The Bloody Jasmine • Samurai X

Chapter 3 | Attack On Headquarters

With the flow of days, Mei has been assigned to even more killings since there was a traitor amongst their Clan. The brunette asked for a break, but Katsura wouldn't give her one, due to needing her skills as an assassin.

Mei sighed as she sat outside and gently touched the petals of the flower planted on the ground, "Mei." A voice was heard behind her, and she knew exactly who it was. "...Kenshin." She replies, not taking her eyes off the flower.

He walked forward to stand in front of her, "Did you ask Katsura-san for a break?" He asked, "I did, but wasn't granted one. I presume you asked for one too?" Kenshin answers her question with a sigh, indicating that he wasn't granted one either.

He placed his hand on his sword and looked up at the sky, "We're assigned to do a killing together." Kenshin commented, "As expected. How many opponents?"

"Four - Supposedly."

"At dawn, I'm assuming?"

"Midnight, actually."

Mei nods her head as her gaze switches from the flower to Kenshin, "When are we to depart?" She asks, "About two hours before the scheduled time." Kenshin replies.

Mei nodded her head firmly and stood up, her brown orbs meeting Kenshin's amethyst ones, "Then I'll see you at midnight." Says the brunette, turning on her heel and walking inside the Inn.

Kenshin had followed behind her as he made his way to his bedroom, finding Tomoe there. Mei glanced at them from the corner of her eye and walked away, not being bothered to greet the black haired female.

Mei slid the doors of her room open and entered, placing her sword near the window as she opened her wardrobe to change her attire. Mei switched from her black haori into a dark blue one, along with black baggy trousers.

The brunette kept her black arm guards and un-tied her hair, letting it rest on her shoulders. Upon finishing, Mei sat beside her window and stared at the grey cloudy sky. 'Seems like it's going to rain...' She thought to herself.

Mei closed her eyes and sat cross-legged opposite the window, clearing her mind as she awaited the time to depart for her and Kenshin's scheduled assassination.

• • •

"You're going out?"

The female hitokiri raised her brow, surprised at what the red-headed Samurai had just told her, "I just said so, didn't I?" Kenshin replies bluntly. "Well, then..." Mei laughs sarcastically, "And our assassination? It's in exactly two hours." Mei asks as he places her hand on her hip.

"I'll make it in time."

Mei scoffs silently and stands in her spot as she watched him put on his arm guards, "I never knew you liked to do anything other than follow Katsura-san's orders." Mei mutters, "Again with the sarcasm."

"Fine. Go out, but you better make it, Kenshin." She warns before grabbing her sword and heading out.

Kenshin sighed at Mei's childish behaviour, trying to sound intimidating. Even though she was feared far and wide, physically, Mei Hayashi was still only a child - Just as he was.

'That idiot...' He thought to himself, before heading out to the restaurant with Tomoe.

Upon reaching, Kenshin and Tomoe sat on a small table and had two cups displayed, as well as a bottle of sake.

Tomoe looks at the boy, who had a strange expression on his face, "Is something the matter?" She asked softly, "No, nothing's wrong. It's just...It's been a while since sake tasted good.." He mumbles, "It's because it's festival season." Tomoe replies and pours more alcohol into his cup.

"Hm...I suppose you're right..." The redhead mumbled.

As the two continued talking, Mei entered the restaurant and dashed to Kenshin and Tomoe in a hurry, "Kenshin, Tomoe, we need to go now." She says, "Is something wrong?" Kenshin immediately averted his attention to her.

"Katsura-san's in danger. Miyabe is planning to set Kyoto on fire tonight." Mei says quickly and gestures for them to head out and follow her.

As the three hurriedly passed through the crowd, Mei got closer to Kenshin, "He's broken off all ties with Katsura-san. What's worse, is that this information probably leaked to the Shinsen Gumi." Mei explains.

Kenshin thinks for a few moments before looking back at Mei, "What about the ninjas?" He asks, "I went to the required location, but I didn't manage to finish them off." Mei looks back at him and notices that he was holding Tomoe's hand to guide her.

"Iizuka-san went to get help, but we have to hurry to the Ikeda House, the Shinsen Gumi already surrounded the area."

Kenshin nods. Soon after they reach, the Shinsen Gumi are ready to attack. "Kenshin, she can't be here," The female hitokiri tells Kenshin, "Go back the way we came." He ordered Tomoe, "But, doesn't a sword need a sheath?" She asks. "What?"

"I want to see with my own eyes...I want to see how you and Mei kill." She says, causing Kenshin to sigh and tell her to stand back.

'Idiot.' Mei thinks before attacking the men with Kenshin. The blood splattered everywhere, on Kenshin and Mei's clothing as well. As soon as Kenshin was about to draw his sword again, Tomoe stopped him.

The trio rushed back to the Headquarters, the sound of their sandals colliding with the ground echoing. "I told you to make it...!" Mei growled under her breath.

As soon as they reached HQ, Mei dashed inside and found the landlady, "Is Katsura-san here?" She asks breathlessly. "No. But we heard about what happened with the Ikeda House, and it isn't very safe here. Quickly, go out back."

The landlady stated calmly as they all nodded. Mei ran ahead of the two, and took a swift turn around as she heard a familiar voice call her name. "Hayashi-san."

"Katsura-san!" She exclaimed, "Thank god you're alright...!"

"They've attacked our Headquarters, we've lost everything..." He rubbed his temples, frustrated.

"Mei, there's something you should know - I've asked Tomoe-san to be Kenshin's sheath, and so I've organised a place for her and Himura to stay as newly weds, up in Otsu."

A soft gasp escaped Mei's lips as she processed the new information, "....."

"But, to avoid further suspicion, you'll be known as Mei Himura for now, Kenshin's sister."

"...Yes, sir..!" Mei said, looking a little lost. 'But, is it safe to go to Otsu...?'

"Katsura-san! You're alright!" Kenshin and Tomoe were in sight, "Himura, Tomoe-san. There isn't much time, I've organised a place for you to stay in Otsu, as newly weds. Iizuka-san and Mei will stay in touch with you,"

Katsura explained, "From now on, Mei will be your sister - To avoid further suspicion."

Kenshin looked confused, but nodded his head. Kenshin, Mei and Tomoe looked at each other for a few seconds before Mei broke the silence, "You two - Hurry." She said simply and flashed them a soft look, before dashing away with Katsura.

"So, we are to go to Otsu...as newly weds?" Kenshin says in a mumble.

Tomoe stayed quiet, but something on her face made her answer quite clear.

"I suppose so."

終わり