Thank you all so much for the reviews you have been submitting to my story, it's great! I can't thank you more. Also, I would like to apologize for how long it's taken to get out this next chapter. I've been so busy lately that it's a wonder I've managed to do it. I will try and get the next chapter out as soon as I can, but I can't guarantee how soon. With school starting in about a month, and the sports season beginning, I've got a lot ahead of me!

Ice Assasin

Chapter Six: Kisses, Bloody Noses, and Onward!

Author: Setzu

Rated: R

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Ever so slowly the bright sun began to rise above the mountains and the trees, letting its light shine down upon all of Tokyo. There was a slight breeze and it was warm out, creating the perfect morning. Everyone except for Setzu and Sanosuke were in the kitchen eating the breakfast that Kenshin had kindly made for them. Each in their own thoughts, pondering over the previous events that had unfolded. It was Yahiko who decided to pipe up and break the silence.

"Hey busu, feeling better?"

"Yes I'm feeling better, oh and Yahiko?" Kaoru smiled at him innocently, obviously in a better mood from last night.

"Um, yes?"

"Don't call me busu!" She growled and poured her miso soup all over his head. Both Kenshin and Megumi laughed as Yahiko fumed angrily. Kaoru smiled at him sweetly, aggravating him even more as he stood to walk away so he could get washed up, but stopped short of leaving as a yell was heard down the hall. Everyone shut up and turned their head sharply towards the hall that lead to Setzu's room. Stomping could be heard as Setzu appeared before them angrily.

"Who in seven hells left that man to look after me!" She growled as she looked at their surprised eyes. Her eyes were that dangerous green and her face was flushed.

"Sanosuke? What's wrong with leaving him to look after you?" Question a nervous, but curious Yahiko.

"What's wrong? What's wrong with leaving him to watch me? He tried to kiss me!" She thundered. Each of their eyes widened more at her tale, wondering what could have possibly possessed him to try such a thing. Kenshin glanced at Kaoru as he thought he heard her mumble 'stupid idiot' quietly to herself.

"For the last time woman, I did not try to kiss you!" Growled Sanosuke as he slowly came into the room with a cloth over his nose. "And did you have to give me a damn bloody nose?"

"Yes! You tried to kiss me!"

"I did not!"

"Whoa! Hold up, what happened exactly? Why don't you talk first Setzu," intervened Kaoru as she stood up and walked between the two to prevent a death match. She looked at Setzu, signaling she should go first.

"Alright. As I was waking up I was trying to remember what exactly had happened since my shoulder hurt like hell and I was really stiff. Of course, I open my eyes and what do I see? His face right above mine, extremely close like he was about to kiss me the pervert!" she pointed accusingly at Sanosuke.

"I was not woman!"

"Sanosuke! Wait your turn. Are you done Setzu?"

"Yes, the farm animal may go."

"What! Why you little..."

"Sanosuke just go!" ordered an exasperated Megumi, and it had been such a nice morning until this.

"Fine. I woke up a little bit before she did and went to check on her. She still looked kind of pale so I was going to take the cloth from her forehead and change it. Her eye was twitching and I guess I got my face a little too close when inspecting. Next thing I know she's staring at me and hits me in the nose! Damn you woman and your right hook!"

"And don't you forget it liar!" stated Setzu as she glared at Sanosuke who was trying to get his nose to stop bleeding.

"I'm telling the truth!"

"Can we just forget the ordeal? It was probably a mistake, one that won't happen again Miss Setzu," Kenshin shot Sanosuke a look as Setzu began to calm down.

"Fine, I'll let it go, but don't do it again."

"Wouldn't want to, besides, who'd want to kiss YOU?"

"Why you..."

"Sanosuke! Why don't we go work on your nose okay? Come now," Megumi
laughed nervously as she ushered Sanosuke out of the kitchen and
towards her room where her medical supplies were. Everyone was calmer
now that he was gone, and looked to Setzu. Kaoru raised an eyebrow at
her.

"Wow, you're in a mood aren't you?"

"Hmm…Lets see now, I've been stabbed, poison, and nearly kissed. What do you think?" she replied
sarcastically. Kaoru couldn't help but laugh.

"How about we go train?" she suggested

"Actually, I do need to get a lot of energy out, perfect. Now lets
go!" Both girls smiled as they walked out and went towards the
training hall. Only Kenshin and Yahiko were left in the kitchen, each
very confused.

"Women," both said in unison before each doing their separate thing.

Setzu let a genuine smile out as she and Kaoru made it to the training hall of the dojo. She always loved training; here she was able to let all of her energy out. She went over to a near by wall where her sword lay and picked it up, letting the sheath drop to the ground. She turned it in her hand, letting the light glint off of the metal.

The sword was very old and had been in her family for many generations, though never given to a woman until her mother. After her mother's death she wouldn't let it out of her sight, it was all she had left of her.

"Are you ready Setzu, I'm just itching to start," Smirked Kaoru. She hadn't had a chance to start training yet now that she's remembered. Setzu lifted her gaze from her sword and smiled again at Koaru.

"You bet I'm ready! Ready to beat you!" She laughed as she charged at Kaoru and the two began to dodge each other's attack, parrying and thrusting here and there. Slowly Kaoru began to get her old speed and balance back, moving along side Setzu with the grace of an assassin and warrior.

"You're returning quickly to your former self," Stated and impressed Setzu as she ducked and rolled away from the kodachies that threatened to cut her.

"I can thank you for that," Kaoru grinned as she jumped away from Setzu, trying to find an opening in her stance. "I have a question for you," She stated rather than asked as Setzu charged her and the sound of metal clashing began again.

