Welcome to chapter eight of Death's Beauty! The fanfic is progressing to its final stages, who knew it would be that fast? I must say, I've come to like Tori, and I've grown fond of the story, but ah well. If I were to drop off because I love the story too much, then it would disappoint you guys. And here it is in its full splendor…chapter eight! *cool theme music*

My hair was thrown back gently as the wind played its usual solitary game of chase. Liquid streams of gold, wove through the emerald land, glittering as they began to rise through the air. I stood atop a cliff, looking down on Kyoto. Before me, lay my mission, and my own death warrant.

Kenji…

Leaving that night had been the hardest thing I had ever had to do. The tears in Kenji's eyes made me realize how much he truly cared for me. How much I cared for him. His words came back to me.

'Come back…you owe me that much.'

It suddenly occurred to me that on all the missions I'd been on so far, not counting this one, the risk factor had never occurred to me. On every single mission I had completed, I could have been killed. Every single one. Countless people who had been deemed dangerous by Tadashi Tsubeta were in fact more than met the eye. I couldn't count how many times I'd had to dodge hidden weapons, kill unexpected backup, and once I had been extremely lucky not to trip an armed bomb.

As the morning fog began to disperse, I turned, and began to set off down the cliff. I left my somber thoughts to perish in the oncoming light, and turned the front half of my mind to the task ahead.

* * * * *

Kenji's P.O.V.

Sleep hadn't even bothered to visit me that night. Tori…my sister had left, vanished into the night, walking along the same path our father had taken so many years ago. I had sat by my open window, and watched the moon traverse lazily across the black sea of sky, wondering if my sister was looking up at that same moon. And crying as I was. As soon as she had gone, the tears had flowed freely down my face. I could feel the twin streams coursing their way down my cheeks, and hear them plop softly to the ground below.

Now, with the sun rising, I raised a hand to my face, and traced the lined made by the now dried tears. Somewhere in the nearby woods, came the cry of a bird. I recognized it as the same crow that had squawked in an adjacent tree yesterday. Strange, when I had heard that crow squawk yesterday, it hadn't affected me…but that morning…something was different. There was something chilling in the cry, almost as if it were trying to tell me it was too late.

No! Tori would come back, I knew that. After all, she owed me another match didn't she? I stood up, stretching my stiff muscles, and crept down the hall, and into my sister's bedroom. When I opened the door, unexpected shock hit me. In the back part of my mind, I had expected to see her there, laying in her bed roll sound asleep and murmuring the strange half-speech of dreams.

Instead, I saw only an empty room, no bed roll, no Tori. She had left the window open, and now a chilly early morning breeze made the purple billow curtains outward. Purple. For some reason she really seemed to like that color. Crossing the room silently, I shut the window. When I turned around, my mind, which had been in a buzzing haze ever since last night, finally caught up to the present, and that's when it hit me:

I might never get to see my sister again.

I sank to my knees, as the realization overwhelmed me. Why? She was only fifteen! Fate was so cruel, death, the greatest leveler, the two made a perfect couple. Death favored neither race no social status, and Fate just plain didn't care. I looked up, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw it: the little desk drawer Tori had been talking about last night.

It hunkered beneath the window, the sunlight had yet to find it, so it sat there in the shadows, looking as lost and sad as I was. My eyes fell upon the drawer that probably contained a few odds and ends, then I remembered what she had told me last night; "There's something I want you to have. In my room there's a little desk drawer. In it is a black crystal. You may have to dig for it, but it's there."

I scooted over to it, and cautiously opened the drawer. Inside lay a scarf, the necklace of flowers that I had given here when I was six, and a few hair ribbons, most of them purple. Upon closer inspection, I saw the black, shiny tip of something sticking up beneath a green hair ribbon. Brushing the emerald fabric aside, I gazed intently at what lay underneath. The crystal lay on the bottom of the drawer, like its own special secret. It was beautiful, I could instantly see why she had kept it.

Reaching in, I closed my hand around it, it was cool to the touch. I withdrew it from the drawer and held it up the sunlight. Tiny threads of light bounced of its surface in an array of colors. Something about the way the light refracted off the crystal seemed familiar. As I turned it to the left, the lights traveled to the far wall. Reflected there was a sea of green, gold, purple and blue, and in those colors, I saw why it had looked so familiar: There was an old ash out in the surrounding woods. It had been struck by lightning a few years back, and Tori and I used to play there when we were younger. To kids, at least to us, every time we went out there, we always found treasures.

