Disclaimer: I once again hold no claim on Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter 8: You've Got To Be Kidding Me, And the Reason For Being There

By InuShemeeko

Kenshin and Sanosuke couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"Hey Kenshin did I hear what I think I just heard?"

"Oro. Master Hiko is Miss Nori's…….."

Both men looked at each other as they spoke the same word.

"Uncle?"

The harsh words and the staring contest stopped, when Nori and Hiko heard a familiar oro. Nori turned suddenly to find two dumbfound men standing in the dojo doorway. Hiko smirked as he looked at the two speechless men.

"Didn't I teacher you that it is rude to interrupt other peoples conversances?"

This remark seemed to be enough to snapped Kenshin out of his daze.

"Master Hiko, I did not expect you so early."

Hiko could believe what he was hearing early who said I was early? I'm right on time, didn't you get the letter I sent you?"

Then it hit Kenshin like a ton of brick he had completely forgotten when Hiko was due to come to Tokyo.

"Oro."

He then thought about it for a minute, before his gave Hiko a sour look.

"Wait a minute you never said when you where coming, only that you would be here in a few days.

Hiko smirked over at his former apprentice.

"Well it's been a few days hasn't it? So here I am."

This last remark from Hiko caused Kenshin to fall to the ground anime style. Sanosuke blinked a few times as he looked down at Kenshin, he then shook his head and looked up at Nori.

"So he's really your uncle and this isn't a joke that you're pulling?"

Nori's green eyes burned into Sanosuke's brown one's.

"No Sanosuke this is not a joke Hiko really is my Uncle."

Sanosuke scratched his head as he looked at Nori and then Hiko.

"Now that you mention it the two of you do look a little similar. Man it had to be hard having a uncle little him around?"

Nori sheathed her sword at then walked away from Hiko and the guys.

"I really wouldn't know seeing how I really never saw him a whole lot. He was to busy being a Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu style to care about family."

Hiko was shocked by what he had heard Nori just say to him.

"Now who's acting the part of a brat? I think it's you, whoever said I didn't care about my family?"

A small light sparked inside of Nori's now vacant eyes, as she turned back to look at Hiko.

"No one had to tell me. It was shown to me when no one was there to help my father when he needed it. Where were you then Seijurou Hiko?"

"If you don't like the way I have become then you can blame it on the people who killed my family and then my friends. Maybe you should even blame some of it on yourself?"

Nori then started to walk away from Kenshin, Sanosuke and Hiko. Sanosuke looked over at Kenshin.

"Well that went well."

Hiko's voice soon echoed throughout the dojo.

"If you want to really show me that you have grown up you could start by shutting up and let me tell you why I'm here."

Nori froze where she was as Hiko continued to talk.

"The shadow from your dark past is looking for you. He's a figure all dressed in black. He has been in Kyoto, I figure here is the next place he will look."

"Yes, I know Kin is looking from me. I have been having dreams from my past these last couple of nights. They have been warning me."

"However, he will not come until I recover my sight and I have defeated Seiichi. I must leave now he is near and he will want to finish what he started a few months ago."

Nori then turned to face Kenshin and Sanosuke.

"I am hoping the two of you will look after Akira, and Kyoko. They have seen enough death and I wish from them not to have to witness any more. If I don't not return please….."

Sanosuke cut her off before she could finish.

"Don't you dare say it."

Nori smiled lightly at Sanosuke.

"Sano, there will be many reasons that I may not return not just one."

Nori then made her way into the woods heading toward Edo that's where she had to go in order for the one's she care about to be safe. Nori had traveled farther away from the dojo when and scream from a child broke the silence around her.

"No. It can't be."

Her eyes widened as she made a mad dash toward the child's scream.

(A/N: Sorry for the long wait and that this chapter is short. I hope you all still R&R Ciao, InuShemeeko)