Authors note-

I would quickly like to thank all the people who had taken the time to read this and review it, so thank you KaollaSU-Cahn, White Moon Universe Guard, and Reese Cup. I really do appreciate it. Also, I would like to inform you that I will be gone for the next two weeks, 23-5, so I will not be able to update. I apologize for this and as soon as I'm back I will try to start the next chapter.

Also, in the series, Megumi is called fox-lady, Kaoru a raccoon, and Sanosuke a rooster-head. I was hoping some of you might be able to help me come up with an animal nickname for Setzu. Well, now that that is done, on with the story! I hope you enjoy.

Ice Assasin

Chapter Four: Explanations and Intruders.

Author: Setzu

Rated: R

Candles lit the small, but cozy entertaining room of the Kamiya dojo, and the cool night breeze washed in through the ajar windows. It was quiet as the Kenshin-Gumi took their place. Sanosuke as usual had a toothpick hanging from the corner of his mouth as he leaned sluggishly against the wall, just waiting for the talking to begin. Megumi, Yahiko, and Kaoru each sat on the floor cross legged like the Indians, while Setzu took a similar position to Sanosuke, but behind Kaoru. Kenshin watched them all from his spot on the ground near the door. He was sitting with one knee raised, his sword leaning against it as he tilted his head down so his dark red bangs covered his eyes.

Kenshin was relieved to say the least when Kaoru promised to explain the situation. He had been almost livid when he watched that woman, the one who called herself Setzu, hurting his Kaoru. He turned his gaze to the lean woman, and violet and green eyes clashed. Her eyes held strength and determination as she stared into his orbs, a small smirk coming to her lips before turning away.

"Alright, I understand you all don't like me at the moment."

"No kidding!" Muttered Yahiko, but he quickly shut up at the glare he received from both Kaoru and Setzu.

"As I was saying, I understand your all mad at me, but that fight was a necessity , I could think of no other way to return her to her former self."

"Former self?" Questioned Megumi with a raised brow. Here Kaoru took over, not giving Setzu a chance to explain, wanting to do it herself.

"When I was young I was an assassin," She waited for collective gasps of shock to happen before unwillingly looking at them. What would they think now that they knew Koaru Kamiya, the 'oh so innocent and peaceful' Kaoru, had been a killer, and assassin? She willed her gaze to Kenshin's soft violet eyes, and they showed surprise, but there was no trace of disgust to her relief.

"My mother was an assassin, and so trained me to be one when I was at the age of 7, that's when I met Setzu since her mother as well was an assassin, and a friend of my mothers. We trained until I was ten when I got my first assignment, and from there I entered the end of the Bakamatsu," Kaoru's gaze never left Kenshin's as she spoke, and inwardly Setzu smirked at her friend. Obviously they cared much for each other; they just needed a little push.

"I mostly did my work alone, though at times I would do some assignments with Setzu. She was my only friend back then. I was definitely not as open and carefree then, like I am now. In fact, back then I was known as the Ice Assassin. Anyway, my last job was when I was fourteen, when my mother died in a fire. I tried to save her but went unconscious, when I awoke I didn't remember my past at all," Kaoru clutched the fabric of her clothe as the images popped into her head. She could remember the roaring of the fire in her ears and her cries for her mother as she tried to look for her among the licking flames. The falling of the beams upholding the establishment and the horror she felt when she saw her mother, unconscious and already being eaten by the flames. Then another beam fell and her world went black. Here her knew life began when she woke up to the face of Dr. Genzai and her father.

She slowly opened her eyes as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She knew it was Setzu with out having to turn, the girl had been through similar circumstances. She also lost her mother at fourteen, but not to the flames, no, Setzu's mother had been caught by the police, those same damn police that set the building on fire and beheaded.

"Why does Jou-chan have to regain her memory though? Isn't she better off not remembering such horrible times?" Came Sanosuke's question as he watched the two ladies in front of him. He tilted his head at Setzu, watching her eyes flick over him as she let go of Kaoru's shoulder. He wondered at the brief show of pain in her eyes before it vanished as if it had never came.

"Because she has old enemies that want her blood," Setzu turned her gaze away from Sanosuke, not liking the tingle he sent down her spine when their eyes had met. She turned her attention to Kaoru, since she hadn't yet had the chance to explain the situation to her either. "There was a man named Yugamu Makishimo who was a top swords man along with his brother Ichuro Makishimo, they both worked for the Onigumo organization. I doubt you've heard of them, since they formed near the end of the revolution and didn't last long at all, but they had a few very talented swords men. It was on a stormy night that Ichuro was killed by and assassin," She didn't need to say whom the assassin was for them all to know who had done it. Kaoru just stared at the wall in front of her, not a flicker of emotion passing on her face at the name. Though inside her stomach was turning and her heart was beating so loud it was a wonder no one heard it.

"I heard recently that Yugamu was searching for the one who killed his brother Ichuro, and has been searching through every town and city in Japan. I'm not sure who his sources are but apparently he found out that you were here, and last I heard he was on his way. I came to see if it was true since I hadn't seen you since your mother died. You all know the rest."

Each sat, pondering and taking all this sudden information in. Who had ever thought that Kaoru was an assassin? Or at least had been. Sanosuke couldn't help but grin and think, oh well, no more making her mad. He stopped leaning against the wall and stretched, letting an annoying yawn out. Setzu glared at him and he winked back. She looked at him surprised, not expecting that and turned away, a hint of pink noticeable on her cheeks.

