Hello Again! Okay, this chapter is probably the most out of character for Hiko. However, I do think it's defendable because he's remembering someone he had strong feelings for. Then again, maybe I'm wrong. I'm sure you'll let me know your opinion.

The Brave Ones Chapter Three

"Answers? How's this for an answer, if that's what I think it is, it's not mine," Rei said with a sly grin. "Hiko-san, what have you gotten yourself into?"

"You tell me. This morning I found Yuriko running for her life on my mountain with this in her arms, claiming he's my son. You wouldn't know anything about it, would you Rei?"

"Humph, why don't you ask Yuriko about it. I haven't talked to her since she ran from here," Rei answered with a hint of jealousy.

Hiko's shoulders slumped a little. "I wish I could, unfortunately she's dead."

Rei's hand flew to her mouth as she sunk to the floor next to Hiko. "Dead? What? How?"

Hiko noted the tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Shot with arrows. I noticed something odd and went to check it out. I heard a scream and followed it to her. I saw her hit with arrows and by the time it was safe to go back to her, she didn't have long. She made me promise to protect Takeshi and told me he was my son."

"Hiko-san, I'm so sorry. I never understood your relationship with her, but I know you both cared for one another very much. Can I hold him?" Rei asked, holding her arms out for the baby.

Hiko handed him over. Rei looked at the baby for a moment. "Takeshi, brave one. You poor little guy, to have lost your mother already. Life is cruel little one. I'm sorry for you."

"Rei," Hiko interrupted her, "is it possible that Takeshi is my son? You knew Yuriko better than anyone else here."

Rei sat for a moment and sighed. "Hiko you know as well as I that as a courtesan in this teahouse, many men are part of our reality. However, what you don't know is there's an herbal mix they give us every day. Taken regularly, it's effective at preventing pregnancy."

Rei stopped and looked down to Takeshi's sleeping face. "Before Yuriko left, she'd been ill. She wasn't able to keep anything down. She was recovering, but she hadn't had the herbs for a few days. The healer recommended against it. You weren't supposed to be allowed to see her. She broke the rules. I don't know if you remember that night."

Hiko looked at the table and thought a moment. "Strangely enough I do. I'd come into town for more sake. With the recent harvest I figured there'd be some good sake available. On a whim I came in here. I remember asking for her and being told she was unavailable. When I asked for you, I remember my surprise at Yuriko entering instead."

Rei nodded. "Yes, you weren't supposed to see her. We were sitting in my room together and when she heard you were here, she begged me to let her go. I never approved of it and I knew the risk she was running. If she got pregnant, there'd be hell to pay. I told her and she still didn't care. I let her go. I guess it may be my fault that this little guy is here."

"So you think he is mine?"

"Knowing Yuriko, I would have to say that it's most likely. After her recovery, I was sick and she left during that time. I can't say what happened after she left here, so I can't be absolutely certain. I'm sorry Hiko. I know the life you lead and I'm sure a baby doesn't fit in."

Hiko shook his head. Unwanted memories came floating back.

Flashback

Hiko entered The Lotus Room. He'd been here a couple times and felt the need for some company of the opposite sex. The hostess asked if there was a particular girl he wanted. He said no and she led him to the common room. Sake was being served by some of the younger girls and the madam was making her way around the tables speaking to potential customers. Hiko glanced around the room and sat at a nearby table. A young serving girl poured him some sake and he took the cup. As he was lifting it to his lips he noted the madam talking with a rough looking gentleman seated at the next table. The man's voice was raising.

"I told you I want a virgin. Nothing else will do. Surely you have a girl you want to break in."

Hiko snorted. He didn't like the feel of the man's ki. He shook his head. Whoever was called on to serve this man was in for a bad night.

The madam disappeared. When she re-entered the room, she was leading the most beautiful creature Hiko had ever laid eyes upon. Her hair was a very light brown and the bright yellow kimono mirrored the golden highlights running through her hair. Her eyes were a rich shade of cinnamon and they sparkled in the lantern light. The kimono showed off her figure and Hiko, who considered himself an excellent judge of female form, was impressed at her shape. She was proportionate with a small waist, accentuated by the brown obi tied there. Her eyes met Hiko's and he was shocked by the innocence shown there. He couldn't allow her first night to be with a man like the one seated next to him.

Hiko rose and approached the madam. Dropping his head and whispering to the madam, he quickly offered double what the man next to him was willing to pay. She stopped and smiled. "Hiko-san, your offer is accepted." Turning to the girl she instructed her to follow Hiko. As they turned to leave the room, the man who'd been seated by Hiko raised his voice.

"Why is he taking my girl?"

"Please, sir, we will find another," the madam was trying to calm him.

The man backhanded the madam. Hiko heard the slap and turned. He fingered his katana and glared at the man. Before anything more could happen, two men from the back of the teahouse came out and began to drag the complaining man away.

Hiko took a step toward them, but felt a light pressure on his arm. Turning, he saw the girl in the yellow kimono beckoning him. "Come sir, they will handle things," she said meekly. Hiko nodded and followed her to a room similar to the one he was in with Rei.

