Author's Note: I'm still working out a few things on this story but I think I'll keep the first few chapters the same after all. If not, then I'll tell you in the news section of my profile. Until then...

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Chapter Two

Kat grumbled to herself as she traveled through the streets of Kyoto. It was a hot day and everyone seemed to be in a sour mood. Her assignment had been to get fish for the cook but the heat seemed to have spoiled all of the meat the vendors were trying to sell. Not only that, but she had heard a rumor that a group of assassins was traveling nearby.

'What did I do to deserve this? Why can't someone else do this job for me? I'm the owner of a respected dojo and I shouldn't have to do this job!' she continued to silently complain when she spotted her good friend Megumi.

Before Kat could say hello, Megumi waved and called, "Katsura! It's nice to see you! What are you doing out here?"

Kat frowned, "Megumi, I hate it when you call me Katsura. Please just call me Kat!"

The short Japanese woman laughed as she walked over, "Poor Kat, having to have a man's name. Now no one will marry her!"

"Stop it!" Kat yelled. She knew that Megumi was just teasing her but Kat had better things to do in the heat then get teased.

"I'm sorry. So, what are you doing out here in this heat? Don't tell me Cook sent you on another one of her errands!" Megumi laughed.

Kat sighed, "I'm looking for some decent fish but it all seems to have spoiled in the heat."

Megumi appeared thoughtful then she snapped her fingers, "I have an old friend who works at the Kusanagi restaurant. He always has fresh fish and I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you a few."

Kat smiled, "Thanks Megumi."

The older woman bowed and said that she had other business to attend to. She was the town doctor and Kat guessed that Megumi had been running an errand for medicine when she had bumped into her. The two girls enjoyed spending time together and Kat had learned a few things from Megumi as a part time apprentice.

Kat bowed and said that she was grateful for the news. As she neared the Kusanagi, Kat noticed that there were more and more people whispering that a group of assassins were headed their way. She sighed and entered the restaurant. After asking around for the manager, she was able to speak to him about getting a few fish to take home. They were able to strike a deal and Kat handed him a few coins while a waitress was sent to get a basket for Kat to carry the fish in.

Kat thanked them for the fish and picked up the heavy basket. As she was heading down the steps she could feel someone watching her. The noise level of the crowd had been reduced to whispers and Kat's eyes widened as she heard someone next to her say that a hitokiri was among the group passing by. When Kat looked up she was shocked to see that one of the group members was staring at her.

The crowd had parted for them to pass so from where Kat was standing she had a pretty good view of who everyone was talking about. Her eyes widened even more when she realized which member was staring at her. 'It's the Battousai of the Choushu clan! What is a member of Kiheitai doing around here? What is an Ishin Shishi doing here?!'

The students of her dojo had often talked about the Battousai and how he could slay any man that stood before him. She had heard so many rumors about him that she wasn't always sure which ones to believe. A shiver ran down her spine and she wondered how many of the rumors were true.

Someone walked up to the fearsome man and appeared to be whispering something. They traded a few words before continuing on their way. Kat felt relieved that those icy blue eyes were off her. His red hair was the last she saw of him before the crowd began to shake out of their stupor. Rumors began to spread like wildfire and Kat sighed. She could only hope that no one noticed that the Battousai had been staring at her.

Kat shifted the basket of fish in her arms again before making her way home. When she reached the gates to the dojo, the kendo class had let out and they greeted her as she passed. The older students were more polite and offered to help her with the basket of fish. She declined and thanked them for being so nice.

"I'll help you carry that," another person offered when he saw Kat struggling not to drop the basket of fish.

Kat's eyes widened when she noticed that it was the kendo instructor, Aoshi. She liked to watch him train the students and his strength often ended up intimidating her. Kat had a vague feeling that he might like her and this was the only thing that kept her from running away when he spoke to her.

"This is a woman's job," Kat reminded him as he took the basket. She was glad that he had taken the load off her but she didn't want to embarrass him in front of the students. Some of the younger ones were looking at them and giggling while the older ones looked slightly jealous that she had let their teacher carry the basket.

"I don't mind," he said as Kat walked along side him to the kitchens. His short black hair was the only thing that Kat could see over the basket. Aoshi held the awkward load in front of his face so aquamarine eyes were concealed. Kat wondered how he managed to keep from tripping or walking into anything.

"It took you long enough!" the cook exclaimed as she saw Aoshi and Kat approach.

"If you knew I'd take this long then why didn't you send someone else?" Kat snapped. She didn't really like the cook and it didn't help that it was still extremely hot outside.

The cook sighed, "Kat, I've told you before that I can't ask anyone else. Aoshi is busy with the students and Hiko only comes for a few hours a day to help around the house. You don't ever seem to be busy so that's why it's your job to do my errands."

"I'm the owner of the dojo!" Kat protested. "It's degrading to be seen around town on one of your errands!"

Aoshi placed a hand on Kat's shoulder and she sighed. The cook just rolled her eyes and continued to gut the fish while an apprentice boiled water. Kat left the kitchen without another word and noticed that Aoshi didn't seem to be leaving any time soon.

He noticed that she was looking at him, "I've heard that the Shinsengumi and Choushu clans are in town. I was wondering if you wanted me to stay the night for some extra protection."

Kat remembered having seen the Battousai earlier that day. He was no older than she and it scared Kat to know that he had already earned a reputation all around Japan for his killing techniques. He appeared harmless to Kat but the swords by his hip had said otherwise.

Kat turned her thoughts back to Aoshi, who was still waiting for an answer. "If it's not too much trouble for you, I think it would be a good idea."

He nodded his agreement and then left to usher the straggling students out the gate.

Kat watched him for a while before deciding that the floors needed to be swept. As she reached for the broom her mind began to return to the Battousai. 'Why was he looking at me? Maybe it wasn't me. Maybe it was someone else...' She sighed heavily and tried to quell her racing heart. 'I'm glad that Aoshi is here to protect me. If anything, he'd probably be a match for the Hitokiri. I've never seen anyone that skilled at swordsmanship. But what happens if the rumors are true? What happens if he shows up and Aoshi isn't enough to stop him...?'

(Author's Note: The next chapter will be up soon! I'm still trying to decide a few things... Would anyone mind if Kat wasn't human? Hehe... I'm still thinking about that one. PLEASE REVIEW!!!)