CHAPTER 9. Amethyst-colored Eyes in a White Plum Scent

"He tricked me!!!" Miyako yelled with rage after entering their assembly place. All of the assassins looked at her smiling. Miyako's rage worsened, " What are you smiling at? I failed! Shogo Amakusa tricked me! I should have killed him when I have the chance."

"But don't you love the chase?" Nashi teased.

"Six months of sailing and doing nothing? I don't think so," Miyako glared at him. She is not usually angered easily but this time she is.

Kakashi seeing the intensity of Miyako's rage spoke, "don't worry he's here in Japan."

"Japan is a country. How will I know where he is?"

Azumi smirked, "You seem to forget my existence and my duties, my dear." She flipped her hair and then put her hands together. "Shogo Amakusa is staying at the Kashin dojo here in Tokyo. Apparently, he's visiting a friend named Kenshin Himura."

At the information given, Miyako clenched her fists, "he's going to die," she said and was about to stand up when Kakashi spoke.

"There are children at the dojo."

Miyako froze, "Children…"

Kakashi smirked, "so…" he began to tease, "… what happened?"

Ryu narrowed his eyes understanding the situation, "you don't kill with children around?"

Miyako turned her head slowly towards Ryu, "I…"

Ryu laughed seeing the gentleness in Miyako's eyes, "You have to learn Miyako."

"But…"

Ryu's face grew serious, "… no buts. I order you to kill Shogo Amakusa with or without children around."

Miyako looked down.

Azumi chuckled, "you are an assassin Miyako. Assassins focus on their targets not with other things that surround them."

Miyako closed her eyes. She hated Shogo Amakusa more!!!

"So let's hear it, white plum," Yoko said and crossed her arms.

Miyako has no other choice. She opened her eyes and looked at her comrades, "Consider it done."

Nashi sneered, "every word?"

Miyako swallowed hard, "every word."

"Good."

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"We have to hurry up," Sanosuke said and put Ayo on his shoulders. The little girl giggled.

"Father is hungry," Ayo teased.

"Your father is always hungry, Ayo," Megumi said and giggled.

All laughed. Kenshin at that time went outside and announced, "I will not be going with you."

"Why not?" Saito asked.

All looked at Kenshin, frustrated.

Kenshin scratched his head and with a smile said, "I wanted to, that I do but Kenji is sleeping. I wish not to wake him up, that I don't."

Shogo smiled, "you are the host. You should come with them. I'll stay. I'm not hungry anyway."

"Are you sure?" Kenshin asked Shogo.

Shogo nodded his head, "you can just bring back food for Kenji and me."

Kenshin looked at Shogo discerning whether or not he should leave Kenji behind.

"Kenji is going to be all right Kenshin," Sanosuke said.

"All right then," Kenshin said that made everyone cheered. Kenshin then looked at Shogo, "Thank you."

"No worries."

With that, the group left leaving Shogo and Kenji behind. Together, they walked to Akabeko to have lunch. It was a busy day. The market place was full of people walking but a certain aura did not escape Kenshin. He looked to his left and a young girl walking far opposite them caught his attention. Her head is bowed down. Her black hair is in a ponytail and she is wearing a maroon cape. Kenshin didn't know why his heart skipped a bit.

"Is something wrong?" Kaoru asked him.

Kenshin blinked and looked at Kaoru, "everything is fine." He answered in a quiet voice.

Kaoru went back to chatting with Megumi and Misao while Kenshin looked back at the girl. She was gone.

Soujiro felt a presence as well. He looked, but didn't see anyone. It was odd but he continued on his way.

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At the Kashin dojo, Shogo felt a very dangerous presence approaching. He calmly went inside the dojo and looked at the sleeping boy. He took the sword displayed in the middle of the room and afterwards, went in front of the dojo facing the gate waiting for the unexpected visitor. He put his right thumb on the sword handle and readied himself. He promised Kenshin that he will protect Kenji and he will draw a sword again just to fulfill that promise.

