Disclaimer: Honestly, I'm sick of saying this already! I don't own Rurouni Kenshin! He belongs to Watsuki-sama and some other people.

This contains mild spoilers for the OVA Trust and Betrayal. Author Notes at the end. Oh, and one more thing: this alternates between Hiko & Tomoe, Saito & Okita and Kenshin.

((())) Going up Hiko's mountain – The Shinsengumi ((()))

"You seem worried about something, Saito," said Souji Okita, leader of the first squad of the Shinsengumi. He was, of course, talking to an old friend of his, Hajime Saito leader of the third squad of the Shinsengumi.

Saito snorted. "Please it's not like anyone up on this damned mountain will actually be able to match our skills. Or, come to think of it, give us any information about the 'patriots'" said Saito, saying the word 'patriots mockingly.

Okita laughed and responded, "So you don't believe the rumours?" Okita was referring to something that an old man that lived near here had told them. The man had said that up on the mountain lived a 'mad hermit monk in love with sake and skilled with a blade'. He'd also mentioned that this 'swordsman' had a student that he taught his unique sword style to.

Saito snorted just thinking about it. "No I don't believe it. It's completely ridiculous. A mad hermit monk in love with sake? I mean really Okita; you can't tell me that you believe that nonsense."

Okita laughed and said, "Oh I'm sure you're right about the 'mad hermit monk in love with sake' bit but," now Okita sobered. "He was at least telling the truth about the student. Several other sources confirmed that a young boy lives up here."

"Although," he added as an afterthought, "you'd probably have to be a 'mad hermit monk' to willingly live here!" Saito and Okita were currently climbing the mountain. And it was hard, especially considering that both of them had been born and raised in the city. The closest they'd ever come to this kind of thing was jumping over rooftops, which when you thought about it, really wasn't all that similar.

"Hn. Why couldn't one of the squad members do this," asked Saito, annoyed. He prided himself on being in perfect condition at all times but this was just ridiculous! When I get back to Kyoto, I am definitely going to get some more training done! What if I get attacked on a mountain?

Okita chose his next words carefully. He, like Saito, was tired and annoyed about having to climb the mountain but it was slightly worse for him because his tuberculosis was already in effect and he tired easier than he used to. In Kyoto, it made no difference but having to strain himself here was annoying to say the least.

"To tell the truth" began Okita carefully, "I believe their afraid of this 'mad hermit' and his supposed strong 'unique style'."

Saito choked and then lowered his eyes in a menacing glare. "Those idiots! That's just ridiculous! When we get back to Kyoto I'll work them so hard that they'll wish they'd never heard of swordsmanship!" Okita sweatdropped as Saito rambled on menacingly. This was exactly what he was afraid of happening.

"Well, we have to understand their reasons," said Okita fairly, although he too was surprised by his squad's reluctance. "After all the last person who used a strong 'unique style' was Battousai the Manslayer. And I don't have to tell you how that turned out," he said, the last part darkly.

"Battousai is one of a kind! Just because he happens to use a unique style that, as an added bonus, is a strong style doesn't mean that everyone who uses a so-called unique style is strong. I mean do you honestly believe that everyone that has a unique style happens to include god-like speed and inhuman strength," said Saito, now even more annoyed.

Okita sweatdropped again. Well so much for trying to stop his rambling. I don't want to be in the squads shoes when we get back. But I'm sure that he's right, after all what are the chances of us running into two inhumanly skilled swordsmen in the same year? Or, for that matter, the same lifetime?

If they only knew…

((())) Bottom of Hiko's mountain – Kenshin ((()))

Kenshin had been jogging nonstop from Otsu. Lucky for him, the mountain wasn't actually all that far from the town. And he didn't have to run back to their cabin to get his sword. He was slightly annoyed that he didn't have his wakizashi but he hadn't wanted to waste time going to get it. His katana would have to do. It was a good thing that he'd finally decided to bring it. But that was where his luck ran out.

He rounded the corner and then froze, turned around and then quietly made himself disappear in the trees. Then he turned to face the sight that had shocked. The entire 1st and 3rd squads of the Shinsengumi.

He snuck through the trees, this act bringing back memories of when he was young and used to try and hide from his master. Not that different really, except that this time he was hiding from people that wanted his blood.

"How much longer do you think Captain Saito and Captain Okita will be?" asked one of the men.

"I dunno. Probably not long though. Other than that mad hermit monk and his kid, there's nothing of interest up there," answered his comrade, completely unaware of the fact that he was being watched by a pair of cold blue eyes.

