me to the body... I have to know... I have to see with my own eyes... that it's him."

The samurai heard the emotion in her voice, even if her features revealed little. If this is true... If this woman is indeed Kiyosato-san's betrothed, it is only right for her to identify the body. "I will take you to him." He said, features grave as he kept a hold of her, lending his strength as he guided her down and past several streets, until at last they arrived at the scene of the murder.

Several people had gathered, gawking at the blood soaked corpses. Carts sat beyond the crowd, men beginning their work of lifting the bodies to take away for further examination. The samurai helping Tomoe stopped at the back edge of the crowd, voice firm as he called out, "Step aside please!"

The crowd parted, allowing Tomoe and the samurai to pass and the lady found strength in her legs, though each step grew heavier the closer she came to Akira and her thin frame began to shake, her gaze focused at the sight of his lifeless and broken body. There was blood... so much blood... on his haori, on the wall, on the street... his blood... Akira's blood. She dropped her umbrella, falling to her knees as she reaching out to clutch at her betrothed. Tomoe leaned forward, dropping her head onto Akira's cold shoulders, letting out a tortured cry, unable to contain the horror and pain in her heart at his loss and she began to weep. He was going to marry me... He loved me... I know he loved me... and I never... I never told him... how much I loved him... I was going to tell him today... when I found him... but I'll never have that chance now... he'll never know...the truth of my heart... Why did you have to die? Why didn't you come home to me? Why, why, why?!

She kept her hold on him, body wracked with convulsions of grief, ignoring the voices that told her softly to let him go. Never! I will never let Akira go! Her mind shouted defiantly, though she complied as she felt hands on her shoulders, rising as she was gently pulled up and away from her betrothed, allowing for Akira's body to be lifted and carried over to the cart. She reached out, grabbing Akira's hand, trying to hold on, falling again when he was pulled from her and the samurai helped her back up, their backs turned to the crowd, neither seeing the red haired man with the fresh scar on his cheek.

Kenshin was late in arriving at the scene, his eyes catching a flash of white head towards the man that would not die. The lady's features were obscured by the rain and sides of her hair but he recognized the sound of pain and desolation in her cries and he felt guilt bear down on him anew. She must be his betrothed. He thought, sadness welling in his heart as he watched her fall and cling to the dead samurai. And I have killed her happiness. I and I alone am responsible for this tragedy. He wanted to flee... to run away from the scene of so much misery and anguish. But I did this... This is a reminder of who I am... and what I do... I am a killer... a murderer... that is all I am... and all I'll ever be.

He watched the bodies being carted off, saw the back of the girl as she was lifted off the ground and followed behind the body of her betrothed and Kenshin turned away, the evidence of last night's foul deeds removed from the street and he headed back to his room at the Kohagiya, wanting to isolate himself from the world and everything in it.

Mimawarigumi Headquarters, Nijo Castle

Tomoe sat quietly, her eyes staring at nothing, body gone numb, her heart broken and her mind traumatized. She felt not the gaze of the two men studying her with various levels of pity or sympathy, though her ears picked up parts of their conversation as they discussed what had happened.

"This is the work of the Battosai," The short and serious looking samurai murmured, looking over at the girl, his eyes filled with pity. "He has killed too many of our friends and compatriots. We need to do something about him before there is no one left to run the Bakufu."

"I agree, Ryota-san," Kiro Nakamura replied, looking over at the lady. It saddened him, watching her grieve over her betrothed, far from home and alone and he found her very brave for traveling all the way from Edo to see her beloved. The lady, alone and unprotected, wouldn't last long on the Kyoto streets. And in her current state, she might willingly seek death to alleviate the pain of loss. And even if she survived, she would fade, dying of a broken heart. Much like my sister, Saki, did when her husband was killed six months ago. His brow furrowed, his own pain at the loss of his sister driving his desire to give the lady aid. I don't want to see what happened to Saki happen to this woman. I want to help her, even if there is little comfort I can give. "We cannot let this go unpunished. We need to strike back with one of our own assassins, Ryota-san."

