A/N: Sorry if I took a while. I got my computer usage limited, since I was on so much. So it might take me a bit longer to update. Anyway, here's the next chapter. It's sorta shorter...

FOURTEEN

Kenshin looked down at the new sakabato in his hands. It had been no easy task to get, that was for sure. To do so, he ended up having to fight one of Shishio's Juppon Gatana, Cho. He was a strange man with yellow broom-hair, and a really strange, long, flat sword.

Kenshin gave a great sigh. That was not a fun fight. But enough of that. He now had a new, even better, sakabato. It was time to continue on. Okina had found the whereabouts of Hiko Seijuro, and it was time for Kenshin to pay his old teacher a visit. He was glad Takeo was with him; he didn't really feel like facing that man alone.

Faint footfalls stopped in the doorway behind him. Kenshin didn't have to turn around to see who it was.

"You're up already?"

"Hai," came Takeo's quiet voice. "There is no need to sleep in at a time like this."

"Very well." Kenshin got to his feet, and slipped the sakabato into his obi. He turned, and stopped. Takeo...was different.

The silver-haired swordsman wore black hakamas, and a white kimono. His obi was black, and a long, black scarf was wrapped around his neck, the two ends hanging down his back. His clothing complemented the two long swords tucked into the left side of his obi; the black and white sheathes of Kuroshi and Kagayaki.

But it wasn't just his odd black and white clothing, it was also his whole bearing. Gone was the gentle smile, and the kind look in his eyes. Instead, there was a firm set to his chin, and his eyes...his eyes were the eyes of a hitokiri. There were the eyes of a man who was capable of killing, a man who had seen bloodshed, and had caused bloodshed.

Yet, Kenshin noted with no small amount of relief, that Takeo wasn't completely gone. There were faint flickers of confusement in his eyes, and hidden pain. The man before him, then, would only kill as a last resort. But he would kill.

"Takeo."

"Hai, Kenshin?" Takeo's voice was utter devoid of all emotion.

"Let's go."

"Hai."

The silence between the two of them as they walked was nearly palpable with tension. The sky had darkened as night drew on, and neither had spoken a single word. Kenshin was taking this time to think, while Takeo concentrated on keeping his mind a careful blank. If he started thinking, he would start remembering certain things that had happened in the past few days that he didn't want to remember.

"Takeo." Kenshin finally broke the silence.

"Hai."

"I recognize that you must make your own decisions, and I must make mine." Kenshin suddenly stopped walking, and fixed Takeo with a cold look. "But if you try to kill someone, I will stop you."

Takeo blinked at the force of Kenshin's gaze. But he gave a single nod. "I understand. But there is something you must know. The reason that I was so long in coming here, is because I ran into one of the group."

"Those in black?" Kenshin questioned, resuming walking.

"Hai. He broke my kodachi - sliced it right in two - and I was forced to use Kuroshi. I killed him."

Kenshin drew in a sharp breath. He didn't like what he was hearing.

"And do you know who he was?" Takeo went on in his cold, emotionless voice. "He was my father."

Kenshin gave a jerk of shock, and turned to look at Takeo. The pain was easy to see, despite how the silver-haired man tried to hide it underneath the cold mask of a hitokiri.

"That's awful, I say," Kenshin murmured softly. "I am very sorry..."

"As am I," Takeo said, bitterness creeping into his voice. "I have promised myself to never kill again, just like you have. But I am not as strong as you; I broke that promise. And it turns out that the first one I killed was the only one I cared for. How fitting, isn't it?"

Kenshin was silent, letting Takeo talk. He knew that there wasn't much he could say that would help his friend.

Takeo gave a cold, humorless chuckle. "But enough of that. Before he died, my father gave me some interesting information."

Kenshin mentally winced at how cold Takeo was being. Who could talk about their father's death like this?

"He told me that the group - those who are after me - joined forces with Shishio. And once they conquer all of Japan, they will kill Shishio, and rule everything by themselves."

