Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Rurouni Keshin characters. But I do own Sajin and Raiden as well as Korosu. For those of you that love Hiko, he will finally be making an appearence into the story and will appear later on. I haven't decided yet whether he will be a supporting character or a main character like Kenshin. Well enjoy the story.

Chapter 7: Warrior's Games

The man in the house sighed angrily.

'What is going on out there, sheesh if they are trying to steal my pottery, at least they could be a little quieter.' The man thought to himself.

"I guess I better go stop them." The man sighed once more and picked up a sword that was setting on the floor next to him. He got up, strapped his katana to his hakama and roughly shoved the curtain out of his way and proceeded outside.

"I told you to stop trying to steal my . . . ." His little tirade interrupted when he noticed Saitou's unconscious body among the wrecked pottery. In a few gigantic steps he was at Saitou's side.

He had to turn Saitou over. He gently tapped Saitou on the cheek, "Hey are you all right?"

Saitou's head just lulled to the side. The man felt for a pulse and was relieved to find one even if it was fast and shallow.

'What would people think if there was a dead man on my premises, I wouldn't get any customers.' The man thought, even though he hadn't had any company since his baka deshi left.

The man noticed Saitou was sweating so he felt Saitou's forehead. He quickly withdrew his hand in surprise, the unconscious Saitou was burning up with fever. The man didn't delay further, he gently picked Saitou up off the ground and quickly navigated his way through the pottery back to the house.

'This is quite annoying, why couldn't he have just collapsed somewhere else.' The man thought to himself while searching for a place to set the unconscious Saitou. He sighed and eventually laid Saitou on his own sleeping futon.

"If I remember currectly I must first see if he is breathing." So he checked and sure enough Saitou was breathing at a fast rate.

'Well it's better then nothing.' The man thought grudgingly. Next thing the man did was find a bucket to put water in. He found one near the house enterance filled it up with cold water, then got a towel, dipped it in the water and mopped the sweat off of Saitou's forehead.

Soon after he was finished, he left the towel in the bucket and turned all his attention to the task at hand; cleaning and bandaging Saitou's wounds.

The man removed the haori but he had to be extra careful with the gi because it had crusted blood on it, plus it was stuck to the wounds.

'This man must have had a nasty battle.' The man thought as he made an open mouthed grimace.

There was some parts of Saitou's gi that were so encrusted to his chest wound that the man had to literally tear off, and by doing so it drew blood. The man completely removed the top half of the gi.

'I'm really surprised that this man is even alive, his wounds are starting to get an infection from all the dirt, gravel, and sword debris in his wounds. It's a good thing he's knocked out because I would have had to take them out wen he was conscious and that would have proven to be very painful.'

The man inspected the wounds very closely, Saitou had a puncture wound in the right side and a long ropy chest wound starting at hte right shoulder. Not to mention an ugly black, blue, and purple buise that was starting to form. Most likely Saitou had some broken ribs along with the bruise.

The man rubbed his hands to nervouslessly, this wasn't like him he was usually a strong person why was he so nervous for a man that he didn't even know?

'I better get started.' The man thought shaking all unwanted thought from his head; first priority was to save this man's life.

The man got up and gathered some supplies before he even did anything to the unconscious man's wounds. He knew that he would have to dig at some of the shrapnel. Fortunately he had lots of practice from when he had an apprentice.

"Baka deshi running off like that." The man muttered under his breath has he positioned himself at Saitou's side.

It seemed like hours passed by as the man carefully dug for gravel and shrapnel inbedded in Saitou's wounds and below the skin. The man sighed with relief as he finally pulled the last foreign object out.

The man wiped sweat from his brow, "Finally the worst part is over."

The man then proceeded to wash away the dirt, crusted blood and new blood away from the wounds. Only after looking at his handiwork did the man proceed to wash his own hands clean of the blood.

