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I'M BAAACK!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

Now we're ready!!! Take that, evil algebra!!!
YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Screw the disclaimer. I'm not getting paid and I'm in a good mood today.
WAI!

Please review. I really need it about now. You know what it's like, ne Authors? Feed the fanfiction monster and review. Please?

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Chapter Six

"No, no, bend your leg more. No, not your left leg, your right leg! And don't turn that way. If you don't look to see where you're cutting you'll miss and get your head chopped off. One hundred strokes," the fiery-haired boy said bluntly before turning to the next man.

And exploding.

"No, no, NO! Look at your back. You need to make a line just over a thirty-five degree angle to avoid the cut, not step directly into its path!! Again!"

Training was not going well.

Half the men didn't know a sword from a bow and were swinging their bokken like baseball bats. Broken wrists, straight legs and countless other horrible positions abounded, and Himura was reaching the end of the line that connected him with his sanity.

A very exasperated Kenshin stood with his hands on his temples, watching as his students tried again and again to get their training exercises right. Finally he turned away in despair...to see Kuroi, diligently working on his dodging techniques, Tasabaki-ni.

Himura cocked his head to the side as the older man's feet slid smoothly across the practice floor, from one position to the next. After a few minutes he stopped and picked up his bokuto, preparing to start ichi-mon-ji, when he noticed his sensei watching him. Sheepishly he put a hand behind his head.

"Oh, hello Sensei. I, uh, still need to work on my turns and pivots. My footwork isn't all that smooth. And oh, I did work on that form you taught me the other day, but that's still not good enough either. Gomen."

"You belittle yourself. I think you've got more potential than anyone else here," Himura remarked. "Well, except maybe your friend. Your fluidness is coming along quite nicely. It's not perfect, but you're getting there. I can see you know where you want to go."

"Really? Arigatou gozaimas', Himura Sensei. Your opinion really matters to me."

The manslayer smiled. "I can tell. You checked in on me every day after the...incident with Shishou. I should be thanking you for your concern. Everyone else just treats me like I'm..." He stopped. The boy's eyes were distant.

Kuroi put a hand on Himura's shoulder, trying to catch his gaze. "You're worried."

"...He left me a note. He told me he would be back the next morning."

"And it's been a month."

Himura sighed. "I may have hurt him more than he thought. I just keep seeing his face at the moment I..." The boy's voice faltered. He couldn't bring himself to say it, he was so ashamed.

Kenshin had hurt his master, his mentor. And not just in body, but in spirit. Hiko had yelled at him not about the men, but of his own loss. He had realized what the man had been referring to just after the swordsman had disappeared into the wind. His master missed him, but like his baka-deshi his stubborn pride wouldn't let him admit it, even after all this time. And now, he might even be--

"Uh, Himura-san?"

He looked up startled into the face of Kuroi.

"Would...would you like to give the men a break? I want to talk with you for a moment."

Himura nodded, then stood tall and whistled for the men to stop. The sound of heavy breathing overtook the courtyard, followed by the clatter of bokken being dropped onto the stone floor.

"Listen up!" Himura barked. "Everyone get cleaned up and get something to eat. I'll see you all back here in two hours, no training equipment." He gave a wry grin. "Don't worry. I've seen some hard work, so I'll ease up for today. Dismissed."

A chorus of grateful thank yous sprang from that statement.

Kuroi looked at his Sensei in a questioning manner. The boy met his gaze steadily.

"I've decided to show them all what true technique is like," he said solemnly. "I'll do all of my Hiiten Mitsurugi. One time. You people deserve to see the real idea behind all this, not just mindless training...

"Now," sighed the manslayer, sitting on a stone, "what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Um," Kuroi stammered, taking an awkward seat beside the boy, "I, ah...I need to ask you...something..." Himura watched the man sideways as he moved uncomfortably. "I um...heard your conversation. About the last battle front."

"I know," Himura said unflinchingly.

"Oh. Well, I ah...just wanted to ask......why?" Kuroi swallowed his fear. "Why did you kill those men?"

The manslayer was watching a section of the mat floor as though it were a masterpiece.

"...No man...deserves to die..." he began.

The hitokiri seemed to be talking to no one at all. "I thought it was going to be just another nameless battle to haunt me in my old age...Then the men began attacking. They slaughtered all of the Shogunate men with no problems. Until the Shinsengumi came." He paused momentarily. "I took care of them, protected the men, at my own expense...The battle was won. I watched as they cheered and shouted at their own might. Their own victory..."

His eyes glowed slightly. "Victory...Lives were taken. And yet they called it a victory..." Himura lifted his head to meet his pupil's gaze. "I looked into the eyes of those men. And I saw that they were becoming consumed by blood. They had so been twisted by their years in war that they were actually enjoying...I just couldn't let it happen. I knew what had become of those men, it had happened before. They would keep hunting down the innocent after this was done. They wouldn't let it pass as you probably would."

