DISCLAIMER: All characters, places and situations in this piece of fiction would not be in existence without the genius of Watsuki Nobuhiro. There is no money being made of this piece of imagination

SPOILERS: Major spoilers for the 'Remembrance Arc' – Volume's 19-21.

SYNOPSIS: In the turbulence of the Bakumatsu, a young girl seeks to destroy Choshu's most dangerous assassin.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Also thank you to Pen, without whom all my readers would be reading some second rate fanfic with poor descriptions, minor (yet irritating) characterization flaws and a sinful lack of commas.

The Assassin

Chapter 2: Legend

'Come, Learn the meaning of the name Battosai'

Rurouni Kenshin Act 13; 'The Meaning of the Name'

Genji 1 (1864), Spring

Edo

Tomoe didn't know what had drawn her to this place. She stood alone outside the city gates, surrounded by nothing but dying stumps of desiccated trees and the dusty path leading back into the city. A small hair pin of gold and jade; Kiyosato's betrothal gift was her only companion. As she raised her eyes to what lay atop the tall bamboo stalks which made up the top of Edo Castle's fortress, she tightened her grip on the object, letting its sharp edges pierce her skin and draw blood. It seemed easier for her to feel that pain, as though it made her other sorrows less real.

There were new heads now; enemies who had fallen in the war. Only last week the head of a young man who looked no older than herself was brought into the city. His young head was placed to the right of the Choshu hitokiri brought in almost a year ago. The hitokiri's head was nothing more than a skull now. A distant echo of what he used to be. She remembered the day it had come into the city. It was the first time she set eyes on Kiyosato Akira.

The soft crunch of gravel alerted her to a new presence, but she did not turn around. What did it matter if death came for her tonight?

'This is no place for a young woman in the dead of the night,' the newcomer said. She recognized his voice and tensed slightly. She heard him step closer and felt the warmth radiating from his body, just behind her. 'What are you doing here?'

'Thinking' she replied.

Tomoe finally turned to face him. Sato Jinzaburo was looking pensively at the heads atop the fence, the expression making his thin, pointed features appear sharper in the moonlight. It was a familiar expression among all the men these days, from even before Kiyosato had chosen to serve in Kyoto.

'The rebels are getting more destructive,' he said suddenly, still staring at the heads. He seemed to be debating whether or not to continue speaking. Tomoe said nothing, letting him decide. Finally he pursed his lips and turned to look at her. His voice was stoic as he spoke.

'What I disclose to you tonight, you must promise not to speak of with anyone.'

At her nod, he spoke again.

'Six months ago it was reported to the bafuku that Choshu had penetrated to one of our strongholds in Kyoto, a senators home in the district called Sannensaka.' Sato's eyes were focused intently on the rotting skulls atop the city fence. 'In one night, an entire corps of Mimawarigumi and six foreigners with ties to the government were slaughtered. Each of them killed by a single strike, with no time to draw their weapons.'

'Six months ago,' Tomoe whispered. She remembered the grim look on Akebo's face when he returned from his post in Kyoto all those months ago. Like many of the shogun's men, Akebo spoke of victory, but there was fear in his eyes, she had seen it. 'Six months ago you promised victory...'

'We had expected it,' he said brusquely, finally turning towards her. 'That man,' he pointed to the hitokiri's skull. 'Was the price they paid for their foolishness in challenging the bafuku's strength! After that, Choshu was scattered. All those rebels could do was play at war, creating nothing more than minor skirmishes. The incident at Sannensaka was seen as blind luck.'

Tomoe lowered her head, having no choice but to accept Sato's explanation. He continued.

'The bafuku doubled his guards in the city, but despite that the murders continued…'

She raised her eyes to his.

'Akira...'

'Was killed protecting Shigekura Jubei, a bakufu loyalist.'

