ALOHA! Blek! Yet another chapter, but this one actually has some action (!0. I do not, have not, and will not own Rurouni Kenshin (;_;).  Ok, here it is!

Kenshin looked up in surprise as Tsukiyo came back, smiling. He noticed healing sores on her hands, but chose not to say anything. She reached for a change of clothes and headed for the spring.

Tsukiyo was tying on her binding when she noticed a shape approaching. From the outline it was Hiko in his enormous mantle. She sighed and continued drying her hair.

Hiko was a bit surprised to see her sitting at the edge in only her binding and pants. She typically acted more modest than that. Either she didn't care or she was thinking of other things. He walked quietly and was about to grab her shoulders when the chain flicked up and batted his cheek.

"It's not nice to try and scare people, shishou," she said conversationally. Hiko smiled and sat down next to her.

"What do you plan to do now? Attack in four days?" he asked, slipping his mantle off. He clearly meant to bathe here whether or not she watched.

"Don't know why I should wait. I was thinking more of two nights," she said, combing another section of her thick hair. Hiko paused his folding of his mantle to look at her.

"I didn't think you'd want to go back so soon," he said, starting to work on his shirt. Tsukiyo ignored him, though her eyes were closed more.

"That's why it will work. I'm going in the same time, too. Except I think I'll knock. He should find it extremely funny if I ask for a second chance at our little game. He'll be off his guard, thinking I'm mad with anger," she said easily.

"I don't see why you don't just kill the bastard and be done with it," Hiko growled. From the rustle of cloth he was folding his shirt.

"I won't kill until I have to," she said slowly. "Would you have me a killer?" she asked.

Hiko's voice was oddly hoarse when he replied. "I've killed. You think I would care if you did over this? I'd have killed him long ago, but you and your stupid notions about honor and duty…" he said. Tsukiyo looked at him, startled. She swallowed hard. He looked incredible with out his shirt on. He was very well muscled, though she wasn't looking there at the moment. She was looking at his eyes. They were intense, glowing with a strange light. She felt a warm burst in her stomach when he looked at her like that. She blushed.

"They're not stupid," she said mulishly. Hiko smirked.

"Maybe not, but you take them too seriously sometimes," he said, refusing to dim his eyes or look away. Tsukiyo felt her body tremble with eagerness. His grin widened, understanding. He leaned in close, bending her back until she was on the ground. He stretched out next to her, waiting for her pulse to slow down. When it did, he leaned over her, supporting himself with an arm, and bent down, his hair tickling her nose. He looked at her closely, and liked what he saw. Then he kissed her.

Tsukiyo gasped as his lips glided smoothly on top of hers, tongue seeking and obtaining entrance. As he explored her with his tongue, she felt her body respond. Her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers stroking his long hair and curling under his ponytail at the base of his neck.

She had been kissed before, but never so thoroughly. And the kisser had never been Hiko. He sensed her hesitation and moved back slightly. She followed him, tentatively at first but then made bolder by his lips that kept trying to smile. After a while he moved down to her throat, kissing the nerve endings. She felt him suck redness to the surface, suddenly eager. She pushed against him. She felt his lips smirk into her skin. She kissed his hairline, her hands moving to his broad shoulders. His muscles rippled in ecstasy at her touch. She explored his torso further, her light touch gliding torturously over his chest and back.

Hiko pinned her hands above her head, and then bit her neck lightly. She arched back, soft murmurs of approval escaping her neglected lips. He tested her again, harder. She moaned softly, hands escaping his grip, fingers curling tighter in his hair, urging him to continue. He did so, then returned to her mouth, and found her waiting. Tsukiyo tipped her head back, gasping slightly. He followed her, kissing her neck. He traveled down, and then rested his head on top of her binding. Her fingers flicked his hair, her eyes half closed. One of his hands traveled to her back, searching for the knot.

Tsukiyo shook her head, grabbing his hand. Hiko sent her a questioning look. She propped herself up on her elbows.

