Hey guys sorry it's been so long........author stares out at a bunch of cobweb covered skeletons!!!............................................Ok but I promise It'll get better, but as I said before, if you guys have any suggestions about where the story should go, please share! Lol........... Thanx to all the peeps who reviewed. Monsoon - Tiger of the Dr, Elenore, Athena, Tsuki Yo, O Sjitsji, PinkyLemon, Kaze ookami, animefreak, Puchiko, Romennar, Hieiz shinobe baby, megumi-chan, Allison and Serpentine Rose..cheers 4 the suggestion, I think I'm gonna use that one........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................................

The forest reached out as far as the eye could see. The deeper one travelled into the uninhabited regions, the less of the deep blue sky could be seen over head and the air was cool, and refreshing to the skin. The canopy almost completely blocked out the sun. All but a few places where violent storms had forcefully torn down the great old trees and left gaps in which strange rays of yellow light would filter through in spotlights of warmth, giving the place a kind of golden glow, like the autumn sunset itself, when everything appeared to glitter in the fading daylight and the bleeding sun's final trail marked with a wash of blood-red across the sky. Leaves floated serenely through the air, occasionally being swept of course by a stray breeze before completing their journey to the ground and lining the forest floor in a multicoloured carpet that crunched underfoot.

The only sounds that kept away the silence were the rustle of the thinning leaves of the branches, and the constant yet quiet streams flowing over the shiny pebbles, and sometimes rushing when they merged into a river and cascaded over the rocks as a miniature waterfall. The birds sang lazily but nonetheless sweetly, echoing throughout the woodland. A sound that was not only relaxing but reassuring, the silence or here lack of could be an early warning to someone that knew the difference between a comfortable stillness and a deafening silence thick with tension that seemed to be sensed by beasts and avoided.

One such gathering of insects chirped noisily as in conversation with each other, residing contently upon the enormous moss covered trunk of a fallen tree. It's roots stuck out in all directions on the ground lending an untidy appearance but all was calm. The forest was undisturbed and restful, it's only companions the beasts that lounged about leisurely, for these parts were untouched and rarely happened upon. The insects sang joyously and safely among the green. They were at peace with the world and this place, and knew nothing of pain and suffering. They were young and beautiful, one such with a glorious blue-green body and such fragile transparent wings that shimmered with exquisite colour. Possibly one of the last of this endangered species in Japan. It tenderly explored the bark under it's delicate legs and stretched out enjoying the warmth of a ray of sun that made it's colours dance like fireworks, as it.............

...........SPLAAAAT! ....

"NO WAY! I DON'T THINK SO YOU LYING SHIT"!

"YES WAY! HE DID, AN YA KNOW IT!"

"HE DID NO SUCH...oh shit watch where you're going, there's some sorta slimy crap all over this"

"All I'm saying is don'tcha think it was a little bit of a coincidence that you and the sickle bloke were both out at the same time."

"No I don't actually. Unlike you, we've both got jobs to finish."

"Yeah well he was gone about the same time"

"Hell with this! I don't care whatever the hell you think about me, but know this, chum!, I don't need Giichi or anyone else to help me do MY job ok? I'm not just a pretty face y'know"!

" Sigh" "Come on you guys, does it really matter?"

"Yes it bloody matters, when she can't admit the truth!"

"I AM telling the truth"

"Couldn't you both just agree to disagree?"

"Piss off Shinriji !"

"Don't you talk to him like that, you piss off!....and you can give me something to scrape this off my shoe before you go"

"Like what?"

"Oh I don't know, how about your face?!" Shinriji gulped and scampered out of the way.

"What the hell did you just say to me?"

"You heard"!

"Hey! I don't do this to get bossed around by some blonde tarttttaaaAAARRGGGHHH! !!!"

"You do what I tell you to you scum sucking blubber ball"!

"AHHHH, You BITCH!" "OH so you want some more huh?" "ARGGHHHHHHHH! SON OF A MOTHER- !