Outside the gate of the dojo, the wind blew away Miyako's maroon cloak. She was silently evaluating the surrounding inside. She certainly did not feel any children activities inside. But she smirked when she felt a familiar presence.

"He's waiting," she opened the gate and saw Mr. Amakusa waiting while sitting down. She smiled after seeing a sword in his hand. She closed the door. "this is going to be interesting."

"It's you," Shogo greeted her.

"It's me," she smirked. Then draw her sword.

Shogo stood up and put his sword on his waist.

"So you will not make it easy for me then?"

Shogo looked at her seriously, "I'm afraid not."

Miyako's smirk grew wider, "better." She positioned herself and attacked quickly.

Shogo was shocked at the impulsiveness of the action but the same action scared him. HE dodged it. Miyako smiled and attacked again, Shogo was forced to draw his sword. His drawing of the sword received the impact of Miyako's offense. Miyako sneered, she put her left foot forward and spun aiming at Shogo's back, Shogo knowing about it, quickly turned and blocked it with his sword. Miyako didn't stop; she pushed Shogo away using her sword and attacked again. Shogo not knowing what to do made a quick high jump and landed behind Miyako. Miyako quickly turned away and was about to attack when Shogo raised her sword and shouted, "Doryusen!!!" He hit the ground with the sword and rocks and massive airwaves were directed to Miyako.

Shogo waited and was stunned to see Miyako sneered. His jaw dropped when she saw her did a very swift high jump and landed behind him. She used that technique to avoid the Doryusen. Shogo quickly spun around.

Miyako smiled, "you're good."

Shogo felt Kenji's presence. It worried him. He made a stance to begin his Hiten Mitsurugi style. Miyako's eyes glistened with excitement. She prepared herself. Shogo ran towards his opponent. He is not going to use his full Hiten Mitsurugi style, just the ones enough to protect Kenji's way. Not knowing what he's up to, Miyako readied herself for the said attack. Shogo in his godlike speed disappeared. Miyako snickered. She felt him appeared behind her, she quickly blocked the sword by spinning around and letting her sword received the blow. However, she was surprised by what she saw. A boy looked at her with fear in his dark brown eyes.

"Hurry Kenji!!! Your father is at Akabeko." Shogo answered.

Miyako understood it all. Shogo picked up a sword again to protect the young boy.

Shogo looked at her with all caution. He directed his sword towards her while shielding Kenji as the boy made its way to the gate.

"PAPA!!!!!" she heard the boy shout.

Miyako looked at Shogo sternly, "you know you have to die."

"Not until I know the boy is safe," he made his stance again then with a great speed no naked eye could see he attacked.

Miyako smirked, "I saw that already," she said and readied her sword for a swing. She waited patiently and at the right count, she delivered an upright swing. Shogo was overthrown.

He was hurled off to the wall but he stood up. He touched his lips and saw a red liquid coming out from it.

"Let's finish this…" Miyako said and began to move. She copied Shogo's stance. Shogo's eyes widened. Then she disappeared on sight.

Shogo readied himself. At Miyako's attack, he was lucky to have dodged it. He pushed her using his sword but the woman just laughed at him. He made a quick high jump and on his landing released an upright overhead swing. Miyako was surprised; she quickly turned around and was able to receive the blow at the end of her sword. After which, they seceded.

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Kenji went inside the Akabeko immediately, "Papa!!!!" he called. Kenshin hearing his son's voice lifted his head.

"Kenji."

Kenji ran to his father and in between small quick breaths he uttered, "someone… is… trying… to… kill…"

At his words, Kenshin immediately stood up and ran away. Kenji doesn't need to finish his sentence for him to understand that Shogo is in danger.

"…Mr. Amakusa!!!" Kenshin heard his son's last words.

"Stay here," Saito ordered Kaoru and followed Kenshin.

"Don't let the children any closer to the dojo," Aoshi told Misao. Misao nodded and hugged Kimiko.

Megumi need not to be told, "go Sanosuke. Be careful." Sanosuke and Aoshi rushed to the door.

"Do you know who's trying to kill Mr. Amakusa?" Misao asked Kenji.

