Chapter 10

Hito mentally scolded himself for driving Shia away. Even though she was annoying, she was company...she was his friend. No. She used to be his friend. They had both changed and moved apart. Even so, he was alone once a gain.

He started thinking about his parents, never realizing how much he had missed them until then. 'Mom, dad, Shia...I saw them all in the dream. Shia in real life. I can't let this get to me. I can't let it ruin me.' Hito though, worrying that seeing people from his past might make him change back. Well what would be so wrong about changing back? What would be so bad about becoming a decent person?

"Aie. Stop it." He commanded himself. 'I'm only thinking about this because I saw them. It'll pass.'

"Hito!" A voice sounded. It was a boy. Hito turned around to see Osan running up to him. "I told you I'd see you again! You thought you got rid of me, didn't you?"

"Well, actually I kind of forgot about you."

"...Hahaha, you're kidding, right? No one can forget me!" Osan said proudly. Hito rolled his eyes and turned back around, continuing down the street. "Ignoring people is rude, y'know." "I don't care."

"Well then. Back to business! Hito, I demand that you train me!"

"Again with this?" Hito groaned and turned to face Osan again. "How many times do I have to tell you, I'm—"

"'Not going to train you', I know, I know. But please! You owe it to me." Osan begged. In a way, he was right. Hito had killed his father and brother. Shia had been right as well. Osan would follow in Hito's footsteps. They both had no family. Osan wanted to learn the Shousa Kyohen Ryuu. He would soon turn into Hito without even knowing it. Hito stared at the sky for a moment in thought, then looked back town to the boy.

"I can't."

"Why not? Of course you can!"

"I can...but I won't. I won't let you turn out like me. You may think I just don't like you, and in a way that's true...but I'm also protecting you. I rarely do that, so consider yourself lucky."

"I already told you that I'm not gonna become an assassin! I can control myself!" Osan shouted. Hito looked at him, thinking. He grinned a bit and tossed one of his swords over to Osan. Frantically, Osan caught it. "You mean...you'll train me?"

"Hmm...we'll see." Hito unsheathed his other sword and slid one foot back, leaning forward a bit. "Prepare yourself, Osan." Osan bit his lip and got into a strange looking fighting position. Mentally laughing at him, Hito kept a straight face. "If you hit me even once, I'll train you." Hito was using this as a way to observe Osan's style of fighting so he'd know how to work with it if he ended up training the boy. Though he didn't actually plan on having to train him.

"Got it." Shakily, Osan lifted the heavy sword over his shoulder. Sweat trickled down his forehead. This was it. If he hit Hito, he would train him. This was his chance. "I can do it...I can." He whispered to himself. The encouragement gave him the courage to charge. Doing so, he hurled the blade of the sword down, using its weight to his advantage. Hito quickly raised his sword up to block the attack. Osan reached out with one hand to try to punch Hito, but Hito's strength threw Osan's sword back, hitting him in the face. Flinching, Osan dropped his sword and reached his hands to his face, covering his bleeding nose. Eyes watering, Osan didn't notice the sword coming at him until it stopped an inch from his cheek.

"You'd be dead right now." Hito informed, sheathing his sword. He kneeled to grab the dropped sword.

"Don't—"Osan snapped. "I'm...not finished." He let his hands fall from his face and reached out to grab the sword. Blood dripped from his nose and fell to the ground. Osan rubbed his eyes to clear the water away, and grabbed the sword. Standing up straight, he raised the sword in front of him and glared at Hito.

"You can't hit me." Hito smirked tauntingly and stood in place. He didn't even move into a fighting position. He just stood lazily, awaiting Osan's attack. Osan glared harder and let out a yell as he ran at Hito, swinging horizontally this time. Hito twisted his wrists and bent his arms to block it. Reclaiming his sword, Osan stepped back and thrust forward. Jumping back, Hito was able to dodge it, but only barely. Not even thinking, Hito drove his blade forward at Osan. It was a reflex. He didn't mean to attack. Eyes widening, Osan flung his sword in front of himself, panicking. He managed to break the sword's course, but it still cut into his arm.

"Ahh..." Osan squinted his eyes hard and grabbed his arm with one of his hands, not dropping the sword this time. He fell to his knees and ducked his head, chin touching his chest. Hito didn't mean to hurt him, though he didn't show his sympathy on his face.

