AN: Sorry this took so long to get out. Hiko finally stopped being a pain in the ass and finally started musing. ;) Hope you enjoy this chapter! I'll try to get another one out soon ^_^

-Rhyein

*

"Meishuu, I am extremely disappointed in you," Keikoku said, frowning. Meishuu stood with her arms crossed, not looking at her mother. "First you run off when I told you not to, then you try to kill Himura-san, then you try to kill yourself! I am extremely displeased, Meishuu."

"Why? Because I tried to avenge my father?" Meishuu snapped at her mother. Kaoru sat quietly to the side, a bit surprised at the girl's disobedience. Keikoku sighed patiently.

"Meishuu… Your father… He… Well… I'll tell you tomorrow a story of your father, alright?"

"Why not now?"

"Because I need to gather my thoughts. It will be a long story."

"We would be honoured if you stayed here," Kaoru spoke up. Keikoku turned to the young woman and smiled.

"Thank you Kaoru-san," she replied. Kaoru nodded and stood.

"I can show you to your room now if you'd like. Dinner will not be ready for a while yet," Kaoru informed her. Keikoku stood as well.

"That would be fine."

Keikoku and Kaoru left Meishuu alone on the porch as they walked toward the bedrooms. After a moment of silence, Kaoru decided to satisfy her curiosity.

"…Keikoku-san?"

"Yes, Kaoru-san?"

"Forgive me, but why does Meishuu act so disobedient?"

Keikoku smiled slightly. "Because she's her father's daughter." Kaoru didn't quite understand, but remained silent. "I also indulged her too much. I let her uncle teach her Hiten Misurugi Ryu…"

"I was wondering about that… How did her uncle know Hiten Misurugi Ryu? I thought only one person could inherit it?"

"That is true, only one person can, but my father had many students. I believe he was trying to find the right person to inherit the school… His first student didn't have the stamina for it, and died. His second turned out to be a Christian and fled the country. Then he had Akira, Ieyasu, and my brother, Hyouden. He taught all three at once, trying to find which had the most potential to inherit the succession technique."

"I see… but what about you and your brother? Kenshin told me that successors of Hiten Misurugi Ryu don't take wives because of the succession technique… That most Masters of Hiten Misurugi Ryu die young and find it best not to leave wives and children behind…?"

"My father broke the tradition. During his years as a Rurouni, he met a woman, my mother, and fell in love. He told her before-hand what would happen when he passed on the succession technique, and knowing this, she married him anyway. They were married for ten years when my mother died of consumption. After that, my father drilled into Ieyasu and Akira's heads that they should not get married, ever… I'm sorry, I'm just dropping this all on you…" Keikoku said, a little embarrassed.

"No, it's quite alright. I did ask, after all," Kaoru replied. "Here is your room by the way."

"Arigato gozaimasu."

"Doitashimashite," Kaoru replied, bowing.

***

Hiko stared up at the night sky and sighed. The journey was going a bit faster than he would have liked. They would be in Tokyo tomorrow night. He glanced over at the unconscious girl. Misao had fallen asleep as soon as the moon had risen, not that Hiko minded. Misao was fun to tease, but he liked having the quiet night to himself. He reached into his cloak and pulled Kenshin's letter out again. The paper was already wearing down and fraying, with all the times Hiko had folded and unfolded it within the past two days.

"Hashimoto Meishuu, granddaughter of Nagoyaka Takaburu…" he whispered to himself as he glanced over the letter again. He leaned back against a tree that was behind him, and sighed again. His head was starting to hurt. It had been doing that a lot lately, since he taught Kenshin the succession technique. Hiko would never mention it, but he was worried, that even though the Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki hadn't killed him, that it had damaged his lungs. It wouldn't surprise him at all if someone were to tell him that his headaches were due to lack of oxygen to the brain. He leaned forward and stirred the fire casually. As he leaned back he closed his eyes and frowned, the headache was really bad this time. He decided that it wouldn't hurt to sleep for a little while, to give his head a rest.

"You, boy? What is your name?"

"…Hashimoto Ieyasu…"

"Son of Hashimoto Akito?"

"Hai."

"What are you doing here?"

"This family owns me."

"Owns…? Are you a servant?"

"No, sir… I'm a slave…"

***

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Keikoku-dono," Kenshin said cheerfully. Keikoku smiled back and sat down on the porch, watching Kenshin do the laundry.

"Ohayo, Himura-san," she replied. "Do you know where my daughter is?"

"She's in the dojo, practising with Kaoru-dono and Yahiko," Kenshin replied. Keikoku looked a bit surprised.

"Kaoru?"

"Yes, she's a master of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Kaoru-dono is the headmistress of this dojo…"

"I see. I had no idea," Keikoku answered, smiling. The gate out into the street opened, causing Kenshin to look up sharply. Sano walked in and waved at Kenshin.

"Yo! Kenshin? Have you seen Megumi?" Keikoku noticed that Kenshin looked disappointed as he spoke to Sano.

"Yes, she's here. She checked Meishuu-dono's wounds this morning and made breakfast for us."

"I missed breakfast!?"

"Yes, you did."

"Dammit… Oh… err… Excuse me," Sano muttered, glancing at Keikoku. "I guess I'll go peek in the kitchen and see if she left me anything," Sano decided, and walked dejectedly toward the dojo.

"Why did you look so disappointed?" Keikoku asked suddenly. Kenshin glanced up at her, surprised.

"What do you mean?"

"You seemed disappointed when Sagara-san came in."

"Oh… I'm expecting a letter from Kyoto, and I was a little disappointed that Sano didn't have it."

"I see."

"You're going to tell Meishuu a story tonight about her father, correct?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Might the rest of us hear it too? I must say I'm rather interested."

"Of course. This story involves you a bit as well."

"Arigato."

***

"Otousan! No!"

"Look what you did!"

"I…"

"…My… deshi…"

"Shishou!"

Misao watched the larger man in the early morning light. He didn't seem to be sleeping well.

"Don't worry… I had to… kill my master… as well…"

"No… Shishou!"

"Otousan! Otousan!!!!"

She had woken up a few hours ago, and had scrounged around for some food and firewood, waiting for Hiko to wake up. Now he seemed to be having a nightmare.

"I hate you."

Misao had just decided to wake him up when he opened his eyes and breathed in sharply.

"Ohayo," she said, watching him closely. "Are you alright?"

"…I'm fine," he replied. "My head just hurts."

"Well, we should be in Tokyo this evening, if that helps."

"Yeah…" Hiko stood up slowly and began to gather things. "Let's get going…"

Misao helped him and watched him move around. She wasn't sure if it was just the fact that he had only woken up a few moments ago, but he seemed a bit pale to her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Misao ventured once more.

"Yes," he snapped, causing Misao to jump back a little. "Let's go."