Kenji shook his head, "It is a girl. She's wearing a maroon cape."

At the mention of the cape and the gender of the attacker, Soujiro stood up. His heart began to race. Without saying any word, he left.

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Shogo was hurled off back again. The assassin used his every move against him. This time he stood up weakly. He knows he's going to die.

Miyako looked at her current victim and smiled. He is too weak to continue, "let's put an end to your misery, shall we?" she said coldly.

Shogo closed his eyes and felt the assassin moved aiming at his death.

Miyako with a godlike speed ran towards Shogo, draw her sword and was about to deliver a swing when a swing was directed to her. Gifted with great reflexes, she quickly retreated with a spiral turn.

Kenshin saw the assassin about to attack the now very weak Shogo, he clenched his jaw and using his godlike speed ran in front of Shogo and directed a swing on the assassin. It made contact with the rubber band in her hair. Then he smelled something, "…white plum."

Miyako's hair was thrown and covered her face. The sword, whoever it belongs to, made a contact with the band she put in her hair. "It was the kid's father." She narrowed her eyes and turned around looking at the sword first. "reversed blade?" Her gaze moved up and was shocked to see a person in front of her. "red hair with a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek!!!!" Her heart started to race, "Battosai…"

Kenshin was somehow shocked to see the girl in front of him. She has a pair of two lovely amethyst-colored eyes. His heart skipped.

"Well… well… who do we have here?"

Miyako looked at the direction of the voice and saw a man in a blue suit.

"Black Blood." HE said and spat.

Miyako narrowed her eyes.

"Do you know how much your head is worth?"

Miyako smirked, "enough to make a government official like yourself rich, Saito." She answered scornfully.

"You're under arrest." Saito said.

"I don't think so."

Saito laughed and draw his sword and then made his stance, "let's see."

Miyako smiled sweetly then shrugged her shoulders. Her concentration was on the said duel that she did not notice four more people went inside.

Saito began to attack. Miyako scoffed, put her sword upward and struck the ground hard. Rocks and massive airwaves flew to Saito's direction.

"Doryusen…" Sanosuke uttered and couldn't believe his eyes.

Saito smirked and with the use of his skills dodged her attack. He continued with his technique and was about to made contact when Miyako disappeared. All of them were amazed. But Saito is no fool; he made a quick slash while turning around. Miyako barely dodged it. Because of the impact, the two seceded.

Saito laughed, "Is that all that you have?"

Miyako smiled, "no." She said then copied Saito's stance.

"What are you doing?" Saito became apprehensive.

"Giving you a taste of your own medicine."

"You can't…"

Before Saito can even finish his words, Miyako attacked.

Aoshi seeing to it that Saito is not on the right mind anymore drew his two swords and attacked. Miyako seeing it quickly changed her position and watched carefully at how her new opponent delivered a technique. She quickly dodged it and headed to the unknowing Saito.

"Look out!!!" Sanosuke cried out.

"Shut up fool," Heiku commented.

The warning was too late. Saito might have used his sword to block the attack but the impact was so great he was hurled back. He couldn't stand after.

Miyako turned to Aoshi's direction; she held her sword with her two hands and made a quick movement. Her sword parted into two. She then made a quick thrust upward to shorten its length. After, she smiled, "fair enough, huh?"

Aoshi narrowed his eyes and attacked. Miyako attacked too. They met at the center with two swords colliding at each other making clashing sounds. Aoshi made a turn and aimed at Miyako's neck. Miyako saw how he did it. In retaliation, she made a quick high jump to avoid the attack and landed behind her opponent.

Soujiro couldn't take it anymore. The Miyako in front of him was the Miyako he never wished to see. It saddened him as he witnessed how the radiance… the goodness… he saw in her once upon a time was gone. He will not allow it.

Miyako was about to finish Aoshi with the technique the man has when her attack was disturbed with an unsheathed sword. The handle of that meddling sword stopped her two crossed swords. Miyako looked up and saw Soujiro.