Tomoe's heart lurched. She had known. She had known he was walking to his death, she had seen fearful glances on the streets then watched them hide it pitifully behind the guise of glory. She had ignored it. She let him leave. The moment of Kiyosato's departure played over again in her mind. A small gift and a promise...

I will return.

Tomoe's hand tightened around the hair pin, ignoring the sharp pain that followed. She shook her head as though trying to deny what she had heard. Jinzaburo reached for her. She pushed him aside and backed away.

'You have to understand Tomoe-kun,' he pleaded. 'We could not tell the people of Edo of the murders at Sannensaka!'

'Why?'

'Don't you see? Even though it was the revolutionaries who created the civil unrest, many people saw this as a sign of the bafuku's weakness and took up the banner of the revolution! The sentiment had spread to neighbouring districts...many of them are now protecting Choshu rebels despite the bafuku's order to expel them from Kyoto. We cannot have the people of Edo believing their government weak!'

'So you lie to your men,' she said, surprised at her boldness. Jinzaburo straightened at her unexpected challenge. 'You tell them they will achieve glory and then send them to be slaughtered.'

Jinzaburo's laugh chilled her.

'The Tokugawa is the only thing keeping these rebels from destroying Japan in the name of their ideals. We are the only things holding back the war and chaos!' His eyes were alight with passion. 'If Choshu is allowed to continue, cities will burn and the life we know, the privilege of the samurai, will be stripped from us!'

Tomoe stepped back. When she had declined his marriage proposal two years ago, he had ripped the shoji of her home right out of its fastenings. Since then, she had always feared his violent impulses would turn against her. His hands were clenched into fists, fingernails digging into his palms, but he did not move towards her.

Perhaps, she mused, Jinzaburo had at the very least, grown in his restraint.

'Why are you telling me this?'

'Because three weeks before Kiyosato was killed, new information about the murders in Kyoto reached the bafuku.' Sato's voice lowered. 'We were informed of the name of the assassin.'

Tomoe looked up at him, her eyes wide.

'Assassin?' she said puzzled. 'You mean to say that these murders, all of them, were done by a single man?'

'A demon,' he corrected, his voice steel. 'Battosai.'

Genji 1 (1864), Spring

Kyoto

'Do you know who we are, Tomoe-san?'

The young woman had kept her eyes on her knees ever since she had been called to Katsura's private room. Her hands, curled into fists on her lap, were the only sign that the she was indeed nervous. Alone but for himself and an armed samurai, he would have thought her foolish not to be frightened.

'You are the Ishin shi shi,' she replied, eyes still down cast. 'You're wanted by the bafuku.'

Katsura sat up straighter, surprised at her open admission of knowledge. He reappraised her. She was indeed beautiful. Her lily-white complexion and delicate frame were made even more flawless by her graceful demeanour. If not for those dark haunted eyes, which clearly bespoke a sharp intelligence, Katsura would have been more inclined to believe she was just an innocent young woman, who happened upon an unfortunate event. She was looking at him now, clearly distressed by his silence. He offered her a cup of tea and she accepted it politely.

'Ordinarily Tomoe-san,' he began carefully. 'I instruct my men to indulge in their dalliances away from this ryokan. Times are dark and your presence here...' He paused, choosing his words carefully. 'Cannot be treated lightly.'

Katsura saw her eyes fearfully acknowledge Katagai who stood silently behind him. His katana was sheathed.

'I can leave, if that's what you want.' Her voice shook.

'It's not,' he replied, noting the look of genuine surprise on her face. 'Once you leave, you will have our secrets, and even if you are not a spy, you know well that the price on our heads is high, enough to keep yourself off the streets for the rest of your life.'

Understanding dawned on her face.

'Then I am your prisoner.'

Katsura gave a low chuckle.

'Call yourself whatever you like,' he said, leaning back slightly. 'Himura's room, and your weekly stipend from the Okami, would make it an enviable prison indeed. You're even welcome to the hot springs.'

Tomoe's face reddened slightly, but she nodded.

