Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter 27

Shadow stared at the three men in front of him. "You don't look like you're able to fight much, Eto? I do hope those injuries are healing up."

Iwao went to step forward but Kenshin stopped him. "No. You should go and follow Lina."

"I wouldn't do that. Those two need to fight this out on their own. It's been a long time coming." Shadow glared at them. "So you're stuck with me until I say otherwise." He looked Iwao in the eyes. "Not much you all could do anyway."

Sanosuke cracked his knuckles. "You know, the more you talk, the more pissed off I get."

Shadow smirked. "Then who's first?"

Lina rushed down the street. As she did, memories flashed through her mind.

//"Hinageshi!"

"Yes, Lord Yukishiro?"

"Now that that worthless Masanori is gone, I'm left without a skilled fighter to train my ninjas." He turned to look down at her. "You are now in full charge of the forces, understand?"

She looked at him with confused eyes. "Sir?"

"Father!" Enishi protested. "Father you mustn't. What about me? I..."

"Enishi, hold your tongue. I did not permit you to speak." He glared at Enishi. "Don't make a fool of yourself, of the Yuikishiro name. Now sit down boy." The man turned back to Hinageshi. "Now, do you understand?"

Hinageshi lowers her eyes. She can see Enishi snarling at her. She can sense Tomoe in the hall. She swallows. "Yes, sir, I understand."

He grins. "Good, I'm glad."//

Lina came to a stop at the entrance of the field. "Enishi!" She glanced around. "I know it's you Enishi."

A chuckle covers the field. "So you've found me out? I expected as much from the best Shogunate killer, Phoenix."

She stands her ground. "Why Eni? Why Kogoro?"

"Simple really. I knew you'd both get the message."

"So you're after Kenshin too?"

"Should that really concern a dead person?"

Several ninja stars flew to the ground on Lina's left. She jumped. "No I guess those are irrelevant." She unsheathed the Twin Katanas. "Lets have at it then, Enishi Yukishiro."

A scream came from above her. "I'm going to kill you Hinageshi!"

Sanosuke laid on his back, leaning against the dojo wall. Iwao was on one knee, breathing heavy. Kenshin too was leaning against his sword. By now they all knew that Lina and Enishi were well into their battle.

Shadow stood waiting. "Is that all either of you three have?" He shrugged. "My turn then." He spun and ninja stars flew out in all directions.

Kenshin blocked them with his reflexes. Sano scurried behind the tree. Iwao dodged the best he could.

Lina held Enishi's attack off with her katanas. He flash kicked her and she slid several yards back. "I see. You've reinforced your major wounds. How smart." Enishi shook his foot. "That hurt, you know."

Lina staggered, standing with the help of her katanas again. "Tell me something Enishi. Where were you that night I was sent here?"

"What do you mean? I was home, arguing with father."

"Were you?" She gritted her teeth. "You followed me, didn't you Enishi? That's how you knew about my side wound initially. You saw what happened didn't you?"

Enishi's gaze was strong and full of anger. "What a joke the two of you were. The best assasins in all of Japan, and yet you both were so weak; you still are weak." He ran his hand along the blunt end of his blade. "Him all cooped up at that dojo living up the life he should have never had. And you? Instead of dying like a warrior should have, you survived and had a family."

"It's what people do."

"Shut up! Do you think Tomoe got to live as she wanted? No."

"I understand Enishi, I do. I was just as upset as you were I'm sure when I found out that Tomoe died."

"You weren't there Phoenix! I watched him kill her." He clutched the hilt of his sword tighter. "You killed her!"

"Enishi."

"Don't!" He yelled. "Don't you dare call me that."

She stepped closer to him. "Do you remember our first fight?"

"Why should I care."

"Do you remember what I said to you, big brother?" She sheathed her swords. "I was in the yard with Tomoe when you came from the dojo. You were angry, remember?"

He stared at her, his breathing heavy.

//"Sister. Sister."

Tomoe looked up. "Eni. What's wrong?"

"I hate it. I hate having her here." He pointed to Hinageshi. "Why does she have to be here?"

Hinageshi stood up from her play area.

"Why do you only pay attention to her."

"Enishi you shouldn't say such things. She's apart of our family now."

Hinageshi glanced to Tomoe.

"I don't like it. You're my only sister. Not her."

She stumbled over to him. "Enishi do you not like me?"

"Of course I don't. What do you think I've been saying?"

"Well I like you Enishi." She smiled.

"What?"

"I think you are lucky to have such a big family and a big sister who cares." She took his hands. "If you want you can play with me anytime big brother Enishi because...because I love you."//

Enishi smirked. "You said you loved me."

She nodded. "That's right. And I meant it."

"Shut up. Those are lies. You used me to tear Tomoe away."

Lina stomped over to him and slapped him. "You want to act tough? Who did father leave in charge, me. And who did I leave in charge to watch and protect Tomoe huh? It was you remember. I told you to watch her."

"I did watch her."

"Then why is she dead?"

He gasped.

"Do you think you're the only one who has suffered without her?" She sniffled. "I miss her just as much Enishi. I couldn't protect her."

Something in him snapped. He backed away. "No. No. I didn't...I didn't mean to. I didn't kill her." He shook his head. "No! You did. Going off to leave us at their mercy. Then...then...he finished it. He," Enishi gazed up at Lina. "You and him..." He began to laugh. "You almost had me Hinageshi but I'm smarter than that. It was the two of you who killed my sister not me." He pulled out two daggers. "Now I'm going to kill you then him."

Their blades collided several times.