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

Chapter 10

The Kenshin-gumi, plus Hiko, walked home from the Akabeko. After the adrenaline of the sparring match had worn off, Hiko realized just how little sleep his body had gotten the night before. The comfrey had helped the itching on his back immensely and, without any other overriding complaints to distract him, his body was demanding rest. It was all Hiko could do to remain awake through the unstimulating conversation during the meal. Kenshin, noticing his master's fatigue, took pity on him and suggested they head home.

It was pretty late by the time they reached the dojo, so everyone went to bed. Hiko relaxed against the wall, relieved to finally be able to give in to his body's demands when he heard Kenshin enter the room. I can't allow myself to sleep before Kenshin does-- the temptation to pull one last prank would be too much for him to resist. As exhausted as I am, my pride will not allow that to happen. Kenshin must fall asleep first, Hiko thought, resolutely, fixing his deshi with an unblinking stare.

Kenshin, settling himself against the opposite wall, glanced at Hiko. Seeing his master staring at him, the red head became a little nervous. Great, Shishou is planning something, I just know it! He's probably waiting for an opportune moment to pull a prank on me, to get me back for yesterday. I can not allow myself to fall asleep before he does. That shouldn't be too hard, given how tired he is, Kenshin thought, relaxing as he returned his master's gaze.

Three hours later, Kenshin revised his opinion. I know Shishou is barely managing staying awake. Master, you're too stubborn for your own good! Do you really want your revenge that badly?! Kenshin mentally smacked himself. What am I thinking?! Of course he does! Shishou will not stop until he feels he's evened the score between us. Blast it, Shishou! I want to get some sleep tonight! Kenshin thought, irritated. His head snapped up as he heard the sound of the dojo gate being opened.

Hiko was not happy. Kenshin was supposed to go to sleep and allow him to rest. The fact that Kenshin stubbornly refused to go to sleep before him, proved to Hiko that his deshi had a last minute prank he was waiting to pull. Hiko's incredible willpower (or perhaps just his excessive pride) had allowed him to stay awake this long and he was determined to outlast Kenshin. He was startled when Kenshin's head jerked up, as if he had heard something. Hiko cast out his ki, diverting his attention from his deshi to see what had caught the younger man's attention. He didn't sense anyone, but he heard the shoji to the main dojo open. Mentally cursing, Hiko stood, drawing his sword, and swiftly followed Kenshin out of the room.

. . .

Manobu surveyed the room, making sure no one was there. Certain he was alone, he quietly slid shut the shoji behind him. Turning back, he barely contained a yelp of surprise as he came face to face with the wrong end of a sword. Wide eyes traveled down the length of the blade, looking at who had caught him off guard.

Hiko glared at the would-be thief, more than a little grumpy. "If you're going to break in, could you at least try to be quiet about it?" Hiko asked, grounding out each word. Kenshin stood next to him, a little surprised that his master had rushed forward to greet the intruder before he could, but waiting to see how Hiko planned to handle the situation.

Manobu blinked. "I was being quiet..." he trailed off, blanching.

Hiko snorted. "Masking your ki doesn't silence your footsteps. I could hear you coming from a mile away," he said, looking at the man before him with disdain. Even though he's able to mask his ki, I doubt that he's here for any other reason than to steal valuables. Not only is that not enough to justify killing him, but I will not shed blood inside the dojo. The other option is to take him to the police station. Hiko's scowl deepened at the thought. "Now get out of here, before I change my mind."

Manobu didn't need to be told twice. He hastily made his way out of the complex, stopping at the gate and pausing to look back at the main dojo. Jotaro was right-- Hiko Seijiro is here. It appears that both he and that red head he was with are staying here. Sharaku will be pleased to hear about that. That makes everything that much easier... Or that much more difficult. Quietly, he turned and disappeared into the night.

Hiko watched him leave. I'm not losing any more sleep because of that baka. If Kenshin wishes to chase after him and do something about it, fine, he thought, turning and returning to his room.

Kenshin stared in the direction that the intruder had disappeared in. I dislike letting him go without finding out why he was here. However-- Kenshin turned, following Hiko back to his room. Shishou would probably fall asleep in my absence. Everyone would be defenseless if some of his friends were to attack. I highly doubt that will happen, but it's hard to say, when I don't know why he was here in the first place. Returning to his room, Kenshin sat down against the wall, his unfocused gaze resting on the floor, deep in thought.

Hiko studied Kenshin, intently. He allowed his lips to curve into a smile. Kenshin will probably brood over this incident until he falls asleep. Sighing softly, but contentedly, Hiko closed his eyes, relaxing against the wall.

Finally deciding that the intruder was probably a thief, Kenshin looked up at his master. He was surprised to see that Hiko was asleep and apparently had been for some time, judging by the saliva running down his chin. Kenshin had to keep himself from laughing out loud at the sight of his proud master drooling in his sleep.

Still chuckling softly, Kenshin leaned back, preparing to go to sleep. His eyes popped open as an idea struck him. He eyed Hiko critically, smiling a little evilly. Silently making his way over to his slumbering master, Kenshin gently eased the sake jug out of Hiko's limp grasp. I realize you are very tired, Shishou, but you should know better than to let yourself sleep so deeply when around me...