Rin stared bewildered at the strange and increasingly hostile scene at the front of the band where it had all the room in the woods to blaze as the rest of the men and herself were at least 20 paces (a safe distance) away. Her wounds had been temporarily patched up by the skinny man called Shinriji. They still really hurt and made her dizzy when she tried moving about too quickly but he had stopped the bleeding and cleaned the wounds and was currently the one supporting her as they made their way through the forest, having just taken over (much to her relief) from a rather mean looking guy that no one really seemed to know much about, and he certainly wasn't pleased about his task and never missed an opportunity to let everyone know.

On occasion it had become too much and she had begged them to stop while she rested if only for a few minutes. Manji had offered his utmost encouragement....by telling her not to be such a wus. That had really annoyed her, it occurred to her that whatever happened to him healed almost instantly so he couldn't really complain, plus the whole 'being immortal' thing. But much to her irritation he had lost interest and walked off before she could assemble a sarcastic comeback.

Rin blew a stray strand of dark hair out of her eyes and sighed deeply.

"You ok miss?", came the soft question. One thing Rin had decided about this man was that, whether he was or not, he ALWAYS, managed to sound nervous and edgy, she hoped she wasn't that bad, or else no wonder Manji got annoyed with her. But he was kind and always putting others first. He was always one to argue on her behalf when she needed to rest. It wasn't surprising to find that this was becoming somewhat of a rare quality in people, especially in guys that hung out with bloodthirsty thugs that collected the bodies of other bloodthirsty killers. She had constructed that much of an opinion of them, and so far no-one, save this little man and possibly Hyakurin and proved her wrong.

The sixteen year-old shot him a sideways glance. Shinriji had Hyakurin's second in command written all over him although didn't appear strong enough to enforce such a role, and as it seemed to Rin, the only one the leader either liked or trusted.

Information in great big heaps was obviously being withheld until she and her bodyguard proved trustworthy to acquire some, that or produce rather a lot of money. But she dismissed this thought as a new one took its place. Hyakurin's group looked, on the outside, like just another scruffy band of rebels. But there was something different about them.

'ahhh!' She couldn't put it into words. It was merely the equivalent of a gut feeling, not even as strong as that. It was like a slight doubt...or the inevitable dread from seeing the window damaged, and knowing that it was either an honest accident or that someone was waiting for you in the darkness of the inside, wanting more than just a tea. But she knew for definite that they had important information and Hyakurin didn't look the sort that would share for mere money.

Rin suspected it was worth much more anyway. The blonde woman did not seem to be someone on a personal vendetta, her whole manner screamed that she was a woman on a mission, Rin was sure of that, but it also crystal clear that she wasn't finding out about it any time soon.

"I'm ok, thanks, it's just, well y'know, is it going to be much further". Rin asked, a little hesitant to sound like a whiner. But they had been walking now for what seemed like forever. Some of the less tactful men around them sorted and sneered at her. Shinriji gave her a meek little smile.

"Well we don't usually camp out miss; it doesn't usually take this long. Only we've got this lot with us, now you see, and the bodies...and you're not feeling your best.....if you don't mind me saying so miss".

Rin smiled as she picked her way through a series of rocks imbedded and scattered along the ground.

"It's ok, you can say it, I know I'm slowing you down" Shinriji looked embarrassed for a minute and scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Well maybe a little. But its not really you that's causing the hold-up, it's".....he lowered his voice dramatically and moved his head closer to Rin whilst glancing over his shoulder. She got the hint and moved in too.

"It's those guys" he mumbled. "Oh" she said, in surprise, but raised her eyes to his as sign that he should continue. The little man seemed conflicted about saying anymore, but faced with Rin's curious expression, went on at a whisper.

"Well you see miss Rin, they're not really what we'd call pro's but we needed to make up the numbers on this particular..um, endeavour. Let's just say they're not up to our usual standard."

Rin glanced skyward as if realising something. She turned slightly in Shinriji's grip to face him.

"I knew it" she exclaimed triumphantly, causing the man beside her to 'Shhhh' frantically as they began to attract attention. He shook his hand up and down continuously, in a desperate gesture for her to lower her voice. Her eyes lit up at the prospect of being among truly pro fighters, and perhaps even some sort of operation with a goal not far from her own.....after all Hyakurin did say they had a common enemy. Her excited thoughts tumbled over each other battling for attention. 'Maybe I could even pick up some techniques'. She pointed at him happily.