"It looks like this man fought against the Battousai, if this is so then this man is rather lucky to be alive." The man said as he dried his hands off with a dry towel.

Soon after, with a practiced hand the man carefully raised Saitou's upper body, until it rested oh a well muscled knee, he quickly and skillfully bandaged up Saitou's wounds.

Before placing Saitou back down he quickly grabbed a pillow that was nearby and then placed Saitou back down. The man went and fetched a blacket and put it over Saitou's body drawing it up to cover his shoulders.

'All that work would be for nothing if this man daid from a cold.' The man thought as he sat down. He poured himself some sake and silently watched Saitou only moving periodically to rewet the cloth and reposition it on Saitou's forehead.

"With any luck this man's fever will go down." The man said as he sat and drank his sake.

Sajin was quite fortunate that some Ishins were going to a party early that morning, they saw Sajin's unconscious body lying in the street. One of the Ishins knelt by Sajin's head and checked for a pulse with was present. The kneeling Ishin immediately took charge.

"I'll stay here while you guys go back and get a medical team."

They complied. Soon after they departed Sajin began to stur.

"Where is he, where is Saitou?" Sajin asked his words slurred in a struggling effort to get up.

The Ishin forced him back to the ground, "I don't know, but you shouldn't be moving about."

"I almost did it, I almost killed him." Sajin mumbled feverishly.

The Ishin humored Sajin and justed nodded while putting a hand to Sajin's forhead.

"You're burning up with fever, but don't worry we'll get you back in camp and taken care of in no time."

Sajin tried once more to sit up. The Ishin looked into Sajin's face and noticed the frightened almost terrified look in his eye. He body was beginning to shake uncontrollably as well.

"Don't let Raiden know I was fighting against Saitou, he'll kill me!"

The Ishin gritted his teeth in irratation, as he forced Sajin down again.

"Please do stay still I don't know the extent of you injuries but don't worry, I'll make sure this Raiden never finds out that you fought Saitou."

"I just wanted to show brother that I'm not as weak as he thinks I am." Sajin mumbled as his slipped into an unconscious state once more.

Once he was out cold a doctor came running up, a strecher not far behind. He knelt beside the Ishin officer. "What are the extent of his injuries?"

"Um, all I can tell for sure is the gash and stab in his chest." The Ishin stated as he moved out of the way for the medical team to put Sajin on the stretcher.

"Who did this to him?" the doctor asked.

I don't know." The officer lied, knowing very well his promise he had made to Sajin.

The doctor nodded and they made their way back to the Ishin camp.

The first thing Saitou felt when he woke up was somthing cold and wet on his forehead. In total confusion Saitou snapped awake and bolted upright. Bad mistake; Saitou doubled over and hissed sharply at the sudden pain. He almost vomited as nausea hit full force.

Saitou, in the corner of his eye, saw a man sitting with his back turned. He then turned around and greeted Saitou with an arrogant smirk.

"Well finally."

The man got up and crouched next to Saitou. Saitou noticed a jug in the man's hand. Saitou turned his head in utter disgust, this man's breath smelled of sake. It was so pungant to nausiated Saitou even more.

"What's the matter?" The man asked.

"Who are you?" Saitou asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Now, now, now. Is that anyway to treat the person who just saved your life? Well if you must know, my name is Seijuro Hiko the thirteenth." Hiko said straightening his back a little and puffed out his chest.

Saitou quirked an eyebrow, "You look more like a gorilla." Saitou muttered under his breath.

Fortunately Hiko didn't hear Saitou's insult.

"Ah, by the looks of it I see you've met my narrow minded baka deshi." Hiko's comment was met with a blank stare.

"You would know him by his "formal name" Hitokiri Battousai, the manslayer." Hiko explained reveling in Saitou's blank stare.

Hiko's little moment of fun was cut short when he heard a strange sound coming from Saitou, it sounded like hw as coughing, but it wasn't until Saitou's little coughing tirade turned into full-blown laughter. Hiko was dumbstruck. Saitou's laughter turned into coughing and he grimaced in pain at the burning in his chest.