"No. I'm not ready," she whispered, eyes dilated and gleaming. Hiko shrugged and rolled onto his side so he could watch her. She did the same, eyes refusing to blink. She looked so innocent – it occurred to him that in a way, she was. He smiled when she reached out to brush back a piece of his long hair. He caught her hand and kissed the underside of her arm. She allowed herself to be dragged into his muscular arms and curled against his chest, lifting her mouth to kiss his. After a few minutes she broke away, and he was content simply to watch her.

She got up reluctantly and reached for her haori. He gave it to her and prepared for his bath. She turned to ask him a question and was caught in his mouth. She felt her pulse hammering in her ears, and broke away after a few endless minutes. He sighed, looking her up and down, clearly imagining her in a less than chaste manner. She blushed and picked up her chain. She wasn't sure what she could say to him. She looked up at him, and saw no words were needed. She went to the house to get some sleep and he took his bath.

If Kenshin or Sano noticed her slightly disheveled appearance, they chose not to remark on it. They did have something to say when she told them she would be attacking in two nights.

"Are you sure that is a good idea? It would do no good to go rushing into battle, de gozaru yo," Kenshin said, worried.

"Shut up, Kenshin. As long as we're invited I can't complain," Sano said, chewing on a long blade of grass. Tsukiyo smiled her gratitude.

"How do you plan to beat him? He might try to cheat again," Kenshin said. She looked away.

"I'm ready," she said, standing up. She brought a blanket outside and curled up, eyes dropping.

Hiko came back, dripping from his bath. Tsukiyo had long since fallen asleep, her blanket not really covering her. He moved it into a better position and ruffled her hair before walking inside to see if there was any sake left.

Tsukiyo was up before dawn. She went to the river and sat, focusing on her fight. She breathed deeply. She wouldn't risk the others. She was fairly sure they could take care of themselves, but she didn't want any strings attached to this fight. She could only do what she set out to do if they showed up at the last second.

The idea had been in the back of her mind ever since she had woken up. Hiko's display of affection last night complicated matters, but she couldn't allow herself to be sidetracked. Not from duty.

She smiled to herself. There she went again, turning into her father. The very least she could give him was a fitting end to his line.

It was dusk before she knew it. She went back to the house, and opened the sake she had been saving for one last party. They all met up Kaoru, Megumi, and Yahiko as they went to the Aoiya for the evening. Kenshin poured Kaoru a drink; it was a unforgivable mistake. She was unstable the rest of the night. Megumi and Sano went through periods of arguing and brushing hands, a memory of when Tsukiyo had first seen them in a social setting together. Yahiko was the object of Kaoru's emotional outbursts, while Kenshin tried to placate her, often getting slapped, hit, and throttled for his troubles. Misao sat with the children, keeping them in order. Aoshi was no where to be found.

Tsukiyo poured the sake for Hiko, the slight flashes of skin and light blushes giving her away. She filled and refilled his cup constantly, never leaving him unattended.

It was very late when the last of them fell asleep. She was certain, because she pretended to trip, and no one did anything. Kenshin would have helped her, Sano would have woken up, and Hiko would have made a comment about her clumsiness. She finished putting away the dishes and looked at them all. Her throat caught, and she had to bite her tongue to keep from doing anything. She changed and left a note pinned in the door. She hung a bell that would ring when the fire burned down from lack of heat. That would wake them up. She took one last shuddering breath, and left.

As she slipped out of the gates, she jerked as a long shadow next to her spoke.

"Don't lose," said Aoshi. Tsukiyo nodded her thanks and left.

Kogasu smiled as she kicked open his door. "Well, this is a surprise! I expected to see your friends to be with you when you returned. I certainly didn't expect you here so soon, so I'm afraid you caught me a bit unprepared. Please, come in," he said, for all the world a bumbling host.

"Would you like something to eat? A drink, perhaps? Oh, forgive me – you don't drink alcohol. Not since your uncle, I believe."

Tsukiyo nodded the affirmative. He smiled, and sat down to his glass of wine.

