Disclaimer: I'm afraid not. Nope. BUT I BOUGHT VOLUMES 1 AND 2 OF THE MANGA!

Author's Notes: I'm in………… low spirits. I don't know why. All I want to do is write a poem and get rid of everything in my head and heart, but it's not working. It's disheartening when I can't write. Writers block is coming in tenfold on everythingall my ideas I've forgotten. And the lack of reviews. I'm not complaining. It's just that……… well………… I need my driving force going again. I'm really upset with most of my work lately (especially the latest chapter to 'Silhouettes of Shadows'. It was horrid.) because it's not very good at all. Also, this will not be a chapter for Tomoe-haters. I just ask that you keep an open mind on this. I'm trying to keep her in character and it's so hard to write Tomoe's personalitiy, so it may be out of charater, also.

Building the Hitokiri

Chapter 8- Bleeding Golden Iris

'I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears'

Two weeks. It hadn't been long, but the wound still refused to heal. Kenshin had placed the best care he possibly could on the wound that now forever marred his cheek, but the wound continued to bleed every time he killed. Every single time he lifted his sword, the scab would tear and the wound would seep that thick, oily liquid over his face. In return for killing, Kenshin bled for each person he took the life of. Their blood wasn't the only that was shed anymore on the nights they were doomed; now, their murderer bled with them too.

Slowly, this wound was killing him. The guilt was killing him. But Kenshin refused to give up. He was doing this to protect people from men like his father, to protect people like his sisters and his mother. He did it to help ease the future sufferings of people like the little girl and her father he had seen the day after his family was slaughtered. He did this to uphold the truth he saw in that boy named Sanosuke he had met while training with his master. He did this to uphold the teachings of his master.

'The first principle of Hiten Mitsurugi; the sword swung in my name shall be swung for the people of the world, to prevent the shedding of innocent blood.'

It was the only truth he knew, the only thing he could understand. That was what his life hung ontothat and the memories of the death of his family.

Sakura. Murdered by her father by the porcelain of a vase, mercilessly sprung up into her throat, causing her to choke on her own blood before she died of suffocation.

Akane. Slaughtered while begging for her life as a police officer of Kyoto, who happened to be her father, held her high and shot her in the side of the skull, blasting her brain andbone into small boat-like fragments floating in her blood.

Kasumi. His mother. Died when she fought back with her husband to protect her children and herself from a rape. Her death was brought from stab wounds in her arms and chest.

Kenshin's head shot up. A deep, frightening realization hit him. He had placed the dagger into his fathers back. The pain caused his father to fall. That was when the knife killed his mother.

It had been his fault she died.

Each night his mind replayed the death of his family. The nightmare had been plaguing him ever since the night he had brought home that woman who had seen him kill. He couldn't bring himself to kill her; the memory of the three women who had lost their lives for him wouldn't allow him to. The woman's name was Tomoe, and now she worked in the kitchens and serving the men their meals.

And he just now remembered that it was his fault his mother had died. He had helped bring her death. His father hadn't lied about that. Kenshin hadn't cried since that night, and he didn't plan to now.With or without tears,he still couldn't clear his mind.

What if his father had remarried, and brought misfortune to more women? What if his father was still in the police force, a cold-blooded murderer pretending to be there to help keep the oppression of the weak to a minimum? What if is father was still alive?

Kenshin stood. There was no way to get rid of these thoughts until he cut off all traces to his past; or at least found out what had become of it. He had been named for his father, so Shinta Himura was the man he was looking for. For once, Kenshin was gladMaster Hikohad changed his name. He could never have gone on with a name that matched that of the person who destroyed his life.

Placing his katana in his belt, Kenshin gave one more withering look at the room. The only thing that still remained out of place was the top that had been in his yukata the night that he lost his innocence to the sight of death, blood, and evil. He had kept it all this time; there were still slight bloodstains on the wood from the blood that had been haphazardly spilled on him while his family was slaughtered. He couldn't get rid of the top, though. Even with the vivid, excruciatingly painful memories and dark pictures it held, it was his only connection to what little innocence he had possessed.