I clutched the crystal tighter. A small tingle of energy went up my arm, but it wasn't painful…it was like…almost like it had captured some of Tori's essence and stored it. What I was holding wasn't a crystal, but a container of some of her energy.

The sun was starting to get higher now, I could clearly see the bright golden light streak across the deep blue of the autumn sky. Quietly, I exited my sister's room, still hanging on to the crystal, crept down the hall, and peeked in my parent's room. Their still sleeping forms huddled beneath the blanket, and the soft sounds of deep breathing met my ears. Smiling a bit, I shut the door, and walked out of the dojo, and headed for the old ash three.

* * * * *

It towered above the other trees, standing bold and black amidst the soft red and orange of the living trees. Its clawed branches tore at the sky, not quite reaching, the roots extended through the ground and a large rock. We had come here often, and played, hiding in the hollowed remains.

I put my left hand on the bark, it felt sooty and dead, but it was still important, because it contained memories of me and my sister. I removed my hand, and stepped back looking up at one of the many places she and I had spent important moments of our lives together.

You do this as if she already died.

Yes. I did. Somehow, it made it easier, to accept the fact that she would die right now, then have it crashing down on me as it had back in her room. Closing my eyes, I turned and walked back home.

When I got home, both Mom and Dad were standing outside. When she saw me, Mom raced forward and enveloped me in a tight hug.

"Kenji where have you been?!"

My mind drew a blank, then it came to me: They had discovered Tori had left in the night, and when they found me missing, they feared the worst. For all intents and purposes, I loved my parents, but sometimes they could get overprotective. But they were just doing their job.

"I've just been outside. I couldn't sleep at all last night, so I thought an early morning walk would calm me."

"Then where is Tori?"

Mom let go of me, (and thank goodness, because I was starting to suffocate!), and looked at me intently, searching my face to see if I was hiding something. Over her shoulder, I could see Dad leaning against the door frame. He looked calm, but his hand were clenched around his reversed blade sword. He was scared, wait till he found out what had been going on!

I sighed. I knew I couldn't keep it a secret, so I told them what had happened and what I knew.

Tori's P.O.V.

The markets in Kyoto were packed. Vendors and shoppers crowded the streets peeing at the items the shopkeepers were selling. I was careful to stay with the crowd, and let no one see my sword. My black short kimono (my usual mission outfit) brushed up against my thighs as I made my way swiftly to my destination spot. I turned the corner, and headed straight for an abandoned building. It was three stories high, and the windows were no longer there.

Cautiously, I opened the door and stepped in. Immediately, someone dashed out of the shadows at me. I withdrew my sword, and struck out. There was a metallic clang as my sword clashes on a pair of daggers. Standing in front of me was a woman with her brown hair up in a ponytail, her face was set in a mask of anger and determination. Who was this girl? Was she a Yakuza assassin, who had beat me here? I only mildly considered those questions as I broke the metal connection between us, and slashed down and left. She dodged, and threw one of her daggers. I ducked and felt the air slice as it sailed over my head.

She rushed at me, I struck out with my leg and tripped her, she went sprawling, and I barely avoided having her remaining dagger plunge into my leg. The woman leapt up as soon as she struck the ground, and leapt for the dagger that had buried itself in the wall. I whirled and clipped her on the back. The sound of ripping skin and fabric made my heart beat faster. If she took notice she didn't show it, her hand clasped around the dagger and I heard it pull free. We stood there facing each other. She wan panting, and calculating her next move. I grinned and licked blood off my sword.

"That's enough Namako!"

I turned to see the an ash blond who was standing at the top of the dusty stairs, leaning against the balcony. The same ash blond man that I had met on the night of my acceptance into Tadashi Tsubeta, and the night of my first mission. He smiled apologetically at me.

"I'm sorry about this Tori. Namako just can't seem to control herself."

The woman, whose name was Namako snarled, baring her white little teeth.

"I can too control myself Yasuka!"

