Hey all! I haven't ignored this story. I've been working on this chapter for the last two months; I just haven't had time to type it up. Grad school is back in full swing so I haven't had the time to write like I did over the break. I hope this chapter can tide you over for awhile.
I don't own, I borrow.
The Brave Ones
Chapter 8
As the sun rose over the dojo, Kenshin finished tying his hakama. Opening the shoji he stepped out into the hall and listened to the other occupants. Misao, Karou and Yahiko were still peacefully sleeping. Turning to the guest room, Kenshin could only guess at what his master was doing. Kenshin could sense that Takeshi was awake. Padding over to the guest room shoji, Kenshin slowly opened it. He smiled as he saw Takeshi curled on the futon next to his Master. Takeshi was investigating the taste of his foot. Hiko appeared to be asleep, but Kenshin knew that his master was aware of him at some level. Crossing to the futon, Kenshin knelt down. He had begun to reach for Takeshi when a hand appeared from out of nowhere and clasped his wrist.
"Oro!" Kenshin said, as he gazed into the very awake eyes of Hiko. "Shishou, I was just going to prepare breakfast and I figured I'd take Takeshi and feed him, that I was. I heard him last night and figured you'd appreciate the extra rest," Kenshin said, gulping.
"Humph," was Hiko's response as he let go of Kenshin's arm and rolled over. Kenshin smiled as he lifted the infant and padded away to the kitchen.
Kenshin fed Takeshi and burped him, then began making breakfast. Upon hearing the gate open, he shook his head as he felt Sano approaching.
"Good morning Sano," Kenshin greeted as the lanky fighter entered the kitchen.
"Morning," Sano responded. "Looks like you got baby duty again," Sano commented, watching Kenshin prepare breakfast with Takeshi slung on his back.
Kenshin smiled as he felt Takeshi squirm. "Shishou had a difficult night. This one doesn't mind helping out." Sano's brow wrinkled as he seemed to think about something.
"Well, I guess it makes sense," Sano said.
"Oro? What makes sense?" Kenshin asked.
"That you'd be so into helping with Takeshi. After all your Shishou is kinda like your father, so that would make Takeshi like your little brother," Sano said smirking.
"Little brother?" A female voice asked.
"Good morning Miss Misao," Kenshin called out.
"Good morning Himura. Wow, I've got to give Sano credit for this one. Takeshi is like your little brother Himura, since your shishou raised you," Misao said, smiling.
"I guess so," Kenshin replied. "Sano, Miss Misao would you let the others know that breakfast is ready?" Kenshin asked.
When they'd both left, Kenshin took Takeshi out of his sling. Holding him so they were eye-to-eye, Kenshin stared at the infant.
"I don't know, would you really want a big brother who's so stained with blood?" Kenshin asked the infant.
Takeshi smiled and started blowing raspberries. He reached out with a tiny hand and grabbed Kenshin's nose. The rurouni went cross-eyed watching him. Kenshin smiled and began to chuckle.
"Hai, little one. You seem to know what you want. Welcome to the family, little brother," Kenshin said.
Kenshin had been concentrating so hard on Takeshi, that he never noticed the person standing in the doorway, watching. When the person turned and left, Kenshin felt the displacement of air and just caught sight of a bit of red fabric.
After breakfast Misao called everyone together. "Master Hiko, the man you came to Tokyo to find, Aritomo Yoshida, is supposed to meet with the Hieh syndicate at noon at the Red Dragon. He's going to be heavily guarded. According to our sources, since he's been in Tokyo, he hasn't been spotted with less than six bodyguards at any time. I think it would be wise to have Sano and Kenshin come with us to help distract the guards," Misao explained.
"What about me Weasel?" Yahiko shouted out.
"Yeah, Misao, what about Yahiko and I?" asked Karou.
"Ah…well….um…I kinda thought that someone should stay with Takeshi…" Misao said, staring at the floor.
"Grrr…Misao…what do you mean someone needs to stay with the baby? Why doesn't Sano do it?" Karou yelled, turning bright red.
"Yeah, busu's right! We always get left out. Why not have Sano stay here for a change?" Yahiko said, nodding to Karou. Karou returned the nod and both stared at Misao.
