The air in the mansion felt heavy, thick with tension and anticipation. I paced near the window, casting a glance at my brother Kenshin, who stood silently across the room. We were here to protect some high-ranking government official, Mr. Tani, but I could already tell I didn't like the man. He oozed the kind of arrogance that comes with power, and honestly, I wouldn't have shed a tear if something unfortunate happened to him. But I knew better. Letting him die would come back to haunt me, not to mention it would infuriate Kenshin.

Still irritated with my brother, I avoided conversation. I sighed, glancing at the clock on the wall—11:57 PM. Three minutes until midnight, the time mentioned in the warning letter. I knew the man coming tonight. Kurogasa, though that wasn't his real name. Jin'eh Udo, a Hitokiri like Kenshin, had crossed my path a few times during the Revolution. I'd been lucky enough never to face him directly, but I knew what he was capable of. A shiver ran down my spine despite my best efforts to suppress it. "Whoever manages to kill him will get as much money as he wants," Mr. Tani announced, his voice dripping with desperation.

I rolled my eyes, biting back a snide comment. "Typical government dog," I muttered under my breath. Kenshin didn't acknowledge my words, his focus unwavering as he scanned the room. As the clock struck midnight, the air grew even denser, almost suffocating. No one spoke. The silence was eerie, stretching on longer than I was comfortable with.

"Maybe he's not coming," one of the hired bodyguards finally said, his voice tinged with false hope. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the quiet night. Kenshin and I dashed to the window, throwing it open just in time to see the bodies of the police guards outside crumpled on the ground, lifeless.

"He's here," Kenshin said, his voice steady. "Akasuki and I will take the front when he gets in here. Everyone else, follow our lead."

I nodded, my hand instinctively finding the hilt of my sakabato. The anticipation thrummed through my veins, every muscle in my body coiled and ready to strike. A gunshot echoed through the room, but the door remained closed. I spun around as a guard let out a strangled cry, collapsing to the floor. Jin'eh stood by the window, his presence filling the room with an ominous chill. "Look at them," he sneered, his voice low and mocking. "Worthless little bugs, all of you. And only fifteen? I expected more."

"I'll deal with this gentleman here," Kenshin said, his voice calm despite the tension in the room. "Aka, keep an eye on Mr. Tani."

I nodded again, eyes locked on Jin'eh. Mr. Tani, ever the coward, started barking orders. "Go get him! I'll pay you five times what I promised! I'll even make you an officer in the army!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You idiots!" I shouted as some of the guards actually rushed Jin'eh. "Are you really going to waste your lives for a bit of money?!"

But my words fell on deaf ears. Jin'eh cut them down effortlessly, each stroke of his sword a testament to his deadly skill. He smiled, a twisted expression of satisfaction. "What a wonderful feeling," he mused, eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "I won't let you run. Once you draw your sword, you must fight to the death. There's no fun if you don't play by the rules."

One of the surviving guards suddenly cried out, his voice thick with panic. "What did he do to us? I... I can't move!"

"Nikaido Method: Shino Ippo," Kenshin explained as he stepped forward. "Another name for the spell of frozen terror." He lunged at Jin'eh, their swords clashing with a sharp, metallic ring. "As I suspected, it was you," Kenshin said. "I heard rumors during the Revolution of one who could paralyze his victims with a gaze. A stray manslayer, Jin'eh Udo."

Jin'eh chuckled, his grip on his sword tightening. "And I've heard rumors of you too. An Imperialist who uses Hiten Mitsurugi. The Battosai, with a cross-shaped scar on his cheek. This is even more fun than I imagined."

Jin'eh's eyes flashed dangerously as he attempted the Shino Ippo on Kenshin. I held my breath, but I wasn't worried. Kenshin broke free of the spell's grip with little effort. "Shino Ippo is a battle of spirits," Kenshin said, his voice calm but firm. "If the victim's spirit is strong enough, he won't succumb to it. Jin'eh, I know what you are. You've killed countless men, friend and foe alike, just to sate your thirst for blood. But that time is over. The Revolution is done. Open your eyes before it's too late."

Jin'eh tilted his head, his expression one of twisted amusement. "Do my ears deceive me? I can't believe the legendary Battosai is saying this."

"Enough!" I snarled, charging at Jin'eh with my sakabato drawn. "My brother isn't a Hitokiri like you anymore! He swore after the Revolution that he'd never kill again. He's nothing like you!"

Jin'eh sidestepped my attack, and I barely registered the sting as his blade sliced across my wrists. I gritted my teeth, refusing to cry out. "Aka!" Kenshin's voice was laced with concern, but I wasn't about to back down. I watched as he engaged Jin'eh again, their swords clashing in a deadly dance. The pain in my wrists was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the fear of losing Kenshin again. I wasn't going to stand by and let that happen.

The two men seemed evenly matched, but then Jin'eh's blade found its mark, cutting into Kenshin's upper left arm. The fight halted. Jin'eh frowned, his disappointment evident. "That wasn't any fun. You're nothing compared to the Battosai of the Revolution. A manslayer who stopped slaying for ten years... you should realize how dull your swordsman spirit has become."

