Sorry for the lack of an update on Sunday. I had about 4 months of undone housework to make up for and it tuckered me out. This is the second time I've uploaded it. Here's hoping it takes this time. Grrrr......

'…' – thoughts

"…" – dialogue

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The Brave Ones

Chapter 5

Morning dawned bright and clear at the Aoiya. Misao opened her shoji with a flourish, her hyper personality already in full force. Walking down to the kitchen she greeted everyone with a smile.

"Good morning, Misao. Would you please let Master Hiko know that breakfast is ready?" Omasu asked.

"Sure thing," Misao replied. Skipping up the stairs Misao wondered about Hiko's night. 'I know I heard Takeshi a few times. I wonder if he got any sleep.' Knocking on the shoji, she waited for the gruff Hiten Mitsurugi master to answer.

As the door slid open Misao broke the silence, "Good morning Master Hi…"

The sight in front of her was enough to leave the talkative ninja speechless. Hiko looked horrible. His eyes had dark circles under them and his normal intimidating demeanor seemed ten times worse. His normal impeccable appearance was thrown off by the rumpled state of his clothes. Thrusting the bundle in his arms at her, Hiko walked past and headed down the hall.

"Weasel, do me a favor, hold on to him for a bit."

Holding the infant awkwardly, Misao stared down at him and tried to process what she just saw. Takeshi giggled and stared blowing bubbles. Misao shook her head, "You didn't let him sleep at all last night did you? Heh, heh…kid I think I like you."

Entering the family dining room, Misao sat next to Okon. Looking across the table she saw Hiko glaring at Takeshi. Okon noticed the awkward way Misao was holding him, "Misao, how about I take Takeshi and feed him so you can eat?" Nodding, Misao handed the infant to her comrade. Okina entered the dining room a few moments later.

"Master Hiko, I wish to speak with you after breakfast. I have news for you," Okina said.

Hiko nodded and continued to eat his breakfast. Misao wondered what Okina had discovered. 'Hmmm, maybe I should listen in. After all, as Okashira I have to know what's going on. Yeah, I think I should.'

After breakfast, Okon had taken Takeshi to buy some clothes for the infant, leaving Misao alone while Omasu handled preparations for the restaurant's lunch. Sneaking around to the outer porch, Misao stopped by the shoji for Okina's room. Listening intently, Misao discovered what Okina had learned.

"Master Hiko, Aritomo Yoshida appears to be the man you're looking for. We weren't able to discover much. As I mentioned previously, his syndicate is known for keeping close ranks. However, we were able to learn that he has left Kyoto for a meeting with another syndicate in Tokyo," Okina said, noting the shadow at the shoji.

"Tokyo?" Hiko asked. 'Hmph, at least I've got somewhere to leave the baka baby.'

"Yes, Tokyo. We are very concerned by this development. Most of the syndicates we're aware of work in solitude. They usually don't cooperate with one another, with grudges between them being common. However, if two syndicates are working together, I fear it must be something big," Okina said.

"What the syndicates are doing is of no concern to me. I need to find Yoshida and that's it."

"So you will go to Tokyo?" Okina asked.

"Yes," Hiko replied.

"Might I make a suggestion? It would be helpful for you to take Misao with you," Okina stated.

Outside Misao blew up. Slamming open the shoji, she shouted, "Gramps, what are you saying! I won't go anywhere with this arrogant, selfish, conceited…"

Okina cut her off, "Misao! Stop and listen. Master Hiko won't know where exactly to find Yoshida. You can access our network in Tokyo and help them pinpoint his exact location. We still owe a debt to Master Hiko for his help with Fuji."

Grumbling, Misao acknowledged Okina's point.

Continuing, Okina smiled, "Besides, Master Hiko will need help traveling with an infant!"

Misao's eyes widened and Hiko smirked at her reaction, "Yeah Weasel, you are a woman, you should instinctively know how to care for a baby."

Misao's eyes narrowed as she turned on the Hiten Mitsurugi master, "He's your baby. Why should I take care of him?" Turning her nose up in the air Misao continued, "Besides I don't know the first thing about taking care of a baby."