He opened the thin paper door and found himself face to face with Tomoe. She carried her broom, and the sleeves of her kimono were drawn back with a white rope so she could clean more efficiently. She dropped her gaze away from him momentarily, gripping her broom tighter just slightly. He frightened her, he knew, but she still found a way to give him words every time they ran into each other.

"I apologize if I am intruding." She stated, her voice gentle and elegant.

Kenshin shook his head. "I was just leaving. Forgive me for startling you."

"You did no such thing." She stated, moving from his way. "I will finish quickly, I promise."

"No need." Kenshin replied. "Take all the time you need. I might not be back for a while."

"An assignment?" she whispered, some dread in her voice. "You're just a child... I don't understand why you must be the one to do such things. I can see they hurt you deeply. You could stop if you desired, couldn't you?"

Kenshin softened up to her. Her quiet demeanor reminded him so much of the care that Sakura had been sure to give him that it had becomesecond nature to be gentler around her.

"You inquire to much."

"I'm sorry. I should not speak of things I don't understand."

He retreated back in his room momentarily, and then came back out holding a light violet shaded scarf. "I believe this is yours."

Her eyes widened momentarily and she reached for it gingerly, pulling it to herself without a hesitation. "Yes. I'm sorry if I disrupted you."

"Not at all. Thank you." He said. "I must be going, and I don't wish to keep you from your work. Perhaps tonight you will have time to be free from your duties for a while and can relax."

She bid Kenshin a silent farewell and he continued on down the halls. His mind was set on one thing, and he prayed that Katsura could give him the straight answer he seeked. Kenshin wasn't even sure if Katsura had returned yetfrom his latest meeting, but he was willing to hope that he was.

Stepping noiselessly down the stairs and then forcing himself to swim amongst the hoards of men that had recently lined the halls, he found an opening and reached outside of the Inn. He stepped into the sun, not even bothering to shield his eyes. The chill of the air was brisk, but not enough to scare him back inside. He remembered braving much colder weather before. Autumn was just a teasing season; the only one he truly needed to worry about was winter for it biting cold and summer for it's exhausting heat. Spring and autumn were just there to tickle the senses and allure you into a false sense of security; they were too unpredictable.

Finding himself wandering the premises by accident, he looked up. For a moment he was brought into a dreaded shock. He had never noticed that this place, where this Inn was stationed, looked so familiar. But then again, Kenshin reminded himself with a wry smile, he had never actually attempted to take a deeper look into the area he worked around. He never needed to spend much time outside and wander around the grounds before; and oddly, he was drawn here.

But why was it so strikingly familiar to him?

"Himura." Came a voice.

Kenshin turned. "Katsura-san. I need to speak with you."

Katsura nodded. "Of course. Is this important?"

"Yes." He clenched a fist. "It may not be important to the cause, but it is important to me."

"Then it is an important issue." He reasoned, taking a seat on the porch to proceed in watching the new recruits. "What is it?"

Kenshin took a seat somewhat hesitantly next to Katsura before he began. " I need you to find someone for me."

Turning his head, Katsura gave him a quizzical look. "Go on."

"His name is Shinta Himura." Kenshin stated.

"Why do you want us to find him?"

"Because of something that he did." Kenshin responded. "It was a long time ago and I don't wish to repeat it. Can you find him for me?'

Leaning back, Katsura had a deep look of concentration on his face. "Can you give me a little more information?"

"The last time I saw him was seven years ago. He was a police officer in Kyoto at the time." Kenshin offered.

"Shinta Himura…" Katsura thought. "I believe I know who you are speaking of. He is still a police officer. That man's son killed his family, and then tried to kill him. They never were able to find his son, though, and take care of the injustice correctly. He lost his two daughters and his wife. Poor man has a scar on his back to prove for his efforts in saving them. And, to add to it, his son never let him have the chance to bury them... he burned the house. He never wanted to have any connection to the memories again. This is the land his home used to be on, we bought it to build this Inn."

