Disclaimer: I own nothing of importance in this story.
Chapter 1
A man walked down the streets of Tokyo, turning into a back alley. He entered a building, the guards stationed at the door nodding to him as he passed. He knocked on the shoji leading to one of the inner rooms, sliding it open after his presence was acknowledged. He crossed to the middle of the room, bowing down before an older man sitting behind a short table drinking tea.
"The preparations have been completed, Sharaku-san," he said, straightening up to look at the man he was addressing. "We are ready to put the plan into action whenever you give the command."
"Good work, Jotaru. Tell Manobu to bring the redhead to me. And remember-- I need him alive," the older man said, continuing to sip his tea.
"Yes sir," Jotaru said, bowing again before leaving the room.
Sharaku smiled, thin lips stretching over his crooked teeth. "You destroyed everything I had worked so hard to build, all those years ago. However, you made a mistake by leaving me alive. Soon, I will finally be able to take my revenge."
. . .
Kenshin traveled down a dusty road holding a tofu bucket in his hands as Ayame and Suzume walked alongside him. He stopped suddenly, leaning down to pat the shorter girl on the head as a dart whistled through the air above him and embedded itself in a tree. Kenshin's eyes were already scanning his surroundings for any sign of the attacker. I can't sense anyone. He must have his ki completely masked, the redhead thought uneasily. He felt small hands tugging on his hakama.
"Why did you stop, Ken-nii-san? Kaoru-nee-san will be mad at us if we're late," Suzume said.
Kenshin smiled down at the little girl. "Yes, let's hurry back to the dojo," he agreed, walking a little faster than before. He kept his senses alert and focused on the area around him in case there was another attack.
Manobu waited until the footsteps had faded completely before peeking out from his hiding place. He's good. A simple dart won't work unless he's distracted and I can't do that on my own. We may have to take a hostage in order to capture him, he thought. A plan started forming in his mind as he carefully made his way back into the city for reinforcements.
Later that evening, Kenshin was in the kitchen washing the dishes from dinner. Humming to himself as he worked, his voice caught in his throat as he felt a familiar ki spike in fear. He was out the door before the scrub brush hit the water in the sink.
Outside, four ninja stood in the courtyard, dressed in black. One of them was holding Yahiko in the air, one large hand covering the boy's nose and mouth so he couldn't cry out. A shinai lay on the ground where the ninja had tossed it aside. Yahiko clawed at the hand covering his mouth, trying to move it so he could breathe.
The ninja holding the squirming boy twisted his neck to look at his companions. "I know we're here for the girl, but what do you want to do with this br--"
Yahiko was released, coughing slightly as air rushed back into his lungs. He felt himself falling only to be caught and held by strong arms. He was set down on the porch and looking up to see Kenshin's narrowed eyes glaring to his left. His sword was drawn and held out before him in a ready position. Following his gaze, Yahiko saw the man that had been holding him crumpled on the ground, apparently unconscious. The other ninja looked a little uncertain as to what to do, but decided discretion was the better part of valor and withdrew back into the shadows, taking their incapacitated companion with them.
Kenshin watched them leave, not sure whether or not he should follow them. Deciding it would be better to not leave the dojo unguarded, he sheathed his sword and turned back to the boy sitting on the porch. "Are you all right, Yahiko?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied sullenly. He was embarrassed that the intruders had been able to overcome him so easily.
The redhead opened his mouth to reply when a yell broke the silence.
"Kenshin!"
The redhead's eyes widened as he recognized Kaoru's voice. He took off running towards her, Yahiko right on his heels. Could there have been two groups?! he wondered, running down the hall as he berated himself for not realizing that possibility sooner. He skidded to a halt in front of the kitchen door, staring inside.
Kaoru was standing in front of the sink, looking at the dirty dishes disapprovingly. She looked up and saw Kenshin standing in the doorway. "These dishes aren't going to wash themselves. I'm letting you stay here for free. The least you could do is not shirk your responsibilities," she scolded.
The swordsman smiled, raising a hand to the back of his head. "Sorry about that. I got distracted, that I did," he explained.
"That's no excuse."
Yahiko came to a screeching halt next to Kenshin, looking around for the intruders. Kaoru's frowned deepened. "Yahiko, what are you doing in here? I thought I told you to do 500 swings outside!" she said reprovingly.
"Oh, get off me! I was doing exactly what you told me to before the ninja came!" he replied indignantly.
"Ninja? What are you talking about?" Kaoru's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Are you trying to get out of practicing?"
