“Hm, you don’t know who I am?” The woman undid her cloak and swung it over her shoulder, revealing herself. She stood a little shorter than Kenshin. She had short black hair that hunbg loosely over her face. Her brown eyes stared at Kenshin. “Didn’t Niitsu-san tell you?”

“Niitsu...” he thought. “She called my master by his real name. Who could she be?” he asked himself.

“No he didn’t. I’ll ask you again, who are you?”

She let out a sigh. “I’m Akemi, reteainer of Hitenmitsurugi-ryu.”

“Hitenmitsurugi-ryu? You?” Once again Kenshin was confused. “How can it be? There’s only supposed to be one who masters Mitsurugi.”

“Well I guess you don’t know better, although I haven’t mastered it yet, but my teacher has.”

“Who’s your teacher?”

“You’ll meet him soon enough, now let’s go, we have to get to Kyoto!”

Akemi started to run down the road in an extreme hurry. Kenshin, still confused, chased after her. The duo ran all the way til they reached Kyoto.

“I’m on my way to meet Himura-san, I have business with him.” Soujirou answered for the fifth time. Although he explained his situation in great detail it was hard for him to convince his captors.

“It’s a bit unusual that you are looking for Battousai, I have business with him too.” Saitou stood before Soujirou. They switched they location into a small guest room. “Do you have any idea of what’s going on in Kyoto right now?”

“Not really, all I heard about was a mass murder a few days ago.”

“For all we know that could have been you, you are quite a swords man are you not?”

“It couldn’t have been him.” Aoshi entered the room carrying a tray of tea. “The creature we saw was not human.”

“But...” Saitou tried to retort, but there wasn’t much use for that. “Any way, Soujirou here is a fugitive, I have to take him in.”

The door was slammed open. Behind it stood Misao, breathing hard. “Himura’s here!”

“Oro?”

Kenshin stood in the doorway, ebfore him stood Aoshi, Saitou, and Soujirou, all three he crossed swords with and made acquaintance with. “Why are you all here? Having some kind of party?”

“Hardly.” Saitou replied. “Come...” he beconed with his hand. “We have much to discuss.”

Aoshi, Saitou, and Soujirou disappeared behind a curtain, Kenshin and Akemi followed them in. Behind the curtain was a hallway leading to a small private room. There were seats set out for each of them, except for Akemi who was the uninvited guest. The men sat in a circle as Misao and Akemi stood outside of the ring. The mood of the room was lik a reunion of old friends, although some of them hardly knew each other.

Quickly discussion got underway, each person explained their perdicament. Finally they it was Akemi’s turn.

“Well girl, what is your connection to this case?” Saitou inquisited. His hand reached into his pocket to reach for a cigarette. Aoshi’s glare stopped Saitou’s action. “Explain yourself.”

All in the room looked at her in anticipation, even Kenshin was eager to know about this girl.

She just grinned and said. “Sorry, can’t tell you guys.” Then, she left.

Everyone was surprised at the comment.

“. . . brat. . .” Saitou light his cigarette while Aoshi was distracted by the girl, and then left.

“I think I will talk to her.” Kenshin sat up, quickly gathered his belongings and followed Akemi. “Oh, and you guys stay here.” He told the remining persons.

Kenshin caught up with Akemi rather quickly, she was standing just outside of the Shin-Aoiya. He stopped a few feet behind her, giving her space.

“Why the sudden departure?” he asked.

“Because, I’ve been taught not to trust strangers.” She answered curtly.

“How about...”

“You?" she cut in. "Your no staranger. Besides, Master told me that I could trust you.”

“Master?”

“You mean no one’s told you abotu Master?” she sounded surprised.

“Um... no....”

“Well. . . . “ she paused. “You’ll find otu soon enough. Well I’m goign to patrol for the night, see you tommorow!” and she ran off before Kenshin could stop her.

“Strange girl. . .” said a voice from behind. There stood Aoshi.

“That she is.... that she is....”