(I'm pretty sure that Kenshin's eyes only turn amber after Tomoe's death, but if I'm wrong, forgive me!)

Kenshin, who was hidden in the shadows, blinked in surprise and had to stop himself from laughing at the mans descriptions of Hiko. I pity the person who says that to Masters face. Hang on a second did they say Saito and Okita? Kuso! Damn those wolves! He thought, trying to calm himself. If he didn't have complete control of his emotions then he'd be easy prey for those wolves.

He turned around and delved into the forest. Taking the path was impossible; otherwise he'd be sure to run into Saito and Okita sooner or later. However he did have one advantage over the two swordsmen. While they may have been called wolves, they were not used to this terrain. Kenshin, on the other hand, had been raised here. This was what he was good at. He smiled grimly to himself and started up the mountain, taking the shortest way possible while still staying away from the pathway.

Since they were most likely quite far ahead of them, he probably wouldn't be able to catch up before they reached the cabin. But he should be able to get there and if need be, diffuse any situation that may arise. He hoped not, as he really didn't want to bother his master, but if Tomoe was in any danger…

((())) Hiko's cabin ((()))

Tomoe was fiddling with her blanket. Normally she was to calm and sophisticated to do things like that, but today she made an exception. She had only come around late the night before, and Hiko had given her some medicine, to help her get some sleep and to calm her down.

It had worked for the night, but in the morning she was all nerves again. Lucky for her, the mask she had worn for so long stayed true and the only thing that showed she was anxious was her fiddling.

She was lying on the futon, with a few pillows against the wall which she was leaning up against. It was comfortable, and allowed her to eat and read, but not to write in her diary which was what she usually did to diffuse her stress. Maybe I should get Kenshin to teach me how to meditate she mused, thinking about her red-haired husband.

While it was true that hardly anything surprised Kenshin, things that did were usually quite big. So when he was surprised he meditated. He always made sure he had complete control over his emotions at all times. Not just in expression but also in spirit. She assumed it was a swordsmen thing, since Hiko, Katsura and all the other skilled swordsmen that she met rarely showed their emotions.

Hiko was currently sitting outside, sipping sake. He had sensed several swordsmen's ki a while ago and he assumed they belonged to the Shinsengumi. From what he could tell, only two of them were making their way up his mountain. Now he was just trying to decide whether to tell the women that they were coming.

After thinking more about his theory of her and her husband being samurai, the more he thought he was right. It would explain her education, her dagger, her dislike of Kyoto, why she was in Kyoto in the first place and her polite manners. Something else that he'd gathered from the last few days was that she – or her husband – were Imperialists. Otherwise, why would she be so afraid of the Shinsengumi?

Well, those damn wolves could search all they wanted; they weren't getting any information off him! He felt quite protective of the woman, especially know that he knew that she may have information about his idiot apprentice. And there was no way he'd risk his apprentices' welfare. Although…maybe he could 'let slip' some stories. Like the time Kenshin ate those mushrooms…Hiko smirked at the thought. None of them would probably realize that he was talking about the infamous Battousai the Manslayer, but that didn't make it any less amusing.

Hiko's eyes narrowed when he sensed something else. Another ki, making its way up his mountain. Somehow, it was almost halfway up! Another skilled swordsman, thought Hiko grimly. He wasn't with the Shinsengumi, otherwise he would've joined with the other two but that was all he could figure out just from his ki.

The only other thing he knew was that he was skilled. Incredibly so, if he managed to hide his ki long enough from Hiko to get halfway up and still managed to hide it enough so that Hiko couldn't make any predictions.

Could it be a fight he's after? wondered Hiko. There was no doubt in his mind that he could beat that swordsmen, he was after all, a Hiten Mitsurugi master but a fight may result in the Shinsengumi recognizing his techniques. He did not want to constantly get hounded by those crooked politicians. Maybe, if he was lucky, the mysterious swordsmen would wait until the Shinsengumi left before attacking. If that was his plan.

He stood up and, with his cloak floating behind him, he entered his cabin, waiting for his 'guests'.

((())) Saito and Okita ((()))

"Finally," said Saito, as smoke from a cabin rose up a few metres away from them. Okita only nodded, pleased that they were finally there but wary of whoever they might meet in this cabin. Although he didn't believe the rumours, he was trained to be careful of everything and this was no exception.

