XDrAnDomPeRsoNXD don't worry I forget mine quite a bit sometimes, lol. I'm hoping for a big epic scene in a coming chapter, maybe chapter 17 or 18; we'll see. I apologize for the confusion, I hope to clear it up in this chapter or the next but I'll put it up here for help too.

Phoenix was given the name Hinageshi (Yukishiro) by Tomoe Yukishiro. She was given the name Phoenix by her master Masanori (who's brother Takeo was just in the last chapter *see chapter 11 for reference* though Phoenix doesn't know it). And after the fight with the Battousai in chapter 1 when she started a life in the Heiwa group, she changed her name to Lina; (the names are sort of like placeholders for the archs in her life, and the story so to speak).

She doesn't know much about her past but that will be taken care of in either this chapter or the next. Luckily I have several extra chapters with notes and random scenes that I find necessary but haven't a place to put them yet, hopefully they will find a place here and in the next couple of chapters.

11/19/09 - Sorry for the long wait of this chapter. College life got busy, and is still, for quite a bit. Probably the shortest chapter yet. Sorry but it is 5kb if that helps, lol.

Hope this helps and that you enjoy the reading.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Sixteen

It was a full day and part of night before Phoenix decided to head back to the dojo. For most of that day she remained inside while her new companion went in and out, bought supplies or traded, and cooked a late lunch. Afterward he suggested a nap for the both of them and when she woke, shorty after dusk, she was alone with a dimming out fire.

Looking around the darkening room she noticed that her weapons were returned to her. Unsheathing one of her twin katanas she realized that it was sharpened and cleaned. "Strange old man. If he had sent them to be renewed all he had to do was tell me." She mumbled, putting the sword down. In the chair where she had sat for lunch her tunic and pants were folded neatly and mended. Since she has been here she wore a simple kimono, slightly big, but she didn't complain.

Shifting her eyes around she checked for any presence. When none was confirmed she changed back into her ninja clothing. The twin katanas were returned to their place on her back, the double blade katana by her side, and a dagger hidden in her boots along with several shiruken in a small pocket within her tunic.

Before leaving she left a small note. Lifting the beads that created the door she took one last glance at the small hut before hurrying out into the night.

/Well brother looks as if she's off once again. I had thought it strange that day I first saw her in Tokyo. I thought she died with the revolution but I'm sure you would have thought differently. Good thing I stopped her from carrying out his plans./

"Shinta, where are you going?" Iwao asked just after dinner. Shinta had gotten up and was walking out of the room when his father stopped him.

"I was going to my room." He said without turning around.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

For a moment he was silent. "Thank you Miss Kaoru for dinner."

She blinked. "Oh your welcome Shinta."

"It seems he's going through a rough time, that he is."

"Yes, it looks that way." Iwao faced them.

Kenshin pulled a small dagger from his sleeve. "I believe this belongs to Phoenix." It was the dagger from the time they met in Tokyo. "Her feather resembles something different than the ones that belong to you, don't they?"

Iwao took it from him. Lila watched with wide eyes. The feather on Phoenix's dagger was more sharp, whereas the ones representing Heiwa were carved softer, less angles. "I made this for her a decade ago." He smirked. "She told me she threw this in the river."

"She was going to use it to kill Kenshin." Sano said from the corner.

Iwao stiffened. "Lila, why don't you go along, see what your brother's doing."

Nodding, she got up. "Ok." Her voice was quiet.

After a moment Iwao turned to Sanosuke which sent a chill up his spine. "Kenshin I'm sorry if that's what it seems." He controlled his voice before speaking again. "I'm not going to lie to you, she has trained non-stop since Lila's birth. But honestly I don't think she would ever kill you or anyone else for that matter."

Sano mumbled incoherently, not looking at Iwao.

Kenshin smiled some. "No I do not think she is capable of killing anymore either."

Iwao glanced back down at the dagger.