Himura took a deep breath. "I wish I could say I was trying to help others by killing them. But I can't. When I slaughtered those men, it wasn't for the people. It was so I could rid myself of what I had done to the people. I don't want anyone else to have to suffer the fate that awaits me after this is done. But at the same time I just want it to end. If only for the people..."

Kuroi looked on in wonder as the boy finished. Everything had seemed so straight cut for him before.

I guess you really can't judge by appearance.

Finally the manslayer rose and turned to face Kuroi. He smiled. "Well, I hope I have answered your question. Katsura-san and I have already discussed that little matter. It was deemed appropriate. Well, I'd better get the weapons ready." The hitokiri turned toward the field, then looked back at Kuroi. "You should get something to eat. Are you hungry?"

The man grinned. "Hai. Would you eat with me?"

Himura stared, then gave him a broad smile. "Certainly."

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"I-irasshaimase..."

"Two green teas with rice and salmon please. We'll be at the back."

Heads turned and comments began as the kenjitsu sensei entered the mess hall flanked by his student. The others gave him greetings and thanks for the break, returning to their own conversations as soon as they were able.

A table filled to the brim with students was busily and noisily eating their fill, and Kuroi approached the rambunctious men with a wave.

"Oi, Tarou!"

The younger man looked up from his sake, brightening at the sight of his companion. "Kuro-san! Oi, over here! There's a few extra seats...Oh! Himura-sensei. Gomen, didn't see you! Come, join us."

The conversation and shouts around them went down a few good notches.

The soldiers watched as their sensei took his place next to Kuroi at the table. His sword was propped at his shoulder, ready for use, and his arms folded into the sleeves of his gi as he examined each man.

Kuroi tried to get the festivities going once again. "Jaa, what happened in the sumo match last Thursday? I heard the leading champion of Hokkaido was almost beaten by Kyushuu's yokozuna."

"Ah, yes, my cousin witnessed that match. It was said to be quite an amazing fight..."

"Himura-san, have you ever been to a sumo match?"

The boy turned his head in the direction of the one who'd spoken. "No. I've never seen one before, only heard of it. Is it interesting?"

"Yes! I was intrigued the first time I even heard of one, been keeping up with it ever since."

"Did you ever have a hobby, or a sport you liked to see?"

"Perhaps a theatre you were interested in? A play?"

"Well...no, actually. I was raised in the mountains, by Shishou. We rarely went into town, so I never really got to watch any kind of festival or play. I have...well, I have wondered what it's like, though," he said embarrassedly.

Questions began erupting like bombs.

"What did you eat?"

"How old were you when you first started fighting?"

"Is that man from last month your father?"

"Did you ever have a girlfriend?"

The boy's eyes were wide. He looked at Kuroi.

"Umm...well I, uh..." he swallowed, "...I was married once."

"HUUNH?!?"

"WHAT?!"

"At your age? Wow!"

"I thought so. There had to be some kind of woman in your life, ne? Ha ha hah!"

"Who'da thought? Say, did you two ever--"

"Ooooooookay, I think that's enough questions," Himura said, going completely red.

The men rocked with loud laughter and shouts at the embarrassed look on their teacher's face.

"Oh come on," Tarou laughed. "Did you?"

"Yeah, come on. Pleeeees?"

"Tell us!"

The boy sighed, blushing furiously. If you can't beat 'em...

"Well...yes."

It sounded like someone had just announced the death of the Shogunate and the free distribution of sake throughout Japan forever-and-ever-amen.

The soldiers looked as though their sides were going to burst.

"BwahahahahaHAAAAAH!!! You are a funny one!"

"Heck, don't be embarrassed, it's a fact of life!! And hey, we've got to get you to some town affairs. This could be fun!!!"

The red-headed boy raised an eyebrow in despair as the men howled with laughter. Yeah, about as fun as a kick in the--

"Hey!! You know what, there is a festival tomorrow. Let's take him! Don't we have a day's leave tomorrow?"

"Yeah, you're right!! Himura-sensei, will you come?"

"Please? It'll be great! I'll ask Yamagata-san," one man said pleadingly, making puppydog eyes.

"Yes, Himura-san. Shall we? You said you wondered what it would be like..."

The manslayer looked up at Kuroi helplessly. He nodded at him, trying to keep a straight face.

With a sigh, Himura gave in. "Alright, alright. I'll go."

Cheering and yells merged like melted candy in his ears as he was offered a mon of sake, which he abruptly refused before having five different hands slap him on the back. Himura grimaced as the men offered him encouragement about the next day.

"Oh come on, sensei, you'll have a great time!!"

"Yeah, I heard this was the biggest festival in town! It'll be amazing, especially if you've never been to one."

"Cheer up sensei, this could be fun!!"

Yeah, it COULD be fun. If I don't die from the stress first...
Himura winced as someone else fell over from sake consumption.
Or the embarrassment.

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Four hours later the sun was high in the sky and men began emerging from the eatery. Himura was having a hard time keeping them upright, so he decided he'd cancel his demonstration until their next practice.

Or when they were sober.