"No, you ugly hag! Some ninja just broke into the dojo and Kenshin scared them off!"
Kaoru's gaze moved to the redhead. "Kenshin...?"
"It's true, Kaoru-dono. I would ask that you and Yahiko stay inside the dojo tonight. I'm not sure what they are after, but I have a feeling that we will know soon."
. . .
Several hours before dawn, Manobu slipped over the wall, quietly dropping to the ground. His target was proving to be better than he had expected, so the ninja was trying yet another approach. Making his way over to the well, he hauled up a bucket of water as quietly as he could. Pulling out a small bag, he sprinkled the contents into the liquid and swirled it around, watching the fine powder dissolve. Picking up the wooden bucket, he stealthily made his way towards the kitchen, being careful to avoid the residential part of the dojo altogether. He eased open the shoji and set the bucket next to the stove. Feeling confident that he had accomplished his task without being discovered, he made his way back to the fence and quietly exited the compound.
Inside the dojo, Kenshin shifted uneasily in his sleep, doubts plaguing his dreams.
. . .
Kenshin was running down a narrow path. Everything around him was shrouded in darkness, whispering voices coming from the shadows. He ignored them, a sense of dread growing within him. He came to a stop as the trail he had been following ended.
"Kenshin, I could really use a hand here!"
The redhead took a step towards Sano's panicked voice, only to stop once again as Yahiko's frightened voice came from the other direction.
"Kenshin!"
Megumi's and Kaoru's voices joined in, both coming from different directions as they also pleaded desperately for assistance.
Kenshin turned around, torn over who he should help first as the voices of his friends came from all around him. Suddenly, the entreaties for aid turned into screams of pain. Kenshin was unable to move as he listened to his friends being killed. Eventually, the echoes faded away, leaving him alone in the darkness.
The redhead fell to his knees, despair overcoming him. "How could I have saved them? Am I really that powerless...?" he questioned, staring at his hands-- his small, child-sized hands. "After all this time, am I still incapable of protecting those I love?"
A familiar, comforting presence came up, stopping behind him. "What are you whining about now? You're my apprentice, aren't you?"
"But, Shishou, how can I protect them? I cannot be in two places at once," Kenshin replied, his head bowed in defeat. He jumped as a large hand rested on his shoulder, wide violet eyes looking up into the gentle brown ones of his master.
"That's why I'm here to help you," Hiko replied, smiling reassuringly.
Kenshin woke up, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. That was a strange dream, he thought, shaking his head. Well, I had better go start breakfast. Kenshin pushed himself into a standing position, noticing the floor was a lot further away than it should have been. His eyes took in his surroundings, recognizing the inside of Hiko's hut. Looking down, he confirmed that he was once again in his master's body. "Uh-oh. Shishou's not going to be happy about this..."
Elsewhere, Hiko woke up to the early morning rays of the sun shining in his face. What a weird dream. I would never let Kenshin see me act like that, he thought, stretching. He stood, opening his eyes. What the-- He recognized the room he was in as being Kenshin's room at the Kamiya Dojo. He also recognized the bushy red bangs that framed his face. Oh, no... Not this again! /BAKA DESHI!!/ he yelled mentally.
Kenshin's head jerked up. "Oro? I could have sworn I heard Shishou's voice just now," he said, casting out his ki. Although he couldn't sense his master's aura, he could clearly feel Hiko's displeasure at finding himself in his deshi's body once again. Kenshin cocked his head to the side, thinking. "Could it be possible that I heard Shishou's thoughts? I can already feel his emotions and thoughts are just one step beyond that," Kenshin mused. Deciding to test his theory, the now ebony-haired swordsman cleared his mind. /Shishou?/ he called tentatively.
Hiko stopped grumbling, looking around the room. "Kenshin?" he asked, sure he had just heard his deshi's voice.
/Shishou, can you hear me?/
The now redheaded swordsman was a bit startled to realize he was hearing the voice in his mind. Unsure of what else to do, Hiko tried to respond, mentally projecting his thoughts. /Kenshin...?/
/Oh, you can hear me/ the voice replied, sounding a little relieved.
/Would you care to explain what is going on and why I am now in Tokyo, once again in your body?!/ Hiko asked, more than a little annoyance coloring his thoughts.
Kenshin shrugged although his master couldn't see him. /I don't know, Shishou. I just woke up in your cabin/ he said, sounding confused.