"Are you, I mean you guys, are you pro's?, I mean you said you didn't hire ordinary kenshi right? I mean..mmmph!" Shinriji had clamped his hand over mouth in a frenzy of nervous glances. He released her when her eyes widened in confusion. He waited a little while for the band to lose interest before continuing and again it was at a low murmur.

"Listen miss I don't really want to say any more out here, like this" he hesitated. "um, if that's ok, hehee" The young heir smiled in response to Shinriji's nervous laughter, but despite her efforts could not hide the slight disappointment that was becoming increasingly evident from the now awkward silence between them and the way she turned back to face the front of the odd procession. Her gaze followed the still-arguing leader's path, only a little less enthusiastically.

"I hope you don't mind miss, it's just...well..y,know...rules n regs" Again she forced a little smile to make up for the blatant naiveté on her part.

"I know! ..I mean, it's alright I completely understand. I mean,..um, after all we're strangers, Manji and I, aren't we. Suppose we could be anyone as far as you're concerned.....or willing to risk" Shinriji looked a little guilty.

"Um...well exactly miss" he murmured as he began to help her over another fallen tree trunk that was serving the band as a bridge across what had once been a deep stream but long since dried up. Rin brightened a little on seeing the golden glow of the forest around her. The fallen tree was quite high up, and the men were struggling up the steep bank, and falling down the other side! But the crossing was fairly level and gave her a brilliant view of the terrain....she could even see Hyakurin up front STILL arguing, with the fat kenshi, but now others had joined sides, and were blasting each others ears out. She could even see Manji at the back, rather engrossed in what must have been an interesting conversation with the thin guy with the dark glasses. She smiled subconsciously at the pair oblivious to her attention. 'They both never smile, and always look so dead serious' she mused. The only occasional change of expression from either came when one must have said something amusing and the other would smirk in that dangerous sort of way. But then, to these guys that was probably the default.

She giggled a little at the thought, then concentrated on beginning her assisted decent of the opposite bank. Shinriji did his best to guide her, but the ground in this area was soft and slippery, and a challenge for even one man on his own to walk and not roll down, let alone one supporting another. Rin inhaled sharply as her feet began to move without the rest of her as the mud beneath her began to give way and slide. She let go of the skinny man with one arm to try and steady herself, but it was no good. Shinriji quickly tried to stop her from slipping but half way through lost his balance. The two of them flailed their arms comically for a few seconds before Rin lost it and began to fall, as a frantic Shinriji grabbed for her but caught nothing but air.

A chorus of throaty chuckles echoed around the trees as Asano scrunched up her eyes, bracing herself for what even the short tumble down to the ground was going to do to her already tender muscles. .......................................!

But the impact never came. The hard ground never touched her as she opened her eyes in a daze. Instead she felt soft material caress her cheek, and strong arms wrapped around her waist. Her eyes moved upwards cautiously and finally stopped, held, transfixed as a pair of the bluest eyes she had ever seen stared back at her. They were like ice, and yet strangely deep. ............ She went on staring for what seemed like a life time. They stared back at her, suddenly shining with curiosity or maybe, humour....one of the two. A brownish tuft of hair fell onto her forehead as she looked up, causing her to jump at the sudden tickle on her skin, and breaking the mutual gaze. Rin backed up a little, momentarily forgetting her condition, shinriji, and pretty much everything else. She fought for a moment to collect her thoughts.

But then the voice came.

"Well, well, Miss Asano I presume"

Rin jumped at the sound of her name being spoken in that silky voice, betraying his youth. She stared, not caring if she was being rude but continuing to study the young kenshi as though she was under some spell. He was so very tall, almost Manji's height but not quite, he was quite slender but his muscles were prominent and she felt them around her as he supported her weight with no effort at all.

Surprisingly to her, his skin was much paler than the other sun marked kenshi, and a fleeting thought struck her of how strange it seemed to have no scars, no visible marks of battle. His face was smooth like a boys but his body was definitely a man's strong form. He seemed to wear no evidence of weariness, or the tell tale traits of the hard life of a swordsman. The part of her mind untouched by his charm, was if only for a moment flooded with suspicion and suggested that he be the son of a rich man, but the thought was quickly extinguished by a cursory glance at the filthy shirt he wore sleeves ripped free, and cord tied any old how around his middle to secure his weapon. Besides what would someone like that be doing with people like them?

