Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story.

Chapter 5

Kenshin, Kaoru and Hiko stopped by a stream for lunch. While Kaoru soaked her feet in the cool water, Kenshin pulled Hiko aside for a discussion.

Far enough away to be out of earshot, but still within sight, Kenshin stopped and turned to Hiko. "There are a few ground rules that need be established, Shishou," Kenshin said, sternly.

Hiko looked amused. "And now my deshi thinks to lecture me?"

"I'm serious, Shishou! First, you need to keep your eyes violet."

"What? I haven't changed the color-- I don't even know how to do that!"

"You need to control your anger better. Every time you become upset, your eyes change to amber. We've been lucky so far that Kaoru hasn't noticed, but once we reach Tokyo I wouldn't count on our luck holding out. Someone is bound to see, and everyone will assume that I have reverted to Battousai."

So, the eyes become amber when I get upset, huh. Lovely. I didn't even realize I could change their color! Given how much Kenshin has been enjoying tormenting me, I'm going to need to curb my anger very often, indeed. Baka deshi, Hiko thought, looking annoyed. "You really have problems, don't you?"

"Just control your temper."

"Alright, fine," Hiko said, grudgingly.

"You also need to limit the amount of sake you drink."

"What?! Why?!"

"Because I don't drink sake very often--" Kenshin started.

"That's your choice, not mine. You can't tell me how much sake I can drink!" Hiko interrupted.

"It isn't a problem if you drink sake, but it becomes one when you drink half of a jug in a matter of minutes! You can either limit yourself, or I will do it for you by pouring out all the sake before we continue traveling," Kenshin replied, crossing his arms.

Hiko looked at Kenshin, gauging how serious the threat was. "You wouldn't do that. You need the sake more than I do."

"I'm willing to go without. Are you?" Kenshin returned, evenly.

Blasted baka deshi! Not only does he have the willpower to go through with the threat, but I'd get to suffer through his sake withdrawal with him! "Pour it out, if you want. We should reach Tsurugo tonight, and I can buy more."

"Shishou, I will break each and every single sake jug you buy, if I have to! All you need to do is limit the amount you drink-- it that really too much to ask?" Kenshin demanded, a little exasperation filtering into his voice. Why does Shishou always have to be so difficult?! After all, he's the one that doesn't want anyone to know we switched bodies! It's a good thing I never threw tantrums like that. It really does look ridiculous. Although, I've never seen Hiko act this way-- it's a little unnerving.

Kaoru turned, looking to see where Kenshin and Hiko were. She spotted them standing a little ways away, apparently arguing about something. Hiko was standing tall and impassive, his arms folded across his chest as he stared down at his deshi. Kenshin was in front of Hiko with his back to Kaoru. He was standing on his tiptoes, appearing to be trying to argue with Hiko eye to eye. His arms were gesturing sharply as he argued, apparently upset by whatever his master had told him. Kaoru sympathized with the redhead.

Hiko glared Kenshin, hating the fact that he could do nothing except follow the rules set down by his deshi. "Fine, I'll cut back on how much I drink," Hiko conceded. He agreed to Kenshin's terms, but he didn't have to like them.

Kenshin raised an eyebrow. "Remember to control your temper. Your eyes are amber."

Cursing mentally, Hiko closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath. He opened them, and looked at Kenshin. "Is that better?"

Kenshin nodded his head once. "Yes."

"Good." Ending their discussion, Hiko walked towards his pack, and began eating lunch. Blasted baka deshi. We wouldn't be having these problems if he had only done like I asked and stayed on my mountain. However, now we get to go to Tokyo, and try and convince his friends that I'm him. Two days out of Kyoto, and look at all the problems we're having so far! Kenshin, for once in your life, couldn't you have just agreed to stay on my mountain?! Hiko silently fumed. Kaoru tried to catch his eye, but he ignored her.

. . .

The rest of the day passed without incident. They continued walking after the sun disappeared below the horizon, the promise of a hot bath incentive enough to spur them on. About an hour after sunset, they arrived in Tsurugo and found a small inn close to the edge of town to stay at for the night.

The next morning, Kenshin got up early to train, coming back to the inn when the sun rose.

Hiko was up when he got back. He smirked as Kenshin entered the room they shared. Apparently, my body isn't easy for you to control. You've gone out every morning to retrain yourself so you can fight decently. At least you can see you have a problem and are working to correct it.

They got an early start, stopping only long enough to pick up some supplies before heading out of town. Kaoru seemed to have gotten used to traveling in her kimono, and they made it to Ontako in a little over a day and a half.

They had finished purchasing their supplies and were about to start looking for an inn when Kenshin heard a familiar voice call his name.

"Kenshin!"

Turning, Kenshin saw Tsuya waving to Hiko, and fighting her way through the crowd towards him. Kaoru was walking a few feet ahead of them, so Kenshin grabbed Hiko's arm and spoke softly. "Shishou, that woman coming towards us knows me. Her name is Hatayama Tsuya and she runs an inn in town. She took care of me a few months ago when I was sick, and I escorted her sister, Nariko, here from Tsurugo with her little dog, Youji. She doesn't know me very well," Kenshin said, quickly informing Hiko about Tsuya.

