Chapter 4

(Kyla)

The next morning found me on the roof of the dojo, enjoying the sun. As always I rose with the dawn, so the air was crisp and cool, the dew sparkling on the trees. I sighed happily, feeling the breeze sweep my unbound hair from my neck. When the red/black strands weren't in their usual high topknot they reached to just below the tie of my hakama, in the ponytail to the small of my back.

I was back in my traditional navy hakama and black gi, and my katana rested comfortably on my hip. Though I hardly used the blade I was never without it. My self-defense skills, coupled with my speed and silence, were more than enough to pound any enemy into the ground.

I closed my eyes and felt for my brother's ki. He was awake moving quietly through the dojo. His soft voice suddenly reached my ears as he opened the door. "Kyla?"
"Up here Shinta." I replied, looking to the edge of the roof as he leaped up beside me. "Is something wrong?"

He smiled gently and shook his head. "No, not at all. Sessha just wondered where you were."

I grinned, and then took in his appearance. "You're a mess brother."

He grinned sheepishly. His hair was rumpled, and his eyes betrayed his tiredness. "I didn't sleep well onee-san, that I did not."

I gestured to him. "Come here and turn around." He crept closer over the roof, sitting cross-legged in front of me. I pulled the tie from his long hair and brushed it with my fingers, working at the knots and tangles it had accumulated overnight.

He stiffened at first, and then his shoulders relaxed as I worked at the crimson strands. I marveled at the silkiness of his hair, smiling when he made a soft sound of content.

I examined the ends of his hair, and then drew my katana. He flinched and tried to scramble away as the sound of the blade sliding from its sheath reached his ears. I chuckled. "Calm down Shinta. I'm only going to cut your hair."

"Cut it? With a katana!" His voice trembled, as did his shoulders.

I tugged on his hair lightly to get him to remain still. "You're fond of your hair aren't you?" A shaky nod. I snorted. "Well no worries, it's only a trim. You've got split ends." I gave the crimson hairs another light tug. "Now hold still so I don't hurt you."

He went as still as death and I slipped the katana under his hair, trimming off the ends. I laughed as his shoulders slumped when I re-sheathed my blade, gathering his long hair into a ponytail at the base of his neck again. "There. All done."

His hand immediately reached for his hair, feeling at the ends. I shook my head and bound my own hair, lightly combing it with my fingers.

He turned to look at me, his violet eyes watching as I played with my hair. I grinned and ruffled his red bangs. "There, that wasn't so hard now was it?"

He glared at me slightly. "You're making me feel like a child, that you are."

I chuckled. "I'm your older sister. I'm supposed to do that." He humphed and I laughed. "Get over it Shinta. So why are you up so early?"
He smiled at me. "Sessha usually makes breakfast, and then begins laundry and such."

I looked at him, surprised. "You do laundry? And chores?" He nodded and I shook my head. "Now I've heard everything. If you weren't my brother I'd marry you."

He sputtered, his eyes widening. "What do you mean by that!"

"I've never met a man that would do housework!" I replied. He cocked his head. "That would be a blessing, though I don't ever plan to marry." I elbowed him in the side. "Kaoru's lucky to have you."

I laughed as his face attempted to mimic his hair, and succeeded quite well. I grinned, ruffling his bangs again and standing. "Come on Shyguy, let's go."

I left him on the roof, as red as his own hair and wide-eyed, still trying to decipher what I had said.

(Later that night)

We had certainly had an eventful day. I had watched Kaoru teach her class earlier, joining in the laughter as Yahiko called Kaoru busu, and was thoroughly punished. Shinta and I had gone to the market, walking through some nice scenery on the way.

Sano had brought some sake, and offered to share, but we had refused it politely. Kaoru had gone to bed a while ago, and Sano had passed out on the floor. Yahiko was somewhere I was not aware of. That left me, and Shinta. Both of us were on the roof again, staring up at the starry sky.

"Shinta?"

"Hm."

"You've been awfully quiet. Are you alright?" I asked softly. He was leaning against me slightly, his shoulder resting against mine.

"I'm fine onee-san, that I am. I'm only thinking," was his response.

I smiled noting that he had dropped the 'sessha' around me. "Could I ask about what?"
"Just," he paused. I waited patiently. "Just about my childhood. Mother and Father never told me about you, at least that I can remember."

"They probably didn't want you to feel sad. I think they thought I was dead." I said gently. He stifled a yawn, dropping his head to my shoulder. I smiled and rested my cheek on his crimson hair lightly. He was becoming more comfortable with me, and I could already feel the bond between us establishing itself.

"Otouto-chan?" I murmured.

"What is it Kyla?" he replied softly. His voice was slightly slurred with sleep.

"I love you Shinta, I hope you know that."

"I," he hesitated, and I could tell he was unsure. He suddenly sighed. "I love you too onee-san."

I smiled and hugged him with one arm, giving him a gentle squeeze. We sat there for a long while, watching the stars. After a while I looked down at his face to see him sleeping, breath soft and even. I pulled up onto my back, draping his arms over my shoulders and hooking my hands under his knees. I leaped off the roof, landing gently and without sound, and then walked into the dojo.

I found Shinta's room fairly easy and quickly. I lay him gently on the futon and pulled the blankets up to his chin. He stirred, but did not wake. I smiled, and gently brushed his hair from his face. 'He looks so much like a child when he sleeps.' I thought.

"Sleep well otouto-chan." I whispered. I kissed his forehead gently, then returned to my room and settled myself in the corner. I set my katana against my shoulder, and then closed my eyes to sleep.

(Normal POV)

Early the next morning, long before the sun rose, a man crept onto the property. He carried a small bag, and traveled fairly quiet. He snuck into the dojo, and then went quickly to Kenshin's room, sliding the door open. He moved to the sleeping rurouni in the center of the room, drawing a long needle from the bag. He pulled back the blankets and moved to slip the needle into Kenshin's arm.

Kenshin was awake in a flash, eyes sparking with amber and one hand grasping the man's wrist. He forced the needle away from his skin, growling slightly.

The man fought him, gritting his teeth. The needle inched closer, shaking madly. Kenshin let lose a cry as he shoved the man back. The stranger stumbled, and then went forward again to strike at Kenshin.

Kenshin blocked he blow, then winced as the man plunged the needle into his neck. He quickly depressed the plunger and yanked it out. "You've been poisoned Battousai."

With that he turned and ran from the dojo. Kenshin collapsed as everything around him faded into black.

The man didn't get far. He was stopped by Kyla. The woman approached him like a shadow, icy green eyes glowing in the night. In an instant her katana was at his neck. "When you get to hell," she growled. "Tell them Musei sent you."

The man slid to the ground, blood seeping from the slit in his neck. Kyla dragged him off the property, setting the body in a secluded place. "I'll deal with you later."

As the woman ran for the dojo her ice green eyes softened to a forest green, filled fear for her brother.

She burst into Kenshin's room to see the redhead lying in a limp heap, deathly still. She rushed to him, gathering him into her arms. "Otouto-chan? Shinta? Shinta, wake up! Shinta!"