I'm really glad to know that so many people enjoy this fic! It's coming down to its conclusion in the not-too-distant future. I hope you all enjoy!

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

The Brave Ones

Chapter 12

Taka Shinju sat along the side of the Takaido Road on a stump. He was headed to Osaka to visit his sister and bring news of their father's passing. Stretching he prepared to hit the road again. Rising from the stump, he turned toward Osaka and froze. Coming up the hill in front of him was a man unlike any he'd ever seen. As the man was revealed bit by bit by the rise of the hill, Shinju shook. Glittering black eyes held Shinju's own brown for moment. Shinju felt as though he'd been physically slapped. It almost seemed the air around the man wavered, the rage was that palpable. Shinju's eyes widened as the sword at the man's belt became visible. The glittering black eyes had already dismissed him, but Shinju couldn't look away. He slowly became aware of another man behind this tower of rage. The sun caused a fiery halo to appear around the blood red head of the man. The man's violet and amber-speckled eyes regarded Shinju for a moment. Shinju was now noticeably trembling, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow. He watched as the smaller man became more and more visible. He too wore a sword and the air around him danced. Shinju tried to gulp, but couldn't move a muscle. He watched as the two men crested the hill and began to walk past. Shinju's head swiveled, drawn to the men. His mouth was open. He'd never believed in the stories of the Revolution, of men so dangerous you could feel it. He believed now.

Slowly he became conscious of a girl behind the two men looking at him strangely. Nearly running, Shinju took off for Osaka.

Misao watched the man go. He'd looked terrified as they'd passed. Misao stared at Hiko and Kenshin's backs before her. Looking back the direction the man had run, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Hey did you guys notice that?" she said, wonder evident in her voice.

Hiko merely grunted. Beside him Kenshin walked silently.

It had been a week since Takeshi was taken and Kaoru and Yahiko injured. Hiko and Kenshin stayed in Tokyo until it was certain that the two would live. Yahiko's injuries had been the most serious. He'd been shot in the chest, puncturing a lung and chipping one of his ribs. For three days he'd hovered on the edge of death before his strong samurai spirit kicked in. As soon as they knew he would live, they made arrangements to travel after the man responsible, Aritomo Yoshida. Yes, he was a dead man; he just didn't know it yet.

Kenshin had insisted that Kaoru remain behind. He'd charged Sano with her care and protection in his absence. The former fighter-for-hire had thought to argue, but one look into Kenshin's amber-flecked eyes had convinced him otherwise. Kenshin was on edge and this time, Sanosuke could do nothing about it. They would have to trust that Kenshin's master Hiko would keep him in line.

Hiko's own rage had been carefully controlled until they'd left Tokyo. It was on the way to Kyoto, that the rage had come out from under his control. As they walked, he thought of the insult done to his family. The fear of his infant son and the blind arrogance of the man who took him. Hiko had no doubt that Takeshi was in mortal danger. He could only hope the boy lived up to his name.

They'd traveled quickly, using the train to Osaka and now walking the rest of the way to Kyoto. With each step, Hiko's anger built and beside him, he felt Kenshin's rage growing as well. They'd taken Misao, trusting that once she reached her information networks in Kyoto, they would know exactly where to go. No doubt Yoshida knew they'd be coming and he'd prepare something, but the two swordsmen were truly forces to be reckoned with right now. Like the dragons their sword style was named for, these men were dangerous and unpredictable.

Misao watched Kenshin and Hiko carefully. She knew that as soon as they'd located Yoshida, all hell would break loose. She feared for Kenshin's vow. She'd seen him upset, such as when he confronted Shishio, but she'd never seen him like this. Perhaps it had been that they attacked Kaoru, Misao couldn't be sure what brought out the anger in Kenshin like this.

Silently the group continued on. A few hours later, they'd reached the outskirts of Kyoto. People were openly moving away from the two swordsmen. Misao frowned. As they passed through the city, Misao watched as the streets became open wherever they walked. Even through the busy market, a wide open path was available to them. Misao was becoming more and more concerned. Reaching the Aoiya, she mentally feared for what was to happen. Okina greeted them at the door. He bowed respectfully to the two men before handing Hiko an envelope. Hiko tore it open. Reading the contents quickly, he bowed to Okina before turning and walking away. At his side, Kenshin followed. Misao took a step after them before feeling someone grab her arm. Looking up into Okina's concerned eyes, she saw him shake his head.

