A/N: Well…I didn't think that people would like what I did…here we go!

IX

The way that Kenshin and his father, Hiko, were talking actually disturbed her. It wasn't that she couldn't understand everything….she understood almost all of the conversation they carried from what Kenshin had taught her. The thing that scared her was the way that their voices were. She had never seen Kenshin as serious as that since he yelled at her, and she didn't consider that intentional.

Kaoru was sitting on the stairs, Sano walking past her then looking down noticing how badly she was sweating.

"Would you like I got you a fan?" He asked. Kaoru looked up to Sano then shook her head. "Are you sure?"

"Pemtu ah Sano; I was curious…where is K-Battosai this afternoon."

"You need not 'ide from me Na Kaoru," Sano said, sitting next to Kaoru and being leisurely as he always saw her do. "I know. He tells me much."

"So, you know his name as well?"

"You'd be surprised the people 'e trusts his secrets with. Not just you, not just me, not just Hiko. There are several servants that know much more than Shishio believes they do."

"Who is Shishio exactly?" Sano's eyebrows went up, and then looked down toward the city.

"He is the High Priest… but I think that he es in a less 'oly place than that. Kenshin doesn't trust him. You can see that. It seems however…Kenshin doesn't tell, he shows. "

"Shows?"

"His displeasure. He doesn't like how Shishio acts. Mighty, like he es the true ruler of this country," Sano snorted at what he said. "Then again…this es a small country. Nothing 'ore than a place of refuge."

"A little cruel wouldn't you say? You are talking about your own country you know?"

Sano shrugged. "There es not much authority when compared to other nations," Sano shook his head. "Shishio es a blind man, believe you me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he wants 'tis country, and to destroy the monarchy would be the first ting on 'is list. If Kenshin es gone, then Shishio can do whatever 'e wants. Tyranny. He resents Kenshin, you know?"

"What about?"

"Giving 'im that body if not for his reading that Kenshin was a 'God', and then Shishio would not have been burned. As the ritual goes though…" Sanosuke drawled off. "Et's something I really don't like speaking of. We all realize it though."

"I guess it makes sense. Like when the palanquin crashed."

"Wat do you mean Na Kaoru?"

"When the side of the palanquin crashed and Kenshin got hurt…Shishio might have sabotaged it."

"There es always the chance."Sano stood from his place on the steps. "I 'ave my rounds en need of making. I'll be around alright Na Kaoru?"

"See you."

Kaoru watched Sano walk off, and then found herself in shock that she didn't ask Sano where Kenshin was because she had gotten too caught up in her conversation. Letting out a moan of desperation, Kaoru stood and stormed up the steps. Who else was there to ask? She couldn't think…wait a minute. Something came into her head. She was quick to cross through the throne room and head toward those set of steps. She ignored the fact that the lights came on by themselves. That was something she had come accustomed to. She smiled…the door was getting closer and…

There was something coming from behind it that was more than a crackling fire. There was a sharp clanging going on. One after another; is he practicing? Was what came into Kaoru's mind. She approached the door and slowly opened it. By that time, two pairs of eyes glowered on her for a few seconds before returning to a struggle. Though, as struggles went, this one seemed to be more like a dance. She found Kenshin, ever so conveniently with Hiko down in the open room. Two swords were drawn. Kenshin still wearing those odd shoes she could not get over. And he made everything he did look like it was easy above all. Yet, with that he still seemed to be losing. That didn't really scare Kaoru; it showed her that even if Hiko was handicapped he could probably kick someone's butt fairly easily.

"You don't need an invitation girl," Hiko called out. "If you want to watch, come in. If not, shut the door!" he didn't allow his speaking to Kaoru to interfere with what he was doing. Kenshin was trying to use it as an advantage, but it was obvious Hiko was capable of reading him very well. Kenshin kicked up and away from his opponent.

Kaoru, with such awe, came in and shut the door behind her. That was when she realized that the curtains were drawn. The light was nothing more than a few candles for Kenshin's need and the spark of the swords as they countered one another. But Kaoru was curious as to why they seemed to be so evenly matched. That was until Hiko was capable of pushing Kenshin off where they were dead locked and flung him to the floor.

"Shimatta," he hissed. Hiko hovered over him.

"Get up," he was intentionally using English. "You really want to be skewered?" Kenshin looked at Hiko blankly until he repeated it a second time in their language. Kaoru laughed.