"Enough…," Soujiro pleaded quietly, "… Miyako."

Miyako looked at him as the memories of their love flashed in her memory. Still, she remained unyielding and strong, "Move, Soujiro. I don't want to kill you."

Everyone was surprised to see the two in their conversation.

"You know her?" Sanosuke asked Soujiro.

Soujiro paid no attention to Sanosuke, "Then kill me if you want to. But you will not kill anyone here… not on my watch." He told Miyako sternly.

Miyako was filled with mixed emotions. She couldn't decide what to do. Soujiro looked at her very forcefully yet he could see in his eyes the love he still has for her.

Miyako screamed and finished her attack; the handle on Soujiro's sword broke. After which she retreated.

"You know her?" Sanosuke asked again.

"Miyako Yukishiro," Soujiro answered.

At the mention of the girl's last name, Heiku's jaw dropped as Kenshin's eyes widened in shock.

"Yukishiro?" Heiku asked.

Soujiro nodded.

Heiku examined the features of the assassin, "amethyst-colored eyes," he said then looked at Kenshin.

"White plum," Kenshin uttered, he slowly looked at the assassin and asked, "do you know anything about Tomoe… Tomoe Yukishiro?"

At that interim, the other members of Kenshin group with the children entered the dojo but no one dared to speak.

"Tomoe Yukishiro is my mother," Miyako answered forcing back any tear that threatens to drop. She is now face-to-face with the Battosai. The man she looked for, for so long. Her father.

All except Heiku was surprised at Kenshin's next question, "Are… you… mine?"

Miyako closed her eyes, "you never knew I existed."

Kenshin's question was answered. He doesn't know what to feel, he was raged knowing all along that he was a father and he had no idea about it, "and your mother never assumed that it is my right to know that I had fathered a child…? And to let me know that she is still alive?"

Miyako looked up and answered sternly, "she's dead."

Kenshin was shocked, "then how…?"

"I don't know. She was about to tell me but they killed her."

"They?"

"I don't know who they are."

"And you… how long did you know?"

"Thirteen years…"

"Then why…"

"I did look for you," Miyako cut him off. "You never had any idea the pain I had while looking for you," she said with her voice full of rage. "I never knew your real name… All I know was you are Battosai. I learned to steal so I can find you… but I am always too late. Our gang leader told me I'm pathetic, he gave me a clue of your identity… that you have red hair and a cross-shaped scar in your left cheek," Miyako couldn't control her tears anymore, "… I killed him because he did not give out your name." She chuckled. "Then I stopped my quest."

Kenshin was moved with compassion seeing his unknown daughter broke into tears, "You shouldn't have stopped."

Miyako smiled, she put her sword back in its sheath, "It doesn't matter anymore. We cannot undo things that are done."

"IT matters to me…"

"Papa?" Kenji said.

Miyako looked at the boy. She has a brother and she scared the wits out of him a while ago. The boy looked back at her.

"Kaoru, take Kenji inside…" Kenshin ordered. Kaoru did not argue. The ladies took their children inside.

"You don't want him to know that he has a sister that is a murderer?" Miyako asked.

Kenshin looked at her daughter not knowing what to say.

"Miyako…" Soujiro called.

Miyako looked at him, "I never knew you are friends with Battosai."

Soujiro was about to approach her when she spoke again.

"I guess, you're not going to allow me to kill Shogo, is that right Mr…" she said then looked at her father, "Mr. Battosai?"

"No one will die on my watch."

Miyako smiled then looked at Shogo, "you were lucky." She wiped her tears and turned around to walk away.

"Where are you going? You… you are under arrest," Saito told her weakly.

Miyako looked at Saito, "you will not dare to arrest me in front of my father," she said then began her steps.

"Wait…" Kenshin heard himself saying.

Miyako stopped. Will he let her stay? She was hopeful.

"Where are you going?"

"Hide."

"Why?"

"I failed to assassinate Shogo Amakusa. The Black Blood will be after me."

There was silence. Kenshin was torn between Miyako and Kenji's safety. HE couldn't shelter Miyako even if he wants to because it will endanger Kenji's life.