"Stand up, boy."

"I..." Osan bit his lip hard and tightened his hold on his arm. "I can't..." Hito stepped forward and grabbed the boy's uninjured arm and lifted him.

"You've got to be tougher than this."

"And if you train me, I will be!" Osan shouted.

"Well you didn't hit me. So it looks like—"Hito was interrupted by a pain in his stomach. Osan had used his hurt arm to sock Hito in the abdomen. They both winced.

"I got you. Train me."

"But...well, you didn't hit me with the sword."

"This is crap!" Osan snapped. "You just won't train me! I bet you planned not to train me even if I did hit you with the stinkin' sword! Typical...Hito, you're a liar."

"Listen, boy!" Hito was suddenly insulted. He was used to being the bad guy, but somehow, there was something different about this. "The rules were that—"

"If I hit you, you'd train me." Osan interrupted again. "And I just hit you."

"You caught me off guard."

"What does that have to do with anything?! You're training me! I hit you!"

"Fine! Well where am I supposed to train you, huh? It's not like I have a house or anything."

"Just give me a sword and let me follow you. That's good enough. We don't need a house or a dojo. I just need you to be my teacher."

"Whatever, fine." Hito turned to walk away. "I won't stop you from following me. Keep the sword I gave you. It's a reverse blade." Osan smiled and followed behind him. 'I can't believe I'm doing this...' Hito thought, groaning.

"Does this mean I get to come along and help out with your assassinations?"

"No!" Hito snapped. "You will stay behind and wait for me when I have assignments. And I wouldn't mind if you decided not to wait and just...left or something."

"I'll wait." Osan said. Hito sighed. Of course he wouldn't wait. He would follow Hito even though he told him not to because the boy was undisciplined and stubborn. "Alright then. First lesson. Before I train you, you must be an obedient and attentive student."

"I will be." Osan nodded.

"The lesson isn't you telling me you will." Hito reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He then took out a pen and sat down, using the ground as a hard surface to write. "Wait there and don't move until I finish." He commanded. Osan stood still, waiting for Hito to finish his letter. He seemed to have some trouble writing his letter to Shihan.

Dear Shihan,

I know you've disowned me and probably want nothing to do with me, but I must inform you that I've picked up a student. His name is Osan and he is the one who has delivered this message to you. I will train him as you trained me. Possibly harder. Don't blame me if he becomes an assassin, for I warned him many times about that. But he beat me in a test, so I agreed to train him. I just wanted to tell you this. Please give something to Osan for him to return to me. I don't care if it even says anything. Just give him something to bring back.

Your ex-pupil,
Hito Himura

Finishing his letter, Hito handed the paper to Osan. "I don't have his address, but you will deliver this to Shihan. Look for a hill with a small house on top. There's a small garden next to the house. Once you've given him the letter, come directly back to me."

"Got it." Osan nodded, excited to have his first assignment. He had no idea how hard it would be to find the unknown address. Setting off, he took his first steps as an official student of the Shousa Kyohen ryuu. Walking with his new sword at his waist made him feel important, like an official of some sort. In his excitement, he picked up the pace and sped down the path through the city. Running as fast as he could, nothing would catch his attention but the road that stretched out longer than he could see. As he gained on the bright morning horizon, his thoughts fled through his mind. Once he got there and back to Hito, Hito would be so proud and proudly accept him as his student. He didn't once think about how to find the house or how to find Hito once he got back. His feet trailed the long path, his eyes set on the road ahead of him.

Hito watched the boy run off into the distance. He raised his hand to his forehead and turned around. 'I could be waiting for him to return for who knows long...' He sighed, starting to walk in the opposite direction. 'Well, why do I have to wait for him anyway? I don't . I can still go about my business, there's nothing wrong with that." Hito quickened his pace. 'I don't owe him anything...even if I killed his family, that's his problem, not mine. I was a fool to even agree to train him...Maybe Shihan will take him up. Hopefully he'll take him off my hands.'

Osan continued down the street, barely noticing that he was getting lost. He had made turns that he shouldn't have made, and gone straight at places he should've turned. Though he had no idea where he was, she continued his quest with pride and confidence.