Kenshin digested this information. "He did not lose his family because of the acts of his son."

Katsura turned to look at him. "What do you mean? Shinta Himura has proven a very good ally."

"I know. I am his son. He killed his wife and daughters. I injured him trying to protect them. He burned the house." Kenshin stated. "I want him dead. I did not kill my sisters and mother, they were everything to me. He was the one who did it."

"He did it." Katsura stated, his mouth open in a wide circle. "I take it there is more to this than I know."

"And more to it then you will ever."

"Who do you wish to do the honors, Himura?"

"I do." He stated. "I made a promise that the only man I'd ever kill out of my own decision would be him. And I plan on doing it."

Katsura nodded. "It will not be easy. I have his address, and I will give it to you tonight. Trust me. This may blow your cover as a shadow assassin, Kenshin."

"I understand, Katsura-san." Kenshin responded. "I want him dead."

All this time. He had been working at this Inn all this time, killing people all this time, and the sakura treesthat surroundedthe encampmentnever reminded him. He had been staying upon the graves of his sisters and mother for a year and didn't even realize it. He had broken his promise never to strike another without reason upon their charred remains. The plan to destroy his father had been heard by their ghostly ears.

All this time, and he had never realized that the big weeping willow in the back was the tree they used to hide it to try and skip out on beatings. He hadn't remembered the small pond that they had been nearly drowned in when they were younger. Kenshin hadn't recognized anything.

Had he pushed those fading memories that far back in his mind to the extent he couldn't remember the places of the horrors of his past? Everything was so vividthe reasons for the death of father being at the top of his list of priorities had always been clear in his mind, buthe hadn't even noticed that he was staying, again, upon the site of the house that had given him so much pain.

It tore at him. He now held the address to his father's new home, along with information that made him cringe.

A police lieutenant.

Deals mostly with beat up prostitutes for his job.

Never remarried, but lives with his female servants.

Rich.

The statistics were killing him. The problem was Kenshin had a better understanding of his father. The women he dealt with for his job were probably the women he himself had beaten, and in their fear they had pointed out only the people he felt were his enemies as their attackers. He never remarried so that he could have his way with any of his servants,and he was filthy rich because of the corrupt ways he still lead his life.

Kenshin nearly crumpled up the paper in his hand. The ink was still wet, so that would smear the address if he wasn't careful. There were no other assignments for him that night, he was free to check up on what his father had been doing in the past few years. That was exactly what he planned on doing.

Lifting his sword, Kenshin prepared to leave. He told himself he wouldn't kill his father tonight; he'd give the corrupt pig another chance, and scare him out of his wits first. If that didn't get him to change, then Kenshin would kill him.

But, he couldn't promise anything if he caught his father in the middle of an act that night. Knowing him, his father was like anyone else in Kyoto at the time; surrounded by a bunch of bodyguards in order to constantly protect himself. If he had to, he'd slay them just to get in and see what was going on in the life of his father. His skills were honedhe could sneak up and sneak back out without being noticed if he tried to.

"Another assignment." Came the somber voice.

Kenshin turned. "You shouldn't be up this late, Tomoe."

"I'm sorry." She stated, linking her hands together before her and bowing her head. "I can't help it. I stay awake when you go out."

"Don't. You don't need to worry about me, only yourself."

Tomoe looked up at him and her sadness was plain as day. "I wish I could. But I've learned it's not as easy as you wish it to be."

"At least try."

She tentatively walked closer to him, her fingers outstretched to touch the scar that now marred his left cheek. He jerked away, but she insisted. "It's not bleeding. You won't be killing tonight, will you?"

Kenshin brought his hand up, touching the scar and placing his own hand over hers momentarily. It wasn't bleeding. He drew his hand down and jerked his head away from her gentle touch. Closing his eyes, he fisted his hands together.