"What would that be Kaoru-chan?"

"For how long have you liked Sanosuke?"

"What?" Asked a surprised Setzu, so surprised in fact, she almost tripped as she dodged to the left of Kaoru. "What kind of question is that!"

"A curious one, now tell."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, I don't have feelings for roosters, especially one I've barely known for a day!"

"Oh please, I saw the way you were looking at him this morning."

"What? I was glaring at him Kaoru-chan, threatening him with bloody death! How on earth could that make you think I liked him?"

"Yes, that's true, but I could tell you wanted him to kiss you," Kaoru smirked as she and Setzu jumped away from each other. It had been so long since she had been able to teasingly taunt Setzu about anything. Setzu growled and glared at Kaoru, her left eye twitching ever so slightly as she tried to take a deep breath.

"We are off the subject Kaoru, and I'm done training for today."

"Ah! You don't deny it!"

"Nor do I affirm it," Setzu tossed out as she grabbed her sheath and slid her sword in it. "And don't start on this subject again or I'll get on your case. You and Kenshin seem quite attracted to one another," She pointed out, a smirk of her own now playing on her face. Kaoru blushed and looked away for a second before looking back.

"Fine, but can I at least ask one more question?"

"What?" Asked an exasperated Setzu as she put her sword back by her things in the training hall.

"Why can't you like him? You know he's not that bad," She asked curiously. She watched her friend closely as she noticed a hint of pain flash through her eyes. Her eyes widened suddenly.

"Was…There some one else?"

"Yes."

"Well?" Setzu glared at Kaoru as she sighed. She knew Kaoru would get it out of her sooner or later anyhow. besides, they were like sisters, they should be able to tell each other anything.

"His name was Kojiru, Hibiki. After you disappeared I kept up with the assassin business, what else was I supposed to do? He was one of my targets and…I don't really know. I just remember looking at him and having this feeling. I couldn't do it. Since I hesitated he spotted me and from there we managed to secretly see each other. It was four years ago that I never saw him again. I had heard Tatami Meimi, an enemy of mine had killed him." At first Setzu had let the pain flash in her eyes, but ending she had a rage held in them that Kaoru had never seen.

"Setzu, he's been gone for a long time. Shouldn't you move on?"

"I'm not going to get hurt again Kaoru, I've already made my decision," She hissed, startling her friend. Kaoru sighed and decided to finally drop the subject since it had hit a very sensitive nerve.

"Alright then, how about we go back to the house and get some lunch?"

"Sure."

Kenshin hummed as he set the table for lunch. Everyone was there save Setzu, Kaoru, and Yahiko who had gone to meet with some recently made friends. He smiled at the thought. Yahiko had mostly stayed around the dojo with him and Kaoru, but lately he had made friends and was going out a lot. It was a good thing.

"Well at least the bleeding stopped, she sure did hit you huh?"

"No kidding Megitsune!" Sanosuke grumbled as he looked down at his nose. Megumi couldn't help but laugh at him. It had taken awhile to stop the bleeding, but luckily that's all she had to worry about, no broken nose or anything.

"Just make sure she doesn't punch you again for awhile, and it should be fine."

"Yea, yea. Oi Kenshin! Can we eat yet?"

"No, we must wait for Miss Kaoru and Miss Setzu," Chastised Kenshin as he sat down along with them. No one had to wait too long since a few minutes later both girls came in. Kaoru had a bright smile on her face but Setzu had a cold look that made Sanosuke worry.

"Hey, I'm sorry about this morning."

"Don't worry about it," was her clipped reply as she sat down. Sanosuke sighed and shrugged, he had tried.

"Well then, lets eat," stated Kenshin as he began to fill his plate. Everyone talked except for Setzu who only put in a few words since she was deep in thought. Not about any previous conversations, but about recent events. They had sent a spy to check out the area, which meant they knew exactly where in Tokyo Kaoru was. Not a safe situation. In fact, as she had been told, someone had killed the man who'd stabbed her after she passed out, revealing that there were really two spies. The man was dead, so obviously there was no way to get information from him, and there had been no clues left as to who the other spy had been.

"We need to get out of town," Setzu stated from no where, her eyes held a firm look as she gazed at the surprised faces.

"What?" Asked Megumi.

"We should leave Tokyo, they know exactly were Kaoru is, and we are not ready to face them yet. It would be best her and I leave for a time being."

"Setzu, do you really think that's necessary?"

"Yes Kaoru-chan. I want you to train a bit more, not to mention I want more inside information on what's going on with them," Setzu's voice held a 'don't argue with me' tone which wasn't good since she could be stubborn when needed.

"Well, would we all go?" wondered Megumi.

"No, they are namely looking for Kaoru, and mostly likely me as well now that they know I'm here."

"I'm going with," Said Kenshin seriously, and Setzu nodded. She could tell how much he cared for her, and she didn't want to keep that from Koaru.

"Me too!" Chipped in Sanosuke with a grin. Setzu slowly turned her gaze to him.

"There is no need to have you come along."

"Aw, come on, I need the vacation," Setzu rolled her eyes and was about to say no again when Kaoru stepped in, a little plan forming in her head.

"Great, so we are all going except Megumi. Is that all right Miss Megumi? I need some one to look after the dojo for me and I trust you."

"That's fine Kaoru," Smiled Megumi. "Besides, I can't just leave my patients like that. Where will you all be going anyway?"

"To the mountains, I know a place there where we can stay," Supplied Setzu as she finished her meal. "I suppose we should all get packed." Without warning she strode out of the room.

"Wait Setzu! We're leaving now? SETZU!"