AN: Wahoo! Other people finally reviewed! –Does Victory Dance- Ahem. Anywho. To reply to most of your reviews, let me say, that yes, I realized that I did make Saitou somewhat evil in the last chapter. You see, the reason why is because Saitou hated the fact that Katana had become so weak. He knew that the only way to awaken the manslayer within her was to do what he did. And as you will see in this chapter, that side of her is…oops! I almost gave it away!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters (I really wish that I did, though). I do however own Katana.

Chapter 5: Struggles

It has been two days since Katana's little encounter with her brother. Katana has been acting much differently than usual.

"Miss Katana, could you make us some lunch? I need to go into town, and Miss Kaoru's cooking isn't exactly…well…as good as yours." Kenshin said, trying to find the right words without really insulting Kaoru. Katana was silent, and her eyes were covered by her bangs. "Miss Kata-"

"I heard you the first time, Himura. And why exactly do I have to cook?" She said in a defiant, cold voice. Kenshin seemed taken aback by her. Katana put a hand to her head and held it, as if she was in pain. She looked up, revealing her usual innocent amber eyes. She blinked. "Oh, hello Mr. Himura. Didn't see you there. I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asked in an innocent voice. Kenshin had a confused look on his face.

He looked into Katana's eyes to check for any trace of emotion. He saw confusion, sadness, and…anger? The anger in Katana's eyes was faint, but it was there. Kenshin's eyes widened in realization. The anger wasn't directed toward him. Katana's anger was directed toward herself. 'She's struggling with herself.' He thought. Kenshin knew what this feeling was like. He had struggled with himself many times with his other half, and still does. It's almost like having a conversation with yourself. Everything else is canceled out, and sometimes, your other half takes over for a brief moment or two.

"Mr. Himura?" Katana's innocent voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you ok?" Kenshin smiled and nodded.

"I'm fine, Miss Katana. If it isn't too much trouble, could you make us some lunch? I have to go out today." He said, not even bothering to mention Kaoru's cooking. She smiled sweetly.

"Oh, of coarse!" she exclaimed. Kenshin however, could see right through her. That happiness was empty, and meaningless. She was simply hiding the confusion and sadness within her.

"Thank you, Miss Katana."

"No problem!" Katana said. Without another word, she walked off to the kitchen. Kenshin sighed.

'Why on earth did Saitou act like that toward Miss Katana the other day? I thought that they were brother and sister.' Suddenly, Saitou's words rang through his head.

"Once a manslayer, always a manslayer."

Why had he said that? It's not like Katana was-no…she couldn't be. Could she?

Why did she not sense Kenshin come? One minute she was just sitting there, and the next, she was looking at Kenshin. 'What on earth is happening here?'

'You know the answer to that.'

'Please go away.'

'Why should I? Our brother was pretty much begging me to come back.'

'He was, but I wasn't. Please go away. I don't want anything to do with you.'

'Heh. Without me, you would be dead by now.'

'Without you, I could have lived a happy and peaceful life.'

'It was your choice to be an assassin.'

'…'

'Hah. You see? I'm right.'

'Go away.'

'Hn. Whatever.'

'So, you'll leave?'

'Sure, but there's something you should know.'

'What?'

'The food's burning.'

Katana looked at the food she had been cooking. It was on fire…again. "AHH! FIRE!" she screamed while running around like a maniac.

'Feh. And she thinks I'm bad.'

AN: Wow! That was short! Sorry it took so long. I hope you liked it!