"Well, Yahiko-CHAN, let's face facts, they need some muscle on this one and you're good at changing diapers," Sano said, smiling smugly.
"CHAN? Who are you calling CHAN?" Yahiko yelled, launching himself at Sano's head.
"ENOUGH!" a voice boomed out, making everyone jump and startling Takeshi, who began to wail. Hiko shook his head while pinching the bridge of his nose. He turned and picked up Takeshi, bouncing him absently while addressing the group.
"Misao, thank you for the information. I will go by myself. I don't need help," Hiko said, staring down the group.
"Shishou?" Kenshin asked sheepishly.
"What baka deshi?" Hiko barked.
"Do you know where the Red Dragon is located?" Kenshin asked in a small voice.
The room was deathly silent as Hiko narrowed his eyes at Kenshin. The Mitsurugi master smiled evilly. "Baka deshi, you will accompany me."
Gulping, Kenshin stared wide-eyed at his master. "Y-Yes Shishou," he stuttered in response.
After the decision was made, everyone left the table. Karou and Yahiko headed to the dojo to train, Misao and Sano headed to the porch to sulk. Kenshin went to clean up the kitchen and Hiko and Takeshi headed to the guest room. Hiko sat with his back to the wall, looking down at Takeshi in his arms.
"You know, baka baby, I'm sorry I couldn't save your mother. I promise I will end this today. I want you to be able to never have to fear the man your mother did. I must repay the cruelty done to her. Then I can figure out what to do about you," Hiko said, looking the infant over.
Takeshi raised his arm and touched Hiko's chin, letting out a giggle and babbling. Hiko gave a genuine smile. "Yeah, yeah, you've got your moments when you're cute. You even look like you've got my nose. You'll be a heartbreaker one day," Hiko said, admiring the baby.
Standing, Hiko exited the room, looking for Misao. Finding her on the porch with Sano, he approached the pair.
"Hey Weasel, I need you to take care of Takeshi," Hiko said, dropping the baby into Misao's arms.
"What? I can't. Have Karou do it," Misao said, trying to hand him back.
Hiko put up his hands. "Nope, you've got to do it. Karou's training Yahiko. That takes precedence. Besides, you're not going with us. I'm sure between you and the Rooster you can handle it," Hiko said.
Sano dropped the fishbone he'd been chewing. "Shishou, are you ready?" Kenshin asked, approaching the group.
"I've been waiting for you baka deshi. Let's go!" Hiko said, turning and striding out the gate.
"Bye guys!" Kenshin called over his shoulder, as he ran off after Hiko.
Misao shoved Takeshi into Sano's arms and stood. "Watch him Sano," she said, as she tried to walk away.
Grabbing her braid, Sano yanked her back. Standing, Sano shoved Takeshi back into Misao's arms. "Oh no, weasel. Someone's gotta watch their back," Sano said, as he started for the gate.
Misao grabbed the back of his jacket, stopping him. "What do you think I was off to do," Misao said, as she tried to hand Takeshi back.
Takeshi decided he'd had enough of "pass the baby" and let out a wail. Misao and Sano both stared at the infant and then at each other.
"You take him!" they both called out at the same time.
Sano shook his head as Misao tried to calm Takeshi. "Hey, I know," Sano said, smiling, "let's leave him with the missy!"
"Yeah!" Misao said, smiling. They both turned and walked to the dojo. Nearing the entrance they heard Karou giving Yahiko a major tongue lashing. Stopping, they looked at each other and back to Takeshi.
Meanwhile, as Kenshin led Hiko through Tokyo, he noticed a shadowy presence drifting in and out of his range. Looking to his shishou, Kenshin wondered if he was conscious of it. However, Hiko gave no indication that anything was amiss. Two blocks from the Red Dragon Kenshin led Hiko into an alley. Checking for onlookers and seeing none, Kenshin leapt onto the roof of the building to his right. Hiko followed his lead. Crossing roof tops, they stopped at the building across from the Red Dragon. Kenshin dropped into a crouch and slowly approached the front of the building. Dropping to his stomach near the edge of the roof, Kenshin looked out toward the entrance to the restaurant. Hiko joined him a moment later. They watched the street below silently, looking for any sign of Yoshida. After almost an hour, Kenshin tapped Hiko's arm and indicated toward the left. A group of seven men were coming down the street, pushing anyone in their way away. Six of the men where surrounding the seventh.
