Ho my GOSH! Sorry y'all, my summer keeps getting busier and busier. I'm not really free until August, so updates aren't going to be as frequent as I'd hoped. Also, these next couple of chapters are killing me, so that kind of puts another massive delay on the whole update scene. Just bear with me though, I am finishing the story!

Yoshi kept a solid fifty feet between himself and the man he followed. His quarry was unusually observant; he'd sensed he was being watched even when Yoshi was far across the bridge. Yoshinobu had warned him that Hiko Seijurou was no ordinary man though, so Yoshi was careful to keep his distance and take no chances. Luckily, it seemed as if Hiko had decided his senses gave a false alarm, because he walked with the confidant steps of one who didn't realize they were being followed. Yoshi wasn't sure where the man was going but it was his job to keep constant tabs on him so he was resigned to a day of fast walking and ducking into alleys.

Speaking of alleys, Yoshi noticed that Hiko was moving farther into the less populated quarter of the city. The streets were growing narrower and rougher, and the roof height was getting lower. Where was he going? Did he have a contact in the city? Yoshinobu hadn't mentioned that, but Yoshi could think of no other reason that Hiko would want to travel through the less respectable parts of town. Maybe he just wanted to do a little gambling on the side, grab a drink at a local tea house. It wasn't what Yoshi would do if he were looking for someone, but these samurai type were never predictable. One minute they could be your best friend, the next they could be sticking a knife in your back−

Yoshi stopped dead as he turned down yet another street several seconds after Hiko. The street stretched for maybe forty yards, but there was no-one in sight. Yoshi couldn't even see a corner of the white mantel that the man wore.

Had he turned down the wrong street? Yoshi could've sworn it had been this one. Still, the empty road mockingly said otherwise. Yoshi cursed silently. That was what he got for letting his mind drift on the job. Well, nothing for it, he'd just have to backtrack and pick up the trail again−

Yoshi turned and his mouth dropped open in shock and fear. Hiko Seijurou, the man he'd been so carefully following, was somehow directly behind him, the sun throwing his figure into a looming silhouette. Yoshi might have been able to deal with that−he did carry a wakizashi−but Hiko's sword was already out, and it was only a hair's breadth from Yoshi's throat. Yoshi swallowed and held his hands up slowly.

"Do you work for Arimura Jisaemon?" Hiko demanded, voice flat, his eyes like flint.

Yoshi nodded fervently. He was versed enough in reading ki, and he knew this man wouldn't hesitate to kill him. "Y-yes, I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on you." He licked sweat from his lips. "I can take you to him, if you like." He offered. Yoshi flinched as Hiko's sword moved to caress the hollow of his throat.

"Good. Do that. I'm right behind you." The words might have implied Yoshi didn't need to worry about Hiko keeping up, but Yoshi knew it was a threat. He couldn't help but wonder why Hiko hadn't taken his sword. Then he recalled how easily the swordsman had tricked him, and decided Hiko simply didn't find it worth his time to disarm him.

"I won't run." Yoshi felt compelled to say. "Arimura-san has been waiting to talk to you, he thinks very highly of your skills," He was talking out of nervousness now. "If you just heard him out-" Yoshi felt the cold tip of Hiko's sword against the base of his neck.

"I'm not interested in your idle chitchat. Shut up and walk." Yoshi jumped despite himself.

"Y-yes." He fully expected the rest of the walk back to camp to be conducted in silence, but then Hiko spoke again.

"The boy that you took. Is he still with you?"

"Boy?" Yoshi was confused.

"A small red-haired boy."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I-" Yoshi broke off as he was grabbed from behind and slammed against a wall, one of Hiko's hands crushing his throat.

"Do not lie to me."

Hiko's voice sent chills down Yoshi's spine, and he gasped for breath, trying to speak. He was certain his life was going to end, but Hiko released him, glaring malevolently. Yoshi coughed and rubbed his throat. "I live in Edo" He rasped. "I only met with Yoshinobu yesterday. I don't know who he or Arimura-san has with them. I just know they're waiting for you."