"Stay here Misao," the old man said. "What they go to do, they must do alone. You will want no part of it."

"How can you say that?" Misao cried out. "You know about Kenshin's vow! You'd give him the tools to destroy it willingly?"

Okina shook his head, tightening his hold on the girl.

"Misao, you must understand, Kenshin's vow is in his hands right now. They attacked the people he loved viscously. Only time will tell if his vow is strong enough. The quicker they deal with Yoshida, the quicker Takeshi is retrieved. Yoshida is a sick man. The infant is not safe in his hands. We must trust in Kenshin and his master. We've done what we can to help them," Okina said, pulling Misao into his arms.

Misao couldn't help but feel desperation at Okina's words. He was right on one part. Yoshida was a sick man and Takeshi was in danger. Misao felt tears welling up. As they broke over her eyelashes, she heard a familiar voice call her name.

Okina released his hold on Misao and stepped aside as Aoshi stepped out of the restaurant and stood before Misao. Taking a hand he cupped her chin and lifted her head until her tear-stained eyes met his.

"You have done what you could. It is time for you to come inside. They will be alright," Aoshi said evenly.

At any other time Misao would've been ecstatic at the attention Aoshi was showing her. Instead, she pulled her head away from his grip.

"How can you say that? You don't know that!" she cried out.

Aoshi looked at Okina. Addressing the old man, he gave him instructions to take Misao inside. Okina came to Misao's side as Aoshi stepped out into the street.

"Aoshi, where are you going?" Okina called out.

Aoshi looked back at Misao's sad eyes.

"They will need help," he said simply.

Beside Okina, Misao smiled.

"Thank you Aoshi!" she cried out after him.

Aoshi turned around and nodded to the girl.

&&&&&&&&&

Elsewhere in the city, Yoshida sat in his mansion finishing his late lunch. Beside him Rei, from The Lotus Room sat holding Takeshi. He knew he couldn't take care of an infant alone and Rei had been a friend of Yuriko's. He smiled as he thought of the pain he'd been causing to Yuriko's friends and family left behind. Yoshida's smile disappeared as one of his men entered the room.

"Sir," the man called out.

Yoshida watched as the man's eyes drifted over to Rei's face. He saw the man blanch as he took in the bruises and cuts. Deciding the man had had enough, Yoshida implored him to continue.

"The swordsmen you described, they've been spotted. They are heading this way," the man said, staring at Yoshida to avoid seeing the woman's face again.

"Excellent," Yoshida said, a smile creeping across his features. "Prepare the welcome for these men, exactly as I described."

The man nodded and left the room. Yoshida leaned back on the cushions. Glancing at Rei he smiled.

"Soon my dear all my problems will disappear," he said.

Beside him Rei quaked. In her lap, Takeshi began to fuss. She frantically tried to quiet him.

Yoshida sat up forward.

"He's making noise again!" he cried out.

Rei tried to shield Takeshi with her body, but Yoshida was fast. Striking the child on the arm, Takeshi let out a loud wail.

Rei huddled over him. Crying out she begged Yoshida to stop.

"Please he's just a baby, don't do this!" she cried.

Yoshida slapped her and she fell back. Before she could stop him, Yoshida had a knife at Takeshi's arm. A small cut joined several others running down the infant's arm.