"You think this was from Battousai? Well then you probably haven't heard of the Sei'ei Futagoha(elite twinblade)." Saitou smirked having fun.

Hiko's expression went grim, "So the stories that I hear from the Kyoto market place are true, I would have hoped that they were false."

Saitou didn't ask what Hiko meant even though he was quite curious.

Saitou however had one question buring on his mind. It nagged at his mind constantly so he asked.

"So this baka deshi of your's would happen to be the Battousai, ne?"

"Hai, you don't listen very well do you?" Hiko answered somberly taking a quick swig from his sake jug.

So ka, by the way how long have I been here?" Saitou asked, changing the question.

Without hesitation Hiko answered, "Five days."

Saitou narrow eyes went wide with surprise.

"I thank you Hiko for helping me but I need to get back to camp now." Saito usaid frantically while going through them motions of standing up.

Hiko had poured some sake into a cup and was now drinking from it, he peered over the cup,

"I wouldn't try to stnad up if I were you." Hiko warned.

Saitou dismissed hie warning with a menacing glare.

Hiko shrugged, "don't say I didn't warn you."

As soon as Saitou got to his feet he took a step, wobbled uncontrollably, and fell back onto his laurels. Saitou growled in pain and clutched his chest.

"You barely woke up, your body still needs to rest." Hiko stated.

He looked Saitou over and noticed blood was seeping though the bandages.

"Looks like I'll have to change your bandages."

"Hai, I guess so." Saitou muttered, itching to have a cigarette.

After Hiko was finished re-bandaging Saitou he asked, "Do you want to play som Shogi to pass the time?"

"Hai, why not, it's not like I don't have anything else to do." Saitou said bringing up his left knee so he could rest his left arm on it.

Hiko didn't say more; he left, got his Shogi board and pieces, and came back.

Hiko set it up and said, "Lets start."

Saitou just nodded.

Okita couldn't help but feel worried. Sure the last time he came back but this time it whas been to long something must have happened.

"Okita calm down you don't wante to over excite yourself."

Okita glared daggers at Hijikata,

"I have every right to be, Saitou's my friend." Okita said his furious stare locking with Hijikata's eyes.

Hijikata didn't even flinch, he had had a lot of practice with Saitou.

"I know you do Okita but you must really take it easy." Kondou interjected.

"But Kondou-sama Saitou's been gone for five days!" Okita cried his frustration, his voice so high with emotion that it sounded strained and cracked.

Kondou and Hijikata exchanged glances, "Okita would it ease your mind if Hijikaka and I go and look for him tomorrow?" Kondou asked trying to appease his restless friend and first captain.

"Why can't you go now?" Okita asked; his voice starting to return back to normal.

"Have you looked outside?" Hijikata asked a little harsher then he would have liked.

Kondou stood up nest to Hijikata, put his hand on Hijikata's shoulder and shook his head. Hijikata understood and backed down.

"I'm sorry Okita. I didn't mean to be harsh but you're not the only one that had been effected by Saitou's dissappearence." Hijikata said bowing his apology.

Okita was slightly surprised by Hijikata's strange attitude. He numbly bowed back.

"The reason why you must know already is it is raining and we need every man in camp as night draws nearer." Kondou said calmly.

"You promise to go look for him tomorrow?" Okita asked even though he already knew the answer.

"Hai, my friend; we shall go at first light now you should go rest." Kondou said.

"But I feel great." Okita said skipping around back into his michievious, playful attitude wich soon ended by a small but body shaking cough. Hijikata gave Kondou a worried glance.

"Like I said again you should get some rest, and if you don't comply then I order you to get some rest." Kondou restated gently but firmly.

Okita just nodded, bowed respectfully to his superiors, and went back to his tent.