He came to an alley and decided to turn. He had no reason to turn into the alley, but it exited to another road, and he had no idea where he was going anyway, so an extra losing turn wouldn't do much. The walls surrounding him cast a dark shadow on the path through. He could see nothing but the road at the other side, lit by the sun. He gained on it, but a sudden fear struck him. Something about the darkness made him think...what if he didn't make it out? Quickening his pace, he found that the end was coming closer. He hopped, then started running, the fear in him growing. Making it to the end, he reached his hand out into the light. He had made it.

"Lost?" A deep voice inquired. Osan stood up straight in fright. A cold hand rested on his shoulder, sending shivers up his spine. Hurriedly, he spun around to see who it was. The hand removed itself, and no one stood behind him. Biting his lip, Osan turned back around to take a step into the light. "I can help."

"Who are y—"Osan yelped, but his mouth was covered by a second hand. He was then swept off of his feet and brought into strong arms. The ground grew farther away and he was now being carried on a roof. He bit the hand over his mouth, but there was no reaction on the other side, forcing him to remain silent through the trip.

"We'll be there quite soon." The man informed. But where? Was this man helping him or kidnapping him? Osan shook his head and struggled to get free. His captor just tightened his grip around him and took longer, quicker strides over the roof tops. After many houses were passed, he saw a hill. Atop the hill was a small house with a garden beside it. The man dropped from the roof and carried the boy to the hut, setting him down at the door. Osan turned around to try and catch the man's image, but he had already fled. Shrugging, he knocked on the door.

"Come in, come in." A voice bellowed. Osan slid open the door and peaked his head inside. "I've been expecting you, Osan."

"Expecting...? How?" He asked Shihan.

"My spies." Shihan chuckled. "It appears Hito has adopted you as his pupil. Quite surprising." He reaches his hand out to Osan, expecting something. Confusion truck Osan face for a second, but then he remembered. He outstretched his hand and handed Shihan the not. Taking it, he read it, then just as quickly, crumpled it up and threw it aside. "That boy may end up killing you if you allow him to be your master."

"I'll face the training! I'll become stronger under his guidance."

"Hito is hardly responsible enough to even take care of himself. How will he manage his own student?"

"I will only follow him...he doesn't have to do anything special. Just let me watch and learn from him." Osan tried to sound mature and confident. Shihan smiled and laughed a little.

"If you learn by watching, you'll learn to kill just like him."

"No!" Osan snapped. "I will not become an assassin like Hito! I will use my skill to protect others. No killing."

"Sure you won't...you know, you're just like he was when he was smaller. So determined to bring justice to Japan, yet so childish in planning to do so. How will you protect other without killing those who oppose them? Are you going to reason with them?" Shihan snorted at the thought. "You'd be dead in seconds trying that one."

"Well...I don't have to kill them. I can warn them, then fight them."

"The honorable ones fight until death. They won't run after being frightened."

"I'll find a way, okay?!" Osan snapped.

"Oh, you will, will you? Hito had the same stubbornness and look where he is now."

"Stop it! I'm different from Hito!"

"Not as much as you think. Both of your families were murdered. Hito wanted justice as a kid, but planned to do so by becoming stronger and using his skills to enforce it. Hmm...but the reason he became an assassin..." Shihan looked Osan in the eye and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Do you have someone special to you?"

"I have no one." Osan shook his head, almost in pain.

"Then maybe...you may make it." Shihan reached back and took the sword that he had earlier taken from Hito. He extended his arm and handed it to Osan. "Give this to Hito when you find him. If he doesn't accept you as his student after he receives it, tell him I want to see him."

"Yes, sir. Thank you." He bowed as he took the blade, then turned to leave.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvv

Anyone would suspect the walk back to be much easier than the walk there. Only the opposite was true. He hadn't any clue where he was going on the way, and didn't keep the slightest track of which turns he made. And being carried much of the distance also added to the difficulty of finding his way. It'd be best to take it one step at a time. So Osan tried finding the alley at which the spy had picked him up. This was not an easy task either. He took turns in wrong directions, taking him farther and farther away from the alley. The boy had almost no sense of direction or photographic memory.

After much wandering and wondering, Osan reached an alley. Not the particular alley he was looking for, but every alley looked the same, so it worked for him. "Finally!" He shouted, exhausted from the search.