"Not partic'ly," Kenshin rebutted while standing. That was when Kaoru was able to realize he was laying on the ground without any particular interest that he was doing so. "Stop be'ng cynical," Kenshin managed out. Kaoru clapped with delight.

"You are doing so well!" she squealed. Kenshin nearly fell over while Hiko could do nothing but laugh.

"You have yourself some kind of woman there," he remarked and turned away. "I think we're done."

"Why?" Kaoru asked disappointed. Kenshin sat down and took the shoes off more than willingly.

"Because he's lost and you've showed up," Hiko explained. He took his regular seat, picking up a small jug while Kenshin sheathed the sword.

"Was that like a practice or something?" asked Kaoru curiously. Kenshin nodded.

"Et is a style that is very rare to find. Only he and I know et, the rest are long gone," Kenshin told her. He sat down next to her, which raise another question. Before she could answer however…

"Don't be so surprised," Hiko interjected. "He's always down here so he can get away."

"You are use to…?"

"I like te ground," he nodded. "I don't like te shoes."

"You move very freely in them."

"Pemtu ah." He snickered though. "Et's something I've been doing e'vr since I learned t' walk," Kenshin explained.

"Why?" Kaoru could but ask. Kenshin lowered his head.

"Because. There es no ot'er way, tat there es not." He was shaking his head. "S'ishio told me so."

Kaoru was jolted as Kenshin told her this. She tweaked a small grin, but then disappointed when she remembered what Sano was telling her. How Shishio wanted tyranny above all things. And she found herself nearly crying at this. It was strange, that maybe all the torment that Kenshin might have been through in his life was caused by a man trying to pretend that he was a sacred priest.

"How long?" she asked. Then thought that might not have been enough information for Kenshin. "How long has he been in power?" But it was not Kenshin to answer, rather it was Hiko.

"He has been in rule for thirty years. Ever since the last priest selected him," he had just finished taking a sip from the jug. It had a stench that she could not recognize. "No use being rude. Would you like some?" he put the jug her way.

"Um...what is it?"

"Sake'."

"Et's alcoh'lic Na Kaoru," Kenshin said to her. "And so es 'e."

"The 'h' sound again Kenshin," the teacher scolded. Kenshin rolled his eyes toward her.

"Not now Na Kaoru. Omak." Kaoru's brows furrowed for a moment. "Omak: Please." Her mouth formed an 'o' shape then she looked back to Hiko had already poured her a small saucer and allowed her to take a drink.

"Do you guys know...?"

"Shishio is plotting," Hiko stated quietly. "He is...a fellow I have been following with my ears for some time." Kaoru took notice of Hiko's quick sentences and easy answers, as though he was trying to make it seem like he wasn't in the way. She shrugged her shoulders a moment.

"Sano thinks that maybe he's trying to take over Kenshin's position." Hiko was slowly nodding.

"It's a surprise that he thinks at all," he rebuked. Kenshin scowled.

"Shishou!" he growled. That was when Hiko started laughing. He turned to Kenshin and gave a smirk, as though what Kenshin said was worth nothing. the boy continued to growl. "As you can tell Na Kaoru--" Kenshin's eyes were piercing to Hiko's back hoping maybe there would be something hitting him. "--he is not that found of my Zanza." Kaoru was only giggling.

"Yes. That's quite obvious," Kaoru shifted and looked down to the glass of clear liquid before allowing herself to sip at it. It was strong. "How long have you been blinded Mr. Hiko?" Kaoru allowed herself to ask. She knew that it was rude to ask such a question.

"I started to lose my sight shortly after Kenshin was born."

"Is that when your reign ended?"

"I would say that it never started."

Kaoru was confused.

"You were the previous ruler weren't you?" Hiko shrugged.

"To some degree," he took a large swig of the bottle. She could see what Kenshin meant when he said Hiko was an alcoholic. "It's funny when the time I wasn't blind that I was. " Kenshin was rising in the back round to come closer. "Oh, have I perked your interest boy?" Kenshin stumbled a moment.

"I..."

"You've no need to lie," Hiko turned to look toward the empty place that was once a fire. "There are many things I have not told you."

"Were you protecting him Mr. Hiko?" asked Kaoru.

"Hell no. I just didn't want to waste my breath with a boy who was going to pretend he was listening and then forget soon after." Hiko barked at his son in his language. Kenshin lowered his head. Kaoru was laughing a little seeing that she could understand the gist of what Hiko told him. "Now, with these duties on you, I suppose it would be the wisest thing for you to understand the situations that I got caught up in so that you don't caught in the back draft."

