Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters other than my OC's. Sadly I will never own them.

A/N: I'm going to be skipping some parts and/or episodes for the sake of my story.

Myojin, the name of a low-ranking Samurai Family that once resided in Edo. They were a stereotypical family of four; a mother, father, son and daughter. At the start of the Meiji Era, the already poor Myojin family fell unto even harder times. The family of four was forced to borrow money from the Shuei Yakuza but when the man of the house was killed during the Meiji Revolution, the remaining three were forced to shoulder an immense debt. Soon after the death of their father, their mother fell ill. To pay for her treatment, the Myojin family was forced to borrow more money from the Shuei Yakuza. Eventually, their mother passed away, leaving a large debt behind. To protect her little brother from the greedy yakuza, who insisted that they repay their debt with an insane amount of interest, Myojin Kyoka joined the Oniwabanshu.

"Aoshi-sama!" Kyoka said, brushing her dark blue hair over her shoulder, "I don't like this job. We're chasing a woman and selling drugs like some sort of thugs."

Beshimi scoffed, "You've been with us for the shortest amount of time and you're already complaining."

"Shut it! This mission isn't like the others." Kyoka whined, "Aoshi-sama."

"We're not selling the drugs. We're just chasing the woman who makes them." Aoshi stated, "It's different."

"Hannya-san say something." Kyoka whined.

The masked man shook his head, "Okashira's (Commanders) orders are absolute."

"Tch."

"I thought you were only in it for the money in the first place." Beshimi mused.

"I was…" She laughed, "Before I realized that you guys are cool."

Beshimi's chest inflated with pride, "And who's the coolest out of the group."

"Aoshi-sama." She stated, "And after that Hannya-san."

Beshimi chuckled, "Can't help that."

"Quiet." Aoshi scolded, turning the corner to enter the balcony. Beshimi, Hannya and Kyoka kneeled in the shadows, observing the interaction between Shinomori Aoshi and the client, Takeda Kanryu. The man was dressed in a white suit, his normally shady looking glasses looked even shadier. Kyoka fought back the urge to attack the man for eating while talking to Aoshi. Her hands fiddled with the tanto (a dagger) strapped to her lower back.

"Hannya. Where's Takani Megumi?" Aoshi suddenly asked.

"She's in a dojo downtown." Hannya answered, his voice betrayed no emotion but it was quite obvious that he was irritated by Kanryu.

"Hannya, Kyoka. Take Hyottoko and help Beshimi with his job." Aoshi instructed, "Beshimi, I won't accept failure this time."

"Yes sir." Kyoka and Hannya answered, sneaking away to find their other comrade.

"Hyottoko." Hannya tapped the big man on the back, "We've got orders."

"Finally."

Minutes later, the Oniwabanshu group was gathered in the woods beside the Kamiya Kasshin-Ryu Dojo. Kyoka hissed, "It's my brother."

"We'll try to keep him out of harm's way." Hannya comforted the girl, "Hyottoko head in first and watch out for the small boy."

"You got it." Hyottoko charged in without giving it a second though, tearing down the concrete wall leading to the dojo's open area, "Give Megumi to us now! If you do we'll take it easy on you."

"So you're part of the Oniwabanshu." A red haired samurai noted.

"Yeah. I'm Hyottoko, one of the Oniwabanshu. Which one of you is my opponent? Or is it both of you together?"

Kyoka took the time to size up her opponents. Both men standing at the front seemed scrawny. The red-haired man's most noticeable feature was the cross-shaped scar on the left side of his face. His aura seemed like that of a samurai. He held a katana at his side, seemingly relaxed but Kyoka could tell that he was ready to attack or dodge at a moment's notice. The other man seemed to be less of a threat. Her first impression of him seemed correct, he was an idiot. His spiky brown hair and red head band seemed to give him the appearance of a thug. He wore white baggy pants but no shirt. She noted that he wore a long cape-like jacket, like an idiot. She didn't really change her opinion when he began to charge forward.

Hyottoko growled, "So I'm starting with you huh?"

Hyottoko threw the first punch as the scrawny brown-haired man charged forward with a battle cry. The man weaved out of the way and slammed his fist into Hyottoko's belly. Kyoka smirked, "He's not very cautious is he?"

Hannya nodded, "You won't need to fight after all."

The man smirked confidently until Hyottoko grinded his teeth together, grabbing the man by his jacket and blowing fire down onto the man's face. Kyoka's heart clenched when she heard her brother call out, "Sanosuke!"

Somehow, the man her brother revealed as Sanosuke, slid out of his jacket and away from the breath of fire. Hyottoko scowled, "So you managed to escape my lethal Fire Breath. But you won't be able to dodge the next one with those legs."

Looking more closely, Kyoka realized that Sanosuke's legs took some serious damage. Beshimi snickered, "Nothing less from the best fire user of the Oniwabanshu. There's nothing he can't burn."