"Can this be true?" Kenshin gasped, stunned by this revelation.

"Oh, yes," Takeo smiled coldly. "Every word of it. Looks like we're going to be having the fight of our lives, ne?"

"This is not good, I say," Kenshin frowned. "I think I will see what Shisho says of all this."

"Shisho?"

"The man we're going to meet," Kenshin said. "He was my former master, who taught me Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu."

"I see."

For a moment, there was silence as they walked through the silent forested area. It was pretty dark, so they had to move carefully.

"Takeo," Kenshin said suddenly. "I cannot chose your way for you, but I will help in any way I can."

For a brief moment, Takeo allowed his mask to slip, and gave a small smile. "Arigato, Kenshin, but I have chosen. Or had. Perhaps I have stepped off of the road a bit. In any case, this path of peace is no easy path."

Kenshin allowed a small smile. Perhaps there was nothing to worry about, then. Takeo had found his way - he just had to learn how to walk it. He slowed down as they came to a grove of trees. Just inside could be seen a small hut, and a big man, with his back to them, sat on a log.

"We're here," Kenshin whispered. "Stay behind me, and keep quiet." Takeo was slightly confused as to what was going on, but he kept behind his friend as Kenshin snuck forward, his movements silent.

Just what was Kenshin planning? Then Takeo's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he saw Kenshin drawing his sword slowly, silently. Was Kenshin about to strike down that man? Takeo stopped moving, and watched. Surely Kenshin had a reason for doing what he did.

But just as Kenshin went to strike, the man on the log suddenly leapt up, high into the air. Takeo watched with wide eyes as the man landed between himself and Kenshin.

"That's pretty low," the man said calmly, "attacking a potter."

Kenshin sheathed his sword. "Hiko Seijuro is no mere potter."

Takeo couldn't see it, since the man's back was to him, but he was certain the man's expression had darkened somewhat. Even from behind, he could sense the sudden change of the man's mood. It went from calm and peaceful to dark and dangerous.

"Who are you?"

Kenshin finally looked up, gazing directly into the man's face. "It's been a long time," he said quietly, adding, "Shisho..."

There was a period of silence. Takeo watched the two with a wary interest. Wouldn't have this man be happy that his student came back after a long time of not seeing him?

"You." The man suddenly said. "You behind me." Takeo jerked in surprise. The man hadn't even turned around! How did he know he was here? "Come around to where I can see you."

Takeo swallowed. Kenshin was right. This man was no mere potter. Silently, he walked around the man, and stood near Kenshin. Both the man and Takeo stared at each other, sizing the other up.

Hiko Seijuro was a tall, large man, with dark hair pulled back into a long, low pony-tail. Some of it hung down in front, and he had long bangs hanging over his eyes. His face was long and angular, while his eyes were somewhat hard.

A man not to be trifled with, Takeo decided. Somehow, he knew without a doubt that Hiko could probably kick his butt with one hand, and wipe the floor with him. He fervently hoped that they could be friends.

Hiko turned to Kenshin. "Who's this?"

Takeo kept his mouth shout, smart enough to know when to be quiet. He hadn't liked the way Hiko's eyes narrowed just then. So he just stood there, silent and unmoving, his green eyes unreadable.

"He's Kurosa Takeo," answered. "A friend of mine who's currently helping me out with a...problem."

"Hn," Hiko turned, his dark hair swirling around him, and headed for the hut. "You might as well come in."

Hiko sat down on a low bench, and stared at the two men who stood awkwardly by the door. He directed his gaze toward Kenshin. "Well? Now that you've had the gall to actually show your face here, what is it you want with me?"

Straight to the point. Takeo thought, slightly nervous. He sure doesn't mince his words. Wonder what Kenshin's going to do?

But Kenshin didn't answer the question. He just looked around, observing all the clay pots and bowls lining shelves in the cottage, and the few potter's tools lying around. "Why pottery?" he asked.

