Disclaimer: don't own them, wish I did.  Oh but I do own any mysterious characters that I made up.

AN:  sorry, sorry, I have been like super beyond busy and stressed.  The writing probably reflects that.  It not great, but it get the story going. 

Two Hitokiri – Pieces of the Puzzle

Kaoru sat protectively beside her lover, clutching at her sword with alert eyes.  His breathing was shallow and his pulse was slow, but he was thankfully still alive.  It would be morning in a few short hours and she would have to think of a way to get Kenshin back the compound and safe.

She had tried carrying him home, thrown over her back like he was a child getting a piggy back ride, but that proved too difficult for the long distance.  Kenshin was a slight man, but she was an even slighter woman and she didn't get far trying support his body weight.  Besides her own struggle, the bumpy movement seemed to irritate Kenshin's wound, making more blood spill from it to stain her back.

Luckily she had been in a rental district, and found a vacant boarding room.  The door had been locked, but she made right of that quickly with her blade.  It wasn't the greatest accommodations.  A small shack was more like it, with enough room for a bedroll and small furnace.  It looked as if it may have been occupied by a squatter that maybe broke in and stayed on rainy nights.  But the homeless man wasn't there tonight, and tonight they would stay, hopefully safe and unnoticed. 

So Kaoru sat the whole night, her eyes shifting the fiery haired man to the door.  She would be ready for any intrusion, but she hoped against hope there wouldn't be one.  Somehow it seemed that there had already been too much death and tragedy that night.  She didn't want to take another life.  Apparently Kenshin's words had a great impact on her, and she wondered if either of them would wield a sword after the revolution was over.

Kaoru let her eyes drift down the his sleeping form.  He was deathly pale now, on the verge of blue.  The linens were still soaked with new blood that flowed in a slow but steady stream.  He needed a doctor.  But who could she find to entrust their care in?  Any doctor in town could recognize Kenshin as the Battousai, and who is to say what side they are on?  She wouldn't risk it.  Yet he needed medical attention; he needed the Ishinshishi's doctor.  But she also could not leave Kenshin here to be discovered.

The whole thing seemed hopeless and Kaoru began to truly fear that no matter her efforts, Kenshin would die this night. 

~

"Iizuka."  Katsura called upon arriving to compound.  "Is everyone assembled for the meeting yet?"

Iizuka shook his head.  "There is a problem Katsura-sama.  Himura-san and Kamiya-san did not return last night."

Katsura's face remained as stony as ever.  "Bodies?"

"Their mission was completed.  We found the bodies of their targets earlier this morning."  Iizuka explained, but before Katsura could reply he added, "and the bodies of four Shishengumi."

Katsura sighed.  He could piece the puzzle himself, but what of his children?  What became of them after their battle with their most despised enemies?  "Have you sent out any men to find them?"

Iizuka shook his head.  "I didn't know who I could send."  This instantly earned him a scornful look from his master.  "There is another man missing.  One of Fujida-san's men.  Hachiro.  However, there was no word or discovery of his assigned targets.  As far as we know, they are still alive."

"I feared something like this, but I never thought…"  Katsura paused, his mouth set in a stern line.  "Iizuka, go look for them yourself, and bring two men with you, none of Fujida's company.  Search the path that Himura and Kamiya should have taken home.  And keep a look out for Hachiro."

The servant man nodded.  "Sir, I know that Hachiro is quite a gambler.  If we were to assume that a betrayal has taken place, I would assume it would involve quite a large sum of money.  If it is him, then I think I know where I can find him.  Would it be alright to actively pursue him?"

"I want you on the search for Kamiya and Himura first.  If nothing turns up after searching their trail, then find Hachiro.  If he is involved, then we can use him for information on their whereabouts."

~

Kaoru sat idly, her eyes still fixed on the door.  It had been morning for a few hours now and she grew more and more worried that they would be discovered.  The higher the sun rose, the more she regretted not sticking it out and carrying him all the way home.  Now there were at a greater potential for danger and it was all her fault.  She tucked her head into the folds of her arms for just a moment in utter self pity.

It was unsure how long she had sat there, unguarded and at complete vulnerability until a familiar voice made her jerk.

"Excuse me. Do you know if a man by the name of Hachiro is staying here?  He might have checked in last night." 

Kaoru crept slowly, closer to the door, straining to hear, both to confirm her suspicions and to hear more of the conversation.

"Sorry."  A man's voice replied, who Kaoru could only presume was the landlord of this place.  "He's not here.  I received a reservation for that name, but the man never showed up.  I even had a unit saved up, but it wasn't claimed." 

Footsteps could be heard fast approaching and Kaoru backed away from the door, standing up with her hand on her hilt, ready to make any move she had to. 