'I will stay, but...' her voice was nervous. 'I do not wish to stay in Himura-san's room. It's not proper.'

'You have nothing to fear from Himura,' he replied seriously. 'Though I see no reason to force you to share his room. If you can make your own living arrangements within the ryokan, that is your prerogative.'

The finality of his tone told Tomoe that the conversation was over. From where she knelt, she bowed to both men, allowing her head to touch the floor before she stood up from her place by the wooden table. Seemingly unhurried in her exit, she knelt to close the shoji.

'What do you think?' Katsura said to Katagai as soon as he discerned her shadow was far enough away. Katsura hadn't moved from his place, his eyes were still on the shoji. He took a sip of his tea.

Katagai stepped into his peripheral vision.

'She's samurai.'

'That's what I thought,' Katsura agreed, pulling out a slip of paper from his hakama and handing it to the larger man. 'Tell the okami that her duties are to be confined to the ryokan,' he said. 'Keep a close eye on her.'

'And if she tries to leave this place?'

Katsura raised his eyes to the other.

'Bring her to me.'

Katakai gave a brief nod and left the room. Katsura sighed and rested his head against the palm of his hand, exhausted.

'Are those acceptable terms to you, Himura?'

The hitokiri did not move from his place just outside the window. Katsura reached for some more tea, silently waiting for Himura to take his place before him. He could feel the boy's anger radiating off him in waves and waited for Himura to regain his customary composure. His voice was quiet when he spoke.

'She would've died if I left her there...'

'She still could die now,' Katsura countered, his voice severe. He could feel his anger rising, the day's frustrations finally finding their target. 'This is war, and you have risked our exposure!' He brought his fist down hard on the table. 'That woman now holds a weapon greater than a sword. Her knowledge of our faces, our location... Greater men have been brought down by such foolish passions!'

Himura's head remained bowed in shame. It was only then that Katsura realized he had never had cause to reprimand him before.

'Sumimasen.' The boy's voice was strangled and tense. Katsura even thought he could detect some humility. 'I brought her here; let her be in my charge.'

'No.' Katsura's firm denial brought Himura's head up in surprise. 'You have greater duties.'

Katsura slid a small white envelope across the table to him. It was a map.

'Katagai-san reported that Shimazu Hisamitzu sent a ship full of weapons and armaments meant for the shogun's army yesterday morning. The ship is due to dock at Osaka tomorrow night.'

Himura glanced up from the contents of the envelope.

'You want me to go to Osaka to procure those weapons for you.'

Katsura nodded, relieved that the young man's brain was not as addled by the woman as he feared.

'You're leaving tonight. Hayoshi-san's corps will meet you at that location.' He tilted his head towards the envelope. 'They are under strict instructions to follow your orders.'

Himura nodded.

'And will To.., the woman, still be alive when I return?'

'Yes,' Katsura replied, meeting the boy's eyes. 'If she betrays us, you will be the one to administer tenchu.'

Tomoe breathed in a great gulp of air as she reached the bottom of the stairs. It took all of her self-control not to bolt from Katsura's room. She had thought he brought her there to kill her, and she was surprised at how terrified she was at the prospect of it. Tomoe clutched at the front of her kimono and fought back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. Whatever made her think she could do this? She longed for her home: her father's welcoming smile and her brother's tantrums, even the taunts from the village women and their whispers of her cursed existence. She longed to be anywhere but here.

'Tomoe-chan!'

Tomoe turned towards the sound. A slight, young girl, with long, dark hair hanging loosely around her round face strode towards her from the kitchens.

'Hello, Gi-chan.' Tomoe forced what she hoped was a small smile onto her face. She was happy to see Gi. She was the only person in the Kohagi-ya who didn't completely terrify her.

'I have your kimono,' she said passing Tomoe the bundle. 'There was so much blood, but I think we managed to get it all off.'