When she'd closed the shoji, the girl knelt beside Hiko. He could feel the nervousness in her ki. "Would you like some sake, sir?" she asked. "Yes." Hiko watched as she walked over to a small table with a sake warmer set up. She returned with sake and a cup. She poured him a cup. Hiko accepted it and asked her her name. "Yuriko, sir."

Hiko bristled. "Enough with the sir. I'm not a foreign lord. My name is Hiko Seijuro. Most just call me Hiko."

"Hai, Hiko-sama."
Hiko felt annoyed at the girl's response, but let it go. "How did you end up here?"

"My family had many younger children to feed and they received a good price for me."

Hiko noted that her hands were clenched and her knuckles were turning white. "So this is your first time?"

"Hai." Yuriko seemed to be very interested in the floor. Hiko reached out and lifted her chin. Her eyes showed fear, but Hiko could also sense a resolve there as well.

"You've accepted your fate I take it," Hiko stated.

"What will happen to me is in Kami-sama's hands. I merely hope to be the best courtesan I may be. Would you like more sake?"

"Yes." Hiko watched as she refilled the cup. While he'd listened to her words, he'd sensed her ki. This was not the life she wanted and she may have accepted it, but he doubted she'd stay with it for long. He admired the resolve he saw in her. He'd known that most of these girls came in here with sad stories like Yuriko's, but something about Yuriko struck him.

"Yuriko, it's true that the fate handed you has been taken out of your hands, but I sense that you are not all you appear."

Yuriko blushed at Hiko's words. A smile broadened on his face. He cupped her chin and guided her to his lips. The sensation of his lips burned against hers and she felt flooded with heat and something more. She felt a connection to this mysterious, strong man with the flowing white cape.

Hiko had been gentle with her. He could sense her strength, but he wanted this first time to be good for her. He knew too many other nights would be painful for her. He made sure that she felt safe and pleasured in his arms.

When they were finished he'd held her in his arms merely enjoying the feel of her smooth skin and warm breath on his chest. When he left her, she'd been asleep. He fought with himself that night on the way back to his hut. He wasn't supposed to have feelings for a girl, especially a courtesan. He couldn't save her. What kind of life could he give her? A hut in the middle of nowhere with a grouchy master swordsman, that was almost as bad as where she was now. He vowed he wouldn't see her again.

When he was next in Kyoto buying sake, he found himself walking back to the Lotus Room. He felt anxious when he asked for her. When she entered the private room, she shone. Hiko decided then and there that whatever comfort she took from him, he'd gladly offer. It had been like that for almost a year before the last time he saw her.

End Flashback

"Hiko-san? Are you alright?"

Rei's voice broke Hiko from his reverie. "I'm sorry Rei. Old memories have a way of coming back."

"Hai, I know. I'm sorry Hiko-san. I know that she loved you very much. I'd warned her against it, but you were always very special to her."

"She was a good woman. Rei, do you know what happened to her in those last days she was here?"

"Sadly, no. I'd come down with her sickness. I remember her coming in and telling me that she'd always considered me a friend and to take care, but in my fevered state, I didn't understand she was leaving."

"Can you tell me anything else that would be of use to me? I questioned one of the men who killed her and asked who he worked for. He said Yoshida. Ever hear of him?"

Rei looked down at the table and took a deep breath. "Yoshida is a powerful yakuza boss. He controls the syndicate here in Kyoto. He controls the madam here and he had a fascination, if you will, with Yuriko. She was afraid of him. She'd told me that her first night was almost with him."

"Kuso! I know who he is," Hiko slammed his hand on the table.

Rei jumped back. "How can I find him?"

"Hiko-san, I know you are a strong swordsman, but I must caution you against this. He's involved in something big. I've entertained a few of his henchmen. They've mentioned going to Tokyo, but other than that, I don't know much. Please, Hiko-san, for Takeshi's sake, don't go looking for him," Rei said while clutching Hiko's arm.

"Rei, I promised Yuriko I would avenge her death and protect Takeshi. Do you know anything more?"

Rei hung her head. "No."

"Arigato Rei. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Hiko stood. Rei took another look at Takeshi and looked back to Hiko. "What will you do with him?"

Hiko sighed. "If I'm to believe what you've told me and what I know of Yuriko, he's probably mine. I'll keep my promise to her. I'll find someplace where he'll be safe and I can protect him."

Rei looked down at the sleeping infant. "Will you raise him?"

Hiko looked at the tiny infant. "I don't know."

Rei nodded. Standing, she handed Takeshi back to Hiko. "When his fate is settled, will you at least let me know? He's all that's left of Yuriko now."

Turning, Hiko strode over to the shoji and slid it open. "Hai, I will Rei. Take care of yourself," he said as he exited the room.

"You as well, Hiko-san, you as well."

Preview of the next chapter: Hiko turns to the other folks he knows in Kyoto (other than the sake shop owner) the Oniwaban Group at the Aioya!