"I normally don't drink myself, but I find I enjoy a strong glass of red wine before a fight. It seems to add to the excitement," he said. He raised his glass in a toast. "May you always be sharp, Kazeno-dono," he said, and sipped delicately.

Tsukiyo leaned forward on the table. "Last time we fought on your terms. I would like to make a few of my own. If I win, I take the girl and myself out of here and you leave any and all parties involved alone for the rest of your natural life. You will instruct any and all of those who are loyal to you to follow your example. If I lose, which will only be by my death, you will let the girl leave and once again disregard any and all parties involved in this and instruct any and all those loyal to you to do the same, as you are a sporting man. Agree to these terms and I will fight you," she said calmly.

Kogasu smiled slightly. "Well, you are certainly leaving nothing to chance, are you? Very well. It is a civil agreement, and a sensible one. Likewise, your friends shall not come after me for this incident. If later quarrels arise, which they won't on my part, they may do as they wish. I assume you've brought a draft?"

Tsukiyo pushed a slip of paper across the table. He nodded and signed it, adding the portion he mentioned. She signed it as well after looking at what he had written.

Kogasu got up and stretched. "Well, now that that's taken care of, I suppose we can get on with the game! If you don't mind, I would like to fight you outside. It's too beautiful a night to be inside," he said, bowing her outside. She nodded regally and followed him to the gardens.

Yahiko shifted uneasily. He had the sneaking suspicion Kaoru had been involved in the cooking. He got up and was about to relieve himself when he saw the note. The fire was halfway to burning itself out. He shook Kenshin awake roughly, babbling about the note. Kenshin read it, and nudged Sano. Sano growled, waking up Kaoru, who screamed from a nightmare, which woke up Megumi who then went to ready her medicines, which woke up Misao who woke up the children who then tried to braid Hiko's hair until Ayame ran away, tripping over Hiko who told them he didn't appreciate the make over (in harsher terms, of course). After reading the letter, they spoke not a word and left as quickly as possible.

Tsukiyo stretched her back, slowly warming up. She had jogged the way here, but that wasn't really enough for what she was going to do. Kogasu watched her curiously, as if the novelty of one stretching to prepare ones self for a match was unheard of. When she finished, he raised his blade. She swung her chain, and waited.

Kogasu charged in first, slashing at her quickly. He expected some retaliation. He received none. She avoided his attacks easily, her mind focused on a point. Her eyes were cold, taking in his every move. She read his muscles, predicting his moves before he made them.

Kogasu jumped out of range and applauded her politely. "Very nice! You've improved a great deal…or did you just remember how to fight? No matter. This game is shaping up quite nicely!"

Tsukiyo smiled and prepared for the next onslaught.

Yahiko glared at Sano. He was getting tired of being thrown into walls of guards preparing to fire guns. Sano insisted it was for the good of them all, but Yahiko seriously doubted that. Kenshin was looking around carefully, alert for any movement in the gardens. The soft clang of metal reached their ears. They took a hidden path to the noise.

Tsukiyo was now on the offensive. Kogasu was blocking her strikes easily. She wasn't putting much effort into them. She wanted to be sure of how fast he was. Her chain encircled his hilt. She flicked her wrist, causing the stone to chuck him under the chin. He jerked, eyes suddenly blazing. He understood now that she was teasing him. She flipped her fingers, twirling the chain back to her hands. He stepped back, taking a defensive stance. They both paused, hearing footsteps. Thinking it was guards, Tsukiyo took a stance almost identical to that which Hiko had taken when showing her his favorite technique.

Kenshin stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. Hiko seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. All eyes were trained on the lone figure who was staring down the man who had caused so much trouble.

"I got this idea from a friend and adapted it. I think you'll enjoy it," she said, and started a complex chain dance. She skipped from side to side, just avoiding breaking an ankle. The air first started a low hum, and then rose to a shriek. She suddenly disappeared.

"Kakumu Kaze!" She shouted. Everyone watching jerked. Hiko began to smile. The idea was that one twitch would strike all nine fatal points. She did just that as the chain settled in place. Kogasu collapsed, unconscious.