"Hey, kid!" A voice shouted. It was male, but not as low pitch as the spy from the last time. Osan looked down the alley to see who it was who called him. "Yeah, you! What are you doing here?" A young man emerged from the depths of the alley and approached Osan.

"I'm just passing by."

"Well pass by somewhere else!" Another male seemed to materialize from the darkness. Becoming frightened, Osan backed up a step. "Move it, kid!"

"I...uh, okay." He continued to back away from them, but ended up running into another boy behind him. Arms folded around him and held him in place. The other two snickered and walked closer to him.

"You didn't think we'd just let you walk away, did you?"

"Actually..."

"Shut up." The taller of the boys socked Osan in the face. All three of them grinned and chuckled. "This is our alley. No one enters and gets away unharmed."

"No one gets out alive, you mean." The second boy corrected.

"Right." The first one grinned wide and shoved his fist into Osan's stomach. Osan winced and gasped for air, but wasn't able to move because of the grip around him.

"Let me...go!" He pleaded. The boys shook their heads. They looked to be around 16 or so. The third, who was grabbing Osan, squeezed harder, crushing him in his arms. "S-stop it!" He cried out in pain. The blood that had recently been flowing from his nose started up again. He was then thrown to the ground and the real beating began. He could do nothing to stop it. What had he done so wrong? He walked into an alley, and they were beating him for it? If only he had the training. The skill. Then he could show them who was boss. But he had none, and even struggling would probably make them attack harder. So he laid on the ground as the punches and kicks struck him, trying to act tough. But he was on the verge of breaking. Biting his lip would only cause him more pain, but he did so anyway. He couldn't cry. No, that wouldn't do anything. But the pain...it hurt so bad. Just the three boys were worse than the whole gang who used to pick on him before. Osan kept his eyes shut, afraid to see the cunning faces of the men trying to break him. He didn't want to see his bruises or know where he was bleeding. Maybe if he just kept his eyes shut long enough, they would just go away. Disappear like a dream. But the fighting continued and the pain kept getting worse. There was no stopping them. How far would they go? Would they kick him and hit him until he was dead? And he couldn't do anything...he couldn't even struggle against them.

Suddenly, a shriek was heard from one of the boys. The beating lightened up, and soon stopped. He heard yells of pain, rather than amusement. Opening his eyes, he saw the cause. One of the boys laid dead on the ground, bleeding heavily from the stomach and chest. Another boy was up against the wall, being held by the collar. It was Hito. Hito had come to save him!

"Picking on passing kids like that...you should be ashamed." He said to the man he had in his grasp. He then threw him to the ground and kicked him hard in the side. "You'll never do it again." He drew his sword and stabbed him, sticking him into the ground.

"You...you can't do that!" The third male shouted, backing away.

"Oh, I can't?" Hito turned to face him, then picked his sword up from the belly of the second. Three shook his head quickly, his face growing pale. Without hesitation, Hito took a few long strides and ran him through, killing him instantly. After the three had fallen, he looked to Osan, who was still on the ground, holding back tears. "Stand up." He stated coldly. Osan nodded, but stayed in his place on the ground. He was too weak to move. "Didn't you hear me?"

"I..." Osan moved his arms into position and pushed as hard as he could. "I can't..." he said, collapsing.

"Then you aren't worthy of being my apprentice."

"I delivered your stupid letter..." He said, extending the sword. "You have to accept me now. It's what you said."

"I don't have to do anything. It's a privilege, not a right, to be my student. And didn't I also say that you had to come find me after? Well I was the one to find you. And not only that, I rescued you."

"What's the difference? I just have to give you the sword."

"Wrong. You aren't done." Hito jumped onto a roof. "Come find me and it's over. I'll train you."

"It's not fair!" Osan grunted under his breath. He was trying so hard just to become Hito's pupil. He was beginning to think that it might not ever happen. But he still had to try...And if he tried hard enough, Hito could be forced to accept him. That would be his plan. Find Hito and show him how worthy he was. Surprised and impressed, Hito would gladly accept. It made him smirk, thinking of his future achievement. Despite his injuries, he forced himself to his knees. He would never get the training from Hito if he couldn't find him. Gripping the sword Shihan had given him, he let off on one foot, reaching for the roof. Catching the edge with the very tips of this fingers, gravity got the best of him. He could never get to Hito like that. Hito was an infamous assassin, able to leap almost however high he needed. How could he keep up with that?

