Disclaimer: I do not own RK. It belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, SONY etc.

Loyalty of a Hear
By: Tiian

Chapter 8.

-Day 16-

The early rays of the sun were blinding to look at as they climbed over the trees, but Hiko Seijurou's attention was not on the sun, but on the smaller man standing not too far away looking positively awful.

"You look so bad you obviously got no sleep last night." He stated calmly. Kenshin wasn't impressed. "Same goes for you." He replied.

They looked at each other silently for a moment, before they both headed to the buckets of water beside the cottage and washed their faces.

"So did you discover that which you lack?" Hiko continued, water still dripping from his face.

"... No." Kenshin answered with a slight hesitation and turned to walk back to the where they had begun. The tension in the air was touchable and his hand was automatically drawn to the hilt of his katana.

"I see. So here you are a man with limits... You were not able to discover that which you lack. As incomplete as you are... Mastering the succession technique and defeating Shishio are both meaningless." Hiko Seijurou released the left side of his cape.

"Even if you devoted yourself to beating him, you could never defeat the hitokiri which lies deep inside your heart!" He released the right side. "Tormented by anguish and pain you entire life, you kill." The cape made a strange sound as it hit the ground.

"Instead of the succession technique, prepare for the worst. My final duty as your master!" Hiko lifted his katana and then brought it down with incredible force that was enough to create wind and split the ground. Automatically Kenshin had raised his arms before his face as a defense and the cut air hit his hands hard. As he lowered his arms, he could clearly see the damage done to the ground. With mere air pressure Hiko had split the hard ground. Kenshin had not been expecting this kind of power.

Kenshin looked up as he noticed something moving. Hiko had taken the cloak and thrown it over him. It made great sound and raised dust as it hit the ground behind Kenshin.

"A white cloak. Set with springs opposing the muscles and 37.5 kg of shoulder weights. It has been used by all those who hold the name Hiko Seijurou to restrain the powers of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu successor in times of peace. Prepare yourself Kenshin!" The look on his face was serious, cold and merciless. His power radiated from him in huge waves.

Kenshin stared at him with wide eyes. This is the first time... that I have seen him. He felt a drop of sweat slide down his cheek. This is the real Hiko Seijurou! He was no longer the man Kenshin had called 'Master' for years. This was the true successor of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu.

To his horror he noticed that his hands shook. Am I scared? Of Hiko Seijurou? He looked back up at the man slowly walking towards him. Or the death I can see so clearly behind him?

He clenched his hand into a fist furiously. I am not afraid to die! I have been prepared to die since the violence of the Bakumatsu! Even if it costs me my life, I will learn the succession technique!

For a very short moment Hiko stopped and merely looked at Kenshin. Then his eyes sharpened and Kenshin felt the familiar stab of fear, but never before had it been ignited by this man.

"Let's go." Hiko said in a whisper that shook Kenshin's soul.

-Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu - Kuzu Ryu Sen -

The last rays of sun were beginning to fall behind the landscape leaving the sky to stars. Aoshi closed the door to his room silently and calmly even though he was annoyed. The small boy had been practicing with his shinai again and seeing him always made him feel slightly displeased. First Battousai and then his friends.

He had not wished to house neither but had done so to honor Okina's decision. Okashira had placed most of his power to Aoshi, but only after Okina had said no. Knowing that he was not the first choice angered him but since he could not discard the experience and knowledge the older man had, he at times bent to his will. When Okina forcefully overrode his decision there was usually a very good reason behind. This time he could not see it and it frustrated him.

The boy and the girl, they were of no use. If someone attacked, he would have to sacrifice men to protect them. He had heard the girl talking about Kamiya Kasshin Ryu with Okina, but Aoshi had never heard of the style which meant that it was neither popular nor famous. If there was a battle, he could not rely on them.

There had been no word of Battousai either. At least they knew where he had gone. Knowing that he was there to meet his master, it would have been impolite to sent spies after them. It might be misunderstood as an attempt to discover the secrets of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu and that was not Aoshi's intent.

At the moment all he was aiming for was Shishio Makoto. He would not allow Battousai to take his prey. Aoshi had been after him, spying on him and investigating him for a lot longer than Battousai. The government had not trusted in him to be able to take the man down and so they had called for Battousai, their scapegoat.

Once again officials were messing up his chances of proving the might of Oniwabanshu. Last time it was the last Shogun Tokugawa and now it was the Meiji government, Okubo Toshimichi.

All the fighting and they never got to do their part. It seemed to him that it was always Battousai that took his battles and made them his. This time he would not allow things to go that way. No more help to Battousai, he would have to try to survive on his own. Since his Tokyo friends were here already and Okina would never allow Aoshi to kick them out, they would be endured. Battousai was another matter entirely and about him Aoshi had every intention of remaining firm. Nothing short of Okashira's personal order would change his mind.