Mr. Tani, who had been frozen by Jin'eh, finally managed to speak. "I can move again," he muttered, his relief palpable.

Jin'eh's lips curled into a sinister smile. "I'll give you one day to prepare yourself, Battosai. Go ahead, search your soul. I know you'll find him—the manslayer within you. I want to kill the legend."

With that, Jin'eh vanished into the night, his laughter echoing in the empty room. "Jin'eh!" Kenshin called after him, but it was no use. I ran to the window, but Jin'eh was gone, leaving only the aftermath of his twisted game. We checked on the others—most of them were dead or unconscious. I bandaged Kenshin's arm and he helped me wrap my wrists. He then sank to the floor, leaning against the wall, exhaustion etched on his face. I sat in front of him, frustration bubbling up inside me.

"Damn it," I muttered, clenching my fists despite the pain. "That guy's completely lost it. Now he's decided that you're his target? What's he thinking?"

Kenshin didn't open his eyes. "It's alright. In fact, I believe this may work out better."

I stared at him, incredulous. "Kenshin, don't tell me you knew this would happen from the start. Did you help the police chief knowing Jin'eh would come after you?"

Kenshin sighed, finally opening his eyes to meet mine. "I have to admit, Jin'eh has a point. As I am now, I can't defeat him. But this is a battle I can't avoid forever. As someone who lived as a Hitokiri during the Revolution, it's a part of my past that I have to face."

I stood up, determination coursing through me. "Then I'm coming with you. You're going to need all the help you can get."

Kenshin smiled faintly, but there was sadness in his eyes. "Actually, Aka, I have a favor to ask. Please give a message to Miss Kaoru..."

*time skip to morning brought to you by the Amakakeru Ryū no hirameki*

I stepped out of the dojo, blinking against the early morning light as it bathed the courtyard in a soft, golden glow. The cool breeze carried the scent of damp earth, a reminder that the day was still new. As I rounded the corner, I spotted Kaoru, slumped against one of the wooden beams, fast asleep. Her body was curled awkwardly, her head resting at an uncomfortable angle. I couldn't help but smirk at the sight—Kaoru, usually so composed, looked almost childlike in her sleep.

I chuckled to myself, shaking my head. "Oh man, this isn't a side of her that she should show to other people," I muttered, amused by her vulnerability. Yahiko, who had been practicing nearby, heard my comment and glanced over.

"She was worried about Kenshin all night long," he said, his voice tinged with concern. "She told me she couldn't get any sleep at all."

I nodded, understanding her worry all too well. "Ah, I see," I replied softly. Truth be told, I was just as worried about Kenshin. I had spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, the anxiety gnawing at me. Sleep didn't come easily, and when it finally did, it was only for a couple of hours. Now, I was feeling the effects, my body heavy with fatigue. I sighed, knowing I'd regret the lack of sleep later.

But in that moment, I couldn't resist a little mischief. A smirk played on my lips as I crouched down beside Kaoru. "Well, since she's out cold..." I trailed off, carefully reaching out to manipulate her face, pulling her mouth into a goofy smile, then a deep frown.

Yahiko stifled a laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "What a funny face!" he exclaimed, his voice a bit too loud. Kaoru's eyes snapped open, and before I could even react, she grabbed her shinai and delivered a swift thwack to both Yahiko's and my heads. I yelped in surprise, clutching the sore spot where her weapon had landed.

"Welcome back home," she glared at me, her voice dripping with annoyance, but there was a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Happy to be back," I replied, rubbing the bump on my head. I couldn't help but laugh at how quickly she had gone from peaceful sleeper to fierce warrior.

Kaoru's expression shifted as she looked around, her brow furrowing. "Hey, wait, where's Kenshin?" she asked, concern seeping into her voice.

My smile faded as I met her gaze. "My brother said to tell you he won't be coming back," I told her, my tone soft but serious.

"He's not coming back at all?" Yahiko asked, his voice rising with anxiety.

I sighed, crossing my arms. "Well, not if I can help it. But right now, he's throwing everything away so he can fight Jin'eh," I replied, my frustration evident.

"Why?" Kaoru's eyes widened, her worry deepening.

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "If he came back and saw your faces, his heart would soften, and he wouldn't want to do this. He wanted to stay away for a while and focus on himself. Otherwise, he can't defeat that monster. That's what he said. I think he's trying to get as close as he can to the Hitokiri inside himself that he was during the Revolution."

Kaoru's face drained of color as she processed my words. "What?" she whispered, disbelief etched into her features. Without another word, she turned and bolted, her feet barely touching the ground as she ran off.

"Hey! Where are you going?" I called after her, panic rising in my chest.

"Where else? I'm going to look for Kenshin," she replied, her voice determined as she paused momentarily, just long enough to make her intentions clear.

My heart sank. "What are you talking about? You wanna get in his way? Jin'eh's a lot stronger than the other guys Kenshin and I have fought before," I warned, my voice edged with urgency.

