Alright Chapter two is up! This chapter will be shorter than the first one I don't want to get into too much action this time so bear with me :). I had to go back into chapter one and change Kenshin and Kayo's ages when I realized 2 years is not enough time to learn a sword technique so Kenshin is now ten and Kayo is seven. Alright enough blabbering from me I'll let you read now :).

... - thoughts

A 180 Twist

*** Shinta ***

He stared around a moment longer. Now what do I do? Kayo is probably long out of the city by now and the women are dead... Well I suppose I could start with a proper burial. With a heavy heart he went to the shed in order to find a shovel and a wagon. He returned with the needed items and proceeded to load up the bodies, not only those of the women but also the attackers. With the wagon loaded he set out, it was a snail's pace due to all the extra weight he was hauling but he didn't dare to stop. When he reached the hill-side that over looked the bay he began digging. How did it all come down to this? First our parents died leaving me with no one but Kayo. Now the women who have looked out for us, each in their own way, were gone too. I got Kayo away I know Tae and the others at the Akabeko will take good care of her, but now what do I do? I have nowhere to go. The sun was almost set as he covered over the last grave. Using the rope he brought and some string he proceeded to make crosses which he erected at each grave before paying his respects. He found three large rocks which he placed at the head of the women's graves in order to give them more respect for all they had done for the kids, even if they had been cruel.

Through all the excitement Shinta never cried. He would not allow himself to show such weakness even if he was in distress. He thought often about his sister, thankful he had sent her away and she had not witnessed the slaughter. It was the only thought that kept him from running to bring her back.

*** Seijuro Hiko ***

It was almost night-time, though he needed no light to see in the dark forest, his eyes already adjusted to it from walking the same trail hours before. Well... I can't help what happened, but the least I can do is give those people a proper burial. I wonder about that kid. He watched them died, and from the sword in his hands I assume he tried to help. However he never cried. His eyes showed no signs of crying, I wonder what he must have gone through to warrant such a calm reaction to manslaughter. He would have made a great swordsman, but I'll probably never... His thoughts were cut short as he emerged from the woods to the hill overlooking the sea. He stopped holding his breath as he took in the scene before him

The sky was a mixture of deep oranges purples and pinks. The sun was now half hidden behind the massive sea casting an ominous glow over the once battle field, now grave yard, before him. He walked slowly weaving in among the crosses marking the 13 graves, the sight was only the beginning of what he would see once this revolution took off, that he was sure of. As he reached the edge of the cliff he spotted three stones, but what really caught his eye was the figure kneeling before them.

His hands fisted in his lap and head hung so that he appeared to be crying, was the young boy. Red hair that hung half way down his back, slung in a low pony tail, was partly drapped over one shoulder matted with blood that he knew was not the boys own. His already tattered clothing was dirty and even more torn from the effort of, he assumed, carrying the bodies as well as digging the graves. His hands were bleeding slightly whether from the death grip he now held or from the shovel he couldn't be certain from the distance. Maybe he is more torn than I first assumed. He is only a kid and now that the shock has worn of he is crying . He spoke softly not wanting to startle the kid, "So kid… you buried the revolutionaries as well as your parents?", he was amazed when the boy never even looked up as he spoke his voice even not broken by tears as he had expected. "They weren't my parents… They were slaves that took us in when my parents died. They didn't treat us the best but after all they did I figured they deserved more respect anyway. As for the others, they may have attacked us but they are still humans."

Seijuro was struck dumb the boys speech was too mature for his young age, confirming his suspicions that the boy had seen far more than his share of violence. He hadn't overlooked the wording though, "you said us, who else Are you referring to... ah… Shinta wasn't it?", The boy raised his head slowly looking him in the eye, "yes that's right… and I have a sister… her name is Kayo." He thought over that information a moment. He hadn't seen a young girl around and his expression turned somber, "and where is she?". The boy appeared to have expected this question but Seijuro was startled once again as a smile spread across the boy's face as he answered, "I'm not really sure. I was able to get her away from all this and to some friends of ours. I just hope they have taken her far away…"

The boy sent her away to protect her, but yet he came back himself to defend these women. They were slaves he said himself they didn't exactly care for the kids, but they were all the kids had. Hmm this might change my views a little bit. His thoughts were interrupted as the boy continued, "… I just wish I could have been more help here. I tried to save them, but Azumi held me back. I wish I was strong enough to defend them…". That was all the conformation he needed as he returned to his former assumption the boy will make a fine swordsman.

"How would you like to learn swordsmanship?". His eyes were hopeful for a fleeting moment before it faded and he hung his head again, "I couldn't pay an instructor to teach me…",Seijuro let out a sigh, "Now hold on boy who said anything about payment? I simply asked if you would like to learn," that hopeful sparkle was back again as his eyes met Seijuro's once more, "I'd love to."

"Then it's all settled. As of today you will be an apprentice to the Hiten Mitsuruugi style of swordsmanship. Before you ask I will be your sensei as the 13th master, Seijuro Hiko the 13th, this is the title all masters take after learning the art." He continued on cutting off whatever Shinta was about to say, "This is not childs play and I expect you to take it seriously. To start with though, Shinta is not a name for a swordsman… from now on you will be known as Kenshin."

"Kenshin…" The boy mumbled, "thank you master Hiko I will train hard."

"I know you will. Now let's go we have a lot to do."

(A Week Later)

Seijuro and Kenshin had just sat down to eat. It had been a long hike back to his home and they were tired. He decided to stick with the basic introduction of the technique tonight and begin training first thing tomorrow. "Now then… The Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu (Flying Heaven Govern Sword-Style) is an ancient kenjutsu style from the Sengoku Jidai, which was developed to allow a single samurai to defeat numerous foes single-handedly. Practitioners of this style use a combination of near-superhuman speed and agility (known as Shinsoku, or godspeed), battojutsu and an acquired, observation-based pseudo-clairvoyance in order to avoid the attacks of their opponents by the least possible margin, and with the least possible effort, in order to place themselves in the perfect position to strike in the very instant the opponent misses. It stresses two-step attacks in order to ensure that any and all who oppose it are thoroughly slain.", "Are you keeping up with this Kenshin it is important," Kenshin merely nodded trying to absorb everything he could about this sword technique he was learning. As soon as he was sure Kenshin truly was attentive Seijuro continued. "Good, this style is only passed on from master to apprentice, with each apprentice taking the life and special mantle of his master as well as the name Hiko Seijūrō. Additionally, the immense force and energy required to perform many of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu's moves will take a cumulative toll on the body of the user, in other words you. With sufficient physical strength training and limited combat, the effects can be staunched, but will, inevitably, render you incapable of wielding the style's tremendous power."

"That is all you really need to know about the styles history and it will give you the head start you need for tomorrow. Think over this information Kenshin we begin at dawn so go get some sleep."

*** Kenshin ***

He thought it over all night, running through the many things Master had told him about the technique. I must be able to predict the movements of my opponent to a T. So that must be what we will start working on first thing so that needs to be my top priority. I'm already fairly fast though I'm sure the god-like speed will come with time and effort. He fell asleep dreaming about his sister and how different things would be for them if this training went well. That is if he ever saw her again. He pushed that thought from his mind as he let sleep claim him fully for the first time in years.

I have to add this short bibliography because I have used direct quotes in this chapter. It also gives you the ability to read more for yourself if you would like though I will use more of it in the next chapter or two so be warned of the possible spoiler.

Research:

1) "Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū." Rurouni Kenshin Wiki. N.p., 14 Aug. 2011. Web. 3 Apr. 2013. wiki/Hiten_Mitsurugi-ryū.