Hiko sighed. /So, it would seem that we can somehow switch bodies over long distances and I now have you in my head. Lovely. Just one more reason why there should never be two Hiten Mitsurugi masters./
/Oh, it's not that bad, Shishou. Just think how much we can save on postage! We never have to waste time writing another letter to each other again!/ Kenshin piped up optimistically.
/Except for the minor detail that I never sent you letters to begin with./
/Well, I'm sure there is something good about this/ Kenshin said, trying to come up with a benefit from his master's point of view.
Hiko snorted. /If you had learned the ougi as you should have, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. Given the option of having you permanently in my head, I think I would have preferred the alternative./
/Shishou!/ came the plaintive reply.
A small smirk found its way onto Hiko's face. Being able to talk to Kenshin wherever he is might not be such a bad thing, after all, he mused. /Well, there's no help for it now. Stay where you are-- I'll be there by tonight./
/No, Shishou! Stay with Kaoru-dono and the others at the dojo. I'll come to Tokyo/ Kenshin replied, a little too quickly.
Hiko raised an eyebrow. /If I have to stay with your friends, pretending to be you, there had better be a very good reason for it./
/Several ninja came to the dojo last night and attacked Yahiko. I don't know who they are or what they are after, but I ask that you not leave the dojo unprotected. I will take the first train I can to Tokyo/ he said.
/So, I am going to be drawn into your problems again, am I?/ Hiko replied, moving towards the kitchen. /I suppose I have to make breakfast for everyone, don't I?/ he grumbled, pulling out two pots. /Has there only been the one attack?/ he asked, not noticing the barely discernable discoloration of the water he poured over the rice.
/Someone shot a dart at me as I was walking home yesterday afternoon, but I had Ayame and Suzume with me so I couldn't investigate it/ Kenshin replied.
/That's not much to go on. Alright, we'll figure it out when you get here. Don't dawdle/ the redhead said, cutting up vegetables.
/Yes, Shishou./ Kenshin dressed, put a change of clothes into a bag, and started walking away from the cabin. He had reached the other side of the clearing when he realized something was missing. Oops! Can't forget that! he thought, running back inside. He exited the cabin once more, a jug of sake hanging from his belt, and started down the mountain trail.
Hiko dumped the neatly sliced vegetables into a skillet on the stove. "With as often as I am finding myself in Kenshin's body, I should probably just teach that spiky-haired kid to cook and assign this chore to him," he grumbled, stirring the rice. It wasn't long before the aroma of breakfast brought the other occupants of the dojo from their beds.
"Good morning, Kenshin," Kaoru said, covering her mouth as she yawned.
"Good morning, Kaoru," he replied. "Dono," he added belatedly.
The assistant master wasn't quite awake enough to notice the lapse. "Is breakfast almost ready?"
"Yeah, it'll be done in a minute."
Kaoru blinked, the choice of words sounding strange coming from the redhead. "Kenshin, are you all right?" she asked.
Hiko looked at her, light confusion covering his features.
"You just don't seem like your normal self today," she explained, not really sure how else to describe it.
"I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well last night," the swordsman replied. And the shock of waking up in my baka deshi's body again didn't help matters in the slightest, he thought grumpily.
Kaoru seemed to accept his answer, not saying another word on the subject. She helped him carry the food out to the dining hall where Yahiko waited, half-asleep in front of the small table. The tantalizing aromas did wonders for bringing him to full consciousness and he happily began devouring as much food as he could reach. The raven-haired girl was a little less enthusiastic about breakfast. In between bites, her worried gaze continually slid to the unsmiling rurouni sitting across from her.
Hiko ate his meal in silence, trying to ignore the rude manners of the boy next to him, as well as the unwanted attention he was receiving from the assistant master of the Kamiya dojo. I swear, all she does is sit and stare at my baka deshi all day, he thought, annoyed.
Breakfast was over fairly quickly, and Kaoru helped Hiko take the dirty dishes to the kitchen. She set the dishes in the sink, raising a hand to cover her mouth as she yawned. "Kenshin, are you sure there's nothing bothering you?" she asked tiredly. For some reason, she was having a hard time keeping her eyes open.
"No, there's nothing wrong," Hiko replied, unceremoniously dumping his stack in the sink next to hers. He paused, leaning against the sink as a wave of tiredness washed over him. I don't think that having a bad night of sleep should affect me this much, he thought, steadying himself. Then again, I'm also in Kenshin's body. But, should that really make a difference?