"Shishou..."Hiko's hand, once tight on the jug, loosened and he set it on the ground. Kaoru and Kenshin were a few yards away from Hiko who also had his back turned. He glanced over his shoulder, giving himself a good idea of what was going on. Then, he bit his lip and turned himself around to be facing the emperor and the teacher. Kenshin's awestruck face made Hiko smirk yet again.

"I'm just filling you with surprises today aren't I?" he asked. "Do you want more sake' Na Kaoru?" he asked. Kaoru nodded her head, to which Hiko stood and came closer to the two of them where they were no more than two or three feet away and he could hand the jug to her. "Don't drink too much. I want you coherent for all of this, understood?" Hiko explained. Kaoru nodded.

"How can you tell when I move?" Kaoru asked.

"Because the body is full of wonderful sounds," he let out a decent smile before turning more serious. "Now, as for what we're talking about.

"Much before Kenshin was born..." Hiko paused. "I was six when I came into rule," he said quickly. "That's too tender of an age for me to make decisions for Yu-Quia. I had advisers, obviously. The High Priest was a figure that controlled many of the advisers, and he was always at my side. This was a man I thought of as a father since my father was deceased and my mother had died in childbirth. Trust is a foolish thing. This man was nothing. This man was something that I couldn't comprehend at such a young age. He was using me as I got older. Everyone used me by making believe I was doing something good. That I was making something work. This priest was just as power hungry. My rule was nothing. As I said. The priest was in my place," Hiko bowed his head. "I can tell that you don't seem to believe I could be controlled, right Kenshin?"

"I never..."
"You were always a bit of an easily surprised one weren't you?"

"Maybe."

Kaoru was pouring her third cup. "But Kenshin is very controlled about what he does. As far as I've seen, he doesn't let anyone else do his job."

"He's thick-headed. Like his mother."

"Did you marry young Mr. Hiko?" Kaoru asked, more interested in love than anything.

"Soht."

"Who was the lucky lady?"

"His mother." Hiko pointed. "But, as you can tell he's not really my son."

Kaoru found herself awestruck. She let in a sharp breath. "It's nothing serious. I'm sterile. His mother was horny and she wanted to have a child, she wanted to help with the throne. I let her have a pick of the men in town and believe me she came home late a lot."

"She finally conceived?"

"It took her a while. She was picky about who she slept with. She ended up having a fisherman's baby. The fisherman, as you can expect, is with his fish now. Killed shortly after we found out that the throne was to have an heir. But, it seems the news leaked."

"How could you tell if she had slept with someone else? And did they know you were sterile?"

"No, and it has been that way ever since ever. But, they could tell. We have our ways. It leaked shortly after she had a check up. And, we tried to do what we could. I couldn't console, because than they would have known that I encouraged this behavior. I would have been hung. However, we found a way to settle it. The priest at that time was Shishio and...we knew he knew. At that time, we believed that he was the only one who wouldn't tell. So Kenshin was born, everyone celebrated and..." Hiko took the sake' bottle from Kaoru and took a large drink to find that there weren't that many drinks left. "And then we found out that he was the incarnation of a god, Shishio was burned and I started to go blind."

"You think it's divine punishment Mr. Hiko?" Hiko could hear the swaying in Kaoru's voice and sense the unsureness in everything that they were saying. Kenshin had yet to pick up enough English to understand the entire situation. He translated most of it to Kenshin was thankful to be in the loop.

"No. And I never will."

"So is Shishio capable of overthrowing Kenshin?"

He shrugged. "Maybe. It depends if he can keep himself from doing something to give away his humanity. To show that he is not worthy of such holiness."

Kaoru gulped. "Like what?"

"Touching unholy ground. Falling in love with someone he cannot. The list is long. Kenshin abides by the rules though, don't you?" Kenshin's eyebrows perked up. "But many of those are broken."

Hiko started to mumble something to Kenshin in their language that Kaoru couldn't pick up. Kenshin lowered his head.

"I understand," he said. "But..."

"Just do what you think is appropriate." Hiko told his son and swiped the sake' bottle as Kaoru poured. Kenshin pulled Kaoru up while putting on his shoes.

"Come Na Kaoru. Upstairs is to where we go."

Kaoru looked back to Hiko was had stoked a fire. It was saddening to think of what she heard. And...was love really that unsacred?

A/N: Is it? Till next time, KenSan out!