Now that he was still, they could examine her handy work. The chain was tightly wound around him. It was neat, with no blood or broken bones. She recalled the chain, roughing him up a little. She wound it back around her waist, and then turned to the group. She swayed a little, and then smiled. Kaeko was in Kenshin's arms, asleep. She ran to them, pausing just out of reach of the girl, watching to be sure she was safe. When she assured herself of that fact, she looked at the others. They each had different reactions, most of which were to berate her for not taking them along. She ignored them and held Kaeko as if she were a baby, tension seeping out of her body

Kaeko wriggled slightly, and yawned. Tsukiyo waited, breathless, and Kaeko opened her eyes.

"Kiyo-nee-chan!" she said, scrambling to hug her. Tsukiyo laughed wetly, hugging her back. Kaeko sobbed into her shoulder. "I thought you were going to die when you came to save me, nee-chan! I thought you were dead and he would keep me forever and ever…" her voice rose into hysterics. Tsukiyo rocked her back and forth.

She's clean, she thought. New clothes, bandages, salves, the best money could buy…

"It's ok, Kaeko. I'm here. And look, we even brought you an escort home," she said gently. Kaeko looked at them all, and ran, sobbing, to his utter embarrassment, Yahiko.

"Yahiko-sama, whhhyyy did you leave me? I thought you would try to save me too, but you didn't…" Yahiko blushed to the roots of his hair. Sano burst out laughing.

"Yahiko-sama? Got a girl friend now, huh?"

"SHUT UP SANO!" Yahiko yelled, and jumped on his head, trying to bite it off.

This distraction left Tsukiyo to thank Kenshin.

"Arigatogozaimasu, Kenshin-sama," she said, bowing deeply. "I wasn't sure where she was. I was afraid I would have to tear apart the house looking for her."

"Don't thank me. Sessha is quite fond of her, and it is wrong to kidnap children," he said, smiling. Tsukiyo gave him a one armed hug and then turned to Hiko.

"That was very stupid, you know. You should've brought us with you. There was no need to get them all drunk and try to deceive me. What would you have done if the guards shot at you, or tried to stop you, or you couldn't find Kaeko?"

"Kogasu may be a thief, but he has his own code of honor. Play to win. If he loses, he will lose honorably, because he will have no one saying that he was disgraced completely. I was banking on that, and he gave me a verbal invitation. Who am I to refuse?" she said, watching as Kaoru beat up Yahiko for biting Sano, Yahiko screaming insults at her. She looked at her feet, suddenly self conscious. "What did you think of my surprise?" she asked shyly.

Hiko smiled at her hesitant manner. "Obviously you were inspired by seeing the best at work," he said, resting a hand on her shoulder. She grinned slightly.

Yahiko had escaped Kaoru. "Hey, Tsukiyo-san! That guy's wakin' up!"

"I was wondering when he would. It wasn't a hard jerk," she said, rolling her shoulders. She walked over to Kogasu and kneeled down by him.

"Well, I won, fair and square. I am taking Kaeko and we are leaving. Don't try and follow us," she ordered. Kogasu nodded, his head down. She stood up and had turned to go when a shot rang through the air. Kogasu moved behind Tsukiyo, and jerked.

A guard stood, frowning, from a window in the mansion. He paused, and then yelled, "Intruders! The guest has murdered Lord Kogasu! To the gardens!" He disappeared. Kogasu struggled to stay on his feet. Tsukiyo swallowed hard as a red blossom came to the surface of his shirt.

"I swear… didn't know. Ordered… away…from this place," he wheezed, breathing painfully. "Get out…now. They will…kill you…kill me… father hates to lose," he said, staggering forward. Megumi caught him. Blood trickled down her hands. He was dead. Megumi let out a strangled gasp. Kaoru hugged Yahiko to her, shielding him from the view of the dead man.

