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Chapter Two: Betrayal

Tomoe stood at the edge of the market looking at some very fine cloth. The cloth was woven silk and sky blue. Time for a change in the attire. She thought hoping to find a pattern of cheery blossoms. They were a beautiful flower and would look wonderful on this fabric.

"Do you have any of this color with cherry blossoms on it?" She asked the merchant.

"My lady, you are in luck I have just that fabric, but I don't know if it will be enough for a kimono. If you will step back here, I can measure you." He said. Tomoe tried to hide her shock.

"Sir, do you have a female attendant?" She asked.

"Yes, let me go get her." He said. Tomoe nodded. She turned from the booth to look out in the street. People milled about looking at fresh produce, live chickens, fish, and rice. The few none peasant women looked at the fabrics and fans. The make-up and journals that were on sale. A young girl walked past her followed by a man. The girl was very pretty in her light pink kimono edged in black lace. She laughed at little children running. She commented on how pretty some of the ladies kimonos and fans were. She turned and stopped at the booth Tomoe was in.

"Hello." She said brightly.

"Hello" Tomoe said. It was then the man came back.

"My aid has left me for a few hours." He said sounding sorry.

"Oh. Ok. I can come back and she can find my measurements then." Tomoe said turning to leave.

"Miss." The girl said reaching out and putting a hand on her arm. Tomoe turned. "I could measure you for the man that way you can get the fabric you want." She said. The man looked from Tomoe to the girl and back to Tomoe.

"Alright. Then if you want some of this fabric I can measure you." Tomoe answered. The girl glanced at the fabrics and found a blood red one. It would look pretty edged in white and would look wonderful with a light pink sash.

"I like this one." The girl said. The man nodded and picked up both bolts of fabric taking them to a little screened in area.

"Here is the tape measurer." He said handing the tape measurer to Tomoe.

"I'm Yuri." The girl said.

"I'm Tomoe." Tomoe answered. If Yuri had a problem with Tomoe she hid it well.

"Kenshin you will stay out there. I will be back out in a little while." Yuri said. He nods meandering off. Tomoe gasps at what she sees. That man killed my betrothed! Why? Why did he have to take him from me? She thought. "What's wrong Tomoe?" Yuri asked. Tomoe looked at her.

"Nothing Yuri." She said. Yuri measured her and Tomoe did the same in kind to Yuri. "Nice to have met you." Tomoe said to Yuri as they paid for their purchases. Yuri added another thing to hers. A bolt of blue cloth to make Kenshin some shirts.

"Nice to have met you as well." Yuri replied smiling broadly and thinking Now where did he go? Tomoe walked on through the market looking at fans and umbrellas. She did find a pretty light blue one she would have loved to have, but it reminded her to much of Itsomoru's last gift to her. He'd given her a flower just like the ones on the umbrella and she didn't know if she could bear to see it. Walking on past she heard noise in the middle of the street. A young man and woman were in an argument with another man.

"Get away from her." Kenshin yelled hoping to distract the man with the horse. Yaruni, for that was the mans name, slapped the young girl across the face. "Stop now! She didn't do anything to you!" Kenshin cried.

"Shut up." Yaruni answered backhanding the red haired boy. The man picked the woman up by the neck chocking her. Kenshin lost his temper and reversed his sword drawing it and hitting the man across the backs of his knees. Yaruni dropped the young woman he had been strangling and fell to the ground. Kenshin sheathed his sword and went to her; to help her; she staggered and leaned into him. Kenshin turned to Yaruni.

"I told you to let her go." He said. Then turning back around he walked off with the girl leaning on him. Wow how noble Tomoe thought. But he didn't kill the man. Maybe he'll do so tonight. She thought slipping away and out of sight. She never heard the soft mutter of "White Plums" from the man who'd killed Itsomoru. The girl who was with him didn't even hear.

Tomoe lay on her futon wide awake. My love. I will always mourn the loss of you. You came here for me. During this time of struggle and you are no longer among us. I miss you darling She thought. A knock came upon door. She quickly pulled on a robe and went to open the screen.

"Little Brother!" Tomoe exclaimed as loudly as she dared.

"My beloved sister. I've missed you." He said.

"I've missed you too Enishi." She answered hugging him close to her.

"Tomoe." A cold voice said near them.

"Enishi go." Tomoe ordered.

"No." He said

"Did you find anything out?" Itsoharu Manaro asked.

"No." Tomoe lied. Well actually she had , but wasn't going to tell HIM about the girl who was with Kenshin.

"Really? One of my . . . other contacts told me he was with a young girl today. One just about his age. He attacked a man who'd hurt her. Now, he also said that you were there. Why have you told me none of this?" He demanded.

"Because she was of no importance." Tomoe answered.

"Oh really. He seemed to care for her. Now, what would your betrothed have wanted?" He asked.

"You're barking up the wrong tree Itsoharu." She answered. Turning away and shutting the screen.

"Sister." Enishi whispered.

"Yes little brother." Tomoe called letting him know she was alright.

