Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters; I'm just borrowing them for a bit. :)

The cool night air seemed to drop to a frigid cold and a shiver of fear trembled through the night as he appeared with his sword by his side. The moon's light glinted red off of his hair and though he seemed thin and wiry, the power and skill possessed in his muscles were legendary. The drunken shouts and brawling ceased as he walked forward.

One word.

"Move."

Those capable of movement scrambled out of his way. The ones left behind stood frozen, staring in horror. A quick flash of steel swiped through the air with deadly precision. Bodies fell to the street and he walked on.

…

The sun rose over the dojo and a young woman woke once again to silence. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"I don't think I'll ever be used to how empty the house is."

Kaoru lived alone since the death of her brother almost six months ago. She had been left a considerable inheritance and taught her brother's fighting techniques to pass the time. Having an occasional student practicing in the yard made the tedium and loneliness easier to bear and seeing her brother's legacy continuing on made it worth the extra work. Kaoru carefully pulled out a yellow, flowered kimono and then pulled her hair back with her favorite blue ribbon. After a quick breakfast she headed towards town to run a few errands. Looking around Kaoru noticed her friend sweeping in a doorway.

"Ohaiyo Tae-chan, how is business?"

"Not so good today Kaoru-chan. Last night's trouble has everyone too scared to leave home. Its probably safer for you to do your shopping later too."

Tae is such a worrywart. It's the middle of the day and I'm hardly helpless!

Tae had been after Kaoru to move in with her ever since the death of her only family. Her reasons had ranged from the dangers of the war to the possibility of ravenous demons. Neither had convinced Kaoru but Tae never stopped trying. Kaoru brushed this off as another one of Tae's ruses.

"But there's trouble every night Tae-san. I can't stay at home every time there's a fight."

"A fight? It was much more than that! Three men were slaughtered in the streets and those that survived are saying that only one man took them all on at once. I'd not think much of it if I hadn't overheard some of Akira-sama's men whispering about Battousai a few nights ago."

"Battousai? Why would the legendary manslayer come here?"

Is this another one of her scare tactics?

"I don't know why Kaoru-chan but please for your own safety, don't stray too far from home."

Seeing that Tae was genuinely upset Kaoru promised to be careful, finished her shopping and went home. Later that night however she found her mind wandering back to what Tae had said.

Could he really have come here? Kami-sama protect our people if it's true.

…A week earlier…

"Why have you summoned me Akira?"

He was the only one who dared to address the powerful lord in this way and Akira did not miss the significance of this impudence. But Hitokiri Battousai was too valuable an asset to ignore and too dangerous to anger.

"The rival forces are becoming more and more persistent. Of course fighting such inferior soldiers is not something I would ask of you but their leader, head of the Black Moons is a different matter. I want you to find his whereabouts and kill him."

Akira paused here to judge the reaction of his former vassal. Their last meeting had not fared well and he feared that any wrong move on his part could result in either his own death or the loss of his greatest weapon.

"Do you accept this task?"

A moment passed and the amber eyes glinted gold.

"I will find this nuisance and dispose of him, but I warn you that this is the last time that I will come to your aid. Our agreement was for 6 years and I have served you well in this time. Now it is your turn to do your part."

Since this was more than he had hoped for so Akira did not bother to argue.

"What do you wish for Battousai? I offered you whatever boon you wanted in return for your loyalty. Lands? Money? Name your price."

"I wish for anonymity. You will never again summon me. Tell the world that Hitokiri Battousai is dead. I will serve only myself from now on."

"Anonymity? You want to give up all recognition and power that you have earned?"

Battousai gave no answer.

"As you wish then. Once you return from your task, I will begin to spread the rumors. Is this acceptable?"

He simply turned and left the room.

Just one more and I'm free.

Battousai traveled in the dark hours of the night, moving through the shadows and alert for any signs of danger. Akira had told him of a town in the country and his informants confirmed this information. He had already cleaned his sword from last night's inconvenience and was prepared for battle. His target lived at the town's only dojo. Apparently the style of fighting taught was not designed for killing but for protection of the weak.

What good is a sword if you don't use it to kill? But I guess it makes a decent cover. No one would suspect some peace-loving fool to be a member of the Black Moons.

He flew over the walls surrounding the dojo and moved with god-like speed across the open ground.

…

Inside Kaoru was heating water for her bath. It had been a hard day and a steamy bath was exactly what she needed. Stripping down, she slipped into the water and exhaled slowly.

"Hmm….I need a good night's sleep. It's a good thing I don't have any lessons tomorrow, I can sleep in for once."

She soaked for a while but when she found herself falling asleep she began to get out of the tub. Stopping suddenly Kaoru looked around warily. Something just didn't feel right. She waited to see if she could hear anything but everything was silent as usual. Laughing she got dressed and went towards her room

"I've been listening to Tae-chan too much!"

She slid open the door and moved into the dark room intending to brush out her hair before sleeping. She reached for a candle to light the room but as soon as she touched it, the candle was knocked out of her hand, the room spun around, and she was pinned against the wall, one hand crushing her neck and the other over her mouth.

A chilling voice, no more than a whisper, but undeniable breathed into her ear,

"What have we got here?"