"Who wants to knock?" asked Okita. Saito only looked at him, surprised. Okita smirked and said, "Saito, you can't always just run in and knock the door down! We're here to ask questions, no attacking and no drawing your sword. Got it?"

Saito growled. Not only was he forced to climb this damned mountain but now he wasn't even allowed to use his precious sword! This just plain wasn't fair! When he got back to Kyoto he was going to work his squad so hard…

Saito's vindictive rambling was cut short by the two of them walking into a small clearing in front of a cabin. The two swordsmen walked up to the cabin and, since Saito was not one to politely knock on doors, Okita knocked 3 times.

((())) Hiko's cabin ((()))

Tomoe looked up sharply when Hiko entered the cabin but relaxed when she saw that he was alone. Hiko sat down across from her and drank his sake like he had not a care in the world. Well of course he doesn't mind! She scolded herself. After all, the Shinsengumi isn't after his blood and he doesn't have to worry about them finding Kenshin either. She was, of course, wrong on both counts.

"They'll be here soon," said Hiko. He finally decided to just tell her, otherwise she would just get really anxious when they did arrive and that would make them suspicious. Best to just get rid of them as quickly as possible.

Tomoe stiffened at his words. Briefly, she wondered how he knew, but then realized that if he really was a skilled swordsman then it would be an ability he would have mastered. Kenshin always seemed to know where everyone was at all times as well. Something to do with ki.

She was taking deep breaths to calm herself, being nervous in front of the Shinsengumi would just make them suspicious, when three knocks sounded on the door.

Hiko stood, drew himself up to his full impressive height and opened the door.

((())) The mountain – Kenshin ((()))

Kenshin was going up the mountain as quickly as he could, which was quite fast considering that it was a very thick forest. He was following Saito and Okita using ki, it seemed that they didn't think anyone would be able to sense them. He wondered briefly what they would do if they knew that the 'mad hermit monk' was actually the best swordsman in Japan if not the world. But he stiffened when he sensed another ki to his right.

He cursed himself for not sensing it sooner and casually slowed down to a brisk walk and laid a hand on his katana. Although to most people it would seem that he hadn't a care in the world (if they didn't see the sword), his brain was in fact spouting off hundreds of ideas. He couldn't use the Hiten, Saito and Okita knew the techniques and would automatically know whose handiwork it was. But what other attack could he use. This was the thought he was pondering on when the squad member attacked.

Kenshin drew his blade with his customary god-like speed and parried the blow. He skidded over to the tree and watched his opponent, sizing him up.

The man, who was called Hadojima, stopped and also turned around, holding his blade in front of him. What he saw made his blood freeze. At first glance, it was only a boy but then Hadojima noticed the long red hair swaying in the breeze and narrowed blue eyes, promising a swift, silent death. "Battousai…the…Manslayer," he said under his breath.

For what seemed like the hundredth time today, Kenshin cursed his hair. Although not many people knew of his physical description yet, the more advanced members of the Shinsengumi did and this was apparently one of them.

Kenshin quickly contemplated several forms of attack and decided to use a parallel thrust technique, as similar to the Shinsengumi's Hirazuka as he could make it. This would divert suspicion away from himself, as he was known for using Battoujuttsu, not parallel sword thrusts.

Hadojima ran towards Kenshin with his sword in front of him, but Kenshin easily dodged. He spun around and his katana sliced through the man as though he were soft as a feather. Kenshin then quickly jumped onto one of the lower branches so as not to get any blood on him. He quickly wiped his blade with a cloth he always kept with him.

Then, sheathing his blade, he cast out his senses, making sure that nobody else was following him and then when he was satisfied he proceeded up the mountain, realizing grimly that while he was fighting, Saito and Okita had reached the cabin.

((())) Hiko's cabin ((()))

Okita blinked in surprise at the tall and extremely well muscled man that answered his knock. Although Saito didn't show anything he, to was surprised.

Hiko smirked at the two surprised Shinsengumi captains. "What do you want?" he asked in his typically curt manner.

Saito bristled at being treated like that but Okita shot his friend a warning glance and said to the man pleasantly, "We're from the Shinsengumi. I'm sure you've heard about the unrest in Kyoto and we're trying to catch the perpetrators. If you don't mind answering a few questions for us."

"Hmph," said Hiko, but stepped aside to let them in. The two men immediately scanned the room they were in and filed everything away for later use. Just in case. They also noted with some surprise that a woman was on a futon in the middle of the room.

"I am Souji Okita, and this is Hajime Saito," said Okita, by way of introduction.