Miyako closed her eyes. She knows her father doesn't like her there. She continued to walk ignoring Soujiro's call.

Kenshin was left looking at the pain in Soujiro's expression, "I guess the both of us lost someone we don't want to lose."

Soujiro looked at the place where Miyako disappeared. HE found her. She was so near… yet she's too far.

CHAPTER 10. The Cost of Hiding

Yoko clenched her jaw, "I told you… I knew it from the very beginning… these things will happen."

Ryu assembled all of the Black Blood members to discuss a very intriguing and important matter.

"If she knows how to play the assassin way, sooner or later, this hideout will be discovered by the government officials," Nashi commented.

"Not if we find her first," Kakashi answered.

Azumi put her fingers at the side of her head, "she is smart. She knows we're looking for her and she will never disclose herself unless…" she paused.

Everyone looked at her waiting for an answer.

Azumi smirked, "… we show her the cost of her hiding."

"How?"

"She is the daughter of Battosai, a man whom at present is living simply with the name of Kenshin Himura," she answered.

"Shogo's friend?" Nashi asked.

Azumi nodded.

"What are you planning?" Ryu asked.

"I found it odd that Mr. Himura deprived his daughter a shelter. And I find it odder that Miyako did not push her right as a daughter."

"I don't get it," Yoko said and crossed her arms.

Azumi smirked, "there is a little boy."

"What little boy?" Nashi asked.

"Mr. Himura's son. Miyako's brother. I think the father and the sister wish to protect this young boy."

Kakashi smiled, "we get the boy and Miyako will come out from hiding."

Ryu smirked, "and I'll be having a fight with the legendary Battosai." He said and laughed, "Bring me that boy."

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After what had happened, Aoshi's family went back to Kyoto for safety. Aoshi wanted to help but he put his family's safety first. Master Heiku doesn't want to be involved so he left. Saito explained to Shogo what was going on and escorted the latter to his ship in his voyage back to Netherlands.

From Kenshin's visitors, only Soujiro was left. The young man had no intention of leaving… not now… not until the issue with him and Miyako is resolved. He tried to find her but he couldn't.

Kenshin looked at his son playing in the gardens. Yahiko accompanied Soujiro around town so Kenji's training is on hold at that point in time. Kenshin looked up. All of his nightmares about Tomoe were answered. Tomoe doesn't want him to be at peace yet because of Miyako… because Miyako needs him. Still, he doesn't know what to do.

HE doesn't know how to act around her or what to tell her. She is probably in her early twenties and… and… she had known about him half her life but he just known her three days ago. He put his hand on his forehead. If he only knew that Tomoe was alive, then… Miyako might have had a father to tell her that killing people is not good. Yet, he knows that Miyako knows what is bad from wrong. He knows that she did it only to survive… and she could have not hold a sword if only he was there… or at least if she found him earlier.

"Kenshin…" It was Kaoru's voice.

Kenshin looked at her.

"I need you to go to the market to buy some tofu. I need it for the meal tonight."

Kenshin nodded his head and began his walk to the market. What happened was a shock to Kaoru. He never told her the truth about Tomoe. How he was intimate with her. HE knows that Kaoru is at this point of time also hurting… now that the past haunts their current peaceful state. Still, Kenshin didn't hear any word of disdain from Kaoru. She remained silent.

"How I wish I could turn back time… that I do."

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"Kenji can you please help me with this? I need you to peel the carrots for me," Kaoru called to her son. She just saw him playing outside.

There was no answer.

"Kenji!!!" Kaoru called again.

Silence…

"Kenji!!! You don't want your mother to be angry!!!"

Still, there was no answer.

"Okay, young man I am coming out and it will not be good," Kaoru said then walked out.

Kenji was not there.

"Kenji?"

There was no answer. Kaoru's heart began to race. Her anger turned to worry. She continued to circle their yard in hopes to find his son.

"Kenji, where are you?"

