Ice Assasin

Chapter Two: Visits and Knowledge

Author: Setzu

Rated: R

Kaoru's eyelids fluttered slightly as she felt something cold on her forehead. She reached a hand up and opened her eyes as she grabbed the object. It was a wet cloth, a newly placed one since it was still very cold. She lifted her gaze and glanced around the room until it landed on the woman form earlier who was sitting near the door to her room. She groaned and plopped her head back to her pillow, it hadn't been a dream.

"Kaoru, I know you're confused, but we need to talk."

"Yes, if what you say is true then we do." Came Kaoru's soft reply. She just stared at the ceiling trying to take everything in. When no reply was given she turned her head slightly and saw Setzu sigh, obviously she didn't know where to begin.

"You don't remember anything?" Setzu asked again

"Well, I've been having nightmares lately, of a small girl who looks like me. She… Kept killing people. They seem so real."

"Yes, you are dreaming of yourself Kaoru. We were assassins when we were young, our mothers trained us." At the word Mother, Kaoru snapped her eyes to Setzu. She had never known her mother, or so she thought.

"That is impossible. In my dreams I was about twelve, my mother died when I was a toddler." Setzu shook her head vigorously.

"No, your mother as well as mine died when we were fourteen, where did you get the idea she died when you were little?"

"Dr. Genzai told me." At her own answer her eyes widened. Dr. Genzai. He had told her most about her mother since he had been a close friend of the family, could he have lied? Why would he though? She watched as some sort of recognition lit Setzu's features.

"That old man is still alive? Ha! Imagine that," She muttered with a grin as she rested a hand on her crossed leg.

"Well, why don't we go and talk to that old geezer, he's bound to have some answers since I don't know why you don't remember me or your past, you should." With a grin she walked over and hauled a startled Kaoru to her feet and began dragging her out of the dojo. It felt oddly right though, like her and the woman did this all the time.

"I walk myself thank you very much!" Kaoru told her indignantly as she took her arm out of Setzu's hold. Setzu laughed and held her hands up in defense.

"Alright, I just got a bit excited Kaoru-chan." Kaoru sighed and nodded.

"I know, but you have to wait a minute I have to leave a note for the others."

"Oh you mean that weird red head guy I've seen around here?"

"You've been spying on us!?"

"Hey, I had to make sure it was you!" Kaoru grumbled as she walked back into the dojo and left a note in the kitchen for when Kenshin and Yahiko came home. Then the two headed off for a visit to Dr. Genzai.

Dr. Genzai grumbled as he finished another patient and headed to the door of his hospital where the obnoxious pounding wasn't stopping.

"Hold it, I'm coming already! Don't you have any respect for an old man?!" He shouted as he opened the door and was greeted with a serious Kaoru and a glaring Setzu. His eyes bulged slightly at the sight of Setzu.

"Oh, this can't be good."

"You got that right old man, long time no see," Setzu smirked as she cracked her knuckles, it reminded Kaoru of Sanosuke. She stared at the older man and sighed.

"We must talk."

"Yes, yes. Follow me then." He motioned for the both to follow him and they headed to a back room. He got out some teacups and set them on the table in the middle of the room where they all sat. He began to pour some tea but stopped.

"We don't need Tea now old man, we need answers," Hissed Setzu. She knew Dr.Genzai, and she didn't mind the man at all, he was quite nice, but she wanted answers. He set the teacup down and stared at them both.

"Is it true Dr.Genzai? Was my mother and I an assassin?" Questioned Kaoru softly. Dr.Genzai Sighed.

"Yes, you were, and a remarkable one at that. By age ten you were just as good as the top assassins in the world. Your mother taught you everything she could teach you about being an assassin; something your father wasn't pleased about," He closed his eyes replaying images of Kaoru and her mother when they would come in to be checked up or to have some scrapes and cuts fixed after training.

"Why don't I remember this?"

"Because you had a head injury on one of your missions, the one your mother was killed in. You tried to save her when the building was set aflame, but you couldn't and went unconscious. When you awoke, you remembered nothing. Your father forbade me to tell you anything of your past with your mother. That is when he began to teach you the Kasshin Ryuu technique."

Kaoru sat in wonder, her mind in her own little world filled with awe. Her mother was an assassin, as well as she. Her life was a lie. She had thought she was so innocent, yet, in her past she had killed so many. The angry voice of Setzu drew her back to reality.

"You fool! Because she can't remember she can't protect herself! She has old enemies who are looking for her, wanting her blood on their sword," she spat as she stood up. She punched the wall angrily and breathed deeply.

"She has men after her? She will be fine, she has Kenshin."

"That red head? How is he supposed to protect her? He's so short." She commented as she calmed down, though she was still hissing quietly.

"He is the Battousai."

"Battousai?" Stated a surprised Setzu. She gave Kaoru a funny look. "I'll be damned, you got the Battousai living with you?" She let a small laugh out and shook her head, gazing at the Dr. Genzai again, "That maybe, but he can't fight all of her battles for her."

"Is there anyway I can regain my memory?" Kaoru spoke again, staring intently at Dr. Genzai. She had to admit Setzu was right. Kenshin couldn't fight all of her battles for her, and she hated it when she always had to be protected. The Kasshin Ryuu was not enough.

"It's been so long, I don't think you can regain your memory Kaoru." He shook his head sadly, not knowing what else to say or do. They each turned their head towards Setzu who had her eyes closed and was leaning against the wall of the place.

"There might be away."

"What?" Pressed Kaoru, she would do anything, she needed those memories, no matter how horrible, they were a part of her.

"Fight me."