a/n: this is my first time writing a fanfic ever since AGES ago please r/r!

He pushed his feet off the ground harder with every step he took as he ran after his target. He turned sharply into an alley and stopped. It was a dead end. Battousai smirked. The predator had got the prey right where he wanted.

"You cannot run from your fate," Battousai got into his fighting stance. Before the man could answer, Battousai unsheathed his katana and used his speed to propel himself towards the man like a gust of wind. The man reached for his own sword, but it was too late. Blood poured from the man's heart as Battousai pulled his sword out of the body. The crimson red blood colored the fresh fallen snow. The red on white reminded him of his sorrowful memory. Tomoe…I am sorry. His hand wandered over his cross scar. Before he can dwell in his past anymore, one of the Ishin Shishi men came.

"What is it," Battousai asked coldly.

The man shuddered from the tone of Battousai's voice. "Katsura wants to see you immediately at the headquarters," he said meekly.

"I will return to the headquarters shortly. Tell Katsura that my mission is accomplished."

"Yes, sire." The man retrieved from the scene to go deliver his message.

Battousai walked up to the man lying on the floor. He knelt down in the pool of blood the dead man was bathing in. The blood emitted a foul smell ruining the clean winter air. It seems like wherever I go, I bring the smell of blood with me. He took his hand and moved it over the man's face to close the shock-stricken eyes. Then he got up and left for the headquarters.

"Welcome back." Katsura heard one of the men from downstairs greeting Battousai..

"He is here," he said.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked the man sitting across from Kastura.

"Yes, it'll do him some good. He needs remove himself from this bloody city before he loses his sanity."

The shoji screen opened and in stepped Battousai. He nodded at both men to as an acknowledgement of their prescence.

"You called for me Katsura," Battousai stated. Even when it comes to Katsura, Battousai is as cold as an icicle.

"Yes, Himura. I have another task for you although this one may be different from any other tasks that you have undertaken" said Katsura. He tried searching for any hint of emotion from Battousai but didn't find anything. No emotion means he's okay with it.

Battousai did not say anything. He waited for Katsura to state what his new mission was. Perhaps it was another bloody massacre or another high official assassination. It seems like there are always people waiting for me to wield my sword and show them to their deaths.

"This man sitting here in the room with me is a very important man. He joined forces with us. With him by our side, we are one closer step towards the new era. He is a very talented and intelligent man," Katsura explained.

Battousai studied the man sitting in the room by Katsura. He was a man in his thirties. His face was filled with wisdom. He moved like a swordsman, meaning he could probably fight as well as strategize. There was no doubt that this man did hold some value for the Ishin Shishi.

"He had been reluctant to give us a helping hand because he was afraid for his family might get hurt. I have agreed to protect his family while he is away," said Katsura.. "Himura, as of now, the Ishin Shishi does not need your skills. We will not be fighting for a short time, so that we can come up with some plans and recruit more men. Your new mission is to go to Tokyo and protect Kamiya's family for the time being. When the plans are done, we will call for you. You will leave tomorrow"

a/n: I hope it wasn't that bad. Please tell me if I did anything wrong! I am open to criticism, but don't be too harsh. o.o