Edited Repost 2/19/2011

Later~ After many centuries of refusing to age Shinta's body and mind finally agree, some maturity should be allowed to shine through on the surface. Hiko is surprised by his pupil.~

"Shishou, you shouldn't stay out this late by yourself. War looms ever closer with all the fires approaching the mountain," Kenshin sat on a rock staring up at the night sky. It was his attempt to give his master some privacy, although after all the fights and training privacy just turned out to be a blind eye to the other during bathing sessions. "Kyoto blazes brightly tonight, I wonder how much longer it will be until this madness reaches our quiet mountain yet again." Kenshin's thoughts were stilled as he was splashed rather suddenly with ice cold water. His eyes blazed as he locked orbs with his master who was of course sipping sake.

"Baka deshi, even if it reaches here you and I both know it won't last long. Ancient creatures run rampant in these mountains. Not to mention us, we'd tire of it quickly again," Hiko mused watching the blaze on the edge of the horizon skeptically. He had yet to see the full powers his young looking apprentice actually held bound to him, he aged only when he deemed it necessary. After what seemed like a century he was presently looking about fourteen.

"You are right about those creatures, although they seem more frightened of me than you. Which of course is most peculiar in any case, is it not?" Kenshin shook the water off then sat back down upon the stone, "I've been feeling an uneasiness among them as of late though. It seems there has been a shift in power, perhaps one of them will tell us what's going on?" The creatures that lived on this mountain were most interesting as all things went. Hiko and Himura were considered the village oddities of course, living as what most would consider the liaisons between the humans and mythical creatures of the night.

"Samurai of Mitsurugi, your assistance is required!" thinking of the devils of course brought them to appear. "The madness below must come to an end, the entirety of the Methuselah population is in utter chaos!" Kenshin raised an eyebrow, he of course was more familiar with the other side then Hiko. Having originally possibly been one he had learned after many strange circumstances that occurred. As long as he was in fair temperament he was fine, but if his anger flared in the light of day he often found himself burning harshly under the mid sun. While on other days he was not affected at all no matter how little the clothing he was wearing (if any at all) or bright the strange orb in the sky was.

"Why would you say that? I had heard that the counts had all matters under control," Kenshin countered, then he saw the grave expression and understood, "oh. So that's what this new war is about…" Hiko was of course baffled by the utter lack of clarification.

"The power struggle will continue until either a new count emerges or the fabled Imperial Prince takes control," the lesser demonic creature clarified, "no one knows what to do, so they started fighting and splitting up the land. What you see in Kyoto over yonder is somewhat unrelated, however amongst us here we believe that is the canines' doing." Kenshin grabbed his sword, looking down at the demonic being before him, it was certainly no different on the outside than the normal humans he had met. The key difference was the scent and power creeping around the being, most demons did not seek trouble. Canines were a whole different story.

"We are neither, so perhaps you could better point out how we could help the situation?" Hiko asked clearly still unaware of the nature of what was going on, "the counts are dead by your statement, but neither me nor the boy are anything special to your kind." Kenshin turned fighting the urge to smirk at his swords master, oh he was special, no doubt about that. Kenshin merely pulled his layers tighter preparing to leave once the demon enlightened his master to his oh so disturbing secret.

"You might not be, but he is…" the demon was pointing at him with a loss of words, "his scent carries remnants of the fair counts and something else. Something far older, something much more… powerful." Kenshin turned eyes blazing settling on Hiko, he had understood all to well what the statement meant.

"In essence I was someone before I came to study under you, but I am that person no more. My memories from that time are all but bubbles. Every time one is grasped too tightly it vanishes," Kenshin stared long and hard at his master, "I thank you for you training thus far, and I will return when I am able my Shishou. It seems however that my ignorance of the situation can't be helped, I have been called to interfere before this chaos infects anywhere else. I hope to return to your side one day and complete my training, until that day I must bid you a fond farewell." Kenshin bowed deeply then followed the demonic creature towards the camp of one the human factions.

"You will be able to stop it from within this group, there is one here who would protect you when you chose to reveal your secrets. He is the one called Katsura Kogoro," the creature explained, "you should be recruited immediately for your skills as a swordsman. The Mitsurugi style will draw out Katsura, and you will have to move on from their on your own." Kenshin nodded, he barely looked fourteen if he recalled correctly. He wasn't about to tell anyone just how old he figured he was, but he knew that speaking his former tongue in front of Hiko had certainly confused the man.

Kenshin did not have to wait long in the Kiheitai for Katsura Kogoro's appearance. Many whispered about the man, and Kenshin found himself drawn into all the political nonsense far too easy. He feigned innocence and immaturity easily enough that Katsura had fallen to speaking at him as if he would break by merely killing one human being or something. He'd hate to break the news to him that he had been far younger when that first kill had occurred, and it was indeed something that had shaken him to his core. If only for the drastic change in everyone else when he had.

Himura Kenshin was no scared child, he was the strangest entity in Japan and the strongest he daresay given his background. No, Hiko did not exactly know why he was being called upon, but Kenshin knew the words Imperial Prince and he wanted no part of it. He wanted the situation resolved before 'They' would be called in to investigate the rumors. Katsura treated him like the child he appeared to be, and Kenshin couldn't help but be thankful his body knew how to react on auto pilot. He was far to bored to pay any attention, so his mouth automatically answered and his actions followed the proper ideas for a fourteen year old.

"Welcome to the Choshu Himura Kenshin," Katsura offered a hand to him. Sensing this was significant, Kenshin smiled and took the offered hand, "may your strength help us end this war." Kenshin inwardly smirked, this man had no idea just what he was planning to make happen from within his ranks. Instead of the smirk, Kenshin settled on a very childish smile on the outside.

"I hope so to Katsura Sama," his voice answered in that very childish high pitch, and Katsura smiled back. Although his was quite a worn one…