.Author's Note: I know in fan subs and whatnot, Hiro is spelled "Hero," which I actually prefer, but for the sake of consistency I'm going to stick to the official spelling for now :)

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Perhaps it was because he had endured a lengthy stay with Excalibur, but Mifune found himself wondering about the boy Hiro.

There were a few things Mifune noticed: first, that the rest of the student body used the child as their communal errand boy, and second, that Black Star seemed to take an almost perverse amount of joy in beating the child up. "Ow! Ow! Mifune, teme! OW!"

Mifune had Black Star in a death grip, yanking him by the ear. "I thought great men do not torture the weak," Mifune said. He let go and Black Star dropped to his knees, coughing. "I am disappointed. I never would have expected this from you."

"Teme! It's our agreement," Black Star said. Mifune's eyes narrowed.

"Okay! Okay! I won't do it anymore! Mifune! Don't pull my ear!"

xXx

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After a rather lengthy discussion with Sid, Mifune found out that like him, the boy Hiro had problems resonating with other souls. "If he went to a normal school, he might fit in. But here he's too ordinary," Sid said. Of course, Mifune found that to be all too familiar.

So now Mifune was by the training grounds, watching silently as Hiro trained with a wooden sword. The boy's form wasn't bad; in fact, Hiro was technically one of the best student fighters Mifune had seen - the ability to resonate aside, of course.

"You are holding it too tight," Mifune said, stepping out from the shadows. Hiro stopped, lowering his sword.

"Mifune-san?"

"Here," Mifune said. "Loosen your grip, and widen your stance. A good stance is something a fighter can always fall back on."

They stood in parallel, Mifune and Hiro, and went through the basic stances together. Lifting the sword. Thrust. Moving forward. Thrust. Mifune was impressed with the boy's concentration.

Later, they sat on the curb of the courtyard, Hiro guzzling down a bottle of water while Mifune sharpened his katana, silently. "Thank you for helping me," Hiro said. He wiped his mouth with the side of his hand. "Everybody always looks down on me, since I can't use a weapon. So this was really nice," Hiro said. Mifune nodded, gravely.

"Just because you cannot resonate does not mean you cannot use a weapon," Mifune said. He unsheathed his sword and held it out for Hiro to hold. "I trained with my katana, and though it is not a Shibusen weapon, I believe it is an extension of my soul."

Hiro breathed. "Wow," he said. The blade gleamed in his hand.

"You defeated Sido-sensei and the whole Shibusen brigade," Hiro said. He turned the sword over in his hands. "Is it true that you're like me? That you can't use a weapon?"

Mifune tried not to smile.

"Hiro. If we apply the standards of Shibusen, I am no warrior at all," Mifune said. Hiro's eyes widened. "When the others taunt you and you feel alone, do not think less of yourself. A warrior's path does not necessarily equate the Shibusen one. And I can train you, if you wish."

"Really?" Hiro's eyes were as wide as saucers. "You would really train me?"

"If that is what you wish," Mifune said. He stood, then re-sheathed his sword.

xXx

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The other students were laughing again. "Ha ha! Hiro-kun! What the hell are you doing, carrying all those swords?"

Hiro smiled. It was not a nice smile.

It was Kid who came across the scene: twenty students groaning and rubbing their chests, bruised and battered from the many blunt strikes Hiro had delivered. "Teme! What do you think you're doing?" Kid said.

"Have you witnessed it? My rebirth?" Hiro smiled and his katana gleamed; Kid noticed he carried five swords on his back.

Five was not symmetrical. Five was not symmetrical at all.

"You cocky bastard!" Kid said. He glanced behind him. "Liz! Patty!"

"Okay!" They transformed, two guns landing squarely in the middle of Kid's palm.

Hiro laughed, mirthlessly. "You honestly think you can defeat me? I, Hiro of the great Five Swords?"

"Black Star!" Tsubaki was running. "You need to help Kid! He's fighting Hiro!"

Hiro blocked the blasts. Once, twice, his katana flashing. Kid gritted his teeth. "Dammit..."

"HA HA!! Black Star to the rescue!" Black Star came swinging. "Tsubaki! Shuriken mode!"

"Hai!" Tsubaki said, and then transformed.

Hiro grinned. "You do not know who my sensei is!" And he threw the swords, which landed hard around Black Star's feet. "I will make him proud!"

The sword slammed, metal against metal. Hiro grinned. He pressed down with more power.

"Hiro!" Mifune said. Hiro turned and found his master coming toward him. He yanked Hiro by the arm.

"Ow-OW! Mifune-sensei!"

"My apologies," Mifune said. He glanced back at Kid, then at Black Star, then dragged Hiro back home.

A/N: Somehow I just think it's hilarious that Mifune and Hiro could be lumped into the same "failed meister" category. XD LOL. I also like to think Hiro could be badass if he was shown the right direction. *nods*

Plus, Mifune needed someone to call him "Mifune-sensei," for once XD