Hey all! Thanks so much for the great reviews! They're inspiring me to finish this story. It's almost done. One of the reviews I received has inspired the next story I'm going to post. Mauzkateer, your review of Chapter 11, gave me the idea for my next story! However folks, my brain is running out of ideas for a title. Please see the author note at the end to see how you can give me a hand!

"Dialogue"

'thoughts'

RK isn't mine…huge surprise there…

The Brave Ones

Chapter 13

Hiko, Aoshi and Kenshin slowly entered the front room of the mansion. The front hall was large with two sets of curved stairs running alongside each wall. The mansion was a strange mix of East and West. Instead of a chandelier giving off light, lanterns where lit along the stairs and around the foyer. It gave a dim look to the room, as there was no natural light from windows. Hiko waited a few moments to allow his eyes to adjust before he started forward. Aoshi once again stopped him.

"I believe we may run into more traps, Hiko-san. Let us proceed with great caution," Aoshi said.

Hiko grunted. He indicated the left stairway as he could sense several ki off to the left side of the house. Aoshi carefully walked forward, his eyes scanning the floor and wall. Hiko and Kenshin followed the ninja. Easing up the first few steps, Aoshi stopped. Crouching down he examined a thin wire his eyes had almost missed. Directing the others to return to the bottom of the stairs, Aoshi laid himself out flat on the stairs. Using one of his sheathed kodachi, he tripped the wire.

The paintings on the side of the stair swung open and arrows flew out. Aoshi watched as arrows came from the right and the left. Looking across to the other staircase, he could see the paintings open on that side. Behind him, he could hear Hiko growl. Yoshida had planned to catch them in a crossfire. Aoshi smiled. This was a challenge he was going to enjoy.

Directing the others to follow him, he continued to the top of the steps. Flattening himself against the wall, he peered around to the hallway. It was empty. Shoji doors lined each side of the hall. Turning back he asked Hiko and Kenshin where the presences were. Kenshin could feel five ki in the farthest left room. He said as much. Hiko nodded, he'd felt the same thing. Aoshi nodded and gently eased himself around the corner.

Once again scanning the floor and walls, he looked for traps. Seeing none, he slowly began to creep down the hall. Behind him, Hiko and Kenshin softly walked, senses on edge, alert to any danger. Halfway down the hall, a rug was laid out. It was a beautiful Persian rug about 15 feet long. Something about it bothered Aoshi. His ninja skills screamed danger. Stopping before it, he bent down and gently lifted the corner of the rug. Beneath it, the floor had a seam. Aoshi looked around him. The walls and ceiling were solid and they were some ways from any doors. Aoshi guessed that the seam was a trap door, triggered by body weight that would have the fighters fall to a prison below. Gently, Aoshi laid the corner of the rug down. Standing, he indicated what he believed to Kenshin and Hiko. They nodded their understanding.

Aoshi bent his legs and performing a perfect leap, he crossed the rug, landing lightly. Hiko went next. When he leapt, he realized something hadn't felt right. He remembered his gunshot wound as it became clear he wasn't going to make it. Coming down hard about three feet from the edge, he hit the trap door and fell through. Behind him he could hear Kenshin call out. As he fell, he became aware that he was falling a good deal farther than he thought he would. Instead of falling to the floor below, he kept going. Hiko landed hard on his injured leg on a stone floor in a dark room. Shaking his head for a moment, he looked up to see Kenshin in the dim light, leaning over the side, calling out to him.

"Shishou, are you alright?" Kenshin yelled.

"Hai baka I'm fine," Hiko growled. "I've just gotten myself stuck in a trap like a baka boar that's all."

Suddenly, he noticed Kenshin's head pop up. Hiko became aware of the sound of swords meeting.

"Baka deshi, what's happening?" he called out.

Instead of responding, he saw Kenshin's figure ghost over the opening of the trap. Soon he heard more clashing of swords. Almost as quickly as it had started, it was over. Kenshin's head appeared again at the edge, but this time from the other side.

"It was a trap Shishou. We've taken care of it and Aoshi is checking the rooms, but I can't feel anyone else here. Can you sense anything there?" Kenshin called out.

Hiko calmed himself and began to scan about. He could feel something off to the right, but in the darkness, he could see nothing.

"There's something to the right of me, but I can't see anything," Hiko called out.

Aoshi appeared at the edge of the opening. Opening his trench coat, he pulled something out from an interior compartment.

