I am sooooo sorry about the lack of updates. Well, my computer is now fixed. but my entire harddrive was wiped. so i have to rewrite EVERYTHING. i thought i had a backup disc, but the thing i didn't realize was that my brother had taken all my discs and wiped them for his own nefarious schemes. i could kill him. So the downside is that i lost all my really cool scenes. the good side is that i think i didn't need them anyway. The story was getting forced. i wasn't really happy with it. I like what i'm doing with it now better. hopefully you will too. Enjoy!

"Stop this nonsense." a sharp voice penetrated the lit circle. Kenshin stood straight, his attention, and everyone elses, on a short man toddling over the practice ground with a gnarled walking stick. His hair was pure snow white, his eyes the sharp black of the night sky.

"Sir!" most of the voices shouted as the men stood at attention.

"Sensei Shiba." Ugashi bowed as the man approached. Kenshin bowed at the waist and waited for the older man to reach him.

"Now, young man, what is this all about?"

"I asked a simple question sir."

"He challenged my judgment."

"I merely wished the answer to my query when your man wished a fight." Kenshin kept his head bowed to the older man, he could be respectful when the man who earned it did not demand it.

"Do you both wish to make your opposing viewpoints known?"

"Sir." Ugashi confirmed.

"I wish that my question would be answered."

"I will answer his question if he can beat me." Ugashi qualified.

"Then I will beat him." Kenshin raised his eyes to Shiba and let out a small breath. In a whisper, "I promise to you, he will not be harmed."

"If you've something to say, please share." Ugashi demanded. Shiba nodded and moved to the center of the clearing.

"Three points, two must be met. I will award points." Shiba moved out of the clearing and coughed, "This will be a real match. Death is not looked for, but permitted. Is everyone clear on this?" those around the clearing nodded. "Ugashi?"

"Yes, sensei."

"Kenshin."

"Hai."

"Then begin."

Later it would be known to those of the villagelike a story. A tale told of a young warrior with god-like speed and precision. Kenshin managed a first blood against Ugashi's left cheek. It would scar, a permanent reminder of the youngsters skill. The second and third points were awarded in an instant as Ugashi rushed Kenshin and the sound of metal against metal rang triumphantly. A thin line of red showed against Kenshin's arm, but the blood gushing from Ugashi's elbow was like a river. It hung strangely, the tendons severed below the joint. Ugashi stood, stunned for a moment, before the others rushed forward to doctor him.

"You should not question a master." Ugashi told Kenshin as the younger man stepped forward to apply pressure to the blood vessels.

"You are not my master, do not presume you know more than one because you are older. Do not presume that age means wisdom. Learn that lesson, and maybe we will spar again one day."

The others pushed Kenshin out of the way. They carried Ugashi into a house. The clearing was silent, except for the heavy sound of Tsukasa's breathing.

"Kenshin?" Tsukasa stepped forward cautiously.

"I am tired Tsukasa, I need to sleep."

"Your arm…"

"Will be fine. He just grazed me."

"Kenshin."

"What?" Kenshin looked up at the stars, suddenly he missed his woods.

"Come on… lets go inside, I'll look at your scratch." Tsukasa gently took Kenshins arm and lead him inside. Kenshin followed, suddenly, completely numb.

"Sneaking out in the middle of the night Kenshin?"

"Not sneaking sir. Just leaving before my stay becomes stale." He turned to watch Itsuruku Shiba as he slowly walked across the porch to lean on a support pole.

"Your stay is not yet ripe young one."

"Your weapons master would not agree." Shiba laughed and shrugged.

"The man had to learn, sooner or later, when you mess with a bee hive you will get stung."

Kenshin looked out at the dark night, it was early, way before the sun would show a false dawn. He was ready to leave. There were too many people around, he had not had so much companion ship since Hiko found him, rescued him from the pile of dead slaves and murders.

"His arm…"

"Should heal cleanly." Shiba nodded, "You showed considerable restraint."

"No I didn't. I shouldn't have hurt him, I could have stopped myself."

"He had no right to challenge you Kenshin, already you are a greater warrior than he could ever become. If you lost your patience with Ugashi it only goes to show how young you are. You will have many choices in your life to make. You could have killed him and no one here would have judged you." Shiba reached over and touched Kenshin's right arm, above the elbow. "He scratched you."

"I misjudged-"

"No, you didn't," Shiba interrupted. "You knew exactly where his sword was and what it would do to you. But to dodge it your sword would have gone straight to his heart. You showed restraint and compassion where many could not. Would not."

"Sir, Shiba-dono…"

"Go back to your mountain, learn the lessons Hiko needs you to learn, then go out in the world and do good." Shiba slapped his hand gently on Kenshin's cheek. "I will tell the children goodbye for you, they will be upset, but it will be easier for you to handle."

"I feel like a coward, leaving without saying goodbye myself." Kenshin looked down at the ground, "But I have to go back, I know I still have much to learn."

"Go Kenshin. Use the left path when you get to it. There are a few more villages on that route, it will be less eventful than your journey down the mountain."