Hiko's eyes bored into his, and Yoshi had to avert his gaze. He could feel the man's kenki sweeping over him, so powerful Yoshi felt his legs quivering. Hiko seemed to believe him though, because he grunted, then motioned Yoshi forward. The spy was on pins and needles for the rest of the short journey, but Hiko said nothing else until Yoshi stopped at a small but well-maintained cabin a half mile from the castle district. He nodded at the door, relieved that he'd made it in one piece.

"Arimura-san should be inside. You can talk with him."

Hiko brushed past Yoshi wordlessly, then lifted one booted foot and kicked the door in.

Yoshinobu looked with insincere shock at the castle messenger who stood at attention in front of him. "Hiko Seijurou, the boy's master!" He exclaimed. "That explains so much!" He motioned to Jisasemon, sitting behind him and following the exchange silently. "Arimura-san thought Hiko-san might have something to do with this. He must have sent the boy after us, thinking his age would help him remain free of suspicion, or that if he was caught he would be shown pity."

"That's what Kobori-san thought as well." The messenger said. "He said to tell you that he hopes to get more out of the boy later today."

"Good. You'll send someone to inform us?"

"Of course." The messenger paused. "It sounds as if you expected this Hiko Seijurou to be behind the attack on your caravan. Is there anything you can tell us that might be helpful? Should we be expecting him to attempt a break-in?"

Yoshinobu almost smiled at how smoothly everything was going, and he could feel the satisfaction radiating from Jisaemon as well. This was too easy. "An attack wouldn't be out of the question. Our spies have reported that Hiko-san is already in Edo. I would say be sure to have twenty or so guards stationed outside the boy's room at least, if not directly outside the location you're keeping him as well." The messenger started noticeably.

"So many?"

"One thing you shouldn't do is underestimate this man." Yoshinobu said sternly. "He's one of the best swordsmen in Japan. It's impossible to be over prepared."

The messenger gave a short, crisp bow. "I'll let the head guard know. Until next time." He turned sharply and left, leaving Yoshinobu alone with Jisaemon. Yoshinobu waited for the door to shut, then threw his head back and laughed.

"Do you think Seijurou will find it ironic that we're considered friends of the shogunate now, and that he's the enemy?"

Jisaemon chuckled. "I don't think ironic is what he'll be thinking but it certainly is."

Yoshinobu's laughter stopped then, as if a sobering thought had just crossed his mind. "What do you think he'll do, now that he's in Edo?"

Jisaemon cocked his head to the side. "Well, there's no other reason he's coming except for the boy. Tthere isn't any way he'll be able to find out that he's being kept at the castle though. He would need to ask us directly. He'll try to find us first."

Yoshinobu paled. "And we're just sitting here, with none of the men on guard?"

"That's why we have Yoshi keeping an eye on him, to let us know when he's headed our way. Our whereabouts certainly hasn't been kept much of a secret."

"Shouldn't Yoshi be reporting back soon?" Yoshinobu obviously wasn't pacified. "What if he arrives at the same time as Seijurou? You know we're not strong enough to beat him, Jisaemon, even together."

"Yoshinobu, I told you before. A fight isn't what Seijurou wants. Not yet, at least."

"I don't see why not." Yoshinobu muttered. "We took his prize student, after all."

"Exactly! That's his first priority, his student's safety. And he needs us to tell him where the boy is. Eventually, he could find him on his own, but who knows how long that could take? Killing us only makes him lose valuable time finding the boy."

"He seemed indifferent to the boy when we visited last year." Yoshinobu countered. "Even my master didn't speak that harshly of me."

Jisaemon waved a hand. "Seijurou is all bluff and misdirected anger. He hides the fact that he cares with callous comments. He so badly wants his student to succeed that he explodes when he makes a stupid decision or wrong choice. Hence, misdirected anger. He thinks that outwardly showing affection will make the boy soft so he pretends indifference. In his own way, it's a form of protection. Who would ever think they could use that stripling as a bargaining chip when his own teacher appears to care nothing for him? It's clever, but in the end it's Seijurou's very harshness that ruins his attempts to keep his emotions hidden."