He had only fallen a little short the first time. Deciding to take another shot at the roof, Osan crouched for spring. He pushed himself up with both feet and managed to fully grab the edge of the roof with both hands. He could do it. He knew he could someday be like Hito. But only with the proper training. And the training he wanted would come from the one he was looking for. Osan ran along the rooftop, jumping over the gap to the next one. It made him feel like a becoming assassin. Though it wasn't his goal, he wanted to be strong. No matter what the price. He'd never say out loud that they were all right. That he probably would become a killer, just like Hito. Though proudful Osan would never admit to it.

Hito wasn't fair. He told him to go to Shihan and then return to him. He went to Shihan and then Hito found him. What was the difference? They were in the same place. But then he hopped off, telling Osan to find him again. What would he make him do next? What would his next excuse be? He kept on thinking that it might not happen, and that his plan might not work. But he wouldn't give up. Not ever. From the moment he saw Hito on the streets, he knew he was strong. Under the cloaks and covers, he could see him strength. That's why he called out to him in the midst of being beaten. And as soon as he came to him rescue, Osan knew that Hito was the one to train him. The only one strong enough to get him where he needed to be. And he needed to be strong...desperately needed.

Osan had been rescued by Hito twice. He couldn't just be some meaningless kid who followed him. He had some importance to Hito. If not, it would've been easier just to let Osan die, ending the annoyance that followed and begged Hito to train him. Did he have some plan? Or did Hito just have a soft spot for the youth? Whatever it was, Hito wouldn't kill him.

Osan smirked. Hito would protect him from anyone. Even if he didn't like him, there was no way Osan would die before him. He ran along the rooftops slower, knowing this. Even if it wasn't that day...Hito would train him.

He hopped onto the street and put his sword in his belt. Strutting down the dirt path, he was proud to have a blade at his waist. He felt eyes on him. People were noticing him. 'Hmph!' Osan grinned and puffed out his chest.

"Is that kid carrying a sword?"

"Isn't sword carrying illegal?"

"Why is he flaunting his crime?"

"Is he trying to get in trouble?" The whispers of the villagers were heard, though Osan couldn't make out each word. He just knew they were talking about him. He wasn't just some little kid anymore. He was a kid with a sword. And now people were noticing him.

"Hey, you! Kid!" A man shouted.

"Hm?" Osan answered, proudly.

"You can't be carrying a sword like that! Only officials like us can."

"What? But I know how to use it!"

"Oh, do you? Well tell it to someone who cares! It's illegal and that's all that matters. Now hand it over."

"No!"

"What...?"

"No! I need this sword!"

"You don't need it! Now hand it over!"

"What do you know? I need this so Hito can train me!" Osan shouted. Another set of eyes turned to him. These eyes knew this name better than any others.

"Hito...the assassin?" The officer asked. "You're training under him?!" The man's face reddened as he gripped Osan's arm. "Come with me. We need to know everything you can tell us about this Hito."

"No! Wait!" A woman exclaimed. Osan and the officer looked to the girl. "Don't take him away!" She walked closer to them. 'Osan...this name sounds familiar...Ah! I remember.' She put her hand on Osan's shoulder and smiled. "Please, officer. He doesn't know what he's talking about. You see, Hito's his idle. He isn't be trained by him, he just wishes it, so he pretends."

"And who are you?" The officer asked.

"I'm his big sister." She smiled. Osan looked up to her, about to deny it. But the girl looked back down at him and winked. "Please let him come home. Mother's waiting for him."

"But..." He looked from Osan to the girl. They didn't look anything alike. Perhaps...half-siblings? It wasn't his business. "Just make sure that sword stays at home." He nodded and headed off. After the officer was out of sight, Osan turned to the girl who was smiling down at him. "Who are you?"

"Shia. You're Osan?" She asked. The name just flew over his head and he nodded.

"Yeah. How do you know me?"

"Ah, I've heard about you from...a friend." Shia lightly grabbed the boy's arm and pulled him down the street.

"Where are we going?"

"My home."

"What?! Why?" Osan began to panic, thinking maybe she was trying to kidnap him. But he was tough! He knew there was no way she could do anything to him.

"We need to chat." She said, smiling down at him again.