"I didn't really care, pottery, whatever," Hiko said. "It was just the easiest way to make a living without having to deal with a lot of people."

"That's easy for you to say," Kenshin murmured.

"Well, you know," Hiko brushed back some of the hair that hung in his face. "My genius shows in whatever I do."

Takeo stared at him. He's conceited! What a weird guy! All big and dangerous once second, and then some conceited, self-important potter.

Hiko noticed the silver-haired swordsman staring at him in surprise, and gave him a narrow-eyed glare. "What're you staring at?"

Takeo jerked, and ran a hand nervously through the silver hair that hung down on the right side of his face. "Nothing at all...why do you ask?" He made his voice calm and uninterested, to mask his nervousness and curiosity. Hiko just hmphed, and turned his attention back to Kenshin.

"You didn't answer my question. You came to tell me something that's hard for you to say." Kenshin gave an audible jerk with Hiko's words. Somehow, the man had known what he was thinking. "I was your master. I can read you like an open book."

Kenshin looked at Hiko for a long moment, before saying, "Then I will say it straight out." He got to his knees, and Takeo wondered what his friend was doing. "The instruction of the Hiten Misturugi school that I left ten years ago...I ask if of you now!"

Oh...does this mean that Kenshin never completed his training, since he's asking for more instruction now? Wow...then this means that this Hiko guy definitely can kick my butt to next week. Takeo blinked at the dark look that was on Hiko's face. And by judging his dark expression, I don't think he's too pleased by this. Maybe I'd better leave...

Takeo started edging toward the door, deciding that he'd rather wait outside, than watch Hiko pummel poor Kenshin. Unfortunately, it didn't work that way.

"You. Stay where you are." Hiko didn't even turn around to look at him. Takeo stopped, cringing.

"I'd prefer to wait outside..."

"No." Hiko interrupted. "I don't want you wandering about my property. You stay there where I can see you."

Takeo sighed, and closed his eyes. It was going to be a looonnng evening.

"As for you," Hiko glared down at Kenshin, "the answer is absolutely not."

"Oro?" was Kenshin's weak reply.

"You were the one who left ten years ago. Why should I teach you now after all this time?"

"Please," Kenshin lifted his head and looked straight at Hiko. "I beg of you."

Whoa, Takeo thought, Kenshin's really desperate. To see the famous Hitokiri Battousai begging? Now I really wish I could stay outside.

"Well, that's something," Hiko smirked. "Looks like you're at the end of your rope. All right, then. If you're asking, I'm listening. Tell me why you want to complete your training. Oh, and while you're at it, explain to me what this silver mothball is doing in my house."

Mothball! Takeo's eyes snapped open, and his jaw dropped. Did he just call me a...?

"So, is it complete?" Shishio looked over his peaked fingers at the man in black, known as Hokei, the leader of the group.

"Almost, Shishio-san. We are just gathering the information on the whereabouts of the last two deposits. It should take no longer than two days." The man's dark eyes were hard and cold, and he stared straight at Shishio without an ounce of fear.

"And it is secure?" Shishio stared right back at the man. This Hokei interested him...it was such a pity he'd have to kill him.

"Very. The three runners will give their information to one man, then commit seppuku. That way, only one man will know the secret locations, and he is ordered to take his own life if attacked." Hokei's eyes glittered.

"Ooh, such a hard leader you are," Shishio chuckled. "Just the kind of man I like. But tell me, what happens if this man dies? Then the locations of the three weapons compounds are lost."

"Itka will not die," Hokei said confidently. "He...is a very hard man to catch. There is no need to worry. And once we have those weapons in our hands, Japan will be ours."

"Just like that, ne?" Shisho smiled coldly.

"Just like that," Hokei returned the cold smile. While their mouths smiled, their eyes were narrowed at the other. Both were thinking and planning of the same thing - the death of the other.