"Like somebody from the Yaminobu?" Ryota asked in a skeptical tone, his attention focused back on the taller man. "Battosai is a monster. I'm not sure even they could take him on." He turned at the sound of the woman's voice, blinking when she asked,

"Yaminobu... are they... ninjas?"

"That's right," Kiro replied, going over to her, an idea springing in his mind, one that might help her to overcome her grief. "They work for the Bakufu... and target Ishin Shishi leaders. They are highly skilled in assassination."

"So they... can kill the Battosai?" She asked, lifting her head, the pain in her heart shifting into something darker. She loved Akira and she had lost him to the hitokiri, her happiness dying with her betrothed. She made up her mind then, grief shifting to anger and a need for revenge. I cannot go home and I cannot rest. Not until Akira's death is avenged. Her features revealed little beyond sadness and her voice remained soft, even as the words were anything but. "What can I do to help aid in his death?"

There it was... grief... and revenge... Kiro could hear it in her voice, even if her features remained impassive. "Yes, my lady, they can kill the Battosai. If you are willing to aid us, I promise you will get your revenge on one who killed your betrothed."

She rose, hands crossed in front of her, meeting his gaze with a determined look as she asked, "I am willing to help you if it means Battosai's death, but how will you go about it? Are the Yaminobu strong enough to face him?"

Kiro was impressed with her mind and her resolve. She is able to control her emotions better than any woman I've ever met. She has the makings of a good spy. "First I will arrange a meeting with the Yaminobu... then we will have to find someone close to the hitokiri... someone who can be tempted with gold... and can relay Battosai's movements. Once we have that information, we can proceed in eliminating him. But are you sure you wish to do this? It could take several months before we are able to succeed in killing him."

"I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring Battosai to justice." The lady replied softly, belying none of the anger and pain of loss she felt.

"Very well," Kiro said, his own voice soft as he asked, "What is your name, my lady, so that I may refer to you properly?"

The girl straightened her shoulders as she answered. "Tomoe Yukishiro," She paused, looking up at him. "May I ask for your name, sir?"

The samurai gave her a soft smile. "My name is Kiro Nakamura."

"Nakamura-san, I do not mean to ask of anything from you but do you know a reasonable place I can stay while I'm here?"

His brow furrowed. She wants to pay and stay on her own while she's here? He didn't find that right and he answered in a friendly tone meant to put her at ease. "Yukishiro-san, you do not have to worry about that. I will make arrangements for your stay here in Kyoto until such time as we are set to start your revenge."

Tomoe was surprised at his words and gave a slight bow of her head in thanks. "I appreciate any assistance you can offer me, Nakamura-san." She replied, following behind the samurai as he waved her to follow, heading out of the castle an into the city streets once more. By nightfall, she had a room of her own in an inn loyal to the Bakufu and she settled down, curling into a ball on the futon, crying herself to sleep, grieving over the love she would never share with Akira and the family that she would never have.

Edo, Mid March 1864

Enishi was outside in the garden, going through his katas, lifting the shinai up and down in precise movements, finding the repetitive motion relaxing. He missed his sister terribly, barely speaking a word to the servants or Mrs. Kiyosato when she came over to check on him. She left me... She left me to go to Kyoto because she didn't think I'd be strong enough to handle it. But I'm getting stronger, nee-san. If only you were here to see it!

But she wasn't there now.. and she wasn't there when the letter from Akira arrived. If only you had waited a bit longer, nee-san. You would have known Akira was alive and well. He thought, recalling how he had opened the letter upon it's arrival nearly two weeks ago. He knew it was wrong. But since he's going to be my brother soon, it's only fair that I opened it to make sure he was alright, right nee-san?

"Enishi-sama!" One of the servants called out, drawing the boy's attention and he whirled around to face her.

"What is it? Has nee-san returned?" He asked hopefully, his smile falling as the girl shook her head and replied,

"No,but something terrible has happened! Kiyosato-sama has been murdered!"

The boy lowered his shinai, the color draining from his face. "Akira is dead?" He asked, shock on his features as he studied her. "What... what happened? How do you know all this?"