Hiko nodded slightly to show he understood. He turned to Tsuya as she approached. "Hello, Tsuya-dono," he greeted her, warmly.

Tsuya stopped in front of Hiko, putting her hands on her hips. "Kenshin, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Tsuya, I feel like an old woman when you add the 'dono,'" she said, laughing heartily.

Hiko glared at Kenshin. Why didn't the baka tell me that?! "Sorry, Tsuya," he said, smiling in what he hoped was a friendly manner.

"Who's this, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked, walking towards them. She had backtracked when she realized they were no longer following her.

"Kaoru-dono, this is Hatayama Tsuya. Tsuya, Kamiya Kaoru," Hiko said, making introductions.

"Hello, Tsuya. So, how did you meet Kenshin?" Kaoru asked.

Tsuya laughed at the memory. "He appeared on my doorstep in the middle of a storm a few months back, soaking wet, asking for directions to the police station. He said he had to report an attack of some bandits outside of town. He looked terrible, but insisted that he had to inform the police. I sent my son to deliver the message, and made Kenshin stay. He kept saying he didn't want to inconvenience me, and he didn't deserve my help. It's a good thing I didn't let him go-- he got sick and had to stay in bed all the next day."

Kaoru smiled. "That sounds like our Kenshin, alright. He'll run himself ragged helping everyone else, while completely ignoring his own needs. He can be such a baka, sometimes," Kaoru said.

Aware that they were talking about him as if he wasn't there, Tsuya turned back to Hiko. "So, Kenshin, who is this tall, dark and handsome stranger behind you?" she asked, making no attempt to hide her appraisal of the ebony-haired man's body.

"This is Hiko Seijiro XIII-- my master," Hiko replied, smiling as he noticed Kenshin fidgeting under Tsuya's shameless ogling.

Kenshin nodded in greeting, trying to draw his cloak around himself inconspicuously.

"So, where are you headed this time?" Tsuya asked, turning back to Hiko.

Kaoru spoke up before he could answer. "We're on our way back to Tokyo. We were just going to start looking for an inn."

"Well, why don't you spend the night at my inn? I'm sure there are a few rooms available," Tsuya said.

"You run an inn? That's wonderful! Kenshin, why didn't you mention it before?" Kaoru asked, turning to look at the red head.

Hiko blinked as both women waited for an answer. "I, uh..." 'I didn't know about it' just doesn't seem like the right answer to give.

"Kenshin, you weren't planning on staying at someone else's inn, and avoiding me altogether, were you? Are you really that upset that I wouldn't let you pay last time?"

I can't believe I'm going to do this, but it always works for Kenshin..."Uh... Oro?"

Tsuya laughed at the clueless expression on Hiko's face. "I can't blame you for not wanting to see Nariko again, but don't worry. She spends most of her time in her room, so she won't bother you. Well, it's getting late. Shall we?" she asked, walking towards her inn. They followed her down the road.

Upon reaching the inn, Tsuya showed them to their rooms. "I have to go help in the kitchens, but I'm sure Kenshin can show you where the bath rooms are located. Dinner should be ready in a little while," she said, excusing herself.

Putting their belongings in their rooms, they went in search of the bath rooms, Kenshin subtly giving Hiko directions. Kaoru took one bath room, while Kenshin and Hiko shared the other.

After they were done, they went to the dining hall and enjoyed a hot meal after two days of traveling food. Tsuya was busy with the other customers and didn't have time to talk, so Kaoru went up to her room while Kenshin and Hiko enjoyed some sake.

His eyes closed as he enjoyed the sake, Hiko didn't notice as a small dog came up behind him, sniffing his leg. Almost immediately, the little dog scampered over to Kenshin, sniffing the sheathed katana at his side.

The dog, deciding the wooden hilt would make a good chew toy, clamped his teeth around it.

Hiko's eyes snapped open as he felt a strong wave of intimidating ki from Kenshin and saw the little dog running away from the tall swordsman as fast as he could. "You really don't like dogs, do you?" he asked.

Kenshin remained silent, sipping his sake. Stupid dog.

. . .

They left the inn early the next morning. Tsuya was sorry to see them leave, but Kaoru was eager to get back to Tokyo.

About halfway between Ontako and Kofu, they were caught in a rain storm. Hiko's mantle kept Kenshin from getting too wet, but Hiko and Kaoru were both soaked. As soon as it let up, Kaoru called a break while she went into the bushes and changed into some dryer clothes. Hiko, using his ki to warm himself, wasn't bothered by the damp garments and decided not to change. Kenshin raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

The weather held, and they made it to Kofu without any mishaps, and continued on to Tokyo. Kenshin had been keeping an eye on Hiko, and noticed he was getting sick. The red head seemed a little more tired than he should have been, was a bit grumpier than usual, and had developed a slight cough. He did well at hiding it from Kaoru, but Kenshin wasn't nearly so easy to fool.

. . .

To Be Continued