Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Three

/"I want you to go to Tokyo. Are you able to handle that small request?"

"I don't take requests, sorry."

Kogoro shook his head. "I'm the one who should be sorry because it really wasn't a request."

Lina tightened her grasp on her double edged katana.

"You see, I haven't traveled alone. So..."

"I get it, Kogoro."

He smiled. "Good. It's Tokyo then."/

Lina walked in from preparing her horse. Shinta and Lila were sound asleep.

"I'm not going to ask where or why." Iwao sat up from his cot. "But you are aware of Kogoro..."

"I know about Kogoro, however I can refuse such a task. Not anymore."

Iwao smiled. "Try not to give away your location then."

"Try not to let the place fall a part while I'm gone."

"Yes ma'am."

"Lord Kogoro."

"What is it?"

"She's left for Tokyo. Should we continue with the plan sir?"

"It'll take a day and a half for her to get to the city. Get the men ready but don't attack until I'm sure she's far enough not to intervine."

"Of course Lord Kogoro."

(a day later)

Lina jumped off her horse just outside of the city limit. She pulled a kimono from her bag and wrapped it around her. She concealed a few extra weapons and left the horse on the hill. "The city has grown since I last decided to travel here." She glanced at the many shops.

"Miss." A shopkeeping called. "Would you like to buy one of our many new imports from the west?"

She looked at the item. "Cheaply made. If it's not Japanese I don't want to own it, sorry." As she walked away she overheard the man call her rude.

"Fresh produce!" Another merchant called from her left. "Fresh fish, just in from the port."

"Woah. Look at this Kenshin." Yahiko commented. "European weapons."

Kenshin admired them.

"Nothing like our weapons though, right Kenshin."

Kenshin glanced up at Sanosuke. "Well I suppose. But they're still interesting, that they are."

Lina's eyes narrowed. The description she was given of the Battousai was an exact match to the man standing before her across the street. She moved closer, bringing a dagger between her left palm. An older man stumbled into her causing her to drop the dagger as she fell.

"Oh I'm so sorry miss." The old man mumbled.

She stared up at him with a smile. "No. It's entirely my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going." She got to her feet. "Are you alright sir?"

"Yes I'm fine. Thanks." He hobbled away.

"Hey there miss, are you okay?" Sano asked her. "That was quite rude of that man to do that to you."

Lina watched the man. Somehow his limp had disappeared once he got past the crowd. "Damn Kogoro."

"Um I'm sorry did you say something?"

She gazed at Sano. "Forgive me. It was not that poor man's fault for what just happened." The Battousai and the young boy joined Sano at his side. Lina bowed. "If you could excuse me I must be on my way."

"Sure." Sano rubbed the back of his head. "What a strange woman."

The shine from the dagger blade caught Yahiko's attention. He picked it up. "Hey I wonder if this thing is hers?"

"Let me see Yahiko." Sano took it from him. "There's a feather engraved in the handle. I've never seen something like it before."

"Sano, did you say a feather?"

"Yea, do you know what it means Kenshin?"

For a moment Kenshin's eyes turned serious.

"Hey Kenshin do you know it's meaning?" Yahiko repeated.

"No I don't." He smiled. "I'd say we should return it to her but it seems she's gone."

Yahiko looked around. "Yea, you're right. That was fast."

/I don't think she was your normal young woman just shopping at the market./ Sano concluded.

Lina saddled her horse. "What a stunt he pulled. Who exactly does this man think he is? Katsura Kogoro? Please." She turned the horse for the forest and gave him a kick.