"I didn't plan on it. But, still, you shouldn't touch me." He murmured. "Nothing about you should ever smell of blood again; use those hands for something more delicate, like they are suited for."

Nodding, Tomoe drew her hand back to her chest. "I think I can rest tonight knowing you will not be killing. Do be careful."

Turning, Kenshin burst out the door. There was no need to stay there any longer. She was making him soft. He couldn't be soft, not on the night that he would be seeing his father, the demon that destroyed his life, for the first time in seven years. He stormed quickly and silently through the streets and alleyways of the city.

Kyoto was unnervingly quiet that night, and that made Kenshin jumpier and put him on edge. The feeling that something wasn't right tugged at his subconscious, but he forced himself to ignore it. Feeling or not, he still had his swords and his speed. He turned a corner, and spotted the area that he would soon be entering.

His father had splurged. His home was large, with lavish landscaping and a tall wall built around it like a fortress. Needing a better view, he climbed up into a tree and let his gaze fall down onto the lands and the home that was now owned by his father. He was disgusted at what he saw. The land wasalmost seething withguards, all of which would gush at the servants, or whores, for lack of a better word, as they walked by. Most of them seemed to be okay with the situation they were in, but there were a few who would fall behind, their heads bowed and their hands trying vainly to cover what they could. Their outfits weren't too revealing, but Kenshin could tell what they were by how flirtatious they were.

The men slowly filed back into the building,a fool move made by new recruits or drunken men. He took advantage of the moment and found a way around the large wooden fortress wall and into the grounds of his fathers land. He crouched by the windows, trying to find a room that his father would be in. He wasn't having any luck finding him anywhere.

A snapping caught Kenshin attention immediately, and his gaze flew from the window to the left of him. There stood a girl, her eyes wide and frightened. She fell back into the ground; she wasn't like the others, he could tell. She began to back away from him.

"Lord Himura, please, I beg of you, don't hurt me!" she cried. "I didn't mean to be walking around the grounds at night, I just got out of the bath late!"

Kenshin's gaze fell into a tighter slit, the anger lining his features. "Lord Himura?"

Her eyes softened and she began to cry. "You're not... Lord Shinta Himura?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No."

"Who are you then? You look... just like him."

"There is no time for explanations. What has he been doing here?"

"He is good to us..."

Kenshin sprung forward, trying to intimidate the woman without hurting her. "Don't lie to me. I know that's a lie."

"If I tell you, he'll kill me." She stated. "I don't..."

Kenshin's eyes flew to her wrists. Taking it in his hand, he observed the bruises that lined her skin. "How did you get these? It looks like rope burn."

"Punishment."

"Punishment?"

"I'm not even sure what I did wrong." She muttered. "I wouldn't be here if father hadn't of died..."

His gaze slipped from her wrist to her palms. Calluses, the kind that came from training with a sword. He looked up at the woman, and his heart constricted. She couldn't have been any older than him, even if thatshe appeared to be merely fifteen.

She looked so much like Akane.

"If I get you out of here, will you help me?" he questioned. "I'll get you away from here. I'm after yourlord's life, but I can't kill him now. I need help to do this."

"Who are you, though?" she questioned.

He bowed his head and then looked up. "The person he framed for the death of his family."

Author's Notes: Okay. So it's not how I expected it to come out, but I wrote, right? This would have been posted sooner, but my dad has been on call all weekend and I couldn't get online. Who do you think this woman is? I haven't actually given you a description or anything, but, just so you know, the plot is unfolding. Yes, there is a plot to this story. Yes, Sanosuke will be coming back in here eventually, I think. Yes, Katsura will send Kenshin off with Tomoe (sorry Kaoru fans! You know I'm a Kaoru fan, too. But trust me. This works for my plan). And……… that's all I can think of right now. I hope this was good to some point.

Love and hugs,

Crystal Renee