Tsukiyo looked at the man who had caused so many problems, and yet died with honor, keeping his word. Her nerves hummed. Her mind felt oddly distant from her body. In a daze, she unwound her chain again and seemingly floated down the path, her eyes following the scampering shadows. Behind her, only twenty feet though it seemed like miles, the others noticed. Yahiko escaped Kaoru's clutches and yelled after her. She didn't hear him. She was listening to the soft patter of footsteps drawing closer, the tightly controlled breathing half hidden by the ripples of wind through the leaves. She saw a glint in a tree; no leaf glinted in such a metallic way. She moved to the side as if controlled by strings, her body loose. A bullet nipped the spot where she had stood only seconds before.

Another shot came from her left; she dodged again, her lithe frame moving as if she were dancing. Her chain mimicked her movements with more purpose; it would dart in and out, guns clattering to the ground, shorn in half and useless.

From his position, Kenshin noticed a subtle change. Her eyes often lightened and darkened, depending on her mood. But now, they were like pale glass, devoid of any feeling. He recognized that fatal stare as one he had used throughout the revolution.

"Kaoru-dono, get Megumi-dono, Yahiko, and Kaeko away from here!" he barked, hand resting on his hilt. Kaoru looked at him, concerned. Kenshin saw a slight wetness glazing her eyes. She didn't hug him tightly or any of her normal outbursts. She just nodded, touching his hand lightly as she passed. That more than anything told him how worried she was.

Megumi glared at Sano, and then walked away. It wasn't until they had almost gone that her she yelled, "If you get yourself killed I'll never forgive you."

Kenshin, Sano, and Hiko began walking toward the fight.

Tsukiyo had long since abandoned her trancelike state. Her eyes were hard as she lashed out with her manriki-gusari. Men lay on the ground, some nursing broken bones, others bleeding but unfortunately conscious. Tsukiyo darted in, her chain wrapping around one man's neck cruelly. She wanted so much to kill them, to let go of all the pain that swelled in her, threatening to drown her. She fought it, though she knew she was loosing. Her movements were coming closer and closer to killing their targets. She snapped her chain, releasing the man, who was gasping for air. She turned to the next person, coming to a decision. She would have to end this. Her life wasn't much weighed against theirs, but it would suffice. She just needed one attack. The second she felt a man's life slip away from her, she would put it into action.

Subconsciously, perhaps this was her intent all along. The children were being cared for. Her past had been revealed. No more bonds held her, no more duty. Toshio and Aki had gotten along fine without her at the Aoiya, and it was her fault Kaeko had even been caught. All because she had ignored the signs and come to Kyoto anyway.

No more duty meant she was free. All her life, she had been searching for that freedom. Even now, she restrained herself. All she had to do was to let go, and it would be over.

Sano picked up his pace. He saw the change in her fighting style; less conservative, more precise. Her body language gave it away as well; her control was slipping. The guards were closing in, Tsukiyo's chain lashing out, only a slight blur in the air. She had decided to die, and die fighting with all she had.

Tsukiyo felt a bullet nick her arm. She ignored it and fought on, her chain winding around a man's hand and twitching viciously. The man screamed as his wrist snapped easily. Tsukiyo fought back, willing them, or just one of them, to shoot her through her heart. She dodged back, and was shocked to find tears streaming down her face.

She hated this. She had always hated death. Death had cheated her of a normal childhood, killing her mother slowly but surely. These men were not and could never reach her skill in fighting, and she hated herself and them for it. She could continue on while they would drop at her chain. They would be killed for failing to kill her. She knew it, and saw it in their eyes as they fought harder with strength born of desperation.

Her body slowed down. A sword stabbed at her side; another slashed her in the back. Her hair loosened, slipping in loose tendrils around her shoulders, stained with her blood. She looked at them sadly, and they understood.

Kenshin's heart almost stopped when he saw her lower her defenses. Hiko's face was stunned and drawn. Tsukiyo looked over the enclosing blades and looked at them each in the eyes, conveying a different message to each.

Sano felt her sadness at not being able to know him better, and gratitude for his equal treatment of her.

Kenshin felt her thanks for his understanding, for allowing her to heal somewhat, and begged his understanding one more time.