"But if Kenshin's gonna stay away even for a little while, what do you think is going to happen? He'll never come back again. If he defeats that guy, he'll go back to his old self, and then he'll go wandering off again. Father and mother died, and if Kenshin leaves now too, then I...I'll be alone again, and I don't want to be alone," she cried, her voice trembling as tears threatened to spill over.

I watched in stunned silence as she took off running again, her words echoing in my mind. The fear of being alone was driving her to make a rash decision, one that could put her in grave danger.

"Wait, Kaoru!" I shouted, but my words were lost on her as she disappeared down the street. I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling within me. I couldn't let Kenshin wander off again—not after everything we had been through. But Kaoru's desperation tugged at my heart, and I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Yahiko caught up to me, panting. "Where the heck did she go?" he asked, glancing around frantically.

"She can't control herself because she's afraid of being separated from my brother. What a selfish girl," I muttered, though I knew it wasn't entirely fair. "But then again, love and selfishness kinda go hand in hand, don't they?"

"Anyway, we gotta find her," Yahiko insisted, his eyes wide with concern.

"Yeah, you never know what she'll do," I agreed, nodding. I knew exactly where she was headed. "You go back to the dojo. I think I know where Kenshin went, and I bet Kaoru will find him too."

Without waiting for Yahiko's response, I sprinted toward the river, my legs pumping as I pushed myself to go faster. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and determination fueling me. Kaoru was fast, but I had the advantage of knowing the terrain. It didn't take long before I spotted her ahead, her figure outlined against the morning light.

"Hey, hold on. I'm coming too," I called out, slowing my pace as I approached her. She glanced over at me, her expression a mix of relief and desperation.

I managed a small smile, hoping to reassure her. "In fact, I think I know where he is. Come on," I said, reaching out to take her hand. She hesitated for a moment before gripping my hand tightly, and together we ran toward the river. As we neared the riverbank, my eyes caught sight of a familiar figure. Kenshin was sitting on a log, his back to us, staring out at the water. His shoulders were tense, and even from a distance, I could sense the turmoil raging within him. Kaoru and I exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between us. We both knew what we had to do.

We approached him quietly, our footsteps muffled by the soft earth. I saw Kenshin's hand twitch toward his sakabatou, a sign that he had heard us approaching, but he didn't turn around. "Oh, Kenshin," Kaoru's voice was soft, almost tentative as she broke the silence.

Startled, Kenshin let his sakabatou drop against his thumb, and I heard him mumble, "Ow."

"We found you," Kaoru said as she sat down beside him on his right, while I took my place on his left, the two of us forming a protective barrier around him.

Kenshin glanced at us, his eyes flickering with a mix of surprise and resignation. "You both are scarier than Jin'eh, you are," he muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of fear, which made me chuckle despite the tension.

"I heard the story," Kaoru said, her voice firm. "Aka and I aren't going back to the dojo either. We're staying right here with you."

I nodded in agreement, meeting my brother's gaze with unwavering resolve. Kenshin sighed, the weight of the world pressing down on him. "If I have to protect someone during the battle with Jin'eh, then I can't possibly beat him," Kenshin admitted, his voice laced with a deep, almost painful, honesty.

"Who said anything about protecting?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.

Kaoru stood, her eyes never leaving Kenshin's. "Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, confused as she reached up and pulled out the indigo ribbon from her hair.

"This is my favorite indigo ribbon," she said, holding it out to him. "I'll lend it to you, Kenshin."

Kenshin hesitated, staring at the ribbon as if it were a foreign object. "Thanks a lot, but I don't see how..."

"Just take it!" Kaoru interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Yes ma'am," Kenshin replied meekly, taking the ribbon from her hand. I couldn't help but laugh at how easily she could make him fold.

"Listen," Kaoru's voice softened as she continued, "I'm only lending it to you, Kenshin. You have to return it. I'll never forgive you if you don't, so don't go off on a journey afterward and forget to give it back, okay?"

It took a moment, but then a small smile tugged at Kenshin's lips. "Alright. I promise to return it at the dojo. You can rest assured, so please go back there and wait for me."

Kaoru nodded once, satisfied. "Okay. Well then, that's a promise—"

Before she could finish, a dark figure lunged out of nowhere, snatching Kaoru up in the blink of an eye. Jin'eh, with a wicked grin, had appeared from seemingly nowhere, surfing down the river with terrifying speed. Kenshin and I leaped to our feet, our hearts dropping in unison.

"Miss Kaoru!" Kenshin's voice was filled with worry, his body tense with barely restrained fury.

Jin'eh laughed, his grip on Kaoru tightening.

"I assume this girl is your woman, Battosai. Show me your anger. That will bring back the manslayer that you once were. Hate me as you have never hated before! Bring back Battosai the manslayer!"

Kaoru struggled against his hold, managing to free her mouth. "Kenshin!" she called out, her voice laced with fear.

"Jin'eh!" Kenshin's voice was low and dangerous, his eyes narrowing as he stared after them. My heart pounded in my chest, a cold dread seeping into my veins.

This isn't good. I should've been more alert and seen this coming.

Now, we were in a race against time. And I wasn't about to let Kaoru—or Kenshin—face this alone.