"Kiyosato-sama's family received a letter today from the Mimawarigumi telling them of his death at the hands of an assassin called the Battosai. They are beside themselves with grief."

Nee-san... nee-san is there... if Akira's dead... then she is in pain and need of help and it's my duty as her brother to go and help her! He kept hold of his shinai, racing into the house, straight to his room and he grabbed what little money he had, tying the bamboo weapon on his back, ignoring the cries of the servants as they shouted at him to stop and he tore out of the house and down the street. I can't stop now! Not when my nee-san needs me! He continued to run, not stopping even as he exited Edo and began the long trip down to Kyoto. Hang on, nee-san, I'm coming!

Kyoto, Late March 1864

Enishi arrived on the outskirts of the large city in the middle of the night, exhausted from the long travel. He had to climb into trees more often then not to avoid the bandits that roamed and getting past the guard stations had been a hassle but he was small enough to go unnoticed. Still, he had no money left and his belly grumbled in hunger. But I have nothing to pay for food. I'll just have to find nee-san first then she'll feed me. Just like she always did back home. He smiled at the memories of his time with his sister, his smile suddenly falling, features morphing into anger at the loss of a brother figure in Akira and the injustice of his death, knowing it had broke Tomoe's heart. This Battosai, whoever he is, I will find him and make him pay with his life for hurting my sister and killing Akira!

He continued to walk through the city, day after day, looking for some trace of his sister, asking the vendors if they knewa Tomoe Yukishiro only to walk away in disappointment at their answer. On the fifth day of his search he felt a hand grip his shoulder and he whirled around, grabbing his shikai, striking out at whoever had dared to touch him, blinking as the weapon was grabbed and yanked away from him.

"Damn kid, you're a violent one, aren't you?" A tall and older man said gamely, an amused expression on his bearded face.

"What do you want with me?" Enishi asked, glaring up at the man, defiant even though he knew he was outmatched in every way.

"It's not what I want that's the issue here... it's who you're asking about that's the problem."

He blinked, hope on his face. "What do you know of my sister? Is she okay? Where is she? I need to see her!"

"Your sister, by all reports, is fine, though I've had yet to meet her personally," The man answered. "But I can't have you asking about her. It could destroy our mission."

"Mission? What mission?" Enishi asked, watching the man warily.

"The mission to kill Battosai of course."

His eyes lit up at the mention of killing the one who had slain Akira and he asked, "I can help!"

"No, kid. You can't help your sister by being here. You'll only get in the way. You should go home."

Enishi growled at being dismissed so easily. "I came all the way to see her and I'm not leaving until I do!" He snapped, making to bolt only to stop as the man grabbed his shoulder again and the boy whirled on him, kicking and biting like a madman.

This brat is a wildcat, no wonder the girl ran off! The man grumbled inwardly, grabbing the boy by the collar of his kimono, holding him still. He studied the scrawny kid, an idea forming in his mind and he smiled. Perhaps there is some way I could use this brat to my advantage after all. "Listen, kid. You want to help your sister? You want to get revenge on Battosai? Then come with me and I promise you'll get to see your sister soon enough. "

Enishi was unsure of this man. But I really have nowhere to go and he says I can see nee-san if I follow him. "Alright, but you swear my sister is okay?"

The man rolled his eyes. He sure does love the girl, doesn't he? Even better for my plan. He tossed the shinai back to the kid, smirking when he caught it. "Yeah, kid, she's fine. Now come along."

Enishi glared at the large man's back, but complied, following. "Where are we going?"

"To a meeting... with a very important guest." The man replied. The first of many I'm sure. He added silently as he led the boy through the city, heading towards the appointed destination.

Another chapter completed. Still no Kenshin and Tomoe interaction but it will happen for sure in the next one. Hopefully this was to everyone's liking. We will get to the plot against Kenshin, his descent into even more self-loathing, Katsura's concern over the red head's state of mind and heart, the bloody first meeting between the hitokiri and Tomoe... and the incidents that happen after.