"Niitsu Kakunoshin," said Hiko simply, using the name that he'd adopted as a potter. Tomoe looked up in some surprise when he said this and though perhaps he has something to hide after all…

Saito and Okita turned to the woman who simply said, "Tomoe."

Hiko frowned at this. Once again, she was hesitant to divulge her last name. Perhaps the Shinsengumi was the reason why. If they saw her or her husband as a threat then they wouldn't hesitate to slay them.

"Do you live here together?" asked Okita.

"No-" began Hiko but was interrupted by Tomoe.

"My husband had to go to country to collect some herbs and, what with rumours of dangerous men wandering around, asked me to stay here," she said, her face not betraying a hint of the fact that she was lying. She just hoped that Hiko did not reveal anything.

Hiko was very surprised when she suddenly started spouting about her husband leaving her here, but knew she had to have her reasons. At least this way she'll have to answer my questions.

"Herbs" questioned Saito.

"Yes. My husband is an apothecary, we sell medicines," answered Tomoe, grateful that they had not seen through her lie and that Hiko was not going to reveal anything.

"I see. Oh, Kakunoshin-san?" said Okita turning to the larger man. At Hiko's nod he continued. "We heard that you lived with a young boy. Most people can't decide whether he's your student or your son." Tomoe looked up and waited for the answer; that was the very question she wanted to ask.

Hiko chose his words carefully. "Do you really think that someone who eats a poisoned mushroom because he thinks it's 'pretty' can learn the fine art of swordsmanship?" Hiko smirked just thinking about that particular memory. Saito and Okita blinked in surprise and Okita started laughing.

"Your son, then?" said Saito, as Okita was trying to get his breath back. Hiko nodded, not really giving a definite answer. Kenshin was not blood-related but in more ways than one Kenshin was like the son he never had.

"Did he really eat a poisoned mushroom just because it looked pretty?" asked Okita.

"Yes. For months afterwards he was trying to figure out how something that looked so pretty could be so dangerous. The same thing happened with a wild rabbit we ran into once," answered Hiko, chuckling as he remembered. Although these two would probably never realize that this was the legendary Battousai the Manslayer they were talking about, it didn't make it any less amusing.

Tomoe also found herself smiling at the story. She found herself hoping that she would be able to meet this kid.

"Well, it seems that there's nothing of interest here," said Saito, who now became spokesperson since Okita was still chuckling about the boy. "We should get going, our squads' are waiting for us."

Hiko nodded and stood, following them out of his cabin.

"Well, I apologize for disturbing you Kakunoshin-san, and I thank you for the interesting story," said Okita. Saito only nodded and said "Good-bye" before turning to leave.

Hiko walked back in, the memories that he'd dug up about Kenshin still fresh in his mind.

"That was an interesting story," said Tomoe.

"As was yours" returned Hiko.

"Just answer me this, was it just a story? I know you do have a student or a son, but did he really do those things?" she asked, hoping that it would lead him off-track from her own story.

"Oh, trust me it's true. The red-head always seemed to get into dangerous predicaments. It's one of the many, many things Kenshin got up to when he was young. Some of them are quite funny…" said Hiko, smirking once again.

Then he looked up in surprise when he felt the woman's ki radiating pure shock.

Tomoe's mask had also crumbled, leaving her face expressing pure shock and surprise for the first time in years.

"Wh-what did you just say?" she asked.

((())) Authors Notes ((()))

Hehe, a small cliffie!

I have to admit this was way more difficult than I thought it would be. It also took a lot longer! Nearly five days…sheesh. Saito and Okita will make one more small appearance next chapter, no fight I'm sorry! Which is another thing – I suck at writing action/fight scenes! I'm sorry if the fight Kenshin had with the Shinsengumi guy wasn't good, but I just don't know how to write action scenes. It might be easier if I could've used Hiten Mitsurugi! Oh well, hopefully next chapter will be easier!

About the 'mad hermit monk' thing, its something i've read before and I liked it so I decided to add it. And it gives Kenshin some ammo against Hiko to, although Hiko will probably have worse...

One small request: If you have any ideas about 'embarrassing moments for Kenshin then let me know and I'll put them in! or, if not then if you could recommend a fic that has embarrassing moments for Kenshin, it would be well appreciated!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO – Peacebunnie, TeZukAb0ch0u, starfruit-22, korrd, akisu-san and MikaylaMae for reviewing! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please drop me another comment!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, please review, and I'll update as soon as I can!