"Hiko-san, use this," he called out as he dropped something.

Hiko heard it fall and walked toward the sound. Feeling around on the ground, his hand closed around a torch. Pulling it up, he used his sword to create a spark to light it. As the flame grew, Hiko allowed a moment for his eyes to adjust.

Scanning around the room, Hiko found himself in a basement room with walls of rock. A wooden door stood at the end of the room. It was in that direction that Hiko felt the presences. Looking up he saw Aoshi and Kenshin looking at him, waiting for word of what he saw.

"There's a door down here. It's wood. There are presences somewhere behind it," Hiko called out.

Aoshi nodded. Before Hiko could say anything, he leapt over the side and fell lightly near Hiko. A moment later Kenshin joined him.

Hiko scowled.

"And why would you join me in this lovely trap? You should have stayed above," he chastised the two.

Aoshi began to examine the walls.

"The more eyes in this case, the better. Yoshida is very inventive when it comes to traps," Aoshi replied.

Hiko snorted.

"Yes, inventive. A crossfire and a hunting trap…very ingenious," Hiko said.

Kenshin merely shook his head.

"We should move forward, that we should," he said.

Hiko strode up to the door. Before Aoshi could look it over, Hiko slashed it with his sword. Wooden pieces exploded out and the door disintegrated. Another "whoosh" was heard as a scythe moved. Hiko turned himself sideways, missing the sharp blade. One swing with his sword and it clattered to the ground.

"I wish he'd stop using the same tricks, it's getting old," Hiko said.

Aoshi merely shook his head. Walking past Hiko, he examined the area past the door. The hallway was carved of rock. Reaching into his trench, he pulled another torch from a compartment. Lighting it from the one Hiko was holding, he watched as the hallway was bathed in light. Carefully easing forward, he started out in the only direction open to him.

Behind him, Hiko and Kenshin followed. Hiko had shoved the torch in Kenshin's hand, instructing him to carry it. Hiko's hand was curved around the hilt of his sword. Whatever tricks Yoshida was planning, Hiko was certain he would make Yoshida pay.

The trio continued on down the hall. The hallway bent at a 90 degree angle about 100 feet from the chamber where Hiko had fallen. The three men walked carefully. Turning the corner, Aoshi led them on. 20 feet into the bend, Aoshi noticed odd marks in the walls. Stopping them, he examined them. His eyes widened and he was about to shout a warning when Hiko took a step forward.

A clicking was all the warning they had. Aoshi threw himself flat to the ground as several sharpened spears shot out of the walls. Hiko was a blur as he drew his sword and cut the fast moving spears. Beside him, Kenshin had drawn the sakabatou and done the same thing on the opposite side.

Breathing heavily, Hiko stared at the fallen spears. Each one had a pointed metal tip. If any of them had been stabbed, it would have been a dangerous wound. Resheathing his sword, Hiko looked at Aoshi.

"You going to take a nap or are we going to continue?" Hiko snorted.

Aoshi rose. Hiko smirked.

"Next time how about some warning, oh great guru of traps!" Hiko said.

Aoshi turned and glared. Kenshin put his hand over his eyes and shook his head. Hiko was in fine form. Aoshi narrowed his eyes.

"I would recommend Hiko-san that you stay back, as you were the one to trigger it," Aoshi said, his voice like ice.

Hiko glared at the ninja.

"Now, now…let's continue," Kenshin implored the two. "The more time we spend here the longer Takeshi is in Yoshida's hands," he reminded them.

Aoshi nodded and continued forward. Hiko waited a few moments and followed the ninja, holding his back perfectly straight. Kenshin fell into step behind his master. As they continued forward, Hiko could feel the presences coming nearer. Behind him Kenshin focused himself. Whatever they were to face, it was coming quickly.

The hallway bent again and they followed Aoshi along it. Soon they reached an archway. Aoshi stepped through, careful to remain light on his feet. Hiko allowed the ninja to get somewhat ahead before he stepped out. He'd gone perhaps five feet with Kenshin behind him when a groaning sound was heard. Kenshin looked behind him and saw the rocks they were walking on beginning to fall away. Shouting he urged Hiko to run.

Aoshi heard the commotion and looked behind to see the ground crumbling behind them. Speeding up he rushed along the hallway, feeling Hiko and Kenshin at his heels. After 25 feet, the walls on either side disappeared, they were running along a bridge. The torches didn't cast enough light for them to see. Aoshi continued on until he noticed the floor change. He stopped just in time to avoid going over the edge. Behind him, Hiko and Kenshin stopped and watched the bridge they'd crossed fall into the abyss.