Hiko's eyes narrowed, it was Yoshida. Kenshin kept scanning the area in the opposite direction for any sign of who Yoshida was to meet. The street was clear of suspicious people. Kenshin felt a displacement of air. Turning to his left, Kenshin's eyes widened as he realized his shishou had disappeared.
Kenshin dropped his eyes to the street below. Hiko stood, tensed and ready for combat. When Yoshida's group was a block away, Hiko took a step forward, toward them. Suddenly Hiko and Kenshin felt a flare of a strong, fighting ki. Both men looked to their right and Hiko drew his sword to block the thrust aimed at his chest. Kenshin gazed at the path of broken dirt leading to where his shishou battled below. Shaking his head, he looked again toward Yoshida and his men. They had stopped and were observing the fight. Kenshin noticed the group was missing a member. He located the man at the edge of a group standing close to the fighters. Kenshin watched as the man turned and ran back to Yoshida. The man spoke to Yoshida. Yoshida smiled and said something back. The group started forward and entered the restaurant.
Shifting his concentration from Yoshida to his shishou, Kenshin noticed his shishou's opponent appeared to monitor the position of Yoshida and his group. Groaning, Kenshin scooted back from his hiding place. Making his way to the back of the building and jumping down, Kenshin walked out to where his shishou was fighting.
"Shishou," Kenshin called out.
Hiko's opponent smirked. "So you're the one who unleashed Battousai on the world? Figures," the man said.
Hiko growled. "Baka deshi, it had better be good," Hiko said, still battling with his opponent.
Hiko's opponent snorted. "Of course, it takes one idiot to produce another," the man said, lunging for Hiko's chest.
Kenshin was becoming flustered. "Saito! That's enough, that it is. What are you doing attacking Shishou?"
Relaxing from his stance, Saito narrowed his eyes. "Your shishou is breaking the sword ban, Battousai. I'm merely enforcing the law," Saito said, appraising both men.
"Baka deshi, you know this man," Hiko asked.
"Hai, Shishou," Kenshin replied. "This is Saito Hajime, now known as Fujita Goro of the Tokyo Police."
Hiko's eyes narrowed. "Humph, Saito Hajime, the Third Captain of the Shinsengumi. An old friend of yours from the revolution, baka deshi?" Hiko asked, looking Saito over.
Kenshin turned red. "Um…well…not exactly Shishou," Kenshin replied.
"Good so I can beat him quickly. What was it you wanted to tell me, baka deshi?" Hiko asked, dropping into a stance.
"Yoshida and his men entered the restaurant," Kenshin said. Hiko looked toward the restaurant and back toward Saito.
"I don't have time to play games with policemen out to capture glory," Hiko said as he sheathed his sword and turned toward the restaurant.
Saito's eyes narrowed as he took the Gattousou stance. Kenshin looked on as his master began to walk toward the restaurant. In a flash, Saito was coming toward Hiko's back. Hiko drew his sword and spun, deflecting Saito's blow. Saito brought his sword up and tried for Hiko's neck. Hiko blocked the blow. As the two men pushed against each other through their swords, Saito addressed Hiko.
"You fool, stop this! I gather from what Battousai has said, that you're after Yoshida. You can't go in that restaurant. We worked too hard to get a man inside to have you blow it."
Hiko took a step back and pulled his sword away. "What do you mean?" Hiko asked.
Stepping back and sheathing his sword, Saito began to pull out a cigarette before answering. "For several months we've been monitoring Yoshida's actions. This isn't his first visit to Tokyo. We managed to get a man inside and if you go in that restaurant, you'll blow everything. We need to know what's going on between these two syndicates so we can take them down. Do you get it?" Saito said, in between puffs on his cigarette.
Hiko narrowed his eyes. "I get it," he growled out, "however, as soon as this meeting is over with, Yoshida is mine."
Saito snorted. "You ahou, what is this about? Revenge? You're as much of a baka as your deshi."
Hiko stood impassively. "Say what you want, however, Yoshida must be paid back for the cruelty he gave to a young mother," Hiko said, his words like ice.
Saito arched an eyebrow. "Cruelty?" he asked.