"Shh." She scolded, straining her ears to hear what the smaller man was saying.

"Adults should know better than to play with fire." The red-haired man said, "With little tricks like that you can't even burn one hair on my head, that is."

"I will burn you to a crisp first." Hyottoko growled, breathing fire onto the smaller man as well.

Swiftly drawing his blade, the samurai spun it in circles in front of him, dispersing the flames, "I think it's time to stop playing with fire."

"You bastard." Hyottoko growled.

"Hold on Kenshin!" Sanosuke commanded, "I told you to leave this guy to me! Thanks for the help but lemme have another go at this."

Kyoka watched as Hyottoko filled up on oil before turning to face the charging man, "I'm gonna burn you to the ground this time."

"A super flaming breath!" Beshimi seemed to be more excited than any of the others, "He surely can't escape it!"

Kyoka almost fell out of her spot on the tree when the man charged straight into the flames to slam his fist into Hyottoko's open mouth. The fire was immediately blocked but Hyottoko retaliated by slamming his fist into the side of Sanosuke's face. Allowing himself to fly back was one thing, but what he was holding between his fingers was a shock. Hyottoko's oil sack. No more fire for today. Sanosuke was fast on his feet, dodging Hyottoko's next punch, he slammed his foot into the center of Hyottoko's face, knocking him flat on his behind. Sanosuke turned to his friend with a smug smirk and a cheesy thumbs-up. Kyoka watched as the small group of misfits celebrated an early victory. Beshimi shook with anger, releasing his specialty darts. Kyoka almost shrieked when her brother jumped in front of Takani Megumi, Beshimi's poisoned darts sinking into his arm. Almost instantly, Yahiko keeled over, the poison spreading quickly.

Beshimi snickered and leapt down to taunt them, "That's what he gets for trying to be a hero. He won't last the hour. Death Spiral Poison Darts, that's my Oniwabanshu specialty. I'll kill all of you."

"Kyoka, control yourself." Hannya warned leaping down to save both Beshimi and Hyottoko. He grumbled, "To think that a swordsman like you still exists in this era, we were taking our opponents too lightly, I am sure I will be fighting you myself someday. Until then we'll leave our fight unfinished."

Hannya gave the girl a nod, signaling for her to retreat with them. They returned to the base of action with some shame. Hannya took the injured to get some help while Kyoka decided she would face the wrath of the commander alone. She stepped into his office as casually as possible, "Aoshi-sama."

"Kyoka." Aoshi gave the girl a glance, "What's with that face?"

"Hyottoko and Beshimi were defeated." She reported.

"Ah… So they were… he must be an extraordinary man." Aoshi noted, "And your face?"

Kyoka huffed, "My face? What?"

"Can't say. You look almost happy that they were defeated." His stoic face, didn't betray any suspicion.

"I wouldn't say that." She sighed, "But Beshimi is dead. Okay?"

Aoshi's eyes snapped to her face, "Kyoka. You can't just kill them, no matter what they did."

"Harakiri…" She smiled sadistically, "For them."

"Harakiri is for samurai…" Aoshi sighed wearily, "Oniwabanshu is a ninja group."

"Aoshi-sama…" She smiled when he motioned for her to come closer, "Tired?"

"Just thinking. He must've been some swordsman if he defeated both of them. Later, tell Hannya to find out who exactly this man is." Aoshi rubbed his temple lightly, eying her as she rounded the desk to stand beside him.

"Aoshi-sama, like I said yesterday, this is my last mission with the Oniwabanshu. After this my debt will be cleaned." She smiled sadly, "So thanks for everything."

After a long moment of silence, he motioned for her to lean down. Brushing her dark blue hair away from her ear and leaning forward in his chair, Aoshi whispered, his voice sounding completely serious, "So if I decide not to pay you…. Will you stay?"

Kyoka couldn't fight the blush that spread across her face as Aoshi caressed her cheek, "Aoshi-sama… You're a ninja. I'm the daughter of a samurai. Let's keep it that way."

Aoshi let his hand drop, leaning back. His face was as serious as his voice, "We'll see."

Kyoka smiled, that's what she liked about Aoshi. He was an incredibly mature person. He, despite his antisocial attitude, was surprisingly honest. Aoshi didn't really have a reason to lie to anyone and his determination was unmatched, when he put his mind to something he chased it down until he got what he wanted. That might be considered somewhat stubborn but she couldn't help but enjoy that part of him as well.

Kyoka waltzed her way out of the room, "I'll go tell Hannya-san to find that info now. And maybe he'll grab Takani Megumi on the way back."

"Hitokiri Battosai?!" Kyoka growled, "Yahiko is with Battosai?!"

"Ah." Hannya nodded, "Are you afraid to finish the mission now?"

Kyoka shook her head, "No way."

The tall man crouched down so that they could be eye to eye, "Kyoka. You're 16… Okashira is too old for you."