"What would Itsomaru have wanted?" He asked. Tomoe sighed.

"Come here Enishi. Let me tell you exactly who he was. ." Enishi walked to her futon and sat down next to her. Things were getting complicated and fast. Tomoe began to explain to Enishi why Itsomaru had come in the first place. Why he hadn't wanted to come and the way that she had pleaded with him.

"Enishi he didn't have a lot of confidence in his sword. He knew he could protect, but with big time swordsmen he couldn't stand a chance. Especially against the man known as the Hitokiri Battousai. He's a ruthless killer mind you. Do not cross his path. Enishi Itsomaru loved me, but now I have to move on, but also I must claim revenge. That man who killed my beloved will lose what he holds dear to himself.." She said.

"But sister, would Itsomaru have wanted it?" Enishi asked.

"Itsomaru was hard to interpret sometimes Enishi. Have you heard the 'story' about the wound he caused?" She asked. Her brother shook his head.

"Well, the man who killed Itsomaru has a wound, a memory if you will, from that fight. Well, rumor has it that his scar still bleeds. Even though it has been many weeks since that attack. Actually it's not a rumor anymore. I did see him today. It was bleeding ever so little, but I'm not sure why." She explained.

"Maybe he's falling in love with that girl." Enishi offered. Tomoe smiled. Then good for him. Maybe she can change the way he sees life. Change the fact that he is this murderer. Oh I hope she does! She gasped.

"Tomoe; what's wrong?" Enishi asked. Have I gone soft on that man? After what he did to me and Itsomaru?! He should die, but that girl... what is her purpose? Is she doing the same thing I should try and do? Tomoe thought confusing herself even more.

"N... Nothing little brother. Nothing." She answered shivering. I cannot betray him! I have to stay true. Because of me. I cannot just not do anything. He was my everything! We were supposed to get married. Grow old together... Now he's gone and it seems I've betrayed him by letting my mind think Kenshin is doing right? She thought.

"Sister you are scaring me." Enishi said. She snapped out of her disturbing thoughts and looked at her little brother.

Enishi please. You must go." Tomoe said quickly folding up her futon to leave for the land lady. She figured it was the best she could do. Seeing as she was causing so much more trouble than most of the woman's customers.

"But sister." he said.

"But nothing. Go brother. Before he uses you to hurt me. I don't think I can lose someone else. Especially not you." Tomoe pleaded. Enishi blushed and hugged her tightly.

"I love you Tomoe. Don't forget that. Please; don't forget about me." He murmured from the folds of her robe. She smiled inside. He would always be such a good boy.

"I wouldn't dream of such a thing." She said trying to calm her nerves about as much as she was calming his.

"I love you too. More than you could think possible. Now go brother and be careful. Many evil things lurk in the night." Tomoe said softly watching him leave her room. Now.... to Itsomaru's grave. she thought changing quickly into her kimono. She stole out of the house quieter than a mouse. She knew she shouldn't be out. The twisted realms of the night could hold vultures and thieves. Men acting as though they were protecting you when what they really wanted was something no respectable woman should give them. Battousai would be in tonight. Which made it even more unsafe. As much as she hated to admit it she knew that he was a protector of the weak and downtrodden. Not much comfort for her though. He should be in taking care of Yuri. Seeing as she had such a bad ankle. I wonder what Kenshin would say if he knew who I was. Would he kill me because I am the only one who knows the truth? Would he let me live? What would he think to the fact that I know all about him and yet he knows nothing about me.... points for us I guess. She thought as she continued to walk in the crisp fall air. Taking in a deep breath she looked around When did I leave the cobbled streets of town? She asked herself. The moon had risen above her making the road more illuminated. Nothing should be able to attack her. Woods surrounded her now. Uh-oh she thought knowing something could jump out and attack her. She rested a hand on her small katana and continued walking. To her left suddenly a branch snapped. She whirled around and backed up. She only encountered warm meaty flesh. Arms seized her from behind. She was to scared to scream. Not even a whimper. A man chose that time to walk up to her.

"What do you think you are doing?" He asked.

"Ronin!" A voice barked. Tomoe began breathing hard. She couldn't stop it was as if she were hyperventilating.

"Taku." He said bowing.

"You do not scare the person we are kidnaping." The man named Taku said. The rest laughed.

"Shut-up Yukio!" then man named Ronin said to a plump male on Tomoe's left.

"All of you shut up and bring the girl to me." A voice growled in the darkness. I know that voice! Tomoe thought. The man behind her clamped a hand over her mouth and drug her to Itsoharu. Please let Enishi be ok. Don't let him be hurt. Please. Please. Please. Tomoe thought not bothering to struggle. They outnumbered her and she wouldn't have much of a chance with her measly weapon. "Ronin bring me a blindfold and gag. Kisho put her here next to me." the man ordered. The men sprung into action. Ronin tied a black cloth around her eyes and then another black cloth around her mouth to gag her. Please let Enishi be ok! She screamed at herself. Finally they tied her hands behind her back. "Move out." Itsoharu ordered picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder seconds before she fainted.