Standard disclaimers apply…I don't own RK.

This idea has been bouncing in my head for a while. It will be a short fic and I have planned for it to be only 5 chapters long.

Enjoy!

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The feudal era was perhaps one of the most complicated eras to love in. With the collapse of the royal family all the lords and the soldiers they commanded came faced with the brutal fight for absolute power over the country known as Japan. Amongst these, the Mitsurugi Manor, Tsukini Manor, Houshi Manor and Hiou Manor were the most prominent. Each had battalions of soldiers ready to fight to their death and headed by strong men. Alliances changed rapidly to the point that it dissolved in its purpose. Smaller manors relied on bigger ones for support and if it was not difficult enough for the men, the women had it worse.

To the single young woman, who could not rely on her family for any reason, she only had 2 options: marriage to a man who, she hopes would do their best to protect them (for it was common that the lack of male presence resulted in brutal rape and murder in these turbulent times under the banner of vengeance) or the brothel. The married women too faced the latter option for if their husbands died (which more than often happens) – it was the sole means of employment opened to them for they held neither equity nor knowledge. Everything their husband had owed before would be returned to their lords or rechanneled to the new ones.

Kamiya Kaoru was raised in the most peculiar way. Being born shortly before the collapse of the once ruling monarchs and the eruption of mayhem, her father did the most unthinkable and taboo thing in society then. He gave her a unisex name which more often than not is favoured by males. He educated her in the art of swordsmanship and in the perils of the written word. Perhaps deep down, he wanted her to be free of the 2 options available to single young women when he was no longer around and created a 3rd door for her – disguise.

She never knew her mother for a bad bolt of fever at the age of 6 had wiped her memory out and by then her mother had been lost to the heavens above and her father never mentioned her name. Now at a tender age of 18, she was vice-captain of all the battalions of the Mitsurugi Manor. That position had been filled with blood spilled over the past 4 years since her father's death and the end of his unwavering protection. She had been careful in concealing her identity and developed a distinctly male voice for the sheer need of survival. If discovered, a fate worse than death awaited her for she had deceived her lord. She had taken a liberal approach to the interpretation of her late father's sword style: Kamiya Kasshin Ryu – the sword that protects. Protecting herself, her beliefs and the lives of the many men and women. Hence, when the blade is swung down, it would draw blood.

Tonight's mission was simple enough. According to the report delivered by the information wing of the Mitsurugi Manor which was headed by the prodigy that was Shinomori Aoshi, the Houshi Manor would make its move on their stock storage area – the bait she had helped create to cripple Houshi Manor's military strength. The 50 strong men whom she had brought along were all crouched low, blending into the darkness and positioned strategically awaiting the silent and near invisible approach of the men from Houshi Manor.

This was an important yet deceptively simple mission. Hence as vice-captain, she had followed, her superior, the captain of the military wing, had not. He had faith in her. Noticing the slight tweak of the grass and small change in the wind's scent, she signalled her men to take up new positions – they were here.

The night remained silent throughout the ordeal. This was Kamiya Kaoru's forte, strategic planning which resulted in unnerving silence. Silence was golden for it left the mind of the enemy in turmoil – did their raid succeed or fail? Were they going to be ambushed or are they already ambushed? It also had the potential to create irrational fear lined with make-belief security. Oh, the love of sweet silence.

As the 40 men retreated silently with their vice-captain, only the sound of crickets could be heard. This was part of the reason why she had managed to grasp the title of vice-captain and her men feared and respected her at the same time. Even Shinomori Aoshi had recognised her wit and skill.

When the 40 men and she returned back to the manor, they were greeted by their captain – Himura Kenshin, the notorious Battousai and heir to the Mitsurugi Manor. He gave a curt nod and waved his hand in a gesture indicating that they could return to their living quarters. Turning to return to his own quarters, he was followed expectantly by his vice-captain. Once reaching his quarters and sliding the shoji door shut, he sat down in a kneeling fashion to address his vice-captain whom he respected and had utmost faith in.

"You lost 10 men" he stated

"The men from Houshi Manor are wary of the darkness and silence" came her cool reply as she sat opposite him in the same fashion, her back facing the door. Her usual clothes – hakama and gi accompanied by the shiori coat, a reminder of the cool October air, were stained with little droplets of blood which were almost invisible under the wavering candle light.

"Killed them all?"

"Yes"

"Lord Seijiro would be pleased…with regards to the next mission, I would go personally."

"That won't be necessary, as you vice-captain, I alone should be good enough to deliver the final blow to Houshi Manor"

"Now, even my skills would rust if I do not make use of them. Besides, it is the finally standoff"

"Hai"

"Kaoru"

"Hai"

"Good job"

"Thank you"

Taking a deep bow, she got up and left the room to return to her own quarters. Closing its door, she released her long raven locks from its high pony tail – an indication of the warrior status, by tugging her hair tie. Taking the pail of water and cloth which she had requested to be placed in her room, she moved deeper into the dark interior of the room which was only kissed by a few rays on moonlight and dapped herself clean. Allowing a moment for her female side to show. Tomorrow, they would be journeying up north to divert the attention of the people at Houshi Manor on to them whilst Sanosuke, the next person in charge after her to lead a team to strike the heart of Housi Manor.

In a week's time, Houshi Manor would cease to exist and its servants reduced to mere names and lines in the history of this era. No one would record the grief and fate that awaits the wives and families of the proud men who would rather die than to serve a conqueror master. Putting on a sleeping yukata and retying her hair into a low ponytail, she unrolled her futon on the tatami mats of the floor. Slipping beneath its covers, she closed her eyes, awaiting the haunting dreams that would follow. Such was life at these times.

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A/N: with regards to the usage of Manor instead of Clan or House, well, it just sounds better and last I checked it can be used interchangeably.