"Hannya-san!" She blushed, awkwardly tugging at the sleeves of her tight, long-sleeved undershirt, "Aoshi-sama doesn't even like me! Just leave me to my one-sided love."

Hannya chuckled, "I wouldn't have said it if he didn't like you. Okashira seems to be very fond of you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'll be honest. I saw you and Okashira yesterday. That was quite the scene. I almost thought he would kiss you."

"Hannya-san!" She growled, "Beshimi's already on my hit list. Don't make me add you too."

"Oh. Scary." He teased, "Well I've got to play my part. Okashira says you should wait here with Shikijou. Prepare yourself in case the Battosai shows up."

"Got it." She patted her tanto.

Later that afternoon, she found Shikijou engaging the enemy with his ball and chain. She rolled her eyes, "Shikijou. Don't forget. Don't hurt the woman."

"I know." He growled, "Shut up and watch."

Their fight was short. Shikijou didn't stand a chance against someone who had taken out Hyottoko without much trouble. Kyoka hissed as Beshimi dashed passed her to grab Megumi, "Damn. Yahiko's coming too."

She flipped back over the gate and hurried into the mansion, "Aoshi-sama. My brother's here."

"And?" He looked indifferent.

"I'll fight them all but I won't fight him." She growled, "Not even for you."

He nodded slowly, analyzing the situation expertly, "So the chance that you'll betray me is also high."

"If you say it like that then it seems like a bad thing but yes." She admitted, "But no matter what I won't fight you either."

He allowed the shock to appear on his face for only a moment, "Then the feeling is mutual."

She smiled, "Thank you."

"It'll keep the shock to the minimum, go now." Aoshi turned to leave the room, "The Oniwabanshu has no room for traitors but you're quitting, right?"

The shock only lasted a moment before she realized what the man was saying, "Aoshi-sama. That's right. I'll quit here and now."

Aoshi reached into his pocket, throwing an envelope over his shoulder as he left the room, "Good bye for now."

She stuffed the envelope into her gi, not bothering to check the contents. Moments later the mansion burst into panic as Battosai's group arrived to retrieve Megumi. Kyoka sat on the railings of the second floor, waiting for her brother's group to arrive. She allowed her mind to wander but for only a second, seeing as how her brother's voice brought her attention back to the situation at the mansion, "Don't underestimate the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu!"

She peered down and let out a relieved sigh. She waited, allowing Sanosuke and Battosai to begin their climb up the stairs before she jumped down to join her brother, "Yahiko."

"… That voice." The short boy spun around so fast she almost thought he was going to get dizzy, "…. Nee-san…"

"It's been a while." She smirked, drawing her tanto. Suddenly, one of Kanryu's guard lunged forward in an attempt to attack Yahiko while his back was turned. Kyoka pulled Yahiko towards her before lashing out at the man, a well-placed kick sent the man flying into the wall. She lunged forward for the kill when Yahiko cried out, "Hold on!"

She turned to look over her shoulder, "What's wrong?"

"Don't kill anyone."

"What?" She was bewildered. All this time she had worked with the Oniwabanshu as an assassin, a killer, a murderer. Not killing her opponent seemed to be unwise, what if they came back for revenge?

"Kenshin, wouldn't be happy if we killed anyone! A life is a life. We can't just take it. Taking lives is worse than stealing or anything else you can think of!" He yelled, "You don't have to kill people for me anymore!"

"What?" She thought he had gone crazy but then realized that he was implying that he had known about her jobs with the Oniwabanshu, "So you knew?"

She spun around to kick another man, and then another. With ninja-like speed and agility, she had rendered the rest of the men unconscious. Yahiko dropped his shinai, jumping into his sister's arms, "Nee-san."

"You knew that I was an assassin?" She asked, gently patting his head.

"Yeah." He nodded, "I found out last year."

She laughed, "I wasn't very secretive, but I didn't think you'd care since you became a pick-pocket."

His eyes snapped up to meet hers, "You knew?"

"Of course."

"It doesn't matter anymore. Kenshin took care of our debt!" Yahiko smiled up at her happily.

"Kenshin?"

"Himura Kenshin. That red-haired man with the scar on his face." Yahiko informed her.

"BATTOSAI?!" She almost had a heart attack, "What's your connection to him?"

"Battosai? Kenshin isn't that manslayer anymore. Kenshin and I live together with this ugly woman." He grunted out the last bit, jerking his thumb behind him.

"Ah. That girl from the Kamiya dojo." Pushing her brother aside gently, she gave the older girl a ninety degree bow, "Thank you for taking care of my brother."

"Eh?!" The girl looked like she had been put in an extremely awkward situation, "It was-It was nothing."

"I hate to admit it but ugly over there helped me out a lot too." He nodded as if he was trying to convince himself.

"Who are you calling ugly?!" She growled but instantly regained composure, "We don't have time for this! We have to catch up to Kenshin!"

She dashed up the stairs, Yahiko following close behind, "Nee-san! Hurry!"