Tomoe accepted the bundle and walked towards the maid's quarters with the other girl.

'Oh!' Gi exclaimed as Tomoe set the bundle down. 'I almost forgot.'

Gi reached within her obi and passed a smaller bundle to Tomoe. Tomoe reached for it with both hands and delicately unwrapped it. It was her hair pin. She had thought she lost it. She closed her hand around the object protectively.

'It's very beautiful,' Gi commented from over her shoulder. Tomoe blushed and quickly hid the object from Gi. Though it was clear she did not have to as Gi was already peering outside the maid's quarters into the kitchen. Tomoe tucked the hairpin into her obi, while Gi sidled up next to her. 'So did Katsura-san tell you that you needed to keep the secret? Are you staying?'

Tomoe nodded.

'That's wonderful!' she said, taking Tomoe's hand. 'It would be lovely to have someone around here who isn't married and ugly as a crow! Especially with the new boys coming in from Hagi... but I guess you won't be able to flirt too much, with Himura-san watching!'

Paranoid, Tomoe looked out into the kitchens.

'He's not watching now!' Gi laughed, then gave Tomoe's hand a light squeeze. 'Come, I've told all the boys Himura-san saved you from an evil shogunate samurai last night! They all want to meet you'

'I really don't think...'

But she was already speedily being dragged along into the kitchen and down the stairs into the small courtyard. All Tomoe could think of was not tripping over her own two feet.

It felt cooler outside, the crisp night air a welcome sensation after the cloying heat of her previous encounter. Tomoe's eyes fell immediately on five young men congregated in the small alcove made up of the kitchen wall and the fence separating the Kohagi-ya from its neighbouring establishment. The overgrown vines covering both walls encroached upon the space, making it seem smaller. Three of the young men were crouched in a circle on the ground, their attention captivated by two small dice, while one observed seated atop a wooden barrel along the fence and another from an old stone bench directly opposite it.

'Who's winning?' Gi asked, pulling Tomoe along with her towards them. Tomoe followed obediently, despite the growing urge to flee, now that the two young men observing the game turned their attention towards her instead.

'Naoto-kun,' said one of the young men in the circle, not looking up. He looked strangely comical with his dark hair arranged so that it appeared to defy the laws of gravity. Grumpily, the young man passed what looked to Tomoe like three smooth pebbles into another boy's hands. 'He's cheating.'

'If you don't want to lose, don't play,' the boy - Naoto, she inferred - advised, turning his attention towards them while adding the pebbles to a growing collection in front of him. He smiled up at them with a practiced charm that told Tomoe he was very aware of its impact. 'Who's your friend Gi-chan?'

'Oh!' Gi exclaimed, squeezing Tomoe's hand briefly. 'This is Tomoe-chan. Tomoe-chan meet Naoto-san, Daichi-san, and Takuya-san.' She gestured to the boys in the circle. 'They came yesterday, from Hagi.' She tilted her head towards the thin boy seated on the wooden bench, his hands fidgeting nervously on his lap. Unlike the others, he did not have a sword. 'That is Kazuki-san. He works in the Kohagi-ya with us - he just started last week.'

Kazuki smiled shyly at Tomoe.

'What about me?' said the man seated atop the wooden barrel. He had rugged, chiselled features, and a strong square jaw.

'I haven't forgotten,' she said teasingly, and released Tomoe's hand. 'Tomoe-chan, this is Taro-kun.'

Gi insinuated herself on his lap and planted a kiss on his cheek, drawing a series of furtive snickers from the boys in the circle. Taro glared at them.

'Kobayashi Taro,' the man said, bowing as best as he could with the girl on his lap. 'Gi-san has told us a lot about you, Tomoe-san'

'Ah! You were the witness to the great Himura-san's skills!' the one with the strange hair said enthusiastically. Takuya, if she remembered correctly. 'Come sit with us and tell us everything!'

Gi nodded her encouragement and Tomoe shook her head.

