Chapter four

Clack

Mizu set her cup on the table. She looked up at Kenshin and sighed. She didn't want to tell this story but she had no choice really. Kenshin and Kaoru had a right to know.

"Okay," she started off, "When I was eight, ten years ago, my big sister..." she gulped, "Was killed. She was killed by... that bastard."

"Mizu there's lots of them," said Kaoru, "Do you know who?"

"Battousai." She spat out.

Every one gulped deeply.

"And May God have mercy on him if I ever happen to find him. He'll wish he were never born," She slammed her fist into her palm.

"Perhaps you will change your mind sometime," Suggested Kenshin hopefully.

"Doubt-full." She snapped, "Anyhow, he killed her. Nobody knows why but he did. It broke my parents' hearts. They were never the same after Rei was killed."

She took a shaky breath and continued, "Seven years later, when I was fifteen, I came home from the market and I found them. Both of them, dead. They had both committed...suicide."

"This one is very sorry for you," said Kenshin.

"That's alright," she said. "It wasn't your fault."

'If only you knew...' thought Kenshin

"Any ways, I thought I was dreaming and ran out of the house. I stumbled into the market place and fell right into Sanosuke's arms and passed out. And well, I've known him ever since."

"I'm...sorry," Said Kaoru. It was all she could say.

"Mizu," Whispered Sano as he embraced her and let her sob into his chest.

"It was horrible." She sobbed. "Horrible. Like a nightmare."

"Shhh... it's okay... Shhh..." Sano hugged her tighter.

"No." she sobbed uncontrollably, "No it'll never be okay. Not until I can get back at... him. Not until then and maybe even not after then."

Sano looked at Kenshin. But Kenshin wasn't there. He was walking out of the door. Sano looked at Kaoru. She made a wavy motion with her arm meaning 'river'.

"Shhh..." He whispered again to Mizu. He looked back at Kaoru and motioned for her to came and help Him with Mizu.

"Mizu-san, how about I fix you a bath and you can lay down a get some rest okay?" asked Kaoru.

"Mm hmm..." Mizu nodded and walked off with Kaoru.

"Poor girl." Muttered Sano as he got up and walked off after Kenshin. They needed to talk.

Sano found Kenshin by the river. He was sitting on the log near the edge where Kurogassa had kidnapped Kaoru.

Sano sat down next to him. "Kenshin. I'm sure she didn't mean to-"

"It's this one's fault," Kenshin cut him off. "Shessha remembers a girl in the last battle of the revolution. Brown hair, brown eyes, she was carrying a basket along on the road. She got caught up in the battle. Someone else wounded her and this one simply put her out of her misery."

"Kenshin, she has to have someone to blame," said Sano. "I blamed you, the patriots, for the death of my friends. She blames you, The Battousai, for the death of her sister and parents. It's human you know."

"It is. But still... How can we keep her from trying to tear this one limb from limb?" asked Kenshin

"I'll talk to her about it," Suggested Sano. She hasn't noticed your scar yet so put something over it for now."

"Like what?"

"I don't know!" said Sano, "Tie a pillow to your face for all I care! Just cover it up!"

"Alright, alright. This one shall cover it up." Said Kenshin.

"Maybe I can talk some sense into her." Smiled Sano.

"Maybe."

(A/N: -sob- that was so sad!! Very touching though. I liked the way Sano comforted her. I wish he'd hold ME like that!!! Anyways... next chappie is when... oh well, I'll just leave ya hanging. how's that for ya? Huh?)