Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Flying High
by Uenki

Chapter 4: Mizukhaki

She sat down on her futon, smiling to herself upon seeing the piece of letter that was brought to her yesterday, and thought of what Kenshin really is. A small sigh escaped her lips, still, she was unwilling to accept everything that had happened, and she regreted it, really. Sometimes, she still wished that she was back in China, with her dear brother... But still, she was here for a purpose, she was here to be the one to stop everything plannned, pre-planned, to be happening. But she felt like a burden, a weight that is lying down on Kenshin's shoulder. She knew that Kenshin, since he had been staying at the Kamiya dojo, had been on guard since the incident when they first met, but how could his idiocy reached him that it was everything that Enishi had planned?

A small, bitter laugh escaped through her lips.

The men who were here knew who she were, and they knew that Hitkori Battousai is going to pass through the dojo at that very instant. Enishi knew it, he knew her personality far too well, she was the burden of both Enishi and Kenshin... Even though she knew Kenshin a week and Enishi for almost her whole life. She was the woman who was always frozen stiff when it comes to battle, she was always so reluctant to join in, for she was scared. She was neither brave, couragous or even deifiance for the matters... She was just an ordinary woman who needed help, even though she had laid bitter and hurt during the war.

Kao-neechan,

If this note had been sent to you, then you shall know who I am. Mizukhaki gang is under control, ready to start at every moment you have commanded, you know. I am still worried about you, I hope you will be back soon, goodbye.

Y.E.

Tears fell, and dripped on the piece of paper. Worried... Enishi is worried about her. He felt that she could not defend herself, doesn't he? She was his sister for god's sake, not some teenage girl who would just sit there and mop around! But he was still particially true, maybe she had really over-estimated herself, maybe she was not really for the tests after all... Maybe she should just go back to Shanghai and leave everything here. But if she really did that, Enishi will perform the Jinchuu... He would become a murderer, the very same murderer like the Hitkori Battousai - but Hitkori Battousai was Kenshin, or rather, a part of him, wasn't he?

She took up the paper and went to the lighted candle, in a moment, everything became ashes... Trudging, she went over to the storage room, and took out a sword, a long, traditional Chinese sword. Tears was still overflowing...

This is the very same sword that she have left here eight years ago, and she refused to believe that it was still here... She blew the pilling dust and wiped it clean, then she unsheathed the sword. It was a tad bit rusty, but it still held it's gleamer and shine.This was the sword that the few Chinese men left here eight year ago, the very same men who sold her to the slave traders.

-

Both of them went for the market, and Kenshin was still smiling, after the shock that Kaoru had upon seeing Kenshin actually washes the laundry. But still, after that incident, she felt more joyful, though she was on the verge of mentally breakdown. Kenshin noticed, from the very first day, he saw the lingering aura that was filled with loneliness around her.

And that aroused his curiosity.

The market was crowded, as usual, with housewives who was negotiating with the stall holders, and the usual big burly men who were drowed with alcohol swaying on the streets.

"Well well, let's have a look what we got here, shall we?" a man stepped forward, with another two men who were trailing behind. They wore coats which has the Kanji 'Mizu' on their backs.

"I see two woman wandering around in the streets!" another man pipped out and Kenshin exclaimed a soft, 'oro!'. Before he could react to anything, Kaoru had already had her shinai whipped out.

"Where are you from?" her coldness could be compared to the flakes in winter.

Another man with beard grinned, "Do we still need to explain, Mizukhaki of course!" Kenshin then proceeded to calm her down as he saw her narrowing her eyes, fury shown.

"Then," her speech was slow, as if waiting for something to happen, "tell him not to interfere with my work..." and she strode off calm, leaving a confused Kenshin at the scence and three men who were gritting their teeths.

So what if she was a Yukishiro? She had no autority to stop the commands of Master Enishi!

-

Kaoru halted to a stop in her tracks, turning back momentarily. Her face was a mixture of seriousness and pure sadness. "Kenshin, no matter what, don't ever endanger your life..."

A pregnant silence followed on, none of them said anything.

A/N: Ahhh! I am curently crushed in a debate of KxK and KxT... but I think that there will be love triangles between ExKxK So, hop on!

Love,
Uenki.