"This is the unit he is supposed to stay in."  The voices were right outside the door now and the young assassin could only pray that they did not open the door.  "If you would like, you could leave your name at the desk and I will send word to you when he claims his room.  Surely he will, its already been paid for.  A month payment put down already."

Kaoru's eyebrows furrowed.  What was the meaning of this?  Hachiro-san, the same sleazebag that she dealt with at the compound.  Why was he renting a unit here?  Especially when he could mooch of the comforts of the compound, which included the chance to harass every woman there.

"That's quite alright.  I am sure I can find other ways to contact him.  But thank you for your help."

One set of footsteps began to retreat, and the woman wondered which man remained.

"Damn that Hachiro, where is his dumb ass?" 

Kaoru knew the foul mouthed man still remained near.  She inched toward the door and took the risk of unlatching the door and opening it just a crack.  She scanned quickly to see that the landlord was indeed gone before she hissed to get her target's attention.

"Iizuka!  Iizuka!" 

It wasn't until a few more harsh whispers that the man stopped walking and turned to look at the source of his name.

"Kara-," He barely spoke before she shushed him.  She gestured for him to quickly enter the apartment before they were seen.   "What happened?"  He hastily questioned her once inside.  "You didn't return last night."  Then he caught sight of the other assassin's mangled body lying on the ground.  "Battousai, injured?"

"We were attacked by Shishengumi last night."  Kaoru explained.

"Oh?"  There was a pause.  "Then their bodies found this morning was your work."  He stated more than asked.  "Why didn't you come back to the compound?  He needs to be looked at."

Kaoru shook her head.  "He's too badly injured and I couldn't carry him there."  She looked away from the man and down at the fiery topped love in shame.  "I couldn't risk taking him anywhere either.  I had no idea what to do."

The servant man lifted some of the bandages to see the wound.  "Well he needs to see the doctor.  But there is no way to get him out now.  There will be too many looks."

"Night time."  Kaoru spoke.  "I was going to leave here tonight.  Assuming he will be okay to move."

"You haven't had any rest.  If you couldn't make it last night, you surely won't tonight."  Iizuka sat for a while, working out his thoughts.  "I will go into town, and get some salve and fresh bandages.  Stay here today.  I will return tonight with horses.  You will be safe here.   Apparently this unit belongs to Hachiro.  So you shouldn't be interrupted."

"Yes, what was that about?  I heard the conversation.  What is all this about Hachiro?"  Kaoru asked curiously.

"He didn't return last night either.  And his mission was left undone.  I was sent to retrieve him."  Iizuka explained.

"The traitor?"  Her suspicions of the man were more heightened than ever.

"No sure.  But I have to find him.  So if he comes here, be careful.  You might even have to kill him.  He's a loud mouth, that one.  And better safe than sorry."

TBC…

Oroness forever-  hmmm is that a threat…didn't you know that I don't respond well to threats?  Maybe I won't update…maybe…maybe not….

Brittanie Love-  Er…I stopped because I thought it was a good place?? I don't know.  Sorry this update didn't get out faster.

Kenshin's angel-  glad you enjoyed.  This one doesn't cliff as much tho.

Mishorou mie-  haha, yes I am happy.  Thank you

Noner_89- really?  You'll like it anyway?  So you won't hate me when I kill him?  I mean I mean…IF.  Oops, I think I said too much…j/k disregard that.  I wouldn't slip up like that.

Kawaiililaznkitsune- Why?  Like I said…I think I'm evil.  That's why.

Crystal Renee- Exactly, I'm glad someone sees my point about using cliffs.

Zsilver- Haha, what episode of the simpson's was it?  Was it the valentine one where Lisa gives a Valentine to Ralph and he says, "It says, I choo choo choose you!"  I love that one.  "Look in the tunk…I'm sure he means trunk."

Mz. Amber Eyes-  Are we sure I am the evil one?  I think you have a lot of hostility at Tomoe…I mean she's already dead.  A hundred times….hmmm ; )

Battousai-katana- haha, well Battousai didn't, but I say they got what they deserved huh?  Haven't you noticed I'm a 'strong girl' kind of writer?  Oh and sorry you fell, hope you didn't get a bump and anything.

Hounding wolf:  seem like an obnoxious pig?  You mean Saitou isn't and obnoxious pig?

Battousai-katana: sorry I didn't get it up sooner

Catrina3:  I thought that was a great review.  And well, I suppose we still don't know for sure if someone is going to die…but I intend to update again with the answer

Jen:  Pleading for Kenshin's life…there is nothing I can do about that.  I have already planned the whole story, and its basically out of my control.  It must go on as planned.  Hehe

d-lolo:  Well wouldn't you like to know.  Can't say…but it would be awfully nice if they could.

Gaby: thanks, I try.

Lucy loo:  Personal rule: don't tell readers who is going to die before you write it.