Then she saw something. Her eyes widened. On the dojo's door, Kenji's right slipper was pinned with a dagger and an envelope was attached to it, "NO!!!"

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Miyako was careful in her disguise. Her disguise was a young vegetable merchant boy. She is clothed on a commoner loose wardrobe so her figure will not be seen. She tucked her hair in a bandana and put an eye patch on her left eye to disclose the real her. For three days it was a success. For three days, she could see one Black Blood after another trying to look for her but they did not recognize her. And for three days she saw Soujiro looked for her.

The sale was good. All of the vegetables were sold. She could go back to the abandoned hut not too far away from the market and rest. She was heading towards her sanctuary when she discerned someone following her. She walked calmly. The stalker should not know that she recognizes someone's presence. She simply took the alley on her right and hid on the edge of it waiting for the stalker to pass by so she could kill whoever it is. But she was surprised when someone put a hand over her mouth and led her to the dark isolated corner nearby.

"Shhhh…" It was Soujiro.

"What are you doing?" she told him on her disguised male voice.

Soujiro smiled, "I know it's you Miyako."

Miyako attempted to pull her eye patch but Soujiro stopped her, "no. The Black Blood might see you."

"What do you want?"

"They kidnapped Kenji."

Miyako was burdened, "What?!!!"

"You have to come discreetly by the dojo this night," Soujiro said then left.

Miyako clenched her fist. They will really never stop until they get rid of her.

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That night, Kenshin kept on looking at the letter. It was a simple letter on black ink. It read:

Your son or your daughter?

Take your pick, Battosai

Kenshin doesn't know what to do. Kaoru had been crying all day. Megumi is currently comforting her nearby. He doesn't know where Miyako is and he is not sure if he can trade his daughter for his son. Sanosuke, Soujiro and Yahiko await his decisions. But he couldn't give any. He couldn't compromise. Either way, he'll lose someone and he doesn't want it that way.

His head was about to hurt when he heard a silent landing on the ground.

"Someone's here," he said.

The door opened and in came Miyako dressed in her assassin outfit.

"I heard what happened…" she began.

Kaoru narrowed her eyes and headed to Miyako's direction. Once she was an inch away she gave the unexpecting girl a loud slap on the cheek. All was shock on that action especially that they heard how hard the slap was.

Miyako was surprised. She put her hand slowly on her cheek and felt it hurt.

"It is your fault!!!! They took my son away because of you!!!" Kaoru said and was about to hit her again when Megumi intercepted. She put Kaoru in an embrace and tried to calm her down.

"Ow…" Miyako uttered silently.

"Are you okay?" Soujiro asked worriedly seeing the finger marks on Miyako's cheek.

Miyako nodded and looked at her father. Kenshin did not say anything. He just looked at her.

"It is me they wanted. I promise that your son will be returned," she said and started to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?" Kenshin said.

Miyako stopped and turned around. "I'm going to get your son back."

Kenshin smiled sadly, "alone?"

Miyako nodded her head.

"That is not reassuring."

"Why so?"

"Are you certain you can get your brother back?"

Miyako nodded her head.

"How many members are there in the Black Blood?"

"Six… that includes me."

"Five against one?"

"I can do it."

"Have you fought with them before?"

"We spar…"

"Who won the spar?"

"Most of the time it is a draw."

"Now, do you think you can do it alone?"

"I am the one they wanted."

"NO!!!"

"But…"

"You listen to your father Miyako!!!" Kenshin said in a warning tone.

Miyako was not used to it, she was about to say something when Kenshin spoke again.

"I will not let you go alone."

Miyako closed her eyes. Now she knows it is hard to argue with a father but she liked the feeling eventhough she lost. "What should I do then?"

"I am going with you." Kenshin said.

"Me too," Soujiro said and smiled at her.

"If Kenshin is going… I'm going," Sanosuke said.

"I'm a part of the Kenshin group so I'm going as well," Yahiko said.

"Good," Kenshin replied… "Now it's one on one."

Miyako smiled.

"Come here and tell us everything about these assassins."

Miyako nodded her head and began.