Kuroi was watching from the doorway as several men leaned on each other's shoulders, singing and shouting loudly. A few of them slapped Himura on the back as he left, making him stagger and nearly trip down the stairs. The boy gave a pained smile, then shook his head, disappearing down the stairwell.

Kenshin's head was spinning, and he hadn't even touched any alcohol. The chatter of the soldiers, food, drink, dancing, sumo, festivals and follies, plays and music, were all whirling 'round in his brain. The manslayer shook his head violently to clear it. He would have to work them extra hard to maintain his title as sensei. Now they would think of him as just one of their "little buddies".

Well, he'd soon fix that.

A small smile played wickedly about his lips as he devised all sorts of training exercises to wear them out. Kata, strokes, dodges... Men panting and sweating, tripping over themselves in exhaustion, soldiers working night and day until they'd never even want to look at a sword again...

Ha ha haah.

"Hmf. Glad to see you smiling."

Himura jumped, head snapping in the direction of the low, gravelly voice coming from the trees.

On the highest branch sat Hiko, smirking evilly. His cloak was set to one side as he sat in the sun, sake jug in hand, and he was clad in the usual short-sleeved blue tunic, his hair down on his shoulders, making him look quite uncharacteristic. But something about him besides his hair looked...different.

Kenshin stared at him uncertainly. "...Master? Are you--"

"Am I okay? No."

Pain stabbed at Kenshin's breast. "Master, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking--" he began.

"No, no, NO. That's not it," Hiko said angrily. He leapt down the length of the tree, grabbing his cape as he went. The Hiiten Mitsurugi master towered over his student, a look of extreme displeasure etched on his handsome features. "It's not that at all," he said irritably.

"It's not that?" the boy repeated, confused. "Then what--?"

"I hear you were married."

Kenshin froze up in shock. Hiko's voice was almost sardonic. He shook his head. What the heck was he getting at now? It wasn't like Hiko to be so...so...agitated. Or so personal.
And just when Kenshin was starting to wonder if he was ill, Hiko did something totally unlike himself.

Hiko Seijuro put his hands behind his back and began scuffing his feet on the floor. He looked almost shy, like he was a little boy who'd just been caught doing something naughty. Kenshin watched dazedly as his master fidgeted childishly in front of him. Hiko had a question on the tip of his tongue, the boy could almost see it. But if it wasn't about the accident, then what was he going to say? And what did it have to do with Tomoe?

Kenshin forced himself to move. If he didn't act quickly he'd never get it out of him. He walked toward Hiko and tentatively reached a hand toward his master. "Shishou?" he coaxed. "What's wrong? Please."

Hiko sighed. "How?"

Kenshin blinked. "How what?"

"How did you get rid of her when you wanted some free time?"

"What?"

The boy looked as though someone had told him Saitoh Hajime wore pink underwear.

"Shishou, you--you aren't--?"

Hiko looked more than a little peeved. "About four months ago I got into a fight with a warrior trespassing on my mountain. I found out rather quickly and rather...unpolitely that it was a woman. She insisted that she stay at my house to heal, and I felt a little responsible. So I let her stay and she...sort of grew on me." Hiko looked at the floor. "But now I can't get rid of her! She's making my life miserable. If I stay away too long she tracks me down and makes sure I'm not 'getting into trouble'." The swordsman sighed brokenly.

Slowly he sat down on a log, hands dropped in his lap. "I heard you were married once and figured maybe you could help me out."

Kenshin was going into shock. He couldn't remember when his eyes had bugged out this much. They were the size of dinner plates.

The boy struggled to regain his power of speech, but things were getting just too weird. "Umm--Shishou--you---Let me get this straight--You got married?"
"Well......" The Hiiten Mitsurugi master sighed defeatedly. "Yes." He cocked an eyebrow. "There, happy?"

"Uh--I uh--" With that Hiko's baka-deshi passed out in a heap on the floor.
Hiko snorted, then bent to pick up the pile of boy at his feet.

"Baka."

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Sorry about the wait. The laptop broke for a week.

Now then, sorry out there all you Hiko fangirls. None of this fic ever really happened, I just made it up. The only thing that's not made up are the techniques Himura was correcting and the ones Kuroi was practicing.

I just started Shinkendo lessons about a month ago. My violin teacher says it's really helping my position. So hey, if you're really into that whole thing, (hey, I'm in no way athletic and I love it), and need help with your position, go find a dojo somewhere, ne?

And hey, Unseen Watcher-sama, thanks for the credit in Ties of Loyalty. Can't wait for the next chapter!! Thanks for posting more!! You're on my favorite authors list along with Calger-sama! Now will you post more on Something in Common, onegai?

Everyone, Calger459 and Unseen Watcher write the best stuff imaginable. Go check them out! NOW!! What are you waiting for???

VERRRRRRRY SORRY about the mix-up, MISS Unseen Watcher-sama!
GOMEN NASAI YOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! (Cries)

Whoo. I need to lay off the sugar. Or the Haichuu. Either one.

Hope to see you soon! And please review, I'm begging. It would really make me happy, ne guys? (starry-eyed tears)