She couldn't tear her eyes away no matter how uncomfortable she felt with this level of intimacy with a stranger. Suddenly, as though sensing her unease, his eyes came alive, shining with good humour as he flashed her a dazzling smile, sending shockwaves through her being. Rin gasped silently as her legs threatened to give out, she felt a tickling sensation in her heart and butterflies in her stomach as his thumbs stroked the small of her back and his arms that showed no inclination of letting go.

But cutting through the atmosphere like one of Manji's knives came the voice of Shinriji, sliding hastily down the mud covered bank, but curiously not his nervous chatter, more of a warning tone as he walked up to the pair with an expression somewhere between dislike and worry.

"Akinori, just put the girl down"

The man known as Akinori merely shrugged and turned his attention, back to Rin, untouched by the cold words. His grin grew even wider and his face took on a self-satisfied appearance, as he half ignored the other man.

"Girl?" he asked dramatically, exaggerating each sound of the word. He flicked his hair off his face. "What girl would this be? Oh! Do you mean this beautiful women here?" He purred causing Rin to blush furiously and smile helplessly still in his embrace.

By their side Hyakurin's second became more agitated and took a step forward, his features now openly scowling.

"Akinori, I mean it, leave this one alone will you, she's an important guest, not a toy." This caught the attention of the other. The grin disappeared.

"Yeah, yeah, an heiress to a dojo wasn't it"? he mumbled glancing down at the young girl who only nodded. She was sure something more was going on here than she was being allowed to believe but her thoughts were interrupted at the feeling of Shinriji's surprisingly strong fingers prying her out of the elegant kenshi's grip. Grumbling as he did so, and glaring at the other.

"She's with the Immortal y'know? Wouldn't want to piss him off if you catch my drift." he said gesturing with a movement of his head something that Rin couldn't understand.

"Whatever", Akinori threw over his shoulder as he rejoined the rest of the mob ambling along ahead.

Rin watched him go with a pang of regret, he knew she wanted to know more about him, he was the funniest looking warrior she'd ever seen, she barely registered Shinriji taking her arm over his shoulder and begin to move again. She looked around briefly to realise that the two were in the way of the rest of the descending party and was met with disapproving glances as the other men stepped sideways to avoid her and Shinriji, some didn't even bother to change course as her shoulder met hard with solid flesh.

"Watch it brat"! the fat kenshi spat at her as he stormed off. She vaguely recognised him as the one Hyakurin had been arguing with earlier.

"Come one, we have to get going miss", came the once again soft voice, all annoyance banished.

"Hey Shinriji, how exactly did Akinori join your band?" she asked pensively. He seemed to hesitate for a heartbeat then sighed.

"Well you see, he's not really with us for his fighting skills. He has other virtues." Rin looked up

"But what do you mean?" Shinriji said nothing, just rubbed his thumb and forefinger together in an obvious gesture. They moved forward steadily. But all of a sudden some sort of chunk of cold metal on the end of a chain banged into her leg, causing her to jump slightly as the mysterious form of Manji's new companion strode passed her. He turned slightly, adjusting his dark glasses.

"My apologies" he said nodding his head before turning back followed by an all too familiar kimono. "way to hold up the hustle Rin" came the irritating chuckle.

"Ahh, leave her be scar head!" Hyakurin called falling into step beside the pair. She glanced up at Shinriji before smirking and tossing her hair off her shoulder.

"Wow, Shinriji, why so tense, what's got you so wound up" Rin turned to gaze at the dangerous beauty, she was amazed at how well she knew her friend, to her the skinny man looked like he always did.

"Akinori" he stated in a tired way. "He's just poking his nose in where it doesn't belong again"

"Oh is he"? Hyakurin asked, taking a puff on her pipe.

"I hope you told him to stick to his area of business and stay the hell our of ours". It was more a warning than a question.

"Of course, but you know him, thinks he entitled to everything just because he's ...oww!" Rin adverted her eyes in embarrassment as her support was cut of with a sharp jab of an elbow. Hyakurin glanced at her briefly before smiling at the man between them.