"Just let me know when the fun begins okay Jou-chan? I've been wanting a good fight for a long time," He smirked and hit his fist together as Yahiko hopped up.

"Yea! I'll be able to use everything you've taught me on them!" Kaoru looked at them all, unsure.

"Don't you all hate me? I've killed so many. Besides, I don't want to get any of you involved, if you got hurt..." She ended quietly. It was true, if they got hurt because of her she didn't know what she would do.

"Don't be silly Tanuki, we wouldn't let you endure this alone. What are friends for? Besides, Kenshin has killed and we still love him." Pointed out Megumi as she smiled gently at Kaoru. Despite all their fighting they were quite close.

"I will not let you fight alone, ever." The firm voice of Kenshin washed over Kaoru and she turned too look at him, her eyes sparkling and a smile on her face.

"Thank you, all of you. Now it is late, and so we should all head to bed," She suggested as she got up. Kenshin smiled and walked with her out as Megumi and Yahiko followed. Sanosuke and Setzu were the only two left.

"Well, I better get going to my room. I'll be staying here at Kaoru's tonight since it's so late, not to mention I get to annoy you." Pointed out Sanosuke, a broad grin spread across his features as he headed to the door. He glanced over his shoulder and saw her glare as she stomped past him. He chuckled and watched her head outside. He followed her curiously.

"Aren't you staying here?"

"I came on such short notice I doubt Kaoru was able to fix up a room for me," Setzu stated as she started to climb a large tree in which she planned on sleeping in for the night. It was warm out so she didn't have to worry about getting sick.

"You can use my room if you want. You don't have to worry, I don't bite," He teased as he leaned against the railing that was attached to the porch. Setzu smirked down at him as she got comfy on a branch.

"Sorry, I don't like sleeping with farm animals rooster-head. They smell a bit too much for my tastes," She motioned to his spiky hair and grinned at him. He growled and stood up.

"Fine, but don't come crying to me when you get cold or something," He stomped off and she couldn't help but laugh. He was cute when he was upset. She blinked and shook her head. She must be really tired if she just thought that. With a shrug she closed her eyes and let herself succumb to sleep.

The gentle breeze swayed the leaves and branches, making them rustle and creek as the moon shined brightly from it's spot high in the sky. The streets were deserted and the occasional leaves would blow across the ground, the only unnatural sound of the night was a very quiet, almost nonexistence snore of the figure hidden in the shadows and embrace of the tree and it's leave.

Setzu shifted slightly in her sleep before continuing, not making a sound. Turquoise eyes prowled through the Kamiya dojo yard, looking for any signs of life, not noticing the woman in the trees. When the figure decided it was safe it came from the bushes in which it was hiding, holding the sword at it's side so it didn't clank.

It was so close to the porch, taking its time on its journey. The moon shined down upon it, making the features more noticeable and more distinctive to that of a man's. Shaggy brown hair covered the flat forehead where sweat beads rolled down. The only mistake the man created was when he stepped on a twig, and a small crack could be heard in the silent air.

Setzu's eyes flew open, her ears trained to wake her up when they heard danger. Her green eyes gazed down from her perch and landed on the man attempting to climb the porch stairs quietly. She smirked, an intruder huh? He didn't seem to know quite what he was doing, other wise he would have stopped when he cracked the twig and be more alert.

With incredible stealth she climbed down the tree, making sure to stay in the shadows. She saw a flash of amber eyes in the shadows near the house. She nodded to the shadow when their eyes met and the eyes closed going away. She knew the Battousai had been alerted the same way as her when the twig snapped. Undoubtedly now he would go to check on Kaoru. She probably hadn't awoken to the twig. She may had regained her memory, but she still had much training needed before she would be as good as she was all those years ago.

She crept closer to the man on the porch, quietly and warily. Suddenly with a burst of speed she drew he sword and brought it to the man's neck. His eyes widened with shock and horror at the feel of cold metal pressed against his flesh. Setzu brought her head inches from him letting her breath wash over his neck and ear.

"Not the most experienced one now are you? What is your purpose?" She hissed, not lessening the pressure of the sword.

"I…I…Have orders."

"To what?" She spat, already quite impatient with the stuttering man. The sound of people coming made her glance up and she saw Kenshin, Kaoru, and Sanosuke. Yahiko and Megumi undoubtedly still asleep.

"To...To scout," She was about to ask the man another question when something suddenly embedded its self into her shoulder. She clenched her teeth shut, not willing to let a cry of pain out for the one who did this. The scared man saw his chance when the blade pressed to his neck lost pressure and he elbowed Setzu in the stomach making her gasp and let go of him, but to his disappointment was caught by Kenshin.

"Setzu!" Cried Kaoru, her eyes wide at the scene. A rather large dagger was in Setzu's left shoulder. Blood poured from the wound, soaking her black jacket. Setzu glanced up at Koaru, then Sanosuke who, to Kenshins slight amusement, went immediately to Setzu's side and helped steady her, heedless of the blood splashing onto his white jacket.

"Let's get you inside."

"I'm fine. Really," She hissed out as she shifted her shoulder and pain shot up her arm. To her great dismay she leaned into Sanosuke, letting him help her stand. Her eyes began to get drowsy and she let a curse out. She was much stronger than this, had been injured worse than this and not fallen unconscious. The dagger must have been poisoned. With a grunt she let her limp body fall into the arms of Sanosuke and succumbed to the placid darkness, not hearing the scream of the intruder as another dagger flew from the shadows and sliced his neck open, killing him.