"She was shot to death with arrows while she ran for her and her infant son's lives. Her death was ordered by Yoshida," Hiko said, watching the other man closely.
Saito took another drag on his cigarette. Dropping it on the ground he stamped it out. "Yoshida will be dealt with under true justice. Aku. Soku. Zan," Saito said, staring at Hiko.
Hiko sheathed his sword. Turning and walking back toward the building he'd been spying from, he called over his shoulder, "I'll stick around and watch this true justice enacted."
Kenshin's eyes followed his master. Turning to look at Saito, Kenshin's eyebrows shot up in reaction to Saito. Saito followed Kenshin's master with his eyes, smiling the entire time. Turning to Kenshin, Saito quipped, "Well Battousai, it would seem there's a bigger idiot out there than you."
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. Saito looked at Kenshin from the corner of his eye. "Shouldn't you be running along after your Shishou?" Saito asked, sneering.
Kenshin's eyes flashed amber. Taking a deep breath, Kenshin willed himself to relax. Slowly the amber faded to violet. As Kenshin turned to walk back to the building where his master was, he could hear Saito chuckling.
Joining Hiko on the roof, Kenshin tried to find Saito. He looked around and realized Saito had hidden himself. Watching the street below, Kenshin noticed another group of men approaching the restaurant. They were coming from the opposite direction. Turning Kenshin smiled as he noticed his shishou had already locked on to the men and was following their progress. When the men were almost to the restaurant, Kenshin cringed as he heard a familiar voice.
"You idiot Rooster, there's the restaurant," Misao said, pointing at the Red Dragon. "I thought you knew your way around Tokyo," she growled.
"Shut up Weasel. It was a shortcut and it's not my fault if they rebuilt a few things," Sano said. Sano stopped as he noticed the street clearing of people. Looking ahead, he noticed a group of men approaching the Red Dragon. One of the men in the group appeared to have recognized Sano as he stopped and said something to the other members of the group.
"Hey Weasel," Sano said, cracking his knuckles, "better prepare yourself for some trouble."
"What?" Misao asked. Looking ahead and seeing the group pull out concealed swords and daggers, Misao reached down and pulled out her kunai. "I'm ready," she said.
All of the sudden a wail rang out. Sano closed his eyes and hung his head. Misao turned her head and looked over her shoulder. Takeshi, slung to Misao's back, had started to cry.
"Not now, Takeshi," Misao said, as she tried bouncing to quiet him.
Sano looked up. "Misao! Get out of here, now!" he cried.
Misao swung her head around to see the group of men bearing down on her and Sano. "There's no time Sano! I'll fight alongside you," Misao said, dropping into a stance.
"Don't let anything happen to Takeshi," Sano warned as he rushed to meet the first man.
Kenshin saw the men bearing down on his friends. He gave a start as he heard Takeshi cry. Looking to Hiko, Kenshin repressed a shiver as he saw his shishou's eyes blazing with fury. Hiko stood and leapt down to engage the group from behind. Kenshin followed suit. Hiko attacked viciously, felling the man in front of him quickly. Misao leapt out of the way of a man with a dagger. Turning quickly, she shot out with one of her kendo kicks, hitting the man in the back and knocking him down. Sano had incapacitated one of the men and was dodging a man with a sword. Kenshin performed a perfect Ryo Tusui Sen on a man trying to get at Hiko's back. Takeshi's wailings were lost in the melee of swords, punches and battle cries.
The street was in total chaos. The commotion had now pulled people out from businesses along the street. Yoshida and his men came out of the Red Dragon. Watching the fight before him, Yoshida's eyes widened as he watched Hiko fell a man who was pushing toward a female ninja with a baby strapped to her back. Yoshida's eyes narrowed as he watched the sword master cut the bindings holding the baby to the woman and pull in infant in close. Smiling evilly, Yoshida led his men away from the restaurant. Processing the information he'd seen Yoshida had one thought. 'Ah imagine my good fortune, Seijuro Hiko here in Tokyo and with quite a weakness. This will be fun…'
Okay all, that's gonna have to hold you over for now. Please let me know what you think of this. Oh and remember, threatening the author with bodily harm doesn't necessary mean you'll get an update. I had this in the works already. I'll update again when I can. Enjoy til then!