Once Okita had left, Hijikata turned to Kondou, "Do you think that was a wise idea?" Hijikata asked.

"You should know I keep my promises." Kondou stated smiling as he once again busied himself with paperwork. Hijikata knew that Kondou had officially closed the discussion to further debate.

"Raiden," A voice called out from behind Raiden't tent flap.

"What is it Battousai?" Raiden asked clearly perturbed; Sajin was gon and for some reason Raiden know that Battousai's news had to do with his brother.

Sure enough his intuition was correct to Raiden's dismay.

"It's your brother he was found wounded in the streets of Kyoto." Battousai continued.

A chill ran down his spine. Everyone around his was getting hurt; first long ago his mother, father and sister. He didn't want to lose his brother too.

He silently got up and went ouside. "Where is he right now?" Raiden asked as he gave Battousai a hollow steely gaze.

"He is in the infirmary." Battousai said.

'Why is it everytime something hapens to Sajin Battousai is the one to come to me?' Raiden wondered to himself as he made his way to the infirmary.

Even though Raiden tried to hide his sorrow, Battousai could feel it in his ki, not it mention his eyes betrayed him.

'I may not have been there to know exactly what happened but I have a feeling that Saitou didn't do it. I remember Raiden saying something about Saito killing his family.' Battousai thought to himself.

'Why do I want to help them thought, Saitou or Raiden both?"

A different voice popped into his mind, 'Because you can't stand having an innocent man killed for something he didn't do, and you can't stand seeing other people being lonely like you are.'

That made sense, Battousai reasoned, it is true he didn't like seeing people being accused of something they did not do, nor could he bear to see other people lonely.

A sudden thought struck him, 'I remember hearing Korosu talking about having a traitor killed for abandoning the Ishin Shishi, when I get a chance I'll have to look at Korosu's record book.'

Raiden sat there next to Sajin's bed feeling helpless. It was a feeling he hated because it meant he had no control over anything. Doctors and nurses noisily buzzed around him doing their jobs, but Raiden didn't notice, he only had his eyes locked on Sajin wainting to see if he would wake up.

True to his luck, Sajin's eyelids fluttered open and a painful moan escaped his lips.

Raiden sighed in relief. Sajin laughed a little but it turned into a cough, "What's the matter, never seen a wounded man before?"

Once he saw that his brother was alright he puton his usualy cold, uncaring mask.

Sajin flinched slightly by Raiden't sudden change in his face.

'I like him better when he doesn't act like this.' Sajin thought.

"What happened to you?" Raiden asked coldly.

Sajin couldn't bring himself to look into Raiden's eyes.

"I got attacked by the enemy." Sajin said shamefaced.

"Was it Saitou?" Raiden spat.

Sajin slowly and painfully shook his head, "it was a soldier."

Raiden looked over his twin brother's bandaged body all of which were on his chest.

"He must have been a good swordsman then." Raiden said scowling ath is brother.

"Hai, he was but he is dead now."

Raiden knodded not fully believing Sajin. Sajin had to put on a mask of pain to hide his fear. Raiden say his pain and decided now would be a good time to let Sajin rest.

Without further conversation Raiden went back to his tent. Sajin gave a relieved sigh and fell asleep again.

Both Saitou and Hiko were tired of playing Shogi.

"You're a good opponant." Hiko said

"I beat you five times." Saitou replied.

"Then lets play Go." Saitou replied.

Saitou stifled a groan. Hiko was so stubborn.

"Fine but only since I don't have anything better to do." Saitou said drolly.

"Good." Hiko replied as he went to get get the Go board and stones. He came back Go board and stones in hand, "You won't beat me so easily."

2 hours later. . . .

"Come on lets play again." Hiko said.

"Argh, you are stubborn, I've already beat you seven time." Saitou replied in frustration.

"Once I win one then we will stop." Hiko stated definently.

Saitou smirked evilly, "Ok then lets play some more i'll be black you white."