He stepped to the small table and knelt down. Few papers were laid down on the table with ink beside them. They included information about Shishio Makoto and the operations of Oniwabanshu that were in motion. None were too important. He never left the most important papers into the open even though one of his men was always watching when he was not present. Beshimi mostly since he was small enough to fit the tight space between the ceiling and roof.

With the information he had now, there was not much he could do to decide the time of attack Shishio. To attack too early was reckless and would not lead to anything good. He would have to wait for the correct moment and it was not now. Too much of their operations were still hidden. Also they would have to prepare for the operation 'Kyoto Fire'.

There was no way it was everything Shishio Makoto was planning, but what else Aoshi did not know. Shishio had kept it very well hidden. There was a chance that only Shishio and those he trusted the most knew about it which made it close to impossible for his spies to find out. It had to be some shadow operation more meaningful than lighting Kyoto on fire. After all Shishio knew that Oniwabanshu would take action to prevent this. No matter how good the Ten Swords were and how many men Shishio had, Oniwabanshu would not fail.

Shishio was not stupid which meant that he already knew all this. So what was he planning in secret...

Aoshi shuffled through the papers not really knowing what he was looking for since he already remembered them all. His hand paused on one paper. He couldn't even start to explain why. He had met the woman twice so why did his hands stop whenever he encountered the letter with only her name in it? And why could he remember her face so clearly? Almost as if he had seen it somewhere before...

He frowned staring at the name on the paper. There was something he was missing.

He put the paper back down as he sensed Hannya approaching. The girl could wait until this matter with Shishio was settled.

The door didn't make many sounds as Hannya slid it open and stepped into the room. With silent steps he walked closer before sitting few meters from Aoshi.

"They have arrived."

It was all Hannya needed to say, Aoshi knew immediately. "So the Ten Swords are all in Kyoto."

It would begin soon. Tomorrow night the operation Kyoto Fire would be launched. At the same time probably the secret plan would be set in motion as well. Staring at the papers would do no good, he needed new information and since Shishio was not telling about his plans, he would have to figure it out on his own.

He crossed his arms his eyes on the papers, but his thoughts were working through all he knew. He didn't have time to wait to see what the plan was, he would have to work it out on his own before it was unstoppable.

The Kyoto Fire was doomed to begin with and without a doubt Shishio already knew that. The streets were already filled with policemen and adding the might of Oniwabanshu to that and there was no chance for it to succeed. So while Kyoto Fire took forces and distracted the people, Shishio had an aim somewhere else as well...

"Hannya, bring me the map of Japan from my workroom."

The man was gone as soon as the order was made. Usually Aoshi didn't use Hannya for such trivial matters, he was not a servant but a spy, but now he had a feeling that he was on the right track and he didn't want interruptions.

It didn't take long until Hannya was back and spread the map on the table. Aoshi leaned over and inspected it. Shishio Makoto had been on Ishin Shishi's side during the war like Battousai. After the greater battles were over he had been assassinated because he knew too much. Now he was planning a revolution which clearly stated that he wanted revenge and control of the country.

To understand Shishio Makoto he would have to think from his point of view.

Kyoto had been the center of many events of which the Ikeda Inn was one of the most significant. It had been a great loss to the Ishin Shishi. Then in July of the same year 1864 Kyoto burned badly and the casualties were great to their side.

Kyoto burned... Like Shishio was planning now. It was too much to be a coincidence. If he was planning this attack to resemble the history, then perhaps the hidden plan was according to the history as well. If burning Kyoto was to get revenge, then the hidden plan was to conquer the country.

The information from the war was always unreliable since there were so many factors but if what he knew was correct, then Shishio Makoto's first important assassinations had been after the Ikeda Inn because then Battousai no longer handled assassinations after that. The burning of Kyoto had brought a change to Shishio Makoto.

During the Bosshin war which broke out 1868, Shishio Makoto had been assassinated. If he modeled after the history and took points where his life had changed...

Aoshi could almost smile. He looked over the map the history replaying in his head. During the deciding battle of the Bosshin war at Toba Fushimi the Shogun Tokugawa had fled from Osaka bay to Edo betraying his men in the process. He had then taken refuge at Karei temple. After that Katsu Kaishu and Saigou Takamori had made the agreement about the Edo castle that still managed to upset Aoshi greatly. But that was not what Shishio was mimicking.

"Hannya, get me a transportation to Osaka bay." He said knowing now what the man was planning. "I will take Shikijou and you with me. Beshimi and Hyottoko are to protect the Aoiya while we are gone."

