Family Ties



Chapter Two



Kenshin and Jade looked at each other thoughtfully as they stood in front of one another. They were in Kaoru's dojo, preparing to spar against one another. Then, as one, they bowed. Quickly, so quickly that Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sanosuke couldn't see the movement, they drew their swords.

"Now we will see how much you have improved, big brother. Are you ready to fight?" Jade asked, smiling across the few feet at her brother. She flipped the blade so that it was similar to her brother's, the sharpened end on the outside.

Kenshin frowned. "I am ready, little one. Indeed I am. Let us begin.......now!"

In a blur of bodies, they came at each other. The swords flashed and the clang of steel against steel could be heard. They came apart, eyeing each other from opposite ends of the room. Sanosuke's eyes widened when he saw this. I could have sworn that they were right next to each other a minute ago.... he thought. But, if that's true, how can they be at opposite ends of the same room right now?

He shook his head and continued to watch the spar. Jade ran at her older brother, and when Kenshin saw this, he jumped into the air. Jade followed him; and once again, the swords clashed. The exchange of sword blows came so fast now that they seemed to cause a whirlwind in the small room; the wind picked up and circled the brother and sister, spinning faster and faster. Jade landed in a crouch, while Kenshin landed in a cat stance. They eyed each other, gray meeting violet. Their gazes were assessing, their thoughts identical. They were trained by the best.....and they had succeeded him. They were the best.

Suddenly, Jade sprang up from her crouch. She ran at Kenshin, holding her katana down, in an attack position. When she was close to him, Kenshin brought up his own sword. The katanas met in a blur of steel and sound. When the two sparring partners stopped, the audience saw that they were hilt to hilt. Neither had won the sparring match.

Kenshin and Jade grinned at each other, then moved apart. Putting the swords back in their scabbards, they bowed at each other, giving the other the respect earned.

"You've improved," Kenshin stated softly, his purple eyes assessing as he looked his younger sister over. She gave him a quick grin, then her face reverted back to it's cold mask.

"So have you," she replied. "If you had stayed with sensei, you never would've become this strong, brother."

Looking thoughtful for a minute, Kenshin stared at her. Finally, "Strength is only gained through pain and toil."

Jade sighed, then nodded softly. She bowed to him and started to walk out of the dojo. "I'll be back in time for dinner," she promised over her shoulder. Kenshin watched her leave; then, he too, sighed and went into the kitchen, intending to make dinner.

She's different from before, Kenshin thought. She's colder, more distant. Nothing like the little sister I left all those years ago. Seeing her now, like this, I almost regret leaving her at such a young age. I was the only family she had, and now she probably feels like I abandoned her. I wish she'd tell me what happened to her; I wish she'd share her memories. Then again....I don't like to share the memories I have of when I was the Battousai, so I guess I can't blame her.

Kenshin sighed once again and started to cut the tofu. "Don't become like me, little sister. Don't become saddened and haunted by your past."

* * *

The sun felt so warm on Jade's face; she tilted her head back and seemed to drink in the sun's warm rays. She smiled wistfully and continued down the pathway, going deeper into the woods. The trees' shadows made interesting shapes and designs on the forest floor, and Jade enjoyed looking at the sun-dappled designs.

Suddenly, she stopped, sensing someone in the woods; they were watching her. Jade quickly scanned the woods surrounding her, but could find no one.

They're hiding...... she thought to herself. Her gray eyes flickered back and forth, trying to find the person she sensed. Jade had spent too many years as a warrior; never did she think that she was just being paranoid. Her senses had never failed her before, and she saw no reason why they'd be wrong now.

"Where are you?" she yelled, still scanning the forest. Silence. After several moments, there was still no reply. But Jade knew that they were still there. Then......a low, sinister laugh. A man stepped out from the brush directly in front of her. He was tall, as tall as Sanosuke. He had long black hair pulled back in a braid that came to his knees. His mouth was cruel, harsh and unrelenting. But it was his eyes that caused Jade to jerk in terror. One eye was scabbed over by a thick scar. Where the eyes was supposed to be, there was only thick, wrinkled skin. The other eye was blue, an blue so pale it looked to be clear.

Jade's eyes widened. A memory came to her:

Screams. Screams filling the air and surrounding her. Blood was everywhere, on the ground, covering everything, including her clothes and hair; it was even under her nails, and she knew that it would take many hours to scrub it away.

Suddenly--movement to her left. A tall man stepped out of the shadows, staring at her coldly. He was dressed as a samurai, and he carried a long katana in one hand. His pale eyes searched hers; he smirked, and came at her. In a flash, Jade had her own sword out. She jumped over his thrust and quicker than thought, she slashed at his face.

Blood flew, splattering the young female warrior once again. The man screamed and fell to his knees, clutching his face. Jade looked down at him disdainfully, then walked away.

His screams echoed after her: "I'll kill you! Mark my words, I'll kill you!!!"

"You....." Jade whispered. The man smirked, then inclined his head, causing several strands of midnight black hair to fall in his face.

"Me," he replied.

Jade stepped back and reached for her sword, taking it out of it's sheath with a hiss of tempered steel. She held it in front of herself, the sharpened end pointing at the one-eyed man.

"It's been a long while," he continued. "And I still haven't repaid you for the injury and humiliation you gave me."

Jade gave him a sarcastic grin, her eyes hardening and narrowing. "It was my pleasure," she answered him. "I was happy to give you what you deserved."

The man's eye narrowed with hate. "I'll kill you, little one. You surprised me last time; you won't do that again. I'll kill you dead."

"Try!" Jade snarled, her beautiful face, so much like Kenshin's, contorting with fury and hate. "I beat you before and I'll do it again!"