Hiko saw the depth of emotion in her face, her concern, her resolution, her regret at not having a chance, and her love. Her love for the children still untainted by the world, of the wild places and free spaces, of the people who had welcomed her so readily, and of him. Of his arrogance, his sly comments, his shameless flirtation, his pride, and the hidden kindness revealed to only a chosen few. He had never had such a thorough and accurate examination. She blinked, and smiled slightly.

Her lips moved. Sano jerked as he read them.

"Tell them I love them. This is my final duty," he said, voice choked. Kenshin saw her open her arms to the blades, conveying the message of understanding to all of the men who had to kill her. One blade began its descent.

Hiko blocked it, metal jangling harshly. He grabbed her roughly and darted away. Kenshin and Sano followed them into the darkness, heading toward Hiko's sanctuary.

Tsukiyo sat up, face bleak. Once again, death had cheated her, this time denying her. She closed her eyes, holding her head.

"How long have you been there?" she murmured. Kenshin shifted in the darkness.

"Only a few minutes. Shishou needed to sleep. He's been here for many nights," he said softly. Tsukiyo nodded.

"Why did you stop me? I have done my duty. I just want rest. Those men will be executed now…" she said to her hands.

"The police arrived later. Apparently Murazaki had shady dealings. He was arrested and is under suspicion for several other unexplained cases," he reassured her. She nodded, and sighed.

"You should not have been in such a hurry to die. You would have left four very unhappy children who would have hated you and loved you for ever after," he said. Tsukiyo didn't reply. He continued. "You were right in assuming that the children will probably stay here in Kyoto with Misao. Aki has adapted incredibly to the teachings at the Aoiya. Toshio is learning medicine from Megumi. Kaeko is an aspiring chef, for all her experience. You would leave them just as their dreams were succeeding, making them forget why they love to do those things?"

"I would have them live happy lives without any connection to me. I am worse than a murderer. I wanted blood that night, Himura. I wanted so much to loose my purity that night. What I fought to protect so long I was so eager to destroy…" she said, eyes blank.

"So you wanted to die. Yet even then, you wanted those men to live. You were willing to die for them, but you are not willing to defend yourself. Sessha was like that for a time. But you must learn to value your life as well. Without you, the children would have died. If you died, who would be there to make sure Misao raised them right?" he asked. Tsukiyo looked away.

"So you chose the cowards way out, is that it?" he asked, voice quiet. She jerked. "Sessha never thought you would take that path. You always placed so much of a person's credibility on their honor. Wasn't that why you wanted to fight those men? For killing Kogasu, who had died with honor?"

Tsukiyo blinked hard. All of his words struck a chord in her because she knew they were true.

"Sessha doesn't believe you are a coward. Your willingness to die for them proves that. And at the same time, your eagerness to die suggests otherwise. How confusing you are," Kenshin said, smiling slightly. Tsukiyo looked at him, and swallowed hard. He understood. He really understood.

"Thank you," she whispered throatily. Kenshin nodded and stood up, preparing to leave.

"Shishou-sama will be waking up soon. If you want to leave, be it for an hour, a day, or many years, I suggest you make a note and then leave after. I will say your goodbyes if you do not return by dawn," he said, pausing in the doorway. Tsukiyo nodded, already gathering her belongings that had been placed next to her bed.

Tsukiyo looked over the treetops at the misty hills. Golden sunlight was bringing forth a shining haze, beams of light hanging in the air. Birds sang softly, wind floating around her. She smiled; this was what she had needed for so long. Her chain was braided into her hair; she carried a jo that was longer than normal – about five feet tall -in her hand, using it to lever herself over rocks and test the ground.

She had been moving steadily away from Kyoto and going north since the moon was in the center of its nightly journey. It was a long way to travel, but she kept up her pace, leaving no trail.

She leaned against a tree, and paused. Taking out her dagger, she carved into the bark a symbol for freedom. She smiled to herself and kept moving.

Tee hee. Done at last. I dunno about the title. I think I should of left it for a later chapter, but o well. Thanx 4 reading.