"Shinriji, would you go and keep an eye on our fat friend, I don't trust him at the front alone" she asked sweetly.

"well, yes but"

"Don't worry about the little lady, were going to finish the little chat we were having before we were so rudely interrupted."

"Ok boss" the kenshi called as he scampered off, leaving the two women pretty much to themselves. Rin cringed slightly as her arm was tugged rather roughly over the blondes shoulder and another slung round her waist. She offered the pipe to Rin, who half heartedly took a small puff to be polite before exploding into a coughing fit.

Hyakurin laughed, and smiled at the younger girl. "So Rin sweety, I never got to ask, this 'personal business of yours' that all taken of now? Rin looked confused.

"Well not really no, things didn't go according to plan"

"Oh really? Why's that" Rin was just about to launch back into the story of her parents, her quest, Manji, and finally the newest threat on her list, but something stopped her a she opened her mouth to begin." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I don't mean to be rude Hyakurin-san, you've been so kind and all, it's just, well" Hyakurin nodded her head encouraging her to continue.

"It's just that, I want to know things as well, and I think if I'm going to share with you then you should do the same."

Hyakurin tossed her hair, and smiled without humour. "Ah, no can do sweet thing, I told you before, all will be revealed when we get to our place, plus if and when you cooperate with us."

"Oh" was all that escaped Rin's lips, and an uncomfortable silence followed, punctuated only by the soft whisper of Hyakurin exhaling slowly, watching the white swirls vanish into the air before them.

Suddenly the woman laughed and gave the Rin a playful shove. "Oh, screw this, I hate awkward silences!" she exclaimed. The leader jabbed a finger into Rin's arm, making her wince.

"Ok hun, I got us a solution here, you listening?" Rin nodded curiously. "Ok so, none of us want to spill yeah?, so what for every little thing you tell me, you can ask a question, how's that sound?"

Rin looked doubtful, but then what alternative did she have? Being who she was Hyakurin probably knew most of her story anyway, but at least if she went along with the little game she just might get something in exchange. Rin nodded in agreement.

"Excellent" the blonde smiled. "Ok sweety, tell me something."

The other thought for a moment. "Well, since you wanted to know about my business with Magatsu, I guess I'll start there. I hadn't realised Anotsu had sent him after me, he managed to lure me away from Manji, then tried to kill me. He recognised me, because he was there when the Itto-ryu killed my parents."

"So fight him" Hyakurin said dryly.

"Well I tried" Rin said sadly, looking at the ground." But he was so fast, he was totally out of my league" Hyakurin looked her bruised and cut body, frowning

"From what I can see it must have been pretty one sided, haven't you learnt anything from your Manji fella"?

Tears threatened to fall as the same old subject had resurfaced yet again. Her weakness! "I...I really do try Hyakurin, I do, it's just every time I think I'm getting somewhere another one of Anotsu's men appears who's even stronger, it's just not fair."

"Well that's life hun." She looked compassionately at Rin. "But you know if you're always being protected by that guy, you'll never become strong yourself"

"I know" Rin sniffed. "Aww come on, don't be down, come on, now you can ask me something".

Rin brightened a little and inhaled the autumn air noisily thinking about her question. "Ok, why do are you carrying the bodies with us, I mean why do you need to do that" Hyakuriin smiled slyly.

"Well to start with, I think you'll find that they're just heads now." She laughed at Rin's horrified expression. "And we bring them along because quite simply we get 1 and a half Ryo for every Itto-ryu head."

"But from who"? Rin asked, only to be dismissed with a wave of the hand.

"That's two questions' Asano Rin sighed at the bizarre exchange unaware that further through the woods a similar game was being played.

"So what can you say"?

"Nothing much, trees have ears"

"Where we going"?

"Our place, gonna cooperate"?

"Maybe, why the hook thing"?

"Very effective, really kill a hundred men?"

"Yup"

"Why"?

"Orders, what's with the skinny guy"?

"Second to the boss"

"How about the blonde"?

"She's the boss, what's with the kid"?

"Wants revenge, what's your excuse"?

"Orders"

"Pff! Yeah right"