Yoshinobu was silent for a second after Jisaemon had finished. "You really do know the man, don't you?"

Jisaemon opened his mouth to reply but wasn't given the chance to answer because at that moment there was a tremendous crack, and the Western-style door that adorned the small house flew from its hinges. Jisaemon was hardly aware that the door had flown to the side and knocked Yoshinobu flat on his back, where he wheezed for breath. Jisaemon was more intent on the person whose massive frame now filled the doorway, none other than the 13th master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, Hiko Seijurou.

What the hell is Yoshi doing? Jisaemon shook his head at the thought. What did it matter about Yoshi now, he'd known Hiko would eventually seek him out, and here he was. Time to put his plans to action.

"Seijurou, we didn't expect to see you so soon! You could have just knocked, you know, I don't know why you felt the need to destroy the door. I don't own this place after all."

"I'll destroy a lot more than the door, Jisaemon." Hiko crossed the room in three quick strides and closed a hand around Jisaemon's throat, lifting him into the air. Yoshinobu watched wide-eyed from the floor, trying to shove the door off of him and grab his sword at the same time. For a moment Jisaemon thought maybe he had been wrong in his analysis of Hiko, that his neck was about to snapped in two.

But no, it was simply a warning, and Hiko threw him to the floor after several seconds. "I don't think I need to explain why I'm here, you miserable cur."

"No." Jisaemon rasped.

"Then bring me Kenshin, and maybe I'll think about letting you live."

From the corner of his eye, Jiseamon saw Yoshinobu clamoring to his feet, sword in hand. No, no, stupid fool! Jisaemon watched with foreboding as Yoshinobu lunged silently towards Hiko, sword raised to head level.

Undoubtedly Yoshinobu had thought to catch Hiko off guard, but even as his sword swept at Hiko's neck, Hiko's own sword flashed from his saiya and curved swiftly, gracefully, in front of Yoshinobu.

Jisaemon jerked his head away as blood sprayed his face softly, and when he looked again, Yoshinobu lay on the floor gasping pitifully, his stomach's contents falling out of the switchback slices across his belly. He looked at Jisaemon with betrayed eyes, drew a breath that bubbled with blood. "You . . . said . . ." He didn't finish.

Jisaemon turned away swiftly, fighting the sickness that welled in his throat. When he'd gotten himself under control, he whirled on Hiko. "You're heartless, Seijurou."

Hiko was wiping his sword down on Yoshinobu's shirt. "Don't speak to me of heartless. You've taken an innocent boy all for the purpose of compelling me to do a deed you're too frightened and incompetent to carry out yourself."

"Incompetence and fear has nothing to do with it." Jisaemon said through clenched teeth. "I need the best, and I, Seijurou, am humble enough to admit that I am not the best. You, however, are so self-righteous that instead of acknowledging my deference to you, you throw it aside, indifferent about the lives you could save."

Hiko sheathed his sword. "The only life I care to save right now is my student's. And if I find I'm too late to do so, you will feel my blade next."

"Good luck finding him," Jisaemon said carelessly. "He's not even here." He watched Hiko carefully. The words seemed to come as a surprise, because Hiko's eyes snapped up to meet his. It might have been a trick of the light but Jisaemon thought his eyes widened briefly.

"Don't play games with me Jisaemon, where else would you-" This time it was unmistakable. Hiko's eyes widened, and Jisaemon saw his hand tighten unconsciously around his sword hilt. "You wouldn't." Hiko said softly.

Jisaemon felt a shudder pass through him as he looked at Hiko. His face was calm but his entire body was tensed and ready to react at Jisaemon's next words. He'd have to tread carefully. "If you mean I wouldn't kill him, you're right." He said cautiously. Hiko said nothing, but Jisaemon noticed the hand that gripped his sword loosened perceptibly. Good. "But he is no longer in my possession. I've turned him over to the shogunate."