"Then explain to me why you immediately started fighting with Tori? Our mission is to annihilate the Yakuza branch meeting in Kyoto, or have you become so blind sighted by the past that you have forgotten your own comrades?"

Namako glared up at Yasuka, but she could see as well as I could that he was right. Dropping her snarl, she sheathed her daggers, and walked over to me. I could still see the bright flare of anger in her eyes., and immediately I didn't liker her.

"So you're the new recruit. Funny, I didn't think they'd send a kid to help."

Oh she did not!

"Whoops, I didn't realize there was a seniority system here."

I watched the transformation on her face as she flew across the room and grabbed me by the throat. We slammed to the floor, and I felt a pinprick as she lightly pressed sharp steel into my neck.

"You better watch that mouth of yours brat!"

I gave no indication of the simmering rage I felt. Instead, I smiled up at her and said:

"Why don't you just go back to the bone yard you old hag?"

"You little- !"

A shadow fell over the both of us, Yasuka was gripping Namako's wrist tightly, and I could see by the way her face was strained it was hurting her. Namako clasped her hand tighter around her dagger, but it would've been like trying to stab a stone with a toothpick for all the good it would do her. Yasuka stood above the both of use. Up close, I could see how deep green his eyes were. I could feel myself becoming lost in those eyes. His anger at Namako was evident, and it made his eyes glow. Luckily my face wasn't feeling hot, but my heart sure was.

"Namako, stop this now. I will have you returned to Osaka if you cannot rein in your temper."

Namako stopped resisting at once. Slowly, I crawled out from under her. Yasuka released Namako, who began rubbing her wrist. She glared at Yasuka with such intense hatred I thought he would burst into flames at that exact moment.

"What would you know?! You've never had to doubt your own trust! I've always lived by one rule, and so far it's kept me alive. Why should I trust her,"

She gestured over to me, and I could see contempt flashing in her brown eyes.

"When she is the child of one of those patriots."

The last word came out as a hiss. Namako fixed me with another glare before storming out of the mansion. Yasuka sighed, and sat down on the stairs, head in his hand. I sheathed my sword, walked over and sat beside him.

"I'm sorry."

He looked at me, surprised. Then he smiled, it was a sad smile, full of a black past and even blacker memories.

"Namako's parents were murdered by a band of ex-Baku Matsu warriors that were drummed out of the military. Her father was on the side of the Shogunate."

"But…she said patriots. If her father was on the Shogunate, why was he murdered?

Yasuka sighed.

"The men that slaughtered Namako's parents were Imperialists. After the war ended, they had become so involved in war and the past that they thought all remaining Shogunate members should no longer be allowed to live. After she was orphaned, Namako took to a life of thievery. She was only twelve, but she had a quick mind and quickly caught on. We initiated her when she was 18. Namako has been with Tadashi Tsubeta for eight years now."

Poor girl, but…she had seen the resemblance between me and my father, so did she too know of his tragic past?

"Will Namako be back?"

"Yes. Although she is a bit of the wild type, she never misses a mission."

Yasuka smiled at me, I could see he had brightened a little, and that made me feel better.

"Kind of like you."

Kenji's P.O.V

"She what?!"

Mom gaped at me in shock, and Dad…it was hard to tell. He just stood there, his face dark, and his eyes unreadable. I sat down on the front steps, and gave the shorter version.

"Yes, I'm afraid it's true. Tori's part of an underground network of assassins known as Tadashi Tsubeta, 'The Divine Sword' For the span of nearly a year, she's been carrying out missions dealt to her. She left on her latest mission to Kyoto last night."

"And what is her assignment?"

That tone. Or rather lack therefore of. Dad's voice had nothing to it. It seemed to be coming from somewhere far away. Almost as if he wasn't really here. I dreaded telling them, but I knew I had to.

"To annihilate the Kyoto branch of the Yakuza. It's a group assassination, so she won't be going alone."

My self attempted reassurance was in vain, for Dad didn't seem convinced that she would be okay. Mom just stood there, silent, and in a sort of self repose. She hadn't moved, I wasn't even sure if she had taken a breath in the span of these last minutes. I was worried for both of them. Finally, Dad sighed, and removed his hand from the hilt of his sword.

"Kaoru, we knew this would happen."