Hiko felt his rage building.

"Yoshida, face me like a man," he screamed. Kenshin stared at his master. Aoshi continued to investigate the platform. Finding a small rock on the surface, he tossed it over the side and listened for it to hit. He never heard it.

Kenshin noticed a flickering light off to their right. He immediately alerted the others. They watched as a group of people came down a hallway similar to the one they'd entered by. Yoshida stood at the front of the group. The hallway was 30 feet from the platform they stood on. Yoshida smiled.

"I believe you were yelling something about facing me like a man?" he said, chuckling. "Here I am, Seijuro Hiko. What will you do about it? Hmmm?"

Beside Kenshin, Hiko growled.

"I'm surprised you made it this far! Did you enjoy the trip? You can't imagine my joy at finding these caves under my house. It was so much fun to use my money to create this. Of course, it wasn't intended for you, but you'll do for testing it out," Yoshida said, grinning.

Kenshin felt his anger building. Yoshida had hurt those he loved.

"Why?" Kenshin called out, his voice low.

Beside Yoshida, his men gave an irrepressible shudder.

"Why? Oh you mean, why did I do this? It's simple really. I've worked my whole life to be first. I was passed over for everything because I was the fourth son. I wanted the prestige, the advantages of being first. When I saw Yuriko for the first time, I lusted after her. I wanted to be the first to possess her. And you," Yoshida glared at Hiko, "were first instead of me. So I thought I'd be the first to possess her heart and you took even that from me! When I worked and scrounged to obtain what I have now, I decided if I couldn't have her first or have her heart at least I'd possess her. Then what do I discover? She'd disappeared. So I hunted her and what do I find when I finally found her? She'd bore a whelp. Your whelp!" Yoshida was screaming now. "She was to bear my children. She was all I desired and at every turn you took her from me! For that you'll pay!"

Aoshi shook his head.

"All of this for a woman who was a prostitute?" he asked.

Yoshida turned red in the face.

"It doesn't matter she was to be mine!" he screamed. He turned from the group and stepped back behind his men. Returning to the edge of the tunnel he dragged someone behind him.

Hiko's eyes widened as he took in the battered figure of Rei.

"Kami, Rei…," he whispered.

Kenshin felt his heart clench at the sight of the poor woman. Her face was a swollen mess of bruises. Cuts surrounded her eyes and lips. On the other side of Hiko, Aoshi stiffened.

"You monster…," he said, venom in his voice.

"Monster? No, I intend to cause Hiko the pain he caused me. I'll take everything away from you the way you took Yuriko away from me," Yoshida said, grinning. Snapping his fingers, an underling stepped up from the back of the group, a squirming bundle in his arms. He shoved Takeshi into Rei's arms. Rei tried to hush the child. Looking up at Hiko, she silently begged him for help.

Hiko's eyes narrowed as he saw Takeshi remove his arm from the blanket. Rage blinded the swordsman at seeing several bandages stained pink running up and down the baby's arm.

Beside him, Kenshin saw the same thing. The amber flecks in his eyes grew in intensity. Yoshida was an animal, not a man. Nothing that cruel deserved to live.

Aoshi's cool exterior hid the rage he felt inside at seeing an innocent being harmed in such a manner. Reaching to the sheath on his back, he removed his kodachis. He was prepared to put Yoshida down like the mad dog he was.

Yoshida grinned at the looks he was receiving from the men. Sneering, he addressed Hiko.

"Suffer…," he screamed as he pushed Rei and Takeshi over the edge into the abyss.

&&&&&&&&&

And there's the cliffie to keep you all on edge. I think I've got a chapter to go and perhaps an epilogue and this will be finished! Can you believe it? I'm actually gonna finish a fic!

As I mentioned at the beginning, I've got my next fic in the works. I've already written a good portion of it, however, my creative juices are lacking when it comes to the title.

So your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to read the teaser below and give me some ideas for a title. If I use your title suggestion, I'll mention you in every chapter and you'll have my undying gratitude (hey I'm dirt poor, I can't afford monetary gifts). You can post your suggestion in the review section or e-mail me directly: LTJprincss at the teaser:

When Aoshi goes missing, Kenshin investigates. Falling into the same trap, it's now up to an unlikely duo to rescue them-Sano & Hiko. Will they rescue them or kill each other trying?