Tomoe doesn't come from a very rich family. Tomoe's mother died shortly after giving birth to Enishi. So, Tomoe had to carry a responsibility as both a mother and a sister to Enishi. Her father was a good and kind person. But not much else is known.
Her fiancé , Kiyosato was her childhood friend and a son of a samurai. Tomoe was overjoyed when he chose her to be his wife as Tomoe did love Kiyosato. But she just couldn't show it. She hardly smiles and seemed unhappy.
Kiyosato thought she was unhappy with him, so he joined the Kyoto Mimawarigumi in order to make her at least proud/happy of him. Kiyosato never returned. Tomoe went off to Kyoto to search for him and found out he was dead. Killed by a man known as Hitokiri Battousai.
To avenge her fiancé, she decided to join forces with the Yaminobu . Mission; to kill Battousai. Tomoe's job is to get close to Battousai and then find his weakness. Then the Yaminobu clan would use that against Battousai.
Tomoe set off to find Battousai. She first met him when she was out drinking. She sat down not knowing that she was sitting back to back with Battousai (Kenshin). Her beauty and fine movements caught the attention of two strangers. They invited her to have a drink with them. Tomoe was hesistant. Battousai interrupted them , which humiliated the strangers, who then stormed out. Battousai leaves as well. Tomoe's eyes followed him as he went off.
The two strangers then decided that they would kill Battousai for humiliating them. But then an assassin killed the two so that the assassin could take care of Battousai without anyone in the way. The assassin made a surprise attack. Battousai managed to slice him in half. Blood gushed everywhere. Then.. he saw her. Tomoe, the girl from the bar. She was splattered with the blood.
Tomoe followed him because she wanted to express her gratitude to Battousai. Then Tomoe quoted, " You really make it rain blood." They made eye contact for a moment. Then Tomoe fainted and Battousai catches her. He didn't want to just leave her there, so he carried her back home. He puts her into bed and sits by her side.