Kaoru blinked slowly, feeling too tired to try to pry any information out of the reticent swordsman. "If you say so. I must not have slept well last night, so I'm going back to bed," she said, stifling another yawn as she walked out of the room.
"That's fine," Hiko responded, not really listening to the girl. He shook his head, trying to shake off the lethargy that seemed to be plaguing his limbs. He walked back to collect the rest of the dirty dishes, stopping as he entered the room. Yahiko was still at his place, having passed out on the floor and was snoring quite loudly. The Hiten Mitsurugi master leaned against the doorframe, warning bells going off in his head as he struggled to make his mind focus enough to figure out why he should be worried. He finally linked Yahiko's sudden slumber and his own lassitude together, concluding that someone must have poisoned at least part of their breakfast. The drugs didn't seem to be lethal, judging by the boy's snores, but it would leave everyone incapacitated and open to attack for an undetermined amount of time. This meant that whomever was responsible would have to strike soon or risk missing the opportunity if the drugs wore off sooner than expected.
Hiko drew the sakabato, not wasting what precious energy he had left on berating himself for the lapse. He slowly made his way to the courtyard, supporting himself against the wall as he walked. If he fell down, he wasn't sure he would be able to get back up again.
It seemed like an eternity before the redhead finally made it to the front of the dojo, leaning against the doorframe as he watched the gate to the courtyard. He was breathing hard, forced to blink almost continually to keep the gate in focus. Fortunately, it wasn't long before he had company.
Three men walked through the gate, as if they were supposed to be there, closing it behind them. They started across the courtyard, pausing when they saw the solitary figure waiting for them at the dojo entrance. The first reached for the bokken at his waist, pulling a concealed katana from the wooden sheath. The second reached into his gi, withdrawing eight kunai held between his fingers, while the third merely cracked his knuckles, smiling at the redhead menacingly. As if on some unseen signal, they all ran forward, intent on overwhelming the drugged swordsman.
Hiko rushed to meet them as adrenaline flooded his system, lending him clarity and strength. He narrowly dodged the first volley of kunai, ducking underneath a punch from the unarmed man. The redhead spun, closing his eyes against the vertigo that assaulted his senses as his sword connected with his opponent's side. The strike didn't have nearly as much power as Hiko had hoped, merely earning a grunt from the weaponless fighter. There was a glint of sunlight on steel and the redhead jumped back, the searing kiss of the blade forcibly reminding him that Kenshin's reflexes had been severely impaired. He spared a glance at his thigh, watching the crimson liquid spreading across the white hakama. Although not a deep wound, it would hinder his already limited speed.
A whistling noise caught his attention and he brought his sword up in time to deflect the kunai, but was unable to dodge the fist that buried itself in his stomach. The force of the blow sent him skidding backwards, crashing into the corner of the porch. He gasped in pain as he heard his ribs crack under the pressure. Running footsteps drew his attention and he pushed himself back to his feet, raising his sword to meet his opponent's katana. The flurry of blows that followed were all a blur, battle reflexes taking over as he blocked most of the strokes, but not all. His breathing was ragged as he jumped back once more, blood staining his clothes in several more places. It ran down his right arm, making the hilt of the sakabato slick and sliding down the blade.
Hiko could feel himself succumbing to the drugs, the pain from his injuries beginning to fade. No! I cannot allow myself to be defeated! he thought, griping the sakabato with both hands, as if trying to physically maintain his hold on his consciousness. He gasped as a kunai buried itself deep within his right shoulder.
The redhead raised his left hand, firmly clutching the hilt of the small throwing knife as he pulled it out and sending it back at his attacker. A small smirk pulled at his lips as it hit the mark before stars exploded in front of his eyes as a fist connected with the back of his head. He staggered, blackness flickering around the edges of his vision. I...can't...lose! I...promised...Kenshin! he thought, desperately trying to clear his muddled thoughts.
His eyes widened as he felt a prick in his neck. It was small and insignificant in and of itself, especially compared to his other wounds, but the Hiten Mitsurugi master knew what it meant, even in his disoriented state. He could already feel the affects of the paralyzing poison rushing through his system as his fingers closed around the dart, the weight of his suddenly heavy hand pulling it from his skin and dropping it to the ground. Hiko stumbled, falling to his knees as his vision swam, buildings tilting to the side crazily. His sword slid from nerveless fingers, the sound echoing loudly in his ears. I'm sorry...Kenshin... he thought, slumping forward unconscious as his blood stained the ground. Hiko Seijiro had been defeated.
. . .
To Be Continued
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