'I can't.'

The boys made noises of mock disappointment.

'Ara ara!' the tallest boy, Daichi, called. 'She's shy!' He winked at her. 'We can start it for you if you like!'

The young man stood up and brandished his sword playfully. The boy she had correctly guessed was Naoto pulled her aside.

'I am the evil black samurai, come to take this fair maiden into my evil lair!' Daichi announced, laughing darkly.

'And I,' Takuya loudly declared, jumping up from the floor, 'am Himura Battosai! Forged from the hands of Hiruko-sama himself to defeat the likes of you! You will not take that fair maiden, Black Samurai!'

Daichi lunged, and Takuya drew his blade from its sheath, in a mock battojutsu. Daichi fell back and onto the floor.

'I am defeated!' he announced.

Gi clapped delightedly. Tomoe blinked. She could not remember ever seeing Himura draw his sword, although she knew he would've had to. It was as though it had simply appeared in his hand, as if by some magic.

Impossible...

'So,' she said, as Daichi and Takuya dusted themselves and sheathed their swords. 'Himura-san's strength is found in his undefeatable blade, forged by fires of Hiruko-sama?'

'Oh no!' said Naoto, pulling her towards a seat, and ushering Kazuki, the quietest of them, to the side. 'Himura-san was forged by the fires of Hiruko-sama!'

'Himura-san?' Tomoe echoed disbelievingly.

'Ara!' Daichi exclaimed to the others. 'She doesn't know Himura-san's story!'

Taro rolled his eyes.

'It's a stupid story, Tomoe-san,' he said smiling. 'Don't let those jokers fool you for a minute.'

'Bah!' said Takuya, dismissing him. 'If Himura-san heard your disrespect he'd cut you down!' He turned back to Tomoe. 'He thinks he can say anything now because he's been here three months longer than all of us!'

Taro drew his blade slightly as did Takuya.

'Enough!' Naoto said, holding back Takuya and giving them both stern glares. 'I will tell the story...'

A hush fell over the courtyard.

'As you know when the black-ships arrived in Edo, the Emperor conveyed to the Tokugawa his wish not to open Japan's ports to the western countries. But when they threatened to fire, the shogun showed weakness and defied the Emperor's order to expel the barbarians!' Naoto paused dramatically and Tomoe nodded encouragingly, not keen to interrupt the most unexpected person to tell her what the war was about. 'The Emperor was furious with the Tokugawa for defying his orders and showing the foreigners that Japan was weak. So he prayed to the gods, that they punish the betrayers of the Emperor's wishes and bring about a new age. It seemed futile. The black-ships brought Choshu to its knees and demanded we resubmit to the Tokugawa rule! But then, the gods responded.' Naoto's voice lowered and Tomoe leaned closer into him. 'I was not there, but some say Himura-san burst out of the flames the night Choshu reclaimed Hagi from the conservatives, his eyes flashed yellow, and he brandished his flaming sword and he said...'

'Aren't you supposed to be preparing for tomorrow?'

The boys started and looked up to see Katsura Kogoro, his displeasure clear on his face. Himura was behind him, leaning back against the door frame, which led back into the kitchen, his eyes on her. Naoto released her hand. Tomoe wondered when he had taken it.

'Get up,' Katsura said to all of them, and the four young soldiers scrambled to their feet and stood at attention. Katsura's eyes appraised them all. 'I did not bring you to Kyoto to fool around with young women.'

Katsura turned to Himura, and tilted his head towards the boys. Himura seemed to consider them for a moment before he spoke.

'Kobayashi-san.'

Taro stepped forward.

'You will be accompanying Himura-san to Osaka tonight,' Katsura informed him. The others threw jealous glances towards him, while Taro stepped forward, bowed to them both and left, Gi in tow.

'The rest of you should be preparing to take up your posts tomorrow,' he said, handing them all small white envelopes. 'It does not do to become complacent.'

