Disclaimer: Ruroken isn't mine. The character, Aiko is. Thank you.

Prologue

"Shishio-sama!" Houji said, rapidly entering the room.

The bandaged man looked up, his burning eyes thankfully looking slightly less dangerous than usual. "What is it?"

The other man bowed quickly. As he straightened, he tried to mold his expression into one that was less emotional. He didn't completely succeed. "Shishio-sama, the girl has escaped. She took a katana from somewhere and killed a number of our guards. We've searched everywhere, but... she's gone..." He bowed his head, waiting for punishment.

"Well, she certainly is efficient," Soujiro said brightly.

Houji looked up to see him smiling.

"Is that all?" Shishio's voice was clearly amused.

Houji gaped at him. "Wha—?" He swallowed. "Sir?"

"Let her run. She's of no use to me anymore. She hasn't been of use to me for several months. That girls' only purpose in life was as bait and payback. Now that Katsura is dead and with Battousai already coming, she's useless on both accounts." He laughed. "Still, it's a shame. She managed to kill some guards, did she? It would have been interesting if she'd been here when Battousai and the Mibu wolf had arrived. I could have let her watch them die."

Sorry about the short prologue. Chapters will be longer. Thanks for reading. Please review!

Dewa mata!

Sirius