Disclaimer: I wish, and so do most people.  But we can't all own the rights to RK now can we. 

AN: Ok, quick address to the reviews.  Thank for all of them, I'm glad you are all enjoying my story.  I forgot to answer this question last time.  Karasu is also Japanese for crow, it is one of its many names in Japanese, but Karasu is the only name for raven, at least that I know of.  I think its probably because ravens and crows are very alike and are mistaken for each other often.  If I am wrong, then I guess my theme is completely shot, because that whole distinction is a big part of this chapter.  If you won't tell, I won't.  *wink*

Two Hitokiri – Raven Among Crows

"Himura, I want you to meet some of the new assassins.  Watch their moves, find their weaknesses.  Make them better."  Katsura instructed Kenshin after their meeting.

Kenshin nodded in agreement and rose from his seat, as did Kaoru. 

"Kamiya, you already know what you need to do." 

She nodded as well and followed Kenshin from the small study.  There, they parted, heading in opposite directions down the hall.  Kenshin to the courtyard where Iizuka was supposed to be touring the new men, and Kaoru, back to their sleeping quarters.

There she shed her training gi and hakama in exchange for a day kimono, much like the ones that the house maids wore, but with slightly more freedom around her legs.  It allowed her more movement than the other woman, and more places to conceal her weapons.  Katsura preferred that she wear a kimono around the compound.  It ensure that her identity as Karasu remain somewhat discreet.  Most people knew that Karasu was a woman, or at least heard rumor that she was a woman and that she was working for the Ishin Shishi as Battousai's partner.  So any woman dressed like a man at the compound would be suspected to be the legendary hitokiri.  Any woman that walked anywhere in man's clothing and bore a katana was a suspect.  So she only wore training gi's when she was on a mission or at the morning meetings with the men.  The reason for the latter occasion being that she had to be recognized as a hitokiri at those meetings, not as a woman.  The rest of the time she complied and wore kimonos, making herself seem like another house guest or attending woman. 

By day, a raven among crows; nearly indistinguishable.  By night, a raven among the dark; nearly invisible.  At all times, much more dangerous that she seemed.

But aside from Katsura's preference, she rather enjoyed wearing the kimonos sometimes.  It got her out of the more official aspects of being a part of the Ishin Shishi, such as the tasks Kenshin was assigned to at the moment.   As well as that, she was a woman, and liked to be reminded of that.  As cold hearted as she was with a katana in her hand, she was still a woman, and found herself fancying pretty things as well.  Besides, it was the kimonos that had also reminded Kenshin that she was a woman, not just a hitokiri, and she liked to think they played some part in the beginning of their love affair.

When they had been partnered together, early in their years at Ishin Shishi, Kaoru was not more than thirteen, and was not grown into her body.  Back then they were just partners, both still too young to understand anything but their duties.  If anything, all they had was a good partnership and respect for each other and their skills.  They used to train together, both got faster and smarter with the help of each other and some friendly competition.

When word began to spread that one of the assassins at the Ishin Shishi was a woman, Katsura quickly got Kaoru into a kimono and those training sessions ended.  She was almost fifteen when that new rule was instated.  Kenshin kept a watchful eye on her after that.  At first told her that he watched her so much in the beginning because she wasn't allowed to carry a sword, only a dagger, and he was not willing to lose his partner.  Later, after they began their affair, he admitted that while he was worried, he did get over that and watched her simply because he was in love with her.  He was more worried that the other men would try to claim her than her getting hurt.  He had faith in her skills after being her killing partner for years.

Kaoru smiled at her memories of when their love was new.  Kaoru could admit that the kimonos played some part, but she also knew that it was their partnership in crime that really brought them together.  Two young souls with so much blood on their hands.  Only they who killed together could ever understand each other.

~~

Kenshin scowled as he was accompanied by Iizuka and a new assassin, Hachiro, to the dining room for lunch.  These new people were mediocre at best compared to some of the other men Kenshin had trained.  Their swings were sloppy and wild, and their movements completely predicatable.  Kenshin would have to talk to Katsura about having someone else train them until they were at a point where they were ready to learn advanced techniques.  Right now they were simply pathetic.  Including this pretentious character walking with him. 

He was a cocky son of a bitch, but easily one of the worst ones who would need to be corrected the most.  Sure he was strong, and his chops were not easily deflected, but he was slow and predictable.  Any small fighter could dodge his attacks.  But he seemed to be a favorite in the group, thought himself to be the best.  Good enough to not stay outside and train with the others, instead, joining Kenshin for lunch. 

Kenshin rolled his eyes at the man blabbering about his great feats.  He would fall the hardest.

A familiar scent filled the air and Kenshin raised his eyes to see Kaoru closing a shoji door behind her and starting down the hallway in front of them. 

"Hey there pretty little thing."  Hachiro bellowed down the hall at her, resulting in Kaoru pausing and doing a slow turn to face them.  Her eyes were dark, and she cocked an eyebrow. 

"Excuse me?"

"I said, Hey cutie."  He turned to Iizuka and elbowed him.  "You boys have some nice assets wandering this place.  Good choice in women.  I'm sure they all cook and do laundry well too.  Might catch me one."  He eyed Kaoru.  "Maybe you."

Iizuka snickered.  The man had it coming.  "Ah, Hachiro-san.  May I introduce to you Kamiya-san.  More commonly known as Karasu.  The only female assassin in the Ishin Shishi."

Hachiro was stunned for a moment and he stared at her with wide eyes.  Unfortunately his ego seemed to bounce back quick enough.  "I didn't realize.  I figured Karasu would be some butch woman running around in a training gi." He chuckled at the thought.   "But you my dear are very lovely, very delicate.  Are you sure you are an assassin?"  He reached a heavy hand out and touch her cheek with his finger.

Kenshin growled and his sword clicked from its sheath.  Hachiro turned to look at the smaller man to his left when he felt the coolness of steel at his neck.

His eyes wandered back to Kaoru who had pulled a dagger out and held it firmly under his jaw line.  Pressing it just enough that another movement from him would pierce his skin.  "I am Karasu, the hitokiri.  How dare you question that and how dare you touch me.  I am touched only when I give permission.  Try to do so ever again and you will lose that part of your body that touches mine."  She gave him a once over elevator look before adding,   "And perhaps anything else I think you must lose in order to learn your lesson.  Understand?"  Her eyes, dark and deadly, validating her words. 

Hachiro nodded just the slightest and Kaoru pulled away her dagger, but not without leaving a small cut and trickle of blood rolling down his neck.  She tucked the dagger back into the folds of her obi and turned back down the hall. 

Kenshin fit his sword back into place with a click that had gotten the attention of the other two men.  His amber eyes were ablaze as he looked at Hachiro.  "You should go back and train with the boys." He advised before leaving after Kaoru.

Once Kenshin was out of sight, Iizuka doubled over in laughter.  "You have to be pretty ballsy to hit on Karasu right in front of Battousai."

"The Battousai and Karasu?  I thought they were just partners."  Hachiro asked, his hand to the small wound on his neck.  He stared down the hallway the two hitokiri had retreated down.

"You couldn't have known, because they have made it a point that no outsiders know.  You think they are just partners because that's what they lead you to think.  An assassin can't have weaknesses.  Relations are weaknesses." Iizuka explained, then broke into laughter again.  "Not that it really mattered though.  Karasu will kill you faster than the Battousai can even resolved to kill you for hitting on his woman." 

Hachiro pulled his hand away and looked at the blood in it. 

"I suggest you follow Battousai's orders.  Don't give him another reason to want you dead.  Trust me, it is not a good place, their bad sides."

TBC