. . .

The next morning, Hiko woke up, tired. He would have very much liked to sleep in for a few hours more, but he didn't trust Kenshin to not do something before he woke up. Sleepily, he opened his eyes and glanced at Kenshin. The red head was still asleep. Hiko stood quietly, trying not to wake his deshi.

Kenshin opened his eyes when he heard the soft rustle of cloth signifying that Hiko was up. Act innocent. I don't want Shishou to become suspicious. Kenshin looked up at Hiko, sleepily. "Good morning, Shishou," he said, smiling.

Hiko smirked. I was right. Kenshin stayed up late, brooding over that intruder. Unfortunately, I won't get to leave him a parting prank, but that's all right. At this point, I'll be satisfied if I can escape Tokyo in my own body!

Kenshin stood, walking towards the door. "Well, I suppose I should go make breakfast, that I should," he said, leaving the room. Perfect. Shishou doesn't suspect a thing! he thought, walking down the hall.

After breakfast, everyone went down to the train station to see Hiko off.

"Won't you stay a little while longer? I mean, it's so sudden, you wanting to go back to Kyoto and all," Kaoru said.

"It is time for me to return. I've been away from my mountain for too long," Hiko replied, mysteriously.

What a weird guy, Yahiko thought.

"Thank you for visiting with us, Shishou. Be sure to come back any time you like!" Kenshin said, smiling brilliantly.

Hiko snorted, shooting Kenshin a dark look for even suggesting such a thing. Not if I can help it, he thought, boarding the train.

Sano looked after the tall swordsman curiously. "Hey, Kenshin, what was with that glare? He seemed really mad."

Kenshin just continued smiling, as if it was a joke that only he knew the punch line to. "He's just happy to be going home. He is rather anti-social by nature," he explained.

"He's happy, so he glares at you? That doesn't make sense," Sano replied, scratching his head.

The red head chuckled. "Well, Shishou isn't a normal person, that he most certainly is not."

Everyone laughed as they watched the train pull out of the station.

Inside the train, sitting next to a window, Hiko sneezed. "Baka deshi. He better not have gotten my body sick!"

. . .

Hiko had been on the train for about an hour when he felt a familiar thirst. I haven't had any sake since I got up, he thought, uncorking his sake jug. He took a big drink before spitting it out all over the seat opposite of him. That tasted like tea brewed from stinging nettle leaves, Hiko thought, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. But, how...? I drank from the jug last night, and it was fine. Kenshin didn't-- last night, after the intruder! I knew I shouldn't have gone to sleep! Hiko raged, mentally. He looked sorrowfully at the jug. He didn't think the taste would ever completely wash out, so the container was now trash. His eyes narrowed in rage as he realized that he would now have to go the next seven hours without any sake at all.

/BAKA DESHI!!/ he screamed, internally.

. . .

Kenshin looked up, cocking his head to the side.

"What is it, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked.

"I could have sworn I just heard Shishou yell 'baka deshi' just now," Kenshin replied.

Kaoru looked pointedly at the sake saucer in his hand. "I think you just imagined it."

Kenshin smiled. "You're probably right." He lifted the saucer to his lips, drinking it. Shishou sure knows where to get the best sake, that he most certainly does! Kenshin thought, approvingly.

. . .

Later that evening, a very annoyed Hiko stalked through the streets of Kyoto. Because of Kenshin's prank, Hiko had been forced to buy back one of his own jugs so he could purchase some sake. He felt marginally better after drinking a bit, but not much. He had half a mind to return to Tokyo and teach his baka deshi a lesson, but he was currently enjoying being back in his own body after two and a half weeks of residing in Kenshin's body. He was still in a foul mood when he ran across Shinomori Aoshi. Hiko considered ignoring him, but the ex-okashira's words stopped him.

"I see you've completed your training."

"What?" Hiko asked, looking at the ninja suspiciously.

"The last time I saw you, you and Himura had switched bodies," Aoshi clarified.

Hiko cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I was teaching my baka deshi an advanced training technique that can only be used by two masters."

Aoshi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then why was Himura's ki masked when yours was not?"

Hiko smirked, superiorly. "Do you honestly expect me to explain the secrets behind the training methods of Hiten Mitsurugi, much less the advanced techniques, to one who is not heir to the style?" he asked, raising his eyebrow, as well. How could I have forgotten to mask my ki around the Oniwabanshu?! They're all ninja! Does anyone else know?!

Aoshi shrugged indifferently and continued walking down the road.

Hiko also continued his trek back to his mountain. He sighed. Trouble, trouble, trouble. That's all Kenshin ever causes me. I was fine living on my mountain, but then Kenshin had to come and get stuck in my body… he complained, mentally.

Unbeknownst to the ebony haired swordsman, a pair of eyes followed his movements from the shadows. Soon, Hiko Seijiro. Very soon...

The End

. . .

Author's Notes: I know, I know. I left a nice little cliffhanger, but this is the end of the story. I have a sequel all mapped out. I just have to get around to writing it.