Huh? Mom smiled sadly, and looked at Dad, there were tears brimming in her eyes.

"You're right, but I thought that…if…"

She stopped, before her words could become dissolved by tears. Dad went over to her, and hugged her from behind. He put his chin in her hair, and suddenly, I saw them as they were when they had been younger, not a husband and wife, but gentle and intimate lovers. Mom clasped Dad's hands tightly.

" I know. I thought the same thing. But we both know that we can't change what's in a person's blood."

Okay, now I was really confused. What exactly were they talking about?

"What are you guys talking about?"

Dad let go of Mom and turned to face me.

"Bloodlines, Kenji."

I only cocked my head to one side. Mom smiled, and began to explain.

"Kenji, you know of your father's past. Well, assassin blood doesn't just die after one redeems themselves. Rather it waits to be passed onto the next generation. You and Tori, you both look like Kenshin. We knew that one of you would eventually become an assassin. That's why we waited so long to start training you two in the art of Kamiya swordsmanship. Because we knew that eventually, it would awaken the sleeping manslayer in one of you."

"So…Tori…is…"

Dad nodded.

"Yes. My blood fell to her."

He turned to Mom, who had a vacant look in her eye. Was she seeing what I was seeing? My sister, her daughter walking down a path, sword in hand, fire at her back, covered in blood? Dad smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry Kaoru."

"It's not your fault. We both know that."

The crow barked out its hoarse song, and I felt my blood chill. Now I was worried about Tori. I wanted to go after her, but as the other nigh had shown, I was no match for her, nor any member of Tadashi Tsubeta. She would only strike me down, and continue on with her mission. Dad stood up, his hand had gone to the hilt of his blade again. I could see his face was drawn in an expression which I had never seen, but by the look on Mom's face, it was quite familiar to her.

"Kenji. Stay here with your mother. I'll go after Tori."

I touched the scratch on my face, it was already healing, but it glared, red and angry from my flesh.

"How? She probably won't listen to you."

Dad closed his eyes, and unsheathed his blade. In the morning light, it glistened like a crescent shaped dew drop.

"No, she won't listen to her father,"

Then he turned the blade around. I could hear Mom gasp.

"but she'll listen to another manslayer."

Shock went through my me so quickly, it left my veins smoking. Mom's hand flew to her mouth. She quickly dropped it and stared at my father in a shock as cold as mine was hot.

"Kenshin, you don't mean to…"

Dad smiled, it was a gentle smile, the kind he gave sis and me when we had had nightmares, and he had come in to check on us.

"Don't worry you two. I'll bring her back safe and sound."

With that, he set off after our missing kitten.

* * * * *

Namako had come back as Yasuka had said she would, and now the three of us sat waiting for the fourth member of our group, Kurodami. Ever since Namako had returned, she hadn't spoken a word, at least, not to me, and that suited me just fine. I didn't like her, in fact, the darker part of my heart wanted her to be among the first to die. Every now and then while she sat there, cleaning under her nails with one of her daggers, she would glare at me with flat hatred, and just so I could piss her off even more, I would smile pleasantly back.

Yasuka seemed to notice none of this, he only stared intently at the door, waiting for Kurodami's arrival. I wondered what he was thinking.

Finally after about what seemed like an hour, the door opened. In stepped a man who looked to be in his early twenties, with long black hair, dressed in black stepped through the door. Resting comfortably on his shoulder like a small child, sat a huge butterfly battleaxe. He smiled at us, and I could see eagerness flash in those icy blue eyes.

"So chickadees, are we ready to kick some ass?"

Namako grinned evilly, I calmly grabbed my sword, and tossed my hair over my shoulder. I noticed Kurodami raise his eyebrows a bit. Yasuka stood up, and brought out his weapon. With a mild mannered man like him, I always wondered what kind of weapon he had used, now I knew. In his hands was a finely tuned crossbow. An arrow was already in the shaft, and it lay there, like a cold wooden snake. Yasuka nodded at the three of us. Outside, night had begun to fall, and with all four of us wearing black, it would be a perfect stealth killing.

"Let's go."

Well that's done! Will Kenshin rescue his daughter in the nick of time? Or will the four members of the Divine Sword become more names on the Yakuza death list? Find out when the next update comes!