Tomoe watched as the young men filed out of the courtyard, each of them walking past Katsura and through the door where Himura waited. Himura's hand touched Naoto's shoulder and the boy froze. Himura's voice was too low for her to hear, but she caught his brief glance towards her. He released the other and followed Katsura back into the inn. Tomoe followed a pale and subdued Naoto into the kitchen.

Shakku waited patiently by the entrance of the Kohagi-ya, clutching a long slender sword in his hand. His gaze wandered the street idly. There was a soba vendor just across the street, and a place that sold vegetables and herbs, to the right of it. A young woman arranging her wares looked up at him and smiled. Shakku felt his hackles rise. Although there was nothing behind the smile, her mere acknowledgement of his presence bothered him. The people knew they were here, their silence bought by Choshu's promise of protection from the wrath of the bafuku should they be discovered. With Choshu's strength rapidly diminishing, Shakku wondered for how much longer their silence could be bought. The door of the ryokan slid open and Himura exited. Shakku felt his heart jump with fright. He had not even heard the boy approaching the door.

'Konbanwa, Shakku-san,' Himura said, turning to him and bowing. Shakku always found that strange, since the young man bowed to no one else, except maybe Katsura. 'Katsura-san informs me you will be staying at the Kohagi-ya for a time.'

Shakku gave a curt nod.

'According to Katakai-san, the Shinsengumi are heading towards Arashiyama district,' Shakku said, scowling. 'Katsura-san believes that once they reach my home, they will take me in for questioning.'

'You do not believe his concern justified.'

Though phrased like a question, it was not one. Shakku sighed.

'Although my political ties are with Choshu, I provide weaponry for both the bafuku and the shi shi.' Shakku said. He smiled at the boy's surprised look. 'It allows me to practise my art free of suspicion and has kept my family safe. At times, it has even afforded me the luxury of learning the bafuku's intentions.'

'...or betraying ours,' Himura said, his tone slightly foreboding. 'I can see his concern.'

'Staying here would mean admitting guilt,' Shakku said his voice cold. 'My family is still in Arashiyama. Do you see my concern?'

The boy's eyes widened slightly with realization.

'I do.' His voice was low, almost nostalgic. 'Sumimasen. I sometimes forget about family.'

Shakku let out a short humourless laugh.

Of course he would. He thought. The boy has none.

'Enough of this stale talk.' Shakku said, remembering the sword still clutched in his hand. He tossed it to Himura. 'This is for you.'

The young boy caught it, surprised. Carefully he pulled out the blade, his eyes wide as he stared at the unmarred, unchipped metal. He ran his fingers just above the temper line in the steel, obviously noting its smoothness. His eyes finally settled at the bottom of the blade where its name was engraved. Kagetou. Shadow sword. Himura turned curious eyes towards him.

'A gift, for good tidings tomorrow tonight,' Shakku said, smiling wryly. Himura sheathed the blade and held it back out towards him.

'I cannot accept this.'

'Nonsense,' Shakku replied, amused at the boy's reaction. He couldn't help but think that Himura chose the strangest times to be humble. 'The blade was crafted for you, and no one else. Besides,' he said with a wink, 'Katsura-san, paid me a hefty sum for that!'

Himura's lip twitched. It was the closest thing to a smile Shakku had ever seen on his face.

'So it's not a gift then,' he said, bringing the blade back towards himself.

Shakku laughed.

'Not from me,' he conceded. The sound of approaching voices reached both their ears. Himura replaced his old katana with the Kagetou. The shoji opened to reveal Katsura and Taro.

'We are the last to leave,' Himura said, passing Taro the map hidden in his kimono. 'Memorise where we are to meet, then destroy the map.'

Appendix

Tenchu – Directly translated means, heavenly justice.

Shimazu Hisamitzu– The daimyo of the Satsuma prefecture

Hiruko-sama – Japanese God of Fire

Konbanwa – Good evening