Yoshida sank back against the cushions as Rei began to wrap the new cut. Tears ran down her face but she remained silent. Mentally she prayed to every kami that Hiko arrived soon. Neither she nor Takeshi would be able to take much more of this. Pulling the baby to her chest, she rocked him. She heard Yoshida rise and exit the room. A moment later, an underling took her and the baby back to the room they were being held in. Lying down on the futon, she closed her eyes and began the wait for help.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Hiko led Kenshin deep into the city's underbelly. Here the streets were covered with trash and a strong smell hung heavy in the air. It was a mix of garbage, urine and unwashed flesh that would have made most people gag. Kenshin walked beside his master, his face like stone. Beside him Hiko walked with no expression. Rage still emanated from the two men, but now it had a focus. Walking toward a hill, their quarry lied in front of them. Yoshida's mansion was built on hill surrounded by the filth of the poorest section of town. It seemed fitting that such an evil man was enclosed by trash. Slowly making their way up the hill, Hiko and Kenshin mentally prepared themselves. Yoshida was capable of anything.

Reaching the gate, the two men stood in front of it. It was a heavy iron gate and no guards were visible on the high walls to either side of it. Still the two Hiten Mitsurgui masters could feel the ki of several men on the other side of the walls. They were waiting. Hiko turned to look at Kenshin. Kenshin nodded to his master. In a flash, both men were airborne.

As they descended, arrows were fired up at them. In an instant both men had unsheathed their swords. Knocking arrows away as they came down, Kenshin and Hiko landed unscathed. They were immediately confronted by 40 men with swords who rushed in. Hiko growled and began to execute the supersonic speed of the sword style. His body was a blur as he met swords and cut through flesh. Around him, men dropped quickly.

Like Hiko, Kenshin was moving as a blur. Each swing of his sword dropped several men. Unlike his master, his sword never cut, but each movement incapacitated the men he confronted. A sound alerted him that something else was happening. Quickly dropping the man in front of him, Kenshin spun to see men wheeling a gatling gun into position. Before he could move toward it, another bunch of men surrounded him. Kenshin growled.

"Shishou, watch out they have a gatling gun!" Kenshin shouted out, as he met two men head-on.

Hiko chanced a look and saw the gun Kenshin was speaking of. Yelling a battle cry, he quickly dropped the five men pushing in on him. The gun was forty feet away. Hiko began to cover the distance as the man behind the gun took aim.

The sound of the gun rose over the din of the fight in the courtyard. Kenshin quickly dispatched the remaining three men and turned to see his master running toward the gun. Hiko was weaving in and out, missing the bullets. Kenshin watched as his master covered the distance. He was almost on top of the man with the gun when Kenshin saw something he'd never thought he'd see.

Hiko was 5 feet from the gun. He'd been dodging and weaving the bullets. He stepped down with his right leg and felt something hit. Blood began to soak down his pant leg 4 inches above his knee. Growling, Hiko launched himself into the air. As he prepared to land and confront the man, he saw a figure rise up behind the gunman. A flash of sword was all that was seen as the gunman fell. Landing awkwardly on his left leg, Hiko's black eyes met the ice blue of Aoshi Shinomori. Hiko's eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing?" he growled.

Aoshi cleaned off his kodachi. Resheathing it, he stepped forward. Dropping to one knee he tore a strip of cloth from the fallen gunman's clothing. Scooting forward, he tied it around Hiko's wound. Finishing, he rose and met Hiko's angry glare.

"Three swords are more effective than two," Aoshi said simply.

Kenshin stepped up beside Aoshi.

"Or perhaps two swords and two kodachi are more effective…," the redhead said, some of his old humor showing.

Aoshi nodded.

Hiko looked at his baka deshi. He couldn't deny that an experienced fighter was helpful in this situation. After all, he'd been shot. While not a serious wound it would slow him somewhat. Hiko sighed.

"All right, let's go. I'm anxious to see what surprises Yoshida has in store for us," Hiko said, turning toward the front door.

Aoshi put a hand on Hiko's shoulder.

"Let us be very careful, Yoshida is known for his perverse joy of pain," the ninja said, bending down and taking the sword from the fallen gunman's belt. Using the sword to gently nudge open the front door, Aoshi pushed Hiko to the side as a loud "whoosh" was heard.

Kenshin jumped back as a large scythe swung back and forth in the open doorway. It had been rigged to slam into whoever opened the door. Hiko stood and used his sword to cut the weapon from its holder. It clattered to the floor. Looking at Aoshi, he smirked.

"Yes, let's be careful," the swords master said as he slowly walked into the house.