I was not going to let it get to me. I absolutely was not. It wasn't as if he was an expert on how to worm his way into me... I take that back, he was. *If only he could mind his own business. Perhaps if he would ever take the time to die, my life would be that much happier.* Well, he didn't, and that was it.

  I could clearly recall the conversation. I wished I couldn't, but some things just creep up when you don't want to remember; like my stupid pupil. "Long time no see, Seijuro-chan." His voice made me roll me eyes. "What is it?" I had asked. "Run out of money again and need me to bail you out? I'll tell you now that I won't stand for it." "No, no. I was just recalling in my little home that, Hiten Mitsuguri Ryuu only allowed one student per master. Have you ever gotten around to teaching a student?" "Why would you want to know?" I had replied briskly, wishing he'd give up and go home." "Well, I have. I bet you couldn't finish teaching a student. You're too uncompassionate, too serious, too strict with rules." I could just see his beady eyes twinkling. Like I cared. So what if my stupid pupil had failed? Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu was something to be taken very seriously. Not like his pansy technique. "Well, if you ever live to complete a student, I wouldn't mind pitching him in a fight with my student. See you latter Seijuro-chan."

 

 

My blood was boiling just thinking of the bastard. I shook my head, "I need something to calm my spirit down. Sake should do the trick."  I unslung the jar of sake that hung at my side. I took deep, refreshing gulps as I continued to my home.

 

 

When I arrived I dropped straight to the floor. What was I going to do? I crossed my legs and brooded. Gei'shou would be back, and with more taunts for his younger brother. D***, I hated his guts. My fingers lock around the neck of my sake jar. I was going to prove to him, somehow, that I could be two-times better than he thought I was. I was already light years ahead of the jerk.

 

 

*D***, am I really going to let him come back? Am I that desperate?* Growling I stood, my weighted robe swishing about me, and I paced. True, I had no other violent-free method to release my anger. "Himura..." I spat the name as if it were a curse. "Himura... Kenshin..." I almost choked that time.

 

 

Was I really going to let the dishonorable junk back to my mountain? He had come before, when he needed my help, but I had not given him permission to step one dirty step onto my land. Crap, I hated my life.

 

 

I rummaged through a mess of papers till I found a clean scroll. Brush in hand, I scrolled out a quick, but forceful, note. *He had better come back now that I send for him. If not, he is even bloodier than I thought before!* I tossed the scroll, catching it easily. "Now only for the proper messenger... Ah! I know..." I smiled. The woman would do anything for me. This was one time I appreciated her unrequited love. Other times.... no.

 

 

 

*     *     *     *     *     *

  She had taken the bait, but not without a catch. I should have known there was going to be a catch. She had been after me since I had followed the wish of my stupid pupil, and the dolt hadn't even given my proper directions. If I hadn't saved them from Fuji and the twisted old man, then she would be gone. But that would have meant sacrificing the young boy. What was his name.... Myojin Yahiko. He would have made the perfect student; I could see it in his eyes and his body posture. "Hmmm, it is never too late, or too soon, to break a tradition. I should have thought of that before I sent my message."

 

 

Thinking of the young soon-to-be sword master, I had to conjure up a memory of my stupid pupil's woman- Kamiya Kaoru. She had placed so much faith in that pitiful reject. That must mean there was something good about him.... In fact, I knew there was plenty. But how could I even remember them after he had gone against the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu way of protection to kill? *My life is so stressing... If only I had been Hiko Seijuro the sixth, or the seventh, anyone but me...*

 

 

And was I in for it now. Gei'shou was back to tempt me and now I had given someone a kiss I had never wanted to get that close to. Not that she was awful... She just wasn't my type. Besides, I had to concentrate on Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu; I had to concentrate on protection of the people, not to rot in a cell of love. And again... I hated my life.

 

I pondered if my pupil would return. He knew I did not like what he had done. He knew I did not want to be with such a disgrace. But... *Aak! I am driving myself mad. I had better just wait and see if he shows his scrawny form on my mountain or not. And I hope he doesn't bring that "Aku Soku Zan" spitter of the Shinsen-gumi with him.*

 

That night proved to be the most thought-filled night I had lived in years.

 

*     *     *     *     *

 

Just two days latter the heat came. It rolled in, unexpected and unwanted. Yes, warmth would have been nice, but the rays of the sun defeated the people of Kyoto. I was even tempted to toss my weighted cloak to the ground. I even had the thought of a swim dash through my head once or twice. I refrained from doing so, and continued my wait for the stupid ghost pupil I was already seeing in my head.

 

"Nee, Master, why are you so strict?" the little boy had questioned me one night as we sat down to dinner. "Watch your mouth. You must learn that Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu is not a technique to be played with. You should take it more seriously!" I guzzled down sake to wet my throat. "Demo..." I wasn't about to let him continue with any more of this talk. "Shut your mouth! Every master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu has only taught one student. You must learn to behave and take this like the honor it is." I said no more as my stupid pupil's eyes teared. "Oh? You're gonna go and cry now? See how good crying helps the person you try to protect!" With that he had ran from the house to blubber at the foot of three graves. I admit I felt bad, but I couldn't bring myself to apologize to him.

 

"Master..."

 

My head snapped up. This time I had not merely imagined the voice. Standing in the trees was the one person I had been keeping away from me for so long. "Master, I came as you requested. What is it?" His red hair waved in the breeze, the cross scars on his cheeks burning further into my mind.

 

Himura... Kenshin....