Standing and walking by Misao, Hiko said, "Learn." Stopping, he turned back to Okina, "Thanks for the information. I'll make preparations for the trip." With that, he blew out of the room.

Misao turned to his retreating figure with steam coming out her ears, "Why you…come back here!"

"Misao," Okina said, "calm yourself. Remember this is an uncomfortable situation for Master Hiko and we are in his debt. As Okashira, you will be returning the favor he's done for us. Besides, both Okon and Omasu are too busy with the restaurant right now to accompany him."

"Gramps, I understand that. But the nerve of that man! I'll admit he may be great with a sword, but his personality is just wrong. At least on the bright side, if we're going to Tokyo, we'll get to see Himura and the other residents at the dojo," Misao said, brightening.

"Yes, Misao. However, you need to leave quickly. I suggest you prepare now. There's no telling how long Yoshida will be in Tokyo for," Okina cautioned.

Misao hurried up to her room to pack.

Two hours later Hiko, Misao and Takeshi stood in front of the Aoiya. "Now Misao, remember what I told you about testing the heat of the water before you bathe him and don't forget to check his diaper regularly," Okon said to the ninja, uncomfortably holding the baby.

"Yes, Okon, I'll remember," Misao grumbled. 'Stupid debt. Why am I the one holding the baby? It's his baby. Grrrrr…he'll pay for this.'

"Thanks for your help Okina. C'mon weasel, we've got a train to catch," Hiko said, walking away.

"Bye everyone! I'll make sure to say hello to Himura and the others for you." Misao said, turning and running after the tall swordsman.

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The trip went by quickly, although it felt like ages. As Hiko and Misao stepped off the train, Misao turned and shoved Takeshi into Hiko's arms. "Well gotta run. I need to check in with a few contacts here in Tokyo. I'll meet you at the dojo later!" Misao called as she took off. 'Heh. Good luck with devil baby on your own!'

Hiko tried to adjust the wailing infant as he glared at Misao's trailing form. Looking down Hiko glared at the infant who'd cried most of the trip and annoyed most of the passengers near them. 'Well it looks like its time to see if my baka deshi is actually good for something.' "Argh, child don't you need to breathe? Be quiet," Hiko roared. Takeshi merely turned the volume up a notch.

Hiko made his way from the station, wailing infant in one arm, the other holding his bag slung over his shoulder. Glaring at anyone who dared to meet his eyes, he cleared a path through the busy streets with his intimidating presence. Stopping at a merchant booth set up near the station he inquired for directions.

Grumbling, Hiko approached the dojo. "Stupid merchant. I could barely understand him. People are getting stupider and stupider. Ah, looks like this is it. Well, baka baby, let's see if my baka deshi is good for something after all."

Kenshin Himura was crouched over the laundry bucket, scrubbing away at Yahiko's stained hakama. Stopping his scrubbing, he looked up and intently listened. 'Is that a baby crying? I know none of the neighbors have an infant. I wonder if maybe old Misanagi's daughter and husband came to visit. No, she would've mentioned it.'

A loud knock at the gate broke his thoughts. Jumping at the sound, he just missed falling into the bucket. "Oro. Who could be here? We aren't expecting guests." Rising, Kenshin made his way to the gate, noting the sound of the crying baby was getting louder.

Opening the gate, Kenshin's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, "Shishou!"

Smirking, Hiko replied, "Hello baka deshi."

Kenshin's eyes dropped to the squirming bundle in Hiko's arms, "Shishou, why do you have a baby with you?"

Hiko's smirk never left his face, "Because baka deshi, he's my son."

Kenshin passed out.

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Ahahahahahahahahaha! I love that visual. Anyways, I figured this was a pretty good stopping point. Sorry for the ababababa... thing. I can't find a symbol that will stay through the upload to break my comments and to represent breaks in the timeline. I should have another update tomorrow if all goes well. Let me know what you think about this chapter. Even if it's just noting a mistake, all reviews help.

Next up, we get to see how 'baka deshi' handles child care. Hee, hee. I can't wait.