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Chapter Twenty-Two

some days later

After a report from Saito and a chat with Lina the government officials no longer felt that she was a danger. Kenshin and her were on their way back to the dojo.

//"I'm glad that you find me innocent." Lina said. "However it was me who attacked you several weeks ago with shiruken."

"Yes but you also saved the Embassy officials from certain death."

She looked down. "But if I had hesitated even for a moment..."

"They way I see, we owe you our lives."

"Please don't say such things." She mumbled. "I am an enemy of the Imperial Government after all."

"Are you?"

"Himura's right. Rest easy Lina, you are no longer an enemy. That is all in the past."//

They walked along the crowding streets quietly.

"Thank you Kenshin. You didn't have to come along with me but you did anyway."

Kenshin smiled. "I'm am glad to see that you are free of their suspicion, that I am."

Lina nodded. "But it isn't over."

"Hm." Kenshin looked up. "May I ask you something Lina."

"Sure."

"Your perfume."

"White Plums."

"Where did you get it from?"

She paused and looked up. "It's from a long time ago." Lina smiled reminisantly. "When I was adopted into the Shogunate the Yukishiro family took me in. It was a gift for my lady."

/Yukishiro/

"I owe her my life. Next to my master, she was the closest thing to family." Lina lowered her head. "My family died when I was young. My mother, father, and brother...it was before the Revolution but the fractions were still there." She looked at Kenshin with a tearful smile. "I'm sorry, I have no idea where that came from. That doesn't answer your question at all." She started walking again.

Kenshin watched her.

//A young child ran in front of him. "Shinta." Her maroon hair floated about her. "Shinta." She giggled turning her violet eyes to his lavender ones. "Hurry up..." Her last words faded from his mind.//

"Kenshin." Lina called from a vegetable stand. "What should dinner be tonight?"

He shook his head subtly and walked on.

Shadow entered the dimly lit room. He was the only one to stay behind with Katsura. "Lord Kogoro, she's been dismissed from the Government's suspicions."

Korgoro lay in bed staring up at the ceiling. "Why?"

"It seems that the officals are grateful that she saved their lives when we attacked the Embassy a few nights ago. Despite knowing that she attacked them first. Also it appears that Himura has had his hand in the decision."

"Imperialist dog." Kogoro laughed. "She's gotten soft, so soft, to her enemies from a long time ago." He chukled. "Yet she refuses to die. Why? Why won't she die? Soft people like her should die, shouldn't they?"

For the past few days Kogoro has been slowly falling into his mind. Shadow glared out the window. His hatred was growing maybe even more than more. "My lord, now that Phoenix is out of suspicion she'll no longer be of concerned." Shadow turned from the window and went to the door.

Kogoro smirked. "Her best asset was the mistrust the government had in her." He sat up in bed. "She's no longer being watched by them." He stood, placing his arms in his kimono. "That's why you're my right-hand man, Shadow; we think alike."

"I'll go talk with her, bait her up, and also keeping the others from interfering."

"Meanwhile, I'll be waiting for her in the empty east field, just outside of Tokyo."

//Tomoe was in the bath when Hinageshi entered. "Lady Tomoe, can I do anything for you?"

"Hinageshi." Tomoe turned. "Come here."

She slowly stepped toward the edge of the large pool.

"Join me, Hinageshi?" Tomoe pointed to a folded towel. "It's fine, please join me?"

Hinageshi carefully removed and folded her clothes. She wrapped the towel around her and sat on the edge, dipping her feet in the warm water.

"I heard father met with you today."

"Yes."

"What did he want?"

Hinageshi tightened her hands together. She stared at the water. "He just wanted to welcome me into the Shogunate."

Tomoe looked at the child with concern. "Into the Shogunate?"

She lowered her head even more. "My lady, I am grateful to you for bringing me into your home. Thank you."

"No," Tomoe placed her hand atop Hinageshi's. "That's..."

"It's fine my lady." Hinageshi gazed into her eyes. "It pleases me that I have something I can finally protect."//

Lina woke up, Iwao's back to her. Shinta and Lila were sleep in the futon next to them. She sat up. Sighing she stood and walked over to the porch. Sliding the door open she went out. She looked up at the clear sky.

"Can't sleep?"

"Sano, what a surprise. You're here late."

He appeared at her left. "Not really. Dinner ended only a few hours ago."

"Still don't trust me, do you?"

"Not really." He smirked. "Don't take it personally."

"No," She whispered. "It's better...that way."

Sano furrowed his brow. "What?"

"Sano? Lina?"

"Kenshin."

"A late night, isn't it?"

Sano shrugged. "I was just on my way out." He jumped off the porch, walked back to the front of the dojo and left.

Kenshin moved next to Lina. "You have a loyal friend, Kenshin."

"Hm" He smiled.

She stepped away from him and bowed. "If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my room. Good night."