"As you wish Aoshi-sama." Hannya nodded and left the room. Aoshi folded the map and left as well heading for Okina. He needed to be informed about this.

It was already late into the night and it was silent in the corridors. Beshimi was the only one Aoshi had heard as the man made it back to guarding his room. There was still a light lid in Okina's room telling that he was awake. Aoshi knew that the old man was already aware that he was there and so walked inside without knocking.

Okina was sitting before a table with a book spread before him. "Do you ever sleep Aoshi?" He asked and actually seemed a little bit pained. Aoshi merely raised an eyebrow at the question before kneeling next to the man.

"I have figured out Shishio's hidden plan." He spread the map across the table. Then he pointed at Osaka. "Like the Shougun in the turmoil of Bosshin war, Shishio intends to move from Osaka to Tokyo. His true target is Tokyo, not Kyoto."

Okina stared at the map with his eyes wide. Then his eyes sharpened and all remains of old silly man disappeared. "They have no defense against such attack. Which means..." He turned to Aoshi who nodded. "We must stop him from ever leaving." He said with a grave voice and stood up.

"I will leave with Hannya and Shikijou. Protect the Aoiya and stop them from burning Kyoto. You will be in charge."

Okina nodded. "Should we inform Battousai?"

Aoshi shook his head. "He is training. It is better for him to finish it first."

Okina looked doubtful but nodded. "What about Saitou Hajime? Shishio will not be alone. You may need more to back you up."

Aoshi stopped to consider it. It was true that Shishio would not be alone and Saitou was a formidable fighter. Still as the plan was hidden so carefully, the Ten Swords were probably unaware of it. As such the probability of Shishio having more than two good fighters on his side was small. They could handle this on their own. Besides, Saitou Hajime was not stupid either.

So Aoshi shook his head. "No need. He should be able to work this out on his own, he already knows about the Kyoto Fire and that gives enough clues to follow Shishio's thinking."

Okina seemed doubtful for a moment but nodded then. "As you wish." Then his eyes turned to the door and the shadow behind it.

"Everything is ready Aoshi-sama." Hannya said and Aoshi nodded. "Let's go."

The darkness had already fallen and the cold winds blew at the mountains.

"I am back!" Seta Soujirou's cheerful voice echoed in the hallway of the secret base as he calmly walked down the wooden corridor. Yumi rushed to him as quickly as she could with an angry look on her face. "Boy!" She yelled.

Soujirou stopped before her with his ever present smile brightening his face. "What is wrong? Your face is all red." He asked innocently.

"Where have you been all this time?" Yumi sounded very annoyed and Soujirou clearly thought that it would be better if he answered her quickly.

"Where?" He showed the box to her. "Well, everyone is stuck in this cellar getting depressed so I thought, why not go and get them some treats?" He smiled for all his life was worth. Yumi was scary when she was angry.

"And it took you three days just to do that?" She asked looking agitated.

"I asked myself 'What would be best?' I just couldn't decide." He answered with a smile even wider than before.

Yumi sighed and for a moment her shoulders slumped before she pulled herself together again. It was not hard to re-find her anger when she thought about the arrogant blind. "While you were gone that Usui showed up!! It was terrible!" She yelled.

"That Usui showed up and what?" The voice was drawn and silent. Yumi instantly froze and ran to hide behind the prodigy.

"Ah, Usui-san! It's been a long time, how have you been?" Soujirou continued to smile and his voice was cheerful. "Would you like one?" He asked and showed the box.

"Cakes..." Usui smiled. "When you leave Shishio's side it should be to perform some proper duty. And this was just for cakes..."

Usui leaned closer to the shorter man and pulled up the band from his eyes revealing the scarring. "I can't see your eyes, but my mind's eye can see right through men's hearts. Those like you who don't employ their emotions directly are no exception."

"Eh?" Soujirou looked a little bit puzzled but smiled nonetheless.

"Well..." He put the band back in place and turned. "Whatever you're hiding, it has nothing to do with me. Oh, don't forget, the Ten Swords are meeting at once in the main hall." Usui turned his face back a little and smiled. "The other three have arrived."

He turned his face back and walked down the corridor. Yumi and Soujirou followed, Yumi walking behind the boy making sure that he was between her and Usui.

Soujirou was thus the first to arrive and notice the new arrivals. "Ah, Kamatari-san!" He said with a bright smile directed at the person dressed in kimono and holding a large scythe in hand. Yumi cursed behind him as she too saw the one Soujirou had talked to. "Oh god..."

Kamatari on the other hand seemed overjoyed. "Sou-kun! It's been so long!" Then he noticed Yumi and the smile seemed more evil. "Yumi-san, it's so good to see you again."

"Yeah..." Was all Yumi could force out.