In the middle of the game. . . . . .

"Come on Hiko I don't have all day." Saitou said boredom starting to set in.

Saitou heard Hiko's stone clink on the board.

"Finally," Saitou immediately put his stone down on the board.

It took longer this time for Hiko to put his stone on the board. Saitou again immediately put his stone down again.

Hiko looked over the Go board, he wasn't doning too bad, he looked for a place to put his stone. Soon after he found one he heard a light snoring coming from Saitou's direction. He loked up and say Saitou's head resting on his cheswt lightly sleeping.

Hiko chuckled, 'Should I wake him up to finish the game or should I let him sleep?"

Hiko's pride won out in the end and he gently prodded Saitou. "It's your turn."

Saitou woke up and groggily put a stone down on the board. Hiko studied where Saitou had put his stone, his jaw dropped.

"I won, I finally won."

"Great, now can you keep it down, I'm trying to sleep." And with that Saitou laid down on thie futon he was occupying, turned over on to his side and brought the blanket up to his shoulder.

"Oh and Hiko, I let you win." Saitou said before he fell asleep.

". . . . . .No good cockroach. . . . ." Hiko muttered.

Saitou couldn't resist.

"Well you're a no good gorilla." Saitou yawned before going to sleep.

The next morning Saitou woke up. "How long did I sleep?"

"The whole night." Hiko answered.

Hiko took a sip of sake before asking.

"If you can stand up I suggest we gonow."

"We:" Saitou asked, was Hiko going ot elisht in the Shinsengumi?

"Ha, ha, ha." Hiko laughter boomed out like rolled thunder. "Don't think your can make it down' my hill without getting further injuries boy."

Saitou scowled, looked down at his bandaged chest and reluctantly agreed.

They had breakfast and Saitou slowly got to his feet with the aide of his katana and Hiko. Hiko then stood nest to Saito uand instructed him.

"Put your arme around my shoulders." Hiko instructed.

Saitou rolled his eyes but complied none the less. Hiko in turn kelp Saitou in place bye putting one hand behind Saitou's back and with the other took hold of Saitou's arm that was around his neck.

"There, now let's go."

At the pace they went they made it to cmap just before noon.

Kondou and Hijikata had left early in the morning and was just now coming back.

"What are we going to tell Okita?" Hijikata asked Kondou. Kondou could tell that Hijikata was visibly destressed.

"We tell him the truth." Kondou replied.

Hijikata stared at Kondou, "But that would just kill Okita."

"I don't think it would, look over there." Kondou replied as Hiko and Saitou appeared in camp.

"Hijikata you better go get a doctor, it looks like Saitou is wounded." Kondou stated.

Hiko saw Kondou and they made their way over to him.

"I think he belongs to you." Hiko stated.

Yes he does, Arigato." Kondou bowed his thanks.

"Do Itashimashite." Hiko answered back as he carefully placed Saitou on the ground.

"I must get back now." And with that Hiko left.

Okita heard that Saitou was back he came running out. "What took you so long?"

Okita shouted and he skidded to a halt next to Saitou.

"I'll tell you later right now I just want to go to bed." Saitou said.

Okita laughed. "That doesn't sound like you at all Saitou."

"You don't understand what I went through, I don't know what was worse my injuries or constantly playing Go and Shogi. I had to lose on purposejust so I could get some sleep." Saitou said.

"Aa, well then Okita help me get him to his tent." Kondou said.

"Should we do it the old fashioned way?" Okita asked.

Saitou rolled his eyes as they helped him up and brought him to his own tent.

'I"m never going to ive this down, I go on a simple mission to keep Tokio safe and six days later come back injured.'

Okita's voice broke his train of thoughts.

"And since Saitou's not getting out of bed for a while I'll come by everyday and play Go and Shogi with him." Okita said with a smirk.

Both Kondou and Okita laughed.

"Hn." Was all Saitou said.