The mask of neutrality was gone. Hiko's expression was furious; he understood perfectly what it meant to be turned over to the shogunate in times such as these.

"And what does the shogunate want with a boy?" Hiko spat. He was almost shaking with controlled rage. Jisaemon didn't think he'd ever seen him that angry.

"Information. Your deshi is a wanted rebel, attacking people loyal to the shogunate without regard."

"That's the ridiculous story you concocted? And they believed you?" Hiko seethed.

"Apparently."

It happened so quickly Jisaemon hardly had time to blink. One heartbeat he was looking at Hiko from across the room, and the next he was staring at his own face, reflected in the polished metal that was Hiko's blade. For a second, Jisaemon truly thought Hiko was going to kill him. He saw his life flash before him and his knees trembled. Then Hiko spoke.

"Since you're so convincing, perhaps they would believe you if you went and told them you were mistaken." And Jisaemon knew for sure that Hiko wasn't just going to kill him on a whim. He wanted to assess the damages first before deciding how to exact punishment.

Feeling bold, Jisaemon lifted a hand and pushed Hiko's blade down. "I'm afraid I can't do that," He said slowly. "You see, the boy's already expressed his guilt and even named accomplices." He looked Hiko in the eye, wanting to see the reaction his next words had. "You, Seijuurou." Jisaemon was disappointed. Hiko didn't even twitch.

"Nonsense. Kenshin's too honest. He must have been misunderstood."

Jisaemon shrugged. "Torture," he made sure to emphasize the word, "can make people say a lot of things. And while I'm not sure exactly what he said, there's no doubt that he mentioned your name. And as a result," Jisaemon played his trump card, "you are now a top priority for the shogunate. Funny, how things can change so abruptly, isn't it?"

"Funny, how you think I'm not going to run you through before you can wipe that smile off your face." Hiko snapped.

"But you won't." Jisaemon was confident. "You need me now. I'm the only one who can prove not only your student's innocence but yours as well." That hit home. Jisaemon had never seen a stunned expression on Hiko, but the look on his face right then was textbook shock. The man had probably never been outthought in his life.

"It's difficult to comprehend, I know. But all you have to do is destroy this man who has already ruined so many and you can go back to your mountain and train your student in peace!" Jisaemon had won. He knew it. Seijuurou wouldn't leave his deshi at the hands of the shogunate, and even his godlike sword skills weren't enough to get him and his student out of Edo castle. There were hundreds of men there, and they were already on the alert. Ha. How does it feel to be outsmarted, Seijuurou?

Hiko seemed to read his mind. "Don't think you've won, Jisaemon. This is far from over."

"Oh, I think it is over. But I know it's your nature to be stubborn."

"It is. But tell me, in case my stubbornness should fade, do you have a location for Ii Naosuke?"

Jisaemon smirked inwardly. For Seijuurou to ask that, he must be on the verge of agreeing to Jisaemon's terms. "We do. His quarters are at the South end of the castle, just outside the Sakurada gate. I could even get you specific times-"

"Not necessary." Hiko's sword was back in its sheath.

"Does this mean you're agreeing?" Jisaemon asked, unable to hide the glee he felt.

"It means I'm going to get my student back." Hiko said coldly. "Don't worry though, I'll keep you well updated."

"I'll be waiting then." Jisaemon watched Hiko stride through the demolished doorway and smiled. It seemed his plan was going to work after all.

Still don't know what I think about this chapter but I deemed it edited enough to post. Maybe Yoshinobu's death was a little sudden and underprepared, let me know what you think about that. Also, not quite sure I nailed Hiko's character in this chapter. *sigh*

I'm not sure which comments were made last chapter, so no personal replies this time, I'm sorry! Shame on me, I know. Thanks for everyone who reviewed though, I hope y'all are all still reading! As for the next update, I'm going out of town for two weeks very soon, and I'm not sure if I can get another chapter up before then, so it might be mid July before this is updated.Have faith though, I won't abandon ship!