Kamatari leaned closer to whisper to her. "This time we'll see who can steal Lord Shishio's heart." He was smiling widely, his hand just before his mouth in such a womanly way that Yumi felt sick. The fact that he was dressed like a woman, looked like a woman and acted like a woman made her always nauseous. Not to mention the fact that he was after her Shishio.

"Riiight... Well, I'm certainly not going to lose to a guy." She said before mumbling under her breath. "Cross-dressing scythe-wielder."

"Heh heh heh, the young have so much energy."

All eyes turned to the small but old man standing few meters away dressed in fine clothing that seemed to have taken influence from China.

Soujirou was the first to address the older man. "Saitsuchi-roujin. Who could have more energy than you?"

Saitsuchi laughed again. "Heh heh, only you'd be so good to say so." He turned to look at the other members like Iwanbou, Anji and Henya. "This lot talks about as much as you'd think. Kids these days." He turned back to look at Soujirou. "They're all jealous of my strength at heart."

"Oh, speaking of which, Saitsuchi-roujin, where's your partner?" Soujirou asked while looking around to find the last member of the Ten Swords.

Saitsuchi grinned. "Oh, Fuji. He's outside. He couldn't fit through the door."

The door on the other end of the room was suddenly opened and all eyes were drawn there. First one to enter the room was Hoji and after him came the person they all had waited most, Shishio Makoto.

Hoji looked around briefly and then spoke out loudly. "Alright. Everyone is here now." Then he stepped aside and all attention was on Shishio. His bandages were neatly wrapped around him as always and the red yukata was covering only his other arm. He was the figure of power and the tension rose in the room immediately.

Soujirou walked to him and offered to him the box of cakes he had picked up earlier. "I'm sorry, Mr. Shishio, for just taking off for three days. I brought you a souvenir. They're delicious.

"Soujirou, we're in the middle of something. This can wait." Hoji said as Soujirou opened the lid and showed inside. On the inside of the box lid Soujirou had written his message.

"The preparations for the ship are complete. We can leave at any time.
Ichikami-san remains passive. Oniwabanshu shouldn't know about the plan.
-Usui-san is a little suspicious but it will probably be all right.">>

Shishio was the only one looking serious, Soujirou was smiling like always and the sides of Hoji's mouth lifted into a small smile. Everything was moving as expected.

"Thank you. Well done. We'll have some later." Shishio handed the box to Hoji before turning to address the Ten Swords. "Everyone, you have traveled far."

Usui who was leaning against the wall snorted as the box changed hands.

Shishio continued his speech. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Due to an unexpected incident, Chou isn't here, but aside from him we've all gathered." Then he began addressing them one by one.

"Those who honor me." He nodded to Soujirou and Kamatari who both smiled back to him.

"Those who would kill me." He turned to Usui who was smiling too, but with a whole different meaning behind the smile.

"Those who lost faith in the Meiji government." Yumi gave Shishio her best smile and even Hoji smiled a little as Shishio looked at him. Anji was the only one to remain serious.

"Those with great abilities and great self-confidence." Iwanbou didn't seem to realize he was being addressed and continued to pick his nose. Henya's mask hid all his feelings and Saitsuchi looked greedy.

Shishio's words were gaining power as he was reaching the end of his speech. "With our own thoughts, the time to act as one has come! Tomorrow night at 11:59 the Great Fire of Kyoto will begin!!"

Author: In this chapter I showed again things happening elsewhere. More so than I intended actually. Kenshin and Hiko. All those familiar with RK should know what happens between those two. As such, I left them be. In the next chapter again, I show a little bit of things that are important so that you know how the story moves elsewhere too. But there will be Tsunami in the next chapter, sorry that she was missing from this one. There will be a lot of people in the next chapter if it comes out as I plan at the moment.

I think now that Houji is better than Hoji but I am too lazy to rewrite them all. So I let them be. Saitsuchi-roujin roujin means aged/old person, could be translated as Elder Saitsuchi. I had to check the anime to see what Soujirou used to address him "

Now then. The next chapter... it will most likely contain much much more action from all parties. We MAY even find out Tsunami's clan. Though I haven't written the chapter yet, so don't hold your breath. My plans may change.

Okay then, what the people spoke in the end of this chapter has been taken mostly from Maigo's Ruroken translations though some has been taken from Omanga as well.
Also I have had to check facts from manga, internet and anime. I spent a lot time investigating things so I hope they are all correct.

Reviews:
Animelovely: Thank you for your two reviews. I am sorry it took this long for the next chapter.
Prometheus Unbound: You assume correctly. I am not a Kaoru-fan. Does it show so much? Sorry. I have been trying to avoid writing what I feel like when it comes to her. I dislike her greatly and so writing her is hard for me.